Everybody, welcome Pitchfork to the Peter Bjorn & John party a month after we posted the same song in the AgainAgain Summer Hodge Podge Mix.
Pitchfork: News: "Infinite Mixtape #37: Peter Bjorn & John: Young Folks [ft. Victoria Bergsman]
Swedes do it better, especially when 'it' is sun-kissed, whistle-while-you-frolic indie pop. Commaless trio Peter Bjorn & John (never to be confused with 70s schmaltz-pop wizards Tony Orlando & Dawn) serve up an exquisite slice of 'it' with single 'Young Folks' (from their Wichita UK release Writer's Block), a superlative summertime ditty replete with maracas, happy-go-lucky bumbling bass, and an infectious whistled melody that can't help but incite smile riots.
The chorus soars and the lyrics flirt with youth-appropriate romantic nihilism ('All we care about is talkin'/ Talkin' only me and you'), but it's guest vocalist (and ex-Concretes singer) Victoria Bergsman who owns here: Her dour, pouty vocal enters atop distant storm-cloud synths to provide some much-needed shade from all that chippery. RIYL: endless summers."
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Music really is power
Caught a VH1 documentary last night about rapper DMC (of Run DMC) and his search and reunion with his birthmother.
DMC (Daryl McDaniel) had a big problem with alcohol and prescription pills for a while. Wikipedia: "In 1997, McDaniels began to slide into a deep depression. He became extremely unhappy with the rigorous routine of touring and performing. He hated being away from his wife and newborn son. He began to rely heavily on perscription drugs and alcohol to ease the pain. McDaniels had already built a reputation as a notoriously heavy drinker during Run-D.M.C.'s heyday. He was known to drink up to eight 40 ounce bottles of malt liquor a day and was arrested twice for public intoxication and driving while intoxicated."
Hmmmm. None of this is sounding remotely familiar, is it?
DMC My Adoption Journey - Interivew with DMC - Darryl McDaniels - Adoption Reunion - Adoption Search
DMC My Adoption Journey - Interivew with DMC - Darryl McDaniels - Adoption Reunion - Adoption Search: "DMC on the void he felt that he couldn’t explain and the losses he experienced in a short period of time.
A short time after Jam Master Jay was murdered, his adoptive father passed away. He listened to Sarah McLachlan, “Angel” every day for 3 years. DMC shares the following: “I just thought, ‘God, What are you trying to tell me?’ My story is a story of purpose and destiny. I was questioning my existence. Am I just here to be DMC, to do this rap thing and nothing else? I was suicidal. Angel kept me alive for 3 more years to discover the meaning of the void. Now I know that I am to bring hope, motivation, and inspiration to adopted kids and those in foster care.”
DMC on the importance of his adoption:
“If I wasn’t adopted I would never have met Jay or Run and I wouldn’t be who I am now, where I am and the influence Run: DMC had on rap music today. We were the rap artists to get promotional deals with the song, ‘My Adidas’.”
DMC on whether the search and finding of his birth mom filled the void:
“Yes, it did, it’s a new beginning for me.”
DMC and how his reunion is progressing:
“Really cool. I have 2 brothers and a sister. My birthmom calls herself ‘the other mother’. She believes that she gave me life, my adoptive mother allowed me to experience it.” And what about his adoptive parents and the fact that he did search? 'They are 100% behind me now.”"
Me again: Crazy thing about it is that DMC got McLachlan to record a song with him about his experiences. And revealed to him that she, too, is adopted. Kismet, no?
Back to them:"This documentary brought to light the reality of closed records and closed doors as DMC learned that he would never have his original birth certificate, that it was forever sealed. This knowledge, while nothing new to veteran searching adoptees, blew DMC away and he expressed his frustration in a support group for adoptees. He also shared how the group has kept him going on his search and has helped in his grieving process."
Me: And I just wish that 'this grieving process' could just hurry up and happen already. It's hard being 35 (erm, wait, 34) and being so affected by something that happened in my first 30 days. But it's also comforting to see similar hurt and loss in other people. To know that I'm not completely insane. And that I'm not alone.
So, I guess what I'm saying is that I can't recommend this documentary enough. I'll post whenever it's scheduled to run next.
Sorry for the ranting. Thanks for reading.
DMC (Daryl McDaniel) had a big problem with alcohol and prescription pills for a while. Wikipedia: "In 1997, McDaniels began to slide into a deep depression. He became extremely unhappy with the rigorous routine of touring and performing. He hated being away from his wife and newborn son. He began to rely heavily on perscription drugs and alcohol to ease the pain. McDaniels had already built a reputation as a notoriously heavy drinker during Run-D.M.C.'s heyday. He was known to drink up to eight 40 ounce bottles of malt liquor a day and was arrested twice for public intoxication and driving while intoxicated."
Hmmmm. None of this is sounding remotely familiar, is it?
DMC My Adoption Journey - Interivew with DMC - Darryl McDaniels - Adoption Reunion - Adoption Search
DMC My Adoption Journey - Interivew with DMC - Darryl McDaniels - Adoption Reunion - Adoption Search: "DMC on the void he felt that he couldn’t explain and the losses he experienced in a short period of time.
A short time after Jam Master Jay was murdered, his adoptive father passed away. He listened to Sarah McLachlan, “Angel” every day for 3 years. DMC shares the following: “I just thought, ‘God, What are you trying to tell me?’ My story is a story of purpose and destiny. I was questioning my existence. Am I just here to be DMC, to do this rap thing and nothing else? I was suicidal. Angel kept me alive for 3 more years to discover the meaning of the void. Now I know that I am to bring hope, motivation, and inspiration to adopted kids and those in foster care.”
DMC on the importance of his adoption:
“If I wasn’t adopted I would never have met Jay or Run and I wouldn’t be who I am now, where I am and the influence Run: DMC had on rap music today. We were the rap artists to get promotional deals with the song, ‘My Adidas’.”
DMC on whether the search and finding of his birth mom filled the void:
“Yes, it did, it’s a new beginning for me.”
DMC and how his reunion is progressing:
“Really cool. I have 2 brothers and a sister. My birthmom calls herself ‘the other mother’. She believes that she gave me life, my adoptive mother allowed me to experience it.” And what about his adoptive parents and the fact that he did search? 'They are 100% behind me now.”"
Me again: Crazy thing about it is that DMC got McLachlan to record a song with him about his experiences. And revealed to him that she, too, is adopted. Kismet, no?
Back to them:"This documentary brought to light the reality of closed records and closed doors as DMC learned that he would never have his original birth certificate, that it was forever sealed. This knowledge, while nothing new to veteran searching adoptees, blew DMC away and he expressed his frustration in a support group for adoptees. He also shared how the group has kept him going on his search and has helped in his grieving process."
Me: And I just wish that 'this grieving process' could just hurry up and happen already. It's hard being 35 (erm, wait, 34) and being so affected by something that happened in my first 30 days. But it's also comforting to see similar hurt and loss in other people. To know that I'm not completely insane. And that I'm not alone.
So, I guess what I'm saying is that I can't recommend this documentary enough. I'll post whenever it's scheduled to run next.
Sorry for the ranting. Thanks for reading.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Astronomers say Pluto is not a planet - Yahoo! News
I'm imagining the convention center devolving into a Lord of the Flies like scenario.
"You can't speak, Piggy, you don't have the conch!"
Side note: couldn't find any .wav's of that. Sad.
Astronomers say Pluto is not a planet - Yahoo! News: "The decision on Pluto at a conference of 2,500 astronomers from 75 countries was a dramatic shift from just a week ago, when the group's leaders floated a proposal that would have reaffirmed Pluto's planetary status and made planets of its largest moon and two other objects.
That plan proved highly unpopular, splitting astronomers into factions and triggering days of sometimes combative debate that led to Pluto's undoing. In the end, only about 300 astronomers cast ballots."
"You can't speak, Piggy, you don't have the conch!"
Side note: couldn't find any .wav's of that. Sad.
Astronomers say Pluto is not a planet - Yahoo! News: "The decision on Pluto at a conference of 2,500 astronomers from 75 countries was a dramatic shift from just a week ago, when the group's leaders floated a proposal that would have reaffirmed Pluto's planetary status and made planets of its largest moon and two other objects.
That plan proved highly unpopular, splitting astronomers into factions and triggering days of sometimes combative debate that led to Pluto's undoing. In the end, only about 300 astronomers cast ballots."
Wired News: Music Makes Your Brain Happy
Wired News: Music Makes Your Brain Happy: "WN: What are we learning about the link between music and emotion in the brain?
Levitin: Music activates the same parts of the brain and causes the same neurochemical cocktail as a lot of other pleasurable activities like orgasms or eating chocolate -- or if you're a gambler winning a bet or using drugs if you're a drug user. Serotonin and dopamine are both involved.
WN: Could music be an antidepressant?
Levitin: It is already -- most people in Western society use music to regulate moods, whether it's playing something peppy in the morning or something soothing at the end of a hard day, or something that will motivate them to exercise. Joni Mitchell told me that someone once said before there was Prozac, there was her."
Levitin: Music activates the same parts of the brain and causes the same neurochemical cocktail as a lot of other pleasurable activities like orgasms or eating chocolate -- or if you're a gambler winning a bet or using drugs if you're a drug user. Serotonin and dopamine are both involved.
WN: Could music be an antidepressant?
Levitin: It is already -- most people in Western society use music to regulate moods, whether it's playing something peppy in the morning or something soothing at the end of a hard day, or something that will motivate them to exercise. Joni Mitchell told me that someone once said before there was Prozac, there was her."
The Spree EP
Going to see the crew live in 2+ weeks, a week after the all-important, life-affirming Start of College Football Season Man Festival. (This year on HDTV).
And the Spree's website has been redesigned to be even more psychedelicallywonderful. And yes, that's a single word when you want it to be.
There's even pieces of a new track, which as hinted at on their blog, is more rock-based and a little less choral.
Polyphonic EP!
Going to see the crew live in 2+ weeks, a week after the all-important, life-affirming Start of College Football Season Man Festival. (This year on HDTV).
And the Spree's website has been redesigned to be even more psychedelicallywonderful. And yes, that's a single word when you want it to be.
There's even pieces of a new track, which as hinted at on their blog, is more rock-based and a little less choral.
The Fragile Army
(Giggling maniacally...)
From the Polyphonic Spree blog:
The Fragile Army: "Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Hello. How are you doing? We are excited to announce we finally have something NEW. NO, it's not the new album but some cover songs we did awhile back and a couple of new tracks too. The EP is called WAIT. We thought this was an appropriate word choice for us and you too, our fans. This has definitely been a long time coming and hope you enjoy it as much as we have. You can find more info at thepolyphonicspree.com as of this afternoon!
xoxo"
From the Polyphonic Spree blog:
The Fragile Army: "Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Hello. How are you doing? We are excited to announce we finally have something NEW. NO, it's not the new album but some cover songs we did awhile back and a couple of new tracks too. The EP is called WAIT. We thought this was an appropriate word choice for us and you too, our fans. This has definitely been a long time coming and hope you enjoy it as much as we have. You can find more info at thepolyphonicspree.com as of this afternoon!
xoxo"
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
My Old Kentucky Blog: Brothers And Sisters
Like these kids. Happy sounds are in beachside.
Worried that were eating up all the winter endorphins here in the summertime.
But, hey, Newsweek says all the 'Big CDs' of the year are coming out in the 4th quarter!
My Old Kentucky Blog: Brothers And Sisters: "Big bands are all the rage these days it seems. How many members can you fit on one stage to create as much sound and as many layers as possible? I don't know, the more the merrier if you ask me. I'm all for it.
Brothers And Sisters : Self-TitledAs their band's namesake emplies, this eight member crew is led by real-life brother and sister Will and Lily Courtney. They're Austin, Texas based and while their sound comes out sunny and positive with loads of pretty boy & girl harmonies, the lyrics aren't always in the same vein. Brother Will sees no problem with this and about it says, 'I don't set out to have that contrast in my songs, but it does happen a lot. The truth is, life, for the most part, is filled with hardships, heartache and disappointment. But for me, I really never lose hope that the good stuff is just around the corner.'
Even though Will and Lily are the only true pair of siblings in the band, each member goes by the title of Brother or Sister. This reflects Will and Lily's upbringing and belief that we are all brothers and sisters in this world. Maybe this belief, in part, set this bands influence, sound and direction to harken back to a time of peace and brotherhood. Brother Will further describes Brothers And Sister's sound in terms of 70's cult movies Five Easy Pieces, Being There and Harold And Maude, 'All those movies have this sense of longing for the past, but are aware that the present, however painful or joyful, is only here for a moment and you really have no choice but to embrace it.'
[listen] Brothers And Sisters - One Night (Highly Rec'd!)
[listen] Brothers And Sisters - Without You (Highly Rec'd!)
For fans of CSN&Y, The Mamas & The Papas, The Byrds, Beach Boys, The Band and The Partridge Family. Brothers And Sisters' MySpace. Buy their self-titled album here. Quotes provided by Jessica Suarez."
Worried that were eating up all the winter endorphins here in the summertime.
But, hey, Newsweek says all the 'Big CDs' of the year are coming out in the 4th quarter!
My Old Kentucky Blog: Brothers And Sisters: "Big bands are all the rage these days it seems. How many members can you fit on one stage to create as much sound and as many layers as possible? I don't know, the more the merrier if you ask me. I'm all for it.
Brothers And Sisters : Self-TitledAs their band's namesake emplies, this eight member crew is led by real-life brother and sister Will and Lily Courtney. They're Austin, Texas based and while their sound comes out sunny and positive with loads of pretty boy & girl harmonies, the lyrics aren't always in the same vein. Brother Will sees no problem with this and about it says, 'I don't set out to have that contrast in my songs, but it does happen a lot. The truth is, life, for the most part, is filled with hardships, heartache and disappointment. But for me, I really never lose hope that the good stuff is just around the corner.'
Even though Will and Lily are the only true pair of siblings in the band, each member goes by the title of Brother or Sister. This reflects Will and Lily's upbringing and belief that we are all brothers and sisters in this world. Maybe this belief, in part, set this bands influence, sound and direction to harken back to a time of peace and brotherhood. Brother Will further describes Brothers And Sister's sound in terms of 70's cult movies Five Easy Pieces, Being There and Harold And Maude, 'All those movies have this sense of longing for the past, but are aware that the present, however painful or joyful, is only here for a moment and you really have no choice but to embrace it.'
[listen] Brothers And Sisters - One Night (Highly Rec'd!)
[listen] Brothers And Sisters - Without You (Highly Rec'd!)
For fans of CSN&Y, The Mamas & The Papas, The Byrds, Beach Boys, The Band and The Partridge Family. Brothers And Sisters' MySpace. Buy their self-titled album here. Quotes provided by Jessica Suarez."
Monday, August 21, 2006
trashcan sinatras - lyrics: cake
Freshdamn year, University of Florida.
Still lost in a world of music, but removed from the Murmur records job and free entry into local shows, this was one of the CDs I clung to.
A sort of sub-Smiths jangle, too-clever lyrics and that yearning that can infect lonely freshman.
In other words, fantastic.
DOWNLOAD: Trashcan Sinatras - "Obscurity Knocks"
trashcan sinatras - lyrics: cake: "know what it's like
to sigh at the sight of the first quarter of life?
ever stopped to think and found out nothing was there?
they laugh to see such fun
i'm playing blind man's bluff all by myself
and they're chanting a line from a nursery rhyme
'ba ba bleary eyes - have you any idea?'"
Still lost in a world of music, but removed from the Murmur records job and free entry into local shows, this was one of the CDs I clung to.
A sort of sub-Smiths jangle, too-clever lyrics and that yearning that can infect lonely freshman.
In other words, fantastic.
DOWNLOAD: Trashcan Sinatras - "Obscurity Knocks"
trashcan sinatras - lyrics: cake: "know what it's like
to sigh at the sight of the first quarter of life?
ever stopped to think and found out nothing was there?
they laugh to see such fun
i'm playing blind man's bluff all by myself
and they're chanting a line from a nursery rhyme
'ba ba bleary eyes - have you any idea?'"
The Book I Read: Japanese Playboy
Found this little gem today. I could see playing this at the Bloom/King's wedding reception.
DOWNLOAD: Jans Lekman - 'A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill'
Amazing to me that there's all these fantastic little gems of songs waiting to be discovered and loved.
Happyhappyhappy.
The Book I Read: Japanese Playboy: "Moving on from butt-rock to cheese-pop, this little gem comes from Jens Lekman's release last year -- you know, the one w/ 'Maple Leaves.' While that song is darling, funny, a 'perfect pop gem,' , &etc., it was this track that really made me love the guy. The horn line, the shout out to Warren G and the summer of 1993, the drunken (?) chorus of singers (bum-ba-bum-ba-Bum-Ba-Bum-Ba-BUM-BA-BUM-BA-BUM), the whole house-party vibe; I still can't help but smile each time I hear it.
Jens Lekman - A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill"
DOWNLOAD: Jans Lekman - 'A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill'
Amazing to me that there's all these fantastic little gems of songs waiting to be discovered and loved.
Happyhappyhappy.
The Book I Read: Japanese Playboy: "Moving on from butt-rock to cheese-pop, this little gem comes from Jens Lekman's release last year -- you know, the one w/ 'Maple Leaves.' While that song is darling, funny, a 'perfect pop gem,' , &etc., it was this track that really made me love the guy. The horn line, the shout out to Warren G and the summer of 1993, the drunken (?) chorus of singers (bum-ba-bum-ba-Bum-Ba-Bum-Ba-BUM-BA-BUM-BA-BUM), the whole house-party vibe; I still can't help but smile each time I hear it.
Jens Lekman - A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill"
Kofi's hat
Funny post from Kofi's Hat:
Kofi's hat: "Best and Worst Songs About Booze/Helping The Kids
The Uncut folks have drafted lists of the best and worst 'songs about booze' for their latest issue. Who doesn't enjoy reading about Chumbawamba? But please enjoy alcohol responsibly. Don't be swayed into thinking it's purely fun, as consequence-free as, say, responding to a personal ad with the intention of cheating on your significant other. That's what Rupert Holmes' 'Escape (The Pina Colada Song)' would have us believe, kids!"
Kofi's hat: "Best and Worst Songs About Booze/Helping The Kids
The Uncut folks have drafted lists of the best and worst 'songs about booze' for their latest issue. Who doesn't enjoy reading about Chumbawamba? But please enjoy alcohol responsibly. Don't be swayed into thinking it's purely fun, as consequence-free as, say, responding to a personal ad with the intention of cheating on your significant other. That's what Rupert Holmes' 'Escape (The Pina Colada Song)' would have us believe, kids!"
Friday, August 18, 2006
S K A T T E R B R A I N: Totally Twee Super Summer Mega Mix
As some of you may know, I've been twee-curious lately.
Here's a good summer mix tape by blogger Skatterbrain.
btw, how many of you would be down wiht .zip versions of the mix cds?
S K A T T E R B R A I N: Totally Twee Super Summer Mega Mix: "Okay, so I'm aware that Summer's beginning to wind down, but I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet. I've created a mix, using the most special of ingredients, known to be very powerful against the threat of fall and it's plans to overtake Summer. Join me in listening to this mix all day long and riding Summer out as long as we can! P.S. It's not all twee, but most of it is, so whatever. You can download the big boy .ZIP file, or if you're into having yourself a buffet, you can download all songs seperately below.
"
Here's a good summer mix tape by blogger Skatterbrain.
btw, how many of you would be down wiht .zip versions of the mix cds?
S K A T T E R B R A I N: Totally Twee Super Summer Mega Mix: "Okay, so I'm aware that Summer's beginning to wind down, but I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet. I've created a mix, using the most special of ingredients, known to be very powerful against the threat of fall and it's plans to overtake Summer. Join me in listening to this mix all day long and riding Summer out as long as we can! P.S. It's not all twee, but most of it is, so whatever. You can download the big boy .ZIP file, or if you're into having yourself a buffet, you can download all songs seperately below.
"
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Daily EP, Day 3, Track 04 - The Legends - "He Knows the Sun"
The Swedes are at it again. Making great music and being tall and good cheekboned and all.
This could be a companion piece to the Pernice Brothers -
"There goes the sun", since it feels a lot more like driving down a city highway at 10pm after a day in the sun and heading for a serious drug bender than it feels like, 'ah, sunshine'.
DOWNLOAD: The Legends - "He Knows the Sun"
This could be a companion piece to the Pernice Brothers -
"There goes the sun", since it feels a lot more like driving down a city highway at 10pm after a day in the sun and heading for a serious drug bender than it feels like, 'ah, sunshine'.
DOWNLOAD: The Legends - "He Knows the Sun"
Daily EP, Day 3, Track 03 - Ben Kweller - "Sundress"
I get Ben Harper and Ben Kweller confused.
But I like this Ben Kweller song, and I'm going to be lazy about finding out more about Mr. Kweller.
Sometimes confusion is bliss.
DOWNLOAD: Ben Kweller - "Sundress"
This song ain't bad, either.
But I like this Ben Kweller song, and I'm going to be lazy about finding out more about Mr. Kweller.
Sometimes confusion is bliss.
DOWNLOAD: Ben Kweller - "Sundress"
This song ain't bad, either.
Daily EP, Day 3, Track 02 - Amadou et Miriam - "Politic Amagni"
Love the pictures of two beautiful beaming blind married people who happen to be fantastic musicians.
DOWNLOAD: Daily EP, Day 3, Track 02 - Amadou et Miriam - "Politic Amagni"
More info:
Amazon.com: Dimanche a Bamako: Music: Amadou & Mariam: "Amazon.com
Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia, a blind married couple whose life story is as remarkable as its music, have long been stars in West Africa. They draw the musical traditions of their natice Mali and the neighboring Ivory Coast, while also embracing the Latin American salsa, Cuban son, reggae, American R&B, and English blues-rock that they discovered via long-distance broadcasts.
Having issued a handful of excellent Afro-rock albums on small independent labels in the last few years, which have attracted attention within the world music community, Amadou and Miriam are poised to break out with Dimanche A Bamako, arguably the best album of a career that goes back 30 years. Produced by mischievous French/Spanish pop star Manu Chao (who even co-wrote and sings on a few tunes), the album fuses the couple's dynamic grooves with the producer's signature everything-and-the-kitchen sink backgrounds. This is truly a collaboration of like-minded individuals: Chao's own rabid multi-culti mix of styles enhances the blind couple's guitar-driven mix of blues-rock and African percussion, as well as Latin, dance and reggae grooves. Highlights include the impossibly catchy 'Senegal Fast Food' and the percolating 'Coulibaly,' while the couple's political bent comes out on 'Politic Amagni.' Truly an album with a global perspective, there is something for everyone here, and rather than diluting the stew, it makes it all the more tasty. � --Tad Hendrickson"
DOWNLOAD: Daily EP, Day 3, Track 02 - Amadou et Miriam - "Politic Amagni"
More info:
Amazon.com: Dimanche a Bamako: Music: Amadou & Mariam: "Amazon.com
Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia, a blind married couple whose life story is as remarkable as its music, have long been stars in West Africa. They draw the musical traditions of their natice Mali and the neighboring Ivory Coast, while also embracing the Latin American salsa, Cuban son, reggae, American R&B, and English blues-rock that they discovered via long-distance broadcasts.
Having issued a handful of excellent Afro-rock albums on small independent labels in the last few years, which have attracted attention within the world music community, Amadou and Miriam are poised to break out with Dimanche A Bamako, arguably the best album of a career that goes back 30 years. Produced by mischievous French/Spanish pop star Manu Chao (who even co-wrote and sings on a few tunes), the album fuses the couple's dynamic grooves with the producer's signature everything-and-the-kitchen sink backgrounds. This is truly a collaboration of like-minded individuals: Chao's own rabid multi-culti mix of styles enhances the blind couple's guitar-driven mix of blues-rock and African percussion, as well as Latin, dance and reggae grooves. Highlights include the impossibly catchy 'Senegal Fast Food' and the percolating 'Coulibaly,' while the couple's political bent comes out on 'Politic Amagni.' Truly an album with a global perspective, there is something for everyone here, and rather than diluting the stew, it makes it all the more tasty. � --Tad Hendrickson"
Daily EP Day 3, Track 1 - Death Cab For Cutie - "I'll follow you into the dark"
Love the first line in this verse...
