S t e r e o * C u t e

Tsuji Ayano - COVER GIRL

2011-09-21T23:52:00.004+08:00

It's been a while since I posted anything in this blog; I've been on LJ and tumblr for the most part these days. But here's another Tsuji Ayano post, some of my favourites from her cover album, COVER GIRL. (Some of my absolute favourites, like "Ougon no Tsuki" and "Cherry", have been posted in my Tsuji Best post, so I didn't include them here.)

1-04: Never Can Say Goodbye (Jackson 5)

1-07: Hoshi ni Negai wo (Disney)

2-04: Nantonaku Nantonaku (The Spiders)

The Novembers - Misstopia

2010-08-08T11:24:00.001+08:00

Pretty much perfect. ♥

Murder Mystery

2010-07-30T01:09:00.007+08:00

“Murder Mystery is a pop band with a soul and a brain, expert at turning out catchy, hard-rocking, intelligent music...the band's propulsive grooves reference everything from doo-wop to new wave, smoothly melded into their own unique style.” – The Village Voice

Led by singer/guitarist Jeremy Coleman and his drumming sister Laura, Murder Mystery first found Internet acclaim with their synth-pop single “Love Astronaut,” which cracked Hype Machine's Top Downloads list and inspired numerous fan videos. Now they're building on that foundation with a pair of new singles, “I Am (If You Are)” [sung by Laura] and “Change My Mind” [sung by Jeremy], that continue where "Love Astronaut" left off -- surrounding catchy melodies with bouncy synths and as many guitar and bass hooks as you can cram into 2:30.

Joining the Colemans in the band are multi-instrumentalist friends Graham Roberts (gtr, keyboard, vox, cello) and Adam Fels (bass, gtr). As would be expected from a group of old friends and family, Murder Mystery’s members share a unique chemistry that extends from the studio to the stage, where they’re currently Moonwalking their way into the hearts of New York audiences. Live, Laura steps out from behind the drums to sing and dance as Jeremy sits down to rock the drums behind her. Adam puts down his bass to shred on guitar, Graham plays multiple instruments in one song, and all is done with a smile and a lack of pretension.

In the past year or so they’ve shared their brand of onstage charisma with such acts as Los Campesinos!, Girl Talk, The Wrens, The Antlers, Art Brut and of course, The RZA.

Okay, so I got an e-mail about Murder Mystery but haven't really had the time to check them out until tonight (I'm supposed to be busy packing to go to Singapore, hence the procrastinating and doing other things instead) and I'm really liking their songs. This band is one that will definitely be included in some of my future mix-cds and listed in my zine. My favourite thing about them (besides their music of course)? Their band name is from one of my fav Velvet Underground songs. What's not to like about that? (^_^)

Edit: Apparently I've put up the wrong band bio earlier. (Thanks Adam for the heads up) That should teach me not to make blog posts when I'm half-asleep and anxious about my packing! (0_o) So, the bio has been changed to the correct one.

Songs:
♥ Change My Mind [mp3]
♥ I Am (If You Are) [mp3]

She and Him - Volume One

2010-01-10T12:23:00.004+08:00

She & Him are M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel. They play the sweetest old school pop music, and if you love stuff by the Beatles or the Miracles you'll love the covers of You've Really Got A Hold On Me and I Should Have Known Better, which are in this album, and fall in love with their other songs too :)

♥ Official Site
♥ download album HERE.

She and Him - "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"

2010-01-10T11:41:00.000+08:00

RENT - Take Me Or Leave Me

2010-01-05T11:10:00.001+08:00

One of my favourite songs from the show. Watch it! :)

Missin' by Novala Takemoto

2009-12-16T22:06:00.003+08:00

"If my antiquarian tastes caused me difficulties, another of my inclinations did worse. I, too, like Nobuko Yoshiya, have a natural disposition toward being an S. From kindergarten to grammar school, and up through junior high and high school, my schools were all co-ed, but I have not once felt a thing for the male sex. I was only ever interested in the fairer sex. Mine. But, alas, even when the same sex was stunning by all outward appearances, I never ceased to be disappointed when they started talking. I hadn't yet met the kind of person with whom I could have an S relationship - overflowing with the kind of gorgeous, evanescent romanticism you find in Yoshiya's novels. And physically, I couldn't stand boys. I mean, they were so foul! No matter how androgynous their look, once you peeled back a layer, you realized they were all coarse and crude and disgusting." - Missin' by Novala Takemoto

You've Really Got A Hold On Me

2009-12-12T12:36:00.003+08:00

1. THE BEATLES

2. SHE AND HIM

3. SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES

4. THE SUPREMES

This was originally performed by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. The cover by The Beatles (which was the first time I heard and fell for this song), and She & Him (their cover of this song and The Beatles' I Should Have Known Better was what made me so obsessed with them!).

