Team Perfect is a collaboration between Florence Welch (of Florence and the Machine) and Dev Hynes (of Lightspeed Champion). Back in 2007, the both worked together to cover a ton of tracks from Green Day's 1998 album, Nimrod along with a Blink 182 song. Florence is known for covering songs from artists as diverse as Beyonce, Talking Heads, Buddy Holly, Robert Palmer, and The Beatles. Florence is insanely talented it hurts. There is no one like her in today's music world. She has such an intense presense, an amazing voice and just an all around awesome singer. Here are Team Perfect covering Green Day and Blink 182 and I will include a few of Florence and the Machine cover songs as well. These are all raw, acoustic recordings. It's really odd to see Florence cuss like a sailor, but it's great!
The Grouch (Green Day cover)
Worry Rock (Green Day cover)
Platypus (Green Day cover)
Hitchin A Ride (Green Day cover)
Nice Guys Finish Last (Green Day cover)
Scattered (Green Day cover)
Redundant (Green Day cover)
All The Time (Green Day cover)
they didn't only do Green Day covers, they also covered Blink 182
Adam's Song (Blink 182 cover)
and that's all the songs available from Team Perfect. Here are some songs that the actual band Florence and the Machine have covered. I tried to make this as extensive as possible. If I have missed anything, please message me and let me know!
Oh Darling! (Beatles cover)
Wild Wild Life (Talking Heads cover)... with the band dressed up in costumes...
I apologize for their not being a list for last week. Once again, I've been busy. I will make up for it with more entries soon. Now, on with this week's list!!
To really hear an artist's work, you must look past the hit singles. The
entire album is worth hearing to truly get a glimpse of it all in one
body of work. Here are some of the albums I am listening to this week.
Alkaline Trio - Crimson (2005)
This happens to be my favorite album from this Chicago-based band. This is the most mature record to date from this band and a far cry from 1998's Goddamit!. This is a very melodic, rich album. I love the songs Mercy Me and Sadie(about Susan Atkins) especially. Yes, they have become more "pop" but in a really good way. This isn't a sellout record, this is Alkaline Trio at their most real. Burn is a song I keep going back to.This album comes with a bonus CD full of acoustic versions of the songs from the album which is a really cool concept. If you are unfamiliar with their music, I would suggest getting this album or Maybe I'll Catch Fire. Here are some of my favorite tracks.
Burn:
Mercy Me:
Sadie:
Dead Can Dance - Into the Labyrinth (1993)
The sixth album from Dead Can Dance. What is interesting about this album is that it was their first record where Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry did all the instrumentation themselves. Brendan was living on an island in Ireland at the time and Lisa was living in Australia. They recorded their parts separately then brought them together. This record is a lot more spirutually uplifting than previous ones and remains one of my favorite ones. There is a strong ethnic influence, most likely from Lisa Gerrard. The album title refers to the Greek myth of Theseus going into the labyrinth to fight the Minotaur and is mentioned on several songs on this album. The songs The Carnival is Over and Tell Me About the Forest both borrow from Joy Division lyrics. This album is excellent and really shows this band focused, passionate and like nothing else out there. Words cannot fully describe the love I have for this band. Here's some songs I love:
The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove:
The Carnival is Over:
Towards The Within:
The Adverts - Crossing The Red Sea with the Adverts (1978)
Crossing the Red Sea with the Adverts is the debut album from UK punk band The Adverts. It's a shame they only had two albums and that their second album is such a disappointment. This album is full of newwaveish riffs and catchy lyrics. TV Smith is a great frontmen and should have beeen as popular as Joe Strummer or Joey Ramone.He has that sort of charisma. Gary Gilmore's Eyes is based off the movie of the same name where a person gets an eye transplant and gets the eyes of a killer. Other great songs are Bored Teenagers and No Time to be 21. These songs are anthems and once again, classics from this very underrated band. Here are some great songs from this album. Bored Teenagers:
No Time To Be 21:
Gary Gilmore's Eyes:
Morrissey - You Are The Quarry (2004)
This record was seen as a comeback due to being dropped by his previous record label because of the disappointing sales of 1997's Maladjusted. This album also got Morrissey his highest US debut at #11 and it debuted at #2 in the UK. The first single Irish Blood, English Heart also secured Morrissey's highest charting single at #3 in the UK. This album was produced by Jerry Finn who had worked with bands like Green Day, Jawbreaker, Blink 182, Bad Religion and Rancid. A bit of a change for Morrissey, and it paid off well. One of the main themes I noticed about this album is Morrissey talking about causes and injustice in the world. He has matured as an artist and lyricist. He doesn't only talk about himself as much. It shows his growth as an artist and during this time has strangely acquired a strong Latino following. Here are some highlights:
America Is Not The World:
The Cure have been doing a ton of summer shows in Europe, including stops in Spain and France. Posted in fansite, A Chain of Flowers, Robert Smith said “We’ve got a month off between now and the next festival in Vienna, in
Austria, and we will be recording. The Cure, as a band, with this
lineup, will record for the first time.”
