Weekly Roundup, July 05 – July 12
I promised there would be a weekly roundup of new songs, and yep, there will be one. Except this is one day late already, I’m sorry much. Blame work and laziness. Let’s go.
Tegan & Sara, but who is who?
Tegan & Sara – Call It Off This one’s a couple of years old but I hadn’t heard it until a few days back. That’s cause I never bother to listen to albums completely. I like tracks to stand alone, not to be framed by the following or preceding songs. Anyway, when I first heard the title track of their then released album, The Con, I liked it, but not enough to get their album. And so, two years later, there’s another track to hype on. At least for me. Buy The Con on Amazon.
Atmosphere – The Ropes Oh, where to start with Atmosphere! Most of their songs score an average on my sheet. In fact, there are only a handful of songs I dig. But these I will listen to for ever and ever (namely “Trying to find a Balance” and “God Loves Ugly”). This one lines up right behind. Nice beat and decent rap. I think Atmosphere are the last rappers who don’t pretend to be all ghetto. Fuck Asher Roth, this is the real shit. Download their give-away EP “Leak At Will” at Fifth Element
Belle & Sebastian – Funny Little Frog I’m in a good mood. And when I’m in a good mood, I tend to listen to yuppie music with a pinch of extra-cuteness. Funny Little Frog might sound like any other song Belle and Sebastian have ever recorded, but you know what, I love musicians who stay consistent in their field. Buy The Life Pursuit on Amazon.
Four Tet – Iron Man (Black Sabbath Cover) What is this? Heaven? Double-chocolate muffin? It could be sex with Johnny Depp for all I know. This guy just knows how to push the right buttons to make a girl want to dream more than she already does (still does not catch up with Burial, but ever since they teamed on an EP a couple of months ago I don’t even care about competition anymore).
Yes Giantess – Tuff & Stuff Backstreet Boys meets Passion Pit. You’ve got yourself a winner for this week. I like it, it’s annoying but edgy and electronic and damn fucking hipster. Where’s the glitter girls at?
Kate Simko – Margie’s Groove Some minimal stuff for a change. I tend to ignore anything minimal on my playlist unless I’m in a club full of likeminded ravers on Berlins eastside. Every now and then an interesting groove, such as Margie’s, haha, will sneak back into it and make me lose myself while preparing the dish of the day. Can’t help the nodding though. Buy Gamelan/Margie’s Groove EP on Amazon.
Mr. Hudson – Everything Is Broken ft. Kid Cudi Long live auto-tune! Long live the Hipster Hop! Blame me as much as you want, Kid Cudi is awesome in my book, no matter who he teams with. Song gets boring after a while, though.
M.I.A. for AWESOME
NUMP – Legalize My Medicine ft. M.I.A. In my last post I asked why M.I.A. couldn’t release tracks on a daily basis. Well, she still doesn’t, but if weekly is the alternative, I’m happy anyway. This one’s not as awesome as her feature with Blaqstarr, but come on, how much less than awesome can M.I.A. ever be? Damn right and there she goes again.
Sian Alice Group – Close To The Ground Fuck yeah, rock music with a creepy touch to it. Don’t know who these guys are and will probably never find out (it’s not that good yet), but I will surely follow up to their next songs. Very promising so far.
The Twelves – When You Talk Love the Twelves! Wish I could see them live, but I’m too old to rave to such monuments of electronic music. Nowadays, whenever you visit an event that is supposedly “underground”, a gazillion of hipster-kids will simply knock you out. Someone’s always higher, fitter and drunker than you, my friend. Applies to me anyway, and thus I’ll just observe from my comfortable bedroom and sway in wouldacouldashouldas.
That’s it for today children. I’ll see you next week or somewhere inbetween, depending on how much time I have (my mom’s coming up to visit and I’ll be back home from Saturday on, so let’s see how that works out). Cheerio and goodbye!
Summer Breaks
Every year people pop out their summer playlists. Sometimes, it’s full of new, hyped tracks. Sometimes it’s just a best-of collection of what most people would say are good summerish songs. That’s pretty much like adding one song per year to that list.
I won’t do that. Instead, I’ll give you a very subjective list of songs that I think sound a lot like summer. I’m clever like that. You probably won’t agree with me on most of what I’ll suggest, but if you give it a shot and try to lie back in the sun while listening, maybe you’ll be able to imagine where I get my hunches from..
The list is not limited to more recent songs, but I will try to avoid rather famous-summer-feeling songs for the sake of finding something new.
Belle & Sebastian – If She Wants Me
Aww dear Lord is that the cutest song in this shit hell hole of a universe or what? This reminds me of wine glasses, best friends and picknicks in dog-turd infested parks. This song has such a perfectly catchy and innocent beat, it’s practically got summer written all over it.
The Jealous Girlfriends – Lay Around
This is a very special song; special as in rare. First time I heard it in a love scene on some TV show or another, I can’t remember what it was exactly. So this song, it’s smoking a joint on a warm summer evening on your balcony, watching the streets and the cars and the nighttime in your big city, in your small but really nice apartment, drinking wine, just staring out there, thinking, smiling, and it might not be good, but it’s good enough. And this is what this song is. Jazzy, poppish, reminds me of Shivaree. One of my favourite all-time tracks.
The Kooks – Naive
Who doesn’t want to start up the cars engine and just go for speed on that one? Or dance downtown in a shabby club with friends, screaming the chorus along from the top of your lungs? Or border the plane and watch the sea below when flying to an exotic spot somewhere in the world? Or just feels the sun on their skin when crawling out of your tent at that awesome festival where everyone is getting drunk? … if this song does not deserve the “summer” label, I don’t know what will.
I like Kings of Convenience
Kings of Convenience – Gold in The Air of Summer
Ah well, that one gives it away from the title. A slow tune with guitars, perfect for a bon fire. Not everything has to be happy in the summer. Sometimes you just have to take a slow moment with yourself. This song is a perfect back up for the tough times without being depressive. Again, the genius of Erlend Oye never ceazes to amaze me.
The Low Life – You Are Everything
This might SOUND like a funny, good-timish song. But listen closer and you’ll hear a story of a murder, cleverly wrapped and hidden in reaggae, pop, indie and some funk tunes. This one kills all the other summer song, literally.
Nottee – Young Modern Life
I think I really dig that “driving around in cars in the sun with loud music coming from the stereo” feeling, which is why most of the songs here are just perfect for that. This here, it’s a summer fantasy on summer nights. It’s riding bikes with the significant other and ending up doing the do on the wet grass with birds and bees flying over your heads. My personal pick for “best find 2009 award”, an award exclusively given and received by myself.
Asher Roth – I Love College
Snap man, I hate that song. I mean, I kinda do. But I don’t really, I just pretend to hate it because it’s really not good. The beat is basically boring, the rapping.. I mean it’s Eminem, but not a very good Eminem. I don’t know what to think! Wait, let me get drunk first. I think I might like it, anyway. Damnit, I just love it.
The Cure – Mint Car
It took me a while to overstep my ignorant music fascism and actually give The Cure a try. It’s been two years and I’m addicted like fuck. I never regretted The Cure, even though on second thought they’re creepy pop singers with Emo looks. But: they were so before any of it made any difference to popularity, status or genre. Mint Car is one of those songs that makes you get lose in good mood. Not my favourite Cure song, but a perfect summer song.
El Ten Eleven – Central Nervous Piston
I cannot begin to describe the glory nor the beauty of this song, of what it means, if it ever means anything at all. If there was just one album I’d have to listen to the whole summer, then it would be El Ten Elevens self titled album. Actually, I’d listen to it for the rest of my life. This is beautiful music, and although I’m the greatest pirate of the nets I insist you go buy the album if you liked the song. Please. They deserve every penny for this masterpiece of work.
- Bonus add: El Ten Eleven – My Only Swerving
Phoenix – Everything is Everything & If I Ever Feel Better
Cute, you thought I’d be pushy about their new album? Suck it, bitches, there’s no new album for me. I love Phoenix, but someway, somehow, their new stuff hasn’t found it’s way into my brains. Not that it’s not good… but sometimes it’s just not the right time for the right music. So, you know, I’ll keep it around, that Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix thing, and some day I’ll randomly listen to one song that matches everything I feel. Until then, I’ll be celebrating these two brilliant and witty songs in the sun.
Tilly and the Wall – Beat Control
Yeah, I can’t resist the hype… what can ya do. It just makes me want to dress up in hippie clothes and get down.
Emiliana Torrini – Jungle Drum & Unemployed in Summertime
Two songs of the same artists that couldn’t be more different, probably induced from the fact that they’re on two different albums from two different phases. Jungle Drum is pretty obvious, but Unemployed in Summertime has a very personal summer-meaning to me. There really are no words to describe either songs, I guess everyone has to decide for themselves whether it’s their “thing” or not.
Oh man, there are just so many more songs I’d love to post here. Let’s see, I might do a follow up in a month or two on the summer-side of the music world, there really isn’t enough time and space for that right now. If you have any recommendations or adds, I’d be happy to check into that, too, so don’t hesitate to comment. Peace out.
Cover Mania
Everyone knows I’m a fan of unknown music; well, at least not mainstream music. That’s not because I don’t like mainstream music. In fact, I love pop and I love Britney and I love the jink that’s going down on the radio. What I hate is the ever so obsessive rotation of popular songs. It does ruin the mood if you’re hearing the same track gazillion times in a row.
So that is why I like discovering new stuff, preferably by artists who’re never going to make it to the surface, no matter how good their music is. I like to call them “my precious”, and I hate sharing (unless I get to take the credit for my great discovery, which never happens, so I quit that too). I will share with you though.
Today’s theme is: famous songs covered by unknown artists OR known artists who’ve made absolutely awesome acoustic covers. I’ve already picked some in my last posts, but I’m sharing them again for the sake of it. Have fun! (Links are all Mediafire).
I Call Shotgun – Ride With Me (Nelly Cover)
Yeah, I found this one by accident and guess what, it’s awesome. I still remember when I first heard the Nelly track on MTV. It’s one of the rare hip hop/pop songs that still makes me smile (probably also induced by the use in one of my favorite TV shows, Scrubs, in a really light-hearted scene). The singer messes things up by the end, he starts doing the chorus to “Cupids Chokehold” by Gym Class Heroes. I do like that song, too.
Bat For Lashes - totally missed her concert last month
Bat For Lashes – Use Somebody (Kings of Leon Cover)
I will make an individual entry for both Bat For Lashes and Kings Of Leon soon, but for now enjoy this glorious combination of awesome singer and awesome lyrics. Use Somebody is probably going to hit the Top 10 of the most inspiring songs of my twenties (mind you, I’m not even 21), and this cover does it. Still not hitting the original mark, but good enough.
Lykke Li – Hustlin’ (Rick Ross Cover)
The transition of rap song to a hyped indie track seems to be very popular these days. This one’s especially charming because I’ve seen the video to it (which I’m too lazy to look up right now, google it), and I love how Lykke Li starts posing like a bonafide rapstar.
Goldfrapp – It’s Not Over Yet (Klaxons Cover)
Awwww. This is a cute one because I don’t like the original song that much (correct me if I’m wrong, but I think even that one is actually a cover of another song), but Alison Goldfrapp does some magic with her voice and voilá… although, I suppose the reduction of those scary keyboard sounds that Klaxons have overused on their album(s) might also be a reason.
The Gossip – Are You That Somebody (Aaliyah Cover)
A tribute post-mortem is not always the best option to go, especially when you’re a lesbian indie-rock band attempting to cover one of the greatest R’n'B songs created to this day. But what can I say? It’s a good cover, it’s not too much, not too strong, goes with the flow and gives it a different, yet subtle new touch. I approve.
Cat Power – Wonderwall (Oasis Cover)
I won’t dare comparing anyone to the genius of Oasis (well- Oasis from “back then”, anyway). This song is untouchable. I’m a huge skeptic when it comes to Cat Power, which adds to my opinion about this cover. Yet I wouldn’t mention it if it wasn’t something great, good enough at least. Cat Powers songs might sound almost the same, but sometimes I find a pick like this and remember why everybody loves her so much. She makes me want to die inside, a little bit.
Klaxons – No Diggity (Blackstreet Cover)
What is it with the hip hop covers, again? Now that Klaxons have been done, they’re probably taking on that cover-level, too. I don’t know how old this cover is, but it’s a good change to the even older (but still good!) and classic Blackstreet track (I’m ashamed to say it’s also the only one I know or remember). They really hit it on the second verse!
Katy Perry – Electric Feel (MGMT Cover)
There she is again, our beloved Katy Perry. Seriously, I love her. She rocks at covering music, I’ve mentioned that in my post from a week back- “Hooked on Katy Perry“. She kind of jumped on the acoustic-cover-of-hyped-bands bandwagon, but I don’t mind as long as she stays fresh.
The Kooks – Crazy (Gnarks Barkley Cover)
Oh damn, that one’s seriously old. I know I heard it first before I heard the actual Gnarls Barkley, which then became crazy famous. I still prefer this cover over the pop-track with the terrible video. It’s also pretty much the only song by the Kooks that I like (except for Naive, also one of the greatest tracks I’ve ever heard).
Hot Chip – Wearing My Rolex (Wiley Cover)
Not an acoustic cover, I know, I cheated. But I suppose it’s unplugged so that makes it fair again. Also, I can’t think of another theme that I would put this one in, I saw this fit. There you go.
Radiohead - Greatest Band Alive
Milow – Ayo Technology (50 Cent & Justin Timberlake Cover)
This one’s relatively new and going through German radio station’s like swine flu through Mexico. This one, you don’t listen to the lyrics very much, because if you would, it wouldn’t sound so grown up anymore. I have never heard a mommy-track like that. It’s for grandmothers, seriously! … I dig it.
Katy Perry – Black & Gold (Sam Sparro Cover)
… and there she is again! Black & Gold, a very intruiging (what the fuck I won’t even try to spell that) song, can’t be beat in it’s original version, but give this one a shot for more KP love.
John Mayer – Kid A (Radiohead Cover)
Alright, so this one’s a no brainer. Again, I have no clue how long it’s been cruising the interwebs, but I’ve had it in my music library for a really, really long time already. I’m a day one Radiohead fan. I even bought their give-away album, that’s how much I love them. On the other hand, I hate John Mayer. Come on- Your Body Is A Wonderland? I’m this close to calling Nickelback better than that! … though, on another thought, forget that. Anyway. Kid A. Great song. Guess what? It’s even better now.
A honorable mention is reserved for Jay Brannan, who covered “Straight Outta Compton” from NWA. What a daredevil! I couldn’t find the mp3 to it, so here’s the video. Be cautious though, he didn’t censor the swearing.
If you have any more good covers to suggest, don’t hesitate dropping a line!
Welcome to Heartbreak
This one is quick add to the Kanye West Collabo Collection from a couple of days ago; I found this gold piece from upcoming artist Marv Milly, apparently promoted by Kanye West much like Kid Cudi. He took that monotone and pretty boring song, Welcome To Heartbreak, and made something actually interesting of it.
Here’s the deal (from Mediafire):
Kanye West – Welcome to Heartbreak (ft. Kid Cudi & Marv Milly)
Cave Singers
I’ll be quick and honest with you: I know crap about Cave Singers. I do know that they remind me of that Fleet Foxes stuff that’s being hyped so much. I don’t like the folksy music thing, really. It reminds me too much of young people who pretend to be old and a last leftover of the hippy regime.
Anyway, Cave Singers have produced a song of such a beautiful magnitude, it makes me want to curl up and die because I can’t be in that place, in that glorious beach house, in that life they’re singing of.
And with that said, download.
Cave Singers – Beach House (from Stereogum)
Daniel & Bees
Found a new love for the weekend. I’ve tried my best so far to ignore the hype around Bat For Lashes, which I thought was just another hipster indie thing to avoid. Turns out, I was wrong.
I stumbled upon a video of “Daniel”, one of the newer songs (I guess?), and there you go, it is amazing music. I got the whole album half an hour later and what can ya say, it was my greatest mistake not giving this more attention.
Download Bat For Lashes – Daniel
There is yet another track that got me swooning in soon-to-be-summer thoughts, Mr. Hurricane by BEAST. I haven’t heard of this artist before and I’m looking forward to finding more of their stuf. It’s exquisitely delightful. And also, I like the bee concept of the video.
Übrigens: Auf nfon.net gibt es die skalierbare, virtuelle Telefonanlage als Teil der Bürotechnik. Auf Nfon bin ich über Käuferportal gestoßen, wo man Anfragen stellen kann (auch zu Bürotechnik; halt sowas wie Telefonanlagen oder Plotter oder auch so ganz ganz andere Sachen, wie z.B. der Koffeinschub durch den Kaffeevollautomaten oder ‘ne Werbeagentur wenn man mal wieder ein bisschen Promo braucht; ist ja auch super für Musiker!).
leave a comment