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.
