Today, as much as my head is still sore, I've had some wonderful news so I've been stuck in a pretty happy mood. The wonderful news = I just got granted a scholarship for the next four years at while I finish my course at university, which is just peachy for me since I wasn't really looking forward to having to work three to four days a week just to be able to survive better.
No real reason for mentioning about my good news, more so just because I'm grinning ear to ear at the moment and thought I should share this blissful feeling. So on that note, I think my songs this week should be catered to the idea of feeling happy, upbeat, and blissful.
10 Songs to Make You Feel Uber Wonderful:
The Polyphonic Spree - Reach For The Sun
I don't think it's possible to feel anything but happy when The Polyphonic Spree are playing. It's odd but their music is just so... positive. The ultimate in hippy choirs. And one hell of a live band to see (I had the pleasure of seeing them in 2005 and still remain in my top 10 live acts I've attended) if you get the change, I recommend it. This song has a moment where all these orchestra instruments flood into the song, which strangely reminds me of animals in the wild, and sunshine. Don't ask why, it just does. It also makes me feel quite uplifted too, no matter what situation, like a wave of serenity washing over moi. Hopefully it'll do the same to you.
Nicola Conte - Fuco Fatuo (remixed by Koop, sung by Earl Zinger)
Possibly one of my all time favourite songs, I lovingly refer to it as the 'one in one out' song since I didn't know the actual title for a long time. Nicola Conte is a famous Italian jazz pianist, and Koop are a famous downtempo/jazz/acidjazz group - together they make beautiful music. Earl Zinger provides fantastic raspy vocals, singing about trying to get into a club, Noah's Ark, and being told it was a night where you had to come in two's - a play on the idea of the biblical Noah and his famous ark. All I can say is listen to this piece of jazz, it's divine. Though it may not seem too bliss-inducing to many of you, I love this song more than words can express :)
Common - Pop's Rap III... All My Children
My partner and I debate often about whether the music for this song is based on a Fela Kuti song, since it sounds incredibly similar. Unlike Common's other tracks, being him rapping, this song is actually Common's dad speaking over the top of a great backing track (with vibraphone!). The message is great, giving praise and love to his children. And with a son like Common, you'd be a proud dad. Even without Pop's rapping over the top, the music stands up perfectly on its own. Cruisy jazz, almost in loops.
Earl Zinger - Escape From Ibiza
This is kinda like big band samba with a British guy singing over the top, kinda like music that could be accompanied by go go dancers. But the beauty to this song is the actual story told via the lyrics of the song. Zinger tells the story of a trip to Ibiza, and eventually trying to get off the island. There are immense amounts of Ibiza references to clubs, DJ's, the crowds, drugs and assorted tid bits. By the end Zinger sounds desperate to get off the island and you kinda feel sorry for him. Still, the story is funny as hell and well done. If you can name all the references, please let me know! According to my partner, the Ibiza references are pretty spot on.
Hird - Keep You Kimi
One of my old housemates loved this song to bits, and often it would be playing in our lounge. He passed the love onto me. A jazzy piece with a bop, some double bass and beautiful vocals by Yukimi Nagano (who strangely sounds more like a soul singer than a Japanese girl). The keyboard over the top sounds more like drops of water than a keyboard. Hird are a Swedish act that create downtempo/jazz tunes, beautiful sounding and very relaxed - otherwise called cafe/lounge music. Often they use Miss Yukimi as well. The song's words are pretty, and would work as a good soundtrack to city life at night time I think. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's just music to drink something to. Either way, Kimi will get to you :)
Jazztronik - Arabesque
Jazztronik is a Japanese DJ who ultimately creates latin-influenced jazz creations. My partner came across Jazztronik about a year or so ago and we both fell in love with his albums. Normally in each of his songs there is a variety of musical influences, and Arabesque is no different. It sounds like a mash of Japanese scales, flamenco, gypsy music, tribal percussion and electronica. There are flutes, there's clapping, samples of scatting, violins, and pianos amongst other sounds. It sounds very similar to 'Spain' by Chick Corea in some parts. I wonder if that was an influence. I suggest finding more Jazztronik songs if you like this, you won't be disappointed.
Yma Sumac - Gopher
This is my praise for my total love of what I like to call cocktail music. The mondo/exotica period of music from the 1950's, big band and calypso like. Yma Sumac was the voice of many mondo songs of that time, with her voice having one of the largest vocal ranges of the 20th century (more so than Mariah Carey). You would know her voice, her songs, this one included, are famous for being in TV programs, ads and films. She is of Peruvian decent, and just divine. I wish I could be miss Sumac, and then go sing with Pink Martini. Defiantly good music to drink cocktails to while swooning around in beehives.
