Azure Ray - Sea of Doubts

He showed me death and said

This is how you know you're alive

Azure Ray is Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor. The two were originally part of Little Red Rocket until they disbanded and decided to release their self titled debut in 2001. They released their 2nd LP the year after that and their 3rd a year later. We didn't hear from them again until earlier this year when they played a few live shows, as both girls are now working on their own solo projects. You may also know them from their earlier collaborations with Bright Eyes and Now Its Overhead.

"Sea of Doubts" is from their 3rd album--Hold on Love. This is actually the only album of theirs that I've heard. It's also one of the most depressing albums I've heard. As unhappy as this song may sound, I think it's beautiful. The warm vocals of the girls, the piano melody, the violins in the background all come together so perfectly.

Favourite Part: The sighed "yeah" at 2:23 followed by the entrance of the drum rolls and ending with the girls singing "alive" in acapella.

Sea Of Doubts - Azure Ray

Bright Eyes - No One Would Riot For Less

Little soldier, little insect

You know war, it has no heart

Is it pretentious, daring, or even incorrect to say that Conor Oberst, better known as Bright Eyes, is like a younger Bob Dylan? I mean it in the sense that, neither has an amazing voice but make up for it with amazing lyrics. Even their musical styles are similar--to a certain degree. And hey, "No One Would Riot For Less" actually takes a stab at war! I absolutely love this song. It's beautiful. I actually love his voice in it and the echoing background vocals and the way the song builds at the end. As always, the lyrics are good too: about lovers during the end of the world.

Neva Dinova - Clouds

When I think of dyin'

I laugh out loud

Formed in the early '90s, Neva Dinova didn't actually release their first album until 2002. Like yesterday's recommended artist, this band built most of their reputation in one area--Omaha; eventually signing to local label Saddle Creek, home to Bright Eyes & Tokyo Police Club.

I'm not sure what it is about "Clouds," off their 3rd LP, You May Already Be Dreaming, that draws me to it. Scratch that, it's definitely the electric guitars that creep in throughout the song. And although a part of me likes the vocals, the other part makes me want to scream sometimes. Despite the lead singers last name being Bellows, he tends to come off as very passive and unemotional. Basically just one long sigh. But I'm not here to bash on them. After all, this is "Daily Eargasm" so these songs are supposed to do just that--make your ears quiver with joy. I do like this song. And I approve this message.

Rilo Kiley - Does He Love You?

And he loves you, even though you

Used to say you were flawed if you weren't free

Despite all the individual projects the band members of Rilo Kiley have, they have released four albums thus far. Lead singer Jenny Lewis can be heard on the Postal Service's Give Up, in addition to releasing two solo LPs. Prior to her music career, Jenny was a child actor. However, band mate and guitarist Blake Sennett was as well. Anyone remember the show Salute Your Shorts on Nickelodeon? Or how about Boy Meets World? Blake was an actor on both of these. Now, when he's not playing with Rilo Kiley, he joins their drummer Jason Boesel to play in The Elected. Boesel has also toured as the drummer for Bright Eyes.

In "Does He Love You?" off their third LP, More Adventurous Jenny sings to a friend telling her about an affair she's having. In the end, we find out that the man she's having an affair with is her friend's husband. But she reassures her friend that despite all the letters he writes to her and promises he makes about leaving her, he won't; singing, "Your husband will never leave you//He will never leave you for me."