if you liked 'Another Sunny Day', here's your chance to investigate further:
In my mind, Belle & Sebastian epitomize the sub-genre of 'twee'. Think of floppy Englishmen going for a picnic in puffy shirts, and you've got the right idea. (And yes, that's three straight posts that use the word 'puffy'.)
Not my style, generally. You won't find me saying, 'alas' in front of the Morrissey poster in my bedroom anytime soon.
And yet, as I zoom past the Jesus age and into presidential eligibility (33 and 35 - look it up!), i'm finding myself listening to more and more twee.
Maybe you're going through a similar experience/revival/chemical imbalance. If so, welcome, the next edition DSM-V-R will certainly add a listing for 'psychological illness characterized by listening to twee.'
If so, they'll use these 3 B&S songs as the twee versions of Rohrshach tests:
1. I'm a cuckoo (Avalanches remix). The Avalanches put their vintage soul record sheen on the twee. Pleasant. Very pleasant. And isn't that what Rock'n'roll is all about?
2. 'Step into my office'. Who wants to go on a picnic?
3. Placeholder. I forgot to load this up to ftp. Stay tuned.
If you like these tracks, go to iTunes and buy their cd 'The Life Pursuit'. It's the right, and American Psychiatry Association approved, thing to do.
Drowned in Sound - Reviews - Albums - Belle And Sebastian - The Life Pursuit: "Sounding somehow perfectly modern yet refreshingly and celebratory retro, The Life Pursuit is Belle And Sebastian at their freest, delightfully spilling over with great ideas and perfect pop know-how. Hardcore fans may find its disposition a little too sparkly, but any newcomers looking to listen to an album that doesn�t take itself seriously in the slightest yet is as wonderfully nourishing as the most carefully composed classical piece should pursue and purchase this immediately. Life�s for living, and right now Belle And Sebastian are having all the fun in the world and weaving all manner of magic doing just that. "
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
further listening - 05 Mates of State - 'Fraud in the '80s'
Mates of State are impossibly cute. I first saw them on a first date in Seattle a few years ago. If you're going to go on a date with an indie-rock girl, you could do worse for setting a romantic mood. Mates of State are a husband and wife duo, who don't claim to be brother and sister (you know who you are meg & jack). They play on stage facing each other, Kori (keyboards) and Jason (drums) gazing lovingly at each other throughout the show, whether they're harmonizing or trading lines.
Almost like you walked in on the cutest couple you know eating Sunday morning breakfast, reading the times.
It should go without saying that the date went well.
I'd put this song from Team Boo on a mix cd for a drive in a convertible on a beautiful spring day. I've always called the song "I'd color the sky with you", but that's because i'm a literal-minded doofus. They call it "Everyone needs an editor". It's true, you wise Mates, it's true.
Download it on the song title, or here.
If that floats your boat, try 'Haha', the Team Boo opener. The Vancouver Sun describes it thusly: 'Haha' is a mixture of sugar and spice that begins with a pretty piano intro, dives into a snare-bashing rhythm, slows down for a swirling organ line, reintroduces the beat, brings in a shout-y vocal duet, and goes into a little bit of circus-type music--all in the first couple of minutes. The icing, though, is the exuberant chorus, wherein Gardner and Hammel join voices for the lines "Who's dancing all around?/We're dancing all around."
If you want to dance all around, download 'haha', here.
allmusic ((( Bring It Back > Review ))): "The duo of Kori Gardner (various keyboards/vocals) and Jason Hammel (drums/vocals) have actually improved, and the album sports stronger songs, a fuller sound, more emotional weight, and an exuberant soul that spills out of the speakers like milk and cake at a kid's birthday party.
It's hard to pinpoint what makes this record more satisfying than the rest of their excellent back catalog. Perhaps it is the reliance on more piano than usual, maybe the richer vocals of Gardner, maybe the punchy and powerful production from Bill Racine, or that the band has added some guitar and bass to their sound. It's a combination of all that, but most of all it's the number of memorable songs, which count among some of the best of their career.
There are songs with choruses that inspire you to add your own heartfelt vocal contributions ('Fraud in the 80s,'), songs with spine-tingling dynamic shifts ('What It Means,' 'Think Long'), songs that make a fuzzed-out organ seem like the coolest possible instrument, ('Punchlines').
Mates of State started off their career as a kind of curiosity (no guitars!) but have grown into the kind of group where you can't wait to see what they will do next, even if it is only to release records like Bring It Back that strengthen and perfect their formula."
