101610

What's It Called?

Dustin Kensrue - I Knew You Before

What's The Story?

Dustin Kensrue is the frontman for occasionally-Christian post-rock band Thrice. In his spare time, he writes and performs folk albums. This is the first track from his first of two solo albums, Please Come Home.

Who's To Blame?

Listening to Thrice nonstop for the beginning of my twenties led me down a few roads.

Haven't been many legit people to blame this week...

Why ♥ It?

Upbeat folk is the best folk. Kensrue's active strumming with the simple snare drum background is just busy enough for a good tune without betrayal of genre. The vocals are raspy in a way that gives the lyrics meaning. Maybe it's just my social circle, but so many of us feel like they know a girl that this could be about (without knowing so many that it's generic), and in that, Dustin pulls off a success in sharing through music.

Oh, and did I mention yet that it's upbeat?

101510

What's It Called?

Ben Folds & Nick Hornby - Saskia Hamilton

What's The Story?

Ben Folds writes top 40 hit Brick, yadda yadda yadda, teams up with British author Nick Hornby to make an album that can be filed under and-now-for-something-completely-different. The album is called Lonely Avenue; this is the tune that has a music video.

Who's To Blame?

Er... every music blog on Earth?

Why ♥ It?

If you've never heard Ben Folds' cover of Such Great Heights, this comparison might have no bearing; but this is one of those tracks where Folds has his usual vocal-piano basis, but has a percussion section that's a shame to miss, and a ton of fun things going on that are easily overlooked if you're song-skimming. I won't deny the track's weirdness, but if you like anything by Ben Folds or pop-rock pianists in general, the pleasant atmosphere and catchy hooks of this tune are worth your time.

101410

What's It Called?

Tame Impala - Desire Be, Desire Go

What's The Story?

Tame Impala are an Australian psychedelic rock revival band. Their debut album, Innerspeaker, was released earlier this year; this is its second track.

Who's To Blame?

A man who used to drive a zamboni for a living. How cool is that?

This is where I have to restrain myself from making an Outkast reference...

Why ♥ It?

This track melds nonsense interludes and breakdowns with verses and choruses that scream BEATLES (e.g. try not to sing Paperback Writer at 0:46) and pay ample homage to the wonders that drug-addled musicians brought ears in the 60s and 70s. Now, much in the vein of other psychedelic outfits like Phish, it isn't for everyone, but it's worth a spin to see if it's at least audibly palatable.

101310

What's It Called?

Yael Naim - New Soul

What's The Story?

Yael Naim is a French-born Israeli pop/folk singer-songwriter. This track is notable as being used in an Apple ad campaign in 2008, and you have almost certainly heard at least the chorus. It's from Naim's eponymous second album.

Who's To Blame?

I swear there are people who wouldn't have any taste in music were it nor for Steve Jobs' advertising department.

Why ♥ It?

The piano intro-cum-main line is off-kilter and dorky. Yael sounds sort of like one of The Supremes (although I'll be damned if I can tell you which one), while her backing band sounds like different eras of The Beatles--the horns sound like Sgt. Pepper, the piano carries a tune like songs often don't do anymore, and the occasional audible synth would fit right into Strawberry Fields Forever. This results in a nice pop soundscape that gets played with a lot and has a large sound for such a quiet intent.

101210

What's It Called?

Foo Fighters - Baker Street

What's The Story?

The Foo Fighters are Dave Grohl's radio-rock-hit manufacturing band who will appeal to just about anyone besides your grandparents. The original Baker Street was performed by Gerry Rafferty (of Stealer's Wheel) in 1978. This version appears on the My Hero single as a B-side.

Who's To Blame?

A talented drummer who eschews meat.

Why ♥ It?

This song is a perfect intersection between 00s rock and 70s rock, as Dave Grohl often achieves in his endeavors. The sincere verses are left mostly untouched in the cover, while the timeless saxophone lines and solo are replaced with with an effect-filled guitar. The further the track progresses, the more hard rock thrashing liberties the Foos take with the tune, and the result is a positive vibe that's worth a headbang or two.

101110

What's It Called?

Anamanaguchi - Helix Nebula

What's The Story?

Anamanaguchi are a band with a very fun-to-say name from New York City. Their webpage says it best, they're a "chiptune punk band that makes loud, fast music with a hacked NES from 1985". This tune is from their 2006 Power Supply EP.

Who's To Blame?

Song a day blogs are where it's at, I tells ya.

Why ♥ It?

These guys sort of fit in the same genre as Holy Fuck, but are less for spacy stoners and more for busy bodies. The electronic drums are totally fun and totally fast. Add some deadly harmony (example at 0:55) and the perfect key change (2:24). This song will cause feeling awesome with a side of wishing you were 8 years old again.

101010

What's It Called?

The Clash - Rock The Casbah

What's The Story?

The Clash are an English punk rock group from the 70s who are probably best known for either this, or their hit Should I Stay or Should I Go. It's from the album Combat Rock, and was a hit on worldwide dance charts.

Who's To Blame?

The Sharif who didn't like it.

Why ♥ It?

The bass funks and rolls, the piano jazzes and dances, the guitar punks and rocks, and the vocals are unquestionably British. This genre-blur comes together for one of my favorite choruses ever written; you really cannot go wrong with this song.

100910

What's It Called?

Anberlin - Time & Confusion

What's The Story?

Anberlin are an originally pop-punk Christian band from Florida. Time & Confusion is from their second album, Never Take Friendship Personal. Fun fact: their lead singer's last name is Christian.

Who's To Blame?

A bent curtain.

Why ♥ It?

At times introspective and sincere, and others upbeat and poppy; the guitar catches and the tune rushes through 3:23.

100810

What's It Called?

The Carps - Veronica Belmont

What's The Story?

The Carps are a duo from Toronto who feature a bass player and a drummer/singer. Veronica Belmont is from their second EP, Waves and Shambles. Hopes are that they will release a full length album one of these days.

Who's To Blame?

The second best boozemaker I know, behind only my father.

Why ♥ It?

The two-piece garage-sound band is something I blog a lot about. The Carps aren't just another of those.

This track in particular showcases a different sound: the main sound is a frantically-played synth and the percussion. The synth passes the song off as electronica rather than rock band. The superraw sound of the ride cymbal during the second halves of the verses is great, as is the similarly unpolished sound of the splash during the choruses. The vocals are a draw; singer Jahmal is probably best known for being featured on two MSTRKRFT tracks for his unique vocal sound. Finally, at two minutes ten seconds, this song is almost too short, making it great for chain-listening.

Two-piece garage rock with an electronic twist: certainly worth a listen or twelve.

100710

What's It Called?

Queensryche - Jet City Woman

What's The Story?

Queensryche's description varies with who you ask; some pigeonhole them as classic rock, others heavy metal, and some as straight progressive rock. Regardless, they're best known for the album this track comes from, Empire.

Who's To Blame?

...Is it normal for a guy who keeps a song blog to get so many recommendations from rhythm-based plastic instrument games?

Why ♥ It?

The chorus in this tune is what it's all about.

The song carries through the verses like any competent power ballad or heavy-hearted metal tune, but without the usual cheese. It's sung honestly like a soliloquy from a musical.

The chorus, however, sets a mood that's emotionally heavy. I keep thinking Ashes or Cribcaged by Pain of Salvation, except radio-ready. Combine those two elements with a any-rock-genre-ready guitar solo and quick climax outro, and the tune is a neat piece that is set like a table; standard decorations around a valuable centerpiece.

tl; dr: I just called this song a table.

100610

What's It Called?

Styx - Renegade

What's The Story?

Styx are a Chicago-based rock band who are oft-recognized for their camp value in songs like Mr. Roboto & Come Sail Away. When they're not being ridiculous and giving South Park material, they're writing classic rock hits like this one, from their album Pieces of Eight in 1979.

Who's To Blame?

A bunch of cartoon kids from Colorado.

Why ♥ It?

The vocal intro sets a foreboding mood and begins to tell a story of a man about to be hanged for his crimes. That is, until some yahoo screams "yeahhh" and kicks the song into gear. (Love that energy!)

What evolves from this keeps the bleak intent, but picks up the pace considerably. I love the choppy start/stop style of the guitar & organ. You hum the tune as though they're playing notes, not chords.

Everything else is pretty standard classic rock. I'd close by saying something "you've heard this, but go re-hear it", but it somehow managed to elude my classic-rock loving ears for decades.

...So, you've probably heard this, but go re-hear it.

100510

What's It Called?

Electric Six - Dirty Ball

What's The Story?

