This post was submitted by Rocky

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everybody!!!

OK, remember how I loathe each and every little thing about Valentine’s Day? Well, that’s how much I love St. Patrick’s Day! Let’s all wear green and get fucked up, because a dude got rid of some snakes? Now, that’s a holiday I can get behind. (Snakes suck! Celebrate it!) Plus, not many people know this, seeing as how I’m black and all, but my great-grandfather was Irish. It’s true! According to family lore, he was on holiday in Barbados and fell in love with my great-grandmother, so he stuck around and they got married and made babies. So, as you can see, I come by my unfortunate cultural stereotypes honestly. And speaking of which, what did I do with that bottle of Jameson…? While I rummage through my desk for that, please enjoy this week’s installment of What We’re Listening To, TNG’s weekly rundown of the music we love. On the menu this week, we’ve got: Clout, Fol Chen, Bourgeois Tagg, Neko Case, White Lies, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Roisin Murphy, Air, Marissa Nadler, and my bottomless, unwavering love for Morrissey. All our reviews, plus the mixtape, await you below the fold.

Clout—The Best of Clout

A real great among greatest hits albums. Clout was a disco-pop group from South Africa. Formed in 1977, they’re well-known for “Substitute,” a catchy disco tune also covered by Gloria Gaynor. Other addictive hits include “Save Me”, “Under Fire”, and “The Best of Me.” Their 1981 single, “Portable Radio” was the group’s last, but not least by any measure. Honestly, with so many great hits, I don’t know why this band has such a low profile in the United States. – Matt

Fol Chen—Part I: John Shade, Your Fortune’s Made

My tastes have been straying towards synth-y, female-fronted, electro-pop recently without me even noticing, so it isn’t surprising that my latest obsession, California-based Fol Chen, fits squarely into this mold. The group’s first album, Part I: John Shade, Your Fortune’s Made, is full of contradictions from the surprisingly dark “The Believers” to the unexpectedly upbeat “No Wedding Cake”. My favorite track, however, is easily “Cable TV” – an ode to simple pleasures and small luxuries, like a seedy motel with, you guessed it, cable TV. It’s totally recession appropriate while still being fun. The video for the song is kind of awesome too and it makes me wish I had a group of what appear to be American Apparel sales girls dancing behind me at all times. – Jolly

Bourgeois Tagg—Bourgeois Tagg

Let’s get down to business: a good album, but the gem is “Mutual Surrender (What a Wonderful World).” The so-simple-they’re-clever lyrics use clichéd images of war (a fired gun, a dagger) and surrender (throwing up the hands, raising a white flag, etc.) as not-so-subtle sexual metaphors. It’s only upon watching the video for the song that Bourgeois Tagg is revealed to be five ungainly, unpretty, atrociously-coiffed musicians, guys you’d be laughing too hard at to want to fuck. They could sing a pretty effective come-on, though, full of insistent, thudding drums and teasing vocals. Now that Brent Bourgeois has become a born-again Christian, I imagine he’s not singing songs like this anymore. – Philip

Neko Case—Middle Cyclone

She’s done it again. The fire-haired siren, the impish coquette, the grounded and ethereal serenader, the ambassador of animals has delivered with her latest album of rock-a-bye love songs dripping with honeyed fears and desires. Her seductive voice, creative lyrics, and love of nature (thank you Neko for the 30 minute track of crickets at the end of the album) are trademarks of this ginger gal. I’ve had it on loop since NPR released its Exclusive First Listen on Feb 24 and since it became available on itunes last Tuesday. If I had to choose a favorite track, it’d be “This Tornado Loves You;” although “Magpie to the Morning” and “People Got a Lot of Nerve” are both good too. – Maggie

White Lies—To Lose My Life

Take Depeche Mode, Joy Division, The Presets, and a whole lot of beautiful death imagery that would make the romantic poets proud and put it in a blender. What do you get? Uh, a gross mix of CDs and poetry in a blender. Eww. Why would you actually do that? But for those who don’t take my advice so literally, London band The While Lies’ new CD, which comes up today, provides a grim blast of industrial-infused dance rock that will make you contemplate the grim truths of mortality on the dance floor. Which will happen anyway if you drink too much redbull, but thats for a different article. (Plus they’re playing at the Black Cat on March 24th with Friendly Fires. Should be fun…) – Zack

Kelly Clarkson—All I Ever Wanted

It’s with just a little bit of shame that I submit this as what I’m listening to right now, and probably for the next month or so. Clarkson’s vocal ability has always been impressive, and I’ve come to respect her after she stood up to music execs on her last album, but what really has me listening to her new CD is that it’s just so much fun. The first single, “My Life Would Suck Without You,” is a decent track but is far more glossy and generic-sounding than many of the other songs, several of which are sure to be headed to radio soon. “I Do Not Hook Up” and “Don’t Let Me Stop You” prove that Clarkson has mastered the (albeit questionable) pop rock genre, while “Cry” and “If I Can’t Have You” show that she’s able to flirt respectively with country and electro-pop, as well. Her new musical team out of Nashville provides a nice swagger to it all and the production (which is the make-or-break factor with this type of music) is certainly better than on her last effort. – Corey

Britney Spears—Circus

I debated whether or not I wanted to embrace and share my bad taste this week, but I think in the sake of honesty, I need to just say it. My name is Jenna Lowenstein, and I’m a Britney addict. It started innocently enough. I took a short road trip down to NC last week, and my friends and I grabbed this album during a Target run before we got in the car. It was catchy, it was sing-along-able, and we played it all the way to the beach. And back. But I’ve been home since Monday, and the album is still in heavy rotation on my ipod. The album’s first single “Womanizer” was the inimitable Ms. Spears’ first number one single on the Billboard charts since “… Baby One More Time” all the way back in 1998. As befits that honor, “Womanizer” is delightfully poppy and polished. But the real stars of the album, in my humble opinion, are the second and third singles, “Circus” and “If You Seek Amy.” Shockingly, tickets are still available for Britney’s March 24 show at the Verizon Center, if you’re interested. – Jenna

Roisin Murphy—Overpowered

A friend of mine recently introduced me to Roisin Murphy, whose new album Overpowered has yet to be released in the US. I’m not usually into club music, but I’m impressed by a number of songs, particularly the jump up and dance tracks “Movie Star,” and “Cry Baby,” yet my favorite is “Dear Miami,” which juxtaposes the glamour of Miami culture with the realities of climate change. Yes, I’m serious. The first time I heard “Dear Miami” was the coldest day of the year. It was sent to me as part of a Youtube slideshow of sunny Miami. I haven’t been able to stop humming it since. “Dear Miami, you’re the first to go/disappearing under melted snow/each and everyone turn your critical eye/on the burning sun, and try not to cry.” – Ben

Air—Moon Safari

Sigh, je t’aime, Air. I’ve been hooked on these guys for a number of years and keep finding more and more in their work that draws me in. This French electronic duo hits the spot when you need to really clear your head. Nicholas Godin and Jean-Benoit Dunckel’s first album, Moon Safari (1998), is a rich, warm wash. It’s spacey and spacious (“Talisman”), and full of synth keyboards and strings (“All I Need”). Many of their songs are instrumental, influenced by dance (“Sexy Boy”), new age electronica (“Remember”) and cool jazz (“Ce Matin La”). When there are vocals, they are slightly aloof, slightly robotic but still emotional. Here’s what to do: get kinda drunk, put on an Air album, and chill the eff out. If this is up your alley, you’ll also love Talkie Walkie and Pocket Symphony. – Chris

Marissa Nadler—Little Hells

If Emily Bronte were reincarnated as an American singer-songwriter, she’d be Marissa Nadler. Doomed lovers, ghosts, haunted landscapes all are featured in these dark tunes, which feature Nadler’s lovely soprano and spare guitar playing. This time, the backdrop is updated with a few synths and retro-drum machines. Some of the tunes drift toward the Mazzy Star and Low territory, but all Nadler’s compositions retain their dark, timeless quality. – Craig

Morrissey—Years of Refusal

Ah, Morrissey! The patron saint of clinically depressed, gay English majors everywhere, what would we do without you?! I’m always a little nervous when a new Morrissey album comes out. It’s like, “What if he’s finally made peace with himself and the world? What if he’s found the love of his life and now he’s all rainbows and puppies and shit? Wouldn’t that suck?” Not that I wish Morrissey any unhappiness, of course, but I would miss the drama, the clever cynicism, and the way he turns what’s essentially just straight-up whining into an art form both elegant and utterly heartbreaking. Fortunately, Years of Refusal, his latest album, has all those things in spades. It’s nothing particularly groundbreaking. If you like Morrissey, you’ll love it; if not, you’ll probably be annoyed. Obviously, I’m in the former camp, so I’m thrilled to have a new record for rainy days, both literal and figurative. The standout tracks include “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris,” which rivals some of the best work he’s ever done, and “All You Need Is Me,” the most fucked-up, yet strangely entertaining song I’ve heard in quite some time. In case you missed it yesterday, here are some of Michael’s photos from his show at The Warner Theatre. I’m going to the Philly show in a few weeks, and I can’t wait! I’m coming, Papa! – Rocky

And without any further ado… THE MIXTAPE!

Click me!

Fortunately, I had a plethora of wonderful albums and artists to choose from while making this week’s mixtape, but me being me, I still had to go and tack on a little something extra. Did you happen to see the Antony & The Johnsons show at the 6th and I Synagogue a few weeks ago? Well, I didn’t, because I was lazy and now I’m a little put out about it. The next day it seemed like everyone I know in DC had been there and couldn’t stop crowing about it and then I saw a video of the show online. Absolutely gorgeous. I’m a bonehead. Anyway, to atone to the concert gods, I’ve added my favorite A&tJ song, “Fistful of Love.” “We live together in a photograph of time…” What a lovely thing to say. Check out the playlist below:

Morrissey – “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris” (Rocky)
Marissa Nadler – “River of Dirt” (Craig)
Fol Chen – “The Believers” (Jolly)
Clout – “Substitute” (Matt)
Kelly Clarkson – “Cry” (Corey)
Neko Case – “People Got a Lot of Nerve” (Maggie)
White Lies – “To Lose My Life” (Zack)
Britney Spears – “Circus” (Jenna)
Roisin Murphy – “Dear Miami” (Ben)
Air – “Kelly Watch the Stars” (Chris)
Antony & The Johnsons – “Fistful of Love” (Rocky)

Once again, playlist.com was uncooperative when it came to Philip’s selection this week, but he was once again kind enough to provide us with a video. Click this!

And with that, I shall bid you a fond adieu. I’d say don’t do anything I wouldn’t do tonight, but that list is depressingly short, so I’ll just say have an absurd amount of fun and try not to get fired tomorrow. But only if you’re over 21! (Where my lawyers at?!) Until next week, folks!

---

First time here? See what we're all about... Get involved... Send us a tip!...

---