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!

100 POSTS!

Wow, I hadn't even noticed, in my music-related lull, that I'd hit my big One Oh Oh. Luckily, as I was checking in here to do an admittedly lacklustre roulette, this little fact spurred me to want to something a little more special. Back in November (ah, so long ago!), I premiered this little blog to little fanfare, moreso a way to clear my head than anything else. Since then, I've graduated high school, switched my little 30 gig iPod for an 80er, and tBoS has gotten itself on the magnificent Hype Machine! I'm still a little fish, but I've at least hatched, and that's thanks to you guys!

That said, I think the best way to acknowledge the passage of time is to homage my first post without copying it. Back then, I posted my top 10 according to my iPod. it's funny how things can change, as you'll see when I revisit that idea with a completely new Top 10...

ALDEN'S iPOD'S TOP 10 MOST-LISTENED TO SONGS!

10. Emilie Autumn - Shalott
(Album: OpheliaC; 2006)
(Previously Featured: ----)

9. Carissa's Wierd - Sofisticated Fuck Princess Please Leave Me Alone
(Album: Songs About Leaving; 2002)
(Previously Featured: ----)

8. Sia - The Girl You Lost to Cocaine
(Album: Some People Have Real Problems; 2008)
(Previously Featured: Roulette 6)

7. The Dresden Dolls - Mandy Goes to Med School
(Album: Yes Virgina...; 2006)
(Previously Featured: Showcase: The Dresden Dolls)

6. Poe - Walk the Walk
(Album: Haunted; 2000)
(Previously Featured: Showcase: Poe)

5. The Dresden Dolls - Sex Changes
(Album: Yes Virgina...; 2006)
(Previously Featured: Mystery Post 2 [Live Radio Version])

4. Carissa's Wierd - Ignorant Piece of Shit
(Album: Songs About Leaving; 2002)
(Previously Featured: Roulette 7)

3. Poe - Not a Virgin
(Album: Haunted; 2000)
(Previously Featured: Showcase: Poe)

2. The Dresden Dolls - Half Jack
(Album: Yes Virgina...; 2006)
(Previously Featured: ----)

1. Poe - Spanish Doll
(Album: Haunted; 2000)
(Previously Featured: Showcase: Poe)

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

Instead of talking about the individual songs, most of which I've posted about previously (with 3 exceptions), it would probably be more valuable to talk a little about how my tastes have shifted so radically and compare the two lists a little.

First off, the dominance of three bands: The Dresden Dolls, Poe, and Carissa's Wierd, with 3, 3, and 2 respectively. I would say this relates to 'new iPod syndrome' - that is, when your play counts have been wiped (as mine were) I began to listen to certain bands more and others less. My main 'good playlists' have been playcount driven (on my old iPod, the minimum was 7 plays; on the new iPod I have one 7, and another at 3). With thousands of songs at my disposal, shuffle is often a ponderous exercise when not connected to Itunes.

Another is my discovery of A) how much I love The Dresden Dolls and B) how smooth Poe's Haunted sounds when listened as an album. Amanda Palmer and Ann Danielewski (of the Dolls and Poe respectively) are wicked vocalists. However, though Palmer is the stronger voice, Danielewski's sense of production is unparallelled. While she probably had aid in producing the album, it just feels like such a personal affair (and the subtle links to her brother's genius book House of Leaves, and the inclusion of tapes left to her posthumously by her father are also included seamlessly, enhancing rather than detracting).

Since November, I've both started really listening to the lyrics of both and bought Danielewski's brother's aforementioned novel, House of Leaves. Palmer is relentless and shameless as she tackles issues no-one else would touch with vigour and humour, while Poe's songs are lush, beautiful pieces of work. Listen to "Spanish Doll" and tell me it doesn't break your heart just a little.

Meanwhile, the purchase of the new iPod also changed something else. Artists like Andrew Bird, The Fray, Imogen Heap and Tegan and Sara, who appeared on November's list, had become overplayed to me. Having lost the built up play counts from the old iPod, and having been played to near exhaustion already, they didn't have the power to make the climb alongside the Dolls. In fact, none of last years (fantastic) offerings have made it to the top 10 yet. Sia, the only one to survive the iPod switch, had an album release in early 2008 just as it occurred, perfectly timed for the new list. Even with this, early favourites off Problems didn't make the cut (say, "Academia" or "Soon We'll Be Found"), only second-wind favourite "Girl".

Another interesting note: Every single song here is led by a female vocalist. In fact, the highest spot held by a male vocalist is #12, Andrew Bird's "Imitosis", and then at #17, Angie Aparo's "Cry". In total, only 18 male vocalist led songs made it to my Top 60 (and only 26 in my Top 100!). As equal-opportunity as I claim to be, apparently the shift is more obvious than I'd like to admit. Something to rectify in the future, as there are many male vocalists I love who get trampled by their female equals.

