Song(s) of the week

I decided to try something different with this week’s song of the week. I’m going all the way back to the early 2000s. Oh what a magical time it was...

This week’s pick:

“Move On” by Jet

Where I found Jet: Dumb question. Better question – where did you find “Move On” and why is it worthy of a song of the week 8 years after its release? The answer: blatant nostalgia and the prime time teen soap behemoth that was The OC.

Now let me explain – I was an OC fanatic in high school. This isn’t something I’m ashamed of... actually I kind of embrace it. Those were just the times... in my high school the show was pretty much required viewing, and every Thursday after the episodes aired we’d gather round the cafeteria and discuss what happened the night before, lamenting about how we just couldn’t believe this show wasn’t winning Emmy’s.

It was around this time, in the height of my OC obsession, that I went out and bought the soundtrack to the show’s first season.  It was an impulse purchase at best and I’d be lying if I said I fell in love with it right away, but I kept it around and listened to it enough that eventually it started to grow on me.

It’s literally impossible for me to think back on those days now without associating those songs. I can still remember driving around in my parents van listening to the soundtrack over and over again, dreaming about moving to California one day... yeah, I really misinterpreted the main message of that show.

But I always find myself coming back to “Move On.” It may not be the most joyful song in the world, but I’ve always found some comfort in it whenever I’ve had to turn a corner. One thing’s for sure – whenever it comes up on my iPod it’s always a welcome listen.

What I like: It’s a well-sung, well-written song.

Move On - Jet

Song(s) of the week

This week’s pick:

“Undertow” by Warpaint

Where I found Warpaint: I actually have no idea. This was just one of those songs I had hanging around in the archives, but it does sound like something I would have picked out of a TV show, probably Grey’s Anatomy. Say what you want about the story on that show, it’s almost worth watching just for the music.

What I like: It’s a very subdued vocal performance but even the slight changes in voice from verse to chorus create an infinitely catchy hook that loops in and out throughout the song. I also love the way the band continuously messes with the arrangement to keep things fresh. The song may feel fairly low key, but it never gets boring.

Undertow - Warpaint

Song(s) of the week

The pick:

“Walk Around The Lake” by Lost in the Trees

Where I found Lost in the Trees: To be honest, these days I feel pretty much like Carson Daly’s middle man.  I’ve found so much great new music from his show it’s hard not to sound like a broken record in these things. Of course, really what I’m doing is providing a valuable public service. None of you bastards are stupid enough to stay up that late... I probably deserve a medal.

What I like: The one thing you can’t call Lost in the Trees is derivative. Who’d have thought combining acoustic guitar driven singer-songwriter type material with classical string arrangements would have created such an interesting sound? Then again, it doesn’t hurt that that singer-songwriter material is so brilliantly written in the first place. Either way, you’d be hard pressed to find another band out there with as inventive a sound. Enjoy!

Walk Around The Lake - Lost in the Trees

Song(s) of the week

This week’s pick:

“Both Sides Are Even” by The Boxer Rebellion

Where I found The Boxer Rebellion: I honestly have no idea, but probably Grey’s Anatomy. Man I miss television. How long until the new season starts up? Three months... damn.

What I like: To be honest I just recently came across these guys so I’m still discovering them on a song by song basis, this just happens to be one of my favourites so far. The Boxer Rebellion seem to always have great guitar work (the reverb-laden lead in the chorus reminds me a lot of Coldplay, and I mean that in a good way) and I love lead singer Nathan Nicholson’s airy vocals, but I think maybe my favourite touch in “Both Sides Are Even” is the rolling snare drum underneath everything. I just love the vibe the snare gives off. I know with all the other great things going on in this song it’s kind of random to center out the drum part, but hey – the heart wants what it wants.

Both Sides Are Even - The Boxer Rebellion

Song(s) of the week

This week’s pick:

“Rill Rill” by Sleigh Bells

Where I found Sleigh Bells: Surprisingly, on an actual music television station. Although it was like 5 in the morning at the time so take that with a grain of salt.

What I like: It took me a couple of listens to really get into, but there’s something endlessly addicting about the way “Rill Rill” is put together. The production is fantastic, the hook is phenomenally catchy, and while the song never ventures too far from its comfort zone – lead singer Alexis Krauss’s voice never changes its expression – it’s perhaps the chant-like nature of “Rill Rill” that really gives it its charm.

Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells

Song(s) of the week

This week’s pick:

“Crown Of Age” by The Ettes

Where I found The Ettes: This pick is kind of old. I first found The Ettes around the time that movie Whip It was coming out. Drew Barrymore was on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Ettes came out as the musical act because “Crown Of Age” was on the Whip It soundtrack. Somehow I managed to let it slip my mind until now which is unfortunate, because it’s a damn good song.

What I like: It’s simple and it’s catchy as shit. Pretty much exactly what garage rock should be.

Crown Of Age - The Ettes

Song(s) of the week

I apologise for the slow week. I’ve been using the time to catch up on another project of mine (which really means a ton of procrastination). But I’m back... mostly because I couldn’t bear the thought of missing a song of the week.

This week’s pick:

“Whirring” by The Joy Formidable

Where I found The Joy Formidable: Conan. By the way, he has a new movie coming out and it looks awesome.

What I like: Chocolate, girls who love Star Wars, and catchy reverb-laden pop. This song falls into the latter category. When I hear it, I like the way I feel.

Whirring - The Joy Formidable