Playlist Nov. 28th, 2011

Mostly new, upbeat, happy stuff with lots of horns and a couple of throwbacks. “Ray Charles” - Chiddy Bang “I Feel Better” - Gotye “Barton Hollow” - The Civil Wars “Get ‘Em High” - Kanye West “New Lands” - Justice “God Put a Smile Upon Your Face” - Mark Ronson (ft. The Daptone Horns) “We Found Love” - Rihanna (ft. Calvin Harris) “Settle Down” - Kimbra “The Weight of Love” - Snow Patrol “Low Road” - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “Don’t Gotta Work it Out” - Fitz and the Tantrums “Shake it Out” - Florence + the Machine “Weathervanes and Chemicals” - Team Me “I Want You Back” - Jackson 5

Cover Music - James Vincent McMorrow

Irish indie artist James Vincent McMorrow experienced modest notoriety with the 2010 release of his first full length album Early in the Morning (which is great - I think I like it more than the comparable 2011 Bon Iver).

Check out his beautifully mellow cover of Steve Winwood's "Higher Love".

New Track: Foster the People

Yes, yes, yes. Everyone is still drooling over Foster the People's May release of Torches, and it definitely deserves props, but I think it's time to shift a little attention to FtP's new stuff. Like "Love".

The best way to describe this song and WHY I love it is by comparing it to songs from the masterpiece album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

The song is typical FtP in its catchy melodies and lyrics, but also in that there's this overall creepy undercurrent. Think about it - how many times did you listen to "Pumped Up Kicks" before you realized it was a commentary on gun violence? Sgt. Pepper's is that way too. Everything seems so whimsical and happy, but at the same time, the entire album it feels like bad news is approaching. For me, the closest parallel is "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite".

The first similarity you'll notice when listening is the jaunty boom-tsssh line from the drumset in "Mr. Kite" and the synth (probably) in "Love". These beats shape each song.

The second thing that tugged on my ear was the echo-quality to the word "Love" in the chorus. Doesn't it sound eerily similar to the line "I'd love to turn you on" from the Sgt's Pepper's closing song "A Day in the Life"? Pardon me if I'm wrong, but I believe they also hit the same notes: "turn you on" and "love love love".

Lastly, Mark Foster's vocals stylings (not the timbre as much) are reminiscent of Paul McCartney: "I've got the fever/Got the fever/Got the fever yeah".

Generally, if a band reminds me of the Beatles at all, that's a good sign, and "Love" is no exception.

"Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - the Beatles
Download
Or watch:



"A Day in the Life" - The Beatles
Download
Or Watch:


"Love" - Foster the People



PS - This is what happens when I go so long without updating.

Adele Covers: Linkin Park and Jeremih

Anyone else sick of Adele covers and remixes yet? See, I thought I was too. Until I saw the names Linkin Park and Jeremih.

Linkin Park try their hand at "Rolling in the Deep" in front of their audience at the iTunes Festival in London on July 4th. The song is a gentle reminder that Chester can approach a song's vocals with sensitivity. Other than that, they didn't stray far from the original.

"Rolling in the Deep (Adele Cover)" - Linkin Park


Jeremih recently sat down with Billboard.com and performed his rendition of "Rumour Has It" while playing the drums and keyboard. Watch out for the cut to "Ice Ice Baby," "Under Pressure" and then his own single "Down On Me" towards the end there.



P.S. I highly recommend checking out the iTunes Store and checking out the shows available from iTunes Festival!

New Artist: Selah Sue

I first came across Selah Sue's name while listening to Cee-Lo Green's 2010 release The Lady Killer. Her feature on the song "Please" exhibit her passion for soul music and her vocal power that belie her 20 years. As of right now, Selah Sue only has an EP release (Raggamuffin) here in the states though you can find her self-titled full length if you look hard enough. Her own style on the album reflects more folk and reggae influences.

Ok, 3 additional things:

1. She's not just a vocalist - she performs with the guitar as well
2. She's from Belgium - apparently they have a burgeoning rock scene.
3. She performed at the iTunes Festival a few days ago and the video is available to watch for free in the iTunes store (along with Raphael Saadiq's, Jimmy Eat World, and Arctic Monkey's set).

Bonus: SHE'S TWENTY YEARS OLD.

"Raggamuffin" - Selah Sue

Playing Catch-Up: Matt Duncan

I'm currently digging "Beacon," this cheery tune from Matt Duncan's 2010 EP release of the same name. As for his whole sound, think folksy, brassy, and sometimes hollow (like Jens Lekman). This song has got that sunny-sunday-morning, frisbee-in-the-park kind of feel. Give it a try!

