Five Songs I'm Loving This Week


The Gifted Children, "Skylab Love Scene"

The instrumental part of this song reminds me of Joy Division's "Atmosphere": dark, insistant, though not nearly as dire. The vocals sound more like Death Cab For Cutie, though, which makes an interesting juxtaposition. (From the album Chinese Food Takeover) Their website.

The Dresden Dolls, "Sing"

I have a deep fondness for Cabaret-inspired music. I don't know if it's because I really liked Liza Minnelli as a child, or the fact that the performers tend to wear all black and heavy makeup. Okay, it's largely to do with the "all black, heavy makeup" thing. I love the torchiness of some cabaret songs (though I can like the more uptempo ones, also). Dresden Dolls is a modern cabaret band, dressed like a Vaudevillian act, with songs that range from send-up to sincere torch-song ballad (such as this one). The singer belts thing song out with an unrestraint and emotion not usually associated with the more comic aspects of cabaret--in this song in particular she displays a sincerity usually lacking in performers wearing pinstripes and a permanently surprised look on their faces..


Dresden Dolls

The Magic Words, "Tiny Spiders"

This song is almost shoe-gaze, but really infectious shoe gaze (ooh--that sounds more like a really bad health problem). The guitars meander at first, as if waiting for inspiration to strike, but then rev up as the song progresses. The vocals and instruments come with lots of reverb, which gives it that "recorded in a very small club" sound that I actually really like. (The song is also available on their Myspace).


The Magic Words

Childballads, "The Onion Domes of Tallahassee"

Well, I first noticed this song because of the name: I live in Florida, and of course Tallahassee is the capital of Florida. I don't really know what they mean by Onion Domes, or if there are any in Tallahassee (hmmm...maybe I could find out by going to Myflorida.com. Or maybe not). I have no idea what the song is about, but it has what sounds like moroccas, and I'm not sure I've ever heard moroccas in a song that wasn't being sung by an elementary school class. Moroccas are a selling point for me.

Architecture in Helsinki, "Do The Whirlwhind"

This is a live version of this song; I had the regular version, but let's just say it was a casualty to my forced mp3 clearing out (turns out mp3s were taking up 35 out of the 40 gigabytes on my computer. That's why it was running so slow!) This version is good as the original and gives you a sense of what the song sounds like. The best way I can describe it is electro-disco. Lots of gadget-y sounds, but so squarely in the disco category. It's like Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah! If they had Saturday Night Fever. (Their Website)


Architecture in Helsinki, Fingers Crossed

Speaking of only having 40 gigabytes of space--not anymore!!! Next week I will have a mean 300 gigabytes (plus the already existing 40). Yay!


Bonus:

I really want the mp3 for a song called "Postcard From a Darkstar". Seriously--the song is as fabulous as the title. I can't find it anywhere, though. I may have to (gasp!) by the CD. For now, though, I can make do with the viideo: Merz, "Postcard From A Darkstar"

Five Songs Post Delayed

Please forgive me--my five songs post will be delayed. I'm having too good a time doing other things :)

This is for those girls and guys among us who love to see beautiful womens playing piano passionately, while only partially dressed.

What? There's a song playing? Her website's still under construction, but here's a Wikipedia entry on her.

Really lovely video from Ladytron. The song's typical Euro Pop, but the video's awesome.

The Dresden Dolls, "Sing" (which will more than likely end up being a Five Songs entry this weekend.)

I love the whole Cabaret look, but why does she have to do her eyebrows like Divine? It bothers me.

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Five Songs I'm Loving This Week

The Blue Van, "Revelation of Love"

This is a pretty rockin' little song. Every once in awhile I like my music kinda loud and thrashy. Much like I like my--okay, never mind. You don't need to know that. Anyways, so yes. The song is "Revelation of Love", and I found it on their Myspace. Unfortunately, they don't let me add the song to my profile, so I must settle with a declaration of love through my Five Songs post. I suppose that will suffice. They're from Denmark--might be the first Danish musicians I like. Maybe--I forget. I love tons of Swedish and Norwegian musicians; I don't remember any from Denmark. Anyways, they're good in a gritty, Rolling Stones kind of way. The kind of band a girl loves, but may not take home to mama. Here's a video for the song. This is their website.


The Blue Van

Sally Crewe and The Sudden Moves, "Good Morning, Aston Martin"

That's definitely one of the weirder song titles I've seen, but that's why it caught my attention. Some people do talk to theirs cars, and even name them, so that's nothing new. I just can't help but wonder what member of an indie band owns an Aston Martin. It damn well better be an Aston Martin tour bus, that way the whole band can benefit from it. The song's pretty rockin', and the lead singer, Sally Crewe has a fantastic voice. The Sudden Moves' website.

Sophie Barker, "Wintertime"

This is definitely more low-key than the first two songs, but that's ideal. I try to go for a mixture every week; that way if someone doesn't like the more lackadaisical type songs then they still have something that might interest them, and vice-versa. Eh, I just wanted an excuse to write "lackadaisical". Do I really need an excuse? This song isn't folky, like some of the slower songs I post; it has more in common with the torch song genre than anything else. We'll call it alt-torch, with a guitar. She has a beautiful voice; she actually reminds me alot of one of my favorite singers, Heidi Berry. Here's her website.


Sophie Barker

The Spelling Bees, "Love Is For The Birds, Not The Bees" (please click on "media", then the band's name to bring up their mp3 page)

This song is just cute as hell (and hell's pretty damn cute). The vocals are distorted in a pleasant sort of "I've been up all night so everything's hazy" kind of way. I can't understand much of what she says, so some day I might want to look up the lyrics (watch it be about the war in Iraq, or some other non-love song subject) but I still love listening to it. Here's their website.

Chris and the Other Girls, "Let Go"

I think one of the instruments is someone just beating on the side of a guitar or something. it's really cool. The sound of the song is a little Jack Johnson (in other words: lackadaisical) but this guy (and girls? No girls are singing--maybe they're playing. Maybe they exist only in his mind and heart) brings a little more tension than is in Jack Johnson's songs. Maybe it's Jack Johnson if he was raised in Italy instead of Hawaii. (His website)


Christian Pitschl, from Chris and the Other Girls (he's so pretty)

In other news, no I'm not upset that my computer keeps crashing because I guess the hard drive's too full. I guess that's the reason it keeps crashing. Okay, so I'm a little perturbed. I really need a 2nd hard drive.

Bonus:

Hee! The Bens do The Divinyls' "I Touch Myself".

This is another in Lola's long line of "didn't get enough sleep last night" posts. The posts are shorter and scamblier, but they're often more biting and get to the point more quickly.

Maritime, "I Used To Be a Singer"

This is a sad song. It's all about used-to-bes. Used to bes bother me. I don't want to be used-to-be anything (except maybe used-to-be single, used-to-be insomniac, etc.) Anyways, he's singing about how he used to be a singer, which is weird 'cause he's singing. Despite the slightly depressing lyrics, though, it's a very good song. Actually all the songs I've heard from them are very good. (Click on "download" to get to the right page.)

Flook, "The Tortoise and the Hare"

It's Celtic! It's all flutey and whistley!. I like it! (Scroll way, way down for the song) Also, this is the second song I've posted in the last month to have "tortoise" in the title. Weird? A coincidence? Divinity? Here's an article on Flook, from their site.


Flook

Laura Viers, "Fire Snakes"

The songs I've heard of Laura Viers' remind me a lot of Mindy Smith's music-- they both have a really organic, earthy sound. "Fire Snakes" manages to be moody, dark and slightly folky all at the same time. I like my folk music dark and spooky, so this works very well for me. Here's her website.


Laura Viers

The Bother, "Not a Day"

Scroll way down for this song. Ooh, I had no idea this was posted a year an a half ago. Oops--well, it's new to me and you. This is another dark, moody, slightly folky song. I certainly do take to these kind of songs. I guess I'm a dark, moody, slightly folky girl. Anyway, the guy's voice could be, uh, a little more steady and a little less warbling. That's one flaw, and though it's highly noticeable, what's left is a very distinguished piece of music employing a very engaging undercurrent of violin and a low-key, Red House Painters-like guitar.

The Capstan Shafts, "She Paints With Both Hands"

As far as I can tell, most of this guy's songs are short, so I think this song really us just 55 seconds long. (Scroll way down for the song). It's very difficult to find information on this band (which is really just one guy, Dean Wells). I've googled, all-music-guided, amazoned and I'm coming up fairly empty. I know they have a few albums and have been on a few labels and they seem like a pretty cool band. Their website is under construction. Here they are on Last.FM I can tell you this: He's looking for a girl with an ambidextrous ability (not me, unfortunately). Also I can tell you I'm quite fond of this song.


The Capstan Shafts cover for The Sleeved and Grandaughters of the Blacklist

Okay, that's all for me tonight. I have to go to bed early. I have to. I simply have to.

Five songs will be delayed until tomorrow. Please forgive :)

FIVE SONGS I'M LOVING THIS WEEK


Io Perry, "I'll Pick You Up"

When this song starts, it reminds me of something Frankie Valli would've sung in the 50's. You know--very "Beauty School Drop-Out". It's cool because of that, plus it mentions X-Ray vision and references to Superman are always cool in songs (well, alright--some people may dispute that Five For Fighting song, but I liked "Superman (It's Not Easy)"). Then it segueways into a breezy, poppy song with kind of sad lyrics. She says she'll take someone somewhere "even if it's just as a friend". I don't drive, so I can't comment so much, but if it were me with the price of fuel there'd better be something going on. Friends are nice, but gas is almost $3 a gallon for the cheap stuff! Anyways, I like this song a lot, as I do the other song posted, "Saturday". This is her website and her Myspace.


Io Perry, Grey Baby album cover

Lake Holiday, "In Whispers"

I've posted a song from this band before, and last week I included their song "Press Record Then Play" on my podcast. Okay, so it hasn't been that long since i posted one of their songs, but they're worth multiple postings. The rapid delivery of the song (and even the guy's voice) reminds me of Guided By Voices. The keyboard refrain is distinctive; I'll never mistake this song for any other song. I know I say a lot of bands are "my favorites", but this is one of my favorites. I actually don't mind spending money on their cds. Here's their website.

The Arrogants, "Cool Shoes"

I first heard The Arrogants' "Cool Shoes" on Insomnia Radio Double Shots, which is a mini-podcast that site puts out in addition to its regular podcasts. The song has kind of a 60's feel--I'm beginning to realize that I really seem to like these kinds of songs. I call it boppy girl-pop, though I've heard some guys engage in it also. It has a lot in common with Io Perry's song in that respect; very upbeat, fast musical delivery, and slightly sing-songy female vocals. Maybe it's all the girl groups my mom listened to when I was a kid (and we listened to them all), but I love this kind of music. Maybe it's because it doesn't make me depressed like 98% of the music I like does; I'm not sure why I have such a penchant for California-type melodies and vocals. The Arrogants' Myspace page.


The Arrogants

Magneta Lane, "Constant Lover"

This is also a female-fronted band, but it's more hard-edged than the previous two songs. Granted hard-edged for me is along the lines of Sleater-Kinney or Yeah Yeah Yeah's--I'm not talking about death metal here. The vocals aren't sentimental--they're more penetrating than most pop vocals. More Joan Jett than Anna Nalick. Like they say on their website--"hugs and punches". They seduce and punch us at the same time, and we love it. I regretfully got their name wrong on the podcast from last week (oops--not my only mistake).


Magneta Lane

Retro Song:

The Unicorns, "Sea Ghost"

This is one of several songs from I Guess I'm Floating that I have lined up, ready to write about. Yes, folks, I have a surplus of songs-I'm-Loving-This-Week (er, month). This is two years old, and unfortunately the band's no longer together (but the members have gone on to do other worthy projects). I'd heard of the band before but had never heard any of their music until I decided to look for them after hearing one of the ex-member's side project Islands. It's a shame I was late to this (and I feel silly 'cause apparently they were as well-known to indie-music aficionados as Arcade Fire). Anyways--about the song: Oh my God! I love that piccalo or whatever it is (once again showing my ample musical knowledge). I love the name of the album, too--"Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone". What an awesome title.


A Unicorn, a mythological creature

Podcast!!! This is the mp3.
Also, don't forget to look at my blog post from earlier today. It's especially awesome, I believe.

ETA: Oops. I screwed up again. The Magenta Lane song has extended commentary by someone on the website I got it from. Oops. I'll get this right one day.

Really beautiful song & video: Regina Spektor, "Samson (.mov file)

Corinne Bailey Rae, "Trouble Sleeping". Awesome singer and a really good song.

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Five Songs I'm Loving This Week

(Actually, I accidently posted six. Oh well. I have seven more I could've posted, but I figured I should save something for next week).

Alexi Murdoch, "All My Days"

I heard this guy on KRCW's Morning Becomes Eclectic and for once I ceased posting on Livejournal, my mind stopped wandering, and I stopped petting my cats. I just sat here and listened, enthralled. He's getting a lot of comparisons to Nick Drake, and they're valid--it's uncanny how much he sounds like him. However, I'm not going to dismiss his music as a Drake copy--the spirit may remind me of what made me love Nick Drake's music, but he very much is his own musician. He has other songs that aren't so reminiscent. His website


Alexi Murdoch

Salim Nourallah, "All Waste The Days"

This song has an almost 70's feel--that's actually not a bad thing. One both loves and loathes the decade they were born into. I'm sure my grandmother felt the same way about flapper music (or whatever 20's music was called). Actually, my grandmother never talked about music. She sold vegetables. I did use her nail polish a lot, though. Anyways--on topic--once the chorus kicks in some of the 70's feel goes away and a very good indie pop song is forged from the dust. His website.


Salim Nourallah

Sia, "Numb"

I usually have an instant distaste for anyone who just uses his/her first name (unless you're Madonna, in which case I may secretly worship you, know your full name, your birthdate and your life story--yes, Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, I'm talking about you); however, I really, really like this song, so I'm letting go of that directive for now. She's touring with a band I just posted recently, Zero 7. This is her website--no capital letters. I'm trying to reserve judgement on that, too.

Beck, "Which Will"

Speaking of Nick Drake (which I was earlier), his songs were special. Not trying to get all mushy or anything, but he was a prince among smucks. Beck, who's not Nick Drake, has covered some of his songs and "Which Will" is my favorite of the three. I've always liked Beck, but I would've never thought he (or anyone) could do justice to these songs. I'm happy with the outcome, though. "Which Will" is such a slight song; any hint of heavy-handedness would've ruined it. Beck seemed to understand that he had to handle this song lightly.

The Bellyachers, "About You"

I simply love this song. I e-mailed them and begged them to donate this song to me so I could post it and tell the world (or whomever reads this) how much I love it. They e-mailed back almost immediately with the song--they sounded very happy to know I was interested in it and wanted to share it. It's one of those near-perfect songs (to me, anyway). I love the way she says "ahah". Here's their website and their Myspace.



Mary Timony, "14 Horses"

I chose to post an older song from her because while I like the stuff from her newer album, it doesn't affect me the same way this album does. This song is from The Golden Dove, an album that flows with Pagan Pop. If Elf Power is Druid Rock, she's a Pagan Pop Queen. "14 Songs" sounds like the accompaniment for a pre-Christian procession, only the party is going to L.A., and not a virgin slaughter (it is L.A.--no virgins). Her new cd, Ex-Hex, is very well-done, but it's guitar pop. I usually like guitar pop, and I do like the songs from Ex-Hex, but I'm too hung up on the awesome variety of instruments she uses on her previous album to be fair to the new one. After I get enough viola, cello and piano I can move on to her latest album. Right now I'm a girl with a crush on string instruments. She was on Matador records for a long time, but she moved to Lookout for Ex-Hex. According to her news page, though, she's going to Kill Rock Stars (they have a lot of music I like).


Mary Timony, looking so cute