The Best Song Ever: Lucky Bastard

MP3: Widower - Lucky Bastard

I wish this could be a GO TEAM post, but I only know Widower's Kevin Large so well. What I know in detail is his incredible songs, mostly off the Acres session, which today's Best Song Ever comes from.

The lyrics of "Lucky Bastard" have stopped me in my tracks most anytime I've listened to it: it's the ultimate mission statement of a great man. The music itself is a godsend, the rare reasoning behind the greatness of just someone playing a guitar and putting it all out there for whoever is listening.

Kevin is playing by himself these days, and I can only hope that will mean a return to form, but whatever may be will be and I will always think Lucky Bastard is a bad ass fucking track.

That Feeling b/w Eastover Wives

MP3: Dent May - That Feeling

MP3: Dent May - Eastover Wives

REAL QUICK / MORE FOREST FAMILY: Download this whole 7 inch by Dent May, then pre-order it. This dude is the real deal buds.

OOUTERLIMITSS

MP3: SLEEP ∞ OVER - Outer Limits

Sucks this one is already out of print, but Forest Family released a 7 inch from SLEEP ∞ OVER and it's a fucking gem and a half. "Outer Limits" is the highlight, it totally makes for a nice stoned Thursday night.

Grab the whole thing here.

Double Moon

MP3: Buffalo Moon - Low Tide Moon

It's actually more like a triple moon: Buffalo Moon's new 7 inch "Black Magic b/w Low Tide Moon" sees release in September from Moon Glyph. These guys are one of my favourite bands to come out this year so it's no surprise here that the b-side is stellar. Don't miss out: download this, then pre-order that bad boy before it's too late.

FY!GT! PREMIERE: Crying Shame

MP3: Fourth of July - Crying Shame

Lawrence, Kansas takes Fourth of July for granted.

While living there, I never saw them play a bad gig or write a mediocre song. I would argue that they are the most talented band in that city, if not the entire Midwest and come August 31st I fully believe that this will be realized by the masses (oh, plus I got to sing with a group of Lawrence's finest on "Tan Lines" and a few scatter shots all throughout the LP. So that shit makes this post officially a GO TEAM. Believe it.).

"Before Our Hearts Explode!" is FOJ's sophomore record and a lot has changed with the guys besides haircuts. While you could easily write this whole thing off as a breakup record (which it is PROUDLY) there is so much more going on. Brendan Hangauer's lyrics have gotten more precise and clever, keeping the songs selfishly about himself while weaving incognito tapestries that any listener could easily relate to. Yes, it's a "man"'s record, but the situations are so genderlessly universal that if you are human and you feel, you're in hook, line & sinker. It goes back and forth from sweet to ugly within the blink of an eye.

Today's premiere "Crying Shame" is the perfect example of that: it sounds like a relationship hanging on by a thread where both parties involved do everything they can to screw with each other but come the choruses it returns to the routines of the past and the fear of truly being alone.

So yeah, Lawrence takes Fourth of July for granted, but I think very highly of this album and I bet they will too to the point that it'll be worn like a badge of honor. Bravo FOJ, bravo Range Life Records.

LONG HAIR

MP3: Black Mountain - The Hair Song

Black Mountain have described their forthcoming "Wilderness Heart" as their most metal and most folk record. While either of those (mostly the much salivated metal side) have yet to appear, opener "The Hair Song" is still some very, very solid shit. Can't wait to truly rock though!

Past post

MP3: D.O.A. - Lady Tell Me Why
MP3: Hope - Dream Away

Numero Group really keeps on pounding the past in "Local Customs: Lone Star Lowlands". Although some of the songs where their influences on their sleeves quite heavily (the included "Dream Away" by Hope lifts its vocal harmonies basically from the Neil Young classic "When You Dance You Can Really Love"), all of the songs are still really well done. [Note: the D.O.A. song that is included here is not the same band that wrote "Marijuana Motherfucker.] However, that's what has always been great about the various compilations Numero has issued—some bands only have one good song, but that doesn't mean that it should be overlooked.

The End of the World Is Bigger Than Love

MP3: Jens Lekman - The End of the World Is Bigger Than Love

It's new, it's true. Read Jens Lekman's account of why this song exists here and then cross your fingers for a new record.