Four Songs to Listen to Forthwith - 07/18/10

Janelle Monae is a beautiful up-and-coming pop R&B artist. Her first full length studio album which came out in May has done extremely well. I love it, it’s absolutely packed with experimental artistic pieces. I am just really surprised by the variety on this album. The song Come Alive sat extremely well me. There’s a few killer things that I liked about this song. It’s got a catchy back beat/melody that’s carried through the bass, lead guitar and lyrics. It’s all woven together well. But she doesn’t just pick a winning melody and let it carry the song, there are breaks, strange solos, and impromptu screams. It’s full of the fun swing that made a furious come back in the late 90’s. I believe this song would make a killer addition to a wedding reception, (wink wink, nudge nudge)

Local Natives are an Indie Rock band from LA. Why do I mention LA so much? because it’s noticeable in their music. LA artists have an air of extra relaxation, smooth, easy-going, “Why does everyone look at me funny when I show up an hour late?” kind of feel to them. So the album came out last year but I’m just learning about it and this band. The song Airplanes is simple and really enjoyable to listen to. It’s recorded faux-live, something that I like when it’s done well. The song has harmonious vocals from… I don’t know… apparently everyone but the drummer does vocals. Either way, it’s a great song. The lyrics and simple and to the point “I keep those chopsticks you had from when you taught abroad in Japan; I love it all; so much I call; I want you back, back, back, you back;”

Time to take a trip back for the last couple songs of this foursome. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists have been around for a while and are still putting quality indie music. I’d like you check out this tracks, its fun, poignant and that string of lyrics in that are repeated just after the middle of the song… wow. “I asked Jerry, he told Terry, Terry sang a song just for me, Lynvall gave a message to me, Rhoda screamed and then she asked me, Where have all the rude boys gone?" That relentless string of he-said, she-said just grabs me. It’s a great band and I hope to see them some time in concert. From the video they just strike me as full of energy and enthusiasm for their music. I like songs without a beat, and I like songs with a beat. I just need to categorize things and this fits nicely into the “has a beat, you can dance to it, or don’t” drawer.

Why are you hear? Want to find new and interesting bands? Open your awareness of music? Well here’s what you want. Miyavi – Survive he’s from Tokyo. I’m drawing a blank about what else to say about this guy, I’m excited to show you this song, it kicks ass. The song is all Japanese. So I have no decent lyrics. Here, let me attempt them for you.

Hello World
Yeah! Whoo! Ha!
Cat a cigarette, all that ashes, let me see The Nile
Who the fuck is this, fugging monkey, flying a new dato
Mama, where my key move all the time, dammit find a hero
??... ??? ... ??? ?? ??? LOSER!!
Yeah, I’m sorry, I’m serving
Said sorry, yeah, I’m serving.
And you won’t! Why my Whizzo (x3)
Go! Whew! Yeah!
You need a mirror, look around, and now you get a Sega
Back when the show was new never, it’s a Nintendo
Here’s to looking new bright and anthem as an Adder
Now don’t give away an ostrich my life
Hey correct, I’m guy a screaming Alec where’s my soda?
Keith’s new dalec in a piece I love these pills in water
I so hip I show no coat my shows almost ending
I’m gonna brag all month do that LOSER!
Guido’s won’t! grab my wizard (x6)