"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..."

05-01-12 - "Creep" ~ Carrie Manolakos (cover of Radiohead)

Tonight is one of those rare nights when I post a cover.  Generally, while I do believe some covers are worthwhile, I try to go with the original version (or at least post both).  But in this case, odds are you're familiar with the original, and the cover just has that ethereal quality which merits attention.


Interesting to note that this song may have the most comments of any song I've ever viewed on songmeanings.net.  Also that the band had to fight pretty hard to get past this one track from their first album, and Thom Yorke apparently pretty much hates the song now.  


Carrie Manolakos cut her teeth on Broadway, and now she has released an album of original tunes.  If this performance is any indication, she's got the pipes to make for some quality songs.

Here's an excerpt from an article that has been making the rounds on the social media sites:

"This Cover of Radiohead's "Creep" Will Make Your Ears Orgasm. If you're in a hurry, skip to 2:25 for the crescendo, but you should really listen to the whole thing. It's upsettingly good."

~ Neetzan Zimmerman, Gawker

Seriously, listen to the whole thing; the emotion conveyed in the quieter parts of the song is just as good as the payoff.  The high note, the harmony, the control through it all... just wow.  And the instruments are spot on, as well.

And here's the original, just so the Radiohead fans don't lambaste me:

"She's running out again..."

4-30-12 - "Tongue Tied" ~ Grouplove

Well, to get the ball rolling, I'm going to take a page from my buddy Jordan, who posted this track earlier today.  I've caught Grouplove on WYEP before, and they definitely put out some fun tunes with interesting lyrics and videos that have perhaps a darker edge than the music itself might imply.

This one seems pretty lighthearted, in the vein of enjoying an all night party with a cute  girl (or, guy, if that's more your style).  But then you have these menacing luchadores in suits... well, I don't really know what that's about, but art is in the eye of the beholder, so you tell me:

Update 1-9-13 Howsabout a live version, courtesy of the Hay Bale Sessions:

(Also check out the Hay Bale Sessions performance of "Colours"!)

"marmalade, we're making out..."

1-11-12 - "We Are Young" ~ fun.

Like 1,2,3, these guys have a nigh un-googleable name: fun.  But man, they play some catchy tunes.  This one's been around for a bit, but I have not posted it yet, and it turns out the video is a free download on iTunes right now, so I was reminded of the awesomeness of the tune.


Regular:

Acoustic (this. is. legit.):

And, for anyone who's an intermediate pianist, here's a 2-minute tutorial from the band's keyboard dude, Andrew Dost:

"The moon is on the fly

I have no reason to run

So will someone come and carry me home...?"