Chariot of Fire
By N.E.R.D.
This blog entry is going to have to be a little hush hush and very quiet... Hip hop is like my guilty pleasure. If people knew I dress up in bling and ride my escalade down the strip my rockstar cred will be all but ruined. So shhhh.
Anyway, N.E.R.D. (or No-one Every Really Dies to their friends, but also The Neptunes to their other friends) are only kinda hip hoppery... Also kinda R&B-ey. It's really hard to lock them into one category since they are capable of so many different sounds. No matter what though, they seem to pull it off like it's nothing. Also, Pharrell Williams is a genius.
Best Lyric:
What about then Mildred?
Oh excuse me a I mean music...
Be Easy
By Ghostface Killah
Ok.. ok... So this one's a little 'Gangsta'... Possibly too 'Gangsta'... But it's hard to appreciate its greatness until you've seen Vic and myself bust this out on the street when we are walking between clubs. We are totally 'fly'.
Plus, you've gotta respect a guy who's willing to mention Tony Stark/Iron Man in almost every song. They even gave him a bit part in the movie (although it got cut... so I guess they weren't that greatful after all :S).
Best Lyric:
Gotta get that cheese,
Gotta pimp that V.
Old School Rules
By DangerDoom ft. Talib Kweli
DangerDoom is actually two guys: Dangermouse and MF Doom.
Dangermouse is like the man with the midas touch of music. He's also half of Gnarls Barkley and has done various collaborations and mashups (Including the brilliant and illegal Beatle's White album/Jay Z's Black album mashup).
MF Doom raps primarily about cartoons and comic books, and also always wears a mexican luchador mask (as seen here).
The album this is from, The Mask and the Mouse, is entirely about the lineup of Nick at night, and is also one of the greatest albums I've ever heard.
Best Lyric:
And we'll be right back after these messages:
Fellas grab your nutsacks, chicks squeeze your breastesses.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Dance Dance Revolution
Paris Is Burning
By Ladyhawke
New Zealand's own arcade-machine-playing, 80's-movie-named, awkward-disco-goddess, Ladyhawke came out with this album earlier this year. It's kind of a song that initially got one my nerves because it was getting over played and is way to catchy for its own good, but slowly it grew on me. Also, my sister really wanted it so I got it for her.
Granite
By Pendulum
Pendulum is like Australia's secret awesome band. While everyone in the UK is playing the same drum and bass stuff they were playing 10 years ago, these guys have managed to evolve it to new levels. It keeps the same feel as drum and bass, but does the logical thing by adding a little bit of melody to mix it up a little. Unfortunately... there's still a little unnecessary build up in this album version... but you can't have it all.
D.A.N.C.E.
By Justice
Otherwise known for making some of the best dancey music from Europe last year, Justice can also spell. They hit it big with a collaboration with another guy called Simian, and a track called "We are your friends" that caused Kayne West to have a spazz (Not a hard thing to cause apparently) at the MTV music video awards.
This song also has a pretty rad film clip, as can be seen here.
By Ladyhawke
New Zealand's own arcade-machine-playing, 80's-movie-named, awkward-disco-goddess, Ladyhawke came out with this album earlier this year. It's kind of a song that initially got one my nerves because it was getting over played and is way to catchy for its own good, but slowly it grew on me. Also, my sister really wanted it so I got it for her.
Granite
By Pendulum
Pendulum is like Australia's secret awesome band. While everyone in the UK is playing the same drum and bass stuff they were playing 10 years ago, these guys have managed to evolve it to new levels. It keeps the same feel as drum and bass, but does the logical thing by adding a little bit of melody to mix it up a little. Unfortunately... there's still a little unnecessary build up in this album version... but you can't have it all.
D.A.N.C.E.
By Justice
Otherwise known for making some of the best dancey music from Europe last year, Justice can also spell. They hit it big with a collaboration with another guy called Simian, and a track called "We are your friends" that caused Kayne West to have a spazz (Not a hard thing to cause apparently) at the MTV music video awards.
This song also has a pretty rad film clip, as can be seen here.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
A band I've seen live, one I want to see live, and one maybe I don't.
