A bunch of really cool remixes available here. Smashing Pumpkins, INXS, the Stones, some Astralwerks guy I've never heard of: :::::::::: w w w . s t r e e t l a b . n e t ::::::::::: "
s t r e e t l a b . m u s i c @ g m a i l . c o m
www.myspace.com/streetlab"
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Coachella Buzz: Klaxons - Golden Skans
Sunday, hopefully evening, not morning.
No idea what Golden Skans means, but I love the energy in the song.
Barbaro first 'athlete' to appear on cover of Wheaties, inside Elmer's.
Yes, I'm going to be bucked from a horse and paralyzed for this karma, but what the hay.
ESPN.com - HORSE - Barbaro euthanized after months-long fight for survival: "Barbaro euthanized Monday morning
Associated Press
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized Monday after complications from his gruesome breakdown at last year's Preakness, ending an eight-month ordeal that prompted an outpouring of support across the country.
Barbaro's epic struggle to survive captured America's heart. But his death leaves horse racing with an opportunity to honor his legacy with some reform.
'We just reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain,' co-owner Roy Jackson said. 'It was the right decision, it was the right thing to do. We said all along if there was a situation where it would become more difficult for him then it would be time.'
A series of ailments, including laminitis in the left rear hoof and a recent abscess in the right rear hoof, proved too much for the gallant colt."
ESPN.com - HORSE - Barbaro euthanized after months-long fight for survival: "Barbaro euthanized Monday morning
Associated Press
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized Monday after complications from his gruesome breakdown at last year's Preakness, ending an eight-month ordeal that prompted an outpouring of support across the country.
Barbaro's epic struggle to survive captured America's heart. But his death leaves horse racing with an opportunity to honor his legacy with some reform.
'We just reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain,' co-owner Roy Jackson said. 'It was the right decision, it was the right thing to do. We said all along if there was a situation where it would become more difficult for him then it would be time.'
A series of ailments, including laminitis in the left rear hoof and a recent abscess in the right rear hoof, proved too much for the gallant colt."
New book: Love is a Mix Tape
From stereogum, which you should be reading daily:
"Love Is "Hey Jude" On Repeat
Every week (not true) Stereogum suggests a music book you should read. We like Rob Sheffield's Love Is A Mix Tape a lot. Early in the book (before it gets to the heartbreaking mix tapes) Rob tell us about an April '79 afternoon he and his dad spent with "Hey Jude."
As my dad and I sat around the house one Saturday afternoon, playing Beatles records, we started batting around the idea that it was theoretically possible to loop a version of "Hey Jude" long enough to fill up an entire cassette. All we had to do was press pause and lift the needle every once in a while, and fiddle with the volume knobs. A few hours later, we had a ninety-minute tape of "na na nas," along with many "yeah yeah yeahs" and a few "Judy Judy Judy wows." We listened to the playback, and I could not believe what we had accomplished. This was a new Beatles song that hadn't existed before. It was Something New, as the Beatles would say.
...
I listen to Hey Jude now, and I think two things: I never want to hear this song again, and in 1979, my dad was around the age I am now, and given a Saturday afternoon he could have spent any way he pleased, he chose to spend it with his twelve-year-old song, making this ridiculous little tape. He probably forgot about it the next day. But I didn't.
That is the longest remix of "Hey Jude." Segue. "
"Love Is "Hey Jude" On Repeat
Every week (not true) Stereogum suggests a music book you should read. We like Rob Sheffield's Love Is A Mix Tape a lot. Early in the book (before it gets to the heartbreaking mix tapes) Rob tell us about an April '79 afternoon he and his dad spent with "Hey Jude."
As my dad and I sat around the house one Saturday afternoon, playing Beatles records, we started batting around the idea that it was theoretically possible to loop a version of "Hey Jude" long enough to fill up an entire cassette. All we had to do was press pause and lift the needle every once in a while, and fiddle with the volume knobs. A few hours later, we had a ninety-minute tape of "na na nas," along with many "yeah yeah yeahs" and a few "Judy Judy Judy wows." We listened to the playback, and I could not believe what we had accomplished. This was a new Beatles song that hadn't existed before. It was Something New, as the Beatles would say.
