Raging Contagion
Music so good it will make you sick!
You can scroll the shelf using ← and → keys
Ewert & The Two Dragons – (In The End) There’s Only Love
June 21, 2012
— 1 Comment
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
ESTONIA WEEK is starting to come to a close so what do we do now? We’re pulling out some of our ringers! Todays selection is Ewert & The Two Dragons (pronounced “Ev-ert anne-d th-uh t-oo drag-ons”. Tee-hee!) These four fellas are making a name for themselves in the Baltic region with their indie-folk sound. I would liken their music to be a mix of Fleet Foxes, Sondre Lerche, & The Shins. Their debut album “Good Man Down” is rather impressive for an initial public offering (take note Facebook) and shows a maturity and range that usually don’t become evident in a bands sound until a 3rd or 4th album.
Let’s get back to this particular song though. I love many of the simple elements of this piece, it’s not a complicated song, but probably my favorite it the toy glockenspiel which adds a whimsical, lightheartedness to the almost fast-paced song. The hand drum is a lot of fun in the mix as well. Another point of appreciation is that they incorporate a cascading splinter 3-part harmony that makes this song a fast favorite to sing along to with friends in the car. Have fun with this song, and with your life, because as this reminds us again “(In The End) There’s Only Love”!
Amazon MP3s – Ewert & The Two Dragons
Wikipedia – Ewert & The Two Dragons
Kerli – Zero Gravity
June 19, 2012
— 2 Comments
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
What do you think of ESTONIA WEEK thus far eh? I’m sure you’re surprised at how awesome and different their sound is all at the same time! Then you’ll be even more surprised to find out that we actually first heard of the country of Estonia when we caught wind of a force of nature in a deceptively delicate-looking creature named Kerli back in 2009. After the first chorus of her song “Walking On Air”, we were hooked. So it’s rather funny that C-Bisiquit ended up living there for a while. First thing we thought of when we found out was “KERLI IS FROM THERE!”
Kerli (for Americans, the way to pronounce her name is closer to Keh-rrlie, but Care-lee works too) has been dubbed as Queen of Bubble Goth music and lives up to in her costumes on stage and in videos. We like to think of her sort of as Iiris’s older sister in song! Her rise to fame is actually a Cinderella story. She knew at a very young age she wanted to be a singer, despite all the classical training she had received in dancing and piano. At age 14, she signed up for the Baltic equivalent of American Idol back in 2002. She lied and said she was the minimum age of 15 but what do you know, she blew away the competition and won the show anyway, winning a recording deal over there and eventually getting a contract signed on the spot after singing for Island Def Jam Records execs in the US shortly after.
We’ve been almost foaming at the mouth to share this song with you and are so glad the moment is finally here! Today’s nugget of bliss comes in the form a a club-worthy number called “Zero Gravity”. You can’t NOT dance to this (to simplify that double-negative for you, you MUST dance to this). It’s such a choice beat, positive message, and space opera-centric video theme. There are even a few moments where she breaks it all down dubstep style while rocking out as what I imagine Pop Princess Rainbow Brite would look like. Can I also add these next words without making you too wary of the video: Alien space butterfly glam football. That will make sense toward the end of the video but it is really a rather rad combination of words I bet you’ve never seen before, much like you’ve never seen anything quite like Kerli before. I hope you enjoy it and keep it on repeat!
RAC – Hollywood Feat. Penguin Prison (free download)
June 15, 2012
— 2 Comments
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
Collaborations of several artists on a music project can be a double-edged sword. Santana for instance, incredible guitars but there was a phase in the last 90’s/early 2000’s where he seemed to think that he could take any top 40’s artist as the vocalist for a song and it would be an instant hit. Yeah, there were some definite trainwrecks with that formula. HOWEVER, when you get someone as disco-ly clever as Penguin Prison and master of crafty remixes like RAC, magic happens! As you may recall, Penguin Prison was briefly mentioned for his dance remix of Kimbra’s song “Settle Down“, which we posted a few weeks back. Not only does he remix like a mad man, he sings also. LUCKY US! Penguin Prison (or by his real name of Chris Glover) has a very unique timbre of voice. I can’t figure out exactly how to describe it to you but when you hear it, you’ll remember it. RAC (which stands for Remix Artist Collective) is a mastermind and rising star in seeing the potential of original songs and then making them better. Truly, I think I have about 30+ remixes of his in my possession and each one is a gem to listen to.
