I haven't mentioned Brother-elli's band in a bit, but am glad to report that he's embarked on a new project: The Singles Collection. Basically, he's recording one song at a time and posting them on the Ruckus & The Trousers' MySpace page. (Check the tunes out -- they're catchy! "Listen Up" is my current favorite.)
Perfect instant aural gratification to help speed you through this week before the holiday.
The masses may recognize Ms. Deschanel as the quirky character in movies like Almost Famous, Eulogy, Failure to Launch, and as a shower torch singer and deadpan Santaland inhabitant in Elf.
Turns out that the ingenue is a singer in real life, too, as half of the L.A. cabaret group 'If All the Stars Were Pretty Babies' (with fellow actress Samantha Shelton). Now, she's in another duo: with songwriter M. Ward as She and Him...and releasing an album in mid-March.
Hear preview tracks through this link or this MySpace fan page.
I've been listening to the 'leaked' (?) tracks on my commute and in the office. Verdict? Solid. Personally, I like Deschanel's speaking voice, sort of dark and rich with a sweetness underneath and unique inntonation. Her singing is very similar...like a shot of espresso poured atop a scoop of Belgium chocolate ice cream.
or not, for participants in Saturday's No Pants 2k8.
(photo from The Boston Globe)
Anywhoo, for those of us more reluctant to drop trow in public, we can still privately enjoy the quirky tunes of Songs To Wear Pants To. Maestro Andrew will whip up a song based on a suggestion (for free, if he likes the ideas you submit) or for money (and you get an MP3 of the song.)
Some recent hits on the list:
SONG #0021: CELTIC TECHNO BURRITO
Instructions:
I think you should write a song about a man ordering a burrito and being extremely intimidated by the size of it. The music should be Celtic techno, or any other blend of two genres that would not be caught eating a burrito together.
SONG #0291: MUFFIN PUFFIN (Paid Song)
Instructions:
Late-period Beatle-y rock...I have a cousin who has a list of words she finds hilarious. I'm looking for a song that simply lists them. There should be a chorus that begins the song with the words "muffin puffin" repeated a few times. I'd like the first verse to list the words fork, tree, knob, tub, frilly, chimney, and pudding. Then a second verse with the words custard, coupon, emu, llama, shmeejay, and flapdoodled.
Guess my parallel to that song would be called "Scanty Panties"
<shudder>
SONG #0026: A RAP SONG IN WHICH NONE OF THE LYRICS CONTAIN THE LETTER E
Instructions:
How 'bout a rap song in which none of the lyrics contain the letter "e"?
SONG #0292: DINOSAURS ARE SWEET
Instructions:
Dinosaurs are sweet. Please write a song about how sweet they are. Include your favorite kind, and either a soulful piano or organ.
Sounds like a Ween song. Unless...Barbarian Baby King, did someone learn how to use his mother's computer?
(note the dinosaur jammies)
I loved the response to last year's post about the All Songs Considered Listeners' Best CDs, so I surfed on over there to see if the 2007 list was ready yet. The ASC list is set to post on December 20, but they linked to another "best of" list (from WFUV 90.7 FM, Public Radio from Fordham University in New York City) that I thought looked pretty good. Thoughts, anyone? I've only heard #5, #7, and #9.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
WFUV Best Albums of 2007
1. At My Age by Nick Lowe
2. We'll Never Turn Back by Mavis Staples
3. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon
4. In Our Nature by Jose Gonzalez
5. Back to Black by Amy Winehouse
6. Country Ghetto by JJ Grey & Mofro
7. In Rainbows by Radiohead
8. West by Lucinda Williams
9. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
10. Live at Massey Hall 1971 by Neil Young
* * * * * * * * * * * *
ASC also links to a list from WXPN 88.5 FM, Public Radio from the University of Pennsylvania, of Top 10 Kids' CDs of 2007. I understand from the mams and paps I know that it's particularly hard to find albums both kids and adults can stomach over MANY listens. In fact, I'm gonna to buy the BBK a few of the suggested albums for Christmas.
Listen to "Poopsmith Song" by Over the Rhine from For the Kids 3...totally addictive! I was singing the chorus non-stop all last night at home.
"Poop in the potty, poop goes in the potty
Poop in the potty, poop goes in the potty
Not in the yard, you're on your honor
Don't go gettin' no ideas from the neighbor's weimaraner"
We're listening to a great album in the office right now by Gotan Project. They're a Parisian-based group who combines electronica and tango. In fact, their name consist of the letters in "tango" rearranged.
