What We're Listening To: Coming In Like A Lion Edition

TNG Music Editor Rocky submits this post for your listening pleasure.

Man, I thought we were gonna get off scot free this winter. Didn't you? There's something just so exceedingly obnoxious about snowstorms in early March. It's like spring is right there. I can see it. I can taste it. But, no! You get ten feet of snow instead. Sigh... Well, hopefully, like me, you got or gave yourself a snow day. And remember, spring is only three weeks away. "Three weeks... three weeks..." That'll be my mantra (until next week at least). In the meantime, at least we have the gift of sweet, sweet music! Welcome to What We're Listening To, TNG's weekly column that breaks down the music (and occasionally the other things) keeping us warm at night. On the menu this week, we've got: Phoenix, Freshlyground, Icehouse, Rush, Obi Best, Mates of State and Dan Deacon. Our reviews and the beloved mixtape await you below the fold...

Phoenix—"1901"

I always get this mix of excitement and trepidation when I hear that a band which I've associated with a particular part of my life is releasing a new album. There are so many memories attached - what if it sucks? So when a friend sent me a link to the song "1901" off of the French pop/rock band Phoenix's upcoming album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, I was nervous. Phoenix was a big part of my college experience, both the good (dangerously overcrowded dorm room dance parties) and not-as-good (a debacle of a failed attempt to see the band live which ended with me sleeping in a friend's car in downtown Philly) times. All hesitation melted away, however, the first time I heard the ridiculously catchy and danceable track and have literally pressed "Repeat" on it over and over again all week. The only disappointment, in fact, is that I have to wait until the end of May to hear the rest of the album. - Jolly

Freshlyground—Nomvula

I fell in love with this 7 person band when I saw them live at an HIV/AIDS March on Parliament while studying abroad in South Africa in the Spring of 2005. They broke into the music scene with their first album "Jika Jika" in 2003, blending traditional African music with folk, blues, and jazz. Each member of Freshlyground brings something different to the table, marrying different styles and cultures. Often singing her her native language Xhosa, front woman Zolani Mahola seduces the audience with her smoky voice, while Simon Attwell's dancing flute and Kyla-Rose Smith's plucky violin [not to mention her dashing good looks] keep your foot tapping even on the slower songs. - Maggie

Icehouse—Man of Colours

I bought this for the hits, “Crazy” and “Electric Blue.” And “Crazy” is a terrific romantic power ballad, maybe the best out there—but “Man of Colours,” the softer, gently-sung story of an elderly painter observing the world through the window in his attic room, is even more affecting. And “Electric Blue” is a perfect pop song, bright synths and a killer, soaring chorus—but the hard-charging “Nothing Too Serious” and inspirational “Touch the Fire” equal that feat. So I came for the hits, but I’m staying for the sheer number of great songs, and I’m guessing that Man of Colours is going to be in heavy rotation for a long time on my own personal playlist. - Philip

Rush—The Spirit of Radio

This greatest hits album by Canadian rock band Rush is an excellent overview of the group's work. The music is very "80s" sounding with lots of synth--great stuff. Of particular note is "Closer to the Heart." This song is a bit slower, but I love the melody. Another great track is "The Trees" which, with its civil rights era lyrics, is particularly appropriate to TNG. MY favorite, however, on the album is "Subdivisions." As an urban planner and urban dweller, I agree with the songwriter--'the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth." But in light of recent discussions here on TNG, it's also apt because it considers the 'subdivisions' of society into which we must fit or 'be cast out.' - Matt

Obi Best—Capades

Zack and I checked out this new band last week after listening to their album a few too many times. Alex, the band's frontwoman, has an impressive vocal ability and a cool, funky vibe that shines through in this quirky-but-substantive debut. "Nothing Can Come Between Us Now" - which has the lyrical caveat, "except for a big problem" - is the best song on the album, kicking it off with a hypnotic piano line and subtly pulsating beat. "It's Because Of People Like You," another highlight, tells the horrors of having a nasty note left on your car due to a bad parking job. Favorite line of the album: "You're still here on the second verse / On the third we break up, baby how it hurts." - Corey

