Requiem For Lonely Teenagers With Passed-Out Moms-Atlas Sound
Sad, woozy, and lilting...this is simply late-night gorgeousness. Has a vaguely psychedelic feel. Its an interesting side project of Bradford James Cox, the lead singer of Deerhunter. Kind of surprised me that it is a side project, cause I could see this being on a Deerhunter record.
No matter...reminds me of Galaxie 500 a bit. Off of the Another Bedroom EP.
Seal Eyeing-Animal Collective
Starts out with all these underwater sounds, and then this gorgeous piano comes in. Its hard to describe after that. Either you know how creative Animal Collective is...and you get them. Or you don't.
And about 2 and 1/2 minutes in, the song gets even prettier.
I really like the band, and have since Sungs Tongs. I will say that sometimes I think they pack too many ideas into a song. Not on this one...again, like Atlas Sound...very late-night and beautiful. And to think, this is a "B-Side" of new single "Water Curses".
On Your Shore-Enya
Enya gets kind of a bad rap. I mean, some of it is deserved. She essentially makes the same record over and over. If you buy one, you have them all.
But, well before Beck, she was a bedroom artist herself. She plays all the instruments, records all the backing tracks, etc. And she is from the extremely talented Clannad family (huge in Ireland). I think she bailed on them because she was the youngest. Like Andy Gibb.
That said, with all the studio tricks she layers her songs with, it is this song, that always chokes me up, always gets to me. I've put it on mixtapes and people always tell me that they had to check, that they didn't know it was Enya. Its off her first (and best) record Watermark. Its just her singing about finding yourself always on someone's shore. Ignore what you are supposed to think and realize its beautiful.
Under The Ivy-Kate Bush
I could devote an entire blog to Kate Bush and how much I love her. So to say I am way more than biased about her entire recording output is well, a massive understatement.
This song always makes me cry. There is something just so simple and beautiful about it--plaintive and visceral...its just arresting. I don't know, the imagery...I can't explain it.
Deliver Me-Robin Holcomb
When I make mixtapes, I have songs which are old standbys--I always come back to them, always put them CD's. This is one. Robin Holcomb has released maybe 3 records in the last 15 years...and this is from her first. I bought in Chicago in '93--i found it in the 99 cent bin. I think I had a read a review or something...I honestly cannot remember. But I know I bought it for around a dollar.
Its worth 99 dollars (and you can get this song in ITunes, as well as the whole album, simply titled Robin Holcomb). The whole album is great...but this song, man, this song.
Its just her singing very quietly over a piano. Again, like the Kate Bush song, its so beautiful its hard to put down in words. Maybe like a sunset...a perfect sunset.
Which might be a cheesy image (guilty) but it works. In the song, she keeps repeating "deliver me, the light is only perfect, for a very short time." So I guess it alludes to the concept of the Scottish gloaming (in a literal sense) and about a relationship in a figurative sense.
Whatever, its fucking gorgeous. You know what, it sounds like a prayer...there is something religious about it. Insanely beautiful.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
In the depths of the godsick blues
I'd Rather Walk Than Run-Herman Düne
I am a sucker for this kind of song. Very sweet, could easily have come of the soundtrack to a movie like Juno or some other similar independent film. Don't know a great deal about Herman Düne, although I do know they are from France and have worked with the Moldy Peaches as a backup band.
This is a beautiful lilting folk tune--reminds me very much vocally of Jens Lekman, which is a huge compliment.
Acid Tongue-Jenny Lewis
I have always liked Rilo Kiley and Jenny Lewis, but I never thought they quite lived up to the hype. In some ways (and this will be a weird comparison, so brace yourself) I have felt, at times, that there songs didn't quite match up to Jenny Lewis's voice. Like Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam, who after Ten, always kinda bored me. I really liked the last Fleetwood Mac-esque record and I loved "Silver Lining"...but never quite up to the hype.
This song changes that analysis. Its incredibly seductive, with clever lyrics. For example, I love this section
I went to a cobbler
To fix a hole in my shoe
He took one look at my face
And said, "I can fix that hole in you"
I beg your pardon
I'm not looking for a cure
Seen enough of my friends
In the depths of the godsick blues
Her voice sounds marvelous on this track. Honestly, this reminds me so much of a Maria McKee song. They don't sound exactly alike, although they both have very clear voices. And there is a definite lyrical resemblance, although they are both very distinctive. And i think Maria McKee is a national treasure (and woefully underknown and underappreciated), so that is high praise indeed.
