About Sophie - Lake Jackson

So I was feeling real down in the dumps for a bit. So naturally I decided to record something sad!
This is a cover of a real great track that I really don't think I did justice. I really wasn't planning on even putting it out there but it is what it is I suppose. That's all I have to say about that I guess.

Here, with lots of uncertainty, is About Sophie by Keaton Henson

The Double Album: A Love Story

So I was driving around a lot today, and I got to thinking about that majestic beast of the musical world, the Double LP. That clunky collection of songs that so many bands have released before and, hopefully, will to come.

A lot of people's opinion of the Double is lukewarm at best. Many bands have put out bloated, indulgent messes that serve to alienate all but their most loyal fans. I have a different opinion. I love the medium, I think it affords the artist to release the songs that they're not so sure of, songs that would forever be doomed to sit on a hard drive in some warehouse somewhere, never seeing the light of day. At best they might be released in some B-Side collection at the end of the groups career. 

I have set forth to track down some of the best examples of this phenomenon. Songs that are off the beaten path, little gems that those of us who scour the back catalogs of our favorite groups know by heart, and cherish as much as any single. 

So here are 5 examples of just the types of songs I'm referring to, and hopefully they might be new to you fine folks as well.

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1: Death of a Martian by Red Hot Chili Peppers

This is probably my go to example of a double album achieving true greatness.

Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Stadium Arcadium", released in the summer of 2006, is not only my favorite Chili P's album, (which has earned me much scorn and harsh words from other fans) but one of the most important records young teenage me has ever heard. The song, recorded in the tumultuous state the band was in after it's phoenix from the ashes return of Californication, is about a family dog that belonged to Flea. The 200lb pooch, named Martian, acted "as a kind of spirit animal" to the band while they pulled themselves up by their bootstraps. Full of love and the ever present "chill" (likely inherited from it's owner, Flea), when she fell ill and eventually died, Anthony described it as a tremendous sense of loss, and felt like he had to write a song about her. The track itself is superb. The ever present John Frusciante floats about the song in the verses', his ethereal guitar weaving in and out like a needle through hair. John's harmonies are as spot on as ever and sync up with Fleas' fuzz bass flawlessly. The song ends with Kiedis spitting out a spoken word poem he had stowed away in a notebook, and with a final, somber closing verse, speaks of "sweeping the echoes of yesternights fallen freckles away". This gorgeous track may have gone largely unheard had SA not been the glorious double album it is. Thanks for that, Peppers.

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2: Houses of the Holy by Led Zepplin

When the mighty Led Zepplin wrapped up initial recording for their double album, "Physical Graffiti", in 1974, they found themselves with one of those good kinds of problem. They had recorded too much. The decision to extend the album was unanimous, as it afforded the band the chance to get tracks like "Bron-yr-aur", the above, and the fantastic "Boogie With Stew" to the masses. The album was a smash, eventually going 16 x Platinum and becoming the bands second best selling record. Houses of the Holy was always a personal favorite of mine, a compact, funky tune that has what Zep historians agree to be, the only cowbell ever put to tape by the Gods of Rock. Despite it's jazzy chords and sexy shuffle, Zep never played the song live, depriving thousands of the fantastic track. The song was initially recorded for the bands' album of the same name, two years prior, but was cut because it "didn't fit". It found it's home nicely on Physical Graffiti, and continues to inject peoples' steps with just a little bit of that Robert Plant swagger.

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3: Just Like You Imagined by Nine Inch Nails

One of my all time favorite songs by my all time favorite bands, Nine Inch Nails "The Fragile" is a masterful trip through the void. Recorded while Trent Reznor was battling addiction, the sprawling monster of an album chronicles the twisted journey from one end of depression to the other. Opening with the pulsing death march of "Somewhat Damaged", the record ascends and descends, from slow, melodic, seething synth lines to crashing, furious burns through the grimy underbelly of existence. "Just Like You Imagined" is an instrumental, led by the dulcet tones of Trents' piano expertise. Not long after the subdued opening, the marching drums take the track into space, leading the song into a roller coaster of a soundscape, the piercing synth acting as hand-rails to keep the listener grounded in some concept of reality. The track builds into an absolutely CACOPHONOUS climax, the music crashes like waves over Trents' earnest yell, and races to a close just as you are able to regain your footing. This is a song I always urge non-NiN fans to listen to, the sheer musicianship of the track exhibits Reznors' raw talent as a producer in a fantastic way, almost extenuated by the lack of vocals, letting the piano and synth take it's rightful place in the forefront.

