Cover: Lilly Wood & the Prick do Santigold

Pop, folk, electronica and French?  Say what??  Sounds a bit odd but it's such a great blend.  Lilly Wood & the Prick had a chance meeting (introduced by mutual friends) and a day later, composed three songs together.  Since then, they have released the EP Lilly Wood & the What? and the brilliant Invincible Friends.  Appropriately named because these two are already making a mark in the music biz.  Their cover of Santigold's L.E.S. Artistes is unique and of their own style.  It's a blend of a stripped down White Stripes and Cat Power, with the cuteness (at times) of She & Him.  These two are quickly becoming a favorite of Wonky Pop.  Listen to the acoustic and album version below.



Lilly Wood & the Prick - L.E.S. Artistes (album version)


For fans of: Cat Power, She & Him, Santagold, Lilly Allen

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William Fitzsimmons is the most.

Let me just start out by saying John Mayer is the worst. I think it goes without saying that this is a well known fact. Yeah his music is cute, and he dates celebrities. But you can't hide his self-satisfied smug garbage behind a box with strings tied to it (A.K.A. a guitar).

Anyway, when I play William Fitzsimmons I do not think of John Mayer. Others have tried to compare the two, but halfway before these people finish that sentence, I either throw them off a roof, or hang up the phone. It's just not an accurate comparison.  It's like comparing apples and oranges, or grapples to grapes, or coffee to energy drinks, or energy drinks to sleeping. I'm just never going to agree with you. Especially hyped up on all this sugar.

This article is getting a little too crass and slap-stick for how serious and beautiful Senor Fitzsimmons' music is. My current iTunes play count is nearing 300 for So This is Goodbye (Pink Ganter Remix). It's just so soothing. Generally speaking he is acoustic/folk type of music, but sometimes there are subtle electronic notes to his songs (such as one below).

Oh by the way, he was born to two blind parents, so they kept all sorts of instruments in the house, which is why he is as talented and interesting as he is, and also why I would want to meet him. FYI.

William, if you are reading this, just know that you are the most. And also come to New York.
Here is my favorite, which is more electronic than his usual songs.



Here is something more typical of him. Just beautiful.



Oh Billy, come to New York so I can see you.

Posted by Database.

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Review: KT Tunstall "Tiger Suit"

Uummannaq is a town in Greenland - that’s geography for today.  Ready for a little biology?    Next up is Tiger Suit, KT Tunstall’s third studio album that released today.

The title to the album comes from a dream that KT has had since childhood.   She has dreamed for many years of the tiger in her garden, and she has donned a ‘Tiger Suit’, for this album (albeit a bit early for Halloween). 

The focus is on folk rock, swinging into a bluesy twang here and there.  The Uummannaq Song is reminiscent of Suddenly I See from Eye to the Telescope.  It has a similar melody line and feel to it, though it lacks the energy of the original.  (Still a) Weirdo appeals to the, well, weirdo in me.  I like the synthesized whistling in the background.  Fade Like a Shadow is less likely to fade into the background (being the first single) than some of the other songs on the album, my favorite line: You've got a vampire on your neck, Everybody knows what happens next. 

One of the more bluesy numbers is Golden Frames.  I love how the rhythm of the blues sounds all wrapped up in her voice.  Though this album doesn’t have any reach out an grab you tunes like Eye to the Telesope, there are plenty of gems that make it a great listen for a lazy fall day.

Posted by Marbulous.

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Chunk's Daily Truffle Shuffle (and a personal note)

Chunk's been taking a rest over the past week (too much shuffling) but is back today with Bebo Norman's "Walk Down This Mountain."  Bebo is the Contemporary Christian music hearthrob that sent millions of teenage (and adult) girls everywhere confess their love to him... until he got married a few years back, then it all came crumbling down (sort of).  I have been an avid Bebo fan since his very first album, "The Fabric of Verse" from 1996.  I have seen Bebo live in concert over 10 times (you'd think I was one of those crazy teenage girls) and he has never disappointed.

His incredible voice and deep lyrics has been keeping me coming back for more, year after year.  To date, my favorite albums include "Myself When I Am Real" and "Big Blue Sky."  Big Blue Sky has a very personal connection with me and nearly saved my life back in 2000.  Listening to his song "Tip of My Heart" while the rain poured down over my 1994 red Plymouth Duster, as I drove out onto the freeway thru the hills of Wisconsin, it got to me.  I was at a breaking point in my own life and ready to kiss this world goodbye.  I was hoping that during the drive, I would lose control over the car and crash into a freeway embankment or a concrete wall.  I just couldn't bare to live another day, with being so unhappy with who I was.  This song summed up the very way I was feeling.

