Genius: Young Folks / Ice Cream

Genius’d Song: Young Folks
Artist: Peter, Bjorn, & John
Album: Writer’s Block







Selection: Ice Cream
Artist: New Young Pony Club
Album: Fantastic Playroom

Genius Results:

Song - Artist
Young Folks - Peter Bjorn & John
Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games - Of Montreal
The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Fake Palindromes - Andrew Bird
Down Boy - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
Pieces Of The People We Love - The Rapture
He War - Cat Power
Off The Record - My Morning Jacket
Lights Out - Santogold
Ice Cream - New Young Pony Club
M79 - Vampire Weekend
Let's Call It Off (Single Mix) - Peter Bjorn & John
Requiem for O.M.M. - Of Montreal
What Light - Wilco
Gamma Ray - Beck
I Summon You - Spoon
Cheated Hearts - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Nature of The Experiment - Tokyo Police Club
Up Against The Wall - Peter Bjorn & John
Ageless Beauty - Stars
Obstacle 1 - Interpol
West Coast - Coconut Records
Huddle Formation - The Go! Team
Y Control - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Young Folks
's third album, Writer's Block (released in 2006). The single features Victoria Bergsman of The Concretes as a guest vocalist. The chorus is based on the song, "Rich Folks Hoax" by Rodriguez.
The song first attracted notice on websites such as MySpace and YouTube, and was used in a number of commercials and television shows. Only since mid-2007 has the song earned extensive airplay on American radio, most notably on dance radio outlets like KNHC/Seattle, KNGY/San Francisco and Sirius Satellite's "The Beat".
The song was ranked #5 on Pitchfork Media's "Top 100 Tracks of 2006"[1] list. Pitchfork reviewed the song on 19 July 2006, giving it three out of five stars [1]. The song was also voted #2 in the 2006 NME Track of the Year poll.[2] Planet Sound named this their #2 single of 2006. The song was named the number one song of 2007 according to the iTunes Music Store. Y-Rock On XPN also named the song #1 of 2007.
On Peter Bjorn and John's recent Australian tour, Victoria Bergsman's vocals were performed by Tracyanne Campbell of Camera Obscura. The group performed the song on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on 29 January 2007, and on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on 18 May 2007 (the latter with Tonight Show band member Vicki Randle on bongos). On 29 September 2007, the band played "Young Folks", with Victoria Bergsman's vocals, on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on BBC1.
The single was re-released on 17 September 2007, when it reached number 13 in the UK, beating the original chart position of number 33 in 2006.
The accompanying video was directed by Ted Malmros with animation by Graham Samuels.
The song is featured on the 2007 compilation album, Acoustic 07, the FIFA 08 soundtrack, and was also used in the E3 trailer of Lips, the video game. Gossip Girl also uses this track for its theme.
New Young Pony Club
New Young Pony Club are a five piece indie/electronica band from London, England. Taking influences from New Wave bands such as Talking Heads and Blondie, and combining them with dance rhythms and synths, they are perhaps more deserving of the "Nu Rave" tag than many other bands in the sub-genre. However, like other bands associated with the label, they are quick to dismiss it.[1]
The band are keen to take their cues from a whole range of sources, and try not to risk becoming too close to the sound of any one other band. [2] Their own take on their music is “We marry the dance ethic with the pop ethic, and make something that you can dance to and sing along to.”[3]
Success
The band has enjoyed cult success in their early years. Their highest chart placing for a first release was #47 for second official single “The Bomb”, though a re-release of Ice Cream reached number 40. They put their lack of chart success down to not having the “desire to make really radio friendly singles”, but also claim that they “don’t want to be the biggest band in the world”.[2] Indeed, many of their records are hard to find, and tracks appear on iTunes only fleetingly.[9] Though the rock cliché is to be “big in Japan”, New Young Pony Club are very successful in Australia, the home of their label, where they are often played on Triple J, the “Australian equivalent of Radio 1”.[9]
The band’s debut album, Fantastic Playroom, was released on Modular Recordings on July 9th[10] in the UK and August 28th, 2007 in the US. The band apparently had an album’s worth of songs when they signed to Modular, but decided it would be more ambitious to write a whole new album for the label, which has resulted in it being delayed for over a year.[9]
Since its release, Fantastic Playroom has received excellent reviews from the music press in Britain. Mixmag, for instance, described the album as "magic" and awarded it the coveted title of Album of the Month in its July issue. On 17 July Fantastic Playroom was shortlisted for the 2007 Mercury Prize.
Ice Cream


