Dan Auerbach - Trouble Weighs a Ton

What's wrong dear mother?
Has your child disobeyed?

When I found out Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys was releasing a solo album I was excited because I absolutely love the Black Keys. At the same time, however, I was also weary because you really never know how solo efforts will go. Not that I was worried it was the end of the duo but that it would be disappointing and I'll just wish he'd spent the time with Patrick Carney instead. Fortunately, I enjoyed listening to Keep It Hid and will likely continue to do so.

"Trouble Weighs a Ton" is his first single off the album. It still contains many of the elements you hear in the Black Keys' music, primarily the influence of blues. However, this is one of the songs that actually strays away from their last album produced by Danger Mouse--Attack & Release. It's much mellower than the songs on that album. Ultimately, however, Keep It Hid could just as easily have been a Black Keys album, which makes one wonder what drove Dan to go solo in the first place.

Below is the "unofficial" video that's been circulating with Dan's uncle, James Quine:

Thursday - Porcelain

When people die
They take a piece of us with them

Sometimes it can be difficult for me to be truly inspired by an artist to actually write about them that day. In the case of Thursday, it was more a feeling of nostalgia that brought me to it because, truth be told, I feel very over my "post-hardcore/screamo" days. It's weird to think how much I absolutely loved Thursday in high school, but now, don't even seem phased by the fact that they're playing a show in LA in two weeks and have a new album coming out. Still, I can't say that I hate them and occasionally, like today, remember how much I liked them and thought I'd pay tribute.

"Porcelain" is from their debut LP--Waiting. It's not so much that this is my favorite song but found that this would be one of the ones that would always just be stuck in my head. I think it's pretty definitive of Thursday's earlier music even though I don't personally feel that they've changed dramatically in their style--only evolved and matured. This isn't necessarily a bad thing and probably great for die hard fans who fell in love with Thursday during their first two albums. For me, it's gotten a bit old.

What further pushed me to do a post on them today is this music video I saw for "In Silence" off their new album--Common Existence. I found the video and music to be very captivating. Compared to the other two tracks I heard off the new album, this actually hints that the band might actually be doing more than evolving but actually experimenting a bit. Either way, I dig it. Check it out:

Radiohead - All I Need

I'm an animal

Trapped in your hot car

You know that feeling when you're in love like you want to just stand on top of a mountain and yell for all the world to hear and know? That's how I feel about Radiohead. There is just this indescribable feeling I get when listening to them. The only thing I can associate it with is being in love, which is weird--maybe? [shrugs] And this is why Radiohead is officially the first artist to appear TWICE on this blog! (See: first)

"All I Need" is absolutely and totally eargasmic. Every second of it is pure ecstasy to me and I only love them even more when I listen to it. I am truly In Rainbows. The lyrics are one of my favourite parts about the song. Thom Yorke begins the song describing a desperate seemingly unrequited love for another. But then he sings, "I only stick with you because there are no others." This makes the listener wonder if he really is in love. To me, it only further shows the desperation and "need" he has for the beloved.

Favourite Part: When the piano enters and the drums pick up. Ah ... bliss.

Radiohead used this song for a music video on MTV aimed at rasing awareness on human exploitation and trafficking. Maybe not what you had in mind for this song, but check it out anyway:

Klaxons - It's Not Over Yet

I'll live for you

I'd die for you

Remember the Klaxons? They were huge last year after the release of their debut album--Myths of the Near Future. I recently realized I haven't heard anything from/about them since. So I decided to revisit their songs and remembered how much I love "It's Not Over Yet." From the siren-like intro to the get-up-and-dance chorus, I just really enjoy this song. The song itself is a cover from a Eurodance hit in the '90s titled "Not Over Yet" by Grace. You should totally click on that link and laugh at what a cheesy and typical 90s music video it is.

Favourite Part: The perfect combination of guitar rock and dance pop.

Its Not Over Yet - Klaxons

Sinéad O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U

I could put my arms around every boy I see

But they'd only remind me of you

The ultimate goal of "Daily Eargasm" is to recommend or highlight good songs. So ultimately you have one of those "Songs You Must Hear Before You Die" type books, but in a blog (and with links so you can actually hear the song). Not to mention that it's completely free! So even though I try my best to pick songs that are somewhat new or that you most likely haven't heard, I'm occassionally going to also pick songs that you most probably have heard. This isn't to piss you off, although I apologize if I do. But simply to take some time and give credit to those who created hit songs. And not necessarily hit songs, but good hit songs. If you've been following my blog from the beginning, you'll know that I've done this already but I thought this time around I'd explain myself a bit. So there you have it. ANYWAY ...

"Nothing Compares 2 U," by Sinéad O'Connor is definitely one of these hits. For those who don't know, the song is actually a cover of a Prince composition, which never actually made it onto any of his own albums. What really makes this song so great for me is the music video. Firstly, I hadn't seen many, if any, bald female singers up until that point (insert Britney Spears joke). Secondly, the video is almost entirely focused on her face making it both very intimate and intense. Because here is this woman who is clearly hurt (thanks to her drummer and father of her child) and pouring her heart out to you. The feelings are clearly genuine and you even see a tear run down her face at the end. The music isn't particularly amazing, but the vocals and lyrics make up for it. I think it's the latter that really makes this song hit home for anyone whose ever been heartbroken.

"Nothing Compares 2 U" had the highest chart level performance of any song in 1990. Sinéad O'Connor is still performing live around the world and has written songs for the TV series "Bones," a French movie and other various soundtracks.