When Love Takes Over :: David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland

I first came across this song on Concrete Loop a few days ago, and immediately new that gay men will be tripping over their own fabulosity to dance to this song. The product of a trans-Atlantic collaboration between the U.S. not-quite-diva Kelly Rowland, and the creative genius of French DJ David Guetta, the song relies on the same tired beats, rhythms, and synth foundations that have made techno nearly indistinguishable from within the genre.



But the song is in ascendance. Any song that croons over the complications of love laid on a bed of danceable beats is a win for gay men, partly because this is the narrative of the western [ho]mo: that no love is greater than their own dance party. Well, that's true for me at least.

Watch out--this song will spread like wildfire. Enjoy!


Lyrics:
Its complicated, it always is

That’s just the way it goes
Feels like the way it is so long for this
I wonder if it shows
And under water now i can breath
It never felt so good
Cause i can feel it coming over me
I wouldn’t stop it if i could

Chorus
When love takes over yeaaah
You know you can’t deny
When love takes over yeaaah
‘Cause something’s here tonight

Give me a reason I gotta know
Do you feel it too?
Cant you see me here on overload
And this time I blame you
Hmm looking out for you to hold my hand
It feels like I could fall
Now love me right, like I know you can
We could lose it all

Chorus
When love takes over yeaaah
You know you can’t deny
When love takes over yeaaah
Cause something’s here tonight

(tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight ....)

I'll be loving all the time, it's true
Cause I want to make it right with you

When love takes over, when love takes over
When love takes over, when love takes over ...
Over, over, over ....

Chorus
When love takes over yeaaah
You know you can’t deny
When love takes over yeaaah
‘Cause something’s here tonight

Speak New Words: Walk in Harmony :: Bethany Deline

Bethany Deline

Ukulele Player, Dancer, and Designer Extraordinaire

In case you haven't guessed already, this is my wonderful new friend, Bethany Deline. Not only is she at the U of M design school with me, but she also has a dance background and a sparkling smile. Aside from automatically being cooler than the rest of us by being from Canadia, she has also written and recoded several lovely tunes. Although she has been finding time recently to write, the music that she has up on her website currently is an eclectic mix of covers and original stuff, all with a Bethany twist. The ukulele is an instrument that can stand on its own and goes well with images of sandy beaches and warm summer days, but (I feel) is a difficult instrument to pair with others. It is so simple and sweet sounding that it would just sound wrong with big drums or rich strings. However, Bethany uses her voice, simple clapping, guitar, and even tapping to add depth and dimension to her stuff. Tapping is my clear favorite, but not simply because it is a dance form. The tapped rhythms are able to be so much complex than a clapped one, and the sound is so light and bright that it compliments her ukulele beautifully.

This particular tune, even though she begged me to use a "better" song, displays the spirit of her music well and it's more fun since there's a video that goes with it! :) The people that make those "Responsibility: pass it on" commercials could take a lesson from Bethany. So take a listen!

For more of Bethany, check out her myspace HERE and her personal website HERE.

Two :: Ryan Adams

Guest Blogger: Krista!!!
I've never been a big country fan, but lately I find myself digging what they're calling "Alt-country." Where newer mainstream country has ridiculous socially and melodically offensive songs like "The Angry American" and "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," I really like the way Alt-country kind of hearkens back to simple musicality and sincere lyrics instead of cranking up the slide guitar between verses and then forcing manufactured pop junk into a catchy chorus.

Case in point: Ryan Adam's "Two." I love his lyrics for their misleading simplicity. If you take anything simply at face value here, I think you're missing out on a lot. When Adams sings the chorus, I think most people assume he's singing about entering a relationship and giving up some independence. However, it's also a reference to his drug and alcohol addiction and time in rehab. "It takes two when it used to take one:" these are very simple words, but Adams is able to create an extremely powerful double meaning with them--and he does this throughout the whole song. This thoughtfulness in his lyrics just astonishes me.

I get the loneliness here, too; I feel there's a desire to reach out, but there's also the embarrassment and shame in admitting you need something or someone.

I just hope this isn't my gateway drug into other country music. I hope my friends will hold an intervention for me if I start huffing Toby Keith.



Lyrics:
If you take me back
Back to your place
I'll try not to bother you, I promise
'Cause it's cold in here
And I wish it was hot
The sink's broke
It's leaking from the faucet

And I'm fractured from the fall
And I wanna go home
But it takes two when it used to take one
It takes two when it used to take only one

Well, my money's no good when I'm up to no good
No good ever comes from it, honest
I got a really good heart
I just can't catch a break
If I could I'd treat you like you wanted me to, I promise

But I'm fractured from the fall
And I wanna go home
I'm fractured from the fall
And I wanna go home
But it takes two when it used to take one
It takes two when it used to take one
It takes two when it used to take one
It takes two when it used to take only one

You Gotta Be :: Des'ree

Guest Blogger: Krista!!
I've written guest blogs in the past, and I intentionally focused them on the songs I chose instead of trying to explain why I chose them. Actually, there wasn't much of my personal life influencing my song choice--I just picked ones I liked at the time and knew I could make fun of a little bit.

