LCD Soundsystem - "Someone Great": "It's not the danciest track on the new LCD Soundsystem record - in fact, it's one of the more subtle ones - but it's been stuck in my head for days. Reminiscent of Pulsars and other retro-keyboard-pop bands, there's a low-key charm to this song."
Keane - "Is It Any Wonder?": "After all the VH-1-type hoopla on the first Keane record, I started to ignore them and it was actually my partner who pointed this track out to me. He hit the nail on the head that the track has serious `90s/`00s U2 elements, but at least the vocals don't recall U2's Bono-aching-for-the-world-like-he-was-Jesus ickiness that he's recently devolved the band into. Honestly, I applaud what he's doing for Africa, but I have an easier time believing John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson representing the farmers with Farm Aid and other efforts more than I buy Bono's saving-the-world theatrics. Anyway...uh, enjoy this Keane track. (And, for the record, I still love U2 all the way through Zooropa.)"
Modest Mouse - "We've Got Everything": "Was fortunate enough to see a secret-ish Modest Mouse show and they confirmed for me that this song from the new record is indeed awesome. And, yes, it's very weird watching Johnny Marr play with Modest Mouse (but not in a bad way)."
Olivia Tremor Control - "No Growing (Exegesis)": "Speaking of The Bill Doss, here's a song from his band, the Olivia Tremor Control, with pop perfectly fuzzed and harmonies on full display, guitars jangling and tambourines shaking the whole way down."
The Apples in Stereo - "What's The #?": "When I saw the Apples In Stereo in Austin last week, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had heard Olivia Tremor Control-er Bill Doss was with the band (he was) and that drummer Hilary Sidney was gone (she was), but in the end, it was still Robert Schneider's songs that made the night magic. At the end of their set, they busted out this song - one of my favorites from their catalog - and I couldn't help bouncing up and down screaming along with 'I'm different from you / it's alright, it's already / you're different from me / it's alright, it's alright.' Needless to say, a good time was had by all. (Friday 3/16 @ Dirty Dog)"
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Mew - "Apocalypso": "Even outdoors, in the heat, and faced with a St. Patrick's Day party blaring U2 nearby, Mew still blew the paint off the walls with this rocker. I still can't believe his voice is really that strong AND airy at the same time, but now that I've seen him pull it off live after mutiple days of playing shows, I'm a believer. (Saturday 3/17 @ Filter Party)"
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Peter, Bjorn & John - "The Chills": "I hate to be another blogger posting about PB&J, but they played our Rhapsody party in Austin last week and they were actually a very good, very rocking power trio! In other words, it wasn't the record, but it was still very enjoyable. Thanks to them and to all the bands who played the Rhapsody Rocks Austin party: The Broken West, Oxford Collapse, Loney Dear, Oakley Hall, Robyn Hitchcock & Peter Buck, and Peter, Bjorn & John. (Thursday 3/15 @ The Mohawk)"
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Spoon - "Stay Don't Go": "Isn't it a given that I blog about Spoon every time I see them? That's because they're always great. Last night, they did some new songs (the first of which blew me away) and even earned bonus points for making their stage entrance to Prince's 'Let's Pretend We're Married'. They also did a new rock version of this tune with a more agressive edge but without losing any of the song's vibe. (Wednesday 3/14 @ Antone's)"
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New Order - "Age of Consent": "One of my favorite songs of all time. I love it so much that I don't think I could possibly find the words to do it justice. It's perfect in every way, in my book."
Albert Hammond Jr. - "Postal Blowfish": "At first, I was surprised to hear the Strokes' Albert Hammond Jr. covering Guided by Voices, thinking that he might be revealing hidden indie passions. Of course, then I remembered the odd Strokes/GbV lovefest that went on for a few years, which even included GbV appearing in a Strokes video. In any case, it's still interesting to hear which GbV song he chose to cover."
Michael Jackson - "Working Day And Night": "This song pretty much sums up what's been going on lately and why I've been so bad at blogging...but I'll also add that this Off The Wall is probably my fave MJ record, even though I know that Thriller is technically better...this is still more fun.
And while I'm thinking about it, what is this "if I can't get sweet love to you" business? Is he trying to FedEx it?"
Loney, Dear - "Hard Days 1.2.3.4": "Canada used to be the new New York hotness, but Sweden is the new Canada. Follow me?"
Autolux - "Angry Candy": "Autolux rocked Noise Pop in SF last week, so they deserve a blog post in honor of their wall of sound, not to mention the vibrating bass-quake that they wrought on my internal organs...in a good way."
Arcade Fire - "Une Annee Sans Lumiere": "Quietly beguiling, then giddily upbeat, this song takes a full 180 and still makes the most of its two parts."
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."
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."
(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)
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."
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!"
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