Some Musics of My Summer (so far)

I find that my summers are often defined by my tunes. Last summer, for me, was all Voxtrot and Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin. I haven't found that one defining sound yet, but there are some tunes that I'm enjoying.

1. Crocodiles
Their trendy sound is at times a little too much, but I really like a couple tracks."I Wanna Kill" constantly gets stuck in my head, and is much more pleasant and summery-light than the title suggests. "Neon Jesus" is another gem, and the video is kinda sick!



You can have your Passion Pit, I'll take Crocodiles.

2. "Two Weeks"
Grizzly Bear is everywhere these days, what with the new album. And honestly, I'm not that into them, even after seeing them. Granted, their entire performance was wiped from my memory by be so thoroughly rocked by The National. So maybe it's not fair to judge yet.

Two Weeks


But I am definitely a fan of this track (even if the vid is less than inspiring until the 3:00 mark). I think it's the chunky piano and the smooth harmonies. It makes me want to be on a roof drinking wine and watching the sun set over Manhattan.

You can find an mp3 of this track almost anywhere. if you can't, you're not trying.

3. Discovery
... is bound to be the trendy thing this summer. I mean, memebers of Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot teaming up? Hipsters everywhere are wetting themselves. Most of it is ignorable. HOWEVER, "Carby (feat. Ezra Koenig)" is immensely fun and engaging (and I promise that's not just cause I'm in everlasting love with Ezra Koenig).



LOVE IT. I'm also going to highly recommend "Swing Tree" (it's SOOO summer) and "I Want You Back," yes, the Jackson 5 "I Want You Back," but a very unique take.

4. "I Fought the Law"
Classic.





Unfortunately, being so busy has inhibited my discovering new music, but I'll share as I find it....

PEACEEEEE.

Is Passion Pit the new Vampire Weekend?

I certainly hope not. I much prefer boat shoes and African beats.

However, the CONCEPT for the video of "The Reeling," the first single off their as-yet-unreleased debut Manners, is pretty cool. I want to go to a party like that!



But seriously, it's kind of better with the sound off.

I'm not being mean. I tried to listen to their Chunk of Change EP and couldn't get through it. The synths/electronics are beyond abrasive, they're painful. They literally hurt my ears. Like, Dear Passion Pit, Turn down the fucking treble, you're making my ears bleed, love, madelyn.

I'm not saying the songs are bad. The melodies are great! I even like Michael Angelakos' screechy falsetto. But I just can't listen to their music the way it is.

Remixed, however, totally different story! Listen to The Knocks' remix of "Sleepyhead" and you will understand what I mean. UH-mazing. Compared to the original, no contest.