Good Weather For Airstrikes

HELLO!

It’s been forever, I know, but don’t hate me - it was DEREK who kept us apart! But I digress… anyway, as all zero of you probably know, I’m a little obsessed with Beck. I’ve been for a really long time (like, since I was 11), but then The Information came out. The first time I heard “Timebomb,” it was as if Beck called me and was like, “Hey, Rya… sorry I dropped such a mediocre album last year. I made this new song just for you and I hope you dance by yourself to it in your room and listen to it on repeat all the fucking time.” I can’t really put a finger on what “era” of Beck’s music this most resembles, but that’s not a bad thing; at long last, he’s moved towards a more palatable (listenable?) musical direction. Oh, it also sounds a little bit like “North American Scum,” but about 19 squillion times better - I think it’s the lady back-up singers that made me draw the parallel. Basically, if this song doesn’t rise to the top of your play counter on your iTunes within the first 12 hours you’ve had it, I will buy you a drink (an alcoholic one, because I’m legal).

MP3: “Timebomb” - Beck

While I’m at it, I’ll throw in another Beck song I love. I don’t necessarily get down to “Deadweight,” but this is an ideal song for doing things around the house; you could listen to this and clean dishes, do homework, whatever you do in the comforts of your own home - I don’t judge. Anyway, you might think that zipping sound in the background sounds like the title track off Pet Sounds, and that’s because… well… it sounds a lot like the title track off Pet Sounds. This song is from the soundtrack to “A Life Less Ordinary,” and features a music video that’s actually better than the movie it was inspired by.

MP3: “Deadweight” - Beck

If you’re not a fan of Bruce Springsteen’s, honestly, I can do without your readership. He’s been dubbed “The Boss” because he’s the authority on how to be cool, but not in that Justin Timberlake way. Let’s put it this way, Bruce Springsteen is America’s cool Dad, the one all the other kids are jealous of. Bruce is relatable, and all of his songs sound less like masterpieces of some fancy computer program, and more like a hug. While his new album, Magic, doesn’t come out until October 2nd, its first single, “Radio Nowhere” was recently released. To be real, I’m not IN LOVE with this song, but you know what? It’s better than a lot of stuff I’ve heard recently. It’s very catchy and I guess is about something mildly more substantial than a recovering meth addict’s penchant for being “flossy”. Maybe it’s because I saw The 40 Year Old Virgin the other day, but this song kind of reminds me of “The Heat of the Moment” - way upbeat. I guess the verdict is, don’t let this be your first Springsteen song - your “primer” of sorts - but if you’re already a fan, it’ll probably be put into light rotation.

MP3: “Radio Nowhere” - Bruce Springsteen

My favorite Springsteen song? I thought you’d never ask!

When I hear “No Surrender,” it’s like all my buddies magically appear out of nowhere and we’re whisked away to a karaoke bar. This is the soundtrack to nostalgia and best friendship. Like any other song of his, “No Surrender” features the exquisite instrumentation of Silvio Dante and Conan O’Brien’s bandleader - Springsteen’s so relevant!

MP3: “No Surrender” - Bruce Springsteen

Moving along… on Thursday evening, I had the esteemed privilege of meeting Karim Fonda of my second favorite trio of upper-middle-class rapping white kids from NYC, Team Facelift. It was, in a word, a moving experience. Whenever I see the video for their song, “Sexual Perversions,” my pride for being from Manhattan reaches uncharted levels. I’m not saying I wish I was the fruit-encrusted model, or the bare-posteriored young lady in this video - but I will say that I’d do morally questionable things for them on film… if it helped their art. You’re more than welcome to watch the extremely sexy and extremely technicolor video, as it is really enjoyable to watch. Or, if you’re anything like me, you can close your eyes and imagine you’re listening to it while lounging in the Poconos, in one of those bathtubs that looks like a champagne glass, while holding a Valentine’s Day teddy bear in one hand, and caressing a blunt the size of a baby’s leg in the other… you know, something romantic and classy. Sadly, we’re gonna have to go YouTube on this one. Deal with it.

And finally, because I just love musical dudes, it’s only fair to discuss musical dudes who love(d) me. I first got to know Locksley when I was a nubile senior in high school and they played a matinée show with my friends’ band (long live Notes From Underground!). They were SUPER nice guys, and I’ll leave out the rest. Now they’re famous and I had the privilege/shame of buying a song about myself on iTunes. I don’t know if I can really say anything else about this song without sounding narcissistic, but you know what? It’s a really great song - the last 30 seconds are especially epic. Oh, and here’s the song FOR FREE.

MP3: “My Kind of Lover” - Locksley

ALSO, Derek’s step-brother’s record came out today and Pitchfork loves it (Best New Music, even!) so you should too. You’ll find one of it’s best cuts below. Oh, and some trivia: Les Savy Fav were Bloc Party’s biggest influence during their early days as a band. Fact! Vice is also currently beta-testing this new “Virtual Lower East Side” thing, where they have bands “virtually” hanging out to “virtually” kick it with you or something. Neither Derek nor I totally understand it, but if that sounds like the kind of thing you’d be interested in, be sure to register and stop by tomorrow night when Syd and Harrison will be chilling in the virtual Bowery Ballroom. There will however be a screening of the band’s last Bowery show from last spring, so that’s reason enough alone to stop by.

MP3: “The Year Before The Year 2000″ - Les Savy Fav

That’s about it for now, I promise I won’t leave you guys again. Unless you want me to - in which case, I fully understand.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 at 2:34 am and is filed under She's In Control. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.