Nerve Insider : we're listening to

We’re listening To…The Pogues’ “A Rainy Night in Soho”

Nicole Ankowski — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:00:00 GMT

To continue on the theme of rainy day music (and to wallow in the melancholy of my last week as Nerve Intern Caitlin… sigh), here’s one of my favorite songs by The Pogues, “Rainy Night in Soho.” Because, yes, we’re in Soho. Yes, it looks like it might rain any minute. And who doesn’t love some sad romantic Irish punk on a chilly day like this? Anyway. If anyone needs me, I’ll be crying into my whisky underneath the pool table.

— Caitlin MacRae

We’re Listening To...Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “Falling or Flying”

Nicole Ankowski — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:10:00 GMT

It’s rainy days like today that I enjoy listening to songs like this. Raindrops like tears, oppressive skies, and my clothes all wet and clingy — I can’t help but feel melancholy. Not in a completely bad way — if that makes any sense — because the water feels like a cleansing. It’s spring, pouring rain means new beginnings, and even if the water washes away something good…better things could always be waiting after the storm passes. This song is perfect for that, because when caught in a storm, we never really know if we are falling or flying. — Alexandra Godfrey

Here’s “Falling or Flying,” live and gorgeous…

We’re Listening To…Dolly Parton

Nicole Ankowski — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:18:00 GMT

We saw the divine Miss Dolly recently at Radio City Music Hall, and happen to agree with everything this dude says here. A lot of her stage banter from back-then is the same as now…though maybe a lil’ bit more polished. And she certainly didn’t tell this story about beating the tar out of anyone.

Though she looks more like this now…

As the Voice says, “No plastic surgery in at least five months.”
May we all be as feisty, beautiful, brilliant and bad-ass as Dolly!

[Photo via David Atlas via The Village Voice]

We’re Listening To…Matt White

Nicole Ankowski — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:55:00 GMT

Matt White’s songs are the kind of tunes I like to listen to on my pod when I’m walking the streets on an unusually sunny day — kinda like yesterday — because, well, they just make you feel good. His lyrics may be simple but they are damn catchy. And it can’t hurt anyone to enhance the euphoria that comes with a summer day in April. Today may not be so balmy but check out this live performance of “Play” anyway – you may just be inspired to do a little playing yourself…

In case you were wondering, my particular favorite line is: “Went down to Prince Street to try to change your mind…”
…but that’s pretty much just because our offices are one block away from Prince Street and I’m the kind of dork that gets excited about those sorts of things.

— Alexandra Godfrey

We’re Listening To…Marie Digby’s Cover of “Umbrella”

Nicole Ankowski — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:46:00 GMT

What is with me and acoustic covers of pop/hip-hop songs? I don’t know. And I don’t care. I simply can’t resist Marie Digby’s cover of Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” I don’t even care that it has “been featured on The Hills.” It’s more luminescent than Lauren and Whitney’s whitened teeth, and more uplifting than Heidi’s boob job. And it’s perfect for a rainy, misty Friday, like today.

We’re Listening To…Ingrid Michaelson

Nicole Ankowski — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:22:00 GMT

Does anyone else find that “sweater song” from last season’s Old Navy commercials incredibly catchy? I hate to so blatantly fall for the Old Navy empire’s advertising ways…but I have. I’m totally easy when it comes to loving Ingrid Michaelson. Especially “The Way I Am” (aka the sweater song).

I know, I know, I’m becoming an independent artist-meets-branding whore. First Yael Naim, now the lovely bespectacled Ingrid. But at least I’m not the only one, right?

Though I must say, the “Rogaine” line from the sweater song comes as a bit of shock. They didn’t keep that one in yee ol’ commercial. Also, I kind of love Ingrid for her cute hipster, Forever 21-owning self, and for appearing much more real here than in the video:

[photo by David Atlas via The Village Voice]

We’re Listening To…Beirut

Nicole Ankowski — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:52:00 GMT

Beirut is what it sounds like when you drop out of high school at age sixteen to travel Eastern Europe by yourself – or, at least it’s what happened when front man Zach Condon did that. Welcome to Balkan-inspired folk awesomeness, with a voice that soars like a trapeze act and music that lifts and leaps like it’s going out of style. I don’t know. I listen to them and think, circus? Cabaret? Moonlit boat ride? Solo strut down a rainy foreign alley? Whatever it’s reminiscent of, they’ve got something sexy and timeless about them. I have honestly listened to nothing else the past few weeks. Except for a healthy dose of Sinatra. But that’s another story completely.

What the rest of the office is listening to: the sound of snot percolating all up in my sinuses. Sorry, everybody.

— Caitlin MacRae

We’re Listening To…Meiko’s “Under My Bed”

Nicole Ankowski — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:23:00 GMT

A tribute to one of those oh-so-painful breakups that strip you of everything but stupid pictures of happier times, Meiko hits the emotional nail right on its emotional head with this song. It almost makes me want to break up with someone so I can lie on the bathroom floor crying all night and listening to it on repeat…

Not to mention, this bare-naked music video of the song is HOT. It sorta reminds me of a scene from one of those nights in college when everyone is staying up late into the night, just talking (and probably abusing some sort of substance or two), when someone inevitably picks up a guitar and pours their soul out…only there ain’t nothin’ amateur about this au-natural indie chick’s skills…

— Alexandra Godfrey

We’re Listening To…David Cook Sings “Billy Jean” on American Idol

Nicole Ankowski — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:41:00 GMT

Can this dude cover an early Michael Jackson song? Well sure. Technically, anyone can cover a Michael Jackson song.

But this particular dude rocked “Billy Jean” last night, and managed to turn an old tune inside-out, while simultaneously injecting a spark of life into this season’s lethargic American Idol snooze-fest.

Check out David Cook’s performance from the March 25 Idol after the jump…plus: Kristy Lee Cook finally chose the right song!

Apparently the contestants were challenged to take a song from the year they were born that inspired them…and sing it.

And Dave Cook did:

Though as YouTube commentator kwarz76 said: "he used an incubus cover for hello, white snakes for day tripper and now chris cornell for billie jean. when he comes up with an ORIGINAL arrangement himself then i'll give him more credit."

Also, I don’t know why Kristy Lee Cook is still in the competition. The poor thing gets her tiny ass kicked every week (well, every random time I DVR the show). But last night she finally "chose the right song." She won’t win, but she’ll be opening NASCAR races damn soon:

We’re Listening To…Ghetto Gospel

Nicole Ankowski — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:21:00 GMT

File this under: collaborations that never should have happened, but now they’re here, so. Sir Elton John + Tupac Shakur = Ghetto Gospel. I have tried not to love this song, because I love Pac and am not a fan of posthumous mashups as a rule, but I can’t not. When the song first opens I can’t help but chuckle, because… it’s f*cking Elton John. But eventually I find myself nodding my head during the choruses thinking, yeah, man, Elton, you do understand. Anyway, this one’s come up on my ‘Pod a lot lately, partly because of that L.A. Times story about Diddy being behind Tupac’s murder, partly because I’m going back to L.A. soon, and like to have little reminders of home here and there when I gear up for the visit. — Caitlin MacRae

Here’s the video for y’all…

We’re Listening To...Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings

Nicole Ankowski — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:24:00 GMT

So, if you’ve been all up on the neo-soul whatever-the-crap since Amy Winehouse hit the scene, let me suggest checking out the reason why her music sounds so fly: backing band The Dap Kings, house band for Dap Tone Records, who put out freaking phenomenal records with front woman Sharon Jones. Straight outta Brooklyn, full of fire and the ghosts of Laura Lee and James Brown, I can almost promise that you will find yourself with an extra smidge of sultry in your strut when the horns kick.
— Caitlin M.

