Wednesday, November 26, 2008

November CD Release

I Wouldn't Buy You A Sweater If It Came With A Gas Card

November feels fairly similar to last year's November, somewhat uneventful. The songs are all great but the compilation seems to lack something. The best song would be the surprising Florence and the Machine's Kiss With a Fist followed by a few other peppy tracks. Perhaps all the songs sound a little too much alike or maybe it's filled with too many unknown names. The Decemberists and The Killers are certainly news heavy names but the rest fall a little short on the recognition scale and provide too many new sounds for one CD compilation to support.

Tracklist as follows:
1. Science Fiction – French Miami
This 2 year old band, French Miami landed themselves a spot on Rolling Stone's November "Buzz List" and for good reason. In mid-November the band released their debut LP with hot hit tracks, "Science Fiction" and "The Goddamn Best." Out of San Francisco this trio delivers a Joy Division sound and mixes it up with quick guitar licks and killer shouting choruses. Between the slow but guitar brilliant "Science Fiction" and the power chord heavy "The Goddamn Best"; it was a battle between which would make it onto the November compilation, but the Ian Curtis - like voice pulled it through to be the first track giving the compilation's slow start.

2. No One Does It Like You – Department of Eagles (lyrics)
In November, Department of Eagles released their LP, In Ear Park, filled with delightful simple tracks. "No One Does It Like You" is the quintessential old sound yet entirely new and delicious. The song is incredibly simple with basic lyrics, basic instrumentals and has this overall essence of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band mixed with the Monotones. Started in NYU, this duet (Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear and Fred Nicolaus) stick out in this CD compilation.

3. Spaceman – The Killers (lyrics)
Just three days before Thanksgiving The Killers released their 4th full length album, Day & Age, with "Human" as their 80's-esque (picturing siting on the edge of a bed wearing a head band and jean jacket pushed up the arm looking at a photo just after doing pirouettes) single. The Killers do not really deviate from their typical sound in Day & Age, however, "Spaceman" does have one of their best attributes, a deviated subject. In addition to The Killer's catchy beats and tongue catching choruses, "Spaceman" is just odd enough to not feel disconnected but to enjoy with a bit of distance. The album as a whole is a little "too The Killers" but is a pleasant listen. "Joy Ride" and the bonus track, "A Cripling Blow," are some of the really good songs of the album and may find their way on the next Best of Rest collection

4. The Sun Ain't Shining No More – The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
Another iPod commercial slut, danish band The Asteroids Galaxy Tour featured their song "Around the Bend" from their debut EP release. With a beginning similar to CSS's "Music is My Hot Hot Sex" it feels appropriate for the commercial. However, "The Sun Ain't Shining No More" is significantly different with a 70's beginning and an 80's shrill female voice hovering over the slow melody. The chorus, "He leaves my soul on the floor like a dog" just feels right.

5. Live for the Sounds – Brooke Waggoner (lyrics)
From Heal for the Honey, Brooke Waggoner's impressive full length album, "Live for the Sounds" transitions the mix into a lighter sound led by piano and violin. Featured on both the New York Post and NPR for her talent, Brooke Waggoner adds a complicated yet light lovely short ditty for ChipperDemon. Her voice is light and blends smoothly with the music acting almost as an instrument itself. The song also serves as a fantastic transition song.

6. The Wolf – Miniature Tigers (lyrics)
Miniature Tigers produced a fabulous light and catchy album, Tell it to the Volcano, that is reminiscent of high school with its simplistic song lyrics about boys and girls liking each other. "I will buy you things, like diamond rings." Miniature Tigers, based out of Phoenix, has a sound that indie-pop junkies can never get enough of. The album, acclaimed by Spin Magazine, is fun and filled with a great melodies bound to cling to one's eardrums. Rolling Stone, displaying great foresight, placed Miniature Tigers as one of the top 25 bands on Myspace back in 2006. "The Wolf" is a prime example of their brilliant work.

