i put a spell on you because you're mine

A girl at the young tender age of 14 and drawing comparisons to Adele and Florence Welch covering king of stripped down and vulnerable songs; a New York threesome taking on a dreampop favourite; an indie darling showing her vocal prowess via a classic.

Enjoy folks.

Birdy - Skinny Love (Bon Iver Cover)

Yellow Ostrich - Zebra (Beach House Cover)

She & Him - I Put A Spell On You (Screamin' Jay Hawkins Cover)

100 Favourite Tracks of 2010: Part IX

He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults, he is too well employed to remember injuries, and too indolent to bear malice. He is patient, forbearing, and resigned, on philosophical principles; he submits to pain, because it is inevitable, to bereavement, because it is irreparable, and to death, because it is his destiny. If he engages in controversy of any kind, his disciplined intellect preserves him from the blunder.

- John Henry Newman on The Definition of a Gentleman, by Xu Ci En in AugustMAN


Merry Christmas to all readers!


Crystal Castles - Baptism
Wicked 8-bit beat with really warped vocals (or maybe a spoilt microphone, haha) and crazy electronics. Revel and dance away.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

The Morning Benders - Promises (mp3)
The Morning Benders have been quite the revelation this year, and Promises is another stand out track from "Big Echo". A light and wistful number that oozes nostalgia, its sing-along feel could be attributed to Chris Chu's pop sensibilities or Chris Taylor's touch (credited as a co-producer). Either way, it's fabulous.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Broken Social Scene - World Sick
This is like the opus of "Forgiveness Rock Record". It takes a good intro to get things rolling, and a sweet folksy tune seems pretty damn right for this one. Then it rolls right into a good ol' BSS song. The song seems like it's about being gay and standing up for it, especially in the context of religion. Insights anyone?
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Chief - Night & Day
That's a lot of hair guys and 100 marks for trying to look like vagrants. Traces of Fanfarlo in them? Somehow, the lyrics have an uncanny resemblance to the happenings in Vladimir Nabokov's Laughter in the Dark. The mellow sound and slight folksy lilt to the song makes this a delightful listen. Check out this more stripped down version here.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

of Montreal - Coquet Coquette
Smooth vocals and fun lyrics contribute to a rollickin' good time with this track by of Montreal. Don't forget the pacey drum beats and deep bass.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Arcade Fire - We Used To Wait
Petulant and urgent, the song opens with a piano led intro that progresses into a similar anthemic style Arcade Fire are known for. Win Butler's vocals shine through in particular, as he intones about how they used to have to wait for letters from their loved ones and is liberal with his falsetto. Just as how the song starts, the song ends similarly in a staccato of piano played keys.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

She & Him - In The Sun
Vocally led by everybody's favourite indie pop darling, Ms Deschanel and accompanied with a jaunty swagger provided by Mr Ward, this is one breezy tune.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Wild Nothing - Chinatown
I'm really a sucker for such foggy dreamy music. Maybe it's a throwback to the past of sorts, where everybody wants to hold on to something from yesteryears. Like analog cameras.
[myspace] [last.fm]

The Black Keys - Howlin' For You
Don't normally listen to blues-rock, but chanced upon this via Chuck and it is way too awesome. The fuzzywuzzy guitaring with that constant pounding beat gives you a silent adrenaline rush, to the ears.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

Charlotte Gainsbourg - Heaven Can Wait (feat. Beck)
At 0:50, where the dude bats an incoming orange totally reminds me of years back, we had a friendly match with out seniors, they pitched a coconut and my friend smashed it clean. HAHAHA, what memories. I totally love this song just for that. Ok, that's not just all about it. There's definitely a kooky vibe, as if something is gonna spring from nowhere. I like the contrast between Beck and her vocals.
[official] [myspace] [last.fm]

if it's a dream i wouldn't know if it's worth dreaming

"People see rock and roll as youth culture and when youth culture becomes monopolised by big businesses, what are the youth to do? Do you have any idea? I think we should destroy the bogus capitalist process that is destroying youth culture."

- The Radio Dept. in Heaven's on Fire


She & Him - Thieves
What a pretty song. Vocals contributed by Zooey Deschanel and main accompaniment by M. Ward. Disarming country song which is lovesick to the bone, she oozes every bit of charm and sincerity as she belts out line after line of heartbreak and longing.

The Radio Dept. - Heaven's on Fire (mp3)
Very pop feel to their new song, part of their new album "Clinging to a Scheme" which is slated for an April 21 release. And yet another song with a narration which goes as above. Very interesting and insightful comment, leading right into a breezy keyboard riff. That hazy feel, I can imagine myself bathing in the warm glow of sunlight as I traipse down the street by the beach. It leaves that lingering taste of the salty air on the tip of your tongue; definitely looking forward to their new release. Is it me or do I feel a little jazz infusion here with all that sax sound?

when i look at you/my heaven's on fire

Laurel Music - Dreams and Lies (mp3)
Short, simple, sweet and heartfelt, in the vein of Zooey Deschanel, it's beautifully written.

Daniel Zott - Living A Lie!
Chuck has the most awesome music choices currently. They find such appropriate music for the scenes, it amplifies everything by a million times. This [articular song plays at the part where Chuck has to break up with Hannah for her own good, but cannot tell her the truth. And she says he's the best liar she's ever met. Absolutely heartwrenching and gut-tearing. They were pretty sweet together. I was moved and totally felt for Chuck.

"cause every good thing i do is a selfish act" - this line is so apt for Chuck's conundrum.