Raging Contagion

Raging Contagion

Raging Contagion

Music so good it will make you sick!

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Stepdad – My Leather

May 20, 2013

Sounds similar to: Ghost Beach, Superhumanoids, MNDR

 

Maybe it’s because Phoenix Comicon is this upcoming weekend, but I have video games on the brain. Which is especially funny since the beginning of this song sounds to me like the 8-bit Nintendo version of what a silent film organ would be.  So just imagine Charlie Chaplin doing it trademark “waddle-walk” while your ears get a load of a song about a Trampire. Here’s a “bite” of the lyrics:

She’s got style
she rips it off my back and puts it on her coat hook
She won’t smile
you’d best avert your eyes and not give her a second look
Things she wants
not a companion but some pages in her journal
Things go wrong
we started equal but it got way too paternal
 
She wants a coat made of my leather, and my fur, and my nails
She’s always cold despite the weather, she needs sun, she’s so pale
You think she’s had enough, it’s not enough, she always wants more
She always wants more of my leather, and my fur, and my nails.
 

Yup, that’s exactly what a Trampire does: lures a guy in and drains him of life, money and whatever else she wants until he’s nothing but a bag of bones, AND THEN she wants that too! Think women like that don’t exist? Think again. They’re out there so be careful.

In the meantime, have fun with this and hopefully I’ll see y’alls at Comicon!

Elbow – Mirrorball

May 8, 2013 — 1 Comment

Sounds similar to: Radiohead, Turin Brakes, Travis

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

Now that Birthday-month has died down, let’s get back to what really matters – MUSIC!  This time of the year is kind of a funny one. All sorts of mixed emotions for the upcoming graduates. They’re excited, they’re unsure what the future holds for them, they’re fearless, yet they are afraid of growing up. But there’s also another seasonal slew of events that happen around this time of the year too. Since lots of college students will be done with school for the summer, at least around here, it’s a very very VERY popular time of the year for weddings.

Well, I happen to associate this song as being one of the sweetest and most endearing love songs that would be beyond ideal for playing as a “first dance” song.  The veteran Brits that are Elbow ain’t making some puppy love song here with cliched and meaningless words, these lyrics are sweet, sincere, and born of a love that doesn’t wash away with time. Guy Garvey’s gently gritty voice lulls you with with these words:

We took the town to town last night
We kissed like we invented it
And now I know what every step is for
to lead me to your door

Know that while you sleep
everything has changed

We made the moon our mirror ball
The street’s an empty stage
the city sirens, violins
Everything has changed

Just reading the second line make me a little light headed and weak in the knees….But seriously, how epic and romantic is that, imagining the moon is a mirror ball while you dance?!  I’m sure you’ll find more to love about it, I need a moment to compose myself. ENJOY!!

We’ll make the moon our mirroball.

Boyz Noize – This Is What You Want

April 25, 2013

Sounds Similar To: Chromeo, JUSTICE, Röyksopp

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

I know they say that if you tell your birthday wish after you blow out candles, it won’t come true, but I don’t care – I WANNA BE A SUPER-something!  Hero/woman/rad/smash/shuttle/8, doesn’t matter, just super at something. What luck then that my ears would pick up on this song in crowded New York City and compel me to shout to my sister “I must know what this song is…Give me your smartphone!!!”  Lo and behold, this song not only sounds super, the plot of the video centers on a regular man, surrounded by supers. (Whenever I walk into a singles even, that is how I feel.)

So you say you want super music? Then that is what you’ll get.  ENJOY!!

Everything Everything – Kemosabe

April 12, 2013

Sounds Similar To: Friendly Fires, Darwin Deez, Bombay Bicycle Club

Hi there, Whuzzerface here!

We made it to the last Friday before the tickets will be given away. If you haven’t liked or subscribed yet, you don’t want to miss out on your chance to go to one of three local concerts FOR FREE!!

