Album in the Cell: v01d "This is Not a False Alarm Anymore"

This week's Album in the Cell is:

v01d - This is Not a False Alarm Anymore

This week, I'm highlighting an album instead of just a song... because I can.

"This is Not a False Alarm Anymore" is the debut album from Toronto's moody electronic guy, v01d. The maturity and contemplative nature of the songs (not to be mistaken for "boring") is a testament to the years v01d's Joseph Byer has spent working with music, and forming his sound. Anyone that heard earlier v01d will hear the difference right away. These songs are not meant for a dancefloor... but are building, growing, evolving experiences.

Highlights of the album include the sort-of-title-track "Feel Me Fade", electro waltz "Resurrected Upon Landing", the MC 900 ft Jesusesque "Gods Look Down", and sexy-but-depressing "This Moment is Over".

This album also has a companion album, "Burnt Upon Re-Entry", available digitally or as a part of a limited 2-CD set. It offers up some new tracks (including the seemingly out of character rap track "End of Life"), some remixes and alternate versions of album tracks.

To end off this post, we have the video trailer for the album... BUY IT NOW!

Enjoy!

Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

• v01d official website
• v01d channel on youtube
• v01d on myspace
• v01d on facebook
• v01d on LastFM
  

Song in the Cell: Kittie "Cut Throat"

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Kittie - Cut Throat

I can't quite reconcile the sound that comes out of this tiny girl's mouth with her appearance. Doesn't quite mesh, does it? Yet she somehow manages to go from a growly cookie-monster voice to a fun girlie metal voice. I think that's a thing that's baffled Kittie fans since they first appeared many years ago. Hard to believe, considering how young they *still* are.

For years, I have had Brackish in my playlists, and now I've got some new songs to add. The new single, Cut Throat, is pretty wicked. They are a great band, who just happen to be made up entirely of girls. Pretty sweet. Plus, Canadian.

Check out their new album, "In the Black". Highlights include Cut Throat, Die My Darling, and Now or Never.

Enjoy!

Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

Song in the Cell: Marina and the Diamonds "Mowgli's Road"

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Marina and the Diamonds - Mowgli's Road

I'm not too sure how to describe this, other than "I like it". The song is kind of fun, and different, and almost catchy (except I can never remember any of the words).

I'm realizing I'm on a bit of a kick this season... most bands I'm listening to are a "somebody and the somethings" band, or the band name ends in 'ette'. Hm.

As for this video... it brings to mind Muppets and Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man. It's a little creepy... you'll see what I mean. My limbs are feeling a little wobbly now.

Enjoy!

Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

Song in the Cell: Alice in Videoland "She's a Machine"

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Alice in Videoland - She's a Machine

This video is pretty cute. Alice in Videoland is an electro-punk-pop band from Sweden, on Artoffact Records (for North America). Their songs are usually pretty short, extremely fun and pretty much insane.

This song is from their third album, of the same name, "She's a Machine", which also features a duet with Maja from the Sounds ("We Are Rebels") and a cover of Guano Apes ("Open Your Eyes"). Pretty wicked.

<3 Bleph

Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

v01d - Weakener (featuring Ayria) Available Now!

v01d's debut single, Weakener (featuring Ayria), is now out on Artoffact Records!




Available October 6 in digital format, from various retailers including Amazon.com, iTunes, and Stormingthebase.com

Listen to the track on Last FM and MySpace by the end of the day!

Check out the trailer!

Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

Metal Monday: Dethklok - Bloodtrocuted

Today is Metal Monday!

... and today's band is made of crayons, or more likely pixels generated in Flash...

Dethklok - Bloodtrocuted


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

Blerg! Why is my newest favourite metal band a cartoon!?? Yeah, it's one of those weird things where I'm not really into the genre so much anymore, but I still like the stuff I liked before and also plus I watch cartoons. In walks Dethklok (from the show Metalocalypse) with their weirdo bad accents, insanely unlucky fans and incredibly armed goons. Yeah, and also some apocalyptic prophecy involving the band.


<3 Bleph

Awesomesauce Thursday: I Am A (Giant) Paleontologist

Hey! It's Awesomesauce Thursday!!

Science is great! Especially when you learn it from kooky band They Might Be Giants:


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

They Might Be Giants - I Am A Paleontologist

These guys are the coolest. Seriously!! Their recent releases have been geared towards children, and tend to be *shock* on the almost educational side! The newest release "Here Comes Science" is gearing up to be great... if not a little controversial!!

A lyric from the track "Science is Real" (see its video here!) groups together angels, unicorns and elves as elements of "stories", where science is "fact". While I wholeheartedly agree, some more religious folks may take offense to the inclusion of angels. This came right after I watched the Penn & Teller - Bulls**t! episode on Creationism. Interestingly appropriate.

Enjoy!
<3 Bleph

Metal Monday: Leaves' Eyes - My Destiny

Today is Metal Monday!

... and we're kicking it off with

Leaves' Eyes - My Destiny


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

This is hopefully the start of a new regular post here in my cell. I think I've been avoiding the metal. Or maybe it's avoiding me. Yeah, I gave it the obvious alliterative title. Boo on me.

In any case, this lovely video happened upon my inbox today, by one of my more recent favourite metal bands, Leaves' Eyes. Leaves' Eyes is that kind of 'beauty & the beast' Norwegian metal band that mixes fairly operatic, beautiful female vocals with harsh growly male vocals.

Many bands can't pull it off.

Leaves' Eyes is a great example of making that style work, mostly because singer Liv Kristine is vocally very strong (where some of the other bands are lacking). They're also different from other bands I listen to because they are very story and theme-oriented. The video illustrates literally what their song writing paints.


<3 Bleph

Song in the Cell : Anna Cyzon - Young Boy

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Anna Cyzon - Young Boy


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

I saw a clip of this on TV when I was home for lunch one day... and thought it was wicked! Then I did a second take -- wait, wasn't Anna Cyzon the entertainment reporter for CTV? Yup! She's back, in a very different role...

Her own description of her music meshes Debbie Harry, a poppier Metric and a little Gwen Stefani. I can see that, I think. It's got a great slick alt-rock vibe, with a cool(hot) chick singing. Do people still use the term 'alt-rock'?

Anyhoo, check it out. There are only two songs up on her MySpace, but both are supercoolfun. Looking forward to hearing more.

I think she made a good career move.

<3 Bleph

Awesomesauce Thursday: The Spaghetti Harvest

Hey! It's Awesomesauce Thursday!!

We all love harvest season - especially when it's time to harvest ye olde Spaghetti Crop!!


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

This was an April Fools' Day joke on the BBC in 1957. Apparently some folks, including some at the BBC, thought this was real!!

If only it were real... My great noodly lord, Flying Spaghetti Monster, would be proud.

<3 Bleph

Song in the Cell 090828: Roots Manuva - Let the Spirit

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Roots Manuva - Let the Spirit


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!


Warning! He drops the F-bomb at the beginning of this video, like some mad pirate!
This is unfortunate, because the beginning incoherent rant does not fit with the sweet song inside.

Last week, I mentioned my newfound interest in UK rappers. Roots Manuva is one of the ones I like the most. Some of his songs are grimey (like the wicked fun 'Buff Nuff'), but this one really stands out. It's soft, a little electro, and he sings along with the rapping.


Ever more bouncy, no need to re-announce me.
<3 Bleph

Song in the Cell 090821: Dizzee Rascal - Dance Wiv Me

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Dizzee Rascal - Dance Wiv Me (feat Calvin Harris & Chrome)


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!


I have a sad confession to make.

I was pulled into this song by a "So you think you can dance, Canada" commercial.

It's true. I almost didn't want to like it, on principle. It got stuck in my head. Then Joe says "I'm pretty sure that's Dizzee Rascal", and it made everything alright. He's cool, right? Much cooler than Pussycat Dolls (who were featured in a previous commercial for the aforementioned TV show).

Not sure what it is, but I really like British rappers. It's something about the mix of accents, the lingo (different from North American rappers... maybe they smush in a bit of Cockney Rhyming Slang? Not sure). Dizzee Rascal is one of those rappers that just sound super cool to me. I'm never quite sure what he's saying - and maybe that's a good thing.

I suppose I should have put up some Roots Manuva, since I've been listening to him a little bit longer. I put up this particular song, because it's been stuck in my head for the last few weeks. The silly thing is that this song is over a year old already! Wake up, girl!!

Whatever. I like it, and this is my cell.


<3 Bleph

Song in the Cell 090814: Bat for Lashes - Sleep Alone

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Bat for Lashes - Sleep Alone


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

OK, so you already know I love Bat for Lashes. That, and the summer seems to be getting away from me, and only the odd new video has been catching my attention.

Another lovely video for a lovely song... that they also performed live on Jimmy Fallon recently!

<3>

Song in the Cell 090710: Cruel Black Dove - Love Song

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Cruel Black Dove - Love Song


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

Cruel Black Dove is another one of those bands that has taken a little while to catch on for me. I laugh, because they're also another band that would have been one of my absolute favourites had they existed back in my high school days (along with The Birthday Massacre).

They're a little dark & gothy, without being too gothy. Best of all, her singing reminds me a little of my beloved Polly Jean Harvey, who sang much of my high school soundtrack. What's with me finding singers that remind me of other singers and me being ok with that?? Weird.

In any case, Cruel Black dove is moody, broody, a little heavy, very vocal and pretty darn cool. I've also read that she's good at pulling off the vocals live, so I wouldn't mind seeing them (maybe paired with IAMX - they've played shows together recently, so it could happen!!).

Happy Weekend!

<3>

Song in the Cell 090703: Martin Solveig feat. Dragonette - Boys & Girls

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Martin Solveig feat. Dragonette - Boys & Girls


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

This week's video is a bit different, in that it's actually a promotional video for Jean Paul Gaultier's latest perfume. Pretty weird, but pretty wicked. I have to admit - I don't know Martin Solveig (although I'm going to check some of his other stuff out now) and mostly got into this clip because of Dragonette. The song is fun, the video is fun - yay!

<3 bleph.

Song in the Cell 090626: IAMX - Think of England

This week's Song in the Cell is:

IAMX- Think of England


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

"Think of England" is a track off of the latest IAMX album, "Kingdom of Welcome Addiction". I think this is my favourite track off of this album... it's not unlike my favourite tracks off of the previous album, "The Alternative".

I've liked IAMX for a little while now, but I think seeing them live last year (? or was it 2007?) really sparked something for me. I hadn't heard much from The Alternative at that point (except for President, which I find REALLY REALLY disappointing) and wasn't sure what to expect. They put on a great show, had great presence and the new songs just kicked my ass.

This new song brings me back to that show, and therefore I like it.

Happy Pride!!

<3 bleph.

Song in the Cell 090619: Major Lazer (feat Santigold) - Hold the Line

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Major Lazer- Hold the Line (featuring Santigold)


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

Major Lazer is the recent collaborative effort of Diplo and Switch, both of whom have been musically linked to cool chicks M.I.A and Santigold.

From what I've heard so far, this is a super summer album. It sounds hot.

In any case, of course I love this track because Santi White (Santigold) is on it.

Nuff Said?

I am sad that we missed the most recent Santigold show here in Toronto (sold out!! eek!) because she actually played this song. If you have a chance to see her live, go! Her stage persona is fun and friendly and cool - the kinda chick you want as your best friend.

<3 bleph.

Song in the Cell 090612: Beast "Mr. Hurricane"

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Beast- Mr. Hurricane

Beast - Mr. Hurricane

Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

Beast is a band out of Montreal, Canada (woo! Can Con!) that blurs the lines between various musical genres. I'm not even going to try to classify them myself, and Beast themselves revert to quoting a reporter, “ Beast sounds like what you might hear at the last cabaret on the road to hell.”. Pretty funny.

This is the first single off their debut album, 'Beast'. Wicked.

