sat playlist

TV on the Radio: Dear Science

I wish I could say I loved them more. They have some great lyrics. "Gold is another word for culture" from "Crying" or "Bought a sweater for his weimeraner..." on "Dancing." These are base good. They're inane and sharp--the same way I feel about a lot of Weezer's lyrics. Silly does not have to equal stupid, which is a talent both bands exude.

However, the album is just soooo all over the place. The fun is there and then something like "Shout Me Out" comes on and it's like "Why So Serious?" It's a good album but not a cohesive one. It's cheap. Sure, I suppose that's hipster blasphemy...but it's true. Scissor Sisters or New Pornagraphers...or freakin' Coldplay at times do TV on the Radio better than TV on the Radio can.

pic: thetripwire.com

Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga

This is a great transition. It has the whimsey I was digging on TV on the Radio but it's more organic...more connected...meatier. I feel it more. "The Underdog" is such a great song. Again, it's something I could envision The New Pornographers writing or performing. Britt Daniels' voice: a little rustic, throaty swagger a'la Jack White or Julian Casablancas.

And the drums...my favorite part of Spoon. They're at times happy-clappy, leading you down the modern scene--equal parts Monkee's and NME. Good accoustic guitar strumming but not in a bluesy way...a lot more dance-y than they want you to realize at first listen. It's elegant pop I say!

pic: blogs.sfweekly.com

Morning Benders: "Crosseyed"

Just one song but it's fitting for our Saturday playlist. It's playful with hints of melancholy. A cute girl with an ugly tattoo. A Philip Seymour Hoffman movie.

"The cross eyed mess led me from the flames into the dark. Our empty smiles keep us from completely falling apart." Beautiful, croony, happy accoustic indie pop.

 

pic: 4.bp.blogspot.com

Goldfrapp: Strict Machine

First off, one of the coolest album covers ever. I may need to devote an entire post to the art that is Allison Goldfrapp. I initially picked this album because I was thinking "pop" but all of the above is not obvious pop. Who's today's biggest popstar?

Lady Gaga?

According to People last week, Goldfrapp is a hot new band that Lady Gaga's fans may like. ARE YOU SERIOUS? Goldfrapp has been around a lot longer and has a lot more musical talent. And I love Gaga...but come on!

Goldfrapp's like the best parts of Blondie's vocals and danceability, but it's liquid, this music. While Gaga reminds me of Jerry Hall in Batman--"living art" and that being exactly why I like her as much as I do--Goldfrapp is silk to Gaga's satin.

pic: avclub.com

Pandora: Phoenix Radio

Ended with Phoenix Pandora radio--Norva show is April 27!! Never disappointing, it played MGMT, whom I CANNOT believe I still haven't seen live, The Shins, Guster, more Spoon (ah, science), Vampire Weekend, Modest Mouse, etc etc.

Nice "from the vault":  "Your Woman" by White Town, described by Pandora as 90s indie pop. Um...yeah, sung by a gender bending Indian dude...