"Kids These Days" ~ Fur Trade

You guys.  I know next to nothing about this band.  It seems to be the rebirth of Hot Hot Heat, a Canadian group (yep, another one from B.C., just like Said The Whale, The Zolas, Hey Ocean!, and Mother Mother, all bands with whom I am slightly obsessed...) who I must confess I've never gotten around to, but may have to check out after this.  I've listened to this track at least twenty times today... maybe thirty.  Yeah, probably at least thirty.  I can't even put my finger on what it is that makes it so awesome... sweet little funky guitar riff, the dirty piano counter-riff, a brilliant line or two, or maybe the girl dancing in the video - speaking of things I can't explain, this girl's moves... she just exudes confidence.  Blends some raggedy ballet with street moves, and it just... works.  I wish I had that kind of confidence when I was thirteen (I'm guessing that's about how old she was at filming)...

Anyway, check out the track, and tell me what you think:

Ridiculously simple, yet amazing, music video:

Soundcloud:


"There's a melody I hone that no one wrote..."

11-13-12 - "We Are 1980" ~ Said The Whale

Friends, I'm incredibly excited.  One of my favorite bands (OF ALL TIME), Said The Whale, are coming back to Pittsburgh tomorrow!  As in Wednesday, November 14, at Howler's.  You should probably be there, unless you have a really good excuse, because it's going to be a blast.

My pals over at Draw Us Lines were kind enough to post my big wet sloppy kiss of an article raving about the band; have a read if you like.

It's always tough to pick just one song to feature when I like a band this much, but since it seems I've gone with STW's more folksy / sentimental tunes (like such as The Light Is You, Black Day In December, and False Creek Change) in the past, and they've released a brand new album this year that I've yet to mention here, I'd go with one of the pop/rock leaning new tunes, and the leadoff from April's "Little Mountain" fits the bill:

(by the way, the band made music videos - and not weak, lame ones - for all 15 tracks from the album.  You can find them on saidthewhale.com)

Methinks you'll find some intriguing and thought-provoking social commentary here...

"We’ve got Mandarax and loveless sex 

And information passing right through our skin and bones..."

5-21-12 - "All The Rowboats" ~ Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor probably doesn't need the hype from my little blog, and I've already discussed a few of her tracks.  But this one, from her new album that drops next week, is just spectacular and I felt like telling you why I feel that way, so here goes.


The first several times I listened were at work with the volume low, unfortunately not the best way to fully appreciate music.  However, even in that setting, the musicianship and composition struck me.  When I got around to giving the song its proper due and absorbing the lyrics, it only deepened my enjoyment.  On the surface, the song is a lament for masterworks of various art forms as they are neglected by today's reality TV society.  If you like, you can likely find several layers of deeper meaning as well.


The most poignant metaphor, for me, is the violin.  A Stradivarius is in itself a masterpiece, but it only becomes a true wonder when in the hands of a brilliant musician.  If it's sitting in a display case, the beauty of its sound is lost... "They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing..."


Here's the track on Soundcloud:





A Letterman performance from last week, complete with a Steinway & Sons grand piano and Regina's trademarked oddball vocalizations - this time in the form of laser sound effects:

And the music video:

"First there's lights out, then there's lock up

Masterpieces serving maximum sentences

It's their own fault for being timeless

There's a price to pay, and a consequence..."

5-8-12 - "Kids+Poker Face" ~ Weezer

I honestly thought this mashup was my own idea, and I pitched it to my buddy Mike last weekend, who burst my bubble by mentioning the Weezer cover.  Perhaps I'd heard this before but blocked it from my consciousness, perhaps I legitimately came up with the same idea as Rivers Cuomo & Co.  Let it be known, however, that in my head, the "can't read my, can't read my, no he can't read my poker face..." part was directly over the hook from Kids; whereas Weezer just segues from one song into the other.

Let it be known that it's unlikely I'll ever post Gaga other than this cover - just not really what I'm into these days.  Let it also be known, however, that she's a musical genius, but also a savvy businesswoman who figured out that she could achieve much greater fame and fortune by going the extravagant pop diva route than playing classical music or just being a girl with a piano.

While we're on covers, who can forget this gem?

At any rate, the original MGMT song rocks, but this does as well:

"No time to think of consequences..."

2-21-12 - "Millenium" ~ Robbie Williams

So this one is somewhat tongue-in-cheek (I mean, late '90s pop, amirite?)  But despite the cheesiness of the song, it still has one of my favorite lyrics of all time, and on Fat Tuesday, I thought it was appropriate.

