Favorite Song of the Week: Califone - When Leon Spinx Moved Into Town

Have you ever had one of those days where nothing seems to go quite the way you wish it would? How about a week of that? A month?

Lately it's been feeling that way. I can't say everything is horrible - it's not. Just not as good as I wish it would be. It feels like everything is just a bit off... not fitting quite like it should.

I liken this feeling to being in Disneyland. On the surface, everything looks great. Buildings are painted nicely, streets are clean, plants are well taken care of, everyone you see has a shiny, happy face. It all looks good and nice, but there's this nagging feeling that something isn't quite right. Something dark hiding beneath the surface. You can't put your finger on it, but you find yourself stealing glances over your shoulder not quite sure what you expect to find.

I've found myself listening to a lot of Califone this week - it's complimenting this "not quite right" mood of mine.



Califone has that perfect mix of folk-twinged rock secured in bluesy roots with touches of punk and melodic strings to make a great sound.

However, as you listen, you feel something else... something under the surface that you can't quite define. Could be the lyrics. Or the way a piano trickles in and out of a song. Maybe it's the orchestrated feedback from a guitar. Whatever it is, it's something base and instinctual that sticks in your gut.

This snippet from a Pitchfork review describes the feeling better than I ever could:

If you pump Califone through a decent pair of headphones, it's alarmingly easy to synchronize your body to their songs: inhalations become bowed strings, heartbeats mimic steady, muted drums. It's the idea of being over-alive, too tuned in to the blood and gore of the universe.

Listen: Califone - When Leon Spinx Moved Into Town mp3

If you like my favorite song this week, become Califone's friend and listen to more of what they have to offer. Their albums can be found here or downloaded from (my beloved) eMusic.


*** Favorite Song Last Week: Strip Squad - Unreliable Narrator ***