Monday, May 19, 2008

Monday Morning Music

I’m tired of all of my music. It happens sometimes. It’s not that I don’t like my music – in fact some of my albums are like old, dear friends. But, every now and then, when I want some sound to accompany my working/blogging/driving/what have youing I look at my collection and I think, blah. Part of this is probably because I bought a new laptop last month and haven’t had time to copy my iTunes catalog over yet. Shuffle takes the hard work out of “What should I listen to?” Part is because I don’t think I’ve bought a new CD since February (yes, that includes downloads). So, my pretties, this is where you come in. What sounds good to you right now? Who should I be listening to? Help a gal out.

For inspiration, here are four songs – some newish, some oldish and some very, very old – that I’ll never get tired of listening to.

Great Northern, “Low Is a Height”

I saw them live last year and met singer Rachel Stolte after the show. Her voice is the kind of haunting you wish for. Plus, she wore these amazing knee-high boots. p.s. If the song sounds oddly familiar, it’s being used in the NBA Playoffs “There Can Only Be One” campaign.

Feist, “I Feel It All”

How much do I love the vest and tie Feist wore for Colbert? I don’t think science has developed a way to count that high.

K’s Choice, “Believe”

I bought this CD 10 years ago from a remainder rack. I’ve never stopped playing it. I play this song almost every time I fly. I don’t know why, exactly. Maybe because it’s hopeful and yearning and feels like flight. p.s. Sarah Bettens dinged my gaydar so hard from the “Cocoon Crash”album art all those years ago, I remember spending a good day searching “lesbian” and “Sarah Bettens” online. But this was before she was out, so I had only my suspicions and, of course, that voice as clues. Of course now you look at her and you’re kind of like, duh.

Ani DiFranco, “Little Plastic Castles”

I love Ani and will always love Ani. I have all her CDs, have seen her about half a dozen times and even got to talk with her once. She laughed a lot. It was lovely.

UPDATE I: Wow. No, really, wow. Y’all delivered like Domino’s with the suggestions. Thank you, thank you 51-times and counting thank you. I plan to check them all out.

UPDATE II: Oh, if you emailed your suggestion, thank you too. I am terribly behind on my replies, so if you’ve sent me mail in the last week, thank you and please don’t fret. I am getting to you. Just, um, slowly.

62 comments:

Anonymous said...

10,000 stones by Adrianne.
http://www.myspace.com/adriannemusic

The Gentleman said...

Riot on an Empty Street by Kings of Convenience.

http://www.myspace.com/kingsofconvenience

Anonymous said...

If you like women singersongwriters you can't go past - Missy Higgins - http://www.missyhiggins.com/
Jess McAvoy - http://www.jessmcavoy.com
and Genevieve Maynard
http://www.myspace.com/genevievemaynard

For an added bonus all the above women are lesbian or bisexual.

Anonymous said...

A few Aussie sheilas you may not have heard of...

Mia Dyson - Roll Me Out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtVzVdkWYpA
(she pings my gaydar something chronic, even in this song singing "she looks a lot like my first love back in the country" and "but they don't like girls holding hands on show" but either way she has an awesomely husky voice and WICKED guitar skills. (plus she's played with Feist who I know you love - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmqa0JhjCYA ) and there are a few downloads available from www.miadyson.com

Anything by Ella Hooper coz I think she's the bees knees. This kinda looks like a bad karaoke home video but its cute, unfortunately Ella is the last to sing solo and kicks in about the 1:45 mark... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl8AngII92Y tho I'd say she's much better known from her Killing Heidi days, and an acoustic version of I Am (from the Spiderman soundtrack) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSPWnCraJkU

And one of my fave summer chill out albums is from UK group Belleruche http://www.myspace.com/belleruche

Misgrace said...

Sarah Bettens came out since; is actually even living in the US at present near Tennessee, I think. She brought out a solo cd, which was heavily promoted. Yesterday, she and her brother announced that they've taken K's Choice off the backburner, and will working on a joint project again...

Anonymous said...

Ms. Snarker! I definitely just went through that myself recently so I know how you feel. I would love to offer some of my favorite songs of the moment. They range from singer/songwriter to mainstream and rock - a little mix of everything. Hope you like them too!

Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
(the single is out now. LOOOOVE IT. It's even my ringtone as of yesterday)

Peter Bradley Adams & Sarah Bareilles - Teresa

Amy Winehouse - Love Is A Losing Game

Augustana - Fire

Missy Higgins - All For Believing

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours (casa nova sessions)

Mackintosh Braun - Here

Bliss - Wish You Were Here

Sweatshop Union - Better Days

Colbie Caillat - Tied Down

Sixx:A.M. - Life Is Beautiful

Burn Season - Perfect

Spektrum - Horny Pony

Jason Reeves - You In A Song

Puscifer - The Undertaker (Renholder mix)

Aunt TK said...

Right now, I'm into Corday, especially Kaleidoscope.

http://www.myspace.com/jennifercorday

Also, The Becky Chace Band.

http://www.beckychace.com

Trop said...

Elvis Costello's new CD is VERY good.

Anonymous said...

Joan As Policewoman

Anonymous said...

Nini Camps:
http://www.myspace.com/ninicamps

and The Hamiltons:
http://www.myspace.com/thehamiltonsrock

Lezlie Mac said...

Best question to ask if want your blog flooded with endless comments! Here's a random extract of my playlist du jour:

Songwriters/folk stuff
Laura Marling; Krystle Warren; Phoebe Killdeer; Ruby Throat

Rock'n guitars stuff
Tegan and Sarah; Mgmt; The Raconteurs; Sia; Stars

Move-your-buttocks stuff
Hercules & Love affair; Duchess Says;and my friends and favorite Lesbians on extasy

For the French touch, check out Camille, really worth a listening (it's all voice except for the piano):
http://www.myspace.com/camilleofficial

For the still-wondering gaydars (if any), another pic of the ever sexy Sarah Bettens:
http://www.sarahbettens.com/images/Sarah-
Advertentie-Theater-Tour-08---BIS.jpg

Slym said...

Don't know if what I'm listening to is your speed but here goes:

Mariah Carey - I Stay in Love, Cruise Control, Side Effects, Thanx 4 Nothin, Bye Bye

Janet Jackson - Never Letchu Go

Rihanna - Take A Bow

Ali & Gipp Ft LeToya - Almost Made Ya

Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love

Alcia Keys - Tell You Something

Jordin Sparks ft Chris Brown - No Air

Brandy - Dig This (off Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns OST)

Ray J - Sexy Can I

And when I'm not listening to that playlist I just pop Aretha Franklin's Jewel in the Crown CD in and you can never go wrong with this CD - it's a GEM and definitely my favorite album in a very long time

Anonymous said...

Well I have only know acquainted myself (where have I been all my life, you wonder?) with KD's album Invincible Summer and Uh huh her's songs Explode, Mystery lights, Run, Not a love song... Luv'em.
*Laura*

Anonymous said...

Hey Ms. Snarker...consider going old school with a little Lesley Gore:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmOrWG2FTbg

But you don't have to stick with the oldies. Her album of a couple years ago has some good stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBGDtNJeBPA

mel p said...

ooh, excellent! got to love new music hints. I just discovered Sia, too, finally. I always find that the "so very gay" Dykes and the City has super tips for things I never would have found myself, and her girlfriend Frau Genau mixes up a storm. (See if you can stop dancing around the kitchen to Ready for the Floor from Hot Chip, I challenge you!)

TheWeyrd1 said...

My friend Melanie Susurus has a new CD out "Stop to Stand" which I haven't bought yet, because she hasn't had the CD release party yet and I want the ACTUAL disk (it's a generational thing). But she has a great tune from it on her myspace called "Fingerprints" go here: http://www.myspace.com/msb
You can also buy her first CD "Berefoot Again" that won her a spot in the Lilith Faire when K's Choice was also playing. I absolutely love the song "She" and about half the CD is really good. I suspect most of the new CD is going to be great (I like all the tracks I've heard when she plays them live).

