Category: Music

Here we go…

First — on her blog yesterday, Amanda Palmer said that what she wanted for her birthday was for her fans to put her music in front of people who might not have yet been exposed to it. I’ve certainly posted a bunch of it here, but what the heck — for her birthday, and for those of you who haven’t yet taken the dip: Amanda Palmer – “Leeds United.”

The only truly new thing this week is the lead track from Starsailor’s new album, All the Plans, which was released this week. A solid bit of BritRock: Starsailor – “Tell Me It’s Not Over.”

Yesterday was the 26th anniversary of the death of McKinley Morganfield, better known as Muddy Waters. In memory of the Father of Chicago Blues, as a special message for those of you who are freaking out about the Swine Flu, and for (for novel inspiration), here is Muddy Waters – “You Got To Take Sick And Die Some Of These Days.”

The Sneaker Pimps recorded a cover of one of the songs from the cult classic The Wicker Man (complete with samples) on their late-90s album Becoming X, and it’s one of my faves, and very appropriate in context for the first of May, so: Sneaker Pimps – “How Do.”

Also from a movie — the best song from the soundtrack of the 1999 movie Jawbreaker, which, because of its placement in the film, will always make me picture Rose McGowan doing the high-school mean-girl strut down a hallway: Imperial Teen – “Yoo Hoo.”

This track was used brilliantly during the opening news-footage montage depicting the unfolding of the zombie apocalypse in the shockingly good remake of Dawn of the Dead: Johnny Cash – “The Man Comes Around.”

And lastly, Adam Ant’s last gasp on the charts, from 1990’s Manners & Physique, an album produced by Prince’s bassist André Cymone. It was his last top-20 hit in both the US and the UK. Adam Ant – “Room At The Top.”

There you go. If any link gives you trouble, try copy-and-paste.

Enjoy!

I know, I know — it’s been a VERY long time. Sue me, I’ve been busy.

However, The Minion (among others) have been pestering me, so here you go: another mixtape of the internets.

We’ll kick things off with another brilliant mashup by DJ Schmolli, taking Metallica, The Ting Tings and the Beastie Boys, and giving us: DJ Schmolli – “Shut Up Brooklyn Sandman.”

Heard this track courtesy of a recommendation by SF author John Scalzi. This is a track from the new album, It’s Blitz by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Hard to believe this is the same group that did “Maps.” Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Zero.”

Moving from new to old, a track from the 80s that barely gets any play in the retro-radio circuit. I’m always irritated by shows spotlighting “One-Hit Wonders”, since they often feature bands that DID have other hits — just not in the US. I’ll be damned, though, if these guys weren’t a genuine case of one-hit status, releasing only a single EP in 1982, and then never heard from again. The Monroes – “What Do All The People Know.”

We’ll stick with the 80s for a moment (because I turn 40 this June, and so I’m right on schedule for the sad-bastard nostalgia phase of the mid-life crisis), and feature one of my favorite singles from college radio at the time (what eventually became ‘alternative’). Echo & The Bunnymen – “The Cutter.”

Back to the new (although firmly in the realm of New Wave revival), with a track that I discovered through a video post by . Ida Maria – “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked.”

Mixing New Wave with Dance electronica, a name taken from an early-80s Queen track, and a look taken from Missing Persons’ Dale Bozzio, Lady GaGa is one of the more shamelessly retro acts right now, and I’m loving it. Here’s the current single: Lady GaGa – “Poker Face.”

We’ll finish out with another 80s track — one of my favorites from Yes’ 1983 re-invention album, 90125. I wore out something like three cassette copies of this album. Yes – “Leave It.”

There you go, kids. Enjoy.

Sorry, folks — the week has been hellishly busy, and it’s not letting up even today.

Friday Music will return next week.