Download:
"Everyone needs an editor"
'haha'
Almost like you walked in on the cutest couple you know eating Sunday morning breakfast, reading the times.
It should go without saying that the date went well.
I'd put this song from Team Boo on a mix cd for a drive in a convertible on a beautiful spring day. I've always called the song "I'd color the sky with you", but that's because i'm a literal-minded doofus. They call it "Everyone needs an editor". It's true, you wise Mates, it's true.
Download it on the song title, or here.
If that floats your boat, try 'Haha', the Team Boo opener. The Vancouver Sun describes it thusly: 'Haha' is a mixture of sugar and spice that begins with a pretty piano intro, dives into a snare-bashing rhythm, slows down for a swirling organ line, reintroduces the beat, brings in a shout-y vocal duet, and goes into a little bit of circus-type music--all in the first couple of minutes. The icing, though, is the exuberant chorus, wherein Gardner and Hammel join voices for the lines "Who's dancing all around?/We're dancing all around."
If you want to dance all around, download 'haha', here.
allmusic ((( Bring It Back > Review ))): "The duo of Kori Gardner (various keyboards/vocals) and Jason Hammel (drums/vocals) have actually improved, and the album sports stronger songs, a fuller sound, more emotional weight, and an exuberant soul that spills out of the speakers like milk and cake at a kid's birthday party.
It's hard to pinpoint what makes this record more satisfying than the rest of their excellent back catalog. Perhaps it is the reliance on more piano than usual, maybe the richer vocals of Gardner, maybe the punchy and powerful production from Bill Racine, or that the band has added some guitar and bass to their sound. It's a combination of all that, but most of all it's the number of memorable songs, which count among some of the best of their career.
There are songs with choruses that inspire you to add your own heartfelt vocal contributions ('Fraud in the 80s,'), songs with spine-tingling dynamic shifts ('What It Means,' 'Think Long'), songs that make a fuzzed-out organ seem like the coolest possible instrument, ('Punchlines').
Mates of State started off their career as a kind of curiosity (no guitars!) but have grown into the kind of group where you can't wait to see what they will do next, even if it is only to release records like Bring It Back that strengthen and perfect their formula."
Download:
"Everyone needs an editor"
'haha'
howdy, visitors
If you're new to the site and to me, I'd love to hear from you. Drop me an email, IM or write a note in the comments section.
Would like to know what songs you loved, what you hated, and how you found us here. And by us, I mean me.
ideateller attt hotmail
wonderfulbe @ aol
Would like to know what songs you loved, what you hated, and how you found us here. And by us, I mean me.
ideateller attt hotmail
wonderfulbe @ aol
further listening: 15 - Delays - 'Waste of Space'
Track 15 on the first AgainAgain cd is Delays - "Waste of Space".
Ben says, "It's depressing." But only if you listen to the lyrics, Fuzzy. Otherwise, Greg Gilbert's soaring voice varies between Liz Frazer of the Cocteau Twins and The La's Lee Mavers.
You'll remember The La's from their amazing "There She Goes", which Sixpence None the Richer turned into a tampon commercial. (I've got nothing against tampon commercials per se; it's the awfully bland 'feminine white puffy sheet' soundtracks that irk the hell out of me. /rant)
Speaking of sacharine commercials, 'Long time coming' by Delays was used in a diamond council 'get married all over again' spot recently. Don't get me wrong - the song's fantastic, all 60's Merseyside beats and harmonies - but I'm ambivalent on the use of the song in this commercial- it's neither featured nor really made cool. Just kinda there. I guess I'd really only blanche if the song becomes dinner party music for the couple featured in the commercial. Or, even worse, for their parents.
But the gem of their first CD is 'Hey girl'. Again, it's brimming with Merseyside joy, but this time singer Greg Gilbert (he's got to do something about that name. Greg Gilbert is a guy in accunts receivable, not someone's whose voice soars like this) lays on the falsetto. This, is where the Liz Frazier comparisons come in.
It's gorgeous, it's fantastic, it's the sound of a crush revealed.
Go ahead and download it now, here. 'Hey girl' by Delays.
Read more at metacritic, if you like:
Delays: Faded Seaside Glamour (2004): Reviews: "The Guardian
The first British guitar band in a decade to lay a serious claim to the melodic guitar pop throne invented by the Byrds and the Hollies, and last occupied by the Stone Roses and the La's. "
Download:
'Long time coming'
'Hey girl'
Ben says, "It's depressing." But only if you listen to the lyrics, Fuzzy. Otherwise, Greg Gilbert's soaring voice varies between Liz Frazer of the Cocteau Twins and The La's Lee Mavers.
