Daily Rhythm

This is today’s Daily Rhythm. Discovered this band thanks to Bleach’s Facebook page. Stoked about Bleach’s recent reunion and upcoming new music, but more on that later. Sons, formerly known as Sons of God, just signed to Slospeak Records on Jan. 2nd. Slospeak Records, run by Bleach’s frontman Dave Baysinger currently has four artists signed with them. This single, “Doubt,” was released just weeks ago, and really makes me excited for the band’s upcoming full release. Vocalist sounds a bit like Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, which is cool. Check it out, give it a few listens, and let me know what you think. 

This was Friday’s Daily Rhythm. Beautiful song by Seattle, Washington band This Providence. “Somebody To Talk To,” is the closer of the band’s 2009 concept album Who Are You Now?, and interestingly enough the first song that came specifically to mind this weekend.

When listening to music, so many people only allow themselves to identify with the singer, as if the only perspective they could be singing from is their own. However, not everybody shares the same experiences, so not everybody will find meaning in the singer’s perspective alone. Instead, if the opposite perspective (the one belonging to the person being sung to or about) is considered, twice as many listeners will be able to identify with the song’s lyrics.

Of course, then there’s always the God factor: that maybe the song is not detailing the hearts of human lovers at all, but instead investigating the perspectives involved in a Creator/created relationship. Think about it. 

I encourage you to first listen to the song at leisure. Chances are, you will find yourself identifying with This Providence’s frontman, Dan Young. Secondly, listen as if you are the one Dan is singing to. Thirdly, listen as if Dan is attempting to engage in dialogue with an outside object, whether it be a higher power, a memory, or a metaphor.

This is the first song I’ve understood better from the perspective of the person being sung to than that of the singer. It’s also the first time I’ve understood this song in that way.

This is today’s Daily Rhythm. I’ve rediscovered what may very well be may favorite song…ever. So, in light of that, I’m dedicating the next few posts to “So Damn Lucky,” from Dave Matthews’ solo album, Some Devil. I’ll start with this one (simply the recording from the studio album, along with lyrics), and post by post I’ll examine different live versions of the same beautiful song. Here goes.

This is today’s Daily Rhythm. Well, this morning’s rhythm. I awoke with this song stuck in my head, before settling back into my Modest Mouse post. “The Only Thing Worse Than Beating A Dead Horse Is Betting On One,” from Relient K’s 2004 release, Mmhmm, is a short fast politically charged punk number, making it perfect for singing in the shower (guilty as charged), or shouting aloud in the car on the way to work/school/the circus (no judgment here). The lyrics are filled with Thiessen’s brand of non-sequitur, tongue-in-cheek commentary. Please enjoy. If you don’t enjoy it, dance around and sing it until you do. If the video’s inaudible, I apologize. I’ll find a better one later. Again, I opted for live performance over fan video, and did not have a chance to preview it before publishing.

Here’s a better audio-quality video.

This is today’s Daily Rhythm…well, yesterday’s. Today is day two, I should explain, of Modest Mouse’s “Gravity Rides Everything” being stuck in my head. The entire The Moon & Antarctica album is rapidly climbing the favorites ladder. This song in particular clings to my mind-fibers because of the lyrics, and the melody and manner in which they are sung. “Got to see, got to know right now. What’s that riding on your everything? It isn’t anything at all.” The chorus strips down the subject’s value to reveal naked insignificance. Brock takes a step back from that however, and insists, “It all will fall, fall right into place,” as even when nothing else is present, gravity is unchanging. Gravity gives us our significance. Gravity at least rides everything. 

Bear in mind this is my lowly interpretation. Also, I’m in class, so I couldn’t physically check to make sure this video is high quality/audible at all, but I wanted to post a live performance, rather than a fan-made video.