Skip Loves Happy Ending(s)

While watching my most favorite guilty pleasure on television, the show Privileged on the CW (I know, I can't believe I have sunk to this level), I heard the most fantastical song ever! And, using Shazam, I discovered that it was funky, far out "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)" singer Mika's oddly uplifting yet depressing ditty, "Happy Ending."

Of course I am late to the Mika party as the song is from his March 2007 album, "Life in Cartoon Motion," but I almost don't even care! I have literally listened to this song on repeat everyday since.

Participate in tween-er music love by buying the song on iTunes...oh, and watching Privileged.

Skip Loves Jack's Mannequin

I love a good story nearly as much as I love a good song (though I don't necessarily enjoy listening to the former on repeat as I do the latter). So, you can imagine my delight when I heard the story behind and the music of the band Jack's Mannequin.

The band was originally created in 2004 as a side project of the super adorable slash scruffy Andrew McMahon of the group Something Corporate. He released one album under his new band name but then was diagnosed with leukemia shortly thereafter and took a 2-year hiatus from music. Throughout his treatment he penned inspired piano ballads that were included on his latest, September 2008 album The Glass Passenger.

Now, I well know that I tend to get overly excited about a lot of bands and a lot of music, but trust me on this one, dear readers! The result of Andrew's physical and emotional peril is a heartfelt, earnest collection of California surfer piano anthems that both darken and delight the spirit and upset and enlighten soul. It's music that makes you want to turn up the volume and belt out the lyrics....er, maybe that's just me.

No. Seriously, buy this album.

Skip Loves Black Cabs

Despite my best effort at seeking out new musicians before anyone else, sometimes the well runs a little dry...and even I ultimately get sick of listening to the same songs on repeat (I think 300 rotations is my average).

Rather than be glum about my failings and give in to the unintelligent, syntho-pop turned out by bands around the globe (ok, so I love Leona Lewis, but that's not my point) I have refocused my attentions on pre-existing talent showcasing their already adored musical stylings in a different forum. Old dog, new tricks.

My latest discovery is the work of the London-based Just So Films (brilliant website, by the way, brilliant) called the Black Cab Sessions, where in which indie-folk musicians record an impromptu song in the back of a black cab. The video sessions are charming, intimate and revealing and include such artists as Badly Drawn Boy, My Morning Jacket, The National and Spoon.

Only the Brits could come up with an idea this clever and comical. Why am I not surprised?

Skip's Summer Anthem

Despite desperately wanting to be good at Jeopardy or 'Trivial Pursuit,' I'm really no good at either. While I do possess a fairly capacious cognizance of pointless pop culture facts, my areas of expertise seem to be bound between designer perfumes of the world, John Cusack movies, high school friends' home phone numbers and Oldies songs....And, if I'm being honest, the latter would be my strongest subject by far.

Countless hours of my childhood were spent absorbing Magic 104.3's perky playlists in the car and systematically recording the station's songs on my hot pink cassette deck, complete with grey webbing shoulder strap (wait, maybe it was Fabs' tape player...hmmm...). Something about the spirited, innocent songs stuck in my head more powerfully than the rules of Four Square and the trick to trigonometry. To this day, I can name an Oldies tune having heard just 3 notes.

It's no wonder then that my new favorite summer album is the eponymous release from the former singer of Blue Merle (lovely show at The Independent, sigh, a few years back), Pictures and Sound. The album is overflowing with soothing, laid-back tunes reminiscent of Herman's Hermits and The Push Stars all at the same time. Indeed, the simplistic, infectious optimism of 'It's You' has me constantly smiling and twitching in my seat.

I've listened to it so many times already, I swear I can hear Dick Biondi in the sneaky silence between songs.

Haunting Harmonies

I'm absolutely obsessed with the haunting harmonies of Wild Sweet Orange's official debut album, We Have Cause to Be Uneasy. The Gorey-esque title alone is enough to make me weak with the promise of plaintive music within.

Indeed, the single 'Ten Dead Dogs' not only fulfills the album's woeful word, but goes further to reveal the lyrical poetry of the band's honey-tongued (and clearly cheeky) lead singer, Preston Lovinggood. There's just something about the eerie hymn-like songs that keeps me listening on repeat (surprise, surprise).

Buy the album at iTunes.

Boys of Summer

As it is nearly the end of summer, I thought I would take a moment to recap the easy, breezy, mellifluous music that dominated my summer listening.

The College Guys: All these guys sound like they were in Tri-Ship at New Trier or were your friendly Beta-next-door. Each has a calming Josh Kelley-like collegiate sound that is perfect when driving through Boston. Enjoy a summer Sunday with Jon McLaughlin's catchy "Industry", Steve Reynolds' (opening for Tom McRae on tour) softer "Satellite," William Fitzsimmons' rapturous "Funeral Dress" and the favorite depressing Will Stratton's "I'd Hate to Leave You" (as if you expected me to listen to upbeat music).

The Next Teitur: A crystal clear voice that permeates the softness of his articulate ballads...It could only be the insanely talented Teitur. Rather, it's that Fionn Regan's soothing "Abacus" can't help but bring to mind the sweet sounds of the shy Dane.

The One That Will Last: Brendan James has a haunting James Taylor-like voice (ironic that Carly Simon played the role musical fairy godmother in his discovery) that captivates with melancholy melodies and exquisitely written lyrics. Brendan has the most post-Summer potential, in my humble opinion.

Skip Loves Trevor Hall

I have been known to become so obsessed with a song that I play it over and over again to the point where my co-car passengers and co-dwellers develop a tick or the obscene version of turrets. Rarely does the over-playing effect my own sanity beyond some discordant singing out loud.

The tables were turned, however, when I saw Shrek; the Third and my musical hunger was piqued by the very last song to play during the credits. It was a soothing yet pop-y, reggae inspired ditty crooned by the most fabulously throaty voice. Gaaaah! There followed a seemingly endless search for the musician, trolling the world wide web with the lyrics I could remember...I very nearly went mad myself.

That is until the actual song was released by this fabulously throaty voice. I was able once again to utilize my repeat button and obliviously drive people crazy.

I am, of course, speaking of the gifted Trevor Hall and his song "Other Ways."

Where Are They Now?

Who could forget the fabulous 90's band Tonic? I have vivid memories of the hit "If You Could Only See" blasting on the tape deck (copied from the radio onto a mix tape) in my dad's black Chevy Blazer and thinking I was the coolest 16 year old on the North Shore. Awesome.

Well, I was instantly brought back to the time of Houlihan's, 7-Eleven and Early Bird Chemistry class when I heard Emerson Hart's music. The former Tonic frontman just last month released a new album, complete with his familiar yearning voice and depressing songs.

Unfortunately, it seems that his talent for lyrics is still lacking and his one-hit wonder status will likely remain intact. But, it's interesting to see where these 90's stars end up and how they keep trying (in vain) to recapture their limited and cheese-ball success.

Nevertheless, I can taste the Cherry Slushie now...

PS- Next up, Savage Garden's current employment status...

Jake Ryan

Having grown up on the North Shore of Chicago, I became very familiar with the prolific work of John Hughes, local filmmaker extraordinaire, most obviously because the movies were passed on like osmosis through the sticky summer Winnetka air and perhaps even through the womb. Regardless of method, the words to all of his movies are etched as if in stone into my memory. Many a summer afternoon was spent with friends in the freezing basement of my house, sucking on popsicles, soaking wet from the pool (may it rest in peace) and endlessly watching 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' or 'Mr. Mom' or 'Pretty in Pink.' To this day, along with my sister, we could act out 'Ferris' in a two-women show. Verbatim.

Of course, my very favorite Hughes movie was 'Sixteen Candles' mostly because I longed for the day that I could drive too and more because I was obsessed with Jake Ryan. He was my first movie crush...and fess up, gals. I know I am not alone out there.

Anyhoo...anyone who loved Jake Ryan and/or Sixteen Candles should vividly remember The Thompson Twins song that overpowered the final scene with Sam and Jake sitting on the table celebrating (at last) her sweetest of birthdays, If You Were Here.

Now, I'm pretty certain nothing could trump the holiness of that scene, the perfectness of that song and the candles and the dress...Ah! It was brilliant. But, I have stumbled upon a new version by shaggy Cary Brothers (he of Blue Eyes fame) that is quite delish. I recommend a quick hop over to iTunes to check it out. It will bring you right back to my freezing basement and I swear you will taste the sticky popsicles.

Tourfilter

Of course the minute I moved to Boston I went to Track 50 to update 'my location' so that I could be kept abreast of my favorite bands' movements into Cape Code and perhaps partake in a concert or two. Imagine my utter stupor when I discovered that Track 50 doesn't include Boston! What?!?! Where do I go? How do I know who will be where when? This is very unsatisfactory (not that I can really do anything about it).

