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)

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

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!

Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová - Falling Slowly (Once, May 2007)

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

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:

Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion

Antony and the Johnsons's The Crying Light

Andrew Bird's Noble Beast

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

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!

Alexander Ovechkin

NHL Star Called Up To Big Leagues To Play For NFL Team

I really like Onion videos. This is probably the best one.

Happy Holidays!

Sufjan says, "Merry Christmas!"

OMG!!! NEW SUFJAN STEVENS!!!

Christmas carols, of course. Every year, the wonderful and attractive Sufjan Stevens gives a Christmas album to his family. This year, we are part of Sufjan's family! Woo-pee!

Enjoy! (click here for free download)