SixPack

It has been forever and a day since the last SIx Pack.  One might think a re-naming would be in order after such a long absence.  To this I can only reply, "Hella No!" 

Today's Six Pack features six (6) different artists who have kindly invited us to partake in their musical genius (by sending out an email informing of said genius).  I'm all for having great music brought straight to me, so without further ado, six of the greatest from the inbox:

I was instantly enamored when I first heard Microkorg by the Rockwells.  The drum intro, the keys entering, then the vocals; like I said, it caught my attention immediately.  And then, as if the sweet intro wasn't already enough, the song rocks out to a great close.  It's very good, kindly check it out:

[mp3] The Rockwells - Microkorg

Visit: Official | Myspace
Buy: Amazon | iTunes

I won't lie, my favorite part of Great Northern's Houses is the spooky "oooo"s after the chorus.  They are especially well done because they are not in-your-face "oooo"s; they are very subtle and in the backdrop.  I rather like this song, and GN certainly knows how to rock it.

[mp3] Great Northern - Houses

Visit: Official | Myspace
Buy: Amazon | iTunes

The most recent addition to our inbox full of great tracks is from As Tall As Lions.  The name of this band kept tugging on the back of my mind like I should know it, but I still am not able to place it exactly.  I was quite pleased to hear the track, Circles, though.  Upbeat and full of energy, this little gem leaves you wanting more.

[mp3] As Tall As Lions - Circles

Visit: Official | Myspace
Buy: Amazon | iTunes

"When you see me sittin' by myself / you'll think that I'm waiting for someone else / but I'm wishing for somewhere else / I'm wishing for some where else."  That's my favorite part of Postcards.  It's a nice little diddy that is very well put together.

[mp3] An Horse - Postcards

Visit: Official | Myspace
Buy: Amazon | iTunes

The Sun and Earth has good rhythm.  It also features an excellent fade-out and build-up right in the middle of the track.  It usually makes me think the song really has ended, but then WHAM! build-up right in the face and rock to a glorious finish!  You've got to love those tricksy songs.

[mp3] Middle Distance Runner - The Sun and the Earth

Visit: Official | Myspace
Buy: Amazon | iTunes

One fine day not long ago, the Counting Crows sent out an email telling me to go to their website for a free download of Borderline.  I, not keeping up on a certain lady's catalog of songs, was soon surprised to find that it was a cover of a song originally by Madonna.  So I listened, reserving any judgment for later, and came to find a pretty great song.

[mp3] Counting Crows - Borderline

Visit: Official | Myspace
Buy: Amazon | iTunes

I was sick at home with the flu yesterday, and between sleeping and generally feeling sick I came up with some illness-related tracks for your entertainment.  I hope these can help you through the inevitable day when you too find yourself with the sick-at-home blues.

It all starts out with a fever.  Not necessarily on the freeway (or in the morning, in the morning).  And I guess, to be perfectly honest, it doesn't always start out with a fever either.  Sometimes it starts out with a head cold, or a mass of congestion.  But yeah, it begins...

[mp3] Starsailor - Fever

After you realize that you are, in fact, sick, there comes a point where you have to make a very crucial decision.  That decision:

It's tough, no buts about it.  I opted no medicine, and it worked out alright for me.  Buy hey, not necessarily something I would recommend to everyone; you've got to know your own body and what it needs.  Pick your dosage below:

[mp3] Guster - Medicine
[mp3] Sense Field - No Medicine

The next stage in the sick-at-home blues usually occurs right before or shortly after the medicine decision.  It's the part where:

No one's calling you weak for having this feeling either; you generally feel like crap and you absolutely hate it (plus it seems like a sensible enough thought at the time).  Hopefully either the medicine kicks in quickly, or you just start feeling better in the thereafter.  Something eventually gives you the hope you need to start thinking again:

which is probably a smarter thought in general anyway.

[mp3] Fiction Plane - I Wish I Would Die
[mp3] Rhett Miller - I Want To Live

And, once you get better, you won't want to be:

anytime again soon.  Because who likes being sick anyway?  It's no fun, people don't like to hang around you, and you tend not to accomplish a whole lot.

[mp3] Richard Cheese - Down With The Sickness

Visit: Starsailor, Guster, Sense Field, Fiction Plane, Rhett Miller, Richard Cheese
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It's time again for our weekly top songs: the six-pack that features two songs from each of us that have been in heavy rotation for the last couple weeks.  Normally it would only be songs that have been in heavy rotation over the last week, but we've gotten a little lazy on the Six Packs lately; please accept our sincerest apologies.  Without further ado, here goes Stu! (he's rhyming too!)

