New Music Tuesday: Re-Arrange Us and Get Better

I've had "Get Better" rattling around my head for the last few weeks whenever something else isn't distracting my mind. I purposely avoided the pre-release that Mates of State was offering on their myspace page...and boy did it pay off. This morning I grabbed the new album off of AmazonMP3 ($7.99 as opposed to the $9.99 iTunes is charging) and I love it. I've only listened to it twice all the way through it, but already love the energy and feeling of the album. Don't ask me to explain any deeper meaning of the video below for "Get Better" just know that it's my song of the summer so far. As I've done before I highly recommend checking out 2006's Bring It Back and add Re-Arrange Us to the list of must have albums for 2008. I will warn you now that this album could lead to smiling, dreaming better dreams, foot tapping and a general feeling of hope. If I were a Portlander still, I'd drop everything and drive to Bend to see them play the Schwab on Saturday. Enjoy the vid.

Lyrics: More Than Words (Part One)

For some reason over the last couple of weeks, I've been hearing lyrics in music more. Usually the actual words that a singer is singing are the last thing I hear in the composition of a song, but maybe it was Josh Ritter or maybe it was something else, but I've been hearing lyrics. Sometimes cover versions of songs allow me to hear the lyrics more clearly because aside from the melody, that's the only thing that remains the same from the original and is often the only way to distinguish that it's a cover. I heard a live performance of "Like U Crazy" by Mates of State (a MKinMotion favorite) and the lyrics were pretty amazing. I'm not sure who writes the lyrics in the Mates of State relationship, but the more I listen to them, the more I'm amazed. I've decided to start a new series where I feature lyrics from a song that touches me.(Photo from ACL website)

Like U Crazy (Gardner/Hammel)

I like you crazy (repeated)
I'm suffering lonely ones too
And I can't resist sending this on a whim
There's a compulsion to mend
Write on the wall, my loudest pen goes
I can't wait to say all the things you can't see
All the things that make you better
I can't wait to say all the things you can't see
All the things that make you

I like you crazy (repeated)

Hot summers repeating
Bubs noticing bees in the air
Won't get off this rail
Then great hope remains
Honestly
Observing the critic
I knew you had plenty to say
I could not resist watching you with him
I can't wait to say all the things you can't see
All the things that make you better
I can't wait to say all the things you can't see
All the things that make you

I like you crazy (repeat)

In their live shows, they drop Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" into the song and not only does that tie back in with what I said about cover versions of songs, but "Crazy" is also a song that has fascinating lyrics.

(Photo via Myspace)

Crazy (Cee-Lo)

I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that place.
Even your emotions had an echo
In so much space

And when you're out there
Without care,
Yeah, I was out of touch
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy? (repeated)
Possibly/Probably

And I hope that you are having the time of your life
But think twice, that's my only advice

Come on now, who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you think you are,
Ha ha ha bless your soul

You really think you're in control?

Well, I think you're crazy (repeated)
Just like me

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb
And all I remember is thinking, I want to be like them
Ever since I was little, ever since I was little it looked like fun
And it's no coincidence I've come
And I can die when I'm done

Maybe I'm crazy
Maybe you're crazy
Maybe we're crazy
Probably

So do yourself a favor and add these songs to your collection. It's worth the $1.98 and it gives you not only 7 minutes of great lyrics, but 7 minutes of great music too.

Mates of State "Like U Crazy" from Bring it Back
Gnarls Barkley "Crazy" from St. Elsewhere