B-SIDES: The Better Side?

B-SIDES! According to the Urban Dictionary, "a B-side was originally known as the song on the flipside of a 12" or 7" vinyl single that backed the A-side, but wasn't the song promoted or received the radio play". Sometimes B-sides are eventually added to full length productions, and sometimes they're a throwaway album cut. B-sides generally have a rep for absolute crap quality, and made it easier to persuade radio stations/DJs to play the correct side. This isn't the case for the tracks I selected for today's post, these B-sides are more than worthy.

ENJOY!

The Kills - "BLUE MOON"

The B-Side to The Kills' second single "Future Starts Slow" which was released last year. I'm such a sucker for anything that this duo touches. If you ever have the time to look up more b-sides & unreleased tracks from The Kills THEN DO IT. Gems on gems on gems.

The xx - "DO YOU MIND?"

The B-side to "Islands" from 2009. Another B-side I love from The xx is "Insects". Check it out if you haven't already! 

St. Vincent - "GROT"

I'm not the biggest St. Vincent fan, but when I watched her set at last year's Treasure Island Music Festival-I was impressed with how amazing she sounded live. For this year's Record Store Day St. Vincent released a red vinyl 7" with "KROKODIL" as the A-side & "GROT" (the track above) as the B-side. I dig it. 

Little Dragon - "STRANGER"

Little Dragon can do no wrong, except for not including this track on their 2009 full-length Machine Dreams. The A-side "Feather" was included on the full-length, and is one of my favorites by them. 

Two Door Cinema Club - "COSTUME PARTY"

The B-side for "I Can Talk". Call me crazy, but this track should have been on their  2010 debut album Tourist History. Luckily they perform "Costume Party" live, and I will be seeing them in Philadelphia this September. :D

The Civil Wars - "SOUR TIMES"

This is actually a Portishead cover, but this particular recording was used by The Civil Wars as the B-Side for their Billie Jean release on Record Store Day. 

Florence and the Machine - "SWIMMING"

Nearly 2 years after releasing her debut album Lungs, Florence and the Machine released Lungs: The B-Sides, 11 tracks including two special covers & a few other gems. This is the opening track on the album, and the lyrics are probably some of my favorite from Flo overall. 

freshvibesmonday #6

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE! Today is a pretty special day for Americans as it is a day to honor those we may or may not know that are brave soldiers who fought for our country! It's not "just" a holiday, it's much more than that. 

So, have a lovely rest of the day & enjoy these tunes whether you're relaxing, recuperating, or freaking out over finals (like me). Sorry for the draught of posts recently, I promise I'll make up for it with the next couple of ones! :) XX

Loquat - "TIME BENDING"

YAY THEY'RE BACK. Well, only 3 of the original members but still- this is a bit of a surprise to hear that they are back AND with a full-length album to deliver. "Time Bending" is the first track off We Could Be Arsonists, and it's a great way to start off the album. Super-duper catchy, and I ADORE Kylee Swenson's voice. Crossing my fingers this bay-area band will be performing at this years Treasure Island Music Festival, as they played an opening slot during the festival in 2008. 

Lana Del Rey - "NEVER LET ME GO" 

This is an unreleased track from LDR that recently leaked about a week ago or so. Perfect track for summer and especially to tend the blues that come with it. I'm curious to see where this track will go, maybe a new EP or something for her to perform during the three straight days of performing in LA? Who knows. 

Two Wounded Birds - "TO BE YOUNG"

The intro to this song gives off a more accelerated Tennis vibe, but when the vocals start to kick in I immediately think of The Horrors. I really dig their sound as it fits in perfectly with one of my previous posts "Sounds That are Younger Than They Sound". If it says anything, check out on their "Artists We Also Like" tab on Facebook: the first two are Ramones & The Beach Boys. BOOM perfectly describes their sound. Dig it! 

Milo Greene - "DON'T YOU GIVE UP ON ME" 

Discovering Milo Greene must be credited to the 2012 music issue of NYLON. It's by far my favorite magazine, and I'm pretty sure this is the one issue that I literally read from front to back in less than two hours. Thought it was pretty clever to read that Milo Greene came from a pseudonym made up from the band members when they collaborated at shows in 2009. Look out for their debut album out July 17th, and if you dig their sound check out: The Head & The Heart and The Civil Wars! 

Van She - "IDEA OF HAPPINESS"

If you're a Van She fan, you're probably freaking out about their upcoming release since it feels like forever when they released their self-titled EP in 2006. The new album will be released in the US On July 10th, YIPPEE. 

Bobby Womack Ft. Lana Del Rey - "DAYGLO REFLECTION"

If the name Bobby Womack doesn't ring a bell for you, listen to the track and hopefully you'll recognize that soulful rich voice. Or if you're a Gorillaz fan like me, then BAM it should make perfect sense to you who Bobby Womack is (does "Stylo" ring a bell). This beautiful duet will be released on Womack's full-length album The Bravest Man in The Universe on June 12th in the US on XL Recordings. Mmm classic & elegance at its finest.