The Flaming Lips—Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Warner Bros., 2002

There isn’t a whole lot that can be said about Yoshimi that hasn’t been said already, but one thing does have to be reiterated: it is NOT a concept album. It gets tiresome to hear people say something over and over again when it’s just inherently wrong—it’s been confirmed by Wayne Coyne himself, so just let it go already. Besides, it’s not like it has to be a concept album for it to be a great record. It doesn’t matter how many times we have all heard “Do You Realize??”, it’s still a great song and it always will be. The same goes for “Fight Test” (though it playfully rips off Cat Stevens, so much so that Yusef reaps benefits to this day) and the title track, all three of which have occupied “overplayed” status at one point or another yet never fail to put smiles on our faces when we need them the most. But for all its uplifting moments, Yoshimi has a dark patch or two—delightfully dark, as only the Lips can do it. “In the Morning of the Magicians” is one of the album’s high points, but also one of the heaviest. “What is love and what is hate, and why does it matter?” Coyne sings. If anyone is going to ask that question, it should be him.

Nada Surf—Let Go
Barsuk, 2002

“I miss you more than I knew,” sings Matthew Cawes in the final moments of Let Go’s exemplary opener, “Blizzard of ‘77”. Surely upon hearing this, many music fans were thinking the same thing about Nada Surf—how did this fledgling band, written off early as a one-hit-wonder, make an album so special and timeless? When they first hit big, Nada Surf were a band of rookies, and the kitschy value of one of their toss-off songs (“Popular”) happened to catch on with an audience. Of course, their label was quite persistent about having a similar song on their next album (which would become The Proximity Effect). They even went so far as to give the band a list of cover songs from which to choose a single (never mind that the song Nada Surf eventually picked and recorded—“Why Are You So Mean To Me?” by Vitreous Humor—was written by a Kansas native). If this nonsense weren’t bad enough, the label eventually decided the album was not bound for commercial success, pulled all funding for it, and dropped Nada Surf altogether. It took two years for Nada Surf to obtain the rights to self-release The Proximity Effect, but its follow-up only stands as proof that there’s nothing like a little trip through the wringer to get a band’s head on straight. Let Go is just one of those killer rock records that, even in its darker moments, puts smiles on faces—with the exception of a few certain ex-record execs, perhaps.

Superdrag—In the Valley of Dying Stars
Arena Rock Recording Co., 2000

Despite the fact that this album was virtually ignored and viewed as the last gasp of a desperate band upon its release, In the Valley of Dying Stars has proven over time to be a classic record. For die-hard Superdrag fans who stuck with them long before or after their one-hit-wonder status existed, it was quite apparent that In the Valley was the band’s best work yet. There is no arguing with an opener like “Keep It Close to Me”, especially when it so bluntly hits the rock music conundrum on the head: “I want rock and roll, but I don’t want to deal with the hassle”. Perhaps John Davis is referring to hassle from the major labels, and the interference that kept their previous album (Head Trip in Every Key) from being the classic it could have been. Fortunately, the freedom provided by an indie label finally allowed Superdrag to play to their strengths, and they do so with a raw, garage-like intensity on this record. It sounds as if these songs were all banged out in the studio in a day or two by a band still hungry to make the record of their career.

SOUNDTRACK: Future Soundtrack for America (2004).

This CD came with the McSweeney’s Future Dictionary for America.  It was released on Barsuk Records (home of Death Cab for Cutie and other great bands) and it was compiled by Spike Jonze and one of the Johns from They Might Be Giants.

This is a solid compilation of indie rock tracks.  At the time of the release most of the songs were rare or hard to find (since then I’ve seen a number of these tracks elsewhere).

