Hipster For A Day, Part 2

Part 1 here.

The Maccabees - "Latchmere" - Very annoying lead singer. Accessible-ish, but too twitchy for me.

- "Precious Time" - More accessible, more enjoyable. Maybe this could grow on me, but it's a little too annoying for me to stick with. They're talented, though. Vaguely Clap Your Hands Say Yeah-ish.

Speak of the devil:

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - I have a huge chip on my shoulder about this band. They were so, so, so hyped and I gave their album a listen and DEAR GOD the singer's voice. So painful. I love Hefner, people. Darren Hayman's voice is, indeed, an acquired taste. But the CYHSY guy makes Hayman sound like Celine Dion, seriously. I did like some songs off their debut, but it felt like they were *almost* trying to create pop songs and shying away from it all at once, because clearly a pure pop record is just too gauche. Or something. Clearly, I have issues. But! I'm going to give their new songs a try anyway. See if I change my mind.

- "Emily Jean Stock" - Okay, I guess this is kind of... nice? If I really stretch definitions of ... nice? (I'm trying to imagine playing this for my mom. She would scream. He sort of sounds like a dying cat. When someone came up with that now-cliched phrase, this is the kind of thing they were talking about.) But it's sort of... weirdly pretty? But... not for me. *shuts it off*

- "Love Song No. 7" - More promising start. ...This makes me think of The Wall. And Hunky Dory-era Bowie. ...everything I like about the song just disappeared. ...And then faded back in. ...I would probably enjoy this more if I did drugs. *shuts off*

- "Underwater (You And Me)" - This is listenable. Almost hooky. On the edge of pretty. But boring.

Aesop Rock - "Keep Off The Lawn" - It's hard for me to judge hip-hop; I'm just not into very much of it. This isn't working for me.

- "None Shall Pass" - Well-done, but not my thing. Voice is kinda growing on me, but... yeah. I'd spin it, but not my thing.

El-P - "Run The Numbers" - I love a lesbian rocker named L.P.. This guy's success could possibly make things a little annoying for her. Anyway: this is good. I feel like an asshole for not being super-into hip-hop, and this isn't something that I see making its way into my iTunes, but I'd play this over Ye Olde College Radio airwaves. I get why people respect this guy.

- "The Overly Dramatic Truth" - Yeah, he's good.

M.I.A. - I briefly sampled M.I.A. and couldn't get into it. I know, I know! Everyone and her sister loves her. I want to get it! So, giving her another try.

- "Bamboo Banga" - Ack. Not my thing.

- "World Town" - I definitely get why she's a breath of fresh air to a lot of people, but it just doesn't *sound* good to me. It doesn't do anything for me.

- "Paper Planes" - Better. I could enjoy it on a mix tape or behind a scene in a movie. I'd play it on college radio. (Man, I feel like a tool saying "college radio." But just saying "radio" feels misleading.) Not something I'd listen to on my lonesome.

- "Jimmy" - This is cool. I kinda like this. Maybe M.I.A. could grow on me. Sometimes I hate stuff at first and learn to love it... At the same time, life's short, dude.

Deerhunter - "Cryptograms" - Listenable, but boring-- oh, hey, wait, the song finally exploded. But not quite *enough*. Off you go.

- "Fluorescent Grey" - Ehhhh. Why would someone buy a whole album of this?

HEALTH - "Crimewave" - Nooooo-- oh, wait, it suddenly got interesting. ...Wow, I just sat through a drum solo. Which was good, don't get me wrong. ...and then the song was over. ...Talented, but ew?

- "Triceratops" - This is like aliens fucking inside my brain. It's kind of cool, yet totally not my bag.