Devendra Banhart - “Now That I Know”

It’s a perfect, quiet morning for this one.

damn, i just noticed how low those pants are.  well, when you’re looking for a photo of devendra, are you really trying to find a normal photo?

Bowerbirds - “Bur Oak”
And all across the desert
And all up in the mountains
A wind so loud that we might never mention

This song seems so desperate during the verses, but then it turns around into pure happiness for the choruses.  The tambourine starts tapping, and the lyrics happily turn to one personal memory.  I’m not sure what it means, but it seems to be a relief at least for him to be focusing on one personal event rather than all the impersonal and frightening on-goings of the world.  That is enough.

I’m lovin’ these guys.  They harness a lot of the same attitude and sound as Elvis Perkins.  I think that’s why I’m vibing with everything they do.

Meursault - “A Few Kind Words”

There was a voice that I heard one time,
so faceless, full of noise,
and don’t you know, it shook me from my sleep;
it threatened hellfire then it spooned with me.
It whispered in my ear
you have only yourself to fear.

This is a Scottish group.
“Simultaneously romantic, intensely bleak and wryly funny.”

Horse Feathers - “In Our Blood”

Named after the 1932 Marx Brothers, Horse Feathers is hardly light-hearted enough to live up to their namesake.  As a modern folk duo, they’re surely no strangers to irony.  It’s their pastoral sound that makes “Horse Feathers” sound right for these guys.

I love the violin, which distinguishes this from any Iron & Wine track.

There are things you tend to say when you’re alone.
There are tones you tend to take when you’re at home.
Let me be that thorn, thistle, or key.
Let me prove you’ll unlock just for me.

Groucho & Chico are both a bit creepy here.