|
|
|
Ah, love sweet love.
We would've sent you a Valentine. But we didn't know your street address.
So instead, we decided to put a little something online JUST FOR YOU.
How about 2 discs worth of FREE mp3's? (And they're *gasp* LEGAL, too!)
We asked some of our favorite friends and artists to give us some
old-fashioned love songs, indie rock style. All but two are previously
unreleased, and most are brand new recordings made especially for this
compilation.
What follows is FLIRT, the second in our series of online compilation CD's.
How's it work? Easy. Look below. Download all the tracks. Download the artwork we've already made for you. Print the art, burn the CD. *WHAMMO!* Instant compilation CD. You didn't have to buy it, and we didn't have to go to the trouble of selling it to you.
Be grateful. All of these bands gave us... gave YOU... these tracks completely for free. And words don't even come close to describing our thanks. Not even the words that come on those little candy hearts. They're our favorite artists, they're great tunes, and we hope you like 'em as much as we do.
Now's the fun part. We get to sleep. Because we've been up since, oh, December putting this puppy together. Have a fantastic Valentine. On us.
Liz, Ajay, and Shane
Your Excellent Valentines
NOTE (August 6, 2003): Thanks to the kind bandwidth donation from Sam, the Flirt MP3's are available again.
|
Your Narrator: Marc Maron
www.marcmaron.com
When we came up with the idea to do a love-themed compilation, we wanted a way to tie everything together - not too kitschy, but not too sentimental and overly moody, either. All it took was one e-mail to nail the whole thing together in a way we never dreamed of. Marc Maron's been at the top of the genre (if you can call it that) of "intelligent comedy" for a few years now. His many appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien are legendary... his appearance earlier this year on Comedy Central's Friars Club Roast of Chevy Chase was a real highlight... and his HBO comedy special... well, just watch it and wait for the bit about doing acid at a Dead show. On a whim, we wrote to Marc to see if he had any good ideas on the theme of love. A few days later, he sent us a mini-disc full of original spoken word antics - recorded exclusively for this compilation - and we couldn't think of a more perfect narrator. You'll hear him pop in and out of some of the mp3's below. Marc's got a great new full length comedy CD, "Not Sold Out," for sale at his website - definitely worth your while. We can't thank him enough.
|
|
1. Koala - Feels Like Yer Falling In Love (Again)
www.planetkoala.com
Download MP3
Koala are four people: Martin, Tim, Gaz, and Daniel. Martin, Tim, and Gaz went to school together in the Midlands and have known each other since they were 15. The three started writing songs together when in school. Tim buggered off abroad for a bit, meanwhile Gaz and Martin found a drummer, Steve Danger, ex of Wolfsbane and Stretch, and started playing gigs in the Midlands. Koala recorded their first EP in Tamworth, with Jase from Wolfsbane. Tim sent in his bits on a mini disk, while the rest of the band used little girls, a vacuum cleaner, and Steve Dangers snoring to help them make the record. Tim came back and helped Gaz and Martin set up Koala HQ - a rodent infested house in Birmingham, while Steve quit. Daniel joined, who'd played drums for the High Llamas and Ian McNabb. For Koala's second EP, they used a photocopier, a toy space shuttle, and the cast of the Muppets. Koala moved Koala HQ to London after their house in Birmingham fell down. And that about brings us up to speed. Members of our mailing list might remember this track, which we circulated to family and friends after the band sent it to us as a demo a couple years ago. We're now proud to showcase it to the rest of the bloody world on "Flirt" -- it's the perfect, stomping introduction to our little world. Enjoy.