Self-incrimination, indie-cred court: I only have 4 DCFC songs in my itunes library. One of which is a cover of My Girl (no, really).
But I like this one.
Ache is beautiful.
DOWNLOAD: Death Cab For Cutie - "I'll follow you into the dark"
Lyrics:
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE LYRICS - I Will Follow You Into The Dark: "In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule I got my knuckles brusied by a lady in black And I held my toungue as she told me 'Son fear is the heart of love' So I never went back If heaven and hell decide That they both are satisfied Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs If there's no one beside you When your soul embarks Then I'll follow you into the dark"
Self-incrimination, indie-cred court: I only have 4 DCFC songs in my itunes library. One of which is a cover of My Girl (no, really).
But I like this one.
Ache is beautiful.
DOWNLOAD: Death Cab For Cutie - "I'll follow you into the dark"
Lyrics:
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE LYRICS - I Will Follow You Into The Dark: "In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule I got my knuckles brusied by a lady in black And I held my toungue as she told me 'Son fear is the heart of love' So I never went back If heaven and hell decide That they both are satisfied Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs If there's no one beside you When your soul embarks Then I'll follow you into the dark"
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Daily EP, day 4, track 04
Nelly Furtado.
For real? You're blogging about Nelly Furtado? You're not even that big of a Timbaland fan (and his increasing addiction to putting his own voice into his productions).
What I like about this is that it sounds like originally ms. furtado wrote a mid-tempo number about insecurity and gave it to Timba Labs who put it in the whirlybird with some minor hooks from an old Lita Ford power ballad, the echo chamber and leftover Miss-E/Timbaland Brand Skittery Beats and turned the whole thing into some kind of wondernoughat.
I like. These guys from New Zealand didn't.
DOWNLOAD: Nelly Furtado - 'Afraid'
New Zealand's source for entertainment news, gossip & music, movie & book reviews on Stuff.co.nz: CD review: Loose - Nelly Furtado: "Nelly Furtado's boyfriend should be very, very worried. Judging by her third album, Furtado is promiscuous, a nymphomaniac and a maneater. Even the album's title, Loose, should be cause for some concern. "
For real? You're blogging about Nelly Furtado? You're not even that big of a Timbaland fan (and his increasing addiction to putting his own voice into his productions).
What I like about this is that it sounds like originally ms. furtado wrote a mid-tempo number about insecurity and gave it to Timba Labs who put it in the whirlybird with some minor hooks from an old Lita Ford power ballad, the echo chamber and leftover Miss-E/Timbaland Brand Skittery Beats and turned the whole thing into some kind of wondernoughat.
I like. These guys from New Zealand didn't.
DOWNLOAD: Nelly Furtado - 'Afraid'
New Zealand's source for entertainment news, gossip & music, movie & book reviews on Stuff.co.nz: CD review: Loose - Nelly Furtado: "Nelly Furtado's boyfriend should be very, very worried. Judging by her third album, Furtado is promiscuous, a nymphomaniac and a maneater. Even the album's title, Loose, should be cause for some concern. "
Daily EP, day 2, track 03
Matthew from fluxblog is probably one of the OG bloggers. So, big, he doesn't even make his blog available via RSS.
So we'll let him describe the new Electric Six song 'Infected Girls'.
You'll remember Electric 6 from the Jack White collaboration 'Danger! High voltage!' and the viking kittens video - 'Gay bar'.
DOWNLOAD: Electric Six - 'Infected Girls'
FLUXBLOG: An Entire Thing Of Laser Beans: "Electric Six 'Infected Girls' - It's really no wonder that the Electric Six's records are packed top to bottom with ridiculous, over the top lyrics. Dick Valentine's voice is so confident and authoritative that he can get away with singing most anything, be it an excited invitation to a gay bar in a surf rock tune, a Backstreet Boys lyric presented as a solemn remembrence in a modern rock ballad, or highly detailed instructions on how to order drugs by sending a S.A.S.E. to the band's P.O. box in a rollicking glam number. The great thing about the Electric Six is that the tunes are as good as the jokes, and the jokes nearly always contain some kind of interesting, thoughtful subtext, usually involving a self-reflexive critique of male sexuality. 'Infected Girls' is a dark twist on Queen's 'Fat Bottomed Girls,' celebrating ladies with vd with a bumper-sticker ready slogan in the chorus, while also presenting a vague feeling of dread in its Robert Palmer-ish groove. Everything about the song signals the character's conflicted feelings about the 'infected girls,' vacillating back and forth between disrespect and admiration, and desire and fear. "
So we'll let him describe the new Electric Six song 'Infected Girls'.
You'll remember Electric 6 from the Jack White collaboration 'Danger! High voltage!' and the viking kittens video - 'Gay bar'.
DOWNLOAD: Electric Six - 'Infected Girls'
FLUXBLOG: An Entire Thing Of Laser Beans: "Electric Six 'Infected Girls' - It's really no wonder that the Electric Six's records are packed top to bottom with ridiculous, over the top lyrics. Dick Valentine's voice is so confident and authoritative that he can get away with singing most anything, be it an excited invitation to a gay bar in a surf rock tune, a Backstreet Boys lyric presented as a solemn remembrence in a modern rock ballad, or highly detailed instructions on how to order drugs by sending a S.A.S.E. to the band's P.O. box in a rollicking glam number. The great thing about the Electric Six is that the tunes are as good as the jokes, and the jokes nearly always contain some kind of interesting, thoughtful subtext, usually involving a self-reflexive critique of male sexuality. 'Infected Girls' is a dark twist on Queen's 'Fat Bottomed Girls,' celebrating ladies with vd with a bumper-sticker ready slogan in the chorus, while also presenting a vague feeling of dread in its Robert Palmer-ish groove. Everything about the song signals the character's conflicted feelings about the 'infected girls,' vacillating back and forth between disrespect and admiration, and desire and fear. "
Daily EP, day 2, track 02
You may remember Razorlight from 'Golden Touch'. Or not. British bands only account for 1.5% of all music sales in the states. A large sum of that is probably devoted to Coldplay.
Too bad.
Razorlight's new cd, out next week here, aims for a bigger sound. And while this track may sound like blatant America-bashing (what are they, French?), I choose to focus on the earlier lyrics of the song, the malaise:
"I light a cigarette cos I can't get no sleep/There's nothing on the tv, nothing on the radio/that means that much to me."
DOWNLOAD: Razorlight - America
Bloomberg.com: Muse: "Razorlight's careerism is clear with the titles of two of the best tracks. The closer is ``Los Angeles Waltz'' -- with a Springsteen-like gut wrench about getting what you deserve -- and there's a power ballad, ``America,'' crafted for Stateside stadium stardom.
It's easy to picture an ocean of fans holding up lighters as Johnny Borrell sings that he has spent ``all my life watching America.'' This leads to the grandstanding lament that there's nothing on TV or radio to believe in. Borrell obviously excludes himself from that statement. He should remember that the star who pontificates about pompousness in others runs the risk of having similar words applied to himself: be they poseur, portentous or something less polite."
Too bad.
Razorlight's new cd, out next week here, aims for a bigger sound. And while this track may sound like blatant America-bashing (what are they, French?), I choose to focus on the earlier lyrics of the song, the malaise:
"I light a cigarette cos I can't get no sleep/There's nothing on the tv, nothing on the radio/that means that much to me."
DOWNLOAD: Razorlight - America
Bloomberg.com: Muse: "Razorlight's careerism is clear with the titles of two of the best tracks. The closer is ``Los Angeles Waltz'' -- with a Springsteen-like gut wrench about getting what you deserve -- and there's a power ballad, ``America,'' crafted for Stateside stadium stardom.
It's easy to picture an ocean of fans holding up lighters as Johnny Borrell sings that he has spent ``all my life watching America.'' This leads to the grandstanding lament that there's nothing on TV or radio to believe in. Borrell obviously excludes himself from that statement. He should remember that the star who pontificates about pompousness in others runs the risk of having similar words applied to himself: be they poseur, portentous or something less polite."
Daily EP, day 2, track 1
33Hz. A band who their label, DefDrive, aptly describes as 'Hall & Oates having a throw down with Daft Punk'.
Wouldn't be out of place next to Days Go By (from the Mitsubishi 'poppin' commercial of a few years ago).
Sounds like it was made by robots, but oddly it wouldn't be apropros to do The Robot to this song.
DOWNLOAD: 33Hz - "Digital Lover"
Wouldn't be out of place next to Days Go By (from the Mitsubishi 'poppin' commercial of a few years ago).
Sounds like it was made by robots, but oddly it wouldn't be apropros to do The Robot to this song.
DOWNLOAD: 33Hz - "Digital Lover"
*Sixeyes MP3 Blog: The Little Ones: Sing Song: Review
Saw a review in Spin magazine for these guys. Any time a review mentions 'Oregon', 'The Shins', 'The Magic Numbers' and 'summertime' in a review, you know I'll have to check them out.
*Sixeyes MP3 Blog: The Little Ones: Sing Song: Review: "The Little Ones’ debut EP, Sing Song, features six sunshine pop songs mixed by the talented Tony Lash. It would be fair to compare their sound to The Shins, Neutral Milk Hotel, or Beulah. And if you liked the album art of The Shins’ “Chutes Too Narrow”, you’ll like the cover art of “Sing Song”, as it was done by the same artist, Jesse LeDoux, which would be a clue as to any possible comparisons. It’s sunshine pop using keyboards, electric guitar, bass and drums, so you probably know what sounds to expect: happy sounding songs filled with bright, clean guitar lines and filled with double-tracked vocals and smooth harmonies that frequently sing wordless melodies of just “la la la” or “ooh ooh ooh”s. Be ye warned, however: it’s sunshine pop, and if you have a low tolerance of sugary perkiness, stick to one or two songs per listening. It’s good summertime music and any of these tracks would be apt on a summer mix cd. They’re touring this fall with The French Kicks; check ‘em out.
[listen] high on a hill
[listen] cha cha cha"
*Sixeyes MP3 Blog: The Little Ones: Sing Song: Review: "The Little Ones’ debut EP, Sing Song, features six sunshine pop songs mixed by the talented Tony Lash. It would be fair to compare their sound to The Shins, Neutral Milk Hotel, or Beulah. And if you liked the album art of The Shins’ “Chutes Too Narrow”, you’ll like the cover art of “Sing Song”, as it was done by the same artist, Jesse LeDoux, which would be a clue as to any possible comparisons. It’s sunshine pop using keyboards, electric guitar, bass and drums, so you probably know what sounds to expect: happy sounding songs filled with bright, clean guitar lines and filled with double-tracked vocals and smooth harmonies that frequently sing wordless melodies of just “la la la” or “ooh ooh ooh”s. Be ye warned, however: it’s sunshine pop, and if you have a low tolerance of sugary perkiness, stick to one or two songs per listening. It’s good summertime music and any of these tracks would be apt on a summer mix cd. They’re touring this fall with The French Kicks; check ‘em out.
[listen] high on a hill
[listen] cha cha cha"
swedesplease: A chorus of robots cover I'm From Barcelona's hit "We're From Barcelona"
If you've been paying attention to this blog, you know I like me some joyous singing. Especially from large groups of Swedes.
Well, apparently, I'm not alone.
So, do a) robots and b) drunken Spaniards (full disclosure: I'm only 1/4 drunken Spaniard).
From fave music blog Swedes Please:
swedesplease: A chorus of robots cover I'm From Barcelona's hit "We're From Barcelona": "So are you one of the few who think that the Swedish band I'm From Barcelona is some kind of internet fad? A band that will disappear as quickly as they seemed to appear. A band with no substance, a band that somehow gamed the system to get 200,000 You Tube views (here's some of the many live videos of the band - these will bring a smile to your face), snuck in to a great write up in Pitchfork or is paying off bloggers to rave about them (where's my check!). If so perhaps some of the evidence to their staying power below will convince you to jump on the bandwagon.
Exhibit A: Drunken festival fans spontaneousley breaking into the hit 'We're From Barcelona'
Exhibit B: Cover songs popping up all over the place (including robots covering 'We're From Barcelona')
Maja - Treehouse
Adventure Kid - We're From Barcelona
Exhibit C: Pitchfork writeup
Exhibit D: Catbird Seat gives a qualified thumbs up.
"
Well, apparently, I'm not alone.
So, do a) robots and b) drunken Spaniards (full disclosure: I'm only 1/4 drunken Spaniard).
From fave music blog Swedes Please:
swedesplease: A chorus of robots cover I'm From Barcelona's hit "We're From Barcelona": "So are you one of the few who think that the Swedish band I'm From Barcelona is some kind of internet fad? A band that will disappear as quickly as they seemed to appear. A band with no substance, a band that somehow gamed the system to get 200,000 You Tube views (here's some of the many live videos of the band - these will bring a smile to your face), snuck in to a great write up in Pitchfork or is paying off bloggers to rave about them (where's my check!). If so perhaps some of the evidence to their staying power below will convince you to jump on the bandwagon.
Exhibit A: Drunken festival fans spontaneousley breaking into the hit 'We're From Barcelona'
Exhibit B: Cover songs popping up all over the place (including robots covering 'We're From Barcelona')
Maja - Treehouse
Adventure Kid - We're From Barcelona
Exhibit C: Pitchfork writeup
Exhibit D: Catbird Seat gives a qualified thumbs up.
"
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
again! again!
again! again!: "Cold-Turkey Stats
Nights without sleeping pills: 14
Nights with Benadryl: 5 (Bad trend)
Nights drunk: 4 (2 Christy bdays, 1 Butter bday, 1 lonely drum circle sunday)
Sleep last night: 5.5 hours.
% Increase on successful completion of items on to-do list of past week over random week in previous 6 months: 200%
General notes: Drunkeness trending up. Poker ability trending down. TV picture quality sharply up now.
Once again spent the weekend days out doing shit instead of lying on the couch under the influence of sleeping pills or chardonnay.
Looking forward to football season ON MY BRAND NEW TV!
NOT going to Burning Man. Still.
Safe travels,
magellan"
Nights without sleeping pills: 14
Nights with Benadryl: 5 (Bad trend)
Nights drunk: 4 (2 Christy bdays, 1 Butter bday, 1 lonely drum circle sunday)
Sleep last night: 5.5 hours.
% Increase on successful completion of items on to-do list of past week over random week in previous 6 months: 200%
General notes: Drunkeness trending up. Poker ability trending down. TV picture quality sharply up now.
Once again spent the weekend days out doing shit instead of lying on the couch under the influence of sleeping pills or chardonnay.
Looking forward to football season ON MY BRAND NEW TV!
NOT going to Burning Man. Still.
Safe travels,
magellan"
Monday, August 14, 2006
Daily EP, Day 1 Track 05
In the realm of women artists, Regina is what I always imagined Tori Amos would be like.
I think my friend Niki would use the term 'fierce' to describe the difference between the two.
Piano, a quirky voice with quirkier mannerisms, a newfound maturity(tm 2002, miguel caballero inc.), and finally, some just plain great songs.
DOWNLOAD: Regina Spektor - "Fidelity"
Btw, if you don't know about it already, check out metacritic.com. It aggregates reviews in music, dvds, books and video games. A great bigger picture review.
Bizarre sidenote: I was listening to 'Fidelity' as I wrote this, having used the search function on iTunes to locate the song.
Now, it's playing the only other Fidelity song amongst the 7000 mp3s: Battleflag, by the Lo-Fidelity All-Stars.
Regina Spektor: Begin To Hope (2006): Reviews: "If naysayers can't get past the sheen of spiced-up production, it's their loss.
Read Full Review
90
PopMatters
With a new album of expertly-crafted, touching, and refreshingly honest odes to life, Regina Spektor has grown without growing away from what makes her so special.
Read Full Review
83
Entertainment Weekly
She displays a range fans old and new will find intoxicating. [16 Jun 2006, p.75]
83
E! Online
Her vocal quirks can take some getting used to, but the oblique melodies and cosmic lyrics in songs such as 'On the Radio' and '20 Years of Snow' demonstrate what a remarkable talent is mixed in with all the idiosyncrasies. "
I think my friend Niki would use the term 'fierce' to describe the difference between the two.
