Pittsburgh Net Radio Mix - Lucia Aguirre's Kaleidoscope Eclectic #3

Lucia M. Aguirre
is a cross between a modern "renaissance woman" and someone who just has way
too much time in her hands. She is an architect, artist, writer, has her own
"The Lucia martini" available at the Lava Lounge in the Pittsburgh's Southside;
and is also a music aficionado who can be spotted at many shows in Pittsburgh
and around the tri-state area.
Kaleidoscope
Eclectic #3
01
"Summer of Protest" by The
Dears from Montreal, Canada. This band's music is rather gloomy and apocalyptic,
even pre-9/11 era. While the "Protest" EP was recorded in the summer
of 2001, its poignancy and timing could not have been better (I picked this
song after watching a "State Of The Union" address. The Dears gained
notoriety and main-stream success with their second full-length album No Cities
Left, and rumor has it that they were hand-picked by Morrisey himself to open
for him in his Montreal show after he found haunting and delightful Murrays's
voice, which is similar to his. Currently The Dears are supporting their new
album Gang Of Losers.
02 "Sodium Light Baby" by The
The (Matt Johnson) from his "Dusk" record. I have to say I love
this album! It is rather dramatic and intense with a mental and physical heat
that is palpable
the word "anguish" comes to mind.
03 "Lullaby" by Priscilla
Ahn. I discovered this girl via myspace, and I just loved her voice, which
has a subtle melodious clarity that I find very soothing. She'll be opening
for Alexi Murdoch at the Hotel Café in LA next month, so catch both of
them live!
04 "Soul Meets Body" by Death
Cab for Cutie. I don't have much to say about this band since they are pretty
well known thanks to certain "O.C" TV show. Regardless of their notoriety,
I love their lyrics. This song in particular I like a lot, puts me in a great
mood.
05 "Focus In" by local band Tangerine,
who is currently working hard on their new album and which should be released
this spring '07. For me this song stands-out because it has a refrained cohesiveness
to it that gives it a different feel to the rest of the album, which brings
to mind the title of the song. After checking out the album notes, this track's
only distinctive quality comes from being performed in its entirety (instruments
and all) by the band mastermind and always talented Mr. Tony Matz (so go figure!)
06 "In My Life" by The
Beatles
. Released in 1965 in the Rubber Soul album. I've loved the
Beatles since I was a little kid thanks to my Dad's influence, but I have to
admit that even now as an adult I keep finding reasons either by myself or through
people I love to continue this "musical affair" haha! According to
John Lennon himself, this was one of the first songs he really felt proud to
having composed because unlike their earliest music, this song had some gravity
and thoughtfulness to it.
07
"I'd Wait A Million Years" by The
Grass Roots, originally released in 1969, a "Dad-influenced" tune
from the late 60's. This band is better know for their hit "Let's Live
For Today" (another excellent song), which compared to this song, is so
much more relaxed and "vanilla" than this one
. But yet, I really
like it!
08
"Flipside" by Everything
But The Girl from their Japanese release "Walking Wounded". This
is one of my favorite albums of all time
. Love every song on it, which
is a nice balance between alluring and heart-felt lyrics with subtle and brilliant
techno-jazz-disco beats
smooth! Some of the best duos to emerge from the
90's, I think.
09 "Destiny" by Zero
7 from their album "The Garden", featuring Sia on lyrics. This
band I think is also brilliant and rather smart. While giving singing duties
to guest performers like Sia, Jose Gonzales, or Sophie Burker; Henry Binns and
Sam Hardaker (the original guys) have the freedom to create different musical
moods on every album (similar to what french duo "Air" does). This
song stands out by Sia's beautiful lyrics, which are complimented artfully by
Zero 7 arrangements.
10 "My Girl You Blush" by Moi
Caprice from Denmark. This band is one of my favorite new finds now! And
while they are hard to find in the U.S.A still, I think they should play more
in here -and soon! Their lyrics are simple yet thoughtful, with nice romantic
melodies and an indie Pop sensibility that reminds me of New Order, but with
happier tones
I don't know. I like them a lot! One thing, though
.
What's with the Danes? They are really into falsetto voices, I think (Mew anyone?)
still, really like them!
11-12 "Waltz for Koop" and "Baby" by Koop,
from their second release "Waltz For Koop". Koop is an electronic/acid
jazz duo from Sweden who create lush / loungy songs that bring to mind images
of old-world smoky bars and leisure strolls on the beach.
13 "Moma I'm a Communist" by The
Raveonettes. This song is a rare track from ther R's early days, when Sune
and Sharing were initially known as "The Girl on Death Row". Plus,
it is not an original Sune song, but a cover from another band named "Thau"
I believe
regardless, this song is excellent early-Raveonettes stuff!
The R's are working right now on a new album which is almost finished, and if
you live in Boston, NY, Brooklyn, or DC; look in March for live Raveonettes
music coming to your town!
14 "The Man who Told Everything" by Doves
from their album "Lost Souls". This band's music is most of the time
pensive, sometimes even depressive (truth-be-told) regarding their lyrics (maybe
except for 'Rise'), but musically, their albums are a refined layered landscape
of notes and sounds that require multiple listenings to really get the beauty
and intricacy of their instrumental designs
. Whew! That was a long-run
sentence, but you get my drift
.
15 "Call Me On Your Way Back Home" by Ryan
Adams. I just love this song
it is so simple, beautiful and unpretentious
both in structure and lyricism
.. a bit sad, but just enjoy.