Regifted

Apparently 'tis the season again. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that Christmas is not my favorite holiday. Not by a long shot. For me it's just another year flown by and I'm forced to listen to (mostly terrible) Christmas music all day at work. Maybe it was listening to Jessica Simpson X-mas bullshit at least 3 times per day that compelled to put together my own mix of a few of my very favorite holiday songs. Ones that don't make me wanna blow out my own eardrums. It started off quite small and somehow snowballed (no, that wasn't a pun!) into a full blown playlist as I scoured my iTunes and found gem after seasonal gem.

There are a few standards, if not obvious choices on the list. The Drifters' "White Christmas" always makes me think of Home Alone (or was it Home Alone 2? They're both great so who cares) and while there are tons of covers of "Last Christmas" I find the original Wham! version is perfection. And it wouldn't be Christmas without Brenda Lee's incomparable "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree." My mother played her Christmas album every year on a loop and it has remained my favorite ever since.

I also threw in some newer stuff like the incredibly fun Rosie Thomas original "Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year" (thank you Daniel), a fabulous remix of Kay Starr's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" and a bouncy holiday 'fuck you' from one of my favorite new discoveries Hello Saferide. The one track I cannot seem to get enough of is the last one in the set. Originally from the movie "Toys," The Closing of the Year" has been humming around in my head for days now and always leaves me with a cheerful grin on my face and a childlike optimism for the season and the year to come.

Enjoy.


Listen to Excerpts




White Elephant

Download the .ZIP file

(Zshare)


Full Track List

1. Martina Sorbara - It's The Most Wonderful Time of Year

2. The Raveonettes - The Christmas Song

3. Rosie Thomas - Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year

4. Brenda Lee - Rock' Around the Christmas Tree

5. The Drifters - White Christmas

6. Allison Sattinger - Santa Baby

7. Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone - Baby, It's Cold Outside

8. Kay Starr - I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Stuhr Remix)

9. London Festival Orchestra - Carol of the Bells (Starchild Excalibur Drumadelic Remix)

10. Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmas Time

11. The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping

12. Hello Saferide - iPod Xmas

13. Wham! - Last Christmas

14. Sixpence None The Richer - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

15. Sufjan Stevens - Joy to the World

16. The Weepies - All I Want

17. The Winston Jazz Routine - Through the Snow

18. Hem - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

19. Joni Mitchell - River

20. Tracy Chapman - O Holy Night

21. Wendy & Lisa - The Closing of the Year (Feat. Seal)

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

Please Stop Acting Like You're Not Impressed

I found some free time and an overwhelming need to share this with anyone who will listen! A lot of people think the SNL has been sub par for the past few seasons, but I strongly disagree. I think it's generally on point and I watch it religiously. Last night was no exception. And thank the lord or I might have missed the digital short by The Lonely Island, a comedy trio composed of SNL cast member Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone both of whom are SNL writers. It's a little diddy straight out of the 80's, with a serious Pet Shop Boys sound. Oh, and it's effing hilarious! With cameos by Molly Sims, Justin Timberlake and Jamie Lynn Sigler.

Naturally I have provided the video to watch copy of the song for all of you who, like myself, want to take it on the go. I give you "Jizz in My Pants" Enjoy.




Download the song (after the jump) at MediaFire

Watch more SNL over at HULU

and

Check out more on The Lonely Island at their Official Website.

The Bitch is Back

While all of my free time has been completely reserved for reading the Twilight series (no this isn't another post about that) I have very nearly ignored all other forms of entertainment. I was so engrossed that I almost missed the return of pop princess turned hot crazy mess turned comeback kid, Britney Spears. Her new single, "Womanizer," took a couple of listens before I was relishing the mindlessness of it. Sure enough before long I couldn't keep my head from bouncing about my shoulder like a cheap bobble-head toy. Because the song is everywhere I'm gonna post a couple of my favorite remixes. The first is by those filthy mouthed french boys, The Teenagers, giving the song a decidedly more "indie rock" feel. Next we have a gritty electro romp courtesy of Brad Walsh. It's quite good. My favorite of the handful I have actually. Good to know he won't need a leg up from his boyfriend, Project Runway season 4 winner Christian Soriano. Although, I'm sure that doesn't hurt matters.
Enjoy.

