Friday Five: RIP MCA

Founding member of The Beastie Boys, MCA (Adam Yauch), lost his battle with cancer today. The Beastie Boys were the first rap group I heard in white bread Newport. I instantly loved it, and wanted more. In light of MCA's passing, here are some covers of Beastie Boys' songs, or songs covered by the Beastie Boys themselves. Enjoy. 

For your ears: (right click and save)
The Hot Rats "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right" (Beastie Boys cover)

Enabler "Heart Attack Man" (Beastie Boys cover)

e.s.l. "Girls" (Beastie Boys cover)

Beastie Boys "53rd and 3rd" (Ramones cover)


Beastie Boys & Biz Markie "Bennie and The Jets" (Elton John cover)


For your eyes:
Switchfoot performing "Sabatoge" by The Beastie Boys, live.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today's pretty awesome for me, being my day of birth and all. I'm going to celebrate laid back styles this year, as it is a Monday. Video gaming, shopping, and lots of Indian food are on track for today. I thought I'd do a quick post of albums that have been released on my birthday. Enjoy!

Dave Matthews Band  - Crash (1996) - This came out on my 18th birthday, and I love this album muchly.

Marvin Gaye - M.P.G. (1969) - I wasn't even a glimmer in my Dad's eye, but this is a great soul album

Norah Jones - Little Broken Hearts (2012) - Just came out! Going to go have a listen!


Muppets FTW!

Friday Five: I've Got You Covered!

Huzzah for Friday! Here's a slew of cover songs for your enjoyment!

For your ears: (except for #3, just right click to save)
 1. Santigold "Proud Mary" (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
 2. Saint Etienne "Wouldn't It Be Nice" (Beach Boys cover)
 3. Dev "99 Red Balloons" (Nena cover)
 4. Silver Medallion "Starships" (Nicki Minaj cover)
 5. Marina & The Diamonds "Boyfriend" (Justin Bieber cover)

Support these artists by buying their original songs over here

For your eyes:
  A pretty spot on parody of Lana Del Rey's "Video Games", Written and performed by Holly Laurent., this is "Hunger Games".  Enjoy!

It's been a long time, shouldn't have left ya without a dope beat to step to...

Good gracious, I completely let this drop, didn't I? Four years later, I've found this blog again, and I've decided to dust it off and give'r another go. I'll still do some music leaks and track reviews, but I'm also going to throw in some of the books / movies / video games / apps that are taking up all my free time.



Speaking of which, here are my top 5 time killers right now:

1. Simpsons: Tapped Out App - This classic builder app from EA sounded so sweet when it was released in February, especially as it was free to download. Not even a week later, EA had completely pulled the game due to numerous glitches and complaints. I had to restart my game twice due to glitches, and it occasionally makes me want to pull my hair out in frustration, but it has its charms. 
2.  Game of Thrones - I read George R. R. Martin's complete series over the winter, and I have to admit I am very impressed with the job HBO is doing with translating the books to the small screen. 
3. Oblivion: Elder Scrolls IV for Xbox 360 - Now, I know everybody and their mom is playing Skyrim right now, but I picked up this Game of The Year edition to get a taste of the series before jumping on the Skyrim band wagon. The quests are interesting, though the graphics are pretty shite. I'd give it an 80 out of 100.
4. Music! I've mostly been sticking to early 90s alternative, but current tracks on my radar include the new album by Lana Del Rey, and Tasha the Amazon's single "Let It Go" (more on her later this week!).
5. The flu - just when you thought Spring was here, Mother Nature decides to throw Toronto some ungodly ass cold weather. After partying all weekend in said disgusting weather, I caught the flu. 3 days in, and I finally don't feel like a complete zombie. Bite me, flu!

Narrow Stairs

I have been literally foaming at the mouth in anticipation of Death Cab's newest album, Narrow Stairs, due out May 13th. As has become par for the course, the album began leaking online this week, and I grabbed it up. Upon two full listenings of Narrow Stairs, I can say I am so glad I did not plunk down $13 for the album. Death Cab's latest endeavor is shite, from start to finish. In an album review MTV writer James Montgomery said that although "Death Cab for Cutie had gone insane." he also believes that Narrow Stairs could make "an early contender for the best album of 2008." He also said that "Narrow Stairs is a great album, one that could make them very famous, but could very well also kill their careers." I am going to cast my vote for the latter. This album makes me almost regret buying tickets for DCFC`s upcoming show in Toronto. Let`s hope they stick to older material for their set, and that the next Death Cab album won`t be so horrendous.

For your ears -
I am being a jerk on this one and not releasing any tracks. Seriously, I hate the album that much.

For your eyes -
DCFC video for Ì Will Possess Your Heart

Watch Video:

I Will Possess Your Heart (Death Cab for Cutie)

Video Code provided by MusicRemedy.Com

Friday Five: Covers-A-Go-Go

Looks to be about that time again, so here's five cover songs for your Friday. Enjoy!

For your ears -
Death Cab for Cutie: Lovesong (The Cure cover)
Nina Gordon: Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A. cover)
Jack Penate: 1234 (Feist cover)
The Killers: Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town (Kenny Rogers cover)
Micheal Gum: Lovefool (The Cardigans cover)
support these artists by buying their music

For your eyes -
A Fine Frenzy doing a live cover of Death Cab for Cutie's "I Will Follow You Into The Dark"

Dragonette with Sweet Thing, Fritz Helder and the Phantoms @ The Phoenix 4/3/08

Dragonette wrapped up their tour last night in Toronto at The Phoenix Concert Theatre with openers Sweet Thing and Fritz Helder and the Phantoms. Dragonette's set was short (45 minutes including the encore), but well polished and a lot of fun. Not too much more to say about it, as I am entirely too hungover.

Dragonette performing "True Believer" at The Phoenix


Dragonette performing "Take It Like A Man" at The Phoenix


Dragonette performing "Stupid Grin" at The Phoenix


Last song of the night - Dragonette and Sweet Thing performing "Get Lucky"