Maybe you like Norah Jones’s smooth, smoky timbre but just can’t listen to more than three of her tracks without slipping into a coma of relaxation.
I’ve got an answer for that.
Maybe you really dig Imogen Heap, but while some of her songs really land musically, others just come off as being really, really out there.
I’ve got an answer for that, too.
Maybe you’ve grown accustomed to listening to Fresh Scouts when we tell you about artists you should be listening to. Maybe you’re one of the people who already has all the answers. If that’s true, maybe you should be writing for us.
But I’m all maybe’d out, and today’s featured throwback, Welsh singer-songwriter Jem, is a hell of lot more than maybe. She’s hip-hop. She’s trance. She’s electronica.
She’s most definitely.
Her 2004 album “Finally Woken” featured the huge European single of the same name, but it was “24” that first put me on. “They” was the first official single of the album, and all three of the tracks use a crafty mix of sampling, soft vocals, and up-tempo beats to make the compositions all come together. Really the entire album struck me as being pretty unique and innovative at the time, and listening to it six years it still holds up.
She’s put out another album since then, 2008’s “Down to Earth,” and has had songs appear on the “Eragon,” “Sex and the City,” and “Down to Earth” soundtracks, as well as plenty of TV cameos—everything from “The O.C.” to “Grey’s Anatomy” to “Desperate Housewives.”
So Jem has stayed busy since I lost track of her a few years ago, but it looks like the new stuff is along the same lines of what I fell in love with on the first album. And you know, maybe you’re not into Jem. Maybe she just doesn’t do it for you. If that’s the case, maybe—just maybe—it’s time for you to leave…
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I was once convinced by a childhood friend that cotton candy was actually made of cotton. I clearly was not the star pupil in my class. I share that story with you to illustrate the point that I often take things for face value. Case in point…Hockey. I must admit that when I first heard that there was a band named Hockey, I expected a joyous album full of air horns and crunching ice. I had my fingers crossed in the hopes that I would be serenaded by The Hanson Brothers of Slap Shot fame. Well, none of those things came true. That means that I must continue my search for an album full of hockey sounds. And on that journey I am thrilled to bring with me the music of the band, Hockey.
If you love New Wave Indie Rock music that comes from Portland, Oregon than I have a band for you. The band is Hockey and the music is as fresh newly Zambonied ice. 2009 proved to be a breakthrough year for the guys as they lit up the stage at the Glastonbury and Bonnaroo music festivals. They had tracks featured in a television commercial and in two video games. To top it off, they had a rockin’ performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. If they play their cards rights in 2010, they might just win the Stanley Cup. And when I say “win the Stanley Cup”, I mean “sell a lot of records”.
If you want to stay out of the penalty box, I recommend you pick up Mind Chaos. Score yourself a hat trick with the tracks “Work”, “Song Away” and “Four Holy Photos”. Consider yourself the star of the game if you give “Too Fake” multiple spins. Hockey succeeds in constructing an album that is fun and danceable. The tracks fit exceptionally well together and showcase the many musical interests of the group. I am really excited to see where Mind Chaos takes the band because they have something good here. Now I just wait patiently for the guys to release a B-Side with my hockey sounds. I will no doubt enjoy that present while I eat my cotton candy.
Hockey’s studio performance of “Too Fake”
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Fans of Hockey might also enjoy the music of fun.
Some things are just better mixed up. Like the ingredients to make cookies or the ingredients to make cakes or even the ingredients to make brownies. I think I’ve made my point at how delicious mixing can be. But what is even more delicious is the mixing going on with Basement Jaxx. I know you’re probably thinking it’s a guy named Jack who has seriously misspelled his name (by accident) and lives in a basement somewhere. Well if that’s what you thought, you would be partially correct. They are a UK house music duo. Oh wait, I guess you weren’t right at all.
Photos by Jamie Beeden
Basement Jaxx have been releasing catchy dance music since the mid-90s and most recently “mixed up” their tracks with a variety of artists across many different genres in their September 2009 release Scars. This mix of poppy club music will get you breakdancing in no time (that is if you know how to breakdance.) And with collaborations from such FreshScouts artists as Sam Sparro, Santigold and the creator of the milkshake that brought all the boys to the yard, Kelis, you are sure to find a song that’s scrupmtilicious.
But the original idea behind Scars was to release the tracks as a double-album; one album containing the collaborative club tracks they are known for and one album containing what Basement Jaxx describes as a “soundscape” exhibiting the mellower side of the duo. And thus, Zephyr was created. This second installment, admittedly, is probably not going to be the first choice to pop in at your next party. That’s what Scars is for. Zephyr is more an album you’d toss on for some trance-like chillaxin’.
The two actually compliment each other nicely. They are complete opposites that fit a variety of tastes, and since they were offered separately in a short time span, it’s easy to sample each like the cheese and sausage tables at a grocery store. Take one or both or even come back for seconds or thirds. As long as you look like you’re going to buy, it’s all good.
Check out the video for Scars (and some sweet animation from some guy on YouTube….bonus.)
Check out Scars:
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Like Basement Jaxx? Check out Girl Talk!
Izza Kizza – “They’re Everywhere”
It seems like everything that Timbaland touches turns to awesome. This creatively quirky track mixes beats crafted by Mr. Mosley and vocals by Izza Kizza. The song is my sound track choice the next time my buddies and I organize a Zombie Flash Mob. And to answer your question, yes, Zombie Flash Mobs are super cool.
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Green River Ordinance – “On Your Own”
I am loving me some Green River Ordinance right now. Their music is powerful and just makes me feel good. Sort of like the effect a frozen margarita has on me. My low alchol tollerance aside, “On Your Own” is an uplifting track from a band that will no doubt see a lot of airplay in 2010.
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Orianthi – “According To You”
Orianthi shreds on the electric guitar. She is an expert at shredding. In fact, the next time I need to get rid of my old finanical statments I am inviting her over. Because she shreds. The Aussie shredder has backed up heavy weights like Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, and Carrie Underwood. She now steps into the spotlight showcasing her shredding abilities and power pop vocals. Oh, and by the way, she shreds.
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Considering that Sister Hazel is from Gainesville, Florida, it shouldn’t have come as too big a shock that they’d be singing the National Anthem in Chicago the night that former University of Florida studs Joakim Noah and Al Horford went up against each other at the United Center. Still, to be working that particular game and to hear that Sister Hazel—a long-time Fresh Scouts favorite—was in the house… Well, that was a very pleasant surprise.
It was a night in which the band was scheduled to the play the second show of a two-night December stand at House of Blues, but before they took off to get ready to rock, they were kind enough to sit down for a quick impromptu interview with FS.
It’s been well over a decade since “All For You” was a regular on Top 40 radio stations, but Sister Hazel has been a persistent mainstay on the touring circuit ever since. They put out their seventh album, “Release,” just this past August, and with over 700,000 followers on Twitter there’s no questioning their resonance and longevity over the years.
Only lead singer Ken Block and backup singer Drew Copeland were around when we did this interview, but they gave us a great representation of where the band’s at right now. Our job at FreshScouts is to introduce the world to new artists, and while Sister Hazel isn’t a new band by any means, they are somebody that today’s younger generation probably knows little about.
So, for our younger readers, allow us to introduce Sister Hazel. For those of you who already know and love these guys, enjoy catching up with one of the catchiest groups we’ve ever known.
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