Lemur Love

Because I’ve been feeling bad about neglecting the Lemur Love blog for so long.

By the way, I am using the FoxyTunes plug-in on my Firefox browser to provide informative links to the songs I’m writing about. Well, informative only if no Eurovision tracks come up.

1. “Dove (I’ll Be Loving You)” by Moony

Pure Europop fabulousness by an Italian singer who is, if she’s known in the U.S. at all, famous for singing on “Point of View” by DB Boulevard.

2. “Incredibly Drunk on Whiskey” by Memphis

Fun little loungey (loungy?) number from a side project of Torquil Campbell from Stars. One of the most chipper odes to alcohol this side of Dean Martin.

3. “She’s the One” by Robbie Williams

“She’s the One” is a throwaway track on I’ve Been Expecting You, although it could be a strong single anyway. That’s how good that album is, though: every track except “Jesus In a Camper Van” could have been a hit.

4. “Mademoiselle de Paris” by Andy Williams

No relation to Robbie. Jen and I drove to Branson to see Andy Williams in concert, and it was worth it. This is from one of Andy’s strongest albums, Under Paris Skies, which was arranged by Quincy Jones. Sadly, Andy’s albums vary wildly in quality, although there are always at least three memorable tracks on each one.

5. “Tongue Tied” by Alison Moyet

“Tongue Tied” is a b-side to “Should I Feel That It’s Over,” which is amazing, since it is a powerful song on its own.

6. “When I’m Not Near the Girl I Love” by Jack Jones

Not surprising to see that FoxyTunes has no info about this number. It’s a song from Finian’s Rainbow, and it is the spiritual cousin to Stephen Stills’ “Love the One You’re With.” I love Jack Jones’ early work, before he went hardcore with the Vegas lounge vocal theatrics. This captures him perfectly, with a smooth swagger that fits the lyrics perfectly.

7. “Antarctica” by Men Without Hats

I’ve already professed my love for Men Without Hats here, but let me reiterate: I love them. Even though I have no idea what the hell this song is about.

8. “Vibrate” by Ghostland Observatory

Not one of my favorite songs off of Paparazzi Lightning, but damn it all if it doesn’t mix nicely with the song that preceded it on the pod.

9. “Suburban Knights” by Hard-Fi

Ignoring the fact that songs decrying soulless suburbs number in the thousands, this is a ridiculously catchy song. Hard-Fi probably fared the best of all the bands that put out second albums this year. I read a review, probably in Q, that pointed out that this song just demands to be sung by football stadium crowds, and that reviewer is absolutely right.

10. “Breakin’ Up” by Rilo Kiley

The more I listen to Under the Blacklight, the more I like it, which is saying something since I liked it a lot right off the bat. I have a fondness for upbeat songs with downbeat lyrics, and this is a perfect example of that.

I hate people. This isn’t your fault. I just do. People don’t read emails. Why bother sending them if people don’t read them? Oh, wait, I know. Because I get yelled at if I don’t send them. But then I send them and people don’t read them. I hate people.

Lame Duck Countdown: 14 days.

PodShuffle time!

1. Blake Shelton – “I Have Been Lonely”. A sentimental turn for Blake, on an album where the highlights are of drunken debauchery. I like him better sassy.

2. Editors – “Spiders”. Deep cut off the new album. It’s jangly.

3. Michael Buble – “Spiderman Theme”. Yes, it’s what you think it is. And it’s delightful. I have no idea how I came by this delight of a track, but I’m sure glad I did. This track single-handedly turned Chris’ opinion of “the Boob” on its head.

4. Nina Simone – “Mood Indigo”. A fine track, one I hear often on my iTunes at work. “Yooooooou’ve never been blue…” I always think it’s Sarah Vaughn.

5. Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – “The Look of Love”. Ah, Bacharach as it’s meant to be arranged. Another sweet, SWEET track. Why oh why did he do the album with the folks from the Black Eyed Peas? He’s ruining something beloved for me, much like George Lucas ruining the Star Wars trilogy.

6. Arctic Monkeys – “If You Were There, Beware”. I have the new album, but I’ve gotten bored with them and haven’t listened to it yet.

7. Prince EP – “L.L.T.” One of the discoveries on Missy Eliot’s reality show where she searched for the next great rapper. His recorded work doesn’t really hold up.

8. Christina Aguilera – “Welcome”. I hate her. No, what I mean by that is I envy her. I envy her talent. Bad. I don’t really like her music all that much, it’s good not great, but I am in awe of her singing pipes.

9. My Bloody Valentine – “Soon”. This song is musical poetry. It goes on forever and I don’t care. Just brilliant.

10. The Bravery – “Above and Below”. Are they going to whore themselves out to EVERY car manufacturer?

1. You’re So Close – Peter Murphy.

Off of Holy Smoke, Murphy’s less than stellar followup to Deep. “You’re So Close” has a dark rocking beat which is appealing. Just don’t listen too carefully to the lyrics because they don’t make much sense. I think it’s about sex.

2. Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani.

A guilty pleasure. And bless Stefani for helping put me in touch with the vernacular of kids these days. I love the drumbeat in this one. It took me a couple of bars to get the hang of it, but that’s what makes it all the sweeter.

3. Unbelievable – Diamond Rio.

One of their bigger hits from a few years back. I love their harmony work in this track.

4. How Am I To Know – Benny Goodman Quartet.

This one is off of a 4-disc compilation EMI put together, I believe with the intent to market it to the film industry for licensing into movies. It’s wound up being a great collection of obscure and not-so-obscure standards. The clarinet work in this track is quite dated. It takes me straight to 1950s pop culture – especially the “Seven Year Itch”. But the play, not the Marilyn Monroe movie. Listening to this track I can understand what it must have felt like to watch the stage version.

5. Newborn Friend – Seal.

I love the chording in this song, a dissonant but a fantastic melody. “If I chant for happiness, maybe it will make me feel better.” The songwriting is solid, and the execution is great.

6. Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

Ach, shuffle. Nevertheless, is this not simply the greatest swing dance anthem? The energy in the big band – it makes me wish I had the energy and skill to jive.

7. The Freeze – Spandau Ballet.

A lesser known track to American audiences, but Spandau had a longer career in Britain. This track and “To Cut a Long Story Short” hold up quite well given the British 80s indie-rock revivalism. The vocal styling, the orchestrations – this song could come from Franz Ferdinand. Except that Spandau Ballet did it 25 years earlier. Man I’m old.

8. Head Over Heels – Tears for Fears.

I love this song. This is and always has been my favorite from Tears for Fears. This is a tune I could name after hearing one note. I still can (hint: it’s all in the reverb and the synth).

9. And Love Goes On – Earth, Wind & Fire.

I acquired Earth, Wind, & Fire’s Greatest Hits CD as a download from Sony courtesy of a class-action lawsuit for their anti-piracy software (a moment where I was unconditionally happy to stick it to the man.) There are over 30 tracks on it, so many I haven’t been able to digest it.

10. All the Things She Said – t.A.T.u.

Ah, Russia’s favorite pseudo-lesbian pop duo. Bound for one hit wonder status. They did the Eurovision song contest after this track. I have no idea what happened to them, and honestly, don’t really care.