Electric Six are a six-piece (surprise!) band that you dare not take seriously from Detroit. They play punkish, discoish, dance-y rock. Dirty Ball is from their fifth sutdio album, Flashy.

Who's To Blame?

One time, at a cabin party, a guy spilled red wine all over himself. When I asked what happened, he simply said "I killed a man" and glared at me. And kept glaring at me. I went to the next room, told this story to a couple of my buddies. They were looking behind me, and I finished by saying "See!", and turned and pointed at him standing in the doorway behind me, still glaring ice cold and eating chips.

That guy.

Why ♥ It?

Up front: I don't know if this song is about what it seems as though it's about, and that's part of Electric Six's charm. The wah pedal effect on the guitar, that robot revival synth sound, and the occasional congo-sounding rototom drum fills (0:47); all of these are full and fun sounds that add to an otherwise neat rock song with great-range vocal work and occasional horns.

Also noteworthy is the outro: a celebration piece, behind repeated lyrics of "thank god my ball will never hate you". What else could you expect from an album that depicts a cat with wings and jet engines on its cover?

100410

What's It Called?

Angelique Kidjo feat. Joss Stone - Gimme Shelter

What's The Story?

Angelique Kidjo is a world music singer, described by Wikipedia as afropop, from Benin. This Rolling Stones cover is from her 2007 album Djin Djin, recognized for its impressive lineup of guest appearances.

Who's To Blame?

Alternative radio.

Why ♥ It?

I won't lie: despite being a resident of the world, I don't do world music generally. Great stuff, but generally doesn't catch. However, as awesome as the original Stones version of Gimme Shelter is, the song really does well with a bigger sound and tribal interpretation, two things this version brings to the plate. Joss Stone's vocals are chilling, and the horn work is excellent.

If I ever end up wrapping my closed-minded North American head around world music, you can point it back almost exclusively to this song.

100310

What's It Called?

Bella - No One Will Know

What's The Story?

Bella are yet another Canadian female-driven indie pop band. From Vancouver, Bella have released two full albums that haven't hit massive but have been quiet successes. Their second album, No One Will Know, features guest performances from members of Faith No More & The New Pornographers, amongst others.

Who's To Blame?

The inventor and proprietor of (virtual) Halifax hockey.

Why ♥ It?

I've been talking a lot about niche, mood-perfect songs lately, and this one is as good as any. The song features a vocal-and-synth-only intro, which gradually develops drums and a clean guitar lead. Further down the road, the lyrics in the chorus sound like they say; a quiet, secretive bond. The whole song grows like the new love it describes; it kicks in and widens the sound at least 3 times. As it nears the end, it's become so loud that it can't really be kept a secret anymore, and the positive inspiring vibe remains.

Hopefully, the name of the song doesn't reflect its fate; and its appeal swells like its sound.

100210

What's It Called?

Barenaked Ladies - Grade 9

What's The Story?

The Barenaked Ladies are storied and popular pop-rock storytellers. Grade 9 is from one of their earliest, and their biggest album Gordon.

Who's To Blame?

Calgary's best export. Besides maybe beef.

Why ♥ It?

If you want a song that you don't have to take even a little bit seriously, this is it. The lyrics are off-kilter and hilarious; the piano and guitar are quick and catchy to match. The chorus is singable and repeated frequently.

In addition to reminding of high school, parts of the song will remind of other music that you like: one part sounds like the much-later That's Not My Name. Alternatively, like any good Canadian band, they break into a Rush tune somewhere in there. Maybe twice. And the Peanuts theme is in there somewhere.

Wherever you sort ELO's Mr. Blue Sky in your mental music schema, stick this track next to it as a happy-go-lucky tune for a sunny day.

100110 (or 38 if you're into binary)

What's It Called?

Cee Lo Green - Fuck You

What's The Story?

Equations! Cee Lo Green = ½ Gnarls Barkley. Fuck You is from his upcoming album, The Lady Killer.

Who's To Blame?

A hilarious roommate whose privates are infrequently private.

Why ♥ It?

If you replaced the title with some other two-word, two-syllable expression that was a little more wholesome, I'd believe that this track came from the 50s or 60s. The vocals are high for a male, but still deeply soulful; the female choral backing vocals give the song a big sound, and the instrumentation funks and rolls.

Also a neat consideration: the lyrics would sound trashy over punk rock or heavy metal, but sound properly cathartic in this environment. Contrary to what you may expect, this is one of the happiest tunes of 2010.

093010

What's It Called?

Bloc Party - Banquet

What's The Story?

Bloc Party are a British indie rock band, descended from Sonic Youth & Joy Division. Banquet is from their first album, Silent Alarm.

Who's To Blame?

Plenty o' hipsters amid the tubes of the internet.

Why ♥ It?

Many moons ago when I registered my Audioscrobbler (now last.fm) account, this track was constantly number one on the sitewide chart, and I couldn't understand why at the time. I had, until later, apparently missed all the best parts of late 80's/early 90's England.

Obviously, I can't say the same now.

The intro drums are strong and tribal, which ignites the song. During the verse, the guitar tone is choppy and processed, and then during the chorus it's clean and chipper, both of which match the now high-hat laden drum beat. This combination makes the tune sound like an ambling serenade; staggered and diced through could-be-improvised verse lines, while collected for a definitely-rehearsed chorus. At 2:46, the song tapers to the same rough verse, with a new bass movement that lets you know it's an outro, before flaring a whiny lead guitar to finish.

This attractive back-and-forth structure is a great draw, and has me understanding why this song attracted so well to the indie community after its release (& continues to reach a wider audience today).

092910

What's It Called?

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor

What's The Story?

Noel Gallagher has described the Arctic Monkeys as his favorite band. Jackass or not, his music compass must merit some credit. This tune is from the first Arctic Monkeys album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.

Who's To Blame?

A journalist who used to date another journalist before either of them were journalists. (Overuse of the word journalist is probably bad journalism)

Why ♥ It?

The latest entry in what has accidentally become modern British punk rock week at Psongaday; the Arctic Monkeys always bring tempo to the table. The intro to this track reminds me kind of Can't Stop by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, in that it has little to do with the rest of the song but builds ample excitement regardless.

The main verse guitar riff is as saucy as they come, and the trashy tone is ideal for the environment. The bass during the chorus glows while the rest of the song builds around it. The backing vocals before the choruses (1:24) sound like shouted conversations from a room away, and do the Brit-punk justice. The lyrics are both punk and hipster in their cleverness and inanity.

There's an awesome 2 second vocal-only transition at 2:24 as well that gives just enough time for a quick breath before another bout of headbanging.

...Sort of the same way as the above paragraph is a one-dimensional transition into a closing statement like this one. If you haven't heard the high-energy youth punk of the Arctic Monkeys, this is a great place to start.

092810

What's It Called?

Muse - Thoughts of A Dying Atheist

What's The Story?

Muse are perhaps the biggest thing in England since sliced bread (which wasn't invented until after The Beatles, so I'm not blaspheming here). Thoughts of A Dying Atheist is one of the lesser-hyped tunes from their third album, Absolution.

Who's To Blame?

A beer brewer/musician. A brewsician!

Why ♥ It?

Upon first hearing this song years ago, I always thought it would be a good joke track with the vocal just saying something to the effect of "aw, shit". Whether this is actually funny or not, I am glad to report that Muse had much bigger intent for this track.

I try not to harp too much on things like titles and lyrics, because those are by design usually meant to take a backseat to the song proper. That's all well and dandy, but this song gets at least 4.7 times better when the title is kept in mind while listening--whether an atheist or not, it's not hard to imagine the ultimate of uncertainty, and Muse conveys this wonderfully through lyrics and effects in addition to music.

Par exemple, the constant notes on lead guitar in the verse are pensive and chaotic at once. The bass is foreboding while keeping the track moving. The background vocal/synth in the chorus under the powerful vocals of singer Matt Bellamy is a downright creepy one-two punch. The breakdown/solo starting at 2:05 could easily play during a car wreck or a death bed scene alike, over a montage of a life flashing before the eyes.

Thoughts of A Dying Atheist is a pretty abstract thought. All of the musical facets cooperate in almost-disturbing unison to bring that from the realm of the theoretical to make it feel real for 3:11. Needless to say, this tune is an experience.

092710

What's It Called?

Kaiser Chiefs - The Angry Mob

What's The Story?

Kaiser Chiefs are a British indie rock band who have achieved chart-topping success overseas with Ruby, a song you have almost definitely heard. That's track one on their album Yours Truly, Angry Mob; this is track two.

Who's To Blame?

One half of the robot-minion duo from Reboot.

Why ♥ It?

