Raise your hand if you thought this was actually originally a White Stripes song. I admit it - I did.
And this isn't the first time you've seen Tegan and Sara on this blog, either. Back then, I compared them to Simon & Garfunkel, and I stand by that comparison. And I also said that despite that, and despite the lyrically brilliant songwriting, they still felt like a guilty pleasure. I stand by that statement as well.
You're going back to look and see if I really said those things. I did.
Now, I really do love the White Stripes version of this song. It's well done. This version is far less bombastic, but brings a different ache to the song.
And yes, Scott, it's a better version - are you happy now?!
As a bonus, here it is with three guitars. It's a richer sound, and yet more stripped down.
28 May 2013
28 May 2013 - Ian McCulloch - Candleland
I can't believe I'm admitting this, but when Ian McCulloch's solo debut came out in 1989 I liked it better than his previous work with Echo and the Bunnymen. While I still enjoy hearing Candleland every so often, I have to say I was wrong, wrong, wrong. It happens. Still though, I think Ian's solo albums were pretty solid, yet surprisingly overlooked. Here's the video for Candleland which features backing vocals by Liz Fraser of the Cocteau Twins.
24 May 2013
24 May 2013 - Suzanne Vega - Blood Makes Noise
So, what happens when a really good folkie turns her back on folk music and tries her hand at electronic music?
Pretty good, interesting electronic music. Suzanne went with a mechanical sound and a Metropolis feel to the video, but lyrically, it's as deep as anything she did as a folkie.
Since this time, Ms. Vega has, of course, returned to folkier ways. Here is a live version of this song, more punky and less electronic, but still interesting. This performance is from SxSW 2010. Note how bass-heavy, and not electronic, this song is. And yet it works well still.
Finally, here is a minimalist version of the song.
Pretty good, interesting electronic music. Suzanne went with a mechanical sound and a Metropolis feel to the video, but lyrically, it's as deep as anything she did as a folkie.
Since this time, Ms. Vega has, of course, returned to folkier ways. Here is a live version of this song, more punky and less electronic, but still interesting. This performance is from SxSW 2010. Note how bass-heavy, and not electronic, this song is. And yet it works well still.
Finally, here is a minimalist version of the song.
23 May 2013
23 May 2013 - Public Image Ltd - Rise
Here's a slice of 80s Thursday goodness with Johnny Rotten's post Sex Pistols band Public Image Ltd. This one was off their 5th record, 1986's Album/Cassette/Compact Disc (the title depended on the format which I always thought was a cool concept).
22 May 2013
22 May 2013 - Mr. Oizo - Analog Worms Attack / Analog Worms Sequel
What the hell is an analog worm, you ask?
A Worm is an analog musical effects processor. More on that in a minute.
This minimalist song, from the 1999 debut by Quentin Dupieux, is not his best known song. But it does have the coolest audio effects I have heard on any song. His simple but noisy work has been an influence on electronic music all these years later.
The song - in fact, the whole album - was recorded exclusively on analog, and not digital equipment. This is noteworthy. He got these sounds (with the help of scratch DJ friend Feadz) without computers or digital manipulation.
The reinvention of this song, "Analog Worms Sequel", which is essentially the same track without vocals, scratching, and slightly different instrumentation, was the official close to this album. ("Flat Beat", which was a huge hit in the UK, was a bonus track that appeared after five minutes of silence). Again, analog.
A Worm is an analog musical effects processor. More on that in a minute.
This minimalist song, from the 1999 debut by Quentin Dupieux, is not his best known song. But it does have the coolest audio effects I have heard on any song. His simple but noisy work has been an influence on electronic music all these years later.
The song - in fact, the whole album - was recorded exclusively on analog, and not digital equipment. This is noteworthy. He got these sounds (with the help of scratch DJ friend Feadz) without computers or digital manipulation.
The reinvention of this song, "Analog Worms Sequel", which is essentially the same track without vocals, scratching, and slightly different instrumentation, was the official close to this album. ("Flat Beat", which was a huge hit in the UK, was a bonus track that appeared after five minutes of silence). Again, analog.
21 May 2013
21 May 2013 - Icona Pop (featuring Charli XCX) - I Love It
I Love It is an effervescent and defiant electro-pop thrill-ride by Swedish DJ duo Icona Pop. I heard it for the first time a couple weeks at the Taylor Swift concert (it was part of her intro music). Judging by crowd's over-enthusiastic response, I think I may have been the only one who hadn't heard it before (apparently, I live in a cave). Anyway, I'm sort of surprised Tony hasn't covered this one before as this one's the definition of a Wicked Guilty Pleasure. (I'm sure he was "planning to" and he'll message me later today saying as much). Love it!
20 May 2013
20 May 2013 - M - Pop Musik
New York. London. Paris. Munich?!
Munich.
This 1979 single, one of the first big synth pop songs ever released, was an early definer of what would be the MTV sound for several years. M, a project by Robin Scott, performed this song as a way to bridge rock and disco. There was a huge generation gap when it came to music, with disco being the contemporary sound after rock and roll had dominated for so long. But, really, it was all just pop music.
Of course, you remember this much-parodied video featuring Scott as a DJ and an extremely whitewashed look. So, go ahead and enjoy your MTV nostalgia.
Munich.
This 1979 single, one of the first big synth pop songs ever released, was an early definer of what would be the MTV sound for several years. M, a project by Robin Scott, performed this song as a way to bridge rock and disco. There was a huge generation gap when it came to music, with disco being the contemporary sound after rock and roll had dominated for so long. But, really, it was all just pop music.
Of course, you remember this much-parodied video featuring Scott as a DJ and an extremely whitewashed look. So, go ahead and enjoy your MTV nostalgia.
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