TMBG obviously include a piece (a rendition of the old political song “Tippicanoe and Tyler Too”).  Other featured artists include: OK Go, David Byrne, Jimmy Eat World (covering Guided by Voices), Mike Doughty (with a song called Move On, that I have to wonder if it was written for this compilation as proceeds went to MoveOn.org), Ben Kweller (great song title: “Jerry Falwell Destroyed the Earth”), Blink 182 (with the only song I know by them, “I Miss You” that reminds me When in Rome’s The Promise“), the much missed Sleater-Kinney, a remix by R.E.M., a great track from Nada Surf, a live piano version of “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” from The Flaming Lips, a staggering song by Laura Cantrell (who I only know from her work with TMBG, this song is a cover of a John Prine song), Tom Waits’ amazingly powerful and very emotional “Day After Tomorrow,” and a rocking piece from Elliott Smith.

Proceeds for the disc went to MoveOn.org in an attempt to raise money to defeat Bush in the 2004 election. We know how that turned out.  But, as that is not relevant anymore, if you like your indie music good, this is a wholly worthy collection.

[READ: December 17, 2009] Maintenance Volume 1

Now this is a comic that I can get into.  And I’m already delighted to see that there are two more volumes out.

The premise of the comic is that the two guys on the cover, Doug and Manny, work as maintenance men for TerroMax, Inc., the world’s biggest and best evil science think tank!  Their work is sometimes scary, often disgusting and always interesting.

There are three stories in this volume.  In the first one, the guys encounter a ManShark.  In the second, they are sent back in time to the cavemen era (where they learn that a scientist has already visited them) and in the third, a minor character from the first story comes back to play a large role in an alien invasion.

The dialogue is great, with oddball pop culture references that come from far out in left field (a dream about Tom Bosley, a caveman who sounds like Phoebe Cates).  And the secondary characters are wonderful: mad scientists wandering around discussing their failed plans for world domination (the cavemen were meant to be an army of assassins) and their secret lairs (the one in Sacramento or Chicago?).  There’s even an unrequited love story between one of the guys and the hot secretary (who proves she can hold her own in a fight).

The story’s pacing is great.  It’s comical action sprinkled with funny dialogue.  The characters aren’t really fleshed out, but that’s sort of beside the point.  They’re just everymen in a crazy job, always wondering if they’ll need a mop to clean up what the scientists create.  It’s a funny look at work and mad scientists!

The artwork is also great.  It follows a pretty traditional style of humorous comic, with solid lines and shading.  The characters are also very expressive (I’ve enjoyed Rodriguez’ work in the past quite a bit).

With a great combination of art and dialogue, how can you go wrong?  I’ve already ordered books two and three and the series, and I trust there will be even more in the future.

Nada Surf, Sondre Lerche, and The People treat us to night of rock ‘n’ roll

Robin Canfield

Nada Surf entertained the nearly full house Wednesday night with a broad sweep of their musical catalog. Sondre Lerche and The People opened with great crowd response. Grant Kaye Barometer Staff Photographer

Barometer Staff Writer

Alana Blanchard, Esq.

#39: Korn/Take A Look In The Mirror (2003) — nine years after the release of their first album, Korn released album number six. A pretty impressive feat – six albums in nine years! They’re only misstep being album number five, but Take a Look… worked to correct that problem and return Korn to their roots. The riffs on Mirror were face-ripping and the rage contained in these songs kept me from breaking lots of stuff in my late 20’s. Check out: ‘Right Now,’ ‘Counting on Me,’ and ‘Did My Time.’

#38: Danzig/Circle of Snakes (2004) — Hands down my favorite Danzig album to date. With the addition of Tommy Victor (Prong) on guitar, the necessary crunch was in place to level out the rhythm section and Glenn had a perfect foil for his vocals. The result is a tigher, leaner swagger in the songs that is unparalleled on other albums. If you want some thrash and menace to your diet, this album is essential. Check out: ‘Skincarver,’ ‘1000 Devils Reign,’ and ‘Black Angel, White Angel.’

