Last week I was ripping through some packages that were sprawled on my desk when I came upon an interesting new album. The title of the band is Dead Man’s Bones and I immediately gave it a listen.

The haunting new self-titled debut is a moody, dark and campy experimental indie-rock recording that sounds like a soundtrack to a high school Halloween play.

The addition of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir adds a whole new element of dreaminess and creepiness, but it’s ultimately an endearingly catchy release that will leave a lasting impression on listeners.

The reason I’m bringing up this eccentric new musical fave of mine is because when you take a closer look at the album cover, you’ll notice amongst the costumed choir members is none other than Academy Award-nominated actor Ryan Gosling. Yes, THAT Ryan Gosling! Who knew my boyfriend was so talented? An award-winning actor AND a multi-instrumental musician? Ryan Gosling, ladies and gentlemen. I will marry this man!

So if this revelation comes as a shock to you fair readers as much as it did for me, then be prepared to have your mind blown.

You see, my fiancé Ryan Gosling is not the only actor who has turned to music and recorded an album. No, no. There are plenty more. Sure there are the ones we know of, the typical triple threats – y’know, actor, singer and model or just plain actors-turned-musicians.

We all know to stay away from Billy Bob Thornton and his Boxmasters. CBC’s Jian Ghomeshi got an earful after mentioning anything of his celebrated acting career. Then there are the obvious cases: David Hasselhoff is HUGE in Germany, William Shatner’s irony is always humorous and Eddie Murphy tried to “party all the time” in the ‘80s but failed with a followup.

No, I’m talking about the actors you had no idea dabbled in music. The ones who are so surprising, so awful, so bad that they’re SO goooood! Let’s keep this to a TV focus since this is TVGuide.ca ‘n’ all.

 

Click here for the Top 10 TV actors you didn't know had albums

 

Any thoughts or questions? Email me at jessica.russell@tvguide.ca.

 

TELLY TUNAGE

Vampire Weekend “Horchata”

The Walkmen “On the Water” (Live)

The Phenomenal Handclap Band “You’ll Disappear”

Jesus Lizard “Mouth Breather”

Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees “You Don’t Miss Me”

 

JESSICA’S JUKEBOX: FRESH TUNES YOU GOTTA HEAR

You Say Party! We Say Die! – XXXX (Paperbag Records)
All you have to do is press play to get ready for possibly the most fun record of 2009. This third album from the hyperactive Vancouver dance-punk outfit You Say Party! We Say Die! doesn’t just put an extra X in their triple-X album title for nothing. X is for Xtra fun dance floor beats, X is for Xtraordinary crafted catchy hooks and X is most certainly for Xrated when it comes to singer Becky Ninkovic’s sexy, sassy vocals. YSP!WSD!’s step in this new direction of more polished, crafted new wave style with a danceable punk-edged punch sees the band growing and evolving artistically. This album is pretty easy to get hooked on and will be dominating your iPod in no time.
Recommended if you dig ... The Ting Tings or Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

 

Duran Duran – Rio (EMI)
It’s not often that an album can still sound fantastic and relevant 27 years later. Though there’s no anniversary to commemorate this collector’s edition of Duran Duran’s definitive sophomore album Rio, it still deserves the royal treatment it gets here. DD fans will go crazy for this hard-cover, two-disc edition of the band’s album, which brought us singles like “Hungry Like the Wolf” and, of course, “Rio.” Here, the first disc contains the original 1982 recording along with the U.S. album mixes. The second disc contains 13 tracks including demos, non-album tracks and more remixes. Plus a sweet little booklet showcasing the boys’ dreamy hairdos. Relive your awkward adolescent days with this classic.
Recommended if you dig ... ‘80s new wave and big hair.

 

The Clientele – Bonfires on the Heath (Merge Records)
U.K. group The Clientele is one band that knows how to solidly put out great record after great record. Though on each release the band doesn’t stray far from its poppy indie rock of jangly guitars, radiant dreamy ballads and sweet, sweet harmonic vocals, this isn’t a bad thing. Don’t fix what ain’t broke, and this beautiful soundscape of a fourth album is far from fractured. The listenability factor is off the charts here, and fans of both the 2007 album God Save the Clientele and the older, denser, poppier early work with rejoice in this shimmering fall album.
Recommended if you dig ... Belle & Sebastian or Camera Obscura.

 

Magneta Lane – Gambling With God (Last Gang Records)
I was absolutely in love with this Toronto all-female trio’s single “Constant Lover” from its 2004 EP years back and was equally excited when the group busted out a staggering debut, Dancing With Daggers, a couple of years later. These ladies are clearly a byproduct of an upbringing on the Runaways and the Pretenders, possibly a little Rough Trade to boot, and I had faith in female rockers once again. But it’s been a few years since I heard anything from this talented crew, so it delighted me to hear its latest follow-up, Gambling With God. As always, these girls rock out right. Singer Lexi Valentine’s dead-pan FU style is perfection and their danceable punk-tinged rock riffs are killer.
Recommended if you dig ... The Runaways or Blondie.

 

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