Friday has arrived once again, so here is a serving of five cover songs for you to enjoy.
Australia is an untapped gold mine of musical talent. I've recently discovered Aussie Missy Higgins, who has one of the prettiest voices I have ever heard. There is a soul she brings to her lyrics that is just absolutely heartbreaking. "Where I Stood" from her recent album On A Clear Night is a perfect example of this. On A Clear Night will be released in the states in early 2008, and I highly recommend picking it up.
I've found that working in a nightclub runs some songs into the ground for me ("Stronger" for example, or "Gimme More"). Here's an artist I wish the DJs at work would pick up. Muscles is an artist from Australia who starting to make tiny waves over on our continent. My girl found him randomly and I really dig his single "Ice Cream" once the inital "wooos" calm down. Muscles will be touring in December with Daft Punk, and you can check out his MySpace for more tunes.
It's Friday, and I'm back in business, which means you get five cover songs to start your weekend off with. Enjoy!
Things are back in working order here, so expect regular updates once again. Thanks for your patience. For those in the states, Happy Turkey Day!
Windows Vista truly sucks, and my laptop is stuck in molasses due to a ton of adware. Until I get this mess cleaned up and can access my music library, there won't be any updates for awhile. Sorry folks, bear with me.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I've made no bones about loving pop music, and I was eager to hear Britney Spears' new album, Blackout. The Queen of Pop has fallen a bit short this round, putting out a mish-mash of songs that would be better suited for b-sides rather than radio hits. There are a few gems, "Gimme More" and "Break The Ice", but the majority of the album falls short coming from a veteran pop songstress. Perhaps Britney should have focused more on putting out a solid album, rather than a poorly done mimic of the latest Gwen Stefani and Nelly Furtado albums. One has to wonder while listening to this album if she took the title from the state she was in when she recorded it.
Jay-Z's new "concept" album, American Gangster, hits stores tomorrow. The story goes that Hova was so impressed with the Denzel Washington film of the same name that it inspired the creation of this disc. If that is truly the case, I will make sure not to catch that flick, because this album is nothing short of insipid. American Average would be a better working title for Jay-Z's tenth album. The title track is really the only decent cut on the record. I generally am a huge fan of Jay-Z's, but this album makes me wish he really would retire. If I want original, ground-breaking rap, I'll stick to Kanye.
One of the most successful selling R&B records of all time, TLC's 1994 release CrazySexyCool is still an all time favorite of mine. This album garnered TLC commercial fame, two number one singles ("Creep" and "Waterfalls") and a Grammy for best R&B album. This album had many producers, including Babyface, Jermaine Dupri, and Puff Daddy and is a great, fun listen from start to finish. Standout tracks beside the commercially successful tracks include "Sumthin' Wicked This Way Comes" and "Switch". Take a listen.
I hope everyone has recovered from Halloween (I barely have). Here's five cover songs to kick off the weekend. Enjoy!
Halloween is hands down my favorite holiday of them all. I've always been a fan of costumes, and getting into character to be someone else for the whole day. Here's some Halloween songs to get you pumped. I'm draggin' it up tonight and going as Kelly. What's your costume going to be?
I have been lax lately on looking into new music. I've mostly been going back and listening to artists from my teenage years, mixed in with the new Kanye, Tegan & Sara, and Radiohead. Here's some songs I somehow slept on, and have been rocking especially hard as of late.
Guitar Hero III comes out today, and I am literally salivating at my chance to play it on my Wii. I have been counting down the release of this game since the official track listing came out, and I expect this will be the best edition of the series so far. Within hours, GH III will live in my house. YAY! For those about to rock, we salute you!
Today we're going way back to 1969 to The Beatles' 11th studio album, Abbey Road. My parents were more Rolling Stones fans, so I didn't get into The Beatles until my mid twenties. I love this album from start to finish. Though the band was barely hanging on at this point, this is one of their most solid recordings, as well as their best selling. Lennon and McCartney's lyrics are spot on as always, and Abbey Road is a great ride. Take a listen.
I'm busy gearing up for the weekend and for Halloween, so here's five cover songs to get you going. Enjoy!
Want to get on board with "The Next Big Thing"? Well, look no further than Toronto's own Dance Yourself to Death. The queer indie-pop-rock band consisting of Jen M.(lead vocals, bass), Susan (drums and backing vocals), Johnny (keyboards), and newcomer Carmen (guitar), have the perfect combination of hooks, looks, and energy to take them all the way. The band is currently working on a full length album, due out sometime in 2008, and has songs available for download on their MySpace. I'd also highly recommend picking up their self-titled EP, it is a rocking good time.I'm a longtime Sarah McLachlan fan, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Sarah writes intensely personal and moving lyrics that her voice just flows through beautifully. No where does this shine through better than on her 1993 release, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. McLachlan had long been a hit in her native Canada, but this was the album that brought her international success. The album starts off with a bang with "Possession" (a song inspired by letters from a stalker)and ends with the hauntingly heart-wrenching title track. Still a favorite of mine, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy remains a timeless classic. Take a listen.
