Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Ten Songs I've Liked in the Last Couple of Years (That You May Not Know)

A lot of people think I listen to weird music. That's fine, because I think there are a lot of people who listen to lame music. It all evens out. I used to be really harsh on people's taste, but I've softened (really, I have - I know some of you may think that's not true, but I used to be a dick about it). Now, I usually will let people have their thing, as long as they don't force me to listen to it (unless it's Justin Bieber. I'll never understand that one. It's like school play shit).

I wouldn't force people to listen to stuff, either. I will, however, do things like this just to get people aware of some great music out there. You won't like every song. You might not like any song, but odds are you'll find one song you may like. It's worth a try, right? And with all that being said, I wouldn't be surprised if this list ends up looking like a Pitchfork best-of list. This may be them without all of the pretentious essaying.

Real Estate, "Beach Comber". Beach music by way of New Jersey. Mellow, catchy, shambling. They don't have a video for this song, so here's one of those You Tube "Still Photo with Song" clips.

Titus Andronicus, "A More Perfect Union". Another one from New Jersey. Because there needed to be an album based on the Civil War that loosely quotes Springsteen and talks about minor league baseball. The original song is seven minutes-plus; this video is half that. I prefer the full song, but the lead singer looks like he's eaten human flesh at some point. So he's got that going for him. Which is nice.

The xx, "Infinity". This song could so be in a Michael Mann movie. Just really cool, sexy. The whole song is here, but if you want to watch a cheesy video someone did independently (with a shorter, lesser version of the song), here it is. God bless young people with a dream and a video camera.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, "This Love Is Fucking Right". I have no clue what the line "You're my sister, and this love is fucking right" fully means (at least I think that's what they're saying, and I'm not going to look, because I don't want it to change), but another catchy, fuzzy song. And what's the deal with all of these bands not having videos for these songs? Another You Tube Still Clip special.

The Walkmen, "On the Water". I wanted this on the list (and thus made this list the last couple of years instead of year), because the video kicks ass. Circle of life shit (and I know my last two blog posts have had animals dying. Swear to God, I am not into hunting. I'm not militant PETA, either, but I love animals). Haunting song, just has a drunken, moody quality. I like a drunken, moody quality. In my women.

St. Vincent, "Actor Out of Work". My friend, Frank, says that a lot of times I just like certain songs because the singer is a "foxy, folksy chick". He also said a couple of things about the fact that I'm aging and my tastes are following suit, but that's okay. Annie here is a foxy chick. The song doesn't have the balls that some of my older stuff may have had. I still like it. And the video is amusing. So there.

Girls, "Lust For Life". Two guys named Girls that seem pansexual and have videos that come from the indie wing of Abercrombie and Fitch, but they make catchy, hiccup-filled guitar jams, and sexuality has nothing to do with it. Or everything to do with it. One or the other. Here's the clean video (let me say, the "dirty" video is NSFW and not safe for anyone who is uncomfortable with nudity on either side. You have to find that yourself, if you choose).

The Morning Benders, "Excuses". If you liked the Real Estate song, you'll like this one - a little more sweeping, bigger, I guess. Still catchy. Another still with song here.

Neko Case, "People Got A Lotta Nerve". Before Frank accuses me again, I'll leave it to the first comment on the You Tube page for this video. "My God her voice! I think I'm in love!"

eels, "Little Bird". We've all been on the porch, guys, missing that girl. So, here's another guy doing the same thing. Heartbreak sucks (but it works well in music, and it's heartfelt here).


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