cakehat

i've already apologized for my taste for pop music

2012-02-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

so i'm not going to apologize for loving fun's "we are young" I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THE FORMAT - such a good band. i'm glad to hear his sweet voice again. album due out on the 21st

esp. this acoustic version:

p.s. original:

another by lana del rey

2012-02-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

her new album is everything i hoped it would be

Memoryhouse - This Will Be Our Year (Zombies Cover)

2012-02-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

pretty cool cover!

ghost beach

2012-02-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

super catchy. i wanna learn the lyrics ASAP.

NEW SHINS SONG

2012-02-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

we were all so crazy about the shins my second year of college. glad for this:

Mesita

2012-02-10T15:22:00.000-08:00

tastes a little like bon iver + local natives. yum.

Conveyor

2012-02-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

i've always loved oohs and ahhs in music, but I really really love the ooohs in this one:

Yellow Ostrich

2012-02-08T15:16:00.000-08:00

it's not a new way of doing things but i love how they do it

the broken music box

2012-02-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

can't go wrong w/melodic layers of voices

Citizens!

2012-02-06T14:23:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure which i love more... this amazing song or the accompanying video.

it's true romance for sure!

p.s. here's the link for original for the video if you are interested in seeing more

ladyhawke – black, white & blue

2012-02-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

this is the first i've heard of ladyhawke - her album is due this month. i'm feeling pretty good about her:

Miniature Tigers - Boomerang

2012-02-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

this one is super fun!

chromeo

2012-02-02T09:31:00.000-08:00

i don't think i'll ever fully be into chromeo... but i love this one:

cillie barnes

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

i love this song! i love it!

thank you l.f.!

grizzly bear take away show

2012-01-31T09:09:00.000-08:00

i won't lie, i have a secret love for barbershop quartets (maybe from something tragic in my childhood?) that i don't usually tell many people. but this song makes me feel cool for it:

I've been into haunted music recently

2012-01-30T09:06:00.000-08:00

hence:

PORCELAIN RAFT

2012-01-28T05:25:00.000-08:00

from lower frequencies:

With all the speaker-box bombast of a good MIA song, and all the genuine emotional and sonic tropes of Grizzly Bear at their catchiest, Porcelain Raft synthesizes a sound that is simultaneously epic and accessible.

St. Vincent - "Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood"

2012-01-27T05:14:00.000-08:00

remember how that st. vincent album is amazing? (so is portlandia btw)

thanks for the reminder liz!

NEW LEONARD COHEN ALBUM

2012-01-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

All I can say is that the old man still knows how to wreck me...

...from t.f.i.b.

The track moves like the pace of a funeral dirge and has cryptic, unforgiving lyrics. “Tell me again, tell me over and over, tell me that you want me then… Amen.” And just when it feels darkest, the track is rescued by a sax. Give me that Leonard Cohen afterworld, after all.

Sóley - Pretty Face

2012-01-25T20:08:00.000-08:00

ditto to what i said yesterday.

thanks again liz!

daughter

2012-01-24T05:07:00.000-08:00

my friend liz always seems to know all the best female artists - the kind i love listening to on cold days when i don't leave the apt. for instance...

thanks liz!

cold blooded old times

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

i like this cover - this is already a cool song and they way he sings it with the almost pink floyd-esque electronic twist makes it even cooler.

George Demure - Cold Blooded Old Times by Mahuta

bat for lashes

2012-01-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

such a great song such a weird video

Daniel from Bat for Lashes on Vimeo.

zola jesus + david lynch

2012-01-20T06:33:00.000-08:00

i love this song by sola jesus...

...BUT WHEN I HEARD THIS REMIX I FLIPPED! GAHHHHH
"What was once a dance track becomes a lurching, cinematic masterpiece."

thanks l.f.

Julian Perretta

2012-01-19T12:17:00.000-08:00

maybe sometimes i love pop music. can't help it... i'm a child of the 80s and i attended college in the early 00s so i had no chance of avoiding it. ;)

black cab session: feist

2012-01-18T09:16:00.000-08:00

Feist from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

who else could sound this good in the back of a taxi?!

Fake Empire by The National

2012-01-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

Technically baffling. Touchingly written. Gloriously sung.

an All-Time favorite

rock bottom riser

2012-01-16T06:30:00.000-08:00

there's something about the low tone of his voice and melodic way this moves back and forth then shifts, back and forth, then shifts... ahh magic.

charli xcx acoustic "stay away"

2012-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

i love the original.
(i still listen to it on repeat.)
so of course i love the spare intimacy of this:

nearly bare vocals - only the slightest beat - ahhhhhh

goldfrapp

2012-01-13T05:35:00.000-08:00

i know you already like goldfrapp so just enjoy this one

song with no ending - wildcookie

2012-01-12T05:32:00.000-08:00

you will feel very cool listening to this one ;)

another fantastic Oneedo video!

