HAPPY NEW YEAR

Alas, another year has passed...We won't see some friends, but we can still enjoy this 2009 NYE playlist, which is just brimming with eclecticity. As usual, there were a lot of great songs vying for SOY honors. Some notables include Standing on the Shore, by Empire of the Sun, and Knock You Down by Keri Hilson. And anything off of the Album of the Year, The xx

But no song seemed to energize me more this year than Passion Pit's Sleepyhead, my 2009 Song of the Year. Just try to listen without moving.

There is still a lot of crap on the radio, but music is alive and well. You just have to know where to find it.

Thanks for the Gum Ball, Popeye!

What are you gonna do with all your pennies?

Once You Go Black...

You'll never go back.


Enjoy the smoothest drink on earth while listening to this trio of "black" sounds from The Black Keys
The Black Kids
The Black Seeds

The Coldest Story Ever Told

It's true that Kanye is larger than life. Love him or hate him, he is a master songwriter and lyricist. Here he is at his best...



And a terrific cover by The Fray



I'm sure we'll find both these songs on our 2009 NYE Playlist coming shortly...

Another Hidden Gem

Is this the last infectious song of 2009? Could be, but I'll keep looking as I prepare for my NYE 2009 Playlist and consider my 2009 Song of the Year.

The nugget below I'll classify as "synth soul". It's a remix of a Future Islands tune. I won't pretend like I know much about them, but you can learn more here. And visit here for a free download



Background ethereal vocals provided by Victoria Legrand of Beach House. Turn up volume and enjoy.

The Decemberists

Well, it is December after all...Four from The Decemberists, who paint vivid pictures of tormented youth and tragic love. Oh yeah, there's also one about an outed spy...

I originally just wanted to post the video for "We Both Go Down Together", but could not find a good one. So here are the lyrics



- Decemberists Lyrics

Goodnight Moon

So long full moon, hello Ambrosia Parsley, front-chanteuse for Shivaree. This is off their 1999 release I Oughtta Give You a Shot in the Head for Making Me Live in This Dump

Watch video for Goodnight Moon

A White Moon Appears Like a Hole in the Sky

"...the mangroves grow quiet"

In honor of the full moon, my favorite from The Go-Betweens off of their 1987 release Tallulah



Yes I love the oboe!

Arctic Monkeys

Just released on 16 November, new from Arctic Monkeys. More along the lines of 505, than their other hugely popular hit single from 2005.



Great song. Great video. Great lyrics.

Norway

Brand new from Beach House. Love the electronica. Love the sub-beats. Love the Patti Smith-esque vocal. Love the distortion. Turn it up and play it again and again...

This Phenomenon

Picture this: It's 5:30 am. It's a windy, rainy, dark November morning. You're driving down Rt. 70 on your way to work. You're wondering why you got out of bed when you have over 1000 sick hours in the bank. The radio is on, but nothing appreciable. You quickly find yourself surfing the dial. It's going to be one of those days. Then a miracle happens. And just like a that music can change your day...

More Melancholy Brass

What's the opposite of a chanteuse? A troubadour of course. This song would likely put me to sleep on most occasions, but at least the tantalizing video would help me to have happy dreams... Learn more about Teitur

Love Is An Arrow

While I sit here enjoying my Beaujolais Nouveau and Hershey's Extra Dark with pomegranate, I'm listening to my 2006 New Year's Eve playlist and realizing what a great year for music that was. Here is a cute little number from Aberfledy. I also have a thing for solemn strings...

Beaujolais Nouveau 2009

It's that time of year again...the annual purchase of a case of Beaujolais Nouveau. Perfect for the holidays. Case should last about a week in my house...

You can read the story behind the Third Thursday in November here

Highly recommended with Hershey's Extra Dark

Home is Wherever I'm With You

I don't usually go for this hillbilly sound, but this diddy by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros is quite catchy. Did I mention it is a duet? Also some brass, but not very melancholy...

No One Knows Anyone

We all have two sides, especially Monsieur Valentine. You should know Spoon by now, a nice little outfit from Austin TX. Off their 2005 release Gimme Fiction

Beirut

No, not the Lebanese city, but the band out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. This track leads off their 2007 EP Lon Gisland (which I think may be a place just off the northeast coast of Jersey). They often sound like a Polish wedding band, but I think this song goes nicely with our Baroque thread.



Now, I have mentioned my affinity for a fine chanteuse, mixed gender duets, and kickin' retro sound. Did I mention my adoration of melancholy brass?

I just have one question: Is that an elephant trunk or are you just happy to see me?

Going For Baroque

I admit I was quick to dismiss Vampire Weekend based on their extremely catchy hit single A-Punk and vampires being all the rage. But I have come to appreciate them after realizing their likeness to other Baroque-ish bands that have caught my fancy.

The opening lines say it all: "Who gives a *%&*! about an Oxford comma, I've seen those English dramas too, they're cruel"



Visit here for free download of their new release Horchata

Just Ain't Gonna Work Out

Smokey - is that you? Why, no - it's Mayer Hawthorne. Great little retro tune, which aside from duets, seem to be my next fave...



Anyone that sounds like Smokey Robinson is ok by me, as Smokey sings one of my all-time favorite Motown classics The Tracks of My Tears

Empire State of Mind

I can't help it - Jay-Z and Alicia Keys keep the thread alive...




In New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There's nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new,
The lights will inspire you,
Let's hear it for New York

Second Best Duet

This Duet thread refuses to die... Here is my second favorite all-time duet by Shane MacGowan of the The Pogues, assisted by miss Sinead O'Connor. How could this song be only the second best duet? Hard to believe one better is out there...that video coming soon...



The song was originally performed by The Pogues and was on the Sid and Nancy soundtrack.

This thread could go on forever, so I will attempt to put it to rest by only linking to this other favorite duet

Aluminum Tastes Like Fear

Adrenaline pulls us near...One of my Top Ten all-time favorite songs. r.e.m. joined by Patti Smith for haunting backup vocal.



The stream-of-consciousness lyrics were used as the backdrop to my annual New Year's Eve party invitation in 2001. That's actually the beautiful Princess Grace Kelly. Not to be confused with the almost-as-beautiful Maria Callas, whoever she is...

Why throw a circle 'round a man with broken bones?

Don't you just love a good metaphor? Next up is one of the sweetest duets you'll ever hear. By brother and sister to boot...A lit-tle creepy, but it's alright. The Magic Numbers " I See You, You See Me" is off their 2005 self-titled release.

Cute video too.


The Magic Numbers - I See You, You See Me dir. David Mould

Ramzi | MySpace Video

Female vocal that could make a grown man cry. Lyrics below


- Magic Numbers Lyrics

Check out their new release here

Jesus and Mary Chain

Another visit from Master Segue. Here is a great duet from Jesus and Mary Chain assisted by the sensual Hope Sandoval formerly of Mazzy Star

The Big Pink

I am really enjoying this sound right now, although I admit it isn't for everyone. It may take a few listens. I liked it the first time I heard it, but by listen number 3 I was totally hooked. Now I keep playing it over and over and I effing love it. The Big Pink channel their inner Jesus and Mary Chain. This tune is reminiscent (there's that word again) of JAMC's Just Like Honey off of their 1985 release Psychocandy, which I think was the first CD I ever purchased at college. So there you have it - an emotional connection.



There are two versions of this song, and the video for the other version is much better, but this version has the female vocals, which I have a known affinity for.

The xx

Wow. What an incredible sounding album. I'm so impressed that I downloaded the entire Lp by The xx, which is a rarity for me. Reminiscent of The Cure's Seventeen Seconds; so much so that I may have to put on the headphones and take a midnite walk around the railroad tracks like used to do back in the day.

Below is an incredible cover of Teardrops, which I find to be most mesmerizing. Hard to believe it's the same song.



And although not a true duet in the proper sense, still enough mixed vocals in the chorus to continue the thread from below...I have a feeling we will be hearing more from them...Click on the title to find out more about this band out of South West London, UK

I Feel Like A Nut

Happy Halloween

Tonite I will get all the candy that my kids don't like, namely Mounds and Almond Joy.

One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it

I said "master segue", not Master Oogway



From Kung Fu Panda

He said:
You are too concerned about what was and what will be."There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present.""

Also:

Oogway: Look at this tree, Shifu: I cannot make it blossom when it suits me nor make it bear fruit before its time.
Shifu: But there are things we *can* control: I can control when the fruit will fall, I can control where to plant the seed: that is no illusion, Master!
Oogway: Ah, yes. But no matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.

Why do I now have a hankering for some chicken chow mein?

Segue

This is a master segue of the finest form. Although this duet by Stars is a few years old now, it follows the song by Princeton below quite nicely, with all of its baroqueishness...



I told you I was a sucker for duets -
suck·er
Pronunciation: \ˈsə-kər\5a: a person irresistibly attracted by something specified

Oh Sadie...

Los Angeles-based Princeton released their debut record, Cocoon of Love, September 29th on Kanine Records

I've heard them described as Baroque, along with other bands such as Ra Ra Riot and Beirut. All I know is that if it's not Baroque, then don't fix it.

Nice little tune - Was hoping this link would play automatically, but click for free download Sadie and Andy

I am a sucker for duets...

Menage a Trois of Todd

In honor of Todd Rundgren playing one of the last shows at the Spectrum on October 23, 2009

R&B or Hip-Hop?

I can't tell the difference...great sounds nevertheless

Two Door Cinema Club

Really like this song. Two Door Cinema Club appears to be a nice little band from Northern Ireland. Check out their page for more catchy tunes..

Song of the Week - Madcon

Kickin' retro-soundin' R&B from Madcon

The Pirates

Will things ever look up for my beloved Pittsburgh Pirates?? We celebrated our Seventeenth straight losing season by finishing 62-99 this year. We were mercifully spared a 100-loss season by getting a rain-out during the last week. There are many reasons for the streak; the inability or desire to spend money being just one. The predominant reason I believe is the management's inability to evaluate talent. It seems management is blowing things all over the place, as detailed in the news report below. This has Pirates Management written all over it...

