Don't Forget To Dance

“Accepting Applications at University” by Lilys

Yes, Lilys’ The 3-Way came out back in ‘99, but that doesn’t mean I can’t use my new public forum to spread their 60s retro goodness. For an album that’s now a decade old, it sure does sound like an album that’s over four decades old. If you put them in a mix with The Zombies, The Animals, The Kinks, The Hollies, or any other mid-60s British Invasion band, you’d never know Lilys was the odd band out.

Listen to “Accepting Applications at University” with your eyes closed and you might just open them to find it’s 1966 and you’re wearing a puffy shirt and Beatle boots - not to mention dancing uncontrollably.

“Finish Line” by Fanfarlo

According to Wikipedia, “Fanfarlo is a London-based indie pop band formed in 2006 by the Swedish musician Simon Balthazar.” They’ve put out a few singles since then, but they finally released their first LP, Reservoir, back in February. It’s full of catchy pop hooks, lilting vocals (sort of a cross between David Byrne and Zach Condon of Beirut), and the varied instrumentation that we’ve all come to expect of any respectable indie group these days.

“Amnesia” by Fire on Fire

Described on their label’s website as, “like a backwoods, fierce, psychedelic Mamas And The Papas or a crazed and joyously vengeful gospel string band,” Fire on Fire’s 2007 5 song debut EP is that and more. Using a variety of instruments (harmonium, guitar, accordion, banjo, dobro, oud, nay, tamboritza, jembe and tamborine, to name just a few), Fire on Fire is able to switch between lead singers and lead instruments, while maintaining a sound that is at once recognizable and alien.

“Amnesia” is what I can only describe as an accordion stomp. Taking lead vocals (and also accordion) on this track is lone female member Colleen Kinsella, who sounds like she inhaled a helium balloon after I inhaled a nitrous balloon.

Enjoy!

We wait for no one, only undo whats been done
Playing out that bored rhythm
That drafty blanket we wrap ourselves in

“J’aime Vous Voire Quitter” by Islands

Arm’s Way, the sophomore album by Canadian group Islands, is a progressive pop album that blends together various musical styles from post-punk to programmed beats in an approachable cohesive sound. With vocals reminscent of a heavy David Bowie mixed with Jack White, lead singer and lyricist Nick Thornburn wails about everything from hunting for the abominable snowman in Canada to how kids today don’t know anything.

On “J’aime Vous Voire Quitter” Thornburn takes not so subtle digs at ex-bandmate Jamie “J’aime Tambeur” Thompson over a fast-paced post-punk sound broken up with a calypso interlude that makes me think David Johansen is going to start screaming “Hot! Hot! Hot!” while Gloria Estefan dances at his side.

Jump out of your chair, flail your arms and legs manically and enjoy “J’aime Vous Voire Quitter”.

You said you had my back,
But I was attacked by a pack of dogs frothing at the mouth,
Stabbed in the face,
Glass in my guts, crash!

“My Baby (Shoots Her Mouth Off)” by Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s

Here’s the basic story behind Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos’ latest releases, Animal! and Not Animal!:

In 2007 they signed with Epic after their great 2005 independent release The Dust of Retreat won rave reviews across the indie world. They soon went into the studio with Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron and Wine) and recorded over 200 songs. They picked 12 and called the album Animal!. Epic didn’t like the choices and picked their own songs. Arguments ensued. A compromise was reached. The studio released their choice on all media and called it Not Animal!, while the band’s choice (still called Animal!) was only released on vinyl and as digital files for download.

I haven’t listened to Not Animal!, but Animal! shows the promise hinted at on The Dust of Retreat was no illusion. Animal! is full of meticulous and layered instrumentation (a range of instruments you’d expect from a band with 8 members), and is brought together by lead singer Richard Edwards’ smooth vocals.

Here’s “My Baby (Shoots Her Mouth Off)” - not exactly a danceable tune, but worth a listen nonetheless.

“Early in the Morning” by Heartless Bastards

Heartless Bastards play straight up rock featuring a female vocalist that doesn’t sound like Avril Levigne…

…and that’s all we really want, isn’t it?

“Took My Lady Out to Dinner” by King Khan and The Shrines

If Quentin Tarantino decided to have only one band play all the music in all of his movies, I imagine he would pick King Khan and The Shrines. They have a retro soul sound reminiscent of Booker T. & the MGs, Eric Burdon and Sam & Dave, with a little James Brown thrown in. Fuzzy guitars, howling and screeching vocals, keyboards and a funky beat. What more could you ask for?

This is “Took My Lady Out To Dinner” - a fast paced ode to the woman Khan loves, off their album The Supreme Genius of King Khan and The Shrines.

My baby’s fat
She’s ugly
She’s fat and she’s ugly
but I love her
I love her
Oh yes oh yes I do

“The Ballad of Butter Beans” by Man Man

What can I say about Man Man other than they sound like the bastard son born from a threeway of Tom Waits, Danny Elfman and Frank Zappa while Gogol Bordello played on the stereo in a tent on the outskirts of a carnival grounds.

And I can’t stop listening to it.

Here’s “The Ballad of Butter Beans” off their 2008 Anti release, Rabbit Habits. It’s a fast paced, xylophone featuring, manic screed about how lead singer Honus Honus is going to hunt down and kill Butter Beans.

Butter beans, you’ve gotten so fat
I can barely carry your weight across my tiny back
Taught me singing and aim
and I’ll sin when you say my name

“In Our Talons” by Bowerbirds

Last year I had the great fortune to see Bowerbirds open for The Mountain Goats in Brooklyn and, while not much can match the awesomeness that is John Darnielle live, Bowerbirds came close, if only because I’d never heard them before and I was shocked that a band this good could fly under my radar (pun intended). For the next few months I searched for their album when I could.

Yesterday I found it and it’s just as good as I’d hoped.

Essentially a two-person band with the occasional third member, Bowerbirds are a great mixture of accoustic guitar, accordion, piano and vocals reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, with little percussion except for a stick on a block of wood.

And no, you’re not alone. No, my cousins, you’re not alone.
You’re in our talons now, and we’re never letting go.

Now listen to “In Our Talons” and dance.

“Love Song 2009” by Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele

I’m going to end my Love Stinks Week prematurely. Why, you ask? Because I heard Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele, that’s why! Had I known this existed last week, I surely would have posted it then. You can be certain of that fact, Jack!

Dent May is just a simple Mississippi boy who released his first album on February 3rd. It’s called The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele, and it’s like Don Ho and the Beach Boys mated, had a son, and taught him to play ukulele. I highly recommend you go out and buy it immediately upon listening to this song.

So go crank your speakers, click the “Play” button and I dare you to not burst out of your chair, grab the drone in the cubicle next to you and dance like it’s 1957!