March 11, 2014: 311

311-- Come Original

Capricorn Records

Then, t.f. MTV

So apparently it's 311 day.  Get it? 3/11? Yeah. Never heard about this super smart marketing move until I was listening to Philly's 104.5 today.  I didn't realize how many hits 311 had, nor how they're still a thing and producing new music.  On 3/11/04, the band played a monster 5 HOUR SET.  The DVD of that concert went Platinum. Major props for that. And they continue to go back to New Orleans on 3/11, like today!

Now t.f. Billboard

The Nebraskan band had two albums before making it big with their self-title smash.  "Come Original," from 1999's Soundsystem, was their first single on MTV-- back in those days of TRL. Sigh.  Not everything had that polished look to it like it does now and guys wore button-downs with t-shirts. I could go on about more 90s-ness and about 311's and Adele's covers of The Cure's "Love Song"... and I will-- soon!

March 10, 2014: New Music: Bipolar Sunshine

Bipolar Sunshine-- Drowning Butterflies

The Aesthetic Recordings/Polydor

Dat style.    t.f. The Chuckness

This tune is just straight-up chill.  Bipolar Sunshine, a.k.a. Adio Marchant, was a part of KiD BRiTiSH (I wish I could tell you more, but I will probably bring the band in for another day) before starting this side project.  He had a Free On iTunes Single of the Week for his EP Aesthetics back in July and his new EP Drowning Butterflies came out in November.  I just really like this song.

March 9, 2014

Haim-- If I Could Change Your Mind

So I knew about these sisters Danielle, Alana, and Este Haim and drummer Dash Hutton for a few months now, and just today I was watching the tube (ya know, TV) and Target had a commercial that featured this crossover band. So naturally, I have been listening to them all day.

t.f. Bearded Gentlemen Music

I think the thing about Haim (pronounced "high-im") is that there's a lot of genres going on at once, especially in "If I Could Change Your Mind," which heavily features R&B and disco. I think what gets me is that their sound is kind of muted and that's what lets me just go about my day with them in the background but also bump up the volume and listen to the excellent riffs that are going on.

t.f. NPR

The sisters started early and their first performance as Haim was on 7/7/07.  When their various side projects ended, they decided to get very serious about the band.  Days Are Gone came out last fall and is their first full-length album. They played on SNL pretty recently, and I very much appreciate that all the sisters sang and the faces Este (red lipstick) made (and are known for).


Live Performance-- Haim, The Wire
Live Performance-- Haim, Don't Save Me

March 8, 2014

Aretha Frankin-- Respect

Atlantic Records

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.  Every now and then ya just need this jam.  Aretha Franklin and producer Jerry Wexler turned Otis Redding's 1965 version a pop song for the history books in 1967. Franklin changed up the lyrics, adding the R-E-S-P-E-C-T breakdown and "sock it to me" part with the help of her sisters/backing vocalists Emma and Carolyn. The song, from her album I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (long title, right?), became an anthem for any female who feels like she's TCB, Taking Care of Business.

Live Performance: Aretha Franklin,, Respect
Live Performance: Otis Redding, Respect

March 7, 2014: (Updated)

The Orwells-- Under the Flowers

The Orwells.  Not even twenty-one and these dudes know what they're doing.  I'm super excited because I am going to their concert in Philly soon and the tickets were a surprising $12.  Their stubs won't be worth that little for long-- this band is destined for a fantastic run.
This is one of my favorite tracks from their debut, 2012's Remember When, and it's one that will stick with me all throughout the day.

Updated: Concert was great. Twin Peaks opened and they were solid. Mosh pit, mosh pit, mosh pit! The Orwells literally sounded the same-- if not better-- live.

March 5, 2014

College and Electric Youth-- Real hero

Valerie Collective

Lakeshore Records

Oh, get romantic and wistful and serious all at the same time right now.  This song was featured in the 2011 movie Drive.  Which was an excellent movie, by the way.  A Real Hero is so enchanting.  

From College's Facebook Page

It was hard to find information on College and Electric Youth, who collaborated on the song, but College is a musical project of David Grellier, who also is a part of the French record label, Valeria Records. I love when artists have "musical projects" that are not just albums, but works and personas of different genres.

And look at these folks' indie-ness. So beautiful.