Robert also spoke of a possible remix album featuring the likes of Mogwai remixing Faith and Cranes doing one as well. This follows 1990's remix album Mixed Up, which included the hit single Never Enough, and also included remixes of classic songs such as Love Song, Close to Me, A Forest, and Fascination Street among others. I, for one, cannot wait to see which songs they take on on this one. Previously the Cure did release a remix EP entitled Hypnagogic States, which included remixes from the first four singles off thier 4:13 Dream album released in 2008. It features bands such as 65 Days of Static, 30 Seconds to Mars, Fall Out Boy, AFI and My Chemical Romance remixing songs from The Cure. I look forward to this new one and I hope they continue to do great things. Here is a quote from Robert Smith about the new remix album:
“There will be a Mixed Up 2 album coming out, probably this side of Christmas. Mixed Up 2.
I’ve given songs to groups I really love, like Mogwai, Cranes and some
other people. I thought the best thing to do would be to have some new
remasters, but rather than by producers, I think that having groups that
you love remix your songs is a much more interesting idea than
producers remixing your songs. So Mixed Up 2 will be our
favorite bands remixing Cure songs. It’s good. It’ll be this Christmas.
Mogwai are doing ‘Faith.’ So good. It’ll be really good. Cure fans will
love it.”
Roger O'Donnel had doubt about the new remix album, as per his response on Twitter. “hahahahahahahahahaha might be a little difficult as we are all going on holiday!” but Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite did confirm to Chain of Flowers that his band is remixing “Faith”
We're going to have to wait and see what happens. In the meantime I will leave you with some classic Cure remixes.
A Forest (Blank and Jones mix)
Freakshow (Wolves at the Gates mix)...this was from Jade Puget of AFI/Blaqk Audio:
Originally released in 1994, Pisces Iscariot is a collection of b-sides and odds and ends from the Gish and Siamese Dream era and rereleased this past Tuesday as a deluxe edition. It's a wonderful collection of songs and a testament to the Smashing Pumpkins, where even their non-album tracks are great. Landslide (their cover of the Fleetwood Mac classic) even went to #3 on the Modern Rock Charts. As with the recent Gish and Siamese Dream reissues, Pisces Iscariot is a collection of unreleased tracks, videos, live performances, etc...
Included is the original album, a 2nd cd full of demos, unreleased tracks, covers, alternate versions of songs, etc..., also included is a DVD of Chicago's Pulse: Basement Jam cable access program from 1988, where you can see the Smashing Pumpkins at their earliest, this is by far one of the most interesting of their DVDs which came with the deluxe editions of their albums. and included also is a casette tape of their first demo tape from 1988, just be sure you have a cassette player on hand!
The album itself has a soft spot in my heart. I remember first hearing it my freshmen year in high school, wondering those scary halls, facing the world and leaving middle school behind. The song Obscured just captures all these scary, sad moments like few songs do. I also have always liked James Iha songs from this era. Blew Away is a mellow, somewhat silly song that I have always loved. Their version of Landslide is still unmatched by any other. Frail and Bedazzled is just a kickass song that was even covered on the Gothic/industrial tribute by Godbox. The bonus disk has some pretty good covers such as Neil Young's Cinammon Girl and the Velvet Underground's Venus In Furs. One of my favorite songs from this era is Glynis which was originally from the compilation No Alternative (which had some great bands like Nirvana, Matthew Sweet, Bob Mould, Soundgarden and Sonic Youth). This is one of the few bsides collections to go platinum and leave me wanting more. I cannot wait for the upcoming Mellon Collie and Aeroplane Flies High box sets coming out soon! This is how I want to remember this great band!