The Bomb

Genius: In Dreams / I Go to Pieces

Genius’d Song: In Dreams
Artist: Roy Orbison
Album: In Dreams






Selection: I Go to Pieces
Artist: Peter & Gordon
Album: The Ultimate Peter & Gordon

Genius Results:

Song - Artist
In Dreams - Roy Orbison
Blue Velvet - Bobby Vinton
Come Softly To Me - The Fleetwoods
The Great Pretender - The Platters
A World Without Love - Peter & Gordon
Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
In My Room - Beach Boys
Just A Little - The Beau Brummels
Bus Stop - The Hollies
She's Not There - The Zombies
Who Do You Love? - Bo Diddley
Running Scared - Roy Orbison
Lets Twist Again - Chubby Checker
Go All The Way - Rasberries
Little Darlin' - The Diamonds
Dream Lover - Bobby Darin
Don't Worry Baby - The Beach Boys
I Honestly Love You (Dishonest Vision Mix) - Olivia Newton-John
Needles & Pins - The Searchers
Free Man in Paris - Joni Mitchell
Till I Kissed You - Everly Brothers
I Go To Pieces - Peter & Gordon
Walk Like A Man - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Elvis Presley
Crying - Roy Orbison

In Dreams

"In Dreams" is a song composed and sung by American rock and roll performer Roy Orbison. An operatic ballad of lost love, it was released as a single on Monument Records in February 1963. It became the title track on the album In Dreams, released in July 1963. It also appears on his posthumous 1989 album A Black & White Night Live, the soundtrack from the 1988 HBO television special Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night.

The popular single hit #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 and was his first single to officially cross to their Easy Listening survey (#3).
The song's opening line refers to "A candy-colored clown they call the Sandman". The Sandman is a character in Hans Christian Andersen's children stories who brings sleep and dreams by sprinkling magic sand onto the sleeping.
If the structure of a standard pop song is ABABCAB (verse-chorus, verse-chorus, bridge, verse-chorus), then the structure of "In Dreams" is ABCDE; the lyrics "A candy-colored clown," "I close my eyes," "In dreams I walk with you," "But just before the dawn," and "It's too bad that all these things" all introduce sections of new musical material that are never repeated.

In 1988, songwriters Will Jennings and Richard Kerr wrote a response to "In Dreams" called "In The Real World," which Orbison recorded for his album Mystery Girl (which was released posthumously in 1989).

In popular culture
• Perhaps the most famous use of "In Dreams" in media was prominently in David Lynch's landmark cult thriller Blue Velvet (1986). The sadistic villain of the film Frank Booth, played by Dennis Hopper, seems to be obsessed with the tune (along with the Bobby Vinton song "Blue Velvet").
• The song also appeared in, and provided the title for, Neil Jordan's 1999 psychological thriller In Dreams.
• In 2004, Rolling Stone named "In Dreams" as one of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
• M. Ward's "Today's Undertaking" from his 2006 album, Post-War is heavily inspired by "In Dreams."

Peter and Gordon

Peter and Gordon were a British Invasion-era performing duo, formed by Peter Asher and Gordon Waller, that rocketed to fame in 1964 with "A World Without Love". Peter Asher's sister (the actress Jane Asher) was dating Paul McCartney (of The Beatles), and so Peter and Gordon recorded several songs written by McCartney, with or without John Lennon. Those hits included "Nobody I Know", "I Don't Want To See You Again" and "Woman". The writing credit for "Woman" is given to "Bernard Webb," which was in fact an alias for Paul McCartney. McCartney used the pseudonym to see if he could have a hit song even without his famous name attached to it. The song reached number 14 in the US and number 28 on the British charts. Peter and Gordon also recorded the John Lennon penned Lennon/McCartney song, "If I Fell". The Beatles connection doesn't end there. The Meredith Willson song, "Till There Was You", recorded by the Beatles and sung by Paul McCartney, was later recorded by Peter and Gordon.

Other hits for the group included "I Go to Pieces" (U.S. #7), which was written by Del Shannon and given to the duo after the two acts toured together, and remakes of "True Love Ways" by Buddy Holly and "To Know Him Is To Love Him" by the Teddy Bears, retitled "To Know You Is To Love You." Peter and Gordon had their last hits in 1967 with "Lady Godiva" (U.S. #6), "Knight In Rusty Armour" and "Sunday for Tea".
Asher became head of A&R for Apple Records. Asher has continued his career as a recording executive in California and has managed and produced Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Cher, Diana Ross and more.

In August 2005, Peter and Gordon reunited onstage for the first time in over 30 years, as part of two tribute concerts for Mike Smith of the Dave Clark Five in New York City. This was followed by more complete concerts at The Festival for Beatles Fans (formerly Beatlefest) conventions beginning the following year. Paul McCartney heard about the reunion shows, and sent a message to them congratulating them for deciding to reunite. They have since performed at the Chicago, New Jersey and most recently two shows at the Festival for Beatles Fans convention in Las Vegas July 1 and 2 where according to a report by Journalist Peter Palmiere for Beatlefan magazine, the pair was the performing highlight of the convention. Peter and Gordon both told Palmiere at the Las Vegas Festival for Beatles Fans that they were to perform at the 2006 Adopt-A-Minefield show with Paul McCartney until it was cancelled by Paul himself due to his impending divorce from Heather Mills. On August 21, 2008, they performed a free concert on the pier in Santa Monica, California.

A World Without Love


I Go to Pieces

Genius: Paradise - Change / Native New Yorker - Odyssey

Genius’d Song: Paradise
Artist: Change
Album: Journey into Paradise: The Larry Levan Story

Selection: Native New Yorker
Artist: Odyssey
Album: Native New Yorker

Genius Results:

Song - Artist
Paradise - Change
It Should Have Been You - Gwen Guthrie
Down To Love Town (Dim's Secret Re-Edit) - The Originals
The Boss (Original 12" Mix)- Diana Ross
He's The Greatest Dancer - Sister Sledge
Ready Or Not Here I Come - Delfonics
Someday We'll All Be Free - Donny Hathaway
Take Your Time (Do It Right) - The S.O.S. Band
Don't Walk Away - Jade
Fire and Desire - Rick James & Teena Marie
Love That Girl - Raphael Saadiq
A Dream's A Dream - Soul II Soul
Sing A Simple Song - Sly & The Family Stone
Turn Off the Lights - Teddy Pendergrass
Golden - Jill Scott
A Lover's Holiday [12" Version] - Change
We Got The Funk [12" U.S. Re-Edit Version] - Positive Force
Machine Gun - Commodores
Love's Theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra
Appletree - Erykah Badu
Sunshower - Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band
I Want To Be Free - Ohio Players
Native New Yorker - Odyssey
Found A Cure - Ashford & Simpson
Jealousy - Club Nouveau

"Native New Yorker" is a song written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell.
It was a 1977 hit single for the dance band Odyssey, reaching #5 on the UK charts and #21 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It was also recorded by Frankie Valli in 1977 and Black Box in 1998.

Odyssey was a New York based, dance music band. It grew out of the talent of the Virgin Islands born Lopez sisters: Lillian Lopez (born 16 November 1945), Louise Lopez (born 22 February 1943), and Carmen Lopez who later dropped out of the group.
Career

Filipino singer Tony Reynolds was added, at which point the band became known as Odyssey. The group was known for its December 1977 hit "Native New Yorker", which reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was also covered by Frankie Valli. Although a string of albums and singles followed, the group managed only one other R&B smash, the Slave-produced "Inside Out", which was in all actuality, Slave's hit "Watching You", with new lyrics and some orchestration added, and which peaked at #12 in 1982. Reynolds, for unknown reasons, left after the first album and was replaced by Fayetteville, North Carolina native William "Bill" McEachern, who remained with the group throughout the remainder of its RCA record label output.

In the United Kingdom, the band with its gentle Caribbean style had more success, totalling five Top Ten hits between 1977 and 1982. One of them, "Use It Up and Wear It Out", reached number one in the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in 1980. Odyssey thus became the third U.S. act of the year (after Fern Kinney and M.A.S.H.) to reach Number one in the UK, despite failing to chart in their home country.