Tegan and Sara - Sainthood

2009-12-11T23:48:00.003+08:00

The new Tegan and Sara. It's really worth buying - for Malaysian fans, I'm afraid the only place I know to get it is HMV in Singapore, which was where I got my copy.

-> DOWNLOAD

My Little Pony - Skipping Down the Street

2009-10-24T12:25:00.001+08:00

Marine Girls - Lazy Ways

2009-09-19T12:56:00.006+08:00

This is from Lazy Ways / Beach Party, but I'm only sharing tracks from Lazy Ways, which was first released the year I was born!

track listing:
#01 - A Place In The Sun [mp3]
#02 - Leave Me With The Boy
#03 - Falling Away
#04 - Love To Know
#05 - A Different Light
#06 - Sunshine Blue
#07 - Second Sight
#08 - Don't Come Back [mp3]
#09 - That Fink.Jazz-Me-Blues Boy
#10 - Fever
#11 - Shell Island
#12 - Lazy Ways [mp3]
#13 - Such A Thing
#14 - You Must Be Mad

-> Buy the album from Cherry Red Records

-> Download Album here

Dressy Bessy - Pink Hearts Yellow Moons

2009-09-05T14:42:00.003+08:00

Two of the songs from this album was in the soundtrack of one of my favourite movies, But I'm A Cheerleader!

track listing:
#01 I Found Out
#02 Just Like Henry
#03 Look Around
#04 Little TV
#05 Jenny Come On
#06 If You Should Try To Kiss Her
#07 Extra-ordinary
#08 Makeup
#09 Big Vacation
#10 You Stand Here
#11 My Maryanne

-> Download Album

Slow Down Tallahassee - The Beautiful Light

2009-08-31T13:01:00.006+08:00

A great, shiny pop band I discovered somewhat recently :)

http://www.myspace.com/slowdowntallahasseegirls

track listing:
#01 The Beautiful Light [mp3]
#02 Down the Alleyway
#03 Candy
#04 Never Be Lonely Again [mp3]
#05 So Much For Love
#06 Electric Sun
#07 Limbs
#08 Tallahassee Bop
#09 Kiss Me Again [mp3]
#10 UR Grace UR
#11 Baby Don't Cry
#12 A Little Hex For You
#13 Till I'm Gone
#14 The Prettiest Tree

Yuna - "Dan Sebenarnya"

2009-08-18T23:10:00.000+08:00

Zee Avi - "Bitter Heart"

2009-08-18T22:44:00.002+08:00

My sister and I were in HMV in Singapore when they were playing Zee Avi's s/t debut. We loved it so much she got a copy of the CD; after listening to it I'm going to get my own on my next trip there!

All Girl Summer Fun Band - Looking Into It

2009-08-09T12:49:00.003+08:00

Their latest album, which I'm loving very much!
You can purchase this album here.

TRACKLIST
#01 - Not the One For Me
#02 - Something New
#03 - Oh No
#04 - Trajectory
#05 - Lost
#06 - Everything I Need
#07 - The Only Ones
#08 - Rewind
#09 - Looking Into It
#10 - Plastic Toy Dream
#11 - This Will Never End

download album here

The Field Mice - "Anyone Else Isn't You"

2009-08-09T11:41:00.002+08:00

A Smile and A Ribbon - The Boy I Wish I Never Met

2009-08-08T15:45:00.005+08:00

The cutest, catchiest pop tunes you'll ever hear.

