Swissex Lover-Fight Bite
I first heard Fight Bite a couple of months ago doing a very lo-fi Cocteau Twins-esque cover of Madonna's "Live To Tell". Didn't know much about them, nor had I heard from them since.
With "Swissex Lover", there is again a very Cocteau Twins-vibe. Its certainly not a copy, more of a reference point. Its a stunner, that's for sure...it has that beautiful rainy day lying in bed vibe. Melancholic and relaxed...its not like anything on the radio, unless your radio is tuned to 1988. Get it before Sophia Copolla uses it for a film soundtrack.
Quisquose-Cocteau Twins
Speaking of, the Cocteau Twins is definitely one of my favorite bands of all time. I don't know if this is my favorite track...that is probably "The Spangle Maker". But when Elizabeth Fraser's voice comes in at the beginning....oh lord, really, nobody sounded like her. When she used her sweet voice, she was beautiful. But when she sang in her wild voice, which I frankly wish she had done more of, only Lisa Gerrard or Bjork-in-the-Sugarcubes could touch her.
En Hand I Himlen-Jonathan Johansson
Insanely fucking good. Think of Jens Lekman and Thom Yorke's love child fronting Hot Chip-as-the-house-band in a gay bar circa 1987. Yup, that good. And yes, its in Swedish....
Poker Face-Lady Gaga
I really really thought "Just Dance" was good once. But I didn't like it...it sounded like a Fergie B-side. At any moment, I felt the risible Will-I-Am (an-asshole) would pop up. And the remixes could not save it
This is better...reminds me of a good Christina Aguilera song...has an 80's vibe, a little more reflective. In fact, as I get farther in I like it more...and it definitely reminds me of a lost 80's track. Improvement...this one actually deserves to be a hit
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Love Is Overtaking Me
I Couldn't Say It To Your Face-Arthur Russell
Its country-ish, and he's a bit off key. And of course, because its Arthur Russell its almost painfully beautiful. Off of the latest record Love Is Overtaking Me, which is just an amazing collection of unreleased tracks.
Whachadoin'?-N.A.S.A. featuring Santogold, M.I.A. & Spank Rock
Fantastic driving club track. Pretty brilliant and fun...and comes from that long tradition of tracks that use a phone dialing as part of the track (M.I.A. already brilliant employed a typewriter on "Paper Planes"). Its not gonna change the world, but its pretty slammin'.
Parisian Goldfish-Flying Lotus
Believe the hype. Flying Lotus was all over the Best of the Year list with his Los Angeles album. This is my favorite track from the record...very percussive yet laid back at the same time. To me, its a record that creeps up on you. Most of the tracks are instrumental and vague and hazy and smokey. Only afterwards do you realize that the track stays with you. It works beautiful as a complete work, and its hard to pick a favorite, although this is mine.
Lay All Your Love On Me-Susanna Wallumrød
Why is that some singers record complete albums that slide by without you even noticing, and then some singers could sing the phone book. Susanna Wallumrød is one of those singers (her first two records are as Susanna & the Magical Orchestra). She isn't afraid to cover anything...and its all rendered in glacial Norwegian chill. She has a stunning soprano voice...and frankly, what I think is the most amazing thing about her...she covers songs that don't need to be covered, that shouldn't be covered (say "Love Will Tear Us Apart") and still brings something new to the table.
This album will end up as one of my favorites of the year. Again, its all slow, very chill, piano soaked. Sad long winter night soundtrack here. I had a hard time picking a song. She strips "Lay All Your Love On Me" of all its sexuality and makes it a plea. "Can't Shake Loose" is pretty brilliant (but not as well known) and she makes it a sad song about not letting go. And I honestly wouldn't think anyone could cover "Don't Come Around Here No More" and pull it off...Tom Petty (huge guilty pleasure) must be thrilled with this version. When Tom sang it, you actually thought that he meant it...he really doesn't want her to come around anymore. When Susanna sings it...its very resigned...she knows that no matter what she says, he'll come around. And she'll let him in.
But honestly, the song which kinda blew me away is "Without You". Yes, this is the Dan Hill 70's schmaltz ballad (you know it, trust me)....rendered as a beautiful duet between her and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Its fucking stunning...and again, it changes the tenor of the song. Where the original is almost embarassing in its neediness, this one I kind of imagine as a duet between two drunks at a bar.
Buy the record...now! (Flower Of Evil).
The Waiting-Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
I am a huge sucker for Tom Petty. Seriously, he's right up there with Bruce for me...he's an American treasure as far as I'm concerned. And this is my favorite...edging out the aforementioned song and his duet with Stevie Nicks.
Its country-ish, and he's a bit off key. And of course, because its Arthur Russell its almost painfully beautiful. Off of the latest record Love Is Overtaking Me, which is just an amazing collection of unreleased tracks.
Whachadoin'?-N.A.S.A. featuring Santogold, M.I.A. & Spank Rock
Fantastic driving club track. Pretty brilliant and fun...and comes from that long tradition of tracks that use a phone dialing as part of the track (M.I.A. already brilliant employed a typewriter on "Paper Planes"). Its not gonna change the world, but its pretty slammin'.
Parisian Goldfish-Flying Lotus
Believe the hype. Flying Lotus was all over the Best of the Year list with his Los Angeles album. This is my favorite track from the record...very percussive yet laid back at the same time. To me, its a record that creeps up on you. Most of the tracks are instrumental and vague and hazy and smokey. Only afterwards do you realize that the track stays with you. It works beautiful as a complete work, and its hard to pick a favorite, although this is mine.
Lay All Your Love On Me-Susanna Wallumrød
Why is that some singers record complete albums that slide by without you even noticing, and then some singers could sing the phone book. Susanna Wallumrød is one of those singers (her first two records are as Susanna & the Magical Orchestra). She isn't afraid to cover anything...and its all rendered in glacial Norwegian chill. She has a stunning soprano voice...and frankly, what I think is the most amazing thing about her...she covers songs that don't need to be covered, that shouldn't be covered (say "Love Will Tear Us Apart") and still brings something new to the table.
This album will end up as one of my favorites of the year. Again, its all slow, very chill, piano soaked. Sad long winter night soundtrack here. I had a hard time picking a song. She strips "Lay All Your Love On Me" of all its sexuality and makes it a plea. "Can't Shake Loose" is pretty brilliant (but not as well known) and she makes it a sad song about not letting go. And I honestly wouldn't think anyone could cover "Don't Come Around Here No More" and pull it off...Tom Petty (huge guilty pleasure) must be thrilled with this version. When Tom sang it, you actually thought that he meant it...he really doesn't want her to come around anymore. When Susanna sings it...its very resigned...she knows that no matter what she says, he'll come around. And she'll let him in.
But honestly, the song which kinda blew me away is "Without You". Yes, this is the Dan Hill 70's schmaltz ballad (you know it, trust me)....rendered as a beautiful duet between her and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Its fucking stunning...and again, it changes the tenor of the song. Where the original is almost embarassing in its neediness, this one I kind of imagine as a duet between two drunks at a bar.
Buy the record...now! (Flower Of Evil).
The Waiting-Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
I am a huge sucker for Tom Petty. Seriously, he's right up there with Bruce for me...he's an American treasure as far as I'm concerned. And this is my favorite...edging out the aforementioned song and his duet with Stevie Nicks.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
dancin' like you never danced before
Twerk-Basement Jaxx
One of my favorite things about Basement Jaxx is how their sound is crisp while at the same time sounding like everything and the kitchen sink has been thrown into the song. Like Prince playing a concert with a Brazilian carnival going on in the background. This is just their latest track (simply a 3-track single which includes the also fun "War" and the even better "My Turn", which has a lovely 80's vocal and could be a pop hit). But "Twerk" is the single and its pretty fabulous. Dubby funky-as-shit party house....simply more brilliance. Perhaps one of the most underrated bands in dance music--they really should produce Prince. And the Michael Sembello "Maniac" riffs are fabulous.
I Know I'll See You-A Place To Bury Strangers
Haven't heard the album, but if you told me that this was a long lost Jesus & Mary Chain or Flesh For Lulu single, I'd totally believe you. It has that same scuzzy sound, same processed vocals, same isolated feeling to it.
