Ting Tings - Hands (Acoustic Version)

Found this totally by accident, it was posted on You Tube in 2010. The original is in regular rotation on Radiojive. For all all the fans of the song, enjoy this beautiful, stripped-down, slowed-down, acoustic version, filmed live.

Pirate Broadcast #015 and #016

I'm Back! My schedule in life, as it has been, was a tad hectic. With my daughter visiting from Rome, free time to work on "jammin' the 'Jive" has been somewhat unavailable to me. But since she has returned, and the showcase festival season came and went, there is loads of great new music and artists to become acquainted with, alongside some (lost?) old favourites.

Pirate Broadcast #015

1. The Courtesans - Venus In Furs (2012) - Not to be confused with the other Courtesans, these girls' interpretation of the Velvet Underground's classic comes across like heroin for the ears. The drone of the original is not only intact, the benefits of modern production pumps up the bass and drums, creating a sound that would not be out of place in a Goth club. A featured piece here at Radio Zazoo, shows off the beautiful, stylized video. Hopefully, any fears that these gals may be "this year's t.A.T.u.", will be unfounded. They have yet to show us anything original, but I'm sure that will come in time. Oh, and a shout out to bassist Agnes Jones for becoming a Member of the Radio Zazoo blog!

2. Grimes – Oblivion (2012) - Already being hailed by critcs/yahoo's as "This Year's Austra", Montreal resident Claire Boucher's alias and band, Grimes, is finally getting some overdue recognition. Her innocent, high-pitched vocals create an upbeat element to the rhythm of the dark synths. Click on the link to her home page for a video of this song. Don't forget her MySpace page for more music.

 

3. Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing (Virgin Magnetic Material 2011 Remix) (1990) - Well, these boys may have some new material out that they're also touring in support of, but I thought I'd revisit this classic with a more laidback, dance beat. Dropping the maniacal original melody in exchange for a calmer, (dare I say?) respectable (?) sound was a creative inspiration for the VMM team. It may not be to everyone's taste, and some may call it sacriligious, making it a synthy dance track, but it's certainly interesting.

4. The Pale – Butterfly (1992) - Now here's one of those tracks some might consider "lost". Truth is, these guys are still pluggin' away. Check out my story in an earlier entry below re: some new music they're about to release. Twenty years later, I still find myself getting that damned chorus stuck in my head!

5. Crybaby - I Cherish The Heartache More Than The Love Lost (2012) - Attention all you Morrissey fans!!!! Stop me if you think you've heard this one before! Yes, the UK press is all over the resemblance. The Guardian's Paul Lester honoured him with their "New Band of The Day" feature on March 8. More than an ordinary tribute, singer Danny Coughlin draws from not only The Smithmaster, but crooners Orbison and Presley to round out his influences. Be sure not to confuse Danny's band with the many other Crybaby acts found around cyberspace. I believe he's the only one residing in the UK.

6. Piero Piccioni - La Decima Vittima (Take 5) (1965) - Ending off this broadcast is just a portion (faded out early) of the theme to Elio Petri's 60's sci-fi film, The 10th Victim. The Farfisa organ sound of 60's Italian soundtracks has gone from being cheesy to cool again, thanks to a growing interest in exotica and lounge.

Pirate Broadcast #016

1. Mike Oldfield - Family Man (1982) - His website may not be as up-to-date as one would like (last entry was July 2011), but then again this man is not at the top of the charts these days, unless you are looking at the New Age Top 40. Try his News Service, if you're interested in what he's currently up to. Before his modern classic, Tubular Bells, Mike 's early works (Family Man, Moonlight Shadow, Five Miles Out), with vocalist Maggie Reilly, were staples on the old 'NY.

