Raging Contagion
Music so good it will make you sick!
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Everybody Else – In Memoriam
September 14, 2012
Sounds similar to: Rooney, Phantom Planet, Tinted Windows
Howdy there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
Friday Friday Friday, ah, the blessed day when we reminisce on the prior days and then realize we’d much rather forget they ever happened.
Let’s get down to business though, Everybody Else was practically a birthday present to me. One year for my bday celebrations, several friends and I went to a Rooney concert which happened to fall on my day of birth and lo and behold, this incredibly gorgeous man walks up to the mic, starts crooning, and I fell in love. Carrick Moore Gerrity, the singer/songwriter/blue-eyed-bundle-of-wonderfulness has a knack for writing a style of pop rock that doesn’t sound like it’s been done before. Their songs are highly danceable and just down right fun.
“In Memoriam” is a look back at a puppy love summer crush where drinking orange soda, riding bikes, and ripped blue jeans were regular activities. Flashbacks abound and he finds himself saying “I remember you, so remember me like we were back then, in my memory.” Don’t we wish that people we crushed on remembered only the good times we had all those years later? I do!
I’m sure you’ll find this song on repeat all weekend but should you want more, they have two amazing albums out that should be worshiped by all (especially since they have a song called “Meat Market”, which reminds me of YSA wards).
Have a great weekend and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!
Röyksopp – Happy Up Here
September 7, 2012
— 2 Comments
Sounds similar to: Daft Punk, M83, Digitalism
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here,
I may not have gone out of town for Labor Day weekend, but you can believe that as soon as 4PM hits, I’m gonna be booking it up North(east-ish) for the weekend! That’s right, I’m heading for the hills, vales, and mountains for a little R&R. As I started prepping my driving playlist, this song came on and we got reacquainted (it had been a whole 2 months since I played it last). The title itself is the perfect description of my mood once I hit the timberline.
In actuality though, this song contains so much awesomeness, not to mention the fact that the video pays copious amounts of homage to the old video game “Invaders”, set in the real world. The main hook of this song is loaded with whimsy and a carefree, happy-go-lucky feel. Heavier electronic elements join on in the bridge but this wistful theme keeps the song rolling along.
Enjoy this happy tune from the Norwegian duo Röyksopp!
Washed Out – New Theory
August 30, 2012
— 2 Comments
Similar sound to: M83, Beach House, Panda Bear
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here,
For most of us, the upcoming weekend is a holiday (yipee), and even though it’s a time of relaxation, I actually find that I’m more busy on “Chill” holidays than others such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. Am I alone in this observation? I think not. But in honor of the non-“Chill” holiday ahead, I’ve decided that we can still listen to a song that embodies everything that a 3-day weekend should be.
Let me introduce you to Chillwave. Chillwave music is simplistic, filled with ambient tones, a simple melody, and is meant to invoke a laid-back feeling. It incorporates bits of new wave and dream pop to fulfill the overall “chill”. Listening to the song below, I know you’ll imagine several things: relaxing at a bon fire on the beach, driving on a road trip, or if you’re a little deranged you’ll imagine a slideshow of photos that you took using Instagram which make you feel incredibly hipster.
Washed Out doesn’t really need an introduction. He’s an American fella who likes to make tunes that are dialed back from regular pop. That’s about it! One thing I love about Chillwave music – it’s complex but not complicated. With that, may you be able to steal a few peaceful moments this weekend and hopefully, this song will help you get there. ENJOY!
The Rapture – Come Back To Me
August 24, 2012
Similar to: The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, LCD Soundsystem
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
I have a fascination for accordions. They are such a quirky-looking, unique sounding instrument that adds an element of classical and whimsical to any sound it is a part of. How awesome too that it puts out so much sound and but that is is simply powered by the musician. Added bonus, every accordion player gets to dance while they’re making music. Not a lot of musicians can do that (dancing with a xylophone or a string bass are just a taaaaad difficult).
How do accordions tie into “Come Back To Me”? To begin with, the entire 1st half of the song is a looped accordion song set to an awesome thump-whumping drum beat. Add to that the call-and-response vocal harmonies going on with the lead and the background singer and you’ve got yourself a song unlike any you’ve ever heard before. The Rapture, who must be a gift from heaven itself, never cease to amaze me.
That being said, I admit the singer doesn’t have the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard, but don’t discount the fact that he can indeed put emotion and incredible inflections on the vocals. Also, prepare yourself for a change-up halfway through the song, it take a spin for a different direction that is a real treat.
Happy Friday!!
Cass McCombs – County Line
August 14, 2012
Similar sounding artists: The Shins, Andrew Bird, Simon & Garfunkel
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here,
We’re gonna dial it back a bit for a good Tuesday song that may or may not make you a bit nostalgic, lugubrious, or a combination of both. Most of our songs have a peppy beat but this really has the feel of a Tuesday (the day after Monday that is not quite Wednesday).
Cass McCombs is somewhat of a mystery to most. While he thinks he has the personality of a wet blanket, there seems to be a factory of wheels working in that songwriters head that used to churn out many a depressing ballad. With his now more mature sound, his lyrics are a bit more hopeful for the most part. I’m not sure which the case is for “County Line” though. It has a fair share of ups and downs. His sweet tones and the dulcet vibraphones seem to glaze over the sad bits and whilst it seems he is pining for his home of yesteryear, there is a tinge of happiness at just the mere thought of memories there.
Enjoy “County Line” and hope your Tuesday is more fulfilling that most!
Junior Boys – You’ll Improve Me
August 10, 2012
If you like artists such as: New Order, Cut Copy, Hot Chip
This song is rated: 2 Pills – intermediate musicologist level
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here,
Gonna try something a little different here. Don’t know if you noticed that not only did I include the pill indicator (how normal to different a songs sound is), I also tossed in a “If you like artists such as….”, because several of my patients (readers) have indicated that is a feature they’d also like to see. We’ll give it a try for a bit and see if it helps you kiddos relate to the songs a little more.
On to Junior Boys!! This Canadian duo (yeah, it makes me shiver at the thought too) actually have quite the aptitude for creating catchy dance beats which inversely contrasts with out soft the vocals are. Each song they churn out is complex with it’s layers of synth yet because of the youthful timbre of the singers voice they maintain a calculated restrained feel.
This delicious little ditty of “You’ll Improve Me” shows a bit of that restraint as it is sung to a girl that has “never been lonely” yet the only way to win her heart is to play and act like he doesn’t care. (Oh, if only I had a dime for every pretty girl I’ve been friends with who is just like this girl, I would have bought the Seychelles islands a decade ago). Somehow though, he seems to think that he is going to benefit from this venture not only by winning her heart, but turning into a heartless player just like her. It is a bittersweet cycle, but a cool song! I know you’ll love it and it’s perfecto for the weekend.
Enjoy (and please share the contagion with your friends)!
Timber Timbre – Black Water
August 3, 2012
— 1 Comment
Sounds Similar To: The Black Keys, Gardens & Villa, Alexander
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
Funny story, I was up late on Wednesday night, had a whole post typed out and then, right as I was about to hit “Publish”, the page reset and my whole post went kaput. Needless to say at that point I was far too cranky/tired/thwarted/sleep-drunk to write it all again. So here goes attempt #2, which will be shorter as a result.
I love the name of this band. It’s along a similar vein of the double band name fad that his us in 2009 with bands like Germany Germany and Blackbird Blackbird, but it’s not at the same time. Tricky tricky! Really though, it adds a quirky earthy feel to their name to think of the literal translation as “Wood Sound”, which works wonderfully with the actual character of their sound.
Even just the title “Black Water” brings to mind a backwoods swamp scene replete with rocking chair sitting, banjos and possibly a little voodoo (did I mention the name of the album is “Creep On Creepin’ On”??). The song does have that sound in addition to being a good deal rock-bluesy. I also enjoy the lyrics preceding each verse “All I need is some is some sunshine, all I neeeeeeeed.” However my favorite part is the saxophone chorus transition, it’s epic! And mark my words, saxophones are making a huge comeback. This is my serious face.
Hoping your weekend is filled with sunshine indeed, enjoy!
Charli XCX – You’re The One
July 27, 2012
— 1 Comment
This song is rated: 2 Pills – intermediate musicologist level
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here,
Oh the 90’s. I look around and I’m starting to see evidences of 90’s fashion creeping into the general populaces wardrobes. Guys shirts with dramatically cut-out sleeves, velvet turtleneck dresses, neon bicycle shorts…this kinda scares me. I can think of only a handful of unique 90’s styles that were ever flatting at all. Everything else was extreme, chunky, garish, ill-fited, boxy, too loose…the list could go on. With this video though, I’m kinda contemplating dusting off my pair of platformed Doc Martin combat boots. Yeah, yikes. Not only does little Charli XCX look very awesome in her 90’s-ish garb, this 90’s tilted song is rather bodacious itself.
