Anni Rossi covers Rihanna's "Rude Boy"

I love it when quirky indie artists cover ridiculous pop songs. Anya Marina's cover of TI's "Whatever You Like" and one of the most starkly different cover's I've ever heard is Pattern Is Movement's cover of Beyonce's "Crazy In Love." I guess I expected the difference between Anni's version and Rihanna's version to be almost as stark as that one. Or at least more stark than it is. Anni sounds down right poppy, it's just a stripped-down, basically acoustic version without the plethora of electronic sounds and in a different key. And then there's that whole Anni sounds a little more... innocent... than Rihanna does singing lyrics like "tonight I'ma turn yo body on. Relax, let me do it how I wanna... Buckle up, I'ma give it to ya stronger. Hands up, we can go a little longer." etc. Maybe it's her gentler voice and the plucky instruments, but I found it not as convincing as I would've liked. Anyway, it's worth a listen. A catchy song and Anni does a decent job for being a quirky, white, indie artist from Minnesota who plays the viola. At the very least, it's kind of ironic, and what hipster doesn't love that?

Rude Boy [mp3]

Theme Tuesday - Gold

Ok, so normally it's Theme Thursday, but Thursday is not only Thanksgiving - it is also my Golden birthday! (for those of you who don't know what that means, it means I turn 25 on the 25th.) And since I will be busy opening presents and stuffing my face, I am doing Theme Tuesday, with the the theme being Gold in celebration of my upcoming golden birthday.



Golden Birthday [mp3] - Anni Rossi ( Amazon / iTunes )

Golden Years [mp3] - David Bowie ( Amazon / iTunes )

Realms of Gold [mp3] - Hopewell ( Amazon / iTunes )

Black Gold Blues [mp3] - Laura Veirs ( Amazon / iTunes )

Gold Guns Girls [mp3] - Metric ( Amazon / iTunes )

CMJ 2010 Line-up

CMJ has announced 99% of their music line-up (they're still booking a few bands) and once again it looks like this highly anticipated event will live up to its reputation. The festival runs from October 20 - October 23, with 5 different venues and 7 shows. Some of the bands I'm excited to see: Swingset Committee, Bear Hands, Brahms, Anni Rossi, and Arpline.


For those of you who are not familiar with CMJ, it is not just about the music. The film component is still tba, but some of the panels look interesting (like "Hey Mr. DJ, Put A Record On…A Real One"). The fest is also introducing CMJ Play for the first time this year, a one day event that is a "cross-pollination of the vibrant cultural forces between music and gaming." This makes me immediately think of the 8-bit band Fang Island. Perhaps an appearance will be in store? 


With general admission badges at a whopping $495 and student badges at $295, I have one word for you: Volunteer! 

New Anni Rossi single!

A new Anni Rossi single from my fellow Arts High School alumn, Anni Rossi. This is off her title TBA album that is due out this summer. I have to say I was very surprised. It's much more... produced... than her previous work. There's a lot electronic sounds in it, the uniqueness of her voice has had the edge taken off of it, so to speak, and her signature viola is hardly present in the song (on her previous albums, that was often the only instrument). Not that I don't like the song. It's quite poppy and fun - it's practically a dance song - and is already stuck in my head after just a few listens. But where is the experimental, sparse Anni Rossi that I've been following for 7 years now?

The lyrics are still very much in her style, but I feel like there's a disconnect with the music. I mean, this really sounded like someone else to me at first and I thought I had clicked on the wrong song. One of the main things I loved about her is her unique sound, the fact that she's not afraid to be a little weird, a little different. While I like the song, I felt like it could've be done by any number of artists. It didn't have that distinct Anni feel. It's kind of how I felt about Regina Spektor's last album... Like she can do better or doesn't need all this over-production and electronic crap because she is just so talented and her raw voice and music are what makes her stand out. But whatever. I will have faith in the album, and at the very least I am intrigued by what more is to come - will the rest of the album be similar to this song, or more similar to her previous work? And if this is the direction she's decided to go, will it work? Who knows, oftentimes change is good. We shall see...

Crushing Limbs [mp3]

Honorable Mentions 2009

These are songs or albums that we thought deserved a mention, even though they didn't quite make our Best Albums list.

Noah and the Whale - The First Days of Spring

Diana fought hard to get this album on our Best Albums list, as it was one of her favorites of the year, but there weren't quite enough votes for it, so we're giving it an honorable mention. Here's what she had to say about the album: "Sometimes I'm just drawn to sad things, and I love a good breakup song; it's not a bad deal when you get some respite in the end. Next time you feel snubbed by your guy or gal, try a healthy dose of 'Blue Skies.'"

Blue Skies [mp3] - (iTunes)

Regina Spektor – Far

Even though Regina Spektor remains one of our top musicians of all time, her latest release, Far, was not as crazy, spunky, elegantly raw or as zesty as hoped. There were standout tracks that enticed the popular masses like "Laughing With," the earworm "Eet," and the dark and buzzing "Machine," but after a dozen or so listens, we found myself wanting to listen more to Regina's numbers from years past (like "Prisoners" and "Baby Jesus"). It was good album, don't get us wrong, but not groundbreaking for Spektor, and so we place her here amongst the honorable mentions.
Machine [mp3] - (iTunes)

Alvin Band - Mantis Preying
What an interesting concept - an album of vocal experimentation, where all the sounds on the whole album are made by one guy's voice (Rick Alvin Schaier). The variety of sounds and the range of his voice is pretty impressive on it's own, and Mantis Preying has a few really stellar tracks, such as the haunting "Mystery of the Yellow Room," a very dark and incredibly well put together Phantom of the Opera medley.

Mystery of the Yellow Room [mp3] - (iTunes)

Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster

The Fame Monster doesn't quite compare to Lady Gaga's debut, The Fame. There's only really one standout hit that we really liked - "Bad Romance" - whereas The Fame was stuffed full of crazy dance hits. However, Lady Gaga continues to be an amazing performer and I'm sure we can expect her to dominate the dance scene for years to come.
Bad Romance [mp3] - (iTunes)

Anni Rossi – Rockwell
Em predicted that Anni Rossi would make it in the music world many years ago, when they went to the same high school and Em saw her perform at the music shows there. Anni's versatility and playful style will take her far, and she has drawn comparisons to everyone from Regina Spektor to PJ Harvey to the Jonas Brothers (seriously?). Her label debut, Rockwell, shows off her skills well, despite its lack of production value, and is a good sign of the wonderful things we can expect from her in the future.

Wheelpusher [mp3] - (iTunes)

Loney Dear - Dear John

Loney Dear have the gift of being one of those bands who shine brighter in concert than on album format, but it does help when you have good stuff to work with in the first place. This Swedish multi-instrumental syllabic-infused orchestral pop wonder retains a more mature and aged sound than Loney Dear's previous works, and the tracks nicelybop along on top a quiet foundation of synths and Emil Svanangen's gentle-yet-energetic falsetto voice. All in all, Svanangen manages to bring forth something totally different and wonderful, songs that both move the foot and the soul, while tapping into the child-like exhilaration that lingers within the depths of all of us.
Airport Surroundings [mp3] - (iTunes)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs always show us a good time, and It's Blitz! has a few very solid dance tracks on it, sure to make you rock out, such as "Zero," or the oft-remixed "Heads Will Roll." There's also the pretty ballad, "Runaway," which we were impressed by, as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs aren't all that known for ballads.

Zero [mp3] - (iTunes)

The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

The title track from this album was one of the best ballads to emerge from 2009, as Scott and Seth Avett are masters at crooning thoughtful mellow-rock piano and banjo numbers with conversational yet pensively beautiful lyrics such as "Acting like someone I know isn't me/ ill with want and poisoned by this ugly greed." While the songs are wonderfully produced and the feeling is fantastically poignant, the focus remains on the ballads, never indulging the listener with enough bang to push the boundaries.
I and Love and You [mp3] - (iTunes)

Beyonce - "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"
"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" actually came out in 2008, but it was everywhere this year so we think it deserves a mention. From the Beyonce/Justin Timberlake/Adam Samburg music video spoof on SNL, to the football team on Glee to the middle-aged guy at the dueling piano bar (sorry, no video of that one) - this dance inspired many amazing pop culture moments, and for that, Beyonce (and Beyonce's choreographers), we thank you.

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) [mp3] - (iTunes)

Tegan and Sara - "Hell"

Tegan & Sara's frenzied rock 'n' roll single "Hell," from their album Sainthood, is sure to make you sing along, if you can keep up with the quick lyrics. The rest of the album has some catchy songs, but "Hell" definitely stands (or rocks) out high above the rest and is one of our favorite singles of this year.
Hell [mp3] - (iTunes)

Chris Garneau - El Radio
Chris Garneau's reminds of us of a male version of Regina Spektor in her earlier days - alternating between gorgeous, heartfelt ballads and playful, dark, intricate (some might even say "weird") pieces. Most of his songs are piano based and he has a versatile, unique voice. Considering how much we love Regina here at GFP, that comparison is a pretty massive compliment. But make no mistake - just because we are comparing them, does not mean that Chris Garneau's music is not his own. Quite the contrary, Garneau is unique and refreshingly different.

Dirty Night Clowns [mp3] - (iTunes)

Owl City - "Fireflies"

Within the music blog world Owl City is quite disputed. We have to say, as much as it might sound like a rip off of Death Cab or Postal Service (can Adam Young really help it if his voice sounds just like Ben Gibbard's?), "Fireflies" is a damn catchy song and even a really sweet, earnest one at that. Plus the guy recorded it in his basement in small town Minnesota and now it's gone double platinum. That's pretty impressive.
Fireflies [mp3] - (iTunes)

Romona Falls - Intuit
A solo side project of Menomena's Brent Knopf, these swirling, tortuously layered, almost sinister songs masterfully weave in and out of various genres, but remain anchored in an acoustic guitar-layered dreamland of sorts that is reminiscent of folk-experimental Grizzly Bear. The album reverberates all over the place, and although it is certainly one of those albums to be digested time and time again, some tracks like "Going Once, Going Twice" fall short, marring the overall experience.

Russia [mp3] - (iTunes)

Kings of Convenience – "Boat Behind"

This is a quite catchy song off of a solid album put out by this Norwegian duo. "Boat Behind" reminds us of summertime and the carefree days spent with good friends. The uniqueness of their music manifests itself in this song, and it stands out as the best offering from their recent album Declaration of Dependence. The video for the song is a must-see as well.
Boat Behind [mp3] - (iTunes)

The Swell Season - Strict Joy
From the duo made famous by their "little film that could," Once, continues to produce music together under the name The Swell Season. The deep voice of Glen Hansard is complimented well by the soft voice of Marketa Irglova, and his guitar and her piano provide a nice balance as well. As the album is about the end of their relationship together, it is part of an emotional journey we've all experienced a time or two.

In These Arms [mp3] - (iTunes)

Olafur Arnalds - Found Songs

Good Classical-based Indie/Electronica is hard to come by these days, especially when it needs to compare itself to the likes of Yann Tiersen and Sigur Ros. When you find it and then learn that the composer only created the 7-song album as part of a personal challenge to write a song every day for a week, you start to get into "blown away" territory. The songs are extremely well polished - laden with divine emotional piano melodies, garnished with thick dramatic strings and pin-pricked with precise and well-thought out electronica. The only complaint, outside perhaps of it staying within its basic genre boundaries, is that there is not more to listen to.
Ljósið [mp3] - (iTunes)

Clare and the Reasons - Allow
With her light, airy voice and her saccharine, bouncy music, Clare and the Reasons are always a pleasure to listen to (or watch live). That catchy, summery tunes will get stuck in your head for days, but you won't mind because the songs are just so pleasant that you can't help but smile, bop your head and whistle along.
All The Wine [mp3] - (iTunes)

New song from Headlights + Tour w/ Anni Rossi

Here's the first single from Headlights upcoming album, Wildlife, due out October 6th. Also, tour dates below (some of which are with my former Arts High School classmate Anni Rossi, an awesome viola-player / singer-songwriter):

10/15 Iowa City, IA The Mill
10/16 Dekalb, IL The House
10/17 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle *#
10/21 Allston, MA Great Scott *#
10/22 - 10/23 New York, NY CMJ
10/24 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie *#
10/25 Washington, DC DC9 *#
10/26 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 *#
10/29 Birmingham, AL Bottletree #
10/30 Memphis, TN Hi Tone Cafe #
11/05 Denver, CO Hi Dive #%
11/06 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court #%
11/07 Boise, ID Neurolux #%
11/10 Portland, OR Berbati's Pan #%
11/12 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord #%
11/13 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland #%
11/18 Austin, TX Emo's #%
11/19 Denton, TX Rubber Gloves #

* = w/ The Shaky Hands
# = w/ Pomegranates
% = w/ Anni Rossi

Get Going [mp3]

Anni Rossi - Rockwell

I've written about Anni Rossi before because, well, I went to high school with her and I've always thought she was exceptionally talented. Turns out she's finally getting noticed. She's even playing at SXSW this year (Central Presbyterian Church, March 18th, 8pm). Her new album, "Rockwell" came out yesterday, and it is pleasantly sparse. Anni often performs with just herself and her viola, and her album reflects this simplicity. While many of the tracks were also on previous self-releases, there are also some new tracks that I really like. I have to say, I absolutely love the cover of Ace of Base song Living in Danger.

One thing I really like is that Anni doesn't feel the need to densely orchestrate her songs even though she has the talent to do so because she can do so much with so little. She plays her viola and sings so expressively - sometimes dramatic, sometimes fanciful, sometimes melancholy. It is so impressive that she can get our attention with a viola, percussion and often very few other instruments. Although I do have to say, I miss her piano playing (that was her main instrument that she performed her original songs with at our high school performances). She is a very talented pianist. I guess maybe she didn't want to be thought of as "the next Regina Spektor" but rather as her own unique sound and so she chose a route that would bring fewer of those comparisons? That's totally speculation on my part. And with either instrument she's very talented. Here are her tour dates for the next few months:

Mar 18 Austin, TX Ms. Beas (Todd P day party @ NOON)
Mar 18 Austin, TX Peckerhead's ( Hype Machine & Music Slut Opening Day Party @ 6:30p)
Mar 18 Austin, TX Central Presbyterian Church (SXSW Showcase @ 8p)
Mar 19 Austin, TX Premium Recording Service (Radio K Session @ 3p)
Mar 21 Austin, TX Canvas Bar (Lose Control Party @ NOON)
Mar 21 Austin, TX San Jose Hotel (High Road party @ 2p)
Mar 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge (w/ Camera Obscura)
Mar 26 Washington, DC Black Cat (w/ Say Hi)
Mar 27 Brooklyn, NY Union Pool
Mar 28 Philadelphia, PA M Room
Apr 3 Chicago, IL The Hideout
Apr 18 San Francisco, CA The Independent*
Apr 20 Portland, Oregon Doug Fir Lounge*
Apr 21 Seattle, WA Chop Suey*
Apr 24 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry*
Apr 25 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle*
Apr 26 Detriot, Michigan The Magic Bag*
Apr 27 Toronto, ONT Mod Club Theatre*
Apr 28 Toronto, ONT Les Saints*
Apr 29 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club*
May 1 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom*
May 2 Washington, DC Black Cat*

*w/ Noah and The Whale and Ferraby Lionheart

Ecology [mp3] (iTunes)

Theme Thursday - Public Transportation

Today's theme is "public transportation" - which I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with, especially since I moved out to Brooklyn.

Public Transportation [mp3] - Anni Rossi - Arts High School Live Performance (iTunes unavailable). This is a good example of Ms. Rossi's piano skills that I was raving about.

My My Metrocard [mp3] - Le Tigre - "Le Tigre" (iTunes). This song, like all of Le Tigre's songs, is a frenzy of dance energy.

Champion [mp3] - Professor Murder - "Professor Murder Rides the Subway" (iTunes). Another dance-able song to get you through your daily commute.

Penny on the Train Track [mp3] - Ben Kweller - "Ben Kweller" (iTunes). This song is actually the perfect train-riding song. It's got a really great groove to it.

C'Mon N' Ride It (The Train) [mp3] - Quad City DJs - "Get On Up And Dance" (iTunes). Classic.

Sleepy Songs on a Sunday

Ok, Lisa, this one's for you - I'm not doing it as a Theme Thursday since I already did "dreams" as a theme, but my twin Lisa requested I post some good sleepy songs. But so, keep leaving me suggestions for Theme Thursday!Sleepyhead [mp3] - Anni Rossi - from a Perpich music concert in 2002/2003 (iTunes unavailable). I don't actually know if that was the title of the song, but that's what I named it. This one maybe isn't actually the best for nodding off to because the piano gets a little intense - I can see the dissonance and minors causing nightmares, or just waking you back up - but maybe listen to it earlier in the playlist and it will get you set up for listening to the more lullaby-like songs later. Oh and set your iTunes to cut off the song before the clapping starts since it's a live performance.

Rubber & Soul [mp3] - Ane Brun featuring Teitur - "Duets" (iTunes). This song is so simple, just her sweet voice and a guitar. It's both exquisite and melancholy.

Sleep [mp3] - The Dandy Warhols - "Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia" (iTunes). I posted this song a long time ago in my post about The Dandy Warhols, but it is seriously the best sleepy song ever. It's so pretty and calm and steady. I used to listen to it almost every night before I went to sleep. I still do sometimes. The Dandy Warhols are a really good sleepy song band. They have a lot of songs that are basically just them jamming that are really slow and constant (they have a lot of great upbeat songs too though, don't get me wrong). But this one is the best and the prettiest.

Cape Canaveral [mp3] - Astronaut Wife - "Flying Saucer" (iTunes). This song is not necessarily slow, but it relaxes me. It's a perfect song for driving on a sunny day with the windows down. Or for laying in bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking. It's also a little melancholy I suppose. I love the instruments and sounds they use. And Lisa - I think I've played this song for you once a long time ago because I know I always thought it would be a neat song for you and I to sing together.

Sleep [mp3] - Imogen Heap - "i Megapone" (iTunes). Another song I used to listen to before I went to sleep a lot. So calm and slow.

Fault Line [mp3] - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Howl" (iTunes). Normally, I like BRMC because of their upbeat rock music and I tend not to like their slower songs, but this song is really pretty. Another simple song. Simplicity works really well sometimes.

Hope everyone has had/continues having a great weekend! I'm off to McCarren Park Pool to see The Thermals, Birds of Avalon, and Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, which will most likely not be a sleepy experience (at least I hope not). And maybe Junior Senior after that? I kind of doubt it though because I work tomorrow morning. And it will be my first week working full time since May. So I should be well rested. Either way though I have a long day of concerts ahead of me. Tata dahlings.

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Let them eat cake

Last night I went to see Anni Rossi at the Cake Shop. Anni Rossi went to my high school. I didn't know her or anything. We didn't have classes together and we never spoke, but I had seen her perform at the music concerts (I went to an arts high school) and thought she was very talented. I also really liked her because I hated the Arts High School and she wrote a song called "Arts High" making fun of the school (although she probably meant it in a loving way, whereas I did not). Anyway, so I happened to notice that she was playing at Cake Shop, so I thought I would go.

We didn't see the first band (we were eating delicious - but expensive - vegan "death by chocolate" cake). But we did catch the second band, The Mad Gregs. I actually didn't think I would like them based on what I had listened to on their MySpace (I fell asleep listening to it before the show, which doesn't make it bad but I didn't think it would make the best concert-going experience). However, I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed them. Their music, while very calm, still kept my interest. They played all sorts of different kinds of instruments - synthesizers, bass clarinet, glockenspiels, their laptops, and they even used the cords to the amp to make music, among other things. It was really neat. And the guys were so adorable and sweet and awkward. I wanted to hug every single one of them. One of them at one point was like "awkward is the theme of the night" because everyone thought they were done but they weren't.

