Wednesday, October 10, 2012

101012

What's It Called?
Ben Folds Five - Draw A Crowd

What's The Story?
They're back together, and there are still only three in the Five. Draw A Crowd is a spunky selection from the band's first album in 11 years, The Sound of The Life of The Mind.

Who's To Blame?
Her mixtape's a masterpiece.

Why  It?
The lyrics of this song are too great to gloss over, and dual purpose to boot. First, it's sorta written to appeal to your inner thirteen year-old. The chorus talks about drawing dicks, and lyrics about beards & vanilla thunder are there to add spice. However, the writing brings these thoughts into the tune in a way that's relevant & sorta clever; in a way that you can explain to your friends that your aesthetically appreciating this song about drawing dicks. Hell, I'm not a performer, so this song isn't even really for me. & I still love it.
The nice thing about Ben being back with his band is that the drums & bass are always so active; Ben Folds solo work is definitely different than with the band. I don't know if it's by design, but the fuzzy bass wanders all over the place and complements the piano wonderfully. The whole album sounds fuller than most of his solo work, and this lighthearted tune is a great jump-in point.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

100412

What's It Called?
deadmau5 feat. Chris James - The Veldt [8 minute edit]

What's The Story?
I don't as much want to talk about the artist as the song here--this is a really organically written tune. deadmau5 read Ray Bradbury's The Veldt and was inspired to pen a beat that had the mood he got from the story (which is dandy, btw). Then, fan Chris James heard it, and was moved to make some vocals. Very much a theme tune, and the 8 minute edit dropped on mau5's new album this past week, Album Title Goes Here.

Who's To Blame?
Not very often that any of us get to say this as fans: I watched this one happen. (Through social media, of course)

Why  It?
It's a chill & introspective beat, and the vocals are really silky for a male voice.
I'll be honest, though: if the story about how this tune came together doesn't have ya listening, I don't know that there's much else I can say. It's hard to separate both the novelty of the writing & my love of that short story from the song and judge it purely on its sound without any context.
That's probably the charm about it, though.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

100212

What's It Called?
Focus - Hocus Pocus

What's The Story?
Focus is one of those too-bizarre 70s prog rock bands, founded by a flautist in Holland in the late 60s. Sampled and bemused by many, Hocus Pocus is the most recognizable of their tunes; an instrumental from their first album Focus Plays Focus.

Who's To Blame?
Once upon a time, someone told me to explain what I meant when calling a person "a character", and I pointed to the guy and said "him over there!"

Why  It?
There are no less than two flute solos, several yodeling bursts, a classic rock guitar riff that your old man would dig, a goddamn whistling solo, and a more-than-catchy main refrain. Name me three other songs you know with those exact traits.
Seriously though; if you find yourself listening to Boston and wish that they replaced blazing vocal/guitar harmonies with outright weirdness, then this song is for you.
...& If not, listen to it anyway. I promise you'll heartily laugh once or twice.

Monday, October 1, 2012

100112

What's It Called?

What's The Story?
Passion Pit are one of those bands that find themselves in the ever-trendy genre of "electro indie pop... I guess?", with the exception that they pulled a Dream Theater and are comprised mostly of students of Berklee. It was the first & most successful single from this year's release Gossamer.

Who's To Blame?
A frontwoman for another excellent indie-pop-I guess? band.

Why ♥ It?
As both this genre & my personal taste often dictate, the sales pitch for this tune is an addictive & catchy hook. The beat marches, the lyrics ramble (really intelligently, if you're into that), and the overall effect is akin to a brisk walk in suburbia on a Spring day.

...I'd think that was clever if the song wasn't called Take A Walk.
Still; solid. Check it out.