Covered in Love.

Valentine's day is here again. Meh. It's not my favorite holiday, even when I am part of a pair. But I guess I can stay topical. I've got a few dance diddies to get your heart racing if nothing else tonight will.

Stacy Q. Two of Hearts. I don't know anything else she ever put out. I don't really care. I've loved that song ever since I was a gay youth. Recently it's been covered a couple times recently and I love those just as much.** Enjoy.

The 1st is by Norwegian ElectroPop-Tart Annie. It's got a serious freestyle sound behind the wheel while the vocals remain pretty true to the original. It was originally released as the first single in October from her as yet unreleased album Don't Stop. But the last time I checked up on the album, I didn't see the song on the track list. Hmmm... I've included the single version as well as my favorite remix (Duh!).

Annie - Two of Hearts (MediaFire)

Annie - Two of Hearts (Skatebaards High Energy In The Night Remix) (MediaFire)

The second cover comes from the wonderful Buffetlibre Rewind. If you don't know what that is go do some digging. It's well worth your time! The song is the work of Electric Valentine and Ultraviolet Sound and while I don't know anything about the two groups who've come together to produce this most perfect pop track, I do know that it has been at the very top of my playlist since I downloaded it! The kid in me loves that it doesn't stray too far from the original version, but the grown up in me loves the retrofitted electro sound. Yeah, I just referenced a frosted miniwheats commercial, Jealous?!

Electric Valentine + Ultraviolet Sound - Two of Hearts (MediaFire)

And just in case you don't already have it (For Shame!) the original.

Stacey Q - Two of Hearts (MediaFire)


** it should be noted that Kelly Osbourne covered this song as well. It was not good. I will not be including it.


Check out the artists featured above and buy their music so they can make more!

Annie

Electric Valentine

Ultraviolet Sound

And go check out the full roster over at the Buffetlibre! Do it!

So Crazy in Love

It funny sometimes the connections that lead you from one place to another. Like the other day I was searching for a remix of "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé (Don't judge me!!!) and ended up discovering a completely unrelated new artist I am exceptionally excited about.




His name is Gavin Castleton and I cannot stop playing his music. I stumbled upon his blog where he had posted a video cover of "Nothing Compares 2 u" and was hooked. I must've watched it 5 times all the way through back to back. And that's something as it clocks in at just over 9 minutes. From there I began to listen to the snippets he had available on his Myspace and now it seems I'm completely obsessed. He has a few albums out now (check out Hospital Hymns, it's gorgeous!!) but I am most interested in his forthcoming endeavor titled Home. His myspace is almost baren, spare a creepy hand rising from the dirt and this :

When your lover tears your heart
clumsily from your chest
and holds it up to your face
you will first wonder "How an I still alive?"
But then you will think,
"I had no idea my heart was that big."
Your friends will tell you to hury up and get over it.
they will prescrive all sorts of bandaids,
exalting the near ad distant future
while you can't see two feet in front of your face.

The truth is, there is no right way to cope
and there is no wrong way to cope...
You just cope.
This music is how Gavin Castleton chose to cope.

"HOME," and album designed to heal heartache.

I'm in!

The bits and pieces I've heard from this album have me salivating at the thought of the outright feast. Ordinarily I would have no problem with searching for an advanced copy to quench my desires but at the artists specific request (as per his blog about the album's leak) I have decided to wait very patiently for it's Friday the 13th release date next month. I was able to track down some downloads made available from him that are completely guilt free and will share those with you now in the hopes that you too will be one of the 1rst in line to purchase Home when it drops.

From Home


This track is bouncy and fun with a retro sound that makes my heart smile!

Gavin Castleton - CoffeeLocks

and although I won't post it for download, Gavin put up this track on his myspace and you have to hear it. I keep the player open all day just to listen over and over again!!! It's called "Sugar in the Sheets" and the time change makes my pulse quicken! I also threw in a couple othe misc. Gavin goodies. GO BUY THIS GUYS STUFF!!!



This next track appears as a b-side on the 1st single released on itunes from Home, it's creepy and the cover has what looks to be zombies and I love it!!!



