Who is Julian Plenti?

When a front man goes solo, it's no surprise when he sounds just like the band he fronts.

But luckily for Paul Banks, he fronts a really good band. All together, sounding like Interpol isn't a bad thing.

So with Paul's alter ego Julian Plenti, and the album, Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper, we get the same affected vocals, the same opaque and sexual lyrics, the same driving rhythm section. The lead single "Games for Days" is dark, but with a straight-forward pop/rock construction and a shout-along chorus. This track definitely feels less sharp-dressed and drilled than Interpol. I mean, I can imagine actually dancing to it (which is saying something!). It sounds like what Our Love to Admire was trying to be. "Fun that We Have" sounds like it could be straight off Antics, but with some electronic flair. It's repetitive and building in a good way.

I am... fan. I think. I should really hear the rest of the album before I judge.

Check out the hot video for "Games for Days."



I love his hats. And his general high level of attractiveness. You may also recognize Metric's Emily Haines as the leading lady? No? It's ok, neither did I.


You can snag the Mp3 of "Games for Days" over at Stereogum.

I clearly watch too much TV...

... cause that's where I've been getting all my new music recently.

You've doubtless seen this fabulous Bacardi mojito ad:



He's walking through every era's parties! How cool! But what caught my attention even more was the rocking piano jam that every era is dancing too.

Turns out it's Matt and Kim's "Daylight," and it's my new favorite song. It's the only song of theirs I know so far, but it has encouraged me to want to explore their work. And let me tell you, I could listen to this song over and over. It's like happiness with a great beat and killer riff. Pop perfection.

Here's the video for the tune in its entirety. It's very "this is our lives as a cute couple! we play music i weird places! we smile a lot!", which is a bit obnoxious, but the song itself saves it from being too sugar-sweet.




side note: I was at Insound's warehouse sale last thursday and after picking a sweet copy of The Clash Live at Shea Stadium on vinyl, i checked out the free-with-purchase bin. Not only did I find a poster of a robot walking through the country shooting laser beams out of its eyes, but there was a 7" single of this very song! sweet!

Damn you, Monk!

USA Network has done it again. Their incessant advertising for the last season of Monk hasn't made me any more interested in the show, but it has interested me in the Keane song they've used in the ads. "Time to Go" is a B-side on "The Lovers Are Losing" single, and on the Deluxe edition of Spiralling only on iTunes. And for the life of me, I can't find an mp3 to download anywhere on the interwebs.

Enter youtube:




Unlike most of their new album, this one is simple and deconstructed. Piano, acoustic guitar, and Tom Chaplin's pure vocals. And I think it's that simplicity that makes it so lovely and memorable. Like a less-rocking, but less sentimental, "Closing Time," that'll get stuck in your head just as easily.

Now if only Monk would stop using it, so I could enjoy it in peace.

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.

The Decemberists cover Heart and it's SICK

"Crazy on You" is one of my favorite Guitar Hero 2 jams, and the Decemberists rock so hard on it, thanks in no small part to vocal powers Shara Worden and Becky Stark (but mainly Shara Worden). This was live in St. Louis, and pretty great for a fan vid. CHECK IT!



Absolutely killer.

Side note: when I say Shara with My Brightest Diamond, I was less than impressed, but her work with the Decemberists has been stellar! Maybe it all happened when she cut her hair.


(via Stereogum)

getting my life together

I'll be back on track soon, I promise.

Things to look forward to? A few interesting things I came across while looking for an mp3 of "Single Ladies," an interesting Harry Potter find (relevant, I promise!), and probably more Clash (I did just watch Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten and am in the middle of reading A Riot of Our Own: Night and Day with The Clash, so, you know)

For your enjoyment, a framed poster of Asia!

It was the heeeeeeeeeeat of the moment...

new favorite song

i wish i could have seen them live....