Nice shorts, Jake Gyllenhaal!

Feb 21, 2010 Boys With Guitars

The new video for Vampire Weekend’s single “Giving Up The Gun” features some sweet celebrity cameos. (Good work, Joe Jonas!)

        

New video: Matt Hires - Honey, Let Me Sing You a Song

Feb 17, 2010 Boys With Guitars

Filmed in New Jersey, this video makes absolutely no sense at all with the meaning of the song. And yet, I can’t stop watching it.

        

Far Out Friday Freak-Out

Feb 12, 2010 Boys With Guitars

Mind-blowing cover of Cream’s “Tales of Brave Ulysses” by the late-’60s soul band Rotary Connection. I got this from an excellent compilation called Psychedelic Jazz & Funky Grooves. (Chess, 2005) Enjoy, and get your freak on, baby!

        

Navigating a Sea of Sadness

Feb 4, 2010 Boys With Guitars

Corinne Bailey Rae
The Sea
Virgin/EMI. 11 Tracks.
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

I’m ashamed to admit that I kind of dreaded hearing this album.

When Corinne Bailey Rae’s debut dropped in 2006, it landed like sunshine on a murky musical landscape. Here was a pop-soul chanteuse who eschewed the pungent vulgarity of fellow Brit Amy Winehouse, not to mention the manufactured beats of the Top 40 hitmakers, to focus on upbeat themes and warm, organic arrangements. And with the smash single “Put Your Records On”—just go ahead, let your hair down!– she created an enduring balm for the blues.

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