|
2. The Eskimos - Jealousy
www.theeskimos.com
www.brilliante.tv
Download MP3
In a world where so many bands get lumped into niches, either be it by their own doing or by the ugly hand of rock critics, it's refreshing to stumble upon a group whose daring studio efforts transcend such puny words as "genre" and "niche". The Eskimos are one such band, and we at Excellent Online have spent the past year trying our best to spotlight the Eskimos' recent work, and we're giddy that the band have agreed to lend their unique sound to our little compilation. The Eskimos have been making their own brand of rock and roll in the little college town of Athens, Georgia since 1998. From 4-track to 8-track to unlimited DAW's, The Eskimos have maintained a DIY mindset that affords them total freedom in their home studio. After recording literally hundreds of 8-track cassettes, the band proceeded to record and release their first album, Let It Come Down, in 2001. With their second release, Something Must Be Transmitted Somehow (Brilliante Records, 2003), the Eskimos prove themselves to be one of the smartest, brightest pop-rock outfits around. The band's choice for our compilation, a tune called "Jealousy," was actually intended for their second album, but, according to the band, it didn't seem to play well with the other tracks and was omitted from the final tracklisting. Very simple in nature, "Jealousy" was written in an hour, and recorded with minimal production in just a few sessions. We're thrilled we've gotten the chance to resurrect it from demo hell... as the band says, it's "just another song about love gone bad."
|
3. Mark Gardener - See What You Get
http://www.mareasub.it/ride/
Download MP3
Once again, I can't write a little mini-bio here without gushing. I've tried. There's nothing I can do. I'd love to tell you that I went, "Hrm, that's good news" when I found out we'd gotten Mark Gardener to contribute a new track to our compilation. What I WON'T tell you is that I spent a good 3 minutes jumping up and down in my kitchen like King Geek, and then calling all our friends to hear them jump up and down in THEIR kitchens. This is no joke, folks. This is Mark Gardener, the former frontman of Ride and the soul of Animalhouse. And if you don't know him by now, you're already gonna be against the wall when the revolution comes, so you might as well just give up now. BUT, what you might NOT know is that Mark's just a short time off from launching his very first solo tour through the States, starting with a gig at Austin's South By Southwest Music Conference this March. The tour should serve a couple purposes - to draw a little more attention to the fantastic Ride greatest hits disc, OX4 (out now on The First Time Records,) and also - more importantly - to debut some new material. And we've got your first sneak peek right here. Man, how we've missed you, brother. Welcome back to the fold. And check back on the site as well, as we're hoping to corner Mark for a full interview sometime in the near future. In the meantime, do NOT miss these acoustic gigs in March/April.
|
4. The Shermans - Impatient Blank
www.shelflife.com/shermans/
Download MP3
So we have a tendency to rave on and on like lunatics when we find a band the world needs to know about. I suppose the Shermans could be used as your case and point, as Liz wrote about them in one of her first posts to this site. This Swedish trio was born in 1997 of the ashes of former Marsh-Marigold recording artists Red Sleeping Beauty. The Shermans in their current lineup consist of Ingela Matsson, Mikael Matsson (formerly of RSB) and Christer Nilsson. You can't get any more adorable than two musicians who fall in love whilst making music, except of course if you listen to the music they make together. This song should sufficiently blow your mind on that front. Taking their name from photographer Cindy Sherman, the band's Spector-ian fullness is an obvious nod to their love of 60's harmony pop. Imagine if the Crystals were to blend into the Beach Boys of modern day Sweden... you might be slightly close to the world of the Shermans. Take a deep breath and listen for yourself! The Shermans appear courtesy of Shelflife.
|
5. The Marlboro Chorus - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
www.futureappletree.com
Download MP3
Pop springs... from the most unlikely of places. Under cushions, under chairs, in stories from old women and dogs. Pop finds these four gentlemen on the prowl for crafty songs, materialized from wood and electric power (120 vac). B. Patric, The Emperor Justinian, Rudie Reyhons, and Rick. The sound is vaguely familiar... "haven't I heard these guys somewhere before?"... but then that's the wonder of pop. The strange can sound familiar, the familiar can sound strange. Guitaring, drumming, tinkling pianoesques, and crooning. See ourselves, our silly lots, our sad story. Slice together, mix, and separate. Together they sing and bang, wax and wane, travelling the amateur sailing circuit in search of inspiration. From canvasses full of wind to the drunken captains everywhere, the song is the song... pop springs... The Marlboro Chorus.
|
6. Metrovavan - Waltz of the Noctambulist
www.metrovavan.co.uk
Download MP3
There are plenty of musicians out there to aspiring to becoming *the* electronic Gainsbourg but how many of them would prefer to be a robotic Jacque Brel? This is Metrovavan... the solo project of Scott Twynholm, former electro whiz with Looper. While Scott is a native of Glasgow, his recent musical endeavors would be more at home in Edith Piaf's Paris.
