Seeing as how weeks start/end on a Sunday, why should we be trying to buck thousands of years of established history? As such, our weekly wrap-ups will now happen at the end of the week, because that just makes more sense.
Grandaddy is a band you may have already heard of, and if they are, then you have probably heard this song too. In which case, good for you! You get to take a break today while the less musically privileged gets a chance to catch up. So basically, Grandaddy has a pretty gosh-dang relaxed attitude about their songs that makes them less than ideal to listen to when you are trying to stay awake. At the same time, they can be catchy, like becoming a vampire. It only takes one dang bite and bam, you’re hooked for life!
Man, I love alternative country! It’s proof that no matter how much you may dislike a certain genre, there’ll always be something to redeem it. Granted, I’ve yet to find that something for a fair few genres (dubstep, I’m looking at your direction), so the search continues.
Anyhoo, this is certainly everything you could hope for in an alt. country tune: it’s a little dark and moody, and it’s wrapped by a wonderful husky voice that seems to speak to your very soul. Or not! Results may vary, but it doesn’t stop this from being a top tune.
2012 marks the 50 year anniversary of the James Bond film series. Seeing as how that’s a damn impressive milestone, and the fact that I’m a massive fan, what better way to celebrate it than doing a post about that iconic theme music? Well, there’s probably far better ways to celebrate, but it’s the best we can do. Beyond living my life vicariously as James Bond, anyway. Which I don’t do. Because that’d be silly. R-right?
The surf rock style guitar riff that defines the theme has almost transcended the character himself, but its combination with the bold brass elements cements the reputation. No matter how many films that come about claiming to be ‘Bond-esque’, none will ever match what the Bond films offer. This theme is one of many reasons why that’s the case. Shaken, not stirred indeed!
So it’s a crazy week for me this week, and the posts may come through a little late as a result. Also, they might not be any good! But here goes nothing.
It’s been a while since I’d heard Imagine, and while it’s all too easy to highlight the inherent irony of John Lennon talking about how great life would be without possessions and whatnot, it still remains a wonderful and sincere song, with a beautifully infectious piano motif throughout. I guess you could parry that irony with the fact that I’m using a heck of a lot of possessions to tell you how good this song is!
It seems that Nada Surf is still kicking around, having released a new album earlier this year. So rather than investigate that new album, I decided to post about a tune from 2002 release, Let Go. We are totally with the times!
Time hasn’t dulled this great indie rock tune, but if you were hoping for an optimistic ditty about an exuberant and overjoyed child, then your search continues. It’s actually kind of a sad song, but it’s attached to a catchy beat and guitars a’plenty, so you can certainly bop to it. If you want.
Rumour has it, Ed Harcourt is about to release a new album. Well, it’s not really a rumour since he announced it on his Facebook page, but it’s as good excuse as any to post some of his music. This is possibly my favourite from him (that I’ve heard, anyway), probably because it does have a bit of a Jeff Buckley feel, but mostly because it’s just great? It’s also pretty sweet (awww!); perfect for that sweetheart in your life. If you ignore the verse lyrics, that is.
Yes, I’ve talked about ‘ol Imaad before, but I’m going to do it again, dangnabbit. Priestess has an otherworldly, ‘cultish’ quality to it: it’s very dark and mysterious without being depressing (at least, not to me). Maybe it’s the lyrics that give it that feel:
Last year in Marienbad
Solemn processions of the husband
You emerged in pornographic heat
From a poem of obsession
It’s nuts, whatever it is, but it’s so damn good!
Sometimes, listening to a seemingly anguished hipster drone on about all their troubles gets a tiny bit grating. For times like that, you need this tune: it’s a delightful, rollicking, high-spirited blend of fiddles, guitars and mandolins, completely saturated with an incredibly rich melody, making it as toe-tappingly awesome as it gets.
Now, who could possibly say no to something like that? Those droning hipsters, I’ll bet!
Too busy to look at either/or this week? Can’t be bothered scrolling down? Well, here’s the week’s worth of posts in one handy list!
The Modern Lovers – Astral Plane
Nightmares on Wax – Damn
AC/DC – Go Down
Souls of Mischief – 93 ’til Infinity
Julie London – Cry Me a River
Depeche Mode – Policy of Truth
Beethoven – Symphony No. 6 (First Movement)