Gavin Castleton - Since 1968 (The Overclock Orchestra Remix)
Download from RCRDLBL (after the jump)


and finally the aformentioned cover of the Sinéad O'Connor track

Gavin Castleton - Nothing Compares 2 U (MediaFire)


Nothing Compares 2 (Sinead O'Connor cover) from Gavin Castleton on Vimeo.


Visit his Myspace

his blog

buy his stuff, learn some more all here.



ps. Thanks for the tip, Boo-yonce!

Hold The Black Eyed Peas, Please.

I have been listening to a lot of guilty pleasure pop bullshit lately and as a result I feel it's time to get back to some music of a little more substance. I cannot tell you how much I adore the song "Where is the Love" by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (no it isn't that same song by Fergie and the gang) and I've been listening to it a lot lately. Recently I discovered that John Legend sang it at a concert in Philadelphia with guest vocalist Corinne Bailey Rae. Now at least I can cycle between the two versions when I need my fix. Enjoy.



Where is the Love? - John Legend Feat. Corinne Bailey Rae. (MediaFire)

Check out the original version in this video




Purchase More Roberta Flack HERE

UnDead, and Loving It.

My idea of heaven this evening was curling up on my couch with a cup of chai tea, a chocolate chip cookie (or two) and watching the DVD's of one of my favorite new programs, Pushing Daisies. It's the brain child of one of my favorite television writers Bryan Fuller who is also responsible for the short lived and also fantastic "Wonderfalls" as well as the original idea for "Dead Like Me." Oh, he also wrote my favorite episode of Heroes to date, "Company Man."

Anyway, Pushing Daisies follows Ned (Lee Pace) , the pie maker with the unusual gift to bring people back from the dead with his touch, and his childhood love, Charlotte "Chuck" Charles (the lovely Anna Friel) , who he's recently brought back to life. The gift is not without its consequence however as one more touch from Ned and she would be dead again. Forever. Wackyness ensues.

One of the best parts of the show is the use of popular songs incorporated as musical numbers performed by the incredibly talented cast. Broadway darling Kristin Chenoweth and Little Shop of Horrors' marvelous Ellen Greene have both contributed wonderfully whimsical numbers much to my delight. But then, how could you have either of those two on a show and not showcase their beautiful voices? I've ripped the songs from the video and the quality is pretty decent and I've also included the original tracks for reference, just in case you're one of the 3 people on the planet that needs it. Check out Season 1 online HERE and be sure to catch up by Weds, Oct 1st when season 2 begins. Enjoy.





In the 2nd episode we're treated to an impromptu ballad from Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth) as she pours her heart out over unrequited love for the pie maker. She belts "Hopelessly Devoted To You" in the pie shop as she closes up, stopping only when interrupted by passers by before returning to a grand finale of emotional unrest! Then she lets the the dog lick the tears from her face. Kristin Chenoweth is awesome.




Hopelessly Devoted to You - Olivia Newton-John (YSI)

Hopelessly Devoted to You - Kristin Chenoweth (YSI)


Afraid the shock would be too great, Chuck has yet to reveal to her aunts Lilly (Swoosie Kurts) and Vivian (Ellen Greene) that she has been brought back to life. Once stars of the synchronized swimming act The Darling Mermaid Darlings, they have not not been in the pool for years due to shared personality disorders and have not left the house since the death of their niece. One rainy day Vivian sits at the window musing about rejoining the outside world and begins to sing a somber if hopeful rendition of Cat Stevens' "Morning Has Broken." The title line takes on a beautiful metaphor as she finally breaks free of the mourning that has weighed her down for so long now. It makes my heart smile.




Morning Has Broken - Cat Stevens (YSI)

Morning Has Broken - Ellen Greene (YSI)


Also I came across this the other day, Kristin Chenoweth hosting an intervention for a crystal meth addict. In song.

See more Kristin Chenoweth videos at Funny or Die

One less than Five, One more than Three

It's been nearly two months since I last published and I was honestly wondering if I would ever have the urge to post again. Leave it to the lovely Leslie Feist to be my muse. Well, Feist and a few Monsters, Penguins and Chickens just back from the shore. Allow me to explain. It looks like Sesame Street is taking page from Yo Gabba Gabba by collaborating with indie artists in an effort to lure hipster parents and their fickle children to their program. Feist re-tools the lyrics of her crossover hit "1234" into an (even more) playful and (somewhat) educational pop gem. You can see the video below and if you're crazy like me you can download the ripped mp3 as well. If you consider yourself too cool to bother with the track: A. I included a cover that she did with Constantines of the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton hit "Islands in the Stream." and B. we probably cannot be friends. Enjoy.


