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
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Or watch:



"A Day in the Life" - The Beatles
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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