Ben’s WEGL Radio Show 8/16/07

I’ve got this little show on the Auburn University radio station, WEGL 91.1 FM. So if you’re in the listening area, check it out every Thursday starting at 11PM. Here’s the set list for my latest show, the first of the Fall ‘07 semester.

Chavez – “Peeled Out Too Late,” “Our Boys Will Shine Tonight,” and “Flight 96″ off the album Better Days Will Haunt You, released on Matador Records.

Early 90’s math rock-esque band led by singer and guitarist Matt Sweeney. Matt Sweeney later played with Guided By Voices and Zwan (Billy Corgan’s short-lived band which included David Pajo of Slint and Tortoise), and released the album Superwolf with Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Matador records rereleased Chavez’s two albums in 2006 in a double disc set.

I’m From Barcelona – “We’re From Barcelona” and “Treehouse” off of the 2006 album Let Me Introduce My Friends

29 member collective from Jonkoping, Sweden. “We’re From Barcelona” is a perfect introduction to the band. “Treehouse” is definitely one of my favorites on the record, partially because I’ve always been a huge fan of treehouses. The build up at the end is so good.

Thom Yorke – “Analyse,” “Atoms for Peace” (requested), and “Cymbal Rush” off the album 2006 The Eraser, released on XL Records.
First solo record from Radiohead frontman. Although I miss the musicianship of the rest of Radiohead (especially Johnny Greenwood’s guitars and the crisp drumming of Phil Selway), it’s a great album. It’s as good as I could expect from a Thom Yorke solo effort, if not better.

Robert Pollard – “Supernatural Car Lover,” “Boxing About”, and “Get a Faceful” off the 2006 album Normal Happiness released on Merge Records.

Former frontman of early 90’s college rock band Guided By Voices. Much like Guided By Voices, Robert Pollard’s solo work is chock full of roughly made pop songs that average around a measly 2 minutes long each. There’s not always much for me to really sink my teeth into with GBV and Pollard, but for their distinct short-but-sweet sound, they do it well.

Belle and Sebastian – “Seeing Other People” and “Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying” off the album If You’re Feeling Sinister, released on Jeepster Records.

Glasgow, Scotland band formed in 1995 and have been consistently putting out records ever since. “If Your Feeling Sinister” is their second album, but their first to get any real acclaim. It still seems to be their most successful album. I just recently pulled this album out, and fell in love with it again. The album has a lovely simplicity and Stephen Murdoch’s lyrics are great, especially in these two songs. B&S’s can sometimes be a little hit or miss to me, but this album is solid all the way through.

Death Cab For Cutie – “We Laugh Indoors” and “Why You’d Want To Live Here” off the 2001 album The Photo Album, released on Barsuk Records.

Well everyone knows who these guys are now. Speaking of hit or miss, Death Cab’s songs definitely come across that way to me. But there good songs are not just good, but really good. Maybe they’ll come out with a consistently good album at some point. This album “The Photo Album,” has some of their most successful songs.

There you have it. Be sure to tune in next week! Yeah c’mon!