Playlists -- Radiohead Covers: Part 1

I had originally planned something different for tonight, but instead, I've found myself unable to stop listening to this collection of covers. These Radiohead covers from some of my favorite artists were originally available as a free download on Stereogum. Then they lost the rights. BUT now, I find in my linky research that it's available for download once again! Here are some of the artist notes, and of course, the download. So, now it's streaming (among other places) on last.fm and I can bring it to you. These covers of Radiohead's OK Computer were collected on the tenth anniversary of the album's release. And boy are they awesome. So here we go with Part 1 of my 2-part playlist series of Radiohead covers. Enjoy!

The Lineup:

1. "Airbag" by Doveman (last.fm and Original Live)

2. "Paranoid Android" by Slaraffenland (last.fm and Original Jools Holland)

3. "Subterranean Homesick Alien" by Mobius Band (last.fm and Original Live)

4. "Exit Music (for a Film)" by Vampire Weekend (last.fm and Original Live)

5. "Let Down" by David Bazan's Black Cloud (last.fm and Original Live)

Video. "Karma Police" by Radiohead (Above is Live and Left is Official)

"Karma Police" by John Vanderslice (last.fm)

Playlists -- A Fangy Salut

Well, just because I've got True Blood fever, I thought I'd get a head start on my playlist for tonight: Vampire Songs. Record Cozy's playing Connie the Corpse from K-DED for the night ;) First of all, because last.fm doesn't have a clip or full-length version of Say Hi's "Angels and Darlas" I have to include the link here. (That would be the Joss Whedon characters for those of you who are unfamiliar.)
And because I think it's important you know your band history (even recent history), below is the trailer for the movie Vampire Weekend. One I'm not sure was ever made. Sure, it's pretty low budget, but it had to have the best soundtrack EVER. In any case, it is the namesake for that hipster favorite, you guessed it, Vampire Weekend. They don't really sing about vampires, but they deserve some representation. Don't you think? (And yes, that is Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend and Wesley Miles of Ra Ra Riot. I know, I love it too.)

The Lineup:

1. "Georgette Plays a Goth" by Tullycraft (Official Vid -- Animated)

2. "Fresh Blood" by Eels (Official Vid)

3. "Blood" by Editors (Official Vid)

4. "Closer" by Kings of Leon (Live -- Everyone sing along!)

5. "We Suck Young Blood" by Radiohead (Unofficial Vid with Paper Cut-Outs)

Video. (Linked) "Angels and Darlas" by Say Hi

Discovery -- A Little Vampire, A Little Riot

This little polygon of awesome (above) came from Discovery's website. You can hear several tracks off of the new album, LP. I've linked to Amazon to hear a sampling, as well as to good ole MySpace for Discovery's page. Amazon's charging $8.99 for a digital download now, when I bought my copy it was only $3.99, so watch out for a price change if you're thrifty, and paranoid.

Discovery is the collaboration of Vampire Weekend's piano/synth player, Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot's keyboardist/vocalist Wes Miles. What Discovery means is remixes, an R&B feel with all the warm fuzzies attached to your already favorite songs. For example, The Rhumb Line's "Can You Tell" (below) becomes LP's "Can You Discover?" Now, I can't say that it's altogether an improvement on the original, but it's different. It has that synth-rich sound, the beats and the repetition. It's just not RRR's strings and romance. The same lyrics carry a completely different meaning, just proof there's more to music than lyrics alone. But really, this is my only criticism, and it's not even a very good one.

Other tracks feel better, more right, as Wes sings in "Orange Shirt" about familiar R&B themes. Blah blah crushes, let me in for... you know, I'll leave before your mom wakes up... yeah. What's not the usual: "I'm sitting at home sipping this miso." I kid you not, unless I am completely hearing it wrong, but odds are, I'm not. This is the side that brings up VW and their fondness for lyrics that mention obscure foods (Milk-like Middle Eastern beverages, "Campus"?).

It's got your guest appearances, like Angel Deradoorian from The Dirty Projectors and Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend.

It's fast-paced and intelligent without hurting your brain. It doesn't hurt that the songs are catchy (C'mon chorus of "It's Not My Fault" = PARTY) and from the members of great bands. All that spells a new take on the familiar and greatness that grows on you.

That's what happens when New York state bands meet and form awesome super alliances. Smart, beaty musical offspring. Oh, yeah. Discovery: It's an LP!