missed the boat: paper planes (dfa remix)

The Homeland Security mixtape came out last february to mostly lukewarm reception. We'd already had the remix with Bun B and Rich Boy for a few months, and frankly, nothing can really top that. And so, at first listen, I was super underwhelmed at the effort by the DFA to remix what was one of my favorite songs of last year. However, I stumbled upon it the other day in my itunes and I think I'm appreciating it a hell of a lot more than before.

The song finds the DFA delivering what they do best: funky-ass bass grooves, four on the floor beats, and space-y keys. But, the fact that the gunshots from the original version are here replaced with random Roland drum machine effects is somewhat fitting for a group that makes no effort in hiding its love for the positive vibe that disco was founded upon and that Ecstasy produces. 

Granted, it's not as good as the original. But, the point of a remix is to bring something new to a song, and I think that the DFA put a joyous spin on a difficult track to edit. 

mp3: m.i.a. - paper planes (dfa remix)

new grizzly bear!

Yes, I love Grizzly Bear. Yes, I loved "While You Wait For The Others" and yes, I really really fucking love "Two Weeks," which they debuted on Letterman last night. The piano line is killer, and there are some much beefier elements to this song, notably the addition of a bass drum to Chris Bear's kit and a second pianist, Thomas "Doveman" Bartlett. 
Watch it below:

I can't wait for the album to come out!

mp3: grizzly bear - two weeks

ps: Why the hell did CBS never focus on Chris Bear? He's one of the most engaging musicians to watch, and they never showed him. Boo.

pps: I've been meaning to shed light on this really nice piece that Death + Taxes did on the guys, and it finally seems appropriate to mention it now. Click here to read it.

recap of new animal collective songs

Although Avey Tare has told us that a Strawberry Jam follow-up won't be out until sometime next year, they've still graced us with plenty of potential forthcoming songs to keep us on the edge of our seat. Below you'll find some of what AC has been debuting at various festivals and gigs.

My fav is "House." Pray tell, what's yours? 

"Brother Sport"

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE "BROTHER SPORT" 25.10.07 Grrrnd Zero Lyon
Uploaded by GrrrndZero

"Taste"

#82.1 - ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - Taste
Uploaded by lablogotheque

"House"

"BearHug"

"Lion In A Coma"

"Daily Routine"

chbp artist to check out: abe vigoda

I've be unable to put down Abe Vigoda's Skeleton since I got it about three weeks ago. They have a very positive tone to their music and although tracks don't alter drastically in structure, they make up for with Abe Vigoda's unique take on tropical rhythms and punk guitars. The result is a pleasantly abrasive slew of short songs, only two of which exceed the 3 minute mark. Such a characteristic should come as no surprise since these guys are part of The Smell scene that has birthed fellow DIY bands No Age and HEALTH. Similar to their Smell brethren, it's obvious that Abe Vigoda kick ass live when you listen to their record; they've got the youthful energy and raw power that most modern music has come to frown upon. And what's more, they seem like they are just fucking stoked to be making music.

Catch them Friday @ 5:15 on the Vera Stage

mp3: Abe Vigoda: The Skeleton

another new m.i.a. track

And we all thought she quit making music. This feels a little more electro than normal, but it's still solid.

Hop over to discobelle to get your fix.

chbp artist to check out: les savy fav

More of a theatrical performance than anything else, Les Savy Fav are a huge personal draw for the block party. Punk with a penchant for intelligent lyrics and cleverly designed arrangements, these guys have two unique aspects to their shows; lead singer Tim Harrington's antics and an excellent group of musicians. On the one hand there's Tim (who is probably rapidly losing his attire) being entirely ridiculous and captivating the audiences' full attention. However, then you look behind him and realize there is a full band tearing through songs with even more vigor and intensity than on record.  

Off last year's Let's Stay Friends, "Patty Lee" finds the band offering an anthemic and rousing critique of modern life. "Back before Babylon, shit was cool. Now we all got our cells on and we drive to school" Tim bellows as he expresses his contempt for how static humanity has become. However, this shit is cool and offers a great example of the singular sound that this New York band has created through its 13 year career. 

See Les Savy Fav Friday @ 9:15 on the main stage

mp3: Les Savy Fav - Patty Lee

chbp artist to check out: girl talk

I have a lot of respect for Girl Talk. Although I'm not nearly as avid about the über ADD mashups as I used to be, I still remember being blown away the first time I listened to Night Ripper back on a rainy day junior year. It was wild to hear such a combination of songs chopped into one giant mixtape. I saw him at Coachella two years ago, and it was quite the party. His live shows are an experience, to say the least. Thus, I recommend checking him out on friday.

