Aussie garage rockers Eddy Current Suppression Ring have a sound that’s raw and carefree, just the way rock and roll should be. Kinda like your favorite leather boots, a little worn but still solid and kick a**. Their latest album Primary Colors is another great example of their keen ability to get pub crawlers off their bar stools and into the jammed crowd of dancers. Wish I could see them live! (And thanks to Lauren for sharing!!)
She & Him’s cover of “I Put a Spell on You,” is featured on a new Starbucks compilation album Sweetheart, available on January 30th in North American stores only. Definitely looking forward to their undoubtedly twangy rendition – perfect for all the love sick guys and gals on Valentimes Day. That’s right, I said Valentimes. . .
Sweetheart includes 14 love songs covered by artists like Death Cab for Cutie, Rogue Wave, Department of Eagles, Katy Perry, A.C. Newman, and more.
Full Track Listing:
1. Death Cab for Cutie – Love Song
2. Katy Perry – Black and Gold
3. DeVotchKa – Hot Burrito #1 (I’m Your Toy)
4. Department of Eagles – Love Me
5. Jessica Lea Mayfield – Words of Love
6. Ben Bridwell – Your Love Is Forever
7. Kate Tucker – I’m on Fire
8. Rogue Wave – Maps
9. A.C. Newman – Take on Me
10. Jem – Yellow
11. Richard Hawley – Early Morning Rain
12. Daniel Martin Moore – I Hear Music
13. She & Him – I Put a Spell on You
14. Lila Downs – My One and Only Love
Check out the new DIY cardboard cutout video by Rex the Dog. . . it’s definitely worth 3 minutes of your time! We think it’s too awesome for words (so I’ll stop talking and let you watch).
Janelle Monae is up to something, and if the R & B world knows what’s good for ‘em, they’ll listen to her! She’s crazy cool.
The site Threadless Tees has so many fun designs, I’ve decided to share a couple of my favorites. . . there are many, so be sure to check out their site on your own! You’ll be glad you did. And remember, everything is submitted by independent designers available as t-shirts, hoodies, onesies and prints for your wall!
I’ve always thought of ear buds as just a vessel to music, but now I’ve seen the light. They can also be cute accessories too. Cute and stylish you ask? Why yes. Well maybe. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule. Take for instance the lip ear buds. Very cute. The fly ear buds? Now that’s another story. But either way, you’re making a statement and that’s all that matters!
Joshua Radin’s ability to calm and inspire is undeniable. His songs are earnest and always straight from the heart and lately I’ve taken to his whistful tune “Vegetable Car” which I’ll share with you later this week. Today, I’m posting his live performance of “I’d Rather Be With You” from Conan O’Brien just a few weeks ago. His sweet lullabye lyrics are balanced nicely with the vintage, country sound of the steel guitar. . . a very charming acoustic performance.
Currently Polarkreis 18 is at the number one spot in Germany with their single “Allein, Allein”. After hearing the song for the first time today, it dawned on me that Germans (generally speaking of course) must really love dance pop with hooks they can shout. When I heard this one, I imagined a soccer stadium and/or a packed club full of Germans jumping up and down and roaring, ‘Wir sind allein!’, and doing that little kick thing the lead singer does (3:22). To prove my point, and hopefully I won’t offend our German friends out there, here’s a short list of some German number ones that fit the aforementioned bill. . .
Polarkreis 18 “Allein, Allein” (Currently number one)
Hook you can shout: “Wir sind allein! Allein, allein! Allein, allein!”
DJ Ötzi feat Nik P “Ein Stern” (11 weeks at number one in 2007)
Hook you can shout: “Einen Stern, der deinen Namen trägt!”
And I’ve saved the best for last: Dschinghis Khan. This German pop band was formed in 1979 to compete at Eurovision. Their song “Dschinghis Khan” went to number one for 5 weeks that year, and I can tell you from personal experience, it still has many admirers today. I myself have joined in a circle of kicking, singing Germans at parties when this one comes on. It’s quite the good time and so easy to shout along, “Moscow, Moscow… oh oh oh oh, HEY!”. And the catchy hand claps? You can’t go wrong with that!
Check out Franz Ferdinand’s new single “Ulysses” off their upcoming third album Tonight. It’s got their driving, funky back beats I love and a new futuristic flare they can definitely pull off. Can’t wait for the full length album now, especially after hearing this gem. It sounds like they’ve reinvented themselves in a fresh new way, but also didn’t forget what it is that they do best. Dance rock!
Listen here: Ulysses
I like the NY based indie group Ra Ra Riot, mostly because of their ability to combine the lustrous sounds of chamber pop orchestra with bright and inventive indie rock riffs. If I had gotten to play this kind of music while learning the cello (instead of the bum - bum - bum of the Jurassic Park Theme Song. . . don’t worry, I wouldn’t remember that part either!) I might have stuck with it. Ha.
Off their album The Rhumb Line, “Each Year” is a lighthearted favorite with contagious rhythms. “Winter ‘05″ is joyful yet somber with lots of pretty cello in it too – one of the loveliest instruments on earth, in my humble opinion of course. Check out their video for “Ghost Under Rocks” below. . .
Check out Italy’s up and coming indie stars Il Genio. Their sound is somewhere in between enchanting electronic and arty-farty indie pop. . . a little funky, a little spacey and a whole lot of cool brining a breath of fresh air to the Italian music scene.
Sweden’s Rosanna Munter is a bit Robyn and Alphabeat combined. She’s fun and playful, and has hand claps in her song “Flashing Lights”. Gotta love that!
Check out Alphabeat’s new video for “What Is Happening”. A slower track for these dance loving Danes, (until the funky end of course), the video looks like it was a ton of fun to make. The swaying, sparkly, sometimes umbrella holding word people is a really cool approach and mesmerizing to watch. All I can say is, I wish I had thought of bodysurfing with maracas first. (Who am I kidding?!)
