Mates of State Cover Album

There seems to be a trend of cover/tribute albums this year.  The latest that has come to my attention is the new covers project by Mates of State called Crushes.  The record was released last week and includes the duo’s unique take on many different artists, such as Belle & Sebastian, Fleetwood Mac, & Death Cab For Cutie.

The Connecticut based duo have apparently been “talking about doing a covers record for a long time.”  I am personally glad that all the talking paid off and that this album has finally come to fruition.  The few tracks that I have heard so far are very different from the original, but they stay within Mates of State’s unique indie-pop style.  I am very excited to hear the rest of the record.

Cody’s Favorite Christmas Songs

I need to preface this post with four simple words.

I HATE CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Why do I hate it? Well, in recent years it has just become a platform for crappy pop stars to keep re-covering the same christmas songs over and over. I don’t need to hear Carrie Underwood sing White Christmas, or Wynonna singing Silent Night, or any big shot artist covering a christmas classic to get me into the spirit.

I think I should stop being such a grinch, and just let the infographic do that talking. So here are some of my favorite original Christmas songs:

1. Alan Parsons In A Winter Wonderland by Grandaddy
2. Another Christmas Song by Stephen Colbert
3. Christmas Time Is Here by Vince Guaraldi Trio
4. Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day (Well, You Deserved It!) by Sufjan Stevens
5. Don’t Shoot Me Santa by The Killers
6. I Hate Christmas Parties – by Relient K
7. Love Came Down At Christmas by Jars of Clay
8. When I Get Home for Christmas by Snow Patrol
9. Xmas Party by Middle Distance Runner

I love Grandaddy‘s rendition of “Walking In a Winter Wonderland,” but that may also be because I’m a fan of The Alan Parson Project. The song features some subtle humor about Parsons, but knowing a thing about him is not required to enjoy the track. Stephen Colbert is getting exactly what he wants with the next song, he has become part of my holiday listening tradition, and it is hilarious. Fans of Arrested Development, Peanuts Cartoons, and The Royal Tennenbaums will recognize the next little gem by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.  Sufjan Stevens put out his giant box set of Christmas music a few years ago, and song #4 is probably my favorite from that whole collection. The Killers’s song about a guy potentially getting murdered by Santa is interesting to say the least, watching the music video is a must. If Christmas time just gets you down, then be sure to listen to the track by Relient K. I love the next song by Jars of Clay, who took an awesome beat and made an enjoyable new Christmas classic. Snow Patrol fans should not be without song #8. I’m a huge fan, and that song is just awesome. And finally, song #9 is by Middle Distance Runner. If you’ve never checked them out, I hope this song drives you to do so.

Okay. I was a bit of a Grinch earlier, but if you examine the chart you will see that there does exist a small sliver of well done covers. So here’s three Christmas covers I do enjoy, and are part of my holiday canon:

1. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Death Cab for Cutie
2. Holly Jolly Christmas covered by The Format
3. O Come, O Come Emmanuel covered by Belle & Sebastian

These songs may not be original compositions, but I much prefer these to the originals. Death Cab’s version of “Baby Please Come Home” is just great. And a classic from Belle & Sebastian.

I hope you’ve found some new additions to your holiday listening list, and we here at IHYEB wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Waxploitation: Causes 2

Waxploitation records has just released the second installment of their ongoing benefit series for Darfur.  100% of all profits made on this stellar compilation will go to  Doctors Without  Borders, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam America.  Each of these three organizations are doing incredible things to help those suffering from the crises taking place in Darfur.

Several of the best indie artists in the business have donated rare and exclusive songs for this great cause.  So I encourage you to go to iTunes or Amazon and download these tracks.  It is a great way to get some new music and love your neighbor at the same time.  You should also check out Causes 1, which is also loaded with great artists, such as Bright Eyes, The Shins, Spoon and Death Cab. And if you go to the Causes store, you can buy both albums for just $17.

Tracklist for Causes 2

Weekly Recap: Conor Oberst, Leonard Cohen and More

New Conor Oberst Track

Conor Oberst posted a new song from his forthcoming album, Outer South, on his web-site to be streamed.  Click here to listen to “Slowly (Oh So Slowly).” Sounds like he is going to continue one with The Mystical Valley Band for at least one more record, which is great news for us.

New Leonard Cohen Album

If you head on over to NPR you can stream in its entirety the double disc collection Live in London by Leonard Cohen.  This is a great introduction for anyone who’s only interraction with Cohen’s music is the Rufus Wainwright cover of his epic “Hallelujah” found on the Shrek soundtrack.

The Killers Cover Bright Eyes

The Killers will relaese their song Spaceman off of their new record Day & Age as a single on April 14th.   Which wouldn’t be noteworthy at all, but for the cover of the very country Bright Eyes song, ” Four Winds” that was recorded for the B-side.

Where The Wild Things Are

The trailer for the new Spike Jonze interpretation of possibly the greatest children’s book ever, Where the Wild Things Are was released last week, and it looks awesome.  That partly due to how awesome Wild Thing looks, and then also because of the sweet version of The Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up” that is playing in the background.

Arcade Fire – Wake Up (ft. David Bowie)

New Death Cab For Cutie Record

Stereogum premiered a new Death Cab For Cutie record, The Open Door EP. Each day last week they would post one of the five tracks that were recorded during the Narrow Stairs process, but are definitely not outcasts.  My favorite might be the last track, which is the only unoriginal track of the bunch, a stripped down demo of “Talking Bird.”