#37: Nada Surf/Let Go (2003) — I’m trying to remember if someone told me to listen to this CD or if I did more out of curiosity of hwo this band that had a hit I couldn’t remember (‘Popular,’ circa 1996) ended up on indie label, Barsuk. In any case, I hear opener ‘Blizzard of ‘77,’ and I was hooked. A pure, unabashed indie pop rock record, no more or less. The band has gone on to produce two more great records in the decade, worth of listens. Check Out: ‘Happy Kid,’ ‘Inside of Love,’ and ‘Killian’s Red.’

#36: The Knife/Deep Cuts (2006) — I’ve actually only just recently discovered The Knife, but my life, and the landscape of electronic music is pretty much forever changed because of them and I don’t think, with the exception briefly of maybe The Presets or Fischerspooner, no one’s meant more this decade. Deep Cuts is an assorted collection of tunes released in the same year as their landmark album Silent Shout. You’ll probably find THAT album on hipster lists…but Deep Cuts is the real gem. Congo drums never sounded so good! Check out: ‘Heartbeats,’ ‘Pass This On,’ and ‘You Take My Breath Away.’

#35: Lamb of God/Ashes of the Wake (2004) — It’s hard to believe this album is five years old already. This was the album that put LOG on the map and for good reason. ‘The Faded Line,’ is one of the greatest metal songs of all-time (and kicks ass when snowboarding too…) Some seriously talented musicians who hit their high mark on this album but have not repeated since. Check out: ‘Omerta,’ ‘The Faded Line,’ and ‘Laid to Rest.’

#34: 30 Seconds to Mars/This Is War (2009) — originally this slot was set to go to Radiohead, but I re-listened to that album and finally got a copy of the new Mars disc. Ten years later the Radiohead album doesn’t stack up and about five listens in on 30STM and I know this album will stand in time. I’m a fan of epic, life-changing songs and am enamored with what’s been created here. Kid A, save for a couple tunes, is virtually an unlistenable album compared to their other work. Even the fact that Jared and Co. utilize the services of Kanye West on a track can’t deter their overall effort. Check out: ‘Kings and Queens,’ ‘100 Suns,’ and ‘Alibi.’

#33: A Perfect Circle/Mer De Noms (2000) — a more straightforward vehicle for Maynard James Keenan, perhaps a bit more pop or radio-friendly at the turn of the century than Tool, but the songs on both albums stand up over time. Billy Howerdel took time and crafted some incredible song with some fantastic riffs and solos. I won’t soon forget two out of the four shows I saw them at (opening for NIN on the Fragile tour and again at a pre-release party for 13th step @ Irving Plaza. Check out: ‘Judith,’ ‘The Hollow,’ and ‘Brena.’

#32: Coheed and Cambria/In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3 (2003) — This was the album that really put Coheed on the map. I remember Mark Hudson and, I think, Scott McCabe turning me on to this album. It made sense Mark was a fan being a big progressive freak. I was starting to get over the whole Rush thing, but these guys just had a way of exploring the old while putting a new spin on it and not sounding overly pretentious. I guess that was the emo influence. In any case, check out: ‘In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3,’ ‘Three Evils (Embodied in Love and Shadow)’ and ‘A Favor House Atlantic.’

#31: Devildriver/Devildriver (2003) — some people have problems with first discs from someone who was in an established band and venturing into something new (but similar). Case in point, QOTSA’s first disc, Zwan, and this disc. Was DD’s first disc a dramatic departure from Coal Chamber? No. But it was definitely harder and faster and gave a sense of some of things to come. Fafara ended up starting over with all new musicians on the next album and has created some decent music over the years. This album still spoke to my ‘F-U,’ attitude and when you’re having a bad day, nothing beats throwing this on at maximum volume with tunes like ‘I Could Care Less,’ ‘Die and Die Now,’ and ‘Swinging the Dead.’

#30: Maylene and the Sons of Disaster/Maylene and the Sons of Disaster (2005) — formed when frontman Dallas Taylor got kicked out of Underoath, MATSD are the musical incarnation of the Ma Barker gang and base their music heavily on the concept of divine justice. On their first album, the band melded southern rock with thrash/metalcore. While their leanings have become increasingly southern rock, the first album was a shout out loud that goes nicely with a nice whiskey. Check out: ‘Tough As John Jacobs,’ ‘Gusty Like the Wind,’ and ‘The Road to Panther Creek.’

