The Playlist – March 2014

Music is a little like food and clothes. These are areas where it’s probably worthwhile for one to explore & expand their tastes. The Playlist is assembled each month by Dappered’s very own music correspondent, Tim Johnstone. Tim is a former Virgin Records Label Rep & current award winning Program Director at KRVB, which was awarded the FMQB AAA station of the year markets 50+. You can also catch his work on Fridays when he assembles the Weekend Dossier. 

 

The Black Keys – “Fever”

Understandably, there will be grumblings about how the band has moved away from their roots with a more polished approach to their brand of the rock and the roll. Having said that, I choose to let this catchy-as-hell song have its way with me. Oooh that organ.

 

De La Soul – “Vocabulary Skills”

One of the most influential hip hop acts ever still moves the meter. Nice to have something new from these guys. Smell The D.A.I.S.Y. will be released on 3/26, and it’ll be a free download on De La Soul’s site. Why a free download? Because the band got tired of trying to clear samples all the time. So, there you go.

 

Jeremy Messersmith – “Ghost”

Jeremy Messersmith’s new CD Heart Murmurs is, as far as I’m concerned, the best pop album of the year to date. And unlike many other guys, I don’t immediately find fault with that particular three letter word. If Dan Wilson (of the late great Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic fame) fronted a less banjo-riffic Mumford & Sons, you’d hear something like this. Only not as good. Terrific songs, smartly arranged, every one of which is memorable.

 

Friendly Fires with the Asphodells – “Before Your Eyes”

If I can’t have a new proper Friendly Fires full-length, this will do. Friendly Fires have given us two fantastic records to date and here the band teams up with legendary UK artist/producer Andrew Weatherall and Timothy J Fairplay (calling themselves The Asphodells) for an extended jam that feels like it’s channeling some of Weatherall’s remixes for Primal Scream. Also, it doesn’t seem to be available to buy at this point.

 

Metallica – “Lords Of Summer” (Garage Demo Version)

I am told that this is a big deal. I really wanted to post their contribution to an upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute record, but it’s a Rolling Stone exclusive for the moment. Having said that, it’s still cool to hear this new Metallica track before the official release of their next album, which, incidentally, you’ll have to wait for if you want to buy this.

 

Ingrid Michaelson – “Girls Chase Boys”

Ingrid has travelled far and wide since her little sweater song introduced most of us to her once upon a time. That song, “The Way I Am” was used by the folks at Old Navy. With each album she stretches her sonic boundaries. This is an effervescent Spring sing-along with a video destined to confuse and confound (and delight) people all over our little planet. Well done Ingrid.

 

Daft Punk + Jay Z  – “Computerized”

This right here. It’s not phony. And it’s rocking’ my world. Word on the inter webs is that this was recorded sometime around the Tron sessions. While Daft Punk put the kibosh on this because they didn’t feel it, I find it super satisfying. Like, that kind of satisfying. It takes you places. Unfortunately, this isn’t an official release and not available to purchase.

 

UME – “Black Stone”

Lauren Larsen fronts (and plays guitar) for this band that has everyone from Rolling Stone to the Village Voice trying to come up with the ultimate description for her band’s brand of rock. Is it art rock or psychedelic? Is it post punk or alternative? I think Brooklyn Vegan summed things up pretty well with “QOTSA-style riffage.”

 

Chromeo – “Jealous” (I Aint with it)

Montreal based Chromeo always comes ready to party. For those of you unfamiliar, this is pretty standard for the two piece who have been crafting super fun retro-funk for ten years now. Their new album White Women should be released in May.

 

Prides – “The Seeds You Sow”

Chvrches released one of my favorite discs from last year. For those of you who were also taken by the Scottish threesome, spend a few moments with Glaswegian trio The Prides. Methinks they are cut from the same indie-pop cloth.

 

CULT CLASSIC: No, for reals. This is a Cult classic. Or classic Cult.

Ian Astbury had the moves and then some. And he had the voice. I always wondered if, with Electric, The Cult traded in commercial success for their artistic soul. And while he basically fronted a sort-of-kind-of version of The Doors  for a while there, he finds time for more esoteric endeavors, like this.

For previous editions of The Playlist, see the growing archive here.