I'm back, bitches! And, I can't think of a better song to come out of hiatus to than the new one by Yuck, "Middle Sea." I wrote about this band last year when I fell in love with "Chew." It was a song that I loved but never bought because I couldn't find it anywhere. Damn, I suck at Google.
Cut to a year and change later, and Chew is back. Minus Daniel Blumberg, their lead singer, and now a threesome. So happy to hear that they didn't miss a beat, because "Middle Sea" is effing awesome!! It takes me back to my shoegazing days in the 90's and fills my heart with joy. I'm not sure I can stop listening to it, it's just that damn good. It's like Dinosaur Jr and Yo La Tengo had a British love child and named it Yuck. Hot damn!
Yuck's sophomore album Glow & Behold will be released on October 1st (Fat Possum/Pharmacy), and I can't wait!
In trying to make sense of what happened last night on Game of Thrones, I am searching for something to make me feel like all is well in the world and that everything will be ok if Robb Stark does not exist. I realize that it's a made up world, with characters who do not exist. But, CRIKEY, what was that George RR Martin?! My throat may as well have been slit as I saw it coming and couldn't stop it. I suppose I could've read the books and had a heads up, but I don't think that the hole in my heart would be any less large.
That's where Glass Candy comes in with their fittingly titled "Warm in the Winter." This song makes me happy. It makes me want to dance. It makes me want to twirl in circles. It makes me want to love. It makes me want to live. It makes me want to forget that last night's episode ever existed.
So, EFF YOU, Game of Thrones. I will not let your Red Wedding of torturous endeavor get me down. I'm going to continue on in my own happy land, and maybe go read a Sweet Valley High novel to soothe my soul. Eat an Oreo. Dip it in milk. Chocolate milk. And, then, and only then, will I make a note in my calendar to never EVER EVER accept a party invitation from a Frey.
I've recently been listening to Spotify Radio while doing my daily computer errands and the Indie station keeps playing these lovely tracks that are in Spanish. I don't understand anything they are saying, but I am quite taken by the music just the same. I'm a sucker for great songs with good melody, that make me a little emo.
"Pesadilla en el Parque de Attracciones" by Los Planetas is one of those songs. I had heard it a few times and the song made me happy. First, I'm thinking: oh what a great love song. Then, it dawned on me that maybe it was a song about longing. Is this a couple that's already together? Are they separated by distance or time? Did they break up? Did he disappear for no reason and suddenly feels bad? Are kids throughout Latin America and Spain are listening to this song and feeling the same way? If only I knew what they were saying!
I'll start by saying that I have a very limited grasp of the Spanish language. I often brag that I can read it, just not speak it and also that I KIND OF understand what people are saying when they speak it to me. So, I thought it would be funny to do a compare and contrast with what I THINK the song is saying vs. what the song is ACTUALLY saying.
My version:
OMG, you're so awesome and I love you
I want to be with you
I think of you all the time and want you with me
I'm so sorry for all the horrible things I said to you
Follow me into the sunset and we'll be happy
We can dance together in the moonlight
You're awesome
I'm awesome
Let's do this
Love ya, mean it (Rinse and repeat)
The real version in English: "Know that I expected This happened and nothing happens That alone gives me reason and I've been learning From time to time I have been with you And I applied my enemies Your dirty tactics of harassment and demolition I've also got a good thing From all this mess And I want you to know I hope you end up hanging from a pine When you see how stupid you've been When you see that you have done fatal And I want you to know That has been hell to be with you Who the hell is the closest thing, You look a bit like Satan I want you to know that I have come In your fucking scenes "Now I'm out" Get out and that would be a really lucky If not I see you in the coming years For me that you could throw a pit Who and what do I care If I start thinking a moment I think I prefer So you know that I hope you end up hitting you a shot When you see how stupid you've been When you see that you have done fatal And I want you to know it's been a hell being with you Let me just narrowly missed But I'm hard to kill And I want you to know it's been a hell being with you Who the hell is not so much punishment You look pretty to Satan"
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...kinda not the same thing...
It made me think how you attach your own emotions to a song, whether you know what the song says or not. And, also that it's possible to have the same song mean something to you whether it means something positive or negative, and still for the same reason. It's a little bit of circular logic, but that's been my life lately.
The best part? I love the song even more and its inspired me to seek out other Indie en Espanol artists. Me gusta!!
I feel as though I’ve lamented about my love of Jim James
from My Morning Jacket before.He will
forever hold a special place in my heart since he wore the moon boots with
skulls on them at Coachella a few years back.Above that, I am also a huge fan of his music which means that I am
beyond excited that he has a solo record coming out on February 5th
through ATO Records.The two songs I’ve
heard from Regions of Light and Sound of
God lead me to believe that this is going to be one helluva a baby makin’
record.“A New Life” was released today
and is streaming on RollingStone.com. I
think I’ve listened to it about twenty times already this morning, and I have
to say that it’s one of the most romantic songs I’ve heard in a long time.It’s starts out slow and parlays into a
catchy ditty that almost sounds like a Johnny Cash song and then ends with a 60’s
doo-wop, surf-rock, Beach Boys vibe.But, the words.Oh, the
words.Here’s a preview:
Hey, open
the door
I want a new
life
Hey, and
here’s what’s more
I want a new
life
A new life
Babe, let’s
get one thing clear
There’s much
more stardust
When you’re
near
I think, I’m
really being sincere
I want a new
life mmmm
A new life
With you
Hey, open
the door
I want a new
life
Hey, and
here’s what’s more
I want a new
life
A new life
Babe, let’s
get one thing clear
There’s much
more stardust
When you’re
near
I think, I’m
really being sincere
I want a new
life mmmm
A new life
With you
Can’t you
see
A perfect
picture of you and me
But you know
It won’t
come easy
And what’s
more
It’s worth
working for
Babe, open
the door
It starts
your new life
Babe, open
your door
It starts
your new life
Once more
COME
ON.I can’t even.It’s just so good…it makes me want to get married
just so I can play it at my wedding.And, that’s the ONLY reason I want to get married.Yeah right.
The first single is “Know Till Now” and it’s also pretty awesome.We’re talking 70’s AM radio meets Afghan Whigs
sexy meets late night downtown.I’m VERY
MUCH picking up what Jim James is putting down.Let’s do this.
Download it
now. And then go find someone to get
busy with on February 5th.
I'm baaaaack bitches!! Sorry I've been gone so long...been traveling around and unable to update. But, I've heard a band that has inspired me so much that I hate to come out of hiatus to tell you about them. I'm a little more than obsessed with The 1975. And, not just because they're named after a year in the most awesome decade to be born in, but because their new song "Sex" is the serious shit.
It's got everything I love in a song...hooky crunchy guitars and a catchy emo chorus. This song literally had me at hello (well, you know what I mean). The 1975 are from Manchester, England and are releasing their second EP this year, also called Sex and available November 19th. Check out the rest of their music on their Soundcloud...it's the bees knees!
I'm more than a little obsessed with this song. I first heard it a few weeks ago, but have been so busy that I didn't get a chance to share my love with the world. So, sue me...I might be a little late to the Twin Shadow game. I'm sure there are hipsters in Silver LakeEcho ParkFrogtownWilliamsburg somewhere really lowly and ghetto who knew this song in utero. I'm just not that cool. Sorry.
"Five Seconds" is a-mazing and it's also one of my new favorite songs. It hasn't replaced my summer love for "Heaven" by The Walkmen, but holds a different place in my heart....the one left vacant after I burned out on Bloc Party a while ago. It comes as no surprise that his new album Confess will be released on July 9th by one of my favorite record labels, 4AD...love them. Definitely my vote for one of my favorite summer songs of 2012. CAN.NOT.WAIT.
I was absolutely OBSESSED with The Cribs' Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever when it came out. I think I listened to it on repeat every day, all day for two months straight. One of my all-time faves. Then came Ignore the Ignorant. It was good, but I just didn't latch on like I did before. The band had been signed to a Warner Bros. and I don't think that the combo was working. For anyone. So, I'm delighted to find out that the band has been busy working on a new record and are signed with an indie. YAAY! This can be nothing but good. "Come On, Be A No-One" is the latest single from In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull, to be released May 15th on Wichita Recordings. I freaking love this song. It's got all the things I love about The Cribs: raw energy, catchy hooks and addictive melodies. They're back and I LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. it!!!