"Beacon" - Matt Duncan

New EP: Dispatch

In their first new release since 1999, Dispatch retain their musical wisdom and stick to their folk instinct. They're still singing about the same big issues, but nothing sounds tired. Dispatch EP is a fantastic disc. While I was disappointed with the lack of rap on the EP, they're still my favorite flavor of jam band.

"Beto" - Dispatch

The First Summer 2011 Mix

"Second Chance" - Peter Bjorn and John
"Hawaiian Air" - Friendly Fires
"Climbing Walls" - Strange Talk
"Sydney (I'll Come Running" - Brett Dennen
"Run the World (Girls)" - Beyoncé
"Stare into the Sun" - Graffiti6
"Mr. Blue Sky (ELO Cover)" - Mayer Hawthorne
"Walking Away (Cosmonaut Grechko Version)" - Druma Kina
"Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" - Arctic Monkeys
"Call It What You Want" - Foster the People
"Bloody Poetry" - Grieves
"Take Me Over" - Cut Copy
"Two Against One" - Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi
"Jericho" - Jamaica
"Go!" - Santigold ft/ Karen O
"Heatwave" - Chiddy Bang ft. Mac Miller
"The Bike Song" - Mark Ronson and the Business Intl
"Get Some" - Lykke Li
"We Will All Be Changed" - Seryn
"Ready to Go" - The Dean's List

Links removed =(

Email musicsequitur@gmail.com for the playlist!
Enjoy!

New Track: The Dean's List

In the style of Chiddy Bang, The Dean's List blurs the line between hip-hop and straight up pop. Check it out below, and download the entire mixtape, The Drive-In, here.

"Dear Professor" - The Dean's List

New Single: Justice

The "other" French electro power duo are finally back (wow, Daft Punk much?) with their best hit yet. Energizing and BIG are probably the two best words for "Civilization." It makes me think of an ancient Aztec sacrifice scene because the sound and lyrics are so primal but it's juxtaposed by the clear, clean electro effects. Look out for it on the best of 2011 list!

Bonus points for the song getting on an Adidas commercial. Bonus points to Adidas for using Justice in their commercial.

"Civilization" - Justice

Time Warp(?): Fitz and the Tantrums

Michael Fitzpatrick and his Tantrums churned out their neo-soul album Pickin' Up the Pieces in 2010. Since then, they've gained traction with late-night show appearances, their throwback Motown feel and this gem:

"MoneyGrabber" - Fitz and the Tantrums

Semi-New Stuff: Jessie J

Jessie J has already topped the charts in the UK for her anthem "Price Tag," but I'm still waiting for it to happen in the US. Have had this one stuck in my head for at least the past week.

"Price Tag" - Jessie J ft. B.o.B

Best of 2010: Best Songs: 25-1

25, "In the Sun" - She & Him


24. "Dancing With a Ghost" - Valencia


23. "New York is Killing Me" - Gil Scott-Heron ft. Mos Def


22. "Barbra Streisand (O-God Remix)" - Duck Sauce


21. "Shutterbugg" - Big Boi ft. Cutty


20. "Boy" - Ra Ra Riot


19. "Dynamite" - Taio Cruz


18. "Crossfire" - Brandon Flowers


17. "One" - Swedish House Mafia


16. "My Best Theory" - Jimmy Eat World


15. "The Other Side" - Bruno Mars ft. B.o.B and Cee-Lo


14. "California Gurls" - Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg


13. "Stereo Love" - Edward Maya ft. Vika Jigulina


12. "King of Anything" - Sara Bareilles


11. "Tighten Up" - The Black Keys


10. "Night by Night" - Chromeo


9. "Kids (Opposite of Adults)" - Chiddy Bang ft. MGMT


8. "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)" - Arcade Fire


7. "The Ghost Inside" - Broken Bells


6. "Giving Up the Gun" - Vampire Weekend


5. "Airplanes Pt. II" - B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams and Eminem


4. "Stay Too Long" - Plan B


3. "Power" - Kanye West ft. Dwele


2. "Dance or Die" - Janelle Monáe ft. Saul Williams


1. "Fuck You" - Cee-Lo Green



Woohoo!

