Today Levi Stubbs, lead singer of the Four Tops, died. I have a strong love for the Four Top’s. Come on, they blessed up with “Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got).” Well imeem made a pretty awesome Four Tops playlist that obviously needs to be shared.
And of course…
Cranberry Juice is now under internet construction. It’ll be “spiffy in a jiff.“
mp3: French Kicks- Over the World [Swimming 2008]
I’ve been a notorious “youtub-er” as of late and I stumbled upon this video which is kind of cool, but not what really caught my attention. The song that was playing in the background really struck me- it’s cute, quiet, and folksy. Luckily enough, the person who made the video had the good sense to put the artist and name of the song under the description.
Well, dear friends, I welcome Paperplain to this universe of cranberries and juice. She has no Wikipedia and only about a thousand scrobbles on last.fm, but of course, as it will always prevail, she does have a myspace and an Overplay, whatever that is.
Paperplain- Myspace (streaming)
Paperplain- Overplay (streaming)
Currently unsigned (according to Myspace), Paperplain makes wonderful guitar diddys with playfully simple lyrics that could easily be likened to Eliott Smith, Joanna Newsom, and José González. I hope that she follows in the steps of Black Kids (got famous via Myspace and ended up getting signed to UK’s Almost Gold Records). Oh yeah they re-did “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You“, I don’t think I like it as much as the demo version. Unfortunately she doesn’t have as much as a demo out, so finding tracks is proving to be a bit more than extremely difficult. If anything is found, I’ll be sure to share.
Also, Cut Copy has a music video out for Lights & Music, one of the singles released from their upcoming sophomore album In Ghost Colours.
Cut Copy- Lights & Music
Time to introduce, The Got To Get Got (or TGTGG for short) a fourteen piece Canadian indie pop band. I stumbled upon them while searching last.fm and what a surprising little gem. I don’t know much about them and they don’t have a page on wiki, so read this as it is both amusing and informative. Their four song EP entitled Canadian Arts Collective Blues/Huge Zig Zag is charismatic when concerning instrumentation and almost childish lyrically. It’s often unclear as to when and if all fourteen people are actually playing, but it’s really no matter. It seems like they’re having a good time and by some transitive property of happiness you’ll be tickled too.
The Got To Get Got- Blood Test
Also, to hear the rest of their album check out the Myspace.
So, Brooklyn based MGMT (once known as The Management) has finally made a music video for “Time to Pretend” to accompany their debut full length album Oracular Spectacular. Though losing interest in them as a direct result of Oracular Spectacular (it’s a little messy to say the least), I would be lying if I said “Time to Pretend” was not a great song. It’s got cool spacey sounds and is closer to the wonderful musical makings found on the EP of a similar name.
MGMT- Time to Pretend
José González, Swedish- Argentinian singer-songwriter, is a sensation your mind can only receive with the deepest reverence. Following in the steps of Elliott Smith, José González understands what it means to be candidly human and with that keen sensibility he produces songs, mistakingly simple as they may be, that are always within the confines of what is and can be experienced, that which is palpable.
I think my love for Mr. González is pretty much universal as he’s so very sweet and his music so beautiful and timid.
To date he has two albums, Veneer (2005) and In Our Nature (2007), and several EP’s (all of which I suggest getting as they do hold special little surprises and unpolished songs that later made it onto his albums). As for his two albums, I have nothing but high praises. Let the ass kissing being.
Veneer (2005)
9.7 Juiceboxes
For starters let his cover of The Knife’s Heartbeats be a clear indication of his talent. Anyone who can take the original Heartbeats, in all of its perfection, and create a bare boned acoustic version that is equally as catchy, and now plain old touching, will forever have a place in my heart. On a whole, I would describe Veneer as touching as it may bring you close to tears. I cannot tell you why exactly, but the album is the culmination of botched romances, those perilous moments of confusion, implacable feelings, resolutions and dissolutions, in short– a little bit of everything. I’ve said enough and now it’s time to listen.
MP3′s:
José González- Slow Moves
José González- Deadweight on Velveteen
In Our Nature (2007)
9.5 Juiceboxes
Unlike the beautiful auditory experience that is Veener, In Our Nature definitely has a clear direction when it comes to function. This album is not only darker in tone (both musically and lyrically), but all of the songs seem to string together to tell a story of what could be a frightful future for human life. Though there is still a level of ambiguity innate in his lyrics, at times he does get right down to the point– for example: ” Invasion after invasion/This means war,this means war/Someday you’ll be up to your knees in the shit you see.” So yes, it’s not particularily subtle and perhaps it isn’t as lyrical as Tolstoy, but I’ll be damned if it’s not beautiful when coupled with the plucking of his guitar.MP3′s:
José González- How Low
José González- Cycling Trivialities
Down The Line (tell me this video is not the weirdest video you’ve seen in awhile…)
Also, in honor of the album’s title there will be an environmentally friendly tour around the U.S. starting February 29! Get more information here. So go everyone!
Happy Listening
Happy 2008, dear reader.
I’m a bit drink, but I’ll get through this, and I’m sure it will only be better.
Personally, I am looking forward to electing a new president (if I only had a brain), my next birthday (oh to be young), and, of course, the coming of the Mayan predicted apocalypse (good news for people who love bad news). Speaking of apocalypse, here is Radiohead’s webcast from yesterday evening, in its entirety. I watched the majority of it and was greatly pleased with it. I’m a bit drunk, but I am sober enough to admit that I admire Radiohead as a band for mixing a very beautiful message about the dangers and social ills the world faces with glorious music. We are truly lucky to have Radiohead, who can offer you the comfort of knowing that there is some hope for music. Fuck it, I’m giving them a “Nice Going Award” for this one, because these webcasts have been so good and In Rainbows was such a wonderful piece of music and they just never let you down.They have established a new paradigm for the activist musician, who can create art, while also raising questions about the world. I know I’m brown-nosing Radiohead as all people seem to do, but I admire Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, and Phil Selway so much for proving that music can serve a greater purpose than merely shaking your ass or making money (not that shaking your ass is a bad thing, don’t fight the beat). Maybe the In Rainbows giveaway was a bit of media scam, but I won’t be so machiavellian, because I think they are honest musicians with honest aims, and I wish them all the luck in the world in all their ventures. I suppose with the actual release of In Rainbows I’ll review it in the coming week, and oh boy, it’s gonna be positive.
Without further adieu and departing from my idealistic crusade, I give you “Scotch Mist,” Radiohead’s New Years’ Eve Broadcast. Adieu.
Well, this is completely taken from Gorillavbear, but it’s okay, because it’s awesome. Apparently it’s from NASA and it’s of the Cassini Orbiter’s descent onto Saturn or something, unorthodox as it is to link straight to them, I’m not a man to deny credit where it is due, go here for more information or visit the nice NASA website and see your tax dollars at work. Nice find, Gorilla vs. Bear, I salute you:
In completely unrelated news, here’s a random Grizzly Bear song:
Battles is a cool group (if the website is confusing and even angering for you as well try their myspace, and here are two old songs from 2004, before the release of their unholy-ily good album Mirrored. Not for the faint of heart, it almost made my top ten list, but would have otherwise been a runner up. These two tracks are earlier and more experimental, for good measure, I included the Tonto video, got to please the fan base.
Battles – TRAS
Battles – FANTASY
Battles – Tonto (Mirrored LP)
Dear Reader,
Devendra Banhart for the longest time was not only a guy with a cool name, but a guy who made cool music. But my love and admiration for him has been shaken of late on account of his latest album, the bipolar little piece of work called “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon.” I’m a reasonable man, at heart, and yet, I could not stomach this latest release, which was a careless album that seemed without inspiration. This post is an open call to Devendra to return to his roots and remember that studio production was not what made him brilliant, it was his ability to make beautiful music. This is like Dylan going electric, but instead of Highway 61, you get a Rod Stewart album. Seriously, what the fuck? Here is my letter to Devendra, tear stained as it is:
Dear Mr. Banhart,
For the longest time sir, I have been a fan of your music. When I heard your album Rejoicing in the Hands, I nearly wet myself with glee, here was a musician who understood what good music was. He was the next coming of Marc Bolan, Syd Barrett incarnate, the next great in a long line of skinny white dudes who sing songs about birds, bicycles, and girls named Emily. You were an androgynous genius, a shape shifter, you could probably fucking turn water into wine if you tried hard enough. Then you hit us with Nino Rojo and the beautiful Cripple Crow, and for a while there, you were becoming legendary.
But those days are gone, instead of the glorious follow up I was owed, you gave us a mix and mash of odd styles, forced songs, and oddly soulless music. The voice was there, but damn it man, where is your heart? Did someone pull an Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom on you? Where have you put the real Devendra?
I’m tempted to think it’s all just an act and you’re just fucking with me, you know how music blogs love to hate. I just implied that an evil sacrifice had made you heartless, what the fuck am I doing? I can only blame myself for not being strong enough to endure this oddity. I can only hope, that somewhere the real Devendra is out there and he’s not just adding distortion to Allman Brother’s Songs. Please God, bring us the real Devendra!
