Wednesday, September 30, 2009

"Inoculate The Innocuous" by The Unicorns




This song has one of the coolest intros I have ever heard.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

"She's Got Me Dancing" by Tommy Sparks




Heard this song on an iPod touch commercial yesterday and was intrigued.  After listening to the whole song, I can't tell if it's stupid or awesome.  I'm currently leaning towards awesome.  You be the judge.  Either way, the video is kick ass.

Monday, September 28, 2009

"Carol Brown (Choir Of Ex-Girlfriends)" by Flight Of The Conchords




I've always said that Flight of the Conchords was a very talented band. I love the stuff they do, but I've always thought that under the silly lyrics, they write amazing songs with great melodies.

That being said, I think "Carol Brown" is just a good song. Forget the fact that it is a comedy song, written by a self-proclaimed folk-parody duo, it could still stand alone as a song by another non-humor based song. I recommend you give this one a listen as though it wasn't intended to be funny. I think you'll be surprised by the inherent quality of the song.

Until tomorrow... Tsom Kal!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

"You Are The Blood" by Sufjan Stevens




Sufjan's take on the Castanets' song.  Don't know which version I like better, but they both warrant a post I think.  The Sufjan version definitely has its own life though.  Hope you enjoy.

Friday, September 25, 2009

"You Are The Blood" by Castanets





There's something hauntingly beautiful about this song if you give it a really good listen.  Don't write it off after the first go round, give it a few spins, then make up your mind.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

"Beast Of Burden" by The Rolling Stones




This song has been floating around in my head since Jess and Emily played it at the lake on Labor Day.  Now it will be stuck in yours.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

"Spit On A Stranger" by Pavement




Just found out today that Pavement is doing a reunion tour next year.  I will be very upset if I do not get to see at some point.

"When I Goosestep" by The Shins




After any appreciable amount of time passes, I never fail to take The Shins for granted.  It's unfortunate, because they really are an amazing band.  Hopefully they will be coming out with a new album sometime soon, and hopefully that album will be better than their last (I wasn't a fan of Wincing the Night Away).

Until then, here is one of my favorites by them.  And, until I posted here today, I had no idea this song was on the Wicker Park soundtrack.  Weird.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

"House Fire" by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin




Can't tell if I love or hate this band's name.  Either way, I'm a big fan of their music.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

"I'll Fight" by Wilco




In my opinion, the best song off of the new Wilco album.

Friday, September 18, 2009

"Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!" by Do Make Say Think




Wonderful Canadian post-rock.  Love it.

"Today" by Dr. Dog




This is one of my favorite songs by Dr. Dog, a highly under-rated band. Why they aren't more popular is beyond me.

I find critics to be too dismissive of this band. I read a review once that said their sound was "too reminiscent of The Beatles and The Band." Maybe I'm the fucking crazy one here, but lest I'm mistaken, that's a good thing. The Beatles and The Band are two of the best bands of all time. How is sounding like them a bad thing? That would be like saying: "Oh yeah, thing A is okay, but I think it feels a little bit too much like Star Wars and great sex..."

Since they are so unfortunately unpopular, the only clip of this song I found online was this live version. But, do yourself a favor, and get a hold of their first two albums Easy Beat and We All Belong as soon as you get the chance. They are great albums and you won't be sorry you did.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

"Hey Bulldog" by The Beatles




Yesterday Stu and I were over at Mikey and Alex's, playing The Beatles Rock Band. On the game is a Beatles song that I was not familiar with until I heard it on the game. Which is crazy. I was surprised that there were Beatles songs in this world that had eluded me. Then again, I have never seen Yellow Submarine, so now I have learned there are even more I have never heard.

Anyhoo, the song on Rock Band was "Hey Bulldog". I'm posting it here in case any other Beatles fan out there has made the same glaring error as myself and NOT seen Yellow Submarine. It's such a cool song, hope you like it too.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

"Gold For Bread" by Blitzen Trapper




Can't wait to see Blitzen again next month. Enjoy the song.

Monday, September 14, 2009

"Dark Horse" by Great Bloomers




Great Bloomers are a smaller band from Canada (eh?) that I have really grown to love over the last few months. When I first listened to their album, I only gave time to the title track, but as I listened deeper in to the album, I really began to enjoy it.

My favorite song is still the title track "Speak of Trouble" but the last few days I've been listening to this song, "Dark Horse," more and more and wanted to share it with y'all.

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, September 13, 2009

"When You're Loved Like You Are" by Of Montreal




I'm not a big fan of Of Montreal's newer sound.  I just can't get in to the electro-disco-pop-crazy-stage-show thing.  I think they were at there best early on when they were making simple guitar and piano based pop (though their early experimental stuff is really good too).

Here is one of my favorites from them from before they started changing, off of my favorite Of Montreal album, Cherry Peel.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

"Swing Tree" by Discovery




A nice, breezy little tune for you to "bump" on your Saturday.  Discovery is the side project of Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend) and Wes Miles (Ra Ra Riot).  Good stuff.

Friday, September 11, 2009

"One Nation Under A Groove" by Parliament Funkadelic




Reasons this song is awesome:

1.  "Do you promise to funk, the whole funk, and nothing but the funk?"
B.  George Clinton
iii.  "FEET DON'T FAIL ME NOW!"

Your honor, the defense rests.

Also, I love the One Nation Under a Groove eagle/American flag picture on the YouTube video.  Amazing.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

"Canyon Girl" by Fruit Bats





Fruit Bats again!  Thought you had gotten away, did you?  NEVER!

But for serious yo, this is another good song by these guys.  Hope you enjoy it.

Also, another great live version from the KEXP show.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

"And Your Bird Can Sing" by The Beatles




Given the resurgence of Beatlemania the last few weeks over the modern remaster releases and the new Rock Band coming out, I have, understandably, been wading in to my Beatles catalogue more frequently.  Though I'm sure it goes without saying, The Beatles are, and forever will be, my all-time favorite band (which makes me exactly like every other non-crazy person on earth, I know, but I still like to say it anyway).

Last night my friend and fellow Beatles acolyte, Chelsea, and I were discussing the band and their many albums at some length.  And so, due to the recent media hype and super-geek-out conversations, I have Beatles on the brain today.

All that being said, enjoy one of my favorite Beatles tracks:  And Your Bird Can Sing (the Revolver version, not the over-produced single version).

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

"Mr. Tough" by Yo La Tengo




Mr. Tough is a fun song.  No other way to describe it but fun.  It also happens to be my current ringtone.

Monday, September 7, 2009

"Little Secrets" by Passion Pit




A super catchy dance song for your Labor Day off.  Your welcome.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

"Masterfade" by Andrew Bird




I love the reference to playing Mahjong in this song.  Enjoy.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" by Oldham Brothers




Wouldn't It Be Nice is, in my opinion, The Beach Boys' best song, and could very well be one of the best, if not THE best, song ever recorded.  So, I was hesitant when I heard it had been covered, because The Beach Boys did it perfectly on the first go round.  But, the Oldham Brothers did not disappoint.

It's not as good as the original, and I don't agree with the choice to have a screaming child breakdown/solo at the end, but, that said, it is a good cover.  I like the Oldhams' take on the vocal harmonies;  just different enough to be their own, just similar enough to still make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Friday, September 4, 2009

"Deep Blue Sea" by Grizzly Bear




I got turned on to Grizzly Bear during study abroad this summer (late-comer, I know), and I have enjoyed them quite a bit.

The odd thing is, of all their music, my two favorite songs are both on the Dark Was The Night compilation.  Those being:  Deep Blue Sea and Service Bell.  The song of the day today is the former, Deep Blue Sea.  Hope you enjoy it

Thursday, September 3, 2009

"Feather Bed" by Fruit Bats




Okay, here it is, the last song I will be posting from The Ruminant Band.  Another one that has grown on me with each listen.  Hope you enjoy it as well.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

"Being On Our Own" by Fruit Bats




So, as I am sure it has now become painfully obvious, I am in love with this album.  And the crazy thing about it is, it's only growing on me more.  Each time I listen to it I hear something new that makes me enjoy it that much more.

No worries though, only a day or two more of these Ruminant Band posts and I'll start talking about other bands again.  But, for the time being, enjoy Being On Our Own, another great song from this album.

And, for you late comers, forgive the dialogue at the beginning of the YouTube track, it is not a part of the song.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

"The Blessed Breeze" by Fruit Bats




My favorite song from The Ruminant Band.  As before, forgive the weird talking at the beginning of the YouTube track.