So this may be the last Night Songs and Mystery Can entry...
on Blogger!
Because I'm about to move this shit to Wordpress. While I could make money off of ads from this site, I don't think it's really all that worth it ($2.85 so far!). Wordpress just seemed like a much more entertaining site and the layout of how I could put it would be much better. So, don't go looking for it quite yet, because it's not finished and there's obviously some things I'm goofing off with, but yeah, I intend on turning the Mystery Can into a photo journal as well (inspired by the potential of wordpress from an associate: almost photography). We'll see as things go on.
Anyways, on to da NIGHT SONG:
Because I've been in a pretty huge 90's movement recently:
Mazzy Star "Fade Into You"
It's such a relaxed song and it really reminds me of "The Golden Age" from Beck. Both songs incur images (video related or not) of driving down a windy road with a significant other - not speaking to each other, but just enjoying the present company: the road, the car, and yourselves. This song would be the one that comes up on shuffle and you hold the person's hand. And then boom, you hit a deer sending you crashing in slow motion, faster than you realize. BECAUSE I'M INDIE-DEPRESSING-MOVIE-SHIT LIKE THAT.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Anyways, yeah, if you can't hear this song without bass, move to another computer or put some better headphones on, because I feel like it's the huge backbone of this song (all songs, really) and helps to lull you away to whatever you're doing. The sliding guitar plays a wonderful accompaniment to Hope Sandoval's voice. Overall, it's just a great, great slow song. Were it not for the melancholy lyrical content, it would probably be the first dance song for a lot of weddings.
The video reflects the song pretty well. I love the "found footage" feel of it all and the overly dramatic color swaths that everything is bathed in. The cliche artsy stuff, like shaky blown out footage or shots of just her hair blowing in the wind, fading into the next scene, is all forgivable – knowing the time period. It's the early nineties and most of those effects are real, not created by a computer, so there's a very genuine feel to it all. It compliments the song, in that everything reminds you of the movie Reality Bites.
Oh yeah baby, you like music? Scrubbing yo ears with the delightful sounds and melodies of the night? Okay, here we go!
Calico Horse "Die Steven Die"
Rocka-rocka-rocka your socks off! I absolutely love the piano accompaniment with the song and the vocals. It starts out, pumping you up, readying you for the oncoming action of the chorus that has this energetic line running along. The singer's voice is light, but it still has a bit of viciousness to make it a legitimate rock out song.
Feel free to listen to the song after it, I don't know what that one is called though. This is a pretty underground band, to the point that I could barely find any information on them anywhere. This is even their most popular song and they do have one album out for digital download, except for this song(s).
The next song that attaches itself is quite a departure from the first in that it kind of takes things real easily and even adds a dash of melancholy to the song. It's like if every other note is a drop off from an upper. The drums go a little haphazardly at times but keeps the beat flowing as the piano reminds everyone how beautiful it can sound. The singer's voice is even a different character; she was a loud rocker with a twinge of vengeance on the first song and now she's a recovering drug addict reminiscing about getting high (singing beautifully in either sense).
Notable Lyrics (keep in mind, I'm for the most part guessing as I can't find lyrics for them or this song)
I hope VD was good to you. I hope it left you with a burning... burning desire to listen to some songs, yo.
The Theatre Fire "Say Yes"
This is actually a southern twangy remix of Elliot Smith's Say Yes. Which... everyone covers that song. I know. But this one's pretty great because it really took me off guard. Oh, also, by remix I meant cover. If it was really a remix, someone would be yelling in the background "REEEEEEMMMIXXXX!!!!!" shhhika shhhhika wooop woop!
Elliot Smith, in my humble opinion, is a great musical genius who created these kinds of tunes that could be translated in any way. I love this cover because it takes the core of his song and really works with it, stretching the limits of it and taking it a new direction. The Theatre Fire tenderly adds its entire accompaniment without making it over crowded and unwieldy to Smith's lone guitar strumming.