...
I listen to Hey Jude now, and I think two things: I never want to hear this song again, and in 1979, my dad was around the age I am now, and given a Saturday afternoon he could have spent any way he pleased, he chose to spend it with his twelve-year-old song, making this ridiculous little tape. He probably forgot about it the next day. But I didn't.
That is the longest remix of "Hey Jude." Segue. "
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Germ Commercial
Marcus and I's new commercial or LA County Dept of Heatlh.
The best way to help prevent the spread of an epidemic flu such as influenza is to simply wash your hands. Same goes for the regular flu and cold.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
NME.COM - News - The New Pornographers reveal album details
Neko Case is a member of supergroup/side project The New Pornographers.
They'll be playing Coachella. No word on whether or not Ms. Neko will be playing there.
NME.COM - News - The New Pornographers reveal album details: "The New Pornographers reveal album details
Vancouver band aim for a summer release
The New Pornographers have revealed some details of their forthcoming album.
The follow-up to 2005's highly successful 'Twin Cinema' is expected to be released in August, and features the band's longest song to date."
They'll be playing Coachella. No word on whether or not Ms. Neko will be playing there.
NME.COM - News - The New Pornographers reveal album details: "The New Pornographers reveal album details
Vancouver band aim for a summer release
The New Pornographers have revealed some details of their forthcoming album.
The follow-up to 2005's highly successful 'Twin Cinema' is expected to be released in August, and features the band's longest song to date."
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Moment of Silence, Moment of Thanks
First, a moment of thanks to Sean Keener of Boots'n'all for being so kind and generous and hosting the mp3 files for the blog for the past year+.
Unfortunately, the (meager amount of) popularity of AgainAgainMixCD has caused us to go over the amount of bandwidth he was willing to give us. I think the problem stemmed mostly from putting the entire top 40 up at the same time for download, and we're going to adjust the amount of files we have up at any one time in the future.
Some of you may have noticed over the past 24 hours that the files are no longer downloading. Let's have a moment of silence now for the mp3.keener.org server, which having lived a good and pleasant life, has now closed its virtual doors.
I'm looking into other forms of hosting, whether it's on someone else's server, or through one of the free file hosting services. The downside to those is that it puts an extra step or two between the reader and downloading mp3s. Upside, no charge.
In the meantime, if anyone knows anyone out there with some extra server bandwidth, please contact me.
Unfortunately, the (meager amount of) popularity of AgainAgainMixCD has caused us to go over the amount of bandwidth he was willing to give us. I think the problem stemmed mostly from putting the entire top 40 up at the same time for download, and we're going to adjust the amount of files we have up at any one time in the future.
Some of you may have noticed over the past 24 hours that the files are no longer downloading. Let's have a moment of silence now for the mp3.keener.org server, which having lived a good and pleasant life, has now closed its virtual doors.
I'm looking into other forms of hosting, whether it's on someone else's server, or through one of the free file hosting services. The downside to those is that it puts an extra step or two between the reader and downloading mp3s. Upside, no charge.
In the meantime, if anyone knows anyone out there with some extra server bandwidth, please contact me.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Coachella 2007 line-up
Not sure I¹m thrilled about having to take a day off of work, but this looks
pretty epic. Might be leaving early Sunday night and coming back to town.
pretty epic. Might be leaving early Sunday night and coming back to town.
Jesus Christ. What a fucking lineup.
3 days though?
From billboard magazine
"As first tipped here on Friday, a reunited Rage Against The Machine, Bjork and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will lead the lineup for the 2007 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, to be held April 27-29 in Indio, Calif. The event will also feature a reunion gig from Crowded House as well as the Arcade Fire, Sonic Youth, Air, the Roots, Willie Nelson, Interpol, Manu Chao, Ghostface Killah and Fountains Of Wayne.
Rage Against The Machine co-headlined the first Coachella with Tool in 1999, while Bjork was a headliner in 2002 and the Chili Peppers served in that role the following year. The full lineup will also sport sets by Jarvis Cocker, the Good, the Bad and the Queen, Hot Chip, Peeping Tom, the Decemberists, the Happy Mondays, Arctic Monkeys, Tiesto, Kings Of Leon, Travis, Placebo, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Lily Allen, Paul Van Dyk, Gotan Project, Kaiser Chiefs, Silversun Pickups, Faithless and LCD Soundsystem.
