For two weeks I’ve traversed the path of love in song. This was done in a pseudo-homage to the silly holiday that is Valentine’s Day. Now that we’ve paid our dues to the love gods, we must honor the other side of the coin: heartbreak. Just like its counterpart, the abstract notion of heartbreak is rife with possibility and flush with emotional interpretations. This week, we’ll take a look at a few tracks that mine the wealth of heartbreak.
This first song is so desperate. Jim James unique voice is perfectly suited for this sort of vulnerability. One wonders if he might just fall apart right in the middle of the song as he details all these things he possesses. The comparison is a bit strange, but it reminds me every so slightly of “Try A Little Tenderness,” with its soft approach giving way to a crescendo of emotion and instrumentation. In the midst of this, James lays his apology at your feet.
Junior Kimbrough is one of my favorite blues musicians of all time. I’ve said this before, I know. But it truly bears repeating…the man is amazing. The emotion of the simple words are perfectly punctuated by the music. When you hear him claim that he “cried last night,” Junior sounds like a man that has lived and you believe him. You believe that heartache, you can feel it deep within your chest when the deep thwang of his guitar rolls over the words.
This is one of those pop confections that are always loved. Short of being overplayed, they never fail to put a smile on one’s face. “I’ll Kill Her” by Soko is misleadingly poppy.
There are three striking things about this song: 1) Her accent. Adorable and infectious, it is simply wonderful. 2) Her calmness. The relation of events is so calm that it’s endearing. One could be forgiven for pitying this poor girl and the turn of events that have befallen her…but underneath it, the calm delivery is rather disturbing for its lack of emotion. 3) The detail. The universe Soko creates is picture perfect. And this adds to the tragicomic nature of the whole song. Sure, it’s funny and cute…but it is devastatingly emotional at its core.
Just an idea for Wonderful Wednesdays if you are stuck on things to write about: in the next couple weeks you could showcase lesser-known bands that you like that are going to play in Austin for SXSW. Then, we can learn about some new music and maybe even get a chance to see it live!
lori denberg
great idea Taran! i meant to request a wonderful wednesday of new orleans brass band tunes in honor of mardi gras a couple weeks ago, but i forgot. maybe next year :)
ABaxter
As soon as I say, "that's my favorite My Morning Jacket song," I am reminded of another song which I love. His voice is so heartachingly sad, and beautiful all at the sametime. As for Soko, well, you know how I feel about that song!
Peter
Just realized that the Soko song cuts off (or at least did when I just tried to play it). See if I can't get that figured out soon'ish.
Wonderful Wednesday: Heartbreak Hotel
For two weeks I’ve traversed the path of love in song.
This was done in a pseudo-homage to the silly holiday that is Valentine’s Day. Now that we’ve paid our dues to the love gods, we must honor the other side of the coin: heartbreak. Just like its counterpart, the abstract notion of heartbreak is rife with possibility and flush with emotional interpretations. This week, we’ll take a look at a few tracks that mine the wealth of heartbreak.
This first song is so desperate. Jim James unique voice is perfectly suited for this sort of vulnerability. One wonders if he might just fall apart right in the middle of the song as he details all these things he possesses. The comparison is a bit strange, but it reminds me every so slightly of “Try A Little Tenderness,” with its soft approach giving way to a crescendo of emotion and instrumentation. In the midst of this, James lays his apology at your feet.
Picture of You-My Morning JacketJunior Kimbrough is one of my favorite blues musicians of all time. I’ve said this before, I know. But it truly bears repeating…the man is amazing. The emotion of the simple words are perfectly punctuated by the music. When you hear him claim that he “cried last night,” Junior sounds like a man that has lived and you believe him. You believe that heartache, you can feel it deep within your chest when the deep thwang of his guitar rolls over the words.
I Cried Last Night-Junior KimbroughThis is one of those pop confections that are always loved. Short of being overplayed, they never fail to put a smile on one’s face. “I’ll Kill Her” by Soko is misleadingly poppy.
I'll Kill Her-SokoThere are three striking things about this song: 1) Her accent. Adorable and infectious, it is simply wonderful. 2) Her calmness. The relation of events is so calm that it’s endearing. One could be forgiven for pitying this poor girl and the turn of events that have befallen her…but underneath it, the calm delivery is rather disturbing for its lack of emotion. 3) The detail. The universe Soko creates is picture perfect. And this adds to the tragicomic nature of the whole song. Sure, it’s funny and cute…but it is devastatingly emotional at its core.