Friday, February 29, 2008

Friday Five: Duck and Cover!


Enjoy five really excellent cover songs to get your weekend started with.

For your ears -
The Postal Service: Against All Odds (Phil Collins cover)
Dolly Parton: Stairway to Heaven (Led Zepplin cover)
My Morning Jacket: Tyrone (Erykah Badu cover)
Kate Nash: Men's Needs (The Cribs cover)
New Found Glory: Stay (I Missed You) (Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories cover)
Support these artists by buying their music

For your eyes -
The Loose Cannons covering Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done For Me Lately?"

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

New Amerykah

Now here is an example of neo-soul done right. Released today, Erykah Badu's album New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), is a chill, melodic stroll through the state of the world and Badu's life. Badu's voice is on point as always, and her lyrics and musical arrangements compliment it perfectly. Part Two of New Amerykah will be released in June, and I for one can't wait.

For your ears -
Erykah Badu: Master Teacher
Erykah Badu: That Hump
from the album New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (Buy It)

For your eyes -
Erykah Badu's video for "Honey"

Erykah Badu's Website


This also marks my 100th post, yay!

A little less Discipline, please.

Janet Jackson's 10th studio album, Discipline, hits store shelves today, and long-time fans of the pop singer are going to find themselves pretty disappointed. Jackson sounds strained on most of the tracks, with lackluster beats accompanying her tired vocals. Out of 23 tracks, only 2 are barely listenable. Save yourself the trouble (and money) and listen to Jackson's earlier records.

For your ears -
Janet Jackson: Feedback
Janet Jackson: The 1 ft Missy Elliot
from the album Discipline (Buy It)

For your eyes -
Janet Jackson's video for "Feedback"

Janet Jackson's Website


Digg!

Friday, February 22, 2008

Friday Five: Pull the Covers Up

Here's five covers to start off your weekend with. Enjoy!

For your ears -
Yael Naim: Toxic (Britney Spears cover)
Thea Gilmore: You Spin Me Round (Dead or Alive cover)
Hot Chip: Graceland (Paul Simon cover)
Cat Power: Crazy (Gnarls Barkley cover)
Valdez: Purple Rain (Prince cover)
Support these artists by buying their music

For your eyes -
Paulina Lenda performing Madonna's "Frozen"

Monday, February 18, 2008

Shit on the Radio

Since moving to Toronto and ditching my car, I haven't really kept up with what is playing on the radio these days. I was scanning the Billboard singles chart and decided to do some investigating. Here's two songs that I think are absolutely brilliant and perfect pop. Take 'em for a spin, eh!

For your ears -
Yael Naim: New Soul
Wyclef Jean: Sweetest Thing (Dollar Bill)
support these artists by buying their music

For your eyes -
Natasha Bedingfield's video for "Love Like This"

Thursday, February 14, 2008

When words fail, music remains...

I am a big fan of The Mix Tape©. These days though, with Ipods and Zunes, the more practical format has become The Playlist™. My incredibly dorky self has one I made for my girlfriend that has 119 songs on it (it was larger before my hard drive crashed). As it is Valentines Day, here is a small sample of that playlist. Enjoy (I love you Jacks!).

For your ears -
Brooke Fraser: Arithmetic
Iron & Wine: Naked As We Came
The Killers: Read My Mind
The New Pornographers: These Are The Fables
Rose Cousins and Rose Polenzani: Book of Love
The Shins: Saint Simon
Tegan & Sara: Nineteen
support these artists by buying their merchandise

For your eyes -
The Dixie Chicks performing "Easy Silence" (also on my girl's playlist)

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Jukebox Hero

Cat Power is back with a collection of cover songs called Jukebox, which was released on January 22nd. One new song is included on the CD ("Song To Bobby", which is gorgeous) and she also reworked her song "Metal Heart". The album is musically sound, and Cat's voice sounds remarkable from start to finish. I highly recommend picking up Jukebox.

For your ears -
Cat Power: Song To Bobby
Cat Power: Don't Explain
Cat Power: Ramblin' Woman
from the album Jukebox (buy it)

For your eyes -
Cat Power performing "New York" live

Cat Power's Website

Friday, February 1, 2008

Friday Five: Your Cover's Blown!

Friday is here, and I'm getting off my lazy butt to give you five cover songs to start your weekend off. Enjoy!

For your ears -
Kate Nash: I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You (Black Kids cover)
Al Green: I Wanna Hold Your Hand (The Beatles cover)
WHY?: Close To Me (The Cure cover)
Hot Hot Heat: Rehab (Amy Winehouse cover)
Metronomy: Toxic (Britney Spears cover)
Support these artists by buying their music

For your eyes -
Mat Weddle of Obadiah Parker covering Outkast's "Hey Ya" live