Purchase the album at Shelflife Records! If you get the album it comes with a 7" vinyl with 4 extra songs, which I won't be posting here :)

TRACKLIST
#01 - The Boy I Wish I Never Met
#02 - Book Cover
#03 - Pebbles
#04 - One-Night Wonder
#05 - A Nice Walk In The Park
#06 - A Little Late to Be Polite
#07 - Bobby Pin
#08 - My Bunny's Back
#09 - Baby's Breath

download album here

The Pipettes - "Judy"

2009-06-25T20:02:00.000+08:00

Camera Obscura - "French Navy"

2009-06-23T08:21:00.004+08:00

The thing about Camera Obscura albums is that they are really hard to find if you live where I do. I bought Underachievers Please Try Harder when I was spending a semester in Japan, and Let's Get Out of This Country when I saw them perform in Singapore. Luckily, on my recent trip to Singapore I found that their HMV has started to stock Camera Obscura! (Next August I'll be in S'pore again... and will get Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi! Then I must start tracking down singles/EPs...)

Kings of Convenience - "I'd Rather Dance With You"

2009-06-22T23:29:00.000+08:00

Sometimes I forget just how much I love this band!

Uh Huh Her - I See Red EP

2009-06-15T10:27:00.000+08:00

Uh Huh Her are Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey. They are a new band, from 2007, and despite the fact that their band name came from a PJ Harvey song, they play electropop. I like their music a lot, and it's not just because I adore Leisha Hailey, ok! :) I'm still trying to get my hands on Common Reaction - why can't we have decent record stores here??

DOWNLOAD:
track#01 - Say So (Thom Russo Mix)
track#02 - Explode
track#03 - Run
track#04 - I See Red
track#05 - Say So

The Butchies - "Send Me You"

2009-06-11T20:46:00.000+08:00

I have much love for the Butchies and Kaia Wilson, but unfortunately I don't have any albums by them/her to post, so here's another vid from YouTube :)

Suga Shikao - Clover

2009-06-10T09:52:00.000+08:00

A little bit of trivia (well, I think most people know already actually) - the manga Hachimitsu to Clover (Honey & Clover) was named because of two albums the mangaka loved, Hachimitsu by Spitz and Clover by Suga Shikao. I don't favour a lot of male singers, but I like Suga Shikao's voice! I have a lot of Spitz albums, but Clover is the only Suga Shikao album I've managed to get so far...

DOWNLOAD (m4a):
track#04 - Tsuki to Knife
track#10 - Ogon no Tsuki

Tsuji Ayano - Tsuji Best

2009-06-10T09:10:00.000+08:00

Like most people, I first heard of Tsuji Ayano when I saw the Studio Ghibli movie, Neko no Ongaeshi (usually somewhat mistranslated as "The Cat Returns"?) She did the ending theme of the movie, an acoustic version of her song "Kaze ni Naru." I loved that song so much and tried to find the rest of her music online in vain. When I was in Japan I bought this 2-disc set of her singles and b-sides, which I ended up loving more than the singles. I also bought the single for "Kaze ni Naru", the song from the movie, which I'll post another day.

From Last.FM: In an NPR interview, she was quoted as saying: “If my songs were a motion picture, they would not be an action film. They would be a slow, typical love story, in which there is some happiness, and much pain. This reflects everyday life, and that’s what I want.”

DOWNLOAD (m4a format):
Disc1
track#02 - Clover
track#07 - Kaze ni Naru
track#11 - Parade
Disc 2
track#04 - Koi no Sasayaki
track#06 - Kimi ni Ai ni Yukimasho
track#07 - Tsuki ga Naiteru
track#08 - Ogon no Tsuki (Suga Shikao cover)
track#09 - Neko ni Naritai (Spitz cover)
track#12 - Cherry (Spitz cover)

Go Sailor - Go Sailor

2009-06-06T08:10:00.000+08:00

From Wikipedia: Go Sailor was a short-lived Berkeley based twee pop band. Its members included Rose Melberg of Tiger Trap and the Softies (guitar, vocals), Paul Curran of Crimpshrine (bass) and Amy Linton of Henry's Dress (later of The Aislers Set) (drums). They recorded three 7" singles and a full-length CD on Lookout! Records in 1996, the latter of which collected the singles tracks and two compilation appearances. After their breakup their songs "Ray of Sunshine" and "Together Forever in Love" were included on the soundtrack to the movie But I'm a Cheerleader.

I really love Go Sailor. If you like Rose Melberg you will, too!

DOWNLOAD:
track#02 - Fine Day For Sailing
track#07 - Long Distance
track#12 - Ray of Sunshine
track#13 - Together Forever In Love

Uh Huh Her - "Not A Love Song"

2009-06-05T23:41:00.000+08:00

Uh Huh Her is an electropop band comprising of Camila Grey (previously of Mellowdrone) and Leisha Heiley (previously of The Murmurs and Gush). I've been a Leisha Hailey fan since high school (I <3 The Murmurs!) and had a major crush on her on the movie All Over Me (pink hair and guitar, yeah!). This song is from the new album, COMMON REACTION, which I don't have yet, but maybe I'll post their I See Red EP sometime in the future.

The Field Mice - Missing the Moon (Sarah 057)

2009-06-02T09:39:00.000+08:00

From Last.FM: The Field Mice were an twee pop/indie pop group which formed in 1987 in London, England. Along with Heavenly, they were the most popular group on the legendary and influential Sarah Records label.

The Field Mice's Emma's House was pop perfection. Here is a different Field Mice release - I think the first Sarah item I'm including in my blog! (More will come, I'm sure)

DOWNLOAD:
track#01 - Missing the Moon
track#02 - A Wrong Turn and Raindrops
track#03 - An Earlier Autumn

The Butchies - "The Galaxy Is Gay"

2009-05-31T13:49:00.000+08:00

Lucy Van Pelt - advantage Lucy EP

2009-05-31T09:55:00.000+08:00

Lucy Van Pelt got their name from the Peanuts comic. This EP is called "advantage Lucy" - when Lucy Van Pelt were told that they had to change their band name due to copyright, they eventually changed the band name to advantage Lucy. Therefore, this band is currently known as Advantage Lucy! :) Cute music influenced by 60s janglepop and Swedish indiepop. My favourite tracks from this EP are "Nico" and "Red bicycle"!

-> Official Website

DOWNLOAD:
track#01 - When I Sleep
track#02 - Hammock Waltz
track#03 - Frisbee
track#04 - Nico
track#05 - Red Bicycle

Titan go King's - Ultrasonic Wave 01

2009-05-27T23:11:00.000+08:00

More happy, catchy, screamy girl punk!

DOWNLOAD ALBUM

Math and Physics Club - Weekends Away EP

2009-05-27T08:27:00.000+08:00

I was introduced to Math & Physics Club when I went to Singapore for the Camera Obscura concert. I was waiting in line for the autograph session (I wanted to buy Let's Get Out of This Country but didn't want to lose my place in the line, so I was glad I brought my copy of Underachievers Please Try Harder) and this girl in front of me in the line just asked if I wanted to listen to Camera Obscura on her iPod with her. So we shared half of an earphone each, listened to Camera Obscura and made friends. Then she let me see her other music and she became the first person I know who also loves The Innocence Mission! And she played Math and Physics Club's "Weekends Away" for me and it was so beautiful. They sound like The Smiths, only more upbeat. Or Belle and Sebastian's Tigermilk. Yum. I looked it up the moment I came back to KL!

(Btw, Jiin, the girl who introduced Math & Physics Club to me, held my place in the line so I could finally get a copy of Let's Get Out of This Country! I did the same for her afterwards. Now, I just need to find a copy of My Maudlin Career...)

DOWNLOAD:
track#01 - Weekends Away
track#02 - Sixteen and Pretty
track#03 - Love, Again
track#04 - When We Get Famous

Cub - Betti-Cola

2009-05-25T20:22:00.001+08:00

Try Cub if you like fun pop songs or All Girl Summer Fun Band!

DOWNLOAD:
track#01 - Go Fish
track#11 - A Picnic
track#15 - The Day We Met
track#20 - Lucky 7

This Is Ivy League - This Is Ivy League

2009-05-18T09:07:00.000+08:00

I just love this band. If you like yummy harmonies and catchy pop tunes
and Belle and Sebastian/Simon & Garfunkel/Camera Obscura, give them a try!

Get their albums via their MySpace page or ThisIsIvyLeague.net

DOWNLOAD:
track#01 - The Richest Kids
track#02 - London Bridges
track#09 - Til the Day

Tiger Trap - Sour Grass EP

2009-05-15T20:52:00.000+08:00

Tiger Trap are Angela Loy, Rose Melberg, Heather Dunn and Jen Braun. Probably the most upbeat stuff by Rose Melberg you'll find, haha! I love them :)

DOWNLOAD:
track#01 - Sour Grass
track#02 - Carrie's Song
track#03 - Don't Ask
track#04 - Treasure
track#05 - Sweetheart

Couple - Teenage Disc Fantastic

2009-05-13T17:40:00.000+08:00

Couple is a Malaysian indie pop band. They play very catchy Beatles-esque music!

DOWNLOAD:
track#01 - C'mon Operator
track#03 - Love You Yes
track#05 - Pergi
track#06 - Menarilah Hey

Lokee - Any Suggestments?

2009-05-10T19:37:00.000+08:00

Lokee is my brother's band. So far they've pretty much stuck to playing at colleges and the occasional high school proms, but I like their music. My favourite from this demo is "Feel Good" because it really reminds me of my college days.

DOWNLOAD [m4a]:
track#01 - Wanita Pertama
track#02 - This Town
track#03 - Who
track#04 - Feel Good

OBC - Avenue Q the Musical

2009-05-06T08:57:00.000+08:00

I saw Avenue Q when I was in Singapore last year. One of my favourite things about bands and musicals coming to Singapore is, they will be selling their CDs at the venue! I really love Avenue Q, and together with RENT and Wicked it's one of my top three musicals.

By the original broadway cast.

DOWNLOAD:
track#02 - What Do You Do With A B.A. In English?
track#03 - If You Were Gay
track#05 - Everyone's A Little Bit Racist
track#06 - The Internet Is For Porn

Sleater-Kinney - You're No Rock & Roll Fun

2009-05-04T07:28:00.000+08:00

More Sleater-Kinney! I like this video.

Titan go King's - Gut's Idol

2009-04-30T23:43:00.000+08:00

Titan go King's play happy girl punk. Even when they're screaming and making a lot of noise, they still play some of the catchiest punk music I've heard.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM

Sleater-Kinney - Dig Me Out

2009-04-29T16:08:00.000+08:00

S-K is one of my favourite bands and always will be. Dig Me Out was the only CD I could find in record stores here. I did buy All Hands on the Bad One in Japan, yay!

DOWNLOAD:
track#01 - Dig Me Out
track#02 - One More Hour
track#06 - Words and Guitar
track#08 - Little Babies

Music Mondays: Billie Holiday - Good Morning Heartache (live)

2009-04-27T21:45:00.000+08:00

This song I used to listen over and over and over again. I still love Billie Holiday. Nothing will make me stop.

Cibo Matto - Viva! La Woman

2009-04-27T21:39:00.000+08:00

I found out about Cibo Matto through someone on the witchbaby egroup. We were chatting on msn (or was it ICQ?) and she asked me, "do you listen to Cibo Matto? Because you HAVE TO!" While music hunting in Tower Records I found Stereo Type A and bought it, and absolutely loved it. Viva! La Woman is an earlier record that I only found recently (thanks to Rock Corner at the Curve). Of course, I've downloaded it before this, but I'm really glad that I finally own this! It's very different from Stereo Type A - more screaming-not-singing, but also a lot more fun!

DOWNLOAD:
track#03 - Sugar Water
track#05 - Birthday Cake
track#08 - Candy Man
track#09 - Le Pain Perdu

Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories - Tails

2009-04-26T16:57:00.000+08:00

I like Lisa Loeb. A lot. Her records are actually hard to find here, but I was lucky and found Tails at a flea market. (Pretty expensive for a flea market, but it was worth it!)

DOWNLOAD:
track#02 - Snow Day
track#04 - When All The Stars Were Falling
track#13 - Stay

Anneke Gronloh - Irama Kenangan Anneke Gronloh

2009-04-26T16:41:00.000+08:00

Oldies from Indonesia. Some of her songs are rather Ella-esque, and most of them put a smile on my face.

DOWNLOAD:
track#01 - Asmara
track#10 - Bengawan Solo
track#13 - Aku Cari Laki Gagah
track#14 - Penggayo
track#15 - Da Du Ron Ron
track#19 - Oh Malaysia