The end of the song falls apart so lovely and does a great deal of justice to Smith's melancholy song about longing for an ex-girlfriend (which after reading some Youtube comments, someone played the original song for this girl that he liked – she cried and they're going out now... obviously, she has no idea what that song is about... or does she?)
So, work life has been kind of hectic as of late and I have been unable to really keep up with this blog. I know, it's the new year and already things are falling apart faster than Chinua Achebe's ancient lifestyle.
When things lessen up, I'll be sure to post. I'll at least try to post something on the weekends... maybe... Anyways, here's some lovely Valentines Day (VD for short) to share with your lover. Yes, share VD with the one you love.
Los Campesinos "We Are Accelerated Readers"
Ida Maria "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked"
Yes, so it's come to this. I've gotten backed up once again and there were nights you went song-less. I apologize and I hope to make it up to you with this batch of songy songs.
The embedding was disabled because Atlantic Records doesn't understand that if people can't link music around, then how the hell are we supposed to show how awesome this band is? Anyways, I could've chosen another video, but I had already written a lengthy article on their video that I couldn't waste. So enjoy the link instead of an embedded video, courtesy of stupid ass Atlantic Records.
The song really edges on the poppy side of indy, but it's quite bearable. The verses lines have this cool laid back bass line that thumps and then the chorus ups things to make it a little catchy. Also, I totally thought that Donald Cumming was a brit because of the way he sings, but he's just a plain ol' New Yorker. "Rich Girls" is in this strange purgatory where it can be hip and dancey to play at a party, but then delves into this wannabe catchy top 100 (68 to be precise) Billboard song.
Originally, I didn't think much of the video. I thought it was just an attractive girl on the screen with the band playing. After re-watching and paying closer attention to the lyrics, I find the video to be quite complementary to the song. The guys at the beginning are all into her and think that she's very attractive, though, as soon as she starts acting like a bitch, they all stop caring. The more clothes she sheds to try and get their attention, the less they care. "Rich Girls" is a song about women either in higher class society or those who pretend to be, going out and partying. We fawn over their antics and their crazy party girl life style, but essentially, at the end of the day, we're sick of it. As the video so clearly shows, hangin out with your bros is way more kickass awesome than having some "rich girl" give you a lap-dance.
Notable Lyrics
I went down to your house last weekend and
You was like "Come on man,
You don't have to point out everything that's bad."
So there's a broken mirror on my bed,
I'll clean it up, so what?
You don't have to such an asshole all the time, ha ha
Don't be like that", she said.
Note: does anyone else hear Dr. Zoidberg in this song?
If this cool cat sounds familiar, she was the voice of iPod Nano commercials for a while with her catchy tune "1234". Why her other songs never really caught on with the public, I'll never know, but she is this amazing little folksy indie-pop star that really caught my attention. "My Moon My Man" is an older song and shows even back then, she had some pretty catchy beats.
Feist, in her videos, shows that not only is she an accomplished musician, but she's also a fun dancer. I say fun because look at any video of a female pop star and how they have to dance. Except for Lady Gaga who dances in an almost performance art kind of way, most pop stars have to dance in a seductive or sexy style that transfixes men. Feist dances just for the fun of it. You can see how much fun she has making these one shot videos. It all takes place in a location where we always wish we could goof around on more – the airport's moving sidewalk. She hears a beat in her head and basically she's all like "fuck it, I'm dancing and there's not a thing anyone can do about it".
Notable Lyrics
My Moon, my man's a changeable land
Such a loveable land to me
My Care, my co-lead barber I know
There's nowhere to go, but on
How honestly my beggar should be
The song's out of key again
My fools, my things
We're digging the things
If the candlelit page again
The Blow "Parenthesis"
Okay. This song's a bit weird and there are times when I don't quite know where Mikhaela Maricich is taking me. It's an incredibly cute song that has a very enjoyable rhythm and tune that you can't help but sing inappropriately in the women's clothing department of Target.