Now to business.  This is one song title that is definitely not overused. If you know me at all in real life, you’ll know that I love word origins. In looking up the word “Kemosabe” I was surprised by what I learned. The writer for the old-time radio show “The Lone Ranger” got the word from a boys summer camp that his father-in-law owned called “Camp Kem-Oh Sah-bee”. The word doesn’t have an exact origin to a specific Native American dialect though, however it’s connotation is meant as “Trusted Scout” or “Loyal Friend”.   So since the lyrics through the entire chorus are “Kemosabe, I’m alone”, it kinda hits home a little more. There are parts in each of the verses that sound extremely similar to 311 with the guitar and bass lines dancing around at frenetic paces.

Mad props must be given to the dancer in the video. This guy is a break dancing beast. He practically spends 95% of the video dancing solely on his hands, his feet rarely touch the ground, AND he’s on the forest floor!!! LOVE IT!

Hope you enjoy it. Have a great weekend!

Vance Joy – Riptide

April 5, 2013

Sounds Similar To: Of Monsters & Men, The Lumineers, Jack Johnson

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

I had about 5 other songs queued and drafted up (I know, I was shocked that I was planning ahead too!) but the moment I heard this song, I knew it was destined to end up on here, and soon. This song has all the sincerity and sound of a live performance, probably mostly due to the slightly out of tune ukelele, but there’s also a richness which envelopes you as the chorus sweeps in.

Aussie Vance Joy will be tearing up the charts with this song, just like a riptide. A song like this is group sing-a-long type tune that will have you envisioning the beautiful coast line waters and breezes in no time flat. So soak up some relaxing music and have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE TICKET GIVEAWAY THIS MONTH!!

Ukelele’s aren’t chew toys.

Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream

April 2, 2013

Sounds Similar To:  MGMT, Miami Horror, Cut Copy

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

This is one of the most fun videos I’ve seen ever. The costuming is gorgeous, the scenery is colorful, it is rife with Asian influences, there have to be about a millions inside jokes to this, and the dancing and props are nostalgic of 80’s and the movie Labyrinth…all in all, it’s a bit of enigma and I have been just starving for the new album they recently announced!! Methinks my fixation with this group stems from partial jealousy that I can dress like this in my normal-everyday garb (c’mon, you know it’d be so fun!).

The Australian duos name, Empire of The Sun, does stem from Asiatic roots. Their sound however, is futuristic. This song, transcendent. I can’t get enough of it. Enjoy!

P.S. Don’t forget about our Birthday Bash Ticket Giveaway!! (Rules have been updated – MORE CHANCES TO WIN!)

BIRTHDAY TICKET GIVEAWAY!!

March 25, 2013 — 6 Comments

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

LET ME START OFF WITH THE BIG STUFF

April is “BIRTHDAY PARTY MONTH” at Raging Contagion!!

April 1st is Raging Contagions 1st birthday (it is but a wee babe yet) and April 25th is MY birthday (not at all as young as this blog). I love to live it up for my birthday especially since there are always really good concerts in town that month. As such, we thought and pondered about the best way to celebrate. I consulted local concert calendars and came up with a grand idea. Since I personally plan on attending about 6 concerts in the month (3 within my birth week) we are going to do a TICKET GIVEAWAY so you can come and party with me. How fun will that be!

Raging has told me that it would love some more followers for it’s birthday gift so here’s how we’re going to run this contest. Each of these gets you one entry to the giveaway:

  1. LIKE us on Facebook   or follow us on here (it’s super easy, just click “+Follow” and it will email you new posts).
  2. Share this post on Facebook, or any post from us
  3. For every friend you get to follow us (in either of the forms) you get an additional entry (Just let us know via email or Facebook which of your friends followed so we can verify). Maybe even bribe them with the line “Hey, if you follow it and I win the drawing, I’m gonna take you with me to the concert!”
  4. Do the math. You + 2 friends”likes” = 3 entries for you, 1 for each o’ dem. Everyone gets a chance!

