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.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
100511
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
You could almost say that their lead singer has moves like Jagger.
Miss You is from their best-selling album, Some Girls.
Who's To Blame?
Either a parent or an uncle. Who else gets at you early enough in life to beat the Stones into you?
Why ♥ It?
That refrain. Case closed. It gets played on the keys, the harmonica, the guitar, and most notably, is sung. There's some great funky bass, and I'm sure there are lyrics being sung or some such thing. But that's not why this song is one of the all-time greats.
This song is so much centered around that one part that, when a band I saw this weekend that covered it, I kept trying to exclaim to friends how much I enjoyed the band and their cover of...
...
...
What's the name of that song again?
You know, that Stones song.
I had this conversation 3 or 4 times before someone actually knew, although everyone knew exactly what song I meant when I hummed it.
It takes a special kind of song to be so ultimately recognizable without any knowledge of the title.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
100411
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Cold War Kids are a four-piece indie rock group from California. Royal Blue is from their most recent & most successful release, Mine Is Yours.
Who's To Blame?
Hardly even know 'er.
Why ♥ It?
Royal Blue is what happens when top 40 rock grows up in the 90s and makes it to & through the Oughts.
For example, the chorus is upbeat and instrument-full like something by Counting Crows or Semisonic. Despite this drawing from standard fare from over a decade ago, this song still sounds like it was made this year. Like a Dispatch tune, the percussion is varied & neat, but you could pull it off in its entirety with a set of bongo drums and still not shame the song. The vocals in the chorus are definitely singable, and the breakdown (2:07) with all the hey-heys is short, but great.
Royal Blue is rock fit for beach bums, the airwaves, hipsters, hippies, mix CDs... whoever. I'm sorta surprised these guys don't get more mainstream radio play, but then again, that means you get to be the one to tell your friends about 'em.
Monday, October 3, 2011
100311
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Spock's Beard is a neo prog-rock band, a mouthful that says they play music that'll satisfy prog fans as well as fans of radio rock in the 80s. Formerly Neal Morse's band, he departed after the release of their magnum opus, Snow. This is from the bands eponymous 8th album, the third after Neal's departure.
Who's To Blame?
10 to 1 odds that his finger's in a dyke as we speak*.
Why ♥ It?
Ever hear Andy, You're A Star by The Killers? The chorus of this song is nigh-identical to the verse in that one, except the melodramatic vocals and raw guitar sounds are replaced by a polished, full-band sound.
The verse, on the other hand, reeks of determination. Basic & constant percussion backing upbeat, monotonous vocals with repetitive guitar/bass/keys. Not to disparage it, it's excellent; the strength is in the rigid delivery.
They Know We Know is a ride through the country on a sunny day. Bright, peasant, and mostly unchanging--because that's what you want from it.
* = The stone kind.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
100211
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Simian Mobile Disco come from the same school of electronic artists as Justice & Daft Punk. They're a duo, with the more noteworthy of the two being James Ford, a producer who's worked with Arctic Monkeys & Florence + The Machine, among others. Cruel Intentions is from their most recent, 2009's Temporary Pleasure.
Who's To Blame?
According to Anderson Cooper, a hub for illicit pictures of kids on the internet.
Why ♥ It?
Cruel Intentions is great movin' mood music that's powerful despite being quiet.
Picture the opening scene of a film. In this opening scene, a montage of shots of a nightclub are displayed. It's not a particularly wild nightclub, but everyone is dressed well, and it's a nice spot. Lots of colored lights that don't strobe, but gently alter color and intensity. This is the tune that's playing in the background during that montage.
100111
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Porcupine Tree are probably the Radiohead of progressive rock: immaculately constructed tunes that sound like emotional damage. The Creator Has A Mastertape is a lesser known track from a better known album, In Absentia.
Who's To Blame?
A designer from Holland who married a different kind of designer from Hong Kong.
Why ♥ It?
Porcupine Tree tends towards heartbreak rather than happiness. This song is upbeat and frequently sounds industrial (think Ministry), but still keeps to the essential brooding Porcupine Tree style.
