MY SUMMER SOUNDTRACK Prt. V
-S
Showing posts with label The Velvet Underground. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Velvet Underground. Show all posts
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
I've been out walking
Just finished watching Fantastic Mr. Fox, Wes Anderson's new movie. I have to say, it is pretty great, and pretty much like every other Wes Anderson movie. Regardless, it got me thinking about some of his other movies, particularly the soundtracks. There have been some pretty great songs utilized in his movies. However, one reigns supreme in my mind, "These Days" covered by Nico is by far one of the most beautiful (the original was written by Jackson Browne-note though, they are very different-Browne also performed his with Gregg Allman), and really just hits home with me. The guitar is great, and the strings really pull it all together.
As for Nico's voice, she is pretty unique, the voice can sound a little ugly and haunting, but that is just if you take it at face value. If you really listen to it it fits perfectly with her music. She is especially great on the VU album she headlined on. However this song is from her sophomore album Chelsea Girl, taken from the Warhol film of the same name. Her music particularly hit home with one of my favorite musicians, Elliot Smith. He described her music as being very influential in his musical style, which led him to cover a couple of Nico's songs.
So enjoy, I'll post both the Nico, Elliot Smith, and Jackson Browne versions of the song, they are all pretty classic and influential in their own right. By the way, if you wanted to know which movie "These Days" was featured in, it was The Royal Tennenbaums, which had a great soundtrack in and of itself.
"These Days" by Jackson Browne
"These Days" covered by Nico from Chelsea Girl (1967)
"These Days" covered by Elliot Smith
-S
*Note-I just found out that while Browne did write the song Nico recorded it first-with permission from Browne of course*
As for Nico's voice, she is pretty unique, the voice can sound a little ugly and haunting, but that is just if you take it at face value. If you really listen to it it fits perfectly with her music. She is especially great on the VU album she headlined on. However this song is from her sophomore album Chelsea Girl, taken from the Warhol film of the same name. Her music particularly hit home with one of my favorite musicians, Elliot Smith. He described her music as being very influential in his musical style, which led him to cover a couple of Nico's songs.
So enjoy, I'll post both the Nico, Elliot Smith, and Jackson Browne versions of the song, they are all pretty classic and influential in their own right. By the way, if you wanted to know which movie "These Days" was featured in, it was The Royal Tennenbaums, which had a great soundtrack in and of itself.
"These Days" by Jackson Browne
"These Days" covered by Nico from Chelsea Girl (1967)
"These Days" covered by Elliot Smith
-S
*Note-I just found out that while Browne did write the song Nico recorded it first-with permission from Browne of course*
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Lost revelations that I'll never find
OK, I'll admit it, I have judged a book by it's cover, in this case, MGMT's new album Celebration. I heard the first released song on the album on YouTube, and to be honest, didn't think much of it. I felt like I was expecting to show up at a rave, and I had walked in on Rosh Hashanah Services at Temple Beth Eloheim. I said to myself; "Really? Really MGMT? What happened to "Time To Pretend" and "Electric Feel"? Where was the techo-esque rock and roll I was expecting. Where were the synthesizers and drum loops? Immediatly I dismissed Congratulations. They had duped us, just another band putting out commercially sucessful hits and then using them as the foot in the door for what they really want to do (usually artsy crap that won't move and units off of the shelves.)
Anyway, already biased, I was handed the album by my English teacher. I was skeptical at first having already heard "Flash Delirium," my hopes and dreams of what a new MGMT already smashed all over the floor. With nothing to lose I put it on. Surprisingly enough, I liked it. This showed and entirely new side of MGMT, a softer, more acoustic side. I kind of, dare I say, liked it. This was much more chill than their first album, relaxed and layed back. Sure it wasn't what I had hoped, pop-y tunes with a flaring beat and synthesizers up to the eyeballs. This was something different, not worse in any way, just different. This different side, in the end proved to be really something great. I went in with low expectation and I have ended up pleasently surprised. I mean, this isn't the best album ever to be laid down, but it is pretty great, one of the better CD's I have heard this year, and the flow is like nothing else. It melts in to each song like a Phish set.
There are a couple stand-out track on Congratulations. Particularly the title song "Congratulations" ends up being a great song, the beginning is slow, starting out with more of a more eastern feel, with a VU influence. The vocals are great, and the acoustic guitar fits in perfectly with a elegant drum beat. I want to say the song almost feels like it was written for a Wes Anderson movie if that makes sense. Another great track is 12-minute behemouth "Siberian Breaks" which I don't want to write about at any particular length, but it is totally hypnotic and well worth a listen. The song that stands out most like it would fit on their first album is "It's Working" but even saying that is a stretch. It definitely has more of a pop feel but it is far from techno, almost having a 60's feel-good vibe (almost beach rock?).
Anyway, for once I was wrong. My sincerest apologies MGMT. You have proven me wrong and bested me. What remains to be seen however is if MGMT is an acoustic band dressed like a techno band or the reverse. Only time will tell, but their next album will be worth the wait. It will also recieve my undivided attention, and get the respect it will undoubtedly deserve.
"Siberian Breaks" by MGMT from Congratulations (2010)
"Congratulations" by MGMT from Congratulations (2010)
"It's Working" by MGMT from Congratulations (2010)
-S
*Editors Note: Yes I am aware this was an album before MGMT's 2007 album Oracular Spectacular, however they were still under the name "The Management" and only really released a demo album called Climbing To New Lows (2005), which for the most part was ill-received and is only really remembered for the debut of "Kids" which didn't hit it big until recently.*
Anyway, already biased, I was handed the album by my English teacher. I was skeptical at first having already heard "Flash Delirium," my hopes and dreams of what a new MGMT already smashed all over the floor. With nothing to lose I put it on. Surprisingly enough, I liked it. This showed and entirely new side of MGMT, a softer, more acoustic side. I kind of, dare I say, liked it. This was much more chill than their first album, relaxed and layed back. Sure it wasn't what I had hoped, pop-y tunes with a flaring beat and synthesizers up to the eyeballs. This was something different, not worse in any way, just different. This different side, in the end proved to be really something great. I went in with low expectation and I have ended up pleasently surprised. I mean, this isn't the best album ever to be laid down, but it is pretty great, one of the better CD's I have heard this year, and the flow is like nothing else. It melts in to each song like a Phish set.
There are a couple stand-out track on Congratulations. Particularly the title song "Congratulations" ends up being a great song, the beginning is slow, starting out with more of a more eastern feel, with a VU influence. The vocals are great, and the acoustic guitar fits in perfectly with a elegant drum beat. I want to say the song almost feels like it was written for a Wes Anderson movie if that makes sense. Another great track is 12-minute behemouth "Siberian Breaks" which I don't want to write about at any particular length, but it is totally hypnotic and well worth a listen. The song that stands out most like it would fit on their first album is "It's Working" but even saying that is a stretch. It definitely has more of a pop feel but it is far from techno, almost having a 60's feel-good vibe (almost beach rock?).
Anyway, for once I was wrong. My sincerest apologies MGMT. You have proven me wrong and bested me. What remains to be seen however is if MGMT is an acoustic band dressed like a techno band or the reverse. Only time will tell, but their next album will be worth the wait. It will also recieve my undivided attention, and get the respect it will undoubtedly deserve.
"Siberian Breaks" by MGMT from Congratulations (2010)
"Congratulations" by MGMT from Congratulations (2010)
"It's Working" by MGMT from Congratulations (2010)
-S
*Editors Note: Yes I am aware this was an album before MGMT's 2007 album Oracular Spectacular, however they were still under the name "The Management" and only really released a demo album called Climbing To New Lows (2005), which for the most part was ill-received and is only really remembered for the debut of "Kids" which didn't hit it big until recently.*
Monday, April 26, 2010
The world is upside down and this music too
This is by far the hardest post I have ever had the privilege to write. I am writing it regardless though because I believe this band is truly great and off to an amazing start. I originally heard about Happy Birthday on Stereogum (a great music blog). The song was called "Girls FM" which was pretty good, very poppy and up-beat but very repetitive and a little trying. I soon forgot about them. A month or two later I stumbled upon the lonely little album, a tiny little broken musical note gracing the cover of the album. I grabbed it and noticed it was the debut album of that band I had only just recently tossed aside as a little novelty.
I popped the CD in to my computer put on my headphones and closed my eyes. The first song burst in to my headphones, I was once again listening to "Girls FM," still a little unimpressed but still curious. The next ten songs I heard exemplified so many different genres at once. Songs like "Zit" were pure punk, but then it slowed down to songs like "Subliminal Message" with a much softer feeling. A raw sound exudes itself off of the album, not unlike the VU but with more of an updated sound with the curious vocals akin to Ted Leo + The Pharmacists. The music was amazing, and got increasingly more interesting with each track. Culminating with my favorite track- "Fun" a total slowed down feel that just pours itself out like warm water going over your head, a completely mellow and complex feel simoultaneously.