The video for "Parenthesis" sets everything up with a karaoke bar and two bestest best friends showing everyone who's the boss. And then, we're off on a microsoft paint adventure! WOOOOOOOO!
Notable Lyrics
(note: I'm just posting the entirety of the song because I love it)
Some philosophies fuel a belief in the self,
constructed to keep one's goods on one's own shelf.
Built well you're a strong letter I,
with the feet on the ground and the head to the sky.
Now and then you can bend,
It's okay to lean over my way.
You fear that you can't do it all,
and you're right.
Even Diligent day takes relief every day
from its work making light from the night.
And when you're holding me
We make a pair of parenthesis.
There's plenty space to encase
whatever weird way my mind goes,
I know I'll be safe in these arms.
If something in the deli aisle makes you cry
You know I'll put my arm around you
And I'll walk you outside,
through the sliding doors,
Why would I mind?
You're not a baby if you feel the world.
All of the babies can feel the world. That's why they cry.
Telepopmusik "Breathe"
Some of you may recognize this from a car commercial done in the early 2000's. I don't know why, but I apparently like a lot of ad music. It's an interesting art of trying to find something catchy that can stick in people's minds. I don't think it has anything to do with the band selling out, so much as it's a win win compromise. Their song gets out there, people wonder who it is, and they do some research to find the band.
Anyways, about "Breathe", it's one of those songs that's great to start or end your day with. Listen to it in the middle of traffic, or when you're relaxing on the sofa with a nice glass of wine. "Breathe" is an atmospheric song and not in the way that's foreboding.
The video relies heavily on Adobe After Effects work (think photoshop, but for video) that was really popular during the time. Think "Float On" by Modest Mouse and "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand and you'll understand what I'm talking about. What it is very successful at is capturing the visuals I had been thinking of, before I watched it. "Breathe" is a fairly straight forward video that focuses more on style and art than narrative.
Notable Lyrics
Another Day
Just believe
Princess Superstar "Perfect"
Some of you may remember this song being used for some trailers for the movie Brüno. That was this version, which is actually two songs: Mason's "Exceeder" with Princess Superstar's "Perfect" overlaid on top. It's quite genius how they meshed them together so well.
I thought I should lighten the mood and pep it up a bit with a quirky brit with raunchy rhymes and funky dance moves.
Notable Lyrics
That's right I'm a superstar
Everybody wanna come up when I'm at the bar
All the people wanna try
It's like give me some more
Try a little harder honey
~
Let me hear you scream if you want some more
Like ahhh
Push it, push it
Watch me work it
I'm perfect.
Really these lyrics aren't as great if you don't watch the video.
The Cribs "Girls Like Mystery"
If by mystery, they mean The Mystery Can! Oh ho ho! As far as poppy rock goes, I definitely think that it should've gone in this direction. Just let the brits take care of it. The only version of the song I could find was the live version though, but their sound is strong enough to translate well live.
I appreciate that the musicians are willing to pull off more interesting chords, note combinations, and timing than the average pop rock band. For example, compare and contrast this song with Kings of Leon. KoL just speeds lazily through songs, trying to churn out a classic as fast as they can. "Girls Like Mystery" gives the instruments a chance to be part of the song instead of just being a backdrop for the singer.
Notable Lyrics
They say love me till the end
They only see me as a friend
You leave a lot to be desired
I never wanna be desired
There's not much to say for me
That's okay, you know that girls like mystery
Keep your clothes as your dignity
After all it's only two years history
Kid Cudi Vs Crookers
YUP. I'M ENDING WITH THAT. AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.
It's chilly outside and some people in DC still don't have power. This song goes out to you guys! ... Well... it would if you could read this.
Friendly Fires "Kiss of Life"
I used to work with someone who would play their Israeli radio on his speakers. Israel is about 7 hours ahead, so we'd actually be listening to their nightlife music. Anyways, the chorus of this song always came on when the announcer was saying stuff I didn't understand. So while this band hales from England – I always associate this song, oddly, with Israel and Israeli music.
"Kiss of Life" actually has a terrible music video... well, not terrible, so much as boring. That's my review of the video. My opinion on music videos, is that it should be a compliment to the music and genre style. I will not accept a band just playing in a setting that isn't a concert venue. Anyways, Ed Macfarlane (the lead singer) has this whispy voice that makes the chorus kind of sweeps us up and the beat is enough to throw some moves down on the dance floor.
Notable Lyrics
Rub that line out of the sky
I can feel the night crawl
A broken drum and tambourine
Rub that line out of the sky
I can see the clouds form
Taking shape in front of me
Also, in case you were wondering, I left my office at 1am and didn't get home until 3, after the storm. There were disabled/abandoned cars everywhere, downed trees and city blocks without power. Basically I was driving through a zombie movie, but replace zombie with snow.
So, yeah, I'm snowed in at work in DC where trees and power lines are down, making it so I can't really leave until construction crews come out. Hence I'm still at the office and this is written so late. Anyways, it's time to party out with Annie!
Annie "Anthonio" Desginer Drugs Remix
I picked this version, because it's way sexier than the original. Seriously... look at this girl:
Anyways, the remix is moreso dancier. This is a great song to play in the club as the colored strobe lights reflect off the mirrored walls and splash on your sweaty skin; the girl next to you arches back and the sheen of her moist brow flails back into that muscle dude's open drink. It sizzles at the top and steams away; he takes a sip of it; his pupils dilate. She's sweating ecstasy... and the guy can feel the beats, each low sound range, vibrating through his slowly fleeting sense of reality as the synth elevates him to the ceiling. Annie's voice guides him – drifting further and further away from the sprinkling, misting, heat of everyone's super sexy bodies.
Okay, so this song is like one of those getting ready for battle songs. Well, it sort of sounds like a target commercial at first, but then the bass gets things rolling along and then then it's time to saddle up cowboy, because you're going to battle! The synth organ usually gives me a visual of something flying like planes or battle unicorns. Cowboys riding battle unicorns, against the threat of viking aliens! Fight on clouds of rainbows and don't forget the Laffy Taffy™ laced with pure flavor of 26 kinds of bananas! Impossible I know, but the battle unicorn just looks you back in the eye and winks because he knows.
So... I've been having problems... of the brain, lately. That's why I haven't updated consistently. NOT TO WORRY, because these songs can fix life problems (also, there should be enough songs here to cover for the past couple days that I missed).
Sigur Ros "Gobbledigook"
Iceland. A place of goofy nonsense and Bjork. Also, now showing is Sigur Ros, a band that isn't afraid to make up words and ethereal music of the ice... and land. The cover of this album actually goes along with song really well... mostly because I also feel like running naked, listening to this song in the fields of some lovely farm... hopefully not in the dangerous kind of farms.
Notable Lyrics
Þú ert að fjúka langt ? í loft Þú regnhlíf snúa á hvolf alltof oft Ó nei, ég sé ?
LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
The Xx "Shelter"
Ahhh, just what I needed. "Shelter" really lulls me down and Jamie Smith's smoky voice arouses me. I MEAN uhhhh.... oh geeze. I really like the thudding bass drum that doesn't give a shit about subtlety, but really pops in a the right moments... like Kramer. Picture that bass drum as Kramer popping into Sienfield's apartment, delightfully beginning moments of mirth and not racism.
Anyways, to conclude this nonsensical perspective on "Shelter" I would like to state that I have this song thudding in my car during my nightly trips into/out of DC and it provides a very lovely backdrop to the city.
