A few years back, I used to live in a very beautiful city called Victoria, BC. I loved it there, but in the name of getting myself a proper job/income, I moved to the Canadian West Coast hub of Vancouver. Victoria doesn’t get enough cred in the international scene, but it has put out some great talent. Yes, Nelly Furtado has brought the spot light to Vancouver Island, but that’s not enough in my very humble opinion. Let me tell you a little about the the music scene, as I remember it, in Victoria, Canada.

Despite my interweb persona, I have always been a bit of a home body, preferring my stereo and loved ones to the clubs and bars. But, in my hay day, there was one band that lured me out of my shell… that was The Bombasts. This 9 (or was it 11?) piece ska band was unreal! They would fill the stage at Steamers, with their brass and well dressed musicians. Soon after the dance floor was packed, and the evening would fly by far too quickly.

Is was amazing to me how the many musicians on stage were able to keep in time with each other, while creating such fun and wonderful music filled moments. I wanted to live on that dance floor.

That time was many years ago, and I have yet to hear another ska track with as much energy as was on that dance floor.  I suppose there is no way to record the energy of a live performance, even the recording The Bombasts did of Castro back in the day doesn’t compare to the experience of the live performance. It is still great ska though! Sadly, The Bombasts broke up while I was still living on the island. All that is left is the memory, mine, and that of many others I expect.

Please download and listen to The Bombasts’ Castrato, because it is great, and it is the only thing left of something greater.

If you have some Ska music that is as great as this, please, tell me about it… Better yet, send it to me !

The Kings of Leon

Plus

Lykke Li

Equals

Knocked Up (Lykke Li Vs. Rodeo Mashup)

I cannot get enough of this mashup!

The three brothers and one cousin that make up  Kings of Leon released the original version of Knocked Up on their 2007 album, Because of the Times. It’s a good track, I’ll admit, despite it’s out of place rock out moments, but the mashup they put together with Lykke Li well surpasses the original. The track was released in the UK on the Kings of Leon single for Use Somebody late last year. The track has a very dreamy, almost Jesus and Mary Chain, feel to it. With excellent production bringing together the smooth, yet intriguing interplay of Lykke Li’s sweet and innocent vocals with Caleb Followill’s strong masculine, at times even rough, voice. The tune is beautifully addictive, and has me listening to it over and over.

Danielle over at Music is Art put is so well when she said: “Both vocals additively cascade and strengthen throughout the song, eerily creating a memorable duet that’s immersed in lyrics of chaotic masculinity, and melodic shades of pure uninhibited feminine vulnerability”. Beautiful!

For your reference, here is the original of  Kings of Leon’s Knocked Up.

Beltloops (Dirt Lab Remix) – The Films

Don't Dance Rattlesnake (2007)

New York DJ, Dirt Lab (a.k.a. Spencer Product), took The Film’s below average neuvo-punk track, and gave it an addictive rhythm, and a very cool vibe. Give credit to The Films for the witty lyrics that talk about the cheating girlfriend and the eventual, break up. The song ends with the lines:

Just so we’re straight and you don’t get the wrong impression
Don’t need a silly little overdue confession
Just remember when you’re over at his house undressing
He’s just another sucker who’s about to learn a lesson

With the attitude of it all ended for the best, as everyone is better off, save for her next victim.

Hang Me Up to Dry – The Cold War Kids

Robbers & Cowards (2008)

About a man who has had it with a relationship that is going nowhere. The lady is a tease that tortures the poor fellow who begs:

Now hang me up to dry
You wrung me out
Too too too many times
Now hang me up to dry
I’m pearly like the white
The whites of your eyes

With the laundry metaphor following the pain in this tune, the Cold War Kids show that their skills go beyond that of your average inde rock band, they are poets with some serious musical talent.

Passing Me By – The Pharcyde

Bizarre Ride II (1991)

The four guys from Pharcyde each take turns, with their unique styles, telling their stories of the woman who passed them by, the one that got away before they even had a chance. . The rapping is still fresh today, even though the song is over 17 years old (Yikes!). The Pharcyde’s playful style and story telling skills make this track a perfect friend when you too have to let someone pass… or when you just want to listen to a great track!

Since I Left You – The Avalanches

Since I Left You (2004)

Since I left you
I found a world so new

Chants the sampled chorus in this beautiful mastery of the cut ups by The Avalanches, from their 2004 ablbum of the same name Since I Left You. The sample is taken from The Main Attraction‘s Everyday, and it celebrates the feeling of renewal one has once they have left a dying relationship. Sometimes love just isn’t quite right, and it’s best to let it go, and move on.

Wish the Worst – The Old 97s

Hitchhike to Rome (1994)

The painfully honest lyrics of Wish the Worst by the alt-country cutie-pies, The Old 97s, are the heart of this fabulously catchy tune:

I hope you crash your momma’s car.
I hope you pass out in some bar.
I hope you catch some kinda flu.
Let’s say I wish the worst for you.

A man scorned one too many times, is now so suspicious, so bitter and jaded, that he cannot handle an evening without knowing where she is. His mind goes wild with terrible scenarios of what she may be up to… leading him to wish the worst for her.

There are so many great love songs appropriate for Valentine’s Day… I couldn’t resist a post dedicated to some of the classic love songs!

Sexual Healing -  Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye’s smooth lyrical stylings let him get away with some seriously dirty lyrics! He even won a Grammy in 1982 for his super sexy track. This song gets me every time.

Amazon.con is offering one of Marvin Gaye’s classic tracks Let’s Get it On as a special Valentine’s gift. Get your copy now, as the offer is only available February 13th and 14th!

Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers

Originally written in the mid 1950s by Alex North and Hy Zaret, this classic tune has been recorded over 500 time by many artists. This version by The Righteous Brothers, recorded in 1965, is likely the best known. The tune was featured in the film Ghost (you know, the scene with the pottery wheel), reviving the tune for a new generation.

Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – Barry White

From Barry White’s 1974 album, Can’t Get Enough, Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe is likely one of White’s best known songs. It features White’s deep sensual voice singing sweet words of love, to an uptempo rhythm. The song always reminds me of The Simspons episode of Whacking Day, in which Barry White was a guest star. You can’t skip Barry White on the Valentine’s mix tape. His voice alone says: “It’s time for love!”.

Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

Al Green was called late in to cover for Rhianna and Chris Brown (what a debacle!) at the Grammys this year. He only had 3 hours to prepare for his song with Justin Timberlake, Boys 2 Men, and Keith Urban. Following JT’s story about growing up down the street from the legend, bust out on stage to sing this much loved tune. The performance was respectable, particularly considering the prep time! Check out the video on Pop Crunch.

In the Still of the Night – The Five Satins

The Five Satins recorded Cole Porter’s 1937 track in 1956. Their version has become one of the most treasured love songs, being featured in the 1988 film Dirty Dancing, and getting props from Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs list. The skillful Doo Wop harmonies by the 5 peice vocal group, have a pure and innocent feel to them that makes the song particularly for Valentine’s Day.

Earlier this week I posted about some great songs that are all about love, specially for Valentine’s Day. Today, also for Valentine’s Day, I have some songs that speak to the other side of the coin: lust!

Lust (Eric Krupper Remix) – DJ Alain Vinet

This remix does nothing to hide what it is about. The title says it all: Lust, plain and simple. I’m not sure about the history of this song, it’s a little difficult to tract down. I know that Max Graham is some how involved, and that DJ Alain Vinet, from Montreal Canada, created the original, and New York DJ, Eric Krupper, gave it a thick, sexy, thumping feel with his remix.

The beat in this song is sexy for sure, though you’ll have to forgive it for some cheese, particularly the electric guitar solo in the middle. If you can get over the vague cheesiness of this track, you’ll find the lusty lyrics mix well with the sexy beat. I couldn’t find the lyrics to this track anywhere, so I thought I’d do a little transcribing… they are to sexy to not have them floating about the intertubes somewhere!

Things I’d like to do to you
I think about night and day
Feeling I get when I do
Is more that anyone can say

You know when I get close to you
I feel my mind drifting away
Like some kind of Voodoo
You get me where I want to stay

Yes you got what I need
Waiting is a waste of time
Let me be your fantasy
Like I want you to be mine

Fantasizing about you
Each and every day and night
What am I gonna do
I fear I’m gonna lose my mind

I feel something in my soul
When I look into your eyes
Sometimes its even painful
You’ve got me kind of hypnotized

The time that’s most magical
Is when I’m laying by your side
I lose all sense of control
You really make me want to ride

Some Candy Talking – The Jesus and Mary Chain

Singles

The Jesus and Mary Chain’s dreamy style in their 1986 track, Some Candy Talking, gives the song a light and playful feel, despite the powerful lyrics. I posted a different version of this song last year, Chris Whitley’s version of Some Candy Talking is more raw and visceral than the original version by The Jesus and Mary Chain (Really, go get Chris Whitley’s version!). I’m not saying this version isn’t good, it is, and it is sexy and dreamy. Chris Whitley’s version, with it’s raw emotion, is just a little better, in my humble opinion.

Back in the 80s, when this song was released, a radio DJ in the UK horribly misinterpreted the meaning of this song, which led to it being pulled from radio air play. It was thought that the song was about heroin, but clearly it’s about lovin’. It’s not about sweet, sensitive love making though. “Candy Talking” is really a euphemism for raw, dirty, animalistic sex.

I Just Want to Make Love to You – Etta James

At Last (1960)

This classic song is interesting, as it was originally written from a male perspective by Willie Dixon for Muddy Waters in 1954. Seven years later, Etta James recorded the song for her debut album At Last. At the time, and still even now, it’s a little funny to hear a female voice belting out lyrics such as:

I don’t want you to wash my clothes
I don’t want you to keep my home
I don’t want your money too
I just want to make love to you

But it works! Etta James cover of I Just Want to Make Love to You is powerfully sensual, and sexy.

Get Busy – Sean Paul

Duty Rock (2002)

I have always had a soft spot for this track Sean Paul has a unique sexiness to him that has the power to draw out the sexiness in the ladies, including myself. The uptempo dancehall track is perfect for pre-lovin’ dancing to get each other all riled up before finding a private spot to take care of business. As Sean Paul says: Get Busy!

Sean Paul, and his people, released a new site last month that is focuses on building a community of Reggae and Dance Hall Lovers. Check it out if you’re into that sort of thing.

Over and Over – Hot Chip

The Warning (2006)

While Hot Chip was doing the interview circuit in the promotion of their popular album The Warning they mentioned something about their track Over & Over show all the critics that say Hot Chip are too chill that Hot Chip can, in fact, rock out. This has led various analysis about the internet about the song Over and Over being about the repetition in dance music. It’s not. It’s about sex. The repetitive action of lovin’:

Over and over and over and over and over
Like a monkey with a miniature cymbal
The joy of repetition really is in you
Under and under and under and under and under
The smell of repetition really is on you
And when i feel this way i really am with you

Yeah, it’s about sexy time; a good old fashion romp in the hay!

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day everyone!