“Hollywood” is about losing touch with friends. Not just friends that move and drift apart because of physical distance, but friends who drift apart because of “ego distance”. You know, they get a promotion, befriend someone by the name of Rumor, and then buy a pair of French imported high heeled shoes and all of the sudden, they’re a changed person, and not in a good way either. They get too full of themselves and create an intangible barrier between themselves and the perceived hoi polloi, which apparently you’re part of too now that you can’t keep up with them. Their ego is so big that they’ve made themselves unavailable as a friend. Which is why Facebook invented the “unfriend” and why this songs like this are made. The best ‘ouch’ moment is right at the beginning when he says “I’m not telling you again that what you need is just a slap around!” It’s a danceable number that I know you’ll fall in love with by the chorus.
On the plus side, it’s all free! Free things make Fridays even more amazing.
I hope you like it and please remember to follow or leave a comment. We love hearing from our Ragers!
Click here for the free download, courtesy of Green Label Sound!
Check out the new video for this too.
Bleu – Watching You Sleep
June 8, 2012
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
We’ve all heard those scary stalker songs about being so in love with someone from afar that you follow their every move, learning all about them to the point where you practically know them better than they know themselves. This is not one of those songs. OK, this is not entirely one of those songs. My favorite way to introduce this song is, “The cutest/sweetest stalker song in the world”. It could be that I just love listening to Bleu sing so much that I’d be ok with the thought of him stalking me (I mean what girl wouldn’t be? He has incredible facial chops and used to wear his hair like Wolverine!!) But there are a few lyrical confessions in the song that make it rather tender too. For example: “I confess! I looked up your work address. It wasn’t fate I bumped into you that but it’s still me who holds your hand while you’re asleep.” Everyone say it together, “Awwwww”.
Musicality wise, the song isn’t complicated. It has a basic acoustic guitar, a sort of lazy clap & snare beat, and some solid vocal harmonies in the chorus. This song can be found on his album “Redhead” (Which is a treasure trove of audio goodness. Three of the songs ended up on 2 soundtracks back in the the early 2000’s!).
While I don’t condone stalking for the most part, this song will be stuck in your head so badly that you’ll be obsessed with it to the point where if it were a person, yeah, you’d stalk it too.
Happy stalking, er, I meant FRIDAY!
Amazon – “Redhead” album by Bleu
Diplo – Set It Off
May 31, 2012
— 2 Comments
This song is rated: 2 Pills – intermediate musicologist level
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
I want to apologize briefly for the botch of “Kimbra Week”. We had such bigger plans for it and it coincided with the epic Phoenix ComicCon, which is what diverted more of our attention that we had anticipated. I promise we’ll make it up for you by saving our favorite 2 songs of hers for early June posts.
Back to biz-nez! Get yo’ fine self ready for dancing and Friday because this song practically screams “I’m ready for the weekend, get me out of this office NOW!” It could be that the lyrics “I wanna set it off” and the gun shot cocking could literally be a warning of a person about to go postal…but we’ll think happy thoughts and say that it’s a party song. “Set It Off” doesn’t actually come out until June 12th, but i’m sure if you ask very nicely, a friend or two would consider giving it to you for your unbirthday! (hint hint) If you’ve never heard of Diplo, there’s no better time than now to start getting acquainted with his distinct electronic deliciousness.
Let’s break this song down for you. Do not be deceived by the seemingly ChillWave-esque beginning, there’s a serious reggaeton punch and beat that get cracking about :53 into the song. I’m loving the oscillating pitch wave going on too, it’s entertaining. As I said above, the phrase “I wanna set it off” peals through in an ultra high pitch throughout, getting gravely and highly distorted on occasion. This song even takes a turn to the hip-hop at one point (which leads me to think that there are going to be so many good rap remixes from it!). What I like best about this is that the beat doesn’t force itself onto the listener, there are definite moments where Diplo takes a step back, lets you rest and then eases back in.
Hope you enjoy it!
Amazon – Diplo “Set It Off” (available on June 12th)
Kimbra – Two-Way Street (Day 3 of KIMBRA WEEK!)
May 24, 2012
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
We are half way through Kimbra Week on Raging Contagion. What do you kids think so far?? Well get your seat belts on because this next song literally talks about driving (and refers to crashing, so you might just wanna be on the safe side). I have a very limited personal experience with falling in love but from what I’ve had I can tell you every lyric in this song is exactly true. You can’t force it one way or the other, it requires give and take by both. A meeting in the middle. Perfect timing. All of these somehow are what make that moment when you both confess that you love and that your love is returned so incredibly magical. For those who’ve been fortunate to have had this happen multiple times, you are truly lucky. For others (like me) who seem to keep hitting all the red lights and missing it but a few minutes/days, maybe one day we’ll have good timing like you.
Anyways, back to the song. I love that Kimbra not only makes this song incredibly visual with how the flow of traffic is compared to love, she’s also creative in the sounds you hear. If you’re attentive, you’ll notice there are several times throughout the song where she talks about how “the cars could all collide, the shards of glass won’t catch my eye…” and not too long before and after there is literally the sound of glass breaking. It’s incredible how much a an impact that adds to the lyrics when you hear more of them. Best part about this post today? This is the official video WITH illustrated lyrics! Best of both worlds. So yeah, while you’re listening/reading, think about this crazy process of falling in love is and how much of it has to do with crossing each others paths at the right time and place. Enjoy!