So, after complaining to RTT for far longer than required, today I set about making a calendar for all my bands' concerts in the Boston area in the coming months. It's tiresome, unrequited work, but someone has to do it. What tedium! Until...

I discovered Tourfilter, a retro-feeling Track 50 competitor with much more country coverage that, yes sir, includes Boston!

Now I can go back to obsessing about my Corbusier chairs.

Skip is Ready to Rock

Much to my delight, I have discovered that besides New York, it seems Boston is the next best music city in the country (ok, maybe tied with San Francisco and Chicago) saturated with indie venues, budding artists, grass-roots university advocates, locally-fueled radio sations and a culture of musical appreciation. Why, just in my brief perusal of the musical options open to me, I have found several fantabulous concert hosts! Yippy Skippy!

For example, Great Scott seems like a Bottom-of-the-Hill-ish location showcasing artists like the French Kicks, Rocky Votolato and a great many DJ wannabes, while T.T. the Bear's Place (love the name by the by) up the street from Skip's house, plays the Independent-esque card with acts like Wheat, Jamie Treadwell, and James Morrison. Then, of course, there is the literally-next-door Middle East Club with more of a Cafe du Nord vibe. After that, we have The Abbey Lounge, The Paradise Lounge and Club Passim and a plethora of other bar-like open mic options.

Stay tuned (I've no doubt) for updates on my musical adventures in Boston. I can't wait!

The Mysterious Multiplication of Joe Brooks, Musician

On one of my unguided yet fervent trips around the world wide web looking for treasured music, I came across an odd accordance. There are not one, but two Joe Brooks; solemn singers with youthful aspirations of musical success, a penchant for emo/acoustic-rock and (obviously) MySpace.com pages.

The truly bizarre point of my story, is that I like them both.

Joe Brooks #1: hails from the U.K. and is about 8 years old, love the song 'Foolish Man' and must work on having a CD sent to the family estate in Ealing.

Joe Brooks #2: lives in Los Angeles and recently had a little ditty on 'The Hills,' far too much facial hair for his age, but I adore the depressing 'Strange.'

This concomitance is a first for Skip.

Skip Skips Town...Permanently

T-minus 50 Days.

'in the light of the sun, is there anyone? oh it has begun...oh dear you look so lost, eyes are red and tears are shed, this world you must've crossed...you said...you don't know me, you don't even care, you don't know me, you don't wear my chains...essential and appealed, carry all your thoughts across an open field, when flowers gaze at you...they're not the only ones who cry when they see you you said...you don't know me, you don't even care, you don't know me, you don't wear my chains...she said i think i'll go to boston...i think i'll start a new life, i think i'll start it over, where no one knows my name, i'll get out of california, i'm tired of the weather, i think i'll get a lover and fly em out to spain...i think i'll go to boston, i think that i'm just tired i think i need a new town, to leave this all behind...i think i need a sunrise, i'm tired of the sunset, i hear it's nice in the summer, some snow would be nice...boston...where no one knows my name...'

Artist: Augustana
Song: Boston

Cold War Kids

I can't decide if I am in shock that my sister has such nuanced and profound taste in music or if I am deeply disappointed with myself for an apparent complete lack of band talent radar recently.

Either way, Cold War Kids rock and being from Britain they deserve even more of our attention. The boys have a vaguely White Stripes sound only with better voices, more softly, singable tunes and smarter lyrics. Hospital Beds is my favorite because, well, I'm a sucker for beats.

Robbers & Cowards available now.

PS- I love their website. So cool.

Skip Loves Guitarists

Last night I had the lovely pleasure of attending the Carbon Leaf concert at the greatest music hall on earth, The Independent. While I was impressed by the overall experience and polish the group exhibited (and the lead singer's 80's hair), I was struck dumb by guitarist Carter Gravatt's solo. His hands moved so quickly across the strings and his fingers danced so deftly and demonically that I was utterly bewitched by him.

Naturally I checked for a wedding ring (sorry, RTT) and he is unfortunately already strumming entrancing lullabies to some other (inferior) gal, but that should not stop you from checking out the band and their guitar beacon. He was incredible.

Skip is Back

...in more ways than one. Not only have I returned to the blogging scene, but I'm back to my depressing musical ways (the Heartless Bastards, while brillant, were clearly a dellusional, peppy moment that is far, far away now).

I've recently been haunted by Greg Laswell's creepy demo version of 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun.' Wait, don't laugh. I highly suggest you listen to it...just don't do it near a bridge or on top of a building.

