Awesome Dubs Part 2

Rolling Stones (Passing Stones):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8CtWUY7nvg

Queen - "The Behemothian Potpourri"


Kiss

Without You

I'm a bit obsessed with this song at the moment and it's not because of any heartbreak/schmaltzy hopeless romanticism. Originally written by Badfinger in 1970, "Without You" has gone on to be covered by many artists but arguably the best cover is by Harry Nilsson. Contrary to what some people think, the lyrics are actually "can't live" and not "Ken Lee".

Original Version

Harry Nilsson Cover

"Ken Lee" Version

Chewing Chewing Gum

One of my favorite songs ever and it's about falling asleep whilst chewing gum. Complete with an awesome organ blast at the 2 minute and 35 second mark.

"Fancy lad, fancy lad..."

This song from New York band Extra Life is the strangest I've heard in quite some time. I find it weirdly addictive.

Joker - Tron

Everyone else in the music universe has posted about this guy and this track, so why can't I? Dubstep is becoming increasingly popular and most of it I don't like, with the exception of this song. The first few hi-hat hits made me laugh at first, maybe you will too.

Decade Look: Part 15 - Muse's Absolution

For me, this trio from Britain have proven difficult to get into despite critical acclaim in their home country and beyond. Since I first discovered them about two years ago I've had stretches where I go from being absolutely enamored and then disregarding. Admittedly, up until the other day, I had never sat through an entire Muse album; I had always found Matt Bellamy's singing a bit superfluous. After putting on this 2003 album a couple days ago and sitting through the whole thing (and thoroughly enjoying it) I realized that Muse's sound is as Bellamy sings: over the top. While this is normally a contemptible trait and most 'mainstream' artists are as such, in Muse's case, it's what makes them so alluring. The first heavily struck piano chords of second track "Apocalypse Please" are a prime example: excessive yet intriguing. Before you know it you're caught up in the infectious bass-line of the following track "Time is Running Out" and the catchy chorus of "Sing for Absolution". The breathless pace continues with the shredding guitar licks and thrash of "Stockholm Syndrome" before a reprieve is finally found in "Falling Away With You". A few more hyper tracks follow including the immense "Butterflies and Hurricanes" that has to do with the butterfly effect of chaos theory, blah blah blah, who cares, it's a good song. Nearing the end of the album comes one of my favorite tracks on it, "Endlessly", a ballad of sorts that has stuck with me more than any other song. Soft electronic piano is accompanied by brushed drums, a perfect synth line in the chorus and Matt Bellamy's pining lyrics. I'm inclined to think my difficulties with Muse are a thing of the past and my interest in their music is just beginning.



Standout tracks: Time is Running Out, Stockholm Syndrome, Blackout, Butterflies and Hurricanes, Endlessly

New Music That Matters 2010: Caribou - Swim

"Odessa" is the opening track to Caribou's third album and it gets the album off to a roaring start. A bubbling, stabbing bass bit is center-stage throughout the song along with squealing synths and industrial metal clanking noises. Caribou's soft lyrics round out what is one of the best songs of the year so far. The rest of the album follows the same liquid electronic sound especially in second and third tracks "Sun" and "Kaili", the former using a repeated filtered uttering of 'sun' to go along with a jazzy drum-line. Another highlight is fifth track "Bowls", an instrumental minimal techno number that brings master of the genre Pantha Du Prince to mind upon hearing it. The following track "Leave House" is a funk/pop song and it's use of pan flutes and other woodwinds makes it the closest thing in sound to Caribou's previous album "Andorra". The weakest track on the album is the finale "Jamelia" which features guest vocals from some nerdy, nasally sounding guy and on the whole is a little bit over the top. Nevertheless, "Swim" is one of the year's finest so far.