Watch:


(Listen close when the chickens 'sing' along! Awesome!)


Download:

Fesit - 1234 (Sesame Street Version)

Constantines and Feist - Islands in the Stream

also, if the only way you recognize the above is from "Ghetto Superstar" then we definitely can't be friends.

Houston, not a Problem.

This is probably my favorite thing right now and I would be ignoring my civic duty not to share it with you. SNL has been getting back into the swing of things lately with the addition of new talent, namely Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg, and also having better, more diverse musical guests like Feist and Vampire Weekend. One of my all time favorite cast members is miss Maya Rudolph, specifically for her Whitney Houston impersonation. I've watched this clip on a loop for the last several weeks. Genius!

Complements of Hulu, I Give You




Enjoy

From the album, Whitney

So Emotional

Purchase Whitney from Amazon ; iTunes

And Matt Sharp Feat. Maya Rudolph

Not Tonight (Tegan and Sara Cover)

Leave it to Lerche

I have yet to see the film "Dan in Real Life" as it is clearly a "rent", but I did pick up the soundtrack when I heard my favorite Norwegian pop folkie was at the helm. Yes, friends, Sondre Lerche has done it again. He's produced a fantastic feel good pop album that skips along with tones fresh from another time. Much of it sounds like a throwback to a 50's television show. Like when families ate dinner at the table without the TV on. Notable tracks include the retro pastiche "Hell No" a duet with indie it-girl Regina Spektor and the playful "To be Surprised." My favorite track is Lerche's cover of the Pete Townshend hit "Let my Love Open the Door" the original of which is featured in the trailer for the film. I forgot just how much I enjoy this song. I also remember (and am not too proud to admit) that until a few years ago I thought he was singing "it might have opened the door." What!? I was young! And song lyrics don't always need to make sense! Anyway, check out these tracks from the soundtrack, go pick it up and love it! That's right! You do what the hand says! Enjoy.




From the Dan in Real Life Original Soundtrack:
(Purchase from Amazon ; iTunes)

Sondre Lerche - To be Surprised

Sondre Lerche - Let my Love Open the Door

Also have a go at the 80's pop goodness that was Townshend's original and another, very "margaritaville" cover by M. Ward.



From Empty Glass:
(Purchase from Amazon ; iTunes)

Pete Towneshend - Let My Love Open the Door



From The Starbucks Compilation Sweetheart.
(Purchase Hear Music Stuff Here)

M. Ward - Let My Love Open the Door

Brought to You By The Letter "B" and The Number 25.

I had a great time this weekend celebrating my girl Lisa/Bethy's 25th birthday in Vegas but I am so thankful to be home and sleeping in my own bed again. Three days and two nights (on a terrible hotel mattress) were just enough to leave me with found memories and still a yearning for the comforts of home.

While in transit I was doing a crossword puzzle with the aid of my lovely travel companion and one of the clues was "Funny Chevy." Of course there could be no other answer than Mr. Chevy Chase. The first thing I thought of with the mention of his name was not of the many movies he's been in but of a music video he starred in with Paul Simon. This video for "You Can Call Me Al" came out when I was a child, long before I knew of who Paul Simon was and I remember thinking that Chevy himself was the actual singer because he lip syncs throughout. It wasn't until I started asking my mother questions about the wonderful music she was listening to that I came to know the greatness that was Simon and Garfunkle and Paul Simon himself.

It goes without saying that as soon as I got home I listened to the song and went looking to youtube to show me the video I only vaguely recall. It was even better than I remembered! Like watching a Looney Tunes cartoon for the first time as an adult and finally understanding the jokes beyond exploding TNT. Upon watching more closely to the beginning of the video I noticed that Paul begins to lip sync along to the track only to be cut off by Chevy who steals the show right out from under him. Leaving Paul to be relegated to the background vocals. Brilliant! I also never noticed that after Chevy drinks his water he goes to place it on what looks like a table to his left, only it's a drum stand and the glass of water falls straight to the ground below. This happens again with the flute. Hi-liarious!!!

