Kanye, Lykke Li & Thievery

So there's a few new songs from Kanye out there on the Hype Machine (a site I hope you're familiar with to listen to all sorts of musical goodness from the blogosphere). In any case, Kanye has a song called Cold Winter that sounded eeriely familiar, though it took me a second to place it. The lyrics were Kanye's, undoubtedly, but the melody was something I had heard before, something obscure. Then I remembered - it was a Tears For Fears song called Pale Shelter, from their first album, The Hurting, which came out in 1983.
Now, sampling and stealing are nothing new in rap, and sometimes it works - when the sample or theft manages to become a song in its own right, without reminding you of the original. P. Diddy's "I'll Be Seeing You," is a good example of how NOT to do it. His song is an awful appropriation of another song that never escapes the original. Whereas Will Smith and "Men In Black" - good example of the sample becoming an integral part of the new song, or Biggie, with "Hypnotize" - sampling Herb Alpert's "Rise" (watch it here. Pretty funny stuff - good song, though - it always makes me think of Michael McDonald's "I Keep Forgetting." Just the vibe. Would probably make a decent mashup. Watch it here and let me know what you think.).
I'm not so sure Kanye's does the same job. Does he credit Tears for Fears on the new album?
His song "Stronger" tries hard to break away from the original: "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" by Daft Punk, but never quite makes it, at least for me. I'm sure there are many hip hop fans out there unaware of Daft Punks existence, or Tears For Fears' "Pale Shelter" for that matter, and think Kanye just has some sick hooks. Well, he does, but sometimes they're not his. He's certainly clever and has an ear for them, though.
Check out Kanye's Coldest Winter.
And then listen to Tears For Fears Pale Shelter.
Yeah, that's right.

Lykki Li, a recent discovery by the lovely Kristen, was found to be doing a cover/mashup of Vampire Weekend's "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa." Now, if you don't know Vampire Weekend, I suggest you give them a listen. It took me a while to warm up to them, decide whether or not I liked them or not, but now I can't get enough of them.
But, back to the point, Lykke Li's cover is here. There's several videos on YouTube of her performing the cover, and here's one of them.
And heck, why don't I throw in a rare Vampire Weekend song called Arrows. Enjoy!

Remember kids: Sampling is stealing, but you can sometimes make it sound like you took nothing at all. And covers are borrowing, but if you do them well, you'll never have to give it back.

Been caught stealin',
leon

Obama, Obama

A friend at work brought in this song, a parody - though, no, not really a parody so much as a takeoff, a new spin on it, of A Milli by 'Lil Wayne. Certainly some familiarity with this song will help in your appreciation of the "remake", titled "Obama, Obama," but it not essential to your enjoyment of it. He rewrites the song to make it all about Obama, taking care to rap in the same style as 'Lil Wayne, though his lyrics are a bit more... thoughtful, perhaps - though it is not without the usual hip hop crassness.

Click here for the "Obama, Obama" song on YouTube.

Here's the link to the original on YouTube, A Milli.

Obama, Obama creator(A.P.T.) page and info. It tells you about his creative process, the thought that went into the lyrics and music, the actual lyrics, should you be unable to make them all out yourself. It's good stuff.


I’d rather eat a field mouse
Than to see John McCain in the White House,
leon

Go Slowly by Radiohead

This song is a favorite of mine and I wanted to share it with you.



"Whatever makes you happy"
~Kristen

Melodious Monday

I put together a musical mix of some pretty cool songs. Well...I think these songs are cool, so they simply have to be. My mix is called Melodious Monday and it was made just for YOU. Yep...only for you; our wonderful, faithful, good looking reader. If you know of anyone who might find this blog interesting, spread the word. Spread the love, spread it like buttah. All smooth and buttery like. Everything tastes better with butter.

We can make sandwiches. Do it on the dance floor,

~Kristen

Songs McCain was told he could not use on his campaign.

I've heard in the news several times of artists finding out McCain was using their songs, and quickly told him to cease and desist. First John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, Abba, then Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, Orleans (who allowed George Bush the use of their song, apparently), Heart, Van Halen (at least the Van Halen half - apparently Sammy Hagar was ok with it - not sure who owns the rights to "Right Now" if they both wrote it - also, Bush used it after Tom Petty told him to stop using "I Won't Back Down."), The Foo Fighters and now Bon Jovi. There may be more I haven't heard about. Let me know if you know of any more and I'll add 'em. Unless the artists tell ME I can't use them, either. Probably not. Heh.

Keep on rockin' in the free world,
leon

A little music for Halloween

I had this idea for a Halloween mixed tape while at work (very busy!), and figured I'd throw one together here for my first official Musical Break post. Can you think of any other songs that might fit in here? There must be more...

[download]

running with the devil,
leon

Tahitian Getaway Mix

It's been 3 years since my husband and I took our wonderful trip to Tahiti. In remembrance of our unforgettable honeymoon I made a mix of some of the songs that remind of those special days. I would have added several more songs but they were not available to me.

So hit play, close your eyes and dream of a peaceful place.

Maxin' Relaxin'
~Kristen