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June 30, 2005
Orange Juice
Orange Juice - Poor Old Soul (Part One)
"Poor Old Soul" was about a devious con "artist" who for the time being shall remain nameless.
Those are Edwyn Collins' words. And this is a follow up to the Orange Juice post a while back wherein I entreated folks for a copy of the English version of "Poor Old Souls." Thanks to those who sent it to me. Turns out there are two English parts. The French version is based on Part Two. Which is why I posted Part One here. Sounds a lot like early Pulp.
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June 28, 2005
Flotation Toy Warning
Flotation Toy Warning - Popstar Researches Oblivion
Flotation Toy Warning - Made From Tiny Boxes
I love unicorns.
I loved you once.
The people that built Montreal got it right with the whole city planning thing. Nice job. I could have spent a few more days there. Living in the east is something I might dabble in at some juncture in the future. I listened to Flotation Toy Warning while in Montreal. My ear was turned in their direction by The Catbirdseat a little over a week ago. I secured a digital copy of their album. I like. The comparisons to Grandaddy and Sparklehorse seem apt.
(Incidentally, you will find a new Wolf Parade track at The Catbirdseat called "You Are a Runner and I am My Father's Son" that will slay you).
Thanks to Chuck Atlas who put up that picture of Silly Oldham while I was away.
Posted by jimweed at 12:56 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
June 20, 2005
Will Oldham
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Pussyfooting
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & The Marquis de Tren - 2/15
"The Lord and I agree
it's not too off to be
what we are, as long as we're royalty."
At break of day an Old Ham, by night a King. Will he be a bonny beast for thee? His song would flow through you as it prints "death" as: "d-r-e-a-m". Pussyfooting is a b-side to his recently redone single of "Agnes, Queen of Sorrow." "2/15" is a poem from the Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore and is found on the album "Get on Jolly" that he made with the Marquis de Tren.
Posted by jimweed at 04:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 17, 2005
Holden
Holden - Une Fraction De Seconde
I know almost zero about this outfit from France. Everything on them is written in French. This sounded good though: "rare élégance." I keep returning to this song. If you can shed any light, let's have it.
I'm going to Montreal next week and will have guests posting in my stead.
Posted by jimweed at 12:27 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
June 15, 2005
Scala
Scala - Muscle Museum (Muse cover)
This exceptional youth choir from the Belgian town of Aarschot is comprised of approximately 60 teenage girls.
If you aren't familiar with the original version of "Muscle Museum" by Muse: observe. Scala covers "Creep" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit," amongst others. They also render a haunting version of "I Touch Myself" by the Divinyls.
More on the Scala choir here. You can get many of their tracks on iTunes.
Posted by jimweed at 01:28 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 13, 2005
Chantigs
For the moment Chantigs are still trying to write the perfect song, and to sing the perfect melody.
I'm hesitant to see these guys perform live because I have this fear that they wouldn't use puppets and this song clearly NEEDS puppets on vox. I thank Dustrin for sending this to me after he saw Chantigs open for Beulah a few years ago.
Chantigs are still making avant-pop.
Posted by jimweed at 01:46 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
June 10, 2005
Can
Can - Halleluwah (short version)
Kenji 'Damo' Suzuki was Japanese, an itinerant singer who spoke not a word of German or English, and had no reason to be in Munich that day than at any other point on the globe.
This refers to the chance meeting on the street in 1970 where the members of Can found the expatriate Damo and made him their vocalist. This is krautrock that had no business being played in the early 70's. It transcends the generic conventions of its day or any other day. Can have been referred to as the godfathers of "indie" avant-garde (ever hear the song "Dear Can" by !!! or the reference in "Losing My Edge" by LCD Soundsystem?). The track "Halleluwah," especially the 18 minute version, is hypnotic and will put me in a quasi-hyperfocused trance-state where my meta-cognitive processes go on cruise control and I drift in and out of self-awareness. Which I like.
Can.
Posted by jimweed at 02:48 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
June 08, 2005
Orange Juice
Orange Juice - Poor Old Souls (French Language Version)
Orange Juice was a Glaswegian band from the 80's fronted by Edwyn Collins. While some might think this track errs on the maudlin side, it is no error. The bassline dances on hot coals and things happen in the percussion section that haven't happened in 20+. I'm trying unsuccessfully to get me 'ands on a copy of the English language version of this song. If you have, you might want to think about faxing it over to my computer at leafandlime@gmail.com.
Posted by jimweed at 08:44 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
June 06, 2005
Django Reinhardt
Django was born in Belgium to gypsy parents in 1910. He grew up with one foot in gypsy culture and two ears in Paris. Some people say he was the best guitarist that ever lived. I don't even know what that means, but clearly his fingers could dance the frets with remarkable acumen. He died when he was only 43.
I suggest this track for your next soirée or BBQ.
Posted by jimweed at 05:12 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
June 03, 2005
The Dears
The Dears - Heartless Romantic
Saw The Dears on Monday night. It was good enough to make me forget I was there. I almost got seduced by one of the keyboard girls every time she squinted her eyes but then I didn't. And now these bones are all concerted out. Thanks to Miss Trudy for the pics. "No Cities Left" is a song I really enjoy and "Heartless Romantic" is the finale for every show they play.
Posted by jimweed at 02:15 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
June 01, 2005
Optiganally Yours
Now, now I remember what it's like to breathe.
A lot of people don't know this, but Gepetto had an existential crisis when he was in the belly of the whale. His lengthy isolation engendered a willingness to confront his feelings of inadequacy and incompetence, not to mention the lack of any truly intimate connections that pervaded his life. During his confinement, he discovered the value of ass shakin' and I'm pretty sure he learned the practice of insight meditation. You probably didn't know any of this since you probably don't know the first thing about puppetry.
Optiganally Yours = Pea Hix on the Talentmaker and Rob Crow (of Pinback) on the vox. We haven't heard much from them lately and this is beginning to worry me.
Posted by jimweed at 06:30 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack