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.