Kimbra – Cameo Lover
May 23, 2012
This song is rated: 1 Pill – entry-level for music novices
cheerlubber here, and stoked to celebrate KIMBRA WEEK! We’re just getting started but are you guys enjoying it so far? Just kidding, that’s a rhetorical question, of course you are.
Next up in Kimbra Week is her song Cameo Lover. This upbeat, retro-inspired track is way too fun to listen to, especially when it hits the chorus. It’s like a celebration and I just know you’ll want to just jump out of your chair and prance around with a giant grin on your face. I know I did…
The music video is fun and colorful and I think fits the song perfectly. Isn’t Kimbra just adorbs? She looks like a little doll here. Love the energetic choreography and the tambourines, and I especially love the colored suits. I’d like to see those kinds of hues worn more often–at the office, weddings, church, or even at a baseball game. Can you imagine how much happier the world would be if we all just went around wearing bright colors like that?
What are you waiting for? “Open up your heart” and check out the music video below! (Also remember, we love comments! :) )
KIMBRA WEEK!! Kimbra – Settle Down (Penguin Prison Remix)
May 22, 2012
— 2 Comments
This song is rated: 2 Pills – intermediate musicologist level
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
For any of you that have been blasting Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” back to back for days on end, you need to be introduced to the other half of that brilliant song, her name is KIMBRA. Remember it. In honor of her album “Vows” being released tomorrow in the US (I ordered the Australian release months ago and love it to bits and pieces!), we are hosting KIMBRA WEEK on Raging Contagion. Every day, and I mean each and every day, we will highlight one of her epic tracks for you to fall in love with, as we have.
We already sorta introduced her to you when we had last months “Warrior” collab she did with A-Track and Mark Foster. Todays track is how I came to find her on my radar in the first place. The brilliant Penguin Prison remixed her song “Settle Down” and disco-fied it a few years back. It is an unsubtle proposition to the object of her desire that she wants to settle down, have a child named “Nebraska Jones”, and then she battles it out with “the other woman”, all in the matter of 1 song. And for being so pint-sized, Kimbra has vocal chords that seem as if they’re always on over-drive. Without further ado, here’s our first tidbit for Kimbra Week!
P.S. Check out the original music video link below, there are burning porcelain dolls in it!
Living Days – Let’s Kiss
May 15, 2012
— 1 Comment
This song is rated: 2 Pills – intermediate musicologist level
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here!
I’m in a bit of a phase right now. My last few posts are heavily 80’s influenced and this goes right along with them. This song is a mixture of The Cars, The Cure, Berlin, & Gary Newman in a delicious blend of romantic newwave. Probably the best track off of Living Days “Make Out Room pt. 1” album (do you think they’re trying to get a message across??), Stephonik Youth sings her heart out (and yes, it’s a woman singing) to a person and oh-so-unsubtly states the fact that “You were the one that got away….Let’s kiss!” A fun peppy and yet alluring tune which makes me also want to just walk up to a perfect stranger at a punk concert and say it. Buuuuuut who am I kidding, if I have to type it out to think about it, I’ll never actually do it…..or will I??
Well, I hope you enjoy this song (and any lip action you may get from it!!!).
Ben Browning – Bullet Island
May 9, 2012
— 1 Comment
This song is rated: 2 Pills – intermediate musicologist level
Hi there, Dr. Whuzzerface here,
Have you ever experienced that moment of elation when you’re listening to a song and the feelings you experience whisks you away to a delicious childhood memory? That is exactly what this song did/does to me. Ben Browning is the bassist of the delectable band Cut Copy and in March released his own solo album “Lover Motion”, much to my delight. You might hear a heavy influence from Ben in C.C.’s songs after listening to Ben’s solo album, but there is enough of a difference between the two as well to make it a fresh, new experience.
Back to the memories: Bullet Island is a purely synthesized dreamscape instrumental journey. The intro and initial build up take a while, but don’t get impatient, every keyboard note is important. The real drive and magic of the song starts at 1:14, where the keyboard starts breaking it down and picking it up to the pinnacle at 1:23, where you finally crest the precipice and take flight on your very own flying good luck dragon. Yup, Never Ending Story is the memory that keeps flashing back whenever I listen to this song. I strongly suggest that you close your eyes once you get to that point in the song, what memories does it chock up for you?
I hope you enjoy it, and please leave a comment telling me about which childhood moment this song stirs!
Ben Browning – Lover Motion – Amazon
Raging Contagion 