If the vocalist sounds familiar, it's because she sang on DJ Champion's album (looved 'No Heaven' - but I hear that if I listened to the radio, I would have gotten sick of it! Ha!) AND she sang on the amazing Oscar-nominated soundtrack to the amazing movie "Les Triplettes de Belleville".

Supercool.

<3 bleph.

Song in the Cell 090605: Dragonette "Fixin' to Thrill"

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Dragonette- Fixin' to Thrill


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

Confession time -- I really should have posted this two or three weeks ago, when I first found it. Boooo to me! Yeah, I was slacking a little... and last week I had to post the new Bat for Lashes, because they are "my thing" right now. That said, Dragonette could be my "next thing".

Not entirely unlike I did with Bat for Lashes, I latched onto one Dragonette song and kind of avoided really getting into them. I listened to a couple of clips, a couple of remixes and forgot all about it. Enter the new single from the second album, "Fixin' to Thrill". Dragonette has a fun sound, an edgy look and an underlying sexual theme (think Peaches, but not so blatant).

I'm really enjoying this single, and it's clawing into my brain more and more... Mmmmmm brains.

Woo! Woo!

<3 bleph.

Song in the Cell 090529: Bat for Lashes "Pearl's Dream"

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Bat for Lashes- Pearl's Dream

Bat For Lashes - "Pearl's Dream"

Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

Pearl's Dream is the second single from the latest Bat for Lashes album, "Two Suns". This is one of my top 5 favourites on the album, and an AMAZING choice as a single. As usual, the video is a little arty and weird and I totally love it. For those B4L fans who thought that 'Daniel' was sort of a safe choice as a single, I think this should make you happy.

This song and video are a great example of what Natasha Khan has to offer. It highlights her crazy wicked vocal abilities, as well as her storytelling through the lyrics and feel of the song. If you weren't sure before, you are now aware that she is not your average popstar.

If you have a chance to see Bat for Lashes live, please do so!! The live lineup is comprised of very talented musicians, a slew of bizarre looking instruments, and Natasha's AMAZING voice and stage presence.

Enjoy!

<3 bleph.

Song in the Cell 090424: Rainbow Arabia "Omar K"

This week's Song in the Cell is:

Rainbow Arabia- Omar K


Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

OK, so I had never heard of these people until about 10 minutes ago. You know when you see something that someone else has posted and you have to post it too? Yea, I'm doing that right now. I was sold when their post mentioned people turning into werewolves in a grocery store.

So watch this now. It's pretty rad.

<3 bleph.

Song in the Cell 090417: k-os - "4 3 2 1"

This week's Song in the Cell goes to:

k-os- 4 3 2 1



Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

So... the new k-os album is out now. I haven't heard it all yet, but from the couple of track and clips I've heard, 4 3 2 1 isn't even the best there is! 4 3 2 1 is a great choice for a first single, as it's commercially friendly while still showing k-os' strengths. It's smart, dancey, and rappy in the best way -- not the "I'm beating you with a stick until you bleed all over my marble floor" rap. k-os is the kind of rap artist I like - he blends genres, topics, instruments. A seriously great Canadian artist... palatable, marketable, but sill totally edgy.

To top it off, k-os is embarking on a Pay-What-You-Can tour, along the same strategy lines as NIN offering their music for free. I hope this pays off for him!!

For now, enjoy 4 3 2 1...

Blasting Off!
<3 bleph.

Song in the Cell 090410: Bat for Lashes - Daniel

This week's Song in the Cell goes to:

Bat for Lashes- Daniel


Bat For Lashes - Daniel (HD).

I've really been getting into Bat for Lashes, and am really excited to see them in a couple of weeks (April 25th, baby!) and pick up the latest disk. Daniel is the first single, and has a pretty cool, albeit conceptual dance arty (which I don't mind), video.

Here it is!!

In love and lethargy,
bleph.

Song in the Cell 090403: Ladytron - Tomorrow

This week's Song in the Cell goes to:

Ladytron- Tomorrow



Can't see the embedded video? Click here!