2012-01-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

remember this SUPER great danger beach song -- and the stellar video?

well, here's another video by the same peeps. only this one is for a mgmt cover:

MGMT - All We Ever Wanted Was Everything from oneedo on Vimeo.

lana del rey

2012-01-10T06:19:00.000-08:00

boy oh boy is she killing it in this song. i cannot WAIT until a full album comes out! (EP is out today!)

for more

the greatest speech ever made

2012-01-09T09:12:00.000-08:00

Great film. Great speech. Great Album Leaf song playing in the background:

daughters

2012-01-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

reminiscent of feist w/beautiful differences

thanks l.f.

a black keys cover

2012-01-06T08:12:00.000-08:00

sah-weet.

thanks l.f.

Christopher Norman - Maps

2012-01-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

thanks rach! love this!

Vashti Bunyan - Don't Believe What They Say

2012-01-04T09:05:00.000-08:00

Vashti Bunyan's career is interesting because she released her first album in the 70s but it didn't do well so she gave up on music then over the next 30 years she acquired a huge cult following which prompted her to pick it all back up and have another go. way cool.

if you've heard anything of hers you are awesome. tho, if you live in the UK you may know this from a t-mobile commercial:

whenever he plays one of his songs on the piano

2012-01-03T08:40:00.000-08:00

i get the chills

1Take.TV: The Tallest Man On Earth - 'Like the Wheel' from 1Take.TV on Vimeo.

TALLEST MAN ON EARTH

(thanks nate)

the paper kites

2012-01-02T05:37:00.000-08:00

i heard a different one of their songs first and wasn't too stoked -- it wasn't anything special and not too original sounding. but then i heard this one and i love it! it has a familiar sound, sure, but there's enough of that "something" that it grabs.

AWOLNATION - sail

2011-12-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

i listen to bits and pieces of the album and wasn't impressed. however, this one is one AMAZING song. also, this is such a cool video. ahhhhhhhh

cracks begin to show

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

anytime i say anything negative (i'll never like it, etc) about a particular type of music i end up eating my words. this song is proof once again that i'm being won over to dubstep.

i was in a sporting goods store looking at running shoes when this song came on. i was entranced. it was repetitive and relied on all the same old electronic tricks, tweaked dubstep style...and i loved it.

unlike the old days when i would have to scrounge for paper and a pen to write down a few lines of lyrics in order to ask jeeves about in the next time i was at the public library using the internet, this time i shazzamed it -- or i tried to. it didn't work so i ended up googling the lyrics and this is the video that popped up for my search.

bingo.

MARLENE DIETRICH 'Falling In Love Again' (1930)

2011-12-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

this one is thanks to rachel van.

PJ Harvey

2011-12-27T08:34:00.000-08:00

despite how many people adore her, i'm not totally won over to PJ Harvey yet (if you have song suggestions to get the job done i welcome them!)

that being said, this one is pretty alright. i do love powerful women.

cliff richard - devil woman

2011-12-26T09:02:00.000-08:00

this beauty comes thanks to e. gish

TODAY is THE DAY

2011-12-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

i think this may be the most glorious christmas song i've ever heard:

merry christmas my friends.

ONE DAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY!

2011-12-24T14:05:00.000-08:00

happy christmas eve!

and have yourself a merry little christmas!

2 days 'til CHRISTMAS! AH!

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

i don't know the details behind this album, (google it if ya wanna know) but Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs is one worth having if you like christmas songs sung by ladies!

3 days til Christmas!

2011-12-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

from wikipedia:

Christmas singles and other Charity work

The Killers have become recognized for their work with the Product Red campaign, headed by Bono and Bobby Shriver. To date they have released six Christmas themed songs and music videos, A Great Big Sled (2006), Don't Shoot Me Santa (2007), Joseph, Better You Than Me (2008), ¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe! (2009), Boots (2010) and The Cowboy's Christmas Ball (2011). On November 30th 2011 they released the (RED) Christmas EP on iTunes which features all six songs. All proceeds from the songs have been donated to Product Red campaign and the fight against AIDS in Africa.

4 days til Christmas!

2011-12-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

christmas for cowboys is originally a john denver song, but i just die over this cover...

5 days 'til Christmas!

2011-12-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

"A festive original. 'Tis the season."

