Hi-Fi Heart

Yael Naïm

I must admit I first took notice of Yael Naïm last night when I saw the MacBook Air commercial (and subsequently fell in love with both the computer and the song). Then I realized I had actually heard her voice before on the Readymade FC album Babilonia, which I bought on a whim in Paris over two years ago. I think I bought it because Feist was a collaborator on one of the songs. And, just for fun, some trivia about Yael (courtesy of Wikipedia):

1. Naim was born in Paris in 1978 to Jewish-Tunisian parents.
2. At the age of four, she moved with her family to Ramat HaSharon, Israel, where she learned Hebrew and trained as a pianist.
3. She served in Israel Defence Forces as a soloist in Israel Air Force Orchestra.
4. The songs on her self-titled album are in French, English, and Hebrew.
5. The album entered the French album chart at No. 11 the week after its release.

Yael Naïm - New Soul (used in the MacBook Air commercial)
Yael Naïm - Toxic (Britney Spears cover)
Readymade FC feat. Yael Naïm - The Only One
Readymade FC feat. Yael Naïm - Slide

RIYL: Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae, Sia, Cat Power

My Fifty Favorite Songs of 2007

THIS IS JUST A LIST - THE LINKS ARE DEAD

Without further ado, I present to you:

"My Fifty Favorite Songs of 2007: A Hi-Fi Heart Mixtape"
(in alphabetical order, with absolutely no pressure from hipster trends, and with a dash of country songs thrown in just 'cause this is Nashville!)

Adele - Hometown Glory

Alison Krauss & Robert Plant - Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)

Alphabeat - 10,000 Nights of Thunder

Aqualung - Something To Believe In

Arcade Fire - Keep the Car Running

Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You

Basia Bulat - Snakes & Ladders

Bishop Allen - Rain

Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You

Brooke Waggoner - Wonder-Dummied

De Novo Dahl - Shout

Delta Spirit - Strange Vine

The Everybodyfields - Aeroplane

Feist - 1234

Fergie - Clumsy

Gabrielle - Love Me Like You Do

GoodBooks - Passchendaele

Groove Armada - Song 4 Mutya

Ingrid Michaelson - The Way I Am

Jack Penate - Spit at Stars

Joshua James - The Soul and the Sea

Kate Nash - Mouthwash

Kate Walsh - Your Song

Kelly Clarkson - Sober

Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love

Los Campesinos - You! Me! Dancing!

Mandy Moore - Nothing That You Are

Mark Ronson (Feat. Amy Winehouse) - Valerie

Miranda Lambert - Dry Town

Noah and the Whale - Rocks and Daggers

Paramore - Crushcrushcrush

Patty Griffin - Heavenly Day

Radiohead - All I Need

Robyn - With Every Heartbeat

Rogue Wave - Chicago x 12

Ryan Adams - Everybody Knows

Sara Bareilles - Love Song

Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles - The Day We Met

Sigur Ros - Hljomalind

The Silver Seas - This Country Life

Spoon - The Underdog

Sugababes - About You Now

Sugarland - Stay

Taylor Swift - Our Song

Tegan & Sara - The Con

Those Dancing Days - Those Dancing Days

Travis - My Eyes

Wilco - Either Way

Yelle - Ce Jeu

Zookeeper - Ballad of my Friends

New Releases - 1.22.08

So there were a TON of new releases yesterday. I tried to sift through them all, but The Yellow Stereo did a far more thorough job than I ever could. So I'll be lazy and just link to it.

The only addition I have for you:

Rooney - Forever Young (Youth Group cover)
(from the "I Should've Been After You" EP)

And, in case you care, my most highly recommended albums released from yesterday are:

Cat Power - Jukebox (more covers!)
Matt Costa - Unfamiliar Faces (acoustic goodness)
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular (fun dance/rock)
Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning (acoustic GREATness)
Jack Penate - Matinee (domestic arrival!)
Steve Poltz - Traveling (acoustic cleverness)
Anna Kramer & the Lost Cause - The Rustic Contemporary Sounds of... (rocking rootsiness)
Bodies of Water - Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink (California throwback sounds)
The Whitsundays - The Whitsundays (quiet prettiness)
Hey Willpower - P.D.A. (indie Mika-meets-JT)

New Releases - 1.22.08

So there were a TON of new releases yesterday. I tried to sift through them all, but The Yellow Stereo did a far more thorough job than I ever could. So I'll be lazy and just link to it.