In addition, DJ Shadow, Satellite Party, Stephen Marley featuring Jr. Gong, Konono No. 1, Nickel Creek, the Black Keys, the New Pornographers, Rufus Wainwright, the Rapture, !!!, Richie Hawtin, Explosions In The Sky, Junior Boys, Sparklehorse, Soulwax, the Kooks, Felix Da Housecat, Blonde Redhead, Damien Rice, Lupe Fiasco, Jose Gonzales, Brazilian Girls, Regina Spektor, Ozomatli, Peaches, Cornelius, We Are Scientists, Amy Winehouse, the Comedians of Comedy, Spank Rock, Tapes 'n Tapes, the Klaxons, Girl Talk, CSS, the Coup, Andrew Bird and Peter, Bjorn and John will play."
3 days though?
From billboard magazine
"As first tipped here on Friday, a reunited Rage Against The Machine, Bjork and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will lead the lineup for the 2007 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, to be held April 27-29 in Indio, Calif. The event will also feature a reunion gig from Crowded House as well as the Arcade Fire, Sonic Youth, Air, the Roots, Willie Nelson, Interpol, Manu Chao, Ghostface Killah and Fountains Of Wayne.
Rage Against The Machine co-headlined the first Coachella with Tool in 1999, while Bjork was a headliner in 2002 and the Chili Peppers served in that role the following year. The full lineup will also sport sets by Jarvis Cocker, the Good, the Bad and the Queen, Hot Chip, Peeping Tom, the Decemberists, the Happy Mondays, Arctic Monkeys, Tiesto, Kings Of Leon, Travis, Placebo, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Lily Allen, Paul Van Dyk, Gotan Project, Kaiser Chiefs, Silversun Pickups, Faithless and LCD Soundsystem.
In addition, DJ Shadow, Satellite Party, Stephen Marley featuring Jr. Gong, Konono No. 1, Nickel Creek, the Black Keys, the New Pornographers, Rufus Wainwright, the Rapture, !!!, Richie Hawtin, Explosions In The Sky, Junior Boys, Sparklehorse, Soulwax, the Kooks, Felix Da Housecat, Blonde Redhead, Damien Rice, Lupe Fiasco, Jose Gonzales, Brazilian Girls, Regina Spektor, Ozomatli, Peaches, Cornelius, We Are Scientists, Amy Winehouse, the Comedians of Comedy, Spank Rock, Tapes 'n Tapes, the Klaxons, Girl Talk, CSS, the Coup, Andrew Bird and Peter, Bjorn and John will play."
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
#42 Fatboy Slim - That Old Pair of Jeans & #7 Bob Sinclair - Love Generation
In which we switch to full uplift.
the Fatboy track came through Sunny's PolloxNiner blog, which sadly isn't as updated as frequently as it used to be. The video steals another juggler's ball synch to a Beatles clip while the song makes due with a 'Ha! Haaaaa ha!' sample (?). It's a 'you go girl' kinda thing, that honestly, falls a little short of previous fatboy efforts like Praise You. (#2 1999).
Love Generation, on the other hand, brings to mind Soul (Easter) Brunch at Miss Debi Mae West's house in the valley. The sun was fighting the clouds all day long and Jessica, Vallier and I were all setting our minds to leave. (Jess, where are you?)
Just as we were making our way to the door, Chris threw this bit of Balaeric bongo goodness on the decks, and well, the sun *shone*. Pandemonium. Peeps on deck chairs, hands to the sky, bouncing like the good madmen and madwomen we all are. The words of the good reverend Jimmy Cliff exhorting us on.
One of those nearly perfect moments that will always define Soulicious crew for me.
4 nights later, with k8 visiting, and Sobier & Hart in for editing, Chris threw it on again, this time at Club 17 in Santa Monica. Less pandemonium, but fun to get the Sobier shuffle going to it. Also delightful to be able to dance with the enchanting Jill Auerbach.
DOWNLOAD: Fatboy Slim - That Old Pair of Jeans.
