Saturday, December 27, 2008

Saturday Music Definitions: Leaves


the leaves may be gone from the trees, but they live in poetry and song.

Simon and Garfunkel - Leaves that are Green (live, NYC, 1967) [mp3]


Billy Talent - Fallen Leaves [mp3]
the polar opposite of S&G, this Canadian band opened up for My Chemical Romance at the Warfield last April. the lead singer likes to screech, but they're pretty cool.

The White Stripes - Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground [mp3]
loove Jack White. Meg kicks a lot of ass too. White Blood Cells is an excellent record.

BONUS:
Ryan Adams - Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground (White Stripes cover) [mp3]

Friday, December 26, 2008

band of the week: The Doors


band of the week often comes down to the band I listened to a lot during any given week, and today's post is no exception

now, I know this is blasphemy, but I never really got into The Doors before.

I have been obsessively spinning the various dollar vinyl records I own (I love Amoeba), and I realized that the Doors record I had picked up was an original copy of their eponymous debut, minus the original album sleeve. anyhow, I've listened to it through a ridiculous number of times and my verdict is...

JIM MORRISON IS A SEXY VAMPIRE.

I think the reason I had never really gotten into this phenomenal band before was I never gave them proper, undivided attention. I love winter break. anyhow, I suggest you all do the same if you aren't already Doors fans and listen meticulously to some incredible music I've somehow managed to look over.

anyhow, here are some mp3s and a WEBSITE of all things Doors.

The Doors - Break on Through (to the other side) [mp3]

this one is really well known, even my uncultured 15 year old brother loves it

The Doors - Light My Fire [mp3, highly recommended!]

The Doors - When the Music's Over (live in concert) [mp3]

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Franz Ferdinand: Ulysses in studio



this is an awesome version of what has been my favourite sneak peak of the year

many thanks to Jackie at Cartoon Music For Superheroes for the heads up

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

really, now.

DMCA, play nice, I'm just trying to expose people to some good music

unfortunately, I didn't save the superlatives of 2008 but if anyone is interested, leave a comment and I will repost it (I have it written down in my music notebook)

here are the songs from the top albums of 2008:

10. Little Joy:
No One's Better Sake
How to Hang a Warhol

9. Ra Ra Riot:
Dying is Fine
Suspended in Gaffa (Kate Bush cover)

8. Liam Finn:
Second Chance
Wide Awake on the Voyage Home

7. MGMT:
Electric Feel
Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

6. Delta Spirit:
Tomorrow Goes Away
Strange Vine

5. The Virgins :
Hey Hey Girl
Radio Christine

4. The Killers:
Joy Ride
I Can't Stay

3. Vampire Weekend:
M79
I Stand Corrected

2. Wild Sweet Orange:
Ten Dead Dogs
Either/Or

1. Frightened Rabbit:
The Modern Leper
Keep Yourself Warm

Monday, December 22, 2008

Hanan's Top Ten Records of the Year

This is my first year end list, and I have put much thought and deliberation into it. The sad truth is, 2008 was not a spectacular year for music. Therefore, I feel even further obligated to do justice to the handful of solid releases this year. All but two of the albums are debut LPs, that should tell you about the disappointment of returning artists this year. The top 5, I consider essential to everyone's musical library. So, here goes:

10. Little Joy - Little Joy

Fabrizio Moretti's side project was one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. This album is so easy to listen to from beginning to end, bursting with sunshine-y sweet melodies. "Unattainable" is sung by their female band member Binki, and I find myself overlooking my I-hate-female-vocalists thing and really enjoying it.

click here for a -> record review

visit them on MYSPACE

9. Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

Following the tragic death of their drummer, John Ryan Pike, Ra Ra Riot released a beautiful and often heartbreaking debut with lyrics that often reference their loss. In addition to the standard rock instruments, they incorporate a cello and a violin. This record is GORGEOUS. "Dying is Fine" draws its chorus from a poem by e.e cummings. You might find yourself listening to their cover of "Suspended in Gaffa" on repeat. "Ghost Under Rocks" begins like Mika's "Love Today" but the similarities end there, as it delves into a ballad which unmistakably eulogizes Pike which will give you shivers.

visit them on MYSPACE

8. Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning

The son of the acclaimed New Zealand musician Neil Finn, Liam quickly establishes that his father is not the only one in the family with talent. A genius in the making, Liam's live performances are simultaneously breathtaking and energizing, leaving the audience in awe and dancing along. Each of these songs is a GEM, but the energy of the songs diminishes as the record comes to a close. The last few songs are slow and beautiful, "Wide Awake on the Voyage Home" (the second to last track) being my absolute favourite, made even more special by the fact that Liam played it after I requested it before his show.

visit Liam on MYSPACE

7. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

It's really a good thing that they included "spectacular" in the title, I cannot find a more fitting word for this incredible record. I had initially thought this would be an album of a few lead singles and some filler but I was shocked to find that the entire album is a masterpiece. Ever wonder where the future of psychedelic rock lies? Look no further than Oracular Spectacular. While their live performances are not mind blowing, they still are a lot of fun and the duo's energy more than makes up for their lack of bravado.

click here for a -> record review

visit the band on their WEBSITE

6. Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine


I don't know how this band isn't famous yet. They excel at something which a lot of bands have attempted to do: combining the Americana, folk and rock genres BEAUTIFULLY. Originally self released with the grey album cover and later rereleased by Rounder Records in August with a new version of "Streetwalker", this is a rare band that manages to pull off a very Bob Dylan-y vocalist. I have nothing bad to say about this band, either on record or live. They blew me away this year. Do check them out.

visit the band on MYSPACE

5. The Virgins - The Virgins

For a band that pretends to be sexually inexperienced, these songs are a bit out of place: they are oozing with sex sex sex. Hailing from NYC, comparisons to The Strokes are inevitable, and the band doesn't seem to mind too much. Their bass player Nick demands your attention in lead single "Rich Girls" and all over the rest of the record. The ultimate dance record of the year, The Virgin's debut is a winner on all levels. They will chew you up and spit you out like the gum on their album cover, but you will come back begging for more. These guys are AMAZING live too, so catch em when they swing by your neck of the woods.

visit them on MYSPACE

4. The Killers - Day and Age


The Killers came back more powerfully than ever before with their third album, drawing from equal parts of 80's and futuristic sounds. A joy ride indeed, this album will leave you dazzled and confused and dying for more. The bonus tracks then step in and oblige.

for a song by song analysis of why this record owns you, click HERE

visit the boys on MYSPACE

3. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend


do you remember getting hyped up on sugar as a kid? if that feeling had a musical manifestation, it would be Vampire Weekend's amazing debut record. These boys compensate for being over-educated by providing songs that anyone can dance too. Why all the haters? Because this band was hardworking and successful and produced excellent songs that brightened up the rainy season. This was going to be album of the year for a while, but it was recently replaced by two better crafted records. It still remains one of my favourite records of all time, sweet perfection from start to finish. Vampire Weekend's goals were to play classical music with rock instruments, but they throw in some African beats too. If you buy this record and don't enjoy it, I will reimburse you and then punch you in the face for being musically and human-ly retarded.

click for a -> concert review

visit Vampire Weekend on MYSPACE

2. Wild Sweet Orange - We Have Cause to be Uneasy

This debut from the Birmingham based band is heartbreaking in every sense of the word. The lyrics express the childhood anguish which is more or less universal. The guitar riffs from "Either/Or" will be stuck in your head indefinitely, and the lyric "All the things I've hated, I've been before" reminds me of "Between the Bars" by Elliott Smith: "people you've been before that you don't want around anymore". If the opener, "Ten Dead Dogs" doesn't get you hooked, nothing will. The lead singer's voice will penetrate your soul but the music will distract you from the lyrics. Sometimes I have to double back and listen to the words again, and then I am left breathless again. The album presents the ugliness of the human race in the most beautiful way possible. In a way, they redeem us for the cheating, lyric bastards that we are.

click here for a -> concert review

visit them on MYSPACE

1. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight

I was first exposed to this band via the blogosphere, first hearing the songs "The Modern Leper" and "Poke" . I subsequently purchased this Scottish band's second full length album. I listened to it once, it didn't strike me as particularly amazing. Once more, I thought. Nope, no avail. I put it on my shelf, shrugging off another meh record. A fellow blogger mentioned that it was his favourite album of the year thus far, which got me to pick it back up and listen to it meticulously, poring over each note and lyric. Then it started getting under my skin. I started listening to it ENDLESSLY, on the BART, at the gym (and this is NOT your average work out album), in bed, everywhere. This album is a reality check to how modern life has alienated us from one another, but the music itself may help us come together and fix ourselves. Please please please take my advice, go out, buy this record and listen to it through five times. They don't have to be consecutive. Just make sure you give it a chance. This album surprised me, and I'm sure you'll love it too.

visit the band on MYSPACE

honourable mentions:
Beck - Modern Guilt
Ben Sollee- Learning to Bend
The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Panic at the Disco- Pretty. Odd
Albert Hammond Jr - Como Te Llama
The Dodos- Visiter
The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of Understatement
The Morning Benders - Talking Through Tin Cans
Margot and the Nuclear So and So's- Animal
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Pershing

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Sunday Morning Covers


David Grey - Smile Like You Mean It (Killers cover) [mp3]
this one, I'm on the fence about. it's decent, not as good as the original of course, but I do like it a lot at times. what do you think?

Hot Chip and Peter Gabriel - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (Vampire Weekend cover) [mp3 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]

THIS IS SO SO SO COOL! it's my favourite cover at the moment, the best find in AGES. I love the line "it feels so unnatural, Peter Gabriel too, it feels so unnatural...to sing your own name" everyone needs this mp3. download it immediately, that is an ORDER

Emile Simon - Space Oddity (Bowie cover) [mp3]

I don't like this one at all, but I have a big bias against female vocalists. I thought some of my readers might like it.

The Black Keys - She Said, She Said (Beatles cover) [mp3]

I never thought the BK would cover the Beatles, but it makes perfect sense, Dan Auerbach is an AMAZING guitarist and it really shows here.