Monday, January 31, 2011

tapes for tuesday: a series part 5


tapes for tuesday: a series part 5

Erasure-Wild!

There is a very good reason I have this Erasure album on tape and never replaced it with a CD. It's not very memorable. "Blue Savannah" is just run of the mill Erasure, "You Surround Me" is too, and except for "Star" everything else is rather sub-par Erasure, and pretty much a disappointment. "Crown of Thorns" and " La Gloria" seem to have landed on the wrong album by the wrong band entirely; not bad, just misplaced. I know the album is called Wild! but it seems to have developed a personality disorder.

"Star" doesn't get much respect as a "best of" entry but it is the best of this album. Musically it is quite varied, and has very visually interesting lyrics. The first few verses are my favorite:
We go waiting for the stars
To come showering down
From Moscow to Mars
Universe falling down

You got to look real hard
There's a fiery star
Hidden out there somewhere
Not the satellite of love
But a laser
Shooting out it's shiny tongue there

SONG OF THE DAY: "Star" - Erasure





Saturday, January 29, 2011

i will never miss a concert again...

I will never miss a concert again.

Well, if I do it will be due to scheduling conflicts not due to lack of knowledge, which is the worst way to miss a concert.

Somebody finally came up with a brilliant way to track all the concerts in your area, even the opening bands are listed. I just spent an hour plugging in all the shows I want to see, and found out that my area has at least a 3 hour drive radius. I also found that a new-to-me band that was submitted to the playlist contest is playing as an opening band in two weeks at a venue I have never been to before. Smart.

And it will also keep me updated on the Lollapalooza playing Chile this April. Which is convenient because I may have a better shot at being in South America this spring than in Chicago this summer. I am in love.

So, here it is, the unveiling of the new secret to my concert going success :
SONGKICK .

Happy concert going!

"bigger than us"


My friends Scary Larry and Jen X have been making these passing remarks about White Lies for a few weeks now and in their playlist contest submissions (hurry and get yours in!), they both included songs, so I finally got up off my proverbial backside and listened to them. Unsurprisingly, I love them already.

I am starting with their newest album which just came out this past week and working backwards. The lead singer (whose name I don't even know yet) has a fabulous deep voice that is just so cozy and reassuring. This is my favorite song so far, and the video is crazy cool.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Bigger Than Us" - White Lies


takk...


This past week I watched Ondine, a pretty little film about an Irish fisherman (a very scruffy Colin Farrell) and a woman he fished out of the ocean and his daughter believes to be a Selke or water nymph.

One of the major features in the film actually turns out to be the song of the Selke, which, in fact, is not the song of a sea nymph but a very real song composed by the Icelandic band, Sigur Rós.

I really thought I had featured Sigur Rós before now, because I have loved them for so long, but it turns out it was only in passing or comparison. I discovered the Icelandic band in the summer of 2006 when their EP was released in the US. The video for Glósóli actually made me cry the first time I watched, which is highly out of character, but it was the most beautiful combination of story and music, and the gorgeous fresh-faced Nordic kids were simply disarming.

Here is a live version of the two tracks, Takk & Glósóli, back to back. There is a such a flow to the whole album of Takk... that it is best listened to in one sitting.

SONGS OF THE DAY:
"Takk/Glósóli" - Sigur Rós

1st Annual Digestible Trax Playlist contest & Giveaway

JUST A REMINDER ABOUT THE PLAYLIST CONTEST.

DEADLINE is just around the corner.

Last year on my facebook page I ran a playlist contest. It was an incredible way to pool the music collections of my friends who live all over the world. So, I am running it again.

1ST ANNUAL DIGESTIBLE TRAX
PLAYLIST GIVEAWAY:

Guidelines: in the Comments section of any post, leave me a good old fashioned mix-tape list with up to 15 songs. I will look up the songs and artists, but if they are really new, regional or super-obscure a link would help. Don't forget to add your email address so that I can notify the winner. The purpose is to expand everyone's musical horizons. The comments with your info will remain hidden I will post all of the playlists at the end.