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4: Never as Tired as When I'm Waking Up by LCD Soundsystem

James Murphy has never played by anyones' rules except his own. Period. When Nike put out a call for someone to record an album that was "ideal for a 40 minute workout", James jumped at the opportunity, creating the spawling "45:33". An entirely instrumental record that he later admitted, "didn't have anything to do with running at all". He just wanted to make the thing. LCD Soundsytem was one of the most critically hailed bands of the 2000's, and, even early in their career, Murphys' production genius did not go unnoticed. The groups debut album was anything but traditional. A double LP that clocked in at just over 100 minutes, the album has two damn versions of the SAME SONG. The genius singles are still on repeat by cool kids to this day. The brilliant, spaz-dance rock of "Daft Punk is Playing at My House" and the sardonic dissection of "Art school Brooklynites in little jackets" in "Losing My Edge". The sound on "Never as Tired.." is that of the narrator drunk on the sex of the night before, but not the girl. He dryly states that he's in love with what you do, but not with you, and you can't help but feel for the guy. The tainted afterglow of the lyrics is echoed by the music a Beatles-esque stumble through a melody that's as sexual as it is sarcastic. The bass hops along with the jarring guitar chords, and Murphy throws himself out onto the street for another late Sunday afternoon. A soothing break between the furious disco-punk of the first disc.

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5: Fourth Time Around by Bob Dylan

Although it was a really tough pick for number 5, it all came down to the one that started it all. Bob's "Blonde on Blonde" is actually the first ever recorded rock double album. Recorded primarily in Nashville with his crack backing band "The Hawks", (who would later become the legendary "The Band"), the sessions would lead to one of the most well crafted albums in history. 4th Time Around may sound familiar to some, it was recorded as a sort of evil twin to The Beatles' song "Norwegian Wood" by Dylan in response to the obvious influence he was having on the group at the time. One critic even went so far as to say that 4th Time sounded like "Bob Dylan impersonating John Lennon Impersonating Bob Dylan". The song itself is a darker version of the whimsical Beatles original, with Bob crooning about his relationship with a woman who just doesn't seem to care about him all that much. Levon Helms' skipping drum beat and a simple, folkish strum is set apart from the rest of the albums bluesier sound, and Bob's lyrics ring of a playful bitterness. He keeps returning to the woman like a puppy shamed, with his tail between his legs, and once he's finally had enough he leaves on a vague warning. "I never asked for your crutch / So don't ask for mine". Narrative? Possibly. It could also very well be a call from the man himself to all the up and comers looking to him to help them achieve pop greatness, in particular, Mr. Lennon, whos' young band was drifting ever closer to Bob's side of the spectrum and further from the "I wanna hold your hand" days of their past. 

Hot Air Balloon - The Hijinx

After a triumphant blast back on to the scene here in Northern Virginia, the manic talent of Mckinley Corbley has already brought things into full swing here at our woodland studios. Without any hesitation I proudly present the debut single by her group, The Hinjinx. A full length album is expected to be released in the next few months, and we already have several half finished tracks laying around the studio floor.

One part indie cred, one part pop sensibility and a few parts lap drums, hopefully the finished product will get stuck in your heads as much as it did in mine, and we sincerely hope you wonderful folks will stay tuned for more from us.

From us to you, we present Hot Air Balloon by The Hijinx

My Top 5, all time: Favorite Bob Dylan Lyrics

Anyone who knows me, kind of knows me, or was in a room with me at least one time for a minimum of 15 minutes, has heard me utter the following phrase. "There has never been and never will be a songwriter like Bob Dylan." Talking about Bob has become like talking about The Beatles, basically anything you say is a cliche at this point. So I'll get right to it.

 The greatest artist of his or maybe any generation wrote lyrics that put you there, whether it was in his head, his dream, his bed or his crosshairs. He could go from sweet to sarcastic in the blink of an eye, sometimes leaving the listener in doubt about just what the hell he was talking about and why he was so upset about it. He went from Champion of the People, to Champion of Himself, to outcast, to martyr. Through heartbreak and turmoil to sex and drugs and what could possibly described as rock n' roll, Bob touched every base there was and when he was done, invented a few more just so he could cover those.

