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.

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?

DOUBLE TAKE #1: PAYBACK'S A BITCH

Occasionally, two songs will focus on similar stories despite being individually fantastic. It's almost as if two artists tapped into the same vein of creativity to different, just-as-great, ends.


Congratulations, it's twins!

Don't you mess with a little girl's dream, 'cause she's liable to grow up mean.

Well you may be king for the moment, but I am a queen, understand? And I've got your pawns and your bishops and castles all inside the palm of my hand.

While you were licking your lips 'cause I was miserable, while you were selling your soul, while you were tearing a hole in me... I was taking control.

/

Turn your ugly face; oh you're so surprised to see me. Yeah I was your little childhood playground toy. And if I remember.... yeah if I do remember rightly, I said the tables will be turned around, boy.

Who's getting scared now? Tell me, how does it feel? It feels so good from where I'm standing...

So you're gonna stab me down now boy? Now you're gonna crush me down now boy? Well, somehow I don't think so.

Sound similar? Indeed, both of these songs deal with a woman, having formerly been attacked by a man, returning the favour tenfold and loving it. Both of these paeans to vengeance are vicious and empowering, and some of the more intense stuff from both artists. The first three lyric samples are from Poe's "Control", and the latter three from Imogen Heap's "Getting Scared".

Both songs are utterly delicious, and I'm proud to share them with you.

Poe - Control (from Haunted)
Imogen Heap - Getting Scared (from I Megaphone)

Search for more at The Hype Machine. Purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

NEW IMOGEN! NEW DEATH CAB! 'HEROES' SEASON ONE SOUNDTRACK!

"Yatta!"


Just got my hands on the new Heroes Season One soundtrack, and while I haven't given it an intense listen over, I am very happy about one thing: A new Imogen Heap tune! As well as a new Death Cab For Cutie one. Plus, for anyone who hasn't grabbed the new Panic at the Disco album (or read my post below where I dropped this same mp3), their new single "Nine in the Afternoon" is included as well.

Imogen's tune, "Not Now But Soon", follows the pattern of her compilation work being better than her album work, and I'm happy to hear it. It's got heavy synth work, and is very electronic a little Frou Frou-y, in fact. It doesn't compare to the best of her work, like Narnia's magnificent "Can't Take It In" or Plague Songs' "Glittering Clouds", but its a worthy addition to her discography, and I suspect it will grow on me s many others have.

In addition to this, the album includes Death Cab For Cutie's "Jealousy Rides With Me", The New Pornographers' "All For Swinging You Around", David Bowie's iconic "Heroes" (of course), and some surprisingly fantastic work from the series score creators Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, better known as Wendy and Lisa. The music of Heroes is sometimes noticeable while watching, but usually it slips under your skin and enhances the scenes. We don't get a huge taste of it here, as three of the four that bear their name - the series' theme, "Natural Selection", and "Homecoming" - are painfully short, leaving their only lengthy contribution here a collaboration with vocals by Shankar (an Indian vocalist and violinist who also goes by Shenkar), entitled "Fire and Regeneration". What I believe is choral work run through synths has a great effect on "Fire and Regeneration", though, building beautifully through the song and making it very deserving of its spot on this album. I hope we get to hear more of this score in future releases. Also, Sheila Chandra's inclusion, "ABoneCroneDrone 3 ", is also exceptional.

Imogen Heap - Not Now But Soon
Wendy and Lisa ft. Shankar - Fire and Regeneration

BUY: Haven't found a good online source for this, sadly enough, but look around hard enough and you'll get your hands on it. It should show up at NBC's web store sometime soon, though.

ONE WEEK!

Looks like tboS has been around for a whole week, as of today! To commemorate that, I'd like to say a few words about this blog. Though I haven't had it long, having this blog has brightened up my days. I get excited when a new day comes along and I feel like writing a new post, introducing the two of you out there reading (maybe three) to the music I love. This week has been a blast. Now, as I don't wanna make too big a deal of it, I'll end this right here and give you good folks some mp3s. Which ones? Who knows, whatever I feel like.