The winner will be chosen based on my fickle tastes and since the playlist will be listened to as a mix-tape the flow is also important. If there is a tie, Mr. IMo? will be brought in as a consultant/ tie-breaker.

A $25 gift card to Napster, Amazon or iTunes (your choice) for the winner and $10 to anyone who can guess one of my top 5 favorite songs and throw it into the playlist.
Deadline for entry: 31 January 2011
Winner will be announced: 15 February 2011
(i'll need some time to listen to everything that shows up last minute)

Good luck and happy listening!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

new workout playlist

As I mentioned earlier in the month, I have been in pursuit of a
new workout playlist. The old one is as frayed and worn as my favorite yoga pants.

It is still in the embryonic state, and will need to grow and be fiddled with, but here is the skeleton of the new list:

1. "Drumming Song" - Florence + The Machine

2. "Hunting for Witches" - Bloc Party

3. "Let's Dance to Joy Division" - The Wombats

(it really is my favorite workout song)

4. "Weekend Without Makeup" - The Long Blondes

5. "Shut Up and Let me Go' - The Ting Tings

6. "Ride a White Horse" - Goldfrapp

7.
"Dominos" - The Big Pink

8.
"Heads Will Roll" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

9.
"Standing in the Way of Control" - The Gossip

10.
"Gold Guns Girls" - Metric

11.
"Ghetto Love" - Spinnerette

12. "Lazy Eye" - Silversun Pickups

you may have noticed that the ladies sort of dominated the list this time around.
i am in search of a little extra grrrl power this time around.

"i can hear you louder than ever"


As I mentioned a few days ago I have been anxiously awaiting my new copy of the Cold War Kids on vinyl to show up in the mail. The album, Mine is Yours, was released Tuesday and I have been on pins and needles.

Instead of just downloading the new album I decided to shake things up an buy directly from the band's website, and I am so glad that I did. There was a pre-order option. $19.99 (US) a signed vinyl copy plus a digital download. Score one for me! And it looks like there are still some available.

I can not say that I waited until today to listen to the new album; I don't have that much restraint. But man, it's so good. And the vinyl is very good quality too with only the slightest "record" sound to it.

Yesterday, I put up the new song "Louder Than Ever" which is fan-freakin-tastic, but luckily there are many choice bits to choose from, which made today's song a tough pick. Though I settled on the title track.

I am so glad I started really listening to Cold War Kids this year. This has been a fantastic week for music between this albums' release, my discovery of The Mary Onettes and another new band to I want to share but it may have to wait until Monday.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Mine is Yours" - Cold War Kids


and not to take away from the original glory, but Passion Pit has already put out a remix:

"Mine Is Yours" - Passion Pit (remix)

Also now out is the remix by Yeasayer: (thanks to undertheradar for the head's up and link)

"Mine Is Yours"





thoughtless thursday-list, a series part 4

the 7 piece shuffle

song/artist








Wednesday, January 26, 2011

mary mary quite extraordinary


Last night I was was minding my own business, washing dishes with my headphones on listening to Pandora when I heard the most amazingly new but familiar sound. I literally gasped and held my breath for what seemed like forever as I waited to hear the voice that accompanied the music. Ian McCulloch? Robert Smith? Bernard Sumner? Had an old favorite come out with something lovely and new? Nope. Lost Joy Division track? Wishful thinking.

Instead I have found myself a new favorite. And of course they are Swedish. Many of my current top bands are.

Now, I can rationally understand in theory how someone may not like a modern band that sounds like Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cure, New Order and The Stone Roses all at once, to say they are only an imitation of the latter, but it's more like making a new friend that reminds you exactly of your best friend growing up. How could you possibly NOT want to hang out?

The Mary Onettes won me over before I heard a single word. Love at first listen. It was today's song, "Lost" that I heard. Gorgeous. And now I am scrambling to to listen to everything they have. "God Knows I had Plans" remind me of The Church, "Puzzles" sounds like The Cure and Adam Ant. For this morning that's as far as I have gotten, but be sure that these guys are going to be a new permanent fixture here and in my music collection. I am just so sad that they have been around since 2005 and this is the first I am hearing them.

----
PS. Cold War Kids' new Album was released yesterday. I pre-ordered the signed vinyl with accompanying digital download and am now anxiously awaiting it's arrival. Luckily I have The Mary Onettes to research or I' have to sneak a peek on Napster.


SONG OF THE DAY:

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

tapes for tuesday: a series part 4





Beautiful South -Choke
I really enjoy bands like The Beautiful South and Pink Martini; the way they juxtapose tame radio friendly sounds with lyrical stories not quite as lovely and sublime. The hard and soft qualities give a delightful balance that I find appealing in everything from clothing to art to music. Yin and yang. Perfect balance.

This isn't my favorite album, I prefer 0898, which will be featured later, but this is the one plucked from the box today. It does have a few great tunes though, today's choice, plus "I Think the Answer's Yes" and "A Little Time" which was the band's only song to reach #1 on the charts.



Saturday, January 22, 2011

grosse point blank soundtrack


Mr. IMo? started his latest whirlwind of comings and goings this weekend, so I decided to have myself a date with John Cusack instead while on my treadmill and watch back to back High Fidelity & Grosse Point Blank.


Both have a music angle to them. In High Fidelity (which co-stars Jack Black in his first major role, but he's still always Tenacious D to me) he plays a record store owner, and in Grosse Point Blank, Minnie Driver is a local DJ.


Now it may be my new TV but this time I was really impressed with the soundtrack on Grosse Point Blank. I mean, I've always known it's good, but man, wow! So, I pulled up the soundtrack, and it's a two volume set.


Volume 1:



















"Armagideon Time" - The Clash









Volume 2:





























mix tape

Don't forget to send in your playlist for your chance to win the gift card!


Friday, January 21, 2011

a sunday smile


Today seems like a good day for an accordian player and a brass band.

SONG OF THE DAY:

Thursday, January 20, 2011

hollerado hollerin'


I met these guys a few months ago when they opened for Free Energy & Foxy Shazam.
Nice guys, of course, because, let's face it, who has ever met a Canadian that wasn't?
I found them surprisingly good for an opening band, and the bus they are painting in the video is their tour bus. I highly recommend ordering the hard copy of "Record in a Bag" vs. just downloading it for all the great swag. You'll see what I mean.

SONG OF THE DAY:

also check out : "Do the Doot da Doot doo"



go with the flo

I first saw Florence and the Machine this summer on Later with Jools Holland. Totally the new red-headed siren that has replaced Tori Amos for this decade.

thoughtless thursday-list, a series part 3

the 7 piece shuffle

song/artist


DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE PLAYLIST CONTEST: HERE

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

shrink-ray


Macaroni has become obsessed with the movie Despicable Me. A not uncommon trait for an autistic kid to pick up on such a fixation, but this time it has actually been cause for imaginative growth rather than introverted play.

This was a recent conversation:

Mac: "Mom I want to build a shrink-ray so I can steal the moooooon!"

ME: "OK, sound fun"

MAC: "But Mom, a shrink-ray is a tool not a toy so I can't play with it. Will you use the shrink-ray and steal the moon?"

"ME: "I don't know how to build a shrink-ray. How about we make a rocket out of paper towel tubes instead?"

MAC: "Ok. A rocket is a toy so I can play with that!"

Well, maybe.

Anyhow, his obsession with stealing the moon has him running around with a caving helmet on his head pretending to be an astronaut and wants to watch space movies, but only the short ones. This old 90's video by Catherine Wheel featuring Tanya Donnelly (of Throwing Muses, The Breeders and Belly) was a hit.

Also I just announced my annual playlist contest. Click HERE for details on how you can win a music download gift card.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

1st Annual Digestible Trax Playlist contest & Giveaway

Last year on my facebook page I ran a playlist contest. It was an incredible way to pool the music collections of my friends who live all over the world. So, I am running it again.

1ST ANNUAL DIGESTIBLE TRAX
PLAYLIST GIVEAWAY:

Guidelines: in the Comments section of any post, leave me a good old fashioned mix-tape list with up to 15 songs. I will look up the songs and artists, but if they are really new, regional or super-obscure a link would help. Don't forget to add your email address so that I can notify the winner. The purpose is to expand everyone's musical horizons. The comments with your info will remain hidden I will post all of the playlists at the end.

The winner will be chosen based on my fickle tastes and since the playlist will be listened to as a mix-tape the flow is also important. If there is a tie, Mr. IMo? will be brought in as a consultant/ tie-breaker.

A $25 gift card to Napster, Amazon or iTunes (your choice) for the winner and $10 to anyone who can guess one of my top 5 favorite songs and throw it into the playlist.
Deadline for entry: 31 January 2011
Winner will be announced: 15 February 2011
(i'll need some time to listen to everything that shows up last minute)

Good luck and happy listening!

*j

Monday, January 17, 2011

tapes for tuesday: a series part 3


I first heard about The Judybats from my friend Jared in 1993 and they quickly became a top 10 favorite.

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that they got their name from the 17th century puppets, Punch and Judy and the ever-present bat the spastic Punch used for walloping those who crossed his path.

They came out of Tennessee which contributes a bit to their twangy middle-america vibe. The debut album Native Son isn't their best, but the little green tape has been a well-played member of my collection.

SONG OF THE DAY:

MLK Jr.


I wanted to this of something to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. for the holiday today, and after some thought decided to pick the #1 song on the charts the day he died, April 4, 1968.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" - Otis Redding

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Legião Urbana


The International Man of Mystery (Mr. IMo?) has the travel bug again, and at the end of the week will be headed out again for a while to a bunch of different places I can't keep straight. He is accumulating a rather impressive list of appointments, but is mostly itching to get inked in for a trip to Brazil in the spring (which will be fall there, and I am hoping to cash in on a promise to go with). A week or so ago he re-tested for Portuguese for his work, aced the test of course and now is itching to get back to one of his favorite spots.


One of the main ways he preps for the tests is putting on his tunes.



When he was living in Brazil back in the day, Legião Urbana was the big thing. They are the equivalent of R.E.M. with smart poetical (sometimes political) lyrics and a general hipness based heavily on the lead singer, Renato Russo, who died of AIDS while Mr. IMo? was living in Brazil.


I don't speak Portuguese but Legião Urbana makes me want to. After over a decade I can almost sing along with some of the of songs, though I bet I have lousy pronunciation. I particularly favor this tune.



SONG OF THE DAY:





i found a translation of the lyrics. from what Mr. IMo? and others have told me his poetry is extremely intricate and complex, even arcane in word usage, formation and general sentence manipulation, but it can give you at least a general idea what the song is about.





Portuguese

Pais e Filhos


Estátuas e cofres E paredes pintadas Ninguém sabe O que aconteceu...

Ela se jogou da janela Do quinto andar Nada é fácil de entender...

Dorme agora

Uuummhum!

É só o vento Lá fora...

Quero colo! Vou fugir de casa Posso dormir aqui Com vocês

Estou com medo Tive um pesadelo Só vou voltar Depois das três...

Meu filho vai ter Nome de santo

Uummhum!

Quero o nome Mais bonito...

É preciso amar haahaa as pessoas Como se não houvesse amanhã Por que se você parar prá pensar Na verdade não há...

Me diz, por que que o céu é azul Explica a grande fúria do mundo

São meus filhos Que tomam conta de mim...


Eu moro com a minha mãe Mas meu pai vem me visitar Eu moro na rua Não tenho ninguém Eu moro em qualquer lugar...

Já morei em tanta casa Que nem me lembro mais

Eu moro com os meus pais

Huhuhuhu!...ouh! ouh!...

É preciso amar haahaa as pessoas Como se não houvesse amanhã Por que se você parar prá pensar Na verdade não há...

Sou uma gota d'água Sou um grão de areia Você me diz que seus pais Não entendem Mas você não entende seus pais...

Você culpa seus pais por tudo Isso é absurdo São crianças como você

O que você vai ser Quando você crescer?


English

Parents and Children


statues and safes and painted walls no-one knows what happened...

she *played in the (jumped from the?) window of the fifth floor nothing is easy to understand...sleep now

mmmmmm

it's just the wind, outside

I want colour! I'm going to run away from home Can I stay here With you guys?

I'm scared I had a bad dream I'm going to go home After 3 o'clock

My son is going to have The name of a saint

mmmmmm

I want (him to have**) The one most beautiful

We need to love people As if there were no tomorrow Because if you stop and think about it Really, there isn't one...

Tell me why the sky is blue Explain to me the great fury of the world

It's my children That hold me to account...

I live with my mother But my father comes to visit me I live in the streets I have no-one I live in some place...

I've already lived in so many places That I don't remember who I am anymore...

I live with my parents...

Huhu, etc

We need to love people As if there were no tomorrow Because if you stop and think about it Really, there isn't one...

I am a drop of water I am a grain of sand You tell me that your parents Don't understand you But you don't understand them...

You blame them for everything This is absurd They are children, just like you

What will you know When you grow up?




Friday, January 14, 2011

billy joe armstrong on NPR

Driving home from the grocery store yesterday, I heard some old Green Day pop up and knew it wasn't a song that was ever played on the radio uncensored, so of course I was still on NPR. Terry Gross was interviewing Billy Joe Armstrong (a repeat, but I'd only heard the 1st half last time).

Green Day will be releasing a new album in March, and American Idiot: The Musical is currently onstage.

They played this past summer at Lollapalooza, and I never got around to doing a post-concert review. Seeing Green Day so many years past their rowdy prime made me suspicious, but I must confess, it ended up being a top 10 show, performance-wise.

Since Mr. IMo? and I did Lolla as a round-trip one day affair, we had to disect the whole day on the way home just to stay awake. When it came to Green Day, as always it lead to politics a bit, since we and the GD boys are all Libertarians. However, chatting about GD lead Mr. IMo? to ask what's my favorite GD? When I answered "She" he was befuddled and when I pulled it up to listen to he admitted to recognizing the tune but had no idea what the words were. For me it was the perfect teenage girl song, and still my favorite song, even though Kerplunk is still my favorite album.

LYRICS:
She...
She screams in silence
A sullen riot penetrating through her mind
Waiting for a sign
To smash the silence with the brick of self-control
Are you locked up in a world that's been planned out for you?
Are you feeling like a social tool without a use?
Scream at me until my ears bleed I'm taking heed just for you
She...
She's figured out all her doubts were someone else's point of view
Waking up this time to smash the silence with the brick of self-control

SONG OF THE DAY:

cake: showroom of compassion


Cake's new album Showroom of Compassion was just released. I just started listening to it this morning and it sounds good. Still the same quirky sound and lyrics as before, just more refined.
Considering the current weather situation, this seems like a good fit.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"The Winter" - Cake

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

toad, no warts


More humming.

I did my bit on Toad the Wet Sprocket a few weeks ago about their new Christmas tune, but I have had this song stuck in my head since yesterday afternoon. I think it has a lot to do with reading so much mythology lately.

SONG OF THE DAY:




tapes for tuesday: a series part 2

Cheating already, yes, since I eventually bought this on CD, but one of my oldest taped copies is from shortly after moving to the City of Trees. There was this amazing band called Treepeople. Eventually they broke up and the lead singer/guitarist Doug went on to form a new band you may have heard of called Built to Spill. But for my high school years, Treepeople was a staple. I even bought the t-shirt at one point and had it for years and years, until Mr. IMo? finally wore it out.

I found this amazing old video on youtube from that once upon a moment in time when I first met doug, his music and the whole Boise scene. I wasn't at this show but I love seeing how we rocked it back in the day. Because the quality is so good I am throwing out a handful of the videos from 1990. Thanks to the filmmaker Mark who posted these!

ps. one of my favorite things about doug is how he always comes to play his shows looking like he just mowed the lawn. he is all about the music.

TAPE OF THE DAY: (most of Treepeople's stuff is now on iTunes)
Time Whore -Treepeople
SONGS OF THE DAY:
Party, In My Head, Fishbasket


Monday, January 10, 2011

un-punk


Hate to admit it but I'm not very familiar with The Mekons, though i intend to repent of my ignorance. This is one of only 3 songs by The Mekons I know, but it's sweet and angst-ridden, and except for the days when it seems a bit stalker-ish creepy, a fantastic late un-punk 70's tune.

