Who's down for some electro hip-hop today? Who's also down for music that sounds like it's from a child's video game (in a good way)? If you said I am! to both questions, this is the group and song for you. Electrolightz is a quartet from Los Angeles that seamlessly brings futuristic electro with some ear-pleasing hip-hop. Neither element overpowers the other, and the drums? Gah! "The Future" came to me some time ago in the throes in 2010, but a casual peruse of my library brought it back to me. And what a good thing! In this ditty we have subdued electro, nothing too loud or thumpy, and its beauty is what really makes it stand out in the sea of 7000 songs I call my itunes library. Now, to download all of their mixtapes from their website!
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
O'Death - Pushing Out
My brother's been riding some weird indie-folk kick lately, which is good, because he's sending me stuff I've never heard of before. He didn't send me O'Death. No, no...that find was all me, people. Think of them as a modern Violent Femmes with a good twist thrown in for good measure. They've got the gospel-folk-indie thing down pat, but it's this acoustic-charged ditty that reeled me in for good.
"Pushing Out" is startlingly different from the first handful of O'Death tracks I came across some time ago (something like "Spitfire," if you're interested). It's understated beauty in three and a half minutes, with a melancholy feel to the repetition of I rescind the end. If they've got more of this up their sleeves, I'm going song-hunting. Good day!
"Pushing Out" is startlingly different from the first handful of O'Death tracks I came across some time ago (something like "Spitfire," if you're interested). It's understated beauty in three and a half minutes, with a melancholy feel to the repetition of I rescind the end. If they've got more of this up their sleeves, I'm going song-hunting. Good day!
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Fiona Apple - Dull Tool
Have you heard of that new-ish movie This is 40? It's okay if you haven't, because I myself don't plan on seeing it. Still, my forever fave Fiona Apple is contributing to the soundtrack! Fangirling moment aside, listening to "Dull Tool" kind of makes me want to see the movie after all, if it's anything like this. Judd Apatow and alternative-piano-acoustic loveliness? Why not?
"Dull Tool" kind of has the same mechanical sound that Tori Amos's "Caught a Lite Sneeze" has, if that's still fresh in your mind. I can't tell if there's a harpsichord strumming here, but this cacophony is still good in my books. It's classic Fiona, and there's nothing bad to say about that. You're more likely to get cut with a dull tool, and you're also more likely to love what's worked for her before. Get on this one.
"Dull Tool" kind of has the same mechanical sound that Tori Amos's "Caught a Lite Sneeze" has, if that's still fresh in your mind. I can't tell if there's a harpsichord strumming here, but this cacophony is still good in my books. It's classic Fiona, and there's nothing bad to say about that. You're more likely to get cut with a dull tool, and you're also more likely to love what's worked for her before. Get on this one.
Monday, 14 January 2013
Marilyn Manson - You're So Vain + We Came As Romans - Glad You Came
You may notice I've finally gotten around to formatting my posts right. Now in the titles, artist name will come before the song. One New Year's resolution down, countless more to go.
Anyways, I've always been a fan of cover songs. It doesn't matter who's doing them and what genre it is (except maybe country or bubblegum pop), because putting a new spin on a classic never gets old. It's always interesting to see how one artist interprets another's work, and makes it their own in the process. I'll share two covers today, one from the Punk Goes Pop 5 album and one that's just plain awesome.
First, but definitely not the worst, comes Marilyn Manson's cover of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain." I've recently been riding a Marilyn Manson kick, if you can believe it or not, as his band's entire discography recently came my way via my brother's best friend. I've never really been into that brand of alternative metal, but I took a risk, and it paid off. Some songs are still a little harsh for me, but I kept a good chunk of his music on my computer. His version of "You're So Vain" is a raw and industrial track that still pulses with some life and melody. Hell, the chorus is catchy enough to get stuck in your head. Take the plunge like I did. Oh, and Johnny Depp is apparently singing somewhere in this track, but ignore that when you listen.
I got my brother the Punk Goes Pop 5 compilation for Christmas this year, and naturally copied it onto my laptop shortly after he opened it. A track I hadn't gotten to sample before quickly caught my eyes and ear; We Came As Romans taking on "Glad You Came" by The Wanted. I feel the same way about this cover as I do about the other goodies from the album; it's raw and catchy, and metalcore vocals against some cleaner ones send some chills down my spine. The chorus of this knocks all others out of the park and into the next city. I have a new appreciation for We Came As Romans now. If they can do this, maybe I can give them another chance...
That's what music is about, after all. Taking a chance.
Anyways, I've always been a fan of cover songs. It doesn't matter who's doing them and what genre it is (except maybe country or bubblegum pop), because putting a new spin on a classic never gets old. It's always interesting to see how one artist interprets another's work, and makes it their own in the process. I'll share two covers today, one from the Punk Goes Pop 5 album and one that's just plain awesome.
First, but definitely not the worst, comes Marilyn Manson's cover of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain." I've recently been riding a Marilyn Manson kick, if you can believe it or not, as his band's entire discography recently came my way via my brother's best friend. I've never really been into that brand of alternative metal, but I took a risk, and it paid off. Some songs are still a little harsh for me, but I kept a good chunk of his music on my computer. His version of "You're So Vain" is a raw and industrial track that still pulses with some life and melody. Hell, the chorus is catchy enough to get stuck in your head. Take the plunge like I did. Oh, and Johnny Depp is apparently singing somewhere in this track, but ignore that when you listen.
I got my brother the Punk Goes Pop 5 compilation for Christmas this year, and naturally copied it onto my laptop shortly after he opened it. A track I hadn't gotten to sample before quickly caught my eyes and ear; We Came As Romans taking on "Glad You Came" by The Wanted. I feel the same way about this cover as I do about the other goodies from the album; it's raw and catchy, and metalcore vocals against some cleaner ones send some chills down my spine. The chorus of this knocks all others out of the park and into the next city. I have a new appreciation for We Came As Romans now. If they can do this, maybe I can give them another chance...
That's what music is about, after all. Taking a chance.
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Natalie Prass & Among Savages - When I Am Alone
Quiet Sunday mornings require delicate music (unless your taste calls for a dose of metal, which I have no qualms about). I may not be alone this time around with the roommates hanging around, but I can still appreciate the thought and artistry put into "When I Am Alone" by Virginia indie darling Natalie Prass. This is how delicate music should be done, people. Forget everything I've told you before about this.
"When I Am Alone" isn't so much about being alone as it's about being apart from someone. Example: when I am alone I can feel you watching me. Listen, you'll get it. Miss Prass also gets a helping hand from Among Savages, the one-man-band favourite of mine. Hell, I'm still recovering from his Start at the Beginning EP. He's quiet in this, but you'll hear him. Also, as much as you might not expect it for a song like this, there is rising power. The golden rule is that all delicate songs should be powerful in one way or another; it's the way you choose that sets you apart from the others.
"When I Am Alone" isn't so much about being alone as it's about being apart from someone. Example: when I am alone I can feel you watching me. Listen, you'll get it. Miss Prass also gets a helping hand from Among Savages, the one-man-band favourite of mine. Hell, I'm still recovering from his Start at the Beginning EP. He's quiet in this, but you'll hear him. Also, as much as you might not expect it for a song like this, there is rising power. The golden rule is that all delicate songs should be powerful in one way or another; it's the way you choose that sets you apart from the others.
Friday, 11 January 2013
Megadeth - A Tout Le Monde
A lot of Megadeth recently fell into my possession in the past month, and I figured that it was time to take another leap of faith. I'd been leery of the band for about as long as I've been aware of their existence, afraid that they might just be the predecessor to Metallica. Well, that might not be that far off, but I still found some songs that I could enjoy without getting bored. Judge me if you want, but that's my opinion! "A Tout Le Monde" caught my eye with clear vocals and a nice guitar arrangement that didn't overwhelm the entire thing. David Mustaine may like that old school thrash sound, but he gives "A Tout Le Monde" a little modern flavor that allows me to enjoy it. It's accessible to more people too; I wouldn't mind hearing this on the radio.
Okay, now you are free to judge.
Okay, now you are free to judge.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Sylver Tongue - Hook You Up
It's Thursday (if you weren't aware), and I don't know about you, but this is the day that I like to soak up some rather mellow music before the weekend. Mellow pop is a good subgenre for those leery of what pop is doing now; I know I am, and don't get me started on the mainstream scene. So let's look at something unknown today, maybe from London's Sylver Tongue, if you don't mind. She's got a real gauzy feel to her music, and "Hook You Up" is an aquatic dream that last nearly four minutes if you choose to only listen once, and I promise it'll be more. Plug it in, walk somewhere, and revel in the beauty.
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