I've posted the video below for your (and my) viewing pleasure and I've also included the song that began it all. While I was looking for more info on the song (like I do) I came across a cover that Jens Lekman did for a swedish radio set. Lekman retools this into a gorgeous acoustic diddy, leaving out the chorus while keeping the instantly recognizable sound of the horns transformed into gentle guitar strums. Enjoy.



Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al

Jens Lekman - You Can Call Me Al


Speaking of Lekman, I think some acknowledgment is due to the half Japanese girl without whom this post would not be possible. Happy Birthday Lisa/Bethy!!!


Jens Lekman - Happy Birthday, Dear Friend Lisa

and just because I can, really,

The Simpsons (Feat. "Michael Jackson") - Lisa, It's Your Birthday

A Fire Breathing Dragon... in Stilettos!

I stumbled across these guy about 6 months ago when I heard some stuff off their 1st EP. Since then Dragonette has been hard at work on their debut album Galore. Let me just say their hard work has paid off in spades! The album is a brilliant gem of Electro / Pop / Rock. Lead vocalist, Martina Sorbara, and the rest of the band (which includes her husband, guitarist Dan Kurtz, drummer Joel Stouffer and guitarist Will Stapleton) sound like what No Doubt could have evolved into had Gwen decided to bring some of her solo sound together with the rest of her band mates instead of putting out that dreadful second LP.

But I digress.


Sure she's wicked hot, but I spy a couple extra stems!

Give a listen to these few tracks and let me know what ya think!
(Myspace) (Official Site)
From Galore:

(Originally to be released 8/6/07, now pushed back to 10/22/07, Lame! but you can pre-order it from Amazon Here.)

Take It Like a Man

Jesus Doesn't Love Me

Check out the video for the second single Take It Like a Man!


(Good lord that's an attractive ass band!)
___________________________

From I Get Around Single:


I Get Around (Midnight Juggernaut Mix)

A great re-working of the track I put out on "Go! Fight! Win!"
_____________________________

As Performed Live at London Pride:


The Boys ***Love the SHIT out of this track!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Which leads me to my next little bit of retro pop goodness!



The track "The Boys" is actually a cover (albeit a fantastic, perhaps better than the original cover, hell she even gives him a shout out before the track kicks in with " I even like those scrawny, Scottish, into pop music but not like sorta like pop dance electro music") of a track from Scottish hipster extraordinaire Calvin Harris. Harris' debut album I Created Disco was released in the UK on 6/18/07 and sounds like a cross of LCD Soundsystem and something off of the Revenge of the Nerds soundtrack. That is by no means a put down. The record is full beats to make your head bob and '80s-tastic blips and beeps that might just have you doing the robot.

Check him out.
(Mysace) (Official Site)

From I Created Disco:

(buy from Amazon Here)

The Girls

Merrymaking At My Place

Acceptable in the '80s ***Love the SHIT out of this track!

Check out the video for The Girls


(Sure, he kinda looks like a tool, but at 6'5" and with a Scottish accent, I couldn't care less.)


Enjoy.

It's Probably Japanese...

I have been to several movies this past week and I would like to share some of the experience with you, gentle viewer.

1st was the incredibly well done Transformers!



I'm not going to give anything away, but the movie exceeded my expectation greatly, if not even raising the bar for other action movies. The plot didn't fizzle after the 1st half hour like I thought it would. I was completely on edge the entire 2hr 23min. The visual effects were stunning and never felt forced or out of place. *Cough* Spiderman 3 *Cough*
But the thing I most worried about was the movie falling the way of "Masters of the Universe" (thank you Kyle for the reference) in that it would follow the plight of the humans while the transformers were left as really expensive extras in the background. That was thankfully not the case. The human aspect of the film didn't overshadow the Autobots struggle against the evil (and kick ass) Decepticons.


Even the smoking hot Megan Fox couldn't draw too much attention from likes of the robots in disguise. But maybe that's just 'cause I'm a bit of a fan boy. OK, a queer fan boy. But just the same there was plenty of guy-candy (that's right I said it! and I'm only partially ashamed of myself!) in the movie between Josh "whatever his last name is" and one Mr. Shia LaBeouf. But even still I couldn't take my eyes off of the incredible job they did with the special effects.


