Spencer Griffin's New Music Mondays

 here they are: "Big Love" by Camera Obscura:  It's not that far to make the leap from folk-rock to country-rock since both rely on acoustic guitar as the central instrument, but Camera Obscura's "Big Love" isn't just a switch in sound. It's also a tribute to country legend, Waylon Jennings. So yeah, there's a reason there's a steel pedal guitar driving this song forward. Not exactly what I'd expect from a band who wrote a song about '80s alt-rock singer/songwriter, Lloyd Cole, but it does add new dimension to what little I know of their material! "Capricorn" by Vampire Weekend:  Vampire Weekend's latest song (whose title is synonymous with my birth sign) is a significant departure from the herky-jerky reggae-rock fusion they're typically known for. It might just be the first folk-rock song in their catalog! "Capricorn" centers around acoustic guitar, piano, and string orchestra. As an added bonus, "Ca...

 here they are:   "Be Yourself" by Wilder Woods (featuring The War and Treaty):  A song featuring two powerhouses of neo-soul oughta be a good one, right?! Well, if you're into soul songs that are slower, than yes. The piano that introduces the song gives off strong "Lean on Me" vibes, and given the song's lyrics, perhaps there's good reason for this. The song is basically affirmation for the listener that it's okay for them to be who they are. You're in a judgment-free zone with Wilder Woods and The War and Treaty! The song is a bit less energetic than the usual fare for either band, but it does work here! "Burial Ground" by The Decemberists:  Jangle-pop has always been a specialty for The Decemberists, but their latest song, "Burial Ground," is even more jangle-pop-y than their usual stuff! Perhaps part of this is due to the presence of The Shins' James Mercer on the track, who also typically specialize in jangle-pop. Th...

 here they are: "Fly" by Chicano Batman:  Want somethin' funkaayyy?! Then Chicano Batman might just have the song you're lookin' for! Even the beginning of their latest song, "Fly," sounds like something out of an early Prince tune! Though Chicano Batman are typically influenced by rhythmic music to begin with, they haven't tackled funk yet (at least not to my knowledge), so this is a refreshing new direction for them to go in! The lyrics of this song also seem to be rather Prince-esque, dripping with lurid innuendo from start to finish meant to seduce the listeners. Chicano Batman, you got us right where you want us! "Her Way Out" by Big Head Todd and The Monsters:  The latest song from '90s jam band, Big Head Todd and The Monsters, "Her Way Out" seems like a Tom Petty song in both its rootsy-ness and the one-two punch of the power chords that punctuate each line. Big Head Todd and The Monsters apparently meant this to sound ...