Best of 2010: Best Songs: 50-26

50. "Bottled in Cork" - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists


49. "The Curse" - Josh Ritter


48. "Tenderoni" - Kele


47. "Blue Blood Blues" - The Dead Weather


46. "Na Na Na" - My Chemical Romance


45. "Not Afraid" - Eminem


44. "You Be Killin' Em" - Fabolous


43. "One Life Stand" - Hot Chip


42. "Rules Don't Stop" - We Are Scientists


41. "The Blackest Lily" - Corinne Bailey Rae


40. "Quiet Little Voices" - We Were Promised Jetpacks


39. "Texico Bitches" - Broken Social Scene


38. "Letters from the Sky" - Civil Twilight
http://www.divshare.com/download/13980478-bdb

37. "Zebra" - Beach House
http://www.divshare.com/download/13980479-096

36. "Yeah (3x)" - Chris Brown


35. "Heartbeat Song" - The Futureheads


34. "Swoon" - The Chemical Brothers


33. "Would It Kill You?" - Hellogoodbye


32. "Yeah Yeah Yeah" - New Politics


31. "Erase Me" - Kid Cudi ft. Kanye West


30. "DJ Got Us Falling in Love" - Usher


29. "Repo Man" - Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs


28. "Stylo" - Gorillaz


27. "Everybody Else" - Daphne Willis


26. "Written in Reverse" - Spoon

Best of 2010: Best Albums 10-1

Woohoo! Down to the top ten albums!
Keep in mind that this list does not include mixtapes or EPs, and the songs for each album WILL NOT appear on the Top 50 Songs list.

10. The Orchard by Ra Ra Riot



Ra Ra Riot collaborated with Death Cab for Cutie and Vampire Weekend for their latest LP and it's naturally chock full of catchy, polished jingles. Bright melodies and an even brighter cello makes the album pretty irresistible.

"Too Dramatic" - Ra Ra Riot



9. Transference by Spoon



Spoon's blend of garage indie rock made an impact once again and they never fail to write about awesome, if not wild, stuff. Spoon = solid, solid indie rock.

"The Mystery Zone" - Spoon



8. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz



Gorillaz has always been able to evade categorization into a genre, and it's because they do everything so well. R&B, indie, rap, electropop are all inadequate descriptions. To top it off, Damon Albarn is the master of concept albums, having carried this story through 3 albums.

"Superfast Jellyfish" - Gorillaz ft. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul



7. Brothers by The Black Keys



The Black Keys really make the basics shine. Everything is a rudimentary rock chord progression, and the lyrics are in the style of traditional blues artists. They're like a modern day Bo Diddley, and Brothers is the album to make kids like the blues again.

"Howlin' for You" - The Black Keys



6. Broken Bells by Broken Bells



'Tis a beautiful thing when two completely different artists produce a happy collaboration. Danger Mouse is an old pro when it comes to harmonious partnerships, and perhaps that's why it is so surprising that James Mercer's soft indie rock is more prominent in their sound. We're happy for it, of course!

"The High Road" - Broken Bells
http://www.divshare.com/download/13765015-c33


5. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire



Arcade Fire has always been dramatic, even when you just consider the twenty-some instruments they play. Each and every track of The Suburbs is a grand theatrical experiment. Each song vastly different from the next. Some are written from the teenage soul, some from the middle-age, and all written with trembling respect for the integrity of music itself.

"Month of May" - Arcade Fire


4. The Defamation of Strickland Banks by Plan B



One of the best concept albums in the past ten years. Sure there are a couple plot holes here or there, but the fact that Ben Drew completely refashioned his style from rap into high grade soul is impressive alone.

"Free" - Plan B


3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West



Kanye is so creative in his execution and so passionate in his delivery (but not like the always angry Eminem). He's got this expansive range of emotion and style and takes it to the limit in the best way.

"All of the Lights" - Kanye West


2. Contra by Vampire Weekend



Early in 2010 Vampire Weekend's sophomore album impacted with force. Songs without (vocal) choruses, songs with autotune, and songs with every kind of influence imaginable. The album feels full to the brim.

"Cousins" - Vampire Weekend


"California English" - Vampire Weekend


1. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe



Monáe is the whole package - she's an entertainer. She's that person you hate because she excels at everything. Dancing, R&B, Rap, Soul, Pop, covers, drama, collaborations, the concept album. And it all comes together in her live show. The music videos are a nice consolation though. Actually, just get the album.

"Tightrope" - Janelle Monáe ft. Big Boi


"Cold War" - Janelle Monáe

Best of 2010: Best Albums: 20-11

Honorable Mentions: Brandon Flowers, Broken Social Scene, Chemical Brothers, Katy Perry, Robyn, Usher and Wu Tang Clan. All were good, but the following 20 are truly elite.

20. God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise - Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs



LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs get so country and folksy they're almost funky!

