ROULETTE 36

"If I could just see straight, I'd probably head straight for the door..."



Coldplay - Viva La Vida [Viva La Vida, 2008]

I should not like this song. For a long time, I've despised Coldplay, after a moment of realisation that their lyrics were downright embarrassing. But though the whole album hasn't warmed to me, the lead single from it is much more impressive than almost all of their previous output. This isn't inane attempts at cuteness or shallow imitations of depth, but a song capturing a specific feeling via an extended metaphor: the loss of power with the loss of love, working as both literal story of a fallen king and metaphorical tale of a modern-day romantic with a broken heart. I'm honestly impressed, and I hope they keep it up.

Ben Folds - Cologne [Way to Normal, 2008]

Hearkening back to some of his older work, "Cologne" is a piece about letting go. Folds is well and truly vulnerable here, at his best, filling the song with the tiny details. There's something very touching about the countdown and the idea of both wishing for a connection ("in my hotel room I'm wondering if you read that story too, and if we might be having the same imaginary conversation...") and trying to disconnect ("I'm letting you go."). The piano and subtle strings works wonders to make this a frail, emotional piece.

Carissa's Wierd - One Night Stand [I Before E, 2004]

I've been so immersed in this year's offerings, I sometimes forget to listen to old favourites. Favourites like this bizarre tale of broken people, the type of song Carissa's Wierd does best. The male/female harmony adds to the feeling of disorientation and haziness of the titular one night stand, while adding a universal quality to the proceedings. It happens to everyone, male or female. The strings and guitars mourn in the background. Beautiful.

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 33: NEW MUSIC 2008!

"Make your peace and stop haunting me..."


I know 2008 is getting older, and in a few months will be on its way out, but the magic of music is that it keeps coming out no matter what! I thought I'd solidified my Best 100 Tracks list for this year, but a couple new acquisitions are threatening to take spots...

Travis - Broken Mirror (Ode to J. Smith, 2008)

Yes, Ode to J. Smith is Travis' second album in two years, and seems to continue the high quality of last year's The Boy With No Name. "Broken Mirror" is a bit darker than their usual output, with quiet, forceful guitar supporting Fran Healy's quiet, almost paranoid vocals. Very nice offering, one that bodes well for the rest of the album.

Belle's Wake - Penelope (The Riot Sessions, 2008)

One of my favourite lesser-known bands, Belle's Wake are beginning to record new music, including this gorgeous piano-led piece. It's quite different to their previous releases, but there's still that inherent darkness and sadness that fueled their previous work, mixed with a little bit of hope and wonder. This band deserves more notice than they're getting, and I honestly think that soon, they're gonna be getting it. Wait and see.

Hello Saferide - 2008 (More Modern Short Stories From Hello Saferide, 2008)

One of my favourite artists from years past is back with a new album, and this one's quite subdued compared to Introducing..., but just as promising. I'm enjoying it so far, though without an iPod I haven't been able to listen to it half as much as I'd like. This song's got a nice, hopeful feeling to it that makes me smile.

Ben Folds - Free Coffee (Way to Normal, 2008)

This song has a dream-like quality, but never leaves the realm of Ben Folds' typical cynicism, as he talks about going off and becoming rich, and how he feels about his life. There's a great, bleepy electronic style here that I don't believe Folds has tackled before, and it' s quite interesting to listen to.

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.

NEW SONG: BEN FOLD'S "YOU DON'T KNOW ME"

"Why the fuck would you want me back? Baby, it's because you don't know me at all."


A new song has slipped out of Ben Folds' upcoming album entitled "You Don't Know Me", featuring the lovely tBoS-favourite Regina Spektor! It's really cute, and bodes well for the upcoming record. Can't wait!

Ben Folds feat. Regina Spektor - You Don't Know Me (Way to Normal, 2008)

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.

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?

I Get All the Songs, I Get All the Songs...

If you read the opening post and downloaded the Intro package, you should have a pretty good grasp of my most-listened to music. Now, I have another passion: cover songs. Not only are they a great way to uncover new musicians, but they give a delicious new view of a song you've heard a thousand times or even only once. Whether it disgraces the original or surpasses it, it's an interesting experiment that can yield true gems.

So, 6 of my favourite covers off the top of my head:

Tori Amos - She's Leaving Home (The Beatles cover) (Sendspace link)
I must admit something: though I once loved them, I cannot stand listening to the Beatles nowadays. Maybe it was too much in my youth, but there's something about them I can no longer stand. That said, their songs are often fantastic, and this is no different. Dropping the overly bouncy tone and dozy chorus of the original, Tori makes this song work to her style - her version is a beautiful, piano-driven tale. Live cover.

Dragonette - The Boys (Calvin Harris cover) (link)
The original, 'The Girls', is an amusing but forgettable ode to the straight male's sexuality. Dragonette, the queen of fun, sexually-charged songs, takes the same song, but doesn't merely switch the pronouns. This version has an additional section in the middle and adds a bit to the chorus, vital edits that help make it a song that dares you not to dance, or at least bop in your seat. It sounds joyful without falling into 'The Girls' trap of sounding vaguely lecherous, which is a victory in my book.

Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright - Careless Whisper (George Michael cover) (link)
I've never heard the original, but this live rendition of a strangely popular, cover-wise, song is probably the best I've heard. These two interpret the song into a heartbreaking plea for impossible forgiveness, and their voices work surprisingly well. The piano works well as well, as I think it's only behind possibly the violin in perfect atmosphere for sad songs.

Bettie Serveert - Love I Don't Have to Love (Bright Eyes cover) (link)
A song about ignoring pain through mindless, anonymous sex, it works perfectly with an intense sound behind BS lead singer Carol van Dijk's tragic version of an already-bleak song. It's loud, it's dark and its painful in a good way. I spent a couple days after discovering it just playing it almost constantly, because it's that good.

Westlife - Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler cover) (link)
Looking at the ever-popular song through a male perspective, this song is sometimes hilarious, which is a sobering reminder of gender roles and how, if this weren't a cover, the singers would be decried as 'gay whiners'. That said, it's an extremely well-done cover, with appropriate piano and two guys filling in for Bonnie Tyler alone.

Vienna Teng - Cannonball (Damien Rice cover) (link)
The original, while gorgeous, began to grate after a number of listens. This version is a fresh and equally gorgeous take on the song. Vienna Teng's voice here is on top form, soaring, an arctic wing blowing through your heart and covering your skin in chills. Breathtakingly beautiful.

Now, there are far from the only covers I love. I have a collection of dozens, so you'll be pleased to know they'll probably pop up quite a bit on this blog.

And for easy downloading en masse...

ZIP FILE

Now, though I'm not planning on uploading them right now (maybe later if you ask nicely), here are some covers I also love that you might want to keep an eye out for:

CAKE - I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor cover)
Alanis Morissette - My Humps (Fergie cover)
Final Fantasy - Cliquot (Beirut cover)
The Cranberries - Go Your Own Way (The Cardigans cover)
Jonna Lee - The District Sleeps Alone Tonight (The Postal Service cover)
MDL - Naked As We Came (Iron & Wine cover)

And ANYTHING by Scala and Kolacny Brothers. If I don't devote a whole post to them later, that is.

Thus concludes our momentary dip into the world of covers. Trust me, there's an ocean out there, just waiting...

[** Title paraphrases a line from 'The Boys'.]