September 23rd, 2008 12:33pm

Counting Up From Backwards

Dressy Bessy “Do You Whisper?” – The great thing about Tammy Ealom’s voice — aside from that she sounds a bit like a shinier, crisper variation on Kim Deal — is the way she invests her peppy, girly pop songs with a gentle authority. She always comes off as being assertive, but in a friendly, supportive Big Sister sort of way. That certainly comes across in this brisk, instantly ingratiating number, in which she plays the part of the bemused observer of a charmingly awkward courtship. (Also, please note the terrific “kiss/her, kiss/her” backing vocals in this track. So simple, but it really makes the song.) (Click here to buy it from Transdreamer.)

Madlib featuring Frezna “Yo Yo Affairs parts 1 and 2” – Even if the corny intro bit was not there to tip you off, I’m pretty sure most anyone this side of Ned Flanders could figure out that this is a song about smoking weed done up in romantic R&B ballad drag. The irony is a bit hollow, but the tune is smooth, casual, and lovely. The specific organ tone is especially great, to the point that I’d never want to hear a version of the song without it — there’s a particular color and weight to the notes and chords that holds it together, and makes the piece about ten times more seductive than it might be without it. (Click here to buy it from Stones Throw.)