Catch them playing songs from the new record when they come to North America (hoping the LA date is TBA):
April 3 Portland, OR Holocene
April 4 Seattle, WA Crocodile Cafe
April 7 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
April 9 Chicago, IL Schubas
April 10 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room
April 11 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
April 13 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
April 14 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall
Forgive me if I'm late to the party, but I caught WU LYF performing "Heavy Pop" on Letterman the other night and these kids rocked it. Not only are they super adorable, but I can't help myself with their synthy shoegazy lo-fi jam. Now the only question is what is WU LYF? Is it like, "WOOOO...LIFE!" Or is it like, "Wu-Tang Clan (for) Life?" Either way, I live a Wu life. WOOO! I mean, Wuuuuu! **
I can't wait to check out their full-length Go Tell Fire to the Mountain (which came out last June...where the hell was I?!). ANDDDD...they'll be at Coachella, giving me yet another reason to go. I like the non-live version too:
**Apparently WU LYF means World Unite Lucifer Youth Foundation. --cue sad horn--
What I know about Fun. after watching their video for "We Are Young":
- I like to have fun. Given their name is Fun., they probably like fun too. We might get along.
- They sing a song about being in a bar and getting crunk, but they look like they're 16. That's ok. So do I. (x2)
- It's pretty cool that Janelle Monae sings on "We Are Young." She's awesome.
- Record labels still pay for really expensive looking videos. They must think Fun. is going places.
- This song is emo as hell and I love it.
- How cute are they?
- I can totally see this song being an anthem, with everyone singing along when it comes on the jukebox. (This often happens with Arcade Fire at one of my fave watering holes).
- They have a new record called Some Nights coming out on Fueled By Ramen on February 21, 2012.
- It still feels weird typing 2012.
- Who brought their teddy bear to a bar?
- Is it so wrong that I hope that 2012 brings me someone "to set the world on fire" with. At the very least someone who will say to me:
"So, if by the time the bar closes
And you feel like falling down
I'll carry you home
...Tonight"
Kind of obsessed with Azealia Banks right now. People keep comparing her to Nicki Minaj, who I'm not really a fan of (though I just found out my one and a half year old niece is - which is weird in and of itself). I think Ms. Azealia is a bit more fresh and less packaged: more Kreayshawn, less Ke$ha. And, she's so cool that she even covered Interpol's "Slow Hands."
Special shout out to my friend Bacon for always thinking of me when he hears the ill shit.
I hate when I totally miss music that's good. And, it's all my fault really. I'm just not paying attention. That was how School of Seven Bells escaped me. I did actually catch them on Last Call With Carson Daly and meant to research more, and forgot. That is, until this morning when I heard "The Night" on KCRW. LOVE. "The Night" is the teaser track from their forthcoming album Ghostory which comes out in February 28, 2012. It's not as lo-fi as some of their previous stuff, maybe meaning they are going in a more poppy direction. Either way, it's awesome and I can't wait to hear more!!
The Black Keys are set to release El Camino - their follow-up to 2010's Brothers on December 6th through Nonesuch Records. For those of us who can't wait until then, the band has been so kind to preview five songs on their website (in exchange for your email address). I am so in LIKE with what I hear so far. This album is going to be huge for them. I had already heard "Lonely Boy" since it's the first single and love it. But, I was excited to hear what else they have in store for us. "Gold On The Ceiling" is soulful and funky, while "Little Black Submarines" is very Led Zeppelin-it starts out very "Stairway to Heaven"and erupts into an explosion of crunching guitars). The next track is "Sister." which is very along the lines of "Lonely Boy" and will probably be their next single, though if I had to pick, I'd choose the last track "Run Right Back"- which might be my favorite of the bunch.
I recently stumbled on a band called The Big Pink and have been obsessing ever since. They are set to release their second album in January, 2012 on 4AD. It's totally fitting that they are now my new favorite band and that they are on 4AD, because 4AD was the home to many of my favorite bands and henceforth became my favorite record label back in the day (ya know, when people had favorite record labels). I don't know if I would have made it through the 90's without 4AD (would not have been pretty). They brought me many bands, but I am mostly grateful for: Cocteau Twins, This Mortal Coil, The Breeders, Belly, Throwing Muses, The Amps and most of all...THE PIXIES. Love, love, love.
