4 posts tagged “music”
Just found this cool documentary about Flying Nun Records. Anyone into the label (or its many awesome bands, e.g. the Clean, the Chills, Verlaines, etc.) should check it out.
I bought a scooter recently. Just a 49cc deal, but it's pretty damn cool not having to take the bus everywhere. It's silver and pretty and the first brand new vehicle I've ever owned. And with the appropriate soundtrack, it sometimes makes me feel like a badass.
Yep--as fun as it is to ride (when it's not raining, at least), I still gots to have my music. I've been honing a little road mix playlist lately and aim to share with you some of my favorite scooter music here. I recommend taking these tracks on the road with you (you can listen in a car if you have to).
If you're like me and you love The Clean (the best band to come out of New Zealand), chances are you'll like the Bats. Their vocalist, Robert Scott, is/was a member of that awesome band (playing bass, mostly), and they have similar jangly sound. This particular song is one of many that I enjoy from the Bats. It came to me on the excellent compilation Thousands of Tiny Luminous Spheres (2000, Flying Nun) but originally appeared on their fifth album, Couchmaster (1995, Flying Nun). It's great for riding, and not just for the oh-so-appropriate lyrics. Not so much jangle here, but some great distorted/wah-wah guitar and the perfect tempo for spinning wheels.
The Black Angels: "Black Grease"
What
better song to listen to while riding around town than this, a song
that would make even a guy riding a busted 10-speed feel like a badass. The Black Angels
are from Texas. This makes little sense to me, but ok. They have a big
sound...Texas = big...ok, I'll give you that. But what about the psych
stuff? These guys sound like hog-ridding, peyote-pounding desert
nomads.
If you like this song, definitely check out their debut record, Passover, on Seattle's own Light in the Attic. It's like a soundtrack for the Hell's Angels.
I've been waiting for LA's Lavender Diamond to release their debut album ever since hearing the excellent song (and still personal favorite) "You Broke My Heart" sometime early last year. That particular song came into my life at just the right time and really resonated.
The waiting is almost over now, as the band is set to release their first full-length, Imagine Our Love, on May 8 here in the states on Matador Records and May 7 in the EU on Rough Trade. I've had a copy for a few weeks now, and I have to say it's a pretty strong release. Lots of piano, tambourine, strings, and lead singer Becky Stark's lovely vocals in a sort of late 60's (i.e. the Mamas and the Papas) /early 70's vibe is what you get. There is one very up tempo number, "Open Your Heart," but most are of the more mellow variety. Many of the songs are mid-tempo torch songs about love and peace and other good things. Though none of its tracks live up to that first wonderful encounter (you had to be there), there are plenty of stand-outs throughout the 12 songs presented here.
One stand out is this song. "My Shadow Is a Monday" could've come out like 35 years ago (not necessarily a bad thing in my book). It's a classic torch song, lamenting the loss of someone dear ("my heart is in a shadow without you"). Becky can really sing it, too. Enjoy!
Those of you who've heard her previous work (e.g. the indie hit album Let it Die) are sure to dig this one. The Reminder is a bit more rock oriented than her previous lounge singer-ish material. While there are a still a few of those numbers on the new record, it contains many more acoustic elements (guitars, live drums, etc.) than the synth-heavy debut. It's still got those lovely vocals, of course, and that's what I'm guessing is the main attraction here.
As for "I Feel It All"--well, as I said, it's a perfect pop song (or pretty damn close). It clocks in at just over 3 1/2 minutes and has a very danceable "Hey Ya"-esque tempo. And I can't forget Feist's gorgeous vocals (check that "oh-oh-oh-oh..." breakdown, por ejemplo). I'm not sure why this wasn't the lead single. It's certainly the "Mushaboom" of the new album. "My Man My Moon," the album's apparent single
I dare you not to tap your feet to this at the very least.
