Silent as a Movie

Wakey! Wakey!’s live album Silent As A Movie has been getting an awful lot of play time on my iPod recently. There is something about Mike Grubbs voice. The way he belts is powerful. Yet he also knows how and when to exert vocal restraint, which is especially effective on sobering ballads such as “Cokehead”. The album also does a great job of highlighting his eclectic piano playing, oh so beautifully from the jaunty and upbeat to the poignantly somber. I likey.

Fallin' Apart - Wakey! Wakey!
Cokehead - Wakey! Wakey!

And check out this truly transformative cover of Alicia Key's "For No One":
For No One - Wakey! Wakey!

Apology Accepted

As you've probably heard by now, The Decemberists have cancelled their "Long and Short of It Tour" due to a member's illness, rendering thousands of people's concert-going weekend plans in disarray, yours truly included. Get better, undisclosed member of The Decemberists!

Two days before this disappointing announcement Wakey! Wakey! somewhat aptly (and precognitively) released a cover version of "Apology Song" as a part of their 10-week series of free downloadable covers. It's pretty damn awesome. Maybe it will hold you over until the next Decemberists tour? In the meantime, try and catch Wakey! in a town near you.
Apology Song - Wakey! Wakey! (Decemberists Cover)
Go Your Own Way - The Decemberists & Death Cab For Cutie (Fleetwood Mac cover)

Jukebox the Ghost & Wakey! Wakey!

It's always refreshing to see a new band play live, especially when you have no preconceived notions about them and then end up becoming utterly enamored with their music. Such was the case this weekend when I caught a particularly initmate performance by two bands on the Family Records roster. Wakey! Wakey! and Jukebox the Ghost besides having names that sound awesome, actually sound awesome.

Hold It In - Jukebox the Ghost
This song represents everything that is perfect about piano-based power-pop. Structurally speaking, everything works: the hypnotic keyboard-based melody, the relentless rhythm, the impeccable "oohs". which kind of sound like something out of a more restrained Freddy Mercury. And to top it all off, there are hand-claps! Highly, highly recommended.
Check out their debut EP

You Could Do Better - Wakey! Wakey!
Quiet, yearning and a bit sparser then some of their songs, but I'm totally digging the sentiment right now.