July 1, 2008

Cranewife's Top 5 Summer Spectacular

1. Jens Lekman- Night Falls Over Kortedala (2007). Doo-wop-y, sweet, self conscious music. Bonus internet fun: "A Postcard to Nina" live video featuring Jens and a ukelele.





2. The Lost Patrol/ The Lost Patrol Band/ Invasionen. Lead singer of Refused and The (International) Noise Conspiracy sings poppy break-up songs. Apparently they keep getting sued, thus the name changes.



3. Cover songs. Done right they can be mind blowing. See: Mark Kozelek's "What's Next to the Moon" (2001) (yes, AC/DC) or Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey (2005).





4. The great nation of Sweden. Currently providing me with almost all of the music I listen to.







5. Falling asleep to music. A classic now and forever. Current favorites: Joy Division-Unknown Pleasures (1979), Shout Out Louds-Our Ill Wills (2007), any Sigur Ros.

14 Comments:

sandenuts said...

Falling asleep to music is grand, wow, that was a great one. Splendid list.

Thecranewife said...

Thanks! I think I will go do that right now....

Doctor Diggs said...

Sweden has produced some excellent auditory pleasures...some of my favorites include The Knife, Refused, and The (international) Noise Conspiracy. The last two are kinda the same band, but different, ya know?

Thecranewife said...

Different enough to warrant separate mentions for sure. Especially seeing as how The (International) Noise Conspiracy has an organist and a horn section and the like.

You should check out some of the more recent Lost Patrol, pretty worthwhile, I think.

Mona said...

Awesome you mentioned Sweden. Do you like Jose Gonzalez at all?

Thecranewife said...

Actually, I just discovered that he's Swedish- who'd a thunk?!

I've only heard two of his songs- but so far, so good.

Mona said...

Yeah totally. He's of Argentine descent I think, but raised in Sweden? His voice is so innocent it makes me wanna cry. Did you hear "Hand On My Heart" yet? It's a cover of a cheesy old Kylie Minogue song, but it's sooo pretty.

Did you get around to the We Are Scientists?

Thecranewife said...

A Swedish guy performing a cover song?? I'm in heaven!

Mona said...

Whoops! It's called "Hand On YOUR Heart," not "MY heart." Excuse me, I'm anal about detail.

Mona said...

He also does a cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" I'm really curious to hear what you think about. It's good, definitely different, but I think "Heart" is way better! Check 'em out!

Thecranewife said...

I'm actually kind of lukewarm about that one, I think because a)there is already the most amazing cover of it performed by Susanna and the Magical Orchestra (so haunting and beautiful) and b) I've only ever heard it at work. Perhaps I should give it another listen?

I will check out the other cover for sure. Is his full length album worthy of checking out too?

Mona said...

Yeah, I'd say so. There's definitely an appeal to him apart from his good covers, I think it's just his voice. It's plaintive, but sweet too. Do you like Peter Bjorn & John at all too? They be Swedish too, I think.

Amanda said...

Jose Gonzalez also does a great cover of "Teardrop" by Massive Attack. Great guitar.

Thecranewife said...

Really? That sounds pretty cool.... I'd be interested in some stripped down Massive Attack covers.