Van She – needs more cowbell.

Has anyone heard that radio rip of what sounds like a Van She (myspace) cover of Blue Oyster Cult’s ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’? (I’m still amazed radio rips get around on the internets. I mean, come on, this is the 21st century.)

Personally, I’m digging the Van She take on it which, frankly, doesn’t take it too far from the original (EDIT: what was I thinking? It’s massively different, but Van She have that timeless, spaced-out vocal thing going on, much like Blue Oyster Cult). But if there’s one thing it’s missing — it’s more cowbell.

It’s pretty much impossible to find an embed-able version of that old SNL sketch, so you’ll have to watch it here.

Track: Van She – (Don’t Fear) The Reaper (listen).

Morning song.

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So I’ve listened to V, like, seven times now. I think the reason I love it so much — aside from it’s inherent awesomeness — is that I love a good record I can listen to in the morning. I’m a morning person, but not without the help of a well-selected playlist to get me from bed, to kitchen, to tram stop, to uni. I think trudging down the street in cold darkness is actually a good way to enjoy this record.

Of course, it’s really a summery record. So I’m anticipating enjoying it even more waking up to the sun streaming in the window and smashing play on my clock-radio to something like this:

Track: Van She – Memory Man (listen :: alt).

Or this:

Track: Van She – It Could be the Same (listen).

But now that I’m on the topic of morning songs, there’s a few classics which must be mentioned, such as:

Track: Rooney – Sleep Song.

And:

Track: Placebo – Pure Morning (listen).

Both of which are off the Chumscrubber OST — awesome movie and quite good soundtrack.

Van She – V.

Van She’s (myspace) widely-anticipated debut, V, dropped over the weekend.

To say I’m a massive fan of these guys would be a massive understatement, so frankly, a turd wrapped in tin-foil would have done. Thankfully, V is much more.

First of all, this is pop, people. Yes, there are definite shoegaze moments and even some roaring guitars at some stage (ie.’The Sea’). But overall, Van She have crafted a mainstream-ready, incredibly subtly produced, pop record. And I like it.

Does this mean it’s in ‘guilty pleasure’ territory?

Second, Van She aren’t a hype band anymore. After their two EPs and a slew of Van She Tech remixes (one of which now features on a Onelove compilation), there was a dangerous risk the band would fall into blog-hype territory and never recover. Then they launched a tour entitled ‘Van She Party’. But they’ve come good in the end.

Third, there’s a rejig of ‘Kelly’ on the record. Tell me I’m not alone on this — the original was way better?

Anyway. I’ve listened to it three times today and have no reason to stop.

Track: Van She – Strangers (listen).

Exodus // Van She.

Yep, it’s been a bit dead around here.

Following an existential crisis of sorts, I started to ponder alblog’s place in the music/personal blog world. This is never a good thing, but it really got me thinking. I’m obviously not up to the minute on stuff, there are way better blogs if you want the latest tracks/hype, so why read this?

I’ll cut to the chase, I’ve always only posted stuff that interested me rather than what was new and cool, it’s worked in the past so I’ll keep doing it. And I’m not going to be afraid to post completely non-music related stuff.

So with that in mind, check out the Van She (myspace) Mixtape. Yeah, it’s new, getting lots of hype and definitely building on the hype their debut LP V is set to generate. But it’s just good.

Anyone got a tracklist?

Mix: Van She – V Promo Mixtape (listen).

Van She – Strangers.

The new track (and remixes) from Van She (myspace) exploded onto blogs yesterday, making easy fodder for what would otherwise be a slow news day (all bloggers love their mothers). I’m a huge fan of the Sydney-fashionista-shoegaze-electro movement, and remember an entire summer spent listening to Van She’s enormous debut EP, which featured the highly memorable ‘Kelly’ and ‘Sex City’. Then there was what seemed like an endless plethora of Van She Tech remixes spewed forth, turning The New Sound of Trash into an almost exclusive VST remix show, adjectives like ‘dirty’, ‘electro-filth’ and ’sexcore’ abounded.

‘Strangers’ is a return to the classic Van She form though, with instruments real and electronic blending into a perfect meld of sound and style.

Track: Van She – Strangers (Yuksek Remix) (listen at Havefunclub and enjoy the 320kbps-ness).

Van She.

Sydney’s Van She (myspace) are back. Fresh after supporting Operator Please and Sneaky Sound System, they’ve got a new single out which has hit the blogs (Bigstereo and So Indie it Hurts). Love the criticism that is popping up — remember kids, this is not Van She Tech, this is the real deal. You wouldn’t compare Simian to SMD now would you? You wouldn’t compare Lost Valentinos (myspace) to Knife Machine (myspace). It’s good stuff, listen and enjoy.

Apparently Youtube is the only way to check out ‘Cat & the Eye’. Do it.

Also, I’m loving Soulwax’s double disc right now, more later.