Like 40% of the songs I post here (at least), the bass line in this song is one of the prime draws. Nothing complex, just constant & driving. The vocals are delivered without emotion by design, and sound like dystopia. The guitar features odd sounds and dissonant chords in otherwise quiet atmospheres and during thrash-friendly rock out sections.
The dynamic is admirable as well: the verses feature the aforementioned brooding vocals, driving bass and bizarre guitar, and this gets more chaotic in the prechorus before the full on headbanger emerges with no vocals, the same (now overshadowed) bass line, and the Ministry-sound I talked about.
Don't mind the prog rock label; if catharsis rock was a thing, I'd file it there. It's worth hearing, especially if you feel like breaking stuff.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
093011
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
The Bird & The Bee are an indie synthpop-ish duo from Los Angeles. They're perhaps best known for their Hall & Oates cover album. This tune comes from the album that precedes that one, 2008's Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future.
Who's To Blame?
A girl I met while peeling potatoes.
Why ♥ It?
There is so much going on in this tune. It sounds like a blur of neon lights at night while in a moving car. Perhaps it's the song's title that conjures that image, but the music definitely helps the mood; especially during the whoa-whoa parts, its upbeat nature just sounds like movement feels.
The song is also really cute-sy in the way that we stereotype Japanese culture. There's a really high-pitched bell sound to introduce the track that is persistent throughout. The drums are processed and electronic, and there are plenty of high dinging sort of sounds. Inara George's voice is candy sweet, and she's singing about love as an ideal, which goes well with this adorable song.
Love Letter To Japan is perhaps a strange indie pop offering at first blush, but this surface oddity doesn't keep it from being easy to love.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
092911
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Girl Talk is the stage name of Gregg Gillis, who (I love this) famously gave up on his degree/work in biomedical engineering to work fulltime on his music mashups. His latest album, All Day, contains hundreds of samples from just about every genre you can imagine. Oh No is the first track on that album, although the whole thing really plays like a mixtape.
Who's To Blame?
A Nova Scotian who looks a little like Girl Talk, and conversely, looks very unlikely to listen to (let alone enjoy) Girl Talk.
Why ♥ It?
Perfect example of the genre blurring you'll catch here: Oh No gets its name from a verse in Ludacris' Move Bitch, and is paired with Black Sabbath's War Pigs for the intro to the track. Hearing Luda rap over that ever-famous power-chord part from when War Pigs' tempo picks up is sheer novelty, but doesn't lose its lustre like some novelty tends to.
From there, through a convoluted sample segue, Dorrough's Ice Cream Paint Job is on display alongside The Brothers' Johnson's Strawberry Letter 23, which is a sick beat that really brings the rap to life. I didn't know either track prior to this mashup, but they're both solid library additions.
Finally, nearing the end, The Ramones' Blitzkrieg Bop is used both musically and lyrically: they have the vocals over Slick Rick's La Di Da Di, and then swap to the upbeat guitar paired with Missy Elliott's Get Your Freak On.
The above is by no means an exhaustive list of samples used, but they're the main and memorable ones in the track, and All Day continues with more of the same for an hour or so. If you like mashups, novelty, and hearing either familiar tunes in a new light, or new tunes in a compressed format, Girl Talk is perfect. It's great party music too; even the heaviest ADD will be satisfied.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
092811
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
This tune was in a tourism commercial for Vegas last week, and when asked if I knew it, I insisted that it was Two Door Cinema Club for like five minutes before I got contrary enough to jfgi. Neon Trees are a four piece from Utah, and Animal was the lead single from their first & only album to date, Habits.
Who's To Blame?
His beard is probably what a playoff beard would've looked like on an Oilers fan in the 80s.
Why ♥ It?
As stated above, despite its radio appeal and generally maligned teen/young adult audience, Animal is a tune that could easily be by a band your hipster friend was telling you about last week. Neon Trees nail the genre rudiments of singable chorus and a clean vocal line, laid over some power chords and a happy, upbeat chord progression.
But don't think that it's entirely boring.