Ladytron is one of my favourite bands - I've loved them for years!! I get to see them again this Monday (April 6, at the Phoenix). FUN FUN!!!

Tomorrow is the latest single, off of the album Velocifero. Cool video.

In love and lethargy,
bleph.

Get Up, Jerk!

Haven't posted in a while... I mostly post for me, but I get lazy when I realize that the only person reading my blog is my seester. It's OK, blogging is an exercise, and like most exercise, I need ample motivation.

I will pick things up again.

One bit of fun to offer is a new social network I just set up!! Yes, indeed - another thing for people to sign up for!!!

This is another example of me actually implementing something in an attempt to learn and understand the different uses of technology. This is something I do in my daily job, but also interests me in a personal level, so I often apply my work work to my hobby work.

In this case, I've added work work + hobby work + BFF + band I'm a big fan of...

http://ayriafans.ning.com/

So here's a social network I set up on Ning.com for the band Ayria. If you're at all inclined, take a look, sign up, and commune with us!! If we get some members happening, I'll set up the discussion forum too.

:)

In love and lethargy,
bleph.

Song in the Cell 090227: Flight of the Conchords - Sugalumps

This week's Song in the Cell goes to:

Flight of the Conchords- Sugalumps



I've been loving the new season of Flight of the Conchords, and while not all of the songs have been great, there have been some totaly gems. Sugalumps is one of those supercool ones that I think works as a song, and is hilarious. Not everyone can listen to this kind of jokey music without the visuals, but I can. I do!

That, and he uses the word 'Pantaloons'. Niiiice.

I can't wait to see them in April! Sweeet!

<3 bleph

Song in the Cell 090220: Robyn - Cobrastyle

This week's Song in the Cell goes to:

Robyn- Cobrastyle

WICKED SONG ALERT!!





So... this one is pretty interesting (to me, anyway). This is not, by any means, a new song. I just hadn't heard it. I always thought of Robyn as a little too mainstream pop for my tastes (without really checking her out properly - which I think I will do now). I heard a remix of this song and TOTALLY-FLIPPED-OUT!! So I checked out the original (which is waaaay better than the remix I first heard), then looked for a video. While I didn't find an official music video at first, I found this live version on Youtube. The details on this video outline the origins of this song... I guess it's a cover song that's evolved over the years or something. So... I checked out the original (or, some incarnation of the original. I'm not too sure where in the evolution this version is from) ...

Cobra Style (ft. Mad Cobra) - Teddybears Stockholm

Supercool!

Stick this in your weekend!

<3 bleph

MySpaced

Ahhhh MySpace. I really don't like it as a social networking site. It's waaay clunky for me. I still have a profile, though. It's strength is in band promotion - listen to some tunes, see some pics, read up on the coming tour dates. Sweet!!

I use it quite a bit to find new bands. This could be a first glance... but usually it's more of a second glance for me. I'd have to have heard of them somehow to purposely look them up on MySpace, no?

Here are some I've been peeking at lately...

Santigold
This is a weird one... Santogold is one of my favourite artists of the past year. Totally love her!! This past week, I read that she has now changed her act name to Santigold. I haven't seen anything official explaining the name change, but I think it has to do with some guy that has been using the name Santo Gold for 30 years. I smell a lawsuit that couldn't be resolved by the record company!!! So now she's Santigold - with a new MySpace page, new album artwork, and no doubt an endless string of headaches trying to make the name change on everything she's done!! The biggest questionmark I've had is about the MySpace -- the Santogold MySpace page doesn't even exist anymore, and you won't find the name Santogold on the new MySpace page. So... folks looking for Santogold will have to dig a little to find Santigold. Messed.up.

(Update: someone re-enabled the Santogold MySpace account, and added a link to Santigold... Dood!)


Bat for Lashes
OK, so I'm sure we all saw the video for "What's a Girl to Do", thought of Donnie Darko, and forgot to check out the rest of their material. Wait - was that just me that did that? I guess Bat for Lashes has a new album coming out or something, so I thought I'd give them a listen. I'll admit - the first thing I did was rewatch the video (that song is so friggin' cool!!! Yeah, that might be on my list for this month).

