Tori Amos - Caught A Lite Sneeze + Evans Blue - Caught A Lite Sneeze

My recent large haul form Value Village got me Tori Amos's Boys For Pele, and that was when I knew this post needed to happen.  You see, on Evans Blue's first two albums, they covered a song by a contemporary female artist.  First it was Sarah McLachlan's "Possession," and then it was "Caught A Lite Sneeze."  Now that I have both songs, it's time to take a good look.

Tori Amos is a little haunting and a bit spooky in the original track.  Bells ring throughout, and the instruments actually sound a bit like the wheels of  machine turning and churning for four and a half minutes.  And then you have to get me started on Tori.  The vocals aren't scream-it-from-the-rooftops powerful, but have that subdued quality I quite like.  She's retaining the good part of the late-nineties sound too.  "Caught A Lite Sneeze" belongs to her.

Well, we can't say that Evans Blue doesn't do a good job of trying, because their cover is just as strong.  It comes off of The Pursuit Begins When This Portrayal of Life Ends, which means that Matisyn is the one on vocals instead of the new guy.  It's essentially the rock cover of Tori's, rife with the sound that first drew me to Evans Blue nearly seven years ago, and is also a bit darker than the original.  Think less haunting, and more melodic.  Nonetheless, I get chills when Matisyn sings I'm hiding it well, Sister Earnestine.

Stars - A Song Is A Weapon

I'm not done with my Christmas haul just yet.  I'd been lusting after The North for some time in 2011, and the holidays was time for it to finally fall into my possession.  You see, I've been a fan of Stars since In Our Bedroom After The War and also have The Five Ghosts in my library as well.  These indie sweethearts are the definition of Canadian treasures.  At first it was a bit difficult to pick out one track to feature, but the best ideas come to me when I'm not trying to find them. 

"A Song Is A Weapon" can be taken quite literally, if you'd like, with lyrics like I can only hope to kill you with a song.  I like you are the one, you are the bullet in the chamber of the gun.  Perhaps the power of music really is that intense.  An electric guitar takes the subdued route here, and lead Torquil Campbell does his thing...oh, that thing I love so much.  "A Song..." is my favourite kind of sleeper hit; one that crawls into your head and dares to never leave.

Sarah Brightman & Alexa Vega - Chase The Morning

I ride weird music kicks all of the time, and I've recently got into the soundtrack of Repo! A Genetic Opera.  It's no coincidence that I'm also riding a Sarah Brightman kick after picking up her Time To Say Goodbye from Value Village a few weeks ago.  Naturally, this was bound to happen.  Most of the songs from Repo! are fairly short, but "Chase The Morning" and it's dark musical feel is what got me reeled in.

"Chase The Morning" follows a conversation between the characters played by Brightman and Alexa Vega (you've seen Spy Kids, right?).  Sarah plays a friend of Alexa's deceased mother, and that's essentially the context you need to get the song.  Well, Sarah Brightman plays an opera singer, but that's pretty much expected.  Watch the video.  But the song...oh, the song.  It's catchy, it's dark, and it does its job.  As soon as I get another itunes gift card, I'm buying this movie.

Zee Avi - Concrete Wall

You remember Zee Avi, right?  The Malaysian doll responsible for "Swell Window" back in 2011?  No?  Where the hell have you been, then?  Oh, you've been the same place I've been hiding all weekend?  Well, played, my friend.  Well, played.  In that case, you're forgiven for letting Miss Avi slip your mind.  Just promise me you'll change your ways, okay?  "Concrete Wall" is in the vein of "Swell Window," but there's something different about this one.

"Concrete Wall" isn't the sweet folk that first drew me to Zee Avi.  It's still a little folky, but something far from sweet.  Nearly a cappella, Zee sings slowly over the continuing chant of she clack clack boom.  How else do you get through a concrete wall?  Though this is definitely subdued, it's undoubtedly powerful music.  Let is sink in with a few listens, and you'll get it.

Skerrit Bwoy - I See Hell

Skerrit Bwoy comes to us from the company of Major Lazer, and by himself, he's doing his own electronic-dubstep-gospel bit that I'm quite a fan of.  Sure, his aim might be to draw in fans that are more Christian, but as someone who can barely call herself a Mennonite, I dig it.  Don't think of his work as religious music.  It's good, and that's all that should matter.

"I See Hell" is a sampling masterpiece, even taking bits from Jewel's classic "Who Will Save Your Soul?"  It's fitting here, if I do say so.  Skerrit Bwoy intertwines his message with bass that throbs and a monstrous voice insisting only God can save me now.  If I have to call "I See Hell" anything, it's haunting, and it has all of the elements to be so.  It'll be an acquired taste for others, but if you're one of the lucky few, you'll get it with the first listen.  Dig it.

Skeletonwitch - The Infernal Resurrection

Another part of this year's Christmas haul was Skeletonwitch's Forever Abomination from the bustling times of 2011.  One of my roommates, definitely not a metalhead, got it for me as part of our Unit B gift exchange back in December.  I'm fairly in love with the album, I have to say, and am quite the fan of "The Infernal Resurrection."  It's the fast-paced thrash that I've known the band for, and is...dare I say it...catchy.  That was my first impression; I still remember.  Catchy thrash?  I can dig it.

Dragonette - Ghost

New year, new music?  That's how it would seem, but at least for the first few days of the year, I'd rather steep my brain in the brew of albums I got for Christmas, before the hunt for new music begins again.  I was more than happy to get Dragonette's Bodyparts in my stocking this year, and it's definitely a solid album.  Listen to the whole thing straight through, and you've got an electronica playlist that would fit in within the walls of any club.  You might be able to guess the characteristics of my new favourite off of the album (sorry, "Rocket Ship").  Hint: it's subdued, for the genre at least.

"Ghost" is a synth-laden, melting vocal, electronic-harmony-orchestra-other-fancy-musical-words feast.  It's perfect electronica, for those already thinking TL;DR.  Martina Sorbara reminds us here that she hasn't just mastered the club numbers, but is also able to deliver with tracks that rely on slowed beats and rising power to get the job done.  This is electronic beauty, people.  Also, if you're Canadian, I have to apologize because you won't be able to see the embedded video.  Scumbag Youtube has it blocked for my fellow Canucks.  Download it illegally if you have to; I'll forgive you in this case.