Category: Music

Good one this week, in my humble estimation.

First off — long-time readers will recall that I introduced many of you to “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley, months before it hit the airwaves, and then was stunned when it became a radio hit. Well, I’ve got a treat for you: the lead single from their follow-up album, The Odd Couple, which won’t be released until April. It’s just as brilliant, although whether the fickle radio-listening public will react, or whether Gnarls Barkley will be enshrined as a “one-hit wonder” remains to be seen. But DAMN — listen to this: Gnarls Barkley – “Run.”

At the Sharon Jones show this week, the between-acts DJ played a bunch of soul, including an instrumental version of this track, which reminded me how much I like it. I’ve always preferred this grittier, darker version, over Dionne Warwick’s more famous and far more sugary take. Isaac Hayes – “Walk on By.”

One of the best bits of news for a New Yorker like me: Rudy Giuliani, the fascist thug once described by Jimmy Breslin as “a small man in search of a balcony,” failed to convince voters that he was “America’s Mayor” and dropped out of the presidential race. In honor of this joyous news: The Specials – “A Message To You, Rudy.”

Speaking of New York, I’m quite pleased that I managed to track this down. and I heard this track when it was used on a fourth-season episode of Rescue Me, and I’ve been looking for it ever since. Finally found it: Superthriller – “New York.”

At the request of The Minion, here is the song that Apple is using in the ads for their new MacBook Air. Yael Naim is an Israeli singer-songwriter, and this particular track is quite sweet. Yael Naim – “New Soul.”

I know that I’ve already posted this one, but it’s been a couple of years. One of my favorite tracks from Rufus Wainwright, both for its lyrical content, and for it’s blending in of Ravelle’s “Bolero”: Rufus Wainwright – “Oh What A World.”

Lastly — time to share the pain. From the god-awful soundtrack to the cringeworthy mid-80s film Dragnet, a song that Tom Hanks would probably like to see stricken from the cosmic record, but which contains one of my favorite lyrics of all time: “We just like to dance in our GOAT-SKIN PANTS, around this ancient ruin!” Dan Aykroyd & Tom Hanks – “City of Crime.”

Ouch.

Here we go again:

One of my “get pumped up to work” favorites — and, despite the title, not the Sondheim musical number. Robbie Williams – “Let Me Entertain You.” “Hell is gone and heaven’s here, there’s nothing left for you to fear; Shake your ass, come over here, now scream… I’m the burning effigy of everything I used to be; you’re my rock of empathy my dear — Come on, let me entertain you…”

Devo has a new song! I’d seen the Dell commercial that uses it, but the song was so good that I thought it must have been a little-known album track from the classic Devo era. Nope. Mothersbaugh et. al. are at it again. Woot! (Thanks to for the heads-up!) Devo – “Watch Us Work It.”

Speaking of music from computer commercials — I finally tracked down the addictive brainworm that backed Intel’s Core 2 processor ads (the ones featuring the dancers): New Young Pony Club – “Ice Cream.” “I can give you what you want….”

Gorillaz have a new compilation, D-Sides, which is a collection of remixes and bonus tracks from the Demon Days recording sessions. The bonus tracks are all good — so essentially this is another full Gorillaz album! This track was Damon Albarn’s initial exploration of asian musical instruments and themes, which would eventually lead to his opera, Monkey: Journey to the West. Gorillaz – “Hong Kong.”

One of my favorite tracks from the 80s. Important safety tip: Don’t pick this to cover as your “going to a break” song while in a high-school party band. Your drummer will hate you. Icicle Works – “Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream).”

A lot of folks love Queen — me included. A lot of folks who love Queen, however, aren’t familiar with Freddie Mercury’s solo projects of the 80s. Here is my favorite of his solo songs, a duet with opera diva Montserrat Caballe: Freddie Mercury – “Barcelona.”

Lastly, some Japanese instrumental hip-hop from one of my favorite turntablists, from his 2003 album, The Message At The Depth: DJ Krush – “But The World Moves On (featuring D-Madness & Masato Nakamura)”

Enjoy.

Another week, another Mixtape of Teh Intarwebs.

Discovered a new group this week: 4hero, a UK-based neo-soul/electronica outfit. Brilliant stuff, as I think this track exemplifies: 4hero – “Morning Child.” Can’t wait to hear more.

Richard Kelly, director of Donnie Darko, released a new film last year, Southland Tales — apparently about the end of the world (in as much as Richard Kelly’s films can be about anything). Anyway — in it, Sarah Michelle Gellar plays an ex-pornstar, who now has a music career. Her big single is an “issue song.” The issue? Teen horniness. They put the track on the soundtrack, and it’s damn near perfect slap at the style of Britney Spears, et. al.: Sarah Michelle Gellar – “Teen Horniness is Not a Crime.”

Heavy riff? Check. Blistering guitar solos? Check. Over-the-top swords-and-sorcery lyrics? Check. Bow before the metal majesty that is: Nevermore – “The Psalm of Lydia.” “Now sullen the demons fade away and summon their final call….Lydia slayed them all!”

This track from The National’s new album makes me think a bit of Joy Division, and other bands of that period….and that’s not a bad thing: The National – “Mistaken For Strangers.”

Because it’s fun, and because I haven’t heard it in ages, a goofy caper film in song: The Refreshments – “Banditos.”

If you only know Berlin by “Take My Breath Away” (shudder), or, at best, “Sex (I’m A…)”, then you’re missing out. One of my favorite new wave acts, this is my favorite song from them, before they were swallowed whole by adult-contemporary, movie-tie-in balladry: Berlin – “Masquerade.”

One more track from the Samurai Champloo soundtrack — this time, the opening theme of the series: Nujabes feat. Shing02 – “Battlecry.”

There you go, kids. Enjoy!