acoustic covers of major songs by random people on youtube.

It's an addiction.

For some reason, I typically get annoyed when successful bands cover other band's songs. However, it is very much a visceral annoyance; I get annoyed with myself for being annoyed because it's just the band's way of paying homage to other great artists. Just making mo' music.
(WAIT. EXCEPT FOR TIM MCGRAW'S COVER OF "WHEN THE STARS GO BLUE" AND JOHN MAYER'S COVER OF "FREE FALLING". THAT IS A LUCID, VERY LUCID ANNOYANCE.)

When random people cover songs, though, I LOVE it. I've had a long term romantic involvement with acoustic guitars. Something about people being able to take in these songs that I love so much and . . . reproduce them?! That's fucking awesome. Awesome, awesome.

Anyway, here's some cool ones I came across. The wonderful thing about youtube becoming scarily large is that you can type basically any song you love in, and find a decent cover someone's poured his or her heart into. Yes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CKKIYvsmdE
^ "the general" by dispatch ---> after watching this, I printed out the major chords and have plans to actually really commit to learning some guitar. So. Awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp-wFsrM-Ng
^"whip my hair" by willow smith ---> yes, listen to that. Your ears require this. Absolutely amazing. The voice. The guitar. Such a good cover. Although I hate the back up vocals. git outta thurr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXiSdcTIY5A&feature=related
^^"i came as a rat" by modest mouse --->I like the awkward edge. This whole cover is right on the border between too awkward and good, but it totally works for this song. It's a borderline kind of song. (Incidentally, this is currently my favorite MM)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G4cZWZdcTw
^ "say yes" - elliott smith ---> OH DEAR GOD. this is the most Elliott Smith-y cover I have ever heard. hasdfjsdsa.
Okay so I may have just watched like five Elliott Smith covers by this guy. Oh my god. I can't handle it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47nwpfjNmbo&feature=related is especially fucking awe-inspiring.
Okay so I may have just creeped even harder on this guy, and he's an accomplished musician in his own right - http://mitchgettman.com/ Check it!
Look at that. The internet, making musical exploration so very easy.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp-DiYMiFT4
^piano cover of "fake palindromes" by andrew bird ---> yes. What else is there to say.
Also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCiNiIl-u-0&feature=related ("I will follow you into the dark" piano cover by the same dude)
Alright this guy is worthy of obsession, too, yall.






Alright so lessons learned today:
1) youtube is useful when you feel the need to creep on gifted musicians
2) covers by unknowns of well known songs are wonderful
3) I feel extremely inadequate and will now retire to the living room, where I shall work on the major chords. Everyone starts at the bottom. That is what I will repeat whenever these ridiculously talented people make me feel highly highly inadequate.

reed college

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agW-bA30nqo




<3 the song

Just a little something...

...funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB8Kex57FXg&feature=player_embedded#!

my study jamz

My study music has consisted of replaying the entire works of two artists over and over again.

The two artists?

1. Bon Iver
2. Das Racist





...yeah. I don't know what that contrast means about my study habits.

Lovely Songs

Tame Impala- Half Full Glass of Wine

So new school, its old school. Solid Aussie psychedelic rock with a classic drum solo at the end.

Pretty Lights- Finally Moving

I was introduced to this on a sunset drive to the desert. Perfect. (If you like it, he lets you download all of his albums and EP's for free on his website. All it costs is an email a month. No spam I swear. If not, ask me I have it all.)

Toro Y Moi- Talamak and/or Blessa

I'm at an even split between these two songs. Mellow, trippy, beautiful.

Crystal Castles- Baptism

If Karen O. did electronic, it would sound like this song.

Deerhunter- Nothing Ever Happened

Old, but oh so good.

Grizzly Bear- He Hit Me(It Felt Like A Kiss)

Not that I'm already overly obsessed with them or anything, but I particularly love this cover.

Also, watch this :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEDqk67AhsE.

Good Old War- That's Some Dream

Saw them live in a tiny little room with 30 other people. They came down and played in the crowd acousticly and we all sang along. We talked with the guys after for half and hour, just casual conversation like they were old buddies. Some of the nicest and most talented live singers I have ever seen. The harmonies blended together effortlessly. Needless to say, my favorite small show so far. This was the encore.

Matt and Kim- Silver Tiles

Speaking of encores, this was the encore for the most intense jumping, screaming, mosh pit, sweat and beer everywhere concert I have ever been to. Live, they mixed it with rave music halfway through and Kim danced on the crowd. Like as in she jumped off her drum set and danced on the hands that caught her. You can kind of get a taste.

THIS IS THE COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER FOUND ON YOUTUBE.

Look up Take Away Shows or LaBlogotheque. They have sooooooo many bands and artists that come to Paris and just wander in the street and play live. I spent 3 hours on this.

One of my favorites: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt7fuzgYrc4