Songs of the Day: The Battle of the "Car Crash"

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So, this is not so much a "song of the day" as it is a list of my two favorite songs titled Car Crash.

On one had you have a plea for a car crash. A last gasp of air screaming alive, shaking the numb tingle from the tips of the fingers. That pinch of non dreaming that stirs you awake.

"I wanna feel a car crash
I wanna feel a capsize
I wanna feel the bomb drop, the earth stop
'Til I'm satisfied
I wanna feel a car crash
'Cause I'm dyin' on the inside
I wanna let go and know
That I'll be alright, alright"

"Car Crash" by Matt Nathanson

On the other hand, you have, perhaps the saddest song I have ever heard. A song that I am at loss of words to describe. A deptiction of an accidnet that I pray is not real, that I beg is not true, and that I hope will never be. However, you cannot fault the blind love displayed in this song. I give you that Mike Grubbs.

"You're flat on your face
In a field fifty feet from a burning Cadillac
At least you were thrown clear
Cause I'm still stuck in here

I take off my shoes
I let the flames crawl up and burn right through me
I'm silent as a movie
I always thought you knew me' better
And so we burn silently
A silent light, a silent day
And so we burn silently
It just seems wrong"

"Car Crash" by Wakey!Wakey!

Song of the Day: "Sounds Like Hallelujah" by The Head and the Heart.

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Okay, so I started todays hunt for the song of the day by searching for awesomely bad 90's tracks. But then when on my new mini obsession, twitter (thank you Stevie), an amazing band I follow, that if you read this blog you will hopefully know by now too, The Civil Wars mentioned a local band that I am also having a mild love affair with. That prompted an abrupt right turn in my thinking. So, I scoured my resources (google, youtube, and vimeo) and found a great live version of one of my new all time favorite songs, this week.

This song is just one of those songs that sticks to your ribs. Just as soon as you fall into the melody, it tosses a left hook that is nothing short of a sucker punch, catching you totally off guard and bringing a new layer of pepperminty freshness to an already fresh song. All in all, its like three songs in one, and each one is nothing short of a revelation.

I have mentioned to several people that 2010 has fallen unbearably short in amazing music. Sure, there has been a couple quality albums, but only one spectacular (Wakey!Wakey!'s "Almost Everything I'd Wish I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You") but overall, the year has been a scattershot of ok. And, not to put pressure on the band, but I am putting a lot of eggs in their basket to resurrect the year.

(Photo stolen from the bands facebook page, I do not know the rights to this image)

This band is on the ups. They are releasing their LP this upcoming week. Pick it up, support local music. Support independent music! http://www.theheadandtheheart.com/

Also, if you have not already discovered them, check out The Civil Wars too. From their blog, they are on the tail end of wrapping up their full length as well.

If you want to know more about them just look here:

The Civil Wars were a Song of the Day. They were #2 on The Alphabet list "C". There were #4 song of the year, however, if I were to rewrite this today, they would be #2. They were the #2 EP of the year, as well as an Honorable Mention for their Live at Eddie's Attic record on my Year in Music Review. So, if The Civil Wars like something, its worth checking out.

"Sounds Like Hallelujah" by The Head and the Heart.

The Head and the Heart - Sounds Like Hallelujah from Whitney Moreno on Vimeo.

Song of the Day: "Last Rights" by Damien Jurado

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This is a local guy (Seattle) who released a new album this year that I have yet to digest all the way. I'll hear one song and fall in love, and then another will make me want to chuck my precious iPod into the wall. I think I just need to develop a taste for his creative ideals. He is undoubtedly brilliant and a spectacular songwriter, but sometimes he hides behind veils of inorganic blustering.

But this song, from one of my favorite websites, Black Cab Sessions, is one of those songs that would make me fall in love in acout 2.78 seconds.

"Last Rights" by Damien Jurado

Song of the Day: "What To Say" by Born Ruffians

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This is quickly becoming one of my favorite songs of the year. Plus, this video kinda kicks ass.

When I compose my Yearly Music Review, this will for sure be in my songs of the year, and I may even expand it even further to include best music videos that this will surely be apart of.

"What To Say" by Born Ruffians

Song of the Day: "Rio" by Hey Marseilles (Music Video)

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I am not sure there has been a song or band mentioned more times on this blog than the one I am about to reshare with you right now. In fact, if you search my blog for the term "Hey Marseilles Rio" and it came up with 11 mentions, including a Song of the Day just back in March. But, I am willing break my no repeats rule to celebrate today and help spread the word.

Hey Marseilles has finally released a music video. Along with the "official" of their LP shortly, the world is about to find out what I have loved and championed for some time now. And I have to say, for once, its about damn time. There are a lot of bands that I find and keep secret. Some that I even feel betrayed by when they make their mark. But not this band. This is a band that I tell every music lover I know about. This is a band that I put on when the party starts to lull to luff the life back into the room. This is a band that will break my heart if they do not get their due. And, as a lowly blogger, I will do my part to get them there.

This is the perfect music video for the band. One shot, 4 scenes, and a party. (there is a great write up about the band the the video on Spinner.com. Check it out.)

"Rio" by Hey Marseilles

Song of the Day: "Austere" by The Joy Formidable

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This is one of those songs that will get stuck in your head in the most uncomfortable of ways. and I love that quality. This album is really growing on me in unexpected ways. Give it a listen. let me know what you think.

"Austere" by The Joy Formidable

Song of the Day: "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World

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It's funny how some songs last and others just fade away. You can put this song on at anytime, and it will always be the perfect song for that moment. And someone will hear it and smile.

"The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World