The Smiths, "How Soon is Now?"
Morrissey's voice is one that has been stuck in my head since I was too young to pay attention to music. The Smiths disbanded when I was just a baby, but this song in particular has been a soundtrack of growing up. It seems like every film that has a song by the Smiths on its soundtrack becomes a favorite of mine. For coming straight out of the 80s, this actually has some depth and meaning while also being a song you can blast with the windows down on a sunny day.
Peaches, "Talk to Me"
I was first introduced to Peaches about 5 years ago-- a friend of mine sent me what she thought to be a hilarious song called "F*** the Pain Away". "Talk to Me" is her newest release, and it's really raw, crunchy and bass-n-drums punky. Enjoy.
Emilíana Torrini, "Nothing Brings Me Down"
This tune is by the lovely Emilíana Torrini, a great singer from Iceland. Yep. Iceland has given us more than just Björk! This song has a sort of ethereal quality that paralyzes and captures me. I have listened to this one over and over and over today. This video of the song is a really great live performance version.
Antony and the Johnsons, "You Are My Sister"
Despite having a voice that initially reminded me of... well... a smoky version of Tiny Tim, I really have grown to love Antony's voice and his form of dark cabaret music. There are songs that if I were to listen to them over and over, I'd end up in tears. I'm on listen #4 or 5 now, and should probably move on.
Wilco, "War on War"
Simply put, Wilco rocks my world. In many ways, Wilco (along with Dylan, Lucinda Williams and Ryan Adams) have been the soundtrack of my college and young adult life. How could you not LOVE this lyric: "You have to lose. You have to learn how to die if you want to be alive." Listen to this song. Love it, and then listen to all the Wilco you can!
Beastellabeast, "Final Mistake"
This is raw. Another crunchy, bass and drums heavy tune full of raw sexuality and musical experimentation. Beatrice Brown is a wild and gorgeous lead woman to this London-based band. This video gives her an almost Courtney Love/Tragically California essence, and yet she's just a musical maniac from across the pond. This song specifically reminds me a bit of my early days learning the bass and playing along with Les Claypool, Flea and Mike Gordon. I'm really hoping to hear more from Beastellabeast in the next few years. Fingers crossed... perhaps some of my friends in radio can start playing them?
That's all for now. It's been a great day of music.