7. Record Year – The Decemberists (lyrics)
Over the past three months The Decemberists have been producing and releasing a three volume work, Always a Bridesmaid: A Singles Series. In true Decemberists fashion the songs act as little epics telling full stories all related to an apparent abundance of rain. "Record Year" from the 3rd Volume, Record Year for Rainfall, is a beautiful melodramatic track and a delightful use of Colin Meloy's distinct voice

8. Strobelight Honey – El Paso Hot Button
With a voice reeking of Jack White, El Paso Hot Button transitions the compilation into a strong beat and guitar heavy song. "Body and soul and mind is not in the pre-nup she says." "Strobelight Honey" is a rock song set to the scene of the club providing a bit of an odd and attractive sound-image relationship.

9. Hole in the Middle – Emily Jane White (lyrics)
It's amazing this track went over ChipperDemon's ears especially last month while one of Emily Jane White's more popular tracks, "Wild Tigers I've Known," from her album Dark Undercoat was in consideration. Hole In the Middle, on the other hand, is just an amazing song grasping at the inner-self, "Everybody does a little dance with the devil." Her voice feels in a way honest with it's lowness kind of looking one in the eye, "let's be frank."

10. We On Top a 'Dis – Ezra Bang & Hot Machine
ChipperDemon's token rap track, "We On Top a 'Dis", not only provides the hip hop sound but interjects quick rhymes and is loaded with culture relevant names. While a good deal of the song feels unconnected and a little odd, the beat is hard to ignore. As a 5 person set up Ezra Bang & Hot Machine are quite the combination. Is it possible they'll be seen on another ChipperDemon collection? Let's just say, we won't be looking but wouldn't be surprised if they found us.

11. Kiss With a Fist – Florence and the Machine (lyrics)
Perhaps one of the best songs of the whole compilation this very short production of the ChipperDemon veteran, Florence and the Machine busts out with a far different sound, produced, controlled and singing an original. Subject reminiscent of Kate Nash the song, metaphoric or not, is brilliant and extremely vivid. The song's got fantastic energy and such a great rock sound it ends far too quickly.

12. Black Fur – Fredrik

Slow and lulling a wonderful melody "Black Fur" is one of Fredrik's prettiest songs. It has the ability to lose the listener in fantastic harmony and vague lyrics.

13. Keep Yourself Warm – Frightened Rabbit (lyrics)
Skillfully a heartfelt lyric strong song, "Keep Yourself Warm," sneaks its way into the head dropping lyrics that are simply just not welcome, especially the chorus, "It takes more than fucking someone you don't know to keep warm.... you won't find love in a hole." Midnight Organ Fight seems to be a fairly typical dramatic Scottish album. The song, while poignant and vivid, is sneaky and can be troublesome in church parking lots.

14. Tambourine – The Happy Hollows
Similar to ChipperDemon's favorite, Land of Talk, The Happy Hollows are electric guitar geniuses skillfully using discordance as their best strength. Using a talk-like singing approach dropping lines about Billy Corgan, it feels strange to enjoy yet impossible to ignore. To further the odd enjoyment, the song crashes at the end expressing great distress.

15. Sleepy Tigers – Her Space Holiday (lyrics)
Bringing the compilation back to simplicity and a light hearted sound, "Sleepy Tigers," wins the compilation over just with, "dancing round our sleepy clothes." The song is crisp chanting a simple sentiment of just liking someone else and wanting to spend time with enough.

16. Take Care – Hooray for Earth
Transitioning into a very Killers like sound with a lingering chorus the song continues the pleasant sentiment of enjoying another's company, "Push me hard cause you know that I'm slack and it's a proven fact I'm never going no where without you." Based out of Boston, Hooray for Earth feels European and perhaps that is their strength, imitating a foreign sound with ease. While the song is a typical 80's synth-pop, like a good deal of the songs ChipperDemon bends toward, it beats through and the fairly long song feels minuscule.

17. Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare – Matt and Kim
Really, it's the drum that makes this song. The very catchy chorus does of course assist but it's the simple repeated piano lick and clap like drum beat that attracts the ear and head bobbing. Matt and Kim, a fairly unknown music force, is supposedly taking this single, "Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare,"to lead a second album into their music recognition.

18. Lazy Eye – Silversun Pickup (lyrics)
The sound feels extremely 1990s and perhaps that is how
Silversun Pickup found themselves onto the compilation with a 2 year old song, but somehow it's too hard to pass by. For the most part its the vocals that give "Lazy Eye" its pungency while the very simple guitar keeps it flowing. The screaming chorus brings it all together cranking itself up on the stereo.

19. House Fire – Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (lyrics)
In the last week of October, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin came out with their latest collection of pop music genius, Pershing, which features the fantastic track, "Modern Mystery." Starting with a simple guitar riff that leads into light vocals growing slightly more complicated into a fairly anti-climatic but delightful chorus. The song gives listeners a chance to enjoy simple but fantastic music with poignant lyrics. However the song "House Fire" from their first full length album starts with a fantastically piano, guitar, and drum complicated intro and transitions into this elongated guitar sound guiding the ear through the bridge for an Elliot Smith-esque chorus making a track from this compilation not to forget.

Bonus Tracks:
Don't Want To Hurt You - The Sounds (lyrics)
Like or Like Like - Miniature Tigers (lyrics)

Saturday, November 22, 2008

No One Does It Like You - Department Of Eagles (Lyrics)

Below are lyrics to "No One Does It Like You" by the Department of Eagles from

Out in the morning come
You don't need to ask an alibi
And in the morning comes
You don't need to be so honest

And in the morning come
You don't need to ask an alibi
And in the morning comes
You don't need to breathe so easy

I laughed so hard I fell down
I cursed these lanes I walked on

No one does it like you
No one does it like you
I tried so hard
But no one does it like you
No one does it like you
But I tried so hard

I tried so hard
I tried so hard

Spaceman - The Killers (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "Spaceman" by The Killers from Day & Age

It started with a low light,
Next thing I knew they ripped me from my bed;
And then they took my blood type,
It left a strange impression in my head.
You know that I was hoping,
That I could leave this star-crossed world behind;
But when they cut me open,
I guess that changed my mind.
And you know I might
Have just flown too far from the floor this time,
’cause they calling me by my name
And the zipping white light beams
disregards the bombs and satellites
That was the turning point;
That was one lonely nigh
The song maker says, “It ain’t so bad”
The dream maker’s going make you mad
The spaceman says, “Everybody look down
Its all in your mind”
Well now I’m back at home, and-
I’m looking forward to this life I live;
You know its gonna haunt me,
So hesitation to this life I give.
You think you might cross over,
You’re caught between the devil and the deep blue sea;
You better look it over,
Before you make that leap
And you know I’m fine,
but I hear those voices at night sometimes they justify my claim,
and the public don’t dwell my transmission
’cause it wasn’t televised
But, it was the turning point,
Oh what a lonely night
The song maker says, “It ain’t so bad”
The dream maker’s going make you mad;
The spaceman says, “Everybody look down
Its all in your mind”
The song maker says, “It ain’t so bad”
The dream maker’s going make you mad;
The spaceman says, “Everybody look down
Its all in your mind”
My global position systems are vocally addressed;
They say the Nile used to run from east to west,
They say the Nile used to run - from east to west.
And you know I’m fine,
but I hear those voices at night,
sometimes
The song maker says, “It ain’t so bad”
The dream maker’s going make you mad;
The spaceman says, “Everybody look down
Its all in your mind”
The song maker says, “It ain’t so bad”
The dream maker’s going make you mad;
The spaceman says, “Everybody look down
Its all in your mind”
It’s all in my mind

Live For the Sounds - Brooke Waggoner (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "Live For the Sounds" by Brooke Waggoner from Heal For the Honey