Sublime - 5446 Thats My Number/Ball and Chain
There's always those bands you grow up with, that give you some meaning to your teenage life and that is the fundamental band all your friends love. Sublime is that band for me, and to this day my high school friends and me still love all their songs - reminds us all of many parties and teenage shenanigans. This song is partly original, partly a cover (5446 originally is a famous reggae song by Toots & The Maytals) and is two songs put together as one. Probably my favourite song off their first album (40oz To Freedom, highly recommended) and an all time classic uplifter for me. Sublime were a reggae/dub/punk/acoustic/funk/hip hop trio that were, like the name states, sublime until the singer Brad Nowell died of a heroin overdose in 1996. Pity, he was a gem :/ Anyhoo this is a mixture of reggae and ska, with a touch of punk and dub.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Sugar Daddy
So this is a song from the fictional band, and subject of the wonderful film Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I sometimes forget that Hedwig is just a character, and not a real person. Pity, I do adore Hedwig so much. This song is basically a country sounding song, sung by the transsexual that is Hedwig, about a sugar daddy. This is by far one of my favourite Hedwig songs, and somehow always makes me smile on the bus. If you've not seen Hedwig and the Angry Inch - go see it! A rock musical odyssey about a transsexual's life and botched sex job (hence the 'angry inch'). One of my all time favourite films, and a must see-and-sing-along.
Eric Sartie - Je Te Veux
Eric Sartie is a famous 19th/20th century French composer, with many famous pieces. This, however, is my favourite piece by him. To describe it simply, it reminds me of bike riding through villages and countryside in France on a warm day. That's probably the best way to describe this piece, a warm Frenchy bike riding song. With just a sole piano, it's enough to sooth the savage beast. I wish I could play piano like this, but alas I'm just too impatient.
So there's 10 songs for your audio pleasure. I think the next time I'll have a theme. Maybe the greatest intro's of songs... I could think of a few there. Or maybe the best of cocktail oddity music. Stay tuned, same bat time, same bat channel.
<3
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Saturday, 17 March 2007
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
La Música Para Usted
It's been one of those weeks where you're never home and everything seems to pile up. The kind of week where bills need to be paid, time to get prepared to go back to school and endless amounts of family shindigs. But now that's all over, family have gone back to Morocco and Brisbane and school has begun. So no excuse to put of blogging, my dear readers. As I write this I am incredibly hungry, incredibly broke and somewhat grumpy, so excuse if I come across at more cynical and bitchy than usual - I blame the hunger pangs.
So what aimless words of ramble can I put here today? Well there is a much needed music update, for all you out there waiting to get your weekly music recommendation fix. I also have other random things to mention, photos to show and tidbits to remark on, some raving, some ranting and assorted other gems of sentences. In time, lovelies, in time I shall get round to putting them all up here for your viewing pleasure. Don't worry, I gots dem all figure out in my head, like.
Firstly though.... the music!
For starters I have to outline why my choices are as below this week. Well, I got myself a ticket to see Lisa Gerrard in concert, so I'm on a Lisa Gerrard kick for now. For those who don't know her name, you probably know her music. She was one half of the world famous fantastic dark-ambient-world-infusion band called Dead Can Dance, and since their breakup 10 years ago she has been a composer of film soundtracks - like Gladiator, Ali, Whalerider and The Insider. Famous in her own right, she has one of the most haunting, mystifying, magnificent voices I have ever come across so you must understand that me getting a ticket to see her perform live has made my year! Although she is rather epic, Lisa Gerrard can soothe the soul and open the mind - or you can be like my friend and give birth while she hauntingly wails in the background. So to go along with her, I've also had this gypsy music, middle-eastern-trip hop kick for the last couple of days. I just stumbled across a label of world music called Putumayo, and boy do they have some awesome albums! What can I say, I have a fond love for gypsy music and middle eastern fused sounds (and of course vibraphones).
So....
Current Favourite Music Tracks:
Azzddine (with Bill Laswell) - Srir D'al Houbb
I stumbled across this artist about a week ago by coincidence, while trolling my way through friends MySpace profiles and was impressed. Middle Eastern influenced electronica usually comes out as some form of trance or psytrance (not my cup of tea!) but this came out as trip hop/downtempo. Azzddine is a fusion of (apparently) Moroccan sounds, such as singing, ouds (Arabian guitar with 4 strings), violins and so on, accompanied with a backing beat, filters on vocals and other assorted sounds. The rest of this album is interesting, but this song is probably my favourite. Despite what the world seems to think about arabs, Muslims, and supposed 'terrorists' - middle eastern music is flippin' awesome. (I'm biased though).
Gotan Project - Epoca
This song is famous. It's in tv ads, its been on shows, it's everywhere and stupidly got stuck in my head this week. If you hear the first 30 seconds, you'll know the song. Gotan Project are a group from Paris, France, which combine tango with beats and breaks. Not a bad mix of music, though my partner does despise this group. The piano accordion is the instrument of choice with these artists, notably being one of the main instruments used. Not in a cheesy way though, thankfully. Gotan Project is a pretty interesting mix of tango and electronica, and who doesn't love a tango, or songs in French and Spanish. It kinda reminds me of the music from 12 Monkeys....hmmm.
Lisa Gerrard - Song of Ammergin
This is the first track of Immortal Memory, an album Lisa Gerrard collaborated with Patrick Cassidy in 1998. This song is based upon the supposed first song a mortal sang on Irish land, an is sung in Gaelic (I think). I adore this song because it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up - strange but true. In fact this whole album makes my hair stand up. The ambiance created by strings is deep and haunting, which her voice floating over the top. I can see why the goths love her (well the ones who know more than new-wave). How can I describe this song... good music to accompany a vampire film? Excellent soundtrack to a Wiccan circle casting? Music to walk through a church graveyard with? Maybe... either way, you have to hear her to understand my adoration for this lovely lass.