I found a really cool video online of some music legends performing The Smith's classic Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before. This clip features Alison Moyet (of Yaz), Johnny Marr (ex-Smiths guitarist), Nile Rodgers (Chic, David Bowie producer) and Mark Ronson (Duran Duran producer) performing Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before at the Montreux festival. It's really cool to see all these legendary peformers on stage all at once. Here is the clip:
and here is Johnny Marr performing Chic's song Le Freak:
Yes, I know this entry is a week late. This week has been very busy and exciting, especially with the recent concert with Terri Nunn/Berlin! What a great show, it will get it's own entry soon but for now here's the albums of the week.
To really hear an artist's work, you must look past the hit singles. The
entire album is worth hearing to truly get a glimpse of it all in one
body of work. Here are some of the albums I am listening to this week.
Green Day - Nimrod (1998)
Coming off the dissappointing sales of 1996's Insomniac (one of my favorite albums from the band), Green Day went off to record their follow up in Los Angeles. What I love about this particular record is that there is no cohesive theme here. They had acoustic songs, they had ska-like songs, they had punk rock songs, they experimented like crazy on this album. There's even a surf rock instrumental track. This album shows Green Day at their finest, before they started doing rock musicals. This is the Green Day I love. Here are some of the best tracks on the album:
Redundant:
Platypus:
Prosthetic Head:
Berlin - Pleasure Victim (1982)
Berlin's first album with Terri Nunn. At 8 tracks, it's hard to categorize it as a proper album, yet it contains many of their hit singles and their first album to go platinum. The Metro is the most popular song of the bunch here, and a classic example of 80s synthpop. Masquerade is another of my favorites. This is one to add to your collection if you love catchy, atmospheric new wave. These are some of my favorites.
The Metro:
Masquerade:
Tell Me Why:
Inkubus Sukkubus - Vampyre Erotica (1997)
Inkubus Sukkubus has been performing their own unique blend of goth rock, pagan rock and darkwave since the early 90s, They continue to release music to this day. Vampyre Erotica is one of their finest recordings blending themes of vampires, paganism and witches.A very dramatic album which is not for everyone. A very dark album which should please fans of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Sisters of Mercy. Also included is their cover of the Rolling Stones' classic song Paint It Black. I first heard of this band from the now-defunct website mp3.com, which used to host free songs on their site. This is also where I discovered Bella Morte and Velvet Acid Christ. What a great site. Here are some of my favorites from this album.
Paint It Black:
Sweet Morpheus:
Vampyre Erotica:
Dead Or Alive - Mad, Bad and Dangerous To Know (1987)
Dead or Alive was a new wave/synthpop band led by the enigmatic Pete Burns. Mad Bad and Dangerous to Know was their 3rd hit album, following the platinum selling Youthquake. This album is most famous for including the song Brand New Lover which hit the US top 20. Son of A Gun is one of the most catchy, infectious songs out there and always brings me out of any bad mood. I Save You all My Kisses sounds like a 60s song, in a good way. It's a shame this band is mostly known for You Spin Me Round, which was a great song but this band has so many more catchy songs and singles, many found on this album. Check it out! Here are my faves:
Son of A Gun:
I've been writing a lot about Depeche Mode lately. I'm really looking forward to a new album from them, especially because of the rumor that Alan Wilder might be rejoining. Recently, Dave Gahan worked with production team Soulsavers on this song Take Me Back Home. It's a very sad, mellow song and it is today's song of the day. I can't wait to hear new music from Depeche Mode and I hope it's better than their last offering. Here is the song.
Depeche Mode fans have long been wanting an official live video release from the band's 1990 World Violation tour. The album Violator is still to this day their best selling album, becoming their first album to hit the top ten in the US and it went on to sell over 15 million albums worldwide. It included the hit singles Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth and World in My Eyes. It was produced by Flood who would also work with U2 and Nine Inch Nails later on. There are no official videos from this tour but here are 3 full length concerts for your enjoyment. It's not like you had anything constructive to do today anyways!
Disclaimer: These are not of the highest quality, but still enjoyable. It looks like they were all handshot, enjoy anyways.
Two days ago, The Cure played a memorable set at Spain's Bilboa Live Festival, though it had a rocky start as the crew worked to fix Roger O'Donnel's keyboards, Robert Smith took it upon himself to play an incredibly rare solo set including three songs from their debut album, Three Imaginary Boys. He played solo acoustic versions of Three Imaginary Boys, Fire in Cairo, and Boys Don't Cry. Here is the video:
After this three song set, Robert Smith tells the crowd " “I think I have to get the rest of the group with me. Hang on" The band then goes on to play a 35 song set. I have found the first 9 songs online. Enjoy the webcast! It's funny to hear Robert Smith attempt to speak in Spanish!
