2010 - WELCOME TO THE YEAR OF THE HIPSTER!
Hey everyone, welcome to the first posting of 2010! W00t w00t for all you Nubes. I am really excited this week, cuz there are 2 bands in particular who I recently just learned about that I know you will love. I’m sure their cd’s were released in 09, but buying cd’s which were released in 09 in the year 2009 is so 2009. That being said, I just found out about them and couldn’t be more stoked! Gnarly brah! Get your hipster suspenders on, and remember one thing “My biggest fear in life is being ordinary” – an actual quote from an anonymous hipster
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Corinne Bailey Rae – THE SEA – After Losing her husband to an accidental drug/alcohol overdose, Corinne Bailey Rae returns with her sophomore effort. A little darker this time around (well, darker compared to her Put Your Record On days); Corinne produces a solid album that brings to mind something out of the late 60’s - but in a good way. Criticism? The album is front-loaded with the strongest material. When she’s on the songs are timeless, however the latter half gets dragged down by too many forgettable slow jams. 3 Songs really stand out to me: the effortlessly light yet emotional single I’d Do It All Again, the flirty come-on Closer, and her brooding/sexy The Blackest Lily. Check, check, check ‘em out along with a couple more!o Are You Here
o I’d Do It All Again
o The Blackest Lily
o Closer
o Paris Nights/New York Mornings
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We Were Promised Jetpacks – These Four Walls – After being recommended WWPJ by a family member, I was interested to hear what these guys had to offer. After being told they’re often compared to Bloc Party (among other bands), I had VERY high expectations. As it turns out, the rumors are true, in a VERY good way! While at times their driving rhythmic guitar backbones seem to bite BP’s style, it is a style I happen to love. Some would say WWPJ is a one note band, meaning all of their songs are very similar sounding, but that is ok with me. While they don’t have the diversity of Bloc Party (especially apparent on their weak attempts at the slow-tempo ballads), these guys know how to make some melodic masterpieces; and who doesn’t love a great Scottish accent? CHECK THESE GUYS OUT!! o It’s Thunder and It’s Lightning
o Ships With Holes Will Sink
o Roll Up Your Sleeves
o Quiet Little Voices
o Moving Clocks Run Slow
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The Temper Trap – Conditions – So after recently hearing this band on a Coke commercial for about the 3rd time, I finally asked Nate to use his fancy “iphone internetz” to identify this band (that app is amazing, thank you Nate). I am so glad I did, this band is tha coooolest. Check this out, (disclaimer: this comparison is on the itunes page as well) these guys sound somewhat like a mix of Cold-Play, U2, the Killers 1st effort, and Phoenix, with vocal stylings of the BeeGees. The song which sparked my interest, Sweet Disposition (500 Days of Summer), is something memories are made of. Buy it, listen to it while you are doing something you love or remembering it, and it will forever take you back to that event- no joke. I LOVE this band, Here are my favorites…o Love Lost
o Sweet Disposition
o Fader
o Rest
o Fools
Some Great Singles to bring in the new year (in March?) well, the gypsy new year…
• Dirty Money – Love Come Down – Diddy comes off as an idiot yet again, but this time the end product is unique sounding and hits heavy on the bass. Reminiscent of early 90’s hip/hop R&B, but with a modern twist. This one grows on you kids.
• Nneka – After already conquering the music scene in Ze Germany (don’t say it Erin!), this Nigerian songstress debuts in the US of A with one of the coolest songs I’ve heard in a WHILE in Heartbeat. Adding to it, Beautiful has a cool reggae vibe to it.
o Heartbeat
o Beautiful
• V.V. Brown – Britain’s latest musical export, V.V. Brown is sporting more than just a great pair of legs, she can sing too! (imagine that) Though I don’t love her whole cd, these two tracks have perfectly balanced her 50’s roots with avant garde hit potential.
o Shark in the Water
o Everybody
• Lil Wayne & Nicki Minaj – Knock Out – Terrible c.d., GREAT song. Nicki Minaj’s chorus makes this song, backed by some infectious music. Baby 1,2,3…
• Fantasia – Even Angels – Fantasia may look a tad like one of THESE, (haha no seriously, right? p.s. it is hard to search for those - finally chin face worked..who knew?) but I’m a fan of her latest single. Very radio friendly, and corny lyrics, but good R&B pop
• Sade – Soldier of Love – There isn’t much to say about Sade, this lady knows how to make you sway. With just a touch of grey, she makes her critics pay with this full bodied sonic-display. With no further delay…
• Erykah Badu – Window Seat – The queen of cool (not to mention head-dresses), Erykah Badu delivers another blow to uptight people everywhere. Seriously, this song could have someone as awkward and stiff as Larry King loose-grooving to her hypnotic vibe. Light some candles for this one!
• Final Fantasy – This Lamb Sells Condos – One of the weirdest finds I’ve made in a while, This Lamb Sells Condos has an odd way of making me extremely happy and even nostalgic. The piano’s melody when it goes up and down into those high keys strikes a chord. No idea what the song is about, but the occasional funny lyric on top of everything makes this song one of my favorites.
• Vampire Weekend – People love the shit out of this band, and while the hipster in me can appreciate their style, I don’t quite get it. These 2 songs I get however. Horchata is the perfect soundtrack to a warm summer’s day cuddled up to a crunk bucket or 2 with the Fam (I also love me some Horchata). Giving up the Gun may take the cake for me though, what chuuu think?
o Horchata
o Giving Up the Gun
• Pink – Glitter in the Air – Did anyone miss the Grammy’s this year? Ashley called it, one of the best performances I've ever seen. Really incredible song, reminds me of Fleetwood Mac.
• Four Tet – For all of those fans of cool, relaxing electronic instrumental music (Maureezy where you at!), Four Tet makes some pretty stunning stuff.
o She Just Likes to Fight
o Plastic People
o Angel Echoes
• Dirty Projectors – Stillness is the Move –HIPSTERS UNITE! Whatever you want to call them: Hipsters, biketards, scene-bags, Canadians, etc…The year of the hipster is upon us and we can all celebrate this epic classic from the Dirty Projectors. Fill your fanny packs with expensive-foreign beer and patchouli, remove your shoes (unless in rollerblades) and get DOWN! (p.s. She totally looks like Michele Tanner's face on a grown woman's body)
• Guido – Beautiful Complication – This song will forever remind me of New Years Eve, thanks to Tron (Ro-bo-Tron) and Mr. “Seal” Magoat himself. It’s no JMac but it is as underground dub as I get. For now.