Native New Yorker (From "The Stud")

Genius: Bind - Hercules & Love Affair / You Sonna Want Me - Tiga

Song: Blind
Artist: Hercules & Love Affair
Album: Hercules & Love Affair

Selection: You Gonna Want Me
Artist: Tiga
Album: Sexor

Genius Results:
Artist - Song
Hercules And Love Affair - Blind
Cut Copy - Hearts On Fire
The Whip - Trash
The Knife - Silent Shout (Williams Acidic Circuits remix)
Simian Mobile Disco - It's The Beat
Tiga - You Gonna Want Me
Björk - Earth Intruders (Single Edit)
Alanis Morissette - Underneath
Faithless - Bombs (Galaxy 21 Mix)
Dragonette - I Get Around
Ratatat - Mirando
Juliet - Avalon (Jacques Lu Cont Mix)
Hercules And Love Affair - Raise Me Up
Air - Sexy Boy
LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum
Röyksopp - Only This Moment (Alan Braxe Remix)
Felix Da Housecat - Like Something 4 Porno!
Moby - The Stars
Cut Copy - Feel The Love
Marco Demark - Tiny dancer (John Dahlback Mix)
The Knife - We Share Our Mothers' Health
Hot Chip - Over & Over
Chromatics - Running Up That Hill
Morcheeba - Enjoy The Ride (Feat. Judy Tzuke)
Hercules And Love Affair - Hercules Theme

Sexor is the debut album from Montreal DJ/Producer Tiga. It was released in 2006 on the Different label. It won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.
Tiga borrowed the sleeve design from Bryan Ferry's album In Your Mind.

Track listing
The last track includes a hidden track. "Brothers" stops at 5:04, followed by almost two minutes of silence. "Sir, Sir, Sir" starts at 7:02.
1. "Welcome to Planet Sexor" – 0:52
2. "(Far from) Home" – 2:43
3. "You Gonna Want Me" (Altern-8 cover) – 3:59
4. "High School/Jamaican Boa" – 3:13
5. "Louder Than a Bomb" (Public Enemy cover)– 3:16
6. "Pleasure from the Bass" – 3:52
7. "Who's That" – 1:14
8. "Down in It" (Nine Inch Nails cover)– 3:30
9. "The Ballad of Sexor" – 3:24
10. "Good as Gold" – 7:40
11. "(Far from) Home the Speed of Sexor Reprise" – 4:34
12. "Burning Down the House" (Talking Heads cover)– 4:05
13. "3 Weeks" – 4:18
14. "Brothers/Sir Sir Sir" – 8:39
You Gonna Want Me

It's Real

A stroke of Genius….


Dear Readers,

My posts have been a little inconsistent as of late due to a new writing project I’m working on for the entire month of November. I didn’t want to shut the blog down for a month so I came up with an idea…

First, I don’t know what player you use on your computer to play music but I can’t really recommend iTunes enough. Sure I’m a Mac head, but if Windows Media Player actually worked well I would totally use it. But it doesn’t… iTunes is just better and recently it got a LOT better.

iTunes has recently added a feature called Genius, that finally does what Pandora and Last FM do… it takes the music you like (or actually have in your iTunes library) and gives you suggestions on other tracks in your library like a particular song. It’s picked some interesting stuff… and not all totally what you’d expect.

So, this month I will ask you to send me requests, either favorite songs I have posted before, I’ll give them the Genius treatment and highlight and post a song it recommends. Fun right? So send them to me please… and multiples are cool too, I have whole month to fill!

The posted song for today really has nothing to with anything… just a killer song I’m really digging.


Song: It’s Real
Artist: Black Affair
Album: Pressure Point



Steve Mason is best known for his work with the Beta Band. Since they broke up he formed the single album project King Biscuit Time, and now most recently Black Affair, which is an electro-dance record.

I don’t think it’s GREAT per-say, but the track “It’s Real” is really good. You can check out their MySpace page here.

Enjoy.

It’s Real


Subfuge

White Heat

Song: White Heat
Artist: Madonna
Album: True Blue



I remember seeing an interview with Madonna just prior to “True Blue” coming out. The album was finished, and ready to go, but was being delayed because… she had too many singles still getting heavy rotation from “Like a Virgin!” In retrospect, it’s kind of daunting to thing that Madge released within five years “Virgin,” “True Blue,” and “Like a Prayer.” (Not to mention the soundtrack to “Who’s That Girl” and the remix album “You Can Dance.”)

“True Blue” has always held a special place in my heart in my love for Madonna. I love the Herb Ritts cover, the sheer deluge of singles (five of nine album tracks,) including of course her possible best ballad, “Live to Tell.” I loved the video’s from the album (“Open Your Heart” being a favorite.) All around good stuff.

So one of my FAVORITE album cuts of Madonna’s (a singles artist for sure) is the semi goofy, Jimmy Gagney sampling “White Heat.” I know I know… a lot of people, even fans, HATE this song. Either you loathe the line “Get up stand tall, put your back up against the wall, ‘cause my love is dangerous… this is a bust!” or you revel in its campyiness. I’m in the latter category. But then again, I worship the material girl.

