Art, especially music, has always been an effective tool for conveying affection. With that in mind, and Valentine’s Day this weekend, NPR’s All Songs Considered asked thousands of its listeners to name their ideal romantic song. Listen in here.
The show also talks about romantic songs in the public consciousness and hosts Bob Boilen’s and Robin Hilton’s favorite love songs.
The most-named-favorite love song? “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes from 2005’s I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning.
It’s a love song, I guess. But probably no one that’s paid close attention to the lyrics is standing outside a bedroom window belting it out. There are indeed some beautiful reflections, including “This is the first day of my life, I’m glad I didn’t die before I met you.” But the thrust of the song belongs more to “I’d rather be working for a paycheck than waiting to win the lottery.”
So the song is about love, yes, but it’s more about being burnt out in regards to love.
Anyway, it probably says more about NPR’s listeners and their expectations than it actually does about the song itself.
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Tuesday night, Talking Mountain plays its final show. The long-running, visually stunning project helmed by Jason Meyer is calling it quits after several years as one of Omaha’s catchiest pop bands. Meyer is known for being a tinkerer, creating light shows and stage props for Talking Mountain performances. Recently, he’s been applying that sense of performative adventuring in Feel Tight and Calm Fur.
Meyer tells us he lost interest in the project when a touring band that called itself “electrosensual” asked to play a show with him.
“The thought of being ‘electrosensual’ has killed any interest I had in finishing the record, despite it being mostly done, and also despite it being not terribly synth heavy or ‘danceable.’ Calm Fur/Feel Tight is now the focus.”
Next week, we’ll share two unreleased Talking Mountain songs, so stay tuned. The final show is at O’Leaver’s with Michael Parallax and Meth Dad. RSVP here.
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Omaha Beer Week kicks off on Friday. Feb. 13-22, Omaha Beer Week celebrates Omaha’s growing craft brew community. Find more info here. Reverb Lounge joins the fun with a full lineup of shows presented by different breweries.
Feb. 13 – Kona Brewing Company & Infusion Brewing Company present: Hawaiian Night with Anonymous Henchmen
Feb. 14 – Oskar Blues Brewery presents: Oskar Blues Night with Hector Anchondo’s Blues Band
Feb. 15 – Reverb Lounge presents Beerfest movie screening
Feb. 16 – Reverb Lounge & Jake’s Cigars present Stout vs. IPA Challenge
Feb. 17 – Boulevard Brewing Company presents Boulevard Glass Night
Feb. 19 – New Belgium Brewing presents New Belgium Bike Giveaway
Feb. 20 – Reverb Lounge & Lot 2 Restaurant and Wine Bar present Mini Polish Fest
Feb. 21 – Odell Brewing Co presents Odell Night with See Through Dresses
Feb. 22 – Reverb Lounge presents Rare Beers and Records
Find more info on Reverb’s events here.
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As we noted yesterday, Orenda Fink plays Reverb Lounge tonight with Thayer Sarrano and Mike Schlesinger. It’s her first Omaha show since returning from a European tour. RSVP here.