My Moon My Man by Feist

I bought Feist's new album na! Fuck yeah!

Slated to come out on May 1, I was surprised to see it out in the record store I frequent. So without any hesitation, I picked it up, walked to the counter and bought the damn disc.

Listening to Feist is addicting. My Moon My Man is no exception.

I saw the video about a couple of weeks back, with Feist walking back and forth a walkalator (is that what you call an escalator that just goes back and forth?) in an airport (?). Sexy ng boses. Astig.

I wish Feist (or somebody with a Feist-y voice) would sing me to sleep every night.

Song Rating: *****

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Links:
My Moon My Man by Feist video
My Moon My Man by Feist alternate video

So What by Miles Davis

Continuing on with my jazz trip the past few weeks...

So a couple of nights ago, I dreamt I was a world class trumpeteer. Yeah! Hayop! And I was playing on stage, with an orchestra, and I was the soloist for one of the main performances. And the song we were performing was the classic So What by Miles Davis. Yeah! Topak na panaginip hahaha

The song is actually a great song for a master improvisator, as backed by the suave bass and piano, you can just go crazy. You can just freakin' blow into your trumpet (sounds kinda sexual, doesn't it) and just do whatever with your fingers. That is, if you really knew how to play the trumpet.

But in my dream, I did know how, and got a standing ovation for it. Too bad, I had to wake up and stop reveling in all the adulation. Shit. Fuck. At least, kahit sa panaginip, I was Miles for a day.

Song Rating: *****

19-2000 by Gorillaz

Damon Albarn, the brains behind the fictitious band Gorillaz, recently said that Demon Days will be Gorillaz' last studio album.

That's too bad. Although I didn't particularly like Demon Days, I thought that their first album was unbelievably good and very ingenius. To create a fictitious band (complete with story lines of each respective member) was really something, probably akin to when Paul McCartney created the concept of Sgt. Pepper, an album that would do the touring for them.

Anyway, on to the song review of 19-2000.

I can't remember if 19-2000 was the first or second Gorillaz song I heard (the other being Clint Eastwood). But at the time, it was all Creed, Korn, and Creed and Korn clones, on the radio, and I found it rather refreshing to hear something else.

19-2000 was fun and upbeat, a great pick-me-up song, with a really catchy melody. It was different and strangely funny. A great song stemming from a great concept. Astig! Cool!

Song Rating: ****

Pioneer by Interpol

There is a new Interpol song out and it's called Pioneer.

I fuckin' love Interpol. They sound like stoned monks with minor hints of being electric (in a Muse sort of way). Unfortunately, all I have of the new song is a Youtube video of them performing the song at a concert in Canada. And perhaps it does not do the song and the band justice.

For now, I'll be giving it three stars. But I think if I hear the studio version at least a couple of times, it may go up to four.

Song Rating: ***

Link: Pioneer by Interpol

Brianstorm by Arctic Monkeys

Thank God for ritmono.blogspot, and I was able to download the leak of Favorite Worst Nightmare, the new album by the Arctic Monkeys.

Promises to be different than 'What People Say I Am, That's What I Am Not' are indeed achieved. More full-on, as the band stated.

Brianstorm (not Brainstorm), what I think would be the lead off single for the new album, is sort of like a lighter System of a Down. The song starts of really really fast, like firing guns in a John Woo movie before slowly mellowing down in the middle and coming out firing again in the end.

Overall, the song shows that one of my favorite bands last year (eventhough overhyped) still has the ability to deliver good work.

Song Rating: ***

Je t'aime... moi non plus by Serge Gainsbourg (feat. Jane Birken)

I oftentimes find myself in the mood to listen to Serge Gainsbourg. The controversial Gainsbourg (who once said 'I want to fuck you' to Whitney Houston on live French TV) would make you feel like you are a French James Bond out to save the girl from distress. (Or it could also be Austin Powers, take your pick).

Anyway, Je T'aime Moi Non Plus (I love you.. I don't either) is a back and forth conversation between a man and a woman. If the song were to be described in one word, the word would have to be "orgasmic". Because that's what it actually sounds like, with the moans and sultry bedroom voice.