Womanizer (The Teenagers Remix) (YSI)

Womanizer (Brad Walsh Remix) (YSI)



Check out more on Britney (HERE)

Check out more on The Teenagers (HERE)

Check out more on Brad Walsh (HERE)

Also have a look at the music video for the single, Britney looks fan-fucking-tastic.

And So The Lion Fell in Love With The Lamb.

A friend of mine (actually a few friends) were trying to convince me that I needed to read the Twilight series of books by author Stephenie Meyer, and naturally I put it off as long as I could. Do I really need one more thing to obsess about? Apparently I was in dire need! In the last few days all of my free time was devoted to the first book in the series. I only put it down when absolutely necessary. Last night I began reading chapter 11 at about midnight, thinking "I'll just read for about a half hour the get to bed." I had to work the next morning. Well, there never really seemed a good place to stop, and before I knew it, the time was 4am and I had finished it. Devoured it. Savored every last little phrase. It was fantastic. Without giving too much away, the book is told from the perspective of a girl named Bella who moves to a small town in the northwest and falls deeply in love with the mysterious , gorgeous Edward. Knowing full well that he is a vampire. The way the author described their relationship was intoxicating. The unequivocal need they felt for one another despite the inherent dangers posed by the very nature of the relationship was exhilarating. The hunger Edward endured for both her love and her life was incredibly sexy. It made my skin tingle. *Sigh*


(Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson play the leads in the movie version)

At any rate, it has been all I can think about all day. From the moment I dragged my sorry, tired butt out of bed this morning I couldn't wait to buy the next book and continue on with the story. It even played into my musical selection this morning. I plugged in my iPod and quickly threw together a playlist of songs that recreated some of the emotions I was feeling while reading. I certainly won't make you suffer trough it's entirety but I would love to share with you the 1st two songs that initially sprang to mind.

Without a second thought, I immediately searched my library for Sarah Mclachlan's wonderfully crafted and incredibly intimate album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. While her more recent work leaves me wanting, I take comfort in the fact that this album never gets old for me. But I digress. At the tail end of the record lies the absolutely beautiful "Fear." Glitchy and haunting, it is easily my favorite track on the record. With it's layered dub and the soaring soprano of her voice gently coaxing you closer, soft and safe, before unleashing the full force of an emotional barrage that leaves the listener devastated. Broken. It's absolutely stunning. And wickedly appropriate for this story with lyrics like:

"from above
they say temptation will destroy our love
The never ending hunger

but I fear
I have nothing to give
I have so much to lose
here in this lonely place
tangled up in our embrace
there's nothing I'd like
better than to fall
but I fear..."

A perfect fit to our star crossed lovers.

The second track is naturally the next on the disc. I pretty much can't listen to the first without seamlessly following to the next. I believe a great deal of thought went into the placement of these songs on the disc, and when the opening line of the title track is "All the fear has left me now, I'm not frightened anymore," how could you ever play one without the other? More one story in two parts than two separate songs, I find "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" a lovely juxtaposition to it's sister song. Softer still, it lays it all out on the table. All of the hesitation from "Fear" is drifting out in the atmosphere and what remains is the calm and collected acceptance of a love that will not be denied. "It's my heart that pounds beneath my flesh, it's my mouth that pushes out this breath" she whispers at a hush so in contrast to the operatics of the previous confession that it could only be truth.

"Peace in the struggle to find peace. Comfort on the way to comfort," she hums
gently in your ear as if simply willing away the darkness before out rightly defying it:

"...and if I shed a tear I won't cage it
I won't fear love
and if I feel a rage I won't deny it
I won't fear love."

Download

From Fumbling Towards Ecstasy


(After the Jump)

Fear (YSI)

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (YSI)


I love these songs. As I write this I listen to them on a loop, just as I did all afternoon in anticipation for purchasing the 2nd book. Do yourself a favor and listen to these track, with headphones if possible so it feels like it's just the two of you. And I highly suggest you pick up a copy of Twilight. Sure there's a movie coming out in a month or so, but I guarantee it will not be nearly as good. Enjoy.

Purchase the Twilight series HERE.

Purchase Fumbling Towards Ecstasy HERE.

Check out more on the movie HERE.

Baleted!

Blogger deleted another of my posts. Not sure what is really going on here.

Hateful!

Again, I'm not going to repost the whole thing, just the link to the mix.

Here's Indian Summer in case you missed it.

Enjoy.




Indian Summer (ZSHARE)

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

My Bubbles, My Bubbles!!!

I was watching Vh1 18 or something the other day because Pop Up Video was on. Remember that show? Some of my favorite useless trivia came from that program. Such as "Meatloaf got his nickname when he stepped on the foot of his high school football coach." (also, did you know that none other than Transformer's Michael Bay directed the music video for "I would do anything for love..." hmmm...) Anyway, at the end of the show I was reading through the credits and the writer of the theme song came up as Mike Errico. If you don't remember (and how could you not?) it goes a little something like this:



Lost you there for a minute, huh? I know, it's mesmerizing.

Ok so I thought to myself, "That's funny I have a song I really like from a long time ago by a guy with that name. I wonder if it's him?" Sure enough after some simple Googling there it was on his official page: TV Credits "Pop Up Video."

I hadn't listened to this song in some time, but I could never forget my favorite line from it "if my life were a movie you'd be burried in the credits. you'd be woman number two with her head up her ass, but it's too late." Awesome.

He's made a couple more albums since 1999's Pictures of the Big Vacation. Who knew? I'm gonna go check out some of his newer stuff, give this track a listen and, if you like it, do the same. Enjoy.

Mike Errico - Daylight (YSI LINK)

Purchase Pictures of the Big Vacation

from his Official Site

There Will Be Blood

Well not really, but I am kinda pissed. On August 30th I did a post for my end of summer mix and now it's gone. No draft, not even an echo of the post remains. Grrr Arrg. I am going to re-post the link for the mix, but I've decided not to replicate the whole post. I have a whole bunch of new music that I'm really excited to share with everyone and another summer-ish mix that goes in a completely different direction that the last so stay tuned for that. In the mean time, here's the link to the zipped file of Digital Current. Enjoy.





Sendspace


Also, I can't stop listening to this and thought it needed to be shared. It's a stripped down, folky cover of one of my favorite U2 tracks. Oh and because my usual file storage server is acting up, it's being hosted on Youssendit.

Colin Munroe - Sunday Bloody Sunday (YSI)

Check out more of Colin here.

Blasphemy Never Sounded So Good

I've nearly finished my (end of) Summer mix, but it's not quite ready for post yet, so I've got some other goodies to tide you over. Remixes are tricky business. The best (in my opinion) have to resemble the original enough that it's recognizable without being just the vocal track with a casio keyboard beat laid in the background and at the same time contribute a perspective that is wholly fresh and unique. In this instance, a kick-ass electronic perspective. Not something easily done with the likes of Michael Jackson and Nirvana. Now while purists might cry sacrilege at the thought of defiling such iconic music I urge you to give it an honest listen before you have me burned at the stake.



First off we have Streetlife DJs remix of the gloved one's "Wanna Be Startin' Something." This is quite the departure from the original and I'll admit it took me a few listens before they had me. But now it plays on a loop in my head. And why the hell not?? It strips away all the fluff and puts my 3 favorite parts on the front lines. Number 1, the "Yeah, yeah." Number 2, MJ's signature "Ooooh." and number 3 " Mama Se, Mama Sa, Mama Coo Sa" chanted again and again all over distorted synth, atari bleeps and a drum pulse you could set your watch by. It's my 80's retro dream. Well, that and a live action Rainbow Brite Movie. Enjoy.

Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Something (Streetlife DJs Remix)





The second track may be a bit harder to swallow for some. If you like Nirvana, and you like a good electro song, then this might be you're new favorite song. If you really only like Nirvana, you very well might want me dead. That's a risk I'm willing to take. So was Patrick Alavi. He's the genius that managed to cross Kurt Cobain and Tron and have it come out sounding like the lawnmower man covered in grime and grunge. It's a beautiful sight sound. He takes the trashing drums and slicing guitar riffs of the original and throws it in a blender with his laptop to create something resonant and incredibly unique. It's fast and it's hard and it keeps me running when I would otherwise give in to the burning in my legs. Enjoy.

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Patrick Alavi Rerox)

Lie With Me.

