Monday, October 6, 2008

100 (%)

Welcome kiddies to the epic milestone that is UAFT's 100th post (Our first birthday is coming up on October 8th). The ever-hilarious Patton Oswalt has proclaimed that we should only be allowed to celebrate 20 birthdays though, so we'll keep the celebratory measures down to a absolute minimum. And seeing as I took enough Jager bombs for all of the greater Seattle area a few Saturdays ago (still recovering), no problem there. Northshore boys and their brand new hair cuts would have been put to shame...

Sonic Youth - 100% [ysi]
Patton Oswalt - You Are Allowed 20 Birthday Parties [ysi]

Since most my attempts at individuality end up being cliche anyway, I'm going for simplicity here at one HUNDRED. Here's some stuff I love right now and hopefully forever. Oh, and in true Lydia style they are in mixtape form.

The "I'm From Seattle & Therefore Slightly Undercover Emo" Songs
Fleet Foxes - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song [ysi]
TV on the Radio - Stork & Owl
Omg Omg. This might top Battles 2007 and Animal Collective's Strawberry Jam. TV on the Radio is going to SAVE this year in music. Translated into Harry Potter terms it's like the sixth AMAZING book saving the seventh from ruining the series. I think we can all agree that stupid epilogue just didn't cut it.
Chairlift - Bruises[ysi]

The "I'm a Girl Damaged Beyond Repair, But Guys Can't Help But Love Me" Songs
Girls Aloud - Rehab (Amy Wino Cover)[ysi]
Not sure about the second half of the statement being true on this one; too much crack and all
Fiona Apple - Paper Bag [ysi]
Britney Spears - Piece of Me (Tidus Remix)[ysi]

The "Lydia Had a Childhood Once" Songs
Sam Cooke - You Send Me [ysi]
Carla Thomas - B-A-B-Y [ysi]
The Cure - Friday, I'm in Love [ysi]

The "Just Cause Every A-Team Needs a Wild Card" Songs
M.I.A. - Big Branch [ysi]
The Magnetic Fields - Absolutely Cuckoo
Iron & Wine - Passing Afternoon [ysi]

Peace, Love, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia References Buried in My Celebratory Posts (If you didn't pick up on it then you are doing too many productive things with your life),
LTK



Watch new episodes at hulu.com
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Friday, September 19, 2008

Movie Theme

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.



Quantum of Solace hits theaters November 14, 2008.



Peace, Love, and Absolutely handsome guys named Daniel,
LTK
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Turn Smile Shift Repeat


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!
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Thursday, September 18, 2008

Late Night Television

Another week of television is wrapping up for me. In the next few weeks I should have a little more to work with on the music supervision front. We should definitely see some creativity from Alex over on the set of Grey's, Private Practice, as well as Chuck. On an entirely selfish plug: Heroes premieres on Monday, and if they don't keep my girl Kristen Bell/Elle/Former Ms. Veronica Mars, then I'm going to throw down. Till then, here are my highlights from lovable/cantstandable CW fluff...

Gossip Girl Episode 2x03: The Dark Night
Santogold - Lights Out [ysi]
Two weeks in a row Santie makes the cut. Here's to hoping she rides her indie buzz to the top. Just not a la M.I.A.- from indie Arular princess to mainstream radio queen; I don't want SGold getting on my nerves.
The Fashion - Like Knives [ysi]
Most fun song of the whole episode hands down, though it doesn't have much competition this week. Alex P is my girl, but she needs to step up the music selection this season.
Manchester Orchestra - I Can Feel a Hot One [ysi]

PS. If anyone watches Entourage (they should) Leighton Meester reprises her role from the first season again in recent episodes and let's just say she's a little more "experienced" then her original Hilary Duff teen-pop princess persona. But ain't that the way the Disney star deteriorates...?