I will be the first to admit that I am a child of the 2000's, despite my childhood during the 90's. Not one of these songs is from before the year 2000; in fact, on my 'pod, I have only listened to 16 pre-2000 songs more than twice, and I only have 618 of them on the pod at all. In fact, I only have 44 songs pre-1990 - and over 30 of those are The Smiths! This fits in with my more modern tastes in terms of TV and movies, as well. It's sad, because I have enough music from the past 8 years to last me another 10 years...*

(* Note some-much of my music has no marked year, so more may be hiding.)

So, my resolutions for the next 100 posts?

---> Listen to more male vocalists, or at least in great volume. I'm sure things will even out soon: Andrew Bird, My Latest Novel, The Fray, and Snow Patrol should all be coming out with new albums by the end of 2009 (hopefully). Unfortunately for them, they'll be contending with Amanda Palmer's solo debut and new albums from Kate Havnevik, Lily Allen, Jem, Dido....

---> Seek out more pre-2000's music and actually try to enjoy it. I've heard a lot of the mainstream stuff, but I have to give more stuff a chance. I'm beginning to get into older albums of Radiohead, Magnetic Fields (particularly 69 Love Songs), and Aimee Mann's discography, to name just a few.

---> Try not to burn out The Dresden Dolls or Poe like I did Andrew Bird, who I still love but need a break from.

---> Blog more! In the past few months I've been letting go of a lot of my blogging, mostly lost in what to write about with too much music to listen to. I have a To Do list of posts that I would like to begin on, especially as I have a lot more free time nowadays and plenty of music-related passion.

So, yes. Apologies to older readers who already have most of these songs and all readers who have been annoyed at my sparse posting. Will rectify that. In the meantime, enjoy these and await my next post!

~ Alden

ALDEN UPDATE

So here's the thing. This past week, I've been hit with a sudden case of intertia. It's like writer's block... for all of life. It sucks muchly, especially as I've got some great posts in the pipeline waiting to be written for you guys.

Dragonette @ The Phoenix, April 3 2008

This is probably embarrassing for any music blogger, but I will admit to you guys that, before last week, I had never been to a live concert. That changed with seeing Dragonette last Thursday at the Phoenix at Toronto. A full post on that upcoming, though I lack a camera so no pics of the actual event.

Dragonette - Magic Fantastic

New CDs!

So, I listen to a lot of music, so acquiring new music isn't a big deal - except when I buy the physical CD. In this mp3 age, it's nice to own some CDs, and I've come into a few as of late. First off, what arrived today was my lovely Die Romantik CD, Narcissist's Waltz, a very highly anticipated one for me as the tracks I came across previously were some of 2007's best. It's too bad the band has disbanded, as they were my pick for Best Newcomer of 2007 (despite, as I recent;y found out, having played for five years unnoticed previously).

Next off, at the Dragonette concert I bought the CDs of both their support bands: Sweet Thing (Sweet Thing) and Fritz Helder and the Phantoms (Greatest Hits). Both bands impressed me, and neither was too expensive, which makes me happy. And lastly, I got my hands on a review copy of Andy Hunter's Colour, which I'll also be popping out a review for in the near future.

I should also be getting a My Latest Novel single ("When We Were Wolves") soon, bought used off Amazon purely for the b-side, which I believe is a Beach Boys cover. So completely worth it.

Die Romantik - Another Round (Live on Fair Game from PRI with Faith Salie)
Andy Hunter feat. Shaz Sparks - Shine
Sweet Thing - Down to the Ground
Fritz Helder and the Phantoms - You Ain't Vogue
My Latest Novel - Hopelessly Endlessly (demo)

MYSPACES AND WEBSITES: Dragonette | Die Romantik | Andy Hunter | Sweet Thing | Fritz Helder and the Phantoms | My Latest Novel

BUY: Amazon | Amazon Canada

TOP 100 SONGS OF 2007: 1-10

Here it is, 2007's top ten songs. These are the ones you've been waiting for, folks! I'll move quickly onto discussing the songs, then:



10. Tori Amos - Girl Disappearing (Sendspace link)
Album: American Doll Posse

A melancholy, piano-led song about a girl who is disappearing into "a prison behind her eyes" while Amos watches, in the midst of a war pitting "woman against feminist". Its lyrics are enigmatic and intriguing, Amos' vocals are wonderful, the music pulls you in and drags you upwards. I'm still puzzling out the song's meaning, but its a beautiful piece of work regardless, and the best off her latest album.

9. Dragonette - Take It Like a Man (Sendspace link)
Album: Galore

Dragonette is at their best when they take a character I should have no interest in and draw me in, and this is exactly what they do here. While not being very slow, this song does have a strange softness to it, and it does express the idea that though this couple 'get a little crazy with the razor blades', they do love each other. This paradox, being able to draw you into the story of such an alien figure, and just the quality of the song that matches or beats the rest on Galore makes this a winner.

8. Andrew Bird - Self-Torture (Sendspace link)
Album: Armchair Apocrypha (iTunes bonus track), Soldier On EP (as 'Water Jet Cilice')

Andrew Bird at his best here. The song opens with his haunting whistling, like a bird call through am eerie mist. Bird's voice appears then, soaring through this mist with visuals of a mysterious girl with golden curls and morbid thoughts. The song is completely mysterious, but it resonates through your bones and through your body. Wonderful, and a tragic cut from Apocrypha. After this and the gems on the Soldier On EP, I would love to get my hands on any other Bird b-sides.

