So far Dark Was The Night‘s brought us David Byrne + Dirty Projector’s “Knotty Pine” and Ben Gibbard + Feist making like Vashti Bunyan (+ Gibbard) for “Train Song.” Fittingly, on Inauguration Day 2009, the guys who dressed you in Mr. November t-shirts, offer “So Far Around the Bend,” arranged beautifully by Nico Muhly. The upbeat but downcast track finds Matt singing about a serious lady “living off a teacup full of cherries.” She can’t be found in a million bars or a thousand parties. She’s “been hummin’ in a daze forever / prayin’ for Pavement to get back together.” Her Pavement wish might actually be granted, but as the song notes, she’s “so far around the bend, there’s no leaving New York,” i.e. she’s stuck, alone, getting high through an Apple. (Sound familiar?) Remember, these songs only stream for a day, so head to MySpace and enjoy it while you can. Also, get outside and say hello to your friends.
Dark Was The Night is out 2/17 via 4AD. It benefits the Red Hot Organization.
UPDATE: Now streaming here.
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This is good and I’m not a fan of them! What a great compilation. I’ve loved every song.
I’m the same as macca. I’m not much of a fan, but this song is pretty incredible.
http://hayatbayat.blogspot.com/2009/01/national-so-far-around-bend.html
H…..thanx and dont let the web sheriff bully you. I heard he has three nipples.
amazing as usual. right on.
seriously, this compilation is amazing and we’re not even half way through it.
so much still to look forward to.
I’ve haven’t been so drawn to a song after just one listen in a long, long time. This is some special stuff.
Cool song, but my gawd does myspace suck balls.
the national are so on right now
I’ve never bought a compilation album before, but I think this is the one.