I don't understand French, but my bestfriend (Wikipedia) translated the lyrics for me. Some of the words are..

"I come and I go, in between your hips"
"You are the wave, I am the naked island"
"Physical love is without end"

So wiki also said Gainsbourg and Birken were actually engaged in sexual intercourse when they were recording this song. Upon listening, it may not be hard to imagine that it's actually possible.

Song Rating: ****

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Link: Je t'aime... moi non plus

I'm so tripped out on jazz these days. Went out and bought three CD's yesterday, 2 Coltrane CD's (Soultrane and Bluenote) and Bill Evans' Waltz for Debby. Waltz for Debby was actually a recommendation by the HMV music clerk (buy two stickered CDs for only HKD 150) and upon auditioning it, found it to my liking.

I knew that Bill Evans worked with the Miles Davis sextet sometime I think in the early 60s and I knew he worked on Kind of Blue, which is a fuckin' awesome album. But apart from that, I knew nothing about him or his trio.

The quality of the album was a bit grainy for me (although it actually was a remastered copy), but it'll do. Not like I'm complaining about quality when it comes to old jazz records. Hell, I've even bought a super noisy CD by Art Tatum , which was forgivable given that the recording was made in the 1930's (by noisy, I mean lots of hiss and cracks). It actually makes sense for me, as listening to it gives me a feel that I'm using an old gramophone player.

The Coltrane records, on the other hand were epic. I got to listen to them full while at work today. Not the ideal time or place to space out on jazz, but it did fine (If you're wondering, the ideal setting for a jazz trip out is with a good book and tea, in an airconditioned room). Coltrane really is putanginang' galing.

With these purchases, I decided to hold out on Friday Night in San Francisco by Al Dimeola, John Mclaughlin and Paco de Lucia. I have an unplayable ripped copy of that CD, and although I really really wanted to make that purchase, I figured that I still have most tracks memorized on my mind. So I can actually play tracks from it anytime I want to. It can store a bazillion songs and I can play it anytime, anyday. Even when swimming.

So yeah, my head is better than an iPod. Fuck the iPod, my brain rules!

My Favorite Things by John Coltrane

In the world of jazz, there are a few names synonymous with the genre itself. Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk among others. And of course, how can you forget John Coltrane.

Coltrane was an amazing saxophonist and an improv master. He had the uncanny ability to play with the music with a devil may care style with surprising results.

He also did My Favorite Things from the movie The Sound of Music which only help cement the song's status as one of the classics. The album version of the song stretches to the 13 minutes, but you don't get the feeling of being too tired when listening to it (unlike songs from Miles Davis' Bitches Brew).

It certainly is one of those songs that you've got to hear at least once in your life. Don't miss out on this.

Song rating: *****

What I've Done by Linkin Park

Way back in 2000, when I first heard One Step Closer by Linkin Park on the radio, I immediately liked what I heard. There was just something about the band that I knew they were going to be huge. And sure enough, they did, and became one of the biggest, if not the biggest band on the planet.

But soon after, my interest in LP waned, and I think I just grew up and graduated from rap-rock / nu metal to lo-fi indie pop-rock. I was one of those who wanted Chester Bennington out of LP (he is an amazing vocalist, and his talent is just being wasted with the rap rock crap).

Anyway, today, I happen to stumble upon Linkin Park's latest video, What I've Done. No Mike Shinoda's MC-ing, and minimal shots of Joe Hahn headbanging to his turntable. Great.

I've read that LP wanted to change it up a bit (adding instruments like banjo, which seems to be the rage these days, after Sufjan Stevens made it uso). The song still sounds like LP (minus the rap part), and I think it's something the high school kids of today will love.

I don't like LP as much as I did anymore, but I still think this is a generally good song.