7. Grand Archives - Sleepdriving (demo) (Sendspace link)
Album: Demos

One of the best newcomers to come out of 2007, battling with the now-defunct Die Romantik for the title, this was a wonderful look at the potential of this band. The multiple vocalists gives it a wonderfully ghostly feeling, which works magnificently considering the fuzzy state the song is describing. The lyrics are quite interesting, with a great core theme in 'sleepdriving' that gives you the sense of needing only to escape, without any real consciousness, just instinct. The highlight is the voices, which just resonate in your chest, almost painfully beautiful.


6. Beirut – Elephant Gun (Sendspace link)
Album: Lon Gisland EP

Surprisingly, Beirut's best song this year wasn't on their much lauded new album The Flying Club Cup, but on their fantastic Lon Gisland EP. The epic nature of the band behind the music, with Zach Condon's excellent voice stirring into the mix, makes for a truly inspiring song. This feels wonderful, and that's the only way to describe it. It takes you and throws you into the sky, and you can't tell whether you're flying or falling.


5. Natalie Walker – Circles (Sendspace link)
Album: Urban Angel

A hauntingly beautiful foggy piano-based song about the circle of life, centring specifically around a pregnant woman whose soldier husband dies and leaves her alone with a child on the way. I showcased this track when I discovered it, and it's still outstanding, filling you up with ghostly vocals until you're ready to burst. Natalie Walker has one of the best voices I''ve heard.

4. Tegan and Sara - Back in Your Head (Sendspace link)
Album: The Con

Another former track showcase, this song has gone the rounds with remixes galore. A bouncy , angst-filled track about drifting apart, with the protagonist missing the time "when I was so strange and likeable". The lyrics here are excellent, and the music is a highlight, bouncing along. The vocals sometimes sound echoing, fitting the distance this song is about. The Con was a grower, and this one has shown itself to be the album's best.


3. The Pierces - Three Wishes (Sendspace link)
Album: Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge

Since I got it, I've been enchanted with The Pierces' very strong third album, and by far this was the most impressive track. A haunting, calm song with a preamble about the nature of the soul before it descends into a song about desire that, along with presenting a number of wonderful options for the wish taker, hints to the terrible potential of the scorned.

2. Die Romantik - Another Round (Sendspace link)
Album: Narcissist's Waltz

My favourite discovery of 2007, Die Romantik had an amazing, macabre sound that worked to their extreme advantage. The strained, yet immensely wonderful vocals of , combined with their particular spine-tingling sound, made their work always exemplary. The band broke up in the early days of 2008, which is especially a same considering this utter gem of a song left behind. Not buying Narcissist's Waltz in time for it to rank amongst 2007's Top 10 Albums post was a massive shame.


1. Andrew Bird - Heretics (Sendspace link)
Album: Armchair Apocrypha

Soaring and nonsensical, with his voice and whistling at their glorious best, "Heretics" is a work of fantastic art, sending shivers down my spine while giving me hours' worth of musing over its mysterious lyrics. The fantastic beats make it Bird's catchiest song yet, and it doesn't surprise me that this is bringing attention to Armchair Apocrypha. Though I will be the first to say Apocrypha isn't 100% the album that The Mysterious Production of Eggs was, "Heretics" is definitely in the running against "A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left" for my favourite of Bird's tracks. Excellent, excellent song that gets better every listen.

If you enjoy these songs, I strongly urge you to consider buying their albums, because these are some of the best songs I've ever heard. If 2008 has a haul half as strong as 2007's, then it will be an excellent, excellent year.

TOP 100 SONGS OF 2007: 11-20

Almost 2 months late, but we're finally getting to the gold at the end of the rainbow. This is where you'll begin finding the songs I expect to be listening to for years to come. This is were repetition starts to come in, as the truly exceptional albums all have 5-6 songs that deserve charting high. You'll see The pierces, Dragonette and Arcade Fire duplicate within this entry alone! But let that not sway you, as they are all utterly soulbreaking songs.

20. The Pierces - Sticks & Stones (Sendspace)
Album: Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge

An eery, creepy and greatly fun song as the girls take on the guise of witches as they tease a fearful, and have much too much fun doing it. Whether they're actual witches or just pretending to be for the sake of a prank, it's still excellent. The girls' unique harmony works especially well here, giving it a bizarre mystic feel.

19. Patrick Park - Pawn Song (Sendspace)
Album: Everyone's In Everyone

A rousing anti-war song, Park shows his cool rage and disappointment toward anyone 'thinking there's peace at the end of a gun'. He looks on soldiers and revolutionaries both as pawns in the war between leaders to scared to do anything themselves. Park's voice here is tight, pain-filled but determined to make a change, much like his song.

18. Beirut - Cliquot (Sendspace)
Album: The Flying Club Cup

While Beirut is often beautiful, finding connections with their music is often hit or miss for me. However, "Cliquot" is one of the best exceptions I could find, wrapping itself in my soul and tugging it high into the sky. The vocals are stricken, with the rhythms behind it recalling a time long, long ago as it tells the story of a dying man and his love living on without him. Truly epic and gorgeous.