Enjoy.

Open Your Heart


Live to Tell


Papa Don’t Preach

Speedway

Song: Speedway
Artist: Morrissey
Album: Vauxhall and I




I thought this week I would focus on some album tracks. Since the onset of the Billboard singles chart, and music as a business overtaking the artistic aspect of music writing, singles are key… and they make the money. But still there can be hidden gems from artists you dig even though you wouldn’t have heard them on the radio. More specifically this week I wanted to highlight songs that are great but even casual fans of an artist might not know.

I recently took a listen to Morrissey’s 1994 masterpiece “Vauxhall and I,” one of my favorite albums. Even for Morrissey it’s a pretty dark album, though it has been revealed that at the time he thought it could possibly be his last album, and considered it his best to date. It wasn’t, but it still stands as arguably his best, even if his last two were excellent.

“Speedway” the final track on the album has always been a favorite to me. It’s pretty depressing… it is broad lyrically, but seems to be possibly about the nasty end of a relationship. But to make matters worse, it seems one sided and I love (though it’s so sad) the end, where he says:

I've always been true to you

In my own strange way

I've always been true to you

In my own sick way

It’s a punchy dramatic track and one that really exemplifies Morrissey’s style. So if you don’t care for “Speedway,” you won’t dig the Moz. My favorite line though…

All of the rumours

Keeping me grounded

I never said, I never said that they were

Completely unfounded

Send me your choices for great album cuts in the comments below.

Enjoy.

From Vauxhall and I:

The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get

Everyone’s At It

Song: Everyone’s At It
Artist: Lily Allen
Album: It’s Not Me, It’s You



I’ve been eagerly awaiting some new official music from the UK’s fun, bratty, honest, ska-lite, Lily Allen. I was a big fan of her debut “Alright , Still” and the wait has been a little too long in my book. But the girl has been having a lot going on in her life, a miss-carriage, the end of that relationship (with a Chemical Brother) plus pretty much constant tabloid exposure… and unfortunately Ms. Allen has a lot to blame on herself, with wild posts to her MySpace blog, and drunken escapades in public.

But honestly… that’s part of her charm.

For her sophomore set, Ms. Allen is moving from the ska sound of her debut and going more electro-pop. (according to a statement by the singer herself.) First single “Everyone’s At It” sounds very Killers to me… in a good way. Has a great 80’s open sound to it. I’m digging it.

Allen has been quoted as saying that if people don’t like her new record she will quit songwriting and pursue a career in A & R because she “likes to go to concerts.” I’m hoping we all like the new record.

Enjoy.

Alfie


Littlest Things

Summerboy

Song; Summerboy
Artist: Lady Gaga
Album: The Fame



I’ve been listening to the debut album by electro-pop hopeful Lady Gaga for a while and initially I thought it was filled with some just okay dance tracks, and some that were laugh out loud stupid. But over time I’ve continued to add it to my daily playlist and the songs slowly took hold. A lot of it remains pretty stupid, but it’s a charming kind of stupid. (of course that depends on your tolerance for charmingly stupid) I also saw how much time she was giving to the gay community with appearances on Logo, as well as interviews with gay publications in order to spread her brand of dance pop to an audience that eats it up. So props to you for that Lady.

Initially I heard her big hit “Just Dance” which upon initial listen had me relegating her to a cheap dance act, but it certainly grew on me. Which in general has been the case for her entire album.

This sounds like a half-hearted recommendation… but I suppose it’s just that I’ve been surprised at how much I’ve grown to like a lot of these songs. She’s a bit Gwen Stefani, a bit Annie, she has an urban edge that is sort of like what Britney does… but not quite. (Though it has been rumored she penned a track for Britney’s upcoming record) I don’t know… I guess you’ll have to decide for yourself. The albums sound is actually pretty varied.

She’s released no less than three singles from the record, her latest being “Poker Face” (one of the tracks I deemed as stupid, but catchy.) I’m currently really digging “Summerboy” which has a breezy fun vibe to it. Maybe as winter begins to set in here in New York, I’m just looking for some new, if fabricated, summer bliss.

Enjoy.

