Thursday, July 25, 2013

TTT #43: Covers!



This week I have decided to do another playlist of covers.  These are some of the newer covers I have in my library.  I decided I would share them with you folks.  It's a rainy day out today, and as usual, I like to listen to slow music on a rainy day.  Don't worry though, I end it with a bang...


On with it...


TTT #43 Playlist
Twitter for Spotify Playlist



No Scrubs...No 'Bustas'


No Angels - Bastille & Ella

These one is sort of a remix-y kind of thing.  It is essentially a cover of No Scrubs by TLC.  With a little bit of Angels by XX.  He's got some wicked hair, so it has to be awesome right?





SHE'S LYING!!!!


Billie Jean - The Civil Wars

If you haven't heard of these guys yet, you are welcome.  They named themselves after the bloodiest battle in American history.  More Americans lost their lives in The Civil War than any other war.  That would stand to reason as we were the only country fighting in The Civil War, hence the civil part.  They could have just made up the name, but that seems highly unlikely.



BINGBANGBOOM


Live And Let Die - Duffy

She can get it.  She's got that 60's mod thing going.  I can dig that.  I like the 60's.  I like the Mary Tyler Moore circa 1962 look.  It works.  Plus this is just a really good cover.  It doesn't have "the riff" but it still works in the end, for me at least.



Erin No Likey


Sweet Child O Mine - Taken By Trees

Another artist you should like more if you don't already.  This is a nice cover.  It might have to grow on you a little bit.  I'm not sure how I feel about the main riff being played on a piano but other than that I can really get behind what she has done here.  You go girl.


*snaps*


Highway Rum


Faithfully - Clem Snide

Clem here actually did a 6 or 7 song LP of Journey covers.  This will be some people's cup o tea and other, not so much.  Hardcore Journey fans, probably not.  I like it.  That's why it's here.  I am the most important person typing right now, so as I am my current audience, I only have to please myself.  That doesn't sound right...ah well...



Yes.


Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Roberta Flack

This is just a beautiful version of this Shirelles hit.  I may even like this more than the original.  That is saying something.  I rarely like things more than the original.  Especially songs from the 60's.  I usually hate people messing with my 60's.  Don't do it.  Don't think about doing it.  70's.  OK that's fine.  50's?  Sure.  Stay your ass out of the 60's.  I mean it.



Say Uncle!


Headlock - Lennon & Maisy

These girls.  These girls right here.  12 and 8.  At least at the time of this recording.  Does that make anyone else feel like they messed up somewhere?  Geez.  Such a good song.  Such a great cover.  These 2 were a random YouTube find, or maybe CouchSeats.com.  Not really sure at this point.  All I know is that those two girls have a future because their harmonies are flawless.  I just love them.



Imogen Heap again...


Hide & Seek - Antoine Dufour

If you don't know the song Hide & Seek by Imogen Heap (it's great) pause this list.  Go listen to that song a few times.  Done?  Ok.  Now hit play and listen to this man flawlessly recreate that song on acoustic guitar.  His harmonics are just so pure and perfect.  I wish I could play half as good as this guy.  So beautiful.  The expression...



Bringing It Back Up!


Rock El Casbah - Rachid Taha

Apparently, boogeyman in Algerian is boogeyman.  Who knew?




I hope you enjoyed this week's list.  Let me know what you think.

Shariff don't like it...

That would be the perfect thing for you to comment with Sherry...

KKNY signing off...

Thursday, July 18, 2013

TTT #42: Welcome To Night Vale



I started listening to a new podcast called Welcome To Night Vale.  It is a very strange, and oddly hilarious, story telling podcast.  It is done in the sense that the podcaster is the lone radio personality of a small desert town named Night Vale.  It is clear very quickly that Night Vale is not your ordinary city.  You should listen to find out.

A quote to entice:

"I think the best way to die is to be eaten by a giant snake.  Going feet first, and whole, into a slimy maw would give your life great...symmetry."

That's just great.