Can't wait for the album
I am a sucker for this kind of song. Very sweet, could easily have come of the soundtrack to a movie like Juno or some other similar independent film. Don't know a great deal about Herman Düne, although I do know they are from France and have worked with the Moldy Peaches as a backup band.
This is a beautiful lilting folk tune--reminds me very much vocally of Jens Lekman, which is a huge compliment.
Acid Tongue-Jenny Lewis
I have always liked Rilo Kiley and Jenny Lewis, but I never thought they quite lived up to the hype. In some ways (and this will be a weird comparison, so brace yourself) I have felt, at times, that there songs didn't quite match up to Jenny Lewis's voice. Like Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam, who after Ten, always kinda bored me. I really liked the last Fleetwood Mac-esque record and I loved "Silver Lining"...but never quite up to the hype.
This song changes that analysis. Its incredibly seductive, with clever lyrics. For example, I love this section
I went to a cobbler
To fix a hole in my shoe
He took one look at my face
And said, "I can fix that hole in you"
I beg your pardon
I'm not looking for a cure
Seen enough of my friends
In the depths of the godsick blues
Her voice sounds marvelous on this track. Honestly, this reminds me so much of a Maria McKee song. They don't sound exactly alike, although they both have very clear voices. And there is a definite lyrical resemblance, although they are both very distinctive. And i think Maria McKee is a national treasure (and woefully underknown and underappreciated), so that is high praise indeed.
Can't wait for the album
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Carnies
Hammerheads-Danielle Dax
I can't even really begin to describe the genre this song falls under. It is an odd odd song. Odd in a great way, though. To me, it kinda sounds like it could be right off of the soundtrack to "Nightmare Before Christmas" (perhaps a distaff resemblance to "This Town Called Halloween"). Or maybe evil honky tonk sung by a muppet?
And the lyrics, well, Danielle Dax, who was a member of the avant-punk band the Lemon Kittens before going solo, they are creepy. I don't exactly know what she is talking about...but its creepy, in the best way.
All of her stuff is totally worth checking out. Its highly original and very random in its range. If only all artists had the vision and guts as her...
Carnies-Martina Topley-Bird
First single off of her latest. She will be forever known as the voice of Maxinquaye and Pre-Millenium Tension. So I had high hopes. Err....don't love it. Its good, but doesn't showcase her voice as well. I was hoping, with the song title and her voice, that this would be eerie. Not so much. Well, as least not as much as...
I Lost My Heart In The Fairground-Glenda Collins
A Joe Meek production, this song is freaky. Its a 60's song, and very cheerful and happy....early 60's. However, she talks about losing her heart to the guy who runs the ferris wheel.
Ok...where I come from, you didn't speak to the carnie folks, let alone date them. Obviously high camp value, but great production and incredibly fun
I can't even really begin to describe the genre this song falls under. It is an odd odd song. Odd in a great way, though. To me, it kinda sounds like it could be right off of the soundtrack to "Nightmare Before Christmas" (perhaps a distaff resemblance to "This Town Called Halloween"). Or maybe evil honky tonk sung by a muppet?
And the lyrics, well, Danielle Dax, who was a member of the avant-punk band the Lemon Kittens before going solo, they are creepy. I don't exactly know what she is talking about...but its creepy, in the best way.
All of her stuff is totally worth checking out. Its highly original and very random in its range. If only all artists had the vision and guts as her...
Carnies-Martina Topley-Bird
First single off of her latest. She will be forever known as the voice of Maxinquaye and Pre-Millenium Tension. So I had high hopes. Err....don't love it. Its good, but doesn't showcase her voice as well. I was hoping, with the song title and her voice, that this would be eerie. Not so much. Well, as least not as much as...
I Lost My Heart In The Fairground-Glenda Collins
A Joe Meek production, this song is freaky. Its a 60's song, and very cheerful and happy....early 60's. However, she talks about losing her heart to the guy who runs the ferris wheel.
Ok...where I come from, you didn't speak to the carnie folks, let alone date them. Obviously high camp value, but great production and incredibly fun
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
42 More Things To Do In Zero Gravity
Mind Your Own Business-Delta 5
Way cool song by a legendary all-girl post-punk band. This is probably their most famous track. I heard it on the very cool way-worth-your-while Girl Monster compilation. Very edgy, with very distinctive guitars. In fact, so distinctive that I have to ask: Is the guitar eerily similar to "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes. Or am I just hearing things....? I feel Jack White has to have heard this track. You could pick way worst artists to be influenced by.
Void-Frank Murder Und E.V.A.
