Spencer Griffin's New Music Mondays

 here they are "Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds" by The Mountain Goats:  Today on "Really Really Impossibly Long and Oddly Specific Song Titles," we're featuring The Mountain Goats! One of the more rockin' numbers from The Mountain Goats, "Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds" is told from the perspective of Charlie himself via John Darnielle's vocals. Lyrically, it's almost like a Randy Newman song, both for its "narrator" aspect and for its satirical lyrics! In only the second line of the song, the satirical lyrics, "Who among my brethren is more beautiful than I?" appear. The song is literally a hypothetical conversation between Charlie Sheen and law enforcement agents. Towards the end of the song, we get, "Gentlemen! The camera doesn't lie! How many more innocent women must die?" How did we get here again?! This song is a unique one that delivers both angst and humor over steady electric guitar p...

 here they are: "In the Middle of It" by Hiss Golden Messenger:  If you're in the mood for a "travel down the highway" song that's more sentimental country-rock than it is a hard-drivin' road rock song, then this song might be it! Nature imagery runs throughout the song:  rocks, roses, cornflower, the moon, mountains, you name it! After all the sweetness of nature imagery and freeway traveling, HGM's lead singer addresses someone named Maria and asks them "Ain't it sad?" and then says "That's how it ends." Sigh...I guess every good story has to come to an end sometime, but this song's wistful, nostalgic tone seems like it captures bittersweet sunshine in a jar! "Seven Degrees" by Friko:  Yes, their name is pronounced "freako," in case you were wondering. Friko aren't freaky, though. Instead, they're folky, like a lot of modern indie bands tend to be. Their breakthrough song, "Seven Degr...

 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: "Atomic City" by U2:  U2 were and still are one of the biggest rock bands in the world, and they have stayed together for over 40 years! Although many know who they are and are familiar with their songs, not many seem to know that in their early years, U2 were heavily influenced by punk and post-punk groups of the day. It really shows here on their latest song, "Atomic City." Mixing darkly avant-garde poetry reminiscent of Patti Smith, the chugging beat and instrumentation of The Clash's "London Calling," and the vocal patterns and rhythm of Blondie's "Call Me," "Atomic City" sounds more like it would be at home in 1979 than in 2023, yet here it is! U2 have had many "comebacks" over the years, but they've rarely been as strong or compelling as this one! Highly recommended!! "Cherry Baby" by Jenny Lewis: A short but sweet song, clocking at not even two and a half minutes, Jenny Lewis' ...