sotw

Song of the Week is Montoire’s “Elephant Files.” You can hear the song on their site. My infatuation with the song died out after a dozen listens or so, but it’s entertaining enough to hear at least a few times.

Other stuff I’m listening to: I just downloaded the first half of “Fang Island” on a whim and am liking it tons. It’s electric guitar-heavy music balanced by a peppy, upbeat vibe. I’m listening to it as I type and the album’s exuberance is making me smile.

Song of the Week is from The Soft Pack, a punk-ish band that makes simple, catchy songs. Their music has an air of familiarity to it and doesn’t seem to break any new ground, but I enjoy their song “Answer To Yourself” a lot (see the sidebar for the link). “C’Mon” (same album) is also catchy.

The Song of the Week is an old one, “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” from Outkast’s 1998 album “Aquemini.” I heard it for the first time week, and fell in love with the horns. Check the sidebar for the link.

SotW: “Surrounded By Your Friends” by Hooray for Earth. The song is from their EP Momo.

“In the end, you’re surrounded by your friends.” What a beautiful sentence. This song is going on my 2009 Music Mix. I also like the 2nd song on their EP. Download link in the sidebar.

“Film” is a pleasant instrumental song by “These Are the Vistas.” See the sidebar for the link.

It’s difficult for a song to be both catchy and complex, but I think “Figlude” by Matt Haimovitz (and Socalled) comes close. I listened to it over a dozen times and it still holds my interest. The spoken voice adds an interplay between the music and words that you won’t find in most songs. Check the sidebar for the download link.

Also, “Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros” did a desk concert at NPR that is a joy to listen to. It put a smile of my face. They are playing at the Black Cat in D.C. on November 16.

“Let’s Go Surfing” by The Drums is a fun, catchy surf-pop song. Also, I know he’s not saying “Obama”, but it’s really hard not to hear it that way.

There’s a YouTube video of the song, and a MP# link in the sidebar.

Stumbled upon Whitey’s “Wrap It Up” EP. Both songs are catchy and very good. My slight favorite is “Cigarette” (see sidebar for link).

I heard this SotW, “Olive Tree” by Zhu Fengbo,  from this video of a guy growing a beard in China. It’s much more interesting than I’m making it sound.  The guy starts off hot, gets progressively grungy, and then re-hots himself when he gets a haircut. It is an epic plot filled with ups and downs. Anyway, check the sidebar for the song link.

Song of the Week: “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (see sidebar for link). After hearing their music, I felt like I stumbled upon my Dad’s old record collection. The band has a fun, folky style that sounds transplanted directly from a decade long past.

My roommate introduced me to this hip-hop band, CunninLynguists. Although the group’s name is about as uncunning as a name can be, their songs have amazingly catchy rhythms and pretty good lyrics. I downloaded their new album, “Strange Journey Volume One,”and there are a lot of strong tracks on it.

The Song of the Week, “Lynguistics” (see sidebar for download link) is short and simple, but will give you an idea of their catchiness.

Song of the Week: “The Alder Trees” by Alela Diane (album info). See sidebar for download link. I’ve been listening to this one several times a day for the past week. The rest of the album is very good, but this is my favorite track.

As you’ve noticed, I haven’t felt like posting recently, but that will change eventually. 

In the meantime, it’s a new Song of the Week: “Fugaz” by The Pinker Tones, off their album Wild Animals. Check the sidebar for the song link. Fugaz is a simple but catchy electroncia song that wiggled into my head for a few days. Hope you like it.

The Song of the Week: “People Got A Lotta Nerve” from Neko Case’s soon-to-be-released album, Middle Cyclone. I’m not too familiar with her work, but this song is great. I’ve listened to it a few dozen times so far. The link is from the ANTI- music blog.