The Not-Pop Jukebox

Bloody Mary - The Bloodsugars

2009-11-10T12:12:00.004-06:00

Here's a little indie-pop, new-wave-y, woo-hoo music for a Tuesday. The Bloodsugars have been through some staffing changes, but I have high hopes that their first full-length album will hold up to the strength of their EP, "BQEP" released in 2008. I'm basing that hope on the first single I've heard, Light at the End of the Tunnel, which you can enjoy at Static Television. I'm looking forward to hearing their Pedestrian Boogie, for certain. At any rate, if you're unfamiliar with The Bloodsugars, take a listen to Bloody Mary and a few of their other tracks, while you're at it, to get an idea of the sorts of energy and hooks they can sneak into a simple song. For contrast with Bloody Mary, try Uh Oh at Grooveshark, where they've got the whole EP.

Witch Doctor - David Seville

2009-11-08T16:18:00.005-06:00

Sometimes, how I got to a song makes as good a story as why I like the song in question. In today's case, I took my youngest to the clinic because of an earache (H1Nothing, thank you very much, just your basic ear infection). I failed to find a song about ears that I liked so I turned to songs about doctors. Suddenly, I was faced with two very different songs that have been favorites of mine since I was a child. Which to choose, and which version? Ah, the trials of music blogging!

Suddenly, I was distracted from Spirit in the Sky (Doctor and the Medics, lest you doubt that it fit my theme, although I was considering the Nina Hagen cover) and Little Feat's Rock and Roll Doctor by no less than three versions of Witch Doctor. I realized that I'd not heard the song for years, despite the recent passage of Halloween which, for some reason, used to cause this one to follow Monster Mash with annoying predictability. Some days, you just need a 50s novelty song to cheer up yourself (and your sick child). This is one of those days.

Saturday Night Fish Fry - Louis Jordan

2009-11-07T19:19:00.002-06:00

I have been debating what song to share with you all, today, but it finally dawned on me that what you need is to know the story of the Saturday Night Fish Fry.For those of you unfamiliar with the rock-and-roll pioneer, Louis Jordan, one of the inventors of the genre, this is a great introduction. It's also the best version of the song I've ever heard, particularly in comparison with the Eddie Williams original, which drags along with no fun whatsoever. Louis Jordan's cover makes me wish I'd been there, that Saturday night.

Around the Bend - The Asteriods Galaxy Tour

2009-11-06T11:59:00.003-06:00

I thought I'd posted this one long ago, but a quick search of The Not-Pop Jukebox brought me no joy. I'm frankly surprised, because I've been enjoying Around the Bend for months, now. It's a bouncy, slinky, quirky little tune, sung by Mette Lindberg, whose voice gets on my nerves in some of the band's other songs but which suits this one beautifully. Actually, in Sunshine Coolin' she rather reminds me of Amy Winehouse, for whom they opened last year, but that doesn't hold true for this one. Perhaps if you crossed Ms. Winehouse with The Cranberries you'd get closer to the sound of most of their music. Most of their songs make me think Animal Alpha's song Bundy, so I'll have to post that sometime as well so you can see if they remind you of each other, as well.

Regardless of they sound, this is simply a happy song, great for singing at the top of your lungs in the car and for chair dancing on a crappy day at the office. Imagine my chagrin when I discovered that Around the Bend was used in an iPod commercial, which means that you likely have heard at least clips of it before. I'm hanging my head in shame, but I still like the song and I'm posting it anyway.

Arrows of Eros - Golden Silvers

2009-11-05T12:17:00.003-06:00

I'd like to thank CRPitt for introducing me to the Golden Silvers several months ago. While some of the songs on "True Romance" languish a bit more mellow than I'm wont to enjoy, you can find enough bouncy, synth-heavy, well-crafted songs to make the album well worth owning. Were I to nominate the top three songs on the album it would be the title track, True romance, subtitled True No. 9 Blues, the slightly mournful but ever-so-fun Magic Touch, and this song, Arrows of Eros, which was the first song I hear from them. The band is a combination of 80s sensibilities, a little doo wop, and a dash of indie style. If Elton John were to get a massive dose of up-to-the-minute sound, he'd be a part of Golden Silvers. That somehow doesn't sound as appealing as it should, but enjoy the song anyway and check out "True Romance" if you like this one. Thanks, Claire!

Watermelon Man - Various Artists

2009-11-04T12:42:00.004-06:00

I think it's about time for a groovy little jazz standard. Today, let's enjoy Watermelon Man, from such diverse sources as Sly and the Family Stone, Woody Herman, Herbie Hancock, and Dave Benoit. Certainly, such a list would be incomplete without a fabulous version from Miles Davis and a wailing, horn-filled cover by Maynard Ferguson. Even Jimmy Smith has gotten in on the watermelon action and Julie London has some words to add to the the horns in her own version. (Note: the songs don't appear on the play list below in this order.) I didn't include the King Curtis version of this classic, as I just posted his Watermelon Man a few days ago. At any rate, enjoy the many takes on this jazz classic and drop me a note if I've neglected your favorite artist's interpretation.

Mash Me Amadeus - DJ Schmolli

2009-11-01T09:28:00.003-06:00

While reading the Mashuptown interview with DJ Schmolli and I realized both that it's been far too long since I shared a mash-up with you folks and that I've never posted my admiration for his Falco-based tribute album, Falco re:loaded, which you can download in its entirety at the site linked through the title. You'll also find plenty of links there to videos that other fans have made, in addition to the lovely Nelly/Falco video for Mash Me Amadeus below.

My Body's a Zombie for You - Dead Man's Bones

2009-10-31T10:31:00.002-05:00

Was there ever a band with a name more made for Halloween than Dead Man's Bones? I hardly think so. And My Body's a Zombie for You perfectly fits the bill for bizarre and a little frightening. It may not be about ghouls and ghosts, but it's got a children's choir singing inappropriate lyrics and chanting in a suitably-creepy way, adding a zing of Halloween what-the-hell that cannot be beat. Not only that but you can download the song for free from Amazon, which makes this a double treat for a Saturday Halloween. Happy trick or treating, all!

Wide World of Sports - Instant Funk

2009-10-30T20:20:00.005-05:00

I wanted to post a baseball-related song, to celebrate not only the US "World" Series but the fact that I won $10 on one of the games after throwing in a buck to help a friend round out a pool. Unfortunately, I could only find songs that stank. Happily, I stumbled upon Instant Funk and their Wide World of Sports during my search. Not only do you get pure funky grooves but you get this fabulous album cover included at no extra charge! It turns out that Instant Funk performed I Got My Mind Made Up, which has been getting stuck in my head off an on for roughly twenty years. Ah, the relief of knowing from where that song came. Check back tomorrow for a Halloween treat.

Violent Love - Otis Rush, Oingo Boingo, et al

2009-10-28T12:21:00.003-05:00

Violent Love was one of the very first songs on which I posted. There's a reason for that: it's one of my favorites. For me, laying the Otis Rush version cheek-by-jowl with the Oingo Boingo version is the best way to listen to the song. For your edification, I've included the Skankin' Pickle version of the Oingo Boingo cover and one from Willie Dixon much more faithful to the original. As you can see, Grooveshark has fixed their little widget problem, so I've added the playlist from yesterday's post on Ya Ya as well as getting these gems here for you to enjoy.

Ya Ya, Again

2009-10-27T11:37:00.005-05:00

I recently posted a video version of Buckwheat Zydeco performing Ya Ya, but I felt like I'd given the song short shrift. Today, I'd like to share not just the great Lee Dorsey original and the Buckwheat Zydeco version but also a funky Tina Turner take on Ya Ya and a somewhat bizarre John Lennon cover of the song. That last, alone, makes a second post almost mandatory for this one. Sadly, I could not find the Lee Atwater/Chuck Jackson/Carla Thomas version from the "Red Hot & Blue" album on which I first heard this song. It's well worth a listen, as are the rest of the songs included. It's too bad that the album isn't more available but at least you can sample it on the link above. BB King's Buzz Me alone makes it worth the price.

Rhythm Bandits - Junior Senior

2009-10-25T12:22:00.002-05:00

As promised, I've turning to something a lot more fun and upbeat, today. Rhythm Bandits is what I think pop music should sound like. It’s bouncy, infectious, and makes me think of 60s teenagers frantically dancing. Perhaps it’s the name, Junior Senior, and perhaps it’s the energy and tongue-in-cheek cheeriness of the perky sound. If all pop music sounded like Rhythm Bandits, I’d be blogging about that and not obscure stuff of which half of you have never heard (and perhaps another third wish you hadn’t). This isn't an unqualified recommendation of Junior Senior, by any means. They're a bit of a one-trick pony, but in small doses that trick can certainly entertain.

