Northern Kings - In The Air Tonight

I think we should stay on the topic of cover songs for at least one more day.  Why?  Because we can.  We'll still go to Europe with this one, but German big band is now super-group metal.  Northern Kings has four metal heavy hitters, notably Tony Kakko and my favourite Marco Hietala, who had vocal duty on this one.  The boys cover mostly pop songs in a dark symphonic metal style, and I quite like said style.

They take a risk with "In The Air Tonight," but every leap of faith is worth the reward.  After all, this is my favourite Phil Collins song (after the entire Tarzan soundtrack), and if it gets screwed up, nothing can save you.  Marco doesn't disappoint, and uses a slow build to peak your anticipation.  His take on "In The Air Tonight" is magical, and while it starts off innocently, rises to quite the ending.  Mr. Collins would be proud.

Max Raabe & Das Palast Orchester - We Will Rock You + Oops! I Did It Again

Even though my dad's side of the family isn't the familiar kind of German (his family left with the other Mennonites in the late 1700's for Russia), that's still technically what we are.  German.  Well, I won't get into my mom's side, that's a mess of countries.  Point is, I share some camaraderie with modern big band artist Max Raabe, who along with his orchestra performs a lot of work in his native language, but still offers cover songs in English.  Thanks to Tumblr I found his version of "We Will Rock You," and it only snowballed from there.

"We Will Rock You" is a little jazzy, a touch mysterious, and very intriguing.  Please tell me if you've heard something like this before.  Don't worry, this isn't an obviously German way of covering.  Max and the gang make this accessible to everyone, though the tuba reminds me a bit of the polka.  He shines with his voice and the way he pronounces each word.  Though Queen's original is hard to beat, this cover is refreshing.  The point is that this is fun, simply.

Max and the orchestra's "Oops! I Did It Again" is another favourite of mine, because it's nothing you'd expect.  It's on the same end of the spectrum as Children of Bodom's cover of the same B. Spears song (look it up!).  In the vein of his other work, Max puts an old flavor into modern work, without making the song dated in any way.  Also, I enjoy how sings the climactic oops I did it again to your heart, got lost in this game, oh baby near the end.

Be adventurous today.  Thank you.

League510 - Any Day Now

You haven't heard rap until you've heard the work of League510.  This group from San Fran isn't rough gangster or softcore hip-hop.  It's something new to me, or at least, it was back when I first downloaded "Any Day Now" from rcrd lbl.  This is another instance of blending genres to make something fresh and unique, and in this case, electro and rap come together and exist in perfect harmony.  "Any Day Now" is a bit rough around the edges, but it is a single of beauty.  The beats are catchy, the lyrics anticipate the end with hope, and these boys know the rap game.  These days you need to stand out to make an impact, rather than blending into the background.  League510 is no wallflower group, that's for sure.

Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica

Very rarely do I put a song's genre down as unclassifiable.  Aside from this song, the only one I can think of comes from something by jj and Neyo that I got ages ago.  What does unclassifiable even mean, in that sense?  Is it not like anything else, or not clear as to where it belongs?

Oneohtrix Point Never is form Brooklyn, so there's already that.  Like his fellow Brooklynites, daniel Lopatin knows a bit about good jams and the like, but he's no indie rock god or rap star.  His music, "Replica" for example, is some kind of cross between digital music and something classical.  You have to listen before you give me guff about it being unclassifiable.  The piano is the star, but the digital elements bring "Replica" to a world you've never seen before.  It's a melancholy land where the sky is always grey and the ground is always damp, but there's something else there too.  Something...hopeful.

For those who like lyrics in their music, don't be scared by "Replica."  I hope you enjoy its unique qualities as much as I do.

Freshkills - Positive Vibes

Ugh, I've fallen a bit behind in posting again, but sure me over it if you'd like.  You know how things get busy now and then.  However, in the busiest times, joy is never far away.  It can be found everywhere, from quiet nights in to (naturally) music.  Ah, music.  I've been sitting on "Positive Vibes" for a while, but like some other tracks I've featured, its day has come.  Now, get this: Freshkills are from Brooklyn, one of my favourite places for music, so they've already got that going for them.  They even sound like a Ludo jamming with Franz Ferdinand if you have to compare them to anyone.  All of this gives "Positive Vibes" a...well, positive vibe.  The lyrics follow a drool-worthy night out on the town, the guitars pulse with life, and is that the bang of a tambourine I hear?

