Tuneage

Richard Swift - “Would You”

I stumbled across Richard Swift recently and was shocked by what I heard. Was I actually hearing a guy in 2008 doing 50s soul/doo-wop? Yes. Yes I was.

Richard Swift recently released a free 5-song EP called Ground Trouble Jaw that sports a little soul, a little doo-wop, and even a little synth-pop. This song, “Would You”, is the lead-off cut and one of the soul tracks. I can’t help but be reminded of the Motown era when I listen to this, and that’s reason enough alone to love it. All-in-all, the EP is a winner in my book and well worth the cost. Besides, who couldn’t use more doo-wop in their musical life?

Comments (View) and 977 plays since cubicle17 posted this on 14 Aug 08

richard swift

Van She - “Changes”

“Changes” might just hand clap you out of your funk and pop that ex right out of your head. It’s the latest from Australian group Van She’s debut album V, released this past week.

Perhaps you’ve enjoyed Van She Technologic’s remixes of Dragonette, The Presets, and The Bravery? Well, this album is not so technologic, but it is an assortment of 80’s pop feel that puts me somewhere between a mellow Tom Vek and a more ethereal Cut Copy.

Comments (View) and 798 plays since musicbrain posted this on 13 Aug 08

van she

Sissy Wish - “DWTS”

One of my co-workers has been playing Sissy Wish this week and I couldn’t help but take notice. At first I thought her shrill voice was unusual, but it soon grew on me.

Sissy Wish is a Norwegian electro-pop duo that consists of Siri Walberg and Bjare Hundvin. I could totally imagine dancing around to this song at a packed bar or party.

This song is off their 2007 release Beauties Never Die, and was nominated for the Norwegian equivalent of a Grammy. Some songs are available for free download on their Myspace page, and I highly recommend “Dependence”.

Comments (View) and 600 plays since rockuboff posted this on 13 Aug 08

sissy wish

Tuneage favorite Bon Iver’s much loved album For Emma, Forever Ago is on sale through amazonmp3 today only for $2.99.

If you need a refresher you can find the previous Tuneage coverage of the single “Flume” here and the Daytrotter Session version here. As we said in the beginning, “a guy, a guitar, and intimate vocals.”

Comments (View) since courtneyj posted this on 13 Aug 08

bon iver

The Very Most - “Good Fight Fighting”

Boise, Idaho has some musical brightness in it by way of The Very Most, a group formed by frontman Jeremy Jensen and a variety of his sweet voiced and pop-minded friends. Their songs are fluffy and lush and there’s no damn way you’re going to ruin their good time.

You can grab their newest album Congratulations Forever at the usual outlets, but if you order the $10US cd directly through the band’s website before August 31st they will write a song about anything you choose and email the mp3 to you.

Comments (View) and 525 plays since courtneyj posted this on 13 Aug 08

very most

Dave Brubeck - “Take Five”

1 2 3 4 5. Jazz standards that I was exposed to for the first time in high school always seem shorter when I listen again years later. This one in particular makes me grasp at the air for more music. I just want to live my life within the undulations of this classic tune, is that too much to ask?!

Paul Desmond’s incredible chart and frustratingly simple alto saxophone melody will live on forever, and for any jazz newbie this is required listening.

Comments (View) and 937 plays since thisstuffisinteresting posted this on 12 Aug 08

dave brubeck jazz

Muxtape Monday: Oh Shit! That's the Jam

Slap bracelets, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Trapper Keepers is what this muxtape is all about. Montell Jordan’s “This is How We Do It” kicks the party off right and electric slides right into “Bust a Move” by Young MC then Salt ‘N Pepa’s “Whatta Man”

Throw on those neon shades and your L.A. Lights, ‘cause this is the Jam!

Comments (View) since soundreview posted this on 11 Aug 08

muxtape monday

Some time in 1971, Gavin Bryars approached a tramp and got him to sing a stanza of a piece he’d composed called Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet. The recording’s original purpose was to be used in a documentary chronicling street life in London, but when Bryars realised the clip was in tune with his piano, and looped well into 13 bars, he wanted to do something different with it.

Bryars has released a number of different versions, gradually increasing the length as new technology became available — starting with a 25 minute LP version, then a 60 minute cassette tape version, and finally a 74 minute version for CD. And then, one final version in the 1990s, of the same length, but introducing Tom Waits singing along in the final section.

What I’ve uploaded here is the coda of the piece, at only 1 minute and 48 seconds, and it feels a little like spoiling the end of a great movie — however, Tumblr’s 10mb limitation and, surely, your attention span, prevent me from uploading the full piece here. I highly suggest purchasing the full version, with an epic build up through a string quartet, full strings, and eventually to a full orchestra, with Tom Waits singing along in the closing movements.

Sadly, the tramp died before the piece was complete, but if there’s any justice, this recording will live on as a masterpiece for a long time to come.

Comments (View) and 555 plays since nostrich posted this on 11 Aug 08

tom waits gavin bryars

Arms - “Shitty Little Disco”

“I believe we can be extraordinary together rather than ordinary apart.” Yea, that’s from the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy and refers to Meredith and Derek but I think it’s also applicable to many a band members. Which is why so many side projects are just that: side projects. Even the solid ones tend to pale in comparison to the band they spawned from.

But Arms, the side project of Harlem Shakes’ guitarist Todd Goldstein, seems to have shaken that curse. He keeps the Shakes’ jingle jangle but slows it down and infuses it with emotion. The album, Kids Aflame, has already garnered quite a bit of praise and I think you will be happy to jump on the bandwagon as well.

Comments (View) and 754 plays since ericamay posted this on 09 Aug 08

arms

Jane Vain and the Dark Matter - “C’mon Baby Say Bang Bang”

Cat Power fans listen up; here’s a band I fully expect you to love. With vocals that pang of Cat Power and a wink-and-a-nod to Nancy Sinatra, this song plays with the perfect combination of sultry blues, and sex that begs for repeat plays.

Jane Vain and the Dark Matter’s debut album, Love Is Where the Smoke is, is highly recommended and can be found on Rectangle Records.

Comments (View) and 1,162 plays since cubicle17 posted this on 08 Aug 08

jane vain and the dark matter