THIS IS LIL WHY

Ace Frehley- New York Groove

This Kiss lead guitarist and vocalist has nailed the sound of New York during its emergence into hellish humidity and the blissful, painful return of flip-flops on the pavement with his solo hit. So without further adieu- start spreading the news…

Lilwhy has hit the east coast!

Song For Bob Dylan- David Bowie

For the master’s birthday. This is partially laudatory and partially critical of Bobby, but Bowie still balances brilliant homage and admiration with criticism through his legendary style. Happy 71st Robert Zimmerman!

This is like reading a critique by one genius to another.

The Fratellis- Chelsea Dagger

Maybe we can agree that John Terry is scum, but let’s just call this a win for England, shall we? Whatever your feelings toward the club today they thrashed a brutal German team in Germany, furthermore, leaving viewers with an immense case of schadenfreude especially for villainous sounding Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Tonight Germany will ironically be singing the Blues.

Santigold-Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater Revival Cover)

Fancy some upbeat percussion? Santigold takes the classic- even antiquated lyrics- and places them over modern beatz with a hint of drum-n-bass maybe. Wonder if the kidz today will realize that “rolling rolling rolling on the river” means sailing through a body of water. Gotta love the primal sound, as if she’s wafting down the river on the hunt for Captain Kurtz.

Keep rollin, rollin, rollin…

The Beatles- Carry That Weight

Though this track on its own (usually accompanied by The End) is under two minutes, it’s one of those songs that, were it to go on forever, we’d be infinitely content. The vocals almost act as a chant while the percussion perfectly highlights the strong piano and blissful melody. Transitioning into horns and then guitar effortlessly is merely one talent the Beatles possess- of how many talents exactly we’d require an lifetime to enumerate…

Happiness is a Beatles track.

Oasis- Songbird

So maybe we’re feeling a little nostalgic for our favourite music from 7th grade…this one is pretty lovely though- not as obnoxiously Beatles ripped off like the other stuff. Here’s a gentle lullaby for all those Spurs fans out there, who will need something soothing to quell the nightmare of today’s FA cup…

Fly choon though.

Japandroids- The House That Heaven Built

Initially we found this band attractive based on its name’s clever elision, but upon hearing the racusous track, we felt the need to let our hair down and fully rock out. A “Best New Track” from Pitchfork ain’t too shabby either. This one has the anthemic quality of “Born to Run,” inciting the (obvious) desire to sprint!

“I settled in slowly to this house you call home/ to blood and breath, fear flesh and bone.”

The Libertines- Don’t Look Back Into The Sun

This track manages to convey both the beginning and the ending of something promising. It’s the musical equivalent to this Emerson classic. ”For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything  you gain, you lose something else.” The serendipitous percussion over guitar leads the listener to these expectations from the very introduction. Ending with the playfully lackadaisical piano takes on the sound of a musical curtsy to the audience, and maybe even to the fans- as we all know how The Libertines ended up.

“It started fast, but it ends so slow/ And all the time it reminded me of you.”

Chris Garneau- Between The Bars (Elliot Smith Cover)

Stunning cover. More importantly this track appeared in The Skin I Live In, which suffiently succeeded in scaring the crap out of us. To be fair, Almovodar manages to frighten us in a tragically beautiful and scintillating way. His aesthetic technique is impeccable; the plot terrifyingly compelling. 

Caveat: this film may initiate an impulse to jump out of your skin.

Arcade Fire- Abraham’s Daughter

The Hunger Games has arrived! We think this one could have Indiana Jones potential in terms of its action packed plot. Plus who doesn’t love subtext of the “us versus them” in this world where the teenagers must fight back against the problems the grown-ups have left behind for them? Arcade Fire produced this track for the film and does an impressive job of capturing the “rural” district sound.

May the odds be ever in your favor…