Covers - "Get Your Hands Off My Woman" by the Darkness

Original: "Get Your Hand Off My Woman" by Ben Folds

The Darkness were a flash of rock greatness and then disappeared in the late 2000's - a kind of one-hit wonder. I wish they had stuck around a bit longer because they have such an authentic 80s-rock sound that is hard to replicate without becoming pretentious or completely stuck in the past without sounding pathetic.

I love me some Ben Folds and this is one of his most amusing songs. I never thought it could be covered well, but somehow I really do enjoy this version a lot. It really just rocks. No music videos to speak of, but you can listen to it and compare it to the original, which is also brilliant. Gotta love men who sing in falsetto.

Visit the Darkness and Ben Folds online.



The original by Ben Folds.

New Favorites - "Short and Entertaining" by JAMAICA

JAMAICA is a new rock/pop duo that really has me excited. They have such a great old-school sound and yet a really amazing newness to them that is really nice to hear. I fell upon this song completely randomly and it's got me wanting to download their new album on iTunes (I never actually buy music online).  Give a listen and tell me what you think. I'm really loving everything about it.

I can't find out much about them other than that they're French and that most of their music is snyth-free, which I really think is smart and very impressive.

Check JAMAICA out.




JAMAICA - 'Short and Entertaining' VIDEO from bermudapants on Vimeo.

Local/Indie Music - "Please Don't Go" by Barcelona

Originally from Seattle, Washington, indie/rock group Barcelona has an amazing sound. With only three members in the band, they have a simple musical formula (which tends to be piano-heavy) and really is greater than the sum of it's parts.

Originally, the band created their own label called NBD in order to stay focused on writing and keeping their artistic control in tact. In 2008 they signed with Universal Records, but split from the major label in 2010. They quote other indie bands such as Lovedrug and Copeland as influences.

I could honestly listen to this song for a week straight. And the video is absolutely mesmerizing. I recommend clicking on the link and watching in full-screen HD. Enjoy.

Barcelona on MySpace.

Please Don't Go from Destinyzd on Vimeo.

International Spotlight - "Forget" by Vania and the Master

I don't know much about Vania and the Master besides that they are from Stuttgart, Germany. And that this song rocks my socks. The graphic design in this music video is tremendous as well - designed and animated by Michael Fragstein. Check it.

Vania and the Master on MySpace.

Michael Fragstein.


Forget from Michael Fragstein on Vimeo.

Shuffle Song - "Surprise Hotel" by Fool's Gold

I have honestly heard this song a million times this summer. In stores, on streets, on stereos driving down my block. It just appeals to everyone.

The members of Fool's Gold hail from Los Angeles, California and you can certainly tell. They have that Southwest, pseudo-Latino vibe happening in their music, but it doesn't overshadow their rock/pop roots. Happy, fun and just plain satisfying to listen to, I think "Surprise Hotel" is unofficially summer song of 2010. Plus, the video is just damn funny and pretty brilliant.

Fool's Gold on MySpace.

Covers - "Black and Gold" by Katy Perry

Original: "Black and Gold" by Sam Sparro.

I'm not a huge Katy Perry fan. I don't particularly love Sam Sparro. But Katy Perry covering Sam Sparro just works.

Lord knows I have an affinity for acoustic covers of R&B/Hip-Hop songs, but this truly is a great cover. The lyrics are beautiful and I think this version really allows you to hear them as opposed to the intense dance-beat that is always attributed a Sam Sparro song.

A little pop never hurt no one.



Watch the original by Sam Sparro HERE.

New Favorites - "Rabbit Song" by Boy & Bear

Boy and the Bear really impressed me at first listen. The lead singer Dave Hosking has an incredibly interesting vocal quality that you don't hear too often in mainstream music. The band as a whole generally evokes a sense of old-world/folk artistry that I wish were more present in today's music. Other bands with a comparable sound include Mumford & Sons from the UK and Blitzen Trapper from Portland, Oregon, but Boy and the Bear tend rock a bit heavier.

The music video is very Where the Wild Things Are. Gotta love it.

Boy & Bear on MySpace.