Rural Modernist mascots, Tino and Leo, enjoy a romp in the snow. Our neighbor's dog, Zuzu, makes a special appearance at the end. The soundtrack is Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People which is insanely catchy and happy. I'm surprised that this wasn't a bigger hit. It has whistling!

I finally saw Gertie's directorial debut, Whip It. The movie is predictable, but makes up for it's lack of originality with loads of charm, ass kicking roller derby chicks, an all-girl food fight, and a great soundtrack. I particularly loved this dreamy song by Swedish troubadour Jens Lekman that played during Ellen Page's "losing her virginity in the pool" scene. The humorous/romantic lyrics are sexually ambiguous, involve avocado, blood, and a trip to the E.R. I hear a good dollop of Morrissey, a hearty scoop of Jonathan Richman, a few tablespoons of Billy Bragg, and a soupçon of Damien Dempsey in Mr. Lekmans winsome warbling. He recorded this song in 2007 and doesn't seem to have done anything since then, so Jens, get cracking.

Download "Arms Around Me" or check out Jens' "Presents" page for a slew of other free mp3's.

Hurts They're being heralded as "the new Depeche Mode" (they're not), but there is certainly a Violator era Depeche-iness about these two handsome lads from the UK. I'm loving the early 90's L'Uomo Vogue fashion spread flavor of the video for Wonderful Life. Thanks to my blog bud over at BPMMM for turning me on to them.

"Stay" is the track that really gets my manties in a twist. It has a grand, synthy, sweeping melodramatic hook that's very Question of Lust combined with the soaring gospel choir chorus Madonna employed to great effect on Like a Prayer.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Aside from the tediously long art school angsty name of the band, I'm absolutely enamored with this song. They're reminiscent of Glasvegas, who coincidentally was my most listened to band of 2009. I'm a sucker for music with Phil Spector-esque reverb, Jesus and Mary Chain-y drums, Smiths-y jingle jangly guitars, and sullen romantic lyrics. And I only know them because of the magical witchcraft that is Pandora's spookily accurate algorithms.

Scissor Sisters What can I say other than the song is über catchy and lead singer Jake is running around in boxer briefs while being shot with a sushi cannon. Isn't that enough?

If you want to hear more, just listen to Rural Modernist Radio on the Pandora machine and don't hold it against me if some really weird and random stuff ends up in the mix. So what's in heavy rotation on your Victrola these days?

My ear holes are totally digging the falsetto, galloping drum beat, and dreamy guitars on the new single by The Temper Trap. Not so careful analysis reveals a sprinkle of New Order (Temptation), a tablespoon of Ride (Vapor Trail), and a pinch of Kings of Leon (the oh, oh, oh chorus from Use Somebody). Freshen up that stale iPod and download Sweet Disposition while it's hot.
VIA APJ

"Perfect Rainy Day" illustration for Handsome Devil Press by Jason O'Malley

It's no secret that I love The Smiths. The evidence is all over my house, my greeting card company (Handsome Devil Press is named after a Smiths B-side), and my hair (I've been known to pomade my pompadour to Morrisseyesque heights on special occasions). The Queen is Dead is their masterpiece and the Cover Me blog has compiled this clever selection of covers of each song on the album that is sure to tickle the ear holes of any Smiths devotee:

The Ukrainians - The Queen Is Dead
Technically, this is not “The Queen Is Dead,” but rather “Koroleva Ne Pomerla.” Yep, that band name is no cute moniker. This bit Eastern European choral-punk (a new genre?) stomps and swings like whirling dervish chanting channeled through Sid Vicious.

Cursive - Frankly, Mr. Shankly
This one goes from grunge to lounge to hard rock…and that’s just the first 45 seconds! It’s like ten covers in one, utilizing drum pounds here, cello screeches there, indie goodness everywhere!

Pale Sunday - I Know It's Over
You’re not quite sure whether to bang your head or try some flamenco moves in this one (I think the woodblock is the culprit here). Above it all hovers that haunting melody, accusing as much as it pities.

Billy Bragg - Never Had No One Ever
Bragg has never been known for his singing, but on the quiet strummer his lazy drawl’s search for the tune hits you straight in the chest. This one comes off The Smiths Is Dead, another full-album tribute worth getting.

