(Sad Songs & Waltzes is a recurring feature on Muzzle of Bees, where artists share their favorite sad songs. Previous contributors include Megafaun, Delta Spirit, Damien Jurado, Sharon Van Etten, Over The Rhine, Conrad Plymouth, Frontier Ruckus, Strand of Oaks, and Roadside Graves.)

I met Giorgio Angelini several years ago during SXSW while he was playing with The Rosebuds. We reconnected this past March and he shared with me his new material under the Oax moniker. The result is the incredible This Distance EP, which is aptly described as “an airing of grievances and a testifying of sins.” Considering the heavy weight of the album, I caught up with Giorgio who shared some of his favorite sad songs.

Hot Snakes – “Suicide Invoice” (Listen)

Because not all sad songs have to feature an acoustic guitar. It’s always difficult to write a song about suicide that doesn’t sound trite or exploitative (at least to me). This song kills (no pun intended), sonically and emotionally. Plus, even sadder is knowing that there will likely never be a band that can rawk as hard as the Hot Snakes.

Sir Douglas Quintet – “At the Crossroads” (Listen)

I would be remiss to not include Doug Sahm, as a Texan. Not the most mind-blowing lyrics. But come on–it was the 60s. Needless to say, it’s hard to listen to this song and not want to wallow (about pretty much anything) in a bottle of whiskey.

Scout Niblett (ft with Will Oldham) – “Kiss” (Listen)

The only true waltz on my list. It’s unclear to me how Scout Niblett isn’t the most popular female singer in the Western World. This duet with Will Oldham showcases her unparalleled talent in taking the familiar (a waltz) and making it something all her own. Additionally, this video is without a doubt one of the best/most over-looked videos of the past few years. A testament to simplicity.

Silver Jews – “Random Rules” (Listen)

This was the first SJ song I ever heard and still my favorite (Tied with Trains Across The Sea). I don’t know anything about marriage, much less a terrible divorce. But when David Berman sings “…and if you don’t want me, I promise not to linger. But before I go I gotta ask you, dear, about the tan line on your ring finger,” It hits pretty fucking hard.

Radiohead – “You’re All I Need” (Listen)

If I could write just one song as good as this, I’d die a happy man. Although, given the content, I’m not sure how happy I’d be…maybe just more accomplished. It captures, vividly, a moment in every relationship when you feel like it’s falling apart, and you don’t know how to stop it from unraveling. Or…it’s about being a stalker. Which is totally cool too. Either way, one of the best Radiohead songs ever.

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MP3: Oax – “Scoundrel”

While combing through some new releases on my desk I came to enjoy Tim Williams‘ Careful Love over the past few weeks. The album was written in the aftermath of Williams recovering from open-heart surgery and the reflections and hope of such an experience shine through on first listen. I talked to TIm about some albums that have been meaningful to him, including ones that helped him on his way to recovery.

Fionn Regan | The End of History
If there is one musician I would like to buy a beer for it would be Fionn Regan. His record The End of History made my time in the hospital following my heart surgery somewhat pleasant. I was hooked up to a million machines at the time and this record was the one thing that transported me to another place. I have listened to a ton of music in my twenty-some years on this earth and nothing has hit me the way this record does.

Guided By Voices | Bee Thousand
Bee Thousand takes me back to my days of recording with my friends in middle school on my trusty Tascam 4-Track. Whenever I listen to this record it helps to remind me that a good song doesn’t have to have a million different parts or have a million different words; it just has to sound good.

Red House Painters | Songs for a Blue Guitar
Mark Kozelek’s songs are so personal that sometimes it can be really uncomfortable to listen to. As much as I love music that is really strange and out there it’s nice to come back to something that is honest and beautiful. Mark has continued making great records post RHP’s with Sun Kil Moon and I am always the first person in line to buy them.

Six Parts Seven | Things Shaped In Passing
I have bought this record more times than any other one as I keeping giving my copy to my friends. “Things Shaped In Passing” is as close as I will ever get to doing yoga. As a musician you spend so much time working with words it’s nice to listen to something that doesn’t have any at all. Here it is my friends: Simple, clean, perfect.

Will Oldham | Western Music
I got into Will Oldham pretty late in the game and in reverse of how I was told one should. I started out by buying all of his obscure vinyl releases on Drag City (because they were cheaper at Kim’s on St. Marks) and then finally worked my way to his much revered “I See A Darkness.” Mr. Oldham’s name is thrown around a lot in the indie world as a influence to many bands that are making a living by ripping off his sound. I hope the start to give credit where credit is due.

MP3: Tim Williams – “I Hit Another Wall”

If you’ve checked out Old Joy staring Will Oldham you know just how infectious the instrumental pull of Yo La Tengo’s “Leaving Home” is on film. The song, on many occasions, has cemented itself in my brain in one continuous loop. It’s my go-to zone out song when trying to write, read, focus – just about anything that needs a little musical nudge to complete the task at hand.

This track is one of many instrumental snippets that are culled from They Shoot, We Score, which collect Yo La Tengo’s contributions to motion pictures Game 6, Junebug, Old Joy, and Shortbus. I’d stop short of calling this collection essential, but would definitely recommend it to any fan of the band or the aforementioned films that their songs so perfectly fall into place in.

Buy: Yo La Tengo – “The Shoot, We Score” ($10, including shipping)
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Myspace: Yo La Tengo
MP3: Yo La Tengo – “Leaving Home” (Alternative Version)

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy will release his “biggest and most ambitious album,” Beware on March 16th via Domino Records. “Though Beware shares spit with its immediate predecessor released this past summer, Lie Down in the Light, it’s reach is longer and stronger, more grandiose. Where fiddle and steel contribute their rustic timbre alongside guitars and voices, a thickening thud of low tone rolls beneath, giving the record a bottom that’s fun to watch bounce in new clothes”

Plenty of details and more information here. Until then, peep the track list.

Beware Tracklisting:

1. Beware Your Only Friend
2. You Can’t Hurt Me Now
3. My Life’s Work
4. Death Final
5. Heart’s Arms
6. You Don’t Love Me
7. You Are Lost
8. I Won’t Ask Again
9. I Don’t Belong to Anyone
10. There Is Something I Have To Say
11. I Am Goodbye
12. Without Work, You Have Nothing

Myspace: Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy