Thursday, February 9, 2012

Song du Jour

Everybody Talks
by Neon Trees
We wear black in the desert...
We're just that Badass
Oh damn, a happy upbeat song.  I told you what goes down eventually comes up.  Perhaps that's not how that saying goes.  Anyway, I like it.  It's cheerful and it reminds me of that giddy feeling when you're first starting to get to know a cute guy, especially when in high school.  What's that called?  Puppy love.  Did I mention it begins with a quartet-style harmony?  F*cking Bad*ss.  Sorry, I kind of wish barbar-shop quartets still roamed the streets...I think it would make life more magical with the power of live music.  I know.  I have issues.  Neon Trees is pretty awesome, as are their ideas for music videos.  The make-up for "Animal" was hardcore.  The "Everybody Talks" video is animated.  And involves a Ouija board and the band plays a gaggle of ghosts.  You can pinpoint the symbolism of that--a guy trying to get a girl's attention feels invisible so he starts hiding in her attic playing loud music.  I know that's the way to my heart.  Video after the jump.

Call Me Crazy....

...But I think my local radio station may be blog stalking me.

Just humor me.  As a person who spews out my oh-so-witty thoughts with wild abandon onto the InterWebs--a "blogger" if I may--naturally, I have a (not-so) hidden reserve of narcissistic tendencies.  However, recent events have led me to believe that this accusation may not be solely based on my own admitted self-involvement.  Let me explain.

I recently noticed that aforementioned radio station has been playing songs that are oddly out of character.  Songs that have been featured (fairly) recently as Songs of the Day on my humble little corner of Cyberspace.  Now, it wouldn't seem unusual if K101 had actually been a decent radio station to begin with, but I think playing Gotye immediately after Selena Gomez' "I Love You Like A Love Song" seems highly suspicious....although, I must admit that the latter conglomeration of auto-tuned triteness is fast becoming my new favorite guilty pleasure.  Shhh....please don't tell anyone.  I beg of you.

Now, even I am not arrogant enough to believe something this preposterous without reason.  How would they even know about this small-time blog anyway?  Elementary, my dear Watson (which, FYI, wasn't actually said in the original Sherlock Holmes stories).  I, being a half-assed blog pimp extraordinaire, made sure my URL was smack-dab where they could see it--even though I usually try to keep my whereabouts a mystery (perhaps I'm not doing so well)-- in that e-mail that I sent to the radio station informing them that they've reached a new level of lame.  You all remember the smack in the face I recieved, don't you?  I do.  Those bastards.  But I digress.  Oh, and apparently one of the DJs follows me on twitter.  That could explain it, too. 

My point is that, if it is the case that the local DJs are stopping by for inspiration and song picks (because, let's face it, I'm better at this than they are) I would just like a little recognition because, due to the recent amount of airplay my picks have been getting, I clearly have a tasteful ear.  Perhaps help me out with a mention on air or some free blog pimping.  I'm not asking for a job (although if they asked me to DJ for an hour or two on my days off I wouldn't say 'no'.)  I just want my brilliance to be acknowledged.  And, some day, be monetarily compensated for it.  I'm looking at you K101.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Song du Nuit: I could make a dirty comment....

Mustache Man (Wasted)
by Cake

But I won't.  But if I did, it would allude to mustache rides.  What can I say?  I hang out with too many boys.  Today's song du nuit is from perennial favorite, Cake, with their trumpets and uber laidback grooves.  The kind of sh*t that could be playing in the midst of chaos--when havoc is breaking loose-- and during a kickback with your bros and some brewskies.  F*ck...did I just say brewskies?  Is that even how you spell that?  Anyway, the video, which is fantastic and disturbing at the same time, incorporates multiple elements that bend reality and make you think "WTF is happening here?"-- a time-traveling shag van, polyester 70s suits, a dance-off on a lighted floor, a large fellow in Jersey-girl drag, and a lot of men who really shouldn't have mustaches.  Oh, and the main girl wears a tiger jacket that is effin' unbelievable!  I'm digging the chorus:  I've wasted so much time.  It juxtaposes well next to the "Mustache Man" who seems to get sh*t done, no matter how outlandish it is.  And I'm pretty sure the shag van time travels, which means he's not wasting any time.  In fact, he's bending time over and making it his bitch.  Which, coincidentally, may be what this song is about--the Mustache Man is taking advantage of a girl and the chorus is what she's thinking while he's having his way.  I'm probably wrong--I never was good at interpreting song lyrics.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Album Release Thursday.....

Because I was too lazy to do it Tuesday....Again, there is a whole bunch this week, so I'm going to be a slacker and just list them again.  Notable releases for this week include a new album by Ana Tijoux--if you remember, she was a song of the day a few months back and the Chilean rapper/singer has a whole host of songs for you to sink your teeth into;  Leonard Cohen is back being amazing--a special shout-out to my bestie Anabel, who also shares a soft spot for his soul-crushing bass;  Aretha Franklin's got a "best of" album for her fans;  and Standing Shadows--a band that twitter followed me and I have yet to share with you all--has a short EP out that I'm going to give a quick listen and review (Only 3 songs, so I encourage you to check them out as well.)  Yes, these are on the short list for a listen but there is a lot of awesomeness that came out this week.   As perusual, the asterisk(s) denote my heightened interest and the degree to which my curiousity has been stoked.

  • Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen**
  • Knew You Were Waiting by Aretha Franklin**
  • More Beautiful Than Silence by K'naan *
  • Out of Frequency by The Asteroids Galaxy Tour ***
  • Nature Experiments by The Big Sleep*
  • Golden Gate Groove: The Sound of Philadelphia 1973 by Various Artists
  • La Bala by Ana Tijoux**
  • Escort by Escort*
  • 1966 by Karen Dalton
  • Girls Who Look Like Me by Lightening Love**
  • Jump Jump Dance by Jump Jump Dance**
  • Like the Blood by Night Genes*
  • WEEKENDS by pacificUV
  • Clay Class by Prinzehorn Dance School*
  • sami.the.great by sami.the.great***
  • Strenghth to Survive by Soja*
  • One by One by Standing Shadows***
  • Headstock by The Few***
  • Gone & Goner by TS & the Past Haunts*
  • Easy Way Out by Virgin Forest**
  • Love Lies by Kami Thompson**

Song du Jour: Warning--Love Song Ahead

I Won't Give Up
by Jason Mraz



I've been missing The Boyfriend something awful lately.  He'll be visiting me in a couple weeks--for three days, which isn't near long enough -- and I can't wait.  I really can't and, as I speak, I'm working out my sh*t so that in the next few months, we might even be in the same city for once.  We've been through some hard times but after 6 years, I think things are starting to fall into place.  Thus, for today, an ode to all of the changes we've been through and hardships we've encountered.  He's not just my boyfriend--he is my best friend.   And--as we hurtle towards the eventual apocalypse, whether brought on by the zombie plague or nuclear war or melting ice caps-- that's who you need at your side.  Trite but true.