Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Cruel Summer Music Mix 2014 - Vol. 3

As a southerner, I've been listening to these seven words all my life: "It's not the heat, it's the humidity." I call that southern science. And it's not particularly comforting when the sweat is rolling down my back into my underwear. Anyway, it's going to take more than sunscreen, shade, AC or lots of citrus-kissed blonde ales to get me through the next couple of months. Summer needs a soundtrack! In part three of this 6-part series, I'm featuring earworms from First Aid Kit, Metronomy and Red City Radio.

First Aid Kit. They're a Swedish folk/acoustic/country duo comprised of sisters Klara and Johanna Soderberg. They became internationally known in 2008 after uploading a cover version of Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" on YouTube. Their third album, Stay Gold, is out this summer. Website is here.

First Aid Kit: Klara & Johanna Soderberg
Song & Video: "My Silver Lining" --  At a time when Nashville is mostly content to release an endless stream of raucous songs about trucks and drinking, these Swedes are forging an innovative route, uniting traditional country, indie rock and Fleetwood Mac-era pop. This one captures yearning with a stunning delivery and arrangement. The gorgeous video was shot in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.



Metronomy. Originally a side project of London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Joseph Mount, Metronomy evolved into a quirky electro-pop quartet. The songs are all about the highs and lows of love, but there's a refreshingly off-kilter vibe in the execution. Website is here.

Metronomy, left to right: Oscar Cash, Anna Prior, Gbenga Adelekan & Joseph Mount
Song & Video: "Love Letters" -- The song is a groovy re-invention of 1960s pop (and the album version is even better). The whimsical video -- probably my favorite of the year so far -- frames the British band inside the brilliantly conceived set of a make-believe TV variety show universe. In matching black turtlenecks and wine-colored blazers, the quartet knocks out the song on keyboards, drums, bass and even a tambourine.



Red City Radio. This Oklahoma punk/rock band is aggressive and gritty, sure, but also accessible thanks to their sense of humor and a knack for killer hooks. There latest release, Titles, came out in late 2013. Website is here.

Red City Radio, left to right:
Jonathan Knight, Dallas Tidwell, Garrett Dale & Paul Pendley 
Song & Video: "Two Notes Shy of an Octave" -- One of the things I sincerely love about Red City Radio is that their song titles are usually absent from the lyrics. Such is the case with "Two Notes Shy of an Octave," a perfect kiss-off song for any season. The video is all about the band's appearance at an open mic night that takes an unexpected (and hilarious) turn for the worse. (PS - There's a nice assortment of hot men in this video, including a couple of woofy bears.)


I dig the lyrics of this song, which I'll concede are tricky to understand. Here's the chorus:

Doesn't matter if you tell the truth
Doesn't matter if you lie
Doesn't matter if there's holes in your alibi
I'm not buying
Doesn't matter if you tell the truth
Doesn't matter if you lie
Doesn't matter if there's holes in your alibi
I'm not buying at all
And you can call me a bad friend
And you can just not call me



Did you miss the first two volumes in this series? Click here for volume one, or here for volume two.

2 comments:

  1. Digging the Red City Radio song/video! Glad I ran into them here. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love those guys. Thanks for watching and commenting!

      Delete