The Cure
1. “Open”
2. “High”
3. “The End of the World”
4. “Lovesong”
5. “Sleep When I’m Dead”
6. “Push”
7. “Inbetween Days”
8. “Just Like Heaven”
9. “From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea”
Rebel Rebel is a song by David Bowie from his 1974 album Diamond Dogs, which was written as a farewell to his glam movement, which brought his superstardom. It's the most covered David Bowie song out there, right there with Space Oddity and Changes. This song reached #5 on the UK charts. I love the opening guitar riff, which owes a lot to Keith Richards. It's a dirty sounding song, both lyrically and musically and one of his most famous songs. I love the eyepatch. Here is the original song:
One of my personal favorite cover versions is that from British new wave group Dead or Alive, from their 1995 album,Nukleopatra. They made it more electronic, almost discoish. It's a great version and very fitting to Pete Burns, who looks neither male or female nowadays. "You got your mother in a whirl, she's not sure if you're a boy or a girl". On a side note, this is an amazing album and I have to give it another listen soon. Here is their version.
One last version which is worth mentioning is the one from Iggy Pop and Lenny Kravitz on the VH1 Fashion Awards in 1998. This one is particularly cool because it was an obvious tribute from Iggy Pop to Bowie. This version is similar to the original in form and style. Both Iggy and Lenny are obvious Bowie fans and you could see the affection and love they had for this song. I love the energy in this. Here it is:
One last version of this song I love is from Seu Jorge, who does a Portuguese version of Rebel Rebel, which was on the soundtrack to the Life Aquatic. One of the best soundtracks and he does a sweet version of this song. I know no Portuguese, but I could feel the meaning behind the words. The soundtrack is full of Seu Jorge doing Portuguese versions of Bowie songs. Check it out, it's nice and soothing.
Rebel Rebel is such a simple song, covered by many people. Other covers include Joan Jett, Smashing Pumpkins and Duran Duran doing live versions of it. Artists as diverse as Def Leppard, Bryan Adams and even the Bay City Rollers have covered this song. I happen to like all of them, but only Dead Or Alive have done the most unique cover of Rebel Rebel, in my opinion. Here are the lyrics:
Youve got your mother in a whirl Shes not sure if you're a boy or a girl Hey babe, your hairs alright Hey babe, lets go out tonight You like me, and I like it all We like dancing and we look divine You love bands when they're playing hard You want more and you want it fast They put you down, they say Im wrong You tacky thing, you put them on
Rebel rebel, youve torn your dress Rebel rebel, your face is a mess Rebel rebel, how could they know? Hot tramp, I love you so!
Don't ya? Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo
Youve got your mother in a whirl cause shes Not sure if you're a boy or a girl Hey babe, your hairs alright Hey babe, lets stay out tonight You like me, and I like it all We like dancing and we look divine You love bands when they're playing hard You want more and you want it fast They put you down, they say Im wrong You tacky thing, you put them on
Rebel rebel, youve torn your dress Rebel rebel, your face is a mess Rebel rebel, how could they know? Hot tramp, I love you so!
Rebel rebel, youve torn your dress Rebel rebel, your face is a mess Rebel rebel, how could they know? Hot tramp, I love you so!
Youve torn your dress, your face is a mess You can't get enough, but enough aint the test Youve got your transmission and your live wire You got your cue line and a handful of ludes You wanna be there when they count up the dudes And I love your dress Youre a juvenile success Because your face is a mess So how could they know? I said, how could they know?
