Flashback Friday: Vivien Vee - Give Me A Break



"My body's not a toy"

My friend and I discovered the above video a few months ago and fell in love with every single, campy aspect of it. The spastic/hypnotic arm movements, the "countdown to ignition," the sorta-bored, sorta-into-it audience members, the handclaps, the outfit, the hair... everything. It's really very funny. And, the cool thing is, once you get past all of that this song itself is a fantastic example of Italo Disco in its prime. I love the way that it's basically two songs spliced together (keeps things from getting boring) and of course the beat is pretty irresistable. Unfortunately, Vee didn't release very much more, although it seems (from my research, at least) that she had a few other hits.

Vivien Vee - Give Me A Break (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! buy an LP here.)

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Bedroom Costume

"I see you in your room"

I love getting emails and suggestions from readers... much more than from record companies/labels (most of which obviously don't read the blog or know what kind of music I post). Today's band, the horribly (HORRIBLY) named Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (yes, that's their name) were sent in from a reader and I fell in love with them straight away. Their album reminds me of the Scissor Sisters demo in its craziness (just check out the hilarious Beard Lust), but it's also got a much more polished electro rock edge reminiscent in ways of bands like Hellogoodbye. All their songs are pretty much equally as good. There aren't really any standouts or obvious singles, but everything's quite nice. So, pick of the draw, I'm posting the upbeat, duel vocal Bedroom Costume today, which just happens to be unbelievably catchy and summery. As a bonus, the band's from my neck of the woods (Seattle!).

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Bedroom Costume (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Album out in July. Listen to more here.)

Sparks - Lighten Up, Morrissey

"She won't have sex unless it's done with a pseudonym"

Sparks' new album Exotic Creatures Of The Deep is, unfortunately, the first release by them in a long time that I've felt pretty much ambivalent about. It's not that it's bad... it's just (for me at least) that after a few albums of the same kind of stuff, the shtick is getting a bit old. Of course, it is a Sparks album, and they are one of the best bands of all time, so there are bound to be some gems regardless. Lighten Up, Morrissey was one of the most speculated-about songs prior to its release because of the name-dropping title. I couldn't care less about the title. I like it because it's an amazing pop song with an instantly catchy melody. Furthermore, it has a (very very welcome) rockier sound that stands out from the rest of the more symphonic offerings. It's a welcome change for them, complete with their trademark (sometimes too much so) witty lyrics. I critique because I love them, and this is one example of why.

Sparks - Lighten Up, Morrissey (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the album here.)

Music Go Music - Light Of Love

"Speak to me darling in hushed tones"

Many people have compared this track to vintage Abba and that was enough for me to give it a listen. Of course, I loved it... and now I'm sharing it with you today. Music Go Music is a Canadian group who's released only one EP so far but promises a full album later. This particular song (which is getting all the buzz) is offered for free on the band's myspace, and I'd recommend going there and listening to their other stuff as well, because it's all kinda different but very good (especially the space disco of I Walk Alone). As for the Abba comparisons... the vocals and 70's glam beat are definitely there. Of course, it's not as good as Abba's stuff but the comparison is still definitely justified.

Music Go Music - Light Of Love (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Listen to more here.)

Walter Meego - More Than I Can Say

"It makes me sad to feel so uninspired"

A really, really good American album (I know, what are the odds?) comes out tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited. Walter Meego's synth happy music is guaranteed to become a big part of my summer 2008 soundtrack. I loved the tracks I heard before the album's release, and I'm so happy to say that the album they come from is just as good. Think 70's era David Bowie vamping over 80's style synth-and-bass party pop. The songs define the meaning of cool. It's perfect beach music. My favorite track is probably the ultra-catchy single Wanna Be A Star, but instead I'm going to post a non-single that's almost as good. More Than I Can Say opens with a fantastic riff and continues through with an insanely catchy chorus. I love these guys!!

Walter Meego - More Than I Can Say (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Preorder the album here.)