The International House of Bacon

The Bird and the Bee - “Polite Dance Song”: I can’t recall the last time I got into a band in such a convoluted way. Ann’s friend was asking if I knew this one song by The Bird and the Bee sometime last year, and we couldn’t figure out who it was at the time. Fast forward a bit, and I somehow land on the video for this song, which I love, while Ann is in Philly. She comes back with a copy of their album, having not seen my post with the video in it. Later, I learn that the lady in the band is Inara George, who I have a passing interest in due to some sort of link with The Reputation. With that said, it’s really a fun indie pop song with more than a little humor, and the EP it’s on is filled with songs like it. I’m shocked it took me this long to find them, quite frankly.

The Raveonettes - “Aly, Walk With Me”: I’ve loved the Raveonettes ever since Whip It On, and I loved the direction they took with Pretty in Black. The new album is essentially a mix of the clean, 60s-pop-ish sound of the last album with the grit and Spector-esque-ness of their early stuff, and “Aly, Walk With Me” is the first song on the album and sets the tone immediately. It’s a song that kind of grabs you, because you know you’re hearing a Raveonettes song if you’re familiar with them, but it’s different enough to make you wonder what comes next. The song falters only in the way that it’s almost too noisy, even though that was the intent. I can appreciate that, even if it doesn’t always work.

The Motion Sick - “Grace Kelly”: If Colin Meloy and Jeff Mangum had a child, it may sound like The Motion Sick. I tripped up on “Grace Kelly” this week and got completely hooked - good acoustic indie rock with some different instruments and a competent lead singer who’s voice fits the music they’re playing. And they’re local, which is an exciting plus if I ever get around to going to concerts again. They have a bunch of free mp3s up, so it’s worth giving a shot.