Everything Is Backwards Here

Lucky Soul “Get Outta Town!” – Whether you’ve been reading this site for five weeks or five years, you’ve probably figured out that there are few things I love more than songs that sound as though their sheet music is just a bunch of exclamation points on a staff. Lucky Soul are hardly attempting to reinvent the wheel when it comes to “Northern Soul” — they lack the postmodern angle of the Pipettes or Amy Winehouse’s cult of personality — but their craft and spirit are enough to catapult their top tunes into the realm of poppy bliss. Ali Howard’s demure voice is light on bombast and chops, but she is capable of expressing the nuances of both overwhelming joy and melodramatic sorrow with charm and grace. (Click here to buy it from Bleep.)

Hauschka / Chica and the Folder “Para Bien (Gingko Tree)” – Chica and the Folder don’t exactly rework or remix Hauschka’s prepared piano piece “Gingko Tree” so much as build a little castle on its foundation. The new version emphasizes the distinct, enchanted sound of the original solo piano arrangement without overstuffing the composition with unnecessary instrumentation. The track feels ever so slightly lost and confused, but there’s no fear in this music, just peacefulness and curiosity. (Click here to buy it from EAR/Rational Music.)

Of Montreal Winners!!!: As it turns out, some people did submit entries for the contest that conformed to the original rules. Apologies to everyone who put in for the raffle, but I’ve decided to honor the folks who put in the extra effort and risked public embarrassment by sending in video clips of themselves.

The first winner is William C., who performed Radiohead’s “Creep” with a thick French accent. If I ever have a Dan Bejar lookalike contest, William will probably win that as well.

The second set of winners are Beth and Cassidy, who sent in this video clip of themselves dancing and goofing around to the tune of Of Montreal’s “Suffer For Fashion.”

Thanks to New York Magazine for the tickets, and to everyone who entered, especially Anna M and Mike S who both certainly deserve honorable mentions for their efforts.

Elsewhere: Behold! Anderson Cooper and “The Unicorn’s Comfort” and The Five Magical Sex Acts of Cory Kennedy.