From/De: Activision

Top Artists Allow Fans to Fill Their Stockings With Downloadable Songs for Guitar Hero(R) and Band Hero(TM) This Holiday

Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, The Fall Of Troy, OneRepublic and Popular Indie Bands Nada Surf, Pavement and Spoon Lead December Line-Up

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov 30, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — There is no better way to close out the year than with Guitar Hero(R) and one of the hottest line-ups of downloadable content this December. Tracks, never-before available in a Guitar Hero game, from Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, The Fall of Troy, OneRepublic and indie artists Nada Surf, Pavement and Spoon are just some of what fans can look forward to this holiday season. Compatible with both Guitar Hero(R) 5 and Band Hero(TM), the Guitar Hero music library continues to expand and evolve as fans rock their way through the holidays and into 2010.

The longtime Guitar Hero devout may be familiar with metal band The Fall of Troy from their Guitar Hero(R) III: Legends of Rock bonus track “F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.” The band returns to the Guitar Hero stage once again with The Fall Of Troy Track Pack, available for download on December 3, featuring the newly released “Panic Attack,” “A Classic Case of Transference” and “Single,” all off of the band’s October album In The Unlikely Event.

American pop rock band OneRepublic, who first debuted as downloadable content for Guitar Hero(R) World Tour, are back on December 12 with a three song track pack to celebrate the November release of their newest studio album Waking Up. The Track Pack features two songs off Waking Up, “All The Right Moves” and “Everybody Loves Me,” as well as “Mercy,” a track off their first studio album Dreaming Out Loud.

Guitar Hero fans should get ready to experience indie rock at some of its best this December. Injecting even more flavor into ever expanding Guitar Hero music library is a three song track pack featuring Nada Surf, Pavement and Spoon. Players can jam to Nada Surf’s “Hi-Speed Soul,” experience the lo-fi rock music of Pavement with “Cut Your Hair” or rock out to “Sister Jack” by Spoon on December 17.

What better way to welcome in the holidays then by playing along to Steve Ouimette’s version of the classic “Hark The Herald Angels Sing,” which will be available as a free download on the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero on December 22.

Bring in the New Year right with the Celebrity New Years Rock Track Pack. Starting on December 22, players can live it up and rock out with a three song track pack featuring all the Band Hero in-game artists. Players can sing along to Taylor Swift’s “Our Song,” the third single off her self-titled debut album, Taylor Swift, jam to “Harder to Breathe,” the first single off Maroon 5’s debut album Songs About Jane, or rock to “New” by No Doubt as they bring in the New Year, Guitar Hero style.

The Fall of Troy, OneRepublic, Indie Rock and Celebrity New Years Rock Track Packs will be available on Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points, on the PlayStation(R)Store for the PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system for $5.49 and for Wii(TM) for 550 Wii Points(TM). In addition, all songs in The Fall of Troy, OneRepublic, Indie Rock and Celebrity New Years Rock Track Packs will be released as downloadable singles for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PlayStation 3 system for $1.99 and Wii for 200 Wii Points each. The Christmas Rock Pack will be available for free download for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system.

For more information about Guitar Hero 5, Band Hero and their entire line-up of downloadable content, please visit www.guitarhero.com.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

Here is Holly Miranda performing her song “Slow Burn Treason” with Nada Surf as her backing band.

Ieri come la metà o quasi dei mie fortunati concittadini sono andata allo stadio a vedere la partita di Rugby Italia – Samoa.

(Questo può darvi una chiara idea del fatto che nella mia città non accada mai nulla di interessante).

Tralascerò i commenti sui giocatori, i cui addominali scolpiti si vedevano distintamente dalla tribuna e nonostante la maglietta, sul pubblico ascolano, che faceva finta di conoscere a menadito tutte le regole del rugby e le conosceva così bene che il mio vicino, durante una “meta” ha esclamato a tutta voce “touchdown” e non vi parlerò nemmeno della sparuta rappresentanza samoana che, collanedifiori munita, ha fatto un casino mai sentito.

Vi parlerò invece della mia mamma. Che conosce un solo sport. Il calcio. E con la quale, dopo la partita, ho avuto il presente dialogo.

M “ma che sei stata a vedere allo stadio?”

T “la partita di rugby”

M “ah! quello che si gioca con le mazze e dove tutti portano il cappellino!”

T “no mamma quello è il baseball!Questo è il rugby!”

M “ah capito, quello dove i ragazzi portano quei caschetti! C’è anche il telefilm e tu la notte quando segnano urli sempre!”

T “mannò mamma quello è il football!”

M ” e che indossano quelli che fanno rugby?”

T “niente mamma, sono grandi e grossi e basta”

M ” e giocano nudi? Non hanno una divisa?”

T “si, maglietta e pantaloncini!”

M “ah! come il calcio allora! Hanno anche la palla, no???!”

T ” see, vabbeh ciao”

(Io posto queste cose per le persone che continuano a ricordarmi che non sono normale. Datevi una risposta).

Per il resto oggi è domenica.

Tra poco esco. Ma prima voglio farvi ascoltare una canzonetta che ho sentito stanotte. E che ho cercato per tutta la notte e tutta la mattinata nel mio cervello. Perchè non riuscivo a ricordare il titolo. Ringraziando il settimo cielo, conosco tanti Shazam umani.

Uno di questi è Lorenzo che mi ha detto “basta chiedere”. E se ne è uscito con il titolo in tempo reale.

Battendo Shazam in un secondo e mezzo (ff prossimo anche per questo, dunque).

Thanks Buon ascolto e buona domenica belli :*

So I recently stumbled upon Band of Skulls (NOT because of  New Moon) and have found myself unable to turn them off. The band’s moniker may lead many to believe that the trio are some death metal outfit, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. These Brit rockers produce a sound that is equal parts The White Stripes and Nada Surf. Each song has its own distinct sound, a feat most rock groups fail to achieve.”Baby Darling Doll Face Honey“, the debut album from Band of Skulls, is the perfect record for a crappy Saturday when you’re looking for some motivation to get movin.

Myspace

Twitter

I first heard this song on a Barsuk Records sampler. Since I loved the song so much I listened to a few samples of other songs from the album, and I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t care for “Popular” which was overplayed too much in the early 90s, so I assumed that the rest of their music had a similar taste. I’m glad that I gave them a second chance, because I’ve discovered that they are a band that writes really great music and has a lot of depth.

Nada Surf “Your Legs Grow”

Like what you see feel free to email me at tad@creativesquall.com and don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook. Check out the Creative Squall website to see how sketches grow up to be complete ideas.

Firstly, Nada Surf is a wonderful band. I’d forgotten how much I loved them, but getting into their latest release, Lucky, made me remember with ease.

Next up- The Operation Rehydration benefit concert in Jackson went swimmingly, and my good friend Amy Patterson was at the heart of the whole event. So, a special thanks to her and to her very dedicated and thoughtful crew for their incredibly hard work.

The new music is coming- Please stick with me on this one. As soon as I get my recording crew together and rehearsed, I want to hit tracking this new EP hard. Expect all new tracks except for one old, rare one… Some 2 Weeks Notice fans out there might remember the one I’m referring to.

This one will be something more raw and personal than Ready. More Jackson Browne than Counting Crows, if you will.

I don’t know if there are people out there who don’t know this already, but Copeland has announced their break-up recently.. They’ll still do a farewell tour and possibly another album. It’s just so hard to believe that such a talented band would split so suddenly.. The reason I mention this is because I’ve been listening to Eat, Sleep, Repeat again lately, and I’m beginning to miss them greatly already. Hopefully, Aaron Marsh will keep up the music somehow…

In fact, I’ll leave you with a Copeland quote here from the finale of Eat, Sleep, Repeat, “When You Thought You’d Never Stand Out”:

I’ve got Blonde on Blonde on my portable stereo. It’s a lullaby from a giant golden radio.

