Raging Contagion
Music so good it will make you sick!
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Animal Drama – Spordipäev
June 23, 2012
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
cheerlubber again, here to finish off ESTONIA WEEK!
I think it’s gone pretty well, haven’t you? To be honest, when we first planned this we only had 3 artists in mind. After much searching, I came across other groups and we didn’t have to have two songs by the same artist! I’m pretty sure I’ve come across every artist Estonia has to offer by now, though, considering they only have a population of about 1.3 million. There’s still some songs I’d like to share with you guys, but it’ll have to be later on because we’re gonna wrap it up here.
Perfect for a relaxing Saturday, I present you with the band Animal Drama and their song Spordipäev, meaning “Sports Day” (what we’d call “field day” here). Spordipäev is a very whimsical, upbeat song, a bit like something OK Go might do. The indie pop-rock band from Tartu (the college town in Estonia) has been around since 2007, had some line-up changes in 2009, and then released Spordipäev as their latest single in November of last year. The main singer, Fredy Schmidt, is actually active in another band as well: Laika Virgin. I liked what I heard from them as well so it was tough to decide which of Fredy’s bands to highlight. Maybe I’ll throw in a song by them later on down the road. That’s about all I could find of Animal Drama, really. I can’t even find where to buy their music, which is a shame because I would.
Animal Drama Official Facebook (you can download three of their songs for free here, including Spordipäev; click on “BandPage,” then hover over the listed songs and there should be a Download button [realized the Spordipäev download is in .wav format for some inexplicable reason. Converted it to .mp3 for you here])
Animal Drama Official MySpace (I know, I know–MySpace. But hey, a lot of artists still host their music on here. You can’t download songs, but you can listen to some of their other music they don’t have posted elsewhere. Do eet!)
OYT – Shut Up Fool feat. Jukka Eskola
June 22, 2012
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
Doctah cheerlubbah in da house.
Look at us go–we’re managing to post everyday! Today I bring a little funk to ESTONIA WEEK with this electro-jazz-r&b jam by OYT, Shut Up Fool feat. Jukka Eskola. OYT is a project group comprised of three producers, MC Busta, Sander Mölder, and DJ S.I.N. The three all have pretty different styles but come together and make something great. They label this collaboration as “electronic soul.” I really dig the reverberating wha-wha-wha, the minimal bass that gives the song just enough structure without being overbearing, the smooth vocals by Sander Mölder, and then the suave trumpet you hear singing out, courtesy Finnish solo trumpeter Jukka Eskola. It’s a very chill and groovy song, wouldn’t you agree? Well you will when you take a listen below!
Mimicry – The Destination
June 20, 2012
This song is rated: 2 Pills – intermediate musicologist level
cheerlubber here.
Today for ESTONIA WEEK, we present you with the track The Destination by synthpop duo Mimicry. This is yet another song with a huge 80s vibe. Can you tell we love 80s music? The keyboard, the echo-y vocals…I’m really not good at describing parts of a song and breaking it down into why it’s so 80s without being repetitive and redundant (Whuzzerface is far better at that sort of thing), it just IS and it’s great. This group was formed in 2004 and certainly has some funky, psychedelic stuff. This is probably their tamest song that I’ve heard so far. I know I say this a lot too, but I can guarantee your head will start bobbing to the music, à la Night at the Roxbury. BONUS: found a free download of this song from their website! w00tw00t! Free download here
IIRIS – Weirdo
June 18, 2012
— 1 Comment
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
cheerlubber again!
Continuing with ESTONIA WEEK, I present to you today with great pleasure the singer Iiris Vesik. Only 20 years old, she’s been active as a singer for a few years now, doing only a little bit here and there, until she signed on with EMI in 2011 and released her first full album, The Magic Gift Box, in March of this year. I don’t often buy physical CDs much anymore, but I snatched this one up as soon as I could find an international shipper. When it finally arrived, I had never been so excited and happy to hold a physical CD in my hands before. I love her funky, weird, alt-pop style and she’s just so adorable. If you ever watch an interview of her in English, she has the cutest little voice and accent.
In Weirdo, we see IIRIS in what seems to be a madhouse. You may not quite understand what’s going on but it doesn’t matter because it’s a madhouse. It’s a bit quirky but whimsical, and the dancing old men are too cute. Check out Weirdo below and stay tuned for more Estonia goodness later in the week!
Buy IIRIS – The Magic Gift Box CD or digitally on Amazon
ESTONIA WEEK!! Rudolf Tobias – Otsekui hirv kisendab
June 17, 2012
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
Howdy ho, cheerlubber here~
Like when we had Kimbra Week a few weeks back (or…half-week rather, but the intended concept is the same), we’ll be doing themed weeks now and then. The very special theme for this week is music from ESTONIA. “Estonia?” you say with a raise of your brow. “I have not heard of such a place.” There’s no need to fret–thanks to the wonders of modern technology and the internet, there is a magical place of all knowledge called Wikipedia. Now that you’ve clicked on that handy-dandy link I so graciously gave you and have glanced a bit at what Estonia is all about (and in case you didn’t read too far in, here’s an interesting fact I know you didn’t know just two seconds ago: Skype was created in and is largely still operated out of Estonia. The same developers were also behind Kazaa, if you’re enough of a veteran to know what that was), you may be wondering, “Whyyy Estonia?” with another raised brow.
