| Thursday, June 7, 2007 |
| MOTW #16: Margot & the Nuclear So and So's - Quiet as a Mouse |
Hey all! It's Jill again this week with a song that I'm very excited to share with you, because it comes from one of my favorite bands of all time. Margot & the Nuclear So and So's have been together for less than three years, and they have only released one record, but the quality of their musicianship and lyrics, combined with the excellent production of their album, create an impression of maturity and cohesiveness that one wouldn't expect from a relatively new band. Because of the fact that Margot has eight members, and because of the great variety of instruments they use (guitar, cello, lap steel, trumpet, melodica, etc.), you might assume that their music would be a dreary, chaotic mess. On the contrary, Margot & the Nuclear So and So's manage to combine their instruments in such a way that their music is easy, and even pleasant, to listen to. Their debut full-length album, The Dust of Retreat, has a lovely mix of slow, acoustic tracks and jaunty, upbeat songs, with a surprising variety of musical styles represented throughout the album.
The track I have for you today, "Quiet As a Mouse", is probably the closest thing on the record to a full-blown rock song. But while this song (unlike most others on the album) has its share of traditional distorted guitars, I love it for the various musical transformations that it goes through. The song's quiet, almost moody beginning changes flawlessly into a chorus of pure, unadulterated indie rock before (surprise!) turning into a jazz song. As if that wasn't enough, all of these styles then combine at the end of the track to create this beautiful combination of melodic bass lines, rhythmic guitars, trumpets, strings, and masterfully played drums that completely blows your standard rock song out of the water.
I guess a discussion of this track wouldn't be complete without mentioning the vocals and lyrics. In spite of all the intensity of the vocals (especially during the chorus), lead singer Richard Edwards' voice maintains a dreamy quality that adds an extra layer of emotional appeal to the track. I also love the lyrics of this song, because they are both well-crafted and honest. The verses paint pictures of stark reality and the emotions that accompany it, both joy and pain. As the story unfolds and changes, a sense of urgency becomes apparent through the simple, yet powerful chorus:
Wake up, you've got a lot of things to do.
Wake up, the sun is rising without you.
These are the type of lyrics that everyone needs to hear at some point, and when you combine them with Margot's musical maturity, you end up with a track that is both accessible and relevant (not to mention beautiful and slightly addicting). If you like this song, I encourage you to head over to their MySpace and listen to "Skeleton Key". It is also amazing. Enjoy!!
Margot & the Nuclear So and So's - Quiet As a Mouse
Official Website | MySpace | Buy The Dust of Retreat | Download The Dust of Retreat on iTunes | About This Column | RSS
Lyrics:
Tourists rob you of your home
In sunken boats.
And you can hide quiet as a mouse
But they'll find you out.
And she asked me, "Why have you felt
So down and out?
You can stay with me at my house."
When I woke my back was broke from lying on the floor.
Sunlight poured through all the cracks in my front door.
Wake up you've got a lot of things to do.
Wake up the sun is rising without you.
Tourists robbed me of my child;
They smoked him out.
He was draft dodging some war
Till they found him out.
And he came home late in the night
to his mom and me.
And he said, "Times they gotta change,
But so do we."
When I woke I was alive in somebody's room.
I felt life and love and hope infested my bones.
Wake up you've got a lot of things to do.
Wake up the sun is rising without you.
When I woke my body was dyin' and my woman had flown.
I felt apathy and hate infested my bones.
Wake up you've got a lot of things to do.
Wake up the sun is rising without you.
Labels: mp3 of the week |
posted by Jill @ 6:30 AM  
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| 15 Comments: |
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the beginning of this track sounds like the snow patrol...which i like
very good track. i like it.
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good choice Jill
I see what you mean, it doesn't sound like they've only been around for 3 years.
The first two lines of the song just grabbed me. That and the line 'And he said "times they gotta change, but so do we"
The music changes so flawlessly it's a pleasure to hear.
what's a lap steel?
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Jill, thank you for this MOTW - I like the trumpets and also in this track I've found an encouragement which I needed recently both in my life and because of having finals just around the corner.
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OMG! Me likey! Thanks, Jill! ^_^
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That was a great track. I really enjoyed the transitions in the song and the lyrics. Thanks Jill!
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I've been listening to them for awhile; great band.
Good to see some appreciation for them, :-).
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LOVE the diverse instrumentation on this track! keep it up jill
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Jill, what is MOTW? Sorry for asking.
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MOTW = mp3 of the week.
You can also click "About This Column" at the bottom of the post for more info.
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Anonymous: Why don't you just read the first line of this post?
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I especially love the ending of this song! Very cool.
And is this MOTW post supposed to be showing up at Switchfoot.com? I thought MOTW's would only be at Switchfeed.com's page...
Anyways I like the lyrics too. Good choice.
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@ Alex - I've never actually heard snow patrol, but I'll take your word for it. :) I'm glad you like it!
@ Mukta - Yeah, i love their lyrics. They're always very insightful. A lap steel is this cool, guitar-like instrument that you put on your lap and play with a slide instead of a pick. You can read about them here. They make beautiful music.
@ Magda - I'm glad this track could be an encouragement to you! That's awesome... I hope your finals go well!!
@ g - You're welcome! Glad you like it. :)
@ Melissa - I agree, it is a great track. ;) You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoy it!
@ Frank - sweet, I'm glad you enjoy them. Nice to hear from another fan. :)
@ Phil - I told you you'd like it. And thanks, I'll do my best to continue being awesome. (juuuust kidding!) ;)
@ Emily - Glad to hear that you like it! And it was on Switchfoot.com for a few hours, because Phil put it up there for various reasons. It was pretty much a one-time thing.
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Oh man i love it! On the other hand, I've loved every MOTW except one (only because I'd already heard of the band and I never liked it)
:)
<3
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Nice. I like the sound they have going. I look forward to the next MOTW!
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@ x3beccamariex3 - I'm glad you like it, and I hope you continue to... I'll try to continue putting up loveable MOTWs!
@ nathan k - sweet, glad you enjoyed it!
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the beginning of this track sounds like the snow patrol...which i like
very good track. i like it.