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This is the song we’re discussing in “Analysis through Composition” class at Westminster this Tuesday: one of Machlahan’s best, I think. We’re using the song, as well as a chapter about it in Deborah   Stein’s Engaging Music, as the jumping off point for a discussion of feminist approaches to music analysis.

Here’s a live version:

Danish pop artists Efterklang are sharing a streaming player that features songs from their new album Magic Chairs.

Courtesy of the John Cage Trust blog.

Chicago indie folk singer-songwriter Judson Claiborne releases his sophomore recording, Time and Temperature, via on April 6, 2010. In advance, he’s sharing “Song for Dreaming,” a moody, nocturnal ballad, as a teaser track (MP3 download below).

MP3: Song for Dreaming

Magnetic Fields

Realism

Nonesuch CD

In a sharp turnaround from Magnetic Fields’ previous LP, the boisterous, thoroughly amplified  Distortion, their latest release, Realism, contains a liner note caveat: ‘no synths.’ Realism brings the unplugged aesthetic to Stephin Merritt’s wittily acerbic songs – with stirring results.

“You Must be Out of Your Mind” is a classic example of Merritt’s simultaneously humorous and poignant lyrics – a paean to jilted lovers everywhere, exhorting them to avoid their former partners like the plague. A small sampling, “You think I’ll run, not walk, to you, Why would I want to talk to you? I want you crawling back to me, down on your knees, yeah, Like an appendectomy, sans  anesthesia…” Ouch!

Meanwhile, “We are Having a Hootenanny Now” celebrates the bluegrass/alt-folk signatures employed throughout the album with a rousing verse, rollicking chord changes, and a dialing back of Magnetic Fields’ ironic propensities in favor of a moment of musical jocularity.

But don’t expect Merritt to refrain from tongue-in-cheek witticisms for long. “Everything is One Big Tree” allows for irony to reign supreme once again; complete with a second chorus in German!

Realism is required listening – It’s been in heavy rotation since its arrival here at 218 Augusta St.!

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Sadly, the band’s not letting any of this material out for preview, but RCRDLBL has been kind enough to share a couple tracks from their preceding releases.

After my church gig on Sunday, I’m presenting a faculty recital at Westminster Choir College. I’ll be singing pieces by two student composers from our program: Michael Fili and Matthew Samson. Pianist Rebecca Leshures will premiere three pieces by Robert Thomas. Jody Redhage will be singing a set of my songs, a set of hers, and a piece by Daniel Felsenfeld. Joe Arndt will be playing my solo organ work  Spiritual Variations. Flutist John McMurtery and pianist Ashlee Mack will perform works by Robert Morris, James Romig, and yours truly.

Faculty Recital: 21st Century Music with Christian Carey

February 7 at 3 PM in Bristol Chapel

Westminster Choir College of Rider University

101 Walnut Lane,

Princeton, NJ 08540

Free Admission

Many Sequenza 21 readers will know Carlton Wilkinson best for his blog The And of One and for his work as a composer and presenter of contemporary concert music; but the man wears many hats. He’s also a college instructor (currently on the faculty at TCNJ) and a music critic for the Asbury Park Press.

Wilkinson recently shared another facet of his work: Three Rooms, a self-released album of avant pop songs. It’s currently for sale at CD Baby and iTunes. The recording primarily consists of spare piano-vocal tracks; but also includes percussion, guitars, and judicious employment of synthesizers.

One can certainly hear influences of Carlton’s experimental compositions in the arranging touches such as flurries of noise and percussive adornments. But there’s a fair bit of prog sensibility here as well, no doubt abetted by Wilkinson’s singing voice bearing more than a passing resemblance to Adrian Belew.

Wilkinson has graciously shared an MP3 with us for previewing. Please don’t re-host and, if you like it, support grassroots music-making and buy the recording!

MP3: Trigger