092311

What's It Called?

Portugal. The Man - All My People

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.

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.

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!

073110

What's It Called?

Minus The Bear - When We Escape

What's The Story?

Minus The Bear are an energetic, spaced-out rock band who make that paradox make sense. When We Escape is the eighth track from their third studio album, Planet of Ice.

Who's To Blame?

Perhaps the most convincing living argument that Cleveland rocks.

Why ♥ It?

This track is a beautiful architecture of sound.

It starts with an ambient synth, and quickly adds a persistent guitar line that provokes thought. This sets an atmosphere that's pretty enveloping.

I need to mention the drums during the verse. The off-beat rhythm is a dandy complement to the spacy atmosphere that MTB create in their verse-chorus-verse flow.

Perhaps the best thing about this whole atmosphere that they create is how quickly they ruin it and how good an idea that is. At 1:30. there's an admirable rock-out section that lasts all of 10 seconds, and then it's back to the off-beat drumming and ambient instrumentation. Like coming in and out of a lucid dream; the song sets the stage masterfully.

Finally, the lyrics suggest exactly what this song is about. And then it makes sense. Perfect atmosphere to convey the meaning. Could something be this enigmatic without being about sex?

...Probably, but I still like it all the more because of it.