Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Boz Scaggs - "Lowdown"

Boz Scaggs - "Lowdown": "This week's new re-issue of Silk Degrees made me realize that I have somehow never blogged about this song before. It's got flutes, a disco shuffle and the 70s painted all over it...by all indications, it should suck. Instead, Boz's championship vocals - swinging high and low ranges throughout the song - and the ace musician team turn the song into soft pop groove gold. So smooth, so swinging, so crisp, so good."

Monday, February 26, 2007

Nena - "99 Luftballons"

Nena - "99 Luftballons": "I feel like this might be newly added into Rhapsody? Seems so, anyway. I prefer the German version of the song because it seems like she might be singing something slightly more profound in her native tongue. Either that or I just like when she name-checks Kaptain Kirk in the middle of all the German."

Friday, February 23, 2007

(Belated) Top 10 of 2006

(Belated) Top 10 of 2006: "I don’t know how I forgot to do this earlier in the year, but I meant to post my Top 10 Albums of 2006 and include a link to one song from each record. So, in the Better Late Than Never category, here is the Top 10 list, click the link above to hear the sampler:
1> The Cardigans > Super Extra Gravity (nettwerk)
2> Snowden > Anti-Anti (jade tree)
3> I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness > Fear Is On Our Side (secretly canadian)
4> Giant Drag > Hearts & Unicorns (kickball)
5> Silversun Pickups > Carnavas (dangerbird)
6> Goldfrapp > Supernature (mute)
7> Starflyer 59 > My Island (tooth & nail)
8> Ex-Boyfriends > Dear John (absolutely kosher)
9> Editors > The Back Room (fader)
10> Mahogany > Connectivity (darla)

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Portastatic - "Why Pinch Yourself"

Portastatic - "Why Pinch Yourself": "Some of Mac's finest lead guitar work is on display here. Starting off almost sparse in arrangement, the song is mainly propelled by the drums and ends with quiet guitar noodling. However, when the song hits the 3:28 minute mark, it explodes with searing, emotive guitar, before sliding into an eerie-yet-beautiful organ melody. I wish I could take those thirty seconds and make them last forever."

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Modest Mouse - "Dashboard"

Modest Mouse - "Dashboard": "Who would have thought 10 years ago (yes...The Lonesome Crowded West is already a DECADE OLD!) that the Mouse would be rolling out modern rock power-singles, adorned with horns and freaking Johnny Marr of The Smiths? Also, having been fortunate to hear some more of their forthcoming record, I‘m putting money on “We ‘ve Got Everything” as being the hot track on the album. Although, who knows, there could be even better songs on the record that I haven't heard yet - I cannot wait to hear the whole album!"

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

The Police - "Truth Hits Everybody"

The Police - "Truth Hits Everybody": "It's odd - I was looking at the traction The Police have had after their Grammy appearance and subsequent tour announcement - and, despite that this has not historically been one of my top Police tracks, this is the one that's popped into my head. Listening to it now, I'm not surprised my subconscious rescued it for me - this is a supremely rocking tune, sacrificing no melody at the expense of its energy. It even makes me want to tolerate Sting again!"

Monday, February 19, 2007

Peter, Bjorn, and John - "Young Folks"

Peter, Bjorn, and John - "Young Folks": "I had no idea that whistling could be so infectious, but coupled with the bouncing bass line, the maraca swing and the twisted lounge cool, this song will monopolize your mind. I can't even believe how powerful it is."

Friday, February 16, 2007

Pat Benatar - "Heart Breaker"

Pat Benatar - "Heart Breaker": "This song rocks - as do many of Pat's 80s classics - and my pals The Benetards shredded it live last night, so this is for them."

Thursday, February 15, 2007

The Broken West - "On the Bubble"

The Broken West - "On the Bubble": "I can't get enough of this record! So, in honor of them playing Rhapsody's SXSW party (oops, did I just spill the beans?), here's another handclap-and-harmony explosion of goodness from The Broken West."

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Klaxons - "Forgotten Works"

Klaxons - "Forgotten Works": "I keep hearing about how these guys are supposed to be bringing back raves (2.0?), just more alterna-style. Maybe that's how they are live, but on album they're more of a blend of some Madchester, with a dash of post-punk. They DO make me want to groove, but it's not in a way that makes me want to bust out some glow sticks."

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

The Shins - "Sleeping Lessons"

The Shins - "Sleeping Lessons": "OK, let's have it. I never really liked the Shins. I didn't hate them, they just never did anything for me. So I didn't rush to hear this new record, but our Editor-In-Chief urged me to give it a shot. Grudgingly, I did and I have to admit it has it's moments. This is one of them - when the drums kick in around 2:25, it makes me giddy the way the Arcade Fire record did when I heard it. "