Amazing! I honestly think it has raised the bar. When I saw "Live Free or Die Hard" the other day I kept waiting for all of the vehicles to echo out that perfect sound, letting me know they were about to transform into 10 story Robots and help John Mcclain kick some cyber terrorist ass! Alas it didn't happen and I left the theater with just a twinge of disappointment. You can't blame a guy for dreaming.

Speaking of "Live Free..." there was another trailer shown for the upcoming Julie Taymor film "Across The Universe." I Get a little more jazzed to see this each time I see a trailer for it.



Jim Sturgess who plays Jude in the film reminds me a whole lot of Ewan Mcgregor. At least his singing voice does. I certainly wouldn't be the first person to realize the similarities between this film and Baz Luhrmann's eye candy-rific Moulin Rouge. The second trailer played much like a music video with (what I believe to be) Jude singing The Beatles (Duh!) "I've Just Seen a Face." My Mom would play The Beatles all the time and I had completely forgotten about this song until I heard it again in the theater. I'm psyched to purchase this soundtrack. In the mean time I will be pulling out all of my Beatles stuff in preparation!

I leave you with the original Beatles track that was covered for the trailer as well as the Transformer's theme song from the 2007 movie soundtrack (Amazon). It's been reinterpreted by Mutemath, and it's not all that bad.

Enjoy

Mutemath - Transformer's Theme

The Beatles - I've Just Seen a Face


**Bonus**
I can't hear the words "Across The Universe" without thinking of Fiona Apple's superb cover from the "Pleasantville Soundtrack." As well as the wonderful video that accompanied it. Here's that track as well as the video to watch and download in iPod compatible format, Y? Because we like you. M*O*U*S*E! -Err, force of habit. Sorry.

Fiona Apple - Across The Universe



Download iPod Compatible Video Here

ANESTHETIC!!!

So I had to go back to the dentist today. That's right, back! In the past 2 months I've spent a good deal of money and a fair amount of time at the dentist's office. He's a nice enough gentleman, I just don't know why he enjoys putting the hurt on me. 2 hours and 3 fillings later the corners of my mouth are sore, my gums are bleeding and the entire right hand side of my face is completely numb! I would swear that I had just had a stroke if only it were on the left! Anyway, while I wait for my face to stop feeling like it's swollen beyond recognition, I thought I should post some songs so that my pain might be your musical pleasure! Enjoy.




The Police - King of Pain

Alanis Morissette - King of Pain

Merril Bainbridge - Mouth

Bush - Mouth(The Stingray Mix)

Death Cab for Cutie - Crooked Teeth

Sia - Numb

Luce - Numb

U2 - Numb

The Strokes - Last Night

...Because I Can!

Whilst compiling the previous post, Please Recycle, I sorted through a seemingly endless list of cover songs and had an epiphany: one list simply would not do. There were some real gems that got bypassed for one reason or another. Either they didn't fit into the flow I had going, or an artist would have appeared more than once. This is my chance to be totally self indulgent, and hey, my gluttony is your pay-dirt. I give you...

Recycle Bin:
The B-sides


R.E.M. - One
(Originally Recorded by U2)

Gemma Hayes - Time After Time
(Originally Recroded by Cyndi Lauper)


Denison Witmer - Farther On
(Originally Recroded by Jackson Browne)


Copeland - Coming Around Again
(Originally Recroded by Carly Simon)


Johnette Napolitano - The Scientist
(Originally Recroded by Coldplay)


Nouvelle Vague - Heart of Glass
(Originally Recroded by Blondie)


Nikka Costa - Miss Celie's Blues (Thank You, Shaliza!!!)
(Originally Recroded for The Color Purple Orignal Soundtrack)


Scissor Sisters - Take Me Out
(Originally Recroded by Franz Ferdinand)


Arcade Fire - Maps
(Originally Recroded by Yeah Yeah Yeahs)


Nina Persson (of The Cardigans) - Losing My Religion
(Originally Recroded by R.E.M.)