This song sounds like England to me, but I've never been there. Pick the bones out of that.

The structure is great; verse-bridge-verse-bridge-chorus & etc., with a nice variation for the outro that's worth the two minutes if just for the tambourine.

The lyrics sound like an angry mob; the music sounds like a reasonably funloving mob.

The bass in the bridge (0:46 for an example) is a figment of the disco-inspired kick I've found myself mired in lately, while the keys in the chorus (1:33 for an example) drive pleasantly like something either classical or modern, but not in between.

In 20 years, the Chiefs will probably (& unfortunately) be remembered as a one-trick pony, but this song alone illustrates a library of them.

092610

What's It Called?

Band of Skulls - Death By Diamonds & Pearls

What's The Story?

Band of Skulls are a British rock band that really embrace the raw, usually-two-piece garage sound embodied by bands like The White Stripes or The Black Keys. This is from their only studio album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey.

Who's To Blame?

A show junkie who will no doubt do her best to impart the next generation of young children with legitimate taste in music.

Why ♥ It?

The above-described raw & catchy sound still maintains a huge indie following, but is beginning to become radio-friendly as well, and this track is a good example. The intro chords sound pretty unprocessed, but are charming as a result. The tune uses silence and start-stop playing pretty heavily and effectively.

Even the tambourines just after 2:00 sound uncut. I'm sure it took weeks in the studio to get that to sound just right, but the result will definitely continue to crowd a deservedly popular niche of sorta-punk, sorta-rock.

This track even comes with some bonus cynicism in the lyrics!

092510

What's It Called?

DNA feat. Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner

What's The Story?

DNA are a British dance group. Suzanne Vega is an American folk singer. Tom's Diner was an originally a capella track released by Vega in the mid-80s, and DNA remixed it in 1990.

Who's To Blame?

A guy whose forum username comes from electrocuted weenies.

Why ♥ It?

Do not click the link above unless you want a chorus stuck in your head. The track is fairly downtempo, but flows through 5:22 quickly & seamlessly, with repeated iterations of the intro/chorus constant. The bass sounds surprisingly like the intro to the TV show The Sopranos, and the horns and early morning-sounding synth are generally content about life, the universe and everything. When dance meets folk, pleasant and catchy both happen.

Now, if you'll excuse me... dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah, dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah

092410

What's It Called?

Big Wreck - That Song

What's The Story?

Wikipedia describes Big Wreck as "neo-progressive hard rock". Prog rockers and mainstream rockers alike will shudder at Big Wreck being labelled neo-prog, but either group will probably like them. Go figure.

They're from Boston, and this track is from their first (& only successful) release, In Loving Memory Of...

Who's To Blame?

Large gleaming songs the third.

Why ♥ It?

I talked the other day about how Anthrax could write a laid back, muchly unheavy metal tune. Big Wreck writes a song that gets on MuchMusic's annual pop-rock compilation for its general likability & accessibility, but thrashes heavily in a way that Pantera would probably respect. (See, among others, 1:50 & 3:29). It seems especially heavy, since they often pump the noise in after slow, mostly vocal breakdowns. If you've heard Stars by Hum, this song effects in a similar way.

All considered, this song... er... That Song is a solid rock song with a draw for radio types and anti-radio types alike.

092310

What's It Called?

VHS or Beta - Disco Paradise

What's The Story?

VHS or Beta are a five piece electrofunk band from Kentucky. Apparently, they still make disco in the home of the colonel. This track is from their first album Le Funk.

Who's To Blame?

The Macho Man's biggest fan.

Why ♥ It?

Take disco, and add some modern indie sensibility. At times, the result will sound like Daft Punk, some others will sound like straight disco or funk. Regardless, the result feels great to listen to. Props also to some of the chord progressions (see 2:56 for an example); they manage to keep the sunny, upbeat feeling while still building intensity. This belongs on a soundtrack.

...But will it be on an HDDVD or Bluray?

092210

What's It Called?

Anthrax - Cadillac Rock Box

What's The Story?

Anthrax is perhaps the least known of what's come to be known as "The Big 4" metal bands. Cadillac Rock Box is from one of their later studio albums from their second vocalist's run, We've Come For You All, and features a voice intro and guest guitar solo by metal legend Dimebag Darrell.

Who's To Blame?

A man who could've stayed in the closet for life, and nobody would've known.

Why ♥ It?

This song is dirty, southern-style metal. File it with Jesus Built My Hot Rod; it is what it is and is not ashamed about it. Perhaps best filed under hard rock rather than heavy metal, the catch guitar riff features a metal-style lick without the heavy. The vocals are accessible and clean, and at only 3:41 (with a voice intro and crowd noise outro), the track doesn't overstay its welcome, either.

If metal can possibly be laid back, this is how.

092110

What's It Called?

Fleetwood Mac - Never Going Back Again

What's The Story?

This is the third track from one of the most storied albums in rock history, Rumors. Fleetwood Mac are... you know what, jfgi.

Who's To Blame?

The superstar of this past weekend.

Why ♥ It?

This song is one of those tunes where the instruments exhibit a sort of role reversal; despite the inability to talk*, the guitar feels like it's the one telling the story in this short and sweet tune, while the vocals add rhythm and flair. It may also help foster appreciation for this song if you sit down and read all the trash that actually went into the writing of Rumors as a whole, but it's certainly not a requirement: this track shines devoid of context.

* = Unless we're talking about Peter Frampton. He wasn't in the Mac, was he?

092010

What's It Called?

Justine Electra - Killalady

What's The Story?

Justine Electra is a relatively unknown artist from Australia currently based in Germany. This blurb is almost as long as her Wikipedia article. Killalady is from her only studio album, Soft Rock.

Who's To Blame?

Another guy who does these, and probably has better taste than I do.

Why ♥ It?

The guitar riff and the chiming sound breed familiarity. The vocals show a Feist-like beauty, and the lyrics seem like they'd appeal to the track's audience. The obnoxiously fuzzy synth that enters soon after the 3 minute mark rewards the patient listener. An easygoing treat.

091910

What's It Called?

Does It Offend You Yeah - Let's Make Out

What's The Story?

Does It Offend You Yeah are a British five-piece electronic racket that pass for Justice sometimes, and The Killers other times. They got their name by deciding to name themselves after the first thing they saw on TV, which happened to be Ricky Gervais saying "My drinking; does it offend you, yeah?"

Let's Make Out is from their (currently only) studio album You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into.

Who's To Blame?

A guy who decided the house needed a ping pong table more than a kitchen table.

Why ♥ It?

This song is a pretty bizarre entry that falls in about the middle of the above listed spectrum. It's a song that feels like youth; others write neat and tidy songs about life and love, and Does It Offend You Yeah opt instead to write a dirty, grooving song about anti-love. The high-pitched vocals aren't the most accessible, but anything else would be an injustice to the mood that the song creates.

091810

What's It Called?

Finger Eleven - Obvious Heart

What's The Story?

Finger Eleven are a Canadian rock band who were once known as the Rainbow Butt Monkeys. This track was from their self-titled third studio album, the same one that bore the monster hit One Thing.

Who's To Blame?

A guy who once wrote a song about a guy who shit his pants.

Why ♥ It?

The lead guitar riff at 1:52. The rest of the song is solid and will appeal to fans of Nine Inch Nails or Nirvana, but that guitar lead creates a soundscape of beautiful chaos that makes this song a catalogue staple.

091710

What's It Called?

Metric - Down

What's The Story?

Metric is the face of the mostly-Canadian, pop-punk-with-girl-singer sound who have started to make waves internationally by putting a song on one of the Twilight soundtracks (ick). Down is from their Static Anonymity EP.

Who's To Blame?

A Canucks fan who lives about as far away from BC as is possible in North America.

Why ♥ It?

This track is not what you expect from Metric. I can't put my finger on who the music sounds like, but this song could easily have hit #1 on the top 40 as a downtempo, yet feel-good summer hit. It's a nice change of pace from Metric's upbeat & catchy (but eventually stagnant) library.

091610

What's It Called?

Everlast - Folsom Prison Blues

What's The Story?

Everlast is a singer/songwriter out of the US, best known for his radio hit What It's Like. Lesser known, he was the frontman from House of Pain. This cover is from his album Love, War & The Ghost of Whitey Ford.

Who's To Blame?

A guy who I think might be in a major biker gang, but who I won't ask because I like having my spleen connected to whatever it is that a spleen connects to.

Why ♥ It?