Mates of State—Re-Arrange Us

I'm trying to figure out a way to say this without sounding like a complete nerd or a total jackass, but there's just no good way to go about it, so here goes...I first heard Mates of State on This American Life. Ira Glass told me they were great. I would follow Ira Glass off a cliff. So, here we are, a few albums later and I owe Mr. Glass a thank you note. This husband/wife team are pure fun. They're heavy on the keyboards, percussion and strings, and weave tight vocal harmonies that are nearly instantly catchy. This is not complicated music - it's good clean stuff done well with a tip of the hat to 80s synth bands. And to sweeten the deal, there are still tickets available to their April 4th show at the 9:30 Club. - Chris

Dan Deacon—Bromst (March 24)

I know I'll probably get some shit for this, but, as a native Washingtonian, I was raised to be pretty dismissive of all things Baltimore. All those years having to suffer the indignity of rooting for the Orioles taking its toll on a city's psyche, maybe? So in the earlier part of the 00's, when the whole Baltimore scene (Wham City, Artscape, Club music, etc.) started really coming into its own and rising to national prominence, I admittedly didn't pay too much attention. Turns out I've been missing some cool stuff. (Obviously.) Recently, I got my hands on an advanced copy of electronica wizard/local celebrity Dan Deacon's new album, Bromst, and I have to say I'm kind of in love with it. Like a lot of his previous work, it's weird and freaky and chaotic, but it feels like a much more controlled chaos. Beneath all the beats and loops and feedback and craziness, there's a rhythm and a light that are infectious. It's joyful and I haven't felt compelled to use that word to describe much lately, so I guess... spring's coming? Think of it as Merrweather Post Pavilion's maniacally chipper little sister and be sure to check it out later this month. - Rocky

And now, without any further ado... THE MIXTAPE!

Click me!

As usual, I went ahead and added a few extra tracks and one teensy substitution. Since Bromst isn't out yet, playlist doesn't have any of tracks. (Although, as of yesterday, you can check out the whole thing here...) So for my official pick, I chose a track I really like from Dan Deacon's 2007 release, Spiderman of the Rings, called "The Crystal Cat." I don't think it's necessarily as sonically interesting as the new stuff, but it's fun and a good primer for the stuff you'll hear if and when you get ready to wrap your mind around the new album.

For the first bonus track, remember Franz Ferdinand? That first eponymous album? You were probably drunk. But remember how their second album kind of sucked? Well, the Scottish indiepoppers are back and their new single isn't half bad. Dirty lyrics and dance beats, just like back in the day.

Next, folky singer/songwriter M. Ward's new album Hold Time is so good I want to give him a hug. It's absolutely the perfect album to weather you through the schizophrenic meteorological shitstorm that is March in Washington, DC. It's a little dreary and sad, but full of warmth and surprises. "Stars of Leo" is a particular favorite.

And, finally, on New Year's 2004, my best friend was driving me home and played me Rainer Maria's "The Double Life" from the album Long Knives Drawn. I then proceeded to make her listen to it another 50 times, because it's so gay and it doesn't even know it! I'm guessing it's actually about an affair, but when taken out of that context, the lyrics are like manna from heaven for a semi-closeted 23-year-old. Especially one that actually did dream of waking up on the Lower East Side in the arms of some crazy/beautiful artiste. (There's still time I suppose...) Anyway, it's always been a personal favorite of mine and since the playlist.com gods approved, I figured I'd tack it on. I hope you enjoy, and here's the full playlist.


Mates of State -"My Only Offer" (Chris)
Obi Best - "Nothing Can Come Between Us" (Corey)
M. Ward - "Stars of Leo"
Rush - "Closer To The Heart" (Matt)
Dan Deacon - "The Crystal Cat"
Phoenix - "1901" (Jolly)
Franz Ferdinand - "No You Girls"
Icehouse - "Electric Blue" (Philip)
Rainer Maria - "The Double Life"
Freshlyground - "Doo Bee Doo" (Maggie)

Much love to all! See you next Tuesday!