SYP Says http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/ The Displaced New Yorker returns home. en-US Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:50:00 -0800 http://www.typepad.com/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification 42.169751-122.617727SypSayshttp://feedburner.google.com(Enter a personal message you would like to have appear at the top of your feed.) Moneygrabber by Fitz and The Tantrums: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/eKLrwwxVeIM/moneygrabber-by-fitz-and-the-tantrums-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/moneygrabber-by-fitz-and-the-tantrums-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #31 "Moneygrabber" by Fitz and The Tantrums My last song post of the year is a bit funky. Retro LA soul band, Fitz and The Tantrums, is going to be playing a New Year's Eve gig at The Gramercy in... #31 "Moneygrabber" by Fitz and The Tantrums

My last song post of the year is a bit funky. Retro LA soul band, Fitz and The Tantrums, is going to be playing a New Year's Eve gig at The Gramercy in NYC tonight. It's sold out, so I won't be there (and probably neither will you), but I'm sure it will be an awesome show. In any case, before you go out to celebrate the last day of 2011 (!!!), turn this tune up and get your dancing shoes on. Cheers to a great 2012!

 

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:50:00 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/moneygrabber-by-fitz-and-the-tantrums-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html Under Cover of Darkness by The Strokes: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/NKOXDEFPeCI/under-cover-of-darkness-by-the-strokes-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/under-cover-of-darkness-by-the-strokes-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #30 "Under Cover of Darkness" by The Strokes I spent one several month period listening to The Strokes' first album, Is This It?, every other day at the gym training for a Grand Canyon excursion (I hiked all the way... #30 "Under Cover of Darkness" by The Strokes

I spent one several month period listening to The Strokes' first album, Is This It?, every other day at the gym training for a Grand Canyon excursion (I hiked all the way to the bottom in one day, crossed, and hiked back up the other side in one day). They're back with a new, energetic album just in time for me to start training again for something new.

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:49:00 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/under-cover-of-darkness-by-the-strokes-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html This Is Why We Fight by The Decemberists: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/bZ1Wkzx9-Lo/this-is-why-we-fight-by-the-decemberists-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/this-is-why-we-fight-by-the-decemberists-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #29 "This Is Why We Fight" by The Decemberists I have to be honest--I don't know The Decemberists' music all that well, but I do like this soaring song by them which sounds like a cross between an old REM... #29 "This Is Why We Fight" by The Decemberists

I have to be honest--I don't know The Decemberists' music all that well, but I do like this soaring song by them which sounds like a cross between an old REM tune and an updated Irish folk song (maybe it's just his voice that gives me that vibe?). 

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:13:10 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/this-is-why-we-fight-by-the-decemberists-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html Puzzle Pieces by Saint Motel: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/l-QPngKmYsU/puzzle-pieces-by-saint-motel-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/puzzle-pieces-by-saint-motel-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #28 "Puzzle Pieces" by Saint Motel Saint Motel's music just makes me happy. In honor of my old employer, here is this LA indie band's exclusive Guitar Center session. They are great live. See them if you can. #28 "Puzzle Pieces" by Saint Motel

Saint Motel's music just makes me happy. In honor of my old employer, here is this LA indie band's exclusive Guitar Center session. They are great live. See them if you can.

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:23:00 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/puzzle-pieces-by-saint-motel-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html Civilian by Wye Oak: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/z1Wet7cBEBE/civilian-by-wye-oak-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/civilian-by-wye-oak-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #27 "Civilian" by Wye Oak Never mind that I can't understand most of what she's singing; still think it's beautiful. Since I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this, here are the lyrics: I am nothing without pretend I know... #27 "Civilian" by Wye Oak

Never mind that I can't understand most of what she's singing; still think it's beautiful. Since I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this, here are the lyrics:

I am nothing without pretend
I know my thoughts
Can't live with them
I am nothing without a man
I know my thoughts
But I can't hide them

I still keep my baby teeth
In the bedside table with my jewelry
You still sleep in the bed with me,
My jewelry, and my baby teeth

I don't need another friend
When most of them
I can barely keep up with them
Perfectly able to hold my own hand,
But I still can't kiss my own neck

I wanted to give you everything
But I still stand in awe of superficial things
I wanted to love you like my mother's mother's mothers did
Civilian
Civilian

N.B. Apparently this song was used in the Walking Dead Season 2 trailer.