Love,
Clark
In Memorium:
My first post…well then let’s jump right in!
10. Bobby Valentino- “Anonymous (feat Timbaland)”
I must, must, must start this countdown with my one true musical weakness: a r&b song with a memorable hook and a tight beat. Luckily, Bobby Valentino has pulled off both. I distinctly remember listening to this song on repeat, snapping my fingers and doing a silly little two step, just ’cause “I wanna know, I wanna know your name. Why you gotta be anonymous?”
Note: Bobby Valentino’s album “Special Occasion” is reminiscent of early R. Kelly– way back when you reminded him of something, but he didn’t know what it was. Oh yeah, you remind him of his jeep.
9. T-Pain- “Buy U a Drank”
Only T-Pain, the man of many blonde and black dreadlocks, teeth made of a questionable precious metals and (what I like to think) award winning cameos, could produce something as completely epic as “Buy U a Drank.” Not only has he pulled a “herre” with “drank”, he so very boldly did so in order to rhyme it with “bank.” It’s almost strange how this song urges you to go to the club and buy an overpriced bottle of covoussier, all while snapping your fingers in the process.
8. José González- “Down the Line”
José González is painfully aware of lonely universal experiences, as I believe he does have an Elliott Smith complex sans the drugs. I’m honestly surprised he isn’t confined to a sanitarium somewhere in Sweden. Thankfully he isn’t and he’s allowed to bless us with his beautiful guitar skills and lyrics as stark as a short story by Kafka. I highly recommend seeing José live if you ever have the opportunity. Rarely would I call anything short of a sunset breathtaking, but…wow.
7. The Cool Kids- “Gold and a Pager”
Sampling tracks from Eric B & Rakim, this new hip hop duo (now touring with M.I.A.) is easily bringing gazelle sunglasses, high top fades, rope chains, and fat laced shell top Adidas back. Gold and a Pager is a simple song about being a teenager and just wanting a little bling. Is that too much to ask? I’m happy that they’ve decided to use a DJ as part of the mix and haven’t left it to the ways of Spinderella with Salt N Pepa.
6. Black Kids- “Hurricane Jane”
With their four track EP being given out for free on their Myspace (go! go get it!), there is no excuse not to hop on to this band wagon created by a little synth pop band stemming out of Jacksonville, Florida. This track is a personal favorite of mine as it expresses heartbreak with unspeakable ease: “It’s Friday night and I ain’t got nobody, so what’s the use of making the bed?/ I took something and it feels like karate, it’s kicked me down and left me for dead.”
5. Kanye West- “Champion”
Rocky done right…
4. UGK- “International Players Anthem (I Choose You) (feat Outkast)”
There are few words that can express my deep admiration of this song. The lyricism, the world play, the funky down home beat. Man, it makes me want to take it to church…
3. LCD Soundsystem- “All My Friends”
Puzzlingly complex, rich and beautiful can easily sum up this wonderful creation by LCD Soundsystem. I love that it is growing ever so slowly to a climax that bursts over with such a satisfactory passion. Okay, well you know what I mean. And hell, it’s even about something to which we all can relate. (It also has a wonderful little Pink Floyd reference that will forever keep this song close to my heart. Can you guess what it is?)
2. M.I.A. – “Paper Planes”
There are gun shots and cash registers being looted. If that doesn’t satisfy the Geto Boys “Damn it feels good to be a gangsta” in you, then quite frankly, I don’t know what will…
1. Best Fwends -”Cloud of Hope (feat. The Death Set)”
There is something overwhelmingly intoxicating about this song. Maybe it’s the inability to decipher what they’re saying. Maybe it’s because you know what kind of shit midi player they used to make the beat. Or just maybe it’s that you are completely enraptured by the gentle screaming of “AHHHHH” and perfectly placed hand claps. This song will have you smiling and flailing about instantly. Oh, what a combination for a homemade dance party.
Check out their 36 track album Alphabetically Arranged (out on Moshi Moshi records)
My Shame Award goes to Soulja Boy and his disgrace of a record “Crank Dat Soulja Boy.” I’m not quite sure with whom I’m more upset- on the one hand there is his slow ass, who can’t seem to enunciate anything (I am still confused as to whether he is saying “Youuuuuu!” or “Yuuuuuulllle!”), and on the other hand there are the hundreds upon thousands of people attempting to do his silly little dance. It’s not even that hard. And if you still can’t do it, sit your uncoordinated self down.
