Ignored, Maligned, and Forgotten Music

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Whoo! Alright Yeah...Uh Huh - The Rapture

You'll need some energy to get through Monday, and what better follow-up could there be to yesterday's jumpin' ska song than a indie-rock, nearly-pop, ultra-danceable bouncer like this one from The Rapture? I really wanted to include the video for this one, as it was so perfect for the song, but they've disabled embedding and I hate to reward those who film readily-available videos, and re-post them as their own, by using the (usually inferior) version. Have a listen and check out the video for Whoo! Alright Yeah...Uh Huh. Let me know if it gave you a little lift for this dreary Monday morning.

Vader - The Taj Motel Trio

I'm sending out a big, "Thank you!" to Battle of the Midwestern Housewives for introducing me to The Taj Motel Trio, who perform my new favorite song. It's got Star Wars, a wailing horn section, and a funky ska beat. For what more could you ask on a bright and sunny Sunday?

Monkey - Harry Belafonte

I've been fan of Harry Belafonte since I stole my parents' copy of "Jump Up Calypso" when I was a kid. While I enjoy almost every song on the record, Monkey has long been a favorite. It's such a goofy song, with the steel drums in the background and the monkey stealing his girl, that it stuck with me through the ensuing...several years, let's say.

For some reason, the song never made it onto the "Best of" compilations that get released for just about every major-to-mediocre recording artist, so I've not found a digital copy until today. Grooveshark has redeemed it's claim to offer "any song in the world" (although they didn't have Belafonte's Sweetheart from Venezuela, which was my back-up choice for this post. Just sayin'.)

Bang Bang to the Rock 'n' Roll - Gabin

I swear that there must be at least two groups that share the name Gabin, that's how different some of their songs sound from each other. Even on the "Mr. Freedom" album alone you get the funky Bang Bang to the Rock 'n' Roll, the somewhat mellower but still beat-heavy Mr. Freedom, and the smooth, jazzy Midnight Coffee. None of these have a great deal in common with Doo Uap, Doo Uap, Doo Uap off of their self-titled first album.

Consider this post a recommendation of all four of these tracks, for various reasons. I'm not a fan of all of Gabin's songs, but that's true of almost any band or singer. They do have enough going on in most tracks, instrumentally if not always vocally, to keep you interested throughout, which is more than I can say for many house tracks. Search them out and give them a listen!

Beng Beng Beng - Femi Kuti

Beng Beng Beng, a gem from the son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti will have to suffice for today. I've completely run out of posting time but I couldn't leave you without any funky grooves for another whole day. Enjoy Femi Kuti and tomorrow I'll give you a better introduction.

Kissie Show - Mynx

I apparently missed the big Mynx blowup over I'm So LA, about which many people have made Right Said Fred comparisons, including the one-hit gimmick accusation. I only uncovered it after hearing Kissie Show today. I must say that I much prefer the B-52s-gone-electro sound of the latter (regardless of how many people have made that same comparison. It's apt). The duo embrace a raucous, bouncy, 80s sound that I imagine would play very well in dance clubs at all hours of the night. Then again, I suspect that it will play well in my living room, where I'd be the only one dancing. Kissie Show is a little naughty to enjoy with the kids, although it's not quite explicit. I just don't want to explain why he's got a snake in his pants.

I must apologize for only including the 30-second preview, but I can't find the track anywhere else to embed. Someday, maybe I'll invest in hosting mp3s so that I don't have to rely on anyone else.

I, Avatar, Now with Moby

I was going to post a Gordon Lightfoot song, in honor of his recently-announced, upcoming local stop, but then I remembered what Gordon Lightfoot sings. Instead, enjoy the most recent version of I, Avatar from the ever-creative Polybore, who's gotten permission from Moby to use the song Sunday as the soundtrack. It's a wee bit mellow for my usual tastes, but it's a very nice song and a fun video. Look for my sneaks at the one-minute mark!

I Don't Know - The Blues Brothers

Here's a little piece of classic film and blues history to keep you entertained for a few days while I'm out of town. Sorry for posting on the fly, but I couldn't resist just one more song before I go. Enjoy, and leave me any suggestions for great songs to try when I return. Thank you!

The Many Sounds of Mason Jennings

I wanted to include the punk-folky Godless from Mason Jennings, as it's such an unusual song, but I thought that those of you unfamiliar with his more laid-back sound would not realize just how far astray this little song really lies for him. In order to clarify why I find this song so quirky and unexpected, I've included here both a live version of the entertaining Your New Man and the album version of Living in the Moment. I like Mason Jennings well enough in his usual acoustic/folk persona, but Godless gives you such a fraught and furious little story that I can't help but wonder what he'd sound like in a good punk band.

Hikky-Burr - Quincy Jones with Bill Cosby

While some bad news will keep me out of town and away from my computer quite a bit over the next several days, I didn't want to leave you without something fun for your listening pleasure while I attended to business. I thought that a little Quincy Jones would fit the bill, and I chose Bill Cosby's theme song, Hikky-Burr, as a reminder that the two worked together and as an example of a fun nonsense song.

Away - The Feelies

With some songs, you have to be exceedingly patient to get to the good parts. Away demonstrates that problem perfectly. You have to yawn your way through a full minute before The Feelies start picking it up and they don’t really get going until 1:20. They reward you for the wait, combining the sounds of Lou Reed and the Talking Heads in a way that takes you back to the heady early days of the Indie sound. (That makes sense, as the album “Only Life” was originally released in 1988.) There’s an alt-country, twangy guitar, a solid beat, and enough going on throughout the last four minutes that you readily forgive them for the rather self-indulgent intro. Well, I do, at least.

Hey Hey - BrakesBrakesBrakes

Here's a little old-school punk sound for a sunny, Sunday afternoon. Hey Hey comes from the latest album, "Touchdown", by BrakesBrakesBrakes. (I've seen the band's name capitalized several different ways, but this is how it popped up when I bought the song so that's how I'm writing it.) I've been listening to a lot of Clash and Ramones lately, and these folks fit in beautifully with that sound. If you like this one, take a listen to Crush on You, for something a little more spare but still full of punk sensibility.

Sugar Lights - Amaya Laucirica

I recently received an e-mail from Andrew Keese, whom I reviewed with The Associates some months ago. He shared another singer with me, Amaya Laucirica, and her new album "Sugar Lights". I made haste to listen to the songs not only because of Mr. Keese's recommendation but because he plays on the album as well (as does Andrew Cowie, one of The Associates).

"Sugar Lights" has some beautiful music on it and Ms. Laucirica does good vocal work. The songs tend a little toward country and a lot toward mellow and soulful. My favorite is the title track of the album, Sugar Lights, a more uptempo and somewhat heavier track but one which showcases the lyrical and musical abilities of both Andrew Keese and Amaya Laucirica. Take a listen, and check out more on her MySpace profile.

No Soul - The Rumble Strips

Today we've got not only a video to enjoy but a free track to go with it. Every so often, it behooves one to check out the sampler albums that Amazon offers for free from many and varied (mostly obscure) record companies. Today, I happened upon the “Gigantic Music Sampler” from Gigantic Music LLC. Once I got the dreadful Frances and the Dragons of Zynth off of my computer, I discovered that there were some fun songs on the album. The Rumble Strips stole the show with No Soul, but Aa came in a close second with their all-percussion antics on Best of Seven. I thought two videos might be overkill for a single day, so I picked the band I know better, if only by a nose. Whether or not you like the video, check out the album and the other suggested, free samplers. You can get a pile and a half of good (and sometimes great) free music from Amazon, if you're willing to do a little digging. Consider this your starting point.

Black Mission Goggles - Man Man

I apologize for the exceedingly brief note, but to make up for it I've discovered this strange little piece from Man Man, who have a catalog of strange little songs. I listened to a dozen today, but this one was my favorite. Tomorrow I'll write something a bit more substantive.

Will Dailey


I received a request to review Will Dailey’s newest efforts, “Torrent Volumes 1 and 2”, a part of a larger project that will include his releasing a few songs every three months as a sort of long album. While I was interested in the gimmick, I wouldn’t mention it if I didn’t like the music.

I liked Mr. Dailey from the first song, Down the Drain, and enjoyed all thirteen songs, to varying degrees. More importantly, they stand up to repeated listens, as I can attest after having them shuffle through several times today. The music is sparse, the lyrics catch your attention without being cute, and Will Dailey’s voice ties suits both beautifully. He’s got a little country twang from time to time but the occasional hand claps and flare of horns combine with the non-standard clichés to keep him from being pigeonholed.

Most of the songs on “Fashion of Distraction” and “By the Blue Hills”, the actual names of the first two releases respectively, portray a man contemplating love and its complications, and are successful in having a hook to keep you interested without trying too hard. My favorites thus far are the afore-mentioned Down the Drain, Tomorrow Still Comes, and Too Long. You can listen to four of the songs off the album at his web site and more on his MySpace page. The album was officially released today. I have to say, it's requests like this that make me love being a music blogger, as I doubt I'd have heard of Will Dailey otherwise.

Rehab - Paulo Nutini

As promised, I've got something new for you all, although Paulo Nutini doesn't sound new. The first time I heard him, I assumed that it was an old recorded and I'd simply missed him along the way. The more I listened, the more I respected his ability to play different styles well and convincingly. He recently released his second album, “Sunny Side Up”, but I haven't listened to that one enough to choose a favorite track yet.

I'm not sure if you'd call him an Italian Scot or a Scottish Italian, but whatever the case Nutini's got a lovely voice and a breezy style, often reminiscent of Martin Sexton. I'd love to hear him cover Diggin' Me, for instance. Until I decide whether his newest are even better than his first album, “These Streets”, enjoy Paulo Nutini's cover of Amy Winehouse's Rehab alongside the original version.

Uptight (Everything's Alright) - Stevie Wonder

It seems a perfect day to revisit the old Motown sound that held so much sway in the 50s, 60s, and into the 70s. I considered a lot of options, mostly more obscure songs like Jamo Thomas's I Spy (for the FBI) and Tina Turner telling Ike that he was Funkier Than a Mosquita's Tweeter, but I decided in the end to go with Stevie Wonder's Uptight.

Actually, I had intended to use the Diana Ross and the Supremes version of the song, but I decided that Stevie's was better on a re-listen. (That and the fact that Grooveshark did not have Ms. Ross's take on it, but Stevie Wonder really owns this tune.) The man may have recorded a lot of cheesy stuff, but you cannot deny his Motown chops after listening to Uptight (Everything's Alright).

After all of this time travel, I'll have to look for something a little more current for tomorrow. Perhaps something from the 80s? Just kidding. I'll find a song from the 90s, at the oldest. I promise.

She's a Business - Iggy Pop

When I first heard that Iggy Pop's new album was based on a novel by Michel Houellebecq, I was intrigued. Upon hearing a few of the tracks, I was convinced. While Mr. Pop may be the poster child for punk-rock sellout, he's definitely crafted something for music lovers to enjoy here. While I quite like King of the Dogs, Party Time, and the second rendition of Les Feuilles Mortes, my favorite from the album ("Preliminaires", for you French speakers out there) remains She's a business. You can't help but tap your toes to the solid beat while trying to decipher the slightly smeary lyrics. The whole things gives you a truck-stop sense, a visual of a woman strutting through a sleazy bar, metaphorically chewing up men and spitting them out as she goes. Now I'll have to read the book and see how far from the inspiration the song has taken me. I'll post again if I'm way off (or if I've really nailed it). Until then, enjoy!

Gentle on My Mind - Dean Martin

As an apology for picking two consecutive truncated songs (if you aren't signed in to imeem), I'm offering you this yodelly, swingin' tune from Dean Martin. You may well be familiar with That's Amore and even Ain't That a Kick in the Head, but Deano had a lot of great songs up his musical sleeve. I wasn going to post On a Slow Boat to China, but then I saw this one on the list and I don't think I've ever heard it anywhere besides my own house. Enjoy a little Rat Pack and I'll see if I can't find something a wee bit more recent for tomorrow.

Who Knew - JJ Cale

JJ Cale offers this slowed-down jazz rap on his album "Roll On", and it's filled with observations about how technology impacts our lives. In addition, it's a fun little tune to bop along with in your seat when you're driving. Note that I've been reduced to imeem yet again. Oh, the horror! Perhaps tomorrow I can pick a song that's available from Grooveshark. Have a lovely Monday, folks, and if you aren't then try a little JJ Cale as a pick-me-up.

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