Accordion to Me – Arcade Fire and Willy DeVille
Well I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I have to spread the good word of The Arcade Fire, a great band from Montreal. They’ve been all over the internet, all over the music blogs, and doggone it, they’re gettin’ to me. The song posted below was my first introduction to the band. Also, I found a page with several video links to a Lawrence, Kansas performance and interviews with the band.
I’m always bad at categorizing / pigeonholing music, so I turn again to AMG, Arcade Fire is an “experimental indie rock quintet.” “Old Flame” is a great tune. Any tune that can kick it with an accordion is a-ok with me.
From Arcade Fire Demo EP, self-released in 2003.
Arcade Fire Official Site
While we’re on an accordion kick, take a listen to Willy Deville‘s “Even While I Sleep”. Willy used to be in Mink Deville, a pioneering NY-based punk pand. I only have one of his solo albums, ‘Backstreets of Desire’, but need to get more. He’s heavily influenced by R&B and New Orleans stylings. “Even While I Sleep” features David Hidalgo of Los Lobos on the squeezebox. Dig it…
From ‘Backstreets of Desire’, 1994, Forward/Rhino – {Amazon}The Hellecasters – Orange Blossom Special
If you listen to tunes when you run or exercise, one of the greatest motivators is the old standard, “Orange Blossom Special”, as done by the Hellecasters. It was released on their 1993 debut, ‘The Return of the Hellecasters’.
As you can probably guess, the Fender Telecaster plays a big role in the group. All three members of the Hellecasters are respected Telecaster players in their own right: Jerry Donahue from Fairport Convention, John Jorgenson from the Desert Rose Band, and session man Will Ray.
These fellas ride the “Orange Blossom Special” at blistering speeds. It’s 7 minutes of supercharged instrumental hillbilly rock n’ roll.
Official Web Site.Homesick by Kings of Convenience
I’ll lose some sales and my boss won’t be happy
But I can’t stop listening to the sound
Of two soft voices blended in perfection
From the reels of this record that I’ve foundRead all of the lyrics here.
Wow. It’s rare that a song blows me away like this. I heard “Homesick” for the first time yesterday, and I’ve just listened to it about 6 times in a row, and I plan on listening some more. And then I’ll buy the CD. Just beautiful. Sad. Melodic. Good stuff. I played it for my wife. She said, “sounds like Simon & Garfunkel”. Yeah, I guess she’s right. Again. 🙂 To those whom the words “Simon & Garfunkel” might make you scroll immediately down the page, just give it a try anyway eh?
Kings of Convenience are made up of two fellows from Norway – Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe. These boys set quite a mood.
From ‘Riot on an Empty Street’, 2003, Kindercore -{Amazon}
See their Offical Web SiteKihn You Dig It – Greg Kihn’s Breakup Song
One of my old favorites, “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em). Greg Kihn grew up in Baltimore, MD, but moved to San Francisco in the mid-70’s. His first hit was this tune, released on 1981’s “Rockihnroll”. You’re probably familiar with “Jeopardy” too, from 1983’s “Kihnspiracy”. You’re at least familiar with Weird Al Yankovic’s “I Lost on Jeopardy”, right? Well, Greg’s been a staple of the Bay Area music scene all this time. “The Breakup Song” is just under 3 minutes of well crafted pop-rock. Brings back memories, this one…
From ‘Rockihnroll“, 1981, Berserkley – {Amazon}
Greg Kihn’s Official SitePatty Griffin’s version of “Stolen Car”
Okay, so the ladies have not been represented as yet on this here mp3 music blog called IckMusic. Truth be told, my music collection leans far heavier towards male artists. Don’t know why, I fancy the ladies and all. Hmm, I’ll ponder that for a while. One of the ladies I thoroughly enjoy listening to though is Patty Griffin. And one of my favorite albums of all time is Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The River‘ (3rd and 4th LP sides particularly).
So, if you marry up Patty Griffin’s flawless voice with Bruce’s “Stolen Car”, this is what you get…
From ‘1,000 Kisses’, 2002, Ato Records – {Amazon}
Shake it with Awilo
My wife was born in Kenya and grew up in Seychelles. Me? I was born in the very exotic setting of Racine, Wisconsin. Since I met her a few years ago, I’ve been introduced to a lot of great music from that part of our planet. Among them is this tune, “Coupé Bibamba,” from Congolese singer Awilo Longomba.
Awilo will get the heads bobbing on the fellas and the booties shakin’ on the ladies. If you’re wondering how this music would be categorized, it’s called Soukous.
Jimmy Records, 2001 – {Amazon}
Wormburner – Skinny Leather Tie
I came across this homage to the 80’s the other day by a band with an awesome name: Wormburner. Here’s a clip from their web site bio:
Wormburner was co-founded in 2002 by two guys with a song they couldn’t get out of their heads. New Yorkers Steve “Hank” Henry and Terry “Terry” Solomone once played together in a cover band. When that project ran its course, Hank and Terry began developing their own sound and their own songs. Inspired by progressive guitar rock and indie pop, their songwriting partnership quickly gave life to a tune called Skinny Leather Tie. Initially conceived by Hank as a lyrical goof best-suited for acoustic performance, he and Terry took to the City’s open mic circuit and gave the song some exposure. Astonished by universally-positive feedback, the duo visited a modest downtown recording studio and laid down an electric demo version of the song. The two of them played on all tracks: Hank on vocals and guitar, Terry on drums, bass, guitar and tambourine.
It’s a catchy tune with a kick ass drum intro, and some hilarious 80’s references in the lyrics:
But the skinny leather ties
They make me look straight outta 1985
Yeah back when three remaining Beatles were alive
California Coolers with the other middle-schoolers
Skinny leather tiesBuy Wormburner on Amazon.
Rich Man’s War
Here’s the video of Steve Earle‘s “Rich Man’s War,” a song from his latest album ‘The Revolution Starts Now”. It was directed by Jonathan Demme.
Steve on Amazon.
[2024 – Link no longer available, and I can’t find the video any where!]
Comin’ Straight Outta…Edmonton?
I came across Cadence Weapon last week on Fluxblog. Cadence Weapon is an 18 yr old rapper / producer from Edmonton, Alberta. Yes, Edmonton. I didn’t know they rolled so hard up there, but judging by CW’s style, I think they do. Now I’m not as plugged into the hip hop game as I was say, back in – oh – 1989. I mean I’m far more likely to listen to Eric B and Rakim or Schoolly D than Tupac, Biggie, Lil Jon, or any of the many Lils. But Cadence Weapon gives me hope. The tracks and beats that back him up are funky as hell, and make this white boy bob his head. His rapping is smooth and cool. And that name – Cadence Weapon – cool name.
Cadence Weapon, from this 34 year old white boy in the Arizona desert, you go on with yo bad self son.
Cadence Weapon Official Site, where you can buy his music.
Chop Suey with Joey and the Girls
There’s an eighties movie called ‘Get Crazy’. It starred Malcolm McDowell, who freaked everybody out as Alex in ‘A Clockwork Orange’. I haven’t seen ‘Get Crazy’. But on the soundtrack is a Ramones contribution called “Chop Suey”. It was an outtake from my favorite Ramones album, ‘Pleasant Dreams’. It’s a more pop-oriented album than their earlier releases, but as a little kid, I loved singing along to “She’s a Sensation’, ‘Don’t Go’, and ‘The KKK Took My Baby Away’ (still do, actually).
An alternate version to “Chop Suey” can be found on the remastered release of ‘Pleasant Dreams’. It’s a pretty infectious tune, a little new wavy, a synth solo, and backing vocals by Deborah Harry, and Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson of the B-52’s. ]