How cliche has it become girls, to claim you were a tomboy growing up? To say you have all these friends that are guys, you love action movies, playing video games, cranking Rage Against the Machine and Tool, etc, etc, blah blah blah. Well no broken record intended, but in my case it's all true. Growing up with an older brother and definitely more of my dad's personality than my mom's, I'm just thankful that I realized at some point, I was in fact a girl. As a kid, Bond movies were a household staple. Connery was feeding five thousand away from god status, Roger Moore made himself a reasonable stand-in, Timothy Dalton made me laugh unintentionally more times than I can count, and Pierce just looked pretty. When Daniel Craig slid in for Brosnan in Casino Royale, the series seemed to return to its former glory, sans a little Sean charisma. Although the unbelievable special effects are a little bit much for me at times (see the opening chase scene of Casino), Daniel is just so freaking gorgeous I let it go.
Music wise, 007 has been on a bit of a rollercoaster as well. Sheryl Crow, Madonna, Moby, and most recently Chris Cornell (with Casino Royale's "You Know My Name") have all contributed to Bond themes over the years. Now Jack White and Alicia Keys can add their names to the star-studded list, as their cacophonous rock/bluesy duet, "Another Way to Die" has exploded across the blogosphere. I wasn't a fan at all of the last Raconteurs album, but if anything this entirely redeems Jack in my eyes. What a choice collaboration - it only makes me more hyped for the new film.
So I guess I can't help help help myself. Things just seem to sound better in repeat. Like the fact that my favorite songs kick ass live, which you may notice is the second time in two days I've said so. On Live at KEXP Volume 4, which dropped in small record stores like Seattle's beloved Easy Street Records on Tuesday, Umbrella favorites like Pela, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Elbow, Fleet Foxes, The Hold Steady, Arthur & Yu, The National, and many more demonstrate just why the winning combination of live in-studios and non-profit organizations dominate. All proceeds from the sale of the CDs go straight to KEXP, which is why you won't find this gem on any online music service out there. Get your cute butts down to your local indie store and support the cause! Keeping in mind of course, that KEXP recordings are exclusive and always only available for a limited time. While you're at it, pick up a copy of of The Walkmen's new CD that I am about a month behind on plugging. You & Me completely took me by a storm of authentic engagment - a must have.
LIVE at KEXP Volume 4 Track List
01. Pela - Lost to the Lonesome 02. Vampire Weekend - A-Punk [ysi] 03. The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - I Never Thought I Could Feel This Way for a Boy 04. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - Let Them Knock 05. The Helio Sequence - Can't Say No 06. The National - Start a War 07. Elbow - Grounds for Divorce 08. Angelique Kidjo - Salala 09. Yeasayer - 2080 10. !!! - Yadnus 11. Fleet Foxes - Oliver James [ysi] 12. Atmosphere - Guarantees 13. The Hold Steady - Your Little Hoodrat Friend (Pictured Below in KEXP Studio) 14. British Sea Power - Down on the Ground 15. Les Savy Fav - We'll Make a Lover Out of You 16. Arthur & Yu - Lion's Mouth 17. The Raveonettes - Aly, Walk With Me 18. Calexico - Cruel 19. Carter Tanton - Red Ballons
20. Rufus Wainwright - Going to a Town
Later Today: We pick apart the new 007 Quantum of Solace theme (Sidenote: How frickin' HOT does Daniel Craig look going rogue in all those previews?!) from Jack White and Alicia Keys that EVERYONE & their mom's divorced brother-in-law's dog-walker is talking about. Stay tuned!
Just a few words honored guests... MP3s or MP3 links are posted for sampling purposes only, and therefore are only available for a limited time. If anyone needs a link removed, email me at lcruz09@cmc.edu, and I will remove it immediately.
If you like what you hear on Umbrellas, I encourage you to support these worship-worthy artists by buying their tunes, merch, and all-out stalking them if a restraining order should not prevent you.
If you are in a band, or represent an artist looking to get a little free hype/promotion, feel free to e-mail me your tracks as well. I'm all ears.
Music wise, 007 has been on a bit of a rollercoaster as well. Sheryl Crow, Madonna, Moby, and most recently Chris Cornell (with Casino Royale's "You Know My Name") have all contributed to Bond themes over the years. Now Jack White and Alicia Keys can add their names to the star-studded list, as their cacophonous rock/bluesy duet, "Another Way to Die" has exploded across the blogosphere. I wasn't a fan at all of the last Raconteurs album, but if anything this entirely redeems Jack in my eyes. What a choice collaboration - it only makes me more hyped for the new film.