17. Arcade Fire - Keep the Car Running (Sendspace)
Album: Neon Bible

This song can be summed up in one word: exciting. Everything within me seems to race forward listening to it, and I'm grinning the entire way. It's just a song that makes you happy, even if the lyrics don't hint to much joy in the situation. Produced differently, this song could've been far too heavy, but the tack Arcade Fire have taken with it here makes it one of the most enjoyable tracks on the album.

16. Dragonette - True Believer (Sendspace)
Album: Galore

Of all the songs on Dragonette's shamelessly sexy album, this might be the most interesting, coming from the typical Dragonette protagonist with a twist - she's been 'saved', though with love instead of religion. A former bad girl with a string of one-time beaus, she's almost ashamed to be involved in an actual relationship, and you can see that she's loving it despite feeling as if she's losing something in the deal. In a quieter part, she even admits insecurity, wondering if she's just "the new girl curled round your finger", then soon after yells, "It's you who's done this thing to me; I used to be so bad!". There's a lot of complexity here, much more than the typical Dragonette song, and I love it.

15. The Pierces - Secret (Sendspace)
Album: Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge

The most overtly-threatening song of the bunch, this is a song about the dangers of entrusting your deepest secrets to anyone else, throwing out the tagline, "Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead". The two have made a darkly beautiful song, and when the spoken dialogue comes in the middle, it seems like a natural part in the song that leads into its climax perfectly.

14. Scala & Kolacny Brothers - The Beautiful People (Marilyn Manson cover) (Sendspace)
Album: One-Winged Angel

I'm definitely no fan of Marylin Manson. While I recognise the skill with which he constructs his songs, his style is my antithesis. That said, taking the angelic vocals of Scala and applying them to this vicious attack on capitalism is a brilliant move, as they bring a new dimension to the song with the choral, female tone. It sends shivers down your spine, to hear this coming from a group such as Scala.

13. Arcade Fire - Intervention (Sendspace)
Album: Neon Bible

A truly epic song, showcasing church-style organs to skyrocket the song into the stratosphere while vocalist Win Butler tells a story of poverty and family in his distinctive way. It's soaring, pulling you in and dragging you up and throwing you into a free fall toward the sky. The pain and desperation in Butler's voice is compelling, and this is a song that practically hurts to listen to. And yet, every time, I feel the need to charge the volume so high I'll be deaf by 25. Best lyrics: "Singing hallelujah with the fear in your heart."

12. Dragonette – The Boys (Calvin Harris cover) (Sendspace)
Album: Single

A new take on Calvin Harris' 'The Girls', this song reverses the gender role and, even better, rearranges some parts. For example, the segue from the first part to the second always amuses me. This is the perfect song for Dragonette to take on, actually, as is follows the themes of joyful promiscuity from Galore while also being a fun counterpoint to Harris' version.

11. Spoon - The Underdog (Sendspace)
Album: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

If exciting summed up 'Keep the Car Running', then 'fun' sums up this one. I love the message not to underestimate the underdog, because they always do spoil your plans. This tearing down of the self-superior and stuck up is great for the everyman who has to live in this world, getting stepped on in turn by all those above him. A song that will not be forgotten. "You've got no fear of the underdog; that's why you will not survive." Hell yeah.

If you enjoy these songs, I really think you should check out their albums! If a song's up this high, the album they're on is probably pretty damn exceptional.

TOP 100 SONGS OF 2007: 21-30

It's been a while, but we're slowly reaching the top. It's about time, as we're knee deep into February! I have to apologise for the suspense, but that just makes it more fun. Right?



30. White Rabbits - Navy Wives (Sendspace link)
Album: Fort Nightly

This song, though I will never properly understand its lyrics, is just utterly enjoyable. It pulls a beat through it really well, the vocals are great, the lyrics are bizarre and intriguing. White Rabbits are hard to write about coherently, so just give it a shot!


29. Die Romantik - Tik Tok (Sendspace link)
Album: Narcissist's Waltz

This song feels like a drugged up, high-speed ballroom dance, with colours blurring and your feet moving in ways you're not exactly trained for, but it's a rush. The vocals, dark and lush as always, make this something special. "Don't you know what it means, I forget where I am... You are everything, everything." There's something addictive in Die Romantik's style, definitely at work here.



28. A Fine Frenzy - Rangers (Sendspace link)
Album: One Cell in the Sea

A piano-led romp through the woods, with Alison Sudol's heavenly voice leading us through a fantasy landscape wherein we are hunted by mysterious 'rangers'. It builds up excellently for the choruses, while continuing momentum toward the climax. Beautiful piece of work.



27. Arcade Fire - No Cars Go (Sendspace link)
Album: Neon Bible

A wonderful song, full of great sounds that, even in their seeming randomness combine to make an utterly excellent song, with horns and yells of 'Hey!' kicking it off. The lyrics, about a place 'where no cars go' seems to be an interesting fantasy, Arcade Fire-style, even if the idea of a place with no transportation isn't wholly fantastic. The whole style, with the mixed vocals, the epic instrumentation, the evacuation speech in the middle pause, all give a feel of the fantastic.



