Stuck In My Skull 551 -- "Cool Kids"

Song: "Cool Kids" || Artist: Echosmith || http://youtu.be/SSCzDykng4g ||

Comments: Good morning, everyone! Today's song has been stuck in my head off and on for several days, so I figured it's high time I looked it up and shared it with you all. I first heard this song on pop radio, and according to Wikipedia this song made it to 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The artist, Echosmith, is apparently a group of four siblings. Unlike many fairly tumultuous families, these four brothers and sisters play nicely together, creating a really excellent indie pop/rock song. It's calm, upbeat, and catchy. Well done, Echosmith, well done.

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Stuck In My Skull 427 -- "Skinny Love"

Song: "Skinny Love" || Artist: Bon Iver || http://youtu.be/UrMmr1oMPGA ||

Comments: Welcome to hipster music. There's just one problem -- it can't be hipster music, because you've probably heard this song at least once. Whether or not it can still be called hipster-riffic is a question best left for linguists and philosophers. If all hipster music were this good, it wouldn't be hipster music anymore, because it would have gone mainstream as this song did. "Skinny Love" is as lyrically deep (or supposed to sound like it) as any decent indie track. This is musically less complex than many indie tracks, as Bon Iver favours the minimalist side compared to the big-band sound of some other outfits. But enough trying to analyze it -- it's a good track, so enjoy.

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[Secret Sounds] ~ Moto Boy - The Heart is a Rebel

Track: The Heart Is a Rebel
Artist: Moto Boy

Moto Boy is Oskar Humlebo, a Swedish indie pop-rocker who has toured with the Cardigans and has several of his own studio albums, the next one to be released in fall of this year. His music has been played on the radio all across the globe.

This track opens with electric guitar arpeggios and the soft but full vocals. The leading tones beautifully guide the melody through the chord progression. The cello enters and adds great texture, supporting the chords opposite the guitar, whilst the mesmerizing ebb and flow of the melody weaves between it. The sustained, lilting strings of the chorus bring even more emotion and shape to the arrangement. As the song winds down, it circles back to the start of electric guitar and vocals, until the fades as well, leaving the vocals to echo poignantly.

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ETC Sorry, readers.

Right, guys. So I have been crazy listening to Miss Higgins and so I don't have a Two Timing Tuesday for you. Additionally, I realised when writing this post that I used this song a few weeks ago when I used her on a Tuesday. So!  With that, I do not have anything new to share with you, but I kept the post that I wrote for this even though I've already used because, well, I took the time to write it. Have a great day. 

Song: "Set Me On Fire" ~ Artist: Missy Higgins

~ http://youtu.be/RP6USSSmXis ~

Comments:   Happy Tuesday, all. Sorry I am not coming up with a Two Timing Tuesday this time. I have listened to this artist so much the last few days and this song in particular has been on loop and played probably 7 or 8 times in the last hour and a half. This song is a foot tapping favourite of mind. It makes me want to snap my fingers and sing along. This song has a jazzy beginning with a quick, staccato tempo and the chorus turns into more of a relaxed pop tune.  The bridge turns a bit slow, but doesn't take long to pick up to the relaxing yet mildly quick beat.  This song also does a good job of showing some of the range in Miss Higgins voice. What I like about her voice that is different from some of the other artists is the subtlety she has and the fact that you can hear her Australian accent when she sings. Normally accents are hidden in their songs, but no hers and it's a nice change up. 

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[Secret Sounds] ~ Phosphorescent - Song For Zula

Track: Song For Zula
Artist: Phosphorescent
Download: Amazon
Phosphorescent is a group that has had various compositions and dabbled in many different genres over the years, but right now, it consists of only its founder, Matthew Houck, who is experimenting with folk rock with electronic influences. He got a big break after having some life crisis and going to Mexico to chill, be a hipster, and develop his latest album, "Muchacho".