90210 Episode 1x04: The Bubble
The Courteeners - Not Nineteen Forever [ysi]
Spring Awakening Cast - Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise) [ysi]
Who thought Duncan Sheik was going to get past that nineties one hit wonder status? I'm glad to be proven so so wrong in this case, as his original musical is now one of the most successful and critically acclaimed on Broadway. Barely Breathing? I think not.
The New Pornographers - Adventures in Solitude [ysi]
Check out the live version of this song - it's absolutely captivating. More than begin / But less than forget / But spirits born / From the not happened yet / Gathering there / To pay off a debt brought back from the wars / We thought we lost you
The Kooks - Always Where I Need to Be [ysi]

Privileged Episodes 1x01 & 1x02: Pilot, All About Honesty
Michael Franti & Spearhead - Say Hey (I Love You) (Promo Music) [ysi]
Kate Nash - Merry Happy [ysi]
Nellie McKay - David
Remember back when this was used in Weeds? Pitch perfect.
Lily Allen - Mr. Blue Sky (Electric Light Orchestra Cover)
Sohodolls - Bang Bang Bang Bang [ysi]
Since picking up their CD last year, this has always been their standout track to me. Even the bad girl inside every good girl can feel this as her theme song.
The Bird and the Bee - Come As You Were [ysi]
Possibly my favorite of the series so far. Not even a huge B & B fan, but this EP is excellent, and as coda picks go, this was pretty strong.
Rilo Kiley - Dejalo [ysi]

Peace, Love, and the return of _BC television,
LTK

PS. My Kanye/Love Lockdown post lasted for a total of two days before it was deleted by the higher powers. I apologize for incurring the wrath of said gods. How Big Brotherish does this sound...
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I Think It's Better


... Live.

After listening to 2 live versions of Death Cab's "Grapevine Fires," keeping in mind that the religious experience of Bumbershoot 08 turned it into my new favorite DC track, I've decided that Ben and the boys only get more captivating raw. Its wrong just how melodic Benjie's voice really is, haunting really; sort of like he was anointed or something. If you were a fan of Narrow Stairs, I would suggest downloading the exclusive Live from the Palms EP off iTunes (those money-grubbing b-words i know...) I hate to think I'm putting one more buck in the Maloofs bajillion-dollar deep pockets but hey, I don't watch their trainwreck of a reality show, Living Lohan, so I guess it all evens out in the end. Call me when you set up TV cameras of Linds back in rehab. Sort of like Intervention, Celebrity style. That'll be on November during sweeps...



Death Cab for Cutie - Talking Bird / Grapevine Fires (Live in Eugene, OR) [ysi]

Peace, Love, and fireman who work in double shifts with prayers for rain on their lips,
LTK
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Sunday, September 14, 2008

I Can Learn

Ten Tracks for Ten Lessons ( Or Things I've Learned This Week)


1. The indie community is more eager to shun the Black Kids then they were to embrace them. From next big thing to bargain basement binge in a matter of months. My low-rent taste rather enjoyed Partie Traumatic...

2. Common Market still has it; Tobacco Road, released 9/9, is worth some spins.

3. After listening to it again, I discovered I love Goldfrapp on Felt Mountain.

4. Andrew Bird sounds absolutely perfect at any time of the day.
5. Sam Cooke is "so prolific," as my dad puts it. It's absolutely amazing the scope of his catalog. And not only his recordings, but his sheer number of #1s. I knew that Cooke's untimely death in 1964 at some seedy motel has always been considered sort of a mystery. Was it murder or was the motel owner defending himself? Many have claimed a bogus investigation. Rubin Carter round 2 anyone...? I did learn this week that Cooke lost his young son tragically in a drowning accident in 1963. At the peak of his career, Cooke was unprecedentedly financially successful for an African-American male singer, the loss devastated Sam, forcing him out of the studio for months. In November of 63, he assumed creative control of his music and started producing more of the material that mattered to him, including the groundbreaking "A Change is Gonna Come," shortly before he was killed.

6. RAC can't make a boring remix. Not possible.

7. People are accusing 5+ album alum Christina Aguilera of copying Lady GaGa's style (whose debut album hasn't hit stores yet) in her new track "Keeps Getting Better." HAHAHA. I pretty much despise this song and think Lady G is sounding a lot better.

8. When artists write f**k-you songs, I cheer. Jem's subtle slap at the corporate bitches who held her latest release back in "I Always Knew" off Down to Earth has been putting a smile on my face all week. I always knew I would one day be here / But I couldn't be / A puppet on a string / I've had my fights / Often I've been K.O.'ed / But I've got back up / No I won't give in /And now I know how it works / If you're too nice / Then you lose...

9. I am not as excited for the new Kings of Leon album as I probably should be.

10. Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is the best Indie album ever. At least that's what the blogosphere voted thanks to Berkeley Place. Pavement was definitely in the top 20 though, as was The Hold Steady, Arcade Fire, The National, The Postal Service, DCFC, Spoon, Bloc Party, Elliot Smith, Built to Spill, The White Stripes, Interpol, The Pixies, Sonic Youth, and more.

10.5 And finally, I've realized I never want to sound as pretentious as half the bloggers out there. Give me a good smack if this ever becomes the case. Somehow the "indie" community has evolved into an elitist organization, shunning those whose taste don't meet their standards. Once upon a time, music was about freedom, acceptance, and love. Not who has the most tracks, latest remix, or best collection. A little more love I say...
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A Movie Script Ending

I'm not sure if Michael Cera has been as inescapable for you as he has been for me lately. And yes, before you ask it is more than the usual stalking. It's not just my obsession with George Michael Bluth and every other awkward character he plays, it's all thanks to that one movie. Is a name plug even necessary? Let's be honest those commercials are either way too emo or way too disney depending on the day. I thought I was immature enough to handle it, I really did. I mean I am LOVING Gossip Girl. OMG. But I guess I've grown out of the 14-18 yr old teenage girl demographic that they are marketing this completely predictable cutesy flash in the pan to. If it didn't have reasonably great music, held together by the talented eye of Devo mastermind Mark Mothersbaugh, made ever more appealing by a brand new Vamp Weekend track, I might not pay attention to the movie in the first place. Except for that pesky Michael Cera. Why does he have to be so darn put-on-Pedro-the-Lion-cute?

Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist Soundtrack
01. Chris Bell: "Speed of Sound"
Fans of Big Star may not even remember co-founder Chris Bell. Unfortunately, while Alex Chilton rose to rock god status, Bell was largely forgotten. Bell died in a car accident before he could see most of his own material released

02. Devendra Banhart: "Lover" [ysi]
03. Bishop Allen: "Middle Management" [ysi]
You might recognize this one from all the friggin previews... I love B Allen cause they make me occasionally forget that The Kinks are no more. Charm School is a far superior album, but Broken String sure has proven its commercial appeal

04. Vampire Weekend: "Ottoman"
05. The Dead 60s: "Riot Radio" [ysi]
06. Takka Takka: "Fever"
07. The Submarines: "Xavia"
08. We Are Scientists: "After Hours" [ysi]
I can fall in and out of love with WAS. But 'After Hours' is a solid choice. Makes me think of end of summer nights in high school: "Time Means Nothing..."

09. Band of Horses: "Our Swords" [ysi]
Cease to Begin saved my life last year, so I was sad producers didn't pick a track from that album, but Everything All The Time is equally five star worthy

10. Army Navy: "Silvery Sleds"
Friends of Ben Gibbard. Thats all I need to know to love them already...

11. Richard Hawley: "Baby, You're My Light"
12. Shout Out Louds: "Very Loud" [ysi]
13. Paul Tiernan: "How to Say Goodbye"
14. The Real Tuesday Weld: "Last Words"
15. Mark Mothersbaugh - "Nick and Nora's Theme"

Soundtrack hits stores September 23

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Saturday, September 13, 2008

Bubble Pop Electric

I know I just plugged her two days ago but the official release date for Lady GaGa's The Fame is rapidly approaching and after spinning the record more than a healthy amount of times, I'm just all about my favorite exhibitionist singer/songwriter (on the bandwagon much?). At only 22, Lady G is going to redefine club pop and you know if her music doesn't make you want to shake your ass than you're in worse denial than Lindsay Lohan is about the end of her career.


How badass is she here at the Dome 47?


I tell you if I can get cheap tix to see her live I'm def going. She's admitted that back in her early NY performance days she's stripped, burned whole cans of hairspray on stage, and lowered disco balls while belting the theme music from Clockwork Orange. Definitely not boring.


Be sure to buy The Fame when it hits stores in October! Or drive over to Canada and buy it now. They do have delicious maple syrup. Your ass will thank you; It will never again be this fit; or have this much fun - That's right I said it Carmen Electra striptease, I said it.

DOUBLE GUILTY PLEASURE ALERT

Bonus Track: New Kids on the Block ft. Lady GaGa - Big Girl Now [ysi]
You might not like yourself, but you will like IT.

Peace, Love, and the next big thing,
LTK

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