One of my favorite musicians of all time, picking just 5 lyrics will be a hefty task, and just like the man says, "It depends on how I'm feeling". Without further ado, my personal favorite Dylan verses.


1. "Suddenly I turned around and she was standing there / With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair / She walked up to me so gracefully, and took my crown of thorns /
"Come in" she said "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
"Shelter From the Storm" - Blood on the Tracks

I think this might have been the first lyric I ever heard of Bobs' that really got to me. This track, off of my personal favorite Dylan record, is a perfect example of the genius duality that he can weave in his lyrics. At first glance, the song is a sweet ballad of a woman who lifts the weary veil of the narrators life. She comforts him when he comes to her, and vindicates him when he needs it. But take a closer look at the song and you realize an underlying bitterness that slinks through the verses, of a man who feels like he bit off more than he could chew, and realizes far to late that his salvation does not lie with this woman, or perhaps any woman for that matter. This other side of the song can really be seen when you examine his electric performances from his shows in the '80's, he spits the lyrics like venom, and the scorn that flows from every refrain is palpable. But, taken in context, It's hard to deny the sweetness of the song. After all, all a weary and worn-down man could want in life is a woman to tell him It's all alright, and help ease his burden, no matter how briefly.

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2. "Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free / Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands / With all memory and fate, driven deep beneath the waves / 
Let me forget about today, until tomorrow"
"Mr. Tambourine Man" - Bringing It All Back Home

Bob had cast off the shackles of his role as Folk Champion of the People with his last album, and, with this album, boldly thrust his standard in the sand decrying that he was going to do just what he wanted to do and nothing more. The definitive middle album of his career, the apex between folk and electric, Bringing It All Back Home features the borderline rap shuffle of "Subterranean Homesick Blues" as it's opener, almost as a big middle finger to all those who jeered him and hurled calls of "Traitor" and "Judas" at him through cracked car windows. But, writing beautiful acoustic guitar songs is in the mans' blood, and on the second half of the album, he stuck one of the most memorable songs ever written . David Crosby said that when he heard this verse in particular, that he was blown away, and more than a little envious. The stream of consciousness in this track is a roller-coaster, letting us follow the footsteps of the man following in the footsteps of a character that truly has no limits, opening doors to inner peace, whimsy and an adventure that most people aren't capable of letting themselves embark on anymore. A perfect mix of casual listening and deeper, thought provoking brain food, this song has stood the test of time and remains an all time classic.

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A two way tie 'cause I have no spine! Because the great thing about Bob is that he has a song for every occasion, I will echo that greatness by including two separate lyrics that have two distinct feels to them.
Whether you're lonely or pissed off, Dylan has got the cure for what ails yeh'!

3a. "For them that must obey authority, that they do not respect in any degree / Who despise their jobs, their destinies / Speak jealously of them that are free / 
Do what they do just to be, nothing more than something they invest in"
"It's Alright Ma', I'm Only Bleeding" - Bringing It All Back Home

A SCATHING takedown of the those who sit on the sidelines, complaining about facets of life they deem "out of their control". Bob attempts to rally these folk by reminding them that they can enjoy life to the fullest if they would only stop their bitching and take the reigns. The final lyric obviously a lament for the people who simply see life as a series of escalating, arbitrary goals, rather than an adventure to be lived on a daily basis. This 7 minute track takes all challengers, and comes out swinging, with a precision that only someone like Dylan could muster.

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3b. "I got a letter on a lonesome day, it was from her ship a-sailing / Saying "I don't know when I'll be coming back again, It depends on how I'm feeling" 
Well, if you my love, must think that way / I'm sure your mind is roamin' / I'm sure your thoughts are not with me, but with the country where you're goin'"
"Boots of Spanish Leather" - The Times They Are A-Changin'

A crestfallen Bob lets this lyric slip with a babies whisper, you can practically hear the pieces of his livelihood shaking around in his chest. This song (and a good many more) was inspired by Suze Rotolo, who set off to study abroad in Italy, and, almost ceremoniously, being the first woman to break Bob Dylan's heart. As the song progresses, the verses from Bob get more and more desperate and forlorn, you can actually feel the relationship slipping away in the words, just like the ship carrying her away from him. We can all relate to that moment of clarity that he has in the verse, that moment when you realize you have to come to grips with reality, and move forward. We all owe Suze a great debt, who knows if the song would have ever been written had she not left him? A sincere thank you, Ms. Rotolo, from me and thousands and thousands of heartbroken men and women everywhere.

