Songs That Might Otherwise Pass You By

*Shownotes for the podcast follow this song post*

Throw Me The Statue, "About to Walk"

I'm still trying to figure out what this song is about (something broke his toes, and he's lying in a western bed), but that's okay. Lyrics are always subject to interpretation anyhow (he talks into a cannonball?), so even if I thought I knew what the song was about, it would probably be totally different than what the band intended (He's waiting for the road ahead?). The great draw of this song for me is the music. It's gloriously encompassing, washed in feedback and jangled guitars. The band also played a show with one of my favorite bands, Bishop Allen. Could I ask for more? I dare not.

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Some are not like the others in Throw Me The Statue

Hackensaw Boys, "Alabama Shamrock" (Not a direct link)

Bluegrass music, I love you. Bluegrass music about the state in which I spent my first ten years of adulthood (when I reached "adulthood" is really open to interpretation and widely disputed, even amongst myself) is especially dear to me. Hackensaw Boys have crafted an exhilerating bit of bluegrass music. The mandolin adds a beautiful and distinctive touch to a song already featuring traditional bluegrass instruments such as the accordian and banjo (at least I think those are some of the instruments: this song is so alive with music it's hard for me to tell what's what). This song seems to be a tribute to America in general, but the spirit of it brings up really good memories of Birmingham for me: The Crawfish Festival (even though I don't eat things with claws), the great live music (I could see this band playing at Zydeco music venue), real fall weather (sorry, Florida) and the friends I had who always saw the best in me. Alabama is never far from me; it's particularly near when I hear a song like this. This song is a testament to the mystical South. Not the parts of our history that shame me, but the parts I want to keep close to me. The South I see when I'm on a front porch watching the sun sinking into the horizon. Some days I think maybe that's a mythical South as opposed to a mystical South. Other days I know the magic is real.

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Video for "Alabama Shamrock"

Thanks to Gary for telling me about them!


Something about travelling and Hackensaw Boys goes together.


The Nadas, "Goodnight Girl" (Not a direct link)

Got permission from the band to upload the song to my blog

Dear The Nadas,

This song is sad. This song makes me tear up. The lyrics are bittersweet and melancholy and the song is just twangy enough to make me want to pour whiskey over my head and drown my sorrows. I don't even drink whiskey, but this song seems to call for it. He asks the girl "Has it really been this long? Do we really have to end this song"? I'm of the school that no good song should have to end, so of course this upsets my balance. He says later, though, that he won't let go. Hope is restored: they'll "resurrect another day". I'm a sucker for twangy, melancholy love songs, so of course I'm enamored with this song. Here's to not letting go: *Clinks whiskey glass*.

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PODCAST SHOWNOTES

#43, Waiting For My Asteroid To Come In
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Finest Dearest, "Idaho"
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Low Line Caller, "Thief" (The band gave me permission to use the song in my podcast, but not to post the song for download)
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(No website listed)

Sarah Mac Band, "Open Fire" (I got permission from the band to use the song in my podcast, but not to post the mp3)
Website
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South, "Better Things"
Website
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Christopher Dallman, "This is Calm" (I got the song from Podsafe, and I don't think I have permission to post the mp3)
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Great Lakes Myth Society, "Heydays"
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Why?, "Close To Me"
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