listen closer

cause we buy records that you've never heard of.

the librarians "record store"
sean's posting of the killers ode to "indie rock and roll" reminded me of this glorious song. the librarians don't technically exist anymore, but their songs and two of their members are carrying on in the paranoids. apparently the paranoids rerecorded this track on their new e.p. which i'm going to have to pick up right quick. a shrill rock voice dances over bouncy guitars. oh man this song is so good. it's a delightful funny sarcastic ode to indie elitism, but there's some truth to it as well. it illustrates the line between the earnest joy of hipsterism, and the painfully obvious ridiculousness of the whole thing. "well notice i didn't ask you on a date, cause i don't like pretty anyway!" this song would make it on wit alone, but it's also a joy to listen to. makes you want to pump your fist right along with it. "cause we buy records that you've never heard of / we've got more of them than you can imagine / not a single fucking one of them's ever going platinum / and that makes us cooler than you." the paranoids/librarians are a band to watch. ted leo mixed with elvis costello and severely lacking in ritalin.
--from ??? (you can buy cds at their site) // official site // lyrics

maria mena "you're the only one"
this straightup pop song from this oh so beautiful 18 yr old norwegian girl has been a favorite lately. not only does she have dimples and a cute accent, but this her first stateside single packs singspeak lyrics into some really addicting verses. i love how she overloads the lines so it seems like she has to rush through words to finish in time. shakira as filtered through alanis morrisette. combine her disarming good looks and voice with some offbeat lyrics like "i hope you can forgive for that time when i put my hand between your legs and said it was small / cause it's really not at all" and you've got the makings of my favorite kind of pop star, one who i'd actually like to hang around with.
--from white turns blue [out in july 2004] or you can buy the single // official site // lyrics