Once there was a Pianosaurus

Sometimes you see a bandname and you can only hope please, please let this be a good band. A band that was cool enough to name itself after a plastic toy piano in the shape of a dinosaur but sounds like crap would break my heart.

Luckily, no such worries with Pianosaurus. The only studio album by this band from New York, 1987's Groovy Neighborhood is a sparkling curiosity, an enthusiastic gimmick that manages to be much more than just a novelty. All their pop songs are played on children's instruments, but manage to sound like proper pop & roll. Both Alex Garvin's original compositions and the cover songs sound like little bursts of creative joy and are surprisingly well-played.

Sadly, ages after all other dinosaurs, the brave Pianosaurus went extinct before the (finished) second album was released. Even more sadly, that second album is still lying somewhere on some shelve gathering dust, unheard by anyone.

Download (Mediafire)
1. Pianosaurus - Sun will follow
2. Pianosaurus - Memphis
3. Pianosaurus - Ready to rock

How music might save my life

I seem to be going through a bit of an unlucky streak. In the last 24 hours I burned my hand, dropped my dinner to the kitchen floor (note how these two are related), fell over a parked bike hurting my knee quite badly and then tried cathing my fall by holding on to barbwire. I'm afraid finding out what'll be next.

To stay on the safe side I'm just gonna sit here and play pretty music:

Download (Mediafire)
1. The Smittens - Deep blue sea
2. A Smile And A Ribbon - Miracles
3. The Positions - Bliss!
4. This Is Ivy League - Til the day

Undercover poplover, part 2

Let's post some more covers, why not? Part 1 is still online as well, over here.

This Sunday I'm just gonna sit here and be lazy/tired/indifferent in a zombie-like manner. I didn't drink last night but it surely feels like it.

Download (Mediafire)
1. Aztec Camera - Jump
2. Jens Lekman - You can call me Al
3. The Shapiros - Will you still love me tomorrow

Muy pop!

Whenever I hear Zipper I want to stand up and cheer, then do a little dance.

http://www.myspace.com/grupozipper

Download (Mediafire)
1. Zipper - Hoy estoy muy pop
2. Zipper - A good man

I love you too

Do you remember how you used to listen to music pre-Internet? Do you remember how maybe you tried to create the right space and feeling, and then actually surrounded yourself with the music? Not just as a sound, but as an experience?

Well, maybe that's how you still do it. For me, over the years even playing actual CDs has become a rare happening. If I don't download albums, I just rip them to MP3 and then they can start their dust-gathering on my shelves. Since my record player broke a while ago playing vinyl went completely out the window.

But now I suddenly felt an urge to go back.

I re-positioned my speakers. I went through my CD-collection, picking out almost forgotten discs. I bought a new turntable. I dusted off the old favourite LPs and 7-inches. Lying down on my couch, closing my eyes and letting the music in, I smiled.

It's hard to explain what the difference is. Somehow, what I do through my computer, or with my iPod, is listening to music. It's great, no doubt. I love the Internet and all the music that I found through it. But that old feeling, that… bedroom-feeling, it's something else. It's not just listening, it's feeling. It's knowing. It's wonderful.

Never mind me. It's Springtime and I'm in love with the strangest things.

Hello!

FPAP 7"

I decided to upload a 7" today for a change. It's Papercut Records 001: FPAP, a nice mini compilation released in 1995 with songs by 4 different bands. The quality is what you can expect when you transform vinyl to MP3 (not perfect), but I thought it worth a try!

Download (Mediafire)
A1: Cub - Pillow queen
A2: Raggedy Ann - Soul sound
B1: Tullycraft - Pink lemonade
B2: Weakling - Roy to me

Postponing any effort

It's much too warm to even consider cracking my brain over a more interesting post.

Happiness about the overwhelming amount of sunshine is the main sentiment, but I also feel a slight doom caused by a creeping feeling of déjà vu. Last year we had a very early heatwave, and that was where Summer ended before it even officially began. Hopefully this year's Weather Gods will be a bit more considerate with my needs and wishes.

Anyway, it had been a week or so, and I thought to maybe have you keep liking me somewhat I'd post some random songs that do not have a lot to do with anything. You know, just 'cause I like 'em. So here you have it:

Download (Mediafire)
1. Avett Brothers - At the beach
2. Chris & Mollie - Transition trade
3. Nosoträsh - Gloria
4. Coralie Clément - Ça valait la peine
5. Nixon - There's too much soul on YR mixtape

For a lovely mix that suits the hot weather perfectly, hop by at Marianthi's.

Uncool, old-fashioned... and perfect

Too uncool for even your parents? Something your grandparents might tap their toes to with a smile filled with memories? Not even that?

Sometimes I understand why some of my friends think my taste in music is... dubious. But who am I to care? Once you're uncool, you're uncool and I can only be happy about it, because if you think a little further I win and they lose by caring too much.

All the above is an unnessesary introduction to me saying that this song is absolutely 100% perfect. Its simplicity is so brilliant, that one verse was enough; they just play it twice.

Go on, laugh at me!

Download (Mediafire)
1. Everly Brothers - Walk right back

The School

It's a good time for fans of The School. And trust me, there's a big chance you'll be one of those fans. Shortly after the release of their lovely single 'All I wanna do', now there's the EP 'Let it slip'.

The perfect soundtrack for Springtime? Look no further!
Did someone whisper Phil Spector?



http://www.myspace.com/theschoolband
Buy the single & EP

Download (Mediafire)
1. The School - All I wanna do
2. The School - Let it slip

Eux Autres

Spring is always a beautiful moment for a fresh musical crush. This year, with the first days of sunshine, butterflies and t-shirts came an overwhelming love for the adorable brother-and-sister duo Eux Autres, from Portland. I already posted a song here, but they need a full post. Yes they do.

New album 'Cold city' is filled with jangly gems full of infectious hooks and great melodies, with boy and girl vocals that are sweet without getting too twee. Eux Autres are blending French pop with garage rock in such an addictive way that I've been playing it almost non-stop since the record arrived in my mailbox a couple of weeks ago. They sound like a sunny Beat Happening with a touch of the more addictive aspects of Belle & Sebastian and The Vaselines mixed in, and yes that's a good thing.

A couple of years ago (2004) they released 'Hell is Eux Autres' which sadly didn't reach my ears back then, because that album too is as frech and addictive as it gets. Especially 'Other girls' is a classic song to fall in love with and never leave.

http://www.euxautres.net/

Download (Mediafire)
1. Other girls
2. The Sundance kid
3. When I'm up