Music You Should Be Listening To: 2/6-2/12

Vampire Weekend:

I freaking love Vampire Weekend. Now, that's not something that I would ever have thought I'd say before I listened to them. Honestly, I thought they were going to be a lame pop band using Twilight-inspired verbage to cash in. I was wrong though...they're an awesome indie rock group of hipsters. "Hipsters!? How dare you?" you are probably not saying to yourself right now. But let me explain, regardless. They are indie rock with "Baroque pop" stylings. What the Hell does that even mean, other than "Hipster douche?" Except they aren't Hipster douches. They're awesome.

Cousins

I picked their song "Cousins" off of their second album, Contra, because of the pure manic energy of the song. The song is all over the place, but you can't help but get into it. Plus the video is wicked.

Bonus jam - Giving Up the Gun

It was too tough to choose just one, so you get this song, also. It's a fantastic tune, but the video itself is classic. Can you spot all of the cameos?

The Spitvalves:

If you like ska, you've probably heard of the Spitvalves. If you don't like ska, at least a little, you may be dead inside. Listening to their music brings me back to high school, when I didn't have a care in the world & Still's Disease wasn't even a thought in my head. I can vividly remember going to see them at Birch Hill. Hell, it was my first "show." Even though I've grown further away from the ska scene in my musical preferences, the Spitvalves will always hold a place in my heart.

Worn Out Welcome

Music You Should Be Listening To: Supporting a Friend

The NJ music scene is a pretty damn active one, and we can claim a great many acts as Jersey alumni: Springsteen, Bon Jovi, The Smithereens, the Bouncing Souls, Gaslight Anthem, Streetlight Manifesto, Thursday, Midtown, Sinatra, Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons, Whitney Houston, Fugees, My Chemical Romance, Count Basie, The Sugarhill Gang. And that's the tip of the iceberg.

On top of that, Nj is full of great venues to see shows at, few more well known than the Starland Ballroom. It's a place where both up & comers and A-Listers perform. And I'm proud to say that two of my buddies will be playing there on February 11. But that's not the best part. They're opening for funk legend (and Jersey native) George Clinton. Mr. P-Funk himself. The guy that you played as in NBA Jam on your SEGA Genesis, but didn't know where he was from. That George Clinton. So, this week, I'm dedicating my "Music You Should Be Listening To" to my buddies' show and, really, making this a commercial. I never said I'd never sell out if given the opportunity.

Milan:

I've known Milan for years, growing up on the mean streets of North Plainfield. He's become a bit of a local celebrity, even having a sandwich named for his band at a local eatery. He's the lead singer/guitarist for Milan & the Sour Goat, and to say that his musical stylings are roots, rock, reggae is an understatement. And, as far as I know, he'll be performing solo.

Garden State Line:

GSL is one of the bands that my close friend Tam is a part of, the other being Becoming the Ghost, on top of which he also has his solo work. GSL is a mainstay on Rukus Radio, and their audience has been steadily growing in the New Brunswick music scene. In fact, they've also been making a beachhead in small NYC venues. GSL has a funky-blues-rock sound, and I must say, I'm very proud of my broski. And his luxurious mane.

George Clinton:

What can I say about George Clinton that you can't already tell by this picture?

Nothing. I've got nothing to say.

Once again: George Clinton featuring Garden State Line and Milan will be performing at the Starland Ballroom on Saturday, February 11. Ticket, as of this writing, are still on sale & can be purchased for the low price of $20. If you happen to know Milan or a member of GSL, there's a chance that they still have tickets. If not, you can get them online. If you're in the area, hope to see you at the show.

BONUS:

I royally screwed up last week with my cover song post & omitted a great song (and a decent cover by a great artist). Mea culpa and please forgive me.

Mr. Blue Sky:

Imagine, if you will, a rainy day. Maybe you have a cold. Maybe you can't find your favorite hoodie. Whatever the case, some minor, yet persistent tragedy has befallen you. You just can't shake the doldrums out. Whatever shall you do? You put on the radio (okay, iTunes/iPod/3rd party mp3 player), of course, and what do you hear? Happiness. Happiness is what you hear emanating from your speakers. And why is that, you ask? Because Mr. Blue Sky by the British symphonic rock band Electric Light Orchestra is playing. And if that doesn't put a smile the size of the Ol' 96er on your face, you must already be dead inside. Also, Lily Allen did a cover of it.

The Original:

The Cover:

Lily Allen's was good, but sorry, luv, you cannot top ELO. Nine times out of ten, you can't top ELO.

Music You Should Be Listening To: Who Doesn't Love a Cover?

This week, I figure I'd include some cover songs (paired with the original, or at least the well known cover version) for you to groove with & hopefully explore deeper. But probably not, since nobody reads this. And what do you think? Which version do you find superior? Is the original always better?

The Rubberband Man:

Not to be confused with T.I.'s "Rubberband Man, "The Rubberband Man" was originally performed by The Spinners, and the song is probably one of the most well known & loved soul/funk songs of all time. In my mind, at least. Get your own blog if you want to make bold claims like this. In 2010, Electric Six released a cover of the song on their 2010 album, "Zodiac."

The Original -

The Cover -

Each version has it's own distinct feel, but I've found that the cover doesn't lose any of the fun funkiness that the original is full of. I'm really torn between which version I enjoy more, but, for posterity's sake, I'm going with the original. But whoever used the Spinners footage for the Electric Six version was genius.

Last Kiss:

"Last Kiss" was originally written by Wayne Cochran (and friends who are no longer credited) as a way to cash in on the "teenage tragedy song" fad in music that was happening during the late 50's/early 60's. Yes, that is a real thing. No, seriously, I'm not making this up. Anyway, the Cochran version is as forgettable now as it was then, though J. Frank Wilson & the Cavaliers covered it a few years later, hitting number 2 on the charts. But let's be honest, you know it because Pearl Jam covered it. Awesomely.

The "Original"-ish -

The Cover -

There is no contest here, right? Pearl Jam blows the Cavaliers' cover out of the water. PJ's is hauntingly beautiful & stoic, while the Cavalier version actually kind of makes me ill. You have these dark, dreary lyrics, yet it's set to a beat & tempo that would make Carlton Banks want to dance. No thanks.

Idioteque:

"Idioteque" was originally found on Radiohead's seminal album, Kid A. It was starkly different than their previous work, and for those that previously liked Radiohead, but find their current music (that is made up of a noticeable lack-of-music, but random tones & sounds) appalling, probably use this song as the tragic turning point. Then again, you have those die-hard Radiohead fans that love the new stuff & bring in new fans. Personally, I'm fine with only listening to "OK Computer" & "Kid A," but I'm not going to hate on you for your choice of music. Unless it really sucks. Anyways, Amanda "F***ing" Palmer (of the Dresden Dolls & being Neil Gaiman's wife) put out a cover album of all Radiohead songs, "Idioteque" was the first single from the album.

The Original -

The Cover -

This is closer to call than "The Rubberband Man." Thusly...cop out & call it a tie...?

Science Fiction/Double Feature:

"SF/DF" is the opening song to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I'm assuming you already know that. It's an awesome song making a multitude of references to the awful/awesome B-movies of the 50's & 60's. And it's just a really great song. Once again, Amanda Palmer has covered it both with the Dresden Dolls & as a solo artist. But the version I'm choosing is from the Halloween 2011 episode of the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, where Palmer and a strange supergroup consisting of husband Neil Gaiman, Moby, & Stephin Merritt (of The Magnetic Fields) play for Ferguson's audience.

The Original -

The Cover -

I'm definitely going with Amanda Palmer on this one. Nothing against the original film version, but come on: this is an awesome performance. And how about that mini-piano?