Well, I haven't really felt like myself for the past week or so. I've always been a little bit of a cynic, but because of some recent unpleasant things, I've had a little harder edge than usual, and I'm getting sick of it. I chose this song in an attempt to get back to a shinier, brighter Krista; Krista Classic or Original Recipe, if you like.

It is Des'ree's You Gotta Be. It has been my favorite song ever since I was 11 years old. It is from the mid-'90s. It is cheesy.

But I feel like this song encourages people to be a mix of a realist and an optimist, and I think that's pretty admirable nowadays.


You Gotta Be :: Des'ree

Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be ashamed to cry

You gotta be
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Herald what your mother said
Readin' the books your father read
Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time
Some may have more cash than you
Others take a different view
My oh my heh, hey

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Don't ask no questions, it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning
You can't stop it, if you try to
This time it's danger staring you in the face
Oh oh oh Remember

Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
My oh my heh, hey, hey

You gotta be
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

I'm Making Eyes At You :: Black Kids

Guest Blogger: Vincent!

First of all--shout out to Meghan! I'm sad that St. Paul stole her away from me :-(. I'm posting on this song for two reasons: 1) as homage to Meggo who got me addicted to the other Black Kids song, "I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance" which was also blogged on this site by Kim. The second reason is because I'm a douche bag and I want to make it known how douche-bag-ey I am.

Okay, pay attention--this is important. I have a mild case of phallophobia. Phallophobia being an irrational fear of an erect penis. I say mild because I love penis. And erect ones are more fun. What scares me is the person attached to the penis (and if you're wondering--we are in fact attached to our genitalia, not the other way around.) Generally speaking, straight boys scare me and gay boys intimidate me. While I'm slowly overcoming this particular disorder, I still make every effort to avoid them.

Having my degree of phallophobia doesn't lend itself to talking to boys that I find attractive. So here we are at my housewarming party last week, and hottie-mchotterson walks into my door. My housemate, Laura, invites her friend, E, who unbeknownst to us, invites hottie-mchotterson to the party. Laura and I have talked about this particular guy, and she's put her feelers out for me, only as a loyal friend would. And look--here he is, in my house, sitting on the furniture I helped arrange, eating the food I helped prepare, breathing the oh so temperate air I helped set (thanks thermostat!). He and E are at our house for hours, chatting up other friends, eating cherry tomatoes and hummus, drinking fine sangria...and here I am awestruck at his presence... what do I say? I say, "Hi! Can I get you something? No? Okay" and scamper off behind the protection of the kitchen. The only confidence I could conjure up was in making eye contact, about two times...hence, the song: I'm Making Eyes At You. Lookie-dat, I am a douche!

Hope you find as much pleasure in this song as you find pleasure in my pain :-/.





I'm Making Eyes At You :: Black Kids

So you want my affection?
We both know you'll only throw it away,
But if you must have a go, fine, ok!
If you must have a go, then go away!

I'm making eyes at you,
I've been making these eyes now, making these eyes since '82.
I've making them green and gray and brown and delta blue.
I'm reciting the mantra, but I can't tell you,
because you're missing me, thats all you'll ever be.

Please don't, please don't speak.
Last night has no doubts.
In between the dreams.
Even as we speak.

You're missing me, you're not missing much,
You're sleepy panda eyes, those dangerous thighs you dare to touch.
You are the wildest one, but you're the one I want.
I'm making eyes at you, that's all I ever do.

Please don't, please don't speak.
Last night has no doubts.
In between the dreams.
Even as we speak.

So you want my affection?
We both know you'll only throw it away,
But if you must have a go, fine, ok!
If you must have a go, then go away!

Please don't, please don't speak.
Last night has no doubts.
In between the dreams.
Even as we speak.

Renegade :: The Dance Party

Hey all! I'm subbing my post with my friend Vincent's guest blog! Enjoy, because he is rockin!!!!
The End.
Love,
Meggo.
-----
In the spirit of summer dance parties, I want to draw attention to The Dance Party. DC is not particularly known for its indie music scene, but I learned about The Dance Party skimming through upcoming shows at the Black Cat--my exact thought process was as follows: "The Dance Party? Hmm. I love dance parties." [click.] [click.] [commence booty shaking.] The band hails from College Park, MD and is comprised of Mick Coogan (vocals/guitar), Danny Hoag (bass), Jeff David (drums), and Kevin Bayly (guitar), and their music falls more appropriately under "power-pop" -- whatever that means.

Regardless, be forewarned: this album is a sweat inducer.

This particular song, Renegade, is not representative of the foot thumping, head rocking, booty shaking that follows after approximately 19 seconds of playing the first song on the album ("A-list"). I do have my criticisms though...The album is ripe with words half-screamed in syllable form, repeated as if I missed it the 13th time; teenage angst one-liners sung in falsetto; and even worse dancing as exemplified in the youtube video bleow, reifying what we know as "that (white) guy" trying too hard at the club. Nonetheless, the band has awesome beats-- I will bet on the Lindbergh baby that it won't fail to get you dancing. So, know that the album is amazing--but I want to talk about "Renegade."

"Renegade" is one of the slower songs on the album, but it somehow still manages to get me playing air drums. This song speaks to me particularly because of these lyrics:

It's such a gas
When you're living fast
And your friends don't know your name

Spinning 'round
Down in District town
I do believe I lost my way

This summer has been ridiculous for me. And I know none of you know (or care to know) who I am, but I'm going to tell you anyway. I just graduated from American University in May and I've since been putzing around DC trying to find a job in this broke-as-shit thing some call the "economy" (unemployment jumped to 26% in July!). I'm interning at the same place as Meghan and I make barely enough money to pay bills and party. I suppose this song captures more than just this summer--I think it represents the on-going incapacitated state of ridiculousness the was my last two years in college (thanks KT!).

But I feel attached to the song because it pays homage to my inner child, only to finally say: "Vincent, get it together!" I like the idea of being a renegade--being a living testament to the rejection of social expectations of a college graduate. But, truth be told, there is something comforting in the daily 9-5 hum. In the interest of sparing you my personal dilemma's, I'll end this entry here.

I hope you enjoy the band!


(Blading for non-violence...)

Click HERE for the Black Cat schedule. Playing Sept. 6.

Renegade :: The Dance Party

Close my eyes
For the big surprise
Make a wisher look around

Spinning 'round
Down in New York town
And everything just seems all wrong

Police man
Wanna shake my hand
Ask me how I feel today

I said I'm doing fine
But my friend and I
Do believe we lost our way

Coming down
Don't count unless you mean it
Back, get back to it
Back, get back to it

Getting down
Don't count unless you feel it
Back, get back to it
Back, get back to it

Killing time
On your daddy's dime
Gonna make you a man someday

I grab my coat
And she grabs her coke
The disco's just two blocks away

Uncle Sam
Wanna shake my hand
Tell me "Son, you're doing just fine"

Hey, thanks man
But you don't understand
All I do is waste my time

It's such a gas
When you're living fast
And your friends don't know your name

Spinning 'round
Down in District town
I do believe I lost my way

RIDICULOUS (WHITE) MAN DANCING:

Never Knew Your Love :: Tina Schlieske

This week's guest blogger is Kelsey...

"Tina sounds like the unholy love child of Janis Joplin, Joan Osborne, and the goddess of Southern Baptist Soul. Goes with: Saturday-night sinning and Sunday-morning spirit-cleansing." J.C. - Bitch Magazine

When PRIDE weekend kicked off this last Friday here in Minneapolis, I had no idea what I was in for. I decided on a whim to go to the Uptown Block Party, where Tina Schlieske was headlining. WOW, WOW, WOW! I didn’t know anything about her before I arrived, but I was in love by the time I left! She is a queer female singer/songwriter/activist with a huge diva voice and a rockin’ performance style. I could not sit still through the entire set! I jumped/danced/yelled/spun around in the street until I was exhausted and dizzy, but I still couldn’t get enough of her soulful voice and bluesy musical stylings.

Right then and there, I decided that I needed to blog about her, and the more I found out about her, the more amazed I became. She grew up here in Minneapolis, where she taught herself to the play the guitar and started her first band, Tina and the B-Sides, while still in High School. She and the B-Sides stayed together for 10 years, during which time Tina started her own record label called Movement Records. (Now here is where I got really excited…) In 2001, music legend and fellow Austinite Stevie Ray Vaughn (!!!!) approached Tina to be the new lead singer/rhythm guitarist for his band, Double Trouble. (I know you’re excited, too. Don’t try to hide it.) Eventually, though, she decided to leave the band in order to create her new, solo debut album, “Slow Burn,” here in her native Minnesota.

Unfortunately, I could not find any song lyrics for her, but I did find this great video of her performing at 1^st Ave. It’s a promo video, so it’s not one continuous song, but instead a great sampling of some new songs, some stuff she did with the B-Sides, and some stuff from her new solo album. All in all, she is an amazing performer, who marries my love for my two homelands (Austin, TX and Minneapolis, MN), and y’all should check her out!

Here's a good place to find her, and a promotional video...

And, since I’m just this sentimental (it is pride after all), this is a recording of her song “Never Knew Love,” dedicated to Meggo…

Ring Around the Moon :: Elephant Revival

Today's guest blog is from Kathryn.

So this past weekend I had the pleasure of a fun-filled music weekend. Although I saw the Indigo Girls with Bitch and Ferron on Sunday and it was a very good show (and they played some new music from their self-produced album out in winter because they were dropped from their major label-BOO!). However, I am writing because I saw a great local-ish band on Friday night, Elephant Revival Concept and I want people to know about them, check them out, and love them too.

I was at Ye Old Rock Inn (local bluegrass bar) in Estes Park and saw a really great band called Elephant Revival who are self-described as Experimental/Americana/Folk but with an amazing bluegrass/roots twist. They are out of Nederland, Colorado-which to most people in these parts is Hippie-ville and just down the road from the EP. I hate to attribute a band's wealth to one person but honestly one of their female vocalists, Bonnie Paine, is AMAZING-and she plays the washboard, which is one of the coolest things EVER to watch. Her original band from Oklahoma is My-Tea Kind and they are also really good and different-an obscure folk rock group.

The band combines fiddle, acoustic guitar, upright bass, the cello, electric banjo, and even djembe and the occasional saw to create their unique sound. One moment they may be busting out a roots reggae tune, the next they are playing Irish Celtic folk music, and yet can also pick a traditional bluegrass song with the best of them. Seeing them live was a fantastic experience also because the crowd is so into them and loves to kick their heels up and dance to whatever they might be playing at the moment. ER are inspired by the crowd and it is obvious the crowd also becomes pretty inspired throughout the course of the show by the music coming from the stage.

I am going to choose the song Ring Around the Moon for my Song of the Day because it showcases Paine's soulful and slightly eerie vocal stylings-however, I am not convinced that this is the best representative of their music as a whole since they are so multi-talented. If you get a chance to hit their myspace page I would highly recommend the semi-political song A Part, and the Reel Mckay Wedding. I can't find the lyrics but I'm not sure they are necessary. Just hear the song, let it wash (board) over you and become entranced by the incredible talents of Elephant Revival.

Here is a video of that Ring Around the Moon:



But I also want to provide another video from Nederland's Frozen Dead Guy Days where they played and you can see how completely different the music is and there's also a really amazing washboard solo:



So if you like your bluegrass with altitude as I do then listen to them, let them make you feel happy and then buy their stuff so that they can continue!

Coleen :: The Heavy

Guest Blogger::Krista

The Heavy are a band from the UK which have just released their first full-length album, called Great Vengeance and Furious Fire, in the US in early April. Today I'm writing about "Coleen," my favorite so far and what I'm already calling my song of the summer.

Whenever I hear the intro, I have this Pavlovian response to just crank the volume. The horns over a simple rock groove on the drums makes for a perfect tease before lead singer Swaby comes in with his ultra-smooth singing about getting involved with fancy material girls; they might be dead-sexy, and the whole affair has this kind of mythic, unbelievable quality to it because you can't really believe your good luck that you actually got to have sex with such a fox. But then you realize you're spending tons of money to try and keep them mildly interested in you, and in the end all you're left with is a bruised heart and a huge credit card bill.

I can't find the lyrics online, so I kind of made my best guess on a few of them here just so you get the gist of it:

And she won't give it up
Until you give her just about enough
Those girls are so dangerous
It's enough to make a lover broke

Chorus:
Now do you want that love?
Do you need that love?
It's gonna make you cry
It's gonna make you burn

It's not that I particularly identify with the lyrics. I can't say I've had this experience of being sucked dry and dumped by an ultra hot lady, but the words just kind of add to what I'm really digging here. The chorus is where the drums really kick in and turn the sly tease I mentioned before into a completely dirty tramp of a song.

This is the part that I love: the sleazy crunch of the rock/funk jam makes me feel delightfully dangerous, like a total predator who could get a tattoo, smoke cigarettes, prey on confused straight girls, steal a car--maybe even go commando for a day. For three minutes while listening to this song, I am a bad motherfucker.

The band hasn't released a video, but there's a handful of unofficial ones on YouTube put together by fans. I chose this one for the blog because the dancing kind of correlates to the down-and-dirty vibe the song has:

Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/theheavy73

A&E :: Goldfrapp

Guest Blogger::Krista

I've liked Goldfrapp in the past for incredibly sultry dance music, especially Ooh La La and Ride a White Horse. It seems like no one can talk about the new Goldfrapp without contrasting it to the old Goldfrapp and making a big deal of "how different" Seventh Tree is, but I say it's not that big of a departure. Sure, it's not the same pulsing electro-pop that I crank before I go dancing and makes me wish I wasn't too scared to take Ecstasy, but the synth stuff is still there.

Let's talk about the video for a minute here. It's almost like the band is even acknowledging the new direction they've taken with a video motif that's less industrial or electronic than they've used in the past. Here we have Alison singing by herself in the middle of the woods in a flowy white tunic on a gorgeous fall day--the more natural and organic elements seem to be a visual recognition of the new toned-down and organic sound. Again, I would say there's more of a mixing of old and new here. It's not the kind of video we're used to seeing from them, but there's still that Goldfrapp quirkiness that we love so much. Alison doesn't come riding in a horse made from a mirrored disco ball like she does in Ooh La La, but she is being worshipped in the woods by a horde of leaf-people, for Chrissake.

What gets me about A & E is that it really gives Alison Goldfrapp a chance to show off her pretty impressive range. This is different from the band's earlier stuff, but I would say it's a welcome change. The classic Goldfrapp kind of kept her voice in one end of the scale for an entire song, probably because that kind of repetition lends itself well to decent dance pop. In A&E, she sings these warm low tones in the verses but still gets into the high-energy falsetto in the chorus and builds into a pretty powerful bridge and ending. The electronic junk even makes a good play at this point; but instead of pounding into your skull and forcing you to dance your ass off, it makes you lean forward and just listen a little harder.



A&E::Goldfrapp

It's a blue, bright blue Saturday, ay, ay
And the pain has started to slip away, ay, ay

I'm in a backless dress on a pastel ward, the shining.
Think I want you still
But it may be pills at work

Do you really wanna know how I was dancing on the floor?
I was trying to fool you when I'm crawling up the door
And theres a tune at things you say that you don't do
Why don't you ring?

