Talk with your hips

Random! Vampire Weekend at an opening party for some store... that just happens to be Armani. I know, right? Proof:
[Source]

Lily Allen has been so freaking adorable lately. Like singing Brit's "Womanizer" in the bathroom with Ellen DeGeneres. & dressing all classy for her performance of "The Fear" on the Tonight Show. [Source 1, 2]

Yeah Yeah Yeahs have released their newest single "Zero." It's... familiarly YYYs but slightly different. There seems to be more synth-ish things over the same heavy & driving guitar riffing that make the song have a lighter/poppier feel than their other stuff. I like. [Source]

So I reallyyyy love Frightened Rabbit. They have the same homey uniqueness as Fleet Foxes, but I find their harmonies to be more complex & more interesting. They also aren't overhyped. Ahem. I guess I shouldn't talk with Vamp Wknd being the first in my post, but I digress. Listen to them. !!!!!!!!!!

17 DAYS UNTIL GIRL TALK.

I could use somebody like you

I have super exciting news that I have to tell you, but you have to get through this mega long post to know it. Unless you're just a cheater who doesn't like to play fun games & scrolls down to the bottom.

If you're just as in love with Patrick Wolf as I am, then you'll find this mini-documentary extremely endearing. It has footage of a live show & of him playing piano & just being all cute. He says he quit piano lessons after two weeks because he hated practicing scales. I hear you Pat. I hear you. Watch! [Source]
Oh & at the source you'll find lots more P. Wolf goodies like pictures & such.

Apparently the military has been using the music of bands like Nine Inch Nails for torture and interrogation tactics. I just wonder how can people take something that's supposed to be beautiful and someone's form of creative expression, and turn it into something that can be so hurtful and damaging. I guess there's two sides to it though. Trent Reznor called the practice "demeaning and enraging" but this dude Steve Benton from Drowning Pool (never heard of 'em) said "I take it as an honor to think that perhaps our song could be used to quell another 9/11 attack." Read more. [Source]

Okay so here's a prime example of what music should be used for. A Crayola commersh! Dan Deacon has repeatedly refused other requests to use his music, but when asked by Crayola, he said it's, "something that promotes a company that creates a product that encourages people (children) to make art and to use their minds to create." Well what do you know, I like that. The song they sampled was "Pink Batman." So good! [Source]


So WHAT THE CRAP PFORK. WHAT THE CRAP. YOU NAMED FLEET FOXES THE NUMBER ONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR? I have a problem with that. But no one cares. But you're gonna hear what I think anyways. I'll admit it, Vampire Weekend has just gotten as much hype as Fleet Foxes & yes, they too are overrated. But apparently it's so much cooler to rate Fleet Foxes higher because they're a band that not everyone will like. That's just my opinion. Whatevz. Oh yeah & they named Lil Wayne's "A Milli" the 14th track of the year. Srsly guys??? Srsly?? Click to see 50 Best Albums or 100 Best Tracks.

Lily Allen covered Britney Spears' "Womanizer." It's alright I guess. I think it's a song where Lily Allen's laid back & melodic voice doesn't work. I mean I like it, but it kind of needs that umfff. You know what I'm saying? Like that pushy quality. Listen to the song. [Source]

Now for the biggest news ever... I saved the best for last.... GUESS WHO'S GOING TO SEE GIRL TALK &&&&&&&&& CUT COPY IN MARCH???? YES, ME. THIS LITTLE OLD BLOGGER. I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED. When I found out Girl Talk was coming here, I about had a panic attack of joy.

Seventeen & half-alive...

So the A.P. Lit teacher at my school likes Girl Talk & pretty much every band I blog about & it's pretty B.A. Okay so a few years ago I feel in love the Stars' Set Yourself On Fire & I freaking loved that album to death. Then I got a new computer & I wasn't able to keep my music & I had to re-build my library from my brother who DELETED Stars for some unknown asinine reason. SO ONLY UNTIL NOW (just because I made a big deal about it my bro never d/l-ed it for me & I've never bought a CD in my entire life except for The Strokes' First Impressions) HAVE I BEEN REUNITED WITH MY BELOVED STARS. Thanks to this A.P. Lit teacher who also gave me some weird shiz I've never heard about. I don't know why I told you this. Moving on.

Chromeo has remixed Vampire Weekend's "The Kids Don't Stand A Chance." It's pretty mediocre. Download it here. [Source]

New Franz Ferdinand song! Sgum said it has like a Spoon undertone/beat & I definitely feel that. It seems more synth-ed together than their previous stuff & it seems like they've tried to progress. It still remains solidly Franz Ferdinand though. Listen, it's called "Ulysses." While it may not be superfantastiche (ha) it is still satisfying. [Source]

Fleeeeeeet Foxes interview with Pfork! Read.