Nada Surf – Blonde on Blonde

(From KM.)

Nada Surf – Dentro del Amor

Ver pésima TV
mata todos los pensamientos
Volverme más espacial que
un astronauta
Relacionarme con gente (1)
que casi ni conozco o quiero
No puedo creer lo que hago
Tarde en la noche

Quiero sabes cómo es
allí dentro del amor (2)
Estoy parado a las puertas
Veo la belleza arriba

Sólo cuando logramos ver
la vista aérea
Los patrones se mostrarán
Sabremos qué hacer
Conozco la última página tan bien
que no puedo leer la primera
Así que solamente no comienzo
Está empeorando

Quiero sabes cómo es
allí dentro del amor
Estoy parado a las puertas
Veo la belleza arriba

Quiero sabes cómo es
allí dentro del amor
No puedo encontrar el modo de entrar
Trato una y otra vez

Estoy fuera del amor
siempre abajo o arriba
No puedo encontrar el modo de entrar
Trato una y otra vez

Estoy fuera del amor
siempre abajo o arriba
Debe ser un diferente panorama
ser un yo con una tú

Quiero sabes cómo es
allí dentro del amor
Estoy parado a las puertas
Veo la belleza arriba

Quiero sabes cómo es
allí dentro del amor
Claro que estaré bien
Sólo tuve una mala noche

(1) Make out: podría ser “tener sexo” o “copular”, prefiero “relacionarse”.
(2) On the inside: lo tomo como que quiere redundar en la frase, por ello puse “allí”.

er deilig. Sitter på bussen nå, har vært hjemme i helga og hygget meg med familie og venner. Nå går turen tilbake til hybelen. Det er godt og varmt på bussen. Lite folk også. Jeg synes det er så avslappende å sitte på bussen og bare glane ut ruta og høre på god musikk. Da får jeg både drømt meg bort og tenkt meg om. Noen av mine mest fornuftige tanker dukker faktisk opp på bussen. Nada Surf har forresten ypperlig buss-musikk.

1. “Whose Authority” – 3:02
2. “Always Love” – 3:23
3. “I Like What You Say” – 3:16
4. “Blizzard Of ‘77″ – 2:14
5. “See These Bones” – 5:52
6. “Happy Kid” – 4:27
7.” Here Goes Something” -2:07

[RS] [MU]

If The O.C. were still around, Golden Shoulders would own the soundtrack

PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Golden Shoulders’ “Mountain” from goldenshoulders.com

Calling Alexandra Patsavas!  I think I just discovered the most teen-soap-ready California-pop ever penned.  It has the jangly guitar line — the cooing back-up vocals — the urgent mid-track crescendos — it’s basically like a more obscure version of half the tracks on The O.C. Mix 2.

The song is “Mountain” and it comes to us, unsurprisingly, from California: the Nevada City collective Golden Shoulders have been writing ’70s-tinged retro-pop since the early 2000s.  The band has no set line-up, apart from frontman Adam Kline.  Joanna Newsom spent some time with them, as did Marc Snegg, the founder of Grass Roots Record Co.  And if that Joanna Newsom tie isn’t enough to pique your interest, consider this: Golden Shoulders play all of their shows without electricity  (no mics, amps, etc.), a feat that few other bands can claim to have attempted.

Fans of Nada Surf, Rogue Wave, The Thrills and The 88 — you will dig this.

– Caitlin Dewey, editor in chief

This is the end of the first two parts of the big restock, just have the No Idea order to go. And that one is DEEP.

Maybe add something else with your Thrice pre-order, hmm?