Here goes! Seven songs, one for every day of the first week:

The New Pornographers - Sing Me Spanish Techno (Sendspace link)
The Lascivious Biddies - Ask (The Smiths cover) (Sendspace link)
Cloetta Paris - Broken Heart Tango (Sendspace link) [Bringer of Song favourite]
Bear McCreary - Destiny (Battlestar Galactica OST) (Sendspace link)
Imogen Heap - Can't Take It In (The Chronicles of Narnia OST) (Sendspace link) [Bringer of Song favourite]
Andrew Bird - Opposite Day (Sendspace link) [Bringer of Song favourite]
Eisley - Many Funerals (Sendspace link)

If you like the artists, check them out elsewhere.

THE DEBUT OF ALDEN

Hey, I'm Alden, a Canadian soon-to-be-highschool-graduate and consummate music lover. For months I've been practically living on music blogs, loving that people were so easily capable of sharing their favourite music and loving the chance to receive it. I'm constantly overflowing with music to share, and nobody to share it with. So, as a tribute to those I've visited and still do visit, and to satisfy my need to share, this is the official opening of my very first music blog!

As for my tastes, according to my eldest sister Kara I'm an indie b*tch. However, despite that I'd say I have a pretty varied tastes. I love pretty much anything where I can feel the character or the emotion behind it and get really into the song. My favourite subgenres are piano rock, indie rock, and indie pop. My 'type' is female indie rock- or pop-artists, but I also have loads of songs that fall under Electronic, Folk, Gothic and Gothic Rock, Grunge, Instrumental, Trip-Hop, and even some Disco/Dance type music. Really, the only things I'll downright refuse to listen to are rap and hip hop, as the entire style of those genres irks me. Other than that, though, it all depends on how I like it, not genre.

However, before I can get to the actual music sharing, I gotta disclaim that any music offered herein is for preview purposes and, if you want to support these artists, I urge you to purchase their CDs and give them the success they so deserve. Also, if you are a copyright owner and wish for me to take down any songs, feel free to email me. I don't want to hurt any of these artists; indeed, I wish them all the success that increased exposure can offer them, even if my readership ends up just being me and my varying family members.

Also, before you check me out, I just wanna give a shout out to the following blogs:

Zeon's Music Blog
We share similar tastes, Zeon and I. His blog has introduced me to many, many artists I now adore, and I doubt my little blog will ever surpass his. Heck, some of the songs I post here may hold Zeon as an origin, though we don't always agree on what's great or not.

The Music Slut
While these guys post the occasional mp3, I mostly rely on them for their great coverage of random music-related news. Concert notices, album info, and my favourite: Their 'The world of B-Sides and Rarities' posts, where more rare tracks can be uncovered.

Silly Pipe Dreams
Sonny, an up-and-coming TV writer himself, is a very funny guy who has no qualms seeking out and posting songs from his favourite shows' weekly episodes so those who want to know more can download them and check them out. However, though you may come for the songs, you might keep coming merely to see how he's doing, because he's a pretty cool guy. And, duh, music!

Kara's Sketchy Blog Thing
Less a music blog than a journal/outlet for my dear sister, this is nonetheless a hilarious look into the life of the Kara. She does, occasionally, post music as well. Her blog is more inclined to crazy art and stories, like her recent accidental boiling of a tomato and her adventures as a young adult in Toronto.

ClamBuzz
My musically-inclined cousin Marelly has a blog that I'm finding gets better and better. Random concert reviews in the Toronto-ish area and plenty of music to enjoy. She's also damn cool.