The sound is a great accompaniment to the work day: upbeat with catchy rhythms, lots of variety, and a healthy dose of accordion (that last one is mostly for me.) Seriously, though, G.P. is worth checking out as listening to them make me feel like I'm on a funky fresh vacation to Buenos Aires via Montmartre. My co-worker's husband discovered the group through Last.fm, "The Social Music Revolution," which I coincidentally mentioned round these parts almost exactly two years ago!
The Polish Princess informed me last week that we might attend a costume party during my visit to the 'Nati, and I immediately went into a silent panic about my costume. She and The Mad Hungarian always brainstorm the best get-ups (hello, Zuul/the Gatekeeper and Vinz Clortho/the Keymaster from Ghostbusters!)
Last week, during a session of late night web surfing, I had a sudden epiphany -- I could go as Feist in her "1234" video (now famous from its iPod commercial appearances.) My haircut certainly fits the bill, although I might need to acquire BANGS to truly achieve Feist's look. Hee hee.
Otherwise, all The PP and I have to find on our Friday afternoon jaunt to my favorite OH thrift store, Village Thrift, is a blue sequined strapless jumpsuit, a silver belt, gold lamé heels, a ruffian hipster dance troupe wearing colorful costumes...and my nerve.
It's no Dwight Shrute bobblehead costume, but hey, at least I'm trying here...
Speaking of the "1234" video, this little piece of (small) cinematic accomplishment is a must see. Kudos to director Patrick Daughters for not only making "a dance extravaganza that starts rather silly simply and then gets amazingly complex — both in terms of choreography and cinematography"...but doing it in ONE take! Seriously, I even bought the video on iTunes so I could bask in its poppy perfection.
<jazz hands>
F E I S T !
My brother and the Trousers (Eli + Eric) have come and gone...totally rocking the Abbey Lounge on Sunday night! They also played an impromptu acoustic set on our porch that afternoon, during which at least 15 people stopped at our front gate to listen and/or comment. As a result, I predict that we will now be known on our close knit street as "that young, unmarried couple with the porch band." I loved the Jonathan-Richman-in-There's-Something-About-Mary feel of it all though.
Since two of the other bands canceled right before the show, R&tT played for almost an hour -- a total treat for me! I must admit, however, that the lame lack of attendance by basically everyone I invited (except for Bobby Crocker -- woot woot!) brought me down a bit in the beginning. Their loss, I guess, since the set sounded awesome and my brother exhibited total stage presence.
I may or may not have had my world tambourine playing debut...none of us who actually saw the show are ever gonna tell.
A few shots:
Just a quick shout that Brother-elli's band, Ruckus & The Trousers are playing a show THIS SUNDAY in The Bean to support of their new album, "Cartoon Lightning"! The album drops tonight at a release show in Pittsburgh and is much-hyped. (Well, in my little world, anyway.)
Did I mention that R&tT are great live? They might even "change your life." Heh heh.
PLUS you can hang out with the Blogorelli crew at Abbey Lounge, drink a PBR or whatever cheap beer is tragically hip right now, and support a local (Pittsburgh) artist who put his complete heart and bank account into his music.
Hope to see ya there, Inter-net!
Ruckus and The Trousers
Abbey Lounge, 3 Beacon Street, Somerville MA
Sunday, August 19 2007, 9 pm
Every year, I swear, since I actually visited Graceland in 2001, I've somehow missed Elvis Week. Luckily, this year I got a heads-up and did some research on how I can celebrate here in The Bean. Through Meetup.com, I found this:
"Hi my name is Dan Pelly and I present a Elvis Presley Day Monk Pelly the King of Elvis Tributes , performing the best Elvis Tribute around on Sat 9/18/04 in Newton Ma. It is our 25th Silver Anniversay pass the wordpelly57@verizon.net or 617-592-5081"
Hmm, or I might just watch The '68 Comeback Special and cook an Elvis-inspired recipe.
Read the "official" complete FAQ for answers to all your hunka hunka burning (love) questions about Elvis Week in Memphis.
"Radio Oh La La features French-language music from the 50s, 60s and 70s, with a few excursions into chanson and pop music."
Need I type more? I thought not. On her supercute mod-inspired Franco a GoGo site (streaming since March 2005,) DJ Natashka serves up a mix of music that's perfect with morning coffee, weekend brunch, Sunday supper or weeknight cocktails. Basically, once tuned in, you'll have this podcast on whenever you're at home. Or at least I have since I discovered the site...so for the past three days straight. LOVE IT!
I'm starting to hear some repeats, which I like for familiarity's sake. But once my child-like attention span wavers, I definitely look forward to digging into the archives.
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