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:16:53 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/civilian-by-wye-oak-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html She's Thunderstorms by Arctic Monkeys: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/OI1Nzp04YTA/shes-thunderstorms-by-arctic-monkeys-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/shes-thunderstorms-by-arctic-monkeys-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #26 "She's Thunderstorms" by Arctic Monkeys Just love the beat and Alex Turner's crooning about how awesome "she" is. Guess whoever this is really keeps him on his toes--no doubt, as it should be. ;) #26 "She's Thunderstorms" by Arctic Monkeys

Just love the beat and Alex Turner's crooning about how awesome "she" is. Guess whoever this is really keeps him on his toes--no doubt, as it should be. ;)

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:50:59 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/shes-thunderstorms-by-arctic-monkeys-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html Holidelic by Everett Bradley: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/m-kdTX3wPmI/holidelic-by-everett-bradley-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/holidelic-by-everett-bradley-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #25 Holidelic by Everett Bradley Regardless of how you celebrate the holidays, this should get you into Papadelic's inclusive spirit. Give the gift of love, fun, and laughter. Happy Holidays! #25 Holidelic by Everett Bradley

Regardless of how you celebrate the holidays, this should get you into Papadelic's inclusive spirit. Give the gift of love, fun, and laughter. Happy Holidays!

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:01:00 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/holidelic-by-everett-bradley-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html Allison by Pepper Rabbit: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/f7TUYGsbSp8/allison-by-pepper-rabbit-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/allison-by-pepper-rabbit-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #24 "Allison" by Pepper Rabbit LA band, Pepper Rabbit, is really just a duo, but sounds much larger. Xander Singh and Luc Laurent incorporate a variety of different instruments and sounds in their orchestral psychedelic pop which is like a... #24 "Allison" by Pepper Rabbit

LA band, Pepper Rabbit, is really just a duo, but sounds much larger. Xander Singh and Luc Laurent incorporate a variety of different instruments and sounds in their orchestral psychedelic pop which is like a more melodic Super Furry Animals. Put this on if you're looking for a little rest from all the holiday craziness.

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:51:37 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/allison-by-pepper-rabbit-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html Powa by Tune-Yards: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/c4ffcvM7z70/powa-by-tune-yards-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/powa-by-tune-yards-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #23 "Powa" by Tune-Yards In honor of my birthday today (w00t!), I'm sharing with you my favorite song of the year, Powa by Tune-Yards (well, I guess it's really tUnE-yArDs, but anyway). Whokill, the second album by Tune-Yards (aka Merrill... #23 "Powa" by Tune-Yards

In honor of my birthday today (w00t!), I'm sharing with you my favorite song of the year, Powa by Tune-Yards (well, I guess it's really tUnE-yArDs, but anyway). Whokill, the second album by Tune-Yards (aka Merrill Garbus) is amazing--it is experimental without being inaccessible and mixes afro-beat with R&B and lo-fi electronica to great effect. Not only is Merrill Garbus a great musician, but she has an incredible voice to boot. 

Here are two live versions of this song--one an official 4AD session and the other just shot by some guy at the Bowery Ballroom a couple years ago. Both are awesome. Enjoy.

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:44:00 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/powa-by-tune-yards-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html Lyric by The Sea and Cake: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/bYU8gF365J8/lyric-by-the-sea-and-cake-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/lyric-by-the-sea-and-cake-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #22 "Lyric" by The Sea and Cake This song feels like a Winter morning. It's clear and cool, yet hushed. Bare trees and freezing, gray water. Indie band The Sea and Cake does this kind of alone song well. Usually... #22 "Lyric" by The Sea and Cake

This song feels like a Winter morning. It's clear and cool, yet hushed. Bare trees and freezing, gray water. Indie band The Sea and Cake does this kind of alone song well. Usually their songs have more of an electronic vibe, but this one strikes a chord with me. (Also check out their great cover of Bowie's Sound and Vision.)

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:15:00 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/lyric-by-the-sea-and-cake-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html The Wilhelm Scream by James Blake: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/uiqTRLsnqNA/the-wilhelm-scream-by-james-blake-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/the-wilhelm-scream-by-james-blake-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #21 "The Wilhelm Scream" by James Blake The Wilhelm Scream is a stock sound effect that has become a cinematic cliche, but also a fun nod to tradition. There's no actual screaming in this slow jam song by post-dubstep master,... #21 "The Wilhelm Scream" by James Blake

The Wilhelm Scream is a stock sound effect that has become a cinematic cliche, but also a fun nod to tradition. There's no actual screaming in this slow jam song by post-dubstep master, James Blake, but it does give me the shivers.

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:53:00 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/the-wilhelm-scream-by-james-blake-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html Chocolate-Cayenne Cocktail Cookies from Food and Wine http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/NFdrw1NsHAA/chocolate-cayenne-cocktail-cookies-from-food-and-wine.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/chocolate-cayenne-cocktail-cookies-from-food-and-wine.html I'm not a big dessert person and when I have desserts, I tend to like ones that are less sweet. These Chocolate-Cayenne Cookies are just about perfect. They are easy to make, you can make them ahead of time, and... I'm not a big dessert person and when I have desserts, I tend to like ones that are less sweet. These Chocolate-Cayenne Cookies are just about perfect. They are easy to make, you can make them ahead of time, and they are melt-in-your-mouth tender and delicious--almost like chocolate shortbreads.

