Soul Coughing - Circles We sometimes feel like we’re stuck in a situation that they just have no way of escaping. It’s probably stressful, maybe even depressing and it always sucks. I hate not feeling like I have any control over my own life. It’s not often, but every once in a while my handle on things falls to the wayside and I might not deal with it well… but I just try to remember that I can change it. It might not be fun, but it can be done. I didn’t mean for that to rhyme. Anyway, I’ve always liked this song, even as far back as when it aired on Cartoon Network in a pretty meta music video produced by Turner Broadcasting and starring various Hanna-Barbera characters walking in an endless loop through Barney Rubble’s house. As much as I enjoy the song, I’m actually more of a fan of frontman Mike Doughty’s solo work (and so is he), and have even posted his stuff before. Anyway, I’m gonna go brood (smolder?) some more. Have a great week everybody and be sure to make those life changes we kinda/sorta talked about. - Max P.S.- You can also check out the official music video (that I’d never seen before tonight), in which Doughty’s disdain for the band could not be more obvious, here. |
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(Notes: 8)
Cassius - The Sound of Violence (Aeroplane Remix)
I live in the Southern continental US, which is to say, I live somewhere that’s usually hot. Of course, I think we’re all a little familiar with this “climate change” and, I’m not saying that these disturbingly low temperatures of 30° is because of climate change, but… climate change. Did you know that water can freeze at 32°! That means that at night, it get’s cold enough for water to turn into ice! ICE, Y’ALL! Stop the madness.
I kid of course. When it comes to the cold, I can deal with it. But I do really want to go to the beach. Or lake. Anything really. I’m a water guy, but the weather is just not working for me. Then here come these obnoxious Aussies who’ve found some “hidden” spot in the US where it’s warm and beautiful and they’re out there having fun in the and I’m sitting here in a Slanket! But whatever… hopefully the rest of you are making the best of your weather conditions. Maybe even filming and scoring it with some upbeat remixes. Don’t send them to me, of course. I’d end up hating you.
- Max
Austra - Beat and the Pulse It came to my attention this week that the vast majority of my posts are Electronica or Dance songs which is fine. “Know thyself” and all that philosophical goodness, right? I first heard of Austra sometime in 2011 with “Lose It”, and I have no idea where I heard the song first. I’ll just assume it was on this site since by then I was already deep down the Tumblr rabbit hole and Austra’s oddball Electronica sound combined with front-woman Katie Stelmanis’ hypnotic vocals are really “Tumblr”. Man… I hate describing things as hypnotic but sometimes it just works. I’m gonna be honest and admit that the song has only popped back on my radar because it was on a recent episode of a TV that show I grew up watching… and haven’t stopped, even though I’m no longer their target demo. The point is, I watch too much TV. Also that the song is really good and another perfect addition to my night driving soundtrack. As usual, I hope you all have a good week ahead of you. Stay safe and don’t forget to sign Emma’s petition to Clean the Ravine! Map props to the 2 of you out there that get that reference without using Google. - Max |
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Dan Romer & Benh Zeitlin - Once There Was A Hushpuppy Because obviously Beasts of The Southern WIld is going to win Best Original Score. Wait, what? What do you mean “it’s not even nominated”!?!? This is a snub if I’ve ever heard of one. Well, I’m sure we all have had a time when we were absolutely convinced something or someone would win an award, only to be shocked to find that NOPE… they were snubbed! Well, I still think Dan Romer and Benh Zeitlin’s is deserving of at least a nomination. Not cool, people who choose the Oscar nominees. It’s alright though, I’ll still watch your misguided award show. What are your favorites to win this year? Let us know in the comment box, I’d love to hear from you. Anyway, I’ve got to go watch. People on my Twitter feed are apparently flipping out over Charlize Theron’s new haircut. Culture! - Max |
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Ben Folds - Bitch Went Nuts I honestly had a hard time picking a song for this week. It’s not that I dislike love songs or because of some kind of Abed Nadir-esque “I just don’t understand this ‘love’ thing” thing. I just wasn’t sure what I wanted to convey with my post. I had a few ideas in my head… I considered an uncharacteristically sappy song:
Then I considered one that takes a less pristine view of our ordinary relationships:
But then I remembered… I’m Max. Not Delilah. Why would I be overly serious with my post? Anyway, sometimes relationships don’t work out at all, and sometimes the reasons for the breakup aren’t as clear to one party as it is to the other. Sometimes even comically so, like with tonight’s song.
Anyway, hopefully none of you are feeling too down this time of year. Chocolates tastes just as good when you buy them yourself. I myself have cake and ice cream to keep me company. Oh yeah, obviously the song is a little on the NSFW side but just roll with it. - Max |
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Bastille - Sweet Pompeii feat. Erika Ugh, I love free stuff. I’d never heard of Bastille before this week but I’m inclined to believe that I should check out the rest of their catalogue (apparently consisting of two mixtapes released a short while ago and an album coming in late March). Other People’s Heartache, Part 1 and Part 2 (available for free download here and here respectively) are an amazing collection of cover/remixes —think Frank Ocean’s Nostalgia, Ultra but more Electronic than R&B— ranging from Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams to City High’s What Would You Do? (what a call back!!!). I’ve been jamming out to them for the last few days and I’m kind of in heavy anticipation of the release of Bad Blood, due out March 4. You can find Bastille on any number of sites via otherpeoplesheartache.com, which is a hell of a lot easier to say than to list all of their social media links here. Anyway, see you guys next week. Hopefully I’ll be about 5lbs heavier from all the Valentines chocolate I’ll be receiving from my many many fans. Highlights: - Max |
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San Cisco - Awkward
Full disclosure: I haven’t been listening to a lot of music lately. Work, family, bills. I’m a real adult now!
San Cisco is an indie pop band, formerly known as King George. More interesting than that is the fact that, and this is where I show my American ignorance, they are from Western Australia; a place I thought was completely uninhabited, save for kangaroos and other distinctly Australian desert wildlife. I also imagine there’s a graveyard of lost/abandoned RVs/busses… all things I learned from TV and movies I watched in my formative years. I don’t know how I’m not an expert on Australian culture after that.
Anyway, it’s a great song and a fun video. Which reminds me, here’s a pop quiz: Why did Max choose video instead of audio today?
a) The video is just cool enough to be the first impression
b) Tumblr’s new upload interface is being screwy
c) A reasonable combination of the two
- Max
Katy B - Aaliyah feat. Jessie Ware Slightly confusing title, more than slightly infectious song. I know a lot of people see Aaliyah in a song title and instinctively assume the track has some previously unheard of vocals or a sample of the late, great, songstress, but alas, The Queen of The Damned is nowhere to be heard on the UK singer Katy B’s song. It’s more of a love letter of sorts to the namesakes… something. I’ll level with you, I’m not all that sure whats happening in the song. It’s one of those pop songs with lyrics that don’t quite make sense at first. I say at first because I hope to one day understand the story that went into this amazing song, but for now I’ll just have to settle for having really great night-driving music. I’ll see you all next week. Enjoy! - Max |
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