Thursday, September 30, 2010

Lila Downs

Certainly well-known after her involvement in the 2002 film Frida, but admired by many before as well, the Mexican-American performer Lila Downs is a fantastic artist.  Her voice has a unique tone and good range, a skill that is increasingly rare in popular music.

In addition to writing her own pieces, she also makes an effort to promote Mesoamerican music and culture, and has done so with great success.  The song below, Agua de Rosas, is off the 2006 album, La Cantina.   

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Black Lips: Bad Kids

The Black Lips are a band with a great sense of juvenile humor, and if you have the patience, you'll find this song and video to be hilarious.  It is off the 2007 album Good Bad Not Evil.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Menomena

This Portland, Oregon based band has the indie rock sound down to a science, and it is intense.  The song below is off their 2010 album Mines, but do check out their earlier albums as well, especially Friend and Foe, released in 2007.

Lullatone

This Japanese duo has produced a number of albums and EPs since 2003 and describes their music as "pajama-pop."  I don't know what that means, but I do enjoy the laid-back, lullaby-esque quality to their sound. Certainly not for everyone, and not for every occasion, but there is something irresistible to me about their minimalist pop style. Check out their website here.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Clare & the Reasons

This Brooklyn based band released their second album, Arrow, last year on the Frog Stand Records label. The band's original material is ethereal and well-constructed,  and utilizes many different sounds, from cellos to kazoos.  Additionally, they have done some ingenious covers, from Tears for Fears songs to show tunes.  My only caveat is that some of you might find Clare's voice a little too cutesy to become full-fledged fans, but give them a chance.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Blonde Redhead: Penny Sparkle

This might be my favorite song off of Blond Redhead's recently released album, Penny Sparkle, which debuted at #79 in the U.S.  It is called My Plants Are Dead and it is hauntingly good.  The rest of the album is pretty good as well.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Luisa Maita: Lero Lero

Here is the title track off of this Brazilian artist's 2010 release.  A wonderful samba rhythm dominates this song, and a she has a voice one cannot get enough of.  Check out her website here.

  

Friday, September 24, 2010

The Weepies: Be My Thrill

If you haven't heard The Weepies on the radio you've likely heard a song or two on your favorite TV show, as they've had songs featured on a number of programs including my personal favorite, Gossip Girl (just kidding). Their music is pop with small amounts of rock and folk mixed in for fun.

Their album, Be My Thrill, debuted at number 34 on the Billboard 200 chart after it was released in August 2010.

Cosmo Jarvis

Here's a single off of this English-American artist's 2009 album Humasyouhitch/Sonofabitch.  There are so many fabulous elements in this song: the ukelele, the whistles, the rhythm change-ups, the chorus of voices--well, just listen for yourself.


Thursday, September 23, 2010

Jonathan Richman

The last day of summer for my hemisphere was just a couple of days ago, and I thought that was a great excuse to post one of my favorite Jonathan Richman songs, That Summer Feeling.  Much can be said about Richman, but I'll leave the analyses to others; I'm a fan simply because I enjoy his melding of goofiness and rock.


Gaetan Roussel: Help Myself

This is an unbelievably catchy song from the lead singer of the French band Louise Attaque, released early this year.  To me, it gets better each time you hear it.  Cheers to Walter J. for bringing it to my attention.


Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Daby Balde

There is a hypnotic quality to this Senegalese artist's music.  Those not attracted to the "world" genre might not care for this, as he does not incorporate much pop as we know it.  However, many of his melodies are catchy and the rhythms smooth.  Below is the song Halaname.


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Flowers and Sea Creatures

Flowers and Sea Creatures is a two-man electronica band from Montreal that has an ethereal, gripping sound.  The vocals remind me of Thom Yorke, although the singer cites jazz trumpeter Chet Baker as an influence.  The song below, At Night, is off an EP that was just released, learn more about that here.

The Sea and Cake: Weekend

Here's a Chicago based band that I have liked ever since I heard the song Jacking the Ball, off of their first album, released back in 1994.  The song below, Weekend, is off a 2008 effort entitled Car Alarm.  

Monday, September 20, 2010

Avi Buffalo

Everyone says this Californian band sounds like The Shins, and I agree, especially on this song, entitled What's In It For, off of their self-titled debut album released in April. (Luckily for them, The Shins are a good band).  Check out their website, here.

Dead Confederate

Straightforward rock is what Athens, Georgia band Dead Confederate seems all about to me. The song below, Giving it All Away, is off their 2010 album Sugar.  I can't help but wondering if this is another band that is at their best during live performances.


Sunday, September 19, 2010

Silver Starling: Closer

A follower of this blog recently e-mailed me asking why there are so many Canadian bands on this blog, and whether it was intentional, etc.  I answer that while I have nothing against Canadian patriotism, the primary reason there have been so many Canadian bands lately is because so much great music is being produced in Canada, by bands like Silver Starling, who hail from Montreal.

