Day 103: Absynth Minded - Space

When I was doing my internship, 2.5 years ago, I used to travel quite a lot by public transport. Equiped with my mp3 player and my favorite songs on it, I actually enjoyed this a lot. One of the records I listened to at that time was the self titled album of a small Belgium band called Absynth Minded; the song I preferred the most was one called Envoi (as a tribute to literature writer Hugo Claus). I could sing along with every word and one day I even wrote out the text on paper, so much I liked it. '

Now the band is back with their new album "As it ever was", a record based on heavy themes, with songs that are easy to listen to; yes, quite a contradiction but so great. Quite often I like albums of artists/ band because of their musicality and the feel a song gives you, without paying attention to the lyrics. This one is different as I discovered that there are also a lot of beautiful secrets hidden in the lyrics of this album. I think my co-writer Peter would call this something like layers that build up the song.

Today's song is called Space. It is the single of the album that was released in february this year. It took me a few times to discover the fantastic aspects of this song but for me that makes a song only more valuable and is always an aspect by which I would recognize a great song.

Please give this "hidden secret from Belgium" a chance.. I bet you will love it.

Day 102: Damien Jurado - Nothing Is The News

This fine song isn’t as much beautiful, as it stands out for being firm and relaxed at the same time. I’ve listened to it for a little while already and did not really know where to put it. ‘Nothing Is The News’ is the opener of Damien Jurado’s 2012 and eleventh album Maraqopa, so Jurado isn’t a newcomer. He is claimed to make music as a singer/songwriter in the tradition of Seattle indierock, yet this song refers back a lot more to, as you like to put it, seventieslike psychedelic rock music.

What I find so cool is the guitar solo that kicks in very early and lasts for almost the whole track. My  co-writer Justin likes to attach his posts to some kind of feel or mood you have in some occasion or moment of the day. This one I think is perfect for late night, just at that switch point between hanging back and eventually coming in action. After sitting down on some Friday night, having a couple of drinks. Taking in the laidback atmosphere of the song, but loading the firmness and confidence at the same time, when making up to go out.

Day 101: Isbells - Elation

A new song from one of my recent discoveries from Belgium, to start your weekend with a very relaxt mood. It's from Isbells, a melancholic pop-folk band that is centered around lead-singer Gaëtan Vandewoude who started this group in 2009.  After singing in many small bands as back-up singer he decided to start his own band. And he did an amazing job.

When I heard on the DWDD show last week I was convinced. I listened to the second album of the group (Stoalin', 2012) and loved it. It reminded me of the self titled album of Bon Iver (2011) but also of Fleet Foxes, not only the music but also the quality of the music. Dreamy, Arabic, Introvert pop-folk songs that suck you in...

This song, Elation, makes you totally feel at ease, creates a smile at your face (especially the part with the singing little children) and makes you think about how great life can be. And the part with which the song starts also ends the song... Slow, quiet and really relaxt...

Enjoy your weekend..