What's on

Ok, Ok...Forward Russia is tonight. Everybody's really excited, right? Well, I am too. They were THE SHIT at SXSW...nobody even came close. I threw myself around harder than I ever had before when I first saw them, and really really hope to do the same tonight. I'm well rested and am starting a mini vacation down to Bonnaroo right after I leave work for the day today. There's also a killer afterparty at Fat Baby with more Scene than a fucking Scene convention.

So, I'd be lying if I said all I've listened to for the last week was (upsidedown!)!. I actually haven't put it on in quite a while. I'm fine with that, I hope to hear the songs again for the first time and enjoy it even more this way. I expect to, in fact.

Instead, I listen to other bands. My commute is short in the morning, so I can usually make up a 4-5 song playlist on my iPod that'll get me from door to door. Here's what I've got, in no particular order. Maybe if I ever figure out how to use Garage Band I'll make this into a weekly podcast or something.

1. Jens Lekman - Rocky Dennis Farewell Song (mp3)

Really pretty song. It starts off strong enough, but towards the end when it drops into the "Can you remember? How we rooooooode...shiny hooooorses" That part just gets me every time. I've had this album for a while, just started really listening to it recently. Every time I would listen all the way through, that part always grabbed my attention. Stunning (Credit: Steve's Obsession with listening to Jens in Palm Springs every fucking second he got control of the stereo inspired me to go back and give the guy another listen)

2. Twilight Singers - Underneath The Waves (mp3)

Everybody's talking about their cover of Gnarls, haven't heard a goddamn thing about how unbelievable the new record is. Very Hope of the Statesish, who I loved and wish would come back soon. I actually saw these guys at SXSW, but wasn't paying attention at the Fader Tent and don't think I really enjoyed them. Now I really regret not knowing any better. I'm not sure if this is the best track on the album, cause the whole thing is great from top to bottom, but this one stood out to me. I've probably listened to this album twice a day since I got it last weekend. (Credit: Wondering who the fuck were the twilight singers, and why them covering Crazy was that big a deal. Also, my buddy David mentioning off hand outside one of the Bouncing Souls shows how excited he was to see that they were getting some positive attention.)

3. Taking Back Sunday - Error: Operator (mp3)

This has got to be their next single. It's a total scorcher. Sure, it borrows heavily from Franz Ferdinand, Muse and Double Dragon II, but who doesn't these days? It's my new jam and I love it. Best track on a surprisingly solid album (Credit: Seeing them live at Irving a little while back got me to check out the new release.)

4. Peter Murphy - Cuts You Up (mp3)

Not sure if I really get this song, but I keep coming back to it. Another song that kept coming on out in Coachella for it's "Unbridled Passion" The Asian-ish strings in the background reminds me of something that would be played at the early training scenes of Batman Begins. And I guess that brings it back to Peter Murphy right there. (Credit: Having leftover credits on emusic, Steve and Johnny's passion for the passion, as pictured above)

Comments

[danfun]

If you are a fan of the Twilight Singers check out Greg Duli's first band the Afgan Whigs. They are easily one of the most underrated bands of 1990s. Their album Gentlemen was a master piece. The Whigs were a great live band as well and Greg has always encouraged his bands to do weird cover, which is why they are covering Crazy.

[danfun]

Woops that shoudl be Afghan Whigs.

[david]

¡FORWARD, RUSSIA! ¡woo!

[cat]

DEATH TO FAT BABY!

[darin]

i know for a fact that the fifth song is another taking back sunday song!

[Jeff]

Actually, yes. Cute without the E (Cut from the Team), if you must know.

[Jack]

If you can, find a mp3 of WMMF. Barsuk is releasing a different version of their album and supposedly there are new mp3's out there, but I can't find them. Help!