26. Jens Lekman - And I Remember Every Kiss (Sendspace link)
Album: Night Falls Over Kortedala

Slowing is down a little, this is an ethereal-sounding number from Jens Lekman, whose state as indie golden boy is cemented here in a passionate tribute to, well, passion. When Jens sings, 'I would never kiss anyone who doesn't burn me like the sun' you want to follow his lead, and when he continues with 'and I remember every kiss like my first kiss', you believe him. It rises to epic heights, with horns and musical fireworks over the magnificent chorus.



25. Franz Ferdinand - Wine in the Afternoon (Sendspace link)
Album: Eleanor Put Your Boots On B-Side

An utterly fun song, in every way. It's a paean to living outside the rules, forgoing rent, work and responsibility for debauchery and intimacy. It's a seductive and exciting lifestyle that translates perfectly here, in both the lyrics and the tone, with the vocals supporting it perfectly. This revels in the feelings of the 'who cares?' that lovers feel, perfectly expressing them for listeners who have never experienced it.



24. Dragonette - Black Limousine (Sendspace link)
Album: Galore

A cheeky, sexy story of a woman-for-hire, drenched in expensive compensation for her sexual prowess and loving it. Dragonette is unapologetic here as they spin the tale of a woman who 'feel[s] the leather of a moving car', presumably with her bare skin. The pounding beats at the beginning just drip with the feeling of importance and wealth, and the vocals are, of course, teasing, hilarious and sexy.



23. Feist - Sea Lion Woman (Nina Simone cover) (Sendspace link)
Album: The Reminder

I didn't notice until now, but this song, apparently about a prostitute, comes just after Black Limosine, whose protagonist has a similar occupation. Feist's vocals here are crystal clear and gorgeous, fitting in with the excellent beat of this piece. Automatic foot tapping is a symptom of listening to this song, as are dancing along in your chair and utter excitement.

22. Patrick Park - Business of Oblivion (Sendspace link)
Album: songs of Peace / Songs of Protest

Patrick Park, whose hope was showcased in 'Life's a Song' and whose tiredness appeared in 'Something Pretty', shows his teeth in this biting diatribe against corporations and their amoral practises that threaten the people and the world around us. Remembering the excellent 'Pawn Song', one notes that Park has a knack for these moving issue songs, andthis is definitely no exception.

21. The Bravery - This is Not the End (Sendspace link)
Album: The Sun and the Moon

An intensely touching tribute to a mysterious dying figure, this song denies the idea of nonexistence post-death, even if the person in question lives on in their influence. The vocals are filled with raw pain, as the protagonist rages against the concept of life and death. By far the greatest offering so far from The Bravery. This song is not about a lover, that is obvious from the lyrics, and you get the sense that a beloved mentor, teacher and leader is about to die - though, according to this song, that is not the end.

If you enjoy these songs, I urge you to check out their albums!

TOP 100 SONGS OF 2007: 31-40

Getting into some real gems here, with heavy hitters like Andrew Bird, Dragonette and The Pierces starting to surface. The lower ranks were pretty light of them, but that's mostly because they found themselves in a lot of higher spots. I considered limiting things to 1 per album, but then I realised this way was just plain more honest. Also, I've started including music videos where appropriate (athough I'm holding one back as I've already written a Music Video Showcase to post at a later date for it).

Anyhow, onto the list...



40. Andrew Bird - Imitosis (Sendspace link)
Album: Armchair Apocrypha

A song I only really discovered after falling for the remix, this is a wonderful song about the mysteries of science. Andrew Bird shows off his intelligent lyricism here, telling stories of cells, mitosis and bunsen burners, all words one might have found in a science clasroom instead of one's iPod. That said, the music is far from neglected here - in fact, the Marriott Hotel chain used just instrumental pieces from this song (and others from Bird's repertoire) for their commercials. You fall in love with the music, which I have trouble properly describing in words, and begin to pay attention to the lyrics. That's when he gets you.

39. Straylight Run - This is the End (Sendspace link)
Album: The Needles the Space

A quiet, lullaby-like song that opens with glittering sounds and soft vocals from female vocalist Michelle DaRosa, and continues in this quiet, calming tone with other voices joining in occasionally, for the chorus mostly. It's a quite simple song, but also quite beautiful. I've heard that the band only recently started giving DaRosa lead vocal spots, and I'm of the opinion that might be the band's best move. While male vocalist John Nolan isn't bad, DaRosa has a gorgeous voice, and his works best when supporting hers. Tracks like this highlight that fact magnificently.

38. Dragonette - Competition (Sendspace link)
Album: Galore

One of the first Dragonette tracks that caught my attention, this song features lead vocalist Martina Sorbara taking on the guise of a mistress and, of course, loving it. Just like in songs like Take It Like a Man, she's the one with the confidence, playfully telling her beau to 'try not to blush'. She loves, not the man or being with him, but merely the danger and excitement the situation affords her. Sorbara's significant other here barely factors into the equation at all, and that's the way we like it.