There's a video making the internet rounds of Jimmy Kimmel impersonating Neil Young performing the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Whether approve or disapprove, it seems that the general consensus is that the video delivers exactly what it promises. The reason I waste breath (finger-breath?) typing this is because this song can be summed up in exactly the same way: Everlast covers Folsom Prison Blues while sampling the beat from Insane In The Membrane.

...Hey, it could be worse, he could be sampling Jump Around.

091510

What's It Called?

David Palmer & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Run Like Hell

What's The Story?

This tune is one of a collection of Pink Floyd covers by this orchestra, released in 1991. David Palmer is well known as a later member of Jethro Tull.

Who's To Blame?

A late-night record shop downtown. Which may or may not have been visited at 9:30 on a Tuesday night in the rain.

Why ♥ It?

On the surface, this is neat enough as an orchestra performing Pink Floyd.

However, the spin Palmer arranges here is what's most attractive about the song. I'm not going to even pretend I have any idea what goes on or went on in Roger Waters' head, but Run Like Hell by Pink Floyd is a foreboding, intimidating song that sounds about fit for an air raid. Organized by this orchestra, it's a happy, sunny-day-in-a-field-with-butterflies-everywhere effort. Something that many of the string quartet cover albums of late seem to miss is to arrange with a hint of flair, and that's something that Palmer did to a T. See for yourself!

091410

What's It Called?

Pain of Salvation - Cribcaged

What's The Story?

Pain of Salvation is a progressive rock/metal outfit from Sweden who have a minor beef with the American way of life. Their vocalist, Daniel Gildenlow, is well known from working with other artists in the field. Cribcaged is from their sixth studio album, Scarsick.

Who's To Blame?

An organic chemist who plays the organ.

Why ♥ It?

This song is liquid catharsis. The piano throughout (especially until the 3 minute mark) is heartwrenching, and the mood is dark and brooding. I like how the band doesn't achieve the mass release of frustration through screaming and drop-D chords; they spend 3 minutes building the mood and then kick in the metal, and it's still subtle then by metal standards. Teenagers would love this song if they had the attention span to wait 3 minutes to hear a vocalist sing the word fuck.

091310

What's It Called?

MSTRKRFT (feat. John L) - Heartbreaker

What's The Story?

I've done MSTRKRFT before; electronic duo from Canada who mix and remix with the best of them. Heartbreaker is the single-esque song from their second album, Fist of God.

Who's To Blame?

A guy who probably would spell Yale with a 6.

Why ♥ It?

If you're one of those people who dodges rap/hip-hop & electro because you "like music with real instruments", check this track out for the piano. If you're someone who digs rap/hip-hop & electro, check this and ask yourself why you haven't heard it at Greasy Dance Club X.

091210

What's It Called?

La Roux - Bulletproof

What's The Story?

La Roux are a British electronic duo made up of a vocalist and a producer. This smash hit is from their eponymous & only studio album.

Who's To Blame?

A guy with the talent, potential and attitude to be the next Hunter S. Thompson.

Why ♥ It?

Funny story for this tune. It popped up on Grooveshark radio one day, and a friend of mine (the to-blame guy) told me who and what it was.

On another occasion, I played the song for a few friends, all of similar attitude to me; love to talk about and listen to music. None of the guys had heard it, and I got mad props for recommending it because the vocal work is stellar and the tune is catchy.

Flash forward to a couple weeks later, when I recommend the song to another of my friends, telling her that it sounded like something from trashy radio but was great. Turns out, this song is all over trashy radio, and I got some funny looks for recommending it like it was something new and unknown.

The very next day, I was drunkenly accosted by one of the guys I'd recommended the song to. Apparently, he'd tried to spread the word too, to the same "what are you, an idiot?" kind of response.

I love when songs have stories or memories attached to them, and I felt like sharing this one. That's probably the main reason I ♥ it now, but it's still a catchy electronic sound with a striking vocal performance.

Even if you can hear it on Generic Hits FM.

091110

What's It Called?

Dragonette - I Get Around

What's The Story?

Dragonette exemplify one of the prominent Canadian sounds; synthpop/rock with an enchanting female lead and catchy hooks. I Get Around is from their first album, Galore.

Who's To Blame?

A TV junkie who's partially responsible for the coming generation.

Why ♥ It?

Take Lady GaGa's catchy hooks and electronic feel and give her a three piece backup band, and you have this track. It could fit into a sketchy dance bar or underground indie show, and still be appreciated.

091010

What's It Called?

Corinne Bailey Rae - Steady As She Goes

What's The Story?

Corinne Bailey Rae is a newer singer that modernizes a soulful Motown sound, but is signed with EMI. The track was written and performed originally by Jack White's Raconteurs in 2006.

Who's To Blame?

A girl with a smile eons long.

Why ♥ It?

Keep the original catchy guitar riff and probably-thiefed-from-Joe-Jackson bass line, and throw Motown into the mix with some slowed down sections to give the song a new vibe. Why isn't Corinne Bailey Rae on the radio more than she is?

090910

What's It Called?

Fastball - The Way

What's The Story?

This is the one hit from the one hit wonder Fastball. It was one of the biggest songs of 1998, especially in Canada. It's from their album All The Pain Money Can Buy.

Who's To Blame?

MuchMusic. Or Blossom. Remember Blossom?

Why ♥ It?

This tune is a has-it-all pop/rock tune that tells a story Jim Croce would be proud of. You've heard it before--but I'm not posting to inform, rather remind: this track does everything right.

090810

What's It Called?

The Mars Volta - L'Via L'Viaquez

What's The Story?

The Mars Volta are the weirdest band you know. Formed in 2001 from the ashes of At The Drive In, the band has many guest and session players, including John Frusciante & Flea of the better-known Red Hot Chili Peppers. L'Via L'Viaquez is from their most popular album, Frances The Mute.

Who's To Blame?

A guy who, at one point, claimed membership in 7 bands that play downtown regularly.

Why ♥ It?

The main verse has an appealing punky hook and funky bass line, and then transitions into a breakdown that does Black Magic Woman proud. Somehow, these work together.

090710

What's It Called?

The Lemonheads - If I Could Talk, I'd Tell You

What's The Story?

The Lemonheads are an alt-rock band that belong on 90s radio stations without pigeonholing entirely into that niche. If I Could Talk, I'd Tell You comes from Car Button Cloth, an album released after the height of their fame had come and gone.

Who's To Blame?

A guy who, when we were kids, accused me of being nothing but a bandwagon hopper because I wore a fur hat one day. Today, he's probably my favorite folk artist.

Why ♥ It?

This song takes two chords and gives them legs enough for almost three minutes through the use of smart & singable lyrics.

090610

Due to falling almost a week behind, I will STFU and just post the tunes this week with one sentence or less, like many other song a day blogs do. Let's see if this format is more or less fun. Feel free to comment with any thoughts on this maybe-temporary paradigm shift.

What's It Called?

Liquid Tension Experiment - Paradigm Shift

What's The Story?

Liquid Tension Experiment are an instrumental prog rock supergroup formed mostly of current and former members of Dream Theater. This tune is from their first self titled album.

Who's To Blame?

One of the more irritating people on Earth.

Why ♥ It?

Phenomenal and catchy instrumentation if you want to invest attention, great hooks and progressions if you want background music.

090510

What's It Called?

Megadeth - Crush 'Em

What's The Story?

Megadeth formed when an old Metallica guitarist got drunk and the rest of the band put him on a bus going to the other side of the country to let him know that he was kicked out (or so urban lore tells us). Crush 'Em was the single from the 2000 album Risk.

Who's To Blame?

A cat whose nickname and persona start at his hair.

Why ♥ It?

Megadeth is one of the quintessential old thrash metal artists. However, much of their newer work is either ignored or maligned by modern metalheads. This tune is a good front for that newer work, and although I can see why the draw may not be there for a fan who cut their teeth on Rust In Peace, I feel as though that leads to there being a draw for some others.

The drum and bass to this song are ever-solid; they don't change a lot, but will generate some toe-tapping. The guitar licks thrown in over the verses are appreciable in much the same way Hendrix is; rather than just playing the chords required, the guitar is always making some sort of sound to add another element to the song.

The chorus is plenty catchy. Nothing special happens, but the simple chord progression and ever-solid instrumentation combine with the relaxed metal vocal style of Dave Mustaine. Also, the key change at 3:20 is welcomed, adding a brighter sound to a metal tune best suited on the soundtrack to an action movie.

I'll admit that this falls more in the domain of hard rock (and perhaps even radio rock) than it does heavy metal, but whatever pigeonhole you want to stuff the track into, it's a good one.

090410

What's It Called?

The Rapture - Don Gon Do It

What's The Story?

