Centuries -

Five Songs, 1/13/2022

Posted on January 13, 2022 | Joshua Buergel

Sicko, “An Indie Rock Daydream”

We all have those bands that are special to us. We discovered them on our own, at the exact right time in our lives, and that connection carries them with us always. Sicko is one of those special bands for me. I hit them at the perfect time, I never get tired of listening to them, and I probably never will.

Andrew Bird, “Capsized”

Are You Serious, Andrew Bird’s 2016 album, found him introducing some new sounds to his palette to go along with a new home, Los Angeles. This song could almost be described as slinky, with the sort of soul sounds that are rarely heard earlier in his discography. Some of that comes from some new collaborators as side players, and I’m sure some of it is just conscious decision to change up his sound. It’s not a full reinvention or anything, but it’s different from the preceeding albums, which were gradually getting more and more stripped down and folky.

Five Songs, 9/27/2020

Posted on September 28, 2020 | Joshua Buergel

Tilt, “Partial Birth”

Tilt started their career recording for Lookout Records and then moved to Fat Wreck Chords, which is going to create a picture for you if you know these labels. And that picture is completely correct with one minor detail - the woman singing, Cinder Block, is considerably different from the typical sneering dude. Other than that, this is straight ahead California punk.

Belle and Sebastian, “Slow Graffiti”

I’ve sung the praises of Belle & Sebastian’s early EPs here before, I’m pretty sure, but I’m going to do it again. Between the release of the standard-setting If You’re Feeling Sinister and the below-standard Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant, the band released five EPs with new material, and they range from excellent to fantastic. Among that set, This Is Just A Modern Rock Song might be the best of them. This is the last song on the record, and is just a sweet little tune.