Beirut – “On a Bayonet”This would, at first, appear to be nothing more than the horn and sax section warming up before “The Shrew”’s terrific Tuba comes in. However, this is a growing, swelling and sweltering collection of trumpets, saxes, trombones and more blowing away towards a fantastic manifestation of sounds. To be succinct, it’s a warm up, sure, but it climaxes and grows into a vicious crescendo that is both stunning and gripping.
The Mars Volta – “Asilos Magdalena”When Nick or I talk about local music, it’s funny how we don’t mention (and I didn’t check but I’m almost positive they’ve never been brought up before) El Paso’s darlings, The Mars Volta. Two high school friends who grew up being teased ended up making one of the best psychedelic, heavy rock groups of our time and their music is beautifully composed. So much so, that you forget about a gem like this and yet, it always pops up; sung in Spanish with a quiet acoustic guitar and glorious vocals, my favorite line is this chillingly deep one:
“En mi vida, el oscuro me mantiene.
Cuando yo te vi, en la lluvia, me prometistes tu sangre…yo no me quedo”
“Which translates to, “In my life, the darkness will comfort me. When I saw you, in the rain, you promised me your blood…I won’t stay.” Yikes, that’s good.
Interpol – “Direction”Six Feet Under was a truly great show; it was dynamic, poignant and stirring. But I didn’t hear about this Interpol song from watching the actual show but rather, while over-hearing Arcade Fire’s “Cold Wind” one day. Not on any proper Interpol album, this song expands and grows with the addition of new rhythms and instruments. While at the same time, getting louder, once the climax hits the band is heard singing “Direction,” in repetition, until the decreasing sound dies out. Simply bad-ass. – Bryan
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