In defense of Keane

So those ubiquitous In Plain Sight commercials have reminded me how much I liked Keane back in the day. (on second thought, maybe it's only ubiquitous because of the amount of Law & Order: SVU that I watch on USA. but i digress).

The song is "Everybody's Changing," and it's interesting that they're using it now, since it's about 5 years old and was never a single. But those factors combined actually make it pretty fresh sounding, in the way that only a song that you used to love but haven't heard in years can. But the question I constantly have to ask myself with these guys is do I like them because I used to love them, or because they make good music? Because, honestly, it's not very hip to like them. (honestly, who reading this isn't a little skeptical right now?).

I'm just going to say it: I LIKE KEANE.

And I'll tell you why.

I took the time to listen to them. I did not let "Somewhere Only We Know" inform my entire opinion. It was a hit, and was branded "adult contemporary" (whatever the fuck that means) and they were often mentioned in the same breath as Coldplay (fuck Coldplay). And if you only listen to that song, it makes sense. But the rest of 2004's Hopes and Fears goes in more than one direction. It's piano driven rock, sure, but it gets fast paced and even experimental and dark toward the end.

And unlike Coldplay, there next album did not replicate their earlier sound. 2006's Under the Iron Sea is an extremely cohesive and interesting album. It might even be considered a concept album, complete with a thematic instrumental track half-way through. Again, the different tracks feature different things, from Tim Rice-Oxley playing his piano through a vintage guitar petal on "Is It Any Wonder?" to Richard Hughes playing a backwards beat (there's no other way to describe it) on "Atlantic," all while Tom Chaplin pushes and explores his vocal range (aside: this band is a great example of why all songwriters should have the best possible vocalist for their songs. sometimes it's better if you don't sing it yourself).

And again, 2008's Perfect Symmetry saw them finding a new sound. And I think they quite successfully explore synths and more dance-ready tunes (see my synthtastic playlist). Not to say the whole album is like that. I can't comment extensively on this album, however, since I don't know it as intimately as I do the other two.

I don't mean to say they don't have there missteps. There are songs I can't stand, but on the whole, I think they get it right, particularly on Under the Iron Sea which so brilliantly uses the album as a form instead of just a collection of songs.


I mean, they're a power trio! and adorably British! I am unashamed to love them.



The song that set off this rant (live! in a stadium! post-rehab!):



i mean, have you ever seen someone rock out so hard at a piano? i didn't think so.


(this post is dedicated to brittaney with whom i will always be united in keane love)

But is it worth it?

I... kind of want to go to All Points West?


If I buy early it's only $199. But I don't really care about the 3 big headliners. Is wanting to see 11 of the other bands and all the comedians really worth it?


or should I just fuck it and go to Bonnaroo?

Breaking Form

This has little to nothing to do with music, but I have interests that are broad and diverse, and I came across something the other day that I really enjoyed, and thought you might enjoy, and since I spent part of my day at Buffalo Exchange (the clothing store they go to, just wait you'll see), and since I love any and everything that David Wain does especially if it involves Paul Rudd (and the best things do), here is an episode from David Wain's web series "Wainy Days" that parodies The Pickup Artist, vh1's terrible "reality series" which is actually amazingly entertaining if you just let go of any and all respect you every had for any human being. whoo. ok let's go.



Do I know comedy, or do I know comedy?

some friendly advice

Make a Genius playlist using Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill."


YOU'RE WELCOME.




I mean... this is pretty much THE bike riding song, am I right? Peter Gabriel does what he wants.


(thanks to Ryan for pointing out the video)

Video Flashback: Will Smith

Last night, full on sushi and lazily watching an old SNL, the topic of Will Smith came up among my friends and I. After seeing a trailer for the DVD release of Seven Pounds we began to lament the fact that Will Smith seemed to no longer do tie-in music videos with his films. (haha, imagine what a Seven Pounds tie-in would have been like? Pretty ridiculous. But I Am Legend? A video for that could have been amazing!)

Anyway, even though it is widely agreed upon that Men in Black is a much better movie than Wild Wild West, there was some disagreement as to which was the better song. Now that is something worth discussing. Both songs tell the story of their respective movie's plot, both sample famous melodies ("Forget Me Nots" and "I Wish"), and both feature a charismatic, costumed Frsh Prince. But which is superior?