37. The Pierces - Boring (Sendspace link)
Album: Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge

Where the previous song was about joy from a taboo, this is all about the ennui that comes from the excess of it. A song that perfectly ties into our age of celebrity and starlet fever, this needles the Paris Hiltons of the world. When you can have everything, there's nothing left to excite you. This really is the ultimate 'be careful what you wish for' song. Not only this, but the way its sung, with the utter apathy extending even to the climax where even their life dreams, once realised, have become 'boring'. And yet, the music and the style of the singing keep it from being boring itself.



36. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Me and My Imagination (Sendspace link)
Album: Trip the Light Fantastic

Sophie Ellis-Bextor knows how to make you dance, whether in a club or in your chair, and this, Trip the Light Fantastic's second single, is no different. A song about leaving an element of mystery in order to keep a relationship fun, it draws on the feeling of the 'thrill of the chase', something well translated in the music. This makes my feet tap like crazy every time I give it a listen.



35. Mika - Grace Kelly (Sendspace link)
Album: Life in Cartoon Motion

This song is apparently born out of Mika's frustrations with labels' attempts to pigeonhole him into this or that sound, ironic considering some of the criticisms levelled against him for being too 'cookie cutter pop'. However, I am not one of those critics, as I thoroughly enjoy a good listen to Mika, and this is the song that pulled me in (while waiting to watch Spiderman 3 in theatres - the power of advertising!). It's delightfully bouncy and loud in all the right places, and easily applied to the common relationship issue of changing one's partner to suit one's own needs as easily as Mika's original meaning. It's a great song for walking, and (if I don't have a headache) can usually make me grin.

34. Die Romantik - Narcissist's Waltz (Sendspace link)
Album: Narcissist's Waltz

One of my biggest 2007 regrets is not buying the total Die Romantik debut album (of which this is the titular song), as every song from it is excellent. This follows the waltz beat, with the usual great vocals and intriguing sound. It makes me think of waltzing in a pitch dark ballroom, every dancer so well practised that they never, ever touch. Chills down my spine every time.

33. The Pierces - Lights On (Sendspace link)
Album: Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge

When I describe The Pierces as 'wicked', this is one of the songs that I'm thinking about. Shameless, the protagonist is seductive and dangerous, capturing the hearts of men with a wink. My cousin Marelly compares their voices here to Gwen Stefani and sometimes it does sound like Gwen at her best. The song is so sexy, and yet oddly hilarious as well. Perfect partner to any Dragonette track.

32. Remi Nicole - Rock'n Roll (Sendspace link)
Album: My Conscience & I

I have a lot of tenderness in my heart for Remi Nicole, a young black singer who fought attempts to 'r'n'b'-ize her or pigeonhole her into hiphop. While many of her lyrics show potential for growth, this song is one of her delightful best, detailing her attempts to just be herself in a music scene that doesn't want her if she doesn't rap. She's just so damn cute, and I'll forgive a lot for the pure enjoyment I get outta this track. Even if, to me, she sounds a little more like pop than rock. Who cares as long as it's good?

31. Cloetta Paris - Broken Heart Tango (Sendspace link)
Album: Myspace release

I found this gem via the gallant Zeon's blog (on the sidebar). At first, I wasn't sure, but then I fell hard for this song. The ethereal 'ah aaaah' in the background early on, the downbeat disco beat, and Paris' beautiful vocals translating her beautiful sadness from word to song. The lyrics are also very nice, with the lead line, "Don't say you love me, for a start, or you will be a boy with a broken heart." Like the above Narcissist's Waltz, I can practically see this song in my head, and it breaks my heart every time.

All of these have been on my 'can't stop playing' list at one point or another, excepting Narcissist's Waltz, which had to wait until I fell in love with two other Die Romantik songs to get noticed. If you enjoy these songs, I urge you to check out their albums!

TOP 100 SONGS OF 2007: 41-50

We've now made it into the Top 50! Excellent! You guys are in for a treat. Sorry for the long wait; my headphones broke and I had to procure a new pair. Fear not, that has been done and I can now listen to music unbothered by a missing half of the song. Now, here we go...

50. Scala & Kolacny Brothers – Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead cover) (Sendspace link)
Album: One-Winged Angel

I've heard a number of covers - Alanis, KT Tunstall - and this one is the best. The choir sound works perfectly with the quiet piano backing for a song that's as enigmatic lyrically as any other. Scala's mix of voice tones shows a great improvement here over their earlier albums, and there's real soul to it. And when they reach a climax, it's heavenly.

49. Dragonette - I Get Around (Sendspace link)
Album: Galore

A great beat mixed with Dragonette's lyrics that follow their sexual themes. This time, it's a clandestine relationship between two people who run in similar circles. It's weird how Drqagonette can make what seems like a sleazy moment seem so fun, but I have a feeling it has a lot to do with Martina Sorbara's vocals and the heavy synths

48. Calexico - Ocean of Noise (Arcade Fire cover) (Sendspace link)
Album: Arcade Fire - Intervention (single)

The rare cover that is far superior to the original, Calexico is perfectly suited to this song. What was a bit of a dull spot on Neon Bible becomes a soul-tunning love song, with Joey Burns bringing great emotion to the song where the original vocals fell flat emotionally. The sadness, the desperation here is great. Probably my cover of 2007 too, had I made that list and kept track of my covers.