Morning Light
By Sparkadia
I can't remember the first time I saw these guys, but I know I've seen them at least twice now supporting different bands. I'm pretty that both times they were actually better than the headliners. So, I was hanging out for them to finally release an album. They did earlier this year and I wasn't disappointed.
This was their first single. They changed some stuff (totally unnecessarily in my opinion) for the recorded version but it's still pretty cool.
Jackie Cooper
By Little Red
I haven't seen Little Red play yet, but they are on the top of my list. Who would've thought that barbershop would make a mighty return like this?
I don't really have much to say about this song, coz the song pretty much speaks for itself, but it is by far one of the best aussie songs I've heard this year.
Five On The Five
By The Raconteurs/Saboteurs
The Raconteurs (know as The Saboteurs in Australia) are an American supergroup consisting of Jack White, Brendan Benson and two other guys I can't remember off the top of my head. This song is off their second album, Consolers Of The Lonely.
I'm still unsure if I wanna see these guys live. Like this song rocks out, and so do a lot of their other ones, but so do The White Stripes and seeing them at the Big Day Out almost ruined it for me. They were just kinda boring on stage, not as boring as Kings of Leon (now there's a band that was ruined for me) but after Franz Ferdinand blew me away I was expecting so much more.
Regardless.... Good song. Listen.
By Sparkadia
I can't remember the first time I saw these guys, but I know I've seen them at least twice now supporting different bands. I'm pretty that both times they were actually better than the headliners. So, I was hanging out for them to finally release an album. They did earlier this year and I wasn't disappointed.
This was their first single. They changed some stuff (totally unnecessarily in my opinion) for the recorded version but it's still pretty cool.
Jackie Cooper
By Little Red
I haven't seen Little Red play yet, but they are on the top of my list. Who would've thought that barbershop would make a mighty return like this?
I don't really have much to say about this song, coz the song pretty much speaks for itself, but it is by far one of the best aussie songs I've heard this year.
Five On The Five
By The Raconteurs/Saboteurs
The Raconteurs (know as The Saboteurs in Australia) are an American supergroup consisting of Jack White, Brendan Benson and two other guys I can't remember off the top of my head. This song is off their second album, Consolers Of The Lonely.
I'm still unsure if I wanna see these guys live. Like this song rocks out, and so do a lot of their other ones, but so do The White Stripes and seeing them at the Big Day Out almost ruined it for me. They were just kinda boring on stage, not as boring as Kings of Leon (now there's a band that was ruined for me) but after Franz Ferdinand blew me away I was expecting so much more.
Regardless.... Good song. Listen.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Random songs for random times.
Something Is Not Right With Me
By Cold War Kids
I couldn't really pick a running theme with the songs this week, nothing was really jutting out at me. But the same thing happened last week only to be saved at the last moment by terrible breakfast cereal analogies. I'm hoping I can tap into that magic again this week. Terrible analogy magic. About American politics. That seems like a good place to start.
If this song was an analogy for a current world even it would be like the wall market crash. The singer portrays himself not as wall street but as an outsider, out of the loop in a materialistic sense, calling people collect and having to borrow money for the jukebox. Yet, he asks if there's something wrong with him that he doesn't feel the need to be driven by similar desires and considers himself better off when it all goes to crap.
Kind of.
On My Shoulders
By The Do
This song is surely about Hillary Clinton missing out on her chance at running for president. If real life were more like a musical, this would be Hillary's solo about halfway through, Torn between Bill and Obama but also between her hopes and dreams... Bill and Obama doing some kinda of interpretive dance in the background in the moonlight.
Caught By The Fuzz
By Supergrass
My knowledge of American politics is pretty limited, indeed, as is my knowledge of current events.... So I'm a little stretched for this one. It's a pretty simple song though...
I can change it to Australia politics and say its a reflection of Malcolm Turnball's previous drug use when he was younger.
DONE AND DUSTED.
By Cold War Kids
I couldn't really pick a running theme with the songs this week, nothing was really jutting out at me. But the same thing happened last week only to be saved at the last moment by terrible breakfast cereal analogies. I'm hoping I can tap into that magic again this week. Terrible analogy magic. About American politics. That seems like a good place to start.
