02. She & Him //
Album: Volume One | Release Date: 03.18.2008
Ben really can’t stop finding great music. He says he knew Zooey’s amazing voice from her singing on Elf… well, it took me years to see that movie and I honestly could not judge her voice in the movie, so I never truly understood him. Then I heard this album. Dear God her voice is pretty. It also helps how M. Ward produces the songs, as well as contributes to the music that accompanies her voice.
It sort of took me a while to have it grow since it had a vintage sound to it but beautiful, cute, lyrics as well. I think it all hit me when I saw the video for
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here and it exceeded my expectations by so much… it is so my type of video! It’s cute and odd and I don’t know how I adore that so much. She & Him definitely does not remind me of just a particular season but, for some odd reason, it just helps me remember we’re all just humans with emotions. It’s just different and yet it really works with them! I really cannot wait for Volume Two.
Orange Juice: Zooey and Von Ida’s music on Yes Man is amazing, but so is the rest of the soundtrack! It has a new Eels song! If only Munchausen By Proxy was real…
Some amazing songs the album (in no order):
Change Is Hard -
In the halls I’d rather hear silence, than the bell of new love
I Thought I Saw Your Face Today -
I somehow see what’s beautiful in things that are ephemeral.
Sweet Darlin’ -
When I was a little bit younger the strain I was under could make me cry
Take It Back -
It's the possibility of staying in my corner
This Is Not A Test -
You can take it if you want it and then let it go
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? -
Why don’t you sit right down and stay a while? We like the same things and I like your style
01. Santogold
// Album: Santogold | Release Date: 04.29.2008 \\
There were a couple of people involved in me checking out Santogold but it wasn't until I saw the video for
L.E.S. Artistes that I was addicted! There was something special about that video and song that just kept going through my head. I mean, I heard
You'll Find A Way and loved how it reminded me of Bloc Party, but L.E.S. Artistes just immediately got to me! She has been almost everywhere with the commercials (
Creator was used for the Bud Light), remixes and collaborations (such
My Drive Thru with N.E.R.D. and Julian Casablancas). Heck, in addition to being able to tour with artists like M.I.A. and Coldplay, she was part of the Get Out and Vote '08 tour!
I know she was on Mark Ronson’s Versions album for the song
Pretty Green last year and helped write or help with songs way before but I never really noticed her until now. In addition to the album with Diplo (Top Ranking), she will be appearing on the new N.A.S.A. album with Lykke Li and Kanye (which is an AMAZING song!). She also reminds me of my work earlier this year, where I heard Santogold almost every day I worked, haha. It somehow seems appropriate to say she is the coolest and definitely my artist of the year, haha.
Orange Juice: Stiffed, Santogold’s previous band, was a pretty awesome band. If you can find Sex Sells or Burned Again (albums), I definitely recommend them!
Some amazing songs the album (in no order):
You'll Find A Way -
Don't reach too far, you will fall over. Don't be surprised what you discover
Shove It -
We think you’re a joke. Shove your hope where it don’t shine.
Say Aha -
Gonna blow a hole in this charade, It's self defense
My Superman -
Well you’re a liar and your cues are all wrong but I can’t count all the ways you woo me
Lights Out -
Lights out, shoot up the station. TV’s dead
L.E.S. Artistes -
You don't know me, I am an introvert, an excavator
I’m a Lady -
I like to watch the way the wind blows, what does it know that I don’t yet
Creator -
I’m a Creator, thrill is to make it up the rules I break got me a place up on the radar
Anne -
See it there, but it’s too far ahead; go numb from how bad I want it