Slim, but Solid Pickings: It’s the TV Music for May 20-26

With most everything ending last week, there weren’t so many tunes on the tube this time around. But that didn’t stop some shows from using excellent music. Check them out below.

Girls – On theme with Hannah going back into her past, this episode used a lot of older music. However, it was the modern choices that stood out to me. The Family of the Year track is quite good, and I have to say that this band is becoming one of my favorites at the moment. Every track I hear from them is great. And while I love discovering new music, I also appreciate the old standbys. Take Fleet Foxes. Always a good choice for any situation, and I really liked this song here.

Family of the Year “Hero”

Fleet Foxes “Montezuma”

Revenge – In my opinion, this show has been a little off its game, music-wise and otherwise. However, boy did they make a comeback this week. The usage of Florence + The Machine, while not novel (I mean, she’s been used on almost every show this year), fit the scenes perfectly. Gothic, dramatic, a little over the top. It captured the feel of the show, and it was my favorite TV song choice of the week.

Florence + The Machine “Seven Devils”

Happy Summer!

Mary

Under the Covers

I have a weird fascination with cover songs. I listen to a lot of them, more than most people, and I think I’m more open than my friends when it comes to messing with a familiar, often beloved song. That said, most of the time, they pale in comparison to the originals. That’s why cover songs are the stuff of shitty garage bands and wedding receptions. But sometimes, there comes a cover that is actually good. And sometimes, sometimes, I like them better than the original. (Gasp!)

What prompted this confession? Well, this week, I heard bluegrass version of Arcade Fire’s “Rebellion (Lies)” over at The AV Club. More often than not, I think the covers from that website’s “AV Undercover” program are pretty lame. No offense to the artists, but they don’t thrill me, whether they pick a song I don’t like to begin with or they just doesn’t do it justice. But this version, by Trampled by Turtles (who I had never heard of before), is unexpectedly awesome. It captures the essence of the original (which, by the way, is one of my all-time, never get sick of this, favorite songs) but it’s different enough that it sounds new and exciting. Check it out. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Other covers I love? You’ll make fun of me for this, but I really like Alien Ant Farm’s version of “Smooth Criminal.” There’s also José González’s “Heartbeats,” originally done by The Knife, and Cat Power’s “Sea of Love,” originally by Phil Phillips.

Oh, and I love these too:

Franz Ferdinand – “All My Friends” (Cover of LCD Soundsystem)

Florence + the Machine – “Postcards from Italy” (Cover of Beirut)

The Swell Season – “Young Hearts Run Free” (Cover of Candi Staton)

Finally, this one is just for fun. I hate Miley Cyrus, but this cover actually isn’t horrible. I apologize in advance for the fact that you’ll have this song in your head all day. I’m sorry.

Tokyo Police Club – “Party in the USA” (Cover of Miley Cyrus)

“Sha-la-la-la-la-la Kiss the Girl” – It’s the Music of the Week

This was a better week for music than last week, and, oddly enough, it was because of the return of The Little Mermaid and Grey’s Anatomy. Weird, right? But I’ll take it if it means new stuff for me (and you, gentle viewer) to enjoy.

And now, the top music of the week: