Weird Cover Wednesday: Something About You

This is not just a cover, it is a reclamation project.

Cary Brothers' sweet duet with Dutch-through-LA singer Laura Jensen of Level 42's "Something About You" is a revelation.  The familiarity of the song is not readily apparent.  The stripped-down cover brings this tune up from the saccharine depths 80s English pop to become a simple gem. 

Brothers, who is probably best known for his contribution to the Garden State soundtrack. included this tune on his enjoyable second album, Under Control, which was released this spring.  Fortunately, there is not a synth to found during the entire 3:46. 

“Something About You” by Cary Brothers (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)

Five Video Friday: My Favorite Music Videos

Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground- White Stripes

The White Stripes always blow people away with their music videos with director Michel Gondry at the helm. But this simple video often gets overlooked in favor of Fell In Love With A Girl or Hardest Button to Button. But it's simplicity doesn't stop it from being one of the best videos I've seen.

Around The World- Daft Punk

By all accounts what should have been a boring music video not only manages to entrance you with the well choreographed dance that if you look deeper actually has a cool surprise for you.

Going On- Gnarls Barkley

Going on takes choreographed dancing to the streets and makes it belong. With tight editing so every bounce, sway and gesture is in time to the beat it's hard not to dance along with this video. I must have watched it a hundred times and I still don't get tired of it.

Eighth Wonder- Lemon Demon

Come on, you knew he would show up. My favorite band and my favorite director Neil Cicierega does what may be the simplest music video I've seen. By taking one frame for each beat he makes a trip through the a forest of lyrics, mongooses and shacks seem like a grand adventure.

Keep Fishin'- Weezer

What can I say, I'm a sucker for both the Muppets and Weezer. With classic

Muppets feel, this video made me flashback to childhood.

Weird Cover Wednesday: Ben Lee does 'Ben Lee'

Back in 2001, Indiana punksters, The Ataris, unleashed a caustic chorus about Australian former pop punker and current singer/songwriter Ben Lee with "Ben Lee". Very blunt and to the point, The Ataris let loose by proclaiming, "To me you're some just some ugly prick who got lucky/ cause he knew the Beastie Boys and I can't stand it." They also riff on Lee's dating of Claire Danes and his general good fortune, whether deserved or not.

What makes this special is when the victim of the call-out covers the taunt. Very cheeky - Ben Lee covering "Ben Lee."

“Ben Lee” by The Ataris (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)

“Ben Lee” by Ben Lee (mp3)

South Florida Concert Update: U2 Bails, Sleigh Bells Head South

Bono's mysterious back injury has postponed U2's North America tour, including its July 9th stop in Miami, and put a large hole in the summer concert plans for the SoFla faithful.

However, there are several new concerts that will go a long way in filling that musical void. Although these shows won't feature stadium-size stages, they will allow a closer look at some of the best up-and-coming bands around.

The biggest excitement is reserved for blog darlings, Sleigh Bells. The Brooklyn duo's fuzz guitar/pop vocals combination has the hipsters drooling over themselves. They may just be right. See them July 8th at West Palm's Respectable Street.

June 2 - Imogen Heap (The Fillmore Miami Beach) (Tix)

June 4 - Jethro Tull (Mizner Park) (Tix)

June 5 - Citizen Cope (The Fillmore Miami Beach) (Tix)

June 8 - Yes & Peter Frampton (Kravis Center) (Tix)

June 10 - Lynyrd Skynyrd & Bret Michaels (Cruzan Amphitheater)(Tix)

June 16 - Silversun Pickups, Against Me & Henry Clay People (Sunset Cove)(Tix)

June 26 - The Juan MacLean (Respectable Street)(Tix)

July 2 - Hole (The Fillmore Miami Beach) (Tix)

July 3 - Black Kids (Respectable Street) (Tix)

July 8 - Sleigh Bells (Respectable Street) (Tix)

July 9 - U2 (Sun Life Stadium) (Tix) (CANCELLED)

July 10 - Black Violin (Revolution) (Tix)

July 23 - Seu Jorge (The Fillmore Miami Beach) (Tix)

July 31 - Robert Plant and The Band of Joy (Bayfront Park Amphitheater) (Tix)

August 8 - Lilith Fair (Cruzan Amphitheater) (Tix)

August 25 - Natalie Merchant (Broward Center) (Tix)

September 17 - Kings of Leon (Cruzan Amphitheather) (Tix)

October 2 - Rush performing Moving Pictures in its entirety (Cruzan Amphitheater) (Tix)

ROADTRIP SPECIALS

Taking the long trip out west under the Roadtrip Specials for the week as two of the major summer festivals announced bands this week.

