I stumbled across these guys at SXSW festival last year. I was surprised that I like them as they are far from the typical band that usually moves me. However, there is something about this song that speaks to me. It is honest and refreshing un-modern. I usually spend my time chasing things that sound fresh, funky and/or cutting edge so it is nice once in a while to have a change in pace.
/RjK
James Vincent McMorrow – Higher love
This is the second cover version I have posted this week. This also takes a song from a different era and completely turns it on it’s head. The original actually has a certain cheesy charm (the video is certainly pretty awesome) but I like the stripped back quality of this version. It sounds heartfelt and honest.
Also, how Irish does this geezer look?
RjK
This is taken from Wilco’s latest album The Whole Love. It has infected my brain for the past few days. It is just a school old school classic rock’n’roll song.
The album cover of their record Yankee Hotel Foxtrot adorned my roommate’s wall when I was in Berkeley. I subsequently got to the see building in Chicago. It’s a pretty cool sleeve:
Phantogram – Don’t move
Feeling a bit jaded today after a busy weekend so I will keep it short. This tune is utterly infectious. I have been unable to shake it for the past few days. Phantogram are a recent discovery for me and based on this I will have to explore them further.
RjK
Breakbot (featuring Irfane) – Baby I’m yours
I needed a midweek boost of energy and this did the trick. It is a fun and upbeat number from French DJ Breakbot. There is also an aptly hip video here.
RjK
David Byrne and Brian Eno – Strange Overtones
David Byrne (of Talking Heads fame) is a hero of mine. It is take off the 2008 album Everything that happens will happen today. To quote no less than Wikipedia the album “explores themes of humanity versus technology and optimism in spite of bleak circumstance through the blending of Electronic and Gospel music”.
It is also a great tune. Somehow Bynre’s slightly off-kilter vocals compliment Eno’s smooth beat perfectly. David Byrne’s description of himself as an “evangelical atheist” as a clever and provocative use of language.
Air France – It feels good to be around you
Air France are a Swedish band and are one of several European bands with a similar upbeat, summery sound that have caught my attention recently, such as Delorean. Wikipedia categorises this sound as Post-rave bliss, beach foam pop or Balearic disco all of which are both pretty funny and pretty pretentious. All I know is that this tune has infected my brain for the past week.
Are you in Air France? Are you in Air France?…
Dr.Carter – Lil’ Wayne (Jimmy T guest post)
Hello out there in cyberspace. I am Jim Tracey; Australian, debonair, late twenties living in London, friend of RJ and lucky guest contributer to “sounds of science” or whatever Robbie likes to call his mental (in a good way) blog. I wouldn’t be as vain to describe my taste in music because as my old school teacher Danny Hasler used to say ‘you should never put anyone in a box’. He was brother of famous rugby player Des Hasler, the first words I ever heard him say were “2 bucks for one of my brothers’ autographs, one for me and one for my brother” and also “where’s my pen?” it was lost in his crazy birds nest of hair, he was truly a “child of time” (from album: Deep Purple in Rock)
I like music that reminds me of a time and a place. Q-tips “Amplified” was one of the first cd’s that I bought, and the first hip-hop album, marking a musical evolution away from bands like Offspring and Presidents of the USA who are far too angry and silly (respectively) for me at the moment. It also takes me back to when I was 17, and had my first taste of independence, back then I looked to the future and thought “anything is possible” and looking back I can certainly say that the possibilities have been realised, but not in any way that I could have then imagined back then.
I like this song for two reasons: the tribute to coffee which is my favorite drink. The following quote beautifully sums up a day in the life of me (if you were wondering).
Doctor: “Where’s my coffee?”
Nurse: “It’s going to be a long day”
Doctor: ”Another one?”.
And I also like the beat, old school, along the lines of Q-tip’s “let’s ride” (you gotta post this song Robbie!) You just can’t go past jazz loops and live jazz drumming (syncopated) to hip-hop rhyming.
Summary: Dr. Carter is a life saver, so you have to tip your coffee mug to him.
Loch Lomond – Elephants and little girls
Robert Owens – One Body (Kaine Interpretation)
This is a MASSIVE house tune.
Somebody, one body…