Notable Lyrics
Maybe I had said something that was wrong
Can I make it better with the lights turned on
Could I be, was I there
It felt so crystal in the air
I still want to drown whenever you leave
Please teach me gently how to breathe
Anja Garbarek "No Trace of Gray"
If you're wondering where the pictures are from in the video, it's from a movie called Angel-A. This song was part of the soundtrack. It's basically as close to a romantic comedy as the guy who made the Professional and Fifth Element can make. Yeah.
Anyways. I love the song's wobbly pacing and Garbarek's voice. The bass booms in at about 50 seconds in and sticks around to give a slower jazz-like feel. Also, if you thought Rie Rasmussen was pretty hot in the pictures above, Garbarek looks like this:
Yup...
Notable Lyrics
What are they doing
In heaven today?
What are they doing?
There's no trace of grey
Cursive "Recluse"
The video is very amateur. I expect no less from an indie band in the 90's. But seriously... this is like someone's college video. I'm pretty sure it is for that fact in matter. Like... I really can't stand to watch this, because it really reminds me of my own college videos.
Anyways, the bass (what's with me and thumping bass lines and such today?) has this interesting "rubber banding" effect that twists the song around; the singer's voice is very reminiscent of Robert Smith's. In fact the the band itself could be a pretty good Cure cover band on the weekend's at the old korean karaoke bar down the street.
Notable Lyrics
How'd I end up here to begin with?
I don't know.
Why do I start what I can't finish?
Oh please don't barrage me
with the questions
to all those ugly answers
My ego's like my stomach,
It keeps shitting what I feed it.
Biblo "Sugarette"
My last song, which is Monday's song is "Sugarette". It's a wonky design of noise experimentalism. There's not any specific lyric you're supposed to decipher and understand, but rather the human voice used as an instrument itself. The ethereal noises accompany the dreamy babble as these 8-bit audio cues distort in and out.
You almost have to be in a certain mood to enjoy this song fully... that's why I put it at the end, because if you were patient enough to last through those songs, then, you've gotta be up for some experimentalism, right? right? no? TOO BAD.
When you die, or rather, when you're about to die, do you think you'll be thinking about all those times that could have been? Or would you be satisfied on your death bed?
Rilo Kiley "Pictures of Success"
We'll never know and the song states that we should just be prepared to go no matter the consequences of our lives. That though there are tough times, at the end, you won't have to revisit them. Sort of an upside to a downside.
Whatever your personal belief is about spirituality and death is, it all comes down to whether you thought you lived or not. Did you take that high paying job in another country? Were you there for that person when they needed you? When things got sour, did you run away or did you face it head on, the consequences be damned, knowing in your heart that you were right and could make things work out?
The song is pretty heavy for being a lounge around like song. It'd work perfect at the end of a romantic dramedy where the lovelorn couple is on the rooftop where it's lightly raining. She asks if he really loves her and he ... walks away, down the stairs. But the guy who has loved her this entire time comes up and doesn't say anything. Moving slowly closer to her they hug and without words, they kiss. ROLL CREDITS.
Trying to stay on task this week... I mean... uhhh... from here on out. I totally don't plan on slacking off in the future to complete Fallout: New Vegas. I have a dog in that game now. It depends on me to pet it.
Oh No! Oh My! "I Have No Sister"
Let's celebrate MLK day with a drowsy song about uneasy relationships! I'm sure that was in one King's dreams. The song has this sort of speed about it, though it's kind of a depressing song. Sort of like drinking and taking speed at the same time. A beautiful but deadly combination.
Greg Barkley, the singer, sort of sounds like Robert Smith; in the sense that at any moment he's going to cry. What's great is how heavily layered this song is. The band is comprised of four multi-instrumentalists and it shows through their amazing ability to coordinate with each other and compose a song that's so hectic, yet able to carry note progressions that have such heavy weight to them.
Yeah, so I had food poisoning at the beginning of last week and then work was backed up, so I had no time to update for a whole week. Anyways, to make up for that here's 6 songs full of awesome and... ummm... music. Yup.
