A Floor Models fan in Spain -- and I can't believe I just used, without irony, the phrase "a Floor Models fan in Spain" -- made this video for one of the songs from Floor Your Love and passed it along to me last Friday. I had not previously suspected this was in the works, BTW, so you can imagine how astounded I was when it arrived.
Words more or less fail me, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the fan in question has something to do with the estimable Spanish language website Power Pop Action!, which seems to be a spiritual brethren of ours.
In any case, I am utterly blown away over this. Wow.
Oh, and muchos gracias, mi amigo.
[h/t Iron]
Monday, May 13, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
Girls! Girls! Girls! (An Occasional Series): Why Didn't I Get the Memo?
And speaking as we were earlier this week of the fetching Ellen Foley, from her 1979 debut elpee -- produced, quite wonderfully, by Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson -- please enjoy her absolutely fab cover of Timi Yuro's "What's a Matter Baby."
I don't know how I missed this album back in the day, but I gotta tell you, having now finally listened to the thing, I fully concur with the commenters here on Tuesday -- it's a keeper for sure.
That said, I can't imagine Foley was any less nonplussed by the video below...
...than, frankly, I was.
Seriously, whoever those people are, I'd be interested in a detailed accounting of what controlled substances they were on.
[h/t LG]
I don't know how I missed this album back in the day, but I gotta tell you, having now finally listened to the thing, I fully concur with the commenters here on Tuesday -- it's a keeper for sure.
That said, I can't imagine Foley was any less nonplussed by the video below...
...than, frankly, I was.
Seriously, whoever those people are, I'd be interested in a detailed accounting of what controlled substances they were on.
[h/t LG]
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Hey -- I'm Way Older Than That Kid, So I'm Entitled
Taking a well needed break.
Cool stuff resumes tomorrow, scout's honor.
Cool stuff resumes tomorrow, scout's honor.
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Quick, Henry -- the Flit!!!
From their latest EP, Hipster Apocalypse, please enjoy Louisville, KY-based indie power popsters The Uncommon Houseflies and their suspiciously familiar sounding ode to the great ennui, "Nothing New."
Obviously, this is a little more cynical than the similarly themed "It's All Been Done," by the Barenaked Ladies, but I for one not only appreciate the sentiment but also the fact that they were able to flog the conceit for over three minutes without boring me.
I should also add that they had me with the line "Repetition is the death of art."
Obviously, this is a little more cynical than the similarly themed "It's All Been Done," by the Barenaked Ladies, but I for one not only appreciate the sentiment but also the fact that they were able to flog the conceit for over three minutes without boring me.
I should also add that they had me with the line "Repetition is the death of art."
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Girls! Girls! Girls! (An Occasional Series)
From the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1979, please enjoy Ellen Foley and her authoritative cover of The Rolling Stones' puckish satire of contemporary mores "Stupid Girl."
The studio version of this was produced by Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson, BTW.
I gotta say that, having never been a fan of anything remotely connected with the gentleman the New York Times refers to as "Mr. Loaf," I never paid particular attention to Foley except for when she was on TV's Night Court. But I also gotta say that this is freaking great.
[h/t LG]
The studio version of this was produced by Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson, BTW.
I gotta say that, having never been a fan of anything remotely connected with the gentleman the New York Times refers to as "Mr. Loaf," I never paid particular attention to Foley except for when she was on TV's Night Court. But I also gotta say that this is freaking great.
[h/t LG]
Monday, May 06, 2013
À la Recherche du Phil Seymour Perdu
And speaking, as we were last week, of the (sadly) late Phil Seymour, a faithful reader reminded me of two other gems from his solo career.
So, from Phil's 1980 eponymous debut elpee, please enjoy the wonderfully kinetic "I Found a Love"...
...and the ineffably poignant "Precious to Me"
Both of those have guitars and riffs to die for, of course.
I should also add that the Deco film noir-ish office complex in the video is the fabulously spooky Bradbury Building in downtown Los Angeles, which has been featured in countless movies and TV shows over the years.
And which is now number one on my list of places I have to visit before I die.
[h/t FD13NYC]
So, from Phil's 1980 eponymous debut elpee, please enjoy the wonderfully kinetic "I Found a Love"...
...and the ineffably poignant "Precious to Me"
Both of those have guitars and riffs to die for, of course.
I should also add that the Deco film noir-ish office complex in the video is the fabulously spooky Bradbury Building in downtown Los Angeles, which has been featured in countless movies and TV shows over the years.
And which is now number one on my list of places I have to visit before I die.
[h/t FD13NYC]
Saturday, May 04, 2013
Doctor, You've Gotta Be Kidding!
Well, this whole strange two year journey of Floor Your Love: The Album has just gotten a little stranger.
Which is to say that -- unlikely as it may seem -- a guy at an Australian power pop label somehow heard about the album and has...
...wait for it...
...decided to release the thing for real.
The label is called Zero Hour and they do good work. Like this just released tribute album for The Records...
In any case, we're currently hashing out the details -- the packaging is going to change a little, obviously -- and I'll keep you posted on further news as it develops.
