Case file #30: "The Light & The Glass"

Coheed and Cambria
"The Light & The Glass"
In Keeping Secrets of Silent 
Earth: 3
(2003)



The need to know: Coheed and Cambria have often been slammed as being the RUSH of the emo generation, but they get even nerdier than that. Which is, of course, why they're great. Running on the premise that each of their albums, including the just-released Year of the Black Rainbow, tells a part of frontman Claudio Sanchez's sprawling sci-fi epic. Not into bizarre outer space-based explorations into the meanings of love and religion? Never fear, their catalog is filled with hooks aplenty and the lyrical oeuvres are enough to keep even fanboys guessing at the story's plot.

Why it's worthy: "The Light & The Glass" caps off Coheed's second (and might I argue best) album. Following the largely punk-based The Second Stage Turbine Blade, IKSSE:3 hints at their turn into proggy territory so prevalent in the band's later albums. Though certain tracks on both early releases have their moments of impact, this song marks the group's first foray into epicness. Sanchez's voice isn't exactly made for balladeering but the building nature of this near-ten minute onslaught--from gentle poeticness to balls-out guitar assault--only makes the denouement that much more spine-chilling. Pray for us all? Don't mind if I do, creepy children, don't mind if I do.

Quotable lyric: "Would It really matter/ If you were to count the days left with your hands?"

Where you've heard it: "The Light & The Glass" appears on Coheed's 2005 DVD Live at the Starland Ballroom as well as 2009's Neverender, a four-disc live DVD featuring the band playing each of their albums live in succession. 

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Case File #29: "For Once In Your Life"

The Jealous Sound
"For Once In Your Life"
Kill Them With Kindness
(2003)




The need to know: In 2003, The JEalous Sound released their debut LP, Kill Them With Kindness, a romp of indie rock with touches of emo mischief that landed on SPIN's top 40 albums of the year list. But, after signing to indie label The Militia Group in 2005, reports that the band was busy recording a follow up devolved into rumors that singer/guitarist Blair Shehan had left the band in ruins. A few years of silence and speculation followed, with an EP of the remnants of the band's studio sessions, entitled Got Friends, seemingly capping things off in 2008. In 2009, however, the band reemerged to open for emo legends Sunny Day Real Estate, and is currently back at work on a true follow up to their debut.

Why it's worthy: Being a night owl has its perks. "For Once In Your Life" celebrates (and questions) what goes on in those hours with anthemic choruses and painted-picture verses. The song plays out like a night spent picking apart the world and making revelations that never quite live long past sunrise.

Quotable lyric: "The sun's coming up/ As we're coming down"

Where you've heard it: This song was on every mix I made in 2003. If you knew me then, you've heard this song.

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Case File #28: "Half Asleep"

School of Seven Bells
"Half Asleep"
Alpinisms
(2008)




The need to know: Formed by Ben Curtis (formerly of Secret Machines) and twin-sisters Claudia and Alejandra Deheza, School of Seven Bells create near-perfect electronic dream pop that waves from danceable, worldly explorations to hazy moments of ethereal beauty. Following their debut, 2007 UK single "My Cabal," and their 2008 full-length Alpinisms, the band shared stages with Blonde Redhead, Bat for Lashes, and fellow electronic shoegazers, M83.

Why it's worthy: Sonically a perfect song for a visual montage of the indie film version of youthful love and life, the dreamy beauty of "Half Asleep" is almost enough to make you abandon your computer and desk in favor of springtime sunshine and the swaying trees taunting you through the window. Lyrically, it's an admission of and struggle against complacency and falling victim to the mundanity of our everyday lives. Beautiful, hopeful and tragic, Alejandra Deheza's voice fills each word with longing but never over embellishes the sentiment, which allows the accompanying music to speak volumes.

Quotable lyric: "Sometimes I go whole days listening, bored, half sleep/ I won't say anything that's worth a thing to me"

Where you've heard it: "Half Asleep" was included on the downloadable Urban Outfitters mixtape LSTN#2 back in 2008. An alternate version also appeared on the 2009 Alpinisms re-release as one of nine bonus tracks.

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Case File #27: "White Wolf"

Retribution Gospel Choir
"White Wolf"
2
(2010)




The need to know: Begun in 2005 as a collaboration between melowness pursuers Alan Sparhawk of Low and Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters fame, Retribution Gospel Choir allowed the "slowcore" icons to be as rampantly raucous in a live setting as they wanted to go, unleashing a beast that would've been unwelcome amongst the tunes typical of their more well-known affiliations. By the time RCG released their eponymous debut in 2008, however, Kozelek had receded to producer status, and disappeared entirely from the band before its acclaimed 2010 follow up, 2. 

Why it's worthy: One of the most straightforward tunes offered up on 2, "White Wolf" retains some of the moodiness of Sparhawk's work with Low while letting loose crisp guitars and a satisfying chorus. Symbolism aside, it conjures a ferocious battle with a white wolf and, really, what's not to love about that?

Quotable lyric: "You think you can take that white wolf/ Then you're gonna need more blood"

Where you've heard it: While reading my interview with Sparhawk over at Stereo Subversion. (Yeah, yeah, shameless self-promotion. I know.)

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Case File #26: "Kill Me Carolyne"

The Whigs
"Kill Me Carolyne"
In The Dark
(2010)




The need to know: Since 2002, The Whigs have been building a buzz, including a nod from Rolling Stone in 2006, which asked if the band could be the next great one  to emerge from R.E.M.'s hometown. If you know anything about the Athens, Georgia music scene--and the number of bands in it--then you know that's a huge compliment, and no small task. But The Whigs are certainly up to the challenge, after accompanying Kings of Leon on several tours around the U.S. (including a sold-out Madison Square Garden gig) the trio just recently released their third record, In The Dark, a polished helping of garage rock ruckus.

Why it's worthy: "Kill Me Carolyne" is the quintessential rock single, and anthemic choruses ripe for sing-alongs and verses laden with ambiguous self-deprecation and accusatory relationship drama make this tune more than worthy of an obsession. It may not be the best tune on In The Dark, or within The Whigs' catalog, but it's pretty damn infectious without falling into the traps of drivel that fell most rock bands these days. If this song doesn't get you pumped up for a night out, or to get out of bed, there may not be much hope for you.

Quotable lyric: "I know you love me/ But you'd feel better/ If you just suck it up and/ Kill, kill me Carolyne"

Where you've heard it: The band recently performed "Kill Me Carolyne" on The Late Show with David Letterman. 

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