Bob Sinclair - Love Generation
Monday, January 15, 2007
Pitchfork: Forkcast
Even though we're focused on posting about all of the top 40(+2), this was too good to pass up. It's from Pitchfork's newest section Forkcast, which is pretty much a music blog.
Hah! A salvageable tangent! This samples Top 40(+2) #3 'A Sweet Summer Night on Hammer Hill'.
Pitchfork: Forkcast: "WTF: Rapper's Delight Club: 'When We Were Kids' [MP3]
On the feel-good scale, the Maryland-based Rapper's Delight Club gets a 10.0 every time. We were introduced to these pint-sized rhyme-slingers and their mentor (high school teacher David Goldberg) last July when the fledgling crew served up some pretty sick verses over a Sufjan Stevens sample on a jam called 'First Ladies Anthem'.
Now these grammar schoolers are back with new rhymes, new samples, and a new two-part zinger called 'When We Were Kids'. Boasting flow well beyond these kids' years-- and, as before, indie savvy-- the tune samples the Motown-bred trumpet bounce of Jens Lekman's 'A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill'.
DOWNLOAD Rapper's Delight Club - When we were kids Version 1
DOWNLOAD: Version 2.
It's stuffed with hysterical verses-- including lines like 'I free people like Frederick Douglass/ I eat other rappers like some chicken nuggets'-- and a damned catchy chorus, and if it doesn't make your heart grow three sizes today, you're probably dead and/or Donald Trump."
Hah! A salvageable tangent! This samples Top 40(+2) #3 'A Sweet Summer Night on Hammer Hill'.
Pitchfork: Forkcast: "WTF: Rapper's Delight Club: 'When We Were Kids' [MP3]
On the feel-good scale, the Maryland-based Rapper's Delight Club gets a 10.0 every time. We were introduced to these pint-sized rhyme-slingers and their mentor (high school teacher David Goldberg) last July when the fledgling crew served up some pretty sick verses over a Sufjan Stevens sample on a jam called 'First Ladies Anthem'.
Now these grammar schoolers are back with new rhymes, new samples, and a new two-part zinger called 'When We Were Kids'. Boasting flow well beyond these kids' years-- and, as before, indie savvy-- the tune samples the Motown-bred trumpet bounce of Jens Lekman's 'A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill'.
DOWNLOAD Rapper's Delight Club - When we were kids Version 1
DOWNLOAD: Version 2.
It's stuffed with hysterical verses-- including lines like 'I free people like Frederick Douglass/ I eat other rappers like some chicken nuggets'-- and a damned catchy chorus, and if it doesn't make your heart grow three sizes today, you're probably dead and/or Donald Trump."
Sunday, January 14, 2007
2006 Top 40(+2)
The Top 40 songs of 2006:
These are the songs that lodged themselves in my head and in my life this year. For those of you that work with me, you’ve no doubt heard a badly sung version of every single one of these.
Without further rambling, my Top 40(+2) of the Year:
1. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
Everyone's favorite of 2006, possibly? Post.
2. I Wish I Could See You Soon – Herman Dune
Swedish pop sweetness. Post.
3. Sweet Summer’s Night on Hammer Hill – Jens Lekman
Swedish sweetness that goes 'bum-ba-dum-ba-dum-ba-dum-dum-dum-dum' during a drunken woozy dancing house party.
4. We’re from Barcelona – I’m From Barcelona
Swedish innocence with cuteness in abundance. Everyone can be friends, if we don't take ourselves too seriously.
5. Star Witness – Neko Case
Alt-country noir from the biggest best belting voice in alternative music.
6. Pata Pata – Miriam Makeba
A 40 year-old world music gem from a South African block party. Saw her in Zurich on her farewell tour.
7. Love Generation – Bob Sinclair
Sundrenched balaeric dance pandemonium. A favorite of the Soul Brunch crew.
8. Lived in Bars – Cat Power
Another chanteuse, backed by memphis horns. See her live when you have the chance.
9. Alone Again Or – Calexico
High-desert Southwestern rollicking but heartbreaking cover of an Arthur Love classic.