Acid King – Busse Woods
Graves At Sea – Documents of Grief
Mudhoney – The Lucky Ones
Nada Surf – Let Go
Paramore – Riot
Waits, Tom – Mule Variations
Weasel, Ben – The Brain That Wouldn’t Die
Weasel, Ben – These Ones Are Bitter
Wednesday Night Heroes – Guilty Pleasure
Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
Wilco – Summerteeth
Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wisemen – Wisemen Approaching
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The – Show Your Bones
Young Jeezy – The Recession
Youth Brigade – Come Again
Youth Brigade – Sound and Fury
Youth Brigade – To Sell The Truth
Zion I – The Takeover

Very occasionally a group of people get together on the Touchedmix blog and post mixes on a particular theme. Last week, the theme was HEADS, with their features and their functions. I thought readers of this little corner of the music blogosphere might be interested in the two mixes I banged together.

*     *     *

OVER MY HEAD MIX
1. Aztec Camera – Head Is Happy (Heart’s Insane) (1985)
2. Crowded House – Pineapple Head (live) (1996/2006)
3. Johnny Cash – Mean Eyed Cat (1996)
4. The Dillards – I’ve Just Seen A Face (1968)
5. The Holmes Brothers – Smiling Face Hiding A Weeping Heart (2006)
6. Paul Anka – Eyes Without A Face (2006)
7. The Undisputed Truth – Smiling Faces Sometimes (1971)
8. Justine Washington – I Can’t Wait Until I See My Baby’s Face (1964)
9. The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes For You (1959)
10. Mississippi Sheikhs – I’ve Got Blood in My Eyes For You (1938)
11. Robert Mitchum – Mama Looka Boo Boo (Shut Your Mouth-Go Away) (1958)
12. Emile Ford & the Checkmates – Them There Eyes (1960)
13. Lewis Taylor – Blue Eyes (2000)
14. Andrew Bird – A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left (2005)
15. Nada Surf – The Way You Wear Your Head (2002)
16. The Sweet – The Lies In Your Eyes (1975)
17. Ben Folds – Doctor My Eyes (2002)
18. Josh Ritter – One More Mouth (2006)
19. Kaki King – Saving Days In A Frozen Head (2008)
20. The Lilac Time – The Darkness Of Her Eyes (1991)
21. Thomas Dybdahl – Pale Green Eyes (2009)
22. Ryan Adams – Halloweenhead (2007)
23. The Cardigans – Give Me Your Eyes (2005)

Download

.

Justine Washington is better known as Baby Washington; this is the original version of the song covered to good effect by Dusty Springfield.

.

SENSES WORKING OVERTIME MIX
1. David Bowie – Can You Hear Me (1975)
2. Tim Buckley – I Can’t See You (1966)
3. Herman Düne – I Wish That I Could See You Soon (2006)
4. Devics – If We Cannot See (2006)
5. Richard Hawley – Can You Hear The Rain, Love (2001)
6. Scott Walker – You’re Gonna Hear From Me (1967)
7. The Righteous Brothers – See That Girl (1965)
8. Chris Montez – The More I See You (1966)
9. Cass Elliot – I’ll Be Seeing You (1973)
10. Blind Boy Fuller – What’s That Smells Like Fish (1938)
11. Smiley Lewis – I Hear You Knocking (1955)
12. The Supremes – I Hear A Symphony (1965)
13. Jim Messina – Seeing You (For The First Time) (1979)
14. Baby Huey – Listen To Me (1971)
15. The Jesus and Mary Chain – Taste Of Cindy (1985)
16. K’s Choice – A Sound That Only You Can Hear (1995)
17. Mull Historical Society – Watching Xanadu (2001)
18. Ron Sexsmith & Don Kerr – Listen (2005)
19. Rosanne Cash – I Was Watching You (2006)
20. The Magic Numbers – I See You, You See Me (2005)
21. Paul Anka – Smells Like Teen Spirit (2005)

DOWNLOAD

Florence + The Machine at Bowery Ballroom, 10.27.09

Florence + The Machine made their NYC debut at Fader’s CMJ party at the ACE Hotel on Saturday October 24, and we were front and center for the acoustic masterpiece! Last Monday we got a second dose of Florence at Bowery Ballroom, an enchanting set complete with a full band, bright lights and a gorgeous set design.