Found on 42 More Things To Do In Zero Gravity: An Icelandic Ambient Compilation, this reminds me so much of the Brian Eno track I wrote about yesterday. Eerie and beautiful, this is based on a simple guitar loop that is simply repeated over and over. There is something to be said for Phillip Glassian minimalism--it always gets me. Over that, the track just adds very cool (literally, as in chill) flourishes. I can easily imagine hearing it over the end credits to a Bond film.
Don't know anything about Frank Murder. I will say the compilation is well worth picking up, as all the tracks are worthwhile. The most famous act on here is Mum, although Trabant and Worm Is Green make appearances as well (among many other artists I have never heard of).
Way cool song by a legendary all-girl post-punk band. This is probably their most famous track. I heard it on the very cool way-worth-your-while Girl Monster compilation. Very edgy, with very distinctive guitars. In fact, so distinctive that I have to ask: Is the guitar eerily similar to "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes. Or am I just hearing things....? I feel Jack White has to have heard this track. You could pick way worst artists to be influenced by.
Void-Frank Murder Und E.V.A.
Found on 42 More Things To Do In Zero Gravity: An Icelandic Ambient Compilation, this reminds me so much of the Brian Eno track I wrote about yesterday. Eerie and beautiful, this is based on a simple guitar loop that is simply repeated over and over. There is something to be said for Phillip Glassian minimalism--it always gets me. Over that, the track just adds very cool (literally, as in chill) flourishes. I can easily imagine hearing it over the end credits to a Bond film.
Don't know anything about Frank Murder. I will say the compilation is well worth picking up, as all the tracks are worthwhile. The most famous act on here is Mum, although Trabant and Worm Is Green make appearances as well (among many other artists I have never heard of).
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
This
Happiness-Church
I don't think its THAT Church. This isn't the Australian band that has been around for 25 years and had a big hit in the 80's with "Under the Milky Way". That's The Church. This is Church.
And that's all I know, except this is very reminds me quite a bit of "Gobbledigook" by Sigur Ros. Or Animal Collective. Its definitely 2 minutes of a freak-folk party. Makes me want to hear more, which is always a good thing. I tried Googling them, but all that brought up was Christian rock band after Christian rock band. Which I'll avoid. Although I do have a very cool Stryper t-shirt I picked up at a resale shop....
Spiralling-Keane
Boy, did this catch me off guard. In a good way, a great way. I'd always relegated Keane to the C level. They are not Radiohead. They aren't even Coldplay, who has seemed to make an entire career recyling "Fake Plastic Trees" and "High And Dry". They do it well, but they kinda bore. Keane was even more boring...until this.
With the "whoops" and dancey groove, this sounds like nothing I've ever heard from the band. I could see hearing this in a club and going up to ask the DJ who it is. And then, like I was when I heard, I'd be floored that it was mopey ole Keane. I thought they would just spend the rest of their career scoring substandard WB shows. Congrats!
This-Brian Eno
Off of Another Day On Earth, his last solo record (he and David Byrne have a new one out, a followup collaboration to their widely influential Life In The Bush With Ghosts). What can I say....its Brian Eno (its a blog, so I guess i should say something). Insanely brilliant...not much there, but beautiful, haunting, kinda creepy even. Just a weird skittering beat, somebody reciting "This" over and over....and Brian Eno singing. Don't ask me why it works, or why it works better than most anything else out there. Again, he's Brian Eno. You gotta hear it to understand...
I don't think its THAT Church. This isn't the Australian band that has been around for 25 years and had a big hit in the 80's with "Under the Milky Way". That's The Church. This is Church.
And that's all I know, except this is very reminds me quite a bit of "Gobbledigook" by Sigur Ros. Or Animal Collective. Its definitely 2 minutes of a freak-folk party. Makes me want to hear more, which is always a good thing. I tried Googling them, but all that brought up was Christian rock band after Christian rock band. Which I'll avoid. Although I do have a very cool Stryper t-shirt I picked up at a resale shop....
Spiralling-Keane
Boy, did this catch me off guard. In a good way, a great way. I'd always relegated Keane to the C level. They are not Radiohead. They aren't even Coldplay, who has seemed to make an entire career recyling "Fake Plastic Trees" and "High And Dry". They do it well, but they kinda bore. Keane was even more boring...until this.
With the "whoops" and dancey groove, this sounds like nothing I've ever heard from the band. I could see hearing this in a club and going up to ask the DJ who it is. And then, like I was when I heard, I'd be floored that it was mopey ole Keane. I thought they would just spend the rest of their career scoring substandard WB shows. Congrats!
