Five New Songs We Love: January 27, 2010
You like music. We like music. And there is a lot of it out there. Periodically, we intend to fill you in on some of the music we like. No, not just like ... LOVE.
1. "Skeletons," The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
If you've got a hypnotic, ethereal, other-wordly, slow-'jam' of a ballad, why not make a hypnotic, other-worldy, and etheral video to go with it? It's Blitz!'s 'Skeletons' receives a ghostly treatment from director Barney Clay, resulting in a transcendental a/v experience.
2. "The High Road," Broken Bells
Danger Mouse might well be the face of '00s mash-ups, having kicked off the now inescapable trend in grand fashion with his Grey Album, a mashup of JAY-Z's The Black Album and the Beatles' White Album. He's since achieved global success with Gnarls Barkley, his project with Cee-Lo, and worldwide anthem "Crazy."
Danger Mouse continues the collabo tip with Broken Bells, in which he uses his real name (Brian Burton) and hooks up with James Mercer of The Shins. Lead single "The High Road" feels like a true marriage of the two—melodic and hushed, but pulsing with experimentation. Broken Bells' self-titled full-length is out 3/9 via Columbia.
3. "Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands," Phoenix
Is there anyone that doesn't love French rockers Phoenix and their Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix album? After a year selling records, licenses, and concert tickets, the logical next step is... a cover of Dylan's 11-minute epic "Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands," right?
Right. Phoenix lose six minutes, but keep the wistful beauty. The cover was recorded for German mag musikexpress (via TheTripwire).
4. "Underage," Hidden Cameras
Ontario's Hidden Cameras once again deliver the bouncy, choir-like goodness on "Underage," a track brimming with synth bleeps, afropop guitar, and massive vocal chants. The video is colo(u)rfully appropriate. Origin:Orphan is out now via Arts & Crafts.
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5. "Breathing Out," Doveman
Thomas Bartlett the sideman has found himself touring with the likes of David Byrne and The National, but it's as Doveman that he really shines. Near-mystic writing, subtle arrangements, and a hushed vocal delivery all contribute to the extraordinary, unique quality of the songs. Doveman: the leading light of lamp rock. The Conformist is out via Brassland.
