By referencing Russ Meyer's classic 1965 film I mean to, of course, suggest that millions of Americans are currently enjoying a long holiday weekend, free of stress and strife. Of course, with the holiday comes the pleasure(s) it evokes, turning thoughts of work to thoughts of play and again relating to the above title: driving fast to burn off gas you can no longer afford, a preoccupation with death/sex/music that makes the world go round, and finally, yes, today's MP3s!

Begin your holiday (okay, you may already be into the mid weekend by now), with Philadelphia's own answer to Beth Gibbons, Sarah McLachlan and Dusty Springfield: Natalie Walker. I couldn't help but write the following for the Boston Phoenix when Quango rereleased Walker's debut, Urban Angel, earlier this year:

"Philadelphia native Walker should be forgiven for sounding like Sarah McLachlan's kid sister, if only because her debut turns McLachlan's spiritual come-ons into decidedly darker terrain. Urban Angel takes its production cues from Tricky's classic "Karmacoma," Portishead's Dummy, and doses of Liz Frasier and Massive Attack. Originally released in 2005, Urban Angel created such a slow-burn buzz that it eventually came to the attention of the last ambient label standing, Quango, which re-released it with minimal fanfare but solid distribution. Urban Angel's first single, ‘No One Else,' was featured on HBO's Entourage, and a Thievery Corporation remix of ‘Quicksand' made it into the trailer of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. Here, Walker does more than revisit trip-hop's murky past. The title track is an enchanting mix of Moog and Gainsbourg-like harpsichord supporting Walker's cozy voice. ‘Rest Easy' extends the spell with funky aplomb, ‘Quicksand' calls up ghostly memories from Walker's past, ‘Waking Dream' oozes safety and comfort with its twinkling glockenspiel. It's all soothing, but Walker's never too sweet."

Walker returns with With You, set for release later this summer. Meanwhile enjoy the record's first single, "Over & Under." Seriously more electronic than anything on Urban Angel, perhaps the tune is meant to depict our young Natalie out for a night on the town, dancing shoes on, hair in a beehive, disinterested gaze glued on her skull while gawkers seek her golden eyed smile. The beats bang like insects dancing on dry skin, while Natalie croons like a Pet Shop Boy harmonizing with a lone and lonely Minimoog synthesizer. It's drugged and hazy, like wallowing in the grass on a hot summer day. Get lazy, get Natalied!

"Over & Under"

The Pinker Tones' Wild Animals: Barcelona's electronic sensations The Pinker Tones are confirmed to play all 43 dates of the Vans Warped Tour 2008 this summer, headlining the Skull Candy stage in support of their second studio album Wild Animals. Part of the Nacional Records posse that includes Nortec Collective, Bostich and Fussible, DJ Bitman and M.I.S., The Pinker Tones masterfully combine folk and electronic sounds that just don't belong together in nature! Do apples grow out of monkey's mouths? Do frog's eyes exist on cat's faces? Faster Pussycat!

The Pinker Tones
"The Whistling Song" (mp3)
from "Wild Animals"
(Nacional Records)

More On This Album

The Pinker Tones
"Happy Everywhere" (mp3)
from "Wild Animals"
(Nacional Records)

More On This Album