ANNA CALVI | Wolf Like Me (TV on the Radio cover)
I think Anna owns this song now.
"Serpents" - Tramp - Sharon Van Etten
MUSIC | Sharon Van Etten - “Serpents”
Yesterday Sharon Van Etten released her much awaited sophomore album, “Tramp.” And while Tramp is far more prolific than last year’s Epic, it does seem to lack just that - epic music. Sharon Van Etten is many things, but a master lyricist she is not. However, she has a knack for turning simple and repetitive lyrics into extremely layered and beautifully orchestrated stories that follow you around. After giving Tramp a few listens, it seems that perhaps this skill wanes over the course of creating a full LP, as to where her EP was likely just the small collection of songs she could really fill with that je ne sais quoi before going idle and spilling out droning cliches that rest on her magnificent and unique voice.
Sadly, and much akin to Lana del Rey’s new album, Sharon’s first single from Tramp is the highlight of the album. “Serpents” has the relativity and cynicism of Aimee Mann, the grandiose of Florence + the Machine, and the tortured sound of Cat Power.
Other notable tracks: Give Out | Warsaw
"Don't Move" - Nightlife - EP - Phantogram
PHANTOGRAM | Don’t Move
Loving this new song from their recently released EP.
"Where The Kids Are" - Where The Kids Are - Single - Blondfire
BLONDFIRE | Where The Kids Are
Sounds like: Metric | The Naked and The Famous
Other notable tracks: L-L-Love
ENTERTAINMENT | Louis vs. Rick
A man teaches his cat to instant message. Comedy gold ensues.
"Rock Bottom" - Pablo Sebastian
PABLO SEBASTIAN | Rock Bottom
Sounds like: Owl City | Chris Garneau
Where you’ve heard it: Last week’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy
ENTERTAINMENT | Animals Talking in All Caps
Another cute explosion on the internet, only this time with witty commentary.
EYEWEAR | Make Eyewear: Customizable Frames
And there goes all my money.
I am a huge fan of unique frames and have a collection that would rival Imelda Marcos’s shoes (Ok - that’s a complete exaggeration; but I do have quite a few). And so Make Eyewear is one of my new favorite sites. It’s super user-friendly and pretty cheap considering the options.
Fab.com is running a special on it today and tomorrow.
TRAVEL | The Most Perfect View
The Most Perfect View is an amazing website for those of you willing to spend a little extra to have a more stunning and unique hotel experience. The hotels are chosen based on the unparalleled views they offer; including both city and nature views.
Even if you can’t afford the $400 - $3000/night, it’s awesome just to cruise through the website, which has one of the chicest and most user-friendly interfaces i’ve seen. And for those of you who can, this website will definitely inspire you to take some vacations you wouldn’t have otherwise considered.
Check out: Canyon Point | Punta del Este | Djibouti
"Got It, Lost It" - Vacation - Big Scary
BIG SCARY | Got It, Lost It
I can’t get over how much this guy sounds like Jeff Buckley, nor how much I love this song.
"Movin' Away" - Circuital - My Morning Jacket
MY MORNING JACKET | Movin’ Away
Beautiful and bittersweet new album from My Morning Jacket.
"Harvest Moon" - Beauregard - Pepper Rabbit
PEPPER RABBIT | Harvest Moon
Sounds like: Arcade Fire | Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros | Beirut
Other notable tracks: Tiny Fingers | Red Wine | Older Brother
"Gone the Bells" - Paranoid Cocoon - Cotton Jones
COTTON JONES | Gone the Bells
Sounds like: Slow Club | Stars
Other notable tracks: I Am the Changer | Cotton & Velvet
DESIGN | Liviana Osti “Cuore”
STUNNING heart-shaped water carafe and wine decanter from Italian designer Liviana Osti.
E-COMMERCE | Styleowner.com
Styleowner is probably one of the more brilliant websites I’ve seen lately. It rounds up fashion, social media, e-commerce and styling all into one brilliant package that helps you shop and earns you money.
Basically, Styleowner is one-upping sites like Svpply that let you share your favorite items with friends. Here’s the rundown:
Browse the website’s online merchandise, which includes products from big name retailers like Saks and Nordstrom. Rather than favoriting merchandise, you add it to your storefront. Then any time anyone purchases an item from your storefront, you get 10% commission on that sale.
I imagine this will spawn a bunch of copycat sites in both fashion and other venues. And this really excites me. Imagine getting 10% commission on your favorite designer furniture or art or vacations!
