092411

What's It Called?

Florence + The Machine - Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)

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.

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.

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.