These guys were sooo good.  It would have been really interesting to see what would have happened if they could've stayed together as a band for a couple more albums.  Back on point though, I absolutely love Phantoms to death and I've been rocking out to it for the last week pretty much non-stop.  Well, okay, yeah there are stops, but I wouldn't consider them real stops.  So thus non-stop.

[mp3] Acceptance - In Too Far

Buy some Acceptance (the kind by the musical band, anyway): Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online: Official | Myspace

I wish I had some sort of play counter that counted (go figure) every time I have ever listened to a song in any capacity.  Be it through my computer, in the car, through a CD player, through Pandora, whatever.  I'd be really curious to know exactly how many times I've listened to Sleepsinging.  It's got to be a lot.  Definitely between a lot and a ton, I know that for sure.  Recently a couple lyrical lines have really jumped out at me that have made me appreciate the song even more: "and I would never change, not for anyone / sometimes I wish, I could leave myself alone."  Sometimes change is inevitable, and for the better.  However, there are times when minor little things are asked to be tweaked.  Tweak enough of those and you're practically a different person.  At some point you've got to figure out in what ways you will never change.  What part of you will stay the same, will you not change for anyone?  And yeah, the second half is pretty self-explanatory: sometimes the hardest person on yourself is yourself.  I wish I could leave myself alone, I'd at least sleep better.

[mp3] The Damnwells - Sleepsinging

Buy some of The Damnwells music: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online: Official | Myspace

No profound reason for this one, it's just a cool song with a good melody.

[mp3] Great Expectations

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I've mentioned Brighten before, and my love for them has remained strong.  They used to frequent a little place called the Solid Ground Cafe here in Salt Lake, but that has been closed down, so I have been comforting myself by listening to their new EP.  It's streaming here, and it is awesome indie-pop.

Buy it: iTunes
Visit them: Myspace

First, I figure I should preface this post.  The last few weeks have been more than a little odd for me and I'm blaming it all on my birthday and Californication.  Yeah, figure that out.  Bottom line is, I feel old and unaccomplished and thusly I've gone totally 90's.  I haven't busted out that crazy cat-in-the-hat hat yet, but don't tempt me.

Seriously though, how is Californication almost 10 years old?  The completely blows my mind.  Now for my top 2 songs, neither of which are on Californicaiton.

I don't think I'd really "listened" to Nirvana in years.  Maybe not years, but it's been a good while.  I used to rock out to In Utero on a daily basis but for one reason or another I stopped feeling "angsty" and ventured to less angry fellas.  Well, it turns out that 15 years later Kurt & Co. can still melt my face.  Good work.

While I've always prefered In Utero to Nevermind I just can't deny In Bloom right now.  It's also a major plus that Nevermind brings back the hilarious memory of receiving the cassette tape in the mail (my first actual tape).  My mother was so disgusted by the cover that she put a piece of tape over the baby's wang.  Classic.

[mp3] In Bloom

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Now I don't condone anything that Chris Cornell is up to nowadays (Timbaland??  Seriously?  Come on, man!) but back in the Soundgarden days he was a GOD.  Alright, maybe not a god, but damn near close in my pre-pubescent eyes.  It's too bad these fellas won't ever get back together - not that I  can blame the rest of the band (TIMBALAND?!?!).

[mp3] The Day I Tried to Live

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So, the whole idea behind guilty pleasures is that you should feel at least somewhat guilty about listening to them.  If you don't feel guilty about it, do you really have a guilty pleasure?  Technically, no.  But there are cases were you should feel guilty about it, but don't for some reason.  Usually you "justify it" in some crazy and not-completely-logical way.  Yeah, we know you do it (and, in all honesty, we may or may not do it ourselves).  Without further ado, here are some songs that should-be our guilty pleasures (and some crazy justifications as to why they are not).  Oh, and Stu is first this time.

Ya, probably don't need to say a whole lot here.  I'm still a fan of Tragic Kingdom, and about half of Return of Saturn, but the crapfest that was Rock Steady sent Gwen Stefani on her merry way to a solo career and being what I believe is referred to in the lexicon as a "holler back girl."  Yes, gross, I agree.  But early No Doubt was a pretty good band; they pulled in a lot of different influences and were loosely categorized as "alternative."  I remember as a young buck I was a fan of their trumpet section (which was most likely due to trying to learn to play the trumpet myself at the time).  I'm no expert on the history of music, but a lot of the musical effects I first heard from No Doubt I would later hear again when what I believe is called "ska" became somewhat popular.  So yeah, there's my excuses: they were influential (kind of) and their early stuff was quite good.  Therefore, I need not feel guilty listening.  Right...

[mp3] No Doubt - Sunday Morning

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These guys are just barely not in the real guilty pleasures section for me.  They are even a little too poppy at times for my taste.  I wasn't even a closet fan until I randomly gave their third album, More Than You Think You Are, a try.  Turns out, that album rocks, it really does.  And not only does it rock, but on the slowdown songs (like the at-one-time popular, Unwell) they'll throw in some awesome banjo action.  I was pretty much forced to listen.  And when that happens, well, it's pretty much impossible to hold onto any feelings of guilt about listening to a particular popular band, regardless of how very insanely popular they are/were.  Now, was I able to fool you into believing that?

[mp3] Matchbox Twenty - Cold

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Visit them online: Official | Myspace

I know My Chemical Romance probably should be an all-out guilty pleasure, because I love my parents and I don't wear (ugh) guyliner.  But The Black Parade was just so good.  It's a once-in-a-lifetime album, from start to fantastic finish, and if you don't own it, run out and fix that!

[m4a] My Chemical Romance - Dead!

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Oh, yeah, this one I will fight for to the grave!  It's a funny movie, featuring the likes of Seth Green, Donald Faison, and Parker Posey.  In addition to a fine cast, there is some sweet music, some of it written by none other than Adam Duritz, my very favorite songwriter.  I dare you to listen to "3 Small Words" without humming along by the second chorus.  (Also, I just noticed the 6-5-4-3-2-1 thing in the chorus.  Awesome).

Buy it!

I know, I know - totally lame.  I get it.  I used to be one of those guys dissing the Goo too.  Then, Name got stuck in my head.  I couldn't get it out - it just wouldn't go away.  I grew to love it, and with that love I grew to appreciate the Goo.  It's uber-poppy and I know deep down that it's not particularly good and I SHOULDN'T like it, but I do.  They're like the 90's Bon Jovi - totally lame, but everyone from that era still secretely digs them.  The difference here is I don't secretely like them, secret's out and I'm tired of hiding my love away.  It could be worse, right?

[mp3] Goo Goo Dolls - Iris

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It's a shame how this band is being remembered.  Back in the day The Cranberries were known for their awesome she-rock combined with crazy yodel-esque melodies.  Now?  Linger.  That's what they're remembered for, Linger.  It's a fine song and all but it's a little on the top 40 side for me.  I like rockin' to Zombie.  It's just a damn shame that anyone who hears me talking about The Cranberries automatically goes to Linger.  Damn kids, it's all about the Zombie!  Get it right!

[mp3] The Cranberries - Zombie 

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It's America's birthday!  Hooray!   You know what that means?  Well, in my neck 'o the woods that means the mullets come out in full force to see a bunch of cars drive around on Main Street for a few hours after getting their faces rocked off by Styx.  What could be better??  I surely couldn't think of a thing.

Alright, all sarcasm aside we've decided to give you all an America themed six pack this week.  While some may not see them all as erm..."patriotic" we still feel they rock.  At the very least, these should replace "Comin' to America" in the fireworks display.  Seriosuly, I think I've heard it enough times Mr. Diamond.  I (Kraig) will start things off with some sweet, sweet Pearl Jam:

All three of these tracks are covers that came from live shows on the Riot Act tour.  This first one is originally by Patti Smith.  Hang on tight for some sweet, sweet Eddie growls in the last chorus.

[mp3] People Have the Power

Here's another cover, this one is originally by Steven Van Zandt.  This is my favorite of the two, I feel it's quite a bit more relateable for me.  Most of my more "casual" friends probably wouldn't describe me as a patriot, this song fleshes out my definition of patriotisim pretty well.  Really though, it's not about putting a flag on your lawn, that's not patriotism.

[mp3] I Am a Patriot

I was lucky enough to be in attendance for this show.  I must say, I waited my whole life to experience Pearl Jam in all their live glory but I wasn't ready.  Rockin' in the Free World (originally by Neil Young) is quite possibly the best closer out there.  My face was quite honestly melted.

[mp3] Rockin' in the Free World

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The 4th tends to be all about gestures of patriotism and fireworks anymore.  Through it all, I still try to remember that this holiday should be a basic celebration of freedom.  Thus my choice of Dan Wilson's Free Life.  I've always liked that this song not only subtly points out our inherent freedom (or "free life"), but reminds us that we need to use that freedom, decide how we want our lives to go, so freedom really means something.  So, "what you gonna spend your free life on?"

[mp3] Free Life

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...and here's a few epics, though they are a bit cynical.  This one's from the Pumpkins' latest.

[mp3] United States

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The most epic of the epic and one of my personal favorites from the nearly perfect Air Stereo.

[mp3] God Bless America

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...and no, we're not talking about the chirpety-chirp of birdies here.  We all have our summer playlists that we whip out once the sun starts melting the ice in hopes that our cheerful, upbeat tunes will expediate the process.  Unfortunately for us, Mother Nature doesn't always take it kindly when we're telling her what's-what and when to do it, but that's life, right?

Here's a couple of songs from each of us that we rock to whilst kickin' it in the flip flops.  And no, no Sublime allowed - I'm sure your local alternative rock station has that under control (I'm looking at YOU Todd Nuckem from X96!  Enough with the Sublime already!!).  I (Kraig) will get things movin' (quite literally!):

No one does summer better than Donavon Frankenreiter, period.  If you're asking "Who the *$%& is Donavon Frakenwhata!?" right about now that you should probably take off your shoe and smack yourself upside the head with it.  Now, put the shoe back on and trot on down to the record store to pick up Move By Yourself.  It's the perfect summer album - so perfect in fact that I only listen to it in the summer.  It's not allowed near my CD player and/or playlists unless it's above 70 degress and between the months of May and September.

For those of you who have only heard that Donavon F is "that guy who is friends with Jack Johnson" - give the man a chance.  Using a recent scientific formula I've developed I'd say the music composed on Move By Yourself is approximately 11,949,375.109657 times better than anything Jack Johnson has ever done.  Now, that's a ballpark but I'd say I'm within a few decimal points.  It's funkier (a LOT funkier), more full-band oriented and just plain better.  It doesn't really even sound like Jack Johnson unless you really want to force comparisons.

[mp3] Move By Yourself

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I'm on a rather large Mason Jennings kick right now.  The new album and the show kicked off the inevitable swim I take in Mason's catalog each summer.  It's tough for me to pick just one Mason song so I didn't.  I picked an album, then closed my eyes and pointed at the screen.  My fat finger touched both Lemon Grove Avenue and Keepin' it Real.  I picked Lemon Grove Avenue for the "mmmm, da, la da das".  Lovely.  Do yourself a favor and pick up Use Your Voice if you don't haven't already.  It's essential summer listening.

[mp3] Lemon Grove Avenue

Buy some Mason:  Amazon | iTunes
Visit him online:  Official | Myspace

I actually had planned to start out saying that "summer is the time for love" or some other such nonsense.  Unfortunately (or luckily I think in your case) I couldn't put more than two words together about love or its relation to summer.  So we're skipping all that and going straight to the part where I say that I'm a fan of The Alternative to Love, Mr. Benson's most recent solo album.  Most people who have heard of Brendan Benson would probably tell you his best stuff is from Lapalco (and they're probably right in doing so), but The Alternative to Love holds something of a special place in my heart since it was my intro to BB.  Also, I think it needs to be emphasized that this is definitely a summer CD; don't give this a first listen in the fall or winter, you'll just be torturing yourself. 

Like almost all of BB's stuff, this track features some great simple rhyming.  However, the part of the song that absolutely screams summer to me has got to be that bass line.  It's just a happy, lilting part of the chorus that helps to define the song.  I like the hand-claps too, they make this track sound even more like summer.

[mp3] Alternative to Love

Buy some BB: Amazon | iTunes
Visit him online: Official | Myspace

I try to make it a point in the summer time to see the sun at least every once in a while.  That's usually about as specific as I get.  It's a much easier task to accomplish when you're employed (and forced out of the house into that briliant light on a nearly daily basis).  Anyway, though this song is not specifically about going out and seeing the sun (in fact, Paul Durham sings that he "can't see the sun anymore"), I think it's probably something you should do.  Probably.  Wear sunscreen though, I don't want to be blamed for any horrible sunburns.  Also, take it in moderation, especially if its been awhile. 

As for the song itself, See the Sun comes from the album See The Sun, which also happens to be one of my summer-only CD's.  I've tried it in other seasons, it just doesn't seem to work for some reason.  The track See the Sun has what I want to call a light and airy feeling to it.  It is also calming, while at the same time being so rocking that your face comes right off.  Just what you want from a summer song!

[mp3] See The Sun

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Yes, I have managed to momentarily step away from my newly acquired fake plastic drum set, only to bring you the rock!

Though the song's title probably doesn't immediately make one think of summer, I'll be darned if the bouncy, energetic drums in the verse don't.  I recommend this song for driving with the windows down and the volume up!

[mp3] Broken Heart

The sites: Official | Myspace
The sounds: iTunes | Amazon

When I first bought Lost and Gone Forever, oh boy did I listen to it like 47 times in a row.  It is just a phenomenal record, and you need it in your collection.  A couple guys with acoustic guitars and great voices, and a drummer who plays a regular drum set - cymbals and all - with no sticks.  It's a recipe for some sweet pop music.

"What You Wish For" starts with the line "Woke up today/ to everything grey," but don't let that bring you down!  It's a summer song all the way, from the percussion to the soaring vocal harmonies.

[mp3] What You Wish For

The sites: Official | Myspace
The sounds: iTunes | Amazon

I (with I, in this case, being Stu) have something of a love-hate relationship with iTunes. I hate that I get no physical CDs for my money, but I love that most of the albums are reasonably priced. I love the selection, but I hate that most of the mp3's have low bit rates. Finally, I love that some albums on iTunes come with exclusive bonus tracks, and I hate that you have to buy the whole album to get said tracks.

iTunes really needs to find a workaround to remedy this problem. I can understand the need for this kind of stubbornness on their album-only tracks while they were trying to grow the Apple brand, but by now it seems that this foolishness can only be losing them business. They must know that most rational people are not willing to buy the same album twice for a couple of bonus tracks, right? Anyway, enough of my ranting, on to the songs!:  

This one comes from DCFC's latest, Narrow Stairs, and is a very good alternate take on the original. This demo is slower, more easy-going, and feels at times like a completely different song than its brother. I think it compliments the album version very well.

[mp3] Death Cab for Cutie - No Sunlight (Demo)

Buy some DCFC: Amazon | iTunes
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It may surprise some to see an Augustana song from Can't Love, Can't Hurt creep in here, but I really dig the vocals on this acoustic version. This track is also quite minimalistic, and focuses on the instrumentation supporting the vocals. This combination helps to set the mood quicker and more effectively than the album version; I quite enjoy it.

[mp3] Augustana - Sweet & Low (Acoustic)

Buy some Augustana: Amazon | iTunes
Visit the sites: Official | Myspace

As Kraig said a long time ago, it almost boggles the mind why some of these great bonus tracks were not included on the album proper. I don't know, and I'm not even going to try to figure out why. All's I know is that Sunday Morning L.A. is outstanding, and Sessions holds its own as well.

[mp3] Counting Crows - Sunday Morning L.A.
[mp3] Counting Crows - Sessions

Also, back by popular demand, here are the two tracks you'd have received had you pre-ordered the deluxe Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings (because we know you want 'em!):

[mp3] Counting Crows - There Goes Everything
[mp3] Counting Crows - Come Around (Acoustic)

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The soundtrack is quite possibly the most underrated part of a movie. Really though, what truly great movies have not had a similarly brilliant companion soundtrack? It's not just about picking the right music, it's about getting the right feeling to move the story along. Directors that can pair the sites with the sounds deliver a product that is truly moving. This week's six pack focuses on the often-overlooked soundtrack. Kraig goes first this week.

Sure, that little intro sounds a little mushy and you certainly need a mushy song for a mushy movie. But what about if you've an ass-kicking movie? Well, then you need your self an ass-kicking song.

The Departed was a brilliant film, absolutely fantastic. The film deserved all the critical acclaim it received and more. Truth is, I probably wouldn't find myself re-watching it again and again if it wasn't for this monstrous tune by The Dropkick Murphys. It sets the tone early on for the entire movie. I can't stress how important that "tone" was, especially given the length of the movie. Is this song solely responsible for the success of the film? Hell no. Did it a play a part? Surely did.

[mp3] I'm Shipping Up to Boston

Get the soundtrack: Amazon | iTunes
Buy some Dropkick Murphys: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online: Official | Myspace

Now we'll get back to that touchy-feely crap. Once was an ambitious film that was more of a soundtrack turning into a film rather than a set of songs setting up a film. When a film focuses so much on music it's absolutely critical that the music is able to stand up on it's own. The soundtrack for Once is certainly able to do so.

Falling Slowly is the standout track in my mind. The duet version is very sweet and subtle. I've also posted the full band version from Glen's band, The Frames. I prefer the full band version just because it has a little more depth - there's more drama, more of a build...but both are fantastic.

[mp3] Falling Slowly (Glen & Marketa)
[mp3] Falling Slowly (The Frames)

Get the soundtrack: Amazon | iTunes
Buy some Glen Hansard: Amazon | iTunes
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Flexibility is the middle name I have just now given to Stereophonics' wonderful track, "Maybe Tomorrow." Not only does it serve as a great opening credits song (a la Wicker Park) but it also functions as an excellent closeout number (in Crash). How many songs could ever hope to accomplish that? That's right, not many, thus my new nickname: Maybe 'Flexibility' Tomorrow. Think of it like the middle name 'Danger,' it actually makes sense that way. Anyway, it's an all around great track, and if you've never heard it you're probably missing out on 3 great things (2 movies, 1 song). Start with the listening and finish up with the viewing, that's my advice.

[mp3] Maybe Tomorrow

Get the soundtrack: [Crash] Amazon | iTunes [Wicker Park] Amazon | iTunes
Buy some Stereophonics: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online: Official | Myspace
 

Not appearing in the film (at least not to my knowledge) but appearing on the soundtrack is this funky number from Maroon 5 entitled "Woman." And it is funky, don't let the appearance of the name "Maroon 5" sway your downloading judgment. Interesting sidenote: I wouldn't listen to Maroon 5 for a long time because I didn't think they were my "thing." I finally jumped on the bandwagon after hearing this number, and was pleasantly surprised with most of their stuff from Songs About Jane. I have since jumped off the bandwagon (as is the tendency with all bandwagons), but this remains my favorite Maroon 5 song.

[mp3] Woman

Get the soundtrack: Amazon | iTunes
Buy some Maroon 5: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online: Official | Myspace

Another song used on a Spider-man movie, this little ditty appeared on the soundtrack for the first one. The lyric in the chorus is "walk me to a car-park," a weird phrase Pete got from a woman he dated. She was from New Zealand, and referred to parking lots as car-parks. Okay story, great song.

[mp3] Undercover

Buy some Pete Yorn: Amazon | iTunes
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No, not that "Umbrella."
I have been a fan of Peter Stuart and Dog's Eye View for a long time, in no small part due to this song, and its presence in the silly teen comedy Can't Hardly Wait.

[mp3] Umbrella

The sites: Official | Myspace
The sounds: iTunes | Amazon

We had originally intended to do a six pack featuring really good songs from bands that otherwise suck. But as it turns out, those kinds of songs are hard to come by. I guess it makes sense, and, really, why would we want to make you listen to sucky bands? Instead here are some good songs that have been on our minds of late. Brock goes first this time, and let's all welcome him back to the land of the Internet.

First off is a song I've been meaning to post for some time now. It's catchy stuff, and I can't help but sing along. I love the whole stuttering thing throughout the song. Check it out!

[mp3] Ben's Brother - Stuttering

The sites: Official | Myspace
The sounds: iTunes | Amazon

The vocals on this one kind of remind me of Max from Say Anything; intense and urgent. The lyrical content is Say Anything-ish, as well. It's a bizarre mix of romantic and morbid, and it totally works.

[mp3] Ludo - Love Me Dead

The sites: Official | Myspace
The sounds: iTunes | Amazon

I've been stuck on Air Stereo recently. Maybe there's just something about the warm, sunny weather that makes me yearn for the album, or maybe it's just some damn fine music. I think I'll go with the latter, though I do tend to listen to this one whenever I'm adventuring in the great outdoors.

Kung Fu Grip Kiss has a rather silly name but don't be deceived, it's killer (not filler). If you enjoy some damn fine vocals, swelling horns and a catchy-as-hell hook (who DOESN'T??) then I recommend takin' a listen. This song will put a goofy smile on your face right when you hear those shiny horns take you halfway to funky town - guaransheed.