You'll remember The La's from their amazing "There She Goes", which Sixpence None the Richer turned into a tampon commercial. (I've got nothing against tampon commercials per se; it's the awfully bland 'feminine white puffy sheet' soundtracks that irk the hell out of me. /rant)
Speaking of sacharine commercials, 'Long time coming' by Delays was used in a diamond council 'get married all over again' spot recently. Don't get me wrong - the song's fantastic, all 60's Merseyside beats and harmonies - but I'm ambivalent on the use of the song in this commercial- it's neither featured nor really made cool. Just kinda there. I guess I'd really only blanche if the song becomes dinner party music for the couple featured in the commercial. Or, even worse, for their parents.
But the gem of their first CD is 'Hey girl'. Again, it's brimming with Merseyside joy, but this time singer Greg Gilbert (he's got to do something about that name. Greg Gilbert is a guy in accunts receivable, not someone's whose voice soars like this) lays on the falsetto. This, is where the Liz Frazier comparisons come in.
It's gorgeous, it's fantastic, it's the sound of a crush revealed.
Go ahead and download it now, here. 'Hey girl' by Delays.
Read more at metacritic, if you like:
Delays: Faded Seaside Glamour (2004): Reviews: "The Guardian
The first British guitar band in a decade to lay a serious claim to the melodic guitar pop throne invented by the Byrds and the Hollies, and last occupied by the Stone Roses and the La's. "
Download:
'Long time coming'
'Hey girl'
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
a question/a track/a lyric
The Polyphonic Spree - Two Thousand Places (mp3)
reposted (mostly) from AA!
I was just at a memorial service, here at my office, for the former president of our LA branch, who became the worldwide CEO. I never knew him. apparently he was a very interesting, warm, amazing person.
5 or 6 people gave speeches about him. heartbreaking. seems like everyone was his best friend. or actually, that he was everybody's best friend.
the thing, i think, that I'll take away from it is this: everyone that talked about him said that he always asked how they were doing. and really meant it. a lot of times, I mean it as a synonym for 'hello'. so, when I ask in the near future, I'm planning on meaning it.
it was strange having all of these ad execs here in semi-formal wear. not quite Sopranos funeral wear, but definitely not casually dressed. i'm wearing jeans and a brown Polyphonic Spree shirt. i don't think it really mattered to the people that attended.
but, i felt self-conscious, and then I realized that if any shirt I could wear was a celebration of life or someone's life, this was one of them. they tap into an emotive core I love.
so, how are you doing?
you can post in comments or email. i'd like to hear from you.
-me
ps the Polyphonic Spree is recording a new album. they've got a blog for it, too:
The Fragile Army: "we introduce some lyrics to you. a line from each song:
1. you totally found out we follow the words you learned to grow-
2. well everybody tries to keep themselves alive, you were younger yeasterday-
3. we try, we crawl, we live, we're small-"
reposted (mostly) from AA!
I was just at a memorial service, here at my office, for the former president of our LA branch, who became the worldwide CEO. I never knew him. apparently he was a very interesting, warm, amazing person.
5 or 6 people gave speeches about him. heartbreaking. seems like everyone was his best friend. or actually, that he was everybody's best friend.
the thing, i think, that I'll take away from it is this: everyone that talked about him said that he always asked how they were doing. and really meant it. a lot of times, I mean it as a synonym for 'hello'. so, when I ask in the near future, I'm planning on meaning it.
it was strange having all of these ad execs here in semi-formal wear. not quite Sopranos funeral wear, but definitely not casually dressed. i'm wearing jeans and a brown Polyphonic Spree shirt. i don't think it really mattered to the people that attended.
but, i felt self-conscious, and then I realized that if any shirt I could wear was a celebration of life or someone's life, this was one of them. they tap into an emotive core I love.
so, how are you doing?
you can post in comments or email. i'd like to hear from you.
-me
ps the Polyphonic Spree is recording a new album. they've got a blog for it, too:
The Fragile Army: "we introduce some lyrics to you. a line from each song:
1. you totally found out we follow the words you learned to grow-
2. well everybody tries to keep themselves alive, you were younger yeasterday-
3. we try, we crawl, we live, we're small-"
polloxniner: You're Different From The Rest Of Them, Mr. K
So, I made my first friend in the 'blogosphere' yesterday. She even put me on her blogroll for the briefest moments. (Still very worried about abusing Señor Keener's bandwidth.)
