Songs Twelve, Thirteen, and Fourteen

That's right, it's the super-sized SAFTBRCAID edition (doesn't the acronym make everything easier?). See, it's been a busy three days, I had to watch Dancing with the Stars and the Office on Thursday (fear of Scientology is keeping me from completely getting behind My Name is Earl). ("Honey, every third blog is about your fear of something," says husband--now color-coded persnickety blue for easy future reference. He also notes I used the wrong "whose" or "who's" in a previous entry. Good gravy, dear readers, I have tv to watch and children to chase! I will pursue outsourcing my spellchecking in the future, perhaps to Mr. Blue.) Then, yesterday, we had a card party, which meant I had to clean my house (aka, throw everything not officially garbage into the ever-useful walk-in closet). And, there was a tornado watch. Now, this morning, I had to make french toast--and coat the pan with olive oil because we're out of butter, which is almost impossible to believe in this dairy-intensive home. (If god had not invented chocolate milk, my children would have willed it into being.)

So, long story long, I am writing about three songs in this gift with purchase effort.

Song twelve comes from the hipster band the We Are Scientists. Because I wanted to be extra-hip (I am wearing Target faux-Juicys, people!), I picked a long cut, "Textbook." It is predictably retro-80s, which is nice because it makes me feel young and assymetrical. For some reason, I keep hearing Midge Ure singing about Vienna--or that guy from Heaven 17--when I listen to this, but with more rollicking drums. It's a good song, but so much of what's out there seems to be 80s-ish. I know the kids today are unfamiliar with it, so it's all new to them. Still, shouldn't music be moving more forward? They are scientists, and a little more tinkering with the pop genome would be nice.

(Note, I am paused in horrored fascination as one of the cats drags a naked Little Mermaid doll through the kitchen by her hair. Eww.)

Song thirteen was actually picked by my son, who stopped still in the kitchen when I was playing the free few seconds from iTunes and said simply, "Let's dance." And we did. It is Dressy Bessy's "Ring-a-Ling-Ling." And, yes, it has a hint of "Galang, Galang" in the title chorus. Like song twelve, it too is a bit 80s (Waitresses 80s), but RLL adds a queen-bee plus 60s girl group edgy vibe that is quite appealing. Lyrics like "Ring-a-ling-ling and yeah you pass" are delivered in a fun snotty manner. I would seriously buy a Dressy Bessy (great name) CD after listening to just this one song--even though I'm still trying to figure out what it's about (going to jail? dating?). Good pick, son!

Song fourteen is The Raveonette's "Love in a Trash Can." Okay, it's officially, all 80s all the time, as refracted through the 60s and then mixed by Jack White (so cute in a "yea, I got to bail him out . . . again" way). This sounds like X pureed with one of those nameless bands that always appeared in the Beach Blanket movies then strained through some White Stripes distortion. I would completely expect to see this band wearing Phil Spector shades and those Flokati rug vests. The song is fast and very satisfying--for dancing, listening, or yelling at your children to. It makes a great companion for the Dressy Bessy cut: "Come on baby, you're my best fix."

So, dear readers, the SAFTBRCAID score card says . . . New Scientists, eh; Dressy Bessy and the Raveonettes, I can dig it!

351 to go.

Oh, totally forgot my gift with purchase. Here's a link to the Bee's "Chicken Payback" video!

Song Eleven

Well, apparently it wasn't avian flu, just some yucky shorter lived stomach virus. Still, one can never be too careful. And, I'm well enough this afternoon to run my daughter to her first gymnastics class, which--if it is like her foray into ballet--will be even shorter lived. But, it does come with outfits.

So, quickly on to song eleven. Before introducing it, let me say there is a significant marital split in my house about this artist. I like his scornful, laid back delivery; my husband finds it not just disinterested but disinteresting (ah, the fine line between pathos and bathos). I refer, of course, not to Alexander Pope but to Jay-Z. Today's song is the bopping anthem, "Change Clothes." I love this song; it's funny, sexy, and ostentatious. And, it even uses Pharrell's too-high voice effectively--here's someone who should always be the bridesmaid! So, you go, Jigga!

354 to go.

PS--Today on iTunes, they're promoting Jack Johnson's contributions to the new Curious George movie. This is funny on so, so many levels.

Song Ten

I feel a little flu-ish, so this will be brief. Song ten is the Cloud Room's "Hey, Now, Now." I don't know anything about the band, but the song is rollicking, addictive, and great fun. It has a good beat, and you can dance to it (shout out to American Bandstand, people).

Okay, my work here is done so now I'm going to bed. Asian bird flu here I come!

355 to go.

Song Nine

Ah, what a day. First, I learn that Lance and Sheryl have called it quits; then comes the double-whammy, so have Hilary and Chad (and of course, there was Nick and Jessica). If bad news about Brittany and Kevin, or Brangelina, or Bennifer2 comes around the pike, I'm following Mr. Cash's lead and heading to my cave to die (see Song Eight). Where is true love, dear readers?

So, to salve my soul, I skipped the cave (too dank and buggy) went instead to a safe well, the Garden State soundtrack, which eventually led me to a wonderfully atmospheric and witty song: Frou Frou's "It's Good to Be in Love." Imogen Heap has since ended this collaboration and gone solo. Folks seem to either love or hate her voice. To my mind, in this song, she sounds a bit like Kate Bush reimagined through Beth Orton, so I'm in the love camp. I'm a sucker for any type of wall-of-sound (hence my continuing affection for Oasis). And, I really like her phrasing. The alternate casual diction ("it's all good") and surprising imagery ("cucumber eyes") nicely capture the jumble of love: "why's it happening? how's it happening?" Who can say, Ms. Heap? . . . but it is good to be in love!

356 more to go.