For those of you who didn’t know, this website is named after an unreleased Bishop Allen song called ‘You Aint No Picasso.’ Not only that, but the band was my first post on YANP as well. So it’s with great pleasure that I’m able to bring you an advance song off Bishop Allen’s first official release in almost three years. ‘Corazon’ will be appearing on an EP in five days, which you can purchase from BishopAllen.com This EP is the first in a series that will be available on the thirty-first of each month, continuing on until the release of their second album, Clementines.
EDIT: Fixed the link. Darn blogger.
MP3: Bishop Allen - Corazon
Sometimes songs are a collection of notes, strung together to form a nice melody. Unfortunately for us, many songwriters are content to stop there. But with ‘Corazon,’ Bishop Allen not only form a musically interesting song, but use it as a launching point to tell a beautiful story.
If we take the lyrics at face value - which I believe we should - ‘Corazon’ is about our protagonist going through great steps to rescue an abandoned piano. Symbolic or no, his feelings on the task are inspiring and touching. In fact, I would go so far as to say that this is lyrically Bishop Allen’s best work to date. Even the verse about an expert’s inability to tune the piano are heartfelt and emotional.
To cap off this excellent song, lead singer, Justin Rice, gives a spectacular vocal performance; one rittled with pregnant pauses and just the occasional strained flourish. But most interesting to note, is that this song about a piano is the first time in which the ivory keys have played a major role in a Bishop Allen song. I think you’ll agree that this new venture out of their Talking Heads/Modern Lovers umbrella is well suited to their abilities. It signals the beginning of a broader musical era for Bishop Allen - one that I’m particularly excited about.
To close, I’d like to go back on my word: let’s not take this song at face value. Maybe the reason this song speaks to me so much is because they’re not rescuing a piano - they’re rescuing us. On one hand, it’s a very beautiful song about having a relationship with an instrument in the way that only serious musicians can. But at the same time, it’s a love song to anyone who has ever needed saving. To anyone who has ever ‘accepted defeat.’
Bishop Allen on Myspace
Hear more Bishop Allen MP3s at their website.
On the related note of bands I adore: Page France updated their touring schedule. If you’ll notice, it includes a date in Lexington, Kentucky that was booked by none other than yours truly. It’s 18+ and might even have an extra-special opening act. Also, there are tracklists for Page France’s new EPs, Pear and Sister Pinecone. Preorder them here.
Fabulist has some ‘heartbreakingly beautiful’ Iron and Wine songs from their NPR performance
Voxtrot is the latest interviewee at Indie Interviews.
