Gorillaz – Clint Eastwood

December 10, 2013

Sounds similar to: Blur, Radiohead, Gnarls Barkley

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

It’s that time of year that I dub the “Downhill Holidays”. You see, after Halloween, the holidays just start rolling in faster and faster and before you know it you’re spit out on the other side of the following year a few pounds heavier, house a lot messier, even emptier, and with nothing to celebrate until Valentines Day (and what a bright spot of the year that is for some…). So forgive me if I want to go back to something a little less “Jingle Bells” and a little more “Slay Bells”. ‘Das right, I’m gonna mix up Christmas with Halloween in a very non Tim Burton way with this long forgotten gem.

I like to think of this as the Ghost of Apocalyptic Future’s song. Why the Gorillaz, partially made up of one of my high school favorite band Blur, chose to name it “Clint Eastwood”? I really don’t know nor do I care to look it up right now. Let’s just leave it up to imagination. Listening to this song, however, brings back fond memories. Have you ever been swing dancing before? I used to go at least once a week and had to get slipped in the back entrances to dance clubs because I was way under age but they needed girls who knew how to couples dance. Almost every dance I went to at one particular place, the DJ would make this the last song of the night. While it may seem slow for pop dancing, trying to do the Lindy Hop to this, you have to go VERY FAST. It was always a fun way to end the night. Here’s hoping this makes your Holiday Blues bearable! Enjoy!!

Familjen – Det Snurrar I Min Skalle

October 22, 2013 — 1 Comment

Sounds Similar to: Teddybears STHLM, Tove Styrke, Kleerup

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

My laptop lives again!!!!  Really, the biggest reason I haven’t posted as frequently in the past few months is because my dearest love in the world, Lappy, has been on the injured (and by injured, I mean the hard drive locked up to the point the even my #1 bro-in-law couldn’t crack it! When I mess up something, there are no half measures here) list so I’ve had to grab a few minutes on sympathetic sisters computers to get even email time. ‘Das all about to change!

Let’s kick off the revival with some non-English language pop music all the way from Sweden, and you know how much I love my Swedish pop!

In case you can’t see the similarity to English though, the name “Familjen” translates to “The Family” but is really just one man with many tastes. This particular song has been with me for several years floating around my “sure to get me some pep and energy” playlist. I have to add that yes, this is the OFFICIAL music video AND it won a Swedish Grammy for Best Music Video back in 2007. “Det Snurrar I Min Skalle” means “My Head Is Spinning” and one of my favorite translated lines is “I lit a fire for you and now the whole forest is burning!” (read more here)

Enjoy!

HAIM – The Wire

August 14, 2013

Sounds Similar To: Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Living Days

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

These girls kick butt! Seriously, this tight-knit crew of sisters hailing from Los Angeles are one of the strong, seriously musical and talented all-female bands that I would love to see more of.  Their tight 3 part harmony, throaty low alto voices and the accented “HUH!” makes this song great “Girl Power!” type song, and I am thinking that this will be exactly what they need propel them into the spotlight they so rightly deserve especially since they all take turns on solo verses. I’m sure this will get stuck in your head because after just hearing it twice, it’s echoing around in mine. You’re welcome. The video is also very funny. Quiz time: in which movie does the first bachelor act as the nerdy step-brother of a wanna be stunt man??

rawr

David E. Sugar – Chelsea Girls

July 19, 2013

Sounds similar to: May68, Gamble & Burke, Polarsets

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

So this song may have come out in 2007, but I still think it is a toe tapper. Favorite part about the video: my brother dances JUST LIKE the singer (and that’s not always a compliment (LOVE YA BRO!)). Second favorite part: The clappers remind me of this Japanese workout video where you learn English too, it’s crazy!

Coconut Records – Microphone

July 3, 2013

Sounds similar to: Pete Bjorn & John, The Shins, Rogue Wave

Hi there, Whuzzerface here,

While out for an early repast on Friday afternoon, my friend Jericho and I were sharing who many of our quirky favorite actresses/actors were. She mentioned one movie she and I both loved and how it is under appreciated (“Bewitched“, if anyone cares). I then added how great one of the characters was and how he’s in several other movies, how he was in the band Phantom Planet at one point, that his brother is the lead singer for Rooney, that his uncle is Francis Ford Coppola, his mother is “Adrienne” from Rocky, AND how he has an awesome side project called Coconut Records (this was all recounted in less than 10 seconds). You might already be familiar with the sweet hit that was “West Coast”. If you loved that, you’ll love this awesome person is none other than the endearing Jason Schwartzman. Enjoy!!

P.S. you can, like me, put most of the blame for the hiatus on Cheerlubber. I cannot count how many times she promised she’d post but didn’t…. tsk tsk tsk

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.

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!

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!)