I just got cable hooked up in my new place and it includes all of the premium channels. Awesome. The best part though is the on demand feature that lets me catch up on things I've been meaning to see like "Dexter" and my latest marathon watch Showtime's "Secret Diary of a Call Girl." It stars one time british poptart and Doctor's companion Billie Piper as Belle, a high end London escort. Barreling through the 1st eight episodes on my day off made me remember a mix I had put together for a friend of my mine several months ago. I feel a little back story is needed.



Sometime last year my oldest (and sorely missed) friend Andy sent me a gorgeous double CD mix of dirty pop : The Definitive Stripper Mix. Part 1 "Polestar's Jukebox" and Part 2 "Stripping for my Supper." They were wonderfully crafted play lists. Mixing schoolgirl flirting with voracious intent, the tracks were sure to get your blood racing whether it was your 1st time on stage or your 3rd visit to the club that week. I clearly had to counter with my own interpretation of life on the other side of the bright lights. But since he'd pretty much covered the finer points of dancing for cash I thought I'd continue the line to the next progression in the erotic arts. By which of course I mean selling your body for money.

Women in the oldest profession in the world go by many different names, I enjoy Belle's very matter of fact take on it "Escort, hooker, prostitute, whore: I don't mind what you call me -- that's just semantics." The word isn't the point. It's the act that makes people turn up their noses... or blush... or sweat. Now I'm by no means advocating selling your carnal treasure for rent money but there is something unquestionably enticing, tantalizingly taboo, delightfully dirty about the thought. Hell, that's why I tuned in for 3 hours straight. It's why people role play behind closed doors. Because sometimes feeling 'wrong' feels fantastic. But I digress. I toiled around with the idea of this mix for a while. What was the point of view? Who is playing these songs and why? I actually came up with the title before I'd laid in the tracks. "Call Girl Confidential: A Night in the Life." I wanted to see the world from the eyes of someone who does the things I don't dare, and more than a few of the things I wouldn't dream of. The exhilaration of the idea. The pulse of anticipation. The smooth seduction. The consequence of action. I tried to cover what I think it must feel like. At least sonically. I think it turned out quite well. So give a listen, I'm sure there's something here you'll like. Enjoy.


Call Girl Confidential: A Night in the Life.

1. Faster Kill Pussycat - Oakenfold Featuring Brittany Murphy (Yes, that Brittany Murphy)

2. No One Else (The Amalgamation Of Soundz Remix) - Natalie Walker

3. Let's Get Physical - Sara Love

4. 4 Minutes to Break the Ice - Britney Spears ( A Mashup up of Brit's vocals and Madge's track. Better than both of the originals.)

5. Substance (Felix Da Housecat Remix) - Dot Allison

6. Like it or Not - Madonna

7. Black & Gold - Sam Sparro (I cannot stop listening to this album!!!)

8. Strict Machine - Goldfrapp

9. Dame de Lotus - Émilie Simon

10. What If - Aaliyah

11. Filthy Mind - Amanda Ghost

12. Mouth (The Stingray Mix) - Bush

13. Addicted - Kelly Clarkson

14. I Drive Alone - Esthero (Because Esthero NEEDED to be included on this and Andy already used "Song for Holly." Asshole!)

15. Miracle - Olive

16. Running Up That Hill - Placebo (A haunting cover of the gorgeous Kate Bush track. "It doesn't hurt me. You wanna feel how it feels?"

Please support these artists if you like what you hear.

Purchase the album for these tracks here:

1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ,10, 11, 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16.

Quick, Say Somthing Manly!!!

While I'm certainly not thinking of turning this blog into a political soapbox, something caught my eye the other day and I'd like to share it with you. Heinz recently released and quickly pulled a commercial from the airwaves in Britain because it was considered offensive by some. The reason? A kiss between two men. Are you serious with this shit!?! It's 2008. I don't know what irritates me more, the fact that some people can't think of anything more important than two men kissing, or that Heinz would buckle so quickly to a mere 200 people who have no sense of humor. Hell the kiss wasn't even remotely sexual. See for yourself.



Apparently I'm not the only one who thought to call "Bullshit" as Brighton tabloid newspaper One80news posed the question "Is This Really Offensive, Kids?" on its front page accompanied by this photo:




Awesome.


Torsten Højer of One80news went on to say “We were disgusted at Heinz for pulling their ‘gay kiss’ ad and for apologizing so readily for their own ‘offensive’ imagery. We just couldn’t believe that in 2008, the sight of two men affectionately kissing really offends that many people - so we thought we’d put an image of a gay kiss out there."

They even provided their readers with Heinz's customer care telephone # and urged people to call and complain about the removal of the ad, stating, "if it isn't Heinz, it isn't homophobic."

There's even a news story about British law makers criticizing Heinz for pulling the ad. You can check that out here if you wish.


On that note, I give a bit of gender bending. Enjoy.



Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" generally makes me angry. There's this sense of undeserved accomplishment that eminates from the whole thing. Like some stupid sorority girl who's bragging to her sisters about how crazy she got at last nights kegger. And let's face it, the best thing Katy has going for her is that she looks like a poor man's Zooey Deschanel.






But Goddamn if that hook doesn't get stuck in my head! Therefor I'm gonna offer up a sick remix I've been using to get my fix.

Katy Perry - I Kissed a Girl (MR GASPAR Remix)


Also a less grating and much cheekier version by Max Vernon that he posted on his Myspace. Less Homo-centric ( is that even a word?) one would think because of the change in point of view, until you realize he hasn't changed the gender and exclaims "Hope my boyfriend don't mind it." Nice. Ok maybe there's more to this song than I'm giving it credit for, as it is clearly works in so many ways. The opening piano line sounds like the music that's played in cartoons where the moustached man would tie the damsel in distress to the train tracks. And the track closes out with doo wop and hand snaps. It's brilliant. As is the silent film style video he's released to accompany it. Check them both out below.

Max Vernon - I Kissed a Girl




And speaking of things that are gay and ridiculously funny... check out this summer's queer blockbuster!



"uhhhhhh..."

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.

Just Thought You Outta Know...

Madonna may be the mother of reinvention, but mama's getting on in years and it seems she doesn't have the same grasp on what's current as some of her younger pop counterparts. I am of course speaking of... Alanis Morisette. What? You didn't see that coming? Ok. So I don't think that these two artists are necessarily on the same path, but they both have a pension for creating incredibly catchy, if not wonderfully crafted pop music. The difference is that while Madonna desperately clings to whatever hot producer is offering up the sweet beats of the moment, Alanis finds a way to re introduce herself to die hard fans as well as new listeners without coming off as forced. Record after record she has managed to bring something new to the table without losing her sense of self or her sense of humor (You've no doubt seen her viral cover of "My Humps"). Flavors of Entanglement is certainly no exception. At my first listen I was admittedly confused for a moment, "What's this? Alanis? Going Electronic?" Then I got to the middle of the first track "Citizen of The Planet" and everything became at once clear again. Alanis hasn't simply changed her sound. She's evolving. She's taken her signature blend of alt/pop hooks and bittersweet lyrics and added eastern elements, electronic beats and loops over them to further blend the scope of her genre bending sound.

The immediate comparison I had was to that of Imogen Heap. Which is no surprise when I found out that the record was produced by non other than Guy Sigsworth, Imogen's former band mate from the fabulous Frou Frou. He brings a renewed sense of whimsy to tracks like "In Praise of The Vulnerable Man" and his influence is none more apparent than on the wonderfully effervescent track "Giggling Again for No Reason." She even shows she knows how to dance on tracks like the gothy, gorgeous "A Version of Violence" and one of my immediate favorites "Straightjacket" which sounds like BT and Goldfrapp had a club kid baby.

Don't worry, Alanis hasn't left out the incredibly intimate and earnest songs we have come to expect from her. "Torch" plays out as an epic confession of longing for a lost lover. Unabashed and real as only true yearning could bring to the surface, let alone one's mouth.

"...I'm pseudo-making it. From scratch, begin again, but this time 'I' as 'I' and not as 'We'." she wails on the heart wrenching "Not as We." proving that she certainly hasn't lost the ability to reach deep within her own personal feelings of despair and create something absolutely beautiful from the wreckage.

Her first new material in four years, Flavors of Entanglement is not only a welcome change of pace but and encouraged one. If Alanis continues to evolve her sound like this, when it feels right, feels fresh, I'll surely continue to but her records long into the future regardless of how long it takes between them. I've posted a few of my favorite tracks that (I think) best illustrate the new direction this album is taking, but it is by no means a one trick pony. This record touches upon several different moods and genres and I'm certain if you give it a listen you'll find something that interests you. Enjoy.


