Top 5 Songs Of The Week (What a welcomed change from last week edition)

We are both glad there is no snow today (at least not right now). Later in on, we are going to head over to The 32nd Cleveland International Film Festival. Until then, hope you enjoy these songs!

5. {mp3} Soundpool - The Divides of March This quartet from NYC makes lush, ethereal, shoegaze driven electonica dream pop. Reminds us of Asobi Seksu, Broadcast, et al.

4. {mp3} Tokyo Police Club - Your English Is Good This Ontario, Canada based band is bringing their spazzed out hand claps and sonic blasts to The Spot @ Case on April 9th.

3. {mp3} Mr. Gnome - Pirates Hailing from Cleveland, this duo makes indie rock that brings to mind a powerful combination of Cat Power meeting Blonde Redhead.

2. {mp3} Plants and Animals - Good Friend We had a song from this Montreal band in our Top 5 back in December and this track comes from their new full length "Parc Avenue" which is garnering a lot of praise so far including recently a coveted 8.0 rating on pitchfork (so take that for what it is worth). It is very hard to pigeonhole their sound -- but we feel they combine 70's rock, folk, jam, jazz and prog, so whatever you want to call it, it's great.

1. {mp3} Goldfrapp - A&E (Hercules & Love Affair Remix) Throughout 2008 we have really been feeling the new Goldfrapp album, Seventh Tree, and this is a great remix of one of those tracks by "flavor of the moment," Hercules & Love Affair.

I Hate Sarah Marshall

Last night, we had the opportunity (Thanks, Mike!) to see an Advanced-Screening of Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Although, both of us are fans of Judd Apatow's films (ie - 40-yr Old Virgin Virgin, Knocked Up, and Super Bad) we told ourselves to be realistic and that perhaps this shtick inevitably would get old -- so, we walked into the theatre with fairly low expectations. . .

However, after laughing consistently throughout the *entire* film -- we must say that this very vulgar romantic comedy was quite good ;) Thankfully, not like that Farley Brothers crap*

[view trailer]

ps - We highly suggest that check out the entertaining blog, I Hate Sarah Marshall, "written" by Peter Bretter (aka Jason Segel's character)

pss - We were pleasantly surprised to hear a couple tracks played during the movie that we especially love:

[mp3] The Bird and the Bee - Fucking Boyfriend

[mp3] Belle & Sebastian - Seeing Other People

Just Can't Get Enough*

Throughout this chilling winter, we have been immersing ourselves within the lovely world of film (yes, vino as well). Not only have we had the opportunity to see several recently released *quality* films in the theater, we more importantly have had the privilege of catching up on films (already!) on dvd. . .

Next up, this evening we have the pleasure of viewing Dedication directed by Justin Theroux (you may remember him from his awesome role in The Baxter).

[Mp3] Nouvelle Vague - Just Can't Get Enough

ps - Unless you've been living under a rock, then you already know that The 32nd Cleveland International Film Festival is going on through Sunday ;) Do yourself a favor and check it out*

pss - The vino pictured above is a fantastic Zinfandel by Gnarly Head for only $9.99 at your local "G to the E" (aka Giant Eagle)

Top 5 Songs Of The Week (The Storm of 2008 Edition)

Yesterday, it was all over the news about how for the next 36 hours we, in North East Ohio, were going to get *slammed* and we totally rolled our eyes thinking that they were being melodramatic. However, today when we awoke and we walked around our street this is what we saw....

THIS

AND THIS

So, needless to say it looks like the storm has arrived after all. . .Lucky for us, we didn't really have any plans for today so we're glad to have a reason (as if we needed one!) to have a few screwdrivers (mmm good and cheap Svedka Vodka), watch a movie (we are finally going to watch Into The Wild) and just hang out. Also, keep your eyes open because we already plan on doing another post later. . .

But before all that, enjoy these excellent Top Five Songs we're currently listening to:

5. {mp3} Galaxie 500 - Listen The Snow is Falling A nice little piece of shoegazer-pop about the weather today from this great, now defunct Boston Band.

4. {mp3} Saint Bernadette - One In A Million Kelly claims this woman possesses the superb essence of Blondie, so definitely check it out for yourself and see if you agree?

3. {mp3} Beach House - Astronaut As we have mentioned before -- this awesome Duo from Baltimore that reminds us of Nico meets Mazzy Star are coming to Cleveland's Grog Shop on March 27th w/ The Papercuts (although we unfortunately won't be in attendance because we will be in Puerto Rico). However, we highly suggest that you should go (and, see them at a show near you) so you can witness their dreamy, ethereal, and warm melodies in person.

