Warpaint - Elephants

A: Warpaint
S: Elephants
C: Exquisite Corpse - EP

Honest to God, I don't have a clue what I'm supposed to write today. Staying up until 6 in the morning to watch the Oscars live and then head to the office after a minimal two hours of sleep might not be the most productive idea I've ever had. So, since the awards were handed out in a city called LA, I picked a band that is from there too. Meet experimental art rock group Warpaint. They have been nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll, by the BBC, of course.

Ghost of Tom Joad - Black Musik

A: Ghost of Tom Joad
S: Black Musik
C: Black Musik (out now)

Nope, it is not a typo. The 'musik' in the track name is spelled with a -k. Ghost of Tom Joad have a bit of a tradition in mixing german word into english titles: 'Is This What You Call A Fronterlebnis?' and 'No Sleep Until Ostkreuz'. Maybe it is because they are a German band from Münster, described on a certain online encyclopedia as a post-punk-band, whatever that means. So anyway, the band got together in 2006 and picked their name after a certain song by Bruce Springsteen.

The Ark - Calleth You, Cometh I

A: The Ark
S: Calleth You, Cometh I
C: In Lust We Trust / Arkeology (out now)

For me, personally, this is the greatest in-love, out-of-love, in-between-love love song, all rolled into one. Originally released in 2002, but since The Ark, the campest pop happening that has ever happened, originating for the campest country there is on the pop map (Sweden, in case there were any doubts - nothing beats Abba), have just released their 'Best Of Arkeology', I figured it was the right time to post this one. Not a big fan of 'Greatest Hits' albums otherwise, yet this one is a must have so off you go, shop!

Junes - Crawling Over Me

A: Junes
S: Crawling Over Me
C: Don't Leave Me in Autumn

Next up is the band that performed as the opening act to the Hurts concerts in Switzerland (hence the timing). Junes are the best Swiss band when it comes to male only duos on the east side of Bern. Mr. Cam-Shy playing the guitar used to be my boss at a certain radio station that shall not be named. He kind of taught me most things I know about music today, which I would never admit, of course, and is still little, which I do admit.

Hurts - Sunday

A: Hurts
S: Sunday
C: Happiness

Yesterdays post was about my favorite track from the latest Kanye West record, today I feature my most preferred track on the all so wonderful Hurts debut album. Just as well they released the video to it yesterday, talk about a coincidence. To sum up the clip in one word is as easy as unnecessary but here we go: So From Russia With Love it Hurts. A bit like Thierry Mugler on an acid James Bond trip, or the other way round. Either way, love it.

Kanye West Feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi - All Of The Lights

A: Kanye West Feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi
S: All Of The Lights
C: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Ha, I wonder if they checked by the millimeter when choosing Rihanna's top (if you can call it that, which would be exaggereted) on how much they could actually show without the video being censored. They probably did. Anyway, as I mentioned back in January, intros are the thing to do this year. This one takes about a minute, but it is worth hanging in there because this is my absolute favorite track on the latest West album. I had it on repeat for three weeks, like daily.

James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream

A: James Blake
S: The Wilhelm Scream
C: James Blake

Here's more on James Blake, as in his second single of his debut album. Mister Blake is shaping up to be much what a band called Hurts were last year: The one artist or act that was on all the 'To Watch in 2011' lists that is really and mostly breaking through. Having said that, to me personally, he is one of the artist I love to listen to for one song, and then kind of can't stand another one. But that is just me, and who am I to judge.. exactly.

Clare Maguire - The Last Dance

A: Clare Maguire
S: The Last Dance
C: Light After Dark (out 28.02.11)

Oh I like me some of that Clare Girl. The songs sound like the best of back from the 80s, kind of. She looks like Katy Perry, if Katy was stunning. And she sounds like Cher, if Cher could sing. So this is like the best of both of them, only better. According to BBC Sound of 2011, Clare is one of the Top 5 most promising artists to watch this year. Since she toured half Europe as the opening act for Hurts, she'll probably do quite fine.

M185 - Space Bum Rocket Kid

A: M185
S: Space Bum Rocket Kid
C: Transformers

Ever since this thing called Facebook started, we kind of realized that our first life can be just as virtually insane and interesting as the game I never played called second life. Does anybody still linger around there? Anyway, M185 are some friends of a facebook friend of mine who isn't even a proper friend but more like a electronic pen friend. They are from Austria (no judgement) and just filmed their music clip for 'Space Bum Rocket Kid'.