I was feeling lonely, feeling low
Feeling like I needed you
Like I'm waking up surrounded by me
A&E

It's a blue, bright blue Saturday, ay, ay
And the pain has started to slip away, ay, ay

I'm in a backless dress on a pastel ward, the shining
Think I want you still
But it may be pills at work

How did I get to accident, emergency?
All I wanted was you to take me out high
I was feeling lonely, feeling low
Feeling like I needed you
Like I hoped you'd call and hoped you'd see me
A&E

Day Old Hate :: City and Colour

Guest Blogger::Yusef

If you haven't heard of Dallas Green, from the band Alexisonfire, and his brilliant side project City & Colour, you are for shiz missing out on the greatest album of the year: Bring Me Your Love, released in Feb 2008.

Yes, I know it's only April, but I know a classic when I hear one. Well at least by my standards. I hate saying "if you like x, then you'll like y," but it's so helpful: so if you dig Damien Rice, Bright Eyes and Ryan "not Bryan" Adams, you will def dig City & Colour. I want to talk about his song "Day Old Hate," from his debut Sometimes. That album is a collection of songs, and doesn't really compare to how friggin brilliant Bring Me Your Love is, but one song on there, I just can't shake it. It slays me every time, as Mz. DiFranco, once says. It's called "Day Old Hate," and it's hypnotic.

For me, I know I love a song when I can play it ad nauseum over and over again, sometimes even overnight. I like "Day Old Hate" because it's multi-layered, it transitions from one mood to another and questions the chaotic craziness of relationships and breakups.



Day Old Hate::Dallas Green
So let's face it, this was never what you wanted
But I know it's fun to pretend
Now blank stares and empty threats
Are all I have
They’re all I have…

So drown me if you can
Or we could just have conversation
and I fall, I fall, I falter.
But I found you before I drift away

Now you still speak of day old hate
Though your whole world has gone up into flames
And isn’t it great to find that you’re really worth nothing
And how safe it is to feel safe

So drown me if you can
Or we could just have conversation
And I fall, I fall, I falter.
But I found you before I drift away

The things we do just to stay alive
The things we do just to stay alive
The things we do just to stay alive

The things we do just to keep ourselves alive.

I Can Breathe Underwater :: Fitzgerald

I have wanted to blog about these guys for a while now, but I haven't been able to find the time, or a video on YouTube/Myspace/what have you. So, if you want to hear, "I Can Breathe Underwater" from their Raised by Wolves Album, you'll have to go to their MYSPACE page. Huge hassle, I know... :) Otherwise, you can hear some of their other great songs by clicking on the videos below.

My best friend Jess originally introduced me to Fitzgerald when I first moved up here to Minnesota a few years ago. They have been with me through many road trips, cold winter days, and lazy weekend afternoons. The band consists primarily of the most adorable husband and wife duo, EVER, and they alternately perform alone and with other members of the Minneapolis musical community. I have now attempted to see them live like 3 times, and by insane acts of habeas corpus, I have not successfully been able to, but their stuff rocks!
The song I chose particularly resonates with me because of its content and the way it radiates peace. It's really hard to find good love songs that aren't cheesy or about a love that's more like infatuation, but "I Can Breathe Underwater" is about a love that's comfortable and deep. It's about being with someone that you feel safe with, close with, and someone that you love to sleep next to, just to feel them breathe. To dream next to someone is wonderful, but to be able to exist in that dream with them, in a place of bodily suspension, a space where the wounds inflicted by the world can be healed, and tangled limbs and hair can be be discerned through the ripples on the surface, is to experience great love. :)

Unfortunately, Fitzgerald is no longer, but they have a new band, with a very similar sound, called Ghost in the Water. Their stuff is great as well and you can find their page HERE.

I Can Breathe Underwater::Fitzgerald
I can breathe underwater
I can breathe underwater
I can breath underwater
Breathing all by myself

At night, when you are sleeping
I'll be under the river
Looking at the stones and
Breathing all by myself

So break my
Break my fall with kisses
Don't wake me
Wake me with a sigh
The truth is
Tangled up in this soul
Now my lungs are soaking
And they're wet

I can breathe underwater
I can breathe underwater
I can breathe underwater
Breathing all by myself

Don't worry I'm not drowning
Starting soft and awfully soothing
I'll come up when I'm ready
Breathing all by myself

So break my
Break my fall with
Kisses
Don't wake me
Don't wake me with a sigh
The truth is
Tangled up in this soul
Now my lungs are soaking
And they're wet

The ripples are surfacing
The bubbles are breaking
There's hair floating up from the
Head that's submerged
One hand guides the stone
One sits left and it's skipping
Thumbs take on water and then
Breathing returns

I remember when we were children
I remember everything
What we lost when we were swimming
Always submerged
Always breathing

How Far North - Fitzgerald


Dirt - Fitzgerald

Maneli Jamal :: Lucid Drawl

Guest Blogger::Kelsey
Hey y'all! This is my friend, Maneli, whose flying fingers amaze me every time I see him perform. Though we originally met during our high school years in Austin, TX, he now lives and performs in Toronto, Canada. On his Myspace page, which you can access by clicking HERE, you can see that he is a versatile artist, doing detailed ballpoint etchings as well as creating original music in a style all his own. He is a completely self-taught musician (literally never had a day of formal training in his life), and he started jamming with his dad, who plays primarily the violin, around the age of 15. Though he learned to read tab and studied popular music at the start, his emphasis was always on finding his own voice. Initially, he dabbled in electric guitar, then moved to jazz, then, being influenced by guitar greats like Don Ross and Paco de Lucia, he moved on to flamenco and the interesting two-handed tap method he uses today.

