The Unheard Music (Volume LXIII)

I know I've mentioned The Cornerstone Player before.  It's a promotional CD I get every six to eight weeks full of new music, some unsigned artists, some up and coming.  They originally included two DVDs of videos which in the pre-You Tube era was essential.  Back in 2002, I was tracking through a Cornerstone DVD and came across a Norwegian band called Röyksopp.  The video they submitted was called "Poor Leno".  Having never heard the song, I assumed it was about Jay Leno, the comedian/talk show host and I just had to hear a Norwegian band singing about Jay Leno.  It wasn't about  Jay Leno but was a oddly moving animated video for a killer song. 

I was an instant Röyksopp fan.  I bought their debut Melody AM and would go on to call it my favorite record of 2002.  I became an evangelist for the band, playing them for anyone who would listen, even my tweener nieces really liked the song "Eple" when I was playing it in the car.  When a bartender at The Beacon (my old local in Forest Park) asked me to make a mix CD for the jukebox, "Eple" was among my picks and it became a huge 'hit' there.  I still play it when I go back there. It's such a unique song that it's difficult not to like it.  While not as immediate as "Eple", "So Easy" is another great track from Melody AM. And whether you know it or not, you've heard another Röyksopp song, the track "Remind Me" is in a few of those ubiquitous GEICO Caveman TV spots.  Their second album The Understanding wasn't as immediate, it eventually grew on me but isn't nearly as good as the debut.  I'm psyched to learn they have a new record due this year (Junior,  in March).  See, Norway isn't all death metal, in fact this is the second Norwegian band I've featured on The Unheard Music, bonus points if you can name the other band.

Have a great weekend (we're supposed to get between 4" and 8" of snow this weekend in Chicago) enjoy the music.  And comment freely, I love to hear your impressions.

Comments

[drcastrato]

Good feature, Ken. I think Poor Leno was in a car commercial, too. When my wife and I were in London several years ago, we hit some records stores and she cames across Melody A.M. in a listening booth and loved it. I was never big into dance music, but the record grew on me too. It really is pretty great.

[sharon]

If you like Royksopp, try also Lemonjelly. Quirkier (... sorry, I can't think of a better word) than Royksopp I think, but similar musical territory. I love both of them.

[Scotty]

I liked it. I like electronic music but have a hard time finding artists I like. Free Leno!