I'm kind of obsessed

Spanning three discs and two hours of listening time,

Joanna Newsom's new album, 'Have One on Me' has thus far been the most

interesting and entertaining collection of music to grace my iPod this year.

*Have one on me, here.

The transitions are inspired.

That Rooster Crow

Sea Lion Woman / Sea Lion

She drank coffee / Sea Lion

She drank tea / Sea Lion

And he gamble lie / Sea Lion

Way down yonder / Sea Lion

I'm going maul / Sea Lion

And the rooster crow / Sea Lion

And he gamble lie / Sea Lion

A song that has gone by many names over the years, "Sea Lion Woman",

was originally recorded in 1939 by Herbert Halpert and sung by two sisters,

Christine and Katherine Shipp.

This American Folk song was originally used as a children's playground song

and was later covered by such artists as folklorist John Lomax, pop singer Nina Simone,

and, more recently, Miss Leslie Feist.

*Note: this WILL download to your iTunes, so if you don't want it in your library, don't click on this link.

Feist, doing an inspired rendition of her own

Fireflies

this song and video pair cease to amaze me.

Let the Seasons Begin

I used to do quite a bit of driving.

In turn, I also ripped through new music tracks as though

they were last week's New Times.

You know how it goes:

The first couple listens are when you're still deciding

whether or not you like the stuff;

Rounds Three and Four consist of some head-nods, finger-taps,

and maybe even a choral sing-along...maybe.

By listen number Five (if said melody has made it to this point),

you're really into it.

Like. You are in love with this song. Period.

...this goes on for a few more listens and, sure,

it's a rosey relationship for that brief window of time;

but after you've heard that same track so many damn times,

you eventually can't help but get this nauseated feeling

every time you hear the first three seconds

come through the stereo.

...Immediately you [I] think to your[my]self,

"I really need some new music.",

and skip to the next track...

...but one lucky day might come around

for your sad little music collection.

On this day, it will be redeemed and temporarily forgiven

for its redundancy by this singular,

superior piece of music,that makes you forget

about every other thing in life except what is beautiful

and positive and inspiring and pure.

It reminds you [me] of everything

that you [I] want from life.

Everything.

All at once.

(or at least within four-and-a-half minutes)

For me, this is that track.

I've been listening to it consistently

for a few years now,

and it still does it for me.

Also, the mustaches are pretty fantastic.

Add this song to your playlist. You may love yourself (or me) for it later.