Song Of The Week Archive

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Dec 31, 2011Pancake by Youn Sun Nah

Endearingly wacky original by Korean jazz vocalist Youn Sun Nah, from this year's "Same Girl".

"I've got five bucks.
I've got ten minutes.
Need some nice food."

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2011 Song of the Week Personal Notes:
My two most-loved tracks from the past year were back to back way back in January: Vampire Weekend's cover of Springsteen's "I'm Going Down" and Tomboyfriend's "Almost/Always". Gotye's "Making Mirrors" may have been the new album I spent most time with this year. Robyn's "Body Talk", which I loved in 2010, continued to dominate my airtime in 2011, with her "Cry When You Get Older" recently claiming my all-time-most-played slot in iTunes from its longtime former owner, the Vernacular's "Make Good Choices". 

Happy New Year.

Dec 21, 2011Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies by The Larry Clinton Orchestra

Big Band swinging Tchaikovsky, from late 1930s/early 40s. Happy holidays!

(This is the Song of the Week #150, sports fans. Thanks for riding along.)

Dec 13, 2011Better Off Without A Wife by Tom Waits

Probably-drunk live crooner from 1975's "Nighthawks At The Diner", before the iconic Waits hit his really weird stride. The final throwaway joke about how "she been married so many times" is alone worth the price of admission.

"As long as I can be with me, we get along so well, I can't even believe it."

Dec 4, 2011Lexington by The Great Unknowns

Hooky alt-country, featuring a bassist I went to college with. They put out a strong debut album in 2004 or so, then promptly disbanded. Recently reconvened, this is the lead track from the upcoming "Homefront".

"Never think about how you look in the television light."

Nov 16, 2011It's My Party by Lesley Gore

Expert two-minute classic from 1963. This was producer Quincy Jones' first hit single. Lesley Gore was all unironic pop in the 60s, but should you think less of her for it, check out her cover of AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" (!) done forty years (!!) later.

"Oh what a birthday surprise!"


Nov 9, 2011Take It Easy (Love Nothing) by Bright Eyes

Youth, sex, and memory, trapped in a song tied to a mel...o...dy. A longtime favorite from 2005's "Digital Ash In A Digital Urn". 

"That weatherman's a liar. He said it'd be raining.
But it's clear and blue as far as I can see."

Nov 2, 2011O Valencia! by The Decemberists

Surprised to realize these guys haven't come up yet on a Song of the Week. The Decemberists are a great oddball group out of Portland, jigging between sesquipedalian histories and sea shanties, and more listenable stuff. When they hit a sweet spot towards the latter, they have a great sound. "O Valencia!" is one such song, off 2005's "The Crane Wife". This one gives it up a little too easily, but it's too easy to stomp my foot to to think thrice. 

It tells a bloody star-crossed-lovers revenge story, obviously.

"And I swear to the stars
I'll burn this whole city down."


Oct 26, 2011Ultraviolet (Light My Way) by The Killers

Everyone on the music-related internet seems to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of U2's landmark "Achtung Baby". I'm happy to go along with this, because Achtung Baby is not only U2's best work (yes, I went there) but it's also one of my desert-island all-time favorite albums by anyone. Introspective, heavy, sonically iconic, and somehow still danceable. 

The front 2/3 of the record is riddled with what became radio staples, leaving the back third somewhat less traveled but no less excellent for it. This is a cover from that territory by The Killers, one track from a pretty impressive tribute album put together by Q Magazine. (Jack White's "Love Is Blindness" is superb.)

The opening is a little off-kilter, and The Killers are no U2 (though they try really hard here), but it takes all the oompf and plays up the throbbing bass and percussion that made the original a sleeper anthem in the 80s U2 style. I think I like it mainly because it's a bunch of guys given permission to rock out like the unselfconscious gods they're covering.

Amazon is offering a series of reissues of Achtung Baby, including the $425 Uber-Deluxe Edition ("Band members sold separately").

"When I was all messed up 
And I had opera in my head
Your love was the lightbulb 
Hanging over my bed."

Oct 19, 2011Call And Response by Or, The Whale

An catchy indie-alt-country tune about New Orleans and Katrina. Recommended if you like the sound of the Avett Brothers or Mumford & Sons, but it's straighter pop than those bands. From 2007's "Light Poles and Pines" (this one's been lingering in the queue since SOTW started). "Or, The Whale" is a dumb name with a cool provenance, and apparently they're an SF local 7-piece.

"Used to think that the world is round
But now I've found it's a pyramid"


Oct 12, 2011Na Na Nothing by Mike Doughty

Doughty was once the frontman for famous unhinged-slacker-jazz combo Soul Coughing. Now he writes little pop/folk songs, usually slightly-askew with a hook and an acid tongue. It's consistently great stuff. Lead track from his new album, "Yes And Also Yes". 

"Now I'm bound to the bend of your bone-white wrist.
Shun the pill-popper, love the pharmacist."

Sep 28, 2011Save It For Later by The English Beat

Like waffles in Belgium, the English Beat was just "The Beat" at home in the UK. They were part of the so-called "2 Tone" ska revival in the late 70s, and you know them for the instrumental at the very end of Ferris Bueller (as he's running home). This danceably great song is from 1982's "Special Beat Service", and features a driving pop beat, with restrained horns, strings and piano making guest appearances. 

"Two dozen other stupid reasons 
Why we should suffer for this."


Sep 21, 2011Heat of the Moment by Asia

I keep around a list of well-crafted, catchy songs with thoughtful lyrics and great backstories. But today the sun is shining and I'm not feeling any of those. So instead I present to you one of the best-worst 80s rock anthems, which I declare to be unironically awesome. It's the lead track off the debut album (1982's self-titled) of a band I don't know anything about. Karaoke, anyone? (SOTW will return to regularly scheduled hipster obscurities soon.)

"And now you find yourself in '82
The disco hot spots hold no charm for you."

Sep 17, 2011You Only Live Once by The Strokes

I get goosebumps every time I hear the riff, and the whole thing radiates a beautifully uncomplicated joy. I've never really known what it's about, but it feels like life-is-grand, and it may be the best three minutes Julian Casablancas will leave behind. High volume recommended. From 2006's "First Impressions of Earth".

"Sit me down, shut me up."

Sep 7, 2011Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye

Great track from this up-and-coming Belgian-Australian guy. (Something in the arrangement feels a little like that Manu Chao song, but this one is lightly tragic with a much better chorus.) From the new album "Making Mirrors", which I'm really liking and seems very promising. He's got a knack for soundscapes.

"Felt so lonely in your company"

Aug 31, 2011On The Ocean by Guster

Long occupying a lonely middleworld between indie pop and major-label adult contemporary, Guster is underrated and underrespected. They were originally a "northeast college rock" band back in the mid/late 90s, though unusually tuneful. The excellent "Lost And Gone Forever" (1999) almost never faltered, and if there's a downside to the honing of their craft over the ensuing four albums, it's that they've polished the edges off. But that's OK. Unlike (say) the Barenaked Ladies who plunged pleasantly from college to middle-aged irrelevance, Guster brings the listener along while they grow up, and all the songs on 2010's earnest and aptly-titled "Easy Wonderful" have soul. This is my favorite from that album.

"I think we're taking on water."

Aug 25, 2011Portions for Foxes by Rilo Kiley

Jenny Lewis is one of my favorite voices in indie rock. From 2004's "More Adventurous".

"And then there is no mystery left."


Aug 19, 2011Dancing in the Dark by Pete Yorn

Prettyboy rocker Pete Yorn has too little personality of his own, but on this acoustic Springsteen homage he's more Bruce than Bruce himself, even one-upping the original. From the bonus disc of 2001's "Musicforthemorningafter". (Preemptive apologies to Emily P for the kinda-swipe at her boy.) Today in SF feels like autumn somewhere, and so does this song.

"I'm sick of sitting around here, tryin' to write this book."


Aug 12, 2011Chicago by Lucy Wainwright Roche

Quietly emerging from a musical family, Lucy is Loudain's daughter, and Rufus's half-sister. She's put out a couple folk albums without a ton of attention. I love her voice, and this my favorite of hers. It's a slow-gratifying tune, with pretty harmonies, lyrical descriptions of moments in summer, and a build that makes me think someone could do a great dance mix of it. From 2008's "8 More" EP.

"Everyone clapped.. Heralding justice, hoping for change, and spilling their soda."

Aug 3, 2011Tainted Love by Gloria Jones

The story of how this awesome-but-unknown 60s original ended up storming the world as a Soft Cell cover in the 80s takes us to the north of England in the 70s. A dance movement called Northern Soul that sprung up in clubs there was fueled by (American) Motown and Motown-like records, but insisted on staying away from the soul singles that everyone knew. Instead, DJs competed by looking for ever more obscure singles to get people out on the floor.

Gloria Jones released this song as the B-side of a single in 1965, both sides of which promptly vanished from anyone's awareness. A northern British DJ found a copy in an record shop while on a trip to the States in 1973 and brought it back with him; its style exemplified Northern Soul perfectly. 

Soft Cell came along in UK several years later, and familiar with the song through its club popularity, chose to cover it for their second single in 1981. Bonus trivia: The long version of the Soft Cell recording blends in some lines from the Supremes' "Where Did Our Love Go", which only makes sense when you know that the main track goes back to Motown, too. 

Anyways, I was surprised to come across this. I never loved the Soft Cell song-- it always felt a little limp to me-- but this recording is fantastic. It's tight, and really moves, and shows off a nearly flawless pop song.

"Don't touch me, please
I cannot stand the way you tease"


Jul 25, 2011Gli Scatenati by Ennio Morricone

Ennio Morricone is the most famous of the 1960s "spaghetti western" film composers, going beyond just that genre to score over 500 (!) films, including such classics as "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly". His back catalog is often mined by more modern directors (Quentin Tarantino) for period effect.

Morricone's work has extended well beyond the 60s, though, and the cowboy tunes. This track is from 1977's "Il Gatto", and is basically an out-there psychadelic funk instrumental, whose title translates to "The Unrestrained". You might or might not find it accessible, but it's got atmosphere and a groove.

--------

NB: Thanks to Monica for reporting last time that the melody of Eiscafe's "Quitting You Is Harder Than Candy" is a nearly note-for-note ripoff of the Violent Femme's "American Music". Good ear.

Jul 13, 2011Quitting You Is Harder Than Candy by Eiscafe (ft Liz Enthusiasm)

A neat, throwaway little pop duet by Eiscafe featuring Freezepop frontwoman Liz Enthusiasm, released as an internet one-off a couple months back.

(The tragedy of this song is its squandered potential: a couple really solid hooks, the sunny metaphor, and knowledgeable instrumentation are the ingredients of an indelible classic. Unfortunately, it's half-baked; the lyrics don't go anywhere, the sections are sequenced to build up to not-that-much, and the production demonstrates why pop demands studio perfectionism. I keep coming back to it though, because there's such promise in these two and a half minutes. I'm hoping these guys decide to workshop this one some more.)

"A sugar rush shouldn't end in heartbreak now."

Jul 6, 2011Wouldn't It Be Nice (vocal mix) by the Beach Boys

Veering back to our occasional behind-the-music series, this week we have an early mix of the Beach Boys' iconic "Wouldn't It Be Nice", stripped of all instrumentation, showing off just the great vocals, from the Pet Sounds (1966) sessions. (Pet Sounds was in many ways songwriter Brian Wilson's response to the Beatles' Rubber Soul, and is now considered one of the few best rock records of all time.) 

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" is a paean to grown-up domestic bliss, seen through the eyes of a bunch of earnest boys. They make you want to believe in that kind of adulthood. The Beach Boys were three brothers, a cousin, and the guy from down the street, and their unique, tight, harmonies are instantly recognizable, and were never duplicated.

"Wouldn't it be nice if we were older
Then we wouldn't have to wait so long."

Jun 29, 2011The Stroll by Wizzo Band

In the grand tradition of The Twist, The Electric Slide, and the Macarena comes the Roy Wood Wizzo Band's possible attempt at a new craze for 1977. It's not clear to me whether this was related to the 1950s dance by that name, or was supposed to be ironic, or what. What I do know is this: this single completely failed to chart. It was therefore not included on the Wizzo Band's actual album ("Super Active Wizzo"), and thus was never released on CD or made available in any digital format. The attached MP3 is an amateur conversion from vinyl that someone posted on Youtube, where it has a sad 2500 views. Now THAT's obscurity! Thanks to Monica for unearthing it.

Even though no one was doing the Stroll in 1977, it's got a promising funk groove, a couple sections that sound like someone accidentally spliced a Meat Loaf song in just for kicks, and a recurring weirdo goose-stepping bit, all of which make it well worth a listen. 

"Too late to rock and roll."

Jun 22, 2011Changing by Lifestyle

Sounds like an 80s sitcom theme in search of a home. (Imagine this paired with "Friends" if that show had started its run five years earlier.) Synthy, poppy, with a big, sexy hook. I can find almost nothing about the song or band, except that this track is from about 2000. Listen for the goofball pronunciation of "great" in the first verse. 

"I thought by now that I'd grown up a bit"

Jun 15, 2011Lights Out by Santogold

A "chugging" guitar and lovely lilted refrain. Santogold (since rechristened "Santigold") put this out on her self-titled debut in 2008. Inconsequential but fun on a sunny afternoon.

"Darling, don't got to worry, you're locked in tight."

Jun 8, 2011Mudhouse by Bob Schneider

Hitting bottom, with a sexy funk groove. This is my favorite from the swaggering style chameleon, off of 2006's The Californian. Rock it.

"Milk does a body beautiful, baby."

Jun 1, 2011Iko Iko by Dr. John

Iko Iko is a New Orleans R&B song from the 50s (?) with a bit of a murky history, probably originally called "Jock-a-Mo". It was popularized back by the Dixie Cups, and you may know it from the 80s Belle Stars version that was in both Rain Man and The Hangover.

Dr. John is one of the New Orleans blues greats, and his version here (from the 1972 collection "Dr. John's Gumbo") is more mellow, more swinging, and showcases his fluent piano.

"My spy boy told your spy boy
I'm gonna set your tail on fire"


May 25, 2011Rum and Coca Cola by the Andrews Sisters

The biggest single of 1945-- the Andrews Sisters were a huge girl group back in the day. They were three real sisters from Minnesota, which makes this faithful cover of a Trinidadian near-lament-about-Americans maybe a little problematic. But that aside, it's a nice song on a sunny day. Much, much more information than you care about about the history of this song is here. Thanks to Emily Z for this one. 

"Oh you vex me, you vex me."

May 18, 201155566688833 by James Figurine

The RAZR-compatible storyline plants this song firmly in the brief but memorable moment after we started texting but before we had iPhones. James Figurine is one of the many solo monikers of Jimmy Tamborello, who's best known as the electronica half of the Postal Service. This is the lead track from his 2006 album "Mistake Mistake Mistake Mistake". It's plaintive, twee, and my favorite of all his tracks sans Ben Gibbard. I didn't grok the title until very recently.

"I turned off my phone; you did the same,
and we fought face-to-face like it was the 90s again."

May 11, 2011Jack Sparrow by The Lonely Island (feat Michael Bolton)

This is ridiculous, but I can't stop laughing at it, and it won't get unstuck from my head. Lonely Island is the trio of guys led by Andy Samberg that's done all the great comedy tracks from SNL (e.g. "Lazy Sunday", and the Grammy-nominated "I'm On A Boat") over the last few years.

"Jack Sparrow" aired last weekend, and is also off their just-released album, "Turtleneck & Chain". It features a completely absurd Michael Bolton and as far as I'm concerned, totally redeems that guy. Song is attached and mad catchy, but the real value is in the video. What other song do you know that could rock both of the following lines?: "I ain't your Mr. Nice Guy. I'm more like the meet you, take you home, f*** you twice guy" and "A mystical quest, to the Isle of Tortuga!" 

Here's the video. Definitely watch it:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/239640/saturday-night-live-digital-short-jack-sparrow#s-p1-sr-i2

"I wrote you this big, sexy hook that I think you're gonna love."

May 5, 2011The Good Life by Weezer

This is new to me, since I apparently missed the mid-90s altogether. But today feels like a day for it. Man, Weezer had a real knack for a tune. Radio edit from 1996's "Pinkerton". 

"Hear me? I want sugar in my tea!"

Apr 27, 2011Just Like Heaven (Instrumental/Demo) by The Cure

Last week's Disney work-in-progress track was a surprise hit, so I'm following up with another (admittedly less insightful) non-final version. This is a 1986 demo of The Cure's stupefyingly awesome "Just Like Heaven". It's all instrumental, recorded before there were any lyrics for it, early in the band's writing of their 1987 "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" album. 

Even though it's early and a little rough, it's completely recognizable. Listen and reach a zen one-ness with the craftsmanship of the pop hook. Full lyrics are provided below so that you can sing along where applicable. Warning: they are terribly saccharine when presented in text form; more fun when sung. 

---

"Show me how you do that trick 
The one that makes me scream" she said 
"The one that makes me laugh" she said 
And threw her arms around my neck 
"Show me how you do it 
And I promise you I promise that 
I'll run away with you 
I'll run away with you" 

Spinning on that dizzy edge 
I kissed her face and kissed her head 
And dreamed of all the different ways I had 
To make her glow 
"Why are you so far away?" she said 
"Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you 
That I'm in love with you" 

You 
Soft and only 
You 
Lost and lonely 
You 
Strange as angels 
Dancing in the deepest oceans 
Twisting in the water 
You're just like a dream 

Daylight licked me into shape 
I must have been asleep for days 
And moving lips to breathe her name 
I opened up my eyes 
And found myself alone alone 
Alone above a raging sea 
That stole the only girl I loved 
And drowned her deep inside of me 

You 
Soft and only 
You 
Lost and lonely 
You 
Just like heaven 


Apr 21, 2011Under The Sea by Menken/Ashman

Another installment in the "behind the music" song of the week series, with an awesome view of songwriting process.

Alan Menken (composer) and Howard Ashman (lyricist) were the unstoppable team behind all the music for Disney's epic animated renaissance of the late 80s/early 90s (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin). It's amazing that these two guys created so much cultural value in such a short time. Ashman died of AIDS complications in 1991 just before finishing all the Aladdin songs.

Here's a fascinating look at the evolution of "Under The Sea" (Little Mermaid). I spliced together three segments: first (and best) is some of the "work tape" on the song. It's literally from a cassette recorder sitting on top of the piano while they worked out rhythms for the track by vocalizing, singing and jamming. (The lyrics aren't final and the song's instantly-recognizable riff isn't there yet.)

Then there's a full demo, with the guys faking a carribbean accent, backed by an bleepy synth orchestra, and intended as a guide track for the real orchestra and singers. Finally, the actual soundtrack recording.

These are all from a great 1994 box set based on those three movies called "The Music Behind the Magic." (There are sadly too few of the great "work tape" snippets, and there's not even a full demo of one of the best opening musical set pieces ever, "Belle" from Beaty and the Beast. But otherwise it's super deep.) It's rare to get such a detailed look at the craft. 

"Along those lines, but that's the uh, that's the concept..."

Apr 13, 2011Strange by Freezepop

Another artist three-peat, but if you've been on the list you know how much I like these guys. Boston-based indie synthpop. This is another standout track from their recent (and excellent) "Imaginary Friends" album. Great little glitchy electro-percussion and a big chorus.

"Stranger at a party, suddenly you're a friend of a friend.
Strange, the way these things work out in the end."

Apr 6, 2011Shilo by Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond is an extremely talented fellow, who for a couple shining albums in the late 60s absolutely owned by crafting a string of flawless pop songs. Then he tragically descended into schlock and lite rock for most of the rest of his career. (OK, I have a soft spot for that latter one.)

If you're not convinced on that first point, check out Exhibit A, his second record: "Just For You" from 1967. He wrote every song on it. Check them out. Really. He wrote all those! On a single album!

This week's song, Shilo, may or may not be his best from that era, but it's the one I keep going back to.

"Had a dream and it filled me with wonder...
She had other plans."

Mar 31, 2011Fox On The Run by Sweet

Digging through the vault for something to crank up in your convertible on this gorgeous summery day. Sweet was a pioneering British glam band. Originally from 1974's "Desolation Boulevard". See you all at the drive-in.

"You, you talk about just every band.
But the names you drop are second hand."

Mar 23, 2011Young San Francisco by Boy In Static

I'm suspicious of songs about large, heterogeneous places. (I prefer the ones about girls.) This ode to my adoptive home squeaks by on the strength of a nice toy-piano-plus-cello riff, a pop-by-numbers structure, and a couple worthy turns of phrase. It's from 2009's "Candy Cigarette", which by critical accounts is not a good album. I found the song hiding in the soundtrack to the recent SF film festival trailer (thanks Aditya).

"Bring your coat, and bring your youth.
Leave your history and leave your shoes
Back home"

---

Thanks for the contributions to last week's thread about Tubular Bells, esp to Benjy for the scholarly discussion of prog rock. Loved it. Anyone should feel free to pitch in if you're inclined. I should also say that as always if you are not really interested in being on this list, just drop me a line-- no offense ever taken.

Mar 16, 2011Tubular Bells by The Brooklyn Organ Synthesizer Orchestra

"Pretty Ladies Playing Vintage Keyboards," advertises the musician and arranger behind this project. A very listenable recording featuring 20+ women from the hipster NYC music scene playing on old and new instruments. "Tubular Bells" was Mike Oldfield's breakout 1973 prog-rock jam. (Only in 1973 could you have a breakout recording that's a 50-minute instrumental. Yikes.) This track is only a short (!) subsection of that. It moves along much more agreeably than the original due to the frequent instrument and sound shifts and modern percussion sensibility.

The video, however, is totally awesome with indie hipsterism and music geekery out in full force:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeujZtBvMFY

(Thanks to Brendan for the tip on this one.)

Mar 9, 2011L'Aventurier by The Kingpins

Québecois ska?! From The Kingpins' "Plan of Action" (2000). Functional for your running playlist, it really works best as the soundtrack to your awesome stop-motion film about your epic world travels, like this guy's.

Mar 3, 2011L.O.V. by Fitz and the Tantrums

These guys aren't really new news, but despite the immediate appeal of their neo-soul sound, it took me a little while to really get into it. This is my favorite off the 2010 debut Pickin' Up The Pieces. It's got a soul verse and a straight-up 60s pop chorus. Thanks to Aditya for spreading their gospel last year.

"If you could find your way back home
I'd never ever ever let you go."



Feb 23, 2011Christie Lee by Billy Joel

This week's dispatch is sent on location, via spotty Internet, from Argentina. All pop radio here seems to be American Top 40 throwbacks, a frozen world in which the late 90s are just about to happen. I was reminded of good old Billy Joel after hearing "Uptown Girl" today for the first time in ages. (BTW: that song is a classic. I'm not knocking it.)

"Christie Lee" is blues-rock with great piano, a pop hook, and a story about a musician being seduced by a woman who won't have him. This recording is not the final album version (on 1983's An Innocent Man)-- it's a livelier demo, which is great because you hear Joel yell out the sections to the band as they rehearse through them ("bridge!" "second chorus!"). I really like hearing "behind the music" variations that give some insight into the way songs get put together-- plus they're playing like they're having a blast.

Anyone who's known me long enough is aware that Billy Joel looms large in my formative music tastes (for better and worse). He doesn't get much airplay on my iPod these days, but the man did have a run of great songcraft. If you're interested, I'd encourage you to read this short article about his "squandered genius", which is one of my favorite written pieces about pop music. It's insightful and the author's experience cuts close to home for me:
http://www.slate.com/id/2131184/

"He couldn't see that Christie Lee was a woman
Who didn't need another lover...
All she wanted was the sax."

Feb 16, 2011Need You Now by Cut/Copy

It starts like you think you're at Burning Man, but it's pop in disguise, mastering the delayed gratification. It takes minutes for the hook to slice through the thumpathumpa and deliver a swift kick to your adrenal glands. Headphones recommended. This is the lead track off of Cut/Copy's new Zonoscope (cool cover art, too). Thanks to "Crazy" John Stafford for insisting that I should give these guys another chance.

"I know I'm running, baby, but I need you now."