To think the self-titled album only came out a month ago after the band formed for just one show in 2008. The album feel polished and raw at the same time, each track containing seemingly months of thought. I'd mark this album down as a must buy (or do a shady download).
"Girls FM" by Happy Birthday from Happy Birthday (2010)
"Subliminal Message" by Happy Birthday from Happy Birthday (2010)
-S
I popped the CD in to my computer put on my headphones and closed my eyes. The first song burst in to my headphones, I was once again listening to "Girls FM," still a little unimpressed but still curious. The next ten songs I heard exemplified so many different genres at once. Songs like "Zit" were pure punk, but then it slowed down to songs like "Subliminal Message" with a much softer feeling. A raw sound exudes itself off of the album, not unlike the VU but with more of an updated sound with the curious vocals akin to Ted Leo + The Pharmacists. The music was amazing, and got increasingly more interesting with each track. Culminating with my favorite track- "Fun" a total slowed down feel that just pours itself out like warm water going over your head, a completely mellow and complex feel simoultaneously.
To think the self-titled album only came out a month ago after the band formed for just one show in 2008. The album feel polished and raw at the same time, each track containing seemingly months of thought. I'd mark this album down as a must buy (or do a shady download).
"Girls FM" by Happy Birthday from Happy Birthday (2010)
"Subliminal Message" by Happy Birthday from Happy Birthday (2010)
-S
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Now you said it was yesterday
I Cannot remember where I heard this band for the first time. At first listen they aren't anything special. The song has a beach rock sound not unlike the surf music of the 60's. However the band is more often compared to the Ramones in their style.
The band is The Clean, straight out of New Zealand in the early 80's (they are still performing today though). For the most part the song has indie rock lyricism mixed with surf rock as I said before. It's a little punk-ish when combined (see my Ramones reference). The song "Tally Ho" is pretty catchy although as a listener, you are not so sure why. The production quality is shot- the vocals are mixed too low, and the organ/guitar just sounds repetitive and drones. However this was proof that music was headed toward indie rock even in the early part of the 80's (no matter how bleak a decade it seemed at some points).
I kind of like them in an endearing way, in the same way that I like bands like The Shaggs (that's a whole other post for a whole other day!) and the vocals of Isaac Brock. One often heard unpolished songs like this and scoffs at the low quality, but it isn't the song that's important, its the significance, it's proof that music was changing slowly. Rough bands like the early VU recordings were scoffed at as well, but they changed music in the end. Bands like The Clean should be seen as inovators. Regardless of your taste though, enjoy the music.
The band is The Clean, straight out of New Zealand in the early 80's (they are still performing today though). For the most part the song has indie rock lyricism mixed with surf rock as I said before. It's a little punk-ish when combined (see my Ramones reference). The song "Tally Ho" is pretty catchy although as a listener, you are not so sure why. The production quality is shot- the vocals are mixed too low, and the organ/guitar just sounds repetitive and drones. However this was proof that music was headed toward indie rock even in the early part of the 80's (no matter how bleak a decade it seemed at some points).
I kind of like them in an endearing way, in the same way that I like bands like The Shaggs (that's a whole other post for a whole other day!) and the vocals of Isaac Brock. One often heard unpolished songs like this and scoffs at the low quality, but it isn't the song that's important, its the significance, it's proof that music was changing slowly. Rough bands like the early VU recordings were scoffed at as well, but they changed music in the end. Bands like The Clean should be seen as inovators. Regardless of your taste though, enjoy the music.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Just called to say hello, and that I love you so
Kind of a quirky song for ya'. This is the band Ima Robot, I just recently heard about them. The song I heard was "Hello I Love You." I instantly had visions of The Doors classic of the same name. However I soon learned the similarities end at the title. The lyrics are kind of cute in the same way I love the cuteness of songs like "I'm Sticking With You" by The Velvet Underground.
The premise of the song is that frontman Alex Ebert (also of Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Ima Robot was one of his first bands along with The Lucky 13's) is calling a girl and leaving a rather lengthly proffession of love on her answering machine. Ebert drops line after line to the girl, one of my favorites is this gem: "So get back to whatever it is your doin' that's so cool. I'll get back to kicking rocks down by the highschool." I'm not really sure what it is but this song just gets me.
I don't really have too much of an insight on it, so I won't keep ya'll hanging around. Enjoy!
"Hello I Love You" by Ima Robot from Search and Destroy (2006)
-S
The premise of the song is that frontman Alex Ebert (also of Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Ima Robot was one of his first bands along with The Lucky 13's) is calling a girl and leaving a rather lengthly proffession of love on her answering machine. Ebert drops line after line to the girl, one of my favorites is this gem: "So get back to whatever it is your doin' that's so cool. I'll get back to kicking rocks down by the highschool." I'm not really sure what it is but this song just gets me.
I don't really have too much of an insight on it, so I won't keep ya'll hanging around. Enjoy!
"Hello I Love You" by Ima Robot from Search and Destroy (2006)
-S
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
My heart just skipped a beat
So as I was doing just a little poking around for my last post about Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck's new song "Heaven Can Wait" I stumbled upon another fantastic song.
To back-track a little and be a bit more specific, I was looking in to the duet that Lou Reed/Mo Tucker had going on "I'm Sticking With You", the Velvet Underground song (I won't lie, while I am a big VU fan, I heard this particular song first in Juno, I'm a wee-bit embarrassed) What I managed to find through the majesty of the world wide interwebs was another cover of "I'm Sticking With You" done by one of my all time favorite bands, The Decemberists. In this version Colin Meloy/Jenny Conolee duet for a version which, in my humble opinion, rivals the original. Needless to say, the lyrics are cute, far from a masterpiece, but the song is good.
"I'm Sticking With You" by The Decemberists from Always the Bridesmaid: Volume II (2008)
— S
To back-track a little and be a bit more specific, I was looking in to the duet that Lou Reed/Mo Tucker had going on "I'm Sticking With You", the Velvet Underground song (I won't lie, while I am a big VU fan, I heard this particular song first in Juno, I'm a wee-bit embarrassed) What I managed to find through the majesty of the world wide interwebs was another cover of "I'm Sticking With You" done by one of my all time favorite bands, The Decemberists. In this version Colin Meloy/Jenny Conolee duet for a version which, in my humble opinion, rivals the original. Needless to say, the lyrics are cute, far from a masterpiece, but the song is good.
"I'm Sticking With You" by The Decemberists from Always the Bridesmaid: Volume II (2008)
— S
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Runs in the family
I took a class called American Literature and Nature this year which focused on American writers who took on the topic of the "Great Outdoors," writers like Henry David Thoreau and William Faulkner.
However that is not what this post is about, it's about a field trip that we took to a mountain in our area (mid-winter mind you) and we also stopped at a little cafe/bookstore/record shop for lunch. While there I talked to my teacher about music (turns out we have a pretty similar taste...she's going to see Pavement in September, I'm exceedingly jealous). One of the musicians we talked about was Serge Gainsbourg (he's great in his own right, listen to "Bonnie and Clyde" with Brigette Bardot). The conversation turned to his daughter Charlotte and her new album IRM produced by Beck (whom I love anyway, Odelay was phenomenal). I ended up just downloading the whole album as soon as I got home and stumbled upon "Heaven Can Wait" a duet she did with Beck.
Led by a punchy piano/drum part the combo of their voices is really what I've been looking for recently (after going on a VU bender and falling in love with Mo Tucker's vocals paired with Lou Reed on "I'm Sticking With You"). Without further adieu, enjoy...
"Heaven Can Wait" — Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck from IRM (2009)
— S
However that is not what this post is about, it's about a field trip that we took to a mountain in our area (mid-winter mind you) and we also stopped at a little cafe/bookstore/record shop for lunch. While there I talked to my teacher about music (turns out we have a pretty similar taste...she's going to see Pavement in September, I'm exceedingly jealous). One of the musicians we talked about was Serge Gainsbourg (he's great in his own right, listen to "Bonnie and Clyde" with Brigette Bardot). The conversation turned to his daughter Charlotte and her new album IRM produced by Beck (whom I love anyway, Odelay was phenomenal). I ended up just downloading the whole album as soon as I got home and stumbled upon "Heaven Can Wait" a duet she did with Beck.
Led by a punchy piano/drum part the combo of their voices is really what I've been looking for recently (after going on a VU bender and falling in love with Mo Tucker's vocals paired with Lou Reed on "I'm Sticking With You"). Without further adieu, enjoy...
"Heaven Can Wait" — Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck from IRM (2009)
— S
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