Let's refresh our memories:



"It's the MIB's. Here come the MIB's." Ha. I love it. I remember quite well that this video comes after the credits on the VHS tape. Also, I think I know about 95% of the lyrics and could sing back the whole song without much prompting. And that dance breakdown with the alien? Genius.

Next!



This video comes with its own storyline. And the song itself is arguably more catchy (as is the source material). AND it features Cisco of "The Thong Song" fame! But unlike with "Men in Black," which makes me want to watch the movie, "Wild Wild West" just reminds me how good the movie should have been and wasn't.

But we're comparing videos here. And "Wild Wild West" not only features the ever-gorgeous Selma Hayek, but there are cameos by Stevie Wonder (we love Stevie) and CARLTON! (at 3:06 is you missed him). Ultimately though, I don't like the separate storyline. And though Will Smith makes a hot cowboy, nothing beats the sharp suit and Ray Bans.

If I HAVE to choose, though both are fabulous, my heart belongs to "Men in Black."


Which is better? Leave your vote in the comments.

All the Single...what?!

I agree with Gabe at Videogum: this is the worst.




I don't even know where to start with this? It's not cute and tongue-in-cheek, it's just straight-up wrong. And every time you think it's bad, it just gets worse. Most importantly, WHO LET THESE PEOPLE INTO YALE??

Dear Bono,

It's not OK to wear eyeliner. It may have been cute when Brandon Flowers did it, but even he got too old for it. Please put the sunglasses back on. It's for your own good.

Your friend,

madelyn


P.S. in case you forgot what it looks like...





(photos of U2's glamtastic photo shoot with SPIN is here)

Goodbye, Blender.

The closest I've ever been to being featured in a magazine was when Blender came to [insert name of very famous tv show here] Camp, where I was a counselor. I helped the very cute photographers take pictures of the kids (I was their hype-man). And they almost took a picture of me with a camper, but they missed the moment, and I made a jokey quip about how I was just dying to be featured in the Blender magazine. They told me they were freelancers, and then we all laughed. So that's how I almost got into the issue of Blender with Kanye on the cover. It's sitting on my bookshelf right now.

Sorry about the lame story. But I am kind of sad that a major music magazine has died, even one that's sometimes the butt of jokes.


Colin Meloy's thoughts via his twitter: Goodbye, Blender mag. Thanks for our first-ever national review, in which you called me "donkey-voiced."

oh Blender, you may be missed.

Take on Me to Wonderwall

I think this may be the best thing the "Take on Me" promise has turned up so far.

You wouldn't expect a mash-up of "Take on Me" and "Wonderwall' to work, but it does. It really really does. (Though, some of my friends may think otherwise, KYLE).

Don't let the terrible midi drums at the start turn you off, if you keep listening, you shall be rewarded.

The layers are fantastic. I love when the cellos come in. And the competing choruses blend so well. I don't even know what to write, it leaves me bewildered in a really fantastic way.

cause above all, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT WORKS! Seriously, who would think to put these songs together? Who knew it would work so well??


I just wish the electronic drums weren't so bad, otherwise it could be truly majestic. As it is, it's merely golden wonderment.

holy crap!

Spinal Tap is playing a show?! in new york in may?

dear god, i want to go to there.

Broadcast 2000

I love when my "Take on Me" google alert lead me to strange and wonderful things. First, it was the Muse mash-ups (and my subsequent love of "Starlight") and now this.

Should I explain? Apparently these dudes (well, this one dude, Joe Steer, and his live band) have been known to play "Take on Me" during their live show. According to the review that my google alert alerted me to, Joe handles the challenging vocals of ToM with ease. I wish I could find it, but there appears to be no recording.

But that's ok! That same review also said that they sound nothing like their name, Broadcast 2000, might make you think (which to me could either be some sort of electronic collective or a pop-punk band on Drive-Thru Records (no offense Evan!)). I looked into it, and I really dig what I hear.

They play dreamy, contemplative folk-pop. with a glockenspeil. Like Beirut meets Noah and the Whale. They hail from the UK and have only one release to date, 2008's Building Block (either a long EP, or a mini-album, whichever way you want to look at it). BUT you know their music without realizing it. Their song "Run" is featured in the macbook-is-the-greenest commercial.