What gives this mess some grace

Breaking news!

Vampire Weekend's song, "Ottoman" for the movie Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, is out! Head over to Stereogum to listen. Being a hXc~*~ V.W. fan, I'd say this song is nothing spesh. It actually sounds like the string line of "M79" mixed with "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" lyrics that reference Peter Gabriel. Nevertheless, it's a new Vampire Weekend song!

Breaking news numero dos. Muxtape is back! Unfortunately, it will not be the Muxtape that we knew & loved. Head over to read what Muxtape's founder had to say. However, if you find yourself lost in the enormousness of the text, Tinymixtapes has a good summary of it if you prefer a CliffsNotes version.

We're half awake in a fake empire

Helloooo! School sucks, what else is new? Ben Gibbard paying Jenny Lewis a visit, that's what! Here's a super duper cute vid of them & it previews one song off Jenny's new album due September 23rd.  [Source]

Proof that The Strokes will never get back together & my heart shall break forevermore. Albert Hammond Jr. is going to start a clothing line. Yes, you heard me correctly, a clothing line. Not a new album, but a freakin' men's clothing line. I'm actually considering putting The Strokes on the back burner, along with where I put Weezer years ago. I haven't given up on them yet, but if they continue their side projects & other shenanigans, I just may have to. [Source]

Here are two cover songs that aren't particularly outstanding, but very nice in their own way, (besides, I love Vampire Weekend & MGMT!). 

Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac)- Vampire Weekend

Kids (MGMT)- The Kooks

Hurry up & snatch 'em up before the crazy mofos at RIAA or something will kill ya. [Source 1] [Source 2]

Oh, & a quick visit to Patrick Wolf's Mspace as I was updating my Recently Played, revealed that he did a song, "Careless Talk" for the movie The Edge of Love. You can read about the movie here, listen to the song here, & read his blog about how the song has found its way "deep into his heart." 

Shake your rattlesnake skin

Have you guys heard of that book which is now going to be a movie, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist? Well, me either, but it just became relevant in my life because Vampire Weekend did a song called "Ottoman" for it. See the whole soundtrack! Plus, Michael Cera is starring in it. 

Conor Oberst's music vid for "Souled Out!!!" is out. It's actually pretty nifty!

Pitchfork has a short & sweet interview with Albert Hammond Jr., but there is no mention of recent fiance Agyness Deyn. Hmm...

Here's one reason why I need to see Girl Talk live:

Picture courtesy of Stereogum from the All Points West Festival. Click to see more, plus The Go! Team, CSS, & Radiohead.

Castles & dodgeways & monsters & highways

BE YOUR OWN PET ARE BREAKING UP? Omgz. Maybe they didn't play at Warped Tour bc they were planning on just wrapping things up? More info at Stereogum. 

So my brother was reading Cokemachineglow about the Pitchfork Festival & pointed out this hilarious excerpt:

To wit: The biggest cabal of photographers I found myself smooshed against was during Boris’ set, but the photographers were taking as many pictures of the fans as they were of the band. A photo of Boris won’t make the Reader, but a photo of All The Indie Rock Kids Flipping Out At Their Little Festival may. I swear, it could’ve been heat-stroke, but I think I saw a couple of photographers taking pictures of the other photographers, an action so meta it threatens to break my dick off.

Hahaha. The whole thing is actually entertaining, but lengthy. It's a good read. Oh & by the way, Boris is a Japanese experimental band. 

Concerning a different festival, Lollapalooza is happening AS I TYPE. How excitingggg to not be there. Stereogum has some pictures. Click to see Thom Yorke's wonky eye or the boys from the Bloc. 

Apparently, NME has seen it fit to compile a list of 25 bands that are making "America Cool Again."  So get out your winter wardrobe & see what is "cool" for America. The only thing I care about about this list, is that Girl Talk is #23 & not #2.  Actually, one other thing caught my attention. The list reminded me that Kings of Leon still existed. I haven't really heard about them in a while but a visit to their site proved otherwise. They have a free d/l available if you click here!

ALSO, it seems NME is content with quantity & not quality. They like followed the same format & mediocre writing for these two articles. One about how Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" (Nine Inch Nails) felt like "someone kissing your girlfriend" to Trent Reznor. Also, Conor Oberst talks about his solo album & Mexico. [Source 1, Source 2]

Wow, that's a lot of news for one day. I'll leave you with the choice of watching the official video to Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" or a cover version. I only recommend watching the official one if you like Coldplay/if you want a close up of Chris Martin's green eyes/enjoy spastic twitching type movements to go along with your music. No one will know if you click.

