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chromatic return

2 Apr

Today’s Indie: The Page / Chromatics

‘and if you love me like you say / take this book and burn a page / the rain will wash away the ashes’

I came across Chromatics via their cover of Neil Young’s Into the Black, and am now settling happily into their original work. I love the contrast of hard guitar and soft vocals, layered with synth. The Page is off the Portland band’s recent release, Kill for Love– their first album in five years. Not sure what they were doing all that time, but glad that they have resurfaced. #indie/tory

Today’s Untz: Return of the Mack / Mark Morrison (Viceroy “Jet Life” remix)

Viceroy, the man who reps summer time all the time, just released his eagerly anticipated remix of “Return Of The Mack” by Mark Morrison. First off, the original song is one of the greatest songs of all time. Viceroy, in typical fashion, turns this classic into an anthem that is perfectly suited for tropical weather, sunshine, and sheer happiness. It’s exactly why I was initially attracted to Viceroy when I first heard him some time ago.

It’s also a plus that he’s based right here in San Francisco. Perhaps living in a city which doesn’t actually have a summer has inspired him to created music that brings about that happy feeling associated with warm weather. Unfortunately, I missed my chance to see him this past Friday with another favorite of mine, Plastic Plates although I’m sure I’ll have another. The next time I won’t take so kindly to my previously scheduled plans. For now, along with all of you, I’m gonna enjoy this fresh tune. Happy Monday. #untz / tom

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young and naive

15 Feb

I hope everyone is nursing their chocolate and heart shaped meatloaf and champagne (or whiskey) hangovers from Valentines Day with some strong black coffee and some solid midweek music. Here are a couple tracks to get you started.

Today’s Indie: Into the Black  / Chromatics (Neil Young cover)

‘it’s better to burn out / than to fade away’

As I get older, I am finding my dad has had more of a musical influence on me than I ever expected. As I have mentioned in earlier posts, Neil Young played on near constant loop throughout my childhood amidst a lot of rolled eyes and sighs from my sisters and I. To my chagrin, now the old songs that I complained about with such vehemence in my youth have come back to visit like an old friend you never realized you liked in the first place but are happy to see again. There is familiarity and comfort woven throughout so many of them, so when I came across this cover of Into the Black the other day I was instantly struck by it.

While I have posted some funky dream wavvy covers of Harvest Moon, lo-fi Oregonians Chromatics spin a darker, more subdued web around Neil’s song that is settling into me in just the right way. I don’t know if I will ever show such allegiance as to post classic Neil (maybe on your birthday dad) but I will admit to embracing him with newfound respect. Rock and roll is here to stay. #indie

Today’s Untz: Naive / The Kooks (Jean Tonique remix)

‘so how could this be done / by such a smiling sweetheart / you’re so naive’

A quick change of pace: put on your roller skates and turn on a disco ball, it is time for a Wednesday afternoon old school Kooks dance party around the office. I have heard Naive and a dozen remixes of it more than I can count, but I am loving the pacing of Jean Tonique’s take here… turning it up.  #untz

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