Just Dance

A Change is Gonna Come

Song: A Change is Gonna Come
Artist: Seal
Album: Soul



Hot off the heels of his amazing dance record “System” (did anyone buy that? It really was great) from last year, Seal is releasing an album of classic soul covers. The set includes Curtis Mayfield’s “It’s Alright” and “ People Get Ready,” as well as It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” by James Brown, and Knock on Wood” and “If You Don’t Know Me By Now.” Starting off the set is the excellent Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.” The song has some very specific relevance in this country (and by default, the world) right now, and come November when the album is released… let’s home it’s true.

Hearing a classic song sung by Seal I realize just how great his voice is. With his dance music it’s hidden a bit, but here it really soars. I think this will be a great record. Check out the beautiful black & white video below, as well as a little piece about the album.

Enjoy.

A Change is Gonna Come

Mind in the Gutter

Song: Mind in the Gutter
Artist: Chris Crocker
Album: Turned On



So what’s worse than Britney Spears? How about a “personality” that basically only exists because of the pop star? Chris Crocker was just another YouTube/MySpace nobody, trying to make a name for himself from his home recorded videos he posted on his page. It all came together when he recorded this, now infamous:



With the public’s obsession with Britney on full tilt, Crocker, arguably by default, became a blog/internet/media sensation when the above was posted after Brit’s disastrous VMA performance on MTV. So what has he done with this notoriety? He apparently is shooting a show for Logo, and also is working on a music album.

Frankly, I couldn’t stand this kid much from what I’ve seen but I write about him today for a couple reasons. One, he did become a true viral sensation by being himself. And by that I mean very very gay. Sure there is a chance that his personality had a laugh-at-the-freak quality, but for anyone to take note of someone so unapologetically gay (and totally on his terms as well) is rather important in a country where it is still so controvertial.

Added to that his music, based on the leaked first single “Mind in the Gutter” is aimed pretty much squarely at gay male fans of Britney’s techno-pop style. Sure it’s a little pop eating itself, but the truth is, for WHAT it is it’s actually pretty good. I think its fun, catchy, and totally what this guy should be doing.

And while you may question the relevance of this “artist” I for one think it’s so refreshing to hear a man sing about another man delivered to the men that enjoy that kind of thing. And it’s got a good beat and you can dance to it.

Enjoy.

Great Day

Song: Great Day
Artist: Lindsay Buckingham
Album: Gift of Screws



I was in a discussion a while back with a group of big time music fans and the question was asked which band was the quintessential, or best, American rock band. Amazingly, as we all thought about the best bands that have existed you soon realize… like NONE of them are American. Zeppelin, the Who, U2, Stones, Beatles… all not Americans. And comparatively, the American bands you start to think of… don’t really come close to those titans. Aerosmith? The Grateful Dead?

After much thought I came up with a controversial choice… Fleetwood Mac. They have one of the best selling albums of all time (“Rumors”) and have released moderately successful albums throughout every decade. Disagree? Who would you name?

A true American eccentric, Lindsay Buckingham was (and is) none the less part of one of the most important American rock and roll bands of the 70’s and 80’s. His solo work has been spotty, but he’s a guy that follows his muse. I never heard 2006’s “Under the Skin” but apparently the tracks from that album, “Gift of Screws,” and the last Fleetwood Mac album “Say You Will” all come from the same period.

Buckingham was all over my favorite Mac album, “Tusk” so I am hip to his brand of off kilter songwriting. There isn’t anything on this album that reached the highs of that album, but for fans of his it’s totally worth a listen. And if you don’t really know ANY of his solo work… he’s the guy that wrote and performed this.

Enjoy.

Belly Bongo

Song: Belly Bongo
Artist: Sonny J
Album: Disastro



So here was a fun discovery, despite the Big Beat movement being basically over, Sonny J revives the genre with a varied album of big dumb dance songs mixed with some soulful introspective tracks. His debut album “Disastro” came out in June, though I had never heard of him, or it. Apparently he dates Lauren Conrad. Ugh.

Oh well… the record is chock full of fun tunes, my immediate favorite being “Belly Bongo” which oddly, is not one of the three released singles. Check out the singles below.

Enjoy.

Can’t Stop Moving


Handsfree (If You Hold My Hand)


Enfant Terrible

Radio Retaliation

Song: Radio Retaliation
Artist: Thievery Corporation
Album: Radio Retaliation



I’ve been really digging this record over the past couple weeks. I don’t listen to a lot of dub or acid jazz (a little boring okay?) but this album has really grabbed me. This is the first full record I’ve heard from Thievery Corporation, who hail from D.C. This is their 7th record since they started in 1999. They have consistently released music over the years, I guess I just haven’t been paying attention.

