26 March 2008

Spring Fling

Thanks to the lovely ladies who attended tonight's RC meeting. The mix (and cover) should be available shortly!

In the mean time, here's the track list for this month's mix:

1. "Another Sunny Day"
by Belle & Sebastian (from the Life Pursuit)
Member: Erin

2. "What Have I Done to Deserve This"
by the Pet Shop Boys (from Very)
Member: Jennifer

3. "Sunrise"
by Yeasayer (from All Hour Cymbals)
Member: Darcey

4. "The 59th Street Bridge Song"
by Simon & Garfunkel (from Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits"
Member: Veronica

5. "The Last of the Famous International Playboys"
by Morrissey (from World of Morrisey)
Member: Jennifer

6. "Nice Day"
by the Salteens (from Short-Term Memories)
Member: Erin

7. "Easier"
by Grizzly Bear (from Yellow House)
Member: Darcey

8. "Anyone Else But You"
by the Moldy Peaches (from Juno OST)
Member: Veronica

9. "Start Anew"
by Acid House Kings (from Mondays Are Like Tuesdays)
Member: Erin

10. "Ce Jeu"
by Yelle (from Pop-Up)
Member: Darcey

17 March 2008

Vanilla Swingers



While their name rings oxymoronic (I imagine swingers to be more of a Rocky Road or Chocolate Fudge Ripple variety) there's nothing contradictory about Vanilla Swingers' music. Moody, electronic tracks are the backdrop for hushed boy/girl vocals telling the story of two lovers who run away to London then travel back in time. "I'll Stay Next to You" epitomizes Vanilla Swingers' cinematic themes and sound, while "Danger" sounds as if the Pet Shop Boys slowed things down to about 90 bpm and were fronted by a gorgeous, brunette chanteuse. Oh yes, despite their name Vanilla Swingers sound very brunette, the color of my desire.
I'll Stay Next to You [MP3, 12.2MB, 252kbps]

 Danger [MP3, 5.6MB, 180kbps]





www.vanillaswingers.com

www.myspace.com/vanillaswingers

Our Friend Brandy Johnson

So ya wanna be a 'Hipster'?

13 March 2008

Electronic Shoegazin'



Danny Provencher began making music as a child secretly singing over records (something I still do, not so secretly, as a full-grown woman, often over records I only hear in my head). At some point he committed his music to record, leaving out, ironically, his vocals. The earliest recording as Under Electric Light features four synth-pop instrumentals that sound like a mix between early Depeche Mode beats awash in New Order melodies. From my not-so-scientific investigation, Provencher didn't come out of the proverbial vocal closet until about three years later. The result is a clean, dreamy, earnest style free from any bells and whistles, content on remaining inconspicuously, well, great—and entirely timeless within the window of the last four decades. "Wintertime" is nothing less than a small epic worthy of ushering out this current season, while leaving the listener wanting more: oh, play that chorus again, please! "This Moment" fills that gap by repeating its gorgeous, soaring chorus once. Oh well, I'll just have to listen to them for the fifteenth time. Pull my leg.



from After the Blue (2007)

 Wintertime [MP3, 5.9MB, 192kbps]

 This Moment [MP3, 6.3MB, 192kbps]



from UEL Concert Sampler (2004)


 International Agreement [MP3, 5.8MB, 160kbps]



from Under Electric Light single (2002)

 Drop [MP3, 3.5MB, 160kbps]

 Time [MP3, 3.4MB, 160kbps]

12 March 2008

Spring is in the Air :: March RC meeting

Selected by popular vote, the theme for this month's RC meeting will be "Spring is in the Air."

Also, it appears that Wednesday nights seem to work for most RC members, so this month's will be held on Wednesday, March 26th at my house.

Please bring two songs, some literature/art and a food/bevy to share.

Let me know whether you'll be able to make it or not. Cheers!

06 March 2008

Songs To Play At Your Funeral



Here it is kids, the mix you all have been waiting for. Songs to cut yourself by, oh, I mean funeral songs. Just kidding, you can download here.

Cover Art and sleeve can be downloaded here.

Oh, to be young again.



Bricolage plays the smart, snappy, pop music I enjoyed listening to as a youngster —back in my high school days and early college years. This is the sort of song I'd listen to while getting ready for a date, gelling and blow-drying my hair and dressing according to the glossy templates found in fashion magazines (not unlike the Bricolage boys themselves). The upbeat, breezy sounds signified the budding hope and possibilities every new girl, every new date, held. Currently living the myriad of possibilities one such date produced I still follow my youthful listening habits matching the music to my mood. And these days Bricolage-type moods grossly outweigh the stormy, dark, and depressing adolescent funks that often followed less successful outings with the young ladies of my youth.

Footsteps [MP3, 4.3MB, 192kbps]



www.memphis-industries.com

www.myspace.com/bricolagetheband

05 March 2008

Women's names immortalized in songs

Early last year I was contacted by someone who was doing a piece on women's names immortalized in songs. I remembered the interview after thinking about our funeral songs since one of mine is the song I was named after.

If you haven't heard the podcast, here it is!

Bauhaus is back, weird.

For some people, the word Bauhaus will conjure German modernist art and design. For others, it will bring back memories of the early '80s and gothic rock. Twenty-five years after their last record, Bauhaus the band is releasing a new album, Go Away White.

I heard it on NPR yesterday morning. Read the complete article here.

03 March 2008

Two New Polls :: Themes & Days

Please take a moment to vote for next month's theme. Also, if you have a suggestion for a theme, let me know and I'll add it to the poll!

Also, I've added an additional poll to find out what night of the week works best for everyone. The night with the most votes will win - at least for this month!

February's RC Meeting :: Recap

Despite the small turnout, this month's RC was truly heartfelt. While Darcey and Veronica couldn't attend, they submitted their songs pre-meeting via email. Here's what Veronica had to say about this month's theme: "I've really been looking forward to this one - the theme is SO good! Well, I've planned my funeral songs for as long as I can remember. Morbid, perhaps, but an important decision nonetheless!"

The mix will be uploaded soon. Until then, here's a list of what everyone brought:

1. "Veronica"
by Victor Yturbe
Member: Veronica

2. "Asleep"
by the Smiths
Member: Veronica

3. "La Vida Es Un Carnaval"
by Celia Cruz
Member: Veronica

4. "Kingdom Come"
by Coldplay (from X&Y)
Member: Darcey

5. "I Will Follow You Into the Darkness"
by Death Cab for Cutie (from Plans)
Member: Darcey

6. "I'll Fly Away"
by Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch (from O Brother, Where Art Thou?)
Member: Darcey

7. "Lay Me Down"
by the Frames
Member: Kate

8. "Walls"
by Tom Petty
Member: Kate

9. "Naked As We Came"
by Iron & Wine (from Our Endless Numbered Days)
Member: Erin

10. "Chelsea Hotel No. 2"
by Rufus Wainwright (from Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man)
Member: Erin

11. "Big Hard Sun"
by Indio
Member: Tim

12. "Tiny Dancer"
by Elton John (from Best of Elton John)
Member: Rosemary

13. "Mad World"
by Tears for Fears (from Tears Roll Down)
Member: Jennifer

14. "Diamond Sea"
by Sonic Youth (from Washing Machine)
Member: Tim

15. "In My Life"
by the Beatles (from Rubbersoul)
Member: Rosemary

16. "Thursday"
by Asobi Seksu (from Citrus)
Member: Jennifer

17. "Gloomy Sunday"
by Billie Holiday (from Love Me Or Leave Me)
Member: Erin