Have to give a shout out to Matt Carr from Everybody Taste for pointing me in the direction of this gem of an eponymous debut The Poison Tree. The Poison Tree is the alias of songwriter Steve Salett, who won’t exactly be on the tip of anyone’s tongue, but this album is pure gold, and my sleeper hit of 2011. I’m a sucker for an album with immaculate production, and just try to listen to songs like “Come On, Come On” or “My Only Friend” without being sucked into their respective worlds. And yes, for you hyper-literates out there, the name of the band (and the album) does come from the William Blake poem.
Check out this gorgeous interpretation of “My Only Friend” which has been synched up with the Orson Welles classic, Touch of Evil and check out both “My Only Friend” and “Come On, Come On” below.
Check out this new Black Keys track from their upcoming album El Camino. “Sister” is a no-holds barred rocker that would just as easily fit into The Rolling Stones re-release of Some Girls with some great in the pocket drumming by Carney. Keith Richards, I mean, Dan Auerbach leads the song with some great rhythm guitar work and one of the best hooks that The Black Key’s have had in a while. El Camino will certainly be among the top albums released this year and “Sister” will be one of the standout tracks. The download is below, but do yourself a favor and buy the whole album when it drops next week.
Usually, I try to at least give some detail into the songs I choose to put on here, but Boy & Bear’s “Big Man” is a song whose lyrics speak for itself. For those of you who have been craving more Mumford & Sons, and still are in love with Bruce Springsteen, this piece is right up your alley. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, their choral vocals on par with the best that Fleet Foxes can muster. Surely, Boy & Bear will be big in only a matter of time. Check out the full lyrics below, enjoy the song, download it below, and buy Boy & Bear’s debut album Moonfire. You won’t regret it.
Well I bit on my lip, and I kicked at my toes No, I don’t need your lecture cause your lecture won’t show That you told me so I told you so But I would have managed, I would have been fine I’d do it myself and I’d do it just my way, I’m a big man for thinking just so.
But somebody told me that your mother was born Wa-wa-wandering woman with a spirit so sworn of the riverside And it never surprised me but it meant that my love was immobilized Well, it meant that my love was immobilized Cause when it comes, it comes when it does.
But you came in the middle and you fell in my hands Oh a, wonderful woman and an average man. See that makes me the lucky man I won’t be deserving, but I won’t be denied See, I fell in this position, I will still teach my kids pride Because failure’s a part of it all And if failure don’t hurt then failure don’t work at all
But somebody told me that your nephew was born Oh, a beautiful baby, so smart and so sure of his little self And in a wonderful way he was making me feel so small Was making me feel so small, was making me feel so small. And I don’t think I’ve felt this before.
In all the reasons to come, well they override my body and, I point to the sun, cause where it’s warm is where the wilderness grows And it grows, and it grows ‘til it all becomes nothing And nothing is left as you know.
(We walked it for a thousand years, with broken eyes and salted ears Complaining ’bout the weather like we ever had a choice. Through all the noise and self abuse, you waited for your fill of truth Oh I’m terrified I’ll achieve nothing at all.)
The opening act for Blitzen Trapper and Dawes on Friday at Royale was The Belle Brigade, who wowed me with their live act. A five piece band led by sister and brother Barbara and Ethan Gruska. When I did a little digging it was of little surprise that their grandfather is none other than musical composer John Williams and from their live performance down to their great harmonies rest assured The Belle Brigade too, has a bright future.
After their performance I had the pleasure of meeting the band as well and they are one of the kindest, most down to earth bands you will ever meet, and I have the signed vinyl (including a heart from Barbara) to prove it. Do yourself a favor and listen to this band. Check out the free download of the studio version of “Losers” below, as well as a video of their performance in Philadelphia.
The Art of the Mixtape 