You have to check out Pomplamoose!

Pomplamoose (which is French for “grapefruit”) is the best thing I’ve discovered in quite a while. They’re Nataly Dawn and Jack Conte. She’s cuter than a kitten with a pocketful of buttons and he really knows his way around the ol’ bedroom studio. They make these things called VideoSongs. A VideoSong has two rules: 1.) What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing for instruments or voice). 2.) If you hear it, at some point you see it (no hidden sounds). Here’s Little Things:

You should really check out all of their videos. She apparently has a Master’s in French Lit and occasionally sings songs en Français. Which is effin hawt in my book. (for instance, check out their cover of La Vie en Rose…)

Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale

Even if you think you’re not familiar with the pentatonic scale, you are. Think of those famous five notes from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. With that in mind, watch this.

favorite albums of 2008 – late addition

I’ve been listening to the debut album by School of Seven Bells, Alpinism, and boy is it good. Alejandra and Claudia Deheza and ex-Secret Machines guitarist Benjamin Curtis have made an album of experimental electronic psychedelic pop. I’m really digging the harmonies and the chilly feeling the songs give off.

If I’d heard it earlier it would have made my fave albums of 2008 post.

my favorite albums of 2008

It’s that time of year; everybody is coming out with his or her lists of favorite things. Here are my favorite six albums of 2008. Much has been written about each of my selections and I don’t presume to say anything new.

Blitzen Trapper – Furr

Kinda rootsy, some of it reminds of the best of The Grateful Dead. I can’t stop listening to the opening track, “Sleepytime in the Western World.” Also good is the title track.

Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago

Bearded guy writes emo-y songs with his acoustic guitar. Yeah, it’s a meme. But Bon Iver is the real thing. “Flume” is the standout track.

Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

Some more bearded guys. Very tight harmonies. “White Winter Hymnal” is a great song.

TV on the Radio – Dear Science

This album is just perfectly produced. It sounds beautiful. And the songs are great also. I really like “Family Tree.”

Amanda Palmer – Who Killed Amanda Palmer?

Thank you, Neil Gaiman for turning me on to Amanda Palmer. Punk cabaret. Brechtian Goth. Sure, it sounds just like The Dresden Dolls (for the most part) but I’m fine with that. My favorite tracks are “Guitar Hero” and “Point of It All.” As I pointed out in an earlier post, you really check out her video cycle for this album.

The Hold Steady – Stay Positive

Bruce Springsteen. There, now that’s out of the way. This is rock and roll – these songs are about drinking and drugging and rocking and maybe getting a little tired of it all. It’s just damn good stuff. The title track, “Sequestered in Memphis” and “Constructive Summer” are my favorites I guess but all the songs are great, really. I wish they had come through Birmingham on their tour with The Drive-By Truckers. Why didn’t they? In fact, the reason DBT’s Brighter Than Creation’s Dark is not on this list is because I think they’ve forgotten about the Magic City that they once seemed to love.

another great video

This one is funny and cute and sexy and inventive and I just love it. It’s “Toe Jam” by The BPA featuring David Byrne and Dizzee Rascal.

In which Neil Gaiman’s fingerprints abound

So when I got home from tonight I went on YouTube to check out Amanda Palmer. Neil Gaiman pimps her in his blog and has worked with her so I thought what the heck. It’s good stuff. I guess her solo stuff and her work with The Dresden Dolls is similar. People call it “alt-goth” but I don’t see it. Maybe I don’t really know what “goth” means. Maybe “goth” is just pancake makeup. Anyway, I like her music. And I like what I’ve heard of The Dresden Dolls. Torch songs with dramatic flourishes. Thoughtful, heart-on-the-sleeve lyrics. I have a feeling this kind of music is big in gay circles. So what.

Amanda Palmer has this really cool series of videos that go along with her album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer. You should check them out. Here’s one:

I’ve been listening to music and reading things (Bones of the Moon by Jonathan Carroll) that are making me want to write again. Oh my lord is this getting to be an old whine. So why don’t I just start writing again? I’ll tell you why: I’m not a naturally-disciplined individual. Maybe I’m worried that I will lose my spontaneity/free-spiritedness if I try to become more disciplined. Well, the truth is I’m not doing crap unless I make myself do it. I read somewhere that being a writer is like having homework every day for the rest of your life. Wow. Really hits home vis-a-vis the discipline thing, eh? I really really really want to start writing again. And I know the only way I’ll do that is if I actually sit down every day and do it. It’s like I’ve reached this point where I’m this close to being actually happy with who I am. And I’m sure what’s missing is the writing thing. So why don’t I just do it?

Bonus Amanda Palmer vid (this one’s NSFW):

Person Jonathan Carroll

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Music I’d Like for You to Listen To (pt. 6)

Boards of Canda – “Dayvan Cowboy”

This is one of my favorite videos; it really captures the spirit of the music.

Music I’d Like for You to Listen To (pt. 5)

Girl Talk – “Bounce That”

This video was created by a Professor at Concordia University in Montreal and the students in his communications class. Very cool.

And here’s a clip I found on youtube of Girl Talk creating a mashup using Elvis Costello’s “Radio Radio”:

Music I’d Like for You to Listen To (pt. 4)

Two videos from Battles. Their drummer is John Stanier from Helmet. He is a friggin machine.

Battles – “Atlas”

Battles – “Tonto”

Music I’d Like for You to Listen To (pt. 3)

Post-rock avec lyrics.

The Album Leaf – “Always For You”

A pretty little love song, a bittersweet video. Keep an eye out for Aaron Stewart, the director of this video.

Bonus clip:

a live clip of “Vermillion” by The Album Leaf