For your ears -
Sarah McLachlan: Possession (Version 2)
Sarah McLachlan: Elsewhere
Sarah McLachlan: Hold On
from the album Fumbling Toward Ecstasy (buy it)
For your eyes -
Sarah McLachlan performing "Fear" from the Afterglow Live DVD
It's that time of the week kids, so here's five cover songs to get you going for the weekend. Enjoy!
I had only caught Melissa Ferrick in concert once briefly during Toronto's Pride 2007. I was looking forward to seeing her last night at Lee's Palace because my girl has always spoken so highly of her live show. I was not disappointed in the least bit. Ferrick's live show is high energy, and her banter with the audience is superb. She played a good mix of older material, as well as some new songs she is working on. She played solo, just her and her guitar, and the crowd ate it up. She did a cover of Patty Griffin's "Moses" which was phenomenal, and opened up "Drive" with a snippet of Prince's "Darling Nikki" which personally tickled me to death. I picked up her new live CD at the show, Live at Union Hall, and it is most excellent. Check her show out if you get a chance, you won't be disappointed.
Ida Maria is an up-and-coming artist from Norway whose voice and sound remind me a bit of Bjork when she was with The Sugarcubes (especially on the track "Louie"). Ida is currently doing a few dates in New York City, as well as shopping her demo around. Her music is not necessarily phenomenal, but it is fun. Take a listen.
1994's Grace was the only full-length studio album that Jeff Buckley made before his untimely death in 1997. Grace is, simply, a sonic masterpiece. From the title track, to his cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", Buckley's soulful voice soars on this album. The lyrics on this album can't be beat, especially on tracks such as "Lover, You Should've Come Over" and the college radio hit "Last Goodbye". Grace still holds it owns after thirteen years, and is the high spot in a career that was cut way too short. Take a listen.
Regina Spektor packed Toronto's Kool Haus last night, putting on an almost two hour show that had the crowd smiling from ear to ear. Spektor started off the show A Capella, then performed most of the set with her piano, occasionally throwing in a chair and a drumstick (see video below), and a number with her opener beat boxing for her while she performed "Hotel Song". Spektor's show is upbeat, quirky, and just plain fun. She performed all of her popular songs, and her four song encore was fabulous. Spektor also did a cover of John Lennon's "Real Love" which was absolutely beautiful and which I will be trying to get my hands on. If Regina Spektor blesses your town with a show, be sure to check her out.
Radiohead's latest release, In Rainbows, became available digitally yesterday. I've listened to the 10 new tracks, and have to say I really dig this album on the first listen through. I haven't felt this happy about a new Radiohead album since OK Computer, especially listening to such tracks as "Reckoner" and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place". Thom Yorke and the gang have really produced a solid, ethereal sounding record, and I will probably sink down the cash on December 3rd when In Rainbows is released as a "discbox" with a second CD of additional material. Five stars across the board here. Take a listen.
First off, I'm going to have to invest in a digital camera that is small enough to hide in my pocket, because my Razor's camera phone isn't cutting it. My lovely girl and I were a bit bamboozled when we first bought tickets to this event. We thought the show was going to be A Fine Frenzy with someone else opening. Much to our dismay, we found out that A Fine Frenzy was going to be opening for Brandi Carlile, an artist we knew nothing about. The show at The Phoenix was pretty sparsely attended when we arrived, most folks being there to get their drink on before Carlile took the stage. I would say by the end of her set, A Fine Frenzy had won over anyone in the crowd who wasn't familiar with her work. She started the set with "Come On, Come On", and ran through most of her debut album, One Cell in the Sea. Hearing "Almost Lover", "You Picked Me", and "Rangers" live was worth the twenty dollars we plunked down for the tickets. This was A Fine Frenzy's first time performing in Toronto, and I hope she comes 'round this way again. I can't say much about Brandi Carlile's performance, because after listening to the songs on her MySpace, we agreed that her music sucked and we didn't want to stand around for an hour or so listening to shite.
Tegan and Sara wrapped up a rockin' two show gig in Toronto last night at the Danforth Music Hall. Northern State opened the show for the sisters, and perhaps if their sound equipment had been properly set, I could give you an honest assessment of their performance. I can at least say that they appeared to be very energetic. My lovely girlfriend and I spent most of Northern State's set outside in the smoking corral.
Today, Canada celebrates Thanksgiving, so in honor of stuffing yourself full of 12 pounds of turkey and mashed potatoes, I offer you a serving of mash ups I particularly enjoy.
Released in the fall of 1993 and produced by T-bone Burnett, Counting Crows` debut album, August and Everything After is one of those records that is still as powerful to me today as it was when I first heard it. The album is still the band`s most commercially successful, and in my opinion is the best work they`ve put out. I think you`d be hard pressed not to find someone who can sing the chorus from ``Mr Jones``. August and Everything After is chock full of haunting lyrics and gorgeous melodies. ``Anna Begins`` is hands down one of the most emotionally powerful songs I`ve ever heard. Take a listen.
