For a band whose name translates from Portuguese to “tired of being sexy”, Cansei de ser Sexy sure brings a whole lot of it to the table. If you’re lucky enough to see them live, you’ll be treated to a colorful set, complete with frontwoman Lovefoxxx sporting neon spandex jumpsuits and grinding up on other band members (just watch their set at Glastonbury 2007 if you doubt me).

They took the indie-electronic scene by storm with their 2006 self-titled debut on Sub-Pop, Jonathon Poneman’s indie label. And now CSS, as their fans affectionately know them, are back with “Donkey”.

The album begins with the playful “Jager Yoga”, a typical CSS dance-inspiring number with fun lyrics. Next comes the sole moment of seriousness on the album, “Rat is Dead (Rage)”. With the chorus “He will never hurt you again”, one can’t help but imply some references to domestic violence and abuse within the electronic riffs and synthesized beats. Read More »

I first discovered Leslie Feist when I heard her song “Mushaboom”, a modest indie hit from her second solo album, Let it Die. In the song, she waxes melodic about her desire for a simple life: a husband, a home, kids, and…some mushaboom, whatever that is. It was that mixture of sincerity, simplicity and whimsy that pushed me into finding and listening to everything of hers I could find.

In 2007 Feist released The Reminder, which has since been canonized on VH1 and in advertisements. I’m glad that she has found some commercial success and all, but I hate that I can’t listen to “My Moon, My Man” without wanting a Chocolate by LG phone. But that’s another post.

Anyway, The Reminder is more than just an endless font from which advertisers like Apple can buy songs. It’s an exquisite, heartfelt album and every track is produced to perfection. Her music is lovely as a whole, but the standout aspect on The Reminder, and indeed, in Feist’s whole oeurve, is her voice–there isn’t another one quite like it. Read More »