photo by Eric Martin
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is “Give Blood” by Rain Machine from the band’s 2009 self-titled album on Anti-.
Kyp Malone, who I like to affectionately refer to as Weird Beard, is following in the footsteps of fellow TV on the Radio bandmate Tunde Adebimpe—not by appearing in a Jonathon Demme film and serenading his bride-to-be with Neil Young but rather by striking out as a solo artist while TVOTR are on a bit of a hiatus. Malone has adopted the moniker Rain Machine for his one man musings, and “Give Blood” gives us a lot to digest. It houses all the dressings of TVOTR with the hastily strummed guitar melodies, subtle static, and those soaring wails that have made many a fan work up a tizzy. However, the greatest contribution Malone delivers within “Give Blood” are the smooth blends of Stevie Wonder’s “Part Time Lover.” “Give Blood” is the sort of song that combines traits we’ve all come to associate with his outfit, with pieces of his musical loves. “Give Blood” isn’t the most apologetic track in its borrowing but it doesn’t need to be. It’s catchy, it’s fun, and it rocks and those three facts amount to one hell of a rock ‘n’ roll party track—something straight up rock is desperately lacking. Throw on some leather pants, grow a ZZ Top beard, and crank up the angular riffs!
Malone looks to be packing on the tour dates to bring his Rain Machine to the masses. MySpace houses all the details, but you may want to know that if you like what you hear, Rain Machine is crashing Neumo’s tonight. If you need further prodding, check out this live video of Malone performing “Give Blood”:
