New Stuff, New Stuff, Yeah!

Umm, it'll help a lot if you read the title of today's post with an excited sort of jingle. Today I have some serious gems for you!

"The One Difference Between Tattoos and Scars is the Pretty Colors" by James Wilson Howard

I'm really hoping this video player doesn't backfire on me, but I'm going to assume if I don't receive any messages, it works. James is a recent (but close) friend of mine, and I'm in awe of this guy's musical abilities. He's so handy with a guitar, and you'd never guess that the man is seriously into screamo. This song I've been wanting to upload for so long but couldn't decide how I wanted to do it. I decided to just upload a quick video of my own since this mp3 soo incredibly rare. His recorded stuff, Pacific Coast Eulogy, can't be found on the internet, so if you're interested in more of this, send me an email at heycococapp@gmail.com!

"Pillow Talk" by Wild Child

How fantastic is this song?! Lets start with the totally not obnoxious use of the ukulele. It gives the song an uplifting vibe despite the rather dismal subject. This song walks a fine line between a love song and a wistful breakup song, helped along particularly by Kelsey Wilson's vintage-sounding vocals. Expect more Wild Child in the future.

"No Nostalgia" by AgesandAges

Feel-good song of the week. Usually I'd say that harmony in nearly every line is a no go because it gets so chaotic, but somehow this song pulls it off. And it makes the unity around 2:39 that much more striking. Feel free to disagree, but somehow it feels like AgesandAges captures the feeling of youth here; it's exuberant and bright and sort of raw.

Have a lovely day, dear listeners!

xx coco

Música, eh?

So, pumpkin season has officially begun. That's a reason to dance. Here's some music to which you can pumpkin celebration dance.

"Silver Lining" by Guards

This has been a real favorite lately. You know how there are those songs you can only listen to alone, and then there's the songs that are for listening to in more social settings? This song manages to overcome that barrier and is listenable with just about anyone. Even your grandma, if she's hip enough. [Insert awful joke about hip replacements] It's also just upbeat enough to be a good song when you're in a great mood but just subdued enough to not crash a mellow mood. Versatile little sucker.

"Gold" by Conner Youngblood

First, let's appreciate that this artist is called Conner Youngblood. Now that we're over that, Youngblood has a really recognizable sound. He's got this knack for very lofty, soothing melodies. Also, notice the banjo that strums softly in the background. I will own up to being among those of our generation totally in love with the banjo. But he does a great job of integrating a lot of different genres (his myspace labels him bluegrass/club/indie, though I'm not sure how accurate that is) into one beautiful sound.

The Hours" by Exitmusic

Besides having the most depressing visuals in the history of all time, this song can lay claim to some of the most beautiful lyrics I've heard in a long, long time. Given that most of you won't look them up, I'm taking the liberty of copying and pasting them here. You're welcome.

Give me back the hours
They're mine to waste
The city and it's sorrows holds my gaze

Crimsoned are the hours
Bled to death by idle hands of time

Look up the sky's awake, the sun is shining
The gloom and the haze have both burned away by morning
Oh, L.A., what's written in sand
Your cities and plans, the ocean will erase

Images from silence slow to wake
Prepare yourself to leave this soft, soft state
It's a chase of lightning
Brightened skyline, endless days I've longed

Home, home, home

Look up the sky's awake, the sun is shining
The gloom and the haze have both burned away by morning
Oh, L.A., what's written in sand
Your cities and plans, the ocean will erase

So the next time someone tells you poetry is gone from today's music, give them a dirty glare and start listing off the names of bands they've never heard of. You'll have tons of friends.

xx coco

Insanity.

Sooo, I've been absent. Again. Sorry.

But like a neglectful mother that attempts to compensate for her lack of physical affection and time spent with her child by dumping lavish, unnecessary gifts upon the darling's poor, unloved head...

Here's a ton of music.

"Recklessness" by Radical Dads

I had intended to post "Walking Wires" but couldn't find a version I liked, so this works. I love the melody, the guitar, the beat, all that jazz, but the vocals, oh those vocals! It sort of makes me feel like this. (PS has anyone ever read her twitter feed?! Here.) Otherwise, lovely music. Except who makes these music videos? Seriously, I'm getting my 13 year-old brother a GoPro for Hanukkah so he can start making bank as a music video director with the rest of these shmuckz.

Hanukkah? We're not Jewish. Awkward.

"I Really Need Love" by A Band of Bees

I appreciate the old-fashioned vibe of this. First, the band calls themselves The Bees. How much more 1960s can we get here? I definitely wouldn't be surprised to hear this song alongside the Mamas and the Papas. Except the sitar. Except I guess George Harrison was all over that thang, so been there, done that. Not the biggest fan of the music video, but it's better than an album cover youtube video.

"This Is Not a Song" by Islands

Somehow every time I hear the intro to this song, I think John Mayer is going to start singing. But I'm a big fan of the simplicity here. They take it slow, which makes it far more emotional. And I'm loving the harmony in the chorus. Islands has mastered not overdoing it; even in their music video, composed of mostly shadows, they've done a great job of giving the listener/viewer just enough. Also: day-um them lyrics are metaphysical.

