Buckle up, Sunshine. Here comes the new playlist. As promised, my quarterly "Radio" playlist is here and full of the subdermal pop that would be on the airwaves 24/7 in a sane and just world. I grabbed my pick-ax and my canary and headed down deep into the mines of the internet. There, I unearthed the many fine gems of this mix amongst the slag of boring, drab indie folk and vapid, materialistic pop. The mine grows ever deeper. The canary did not survive.
As previously stated in former blogs, I am a fan of music videos. I deeply miss the days when I had a visual to go with the audio. I chose a bunch of official releases this time around. So, I'm going to go full Pinfield and drop some 120 Minutes action on you.
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| Disclaimer: My knowledge of bands does not touch 1% of this walking database. |
From top to bottom, I've got some great stuff this time around. Lets get started with Side A.
July Talk - Summer Dress
At the sincere risk of being completely anticlimactic, I have started this list with July Talk. Their material has been around for a while now but it was previously only available in Canada. The Guns + Ammunition EP on Spotify collects 5 of the best songs from their first self titled LP. Why they are not crazy famous is beyond me. Every video they've made is fantastic. I'm posting the one I've put on the playlist, but I encourage you to check out everything they've done. Especially this one.
At the sincere risk of being completely anticlimactic, I have started this list with July Talk. Their material has been around for a while now but it was previously only available in Canada. The Guns + Ammunition EP on Spotify collects 5 of the best songs from their first self titled LP. Why they are not crazy famous is beyond me. Every video they've made is fantastic. I'm posting the one I've put on the playlist, but I encourage you to check out everything they've done. Especially this one.
Brody Dalle - Don't Mess With Me
It's true. You should not mess with Brody. The lead singer of The Distillers has gone solo this time out and she seems more than capable of ruining you, were you to cross her. I particularly enjoy the guitar effect in this song that sounds like it came from a NIN or Garbage record. Speaking of Garbage, you should also check out Brody's duet with Shirley Manson, who is qualified to mess with anyone.
Wolf Alice - Moaning Lisa Smile
Wolf Alice used to be a little more folky, but this song brings out the loud fuzzy guitar I love. I picked this song before seeing the video. It did not disappoint.
White Lung - Face Down
White Lung make the kind of Riot Grrl punk rock that I was super fond of in the 90s. It's loud and angry and fast. They continue the aesthetic by dressing like a 90s grunge band. They even made this video with period accurate equipment. It's almost hard to tell it's new. Sometimes the old ways are the good ways.
Total Slacker - Super Big Gulp
Oh, that 90s style. These songs are so low-fi that even the videos are made with a camcorder, or in this case, a Sega Genesis. Amazing video aside, this song espouses the simple joy a giant soft drink can bring. Not even Bloomburg can argue with that.
The Raveonettes - Sisters
The Raveonettes have long since mastered the art of sounding like they were recorded in an underground cavern with a broken microphone. Despite this, or likely because of it, their music always has a dreamlike, otherworldly quality. This song alternates between sweet angel harps and nasty devil guitars. There is only a lyric video for it, which if you are prone to seizures, you should avoid.
Paws - Erreur Humaine
I have been listening to Paws' new record Youth Culture Forever for a few weeks now and I love it. They're from Scotland, which is immediately endearing to me. Also, this record is full of feels. Their singer is a bit off key at times but I think it adds to the rawness of the material and I enjoy it. They sound kind of like Pavement, if Malkmus decided to write emo lyrics. The loud, quiet, loud of the opening track was too gripping to avoid using but every song on this album is good. I had a hard time picking. Since there's no video for this song I'll offer the equally amazing second track's video in it's place.
Got A Girl - Put Your Head Down
Were they ever to make a sequel to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World I would want Dan Nakamura to play the 2nd evil music producer that Ramona Flowers had gotten herself involved with. This will never happen. So, fortunately for me, Dan the Automator has stolen away Mary Elizabeth Winstead to his studio in real life. Automator is the genius collaborator behind the 1st Gorillaz album, Deltron 3030, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Dr. Octagon, and tons of other mind-bendingly good albums. He and Winstead got together and made this 60s French pop inspired record after meeting on the set of the aforementioned film. It's dreamy like Mary and a bit weird like Dan. Again I offer a different video from the album as the one I chose for the playlist has none.
Alvvays - Archie, Marry Me
I discovered Alvvays because they were on the same label as the Rentals (who we will hear from on side b). Polyvinyl may be my favorite indie label right now. I'm not just saying that because they bribed me with 2 extra CDs and candy with my last purchase (it didn't hurt). Polyvinyl has also been home to Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, and our next artist.
Architecture In Helsinki - Dream A Little Crazy
I'm not always into bright shiny things. I like my brooding, hazy music. Every once in a while I need to hear something positive and uplifting, though. AIH are good at providing that. Their newest album could make Ebenezer Scrooge dance like a Six Flags mascot. Try not to smile too hard while watching the video.
On that positive note, we come to end of Side A. Take a break and then proceed to Side B.
Meanwhile here's the whole playlist, in case videos aren't your thing.
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