Don't you realize I wouldn't pause

I bring to you..... Vampire Weekend's "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"~~

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

... it's weird. [Source]

I didn't even know Thom Yorke had a brother. Much less a brother named Andy who is trying to be a musician as well. It would suck to be Thom Yorke's bro bc anything you do would be like EPIC FAIL compared to it. Especially if you wanted to be a musician & your brother was the singer of Radiohead? Yikes. Well give him a try if you want. ONTD gave the heads up!

Some other lols for you, The Rolling Stones, you may have heard of them, are leaving EMI for Universal. From one record label of the Big Four, to another. I don't get it? In the words of Tiny Mix Tapes, maybe they think they'll finally "make it big." Haha, right. 

Blame it on the weekends

Hey! Look who's reppin' the Korean pride! None other than Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. She has a new solo project called Native Korean Rock. Cool huh? ONTD has the details. Click to listen on her Myspace. All the songs are very love-y & wistful sounding? Very slow songs featuring mellow acoustic guitar.

Okay, guess who?

If you guessed Robert Smith of the Cure, surprisingly you're wrong. It's none other than Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend! He's dressed like that for the video to "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa." Maybe this time the running joke isn't The Royal Tenenbaums, but The Cure. Stereogum knows whats up.

Songs From Movies With Good Taste In Music

MUXTAPE.

1. One Way Or Another- Blondie

Mean Girls. Yes, Mean Girls. It was actually a good movie. 

2. We're Going To Be Friends- The White Stripes

Napoleon Dynamite. The hype at my school about this movie was kinda like the hype of Vampire Weekend or The Strokes on music blogs everywhere. I didn't think it was that great though. But his dance moves were pretty sweet. 

3. Immigrant Song- Led Zeppelin

The soundtrack from School of Rock was a little too rock'n'roll for me, but Zep is classic. The "Celloo-ho, it's a bass!"

4. Caring Is Creepy- The Shins

For all of you who think I have bad taste in movies & so far have chosen "mainstream" or sucky movies, here's a song from Garden State. Who can deny the hardcore indieness of this film? With the Shins loving Natalie Portman & song choices of Coldplay & Iron & Wine. 

5. The Book I Write- Spoon

Spoon wrote this song for Stranger Than Fiction. It was a little darker than I was expecting. The movie I mean. As for the song, I absolutely love the song & wish Spoon would release it on an EP or something. Anyways, what movie can say they've featured a Maximo Park or M83 song as well?

6. Search & Destroy- Iggy & The Stooges

Now we reach a film by my favorite director, Wes Anderson. While The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou wasn't my favorite Anderson film (we'll talk about that in a minute), it was still an entertaining movie with a pretty original plot line. Finding a jaguar shark to avenge a friend's death? Yeah. So I think this song represents the movie pretty nicely.

7. What Ever Happened?- The Strokes

I bet you knew I couldn't refrain from featuring a Strokes song. Well you were right. Okay so not going to lie, Marie Antoinette was a big disappointment. I'd read two books about her including the one the movie was based on. The movie was just.... fail. Basically it was just an eye candy movie. Cool costumes, nice scenery, colorful cakes everywhere. & nice ear candy too, what with the Cure & New Order in the background & all.

8. These Days- Nico

Now we get to my favorite Anderson movie as well as my favorite movie of all time. The Royal Tenenbaums. I absolutely lovelovelovelove this movie as well as the music. I think every song just compliments the scene it appears in. 

9. The Call- Regina Spektor

You may remember this post about this song a while back. It's from The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. I kind of feel like a loser for admitting I like this movie... but the pull of the Wardrobe is just too strong! Rather, the pull of William Moseley. Haha. Whatevs. This is such a good song. I love Regina Spektor. I love William Moseley. I love this movie. So there. 

10. Anyone Else But You- The Moldy Peaches

You've probably been waiting, saying what kind of "Songs From Movies With Good Taste In Music" Muxtape would this be without something from Juno! We'll it wouldn't be, so that's why this is here. 

So now that I've somewhat introduced the topic of movies, & The Royal Tenenbaums, it seems only fit that I should show you the new Vampire Weekend music-mini-movie for "Oxford Comma." It's done in a style a la Tenenbaums, if you've seen it before, you'll see what I mean. 

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

Also, did you know Ezra Koenig used to be a school teacher? What I wouldn't give to have had him as MY teacher..... click for the full story. 

Speaking of The Shins, the same Shins from Garden State, they're starting their own record label say what?

If you want to see something pretty click hurrr. It's Conor Oberst's new album cover & the first time he's put himself on one. He seems a lot cleaner.