10. Young Folks – Peter, Bjorn and John
The whistling song on Grey's Anatomy. The song I whistled while... never mind.
11. Never Went to Church - Streets
English rapper Mike Skinner's eulogy for his dad. Can I bring a tear to your eye.
12. Lazy Eye – Silversun Pickups
Sure they sound a lot like the Smashing Pumpkins. But this *rocks*.
13. Don’t Feel Like Dancing – Scissor Sisters
We could all use a little more flamboyantly gay songs in our life.
14. You Are the Generation That Bought More Shoes – Johnny Boy
Phil Spector girl group production = pure pop moments.
15. Music is Power – Richard Ashcroft
Curtis Mayfield sampling Britpop. One of the few 'deep' songs on this list.
16. Sun Comes in Circles – Brice Frillici
From out of nowhere, Beach Boys by way of the Mission District
17. Chewing Gum – Hey Willpower f. Annie
A total tart of a pop song for those of us who are over Gwen, Fergie & Xtina.
18. Steal Yr Face – Bobby Birdman
Downtempo. Stolen melodies from a fellow Portlander.
19. Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken – Camera Obscura
Straight ahead alternative pop song. I mean this in the best possible way.
20. So Far We Are – French Kicks
Brooklyn hipster's disaffected anthem. Post.
21. Made Up Love Song #43 – Guillemots
London hipster's besotted spellbound joyous hymn. Post.
22. Spoon Me – Ohm
Digital Swedish goodness. Toes the line between 80s new wave and something newer and better.
23. Phantom Limb – The Shins
A grower, for shore. It won't change your life like in Garden State, but may lead to a slight improvement in it.
24. Northern Lites – Super Furry Animals
Summertime horns and salsa beat from, erm, insane Welshmen.
25. Parentheses – The Blow
Another grower. Sweet handholding from a couple more Portlanders.
26. Do the Whirlwind – Architecture from Helsinki
Eclectic Australians wander all over the place but never stray from a good melody.
27. Treehouse – I’m From Barcelona
Eclectic Swedes (not Barcelonans) sing the joys of bringing someone back to your treehouse. Not a metaphor.
28. Teenage Feeling – Neko Case
That voice again. Remember the way it used to feel? Let's find it again.
29. Wildcat (E*vax mix) - Ratatat
Slightly more uptempo mix of the arena 'snarling cat' electro classic.
30. Eanie Meany – Jim Noir
The Adidas world cup song.
31. Jogging – Islands
More alternative pop goodness from the former Unicorns.
32. Happy Birthday, Dear Friend – Jens Lekman
Second appearance in the top 40 for Jens' wonderfilled, sweet guileless goodness.
33. Come to Me – Koop
Jazziest, smoothest laid-back lounge number of the year.
34. He Knows the Sun – Legends
Crap! More Swedes. And, predictably, more synthpop melody.
35. Steady As She Goes – The Raconteurs
36. One Night – Brothers and Sisters/By Your Side – Beachwood Sparks
One's a Sade cover done Easy California rock style, the other its more indie twin.
37. Chinese Translation – M Ward
A blues number that asks questions than loops the story back into itself.
38. Dancing with Myself – Nouvelle Vague
Brazilian-tinged lounge cover of the Billy Idol classic.
39. Kelly – Van She
Might well have been lifted out of a John Hughes 80s movie.
40. America – Razorlight
In a year of bands second more serious albums, Britpop wasn't left out.
41. Gold Lion – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Karen O rocks my world. Such charisma. Such pipes.
42. That Old Pair of Jeans – Fatboy Slim
In which DJ Norman Cook looks for that uplifting post-break up song.
These are the songs that lodged themselves in my head and in my life this year. For those of you that work with me, you’ve no doubt heard a badly sung version of every single one of these.
Without further rambling, my Top 40(+2) of the Year:
1. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
Everyone's favorite of 2006, possibly? Post.
2. I Wish I Could See You Soon – Herman Dune
Swedish pop sweetness. Post.
3. Sweet Summer’s Night on Hammer Hill – Jens Lekman
Swedish sweetness that goes 'bum-ba-dum-ba-dum-ba-dum-dum-dum-dum' during a drunken woozy dancing house party.
