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Martha Wainwright - “See Emily Play”
Last night I went to Martha Wainwright’s sold out CD release at Joe’s Pub and I was pretty blown away. This chick really throws herself, especially her emotions, into her song writing and performance.
Martha has a very distinct raspy voice. It took a little bit for me to get used to it while listening to the CD, but seeing her perform live makes it all come together.
Since I’m a fan of more upbeat music, I chose this song to post. Other favorites of mine off her June 10th release, I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too are “Hearts Club Band” and “Bleeding All Over You.” I suggest you check ‘em out!
To finish off her set, her mother hopped up on stage and accompanied her on piano. It was great! What a talented family. Too bad Rufus couldn’t make it!
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XTC - Earn Enough For Us
This song appears on Skylarking, which was released in 1986. Some see the album as a concept album about life. There is an order to the album, and each song represents a different part of the life cycle. True? False? I’m not really sure, but I can totally see the progression.
We got into a pretty massive discussion about XTC at work yesterday, so I was inspired to post this song. This song is certainly my favorite off the album. Despite having so many influences, this album sounds like nothing I’ve heard before. Enjoy!
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The Smiths - Frankly, Mr Shankly
When we put out a call for new Tuneage contributors, we had no idea we’d get that kind of response. An unexpected side effect of the submissions, though, was the reminder that I had bands in my catalog who have fallen out of regular rotation. Thanks to Dan Arel, I was reminded of how much I love The Smiths, and I’ll be spending today “catalog diving” with their music.
The Smiths’ songs are whimsical, fun, and littered with dry humor. The song Frankly, Mr Shankly (thought to be an oblique reference to some of the disputes The Smiths had with Rough Trade in the 80s), is easily one of my favorite songs off their album The Queen is Dead. Its bouncing bass line and lyrical witticisms make for a song I can listen to over and over again, and it’s a great song for a sunny Sunday afternoon.
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Ween - Object
For those that are unfamiliar with Ween, please don’t let this be the last song of theirs you hear. They have an uncanny ability to break down any genre and create brand new satire soaked, often hilarious jamtunes. From rock odysseys and punk anthems to country twangers and lovey-dovey ballads, Ween has done it all with a wry smile. This creeptastic one (off last year’s La Cucaracha) should get you ready for that sketchy weekend you’ve been planning…
**Big ups to the Tuneage crew for the opportunity to contribute!!**
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Bjork - Wanderlust (Ratatat remix)
Ratatat continue their penchant for remixing Scandinavian artists (The Knife, Shout Out Louds) with this remix of “Wanderlust”.
The first few times I played this, I put it on and got on with what I was doing, and by the time the track changed, I realised I hadn’t really heard it. It’s a Bjork thing, I think. But once you actually listen to it, Ratatat’ synth/vocal sound works well with Bjork’s voice.
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Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Down - Swimming Pools
If Cat Power played more upbeat music tinged with country and blues, she would be Thao Nguyen. This song, despite being almost instantly appealing, has a freaking banjo in it, and if you ask me, you don’t hear enough banjo in music these days.
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M.I.A. - Paper Planes (remix for the children by Adrock)
Everyone has heard M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” by now, right? This remix of it comes from Paper Planes: Homeland Security Remixes. Most of the remixes on it are actually fairly boring, but this one is quite fun. The other great one is the Big Gun & Rich Boy remix, but everyone has heard that one.