Anyway, having heard most of their tunes, I can definitely say that "Get Up and Go" is the stand-out track. Check it ouuuuuut:

I can't even describe this song. It has an ethereal quality. It's another one of those lying-under-the-stars songs, but it's not as pure an simple all that either. It's gorgeous, light, and twinkling but with a lingering darkness. I can't explain what it is about it that I love so much, and it's driving me a little bit crazy. I mean, it's haunting.

So, this is definitely a band I'm going to be keeping tabs on. I don't expect "Get Up and Go" to be leaving my head anytime soon, anyway. Plus Joe Steer is HOT. Check him out:








He has so many feelings. oh baby.

I love you, Paul and Jason

I highly recommend I Love You, Man.

Best music related parts:

- Paul Rudd and Jason Segal playing (and singing!) "Tom Sawyer"

- Their referring to Rush as "the holy trinity" (way better than mere "power trio")

- The extended "Slappa the bass, mahn" joke

- Their dancing at a Rush concert. oh Geddy Lee, how I love you.


Go see it. You're welcome.

they don't love you like I love you

This is what I mean about cover songs. Covers are best when a band takes another band's song and uses it to say something new. So it's the same song, but it's not. It recalls the source material, doesn't mimic it. It's the difference between photocopying a famous painting and painting that same painting using your own brushes and paint. There's depth in the latter, there's feeling, there's passion.

That being said, I really, really dig this Rogue Wave cover of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Maps." It comes from Sweetheart, the same Starbucks compilation album that also features A.C. Newman's take on "Take on Me." It's "Maps," certainly, but it's Rogue Waves' "Maps." It is distinct, but in a way that honors the original (instead of mocking or destroying or carbon-copying it). It's the kind of cover that someone could like more the original because it is its own song. Its own gorgeous song.

It makes me feel like I'm lying outside under the stars.


"Maps" is actually an oft-covered song. It makes sense. It's a simple song, with a beautiful and memorable melody. Honestly, I have yet to come across a bad version. Notably, Arcade Fire does a passionately earnest version, and Ted Leo uses it as the bridge to his cover of "Since U Been Gone" giving it an epic urgency.

Also, when I happen to sing the song as a member of one of my Rock Band bands, the vocals are a breathtaking combination of strength and vulnerability that have brought a crowded room to the brink of tears. Not to brag or anything.

My 13-year-old self Is FREAKING OUT

When I was 13, I was a little obsessive. My love was boundless, and extremely focused. My favorite band ("band") was Nsync. My favorite movie was That Thing You Do! (still in my top 2). So tell me, what's better than taking two obsessions and combining them?




If I had known that this existed, I probably would have had some sort of sensory-overload, mind-blowing break down. It would have been too much to handle. I mean, they're wearing red suits! Too much.

The whole playing instruments thing would have been enough back then. Present day me is actually a little impressed by that (in a this-is-more-than-I-thought-you-were-capable-of way not a i-could-never-replicate-your-awesome-skills way). Though Chris' strumming is a little suspect. It doesn't seem in time, but the solo looked like he was actually playing, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Also, this video is proof that you always have the idiot play the drums. And you put the hot one on the bass.



This post is dedicated to my ever-quoting friend Katie. (and thanks to Ryan for finding this!)

Video Flashback: The Rolling Stones

well, a before-my-time video flashback. thank god for youtube, am i right?

"Under My Thumb" on Ready, Steady, GO! 1966



It's hard to believe that the Stones were ever this cute. So cute! Mick's dancing is cute (instead of the weird and creepy writhing it became. who knew he ever looked this cute too? STAY OFF DRUGS, KIDS!). Charlie Watts' glasses (and tie and vest) are cute! Brian Jones' xylophone playing is cute! Bill Wyman is the definition of the stoic bassist, and it's cute! Each one of their haircuts is cute! I would do terrible things to all of them, in fact (what can i say, i have a thing for big/lots of hair). It makes total sense that they got unbelievable amounts of ass.

On that note, what I think is really funny about this video is the girls. They're going crazy, but not really. They're like reserved crazy. Like, they're fighting to get past guys holding them back, but not really. There's one girl who's sort of crying. It seems more like the the show wanted to make it look like there was some sort of hysteria, but the girls weren't really doing it. Girls are way more crazy these days.