(you should own every christmas song sufjan stevens has ever done. in fact, you should own every song sufjan stevens has ever sung. just saying.)

6 days until Christmas!

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

and so this week is devoted to christmas music -- of course! (tho, to be honest it would take at least 2 months to do justice to the wealth of amazing christmas tunes i listen to this time of year. what are you favorites? share with me!!!!)

this seemed like an appropriate way to start things off:

(the whole soundtrack is worth having btw! for the nostalgia as well as for the beautiful choir numbers.)

little lion

2011-12-17T08:41:00.000-08:00

pretty sure i've not only posted about mumford and sons multiple times, but i think i've also posted some version of this song already....

but this song is just SO COOL. i mean...you know what i mean right? don't make me explain myself.

i love this comment on the song: "I have vague recollections of doing a circle-embrace-stomping-dance on this song, at a wedding recently – early morning, wearing what was left of a tux."

16 Years by Phantogram

2011-12-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

i know i've posted phantogram before... but... have another!

Chinatown by Destroyer

2011-12-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

brass instruments + the smoothness of this the vocals give it almost an "elevator song" vibe. it still holds on to its coolness tho.

Portugal The Man "Mornings" acoustic

2011-12-14T09:31:00.000-08:00

i LOVE LOVE LOVE portugal the man. this song legitimizes my love in every way.

Alexander feat RZA

2011-12-13T07:26:00.000-08:00

Alexander = an Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zero’s side project.
(recognize that whistle via “alabama arkansas”?)

Rome by Phoenix

2011-12-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

i know you already love phoenix. but have you listened to them lately?

AHHHHHHH

Sutphin Boulevard by Blood Orange

2011-12-10T10:22:00.000-08:00

who doesn't love a video full of drag queens?

little dragon

2011-12-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

i thought i had already posted this one but when i searched it i couldn't find it. so...electro-pop on fire!

"down in the valley"

2011-12-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

another pretty one by the head and the heart

The Weeknd - House Of Balloons / Glass Table Girls

2011-12-07T08:40:00.000-08:00

this is another one of those songs that reminds me of something but I CAN'T PUT MY FINGER ON WHAT. this is why i'll never be able to write for pitchfork haha

paradise

2011-12-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

remember how much we loved coldplay in the early 2000s? this new-ish beauty will remind you:

sharon van etten

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

wow... i have a feeling when this album comes out i'm going to get really obsessed with it.

(hey, and be sure to check out last year's album 'cause it has songs like this:

)

charli xcx

2011-12-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

lower frequencies nailed it:

On the surface, Charli XCX may appear to be all gimmick and no substance. Because of that fact, the 19-year-old pop star seems to often get slapped with the dreaded one-hit-wonder label. But songs like “Stay Away” are perfect examples of why there’s reason to believe that there’s more to Charli XCX than meets the eye. Sure, her synth-heavy 80′s pop is pretty imitative, but she is so good at playing within the confines of the well-worn genre that the track feels genuinely emotional and fresh.

pretty great eh?

photocomfort

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

you want to listen to this. i know it's an extra click to get to lowerfrequencies rather than just listening here... but TRUST ME this song is worth it. i've been replaying it like mad.

Photocomfort -- My Mistake

FOTOSHOP

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

been feelin' the electronicsynthvibe lately. haven't made up my mind completely about this one yet -- it doesn't grab me... but it is somehow interesting... hmm...

stateless

2011-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

thanks to my sis for the heads up on this. i can barely stand how killer it is. the way it builds... oooh. ahhh.

NEW BLACK KEYS ALBUM on dec. 6

2011-11-29T05:30:00.000-08:00

GET STOKED

ahha i love the youtube comment for this one:

"What ever day a new Black Keys single hits, that day is my favorite day"

the story of lille

2011-11-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

the pop-up book in this video is neat! oh, and lisa hannigan has a very pretty voice :)

wintercoats

2011-11-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

beautifully shot video and the instrumentality is perfect.

tennis

2011-11-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

fun song!

Rostam

2011-11-24T07:30:00.000-08:00

this song sounds SO FAMILIAR and i can't put my finger on it.... OH WAIT!

i got it. it's sorta vampire weekend-y but more spaced out and breath-y if that makes sense. anyhow, listen to the whole thing. it's pretty rad.

i still think the wizard of oz is one of the greatest movies ever

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

and i still love the way judy garland sings "somewhere over the rainbow best"

but even that classic performance, that we all know on love, is outdone by this one that i only recently discovered...

(one youtube description: Judy Garland "Over The Rainbow" as Hobo in one of the most emotional versions of Somewhere Over The Rainbow".)
a place behind the moon and beyond the rain... ahh...