You might have heard Metrovavan's debut album "Retrofitting" (on Darla in the US) and been wowed by songs like "Glad I'm Not a Spaceman" or "Because of the Sun". You can also find Scott (aka George) in the new Scottish band Hoboken.
Intricately laid down on a Melodica, this plays like the film score to a French documentary on Albert Camus. Sinister and slightly shy... it's a waltz to fall in love with.
Metrovavan appears courtesy of Darla.
|
7. Of Montreal - Sad Love
www.ofmontreal.net
Download MP3
It's hard to write this without gushing. It really is. If you know our site, you know there are a few bands that we take extra effort to herald as the next coming of greatness. Of Montreal has topped that shortlist around here for a very, very long time. Hailing from The Center of the Indie Universe -- aka Athens, GA, where it seems as though every third kid in town must front his or her own indiepop band -- Of Montreal have ridden the wave to the shore and back again, and strangely manage to put out better and better records year after year. Cavorting about like a mad cross between Ray Davies, Os Mutantes, Brian Wilson and The Archies, Kevin Barnes and his band of merry men, women, and sibling have the innate ability to record songs about typical and atypical life that can make you laugh and cry (and quite often do it in the same song!) Kevin's whimsically heartfelt odes to love are usually the highlights to every Of Montreal record, and we couldn't dream to put out a love song compilation without including one. What we weren't expecting was this - a brand new recording that rivals their best work. Cheers.
|
8. The Snow Fairies - Firefly
people.brynmawr.edu/mkramer/
Download MP3
"Hi... we're snow fairies....."
Ahh, the snow fairies, indie kids extraordinaire if you ask us. We've caught these particular pixies on their way up as their debut album "Feel You Up" will be released later this year on Red Square Recordings. There's a story here about this member in that band and that member in this band and good lord how do they keep track of it all? Hailing from the land of steak sandwiches, the Snow Fairies *currently* are Rose Bochansky (vocals), Jayme Guokas (guitar), Melissa Kramer (keyboards/organs), Neil Laurence Margaritas Ramierz (guitar/bass), Justin Staller (drums) and Joel Tannenbaum (guitar/bass). At one time their numbers also included Frank Jordan (The Bright Lights) and Kelly Slusher. Obviously schooled by names like the Magnetic Fields, Kurl Weill and the Mountain Goats... the snow fairies make playful and uplifting pop. This is a band that jingles instead of jangling, hops instead of skips and sound like their having a blast doing it.
They've given us a gem called 'Firefly' that was originally by Aussie band The Cat's Miaow (now Hydroplane). This song was recorded to appear on a tribute CD to The Cat's Miaow that will be released later this year.
|
9. The Positions - It's Ok, It's Alright
www.the-positions.com
Download MP3
The Positions are still a bit of a sonic mystery to us as we can't quite identify *who* they sound like. We were introduced to them through their singer/songwriter/guitarist Ivan (formerly the keyboard genius in Barcelona). It wasn't until we heard an early rendition of 'It's Ok, It's Alright' that we aware that the vocal (and tambourine) responsibilities are now being shared with NYC pop girl Nicole from Charming. Rounding out the lineup are a trombonist (Christopher), bass (Tad) and drums (Reid). This is the first recorded material by these DC based pop maestros. It's rambunctious, savage and ADORABLE. Wait, how do those things go together? We donšt know, they just do. This two and a half minute pop orgasm is perfectly layered by producer Archie Moore (The Saturday People, Velocity Girl). We're definitely looking forward to hearing more of The Positions.
|
10. Einstein's Sister - Everything
www.einsteinssister.com
Download MP3
Beginning in 1996, EINSTEIN'S SISTER songwriters Bill Douglas and Kerry Tucker chose to write, record and produce a self-titled album independently on compact disc. The duo's songs attracted the interest of Minneapolis-based OarFin Records, who quickly signed the band and released a second disc, Oceanus, in the winter of 1997. The album ultimately failed to deliver on the promise of the songs, due to creative differences between the producer and the band. Determined to regain complete control over their recordings, the group chose to return to their indie roots and release their next album on their own. In the spring of '99, EINSTEIN'S SISTER released Learning Curves. Learning Curves brought the band national attention through Internet sales on Amazon.com, CD Baby and Not Lame Records. Music licensing opened another door for the group as songs were used for programming on MTV, NBC, VH1, FX and the Oxygen Network. Upon the success of Learning Curves, EINSTEIN'S SISTER was invited to submit a track ("Changing Heart") for Full Circle - A Tribute To Gene Clark, as well as perform at the legendary Troubadour for noted L.A. music critic David Bash's International Pop Overthrow festival. Humble Creatures, the latest album from EINSTEIN'S SISTER, continues the fine tradition of arresting melodies and insightful lyrics set forth by the Illinois-based group's critically acclaimed Learning Curves, which gathered praise from Amplifier, Goldmine, The Los Angeles Times and Performing Songwriter. Reuniting with co-producer Tom Tatman (Greg Brown, Tripmaster Monkey, Stonesour, House Of Large Sizes), the band recorded the 11 tracks of Humble Creatures at Catamount Recording in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and at Real Trax Studios with Rob Cimmarusti in Davenport, Iowa.
The band is currently working on a follow up CD to be released later this year. Also look for Made Easy For Everyone - The Best of Einstein's Sister to be released by Wizard in Vinyl in Japan later this summer.
|
11. Moses - Beautiful Gun
www.mosesband.com
Download MP3
For the uninitiated (where have you been?), Moses are Hartlepool-born brothers Paul & David Mosley, purveyors of quality acoustic pop songs & harmony laden melancholia. 2002 was a banner year for the lads, having gathered together their highly musical friends and producing their debut album, "The Swimming Zoo," released last September. Add to that their first full UK tour (complete with several sold-out dates,) and to round it all off, Moses has been invited to play at the prestigious South By Southwest Music Conference in March 2003. America may not be the same again.
"Given a sunny summer's day this will fit the bill nicely" -Q
"Clever lyrics, memorable tunes, sure-footed harmony and sheer class will attract a
monster following before they're done". -The Northern Echo
|
12. Tenki - Love Sick
www.futureappletree.com
Download MP3
Like Chicago's weather, Tenki can be moody: Sunny, hot and sticky. Cloudy, cold and icy. Formed in 1999 after three of its five members (including former Tripmaster Monkey guitarist and songwriter Jamie Toal) migrated to this city, they've since played her clubs and recently produced their debut CD "Red Baby" - a lyrical canvas of relations and emotions filled with guitar-driven washes, horns and keyboards. Derived pop influences and/or similarities may peek through here and there: a Beatle-esque bass line, a Clash swagger, a not so brain-damaged Flaming Lips-style arrangement, or a Built to Spill-ish vocal riff. But those references are just threads in Tenki's tight, rock tapestry. Live, they hurl a kitchen sink full of shifting rifts, bright trumpet flares, earthy guitar buzzes, percussive wallops, driving bass lines, old-school keyboards - and energy - lots of energy!
|
13. Utah Carol - Find A Way
www.utahcarol.com
www.birkdesign.com
Download MP3
Utah Carol is definitely one of Chicago's hardest working independent bands. They impressed us enough with their blend of pop americana and keyboard eloquence during a live show that we knew immediately they'd be perfect for this compilation. Utah Carol is more than just a couple of musicians as Grant Birkenbeuel and JinJa Davis are actually husband and wife. Releasing their first album in 1999 (Wonderwheel), and their second in 2001 (Comfort For The Traveler) the pair have been busy with several songs being used in films and European touring on top of running their own production and design studio.