Enough rambling about why it's good, just know that it's good.

Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Summer Wine

I've recently been riding another kick...this time involving Nancy Sinatra.  I figured that I have enough music by her dad on my ipod, and now it's her turn in the spotlight...again.  "These Boots Were Made For Walking" is too obvious of a choice, so how about "Summer Wine?"  It's got a little bit of a western feel, and Lee Hazlewood makes this some sort of dreamy love story told in the dusty streets of a small town in California.  At least, that's the scene that I have in my head.  "Summer Wine" is even a bit summery...perfect for days like today where it's trying to snow and failing miserably.  Perfect.

Blood Stain Child - S.O.P.H.I.A

I normally stay away from Japanese metal, mostly because I find it a little too over-the-top for my tastes.  That being said, I was surprised to come across Blood Stain Child (who boast a Greek lead singer, not that you'll notice).  They're into the cyber metal genre, and while you need to be a little over-the-top to succeed in this game, it's enough for me here. 

"S.O.P.H.I.A" shares its namesake with the lead singer, and that connection isn't one to be ashamed of.  The real Sophia is a little Simone Simons, less operatic.  She's a good contrast to the growling, and gives this song a really beautiful quality.  This track is the best of the Blood Stain Child music I sampled from the same album; it's balanced, well-crafted, and it better have been a single.

Gob - Banshee Song

I won't expect you to remember Gob, let alone know who they are at all.  They're merely a memory of yesteryear to me, back when I wore ripped painter's jeans to school and grew my hair out in front of my face.  Ah, the punk years.  While Gob didn't get much thought from me back then, they've lasted until now with their "Banshee Song."  Why?  Maybe it has to do with my taste in music maturing, but whatever it is, I like it.

"Banshee Song" isn't a jump-out-of-your-seat punk song.  This ditty does its work the low-and-slow way.  The boys of Gob rock out on borderline-lush guitars, singing of lost love and waiting for it to return.  For a pop-punk band, the sound of 2007 is surprisingly mature and well-developed.  These guys have learned from Foot in Mouth Disease.  "Banshee Song" is sweet, romantic, lush, powerful...this is the alternative music I like to listen to well into my twenties.  Maybe you'll be able to say the same?

Norah Jones - Lonestar

Just as we've gone too long without Dead and Divine, we've been without Norah Jones and need more of her in our lives.  I still need to get her new album, but with the previous four in my hands, I'll be happy until the day comes that it's mine.  "Lonestar" appeared on her Top 10 list, and with good reason.  It's a little (just enough) country with that strumming acoustic guitar, but her vocals are the star of this ditty.  Along with "Don't Know Why," it's a perfect introduction to Miss Jones if you haven't gotten into her already.  Well, Come Away With Me is just perfection anyways.  Still, "Lonestar" is an easy-going track about missing your love and that you would do anything for them (I would give anything for you to shine down on me).  Country for people who don't like country, and romance for the hopeless romantics.  Sounds good to me.

Dead and Divine - Like Wolves + LYRICS

I think we've all gone too long without some good ol' fashioned metalcore from my forever favourites behind Dead and Divine.  Sure, we can be mad that they disbanded, but all good things must come to an end.  Besides, I've got all of their music ever created so I guess I can't be too resentful.  After all, it's all brilliant.  "Like Wolves" off of The Fanciful is one of my favourites from their discography, evident in its feature on their Top 10 from a while back.

"Like Wolves" has a lot to it: lyrical genius, well thought out structure for a metalcore track, great vocals, instrumentals that can make any music monger weep...and it's just freaking awesome.  I'll include the lyrics below because I think they're all worth sharing.  Really, there's not much I can say about "Like Wolves" because it just begs to be listened to and enjoyed by every individual.  I hope it speaks to you as loud as it did for me.