"Beg, Borrow or Steal" - Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs



19. The Adventures of Bobby Ray - B.o.B



After all the hype he generated with his mixtape, B.o.B didn't fail to deliver. He shows emotion, without the uncontrolled anger. He plays multiple instruments on his albums and at his concerts and he's quite plainly a great entertainer.

"Magic" - B.o.B ft. Rivers Cuomo



18. What to Say - Daphne Willis



Daphne Willis is delightfully innocent and heartfelt. Her music is easy to take in and usually happy and optimistic. Who doesn't want to experience music like that? That's not to say that she is in any way disingenuous, on the contrary, but it does mean that this deserves several listens, and earns a spot on the Top 20.

"What to Say" - Daphne Willis



17. Sir Lucious Leftfoot: Son of Chico Dusty - Big Boi



Big Boi made his understated return with Lucious Leftfoot in July of 2010 after disputes with his ex-label, Jive. The innovative sounds on the album are awesome, but of course, the best part is Big Boi's lyricism.

"Shine Blockas" - Big Boi ft. Gucci Mane



16. Kaleidoscope - Sara Bareilles



This album has perhaps the greatest opener and closer pair of any other album on this list. Obviously that's not the only reason this album is on this list, but her talents that are featured on both are. Both showcase her voice and simple, but beautiful writing. That fact that it's good pop is a happy coincidence.

"Uncharted" - Sara Bareilles



15. Business Casual - Chromeo



The Chromeo duo put out their third and best LP in 2010. They artfully manage synth beats and the talk box into an electrofunk club beast. It's the soundtrack to the Saturday night full of dancing, club-hopping and seduction.

"Don't Turn the Lights On" - Chromeo


14. The Sea - Corinne Bailey Rae



The Sea was a really important LP in Corinne Bailey Rae's career. Written while she was coming terms with her husband's accidental overdose. It's the same voice from "Put Your Records On," but you can feel the pain and the strength.

"Feels Like the First Time" - Corinne Bailey Rae



13. Volume Two - She & Him



After they generated so many expectations with Volume One, this perfectly balanced group rose to the occasion and put out this sunny, summery album. They're folksy in their ability to tell stories, funky with his guitar and bluesy with her vocals - and then they blur the lines.

"Ridin' in My Car" - She & Him



12. Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager - Kid Cudi



Sure, all he talks about is weed, but he's still got that appeal that reaches beyond just stoners. The ethereal beats and his sarcasm are easy to chill out with.

"Mojo So Dope"



11. The Lady Killer - Cee-Lo Green



"Fuck You" really kind of stole the spotlight away from the rest of this album. Cee-Lo Green is one hell of a soul singer, and the album itself is dramatic and old-school.

"Bright Lights Bigger City" - Cee-Lo Green



Top Ten coming up soon!

Best of 2010: Mixtapes

We love artists that give away free music, but even more so, we love artists that give away awesome free music. Big ups to these artists in 2010:

5. Lazerproof by Major Lazer and La Roux



Major Lazer and La Roux teamed up for this Mad Decent mixtape. Some new verses, lots of new beats and some creative mashups of songs from the albums La Roux and Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do.

"Independent Kill" - Major Lazer and La Roux




4. More About Nothing by Wale



Wale continued his streak of awesome mixtapes in 2010 with this compilation of awesome lyrics against solid, if not mainstream-appealing, beats. There are some great collaborations in this one...

"Black N Gold" - Wale ft. Sam Sparro




3. The RE:Union Mixtape by Reflection Eternal (DJ Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli)



You wanna talk bomb lyricists? Let's talk Talib Kweli. Wanna talk badass traditional beatsmiths? Let's talk Hi-Tek. This thirty track masterpiece hits hard on old school hip-hop, but it doesn't ignore contemporary and cutting edge aspects of the genre. RE:Union is the history album.

"Revolutions per Minute" - Reflection Eternal


2. All Day by Girl Talk



Girl Talk strikes gold once more with this massive mixtape released in November of 2010. With numerous artists and just as many titles, this 90 minutes track on repeat is the only thing you need for a party.

Clip from "All Day" - Girl Talk


1. Air Swell and The Preview by Chiddy Bang



Chiddy Bang's combined output this past year in the form of Air Swell and The Preview has been phenomenal. The Swelly Express (released in 2009) tells the "fictional" story of two kids from Philadelphia trying to break into the music industry, and Air Swell and The Preview continue to build hype for a real album. These guys are obviously interested in indie bands and their ability to take songs and make it their own is delightful. Keep an eye out for these guys in the coming year.

"Truth" - Chiddy Bang ft. Passion Pit




Albums and Songs of 2011 to come SOON!