The Clapp mix moves it right out onto the dancefloor, ala Severed Heads or Nitzer Ebb (think "Fun To Be Had" era). Great fun.
16th Stage-Osborne
I love this song. Its has this cleared-blue-eyed feeling to it. Its something very hard to put down in words...almost easy listening crossed with disco and maybe a television theme thrown into boot. Its builds beautifully, which I think is the way the most dance songs really getcha...they keep morphing and changing and drawing you in...I kinda melt with the plaintive vocals fade into the song. Stunning and one of the best singles of last year
One of my favorite things about Basement Jaxx is how their sound is crisp while at the same time sounding like everything and the kitchen sink has been thrown into the song. Like Prince playing a concert with a Brazilian carnival going on in the background. This is just their latest track (simply a 3-track single which includes the also fun "War" and the even better "My Turn", which has a lovely 80's vocal and could be a pop hit). But "Twerk" is the single and its pretty fabulous. Dubby funky-as-shit party house....simply more brilliance. Perhaps one of the most underrated bands in dance music--they really should produce Prince. And the Michael Sembello "Maniac" riffs are fabulous.
I Know I'll See You-A Place To Bury Strangers
Haven't heard the album, but if you told me that this was a long lost Jesus & Mary Chain or Flesh For Lulu single, I'd totally believe you. It has that same scuzzy sound, same processed vocals, same isolated feeling to it.
The Clapp mix moves it right out onto the dancefloor, ala Severed Heads or Nitzer Ebb (think "Fun To Be Had" era). Great fun.
16th Stage-Osborne
I love this song. Its has this cleared-blue-eyed feeling to it. Its something very hard to put down in words...almost easy listening crossed with disco and maybe a television theme thrown into boot. Its builds beautifully, which I think is the way the most dance songs really getcha...they keep morphing and changing and drawing you in...I kinda melt with the plaintive vocals fade into the song. Stunning and one of the best singles of last year
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Grace Fucking Jones
We're The Pet Shop Boys-Robbie Williams with the Pet Shop Boys
Ah, ok...this is fun. While we wait for England's unsung treasure to release another record, this will do. This is the best Robbie Williams has sounded in awhile. It is also a very fun dance record. Lyrically its a bit odd...it sounds like he's talking about a relationship and then the chorus hits (hint: it's the title). So it is both fun and funny. This is better than the "I'm In Love With A German Film Star" cover that "features" them. I can't hear them on it....and i was so psyched that they were covering this song (they don't...it's a female vocalist and it seems kinda pointless to me) because I think its an unsung classic of the 80's.
Epilepsy Is Dancing-Antony & the Johnsons
Apparently the second single off the latest record (I am sure it'll be huge LOL). Yet another truly beautiful song--yet another song that words will not do justice to. His Nina Simone-Jeff Buckley voice is stunning as usual....nobody does torch like this. And when he sings "Cut me in quadrants, leave me in corners" your heart will break. Fucking genius. The title alone...I love the way you read it and you get a jolt...it really is all a matter of perspective, no?
Corporate Cannibal-Grace Jones
I feel this is an accurate tie in with both the Pet Shop Boys and Antony. How do you remain relevant when you are 60ish and haven't released a record in about 20 years? Um, release a single that Massive Attack would be happy to produce (did they?). In any event, lyrically, this is perfect for Grace (which pop music has never really known what to do with)....I mean "man eating machine" for sure...who else can pull this shit off? She's a legend, much of it self-created underneath the radar. In any event, its a pretty amazing song and the video is suitably terrifying. Lyrically its also both timely and scary...the title says its all.
Frankly, Madonna could learn so much from Grace. Enough with the children's books and England and "Miles Away" bullshit. And that loser Guy. Candy Shop indeed...the most impressive thing about her latest is that she didn't already release it...I had to check...didn't she have a candy song already (She didn't....its the last sexual metaphor she hasn't appropriated). Stop trying to talk about the war (oh lord, when she raps the word "latte" in "American Life"....words cannot do justice to the travesty) and start channeling Nina Simone and Black warrior princesses and bisexual Bowie and Josephine Baker and start giving us something interesting. Cause Grace Jones did...
