The Midwestern Miscreant

Well, here’s a nice little British outfit for you.

Stornoway comes to you from Oxford. They’ll especially appeal to fans of Mumford & Sons and Fleet Foxes. This is their single “I Saw You Blink.” It’s a pleasant song. “Fuel Up” is another one of my favorites off their album, Beachcombers Windowsill.

There are Sufjan songs better suited for going to bed. However, I was out and about this evening and this song came on 92.3. I had never heard it all the way through, and it made me grin, stupidly as the xylophone trickled, the clapping commenced and I pulled up to a red light. Even now, as my eyes droop, and Futurama hums across the room, I play this song with a happy, though sleepy, disposition.

Had a dream you were two towns from me
Got to sleep, spent the whole night running

Here is Her Space Holiday covering “I’ll Believe In Anything” by Wolf Parade. Some days, I like listening to it more than listening to the original.

This song always gets me.

I guess I don’t have VERY strong feelings about Passion Pit’s latest, a cover of Smashing Pumpkin’s “Tonight, Tonight.” However, I do greatly appreciate well-done covers that an artist unapologetically makes their own. Different parts of the song are emphasized by Passion Pit’s rendition, but they pull it off seamlessly. I recently downloaded a mixtape of covers, including tracks like Jarrod Gorbel’s version of Alicia Keys’ “No One,” Vampire Weekend’s hit “Cousins” performed by Mumford & Sons, and Sufjan Stevens singing R.E.M.’s “The One I Love.” Some were inspired performances, but some were just drab. I think Passion Pit took the bull by the balls here, and included what makes them characteristically Passion Pit without shame.

Read more about Passion Pit’s take on the song here.

Watch the original music video for “Tonight, Tonight” here.

“Half Full Glass of Wine” by Tame Impala is what you’re listening to right now. I’ve had it playing on repeat for most of the day.

And, yes, you’re very much into it.

Say hello to Golden Ages, one of your new favorite bands. Golden Ages is Animal Collective meets Beach House meets the ocean. Indiecater Records has picked up this gem and released a full-length, Traditions, which I can’t wait to get my hands on. You’re listening to “Everything Will Be Alright,” the first track off of their Sitting Softly in the Sea EP. It’s uplifting and whimsical, as are the other three tracks on the EP. If you enjoy up-and-comers like Magic Man or Twin Sister, download Golden Age’s EP.

Download the Sitting Softly In the Sea EP here for freeeeeeeee.

Inexplicably wake up at 4 AM, then accidentally listen to Blood Bank and For Emma, Forever Ago in their entireties while Three’s Company incessantly reruns on TV Land.

This song shakes me, moves me away and apart.

Does anyone remember De Capulet? They broke up in like…2006 or something. I know  Jakob Johnson went on to do The Record Life, which I am listening to now. The Record Life Myspace looks like something associated with a band like The Maine and it sounds like it, except mixed with Grizzly Bear, but really shitty lyrics, so not really at all. I take it back. I can’t really say what this reminds me of? Whatever. It’s irrelevant.

The point is that De Capulet was my favorite band for a couple weeks my freshman year of high school, and I danced to this song in my room while Amelie was playing on silent.

Anyways, this song came on shuffle, and I was taken back to a more angst-ridden time.

I have preached the gospel of Mouf and B-Linn for quite a while now. This is now my favorite song off of their debut release, The Next Big Thing. I adore this, and I think you all will feel the same.

They’ll be performing at Don’s hill in NYC on June 21. My other friends, The Fly, will be there with them. If you’re lucky enough to attend this show, know that I’m very jealous and will be dancing in my room to their albums and munching on Otter Pops.

When I get back to Syracuse, they better be playing a Back2School pow-wow. I will dance and sing like there ain’t no tomorrow.

I saw Kate Micucci on a Hillshire Farms commercial this morning. It’s weird, because she like…made a movie with William H. Macy. I guess it’s whatever brings home the bacon.

Get it? Bacon? Because “Go Meat!” Nevermind. I watch too much television.

Anyways, this is from her solo EP, which is quite cute. I like this song, because who doesn’t occasionally ponder the beer preference of the Earth’s moon? Miss Micucci, you are the voice of the people.

My boyfriend got this for me as a present. Needless to say, it is the best thing I could ever hope for. I am obsessed.

This tune is called “Kitten Wedding.” Yes, there are 36 of these babies, free for your listening pleasure here.

I don’t want to be a sap, you know. I am apathetic about films like The Notebook. Generally speaking, I am pretty stoic; not a stone witch, but it takes a lot to make these eyes well. I have trouble remembering the last time I was moved to tears by the words of a song. However, I was driving past a Goodwill and Dairy Queen on Monday, and 92.3 started playing “I And Love And You.” I have listened to the latest Avett Brothers’ album all the way through once, maybe listened to that song five or six times. Of course, it’s beautiful, but I had listened to it very passively. There on Meridian Street, though, I sang along to the song. And truth be known, I started to cry. Other factors could contribute to this, but there I was, turning into the Southern Plaza shopping strip, and I was crying over this song.

I might not be the only one who feels this way.