The NSFW Song of The Summer

Joining the growing chorus, I can not get enough of Cee Lo Green's NSFW summer hit.  From its neo-pop/soul intro to its infectious and ribald chorus, the song is a joy and demands repeated plays.

Using the quintessential two-word expletive as the title and driving force, Cee Lo tells the common tale of a girl falling for a more upscale guy - a theme passed down for generations including rock classics, "Satisfaction" and "Rosalita." Also, does he really cite Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield?"

Much like "Hey Ya!" led both soccer moms and their brood to "shake it like a Polaroid picture," this song has the goods to unite us all behind this immediate reproach for the times.

Too much analysis already.  Just get in the car, roll down the windows, blast the stereo and let Cee Lo do the talking.

“Fuck-You” by CeeLo Green (mp3)(Buy)

The Summer of Our Discontent

These are the dog days of the our summer of discontent.


The typical bread and circuses have not been so satisfying - especially when you are short on the bread.  There is plenty of anger to go around, but apparently not enough to get folks off the couch. 


It is hard times, my friends.  But its been worse and its been crazier.  As Brother Jimmy was fond of saying, it is time to "break on through." 


To help us on the ride, I offer this crunchy little gem from The Greenhornes, The Cincinnati-based band is better known as being Jack White's bandmates for his unstriped diversions. But Jack knows his stuff.  These guys are the real deal. This track from their 2002 album Dual Mono is a garage-fueled thrill.

“Hard Times” by The Greenhornes (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)

The Soulful Funk of Tristan Clopet

There is a lot of blue-eyed soul in Tristan Clopet.  


Blue-eyed soul wrapped around an infectious, hardcore funk. 

Toronto-born, Miami-based Clopet and his band, the Juice, often get compared to Red Hot Chili Peppers, circa 1991, and justifiably so.  On his latest EP, Purple, Clopet spits out his lyrical rap over that wonderfully nasty rock/funk groove that the Peppers did so well.

But there is more going on here than emulation. Clopet's soaring vocals and searing guitar sets him apart. 

His voice is not as gritty as Anthony Keidis of the aforementioned Peppers. It contains the soulfulness that Steve Winwood and Robert Palmer perfected.  Listening to the EP, one will also be briefly reminded of Faith No More, Arrested Development, John Legend and even U2.  The funk/rock blaster, Superficiality Is A Sin, has joyfully kept with me for the past month. 

And the man can play guitar.  Just like ringing a bell. 

Clopet, who is currently in the studio working on new material, is selling his EP online with the internet-friendly "pay your own price" policy.  It is also available at iTunes and Amazon. Give a working musician so love and treat yourself to some badass funk.

“Superficiality Is A Sin” by Tristan Clopet (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)

http://tristanclopet.com/

Family. Redefined. Again.

A South Florida homage to the The Sopranos.

Because every family needs an intro theme....

West Palm's Surfer Blood Heads Out To World's Festivals

The fresh-faced local music heroes, Surfer Blood, is about to embark on the summer of their lives. 

The lo-fi, indie-pop group will soon head north to NYC to begins its six-week sprint around the globe playing mid-afternoon sets at all the best festivals.  West Palm's Surfer Blood is hitting the big time. 


Most often compared to Weezer, Pavement and Japandroids, Surfer Blood cranks out a laid-back, guitar-driven rock that employs liberal use of reverb in its lo-fi production.  Formed just over a year ago, the band's first single, "Swim," drove the blogs crazy last fall.  Their initial album Astro Coast is classic indie pop and was well received - an 8.2 and Best New Music tag from Pitchfork. 


The band starts its festival run at NYC's Siren Festival and then onto Chicago for the Pitchfork Festival. After stops in Australia and Japan, the Florida Boys hit the European summer music festivals before closing out August at the UK's Reading and Leeds festivals. 


Unless you caught Surfer Blood's raucous show at Lake Worth's Propaganda club last week, it will be awhile before the boys head back into to town.  Until then, oh the sights they will see.





“Swim” by Surfer Blood (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)

South Florida Concert Update: The Black Keys Thunder Into Town, Kevin Barnes visits Lake Worth

On the heels of its release of one of year's best albums, alternative bluesmen, The Black Keys, has joined the southern swing of the Kings of Leon tour and is bringing the best rock show of the summer to South Florida.

Friday night, September 17th, at the Cruzan Amphitheater will feature some of the best rock out there, anywhere. The Akron-based The Black Keys - singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney on drums - will be joining After Hours favorites, The Whigs and Kings of Leon. The prospect of this show may be the only way to survive this too unbelievably hot summer.

In the meantime, I'll keep listening to their breakthrough album, Brothers. Muscle Shoals, where the album was recorded, has left its patented swamp feel to this outstanding recording. If my iPod had grooves, I would have worn them out with this album.

Lake Worth is looking to jump start the area concert business with its own festival - the First Annual Lake Worth It festival. To be held in Bryant Park, Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes will headline a bevy of bands including local guitar hero, John Ralston. Buying now instead at the gates for the August 7th festival will save you a sawbuck.

Also, Billy Corgan and his whoever he is hanging with has sold out the Revolution. Fanboys can still try StubHub. Vampire Weekend returns to the Fillmore in Miami Beach on October 13 - a safe distance after hurricane season. Tickets on sale today for the general admission show.

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

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

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

July 4 - Paper Tongues (Fourth on Flagler) (FREE!)

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

July 10 - Black Violin (Revolution) (Tix)

July 20 - Smashing Pumpkins (Revolution) (SOLDOUT)(StubHub)

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

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

August 7 - Kevin Barnes (Lake Worth It Festival) (Tix)

August 10 - Lilith Fair (Cruzan Amphitheater) (Tix)

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

September 17 - Kings of Leon, The Black Keys & The Whigs (Cruzan Amphitheather) (Tix)

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

October 10 - Vampire Weekend (The Fillmore Miami Beach) (Tix)

“Everlasting Light” by The Black Keys (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)

“Harvest Moon” by Of Montreal (mp3)

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)