Kandi - One Eskimo

2009-10-24T12:44:00.003-05:00

In general, One Eskimo is too much of a downer for me. They're sweet, mellow, and sad and just really not my thing. Kandi, however, has stuck in my head like a scratched record. The video strikes me as being very much like their music--cute and touching. On its own, it's a lovely song. The album may be too much of a good thing, but at least there's one stand-alone song to enjoy. Have a quiet Saturday afternoon. I'll have to see about finding something a bit more wild for tomorrow.

Zip Gun Bop - Royal Crown Revue

2009-10-22T12:08:00.002-05:00

I was going to post a set of Bop Gun songs (and likely will, someday) but got distracted by the fabulous fellows of the Royal Crown Revue and their Zip Gun Bop, which doesn't fit my theme but is an awful lot of fun. As always during the week, my posting time is limited today so I'll let you swing to the bop and get down to the horns without a lot of introductory blather.

Vans Song - Suicide Machines

2009-10-20T13:52:00.003-05:00

The Suicide Machines have been around for years, and their sound and lyrical focus have changed a great deal along the way. At their best, they combine elements of ska and punk (more punk early on, more ska more recently, and even some horns) with some social commentary that adds a little kick of interest to their jumping music. Personally, as a fan of old-school Vans and Chucks (check my profile picture, if you doubt that), Vans Song gives me a little grin every time. It's also just a fun little tune. I'll quit blabbing, now, before I find another excuse to use parentheses.

Drum Song - Temper Trap

2009-10-19T18:31:00.003-05:00

Yet again, for today I have a song that I love from a band that I don't. It's not that I hate Temper Trap, I just don't love their music. It rates a "Meh" on a scale of "Bleh" to "Woo Hoo!" for me, except for Drum Song. This one get's an "Oh, Yeah". (Note: this is not a scientific scale but a personal experience. Your opinion and mileage may vary. Your input will help to refine this scale and provide valuable feedback for the standardization of these ratings...or something.)

King Curtis Sampler Pack

2009-10-18T13:05:00.002-05:00

I wanted to post the terrific Memphis Soul Stew from the ever-jazzy King Curtis, but I thought it was too short to stand alone. Then I discovered that my up-loading privileges have been suspended at Grooveshark (curse you, Keb' Mo' and Taj Mahal, love you both though I do!) and decided that I'd offer you something a bit bigger to enjoy, to suck up a little extra bandwidth from the 'Shark even though it isn't really their fault. Here, then, is fifteen minutes' worth of King Curtis in all his saxophone-wailing glory. In a Funky Groove gives you ten-plus minutes of pure, mellow jam while Watermelon Man picks it up a couple of notches and really gets you grooving. Hopefully, I'll get unblocked sometime soon and can upload more obscurity for you to enjoy. Obviously, I had intended to share something much less well-known than King Curtis, but that'll have to wait.

Headlock - Esser

2009-10-17T18:11:00.002-05:00

For today, let's enjoy a bit of electronic whining about the pains of love gone wrong. Honestly, Headlock is better than I just made it sound. It's a bit goofy and has a beat good enough to get you bobbing your head. I'm not a huge fan of the Esser's vocals, but for this song they definitely work. (I've decided that there's been altogether too much blue on this blog, so I'm trying a splash of green for today. We'll see how it looks. I may decide to just use the big playlist widget and fiddle with colors, if I don't like the green. Sometimes, you've got to shake it up, right?)

Cup a' Joe - The Alcoskalics

2009-10-16T19:44:00.003-05:00

Here it is, a Friday night, and I'm too tired to party. What in the world will I do? Happily, the Alcoskalics have the answer - have a Cup a' Joe! I'm a huge coffee fiend, and this song ranks among my favorites celebrating that fragrant brown brew. It's rabid beat, pulsing horns, and wild-eyed lyrics give me almost as much energy as a steaming cup of the good stuff.

Scrapple from the Apple - Charlie Parker

2009-10-15T12:21:00.003-05:00

It's a blustery cold autumn day, at the very end of apple season around here. I thought it was time I paid tribute to the varied and delicious fruits of yards and orchards, and to Charlie Parker as well. How can you resist the combination of a warm, saxy tune about...well...nothing in particular?

