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.