"The Dream Team" by Fake Problems

A little on the punk rock side, but you've got to dig that cowbell. I mean, I need more cowbell. And the music video features what seems to be a drunken jousting tournament topped by a flour fest? Sooo, there's that.

"Heartbeat" by Kopecky Family Band

I don't know about you guys, but I'm starting to suspect they're not actually a family.

"Mockingbirds" by Grant Lee Buffalo

It's not like I miss the 90s that much. I mean, they put Grant Lee Buffalo in a cage. But I really love having access to its music. I used to think I was born in the wrong generation of music. Then I realized that we have access to music in a way that no generation ever has before, where I can go from singing along to Frank Sinatra to jammin' with The Black Keys to, like, booty poppin to Lady Gaga. If that's what you're into.

"Angels" by The xx

So, The xx's new album: great stuff, truly. Very consistent in quality. But no evolution whatsoever. I love Coexist, "Angels" being my favorite from the album, but it really does sound exactly like every dosequis song ever. On another note, if you've been hiding under a rock and never watched this music video, please do so now:
"Islands" by The xx

"Far From Grace" by The Doves

Don't listen to this with people. I feel like that'd be awkward. Sit in the corner with big headphones and embrace your inner social outcast. The lead singer definitely sounds a little like Guy Garvey of Elbow. Then again, maybe that's just because they're both English... culture fail.

And you can make fun of me (if you're mean), but I want so, so badly to see the Les Mis movie. And The Great Gatsby. Yeah for bringing beautiful parts of our culture to the big screen! I hope it brings so many more people to read the books or see the musical!

I used a semicolon in this post. Kurt Vonnegut hates semicolons.

xx coco

Today, rock'n'roll. Tomorrow, the world.

Ok, so I'm a little late in posting. But I was watching Shawshank Redemption on a laptop under the stars in a very wet field, so can you blame me?

"Bruises" by Band of Skulls

I've always really liked Band of Skulls. They do intensity well, but they aren't trying to be headbangers or anytin cray like dat. And every once in a while, the female singer's voice even sounds a little like Joan Jett's. I am a little freaked out by that album cover, particularly since it's framing the word "bruises." But don't you feel like a rebel when you listen to their music? Yeaaah.


"Shut Me Out" by Wolf & Cub

A little on the rock side of things, this song really delves into some seriously deep concepts with its lyrics. Just kidding. I'm fairly sure the only words they say are variations of "shut me out." But that's fine too, because there's a mood for songs like this.

"Vanishing Cream" by Fresh & Onlys

First off, weirdest music video ever. Ok, maybe not ever. But still really weird. Why do these filmmakers think we enjoy feeling like we're taking hardcore drugs every time we watch their videos? It's not even artistic, just weird! On another note, this song feels like a throwback. Maybe it's that echo by the girls. At any rate, it's very fast paced and quite short, and I think this was a good decision on the part of the band.

Also, there's a really great exclusive I've got and want to share, but it's going to take a little bit of blog magic to get it posted, so Monday! And on this note, I say dream sweet things, mis amigos.

xx coco

Listen up.

Some nights the sky is so dark, it seems to swallow up all the stars and threaten to eat the Earth. I hope it doesn't do that for a while. Like, until December 21, 2012

"California Daze" by Peace

Listen. I'm going to fall asleep right now. It's so perfect with floating vocals yet just enough percussion to keep it tethered to the ground. It's true love. Not to mention California daze is a familiar concept... I really hope this song does it for you like it does for me.

"Iron Doors" by The Lighthouse and the Whaler

Tonight calm would be nice. So this song is nice. Somehow the singer's voice is like a toned-down Young the Giant, a little less energetic, which really hits the spot right now. Also, someone is totally going to call me out for knowing nothing about music whatsoever, but is that violin I hear in the background? Violin makes me really, really happy.


"Sakura: Theme and Variations" composed by Yuquijiro Yocoh, performed by Mutita Narkmuang

So the other day I was at a crazy, wild dance party complete with flashing lights and tons of superheroes. Not joking. But I was getting bored of the madness and stepped outside for some air. Lo and behold, three classical guitar majors were sitting around a guitar and playing some of the most beautiful music I've heard in a long time. Every time the door opened, we'd get an earful of Flo Rida, and it just seemed funny to me that anyone would be inside listening to that when under the stars there was this incredible personal concert going on. My favorite song they played was this guy.

What a life!

xx coco

That's right.

If you haven't told anyone you loved them today, do it right now. I'm not joking. Your mom needs to know. Or your girlfriend. Or your dog. Music can wait.

Now that that's done...

"Indiscriminate Act of Kindness" by Foy Vance

Very sweet, very vocal driven, this song definitely hits the spot. It's the kind of song you want to set as your alarm in the morning because it'll wake you up gently and make you feel ok about dragging yourself out of bed. Also, it's nice and long, so you have all that extra time while you're listening to wallow in bed. Unless you've got my roommate, in which case that alarm clock had best be snoozed before it even makes a sound.

"La Grande" by Laura Gibson

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. First of all, love the intensity of this song. Her voice has a good dash of emotion, and she has that old-timey quality that seems to have fallen out of vogue in favor of, like, autotune or something. Second of all, beautifully filmed music video. The warm, desaturated look with the classy, muted red interspersed throughout... I love it. Not to mention I'm just a total sucker for most things old-fashioned. As for plot, I won't lie to you, dear readers. I wasn't exactly paying attention. I was listening and watching but not really trying to comprehend, which is ok sometimes. So plot's definitely free for your own interpretation.

"Fever" by Maps & Atlases

How cool are these guys? I was hoping to find a studio version on Youtube, but this isn't entirely displeasing. Still, you ought to go play it on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you crazy kids get your music fix. Alright, let's all just appreciate the length of the singer's beard. Amazing. Utterly amazing. He's been working on that a while. It's great how easygoing this track is. It's easy to tap your foot to, and it's really energizing in a way. Definitely add these guys to your starred list on Spotify.

In other news, I tried this new drink. Now, I'm generally a very, very adventurous person. That includes taking leaps of faith in gastronomical ventures, and rarely am I sorry. This drink made me very, very sorry. Regrets: I now have them. I don't know if you've ever heard of Kombucha, but I hadn't when I saw this guy. I had however heard about chia seeds and all their awesome health benefits and how they'd make me into a marathon runner or something. Now Kombucha, as I was not aware, is actually some demented joke on the health world because it's, according to the internet, fermented tea. All I knew when I picked up this bottle was that it looked exotic, had seeds in it, and was raspberry flavored. I don't know why I kept drinking it after the first sip. I truly don't. It had a strange jelly consistency with the seeds suspended, and I could swear it tasted just like raspberry vinaigrette. Stay clear, friends. No kombucha for anyone, ever.

And apparently, I've been spelling raspberry wrong for a long, long time. Where does that P come from?! Embarrassment.

xx coco

Wonderful World

Today I haven't much to say. That's alright sometimes. Today I'm posting music that I'm picking up from new west coast friends. Enjoy.

"She Spider" by Mew

Waaaarning! Don't get too comfortable with the volume turned up because after you think it's not going to get louder, BOOM! Only a few days ago I was introduced to Mew, and it's not really my usual genre, but for some reason I'm really digging it. It's a little bit more intense than I'm used to, but I like it.

"Stupid" by Seastroke

I recently met the drummer, and I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with this band. I wasn't really expecting to hear what I did, but their singer has a really calm, sweet voice. This song is a good combination of energy and chill. Bravo, Seastroke.

"Elephant" by Tame Impala

I had to round it out with something with a little rock to it. The voice is very Beatles, "I Am the Walrus" status. Also a huge fan of the heavy guitar in this song. Lovely beat.

So, my roommate is from Tijuana, and she's pretty much the most hilarious human being I have encountered. Ever. I have actually started a log of quotes from her. The most recent one went a little like this:

Me: "I really don't know what to write about this song."

Her (imagine the adorable, innocent Mexican accent, please): "Don't write anything! Just be like, I'm not posting anymore and my followers can suck it!"

*laughing, I reach for my phone to write it down*

Her: *offended* "Are you gonna say that?! At least give me credit!"

She then proceeded to yell at me about how I can't steal her words without paying her and how I'm not allowed in her mind.

And she's now singing a song from the next room over to the tune of that "Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye" song except the lyrics are about how I am evil. Tijuana is a less lively place with her in California.

xx coco

What a life.

Some days, it's just great to be alive.

"Insulin" by Chadwick Stokes

It's a foot tapper. Lately I've been really drawn to soft voices like his, particularly with this type of picked guitar goin' on in the background. It's uplifting without being overwhelming. The lyrics do seem a little uninspired, as though it was a going through the motions kind of thing. Perhaps that's just because they don't speak to me at this particular moment.

"Danny, Dakota, & the Wishing Well" by A Silent Film

I must admit, to start out this is not exactly my type of song. For some reason it really reminds me of "Died in Your Arms" by 80s pop sensation Cutting Crew (only half sarcasm). But after about a minute of nonsense, we get to a little excitement, and the melody really is catchy. On a whim I put it on a workout playlist, and it ended up being a serious burst of energy, so I could do, like, 3 extra pushups. Try that. Listen to music, get bulky.

"A Thousand Thieves" by Trixie Whitley

Let me tell you how obsessed I am with Trixie Whitley: Very. This chick is a powerhouse, I'm telling you. Who has a voice like that? I want to see Katy Perry belt like that. Sometimes the best music arises out of simplicity and soul, and Trixie has just that. I can see where some people would be deterred by the depth of her voice, but I think it just adds to the overall power of her voice. Also, it's impressive to see a wail like that come out of a dainty blonde. Power to you, Trix.

Today. Today is a day that it's great to be alive.

xx coco

And If It's Quite Alright

I once had an extended argument with a very, very dear friend over the inevitability of either growing old or growing up.  Recently, I began to realize that it doesn't matter much either way because there is no escaping either. They go hand in hand. One of the few absolute and undeniable truths of this life is that time will pass. And with its passing, if we've lived life as we ought, we will experience indescribable joys, chief among them love. And if we've truly loved (loved friends, family, lovers, hobbies, loved anything at all) then without a doubt the natural course of life will, from time to time, leave us feeling loss and heartache as the world spins and things change. We love, we learn, we grow up, we grow old.  When all is said, is done, if we can look back and feel something, whether it's an acute and painful nostalgia or a wide sweeping contentedness (and particularly if it's both), we have lived.

Music?

Madeleine Peyroux's cover of "Dance Me to the End of Love" by Leonard Cohen

Alright, so Cohen is the original singer of this song, and it's of course incredibly lovely. But I always love Madeleine's voice, and this version makes me quite happy, so it's what you're getting today. It's smooth and sweet and jazzy and perfect. I think it a great shame that this style of music ever fell out of vogue because it showcases the talent of the singer in a way that I don't think any other genre really has. Go ahead and argue with me, but do it in your head please.

"Barton Hollow" by The Civil Wars

So I saw The Civil Wars earlier this summer, and I was so very impressed with them. I was really struck by their chemistry onstage and the serious talent of those two. Every time Joy Williams sang, I was convinced that she was the more talented of the duo. Then John Paul White would sing or play guitar and I'd get confused again. The biggest disappointment I had was finding that they weren't a couple, particularly after Joy stopped and told the audience that she'd felt her unborn baby kick. So cute. And he looks like Johnny Depp. Also, I've been having an internal struggle with how much I like things sometimes described using the word "Country" like The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons and the soundtrack of Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? and how much I really, really can't stand The Dixie Chicks, Taylor Swift, and plenty of other sounds deemed country. So, naturally, I turned to the internet. This website had a good explanation. It would appear that I'm into what the pros have labeled "Bluegrass" which shares roots with Country, but is a bit more hillbilly. Banjo, mandolin, fiddle, folk... Hillbillies know what's up.

"Lost Kid" by Apache Relay

So, sorry for giving you a bit of musical whiplash today. This song is a bit closer to rock than the other songs today, but I'm still not sure that exactly covers it genre-wise. On Facebook they describe themselves as "Indie Roots." What the heck does that mean? And listen, the genre "indie" really does bug me. Indie is just short for independent, right? That doesn't describe the sound at all! So why is it relevant for the music to be independently produced? It was produced at all, which is what you and I are looking for, right? Rough. Oh, and this song has great lyrics. For the record.

How about we all go to sleep now?

xx coco

Come gather round people, wherever you roam.

Happy Friday Post! Before you get so excited that you jump out of your office chair, let me tell you two items of bad news. It is not Friday and I am not Coco. Stop breathing into your paper bag, I swear its gonna be alright. Firstly, the time on my dying computer reads 1:23 AM. Readers, the times, they are a changing. Coco has moved to the West coast. New time zones are nonsense but something we all must live with. Also, Coco hasn’t yet moved to the West coast (SO MANY LIES!!). She is on a plane somewhere over Nebraska or possibly Kansas, there is no difference… This is her older sister with slightly better taste (getting used to the lies yet?) signing on to make sure you get your fix of Coco Capp.

As Coco’s big sister, I feel compelled to use this post as a platform to give her some advice for this big new adventure that she is embarking on. Anyone else reading this should consider themselves lucky to receive these pearls of wisdom. Glean all you can from me in this short time that we have together. 

“Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites” by Skrillex

Lots of people like Skrillex. I have not traditionally been one of them. (Someone should ask Coco about her little run in with Skrillex’s tour bus one of these days!) This version of Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites was a micro-revolution for me. I don’t know that I’d say I was judging a book by its cover (there are worse hair cuts than the half shaved head), but I never gave poor Sonny John Moore a chance. Don’t ever disregard anything or anyone or any experience, deep down (sometimes kinda far deep really deep down) people are good.

"Slumdog Millionaire" by A. R. Rahman

You all know this song. You have all danced to this song. You have all yelled Jai Ho right before you’ve gone and done something maybe a little crazy or unruly. Jai Ho means BE VICTORIOUS! This song should remind everyone that you only get one shot at life. As Drake would say, YOLO. Coco, in this new adventure of yours, I hope you say Jai Ho a lot. Don’t hold back and don’t say no to anything. 

"The Past Recedes" by John Frusciante

You don’t have to understand all of the lyrics (word is that John Frusciante has fake teeth) but I want you to listen to this song and know that “every drop of sea is the whole ocean”. Its hard to leave things behind. Things can seem bigger than they are. Heartache sucks. But the future is big and is coming on like an eighteen wheeler on an icy mountain road. The past recedes, except for the people and parts of it that you choose to make a part of the present. Here comes the sun. You know its going to be alright.

Mondays are the best!

Mondays are the least likely to be enjoyable part of the week beside a Thursday that you think is a Friday but is actually a Thursday (which happens to me, like, every week). But you know what? Any day can be enjoyable with the right music, even Monday or the day after Christmas. Lemme help you with that.

"Light On In Every Corner" by Lady on the Moon

One of the best parts of this song has to be the lead vocals. The singer's voice is sort of anti-Nickelback, smooth and feeling but not pathetically smooth and feeling, y'know? Toward the end, around 3:50, the guitar starts to sound a little Coldplay circa X&Y, with a "Fix You" vibe. That's something I'd love to see more of as this band progresses. Very upbeat, very sweet, and worth listening.

"Stubborn Love" by The Lumineers

I saw The Lumineers in concert fairly recently, and these guys totally rocked. I particularly like the percussionist, Jeremiah Fraites. He plays a mean mandolin. They were the opening band, but I found their stage presence and musicianship to be superior to that of the headliner. And they were wearing fedoras and suspenders, so plus 17 points for The Lumineers. I've posted their more popular song "Hey Ho," here. If you haven't heard it yet, I highly suggest you google that.

"Black Vessel" by Pearl and the Beard

There is some serious harmonization going on here, but the use of unity really works for them when they revert to it. I've been meaning to post some Pearl and the Beard forever, but I always seem to forget. There's almost a playfulness (maybe that's the harmony?) mixed in with the intensity of this song, and the opposition there pulls the song together so nicely.

Life, it be good.

xx coco

Olympics For the Win!

Olympic Fever. I have it. Sports on television, they're not really my thing. But when you've got literally the world's best at each sport, really amazing things happen. The way that people can dedicate themselves to a sport so that they're running inhumanly fast, bending their bodies in impossible ways, or jumping 1.5 times my height in the air is so inspiring that I wish I was doing more than sitting on my couch watching them, eating whipped cream with a spoon. And nothing feels quite so powerful as watching two athletes from different countries and ethnicities embracing after their event, happy to be sharing more than borders and politics can separate: the sting of hard work and passion for the sport.

I jest. Of course I wasn't using a spoon. You spray canned whipped cream straight in your mouth, no matter how old you get.

But in honor of the games, I thought I'd make an Olympic-themed post. May the odds be ever in your favor! Wait, no, that's wrong...

"Is Your Love Big Enough?" by Lianne La Havas

Wikipedia tells me that Lianne La Havas is from London, and her parents are Greek and Jamaican, so she pretty much embodies the 2012 Olympic effort. Her voice can sound almost Adele-esque at times, but in other songs, I could swear it was Fiest. Looks like she has quite the style and soul, and I can't wait to see her grow and gain a bigger presence in the music world.

"Middle Distance Runner" by Sea Wolf

First, allow me to profess my profound love for Sea Wolf. I love them profoundly. Now that that's done, having been a middle distance runner, I can attest that this song pretty much nails the feeling I had during every single winter run I ever took. A little mellow, melancholy, very steady. In other news, have you seen the Olympic runners? It's just not even fair the way that their bodies move. They're machines.

"Racing Light" by Stars of Track and Field

How could I not use this song? Ignore the fact that it's by a band called Stars of Track and Field. It's called "Racing Lights." How perfect is that?! And when you look at the lyrics, they're really vague enough that you could, through crafty interpretation, construe them to be about an actual race. Go team.

So I hope you're all enjoying the 'lympics, lovin' the music, and eating whipped cream like it was a sport. Play on.

xx coco

What's good?!

In honor of my new look and increased viewership, I thought I'd make a surprise Wednesday post to say thanks for all the love. Also, I gots something to show you.

The raven. It has absolutely nothing to do with anything. But I like him. He's got good taste in music. Ravens are like music guardians. Accept it.

"I Will Wait" by Mumford and Sons

Debuted (man, that word looks weird in past tense) only August 1st in Hoboken (and really, who names a town Hoboken?), Mumford only put this song up on the internet yesterday, so you can flaunt your early knowledge in front of your friends and feel, like, totally superior. It's from their new album Babel which is set to be released on September 24th. Judging by "I Will Wait," it would appear that M&S decided to go with the same sound as their last album. And I'm not really complaining.

So that's all I really wanted to show you, but it's kind of fun, no? Yes. Thanks for tuning in!

xx coco

Automatic, Supersonic, Hypnotic, Funky Fresh

Remember that Ciara song? Actually, remember Ciara? Is she still alive? Someone told me the other day that Kel of "Kenan and Kel" had died of a crack overdose. I freaked. Then I told a friend who also freaked, but it was worse because I was driving and she started screaming about orange soda. So I threw my phone at her and told her to Wikipedia that jazz. Turns out he recently was remarried and has a recurring role on PBS's Curious George. Go Kel. Not dead.

Anyway, music.

"Santa Fe" by Beirut

Well, besides the first half being the most depressing music video in the history of YouTube, I've most certainly seen much worse. I like when his dead wife and dog come back and share pizza with him on the beach. That's how memories are made. A little confused about him stealing the wallets of all the people being baptized, but the song is a gem for sure. It's does a great job of being perfectly upbeat while still remaining tame. Bravo, Beirut.

"Shake Shake Shake" by Bronze Radio Return

This song is exactly what my ears needed. Maybe that sounds lame, but I can't think of another way to say that. Does that ever happen to you, where a song just feels exactly right for the moment you're in? Right now, Bronze Radio Return has done it for me. I could be wrong, but it seems as though there's some strange degree of power or tension or something impossibly unplaceable behind their instrumentals. In that way it's like "Welcome Home Son" by Radical Face, which I posted here. Side note: it's a lyric video by a random person, so don't associate it too heavily with the song.

"Take Your Mama" by Scissor Sister

When my mom first heard this song a year or two ago, she'd just gotten her "Shazam" app on the iPhone and she was so proud of using it and finding this song about taking your mama out. As far as interpreting the lyrics, we try not to.
In other news, lamest music video to date.
If you wanna minimize the window, Scissor Sisters won't know.

Soooo... yeah. Happy Monday, errybody

xx coco

If You Stare Long Enough Into the Abyss...

...the abyss will also stare into you.
Nietzsche said that. Or something to that effect. I mean, the guy was German. And I'm not exactly a student of philosophy. Whatcha gonna do? But the point is that I've spent the past lil while at the Grand Canyon, and, abyss that it is, the internet fell into it. The abyss stared into Coco Cappuccino. So I appreciate the patience with my lack of a post on Monday (I tried, I solemnly swear!) and with my guest post on Tuesday. Hunter was a brilliant guest, and I give her many thanks and accolades for her heroic blog rescue. Also, I owe her a frozen yogurt.

"Dance Dance Dance" by Lykke Li

Why do lyric videos on Youtube always seem to start out with that same blue screen with white letters? So Lykke Li. She's pretty fantastic. And I have to admit, the first time I heard a song of hers was on the Twilight soundtrack. No joke, that was actually a great soundtrack. There's also a version of this song on YouTube with Bon Iver added in, but it's not the most perfect quality, and I suggest listening to this version before you get too crazy with the Bon Iver version.

Erato's cover of "Call Your Girlfriend" by Robyn

This cover is absolutely dripping with excellence. These harmonies, the hand-drumming-cup-thing they do... Erato has taken something great and made it into something gorgeous. And if you like this song, I really and truly urge you to watch:
Lennon and Maisy's cover of Erato's cover of "Call Your Girlfriend" by Robyn

These girls are 12 and 8 years old! How amazing is that? Their voices are just phenomenal. And they're pretty much adorable. I'm sensing an amazingly bright future for these ones. I also like that they wrote their names above them on the brown paper. Melting due to an overload of awww.

"Blood Keys" by American Royalty

To me this music video looks like... biology. Mitosis or something? I wouldn't really know because 10th grade biology was the class in which I perfected my Tetris skillz. Not like I'm proud or anything. But this song does a good job of combining a little rock with something almost Radioheadesque. Certainly not easy listening, but horribly perfect for what it does.

Again, thanks for the patience. I truly do appreciate your views and I'll continue trying to bring you quality songs and semi-serious commentary if you keep checking back!

xx coco

Guest Post: Hunter

As Coco's family road trip has brought her into the middle of nowhere, she has enlisted some help from her future college suite mate: me. Hopefully I won't let her down or disappoint you, readers. I've been listening to a mixture of music genres lately. Of course, as I'm from Texas, there's always the obligatory country music--but I won't share that here.

"Next to Me" by Emeli Sande

This song was introduced to me just last night by one of my close friends who just returned from a month-long stay in Africa. She immediately thought of me when she heard because Emeli Sande's music is very similar to that of Janelle Monae (who I love and have seen in concert a few times). So talented.

"Lakehouse" by Of Monsters and Men

I decided to buy the Of Monsters and Men album on impulse when I was shopping in a random Target in Tyler, Texas. This was a couple months ago and I had no clue what Of Monsters and Men sounded like but the second I played their CD in my car, I was hooked. This is absolutely my favorite song by them.

"Rocks and Daggers" by Noah & The Whale

Noah & The Whale first entered my realm of interest in 2010 during the semester I spent in New York City. Every morning in our dorm, we'd have a "song of the day." This song was played by my friend Gracie and ever since then, I have associated it with all the memories during those 4 months up north.

Road Trip?!

This week has been absolutely mad. But in the best way, yknow. Why? Because it's the obligatory family summer road trip. No big deal, you say? No, my friend. Big deal. My family takes road trips to a whole different level. Road tripping is like an Olympic sport around here, and we win both gold and silver, leaving the Griswolds with a lowly bronze. It's not a rarity to drive from California to Pennsylvania in three days... twice in one summer. I've forgotten what a bathroom break even feels like.

So you must realize how this blog post might be a little, well, off. And I'm going to just hope that you love me enough forgive. I'll do my best.

"Magic Carpet Ride" by Steppenwolf

When I'm on a road trip, this song makes me feel like I'm the protagonist in a great road trip movie. Like Wild America or something. I'm not going to try to explain that. You should know by now not to ask for explanation.

Except, now that I think about it, it's probably because "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf is in the movie Wild America. Boh.

"Like a Dancer" by The Enemy

I don't think the lyrics correlate to this at all, but this song feels a bit like some sort of life-is-good anthem, and it's the sort of song I'd feel completely happy listening to in the car on the way to some vacation destination. It's got a nice rocky undertone. Rocky being, like, rock and roll. Not Rocky the boxer. I don't know why you'd make that mistake. Listen, I'm writing this at a very late hour.

"Gimme Twice" by The Royal Concept

Let's get this straight. The girls are the freaky kidnappers in the music video? What is that? I am declining further comment because anything I have to say this point will do zero justice to your view of the video, to this blog, to my integrity. Like I said, it's late. And I think I would like this band better if the lead singer's voice didn't remind me so much of Phoenix because I was definitely among those who overdosed on that band in the summer of 2009.

For the record, I asked my younger brother what to post, and literally every suggestion he had was a Billy Joel song. I asked him why, and he just stared at me with this look that asks, "What sort of idiot are you?" and said, "Billy Joel's awesome."

xx coco

"Tiny Dancer" by Elton John

I don't know that he expected this song in particular, but there's my tribute to the bro.  Hold me closer, Elton John.

Wait, wait, wait, actually please don't.


EDIT: Tuesday, August 7th, 20:02
It has come to my attention that Billy Joel and Elton John are not the same person. I am deeply sorry for any confusion and hurt that this has caused. Refunds will be available upon request, and therapy may also become available. If not, you can email me your problems and I'll send back sympathetic smiley faces. 

Good Morning, Baltimore!

Naw, I'm not really in Baltimore. Nice place though.

Jerry Douglas + Mumford and Sons' cover of "The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel

So, we've been running low on covers here. Obvi. Because generally less than any covers means... no covers. Listen, I'm listening to a song and typing at the same time and sometimes that makes things I say make less sense. Also, sometimes things I say don't really make sense anyways. Anyways, please listen to this auditory ambrosia.

"D'artagnan's Theme" by Citizen Cope

And how about some Citizen Cope? Oh, we fancy, huh? Yeah you are welcome! So is it the weirdest thing in the world that I really like the name D'artagnan? Is that cruel to do to a child or something? Because it just sounds like that guy has a lifetime of swordfighting, romanticism, and general BA swashbuckling ahead of him.

Man, I love Citizen Cope.

Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang's cover of "Let Me Roll It" by

I'm not sure who exactly I was speaking with, but I recently had a conversation with the conclusion that if you ever have the chance to join a band that follows the format: [INSERT NAME] and the [INSERT SOMETHING ELSE], don't do it! Don't be part of the Get Real Gang because Juston Stens is going to help you get real with a serious reality check when he leaves you all behind for a solo career! You're just a pawn in Juston's game!

That last rant exhausted me. I can't go on.

xx coco

Funny Story...

No, I lied, and I don't have a funny story.  Look, all day I've been funny, and I'm watching a ten year old who just doesn't understand, so I'm feeling a bit on the bitter side about my comic abilities. When I told her she couldn't take a joke, she looked at me deadpan and said, "No. No, I can't," and walked away. And to think I made that girl an omelette.

"Girls" by Deep Sea Arcade

Why does his voice sort of remind me of The Beatles? Or maybe it's that haircut, that heinous haircut... Nonetheless, The music video is well done, in my opinion. Of course, it's not the kind you could watch over and over because of how cool it is, but then again, I don't think I'd put the song on repeat either.

"Bottom of the River" by Delta Rae

Excellent, excellent song. Her voice kills me. It's deep and soulful and just stays with you. And freaky as the lyrics may be, they're well written and just work with what they've chosen to do here. I love it. But oh, my stars above is that not the creepiest music video? It's simply terrifying. Aside from that, it's somehow beautiful.

"Tamer Animals" by Other Lives

I don't know, somehow any time I see tiny people, my first instinct is "They're borrowers!" but that could be just me. I sort of think I'm not alone in that though. Actually, I'm not even sure those people are supposed to be tiny, but their cars are, like, toy cars. And the gravel of the pavement looks massive! Beyond that essential tangent, it's a soothing song. I don't want to go as far as to say dispassionate, but it's certainly good for calming down after you listen to "Bottom of the River."

I think the valuable lesson here is not to make omelettes for just anyone. If someone's made an omelette for you lately, you're probably special. But maybe less so if you payed money for it. But we can pretend if it makes you feel better.

xx coco

Don't Stop Believin'

Hold on to that fee-eeli-in'. That's like a mandatory wedding song. I was talking with my mom, and she said that when it came out they had no idea that "Don't Stop Believing" would be the legend that it is today. It's not even her favorite Journey song. And I was like, "Journey has other songs?!"

Just kidding.

But it does make me wonder which songs of today our own children will immortalize. *please let it not be The Black Eyed Peas* Every song will be an oldie someday. Which songs do you think will be forever songs, and which songs will blow over and be forgotten? That will be a serious punch in the gut, the day little Marlene refers to Coldplay as oldies or asks if I ever had an actual CD of Maroon 5.

Also kidding. I would never name my child Marlene.

"Hey Now" by David Barnes

This song makes me happy. It also makes me want to talk in a funny accent. Don't judge me; I'm having more fun than you. But it really does it for me when they whip out the whistling in the middle of an upbeat song. And they don't overdo it either. Bravo, David Barnes.

"Love love love" by Avalanche City

Please. Please tell me this music video isn't a penguin in love on a boat, fighting a pirate and being rescued by a blimp. Someone tell me it isn't so. Who does this? Penguins? Leave the penguins be!! What did penguins ever do to pirates! They don't even have booty to steal! Just, like, useless feathers and such. Times like these tell me that I should be making music videos for a living.

But, I mean, lovely song.

"Dreams" by The Cranberries

Why? Because I feel like it. Once I bought a Woodstock '94 CD because this song was on it and I was young and stupid. Other artists included Porno for Pyros and Salt n Pepa. It was utterly terrifying.

Don't stop believing, mis amigos.

xx coco

Tonight, Tonight

You know when I feel like a loser? When someone asks what genre of music I like. If you like the music I post, you probably understand the feeling. (If you don't like the music I post, what the heck are you doing here?) Usually I sound a little like this: "Well, mostly I listen to bands that are a little... rocky. With some folk thrown in. And oldies. Good ones, like the Stones, none of that 'polka dot bikini' business. Plus a bit of Jack White sometimes. And every once in a while some reggae. Oh and Jack Johnson." By the time I've listed off three more genres and rambled for a minute more about how not all indie rock is bad and picked some fuzz off my sweater, I'm normally not in a conversation anymore. Then again, I'd rather not say "Oh, I like a bit of everything," because that leaves me sounding indecisive and like not much of a music fan at all. Besides, I don't like a bit of everything. Once dubstep actually made my ears bleed.

So if you've been listening to Coco Cappuccino and are wondering what genre you've gotten into, I have no idea. Tell people your taste in music is as changing and harsh and untamable as the sea. And say it in the Tia Dalma voice too, so it really freaks them out.

"On The Sly" by The Bamboos feat. Kyle Auldist

Hey I like that red dress! I had originally wanted to post a different song by The Bamboos, "Medicine Man," but dat ain't on YouTube, so listen in on Spotify or something, whatever.

"Save my Soul"by Alpine Shore

The beginning of this song seriously sounds like "Steal My Kisses" by Ben Harper. These guys are from Colorado and describe their sound as "Colorado Beach Music" which sort of seems disillusioned to me because Colorado is very landlocked, but I'm totally going with it because my ears liked it anyways.

"Junk of the Heart (Happy)" by the Kooks

This has to be my favorite Kooks song. It's nice because you can really just kick it while you listen. Very catchy, doesn't get old. Except every time I see the title, I sort of think about "My Junk" from the musical Spring Awakening. Not a bad music video. I'm not overly enthused with it or anything, but the shadows of the violin players are quite lovely.

Oh, by the way, that whole thing about bleeding ears was a lie. Except once I was so close to the speaker at Young the Giant that I actually thought I felt something that had ruptured in my ear and freaked out until we got to the car and my sister could confirm that, indeed, my ears were intact. True story, bro.

xx coco

Aha!

Bet you weren't expecting a Wednesday post!

On a note related to literally nothing, watch this video:

xx coco

Cereal, Among Other Things. Like Music

Here's the thing. I could eat cereal for... maybe forever. It's becoming semi-serious. Especially at night. It just really doesn't fill you up, know what I'm sayin'? So you end up eating as much cereal as might fit in the back of a decent sized minivan before you know it. And I know it's probably the cardinal sin of healthy eating, but cinnamon toast crunch, let's just skip the whole bowl and milk thing. Hand me the box if you want to live.

And if you don't enjoy sugary cereal, you're either a liar, a robot, or a diabetic. If you're a liar or a robot, get off my blog. The diabetics can stay. You guys have it rough.

In other news, I've decided on a Monday-Friday schedule for the blog posts, since Mondays need a little cheer and Fridays are so great that we all just want to dance.

"Bright Lights" by Gary Clark Jr.

Perfection: this song has reached it. I'm pretty eh on the music video. But the song itself, in particular those vocals, is just gorgeous. Touch of Black Keys, anyone?

"Cali in a Cup" by Woods

Ok, so I know this is someone's random home-cooked video of their jump off Sauron's tower into a 6 foot deep pond in Virginia, but it is actually the only video I could find with the song. Just pretend it's got some instagram-esque effects, and it's not too much different than many of the music videos on Youtube today! Nice song though, right?

"Auto-Happy" by Slow Runner

And to end on a groovin' beat, I give you Slow Runner! Just like me and all the girls on my high school cross country team that I convinced to build forts in the woods with me rather than run our workouts! And is it just me, or is the use of autotune in this song totally not annoying? It's like a new breed of music!

xx coco