When I need to focus, and I am finding my usual music catalogue to be distracting, I pull out these amazing string quartet tribute albums by The Vitamin String Quartet. They have put out an absurd amount of cover albums in tribute to modern, and classic rock artists of the past 4 decades. In checking out their list of albums available, it’s clear that I have some digital shopping to do!

Three of my current faves from the Vitamin String Quartet catalogue:

Do You Realize (Flaming Lips cover)

Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode cover)

Clocks (Coldplay cover)

50. No One Knows – Queens of the Stone Age

From the 2002 album Songs for the Deaf.

49. D.A.N.C.E. – Justice

From the 2007 album Cross.

48. Clocks – Coldplay

47. Young Love – Mystery Jets Ft. Laura Marling

From the album Twenty One released in 2008.

46. Ooh la la – Goldfrapp

From the exquisite album Supernature released in 2005.

45. Say Hello – Deep Dish

From the 2005 album George is On, which included a second disk with remixes.

44. Mad World – Gary Jules

From the soundtrack for the cult classic, Donnie Darko, released in 2002.

43. Floor to the Roof – Dragon Fli Empire

42. Dreamer – Jenn Grant

41. Lay Me Down – The Frames

From the 2001 album For the Birds.

11. I’m Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You – Black Kids

After the flurry of attention these 5 musicians from Florida received from their appearance at the Athens Popfest in 2007, the Black Kids released their debut album in early April 2008 with the upbeat, fun, and slightly gender bending track I’m Not Going to Teach Him How to Dance with You as the first single. The band is touring through Australia in January and in the UK with the Kaiser Chiefs in February and early March 2009. Let me know about the show if you get the change to go.

10. Shinny Love – Bon Iver

Bon Iver got a mention in my Mustache post earlier this year. The creation of the album, For Emma, Forever Ago, is an example of how much one person can complete on their own, specially today with the wide range of technology the average person has available. Justin Vernon spent 3 months in a remote cabin in northern Wisconsin writing and recording this album. He later self-released the record, which lead to the label Jagjaguwar signing the artist and re-releasing the album in late February 2008. Bon Iver has a new EP, called Blood Bank, set to be released in less that 2 weeks, which is on my “Must Check Out” list for sure!

9. Strawberry Swing – Coldplay

I wrote about Coldplay earlier this year when I finally broke down and bought their new album Vida La Vida.  Strawberry Swing remains my favourite track from the beautiful album. From its oriental sounding beginning to the souring sounds of Coldplay’s brilliant interplay of soft rhythms and guitar to Chris Martin singing “Its such a perfect day” in a way that makes you look around and recognize that in fact today is actually a perfect day.

Strawberry Swing – Coldplay

Viva La Vida (2008)

Coldplay… they never miss. Why is that? When their newest album Viva La Vida was released a few months back, I was overwhelmed with the huge reaction from the blogsphere… everyone and their blogging dog was going gah gah for a fresh disk full of Coldplay goodies. The singles were flying over the airwaves, into the malls and cafes. The sensitive sounds of Chris Martin’s voice over beautiful instrumentations could not be escaped! Even though I adored their previous releases, I rebelled! I wanted nothing to do with this new album. Yes, I was sure that its good… but its formulaic. Its typical. Its exactly what you would expect from Coldplay. After all, their previous albums all contained gems of pure beauty, which capture the soul to take you away to a distant land where the only things that matter are harmony, beauty, and love. Great… just what I need!

I gave in this week. I could no longer resist it’s call. Vida la Vida is in my hot little hands, and I don’t plan to let it go. Yes it’s formulaic, but the formula belongs only to Coldplay. Try as I might, I cannot do anything but adore their music. Please Coldplay, continue to be typically you! I will not resist again.

I’ve posted my favourite track from the album: Strawberry Swing. It is beautiful with Coldplay’s masterful interplay of strings with guitar, a calming yet uplifting rhythm.

Talk (Junkie XL Remix)

Talk (2006)

I had to include the best remix of any Coldplay song anywhere, in my very humble opinion. Junkie XL’s remix of Talk is nothing short of breath taking. The track is a long one, clocking in at over 11 and a half minutes, a beautiful journey that is not to be missed.