Music Of Late

Here is a list of a few of the songs I've been listening to repeatedly over the last few weeks.

•  "Is Your Love Strong Enough," by How to Destroy Angels.  I discovered this song because it's on the soundtrack to American version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  (Note that this song doesn't get going until about 50 seconds in, and it shifts into second gear around 2:05.)
• "Rolling in the Deep," by Adele.  Pandora found this song for me.
• "Rocket Trip," by Kognitif.  This song appears to be a remix of "Rocket Trip to Mars," by Frederika Stahl.  I discovered this song in a YouTube video chronicling a very impressive mission to the Mars-equivalent planet in Kerbal Space Program.

I think there's a pattern here, don't you?

How about you?  What have you been playing on repeat?

Domino, Brett Domino

Do you enjoy unusual musical instruments?  How about nerds who exaggerate their awkwardness?  If so, then Brett Domino and the Brett Domino Trio may be right up your alley.

Domino, twentysomething years old, from Leeds, is the alter ego of Rob J. Madin.  Domino is a musician who, alone or with trio performs covers, medleys, orignal compositions, and semi-original songs using unusual, mostly electronic, instruments, such as the stylophone, keytar, monotron, kaossilator, kazoo, and theremin.  The Domino performance persona is extremely awkward and stilted, sometimes almost lacking in affect.  I suspect this stage persona is an amplified version of Madin's own personality, but my only evidence is that the other members of the group act the same way.  I should point out that the band is now down to two members, but they've kept the Brett Domino Trio name.  Most of Domino's and the band's performances are YouTube videos, but they have also performed live.  Indeed, they appeared on Britain's Got Talent a few years ago and just completed an eBay auction of a live performance in the winner's home.

If you find Brett Domino and company amusing, you might want to subscribe to his YouTube channel.

Music Comma Paired

Well, gentle reader, it's time for another of my updates on my lates musical fascinations. This time, I've found myself repeatedly listening to two or sometimes three songs from the same album, so I thought I'd frame today's post in pairs.

• "End of Me" by Apocolyptica featuring Gavin Rossdale, and "Broken Pieces" by Apocalyptica featuring Lacey Sturm, both from the 7th Symphony album. You may recognize the featured vocalists as the frontpeople of Bush and Flyleaf respectively. These songs combine classical string instruments with contemporary style and lyrics. Of course I enjoy them.
• "What You Want" and "My Heart is Broken" by Evanescence, both from the band's self-titled album. These two tracks have all the traits of Evanescence pieces I've enjoyed in the past.
• "Immigrant Song" by Karen O, Trent Reznor, and Atticus Ross as well as "An Itch" by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross from the soundtrack to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. "Immigrant Song" is, of course, a cover, but I really enjoy the extra electronic sounds and "noise" layered on to this version. They really give it an unsettled, busy feeling that seems right. This track was used in one of the trailers and over the Bond-like title sequence of the film. "An Itch" has a completely different mood and tempo, but it still feels, as its name suggests, agitated and ill at ease. I like that. I wonder if Mr. Reznor has a second Academy Award in his future.
• "Heavy in Your Arms" and "Dog Days are Over" by Florence + the Machine, both on the Lungs (Deluxe Edition) album. "Dog Days" is very up-tempo, which seems out-of-character for Florence and Company. "Heavy," which is not available on the regular version of the album, is much more sedate, and it's certainly the standout on the Deluxe Edition. I was a little disturbed to learn that it was used in the soundtrack to one of the Twilight movies. Because of (a) that discovery, (b) the fact that I was working my way through the Hunger Games books when I first encountered the song, and (c) that I seem to associate all female-led, young-adult novels with each other, this track has become linked in my mind to Katniss Everdeen and the nation of Panem.

So that's what I've been listening to recently. How about you, gentle reader?

Muse Ick

It's been half a year, gentle reader, since I updated you about the music I've been enjoying. So, it's time for another unsolicited musical report.

• "Sincerely, Jane" by Janelle Monáe. This is probably the track on this list furthest from my usual musical wheelhouse. The vocal and instrumental performances and are quite enjoyable, but what really makes the song, in my opinion, are the horns in particular. I found this song almost a year ago, when the artist appeared on one of the weekend public-radio shows. I need to check out the her other work.
• "Eternal" by Faun Fables. The lyrics to this song are quite fun, and I enjoy the lead vocal and the instrumentation. I especially like the chanting male background vocals. They give the track a Polynesian flavor. I found this song, like many of my new favorites, through Pandora.
• "Wonder" by Megan McCauley. So now we are getting into my usual musical strike zone. I found this song after enjoying the artist's "Fragile."
• "I am the Doctor" written by Murray Gold, performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. This track, of course, is from Doctor Who. Specifically, it's been used in Series 5 and 6 (new numbering) when the Doctor is figuring out and then solving some challenge. Often in a chace sequence. I enjoy the up-tempo parts immensely.

So that's what I've been listening to lately. You?

Whistle-Whistle

The theme song to Castle has been stuck in my head frequently late. Much to Alison's annoyance, songs stuck in my head tend to leak out, but their pitches are not preserved in the process.

Also stuck in my head, but unrecognizable to my dear bride, "People are Strange" by the Doors.

Music Comma New-Ish

Of course, I've also been listening to some more "contemporary" music:

• "Fragile" by Megan McCauley. This song is right in my wheelhouse, as regular readers will know.
• "Wonder" by Megan McCauley. This one, too. No surprise, I suppose.
• "24" by Jem. This one is probably the most strike-zone-inhabiting song on this list. I mean, the protagonist is dying, for cryin' out loud. I'm now interested in seeing Ultraviolet, entirely because of this song and the fight sequences. I fully expect the rest of the film to be terrible.
• "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy. Another sad female vocalist. Shocking, I know.
• "Dirty Laundry" by Bitter:Sweet. Quirky and fun, right? And who doesn't love a band with an internal colon in its name?
• "Hero" by Skillet. Yet another example a song I like that is performed by a Christian band. Oh well.
• "The Real" by Days of the New. This song sounds to me like something that would have played during a chase sequence in an episode of Due South. I'm not sure why. Anyway, perhaps I should check out this band's other work.
• The entire Disorder album by Chiasm. This album is full of good electronica.

These songs also all came from Pandora.

So, what have you been listening to?

Music Comma Old-Ish

I'm sure, gentle reader, that you've been wondering to yourself, "What has Michael been listening to lately?" Well, the answer is a bunch of "old" stuff:

• "Pompeii" by E. S. Posthumus. I enjoy how this track combines orchestral music and a choir with contemporary electronic instruments.
• "We Took Pelham" by Deadly Avenger. Again the combination of an orchestra with electronic sounds really entertains me. I was correct in believing that this track was built up from a piece called "Going the Distance" from the Rocky soundtrack.
• "Lux Aeternia" by Clint Mansell. This piece was written for Requiem for a Dream, which was released in 2000, but parts of it are very classical-sounding to me.
• "Palladio" by Escala. This is a modernized and slightly cheesy version of the "Diamonds are Forever" song used by De Beers. Cheesy but fun.
• "Kashmir" by Escala featuring Slash. Clearly, these ladies are doing the string-instrument version of lip-synching in the linked-to video. String-synching, I guess. There's no way they are playing while dancing around like that. And where's Slash in the video?
• "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin. Because the Escala version reminded me how much I like this song. And because it was time to get the Led out.
• "The Chain," by Fleetwood Mac. Because sometimes classic rock fits my mood.

I found most of these tracks through Pandora.com. Thanks, Pandora.

Captain Kirk is Climbing a Mountain

Alison and I saw this...um, music video at Dragon*Con 2009, and we thought you'd enjoy it.

Horribly Gleeful

Do you here that? That's the sound of everyone who enjoys both Dr. Horrible and Glee going "squee!" They're singing it, naturally. The reason for all this enthusiasm? It's being reported that Doctor Horrible himself, Neil Patrick Harris, will be appearing on the high-school-set musical series.

Now if we could just get that Dr. Horrible sequel...

One of These Things

I'm sure that you, gentle reader, have been asking yourself, "When will Michael update us about the music he's been listening to?" Well, your wait is over. Here's a small sampler of songs I've been playing frequently recently:

• Tapping the Vein, "Burn."
• Tapping the Vein, "Time."
• Flyleaf,* "Again."
• Third Day,* "Slow Down." I came across this song in a video compilation of the SCCA, Washington DC Region's 2009 solo season. (Incidentally, here's another good autocross video.)

Once again, I will ask you to identify which one is different from the others. This should be easy.

* Why is it I keep finding songs by Christian bands and bands that happen to be Christian? I mean, really. I'm not sure how to explain this trend.

One of These Things

I've recently been listening to a few songs repeatedly, and I thought I should share them with you, gentle reader.

• Melanie C, "Beautiful Intentions." Even though I've learned Mel C's identity and background since I last mentioned her, I still enjoy several of her songs. Really.
• Luka Bloom, "The Acoustic Motorbike." This is my favorite song about cycling.
• Snow Patrol, "Open Your Eyes." I discovered this song watching a video compilation of Spec Miata footage, and I used the Shazam app to find it.
• Alexi Murdoch, "Breathe." I found this one while watching an episode of Stargate Universe. Again, Shazam to the rescue.
• Anna Nalick, "Breathe (2 AM)." I discovered this piece while searching for the other "Breathe" in this list. It's funny how things work out sometimes.
• American Hi-Fi, "The Art of Losing." I stumbled onto this track while wacthing a video compilation of World Rally Championship jumps. More Shazam-ing ensued.
• Muse, "Uprising." Yes, I admit it: this song is very popular on the radio right now. Plus, it is---or was recently---being used to promote ABC's remake of V.
• Tapping the Vein, "Complicate It." This is a recently released song from a band I've been listening to for a while.