Piano, a quirky voice with quirkier mannerisms, a newfound maturity(tm 2002, miguel caballero inc.), and finally, some just plain great songs.
DOWNLOAD: Regina Spektor - "Fidelity"
Btw, if you don't know about it already, check out metacritic.com. It aggregates reviews in music, dvds, books and video games. A great bigger picture review.
Bizarre sidenote: I was listening to 'Fidelity' as I wrote this, having used the search function on iTunes to locate the song.
Now, it's playing the only other Fidelity song amongst the 7000 mp3s: Battleflag, by the Lo-Fidelity All-Stars.
Regina Spektor: Begin To Hope (2006): Reviews: "If naysayers can't get past the sheen of spiced-up production, it's their loss.
Read Full Review
90
PopMatters
With a new album of expertly-crafted, touching, and refreshingly honest odes to life, Regina Spektor has grown without growing away from what makes her so special.
Read Full Review
83
Entertainment Weekly
She displays a range fans old and new will find intoxicating. [16 Jun 2006, p.75]
83
E! Online
Her vocal quirks can take some getting used to, but the oblique melodies and cosmic lyrics in songs such as 'On the Radio' and '20 Years of Snow' demonstrate what a remarkable talent is mixed in with all the idiosyncrasies. "
Daily EP, track 04
We blogged about the video to this song last week. At the time, the theory was that quitting taking sleeping pills was causing some sort of weird withdrawal symptom that made me like this discotastic song. (side note: 2 weeks, no pills).
Upon further review, it's just a great ass-shaking song. I'll guarantee that you'll be dancing to it at your daughter's wedding in 20 years.
It's that kinda shaketastic.
DOWNLOAD: Scissor Sisters - "I don't feel like dancin'"
filter magazine - artists to watch - Scissor Sisters: "The mirror ball had stopped spinning but Scissor Sisters had a plan: to record a fun and optimistic dance song because a) the planet needed cheering up (“every time we turned on the TV it seemed the political situation in the world was getting worse and worse” says Babydaddy) and b) they needed cheering up.
The solution: 'I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’' – possibly the happiest-sounding song ever conceived about staying in and feeling miserable. “By singing about not feeling like dancing, it was the only way to write a dance song that was fun, but still came from an honest place,” concludes Jake.
With 'Dancin’'… in the bag, the cloud had lifted to reveal a silver lining – the ideas started to flow again. “It gave us renewed hope in ourselves,” says Jake. “There’s a lot of anxiety and self-censorship that happens when you’re dealing with this kind of pressure. But we realised that we’re special after all, and we’ve got something amazing going on. It was extremely liberating.” "
Upon further review, it's just a great ass-shaking song. I'll guarantee that you'll be dancing to it at your daughter's wedding in 20 years.
It's that kinda shaketastic.
DOWNLOAD: Scissor Sisters - "I don't feel like dancin'"
filter magazine - artists to watch - Scissor Sisters: "The mirror ball had stopped spinning but Scissor Sisters had a plan: to record a fun and optimistic dance song because a) the planet needed cheering up (“every time we turned on the TV it seemed the political situation in the world was getting worse and worse” says Babydaddy) and b) they needed cheering up.
The solution: 'I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’' – possibly the happiest-sounding song ever conceived about staying in and feeling miserable. “By singing about not feeling like dancing, it was the only way to write a dance song that was fun, but still came from an honest place,” concludes Jake.
With 'Dancin’'… in the bag, the cloud had lifted to reveal a silver lining – the ideas started to flow again. “It gave us renewed hope in ourselves,” says Jake. “There’s a lot of anxiety and self-censorship that happens when you’re dealing with this kind of pressure. But we realised that we’re special after all, and we’ve got something amazing going on. It was extremely liberating.” "
Daily EP, track 03
Hey, ya might've heard of this next band. They're called OutKast, and they're releasing a movie+soundtrack called Idlewild. Haven't paid attention to the trailers other than it seems like a speakeasy era noir/musical.
A Harlem Nights without neutered Eddie Murphy.
First track leaked, 'The Mighty O' didn't do much for me. Add in the lengthy delays for the movie and album, as well as Andre 3000's apathy towards hip-hop and embrace of off-key singing, and my expectations plummeted.
So, of course, 'The Train' is fantastic. Dre raps but leaves the singing to others. Love the production and the little bits of texture (Pweh! single handclaps, etc.), Big Boi's horn obsessions and the underdone railway beats).
Great. Just great.
DOWNLOAD: Outkast ft. Scar & Sleepy Brown - 'The Train'
Palms Out Sounds: And I'm a Staaaar...: "it seems like the more and more Dre sings, the more poignant his once in a blue rhymes become. A couple tracks off of Idlewild people, enjoy.
Outkast ft. Lil' Wayne & Snoop Dogg - 'Hollywood Divorce'
Outkast ft. Scar & Sleepy Brown - 'The Train'
'Wealth is the word, rich is 'round the corner from the curb/Don't like what I write, shoot me a bird'
-Dre 3000"
A Harlem Nights without neutered Eddie Murphy.
First track leaked, 'The Mighty O' didn't do much for me. Add in the lengthy delays for the movie and album, as well as Andre 3000's apathy towards hip-hop and embrace of off-key singing, and my expectations plummeted.
So, of course, 'The Train' is fantastic. Dre raps but leaves the singing to others. Love the production and the little bits of texture (Pweh! single handclaps, etc.), Big Boi's horn obsessions and the underdone railway beats).
Great. Just great.
DOWNLOAD: Outkast ft. Scar & Sleepy Brown - 'The Train'
Palms Out Sounds: And I'm a Staaaar...: "it seems like the more and more Dre sings, the more poignant his once in a blue rhymes become. A couple tracks off of Idlewild people, enjoy.
Outkast ft. Lil' Wayne & Snoop Dogg - 'Hollywood Divorce'
Outkast ft. Scar & Sleepy Brown - 'The Train'
'Wealth is the word, rich is 'round the corner from the curb/Don't like what I write, shoot me a bird'
-Dre 3000"
Daily EP, track 2
Admit it: there's a certain part of you that loves Arena football, tiger striped gym wear and the guitar-shaped synthesizer.
Sometimes, it's ok to shine. Today, it's ok to snarl.
Can't decide if this is meant for a space-fight scene in an animé film, or something much more subversive.
DOWNLOAD: Ratatat - Wildcat (E*Vax mix)
Pitchfork: Ratatat: "Wildcat" [Track Review]: "Ratatat's four-minute bursts of glitter and pyrotechnics can impel even the pithiest of writers to Spiro Agnew-caliber adjective abuse, and each adjective walks hand in hand with its foil. 'Wildcat', a tensely chilled-out creeper, is no exception. It's concise and expansive, hard rock and hip hop, pop and prog, mechanical and lush. Subtle yet overstated: In case the title doesn't sufficiently establish the track's domain, fierce panther snarls periodically slash through the sleek pounce.
Of course, all this dense neon foliage comprises a dual image, sprawling city and untamed wilds equally teeming with life. Dreamy electro shimmers blur through the percussion's spitting rain; a flashy guitar lick stutters and weeps; rubber-band bass smartly stretches and retracts. Revving whooshes and echoing flutters puff up like turf under high-velocity turns. And that's just the first half, before a banner-waving synth lead and ripped funk rhythm crank up, and the jungle bursts into flames."
My Epidimology: vague remembrances of their remix work (Jay-Z to underground synth bands), this Pitchfork review and others.
Sometimes, it's ok to shine. Today, it's ok to snarl.
Can't decide if this is meant for a space-fight scene in an animé film, or something much more subversive.
DOWNLOAD: Ratatat - Wildcat (E*Vax mix)
Pitchfork: Ratatat: "Wildcat" [Track Review]: "Ratatat's four-minute bursts of glitter and pyrotechnics can impel even the pithiest of writers to Spiro Agnew-caliber adjective abuse, and each adjective walks hand in hand with its foil. 'Wildcat', a tensely chilled-out creeper, is no exception. It's concise and expansive, hard rock and hip hop, pop and prog, mechanical and lush. Subtle yet overstated: In case the title doesn't sufficiently establish the track's domain, fierce panther snarls periodically slash through the sleek pounce.