They're much slower, dreamier than I expected... but cool. Not like other things I'm listening to right now, but gives me a similar feeling to listening to Tori Amos in high school, or Kate Bush (something powerful in something so minimal). I should say that I'm not a fan of their Cure cover... I prefer their own music. I'm liking the sounds of the new songs that aren't on the MySpace (been doing a bit of further digging... Glass is amazing and WILL be on my playlist once the album is out).

One thing I should point out -- lots of bands are offering a free MP3 download for signing up to their mailing list these days!! Bat for Lashes and Client are two examples of this...

Trouble Andrew
Heard a song, again forgot to actually check out his stuff, was reminded by a friend that he existed. This all happened over the course of a week, so I don't feel too negligent here. Trouble Andrew is an "associate" of Santigold, if you will (I hear he's her fiance... but that's just personal gossip). Also possibly a Canadian that spends time in the US (GO TEAM CANUCKLEHEAD!). Regardless, he has some pretty cool tracks here that sometimes vary in style and appeal. I *like* all of the tracks posted on MySpace, but there are some things that stick out more. Check out Uh Oh.


Zeigeist (mostly to listen to Neverending Love... )
Yeah, I've posted about them before. They are cool and insane, and have now disbanded. Booo!

Song in the Cell 090213: You Love Her Coz She's Dead - Dead End

This week's Song in the Cell goes to:

You Love Her Coz She's Dead- Dead End

Yeah, so I was actually planning on putting up 'Superheroes', because I like the combination of the girl & boy vox... but couldn't find it on Youtube. No problem!! I found the other YLHCSD song that I like, Dead End.



Cool song, if a little manic and videogamey. I think I can only take *so much* of this style of music, and this song would be on the short list. Good for a pick me up, but I'm thinking not so good if you already have a migraine. :)

Go to their MySpace and check out Superheroes. Another really cool song.

Song in the Cell 090206: Zeigest - Neverending Love

This week's Song in the Cell goes to:

Zeigeist- Neverending Love

I was waiting for this e.p. to come out, only to find out that this will be the end of Zeigeist! :( They announced this week that this is the last thing they will release. Booooo!!!! I just got into them this year, so I'm a little bummed that there will be no more.

Neverending Love is a cover of a Roxette song. I think it fits the Zeigeist sound pretty well... I'll have to check out the original to compare. Enjoy!



This is a teaser clip of the song "Neverending Love" from Zeigeist's new e.p. of the same name. Cool!!



More of Zeigeist can be found on their website, LastFM and MySpace.

Shambled Ramblings: Ted Nugent Would Be Proud

Shambled Ramblings: Ted Nugent Would Be Proud

Yeah, that's my little sister, warning the world that there be bloggers in our midst. heh.

Goodbye January!

To celebrate the end of January, I've added a playlist of songs that are currently high on my list. You'll find the player in the sidebar on the right. The plan is to update this playlist at the end of each month - let's see if I stick to it!!

I made a point of adding the songs I highlighted in posts this month (except for the covers... hm, maybe I should have added one of those).

This reminds me a bit of the mix tapes I made my friends in high school, but with much less metal (this month, anyway).

Here are the songs in my playlist for January, 2009:

• Zeigeist - Humanitarianism
• Ayria - Girl on the Floor
• Client - Can you Feel
• The Presets - This Boy's In Love
• Ladyhawke - Magic
• Little Boots - Meddle
• Roots Manuva - Let the Spirit
• Flight of the Conchords - Boom!
• Replica (featuring Client) - Sorry
• Lily Allen - Guess Who Batman

I'm sure it seems weird to post a playlist from the month before, instead of posting songs that will make an impact for the next month. Dude! That's not how it works! I think it's more personal to look back at what made an impact - new discoveries, recent favourites, old friends that made their way back into my life. I'm not here to predict what will be "hot", I'm just sharing things I like.