It's Friday, churn, so here's five cover songs to start your weekend off with. Enjoy!
I am a sucker for accents, and an even bigger sucker for ridiculous songs. I've hit the jackpot here with Soko. From Paris, Soko is starting to make some waves with the first single off of her EP, Not Sokute, called "I'll Kill Her". The EP came out in April and is available off of Itunes, check her out.
I've gotten into the habit of picking up new albums on a whim, and this has been pretty good to me so far. Today however, I picked up the recently released Love is Simple from Akron/Family. I've heard good things about their live show, so I was excited to listen. That excitement did not last very long after the first track. One track, "Cricket", grabbed me and I could listen to it again, but the rest of the album just sounds like poorly put together noise. I've put up the three tracks I could stomach, take a listen and let me know what you think.
I picked up Dr. Dre's The Chronic the in the summer of 1992 during a mock boot camp I attended for JROTC. Those two weeks were absolute hell, but I was able to escape at night listening to this album on my discman. I rocked The Chronic for the rest of the summer, and into the fall and winter as well. The album marked Dre's first solo attempt since his split with N.W.A., and is widely regarded as the album that marked gangsta rap or "g-funk" as a viable money maker for major labels, as well as putting the genre mainstream. This album also helped launch the careers of many artists, Snoop Dog and Nate Dogg especially. The Chronic is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential albums of the 1990s, and I for one won't disagree.
I have been a bad blogger as of late. Chalk it up to sickness and a bad case of the "fuck its". I promise not to be such a bad boy. Anyhow, it's Friday, so here's your covers.
Australian native Ben Lee's new album, Ripe, hits stores early last week. I've listened to the album briefly, and can't say that I am entirely impressed with it. Ripe is a decent pop album, but that is about it. If I need a Ben Lee fix, I'll stick to 2005's Awake is the New Sleep.
Sometimes you hear a band and you enjoy their music, but you kind of forget about them afterwards. This was the case with The Brunettes. I saw them open for Rilo Kiley back in 2005, and thoroughly enjoyed their show, but never followed up on procuring their music afterwards. I finally went on a sampling spree after reading an article about them and picked up their new album, Structures and Cosmetics, plus a few songs from their earlier albums. The New Zealand indie pop band, consisting of Jonathan Bree and Heather Mansfield, have been performing together since 1998. Pick up their latest, it's a damn fine time.
Tori Amos' second album, which saw her going from the mess that was Y Kant Tori Read to the "girl and a piano" shtick (as Atlantic Records called it), is still her best piece of work in my opinion. Little Earthquakes is a raw, moving piece of work about identity, sexual assault, sexual awakening, religion, and finding strength in disappointment. From the powerful fury of "Precious Things" to the playfulness of "Leather", I think this album has something for everyone and should be a must in anyone's collection.
I am hella sick, and it's Friday, so it means a little less conversation and a lot more covers. Enjoy.
Rilo Kiley's show last night at The Phoenix in Toronto was an extremely well put together show. From their opening number, "It's a Hit", to their closing number "Does He Love You", Rilo Kiley rocked the crowd. The band played a good mix of songs from all four releases, as well as a reworking of lead singer Jenny Lewis' "Rise Up With Fists" that was even better than the original. Rilo Kiley's live act is impeccable, and even made me fall in love with the songs from the new album that I can't stand ("15", "Smoke Detector"). If the band comes near your town, spend the $20 to see them, it's well worth it.
Grand Ole Party opened the concert, and dare I say, almost stole the show from Rilo Kiley. The three piece act from San Diego, California was upbeat, engaging, and I dug every single song they played. Drummer and front woman Kristin can sing, and reminds me a bit of a saner Karen O. Their debut album, Humanimals, was produced by Rilo Kiley guitarist Blake Sennet. The album is currently only available on Itunes and at shows, but I highly recommend picking it up when it hits stores. 
There is a great influx these days of feisty, upbeat Euro girls with indie leanings. Kate Nash is in that pool, using her MySpace to score herself a record deal from across the Atlantic. If you tend to like artists such as Soko, Amy Winehouse, and Lily Allen you'll enjoy Kate Nash and should pick up her debut album, Made of Bricks.
Go Betty Go is a pop punk band from Glendale, California that has been performing together since 2001. The group, consisting of Emily Wynne-Hughes (vocals), Aixa Vilar (drums), Betty Cisneros (guitar) and Michelle Rangel (bass) has some ska influence to them as well as performing some songs in Spanish. The group is currently working on a new album, and doing various shows in their area. Go Betty Go material is all upbeat and bouncy and I highly recommend picking up their album Nothing is More, as well as their EP Your Worst Enemy.
Straight from the back alleys of Atlanta comes the post-punk grrl group The Coathangers. The group is a hot mess of silly lyrics, fast guitar riffs, and the occasional round of hand claps. They've released their debut, available on Itunes, and I've found it quite entertaining so far. They have some songs available for download on their MySpace and the band's bio there should give you a little insight into what you're getting yourself into:
