Song of the Day

Please Note: I’ll do my best to keep this updated.

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TO VIEW OLDER “SONGS OF THE DAY” HEAD OVER TO THE SONG OF THE DAY ARCHIVE (updated at my leisure)

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March 28, 2011

Justice – Civilization

Oh man. Oh man. Oh man. Ever since last week, when it was leaked that a new Justice single was in an Adidas ad campaign, I’ve been listening day after day to the sample used in the commercial. Now, the full track has arrived. I have to say: it is amazing. It makes me want to be as awesome as I can, all day, every day. Hopefully it’ll do the same for you. (just click the player near the bottom of the SKOA article)

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March 22, 2011

Peter Bjorn and John – Tomorrow Has to Wait

So dudes, if you’re as excited for the new Peter Bjorn and John album, I’m hoping you’ve gotten a chance to listen to the full album over at NPR. This single, “Tomorrow Has to Wait” is a killer opening track to the album, bringing back that great PB&J feel from previous work. I can’t stop listening to it, it’s fantastic. Hope you like it!!

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March 21, 2011

Fang Island – Daisy

Meet Fang Island. I first heard these guys on NPR’s All Songs Considered podcast on their preview of SXSW. The Brooklyn quintet Fang Island describes their music as “everyone high-fiving each other”. I wholeheartedly agree. I haven’t heard this type of power-punk/pop in a while. Also, I’m pretty sure these dudes would be a sick act to see live. Awesome. Just awesome. Enjoy!

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March 8, 2011

Does It Offend You, Yeah? – The Monkeys Are Coming

Still not sure what to make of this track. I like it, definitely, but it’s so far removed from “easy listening” that I definitely need to be in a mood to put it on. Does It Offend You, Yeah? had some amazing singles in the past (notably, We Are Rockstars and Dawn of the Dead). Though “The Monkeys Are Coming” isn’t as strong a track as past singles, it still has an element of that sloppy electronica which makes it pretty awesome. Enjoy!

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February 18, 2011

Chikita Violenta – Roni

Haven’t heard a sound this refreshing in a while. Chikita Violenta, out of Mexico City, really pound away with an indie-like drive. A crunchy sound, near indecipherable vocals. Though their latest album didn’t do so well (6.5/10 at Pitchfork), for this track, I really enjoy that wall of sound that hits you in the first few seconds of the song. plz listen.

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February 17, 2011

Tyler, the Creator – Yonkers [explicit content]

Apparently these dudes (Tyler the Creator, of/and Odd Future) are making waves across the rap/hip-hop community. Odd Future, (or Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All), from L.A. played their first ever TV performance on Kimmel last night. A pretty insane performance, and the song of the day, though not as intense, still gives me chills. The video’s also kind of crazy. Give it a listen.

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February 8, 2011

The White Stripes – 7 Nation Army (Glitch Mob Remix)

I cannot stop listening to this remix, it’s amazing. Hearing it was pretty refreshing, considering most of my White Stripes listening has been bittersweet since they broke up. It makes me want to do a lot of cool things in slow motion. For serious.

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February 4, 2010

Belle and Sebastian – Come On Sister

On strong recommendation from our latest contributor, Jack, it is with great pleasure that I make today’s song of the day from one of the greatest feel-good bands of all time. I’m ashamed to have not been as attentive to their new album, Write About Love, as I should be. You can definitely hear the good ol’ fashioned, clap-a-long, glad-making, Belle and Sebastian sound (that we hold so dearly from their previous work) in this single. Enjoy!

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January 31, 2011

Chase & Status – Brixton Briefcase (ft. Cee-Lo Green)

If you’re a fan of Cee-Lo Green and electronic, then you’ll love this song. Though I had never heard of Chase & Status before this song, they’ve definitely won me over. The chorus of this song is fantastic, but in order to get the full effect the song must be played at MAX volume… it’s a decent choice for your “driving somewhere in the future to shoot somebody” mix (at least that’s what I put it on).

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January 23, 2011

Into Airwaves - Hello Seattle (Remix) / Firework (Owl City / Katy Perry)

I’ll just get it out there. I really, really, really dislike Owl City. I think they’re a cheap, pretentious rip-off of the Postal Service, and I’ve been somewhat sickened by how Owl City’s Adam Young drinks Earl Grey tea at parties (unfortunately I can’t find a link to back this up). I mean, I’ve always been “that guy” at parties, but I think that’s ridiculously obnoxious. Anyway, enough of hating on Owl City. This remix is good. Good enough to make me put my foot in my mouth about having an Owl City song, at least. Enjoy your dance-pop, minions.

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January 20, 2011

The Naked and Famous – Young Blood

Young Blood takes the best parts of MGMT and Passion Pit, turning it into the perfect first track to your morning mix (or walk to class mix). Sure, it may be more of the same, but that doesn’t make it any less of a good song. These dudes are the best thing to come out of New Zealand since Flight of the Conchords and Lord of the Rings. For serious.

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January 14, 2011

Kanye West & Jay-Z – H.A.M. (Hard As A Motherf***er)

I bookmarked this track earlier this week, and hadn’t really given it a good listen until today. I was underwhelmed, having only listened to the first minute as of this morning. As fate would have it, the song gets hella epic at the 1:08 mark. I mean, really really hella epic. I think Kanye West and Jay-Z are arguably the two most talented rap artists ever. Just click the small play button at the bottom of the SKOA article to hear this song.

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January 13, 2011

Iron & Wine – Tree By The River (Daytrotter Sessions)

You may know Iron & Wine from their well-known and wonderful “Such Great Heights” (by the Postal Service) cover, found on the Garden State Soundtrack. This song keeps with that soft acoustic style, and I hope you all enjoy it. Definitely a nice song to stare outside at the snow to. You know what I’ll be doing all day today, at least.

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January 10, 2011

Ludacris – My Chick Bad (ft. Nicki Minaj)

So, as you can see, this past holiday season was pretty busy, and I’ve fallen behind with my “songs of the day”. I’ve got some winners to post in the coming days, so keep an eye out for some fresh beets. Anyways, here’s this kinda-newish/oldish Ludacris track (from last March), featuring my gf’s favorite lady-rapper, Nicki Minaj. Gotta love it. “She knock a b***h out and fight / coming out swinging like Tiger Woods’s wife” wins best lyric I’ve heard in 2011 so far. Fo real.

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December 23, 2010

Sufjan Stevens – Come On! Let’s Boogie to the Elf Dance!

Alright all you Holiday, Christmas Music fanatics. This isn’t a new song, but it’s still a huge classic, and Christmas wouldn’t be the same for me without it. Get into the Christmas spirit with this uplifting ditty! For all those non-Christians: just think that enjoying Christmas music while not believing in Christ is a lot like stealing, so keep on keepin’ on.

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BONUS SONG OF THE DAY!!! DECEMBER 16, 2010!!!!

Andrew W.K. – I Get Wet

You’ve all been extra good this week, so here’s your big bonus. Now rock the hell out.

… I’m serious

… are you?

… good

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December 16, 2010

Cee Lo Green – Bright Lights Bigger City

Hey there. Finals week are just about over, and when you finish, crank your speakers to 11 and blast this flashy tune. Cee Lo, R&B superman, has this smash single that you can’t not get stuck in your head. I kind of want to buy a suit, rent a convertible, and pour champagne out the windows; all to this tune. Get your dance on. Or else.

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December 14, 2010

Peter Bjorn and John – Nothing To Worry About

Okay, so I’m ashamed. Literally ashamed that I had not heard this song until this morning. How did it slip by unnoticed? It’s so GOOD! To be wholly honest, I was never overly impressed with “Young Folks” (although I admit I caught myself whistling that tune quite a bit in echoing racquetball courts). This song not only trumps, but straight out destroys “Young Folks”.  Sweet beat, loud sound, and what appears to be a chorus of young kids singing parts of it (and as you know, that makes any song un-hateable). Love it.

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December 13, 2010

Lower Dens – I Get Nervous

So finals week is upon many of us undergraduate, graduate, and phd students… Why not chill out to some mellow tunes while you crank out that 15 page take-home due tomorrow? This song would be perfect for that, no lie. So go make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, open that word document, start this song, and let the music do the rest. Peaceful, calm, cool. It’s just finals week, you can handle it.

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December 12, 2010

Jónsi – Go Do

Not sure how this one slipped by unnoticed for so long. This song is really amazing. I’ll be honest, at first I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but it’s surprisingly grown on me in the past 24 hours. As a former Sigur Rós band member, I have to say I’m much more impressed by Jónsi’s song than his old band’s singles (even the good ones). Sigur Rós, if you’ve forgotten, were an intricate part of the most powerful scene in Life Aquatic (playing “staralfur” when the jaguar shark swims past the sub, their song starts at the 2:15 minute mark). But back to “Go Do”:  ”you wish silence released noise in tremors / you wish i know it surrender to summers / we should always know that we can do everything”. Either his English is bad or he’s a poet. Definitely one or the other. Anyways, you can listen to his full album, streamed here.

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December 11, 2010

Scissor Sisters – Night Work

This is a song I thought I would have heard a LOT more, considering the album has been out since late June.  Oh well, for those of you who haven’t already heard “night work”, you’re in for a treat. Spawned from the gay nightlife scene of New York City, the Scissor Sisters take disco to new heights. Almost always upbeat, their at-times ridiculous lyrics and “fabulous” persona result in some sweet-ass disco, baby. Put some “umpf” in your finals week (or just go clubbing, whatevs).

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December 9, 2010

Cold War Kids – Royal Blue

No… I’m not talking about Kennedy’s and Khrushchev’s teen years (har har har, *slaps knee*). Seriously, though; maybe you’ve heard of Cold War Kids, maybe you haven’t. For those of you not blessed with an alternative, independent radio-station, this band may have slipped by unnoticed. One of their first singles, ”Hang Me Up to Dry“, blew my mind when I first heard it. “Royal Blue”, like many other tracks off other Cold War Kid albums, is simple, sloppy (the good kind), and loud. Look for their new album coming out at the end of January. You will not be disappointed.

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December 8, 2010

Jay-Z – 99 Problems (The Prodigy Remix)

So if you haven’t already come to this conclusion, Jay-Z can be mixed with almost any sample and it comes out sounding epic. I’m serious. If you haven’t heard Jay-Z getting crazy over the Beatles, then download the The Grey Album by Danger Mouse. Still not convinced? Go to your iTunes playlist, and select a random song. That song can be mixed with Jay-Z. I’m not even lying. I just did it to “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon and Garfunkel and “In the Waiting Line” by Zero 7. It works. Well, let’s back to this song of the day… In this mix, the Prodigy’s infiltration into rave and dance-punk goes a step further. A little bit of rap-metal? Maybe. A lot of badassitude? Mos. Def. Enjoy!

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December 6, 2010

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Fire & Water

Today is a treat: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros playing a single off their Itunes Session, “Fire & Water.” Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, who busted onto the music scene this past year and a half, are refreshing, in that they’ve created something beautiful and new (from something old) and made it their own. The incredibly untamed musicianship, the raw vocalizations, the slow builds, and the enthusiasm of the band takes “good music” in a wonderfully new direction. I’m happy to say, it’s a good direction… (in fact, I think it’s powerful enough to cure Bieber Fever… wait, never mind, there’s nothing powerful enough to do that).

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December 5, 2010

Glasser – Apply

I’m still not sure what exactly to make of this song. It’s good–I think? This song is dancing a fine line between peculiar and… something. Ethereal vocals over a two-note melody and dark drum beat. What really makes the song lean towards the “awesome” end of the spectrum is singer Cameron Mesirow’s sharp “cries”… or maybe the better description would be “yelps”. Whatever they are, those sounds add a lot to the song, and it’s interesting, to say the least.

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December 4, 2010

Noah and the Whale – L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.

Hey, how do you feel about listening to a song that makes you feel good about love and life? Oh, you hate those? Then why are you on my blog? Leave. … *waits*…  Now that those Debbie-Downers are gone, let’s talk about L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. Noah and the Whale has come to occupy a very special place in my heart/life/head. Their single “5 Years Time” (coincidently or not) basically accompanied me as I fell–madly–in love with my girlfriend. TMI? Sorry, but it’s true. In all, if you feel like falling in love (again and again), listen to Noah and the Whale. I’m very excited about their new album coming out next March. I hope their song gets stuck in your head (how can you not smile while it is??).

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December 2, 2010

Tobacco – Stretch Your Face

Every so often, you hear a song and think “how badass would this be if it was playing as I walk down a street in slow motion”. Tobacco’s “Stretch Your Face” is one of those songs, fo sho. Put it on your “commute”, “walk to class”, or “about to meet the Russian mafia to exchange guns for the woman you love” mixes. Though I don’t know much about musician Tom Fec, I did find his Wikipedia page. Hope you enjoy the song, we all know I will.

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November 24, 2010

Kanye West – All of the Lights

You wouldn’t believe me unless you heard it yourself, but Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is hands down the BEST rap album I’ve ever heard. I’m not being hyperbolic, here. I’ve never heard anything even close to as good as this. From “All of the Lights” to “Power” to “Monster”, this album delivers on all fronts. You will not regret shelling out the 10 or so dollars to buy this album. This particular track off the record is (at the moment, at least) my favorite song on the album. It’s brassy, bold, and could you ever go wrong with a little Rihanna to back you up? The answer is no, you couldn’t. (Also, this song may or may not be about making love with the lights on)

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November 23, 2010

Maria McKee – If Love Is A Red Dress (Hang Me In Rags)

So okay, this is a throw-back and isn’t that “fresh”, but you can deal. Maria McKee holds (at the 0:59 minute mark) what I believe to be one of the top ten best notes ever held by a human voice. This song would be my favorite on the Pulp Fiction Soundtrack, but unfortunately for Ms. McKee, my heart will always belong to Kool & the Gang.

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November 22, 2010

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

So I’m not sure if you’ve all seen the music video for Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs”. For those of you who are new to the song AND the video, take the time (probably a half hour or so) and really digest what you’re experiencing. Win Butler’s soothing voice is paradoxically at odds to the message he is delivering. “In my dreams, we’re still screaming / we’re still screaming”. At the same time, the video portrays a (hopefully not too nearby) future with heavily armed militia/police groups in a small suburb; and the lives of several teenagers who are caught in the middle. Spike Jones (director of Where the Wild Things Are) created this haunting plea to our senses. Please: take the time to understand what you’re hearing, seeing, and feeling. Shifting uncomfortably? Sobbing? Motionless? To each his own, I suppose.

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November 19, 2010

Sharon Van Etten – Love More

I often find myself falling instantly in love with soft, meaningful songs. Usually, it takes a real poet to leave you feeling different than before you started listening. Van Etten has a truly beautiful voice, and I’m disappointed it’s taken me this long to discover her. Please take the time and give a strong listen. “She made me love / she made me love / she made me love… more”.

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November 17, 2010

Sufjan Stevens – Get Real Get Right

I don’t want to sound heretical, here, but I’m starting to believe that Sufjan Stevens is a modern-day prophet. There, it’s out there, on the table. The Age of Adz couples Sufjan’s subtle Christ-like undertones with tech-savvy musicianship. Did I mention he has a trombone section? No? I didn’t? Well he has three trombone players. No. Big. Deal. This song is my favorite off the new album. “Follow those created deaths / fortune save me from his wrath / spaceship out the house at night / prophet speak what’s on your mind”. Is he mad or brilliant? What’s he seeing that we can’t? Look for my review of Age of Adz in the coming weeks!

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TO VIEW OLDER “SONGS OF THE DAY” HEAD OVER TO THE SONG OF THE DAY ARCHIVE (updated at my leisure)

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• Song Of The Day : Archive