28 May, 2013

New Musical Swag from May!


This is my newer music from the last few weeks (not pictured here is and MP3 copy of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's album, The Heist). I was so excited about showing you all what I am going to be writing about in the next couple of weeks that I forgot to turn off the flash (which is why the Phoenix album looks like it's about to explode in the first picture). Then when I did shut off the flash the whole set took on a yellowish tinge, so I decided to just include both pictures.

Here's a breakdown:

Top left corner: Dream of Life by Patti Smith. This is one of my favorite later albums by Patti. It was produced by her husband Fred "Sonic" Smith who also wrote the track "People Have The Power." It's one of the albums she made after she was married and had at least one child (I think both at that point), and her focus has really transitioned. The art is obviously prime in her mind, but the accessibility is also there. I cannot wait to listen to this on my record player.

Top right corner: Streetlights by Bonnie Raitt. I walked into Bullmoose Records thinking I wanted some early Bonnie Raitt, and then I proceeded to look at the covers of all the albums they had until I found one where she looked like a baby. Even so, it's still her fourth fucking album. But the great thing is that it has "Angel of Montgomery" written by John Prine and "The Song About The Midway" by Joni Mitchell on it. I have never listened to much Joni Mitchell, but she is a musician who I want to delve into, so I figured this is a good way to start.

Bottom left corner: Modern Vampires of the City by Vampire Weekend. This album is supposed to be gloomy. I mean, just take a look at the cover art, which is an actual picture of New York city one of its smoggiest days - a day when people actually died from the air pollution. So yeah, this is distopian Vampire Weekend, but I think it's still right in their wheelhouse. Jumping from cardigans and yachts on Cape Cod, and rich people problems, to - well - the problems that rich people sometimes create seems pretty perfect.

Bottom middle: United by Phoenix. I have been surprised by my interest in Phoenix's latest album, and my brother noticed this, so he bought me Phoenix's first album for my birthday! This is so great. It's a hodgepodge in the best type of way, and I finally realized that Phoenix is a French band (where have I been?).

Bottom right corner: The Sky Is Calling by Kim Boekbinder. I Kickstarted this album awhile ago, and I was pumped when it came in the mail. It's a whole bunch of pop-rock tunes inspired by space, space travel, etc. It's like if Neil Degrasses Tyson and Madonna had a baby, and then that baby hung out with the Cure and Occupy Wall Street people.

I cannot wait to do this music justice on this blog. Hopefully, I will be a font of productivity in the next few weeks and I won't leave you all hanging.

25 May, 2013

Calling all...

...people of the internet!!

I just posted this request on Twitter:

This is a question I need answered, Twitter. So far Google has failed me. I want piano music that is moody and mixed like the best Regina Spektor. But I don't want the singer to sound twee or fragile (like no Florence, Ingrid, etc. etc.) Any recommendations??

This is now going to exist as an open thread where responses can live. Come share your music with us in the comments. XO

"Patron Saint" (Live) by Regina Spektor


Spektor is a fantastic live performer, and the quality of her recordings is so strong! I have been re-listening to all of her albums lately, and finding myself incredibly drawn to the darkness and movement of her lyrical play. Piano is a perfect accompaniment - a second voice. It all makes me want to learn piano.

22 May, 2013

I Don't Care...

...Jon Lovitz!

21 May, 2013

Get to Know the Uncluded


"Special Education" by Goodie Mob featuring Janelle Monae

I just found this song on Mass Appeal, and it's a pre-release single off the album Age Against The Machine by Goodie Mob (which features Cee-Lo). It's pretty cool. It has some amazing bass and crunchy-industrial music, while Janelle Monae sings the slick chorus.


20 May, 2013

Despite Myself: Music I've been rocking to (while mildly cringing at myself)

"I Love It" by Icona Pop has blown up since being featured in the Girls episode where Hannah tries cocaine. It is contagious and it is the epitome of a teen girl anthem, but I don't care, I love it. This song is particularly great to turn up really loud in the car and jam out to. Hrmm, what else? It has this line which always make me smile: "you're from the seventies, but I'm a nineties bitch." Here's the official video:


We play this song by Lil Mama a lot in my shop, and the other day I saw a fourteen-year old represent while trying on some lip balm. I also DEFINITELY get this stuck in my head about three times every week. "What'chu know 'bout me?"


Keri Hilson has long been one of my favorite pop R&B singers, and this song is banging. This is sort of along the lines of Destiny's Child with "Independent Women" but has the deep and grimey sound of post-dubstep pop/R&B. This is a super funky track and "all my girls, fly girls getting money":

Clairy Browne and the Bangin' Rackettes are all the way from Australia, and so, so soulful. This song in particular has been high up on my list for awhile, and I love the live version. It's hilarious:


I generally am a bit annoyed by Lana Del Ray, but this one song has always held me. It's just very different from a lot of other music right now and I can't help but enjoy the creative ways in which she sings the crazy, pouty lyrics:

So, this post has been largely populated by female pop and R&B stars up to this point, but that's just because I've been listening to a lot of music in those genres recently. Here is something a little different, "Entertainment" the newest single from alt-rockers Phoenix. I am really digging their latest album, maybe even more than Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Still, they are a bit of a guilty pleasure for me:

But now my question to you all is what constitutes your own guilty pleasures? Mine are generally a combination of an initial adverse reaction to a song/artist for any number of reasons, followed by a genuine enjoyment of some of their music. Hit me up in the comments with your answers.