Songs That Might Otherwise Pass You By

Fleet Foxes, "White Winter Hymnal"

A song that sounds like it's sung in the round even though it's not. The vocals wrap around the song so quickly that the verses (the same verse, really) feel seamless--the tail of the verse chases its own head. Confused? A little off-kilter? Yes, but totally enchanted with these short, chanting verses that sound like a fairy-tale in the making. The lyrics go by in this song so fast that I get dizzy listening to it--luckily someone has transcribed the lyrics.

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Fleet Foxes look like such nice lads...not sneaky like foxes.

Rogue Wave, "Lake Michigan"

One of my favorite bands. It's nice to hear from them again, and really nice to know that, like Band of Horses, they have not lost any quality between Career-Exploding album and new album. This song is as assured and as unique as my favorites from their previous album ("Publish My Love", "California", "Salesman at the Day of the Parade", "Eyes"). In case you're wondering, here are the lyrics. I know--I don't understand, either. I don't listen to music expecting to understand the lyrics, though :)

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Rogue Wave are rogue because they all play electric xylophone (or whatever those are)

Ida, "Lovers Prayers"

If you're expecting a shimmery, lilting female voice, then you'll be surprised to find out that Ida is a band, and not one person. The vocals are performed by a man and a woman, both voices perfectly entertwining in harmony. His voice is crackling, gliding along the expanse of music, reminiscent of Guy Garvey of Elbow. Her voice is as light and as vast as the sky they sing about. The lyrics are equally gracious, though the meaning is hard to pinpoint: "Looking over your shoulder as the clouds start to break...nothing left of these ancient tears, just a great salt lake". Stark, gorgeous imagery compliment the sparkling piano and vocals.

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Interview with Ida, from Stereogum


Ida are cold