New Order - Ceremony
This song is recently famous for being in Marie Antoinette (Sofia Coppola, 2006) and highlights the best of the new-wave movement in the 80's. Taken from the album Substance, more famously known for putting out hits like 'Blue Monday' and 'Bizarre Love Triangle', this song went along unnoticed in my life until recently. Maybe it was because I finally watched Marie Antoinette, or maybe because I finally understood the appeal of new-wave music. Ceremony was originally written by Joy Division, before singer Ian Curtis died, and New Order (made up of the remaining members of Joy Division) recorded it. The guitars are simple and melodic, the drums are consistent and the vocals are hidden amongst the rubble of music. And amazingly it worked fantastically with scenes of 18th century France.
Aphex Twin - Jynweythek Ylow
So another song off the Marie Antoinette soundtrack (though more famously off Aphex Twin's album Drukqs), and very unlike Aphex Twin - known for his notorious song 'Come To Daddy' . This song is calming, charming and twinkly. Unlike his other albums, Drukqs is a mix of his IDM compositions as well as piano songs, like this one. With a normal piano and a prepared piano (where objects are placed between the hammers and strings), this song reminds me of a medieval music box. It also has a dulcimer sound to it, with slight electronica qualities added. I read somewhere that Druqks was Aphex Twin's most personal album, influenced by composers such as Eric Satie - it shows.
Linn & Freddie - L.I.N.N
Swedish hip hop, what more can I say. Linn, the singer, is Sweden's version of Erykah Badu, apparently. This song is boppy, with some nice beats and what sounds like different sized bottles of water being hit. Reminds me of creeping through a cartoon monster house with a gang of hiphopsters. Ok, thats probably an obscure image but my mind works like that - the best way to describe a song is to describe the visuals it gives me. Make sense? Either way, just get this puppy and bop along with me.
Royksopp - What Else is There?
I like Royskopp, and chances are you probably know them.Their track 'Eple' plays while you install Mac OS X v 10.3. This Norwegian duo are joined by Karin Dreijer Andersson, half of the industrial act The Knife, who provides some haunting Scandinavian vocals. The song is pretty, nicely Nordic, and the video clip is pretty to watch. I don't know what more to say but their name is cool.... Royksopp, ja :)
Cibelle - Waiting
Cibelle (pronounced see-BELL-ee) is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, who does lovely downtempo/lounge/chill in English and Portuguese (ooh I love Portuguese) and if you like chick singers with chilled out, relaxed music - you'll like Cibelle. This song has a nice bass line in it, with some jazzy drums and is pretty simple. Simple and pretty. What more can I say. She's delightful. This song reminds me of walking around a huge metropolis, like New York, in winter, staring up at the tall buildings. Does it do it for you?
Dj Marky & Dj Patife featuring Fernando Porto - So Ti
Brazilian drumnbass, who doesn't love it! It has guitars, Portuguese singing, a bossanova feel and a nasty drumnbass rhythm. There is a whole genre of Brazilian drumnbass, mixing bossanova in with drumnbass or samba or something else distinctly "Latino". I personally really love the Brazilian drumnbass hybrids, and it makes excellent cleaning music. And this makes great public transport traveling music, just don't bop too much during peak hour traffic.
Kronos Quartet & Taraf De Haidouks - Turceasca
Two ultimate bands combined - one of the best recognized quartets in the world and a Romanian gypsy band that has about 20+ members. And what happens when they combine? Some of the best gypsy music I've heard, hands down! Taraf De Haidouks are also more known for being Johnny Depps favourite band, and hey if they're good enough for Johnny, they're good enough for me. This song reminds me of Mr Bungle a bit, cos of its intense chaoticness that carries you through its 7 minutes of bliss. For a true gypsy experience, look for Taraf De Haidouks.
So for now I end this, but I shall returneth soon for more exciting updates on random crap :)
<3
So what aimless words of ramble can I put here today? Well there is a much needed music update, for all you out there waiting to get your weekly music recommendation fix. I also have other random things to mention, photos to show and tidbits to remark on, some raving, some ranting and assorted other gems of sentences. In time, lovelies, in time I shall get round to putting them all up here for your viewing pleasure. Don't worry, I gots dem all figure out in my head, like.
Firstly though.... the music!
For starters I have to outline why my choices are as below this week. Well, I got myself a ticket to see Lisa Gerrard in concert, so I'm on a Lisa Gerrard kick for now. For those who don't know her name, you probably know her music. She was one half of the world famous fantastic dark-ambient-world-infusion band called Dead Can Dance, and since their breakup 10 years ago she has been a composer of film soundtracks - like Gladiator, Ali, Whalerider and The Insider. Famous in her own right, she has one of the most haunting, mystifying, magnificent voices I have ever come across so you must understand that me getting a ticket to see her perform live has made my year! Although she is rather epic, Lisa Gerrard can soothe the soul and open the mind - or you can be like my friend and give birth while she hauntingly wails in the background. So to go along with her, I've also had this gypsy music, middle-eastern-trip hop kick for the last couple of days. I just stumbled across a label of world music called Putumayo, and boy do they have some awesome albums! What can I say, I have a fond love for gypsy music and middle eastern fused sounds (and of course vibraphones).
So....
Current Favourite Music Tracks:
Azzddine (with Bill Laswell) - Srir D'al Houbb
I stumbled across this artist about a week ago by coincidence, while trolling my way through friends MySpace profiles and was impressed. Middle Eastern influenced electronica usually comes out as some form of trance or psytrance (not my cup of tea!) but this came out as trip hop/downtempo. Azzddine is a fusion of (apparently) Moroccan sounds, such as singing, ouds (Arabian guitar with 4 strings), violins and so on, accompanied with a backing beat, filters on vocals and other assorted sounds. The rest of this album is interesting, but this song is probably my favourite. Despite what the world seems to think about arabs, Muslims, and supposed 'terrorists' - middle eastern music is flippin' awesome. (I'm biased though).
Gotan Project - Epoca
This song is famous. It's in tv ads, its been on shows, it's everywhere and stupidly got stuck in my head this week. If you hear the first 30 seconds, you'll know the song. Gotan Project are a group from Paris, France, which combine tango with beats and breaks. Not a bad mix of music, though my partner does despise this group. The piano accordion is the instrument of choice with these artists, notably being one of the main instruments used. Not in a cheesy way though, thankfully. Gotan Project is a pretty interesting mix of tango and electronica, and who doesn't love a tango, or songs in French and Spanish. It kinda reminds me of the music from 12 Monkeys....hmmm.
Lisa Gerrard - Song of Ammergin
This is the first track of Immortal Memory, an album Lisa Gerrard collaborated with Patrick Cassidy in 1998. This song is based upon the supposed first song a mortal sang on Irish land, an is sung in Gaelic (I think). I adore this song because it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up - strange but true. In fact this whole album makes my hair stand up. The ambiance created by strings is deep and haunting, which her voice floating over the top. I can see why the goths love her (well the ones who know more than new-wave). How can I describe this song... good music to accompany a vampire film? Excellent soundtrack to a Wiccan circle casting? Music to walk through a church graveyard with? Maybe... either way, you have to hear her to understand my adoration for this lovely lass.
New Order - Ceremony
This song is recently famous for being in Marie Antoinette (Sofia Coppola, 2006) and highlights the best of the new-wave movement in the 80's. Taken from the album Substance, more famously known for putting out hits like 'Blue Monday' and 'Bizarre Love Triangle', this song went along unnoticed in my life until recently. Maybe it was because I finally watched Marie Antoinette, or maybe because I finally understood the appeal of new-wave music. Ceremony was originally written by Joy Division, before singer Ian Curtis died, and New Order (made up of the remaining members of Joy Division) recorded it. The guitars are simple and melodic, the drums are consistent and the vocals are hidden amongst the rubble of music. And amazingly it worked fantastically with scenes of 18th century France.
Aphex Twin - Jynweythek Ylow
So another song off the Marie Antoinette soundtrack (though more famously off Aphex Twin's album Drukqs), and very unlike Aphex Twin - known for his notorious song 'Come To Daddy' . This song is calming, charming and twinkly. Unlike his other albums, Drukqs is a mix of his IDM compositions as well as piano songs, like this one. With a normal piano and a prepared piano (where objects are placed between the hammers and strings), this song reminds me of a medieval music box. It also has a dulcimer sound to it, with slight electronica qualities added. I read somewhere that Druqks was Aphex Twin's most personal album, influenced by composers such as Eric Satie - it shows.
Linn & Freddie - L.I.N.N
Swedish hip hop, what more can I say. Linn, the singer, is Sweden's version of Erykah Badu, apparently. This song is boppy, with some nice beats and what sounds like different sized bottles of water being hit. Reminds me of creeping through a cartoon monster house with a gang of hiphopsters. Ok, thats probably an obscure image but my mind works like that - the best way to describe a song is to describe the visuals it gives me. Make sense? Either way, just get this puppy and bop along with me.
Royksopp - What Else is There?
I like Royskopp, and chances are you probably know them.Their track 'Eple' plays while you install Mac OS X v 10.3. This Norwegian duo are joined by Karin Dreijer Andersson, half of the industrial act The Knife, who provides some haunting Scandinavian vocals. The song is pretty, nicely Nordic, and the video clip is pretty to watch. I don't know what more to say but their name is cool.... Royksopp, ja :)
Cibelle - Waiting
Cibelle (pronounced see-BELL-ee) is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, who does lovely downtempo/lounge/chill in English and Portuguese (ooh I love Portuguese) and if you like chick singers with chilled out, relaxed music - you'll like Cibelle. This song has a nice bass line in it, with some jazzy drums and is pretty simple. Simple and pretty. What more can I say. She's delightful. This song reminds me of walking around a huge metropolis, like New York, in winter, staring up at the tall buildings. Does it do it for you?
Dj Marky & Dj Patife featuring Fernando Porto - So Ti
Brazilian drumnbass, who doesn't love it! It has guitars, Portuguese singing, a bossanova feel and a nasty drumnbass rhythm. There is a whole genre of Brazilian drumnbass, mixing bossanova in with drumnbass or samba or something else distinctly "Latino". I personally really love the Brazilian drumnbass hybrids, and it makes excellent cleaning music. And this makes great public transport traveling music, just don't bop too much during peak hour traffic.
Kronos Quartet & Taraf De Haidouks - Turceasca
Two ultimate bands combined - one of the best recognized quartets in the world and a Romanian gypsy band that has about 20+ members. And what happens when they combine? Some of the best gypsy music I've heard, hands down! Taraf De Haidouks are also more known for being Johnny Depps favourite band, and hey if they're good enough for Johnny, they're good enough for me. This song reminds me of Mr Bungle a bit, cos of its intense chaoticness that carries you through its 7 minutes of bliss. For a true gypsy experience, look for Taraf De Haidouks.
So for now I end this, but I shall returneth soon for more exciting updates on random crap :)
<3
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
It's Music, For Your Ears
So what have I been listening to for the last week? Lots of things. What is worth a mention? These songs!: (note: many of these are songs I have rekindled a love for)
3 Leg Torso - Frog
I stumbled across this band on YouTube while I was looking up Pink Martini videos, and fell in love with them. I have a weakness for gypsy like music, and this is very gypsy like. I've not found out a lot about the band, except they only play in America and are not entirely famous - though I hope to help that. An instrumental band, this song has violin, piano accordion, vibraphone, drums and reminds me of France. No idea why, but it does. And drinking Absinthe. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the gypsy/vibraphone fusion.
George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Ok so this is an very famous oldie, but will always be one of my favourite "classical" pieces written, even though its more jazz-esque. If you don't know this song, you must be an ostrich with their head in the ground. I recently heard this again and the love for it came back, so it's worth a mention. It reminds me of the hustle and bustle of New York, and Gene Kelly. No idea why Gene Kelly but it seems like something he could dance to. And for the record, this song against the Manhattan skyline is one of the best opening scenes from a film I have ever seen (Manhattan, Woody Allen).
Kool & The Gang - Hollywood Swinging.
So this is more recently famous for being on the GTA San Andreas soundtrack (where CJ has to dance in the club mostly), and has been in countless amounts of TV shows and movies, more recently at the end of series 4 of Nip/Tuck. For a good example of famous rare groove, this is it. I love this song, at any time of the day, any time of the year. If you don't boogie to this, you must be a machine.
Beirut - Postcards from Italy
I heard this originally on a vlog from the lovely Galadarling and it got stuck in my head - which I will thank Galadarling for entirely! I've only just discovered Beirut, but he is a gem. A one man showcase, he infuses Gypsy music with melodic haunting vocals. This song reminds me of a mariachi band with a ukulele, or street festival music. Either way, this song and the rest of this album is gold and deserves to be listened to repeatedly.
Kenji Kawai - Making of a Cyborg (Ghost in the Shell main theme)
So this is a track from the very famous anime Ghost in the Shell, probably more known as the signing voices song at the beginning of the movie. I get this song stuck in my head a lot, especially while playing Postal 2, and this week is no exception. My delightful partner has a fantastic drumnbass remix for this song, not entirely sure who by, that makes this song sound that little bit better. But until I find out who it's by, I recommend this song for some dark ambiance. The song is in Japanese but sung by a Bulgarian choir to give that particular sound. Interesting....
LTJ Bukem - Journey Inwards
If you like drumnbass and you don't know LTJ Bukem, you must have been hiding in a bombing shelter for eternity. This guy is a pioneer of this genre. His album, Journey Inwards, is in my top ten all time albums. I'm sure many hardcore drumnbass fans out there will disagree with me saying Logical Progression sessions are better, but I disagree. I love the jazzy element to this album and the atmospheric drumnbass. Anyhoo, this song is the title track from the album, of the same name, and is a music delight for the ears. It's jazzy, it's mellow, its wonderful. It has a flutes in it, need I say more? I hadn't listened to this song for years until I decided to give a friend some Bukem and rekindled my love with this song. Personally, it reminds me of many winter nights in Melbourne, looking at the bright lights and feeling toasty in the rain. Let me know what it reminds you of.
Outkast - Prototype
This is from Andre 3000's "The Love Below" part of the Speakerboxx/The Love Below album Outkast release a couple of years back. I have a lot of respect for Andre3000, and got into this song while shopping for some reason. It makes supermarket shopping seem a lot more fun than it actually is. It was a single for them, but is just so blissful to listen to. Nice mellow guitar, some funky bass, Andre 3000's voice... what more could you ask for? A good beat! It's got that too. If you're not into Outkasts rapping/hip hop type stuff, check this song out to strike up a love for them.
Blatz - Roadkill
These guys were a screechy punk band from the late 80s/early 90s that broke up in 1992. Probably more known for being too stoned to tune their guitars, screaming and stripping on stage and playing the same gigs as Green Day (when they begun) and Operation Ivy, they still have a soft spot in my heart. I got into these guys when I was about 15, after a friend passed me a tape of them and said "Dude, you gotta check this out." Well I did, and nearly 10 years later I still like them. So why is this in my ten songs of the week? Once again, rekindled my love for this song while I was making a copy of it for a friend.
John Mayer - Gravity
Yes I love John Mayer, you can tell me I have bad taste but I proudly love Mr Mayer. It's strange but people assume he's just a pop icon, when in fact he's probably one of the greatest modern guitarists there are, and performers I have seen live. And he's funny, can't go past a funny cute man. This song is from his third album, Continuum, which I'm still debating if I really love or just like. Gravity is a waltz like blues song, in 3/4 time, and has a subtle beauty I can listen to over and over, and a touch of soul. This album is especially blues and soul orientated, but he's still a gem whatever he does, in my biased opinion.