Lykke Li "Little Bit"
Valentines Day is right around the corner and for you guys out there, this is a quite a raw love note to you. The singer, Li, kind of whispers these secrets in your ear to this thudding beat. For whatever reason, I absolutely love her voice. I understand that it may be too child-like for some, but it has this innocent playful quality to it, much like Victoria Bersman's voice in the song "Young Folks".
The video has these music synced jump cuts which I actually enjoy. The faux-techtonic-like dancing is a bit goofy for this song. Can you tell she and her crew are from Sweden? Where else is short short suspenders popular? Also, that dude is glowing. Li dances her herky jerky dance that fits with the song.
Notable Lyrics
And for you I keep my legs apart
And forget about my tainted heart
And I will never ever be the first
To say it's still a, game over
I would do it
Push a button
Pull a trigger
Climb a mountain
Jump off a cliff
Cause you know baby I love you, love you
A little bit
Delphic "This Momentary"
The song starts out simple enough but a little after a minute in, it shifts its gears and speeds up with a synth beat and the video corresponds by actually showing people. By the way, the video is comprised of shots from an area near Chernobyl. The imagery becomes even more haunting, knowing that.
Notable Lyrics
Can we make the time to leave it behind and reshape, remake our
Fate in what we see, how you feel so unsteady,
I'm already out of reach, remember finding your feet,
In a fine time, take the time to find me,
I'll be ready waiting, let's do something real...
Ghostland Observatory "Sad Sad City"
The live version of this song is pretty good and I feel quite accurate to the original. Also, I love Aaron Behrens dancing around. He has a vocal style that reminds me of Freddie Mercury. Also, his DJ (Thomas Ross Turner) wears a damn cape. When you see these two bad asses in a dark alleyway, you better prepare your ass... to DANCE. FUCK, these guys are awesome.
Notable Lyrics
Been getting tired of my motor running,
Feeling overheated 'cause my life keeps coming,
My heart has been troubled by the speed of love.
~
Well, roll the dice, pay the price
Dance with wolves in a pack of lies,
The blood we crave shall drive us all insane
~
Yeah outer space, it's a lovely place,
A long lost love in a flower vase,
Laying on the floor shattered, battered, and bruised.
Empire of the Sun "We are the People"
This should entirely be renamed WTF. Because that's the exact emotion that feel throughout the entire video. The song however sounds like the they're the next MGMT. They're described as an Australian Glam Pop Duo. Seriously... Check out their CD cover:
SO EFFING BAD ASS. Yeah. Also, they're super fans J.G. Ballard and named the band after one of his books.
Anyways the song reminds me that American Pop will never be as great as off-shores pop. It has great danceablility and the chorus hooks stick in my brain better than peanut butter on the roof of a dog's mouth.
Notable Lyrics
We lived an adventure.
Love in the summer.
Followed the sun 'till night
Reminiscing of other times of life
~
I Can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me. But I know I try.
Are you gonna leave me now?
Can't you be believing now?
Pinback "Fortress"
If you like Blur, you'll definitely like this band. Blur, while mostly popular for that song "Song 2" really sounded more like this. Sort of an indie-pop kind of vibe. Also, did you see those stick figure knights dancing? The whole video just screams indie. INDIE HIPSTER SHIT. Yes. I know. I've kind of stopped trying at this point.
Notable Lyrics
Summer is only winter with you
How can you really feel?
Two of another, none of a pair
Nobody move, nobody move
Days with the light off, freezing
You and I, uneasy, livid
Stop, it's too late
I'm feeling frustrated
I see no sign of Fortress.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Anna Lee
Okay, don't pay attention to the video; it is someone else's video but it's their song. So, getting back on track, I started off this post talking about how Valentine's day is right around the corner and opened it up with a slightly nice song from an overly obsessed girl who's possibly left broken by her first love and then it devolved into kinda sappy break up songs. Well, break up songs no longer, because here's this song!
