BBS II: The Bringing Back Continues

Visuals to reference to for the song below. 

(via theaudacityofswope)

Apropos of nothing. 

This is the songwriter Thomas Mars, frontman of the super famous French rock institution Phoenix, explaining the intense thought process for the band’s new album title, and also how he thinks very hard about his lyrics. Aren’t the French adorable?

You don’t need me to say anything else about Savages, do you? I mean, how amazing is it that four women from London are the most exciting thing in rock music right now? 

Why did I even bother unpacking these sweaters? #globalwarming

Rainer Maria - “Catastrophe”

You know who you never gave enough attention to? You know who you ignored even though its singer Caithlin De Marrais sang and played the bass? She played the bass. Dude. The bass. 

Rainer Maria came up in conversation today and I actually didn’t really care a ton about them when they were around. I liked them enough. But now that we have the Joy Formidable and everyone is like “THAT’S A MAJOR LABEL BAND!” I can’t help but think that you and me…we never gave Rainer Maria the chance it deserved. 

And now they’re gone. Ugh. 

Oh, and listen to this Otis Redding cover they once did. It will punch you in the face, it’s so good.

Toad the Wet Sprocket - “Walk on the Ocean”

I found the cassingle for this song on my bookshelf this morning as I was packing up my stuff for the big move next week.

Thing is, Toad the Wet Sprocket got zero respect and maybe they didn’t deserve it when considering the whole catalog, but this song is as perfect as 90’s alt-rock got. 

Emotive, jangly, and warmhearted. If Michael Stipe was singing this instead, you would have thought it was the best REM song ever. That’s a fact.

La Shark - “A Weapon”

This is by far the weirdest-yet-most accessible song I’ve heard in awhile. 

#backhandedcompliment

Rush - Time Stand Still (Official Music Video - 1987) 

I was just having a Facebook debate over the merit of Rush’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination. Obviously, I’m super pro. Which means he’s anti. I could try to argue on the Canadian trio’s behalf, but then again, convincing a grown adult of the greatness of Rush is an impossibility.

You had to grow up with Geddy Lee, Alex Leifson, and Neil Peart. If you don’t have that nostalgic point of reference, it will never make sense to you. It has to be about listening to Moving Pictures on headphones in your bedroom. It has to be about air-drumming along with an over-indulgent twenty minute drum solo at a time when doing so is not something you would be embarrassed over. 

Oh, and this song features Aimee Mann. Lol.  

Kids Songs With Cat Power 

Thing is, I would find this way funnier if it didn’t feel so close to the truth. 

I can appreciate Chan’s want to mock herself especially after public perception is that, to put it as the kids say, she cray, but when the issues at hand are depression or mental illness (which she’s never explicitly come forth with a statement about suffering from or with, yet...) I’m not sure a Funny or Die skit is the way of “dealing.” 

Or maybe I need to lighten up?