The Hidden Cameras - Boys of Melody
Described as gay anti-folk church music, The Hidden Cameras are beautiful. They include a choir, string section, and go-go dancers. This song more recently was famous for being the backing track to the trailer for Shortbus (2006, John Cameron Mitchell). This song always seems to make me smile like a doofus while walking around with my headphones on. It has xylophones, strings, haunting vocals, and I think an oboe (gotta love someone with an oboe!). On a similar wavelength to The Polyphonic Spree or The Flaming Lips (to an extent), and defiantly worth being blasted into your ears.
Until next week, I hope these music recommendations will tide you over!
<3 Blackberry Moose
3 Leg Torso - Frog
I stumbled across this band on YouTube while I was looking up Pink Martini videos, and fell in love with them. I have a weakness for gypsy like music, and this is very gypsy like. I've not found out a lot about the band, except they only play in America and are not entirely famous - though I hope to help that. An instrumental band, this song has violin, piano accordion, vibraphone, drums and reminds me of France. No idea why, but it does. And drinking Absinthe. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the gypsy/vibraphone fusion.
George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Ok so this is an very famous oldie, but will always be one of my favourite "classical" pieces written, even though its more jazz-esque. If you don't know this song, you must be an ostrich with their head in the ground. I recently heard this again and the love for it came back, so it's worth a mention. It reminds me of the hustle and bustle of New York, and Gene Kelly. No idea why Gene Kelly but it seems like something he could dance to. And for the record, this song against the Manhattan skyline is one of the best opening scenes from a film I have ever seen (Manhattan, Woody Allen).
Kool & The Gang - Hollywood Swinging.
So this is more recently famous for being on the GTA San Andreas soundtrack (where CJ has to dance in the club mostly), and has been in countless amounts of TV shows and movies, more recently at the end of series 4 of Nip/Tuck. For a good example of famous rare groove, this is it. I love this song, at any time of the day, any time of the year. If you don't boogie to this, you must be a machine.
Beirut - Postcards from Italy
I heard this originally on a vlog from the lovely Galadarling and it got stuck in my head - which I will thank Galadarling for entirely! I've only just discovered Beirut, but he is a gem. A one man showcase, he infuses Gypsy music with melodic haunting vocals. This song reminds me of a mariachi band with a ukulele, or street festival music. Either way, this song and the rest of this album is gold and deserves to be listened to repeatedly.
Kenji Kawai - Making of a Cyborg (Ghost in the Shell main theme)
So this is a track from the very famous anime Ghost in the Shell, probably more known as the signing voices song at the beginning of the movie. I get this song stuck in my head a lot, especially while playing Postal 2, and this week is no exception. My delightful partner has a fantastic drumnbass remix for this song, not entirely sure who by, that makes this song sound that little bit better. But until I find out who it's by, I recommend this song for some dark ambiance. The song is in Japanese but sung by a Bulgarian choir to give that particular sound. Interesting....
LTJ Bukem - Journey Inwards
If you like drumnbass and you don't know LTJ Bukem, you must have been hiding in a bombing shelter for eternity. This guy is a pioneer of this genre. His album, Journey Inwards, is in my top ten all time albums. I'm sure many hardcore drumnbass fans out there will disagree with me saying Logical Progression sessions are better, but I disagree. I love the jazzy element to this album and the atmospheric drumnbass. Anyhoo, this song is the title track from the album, of the same name, and is a music delight for the ears. It's jazzy, it's mellow, its wonderful. It has a flutes in it, need I say more? I hadn't listened to this song for years until I decided to give a friend some Bukem and rekindled my love with this song. Personally, it reminds me of many winter nights in Melbourne, looking at the bright lights and feeling toasty in the rain. Let me know what it reminds you of.
Outkast - Prototype
This is from Andre 3000's "The Love Below" part of the Speakerboxx/The Love Below album Outkast release a couple of years back. I have a lot of respect for Andre3000, and got into this song while shopping for some reason. It makes supermarket shopping seem a lot more fun than it actually is. It was a single for them, but is just so blissful to listen to. Nice mellow guitar, some funky bass, Andre 3000's voice... what more could you ask for? A good beat! It's got that too. If you're not into Outkasts rapping/hip hop type stuff, check this song out to strike up a love for them.
Blatz - Roadkill
These guys were a screechy punk band from the late 80s/early 90s that broke up in 1992. Probably more known for being too stoned to tune their guitars, screaming and stripping on stage and playing the same gigs as Green Day (when they begun) and Operation Ivy, they still have a soft spot in my heart. I got into these guys when I was about 15, after a friend passed me a tape of them and said "Dude, you gotta check this out." Well I did, and nearly 10 years later I still like them. So why is this in my ten songs of the week? Once again, rekindled my love for this song while I was making a copy of it for a friend.
John Mayer - Gravity
Yes I love John Mayer, you can tell me I have bad taste but I proudly love Mr Mayer. It's strange but people assume he's just a pop icon, when in fact he's probably one of the greatest modern guitarists there are, and performers I have seen live. And he's funny, can't go past a funny cute man. This song is from his third album, Continuum, which I'm still debating if I really love or just like. Gravity is a waltz like blues song, in 3/4 time, and has a subtle beauty I can listen to over and over, and a touch of soul. This album is especially blues and soul orientated, but he's still a gem whatever he does, in my biased opinion.