This is my adaptation with tips from the recipe that was contributed by Dorie Greenspan for Food and Wine Nov 2011 issue.

 

Chocolate-Cayenne Cocktail Cookies

Makes about 50-60 cookies.

Chocolate-cayenne cookies

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (make sure you use very good quality cocoa powder, such as Valrhona or Guittard which is what I used)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • Maldon salt, for sprinkling
  • Confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling
  1. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, cayenne and sea salt into a bowl and whisk to combine. In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the butter with both sugars at low speed until creamy. Add the egg yolk and beat until smooth, then add the dry ingredients and beat until incorporated.
  2. Turn the dough out onto a work surface and knead gently until it comes together. Note: The dough is very moist and melts quickly. Divide the dough in half and press each half into a disk. Roll out each disk between 2 sheets of wax paper to about 1/4 inch thick. Slide the wax paper–covered disks onto a baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour, until very firm.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350° and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with one piece of dough at a time, peel off the top sheet of wax paper. Using a 1 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, stamp out the cookies as close together as possible. Arrange the cookies about 1 inch apart on the parchment paper–lined baking sheets and sprinkle with some Maldon salt.
  4. Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes (my oven runs hot, I guess, because my cookies were done at 12 minutes so I would start checking starting then), until they are just firm; shift the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 3 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  5. Before serving, I dusted mine with a little confectioners' sugar so you get a sweet & salty hit right away when you eat it.
Make Ahead: The rolled-out frozen cookie dough can be wrapped in plastic wrap and kept frozen for up to 2 weeks. The baked cookies can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

* It is important that in Step 2, you make sure the dough is rolled out evenly and 1/4 inch thick otherwise the cookies will not hold up.

* In Step 3 when you are punching out the cookies, begin doing this step as soon as the dough is out of the freezer. The dough softens very quickly, so you need to work fast while the dough is still very firm.

* Make sure you roll out the dough to the thickness you want before freezing because whatever state the dough is in at that point is what it will be when you go to stamp it out. IOW, don't just make a dough ball and put it in the freezer. 

* I had read some reviews of this recipe that said it didn't make as many cookies as indicated. I found it made about 50 cookies. Make sure you stamp the cookies out as close together as possible. Also, after doing the first round of stamping, I re-rolled out the dough and made more out of the leftover dough.

Enjoy! These are my new favorite cookies. :)
]]> Food and Drink SYP Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:33:39 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/chocolate-cayenne-cocktail-cookies-from-food-and-wine.html Run Right Back by The Black Keys: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/B16mlqIYfbQ/run-right-back-by-the-black-keys-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/run-right-back-by-the-black-keys-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #20 "Run Right Back" by The Black Keys Revved up, fuzzy blues rock is The Black Keys' specialty and it is evident in this groove-laden single from their latest album, El Camino. I love the bass line. I love the... #20 "Run Right Back" by The Black Keys

Revved up, fuzzy blues rock is The Black Keys' specialty and it is evident in this groove-laden single from their latest album, El Camino. I love the bass line. I love the voice. I love this song.

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:52:31 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/run-right-back-by-the-black-keys-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html Same Mistake by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/h4hmPWsq_8Y/same-mistake-by-clap-your-hands-say-yeah.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/same-mistake-by-clap-your-hands-say-yeah.html #19 "Same Mistake" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah It's been four years since Brooklyn indie darling Clap Your Hands Say Yeah released a new album. There was a free-spirited enthusiasm in their previous albums that is mostly missing from... #19 "Same Mistake" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

It's been four years since Brooklyn indie darling Clap Your Hands Say Yeah released a new album. There was a free-spirited enthusiasm in their previous albums that is mostly missing from Hysterical. This song, however, still has that exuberance but with their new, more mature sound.

 

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:41:25 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/same-mistake-by-clap-your-hands-say-yeah.html Stop by Twin Sister: 31 Days of My Favorite 2011 Songs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SypSays/~3/Vg3HWks4h58/stop-by-twin-sister-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/stop-by-twin-sister-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html #18 "Stop" by Twin Sister NYC band, Twin Sister, is really good live. Their music in recordings is good, but very dream pop; on stage, it's much more experimental and funky. Listen to this tune now, but then go and... #18 "Stop" by Twin Sister

NYC band, Twin Sister, is really good live. Their music in recordings is good, but very dream pop; on stage, it's much more experimental and funky. Listen to this tune now, but then go and catch them live if you can. They're touring with Ava Luna, another great NYC band (whose song, "Clips," is another of my favorite songs of the year). I like this tune which has a kind of '80s Everything but the Girl feel.

 

 

]]> Best Songs of 2011 Music SYP Sun, 18 Dec 2011 09:59:00 -0800 http://www.sypsays.com/sypsays/2011/12/stop-by-twin-sister-31-days-of-my-favorite-2011-songs.html