This song has that perfect high school coffee shop feel. And I'm not just saying that because of the video. But if I was a girl in the audience, my panties would be moist like the towelettes on high class airplanes. Was that too much? Yeah, probably, but my point remains, regardless if the lyrics are a bit overdramatic about talking to a girl.
Notable Lyrics
Anna Lee
If you were me
Would you grab for all the good things that you see?
Broken throat and heart that bleeds
Stomach's trembling and I'm getting weak in the knees
Now, there is an official video for this song, but they disabled embedding, so this is the best quality version I could find.
When I first heard this song, I had no idea it was John Legend... mostly because I didn't expect him to show up. Anyways, I feel like MSTRKRFT has come a long way in terms of sound. They've matured heavily on their latest CD as they used to sound more like house music.
The dance beat is still there, but they lyrics and the calm singing almost lull you to take another drink before the night's done. There's nothing like a break up song that you can dance to and this is probably one of the best ones.
Off topic: I don't know who chose the pictures for the video, but I think they completely missed the point, interspersing it with happy pictures from some fake wedding... or maybe that was the point... AAAHHHHH HAAAA!!!! *twirls moustache*
Yeah. I know. I missed yesterday, today, and it's already tomorrow. GREAT START TO THE NEW YEAR.
So here's what immagunnado. I give you three songs den, yes? no? WELL EFF YOU THEN. I mean... uhhh... here you go:
Citizen Cope "Let The Drummer Kick That"
So here's some indie hip hop. Its beat is so ballin'. Gangsta as shit. Like, if I was going to make a movie, I would totally have this during a bad ass slow motion gun fight where the main guy is protecting a little girl from a corrupt government that wants to use her psychic abilities for the purposes of eliminating people that'll "cause problems" for them... Only, the guy has be mind controlled by her this entire time and she learns to slowly give him back his humanity... SHIT. I SHOULD WRITE MOVIES.
Anyways, on a more serious note, the singer mixes a reggae style of singing with more modern hip hop beats. The piano provides some higher end melodies that if played by itself, could be used in a children's toy. So there's this playful hint to it with the thick density of everything else.
note: I apologize for that terrible video. Just play the song and uhhh... ignore watching it. All the videos for this song are like this, I just picked the one with the best audio.
I love how this song completely fools you into thinking that it's going to be a classic rock song from some sort of Led Zepplin or "Dream On" era of Aerosmith. Then that drum set just kicks in and the beats have this amazing contrast with the song. The rhythmic singer plays a role in bridging the gap between the two by going a much more R&B route.
Notable Lyrics
All children know this pain will surely pass
Strong and wise they are love
When the tide it come they will float above
And you will be one day exactly what you are
Just keep your head up high kiss your fist and touch the sky
Childish Gambino "Bitch, Look At Me Now"
This seems kind of lazy as it's really just Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks" , just with the guy from Community rapping on top of it. I'll give him an excuse, because not only is he pretty damn funny and creative, but he also nods that he's rapping over Grizzly Bear "-what the fuck?" To be honest though, Glover makes the song better and I really can't listen to the original song without thinking about it. Anyways, his raps and rhymes are really clever and show his ability at both comedy and lyrical writing. It's also a very personal song that requires knowledge of 90's pop culture. There's also a strong vengeance tip to it that's very reassuring to anyone who's been picked on - to know that one of us made it out alright.
Notable Lyrics
Sit boy, make moves like a chess piece
and I move real quick like Nestle
Let me make it clear for a second like Pepsi
And this supposed to be relaxin, rappin is my hobby
I did this in my bedroom where I separate my laundry
Watchin old episodes of shining time station
You are now listening to my mouth on vacation.
Picture me in sixth grade, overweight, overbite
got my fake Adidas on, whiting out the fourth stripe
As a second installation of the coming of the new year and returning home from the holidays after traveling, I felt this song was pretty relevant.