4. We’re from Barcelona – I’m From Barcelona
Swedish innocence with cuteness in abundance. Everyone can be friends, if we don't take ourselves too seriously.
5. Star Witness – Neko Case
Alt-country noir from the biggest best belting voice in alternative music.
6. Pata Pata – Miriam Makeba
A 40 year-old world music gem from a South African block party. Saw her in Zurich on her farewell tour.
7. Love Generation – Bob Sinclair
Sundrenched balaeric dance pandemonium. A favorite of the Soul Brunch crew.
8. Lived in Bars – Cat Power
Another chanteuse, backed by memphis horns. See her live when you have the chance.
9. Alone Again Or – Calexico
High-desert Southwestern rollicking but heartbreaking cover of an Arthur Love classic.
10. Young Folks – Peter, Bjorn and John
The whistling song on Grey's Anatomy. The song I whistled while... never mind.
11. Never Went to Church - Streets
English rapper Mike Skinner's eulogy for his dad. Can I bring a tear to your eye.
12. Lazy Eye – Silversun Pickups
Sure they sound a lot like the Smashing Pumpkins. But this *rocks*.
13. Don’t Feel Like Dancing – Scissor Sisters
We could all use a little more flamboyantly gay songs in our life.
14. You Are the Generation That Bought More Shoes – Johnny Boy
Phil Spector girl group production = pure pop moments.
15. Music is Power – Richard Ashcroft
Curtis Mayfield sampling Britpop. One of the few 'deep' songs on this list.
16. Sun Comes in Circles – Brice Frillici
From out of nowhere, Beach Boys by way of the Mission District
17. Chewing Gum – Hey Willpower f. Annie
A total tart of a pop song for those of us who are over Gwen, Fergie & Xtina.
18. Steal Yr Face – Bobby Birdman
Downtempo. Stolen melodies from a fellow Portlander.
19. Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken – Camera Obscura
Straight ahead alternative pop song. I mean this in the best possible way.
20. So Far We Are – French Kicks
Brooklyn hipster's disaffected anthem. Post.
21. Made Up Love Song #43 – Guillemots
London hipster's besotted spellbound joyous hymn. Post.
22. Spoon Me – Ohm
Digital Swedish goodness. Toes the line between 80s new wave and something newer and better.
23. Phantom Limb – The Shins
A grower, for shore. It won't change your life like in Garden State, but may lead to a slight improvement in it.
24. Northern Lites – Super Furry Animals
Summertime horns and salsa beat from, erm, insane Welshmen.
25. Parentheses – The Blow
Another grower. Sweet handholding from a couple more Portlanders.
26. Do the Whirlwind – Architecture from Helsinki
Eclectic Australians wander all over the place but never stray from a good melody.
27. Treehouse – I’m From Barcelona
Eclectic Swedes (not Barcelonans) sing the joys of bringing someone back to your treehouse. Not a metaphor.
28. Teenage Feeling – Neko Case
That voice again. Remember the way it used to feel? Let's find it again.
29. Wildcat (E*vax mix) - Ratatat
Slightly more uptempo mix of the arena 'snarling cat' electro classic.
30. Eanie Meany – Jim Noir
The Adidas world cup song.
31. Jogging – Islands
More alternative pop goodness from the former Unicorns.
32. Happy Birthday, Dear Friend – Jens Lekman
Second appearance in the top 40 for Jens' wonderfilled, sweet guileless goodness.
33. Come to Me – Koop
Jazziest, smoothest laid-back lounge number of the year.
34. He Knows the Sun – Legends
Crap! More Swedes. And, predictably, more synthpop melody.
35. Steady As She Goes – The Raconteurs
36. One Night – Brothers and Sisters/By Your Side – Beachwood Sparks
One's a Sade cover done Easy California rock style, the other its more indie twin.
37. Chinese Translation – M Ward
A blues number that asks questions than loops the story back into itself.
38. Dancing with Myself – Nouvelle Vague
Brazilian-tinged lounge cover of the Billy Idol classic.
39. Kelly – Van She
Might well have been lifted out of a John Hughes 80s movie.
40. America – Razorlight
In a year of bands second more serious albums, Britpop wasn't left out.
