Panic Switch – Silversun Pickups

This isn’t the first time I’ve lauded the Silversun Pickups. Back in Aug. ’07 I posted this (click here for “Lazy Eye.”)

I picked up the latest Silversun Pickups record at Target last Saturday. It’s been in my CD player and playlist on the old iPod ever since. This effort…the music, guitar licks, drum beats, lyrics…remarkable. I have a soft spot for edgy rock – the alt style – and SSPU seriously delivers.

“Panic Switch” is the tune getting all the play time on stations like The Current. But my favorite of the 10 new songs is, “Catch and Release.” Unfortunately, the band hasn’t produced a video for this track. So here’ s video and lyrics for “Panic Switch.” More songs to come as this band tours.

Lyrics:

Time.
It’s never worth my time.
Moonshine
Bleeds into my eyes.

I still
Sleep on the right side
Of the white noise;
Can’t leave the scene behind.

Could I be anything you want me to be
If so, is it meant to be seen?

[Chorus]
Do you see yourself in a crowded room?
Do you think I’ll snitch? Are you pistol-whipped?
Will you step in line, or release the glitch?
Can you fall asleep with a panic switch?

When you see yourself in a crowded room,
Do you think I’ll snitch? Are you pistol whipped?
Will you step in line or release the glitch?
Do you think she’ll sleep with the panic?

And I’ll try to hold on tight tonight.
Pink slip, inviting me inside.
I want to burn skin and brand what once was mine,
But the red news came ripping in to fight.

If I go anywhere that you want me to go,
How will I know you’ll still follow?

[Chorus]

I’m waiting and fading and floating away
I’m waiting and fading and floating away
I’m waiting and fading and floating away
I’m waiting and fading and floating.

I’m waiting and fading and floating away
Waiting and fading and floating away
Waiting and fading and floating away
Waiting and fading and flailing and fading

-end-

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The Current.Org

I belong.

There are a lot of cool things happening in my world. The Current is one example of “cool” that deserve a shout out here.

After listening “free” for the past year, I bucked up and sent in my financial contribution to The Current, 89.3, an alternative radio station in the Twin Cities owned and operated by Minnesota Public Radio.

It is the right thing to do.

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Landed – Ben Folds

It’s all about the message. In my world of public relations, message is king and in this song, Ben Folds nails both the music and the delivery.

Lyrics:

We’d hit the bottom,
I thought it was my fault
And in a way I guess it was
I’m just now finding out
What it was all about

Moved to the west coast away from everyone
She never told me that you called
Back when I was still, I was still in love

Till I opened my eyes and walked out the door
And the clouds came tumbling down
And it’s bye-bye, goodbye, I tried
And I twisted it wrong just to make it right
Had to leave myself behind
I’ve been flying high all night
So come pick me up…I’ve landed

The daily dramas she made from nothing
So nothing ever made them right
She liked to push me and talk me back down
Until I believed I was the crazy one,
and in a way
I guess I was…

But I opened my eyes and walked out the door
And the clouds came tumbling down
And it’s bye-bye, goodbye I tried
Treading a sea of a troubled mind
Had to leave myself behind
Singing bye-bye, goodbye I tried

If you wrote me off I’d understand it
Because I’ve been on some other planet
So come pick me up…
I’ve landed

And you will be so
Happy to know
I’ve come alone,
It’s over

But I opened my eyes and walked out the door
And the clouds came tumbling down
And it’s bye-bye goodbye I tried
Down comes the reign of the telephone czar
It’s OK to call
Now I’ll answer for myself

Come pick me up,
…I’ve landed

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“Silver Lining” – David Gray

As I recently shared with someone who means a great deal to me, if there were one singer/songwriter’s CD that I was allowed to have on my iPod, I’d select David Gray’s, “White Ladder” record. So many good tracks on that effort.

There’s a silver lining on all aspects of our lives, no matter how hard you question, wonder, or worry. No matter how dark it may be at any given moment. If we just remember and keep a watchful eye open for it.

Here’s Gray’s “Silver Lining.” No one sings it like he does.

Lyrics

Take this silver lining
Keep it in your own
Sweet head
And shine it when the night is
Burning red
Shine it in the twilight
Shine it on the cold, cold ground
Shine it til these walls
Come tumbling down

We were born with our eyes wide open
So alive with wild hope now
Can you tell me why
Time after time they drag you down
Down in the darkness deep
Fools and their madness all around
Know that the light don’t sleep

Step into the silence
Take it in your own
Two hands
And scatter it like diamonds
All across these lands
Blaze it in the morning
Wear it like an iron skin
Only things worth living for are
Innocence and magic, amen

We were born with our eyes wide open
So alive with wild hope now
Can you tell me why
Time after time they drag you down
Down in the darkness deep
Fools and their madness all around
Know that the light don’t sleep

Woah, wooah

Time after time they drag you down
Down in the darness deep
Fools and their madness all around
Know that the light don’t sleep
Know that the light don’t sleep

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“You Are The Best Thing,” Ray LaMontagne

I first met up with Ray a year ago, maybe longer, when his song, “Jolene,” found its way into my play list. There’s just something about his delivery…I can’t quite pin it down. He definitely gets his gruve on with this track, a favorite, from the Gossip in the Grain record.

