Music Wednesdays – The Kooks’ “Always Where I Need to Be”

A nice peppy song from The Kooks for you today. This is off of Konk. I like the overall vibe of the song a lot. I’ll need to listen to the rest of the album.

Tunage Updates – Koji Kondo and Naoki Kodaka pages fully updated!

Slowly but surely that backlog is being conquered! I finally finished up Koji Kondo‘s page by compiling a proper discography for him, which took some time, busy man that he is. With Kondo finally done, I moved onto Naoki Kodaka‘s page and gave it the complete overhaul, and it has its videos all up to date and two new clips added in that I had omitted before. That leaves Michiru Yamane and Yutaka Minobe to receive the revision treatment, and then I can get into setting up posts for the new composers I’ve been meaning to do.

Music Wednesdays – Morningwood’s “Jetsetter”

Morningwood is a band that I think could have been absolutely amazing. Their self-titled debut was mixed in my book, but there were some gems along the duds (including this song), and I had hoped that the band would lean towards the hard rock sound that half the album or so featured. Alas, their next CD went the poppy craporama direction. Massive disappointment. The band broke up after that, but I’ll be able to cherish the few awesome songs they did.

The Beach Boys Video Collection – Pet Sounds Promo

Continuing the Pet Sounds celebration today, here’s a promo video featuring music from the album.

I’m not exactly sure when this was put together, but I’m assuming it’s relatively recent seeing as how it uses the stereo mixes of the songs (unless it was re-dubbed with them). It seems to feature Mike Love on a camping trip, with the other ‘Boys occasionally showing up.

It starts off with the song “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” which I already posted today, but it segues into “Here Today” and “God Only Knows.”

Music Wednesdays – The Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”

Honestly, I wasn’t planning on posting a Beach Boys song today. With the reunion and all, I’ve gone a bit Beach Boys crazy, and I’ve been trying to keep it somewhat under control. But then I found out that today, May 16, was the 46th anniversary of Pet Sounds, widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all-time, and I just had to acknowledge it. So, here is the lead track from that album, and one of The Beach Boys’ most popular songs.

Please pardon the indulgence.

Music Wednesdays – Mirah’s “Don’t Die in Me”

Mirah continues to wow me with her amazing songs. I need to get more CD’s from her. Anyway, this one is from C’mon Miracle, a more recent album of hers. This is a fan video done by Moist Productions.

News Roundup: 5/11/2012

Some things I’ve accumulated while I was busy studying/sicking:

Like Cultural Anxiety? I hope so. Well, in between my writings check out this Tumblr Box Vs. Box, which does a box art comparison much like I do, but without the in-depth textiness. I’ve gotten some ideas for future posts from there. Worth a look!

Curious about the Street Fighter manga by Masahiko Nakahira? Be curious no more, for Jason Thompson at ANN thoroughly details them out here. Now I want to read them!

If you want to wander through your days to the themes of the Gamecube Animal Crossing, now you can.

1UP’s The Grind digs into the latest Fire Emblem quite nicely here.

Okay, I think that’s all for now. I’ve got other things to do, so I’ll see you tomorrow!

The Beach Boys Video Collection – “Break Away” and “Crocodile Rock”

Break Away (1969)

Many people consider this song to be symbolic of The Beach Boys’ separation from Capitol Records, whom they were having difficulties with at the time. Interestingly, Brian Wilson co-wrote it with his infamous father Murray (under the pen name Reggie Dunbar). It’s also considered by some to be the last classic-sounding Beach Boys song. As a single, it flopped in the US, but was a bit more successful internationally.

Crocodile Rock (1991)

The Beach Boys originally covered this song for a tribute album to Elton John and Bernie Taupin called Two Rooms. And yes, that’s John Stamos, who has appeared in several Beach Boys music videos, and even directed a few. He still moonlights with the group occasionally, and has even appeared on their current reunion tour.

Heh. What’s with Al’s hair in this video?

Music Wednesdays – The Five Stairsteps’ “Ooh Child”

This is probably one of the most comforting, therapeutic songs ever written. Whenever you have a bad day, listening to this song is nearly guaranteed to make you feel better.

Music Wednesdays – Belly’s “Feed the Tree”

Former Throwing Muses member Tanya Donnelly joined up with The Breeders briefly, then formed her own band called Belly. They didn’t last too long, but they did put out some good songs, including this one, their best-known single. Off of Star.