August 14-15 - Outside Lands Festival at Golden Gate Park in San Fran. Kings of Leon, The Strokes, My Morning Jacket, Social Distortion & Al Green headline the two-day fest. (Tix)

September 4-6 - Bumbershoot! Great festival in Seattle, featuring Bob Dylan, Weezer, Hole, Neko Case, Jenny Lewis, The Whigs and just about everyone else. (Tix)

Video Friday - Finding Your Focus

The Greek goddess of victory, Nike, and her corporate namesake has smiled down once again on a fat Dutch progressive rock flautist.

Nearly forty years after Providence smiled down on Thijs van Leer to make his wild, wonderful, yodelling guitar

jam a worldwide hit, it is starting all over again.

Thanks to this shoe video for the 2010 World Cup (and

its 10 million views and counting), the Netherlands-

based Focus is once again heading back to the world

charts. It does help when the incredibly slick

commercial debuts in 32 countries.

For me, listening to Focus' "Hocus Pocus" reminds me

of when I started really listening to music for the first

time. Just an eight-year-old listening to the FM radio

late at night like I was caught behind enemy lines,

listening for news from the front.

Plus I liked the yodeling part.

“Hocus Pocus” by Focus (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)

Weird Cover Wednesday: The Gourds- Gin and Juice

Acoustic covers of rap songs are comedic gold. It's a proven fact. So when country band The Gourds tunes up their banjos and drops some rhymes courtesy of Snoop Do-double g, magic is made. So roll down the window of your Ford truck, spill some Jack D for your homeboys on the ranch and ride off into the sunset on some funky beats.

“Gin and Juice” by The Gourds (mp3) (iTunes) (Amazon)

Five Video Friday

Under Ice

This excellent mashup of Under Pressure and Ice Ice Baby was inevitable. Plus it's laid over my tow favorite anime, so it's all good.

The Cat Piano

This animated short, told in an almost beatnik poem gives off the feel of a wonderful blues song.

The Story of Othello (As Told By Rappers)

Othello is brought to the streets in this hilarious video directed by Mega64's Derrick Acosta (who has a new DVD coming out next week).

Running With Chicken

Funny folk group Garfunkle and Oates, tell you how to cheer up.

TMBG- Till My Head Falls Off

One of the best live versions of a song I've heard. It rocks so hard Flans breaks his strings.

South Florida Concert Outlook

Ahhh.....South Florida. Rock tours either start or end here and rarely visit in between.

However, with a little digging, the best shows can be found. Below is a listing of select shows in the area, plus a couple roadtrip specials.

May 18 - Glen Phillips formerly of Toad the Wet Sprocket (Lyric Theater) (Tix)

May 20 - The Original Wailers (Revolution) (Tix)

May 26 - The Psychedelic Furs (The Culture Room) (Tix)

May 30 - Hall & Oates (Pompano Beach Amphitheater) (Tix)

June 2 - Imogen Heap (The Fillmore Miami Beach) (Tix)

June 4 - Jethro Tull (Mizner Park) (Tix)

June 5 - Citizen Cope (The Fillmore Miami Beach) (Tix)

July 2 - Hole (The Fillmore Miami Beach) (Tix)

July 9 - U2 (Sun Life Stadium) (Tix)

July 10 - Black Violin (Revolution) (Tix)

July 23 - Seu Jorge (The Fillmore Miami Beach) (Tix)

July 31 - Robert Plant and The Band of Joy (Bayfront Park Amphitheater) (Tix)

August 8 - Lilith Fair (Cruzan Amphitheater) (Tix)

September 17 - Kings of Leon (Cruzan Amphitheather) (Tix)

October 2 - Rush performing Moving Pictures in its entirety (Cruzan Amphitheater) (Tix)

ROADTRIP SPECIALS

June 10-13 - Bonna Ray?BONNAROOOOOOOOOO! Kings of Leon, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder & Conan. (Somewhere in Tennessee) (Tix)

September 19 - The Black Crowes 20th Anniversary Show - 3 hour acoustic and electric (Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Asheville, N.C.) (Tix)

Video Friday - Canceling Stamps

After a busy work week during a particularly hard time for the working man and woman, it is always a good reminder that there is still enough magic out there to get you through.

Point of evidence. In this field recording, four workers from the University of Ghana post office go beat crazy canceling stamps and literally whistling while they work. There is nothing to the video, but this effervescent work song is smile-inducing.

“Canceling Stamps” by University of Ghana Postal Workers (mp3)

Weird Cover Wednesday: "Lady GaGa- Viva La Vida"

I have to come to terms with something.

I really like Lady GaGa.

It's hard to admit but it's true, I have the fansite bookmarked, fanart saved, and her new tour is on my radar. So now onto my next mission, I must convert my friends, GaGa commands it. But I know that I can't throw you in the deep end and make you swim. GaGa is pop and you, dear reader, are a true music connoisseur, not interested in the likes of her. But you like Coldplay right, of course you do, thus may I present Lady GaGa preforming "Viva La Vida." Sure she messes up the words sometimes and she make it obvious she wants to be a queen, not king, but it's still an excellent cover.

Now sleep.

"Viva La Vida" by Lady Gaga (mp3)