Monthly Archives: June 2009
The Wind Whistles – "Animals Are People Too"
I’ll be honest: at first, I didn’t think I would like The Wind Whistles. They seemed a bit too folk-pop cutesy, in a we-knit-our-own-sweaters-and-play-spontaneous-tributes-to-mother-nature-while-out-walking kind of a way. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but I personally can’t knit to save my life and am currently hating mother nature for making it so damn hot. (Although I guess the human race have a part in that as well.)
Anyway, the point is I was so sure I wouldn’t like them, only to end up having their latest album Animals Are People Too on repeat for a week. Not every song speaks to me and Liza’s voice feels a bit too thin at times but overall it’s a very good record. Sweet without being sickly and rather catchy at times. Best tracks: “Turtle”, “House For a Mouse”, “The Fish and The Worm”, “The Sun”, and “After All”. (Although “Judo” has the biggest tendency to get stuck in my head, even if I don’t like it very much.)
~ “After All” ~
Michael Jackson 1958 – 2009
Drawing by Lucy Knisley.
This is mainly for my sister who was devoted Michael Jackson fan as a child. She went to his Dangerous tour when it reached Sweden in 1992, during which she fainted. I mercilessly made fun of her for it even though it was from the heat and lack of oxygen and not from seeing him in person. I remember she kept the tickets in a little silver frame for quite a while. I have no idea how she feels about Michael’s passing today but I know he was a big part of her life when she was young. We had some good times together while listening to his music, watching “Moonwalker” on repeat, and her trying to explain to me why Michael sang that he was “bad” when it was obvious that he was great.
O'Spada – "Time"
Swedish O’Spada makes sparkling dance music, and if the song “Time” is anything to go by they have thick layer of 80s flavour sprinkled on top of their sound. The label describes them as “a bastard child between Prince, Jackson 5 and Justice” so I guess I’m not completely wrong in my observation. The band took their name after lead singer Julia Spada, and as you can see on their MySpace they have been cute and all added an “O’” to their first names. “Time” is their first single from the up-coming debut album which will be released in no less than 15 countries later this year.
~ “Time” ~
Memory Tapes – "Bicycle"
I’ll admit to being a bit confused – is Memory Tapes the combination of Memory Cassette and Weird Tapes? And if so, why? How many projects does one person need? (Especially when they essentially sound the same)
Anyways, the first Memory Tapes full-length is set to be is released this September and the first single “Bicycle” is now available for free. It will be released as an 12″ in the UK during August and will feature two additional tracks from the album plus a remix by none other than The Horrors.
The 12″ can be pre-ordered here, along with other good stuff like Katie Stelmanis, The Ruling Class, Neil’s Children and more.
~ “Bicycle” ~
Who's That Girl? (Duh, It's Madonna)
Like most kids, I had quite a few favorite movies I could watch over and over and never get tired of. “Who’s That Girl” starring Madonna was definitely one of them.
Most weekends my mom would take me and my sister to the video store and let us each pick a movie. For a long time I always chose “Who’s That Girl” while my sister went with “Moonwalker”. I was a rabid Madonna fan and she worshiped Michael Jackson so to us it was pretty much perfect.
Our mom probably got tired of those films after the first viewing but she never showed it. Whenever she would laugh at something in “Who’s That Girl” I almost felt proud because I loved it – and Madonna – so much that I took it personal. It went so far that one my sister’s friends took pity on me and gave me her cassette tape of the soundtrack.
So, why the hell am I blabbering about this old movie now? Well, I finally bought it on DVD so I’m feeling a bit nostalgic.
It’s far from the masterpiece I thought of it as a child, but it’s still a fun watch even if only for the memories. Madonna may not be much of an actress but playing the loud-mouthed Nikki Finn probably wasn’t much of a stretch for her (nor was the part of Susan in “Desperately Seeking Susan”) so it works. Plus there’s plenty of other fun stuff to focus on: Griffin Dunne as the uptight Louden, his rich fiance who seemingly has a thing for shabby cab drivers, the disgruntled cops with quite a bit of UST between them, the horrible fabulous 80s fashion and, of course, the songs Madonna contributed to the soundtrack.
Nurse: Okay, okay, what’s your husband’s name?
Nikki Finn: Louden.
Nurse: And his last name?
Nikki Finn: … Clear.
New Magic Wands Remix
Enchanting duo Magic Wands‘ EP Magic Love & Dreams is out this week (read my full review here) and while I was slightly disappointed with the low offering of new material on it, we now at least have a new remix to sink our teeth into. The equally enchanting Sean over at Battery In Your Leg has a contest where you can win the EP and a signed T-shirt from the band, so flick your wand and conjure your way over there before someone else nabs it!
Crime Waves
~ Alessi’s Ark – “Simple Man” ~
I adore Alessi Laurent-Marke’s voice, it’s so sweet and endearing which is more evident than ever on this beautiful cover. Seriously, her voice and a guitar is all this girl needs to get your full attention and spellbound you for a long, long time.
~ Keats’ Handwriting – “Little Reminder” ~
Indie-pop duo with heavy electronica influences, Keats’ Handwriting were kind enough to send me a couple of their tracks and this one immediately stood out. What can I say, I’m incredibly weak for synth-ish electronica fronted by female vocals.
~ Matt Walters – “Echo On” ~
Australian singer/songwriter who sounds much older and wiser than his mere twenty years of age. A very pretty song, calm and soothing. This is the title track from his EP which is due to be out in July. Something to look forward to!
~ Max Justus – “Bending Space and Time” ~
A new original track from one of my favorite electronic artists. As I’ve mention before I’m usually not much for instrumental dance tracks, but Max Justus is obviously the exception. I love the strong synths and his usual 80s inspired style on this one.
~ Andrea Perdue – “Birds” ~
Such a sweet little folk-tune. The lyrics are both in English and French which just makes it even sweeter. If you like this then I urge to head over to her Last.fm page and download the whole Handscape EP for free.
Bat For Lashes Tara Busch Remix
Why yes, it’s another remix! (i.e. a slacker post)
Bat For Lashes‘ beautiful single “Daniel” has once again gotten a make-over, this time by a lady called Tara Busch. (I’m assuming it’s not the wrestler or nude model that pops up in Google search)
Like the Josh Reichman cover I posted recently it doesn’t beat the original by any means but it’s still a pretty good listen. The layers have been peeled off, creating a whole different setting for the song. A bit spooky, a bit alien.
Give it a try.
ETA: You can watch Tara explain how she made the remix here!
Swedish National Day Mixtape '09
Today is Sweden’s National Day, which I will not be celebrating by watching the royal family wave at their minions on TV. No, listening music is much better, hence this mixtape of Swedish music, obscure as well-known. That, and eating strawberries with ice cream. Enjoy!
~Tracklist~
01. Lacrosse – “We Are Kids”
02. Mando Diao – “Gloria”
03. Hearts Of Black Science – “Cold Comfort”
04. Bob Hund – “Världens bästa dåliga låt”
05. El Perro Del Mar – “Let Me In”
06. Peter, Björn & John – “Nothing To Worry About” (Troublemaker Remix)
07. Kalle J – “Din egen delivery service”
08. They Live By Night – “Endless Summer”
09. The Sounds – “Dorchester Hotel”
10. The Mary Onettes – “God Knows I Had Plans”
11. Kite – “Say It Ain’t So”
12. Fanfarlo – “Sand and Ice”
13. Robert Svensson – “I Was Summer”
14. Stygg – “Lunacy”
15. Light In Your Life – “We Could Be There”
16. Gentle Touch – “Once You Used To”
17. Miss Universum – “På tunnelbanan”
