I miss the 90's. I miss music videos that make no sense. I miss lyrics that have "mmhmmm" in them.
"Sex and Candy" by Marcy Playground
This really is turning into the year of the lady. So far, the majority of my favorite records have singers with a vagina. This track, in particular, is one of my good mood tunes. Turn it up and dance and sing along. The chorus is easy, "Like the shotgun need an outcome.I'm your prostitute, you gon get some."
"Get Some" by Lykke Li
I am apparently a little slow on the uptake when it comes to this lovely little ditty, because it has been featured on every TV show and movie in the world. From ABC's "Brothers & Sisters", The WB's "Life Unexpected" all the way to that cultish Twilight flick "New Moon." But that is ok, I found it now, and I love it.
"Duet" by Rachael Yamagata and Ray LaMontagne
Sometimes a song just brings you back...
So, my co-bloggers smart ass husband suggested I check out this lady. I did, not because he told me to, but because my compulsion would not allow me not too. Anyways, he was right. Asshole. It is a FANTASTIC record. This is my favorite track from the record.
"Fish" by Wye Oak
So I found this song a while back when watching one of my all time favorite shows Greek. It is a fantastic cover of a fantastic song. It wasn't online, so I uploaded it to YouTube. Out of my small video collection, it quickly became my biggest hit. I meant to post it at that time on the blog, but got all distracted and forgot. Anyways. I hope you enjoy!
"Ring Of Fire" by Jack Savoretti
The dodos have found their way back. They got a bit lost between "Visiter" and their recent release "No Color," releasing "Time To Die" along their way. And as disappointed as I was in "Time To Die," I am even more surprised by "No Color." The band learned from their mistakes, simplified, honed into what made them stand out in the first place, and embraced it. So many bands think they need to evolve so much that they force it and fall short of themselves, most never recover from this mistake, but not the dodos.
"Good" by the dodos
Let me tell you a story about a girl and a boy many years back attending a Bumbershoot concert. They sat in the stands waiting for Sonic Youth, a favorite band of their youth, to come out and listened absently as they audio guys did sound check. Eight minutes later they realized Sonic Youth was already on stage and this sound check was indeed Sonic Youths new sound. Sad times. Fast forward to 2011 when alas I stumble upon Thurston Moore's new "Benediction." I am excited about this new solo effort if it sounds any thing like this. It's so new there isn't a video (that I can find, here I defer to my co-blogger the video extraodinaire, to find one). In the meantime follow this link to listen on the NPR website...
I love sad sexiness. I love her apathetic, I have feelings yet I don't give a shit sound. It just hits me directly, hard.
I have loved her for a while. Below you will find my second favorite track from her new release, and one of my favorite live versions of any song, ever.
"I'll Be The One You Want Someday"
"Kiss Me Again (Live!!!!)"
Today is officially an 80's day. Just heads up.
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds
This song came out on an EP/LP for the band in 2009. I loved it then, and now that it was included in their 2011 full length, I can love it all over again.
It is the kind of song that is built to be played loud, chase scene style.
"Cradle" by The Joy Formidable
I have never been much of a Dinosaur Jr. fan, but I may have to reconsider that stance after this solo release from J Mascis, their veteran frontman. It is delicate, yet impactful.
Have a taste.
"Very Nervous and Love" by J Mascis
I am a fan of this band, they were actually my Band of the Week way back in May.
I had this to say about them then, and its still fitting today... "Is it a "great" voice? No, but he sings with feeling and emotion, like whining in key, and I do not at all mean that as a slight. And its not what they do with their instruments that is impressive, its their refrain that shows strength and confidence in their sound. They let the quite be important. The missing bass guitar be an advantage rather than a detriment. It's quite something...."
I held my breathe for this release, worried it would fall short from all the things I loved about "Hometowns" and be a let down like Bishop Allen's "Grrr..." or Los Campesinos! "Romance Is Boring" albums were. Disappointment. It always seems to work out that way. But, so far, I have pushed past my apprehensions and really started to love this record. This song especially kills me.
"Good Night" by The Rural Alberta Advantage
So, this has been one of my favorite tracks of the last month or so. Hell, its been one of my favorite bands. Whenever a song shuffles itself to my ears that I don't quite know, yet cannot help tap my toes too, it always ends up being these guys. It's fantastic.
Now the video is a little iffy at the start, but it warms up. Also, tell me that he does not sound like the lead singer of the 90's alt rock band, Superdrag...
"Colours" by Grouplove
So, when The Head and the Heart tells you that a band is awesome, you better listen. They recently suggested a band that they had done a show with, and like the audiophile I am, I listened, purchased, and subsequently, loved. And thank you THATH. This is a very very very nice record. Here is my favorite song off it so far.
"We Will All Be Changed" by Seryn
So, our little experiment is over. We did it. We duel-listed our best 100 songs of the decade. It was a time. And, according to Stevie's husband, she won. But, whatever, he is biased. Anyways, as we were posting, some interesting crossover happened that I thought would be fun to share.
Out of 101 songs each, we had ten repeats. Seems like a small amount, but I promise, it's not. If you think about how many songs were released in the last ten years, having one in common would seem like an accomplishment. So, those ten songs are listed directly below, with our average ranking in parentheses.
So, as a brief reprieve from my mini theme week, bring you heartbreak on a beat.
Last night marked the end of one of me and my co-blogger's favorite shows, the Greek Series Finale. I know, most things on ABC Family is drivel, but Greek stands as strong, not just for the network, but for overall cable programming. This week's episode was the last. It was hard to watch. During the emotional climax of the episode, and my of my evening, this sound provided the noise.
Great track. And now, a great/sad memory of a show that ended way too early.
So, continuing on theme week kick, I give you another band that had a fantastic burnout. Now Rage did not have a slow burn, like Oasis did, they seemingly imploded. Zach de la Rocha, the famed frontman, and of my favorite rock voices (list idea) suddenly quit the band when he felt like the rest of the group was not taking life/music seriously enough.
"Bulls On Parade" by Rage Against The Machine.
Every band has an end. Most bands just fade into obscurity, and just because the soundtracks to our memories, but some bands go out with a bang. This week every song of the day is going to be dedicated to my favorite bands that had outlandish/strange/out-no-where endings, because, it's more fun this way.
Ok, so "Oasis" is still technically making music, but from the time the below song was released, until today, they have like 4 different members, including replacing one of the Gallagher brothers, and now going under the moniker Beady Eye.
"Wonderwall" by Oasis
I think my whole list really has one thing in common- nostalgia. My top 10 specifically though are moments caught in time, put to music quite literally. These are the songs that I blast in my earphones and forget the world exists, the songs I've cried too and danced barefoot in my kitchen (and at my wedding) to. I was trying to find some continuity among my favorites here- many are singer-songwriters, all wrote their own songs but one (Heartbeats is a cover- the original is good too), and they all seem to be saying something about life, love and longing. Maybe that says something about me? Putting this out here is really like being naked, I feel like I'm baring a part of myself, stripping away the pretenses and letting it all out there. It feels good. | My top ten, when it comes down to it, unlike Stevie’s, is only about 5% nostalgia. My list is the personification of my journey. From being the naïve little boy I was for the first 24 years of my life, to the free thinking sardonic man I am today. I define myself by the sounds I surround myself with. I know that sounds shallow, and it might be, but its truth. I used to fall in line. I used to look back. I used to dwell. But somehow I stumbled forward and into myself. I found a collection of sounds that are distinctly mine, and I share them here with you. Only one of these songs is from my dwelling days. Granted, it is a hell of a song, but most of these are from the last 3 years. |
Inspired by Adam's Up and Coming 2011 Album Releases he's looking forward to, here's my own list- once again showing just how different we really are...
Adele
Rural Alberta Advantage
The Dodos
Boxer Rebellion
Florence and the Machine
The Kills
Death Cab for Cutie
Fiona Apple (rumored)
The Shins (rumored)
Seaweed (rumored)
Notice I didn't put Stevie Nicks on this list and yes indeed she is coming out with a new album. I'm afraid. It's my namesake so it better not suck.
Inspired by Stevie's Up And Coming Book List, I am going to start the same thing with my music purchased for the year. I found this to be really useful in 2010, that I am starting even earlier for 2011.
My favorite blog to write is my year end music review. And it be honest, I start it in January of each year. I start collecting music as soon as possible, and use a smart playlist to amass them all in one place for easy listening and examining.
Below you will see a quick list of the albums I have picked up so far this year. I will try to update them every month or so. If I have an opinion of the record, will post a quick note, but keep in mind, I may change mine.
For now, just alphabetical order, until I collect enough and start forming concrete opinions, rather then the snap judgments I currently possess.
Adele - "21" ----- So far, easily one of my favorites. I am not sure how long it will stick with me. It is so emotionally ripe, that it wears me out to listen too it. For now, that is a great ride, but it might get tiresome.
Angus & Julia Stone - "Down The Way" ----- Yes, this was released in 2010. But I consider the last quarter of last year, a part of this one. It is too hard to fall in love with a record in 3 months, let alone, digest it enough to know if its crap or not. But, so far, this one is NOT crap. It is mellow and breezy and wonderful.
The Cave Singers - "No Witch" ----- I was so excited for this record release, a northwest band that I expect to do major things. I have not given it the listen it deserves yet (blame Adele), but form what I have heard, it is a stout record.
The Civil Wars - "Barton Hollow" ----- I love this band. This record, their first full length, is exactly as it should be. Is it for everyone? No, probably not. But, for a folk/blues/singersongwriter hound like me, it is wonderful.
Cold War Kids - "Mine Is Yours" ----- Easily the most disappointing record of the year. Still does not come within an iota of this bands debut. They lost their way. They went from sounding distinctly like COLD WAR KIDS, to trying to sound like a radio friendly, borderline KINGS OF LEON tribute band. I have nothing against the Kings, but they could not hold a candle to Kids "Robbers & Cowards."
Hercules & Love Affair - "Blue Songs" ----- Not memorable, but not forgettable. Some great tracks. Some awful ones.
Jessica Lea Mayfield - "Tell Me" ----- I didn't know apathetic could be sexy. But someone. Jessica Lea Mayfield makes it happen. Her voice has an "I have feelings, but I don't give a shit" vibe to it that is impossible to describe until you hear it. Now, does that voice make this a good record? I think it might.
Lulu & The Lampshades - "Cold Water EP" ----- Quirky and great. I wish there were more.
Lykee Li - "Wounded Rhymes" ----- Best of the year so far. But I have only listened to it twice.
Rural Alberta Advantage - "Departing" ----- This record makes me mad. Like I REALLY want to like it, but something is off. It's like a different voice all together from their previous release that I fell in love with. I am not saying it's out of the running, if I let go of my expectations, I may find a very nice record.
Ok. so we are now entering the final stretch. The top twenty. The cream of the crop. I would wager, there is not an unlikeable song the rest of the way. We are continuing our ten part series for the Best Songs of the Decade. Again, to make it easy, I will color code selections for you. Addi's will be in Green, Stevie's will be in Purple.
So yea... I know they kind of look like douche bags. And they're video isn't exactly spectacular. And yet I am strangely addicted to this song. I love it. I mean lyrically its a hot mess and yet there I am singing along to it. I'm not saying I'm a full on fan until I hear their full album in May but until then...
