Videos: new Jimmy Eat World song debut, and mewithoutYou

I am hoping to post something with more substance soon, but realistically there will probably only be two posts with actual writing, substance, and commentary during the rest of the year: my "Best of 1986" sometime in November, and then my "Best of 2016" around Christmas. After writing prolifically here and on Medium in 2015, this has been a down year with other priorities.

Jimmy Eat World debuted a new song last night, their third from their upcoming October 21 LP Integrity Blues. "You With Me" is a longer, more epic track than the first two new songs, and continues Jimmy Eat World's resurgence. I commented last month that "Sure and Certain" might be the best new Jimmy Eat World song in a decade, and this one is even better:


mewithoutYou has a brand new video for the song "Watermelon Ascot", which is my favorite song from their 2015 LP Pale Horses. The weird get weirder...

Videos: The Anniversary, Thrice, Tess Wiley

The Anniversary is on a reunion tour right now, and I am so sad I can't see any of the shows. I am thankful I got to see them in 2001 in Athens, Georgia at the 40 Watt, but it would be fun to see them now I have been desperate to find videos online. Until today, I was mostly unsuccessful in that search. But finally here is a great one from last week. Don't watch it for sound quality necessarily, but it captures the fun and energy of The Anniversary's live show:



Next popping up in my YouTube feed was a new video and song from Tess Wiley. I have been a fan of Tess for over 20 years, and this is the most electric, rocking song she has recorded in the last 15:


Finally, Thrice released the first song from their live studio sessions, re-recording songs their 2016 album To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere:

New songs from upcoming 2016/2017 album releases

This is my first post after an unexplainable break, and I am going to keep it simple. Here are some new, great songs from upcoming albums:




This is the first track to be released from the next Eisley album, which is going to drop in early 2017. It is the also the first song from the new incarnation of Eisley in which Sherri is the only one of the original three sisters (along with Stacy and Chauntelle) to still be in the band.


(If this video is blocked for you use ProxFlow to watch it)

This is the second track to debut from the new Jimmy Eat World album, Integrity Blues, due out on October 21. I haven't hid my disdain for Jimmy Eat World's last album, Damage, which is by far the worst LP they have released in their two-decade existence. "Sure and Certain" has them back on track, and I said this on Twitter when I first hear it:

Short, sweet, simple, and maybe the best @jimmyeatworld song in a decade: https://t.co/crqNOVP2bC

— AP (@abparish) August 30, 2016

When Sleigh Bells released their debut album Treats in 2010, many thought the band was a gimmick and would be short-lived. But as the band prepares the release of their 4th LP, Jessica Rabbit, on November 11, they have proven they are here to stay and are at the top of their game.


I inexplicably missed out on the first American Football album in 1999, despite them being right in the middle of the scene I was obsessed with. Seventeen years later they are back with their 2nd self-titled LP.


Eins Zwei Orchestra is the musical identity of husband-wife duo Stefan and Lydia van Maurik (most notably the front-woman of Brown Feather Sparrow. I wrote a more detailed post about this band a few years ago, and their new album releases next week.

New shirts for old-school Tooth & Nail Records bands: Bloodshed, Havalina Rail Co., and Ninety Pound Wuss

The most recent entry into my "new shirts for old bands" idea is Bloodshed. They gave me permission and free reign to design something new. After posting a poll with four designs, the following shirt was chosen by the fans and went on sale today!

I want to say again and make it clear that I am doing this for fun and as a service for the fans. They are priced to sell, not for profit. Also, there are dozens of different styles and colors available, not just what you see in the pictures below or on the TeeSpring site.

Along with selling the Bloodshed shirt, I am trying again on the Havalina Rail Co. shirt. I wrote about it in detail here.

Finally, I am putting the Ninety Pound Wuss shirt back up for sale that did so well in March. So if you missed it the first time, it is back. Here is the backstory and the detail on it.

