Friday, May 23, 2008

Where There's a Will, There's a Whalebone

Islands aren't just for getting lost. Sometimes there are no Oceanic flights gone awry, no Others, no Benjamin Linus, or unexplained black fog. Instead there are lovable Canadian indie bands who rename themselves from the Unicorns to something a little easier to take seriously. Montreal-ian cuties J'aime and Nick are as adorable as their former name implies, with all the talent and independence that comes with artistic evolution. Completely enjoyable, unpretentious, and sugary sweet, this duo delivers indie pop perfection with substance to boot. Check out their fully worthwhile new album Arm's Way, released May 20. Unless you're new to the Islands experience, in which of course I recommend picking up a copy of 2006's Return to the Sea first. You'll appreciate the small progression in one band's prog rock; strong orchestration, ironic lyricism, and evocative vocals that 1.) Make me want to learn French and 2.) Use that French to discharge sellouts in clever, cutting songs that make me smile, and others cry.


From 2006's Return to the Sea
Islands - Rough Gem [ysi]

Chemtrails

New Beck. Two words that excite me more than you know. Even though I've been a smidge letdown by the last few releases (Odelay! was so amazing that it's been difficult to par up to), Beck's new track "Chemtrails" has all the elements to hype me up for a new release. The vaguely haunting vocals, the genre-breaking or possibly defining electronica slowbeats, and of course, two versions. Modern Guilt might be the new Danger Mouse-produced album title, but you shouldn't feel an ounce of remorse for enjoying this track. Check out the story of in-studio experience here. If you were a fan of the new Gnarls B, prepare to be dazzled by the product of this recording duo.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Blank Slate

Life is crazy. I now have three jobs, a promotion, one father in the hospital (out of surgery and recovering overnight), and no partridge in a pear tree. A shame since a pear sounds absolutely delicious right now...

In my down time, I've decided that I should only label my posts with song titles. That's my greatest achievement of the last two weeks. Other than the fact that I have burnt a hole in my Death Cab CD on track 11. My play count for "The Ice is Getting Thinner" has now skyrocketed to 178. And, wait for it..... I've spent way over my music budget in the last month. Shocking, eh? Pretty soon I'll be the most musically savvy homeless person on The Ave. Sure I'll have 17,659 songs on my Pod (I get it God - gluttony is a sin) but no place to sleep with the privilege of a door.

This week's headline comes ripped from The National's new EP, The Virginia. My fav track being the somber leadoff, "You've Done it Again, Virginia." However "Blank Slate" seemed to more accurately reflect my mood. Because I'm a woman, masochism is like breathing. And for some reason we like to believe we have all these fresh starts available whenever we need them. 95% of the time we're falsely naive, or otherwise mislead by the latest issue of Self or Cosmopolitan. Life doesn't really have a reset button or instant replay, no matter how much we want to believe the self-help section.
Freud's widely discredited theory of female masochism claims that cause of our pesky extra chromosome, our XX brains confuse basic concepts like pleasure and pain. By the time we're old enough to have some guy call us fat, disorientation kicks in, and we learn to love the insults. Touche (obviously sexist, antisemitic, and probably racist) Freud, touche. It sure explains why assholes who daily trash our self-esteem will always win our hearts over nice guys. Or even the moderately respectful, and occasionally polite.

In the face of reason, today is one of those days I'm into banking on a fresh start. And what goes better with a blank slate than anything? Seeing as it's blank, most everything. But I'm talking music. Mixtapes to be specific.

MGMT - Time to Pretend [ysi]
Addicting. Lyrically this song is genius, describing our generation to a T. The first time I looked at the lyrics I laughed, nearly cried, laughed again, and turned up the volume.
Bitter:Sweet - The Bomb
Jamie T - Sheila [ysi]
The Bar-Kays - Too Hot to Stop [ysi]
If you're feeling crummy, just flip on the first three minutes of Superbad, which, thanks to this band are completely unforgettable. Their career was tragically cut short by the same plane crash that stole musical genius Otis Redding. Fortunately, we have tracks like these to keep their message of soul alive.
NERD ft. Kanye West - Everyone Nose (Official Remix) [ysi]
Not awesome, but much better than the orig. What can you say about a song dedicated to the cocaine lifestyle of the rich and famous? I know! All the girls standing in line for the bathroom.
Machine Translations - You'll Change [ysi]
The only reaosn I still have a myspace - free music from the unsigned.
Tim Fite - Big Mistake [ysi]
"Everyone gets to make one big mistake / If you're waiting on me well, I guess you're gonna have to wait / Cause I'm saving mine up for a very very special day / When I can fuck it all up in the most spectacular way"
The Submarines - You, Me, & the Bourgeoise [ysi]
Mason Jennings - I Love You and Buddha Too [ysi]
Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone (Sumo Re-Edit) [ysi]
Everything she (re)touches turns to gold

Peace, love and records. LTK


Saturday, May 17, 2008

We Buried Our Love...

I don't have the right words. But I guess this song is amazing enough to speak for itself. I see it surpassing "Follow You Into the Dark" as the DCFC suicidal love anthem. This song was too beautiful to wait for a full post. Here it is - the new song that makes me want to fall in love, out of it, into sorrow, and complete Sylvia Plath-type self-hate, all in under four minutes.

Death Cab - The Ice is Getting Thinner [ysi]

So good.

UPDATE: iTunes says I have played this song 153 times in the last week and a half. Probably helped by Gossip Girl's amazing use of this track in Monday night's season finale. Alex P does it again. Sick as the 153 count is, it's oddly comforting...

Monday, May 5, 2008

Mondays Mixtape

I just can't get over how amazing the new Coldplay is: I'm officially obsessed. Crazy color-coded summer camp outfit obsessed. I can't wait for Viva La Vida...Or Death and All His Friends... But while I anxiously pass the time until the June 18th release date, I'm rocking out to the Monday Mixtape in time.

Arctic Monkeys - The Lovers (Acoustic) [ysi]
New AM - from their upcoming new album, to be recorded this summer. Hells Yes!
Big Star - Thirteen [ysi]
Amazingly overlooked song from the seventies; even I only remembered it after hearing a snippet on a recent star-studded episode of a CBS comedy
Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (Live Version) [ysi]
The Roots - Rising Up [ysi]
The best new album out in my opinion. The Roots have the ability to simultaneously amaze and terrify me with their skills; an impressive pairing that makes for nothing short of timeless music.
Lykke Li - Breaking it Up [ysi]
What did I tell you about her!? Awesome, right...
Santogold - Your Voice [ysi]
She's hotter than shiz right now - amazing album
Phantom Planet - Do the Panic [ysi]
Even minus J Schwartz, PP is still killin' it
Jay-Z - Soon You'll Understand
Classic HOVA; Dynasty Izzo

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Gimme Gimme More... Death Cab

Need I say more? Okay maybe just a little bit... One album track and a few live gems. All from the upcoming, highly anticipated by everyone with ears, Narrow Stairs. Britney Spears eat your heart out.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Alexandra Patsavas Face Off #1

We all know how much I love me some Alex P; I'm all about the music supervision business, and this badass lady has been around the primetime block. The OC, Grey's Anatomy, Supernatural, Gossip Girl, Chuck, Mad Men, Rescue Me, just to name a few... She gets paid to listen to thousands of songs every week, most unreleased, some unsigned, some completely unheard of. I need to have that job. Need need need!

So instead of getting pissed that I have eight hour days on my feet, listening to coffee brew instead of rocking out to the latest Crystal Castles; watching espresso shots pull instead of the latest episodes of mindless television before anyone else in the world, I'm announcing the official AP Face Off Series, coming to a blog (this one) near you.

Beginning with the first episode of three of her major shows (OC, Greys, GG) we will pit song selection against song selection, coda music against coda. We will decide episode by episode the effect of the Alex P touch. Have things gone down hill since The OC, or is her music selection looking up the more guilty-pleasure the shows get? After assessing all first season episodes available, we'll rule on the music quality of the entire season. Who is going to take home the gold? My money is on Orange County. They've got enough money to buy this competition anyway...
Face Off #1

The O.C 1x01
Episode Title: Pilot (Original, right?)
Original Airdate: 8/5/2003
One-Line LTK Synopsis: Ryan Atwood, a good-looking badboy (are there any other kind?) from "the wrong side of the tracks" AKA a predominately Latino neighborhood/Chino, moves in with some rich white people in an alcoholic filled community, and complains about it (Epsiode punch count: 6).

Episode Music Listing
Theme Music and Opening Track: Phantom Planet "California"
  • Cham Pain "Show Me" Luke picks up Marissa.
  • Slightly Stoopid "Sweet Honey" Seth and Ryan set sail on Summer Breeze.
  • Cooler Kids "All Around the World (Punk Debutante)" [ysi] The models strut their stuff.
  • The All-American Rejects "Swing Swing" Seth and Ryan take off with the girls.
  • Black Eyed Peas "Hands Up" [ysi] Seth and Ryan arrive at the party.
  • The KGB "I'm A Player" Ryan and Marissa talk; Summer bumps into Ryan.
  • Maximum Roach "Let It Roll" Seth gets pushed around by the water polo team.
  • Mazzy Star "Into Dust" Ryan takes care of Marissa.
Coda Selection: Joseph Arthur "Honey and the Moon" [ysi]

Lydia's Musical Highlight: Phantom Planet's "California." Cliche, I know, but this song was amazing before the show touched it, loyal Jason Shwartzman fans know how much The Guest rocked our socks off, and thanks to hot people on soap operas this 3:14 seconds of awesomeness is now internationally known. On the microphone...


Grey's Anatomy 1x01
Episode Title: A Hard Day's Night
Original Airdate: 3/27/2005
One-Line LTK Synopsis: We meet Meredith Grey, a skinny, beautiful, rich doctor who just had a hot one night stand with her McDreamy brain surgeon of a boss; obviously she has a hard life and a lot to complain about.
Theme Music:
Psapp "Cosy in the Rocket"

Episode Music Listing
Opening Track: Rilo Kiley "Portions for Foxes"
Coda Selection: Thirteen Senses "Into the Fire"

Lydia's Musical Highlight: Hard to choose. Jenny Lewis blasts most of these artists out of the water, but I'm going to have to go with Jem on this one. The use of this track wasn't a particularly bold choice, but it did show an evolution of Alex's utilization of Jem. First she was all about the subtle sexiness of "Come on Closer," and "Just a Ride" on The OC, but for her new pilot Miss Patsavas was all about the quirky almost-electronica feel of "They."
I'm sorry, so sorry, we do this...

Gossip Girl 1x01
Episode Title: Pilot (Orginaler)
Original Airdate: 9/19/2007
One-Line LTK Synopsis: I'm not sure if I was paying attention or just staring at Chace Crawford - A lot of pretty people drinking, sleeping around incestuously with one another, and worrying about what some mysterious entity is blogging about them; that's pretty much status quo for high school juniors right?
Theme Music: The Trancenders (Original Members of the Black Eyed Peas)

Episode Music Listing
Opening Track: Peter Bjorn and John "Young Folks" [ysi]
  • Rihanna ft. Cory Gunz "If It's Lovin' That You Want (Part 2)" News of Serena's return spreads; Blair 'borrows' Nate.
  • Justin Timberlake "What Goes Around... Comes Around" Serena's arrival interrupts Blair & Nate's make-out session.
  • Washington Social Club "Diamond Hipster Boy" Dan, Jenny & their dad chat during breakfast.
  • Antonio Vivaldi "Concerto In G" [ysi] Dan runs to catch the bus & overhears Nate & Chuck discussing Serena.
  • Mooney Suzuki "99 Percent" Dan & his father post flyers.
  • Kreesha Turner "Bounce With Me" Jenny gives Serena an invite to Blair's 'Kiss On The Lips' party.
  • Amy Winehouse "Back To Black" Blair & Serena catch up.
  • Who Made Who "Space For Rent" Dan & Jenny discuss Serena.
  • Matthew Dear "Send You Back" Chuck & Serena 'banter'.
  • Air "Photograph" [ysi] Flashback of Serena & Nate; Chuck hits on Serena.
  • Zdenek Bartak "Joyful Waltz" Dan returns Serena's cell phone.
  • Cold War Kids "Hang Me Up To Dry" [ysi] Nate makes up with Blair.
  • The Bravery "Time Won't Let Me Go" [ysi] Lily confronts Rufus at his gallery.
  • Alberta Hammond Jr. "Hard To Live In The City" Limo ride; Dan arrives to meet Serena.
  • Timbaland and Keri Hilson "The Way I Are" The Kiss On The Lips party starts; Chuck targets Jenny.
  • Hanson "Go" Dan introduces Serena to his father.
  • Akon "Don't Matter" Chuck lures Jenny away from the party.
  • Lyrics Born "Knock Knock" Dan & Serena look for Jenny at the party.
Coda Selection: Angels and Airwaves "The Gift"

Lydia's Musical Highlight: Holy crap this song count is impressive. Didn't break the bank I hope! PB and J are great but overutilized on tv, as well as Amy Wino this season. I have to give a tie out between Cold War Kids and Air. "Photograph" works perfectly as a sex-flashback enhancement, giving it a true dream like quality, while "Hang Me Out to Dry" is just plain crazy piano/bass, ass-kicking fun!

The Verdict: 1x01

Opening Track Winner: Grey's Anatomy
The OC (2), Gossip Girl (3)
You can never go wrong with Jenny Lewis (although Rilo's latest album wasn't entirely up to my standards) and the use of bad-girl anthem "Portions for Foxes" was a perfectly joyous introduction to the train-wreck character that is Meredith Grey. Put this track over anything, even a show like Psych and I might get interested. Okay, probably not.