Straightjacket

Giggling Again for No Reason




Preorder Flavors of Entanglement from Amazon

-or from her-

Official Page

Get Up, Get Out, Get On With It.

Spring has always been my favorite season for any number of reasons. Everything is bright, vibrant, refreshed. A time when the world beats with a pulse that pushes everything onward. That's what I was hoping to convey with this mixtape. I wanted it to sound fresh, and cool. Retro, but renewed, so I combined music that's been around for a while with music that sounds like it's been around for a while to give it a bit of a modern sheen. I highly encourage you to put on your headphones and Run, Dance, Live, Breathe, Love, Groove, Hop, Skip, Jump, Shout, Shine, Climb, Rejoice, Recharge, Create, Commit, Affect, Change, Discover, Remember, Laugh, Push, Play. Enjoy. Move. Forward.






1. Apartment - Fall into Place

2. Prince and the Revolution - Raspberry Beret

3. M.I.A. - Paper Planes (DFA Remix Edit)

4. Kate Nash - Pumpkin Soup

5. The English Beat - Save it for Later (12" Mix)

6. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends (Radio Edit)

7. The Hush Sound - Molasses

8. Vampire Weekend - A-Punk

9. Tegan and Sara - Back in Your Head (RAC Remix)

10. Klaxons - As Above, So Below (Justice Remix)

11. New Young Pony Club - Get Lucky

12. Phoenix - Consolation Prizes

13. Mobius Band - Digital Love

14. BC Camplight - Blood and Peanut Butter

Download (Alternate Link)

Purchase these artists ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 )

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)

Circle Gets the Square

I never did get around to introducing you to Ingrid Michaelson, but then that's assuming a lot. Unless you've been living without television or internet access for the past year or so, you've probably heard of her whether you realize it or not. Ingrid's been featured in several episodes of Grey's Anatomy and probably most famously for her spot in an Old Navy ad. Old Navy solidified "The Way I Am" as a hit from an album which had otherwise gone unnoticed which is a shame because Girls and Boys is a great pop album. But judging by the crowd's reaction to her performance as headliner of the Hotel Cafe Tour, she is on a serious upswing.

Listening to her live was a completely different experience than listening to her record, in the best possible way. She was warm, and rich. Engaging in way that I never got from her record. The highlight of which was when she brought out the other ladies of the tour to give a glimpse of what's to come. To my utter delight it turned from simply gorgeous harmony to gorgeous round. I would like to share that experience with you. Here is a live recording of "The Chain" from one of the hotel cafe tour dates. Enjoy.

The Chain (Live)

Ingrid's Myspace

Purchase Girls and Boys From Amazon ; iTunes

Something To Talk About.

So I haven't posted in a long time, partly because I have been so overwhelmed by my job that I go into a nearly comatose state when I get home, and partly because I just haven't had anything important to say as of late. Well something has just peaked my interest. Coldplay just released the first single, "Violet Hill" from their new album Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends for free download on their website. It's wonderful. A bit of a different sound than what I expect from them but not a complete departure. I highly suggest that you head on over and give it a listen. In the mean time you can lend your fickle ear to the scrapped version of "Talk" from X&Y. It's good. It's also easy to see why this version pales in comparison to the album track. Enjoy.

Talk (Scrapped Version)

Download Violet Hill from the Coldplay Website HERE. (get it now, it's only available for a week.

More Than Just a Beard?

Back again. Spotlighting the next artist I'll be enjoying on the Hotel Cafe Tour. His name is William Fitzsimmons and he has quite the musical story but since I'm actually on vacation right now and don't really feel up to sitting in front of my computer trying to come up with something creative to say about him, I think I'll let his Myspace bio do it for me.
"



So there you have it. He sounds a bit like Sufjan, a little Iron and Wine, with just a hint of Postal Service thrown in for good measure. It's good stuff. Check out a couple of my favorite tunes and go grab both of his albums! They're fantastic. Then go check him out live. Please support the artists you enjoy any way you can. Enjoy.