Farther Than I Can See; Top 25 Thrice Songs

As I await Thrice's new studio album, To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere, (which will be released Friday May 27), I have been thinking a lot about the band's illustrious history. The band has released about 100 songs over their 15-year career, on 7 studio albums and a few miscellaneous EPs and live releases. I decided to write my own Thrice top-20 list, which I quickly revised to a top-25. (Unlike most of my writings, this actually began on scraps of paper while listening to my iPod on a long bus ride, and not on my laptop.)

I recently read a story on OC Weekly that listed Thrice's top-10 songs. I am frustrated by how incomplete and limited it is. Maybe the writer knows the band's history, but the opposite seems true. Not that the 10 songs aren't good--of course they are, they are great--but they are such a small, stereotypical snapshot of what the band has accomplished. Every writer is biased in someway, including me, but three of the 10 songs they picked, including their #1, won't appear on my list.

I did find some other Thrice lists online that were much better and more thought out (but are mostly dated). I find this top-10 list on an IGN message board to be ultra-impressive, as it considers and includes many lesser-appreciated songs from the band's catalog. There is another simple yet impressive list on Sputnik Music. Both of those lists pre-date Thrice's 2009 and 2011 albums however.

The most recent Thrice top-20 song list I found is on Jason Pye's blog. It unfortunately shares much in common with the OC Weekly list: it completely ignores Thrice's quieter, more experimental side and focuses on the edgier rock songs.

Thrice at Hevy Fest, UK, August 2015. Photo by me.

It is hard to rank where Thrice falls on my list of all-time favorite bands, but they are in the top-5 for sure. Since I began using Last.fm to track my music listening, Thrice has 3,500 plays, while no other artist has more than 2,200. So I can easily say I have listened to Thrice more than any other band for the last dozen years or more. I have a hard time comparing them to my favorite bands of the 90's; but Thrice is far more prolific and has a much larger catalog than many of my favorite yet short-lived bands of the 90's. I have written much about Thrice previously as found here and here. I have been fortunate enough to see them in concert four times (2007, 2010, 2011, 2015).

As much as I love Thrice, their final album prior to their hiatus, 2012's Major/Minor, was a disappointment for me. The songwriting and musicianship is outstanding, but the creativity and experimentation of the band was completely forgotten. One can say it is Thrice's most focused, cohesive album, but it leaves me somewhat bored and wanting more. I will admit is is some of Dustin's most profound lyrics, but only two of the songs from Major/Minor make it into my top 25.

Based on everything I have read and heard so far from the new Thrice album that will drop in 5 days, I am thrilled that they have once again branched out and tried new and different things. I recently came to the realization that I love Thrice's super-heavy songs and their quiet, experimental songs; but the more straightforward rock songs that fall in the middle just don't do it for me, comparatively.

Before I get into the top 25, it would probably be helpful for me to rank the albums and show where my biases lie. (My number 1 is clear and definitive, but then numbers 2-4 could easily change places. I find a huge gap between 4 and 5, and an immense gap between 6 and 7.)

1. The Alchemy Index (2007-2008)

2. The Artist in the Ambulance (2003)

3. Vheissu (2005)

4. Beggars (2009)

5. Major/Minor (2011)

6. The Illusion of Safety (2002)

7. Identity Crisis (2001)

Without further ado, my top 25 Thrice songs, prior to the release of To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere. (Links go to live performances of the songs on YouTube when available, and starred (*) videos were shot and uploaded by me.)

Note: while working on this blog post last night Thrice debuted a new song "Death From Above", which is spectacular and would immediately jump high up this list. I greatly prefer it to all songs on Major/Minor.)

All lyrics by Dustin Kensrue

25. Blinded from Major/Minor
I was always one the good ones, Keeping tabs on everyone else, Sure that I was, One of the chosen
But I was a child of hell; But you buried me in the bright light, Yeah, you held my eyes to the sun till I could see that, That I was worse than I ever feared I could be, But somehow, I was loved more than I ever dared to believe
24. The Artist In The Ambulance from The Artist In The Ambulance
Now I lay here owing my life to a stranger, And I realize that empty words are not enough, I'm left here with the question of just, What have I to show except the promises I never kept?
23. Daedalus from The Alchemy Index: Volume III Air

Oh son, please keep a steady wing, And know your the only one that means anything to me, Steer clear of the sun, or you'll find yourself in the sea, Won't you look at your wings, They're coming undone
22. In Exile from Beggars

I am a pilgrim - a voyager; I won’t rest until my lips touch the shore - Of the land that I’ve been longing for as long as I’ve lived, Where there’ll be no pain or tears anymore.
21. Come All You Weary from The Alchemy Index: Volume IV Earth

Come all you weary with your heavy loads, Lay down your burdens find rest for your souls, Cause my yoke is easy and my burden is kind, I’ll take yours upon me and you can take mine
20. Atlantic from Vheissu
'Cause my eyes are open, and everything still moves in slow-motion, breathless and blue, and behind your eyes the sea, oceans of light envelop me
19. Flags Of Dawn from the Red Sky EP
So put away your fear, the morning star will soon appear, and bring an end, to this dark night, and we must run if we're to meet the light, watered by the blood of martyrs
18. At the Last from Beggars
Am I a good man? I thought I was, But the rewards of this life now count for naught. My body: soon buried and left to rot. The time’s gone, how quickly it all has passed. My God, now I see how I’ve squandered each and every breath.
17. Silhouette* from The Artist In The Ambulance
Your eyes, followed me here. Your eyes, sifting my soul. They leave me broken and forge diamonds from the coal.
16. The Earth Will Shake* from Vheissu

Heartbroken, we found (a gleam of hope), harken to the sound (a whistle blows), heaven sent reply (however small), evidence of life (beyond these walls), born and bred (in this machine), wardens dread (to see us dream), we hold tight (to legends of) real life, (the way it was before)
15. Paper Tigers from The Artist In The Ambulance

They preach to the choir, always in the permanent daylight, They toss paper tigers from their perfect porcelain skylines
14. Open Water from The Alchemy Index:  Volume II Water

The open water is an awful thing, but I'm anxious till the anchor is aweigh. I'm starting to believe the ocean's much like you, cause it gives, and it takes away.
13. Beggars from Beggars

Can you hear what’s been said? Can you see now that everything’s grace after all? If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.
12. Red Sky* from Vheissu

Look and see the sky turn red. Like blood it covers over me. And soon the sea shall give up her dead. We'll raise an empire from the bottom of the sea.
11. The Arsonist from The Alchemy Index: Volume I Fire

There are still good shepherds scattered, but they're far between and few. And the sheep's skin that the wolves all wear is so thin I see right through.
10. Hoods On Peregrine from The Artist In The Ambulance

But if knowledge is power, Know this is tyranny, All we're asking for is what's ours, You think they're selling you truth, Truth is, they're selling you out.
9. Words in the Water* from Major/Minor

And when I lost all hope to look, Someone took that heavy book from my hands, All it's weight they set aside, After they had satisfied it's demands, I felt white and black reverse, And the lifting of a curse from my heart, Then like one receiving sight, I beheld a brilliant light in the dark.
8. Doublespeak from Beggars

I slowly carve my soul away. Piece by piece I sacrifice. To comfort and peace of mind. (I keep my toes on the party line.) There’s nothing wrong dear, don’t think twice.
7. Deadbolt from The Illusion Of Safety

What have I done? is it too late to save me from this place? from the depths of the grave? we all are those... who thought we were brave. what have I done?
6. The Messenger from The Alchemy Index:  Volume I Fire

Mark me with Fear and Trembling, Send someone else instead, I know my world is ending, I can't repay my debt.
5. Of Dust And Nations from Vheissu

So put your faith in more than steel, don't store your treasures up, with moth and rust, where thieves break in and steal, pull the fangs from out your heel, we live in but a shadow of the real.
4. Stare At The Sun* from The Artist In The Ambulance

'Cause I am due for a miracle, I'm waiting for a sign, I'll stare straight into the sun, And I won't close my eyes, Till I understand or go blind. 
3. The Weight from Beggars

And come what may, I won’t abandon you or leave you behind, Because love is a loyalty sworn, not a burning for a moment. Come what may, I will be standing right here by your side, I won’t run away, though the storm’s getting worse and there’s no end in sight.
(Note: Most Thrice covers I have heard are terrible, but while writing this post I did discover an outstanding cover of "The Weight" by a band called The Material.)
2. The Whaler from The Alchemy Index: Volume II Water

"Father where do you go? It's farther than I can see, 
when are you coming home to me?" "Darling why do you leave, as the north wind begins to blow? Will you be coming home to me?"
1. For Miles* from Vheissu

As long as we live, every scar is a bridge to someone's broken heart, and there's no greater love, than that one shed his blood for his friends.

Filmed by me at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, April 2010.

Havalina Rail Co. shirts; Matt Wignall, and Wargirl

I am pleased to announce that I have my second shirt up for sale recognizing an under-appreciated band from the 90's: Havalina Rail Co., also just known as Havalina. Havalina remains to be one of the most diverse, eclectic, random, strange, yet talented group of musicians I have ever listened to. This shirt was primarily designed by Matt Wignall, Havalina band leader. After I got in touch with him and we emailed back and forth ideas and below is the result. The price is set low to be just a fun, comfortable item for fans new and old to wear. The American Apparel Triblend is especially comfy, I highly recommend it. Buy it here and it's only available for one week! (Note: if you know me personally you can order and select "pick up" from me and pay no shipping costs. I will be in three countries and at least a dozen U.S. states between now and mid-August.)

Available in a dozen different color and style combinations

Since Havalina disbanded in the early 2000's, Wignall has primarily made a living as a photographer, designer and producer. He is probably most well known as a producer for his work with Cold War Kids, and most notably to me as a graphic designer for his work on the packaging and artwork for Thrice's album Beggars. This is my personal copy of the album on vinyl, that I featured in a blog post in 2010:

Matt Wignall's personal website is thorough and a great portfolio of his diverse work. Wignall is also now involved in a new musical endeavor called Wargirl. While being active on Instagram, they have not yet released any music. Apparently their first EP will be released on vinyl in June (from their Instagram feed):

Back to Havalina, they were best seen live, and their shows at Cornerstone Festival were especially memorable. Both Wignall himself and bass player Orlando Greenhill were terrific, high-energy showmen. I saw them at this show, Cornerstone 2001.

Like I said, much of Havalina was wild and eclectic, but they did have a couple more catchy, pop-type tunes. This is one of my favorites:

Music and Mystery

From the NYC Public Library Digital Collction

Earlier today I was able to speak in my school's chapel assembly, and I chose the topic "Music and Mystery". As the school's athletic director, this seemed like a bizarre choice, but music plays such a profound role in my faith in Jesus.

I chose the band Luxury to build my talk around, as they are one of my all time favorites, and have recently been more in the "news" as they released a new album and have a documentary due out this year. This is the video clip that was used to fund their Kickstarter campaign, and I showed an edited version of it today before I spoke:



As can been seen in the video, Luxury is a fairly bizarre band in that 3 of the 5 members are Orthodox Priests. While not Orthodox personally, I am fascinated by the church due to its emphasis on the arts and on mystery. I cut this part out of my talk due to time constraints, but Luxury bass player Chris Foley's essay Man as Priest of Creation has a huge impact on me and greatly influenced my presentation. I highly recommend you read the whole thing, but here is a relevant passage:

"I found that the emphasis on the Incarnation of Christ stressed the goodness of creation and that now matter is united to God. This means that matter matters and beauty is not just something external to God (i.e. – optional) but an energy emanating from from God Himself – an absolute. I discovered that the early Church rejected anything that divided or separated Christ’s humanity from His divinity. As I learned more about the Orthodox faith, I found that the Orthodox teaching that every aspect of life is sacramental underpinned every teaching of Christ and the Church . This idea that matter matters speaks profoundly to faith as it relates to the creative process."

As I wrote in these essays on 1995 music last year, I struggled much in my teenage years about the secular vs. sacred divide. This divide tore at me for a long time, and thankfully, eventually Jesus revealed to me the divide is not truth. My essay on Fleming and John and Hoi Polloi ended this way (feels strange to quote myself):

My faulty, black-and-white world of “Christian music” and “secular music” was greyed so much by these two albums that the line no longer existed — there was just music.

My main point today (when I spoke, and I as I now write) is that music is mysterious. Music requires us to take it seriously, and examine its beauty and depth. And we can apply to this mystery to many aspects of our lives, and open ourselves up to things we don't understand. Music has allowed me to embrace mystery- both in art, in the world, and in the fractured Christian church. And as someone who grew up legalistic and judgmental, embracing mystery has allowed me to follow Jesus better: by loving God and loving others, many of whom are very different than myself.

5/10/16 Update: I uploaded a rough audio recording to YouTube of the 30-minute chapel talk if you are curious to listen (and watch).

I made aYouTube playlist of 8 songs I used in my presentation today, both directly, and by reference:

New Starflyer 59 album 'Slow' coming June 17

Despite June 17 being less than 2 months away, there has been no band or label promotion for this, Starflyer 59's newest LP, 'Slow'.

It can be pre-ordered on Amazon here.

There is some information that can be found here, including the track-list:
1. Slow
2. Told Me So
3. Cherokee
4. Hi Low
5. Wrongtime
6. Retired
7. Runaround
8. Numb

This Twitter exchange last fall hinted about the album:

And here is hoping all the songs on 'Slow' are slow like this...

Great new streaming music from upcoming albums: Explosions in the Sky, Rob Crow, Hammock, Neko Case, Fiona Apple & more

There are many, many great new albums set to release in March and April, and this week has been an especially good one for advance streams from those albums. I'll only embed one song, a new track from Explosions in the Sky, from their upcoming album The Wilderness. Pre-order the vinyl here; album drops in April.

Rob Crow of Pinback has a new band, called Rob Crow's Gloomy Place, and the album You're Doomed. Be Nice. releases today. Consequence of Sound is streaming the full album, and I have listened to it a dozen times over the last couple days. I am can't wait to hold the orange and purple splatter vinyl I ordered here.

Hammock is set to release their first album since 2013. Everything and Nothing releases on April 1 and you can stream three songs right now and pre-order the vinyl on the Hammock Bandcamp page.

Frightened Rabbit's new album Painting of a Panic Attack releases on April 8. They released the first single from the album this week, "Get Out", accompanied by a unique video filmed on location in Kiev, Ukraine. I have been to the park and monument where much of the video was filmed. Pre-order the vinyl here.

In one of the more bizarre combinations I have heard of, Neko Case, k.d.lang, and Laura Viers are releasing an album together on June 17, titled case/lang/viers. The first single, "Atomic Number", is also streaming on YouTube.

Another collaboration is a duet from Andrew Bird and Fiona Apple. "Left Handed Kisses" is on YouTube and will appear on the forthcoming album  Are You Serious by Andrew Bird on April 1.

The first new band on this list is the British punk act Muncie Girls. Their debut album From Caplan to Belsize releases today and is streaming in full on Stereogum.

Finally, Asthmatic Kitty is taking pre-orders for a 10th Anniversary vinyl release of Sufjan Stevens' Illinoise. Along with the release is a demo of the song "Chicago", which you can listen to on YouTube. That song is being released as a vinyl single on a red, star-shaped record. If you already own Illinoise on vinyl, you can order just the red star by itself for $8. Scratch that, they are already sold out!

Viola Beach tragedy

Last week all four members of the band Viola Beach, along with their manager, died as their car went off a bridge in Sweden while they were on tour. From the BBC news release: "Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin and manager Craig Tarry were killed when their car plunged more than 25m (82ft) from a highway bridge into a canal." I encourage you to read all of the BBC story.

Like most of you, this tragedy is unfortunately my introduction to the band. I have been listening to them quite a bit the last few days though, and they were excellent. Below you will find links to some of their music, and I encourage you to check it out as you remember them and the pain their families and friends are dealing with right now.

First of all, here is a link to a live Daytrotter session they did in October.

And here is their first two songs streaming on Bandcamp:

And their most recent song on Soundcloud: