ROULETTE 26

"Thou shalt not use poetry, art or music to get into a girl's pants; use it to get into their heads."

Some excellent tracks from albums in contention for my end of year best-of list...

Bloc Party - Ion Square [Intimacy, 2008]

Emily Wells - Symphony 1 in the Barrel of a Gun [The Symphonies: Dreams Memories & Parties, 2008]

Muke - Clockwork [Shutterspeed Lullabies, 2008]

Yael Naim - Toxic (Britney Spears cover) [Yael Naim, 2008]

Micah P. Hinson - Sunrise Over The Olympus Mons [Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra, 2008]

Shearwater - I Was a Cloud [Rook, 2008]

Why? - The Hollows [Alopecia, 2008]

Forest City Lovers - Sullen Seas [Haunting Moon Sinking, 2008]

Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip - Thou Shalt Always Kill [Angles, 2008]

of Montreal - Wicked Wisdom [Lantana, 2008]

Death Cab For Cutie - Long Division [Narrow Stairs, 2008]

Got an intense crop here, guys. Can't wait to see what the next four months bring!

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.

ROULETTE 10

Haven't felt up to blogging much as of late, despite that lovely concert review I wanted to do. It's getting further and further back, but I do still have my notes and my memories... Anyhow, a roulette of some recent songs I've been listening to...

The Pale Young Gentlemen - Clap Your Hands

I've been getting these indie/rock playlists, and this song was one of them. A reeling, old-sounding song about dancing and the escape from one's problems it brings. Very enjoyable.

Forest City Lovers - Monsters

A lovely, soft song with pretty vocals. I'm new to the Forest City Lovers, but I'm becoming a fan.

Meg & Dia - Monster

There's something about these harmonising pairs that just hit me in the right way. Electric guitars with simple female vocals, giving a great sense of paranoia to the lyrics - especially when the guitars fall away, leaving the scared, worried vocals on their own.

Islands - Creeper

I will admit, I first got hooked on this song because the slang term 'creeper' (for, obviously, a creepy person) has been making the rounds in my group of friends and it amused me. However, I've begun to really enjoy the song, as it has a great sound. It's a genuinely creepy song about being ambushed upon coming home by a 'creeper' with a knife, and despite that creepiness has a really cool beat to it.

Damien Rice - Rat Within the Grain

Though I was a bit hard on Damien Rice once he and Lisa Hannigan split, I'm coming back around on him. Actually, while I once declared O to be the far superior album, I find myself becoming more and more bored by the long, artsy songs on it and instead enjoy the angrier, tighter work on 9, despite a lack of Lisa. After finding an excellent set of live recordings of him, I took a look around and found this wonderful "9 Crimes" b-side. It's short, bitter and self-deprecating; that is, Damien at his best.

Laura Marling - New Romantic

I didn't get the appeal of this song when my cousin Marelly declared it amazing, but recently I've come around to it. Really, it's the kind of honest confessional style I love, and despite the protagonist's dilemma of whether to leave her guy (whom she convinced to break up with his girlfriend to be with her), you feel how confused and pissed off at herself she is here. She attempts to swear off love altogether, but finds herself wavering in the face of this 'new romantic way'.

Also, while you're here, check out the two excellent demos Lily Allen has thrown up on her MySpace. "I Don't Know" in particular has major potential to be a new favourite.