Due to the rarity of some of these songs, there will not be a complete Spotifty Playlist.  If you want the whole list, 8tracks is your only bet. =)

And now...the weather...


TTT #42 Playlist
Twitter for Spotify Playlist




The Dog Park


These And More Than These - Joseph Fink

There are no dogs allowed in the dog park.  There are no people allowed in the dog park.  If you see hooded figures in the dog park, do not stare.  Ignore the dog park.  There is no dog park.




The Glow Cloud


The Bus Is Late - Satellite High

All hail the glow cloud.



Station Management


Bill & Annie - Chuck Brodsky

This is one of two people on this list who think they are Bob Dylan.  I do like this song more than the other though...


*gets an envelope from under the door*



PTA Meeting


Closer - The Tiny

It's good to see the glow cloud taking part in the community.



The Shape In Grove Park


Jerusalem - Dan Bern

This guy definitely wishes he were Bob Dylan.

The shape has moved in front of the radio station, in the event you are having trouble finding this town landmark.



The Drawbridge



Aye - Dio (Not the one you'd think)

This is a German rap group, not Ronny James.

The entertainment complex does not exist.  You are hallucinating.



History Week


Despite What You've Been Told - Two Gallants

Strange to think that you reading this text right this second is now a part of the history of your life...



The Lights In Radon Canyon


This Too Shall Pass - Danny Schmidt

This is my new absolute favorite song of the moment...

Carlos was hard at work trying to discover what exactly the light above the Arby's is.  That is, until he was given a bad haircut and went missing.



PYRAMID


Last Song - Jason Webley

Get it? Because it's the last...nvm


Do not approach the pyramid.  It's progeny is upon us.



I hope you enjoyed this blog.  Short.  Night Vale.  Joseph Fink.  Genius.

KKNY signing off until next week...sleep tight...

Thursday, July 11, 2013

TTT #41: Meh...




I am feeling meh...so this blog will be meh...

The music is good.  But I am meh...

Also, Yahoo has discontinued their video players service.  I will bring videos back whenever I have a better way to display them.  meh...







Ein Kleine Berliner


Berlin Lovers - Still Corners

I decided to start it all off with a nice mellow electronic song.  It sets my mood right.  I think this might turn out to be a nice list to drive to.  Meh.



You Know Nothing, Jon Snow


Wolf - First Aid Kit

These two are definitely channeling some hippy stuff.  I don't know why but these two fully grown women remind me of the childhood pictures of my sisters.  The ones who never write on this blog any more.  I often feel as though I took it over and I feel bad about it.


You Can Color My World


Little Bit Of Red (Live) - Serena Ryder

Melissa Ethridge.


Thiiiiinking....Thinking...


Think Again - Teddy Thompson


This guy here has a very sad quality to his voice.  It almost drags behind the song, it adds a certain haunting quality to it.


My Mutter...My mutter she loves me...


Youth - Daughter

If you don't like this, you don't like music.


Your Kung Fu Is Strong


Pot, Kettle, Black - Panda Su


I really don't think I need to add anything to this.  That picture says it all.


Your Eyes


See My Eyes - DwnTwn

Bringing it back up...


Mea Culpa


Failure - Laura Marling


...only to bring it back down...



Sorry for the crappiness that is this week's blog.  I just feel like warm garbage.  I will make up for it next week, I hope.

That's it for this week...meh...

KKNY signing meh...

Thursday, July 4, 2013

TTT #40: Mellow Men With Beards!


Happy Independence Day America!!!  Happy 4th of July rest of the world!!! 

This week I was thinking since it is America's birthday AND my 40th Thuper Thong Thurthday ANDAND I have a beard, I would do a playlist featuring only men with beards!

Great idea, I know.  I believe that when it comes to mellow acoustic music a beard is a definite must.  As George Carlin once said "The beard acts as a mute for soft passages..."  I doubt this is what he was talking about, but the statement stands.  

