Posts in Music

Classic track from New York Collective Chocolate Genius.

Chocolate Genius – For One More Look At You

The Boy With The Thorn In His Side was the first single off The Smiths’ 1986 album The Queen Is Dead. It’s certainly one of my favorite songs from Morrissey and Co., but I found a cover version by Jeff Buckley that might rival the original. The only problem is the poor quality, it sounds like it was recorded with a camera phone or something but it’s so good it’s still worth listening. Does anyone know where to find a better copy of the Buckley version?

The Smiths – The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
[audio:thorn.mp3]

Jeff Buckley – The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
[audio:thorn-buckley.mp3]

As sort of a follow up to the previous post, I thought I’d post something about the band Wire. The cover above are from their albums Chairs Missing (1978) and 154 (1979). The following song, The 15th, is from the latter (awesome synth work at 0:47). There’s also a very nice live version here.

Wire – The 15th

[audio:15thwire.mp3]

I’ve been meaning to post something about Fischerspooner for a while, they’re definitely one of my favorite electronic bands. They also have a very good visual sensibility with a lot of great design / imagery surrounding their releases. The top image is from their latest album, the middle is Casey Spooner, and the last is the video for Fischerspooner’s cover of Wire’s classic The 15th. Certainly my favorite FS song. Since Youtube sound quality is terrible, I’ve posted the MP3 itself below.

Fischerspooner – The 15th

I could fill an entire blog with posts about B&S songs, the list never ends. But in the interest of not boring everyone to death I’m keeping it to my absolute favorites. Stuart Murdoch is an incredible poet and it’s a wonder they also come up with such beautiful music to accompany his words. Something that has always struck me about their recording style is the one-take nature they all seem to have (pre-The Life Pursuit albums at least). Not a ton of effects or production work, just them and their instruments. If you check them out live this fact becomes even more evident. Here’s a great video of them performing this song live.

I also love this cover, for obviously reasons. The type treatment is great and the color scheme is perfect. It’s definitely a break from the sort of duo-tone photos they typically feature on their covers, but this was just an EP and I think they might reserve those for the full albums most of the time. Sorry for the poor quality, I couldn’t find a proper scan of the cover anywhere.

Belle & Sebastian – The Loneliness Of  A Middle Distance Runner

Feist poster by Dan Stiles via FFFFOUND. This poster is, of course, sold out.

The Ghostly Swim compilation featuring the new Tycho single Cascade [Live Version] is now available for free download at the Adult Swim site. This new track is, as the name implies, a live mix of a new song which will be included on the next full length Tycho release. There’s a flash player you can embed on your site which includes the Tycho track, you can get the code at the Ghostly Swim site.

Once again, it’s free, so head on over to the site and snag your copy. There’s also an exclusive video featuring BoyCatBird and an impossibly hot Mux Mool cut from the comp (you have to click in the lower right corner  of the page to view it).

Tycho – Cascade [Live Version] Free Download

The next Tycho single drops April 21st, 2008 as part of the Ghostly International / Adult Swim compilation Ghostly Swim. The single is a live version of a working title from the forthcoming album. The Ghostly Swim compilation will be available as a free download from the Adult Swim website. The comp will feature the Tycho single along with tracks by other Ghostly artists; should be a great collection based on what I’ve heard of the lineup. 

CORRECTION! So apparently this was *not* designed by Philistine (although I still love his work). I was misinformed and now am uninformed….So just waiting on the proper channels to fill me in on who designed this. I’ll let you know as soon as I do.  Below it is a teaser video for the release featuring some cool branding work for the compilation.

Air are, of course, one of the better bands to come around in the past 20 years. They blessed us with 3 albums full of some the best synth work ever recorded (I don’t particularly care for most of their latter day work). My favorite album is a collection of singles released between 1995 and 1997 entitled Premiers Symptômes. Words can’t describe this, so just have a listen. I am sure most of you have heard this album, but it’s so good I thought it warranted a post even 11 years after the fact. And the album cover is so amazing, it should get a post all to itself

Also, click the live shot below the cover for a very cool short documentary entitled Eating, Sleeping, Waiting and Playing: A Film About Air on Tour: Soundcheck, New York via Pitchfork.tv.

Air – Les Professionales

UPDATE: I didn’t know but there’s a video for the song too. And so continues the French obsession with late 80’s American youth culture. Via Jon.

I’ve always enjoyed the French House scene and Alan Braxe is a master of his style. something about his production always sounds so authentic; this could either be an alternate version theme for a Miami-based 80’s detective drama or the greatest song ever. Gotta love the Testarossa-esque guitar-car too.

This single was also included on Upper Cuts, a great compilation of essential Braxe tracks.

Alan Braxe & Fred Falke – Rubicon (Original Version)

[audio:rubicon.mp3]