So, yeah. :) He's amazing. He's Persian, and the sweetest guy you'll ever meet. I dig him and I hope you do, too- 'nough said.

Maneli Jamal::Lucid Drawl

Sæglópur :: Sigur Ros

Guest Blogger::Kelsey

For this particular post, I was inspired by the depth to which pieces of
music have resonated with all of the bloggers, and the way these songs are
now integral and representative of phases in their lives. I had a moment today, sitting in a coffee shop, listening to Ani's 'Subdivision' and reading Gitfiddler's response for last Sunday's blog, when this song came on and nostalgia hit me full in the chest.

This song, for me, is representative of a time in my life that is now almost over. A time in my life when I made many discoveries about myself and my relationship to those around me through the practice and creation of dance. This song represents a very specific phrase of movement in a very specific class, during a very specific semester, but what I didn't realize until today was that this song now represents to me something deeper, broader, more profound.

Dancing with a group of people can be a very bonding experience in any case, but this work, in particular, forced a kind of trust very quickly and emotionally ripped you apart simply by it's voluminous and exhausting athleticism. Pushing your body beyond its physical limit, while working in tandem with and manipulating other bodies, is a life altering moment that leaves you emotionally bare and raw and discombobulated. (I know that sounds ridiculously corny, but if you've ever ran a marathon, played in some type of intense championship sports match, you understand.) We always did this particular choreography to this song, whic is now forever linked in my brain to that experience.

I hope y'all enjoy this song for its sheer beauty and fluidity, as well as their crazy Icelandic language. Sigur Ros' still unclassifiable musical stylings have reached a wide international audience and allowed them to work with groups like Radiohead and TV shows like PBS' Planet Earth. You can listen to more of their music by clicking HERE



Sæglópur::Sigur Ros

Á lífi
Kominn heim
Sæglópur
á lífi
Kominn heim
það kemur kafari

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

A Lost Seafarer

Alive
Has returned home
A lost seafarer
Alive
Has returned home
A diver comes

Better People :: Xavier Rudd

Guest Blogger::Emily

I was first introduced to Xavier Rudd by a close friend of mine. On a very random night, I met my (soon to be) friend, an Irishman who was stopping through the US on his way to live and work in Australia. He had no job lined up, no place to stay, no real plan, just $600 in his pocket and a dream. Three years later, keeping in touch only through text messages, we reunited and he brought me a gift of all of Xavier Rudd’s CDs. We were only together for a week, but he said that I would learn a lot about him while he was gone by listening to Xavier’s music.

So I did, and I want to share it with all of you. Xavier has an amazing sense of the intersection between humanity and nature. He seems to be a man who knows himself and who is in tune with the echoes of the earth on which we live. He is a native Australian, and many of his songs pay tribute to the Australian Aboriginal people (see: “Land Rights” and “Anni Kookoo” on his White Moth album). He plays all of his own instruments, including the didgeridoo. His website describes his music as an “amalgamation of folk, reggae, rock and world music”.


Really, all of his songs are good. I chose to write about “Better People” (off the album, White Moth, because of its sense of honesty, beauty, inspiration, and hope in a (at times) dreary, hopeless, and mean world. As he points out, there are some people who don’t listen or care, but there are lots of people who do care and are working to heal each other. Our earth is wounded, but there is overwhelming beauty in nature and humanity.

From a musical stand point, he really uses his voice as an instrument. He does not just talk or sing over the music, he and his words become a part of the music. I really like his infusions of different styles and the music quality in general. It’s unique.

Let me know if you want recommendations of others songs of his. Also, more information about Xavier, his music, and his mission can be found HERE.

Enjoy and pass along!




Better People::Xavier Rudd

you people saving whales,
giving your thanks to our seas
my respect to the ones in the forest,
standing up for our old trees

them giving food to the hungry
giving hope to the needy
giving life to a baby
giving care for free
cause there is freedom around us
we have everything we need
i will care for you
because you care for me
we all have opinions
some of them get through
but there’s better people
with more good to do
good to do...

what I have could be a message
or just some words from my heart
my respect to the ones making changes
for other lives they’ll give their own

like giving food to the hungry
giving hope to the needy
giving life to a baby
giving care for free
cause there is freedom around us
we have everything we need
i will care for you
because you care for me
we all have opinions
some of them get through
but there’s better people
with more good to do
good to do...

well our world it keeps spinning
round and round it goes
human nature keeps spreading its disease
and our children keeps growing up with
what they know from what we teach
and what they see
and it’s only a question of the time we have
and the lives that our children will lead
they can only keep growing up with
what they know from what we teach
and what they see

like giving food to the hungry
giving hope to the needy
giving life to a baby
giving care for free
cause there is freedom around us
we have everything we need
i will care for you
because you care for me
we all have opinions
some of them get through
but there’s better people
with more good to do
good to do...

