As has been discussed in recent posts, I moved back to New York! I moved back January 31st, and so, since my return, I’ve experienced winter to spring to summer. And, now, fall. Fall gets plenty of attention and doesn’t need me posting about it, but here we are. In truth, summer is my favorite New York season and always has been. I love the sweaty city, what can I say. But really, what rocks with respect to moving back from California, are the transitions. The change. I love change – fresh, newness: a new tattoo, new bedsheets, a new hand soap for my kitchen sink, new shoes. Undeniably fun, the small, everyday changes seem to be the best. Big changes are cool too but more complicated.
Anyways. Music blog time. It’s a treat to embrace music that fits with the weather, the vibe. So here are some of my Fall picks:
Technicolor Girls, Death Cab. This song is beautiful – really nice guitar, lovely cadence. I think it feels like fall because it’s a schoolyard type of song. Girls and boys etc. And school is September, and September is fall. Also: “But the letter jacket wasn’t yours to own / and it proves to be on temporary loan.” In truth, I always thought it was leather jacket, which, peak fall, but letter jacket is also fall.
Hey Sarah Is It Gonna Rain Forever, This Is Lorelei. This came out not long ago, and I have been listening. Also my beautiful best friend Jordan and I went to Nate’s album release show in September. It was so good, and, exhilaratingly, Phoebe and Cam Winter were in the crowd! I could see Cam from where we were, but Phoebe was too small to be spotted. I think this song and “I will eat my heart in the morning light” (incredible title) are my favorites. The acoustic guitar tone is very fall to me. Also the riff is VERY similar to the riff in over the hills and far away. Which just makes me like it more, really. Here are both so you can listen for yourself.
Second Song, Neil Young. So Neil just dropped a new album, and, truly thank god, it is not protest music. I’d describe it as children’s music which perhaps sounds derogatory, but I don’t mean it to be. It’s just simple and lullaby-ish. I think it’s beautiful. And Neil’s go-to chugging along rhythm is very fall to me. Not as slow as cold, cold winter, but slowing down. I like the whole album, especially the 11 minute title track and the last song: “I’ll love you forever.” He is also singing about change which, of course, is fall.
How Can I Explain What She Does To Me, Sharp Pins. This just came out, and I love it. It sounds like a mix of the Byrds and the Beatles. Just lovely. Great harmonies.
Love Itself, Leonard Cohen. I’ve been really into this whole album. The tenor of Leonard Cohen’s voice, to me, is winter. But, nonetheless, here you are. Enjoy this and prepare yourself because winter is coming.
Nowhere Man, The Beatles. Deep cut alert! But, yes, it’s true, Rubber Soul is a perfect fall album. Just look at the trees in this music video! And the just released mixes sound incredible. I am also currently reading (loving) this book about Dylan and the Beatles by Jim Windolf, and he talks a lot about Rubber Soul, and, particularly, the John songs on it. So it’s been on my mind.
If You Turn Back Now, Cameron Winter, Live at Carnegie Hall. Can you imagine if I hadn’t included one from this album? And this song…..It’s a perfect song. The album edges towards winter (no pun intended), but I’ve listened to it daily since it dropped last week. Thanks, Cam. Posting all the lyrics because you should read them:
If you turn back now, I might call out your name
If you turn back now, I might just turn away
If you turn back now, I might carry you home
If you got good news, I might hang up the phone
If you turn back now, I might just watch you go
I might love you again if you leave me alone
The devil is working even in the rain when it’s pouring
The devil’s work begins early every morning
Yeah, the devil is real, and he’s living in heaven
The devil’s gonna love you to death if you let him
The devil will argue, he will beg you to stay
But I belong to him who gave me away
Thе beaches will boil, and the baskеts will burn
The moon will come down on your tail as it turns
The sun will stare down on the street where I buy
That beautiful, beautiful, beautiful milk that is sold the day after you die (*sorry but wow I can’t believe cam is 24*)
Life On Mars, Brad Mehldau. Jazz piano for fall, always. And I’ve been listening to this insanely beautiful version of Life on Mars nonstop. It’s so delicate – Brad treats the melody so perfectly. Feels like floating around outer space. I want to live in this song all season long.
If You See Her Say Hello, Jeff Buckley. I am not including a Dylan song because he gets a lot of air-time on here. Rest assured, I’ve been listening. But also I’ve been listening to this live version of Jeff Buckley covering BD. Really like the sparse guitar. It’s kind of weird, tbh. Actually, I think Jeff Buckley is weird (musically). But I really like this and have been listening a lot. Pretty devastating in a nice way. If I was to include a Dylan song…It would be this version of Alberta.
I’m On Fire (Live from Giants Stadium), Bruce Springsteen. Because some say it is cuffing season, lol. But really, I do think this live version, in particular, reeks with wanting in the best way. I’d be pleased if I could listen to this track every day for the rest of my life.
