Hello there, dear world, and welcome to another week of Looks Like Coffee, Tastes Like Juice. It's currently a beautiful Sunday night, as I sit and write this, made even more beautiful by the confirmation that I'll be leaving the country soon. Yes, on Thursday, two thirds of my household will be going to Florida. I'm very excited for this, seeing as the preferred portion of my family lives in Florida (I'm only joking... sort of), and I haven't been there since I was 8 years old. This is leaving me quite excited to experience all the Florida-esque things that I wasn't able to previously experience. So, with the promise of a VERY upbeat post tonight,we trudge onward! Tonight we'll be bringing you some Fleet Foxes and Jonathan Richman.
Fleet Foxes
I think it's pretty fair to say that Fleet Foxes, who are a five-piece Seattle band, have definitely exploded onto the "scene". They have recently (June 3rd) released their debut album, which is entitled Fleet Foxes, which has been pleasantly received by many major publications. Did I say pleasantly? Excuse, I meant, FUCKING RIDICULOUSLY PLEASANT. Yeah, Pitchfork gave it a solid 9, Rolling Stone a solid 4 and many other publications have slapped a perfect 10 on this little ditty. So, if you're thinking to yourself, "Does this band really deserve this massive amount of hype?". Well, my friends, the answer is yes.
Don't take my word for it. Enjoy these videos/mp3's, courtesy of Pitchfork and Daytrotter.
English House - Fleet Foxes
Sun It Rises - Fleet Foxes
White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes
Jonathan Richman
Oh, New England! That's right, a new Jonathan Richman album. So, for those of you who (suck and) don't know about Mr. Richman, care to be enlightened? I think so.
Jonathan Richman, is a fifty seven year old man born in Natick, Massachusetts, but is mostly known for the Boston punk band that he started, The Modern Lovers. The Modern Lovers, who were greatly influenced by The Velvet Underground, have developed a cult following since their breakup in 1974.
Now, about the album.
On April 22nd, 2008, Jonathan Richman released his newest album, without much publicity outside the internet. It draws upon similar styles as his other solo efforts, but this album is very different. For there is one serious emotion that is not quite prominent in other Richman works, that seems to be quite prominent in this one. That emotion is melancholy (I couldn't just say sadness, I gave it such a wonderful lead-in). It is quite evident that Mr.Richman has lost a loved one, possibly his mother. We can clearly hear Jonathan abandon what's "cool" and lay his suffering down on the table.
So, now, with out any more hype from a delusional Jonathan Richman devotee (I'm a bit biased, I suppose), here's a track from the new album, and a video for an old classic. Enjoy.
Jonathan Richman MySpace
New England - The Modern Lovers
As My Mother Lay Lying - Jonathan Richman
Thank you for reading.
The next time you hear from me, I'll be in Florida. Chances are, you won't be. It feels good.
Til' Next Week