From Until When We Are Ghosts (iTunes)

Funeral Dress


From Goodnight (iTunes)

It's Not True


And for your viewing pleasure



Video for It's Not True

and



William with Ingrid Michaelson (she's coming up next) performing "King of Wishful Thinking"

I Just Order The Tea

I have to admit that I don't go to nearly enough shows, and being this close to SF there's really no excuse. Well here's to changing that. I have tickets to the Hotel Cafe Tour when they come around these parts and am very excited to see a bunch of artists I love (and have never seen live) all in one venue. I'm going with a bunch of friends, and some of them are unfamiliar with a few of the artists we're going to see so I thought while I'm introducing them to my friends I might as well introduce them to anyone else who's listening.



The first artist that I'm going to highlight is someone I found a year or so ago in the great land of Myspace. Jessie Baylin is originally from New Jersey but left for LA right after high school. She has pulled steady gigs in bars and clubs around the country, touring with the likes of Brett Drennen and James Morrison. In October of 2006 she put out The Barefoot EP, a self released collection of live tunes (including a fantastic cover of The Beatles Rocky Raccoon) with a jazzy, southern lilt, like it's being played on the back porch of a Georgia block party. She released her first full length record, You, produced by another favorite of mine Jesse Harris. The album was released exclusively on iTunes and included more polished versions of two tracks from the EP, "Sparrow" and "Contradicting Words" (although I prefer the more intimate sound from the EP) alongside eleven other equally gorgeous new tracks. She's currently working on her next album and I'm currently dying to know what she's got in store for us. Check out my favorites "Not a Day More " and "Contradicting Words" from the EP then head on over to ye ol' iTunes and get a copy of You for you. It's worth well more than the measly $10 they're asking for it. And oh yeah, check back for more soon.


Enjoy

Contradicting Words

Not a Day More

And check out these videos of live performances


Contradicting Words


Not a Day More
(Feat Zack Hexum on guitar and backing vocals! Sa-wee-tah!)


Leave Your Mark
(from You. Gorgeous!)

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

I discovered this next artist while searching good ol' Youtube for Robyn goodies. She's a fellow Swede but has a significantly different sound than Miss Konichiwa. Lykke Li's debut album, Youth Novels, is rich and moody and yet retains a sense of fun, never getting too serious before reminding you it's OK to dance. The sound pours over your ears like deep amber molasses. LL's sticky sweet vocals get caught in your head while the beats pull and bounce around like an insect caught in the flow. It's gonna take more than shampoo to get this outta your head. Enjoy.

From Youth Novels

Little Bit (1st Single)

I'm Good, I'm Gone (My initial favorite!)

Let it Fall (Bouncy Goodness)

Little Bit [Diego Chavez Remix] (You know I enjoy myself a remix)


Watch some video of our eccentric songbird

The video that first brought her to my attention, featuring Robyn,Adam & Bebban (Shout Out Louds), Daniel (The Concretes), Lars (Laakso) and Mikael (Hjalmar). Directed by Ted Malmros and Christian Haag.

Lykke Li Im Good Im Gone




The video for the 1st single Little Bit
Little Bit



Youth Novels is not available in the US yet (due in march) but if you're like me and simply cannot wait you can order it online and have the import shipped to your door HERE.

Check out LL @

Official Site

Myspace

The greatest Swedish export since the Chef.

I went to see Robyn last night at Popscene in SF. Barring the pushy hipsters, the Furries ( oh yes, there were men dressed in full body animal costumes!), a drunk guy who almost got in a fight with my boy, and the support beam that partially obstructed my view, it was a great time. For only playing three shows in the US I was worried she might phone this one in, but to my utter delight it was fantastic. 1st off there was a band, not just some shoddy backing track and second, that trick can sing. I often wonder about dance acts as to whether or not they actually have the vocal ability their CDs boast or if through the magic of production they are made somewhat passable. Certainly not the case with Robyn. Her vocals were clear and crisp and she herself was energetic and playful! The setlist included all of her latest singles and she even played 3 encore songs including a popular ballad version of "Be Mine" of which she had already performed the dance version, "Jack u Off" a Prince cover that sounds like it was recorded in a basement juke joint during prohibition (and I mean that in the best possible way), and a stripped down version of the hit "Show Me Love" from her 1997 album Robyn is Here. I leave you with a few tasty tidbits and urge you to buy her album. It's dance pop goodness at its finest. Enjoy.

Buy Robyn's Music HERE.

With Every Heartbeat

Be Mine (Ballad Version)

Jack U Off

Show Me Love


Watch

Konichiwa Bitches!


Be Mine


Handle Me