Nov 2, 2008

Brett Dennen and Mimicking Birds

Several scattered thoughts are about to be spread across this screen.

I bought Brett Dennen's new album yesterday. I'd only heard one song from it and only knew a little by him period, but I'd heard good things. And he's one of those up-and-coming guys. And sings about worthy things--worldviews, politics, justice, etc. So I bought it. I'm quite impressed. It's not life-changing, and I knew it wouldn't be, but it's enjoyable. Nice happy music for the rainy, almost-winter weather that's beginning.

He has this song called "Heaven" that has some pretty interesting lyrics:

"Beyond the rules of religion
The cloth of conviction
Above all the competition
Where fact and fiction meet."

Love number two from late is Mimicking Birds. I saw them open for somebody at MusicFest Northwest, but I can't remember. I just remember thinking I liked the sounds of them. They also opened for Conor Oberst and Jenny Lewis the other night, and talked about some free downloads on their webpage. I downloaded them a few days ago, then forgot, and now the six tracks have been playing on repeat for at least an hour. I feel like they are playing a private concert in my room. It's like early Elliott Smith or Iron and Wine where the recording is so quite that you can hear background noises, while they're whispering into some cheap recording equipment in their basement. So pure.

High production is beautiful in its own way (U2, you know I love you). But there is so much to be said about beautiful lo-fi. It's just pure, honest, innocent music.

A shout-out to noodles to end this post, in honor of Shannon.

LB

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