Enjoy!
<3 bleph

Song in the Cell 090130: Ayria - Girl on the Floor

This week's Song in the Cell goes to:

Ayria - Girl on the Floor

This was a tricky week for picking a song. I already posted the Client video earlier in the week, and have been listening to Client "Sorry" a LOT this week. Unfortunately, the video online for that song is not the greatest (Client B looks wicked, but the editing is off... it's hard editing a recorded song to live footage, I know, but then if it doesn't work, you just ... don't. At least you shouldn't.) Yeah, I'm saving my next Client post for after the new stuff is actually out... I know I'll be all over that!

ANYWAY, I thought this would be a good time to pimp out a couple of my ALWAYS favourites (not just this week favourites) Ayria and Noisescape TV.




Ayria is a band led by one of my good friends, Jennifer Parkin. The music is a mash of pop, electro, ebm-industrial and whatever else her little heart desires. Very danceable, great music! You can catch a listen on her MySpace page.

The video above, a live version of "Girl on the Floor", from her latest album, "Hearts for Bullets", was shot during their Fall 2008 U.S. tour with the Cruxshadows by friends of ours at Noisescape TV.

Noisescape TV is a television and internet show that features bands in a variety of industrial and industrial-friendly genres (hahaha... didn't know how else to put it). They produce quite a bit of the content you see, including the video above.

Hilarity Ensues...

Someone just posted the most hilarious take on And One's "Panzermensch" from Youtube:



Hint: it has to do with misunderstood lyrics, and awesomeness.

Can I be Client Q?

Soooo excited that the new Client is coming soon!!! The video for their new single, "Can You Feel", has been posted on Youtube and is getting me super psyched! It's a pretty cool track. It hasn't hit me like my favourite tracks off of their last album, Heartland, but I think I'll be singing along after a few listens.



(yeah, sorry the template I have can't accommodate HD videos from Youtube. LAME!)

Haven't heard of Client? They're a cool chick band. Scratch that - some people don't like to be called "chick bands". They are cool chicks, though. That's the whole image. They have their uniforms and deadpan stares - not a la Ladytron, think Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" girls, but they don't actually look alike. They even try to go by titles like "Client A" and "Client X", but people usually find out their names anyway. The music is cool electro darkish dance. Some of the earlier tracks were a little electroclashy, but luckily they grew out of that one before releasing Heartland.

Wicked Songs: Lights Go Out, Monkey on my Back

Find out more about Client on their website, or MySpace.

Song in the Cell 090123 : Ladyhawke - Magic

This week's Song in the Cell goes to:

Ladyhawke - Magic

The rest of her music needs to grow on me a bit, but I do find her style to be interesting and I really like her voice. This song, though, just blows me away. It has a great wee retro feel, and the chorus definitely adds impact to the song.




Yeah, so this song doesn't seem to have an actual music video up on Youtube. At least you get to hear the song!. Her website and Myspace are also good if you want more.

Rewind Divine!

Feeling the need for new blood, I'm always digging through blog posts and websites and whatnots.

I recently found my way to a neato site that appears to be called Rewind. Here, bands are featured covering some of their favourite songs of the past. There's also an explanation as to why each band chose the song they chose.

The cover song is not a new concept -- people have been covering their favourite songs for ages, sometimes successfully. What makes this different, for me, is that I keep coming back to this site. Weird, no?

I poked around first to get a Sohodolls track (after being led there by their mailing list), and have now come back after finding a link on the site of a new find, Cruel Black Dove.

A second look at the list of tracks makes me laugh out loud in my wee cubicle -- there are a slew of acts I have only recently been introduced to (specifically, this week's new favourite, Little Boots).

In any case, I still haven't worked my way through this whole magical site. Just thought you might find some gems for yourself.

Either find new bands by checking out covers of songs you liked way back... or see what songs your new finds are inspired by.

Some Highlights:

• Cruel Black Dove's cover of the Psychedelic Furs' "Love My Way"
• Little Boots' cover of Freddie Mercury's "Love Kills"
  
• Sohodolls' cover of Lords Of The New Church "Open Your Eyes"