Ana Carolina & Seu Jorge - É Isso Aí (The Blower's Daughter)
(Originally Recroded by Damien Rice)


Keane - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
(Originally Recroded by Elton John)


Mandy Moore - Help Me
(Originally Recroded by Joni Mitchell)


Quindon Tarver - When Doves Cry
(Originally Recroded by Prince)


Olive - I'm Not in Love
(Originally Recroded by 10cc)


Imogen Heap - Spooky
(Originally Recroded by Classics IV)


Pat MacDonald - Policy of Truth
(Originally Recroded by Depeche Mode)


The Editors - Feel Good Inc.
(Originally Recroded by Gorillaz)


KT Tunstall - My Doorbell
(Originally Recroded by The White Stripes)


The Shins - We Will Become Silhouettes
(Originally Recroded by The Postal Service)


David Gray - Smile Like You Mean It
(Originally Recroded by The Killers)


Deathcab for Cutie - All is Full of Love
(Originally Recroded by Bjork)


Jeffrey Gaines - In Your Eyes
(Originally Recroded by Peter Gabriel)


José González - Teardrop
(Originally Recroded by Massive Attack)


The Muzato Muzika Orchestra - Hey Jude
(Originally Recroded by The Beatles)

Enjoy...

Please Recycle

This is something I've been meaning to do for quite some time but have never felt like I had the right material for. Well, the time has come. One of my best friends put out a cover CD a couple of months ago and being the competitive prick that I am got it into my head to one up her. However, I think there's a statute of limitations on things like that. (Plus, between you and me, she did a really good job.) So this is my best effort at covers of songs I really love by artists I really love. Enjoy.



Muse - Feelin' Good
(Originally written for musical "The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd", but is most notably performed by Nina Simone.)

Coldplay - Can't Get You Out of My Head
(Originally performed by Kylie Minogue)

Snow Patrol - Crazy in Love
(Originally performed by Beyoncé)

Nikka Costa - Call Me
(Originally performed by Blondie)

Ladytron - Oops, Oh My
(Originally performed by Tweet)

Ednaswap - Next to You
(Originally performed by The Police)

Franz Ferdinand - What You Waitin' For?
(Originally performed by Gwen Stefani)

Janet Jackson - Weekend
(Originally performed by Debbie Deb)

Gnarls Barkley - Gone Daddy Gone
(Originally performed by Violent Femmes)

Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald - Just
(Originally performed by Radiohead)

KT Tunstall - Get Your Freak On
(Originally performed by Missy Elliot)

Nickel Creek - Toxic
(Originally performed by Britney Spears)

The Arcade Fire - Naive Melody (This Must be the Place)
(Orginally performed by The Talking Heads)

Feist - Inside and Out
(Originally performed by The Bee Gees)

Alana Davis - 32 Flavors
(Originally performed by Ani Difranco)

The Boy Least Likely To - Faith
(Originally Performed by George Michael)

Ben Lee - Float On
(Originally performed by Modest Mouse)

Death Cab for Cutie - Bad Reputation
(Originally performed by Freedy Johnson)

Giant Drag - Wicked Game
(Originally performed by Chris Isaak)

Elbow - Teardrop
(Originally performed by Massive Attack featuring vocals by Elizabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins)

Keane - With or Without You
(Originally recorded by U2)

Radiohead - Wish You Were Here
(Originally recorded by Pink Floyd)

Sufjan Stevens - The One I Love
(Originally recorded by R.E.M. )

Stereophonics - Nothing Compares To You
(Originally recorded by Sinéad O'Connor)

Cat Power - I Found a Reason
(Originally recorded by The Velvet Underground)


I'm not really sure why this mix ends with all the "sad bastard" tracks, but it works.

peace out.

...Just like me

My brain hurts tonight. I cannot think of anything even remotely clever to write about these songs, so I'm just going to post them and hope you like.

Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" is the only thing you'll hear if you turn on the radio, or check your friend's myspace page.






Here are a couple of different versions to ensure that you don't get tired of it too soon.





Ray Lamontagne - Crazy








Nelly Furtado - Crazy








The Kooks - Crazy


and from the Crazy Remix EP





Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (Karl G. Remix Edit)


and... I'm spent. Peace out.