One of mine and Whuzzerface’s sisters lived in Estonia for about a year and a half. She left for Estonia two years and two days ago exactly, so we thought we’d commemorate–if you will–the occasion with a week dedicated to music from Estonia. Don’t worry, it’s gonna be good. Estonia may be a teeny country but its artists’ have talent that is anything but. Let’s see if we can do this themed week properly this time! To start off, I’ll be highlighting the Estonian composer Rudolf Tobias. I only just learned about Tobias this week. I have not had the fortune of ever listening to any Estonian composers before because there simply aren’t that many of them. I have found many new interesting composers to look further into while preparing for this post, but unfortunately I will only have to share one with you for now. Estonia has a strong tradition of choral music (read a bit about their Singing Revolution against the Soviet Union) so I thought I’d share a choral piece. Usually I’m more of a fan of purely instrumental classical music, but this piece–translated (according to our sister) as Like the Deer Cries Out–is haunting and beautiful, a gorgeous requiem. Estonia has also had a history of being repressed, so I also kinda imagine that this song is them crying out like a deer, mourning what they’ve lost and yet still maintaining some hope for the future. Rudolf Tobias emerged as a composer during a time known as the Estonian national awakening, so this makes sense. Enjoy the moving piece below and keep a look out for other Estonian songs this week!
Ladyhawke – Paris Is Burning
June 13, 2012
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
cheerlubber here.
Raging Contagion’s been a little quiet lately, hasn’t it? Sincere apologies. Guess we got a little caught up in finding new music that we forgot to update you guys on it. Today’s post features another New Zealander, Ladyhawke, with the song Paris Is Burning from her debut album. Once part of a band, Ladyhawke broke off and released an EP as a personal project in 2008. It wasn’t long after that we discovered her and we’ve been fans since, especially of this song and her other song Magic. It was a tough decision to pick which of the two we would highlight because they’re both excellent. Magic has a great 80s new-wave pop feel to it, but something about songs about Paris catch my attention more, I suppose. Paris Is Burning features more of a funky rock sound with almost some touches of disco, although I totally dig the instrumental bridge at 2:25-2:41 when it gets its own share of a little 80s love.
If you want to check out Magic as well (and this is me saying you should), find it here: Ladyhawke – Magic
Otherwise, enjoy Paris Is Burning below, and be sure to check out more of Ladyhawke! Actually, she just released a new album that we’re digging on as well (maybe we’ll highlight one of those songs too eventually), so really, go check her out.
Kimbra – Good Intent
June 4, 2012
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
Yes, it is I, cheerlubber! Many apologies for disappearing for two weeks. It’s tough when two things you love clash on the same week; as Dr. Whuzzerface already explained, we got a little caught up in the excitement of Phoenix Comicon.
I was going to post this song for Kimbra week anyway, but coincidentally, what could be a better “apology” song than this? The siren from New Zealand strikes again as she channels a cabaret singer with this swanky number, Good Intent. I’m a sucker for big band and classic crooners (love the 30s-40s era) so this song is an instant hit for me, and the music video just seals the package. Kimbra’s a doll, but I’m equally admiring that dashing, dapper dancer that appears. Where can I get me one of those? If New Zealand is the answer (meaning he’ll also come packaged with a hot accent) then I daresay it’s worth the $1800 flight.
Enjoy the music video below, be sure to check out Kimbra, and spread the contagion!!
Claude Debussy – The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
May 20, 2012
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
cheerlubber here for the Sunday classical post.
Continuing with the relaxing little ditties I’ve been featuring, today’s post features a piece called The Girl with the Flaxen Hair by Claude Debussy, the same French Impressionist composer that brought us lovely tunes such as Claire de Lune and Reverie, among others. Debussy has always been a favorite of mine. His pieces aren’t over-complicated or complex but they’re absolutely gorgeous and engaging. I’m not sure what this piece was originally composed for but I’ve had this violin and piano arrangement for quite some time. The mute on the violin makes the piece especially soft and I can just imagine myself sitting in a field of tall grass with the wind gently tickling my face and blowing my hair…until I realize that I’m still stuck in Arizona and that summer is upon us. Good thing there is music like this to transport us to those places. Enjoy this wonderful piece below, and please–don’t be afraid to comment!
Woodkid – Iron
May 18, 2012
This song is rated: 3 Pills – heavy prescription; may induce side effects
O hay look, it’s cheerlubber.
I apologize for not getting around to a Sunday classical post this past week (for those .001% of you who actually care) but things just got a little busy. They’ll be even busier this next week but I’ll try to be better about posting anyway. Today I shall feature something a little different. What’s that? Threeee pills?! :O This is our first 3-pill song so I hope you guys are prepared (3 pills is the highest, jsyk). Y’know, thinking about it though, I don’t know if this song is that extreme. It’s different, definitely different, but we’ll play it safe because we’re not exactly sure how sensitive you guys are. Give this a listen and let us know–not only what you think of the song–but if it’s rightfully classed as a 3-pill-er or if it can safely be a 2-pill. We’d like to know how far we can push you guys. Bet you’re excited about that. :D
What we have here today is the song Iron by Woodkid, otherwise known as Yoann Lemoine, the name by which he is credited as the director of music videos like Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, Taylor Swift’s Back to December, Lana Del Rey’s Born to Die. and Mystery Jets’ Dreaming of Another World. He’s a multi-talented guy that decided to try his hand at songwriting as well, releasing his first EP last year. He’s got plans to release a full album later this year and I can’t wait to hear what he’ll bring to the table.
I love Iron because it’s so different. There’s no guitars, no booming bass, no synths. What it does have is tribal war drums, haunting organ, frantic flutes, and blaring horns. To that, Woodkid adds his low, smooth voice, complete with French accent. Some of the words may be a bit hard to understand but I think it adds to the exotic-ness of it all. I’m not really sure how to label a piece like this, but I sure wish I could because I want more of it. It sounds like it was written for a movie, which of course gets me excited, being a classical music and movie score buff. Woodkid, indubitably (always wanted to use that word), directs the music video and it’s just as cool. It’s pretty simple, really, but I think it fits perfectly with the song’s raw, gothic feel. As a bonus, it features supermodel Agyness Deyn who looks especially freaking awesome. I love how everyone presents themselves and then charges off to war, all the while looking like they’re aware they’re coming to their inevitable ends. The music video is rife with symbolism, I’m sure, but I’ve never been a good analyzer (just take a look at all my literary analysis papers); knowing that it’s there, however, intrigues me, and perhaps that’s why I have no problem watching this music video a couple times over. It speaks to my subconscious, we’ll say. Hah.
Iron was also notably featured as the music for the trailer of the video game Assassin’s Creed Revelations (gotta throw in any reference I can get to a video game :D ). The trailer is equally as awesome as the music video. In fact, I’d probably call it one of the best video game trailers of all time, and also easily trumps some movie trailers I’ve seen. Soooo that means ya’ll should go watch it. Rait nao. I would post it here, but two videos in one post is probably a bit too much. However, feel ever so free to follow the link to it here.
Before I can ramble any longer, I better go ahead and post the video, which is what you all came here for anyway. While I know I said I struggled with classifying this song earlier, there is one word that I think adequately describes it: epic.
Woodkid’s Facebook
Purchase Iron EP on iTunes
Purchase Iron EP on Amazon
Edvard Grieg – Anitra’s Dance
May 6, 2012
— 1 Comment
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
cheerlubber again.
Last night, Dr. Whuzzerface and I, along with some friends, attended the Phoenix Symphony’s performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, with acclaimed piano virtuoso Olga Kern. It was an amazing concert. In the first half, they played a symphony by a Polish composer whose work had been previously lost, due to him having to escape the Nazis and then barely survive through Russia under Stalin’s rule, but has recently been gaining more interest. The conductor told us that this was the North American premiere of this particular work. Pretty cool. I just love going to the symphony.
However, for today’s classical post, I’m going to highlight famous Norwegian composer of the late Romantic period, Edvard Grieg, with Anitra’s Dance from his popular Peer Gynt Suite. This music was originally written as incidental music for the play Peer Gynt but these few pieces collected into the suite have lived on as memorable works. You’re probably more familiar with the Peer Gynt Suite than you ever thought: I’m sure you’ll recognize the sounds of Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King very well. I’ve been familiar with Grieg for years; I’m pretty sure our Peer Gynt CD was one of my favorites for awhile growing up (alas, I think we have since lost that CD), and I also remember always dancing around when In the Hall of the Mountain King came on (more like running in place as if I’m running from the trolls that the song is about…). Some of my favorite piano pieces I’ve played over the years have been by Grieg. He’s probably the most well-known Norwegian composer and often includes Norwegian folk melodies in his music. Apparently, composing Peer Gynt was one of Grieg’s least favorite tasks, particularly In the Hall of the Mountain King, of which he said: “something that I literally can’t stand to listen to because it absolutely reeks of cow pies, ultra-Norwegian-ness and trollish self-sufficiency.” (NY Times article on Grieg)
Anitra’s Dance is one of my favorites from the Peer Gynt Suite. I managed to find a free copy of the violin sheet music online and I plan on tackling it someday, but I’d also love to get my hands on a piano arrangement. I’m not always good at explaining why I love certain classical pieces, so I’ll just let you listen and see if you can discover it for yourself.
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