The Watchtower :: Bear McCreary

Guest Blogger::Bowie
I first heard this song at the tail end of a favorite program of mine, the geek-heavy Battlestar Galactica, which has already become known for its haunting, ethereal and often middle-eastern and Armenian vibes to the musical track, courtesy of producer Bear McCreary, who I'll express more about in a moment.

The song is a far cry from the famous Bob Dylan number, or even the Hendrix riff, which was the version being offered to Ronald Moore (the show's producer) when the lyrics of the song were written into the episode. He told them he wanted this song in the series; but no, he wanted to compose his own cover, and his composer Bear McCreary offered a chilling and beautiful rendition, that is best enjoyed with some kind of hooka pipe nearby and in hand.

The musician named "Brendan McCreary" is actually the vocalist for this song, but his brother Bear McCreary - listed as its artist - is a composer, who's credits are far undersinging of his talents, composed the track for the show. Bear McCreary has been the sole composer for the show.

This song debuted in a final episode (Crossroads, Part II) of Battlestar Galactica's season 3, highlighting some critical story reveals, very stirringly. It was also the first use of any English lyrics whatsoever (though once before, Armenian lyrics were used) in any of the often foreignly accented stylings of Bear's work for the show.

I've been a fan of Bear's for a while - the strange, primarily middle-east tones in some of his music, the sitars playing, struck a chord with me during my deployment in Iraq, and even back, it grants me a strange memory of the songs heard then. Mixing it with such a modern and iconic song really made me catch my breath and I had to find it - and its origins.

Another interesting tidbit:

Bear McCreary, in the production of Battlestar Galactica, has brought back a number of Oingo Boingo alumni into the studio to score the series, as Oingo Boingo (through Composing hero Danny Elfman) was one of his inspirants to fame: Richard Gibbs, Steve Bartek, bassist John Avila, drummer Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez, and keyboarding accordionist Doug Lacey have all contributed, lending towards Bear's own joke of the show's title being renamed "Boingostar Galactica". Through this connection, in 2005, Bear's brother Brendan stood in for Danny Elfman for a Halloween 2005 Oingo Boingo tribute concert, which spanned eventually into Brendan's band.

On this track specifically, Bear utilizes his brother Brendan's vocals, Steve Bartek on guitar and John Avila on bass. Brendan McCreary is listed as the band on the song incorrectly on many of the internet bootlegs of it, under his former band name of "BT4" (which I still find to be a little more interesting).

The first song is the direct music - the second is the direct rip from the show, which I believe possibly has even more power to it, showing the pathos in the characters the music represented, and how it framed the scene; the industrial clanks of the ship also add a certain resonance.




"There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief,
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
"Businessmen, they drink my wine, plow men dig my earth,
"None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."

"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
"But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,
"So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."

All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.

Outside in the distance, a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.

Yeah!

All along the watchtower.

--------------

Easter Eggs:

First, the Youtube video snippet of this scene it was shown in, if you don't mind spoilers, is equally powerful.



Second. The brother, Brendan's band, is now renamed, awfully, from BT4 to BrEndAn McCreary, but who am I to judge?

Their band, which has an interestingly poppy feeling to it with fascinating lyrical imagery, is worth checking out.

It can be found at http://www.myspace.com/brendanmccreary with their own EP available @CDBaby http://www.cdbaby.com/bt42 and on iTunes.

Brendan McCreary: Vox, Guitars
Steve Bartek: Guitars
Martin Yarbough: Percussion
Carl Sealove: Bass

El Agua de la Vida :: Salsa Celtica

My friend Margi and I first heard this song while watching Driving Lessons. It is a fascinating mix of salsa and celtic music. Who would have thought to combine these two genres? Who ever did is an absolute genius.

The song, as well as the album, seems to be grounded in salsa with a Celtic flare. It is one of those songs that make you say “Of Course!”. How did I not see the connection before? It truly gets me moving. I am sitting here, in the cyber café at seminary, moving to the beat of the song as I write this blog at 2 am instead of doing my homework. I am in love with the sound. Fiddles and salsa, how can it get better than that?

I could go on about uniting in music, working together, creating new beauty but instead I will just leave the music to speak for itself. The rest of their album has a much stronger commitment to salsa/Latin music, though it is still good. As far as albums go I would recommend the soundtrack to the movie Driving Lessons-as well as the movie.

CLICK HERE to have a listen. I wasn't able to find a decent clip anywhere online, but it will give you a taste....perhaps enough to want to purchase the album!

Transistor Radio :: Cloud Cult

I was introduced to Cloud Cult when I first moved to Minnesota by my beautiful and wonderful friend, Jess. I've seen them live several times, and they are AMAZING, for many reasons. One, when they perform, they have two live artists creating large format oil paintings in the background, which they auction off at the end of the show.