99 Problems:

You can't hate on Jay-Z. Well, unless your Nas (aka Esco, Escobar, Nastradamus). But I'm willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that you aren't. Jay-Z's version is great, even though it's basically been used to death in movies & adverts. In fact, I can't really listen to the original version anymore after the horrible censored version was used in commercials for Battlefield 3. *Note to marketing companies: if you have to blank/beep every third to fifth word, don't use the damn song in a national marketing campaign. It just sounds stupid. And shame on you.* The cover I found to this is by Hugo, and there's a chance that you've heard it in either the soundtracks to the Fright Night remake (which was awesome & not full of poofy vampires, but vampires you'd actually be afraid of) or (sigh) No Strings Attached. I only know that last part thanks to Wikipedia. But, I digress. Hugo's cover gives a very different version of the song, as it is not done in a hip-hop/R&B (what's the difference, nowadays?) fashion. Oh, no. Hugo's version is of a bluegrass/blues-rock sort. And it's awesome.

The Original -

The Cover -

I'm going with Hugo's version here. Sorry, Jiggaman.

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Did I miss an even better cover? Let me know in the comments.

Music You Should Be Listening To: January 16-January 23

Laura Jansen - Wicked World

Laura Jansen is a singer/songwriter originally from the Netherlands...making her Dutch (isn't that weird?). Currently based out of LA, she has seen moderate success in the US, her songs having been used in TV shows & movies, though she's yet to breakout in the mainstream as she has in her home country. Plus, this song is tight.

Cake - The Distance

Cake is one of the most lasting alt rockers in the music scene today. They've been together for over two decades and have consistently put out quality music. While their boom time was definitely the late-90's/early 2000's, it hasn't stopped them from continuing to put out solid albums & catchy, awesome songs. The Distance is the second off of their second album, and it's as good today as it was in 1996.

Music You Should Be Listening To - Week of 12/4-12/10

Haven't done this in a while, but then again, I haven't been blogging too much lately, so without further ado...


Current: MoneyGrabber - Fitz & the Tantrums

They're everything you want, but never knew you wanted.

MoneyGrabber is the breakout single from Fitz & the Tantrums debut studio album "Picking Up the Pieces." And while it's over a year old, that doesn't matter, because 1) you probably haven't heard it & b) it is the jam. I mean come on: the guitar is eschewed as the lead instrument in favor of the saxophone. The sexy, sexy saxophone. These guys are the jam.

Throwback: Love is the Drug/Mother of Pearl - Roxy Music (Tie)

Yeah, they've probably done some drugs before.

Now, I feel as though this is a bit of a cop out, and that I could have just chosen one for this week & the other for the next installment, but I have just really been digging on both of these songs as of late. There is no bad in either of these tracks by the British glam/art rock band Roxy Music, lead by the ever charismatic Bryan Ferry. I don't have much else to say about either of these tracks, as I'm no music critic, I just know what sounds awesome. And these songs are awesome. What I can tell you is that Roxy Music should be given an award for having pretty much the sexiest album covers of all time. You should check it out.

Sadly, there was never an official video to Mother of Pearl, as it wasn't released as a single.

Music You Should Be Listening To - Week of 9/25-10/1

This is a new segment here at the Awesome Blog. Every week (well...we shall see about that), I will be bringing you at least two songs that you should check out. One will be a recent (recent-ish) release, whilst the other will be a throwback classic (sometimes "classic" may be a bit strong). So, without further ado, let's check out some music...


Artist: Matt & Kim
Song: Daylight





This was the first song by Matt & Kim that I'd heard, and I'm guessing there's a good chance you've heard it. There's also a good chance that you'll see a lot of Matt & Kim in this feature, as all of their songs are worth checking out. "Daylight" is just a really fun, cool song, with the video to match it.




Artist: Primitive Radio Gods
Song: Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand





Now this one is definitely a change of pace from "Daylight," but I'm a product of a '90's childhood, so this song reflects that. I think it's absolutely beautiful, if not a bit sad. It makes me contemplative...


What do you guys think? Like them? Loathe them? Let me know.