It's on the tip of my heart, the words to say
But I fall apart and I walk away
There's an angry world pressed against my back 
And at every turn I keep looking back
And I know you promise me
Love through eternity
So why can't I just hold on

I want to live, I want to love
But I'm afraid my simple faith will never be enough
I want to laugh, I want to be set free
And let you hold all that my soul has deep inside of me
But I don't know where to start
It's on the tip of my heart

So would you take my hand, because I'm sinking in
To this life I've made, but don't understand
The clock moves so slowly, but time goes so fast
In this whirlwind world that will never last
This love you're giving me
It's not just make believe
Help me just to hold one
You open the sky, and open my eyes
And all my fears are scattered away
So I walk in grace, because I've seen your face
You are all that matters to me

So I'm gonna live, I'm gonna love
I'm not afraid because your grace will always be enough 
I'm gonna laugh, I'm gonna be set free
And let you hold all that my soul has deep inside of me
You have shown me where to start
It's on the tip of my heart

This song was a wake up call for me.  Everything the world had been telling me, that I wasn't worth it, that I wasn't enough, that I was just mediocre, was a complete lie and I had an entire life ahead of me full of grace and mercy and peace.  I am so thankful that I allow music to impact the very depths of my soul on a daily basis.  Had I not been so willing to hear what Bebo was singing about, I may not be here today.

I don't want this to be a depressing post or a pity post.  I honestly am so happy with my life right now.  I'm like a Gummi Bear, dancing here and there and everywhere (anyone get that reference?).  Sure, there have been bumps in the road but there are great musicians and artists like Bebo who keep me moving forward with their honest lyrics and deep faith.

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REplay

Cary Brothers quickly became a favorite of ours when we first heard his "Blue Eyes" on the platinum selling, Grammy-winning Garden State soundtrack. There's something about the Nashville's mixture of New Wave and Folk music that really grabs our attention and forces us to listen. He has a unique voice and sound and we have his current album "Under Control" on constant repeat. On his latest album, he did a cover of World Machine's "Something About You" (which was the band's only single to hit the top 10 in America). It is an excellent rendition of this 1985 classic hit. We expect great things for Cary Brothers. "Under Control" is available on both iTunes and Legalsounds.com (We prefer Legalsounds!).

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Who can forget Garden State?

Forget New Jersey! I am talking about the movie sillies. 2004, Zach Braff and Natalie Portman showed the world a crazy sort of love, along with an amazing soundtrack. Here's one of my favorite tracks by The Shins, "New Slang."

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Introducing......Jason Myles Goss

Move over John Mayer, there's a new guy in town. I appreciate Jason's voice-- it's in a lower range than John Mayer's or Jason Mraz and it's smooth and romantic. He is a self-created, self-released album artist and for that, I applaud him. His talent is evident and he is surely under appreciated. Take a listen, let me know what you think!
The first song is "Twilight Serenade" (also referred to as "Another Ghost") and a live video of his "Mississippi Red." For fans of Secondhand Serenade, you will also appreciate Jason, minus all the whining that SHS seems to do from time to time.

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introducing....... Ingrid Michaelson

I warmly welcome the sounds of New York native, Ingrid Michaelson. For those of you who love Sarah Bareilles, Colbie Calliat, Tristan Prettyman and even the classic Lisa Loeb, Ingrid will have a great appeal to you. I am really enjoying her, and this song has already made my day brighter! I also think she does a better job than Colbie on Jason Mraz's "Lucky."

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Run.....

"Run" is once again a song that I gravitate towards... Leona Lewis revived the great Snow Patrol's "Run" this year with her single.. and Amy McDonald (though this song has NO connection to Snow Patrol or LL, except for the title) has her "Run" song that gives me chills. Also check out "Let's Start A Band" and "Road to Home" - a couple of my favorites.

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Iron & Wine melts my heart

"Boy With A Coin" - this video by Iron & Wine is absolutely fantastic and the song gives me the biggest goosebumps. Most people know of I&W from the Twilight Soundtrack, "Flightless Bird," quite an amazing love song. You must check them out!

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A song that puts me totally at peace....

I just can't get enough of Ray LaMontagne's voice. This song has some of the best lyrics and I just love it. Here's from his latest album, Gossip in the Grain, "Let it Be Me."

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