Lyrics

Baby, it’s been a long day, baby.
Things ain’t going my way
You know I need you here
Here by my side
All of the time

And Baby, the way you move me its crazy.
It’s like, you see right through me, you make it easier,
You please me and you don’t even have to try.

Oh because,
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me

Baby, we’ve come a long way, baby.
You know, I hope and I pray that you believe me
When I say this love will never fade away

Oh because you are the best thing
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me

Now both of us have known love before,
To come on up promising, like the spring, just walk on out the door.
Our hearts are strong and are hearts are kind.
Well, let me tell you what exactly is on my mind.

You are the best thing
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me

You are the best thing
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me

Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
Now, now, now, now

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“Let It Be Me,” Ray LaMontagne

Ray LaMontagne launched a new album, “Gossip In The Grain,” about a month ago. Here’s a track I’ve come to like. The video is taken from a gig he played in Boulder. It’s a bit shaky, but the sound is good.

Let It Be Me

There comes a time,
A time in everyone’s life
When nothing seems to go your way,
When nothing seems to turn out right

There may come a time,
You just can’t seem to find your place
For every door you open,
Seems like you get two slammed in your face

That’s when you need someone,
Someone that you, you can call.
When all your faith is gone,
It feels like you can’t go on

Let it be me
Let it be me
If it’s a friend that you need
Let it be me
Let it be me

Feels like you’re always comin’ up last
Pockets full of nothin’ ain’t got no cash
No matter where you turn
You ain’t got no place to stand
You reach out for somethin’ and they slap your hand

I remember all too well
Just how it feels to be all alone
To feel like you’d give anything
For just a little place you can call your own

That’s when you need someone,
Someone that you, you can call
When all your faith is gone
It feels like you can’t go on

Let it be me
Let it be me
If it’s a friend you need,
Let it be me
Let it be me

Let it be me
Let it be me
If it’s a friend you need,
Let it be me
Let it be me
Let it be me

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“Can’t Stop,” – MoZella

Known best for her a song titled, “Amnesia,” MoZella’s tunes continue to grab my interest.  This one called, “Can’t Stop,” has been on autoreplay in my car for the past week. It’s not the greatest video, but you’ll get the idea.

“Can’t Stop” Lyrics

Speak to me, read my mind
Fill your mouth, with flesh and wine

And I’ll be yours, just give me time
Give me time…

Cause you have everything I could ever want
You have everything I could ever want
You speak to my soul like you’ve known it before
And I just can’t stop
Lord I can’t stop, myself
I can’t stop
Lord I can’t stop, myself, now…

I’m losing sleep, over you
And I don’t know what, I’ve gotten myself into
You just have something that I need
I can’t put my finger on it
You can’t put yours on me

You have everything I could ever want
You have everything I could ever want
You speak to my soul like you’ve known it before
And I just can’t stop
Lord I can’t stop, myself
I can’t stop
Lord I can’t stop, myself, now…

That you know, I can’t get enough
I gotta have all your love

You have everything I could ever want
You have everything I could ever want
You speak to my soul like you’ve known it before
And I just can’t stop
Lord I can’t stop, myself
I can’t stop
Lord I can’t stop, myself
I won’t stop
Lord I can’t stop, myself
I can’t stop
Lord I can’t stop, myself, now…

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Missy Higgins – Basilica Block Party 2008

The music line-up at the 2008 Basilica Block Party left a bit to be desired, but — as at every BBP — there was one performance that made up for other ho-hum performances.

Missy Higgins sang the bulk of songs from her 2007 release “On A Clear Night.” Clearly, she blew the audience away with her vocals, personality and musicianship. The crowd was a good 8,000 during her performance, but less a third of that number stayed for the last act of the night – Gavin Rossdale.

In this video, Higgins sings, “Where I Stood,” at the ’07 Aria Awards in Australia. Her popularity is growing rapidly outside of her home country – at last.

Enjoy the tune.

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“Bliss” – Alice Peacock

Here’s the latest of indie musicians to hit it big with song placement into a commercial. This time it’s Alice Peacock, born and raised in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and now practicing her music out of Chicago.

A good friend of mine introduced me to Alice back in 2001, or so and I’ve followed her career ever since. Most recently I saw her perform live in Minneapolis.

Listen for her song, “Bliss,” on Hershey’s Bliss chocolate commercials, which began airing March 31. In this version, she duets with John Mayer.

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“Masochist” – Ingrid Michaelson

Lyrics:

She says you’re a masochist for falling for me,
So roll up your sleeves.
And I think that I like her, ‘cuz she tells me things I don’t want to hear,
Medicinal tongue in my ear.

When will it stop? When will it stop?
When will I feel all soft on the inside?
When will I feel all soft on the inside?
When will I feel soft, soft?

You say that my skin feels like no one else’s,
That it’s different somehow.
But I don’t understand, isn’t a hand just a hand?
No you don’t understand.

When will it start? My broken part?
When will I feel all soft on the inside?
When will I feel all soft on the inside?
When will I feel soft, soft?

Oooo

When will I feel all soft on the inside? When will I feel all soft on the inside?
When will I feel soft, soft?

She says you’re a masochist for falling for me.

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