I'll admit it: I've still not listened to Feed The Animals in its entirety. As I said, I'm over mashups. I'm not saying it's bad, I just don't care. And, I know that live he'll be awesome so it's not like I hate him now that he's increasingly entering the frat boy lexicon (although that is a little disheartening). So for a track, I'm choosing to put my all time favorite "Smash Your Head." I couldn't believe this when I heard it. I'd recently been getting heavily into Ready to Die and the idea of putting Biggie over Elton John was something of a stroke-of-genius. 

See Girl Talk Friday @ 7:45 on the main stage

mp3: Girl Talk - Smash Your Head

the new centuries

Nepotism aside, The New Centuries make irresistibly catchy indie music. But, that's not to say they're generic. The NCs ting their sound with a punk spirit that's honed in by an affinity for lyrical prowess and unrelenting rhythm section. The band consists of Ryan Bogert on vocals, rhythm guitar and synth; Jeff Bissell on lead guitar and backing vocals; Adam LaBay on bass; and George Michael on drums. I've known many of the manifestations that the NCs have endured and it's safe to say that a stride has been hit with the current lineup. Finally gaining some major steam around their native San Francisco, it seems as if the release of their recent EP Paradise Massage could generate some big things. The 5 song collection offers the listener no rest from the opening rock-n-roller, "Stairs (I Knew I Should Have Pushed You Down Those)" to the countrified closer, "There's No "P" In My Aradise." Urgent and unforgiving, the EP sounds wholly original and almost captures the spirit of their electrifying live performance. Almost. 

That said, cop the new record and see them live if you're in the Bay. Also, watch out for their Pac NW tour in September.

The New Centuries play Mars Bar on September 20th

capitol hill block party

The Capitol Hill Block Party begins in exactly a week and in an effort to promote some of (what I feel to be) the stronger acts, I'm going to be recommending some artists everyday until the festivities begin. For a smaller event, there is certainly a lot to choose from and hopefully I'll make the task a little easier for some of you with with this feature. See you Friday!

Kicking things off, we've got neighboring Portlanders Menomena. These guys have a truly unique approach to making music with everything from musical arrangements, vocal alternations and production sounding organic but painstakingly calculated. Such a balance comes from them being gifted musicians with an ear for the uncanny. Live, all three sing and they sound just as tight as on record. When I saw them last, they were playing with a backup choir and whether or not they'll be doing the same this time around is unclear. Either way, I'm sure they'll be just as good with or without the additional members. My favorite track by them is "Wet & Rusting." I listened to this song so many times last summer it's not even funny. AMAZING piano parts, great drumming and really beautiful lyrics all coalesce into a hell of a punch for a 3 and a half minute track.

See them Friday @ 6:30 on the Main Stage

mp3: Menomena - Wet & Rusting

santi + m.i.a.

Often heralded as the "the next M.I.A.," Santogold seems to get the short end of the hype-stick, at least in my mind. I think her album is great (granted, Switch's remix of "Shove It" is probably my favorite track of hers) and she is absolutely awesome live. Not only does she have two of the best backup dancers I've ever seen, she has an the most spirit I've ever witnessed in a performer. So, I've been bummed that people just lump her as an M.I.A. ripoff. Sure, she uses a wide variety of influences (read: worldly), has a unique aesthetic and sings with a distinct voice. But, whereas M.I.A. borrows from pan-Asian genres, I think Santogold gravitates more towards a '80's retro and dub hybrid. But, who uses what isn't really my point. It is that here is a really empowered, unique woman and people just want to dismiss her as an imitator. How many rappers out there get stoned and use the same exact method for a club hit and everyone just eats up? Way too many. Maybe gender is still more taboo than I thought and having a woman making her own music is a threat to some. We need more females in music, period. And especially those that are making music as a creative process. 

Luckily for us, that is just what Diplo has brought us on his recent Top Ranking mixtape. I think this song does more for cementing the fact that M.I.A. and Santogold are one hell of a force to be reckoned with when placed together than feeling the need to compare the two. Check it out here. 

tune of the week

Although I was originally planning on just posting the 10-15 tracks I compile each week, I realized that I should sift a little more and choose a favorite track to bestow onto you. I'd post all of my favorite ones so far, but most of them have already gone up all around the internet. And, I know all you savvy internet seekers have already chewed through that stuff. So, without further adieu, this week's tune:

Apparently, this song was almost thrown by the wayside due to the obscure nature in which it was promoted. Luckily, however, the only place that The Golden Filter's "Solid Gold" was thrown was all over the internet. And for a mighty fine reason. In the same way that Little Boots is tearing things up, this track features a really beautiful female on vox and studied italo-disco arrangements that, well, make this song solid gold. 

