Flashback Friday: The Surfers - Windsurfin'

"Everybody has fun, fun, fun"

Sometimes, you don't even know that you're in the mood for a disco Beach Boys pastiche by a Dutch group until you hear it. Yes, you read that right. This is a disco Beach Boys pastiche by a Dutch group. And it was a European hit thirty-some years ago. And, it's ridiculously fun. Ridiculously stupid, as well, but that's what makes it so delirious. This is about as novelty as novelty gets, and that's no bad thing. I feel like any song with a sound like this almost has to be novelty to impart its full effect. More than that, though, I love how specific the lyrics are. This isn't just surfing. It's windsurfing. How many songs do we have about that? You know this is going on your Summer playlist this year ;)



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Watch the hilarious video here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Dragonette - Rocket Ship

"You pin me like a poster to the wall"

I've meant to post this song for so long now. In fact, it's been floating around my computer for about a month. I think I've waited so long that I'm not even "late" anymore. Instead, hopefully I'll catch those readers who missed this track when it first surfaced. Anyway, Dragonette are preparing for the release of their anticipated third album (which needs to come out... stat!). As part of that preparation, they teased us with Rocket Ship, a new album track. Despite the propulsive title, the song is more of a squiggly midtempo electro number. It's got that shiny bubblegum pop sound that the band specialize in, yet it also has moments of edge that are pure Dragonette. Best of all, you can download it free via the embedded soundcloud player below!



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy Dragonette's music here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Elton John vs. Pnau - Karmatron

"I can see it very well"

I'm really in love with this new album by Elton John and Pnau. Technically, I guess it's actually by Pnau, since they're the ones who re-swizzled Elton's master tapes into modern dance music. But Elton's vocals are all over these songs, so it's really his 70's persona that comes through most clearly. Anyway, I'm obsessed. My only complaint is that, at only eight tracks (one of them instrumental), the album isn't long enough. My favorite tracks, unsurprisingly, borrow from some of my favorite Elton songs. Karmatron is an absolute marvel. It takes some of his most bombastic recordings, like Funeral For A Friend and The Ballad Of Danny Bailey, and makes something even more dramatic. This song simply explodes. It reinterprets Madman Over Troubled Water like you wouldn't believe. And oddly, it doesn't sound miles away from something that could've been included on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, way back in the 70's. Excellent job, Pnau.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Diviney - You're So Cool

"You are the best I've ever had"

I love surprises, and this is definitely a great one. Now, it may not be a surprise to those who follow the band more closely than I do, but I had no idea that Shaun Diviney, leader of Australia's Short Stack, was releasing a solo album. Short Stack were responsible for one of my absolute favorite albums of 2010. I still play it today. Unfortunately, the band have since disbanded, but if this song is any indication, I'm not too upset. Diviney's solo work sounds a bit different from SS, but it's a welcome progression. I feel like he kind of went from Billy Idol to INXS. It's still in the wheelhouse for his charismatic voice, but the sound is brighter and dancier than before. You're So Cool is a HIT, perfect for the Summer and perfect for radio. Embrace it people, please! I need more music from him, because I am totally in love with this track.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Learn more about his music here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.