Friday Music

First up, a request from my brother for “a Morrissey or Smiths jump off” — so, I’ll go with one of my favorite tracks: The Smiths – “How Soon Is Now”

This track is for , who asked me if I’d heard it. I’m really glad that the whole turn-of-the-millennium boy and girl group fad finally died, and the people that stuck around from it are the ones who appear to have actually had some talent. Aguilera is doing her neo-forties thing (which I’ve posted about a couple of times), and now Justin Timberlake is out with some seriously ass-moving dance music: Justin Timberlake – “SexyBack (feat. Timbaland).”

Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas has decided to pull a Gwen Stefani manuever — realizing that the sexy front woman selling most of the records for a mediocre pop group could just as easily sell her own solo stuff. This is the lead-off track (NSFW, due to an opening chorus of “OH SHIT!”), which had me moving within seconds. Love the refrain: “How come everytime you come around, My London, London bridge, wanna go down…”Fergie – “London Bridge.”

I know that I’ve posted this one before, but I just can’t get over how good it is. So if you missed your chance to grab it, do so now. This is the lead track from Radiohead front man Thom Yorke’s solo album…which also appears during the end credits of “A Scanner Darkly.” Thom Yorke – “Black Swan.”

Some new music — a new band called Earl Greyhound, that hasn’t yet been signed to a major label, but simply blows me away. I discovered them through a New Yorker review, which said “Whether or not Earl Greyhound are the Next Big Thing is irrelevant — watching them will convince you that they are.” I’m especially in love with the bridge — Listen all the way through: Earl Greyhound – “S.O.S.”

Another new group, and one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in a while. The whole sound reminds me of something like a 21st century version of “Rose Tint My World” from Rocky Horror….and when the guitar cuts out and the voices and drums swell up at two and half minutes into the song, I get chills. Spiritualized Electric Mainline – “Let It Flow.”

In 2003, Virgil Howe, the son of Yes member Trevor Howe, who produces techno as “The Verge”, released a album of remixes of old Yes songs. I was particularly impressed at how well progressive rock and electronica matched up together. Here’s an example from that release: Yes – “Starship Trooper (The Verge Remix)”

I’ll leave you with another new group: Bitter:Sweet, who perform a combination of trip-hop, bossa-nova, electronica, 50’s lounge, 60’s spy-movie-groove….well, hell, it’s just COOL. Check it out: Bitter:Sweet – “Dirty Laundry.”

There you go, kats n’ kittens. Enjoy.