Two, when they performed at the fair on the 4th of July, they played, "Moving to Canada". :)





This song, in particular, holds significance for the band since it's about the lead singer's son, who was killed suddenly while still a young child. The album, "Happy Hippo", was released shortly after his death, where there are many songs featuring his voice and laugh, and many others dedicated to him or written about him. It is for this reason that "Transistor Radio" leaves me with such a feeling of melancholic peace every time I listen....

Enjoy,
Kelsey



Transistor Radio::Cloud Cult

I heard grandpa on my transistor radio,
Though he turned in his bones twenty years ago,
And he said, "Kid, theres something that I'd like to show you,
Get your things, its time for us to go"
So I grabbed my backpack, my flashlight, and a bag of caramel corn,
I got my bicycle, and the radio, and I had it on the road, I said
"I'm ready for what I'm about to see, Yup"

I headed north to rain that turned to snow
Through rusty towns and dusty gravel roads
And I said, "Grandpa, where is this thing you wanted to show me?"
He said, "Kid, you got a long way to go"
So I went through canyons, caves and catacombs, I sailed on bicycle boats
I slept in chapels and brothels, I met the nicest folks
I said, "I'm ready for what I'm about to see, Yup"

I heard grandpa on my transistor radio
He said, "Kid, its time for me to go,
And I know that there was something that I wanted to show you,
But its time for you to find it on your own."
"Let me tell you about rage when a signal died that day,
Theres nothing out there and I don't care; Its to take my life away
I'm not ready and I don't want to see, Nope"

Its been years since I heard my transistor radio
Yet I keep going to where it seems I'm meant to go
And I finally realized what he wanted to show me
Where I've been, where I am, its the show
Where I've been, where I am, its the show
Where I've been, where I am, its the show

Marty's Kitchen :: The Greencards

Another Guest Blogger!!! Kelsey

I was talking to Meghan about this music blog during my 18 hour drive back up to Minneapolis, MN where I go to school, and I immediately thought of posting a song by The Greencards. I was first introduced to these guys at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, which a Texas sized, Texas themed, Christmas market, complete with local artisans selling their wares and local musicians entertaining the crowds with some good tunes.

The members of The Greencards came from far and wide, hence their name, to Austin, TX where they started their career and where their most loyal fans still reside. They are now signed to a label in Nashville, but they can sell out a show in Austin within hours!

The band members are as follows:
Carol Young (AUSTRALIA)- vocals/bass
Kym Warner (AUSTRALIA)- vocals/mandolin/bouzouki
Eamon McLoughlin (ENGLAND)- vocals/violin/viola/chello

So, as an homage to my homeland, I give you "Marty's Kitchen" by The
Greencards. This song doesn't have any lyrics, and the video quality isn't the greatest, but you can definitely hear some serious musical jamming going on! Enjoy!!!

Shine :: Laura Izibor

Guest Blogger: Drea

This song speaks so much truth to me. The transition from college to “year off” and then back to school has been a difficult one. It also has been a transition from angry college activist, to complacent worker bee, and now someone who is attempting to find balance in life between social justice, joy, and career.

There are lines in this song that fit into different times of my life. My life as worker bee was more than just “living in contradiction” as Char Kunkle (Luther College Sociology professor) would say. There are still so many things that I want to do. I’m in school and sick of it. “There’s got to be something else, something more”. But this is it. This is where I am.

This song just makes me happy. It makes me realize that this moment is one which shines. I can’t wait until tomorrow because tomorrow never comes. If I don’t like what I am doing then I need to do what makes me happy. No, I can’t quit school. It would be lovely. But there is an end to school. I will be finished in a year and a half. This job really is temporary.

I just love this song. It makes me feel positive and optimistic when, at times, all I want to do is wallow in negativity and self doubt. What is the point of that? That will get me no where.

Favorite Lyrics:
Let the sunshine on your face. Don’t let your life go to waste.
Now is the time. Got to make up your mind.
Let it shine on your. Let it shine on you.

Laura Izibor is from Dublin. You can visit her here on her myspace page. This song is no longer available on iTunes in the US. I know, disappointing. However, you can hear it on her Myspace page. She wrote the song for the Nanny Diaries. I didn’t know this when I found the song but it is a fun bit of useless information.

This is a nice live version of the song. A little bit faster than the original. It is really short but it is the only one I could find.



Shine::Laura Izibor

Wake up one morning and realize, Your life is one big compromise.
Stuck in the job you swore was only temporary.
Feels like the water’s passing you by. Never done all the things you meant to try.
Stuck in one place, got a pain in your face from all your stressin.
You ask yourself there’s got to me more than what I am living for.
You ask yourself there’s got to be something more.
Let the sunshine on your face. Don’t let your life go to waste.
Now is the time. Got to make up your mind.

Let it shine on you. Let it shine on you.
Fell like there’s nothing, no where to go.
You try and fight but you can’t let go.
Got to so much to gain. Now is the time.

You ask yourself there’s got to be something else, something more.
Let the sunshine on your face. Don’t let your life go to waste.
Now is the time. Got to make up your mind.

Let it shine on your. Let it shine on you
You ask yourself there’s go to be more than what I am living for
You ask yourself there’s got to be something else, something more
Let the sunshine on your face. Don’t let your life go to waste.
Now is the time. Got to make up your mind.
Let it shine on your. Let it shine on you