The only addition I have for you:

Rooney - Forever Young (Alphaville cover)
(from the "I Should've Been After You" EP)

And, in case you care, my most highly recommended albums released from yesterday are:

Cat Power - Jukebox (more covers!)
Matt Costa - Unfamiliar Faces (acoustic goodness)
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular (fun dance/rock)
Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning (acoustic GREATness)
Jack Penate - Matinee (domestic arrival!)
Steve Poltz - Traveling (acoustic cleverness)
Anna Kramer & the Lost Cause - The Rustic Contemporary Sounds of... (rocking rootsiness)
Bodies of Water - Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink (California throwback sounds)
The Whitsundays - The Whitsundays (quiet prettiness)
Hey Willpower - P.D.A. (indie Mika-meets-JT)

New Releases - 1.15.08

[Cover Songs Edition!]

Band of Horses guitar player and North Carolinian Tyler Ramsey released his second solo album this week. It is a quiet, melacholy affair with lovely finger-style acoustic guitar picking, reminiscent of Leo Kottke.

Tyler Ramsey - These Days (Jackson Browne cover)

The Battle of Land and Sea is the dreamy sounding duo of Sarah O'Shura and Joshua Canny. After first listen, it's impossible not to think of Mazzy Star. Trivia: O'Shura recorded several songs while in the nude, but she won't tell which ones.

The Battle of Land and Sea - Harden My Heart (Quarterflash cover)

This duet with Canadian songbirds Anne Murray and Nelly Furtado is dreadful, amusing, and fun all at once. Anne Murray's voice was never truly great, and it's teetering on unlistenable at this point, but still - Useful for kitsch factor alone!

Anne Murray with Nelly Furtado - Daydream Believer (Monkees cover)

Other honorable mentions for 1.15.08:

Magnetic Fields - Distortion (title-says-it-all)
The Eels - Meet The Eels: Essential Eels 1996-2006, Vol. 1 (nice introduction)
The Eels - Useless Trinkets: B-Sides, Soundtracks, Rarities & Unreleased 1996-2007 (serious fans only)
The Steeldrivers - The Steeldrivers ("rhythm'n'bluegrass")

New Releases - 1.8.08

For those of us that weren't alive in '69-'71, I'm happy to say that we now have a chance to hear (and see) some of the best performances from The Johnny Cash TV Show. This duet with Joni Mitchell is particularly wonderful.

Joni Mitchell & Johnny Cash - Girl From North Country

"My Declaration" was the song that introduced me to Tom Baxter back in 2004. He is often compared to Jeff Buckley, but I find Tom's music to be much more accessible. Short of paying $30 for an import CD, it's pretty much impossible to buy his music in the US. A travesty!

Tom Baxter - Better

This is (Willie) Wisely's fourth album, and it features lovely and melodic singer/songwriter pop. He has a famous friend in Jenna Fischer (Pam of "The Office"), who appears in his video for "Through Any Window". It's like if Badly Drawn Boy made an album full 70s AOR.

Wisely - California

Other honorable mentions for 1.8.08:

Sia - Some People Have Real Problems (smooth/soulful pop)
Kate Nash - Made of Bricks (US release, finally!)
Marah - Angels of Destruction (bluesy roots-rock)
Amanda Shaw - Pretty Runs Out (New Orleans fiddler)

New Releases - 11.20.2007

Almost a week late, but better late than never, right?

Usually label compilations are a bit of a mish-mash... And not so good to be listened to from start to finish. But since most of Morr's releases fall into a category I like to call "for the quiet times", this 2-CD set is actually fairly cohesive. Beeps & blips & pretty sounds abound!

Butcher the Bar - Leave This Town

I'll admit it. I love Christmas music. But even if you despise most Christmas tunes, I think you might still enjoy this EP from singer/songwriter Joshua James. It's like a soft and sweet indie-style Christmas, unobtrusively adding some holiday cheer to your day!

Joshua James - Winter Storm

Being The Format completist that I am, I already had most of the songs on B-sides & Rarities. But that didn't stop me from spending $30 on Format merch, just so I could get a physical copy of the CD. It was worth it because I now have their incredible new DVD and a whale t-shirt.

The Format - Does Your Cat Have A Mustache? (originally on For the Kids III)

Other honorable mentions for 11.20.07:

To My Boy - Messages (fun 80s-style-pop)
Benjamin Biolay - Trash Yeye (French folk)
Ed Harcourt - Until Tomorrow Then: The Best of Ed Harcourt (great introduction)
British Sea Power - Krankenhaus (to-tide-you-over EP)
The Devil Makes Three - The Devil Makes Three (old-timey americana/punk)
Ayo - Joyful (sweet R&B songstress)

The Hoosiers

In general, I know that I am bound to like an album if Drowned in Sound gives it a horrible review (usually my favorites receive 3 or 4 out of a possible 10). I honestly love reading their negative reviews, just becuase they are so well written and often hilarious. It may not be hip to like The Feeling or The Hoosiers, but I just can't help myself. Apparently, neither can the rest of the UK... Their most recent single "Goodbye Mr. A" hit the Top 5 and their debut album The Trick to Life is currently number one on the charts. "Goodbye Mr. A" is utterly irresistible on the first listen. It is big and bold and truly one of the most fun songs to come along in a good while. Imagine Jeff Buckley fronting ELO.

The Hoosiers - Goodbye Mr. A
The Hoosiers - LoveStoned (Justin Timberlake cover)
The Hoosiers - We Didn't Start The Fire (Billy Joel cover)

RIYL: The Darkness, The Feeling, MIKA, XTC, The Cure

New Releases - 10.31.07

I thought that I didn't care for Gomez, but turns out every song I heard featured Ben Ottewell as lead vocalist instead of Ian Ball. Now that that I know which one I prefer, I can listen to some Gomez! This is the first solo CD from a Gomez member, and you should tune in if you like laid-back acoustic rock a la Josh Rouse.

Ian Ball - When We Were Cool

Up until now, if you wanted to buy an album from Sweden's Anna Ternheim, you had to pay import prices. Finally, we see a U.S. release by Anna on Decca Records, even if it is just an EP of songs from her international releases. Her voice is pretty and haunting and sad all at once.

Anna Ternheim - China Girl (David Bowie cover)

I'm the dreaded casual Dylan fan. You know, the type that owns Dylan's Greatest Hits (because you have to) and Nashville Skyline (because it's the one time Dylan doesn't sound much like Dylan). I've yet to see this movie, but the soundtrack is an interesting tribute to the man.

Glen Hansard & Marketa Inglova - You Ain't Goin' Nowhere

Other honorable mentions for 10.30.07:

Nicole Atkins- Neptune City (retro-styled neo-folk)
Blue Rodeo - Small Miracles (nice roots-rock)
Various Artists - Goffin & King: A Gerry Goffin and Carole King Song Collection 1961-1967
(necessary compilation)
Alice Smith - For Lovers, Dreamers & Me (funky soulstress)
Graham Colton - Here Right Now (Kelly-Clarkson's-ex-makes-guilty-pleasure-pop-rock)
Kyle Andrews - Find Love Let Go (Local goodness)

New Releases - 10.16.07

It's so sad that Semisonic is often regarded as a one hit wonder from the 90s. Although I doubt lead singer Dan Wilson is too upset, seeing he's been busy earning Grammys for his work with the Dixie Chicks. This song was recorded first for Taking the Long Way but Dan recorded it as well for his recent album Free Life, produced by Rick Rubin.

Dan Wilson - Easy Silence

Back in the day (I think I can say that since it was ten years ago!), I was a huge Dar Williams fan. I haven't kept up with her newer work, but listening to her new live album brought back a lot of memories of my past life as a folkie. Songs like "February", "After All", and "When I Was a Boy" still stand out, whether you like folk music or not.

Dar Williams - Ripple (Grateful Dead cover)

The blogosphere is crazy about Maritime, and rightly so. Heresy & The Hotel Choir is the third album from this band started by former members of The Promise Ring and The Dismemberment Plan back in 2003. This is sensible music that won't offend anyone but still rocks hard enough to please the indie kids.

Maritime - Aren't We All Found Out

Other honorable mentions for 10.16.07:

Angie Stone - The Art of Love & War (old-school R&B)
Steel Train - Trampoline (above-average rock)
Octopus Project - Hello, Avalanche (instrumental indie)
The Launderettes - Fluff 'N Fold: The Best of The Launderettes (Norwegian garage)
Kenna - Make Sure They See My Face (genre-defying-music-from-Ethiopan-artist-discovered-by-Fred-Durst-but-somehow-it's-good)

Those Dancing Days

Those Dancing Days could be just another cutesy, twee Swedish pop act that bloggers love for one week and forget about the next. But lead singer Linnea Jonsson makes this band memorable, not because of her Orphan Annie hair, but because of her surprisingly soulful vocals. All five girls are from a Nacka, a suburb of Stockholm, and are aged 17 and 18. "Hitten" is utterly infectious; I dare you to try to get it out of your head. And "Those Dancing Days" is the perfect ode to music and staying out and dancing all night (which, by the way, is not the song the band is named after; bassist Mimmi likes the song "Dancing Days" by Led Zeppelin).

