Archive for the 'Songs of the Week' Category

Songs of the Week: 11 September by amit

Amit:
Guster - “Empire State”
As everyone knows, this week strikes an emotional chord for millions and marks the fifth anniversary our country was viscously attacked. I thought it only fitting to choose a sentimental number as an homage to the country, more specifically, the great city of New York where thousands died and two American landmarks were lost. “Empire State” is an hushed song with a tip-toed melody and melancholic lyrics. Fortunately the track fades with words of hope.

All hands up, salute the Empire State
Faith is true, she knows the way
Ten miles tall in this: an empty space
Fallen walls all around
We’ll build again
Rebuild again

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posted on 6:42 pm 09/11/2006
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Songs of the Week: 4 September by amit

Amit:
Hall & Oates - “Maneater”
Every so often I have to suggest a “tongue in cheek” number that has very little musical worth. This week it’s an 80’s song. That’s right, the decade famous for sub-par music, the Iran-Contra Affair, leg warmers, and, above all, Daryll Hall and John Oates. “Maneater” is still a track you can safely have in your party’s playlist. How so? Well, once your guests send you questioning looks, immediately laugh. Then, offer them another stiff drink. They’ll know “Maneater” is playing for kicks. Just don’t go as far as showing the H&O music video (or your leg warmers) during the shindig.

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posted on 5:06 pm 09/04/2006
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Songs of the Week: 28 August by candv

Amit:
Phoenix - “Long Distance Call”
This track has had a heavy rotation on KCRW and there’s a reason why. Ignoring the fact that the song opens up with the iconic notes of the 2001: A Space Odyssey theme, “Long Distance Call” rattles with a catchy indie sound. I’ve yet to figure out what the Paris-based band is trying to say lyrically, but it’s worth a listen nevertheless.

Thanks Grishma for reminding me this song exists.

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posted on 12:01 am 08/28/2006
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Songs of the Week: 31 July by candv

Dan:
John Williams - “Jurassic Park Theme”
So I just went to Universal Studios and we rode this ride and this big fat woman in the front of our boat nearly blew out an o-ring when it took the 80 foot drop. All the while this theme music was playing. Freeze framed for eternity in a 25 dollar still.

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Amit
John Williams - “Back To The Future Theme”
This movie is such a part of myself and the American vernacular that I had to use the theme song for my Song of the Week. Be honest, who lets a day go by without using quotes like “1.21 gigawatts…Great Scott!,” and “flux capacitor?” I don’t. Nor did I refrain from dropping a few quotables during the wait for BTTF: The Ride at LA’s Universal Studios (review for the ride pending). Even eavesdroppers loved the lines they could only wish to use in their everyday vocabulary. Then a ghastly woman with the uncanny, but mostly horrific, semblance to Yubaba chimed in. Not only did her likeness cause us to skip a beat, but she questioned the quality of our conversations by adding “maybe I’d enjoy them better if I’d had a couple.” Lady who looks like Yububa, choke on another ice cream cone…

Oh, and that Huey Lewis song from BTTF is a classic. I’ll save it for another SOTW.

posted on 12:01 am 07/31/2006
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Songs of the Week: 24 July by candv

Amit:
Bright Eyes - “I Believe In Symmetry”
Many don’t know about “Digital Ash in a Digital Urn,” an album released the same day as the widely popular “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning.” So I’d like to introduce you to it with the perfect track, “I Believe In Symmetry.” Though the song as a whole is quality stuff, the part that gets me is actually the second half. Built on a long-winded and colorful outro, this portion explodes with strings and more of the now famous yearning vocals of Conor Oberst. Imagine the outro to Coldplay’s “Politik” then add more melody and emotion. It’s that good.

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Dan:
Lily Allen - “Absolutely Nothing”
So this isn’t my favorite song by Lily Allen. It’s just alright. But that’s not why I’m choosing Lily. Sure, her songs are catchy pop ditties with a beat you can dance to. Sure NPR and many more are hailing her as “the (forthcoming) album of the summer.” And sure you almost can’t escape her on the radio. But that’s not why I’m choosing her. I’m choosing her because this gal, hopefully, is where music’s going. Like Clap your hands say yeah, Lily Allen shot to fame all by herself. No record labels. No marketing team. No musical grooming by the likes of Clive Davis or Dave Navarro. This woman went out, made her own music, put it up on MySpace and now she’s conquering the charts. With music being so crappy these days, here’s hoping for a revolution. And people like CYHSY and Lily Allen are leading the way.

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posted on 12:01 am 07/24/2006
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