Michael's Sidetracks #10

I just noticed, I've been misspelling my name above...

Anyway, one of the first Sidetracks I did was the debut album of the Like, and I said I'd post another more recent song, as they changed up the band, the look,  and a bit of the sound for the Like mark 2.

The original bass player, Charlotte Froom, left for whatever reason, and guitar and vocalist, Z Berg, got
Laena Geronimo, and added keyboardist Reni Lane.  The second album had the sound change to a more 60's girl group inspired direction, and a pseudo Phil Spector sound (without the crazy and firearms though).

After this album, "Release Me" in 2010, the band went on "Hiatus"... Which we all know means they broke up. Too bad, they were on a roll, with guest spots for Target stores commercials, appearances in  the new 90210 as themselves, and also an appearance in the comic book, The Lil' Depressed Boy.  Being drawn in an indi comic means success, in my book.

This song is edited from a short film commissioned by designer Zac Posen that was made to promote is Target fashion collection, and directed by Gia Coppola (granddaughter of Francis Ford).  I quite like the infectiously strong drum beat and the 60's style keys.  By the way, in YouTube, I loved, and agree with the first comment posted: "This song should be in a Scooby-Doo chase scene."

Band: The Like (mark 2)
Song: Fair Game (2010)

Switching partners like a square dance
Just watch where you're going
There are limbs akimbo, flying wildly
Just watch out now, don't get hit!
You want in our scene?
Hungry like the wolf
This wasn't my dream, but every day keeps getting better
We only look mean, crazy like a fox
Things aren't how the seem, right?

Its all fair game, anyway
It's all fair game, anyway

Just a teeny bit amoral
fiercely pessimistic but we're one big family
What's that darling,
Who says family doesn't kiss?
Oh every gang's a bit incestuous
It's just a game and if you know the rules you can't get hurt
We're all the same, a bit tempestuous
But we're just restless, right?

Its all fair game, anyway
It's all fair game, when you play

Have you the heart and have you got the guts?
It's not a sport but who says life should be so boring?
We find your rules a bit extraneous
We leave you breathless, right?

Its all fair game, anyway
It's all fair game, anyway
Its all fair game, when you play
The rules are strange, but aren't they great

Song of the Day 74!!!

Sorry it has been a while. I have been preoccupied with trying to move back to my home town. Please forgive me.

This entry is from the band Enon and the song is called "Daughter in the House of Fools". This band is interesting in the fact that their music varies so much. If you look their videos up, you will get a different sound, and even sometimes a different member singing, with each song. This makes them confusing for me because I only like 30% of their songs. I will let you be the judge. Listen and enjoy!!!

P.S. I couldnt for the life of me find lyrics and I tried very hard to listen and write them down, but with the mix of the singers accent and the strange lyrics, I cannot do it. My apologies.

Micheal's Sidetracks #9

An impossible crime, up until 2010, I was unaware of Guided By Voices.  This band was made for me: formed in 1983 and still around, touring and making great albums even today.  Brilliant songs that have great range and clock in under 2:30 usually.  Songwriter Robert Pollard is among the most prolific songwriters of our time, with over 1,600 songs registered.  And not crap songs either!  Look up "Game of Pricks", "Bulldog Skin", or "Teenage FBI"...and this song, for example

Today's song is for the uninitiated, like I was not to long ago.  Soaring guitars, thoughtful lyrics, to the point presentation, effortless harmonies, and garage band ethics...all I adore in music.  It's hard to find videos, much less polishes studio ones. GBV tend to like the homemade feel of things, and that's adorable too.

Band: Guided By Voices
Song:  Everywhere With Helicoptor 2001




Everywhere with helicopter...

Eyeline the driveway
Eye black the door
Sky all around me
Levels life from roof to floor

Trees and knees are lovely
Seek it, find the core
I have grown to life
Like all in silence
Wait for more

Everywhere with helicopter
Hard to follow
When I'm slow
Everywhere with helicopter
Sending off where lightning goes

I will try to fight them
I will let them know where to go
Try escape the pace
I'll say "God bless you"
Let me know

We know the answers
We fill us in
I do not diminish
Start to finish
Front to end

Everywhere with helicopter
Hard to swallow
When I'm slow
Everywhere with helicopter
Sending off where lightning goes

Everywhere with helicopter
Everywhere with helicopter
Sending off where lightning goes

Micheal's Sidetracks #8

Take note people: If you want a brilliant video, always, always include bungie cords. It's just a fact. Hang your singer/guitarists up in uncomfortable rigs, pull back, let go, visual musical gold erupts forth. This is the only band I know that's named after a Willy Wonka character (although I hear of a Swedish group called "Violet Beauregarde" and they're kinda like Blue Man Group).

 Like many of my groups here, "Veruca Salt" had many upheavals and downturns. The main singer, Nina Gordon quitting over "personal band reasons", but I bet whatever it was, was ugly. Anyway, until I can retrieve my list, I'm submitting this sing from 1997 that I enjoy...

Band: Veruca Salt 
Song: Volcano Girls




Leave me, lying here.
Cause I don't wanna go. [x2]
Tell me, tell me
What you really want from me.
You gotta let me know.
I'm falling off and
I need you terribly.
One down and one to go.
Volcano Girls,
We really can't be beat.
Warm us up and watch us blow.
But now and then we fail 
And we admit defeat.
We're falling off,
We are watered down and fully grown.
Leave me, lying here.
Cause I don't wanna go. [x2]
A million miles of running and 
I hit the wall,
I bounce back and I run some more.
But this is it, I'm giving up,
I'm calling quits.
So get down and meet me on the floor.
Way to go, way to flip off everyone.
I steal your thunder then I try to bolt.
But I could stand a little pity now and then.
I'm falling off, 
I am watered down and fully grown.
I told you about the Seether before.
You know the one that's neither or nor.
Well here's another clue if you please,
The Seether's Louise.
Leave me, lying here.
Cause I don't wanna go. [x3]
Leave me, leave me, leave me.Go..
I don't wanna go [x5]