47. Eisley - Invasion (Sendspace link)
Album: Combinations

The gem in Combinations' crown, this is a joy to listen to. The creepy feeling obtained without the common quiet style is refreshing, and the chorus is wonderful. "You, you, you would take the breath from my throat and you, you you would take the cherished people that I love." That bit is sung marvellously, with fear and desperation mixed in with accusation. The rest of the lyrics are great as well, mixing calm with horror.

46. Feist - 1 2 3 4 (Sendspace link)
Album: The Reminder

There is a reason Apple picked this song for its commercial and, thus, caused it to be simultaneously everywhere at all times. It's a really good song. Leslie Feist's voice is on top form here, with some nice lyrics and horns and is just a really nice song. You probably already know.

45. Jason Mraz - The Beauty in Ugly (Sendspace link)
Album: Single

Reworked from one of Mraz's unreleased songs to be a theme for Ugly Betty's "Be Ugly" campaign, this song illustrates the themes of that series perfectly, refusing to allow physical beauty to be the only measure of worth in this thin-led world. The chorus is inspiring, ordering those downtrodden by imperfect looks to 'own [their] name and stand up tall'.

44. Alanis Morissette - My Humps (Fergie cover) (Sendspace link)
Album: Internet Release

There are very few, if any, moments funnier in 2007 than Alanis Morissette's cover and accompanying video of Fergie's ridiculous song, "My Humps". Taking a hyped-up hiphop song about bling and boobs and turning it into a piano-led ballad it highlighted exactly how ridiculous the song is, while Alanis takes a moment to laugh a little at herself and her maudlin image as well. The video is especially hilarious, featuring Alanis' take on Fergie's original.

43. The Sunshine Underground - Commercial Breakdown (Sendspace link)
Album: Raise the Alarm

A great rocking song about, what else, the overcommercialisation of the modern age, and the frustrations inherent in trying to survive with a soul. A moment, where "I used to think that these things happen for a reason" just perfectly illustrates the confusion and hopelessness of it.

42. The Gossip - Careless Whisper (Wham! cover) (Sendspace link)
Album: Radio 1 Established 1967 (Covers compilation)

This song is just a vehicle for amazing covers. First Ben Foldss & Rufus Wainwright's soulful duet of it I found, and now Gossip lead singer Beth Ditto utterly owns it in a powerful cover recorded for the Radio 1 tribute album released this year. The music has a real dance feel to it, and the emotion in Ditto's voice makes the song work really well, bringing in regret and sadness while never losing its power.

41. Camera Obscura - Hands Up Baby (Sendspace link)
Album: If Looks Could Kill EP

A simple, understated b-side to If Looks Could Kill (EP), this song is about a couple of truly broken people. A duet, from the point of view of a man with a gun and his kidnapped ex with an acid tongue. Lines like, "you don't remember things I can't forget" say more than whole stanzas of other songs. Neither of these people are happy, and both wouldn't be sad to just let it end and the darkness here is pretty powerful. A wonderful song.

We've started into the bigger deals here, and I'm very happy to be sharing these with you guys. And remember, if you enjoy these songs, I urge you to check out their artists!

FEATURE: TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2007

As the new year begins, I figure it's the best time to reflect on last year's best of the crop. I know undoubtedly this list is not perfect even in my opinion; there are a number of albums I have yet to break in properly, one of which I know almost for certain would land a Top 10 spot. That said, after weeks of preparing for this list, while watching others add theirs to the pile in December, here it is (tentatively): My top 10 albums of 2007.

Number 10: A Fine Frenzy's "One Cell in the Sea"


Sample Track: "Almost Lover" (Sendspace link)
Buy link: Amazon, Amazon.ca, Indigo/Chapters

A stunning debut album from gorgeous singer Alison Sudol, whose voice immediately captured me in "Rangers". After hearing it, I needed her album in a way I've needed few before it, and hers was one of the albums I anticipated most this year. While not every song is to the same quality, the music is still beautiful. "The Minnow and the Trout", though it feels oddly like the theme of a Disney movie, hits me in all the right places; and "Almost Lover", the sample track, is one of the most beautiful songs of the year.

Number 9: Tegan and Sara's "The Con"


Sample Track: "Soil, Soil" (Sendspace link)
Buy link: Amazon, Amazon.ca, Insound, Indigo/Chapters

This album, from one of my favourite Canadian artists, was indeed a grower as many declared it. Sitting for a long time at #17 on my list, only in recent weeks has it started to grow on me. It's full of good songs - "Soil, Soil", "Floorplan", "I Was Married" - and has one genuine hit in "Back in Your Head", which was the subject of my last Track Showcase. The thing that landed this album the list, however, is that every track is pretty damn listenable, even when you don't want to bother listening to the lyrics.