If this song was an analogy for a current world even it would be like the wall market crash. The singer portrays himself not as wall street but as an outsider, out of the loop in a materialistic sense, calling people collect and having to borrow money for the jukebox. Yet, he asks if there's something wrong with him that he doesn't feel the need to be driven by similar desires and considers himself better off when it all goes to crap.
Kind of.
On My Shoulders
By The Do
This song is surely about Hillary Clinton missing out on her chance at running for president. If real life were more like a musical, this would be Hillary's solo about halfway through, Torn between Bill and Obama but also between her hopes and dreams... Bill and Obama doing some kinda of interpretive dance in the background in the moonlight.
Caught By The Fuzz
By Supergrass
My knowledge of American politics is pretty limited, indeed, as is my knowledge of current events.... So I'm a little stretched for this one. It's a pretty simple song though...
I can change it to Australia politics and say its a reflection of Malcolm Turnball's previous drug use when he was younger.
DONE AND DUSTED.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tonight's category: Uk bands beginning with 'The'.
Two Doors Down
The Mystery Jets
Sure, the beginning of this song sounds a little like a TV ad for breakfast cereal, but it by the time the first verse is over and the sax crimes begin, it's a nifty little song. If this was a cereal however, it would be masquerading as a family friendly healthy treat, but in reality it's way too sugary sweet to be good for you.
Shut Up And Let Me Go
The Ting Tings
If this song was a cereal, it would be a) The apparent next big thing according to the advertisers, and b) something that all the hip indie kids would have for breakfast. I'm kind of thinking that means 'nothing', but for argument's sake lets say coco pops. With fruitloops, just to make it different. And yogurt.
No Social
The Shortwave Set
To me, this song wouldn't be a cereal. But if it had to be some kind of breakfast meal, it would probably be like taking all the left overs in the fridge and turning them into some kind of crazy big breakfast hybrid that somehow contains equal parts indian, pasta, german smallgoods, pre-made salad, champagne and birthday cake. Naturally, this is a good thing.
The Mystery Jets
Sure, the beginning of this song sounds a little like a TV ad for breakfast cereal, but it by the time the first verse is over and the sax crimes begin, it's a nifty little song. If this was a cereal however, it would be masquerading as a family friendly healthy treat, but in reality it's way too sugary sweet to be good for you.
Shut Up And Let Me Go
The Ting Tings
If this song was a cereal, it would be a) The apparent next big thing according to the advertisers, and b) something that all the hip indie kids would have for breakfast. I'm kind of thinking that means 'nothing', but for argument's sake lets say coco pops. With fruitloops, just to make it different. And yogurt.
No Social
The Shortwave Set
To me, this song wouldn't be a cereal. But if it had to be some kind of breakfast meal, it would probably be like taking all the left overs in the fridge and turning them into some kind of crazy big breakfast hybrid that somehow contains equal parts indian, pasta, german smallgoods, pre-made salad, champagne and birthday cake. Naturally, this is a good thing.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Triumphant return of the music blog?: Songs I've been listening to lately.
Expectations
By Cut Off Your Hands
I'm willing to put it out there that Cut Off Your Hands are the best band coming out of New Zealand at the moment... That Australia hasn't claimed as their own, at least. They've been playing for a while now, but are yet to release an album (I think, it could be out soon) but they have released 2 EP's, the first of which; Shaky Hands, was released in 2006. I'd heard of them previously but never grabbed their name before a week or two ago.
Regardless... I'm glad there are still bands out there keeping the rock dream alive. If I can just put on my musical clarevoyant sparkely turban.... I see big things in their future.
The Bomb
By New Young Pony Club
Continuing with the 'Songs-that-came-out-some-time-ago-but-I-missed-the-name' theme, this song came out sometime last year. It's another strong showing for Electro-Funk-Dance, proudly proving that not all of the genre has to be made in New York.
Deceptively, these guys are from England, but are actually signed to the same Australian label as Wolfmother and The Presets.