I'm totally flattered and excited that she'd link to me.
PolloxNiner is another mp3 blog that I've been enjoying for the past year or so. She posted yesterday that she was looking for a particular mix of a Primal Scream track called 'Come Together' which I thought I could find but couldn't.
But she took a look and liked this site. Very cool. Like ha
"Sunny said...
polloxniner: You're Different From The Rest Of Them, Mr. K: "I had a period in college where I wore tight ripped Levi's jeans (embarrassing), drank Bartles & James wine coolers (even more embarrassing), and listened to obscene amounts of Primal Scream. Their music completely rocked my world -- and only later did I realize just how influential and watershed their album Screamadelica would be in music history, influencing rock patriots and underground dance music enthusiasts alike. I won't insult you by retelling the band's history but I will inform you that I'm more than thrilled about their upcoming LP Riot City Blues (more here). Much of the credit for Screamadelica went to producer Andrew Weatherall, and rightfully so. So much of the album's trademark groove and swagger is thanks to him. A perfect example, I'd say, is their psychedelic gospel rock anthem 'Come Together.'
*
Primal Scream - 'Come Together'
*
And speaking of Weatherall, I once had the Weatherall remix to this song but can't seem to find it anymore. If anyone has it, or knows where to buy it, please please please email me at polloxniner @ gmail.com or leave it in the comments section -- thanks."
I'm totally flattered and excited that she'd link to me.
PolloxNiner is another mp3 blog that I've been enjoying for the past year or so. She posted yesterday that she was looking for a particular mix of a Primal Scream track called 'Come Together' which I thought I could find but couldn't.
But she took a look and liked this site. Very cool. Like ha
"Sunny said...
Nice round-up of tunes. Putting you on my blogroll.
x"
polloxniner: You're Different From The Rest Of Them, Mr. K: "I had a period in college where I wore tight ripped Levi's jeans (embarrassing), drank Bartles & James wine coolers (even more embarrassing), and listened to obscene amounts of Primal Scream. Their music completely rocked my world -- and only later did I realize just how influential and watershed their album Screamadelica would be in music history, influencing rock patriots and underground dance music enthusiasts alike. I won't insult you by retelling the band's history but I will inform you that I'm more than thrilled about their upcoming LP Riot City Blues (more here). Much of the credit for Screamadelica went to producer Andrew Weatherall, and rightfully so. So much of the album's trademark groove and swagger is thanks to him. A perfect example, I'd say, is their psychedelic gospel rock anthem 'Come Together.'
*
Primal Scream - 'Come Together'
*
And speaking of Weatherall, I once had the Weatherall remix to this song but can't seem to find it anymore. If anyone has it, or knows where to buy it, please please please email me at polloxniner @ gmail.com or leave it in the comments section -- thanks."
Music Geek, level 2 confirmed
So, I made my first friend in the 'blogosphere' yesterday. She even put me on her blogroll for the briefest moments.
I'm totally flattered and excited that she'd
PolloxNiner is another mp3 blog that I've been enjoying for the past year or so. She posted yesterday that she was looking for
"Thanks for hooking me up with this. I won't link or post it. But you're so awesome and sweet for sending it to me considering your bandwidth situation.
x Sunny"
Sunny said...
I'm totally flattered and excited that she'd
PolloxNiner is another mp3 blog that I've been enjoying for the past year or so. She posted yesterday that she was looking for
"Thanks for hooking me up with this. I won't link or post it. But you're so awesome and sweet for sending it to me considering your bandwidth situation.
x Sunny"
Sunny said...
"Nice round-up of tunes. Putting you on my blogroll.
x"
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
www.musicforants.com
Today must be video day at a!a!
Love this video. Captures the cute coupleness of Mates of State that a live action video might not necessarily find.
www.musicforants.com says
"I was looking through Entertainment Weekly's Hot List yesterday and saw two familiar faces on it. Kori and Jason from Mates of State! They were talking about their great new stop-motion video of Fraud in the 80's. Here it is (thanks to youtube):"
Love this video. Captures the cute coupleness of Mates of State that a live action video might not necessarily find.
www.musicforants.com says
"I was looking through Entertainment Weekly's Hot List yesterday and saw two familiar faces on it. Kori and Jason from Mates of State! They were talking about their great new stop-motion video of Fraud in the 80's. Here it is (thanks to youtube):"
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Again! Again! MixCD! MixCD! v. 1
Since this is the first Again! Again! MixCD, I'll post a couple of requests:
1. Please limit your downloads to no more than 2 at a time. A little bit of a pain, but it'll save our kind host from kicking us off.
