July 2010
32 posts
Islands In the Stream (Dolly Parton cover)
The Constantines and Feist
Islands in the Stream is a classic, whichever way you cut it.
Originally by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, Canadian band Constantines and Broken Social Scene alumni Leslie Feist have given the original a makeover, releasing the cover on a limited edition 7” vinyl in early 2008.
This version’s broody, and not to state the obvious, but it also doesn’t have the country twang in the vocals. Also, the original sounds cheerful and optimistic. After all these two people want to run away in a love frenzy. But this one has a different tone to it. It’s sulky and has a slow-burning intense love thing going on.
It also doesn’t have the tacky musical keyboard preset beat in the background like in the 1983 duet. This one’s got a very simple but prominent drum beat which is at the forefront of all the action, dominating the keyboards and the guitar which fill up the space in the background. I really like this unique little instrumental role reversal and it works very well to make the song sound more personal, like you’re in a small room with two people in front of you who want to run away in a love frenzy.
“Islands in the Stream” - Constantines and Feist (Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers cover)
Constantines: www.arts-crafts.ca/constantines
Feist: www.listentofeist.com
Islands in the Stream is a classic, whichever way you cut it.
Originally by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, Canadian band Constantines and Broken Social Scene alumni Leslie Feist have given the original a makeover, releasing the cover on a limited edition 7” vinyl in early 2008.
This version’s broody, and not to state the obvious, but it also doesn’t have the country twang in the vocals. Also, the original sounds cheerful and optimistic. After all these two people want to run away in a love frenzy. But this one has a different tone to it. It’s sulky and has a slow-burning intense love thing going on.
It also doesn’t have the tacky musical keyboard preset beat in the background like in the 1983 duet. This one’s got a very simple but prominent drum beat which is at the forefront of all the action, dominating the keyboards and the guitar which fill up the space in the background. I really like this unique little instrumental role reversal and it works very well to make the song sound more personal, like you’re in a small room with two people in front of you who want to run away in a love frenzy.
“Islands in the Stream” - Constantines and Feist (Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers cover)
Constantines: www.arts-crafts.ca/constantines
Feist: www.listentofeist.com
Round and Round
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
After a history of homemade recordings, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti finally headed into the studio. The grainy lo-fi kicks might be gone, but no one’s complaining.
Their latest album, titled Before Today, is their first with the 4AD stamp of approval, and it’s got everyone in a stir. Standout Round and Round is insanely catchy. It’s got an 80’s sounding beat in the background, the phone rings (and Ariel answers), and each part of the song sounds like a different song (except for the 80’s techno/new wave sounds going on in the background). And I love the parts that go “Merry go round/ We go up and around we go”. It’s super infectious and makes you want to break out the running man, or if you’re really feeling it, the sprinkler.
Good stuff. It’s on repeat number five on my itunes right now.
www.arielpink.com
Devil Town
Bright Eyes
Daniel Johnston hasn’t had it easy. Diagnosed with manic depression, his songs provide insight into his struggle with the sickness.
In Devil Town, he sings: “All my friends were vampires/ I didn’t know they were vampires/ Turns out I was a vampire myself in the devil town”. That’s some heavy stuff right there.
But to be honest, the Daniel Johnston version of the song gives me the creeps. It’s just him singing, and it sounds too weirdly personal for my liking. Like a diary entry you were never meant to read.
But Devil Town has some amazing covers. I love this Bright Eyes version, taken from their rarities album Noise Floor. The haze of guitar noise under Conor Oberst’s vocals is chaotic, like the moment of discovery that life isn’t what it appears to be. And in the end it is peaceful again. And there is sadness and loneliness, but also acceptance.
There’s a Noah and the Whale version that’s pretty good too. Maybe I’ll do a post on that soon.
“Devil Town” by Bright Eyes (Daniel Johnston cover)
Bright Eyes: www.thisisbrighteyes.com
Daniel Johnston: www.hihowareyou.com
Daniel Johnston hasn’t had it easy. Diagnosed with manic depression, his songs provide insight into his struggle with the sickness.
In Devil Town, he sings: “All my friends were vampires/ I didn’t know they were vampires/ Turns out I was a vampire myself in the devil town”. That’s some heavy stuff right there.
But to be honest, the Daniel Johnston version of the song gives me the creeps. It’s just him singing, and it sounds too weirdly personal for my liking. Like a diary entry you were never meant to read.
But Devil Town has some amazing covers. I love this Bright Eyes version, taken from their rarities album Noise Floor. The haze of guitar noise under Conor Oberst’s vocals is chaotic, like the moment of discovery that life isn’t what it appears to be. And in the end it is peaceful again. And there is sadness and loneliness, but also acceptance.