Song Rating: ***

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Link: What I've Done by Linkin Park video

Black Wave / Bad Vibrations by Arcade Fire

When Arcade Fire pre-released the first track off their Neon Bible album last December in iTunes, they committed a boo-boo. They initially had wanted to release Intervention (Track #4) but perhaps administrative errors caused them to mistakenly release Black Wave / Bad Vibrations (Track #5).

Anyway, the track certainly takes a lot of listening before growing into it. This actually seems two songs in one, with the first part having a different tone, beat and style than the second one. It starts off with Regine doing her thing, kinda eerie and high pitched vocals and the second part is sung by her husband Win, definitely darker and edgier than the first part.

Back when Arcade Fire released this song, I couldn't believe that my current favorite band could do so medicore. Now, I kinda like it.

Song Rating: ****

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Link: Black Wave / Bad Vibrations by Arcade Fire, Live at Brixton Academy

Anak by Freddie Aguilar

Just came back from taking out our American customer to one of the local bars here in China. There was a Filipino band playing when on two separate occasions, the two Hongers I was with requested that I request Anak by Freddie Aguilar. So, ok I did.

Our American customer actually knew the song from his travels to the Philippines, and even knew that anak meant child.

Two of the Mainlanders I was with recognized the melody because of a Chinese version of the song.

So all in all, five non-Filipinos somehow knew the song. And because of the wide recognition from all over the world (thus immortalizing the song as classic), I hereby give this song 5 stars.

Song rating: *****

Phantom Limb by the Shins

In the movie 'Garden State', Natalie Portman claimed that listening to the song 'New Slang' by the Shins 'will change your life'. Not exactly life changing bordering on classic status for me, but the Shins is one band that I often consider when looking for something I can ignore to fill the airwaves. (Note: Something I can ignore is a good thing)

Phantom Limb, the first single of their latest album 'Wincing the Night Away', could be labeled as vintage Shins. It carries the same solemn harmonies and is neither quirky nor draining. Just steady, steady enough to wince the night away.

Song Rating: ***

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Link: Phantom Limb by the Shins Video

Simple X by Andrew Bird

I've read much critical acclaim from Andrew Bird releases in the past (especially his 2005 release 'Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs'), but I just didn't have the time to check it out. Anyway, seeing his latest album, Armchair Apocrypha, I decided to have a go.

Simple X, my favorite track in the album, blends together dreampop and indierock, along with a hint of electronica. The song reminds me of Made Up Love Song #43 by the Guillemots released about a year back. Anyway, vocals eerily sound like Thom Yorke of Radiohead fame, which is actually a very good thing.

I also read that this is actually a remake of the song Simple Exercises by Dosh. I tried to compare the two songs and came to the conclusion that you'd be better off not hearing the original (unless if a whole lot of ambient noise is what you fancy).

Song Rating: *****

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Link: Simple X by Andrew Bird MP3. Link courtesy of *sixeyes

(Just Like) Starting Over

Ummm... I guess a little bit of introduction is in order.

I'm Barry, and I'm going to be regularly contributing my song reviews to this space.

I'm not exactly taking over from Rad, per se; it's more of that I thought that I could help him out a bit, since I'm, for lack of a better word, bored. I don't know if and when Rad will be back, but for now, I will be your co-host.

Anyway, I used to maintain a music blog, #9 Dream, and even had ambitious plans for it (aka earning from Adsense). But sadly, about two weeks into it, laziness got the better of me and I scrapped the whole thing.

Anyway, enough talk and on to my first review... something I think appropriate for the occasion.

(Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon

Lennon did not get to see this song go to #1 in the charts as he was sadly killed a few weeks before the song was released. Anyway, the song has a timeless feel as there are hints of the 60s, 70s and 80s rolled into this song. Oh, and let's not forget the 50s as John goes into his Elvis-bit in opening the chorus.

The song talks of a failed relationship, but the hero is still hoping and wanting to work things out. There just has been too many moments shared with each other, and to throw it all away would indeed be a waste. I guess we all have been in this situation before, haven't we? :)

This is nowhere near my favorite Lennon song of all time, but on its' own, it's good enough.

Song Rating: ****

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Link: (Just Like) Starting Over Video