That's all well and great but what do they sound like? Well Mojo Magazine described them as "an addictive blend of bittersweet Americana and art-pop, sounding like a hillbilly fairground taken over by a couple of kids on mushroom." Their dreamy arrangements involve every instrument imaginable from chimes, tuba, guitar, organ, flutes, strings that all come across as Wilson inspired and whimsical. "Find A Way" is a lullaby that will leave your heart soaring...
|
|
1. Velocity Girl - It's All Alright By Me
www.subpop.com
Download MP3
Yes, first of all, this is *the* Velocity Girl. No, this isn't a track that's been locked in a vault for years, it's brand new. May we introduce you to the new Velocity Girl? Hey, wait a minute... it's exactly like the V Girl that disbanded in 1996! That's right, all members have reformed and resurrected what was perhaps THE janglepop band of the 90s. Pop sensibility and catchy hooks are back. This track, recorded earlier this year in the DC area, features the never-ending talents of Archie Moore, Brian Nelson, Kelly Riles, Jim Spellman and Sarah Shannon. If for some reason you lived under a rock and don't remember their first go-round, Velocity GIrl are the band that gave the indieworld sugarpop and brilliance whilst the rest of the alterna-world was moshing in flannel. By the mid-90s they had the #2 selling album on Sub Pop of all time ('Copacetic' was #2 behind Nirvana's 'Bleach'). You have *no idea* how excited we are to debut to you new material from them...
|
2. Tolchock Trio - Treble 5
www.tolchocktrio.com
www.redtrianglerecords.com
Download MP3
When we do one of these compilations, one of our favorite things to do is put out an open call for new talent. One quick mention of our project on the Blisscent mailing list brought forth a surplus of bands eager to contribute. Some good, some less than good. But only one of those submissions stood out as being on a totally different level. That band was Tolchock Trio. Going against popular trends in band names and hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah, Tolchock Trio actually has three members: Ryan Fedor (guitar, vocals), Oliver Lewis (guitar, bass, vocals), and Dan Thomas (drums, tambourine.) All three members are in their early to mid twenties and that suits them just fine. The trio was founded in the middle of 2000 when Lewis convinced his old friend Thomas to relocate to Salt Lake City from Minneapolis. The pitch went something like this: "I want to start a band that sounds like Wilco and My Bloody Valentine before the world is destroyed by wannabe Alice in Chains bands." Fortunately, the world still stands, and so does Tolchock Trio, though their mission statement has been amended to include influences like Sonic Youth, The Pixies, and The Stooges. Two years later, Tolchock Trio is so very close to completing their debut album, although the phrase "very close" should be interpreted with a Kevin Shields sort of looseness. Meanwhile, the band continue to pack Salt Lake clubs and dominate the talk of wee indie girls in chatrooms. 2001 and 2002 brought opening slots for talent the likes of The Dismemberment Plan, Bardo Pond, Rido Kiley, Aerogramme, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, and the Starlight Mints, among others. In 2003, the world will have to endure two Tolchock releases, as the band plans to follow up their debut with an all-live, no-overdub EP in the summer. After that, look out for them in your hometown and keep an open spot on the couch.
|
3. Chrash - I Don't Want To Get Over You
www.futureappletree.com
Download MP3
Once a member of the sonic quartet Tripmaster Monkey, Chris Bernat changed his name to Christian Burnout. In search of new sounds post-Monkey, he formed The Prints - acoustic music mixed with pyrotechnics, pre-recorded sound effects, and pseudo performance art antics. Having performed as The Fresh Prints, Finger Prints, and even the French Prints, Burnout changed the group name to Chrash for better visual impact. With reverse psychology marketing, the band performed under a different moniker each time they played. Chrash Course, Plane Chrash, Plain Chrash, Chrash Gordon, Johnny Chrash, Crash Potatoes, and countless others. Chrash will have a full-length LP out in March of '03. In the meantime, "The Comedian," a weird little EP, is available now by contact thru the Future Appletree website. Says Christian on the selection of this cover: "'Love is not bound to gender.' 'Love is the light and dark.' No one says it better than the Magnetic Fields. Check out all things Merritt."
|
4. Fashion Flesh - Fake Neck Braces
www.supermadrigalbrothers.com
www.demon.co.uk/momus/supermad.html
www.demon.co.uk/momus/makingoskar3.html
Download MP3
Fashion Flesh is comprised of a male named John. He uses no guitars and no stolen/sampled sounds. Using modified, hand-built and broken electronic devices, he focuses in on pleasure and confusion. He is also one half of the Super Madrigal Brothers (check out the debut SMB album 'Shakestation' on Darla) and he 'reproduced' the entire upcoming Momus album entitled 'Oskar Tennis Champion' due out mid-February. Look for Fashion Flesh long-play releases very soon.
|
5. bravecaptain - Love Will See Us Through
www.bravecaptain.co.uk
Download MP3
bravecaptain is 34. He has helicobacterpylori and sleeps three/four hours a night.
