Raging Contagion
Music so good it will make you sick!
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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.
Usher – Climax (Them Jeans Remix)
July 6, 2012
— 2 Comments
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here, again!
As I said in the previous post, for your immense mastery in patience, you are rewarded with Double Whammy Remix Friday (in my mind, it’s said “Double Whammy Wemix Fwiday”). “Silk” was the chill song. This is the emotional one complete with the sound of tears falling.
Usher rose like a rocket with his smooth smile, slick moves, and y’know his voice, of course. He’s had R&B slams, won some grams (7!), and topped with numerous club jams. This fella is at the top of the pop food chain so really I don’t need to bore you as to how Them Jeans hit gold with choosing his voice for remixing. What I will tell you is that this rendition, which is a notch slower than the original tempo, is a heart break. This is the most vulnerable I have ever heard Usher sing in recorded song. It makes me want to weep for his pain of reaching that “breaking point” in a relationship (which I’m sure this is in directly from his first-had experience of a divorce). Before we get to the nitty-gritty, let me also add that mad props need to be given to Diplo for producing the original. It’s a brilliant piece.
The words “It’s too late” reverb throughout the beginning. It echoes through your head, reminding you of all those missed chances you had to say sorry, do something better, try a little harder to revive a romance. While the MJ-like “Beat It” drums might seem insensitive, the chords crank up as if they’re quivering in anguish. “I’ve fallen somehow, feet off the ground, love is the blood that keeps raining down. Where are you now when I need you around? I’m on my knees but it seems we’re going nowhere fast ” The lyrics to this are actually quite profound in how sometimes you need to concede your error to repair something worth fighting for, but when no one wants to admit fault, the chasm to reconciliation seems like an ocean (you’ll hear dripping noises in this remix too). Yeah, I don’t wanna be a Debbie Downer to the weekend so would it make you feel better if I told you that yes, this song is also FREE??!! Click the “Download” button on the player below to get yours.
“Where are you now when I need you the most?”
Giselle – Silk (Cosmic Kids Remix)
July 6, 2012
This song is rated: 2 Pills – intermediate musicologist level
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here,
Thanks again for your love and support last week. Also, thanks for your extreme patience in waiting an entire week and a half between songs! Because you, young students (said in a karate master type voice), have mastered such patience, you shall be rewarded with not one, but two songs. And not just any two songs, but two remixes that will be more than sufficient to satisfy your boundless thirst for musical knowledge. I will post each song separately as they deserve individual mention and not to be overshadowed by each other (listen to “Climax” here).
First up we have a chillwave offering for you folks who love 80’s synth-heavy songs dialed back to a more relaxed pace. Giselle is only getting started in the music scene Down Under, but because she offers clear and sweet soprano vocals, her songs are quickly becoming favorites to remix, as is the case with here. Quite honestly on a musican scale, I’m not impressed with what she has to offer other than the timbre of her voice, however, she is only 20 so hopefully she can learn a lot in the next few years. That being said, Cosmic Kids have fabricated a mix of metaphorically musical uppers and downers which weave “Silk” into a trance-like tune.
To start it off, you’re introduced to bongo drums and island-esque guitar hits every 8 beats. A “rev” that’s borrowed directly from Mariah Careys 90’s hit “I’ve Been Thinking About You” slams you next accompanied by gentle claps that lure you in. After the first verse which ends with “You held me tighter when I pushed you away. You turned my sorrow into silk, you turned my sorrow…” the keyboard starts to crescendo and fry, turning into wave after wave of mandatory head bobbing delight. Get carried away in the current that is “Silk”. Best part about this song? It’s free (Cosmic Kids went over their allowed ‘shares’ on soundcloud so they posted it here)!!!
Loving the turtlenecks, fellas!
Phantom Planet – Something Is Wrong
June 26, 2012
— 3 Comments
This song is rated: 1 broken heart – anyone with any feeling at all can relate
Hello there, Dr. Whuzzerface here.
Usually our posts are bright, clever, and fun to be around. Today, however, I write this with a very tender heart and misty eyes. Losing things are never easy, especially people in our lives. At about 8PM last night I received news that a friend of mine passed away. I won’t delve into the details. I know how much this friend loved music. One of his guilty pleasure songs was “Walking In Memphis” by Mark Cohen. But the only band that I could think of that would sufficiently suit my feelings right now was Phantom Planet. Oh, the years of understanding we’ve had with each other. Simple songs sometimes say it the best.
There’s really nothing more to this song than guitar, the singer, and a little haunting glass harmonica in the background. The part in this song that gets me crying is when he gets to the halfway mark and says “Now I fear that I may taste these tears rolling down my face.” Tears are salty, bitter, and never a joy to taste, much like the crying that precedes them. Gosh, I cannot even put into words my feelings write now. I apologize if this was much more lugubrious than you anticipated. I will make it up to you next week. If you can’t handle it, here’s their slightly more optimistic “One Ray Of Sunlight”
Raging Contagion 