[mp3] The Damnwells - Kung Fu Grip Kiss

Visit them online: Official | Myspace
Buy their music: Amazon | iTunes

Ah, yet another band that finds itself in rather favorable position on my virtual iTunes chart due to the changing of the seasons. I'd imagine that Some Kind of Chill will somehow make it's way onto a summer playlist of mine in my golden years. I'd hope so anyways.

Take a bit of folk and add some sunny back ground vocals with some smart instrumentation and you've got Arizona. I highly recommend checking them out if you haven't done so already.

[mp3] Arizona - Some Kind of Chill

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Buy their music: Amazon | iTunes

I keep wanting to call this song funky. I think it's because the bass line sets the tone, which usually results in a funky song. And yes, I absolutely loooove the bass. The other thing I enjoy about this song: it sounds nothing like what you'd expect from The Shins. You owe it to yourself to check this out, even if you're biased against these dudes.

[mp3] The Shins - Sea Legs

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I listened to Anna Begins many, many times before I finally developed an appreciation for it. The first couple listens left me feeling generally...uneasy. Still, I gave it a listen every once in a while until one day it finally clicked. It really is an excellent blend of beat, instruments, and vocals to create a precise mood. I now love the repeating, "I am not worried, I am not overly concerned;" so basic, yet so effective. It's an oldie (from August and Everything After), but always worth a listen.

[mp3] Counting Crows - Anna Begins

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Ah, it's covers. I love covers. I'm not sure why I have such a fascination with one band playing another's music, but it always has (and always will) intrigue me. Sometimes they bring something new to the song or emphasize it in a way you never thought of it. Sometimes it's just really, really shitty. We'll try to avoid those ones. To start things off, I (Kraig) will take you out to Africa for my selections.

Both of the tracks I'm posting come from the album In the Name of Love, which is more or less a tribute to U2. All of the tracks on the album are U2 songs performed by African bands/artists. As you can imagine, these often take off in directions you wouldn't normally find in your "typical" cover.

I'm not going to pretend to be all knowing when it comes to the music you'll find on the album, but I recommend picking it up if you're into covers and/or if you're into U2. You'll certainly dig it if you listen to a bit of "world" music (whatever that means today).

Anyways, this first track caught my ear and got my interest in the album. You'll recognize it as a cover, but it takes off with some different beats and splits out of English during the verses.

[mp3] Mysterious Ways

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...and here we have another take on a U2 classic. Not much in the instrumental department, but it probably delivers the message at the heart of the song better than Bono could with his mates.

[mp3] Pride (In the Name of Love)

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I'm sure you all heard this blaring through sunroofs and fancy cars with tops down last summer/fall. It's still a regular on my playlists. I highly recommend listening to this one in headphones if you haven't yet.

[mp3] Hard Sun

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Back to the album - I recommend picking it up if for nothing else than to expose yourself to some music you wouldn't normally listen to. Since it's a cover album it's a bit easier to step into the "world" music genre because you'll already know the songs. Check it out here on Amazon, visit the official page (with streams) here.

Speaking of Africa...Howie Day does a pretty awesome cover of Africa. This version is from his 4-21-01 show, and you should probably go pick up the whole show for FREE from archive.org. You can't argue with free!

[mp3] Howie Day - Africa

Back in the days before Stop All The World Now, it used to be a pretty popular thing to go to Howie Day shows and yell, "FORTY-ONE!!!" at him. I'm not sure why, I've heard his cover of #41 (originally by the Dave Matthews Band) and it never really jumped out at me. At least it didn't jump out at me like this cover of a cover (supposedly Howie covers this like DMB covers it, therefore cover-of-a-cover). Truth be told, this is the first Howie Day song I ever heard. It's an interesting first song to hear, mostly because you aren't expecting the raw emotion and passion (or the excellent screaming). This one's from his 7-20-99 show, which is also free at archive.org.

[mp3] Howie Day - All Along the Watchtower

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This cover comes straight from Petey's most recent album, Nightcrawler. Originally by Warren Zevon, Pete's take on Splendid Isolation is very well done (I'm a fan of the harmonica work myself). Incidentally, splendid isolation is also a foreign policy pursued by Britain during the late 19th century. So ya, now you know that.

[mp3] Pete Yorn - Splendid Isolation

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No picks from Brock this week kiddies, he's internet-less right now (hence the lack of Brockness lately). Hopefully he'll get that resolved soon. We're missing a certain dash of Lurp 'round these parts...