Why do you ask, do you ask me why?
I live inside my head.
You know this.
Croon to the tune of your own sweet sighs
I'll chant and chant and chant this anthem

Beat on the walls and on the ground
To hear the floor and feel the sound
Drink all da' moisture you can down
Of heaven's juice until you drown

Stitch up your lips with pins and please
Never never tell my secrets
We are the ones without disease
But medicine is still much needed

Beat on the walls and on the ground
To hear the floor and feel the sound
Drink all da' moisture you can down
Of heaven's juice until you drown

Why do you ask do you ask me why?
I live for the sounds and gain their wisdom.
Croon to the tune of your own sweet sighs
Beat on the drums 'til you grow numb.

The Wolf - Miniature Tigers (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "The Wolf" by Miniature Tigers from Tell It To the Volcano

Add nice
Sugar and spice
I'll take you on a cruise to somewhere nice
You haven't been before
Love was meant for more
You moved up close, I could feel your sweat
I kissed you on your neck and you got wet
It's a shallow treat for a guy like me

Everybody's looking at you like they want to
Like they want to go home with you
Everybody's looking at you like they want to
Everybody's looking at you like they want you
Everybody's looking at you like they want to
Like they want to go home with you

I've got nothin' keeping me here
I've wasted all the love that I hold dear
I'll throw a dart: L.A.
The wolf has run away
The guy you know thinks he's so slick
He'll kiss you on your lips but he'll get sick
Lothario..
He's a creep you know

Everybody's looking at you like they want to
Like they want to go home with you
Everybody's looking at you like they want to
Everybody's looking at you like they want to
Everybody's looking at you like they want you
Like they want to go home with you

I'm on your trail, I can smell your blood
I've had enough with unrequited love
It's the coast I crave
Leads me to my grave
Still in my head was the sick of my spine
Give it up and I will make you mine
I will buy you things
Like diamond rings

Everybody's looking at you like they want to
Like they want to go home with you
Everybody's looking at you like they want to
Everybody's looking at you like they want you
Everybody's looking at you like they want to
Like they want to go home with you

Record Year - The Decemberists (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "Record Year" by The Decemberists from Always the Bridesmaid Volume III

I read in the paper today
It’s been a record year for rainfall
And you were leaning ‘gainst the bathroom wall
In your lonely dress
Was your only dress

Stand accusing across
I got a temper set for tender
And you were shrugging it off like a feather
Saying, “Oh
Would you look at this weather?”

What’s the use of all of this?
It’s to remember you in the entire
Cause I’m watching it slip away
And in the annals of the empire
Did it look this grey
Before the fall?
Before the fall

So rake your thumbnail across
The stretch of the patina
Revealing a Proserpina
In a low recline
In a steep decline

What’s the use of all of this?
It’s to remember you in the entire
Cause I’m watching it slip away
And in the annals of the empire
Did it look this grey
Does it look so grey
Does it always look so grey
Before the fall?
Before the fall

Hole in the Middle - Emily Jane White (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "Hole in the Middle" by Emily Jane White from Dark Undercoat

Everybody's got a little hole in the middle
Everybody does a little dance with the devil
Everybody's got a little hole in the middle
Everybody does a little dance with the devil

And you know I'm evil now
And you shout it loud and proud
Singing born in the USA
And you know I'm evil now
And you shout it loud and proud
Singing born in the USA

And I play with my voodoo doll
Stick those pins and drive them in
Singing born in the USA

And I play with my voodoo doll
Stick those pins and drive them in
Singing born in the USA

Oh and everybody's got a little hole in the middle
Everybody does a little dance with the devil
And everybody's got a little hole in the middle
Everybody does a little dance with the devil

And you know I'm evil now
And you shout it loud and proud
Singing born in the USA
And you know I'm evil now
And you shout it loud and proud
Singing born in the USA