I am young, and I'm in love. Post-apocalyptic?
Sure.
But it's something I'm working on.
Equipped with a bible and a rifle, I should be fine, with this holiness on my side.
But what's the good in a god by your side, when the devil creeps around my neck like a snake?
We march, in the damnation parade.
We're cast, Ill-starred in an operatic gun ballet.
I apologize.
I have prior affairs I've arranged, I have a date with the gallows and I can't be late.
I don't care much for your advice, this drink here is rather convincing,
but your horns and tail tell me otherwise.
So I'm getting the hell out of here. The stench of deceit is far too much to bare.
And when we dance, oh how we'll dance before a conflux of crows.
Like wolves, I can't help but lick my lips at the thought of biting.
Into your skin, and tasting grace, and tasting grace
Oh god what I'd give to feel the slightest bit alive again.
To feel the slightest bit alive
To feel the slightest bit of temptation
Has a killer body temptation
Like wolves I can't help but
Lick my lips at the thought
That boy's got the devil inside him. (x4)
That boy's got it.

Like wolves, I can't help but lick my lips at the thought of biting.
Into your skin, and tasting grace, and tasting grace
Oh god what I'd give to feel the slightest bit alive again.
To feel the slightest bit alive again.
Oh god what I'd give to feel the slightest bit alive again.

Get Busy Committee - Opening Ceremony

I suppose you can call today an opening ceremony of sorts...for me at least.  It's reading week, that sweet spot in the middle of February where I get a week off of school  and get to spend most of the time playing video games.  Well, I will be seeing Abandon All Ships in concert in a week, but that's beside today's point.  Opening ceremony...yes.  That's the name of today's featured song by Get Busy Committee, a rap trio from LA that gets the atmosphere going and the listener pumped for a party.

"Opening Ceremony" isn't a club thumper, but a snare beat and slick rhymes still give it a bob-your-head-to-this-shit feel.  It's catchy.  It gets things started, which is exactly what any opening ceremony should be doing.  I was surprised to not have heard of the trio before this came my way a while ago; perhaps it's a precursor for what is to come.  Get Busy Committee has opened, now I want the main attraction.

Put your glass up
It's a celebration

Joshua James - Annabelle + Coal War

I find that most of the artists I feature for the first time end up being repeat offenders.  Well, that's how it seems lately.  Joshua James came around a while back with "Queen of the City," and since then I've gotten my hands on his Build Me This.  Talk about a diamond mine!  It's very different from what I've heard of him before.  The album is a little folky, definitely not as gritty as "Queen of the City," but has that power I love to find in music.

"Annabelle" could fit in with a Great Big Sea selection (nothing wrong with that), with acoustic-guitar-violin-goodness.  This is what makes me want to travel out east and live near a harbor, where the air always smells like salt.  But this song isn't about the sea.  "Annabelle" follows the trials and tribulations of love with the titular woman.  Are you well, are you well, Annabelle?  Maybe she's gone, maybe she's dead, but love is still there.  Perfect for Valentine's Day, am I right?

"Coal War" is something else, you see.  It's a little more subdued, or at least, starts out that way.  Here we have a beautifully crafted neo-folk-gospel ditty that almost makes me want to start something going at my parents' church (though I doubt I could get everyone clapping and singing to the beat of "Coal War," too fancy for the Mennonites).  On that note, you could really make an argument for Joshua James being a Christian artist here, but I wouldn't touch that argument with a ten foot pole.  I enjoy the rising power of "Coal War," and that's the only thing that'll be rising today.

What's the point?  Download Build Me This off of Noisetrade, and enjoy your day with the people you care about.  That's what I'll be doing.

Youth Lagoon - Dropla

I've had a musical crush on Youth Lagoon for a bit now, just because I love the minimal-electro-quiet-pop stylings of Trevor Powers.  This one-man band from Idaho is brilliant, and if you haven't heard of him before this exact moment in time, you're missing out on a good thing.  He's even got a new album coming out in March.  But enough harassment, let's get to the music.

"Dropla" is enchanted indie-electronic music, evoking images of some kind of magical (maybe wintery) land far away from the clutch of society.  Then there's the bread and butter indie add-ons, of course, in the form of a strumming acoustic guitar and those vocals.  Oh, those vocals...  "Dropla" is for the people who enjoy quaint music, and have a penchant for groups like Project Jenny, Project Jan or even Anchor & Braille from last week's roster.  So get on it before I have to harass you into it again!

You'll never die.

Christian Mistress - All Abandon + LYRICS

One of my favourite female-fronted groups is back on my circuit, believe it or not.  Well, there's never any doubt when it comes to Christian Mistress.  Some bands just have it in the bag.  "All Abandon" isn't the same as the previously-featured "Black to Gold."  This one builds up slowly, until you're too far in to go back.  Christine Davis is the queen of raw heavy metal; it's still the way that this kind of stuff should be done.  "All Abandon" does pick up into quick verses, but it's the slowed one day we will be unveiled that got me good.  I'm all in now, so to say.  Are you?

A refuge
Leaves you wanting
Torrents overflowing

Come with us
There is excess and lust and it's
Just enough to fire the brimstone

Oh I wanna make a scene
Divination strong in my veins
Radiating so with all abandon

Had the chance to let it go
But we've known for so long
There's no hope against this river

Lost the key
Buried the blood
Now we let it go
With all abandon

Why deny your desire
Ringing out a sounding bell
One day we will be unveiled

You give in, time is now
To slay the saint, build your hell
One day we will be unveiled

The Lone Bellow - Bleeding Out

Okay, we all had a nice break this weekend, but now it's time to get back to work.  Well, I'll allow a little break for the sake of the music...I always do.  "Bleeding Out" was a song of the week on itunes a little while ago, and I knew from the first listen that it was worthy of a feature.  This comes courtesy of The Lone Bellow, a neo-country trio that I wouldn't call country if I had things my way.  Think more Americana folk.  We won't fight over genres now, but look at "Bleeding Out" with its strong vocal work and lush acoustic sound.  It's a little empowering, like a folk hero's anthem to charge into battle.  I hope there might be something worth bleeding out.  Oh, it's well worth it here.

Electrolightz - Centerpiece + Difficult (feat. Uffie)

You may say that remembering that I have "The Future" in my library prompted me to get my hands on the rest of Electrolightz' music.  If you did so, you would be right.  I downloaded both mixtapes off of their website and am more than thrilled with the choice.  After all, today is a thrilling day.  A foot of snow and cancelled classes calls for energetic electro-hip-hop to ignite the senses and get your hips swaying.

"Centerpiece" is a cheerful number that pulses with energy, stylistically opposite to "The Future."  It's a little summery (good for today) and the chorus is hella refreshing.  Rap-heavy verses offer a good contrast, and are stellar in their own right as well.  Keep on believing that you're my centerpiece.  This is a little bit of a revenge song if you look into the lyrics: since we're not together, I'm feeling better than I have before, 'cause all of this weight has been lifted ever since you hit the door.  It does have a positive spin on it, insisting time tells all, but this current situation is fine by me.

"Difficult" offers something else from the group with the help of that electro darling Uffie.  The beats are a little disjointed, like pounding on the piano, mixed in with Uffie's vocals from her song of the same name.  As with "Centerpiece," the rhymes are slick and well-crafted, but this song is hers as much as it is the boys.  It's not dancehall-energetic, but still fine electro work.  It's pretty awesome, in layman's terms.  These guys need to be heard by a wider audience, if I have anything to say about it.

Anchor & Braille - Knew Then Know Now

Today is already an interesting one.  It's good, don't get me wrong, but interesting.  My only class was cancelled, I got my second DD over on Deviantart, and now...we mark a milestone.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is post 500.  We've been through our ups and downs over the last near-two years, but we're here now.  I could rattle off a weird acceptance speech and wonder what I did to get this far without giving up, but it's really in thanks to those who read my work.  For that, I thank you.

Now, to the music.  As promised, every 100 posts is marked with brilliant music that sits above average.  This one comes courtesy of my brother; even though he's a classic-rock-nut, he's lately been sending me a lot of obscure indie music.  Anchor & Braille was new to me.  Turns out, they're a group from Nashville that sounds like a good One Republic (or, One Republic back when they were good).

"Know Then Know Now" has that pretty-indie-minimal-electro feel to it.  It's a demure track that's still packing heat behind the airy vocals and light guitar work.  And the message is clear: you will have regrets, but things are meant to work out the way that they do.  Where you end up, nobody knows.  As well, life works out the way it should.  Well, things have worked out so far...

Amaranthe - The Nexus

I have some guilty pleasure music, which falls within the boundaries of addicting but not some of the best stuff I listen to.  Billy Talent is in there, and so in Amaranthe.  Now, there's nothing wrong with being a guilty pleasure artist.  I think if Amaranthe was a little heavier, then they would be a normal fave of mine, but I don't mind things being the way they are.  This melodic metal is still in my good graces.

