Warning: this song may not be for everyone. It’s called “Blind” by TV On the Radio and it’s positively evil – the very definition of brooding. But I love it. The lyrics are very simple and yet completely entrancing.

And then there’s the instrumentation. Creepy organs and slowly-plodding synthesized drum beats fuel the song. A nice guitar part kicks in near the end. But similar to the lyrics, it’s a rather simple in structure.

I believe that truly gifted musicians can take simple ideas and turn them into something unique and different. While their debut LP Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes may have missed the mark, their sophomore release Return to Cookie Mountain returns (no pun intended) to the form hinted at on the Young Liars EP (I guess I forgot to mention that “Blind” is off their debut EP Young Liars).

If you like what you hear, give Return to Cookie Mountain a chance. I got the album a week ago, so I’m still absorbing it, but I really like “Province.”

• TV On the Radio – Blind

I hope most of you have heard of Elliott Smith. For those of you who haven’t, go watch Good Will Hunting. At almost every pivotal moment in the film, listen to the background music and you’ll hear Elliott Smith. His music has a hushed intimacy that’s hard to forget.

Sadly, Elliott Smith is no longer with us. He committed suicide in 2003, ending a deeply-troubled life that produced several albums of gorgeous, heartbreaking music. He has clearly influenced many of today’s artists – see Iron & Wine for the most striking similarities.

I’ve decided to post a very old song by Heatmiser, one of Elliott Smith’s previous bands. The song is a hidden track from the album Mic City Sons called “Half Right.” Just like Good Will Hunting, I love everything about it. Great melody, infectious acoustic riff, and excellent lyrics (“I was sticking up for my friend, when there’s nothing much to defend” and “Cuz when I talk to you on the phone, well it’s just like being alone”). It’s definitely one of my favorite Elliott Smith songs, which is saying a lot. If you like this, also try Either/Or and From a Basement On a Hill.

• Heatmiser – Half Right