Somali Pirates Attack French Warship By Mistake

"In a move that will bring some light relief to embattled cruise ship operators and freighter owners, Somali pirates in skiffs mistakenly attacked the French navy’s flagship in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday, AFP reports.

The pirates in two fibreglass skiffs mistook the 18 000 tonne La Somme for a commercial tanker . According to a French navy spokesman, the La Somme’s crew “easily saw off the brazen night-time assault by lightly armed fighters on two lightweight skiffs and captured five pirates”.

Strike one for the good guys. That said, it is quite staggering to see how many warships have had to be deployed to the Indian Ocean to try and keep the shipping lanes safe from piracy, and still the attacks continue. It’s a little bit like the Boer commandos tying-up thousands of British troops during the the Anglo-Boer War, or the Germans trying to crush the French Resistance during the Second World War. As a wise general once said, “Guerillas never win wars. But they never lose them either.”


For the best Pittsburgh Pirates coverage anywhere, visit Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PBC Blog

The Virgins

This is becoming quite the music blog isn't it? Here are The Virgins. Below are the lyrics to "Love Is Colder Than Death"

The Virgins Lyrics

Here is a another catchy song and video Rich Girls. I like it - The Strokes meets Roxy Music.

New Feature

I am trying out this new feature courtesy of MetroLyrics.com which seems like a pretty good place to get the lyrics to your favorite song. Many titles and genres found.

Below is currently my favorite song of the moment. It is included in my End of Summer playlist posted below. These lyrics are slightly different than the song posted, but are evidently the lyrics to the single released as you can see by the video Can You Tell

I prefer the first version found below, but the lyrics to both versions are still strong. Sweet + Simple = Great Tune



Lyrics | Ra Ra Riot Lyrics | Can You Tell Lyrics

Three

Three songs from my 2009 playlist that are from movies released within the last few years.

1. Juno
2. Little Miss Sunshine
3. August Rush

Where's Mr. Owl?

I don't know - I'm only noticing this now - but this icon from my youth looks naked...

Now I know why we all love Tootsie Pops

End of Summer Playlist

I put this little thread of songs together as the summer draws to a close. You could probably hear these songs played on radio station WGAY, but they sound great together..

1. Empire of the Sun
2. The Black Kids
3. Discovery
4. Chairlift
5. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
6. Two Door Cinema Club
7. Ra Ra Riot

Epitome of a Pop Song

It always amazes me when a pop song comes out and becomes an instant classic. This one from Black Eyed Peas should be sung by people getting ready to hit the town for the next hundred years or so...Great song and video. Oh yeah, great Fergie too...

My Teen Wall

After Farrah left Charlie's Angels, she was quickly replaced by this blonde beauty. She was never replaced in my heart, and she wasn't on my bedroom wall. Both these posters graced my wall right along side Farrah.





I still love you Cheryl...

R.I.P. FARRAH

My first... love...

Small Ball

Here is some "Small Ball' courtesy of Toms River East Little League's AAA Ironbirds. The little man singles, steals second, moves to third on a ground out, and scores on a base hit. Congratulations to Number 5 on being selected to the 10-year-old All-Stars!

What I Am Listening To Now

Best Unpronounceable Song of All-Time Nominee

Every once in a while, just when you start to lose faith in music, a song comes along that picks you up, spins you around, and makes you wonder what your life was ever like without it. Such is the case with this somewhat recent release by Icelanders Sigur Ros. Track 4 off their most recent LP með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust" is titled inní mér syngur vitleysingur English translation:'Within me a lunatic sings'

It's so good you have to listen (or watch) it three times...

This first YouTube clip is my favorite for obvious reasons, not the least of which are the two cute chippees jammin out, but also for capturing the essence of the song which is singing crazily and spinning happily. (Be patient thru the first 30 seconds)



The next clip is the official video



So what does it all mean, Basil? Here is a clip with English subtitles



Whether you are listening while walking, jogging, running or driving..TURN IT UP..I guarantee you won't be walking for long...

FIRST INFECTIOUS SONG OF '09

The end of the youth basketball season coupled with the start of lacrosse season has slowed my posts as well as impacted my ability to listen to new music..alas I came across this on WPRB. Click on the title to check out "Happy As Can Be" by Cut Off Your Hands. First great tune of 2009 from this band of boys from New Zealand.

Global Warming My Butt...

Gearing up for Lacrosse Season these last few weeks has not enabled me to post too frequently..Practice was scheduled to start March 1, but NOooo... An uninvited visit from -



Resulted in -

Why Don't You Try Reading the Rules, Shankapotamus

Great game, but the highlights I keep watching are of the E*Trade baby...



Then follow it up with Broken Wings...



LOVE IT

Can't Wait For LAX Season...

Four weeks 'til lacrosse season starts...get pumped watching these electrifying plays from Chazz Woodson

Instruments of Pain

This was my view last week as I was about to get a tooth fixed..



I post this on the eve of my daughter getting her braces...As she will be known henceforth as Tinsel Teeth, Brace Face, and Metal Mouth for the next two years!