41. Gold Lion – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Karen O rocks my world. Such charisma. Such pipes.
42. That Old Pair of Jeans – Fatboy Slim
In which DJ Norman Cook looks for that uplifting post-break up song.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Top 40(+2) Herman Dune - I Wish That I Could See You Soon
#2 Herman Dune - I Wish That I Could See You Soon
The band Herman Dune first came to my attention via a YouTube clip of the 'In progress' version of this video(Watch it: here). In that version, you could see the green screen people holding the letters and the green screen steps.
The guileless unaffected geekiness of that version just seemed to match the song's innocence and hopeful hopelessness much better than the finished spot with visual effects.
Hearing this song now makes me want to wear pornj (hot pink+orange, for the non-disorienteers on this site), let my hair recede further and dance like only a gangly scrawny white guy can dance.
So much to love here: the white-boy trumpet, the clean chords on David Dune's guitar, the way that way that they call the back-up singers 'Angels' and actually prompt for them by name. Has anyone ever answered, "Do you really think she'll wait for you?" more happy-go-luckily than "I have no way to say and there is nothing I can do" than Herman Dune?
What good-hearted person couldn't like this song?
Side bar: what is it about the Swedes that make them such great creators of perfect pop music? And why does the combination of neutral accents and slight imperfection of their English diction create such a charming mix? Witness the way they sing, "AndI'mlike/ the sooner the better, do you/really think she'll wait for you?". What native English speakers would've broken the 'do you' away from the next line and isn't it all the more charming for it?
And while we lived, loved and laughed to 'Crazy' all year long, this'll be the song we put on every mix cd we make for every new crush for the next 10 years, and the song from this list most likely to be played at my wedding, if/when that ever happens.
I'm guessing if there were a 'times played' feature on YouTube that I'd have played the in-progress video over a 100 times in the last 3 months of 2006.
I'm pretty sure that the tip of the hat goes to Swedish music focused mp3 blog, Swedes Please. Head over there and know that they provide the perfect pop goodness, duty-free.
Also, take a look at Herman Dune, live, acoustic and doing laundry on the Concert a Emptor from La Blogoteque, here. 'I Wish' begins at 3:26 of the clip.
#2 Herman Dune - I Wish That I Could See You Soon
The band Herman Dune first came to my attention via a YouTube clip of the 'In progress' version of this video(Watch it: here). In that version, you could see the green screen people holding the letters and the green screen steps.
The guileless unaffected geekiness of that version just seemed to match the song's innocence and hopeful hopelessness much better than the finished spot with visual effects.
Hearing this song now makes me want to wear pornj (hot pink+orange, for the non-disorienteers on this site), let my hair recede further and dance like only a gangly scrawny white guy can dance.
So much to love here: the white-boy trumpet, the clean chords on David Dune's guitar, the way that way that they call the back-up singers 'Angels' and actually prompt for them by name. Has anyone ever answered, "Do you really think she'll wait for you?" more happy-go-luckily than "I have no way to say and there is nothing I can do" than Herman Dune?
What good-hearted person couldn't like this song?
Side bar: what is it about the Swedes that make them such great creators of perfect pop music? And why does the combination of neutral accents and slight imperfection of their English diction create such a charming mix? Witness the way they sing, "AndI'mlike/ the sooner the better, do you/really think she'll wait for you?". What native English speakers would've broken the 'do you' away from the next line and isn't it all the more charming for it?
And while we lived, loved and laughed to 'Crazy' all year long, this'll be the song we put on every mix cd we make for every new crush for the next 10 years, and the song from this list most likely to be played at my wedding, if/when that ever happens.
I'm guessing if there were a 'times played' feature on YouTube that I'd have played the in-progress video over a 100 times in the last 3 months of 2006.
I'm pretty sure that the tip of the hat goes to Swedish music focused mp3 blog, Swedes Please. Head over there and know that they provide the perfect pop goodness, duty-free.
Also, take a look at Herman Dune, live, acoustic and doing laundry on the Concert a Emptor from La Blogoteque, here. 'I Wish' begins at 3:26 of the clip.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Top 40(+2) in pictures: Guillemots/French Kicks
Picture (c) Amy Whitehouse
Today's tracks are a study in contrasts.