Of course, all this dense neon foliage comprises a dual image, sprawling city and untamed wilds equally teeming with life. Dreamy electro shimmers blur through the percussion's spitting rain; a flashy guitar lick stutters and weeps; rubber-band bass smartly stretches and retracts. Revving whooshes and echoing flutters puff up like turf under high-velocity turns. And that's just the first half, before a banner-waving synth lead and ripped funk rhythm crank up, and the jungle bursts into flames."
My Epidimology: vague remembrances of their remix work (Jay-Z to underground synth bands), this Pitchfork review and others.
5 days of daily EPs
Remember EPs? The 'more important than a single but not quite ready to be an album' releases of yesteryear?
We're going to try that this week with 3-5 songs a day to soundtrack your daily doings.
DOWNLOAD: Track 1: Hot Chip - Colours (DFA remix)
This one's a 'molten ballad' according to Pitchforkmedia.com. They're talking about the original mix. DFA usually likes to add more cowbell to their remixes, but in this case rip out the vocals for a coda of synth that sound like the best rave you've ever had in your local cathedral. (This is a compliment.)
A certain transcendence via squawks and bleeps. A summer favorite. Hot Chip: The Warning: Pitchfork Record Review: "Hot Chip
The Warning
[DFA/EMI; 2006]
Rating: 8.1
Buy it from Amp Camp
Download it from Emusic
It's only natural that Hot Chip would push themselves a bit after their debut Coming on Strong, a successful but safe entr�e to the British electro-soul outfit. Their kitschy yet deeply affecting lyrics drew so much attention the first time around that I'd met more than a few people who said they hated the group simply because they seemed like cheeky fuckers. They missed the point, but that's another matter. Follow-up album The Warning is propulsion and power and punctuation rolled up into one, abandoning a lot of the graceful, delicate melodies of the debut for songs with more wallop. It was a necessary move-- a step forward-- and the results are mostly golden.
Of course, a lot of their pert turns of phrases are still around, as are the molten ballads ('Look After Me', 'Colours') but they're usually eclipsed by the zooming, gliding synths, keyboards, and drum machines that push things forward. If their flavor was DF-Ay! before, it now sounds a bit more DF-Hey. Nowhere is that more evident than on the unsteady, maniacally fun 'Over and Over', the early single that got most excited for their turn to the dancefloor. Built on the best kind of chant (one you can remember), a skulking guitar, and handclaps, the song is a standout among spastic jams like the churning Human League-esque 'No Fit State' or crystalline '(Just Like We) Breakdown'."
Discovered through... NME.com loves them. Pitchfork digs them. Can't pinpoint where in the blogosphere we found this though...
We're going to try that this week with 3-5 songs a day to soundtrack your daily doings.
DOWNLOAD: Track 1: Hot Chip - Colours (DFA remix)
This one's a 'molten ballad' according to Pitchforkmedia.com. They're talking about the original mix. DFA usually likes to add more cowbell to their remixes, but in this case rip out the vocals for a coda of synth that sound like the best rave you've ever had in your local cathedral. (This is a compliment.)
A certain transcendence via squawks and bleeps. A summer favorite. Hot Chip: The Warning: Pitchfork Record Review: "Hot Chip
The Warning
[DFA/EMI; 2006]
Rating: 8.1
Buy it from Amp Camp
Download it from Emusic
It's only natural that Hot Chip would push themselves a bit after their debut Coming on Strong, a successful but safe entr�e to the British electro-soul outfit. Their kitschy yet deeply affecting lyrics drew so much attention the first time around that I'd met more than a few people who said they hated the group simply because they seemed like cheeky fuckers. They missed the point, but that's another matter. Follow-up album The Warning is propulsion and power and punctuation rolled up into one, abandoning a lot of the graceful, delicate melodies of the debut for songs with more wallop. It was a necessary move-- a step forward-- and the results are mostly golden.
Of course, a lot of their pert turns of phrases are still around, as are the molten ballads ('Look After Me', 'Colours') but they're usually eclipsed by the zooming, gliding synths, keyboards, and drum machines that push things forward. If their flavor was DF-Ay! before, it now sounds a bit more DF-Hey. Nowhere is that more evident than on the unsteady, maniacally fun 'Over and Over', the early single that got most excited for their turn to the dancefloor. Built on the best kind of chant (one you can remember), a skulking guitar, and handclaps, the song is a standout among spastic jams like the churning Human League-esque 'No Fit State' or crystalline '(Just Like We) Breakdown'."
Discovered through... NME.com loves them. Pitchfork digs them. Can't pinpoint where in the blogosphere we found this though...
Splitsville for Kate Hudson, Chris Robinson - Aug 14, 2006
We here at Again!Again! dug deeper for further insight. Our additions to the story in bold, below.CNN.com - Splitsville for Kate Hudson, Chris Robinson - Aug 14, 2006: "Splitsville for Kate Hudson, Chris Robinson
LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- 'You, Me and Dupree' star Kate Hudson and her rocker husband Chris Robinson have separated after six years of marriage, a spokesman for the actress said Monday.
Publicist Brad Cafarelli confirmed that Hudson, 27, and Robinson, 39, had split. He offered no details. The couple, who were married on New Year's Eve in 2000, have a 2-year-old son, Ryder.
"I hit my commercial apex 14 years ago. I hit my hottest sex apex in the past 6 years. I guess all I have to look forward to is tapioca pudding and playing county fairs," Robinson did not add.
Robinson also failed to indicate if he would call Lyle Lovett for sympathy and support.
A spokesman for Robinson said he had no comment on news of the separation, which was first reported by People magazine on its Web site.
Hudson, the daughter of actress Goldie Hawn, became a star in her own right after playing the rock groupie Penny Lane in the 2000 film 'Almost Famous,' which earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Robinson is lead singer for the Black Crowes, best known for such hits as 'Hard to Handle' and 'She Talks to Angels.'
A spokesman for Robinson did not add, "Chris hopes that the split will remain amicable with Kate and her family long enough to complete filming of Escape from Jacksonville, in which Robinson is set to co-star as the illegitamate son of Snake Pliskin.""
LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- 'You, Me and Dupree' star Kate Hudson and her rocker husband Chris Robinson have separated after six years of marriage, a spokesman for the actress said Monday.
Publicist Brad Cafarelli confirmed that Hudson, 27, and Robinson, 39, had split. He offered no details. The couple, who were married on New Year's Eve in 2000, have a 2-year-old son, Ryder.
"I hit my commercial apex 14 years ago. I hit my hottest sex apex in the past 6 years. I guess all I have to look forward to is tapioca pudding and playing county fairs," Robinson did not add.
Robinson also failed to indicate if he would call Lyle Lovett for sympathy and support.
A spokesman for Robinson said he had no comment on news of the separation, which was first reported by People magazine on its Web site.
Hudson, the daughter of actress Goldie Hawn, became a star in her own right after playing the rock groupie Penny Lane in the 2000 film 'Almost Famous,' which earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Robinson is lead singer for the Black Crowes, best known for such hits as 'Hard to Handle' and 'She Talks to Angels.'
A spokesman for Robinson did not add, "Chris hopes that the split will remain amicable with Kate and her family long enough to complete filming of Escape from Jacksonville, in which Robinson is set to co-star as the illegitamate son of Snake Pliskin.""
The Eraser - Thom Yorke
From the amazingly talented and lovely Kelly McLean, her edit of a stunning new video for Thom Yorke: The Eraser - Thom Yorke
Kelly says,
"Hello Friends,
Below is a link to something pretty cool.
http://xlrecordings.com/theeraser/index.html THEN SELECT CHANNEL 9
I recently had the opportunity to work with Director Chel White and his team
at Bent Image Lab in Portland, Oregon on the new Thom Yorke music video
for his album, The Eraser.
Along with unique techniques and talents as well as the artistry of David Russo, this piece is quite
compelling. It's funny to see how hard we worked at getting it to HD only to see
it compressed all over the web, however, the integrity is still there.
Tell me what you think.
Yours truly,
*k"
Kelly says,
"Hello Friends,
Below is a link to something pretty cool.
http://xlrecordings.com/theeraser/index.html THEN SELECT CHANNEL 9
I recently had the opportunity to work with Director Chel White and his team
at Bent Image Lab in Portland, Oregon on the new Thom Yorke music video
for his album, The Eraser.