***here are some nice covers

ingrid michaelson

ella fitzgerald

robin the frog

white denim

2011-11-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

wavering guitar at the beginning reminds me of something i just can't put my finger on....
help! what is it?!

future islands

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

they are killing it with this one

Future Islands - Give Us the Wind from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

mr. blue

2011-11-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

if you are a girl, you will love this song by Catherine Feeny.
(& you boys will probably love it too!)

philip glass

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

THE PIANO! ahhhh

Timothy Blackman

2011-11-17T09:30:00.000-08:00

I've read that he's a mix of Devendra Banhart and the Microphones - but less weird.

a GREAT song:

Timothy Blackman - Wolves from Alistair Cheyne on Vimeo.

ingrid michaelson covers "can't help falling in love with you"

2011-11-16T08:31:00.000-08:00

i love her voice.
i was recently revisiting some of my old favorites of hers, so it seemed serendipitous when a friend emailed me this absolutely lovely cover... it will break your heart in all the best ways:

the tallest man on earth DAYTROTTER

2011-11-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

every once in awhile i come across a daytrotter session that really MAKES it as its own little album.
(such as this one.)

so here are two songs:

i love this bob dylan cover by tallest man on earth

i really love this piano version of one my favorites - i won't be found

lykke li covers....

2011-11-14T10:13:00.000-08:00

unchained melody!

Thanks L.F.

James Blake covers...

2011-11-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

...Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You"

thanks L.F.

phantogram

2011-11-11T10:03:00.000-08:00

remember discovery? remember how FANTASTIC that album was? well if you do, you will love this song by phantogram:

never let me go

2011-11-10T14:15:00.001-08:00

TWO POSTS TODAY!

I just wanted to quote what Lower Frequencies wrote about a song from Florence + the Machine's new album --- which is all i've been listening to lately! (click here for the album version - it will BLOW YOU AWAY and click here for a live version)

Florence Welch’s vocal power is undeniable, but what’s so impressive on this track is that she exhibits both her powers of control AND her ability to sing to the heavens. When she is doing her thing–belting with all her might–you never get the feeling that is it anything but totally genuine and earnest. Florence doesn’t “sing.” Florence simply releases, and the result is a vocal performance that, even with its hi-fi, highly-produced sound, is startlingly human.

All In A Day - The Open Sea

2011-11-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

this is such a sweet song. i love the harmonies between the his & her voices -- and it definitely appeals to the weepy woman in me ;)

Future Islands video

2011-11-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

synth-pop! LOViNG it!

Alberta Cross - Low Man

2011-11-08T09:54:00.000-08:00

THIS SONG WILL SLAY YOU

here's a live version:

Nico Stai - One October Song

2011-11-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

singer-songwriter - nothings crazy original here but it's a pretty song.

oblivion by grimes

2011-11-05T08:34:00.000-07:00

i've posted about grimes before but this new song is rad (the albums is worth checking out!)

sleigh bells

2011-11-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

this music video reminds me of being 18 (except the whole stabbing that dude part)

a cover of “Cry Me a River” (Justin Timberlake) by Glen Hansard

2011-11-03T10:30:00.000-07:00

It's really interesting to hear a pop song sung slow and ANGRY.

p.s. Glen Hansard is the Swell Season guy (great band)

NEW florence + the machine album "ceremonials"

2011-11-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

it came out yesterday!

next to the single** this is my favorite on the album so far...

AHHHHH

**the new music video for the single "shake it out" is interesting...

Lianne la havas

2011-11-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

i love a good take away show :)

Lianne La Havas | No Room For Doubt | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Nightmare Revisited

2011-10-31T08:56:00.000-07:00

a whole cover ALBUM of songs from the The Nightmare Before Christmas.

for example:

DeVotchKa

and:

Amy Lee

and:

Marilyn Manson

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

“Umbrella” (Rihanna ft. Jay-Z) COVERED BY Mandy Moore

2011-10-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

it IS very melodic mandy. nice work.

Only downside: no Jay-Z

music video for "montana" by youth lagoon

2011-10-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

oh! this video is beautiful. and sad. and sooooo perfectly matched with this song. ahh.

Youth Lagoon - Montana from Tyler T Williams on Vimeo.

i can't make you love me

2011-10-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

what a phenomenal cover. the piano! ah!
bon iver!!

the original "heartless"

2011-10-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

just 'cause it's such a rad video and a rad song:

i can't stop listening to feist's new album

2011-10-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

listened to this one on repeat a whole bunch of times....