There’s a Noah and the Whale version that’s pretty good too. Maybe I’ll do a post on that soon.
“Devil Town” by Bright Eyes (Daniel Johnston cover)
Bright Eyes: www.thisisbrighteyes.com
Daniel Johnston: www.hihowareyou.com
Last Song (ft. Matt Berninger of The National)
Clogs
Clogs play post-rock/folk-infused classical music, perfect for when you venture into the woods and happen to discover an abandoned military fort, currently occupied by a family of fairies who lost their way home.
Their music feels surreal yet calming, and at moments it’s easy to envision angels plucking on their harps and strumming on their ukeleles (yes, I meant ukeleles) in front of an immense stained glass window with the garden encroaching in from the sides. You are in this world where you feel peaceful and content, but where you know you don’t belong. So you leave, but everytime you walk past the woods, you can hear the faint hum of the music and you sneak in, hide behind the trees and watch the fairies/angels from afar. That’s where their music takes you.
Clogs play post-rock/folk-infused classical music, perfect for when you venture into the woods and happen to discover an abandoned military fort, currently occupied by a family of fairies who lost their way home.
Their music feels surreal yet calming, and at moments it’s easy to envision angels plucking on their harps and strumming on their ukeleles (yes, I meant ukeleles) in front of an immense stained glass window with the garden encroaching in from the sides. You are in this world where you feel peaceful and content, but where you know you don’t belong. So you leave, but everytime you walk past the woods, you can hear the faint hum of the music and you sneak in, hide behind the trees and watch the fairies/angels from afar. That’s where their music takes you.
A little background about the band: according to Wikipedia, they met in the 90’s studying at the Yale School of Music, all four of them being classically trained musicians.
If you’re a fan of The National, then Clogs includes some names you might recognize: Bryce Dessner and Padma Newsome. Bryce, of course, plays guitar for the Brooklyn-based band and Padma plays a whole bunch of instruments for them. The two of them also arranged the orchestration for High Violet.
Today’s track Last Song is taken off their fifth studio album The Creatures In The Garden of Lady Walton and features Matt Berninger on vocals.
Don’t be surprised if you have the sudden urge to buy a white toga dress and wear a crown of leaves on your head. Even the guys.
www.clogsmusic.com
Boyfriend
Best Coast
Best Coast are LA duo Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno and they are blowing up on the scene. They play crazy catchy surf-pop, with lo-fi tweaks added for kicks.
Best Coast are LA duo Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno and they are blowing up on the scene. They play crazy catchy surf-pop, with lo-fi tweaks added for kicks.
Today’s track Boyfriend is the lead single off their debut Crazy For You. It’s a giddy pop song about unrequited love. Oh the pain! Cosentino sings in the chorus: “I wish he was my boyfriend/ I love him till the very end/ But instead he is just a friend”. So, here we have a girl in love with her friend. But then things get complicated. There’s another girl. Competition. How does she handle it? Well, according to her, “If I could only get her out of the picture/ Then he would know how much I want him”. Very nice.
Hmmm, kind of makes you wonder if she put those moves on Nathan Williams, you know, made Wavves. HAHAHA! (I guarantee you that’s a funny joke.)
Oh, and an interesting fact I learned while researching for this post: Bethany Cosentino’s favourite strain of medical marijuana is Headband. Wow!
She’s also one-third of the new Converse collaboration titled “All Summer”, with Kid Cudi and Rostam Batmanglij from Vampire Weekend (he’s the one who looks like the kid from American Idol). Download “All Summer” at converse.com.
www.bestycoasty.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/bestycoasty
The Antlers
The Antlers seem painfully shy. I met them walking to their show outside of the Casbah in San Diego. I wished them a good show, and Peter Silberman looked at me with a sorta smile and said thank you. It wasn’t a rude look, it was more like a “I just play music” look. Darby Cicci spent the time before they went onstage standing alone at the bar, staring at the space in front of him. They played an amazing show. It was loud, intense and heart-breaking. They didn’t say much. After the show, they quietly packed their gear into their van, avoiding eye contact with fans.
And I often wonder how they are able to go out every night and play songs off their 2009 album about relationship and loss, Hospice. It is easily the most emotional album I’ve ever heard. And apparently it was inspired by Silberman’s own experience as a nurse in a cancer ward. I mean, how do you night after night relive something so painful? And to share something so intimate with strangers who might not understand the full gravity of the situation. It’s hard to imagine.
But the live Antlers show is something else. Their music becomes a post-rock powerhouse, with each strum of the guitar and each key of the KORG synthesizer amplified and distorted through a series of pedal pushing. Yet with all the noise and the fuzz, Silberman’s voice takes control. His falsettos tear you apart inside and the story he tells brings tears to your eyes. You have to hold one hand in the other because each is shaking. You close your eyes and the music and his anger and sadness coarse through your body. Your spine is tingling and the hair on your body is standing. You clap between songs to show your appreciation, but you’re not sure if clapping is appropriate after this man has just poured his heart and soul out to you. You also want to enjoy the silence, because you are a wreck.
After the show, you are in awe of the spectacle that just happened. Yet, there is a sadness in you that makes you feel alive.
www.antlersmusic.com
Listen
The Blind Boys of Alabama are a gospel group formed way way back in 1939. And as their name suggests, the vocalists and the percussionist are blind. Into their seventh decade, the band has done everything, from playing for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and recording with Lou Reed to winning Grammys.
In today’s track, The Blind Boys of Alabama join Ben Harper on There Will Be A Light. The song’s got the usual Ben Harper touch- soothing, emotional and bluesy- and The Blind Boys supply their gospel fare as back-up vocals. Be warned, it tugs at your heart.
www.blindboys.com
www.benharper.com
The Blind Boys of Alabama are a gospel group formed way way back in 1939. And as their name suggests, the vocalists and the percussionist are blind. Into their seventh decade, the band has done everything, from playing for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and recording with Lou Reed to winning Grammys.
In today’s track, The Blind Boys of Alabama join Ben Harper on There Will Be A Light. The song’s got the usual Ben Harper touch- soothing, emotional and bluesy- and The Blind Boys supply their gospel fare as back-up vocals. Be warned, it tugs at your heart.
www.blindboys.com
www.benharper.com
Marathon - Mastered AAC
Tennis
Tennis are a married couple from Denver, Colorado, who play pop music like they did in the 60’s- lighthearted and carefree with conjured images of floral patterns and buttercups. Or like a fuzzy Camera Obscura.
Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore bought a boat together and sailed the Atlantic Ocean for eight months with no destination in mind. What came out of it, were upbeat pop numbers inspired by their travels.
Tennis are a married couple from Denver, Colorado, who play pop music like they did in the 60’s- lighthearted and carefree with conjured images of floral patterns and buttercups. Or like a fuzzy Camera Obscura.
Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore bought a boat together and sailed the Atlantic Ocean for eight months with no destination in mind. What came out of it, were upbeat pop numbers inspired by their travels.
Today’s track Marathon will be released on 1st August on the Underwater Peoples 7”. Their sell? “And if these songs make you do something you wouldn’t have done otherwise, good, that’s why they’re here.” Like vinyl therapy.
Their debut 7”, South Carolina, is set to drop on 27th July, but has already sold out. Wow!
Pre-order the Underwater Peoples 7”at www.underwaterpeoples.com.
Stream the Underwater Peoples 7” at www.tennis.bandcamp.com/album/underwater-peoples-7.
www.myspace.com/tennisinc
Summer Holiday
Wild Nothing
Wild Nothing is Virginia-born Jack Tatum. He plays lo-fi pop music that gives you a warm summer day picnic feeling. Or a driving in a convertible on a roadtrip feeling. His debut album Gemini is playful and dreamy and at moments gloomy and sulky, like a whirlwind teenage romance.
The lyrical simplicity adds to the album’s charm and endearment. On Bored Games, Tatum drowsily sings: “Where are you going? Can I come with you?”, and displays his oddball sweetness with: “Won’t you sneak into my room and climb under the covers/ Talk nonsense in your sleep” from the chorus of today’s featured track Summer Holiday, which is about a young couple that takes a drive to visit her parents and stay the night.
In an interview with 88 Days In My Veins, Tatum admits: “I’m inspired by sincerity more than anything else… The more honest something is the better in my eyes.” And his sincerity and honesty come across very well in Gemini, making it undoubtedly one of the best albums of the year so far.
www.myspace.com/wildnothing
Wild Nothing is Virginia-born Jack Tatum. He plays lo-fi pop music that gives you a warm summer day picnic feeling. Or a driving in a convertible on a roadtrip feeling. His debut album Gemini is playful and dreamy and at moments gloomy and sulky, like a whirlwind teenage romance.
The lyrical simplicity adds to the album’s charm and endearment. On Bored Games, Tatum drowsily sings: “Where are you going? Can I come with you?”, and displays his oddball sweetness with: “Won’t you sneak into my room and climb under the covers/ Talk nonsense in your sleep” from the chorus of today’s featured track Summer Holiday, which is about a young couple that takes a drive to visit her parents and stay the night.
In an interview with 88 Days In My Veins, Tatum admits: “I’m inspired by sincerity more than anything else… The more honest something is the better in my eyes.” And his sincerity and honesty come across very well in Gemini, making it undoubtedly one of the best albums of the year so far.
www.myspace.com/wildnothing