Seems to be on My Mind - Suburban Kids with Biblical Names

2009-10-14T19:41:00.004-05:00

If this post doesn't cement your belief that I am a sucker for bands with inventive names, then there's nothing more that I can do. At any rate, I ran across Suburban Kids with Biblical Names on an indie-pop sampler and was immediately intrigued by their sound. Happily, Grooveshark supplied a hefty sampler of their songs. I almost posted Loop Duplicate My Heart, but I thought it might hit a little close to home for those web addicts among us. Instead, I've decided to share Seems to be on My Mind from the same album, their third, cleverly titled "#3". They've another, surprisingly named "#4", which marks their return to the '4-track maxi-single' format that their other two albums shared. With each outing, the Kids seem to move a little more out of their jangly, self-conscious shell and to get more comfortable with their nerd-referential lyrics and geeky love songs.

Mighty Mighty - Earth, Wind, & Fire

2009-10-11T14:31:00.003-05:00

For what more could you ask on a Sunday than a funky 70s song on a funky 70s TV show that proves just how bad fashion and dance can be? Nothing, that's what. I hereby offer you Earth, Wind, & Fire's Mighty Mighty, played on Soul Train with a double dance line. If you don't like the song, you can just be entertained by the people and their antics...I mean, hot dance moves. Honestly, can you believe that people used to walk around in public in some of those clothes?

Rockabilly Liquor Trio

2009-10-10T12:30:00.001-05:00

No, this isn't a band review, although Rockabilly Liquor Trio wouldn't be such a bad name for a band. With Amazon's fabulous free music offerings, particularly the current Mojo Nixon bonanza, my mind wanders down loosely-connected paths. Today, that path makes a bit more sense than usual. The rockabilly and rough sound of Mojo Nixon's She's All Liquored Up lead me directly to Southern Culture on the Skids and Liquored Up and Lacquered Down. The next step connection was a bit more tenuous, but The Reverend Horton Heat had a few things to add about Liquor, Wine, and Beer, so I let him. I figured that Saturday was the perfect day for a liquor-fest, and that celebrating wacky, rockabilly songs went perfectly with that. If you've got a song that would fit this group, please let me know.

Jukebox Roots: Comme des Enfants - Coeur de Pirate

2009-10-08T12:18:00.003-05:00

Almost a year ago, I wrote about this French-Canadian young lady, Beatrice Martin, whose twee sound and lovely style would not normally be my thing but who had caught my ear. While I posted several links, I never did include a song from which you could get a sense of what Coeur de Pirate actually sounds like. Today, I'm remedying that bit of foolishness with Comme des Enfants, which I hear was a big hit in Quebec earlier this year. Ms. Martin must be 19 by now, but still her music has a maturity (and she writes and plays it herself) that belies her age. I'm hoping to hear more from her over the years, and to see if she can be as charming in English as she is in French. Lovely, charming, and sweet describe her sound on her first album, no matter what the future may bring. She's also adorable, which doesn't hurt.

Talk on Indolence - The Avett Brothers

2009-10-07T11:50:00.003-05:00

Here's another wacky little treat for you all--The Avett Brothers, who sound a whole lot like the Gear Daddies used to, back when I'd see them live a few times a year, giving a Talk on Indolence. They're clearing having a wonderful time. I'm not so big on songs about getting drunk, anymore, but this one has so much else going on that the lyrics aren't really paramount and the song tells a story rather than simply celebrating getting hammered. The beginning particularly caught my attention, with the chanting from 30 seconds into the track that starts your toes tapping practically from the first beat. The song completely switches character at a minute in, turning into a roots rock/alt-country remembrance. The banjo is a particularly nice touch.

I'm somehow not surprised that the guys have been around for almost ten years (and thirteen albums' worth of music) but that I've not heard of them until now. I bet they're a blast to see live, which you could apparently have done on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson last night, had you known about it. Happily for you, dear readers, I'm willing to devote a little time to finding such gems and to letting you know that Mr. Ferguson's site hasn't updated with anything more recent than October 2nd. If I can remember, I'll keep an eye out and post a link to the video this weekend. Until then, enjoy their Talk on Indolence