Archive for the 'Recommendations/Reviews' Category

01
Dec

It’s Nuthin’ But a Careless Whisper…

By Dave 1 Comment
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

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Just because your favorite artist gets into trouble behind closed doors, or maybe he commits questionable acts with youngins doesn’t mean their music isn’t great.  We can agreee on this, yes?  For instance, Michael Jackson’s early career is untouchable - it’s far from gay.  So what if he rolled with Emanuel Lewis for a bit; it didn’t make his music less enjoyable.  Nor does George Michael’s acts (yes, the pop singer) in stalls make George’s 80’s group Wham any less credible.  Please tell me your collection consists of the “Wham Rap”…

Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright consider Wham a treasure, too.  A few years back, when they were touring together, they did a duet of “Careless Whisper”.  My version I’m upping is live, but don’t let that deter you from a hidden gem desperately lacking from your collection.  A classic…

Ben Folds featuring Rufus Wainwright :: Careless Whisper

30
Nov

Forget Jangly, Chromeo Smooth Them Out…

By Dave 0 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

mtvU is a channel available on many college campuses.  Great, I know.  But, this channel is responsible for the mtvU Woodie Awards - an award show that recognizes artists that college students like.  Not like that means much to you and me, but remember College Music Journal? (CMJ) They were most likely associated with college or college students and their interests mirrored ours, right?  On this previously mentioned award show, hip artists perform - like prep school popsters Vampire Weekend and the tenderoni duo Chromeo.  Dave 1 and P-Thugg decided to join the VW boys on their track, “The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance”.  Not as great as when Chromeo joined D. Hall from Hall & Oates fame, but it’s worth four minutes of your day…

Vampire Weekend w/ Chromeo :: The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance

29
Nov

Yo No Te Ofrezco Riquezas…

By Dave 0 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

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But I can provide you with a track that gets me every time - yes, every time.

When I was trying to better my Spanish some years back, the best resource for me was music.  I’m again trying to improve my second language and re-discovering some gems that have collected way too much dust. Chingon’s  “Malaguena Salerosa” - a lively, Spanish guitar monster - was prominently featured in the closing credits of 2004’s Kill Bill Volume II.

Chingon :: Malaguena Salerosa

Live, the track is intricately plucked, while the percussion seems to be synchronized with the guitarists’ shredding, and everything is tied together with a throaty voice that passionately hits all the highs and also knows when to bellow.  Come alive! Maybe this guy needs to join Rodrigo Y Gabriela.

28
Nov

The Kids are Riding on the Electric Feel…

By Dave 0 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music, Recommendations/Reviews and Soulwax

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And that ride consists of the psychedelic wave laid down by MGMT.  Oh, they bored you too in a live setting?  Then maybe you need the re-works by Soulwax and the soon to be era-defining duo, Justice to help you tie your headband back on.

MGMT :: Kids (Soulwax remix)

MGMT :: Electric Feel (Justice remix)

22
Nov

The Endless Potential of a String Accompaniment!

By Dave 0 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

The funky, two-step Vancouver duo Chromeo made an appearance on Conan O’Brien to perform their latest single, “Momma’s Boy”. Their guest list was a +9.  Luckily for us, eight of the nine were female string virtuosos….

19
Nov

Ruffin Wants You Back…

By Dave 0 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

If there were one genre I wish my knowledge was stronger, it would be without a doubt - the timeless, heartfelt, make you realize everything is alright - sound of soul.  When we look for new music, either brand-new or old, don’t we hope to spin that record a year from now; maybe even five years from now?  Or what about close to 30 years later?

Potentially long story condensed: David Ruffin, the lead vocalist who propelled the Motown act The Temptations into stardom with “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Bed” concocted a monster of a record in 1971; but for some reason, it was shelved - until only a few years ago. The Unreleased Album slides nicely into any soul guru’s stack of records, or sets a great base for any wannabe collector, like myself. I want to share his rendition of The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back”.  The song comes alive by Ruffin, but that’s maybe because it feels more sincere coming out of an adult’s mouth and not a child’s….

David Ruffin :: I Want You Back

And a little taste of what else lurks on this LP…

David Ruffin :: I’ve Got a Need For You

18
Nov

LCD No More?

By Dave 0 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music, Randominity and Recommendations/Reviews
Can we still normalize, girl?

Can we still normalize, girl?

EDIT –Rumors are rumors until proven, I guess.  NME sings a different tune. But I thought we weren’t supposed to read NME?

LCD Soundsystem has done some great things the past four years or so; they’ve also created some great moments for myself over the years.  BBC Music 6 sat down with Al Doyle, who plays guitarist for the act that graced my number one spot last year.  Al mentions James Murphy wants to put the act on hold to focus on….colloborating with disco singers from the 70’s.  Consider me excited - even if this means I do never hear “Yeah” in a live setting again.

17
Nov

No We Didn’t Light It!

By Dave 0 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

I think for the most part, I’ve tried to be hip and share new songs.  So I can say, “I was there”.  This time around though, I’m reminding you of how classic Billy Joel - the Bronx singer/songwriter who is deadly with a piano and a melody - truly can be.  I never claimed to be an authority figure on this genre; nor can I name more than an album’s worth of songs by the man.   This I do know though: You can’t but smile when “We Didn’t Start the Fire” comes around.  The video can’t be faded either - with it’s excellent nod to major historical events.

Thanks to a local musical historian, this (or something similar) has graced my presence.

14
Nov

You Keep Telling Me…

By Dave 0 Comments
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

It’s no secret I enjoy the psychedelic three piece - the Secret Machines.  A month later, after their very respectful follow-up to ’06’s monster, Ten Silver Drops, we are graced with the lead single, “Atomic Heels”.  They recommended a pair of 3-D glasses while viewing, but personally, a hallucinogen may help you to visually enjoy it a little more.

12
Nov

Into a World of Many Windy Dreams

By jason 1 Comment
Categories: Culture, Music and Recommendations/Reviews

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Thanks to the most prolific contributer MiS has to offer, ‘Chicago’ by the Uglysuit has resonated frequently in my household since July.  In fact, it’s featured as the first song on the mix compiled in preparation for my son’s birth into the world.

Its inclusion into Genius Is Eternal Patience (title of said mix) notwithstanding, ‘Chicago’ is filled with a breezy piano harmony fitting for a walk on a beautiful day.  The song’s video, which recently premiered on Pitchfork, does a wonderful job documenting this blissful feeling.  It captures the group carelessly frolicking in this gorgeous city of ours.  Playing on the beach,  laying down in a grassy field,  trifting -  all the while setting up for a rooftop gig on a fine, summer day.

Sure, it depresses me to look out the window and see complete darkness at 5PM these days.  But videos like this remind me of the real reason we choose to live in Chicago.


« Previous Entries

Chicago/Denver Concerts

12/31 :: HUM (Double Door, Chicago)

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