I'm so throughly impressed by this video. It's directed by Oren Lavie for his own song "Her Morning Elegance". After watching, I just want to curl up in my bed and dream.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
A Fiery One
I think if God or whichever higher gave me the ability to pick my own natural haircolour, it'd be red and here's why: Redheads are just cool.
Case in point. Neko Case.
Her new album, Middle Cyclone is out March 3, 2009 and you can here it streaming here.
Neko Case - Vengeance is Sleeping (mp3) (buy)
Neko Case - People Got alot of Nerve (mp3) (buy)
But I got my second choice: nice shiny black.
Case in point. Neko Case.
Her new album, Middle Cyclone is out March 3, 2009 and you can here it streaming here.
Neko Case - Vengeance is Sleeping (mp3) (buy)
Neko Case - People Got alot of Nerve (mp3) (buy)
But I got my second choice: nice shiny black.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Holy crazy rock band, Batman!
Do you ever wonder what would happen if you were to put Hanson (of Mmmbop fame) and The Smashing Pumpkins (of angry 90s alt-rock music fame) together? Or if you put Cheap Trick and Fountains of Wayne together? I know I do! Well wonder no more, my friends!
Notice any familiar faces? You might. We have James Iha from The Smashing Pumpkins, Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne, Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick and Taylor Hanson from Hanson. Crazy eh? You can check out their latest single on Rolling Stone's website. It reminds me of Hanson covering a Fountains of Wayne version of a Cheap Trick song. And I don't mean that in a bad way, really. Check it out for yourselves!
Introducing: Tinted Windows!
Notice any familiar faces? You might. We have James Iha from The Smashing Pumpkins, Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne, Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick and Taylor Hanson from Hanson. Crazy eh? You can check out their latest single on Rolling Stone's website. It reminds me of Hanson covering a Fountains of Wayne version of a Cheap Trick song. And I don't mean that in a bad way, really. Check it out for yourselves!
Missing You
Joel Plaskett knows what I'm talking out.
If wishful thinking is all I've got/
I've got to keep on thinking wishful thoughts/
thinking wishful thoughts/
I wish you were here/
but you're not....
Sloan - Keep on Thinkin' (mp3) (buy)
David Usher - Time of Our Lives (mp3) (buy)
City and Colour - Sometimes I wish (mp3) (buy)
Modest Mouse - the Good Times are Killing Me (mp3) (buy)
Foo Fighters - How I miss you (mp3) (buy)
Noah and the Whale - 5 Years Time (mp3) (buy)
Pipettes - Because it's not love but its a feeling (mp3) (buy)
Thrush Hermit - Oh Man What to Do (mp3) (buy)
Weezer - Across the Sea (mp3) (buy)
Wilco - Say you Miss Me (mp3) (buy)
Monday, February 16, 2009
Fantasies
The choice between what-you-really-want and what-you-should-do always seemed like they are at the opposite end of the spectrum. What-you-really-want could lead to anarchy or poverty or on the hand, it could lead to bliss. What-you-should-do is something in the middle, something safe and stable, probably what most people would pick.
Metric has decided that for the most part, they're going with what-they-really-want for the release of their next album, Fantasies on April 14. While signed to Last Gang in Canada, and on Arts & Crafts in Mexico, they're going indie everywhere else.
In an interview with CBC Radio 3, Emily Haines states that "It was strange having some real choices for the first time in our career while also feeling like whichever deal we chose was going to end up being restrictive and force us to compromise creatively. At one point, we just said, 'Oh f*ck it, let’s gamble,' took a deep breath and decided to put this record out worldwide our own way."
James Shaw states that "We might go down in flames, or it might be the best move ever. Either way, it will have been on our terms and for us that is success."
Metric - Poster of a Girl (mp3) (buy)
The sound of their first single "Help, I'm Alive" (which you can download from their official site) seems like they've made a good choice doing their own way.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Match Maker
I decided that in the spirit of Valentine's Day, I'd play match maker with some familiar names.
First, let's see if we can find a new love for dear Mr. Tracy Jacks.
