Lagniappe (la·gniappe) noun ˈlan-ˌyap,’ – 1. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. 2. Something given or obtained as a gratuity or bonus.
One of my favorite pop songwriters of the past decade, Stuart Mclamb’s The Love Language is set to return early 2013 with their third LP, once again via Merge Records. Here, on the eleventh installment of the Lagniappe Sessions, The Love Language pay tribute to the late Jay Reatard and Frank Black. McLamb, in his own words, below.
__________________________________________________________________________________
MP3: The Love language :: Nightmares (Jay Reatard)
I used to always have this song in my head and eventually it started to slow down and began to sound like this. A lot of the new Love Language material I’ve been writing has been less and less influenced by the 60′s girl group sound. This was a way for me to revisit that familiar style with someone else’s song.
MP3: The Love language :: I Will Run After You (Frank Black and The Catholics)
When I met my girlfriend we were both surprised that the other was so intimately familiar with this album. Black Letter Days was one of the more overlooked Frank Black records and I think it’s got some of his best songs. Anyways she’s been in Brazil for 2 weeks without me and I started getting paranoid. I probably sound like a half drunk white boy trying to sing R&B but I fucking meant it.
Note: “Nightmares” is slated for an upcoming split 7″ with Spider Bags.
This is beautiful. I love Love Language. And this is quite a bliss. Love Stu McClamb’s voice and looking forward to hearing the third album.
1 | pedram ∞ mobedi (@gxhxoxsxtxfxm) July 25th, 2012 at 1:19 pmad, these just keep getting better and better.
2 | Erin July 25th, 2012 at 3:11 pmlove Reatard…cover never sounded better. high five.
3 | max July 25th, 2012 at 3:12 pmNIGHTMARES!!!! Really cool what they did here. Also, way underrated FB jam.
4 | BB July 25th, 2012 at 4:12 pmis there any word on what the LL is up to these days?
5 | Cara July 25th, 2012 at 5:22 pmI’m not too crazy about the Jay cover but it does point out the fact that many of his songs were perfect pop songs. Miss that guy.
6 | JLL July 25th, 2012 at 7:53 pmloving this blog more every day. glorious.
7 | ana July 26th, 2012 at 3:28 pmWilmington, NC represent.
8 | Jamie Mottram August 1st, 2012 at 1:12 pmI keep returning to LL’s version of “Nightmares.”
It’s so haunting, no pun intended.
When you hear Jay’s punky original it’s hard to imagine the longing that LL capture so well here. Seriously, light a candle, open a bottle of wine and spin this song.
You’ll start thinking about your college sweetheart who got away, and find yourself scrambling for the repeat button with tears welling.
Only wish they went into another verse and many more choruses.
9 | Steveo September 5th, 2012 at 6:06 pmRIP Jay. This version showcases his songwriting depth.