The Rapture are a dance punk group from New York City. They're signed to Motown, for what it's worth, and have three studio albums. Don Gon Do It is a grammatical abomination from their most recent effort, Pieces of The People We Love.

Who's To Blame?

The current all-time leader in blame mentions on this blog by a wide margin.

Why ♥ It?

I know that this precedes Black Kids' Partie Traumatic, but all I can think when I hear this song's fuzzy bass and the darting synth is how much I'm waiting for another of their albums.

The most easily appreciable attribute of this tune is the cooperation of lead guitar and vocals during the chorus sections. It's far from original, but having the two work in unison brings catchy to another level.

Furthermore, name me a use of cowbell that isn't catchy. It's so prominent in the percussion that even Bruce Dickinson would be a cool 98.6 listening to this track.

Part of me is kind of sad that I missed the 70s when disco was all the rage, because I could listen to tracks like these all day and night. & even when they're over, they're still playing in my head anyways. But hey, at least our generation has Lady GaGa!*

* = I'll leave it up to you to figure out if I'm being serious or sarcastic. I'm not quite sure myself.

090310

What's It Called?

Rise Against - Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

What's The Story?

Rise Against may well be the oughts' version of Bad Religion. This track is one of their lesser known, and is the last track from their breakthrough album Siren Song of The Counterculture.

Who's To Blame?

A punk rocker who insists on pronouncing silent Ks.

Why ♥ It?

The title of this song is one of the most clever and cheeky things said by a man renowned for his cheekiness and cleverness. The lyrics of the song reflect this attitude; they aren't ha-ha clever, but you can tell that the word selection didn't just come from the fact that sand rhymes with hand.

I hate to say this about any tune, but I really think that the lyrics are the best thing that this song brings to the table. The structure and performance are both competent and standard for punk rock, but I feel that this one stands out because of what it's saying rather than how it's saying it.

Consider exhibit A, the upbeat rocking instruments and half-yelled/half-sung presentation of the lyrics. Consider also exhibit B, the structural layout of some fast, some slow parts. Together, these elements (along with the lyrics I won't shut up about) do a great job of conveying what it feels like to be twenty-something and have a whole world of options open.

I think, based on the above, that this song will depress me a bit when I'm 40. But for now, the high energy and catchy punk rock style are just right.

090210

What's It Called?

Citizen Cope - Bullet & A Target

What's The Story?
Citizen Cope is a folk artist from Brooklyn. Bullet & A Target is from his third full length album, Citizen Cope: The Clarence Greenwood Recordings.

Who's To Blame?

I don't remember, so I'll just say it was either Jesus or Batman.

Why ♥ It?

The cool thing about a folk artist from Brooklyn is that you can expect some soulful vocal work. In particular, I would've assumed Citizen Cope was a rapper with a guitar from this song. The delivery is casual like a rap, but with a hint of tune. (not to be confused with autotune)

Also, the rest of the track is simple. The rhythm guitar only ever plays four chords, in the same order and style every time. The bass, same story. My n-year old family member could probably play the drums for much of the track. They all sound great, but take a backseat by design to the heavy & soulful sound of the vocals.

I really like the clapping sound that starts near the outro of the song. Adds another layer, and I'm sure it would liven the song up a little live. The guitar lead there could be tinkered as well, but it's great for the studio track in its simplicity.

I keep using the word simple, but don't let that deter you. Anything more involved would rob the song of its soulful folk charm.

090110

What's It Called?

The Bird & The Bee - Meteor

What's The Story?

The Bird & The Bee are a synthpop duo from LA, featuring producer Greg Kurstin as a member, which is apparently a big deal if you're into knowing who producers are. Meteor is from their second studio album, Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future.

Who's To Blame?

A sweet, health-conscious girl who frequently uses the word pal.

Why ♥ It?

Do you trust me, blog readers?

If so, skip to 1:10 and listen to just the way that she sings the word arms. That is so effortless and beautiful, and in one word is an illustration of what's so wonderful about this song.

The vocals are enchanting; her singing in the chorus alone is enough, but the added ooh-la-la-la effect makes the combo pack a heavy punch.

Everything else about this song just feels right. As the name & lyrics might suggest, it plays like a soundtrack for looking at the night sky with someone you care about. I really can't heap any higher praise or better description than that.

083110

What's It Called?

The Main Drag - How We'd Look On Paper

What's The Story?

The Main Drag are an indie pop/rock outfit from the land of the green monster. With the exception of one member, they all work for Harmonix (makers of the Rock Band games), and saw their biggest explosion of exposure from the inclusion of their song A Jagged Gorgerous Winter in Rock Band 2. This tune is from that same album, Yours As Fast As Mine.

Who's To Blame?

A radio personality who is the king of virtual hockey.

Why ♥ It?

Ever listen to the guitar intro in Hey There Delilah and kind of wish you didn't have to be ashamed to admit to yourself that it actually sounds kinda nice? (Is that just me?) This track starts in a similar vein, with the guitar sounding similar to that radio smash. However, the addition of synth sounds and (what sounds like) a glockenspiel make the song feel more like Your Ex-Lover Is Dead; the music feels like walking outside on a crisp winter day where it's sunny, but lightly snowing. I realize that's a ridiculous way to describe a song, but tell me I'm wrong when you listen for yourself.

The percussion in this track is a standout, the drum keeps a marvelous beat, and either through skillful style or effortful post-processing, has a very unique voice for a percussion sound. It's complex, but a bongo drum would do the same job and probably the same justice for the mood of the song. To write such a complex part within that framework is admirable.

There are also wonderful horns and genre-perfect vocals and a bass line that plays exactly the right notes at exactly the right times. But there's so much goodness from elsewhere that I don't even want to elaborate on those. This song is masterfully crafted and is a guaranteed pick-me-up for the most diehard indie fan or casual music listener.

083010

What's It Called?

Paul Hartnoll - For Silence

What's The Story?

Paul Hartnoll was one of a brother-formed duo called Orbital. For Silence is an ambient symphonic electro track that is best known for its appearance in the Xbox 360 downloadable game Chime.

Who's To Blame?

Captain N's closest competition.

Why ♥ It?

This track has a number of different feels to it.

It begins by sounding like a tribal beat with bells. Quickly, upon entrance of vocals (which sound remarkably like you'd hear in a Cranberries track), the feel of the song starts moving from tribal and more towards that of a classic songstress.

The part at 2:15 is something that Clint Mansell would respect for its use of strings to create intensity.

Upon reaching 3:00, it doesn't feel like the song has evolved, but a fun exercise is to rewind the track to 1:00 or 1:20 and see how much the soundscape has erupted. It's surprising. The build is subtle but constant, turning an ambient tribal groove into a requiem.

For the best experience, I'd recommend tracking down the aforementioned Xbox 360 download. Being able to throw various notes over the versatile skeleton of For Silence gives it an even greater lustre than the track has as a standalone. It's only $5, and some of that gets donated to charity. So it isn't a waste per se.

Do it! Seriously, don't tell me you're out reading music blogs on the internet, but also thinking that you couldn't give an electro track a compelling voice using a simple game interface. That's just silly!

082910

What's It Called?

Lostprophets - The Fake Sound of Progress

What's The Story?

Yes, they're those Lostprophets; the emo band behind Last Train Home & Rooftops. This is the title track from their first album, released in 2001.

Who's To Blame?

A heavy metal rig pig.

Why ♥ It?

Get used to hearing that chorus that they open with; it's ever-present in this song. That's not a bad thing, though. Since they have the luxury of 4½ minutes (outro excluded) in this tune, it bears repeating.

The verses could pass for an electronic track, with vocals, simple drum & bass, effect-laden guitar sounds played at random, and turntables played on a similar interval. The tune carries well through these parts. The pre-chorus, with instruments coming together for some form of regularity, picks up intensity, and the chorus feels more like a punk or screamo song. This verse-bridge-chorus flow is great for while it lasts.

What comes from 3:22 on is a breakdown and intro where Lostprophets use the repetition they've built up with the chorus to give it an angry, lasting effect with an added vocal level of scream. And I positively love the da-da-da-da-da-da-da that kicks in at 3:32, harkening back to some of the things that older punk rock did very right.

I hate to be that guy with a music blog who says the popular band's older stuff is better, but... well, so it goes. Gotta give the stereotypes SOME basis, right?

082810

What's It Called?

Foals - Cassius

What's The Story?

Foals are a five-piece dance punk band from England. Cassius is the second track from their first album, Antidotes. They cite their main musical influences as Arthur Russell, Harmonia, Talking Heads and marijuana.

Hey, at least they're honest.

Who's To Blame?

A folk-playing big rig driver.

Why ♥ It?

This track has legitimate potential to move feet, despite its mishmash of contributors.

The high pitched guitar sounds throughout definitely show the marijuana influence, as taken on their own, they'd be a distant & hazy track, but along with the energetic drumming and moving bass, they sound less like Kyuss and more like the Arctic Monkeys' first two albums.

The drums, as mentioned, are always happening. Everything is quick and simple, and that allows the song to flow at the pace that it does.

The horns are a great addition too, much like a ska act, Foals throws them in sparingly in the perfect places to enhance their overall structure. Constant sustained notes are perfect to add a calm layer over the frenetic rock band.

These parts illustrate a gestalt; stoner rock guitar meets punk drumming and ska horns to make for an ungenred rock sound that, regardless of taxonomy, is worth moving to.

082710

What's It Called?

Neil Young - Alabama

What's The Story?

Odds are pretty good you've heard this one; from 1972's rock landmark Harvest, this track appeared alongside such timeless gems as Old Man, Heart of Gold and The Needle & The Damage Done.

Who's To Blame?

An always-laughing nautical engineer whose positive vibes are unmatched.

Why ♥ It?

The song opens sounding like a guitar riff from a rough cut jam session, but there's a realization that it's actually quite intentional once the clean, bright piano plays. I love the rough, uncut sound of the guitar that's persistent throughout.

The real draw of this tune for me is the chorus. The lyrics could be a metaphor for anything, and the whine of Neil's voice and fiery wail of the guitar sounds make it feel heavy and serious. A quick Wikipedia visit (or general knowledge of Neil Young; for me it was the former) reveals that the song is actually a stark condemnation of racism that pissed Lynyrd Skynyrd off enough to write Sweet Home Alabama. The idea of an anti-racist country tune is still something that doesn't come up all that often.

More on the chorus; the song is laid out in a way that's not entirely by the book. There's a chorus after the first verse, and then nothing until post-solo, when the track goes chorus-verse-chorus. It's a great way to convey a message and stick that part in your head. Rather than a chorus creating anticipation for a solo, the solo creates anticipation for another chorus. It's not unheard of, but it's not an everyday occurrence, and both the intrigue and the message of the song are enhanced by that.

This one's worth a reconsideration if you've never noticed any of the above before.

082610

What's It Called?

Fujiya & Miyagi - Knickerbocker

What's The Story?

Fujiya & Miyagi are an English group that started as a duo, but are now a quartet. They play minimalist, catchy pop rock. The track is from their largest commercial success, Lightbulbs.

Who's To Blame?

Two sweet friends whose names are neither Fujiya nor Miyagi.

Why ♥ It?

Vanilla, strawberry, knickerbocker glory.

Part of me would like to leave the post at that to do justice to the awesome minimalist style of the tune, but I like to talk (type?) so nevermind that. The song kicks in with a voice intro repeating the above for a few seconds, and then kicks into the main track: a constant, single bass note & about the simplest drum beat possible. They play with this format, adding bits of guitar & keys as the song progresses, but the spine of the track is one note, one beat and a stream of consciousness lyrical style that's more thought out than it first appears.

The lyrics themselves aren't minimalist at all, North American swine such as myself will find themselves Googling to figure out who in the hell Lena Zavaroni is, and what she has to do with anything.

Plain and simple, everything about this song is mindvirus, and I'm down with that.

082510

What's It Called?

Soilwork - As We Speak

What's The Story?

Soilwork are a heavy metal band from Sweden. As We Speak is a song that many of their fans affectionately refer to as "their pussy metal song". From 2002, it's on Natural Born Chaos, which was produced by Devin Townsend.

Who's To Blame?

A real life guitar hero with a Hetfield beard.

Why ♥ It?

The guitar in this song is so so heavy. The fact that the lyrics and synthesizers go for emotionally heavy only to help make the dirty, low guitar more effective. From the beginning and throughout the song, the post-processing process and guitar tech work in synchrony to make for a diabolical riff headlining the track throughout.

The scream of Speed Strid keeps up with the fast-paced verses, with the vocals in the chorus having a distinctively Devin Townsend creepiness in the their choral style.

The pre-solo bridge has a built intensity that the song plays with for 30 seconds or so. The palm muted guitar notes feel like a low, and the chords he plays feel like a high. With their powers combined the short riff constructs and destructs a great anticipation for what every metalhead is truly waiting for during a bridge: guitar solo!

The synth really reminds me of something, but I can't say what. Maybe someone could tell me? (Or maybe it just has one of those sounds that sounds like something previously heard anyways.)

Regardless, while death metal fans will spit on me for it, this is probably Soilwork's most attractive and accessible track, and anyone with any dabbling in metal should give it a listen.

082410

What's It Called?

Shawn Colvin - Crazy

What's The Story?

Shawn Colvin had a huge critically acclaimed album in the mid-90's, going as far as to win a Grammy for song of the year. Then, her, Christina Applegate, Fiona Apple and Alicia Silverstone all boarded a bus and were never heard from again.

...Until 2007, when she released a folk cover of the smash Gnarls Barkley hit, Crazy.

Who's To Blame?

A website where people trade obscenely overvalued inky pieces of cardboard.

Why ♥ It?

Shawn Colvin delivers this song in a manner that's not unprecedented, but shines regardless. This came out around the time when acoustic guitar Youtube covers of popular songs (see: Umbrella, Hey Ya, etc.) were all the rage and approaching a critical mass of overdoneness.

However, one thing that separates Shawn Colvin from the rest is that she's not a twenty-something who did it to get a laugh out of her friends; her mainstream success didn't come until she was nearing 40 and divorced. So, one thing about her folk style is that it's hardened in the way that many heroic folk/country artists are. She's been everywhere, man. When you listen to this novel pop hit delivered by a fifty year old siren, it has an entirely new context that robs the tune of its camp novelty and morphs the lyrics into a life lesson.

Oh, and the guitar work does bright justice to the original, too.

But mostly the other stuff.

082310

What's It Called?

Marillion - The Last Straw, Happy Ending

What's The Story?

Marillion are an 80's British rock band. That should conjure a pretty good idea of what to expect from one of their tracks from that description alone. This tune is the closing song from their concept album Clutching At Straws.

Who's To Blame?

Dick Raleigh. Pseudonyms are objective descriptions, right?

Why ♥ It?

Context important, so I repeat that this track is the final track on a concept album. Armed with that knowledge, I'm going to throw out that this song makes for a perfect finale. The intro riff and vocals seem like the topic sentence of a conclusion in an academic paper; energetically rehashing what's been said already. It's a great hook into the rest of the song, which drags pensively for a few bars after before picking up speed again.

The song really gets good from the guitar solo (3:27) out; the energy and pensive sections have finished, and the song kicks into the final movement that I'd compare to the last few minutes of Dream Theater's Finally Free. However, instead of a drum solo, there's a standout vocal performance, and instead of the same guitar riff over and over, it's the same intense piano chordage. From 5:05 until the end in particular is goosebumpworthy thanks to the female vocal, and an ideal end to the album.

What I do like and can't really quantify, however, is that this song is my favorite on the album, and I frequently find myself listening to it separate of the whole shebang. Along with the highlights itemized above, that makes this track worthy on its own merits.

082210

What's It Called?

Josh Ritter - The Temptation of Adam

What's The Story?

Josh Ritter is a clever, upbeat American folk artist. The Temptation of Adam is from his fifth studio album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter.

(Don't you just love the name?)

Who's To Blame?

A radio geek that I had a Livejournal war with once.

Why ♥ It?

I am not a folk fan, most times. I'm definitely not a sappy love song fan. However, this sappy folk love song brings so much to the table that it's hard to deny.

The song is pretty basic. After the horn intro, most of the meat of the song is comprised of a fingerpicking guitar line and heartfelt vocals. The song tells a story of falling in love in strange conditions--hunkered in a missile silo during World War 3. The lyrics have massive geek appeal; there are constant references to the chemistry and physics of an atomic bomb, and a ton of sappy sentiment to go with. The string section that enters midway through the song work to elicit the sap even further from the song. It does all the folk/lovesong earmarks right, but brings that extra bit of lyrical effort to the table.

That's all there is to say really. It's a nice, heartfelt song that's worth huge credit if you happen to date a rocket scientist.

...And let's be honest here, how many other songs can you say that about?

082110

What's It Called?

Boys Noize - Jeffer

What's The Story?

Boys Noize is a German DJ & producer, best known for remixing pop & rock tracks left right and center. Jeffer is from the Starter EP according to Grooveshark. If that's incorrect, blame the shark.

Who's To Blame?