Their new single "The Nexus" came out a few weeks ago, and they're signature high-energy riffs and lyrics with three vocals styles intertwined.  Elize Ryd is still a metal darling, even though I've heard better from her before.  The boys get "The Nexus," with stellar clean vocals and death growls.  And the chorus?  Holy crap.  It's along the lines of their older work, but still fresh to your ears.  If this is a sign of more new things to come, I'm ready.  Sorry, Billy Talent, but you may not be my favourite guilty pleasure band for much longer.

Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know

I've known of this band for a bit.  They were on the radar, but Two Door Cinema Club hadn't unlocked its first feature yet.  Fast forward to this school year; my boyfriend has gotten me back into the mashups that invaded my thoughts like last year's Gaga Mixes.  I'm usually hunting Youtube for ones with Lana Del Rey these days.  Recently, one that caught my eye had "Video Games" mixed with "What You Know."  The mashup was brilliant, and compelled me to get the second half of this masterpiece.

So here we are now.  "What You Know" is infectious indie-alt-pop with an energetic electric guitar and surprisingly sweet vocals.  TDCC wins a lyrical genius award too; I can tell just what you want, you don't want to be alone has served as a caption for a few things of mine floating around on the internet.  This is feel-good indie for cold snowy days and to ease that longing feeling for something more out of the everyday.  I can take it, if it's what I want to do.

System of a Down - Atwa

We can get into wild environmental theories today, or we can just appreciate good music for what it is.  I'm not going to start on Charles Manson, but he gave us the abbreviation of ATWA, which stands for Air, Trees, Water, Animals.  My favourite Armenians took this into a different direction, giving us a haunting number off of their superb Toxicity.  "Atwa" has quiet verses and an aggressive chorus that's pure Serj.  Daron is good here too, don't get me wrong (comparing the two is apples and oranges), but Serj owns.  It's a sad song, if you pay attention to the lyrics (you don't care about how I feel, I don't feel it anymore), and if you want, you can say it's about Charles Manson.  Maybe that's what makes it so haunting.  Whatever it is, "Atwa" is a well-paced, well-constructed part of System of a Down's discography.  No wonder it made that Top 10 of theirs I published...

Amanda Palmer - Ukulele Anthem

I was aware of Dresden Dolls way back when in the throes of the early 2000s, when I was still writing down song titles from the radio hoping I would one day get the chance to have them all.  That nostalgia was reignited by a browse through Noisetrade when I found a sampler from the Dolls' Amanda Palmer.  It's an eclectic mix with a little bit of everything, but it's plain to see what resounds.

"Ukulele Anthem" outlines the pros of small Hawaiian instrument.  Cons?  There are none.  With the aid of four strings, Ms. Palmer lets us know it takes about an hour to teach someone to play the ukulele, about the same to teach someone to build a standard pipe bomb.  It's all about creative expression here, and the message is clear.  Anyone can do it, ukulele or not.  Don't be scared by the five-and-a-half minute length, it'll fly by.    Hell, I want a ukulele now.  I hope there's one in the depths of Zellers before the doors close in eight days...

Two Gallants - Broken Eyes

I made it!  I've still got time before midnight, so this post definitely counts.  I blame school, naturally, and the slurry of work it's thrown my way this weekend.  But here we are now.  Everything is going to be okay.  I've been sitting on "Broken Eyes" for a while now, and I hate that it's taken this long to get it up here.  It comes courtesy of Twin Gallants, a folky rock duo from San Fran that knows the way to my heart is a soft acoustic guitar and some strong Americana vocals.  Oh, I'm drooling already.  "Broken Eyes" is a beauty, it is, and I think you're going to agree with me on this one.

Fleshgod Apocalypse - The Forsaking

What does a bright sunny day call for?  Death metal.  I thrive on the contrast.  While looking through my Youtube subscriptions a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon Italy's Fleshgod Apocalypse, a death-symphonic outfit that knows a thing or two about being epic.  The symphonic element of their music, evident in the addition of the piano, makes this brand of death metal something that I can enjoy.  I can't get into that too-thrashy-doom death metal.  This is perfect.  "The Forsaking" is from back in 2010, but still sounds fresh to me three years later with a brand-spanking-new video to boot.  The symphonic side is what really drives this track forward; it's what vikings would listen to on their way into battle. 

Perhaps this is one of the many small steps I'm making in getting more and more into death metal...which right now, I have no problem with.