The prize is a pair of tickets to one of these concerts (three of these groups we’ve already featured on here at least once!):

All concerts are held at the impeccable Crescent Ballroom 308 N. 2nd Ave. Phoenix, AZ. The winner will be responsible for their own transportation to the venue. Ticket pick up will be arranged directly with the winner either before the event or night of (if you want to go to dinner before, you’re paying for yourself, but I’d be game for noshing with you!).
The deadline is April 15th and a winner will be randomly selected from the entries out of a hat by a blind monkey. Ok, maybe not a blind monkey, they’re hard to find and the insurance…., but we’ll be sure to blindfold cheerlubber and have her draw a name out of my Indiana Jones hat. That’s close enough to a monkey ;-)

I am super excited for this especially because I love having concert buddies. There are few things as fun as listening to a live band and dancing the night away.

So get on it, you know you wanna come party!!

Crystal Castles – Affection

March 15, 2013

Sounds Similar To: The XX, Washed Out, M83

Hi there, Whuzzerface here.

This song will throw you for a loop. Coming in hard with it’s Timbaland-esque beat and bass line, so of course you’d be expecting to get slapped hard with heavy lyrics as you start the gangsta head bob. Not the case for this song! These haunting lyrics float into your ear canal, as if you were listening to them through a wall, your ear pressed up to a glass to hear better. My favorite is the second phrase in the lyrics is so indiscernible but just carries over like a legato hold to the next phrase, and as it does, my heart flutters.

Here’s the challenge of the day: Listen to the song at least one time through. Make that 2 times. Were you able to decipher any of the lyrics? If not, I’ll post the lyrics below, they’ll really trip you up:

Catch a moth hold it in my hand
crush it casually
Without past I can’t disappoint
my ancestry
Forever can I sleep inside
your menagerie

Catch a moth hold it in my hand
crush it casually
Without past I can’t disappoint
my ancestry
Forever can I sleep inside
your menagerie

We drown in pneumonia not
rivers and streams

IF YOU GOT ANY OF THE LYRICS RIGHT, I WILL BUY YOU A PIECE OF CHEESECAKE!

Enjoy!!

Class Actress – Keep You

March 8, 2013

Sounds Similar To: Twin Shadow, Selebrities, Charli XCX, Phantogram

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

As soon as you hit play, you might be slightly confused. No, this is not a B-side track from New Order, although the analog synth sounds, not to mention the filtered simplistic beating drum machine, sound like they don’t belong to any other artist. Well I am happy to tell you that, someone else can create a similarly delicious sound to New Order and that Class Actress lives up to their name. They are classy, and they are not putting on an act, they really remain true to their craft. I could delve into the depth and sultriness of the lyrics, but like the lyrics repeat over and over again, they just “keep you” thinking about keeping someone in your arms for as long as the moment allows, so that’s where I’ll leave that.

One of my favorite parts begins after the second chorus, where there is a playful bit of pitch-bend going on. Love it.

If this song is a MUST for you to own, because I am DANG GLAD I got it, there are several places to get it below. ENJOY!

Class Actress – Amazon MP3

Class Actress – Keep You – Download this one – RCRD LBL

Perseus – Love In Zanzibar – FREE DOWNLOAD

March 4, 2013

Sounds Similar To: The Magician, Chris Malinchak, Gigamesh

Hi there, Whuzzerface here.

It’s time to introduce you to a new hybrid music genre. Today’s focus, boys and girls, is on Nu-Disco (everyone say “oooOOOOooo”). It is certainly not an ultra new genre, contrary to the “Nu”. It is more of genre mixture that has been maturing and percolating over the past several years. Nu-Disco takes disco beats, newwave synths, R & B vocals and packs it into an all around danceable treat that rarely a person can say they don’t like, even just a little.

This song might surprise you though, especially when you find out who the soulful songstress is that is singing “I can love you better than she can!” Care to take any guesses?……………If you ventured to say Mary J. Blige, you’re correct! Perseus pays full homage and amplifies her sass with this chilled down number. It feels like we are directly transported to the vibrant and beautiful Zanzibar!

(OH YEAH, THIS IS FREE!)