Raging Contagion
Music so good it will make you sick!
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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.
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
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!!
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!
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
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!!!).
Raging Contagion 