“soldiers, you’ve got to soldier on.”

Well, here are two rare Coldplay jams for you guys.  One’s actually an acoustic version of a great song from Viva La Vida, and the other (also from a portion of Viva) is just amazing.  Enjoy, fight on, and “sleep satisfied.”  (:

[x] Coldplay- Lovers In Japan (acoustic) (mp3)

[x] Coldplay- Chinese Sleep Chant (mp3)

provoked.  satisfied. | Coldplay- Amsterdam

Okay, there a lot of things I could tell you about this album cover.  Like for starters, how it reminds me of a cross between a Siegfried & Roy photoshoot (tiger, magical orb) and a Star Wars movie poster (everything else).  And are those elephants about to stampede across a sea of serene, endless blue?  Yes.  Oh yes they are.   

This epic piece of art would be reason enough to check out this hip Aussie duo, but no– the music itself is just as dazzling.  It’s the 80′s redux.  A guy with a stirring Bee Gees-esque falsetto, sleek production values, and enough dancefloor drive to keep your head bobbing long after no one was looking.  I’ve been grooving to this all week (thanks kat)!

[x] Empire of the Sun- We Are The People (mp3)

[x] Empire of the Sun- Half Mast (mp3)

NOTES
-Coldplay’s new live album dropped this week.  You can download it for free on their site here.
-Job hunt status?  Still in progress.  Admin/receptionist positions aren’t opening up, so it’s time to look for something else.  …Or start working a book or something.. :P

“Last night I had a dream / That we went to Disneyland / Went on all the rides / Didn’t have to wait in line.” (The Ataris)

Okay– we’re really reaching back in time now. :P

The destination?  9th and 10th grade.  A period marked by fun times, precarious relationships, and even more precarious listening habits. (Lou Bega was king of my airwaves.  Need I say more?)   But then it came.  Slowly at first, but surely.  A band played MxPx’s “Chick Magnet” during Spirit Week.  Josie and the Pussycats’ “3 Small Words” became a sing-along sensation.  And then there was that catchy song namedropping Wayne Newton and the Happiest Place on Earth.

For me, “San Dimas High School Football Rules” is one of those songs that defines an era.  It came during a time when the punk energy and raw distortion aligned perfectly with the experiences of youth.  And while I don’t listen much to Kris Roe and friends anymore, I do have him to thank for introducing me to a whole new body of music. 

And for stirring in me the occasional desire to ride the teacups at Fantasyland.

For the bonus track, I was caught between MxPx and Rufio.  MxPx won out, but not because I’m bitter about not being able to play those lightning fast Rufio songs on the drums way back when!! (grr!)

[x] The Ataris- San Dimas High School Football Rules (mp3)

[x] MxPx- Prove It To The World (mp3)

This post continues a segment on 10 influential songs/artists that have shaped the blogger’s musical tastes and otherwise rocked his world over the years.  They are in no particular order.  They are also wonderful

#10 MAE//Embers and Envelopes

“we write to apologize.” (MAE)

I had been on a serious Jimmy Eat World kick in high school at the time I came across Mae.  It only made sense.   With their first album Destination: Beautiful (2003), Mae struck me as a natural extension of the same sort of pretty, melodic rock that JEW espoused with Clarity in ’99.  Distortion (but not too much), layered vocal harmonies and boatloads of ambience and charm… all similarities.  Even Mae’s album-opening “Embers” has kind of a twinkly “For Me This Is Heaven” vibe.

“Embers and Envelopes” is a giddy, atmospheric thing, no doubt capable of inciting feelings of weightlessness.  Jacob Marshall’s subdued dancefloor rhythms combine with (at-the-time) keyboard player Rob Sweitzer’s synths to set the stage for Dave Elkins’ soothing vocals.  When I first heard “Embers,” I liked it so much I turned it off halfway through because I didn’t want it to age quickly.  Haha! 

Now what is truly interesting is how the music video seems completely at odds with all the elements I have just described :O

Today Mae’s lineup has changed, but they still have some cool stuff goin’ on.  Check out their myspace page for some hip new jams.  Mae will be in San Diego on May 5th.

[x] Mae- This Is The Countdown (mp3)

[x] Mae- Embers and Envelopes (mp3)

 ready for more | 1969- Save A Place [x]

Okay, MUTEMATH wins.  Seriously, I love these guys.

Go watch the premiere of the Spotlight video (from the Twilight movie soundtrack) here:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=55816629

…Then jump on your bed and play some serious air guitar.

drained | [x] Mute Math- Chaos (mp3)

Some of you know I like to play drums.  Well… what I’d give to do 1/8th of what Brian Blade can do with a drum kit (!).  The dynamics, the fluidity of his playing.. it’s definitely something I aspire to.  

OK, I musn’t talk any longer.  The video will speak for itself

well, I ate more chinese food today.  let’s see what we got:

#1. “Many ideals are becoming real.”

Whose ideals?  What ideals?  How many ideals–and how real will they get?  The lack of specificity is killing meee–!!

#2. “Flowers, music, gifts & invitations are yours soon.”

Ah, that explains it.  These must be the aforementioned ideals, spoken of long ago by the ancient cookie.  Flowers and music?  Gifts and invitations?  All four at once, when your powers combine I am Captain Planet?  I hit the jackpot

You know, if one ever wondered about the possibility of cookie fortunes having symbiotic relationships with each other–such that certain cookies find their true meaning and fulfillment in still other cookies, and vice versa– I think this instance makes a strong case for the theory. 

The bottom line is that two cookies are better than one, and this rings true in life as in cookie-dom.  I rest my case

#3. “…”

I was too full to eat this one.  I’m sorry reader ;)

It’s still on the table if you want it.  Waiting for consumption–and even more–fulfillment!

fulfillment | Mute Math- Spotlight (Son Lux remix) [x]