Along with unique techniques and talents as well as the artistry of David Russo, this piece is quite
compelling. It's funny to see how hard we worked at getting it to HD only to see
it compressed all over the web, however, the integrity is still there.
Tell me what you think.
Yours truly,
*k"
Friday, August 11, 2006
Pitchfork: Track Reviews
Pitchfork media will occasionally get some things right. Broken clock, etc.
Pitchfork: Track Reviews: "First things first: No, they're not, but you have to admit that the trochaic bounce of 'Barcelona' rolls off the tongue more sweetly than 'J�nk�ping,' and rolling sweetly is this Swedish pansy-pop ensemble's bread-and-Kaviar-fish-paste. Like Barthelme's Paraguay, theirs is not the Barcelona that exists on maps. In this Barcelona, sun-kissed guitars and punchy horns double the melodic potency of fresh-faced 'tra-la-la's, and a song needs no more occasion than its possibility: 'I'm gonna sing this song with all of my friends/ And we're I'm From Barcelona.' In this Barcelona, the meta-conceit comes off less pomo than just honest, couched in such a sumptuous lilt and fueled by mutual adoration. In this Barcelona, cute girls euphorically harmonize with relatively heinous boys in kitschy cardigans and balding mullets, while just off camera, someone with a horrible mustache is saying 'watch the birdie.' (No, really-- peep the video.)"
Pitchfork: Track Reviews: "First things first: No, they're not, but you have to admit that the trochaic bounce of 'Barcelona' rolls off the tongue more sweetly than 'J�nk�ping,' and rolling sweetly is this Swedish pansy-pop ensemble's bread-and-Kaviar-fish-paste. Like Barthelme's Paraguay, theirs is not the Barcelona that exists on maps. In this Barcelona, sun-kissed guitars and punchy horns double the melodic potency of fresh-faced 'tra-la-la's, and a song needs no more occasion than its possibility: 'I'm gonna sing this song with all of my friends/ And we're I'm From Barcelona.' In this Barcelona, the meta-conceit comes off less pomo than just honest, couched in such a sumptuous lilt and fueled by mutual adoration. In this Barcelona, cute girls euphorically harmonize with relatively heinous boys in kitschy cardigans and balding mullets, while just off camera, someone with a horrible mustache is saying 'watch the birdie.' (No, really-- peep the video.)"
Pitchfork: Radiohead Become Lullabies
wtf?
btw, going to be posting some new tracks this afternoon. probably not from this album.
Pitchfork: Radiohead Become Lullabies: "We've heard reggae Radiohead. We've heard goth Radiohead. We've heard classical Radiohead. We've heard emo Radiohead. We've heard electronic Radiohead.
Now get ready for...baby Radiohead! On August 29, Baby Rock Records brings you Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Radiohead. Other planned lullaby tribute victims include Bjork, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Coldplay, Queens of the Stone Age, the Cure, the Beatles, and Tool.
Not making this up:
'Rockabye Baby! transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. The delicate sounds of the glockenspiel, vibraphone, and other instruments will lull your little one into a sweet slumber. These versions of Radiohead are sophisticated enough for people of all ages, but sweet enough to introduce your child to rock's smartest band. Their album Kid A imagines the scope and power of music created by a newborn child. What will your baby dream about while drifting off to these serene interpretations of Radiohead's best-loved songs?'"
btw, going to be posting some new tracks this afternoon. probably not from this album.
Pitchfork: Radiohead Become Lullabies: "We've heard reggae Radiohead. We've heard goth Radiohead. We've heard classical Radiohead. We've heard emo Radiohead. We've heard electronic Radiohead.
Now get ready for...baby Radiohead! On August 29, Baby Rock Records brings you Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Radiohead. Other planned lullaby tribute victims include Bjork, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Coldplay, Queens of the Stone Age, the Cure, the Beatles, and Tool.
Not making this up:
'Rockabye Baby! transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. The delicate sounds of the glockenspiel, vibraphone, and other instruments will lull your little one into a sweet slumber. These versions of Radiohead are sophisticated enough for people of all ages, but sweet enough to introduce your child to rock's smartest band. Their album Kid A imagines the scope and power of music created by a newborn child. What will your baby dream about while drifting off to these serene interpretations of Radiohead's best-loved songs?'"
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
bigstereo :: Brazilian Girls
Download the new Brazilian girls single here:
bigstereo :: Brazilian Girls: "Ok to be straight up, I wasn’t much of a fan of the first Brazilian Girls’ album. I probably should have been. I know a lot of you were. But for whatever reason it never clicked with me.
But their new single “Jique” has me excited. Prefect combination of some dirty synth mixed with dream pop oohs and aahs. “Jique” could easily be like five different songs going in five different directions, but Brazilian Girls effortlessly wrap it up into one. Here is some crazy square angles and perfect dance rock.
Brazilian Girls - “Jique” (mp3)
You know you’re going to hear some great remixes of this."
bigstereo :: Brazilian Girls: "Ok to be straight up, I wasn’t much of a fan of the first Brazilian Girls’ album. I probably should have been. I know a lot of you were. But for whatever reason it never clicked with me.
But their new single “Jique” has me excited. Prefect combination of some dirty synth mixed with dream pop oohs and aahs. “Jique” could easily be like five different songs going in five different directions, but Brazilian Girls effortlessly wrap it up into one. Here is some crazy square angles and perfect dance rock.
Brazilian Girls - “Jique” (mp3)
You know you’re going to hear some great remixes of this."
Monday, August 07, 2006
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
Polyphonic Spree Unleash a 'Fragile Army' - AOL Music News Blog
Polyphonic Spree Unleash a 'Fragile Army' - AOL Music News Blog: "America's favorite robed cult band, the Polyphonic Spree, are weeks away from finishing their third record, 'The Fragile Army.'
'People are gonna be surprised,' says curly-haired group leader Tim DeLaughter from his Texas home. 'It's the record we wanted to make, but it's different.'
Fans expecting another Spree classic full of big choruses and feel-good songs will still find those elements, but not as they are used to hearing them.
'It's definitely going to be more of a rock record than anything we've ever put out,' he says. 'It's just such a hard group to keep together, because there's so many of us. I think that nervous energy came out on this record... There's this urgency to rock, and that was kind of born out of 30 people being together for as long as we have.'
The Spree head out next month in support of Matisyahu. In the meantime they will release an iTunes EP, mostly covers, in September. Tentatively set tracks include Nirvana's 'Lithium,' the Psychedelic Furs' 'Love My Way,' the Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper' and 'Sonic Bloom' from Delaughter's former outfit, Tripping Daisy. "
'People are gonna be surprised,' says curly-haired group leader Tim DeLaughter from his Texas home. 'It's the record we wanted to make, but it's different.'
Fans expecting another Spree classic full of big choruses and feel-good songs will still find those elements, but not as they are used to hearing them.
'It's definitely going to be more of a rock record than anything we've ever put out,' he says. 'It's just such a hard group to keep together, because there's so many of us. I think that nervous energy came out on this record... There's this urgency to rock, and that was kind of born out of 30 people being together for as long as we have.'
The Spree head out next month in support of Matisyahu. In the meantime they will release an iTunes EP, mostly covers, in September. Tentatively set tracks include Nirvana's 'Lithium,' the Psychedelic Furs' 'Love My Way,' the Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper' and 'Sonic Bloom' from Delaughter's former outfit, Tripping Daisy. "
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
legends
Pretty pop ditty from new Swedish faves the Legends.
Jump the link to download for free.
l a b r a d o r: "he most eclectic single from The Legends so far. In �Lucky star� they borrow bits from every corner of the musical history and turns it into a 2 minute pop smash. Besides the title track the EP contains a splendid remix by Jimahl and the almost Sarah nostalgic, jangly pop gem 'This heart's not made of stone'.
Free MP3:
�Lucky Star�
VIDEO"
Jump the link to download for free.
l a b r a d o r: "he most eclectic single from The Legends so far. In �Lucky star� they borrow bits from every corner of the musical history and turns it into a 2 minute pop smash. Besides the title track the EP contains a splendid remix by Jimahl and the almost Sarah nostalgic, jangly pop gem 'This heart's not made of stone'.
Free MP3:
�Lucky Star�
VIDEO"
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