I love this song. It's funny how you can tell that the song fade's out on the album and they haven't quite figured out how to end it live. Awkward. Also, Keith gets very little love from the camera. Poor Keith.

But the most important question is WHERE CAN I GET MICK'S JACKET??? I think I would wear it every day.

more dino news!

Looking for the perfect present for someone special (i.e. me)?

My friend Elizabeth shared with me this story about how a dryosaurus fossil failed to sell at auction. WHAT?! Who wouldn't want their own dinosaur??? I mean, how could you say no that that face?

Hey buddy! I'm going to name you Gerald.

Topmodelz with a Z

I don't really know what releasing a techno cover of "Take on Me" accomplishes. It's already a synth-heavy dance song.

But you can't get between Germans and their techno. The duo Topmodelz (does Tyra know about them?) obviously felt the need to release it as a single. Lord knows why. Sure, adding some thumping bass never hurt anyone, but if you don't have anything new to say, maybe you shouldn't say anything at all. But that brings up the whole argument of the merit of covers in general, and do i really want to get into that now? The answer to that question is no.

Because I love you, I won't embed, but if you really feel the need to hear it, here's the link. Silly Germans are silly.



Sorry. But you knew what we were getting into with the "Take on Me" promise. It was bound to turn up a few clunkers.

dino time!

I've been neglecting half of this blog's subject matter. True, A Dinosaur in Brooklyn is a music blog. but it also a DINOSAUR blog. So, now's the time to share some dino news.

First, this Thinkin' Lincoln comic was sent to me by my friend Kyle, and it reminded me that I have an obligation to be true to my blogs name. It also made me laugh.

That comic made my friend Ryan curious enough to see if there was in fact a www.thebestdinosaur.com. I am pleased to report that there is. With sweet illustrations!

I was then reminded that I read this BBC article the other day. It says that dinosaurs may actually have been fuzzy and not scaly. That they had crazy colorful dino-feathers. This blows my mind! Everything I thought I knew is wrong! Dr. Grant was right, they DID turn into birds!



That's it for today's dino round-up. But there will be more to come, naturally.

You too can be a member of Vampire Weekend

... if you agree to wear ugly stoner-wear.

Last night the J. Crew's poster boys visited Jimmy Fallon and gave him "White Sky." And they brought a lot of friends with them.



I think they're trying to join Broken Social Scene and Arcade Fire in the who-can-fit-the-most-musicians-on-a-stage contest.

but about the song....

It's light, it's fun, it's summery. It's everything you'd expect from VW. But boring. I haven't totally given up on the song however. According to Stereogum's commenters, the song is much more upbeat live. Fingers-crossed for the studio version.

But the funniest thing about this video is the performance. Ezra looks totally awkward without his guitar and trying to dance around. And then mr. too-cool-for-school drummer chose to play only two of his drums. I can imagine how the band conversation went....



SCENE:
A post-rehearsal Vampire Weekend is chilling in Jimmy Fallon's green room. Keyboardist/guitarist ROSTAM is periodically picking at his guitar and jotting down notes, presumably writing a song. Drummer CHRISTOPHER is flipping through Harper's. Bassist CHRIS is asleep on the couch. Vocalist/guitarist EZRA enters.

EZRA: I don't feel like playing the guitar tonight.

ROSTAM: Ezra, come on, we've talked about this...

EZRA: No seriously, there's going to be a string section. It'll be fine.

CHRISTOPHER: If he's not playing, I'm not playing.

ROSTAM: What? NO! You have to play.

CHRISTOPHER: But that's what the back-up drummer is for.

ROSTAM: This is for tv! You don't want to be on tv?

CHRISTOPHER: Fine, but i'm only playing 1 drum. And I wanna stand in the front.

EZRA: As long as he doesn't get in my dance space.

CHRISTOPHER: Oh, you lose the guitar and suddenly you're Rick Astley, huh?

EZRA: I will slap those wayfarers right off your face!

CHRISTOPHER: Bring it on, madras boy! Be sure to push up your sleeves first!