Tracy Jacks, works in civil service
Tracy Jacks, it's steady employment
Tracy Jacks, it's a golfing fanatic
Tracy Jacks, but his put is erratic
Tracy Jacks, saw a harley street doctor
Tracy Jacks, who prescribed healthy living
Tracy Jacks, but he's getting past forty
Tracy Jacks, and all the seams are splitting
It sounds like he could do with some excitement in his life. Someone vibrant and full of life. Let's set him up with Chelsea Dagger. She's always the life of the party!
Chelsea, Chelsea I believe that when your dancing
Slowly sucking your sleeve
That all boys get lonely after you leave
And it's one for the Dagger and another for the one you believe
Well... I hope that match up doesn't blow up in my face.
Blur - Tracy Jacks (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
the Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
Moving on. Everyone, say hello to Mohammed.
Again and again I get up and say
I only want to get it right
I only want to do the right thing,
but are these demons, I ask myself
I wonder today, I'm alone, but then
No one can make their own life
No one can say that they're an island
When all this freedom that you get is a lie
Dude needs someone to lighten him up. He said it himself, no one can make their life their own, no one can say that they're an island (hey, didn't someone else say that before? ;D). Mohammed, meet Missy.
Missy got off the bus one day
In a crowd of people, downtown LA
She looked around as if to say, 'I'm home'
I'm home
I'll find someone to love
And some place to drink
And some time when I can just sit and think
And I don't mind if I catch the stink of these drones
Just as long as I'm never alone
the Dandy Warhols - Mohammed (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
the Airborne Toxic Event - Missy (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
(mp3 removed upon request)
Next, we have Jeb Rand.
Jeb Rand
Running from bullets of his past
Jumping from rock to rock just out of grasp
Orphaned boy coming from ships across the sea
Memory is what you know not what you see
so please understand
Jeb Rand you're a wanted man
Shot down by your brother's hand
Jeb Rand run out of this land
They won't stop til you can understand
Poor Jeb Rand is in need of some serious understanding. I think Madeline will understand.
Madeline, hair in your eyes
With the voice as soft as satin
Madeline, you'll surely find
Smiles from inside a worried glance
You always kept me waiting
Somehow I never seem to mind
When the wind has caught your sail,
Come back and see me, Madeline
Bedouin Soundclash - Jeb Rand (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
Yo La Tengo - Madeline (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
Last on today's match making special, we have Michael.
Michael you're the boy with the leather hips
Sticky hair, sticky hips, stubble on my sticky lips
Michael you're the only one I'd ever want
only one I'd ever want
only one I'd ever want
Beautiful boys on a beautiful dance floor
Michael you're dancing like a beautiful dance-whore
Michael waiting on a silver platter now
Nothing matters now
Oh damn, that Michael sounds like quite the character. One sexy character alright. Michael, Dr. Drako might just be the one for you.
You are everywhere,
everywhere you shouldn't be
Dr. Drako, oh Dr. Drako
Every night when I'm feeling kinda lucky man
Dr. Drako's there to slurp up all the honey yeah
Oh yeah. Michael and Dr. Drako are gonna have one sexy night.
Franz Ferdinand - Michael (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
Office - Dr. Drako (mp3) ----------------------------------
(No buy link because Office are offering their entire new album, Mecca, FREE. Visit Office's MySpace to get it!)
Well folks, That's that. I did my job setting up some couples on Valentine's Day. Did I do a good job, you think?
First, let's see if we can find a new love for dear Mr. Tracy Jacks.
Tracy Jacks, works in civil service
Tracy Jacks, it's steady employment
Tracy Jacks, it's a golfing fanatic
Tracy Jacks, but his put is erratic
Tracy Jacks, saw a harley street doctor
Tracy Jacks, who prescribed healthy living
Tracy Jacks, but he's getting past forty
Tracy Jacks, and all the seams are splitting
It sounds like he could do with some excitement in his life. Someone vibrant and full of life. Let's set him up with Chelsea Dagger. She's always the life of the party!
Chelsea, Chelsea I believe that when your dancing
Slowly sucking your sleeve
That all boys get lonely after you leave
And it's one for the Dagger and another for the one you believe
Well... I hope that match up doesn't blow up in my face.
Blur - Tracy Jacks (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
the Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
Moving on. Everyone, say hello to Mohammed.
Again and again I get up and say
I only want to get it right
I only want to do the right thing,
but are these demons, I ask myself
I wonder today, I'm alone, but then
No one can make their own life
No one can say that they're an island
When all this freedom that you get is a lie
Dude needs someone to lighten him up. He said it himself, no one can make their life their own, no one can say that they're an island (hey, didn't someone else say that before? ;D). Mohammed, meet Missy.
Missy got off the bus one day
In a crowd of people, downtown LA
She looked around as if to say, 'I'm home'
I'm home
I'll find someone to love
And some place to drink
And some time when I can just sit and think
And I don't mind if I catch the stink of these drones
Just as long as I'm never alone
the Dandy Warhols - Mohammed (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
the Airborne Toxic Event - Missy (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
(mp3 removed upon request)
Next, we have Jeb Rand.
Jeb Rand
Running from bullets of his past
Jumping from rock to rock just out of grasp
Orphaned boy coming from ships across the sea
Memory is what you know not what you see
so please understand
Jeb Rand you're a wanted man
Shot down by your brother's hand
Jeb Rand run out of this land
They won't stop til you can understand
Poor Jeb Rand is in need of some serious understanding. I think Madeline will understand.
Madeline, hair in your eyes
With the voice as soft as satin
Madeline, you'll surely find
Smiles from inside a worried glance
You always kept me waiting
Somehow I never seem to mind
When the wind has caught your sail,
Come back and see me, Madeline
Bedouin Soundclash - Jeb Rand (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
Yo La Tengo - Madeline (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
Last on today's match making special, we have Michael.
Michael you're the boy with the leather hips
Sticky hair, sticky hips, stubble on my sticky lips
Michael you're the only one I'd ever want
only one I'd ever want
only one I'd ever want
Beautiful boys on a beautiful dance floor
Michael you're dancing like a beautiful dance-whore
Michael waiting on a silver platter now
Nothing matters now
Oh damn, that Michael sounds like quite the character. One sexy character alright. Michael, Dr. Drako might just be the one for you.
You are everywhere,
everywhere you shouldn't be
Dr. Drako, oh Dr. Drako
Every night when I'm feeling kinda lucky man
Dr. Drako's there to slurp up all the honey yeah
Oh yeah. Michael and Dr. Drako are gonna have one sexy night.
Franz Ferdinand - Michael (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
Office - Dr. Drako (mp3) ----------------------------------
(No buy link because Office are offering their entire new album, Mecca, FREE. Visit Office's MySpace to get it!)
Well folks, That's that. I did my job setting up some couples on Valentine's Day. Did I do a good job, you think?
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Stills at WinterCity Fest 2009
I haven't found the time to write this until now, so my apologies for the delay.
The Stills have always been one of those bands on my peripheral. Knew about them , listened to an album or two, but I never really gave them much of a second glance. I mean, the Still in Love Song, and Lola Stars and Stripes have been on my regular rotation for a long while now, but other than those two tracks, there wasn't much there that kept my attention. However, after seeing them play live at Nathan Phillips Square just last week, I decided that I should start paying some attention.
I love it when a band suddenly commands my respect after a live performance. The boys were energetic, and playful with their banter. Their tunes were good, and their presence was great.
They dedicated Snakecharming the Masses to Mr. Stephen Harper. Haha, so cheeky. And right outside City Hall too. Tim Fletcher eventually decided to turn his heat lamp toward us in the audience, telling us that he want to share it, or at least, if we were cold, he would be cold with us. Aww. Olivier Corbeil seemed to have a bit too much saliva though. He kept spitting into that space between the stage and the barrier. For once, I was glad there was a barrier. Nonetheless, he was such a rockstar that when he tossed his cigarette but into that same space, I wanted to catch the embers and indulge in its burn marks.
Now here, take a listen for yourself. I took some videos, and there are plenty more on my youtube channel.
The Stills - Lola Stars and Stripes (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
The Stills - Don't Talk Down (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
After the show and encore, Tim and Olivier came out left of the stage to greet the fans. Those are some very cool guys. I didn't end up staying long enough to see if Olivier actually won a figure skating competition at the ice rink like he promised he would during their set. But I have complete confidence in him. I'm sure he did spectacularly.