Meanwhile -- somebody pinch me, because I still can't believe this.
Which is to say that -- unlikely as it may seem -- a guy at an Australian power pop label somehow heard about the album and has...
...wait for it...
...decided to release the thing for real.
The label is called Zero Hour and they do good work. Like this just released tribute album for The Records...
This tribute gathers a host of bands/artists from around the world to pay tribute to one of the finest power pop bands. Featuring: Bill Lloyd, Off Broadway, Dan Sarka & The Sometimes Why, Donovans Brain (Bobby Sutliff/Dennis Tek), Steven Deal, The Accent, The Split Squad, Lannie Flowers, Zombie Western Baby, Mike Dees, The Injured Parties, The Mold Monkies, The Bottle Kids, Vex and The Vextones, Words, The World Record, The Popdogs, Undecided By Default, The Cheeks and The Broken Rekkids. Original members John Wicks and Will Birch have given it their blessings....so it seems like a good fit for us. I mean Bill Lloyd? Wow.
In any case, we're currently hashing out the details -- the packaging is going to change a little, obviously -- and I'll keep you posted on further news as it develops.
Meanwhile -- somebody pinch me, because I still can't believe this.
Friday, May 03, 2013
Friday Moment of I Have Nothing Together Till Monday (An Occasional Series)
That said, it's a great cartoon.
By the guy who did the classic Nat Lamp frogs legs one, BTW.
[h/t Watertiger]
By the guy who did the classic Nat Lamp frogs legs one, BTW.
[h/t Watertiger]
Thursday, May 02, 2013
A Thursday Moment of Shameless Self-Indulgence (An Occasional Series): Part Deux
Okay, as I mentioned earlier last month, my old garage band geezer rock chums The Weasels have been home recording again, despite countless entreaties to cease and desist by friends and loved ones who feel they've suffered enough for our art.
In any case, here's "None of Your Business," the concluding track on our most recent so-called "album."
Lead vocals, guitar solo and organ are by the song's composer Glenn Leeds; the bass is by the redoubtable Allan Weissman, and the harmony vocals are by Al and friend of PowerPop (Jai Guru) Dave Hawxwell, who also contributes the chiming guitar and harmonics on the coda. I'm not doing much except for the echoey "If Not For You" licks on the choruses, but on the other hand, my guitar is the last thing you hear at the song's conclusion.
In all seriousness, I think this is gorgeous. At the very least, it's so good I can hardly believe it's us.
In any case, here's "None of Your Business," the concluding track on our most recent so-called "album."
Lead vocals, guitar solo and organ are by the song's composer Glenn Leeds; the bass is by the redoubtable Allan Weissman, and the harmony vocals are by Al and friend of PowerPop (Jai Guru) Dave Hawxwell, who also contributes the chiming guitar and harmonics on the coda. I'm not doing much except for the echoey "If Not For You" licks on the choruses, but on the other hand, my guitar is the last thing you hear at the song's conclusion.
In all seriousness, I think this is gorgeous. At the very least, it's so good I can hardly believe it's us.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
She Could Have Had Me If She'd Played Her Cards Right (An Occasional Series)
Yeah, yeah, I know this has absolutely nothing to do with the mission statement of this here blog, but cut me some slack, jack.
And so, from 1961, and an episode of the television series The Roaring 20s, please enjoy the incomparable Dorothy Provine and her definitive version of the charmingly risque Jazz Era standard "Don't Bring Lulu."
The Roaring 20s has never been on video to my knowledge, but of all the Warner Bros. shows of its time, it was by far my favorite, and the reason was pretty much down to Provine, who used to do two or three musical numbers each episode. And to describe her and them as adorable and sexy is to do a serious disservice to the words adorable and sexy. She was a proto-rock star as far as I was concerned, and I was thus gratified to discover, yesterday, that Warner Bros. Records released Provine's version of "Lulu" in England back in the day and that it was a Top 10 hit.
Be nice to me and sometime I'll post her version of "Someone to Watch Over Me," from the same episode, which is heartbreakingly poignant.
Why this woman has more or less been forgotten by history is beyond me, I'll tell you that for free.
And so, from 1961, and an episode of the television series The Roaring 20s, please enjoy the incomparable Dorothy Provine and her definitive version of the charmingly risque Jazz Era standard "Don't Bring Lulu."
The Roaring 20s has never been on video to my knowledge, but of all the Warner Bros. shows of its time, it was by far my favorite, and the reason was pretty much down to Provine, who used to do two or three musical numbers each episode. And to describe her and them as adorable and sexy is to do a serious disservice to the words adorable and sexy. She was a proto-rock star as far as I was concerned, and I was thus gratified to discover, yesterday, that Warner Bros. Records released Provine's version of "Lulu" in England back in the day and that it was a Top 10 hit.
Be nice to me and sometime I'll post her version of "Someone to Watch Over Me," from the same episode, which is heartbreakingly poignant.
Why this woman has more or less been forgotten by history is beyond me, I'll tell you that for free.
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