ROSTAM: Stop! Just stop! Ezra, I will play the guitar for you, as long as you let Christopher stand up front with the rest of us. And Christopher, you have to play at least 2 drums. ok?

EZRA: Fiiiine.

CHRISTOPHER: I'm leaving the wayfarers on.

ROSTAM: fine.

EZRA: fine!

CHRISTOPHER: FINE!

CHRIS: Would you guys shut up? I'm trying to nap.

CHRISTOPHER: Oh hey Chris. I thought you'd gone to get us that mini-fridge.

CHRIS: uh....

EZRA: yeah, any update on the mini-fridge thing. We could really use one in here.

ROSTAM: Chris, go back to sleep. We'll wake you before we go on.

CHRIS: whatever...

End Scene.



They should really work on that whole inter-band-tension thing. Also, bonus points to anyone who gets the Guitar Hero 2 reference!

Happy Saint Patty's Day!

Well, I'm off to get drunk in Boston.



God I love Boston. Remember when the Dropkicks played this song on top of a duck boat during the Sox parade while Papelbon air guitar-ed along with a broom?

fuck yeah...

the day i've been waiting for

NEW (synthtastic!) VOXTROT!

"Trepanation Party," y'all:

The production is fantastic. The drums and bass sound great even on shitty laptop speakers! mmm, Voxtrot bass, how I've missed you. Plus I adore the totally-80's-yet-still-fresh-sounding synth. Not as instantly catchy as most of their canon, and certainly a little darker, but it's bound to make it into my most-played rotation. It's also their longest track to date, which you do start to feel by the end. I agree with Stereogum's take, it's like a modern Cure. Ramesh Stristava certainly has a lot of feelings, almost as many as Robert Smith I'd wager.

Granted, this track comes after a two year hiatus. And ever since I discovered them last year (and became obsessed over the summer) I've been absolutely desperate for something new (and the chance to see them live). So I don't know if I dig the track because of that alone, or because it is actually a great track. Maybe a combination of the two.

Now I just need them to come to New York, so I can adore them live. (I've heard one questionable report that they are no good live, particularly Ramesh's vocals, but i refuse to believe. A testament to the strength of my love?)

Sugar Lumps

I must admit, i haven't been keeping up with Flight of the Conchords this season. The second season started earlier this year, but I've only seen the first episode, which just showed up in my iTunes as part of their podcast (and the episode itself was unremarkable, though i did quite enjoy Murray's "Rejected"). I mean, it's one of my favorite shows, but i don't have HBO and my old laptop was so bad at streaming video, it wasn't worth dowloading them. I figured I'd catch up at some point.

But speaking of their podcast, the video for "Sugar Lumps" from season 2's episode 2 appeared in my itunes the other day. Honestly, sometimes the boys can miss the mark, but this shit is funny. Really funny. Maybe it's the hilarious back-up dancers (including the skinny asian from the "Boom" episode!). Maybe it's Dave's hilarious first appearance in a song. Maybe it's the oh-so-subtle imagery. Maybe it's the different types of pants that Jemaine models. Maybe it's how they actually think girls like looking at men's junk. Doesn't matter, it's all comedy gold.

Check it out:




Their songs got weaker as the first season went on, BUT THIS is a true gem. I can't wait to check out the rest of season 2.



Also, some personal advice: Never leave precious things like, i don't know, your DVD's of Flight of the Conchords season 1, at the apartment of someone you're dating unless you never want to see them again. Still kicking myself for that one.

omfg

I was already expecting I Love You Man to be the best movie ever. But now I find out Rush is going to be in it? The RUSH??? Paul Rudd and Jason Segal actually sharing the screen with that lovable, prog-rocking, Canadian power trio? woahs.

Here's the (Vampire-Weekend-and-Pixies-featuring) trailer in case you haven't seen it:





I Love You Man comes out this friday. I'm maybe a little excited.

An Ode to My Old Play Counts

Switching operating systems means there are going to be a few casualties.

Some people don't care about their play counts. Personally, i don't take them too seriously, but they are a good way to make "Top #" playlists and are some times pretty surprising. But as soon as i plug my iPod into my new (still unnamed) macbook, everything will be reset. So for posterity, here is my old top 50 most-played songs (i won't even edit it for embarrassing things. except my own band. that's actually pretty embarrassing).