Feb 9, 2011One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer by John Lee Hooker

Good blues. Originally a 50s Amos Milburn hit, remade better with a growl by John Lee Hooker a decade later. I like how the refrain vocal line feels like it's pinned a half-measure off where you expect it to be. There's probably a technical term for that.

"I want to get drunk, get her off of my mind."

---

PSA courtesy Karen M: Last week's artist, Two Door Cinema Club is playing at the Fillmore in SF on 4/14. $30 GA. I'm planning on going as I think are Karen and Ross. Come along!

Feb 2, 2011What You Know by Two Door Cinema Club

Low-stakes indie dance pop! Sounds like: Death Cab for Cutie sending up Franz Ferdinand? From last year's "Tourist History." Produced to within an inch of its life for danceability though I wish it were a little scruffier. The infatuation will be short-lived, but it's catchy as all get-out. Thanks to Emily P for this one.

"And I can tell just what you want
You don't want to be alone"

Jan 26, 2011Almost/Always by Tomboyfriend

The most obscure-indie-est thing I've sent out in a while. Tomboyfriend is from Toronto, and this is from last year's "Don't Go To School". Song rises above the limp emo ghetto with a great bass groove and subtle hooks. Give it a minute to get into full swing and listen up: it tells a meandering, extremely wordy story (cheat sheet here) of a mismatched courtship with some great images and a couple vividly awful ones, ending somewhere near nuclear armageddon.

"He wanted someone who would stay forever.
She wanted someone who could last an hour.
[...]
Breakfast came too early. Hesitation set in too late."

---

Thanks to Ross for the public affirmation last week. 

Jan 19, 2011I'm Going Down by Vampire Weekend

The first artist three-peat on this list. This is a cover: "I'm Goin' Down" is a great unheralded Springsteen song, from the back side of 1984's blockbuster "Born In The USA". Vampire Weekend covers it nicely here with a minimalist groove and their unique sound. This recording is from an iTunes EP from last month. 

I do love Vampire Weekend's style enough to keep pimping out their music. They also have awesome visual design across all of their releases. Bold, clean type on great images. 

(Also recommended is the original one, backed by the fully rocking E Street Band.)

"I used to drive you to work in the morning.
Friday night, drive you all around.
You used to love to drive me wild but
Lately girl you get your kicks from just a-drivin' me
Down, down, down, down..."


Jan 12, 2011It's All Coming Back To Me Now by Meat Loaf

Yes, it was a hit for Celine Dion. Yes, it's operatic, melodramatic, and inexcusably long. But for my money this is the ur-power-ballad, possible the most awesome of its kind ever written.

Jim Steinman is pop's Wagnerian auteur; he's best known as the main writing/producing force behind Meat Loaf's "Bat Out Of Hell" albums, responsible for the classic "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" etc but also Bonnie Tyler's crypto-masterpiece "Total Eclipse of the Heart". The original version of this song was recorded by Steinman's own "Pandora's Box" one-off band in 1989. Celine covered it a couple years later, and here, finally, we come all the way around to Meat Loaf's own take on it, where it works well with the male lead and female duet part (Marion Raven). From "Bat Out Of Hell III" (2006).

Stab yourself with some insulin and give it another listen. Give in to the epic. And if you start to take it too seriously, remember that the guy singing is the same guy who played Bob in Fight Club. Enjoy.

"BABY, BABY, BABY!!!"

Jan 5, 2011Saskia Hamilton by Ben Folds (+Nick Hornby)

Ben Folds teamed up with author Nick Hornby to write last year's collaborative album "Lonely Avenue". This track is endearingly manic, tumbling all over itself, propelled through its three minutes with drums, shouts, banging on pipes. The brief respites from the chaos come in sections that sound vaguely like they're ripped from the Flashdance soundtrack. 

Apparently the subject of the song is a poet whose name was so interesting on paper that Hornby wrote about her sight-unseen.

"She got more assonance than she knows what to do with"

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Gratuitous Mind-Bend:  The following landmark albums are TWENTY YEARS OLD this year:
- Nirvana's Nevermind and Pearl Jam's Ten.
- U2's even-underrated masterpiece Achtung Baby
- R.E.M.'s Out Of Time 
- Metallica's "Black Album"
- Guns N Roses' Use Your Illusion I+II 
Happy 2011!



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