5.2.08 New Music of the Day: Coldplay?

Hai guys, did you miss me? I think the last ten posts or so mention how me and Erin are busy so I won't rehash that. However, I should note that my new PS3 and a certain MMO are eating up a lot of my time, not to mention that one girl I know. I digress.

Coldplay is doing that free music thing that is all the rage these days and is offering a free track off their forthcoming album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. The song is called "Violet Hill" and it's alright. I mean, it's musically all over the place, but in the end, it provides that hook that Coldplay is so damn good at. You should listen for yourself. It's free for a limited time and all you have to do is give up your email address. Go there now!

Okay, I can't resist this. After you listen to it, you have to tell me what you think. Because it kicks off with this whimsical percussive beat that immediately brought Yellow Submarine-era Beatles to mind or even that-one-VH1-concert-in-the-90s that Fleetwood Mac did. It's so.. un-Coldplay-like. And the reverb!? WTF the reverb??? I have never been a fan of that stupid reverb. That shouty singing style is not for you, sensitive little Chris Martin. The verses are pretty much garbage but when you get to the bridge, the chorus, and at the end, when he quietly asks, "If you love me, won't you let me know?"... those make the song work. But it's another one of those songs that leave me ignoring the majority of it just to get to the good parts (Counting Crows, Death Cab, even Justin Timberlake). Still looking forward to it though.

I swear, all those bands that I really liked back in college and in the early part of this decade... they're leaving me a little flat with these new albums. Does that mean I'm getting OLD? Fuhhhhhh.

4.5.08 Song of teh Weekend: Jose Gonzalez, Lovestain

It's a lazy Saturday in Chicago. The skies are blue and the winds are still. The first day of the year when you can go outside in shorts and a t-shirt and feel the sun spilling warmth on your face; a slight chill in the air and the ground swollen with melted snow to remind you that it's not quite summer yet. I live for days like this. Good days to lay around or head out into the sun. Better yet, with someone else.

I heard this song and thought, yah, I'd like to do that. What are you doing today?


Jose Gonzalez - Lovestain (live)

4.2.08 Song(s) of teh Day: Cut Copy

I'm feeling a bit lazy lately, and I can empathize with Erin's lack of musical inspiration. Sometimes good tunes just quit raining from the heavens and I have to go digging around.

Lucky for me, I didn't have to dig too long. I was thinking about Cut Copy and exactly what they're about. I've only heard a couple of their songs and I was pleasantly surprised to hear that these Aussies are actually pretty damn good. It's categorized as Electronica and while that is accurate, they also find a way to rock. Haha, Wikipedia cites that their music is sometimes called Indie Dance or Electroclash. What will they think of next. I feel like a noob.

So I'm droppin 3 songs on you today. The first two hail from their 2004 release, Bright Like Neon Love and the third is from their latest release, In Ghost Colours (which is available from the iTunes store for a mere US$6.99!

I especially love "Zap Zap" and its mellow grooves. Most of the song is instrumental but remember when I talked about Death Cab's 4 minute masturbatory bore called "I will possess your heart"? Yah, these guys know how to rock the instrumental (as they should).

"Going Nowhere" brings the rock. If you get a chance, check out the video on YouTube (gotta head home so no time to link!) It was shot in one continuous take and the dancing is pretty dope.

And finally "Hearts on Fire" to give a nod to their new stuff and oh hai! it's a good song too.

Birkez!


Cut Copy - Zap Zap


Cut Copy - Going Nowhere


Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire

3.25.08 Video of teh Day: Pete & the Pirates, Knots

Caught this on Pitchfork today... Pete & the Pirates doing a fun times music video in a car. There ain't nothing wrong with listening to a rockin, happy song. Not to mention that I diggeth the brit stuff. So it maded me happy. I mean, it's simple. So enjoy.

I'm in a bit of a music lull. Keeping busy and now that I'm not DJing, not finding as much new music. But today, I found this lil gem. Feel free to pick up their new album via download at the Stolen Recordings online shop.

Cheerio! Birkez

Song of teh day: Death Cab for Cutie, I will possess your heart

Death Cab for Cutie revealed the first single off their forthcoming album on MySpace yesterday. The song is called “I Will Possess Your Heart” and it clocks in at a lengthy 8 minutes, 33 seconds. Holy damn! Where to start?

Well the new album is called Narrow Stairs and is due to come out May 13, 2008. You can already buy the first single at amazon.com and Atlantic Records. I, for one, welcome our sullen indie rock overlords. I’m pumped for this new album. I cannot bear to listen to Plans another day. I wore it out.

So back to the single. What strikes me right away is the raw sound that it introduces in the first 4:35 of purely instrumental music. A bass line that has echoes of Veruca Salt’s “Shutterbug” (omg, YES I referenced Veruca Salt but when you hear this, you’ll know I’m right,) and quick and garage jam-like drums that quickly march along in time. This FEELS like old Death Cab. But not Death Cab. I remember the first time I heard the We have the facts and we’re voting yes album... It was raw and full of ambition, all while lacking that polish that we’ve come to expect from major label bands. This really feels that way. So what’s up with that?

This is the first single to the follow-up to their first commercially successful album? On a major label? Here’s what I like about this move. Death Cab is acting out. They command enough clout to put something out there they want to put out... But are they reaching too far outside of their bread and butter? I’ve listened to the song at least 8 times on repeat and YES, I like it. The song flys by and doesn’t leave you exhausted as if it were an 8 minute musical marathon. Ben Gibbard seems to have found himself some bravado as he sings...

“How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me...”
“You gotta spend some time, love/You gotta spend some time with me/and I know that you’ll find, love/I will possess your heart”

I see the potential. But a) he’s not convincing me. Ben Gibbard tells you how he FEEEEEELS, not how you’re gonna feel about HIM. And b) the lyrics aren’t that deep. I know where he’s going. But the song feels unfinished. I saw a blogger mention that Death Cab sounds like Coldplay now which actually made me LOL. But no, it’s just different. Raw and defiant. I just wonder if they have the chops to pull it off.

Looking forward to hearing more in May. In the meantime, enjoy this streaming track. No download this time as the single is generously available for purchase online here and here. Enjoy!


Death Cab for Cutie - I will possess your heart

3.14.08 Song of teh Day: Sia, Day Too Soon

I know that Stein/Erin/EMoface posted Sia just the other day but this song is terrific. I don't feel expressive. But I can say that the entire album feels like a summer album. Makes me feel warm... I'm anxious for spring to get here and warm weather kissing is one of my favorite things to do. This is what "Day Too Soon" feels like.

Have you kissed someone today?


Sia - Day Too Soon

3.5.08 Song of rebuttal - Hot Chip, Ready for the Floor

I've been planning on posting this song for a while, just haven't gotten around to it. I thought it was only right to post the original. Sometimes, there ain't nothin' like the real thing.

Here's to better moods.


Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor