East Bay View (a blog about several things)

now 98% free of substantive content

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Fats Domino performing "Blueberry Hill" on the Today Show

I can only hope I'm so capable of enjoying myself when I'm 79.

Is that Toots Hibbert on sax?

Monday, November 19, 2007

On Vampire Weekend

After listening to the African Pearls Vol. 1 comp, "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" is a huge comedown. But at least they're having a go.

(yes, I know, different era of soukous)

Monday, November 12, 2007

Top ten: Whatever doesn't kill them

1. Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse, "Valerie": Poor Amy. You can hear her tremendous upside when she gets a track that moves at a decent clip.

2. Kanye West ft. Daft Punk, "Stronger": He falls into the valedictorian's trap, spouting platitudes. But he can't tell you nothing better than most.

3. Los Campesinos!, "We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives": Making cherryade-fueled pretentious pop is as easy as dancing.

4. Jewels and Binoculars, "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)": Big deal, anyone can find the melody in a Dylan song -- but this one?
5. Amy Winehouse, "Rehab": Poor, poor Amy. She went, went, went and should've stayed longer.

6. Common ft. Lily Allen, "Drivin' Me Wild": Ms Allen does not need your sympathy.

7. Basement Jaxx ft. Roxanne Shante, "Make Me Sweat": "She received her PhD in psychology from Cornell -- paid for by her record label via an unusual contract clause -- and has a practice in Queens. She is a vegan and owns Hip-Hop Ices ice cream parlor in Queens."
8. Eve, "Tambourine": In which Swizz Beatz smashes said percussion instrument over your head.

9. Common, "The People": He wants to live like common people. Tourists love everybody.

10. Dude 'N Nem, "Watch My Feet": Video of the year.

Ten more: Cassie, "Me & You"; DJ Koze, "My Grandmotha"; The Gothic Archies, "Crows"; Jewels and Binoculars, "If You See Her, Say Hello"; Public Enemy, "Flavor Man", "Harder Than You Think"; Rilo Kiley, "Breakin' Up"; Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women, "How Can I Say I Miss You"; David Torn, "Miss Place, The Mist"; Kanye West, "Champion".

Good but not that good: Sara Bareilles, "Love Song"; Jarvis Cocker, "Running the World"; Hot Chip, "And I Was a Boy from School"; Joe Lovano & Hank Jones, "Lady Luck"; Thunderbirds Are Now!, "Why We War".

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