So what you wanna know Calamitys child, chi-chile, chi-chile Whered you wanna go? What can I do for you? looks like youve been there too Cause youve torn your dress And your face is a mess Oh, your face is a mess Oh, oh, so how could they know? Eh, eh, how could they know? Eh, eh
The Pet Shop Boys have premiered their new single, Winner from their upcoming album, Elysium, their upcoming 11th album, due out on September 18! I cannot wait for this new release from them. It looks like this song has been used in this years Olympics in London. This is great exposure for the band! Previously, the Pet Shop Boys premiered the song, Invisible off this album, which was a way more downbeat song, this one is way more happier and catchier in my opinion. I look forward to hearing the entire album when it comes out. After hearing this track, I was reminded of what a great synthpop group Pet Shop Boys truly is. They still got it. This album was also recorded here in Los Angeles, the first time the group recorded an album outside of the UK. Congrats, lads! Here is the single: Winner:
lyrics: This is the moment, we’ll remember Every day for the rest of out lives Time may rush us, hurt or love us but on this day we have arrived It’s been a long time coming We’ve been in the running for so long But now we’re on our way Let the ride just take us Side by side and make us See the world through new eyes every day You’re a winner I’m a winner This is all happening so fast You’re a winner I’m a winner Let’s enjoy it all while it lasts I’ve been a loser, I’ve paid my dues I fought my way up from the ground Now at this moment, the crowd acclaim us Will you just listen to that song It’s been a long time coming We’ve been in the running for so long But now we’re on our way Let the ride just take us Side by side and make us See the world through new eyes every day You’re a winner I’m a winner This is all happening so fast You’re a winner I’m a winner Let’s enjoy it all while it lasts It took us so long And we worked so hard We came so far just to compete But don’t forget all The love and laughter Now the world is at our feet Looking back on all the times We felt downcast Didn’t think we were going anywhere Just living in the past But in that desperation You get inspiration You’re a winner I’m a winner This is all happening so fast You’re a winner I’m a winner Let’s enjoy it all while it lasts ’cause you’re a winner Took so long, we worked so hard We came so far and just to compete But don’t forget all The love and laughter Now the world is at our feet You’re a winner I’m a winner This is hapṗening so fast You’re a winner I’m a winner Let’s enjoy it all while it lasts ’cause you’re a winner
To really hear an artist's work, you must look past the hit singles. The
entire album is worth hearing to truly get a glimpse of it all in one
body of work. Here are some of the albums I am listening to this week.
Descendents - 'Merican EP (2004)
The Descendents are a band that has pioneered skate punk, pop punk and even hardcore since their inception in 1978. This EP is from 2004 and predates their 2004 album Cool To Be You. Their last album prior to that was 1996's Everything Sucks which was seen as a comeback album after Milo rejoined the band after their ALL incarnation. The title track from this album is one of my favorites and especially one to enjoy this July 4th. It talks about how America is a land of contradictions: for every Otis Redding or Walt Whitman there is a Joe McCarthy or Ku Klux Klan. Great song, great anthem. The song I Quit talks about Milo's frustrations about touring. Great EP, check out these songs:
'Merican:
I Quit:
Here With Me:
Duran Duran - Duran Duran (1981)
One of the best debut albums of all time. This album introduced Duran Duran to the world and hit the US top 10. Rio was the bands most successful album in the States but this album cannot be underestimated. Hit singles include Planet Earth, Girls on Film and Is There Something I Should Know which was from the 1983 rerelease. They don't quite make albums like this nowadays, a great intro for someone who is not quite familiar with their work and wants to explore deeper. Here are some hit songs:
Planet Earth:
Girls on Film:
Is There Something I Should Know:
The Clash - London Calling (1979)
This is one of the most important records, especially in the late 70s. This marked a change in the Clash's sound, featuring elements of ska, reggae, rockabilly, punk, and even jazz and funk. The title track still gets played on radio today and it talks about unemployment, and drug use and is now the theme song for the Olympics, ironically. This double album features some of the most popular songs from the Clash including Rudie Can't Fail, Lost In The Supermarket and Train In Vain, which was covered by Annie Lennox and sampled by Garbage in the song Stupid Girl. A legendary album and a necessary addition to anyone's collection. Punk rock never sounded so diverse. Here are some great tracks:
London Calling:
Train In Vain:
Lost in The Supermarket:
Bad Religion - The Empire Strikes First (2004)
Released before the 2004 presidential election, this album sees Bad Relgion at their most political, especially in songs like Let Them Eat War (with rapper Sage Francis) and Sinister Rouge. The title is a reference to the Bush doctrine of preemptive war, along with the second Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back. The band got a surprise radio hit with Los Angeles Is Burning, as well, which was about the 2003 California wildfires. Bad Religion returns on familiar territory on songs like God's Love, attacking hypocritical Christianity as well as the song Atheist Peace. You pretty much know what you're gonna get with Bad Religion and they never fail to deliver hardhitting, catchy, punk rock. Love this album so much, it continues to resonate with me today. Here are some of my personal favorites:
God's Love:
