So the Groove and I recently got a little bit of press from the folks over at Cinema Romantico, a film blog out of Chicago. If you’ve never checked out their site, you should definitely do so…and we just want to send out a hearty thanks! So, in recognition of those of you who dwell in the realm of the cinematic, I thought I would put up some recently released music videos. So settle in, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show.
I’ve written before about Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. As if their music wasn’t great enough, the band has decided to start releasing music videos as well. Everything about the group is epic (for example, the tour with as many as ten members), and why should their videos be any different?! Rather than release a one-off, typical, run of the mill music video, they have embarked upon a feature-length movie musical extravaganza. The movie is being produced in 12 parts, and so far “Desert Song” and “Kisses Over Babylon” have been released. I can’t say I fully understand any of this yet, but hey, it’s only parts 1 and 2! Can’t wait for the next ten!
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Part 1: “Desert Song”
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Part 2: “Kisses Over Babylon”
Ok, so I’m aware that both of those are a bit heavy…and frankly, a little odd, so I thought I would lighten it up a bit with the next two videos. The first is the song “Aerosmith, Take Me To The Other Side,” by the San Francisco based, “hammjamm” band Still Flyin’. Don’t ask me what a “hammjamm” band is…Still Flyin’ made up the term…but no matter what it means, it’s a good time, and I think this video proves it. And yes, that’s the band dressed up as Aerosmith. And I have to say, this song fully captures my own idea of Hell…Aerosmith, ugh.
Still Flyin’ – “Aerosmith, Take Me To The Other Side”
It’s hard to know exactly how to lead in to this next video…but here goes: Michael Cera giving a drug induced cosmic hug to Nicholas Thorburn. What more can I say?!
The Islands – “No You Don’t”
Well to finish up, I thought I would move away from officially released music videos and share some some fantastic, fan-filmed performance videos. All of these come from the music site, La Blogotheque, which is easily one of my favorite music blogs. Now I realize that it helps to be able to read French when you visit their site, but you don’t have to know a foreign language to enjoy their Les Concerts A Emporter series. They have dozens of these sessions, and they are all amazing…here are just a few of my favorites. Enjoy.
I’ve been a bit out of commission lately. In the past three weeks, I have been in or through thirteen different states, driven almost 5,500 miles, and had three oil changes and two car-washes. While all the travel hasn’t left me a whole lot of time to write any new posts, it has given me a chance to listen to a lot of music that I have been meaning to catch up on…and of all the bands I’ve been listening to over the past few weeks, the one that has stuck with me the most has easily been the Generationals.
The Generationals is the project of New Orleans based Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer, though they are joined by a number of other musicians and performers both on their album and in their live shows. Their debut album Con Law was released not too long ago by Park the Van Records. I first heard of Park the Van through Dr. Dog…I had caught one of their shows a long time ago, and the label was giving away free sampler cd’s to anyone who would take them. And while that first sampler didn’t exactly blow me away, the label has since picked up bands like The High Strung and The Spinto Band…and with their signing of the Generationals, it is clear that the label continues to expand, experiment, and explore in exciting and entertaining new ways.
The Generationals – “When They Fight, They Fight”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
It’s hard to classify the Generationals. Their songs run the gamut, pulling together a range of sounds and instruments that gives each song a unique and exciting feel. And these songs don’t just show a range of creative sound, they pull together influences from several generations of music…everything from 50’s sock hop to 90’s indie rock, all with a new twist…a 21st century hint of novelty. The song “When They Fight, They Fight,” for example, screams of Motown influences from the 60’s. It’s as though the song was ripped straight from my father’s oldies collection…yet the it doesn’t sound old-fashioned or hackneyed…it sounds new and original. Most impressively, none of the songs on Con Law sounds repetitive. “When They Fight, They Fight” might sound like a familiar oldie, but just listen to a song like “Wildlife Sculpture” and you are transported to the synth-inspired sound of the 80’s. The Generationals truly pull from generations, creating an album that is unique yet familiar…novel, yet comfortable.
The Generationals – “Wildlife Sculpture”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
And as if the album weren’t enough to elicit novel nostalgia, the band has also released a video for their song “Angry Charlie.” Ahh, the joys of the Polaroid.
Well, it’s inescapable, unavoidable, undeniable…the holiday season is finally here. I’ve been putting it off for as long as possible…avoiding the shopping, the decorations, the singing, but I can’t do it any longer.
I have to admit that I can’t stand all the holiday hype. It comes earlier and earlier every year, and the longer it drags on, the cheaper it gets. So I push it away, I fend it off for as long as possible, but when I’m ready to accept it, I accept it with arms wide open. And since today is that day (don’t ask why, it just is), I thought, “Why not share a musical bit of holiday cheer?”