This-Brian Eno
Off of Another Day On Earth, his last solo record (he and David Byrne have a new one out, a followup collaboration to their widely influential Life In The Bush With Ghosts). What can I say....its Brian Eno (its a blog, so I guess i should say something). Insanely brilliant...not much there, but beautiful, haunting, kinda creepy even. Just a weird skittering beat, somebody reciting "This" over and over....and Brian Eno singing. Don't ask me why it works, or why it works better than most anything else out there. Again, he's Brian Eno. You gotta hear it to understand...
Monday, September 22, 2008
you make me feel like i'm in a film
Cling Film-The Sea Urchins
Don't know much about the Sea Urchins, except that I cannot believe nobody swiped this name earlier (or afterwards). I guess they are from West Bromwich, England (thanks Wikipedia!) and were released by the very esteemed Sarah Records. They didn't have many hits..."Cling Film" wasn't even released as far as I know.
Still, this is a minor key beaut. Reminds me so much of college, of fall, of a time when it was actually kind of cool to be melancholy. Like you want to be in love, but aren't. And you think you are, and somebody breaks up with you, and you think you really hurt. You were only later, as an adult, to find out what that really meant. Its like that...that same kind of naivete, innocence and possibility all swirling about in 3 minutes of a pop song (if that makes any sense).
White Winter Hymnal-Fleet Foxes
If you haven't heard of Fleet Foxes yet, man, did you know Obama is our nominee? Where the hell have you been. They are kind of everywhere!!! You might want to catch up, before they appear on what will easily be a million end of the year best. Deservedly so, I might add, although I will caution that they are not that crazily original. I mean, they are...but only kinda. If you've been anywhere near the Polyphonic Spree or the Hidden Cameras in the last 4-5 years, there are some similarities. They certainly aren't the first band to resurrect 60's sounding harmonies. But they definitely do the Animal Collective/Panda Bear/Spree thing unbelievably well.
But they are certainly one of the best. And they have songs to match the stunning harmonies. Again, very autumnal....must be the solstice. If you haven't heard anything by them, I'd start here.
And honestly, one reason alone, if you listen to this song, you'll be happy. Yes, for 2:23, but still, you can't beat that.
Don't know much about the Sea Urchins, except that I cannot believe nobody swiped this name earlier (or afterwards). I guess they are from West Bromwich, England (thanks Wikipedia!) and were released by the very esteemed Sarah Records. They didn't have many hits..."Cling Film" wasn't even released as far as I know.
Still, this is a minor key beaut. Reminds me so much of college, of fall, of a time when it was actually kind of cool to be melancholy. Like you want to be in love, but aren't. And you think you are, and somebody breaks up with you, and you think you really hurt. You were only later, as an adult, to find out what that really meant. Its like that...that same kind of naivete, innocence and possibility all swirling about in 3 minutes of a pop song (if that makes any sense).
White Winter Hymnal-Fleet Foxes
If you haven't heard of Fleet Foxes yet, man, did you know Obama is our nominee? Where the hell have you been. They are kind of everywhere!!! You might want to catch up, before they appear on what will easily be a million end of the year best. Deservedly so, I might add, although I will caution that they are not that crazily original. I mean, they are...but only kinda. If you've been anywhere near the Polyphonic Spree or the Hidden Cameras in the last 4-5 years, there are some similarities. They certainly aren't the first band to resurrect 60's sounding harmonies. But they definitely do the Animal Collective/Panda Bear/Spree thing unbelievably well.
But they are certainly one of the best. And they have songs to match the stunning harmonies. Again, very autumnal....must be the solstice. If you haven't heard anything by them, I'd start here.
And honestly, one reason alone, if you listen to this song, you'll be happy. Yes, for 2:23, but still, you can't beat that.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
I Need Another World
Hold On-Hot Chip
Pretty snazzy in its original form-"Hold On" is one of the danciest tracks off of Hot Chip's latest record Made In The Dark. If this band had come out in the 80's....or in some alternative insanely cool universe....they remind me so much of the OMD if they got beat up by ELO.
Not surprisingly, Ewan Pearson, like he did for Cortney Tidwell's "Don't Let The Stars Keep Us Tangled Up" last year, turns "Hold On" into 9 minutes of dance floor beauty. Again, like the aforementioned track, you want it to go on and on and on.
L.E.S. Artistes-Santogold.
I know....could i lag farther behind. Well, I didn't write on my blog for ages. Frankly, the moment I heard this song, I thought an ESG song sung by Dale Bozzio of the Missing Persons (since I am all about band vs. band clashing analogies). Yeah, that good. Early runner for single of the year. Avoid the Switch mix...typically too loud and banging, ruining all the Lower East Side nuances of the song.
Say So-Uh Huh Her
One of the songs that if you heard in a car, you'd roll down the windows and let the wind rush across your face. Stunningly beautiful gorgeous pop. Despite being named after a PJ Harvey track, it reminds me a bit more of a Go-Go's track...with maybe the Cocteau Twins on the chorus. No, not a fight between the two...
Humpty Dumpty-Aimee Mann
OK...this is kind of a dedication. Like if this was a radio show, I'd dedicate this song to my friend Lisa. Basically I've been missing her alot lately--we've been talking alot via email and text, but neither of us can get out to see the other. Anyways, she can listen to this song...and she'll get it. Its not a song that necessarily reminds me of our college days together (that'd be either Nirvana, "Fascination" by the Human League or...gulp....Colour Me Badd).
When I hear Aimee Mann, I always think that if Lisa wrote music, this is who she'd be. Vocally yes, but sentiment and lyrics even more. And frankly, that is a huge huge compliment. Anyways, love you Lees.
Another World-Antony & the Johnsons
Made me weep each of the three times I listened to it. Although I adore Antony, I didn't think that any of the songs on his last record matched "I Fell In Love With A Dead Boy" or "Cripple And The Starfish". I loved them all, but I wanted an out and out torch song.
And I've missed his Nina Simone/Jeff Buckley voice so much. Sure, hearing him duet with Bjork is amazing. And his work with Hercules & Love Affair is superb.
But this. Oh this. Utterly and completely gorgeous. Reminds me a bit of "Song Of The Siren" by This Mortal Coil, which is the highest compliment imaginable. When he sings "I need another world, this one's nearly gone. Still have too many dreams, never seen the light", I utterly choke up.
Ethereal sadness, yet oddly hopeful. I think that might be a humpback whale song 3 minutes in. Slays me.
Pretty snazzy in its original form-"Hold On" is one of the danciest tracks off of Hot Chip's latest record Made In The Dark. If this band had come out in the 80's....or in some alternative insanely cool universe....they remind me so much of the OMD if they got beat up by ELO.
Not surprisingly, Ewan Pearson, like he did for Cortney Tidwell's "Don't Let The Stars Keep Us Tangled Up" last year, turns "Hold On" into 9 minutes of dance floor beauty. Again, like the aforementioned track, you want it to go on and on and on.
L.E.S. Artistes-Santogold.
I know....could i lag farther behind. Well, I didn't write on my blog for ages. Frankly, the moment I heard this song, I thought an ESG song sung by Dale Bozzio of the Missing Persons (since I am all about band vs. band clashing analogies). Yeah, that good. Early runner for single of the year. Avoid the Switch mix...typically too loud and banging, ruining all the Lower East Side nuances of the song.
Say So-Uh Huh Her
One of the songs that if you heard in a car, you'd roll down the windows and let the wind rush across your face. Stunningly beautiful gorgeous pop. Despite being named after a PJ Harvey track, it reminds me a bit more of a Go-Go's track...with maybe the Cocteau Twins on the chorus. No, not a fight between the two...
Humpty Dumpty-Aimee Mann
OK...this is kind of a dedication. Like if this was a radio show, I'd dedicate this song to my friend Lisa. Basically I've been missing her alot lately--we've been talking alot via email and text, but neither of us can get out to see the other. Anyways, she can listen to this song...and she'll get it. Its not a song that necessarily reminds me of our college days together (that'd be either Nirvana, "Fascination" by the Human League or...gulp....Colour Me Badd).
When I hear Aimee Mann, I always think that if Lisa wrote music, this is who she'd be. Vocally yes, but sentiment and lyrics even more. And frankly, that is a huge huge compliment. Anyways, love you Lees.
Another World-Antony & the Johnsons
Made me weep each of the three times I listened to it. Although I adore Antony, I didn't think that any of the songs on his last record matched "I Fell In Love With A Dead Boy" or "Cripple And The Starfish". I loved them all, but I wanted an out and out torch song.
And I've missed his Nina Simone/Jeff Buckley voice so much. Sure, hearing him duet with Bjork is amazing. And his work with Hercules & Love Affair is superb.
But this. Oh this. Utterly and completely gorgeous. Reminds me a bit of "Song Of The Siren" by This Mortal Coil, which is the highest compliment imaginable. When he sings "I need another world, this one's nearly gone. Still have too many dreams, never seen the light", I utterly choke up.
Ethereal sadness, yet oddly hopeful. I think that might be a humpback whale song 3 minutes in. Slays me.
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