Songs Ninety-Three to Ninety-Eight

Back again after a hiatus, though I have actually been listening to much music. Taking two 9 hour trips sitting next to odd individuals whom one very much wants to avoid will do that for you. As will buying an iTrip, which is some space age device that converts the notes that come out of my iPod into radio waves and then into sounds that come out of my car radio. All with no cords or connections whatsoever. Very Willie Wonka! I'm looking forward to a similar device that can convert my desire to purchase objects into the cash that's required to buy said objects--or even into the objects themselves. Ah, nirvana! Okay, I'm 14 songs behind, so this here entry starts the full-on catch-up.

Song Ninety-Three: Roisin Murphy, "Ramalama (Bang, Bang)." Nice big, big drums, as might be suggested by the title. The song has lots of texture and layers to it, kind of like a 70s shag cut. The chorus doesn't really kick-in until the last third, which is interesting. Prior to that it doesn't even seem to have a clear throughline outside of the drums (which seem synth-y). Fun.

Song Ninety-Four: The Weepies, "World Spins Madly On." The opening music of the song screams VW-ad circa 2000s. I like this song a lot. It has a melancholy feel (perhaps not surprising given the group's name) with clear, lovely vocals. The melding of the male and female vocalists is quite nice, too.

Song Ninety-Five: Madeleine Peyroux, "Careless Love." I remember reading at some point about her going missing (a la Roddy Frame) then turning up. This is a vintage-y song. If Norah Jones had more depth to her voice, this is what she would sound like. The tune itself is not especially deep, but Ms. Peyroux voice has a warm, smoky feel. But, it also sounds a little too much like a Billie Holiday cover show. Nice, but why not just listen to Lady Day.

Song Ninety-Six: Jamie Lidell, "Multiply." Total blue eyed soul, dear readers. Welcome to the world of Otis Redding if he lived in Notting Hill, ate take-away, and went to boarding school. This is not to say the song is bad; it actually is quite catchy. And, it has some electronica bits thrown in for reasons known only to Mr. Lidell, I think. Could be a little shorter.

Song Ninety-Seven: The Chalets, "Sexy Mistake." The song has a girl group feel with an Elastica sound, down to the backing tracks. Kind of a musical take on girls gone wild--pub version. Peppy, disposable, retro pop.

Song Ninety-Eight: Psapp, "Tiger, My Friend." I think I got this off of a Grey's Anatomy soundtrack. It's been so long since I downloaded this batch of songs. It has a mellow vibe to it, with a kind of liquid sound (difficult to describe, but you'll hear it if you have the song). It could use less repetition of the vocals. The last 40 seconds are literally whispers and rain. I guess this is avantgarde, or else someone left the microphone out in the rain (with that cake that so depressed Richard Harris).

267 to go.