We’re Listening To…BARR

Nicole Ankowski — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:03:00 GMT

Somewhere between fierce spoken word performance and spare experimental instrumentation lies the brave, magical world of Brendan Fowler, performing under the name BARR. If you’re a word obsessor, someone who loves listening to people say things that reach down into the tiny secret angers and anxieties and wonders to give them a nice sharp pull, if you’re not afraid of downers and joy, you might love him too. This is what I listen to on the subway when I look at people’s faces and they are not talking and probably full of more than I know. Or when I’m making dinner, balancing a beer on my hip like a child and thinking about my day. Or whenever, really. — Caitlin M.

Here’s the video for “First,” from Summary (2007):

We’re Listening To…Yael Naim

Nicole Ankowski — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:46:00 GMT

Sure, you’ve heard the light ‘n’ lovely Mac AirBook song a million times. And it’s definitely proven an uplifting career boost for overseas songstress Yael Naim, whose latest album features a fresh mix of English, Hebrew and French lyrics.

But what we’re really loving right now is her dark, moody and utterly captivating cover of “Toxic.” Yes, that’s right…she does what Britney couldn’t. Brit Brit’s actual life and career may be the definition of toxic, but Yael makes us believe the lyrics…as well as simultaneously long for (and want to run screaming from) the guy she’s singing about.

And for all you aspiring musicians out there, Yael’s story is as inspiring as her work. Though she’s been making music since her teenage years (and recorded her debut album in 2001), it was only when she left her record label and recorded for herself that she found her Cinderella rags-to-music-stardom story. As Time Out New York reported:

“Naim recorded the album in her Paris apartment, a relaxed collaboration with the producer and multi-instrumentalist David Donatien. Listen closely, Donatien claims, and you can hear him cracking eggs in the kitchen as Naim sings. Both musicians were disgruntled veterans of what Naim, speaking by phone from Paris, calls ‘the big system—big record company, big budget, big everything. And nothing good or creative came out of that. Suddenly, we found ourselves in the living room without labels or deadlines. It was paradise.’”

We're listening to. . . Kate Nash

Sarah — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:00:00 GMT

We cannot stop listening to this song “Foundations” by Kate Nash. It’s a bright and bouncy-but-with-a dark-side pop-song about a girl who is fighting with her boyfriend. At her best, Kate Nash creates songs that the perfect mix of sugary and tough, upbeat and sad. She’s also funny; my favorite line from this song is “You said I must eat so many lemons, cause I am so bitter / I said I’d rather be with your friends, mate, cause they are much fitter.” She pronounces it “bittaah” and “fittaah,” with a delightful London accent. (That’s where she’s from.) The video for foundations is below.

Visit her official site here.

Visit her MySpace page here

We’re listening to…Celebration

Sarah — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:30:00 GMT

Celebration is a three-person band, two guys and a girl, from Baltimore. Modern Tribe is their second full-length, released in October. The trio, including a husband and wife, produces ecstatic, hard-driving noise-chimera; their music could be a soundtrack to a confusing, magical, colorful dream. The female vocalist alternately sings, wails and trills over syncopated rhythms and layers of instruments including guitar, drums and percussion, organ, Wurlitzer and Moog.

Watch a video for “Evergreen,” the first song on Modern Tribe, below, and then check out their MySpace where you can listen to eight of the eleven songs on their album. “Heartbreak” is the most accessible, and a good place to start. (Or just start at the beginning, since the new MySpace player no longer stops at the end of a song.) Their official site is here.

We’re listening to… Emma Pollock

Sarah — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:00:00 GMT

Emma Pollock, former lead singer of The Delgados, put out a solo album in September.Pollock’s wistful voice belies how much some of the guitar-driven songs rock. Other songs are slow and sad and several feature piano. Listening to the album feels like driving through a city in the rain, dreaming about the green countryside.

Here's our highly scientific breakdown of where Emma Pollock falls in the world of music references.

Watch her video for "Acid Test," below.

