Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
the Botticellis – Awaiting on You All (mp3) (unreleased, artist’s website)

This George Harrison cover has been a slow burner for weeks. It’s got a unique and great sound that gives me pause every time I come across it.

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Keith:
Toulouse – Know Better (mp3) (buy)

I made the mistake of casually namedropping a Red House Painters record as “one of my top 100 of the 90’s” to a musically erudite friend, who subsequently challenged me to come up with the rest of the list. So after an afternoon’s worth of research on favorites both past and present I impulsively formed the list. At #97 is their debut album The Way The City Stretches by Boston/Chicago shoegazer group Toulouse, whose first record was a swath of blissfully meaty noise. They put out one final lp on Grimsey which is also very fine, though more in a French pop vein.

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Oz:
Justin Townes Earle – Lone Pine Hill (mp3) (buy original, hear live session)

I try my best not to submit anything from our live sessions for Song Obsessions, but sometimes you just get blown away by hearing the raw talent in someone. Justin Townes Earle released The Good Life on Bloodshot Records in March and he not only has the pedigree (his dad is Steve Earle), but he has mastered his craft. It’s hard to call it alt-country. It’s straight on country music, but it’s a throwback sound that reminds me of Hank Williams.

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Natalie:
My Morning Jacket – Wordless Chorus (mp3) (buy)

I was late catching on to these guys, but if there was any doubt in my mind about how good they are, their set on Sunday at Coachella dispelled it. They were amazing live, especially this song. I am almost convinced that Jim James is not human – no human can have a voice like that. Seeing them on play on the main stage on the last day of Coachella while the sun was setting was just one of those perfect moments in time.

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Scott:
Mount Eerie – Domesticated Dog (mp3) (buy)

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Dave:
American Analog Set – She’s Half (mp3) (buy)

Only AmAnSet could make four chords and minimal words interesting for over four minutes.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at 3:52 am Posted by adrian in mp3s. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.