The Cat Empire
Friday, July 22nd, 2005 by Paul Irishplayful aussie rockhiphopreggaedirtycubanjazz
Now if you’re from Australia, you’re fully aware of this power squad of rockers. But if you’re not, don’t start thinking The Cat Empire is in the same aussie vein as Silverchair and Savage Garden. No no, TCE packs a hell of a punch – killer guitar riffs coupled with a nasty brass section. All the while, they feel like some neighborhood kids having a hell of a time, but you can’t not love the entirely fun grooves they produce. ‘Sly’ jumps loudly off their newest album, Two Shoes, while ‘Hello’ is one of the killer singles from their earlier eponymous release. Dig the organ and swing interlude where it duels against a mean turntable scratch.Extraordinarily fun and enjoyable stuff. Perfect for the hot summer.
Miss Carla Bruni is one of the world’s 
I’m nearly sure this hasn’t made its rounds as the next internet meme, but it surely deserves it. Gay performer 
There’s some times in life where you need the happiest song possible to sing along with and dance. And that’s exactly where Carlos Vives delivers with ‘Pa’ Mayté’. In it, the traditional 
This man is a legend. This song is a Sunday morning hummingbird, vibing into your ear and causing you to wriggle. Gilberto’s voice is nudging your body to get delicious and join the groove. A playful flute weaves through the tree branches while Gil’s guitar strums a tune you swear you’ve heard.
Solemn sobriety. A boy of definite talent. At age 16, Matt Hales was awarded a scholarship at Winchester to study composition; by 17 he’d had his first symphony “Life Cycle” performed by a 60-piece orchestra, with Matt himself conducting. With “Strange & Beautiful”, Matt creates a mood — like a desolate and wet field with an overcast sky. You see her a quarter kilometer away, she looks warm, though you’re shivering. Take a couple steps towards her…
Playful giddyness. 
Cute playful bounce. For all the people I’ve shared Mathieu with, “cute” is the most used descriptor upon first listen. It was definitely his fragrant and clean sound that first attracted me to him. His American fans affectionately call him “Booger” and he’s collaborated with Yann Tiersen (composer of Amelie). That’s reason enough.
Bright musical texture. Screen door sundae. Who ever knew this sound could come out of Nashville? But that’s where the scorching voice of vocalist Annette Strean found its musical soapbox. It’s Strean’s vocality that drives the dubby bassline and synth-rich harmonies; first she sounds like Allison (of) Goldfrapp, then Lady Miss Kier of Deee-lite, then Yaz, and then you swear it’s Björk in disguise.