Now this isn’t folks music, it’s certainly no indie rock, but I challenge you to find me a better Christmas video. Enjoy.
The Muppets – “Carol of the Bells”
And I just couldn’t resist…these three should do an entire album.
I wrote a little while back about Bombadil, the project of Daniel Michalak, Bryan Rahija, and James Phillips. Since the moment I first heard their albums, I have been completely perplexed and amazed. Their songs are a confusing mix of every sort of emotion…I can’t listen to one of their songs without wondering whether I should feel happy or sad, encouraged or depressed…and this always leaves me wanting more. One song in particular struck me when I first started listening to Bombadil, the song “So Many Ways to Die.” Like I said before, this song somehow manages to depress, enliven, and energize all at once…a stunning and painful mix that makes the song irresistible. Well, Bombadil has just released a video for “So Many Ways to Die” (their first music video ever), and it is absolutely stunning.
Bombadil – “So Many Ways to Die”
Just like the song itself, this video is a complete contradiction…it jumps between the stupid and the dangerous, between the absurd and the terrifying. One moment we are shown the silliness of man roller-skating across a narrow ledge (a nod to human ridiculousness and adventurism), and the next, we are facing nuclear destruction and the terror of human invention. I’m not sure which we are supposed to embrace, which we are supposed to shun, and which we are simply supposed to enjoy…but each time I watch this video, I am left more confused, and more eager to hit replay.
There isn’t a whole lot about Jimmy Fallon that I would consider worthy of praise…I mean seriously, just because you laugh at all of your own jokes, it doesn’t mean that they are funny. Be that as it may, no one can deny that the man knows his music, and his show is definitely a great outlet for a lot of fantastic bands who would otherwise not get any widespread exposure. And while it pains me to say it, I can’t deny that Fallon himself even has some moments of brilliance…like this one, which recently aired on Late Night. I’m not going to spoil it by giving you any details, except to say that you absolutely HAVE to listen carefully to the lyrics…enjoy.
It’s always a nice touch when a band goes through the effort of making a really great music video…it adds a whole new level of experience to any song. The song has literally come to life on the screen. We can watch it go by, taking it in with not only our ears, but also with our eyes. And while a video may present a song in a way we never would have imagined, a well done music video always gives us something new to think about…an entirely new way of experiencing the songs we’ve come to love. With the release of their video for “A Might Leviathan of Old,” Vandaveer has done just this…they have completely blown the lid off of a song that was already incredible.
And while I freely admit to being absolutely terrified of clowns, I have to say, I can support any clown who can calmly strut down the street, carelessly take a couple of puffs from a cigarette, nonchalantly toss it aside, and carry on with his business…the perfect prima donna clown. Enjoy…and if you haven’t done so already, have a listen to Vandaveer’s new album Divide & Conquer. You won’t be disappointed. And if you don’t…the clown will get you!
I was walking through Roanoke the other day and heard Christmas music playing in one of the shops downtown. As someone who feels that Christmas music should not be played until at least December 21st, this was a little troubling. We haven’t even made it past Halloween, and already people are playing Christmas music. Then it occurred to me…there just aren’t enough Halloween albums out there. Well, I’m here to remedy that problem. Forget the “Monster Mash,” here are a few favorites to accompany you on this fine Hallow’s Eve.
Still Flyin’ – “Haunted Houses”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Can’t wait to be terrified!
Pink Mountaintops – “Vampire”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Oh creatures in flight
Let’s be creatures of the night
Creatures in flight
Let’s be creatures of the night
Creatures in flight
Let’s be creatures of the night
You can suck out the blood
But you can’t kill the heart of my love
Colin Meloy – “Dracula’s Daughter”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Oh
Dracula’s daughter
Dracula’s daughter
Dracula’s daughter got it bad
You think you got it bad
Try having Dracula for your dad
See how it looks on you
Magnetic Fields – “Zombie Boy”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
You seem to have died of some form of the pox
They left you inside your tiny black box
I heard when you cried and I answered your knocks
Neutral Milk Hotel – “Ghost”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Ghost, ghost I know you live within me
Feel as you fly
In thunderclouds above the city
Into one that I
Loved with all that was left within me
Until we tore in two
Now wings and rings and there’s so many
Waiting here for you
TV on the Radio – “Wolf Like Me”
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Got a curse we cannot lift
Shines when the sunshine shifts
There’s a curse comes with a kiss
The bite that binds the gift that gives