We’re listening to… Britney Spears

Sarah — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:30:00 GMT

Her new album, which came out yesterday, is streaming on AOL and we’ve (only me, actually, no need to bring the rest of the office into this) been listening to it. It’s good! It’s very synthy, danceable and hooky. The songs are slickly produced with lots of layered blips and beeps and heavy breathing reminiscent of “Toxic.” True, her voice sounds like it came out of a machine, but it probably did so that’s ok.

You’ve perhaps already heard the single, "Gimme More," but if not check out that first (link goes to the video). The second song on the album, “Piece of Me” is also quite good and begging to be remixed into a dance-hall hit. The tunes get less exciting towards the end of the album but the whole thing is definitely worth checking out.

Choice lyrics from “Piece of Me:”

I’m Miss bad media karma another day another drama
Guess I can’t see the harm in working and being a mama
And with a kid on my arm I’m still an exceptional earner.
You wanna piece of me.

I’m Mrs. lifestyles of the rich and famous
I’m Mrs. oh my god that Britney’s shameless
I’m Mrs. extra extra this just in
I’m Mrs. she’s too big now she’s too thin

I’m Mrs. most likely to get on the TV for stripping on the streets
when getting the groceries
oh for real
are you kidding me?

We’re listening to… The Deadly Syndrome

Sarah — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:00:00 GMT

No, they’re not a goth punk band. The Deadly Syndrome is four guys from LA and their newest album, out this past September, is The Ortolan. The band has a drum, guitar, bass and keyboard and sometimes an accordion, xylophone and falsetto singing and the sound range from ethereal folk to full, swelling rock.

Deadly Syndrome official site here.

Myspace here.

The video below is for one of their slower songs, "Wolves in the Garden." For a faster sample check out "Emily Pants" on MySpace. And while you're there listen to "Eucalyptus."

We’re listening to… Palomar

Sarah — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT

Yes, Palomar is a great band. They’re from NYC, three women one man, they play melodic, guitar-filled rock that’s great for cruising around with the windows open.

Mp3 of "Our Haunt" here.

Also check out their MySpace page for the excellent songs "Bury My Closer," "Beats Beat Nothing" and "Knitting for Pleasure."

Palomar's most recent, and most excellent album is "All Things, Forests" and was released on March 20, 2007 on Misra Records.

We’re listening to … Voxtrot

Sarah — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:00:00 GMT

This Austin, Texas band has been hyped by music blogs since its first EP came out in 2005. Luckily they’re equal to all the praise. The band has released three EPs and one full-length album, out this past May, all of which are terrific. Check out the mp3s and video below.

Mothers, Sisters, Daughters and Wives
Kid Gloves
Trouble
The Start of Something

We’re listening to… Au Revoir Simone

Sarah — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT

Three keyboards, three women, three heads of long, straight hair and six long, thin legs. One drum machine.

Check out their Myspace and official site.

We’re listening to…. The Avett Brothers

Sarah — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:00:00 GMT

They’re a bluegrassy indie rock band from North Carolina whose latest album, Emotionalism, (ignore the name, it's a great album) is about broken relationships, betrayal and learning to share yourself with people in order to love them. The brothers sing and play banjo and guitar and a third member plays upright bass. There’s some beautiful falsetto harmony at the end of this clip.

Check out their myspace

And their official site.

We're listening to... Ra Ra Riot

Sarah — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:30:00 GMT

Ra Ra Riot is a band from Syracuse who play upbeat, joyous, full-sounding pop with violins and keyboard. Their six song self-titled EP came out this July. They're touring with Editors, and while both are fast and danceable Ra Ra Riot is more lighthearted than Editors, who can be somewhat angry.

They haven't made any videos but their myspace is here. The first song, "St. Peters Day Festival" is a little misleading. Check out "Dying is Fine."

"It's just a life story, so there's no climax."

Sarah — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:28:00 GMT

Today we're listening to... Okkervil River. They're from Austin and their new album "The Stage Names" came out on August 7. Their video for "Our Live is Not a Movie or Maybe" is a 70s style motel porn shoot.