1 July 2013 - Charli XCX - Nuclear Seasons / You (Ha Ha Ha)

I am going to try to go through this entire post without referencing Charli XCX's biggest hit, which just hit #1 in the UK on 30 June 2013. I mean, I love it, but I don't care, even if she wrote it.  No, we are going to talk about her terrific debut album - True Romance - with which I am totally and completely obsessed.  Originally slated for release in April 2012, it was eventually released in 2013, after, well, you know, that little hit song we aren't talking about.

The first track is a throwback of a song, very heavy on the synth, that would have worked just as well in 1985 as it does today.  Charli's strong voice reminds me of Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons in this song.



Whereas the first track is a throwback, the second, while retaining heavy synth, is far more modern in its pacing and mix.  It's somewhat hard to follow on first listen.  I urge you to try it twice.  It grows on you.  It's definitely different than anything you've heard on the radio, to be sure.



Aw, what the hell.  Here's Charli with Icona Pop at SXSW 2013, performing The Song That Shall Not Be Named.  As far as I know, this is the only time they've performed it together.  Scott did a more complete post about this song here - and I covered it here on Totally Covered.  As I wrote here, Charli XCX co-wrote the song (and probably should have kept it for herself).

28 June 2013 - Bob Dylan - Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

Today marks post #420 for Wicked Guilty Pleasures.  12 times 35 equals 420.  I'm sure that's just a coincidence, and has NO other meaning.

This song opened up Bob Dylan's 1966 album Blonde on Blonde and featured an unusual brass/harmonica arrangement.  Really, though, the song is a bunch of musicians having fun in the studio and, let's face it, getting stoned.   The fun shines through - it's one of Dylan's most..... fun songs.  It's not at all angry, like a lot of his work.

27 June 2013 - The Cure - Lovecats

With the exception of Friday I'm In Love, Lovecats may be the purrfect guilty pleasure song by The Cure. But seeing that I talk about the 80s on Thursdays, you get to relive the magic of Lovecats.

I am SO NOT PROUD of that purrfect pun.

26 June 2013 - The Innocence Mission - Bright As Yellow / I Haven't Seen This Day Before

Forget for a minute the irony that the video for this song has not a hint of yellow.

A beautiful song by a band that hasn't gotten nearly enough attention, this was a 1995 single release from their album Glow.  This is most likely their best known song - it was featured on the soundtrack to the movie Empire Records - but it was by no means their biggest hit.  Not that they had any big mainstream hits (which is criminal), but they were a modern rock radio darling for awhile.

Let's stop right here and talk about Karen Peris's voice.  She brings such a light, airy joy to anything she sings (and writes, as she is the songwriter for this tune).  Despite the light, airy joy of her voice, it's still really powerful.  That's a special skill, this light, airy power.



By the way, The Innocence Mission are still around.  Here's a more recent recording (of a song from their 1999 album Birds of My Neighborhood) featuring Karen along with her husband (and fellow band member and songwriter) Don Peris. Again, a shiny happy song by, as their Twitter profile clearly states, a "shiny, happy band from Lancaster, PA."

25 June 2013 - She & Him - I Could've Been Your Girl

I never would have considered She & Him to be a guilty pleasure. I loved the first two records. Then the New Girl happened. I know a lot of people like it, but I couldn't even make through the first season (but to be perfectly honest in the last 10 years I've pretty much hated every TV show I've seen, so making it through half a season is quite the accomplishment). I foolishly misplaced my boredom for a TV show to a perfectly fine band. Dumb. When Volume 3 came out last month I didn't even think about getting it. But a couple weeks ago Amazon put it on sale for $5 so I said, "what the hell." Admittedly, I still haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but this single and video certainly brings the goodness and reminds me of why I liked them in the first place.

24 June 2013 - Madonna - Hung Up

I don't know that I've ever professed my love of Madonna's music.  I know I have posted her music in the past.  One of these days, I'm going to do a super post about her.   But today, I want to talk about one of her recent hits.

This song is very complex musically, with a ticking clock and a sample from an Abba song making the bulk of the dense backing track.  Madonna's lyrics are sung with urgency, but are very simple in contrast to the music.  However, this video is all about the dancing - I've never seen moves like some of these!

So, enjoy this video, enjoy the song, enjoy the Abba music.

21 June 2013 - Katrina and The Waves - Walking on Sunshine

No song personified mid-80s optimism quite like this one.  The only U.S. hit by Katrina and The Waves, Kimberley Rew (who was one of the Waves) wrote it as a ballad.  Katrina had other ideas, and belted the song.

She made the right choice.  Now, they've together crafted one of those songs that you just can't help but smile when you hear.



Katrina Leskanich is still singing the hell out of this song. Here she is in a television performance from 2010.