Despite their laid back vibe, the band is known for their political lyrics and action. Specifically, they claim “Radio Retaliation” is their most overtly political yet. Well… if I’m honest with you, I’ll say that I haven’t really heard that message as I’ve strictly used it as mood music. But tracks like “Radio Retaliation” make it clear that they are coming out against corporate saturation within radio and life itself.

Political or no, the album is great cocktail music, maybe best for your election day result party? Hmmm.

Unfortunately, I find with bands like this that make (in some respects) background music, I rarely follow up on past or future albums. There just isn’t enough that grabs me, despite listening to this a whole heck of a lot. But maybe it’s time to do some backtracking… this is that good.

Enjoy.

Available (For You)

Song: Available (For You)
Artist: Scissor Sisters
Album: Laura Single



Last night I was lucky enough to be in the small attendance or a secret show by New York’s own Scissor Sisters at the very tiny ‘Mercury Lounge.” Was it the smallest place the band has ever played? A, no… but that is why I write this. The Sisters were playing two secret shows (the first Monday night) under fake band names to “road-test” material from their forthcoming third album. They did this back in 2005 before releasing and touring behind their sophomore album “Tah-Da” at the same venue. They used the names “Monster Pussy” and Portion Control” on two of those dates, I was in attendance of the more infamous, “Bridget Jones Diarrhea.” This time they played as “Queef Latina” and last night’s “Debbie’s Hairy.”

What makes these shows exciting is a) they are playing brand new music for the first time in front of an audience. b) they are the most intimate shows they now play, a far cry from the arenas they are playing in the UK and throughout Europe and c) the audience is comprised of friends, family, and people that have been with the Sisters since the beginning.

The new tunes sound great, more 80’s influenced than the 70’s vibe of “Tah-Da.” I didn’t stop moving the entire time. Highlights included “Other Girls,” the Georgio Moroder-ish “The Strand” and the Babydaddy voiced (I know!) “Taking Shape.” To say I’m excited about the album is an understatement. Though no idea when it is set to be released. (nothing concrete has been said officially or non-officially.)

Given the “like old times” feel of this intimate show, I thought I would highlight an old live favorite from the beginning days, “Available (For You)” which was released as a B-Side from their first single off the debut album, “Laura.” In getting excited for the show I have been listening to all the Scissors stuff I had and this fun gem has been on repeat once again. I remember a friend asking Babydaddy if they would play “Available” for one of their New York shows after the release of their debut and they became international rock stars, and he said “No, we’ll probably never play that again.” I never say never… and if you’re a big fan, this is a tune you should know.

Enjoy.

Tears of Joy

Song: Tears of Joy
Artist: Lucinda Williams
Album: Little Honey



Lucinda Williams isn’t only one of the best singer-songwriters working today, I would say she is one of the best of all time. Unfortunately, since she released four classic albums in a row, I think her latest output has been put under too tight a microscope. All of them, that is, except for her last album, “West.” I just couldn’t get into it and, feel like it is probably the weakest of all her releases. Too slow and too depressing (even for her.)

I’m happy to report that her latest is a return to form of sorts. I don’t think it’s as good as her the aforementioned four album masterpieces her self titled (1988), “Sweet Old World” (1992), “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” (1998), and “Essence” (2001.) But it reminds me of 2003’s “World Without Tears.” Not necessarily great from start to finish, but filled with solid songs.

After the dreary “West,” it’s nice to hear Lucinda rock out again with some upbeat numbers like first single “Real Love,” and “Jailhouse Tears” though still her strong suit lies within slow burning laments about love, loss, and the hardships of life. “If Wishes Were Horses” is another killer Lucinda ballad, and the almost mid-tempo “Tears of Joy” sounds like a classic bluesy soul record. Great stuff.

So “Little Honey” may not be as good as “Car Wheels,” but how do really attempt to top one of the best records ever written?

Enjoy.

“Real Love” preformed on Letterman

Something is Not Right with Me

Song: Something is Not Right with Me
Artist: Cold War Kids
Album: Loyalty to Loyalty



Mr. Aging Hipster may not be connecting with the most recent crop of indie bands, but I’m still trying to stay on top of things. While my tastes have been going more dance and a bit more pop as of late, I’m still a rock music fan… I just haven’t found much that I find that interesting. Case in point, when the Cold War Kids broke big with their first album, I heard the single “Hang Me Up to Dry,” and didn’t dig it that much… UNTIL I heard the excellent “Hostage Remix” which was very popular in the hipster-homo set. (All fags really need is a good beat.)

So I’ve given their sophomore album, “Loyalty to Loyalty” a couple spins and while I’m not really connecting to it, I do think it’s pretty good. There a chance you might think the lead singers voice is annoying, I might not disagree. But there is an urgency and passion there that you might not find with say… Hoobastank.

“Something is Not Right with Me” is the first single and it’s practically over-flowing with that sort of now or never propulsion… it’s really hard not to take notice.

Enjoy.

Something is Not Right with Me


Hang Me Up to Dry

For Our Elegant Caste

Song: For Our Elegant Caste
Artist: Of Montreal
Album: Skeletal Lamping



Weird. SO weird… and yet there is something about Of Montreal, the Athens, Georgia based band that is endearing. They are set to release their ninth album, “Skeletal Lamping’ at the end of the month. I’ve never been a huge fan of the band, just a little too weird for me… and seeing the band live (taken by my two youngest cousins, WAY hipper than old me) didn’t really help.

But I may change my tune because I’m actually really digging the new album, the first of theirs I’ve listened to in its entirety. Lead Kevin Barnes, the main creative force of the band, is an eccentric indeed, from their live shows (filled with costumes) and the music itself… which I would describe as psychedelic dance pop. A real mix of all different kinds of instruments and beats. Actually, it’s hard to describe.

Weird just works best.

Enjoy.

Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse


Requiem fro O.M.M.2

Into the Groove (S & S Version)

Song: Into the Groove (S & S Version)
Artist: Madonna
Album: Hard Candy/Sticky & Sweet Tour




Last night was one of those I (heart) life, I (heart) New York evenings. At 6:30 PM I sat down to a lovely dinner that the BF made only to be called just shy of 7 PM by my good friend Nick. “Hey what’s going on?” he asked… I probably replied “not much” though I should have said “chili.” “Interested in a free ticket to see Madonna tonight?” he says calmly to me. “Uhh… YEAH!” Just shy of two hours later I was sitting in a great seat about to see the most famous person in the world’s latest live concoction. Unbelievable!

This was now the second time I have seen the Material Girl, the first being the Confessions tour of 2006. I think I liked that show a touch better, though I LOVED that album and simply like “Hard Candy,” her latest hip-hop flavored record. And like the “Confessions” tour, she stuck mostly to the new album, performing all but two tracks, with a mix from her previous records.

The show was very impressive visually (where “Confessions” was more impressive dance-wise) with moving video screens that splashed colorful animation, gritty film for each song, and even Britney. Yes, Britney. Though I’m not a huge fan of the song, the performance of “Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You” was visually amazing. Madonna performed the song wrapped in a black sheet on top of a black piano while a see-through video curtain surrounded her, with images of rain and splashing water whirled around. It honestly was one of the most impressive visual things I’ve ever seen.

Part of the fun of the show was also hearing old songs re-worked for the tour. My favorite being “Into the Groove’s” 80’s style hip-hop remix that was both fun and so fitting to see in NYC with all the dancers, and Madge herself, in New York 80’s street attire. “Vogue” got a “4 Minutes” mash-up treatment, and “Like a Prayer” got a full on gay club high drama boost. I didn’t much care for the guitar based re-work of “Hung Up” though.

Take a listen to the studio version of the tour “remix” of “Into the Groove.” I think it’s just a backing vocal track because it doesn’t sound mixed quite right… but this is what you heard while she performed the track.

Enjoy!

And thanks again Nick!!!

Another Way to Die

Song: Another Way to Die
Artist: Jack White & Alicia Keys
Album: Another Way to Die



Generally speaking, if you are a fan of the James Bond franchise, you have a certain affinity for the themes that have been created for the films. I fall into this group loving the oldies of the series like Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger,” “For Your Eyes Only” by Sheena Easton, and even Madonna’s “Die Another Day.” As much as I loved the latest “re-boot” of the series, “Casino Royal” starring the perfect Daniel Craig, the theme song by grunge icon Chris Cornell was boring. I couldn’t be happier to hear that none other than Jack White was doing the theme to the latest film coming out this November with Alicia Keys.

Sort of a strange combo for sure… but after a couple listens I think this really works. It certainly sounds like a Bond theme, both the vibe as well as the title. I think their voices sound great together and really think White was able to take his style and mold it to the Bond sound.

Enjoy.

Another Way to Die