The song below, Closer, is off their 2009 self-titled release, which was their first album.


Saturday, September 18, 2010

Jimi Hendrix

I learned from NPR today that this is the anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's death in 1970.  Here's my favorite Hendrix song, Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window, a cover of a Bob Dylan song. I don't know what's going on in the video, perhaps someone can explain it to me.  What's your favorite Jimi Hendrix tune?

Friday, September 17, 2010

Wanda Jackson

After mentioning her in The Young Veins post yesterday, I thought she deserved a post of her own.  Known as the "Queen of Rockabilly" to many, this Oklahoma-born performer is in her seventies and still performing. Last year she even recorded some things with Jack White.  Most of you will know some version of the song below.



Thursday, September 16, 2010

Frazey Ford: Blue Streak Mama

This song is off Frazey Ford's debut album, Obadiah (2010).  She has a wonderful voice with just enough raspy soul to take her songs from your run-of-the-mill good folk-rock to something that is very special at times. Her soulful rendition of Bob Dylan's One More Cup of Coffee, is an interesting interpretation that I recommend as well.

 

The Young Veins: Change; Funnel of Love

Off their 2010 album Take a Vacation, this California-based rock band does a good job recreating the early days of rock music in the song and video below. A lot of people are going to complain that this has all been done before, and they're right, but who cares? They're still solid rock songs.





And here is Funnel of Love, a bonus track off of the same album. If you like it, check out Wanda Jackson's 1961 version as well.

Lyndon John X: Brighter Days

LJX gives you straightforward, classic reggae, and it is great, if you like reggae as much as I do.  Brighter Days is this Canadian artist's second album and was released last month.  


Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Belleruche: Clockwatching

I dare you to listen to the Belleruche song below just once!  Clockwatching is off their forthcoming album 270 Stories, available in October.  Learn more about the band on their website, here.


Carina Round: Backseat

Carina Round is an entertaining British artist who is all over the musical map, although she is generally described as a singer/songwriter (such a broad label).  When she chooses to perform songs like Backseat, below, she has a wonderful sweetness to her voice, although she often sings edgier tunes.  Backseat is off her EP Things You Should Know, released last year.


Giuseppe Di Stefano

Just sit back and enjoy as this great Sicilian tenor nails that famous High C note.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The Black Keys: Tighten Up

It's hard to believe, because they create so much sound, but The Black Keys are a two man group from Akron, Ohio.  Their music is heavily influenced by the blues-based and psychedelic rock traditions.  The song below, Tighten Up, is a single off their 2010 album Brothers, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200.


Moonshine Hooligans

This folksy rock group out of Charlottesville, Virginia has a debut album entitled Subterranean Secrets scheduled to be released on October 26th.  Their music is straightforward rock with some twists; think Elliot Smith meets Wilco with a little Tom Petty thrown in for good measure. My guess is that this is a band that really shines when playing live, as their songs seem written to jam out.  The tune below is called Intro.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Rae Spoon: Love is a Hunter

Love is a Hunter is the title track off this Canadian artist's seventh album, released last month.  His website is here.    

Big Mama Thornton: Hound Dog

Here is a 1965 recording of the song that was a number one hit for her on the R&B charts back in 1952. This version has Buddy Guy on guitar.  A guy named Elvis also recorded this at some point.


Sunday, September 12, 2010

Florence + The Machine: Cosmic Love

Florence Welch and her band have a layered and dramatic pop sound with an irresistible presentation.  Welch's edgy voice drives the music and has a tremendous range, from breathy whispers to out-of-control (but in tune) screams.  The single below, Cosmic Love, was released in July and is off their album, Lungs.

Gogol Bordello

I am an unabashed fan of the NYC gypsy-punk scene and have featured some of the other bands from that sub-genre here before, but none of those groups are like Gogol Bordello.  In fact, I can think of few bands in any genre that so consistently brush up against absolute chaos and make it work.  Their last album, Trans-Continental Hustle, was released in April of this year, but the song below, Wonderlust King, is from 2007. Check out the band's website here.


Friday, September 10, 2010

Law School Musical

Anyone who's been there knows how spot on this catchy, angst-filled tune is.  For those considering law school, you've been warned. For those who never will attend, now you know how lucky you are!

