I had intended to write a lengthy post detailing my favourite music from 2006, but time keeps slipping and seeing as we're already in March i've decided to knock it on the head. However, i've decided to post some of my particular highlights from last year in an intermittent fashion i.e. when and if I can be bothered. First up:
M Ward - To Go Home (Daniel Johnston Cover)
from the album Post-War
The always excellent Matt Ward continued to do what what he does best in 2006, releasing quietly superb albums that unfortunately, not many people take notice of. Hopefully this is going to change soon, with Post-War garnering Ward the most widespread attention of his career. As well as being a fantastic songwriter in his own right, he is also a superb interpreter of other musicians work (For further evidence of this, see his mournful version of David Bowie's "Let's Dance.") and this Daniel Johnston cover was the highlight of Post-War for me. Using a full band for the first time in his career, Ward effortlessly reconfigures the lo-fi original into an honest-to-goodness rock n' roll stomper. Over a rollicking backing of pounding drums, thrashed acoustic guitar and barrelhouse piano, Ward magnifies the quiet desperation of the song to almost unbearable levels. What really elevates the track to another plain however, are Neko Case's stunning harmonies on the chorus. Joyous and sad, no other song last year made me want to simultaneously shout with happiness and sit down and have a bit of a cry.
You can also check out the great animated video to another another Post-War track, "Chinese Translation" here.
3 comments:
Really well written man. This site could actually get a few subscribers outside of the circle!!! keepy uppy
I'm on something of a roll, quantity-wise anyway not sure about the quality. I'll keep plugging away though
Been listening to Post-War - fairly class. Nice one for the heads-up. And yeah, To Go Home is something special. Keep the recomendations coming.
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