School of Seven Bells - Connjur

Remember when 4AD featured the who's who of shoe-gaze rock, and of course, the Pixies? I love that stuff! School of Seven Bells would have fit comfortably with that crew but doesn't sound at all stuck in that time. A guy from Secret Machines was like, I want to leave this band to just focus on School of Seven Bells, and he did. And it's good, really good.

"Connjur" is from their album Alpinisms. This song is gorgeously layered like a sensible winter outfit. Sail cerebrally away with the soft, electronic arrangements and the sublime vocals supplied by twin sister vocalists.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time for Listen:

Those days that are cold enough to warrant warming up your car. You're sitting there, not moving a muscle, thanking the All Mighty that you only have to do this for a short stint out of the year. Make this your warm-up song.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Jane Fonda but only Jane Fonda as Barbarella.

If you don't like this super fantastic song, it's because you're a twin hater.

Click Link Below to Listen to Connjur

School of Seven Bells - Connjur.wma

The Stooges - Loose

As incendiary and moving as I find the rock of The Stooges, I can't claim to be a big fan. It wasn't even until reading a magazine this weekend that I found out Ron Asheton, the original guitarist, co-songwriter and sometimes bassist of The Stooges passed away in January. I believe the article was in Blender and was quite fascinating.

Anyway, "Loose" is from The Stooges second album Fun House. Apparently, the sanctimonious music critique crew of the day didn't show The Stooges any love, probably in large part for how raw the music was. It's unrefined nature and power reaches back to the days when I had to bum rides to local shows. You could be in a buddy's garage when you're listening to "Loose." It's the kind of song you feel on your chest and the type of song that makes you want to pick up a guitar and start a band . . . although you probably shouldn't.

Ellen Page as Juno Put It Best:
"Well, when you're used to the raw power of Iggy and the Stooges, everything else sounds kind of precious by comparison."

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time for Listen:

Right before you are going to rock out with some friends or right before going to a rock show. Compare and contrast.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Larry Fine of the Three Stooges.

This song will punch you in the face if you look at it wrong and probably be accused of intimidation by the rest of your collection. Now down with pious, out-of-touch song reviews!

Loose (Remastered LP Version) - The Stooges

A.C. Newman - Take On Me

While most Sunday mornings are ripe for The Commodores and Marvin Gaye, this one is all about an absolutely incredible cover that I was clued into last night. Norwegian pop power force a-ha first introduced us to the infectious keyboard riff and dramatic, even life endangering story if you buy the video's premise in "Take on Me." Most covers fall into one of three categories:

1. That was terrible and you should apologize to the song's writer.
2. It was decent but sounds pretty much like the original (this is also called the Bar Band category).
3. Hot damn, that was great. You made it your own and did the original justice.

There is a fourth category that barely merits mentioning because a song so rarely arrives at such a level. The coveted fourth cover category:

4. That was absolutely amazing and even better than the original.

A.C. Newman, of New Pornographer's fame, actually ascended into the last mentioned stratosphere with his cover of "Take on Me." It is simple, but beautiful, interestingly arranged and even moving. In other words, he owned that biatch.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time for Listen:

Driving your date to the Spaghetti House (or wherever you kids take your dates) to show that you have hip inclinations and emotional sensibilities.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Forrest Whitaker in The Crying Game period.

You're going to want this for every mix you make and I promise it will deliver a sweet wave of serenity through your Sunday. Take it easy, take it slow, it's Sunday morning.

AC Newman - Take On Me.mp3 -

Fatlip - What's Up Fatlip?

It's Saturday, the weather is fine and you can put off most of those things you promised to do until Sunday night. As lackadaisical as most Saturday mornings, Fatlip's delivery is coolly nonchalant and lyrics quite humorous. On "What's Up Fatlip?" from The Loneliest Punk, the former Pharcyde member calls into question his own street cred. Funny and infectious, this song of the day is a mix staple.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time for Listen:

On a boombox at your backyard barbecue.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Marcel Marceau - French Mime Artist and Actor

Fatlip will ring in your Saturday in style with his ode to the uncool . . . you can probably empathize.

Whats Up Fatlip? - Fatlip

Port O'Brien: I Woke Up Today

Yeah! Now that's a good morning romp. Sometimes folk, sometimes a musical ruckus, Port O'Brien draws largely on geographical surrounding creating a sound that varies from quirky, loose Pavement-type arrangements to Neutral Milk Hotel-type stoicism and brilliance. "I Woke Up Today" off The Wind and the Swell will put an extra scoot in your step and provide the perfect springboard into the upcoming weekend.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time for Listen

Morning, your house, with a side of runny eggs and toast.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be

Jacques Cousteau - Famed Oceanographer and Knit Hat Wearer

This song will give you that much needed caffeinated kick in the ass that you need to get this weekend party started.

I Woke Up Today - Port OBrien

Beirut: A Sunday Smile

The first time I heard Beirut, I thought, those are some wistful, amazingly talented gypsies. Where did you get your treasures gypsy? Upon further investigation, I found it was merely one young New Mexico native writing and recording these sublime songs. "A Sunday Smile" is from the album The Flying Club Cup.

My cohort, Pink-Streaker describes the song as a Sepia Tone Carnival.

Song Breakdown:

Best Place and Time for Listen

Prafessa Hotsawze: Car with windows down . . . let's say in Spring.

Pink-Streaker: Lying in a hammock.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be

Prafessa Hotsawze: Hervé Jean-Pierre Villechaize (Tattoo from Fantasy Island)

Pink-Streaker: Opted for Gonzo from The Muppets

Listen, love it and thank me later. And as always, we pity the fools that don't like it. That's you just announcing your embarassingly bad taste to your friends and family.

A Sunday Smile - Beirut