Those Dancing Days - Hitten
Those Dancing Days - Those Dancing Days

RIYL: The Pipettes, Lucky Soul, Dusty Springfield, Amy Winehouse

Kate Nash

I am happy to report that I think I should be able to update this blog (at least, semi-) regularly for the next few months. I hope, anyway. I feel kind of lame having my first post in almost a month be about the over-exposed Kate Nash. BUT, seeing as I just returned from London and my Anglophilia is raging stronger than ever, I guess it is fitting (plus it's a Friday night). I kept hearing "Mouthwash" in shops and couldn't help but smile every time I heard it. It makes me think of myself at age 17 or so. I do think freckles are very much underrated, although I could be biased since I have a face full of them. I think Kate's album is rather hit-or-miss but this song, "Foundations," "The Nicest Thing" and "Birds" are brilliant. I despise "Caroline is a Victim"... it is just useless for me. Thanks to The Huddle Formation for Kate's cover of The Arctic Monkeys "Fluorescent Adolescent". Much to my pleasure, The Huddle Formation also has numerous other "Live Lounge" covers. The one CD I picked up in the U.K. was the BBC's new Radio 1 cover song collection. I know she is disliked by many but I adore listening to Jo Whiley every morning at work, it's what makes me wake up each day. I have read a lot of complaints on the Internet about Radio 1, and probably all valid if you have other alternatives, but in the U.S., I dare you to find a station that plays such a variety of music. Hearing Sigur Ros next to Rihanna and British announcers in between is like my own personal radio heaven. So who cares if they use fake callers? Um, yes, back to the subject at hand... Kate Nash.

Kate Nash - Mouthwash
Kate Nash - Fluorescent Adolescent (Arctic Monkeys cover)

RIYL: Lily Allen, Regina Spektor, Emmy the Great, Adele

New Releases - 9.18.07

I was first introduced to Firefox AK (aka Andrea Kellerman) from the video for Hello Saferide's "Long Lost Penpal". Her music is not similar to Hello Saferide, although they both hail from Sweden, and they are both completely adorable. Sounds like a mix of Tegan & Sara and... Kylie? Yum!

Firefox AK - Zodiac

This Philly power pop band has done it again with their sophomore album Silver Storms. If you liked Hello, Hello, or even if you have never heard of them... It's the kind of indie pop that is really hard NOT to like (very Shins-like). They recently signed to Vagrant Records.

The A Sides - Amazing Grace

Now, after three albums, I am still wondering why less people have heard of Magnet (aka Norway's Even Johansen). He makes the kind of gorgeous, laid-back electronica-tinged singer/songwriter pop you will ever hear. In the vein of David Gray, Ed Harcourt, Thomas Dybdahl... 100% Lovely!

Magnet - Slice of Heaven

Other honorable mentions for 9.18.07:

Hard-Fi - Once Upon a Time in the West (nicely-done Britrock)
Matt White - Best Days (cheesy-but-lovable singer/songwriter)
Jesca Hoop - Kismet (quirky/eclectic pop)
Ben Lee - Ripe (always awesome)
Bella - No One Will Know (pretty indie-pop)
Plasticines - LP1 (French-pop goodness)
Rogue Wave - Asleep At Heaven's Gate (Gibbard-esque indie)
Drug Rug - Drug Rug (boy/girl twangy rock)

Next Big Nashville

I'm going to actually get out and support the local music scene this weekend. You should, too. Thirty bucks gets you a wristband for the whole weekend.

NEXT BIG NASHVILLE
130+ Bands...10+ Venues...5 Days...Sept 5-9, 2007
The second annual Next Big Nashville (NBN) will showcase the best of the thriving Nashville music scene and artistic community over five-days at Cannery Ballroom, Mercy Lounge, 12th & Porter, Exit/In, The End, The Rutledge, Belcourt Theatre, The Basement, 3rd & Lindsley, Grimey's Records, Bar23, Layl'a Ultra Lounge, Bar car, & more. The event will feature performances from The Features, Jeremy Lister, Landon Pigg, The Pink Spiders, Freedy Johnston, Gabe Dixon Band, De Novo Dahl, Butterfly Boucher & many more.

Some MP3s for you (I plan to add more tomorrow, so check back!)....