A man who would once eat nothing but grapes and hot wings for a week at a time.

Why ♥ It?

I apologize in advance if this is just rambling and doesn't actually make any sense; I don't know if I can quantify the parts of this that I really really like or not. I guess that's probably true for anything I write about, but this time I'm aware of it.

The transitions in this song are what really draw me in. There are two main parts, and the way that Boys Noize alternates between them is what does it for me. The best comparison I can draw is that key change after the guitar solo in Livin' On A Prayer; like or lump that song, it's generally agreeable that the change is ideally placed. I get that same intrinsic enjoyment from 5 or 6 spots in this track where the DJ alternates from one part to another. The first such example is at 1:01; after 30 seconds or so of the main line, there's a quick and smooth transition to another part and another key (maybe?). That exact same swap is pulled again at 2:33 to similar results.

That's not all though. The transition back from the second part is also appealing, and feels something like a comedown from a gradual high. From 1:08, the track comes further and further down before another sudden swap at 1:24.

These fluent changes make for a song that, overall, is rewarding when paid attention to, and still a bumpin' dance/techno track if not.

NB: in two posts, I've compared Rilo Kiley to Carrie Underwood, and Boys Noize to Bon Jovi. Why are you still here?

082010

What's It Called?

Rilo Kiley - Breakin' Up

What's The Story?

Remember that old Nintendo advertisement movie The Wizard? Remember the cute little girl? She has an indie pop band. Breakin' Up is from their fifth & most recent release Under The Blacklight.

Who's To Blame?

A guy who can outdo anyone in the drunken antic department.

Why ♥ It?

There are two ways to write a breakup song. One of these is to be sad and sappy while being inspirational. The other is to dig your key into the side of his pretty little souped up four wheel drive. This is definitely the latter of those.

The lyrics to this tune are every bit as cathartic as the above, but from the city rather than the country. Jenny Lewis' candy sweet voice is ideal for the delivery.

The music itself is somewhere on the spectrum between disco & pop, fitting a very fun niche.

The "Ooh, it feels good to be free" lines (1:34 & 2:39) are are sunny, dance-your-face-off pop magic. The line is generic enough that you don't have to be in Dumpsville (population: you) to want to break it down.

The jury is out on whether this type of song is better or worse after a breakup than the sad, sappy alternative; but in just about any other scenario, I'll take a tune like this any day.

081910

What's It Called?

Johnossi - Man Must Dance

What's The Story?

Johnossi are a Swedish duo who I really don't know anything about other than their member quantity and nationality. Man Must Dance is from their self-titled album.

Who's To Blame?

A guy whose contact info in my phone has a ? at the end of it, both to distinguish him from other people with that name, and because it actually really suits him.

Why ♥ It?

It's choose-your-own-adventure inspired post day at Psongaday!

1) If you like the Foo Fighters, continue to 2). If you do not like the Foo Fighters, skip to 3). If you want to use the golden key of Lonieria to open the black elf-wizard's door, go to 4).

2) Think of See You from The Color and Shape. This song isn't entirely like that tune, but it does share its fun, uptempo bluesy sensibility. One thing that differs and that I like about it is that it throws a bit of a rock edge into the song: there are two driving, distortion-guitar chorus sections that give a desire to thrash around a little (as the song's lyrics suggest is natural), and these fit well with a track that you could otherwise send home to grandpa.

Also attractive in this song are the vocals; they are present only when necessary and flow with the music. When the tune is carrying casually, the vocals are relaxed and low effort, and there's a feeling of vocal desperation that perks up during the chorus section.

Congratulations, you have saved the world! Or whatever happened in those choose your own adventure books; I never finished one without cheating.

3) ...Really? Shit. Go to 4).

4) You are eaten by a grue.

081810

What's It Called?

Arkells - John Lennon

What's The Story?

Arkells are a hardworking indie rock band from Hamilton, Ontario. They have one studio album, Jackson Square. They're known enough that you'll hear them talked about on TV, but they still work their own merch tables.

Who's To Blame?

The chillest barista in town.

Why ♥ It?

This is one of those has-it-all type tunes. The sound is friendly radio rock, but it's unique. You'll hear it on 10X.X FM, but it'll stand out.

The chorus is a deserving centerpiece for the track: the horns sound great, the lyrics are well sung and repeatable (I'm John Lennon in '67, too!), and the guitar, bass and percussion work together every beat to deliver a fist-pounding backing sound.

The bass walks through the verses, and is aided by a guitar riff that sounds like it's counting while it's walking. The organ does for the verse what the rest of the instruments do for the chorus. This track is always counting, marching and feeling pretty good about the world around it.

Also, the lyrics are devilishly amusing. Think of the B-sharps episode of The Simpsons: witty the first time & slightly less so each time after, but always fun and pleasant. You want to tell your friends about it.

& so I did!

081710

What's It Called?

Alanis Morissette - Forgiven

What's The Story?

Jagged Little Pill. 33 million copies sold worldwide. Heard it?

Who's To Blame?

A marketplace named for annoying, itchy bugs.

Why ♥ It?

Forget who this is by and what album it's on. It fits in about as neatly and unnoticed as There's A World does on Harvest.

The intro leaves it open to go to a lot of places; it could be any other Alanis song, or it could quickly change into something that sounds like Jane's Addiction (I'm sure Navarro had his hand in that somewhere). At 0:42, the song kicks in, and I keep thinking Genesis and Dream Theater and... progressive rock? Alanis Morissette? I rarely think of those two things in the same month, let alone the same thought.

But I've made peace with it. Alanis sings the track in the same manner and with the same efficacy as anything else on the landmark album, but the guitar shines like something indeterminate from some other genre. If you don't know the track well enough to hear it in your head, give it a listen, because it's worth a reconsideration.

081610

What's It Called?

Foreign Objects - Universal Culture Shock

(from Youtube today; Grooveshark is letting me down here)

What's The Story?

Foreign Objects are a death metal side project of CKY. Universal Culture Shock is the title track from the remastered, rereleased album in 2003 after Jess Margera & Deron Miller found fame with CKY.

Who's To Blame?

A beacon of journalistic integrity who's about to return from a 4-year hiatus.

Why ♥ It?

This track is able to take angry, energetic death metal and turn it into a very casual experience accessible to the average rock listener.

The intro chords are what you might expect from a death metal track; fast, heavy, effect-laden guitar chords, and spastic drums. However, at 0:20, a simple transition turns the track into a groove suitable for a city bus ride. The verse-chorus-bridge structure repeats a couple times, just enough to satiate. Then, suddenly at 2:42, there's a return to the intro's dissonant chords, which acts as a segue into a solo that manages both a meedly-meedly heavy metal style while maintaining a feel-good groove through simple, yet creative use of percussion. This fades back into the chorus, and then out with a well-placed wah pedal effect on the guitar.

In sum, this track is a weird one, but it's worth hearing to see what death metal does when it doesn't have the oft-maligned vocals. (Or what CKY do when they're not post-processing the tracks 17.4 times)

081510

What's It Called?

Jaydiohead - No Karma

What's The Story?

Those Jay-Z/Linkin Park Collision Course tunes were pretty big a few years back. This is the same thing with Radiohead. It's a mash of Jay-Z's No Hook & Radiohead's Karma Police.

Who's To Blame?

An accountant with a name that none of us ever pronounce right.

Why ♥ It?

I'm a huge fan of hybrids; take something from one genre and throw it into another or mix it with another, and I'm all for it. That's how I picked up a lot of my appreciation for the electronic genres.

This tune, however, isn't electronic whatsoever. The music is entirely from Radiohead, and the vocals are 95% Jay-Z rapping.

The music in Karma Police is what made that tune. Lewis Carroll could've written the lyrics, and it would still sound like a heartwrenching siren song to Radiohead-types. So, when you throw Jay-Z's rhymes over it, there's a really neat pity to the sound. No Hook goes from a cocky rap success story to a torrid tale of a troubled youth with that background.

That, and the mix is every bit as good as the work on Collision Course, so if that sounded like novelty, this is likely to work on the same level.

081410

What's It Called?

The Black Mages - Battle With The Four Fiends

What's The Story?

The Black Mages are a sort of progressive metal group from Japan dedicated entirely to covering tracks from the Final Fantasy series of video games. Added spice: the composer of the music, Nobuo Uematsu, plays keyboards. Battle With The Four Fiends is from their second compilation album, and originally appeared in Final Fantasy IV.

Who's To Blame?

Certainly not a white mage.

Why ♥ It?

I promise, I have an answer that isn't just campy nostalgia.

