Finals Time

Now is the time when most every college student in America is relaxing and starting their much needed summer vacations. Not me. I’m smack dab in the middle of finals week right now, with one final down and three to go (two on Monday, one on Tuesday). After that I’ll be home free, but the absolutely gorgeous (see: 75 degrees, breeezy and sunny) weather in Madison is not helping me focus. These songs, however, are doing their part in aiding the studying process. If any of you guys are still in school, or even if you’re done, check these songs out:

MP3: LCD Soundsystem – “All My Friends”
This song, off of James Murphy’s latest release, Sound of Silver, consists mainly of two piano lines looped over each other with a simple drum pattern and a synthy hum thrown in here and there. “All My Friends” reminds me very much of the beginning of The Who’s “Baba O’Reilly”, which just so happens to be one of the best beginnings to a song ever.

MP3: Eels – “PS: You Rock My World”
I have rediscovered my deep love for Eels, and no song exemplifies my love more than “PS: You Rock my World”. While I do love his more happy material (“Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues”, etc.), I am thoroughly impressed with his complex and contemplative lyrics, matched perfectly with cloudy, profound, and sometimes dark musical backdrops.

MP3: Britt Daniel (of Spoon) – “Bring it on Home to Me (Sam Cooke Cover)
Along with my rediscovery of Eels, I have rediscovered my love for artists like Sam Cooke, Chuck Berry, and Bill Withers (though I never really lost my respect for them). This perfectly simple cover of a Sam Cooke classic is so stripped down, yet still so full of emotion.

MP3: Iron & Wine – “Woman King”
I owe Derek an apology. “Woman King” is a beautiful song from an enormously talented artist.

Keep the studying going, and remember, freedom is just around the corner. At least that’s what I’m banking on right now. Wish me luck.

Love,
Zack