The Hidden Cameras - Boys of Melody
Described as gay anti-folk church music, The Hidden Cameras are beautiful. They include a choir, string section, and go-go dancers. This song more recently was famous for being the backing track to the trailer for Shortbus (2006, John Cameron Mitchell). This song always seems to make me smile like a doofus while walking around with my headphones on. It has xylophones, strings, haunting vocals, and I think an oboe (gotta love someone with an oboe!). On a similar wavelength to The Polyphonic Spree or The Flaming Lips (to an extent), and defiantly worth being blasted into your ears.
Until next week, I hope these music recommendations will tide you over!
<3 Blackberry Moose
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
Music Love for your Ears
So there are three things I love at the moment - music, confectionery and sleep. Doesn't sound like the healthiest of lifestyles, I hear you all mutter, but it's certainly an enjoyable one. I never realised how much time can be consumed and wasted via these three above mentioned things. Sometime they can be combined, though probably not all together at once, unless you're a remarkable candy munching sleeping machine. They all compliment my other current love of endless searching on Wikipedia for random information, or general surfing the internet for entertainment. So what wise recommendations can I suggest? Lets see...
Current Favourite Music Tracks of the Week:
Everyone loves music, that's a given fact. I've become more aware of the fact that if you ask someone what they like, one of the first things they'll say is music. Yet loving music and loving certain types of music are two different things. Every once in a while being recommended something completely different to what you like helps to broaden ones love of music. I personally am a music fiend, listening to anything someone will give me. If I like it, I like it. If I don't, give it time and I probably will one day hehe. I love making mix cds for friends, filled with nuggets of gold they've never heard before and then hearing their excitement from listening to the music love I've shared. And I love recommending music for anyone who'll ask. So every week I aim to give you my 10 current favourite songs of the week, that's right - a whole 10 of them! :)
This weeks contenders are:
Peaches - Downtown
This is the latest single from her forth album, Impeach My Bush, and is very catchy. I've been giving the new album a whirl after seeing this lovely lass recently at the Big Day Out festival. Peaches is known for her rather sexual stage shows and song lyrics, and her electro/rock beats. Defiantly one of the best performers I've seen live.
Akufen - Skidoos
I only recently found out that Akufen is from Montreal, Canada. He's listed as 'click-hop' though I don't think he's overly clicky, or hoppy for that matter. This song was always one playing in my house by my partner, yet admittedly I didn't appreciate the song until I saw it in Appleseed (2004). The clicky sounds remind me of photography cameras, and the progression build up is wonderfully done. Chill out to it, shop to it, anything is good!
Pink Martini - Hang On Little Tomato
There is always a band that comes along that makes you go 'Damn, I wish I was in that band.' Pink Martini is one of these bands for me. This song, the title track of their second album of the same name, is a beautiful jazz like 1940s piece, complete with clarinet solo. A song to have a cup of tea to, or to hang the washing out to. It reminds me of 1940s housewives, hanging out washing and singing to their plants. China Forbes voice is stunning, as always, and the message in the lyrics is quite heartfelt.
Mr Scruff - Blackpool Roll
If you don't know Mr Scruff, you should. He creates fun, jazzy, downtempo tunes -sometimes with samples of children's book quotes. I don't think you can dislike Mr Scruff, he's just fun. This song is no exception, and like it's title it reminds me of Blackpool. The lights, the seaside attractions, those games where you put the penny in to hit the tray of pennies in hopes to knock them out and win a fortune but you never actually knock them out - you know the ones right? I love the organ in this, it's so cheesy.
Bright Eyes - At The Bottom Of Everything
So Bright Eyes is apparently called 'emo' music, a term which I usually associate with "bands" like My Chemical Romance. If anything, Bright Eyes is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist. This song starts as a story, a underlying tragic story at that, but the music makes it sound so upbeat that you forget the story starts off as being tragic. This song makes my bus trip to school all the more fun, subtlety smiling to myself as I listen to this gem through my headphones.
Amy Winehouse - Fuck Me Pumps
This chick has some great vocal chords! More recently known for being the voice behind a series of ads in the UK, she also has caused much scandal about her drinking behavior and possible anorexia. This song basically praises the many skanky like gold-digger women out there, braving the social scene. It's twinkly element makes it rather pretty sounding, and reminds me of India Arie.
Cat Power - Cross Bones Style
An oldie but a goodie, I've been rediscovering Cat Power and her wonderful songs. This one is rather mellow, with a voice, guitar and drum. Yet still quite catchy. Cat Power has a mystique to her voice, I reckon, a smokey rasp that draws you in for more. The video clip to this is also pretty simple but pretty. Just check out the song!
Massive Attack - Be Thankful For What You Got
A classic! One of the best song Massive Attack has ever made, from their first album Blue Lines. The meaning of the words is spot on, and it has one of the best video clips I've ever seen - a stripper stripping while miming the song, yet you hardly notice the chick is stipping down to nothing. If you onlu know their stuff from Mezzanine you should check this out to hear where they came from.
Zero 7 - You're My Flame
Said to be the UK's version of Air, Zero 7 has to be one of the greatest downtempo acts ever, and one of my all time favourites. This song is off their third, and most recent, album The Garden. Sia, an Australian artist famous in her own rights, once again lends her vocals for this clicky upbeat track. A good song to get into if you've not heard of Zero 7 to start with.