The Stills have always been one of those bands on my peripheral. Knew about them , listened to an album or two, but I never really gave them much of a second glance. I mean, the Still in Love Song, and Lola Stars and Stripes have been on my regular rotation for a long while now, but other than those two tracks, there wasn't much there that kept my attention. However, after seeing them play live at Nathan Phillips Square just last week, I decided that I should start paying some attention.
I love it when a band suddenly commands my respect after a live performance. The boys were energetic, and playful with their banter. Their tunes were good, and their presence was great.
They dedicated Snakecharming the Masses to Mr. Stephen Harper. Haha, so cheeky. And right outside City Hall too. Tim Fletcher eventually decided to turn his heat lamp toward us in the audience, telling us that he want to share it, or at least, if we were cold, he would be cold with us. Aww. Olivier Corbeil seemed to have a bit too much saliva though. He kept spitting into that space between the stage and the barrier. For once, I was glad there was a barrier. Nonetheless, he was such a rockstar that when he tossed his cigarette but into that same space, I wanted to catch the embers and indulge in its burn marks.
Now here, take a listen for yourself. I took some videos, and there are plenty more on my youtube channel.
The Stills - Lola Stars and Stripes (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
The Stills - Don't Talk Down (mp3) (Amazon) (iTunes)
After the show and encore, Tim and Olivier came out left of the stage to greet the fans. Those are some very cool guys. I didn't end up staying long enough to see if Olivier actually won a figure skating competition at the ice rink like he promised he would during their set. But I have complete confidence in him. I'm sure he did spectacularly.
Valentine's 2009
It's Valentine's tomorrow. And of course, its a day that's greeted with mixed emotion. Either you love it (because someone's going to bring you flowers) or you hate it (cause no one's going to bring you flowers). So this post is about love, objectively.
F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E. by Pulp is the most accurate love song I've ever heard. Check out the lyrics:
What is this feeling called love?
Why me, why you, why here, why now?
It doesn't make no sense no.
It's not convenient no.
It doesn't fit my plans no.
It's something I don't understand oh.
F.E.E.L.I.N.G. C.A. double L.E.D. L.O.V.E.
Pulp - F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E. (mp3) (buy)
So true.
It's also about who you know, its a little bit of a cliche and you do get crazy in love (enough for fall out of a window sill):
Smashing Pumpkins - Love (mp3) (buy)
Karelia - Love is a Cliche (mp3) (no buy link found)
Jarvis Cocker - Tonite (mp3) (buy)
By the way, I heart Jarvis Cocker! Please be my Valentine. I choo-choo-choose you!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
My Heart Hurts
I was estatic to receive a copy of In-Flight Safety's new album, We Are An Empire, My Dear, in my inbox. I've always liked In-flight Safety. I remember the first time I've ever heard their music on a sad Friday night a few years back. Its a warm, sunny sound that feels like its enveloping you in blankets and warmth.
And listening to the new album in my car, my heart actually hurt upon the seventh track, "Amy Racina". But I mean, isn't that what music is supposed to do? To create or provoke emotion? To make us feel happy or sad or a million different things?
In-flight Safety - Amy Racina (mp3) (buy)
In-flight Safety - Cloud Head (mp3) (buy)
And listening to the new album in my car, my heart actually hurt upon the seventh track, "Amy Racina". But I mean, isn't that what music is supposed to do? To create or provoke emotion? To make us feel happy or sad or a million different things?
In-flight Safety - Amy Racina (mp3) (buy)
In-flight Safety - Cloud Head (mp3) (buy)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
More Fuzz
The Crystal Stilts.
Shoegaze. Heavy atmospherics. Distortion. Jesus and Mary Chain inspired, but without buddy holly sensibilities.
Crystal Stilts - Departure (mp3) (buy)
Crystal Stilts - Crippled Croon (mp3) (buy)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Love, Hate and then There's You
The Von Bondies' new album Love, Hate and then There's You will be released Feb 3, 2009 and its the kind of garage-y, punching rock tunes you'd expect from these guys. And that's a good thing. I'm looking forward to it!
Von Bondies - Pale Bride (mp3) (buy)
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