Coda Selection Winner: The OC
Grey's Anatomy (2), Gossip Girl (3)
Best coda choice hands down goes to Joseph and The OC this week. His well-known hit "In The Sun" is gorgeous, but doesn't even scratch the surface of Arthur's talent, and unfortunately it's all some people will know of him. Kudos to Patsavas for thinking outside the slow, sentimental closing song standard. "Honey and the Moon" has me over the moon.

Artist Selection Winner: Gossip Girl
The OC (2), Grey's Anatomy (3)
Sorry to drop the bomb like this guys, but size does matter... sometimes. It was difficult not to give this award to The OC, seeing as they snatched up some Mazzy Star and rockin' Cooler Kids this episode, but considering the sheer magnitude of the songs Patsavas pulled off for Gossip Girl, I'm going to have to award the latter. There are definitely some tracks more memorable than others, reminding us that quality can be better than quantity, but I was too busy enjoying the every-5-minute sing-alongs this week to care.

Lydia's Musical Highlight Winner: Gossip Girl
Grey's Anatomy (2), The OC (3)
Despite loving PP and Jem, I have to give this one to the new kid on the block. Fresher than Marky Mark without a shirt, Air's "Photograph" solidified the band's new album as one of the best in 2007. Also this particular song saved my life in some clutch moments, so..... bonus, maybe I'm bias.

Bonus Rating - Theme Music: The OC
Grey's Anatomy (2), Gossip Girl (3)
"California" is just kick ass. Psapp is also a great choice, and The Trancenders do an amazing job of scoring Gossip Girl, it's just I'm still in the 15-year old mindset of 2003; when Phantom Planet blew braces-wearing me out of the water. The OC theme song was more influential in terms of the zeitgeist than other selections.

The Awards Ceremony
(Lower scores are better, just like golf, cholesterol, and age)

Gold Medal Winner: The OC
2 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 9
The gold place winner this week is none other than AP's original masterpiece The OC. The strength of her theme music selection played a huge role, but it was her consistency in artist selection and song/scene placement that drove this gold medal home.

Silver Medal Winner:
Grey's Anatomy
1 + 2 +3 + 2 + 2 = 10

Bronze Medal Winner: Gossip Girl
3 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 11

Stay tuned for round two. Who knows who'll get the KO next time...

Friday, May 2, 2008

New Coldplay is One Hot Play

Coldplay, even when its old it's never old. But new albums don't suck either. I have to admit that a little bit of my heart was stolen back in 2002 with A Rush of Blood to the Head, but there's still plenty cardiovascular regions to spread around. My Super Vena Cava for instance, is just screaming for Coldplay's newest single/hit "Violet Hill." Although it's only been on the blog scene for a few days, it's already the most popular track across the airwaves.


Let's break the track down and find out why. My left atrium would like some answers. First there's the lyrics:

was a long and dark december
from the rooftops i remember
there was snow white snow
clearly i remember

from the windows they were watching
while we froze
down below

when the future's achitectured

by a cranival of idiots on show

you'd better lie low

if you love me
won't you let me know?

was a long and dark december

when the banks became cathedrals
and the fog
became God
priests clutched bibles

and went out to fit their rifles

and the cross was held aloft
bury me in honor

when im dead and hit the ground
a love back home unfolds

if you love me won't you let me know?

i don't want to be a soldier
with the captain of some sinking ship

with snow far below
so if you love me why'd you let me go?

i took my love down to violet hill
there we sat in snow

all that time she was silent still
so if you love me won't you let me know?
if you love me,
won't you let me know?

It's not like Coldplay to mess with their solidified formula (it's been kicking ass this long) and poignant, "love poetry" stylings are an integral part of E=MC Platinum. Their gems are never going to force me into waterworks like Death Cab's "Styrofoam Plates" or Radiohead's "Talk Show Host" but I have been known to sprout a leak or two to "Warning Sign" and "Sparks."

Maybe American bands like to concentrate on depression more than our tea drinking friends across the pond, as Coldplay's strength comes instead from their ability to compose affecting, yet optimistic love songs. Once in a while we need a break from all the borderline suicidal memoirs and instead need to just feel relaxed, content, at peace; take your pick. Chris and the guys write for in the indie lover in love, or at least those of us attempting to be. Maybe "Don't Panic" says it best: We live in a beautiful world. Yeah we do, yeah we do...

Beautiful Acoustic Pretenders Cover

Stay tuned for more about Coldplay's newest studio release. My aorta can hardly stand the wait!

Peace love and way too many heart references,

Lydia