new: Marissa Nadler Covers & Demos

"I Heard You Cry"

A holiday gift from Marissa Nadler came in the form of a few bundled and attached mp3's, each from a recent recording session with Daniel Nicholas Daskivich at his studio in Somerville, MA. The songs, while still rough, are only demos, however, a boding sense of finality graces the tunes, which sit gracefully alongside classics from Nadler's ever growing, and always wondrous, oeuvre. A noted standout is Marissa's cover of Townes Van Zandt's "Poncho & Lefty," which I believe she has performed live a few times. Hopefully all this demoing means the fifth Marissa Nadler studio album isn't too far off.

Marissa Nadler- Poncho & Lefty (Townes Van Zandt cover)
Marissa Nadler- Amber (demo)

mp3: Weed Diamond Demos

"Nothing To Write Home About"

What separates Weed Diamond from the ever increasing crop of lo-fi guitar acts ruffling in the bedroom punk/pop scene is his uncanny knack for melody. Sure, Tim knows a thing or two about lacing incessant herb references in his song titles ("Stevie Wonder is TOOOO HIGH," "WAAAAY to much Purple," "Let's Burn One Down"), but what he's really good at is getting to the heart of a song. The songs on Weed Diamond's demo are not shrouded in layer upon layer of incandescent fuzz, nor blips, bleeps and bips, and while they are certainly lo-fi and the vocals are, well, barely audible, the tunes feel like echoes of songs I first heard in Peggy Sue Got Married. "Nothing To Write Home About," whose "Teen Angel" melody is as instantly recognizable as it is charming, relies heavily on ancient, interwoven prom riffs, which tumble under the sea as a placid synth and dreamy xylophone take the tune for a stroll down lover's lane. At the ridge at the end of the lane, "Nothing to Write Home About" dissolves into soothing blend of bells and whistles, until nothing is left but a single drum beat, the encapsulation of a prom night that everyone knows will not last forever.

Weed Diamond demos (.zip download) [courtesy of Weed Diamond and Friendship Bracelet]

around: The Beach Boys 1967 Rehearsals

"God Only Knows"

Anyone with a more-than-casual interest in the Beach Boys should head over to Aquarium Drunkard ASAP. For the second time in a few years, AD is hosting some quintessential Beach Boys demos, recorded in 1967 during the rehearsal sessions for Pet Sounds. Simple, stripped down versions of Beach Boys classics. A must for collectors, BW obssesors and Mom and Dad. According to AD, the mp3s will be up for two weeks. Do not hesitate. Could not be recommended anymore.

The Beach Boys :: God Only Knows
The Beach Boys :: Surfer Girl
The Beach Boys :: You’re So Good To Me
The Beach Boys :: The Letter
The Beach Boys :: Help Me Rhonda
The Beach Boys :: Heroes & Villains
The Beach Boys :: Their Hearts Were Full of Spring