You will also notice that as the list progresses, the beards get longer and fuller.  I planned it this way.  I know, I know, I should have done metal bands as there are all sorts of great beards there.  Kerry King, Dimebag Darrell, I could have even included ZZ Top.  But this is mellow men with beards.  So deal.  

On with it...





I Wanna Go On A Trip


As you can see here we have a good starter beard.  It's covering but still thin.  Well groomed.  The perfect beard for a light folk song about your girlfriend leaving you and moving across the country.  The heart yearning.  The beard betrayal.  Why'd she go?  Why?




Big Finish!



As you can see this beard, as the one before, is a good starter beard.  This one, however, seemed to me a little more covering, or at least darker, so I made him number two.  I guess you might say number seven as this is more of a countdown.  So he has the 7th best beard on the list.   

I think I'm...never mind...moving on...




Dallas Green.  A City.  A Color.



As you can see we are getting a little fuller.  Thicker.  We like thicker.  Still kempt, but thicker.  If you haven't listened to City & Colour; two things are true.  One, you haven't been listening to my blog.  Two, you hate music.  He has a sweet high voice that will lull you into a sense of belonging and sorrow.  It's everything music should be...




*mumblemumblemumble*



Little thicker.  Little less kempt.  Mustache is catching up to the beard.   This fella here, every time I see him he reminds me of a guy my dad used to work with named Bill Brown.  I was fairly young the last time I saw Mr. Bill (heh) so I don't recall exactly what he looked like.  In my mind though, this is his exact twin.   As for the guy in the picture, you may have to listen to him sing a couple of times before you can start to understand what he is saying.  There is a lilting laziness to his voice, and I mean that in a very good way.  It makes you listen closer.  It has a superb softness to it.  It's his beard.  It's taking all credit...



IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!



Thicker.  Venturing into unkempt territory.    The mustache is a little less full, but this isn't a mustache playlist, so back off...   I have always said that it would be amazing to buy a van, or a small RV, and just vagabond my way across the country.  I think I could really get behind that.  I need someone to do this with me.  I may just up and leave one day.  Chris McCandless style...

If you don't hear from me for a while...you know where I'll be...




It's Erin's Fault



Unkempt thing of beauty.  I believe Andy Hull, the lead singer of MO, has since shaved this off but who cares.  He shouldn't have.  Also, he is the lead singer of Manchester Orchestra, not Missouri.  I felt that needed to be pointed out.  I realized that going through all of this explanation defeats the purpose of abbreviating it in the first place, but I don't like hitting the backspace.  Backspace is for losers.  Kids, don't backspace.

I wasn't really into Manchester Orchestra when i first heard them.  I was like ehhh.  Then my lovely lady made me go see them live.  Seeing them live will definitely make them grow on you.  Amazing show.  You should catch them if you can.  Live.  I mean, you should go see them not literally capture them live.  Like, don't hold them captive, just see them play.  Ya dig?

I feel like I've lost control here somewhere...




Beatle Beard



Epic status.  That is what a Beatle beard is.  Not to be confused with Beetle The Bard.    

John Lennon looks so sad in that picture.  It fits perfectly with this song.  Such a sad song.  Just a guy who thought people would be better if they just agreed and got along.  Crazy right?  Dreamer...

This was the first CD I ever owned.  I was such a cool kid.



Bougainvillea 



The way a beard should be.    Long.  Full.  Thick.  Probably has some shit in it.  Not actual shit...just like stuff...well...never mind...

Only Sam Beam could put Bougainvillea blooms in a song and make it work.  The man is a genius.  You should listen to more Iron & Wine if you don't already.  Less talk...more Passing Afternoon.

I also want to comment on the modest piano solo in this song.  Just perfect for the song.  Nothing fancy but fits perfectly.  True genius is not technical skill and speed it's putting what needs to be there, there, and what doesn't, nowhere.




So a bunch of people at work have been asking me if I am related to the Duck Dynasty CEO Willie Robertson.  What do you think?


My Doppelganger?  I bet he could fit way more than 2 boxes of crayons in his beard.  I am shamed...


KKNY signing off...