Having the bass guitar turned up to 11 or so can always give a track an added voice, and this is true of Animal as well. See also from 1:25 until the second chorus for a great quirk in the vocals. For a song called Animal, it mostly wears kitten mittens, but at this point the vocals have a sandpaper moment that'll make you feel better about listening to such a pseudo teeny-bopper song.
You know that 14-year old cousin you have with the jet-black dyed hair, skinny jeans and goofy superfluous glasses? They like this song, but so will you.
092711
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Dire Straits are a fixture on classic rock radio, best known for their hit Money For Nothing, which, alongside being one of the biggest hits of the 80s, caused a stir in Newfoundland (& later, Canada) due to its use of the word "faggot". On the other hand, Sultans of Swing is the song that launched their career while touring with the Talking Heads in the late 70s; it's from their eponymous first album.
Who's To Blame?
The only stonecutter I deal with on a daily basis.
Why ♥ It?
I don't need to explain why this is a great song, but I noticed while listening to it this morning that my favorite part far & away is actually the post-chorus. Most songs have their catchy hooks in the chorus; occasionally, in the pre-chorus, and sometimes even the verse. However, that lovable guitar lick comes most commonly and most prominently after the chorus they play so often. The structure was one that I took time to ponder, and realized I couldn't think of another song that had its best to offer immediately following the refrain. Blogosphere, what are some other songs where the most famous & catchiest part come after the chorus, but before the verse?
Oh, and if you haven't heard this song at all, listen to it right. now. (I probably should've said that first)
Monday, September 26, 2011
092611
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
These guys are nifty. A fella and a lady from Mexico who grew up loving heavy metal, they moved to Ireland and started a career in flamenco guitar. The album this tune comes from, 11:11 features 11 songs, each inspired by a different rock/metal artist. This one's for Hendrix.
Who's To Blame?
An old friend who's probably a hipster, but has the right attitude about it.
Why ♥ It?
Flamenco guitar in general is wonderful and flexible music. There aren't too many situations where it's inappropriate. What Rodrigo y Gabriela bring to the table is a style that, like both themselves and myself, grew up on the hard stuff.
Buster Voodoo features a wonderfully catchy rhythm refrain that's paired with a catchier lead, plenty of blinding & technical solos, and hand-slapping percussion on the guitars that makes you forget that there isn't actually a percussionist.
As long as you're okay with not having something to sing along to, this song is as good as it gets.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
092511
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Pretty Lights is Derek Vincent Smith, a DJ/producer from Colorado. Known for his intense all-nighter live shows featuring big sounds and (what else) pretty lights, he actually releases all his material for free with a suggested donation because of his extensive sampling habits. This one's from his most recent 2009 full album, Passing By Behind Your Eyes.
Who's To Blame?
Fuck it, he'll have a root beer.
Why ♥ It?
World of Illusion kicks off the album, and it's in the ideal slot as an opener. The beat glitches itself into reality; thirty-five seconds of stutter-step groove before a horn sample that Mike Tyson could enter the ring to. The beat tapers again for another few seconds, before re-entering with a solid groove that's not dubstep, but still pretty dirty. It doesn't have the hooks of a Daft Punk or a Justice, but it'll still hold attention for 3 minutes plus without issue.
One of the shortest tunes by Pretty Lights, World of Illusion acts as a perfect intro: to an album, to an artist, to a genre, whatever. This song is the start of something, and it's up to you to determine what.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
092411
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Florence + The Machine are a soulful pop rock group from London. Rabbit Heart is from their critically acclaimed first album, Lungs. Also, they're a rock group with a freakin' harp player.
Who's To Blame?
The biggest mess in the education faculty of 09-10.
(Trust me, that's an achievement)
Why ♥ It?
Two reasons, mainly.
First, the all-encompassing vocals of the song. Florence is no doubt the centerpiece of the group, and the verses traverse from her singing with one powerful voice, to giant choral-effect moments and back again. It's sort of a call-and-answer style (see: live performances of the song), but more importantly, it creates an energy flow.