2. Elvis Costello - Watching The Detectives (1977) - Before he became the muse anp partner of jazz pianist Diana Krall, Elvis Costello's geek punk rock persona blew away the rock world with his sardonic wit and storytelling. One such has become a punk classic. The neo noir setting of this song easily conjures up visions of Bogart and Cagney, and Hollywood pulp cinema. He's mellowed out a bit in his old age, but his lyrics are just as biting and sometimes humourous, as they are insightful. A true elder statesman of a lost era of creativity.

 

3. Right The Stars - Give It All (2012) - You've heard them in TV shows and Honda commercials, and yet, this Los Angeles-based band still maintain their street cred. Included on their follow-up to their 2010 self-titled debut, the band's 80's influence is highly visible on this track. This is most evident on their wonderful cover of the Dream Academy's "Life In A Northern Town" at their MySpace page. Check 'em out every Friday night in April at Molly Malone's in Los Angeles, if you happen to be in the neighborhood. 

4. Django Django - Default (2012) - Included on many SXSW visitors "must see" lists this year, this UK based band's single is quickly being added to playlists from Triple J, Australia to modern rock stations around North America and Europe. It's somewhat wonky, digitally altered yodel and psychedelic 60's sound makes it stand out from the sonic crowd. Original and retro. Man, dig that tambourine! Check out their Soundcloud page for various remixes of Default, amongst other tracks.

5. Pieter Embrechts - Dance Me To The End Of Love (2010) - Ok, this Belgian performer doesn't appear to have a MySpace page or an official website. The link here is to an iTunes selection. You'll usually find Pieter backed by his band, The New Radio Kings. It should be noted that he is also an actor.


6. Dr. John - Revolution - Taken from the good doctor's new release, Locked Down, we find the production of the Black Keys Dan Auerbach providing more than just a little of his bands influence. There's a certain retro sound, takin' us back to Na'luns, pre-Katrina, to the night tripper's most primal phase. I just love that farfisa at the end. Welcome back, Doc!

 

So until next time, stay tuned to the Jive for your eclectic fix of musical expression.

Our Lady Peace: Curve

Our Lady Peace are set to release their lateset album, Curve, on April 17, on eOne Music. Recorded with co-producer Jason Lader (Maroon 5, Elvis Costello), Raine and the boys return with another powerful, boisterous collection of timeless tunes, primed for Modern Rock radio.

The cover features a photo of Canadian heavyweight boxing champ, George Chuvalo, taken in his prime. His "claim to fame" is never being knocked down in 93 professional fights, between 1956 and 1979. No doubt OLP have taken some inspiration from this fact.

The first U.S. single, As Fast As You Can, is available as a free stream. Enjoy it here at Radio Zazoo.

Marilyn Manson - No Reflection

Shout out to Tune Doctor for where I saw this first. Click the link to his site for more info.

Just posted last week. Great to see the old "Sweet Dream"-er back.

Enjoy this totally weird (and what Manson video ISN'T weird….) little film, accompanying his new song, No Refection.



Amazon

Marilynmanson.com

Leningrad Cowboys - Buena Vodka Social Club

I believe I'm a little late in realizing this album's release (Dec 2011/Jan 2012??). That's OK. Better late than never, I guess. If you are not familiar with the Leningrad Cowboys, your best bet is to find (beg, borrow or steal), or preferably buy, the DVD "Leningrad Cowboys Go America". This should serve as the best introduction to the wackiness that is the Cowboys' version of rock and roll.

Not unlike Spinal Tap, this band's genesis came from the somewhat weird mind of Finnish director, Aki Kaurismaki. The cult following of this initial film has led to numerous albums, and live DVD's, as the band became a reality and undertook numerous tours around Europe and the rest of the world. They continue to do so today, as the list of tour dates on their website confirms.

Here's the latest video - "Gimme Your Sushi", taken from Buena Vodka Social Club. As you will see, it is intentionally "bad", a parody of the Japanese videos of the 80's, perhaps? Whatever it is, it is fun. So enjoy......

Leningrad Cowboys - Gimme your Sushi from Leningrad Cowboys Official on Vimeo.