PS- Um...he's kind of brooding and hot too. Like Ryan Gosling's brunette brother.

The Surprise Hit

In my 2006 year-end passivity, I failed to mention my attendence at another of the ever-sparkling, sunshine-y Brett Dennen shows at The Independent. Naturally it was glorious and left my heart warm and full of tenderness for my fellow humans...I even almost considered the whole hand-holding thing.

What was a surprise; however, was how much I kind of loved the opening singer, Jessie Baylin. She is a sultry, sexy, scratchy-voiced songstress who made all the girls jealous and all the boys drool, but most importantly, she was very cool and clearly talented (a compliment I don't always bestow on female singers). She sounds a bit like an Eartha-Kitt-meets-Patsy-Kline with some Joni Mitchell thrown in for good measure. Young Jessie has yet to catch up to the whole iTunes/World Wide Web nonsense so you'll have to pay a visit to her MySpace page (which is against my religion, but I have made an exception) and have a listen.

My favorite is 'Not a Day More.'

Skip's Unblogged of 2006

Needless to say, I'm the world's laziest blogger...or at least as far as the last two months go. I wish I had some alluring tales from my travels around, er, San Francisco to excuse my inertia, but alas I have none.

Thus, in a futile attempt to make up for the past 60 days, I present, The Great Unblogged Stories of 2006 (or, what-I-should-have-been-posting-over-the-course-of-November-n'-December).

(1) Readers; run, R-U-N, to see the movie 'Beerfest.' While not as laughably front-loaded as the glorious 'Super Troopers,' the film consistently delivers riotous rants and one-liners to keep you on stage for hours. Of course it helped that the ever-fabulous Lauren Lawson was my co-screener....

(2) The success of the Bears (see Skip is Magic) has not come without a price. At each game they have unsettled my every nerve! The Pats vs. Bears re-enactment of a Pee Wee game practically brought me to my knees with heart palpitations and the recent match against the Seahawks required my use of a paper lunch bag. I can only hope that this dire frustration comes to an end soon...either with the Saints or a ring.

(3) December 2006 was marked by the world's stupidest question ever asked in the history of questions. Apparently, an assistant's 'friend' purchased one (the right one) size 7 wellington boot at our Winter sample sale for $4. Let's overlook the obvious wonderment at someone buying one boot...This assistant then asked me if I happened to have the left boot in the same size and color and offered that her 'friend' would be willing to pay $4 for it. I mean, really? There are definitely stupid questions.

(4) I recommend that everyone take a trip to VinoVenue. I might be a little late to the wine tech party here, but the idea that you can go from machine to machine and try endless wines seems to me like a fairly ingenious invention. There should be more gizmos created for wine consumption. PS- It's quite the way to pass a blustery San Francisco winter day.

(5) While not so immodest a football fan, I had never actually been to a game...until recently. The ever-crafty RTT snagged us midfield, 10th row seats to a 49'ers game (vs. the Packers) and it was amazing...I mean outside the fact that the 49'ers stink and Alex Smith is a midget. It was still well worth the traffic.

(6) Everyone should take a gander at doe-eyed, youngster James Morrison, a soulful singer (and English kindred spirit) who has released an album of lovely jazzy melodies that reminds you of Spring and anticipate the lazy Summer (which is seriously not that far away...clearly, as demonstrated by my blogging absence, time flies).

Skip Has a Thing for Heartless Bastards

Perhaps it is the natural melancholy brought on by Fall, the impending rainy season here in San Francisco and the feyness of another birthday passing, that has replaced my eternal need for depressing music; perhaps I have finally reached an impossible age or time when I have actually heard all the depressing lyrics before...?

Either way, I am now strangely drawn to the music of The Heartless Bastards, a Four Non-Blondes/Nico/Yeah Yeah Yeah's pop-punk band, whose CD 'All This Time' is a marked departure from the emo-angst music to which I typically sing along in the shower.

I think I should see a doctor.

Skip Killed the Radio Star?

I don't listen to the radio. I have an iPod and a life so there really is no need to ever tune to the tuner. However, on a recent white-knuckled cab ride, I had the pleasure of listening to Star 101.3 and John Tesh's somewhat sanctimonious radio show telling my cabby and I about going for 30 minutes walks once a day to reduce our risk of heart disease in the middle of the Top 40 Hits. Um, what? Back-up. John Tesh?

Clearly, I've missed something. It's like I fell asleep for 20 years and have woken up and the world has gone mad.