Anonymous said...

Mirah is great lady music. You got the gay. You got the singer-songwriter. You got the barefoot on stage performances. You got the lyrics like: "But it can be a lonely place/Desire comes, desire fades/There's a bright one caught your fancy eye/It's okay as long as you stay mine."

And I'll throw Lucinda Williams out there - the safe, real kind of country music.

And Neko Case. Gotta love that Teenage Feeling.

And I'll throw my favorite old school lady in here - Etta James. Not recent gospel Etta James, and not just "At Last" Etta James. 50s and 60s Etta James, especially The Complete Mussel Shoals Sessions that she recorded when she was seven months pregnant. Her version of "Do Right Woman" wipes the floor with Aretha's.

Kricky said...

"Overpowered" by Roisin Murphy, "In Ghost Colours" by Cut Copy, and "Robyn" by Robyn are my favorite albums of the past few months.

TheWeyrd1 said...

And by the way, it's pretty obvious by her page and some of her songs, but Melanie is out. Her new song "Unfinished" is also really really good!

Jumping Flea, Cleveland said...

"Who should I be listening to?" is my favorite question to answer!!

She&Him - Breeders - Portishead - Ravonettes - El Perro Del Mar - Afternoon Naps

All these artists have new cds out. If ya wanna listen to some new but not "brand new":

Stereolab - Jens Lekman - Magnetic Fields - Camera Obscura - Beirut - Electrelane

OR...you can just download or listen to my indie rock and pop radio show, "stonecoldbikini". www.stonecoldbikini.com

There is a weekly archive online:
http://www.wruw.org/guide/index.php?form_submit=1&g=&d=4

Ugh..this sounds like an ad. Im sorry.

Anonymous said...

I like Duffy. She was rocking it out on Ellen Friday. Plus she's cute.

Unknown said...

For something a little (alright, a lot) weird, check out Bat for Lashes' album "Fur and Gold."
-> key tracks: Tahiti, Prescilla, What's a Girl to Do?

I'll repeat other comments by suggesting Sia's newest album "Some People Have Real Problems."

I absolutely adore Iron and Wine's album "The Shepherd's Dog."
-> key tracks: Boy With a Coin

Kaki King never ceases to amaze, so check out "Dreaming of Revenge" if you haven't already.
-> key tracks: Air and Kilometers

I recently re-acquainted myself with KT Tunstall, via her album "Drastic Fantastic" and realized what I'd been missing.
-> key tracks: If Only, Funnyman, Little Favours

Lastly, I am stunned by the awesomeness that is Neko Case's "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood."
-> key tracks: Hold On Hold On, Star Witness, That Teenage Feeling

Other albums worth mentioning: The New Pornographers' "Challengers," The Shins' "Wincing the Night Away, Menomena's "Friend and Foe," and Pinback's "Summer in Abaddon"

Anonymous said...

sarah slean.

Amanda Styles said...

Check out Michelle Malone. Her music is fantastic and she's a very good looking, out lesbian. What's not to love?

http://www.michellemalone.com/

Anonymous said...

My most recently favorite artists are Regina Spektor (lovely piano and lovelier singing) and Imogen Heap. My Brightest Diamond is also quite spectacular. Regina's the best, though.

Anonymous said...

"Josephine" by Tori Amos. This song just gets me. It still makes me cry. If anything, I would have to say it is my favourite short song... way too short song.

Also, if French songs don't scare you too much, one that I never stop playing on my Ipod these days is "Quelqu'un m'a dit" by Carla Bruni (the model turned singer, who is now with Sarkozy - France's president). The song is great, but the lyrics make the difference to me... so if understanding comes in the way, then I don't know how it affects the song.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fMUedRUJ_HA

Gaëllan said...