Legend....nothing I can write can say it better than this: nobody ever did what she did, nobody ever does. Genius
Ah, ok...this is fun. While we wait for England's unsung treasure to release another record, this will do. This is the best Robbie Williams has sounded in awhile. It is also a very fun dance record. Lyrically its a bit odd...it sounds like he's talking about a relationship and then the chorus hits (hint: it's the title). So it is both fun and funny. This is better than the "I'm In Love With A German Film Star" cover that "features" them. I can't hear them on it....and i was so psyched that they were covering this song (they don't...it's a female vocalist and it seems kinda pointless to me) because I think its an unsung classic of the 80's.
Epilepsy Is Dancing-Antony & the Johnsons
Apparently the second single off the latest record (I am sure it'll be huge LOL). Yet another truly beautiful song--yet another song that words will not do justice to. His Nina Simone-Jeff Buckley voice is stunning as usual....nobody does torch like this. And when he sings "Cut me in quadrants, leave me in corners" your heart will break. Fucking genius. The title alone...I love the way you read it and you get a jolt...it really is all a matter of perspective, no?
Corporate Cannibal-Grace Jones
I feel this is an accurate tie in with both the Pet Shop Boys and Antony. How do you remain relevant when you are 60ish and haven't released a record in about 20 years? Um, release a single that Massive Attack would be happy to produce (did they?). In any event, lyrically, this is perfect for Grace (which pop music has never really known what to do with)....I mean "man eating machine" for sure...who else can pull this shit off? She's a legend, much of it self-created underneath the radar. In any event, its a pretty amazing song and the video is suitably terrifying. Lyrically its also both timely and scary...the title says its all.
Frankly, Madonna could learn so much from Grace. Enough with the children's books and England and "Miles Away" bullshit. And that loser Guy. Candy Shop indeed...the most impressive thing about her latest is that she didn't already release it...I had to check...didn't she have a candy song already (She didn't....its the last sexual metaphor she hasn't appropriated). Stop trying to talk about the war (oh lord, when she raps the word "latte" in "American Life"....words cannot do justice to the travesty) and start channeling Nina Simone and Black warrior princesses and bisexual Bowie and Josephine Baker and start giving us something interesting. Cause Grace Jones did...
Legend....nothing I can write can say it better than this: nobody ever did what she did, nobody ever does. Genius
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Silent Revelry
Angel-Sarah McLachlan featuring Emmylou Harris
It isn't much worth reviewing this song, as you have an opinion already. It's one of those "Every Breath You Take" songs in that I've heard it played on those late night romance shows as a love song. (It is actually about a heroin addict sitting alone in a hotel room). Its a beautiful song and shows of McLachlan's voice beautifully.
I first heard McLachlan in 89 or 90, when I bought the first or second magazine version of Alternative Press. She was on the cover (Sinead was just out...and she was compared to her and Kate Bush). In any event, if you think you know what she sounds like, check out one of her first two records. They are more new wave/electro than her later work and show off her ability to write a hook, even at a very young age. In particular, "Vox" off of Touch is pretty gorgeous.
Well, the live version of this song is pretty amazing. Sarah sounds stunning and well, when Emmylou comes in, its painfully beautiful (she evens sings the second verse).
I just love the fact that the song has been used for the new ASPCA ads. There was an article about it in the NY Times. Apparently, with this song, and Sarah in the ad pitching for the organization, they have raised about 25-30 million this year....far in excess of what they expected and usually raise. So its a very worthy cause.
Touch Too Much-Hot Chip
The original is a great song...very funky yet laid back....basically epitomizes all of what is good about Hot Chip, who somehow fuse ELO and Steely Dan with Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys. The two mixes are pretty great. The first, the Kollectiv Termstrasse mix, has the potential to annoy, as it is one of those remixes that does not use a ton of the original song. This can be good, this can be bad. In this case, this works perfectly. Its funky and laid back and melancholy--and when the vocals come in, the song just lifts up.
But oh lordy, the Ewan Pearson mix. Well, readers of my blog (both of you) will know that last year I raved about Ewan Pearson's 13 minutes of heaven mix of Cortney Tidwell's "Don't Let The Stars Keep Us Tangled Up". This is just about as heavenly, just 4 minutes shorter. I could probably listen to it 4 times on a dance floor and not get bored (it would make a great replacement for the inevitable Madonna mixes of her latest (and they aren't good). The chorus is impossibly funky and these cool clanging noises. Can't explain it...just get it!
Titanium Expose-Sonic Youth
I am not worthy yet to write about Sonic Youth. This is 4:33 minutes of beautiful skronky punk noise. Stunning and fucking brilliant.
Polish Poem-David Lynch & Chrysta Bell
I did not love Inland Empire. It kind of annoyed me when I watched it (I so wanted another Mulholland Drive). Yet it is one of those movies that stayed with me--on occasion I think about it. Its a haunting film and so i guess it works in that I feel it kind of stays with me. It beautifully conveys claustrophobia and mental illness and this weird feel of unspecified dread. Problem is, I was never sure I was supposed to feel that!
In any event, this haunting song plays throughout. Its gorgeous Dead Can Dance-like ambience with a beautiful clear vocal by Chrystal Bell. It isn't quite as heart stopping as his work with Julee Cruise or the out of the blue insane beautify of Rebekeh Del Rio's Spanish version of Roy Orbison's "Crying" from Mulholland Drive, but its impossibly lovely.
It isn't much worth reviewing this song, as you have an opinion already. It's one of those "Every Breath You Take" songs in that I've heard it played on those late night romance shows as a love song. (It is actually about a heroin addict sitting alone in a hotel room). Its a beautiful song and shows of McLachlan's voice beautifully.
I first heard McLachlan in 89 or 90, when I bought the first or second magazine version of Alternative Press. She was on the cover (Sinead was just out...and she was compared to her and Kate Bush). In any event, if you think you know what she sounds like, check out one of her first two records. They are more new wave/electro than her later work and show off her ability to write a hook, even at a very young age. In particular, "Vox" off of Touch is pretty gorgeous.
Well, the live version of this song is pretty amazing. Sarah sounds stunning and well, when Emmylou comes in, its painfully beautiful (she evens sings the second verse).
I just love the fact that the song has been used for the new ASPCA ads. There was an article about it in the NY Times. Apparently, with this song, and Sarah in the ad pitching for the organization, they have raised about 25-30 million this year....far in excess of what they expected and usually raise. So its a very worthy cause.
Touch Too Much-Hot Chip
The original is a great song...very funky yet laid back....basically epitomizes all of what is good about Hot Chip, who somehow fuse ELO and Steely Dan with Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys. The two mixes are pretty great. The first, the Kollectiv Termstrasse mix, has the potential to annoy, as it is one of those remixes that does not use a ton of the original song. This can be good, this can be bad. In this case, this works perfectly. Its funky and laid back and melancholy--and when the vocals come in, the song just lifts up.
But oh lordy, the Ewan Pearson mix. Well, readers of my blog (both of you) will know that last year I raved about Ewan Pearson's 13 minutes of heaven mix of Cortney Tidwell's "Don't Let The Stars Keep Us Tangled Up". This is just about as heavenly, just 4 minutes shorter. I could probably listen to it 4 times on a dance floor and not get bored (it would make a great replacement for the inevitable Madonna mixes of her latest (and they aren't good). The chorus is impossibly funky and these cool clanging noises. Can't explain it...just get it!
Titanium Expose-Sonic Youth
I am not worthy yet to write about Sonic Youth. This is 4:33 minutes of beautiful skronky punk noise. Stunning and fucking brilliant.
Polish Poem-David Lynch & Chrysta Bell
I did not love Inland Empire. It kind of annoyed me when I watched it (I so wanted another Mulholland Drive). Yet it is one of those movies that stayed with me--on occasion I think about it. Its a haunting film and so i guess it works in that I feel it kind of stays with me. It beautifully conveys claustrophobia and mental illness and this weird feel of unspecified dread. Problem is, I was never sure I was supposed to feel that!
In any event, this haunting song plays throughout. Its gorgeous Dead Can Dance-like ambience with a beautiful clear vocal by Chrystal Bell. It isn't quite as heart stopping as his work with Julee Cruise or the out of the blue insane beautify of Rebekeh Del Rio's Spanish version of Roy Orbison's "Crying" from Mulholland Drive, but its impossibly lovely.
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