here they are:
"Bullets And Rocks" by Calexico: Though they are a "folk-rock" band, Calexico's material never emphasized rock music as much as it did genres like bluegrass and mariachi music. "Bullets And Rocks" is the first Calexico song to use electric guitar as its primary instrument. The mariachi and folk elements present on most Calexico songs is still present here, but this song will probably expand their audience into including both rock and folk fans. Here's another bonus for you all. "Bullets And Rocks" even has a brief guitar solo!! Never expected that from Calexico, did ya?!
"Compound Fracture" by My Morning Jacket: Could this be Jim James and co's attempt to try to do a song in the style of Simple Minds' "Don't You Forget About Me"?! Sure sounds like it! At least the first minute or so does. A gritty electric guitar and sax enter about 30 seconds into "Compound Fracture", but those instruments are mainly present in the chorus of the song. Lyrically, the song seems more like an attempt to answer another beloved '80s new wave/alt-pop tune, XTC's controversial "Dear God". However, the attack on religious beliefs is not exactly direct in "Compound Fracture" until the lyrics "'God' and 'the devil' were made up anyway" show up. Instead of attacking religion throughout the song, though, MMJ prefer to repeatedly insist that "There is no evil, there is no good, only people doing as they should". Food for thought, eh?!
"Strangers" by Langhorne Slim: Langhorne Slim's songs are usually somewhat upbeat, but his songs usually aren't as upbeat as the Mumford and Sons gone bubblegum pop type sound of "Strangers"! The mysterious, spooky title of the song belies its irresistibly happy sound! Even the horns on this song sound more like "Walking On Sunshine" than they do your run of the mill Americana-rock tune!! And what's this?! A "doo-doot-doot-doo" punctuating each verse?! Why Langhorne, that just isn't like you!! This song is just so darn happy, though, I can't help but like it! Guaranteed to put a smile on the face of even the most hardened hipster!
