iTunes has a great new celebrity playlist by Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page.
Promoting their movie Whip It, Barrymore and Page have compiled a list of their favorite songs. They made a 30 minute podcast describing and playing clips of the songs.
Although they share a wealth of wonderful music, the best songs from their sonic suggestions are:
As a young teenager, Ben Lee recorded grunge-rock music and released a few albums with his band Noise Addict. After 14 years, Lee has released a new Noise Addict album, called it was never about the audience. Click here to download your free copy.
Featuring 15 songs, this lo-fi album is a great antidote to slick, overproduced records that value Protools over talent. Lee collaborates with Dinosaur Jr.’s Lou Barlow and longtime friend/backing musician Lara Meyerratken (check out her band El May). Lee discusses the very indie nature of the album: almost all the songs were recorded quickly, after they were written, in a bedroom.
The best songs on it was never about the audience are “Hey Baby,” “Faster Side of Normal,” “That’s How It Goes,” and “Do I Know You.”
For those of you who are familiar with Noise Addict’s work from the 90s, it was never about the audience is much softer, more mature sounding than the teenage anthems of Noise Addict’s past.
After months of waiting, all female pop/rock band The Like are back! With a great new MySpace and announcement of their tour with the Arctic Monkeys, The Like are back. Z Berg remains on vocals and guitar, Tennessee Thomas continues to drum, and 2 new members — Reni Lane (organ) and Laena Geronimo (bass) — have replaced old bassist Charlotte Froom.
Head over to The Like’s Myspace to listen to four brand new songs! “Wishing He Was Dead” and “He’s Not A Boy” retain The Like’s signature atmospheric vocals, slightly distorted guitars, and powerful drumming. But, listeners get even more with the added organ and skillful production of Mark Ronson. The added layers enhance The Like’s sound and make them a musical powerhouse. Berg’s vocals are clearer, stronger, and more assured than on The Like’s 2005 debut Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?
The electric version of “Release Me” shines with Berg’s emotive, vulnerable lyrics and the uncommon drum beat throughout the song. Note: “Release Me” was removed from The Like’s MySpace, but hopefully it will be put back up!
The last song is, in my opinion, the very best: “Narcissus in a Red Dress.” With allusions to Humpty Dumpty and Macbeth, the lyrics are quite clever. Just as importantly, the drums and guitar work together to create a catchy beat and melody. Berg’s aching voice creates the perfect balance between pain and vengeance.
Catch The Like, with their new songs and lineup, on tour with the Arctic Monkeys now. Click here for tour dates and ticket information!
