Category: Alternative (Page 152 of 155)

Ike Reilly Assassination: “I Will Let You Down”

February 6, 2006 / John Paulsen

Ike Reilly must be sick of love songs. There can be no other reasonable explanation as to why this track exists. Released on the band’s latest album, Junkie Faithful [Bullz-Eye Review], this song is the anti-love song. Whereas most songs talk about how people are going to be there for one another, forever, this song warns the listener that they will surely be disappointed.

It’s got a great, catch Wilco feel accentuated by Reilly’s updated-Bob Dylan vocals. This is addictive stuff.

Listen to a song clip here.

Alternative, Artists, Deep Cuts, Rock, Songs

The Magic Numbers: “Love Me Like You”

February 4, 2006 / John Paulsen

iTunes is offering this song as their free download of the week. The Magic Numbers have a charming, pop/rock sound and though I prefer “Mornings Eleven” or “Love’s A Game,” also from their self-titled debut [Bullz-Eye Review], you can’t beat something for nothing.

Listen to song clips of all three songs here.

Alternative, Artists, Deep Cuts, Pop, Rock, Songs

You know you’re officially mainstream when you guest on “The Simpsons.”

January 22, 2006 / Will Harris

So color the White Stripes mainstream.

According to the obnxiously snarky PitchforkMedia.com, who apparently heard it through MTV.com, the upcoming episode apparently revolves around Bart’s latest future career choice: to be a jazz drummer. (Note to self: finish that “Simpsons” script you’re always threatening to write, because any idea you have is clearly going to be better than most of what’s getting on the air these days.) The Stripes appear during a parody of their video, “The Hardest Button to Button.”

The episode, by the way, is entitled “Jazzy and the Pussycats,” so I’m guessing the Stripes were last second fill-ins when the Pussycat Dolls’ agent said, “Um, yeah, I think the gals got enough exposure with that episode of ‘Las Vegas’ they did, so we’re gonna take a pass…”

Alternative, Artists

Sia: “Breathe Me”

January 20, 2006 / John Paulsen

First released in 2004 on the original version of Colour The Small One (Bullz-Eye Review of the ’05 version), this track was used during the memorable final scene of the “Six Feet Under” series finale. It starts off with Sia’s somewhat raspy vocals set against subtle piano, and eventually morphs into moody songstress pop. Sia’s sincerity drives the track, making it one of the best songs of the last couple of years.

Listen to a song clip here.

Alternative, Artists, Deep Cuts, Pop, Rock, Rock Babes, Songs

Their purple prose just gives them away…

January 14, 2006 / Will Harris

I don’t watch nearly as much TV as I used to, so this might well have been tackled in the past, but can I just say that I finally saw the Kraft commercial that morphs EMF‘s “Unbelievable” into a jingle for their new cheese crumbles, which are…

…wait for it…

…crumb-believable.

I know, I know, it’s only EMF, and they could probably do with the money. And it’s not like they knew anything about it, really. (If you check their website, as of January 8th, they still hadn’t even seen the commercial themselves, although someone did manage to provide them with the above link to watch it online.) But, criminey, guys…crumb-believable? Ugh.

Closing note: Despite this incredibly unabashed example of selling out, EMF nonetheless continues to retain my eternal respect for having introduced me to the Stooges’ “Search and Destroy,” which I’d never heard until they covered it on their “Unexplained” EP.

Alternative, Pop, Songs