Beth Ditto - I Wrote The Book

A: Beth Ditto
S: I Wrote The Book
C: I Wrote The Book - EP (out 04.03.11)

Beth Ditto of Gossip does it solo, kind of. She put Hannah Blilie and Brace Paine on the shelf and started collaborating with British Dance Duo Combo Simian Mobile Disco. So she might have wrote the book, but it was SMD who wrote the song. Now relax, there will be plenty more of Gossip albums to come, they are currently working on and recording their next studio album, it's just that Beth was looking for a fling outside her main band project.

The Streets - Going Through Hell

A: The Streets
S: Going Through Hell
C: Computers & Blues

On a day like today, as in today, this friday, the 18th January marks the end of an area. The Streets, as in Mike Skinner and his crew, release their fifth and final, ultimate maybe, but very last studio album. It might not be their best album - but then I said that about every The Streets album when it came out, until it grew on me. Because today, on a day like today, as in today, this friday I can say: I love every single The Streets album - it's been a pleasure.

The Black Box Revelation - High On A Wire

A: The Black Box Revelation
S: High On A Wire
C: Silver Threats

I have watched this video like 10 times by now, but never realized that The Black Box Revelation are just two guys - as in Jan Paternoster on guitar and vocals and Dries Van Dijck on drums. Had to read that on Wikipedia. Who are all the girls then? Groupies? Otherwise it's like a fake baked band documentary video - which is fine too, I suppose, but still. Anyway, the duo that looks like a trio (at least) are from Belgium, by the way.

Little Comets - Joanna

A: Little Comets
S: Joanna
C: In Search Of Elusive Little Comets

There is something magical-mystical about names starting with the letter J. Think of all the Jimmys, Jennys, Johnnys, Jackys and the all iconic Jolene! New on the list is Joanna - put on there by Little Comets, an indie rock-quartet from Sunderland and Newcastle-upon-Tyne (whereever), apparently they are described to play 'kitchen sink indie' music (whatever), citing Debussy, Ella Fitzgerald and Paul Simon as infuluences.

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

A: Lady Antebellum
S: Need You Now
C: Need You Now

Because I am a little cowboy deep down inside, because my favorite country piece of 3 (the Dixie Chicks) are taking a break, because admitting you're drunk is more grown up than staying sober - because it won the Grammy for 'Record Of The Year' and 'Song Of The Year', and because nobody, not even Lady Antebellum (they almost got lost marching up to the podium for the acceptance speech), really dreamed they would win anything: Here is 'Need You Now'.

The Weepies - Be My Honeypie

A: The Weepies
S: Be My Honeypie
C: Be My Thrill

Ah well if this isn't the perfect Valentine Day song, I don't know what is. I actually discovered it back in December and did manage to save it up until now - which isn't such a huge achievement, but still. Anyway, I was thinking: Since Valentine was a guy, and in a relationship or partnership or whatevership guys are just after one thing only, why is it we celebrate love, and not sex - and what do flowers have to do with it anyway?

Sunday Special - Lady Gaga - Born This Way

A: Lady Gaga
S: Born This Way
C: Born This Way - Single

For all the gays, and all the geeks, and all the freaks, all the drags and all the queens - be your own teacher, be a creature. Embrace and celebrate your individuality. Over and out.

Esben & The Witch - Warpath

A: Esben & The Witch
S: Warpath
C: Violet Cries

Here is your ticket to ride to the other side, which is the darker side of today as in Sunday, because the sunny side of Sundays is such a conventional thing to do. I don't even know what that is supposed to mean myself. Anyway, I read in some paper that Esben with or without the Witch invented a new music genre: Nightmare Pop. I am wondering if they knew what they were meaning at the time they wrote it, probably not.

Jenny & Johnny - Big Wave

A: Jenny and Johnny
S: Big Wave
C: I'm Having Fun Now

Ah, Jenny Lewis. What to say, where to start. First of all, don't get her mixed up somewhere between Jenny Wilson and Juliette Lewis - which you probably wouldn't have anyway but it is always better to be on the save side. Before Jenny & Johnny, Jenny released an album herself, before that one with The Watson Twins, and even before that she was singing in a band called Rilo Kiley. Don't ask me who Johnny is tho, I haven't got a clue.

Ramona Falls - I Say Fever

A: Ramona Falls
S: I Say Fever
C: Intuit

They say fever. I say fabulous. Fabulous fideo - ok then video, but it looked better the wrong way round. Makes me think of the band that was called 'You Say Party! We Say Die!' - best band name ever in the whole wide world. Apparently now they only call themselves 'You Say Party' which is a bit lame really. Anyway, this post is about 'Ramona Falls' who are nothing but lame and here to rock us into the weekend.

