Building upon the Long Winters' first album, The Worst You Can Do Is Harm, frontman John Roderick compiled enough hooks to create the solid, delectably pop sophomore effort When I Pretend to Fall. The Long Winters get happy on this one, and Roderick's vibrant, newfound confidence as a showman and songwriter allows the Long Winters' sound to finally gel. Chris Walla, Sean Nelson, Eric Corson, and Michael Schilling return for some sonic goodness, while ex-Posies guitarist/vocalist Ken Stringfellow joins the Long Winters to polish things up a bit. Extra help from R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and Pedro the Lion's Blake Wescott is a bonus in adding to Roderick's nearly accessible candied ock sound. Album opener "Blue Diamonds" kicks things off with a swanky brass section. Roderick's self-assured vocals are a touch shy at first, but the Michael Stipe comparisons immediately disappear mid-chorus. Roderick takes control and he likes it; it sounds so good on the synth-driven '60s pop of "Scared Straight." Shimmering space rock guitars and budding string arrangements carry the melodies of "Blanket Hog" for one of the album's brightest moments, while "Prom Night at Hater High" is equally energetic with its hoedown-like appeal. When it seems like the Long Winters could use a break or at least a breather, "New Girl" gets cheeky with classic power pop. When I Pretend to Fall aptly suggests that things could go one way, but Roderick and company push and pull with harmony and emotion for a full, tangible set of songs. One listen to "Nora" and you'll sense Roderick's soft heart. It charms you; a soft heart doesn't equal a simple album, however.
Every year, I look back on the music that I've listened to and rank my top 10 favorite new albums (yes, I realize that I'm an enormous nerd for doing this, obviosuly... no need to make fun). These albums don't have to be newly released per se, just new to me. This is the first year that I've really had an outlet for my musical musings ("Musicalings?" No, that's stupid), so I thought I'd share...
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One day back in 1999, John Roderick decided to travel from Amsterdam to Istanbul. By foot. He set out on May 4th, supplied with some extra clothes and an atlas, and began his 50 kilometer a day trek, hiking across the mountains and valleys of ten different countries, and arrived on Sept 21st of that year, five months after his departure, at his final destination. I find this pretty impressiv...
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Every year, I look back on the music that I've listened to and rank my top 10 favorite new albums (yes, I realize that I'm an enormous nerd for doing this, obviosuly... no need to make fun). These albums don't have to be newly released per se, just new to me. This is the first year that I've really had an outlet for my musical musings ("Musicalings?" No, that's stupid), so I thought I'd share...
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I did some driving today. And, oddly enough, driving is where I listen to old music. Yes I have a decent car. No I don’t have disposable income that would support an mp3 player and hookup to go with said car. Sad really. But it does allow me to listen to older tracks and albums while I’m driving about the countryside.Today I put a track on one song repeat and listened to it over and ov
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 "When I Pretend to Fall")
