THIS IS LIL WHY

Arcade Fire- Sprawl II (Soulwax Remix)

You can always count on a stellar Soulwax remix. We had no doubt whatsoever that their rendition of an Arcade Fire track would impress and set your toes a-tappin’. The percussive interpretation adds a much needed breath of FUN to the dreary- albeit profound- Canadian group.

“They heard me singing and they told me to stop / Quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock.”

The Beatles- Yer Blues

Yer gonna love this one if you don’t already. The swinging 50s guitar riffs almost overshadow the desperate, suicidal lyrics, which elevate this one to the level of any legendary Blues track. This one truly makes you wanna twist and shout (your depression to the rock gods), but we maintain that Chuck Berry would approve of this classic.

“Feel so suicidal / Even hate my rock-n-roll.”

The Who- Pictures of Lily

                               The Who has come so close to immortalizing Lilwhy and the important work we do here- just one “Y” away from perfection. Alas, we’ll have to settle for this fun lil ditty about the glories of vintage pornography, but who doesn’t love a good pin up girl? No complaints though. The Who is the Who is The Who is the who’s on first then? But seriously, there’s no greater honor than observing and hearing a dreamy 60s lead singer croon your name. It must be reminiscent to Juliet’s reaction to Romeo’s “a rose by any other name..”

“Lilwhy, oh Lilwhy.”

Birdy- 1901 (Phoenix Cover)

A little Birdy with a big, big voice. If you haven’t heard of little Miss Jasmine van den Bogaerde yet, she’s risen to fame by covering loads of songs with a simple approach: impressive voice, melancholy piano. She manages to make the happiest of pop songs incredibly serious- in a gorgeous and surprisingly mature way of course.

Tweet about Birdy, please, it’s soooo meta.

Funkadelic- Can You Get To That

Upon hearing this we were like “Omg this group fully borrowed that awesome Sleigh Bells track!” Wrong. Sleigh Bells cleverly sampled from this gem. Doesn’t this make you wanna melt like a popsicle during a heatwave in Brooklyn? Ideal stoop music. Isn’t it strange to experience nostalgia for something you’ve never known? For something you’ve seen clichely portrayed on television! Whatevs, just give in and sway to this one in a super chill 70s way allowing George Clinton’s vocals to soothe you (try to disregard the conscientious lyrics).

“I once had a life or rather life had me…”

The Kills- Pale Blue Eyes (The Velvet Underground Cover)

What a lovely cover. The Kills definitely re-interpret this classic, but they maintain some sort of hybrid 1950s guitar meets modern rock. Brilliant way to rock up Lou Reed’s mellow brilliance. If for some reason this is the first time you’ve heard this track, do go seek out the original as its a modern classic.

“Linger on…”

Ani Di Franco- Untouchable Face 

The greatest Fuck You -and your untouchable face- song? Ani weaponizes her words here allowing the music to remain mellow for an impressively calm invective. The quiet tone to the music might make the lyrics even more effective.

“Fuck you for existing in the first place.”

Alanis Morissette- You Ought To Know

Can’t escape the Fury that is Alanis (on this track). We’re not huge fans of the Canadian, but no one more effectively conveys the tragic anger inherent in the scorned/abandoned/cheated on/heart broken/ broken up with woman. It’s impressive that this translates to any dissolved relationship because ultimately, someone will always be hurt. The person in question, needs this track on repeat.

“It was a slap in the face/ how quickly I was replaced/ and are you thinking of me when you fuck her?”

Grouplove- Tongue Tied

Can’t help but root for this Group. From the interviews we’ve read, they seem like genuine artists who only want to express themselves and connect to others through music. Their music conveys an idealized adolescence, an experience that these free spirited kidz probably happily endured. If an alien were to understand teenagedom through this music, if would seem lovely, free from acne, and unable to convey awkwardness.

Love this group. Period.

Bob Dylan- Masters Of War

If there was ever a better written vituperative track, please do let us know because we haven’t heard anything to match the invective evidenced here. Moreover, this song hasn’t aged whatsoever. The litmus test of a classic? Students have still been questioned for playing this one at schools, if Greenday covered this (oy don’t get any ideas) their fans would believe this was written recently, although protest songs were much more fun during the Bush Rove/Cheney administration.

“Is your money that good? / Could it buy you forgiveness? / Do you think that it could? / I think you will find / when your death takes its toll / all the money you made / will never buy back your soul.”