macy gray: here’s how the story goes.

Macy Gray - Slap A Bitch!
Macy Gray - Okay

Back in high school, I created a scratchboard drawing of Macy Gray singing into a stalk of broccoli. My art teacher didn’t really understand the humor of this, so naturally I followed it up with a linoleum print of an anthropomorphic broccoli monster singing into Macy Gray’s head. As much as “I Try” to resist it, she’s become a recurring theme in my artwork, to the degree that the above drawing just subconsciously flowed out of my pen within the past year or so. It wasn’t intended to represent a drag queen version of Macy, but I thought it was oddly fitting. She basically is a drag impersonator of herself.

This became wildly clear after encountering “Slap A Bitch!”, a mysterious  single which emerged shortly after the release of her 2007 album Big. Though the title alone is enough to get you excited for some prospective craziness, just wait until you hear the first few lines of the song: “Here’s how the story goes / And everyone can relate / First time I came was when I masturbated when I was eight”. Initially, you’ll be so taken aback by this lyrical piece of heaven that you’ll completely miss her absurd assumption that “everyone can relate” to this song.

“Slap A Bitch!” is a far cry from the peppy and somewhat bland new single. Thanks to industry politics, Macy’s genius eccentricity will forever be imprisoned on random B-sides, album-only tracks and unreleased jams. Further evidence of this was provided when a little bird recently told me, “We produced a song she did about her boyfriend, AKA her dildo… it’s called B.O.B., battery operated boyfriend.” Please take note that, despite how amazing this song sounds, it does not appear on the tracklist for Ms. Gray’s upcoming album The Sellout. Is there any justice in this world? No. But at least there’s still broccoli…

darwin deez: all these molecules.

Darwin Deez - My DNA

Recently somebody inquired about my thoughts on Darwin Deez, and I had no fucking clue who they were talking about. The detective within me chose to investigate this matter by looking up one of his various online profiles. And then my judgmental side–based on his pictures alone–arrived at the conclusion that he’s a total tryhard who would probably annoy the hell out of me. Yet as a responsible music lover, I made the mature decision to give his songs a chance.

After a few minutes of listening, it wasn’t quite clear whether the songs were actually good or just significantly better than I had expected. Technically, the verdict is still out on this. Deez could benefit from polishing his vocals a bit or tightening up his compositions, but in the end there’s still something wholly alluring about his work. It’s a shame that you can’t separate his “wacky weirdo” persona from the music. Then I might not feel so dirty about admitting that I enjoy him to some degree. Because I kind of do.

cof cof: don’t turn your back.

Cof Cof - To The Future
Cof Cof - Jungle of Love

Everybody’s favorite Spanish duo is back with a new EP entitled To The Future. Okay, so maybe they’re only my favorite Spanish duo, but who the fuck cares about technicalities like that? They’re adorable, and they love beer. And does anything else matter when it comes to good music?

This time around, Cof Cof has abandoned the breezy, summery vibe of previous EPs Who Said Party? and Safari in favor of a technology-fueled romp. The title track has an oddly Oedipal theme, as female vocalist Ana Anologica tells someone, “If you want to have me, do me like your mother”. Even though it’s not exactly the most original theme in this day and age, it somehow works when it’s coming out of her mouth.

You can download the entirety of the To The Future EP at Cof Cof’s last.fm page. If you still can’t get enough of them after that, their entire discography can be acquired there as well.

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