Middle 8: October 19, 2011

A departure from the repetitive verse-chorus-verse of your typical Top 10s, The Vinyl Recliner presents our inaugural Middle 8 countdown…

Ben Folds Five – Tell Me What I Did
One of three new recordings done by Ben Folds Five for Folds’ retrospective of his career with and without Five, “Tell Me What I Did” is most like early BFF, with a raucous riff and clever lyrics (both written by bassist Robert Sledge).

Sleeping At Last – Noble Aim
The indie rock band wrapped up it’s 12-EP Yearbook project with September, which includes the autumnal and inspiring “Noble Aim,” with sweet harmonies by Katie Herzig.

Coldplay – Don’t Let it Break Your Heart
Though much of the press continues to dwell on the public’s love/hate relationship with Coldplay, they remain dynamic masters of their art and “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart” is a great example of the mixture of creative sonics and big melodies the band has been delivering successfully for years.

Death Cab for Cutie – Stay Young, Go Dancing
Certainly one of Death Cab’s most positive songs, the coda to their latest album is getting some play thanks to a rather syrupy video. But alas, the song remains a wonderful ditty for a muse who just happens to be everywhere right now on Fox.

The Jayhawks – Touch the Stars
A somber bonus track on the deluxe edition of the Jayhawk’s reunion record, the yearning “Touch the Stars” is a perfect song for a brisk night and if you can manage it, a harvest moon hanging in the sky.

David Ford – Pour a Little Poison
Ford pays musical homage to America in a song that is lyrically based on America’s disregard of him as a “whiney little English boy singing the blues.” The singer-songwriter shelves the blues on this raucous stomp.

Decemberists – Calamity Song
The Decemberists summon the type of R.E.M. that even R.E.M. doesn’t do anymore, appropriately with Peter Buck playing vintage R.E.M. licks and Stipe-like cryptic lyrics of impending doom.

Dolorean – Country Clutter
Though released at the dawn of 2011, I’ve only just discovered this song in my Internet travels. The beautiful arrangement and harmonies are juxtaposed with lyrics of a lover finally broken free from a painful relationship. Heartbreak is the best muse.