Latcho Drom

Here's a soulful musical segment from the film Latcho Drom (1993), by French director Tony Gatlif.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Antony & the Johnsons

Antony Hegarty and his band recently released an EP that included the first single of their upcoming 2010 album, Swanlights, which is slated to be released in October by the Secretly Canadian label.  The song is called Thank You For Your Love, and suggests that the upcoming album is going to be a good effort, filled with dramatic musical arrangements and Hegarty's powerful voice.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Tegan & Sara

The Canadian duo Tegan and Sara has produced six albums over the past ten years and the song below, Hell, is off their 2009 release Sainthood.  Their music is rock-based pop and at times sounds like what I would think an edgier Avril Lavigne would have on one of her albums.  (Whether that is good or bad is for you to decide.) I would have preferred to post the song Alligator, off of the same album, but couldn't find an embeddable video, so I recommend listening to that song here.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Psapp: Tricycle

The English duo Psapp is often described as a "Toytronica" band, a genre they are also said to have founded.  If you hadn't heard, Toytronica involves mixing electronica with toy instruments and literally, childrens' toys. For example, the band has used kid's guitars on their albums and perhaps most famously, a rubber chicken.

The song below, Tricycle, was their first hit single back in 2006, and it is probably my favorite Psapp song.


Idan Raichel Project Redux

I couldn't resist posting another one, entitled Todas Las Palabras.

Idan Raichel Project

Idan Raichel is an Israeli musician who released a very popular album in 2002 entitled, The Idan Raichel Project.  His "project" is a mix of musical genres: pop, folk, electronica all make appearances on his albums.  This helps him to create some interesting music, but the really interesting thing, and what I think makes him especially noteworthy, is that he mixes cultures in a way that is sincere and without pedantry.  There are few artists out there that have songs with well-written lyrics in Hebrew, Spanish, Arabic, and Zulu.

The song below is off the self-titled 2002 album. Learn more about the Idan Raichel Project at their website, here.




Sunday, September 5, 2010

Polock

This is an interesting Spanish rock group that released an album entitled Getting Down From the Trees at the end of last month.  It doesn't look like they have any plans to play in the U.S. any time soon, but let's hope they are able to get over here before too long. Learn more about them here.


Lou Reed: This Magic Moment

This Magic Moment was a hit for The Drifters in 1959.  In 1997, the legendary Lou Reed's version of the same song was included on the soundtrack for the film Lost Highway, which I have never seen, but he delivers a fabulous cover of an already awesome song.



 

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Parlovr: Pen to the Paper

This is a pop-rock trio out of Montreal, Canada with a self-described "sloppy" rock sound.  Actually, the song below, Pen to the Paper, off the album of the same name, sounds like a well-organized band that knows how to write energetic music.  There is something of a 90's Seattle sound to their music which I tend to like, although one can only go so far with another decade's style.  However, they are supposed to have a very entertaining live show--let me know if you've seen them.  Click here to see them performing a La Blogotheque take away show.  They also have a blog here.

   

Elvis Crespo: Suavemente

Here's the famous and infectiously danceable tune from the merengue master Elvis Crespo.  Ever since its release in 1998 it has been a huge hit everywhere Latin music is played.  Love the song, and laugh at the video.

  

Friday, September 3, 2010

Lali Puna: That Day

Lali Puna is a unique German group that has been producing a mix of indie-rock and electronica for the last 10 years.  It almost seems like the band is kind of a side project for some of its members, which accounts for the fact that they've only had four studio albums since 1998.  On the other hand, perhaps it's only a testament to the fact they take their time.  Here's a song from their 2010 album, Our Inventions.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Orchestra Baobab

This is a free and easy sounding song by the Senegalese band Orchestra Baobab, a group that was in its prime in the 1970's & 80's, but released the album Made In Dakar in 2008 after a reunion a few years earlier.


School of Seven Bells: Windstorm

The song below is off this trio's 2010 album, Disconnect From Desire. The band claims that they write the lyrics to their songs first, adding the music solely as accompaniment. This is a curious claim to me, as most of their lyrics seem too abstract to allow the average listener to discern their meaning. Plus, their music is so good that I have a hard time seeing it as a secondary element. It makes you wonder what they could create if they decided to put the music first.

Here's a link to their website.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

36 Post Marathon is Over


A few weeks ago I revived this blog with the idea to even out 3 silent years by posting 36 music posts to make up for the 36 long months this site's 2 fans have endured. Well, I did it, and the music will keep coming on what will hopefully be a daily basis.

Simple Kid

Even though I know it should be boring, somehow this video kept me watching for the entirety of this six minute song, entitled Serotonin Shaving. Simple Kid is an Irish musician and has a folk-meets-electronica sound that is produced in part by the fact that he records his music on an old 8-track cassette player before loading it onto a computer and mixing / mastering on modern equipment. It is a great idea, and gives his music a bit more texture than one finds on similar albums. Let me know what you think.

Si*Se

Way back in 2007 this blog reviewed a release by this talented group and I thought it was worth posting a track now because their music is still good. Learn more about them at their website, here.