Give the Gift of Music: Dark Was The Night

It's the time of the year when you start thinking about your gift-giving list, trying to figure out the perfect gift for all the certain someones on that list. Got a certain someone who's into really good music? Then I've got the perfect gift idea.

Photo courtesy of Last.fm

My boyfriend recently let me borrow the Dark Was the Night compilation that he'd been talking up to me for months. He described it as a "who's who" of indie music. The phrase "who's who" gave me pause, because music is so subjective and my taste is often described as both eclectic and snobbish. Yes, I've been called a pretentious hipster and an indie music snob. But...I have to give the BF props, this album is incredible and it stands up to his description.

Quite possibly my favorite song on the compilation...not a real video, but the only way I could find for you to have a listen.



Released on February 17th, 2009, a total of 31 exclusive tracks were recorded for the compilation. With performances from indie music staples like Feist, Grizzly Bear, Ben Gibbard, Iron & Wine and many, many more...the compilation benefits the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS. So, should you purchase the compilation for someone on your gift list, you're not only getting them an awesome music gift, you're also making a charitable donation in their name!

There aren't many videos for these songs, so in this case the only way to give you a listen is to link to the YouTube "videos" available. So, enjoy a little hip-hop indie goodness courtesy of this collaboration:

Buck 65 Remix (ft Sufjan Stevens) - Blood Pt 2

If melodic folk rock is more your thing, you can't go wrong with Andrew Bird.



And a who's who compilation of indie rock big names just wouldn't pass muster without a song by Arcade Fire, now would it? Enjoy!

Lenin by Arcade Fire

Seriously, if you're looking for a great gift for a music lover, not necessarily an indie music lover, you can't go wrong with this compilation. Available in double CD or triple vinyl (my choice would be vinyl...these songs were made for the scratchy goodness of a record player) formats, this would top any music nut's all-time favorite gift list.

TGIF Music Mix

Photo courtesy of Last.fm

As the daughter of comedian/actor/songwriter/frequent New Order collaborator Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen, as well as goddaughter of Joe Strummer, the late singer/guitarist for The Clash, Lily Allen had a very good chance to inherit some talent, whether by nature or nurture. Here's her ode to the end of the work week.

Friday Night by Lily Allen

You can't help but feel a little end of week zen when watching a vid by a band fronted by a fella named Siddhartha, right? Enjoy!



We all look forward to the weekend, don't we? So, how about a little Vampire Weekend?



Or maybe you're more into Ladytron's version?

Weekend by Ladytron

And we'll round it out with a little old fashioned TGIF. Well, maybe not quite so old fashioned...

Photo courtesy of Last.fm

Often described as a feminist dance-punk trio, Le Tigre always sound like they're having a good time to me. So, of course, I have to include their "TGIF".

TGIF by Le Tigre

Locals Only (Athens, GA) Tuesday Tunes - 11/10/09

Madeline's been around the Athens, GA scene for quite a while...since 2000, when she began performing at the tender age of 15. I'd describe her sound as power, girlie folk rock. You'll have to tell me if you agree!

Sleeping Dogs by Madeline

I Left the Light On by Madeline

With an amazing work ethic, 217 shows across the United States in 2007 alone, the Winter Sounds are working hard to be the hardest working band in Athens, as they "sleep on floors and eat ramen noodles".



Though the band had its beginnings in a living room in Lubbock, TX, Sleepy Horses now calls Athens home. The band has been through several line-ups, some scary times and plenty of overhaul, which is probably why they sound so freaking good now. Take a listen and tell us what you think.

Daylight Savings Time by Sleepy Horses

Ending on a sad note...R.I.P. Jerry Fuchs, drummer for the instrumental and much-math influenced Athens indie band Maserati. Fuchs died on Sunday after a freak fall down an elevator shaft in Brooklyn. Remember him, and think good thoughts for the remaining band members with the following links.



Ambassador of Cinema by Maserati

Happy Halloween - Here's Some Music

Since it's the day before Halloween, I thought I'd put together some "scary" tunes for your Friday viewing/listening pleasure!

This is a live cut of Pete & The Pirates doing "Blood Gets Thin", a cool song about a fella dating a vampire.



Here's A LINK to the official video which is suitably gory for the holiday.

Just can't get enough of the vampires? I've got another one for you. Here's the Blakes doing Vampire.

Moving from vampires to other things that go bump in the night...ZOMBIES!



Metric's video for Monster Hospital has a film noir vibe that should get you in the mood for fright and horror.

This video isn't scary at all, but it is about ghosts...



It can't be Halloween without a little devilment, right?



Here's hoping you enjoy your Halloween and all the fun the holiday brings!

Tune Travel on Thursday - Sweden

Today we're going to visit Sweden during our tune travels. Sweden is the third largest country in the European Union in terms of overall area, and has a total population of over 9.2 million. ABBA put Sweden on the musical map in the 1970's and there have been many other internationally successful bands since, such as Roxette, Ace of Base, Europe, and The Cardigans. So, what's hot from Sweden now?

Helena Arlock released Old Dirty Hound in the spring 2009. It has the same sort of bubblegum pop melodies paired with infections beat one has come to expect from artists like Lykke Li, but with slightly stronger vocals.

Misery by Helena Arlock

Pink Bubbles by Helena Arlock

Moving from bubblegum pop to a more driven sound, Sahara Hotnights call Robertsfors home. With an overall style that incorporates elements of garage rock, power pop and punk, the band, which formed in 1991/1992, has had a long and critically acclaimed career with several award nominations and increasing radio play. The band's sound has often been described as a mix between Blondie, The Ramones, and Nirvana. Take a listen and let us know what you think.

Keep Calling My Baby - Sahara Hotnights

Mind Over Matter - Sahara Hotnights

Flashback Friday

This edition of Flashback Friday is dedicated to the "alternative rock" bands that I listened to circa 1993-1994.

First off, we have the mighty California band, Stone Temple Pilots. They were immediately successful with the release of their debut album, Core. STP had a number of hits from that album, but their second effort, Purple, is my favorite. The first single from that record was "Vasoline," and it was a very cool song with a strange video, which is typical of videos of that period.

Dinosaur Jr. are a highly-regarded and influential band led by vocalist/guitarist J Mascis. Their melodic but feedback-heavy sound was unique back in the 90s, influencing even the late Kurt Cobain. Their 1994 hit, "Feel the Pain," received heavy rotation on MTV and reached #4 on the modern rock charts. Check out the crazy video, which features a pretty dangerous game of golf.

Finally, we have Dig, whose video for "Believe" received a great deal of airplay on MTV back in '93. I remember a specific commercial on the channel advertising their "Buzz Bin," and Dig was the main attraction. Everywhere that I saw anything relating to the band mentioned their "Buzz Band" status and how they were the next big thing... The strange thing about this song is that I absolutely hated it when it was out. Well, recently, Dig popped into my head for some reason and I had the inclination to look this video up. Oddly enough, after listening to "Believe" again after so many years, I find that I really like the song and I am not sure what I thought was so bad about it before. Better late than never to appreciate a pretty good alt-rock song from back in the day.

Have a good weekend!

One Hit Wonder Wednesday - EMF

EMF, which stood for "Epsom Mad Funkers", were an indie dance band that formed in Cinderford in Gloucestershire in the early 1990's. Their one, and only, hit "Unbelievable" topped out at #3 on the UK Charts and #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Though they had some single success with other cuts off their debut album, Schubert Dip, they never again managed to get a real chart topper, despite their catchy, dance-inspired sound.

FUN FACT: The single features sampled utterances from comedian Andrew Dice Clay.

I actually owned this CD, and really liked it. So here's an extra bit of video fun.