Queen Adreena, everything
Charlotte Gainsbourg, 5:55 (the entire CD)
Bjork and PJ Harvey, Satisfaction (Rolling stones cover)
Sinnead O'Connor and The Cheiftains, The foggy dew
Superbus (the 3 albums)
Joan Baez, pretty much everything
Bob Dylan (classic but I like to relisten it once in a while)
Madonna's last album Hard Candy

...

Anonymous said...

My current favorites (many have already been mentioned):
Cat Power
Beth Orton
Martha Wainwright
Regina Spektor
Mary Margaret O'hara (hard to find CDs but fabulously freaky! check her out on youtube.)
Neko Case

Good luck!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Thank you for mentioning Sarah Bettens in your post. She and the boys in the band are sweet.
I had an inkling ever since I saw her perform as "Sarah Beth" - before K's Choice was founded. So when she finally came out I could only smile...

I'm currently listening to
"That was a lie" by Sharleen Spiteri (free d/l here: http://www.u-download.co.uk/sharleensthatwasalie)
"Fascination" by Alphabeat
"Good DJ" by the Ting Tings
"L.E.S. Artistes" by Santogold

Misgrace said...

@Mara: Sharleen Spiteri has such a wonderful voice, eh. Caught her on Later with Jools Holland last Saturday. Two songs! And a new album to boot.

Anonymous said...

Hooverphonic : Everything !!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ehaxni9bY

Sinead O’Connor : No man’s woman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCyKEKi4fP4

Skye(ex-Morcheeba) : her first solo album Mind how you go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1uGbh96y-4

Keren Ann : Not going anywhere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1504cSBhWG0

Leona Naess : Ballerina
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LDTbhHwcd8

Anonymous said...

Brandi Carlile! She's a great singer and she's gay and HOT to boot.

www.brandicarlile.com

Anonymous said...

All right, I've never posted befoe, but I can't resist anyne asking for music.

Sons and Daughters: fabulous Scottish rock, fantastic vocalist with a sexy Glasgow accent - http://youtube.com/watch?v=tvGxzg7-GQo

Sharon Jones: amazing old motown style - http://youtube.com/watch?v=8ouI5KcyHfE

Beirut: beautiful eastern-european style, lovely vocals (male, though) - http://youtube.com/watch?v=AD5hg0maVNw

Charlotte Gainsburg: wonderful french actress (she was in The Science of Sleep and The Cement Garden) she has a very nice voice and I quite like her CD - http://youtube.com/watch?v=SAMinYXnrS4

Cat Power: You've probably heard of her before, I love her voice and music. She seems to be very your style - http://youtube.com/watch?v=lnSjtKFcW1Y

The Like: They're cute, but not mind-boggling or anything. I like them, though - http://youtube.com/watch?v=iHEDL4-REq0

Here's some really good ones you might have heard of before:

The White Stripes (live, even if you've already heard them, you should watch this, it's amaing) - http://youtube.com/watch?v=-t1_ETuWIbE

Edith Piaf - http://youtube.com/watch?v=rbsl5_203Ms

The Shangri-Las - http://youtube.com/watch?v=gOdP_VvPKHU

PJ HARVEY (my all-time fave) - http://youtube.com/watch?v=kKLPMZ-PSBQ

Rilo Kiley - http://youtube.com/watch?v=mtyhWo8qngk

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - http://youtube.com/watch?v=-cvrYc4ccd8

Madeline Peyroux - http://youtube.com/watch?v=L1kXgaqF6lA

Metric - http://youtube.com/watch?v=tf6VxRENc1o

The Noisettes - http://youtube.com/watch?v=C91iV8gQb1U

Klaus Nomi!! - http://youtube.com/watch?v=gma5IUNMTn0

Enjoy. I love your blog.

Amanda said...

Hm, I see there's another Amanda on here. Oh well.

But yeah, Kaki King is a must.

