The Pretenders - Show Me

from Learning to Crawl, 1984

one of my favorites to sing/play. Love Chrissie.

80srecordparty:

Too Drunk To Fuck b/w The Prey
Dead Kennedys, I.R.S. Records/USA (1981) 

from The Head on the Door, 1985

Joni Mitchell - Blue (by JMYTMusic)

from Blue, 1971

Sister Sledge - He’s The Greatest Dancer 

from We Are Family, 1979

(Source: youtube.com)

Mariah Carey - I Want To Know What Love Is

from Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, 2009

I still remember the first time I heard this on the radio.  Whenever I’m home (and not working on one of my features) I listen to a local R&B station.  One night I heard this cover and I stopped whatever it was that I was doing and listened.  It’s sheer perfection.  

I love the original a hell of a lot as it is, but Mariah takes a different approach.  It breaks my heart.

Many, many projects on the way.

Special Feature: The Hibernatives

Here’s a bio from The Hibernatives’ website:

“We are The Hibernatives, a Two Piece Indie Alternative Rock band from Riverside CA. The band is; Cristian Barajas (the handsome one) plays the drums, and is an all around good guy, except his personality… And Kevin Morton (the other one) who writes all the music, plays guitar, keyboard, bass, and any other instrument, and writes the lyrics, he also enjoys not being good at any of those things„, The band started making acoustic music in early 2012, and have since gone electric. “We just love music, love making it, playing it, and listening to it. I hope you guys give us a Follow, because we are constantly writing new stuff and uploading it. I hope you guys like our stuff :)”- A Hibernative.” 

The Hibernatives are playing locally for now, but recently went on a Californian tour.  They are currently working on their next full length and looking forward to touring.

Lovers of all things musically good, Cristian and Kevin are inspired by the greats like Jimi Hendirx, the Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, The Clash, The Who, and Johnny Cash.  Keep this in mind, and you’ll hear glimmers of influence later on.

For now, I’ll be featuring their second full length self-titled album, which is dedicated to the great state of California “and all of its colorful people, and the white folk, too.”

 

When you listen to The Hibernatives, their raw, yet retro surf style will instantly put you into a good mood.  The modernized, indie-cized surf rock style is really popular these days, and I’m loving every second of it.  Let’s take a look at the first few tracks of this beachtastic masterpiece.  

“Hipster Girl” introduces the listener to The Hibernatives signature fresh and fun sound, dance break included (Thank you!).  ”I Hate Everyone” showcases an excellently vintage guitar sound that makes me instantly think of The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”.  

Next, “Beak” transports the listener to one of those old-time beach movies.  I’m always looking for the perfect “Go-for-a-drive-on-a-sunny-day” song, and this is definitely one of my favorite ones I’ve featured on Good Tunes.  

The Hibernatives weave in and out of their previously displayed style, blending it with more modern sounds (See: “Duck” for some infectious dance beats) and not-so-modern sounds (See: “Mercy”, for some bluesy roots).  “Breakdown” and “Let Down” remind me of the raw, chunky punk perfected by The Stooges.  “Sunflower” and “I’m In Love” feature some excellent surf guitar work.  The final track, “Tomorrow” is surprisingly different and a perfect ending to the adventure your ears just went on.   

 ”The Hibernatives” runs a little under an hour, and it’s definitely worth a listen or two. Or three. Hell, just burn yourself a copy and stick it in your car for the summer.  That’s what I’m doing!  

Check out and download this album and a plethora of other sweet tunes by the Hibernatives on SoundCloud.  You can also find the Californian two-piece on Facebook and Tumblr. 

Cris Delano, West End Girls

originally by the Pet Shop Boys.

This is a really sweet bossa nova cover of the 80s alternative classic.  Check it out.

Colin Hay - Overkill

acoustic, 2006

One of my favorite singers in the world.  Such a unique sound.