Ponder, if you would, the depth of this statement in light of today's first world societies and the shallowness of the religious "sacrifices" made during the upcoming season:

"Overdose at Christmas, give it up for Lent..."

12-21-11 - "Jailer" ~ Asa

Here's a pretty swell track from a French-born Nigerian artist, Aṣa.  She has an interesting backstory, worth a read if you're so inclined.  I'm pressed for time so limited commentary tonight, but check out the tune:

"I'm a prisoner
you're a prisoner too
Mr. Jailer..."

12-17-11 - "Go Outside" ~ Cults

I suppose it shouldn't be shocking that a band by this name would put out a video based on one of the most chilling events in recent history - a mass suicide/murder by a group of people following a fanatical and charismatic leader.  The video's production is impressive, seamlessly inserting the band members into footage from the cult.  You can read a bit about the making of the video here.

Despite the depressing nature of the video's subject matter, I find the song itself encouraging.  The ultimate message is to live life to the fullest, not to "hole up" or "stay inside and sleep the light away..."  Take advantage of opportunities to see the world, spend time with loved ones, and don't take the little things for granted.  And especially, don't let negative or slothful people get in the way of your own enjoyment of this beautiful world.  At least, that's what I'm getting out of the tune...  

Just the song, without the NBC News commentary and whatnot:

Bonus:  The band is featured in a new holiday episode of Yo Gabba Gabba!, which apparently airs on Nick Jr. tomorrow evening.  So if you enjoy this song, be sure to tune in for that and trip out whilst watching a children's program... you know, if you're into that sort of thing.

"Yeah I know what's good 

Exactly those things night cannot behold..."

12-14-11 - "Cathedrals" ~ Jump, Little Children

Here's a beautiful track from a group who are no longer together.  The subdued string section is woven together with the guitar for a tapestry to backdrop the powerful lyrics. The intensity of the longing to find meaning in life, and find "home", is staggering.  Probably you've had times when you felt that way; I know I have.  There's a lot about the world that is depressing, and even the masterpieces (man-made, like cathedrals, or natural) are prone to decay into entropy.  Yet, the beauty of these things gives us hope, and a desire to preserve the existing wonders of the world, and perhaps to create some new ones.


There are probably ties to human relationships here as well - home doesn't have to be a a physical location; sometimes it's finding the right group of people who make you feel comfortable and loved.


This unofficial fan-made video has some starkly contrasting visuals:

"In the shadows of tall buildings

Of open arches endlessly kneeling

Sonic landscapes echoing vistas

Someone is listening from a safe distance..."

12-05-11 - "Spider's Web" ~ Katie Melua

This one may require your thinking cap; the lyrics are weighty.  Or, you can just enjoy the somber melody over arpeggiated guitar and piano - it's quite lovely musically.


Katie Melua was born in Soviet Georgia, lived through the collapse of the Soviet Union, and immigrated to the UK at a young age in the aftermath of the Georgian Civil War in 1993.  Can't say as my childhood was quite that interesting, although we did move from Pennsylvania to Virginia when I was 6.  Like I said, not quite the same as experiencing a communist government and a civil war by 9 years old...


Melua has gone on to be one of the most popular recording artists in Europe, and songs like this show you why.  The subject matter is controversial, and at first listen you may find yourself questioning the message of the first verse, but Melua brings it together if you continue listening.  Hate begets more hate, as has been evidenced in countless situations throughout history.  It takes someone rising above the hatred to bring about a change in attitude, for love also begets love.  


Racism is pretty clear-cut in most cases, but in today's world there are a lot of gray areas on other moral, political, and personal issues - or at least there are a lot of things we convince ourselves are gray areas.  I don't want to get political, but I'm sure you know what I mean.


The ultimate message of the song is hopeful - yes, sometimes the difference between right and wrong is a hair, and sometimes it's difficult to know what is the correct path, but if we each seek to do right by each other, we can do our part to make the world a better place.  In so doing, we can better enjoy the "million colours" - both the literal, visual ones and the beauty of music.

"The piano keys are black and white

but they sound like a million colours in your mind..."

11-28-11 - "Modern Drift" ~ Efterklang

So due to a combination of a busy holiday with family and a lack of a reliable internet connection, I skipped a few days of posting.  I bet you were outside your minds waiting for someone to tell you what songs to which you should listen.  Or more likely, you didn't miss it at all, but now you're ready for some more.  Good Lord willing, and the creek don't rise*, I'll try to work in a few bonus posts to make it up to you.


Here's a somewhat trippy tune from a Danish band.  The intentional "accidental" dissonant chords of the falsetto piano over several sets of lower notes on the keys create an unsettling, yet soothing sensation.  The song seems to deal with that feeling of lacking direction that so many of the youthful generation experience these days, and with a relationship struggling to stay afloat through these rudderless times; however, the band apparently doesn't like people posting the lyrics online so it's hard to be sure that everything is being heard correctly...


(WARNING: music video has some PG-13 imagery; kind of like "Bohemian Like You".  If you have sensitive eyes, use the second "video", which is just the music, or the third, which is live in Montreal.  Several other decent concert videos out there, also...

"When the morning dies
and I come to you
with a broken lie
that I made for you..."
_________________________


* - one of my favorite sayings, complete with some interesting history.  Also a line from a Johnny Cash song, which I might get around to posting one day... oh wait I'm already looking for bonus/makeup posts so here it is, YAY!

11-11-11 - "Bohemian Like You" ~ The Dandy Warhols

Being a bit of a nerd, I considered a post related to the date (11/11/11), but nothing fitting came to mind, except for "Konstantine" by Something Corporate... "I always catch the clock, it's 11:11 and now you wanna talk..." but I already posted that one.


So you're getting a tune that doesn't really have anything to do with math nerdery, or veterans for that matter. (Side note: if you live in America, hug a veteran today!  No, our country isn't perfect, and no, our wars aren't necessarily always just, but there are a lot of things we enjoy today that were protected by the efforts of folks like my grandfathers, or someone you know that served.)


Here's a fairly sardonic take on the hipster / hippie lifestyle, with a heavy dose of tongue-in-cheek wit. Or maybe they're completely serious; I'm really not sure.  Either way, it's a great one to blast with the windows down, or up if it's chilly and there are snow flurries like today in Pittsburgh.  


(WARNING: music video is rated PG-13; think Titanic level.  If you have sensitive eyes, use the second "video", which is just the lyrics)

"so what do you do?

oh yea i wait tables too

no i haven't heard your band

'cause you guys are pretty new

but if you dig on vegan food

well come over to my work

i'll have 'em cook you something

that you really love..."

11-8-11 - "Machine" ~ Regina Spektor

Been a while since I posted some Regina Spektor.  This one falls somewhere near the middle of the Spektor Weirdness Scale - it has some odd vocal utterances and disturbing imagery, but isn't nearly as strange as certain other tracks ("Oedipus", "Aching to Pupate", I'm looking at you.)  I think my favorite thing about Spektor is she's absolutely unafraid to try new things, be herself, and just have fun with her songs.


The song starts with a driving piano rhythm, explodes with mechanical sounds, and features a sick string breakdown for the bridge.  The subject matter here is pretty heavy; I'll leave the details for you to work out on your own but the gist seems to be an homage to / railing against the technological age, or maybe some kind of futuristic dystopian world...

Several clutch live performances are online; here's one from House of Blues (Boston) to start you off:

(look for "Live in London", "Live Paris Bataclan", and "Bonnaroo 2010" for some other sweet ones - better video than this version but this one has that intimate venue feel)

And here's the album version, coupled with one of the most fitting fan videos I've ever seen.  The scenes are from Joss Whedon's "Firefly" and "Dollhouse" shows, and although I haven't watched Dollhouse, Firefly was great.

"I collect my moments

into a correspondence

with a mightier power

who just lacks my perspective

and who lacks my organics

and who covets my defects

and I'm downloaded daily

I am part of a composite..."

11-5-11 - "The 1812 Overture" ~ Tchaikovsky

"Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

The Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot."

It's the Fifth of November, and if you're like me, you may watch V for Vendetta tonight.  Mostly because Natalie Portman looks good even with a shaved head, but also because of Occupy Wall Street - standing up to The Man, fighting against... wait, what are we fighting against?  Hopefully something bad...


The movie is about a totalitarian government in the UK in a futuristic dystopian society, and a vigilante who fights against the evils of said government, wearing a Guy Fawkes mask symbolically in reference to Fawkes' efforts to overthrow the British government centuries ago.  There could be a lot of debate about the meaning of the film and the motives of the characters, as well as the justness of their causes.  It's interesting to note the religious side of the original Gunpowder Treason - Fawkes was part of a group of Catholics trying to overthrow a Protestant government and restore Catholicism's power backed by the British crown.  So depending on whether you consider Protestants to be tantamount to Totalitarians...


Of further interest is the use of the end of Russian composer Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture at the climax of the film.  The score has become popular in America and is often used in a patriotic sense here, and it's somewhat implicit in the movie that V is using it to stand for freedom and patriotism as well.  However, despite what most Americans likely think, the music was not composed to celebrate American victory over Britain in The War of 1812 (hmm, more irony that a British freedom fighter would use it, if that were true).  Believe it or not, there was more than one war going on in that year, and Tchaikovsky was actually telling the story of the failed attack by Napoleon's army on Moscow, and celebrating the defense of the Russian city.  Hence the elements of the French national anthem and "God Save the Tsar" within the music.


Bottom line, it's a fine piece of classical music, and the final few minutes - complete with cannon fire which is called out in the score - are spectacular.  To quote the great Calvin: "And they perform this in crowded concert halls??"

I'd love to debate the historical, political, and religious ramifications of all this information with you some time, but for now, just enjoy the music, and remember to stand for what you believe in.

And here's the last two minutes, for those of you who aren't patient enough for the whole thing:

And here's the <SPOILER ALERT> final scene from the film.

11-3-11 - "Marionettes" ~ The Zolas

So I haven't posted any tracks from The Zolas in quite a while.  Here's a track of theirs which weaves allegorical themes of life and relationships crumbling from apathetic indifference.  It would seem the message is to not take the good parts of life for granted, and not take what's being imposed upon you lying down... break free from the puppeteer's strings, if you will, and fight for your life, your love, your liberty.


Or something like that.

Also check the stripped version complete with piano breakdown:

"Sometimes an empire doesn't fall

As masked invaders climb the walls

Or spreading fires or rising floods

Sometimes it dies within..."

10-3-11 - "Star Witness" ~ Neko Case

Once again, WYEP on the drive home comes through with a song that just caught my ear.  I'd heard of Neko Case before, primarily as part of The New Pornographers, but hadn't heard much of her solo stuff, and certainly not this moving track.


It's said to be about a shooting, and with or without that context, it gets me thinking...

And here's a pretty cool live version:

"rolling off in a crooked line

to the chainlink lots where the redials dive…"

9-11-11 - "The Sound Of Silence" ~ Simon & Garfunkel

I debated whether to post any 9/11 related comments on the internets today.  Wasn't going to do it, but then I saw the video of Paul Simon performing this song at the WTC site, and well, I'm a sucker for S&G, even if Garfunkel wasn't there and Simon is not quite what he used to be.  Here's today's performance, along with tons of pretty emphatic comments that range from "Paul Simon is an inspiration to all Americans today" to "the time to be 'silent' is behind me. I want to hear big bombs blowing up our enemies"... apparently the song and/or Paul Simon are quite divisive.

I won't get into the dirty details of whether Simon is a liberal/pacifist/commie lover, and whether such folk are evil, and whether it was a great or terrible choice for the memorial service.  However, I will say that I think this song has a valid and relevant meaning, perhaps not directly related to the events of 9/11 but indirectly.  The song speaks of a world where the populace are complacent and subdued ("people hearing without listening"), willing to be led like sheep wherever the powers that be would have them go.  The "neon light that split the night" conjures the image of cheap entertainment, which draws my mind to the television - the "opiate of the masses", according to the great Bill Watterson.  The singer tries to rally said masses out of their stupor, to no avail.

The events of that Tuesday morning ten years ago were tragic, and they caused most Americans (and many other folks) to get angry, get excited, and get behind putting a stop to the people responsible.  I wonder, though, how long that spike of emotion and drive lasted for most of us.  It's all too easy to fall back into the routine, to let the monotony of daily life and the opiates of entertainment take over.  I won't even get into the loss of liberties that has been a result of the counter-terrorism measures taken by the US government - if you've flown in the past decade you know what I mean.  Suffice to say, whether it be in politics, foreign affairs, or any other aspect of life, don't just sit back and let the currents take you.  Don't blindly follow, don't let your precious time on earth be consumed by meaningless entertainment.  Decide what you believe, what you stand for, what's worth fighting for, and live your life accordingly.

Here's footage from a performance back when S&G were in their prime:

And here's the album version:

"And the people bowed and prayed 

To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the signs said the words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sounds of silence...."

9-2-11 - "You, Me, And The Bourgeoisie" ~ The Submarines

Here's an example of the evils of the big corporations being used for good... sort of.  I'm not gonna lie, I heard this song on an iPhone commercial a few years back; might never have heard of the band otherwise.  Ironically, the song is all about not falling prey to the lifestyle-driven "keep up with the Joneses" mentality that is so prevalent these days.  But in conjunction with my "don't judge a band by its genre" policy, I believe there's no wrong way to get your music out there.


As you might guess since it was used in a commercial for a product aimed at the young, hip crowd, the song is super catchy.  But along with the hook, there's a healthy dose of food for thought.  What is truly important in life?  Is it money, cars, climbing the corporate ladder?  Or perhaps is there something else to which we should dedicate our pursuits...?

"We're not living the good life
unless we're fighting the good fight..."

8-24-11 - "Journey To The Island" ~ John Williams

We're going soundtracking tonight, and it's all because The Best Movie Ever was on TV whilst I was eating dinner.  That's right, Jurassic Park.  Okay, maybe not the best movie ever, but pretty great, no?  If you're somewhere around 25-35, you probably were blown away by the animatronics in the film like I was.  Looking back 18 years later, the dinosaurs don't look nearly as awesome as we thought they did back then... must be how people who watched Star Wars as kids feel about the effects when they watch the movies again.


I loved dinosaurs as a kid; still pretty much do.  The movie (and the book upon which it is based) is, at its heart, a cautionary tale about modern progress in science and technology.  It's full of spectacular lines, mostly by Pittsburgh's own Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm.  

"Now, eventually, ah, you do plan to have... dinosaurs... on your dinosaur tour...right?"

Of course, you have the action/adventure/drama of the dinosaurs escaping and chasing the humans around.  But the real winner is the score composed by John Williams.  The soundtrack complements each scene perfectly.  The triumphant trumpet call as the helicopter approaches the island, the wondrous tone of the strings as the guests behold the brachiosaurus for the first time, the foreboding and unsettling horns as they approach the complex... the symphony enhances the film - precisely the intention.  Bad movie soundtracks can be unoriginal and uninspiring, but good ones can really deepen the experience.

____________________


As a footnote - while Google searching for Jeff Goldblum, I found some tragic news (which apparently escaped my attention for two years, for which I cannot forgive myself...)

8-18-11 - "Here's Your Future" ~ The Thermals

This is the leadoff track from an intriguing quasi-concept album described by the band as telling "the story of a young couple who must flee a United States governed by fascist faux-Christians."  The album is chock full of Biblical references used to paint the picture of the tyrannical government.   As a Christian myself, lyrics like these are challenging, because while I believe Christianity isn't intended to result in this sort of tale, it (and other religions) have often been twisted and corrupted to further political gains.  I don't want to get into politics on this site, but it's obvious that "Christian" politicians have used that as leverage to further personal and party agendas that don't really jive with the faith they purport to hold.

Whether The Thermals were intending to directly call out Christianity or were merely using themes of the Flood and other Biblical stories as a backdrop for their commentary on present-day politics is not clear.  However, even if you or I don't agree with what they're saying, what I love about songs (and albums) like this is that they challenge you to think.  Don't just accept what's spoon-fed to you, whether it's religion, politics, music, or anything else.  Engage your mind, do your research, and come to your own conclusions.

Plus, the music just rocks.

Album version:

Live version (lame crowd, but it actually makes for a good youtube vid as you can hear the band clearly):

"God told his son, 'it's time to come home

I promise you won't have to die all alone
I need you to pay for the sins I create'
His son said, 'I will, but Dad, I'm afraid!'"

8-17-11 - "Haile Selassie" ~ Bright Eyes

The more I listen to Bright Eyes, the more Conor Oberst's songwriting blows my mind.  The lyrical intricacies and depth are astounding.  If you want to get what he's saying, you should probably read the lyrics while you listen - it's hard to keep up otherwise; and maybe also read up on the life of the song's namesake (a messianic figure in the Rastafarian religion.)


The song is catchy and comes across as hopeful, despite the cynical nature of some of the lyrics referring to atomic bombs and the next Caesar.  It's part of an overall theme on The People's Key, an album I highly recommend you check out.  


Give it a listen, if you have time to spend reflecting on the lyrics, do it, and let me know what you think:

"We are the chosen people
Safe from the next evil
One Love, magnetic memory
Reel after reel spinning within me..."