Anonymous said...

they've unfortunately broken up, but definitely definitely The Organ.

nzlesbian said...

Goldfrapp's latest album, 'Seventh Tree' is masterful. "Felt Mountain' from 2000 is also extraordinary.

Penny Cillin said...

Gina Catalino. She's fabulous. Also, The Day After... - Counting All the Upsets is a great album.

Anonymous said...

there's always ben harper, death cab, decerberists, joseph arthur, xavier rudd, brett dennen

but lately i've been kinda stuck on rilo kiley and thao nguyen.

moinfo said...

The new one by Bitter:Sweet called Drama

Anonymous said...

Brandi Carlile all the way.. Her voice is SICK.
Watch this video, you won't be dissapointed.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2mF9XAs5Dmo

Also Joanna Newsom. Some people just don't get her and find her voice annoying when actually I think it's really beautiful. She really is a musical genius and looks like an elf/pixie/fairy. Her album Ys is literally a masterpiece and she plays the harp which is hot.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hVx_kVtFI9E

Anonymous said...

If you don't mind streaming audio, check out www.pandora.com

input one of those four songs and see what comes up.

amanda said...

Brandi Carlile, Regina Spektor

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is fun. Here are a few of my recent favs:

Adele - 19
Sia - Some People Have all the Problems
Basia Bulat - Oh, My Darling
Brandi Carlile - The Story
Rilo Kiley - Under the Backlight

And the if you are in a romantic mood:
Jimmy Scott - All the Way

Sera Alastia-Promit said...

Everyone loves to show off how much hip music they know.

I just wanted to say that I like your new choices and Great Northern is a magnificent band. I had a chance to see them at the Hammer museum during their summer rock series. I often go there or to other museums for new musical inspiration. I prefer to find/come upon music, rather than be told what is good.

I'm also a huge fan of ilike.com because they link me with people who have similar musical tastes and there is a large database for new artists.

just some suggestions for searching...

Janet said...

Katie Sawicki

Natalia Zuckerman

Sometymes Why

Be Good Tanyas

Po' Girl

Wailin' Jennys

Anonymous said...

The Builders & The Butchers; they're not queer, but they're still damn good. Start with Vampire Lake or When it Rains and you'll be mighty glad you did.

Also, "Ah Mary" by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. She's straight but she doesn't sing like it.

Anonymous said...

Girlyman-- Young James Dean

My friend described the guitar hook in this folksy song as "delicious," and that's the best word I can think of.

And since you like Ani, I'd recommend Brenda Weiler, particularly "Sweet Lullaby" or "Tease."

A.M. May said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Andro-boi said...

Fallsway Downs (myspace.com/fallswaydowns)
Terra Naomi (http://www.myspace.com/terranaomi and terranaomi.com),
Jenny Owen Youngs (http://www.myspace.com/jennyowenyoungs and jennyowenyoungs.com), Poe (especially Beautiful Girl), Pink, Natalie Imbruglia, Meredith Brooks, Melissa Ferrick, Lo-Ball, Dido

If you like spoken word poetry, check out Andrea Gibson (andreagibson.com) and Alix Olson. They're both really good.

A.M. May said...

I too adore Feist and have so since i first heard 'lonely,lonely' on the L word...here is a list of my favourite musical heartbreakers:

Neko Case
Rufus Wainwright
Sia
Josh Pyke
and especially Clare Bowditch: awesomely talented, down-to-earth and gorgeous to boot.

And for fun:
M.I.A.
Dragonette
New Young Pony Club


http://artlifeetc.blogspot.com

Vale said...

