Friday, January 27, 2012

Wings of a Dragon

This is mildly offensive to cowboys, country music lovers, creationists, and probably several more groups. But it is HILARIOUS. (Came across this on pajiba. Was reading their recap of the night's best lines - Parks and Rec was just fantastic last night - the Ben punch / Ben & Leslie kiss were just the best things ever.) This video is so random and is completely sold (dun sold me hard, LOL) by the facial expressions, the costumes, the dancing... take a moment and enjoy.



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

B&W videos FTW

The new Wilco video is adorable - you've probably seen it, but I must reshare as it's just too cute. Excellent work.


"Dawned On Me" -





And then for something completely different - I came across this next gem from someone's FB (I guess it's raining a little (says the jaded WA resident) in Southern CA recently and that has everyone I know down there talking about rain, LOL; it's rained so hard you can barely see at times for the past couple days here and I still have snow lingering, in case anyone wanted to compare weather). This is just fantastic. I wish someday to be even half-as-awesome as Sister Rosetta Tharpe is in this video, because then I'd be ridiculously awesome. (Also I'd like to rock that coat/shoes look.)

"Didn't it Rain"




Monday, January 23, 2012

If snow won't change your heart, let it fall

Sorry no recent posts - winter finally happened here - snow, ice, I didn't have power for 4 days, etc. Things have been kind of hectic around these parts.

So a taste of weather songs - over on my FB, someone had asked for favorite songs with 'rain' in the title - and I was going to put this one, but someone beat me to it, LOL. I remember the first time I heard this song, I was pretty young like 11 or 12 (a formative age!), listening to my walkman in bed, and this song came on the oldies station and I was just blown away. It has been a beloved favorite ever since. There's something completely perfect about the rain sounds, the plunky xylophone type sounds - and that opening:
"Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain / telling me just what a fool I've been / I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain / and let me be alone again..." 
Followed later by the superb "Rain won't you tell her that I love her so / please ask the sun to set her heart aglow / rain in her heart and let the love we knew start to grow"

"Rhythm of the Rain" - The Cascades (look at these charmers/creepers!)






And I know that I must know more songs about snow, but I am still kind of mentally exhausted from the prior week of actual weather drama, so the first one I could think of was the Belle & Sebastian classic "Fox in the Snow" and followed by "Rain and Snow" a delightful American classic performed by The Be Good Tanyas (I love them, you should really check them out if you're not familiar with them).


"Fox in the Snow" - Belle & Sebastian (this is not an official video, but it is super adorable!):





"Rain and Snow" - The Be Good Tanyas




And perhaps a more easily appreciated of their songs (and one of my favorite songs ever) - "The Littlest Birds" - The Be Good Tanyas (which also aptly references "the cold and the rain"):
"I love you so dearly, I love you so fearlessly..."






But I saved yet another delight for last - "Only Time" by The Magnetic Fields - Stephin Merritt (you will eventually get sick of my fangirl adoration for him, apologies (not really)) is the greatest songwriter of his generation, or possibly of all time. His more lyrically playful songs are amazing and clever and he has a knack for perfect turns of phrase to thrill the heart of word-nerds everywhere. But even his simplest songs - like this one, not a ton of flowery lyrics or anything - convey such richness of emotion, such depth of sadness & woe & love & sweetness & bitter longing and everything all at once. (I made my favorite line the title of this post.) And TMF have by far the best strings around, which is also a personal obsession.










Monday, January 16, 2012

I'm telling you, strings improve everything

This piece of awesomeness comes via my friend W who shared it on FB. All credit to him for finding it.

It may warm your heart. Or cause you to roll your eyes. Maybe both. Maybe neither. It might depend on whether you are familiar with the source material, in which case I think you might enjoy it.  But then again, the music is actually great, and she is clearly talented, so even if you've never heard of Zelda because you've been living under a rock, you may still enjoy it.

Personally, I found it a delight. That someone would do this - it just makes my day.


Zelda Medley - Lindsey Stirling

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I dont know quite how to put this decently

I know, it's too too too too sweet. And I couldn't find a video. But it's such a beautiful song! Mellow, adorable, enchanting - all without crossing the border into overly saccharine. A gem. Long live Stephin Merritt (and Katharine Whalen, the singer). This song is also on the Pieces of April soundtrack (a good movie (one of the only times you might find Katie Holmes bearable) with a perfect soundtrack).

"You You You You" - The 6ths




Note: the city of Dublin shows their wisdom by using it in a tourism video, and that alone makes me want to go there. (I already did, but seriously, good call guys!)


***
I really only meant to post the above because it's so darling, but then I fell down a YT hole and voila! Extra content!


Katharine Whalen herself is probably most known for her work in the Squirrel Nut Zippers, but her beautiful and distinctive voice is also perfect for her jazz work; and her current project seems to be Katharine Whalen and her Fascinators (old timey folksy).




"Yesterdays" - Katharine Whalen







"Madly Love" - Katharine Whalen and her Fascinators






"Put A Lid On It" - Squirrel Nut Zippers  - I include this because it is cute (and you've probably already heard "Hell" if you lived through the mid/late '90s; a unique classic in its own right) and features her prominently. I like the speakeasy setup, it works perfectly (a bit dated, the 90s really leaves its mark, but still cutesy).





Friday, January 6, 2012

By starlight I know you, as lovely as a wish granted true

In addition to the delightful/insidious Muppet mahna mahna song (thanks to a coworker), this is my current earworm. There is something so beautiful (and terrible / sad / perfect) about this song. It is one of my favorites.

I have been super broken up about the failing health situation of my beloved cat, Alfie, and so I have been in the music-mood of wanting the soft, sad, more wallow-appropriate and/or soothing melancholy that I can dig out of my playlist. Billy obliges. Bless him.

"By Starlight" - The Smashing Pumpkins

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Sleepy afternoon music

I am home sick today trying to fight off a particularly nasty cold that I've had since before the New Year. Terrible vacation souvenir. Can't stop hacking my lungs up. It sounds like it would be nice to have yet more time off from work, except that I am so miserable I can't enjoy it. Yay.


(Via Relix)


"Beggar in the Morning" - The Barr Brothers  - I really like this song, but I could do with a little less of the extreme sleepiness that comes across in this performance. Beautiful music, but I want the world to know it's OK to open one's eyes sometimes. You can still look contemplative/introspective/hip etc. The drummer has his eyes open, and comes off as the most engaging person because of it.

Super bonus points for having a harp.







Also, yay us - over 2000 page views. Just a drop in the bucket, but not too shabby for my irregular rantings.