Enjoy!

mp3: The Golden Filter - Solid Gold

sub pop 20th b-day bash

So I went out to Sub Pop's 20th Anniversary Bash this weekend and overall had a nice day. It was cool to see the blend of new and old acts put together. One thing I realized is that Sub Pop has a pretty solid list of current artists.

One of the reasons I went, The Ruby Suns, started the day off and I was completely enamored of everything they did. Ryan McPhun, the leader singer, keep apologizing for sound issues, the fact that this was the first show they'd done as a two piece, amongst other minute details. None of the things he was apologizing for caught my attention in the least. Ryan is a really talented musician, and for obvious reasons I'm really into the fact that he plays a unique drum setup but obviously has an amazing sense of rhythm. The only thing that went wrong during their set was the fact that some annoying kid was heckling Ryan in-between songs, which really didn't matter too much, as Ryan keep his jovial spirit. I've been listening to their album heavily all week and I don't know how it didn't get on my list of favorite albums made this year. I get the Animal Collective/Panda Bear comparisons, but The Ruby Suns feel much more communal in their happiness and less lyrically introspective. It's super eclectic, with no two songs sounding quite the same but a continual sunniness existing throughout. 

Check out the myspace link above to hear an English cover of El Guincho's "Palmitos Park"

The next band to play that I really cared about was No Age. I've read so many different things about these guys, but I could never quite understand all the hype. And, I think it's because I'd never seen them. On record, they're good but the full effect hits you when you're watching these two guys who really love making music playing some super fuzzed-out pop songs, all the while with the biggest smiles on their faces. I can't wait for their show at the KEXP parking lot in a week. 

Then, there was Wolf Parade. Obviously a draw, as they are one of my very favorite bands. I saw them last fall and this show wasn't as epic due to some sound issues, but Wolf Parade cemented their spot as a great live act. Drawing equally from both albums, the set was just the raucous but somehow organized sort of thing I've come to expect. The best part was when Arlen began hitting his snare drum to start a song and Spencer said "no, stop. That's the wrong song. You're drunk." All I can say is thank you Sub Pop for putting these guys after Green River. Yeah yeah, I get that Green River were instrumental for Grunge and all, but Wolf Parade was leagues better live. 

mp3: The Ruby Suns - Kenya Dig It?

my life in music

Literally. GvB posted this concept awhile back, and I've been trying to formulate a comprehensive list of albums that have seen the light of day during my lifetime. After much thought, here it is:

1988: Substance - Joy Division 

1989: Disintegration - The Cure

1990: Violator - Depeche Mode

1991: Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest

1992: Selected Ambient Works 85-92 - Aphex Twin

1993: Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) - Wu-Tang

1994: Ready to Die - The Notorious B.I.G.

1995: The Bends - Radiohead

1996: If You're Feeling Sinister - Belle & Sebastian

1997: Homogenic - Bjork

1998: Moon Safari - Air

1999: Play - Moby

2000: The Moon & Antarctica - Modest Mouse

2001: Is This It - The Strokes

2002: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco

2003: Fever to Tell - Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Dear Catastrophe Waitress - Belle & Sebastian 

2004: Funeral - Arcade Fire

2005: Apologies to the Queen Mary - Wolf Parade

2006: The Warning - Hot Chip

2007: Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem

2008: s/t - Hercules & Love Affair

lykke li

Not necessarily behind the boat with this one, since her album comes out in the states next week, but some of us have been praising this Swedish seductress for quite some time now. And with very good reason. Lykke Li has a very interesting spin on the feel-good vibe that seems to be all the rage in her chilly Scandinavian homeland, choosing genuine instruments over synthetic to create the relaxed and uplifting songs that run throughout her solid debut, Youth Novels. She's also got this crazy, almost pre-adolescent voice that makes you uncertain of how to react when her lyrical content dips into keeping her legs spread open for her lover. However, her approach to songcraft is well above that of her peers (she's actually 21) and sounds more like a Phil Spector-directed take on Feist, with the occasional touch of a modulated sound breezing through, than anything else. 

Check out her song 'I'm Good, I'm Gone' below and pick up her album next week. 

mp3: Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone

mp3: Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone (Fred Falke Remix)

+ video for Black Cab Sessions