There's #20: French Kicks - So Far We Are immediately followed by #21: The Guillemots - Made Up Love Song #43 (their numeral or ranking not mine).
So Far We Are - launches with spaced-out repetitive chiming chords and then drums straight out of 'Bullet the Blue Sky' - all pulse-quickening snare and bass drum kicks. Anthemic is the word we like to use. Punch your fists to the sky in time to the music.
But... but... but the Brooklyn band scuttles it all with mewling half-felt lyrics, punctuated with the completely unrabble-rousing, "It's alright? Alright."
And instead of flying too close to the sun, the song fizzles along and gives a desultory hipster finger to the need to soar. In a year in which my passions and energy were largely conflicted and rejiggering, or more positively, shall we say, preparing for a great 2007, So Far We Are hit the mark more than I'd care to admit.
On the opposite side of that emotional state: Guillemots - Made Up Love Song #43.
"I love you through sparks and shining dragons, i do,
now there's poetry, in an empty coke can.
I love you through sparks and shining dragons, i do,
now there's majesty, in a burnt out caravan."
Builds up through a hopeful first verse. Almost as if he's telling this to a girl he's met and really likes, and doesn't know how she'll how she'll respond. The first chorus ends with
"I love you I don't think you care..."
And then the music builds through the next verse - much more hopeful but the Guillemot's crush is still keeping him in suspense.
Until the soaring final chorus lets him off the hook. In fact, it lashes the hook to some fireworks and lets them light up the night sky. Joyous reaching for the stars ensues. Lloyd Dobler bowing to each of the four winds in thanks as he leaves after a wondrous first date with Diane Court.
Perfectly capturing that moment when you find out that the girl you secretly hope likes you actually *does* like you back.
And then the coda. Holding her tight and whispering back
"Yes, I believe you. Yes, I believe you. Yes, I believe you..."
It's such a rare and wonderful and intoxicating way to feel, isn't it? We should always be so lucky.
thanks again to Amy Whitehouse for the great shot of French Kicks. please visit here at AmyWhitehouse.com.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
WE ARE THE CHoMPIONS
queen we are the champions
Top 40(+2) Mp3 related posting to restart as soon as I a) sober up and b) stop yelling "IT'S GREAT! TO BE! A FLO-RI-DA GATOR!"
Top 40(+2) Mp3 related posting to restart as soon as I a) sober up and b) stop yelling "IT'S GREAT! TO BE! A FLO-RI-DA GATOR!"
Monday, January 08, 2007
GO GATORS! BEAT tOSU!
We interrupt our regularly (shutup) scheduled music blogging for something a whole lot more important: football.
Thanks to Stewart Mandel for giving me a slight music tangent.
SI.com - Scorecard - College Football Blog: Last Words Before the Showdown: "∙ Florida Coach Meyer revealed Sunday that he’s a big Jimmy Buffet fan -- it’s the only thing on his CD player. For some reason, I can totally picture that."
Thanks to Stewart Mandel for giving me a slight music tangent.
SI.com - Scorecard - College Football Blog: Last Words Before the Showdown: "∙ Florida Coach Meyer revealed Sunday that he’s a big Jimmy Buffet fan -- it’s the only thing on his CD player. For some reason, I can totally picture that."
Friday, January 05, 2007
Soundtrackin' the Top 40 in Pictures, with Amy Whiteheat
Readers,
The fabulous music photographer and disorient friend Amy Whitehouse has been so kind as to volunteer her amazing live photos to help us liven up the Top 40(+2). We're deeply indebted to her visual skills. If you've need of some pictures, please give her a shout at amy (at) amywhitehouse d.o.t. com.
First up, our #1 mp3 of the year, Gnarls Barkley's Crazy.
You know the song. You lived the song. You've got 20 covers of the song. Hell, your mom knows the song.
Its ubiquity creates a certain futility in trying to link Crazy to a specific memory. Crazy went everywhere *you* went. So, just think back to that time that you and I went to that place, y'know that one just over there, and that's what Crazy soundtracked this year.
All photos (c) Amy Whitehouse. Visit her at her website: AmyWhitehouse.com
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