Carey Ott - Am I Just One
Performing Friday at The Basement

Landon Pigg - Can't Let Go
Performing Friday at The Cannery Ballroom

How I Became The Bomb - Killing Machine
Performing Saturday at The Cannery Ballroom

Butterfly Boucher - Life Is Short
Performing Friday at The Cannery Ballroom

The Privates - My Shoes
Performing Friday at Exit/In

Judd & Maggie - Perfectly
Performing Saturday at The Mercy Lounge

De Novo Dahl - Shout (Popple Mix)
Performing Saturday at The Cannery Ballroom

The Features - Take You On (Demo)
Performing Saturday at The Cannery Ballroom

Cortney Tidwell - The Missing Link
Performing Thursday at The Basement

Be sure to visit Out The Other for many, many more MP3s from bands playing the festival.

New Releases - 8.21.07

This Johnson City, Tennessee band is in the same category as Gillian Welch, The Avett Brothers, and Hem. Both previous albums from The Everybodyfields are favorites of mine, and their sound and songwriting has only improved on Nothing Is Okay. Heartbreakingly sad sounding Americana (but in a good way).

The Everybodyfields - Over and Done

I have to admit I haven't listened to this album much yet, but what I have heard sounds like The Bee Gees and... Jewel? It seems everyone has an opinion on Rilo's new sound. People either love it or hate it. I don't hate it, but some songs on the album are truly dreadful (ie "The Moneymaker").

Rilo Kiley - Big Break (B-side to "The Moneymaker" 7 inch single)

Josh Ritter has been called the modern day Springsteen and the modern day Dylan... Both are fitting comparisons. His major label debut has a bigger, fuller sound, but when it comes down to it, Josh is still writing incredible folk songs when you strip away all the extra instruments.

Josh Ritter - To The Dogs or Whoever

Other honorable mentions for 8.21.07:

The New Pornographers - Challengers (perfect indie-pop)
Cartel - Cartel (irresistible pop/punk)
Architecture in Helsinki - Places Like This (quirky Australians!)
Caribou - Andorra (Zombies-like folk/rock)
Imperial Teen - The Hair, The TV, The Baby & The Band (pretty power-pop)
Ingram Hill - Cold in California (nice roots-rock)
Earlimart - Mentor Tormentor (subdued shoegaze)
Over the Rhine - The Trumpet Child (jazzy-pop for the Starbucks crowd)

New Releases - 8.7.07

[I've been a bad blogger lately, and might continue to be for the next few weeks... But I will resume eventually, I promise!]

Orenda Fink (one half of the defunct Azure Ray) ups the tempo slightly with her new project Art in Manila. By upping the tempo, I mean now it might just make you sleepy as opposed to comatose. Still, this is a lovely album full of girly indie sounds.

Art in Manila - The Abomination

This album was just released digitally this week, the physical version does not come out until Sept. 4th. I love everything about Ferraby: His Care-Bears-sounding name, the fact that he's a Nashville boy, his Rufus-Wainwright-but-less-over-the-top pretty vocals, his scruffy hobo songwriter look, etc.

Ferraby Lionheart - Pure Imagination (iTunes Bonus Track / Willy Wonka Cover!)

Moo, You Bloody Choir has been out in Australia for quite some time now, but was just released stateside this week. This Melbourne-based band has been creating melodic dream-pop for over a decade now but still have not received much attention in the U.S. The lead singer is very Jeff Buckley sounding.

Augie March - The Cold Acre

Other honorable mentions for 8.07.07:

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - This is Somewhere (smoky-voiced singer/songwriter)
Okkervil River - The Stage Names (gritty folk/rock)
Magnolia Electric Co. - Sojourner (ambitious box set)
Mirah & Spectratone International - Share This Place (album all about... insects?)
The Brunettes - Structure and Cosmetics (Kiwi indie-pop)

Hi-Fi Heart

Yael Naïm

My Fifty Favorite Songs of 2007

New Releases - 1.22.08

New Releases - 1.22.08

New Releases - 1.15.08

New Releases - 1.8.08

A Hi-Fi Heart Xmas, Day Four

A Hi-Fi Heart Xmas, Day Three

A Hi-Fi Heart Xmas, Day Two

A Hi-Fi Heart Xmas, Day One

New Releases - 11.20.2007

The Hoosiers

New Releases - 10.31.07

New Releases - 10.16.07

Those Dancing Days

Kate Nash

New Releases - 9.18.07

Next Big Nashville

New Releases - 8.21.07

New Releases - 8.7.07

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