Bill Callhan broke from his moniker, smog, in 2007. This break represented a few things, but most significantly it marked his togetherness with singer Joanna Newsom and the changes he’d experienced in the presence of love. Unfortunately, post Woke on a Whaleheart, the two separated, (Newsom leaving Bill for Andy Sanberg – yes, SNL).

Anyhow, Mr. Callahan has a new album coming out soon that I am highly anticipating, and with any luck it will return to Callahan’s more familiar dark roots, Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle is set to be released in April via Drag City.

If you’re unfamiliar with his work, below is a good introduction & you can go from there. Enjoy.

1. Smog – Palimpsest (A River Aint Too Much To Love, 2005)

“winter weather is not my soul / but the biding for spring”

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2. Bill Callahan – Diamond Dancer (Woke On A Whaleheart, 2007)

“she was dancing so hard / she danced herself into a diamond / dancing all by herself / and not minding”

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3. Smog – Cold Blooded Old Times (Knock, Knock, 1999)

“the type of memory / that turns your bones to glass”

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4. Smog – Dress Sexy At My Funeral (Dongs of Sevotion, 2000)

“dress sexy at my funeral, my good wife / for the first time in your life”

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5. Smog – Ex-Con (Red Apple Falls, 1999)

“jean jacket and tie, such a lie”

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6. Smog – Drinking At The Dam (A River Aint Too Much To Love, 2005)

“skin mags in the bramble / for the first part of my life / i thought women had orange skin”

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7. Smog – Rock Bottom Riser (A River Aint Too Much To Love, 2005)

“with the grace of a corpse / in a riptide / i let go”

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For more information on Bill Callahan, visit his website and his myspace.