New Mix: Damien Rice (Premiere), Leonard Cohen, Caroline Rose, Afternoons
Clockwise from upper left: Damien Rice, Leonard Cohen, Caroline Rose, Medicine Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Do you find yourself saying "no" more often than not? Robin Hilton does, which is why he kicks off this week's All Songs Considered with L.A.-based Afternoons' joyful sing-along, "Say Yes."
Next, Bob Boilen recaps his recent trip to the Americana Music Festival in Nashville, discussing some exciting new discoveries and selecting a rockabilly-tinged tune from Caroline Rose called "Blood on Your Bootheels." A nod to "These Boots Were Made For Walkin,'" perhaps?
Robin continues with a quieter song from Damien Rice, whose new album, My Favourite Faded Fantasy, is set to be released Nov. 11. On a similar note, Bob selects a brooding number from Leonard Cohen's new album, Popular Problems, which was released just days after Cohen's 80th birthday.
Joined in the studio by editor Lars Gotrich, the hosts introduce the noisy title track from Maryland-based Two Inch Astronaut's upcoming album, Foulbrood. After falling into a daze of '90s nostalgia, Robin closes the show with a track from shoegazey noise pop band Medicine, whose new album, Home Everywhere, comes out Oct. 28.
Songs Featured On This Episode
01Say Yes
Afternoons
- Song: Say Yes
- from Say Yes
Afternoons has a knack for writing joyful, sprawling songs that are impossible not to sing along to. The group's upcoming album, Say Yes, is out Oct. 21 on Eenie Meenie. For more on this song, visit the artist's website.
01Blood On Your Bootheels
Caroline Rose
- Song: Blood On Your Bootheels
- from I Will Not Be Afraid
Bob Boilen discovered Caroline Rose during his recent trip to Nashville and was immediately impressed. The 24-year-old songwriter has her roots in country and gospel music. Rose shows off her bright, agile voice on the catchy, rockabilly-tinged tune "Blood On Your Bootheels." For more on this song, visit the artist's website.
04I Don't Want To Change You
Damien Rice
- Song: I Don't Want To Change You
- from My Favourite Faded Fantasy
Damien Rice's new single is one of the quieter tracks on his upcoming album, My Favourite Faded Fantasy. In "I Don't Want To Change You," suspended strings create a theatrical atmosphere, while Rice reminds us of his distinctive talent for lyrical storytelling. For more on this album, visit the artist's website.
01Slow
Leonard Cohen
- Song: Slow
- from Popular Problems
In the span of his 47 year career, Leonard Cohen has released a modest 13 studio albums. On Popular Problems — released just days after his 80th birthday — Cohen explores familiar themes of love and passion, but does so with a more acute playfulness than ever before. On the album's opening track, "Slow," Cohen's characteristically erotic lyrics are punctuated by awareness of his aging, as he insists "It's not because I'm old/ It's not the life I led/ I always liked it slow." For more on this song, visit the artist's website.
01Foulbrood
Two Inch Astronaut
- Song: Foulbrood
- from Foulbrood
Two Inch Astronaut's upcoming album, Foulbrood, marks a point of maturation in the band's lengthy career. The album's explosive title track mines the '90s for inspiration, and is notably reminiscent of the Dismemberment Plan's earlier music. For more on this song, visit the artist's website.
03Move Along — Down The Road
Medicine
- Song: Move Along — Down The Road
- from Home Everywhere
Members of shoegaze band Medicine have often described themselves as "lifer music weirdos." On the group's new track, "Move Along — Down The Road," dissonant vocals are buried beneath intricate layers of fuzzy guitar, invoking My Bloody Valentine's Loveless.