1.2: Break Time
just something to post while I get the 2007 retrospective and the look forward to 2008 ready… enjoy (*=playlist):
Thao Nguyen – “Geography”/”Baby, I Love You” [Aretha Franklin cover]
There are very few things quite as absorbing as watching a talented singer perform with nothing but a lone acoustic guitar. All the more if it’s got a bit of soul. Another plus if said singer is a magnetic, engaging and certainly attractive woman. Double plus if there is water nearbly. These first two vids have all three. Thao Nguyen, lead singer of the Kill Rock Starts-signed alt-folkies Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, performs “Geography” (which you may have seen at P4k) from their upcoming album We Brave Bee Stings and All and a cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Baby, I Love You” at a scenic Seattle marina.
http://www.thaomusic.com/
http://thaomusic.imeem.com/
Gruff Rhys – “Candylion”
Something for the young. Super Furry Animal makes Super Paper Animal.
http://www.myspace.com/candylionmusic
1990s – “See You at the Lights”
Now more upbeat and energetic but just as light and fun, and from a band with some convoluted, inconsequential historical link to Franz Ferdinand! From the 2007 album Cookies. “Get out like a blond gets out of a car”
http://www.1990s.tv/
http://www.myspace.com/1990sband
Oxford Collapse – “Please Visit Your National Parks”
I had completely forgotten about this band, and this song in particular, until I came across my previously-lost copy of the album underneath my desk. Wondeful song. Underrated album (2006′s Remember the Night Parties).
http://www.oxfordcollapse.com/
http://www.myspace.com/theoxfordcollapse
Róisín Murphy – “Overpowered”
European synth-pop/disco, anyone? Gots a crazy hat/hat-like object.
http://www.roisinmurphy.com/
http://www.myspace.com/roisinmurphy
Kanye West – “Throw Some D’s” [remix]
The beat to Rich Boy’s ode to 20+” rims, “Throw Some D’s” is, at least to my knowledge, the natural sound a yacht makes when bling is on board. Fortunately, some have taken it away rom the underwhelming flow of Rich Boy and given the beat it’s due (most notably Lil Wayne*). Now it’s Ye’s turn as he changes the D’s to another type of D’s and infuses his lyrics with his trademark ambiguity on the familiar topics of superficiality and image-consciousness.
http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/
Raekwon – “Incarcerated Scarfaces”
While writing about some albums coming up in 2008, I realized I had forgotten to include Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, the sequel to Rae’s 1995 debut and “ghetto mafioso” masterpiece Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…. Man, I fucked that up and I managed to give it a prominent spot in the upcoming feature. In the meantime, watch as Chef and Chef alone burns up all four minutes of this track off his classic LP. “Got guns? Got guns, too / What up, son? Wanna battle for cash / and see who’s Sun Tzu?”
http://www.raekwonthechef.com/
http://www.wutangcorp.com/
Ghostface Killah ft. Raekwon – “Apollo Kids”
Ghost and Rae’s first major debuts, Ironman and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… repesctively, could have been creditied to both men together as this blistering tandem was one factor that led to each album’s success (one of many, lest we forget RZA’s flawless production). On “Apollo Kids” from Ghost’s classic 2k album Supreme Clientele, Pretty Toney rips things up with ice cream cone in-hand for three verses until Rae comes out of nowhere with a superb fourth verse before Ghost comes back to wrap things up.
http://www.myspace.com/ghostface
http://www.wutangcorp.com/
Mclusky – “She Will Only Bring You Happiness”
You wouldn’t think to hear mention of two Welsh bands in one place but here you are following Gruff Rhys and his band Super Furry Animals (technically Mclusky makes three then if we’re gonna separate Rhys-solo and Rhys-Super Furry Animals). Anyways, here is the video for a single off the overlooked Mclusky’s brilliantly named 2004 album The Difference Between You and Me Is That I’m Not On Fire.
http://www.toopure.com/mclusky/
Future of the Left – “adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood”
Now four, count ‘em four, Wales-affiliated acts in one single blogpost. Must be a record. Unfortunately it comes at the cost of Mclusky, who disbanded in 2005. Two of that band’s members, Andy Falkous and Jack Egglestone, joined former members of fellow defunct Welsh noise band Jarcrew to form Future of the Left. Future of the Left released their great debut album Curses in September of last year. The violent “adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood” is the second single from the album.
http://www.futureoftheleft.com/
http://www.myspace.com/futureoftheleft
There Will Be Blood (Trailer/Deleted Scene)
This movie is slowly getting a wider and wider release, which is good news for anybody who likes movies. My excitement for this movie is phenomenal, as have been the reviews. I have the uncanny feeling that if it delivers, I may soon be seeing one of the greatest American films ever made. Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis… what else needs to be said? Oh yeah, score by Jonny Greenwood*. Until then, for your viewing pleasure, here is an alternate trailer for There Will Be Blood and a deleted scene that somehow made it onto YouTube.
http://www.paramountvantage.com/blood/