Anyway, 4AD knows good music, which is only one reason you should check out The Big Pink. The better reason is because they are pretty frickin good. "Stay Gold" had me hooked, and then came "Hit the Ground (Superman)" which sealed the deal. January 2012 can't come soon enough!
I'm so excited that Rachael Yamagata has a new album coming out! This will be her first release since 2008's Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart, which was a great album. The first single from Chesapeake is "Even If I Don't," a beautiful upbeat love song about looking back on a relationship and missing it but knowing that it would never work. The video was directed by her brother Josh Ruben, and features a lion and a bunny falling in and out of love. I love what the song says:
"All those words
said at the ending
were pretty revealing
I can't forget them
All those ways
missed our connecting
despite all our trying
it always came back to what I couldn't give you."
I think we all know that story a little too well.
Chesapeake will be released on October 11th via Rachael's record label Frankenfish Records. She'll also be hitting the road this fall for a full US tour.
Class Actress is on my radar since I heard their song "Let Me Take You Out" in a bar and became obsessed with Elizabeth Harper's dreamy vocals. The latest single "Weekend" is making the rounds for download this week and I'm so excited to hear something new from them. Their debut EP Journal of Ardency was released on Chris Taylor's (of Grizzly Bear) Terrible Records in 2010 and they are finally releasing their first full-length Rapprocher in October 2011. I expect for it to be full of lovelorn dance anthems showcasing Harper's wistful vocals and synth pop beats. I can't wait!
You can download "Weekend" on their Soundcloud page and get the latest info here.
I've been a fan of Zollie Maynard, one half of The Cinema Twin, since high school. To be fair, we went to high school in the same town and he had a really great band that played all over. After high school, he and the band moved to Atlanta where they were known as the Sightseers and signed to Brendan O'Brien's Shotput record label. The band recorded a few records and then broke up. Zollie moved to New York, got his degree and landed in Brooklyn. That was where he reconnected with Jason Chimonides, an acquaintance from home, and The Cinema Twin was born. When they released their first single "Red Gtr." it caught the ear of Robin Guthrie from the Cocteau Twins (ahem, one of my favorite bands of all time) and Robin liked what he heard so much that he started working with the band. What resulted is an intricately layered melodic and sweet song that makes me feel happy and warm inside. The three song single Red Gtr. is available via iTunes and features "Red Gtr.," "Sun Doesn't Know" and "Red Gtr. (Robin Guthrie version)." Get it now!
When I first heard The Horrors, it was because I fell in love with their gothy dark antics on their 2009 album Primary Colors. It was in the tradition of those Joy Division influenced bands that I can't seem to get enough of and I was into it. Critics loved it too and it was even nominated for a Mercury Prize in the UK. Many times, this kind of pressure fucks with bands' heads and they try to recreate the same thing for their follow-up. Not with The Horrors. Instead, they took what was good and made it better, creating one of my favorite records this year, Skying.
I literally cannot get enough of this record. It makes my big black soul smile and brings a sort of moodiness to the summer days that makes me feel like I'm in Northern England on a winter day. The evolution of their sound, while still dark and moody, almost makes Primary Colors seem boilerplate. There's balance between the shoegazy crushing guitars and the rich psychedelic landscape of melody and romance, resulting in a sort of brit-poppiness and hooks that are catchy as hell. I can't help but hear an homage to Psychedelic Furs and Echo & the Bunnymen alongside bands like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club or Sonic Youth.
Skying is like a sonic roller coaster; it takes you really high, really low and surprises you along the way. Opener "Changing the Rain" is slow and steady with luscious serenading keyboards that suck you in, creating a sense of calm and peacefulness. This peacefulness continues until "I Can See Through You," which is like a giant wave of synth, bowling you over. God, I love that song! Then there's "Endless Blue" which tricks you with a soft melody and suddenly rips into banging, crushing guitars.**
**Note from Jeannie: I'm not sure if The Horrors know of The Wedding Present, but this song is so reminiscent of David Gedge's patented crushing guitars, that they might owe him a big giant "Thank You." Just sayin.