The show began at 9 PM when Tennessee’s Holly Miranda took the stage to play a melodic 45 minute set. Halfway through the set she was joined with members of Nada Surf before bowing out for the lady of the night, Ms. Florence Welch.

Nothing gets more intimate than being almost eye level with a performer during an acoustic set and serenading each other (yup it happened at Fader), but even during a bigger stage production Florence is a confiding storyteller confessing all of her secrets through her voice. The audience was entranced and anxious for Florence to hit the next note and bash her fire-red mane around while doing so.

I was so involved with the show that after the generous 12 songs, I turned to the person next to me and asked if it was REALLY encore time. Time really stands still when Florence is in the spotlight.

The set wrapped with You’ve Got The Love and Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up), the ultimate heartfelt combo that moved the entire venue to a unified and uplifted place. Yet another absolutely stellar and flawless performance.

More pictures of Florence + the Machine HERE and more of Holly Miranda w/ Nada Surf HERE.

MP3: Holly Miranda – Slow Burn Treason or zShare
MP3: Florence + The Machine – Flakes (Mystery Jets Cover) or zShare
MP3: Florence + The Machine – Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) ( Jamie T Lionheart Remix) or zShare

Holly Miranda w/ Nada Surf

“I’ve got no time i wanna lose
To people with something to prove
What can you do but let them talk”

Ayer por la tarde estaba en casa disfrutando de una recopilación de Nick Lowe, cuando sonó All Men Are Liars, una canción que me parece cojonuda (¡esa referencia a Rick Astley es genial!). Me pareció un título chulo para un disco y, además, tenía delante de mí una foto que había hecho en una tienda de Londres (en la Burlington Arcade) que era perfecta para la portada (las letras del título tienen los colores de las corbatas de la tienda).

Descarga la recopilación "All Men Are Liars"

Así que la cosa empezó con Nick Lowe y siguó con Orange Juice, Modern Skirt, The Electric Soft Parade, The Jeevas, Luthea Salom, Stoned Emotion, Death Cab For Cutie, The Frames, My Morning Jacket, Tapes ‘n Tapes, Trashmonkeys, Islands, Benjamin Biolay, The Rentals, Josh Ritter, The Changes, Paper Or Plastic, Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3, James Dean Bradfield, The Higsons, Metric, Nada Surf, The Like y Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.

Creo que sólo hay un tema nuevo (el de Benjamin Biolay) y he incluido versiones de Julian Cope, David Bowie, Elvis Costello y Creedence Clearwater Revival. Este mediodía he rehecho la recopilación: he eliminado algún tema e incluido otros, hasta que ha quedado la que os dejo aquí, que espero que la disfrutéis.

AQUÍ tenéis el listado de temas y, como siempre, pinchando en la portada os podéis descargar las canciones en mp3 y la carátula en pdf.

Nada Surf have been fairly prolific over the last several years, and they recently recorded a cover of “I Like What You Say.”

Check it out below:

Such a great raw song.

Anyways, listening to drowning pool now, looking for new good stuff. Need to continue the self improvement. And get back to doing school work like I should. So much wasted time in a day. Talking to people tends to be wasteful, as is hanging out. Unless I have a deisre to do so that is. Last night, I layed down at 12, I would have been to bed early and up in time to work out maybe, and for sure go to my psy class with the special lecture… Im really sad I missed it because I slept through it. I think when Im first waking up my dark side is more in control because the light side isnt working for control yet.

Had a new idea for my phoenix tattoo today, based off what I saw with the long black feathers on the other tattoo. A single feather with a black and white squiggle down the length of it, with a red dot in the center at the end.

Check out this video for Nada Surf’s ‘Whose Authority’ – the familiar looking messenger is Michael Maronna – Big Pete in Nickelodeon’s The Adventures Of Pete and Pete!