Number 8: Scala & Kolacny Brothers's "One-Winged Angel"


Sample Track: "The Beautiful People" (Sendspace link)
Buy link: Amazon, Amazon.ca

This Belgian girl's choir, whose gorgeous contemporary covers I've loved since first hearing them, released an album that included this shockingly impressive cover of Marylin Manson's "The Beautiful People". I'm not a fan of Manson (his style is my antithesis), but I enjoy this cover very much, and it gave me a chance to enjoy some of his incisive lyrics. This album also includes covers of Damien Rice, KT Tunstall and Radiohead, all worth checking out.

Number 7: Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible"


Sample Track: "Intervention" (Sendspace link)
Buy link: Amazon, Amazon.ca, Insound, Indigo/Chapters

An indie darling from the moment of its release, Arcade Fire has been sadly one of my neglected albums. Again, this is only one that rocketed into the top 10 once I started paying any amount of attention to it. "Intervention", the sample track, is just plain epic. "Keep the Car Running", "No Cars Go", "My Body is a Cage", all excellent tracks that make this even better than their debut.

Number 6: Andrew Bird's "Armchair Apocrypha"


Sample Track: "Imitosis" (Sendspace link)
Buy link: Amazon, Amazon.ca, Insound, Indigo/Chapters

My favourite artist, whose music has become a regular feature on my iPod. Though not nearly as amazing as "The Mysterious Production of Eggs" (which would have grabbed top spot), this album is a worthy successor, with "Heretics", quite possibly one of Andrew Bird's best songs (and definitely the most catchy). As I've shared "Heretics" before, I've included "Imitosis", a darker, gorgeous song I've only recently started listening to thanks to the brilliant remix I've previously posted. While I'd suggest "Eggs" before this any day, I urge you to get this album anyway. It's worthy of being an Andrew Bird album, and I can give no higher praise. Well, except maybe a spot on this list higher than 6, but it's still excellent.

Number 5: Remi Nicole's "My Conscience and I"


Sample Track: "Go Mr. Sunshine" (Sendspace link)
Buy link: Amazon

Another great debut following Alison Sudol's, Remi Nicole is very much following in the footsteps of Lily Allen, coming on as maybe her less-bitchy, just-as-funny sister. Tht's not a bad position to be in at all, as 'Conscience' is an excellent album full of songs with intelligent lyrics and generally good music to go with it. "Go Mr. Sunshine" is a great tribute to summer, one that allows for negative aspects that only make it, and the song, more charming; "Dates From Hell" is a shot at those men, probably some of the same assholes encountered by Ms. Allen on her album last year; "Rock'n Roll" is a great look as Nicole herself, while taking a dig at the stereotype of 'black artist = r'n'b or hip hop'. Pretty much every song here is a fun listen.

Number 4: White Rabbits' "Fort Nightly"


Sample Track: "While We Go Dancing" (Sendspace link)
Buy link: Amazon, Amazon.ca, Insound

These guys know how to make a beat. Every song on this album, from best to not-so-best, can at least get me bopping a little in my chair. The sample track, "While We Go Dancing", showcases this: It's got a great beat, without being overtly poppy or cheery. Much of the album follows this vibe, making for a great 41 minutes of listening. Also check out "Navy Wives", probably my favourite 'Rabbits' track.


Number 3: Patrick Park's "Everyone's in Everyone"


Sample Track: "Saint With a Fever" (Sendspace link)
Buy link: Amazon, Amazon.ca

After discovering Park via The O.C., as many of his listeners must have, I decided to seek out his albums. I found this, his newest album and an accomplishment indeed, holding a scattering of excellent tracks. I've previously shared "Life is a Song" (which most of you probably already had anyway) and "Pawn Song", so the sample is "Sant With a Fever", an interesting song that showcases Park's interesting songwriting.

Number 2: Dragonette's "Galore"


Sample Track: "Competition" (Sendspace link)
Buy link: Amazon, Amazon.ca, Indigo/Chapters

Eleven songs, all but one are amazingly catchy. The one thing I can say about Dragonette that, despite the sexual subjects of most of their songs, they aren't a band about sex. Well, they are, that's undoubtable - what other band would dare to have songs from the POVs of a prostitute, a mistress and a student seducing a teacher on the same album? - but the true meaning is joy. Joy of life, joy of sex, just utter joy, something no watered-down Britney or Christina will ever properly capture. Every song, despite my normal distaste for 'slutty music', makes me bring, and that's because you can just feel the fun that lead singer Martina's Sorbara's having. This isn't a serious album, and that's exactly why it's endearing.

Number 1: The Pierces' "Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge"


Sample Track: "Secret" (Sendspace link)
Buy link: Amazon, Amazon.ca, Insound

Thirteen tales from these delightfully devilish sisters, whose harmonizing voices and clever lyrics have captured my heart forever. Their music is haunting, with witchy ("Sticks & Stones"), teasing ("Boy in a Rock and Roll Band"), insanely rich ("boring") and vengeful ("Ruin") protagonists showcased in each and every song. Their dreamiest song, a rumination on the concept of "Three Wishes", is possibly their best. However, one of the stars of their album is "Secret", a song about the dangers of trusting your secrets with anyone, finally hammering it home that, "Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead".

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'.]