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4. "So long honey, baby, where I'm bound, I can't tell / Goodbye's too good a word, babe, so I'll just say fare thee well / I ain't saying you treated me unkind / You could have done better, but I don't mind / You just kind of wasted my precious time. But don't think twice, It's all right"
"Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" - The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

I could live a thousand lifetimes and never get over how much this lyric means to me. Let me compose myself for a moment. Ok.

One of the great things about Bob is that he never loses his cool, never. We look to his lyrics for guidance and strength to get us through, and he happily obliges. I could write a novella on this song, given the chance, so I'll try to keep it brief. Dylan gives a weary, hands in the air, "I surrender" in the closing verse of this masterpiece. Yielding to the admittance that, no he doesn't know where he's going, but he knows that he's getting as far away from you as he can. Throughout the song, he is tender, giving credit where it's due but also admitting that the relationship was doomed all along, and that he just couldn't see it. The reason these are my favorite verses, and I think the genius of the song, lies in the last words.

Everyone knows that when you're giving that final farewell to the person who broke your heart, that you must be brave and  firm, but also kind. Because that's what adults do. What Bob allows the listener to enjoy is just a HINT of scorn, that droplet of venom we all want to work in there as a final "fuck you" to them. He lets us indulge in that moment, however immature, in the last verse, and sets off down the road. On to the next one, eh Bobby?

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5. "Come mothers and fathers, throughout the land / And don't criticize what you can't understand / Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command, your old road is rapidly agin' / Please get out of the new one, if you can't lend your hand / 
For the times they are a-changin'" 
"The Times They Are A-Changin'" - The Times They Are A-Changin'

What could possibly be said. One of the greatest songs ever written, It is both timeless and always relevant. This song could be sung by marchers in a marriage equality parade, protesters on the steps of congress, or by rebels overthrowing an oppressive regime. The anthem of change and progression, given to us as an unwavering standard of what the human race can work towards, if we could just bury our prejudices and our close-mindedness. A constant reminder that the wheel is always in spin, and that nothing stays the same forever.

Again, singing the praises of Bob Dylan is basically a cliche at this point. The man has given the world some of it's most important art, and with it, brought joy and cathartic release to millions. This song, I believe, is truly the song of the people. It stopped belonging to Bob the moment he played it next to Martin Luther King in Washington. Hopefully, we can take it forward for decades to come, and remember that we have to keep swimming, and the first ones now, will later be last. For the times they are a-changing. Thank yeh' Bob.

-Jack

  

No Destruction - Zack Svoronos

In between our frantic Mouseing and Peppering, Zack somehow managed to compose himself and put his shirt back on long enough to kick out this awesome solo track. I had never heard the song previously but man, it echoes Dylan and Lou Reed, pushed through a strainer. It was truly a sight to behold, a man and his stool and his guitar.

"There's no need to be an asshole, you're not in Brooklyn anymore"

Here is No Destruction by Foxygen

Trailer Trash / Styrofoam Boots - Lake Jackson

Holy moley! Three songs in one day!

Zack brought his clean shaven, new car driving, school done withing sexy self over for our triumphant return to form after a SCARY long break. Without any time to lose we threw ourselves at the studio, riffing, composing, art-ing, until we decided on some tracks to record.

It gelled like we hadn't been gone a day, and we powered through Modest Mouse, Foxygen, and even a Chili Peppers song that won't EVER see the light of day. Hopefully we can keep up the pace because we have an endless to do list, and lots of people to serenade. Thanks for reading and listening, folks. Much love from us to you.

Here is Trailer Trash and Styrofoam Boots by Modest Mouse

Rhinestone Eyes - Lake Jackson

Hey folks, It's been a while. With the holidays hurtling by, my wonderful sister graced us with her presence, on a break from her exploits in the anarchist wasteland that is New Hampshire. She brought with her an almost equally talented boyfriend named Ben, and with only a few days to spare, we sought out to record something while all the skills were under one roof. Well days turned into about 3 hours and we buckled down and spit out this song. It's always been one of my all time favorite tracks from one of my all time favorite bands, and I was just tickled that we got a chance to tackle it. I hope you all enjoy it!

I present to you, along with very merry holiday wishes, Rhinestone Eyes by Gorillaz