...Which brings me to point number two, the chorus. The verse bottoms out into a building pre-chorus, and that explodes into a chorus that's really, really loud for this type of music. The drums that were sorta-interesting during the verse are now getting pounded, and it's all about layer after layer of cold-shiver, soul-piercing vocals. It absolutely radiates energy.
The probably-bigot in me would call Florence + The Machine sort of a chick-rock band, but make no mistake: they can blow you away just as well as any bearded, testosterone-laden group, and this song is an ideal example of that.
Friday, September 23, 2011
092311
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Portugal. The Man are perhaps the best reason that the rest of America hasn't set Wasilla, Alaska on fire yet. They play an indie rock style that acts as a neat bridge between classic psychedelic rock, and more modern & upbeat indie sounds. All My People is (probably) the best known song from their 2010 release American Ghetto.
Who's To Blame?
He went as trollface.jpg for Hallowe'en last year. Needless to say, I don't trust 'em.
Why ♥ It?
There are so many elements of this song that remind me of something else that I like.
First, the electronic, hip-hop beat intro makes me mumble-sing Snoop Dog-gy Doggggg every time. The verse is trippy, like a less muted Kyuss. The chorus has the vocal style of MGMT with one of those guitar lines that mimics the notes of the vocals, causing the perfect storm of about-to-be-stuck-in-your-head. The post-chorus has a feel good guitar part that sounds like 90s radio rock, before descending back into the hip hop vibe. All of these elements come together to make a track that's hard to pin down, but definitely both likable and memorable.
092211
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Eliot Lipp is an electronic musician from Los Angeles, now based in Brooklyn. One Knot is from his first, self-titled 2004 release.
Who's To Blame?
Pandora is a great timekiller when work is slow.
Why ♥ It?
This song is a downbeat and relaxed number that sounds like some of the more mellow moments of Holy Fuck. The clumsy organ, busy guitar, and I-only-need-two-freakin'-notes bass work well together to create music that's as good in the background as it is the foreground.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
092111
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
The only album that sold better in the US than the source of this gem was Guns 'n' Roses' Appetite For Destruction. Boston first hit the selves in 1976, and literally every song from it is still all over classic rock radio today.
Who's To Blame?
An adoptive father in California who I've never met in real life (or IRL, as the kids say)
Why ♥ It?
The reason for the slashed title is because this is actually two separate songs, more or less.
The first couple minutes are full of classic rock wankery. It's an awesome explosion of power chords, cymbals, and an organ solo. It's a headbanger, through and through.
The second part, Long Time, contains exactly the same fare that made Boston among the greatest selling acts of the 70s: Brad Delp with honest vocals & great harmonies, and Tom Scholz with a mixture of acoustic and electric sounds that gel wonderfully. Also, another trademark Boston chorus that the entire Western world had in their head for a decade.
Foreplay / Long Time is like taking the Battle of Helm's Deep from the Lord of The Rings trilogy, and appending the entirety of Pulp Fiction afterwards; it starts by blowing you away, and then gives you what you know to expect from one of the world's best.
092011
What's It Called?
What's The Story?
Well, you've heard Panic. They famously had a great, punk-poppy first album, and then like countless others, had a sophomore flop. Then, 2 members left the band in 2009, and they're now a two-piece. Hurricane is from their third album & first with the new lineup, Vices & Virtues.
Who's To Blame?
...It's something about a pond in my bathroom?
Why ♥ It?
One of the things that appealed to me most about Panic's first album was how often they'd borrow a snippet of another genre into their own music. Lots of string sections, occasional electronic bursts, etc. Hurricane does this in the form of a disco-ball bass that demands center stage. The whole track is lit up by this sound, and by the many crowd sounding vocals. It feels like being in a particularly wild nightclub.
Fans of Panic's radio-ready choruses will find a home here, also. Although that happening bass is still busy funking it up, the rest of the chorus could be any other pop-punk song, as well as the you'll dance to anything hook-bridges that pop up a few times.
I still haven't figured out what it is about two-piece rock groups in the last few years that make them so excellent, but Panic At The Disco are a more-than-welcome addition to the bandwagon.
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