SONG OF THE DAY:

Saturday, January 8, 2011

mack the knife


Kids used to spends a lot more time learning to read with drug store comic books and newspaper strips than in primary colored holding pens, also known as preschools.

So, after that day when Katydid was 3 and asked me to spell the names of everyone in our family while I was making dinner, only to find out that she had written it all down, I decided it was time to teach her to learn to read on her own, the tried and true, old-fashioned way: with comic books.

Neither Mr. IMo? nor I are comic readers in the traditional sense, but I spent many years as child labor running a paper route and the only way I could stay awake and fold papers was to have the comics laid out and read one box at a time. For a few years I was very well versed in what was going on with Garfield, The Family Circle, The Peanuts, Cathy and others. Mr. IMo? on the other had had a "boys bathroom", one of those scary places teenage boys never learn to clean, and comic books were a staple. In his family they were Calvin and Hobbes and The Far Side. The childish wonder of Calvin and Hobbes and the simple drawings with layered meaning of The Far side drew in Katydid immediately. We've spent years, first with Katydid, and later with Macaroni reading, re-reading and explaining the comics. And you know what, both learned to read way before Kindergarten, even with Macaroni's autism as a major roadblock.

Last night while cleaning I picked up a copy of The Far Side and found it open the above cartoon and though that it was a perfect monologue subject and inspiration for a Sunday Special.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"Mack The Knife" - Louis Armstrong (any other version is just criminal)

Friday, January 7, 2011

me and the Alternative Press


I received such validation in my musical tastes today when I saw THIS article by Alternative Press on their top 10 albums of 2010.

#5 has been touring with #9.
Also, #4 has been on my radar for almost a decade since living in Chicago.
I finally figured out how to upload some of my videos to upload here.
SONG OF THE DAY:
"Oh Lord" - Foxy Shazam (click photo for special accoustic version)

(This is the CLEAN version, done especially by Foxy Shazam because my little rockers were in the audience. Katydid is doing the recording in the video at Vintage Vinyl.)

Thursday, January 6, 2011

i wanna be adored


Yesterday's post reminded me that way back during the summer I posted a link to The Noisettes doing a cover of "Ever Fallen in Love with Someone You Shouldn't've" by The Buzzcock's and mentioned eagerly awaiting a Ravonettes cover, which I failed to ever post. Here is my redemptive act.

SONG OF THE DAY:
"I Wanna Be Adored"- The Ravonettes (cover of The Stone Roses)

thoughtless thursday-list a series, part 1

the 7 piece shuffle:

Song/Artist

"please don't put your life in the hands of a rock'n'roll band"


I woke up singing to myself, which always means a clearly defined song of the day.

A lot of people murmured against Oasis back in the day, saying they were overly-hyped, untalented, overplayed, blah blah blah. There was also that bickering over who was better, Oasis or Blur, like some hipster playground rivalry. I've always subscribed to the theory that they were different enough that it didn't matter.

That's just me because I totally love 90's Britpop. Oasis, Blur, Suede, Elastica, the Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, The Stone Roses, Lush, St. Etienne, The La's, The Boo Radleys...I'm a complete sucker as my wallet from college could corroborate.

SONG OF THE DAY:

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

tapes for tuesday: a series part 1



In order to form a more perfect music blog, there needs to be a bit more order on my end. Therefore, in 2011 I am hereby instituting 2 new themes which will be adhered to most of the time, but the right shall be retained to throw order in the universe's face and return to managed chaos whenever I feel like it. Sundays will remain reserved for expanding our musical horizons.


