Helvetia - "Gladness". Helvetia curl up with guitars. There are drums and voice but really it's the wrap of gold and silver that matters; the glimmer and warmth. It reminds me of Pinback - it's the same kind of cradle. If I had a conversation with this song it would probably go like this:
Me: Nice boat.
Helvetia - "Gladness": Thank you. Did you notice the gold and silver?
Me: I did.
Helvetia - "Gladness": The glimmer and warmth?
Me: I noted that too.
Helvetia - "Gladness": We can take you where you're going.
Me: Even though your boat is full of holes?
Helvetia - "Gladness": Even though.
[info / buy 2006's The Clever North Wind]
Pinback - "Hurley". Pinback curl up with guitars. There are drums and voice but really it's the wrap of black and indigo that matters; the blur and bloom. It reminds me of Helvetia - it's the same kind of cradle. If I had a conversation with this song it would probably go like this:
Me: Nice boat.
Pinback - "Hurley": I guess. Did you notice the black and indigo?
Me: I did.
Pinback - "Hurley": The blur and bloom?
Me: I noted that too.
Pinback - "Hurley": We can take you were you want to go.
Me: I'm not sure I dare.
Pinback - "Hurley": You should, you should, you should. Come. Come on, Sean. Come.
[buy the very-classic 1999 album, This is a Pinback CD]
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Okay if that was too wanky for you, let me say this: there's something magic when electric guitars weave and interweave in modest ways. The glitter is a pretty sound, such a reassuring and sustaining one. Something that can point at once to certainty and to ambiguity. Musically, too, it's interesting - an in-between of post-punk angularity and that old Byrds jangle. Jordan loves the way The Wooden Stars do this; and I love the way Jordan's band, The Cay, knit these intricate/simple guitar repetitions. It's an uncomplicated mathematics that seems very human. Rock music stripped to the sound of sympathetic notes. Good vibes. And the chorus of "Hurley" makes my heart turn bright, bright blue.
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I wish I could share with you a song from the upcoming Jason Molina recording. It is very, very beautiful and very, very sad. But Secretly Canadian would disapprove. Secretly Canadian, if you are reading this, please reconsider.
Posted by Sean at August 1, 2006 3:00 AMSublime post, Sean.
Posted by Mike NBGL at August 1, 2006 9:27 AMI second that.
Posted by Karin S. at August 1, 2006 2:01 PMconversations with songs? i was about to say "give me a break" until you gave yourself one.
Posted by dylan at August 1, 2006 2:56 PMFor every release on Secretly Canadian we offer one song as a free download. If you go to our website at secretlycanadian.com you can download "Lonesome Valley" from the upcoming Magnolia Electric Co. release "Fading Trails" or "Get Out Get Out Get Out" from the upcoming Jason Molina solo album "Let me go, Let me go, Let me go". Feel free to check out and post for download either of these songs.
Posted by abe at August 1, 2006 5:16 PMPinback is exceptional live, be sure to close your eyes for at least half the time.
Posted by Dave at August 3, 2006 2:23 AMNice stuff.
Directions to go if you haven't before: Pell Mell, Nord Express and forgotten dopers extraordinaire, Pot Valiant (who named themselves after their favorite smoke and their, er, car). Oh, and @#%!ing Pete Seeger's 'Goofing-Off Suite'. Yeah.
Secretly Canuck, try to remember: you are not losing sales on these posts. You can only gain them.
Posted by wcw at August 3, 2006 7:55 PMAh, yes, we often forget that there was a time when Pinback wasn't on Touch & Go and Rob Crow wasn't collaborating with members of Hella or the Deftones. Even though it's very understated, that first album is a classic.
Posted by Jeff at August 5, 2006 12:19 PMI know Rob Crow. And I really don't think he would ever say that. Like, ever.
But it's a nice post anyway.
Posted by Sarah at August 9, 2006 12:17 PMyay for the Helvetia song still online, I'm way behind. and Yay for Pinback, one of my most favorite bands ever! especially live. That's such a good song.
Posted by courtney at August 13, 2006 7:02 PM
and it will begin playing. All songs are also available to download: just right-click the link and choose 'Save as...'