[Source1] 

[Source2]

Cruel professors, studying romances

Okay, well maybe Uyen is a little tooo much of a faithful reader... haha jaykay. Any feedback (even grammatical errors) is appreciated.

You know how cool Bjork & Sigur Ros are? My two most favvvv Icelandic peepz are doing this cool thing for the benefit of the Icelandic environment. Something like that. All I know is that if you live in Iceland, I'm supa jealous of you. Check it!

Okay so you know how I regretfully did not have any concert pics of Vampire Weekend? Well my friend Meg went to the in-store performance at this darling little CD shop we love called Park Ave & managed to take a few pics. So here they are, compliments to my one & only Meg!

"This one goes out to Tom Petty"

Thanks to my faithful reader, Uyen, (maybe my only reader?) for pointing out my formatting is messed up on my previous post. I'm not sure how to fix it, but apologies.

SO LAST NIGHT WAS VAMPIRE WEEKEND. Yeaaaaah! Basically it was pretty epic from start to fin. It started out as my brother & I were walking past all the people who had gotten there (edited thanks to UYEN) earlier, to get in line. It was a long walk. An especially long walk to see all the people there looked SO OLD. I didn't know old people liked Vampire Weekend? But whatevs, it's cool. Except when it was kind of an 18+ show & I am kind of not 18 yet, I was hoping the median age group would be a little more in the early 20s rather than early 40s so I could blend in. I digress. It took so long to get in, even longer because of my anxiety, but yes, I managed to get in; the chick scanning our tickets didn't even look up to see my not-yet-18-guilty-face. The opening band was the Harlem Shakes. They were pretty good. Each member of the band was so into the music as their facial expressions revealed. Then. Then FINALLY, at 11:05, Vampire Weekend came on. Omg so beautiful. My brother thought they lost a charm when they played live, but I actually thought they brought a charm absent on the album. Ezra Koenig was witty & engaging, but hey, what to expect from a Columbia grad, right? Someone threw a shirt at Ezra when he commented lightly on our lack of dancing skills during "A-Punk" & he proceeded to wipe the bottom of his shoes with the shirt (wish it was mine haha). & Rostam Batmanglij was ridiculously cute after dedicating their one encore (Ezra came back on stage & said "We have one more song left, & no, we're not fucking around, we literally have one song left.")  "Walcott" to Tom Petty. Oh & I must say I really enjoyed Rostam's more present vocal harmony in their live playing. Their setlist consisted of all their album songs as well as "Ladies of Cambridge" & one new song that I must say filled my heart with joy, it was so superfantastiche! Their playing was so well intertwined together & they were all so cute & wonderful. My only disappointment was their lack of merch (one ugg shirt, no poster) & a small selections of songs. But whatevs, next time around they'll have two albums worth of songs & hopefully a nicer shirt. Oh & I'm sorry to say I don't have any pictures, compliments of the two big-shouldered oafs in front of me. Even so, with my obscured vision & the SAT that morning & my anxiety attack, I had a pretty nice (vampire) weekend (haha sorry, couldn't resist)!

I used to be sad, now I'm just bored with you

Is everyone excited for the Memorial Day Weekend? To celebrate, have lots of BBQ for eating & lots of Stereogum Memorial Day MP3 Mixes for listening! I will say though, tomorrow I shall be posting a muxtape with the same summer-ish/BBQ feeling theme. Tell me which one you like better. 

Speaking of another kind of weekend, Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij leaked a previous version of "Campus" that I must say I enjoy quite a lot. It may or may not be due to the fact that it's a lot more strings-heavy. Listen & d/l here. 

Along with Memorial Day, summer is also nearing on us! Pfork gives us a list of the festivals that are going on. If you live or are going to visit anyone of these places, I suggest you attend one of the many festivals that are going to happen. You can tell me all about it & make me a very jealous person. 

& now, I shall leave you with some Cure pictures & videos, compliments of someone over at ONTD. 

Wasted days you've come to pass

Current obsessions: James McAvoy & Vampire Weekend!

I love James McAvoy's Scottish accent and I love Vampire Weekend's integration of strings into their songs; being a violin playuhh, it's nice to see strings being associated with something other than stuffy old Mozart or d00ds in wigs. Just sayin'. Anyways, no dissss to Mozart, but Vampire Weekend is the freshest shiz i've heard in a while. Check out this article about them by Andy Greenwald (whom I also admire)! Plus, yesterday I skipped school & took some time to learn the beginning of M79! I can honestly say I haven't felt this way about a band since The Strokes became my favorite band with Is This It or captivated me so much.

Postscript: Heads Up!~

May 5 & 6 (if i'm lucky)- RADIOHEAD

June 7- Vampire Weekend

June 11- The Cure