(He has occasionally been known as both a Boo Radley and a Turkish turd herder in past lives, and we at Excellent thank him greatly for his participation - tis always a pleasure, Meltin.)
|
6. Turnerjoy - Untitled
www.turnerjoy.com
Download MP3
A nasty bout of laryngitis on the part of Turnerjoy frontman Dean Perrine almost kept these guys off this compilation, but thankfully, voice in good form, Turnerjoy were able to leap into the studio and bang this brand new cut out in record time for us. These guys are another of our absolute most favorite bands - we've said it before, we'll say it again - we have NO IDEA why Turnerjoy aren't raking in the big bucks with a lucrative major label deal right now. The Chicago group can take a rabid crowd of indie fans and shut them up within ONE song at a live gig... THAT's how powerful this band's sound can get. When was the last time you saw a crowd transfixed by an opening band they'd never heard of? Turnerjoy have the marvelous gift of making hometown space rock - experimental, artistic, yet always grounded in swirling melodies that make you wake up humming their tunes the next day. It's a sin that the only place you can get their STELLAR sophomore album, "Transplant," is through their website. (Which you should do. Right now. I'm not kidding, go.) A bit Radiohead, a bit Doves, a bit Sigur Ros, and somehow managing to pull it all off without sounding like a Yes tribute band. Amazing.
|
7. Paula Kelley - I Like You In That Way
www.paulakelley.com
Download MP3
We're very excited at getting an original recording this time 'round from Paula Kelley, who swept many a fan off their feet on our last compilation. If the voice sounds familiar, you might think back to a 90's far, far away and a band called The Drop Nineteens. Ring a bell? How about Hotrod? Or perhaps Boy Wonder? Paula's lent her melt-the-room voice to all three of those projects, but now she's on her own, and she's never sounded more pop-tastic. Boston's known for its indie pop, and Kelley represents the scene perfectly on her most recent album, "Nothing/Everything." Those lucky enough to catch her gig at Chicago's go-around at the IPO festival last year were floored. (She makes Shane's heart flutter, this girl.) And this brand new recording is the PERFECT tune for a Valentine's Day compilation. Little pastel candy hearts, anyone?
|
8. The Sprites - I Go Crazy
www.sprites.org.uk
www.marchrecords.com
Download MP3
In 1999, Jason Korzen is an admitted computer nerd, a lecturer at programming conferences, a published author in computer magazines and books, and a frequenter of internet chat rooms. He begins writing songs with his band Barcelona mainly about his distaste for humanity and love of technology. Over the next few years, they release three well-received, decidedly new wave pop albums on March Records making them cult icons of web programmers, soccer fans, and indiepop kids alike.
Fast forward to 2003 and Korzen has unexpectedly found real human love and a new outlook on life. Time at the computer is replaced by time with his girl, Amy. He bids farewell to Barcelona. He spends a winter writing pop songs in his basement. It's more organic, less digital. He replaces the analogue synthesizers and drum machines with tambourines, jangly acoustic guitars, melodicas and a lone snare drum. He records a new album for March Records called "Starling, Spiders, Tiger and Sprites". He calls his new "group", Sprites.
"I Go Crazy" was originally recorded by Flesh for Lulu. It appeared on the "Some Kind of Wonderful" soundtrack. It is one of Jason and Amy's favorite songs ever. This version was recorded in the winter of 2003. Sprites appear courtesy of March Records. Thanks Skippy!
|
9. Driver of the Year - It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference
www.futureappletree.com
Download MP3
Four years in the game... you'd think Driver of the Year might want to ease up a bit. But as long as the smell of stale beer lingers in the air, as long as you need a soundtrack to sneak a first kiss with little Jenny Appleby under the bleachers, there's a place on Earth for Driver. And for the time being, that place is Iowa. A hundred years ago, the rolling Mississippi might've been a quaint home for Mark Twain. Today, it's the home of rent-a-party-barges called "Boatels," and it was on a soul-seeking mission up the river in one of these boatels that DOTY hatched their plan for global domination - that plan is called Future Appletree Records. Throwing caution to the wind and a Camel to the floor, the boys of Driver of the Year have teamed up with some like-minded indie cats to toss their hat in the ring and launch their own record label. Among the first fruits of Future Appletree will be Driver's debut record, and the world will soon catch on to Iowa's secrets. An overdriven Rhodes cranked to 11, making sweat drip from the foreheads of nervous sound techs. A phased out Les Paul. A drummer who can channel John Bonham with the blink of an eye. And the palest bassman to ever slam a 32 oz. King Can. Driver of the Year. Solid rock. So solid rock, in fact, that when we say "love song," they say, "Rundgren." Hell, yeah.
|
10. The Danglers - Eating Myself (Live at Martyr's)
www.danglers.net
Download MP3
"To every good thing lies a dark underbelly that's chained to your ankle as love flies away."
In the band's words, "Blues is the ultimate expression of love. It is the broken spirit taking flight and yearning for the beauty and pain. Is there love in sacrifice or is there sacrifice in love? 'Eating Myself' is an honest, if cheeky, expression of loss, regret, and excess. It is Heaven and Hell, honesty and lies, breakfast's coffee and midnight's liquor; but ultimately it is one man's reflection on his greatest love."
It is worth noting that this particular recording is a rarity. The live recording on this compilation represents one of the first-ever live performances of Eating Myself, and is the only known recording featuring violin in place of electric guitar. The song, which has been studio recorded for The Danglers' forthcoming record, "Transient Hotel," features a searing Fender Telecaster in lieu of the more eloquent, minimalist sounds of an acoustic violin, heard on the Martyrs live track.
The Danglers are a four-piece band consisting of violin and guitar, Fender Rhodes keys, drums and upright bass. The band resides half in Chicago, Illinois and half in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Danglers have been together four or so years and have been compared to everyone from The Dirty Three to Led Zeppelin to Jeff Buckley. Don't ask the band who they think they sound like, or what they're listening to currently; they don't have answers to those questions. Decide for yourself at www.danglers.net.
|
11. Cinerama - Your Charms
www.cinerama.co.uk
Download MP3
Can you have a love-themed CD without the talents of David Gedge? I suppose it can be done, but
without the British Isle's leading oozer of aphrodisia, why bother? The former Wedding Present star
dropped his punk-edged pop when forming Cinerama in 1998 with his love Sally Murrell. He's done
nothing but write about the condition of love ever since. His orchestra laden harmonies offer us a
glimpse of glamorous affliction.
Don't believe us?
"The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the Rock 'n' Roll era.
You may dispute this, but I'm right and you're wrong!" - John Peel.
Alrighty then, enough said. When we approached David Gedge about this project, he was quick to point
out that close to EVERY Cinerama track is a love song, and graciously gave us permission to use this
cut, from their fantastic 2000 record, "Disco Volante." Cinerama appears with much thanks to Manifesto Records.
|
12. Seth Knappen - I Only Have Eyes For You
www.futureappletree.com
Download MP3
After years of exploring the nether regions of atmospheric rock with the group Darling, Seth Knappen releases his first solo effort, Leaving Sound, to be released this spring on Future Appletree. Recorded at the Sacred Heart Music Center in Duluth, MN, by Alan Sparhawk of Low, Leaving Sound is a shapeshifting, mood drifting blend of synth ambience and singer/songwriter craftsmanship. Using a variety of instruments to create lush, organic textures with expressive arrangements, Leaving Sound draws upon the correlations between the visual and the musical, using multilayered soundscapes to create a sense of transforming space, drawing pictures in sound with mood and melody. When we asked Seth to be a part of this compilation, he retreated for a few days and came up with this track - perhaps the most amazing solo cut here. Despite the band you may think you hear, it's Seth and Seth alone, tracked here time and time again in his home studio. Brilliant, and a perfect end to the comp.
|
|