I present to you "Tapes for Tuesday" (which will inevitably switch to vinyl as have upgraded most of the spastic tape collection to vinyl, which is longer lasting and oddly less obsolete going into the future). Taking a cue from a friend who does "Wordless Wednesday" posting only a photo, I am in turn translating the concept into "Thoughtless Thursday" when I abstain from the babbling and drivel of the day to day monologue, shut up and put out a playlist.
So, that concludes the business for the year. Meeting adjourned.
.........................................................................................................................................................................
Welcome to the top shelf of my closet. The mysterious and slightly haunting space where I store a box of various old tapes, most of which are copies of copies, because let's face it, I was a poor kid who spent her money on shows rather than the merchandise.
Today's tape, chosen at random from the box is:
Piece of Cake - by Mudhoney



As I mentioned before I totally dig SUBPOP, and Mudhoney is a huge player in that equation. The album came out in 1992, while I was in high school, before Nirvana ever sold out and we were all just a bunch of kids who didn't fit in and not yet corporately labeled "grunge".


SUBPOP is home to PNW legends like Mudhoney, Nirvana, Thee Headcoatees, Fastbacks, L7, Velocity Girl, Tad, The Shins, Sleater-Kinney, The Vaselines, etc. Anyhow, tons of great stuff, and always adding greenies like Blitzen Trapper, CSS, Sunny Day Real Estate, and The Postal Service.
If you aren't acquainted with SUBPOP click your tush on over and bask in some musical brilliance.
SONG OF THE DAY:

(this video reminds me of years of going to shows when there were like 10 people in the audience, and just that one guy no one knows is out giving it all he's got. actually, it's strikingly similar to how i spent new years eve just a few days ago.)


Monday, January 3, 2011

slowly but, well... slowly

Thanks to the few of you who have given me a few ideas for my new workout playlist (on facebook).


Slowly, but slowly I am starting to build that playlist. I have decided to add today's track as a new warm-up bit. However, I still going to keep yesterday's tune as the starter because it makes me childishly happy.


Although I happen to quite like Hawksley Workman's tune "Jealous of Your Cigarette" it lacks the "G" rating I need for the at-home workout/ Saturday morning dance party music. If he's new to you, Hawksley Workman is a great combo with Foxy Shazam, Jukebox the Ghost, Cold War Kids and the like. Today's song even sounds a bit like The Police if you prefer 80's tunes.


My musical buddy L linked me his running playlist (I have posted below) which I will of course disect, digest and be taking under serious advisement as my own list is molded and revised. Maybe by the end of the month it will be perfected and I can share.


SONG OF THE DAY:


"We Dance to Yesterday" - Hawksley Workman

L's running playlist:

11th Dimension- Julian Casablancas
1901- Phoenix
Animal Arithmetic- Jonsi
Well Thought Out Twinkles- Silversun Pickups
Dine, Dine My Darling- Alkaline Trio
I Am Everything I Am Not- Crime In Stereo
Search and Destroy- Iggy Pop
No One Sleeps When I'm Awake- The Sounds
My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)- The Ramones
Surprise, You're Dead- Faith No More


Turning the Tables: a workout playlist



The best thing about the first Monday after New Year's Day is new workout clothes for the year. No more ratty yoga pants and thread-bare socks for a while. Though I am keeping my running shoes for a while since these Mizunos are fabulously indestructible.

I mentioned in my 2010 Year-Ender that I have really been digging The Wombats as workout music, but I have been thinking I need to revamp my workout playlists. I have been listening to an unusually short list for a long time, which is pretty ironic since I am so finicky the rest of the day.

So today I am turning the tables and pleading with you readers to drop me a line in the comments section with some workout music inspiration. I need a really steady beat for running. Below is a sampling of my current list. Thanks in advance!

Also, I will soon be announcing a bit of a contest for the month, so keep your eyes peeled for a chance to when an iTunes or Napster gift certificate. I ran the contest on my Facebook page last year with great success, and look forward to doing it again this year.

MY WELL-WORN WORKOUT PLAYLIST:

"Let's Dance to Joy Division" - The Wombats
"Can't Get You Outta My Head" - Kylie Minogue
"Smooth Criminal" - Alien Ant Farm
"Banquet" - Bloc Party
"Night on Fire" - VHS or BETA
"Take Me Out" - Franz Ferdinand"
"Army of Me" - Bjork
"Feel Good Inc" - Gorillaz
"Blue Orchid" - The White Stripes
"An Honest Mistake" - The Bravery
"Destroy Everything You Touch" - Ladytron
"I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" - Arctic Monkeys