Kiss With a Fist - Florence and the Machine (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "Kiss With a Fist" by Florence and the Machine

you hit me once
i hit you back
you gave a kick
i gave a slap
you smashed a plate
over my head
then i set fire to our bed

you hit me once
i hit you back
you gave a kick
i gave a slap
you smashed a plate
over my head
then i set fire to our bed

My black eye casts no shadow
your red eye sees no pain
your slaps don't stick
your kicks don't hit
so we remain the same
blood sticks and
sweat drips
break the lock if it don't fit
a kick in the teeth is good for some
a kiss with a fist is better than none
a-woah a kiss with a fist is better than none

broke your jaw once before spilt your blood upon the floor
you broke my leg in return
sit back and watch the bed burn
well love sticks sweat drips
break the lock if it don't fit
a kick in the teeth is good for some
a kiss with a fist is better than none
a-woah a kiss woth a fist is better than none

you hit me once
i hit you back
you gave a kick
i gave a slap
you smashed a plate over my head
then i set fire to our bed

you hit me once
i hit you back
you gave a kick
i gave a slap
you smashed a plate over my head
then i set fire to our bed

Keep Yourself Warm - Frightened Rabbit (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "Keep Yourself Warm" by Frightened Rabbit from The Midnight Organ Fight

My hole, I'll get my hole, I'll get my hole
Get my hole, get my hole and I'll find out more.
It's a choo-choo train, a rocket launch
If we have a hormone race
i'm bound to finish first.

Can you see in the dark?
Can you see the look on your face?
The flashing white light's been turned off,
You don't know know who's in your bed.

It takes more than fucking someone you don't know to keep warm.
Do you really think that for a house-beat you'll find your love in a hole?

Oh, you won't find love in a,
Won't find love in a hole.
It takes more than fucking someone to keep yourself warm.

I'm drunk, I'm drunk
And you're probably on pills
If we've both got the same diseases
It's irrelevant girl
And the room fills with steam
Oh, evaporates disappears
My point of entry is the same way
That I leave

Can you see in the dark?
Can you see the look on your face?
The flashing white light's been turned off
You don't know know who's in your bed.

It takes more than fucking someone you don't know to keep warm.
Do you really think that for a house-beat you'll find your love in a hole?

But, you won't find love in a, won't find love in a hole.
It takes more than fucking someone to keep yourself warm.

You won't find love in a, won't find love in a hole.
It takes more than fucking someone to keep yourself-
SEE in the dark!
Can you see the look in your face?
The flashing white light's been turned off
You don't know know who's in your bed.

It takes more than fucking someone you don't know
to keep warm
Do you really think that for a house-beat you'll find your love in a hole?

Sleepy Tigers - Her Space Holiday (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "Sleepy Tigers" by Her Space Holiday from XOXO Panda: The New Kid Revival

Oh I like you so very much so much in fact I gotta wake you up
It’s not that I have words to speak
I just wanna see you looking at me
In a way, that states
In an hour when the sun comes up
We’re gonna put on our shoes we’re gonna shake the dust
Open the door with your brand new key
We won’t be afraid of being sweet
to ourselves
Or anybody! anybody else!

Oh I miss you so very much so much in fact i gotta call you up
It’s not that I have news to bring
I just wanna make your telephone ring
So it shows and you know
In a week when I fly back home
We’re gonna jump in bed and be all alone
you’ll make biscuits and I’ll make tea
We’ll curl up close and then fall asleep
To the sound… of no one else no else around

And if Ive learned anything at all
In this short life of mine (it’s this)…
If you hear that joy has come to town
Track it down, take a picture and tape it to your eyes

Oh I love you so very much so much in fact I'm gonna switch it up
I'm gonna take this room that I built for fun
And burn down the walls in front of everyone
So they see, you and me
Dancing in our sleepy clothes
With two big smiles and a bowl of hope!
That we’ll drink down like ginger tea
The heat will help us forget everything
That you and I, that you and I have seen

And if Ive learned anything at all
In this short life of mine (it’s this)…
If you hear that joy has come to town
Track it down, take a picture and tape it to your eyes

