ROULETTE 21

Here's another batch of excellent songs...

1. Amy Studt - Nice Boys
Album: My Paper Made Men, 2008

I've got conflicted feelings about Ms Amy Studt's new CD. The songs are impeccably produced, but the songs themselves don't always draw me in. This song highlights this exactly: It's an utter joy to listen to, but a song proclaiming the faults of 'nice boys' merely annoys me, maybe because I don't like the idea of promoting, what, mean boys? That said, I can't stop listening to it; the choir chanting, the emotion Studt projects (a couple points are particularly impressive), and just the soaring feeling of it.

2. Shearwater - Seventy Four Seventy Five
Album: Palo Santo, 2006

Heartstopping. The pounding, relentless piano diving in head first with Jonathan Meiburg's amazing vocals, rising in tension until it slams down to a sparse, quiet, rending portion with basically just vocals and subtle instrumentation before briefly slamming back into action. One of my favourite recent discoveries. I recently got their newest, "Rook", and am enjoying it very much.

3. The National - All the Wine
Album: Alligator, 2005

There's a lot a good lead singer can do for a band, and Matt Berninger does a great job for The National. The band is great, but what keeps bringing me back is the vocals, smoky and raspy at the same time. This song is especially great, a stumbling-yet-smooth tribute to being the one with 'all the wine'. The lyrics are hilarious, as Berninger makes his protagonist sound genuinely drunk - that or crazy. From the confident "I'm a perfect piece of ass," to the bizarre "I'm a birthday candle in a circle of black girls," it's an interesting song.

4. Lily Allen - Who'd Have Known
Album: Myspace Release, 2008

A nice little piece produced for her new album, Stuck on the Naughty Step, but we get it unofficially on MySpace because the lovely Lily Allen doesn't like paperwork. Allen's got a great new sound going, vulnerability and sweetness instead of venom. I loved her putdowns, but I also love the heart and soul feel, which shows that her appeal isn't just in her old sweet-attack-mode approach. This song would be spiritual cousin to Still, Alright's "Littlest Things", but this is just sweet and content where that was mournful.

And don't forget, search for more at The Hype Machine; purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

ROULETTE 20

"Did my heart break enough this time?"


Another roulette, as I've been so very negligent...

1. Lack Thereof - Ask Permission
Album: Your Anchor (2008)

From an album I recently acquired, an interesting whispery song from Menomena band member Danny Seim. A great listen, very well crafted, even though Seim constantly reminds me of Pelle Carlberg if he'd been more influenced by, say, Menomena than his current lighter and more anecdotal style. An album review hopefully forthcoming.

2. Yael Naim - New Soul
Album: Yael Naim (2008)

A song making the rounds recently, I came across the cover by Tristan Prettyman before hearing the original. Both are wonderful. The original is so damn charming, with the sparse vocals-and-piano beginning breaking out into a warm cacophany of echoing voices. It's such a beautiful naiveté.

3. Rilo Kiley - Breakin' Up (Hot Chip Remix)
Album: Breakin' Up EP (2008)

Shamelessly stolen from Zeon, who posted it less than a month ago, nonetheless anything that gives this rather inspired remix more notice is worth it. Taking the dancing feel of the original and extending it into this lush, introspective and dazzling version is great. May not listen to it much, but I enjoy it very much when I do.

4. Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You
Album: Partie Traumatic (2008)

Coming late to the party here, I'm sure. This song first came across my virtual desk as a cover version by a female singer, and it took me a while to look into getting the original. I love the sounding of this song, with the group singing, the great beat, and the vocals dripping with the frustration of unnoticed longing. This song is just plain fun.

5. Forest City Lovers - Pirates (Can't All Sail the Indian Ocean)
Album: Haunting Moon Sinking (2008)

I love this band, who are sadly underappreciated even on my own iPod. Beautiful, forceful, with piano and strings drawing you into a paranoid feel. By the time the ghostly choir begins in the background, your eyes are closed and you're just soaking it in. Truly wonderful piece of music, with a cute title to boot.

And don't forget, search for more at The Hype Machine; purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

DISCOVERY: TRACY SHEDD

"Whatever it takes, don't let them break you down."


Tracy Shedd is being promoted as a Liz Phair slash Bettie Serveert type singer, and I have to say I agree. I'd moreso say that she's trying to be both, right now, and failing to properly emulate either or find a particular style that works for her. Her lyrics aren't particularly imaginative, sadly, and too often she allows herself to be buried under her music. Her voice, potentially the best part of her music, doesn't get any chance to shine.

However, despite this, if she'd just take charge of her own songs instead of being too quiet and too safe, there's a good artist under there. I'm hoping Cigarettes and Smoke Machines, her newest album TBR September 23, gives her the chance to do so. On "Not Giving Up", despite being pushed as similar to the artists above, she actually shares more with Laura Viers sound-wise, which is actually heartening. Maybe by scaling down the too-much electric guitars, she can find a way to use that to make some good music. Luckily, as her best tracks are from Cigarettes, I have hope for her.

Tracy Shedd - Not Giving Up
Tracy Shedd - Whatever It Takes

Also, her entire previous album, Louder Than You Can Hear, can be downloaded for free at her Myspace.

What do you guys think?

SHOWCASE: GREGORY DOUGLASS

"Hang around for me..."



Somehow, this guy has remained a great secret. Perhaps only from me, but considering the little love he's gotten according to Hype Machine, I'm thinking I'm not alone in considering Gregory Douglass a genuine discovery. He's released six albums, but I stumbled upon him in his beautiful cover of Imogen Heap's underrated tune "Come Here Boy". Where the original sometimes felt overproduced, Douglass does an amazing job giving it a sexual charge while heaping delicate synth layers on it. "Boy" is just the beginning however. All six of his songs I've gotten my hands on have been impeccably recorded and produced pieces of clean sounding music.

Gregory Douglass - Come Here Boy (Imogen Heap cover)
Gregory Douglass - Hang Around (Up & Away, 2006)

And remember, search for more at The Hype Machine; purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

ROULETTE 19

Another roulette, as I've been listening to quite a bit of music lately. Some great stuff here, hope you enjoy.

Dead Heart Bloom - I Hope I Stop Fading
Album: Dead Heart Bloom (2006)

Full of mournful strings and low, sad vocals, this song resonates somewhere deep within me, almost bringing tears to my eyes. The sadness here, the wish to not 'die and fade away', breaks my heart.

Menomena - Evil Bee
Album: Friend and Foe (2007)

A dark, moody masterpiece introduced to me by a cousin who demanded I watch the bizarre music video. I've had the song on the 'pod for a long time, but I only listened to it then, and it really intrigued me. The pleading, sad quality of the lyrics and the emotion behind them, empowered by the engine-like machinations behind the music, both engage and terrify.

Imogen Heap - Meantime
Album: G:MT - Greenwich Mean Time OST (1999)

Thanks to the wonderful Maggie at goodnight and go, I now possess a startling amount of rare Imogen Heap tracks. This, one of her more obscure OST contributions, follows the rule of her soundtrack submissions being excellent; it's a beautiful, soaring piece backed with buzzing techno and wonderful lyrics.

Bitter:Sweet - Dirty Laundry
Album: The Mating Game (2006)

After hearing the Morgan Page remix of the song, I wasn't too blown away, but I've finally come across the original. A swaggering, playful piece of trip hop that's expertly put together with dramatic horns, clashing sounds, a wonderfully beat and calm, swirling, sexually-potent vocals, this one's a winner.

And remember, search for more at The Hype Machine; purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

ALBUM REVIEW ROUNDUP 1

Sometimes, though you'd like to give every review the love and care (and individual notice!) as others, you find you can't garner up the interest or time to write up a full-on album review. 'You' moreso being me. So, instead of a bunch of individual album reviews, I'll sometimes file these under an 'album review roundup'. There's a lot of music to listen to and not enough time...

The Afters' Never Going Back to OK: An alright album, but far too similar to too many other bands on the scene, almost derivative and/or cliche. The lyrics are often banal or obvious, the sound is often too loud, and it feels like every other indie emo/rock band. Some bright spots, but ultimately I think not my type. At all.

The Afters - Myspace Girl

Alan Wilkis' Babies Dream Big: Not bad music, but far from my style. Inspired by a lot of artists I'm not big on from the 60's, 70's and 80's; I'm a 00's guy and unashamed of it. Too bold and frenetic to be my style, really. Even on "Bad Mamma Jamma", my favourite track on the album, the background synths irritate.

Alan Wilkis - Bad Mamma Jamma

Amandine's Solance in Sore Hands: Nice; often pretty, though not always. The music's a bit Iron and Wine meets Sufjan Stevens, while the vocals are smooth and sometimes mixed with a nice choral sound.

Amandine - Faintest of Sparks

Disagree, agree? Sound off in the comments!

And remember, search for more at The Hype Machine; purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

ALBUM REVIEW: @#%&*! SMILERS

"It's a street in a town where winning isn't sweet, and every win is the beginning of defeat..."


Artist: Aimee Mann
Album: @#%&*! Smilers

TRACKLIST:

1. "Freeway" – 3:50
2. "Stranger Into Starman" – 1:31
3. "Looking for Nothing" – 3:46
4. "Phoenix" – 3:56
5. "Borrowing Time" – 3:12
6. "It's Over" – 3:58
7. "31 Today" – 4:52
8. "The Great Beyond" – 3:12
9. "Medicine Wheel" – 4:08
10. "Columbus Avenue" – 4:06
11. "Little Tornado" – 3:23
12. "True Believer" – 3:32
13. "Ballantines" – 2:21

Though it's consistent in tone and style with Mann's output so far, there's something more to the songs on 'Smilers', an increase in beat that makes the songs snag you more easily. In the past, I've enjoyed her songs but occasionally drifted out of them by halfway through; a small beat does wonders to keep your attention while not diverting the song. However, though the beat can get you through one song, it can't quite pull you through two or three songs.

However, as a fan of Mann's I've always enjoyed her songs on their own, and I'm hoping the album will grow on me. The songs are pretty similar to her former output, maybe even a little too similar, but they work well enough. You can see some similar stuff (the opening beats of "Looking For Nothing" recalls "Ghost World", for example), as well. There doesn't seem to be any songs that pull me in properly, like Lost in Space's "Invisible Ink" or The Forgotten Arm's "Little Bombs". It's a little too laidback.

The closest is lead single "Thirty One Today", which caught my attention initially only because it was the first taste of her new album. That said, it has a little more kick to it than the rest of the album, and a little more diversity in the music. There's something very compelling in the sadness of the song, something I haven't noticed on most of the tracks either. I like the songs, and I think mixed in a shuffle they'll come off better, but it's hard to focus on them because, laid out together as an album, they seem far too similar.

Still, it's a good, solid album from a six (eleven, if you count her 'Til Tuesday work, the Magnolia OST and her Christmas album) album singer. Many artists would be washed up by now, but her music, while not evolving as much as others' seem to, is still solid. Any fan of Mann's, or of piano-driven female singer-songwriters, give it a listen.

Aimee Mann - Thirty One Today
Aimee Mann - The Great Beyond

And remember, search for more at The Hype Machine; purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

ALBUM REVIEW: AARON THOMAS' "FOLLOW THE ELEPHANTS"

"I saw you sinking like a shipwreck, I heard you drowning in the fog..."


Artist: Aaron Thomas
Album: Follow the Elephants

TRACKLIST:
1. Descending
2. Any More
3. Clattering
4. Wasted Or Crazy
5. Far From Home
6. Damage Done
7. Kill This City
8. Down To Earth
9. Aw C'mon
10. We Don't Care
11. Thinking Is Unproductive
12. Finish Me

Aaron Thomas is an Australian songwriter, currently residing in Madrid, Spain. His work here is very low-key, with a quieter sound built mostly to showcase Thomas' voice and lyrics. Thomas' voice isn't bad by a long shot; it's got a quality of fogginess similar to Thom Yorke's, and he's nailed the ability to sing how he's feeling. Perhaps it's the small-time nature of his recording, but both a blessing and a curse is the style of the songs; it's charming but also, at first, comes off as a little bland or flat. Most of the songs sound a bit too much the same, and it takes some effort to really separate them.

I would not qualify this as one of 2008's best releases. But, but, there is a lot of potential here. "Aw C'Mon", posted not too long ago, is a perfect showcase for Thomas' strengths: caustic, taunting, emotion-driven vocal work; well-written ramblings of lyrics and music that enchances, rather than flattening, his vocal performance. The addition of a good beat and the division between vocals and instrumentals makes "C'Mon" stand head and shoulders above the rest. "Wasted Or Crazy" accomplishes this feat as well, and is quite enjoyable; though parts of it sometimes come off as annoyingly whiny, Thomas' vocals and lyrics are quite nice.

So, what do I think of the rest? The production seems to flatten most of the songs, but after you get over that they seem to get better. Thomas gives a good performance on opening track "Descending"; "Far From Home" is nice and sad, more affecting than many of the others and creating a nice bit of atmosphere; "Damages Done" is pretty good. On the other hand, "Kill This City" is just plain annoying, and Thomas crosses the line to downright headache inducing on "We Don't Care". However, all in all a decent, if not mindblowing, album. I'm interested to see what comes next, definitely.

Aaron Thomas - Far From Home
Aaron Thomas - Wasted Or Crazy

And remember, search for more at The Hype Machine; purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

DISCOVERY: PLAJIA

"Why search for greatness in such tiny worlds of squared pixels?"


Pronounced plah-gee-ah, this excellent Montreal-based is a new discovery. Their debut seems to be garnering quite a bit of critical praise, and from what I've heard, they deserve it. Plajia is an enchanting trip-rock group composed of Patrick Pleau (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards and harmonica), Simon Boivin (bass and backing vocals) and Pascal Laviolette (drums, percussion and backing vocals). The songs are a flurry of layers, some beautiful, some rocking, some sharp, some soft. A barrage of sound creeping up and down your back. They bounce between styles - while "The Other Side of the Squared Pixels" makes you want to close your eyes and listen to the layers, "Dummy" alternately creeps you and makes you smile, "Beautiful Explosion" aims to make you dance in your seat and "Is That The End?" wants you to cry. However, they do it effectively enough to impress me.

Their lyrics are nothing to write home about, with "Pixels" rushing through a disjointed message about gamers being cut off from the rest of the world and "End"'s lyrics being nothing an emo somewhere hasn't cut into their arm. However, the words are just window dressing, as the music here is the real draw.

Give them a listen:

Plajia - The Other Side of the Squared Pixels
Plajia - Dummy

Both from recently-released debut, "Beautiful Explosion".

BUY: A myriad of links from their website.

SPECIAL GUEST STARRING... (PART ONE)

There's something kind of magical about non-album tracks, isn't there? The idea of all these hidden treasures hiding across a universe of soundtracks, tribute albums and other artists' albums, all waiting to be discovered? I've always loved it, even though some of them are completely impossible to track down. some of them are among the best in the artist's output.

In honour of this practise, I'm going to do a series of posts following this phenomenon, each covering one method of releasing these. Note that anything an artist releases themselves (say, one artist singing an album of covers; or a b-side) isn't game unless originally released on some kind of other form.

So, I'll be covering...

POST 1: Movie Soundtracks
POST 2: TV Soundtracks
POST 3: Tribute Albums
POST 4: Compilation Albums
POST 5: 'Guest Starring' on Another's Album

So, without further ado...

Imogen Heap - Can't Take It In (The Chronicles of Narnia)
Imogen Heap - Spooky (Just Like Heaven OST)
Frou Frou - Holding Out For a Hero (Shrek 2 OST)

Imogen Heap is a lovely, but bizarre creature. Why? Because, though her albums are delightful, her best tracks are non-album contributions. See exhibit A, these three tracks much of her regular fanbase probably don't have. I've devoted an embarrassing amount of time seeking out Imogen b-sides and compilation additions, though I'm sure there are many I don't have.

"Can't Take It In" might be my favourite Imogen piece barring none; in fact, its closest competitor will be on a later post. You know that feeling on a winter day where it's beautiful and chilly but not too cold, and that cutting cold wind is reduced to a slight breeze, and even if you hate winter passionately you all of a sudden think, 'you know, winter's not all bad'? This track is that feeling encapsulated into a song, with the chillingly gorgeous chorus, the otherwordly sound of Heap's vocals, and the utter magic of the loping, glittering background music. The song is about, essentially, the sublime; something so big you can't take it in, and that massive, utter feeling that just fills you up. It, somehow, reproduces that feeling perfectly.

"Spooky" is apparently a cover, but I don't know of who. Either way, it's a very nice, definitely a little creepy song. And "Holding Out For a Hero" is an excellent cover that always makes me smile.

Alanis Morissette - Wunderkind (The Chronicles of Narnia)
Alanis Morissette - Still (Dogma OST)
Alanis Morissette - Uninvited (City of Angels OST)

Another one who nails it every time on movie OSTs is the lovely Alanis Morissette. "Wunderkind", like "Can't Take It In", is a very wintery piece, with piano and echoing voices, both cold and hopeful. "Still" is probably among my favourites of Morissette's discography, a study in contained rage and unconditional love; speaking form the point-of-view of an almighty deity, she explains that despite all humanity's flaws, she will always love them. "Uninvited" is another strong piece from Morissette, again one of her strongest; stark bits of piano and percussion echo around her confident, fearful vocals, slowly building in power as it moves forward, new layers building until it is a lush, if unsettling, piece of music. The lyrics, about an unwanted suitor, lead the piece unease and a little worry for our heroine as she fends him off with words while tempted to try and break him herself. Finally, she seriously considers his potential, and we are allowed only a chaotic intrumental ending without hearing her final decision. Wonderful.

Ben Folds - Air (Originally: Godzilla OST)
The Breeders - Collage (Mod Squad OST)
Fiona Apple - Across the Universe (Pleasantville OST)
Hanne Hukkelberg - Lucy (The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian)
Regina Spektor - The Call (The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian)

To round this off: An old favourite, Ben Fold's "Air", the only reason to listen to the terribly dated Godzilla OST (and what a reason!). The Breeders also have a great song in "Collage", and Fiona Apple's reinterpretation of "Across the Universe" is wonderful. Finally, closing it off with the two great tracks off the newest Narnia's OST - they sure know how to pick their songs, as these two are also really nice. Neither quite matches "Can't Take It In", but fit nicely alongside "Wunderkind".

I have to say, these songs are among some of my favourite. "Collage" is hands-down my favourite Breeders song, "Air" is definitely in the top 3 for Ben Folds, "Still" and "Uninvited" and among my Alanis Top 5, and "Can't Take it In" is in my Top 3 Imogen Heap songs. Perhaps it's the nature of some compilations (especially the notoriously picky Narnia folks) to pick only the best, but I'd say picking up an OST or two is always worth it.

MY WISH LIST

I still haven't gotten my hands on some OSTs with my favourite bands on them. Will continue seeking them out...

Rumour Has It OST (Nellie McKay)
The Holiday (Imogen Heap)

SO....

What are your favourite OST tracks?

ROULETTE 18

You know the drill!

1. The Pierces - Louisa
Album: Light of the Moon (2005)

A golden oldie from my favourite pair of sisters, this is from their folkier days. Despite it having a little less bite, I love the dreamy quality of it; it reminds me a little of Sarah McLachlan's "Adia".

2. Juliette and the Licks - Rid of Me (PJ Harvey cover)
Album: -

Taking the mindblowing PJ Harvey song, this cover takes pretty much identical background music but with completely different (and yet, very nice) vocals.

3. Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Me + Yr Daughter
Album: Glistening Pleasure (2008)

I should disdain Shaved Head just for their bizarre pop culture dependant name, but after listening to this roguishly charming and noisy dance pop song, I've become rather fond of it. Yay heavy dance beats, manic excitement and taunting-slash-begging lyrics directed to a love interest's parents!

4. Portishead - Glory Box (live)
Album: Roseland NYC [Live] (1998)

I could have sworn I had already shared this utterly excellent live version of an old favourite, from a live CD picked up at a local Used CD rack, but a quick check tells me I'm wrong. Time to correct that mistake!

5. Emilie Autumn - Dead is the New Alive
Album: OpheliaC (2006)

There's something in this dark, moody track that really excites. Perhaps its the interesting lyricism, or the low, powerful vocals. Maybe it's the tense atmosphere it creates, or the fact that very little else I listen to sounds quite like Emilie Autumn. Maybe it's just plain awesome.

And remember, search for more at The Hype Machine; purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

REWIND! A GREAT COVERS PROJECT FROM BUFFETLIBRE!

I received a very interesting email today, directing me to BuffetLibre, a Spanish website (don't worry, all text is in English) promoting electronic and pop music via legal mp3s. They've put together a very impressive project, that being Project Rewind - getting 58 artists and producers (quite a few of them recognisable names including Bringer of Song favourites Dragonette and Cloetta Paris) to participate by covering or remixing 58 songs from the 80's. Not only are there, well, 58 of them, but they're very diverse - artists hailing from USA, Canada, Switzerland, Portugal, Sweden, Australia, Germany, Denmark, Brazil...

If only for succeeding in this endeavour I'd be impressed, but there's another fantastic bit - a little Q&A with each artist answering why they chose the song, who they'd like to cover to tribute the 00's in 20 years, and who they'd like to see cover one of their songs. Not only is it interesting, but reading through them assures me that even the ones I'm not familiar with have pretty good taste.

Cloetta Paris - Cry Just a Little Bit (Shakin Stevens cover)
Dragonette - Sharp Dressed Man (ZZ Top cover)
PYT - Summer of '69 (Bryan Adams cover)

Check out a sample of the extensive project above, with Cloetta Paris' charming inclusion and Dragonette's dangerous offering, plus, a cover any Canadian should recognonise by PYT, though reinvented as the beautiful, ethereal version available here. Enjoy, and check out the full set at BuffetLibre!

SHOWCASE: RADIOHEAD

"You'd kill yourself for recognition; kill yourself to never ever stop."


Yes, pushing the famous Radiohead as a band anyone but me still has to discover is a bit of a laugh. However, being my age I was too young for the first coming of Yorke and his gang, which left me aiting until digging out my older sister's copy of The Bends to properly begin to appreciate them. They're hazy and mysterious at the best of times, with a fantastic mix of piano and guitar. You can get lost in it, especially when they use their greatest asset to the max; that is, Thom Yorke and his fantastic vocals.

I'm not going to try and write extensively on the band, as many far better writers who know much, much more about Radiohead have walked that path before. Hopefully, though, as a new fan I can give a new perspective, and at the very least those who have not encountered Radiohead before will give it a shot.

Some backstory: The band formed a couple years before I was even born, back in 1986. Their first album, Pablo Honey, was released to poor sales in 1993, until the smash success of single "Creep" pulled them into the spotlight. Since then, they've released 6 more albums, most critically acclaimed, some commercially successful. Since beginning to look into them, the only piecesof the Radiohead puzzle I don't have are 2003's Hail to the Thief and their EPs, Drill and My Iron Lung. I'm still finding my way through what I have, though, and enjoying the experience very much.

Radiohead - High and Dry
Album: The Bends (1995)

The song that kicked off my journey. It was fuzzy memories of loving the sound of this song (along with "(Nice Dream)") as a kid that prompted me to put The Bends on my iPod in the first place. The lyrics are very dark, very sad; I get a sense of a desperate need for escape from the world, a sort of doomed longing.

Radiohead - Creep
Album: Pablo Honey (1993)

The song that kicked everything off! For a while, the song that was both Radiohead's greatest success and the bane of their existence! The song that struck a chord with everyone who has ever felt awkward and inferior amongst others; essentially almost everyone. The story of a boy desperately wishing to be one of those 'special' people: beautiful, popular, and seemingly angelic.

Radiohead - Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Album: In Rainbows (2007)

The first song off of new album In Rainbows that I remotely connected with. There's just something about it that draws me in, the frantic-yet-chill beat combined with Thom Yorke's wonderful warbling. It really does recreate the feeling of "the bottom of the sea", as Yorke mentions in the song, and it's really quite beautiful.

Radiohead - Airbag
Album: OK Computer (1997)

Mysterious, sweeping and cryptically written, this song seems to express a sort of joy in living, of being 'born again'. I don't know whether the airbag and the various deaths are metaphors, but it does seem to be more life-affirming than its dark sound would care to admit. Very layered and frenetic music, here, as well.

And remember, search for more at The Hype Machine; purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.