The Blue Line has been running at 6 miles per hour lately which provides me with ample time to catch up on some new music – and get through some crosswords as well. The train was moving so slow today that I managed to complete both the Trib crossword and sudoku puzzle while riding from Division to Clark/Lake (that’s 3 stops for those unfamiliar with the inner-workings of the CTA). I’ve wandered off the point of this post – namely a few new tunes that I’m digging at the moment…

1. The Shins: “Australia” (from the album Wincing the Night Away) [2007]
I’ve never been a huge fan of The Shins (I’ve never seen them live, for example) but I always give their latest stuff a listen and I must say Wincing the Night Away is worth picking up.

2. Midlake: “Branches” (from the album The Trials of Van Occupanther) [2006]
I heard about these guys because Schuba’s web site mentioned that they had sold out their upcoming show a month in advance. I figured if they sold out Schuba’s that far in advance they must have something going for them. I picked up The Trials of Van Occupanther and was pleasantly surprised, although I must admit some songs tend to sway a bit too much into the Thom Yorke/Radiohead realm – a realm that only Radiohead can pull off and not be called out on it.

3. Menomena: “Wet & Rusting” (from the album Friend & Foe) [2007]
I don’t know much about Menomena but I believe I saw them years ago open up for The National. This song is good stuff – I don’t have the whole album but I intend to get it when I come across some cash (may be a while folks).

4. Smog: “The Bowery” (from the EP Rock Bottom Riser) [2006]
Bill Callahan is the Shit… ’nuff said.

And one I hate to admit to…

5. The Killers: “Read My Mind” (from the album Sam’s Town) [2006]
I’ve been avoiding The Killers new album like the plague but I was surfing the web the other day and saw their video for this song and actually kind of liked it. It’s worth a listen – but don’t go and buy it – just download it like I did…

I was hoping to take some photos on Wednesday when I went to check out the French Kicks and Eagle*Seagull at Schuba’s but – alas – I forgot to bring my camera and neither performance was really quite what I would call awe-inspiring. I will say the French Kicks sound true to their albums and their lead singer is a GIANT – like Dikembe Mutombo meets The Brady Bunch.
Instead here’s 10 songs I really dig at the moment – the first one by Vetiver is the best song I’ve heard in months – you can get it on iTunes for 99¢ and believe me it’s worth it.

1. “Idle Ties”: Vetiver [from the album To Find Me Gone] (2006)
2. “When It Flows”: Great Lake Swimmers [from the album Bodies and Minds] (2005)
3. “On a Neck, On a Spit”: Grizzly Bear [from the album Yellow House] (2006)
4. “As You Wish”: Damien Jurado [released as a single on MySpace] (2006)
5. “Many Rivers To Cross”: The Walkmen [from the album Pussy Cats] (2006)
6. “Are You Swimming in Her Pools?”: Swan Lake [from the album Beast Moans] (2006)
7. “Underwater (You & Me)”: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah [from the forthcoming album Some Loud Thunder] (2007)
8. “Bottom of the World”: Tom Waits [from the album Orphans] (2006)
9. “The Ruling Class”: Loose Fur [from the album Born Again in the USA] (2006)
10. “Scarlet Town Part II”: Johnny and the Moon [from the album Johnny and the Moon] (2006)

The Rolling Stones
Goats Head Soup
Rolling Stones [1973]

Well it’s cold as all hell here in Chicago and something tells me it’s likely to stay this way for a long, long time. I’m beginning to believe everyone who has been telling me that the last winter was exceptionally tame and that this year will be the real deal. I guess I’m as prepared as I’ll ever be with my 3 pairs of long underwear and umpteen ill-suited jackets.

For whatever reason the first thought that came to me as this cold weather rolled in today was of the Rolling Stones song ‘Winter’ from their album Goats Head Soup. Perhaps it’s the references to California or the idea of wrapping your coat around a woman but what also strikes me about the piece is the dual guitar introduction between Keith Richards and Mick Taylor. The layering of their two guitars to open the song just slays me every time I hear it. And of course Jagger’s vocals are right on point. This could be considered the last great Rolling Stones album ever released and perhaps ‘Winter’ is the last great Rolling Stones number ever written.