Lucio Starts Fires
By Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong
Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong went massive sometime last year, pumping out this song and an equally impressive EP. But then, tragedy! Well nothing that melodramatic, but they kind of fell off the radar. There's rumors that they are still just tweaking thier debut album, but theres also rumors they just broke up. Theres even a rumor that they were kidnapped by an American advertising company and force to compose jingles while being tied up in a dungeon.. But I wouldn't put too much faith in that rumor as I just made it up.
Regardless of actual criminal acts commited, I personally think its criminal that a song this catchy never got an album.
Special Bonus Track!
You And I
By Cut Off Your Hands
Now the New Zealand never has to end! As long as you only listen to it for 2:14. OR alternatively just set it to loop... FOR EVER....
By Cut Off Your Hands
I'm willing to put it out there that Cut Off Your Hands are the best band coming out of New Zealand at the moment... That Australia hasn't claimed as their own, at least. They've been playing for a while now, but are yet to release an album (I think, it could be out soon) but they have released 2 EP's, the first of which; Shaky Hands, was released in 2006. I'd heard of them previously but never grabbed their name before a week or two ago.
Regardless... I'm glad there are still bands out there keeping the rock dream alive. If I can just put on my musical clarevoyant sparkely turban.... I see big things in their future.
The Bomb
By New Young Pony Club
Continuing with the 'Songs-that-came-out-some-time-ago-but-I-missed-the-name' theme, this song came out sometime last year. It's another strong showing for Electro-Funk-Dance, proudly proving that not all of the genre has to be made in New York.
Deceptively, these guys are from England, but are actually signed to the same Australian label as Wolfmother and The Presets.
Lucio Starts Fires
By Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong
Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong went massive sometime last year, pumping out this song and an equally impressive EP. But then, tragedy! Well nothing that melodramatic, but they kind of fell off the radar. There's rumors that they are still just tweaking thier debut album, but theres also rumors they just broke up. Theres even a rumor that they were kidnapped by an American advertising company and force to compose jingles while being tied up in a dungeon.. But I wouldn't put too much faith in that rumor as I just made it up.
Regardless of actual criminal acts commited, I personally think its criminal that a song this catchy never got an album.
Special Bonus Track!
You And I
By Cut Off Your Hands
Now the New Zealand never has to end! As long as you only listen to it for 2:14. OR alternatively just set it to loop... FOR EVER....
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Ye olde punk rock.
I'm Stranded
By The Saints
Brisbane's very own The Saints are technically the fathers of modern punk. They formed before the Sex Pistols, and around the same time as the Ramones. I like this song for its simplicity, and for a while there it was like an anthem everytime we'd go out to the alternative clubs (well this, and 'Paint it black' by the Rolling Stones).
Lust For Life
By Iggy Pop
If The Saints are fathers of modern punk, Iggy Pop is the Grandfather. He's been around making music since the 60's, starting of playing avant-garde rock that would later become known as proto-punk. He's still kicking around today (and is like a ball of muscle :S) which just goes to show that sometimes taking a retarded load of drugs wont always kill you.
Warrior In Woolworths
By X-ray Spex
X-ray Spex never made it as big as the other punk bands, even though they started around the same time. But regardless, they bring a bit to the table. For a start, I think they were the first punk band with a female singer, paving the way for PJ Harvey and Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Secondly, about a quarter of the way into the song, BAM, sax crime. It's a classy act.
By The Saints
Brisbane's very own The Saints are technically the fathers of modern punk. They formed before the Sex Pistols, and around the same time as the Ramones. I like this song for its simplicity, and for a while there it was like an anthem everytime we'd go out to the alternative clubs (well this, and 'Paint it black' by the Rolling Stones).
Lust For Life
By Iggy Pop
If The Saints are fathers of modern punk, Iggy Pop is the Grandfather. He's been around making music since the 60's, starting of playing avant-garde rock that would later become known as proto-punk. He's still kicking around today (and is like a ball of muscle :S) which just goes to show that sometimes taking a retarded load of drugs wont always kill you.
Warrior In Woolworths
By X-ray Spex
X-ray Spex never made it as big as the other punk bands, even though they started around the same time. But regardless, they bring a bit to the table. For a start, I think they were the first punk band with a female singer, paving the way for PJ Harvey and Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Secondly, about a quarter of the way into the song, BAM, sax crime. It's a classy act.
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