Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

Looking to Jetset? An abridged guide to holiday trips on the east coast

First off, I would like to say “Thanks” to Benji for bringing me aboard. I hope to offer something different, yet complementary; something fun, yet informative. I will strive to become the Simon to his Garfunkel, the Cher to his Sonny, the Big Boi to his Andre. While I don’t want to become the Jessica to his Nick, it is ultimately in the hands of the readers; the faithful proletariat who remind me I am not just doing this for the money.

1.) Gram Parsons: “Streets of Baltimore”

Okay, so maybe Baltimore isn’t as glamorous as Gram’s “woman” makes it out to be. But, it’s certainly a change from the Tennessee farm life that she was used to. “She said the prettiest place on earth was Baltimore at night.” Unfortunately, she felt it was even prettier than her Gram, as he ends up buying a one-way ticket home—perhaps to write the somber, “Love Hurts.” Maybe Baltimore is not the best choice for a holiday getaway, especially if traveling with a significant other.

2.) The Walkmen: “Lost in Boston”

So we travel farther north only to get, you guessed it, lost! This was always one of my favorite tunes on “A Hundred Miles Off,” despite most critics dismissing it as trite. It’s simple and catchy: “Lost in Boston/drinking rum and chocolate/a hundred thousand blinking lights/are making me exhausted.” So bring a map, get some rest, and live it up.

3.) Ryan Adams: “New York, New York”

Adams is a must on a list like this: he’s told us how he misses Kentucky, how Tennessee sucks, and we all know he has a soft spot for the Carolinas. But this upbeat tune, that made him ‘gold’ in the critics’ eyes, is perfect for the holidays:

I remember Christmas in the blistering cold
In a church on the upper west side
Babe, I stood their singing, I was holding your arm
You were holding my trust like a child

It starts with a light bongo groove and ends with a sweet saxophone solo, plus Adams actually sounds like he has his life together…but where’s the fun in that?

4.) Albert Hammond Jr: “Hard to Live (in the city)”

Geez, Albert, why didn’t you tell us this THREE SONGS AGO?! “To all those questions I have no answers.” Oh, okay. Our city reviews have not been the most objective: all have been bitter men with loss fresh their minds. So let’s get out of the city and get a woman’s perspective.

5.) Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: “Moonlight in Vermont” (written by John Blackburn & Karl Suessdorf)

Pennies in a stream
Falling leaves, a sycamore
Moonlight in Vermont

…People who meet in this romantic setting
Are so hypnotized by the lovely…

Ahh, this is the place! Benji, I actually want to become the Louis to your Ella because, damn, they are good together.

A new day has risen for the CSVMAD family. Introducing: Patrick

For the past few months now, I–Benji–have been the driving force (the only force) behind Carl Sandburg Visits Me in A Dream.

Well, that is all about to change. From now on, my next door neighbor Patrick will be co-writing this blog with me in an effort to blow your minds with some serious sonic ecstasy. Just to give some reasons for the change:

1. Patrick and I have many overlapping tastes, but I think Patrick will be able to give you-the readers-a different perspective on the indie scene.

2. In an effort to increase the level of posting for this blog–which means more music for you–I thought adding Patrick to the CSVMAD family would definitely help. Quality and quantity can go hand-in-hand.

3. Patrick is awesome.

4. Part, Pack, Prick, Trick, Tick, Pick, Trip, Tarp, Rat, Cat, Tack, Air. These are just some of the words that can be made from the letters of his name.

5. Patrick likes Joanna Newsom. I don’t understand why. But that’s why this is going to work!!

A barren season? Who are you kidding?

There’s something about a winter sky in the morning–some indescribable presence amidst the crisp, virgin air that delights my soul. Perhaps it is because I’m a December birthday, but when the snow starts to fall and temperature drips down to awfully low levels, I welcome the new season with some gloves and a jacket rather than complaints and grievances.

Many just see winter as a wasteland for nature–a barren tundra that lasts for several months (depending on whether Puxatawny Phil shows his head). But this is wrong, my friends! Terribly wrong! Winter is mother nature’s time for rehabilitation. It is a season full of potential energy that gets lost in the human psyche. That energy will soon be utilized during what many call Spring. It is a shame that in a day where conservation and thriftiness are appreciated, Winter still receives no credit.

True, some of that energy gets lost in the chilly, sterile air. But, it is only to be breathed in by human beings like you and me. This, my friends, is a call to arms. Grab your gloves, get a hat, and put on a jacket already! Put down your hot chocolate and your rock-em sock-em robots! Open the door and start revitalizing yourself. It’s better than hot chocolate. I promise.

CSVMAD Volume 3 (click the link on the left to get the file from sendspace):

1. Joshua Radin-Winter (from We Were Here)
2. Sufjan Stevens-Majesty Snowbird (Live)–New track from Sufjan!!!
3. Josh Ritter-Snow is Gone (from Hello Starling)
4. Sufjan Stevens-Jupiter Winter (from Songs for Christmas)
5. Tobias Froberg-When the Night Turns Cold (from Somewhere in the City)
6. Sonya Kitchell-Cold Day (from Words Come Back to Me)
7. Andrew Bird-I Mitosis (Live…Probably going to appear on his next album due next spring)
8. The Damnwells-I am a Leaver (from Air Stereo)
9. Under the Influence of Giants-Golden (B-sides)
10. Embee feat. JOSE GONZALEZ-Send Someone Away (from Send Someone Away – EP)

I’ve got finals this week, so this may be the one post I do this week. But that’s okay, because I’ve got a sweet band for ya’ll to whom to listen.

I recently bought the new album out from The Rapture, Pieces of the People We Love. Let me just say that I’m not typically into the borderline-punk genre (if that is one), but there’s something about this album that just fascinates me. It’s a little less punk than on previous albums by the band, and a lot more booty-shakin’, head-bobbin’, dirty fun. It’s definitely more accessible than their other albums, and perhaps that’s why I like it. Some might call it just selling out, but The Rapture still manages to keep an “anti-establishment” attitude throughout the album.

I wouldn’t say that all the tracks are that strong, but the album has enough intrigue to it to make it-dare I say it-sweeeeet. “Down For So Long” carries this disco, reggae-type riff that I still can’t get out of my head, while “Pieces of The People We Love” has got one of those pulsing drum rhythms that explodes into ‘Na-Na-Na’s and features fantastic lyrics like, “Everybody’s got a piece of somebody they hide.” That’s intense.

This may not be that clean, but it sure as hell is good fun.

Buy the album.

Listen to “Down For So Long” (4.25/5)
Listen to “Pieces of the People We Love” (4.5/5)