The Love Language :: Lagniappe Sessions (Jay Reatard / Frank Black)

Lagniappe (la ·gniappe) noun ‘lan-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.
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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.

9 thoughts on “The Love Language :: Lagniappe Sessions (Jay Reatard / Frank Black)

  1. I’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.

  2. I 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.
    RIP Jay. This version showcases his songwriting depth.

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