The songs I Love(d) the Most:
A Tribute to My Dead PC

1. Think I Wanna Die - Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin
2. Firecracker - Voxtrot
3. Who Do You Love? - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
4. Walking to Do - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
5. Australia - The Shins

6. Trains to Brazil - Guillemots
7. Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
8. Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe - Okkervil River
9. Unless It's Kicks - Okkervil River
10. Sunndal Song - The Apples in Stereo

11. The Start of Something - Voxtrot
12. Bridges, Squares - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
13. La Costa Brava - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
14. Firecracker - Steel Train
15. Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives - Voxtrot

16. A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
17. 101 - Albert Hammond, Jr
18. Flathead - The Fratellis
19. The First Single - The Format
20. Made Up Love Song #43 - Guillemots

21. Glue Girls - Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin
22. A Bottle of Buckie - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
23. In Transit - Albert Hammond, Jr
24. 2nd Ave, 11 AM - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
25. Rebellion (Lies) - The Arcade Fire

26. Evil - Interpol
27. Me and Mia - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
28. Electricityscape - The Strokes
29. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - The Arcade Fire
30. Phantom Limb - The Shins

31. O Valencia! - The Decemberists
32. I Feel Weird - Steel Train
33. Who Left the Lights Off, Baby? - Guillemots
34. Kissing the Lipless - The Shins
35. I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You - Black Kids

36. Look Me Up - Georgie James
37. Hearts of Oak - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
38. So Far We Are - French Kicks
39. The Magic Position - Patrick Wolf
40. Soft & Warm - Voxtrot

41. I'm a Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastien
42. Marching Bands of Manhattan - Death Cab for Cutie
43. Stereo - Jared Scharff and the Royals
44. Biomusicology - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
45. Oceans - The Format

46. The Compromise - The Format
47. Hold On, Hold On - Neko Case
48. Colleen - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
49. Is There a Ghost - Band of Horses
50. Wait, Wait, Wait - The Format


The top 6 songs were played 100+ times. Every song was played at least 49 times.
Ted Leo shows up 11 times. I'm surprised it's not more, actually.




Sorry. This post is more for me than for you.

i'm making the switch to mac...

...this could take a while.

Synthtastic!

Thank God for the synthesizer, am i right?

Here are some tunes I'm pretty into right now. Get ready to dance!

1. Spaceman - The Killers
Of course I'm gonna start things off with the best song ever written bout alien abduction. duh.

2. Spiralling (Radio Edit) - Keane
Great tune. And I'm so glad to hear them explore other sounds, because it's easy to just try and replicate your own success and write the same song over and over (*cough* Coldplay). The spoken-ish bridge is weird though. And the "radio edit" is better, trust me.

3. I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You - Black Kids
LOVE the bassline in this song. so hot.

4. Say Goodbye - Samuel
Catchy song. When I saw him perform, people were outside later singing and humming this song. i even caught myself doing it! and i swear i'm not biased just because i know him and the song's producer. Hahah, though the "You're making it hard for me" line makes me think of the 90's hit "Too Close," which then makes me laugh. (circa 1:10. also, WHAT IS THAT VIDEO?!? i'm not even gonna start)

5. Sleeping In - The Postal Service
Cause every playlist needs its slow jam.

6. Again & Again - Keane
Sorry to break the mix tape rules, but what can i say? Perfect Symmetry is a pretty synthtastic album.

7. Take on Me - RAC feat Karl Kling
It'll never get old. The granddaddy of synth tunes. obvs!

8. Time to Pretend - MGMT
Now THAT'S a synth riff.

9. Take a Bow - Muse
Cause every playlist needs its post-apocalyptic jam.


imeem GO!

Pure Nostalgia

Remember Mario Paint? Remember how you could compose songs with it?

Well, someone does.... "Take on Me" style!

(don't worry, it's not the whole song)



oh man. aren't you glad computers got better?

Mario Teaches Typing is still the sweetest though.

An Open Letter to the Music Supervisor of Watchmen,

Loved "These Times They Are A-Changin'," totally behind "99 Red Balloons," found "All along the Watchtower" slightly questionable, and positively thrilled by the elevator music version of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," ..... but "Hallelujah"? That was supposed to be a joke right? RIGHT?


confusedly yours,
Madelyn

P.S. I'm not even going to START about My Chemical Romances' Bob Dylan cover over the credits. That was just mean and you know it.

