chemistry class

for some reason it's really hard for me to explain why i love elvis costello so much. he writes the perfect rock songs with pop sensibilities, yet they're a bit more complex than that. this record is full of catchy singles, but they're each filled with little nuaces that only costello would come up with. from unique lyrics, to his strange and beautiful voice, this album is unique. he recorded it with the attractions in 1979, the same year he founded and produced the awesome british ska band, the specials. i'm not going to attempt to describe this album anymore, just listen.

click HERE to download 'armed forces'

baby i l u

i've only been listening to this album for a couple days, but i can confidently say it's GREAT. it was produced by phil spector, which definitely changed the band's sound. the record, 'end of the century', isn't as hard their self-titled album, but it still has songs like "chinese rock" (written by dee dee ramone and richard hell) which is a classic punk song. i love that they cover spector's song "baby i love you," which was originally recorded by the ronettes. apparently the ramones weren't the biggest fans of this record, because it's too commercial or something, but i don't think there's anything wrong with that. oh, and apparently, spector held the band at gunpoint and repeatedly made them listen to him sing "baby i love you." yuuup.

click HERE to download end of the century

such hawks, such hounds

when i was in los angeles last spring, my friend grace and i went to see psychedelic/stoner metal band, dead meadow, play at the hollywood forever cemetery. the band made a beautiful video to go with the show in which the drummer wandered through the desert, and my friend tatjana walked out of the ocean as a goth mermaid. I'd been listening to this band for a while, but the show made me appreciate them even more. here's a preview of what it was like: click here. feathers is their fifth album, and each song is so dreamy and beautiful, you'll feel like you're in a weird haze. (in the best way possible).

click HERE to download feathers

he dances really well