2. {mp3} Fleet Foxes - Quite Houses This Washington State based band is bringing their 70s influenced Folk Rock + Baroque style vocals to The Grog Shop on Friday April 4th w/ tour mates Blitzen Trapper and we for one can't wait. This is another band that at first you might say, "this sounds like Band Of Horses," but the more you listen you hear it is clearly Neil Young influenced.

1. {mp3} Elani Mendell - Salt Truck On a day like today a song with lyrics like these "Salt truck, Salt truck after hours, Spinning in the snowflake showers, I want roads I can drive on, I want a friend I can rely on" seems completely appropriate.

ps - Be safe and have a wonderful afternoon!

Tonight: Bon Iver w/ Black Mountain

Who: Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver (opening for Black Mountain)

What: A low-key singer songwriter brings his beautiful tales, inspired by the isolation of the Wisconsin woods, to Cleveland

Where: The Grog Shop (only $10/ticket)

When: Tonight! Doors open at 9pm with Nordic Nomadic

Why: Because it's the perfect way to bring in the *almost* weekend!

[Check out] the variety of things that make Bon Iver tick

{Mp3} Black Mountain - Don't Run Our Hearts Around
{Mp3} Bon Iver - Flume (live on Radio K)

ps - This music is best accompanied by LAGUNITA'S Rich Copper Ale which is an American amber that is subtly floral with pleasant consistent hops throughout

Finally our Primary is here...

I don't know about you, but we (Kelly and I) are very glad to see this day finally come. For today is our Presidential Primary here in OHIO and we finally have a chance to put an end (at least for a little bit) to all of these incessant Hillary and Obama advertisements. However, we must admit that both of us have enjoyed the many parodies of Hillary's 3am ad. Speaking of fear mongering -- all of this talk reminds us of the awesome scene below from Donnie Darko (On a side note: we have watched this movie at least 20 times and only recently did we realize that Seth Rogen is in this film)



And, speaking of Mr. Obama -- last night at The Beachland Ballroom the one and only The Arcade Fire played a free show or two (was it was a rumor?) in support of his campaign. We attempted to wait in the cold freezing rain along with several hundred others, but after over an hour with the temperature continuing to get drop and the rain growing stronger, we gave up. We know that is pretty lame, but we were freezing and there was no indication that we were going to get inside the venue anytime soon or at all. We still have never been able to see The Arcade Fire in Cleveland, but we did see them at Lollapalooza 2005 -- and that performance was unbelievable and so was the heat (which was well over 100 degrees).


In the entire time that Kelly and I have been together, I think that this might be the longest stretch we have gone without seeing a show which is at about 3 months right now (The last show we saw was José Gonzalez at The Grog back in early December). But fortunately, our drought is about to end this Thursday at The Grog Shop when with great anticipation we will be attending the Bon Iver/Black Mountain show.

For your listening pleasure:

(mp3) Bon Iver - Lump Sum (Live)

(mp3) Recent Bon Iver Interview on sri.uwec

Top 5 Songs Of The Week (Soba Soup Is Good ! Edition)

This evening, we had the pleasure of cooking a fabulous Chicken and Soba Noodle Soup Recipe, compliments of Williams-Sonoma.

mmmmmmmmmm

We are so stuffed after our meal, we got nothing to say but enjoy....

5. {mp3} Strip Squad - Unreliable Narrator "When he masturbates, he thinks about many things". . .umm, how can you not love twee pop?!?

4. {mp3} M.I.A. - Jimmy (DJ Eli Remix) This remix is pretty much amazing!!

3. {mp3} Dengue Fever - Sober Driver You may recognize this fascinating American band that plays Cambodian-influenced rock from The Broken Flowers Soundtrack or heard last week on NPR's Fresh Air

2. {mp3} Nada Surf - These Bones This week, we fortunately had the opportunity to spend some time with their *very* awesome latest effort, Lucky -- we highly recommend that you do the same :)

1. {mp3} Lykke Li - Let It Fall This song is THE JAM of the week, and you might recall that this past week we featured a different (and equally lovely) song of hers, but it is because we cannot stop listening to her album because she owns!!

ps - Tonight at Touch is Shake 'n Pop featuring our buddy Good Life Mike. If you would like to hear more jams, then get your @$$ there and get down on the floor!!!!!!