Electronic Youth being so, so indie pop it hurts

     

              

College and Electronic Youth

March 4, 2014

Louis Prima-- Buona Sera

Capitol Records

Happy Fat Tuesday! I picked this song for 3 reasons: 1) Louis Prima is from New Orleans, where Mardi Gras is huge 2) He's Italian-American, and reminds me of the traditions my family and I celebrate on Fat Tuesday and, 3) The song's fantastic and is a testament of its time and genre.

Start doing a little jig and snap your fingers.

March 3, 2014

The Supremes-- Come See About Me

Motown

The Supremes' 1964 hit "Come See About Me" comes from their history-making album Where Did Our Love Go. It helped define the Motown Sound and was mostly produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier.  It's just straight-up enjoyable.









Live Performance. The Supremes-- Come See About Me

March 1, 2014

Alabama Shakes-- I Found You

 ATO, Rough Trade

Brittany Howard's style. Look it up. The guys look nice, too!

Today's pick is a lovely song by Alabama Shakes. These people. This album. AHHHHHHHH. SO GOOD.  The live video is from over two years ago, before they released 2012's Boys & Girls. The playing is so on-point. The band started when they were in high school and their sophomore album will be available soon-ish.  They have a handful of tour days for April and May out.  Just love them, OK?

Live Performance--11:30

February 28, 2014: Funky Friday

Village People-- Macho Man

Fridays are all about Funk!  Some days you just need a good party tune to get you going, especially when the week's been tougher than most. "Macho Man" is from Village People's second album, 1979's Live and Sleazy. This song is just so good-- it makes you feel awesome even if you hadn't worked out that day! I also appreciate all of the punching-power dance moves.  

February 26, 2014: New Music of the Week

Sky Ferreira-- I Blame Myself

Capitol Records

By college student standards, the October 2013 release of Night Time, My Time is not that new-- but whatevs, "I Blame Myself" is fresh enough for me.  This track is addicting.  It's been in high rotation on my college's indie station lately, and the catchy and smooth beat has been stuck in my head as  I walk around campus, trying to look intriguing and jaded as if I was the star of this song's video. Don't worry, I acted cool....
It's interesting how the peppy beat is juxtaposed with the self-depreciating lyrics.  With a couple listens I started to pick up on the deep tension within the speaker of the song (getting literary over here) and then I was like "OH." That song just Rod Stewart Maggie Mayed me.  If you don't know that reference, 1)What? 2)Brush up on your easy listening radio 3)Prepare to fight your laughter whenever the song is used at family gatherings or in "positive" commercials.
Ferreira's debut has been labelled on-point by a bunch of critics and she was an opener on Miley Cyrus's Bangerz tour, until she cut herself during her performance and had to take a break to let the 60-stitch wound heal.  Hopefully she gets better and continues to produce more "OH" synthpop.

February 25, 2014

Kanye West and A Bunch of People-- All of the Lights

 This track is from Kanye West's 2010 masterpiece, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and features a ton of people, including Rihanna, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Fergie, The-Dream, Elly Jackson, Charlie Wilson, Ryan Leslie, Tony Williams, Elton John..  This video is pretty dope with all the words and the beginning part with the little girl.


Basically, get your stuff together.  

Happy Tuesday.

TheSongWithoutTheCrazyVideo

February 24, 2014

Sparkadia-- The Great Impression

OK! Good Records

Today's song is the title track from Sparkadia's 2009 album The Great Impression.  This song is short and has such an ambiance about it-- a mix between reflective and mysterious-- and goes well with the overcast Monday here in Ithaca. Sparkadia was originally a four-person band, forming in 2004 and releasing Postcards in 2008.  The Great Impression was largely made by Alex Burnett, the last standing member, in collaboration with
Mark Tieku, who is known for his work with Florence and the Machine.

On Another Note: The eyes on the cover, along with the title, reminds me of The Great Gatsby.

February 23, 2014

Hey y'all,

Ra Ra Riot--Beta Love

Barsuk

I start off this little project with a great tune that came out a little over a year ago and really encompasses a lot of what I hear in indie pop these days-- finding grooves that are innovative and have a romantic dance hall feel like in the TV disco shown in the music video.  The video was actually made by a Ra Ra Riot fan, David Dean Burkheart, and the Syracuse-based band liked it so much they made it their official vid.