My pick for this Monday is Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago album.
Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.
I've been absolutely swamped with school work, chores, and things to do for What's Bippin' that I've been a bit stressed. This album, however, has been my go-to album to help me wind down after a long day. I simply pop in my earphones, sip on some tea, and relax. I haven't been familiar with Bon Iver for very long, and honestly, this is the only album of theirs I own, but I'm definitely going to give their other work a try. So far, I have three favorite songs off this album: Skinny Love, For Emma, and Re: Stacks.
Happy Monday!
-Michelle Monday, bloody Monday! Today was honestly quite dreadful. The epitome of a "Manic Monday". We have all had these days I'm sure, where you just can't wait for the day to be over and you just want to scream "to hell with it all!". Who better to help me channel my frustrations than The Clash? Hooray for old skool punk!
The What's Bippin team decided to take a holiday along with everyone else last Monday, on New Year's Eve, and unfortunately had to cancel that days Music Monday. But we are happy to announce that we are back in action! New year, new goals and very excited for our future endeavors!
Lesli:
This will be the first Music Monday of 2013! I decided to take a more inspirational route with my pick and go with Ellie Goulding's "Anything Could Happen". The English songstress made quite the splash here in the states, with her more popular hit "Lights". I felt as though when it first came out it was literally playing everywhere! I enjoy Ms. Goulding's music very much but have recently found myself really into "Anything Could Happen". A handful of people (fortunately for me, unfortunately for them) who have been in a vehicle with me while that song is playing have heard and seen the ridiculous spectacle I make while it's on. While it is embarrassing, I really can't help myself. It's so catchy and upbeat! Ialso feel it appropriately describes my outlook towards 2013... anything could happen!
Michelle:
Today
I decided to pick something a little different from the norm, mainly because it’s
in a foreign language. I chose Mallu Magalhães’ song Velha e Louca (meaning ‘Old and Crazy). Mallu is an artist I’ve been crazy about for quite a while because she has a
very different sound from a lot of the other Brazilian artists out there whom
usually choose to stick with the traditional Samba/Bossa Nova sound. While she does have a Samba song or two, her main influences are Classic Rockand Folkas
well as The Beatles, Belle & Sebastian, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash,
and other similar musical styles.
Mallu also sings and composes in English and French, so if you don’t understand
Portuguese, you should definitely check out some of her other songs!
I am ready to tackle the week and who better to get me pumped on this Monday than Santigold (formerly Santogold)? If you have never heard this fierce ensemble before, you are missing out. Santi White, the vibrant front woman, and her super talented gang produce such innovative music. Fusing punk, reggae, grime and indie rock with electro... I mean, really, does that not have fun and good times written all over it?
As I was thinking of why I wanted my pick for this week's music Monday to be Santigold, I tried to decide what my favorite song would be if I had to choose. Honestly, this was the first time I just could not pick! I am crazy about so many of their songs, some a little less than others, but for the most part I love them the same!
However, if I had to turn someone on to Santigold, I guess I would start with "L.E.S. Artistes". Only because it's the song that really put them on the map and was even named the #2 single of the year in 2008 by Rolling Stone! Definitely note worthy! "Lights Out", "Shove It", "Creator", "You'll Find A Way" and the list goes on and on! Including covers of other artists songs... Seriously, CHECK THEM OUT!
I am even more excited because they just released their new album "Master Of My Make-Belive" earlier this year. I have only had the chance to listen to a few songs off of it, but what I've heard so far, I like. I feel it is one that will grow on me quickly
-Lesli
My pick this week is the song Adversity by Beach Fossils.
I discovered this band after listening to a random Soundcloud of their song Youth on Tumblr.
This is another band with a Lo-Fi/Shoegaze/Surf Pop sound somewhat similar to that of Wild Nothing's, so that's probably a hint to why I loved them so much.
Although this band has often been said to have a 'summery' feel, I don't think so.
I've had their EP What a pleasure for a few months now but hadn't gotten a chance to listen to it.
Now I can say that it really is a pleasure to listen to this EP. My absolute favorite track on it is Adversity. Even if this track had no words in it I would love it simply because of the music.
The guitar in this song is just beautiful. To see what I mean, have yourself a listen:
My artist pick for this Music Monday needs no introduction, it is none other than the extraordinary Florence + The Machine.
I am such a big fan of Ms. Welch and friends and had the awesome privilege of seeing them live back in October of this year and may I say they did not disappoint. The talent behind this lady is so incredible. Her voice was just breathtaking in person which is so refreshing nowadays in the era of studio manufactured artists who sound bloody awful live.
It is very difficult to pick a favorite song by Florence + The Machine (there are so many good ones), however I must resort back to the one that made me fall head over heels in love with them: Swimming.
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, I fell asleep listening to Pandora and was awoken by my sub-conscience when this song came on, instantly becoming captivated by it's beauty. I recognized Florence's voice but had never heard this particular song. I had to have it! Next day I purchased it on Amazon.com off of Lungs: The B-Sides and was one very happy girl.
Some of my other favorites off the Lungs LP include: Cosmic Love, of course, Howl, Drumming, Falling and My Boy Builds Coffins.
Off of Ceremonials: Heartlines, What The Water Gave Me and Only If For A Night
Ms. Welch also inspires me fashion wise. She has a very ethereal style, with lots of gorgeous flowy dresses and the wrap around braid hair do inspired me to give it a try on my own hair, however it did not come out as successful as hers (with more practice I am sure I will eventually nail it).
"Because falling's not the problem, when I'm falling I'm at peace
It's only when I hit the ground it causes all the grief"
Michelle:
My pick for this week is Wild Nothing.
Jack Tatum - vocals, guitars, bass guitar, various instruments
I first heard of Wild Nothing on Urban Outfitters 2011 Pitchfork compilation which featured the EP Golden Haze. I instantly fell in love with the track.
Deciding to hear more of Wild Nothing, I looked up their album Gemini on Youtube. The first song that came up was Living in Dreams. Upon reading comments I noticed that a few people mentioned that they sounded a bit like The Smiths.This immediately peeked my interest (I am a HUGE Smiths fan). I must say, although I personally didn't see the correlation between the two, I did really like what I heard. I went along and bought the album off iTunes. I loved that album to pieces. Seriously, it was on repeat the whole fall/winter of 2011. A few of my favorite songs off Gemini are: Summer Holidays, Pessimist, O Lilac, The Witching Hour, Chinatown, and Our Composition Book.
Earlier this year there was word on Tumblr that Wild Nothing was coming out with their second album Nocturne in August. When the release date came up, I was very excited but also hesitant to hear it. I thought maybe they would change their sound and I would hate it. So, I previewed the whole album on Spotify. The first track that caught my attention was Only Heather. I knew right then and there that I even if I didn't like the rest of the tracks, that one would make up for it. Eventually I bought Nocturne and it grew on me. Now I love it equally if not a little more than I did Gemini. I love the whole thing so much that I don't have a favorite song because they're all so good!
If I had to choose though, I think I'd say Paradise.