Theophilus London Feat. Devonte Hynes & Solange Knowles - Flying Overseas

A: Theophilus London Feat. Devonte Hynes & Solange Knowles
S: Flying Overseas
C: Lovers Holiday

More on what we missed last year: Theophilus London released Flying Overseas in the middle of winter. Heaven knows what the idea behind that timing was because this tune is clearly meant to rock your summer to a brighter side. Anyway, I do admit I love the shirt, it looks like a hipster cowboy got lost when looking for a beach boy surfers party. Coming to think about it, I can't wait for that thermometer to start climbing!

Northern Portrait - Crazy

A: Northern Portrait
S: Crazy
C: Criminal Art Lovers

More on guitars. More on friendly guitars. More on friendly guitars that make the world go round. More on friendly guitars that make the world go round and show the beauty of music often lies in simplicity. More on friendly guitars that make the world go round and show the beauty of music often lies in simplicity while evoking a feeling of spring on a sunny day in february because you feel warm inside out.

PJ Harvey - The Last Living Rose

A: PJ Harvey
S: The Last Living Rose
C: Let England Shake

Right where was I? I am still trying to catch up on some of the songs that were released last year. Bear with me. It's not that easy to keep up when there is just one song per day. Maybe I should change the name of the blog into 'Two Songs A Day Keeps The Doctors Away'. Up with us today is Polly Jean Harvey like her twelfth or eleventh album, depending on how you are counting albums. So yeah, and the video is directed by Seamus Murphy.

Amos Lee - Violin

A: Amos Lee
S: Violin
C: Mission Bell

There's the American Super Bowl for people who do sports, unlike me. And there are the American Billboard Album Charts - which I find much more interesting. Both, the charts and the Bowl are massive and in the end, both are about being number 1. Charts are like sports too, coming to think about it. So, Amos Lee's fourth album 'Mission Bell' went straight from 0 to 1 - which is kind of like a touchdown, no?

Nicki Minaj - Your Love

A: Nicki Minaj
S: Your Love
C: Pink Friday

Fancy some floating colored landscaped clothes? This is where you get happy. Although I don't really dig the whole chinese dirty geisha artificial marshal arts mistress scene, I do love-oh-love a great sampling, and this one by Annie Lennox is splendid. I'm always amazed but never really surprised how nicely an old fashioned ballad can be mixed up with some rap-adelic lyrics. Keep 'em coming.

The White Stripes - Blue Orchid

A: The White Stripes
S: Blue Orchid
C: Get Behind Me Satan

Right, I am positively sure you have already read it in some music magazine, or heard it on your favorite radio station, or maybe seen it on TV or heard it through the the grapevine - short: the news aren't new anymore but hey ho, it doesn't make it any less tragic than it is because it is. The White Stripes are no more! God, I loved those shoes when the video first came out, actually I still do, to watch, of course.

Andreya Triana - A Town Called Obsolete

A: Andreya Triana
S: A Town Called Obsolete
C: Lost Where I Belong

Continuing my super Super 8 film study I started yesterday, here's the next chapter in the book. Although my theory only adds up halfway, because this one dates back to 2010 - better late than never, is all that I'm saying. Or the early bird etc, depending on the perspective you take. Anyways, Andreya is as stunning as her beautiful voice, with which she sings her marvelous songs effortlessly. That's it, effortlessly.

Funeral Party - Finale

A: Funeral Party
S: Finale
C: Golden Age Of Knowhere

Last year we saw the revival and comeback of the polaroid styled photographs, this year will be all about Super 8 fudged films and movie clips - just like this little intro here. It's funny, fun and paradox. The more our technical technologies and possibilities evolve, the more we long for what has been and what was before. Which is good, if you missed half of it the first time around. Right, I'll shut up now. Enjoy the song.

Yeasayer - O.N.E.

A: Yeasayer
S: O.N.E.
C: Odd Blood

Moving a touch back from yesterday's sunny-side-up-themed video comes today's coolish stylish experimentalish rockish video by the band called Yeasayer (pronounced /ˈjeɪseɪər/, ehrm whatever). Anyway, /ˈjeɪseɪər/ or Yeasayer look and sound a bit like they grew up somewhere just around the corner from where Swedish glam gods The Ark live - which obviously they didn't. Because Sweden is here, and Brooklyn is there.

The Sonnets - Sebastian Said

A: The Sonnets
S: Sebastian Said
C: Western Harbour Blue

Ok, so nobody is crazy about dupstep .-) New day, new song, new month - first of February today so I hear summer is approaching quick as candy. Which is why we are all in for some sun drenched happy guitar chords today, all themed in a gorgeous mix of sailor gone sexy and tennis players done sweating. So all that's left to as is: Who's Sebastian? I'm sure there would be an answer, but then that just spoils the fun.