Our reflections flickering just like a Super 8 :: New from David Mead

Sometimes I forget how much I thoroughly enjoy the music of David Mead. He consistently writes some of the prettiest, catchiest, most thoughtful melodies out there today, yet he is chronically overlooked and underrated. Similar to Josh Rouse, both artists have an impeccable ear for the sublime and loan their smooth voices to a variety of styles of albums.

If I can try to draw a few parallels here, 2006′s Tangerine was Mead’s 1972 (Josh Rouse’s album, full of toe-tapping organ riffs and danceable pop goodness).

For some reason, this song from Tangerine also reminds me of The White Stripes if they started hanging out with The Partridge Family:

Chatterbox – David Mead

SUCH a fantastic song, as is the whole album.

Mead’s 2004 album Indiana also knocked me flat. As the eponymous song would imply, parts of it are about driving through desolate miles of Midwestern landscape, but following a long stint living in New York many of his songs also sing about The City. I listened to this tune non-stop when I was in NYC in October of 2007, and it still makes me feel all wistful and bittersweet inside.

“Well midnight has faded to morning, the city can’t keep you with me. ‘Cuz this is an island of vagabonds, a stop on your way to be free…. so take the Queensboro Bridge to the airport; I’ll stay and settle for less…”:

Queensboro Bridge – David Mead

With that small primer fresh on your eardrums, let me tell you that David Mead just released a NEW 2-part EP called Almost and Always. His fifth full-length release, it’s a chronicle of  “life after marriage and the promise of things to come.”

The second part is now available as a free download when you tell 5 friends, or a pay-what-you-want type deal. I think this wonderful piano-based melody is my favorite so far, as it chugs along humbly and sweetly, like the train ride it details:

The Last Train Home – David Mead

….we spent the day remembering the city
mixing up our streets and avenues

but now you’re fast asleep and i am so alone
but we’re together on the last train
all the towns repeating
four more stops to go
we’re together on the last train home

catching our reflections
flickering just like a super 8
somerset and chatham
someone in an office working late

and you were softly singing in the kitchen
washing hands and saving him a plate

but now you’re fast asleep
and i am so alone
but we’re together on the last train
all the towns repeating
two more stops to go
we’re together on the last train home….”

GET IT: Almost and Always




[thanks to the formidable mcusa for the tip!]