The Very Most - Cemetry Gates
In this live one from the fine folks at archive.org, The Very Most prove that an acoustic guitar and tambourine are all one needs to accompany Morrissey’s unusual lyrics and catchy melody. When he wrote this one, Keats, Yates, and Wilde were all on his side.

Matteo Scumaci - Bigmouth Strikes Again
Subtle guitar plucking complements Matteo’s Italian accent, carrying him gently along as he sings oh-so-sweetly about bludgeoning his woman toothless. Morrissey always was a romantic.

J Mascis - The Boy with the Thorn in His Side
There are a lot of covers of this one, including one by Jeff Buckley that suffers from shaky recording quickly. Not so here, as the Dinosaur Jr. frontman slashes at his acoustic guitar while he snarls like he’s got a couple thorns in him himself.

Damage Done By Worms - Vicar in a Tutu
The phenomenal band name covers a “psychobilly” acoustic punk band like the Violent Femmes with an Eastern European accent. The saloon piano solo in the middle sounds like the soundtrack to a Quentin Tarantino barroom brawl.

Nada Surf - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
So many covers of this one stay so close to the original, I set out to find one that did something drastically different. I found several, all of which terrible. When covering a perfect song, sometimes not straying too far can be good advice.

Supergrass - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
Fellow Brits Supergrass built the alternative rock up to distortion-punk hollers. Some songs are bigger than others too, and this one is bloody enormous.

Download the entire The Queen is Dead Cover collection at Cover Me (click the song titles for the free mp3 download).

P.S. Although I like the breezy Pale Sunday version of "I Know It's Over", I far prefer the heartbreakingly beautiful cover by Jeff Buckley. Morrissey, please return the favor by covering Jeff Buckley's haunting version of Hallelujah in your own inimitable style on your next album.

I love it. It's classic PSB. It inspired me to do the photo-illustrated mash-up above. Actually, I was just experimenting with the new Illustrator CS 4 and going bananas with the snazzy new filters and doodads, using the raw CMYK color palette for an 80's pop/paint splattered loosey goosey collage effect and I kind of like the result. It's totally different from my usual style and I love how lurid and slapped together it looks. What do you think?

CLICK IT, DON'T LICK IT:
Megaupload.com I don't condone stealing, but if you're so inclined, get the fab YES while it's hot.

A kaleidoscope of Fornasetti-esque animated graphics bounce along to a disco beat while drenched in candy coated colors. What's not to love?



CLICK IT, DON'T LICK IT:
Mr. Peacock Read Master P.'s engaging treatise on the fabulous Piero Fornasetti.
Pet Shop Boys Watch the video in extra large HD on their website. Their new album Yes is out 3/23 in the UK. The "Love Etc." single's out 3/16 and will come with remixes by Gui Boratto, the Pet Shop Boys, Kurd Maverick and FrankMusik.

They sound like the long lost love children of The Shangri-Las and The Jesus and Mary Chain as produced by Phil Spector. Further aural D.N.A. analysis reveals genetic traces of The Killers, My Bloody Valentine, Arcade Fire, The Ramones, Joy Division, Julie Cruise, and Interpol for good measure. Here's how they describe themselves:

Bold & confident, under a ravishing, yet ominous air of noir – Glasvegas, a Scottish rock n roll four piece, unleash their sweet surf/punk melodies. Hanging out in Glasgow's notorious East End, the gang are all 50's style cool with flicks and turned up jeans. Waves of warm fuzzy distortion washed with tremolo guitar sounds, paint a monochrome for songs of cruel brutality, tragic abandonment and love-less love.

Now that's my kind of fun.

CLICK IT, DON'T LICK IT:
Geraldine and Flowers and Football Tops Play these videos with the volume turned up and I dare you not to sway and get a chill or two running up and down your spine.
Glasvegas.net Their official website.

ALSO:
The Jesus and Mary Chain circa 1985. Nice hair:


The Shangri-Las The 60's girl group sited as major influences by both Deborah Harry and Morrissey:


My Bloody Valentine The distortion will make your eardrums bleed (in a good way):


Arcade Fire I LOVE this song which was featured on the late great Six Feet Under: