Something interesting that's happened this year is that there's been so much amazing new music from new artists, but there's also been a pretty fair amount of great new music from artists that have been around for a while. Sometimes you might think, "Well, maybe they're past their peak." A good thing that comes to mind, an example, would be Teenage Fanclub; I love their new single.

But my choice for the Pick of the Week is the first new music in more than a decade from Modesto, Calif., band Granddaddy. They've got a brand-new full-length on the way called Last Place. It'll be out in early March on Danger Mouse's record label, 30th Century. The single is called "Way We Won't."

Here's the video for the song, featuring actor Jason Ritter in the principal role.

I can't speak to exactly why this song moves me so much, but it's that song that every time it comes on in the studio, I turn it up a little bit louder. Maybe because it sounds exactly like Granddaddy, even though there's been 10 years' difference in between there. Maybe the melancholy subject of the lyrics about a couple's relationship falling apart so they move to the top of a big-box store like an Ikea or a Best Buy.

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it's beautiful, it's heartbreaking, and it sounds like some of the best work Granddaddy's ever done.

Resources

Grandaddy - official site