Articles posted in April 2010

That’s right, bitches!

April 9, 2010
The PG-13 version
Brace yourself for the lyric of the year so far: “We’re all gonna die and a blowjob’s fantastic.” This zinger comes courtesy of (former?) Dresden Dolls singer Amanda Palmer, who delivers the line four-plus minutes into her new song (deep breath) “Do You Swear to Tell the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth So Help Your Black Ass.”

The best part is that, within the context of the song, the line comes off as more poignant than funny. It’s a stunning, presumably autobiographical ballad about Palmer’s growth from lonely child into a happy-but-still-kind-of-lonely adult. Her journey includes childhood weddings, traumatic birthday parties and, yes, lots of blowjobs.

Wow, this post is going to get some twisted Google traffic, isn’t it?

I’ve posted a 128k download below. Palmer is offering high quality downloads over at her Bandcamp site. It’s a pay-what-you-want system, meaning you could get a lossless version for free, or you could make a donation.

MP3: “Do You Swear to Tell the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth So Help Your Black Ass”
 
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Piercing through like sulfur fumes

April 8, 2010
Vinny Chase? Is that you?
The theme of this month is (apparently) chillwave remixes. Last week I posted a version of Tegan and Sara’s “Alligator” reworked by Toro y Moi. Next up is a remix of Neon Indian’s “Psychic Chasms” by Brooklyn new wave trio BRAHMS.

The twist here is that, this time, the chillwaver isn’t the remixer, but the remixee (?). This means that the new version is slightly less laid back that the original: the beat hits a little harder and the synth bassline is pushed up to the front. I’m going to give this version the edge over the original.

MP3: “Psychic Chasms (BRAHMS Remix)”
 
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Big world, don’t let me down

April 6, 2010
Officially not from Nova Scotia
Last night, I decided to start a Twitter account. Apologies for the slightly inane @chippityhippity username. I’ll be updating the Twitter each time I post a new blog, as well as making occasional updates about shows and new releases that I might not get around to blogging. I’ll hopefully have one of those fancy Twitter icons up in the sidebar soon. In the meantime, follow me over at @chippityhippity.

This morning, I made a news post over at Exclaim! about the upcoming free EP by the Novaks. (Incidentally, I always assumed they were from Nova Scotia. It turns out they’re from PEI.) It’s called Big World, and you can download the riff rocking title track below. Like last year’s excellent single “There Goes the Night,” it’s a little darker than the band’s usual fare. So long as the Tragically Hip is off hiring orchestras with Bob Rock, this should give you your Canadiana fix.

Head over to Exclaim! to read the full details of the EP as well as check out the band’s upcoming tour schedule.

MP3: “Big World”
 
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I’ve become someone else

April 5, 2010
Taking solace in the comfort of animals
When I was first introduced to guitar virtuoso Kaki King a few years ago, she looked like this. Now she looks like this. What went wrong, Kaki? Is being a badass guitar player not enough to make you happy? It must be all that time spent alone in her bedroom practicing Mixolydian scales.

Her new song is called “The Betrayer” (yikes) and it abandons her fret-tapping ways in favour of Tegan and Sara-style alt-rock and angsty tales of espionage. It’s okay, I guess, but I prefer to remember her like this. Feel better, Kaki.

MP3: “The Betrayer”
 
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We’re dying to be friends

April 3, 2010
This is why I don't live in Montreal
if you’ve seen Plants and Animals live, you already know that their stripped-down performances are significantly noisier and more abrasive than their lush debut, Parc Avenue. They took a similarly aggressive approach when recording their second album, La La Land, which favours gritty three-piece arrangements over ornate baroque pop.

“Tom Cruz” is the album’s first single and opening track, and its antagonistic lyrics about an “enemy” act like a mission statement for the band’s new style. The highlight comes halfway through when the chorus gives way to a venomous guitar break that consists mostly of choppy, muted strumming and jarring, feedback-laden chords.

La La Land comes on April 20 via Secret City. It’s one of the best albums of the year so far, so get your calendars out.

MP3: “Tom Cruz”
 
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Quit hanging over me

April 2, 2010
The tabs were just starting to kick in
If you’re looking for no-nonsense guitar pop and catchy hooks, Surfer Blood is perhaps this year’s best bet so far. Be sure to check out the band’s awesome debut album, Astro Coast, which I reviewed for the Georgia Straight. I also interviewed frontman JP Pitts for the same publication.

Here’s the awesome single “Swim,” which hasn’t lost any of its impact since it first made the rounds last year. It’s easy to see why the band has earned so many comparisons to Weezer, as this song combines the crunchy guitar riffs of ’90s alt-rock with the sun-dazzled melodies of the Beach Boys (only instead of lush harmonies you get shouting and a tidal wave of delay).

MP3: “Swim”
 
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My motor mouth runs over you

April 1, 2010
Don't worry about it, we'll Photoshop the hands out later
Tegan and Sara’s “Alligator” is an enjoyable tune, but does it really merit seventeen different remixes? Deserving or not, that’s how many different versions of the song will appear on the new Alligator digital LP, which features contributions by Holy Fuck, Passion Pit, Four Tet, Ra Ra Riot and many others. Thank God for iPod playlists.

The album also includes a remix by chillwaver Toro y Moi. With an entirely electronic arrangement that’s heavy on squishy synths and laid back beats, it sounds a lot like something that could have appeared on Toro y Moi’s recent Causers of This. But while that album is frequently hazy and directionless (not an insult when it comes to chillwave), this song’s straightforward pop format means that it sounds more radio-friendly than anything he’s done before. Props to all involved.

MP3: “Alligator (Toro y Moi Remix)”
 
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