Sharp-eared readers will note that only one of these songs is about a woman planning a murder. The rest of the songs are at least a bit outside my strike zone, as Nick calls it. I think I'm growing as a person.

They Just Wanna, They Just Wanna

Today, after buying some gasoline, I went into the associated minute-mart or whatever to acquire some ade. While choosing my unnaturally colored beverage, I realized I knew the words to the over-produced, bubble-gum pop song being played over the store's sound system. But who was responsible for this un-asked-for cover? I whipped out my iPhone and set Shazam to work on that very question. In a moment I learned, to my horror, that Mylie Cyrus has recorded a version of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Oh the girlanity!

It Must be Bunnies!

I've had the songs from "Once More with Feeling" stuck in my head for the last several days. Someone please help me.

Thanks, Pandora!

I was introduced to this song today via Pandora, and I have listened to it all afternoon. I really like it! I need to look into what else Vienna Teng sings. Enjoy!

Whedonverse Alumni

Wondering what your favorite Whedonverse actors have been up to lately? Well too bad, because that's not the subject of this post. Instead, this post is about what a couple of them did some years before they me Whedon.

First up is this video for George Harrison's "I Got My Mind Set On You, from 1988.* The boy in the video is played by Alexis Dennisof, everyone's favorite rogue demon hunter. I found this video indirectly, because Dennisof's wife and co-actor, Alyson Hannigan, tweeted it, presumably to lightly tease the man. Please note the hairstyles and fashion in this video.

Second, and last, is this 1992 advertisement for the Nerf Slingshot. The spokeskid in the ad is Seth Green. His hair is priceless, I must say.*** The girls' outfits are equally timeless.

Enjoy.

* Interestingly, Harrison's performance was a cover. The song was originally written in 1962.**

** "Wierd Al" Yankovic created a parody of Harrison's version called "This Song's Just Six Words Long."

*** It's no worse than a 'do he's sported more recently, when he couldn't claim fashion impairment due to pubescent flood of hormones.

Everything is Free

Speaking of music, I've also been listening to "Everything is Free" by Swedish band The Tiny. The Tiny defies classification, at least by someone of my limited musical knowledge. You might call them chamber goth, but more minimal and much cuter than Rasputina. Or something. Anyway, "Everything is Free" is a languid, sad commentary on communism, as far as I can tell. I encourage you to check out the song and the band.

One of These Things

Here's a sampling of some of the music I've been listening to lately,

• Guano Apes, "Scratch the Pitch."
• Guano Apes, "You Can't Stop Me."
• Nine Inch Nails, "The Day the World Went Away"
• Nich Inch Nails, "Zero Sum"
• Fireflight, "Unbreakable"
• David Bowie, "Life on Mars?"
• Darling Violetta*, "A Smaller God"
• Mealnie C, "You Will See"

All these songs are fairly typical of the music that I most enjoy. Well, except one. Can you determine the outlier? For bonus points, can you tell me how I first became aware of and interested in this tune?

* Darling Violetta also performed the theme to Angel.

I <3 BSG

Do you love Battlestar Galactica so much you want to sing about it?  Here's how.

Blake's 7 Amuses Unintentionally

I'm about 12 episodes into Blake's 7 now, and I thought I should point out a couple of the show's amusing shortcomings:

• The incidental music seems to have been lifted, without modification, from Doctor Who episodes of the same era.  This re-use of material isn't entirely surprising given the links between the series.  Both shows aired on the Beeb,  B7 was created by Terry Nation, who wrote for Doctor Who and created the Daleks,* and, most relevantly, B7's music was composed by Who veteran,  Dudley Simpson.
• The fight sequences are completely ridiculous, and not the fun kind of ridiculous like you'd find in a Hong Kong kung fu film.    Imagine a fight scene from the original Star Trek, but slowed down to about 3/4 speed and with the punches replaced by the kind of awkward shoving you might see between 8-year-old sisters.  Leave in the 2-handed "clubbing," though.

* I guess Nation is the nearest real-life equivalent to Davros, then. 

Blisters and Calluses

For many years, I've had large and thick calluses on my hands, from numerous hours of weight training and cycling. All the CrossFittery I've engaged in over the last 20 months has not only made them bigger and thinker, but also caused them to spread to odd locations, such as my inner wrists. Now, thanks to 2 days of driving through New Jersey at over 100 miles/hour and 2 nights of pretend drumming, I have calluses where I never did before. And nascent blisters to boot.