I feel context will help though; this music plays during the game when fighting major villains at plot apexes. Knowing that, consider the song sort of like a story.

The organ riff that plays 0:13-0:30 feels like an oppressive tyranny. The section that answers post transition (0:35-1:09) feels like a new hope; a heroic tale of saving the day. The next slow transition (1:11-1:20) feels like the calm before the storm, and the organ riff following conveys a sinister plot of Snidely Whiplash (1:23-1:52). THEN the transition there with the quick chords and energetic drums (1:53-2:04) feels like a back-and-forth battle between these heroic and sinister movements that bridge the gap and tell both sides of the story. Once the process is started, every section expands upon these themes somehow; I could detail the whole song like this, but I'll hold it here. Just know that this track is wonderful mood music and conjures a battle of good and evil without any visual required.

And hey, if that doesn't work for you, go for the campy nostalgia, that probably works better anyways.

081310

What's It Called?

Thrice - See You In The Shallows

What's The Story?

This tune is up there in the league of All Along The Watchtower for could-potentially-be-my-favorite-ever-ever. Thrice are a post-rock band from California; this track is from one of their earlier albums, The Illusion of Safety.

Who's To Blame?

A guy whose band in high school was called The Swiss Goggles.

Why ♥ It?

At just a scant 2:35, this song quickly and effectively hits hard. The best part by far is the breakdown to just vocals and guitar at 1:31. It posits an honesty that, although not unique, is definitely attractive. There's nothing complex about the whiny punk vocal or power chords coming from the guitar, but you can just feel that they mean it. That part alone is worth the price of admission.

The following transition back into the song proper features an energetic drum roll/spasm, and then kicks back immediately to the refrain with a well-placed key change. There's a tiny pregnant pause between that transition and the new-key rehash of the chorus, and that ever-brief silence gives a beautiful moment of musical anticipation that I really don't have a good comparison for. It's just perfect.

I always love the lead guitar of Teppei Taranshi, he has a way of giving another channel to experience Thrice's music with distracting leads during the verses, and See You In The Shallows shows this off as well as any Thrice song. The guitar rarely does the same thing twice in this song.

The lyrics are a spectacle as well; although repetitive for the second half of the song, I have a perfect picture in my head of the cliffs and the water and the jump, and I blame it entirely on the lyrical craft.

Long story short, I really really really love this song. There's probably no way it'll stand up to the praise I'm heaping on it here, but that's the fun in being the writer rather than the reader.

...Sorry about that.

081210

What's It Called?

Wolfmother - Woman (MSTRKRFT remix)

What's The Story?

MSTRKRFT are two DJs from Canada who remix with the best of them, as well as mixing their own material.

Who's To Blame?

The Zac Efron of classic rock.

Why ♥ It?

This really isn't a Wolfmother song anymore, and you'll appreciate it more if you go in knowing that. MSTRKRFT take just the vocal line from the original song, and create their own environment around it. This breeds familiarity and adds an accessibility; you can sing along without ever having actually heard the MSTRKRFT tune.

At the outset, it's not entirely MSTRKRFT's usual domain either. There's a fuzzy bass line and some lead guitar work, echoing more of member JFK's past work in Death From Above 1979 than current work in MSTRKRFT.

This guitar provides the character for the first post-verse breakdown, and helps along with the verses. A neat thing that the remix does is adds a different character after every verse; there's no real refrain, but rather three verses and three dance breakdowns. The second has a great induction from the fuzzy bass and guitar into a more dance-driven tune (still with fuzzy bass), and by the third breakdown and outro, it's all kinesthetic business.

I need to reiterate that Wolfmother fans looking for a mix that pays homage to the original should look elsewhere, but anyone who likes a good dance mix with a scattered legit instrument should give this one a groove.

081110

What's It Called?

Black Kids - Hit The Heartbrakes

What's The Story?

If funk was driving an old VW Bug and Brit-style synthpop was driving a K-Car, Black Kids are a car accident between the two. Hit The Heartbrakes is from their only studio album, Partie Traumatic.

Who's To Blame?

A happy pig who died an unfortunate death in October '07.

Why ♥ It?

This is perhaps the best musical advocacy of one night stands. The sound of the music is heartfelt, but a slightly closer listening reveals dorky, off-kilter lyrics. It's a fun contrast, and helps facilitate appreciation for the entire song.

I hear a lot of people call it cliché or overdone, but I sort of like the call-and-answer style of the lyric delivery as well: the male vocals are answered by a pair of backup female vocalists in a back-and-forth, and they come together for the chorus. Again, creates a pretty fun mood.

The breakdown at 2:13 with the synth solo is awesome for everything besides the synth solo. That fun(ky) bass line has legs, and is happening for pretty much the entire song, but has a tendency to go unnoticed until that point. The percussion is catchy too, whatever it is he's hitting. Again, this was present before and after, but the breakdown is a great spotlight.

No matter what the situation, this song is a definite breath of fresh air.

081010

What's It Called?

Ratatat - Seventeen Years

What's The Story?

Ratatat are a guitar player and a synth/bass player/producer from New York who, in addition to laying down upbeat electronic rock, remix a good number of rap tunes. Seventeen Years is the first track from their self-titled album.

Who's To Blame?

A drunk tank frequent flyer.

Why ♥ It?

Point form, due to stifled creativity:

- Catchy verse guitar riff

- Lead guitar during the bridge

- Chill outro

- Catchy verse guitar riff

- Catchy guitar lead during the second verse

- The sound coming out of that six stringed thingamabob during the verse
- Random voice clip intro

080910

What's It Called?

We Are Scientists - Chick Lit

What's The Story?

We Are Scientists are a New York-based indie rock group with a ton of personality. The tune is from their third of four studio albums, Brain Thrust Mastery.

Who's To Blame?

A friend who balances out having a hot mom with having a hideous dog.

Why ♥ It?

If you put a gun to my head and said "pick one part of the song Chick Lit by We Are Scientists that stands out above all others", I'd probably decide quickly enough not to get shot, and I can't say that about many of the songs here. The percussion during the chorus in this song is to die for; it's one of those beats that makes me want to be a drummer because it just sounds fun. The constant splashing cymbal goes with a beat that's so varied it could pass for Morse code, but still just flows.

This percussion is the basis for a chorus chock full of a driving, blaring pop/rock feel. The backing vocals add another layer that almost makes the song feel epic.

The intro and post-chorus guitar chords have sort of a swing if you bother to pay attention to them, although you can be forgiven if you don't.

Finally, the vocals and lyrics are accessible and exactly what We Are Scientists fans have come to expect. If you don't know what that implies, then this track is only the beginning.

080810

What's It Called?

The Sleeping - Stayin' Alive

What's The Story?

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk; I'm a woman's man, no time to talk...

(It's also from a soundtrack to a crappy movie!)

Who's To Blame?

The New York Times affect a man, ya know.

Why ♥ It?

A punk band in the vein of Rise Against or Thursday take the Beegees' classic disco tune, keep much of the disco charm, and punk up some of the lead vocals and the lead guitar riff.

If you don't already ♥ it from that description, nothing I say will make you think I'm anything other than a clown, and as such, I will keep this short as to avoid wasting any more time than I already have.

Postscript: covers are cool.

080710

What's It Called?

Transatlantic - Out of The Night

What's The Story?

Transatlantic are a prog-rock supergroup composed of members and former members of Dream Theater, Spock's Beard, The Flower Kings and Marillion. If you've heard of any of those, I'd be amazed if you hadn't heard this band. Out of The Night is from the first Transatlantic album after an 8 year hiatus, The Whirlwind.

Who's To Blame?

Holland.

Why ♥ It?

This track manages to catch many of the more accessible caveats of progressive rock, while eschewing some of the more stigmatized elements.

It starts like an anthem; that steady 1-2-3-4 is a great hook that works most effectively to make the tune memorable.

Trewavas' bass is impeccable for many segments of the track. The bass in the first part (0:16-0:32) and the part immediately after (0:32-0:48) threaten to steal the show by walking all over the excellent vibe that the band sets up.

The track does a neat job of toggling from upbeat and driving to slow and heartfelt. It does this a couple of times, which sort of kills the inspirational mood of the main part, but allows the song to work on a subdermal level: it's not just a quick pick-me-up, but a song that tries to have serious lyrical impact and merit.

Also, anti prog-rock fans would hang me for this, but the way that the four members sing various parts and come together for harmonies during chorus sections reminds of The Beatles. There should probably be a Godwin's Law for comparing any non-Beatles tune to a Beatles tune, but I think that's what they go for, and I think that they pull it off pretty well.

And hey, at least their drummer is better than Ringo.