That said, it's probably my favorite song on the record. A close second, tied with "I Can See Through You," is the first single "Still Life." It's one of those songs that you can listen to over and over and not get sick of. And, it's what I like to call Jeannie-Emo or "Jemo."
"Under a sky, no one sees
Waiting, watching it happening
Don’t hurry give it time
Things are the way they have to be
Slow down, give it time
Still life, you know I’m listening
The moment that you want is coming if you give it time
When you wake up
When you wake up
You will find me
When you wake up
When you wake up
You will find me"
Seriously? Love it. Other favorites are "Wild Eyed" and "Moving Further Away." But, I have to say that the record as a whole is pretty freaking fantastic and I've been listening to it NON-STOP since they started streaming it pre-release. Now I am just looking forward to September when they are hitting the US to tour. Gloomy FTW!
Cut Off Your Hands have been a favorite of mine since their buzz-ridden debut record in 2009. You And I is filled with luscious pop-filled ditties infused with wall-of-sound texture and makes me smile in a way that can only be described as downright giddy. I seriously love this band so much I want to marry them. So, it is with great excitement that I can report that their new record Hollow Out will be released on August 16th on Frenchkiss Records. "Fooling No One" is the first single from the record and if it's any indication of what's to come, the honeymoon is ON. It's still got the same pop sensibility, but a smidge darker. I'd say it sounds a bit Echo and the Bunnymen with a little Ocean Blue thrown in. You also can download another song "Hollowed Out" from Hollow Out over at Spin. And, it must be Christmas in July because the band is giving away a free EP (below) which includes "Happy As Can Be" - one of my most fave songs from their first record.
I was already a fan of Wolf Parade, so it’s not surprising that I am a huge fan of Dan Boeckner’s side project Handsome Furs that he started with his wife Alexei Perry.The music obviously reminds me of Wolf Parade, since it is the same haunting vocals of Dan Boeckner, but it’s way sassier and synth-y.To be honest, this is my first foray into Handsome Furs’ music even though this is their sophomore release.It also just happens to be their first record written exclusively on keyboards. Bold and wise decision, I say.
I absolutely CANNOT get enough of Sound Kapitol.I have been listening to it non-stop all week and every time I hear it, I like it even more.I feel like I’ve been listening to a lot of synth-y 80’s pop influenced music lately and I’m not sure why.Maybe because it’s summer and it makes me happy, or maybe it’s because I’ve got my finger on the pulse and this is all the cool new shit.I hope it’s not because I’m becoming one of those people that only listens to music that is similar to what they grew up hearing (read: my mom + Motown).
I read that Dan and Alexei were trying to make a statement with this record to that electronic music doesn’t have to be cold and unfeeling.If that was their mission, they have certainly succeeded.This doesn’t surprise me, because I find that Wolf Parade music is very feeling and deep.This is really apparent on songs like “Memories of the Future.”The song builds into this mantra that is almost like a chant you do in yoga:
“I threw my hands to the sky
I let my memories go
I threw my hands to the sky
I let my memories go
I feel low
I feel alright
I feel low
I feel alright
I feel low
I feel alright”
It’s almost soothing, as though everything will be ok.Then there are my other favorites like “Serve the People” and “What About Us?” where he begs of you to break his heart, as though that will make everything going on in the evil world okay.Pretty deep shit, right?“Repatriated” is about the future and where feelings have gone.And, then there is my favorite song on the record, “No Feelings.”Total Jeannie-Emo.Almost immediately, this song made it to my favorite song playlist.And, as the last song on the record, it leaves you wanting so much more.This is why this record has been on a loop all week long. I literally am craving it.
You can stream the record this week on KCRW, and download “Repatriated” below.Sound Kapitol gets a lot of stars from me…so buy it now!
I'm not much of a club-goer anymore, but the first time I heard The Rapture's "House of Jealous Lovers" it made me want to knock all the hipsters kids out of the way and shake my groove thing like nobody's biz. I didn't actually do that, but I did come home drunk a few times and dance around my apartment like I was Deney Terrio on speed. I'm so happy that The Rapture are back with a new track that may be my song of the summer, as well as a new record, In the Grace of Your Love, out September 6. This record will see the return of the band to DFA Records, which released the band's first two records and is the label of James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