The first thing that stood out to me of this song was how eerily similar Charli’s voice is to Marina (of Marina & The Diamonds). However, I’d classify her as a more goth version. A lot of the similar vocal timbre is attributed to the fact that they are both British lasses. There’s something about the water over there that makes certain singers very distinctive. I’m finding that this song is kinda driving me crazy, in a semi-good way, because it sounds like a mesh of so many bands/songs from the 90’s and I can’t quite pinpoint which ones exactly. I’ve come up with New Order, Depeche Mode, Madonna, Savage Garden, and Janet Jackson, but I know there are more I’m missing. What bands does it sound like to you? My favorite 90’s element comes in at 2:30 where she does a spoken word portion that was requisite for so many songs back in the day. Priceless.
It shouldn’t be hard to surmise from the title that this is a song about certain people making you feel a certain way, seeing things differently (perhaps with a “Golden Light”?), basically being twitterpated. I’m gonna just cut to the chase and let you see and feel the deep electro-buzz bass for yourself. This song makes me wanna bust out all of my old dance moves, so I’m going to go have a mini dance party for one right now!
As a side note: she has been opening up for Coldplay on their tour this summer so you might want to get her songs asap before she hops on the super-stardom train (and she’s only 19!!!).
Charli XCX – You’re The One EP – Amazon
Twin Shadow – Golden Light
July 20, 2012
— 2 Comments
This song is rated: 2 Pills – intermediate musicologist level
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here,
Twin Shadow (otherwise known as the man George Lewis Jr.) just released the new album “Confess” last week and, yes, I must confess, that I’m liking it very verrrrrry much. One critic went so far as to aptly describe it as being “so unabashedly ’80s you half-expect Molly Ringwald to crash the party” (Stephanie Benson of Rhapsody). The entire collection is crunch synth heavy, with elements of arena rock and drifting wave vocals. Some of the songs are outright homages to Prince and The Police! And I’m ok with that, I know you will be too.
“Golden Light” is the first track on the album, which might have been a bad call since it’s so good, I’ve hardly listened to any of the other songs…. Starts of with an soft synth that plays the hook and a buzz drones in crescendos. While the chorus maybe seem heavy, it actually feels reined in, building an intensity to the drama unfolding. Add to that, the baseline also doubles up the first beats of each measure in the chorus as and throws in some good slapping to thicken the bottom plot. I can envision, if I were ever asked to direct the music video (BIG HINT!!!), a Mad Max-esque scene where Twin Shadow comes out pumping his fist in the air, leather jacket clad cronies filling in behind him, and shouts “Some people say there’s a golden light, you’re the golden light (I will follow). and if I chase after you does that mean that it’s true?!” while he dances in the desert. It’s just that epic of a feeling. After the first verse a twangy surf rock guitar accompanies but interestingly enough doesn’t detract from the electro-vibe of the whole number. I say brilliantly done Mr. Lewis, bravo.
I hope you enjoy this and that it becomes the anthem of your weekend!
Amazon.com MP3’s Twin Shadow – “Confess” (ONLY $3.99 RIGHT NOW!!)
Concentrating on seeing the “Golden Light”.
MVSCLES – Sweet N’ Sour
July 10, 2012
This song is rated: 2 Pills – intermediate musicologist level
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here,
I don’t know about you but just the thought of good sweet and sour pork Chinese food is making my mouth water already! I don’t know what the deal is with the spelling, but I think it’s a whimsical device. The song “Sweet N’ Sour” will probably do the same after you’ve tasted this a few times. This Boston duo only has this one dish to offer, but it’s a punchy little number.
Heavily electronic and yet light on instruments and vocals, it contains the sweetness of a pop song without the icky sugar coma that follows. In fact, is reminds me a little of Discovery (we’ll feature them in a few months!). I’m not quite sure the whole meaning of the song but it does make one good point that can be said for many experiences in life “If I hadn’t met sour than I’d never know sweet.” I hope you enjoy this little ditty.
Raging Contagion 