Andrew Bird

Whilst perusing the world wide web this morning, I happened upon Andrew Bird's latest release, "Soldier On." It's a collection of reinterpretations and rarities that is remarkably consistent and refreshing. It's a somewhat sedate and tranquil collection, leading to an almost hauntingly relaxing listen. The new material has all of the elements I've come to love about his music: swirling violin loops, clever lyrics, ghostly whistling, and the occasional melody delicately tapped out on a glockenspiel. Perhaps most exciting though, is his continued collaboration with singer Haley Bonar who adds a subtle depth when they harmonize. Check it out.

Andrew Bird - Sic of Elephants - [buy it here]
Andrew Bird - Plasticities (Remix) - [buy it here]

Song of the Week Returns

British Sea Power's latest album, "Do You Like Rock Music?" arrives in the states on Feb. 12th. It sees them continuing on the same thematic path they charted on 2005's "Open Season," mostly songs about nature, the elements and our impact on both. "Waving Flags," however, the album's first single, is BSP's bid to score England's next World Cup run. It's an anthem brimming with huge, propulsive drums and an overwhelming sense of national pride, though it has little to do with the game, at least ostensibly. On the surface, it's an ode to open borders and drunken revelry. Full of rousing, choral vocals and triumphant guitars, they've answered the question posed in their album's title for you.

British Sea Power - Waving Flags - [buy it here]

Les Baxter

Les Baxter was a composer, arranger, and conductor who made big band music sexy back in the '50s. He composed over 200 scores for film, tv and radio programs. Among them were such classics as: "Beach Blanket Bingo," "Operation Bikini," "Beach Party," and "How To Stuff A Wild Bikini." He is also widely considered to be one of the forefathers of the exotica movement in music.

In 1968, He scored a B-biker movie called Hell's Belles. The movie itself isn't much, but the soundtrack is fantastic. Easily some of the funkiest sounds I've ever heard to come from a white man. It's the perfect marriage between Detroit Soul and Surf, ideal for a summer barbecue and even better for a roller skating jam. Sounds like something the Go! Team would sample. Enjoy.

Les Baxter - Wheels - [buy it here]
Les Baxter - Soul Groove - [buy it here]
Les Baxter - Hot Wind - [buy it here]
Les Baxter - Chain Fight - [buy it here]

Welcome, 2008

2008 is going to be dynamite; I can feel it. Here are some songs to help usher in the new year, proper-like.

Asobi Seksu - New Years - [buy the album here]
The Thrills - This Year - [buy the album here]
The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year - [buy the album here]
Otis Redding & Carla Thomas - New Year's Resolution - [buy the album here]
The Mountain Goats - This Year - [buy the album here]

Favorite Songs Of The Year

Aught-7 was a solid year for music. Perhaps a bit front-loaded, with many of the years best being released in the first half. But overall, there was much worthy of praise and repeated listens. Here's a look at my favorite songs of 2007.

50. Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan - [buy it here]
49. Editors - Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors - [buy it here]
48. Explosions In The Sky - So Long, Lonesome - [buy it here]
47. Menomena - Rotten Hell - [buy it here]
46. The Thrills - No More Empty Words - [buy it here]
45. The Magic Numbers - Take A Chance - [buy it here]
44. Shout Out Louds - Impossible (video) - [buy it here]
43. The New Pornographers - My Rights Versus Yours - [buy it here]
42. M.I.A. - Come Around - [buy it here]
41. The Twilight Sad - Talking With Fireworks/Here, It Never Snowed - [buy it here]
40. Efterklang - Cutting Ice To Snow - [buy it here]
39. Kate Nash - Mouthwash (video) - [buy it here]
38. Apostle of Hustle - Chances Are - [buy it here]
37. The Avett Brothers - Die Die Die - [buy it here]
36. Ra Ra Riot - Each Year - [buy it here]
35. Lavender Diamond - Open Your Heart - [buy it here]
34. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - La Costa Brava - [buy it here]
33. Ryan Adams - Two - [buy it here]
32. Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma - [more info here]
31. Okkervil River - Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe - [buy it here]
30. Ola Podrida - Photo Booth - [buy it here]
29. Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew - Farewell To The Pressure Kids - [buy it here]
28. Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat - [buy it here]
27. Iron & Wine - Boy with a Coin - [buy it here]
26. Caribou - Melody Day (video) - [buy it here]
25. The National - Fake Empire - [buy it here]
24. Via Audio - Presents - [buy it here]
23. Bon Iver - Skinny Love - [more info here]
22. Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position - [buy it here]
21. Jamie T - Sheila (video) - [buy it here]
20. Yelle - Ce Jeu - [buy it here]
19. Bright Eyes - Four Winds - [buy it here]
18. The Shins - Sleeping Lessons (video) - [buy it here]
17. Andrew Bird - Heretics - [buy it here]
16. Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You - [more info here]
15. Albert Hammond Jr. - Back To The 101 (video) - [buy it here]
14. Arcade Fire - Keep The Car Running - [buy it here]
13. Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (video) - [buy it here]
12. Animal Collective - Fireworks - [buy it here]
11. Metric - Soft Rock Star (Jimmy Vs. Joe Mix) - [buy it here]
10. The Maccabees - Precious Time - [buy it here]
09. Jens Lekman - If I Could Cry (It Would Feel Like This) - [buy it here]
08. Beirut - Elephant Gun - [buy it here]
07. Rilo Kiley - The Angels Hung Around - [buy it here]
06. Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You - [buy it here]
05. Stars - Bitches In Tokyo [buy it here]
04. Feist - Past In Present - [buy it here]
03. Electrelane - To The East (video) - [buy it here]
02. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends - [buy it here]
01. Spoon - You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - [buy it here]

Ike & Tina

In 1966, Ike & Tina recorded the seminal album, "River Deep - Mountain High." Produced by Phil Spector, who came out of retirement to handle the recording, it reached number 3 on the UK pop charts, but failed to make a dent back home. Today, it's widely considered among their best work, and a classic in Spector's legendary catalog. In addition to the stellar title track, it contained another Spector-stamped gem "A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Every Day)." It's a Pet Sounds-esque mini symphony, full lush string arrangements and triumphant cymbal crashes. It's gorgeous.

I only mention it because it stands in stark contrast to the song that immediately follows it, the Ike Turner penned, "A Fool in Love." In it, Tina sings:

He's got me smiling when I should be ashamed
Got me laughing when my heart is in pain
Oh no, I must be a fool
Cause I do anything you ask me to

Without my man I don't wanna live
You think I'm lying but I'm telling you like it is
He's got my nose open and that's no lie
And I, I'm gonna keep him satisfied

This has to be one of the great moments of irony in pop music.

Have a listen:

Ike & Tina Turner - River Deep - Mountain High
Ike & Tina Turner - A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Every Day)
Ike & Tina Turner - A Fool in Love

Click here to buy the album.

Song of the Week

I have to confess to totally missing the brilliance of Electrelane on first listen. It was only after hearing "To the East" at B.T. Gilmore's birthday party, and at his urging, that I revisited their lastest album "No Shouts, No Calls."

"To the East" is the record's first single. That it stands out on an album with so many well-crafted songs is quite remarkable. Perhaps it's the opening notes, the combination of the sliding bass and stomping kick drum, slightly reminiscent of Arcade Fire's "Rebellion (Lies)," that makes it so catchy. Or the ringing guitar present throughout. Or the nervous longing in singer Verity Susman's high pitch voice. But more likely, it's the way the song slowly shuffles towards a bouncy, energetic climax. Regardless, it's refreshing to hear a song recognizing the East as a destination full of promise and opportunity, the way the West has for so long.

Electrelane - To the East [buy the album here]