Once in a while, you happen upon a song whose notes reach out to you, whose sound interlocks with your neurons and fills in the craters of silence burnt out by unanswered questions. Song for Zula did just that for me. This song's simplicity--with the extremely common chord progression and typical rhythm--is illusory. The form is a double parabola, with the second one peaking higher, or a type of A A' repeat. The track opens with a sawing violin, which is again deceptive in its simplicity. Immediately shining is the superb reverb in both the percussion and strings, which gives great ambiance. Some of the later string flourishes have a Middle Eastern influence, which unexpectedly blends nicely. The melody is beautifully shaped throughout, and the piece whirls in an entrancing cycle, powered by the evocative lyrics. The violin solo, complete with double stops, really compliments the role of the strings in the rest of the tune. Kudos to Phorphorescent for the ability to turn such a simple base into such a complex and interesting arrangement.

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Stuck In My Skull 373 -- "How You Like Me Now?"

Song: "How You Like Me Now?" || Artist: The Heavy || http://youtu.be/sVzvRsl4rEM ||

Comments: Happy Friday, folks! First of all, I would like to thank Amanda for telling me about this band. I would like to thank for Macauley for reminding me about this band. And I would really really really like to thank Amanda for not going insane because I always manage to forget about bands she's told me about. I'm sorry!
Song. What's not to love about this song? The instrumentation is fantastic, with those horns that I've been digging lately (since yesterday). The guitars on this track are just right, complementing the vocals, and the thing they do (or is it the keyboards?) on the third beat is just fantastic. The drumming seals the deal with that groove-able beat that just makes you move. And the vocals? Love 'em. Enjoy!

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Stuck In My Skull 367 -- "Default"

Song: "Default" || Artist: Django Django || http://youtu.be/DDjpOrlfh0Y ||

[youtube http://youtu.be/DDjpOrlfh0Y]

Comments: Props to Alex D-B for tossing me this little ditty, and oh, is it interesting. I haven't heard a sound like this before, and I'm really liking it. It sounds eclectic and almost acoustic, which makes no sense, because I know full well this isn't acoustic, but that's what it reminds me of. The video is artistic in the sense of "look at all that paint!" and I love it too. In short, I love everything about this song, so thanks to Alex! Now go listen!

 

Remember: We're moving to stuckinmyskull.blogspot.com on Monday! Update your bookmarks!

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Stuck In My Skull 366 -- "I Want You, But I Don't Need You"

Song: "I Want You, But I Don't Need You" || Artist: Momus || http://youtu.be/w9NGz31TaPE ||

[youtube http://youtu.be/w9NGz31TaPE]

Comments: I found this song by way of a cover done by Amanda Palmer, that my friend Amanda C. showed me. Thanks, Amanda! This song is excellent. Witty, cheerful, and still deep enough to hit me where it counts, I love this song. Its wordplay is bright and well-done, and the lyrics are so depressing, but the song is so good! Enjoy!

 

Remember, as of Monday, we will be back at stuckinmyskull.blogspot.com. Update your bookmarks!

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Stuck In My Skull 324 -- "Eyes on Fire"

Song: "Eyes on Fire" || Artist: Blue Foundation || http://youtu.be/afx-XRsTDUU ||

[youtube http://youtu.be/afx-XRsTDUU]

Comments: Congratulations to Mr. Obama on winning a 2nd term in office! As important and historical as this is, you're all sick of it, so let's not talk about it here. Music! I love music, don't you? I particularly love this song. I originally heard a dubstep remix of this song (Zed's Dead remix, to be specific), and decided to go find the original. The song is quite excellent-- the vocals are captivating and harmonious. The video that accompanies this song is also quite excellent. It's black and white camera work gives the entire affair a very artistic feel, and I can't get enough. Enjoy!

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Entry 305-- "Rudie Fails"

Song: "Rudie Fails" || Artist: White Rabbits || http://youtu.be/2sIc5TsdkDQ ||

Comments: I certainly got a surprise while writing this. For the longest time, I thought this song was called "Rudie Falls"... Oh well. Either way, the song is excellent. White Rabbits are one of those bands I always think 'I should listen to more of them,' and for some reason never do. That really is shameful, as they're excellent. Their lyrics turn out to be deeper than most, and their sound is crisp and distinct and memorable. I love it. Happy Friday, and enjoy the weekend!

REMEMBER: As of Monday, we will be moving to stuckinmyskull.wordpress.com! Update your bookmarks!

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