So, that having been dealt with, here's the real introduction, the one that matters:

1. The Fray - Vienna
Though not even close to my favourite song, Vienna has been my most-played song for weeks, maybe even months, according to iTunes. I do love it, and find it very easy to listen to, so perhaps it's merely because it is a mild, less intense love that never burns out. The song itself is piano rock, a song that I believe is about escaping one's troubles. I love this band's vocals, and there's something mysterious about quite a few of their lyrics, which I like. This is the band, by the way, that brought you the (apparently overplayed) "How to Save a Life", popularised by its use in Grey's Anatomy promotions.

2. Imogen Heap - Glittering Clouds
Ah, Imogen Heap. I absolutely love her voice, and this song, a rare track from a compliation CD based around the theme of the Plagues, is a good example of it. It's a dark and beautiful song, based on the Plague of Locusts. It gives the feeling of urgency, using sound effects like wind and buzzing sounds (representing the locusts) to give atmosphere to the song, and you can feel it creeping down your spine. The mysterious story has the protagonist prone to fits of blacking out and awaking to find she's committed some horrible crime. It would make the song interesting even if the recording itself weren't as arresting as it is.

3. Andrew Bird - A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left
I can't even express how much I love this dark, brooding, mysterious song. The layers of instrumentation, and Bird's amazing whistling (yes, this man can make whistling a beautiful, haunting instrument), just make me want to close my eyes and listen. It's just a work of beauty. I can't say anything more than that.

4. Explosions in the Sky - Remember Me As a Time of Day
This song, almost-singlehandedly, turned me onto instrumental music. Before I ever watched Friday Night Lights, I uncovered this song over at Silly Pipe Dreams (see above), and it slowly grew on me. Just listen to it, and hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

5. Angie Aparo - Hush
Little-known singer, Angie Aparo is pretty rocking. This song is pretty cool, and I enjoy his sometimes-indecipherable lyrics. However, there's something about this song - maybe it's the vocals, maybe is the almost epic sound of it, but I just really enjoy it. Get a couple of Aparo's songs and you'll realise that it's worth it to seek out his CDs or mp3s to buy, as they are virtually impossible to find otherwise.

6. Rachael Yamagata - Worn Me Down
The lyrics of this song, about a woman whose boyfriend is clearly in love with another woman, is heartbreaking. When combined with Yamagata's deeper, smoky vocals, you get exactly how desperate she is to escape this nightmare. Knowing you've done everything you can and you still make no difference hurts, and this song shows it.

7. Sia - Breathe Me
This is an intensely beautiful song. The building piano combined with Sia's ghostly magnificent vocals makes a song that, paradoxically, makes it hard to breathe while listening to. Popularised by capping off the series finale to "Six Feet Under" and, since, been used for many commercials and shows by music supervisors who recognise the beauty in it.

8. Hello Saferide - Valentine's Day
Hello Saferide is articulate, warm, hilarious and, most of all, real. Her songs just feel like they are coming from a real person somewhere, with genuine flaws and idiosyncrasies. This song, while not highlighting those particular strengths, is a quiet tale of a woman who, downtrodden in a loveless marriage, finally decides to leave her husband on Valentine's Day.

9. Tegan and Sara - This is Everything
This song, from Canadian wonder twins Tegan and Sara Quin, captures the stirring feeling of love and being overwhelmed by it in a song. There's a moment where it kicks in, about halfway in the song, that you feel an intense determination that, yes, love is big and love is scary, but you refuse to back down. I can't claim to understand the rest of the lyrics ("I'm a frosted lemon carrot"? I should look them up sometime), but I definitely enjoy listening to it.

10. Travis - Re-Offender
Travis has long been a band I've liked, but not loved, except for a scant few songs. This one, off their mush-maligned '12 Memories' album, has to be my definite favourite. Drawn from lead singer Fran Healy's own experiences as a child of an abusive marriage, it's a story of a woman (or man, possibly) who is trapped in a similar marriage. The lyrics just ring so true, and it's so obvious that the protagonist is just falling apart despite the strength of the song.

ZIP FILE

Enjoy! And remember to support an artist that you appreciate by buying their albums.