On the video:
Oooooooo - there's a new section already into the new year? Yup, if there's an official video, I will now start commenting on it. This one is particularly interesting because it is composed out of public domain footage. It is intercut incredibly well. The footage that they use is highly appropriate for the song as is the movement and syncing (I love the syncs with the audio effect and the artifacting and general crapness of the video). In the original song, there isn't the narration, but it definitely adds to the whole experience of the video. A lot of it seems like the Worlds Fair era of the middle of America. At about 2:18, I was surprised when I saw the alligator, elephant, and giraffe from one of Disney's amusement park rides. Don't ask how I know, I just remember stupid shit like that.
The video attempts to create a sort of narrative and does an admirable job using just footage lying around. The song itself works really well with the video and has a very nostalgic feel for a previous era that had such bright hopes for the future.
On the song:
Gold Panda originally was known for his remixes and on his first solo EP, Miyamae, comprised of original music, people were kind of cautious about whether it was actually going to be good or not. He showed that he could really pull off some amazing beats and complex rhythms. This song, however, proved to be one of his more mellow pieces of work that had more of a slow fastness to it. The song overall, doesn't climax or slow down too much and keeps itself pretty consistent. It's the perfect kind of music to have in the background while you work; there's no lyrics and doesn't involve you too much to think about it. What it can also do is lull you into a very Zen-like state that I find myself frequently venturing to whenever it comes up on my shuffle list.
Overall Gold Panda does an amazing job of putting together an album and it provides an excellent intro for Mayuri, the next song on the EP.
Happy New Year to you! Kicking this new year off, I picked a song that I feel is very spiritual and speaks of new beginnings, while being haunted by past mistakes.
This is one of the few times where I'll talk about the video as well as the song because I absolutely love the director's concept piece. The idea is that the boy (Kumari as he is named by the Director) is a prophesied God. He plays with the lights in the beginning like how God created light in the beginning. He is guarded by amazonian women who try to teach and guide him. Kumari is then notified by a government official who pleads with him to see a miracle on the beach. On the way, you notice that Kumari is nervous and you can see the tension in that he may believe that he isn't what he seems to be. He longs to play with the other kids and have a normal life. When they get there however, Kumari is so stricken by the vision that his power manifests and he is finally brought to a higher level where he then goes out into the world. I'm a bit of a sucker for pseudo origin stories of a teenage jesus-like being. The longing to be one with another group when you are destined to be something more. The opposite of a Luke Skywalker.
The song on the other hand, taken without the visuals and the metaphors of the video, has this other feeling. This want to move on, though other things keep dragging you down. Indecision and fears of making the wrong decision are themes that are wrought within this song. Musically, it's layered with various drum beats synth noises. Between the chorus, the verses, and the bridge, there almost seems to be a different arrangement of instruments. The drums kind of change up between an actual drum set, to synth drums, and an odd place here and there where the two converge. The singing changes its effects, going from a moaning echo, to a digitized auto tune mode. The melody of the song, done with piano, haunts the song, seemingly always present. The heavily digitized bass synth provides a hefty gravity to the song to accompany the singer's more airy, higher pitch singing.
The overall musical theme remains the same and Miike Snow isn't afraid to experiment with the few notes it allotted itself with. You can hear the intricacies of their work and find something new each time you play through the song. There is a very primal, almost tribalistic, core to their sound that is filtered with today's electronics to make it sound more modern. The band members of Miike Snow are all accomplished musicians that you've heard before, but never knew you heard. They've helped create a lot of pop songs in the recent years and they've finally broke out on their own to create their own stuff; I highly suggest you check it out and get the deluxe version that comes with the extra songs and remixes.
Notable Lyrics (Note, no one has the real lyrics to this song and at times it's hard to discern what he's saying):
I tried to beat the devil too many times I'm in love and she is tragic Magic I wanna listen to my evil eye and I put her down but she won't have it I wanna know I wanna know I wanna know which way to go before it tramples on me but the rabbit jumps back in his hole and I forget that I am just like everybody else everybody else