- The whole Albertine album by Brooke Fraser
- songs by Italian singer Mina Mazzini (you might not understand the lyrics, but she's got the best fucking voice ever -- and she also made a cover of More than words, but it's not one of the best performances)
- L'esigenza, by Radiodervish (I'd be glad to provide you with a translation of the lyrics)
- Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
- Crazy on you by Heart (not new, i know...but sometimes it's just ood to go back and start singing like a dork using a pen as a microphone)
- Advice for young mothers to be, by the Veils
- Waves, by Mono Band
- Lonely day, by System of a down
- the whole The Mass album by Era (new age, with fake latin -- very moving althought sort of, well. weird.)
- the albums hybrid theory and meteora by linkin park (i had never noticed their music was so....emo, until i saw it written somewhere. huh.)
- Stop! in the name of love - by Diana Ross
- Chop Suey by System of a Down
- Dreame baby dream by suicide - i think i only like this song because of the slideshow i saw once of george lange's pictures, you can watch it at his website. it's so damn inspiring
- Heartbreaker by pat benatar - again with the pen as a microphone! except this song might (and i'm not admitting to anything) cause seizure-like movements that are supposed to pass as dance moves
- Hey Julie by fountains of Wayne
- Hey there Delilah by Plan White T's - but i might like this song just cause my girl's name is Delilah too
- Ordinary life, by liquido

and i'll stop now, cause i just got to the O in my music collection, skipping good songs, and if i keep going this comment will just become a post in and of itself...

Anonymous said...

Jeez Ms. Snarker! You're going have your work cut out for you checking all these suggestions :)(altho I might check some out myself)

Here's my list to add to your load!

None of them are new, but they were to me:

In a manner of speaking - Nouvelle Vague (French Group who sings in English)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPR2bK3kL5c&feature=related

The Valley, Bird on a Wire, Hallulujah - k d lang (all from her previous album Hymns of the 49th Parallel)
all on YouTube. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

missy higgins is A.m.a.z.i.n.g.
try antigone rising...also amazing

asher said...

just go to pandora.com
enter a song or artist you like and they'll play other stuff you'll like. you rate it (if you want) and they learn you better. it's the music genome project, and it's pretty amazing.

Anonymous said...

Mary Gauthier
www.marygauthier.com

and I second the Brandi Carlile motions...

Anonymous said...

Jess Harlen:

http://www.myspace.com/soundslikesoul

jessharlen.com

Anonymous said...

okay so i know i'm super late to comment BUT check out Jaymay and Basia Bulat...you will NOT be sorry!
they both have myspaces so you can sample their music before you inevitably purchase their albums in their entirety because they're so magical.

Anonymous said...

I'm late in recommendation too, but check out

- Kat Frankie
- Wallis Bird
- Aimee Mann
- Ingrid Michaelson
- José González
- Lykke Li
- Maria Taylor
- the Notwist
- Camera Obscura
- Moonbabies
- Broken Social Scene
- The Concretes
- Northern State (so much fun!)
- The Dø
- An Horse
- Junior Boys

Ooops, I didn't realize it was gonna be this many!

For Va Jay Jays Only said...

i just wanted to say thank you...i'm always looking for good music and pod cast...i will be checking out what is listed here also

check out heather green

or check out myspace.com/forvajayjaysonly

have a great day everyone

Anonymous said...

I like looking through old posts.

Nobody had mentioned any 'out there' music. It was all fairly well known, and all worthy of a checking out if you hadn't already.

I'm going to recommend you sites which will recommend you music. It's not as good as person-to-person recommendations, but it's the next best thing.

www.last.fm
^Simple as finding an artist's page and looking at the "similar artists" reel.

www.music-map.com
^Just type in the artist name and it shows a splurge of artists. The closer they are the more similar they are, apparently.

I recommend Frightened Rabbit.
A Scottish band that have been touring with Death Cab for Cutie. Probably the best band of 2008.

Second recommendation: Florence and the Machine.
They're going to be HUGE in 2009. I'd say they were a band version of Laura Marling (who is worth checking out if you haven't already).
I would also recommend: Ruby and her Whorses.
She's a poet on that guitar.
www.myspace.com/rubyandherwhorses

I can almost guarantee you that you wont be disappointed. If you are, I'll make it up to you- in ANY way you see fit.

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