Adele - Rolling in the Deep

I really like this song and this video - particularly the shots of the tons of glasses of water vibrating with the beat. Very cool yet simple concept.

Theme Thursday: Covers

I'm officially bringing back Theme Thursday (I'm not sure if it was ever 'out,' but I'd like to think that I'm a trendsetter). This Thursday's theme is covers. From time to time, I crave the familiarity of the oldies but goodies. I have to say, it's a pretty unsatisfying experience...Inevitably, I find myself wishing, yearning, that these songs were imbued with the soul-searching angst of indie rock. And thus, I was determined to find some indie-awesome covers that had the best of both worlds: familiarity and soulful inflection. Here are my findings:

Can't Help Falling in Love [mp3] Ingrid Michaelson - "Be OK" (iTunes). I love Ingrid Michaelson with the fiery passion of a thousand suns. She's so phenomenal, and she lends her glister to this awesome cover of The King's old hit.

In My Life [mp3] Leah Siegel - "Beatles Complete on Ukulele, Vol. 1" (iTunes). This isn't the last you'll hear of Leah Siegal from me. I have fallen into a deep infatuation with her lyrical perspective, and find myself queueing her up over and over again. In My Life has just the right balance of old and new to make me swoon.

Make You Feel My Love [mp3] ADELE - "19" (iTunes). This British crooner helps me to love unrequited love (story of my life) with this cover of Bob Dylan's original. Make You Feel My Love lives in the land of covers, having been refab'd by such as Trisha Yearwood, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel and more...and so it's all the more incredible that ADELE's version is by far my favorite.

Sea of Love [mp3] Cat Power - "Juno" (iTunes). By far my favorite track off of the Juno soundtrack, which is saying a lot existing as it does in the sea of indie-awesomeness. The detached, old-time radio feel of Sea of Love makes waves of happiness swell somewhere deep down inside.

Handle Me With Care [mp3] Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins - "Rabbit Fur Coat" (iTunes). I have long held that I will know when I have found my soul mate when I find someone who has a deep and abiding love for The Traveling Wilburys. When I found Jenny Lewis' rendition of Handle Me With Care, my standards tightened quite a bit...now Mr. Right has to know both The Traveling Wilburys and Jenny Lewis.

Such Great Heights [mp3] Iron & Wine - "Such Great Heights EP" (iTunes). This song is just the best I'm-irrationally-in-love song ever. And so, when I found this ridiculously mellow version of the song, I found myself plunged into a reverie where both I and he have freckles in our eyes.

Everybody Wants to Rule the World [mp3] Clare & The Reasons (iTunes). By far my favorite on this list, Clare Muldaur could woo me all day, everyday. *Sigh*

What a Wonderful World [mp3] The Innocence Mission - "Now the Day is Over" (iTunes). The perfect ending to a near-perfect list! What a Wonderful World makes me see the world through wonderfully hazy glasses, and makes me feel that all is right in life!

Thanks for the welcome, party people!

Let me just start by saying that I'm jazzed about beginning as a contributor here on Guilt Free Pleasures! It was quite serendipitous, really...as if the fates aligned to give me the chance to share my music lusts with all of you. This post will be longer than any others I will ever write, but I hope you stick with me.

I thought that I might put my best foot forward and introduce myself to you by giving you Lauren's top 10. This eclectic mix will give you an idea of my taste and what to expect from me in the future. These ten artists are the creme de la creme of my iTunes library...at least for today. I try to be gender equitable in my music listening, so I've separated them into the guys and gals. Without further ado...

The Handsome Gents

Leslie Anne Levine [mp3] The Decemberists- "Castaways and Cutouts" (iTunes). You'll find me to be a big fan of The Decemberists. In fact, I'm just brimming to get on here and review their recently released album "Hazards of Love." The Decemberists have such an interesting take on life, music and love; and my indie heart beats wildly for the somewhat whiny/totally soulful croon that is the lead singer, Colin Meloy. This song is their quintessential style.

Love, Love, Love [mp3] - The Mountain Goats - "The Sunset Tree" (iTunes). Lyrically, this song is another 'thinker,' which I absolutely adore. With the literary allusions (Bible & Crime and Punishment, anyone?), this song is also tender and lovely...which is especially spectacular from a band that usually produces songs that sound like Irish drinking songs. (If you're in the mood for Irish drinking songs, check out No Children off of "Tallahassee.")

Wonder [mp3] - Colin Meloy - "Colin Meloy Sings Live!" (iTunes). As mentioned above, Colin Meloy is the lead singer for The Decemberists. My reasons for loving this song are just...too many to mention. I love, love, love the timbre of Colin's voice and the subject of this song is just too sweet. I often slip into grand reveries of telling my currently nonexistent future husband that I'm pregnant by playing this song.

At the Bottom of Everything [mp3] - Bright Eyes - "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" (iTunes). I definitely gravitate toward incredible stories told by insightful storytellers. Case in point: At the Bottom of Everything. The song begins with a story of 2 people in a crashing plane, which is just about the best premise for a song ever. Listen and fall in love with kindergarten-esque story time all over again.

Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood [mp3] - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah" (iTunes). I love this song solely due to its timbre. I tend to have weird-dar; there's something about weird-sounding music that 100% grabs my attention and holds it until the last note. With the coupling of an oddly sluggish - incomprehensible lead vocalist and the upbeat melody, this song definitely makes the weird-dar ding. My absolute favorite part of the song is the crescendo nearing the end where the lyrics denigrate into repeating 'child stars.'

The Fabulous Ladies

First Love [mp3] - ADELE - "19" (iTunes). This Grammy-winning songstress captivated my heart (and ears) at first jazzy note. While I like Chasing Pavements, I fell in love with ADELE once discovering First Love. And, this might be TMI (Too Much Info), but I totally identify with the subject matter, as I'm sure many of you in the blogosphere can.

Foundations [mp3] - Kate Nash - "Made of Bricks" (iTunes). Imagine my horror and despair when I found Guilt Free Pleasures, replete with the artists that sing my soul, and didn't find Kate Nash! Well, I'm here to correct that grevious misfortune. I love how Kate sings it how it is (which, let's face it, isn't always pretty) and couples it with a simple, upbeat tempo. Insatiably catchy, with a Lily Allen feel (though, Lily Allen might kill me for making that reference!)

A Better Wife [mp3] - Erin McKeown - "Grand" (iTunes). I first learned of Erin when she came to American University (my alma mater) as the opening act for...well...I can't remember. Needless to say, she totally stole the show, and my heart. She's folksy and fun, and A Better Wife totally encompasses all the best of who she is and how she puts herself out there.

Pluto [mp3] - Clare and the Reasons - "The Movie" (iTunes). I found Clare & The Reasons back in November/December when they opened for Shara of My Brightest Diamond. Much like Shara, Clare and her posse of Reasons, this band is comprised of vocalist, cellist, violinist and X, where X stands for whatever weird instrument produces the desired sound. Maybe I'm projecting a bit, but a love song to Pluto after having been de-planetized makes me feel happy about the world.

Evident Utensil [mp3] - Chairlift - "Does You Inspire You" (iTunes). Speaking of stealing the show, Chairlift totally eclipsed Yeasayer as their opening act this past December when they played here in DC. Most people know Chairlift from their appearance as the music on the last iPod commercial, but I posit that they are so much more complex than Bruises portrays them to be.

A Year Later...

And I am *still* obsessed with this song. I watch the music video about 9 times a day. You music savvy people have probably already heard/seen it, but I've come across to many people who haven't, so consider it posted. The lesser-known Adele cover is also really great.

Black and Gold - Sam Sparro [mp3] (iTunes) myspace
Black and Gold (cover) - Adele [mp3] myspace

p.s. I am aware of the Katy Perry cover, but to me it doesn't come close to Adele's.

Best Debut Albums of 2008

It's that time of year again - you know, the time of year we all get nostalgic and think how quickly time has passed. The time of year we look back at all the things we've done and, more importantly, all the great music we've heard. All the new artists we've discovered. All the wonderful shows we've attended. So for the next few days, we here at Guilt Free Pleasures (Lise and Em) will be doing our "best of 2008" lists, in no particular order, starting today with debuts...

Best Debut Albums of 2008

The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
With unforgettably catchy dance hits that have been the staple of every club and party we've been to this year, this album is definitely one of our favorites and it's hard to believe that anyone ever held a dance party before The Ting Tings existed. Great to shout along with and even the worst dancers can throw their bodies around to these rockin' dance beats.
Shut Up and Let Me Go [mp3] - (iTunes)

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

While you can tell that Ra Ra Riot has a variety of influences, they also don't sound exactly the same as anything. We haven't heard a single person that we've introduced to Ra Ra Riot say they don't like them because Ra Ra Riot has an expansive talent and diverse repertoire that makes them universally appealing, as well as the distinctiveness and character that makes everyone who listens to them feel like they've stumbled upon something special.

Suspended In Gaffa [mp3] - (iTunes)

Lady GaGa - The Fame

Another great dance album, and does anybody else feel like maybe it's a little nostalgic for the '90s? (one of our favorite musical decades over here at Guilt Free Pleasures by the way). But Beautiful, Dirty, Rich is a good enough track on its own to make this album a "best of 2008" contender, and there were a few other fabulous tracks like the hit Just Dance and the title track, The Fame that pushed it into the winners' circle.

Beautiful, Dirty, Rich [mp3] - (iTunes)

Fredrik - Na Na Ni

Swedish band Fredrik brings us a unique and calming debut album. I'm pretty sure this album may actually lower your blood pressure... They're a little more experimental than most of the stuff on our Best Of lists, but the unconventional beauty of their music is part of what we love about them. Though there is also a simplicity to much of their music. Leave it to the Scandinavians to be innovative and captivating, taking the basics that seem so ordinary and common and experimenting with them until they are shiny, new and pleasing to the ears.

Black Fur [mp3] - (iTunes)

Adele- 19
Already basking in the glow of 4 Grammy nominations this year, 19 was certainly an impressive debut album from the young (she's 20 now) and soulful Adele Adkins. The comparisons ranged from Amy Winehouse to Etta James to "Joss Stone without the cigarettes," and slowly but surely over the year Adele became her own entity and her music has infiltrated the 2008 music scene. With another album planned to record early next year, we'll be seeing much more of this inspiring belting songstress.
Chasing Pavements [mp3] - (iTunes)

Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes

This Seattle-based group wowed us all with a stellar performance on their self-titled debut album, and they filled our ears and hearts with harmonious melodies plucked from the psychedelic folk-rock atmosphere. Google "Fleet Foxes review" and we promise you that all you'll find is a gushfest of praise for this album. Fresh and rustic, Fleet Foxes is among plenty of "Best of 2008" lists in the blogosphere, and for good reason. If you haven't picked up this album, we suggest you use one of those giftcards you got for the holidays and get it.

White Winter Hymnal [mp3] - (iTunes)

Priscilla Ahn - A Good Day
After producing a promising self-entitled demo in 2007, this velvety-smooth singer finally released her official debut album in 2008 and was met with much rejoicing from female singer-songwriter fans all over the world. Her singing is sweetly soft and crystal clear, and her songs are wonderous pop-folk reflections that ease the soul. A short stint on the infamous Hotel Cafe Tour and being featured on major network shows like Grey's Anatomy, we consider A Good Day to be one of those best still relatively-unknown concrete works that are slowly trickling down into mainstream simply because the talent is there and the quality is high.
Dream [mp3] - (iTunes)

Kaiser Cartel -March Fourth

Possibly Lise's most obsessed-about album of the entire year, KaiserCartel brought the world a gorgeous debut album of acoustic guitar-and-drum numbers to lift the musical spirit. Delicately intricate and perfectly genuine, this humble album compliments and completes any music collection. The pairing of Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel talent's brings forth a musical genre we'd like to call "simply magical." The album has a life of its own, breeding good feelings and chill toe-tapping melodies, especially in songs like Season Song, Okay, Oh No and Dog Stars.

Okay [mp3] - (iTunes)

Lykke Li- Youth Novels
Straight from Sweden, this sweet songbird gave us *the* electronica-synth-pop album of the year with her debut Youth Novels. It's almost as if a robot and an already fantastic album had a baby, the songs are so electro-fied. Strong and ready to take on the world, Lykke Li pumps out the 80's-inspired beats that make you wanna groove while containing a billion catchy hooks to get stuck in your head. The buzz for this one is well deserved and the album brilliant enough to make our list this year.
I'm Good, I'm Gone [mp3] - (iTunes)

She & Him - Volume One

You're guaranteed the audiences that intrigue will bring when a celebrity turns to music and puts out their first album. After hearing Zooey Deschanel's crooning voice on Elf, M. Ward contacted her and found that she had already created a couple demos. He listened, fell in love with what he heard, and She & Him was born. Consisting of joyful pseudo-pop songs with a vintage flair, this album is perfect for those summer drives about the coast with the windows down and hair flyin the in wind. The album is a bit of a grab-bag, with each song reminiscent of a slightly different era and genre, but with a overall cohesive purpose, the album succeeds.

Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? [mp3] - (iTunes)

Jukebox The Ghost - Let Live and Let Ghosts

This zany piano-powered rock is somewhere between Queen and Ben Folds. A very theatrical, playful, fun album overall, piano-based music also earns albums a lot of bonus points from us here at GFP and classically trained pianist Ben Thornewill has the kind of skills that make us swoon.

Hold It In [mp3] - (iTunes)

Frances - All The While

Hailing from Em's hometown of Brooklyn, Frances is one of her favorite new discoveries this year. The unique 6-piece band is actually rather difficult to describe... They're a little playful, a little melancholy, a little catchy, etc. They have a lovely, full sound and a knack for interesting rhythms. And while our feelings about them are a little too guttural to really describe, we can definitely say that their music is both beautiful and unique. Some of it is downright spell-binding.

Locket [mp3] - (iTunes)

Best Solo Debut of 2008

Ben Sollee - Learning How To Bend
Formally part of the Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet, Ben Sollee finally decided to take his beautiful cello and homespun voice and make an album of his own. In 2007 he was named one of NPR's "Top Ten Unknown Artist of the Year." In this remarkable debut, the man beatboxes his cello, performs a beautiful musical dance betwixt jazz and folk-pop, and brings forth one of the most played songs since Obama was elected (i.e. A Change Is Gonna Come). Soulful and honest, this albums hits an absolute perfectly-pitched note.
A Change Is Gonna Come [mp3] - (iTunes)

Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer?

One half of The Dresden Dolls, Amanda Palmer came out with her first solo album this year. Produced by Ben Folds and with awesome guest spots by him and St. Vincent, among others, this album is a strong solo debut, though I will admit not that much of a departure from The Dresden Dolls. A little bit darker perhaps, and at times so dark and raw with emotion that it's hard to listen to without getting a little emotional yourself.

Astronaut: A Short History Of Nearly Nothing [mp3] - (iTunes)