Friday, January 30, 2009

http://www.bunnypablo.blogspot.com


I stumbled upon Bunny's Yummies when, in a fit of narcissism, I googled my own blog. As it turns out, there exists a blog that goes by the URL: http://www.bunnypablo.blogspot.com. What a coincidence!

Bunny's Yummies is an Bloggie award-winning blog written by Bunny the baker aka Señor Pablo, and it is tremendously appetizing. About once a week, Bunny posts pictures of a delectable new pastry treat that you can ORDER (for realz). My favorite is last July's Sushi Birthday Cake. Mmmmmmm......

Some confectionery songs:

Serenaide - The Sweetest (The Other End of the Receiver, 2004/2005)

Vashti Bunyan - 17 Pink Sugar Elephants (A Pot By Any Other Name, 2001 (rec. 1966))

The Jesus and Mary Chain - Just Like Honey (Psychocandy, 1985)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

New Electro Sufjan Stevens: ONE DAY ONLY!


The Dark Was The Night charity double album looks like it will be amazing. Each day, they are streaming one track from their star-studded playlist on Myspace.

Check out Sufjan's phenomenal contribution here.

The compilation, produced by Aaron and Bryce Dressner of The National, is set to come out on February 17th. According to the Myspace page, proceeds will benefit "the Red Hot Organization - an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS."

Feast your ears!

Bunny's Got a Crush on: Here We Go Magic


Here We Go Magic is a new band from Brooklyn led by Luke Temple. Their music is undulating and percussive, with hypnotizing loops, clean guitar, and high vocals. Imagine Animal Collective meets Grizzly Bear, and you have Here We Go Magic.

I know, awesome, right?

Or, you could go for the description written by test pilots:
Here We Go Magic falls into the category of artsy-genre-defying-experimental-folk-rock-pop. It may sound a little atypical, but you all know what I'm talking about. The kind of music that would be made by Williamsburg hippie hipsters while floating in outer space. And if you don't, just listen...it's good.


So take a listen!

Here We Go Magic - Tunnelvision


Here We Go Magic - I Just Want to See You Underwater

Here We Go Magic - Fangela


Here We Go Magic - Ahab

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Hefner


Hefner, led by songwriter Darren Hayman, wrote punky Brit Pop from 1996 to 2002. Their work will resonate with fans of Blur and Pavement.

I like how their songs never feel cluttered. There is a lot of open space between the punctual power chords and swirling beep-beeps that gives their songs both the airy lightness and dark emptiness of a vacuum.

Hefner - When the Angels Play Their Drum Machines (Dead Media, 2001)

Hefner - Lee Remick (Boxing Hefner, 2000)

Hefner - Love Will Destroy Us in the End (Breaking God's Heart, 1998)

Monday, January 26, 2009

69 Love Songs


The Magnetic Fields' epic collection of 69 Love Songs is outrageously good. It may also be one of the few albums where the name matches the content perfectly.

Frontman Stephin Merritt is an extremely strong songwriter who, in addition to writing pop songs, writes for musical theater. His theatrical experience enables him to write pop songs in the stile rappresentativo, or the style that carefully matches the music with the words and their tone.

Most people who have heard the album agree that the volume one of the three volume set is by and far the best. But what about the other two discs? Where do they stand?

Here are some songs from volumes two and three that are often overlooked.

The Magnetic Fields - Grand Canyon (Volume 2)
This song is eloquent, simple, and romantic.

The Magnetic Fields - Busby Berkeley Dreams (Volume 3)
Probably the most emotional Merritt's voice gets.

The Magnetic Fields - Love Is Like a Bottle of Gin (Volume 3)
The lyrics are phenomenal. They could stand alone as an excellent poem.

The Magnetic Fields - Time Enough for Rocking When We're Old (Volume 2)
Amen.

BUY 69 Love Songs

Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Way Back into Love / Everywhere


Once is a great movie with an original music video/feature film aesthetic imposed on a heart-wrenching love story. Two strangers come together to pen a beautiful song that is the centerpiece of hte film.


But before Once, there was Music and Lyrics. Hugh Grant, a struggling, fallen-from-grace pop musician finds his muse in Drew Barrymore, and they write yet another piano-infused love ballad.


And before Music and Lyrics, there was Bears, an indie rock outfit from Cleveland that wrote a song called "Everywhere" that is, I believe, shamelessly stolen from them by that blasted Hugh Grant. Bloody 'ell.


YOU DECIDE!




Hugh Grant and Haley Bennett - Way Back Into Love (Music and Lyrics, February 2007)


Bears - Everywhere (Bears, 2005)


BUY the Once soundtrack

BUY the Music and Lyrics soundtrack

BUY Bears

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Happy Obama! / Antony, Andrew, Animal


Yay! Obama's president! Terrific! I hope it goes well.


But today is not only a great day for countries starting with "Am-," but also for bands with names starting with "An-." I am, of course, referring to the much-anticipated release of three albums today: Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion, Antony and the Johnsons's The Crying Light, and Andrew Bird's Noble Beast.


Each of these albums has been discussed in the New York Times in the past few weeks. I haven't heard them, so check out these articles for info:






I am going to buy them in 30 minutes at the Providence Mall! Yes!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

You = Hologram?


So, we might all be holograms. It's an idea. Maybe not. This article will blow your mind, though, even if it turns out to be false.


Stay tuned for more posts soon. I left my external hard drive at school, but I will have it again in a day!
Thanks to Marginal Revolution for the tip!