Yet again, a little catch-up: Bishop Allen are my favorite indie band, and wrote the song this site is named after. After self-releasing Charm School in 2003, they began work on their follow-up album, Clementines. Because they ran into label problems (they’re still unsigned), they decided to push themselves to release an EP every month for 2006. They just started taking orders for April, but also have posted one of my favorite songs from February: “The News From Your Bed.” I’m sure that most of the people who read my site already have this song, but I can’t run the risk of not posting it.

MP3: Bishop Allen – The News From Your Bed
I’ve long been of the opinion that Bishop Allen write some of the best character profiles that I’ve ever heard. In fact, Charm School always seemed to a collection of glipses at the narrator’s life. Songs like “Little Black Ache” and “Quarter To Three” are slice-of-life songs of a quality that seems to escape most contemporary bands. But the best thing about these profile pieces — the very best thing — is that they were melodic, catchy and beautiful. Even when the subjects aren’t cheerful or happy, they were always perfectly encapsulated within a pop song. It’s this spirit that gets carried on in the EP project by “The News From your Bed.”

Unlike the narrator(s) of Charm School often seem(s) to be, “The News From Your Bed” isn’t about a wanderer who’s seeking to find like-minded souls; rather, he or she is actually a bit of a recluse. There’s something painfully touching about the idea of someone celebrating their birthday alone, with not so much as a phone call to mark the occaion. And much like nearly all of Bishop Allen’s work, I can’t help but identify with the protagonist by the song’s end. It’s as touching as it is catchy.

Buy February ($5)

BONUS MP3: Bishop Allen – Flight 180 (from April)

Buy April ($5)

Bishop Allen on Myspace
Buy the EPs at their store