Muse Mash-ups

I feel like i need to explain where this post is coming from (because I know how random it seems).

It starts with a google alert which promised a "Take on Me"/"Wonderwall" mash-up. I was like, "Holy shit! this sounds awesome! two of the best songs ever!" However, when I went to track it down, i found it had been part of a radio stream that was no longer working. Boo. (don't worry, i have since found it, and it is REALLY FREAKIN' GOOD!)

Anyway, that led me on a youtube search, where i again, didn't find what i was looking for. But it was then that I saw an A-Ha/Muse mash-up. Now I only really know one song by each of these bands ("Take on Me" obvs, and "Time is Running Out") but I thought I'd watch "The Sun Always Shines on TV"/"Starlight." Funnily, it didn't have a cute mash-up name like most two-song mash-ups do, so i will name it. "A-Ha vs Muse" video, you are now officially...

The Starlight Always Shines on TV


How fucking good is that? I'm pretty unashamed to love both these bands. But then again, I have a thing for the patently epic and ridiculous. Which explains a lot of things, actually. Also, I like how they edited together the videos too. nice touch. (side note: I can't believe how literal Muse was, filming their video on a ship? really? but then again, it is pretty epic...)


but my journey continues.

I decided I really like this "Starlight" song, and really want to hear the un-mashed version. But on the way, I found an AMAZING Killers/Muse mash-up. Because separately, they are pretty fantastically epic bands, but together??? well, the results blew my mind.

When You Were Starlight



I already loved "When You Were Young" and was quickly falling for "Starlight." But this works SO WELL. I do wish there was a little more Brendan Flowers. But I can't complain. That Killers riff sounds so natural with the Muse melody. God. I love it.


I also found a Streets/Muse mash-up. Not good. Well, the mash-up is fine, but I can't stand the Streets.


and now, I've downloaded Black Holes and Revelations (which includes "Take A Bow," the song in the Watchmen trailer... that i thought was Radiohead... silly me) and am taking a listen to the real version of the song. Not really the order I should have gone in, but whatever. Not gonna lie, I kind of like the mash-ups better. Not to say I don't like the song, it's pretty wonderful. but still, the mash-ups are more fun.

Great Expectations

Here's a few posts you can look forward to in the near future:

My Synthtastic! playlist
Even more "Take on Me"
Demetri Martin


and if i'm feeling really ambitious:

That time I saw Samuel and the Postelles play at Le Royale
Review of Dark Was the Night




Robots i drew!
(you better believe they're being made into album art)

Liveblogging Colbert

11:57 pm I think Stephen built a new stage just so David Byrne would have room for him, his 4 band members, 3 back-up singers, and 3 wheely-chair dancers (question mark?). all dressed in head-to-toe white. naturally.

11:58 pm Digging the song. Nice mellow vibe. I already forgot the name.

11:59 pm He even has a white guitar strap. classy.

12:00 am The wheely chairs are actually kind of a cute idea, but i don't get why the people in them are acting so bored. David is clearly not bored.

12:01 am But I don't think I'm supposed to get David Byrne, am I?



i am a liveblogging pro.

UPDATE:
here's the video of the performance

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

David Byrne Pt. 2

Colbert Report Full Episodes
Political Humor

Rap Battle
Joke of the Day

Current Obsession: Spaceman

Remember when the Killers were good? Remember Hot Fuss? Don't you miss that?

Incidentally, the new song I can't stop listening to is "Spaceman" by the Killers off their new(ish) album Day & Age. I've seriously been listening to it on repeat. It's much better than lead single "Human" (which is pretty good itself). Actually, it is a pretty strong album. Except "Joy Ride." "Joy Ride" is dumb. And so is the steel drum in "I Can't Stay." But I still like the song.


Anyway, have a listen!

I truly missed the ridiculousness that is Brandon Flowers. He lost the mustache, and like magic the Killers were back! I'm glad they returned to what they do best - dance beats and eighties synths. And lyrics worse than Interpol's. But I love it.




This song has also inspired a new playlist coming soon. Synthtastic!