Fiona Apple - O, Sailor
One of the singles of her latest album, Extraordinary Machine, I didn't think much of this song until one day I couldn't get it out of my head. I'm still fence sitting on my opinion of this album but so far it mostly seems good. Shes added vibraphones on this album, which will always get my attention from any artist. She'll always be an eternal favourite of mine, vibraphone or no vibraphone, so I'm biased either way :)
This week most of the artists have been of similar stature - nothing too noisy, chaotic or loud. I'm going through a rather relaxed music period at the moment, and I love it. But as time change, so does the music - next week could offer something different.
<3 Blackberry Moose
Current Favourite Music Tracks of the Week:
Everyone loves music, that's a given fact. I've become more aware of the fact that if you ask someone what they like, one of the first things they'll say is music. Yet loving music and loving certain types of music are two different things. Every once in a while being recommended something completely different to what you like helps to broaden ones love of music. I personally am a music fiend, listening to anything someone will give me. If I like it, I like it. If I don't, give it time and I probably will one day hehe. I love making mix cds for friends, filled with nuggets of gold they've never heard before and then hearing their excitement from listening to the music love I've shared. And I love recommending music for anyone who'll ask. So every week I aim to give you my 10 current favourite songs of the week, that's right - a whole 10 of them! :)
This weeks contenders are:
Peaches - Downtown
This is the latest single from her forth album, Impeach My Bush, and is very catchy. I've been giving the new album a whirl after seeing this lovely lass recently at the Big Day Out festival. Peaches is known for her rather sexual stage shows and song lyrics, and her electro/rock beats. Defiantly one of the best performers I've seen live.
Akufen - Skidoos
I only recently found out that Akufen is from Montreal, Canada. He's listed as 'click-hop' though I don't think he's overly clicky, or hoppy for that matter. This song was always one playing in my house by my partner, yet admittedly I didn't appreciate the song until I saw it in Appleseed (2004). The clicky sounds remind me of photography cameras, and the progression build up is wonderfully done. Chill out to it, shop to it, anything is good!
Pink Martini - Hang On Little Tomato
There is always a band that comes along that makes you go 'Damn, I wish I was in that band.' Pink Martini is one of these bands for me. This song, the title track of their second album of the same name, is a beautiful jazz like 1940s piece, complete with clarinet solo. A song to have a cup of tea to, or to hang the washing out to. It reminds me of 1940s housewives, hanging out washing and singing to their plants. China Forbes voice is stunning, as always, and the message in the lyrics is quite heartfelt.
Mr Scruff - Blackpool Roll
If you don't know Mr Scruff, you should. He creates fun, jazzy, downtempo tunes -sometimes with samples of children's book quotes. I don't think you can dislike Mr Scruff, he's just fun. This song is no exception, and like it's title it reminds me of Blackpool. The lights, the seaside attractions, those games where you put the penny in to hit the tray of pennies in hopes to knock them out and win a fortune but you never actually knock them out - you know the ones right? I love the organ in this, it's so cheesy.
Bright Eyes - At The Bottom Of Everything
So Bright Eyes is apparently called 'emo' music, a term which I usually associate with "bands" like My Chemical Romance. If anything, Bright Eyes is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist. This song starts as a story, a underlying tragic story at that, but the music makes it sound so upbeat that you forget the story starts off as being tragic. This song makes my bus trip to school all the more fun, subtlety smiling to myself as I listen to this gem through my headphones.
Amy Winehouse - Fuck Me Pumps
This chick has some great vocal chords! More recently known for being the voice behind a series of ads in the UK, she also has caused much scandal about her drinking behavior and possible anorexia. This song basically praises the many skanky like gold-digger women out there, braving the social scene. It's twinkly element makes it rather pretty sounding, and reminds me of India Arie.
Cat Power - Cross Bones Style
An oldie but a goodie, I've been rediscovering Cat Power and her wonderful songs. This one is rather mellow, with a voice, guitar and drum. Yet still quite catchy. Cat Power has a mystique to her voice, I reckon, a smokey rasp that draws you in for more. The video clip to this is also pretty simple but pretty. Just check out the song!
Massive Attack - Be Thankful For What You Got
A classic! One of the best song Massive Attack has ever made, from their first album Blue Lines. The meaning of the words is spot on, and it has one of the best video clips I've ever seen - a stripper stripping while miming the song, yet you hardly notice the chick is stipping down to nothing. If you onlu know their stuff from Mezzanine you should check this out to hear where they came from.
Zero 7 - You're My Flame
Said to be the UK's version of Air, Zero 7 has to be one of the greatest downtempo acts ever, and one of my all time favourites. This song is off their third, and most recent, album The Garden. Sia, an Australian artist famous in her own rights, once again lends her vocals for this clicky upbeat track. A good song to get into if you've not heard of Zero 7 to start with.
Fiona Apple - O, Sailor
One of the singles of her latest album, Extraordinary Machine, I didn't think much of this song until one day I couldn't get it out of my head. I'm still fence sitting on my opinion of this album but so far it mostly seems good. Shes added vibraphones on this album, which will always get my attention from any artist. She'll always be an eternal favourite of mine, vibraphone or no vibraphone, so I'm biased either way :)
This week most of the artists have been of similar stature - nothing too noisy, chaotic or loud. I'm going through a rather relaxed music period at the moment, and I love it. But as time change, so does the music - next week could offer something different.
<3 Blackberry Moose
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