SYL Week Playlist 28.6.2010

SYL Video Pick - Cowboy Hip Hop Is All The Rage!!!

SYL Retro Pick - Mr Blue Sky by ELO

Mr Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) were a British rock group from Birmingham, who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones. After Wood's departure following the band's debut record, Lynne wrote and arranged all of the group's original compositions and produced every album.

(Wiki)

SYL Song Pick - Tonight Tonight (Smashing Pumpkins Cover) by Passion Pit

Tonight Tonight (Smashing Pumpkins Cover) - Passion Pit

SYL Video Pick - Like Rubbing Salt Into An Open Wound.... Vive Le France!!!!

Essential 5 - Fleetwood Mac

Its been a while since I've done an Essential 5 post so when choosing I was surprised that in the short months this blog has been up and running I have not mentioned one of my all time favorite bands, Fleetwood Mac. 

I remember being 8 or 9 and finding a black cassette entitled 1982. Being a curious young lad, I quickly made my way towards my dad's stereo and pressed play. What came out was a primal scream that shook me to my core. It was Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train. I had never heard anything like it. Randy Rhodes' shredding guitar solo, Ozzy screaming bout mental instability. It was quite an experience, but thats a story for another post. 

After regaining my wits I paid attention to the next song. It was the exact antithesis of what had just discombobulated  my senses. Instead this was a brooding rhythm with lyrics that required future reinterpretations. Of course I did not get all this at the time and quickly hit rewind to listen to Crazy Train again.

About ten years later, when I was about to leave for college for my freshman year, I rediscovered the same weathered   cassette. I frantically searched for a cassette player that worked. None did so I got in my car and went to my grandparents house ( you know, because old people have old, obsolete gadgets like a beta max and a cassette player just lying around). Pressing play brought back so many memories of that day ten years ago. 

This time around I heard the second song with pause and contemplation and there it was, in all its low-fi glory, one of the greatest songs to have gone from pen to paper, Dreams by Fleetwood Mac from their epic 1977 album Rumours. 

After that I was sold, and some years later I even got to see them live. Let me tell you, they blew me away. Buckingham, Nicks, McVie and Mick are all way into their 60's and rocked as hard as anyone I've seen.

As I assembled this list, more than five songs came to mind so its safe to say that there will be a hefty honorable mentions list. 

Welcome back to the Velvet my friends and enjoy.
Essential 5 after the jump!!!

SYL Week Playlist 21.6.2010

SYL Retro Song Pick - Inca Roads by Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa - Inca Roads by ShaveUrLegz
 

"Inca Roads" is the opening track on Frank Zappa's 1975 album One Size Fits All. It is the longest song on the album (8:45); it is also one of Zappa's most acclaimed compositions. It combines fast, complex, instrumental passages with interesting lyrics and an uptempo feel. The basis for what would become Inca Roads arose around 1970 as two separate pieces (the solo and the last half of the song) while on tour. Zappa would meld these into one song some years later.

 (Wiki)

Bonus Video of son Dweezil Zappa performing Inca Roads with his band Zappa Plays Zappa.

Epic Solo Warning!!!

Click Here for part deux

SYL Picture Pick - Yer Doin It Wrong!

For More Chive Goodness Click Here

SYL Week Playlist 14.6.2010

SYL Video Pick - After More Than 17 Million Hits, How Come I Am Only Now Discovering This Exquisite Masterpiece

SYL Song Pick - Light Years by Theophilus London

Light Years - Theophilus London

Theophilus London is a NYC-based electronic and hip hop rapper. He released a debut mixtape in 2008, JAM! followed by "This Charming Mixtape" in cooperation with Drum Machine a confluence of "The Smiths" (This Charming Man) and "Elvis Costello" This is powered Theophilus to an even wider audience with heavy electronic influences, whilst maintaining the natural Hip Hop vibe.

(Wiki)

SYL Picture Pick - This Is Why Gingers Should Never EVER Tan!!!

SYL Retro Song Pick - Uncertain Smile by The The

The The is an English musical and multimedia group that has been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter/frontman Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.

Although releases are fairly few, The The have sold several million albums internationally and achieved critical acclaim.

(Wiki)

SYL Week Playlist 7.6.2010

SYL Song Pick - Tammie by The dø

Tammie - the dø

SYL Video Pick - Dont Mess With Peruvian Trannies!!!

SYL Song Pick - Tenderoni by Kele

Tenderoni - Kele