Lazy Eye - Silversun Pickups (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "Lazy Eye" by Silversun Pickups from

I've been waiting
I've been waiting for this moment all my life
But it's not quite right

And this 'real'
It's impossible if possible
At who's blind word
So clear but so unheard

I've been waiting
I've been waiting for this silence all night long
It's just a matter of time

To appear sad
With the same ol' decent lazy eye
Fixed to rest on you
Aim free and so untrue

Everyone's so intimately rearranged
Everyone can focus clearly with that shine

Lost and Loaded
Still the same ol' decent lazy eye
Straight through your gaze that's why I said I related
I said we relate
It's so fun to relate

It's the room the sun and the sky
It's the room the sun and the sky

I've been waiting
I've been waiting for this moment

House Fire - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "House Fire" by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin from Broom

We did what we could
To save this house from falling
But it burns because it's wood
And now you’ll never call me darling

I coughed your name
I smoked all day
And I slept myself sleepy
I was sleeping it away

Don't let it burn
Don't get confused
Don't let it get to you

We did what we could
To save this car from crashing
Your pretty face is soaked in blood
You know, I still find you dashing

Airbag suffocates
You need a little space
The rain on the windshield
I watched you limp away

Doesn't have to hurt?
Don't get confused
Don't let it bother you
Don't try to call you’ll lose it all
You get used to her bad news,
It's just bad news

Don't Want to Hurt You - The Sounds (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "Don't Want to Hurt You" by The Sounds from Dying to Say This to You

Don't want hurt you
Try not to mess with your feelings
It's just a matter of trust, for us, for lust
Don't want hurt you
Try not to fuck with your feelings
It's just a matter of trust, for us, for lust

You should come over
Cause I can tell from your eyes
Why won't you tell me what's really on your mind
Too much confusion
You need a little more time
So many times now we've been through this before

Don't want hurt you
Try not to mess with your feelings
It's just a matter of trust, for us, for lust
Don't want hurt you
Try not to fuck with your feelings
It's just a matter of trust, for us, for lust

Can we start over
Or should I leave you behind?
Give me an answer
But please don't tell me the truth
What's your solution?
You can't make up your mind
This is my answer, you know I wanna leave

Don't say you just wanna go!
Don't you know you're on your own?
Don't say you just wanna go!
Don't you know you're on your own?

Don't want hurt you
Don't want hurt you
Try not to mess with your feelings
It's just a matter of trust, for us, for lust
Don't want hurt you
Try not to fuck with your feelings
It's just a matter of trust, for us, for lust

Don't say you just wanna go!
Don't you know you're on your own?
Don't say you just wanna go!
Don't you know you're on your own?

Don't want hurt you
Don't want hurt you
Try not to mess with your feelings
Don't say you just wanna go
Don't want hurt you
Don't want hurt you
Try not to mess with your feelings
Don't say you just wanna go
Don't want hurt you
Don't want hurt you
Try not to fuck with your feelings
Don't say you just wanna go

Like or Like Like - Miniature Tigers (Lyrics)

Below are the lyrics to "Like or Like Like" by the Miniature Tigers from Tell It to the Volcano

I watched you through your window
I was wearing that dumb sweatshirt
I looked like a goon
I was dressed for winter
Even though it was the middle of June

I watched you get undressed
I must have turned bright red
'Cause I couldn't stand to face you
'Cause I liked what I saw
And maybe we should just be friends

Tell me how you feel about me
Do you like or like like me
Tell me what you really feel
Do you like me
Just say you do

I climbed up your front porch
And I doorbell ditched ya
And I felt so bad
Couldn't cop to what I did
So I laughed myself sick all the way to my car

Tell me how you feel about me
Do you like or like like me
Tell me what you really feel
Do you like me
Just say you do

Tell me how you feel about me
Do you like or like like me
Tell me what you really feel
Do you like me
Tell me how you feel about me
Do you like or like like me
Tell me what you really feel
Do you like me
Just say you do