2. Ad folks: use one of these tracks in your ads! And I'll send you a lollipop. A Special K lollipop!
2. Let me know what you like via comments or email.
3. Email me if you have any technical difficulties.
4. Enjoy!
To download, Option+Click on a Mac, right-click and choose 'save as' on a PC.
01. Gold Lion - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
02. Do the Whirlwind - Architecture in Helsinki
03. Chewing Gum - Annie
04. We're from Barcelona - I'm from Barcelona
05. Fraud in the '80s - Mates of State
06. Another Sunny Day - Belle & Sebastian
07. Magellan - Giovanni Ribisi
08. 7 nation army - String Quartet Tribute
09. Steady As She Goes - The Raconteurs
10. Johnny Boy Theme - Johnny Boy
11. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
12. One - Mary J. Blige f. U2
13. Kick Out the Chairs - Munk & James Murphy
14. Gravity's Bringing Us Down - Beulah
15. Waste of Space - Delays
16. Star Witness - Neko Case
17. Music Is Power - Richard Ashcroft
18. When the Sun Goes Down - Arctic Monkeys
Track notes below.
MP3 blog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MP3 blog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "An MP3 blog is a type of weblog in which the creator makes music files, normally in the MP3 format, available for download. They are also known as musicblogs or audioblogs. MP3 blogs have become increasingly popular since the beginning of 2003. The music posted is normally hard-to-find, often has not been issued in many years, and selections are often restricted to a particular musical genre or theme. Several MP3 blogs offer music in Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) or Ogg formats, as well as MP3.
One of the first widely known MP3blogs is Fluxblog, which was created in 2002, and continues to offer a mix of music generally centered on recent rock and pop and offering commentary on the songs, artists, the music industry and music in general. There are now thousands of MP3 blogs covering a cornucopia of musical styles.
Many MP3 blogs post copyright infringing material, but manage to avoid prosecution by the copyright holders; perhaps because even the most popular MP3 blogs have only thousands of regular visitors, making them a much smaller concern than file sharing programs. Besides this, by concentrating on music that is either no longer available new or has not been reissued in many years, they do not affect the profits of companies, so there is little point in engaging in a costly lawsuit. MP3 blogs often include a disclaimer stating that they are willing to remove music if the copyright owner objects, and have been known to do so. They normally either provide a link to where the user can buy the album the music was taken from, or periodically remind the user to buy the music. Also, through raising awareness of little known acts, they can act as a form of free advertising."
One of the first widely known MP3blogs is Fluxblog, which was created in 2002, and continues to offer a mix of music generally centered on recent rock and pop and offering commentary on the songs, artists, the music industry and music in general. There are now thousands of MP3 blogs covering a cornucopia of musical styles.
Many MP3 blogs post copyright infringing material, but manage to avoid prosecution by the copyright holders; perhaps because even the most popular MP3 blogs have only thousands of regular visitors, making them a much smaller concern than file sharing programs. Besides this, by concentrating on music that is either no longer available new or has not been reissued in many years, they do not affect the profits of companies, so there is little point in engaging in a costly lawsuit. MP3 blogs often include a disclaimer stating that they are willing to remove music if the copyright owner objects, and have been known to do so. They normally either provide a link to where the user can buy the album the music was taken from, or periodically remind the user to buy the music. Also, through raising awareness of little known acts, they can act as a form of free advertising."
Monday, April 10, 2006
Extended play - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Extended play - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "An extended play or EP, is the name given to vinyl records or CDs which are too long to be called singles but too short to qualify as albums. Typically an album has eight or more tracks (anywhere between 25-80 minutes), a single has one to three (5-15 minutes), and an EP four to eight (or around 15-30 minutes). Some artists, especially in the days of vinyl, have released full-length albums that could fit the definition of a modern-day EP (Yes' Close to the Edge is nearly 39 minutes long; Prince's Dirty Mind is seconds short of a full half hour.) Conversely, there are EPs that are long enough to be albums (Marilyn Manson's Smells Like Children for example, which is 54 minutes long; Estradasphere's The Silent Elk of Yesterday clocks in at 74 minutes, 54 seconds)."
This site will be a shipping & handling free way to get your brand new miguel mix cd every month or two or so.
Test link: Neko
Test link: Neko
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