Awkward definitely was the theme of the night too, as I knew Anni Rossi wouldn't remember me (she had no reason to. I wasn't in music and we never had any classes together) but my mean and cruel friends made me (there was lots of pushing, dragging and threatening involved) go talk to her about the arts high school. It was so awkward. No, make that mortifying. I wanted to die. She didn't remember me. I didn't expect her to. It would've been fine if I just went up and bought the CDs and told her great show. She never would've known who I was. But no. My friends just had to make me embarass myself.

But so back to the music. So then Anni Rossi went up. It was just her and her viola. She's definitely gotten better since high school, though her style is still very similar. Considering that a large portion of the show was just her and her viola, I was quite impressed at how full her songs sounded and how engaging she was. Plus, having played the violin myself, I know it is not necessarily easy to sing and play an instrument that is supposed to be held under your chin. But she makes it look quite effortless. I wish there had been a piano there because she's an amazing pianist too, and it would've been nice to see her show off all of her skills. And it was definitely much more engaging when The Mad Gregs came up and played with her for her last few songs. She's much more impressive with a band behind her. If you like Regina Spektor, you'll like Anni Rossi. Unfortunately for Anni Rossi, this means she will probably be compared to Regina Spektor all her life, as she has a very similar sound (not to say that Anni is influenced by Regina or not. I suspect when she first started writing music, she hadn't been since Regina Spektor wasn't really on the radar 6 years ago, which means she came up with that style all on her own.)

Lastly was Boo & Boo Too, who (the opposite of The Mad Gregs) I expected to like but didn't. The music on their myspace kind of reminded me of Electric Six (who I'm seeing in concert, on a cruise, on Thursday! yay!) and so I expected them to be really interesting performers. They weren't really. Before they started playing, they turned everything up about as loud as it would go for no real reason since we were in such a small venue. Luckily they provided ear plugs. But this further made me expect a really high energy, interesting performance. I must say I was disappointed. Besides a lot of flailing and twitching by the guitar players (which was only interesting for a few minutes), they basically lacked energy. The one flailing about the most wasn't even on the stage (there wouldn't have been room for him to flail) and had his back toward the audience basically the entire time. And at least one of them (if not all of them) was totally wasted and kept falling off the stage (the stage was only like 4 inches off the ground, but still). Plus I hate people who act like rock stars when they're not and the wasted guitar player at one point knocked the microphone stand over for no reason really aggressively, which is just disrespectful to expensive equipment. If you can't afford to replace it, that means you don't have enough credibility/reason to throw it on the ground. Sorry guys.

Overall, last night was a positive experience. I also watched a few episodes of Flight of the Conchords with one of my mean and cruel friends (I don't have cable so it was my first time seeing the show). I highly recommend it. The great thing about it is how they are just so deadpan. Plus it's kind of a musical and it takes place in NY, which immediately gives it bonus points in my book. The musical sequences are hilarious. And Jermaine looks just like this Czech guy who worked with my study abroad program in Prague. It's kinda weird actually.

Ok, sorry these songs took me so long to put up. I actually had to work at work today... imagine that ;-) And I haven't even really had much of a chance to listen to her CDs, so I will post some old songs from the arts high school too. I think she is one of those artists that I like live better...

First is Ecology, though I like the version on her myspace better (odd that the best one isn't on her CD...). Next we have Venice. I really like this one. I feel like she may have done it in high school, or something similar because it sounds so familiar to me. I wish the song was mixed better. Her voice is so quiet and distant-sounding.

Now I'm going to post some of the live recordings of songs she performed at the Arts High School so you can hear how awesome she is at the piano: Arts High, Unwrinkled T-shirt, and Sleepy Head. I don't actually know if that's what the titles were, but that's what I call them. I just have these CDs from our concerts with no labels of any kind... And sorry to the guy on Unwrinkled T-shirt because I have no idea who it is. Unwrinkled T-shirt is probably my favorite. Sleepy Head was a good example of some of the more experimental music she did (and believe me it got way more experimental than that). And actually, maybe I'll post Public Transportation too. I'm pretty sure that is the correct title of that one. She performed that one a lot and it was an Arts High fave.

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