Simply put, Thriller is one of the most consistent pop records ever assembled and that was over 25 years ago. Available today, is the 25th Anniversary of Thriller by the truly one and only, Michael Jackson. As you may have too, I’ve come across many interesting essays and articles to commemorate today’s release, and I’d like to share two.
The LA Times has an article simply containing 25 Thriller Facts. Not only did this record spawn infinite biters, (excellent song) but also seemed to change the music industry in non-traditional ways as well.
“Thriller’s” phenomenal success led to a breaking down of traditional racial barriers on FM radio at the time. New York’s WPLJ, a “white” station, played Jackson’s “Beat It” because of Eddie Van Halen’s appearance on it. The song caused a wave of protests from some listeners who didn’t want “black” music on their station. MTV also had a reputation for favoring white performers at the time, and its heavy rotation of Jackson videos helped alleviate the criticism.
Bands covering other artists is a hit or miss venture with me. At times, the mere notion of it sounds good in principal, but the potential isn’t exactly matched in the studio.
With the release of Hot Chip’s fantastic new album this week (read Dave’s thoughts about it here), I thought I’d toss up a couple of covers they’ve attempted over the years.
The band’s version of Marvin Gaye’s classic, “Sexual Healing” was the b-side to the “Over and Over” single. Hot Chip does a good job of lacing their signature sound on the track by incorporating some quick drum machine samples and reverbed voices. It isn’t as flirtatious as the original, but it’s definitely just as sultry.
The band also tackled “Graceland” by Paul Simon. It’s a more straight-forward attempt at covering the original. Joe Goddard’s soft, consistent vocals give the song a nice feel throughout.
The third track featured here isn’t a cover but a remix of the first single on the new album. Soulwax put their usual spin on “Ready For the Floor.” Although it’s a bit long, it’s worth a listen.
“Music to have asthma to.” The phrase is prominently displayed on Late of the Pier’s Myspace page. An assumed self-description of their music. The four-piece band from Castle Donington, Nottingham, England formed in 2004 but created quite a bit of noise throughout 2007 with a couple of singles. One of which is featured here. “Bathroom Gurgle” hit the clubs last fall and subsequently received the trendy remix treatment from everyone and their brother.
The track starts in with a simple drum machine and groovy bass beat before the vocals subtly hit the ground. 8-bit samples and a swirling synth enters before the lead singer breaks out in an all-out falsetto scream.
Look for an album to be released on Parlophone Records later in the year.
Ghostface Killah pleads with his fans on Myspace to cop his CD through proper retail avenues. If you show him the merch next time you see him, he’ll kick it with you pow-wow style. Ya kna’ wha’ I mean?
If it tastes like CARE-a-mel! Hot Chip is returning with, Made in the Dark today. The same ol’ bounce, that energy that sparks you to get up over and over again and now even more soulful ballads than Coming on Strong. You have no need to fret though, these lads bring the goods, no matter the BPMs. Give ‘Hold On’ a spin and wake up the Simon in your life!
And here we go again with another up of an EP. Just like the last one, this one also stems from Austin, TX and is also associated with Spoon’s posterboy, Britt Daniel. The beauty of this extended play is that it’s a split with Bright Eyes. Post-Parlo, a label out of Texas was issuing split EPs (some are more album length) under the title, Home: The PPR Split Series. And this one from 2002 only features four tracks, two being collaborations with one another and two solo joints. Each artist’s respective sound is very apparent on each song. Rather backing up one another on vocals or bringing their flow solo, these are some of my favorite songs from these artists’ entire catalogs.
Back in ’02, this split was such a huge success that the EP quickly went out of print and had to be reissued about eight months later. Yes, it is that good. Please enjoy.
In case you’ve managed to miss this today, check out a long list of musicians and various celebrities voice their support for Barack Obama. Jason will no doubt appreciate the “Fresh Prince’s” Tatyana Ali. Originally released today in higher quality on dipdive.com by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. Here’s the first news story of the day about the release–ABC News claims it was released through one of their affiliated sites on Friday.
“Umm….as far as… supportive, he’d have to support me financially. Ummm…I like a man who has money; has goals in life.”
These are the desires uttered by some ladies on the opening to Read Music / Speak Spanish, the 2002 debut from Desaparecidos. Most likely, this name would have passed you by five or six years ago, unless you were aware of the frontman, Connor Oberst. Mr. Bright Eyes himself is obviously known for his voice that somehow cracks and howls simultaneously, and then also his heartfelt folk songs that have over time, matured into mini orchestral pieces. It’s the anomaly of this group that makes me want to share, even if this act wasn’t all too well received. Remember though, Connor was dubbed “rock’s boy genius”at one point.
Connor and a few of his friends decided to go all punk rock with a tinge of angry deliveries thrown in just to sound sincere enough. With distorted guitars and bass that is mighty heavy in all nine tracks; a cheap sounding Casio is interspersed over all this noise as well and Connor’s voice is apparent even when he’s doing a light screamo thing. The lyrical content leans to politics, (Now perhaps a Bright Eyes staple) the suburban sprawl, capitalism and everything else you usually don’t hear on the man’s LPs. Read Music / Speak Spanish is about six years old already, and maybe poorly done to some, but this LP is still occasionally thrown into the player and that’s how it came to be dropped on you, our loyal reader.
I saw the video for this song (posted below) a while back and quickly fell in love with it. Noah & the Whale are one of the many bands in the recent English indie-folk movement. A bit of an oxymoron, isn’t it? These days, it seems just as hard categorizing the folk genre as it is categorizing indie. Both genres, especially indie (I believe the description is a huge JT pet peeve), seem to get tossed around like snowballs whenever acoustic guitars and heartfelt lyrics are mixed with a particularly lo-fi production quality. Is Juno and the resurrection of the Moldy Peaches solely responsible for this? Doubtful.
But as I was saying, Noah & the Whale are from London, England. They released a couple of singles last year and received quite a bit of ‘blogdom buzz’ in the process. One of the singles is a sharp, little tune called “Five Years Time.” The song combines a festively swirling ukulele with some jittery violin, playful hand claps, and earnest vocals to craft a near-perfect pop song.
Lyrically, the song takes the listener on a journey through the thoughts about a magical first encounter. An encounter on the bus during the morning commute. Perhaps a friendly glance exchanged while at the deli for lunch. Or maybe it happens at a familiar bar on a random night after squabbling with a friend. A place he’s frequented many times over. A place he never expected seeing such a glorious face he knew he’d never forget as soon as he walked through the doorway. A happy accident in the truest sense.
“Oh well, in five years time we could be walking ’round a zoo / With the sun shining down over me and you / And there’ll be love in the bodies of the elephants too / And I’ll put my hands over your eyes, but you’ll peek through”
Eventually, these initial thoughts turn into a relationship formed. Butterflied anxiety and joyful glee are met with unbridled companionship. Fairytale trips to the zoo are experienced. Cliched moments and giddy feelings happen constantly. And even though a few clouds cast a shadow over the sun at times, very little will keep them from feeling on top of the world.
“Oh well, I look at you and say ’this is the happiest I’ve ever been’ / And I’ll say that I no longer have to be James Dean / And she’ll say, ‘yeah, well I feel pretty happy too / And I’m always pretty happy when I’m just kicking back with you’”
Random encounter. Developed friendship. Legally bounded partnership.
Five years ago, an unexpected relationship was created. The events within are rarely as easy as we dream them to be. And even though it isn’t always “fun, fun, fun,” the most important part is the evolving “love, love, love, all through our bodies.”
These sorts of encounters may seem like they never materialize. But there is a chance. Always. Least expecting, where ever you go…
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