it's all been syncopated

la is a niceeeeeeeee place to live

2009-01-15T20:55:00.000-08:00

To finally arrive in LA and flip on this great video of what's happening around these parts and see clips of a performance by my current obsession Nite Jewel is, well, a pretty rad thing.

merriweather post pavilion

2009-01-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

The high acclaim that Animal Collective's new record, Merriweather Post Pavilion seems to be garnering is totally and completely legitimate. I felt like such a good consumer waiting until this morning to go cop the vinyl and download the tracks. And boy, was it worth it. Although I'd heard most of the tracks before in a more raw format, the way in which the album was recorded is extremely different than anything else these guys have put out. The low tones and instrumentation almost doesn't sound like the same band. Hell, the vocals even sound almost like another group. Not that I don't believe it's either Avey Tare or Panda Bear, I just think that the modulations and effects placed on their singing was a surprise, albeit a welcome one. Case in point, standout "My Girls." Panda's vocals are tweaked just so slightly to comfort but also to cement the fact that this band is going places and we're simply along for the ride. Their talent is unrivaled and their musical explorations light-years beyond everything else. Though it has undergone a name change, I've always loved "My Girls" and I'm glad to see that everyone else does too. One of the most welcome tracks for me has been "Bluish" in its engulfing synths and hazy dual vocals. If not the first, it's certainly the best love song Animal Collective have ever written. The duality of singing duties, both on this song and on the album itself, suggests both a certain cohesion and comfort that contribute to Merriweather Post Pavilion's insanely mature sound. Saying that this record is accessible doesn't appear to be far off the mark. Not that other releases have been drone and endless repetition (though some in fact, have), it appears that MMP has seen one of the most imaginative bands pull a 180 on everybody, including themselves. What was once a band experimenting with the power of a 4-track and beauty of banging the shit out of drums or whatever happens to be available, Animal Collective are anything but a one-trick pony. The music is to say nothing of the lyrics, which have a painstaking way of finding surreality in the mundane. Perhaps its the coolness with which they sing, but both Avey Tare and Panda Bear are never kitsch but always relevant and encompassing. The future is yours, Animal Collective. You're the fearless leader of galaxies left unexplored. All I ask is that you keep us informed of your travels.

Also, be sure to check the Frankie Knuckles/Animal Collective track by xxxchange that sheds a little light on the songs original brilliance. It will only further blow your mind.

here we go magic

2009-01-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

Getting love from here, here and here, it would appear that Here We Go Magic are off to a pretty promising start. Having only existed for a few months, this new Brooklyn band is minimal, straight-forward and led by Luke Temple. Their simple melodies are catchy and appear to carry the torch from the past year of the slew of lo-fi, DIY releases that lit the indie world on fire. I highly recommend "Tunnelvision," (via the FADER) but I would also say that stopping by their myspace for two other goodies is nowhere near a waste of your time.

stuck on repeat: nite jewel - "what did he say"

2009-01-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

I admit blogging defeat in not having hopped on the Nite Jewel train sooner. Based in L.A., and from what I can gather the work of one girl who may or may not be named Emily Jane, Nite Jewel sounds like Italians Do It Better spearheads Chromatics and Glass Candy, although with a little more art spunk. Her single "What Did He Say," was not too shockingly released on said label sometime this year. Check out her myspace to hear the song, amongst others. Dancing, thankfully, doesn't seem like it'll much become a thing of the past in 2009.

new music: kase

2009-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, as I was trying to wipe away the after-holiday trance of having had too much sleep and indulged in a few too many bad addictions, I realized that the music world had once again resumed its normal state of affairs. Phew. So, it was back to the regs and as I was reading The FADER, I found out about yet another overly suave way that is sure to keep the French on all of our tongues for a little while longer. It seems that some of the Ed Bangers have started a blog called Cool Cats Le Blog. And it's all there folks. So Me design: check. Pictures of good looking French people laughing: check. New electro findings: check. Said finding is via the London Emcee Kase, who writes glitchy British rap tracks about dope clothes, going to clubs and being the king of electro. Getting 2009 started on a note of self-assurance, I like it.

ps - seattle friends, check out that sweatshirt!

peace + luv

2008-12-18T11:01:00.000-08:00

way of women just published a great interview with gang gang dance singer lizzi bougatsos. the interview touches upon both her music and arts ventures, and spreads the <3

my favorite albums of 2008

2008-12-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna miss ya, 2008.

white denim - workout holiday

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portishead - third

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throw me the statue - moonbeams

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beach house - devotion

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crystal stilts - alight of night

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bonnie "prince" billy - lie down in the light

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lykke li - youth novels

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vivian girls - s/t

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sigur ros - med sud i eyrum vio spilum endalaust

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deerhunter - microcastle / weird era cont.

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the ruby suns - sea lion

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el guincho - alegranza!

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abe vigoda - skeleton

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department of eagles - in ear park

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gang gang dance - saint dymphna

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bon iver - for emma, forever ago

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hercules and love affair - s/t

inside am-lul's closest

2008-12-11T15:35:00.000-08:00

22 year-old london resident gala has a dope fashion blog called inside am-lul's closet. featured in spanish vogue and calle20, gala is quickly rising to prominence with her snazzy style and beautiful looks. take a peak and read the nice things people are saying about her.

bands wearing vintage t-shirts from maine

2008-12-09T18:56:00.001-08:00

it's weird, but i've found two different bands sporting t-shirts from maine. the first is cut copy, and i know it's a maine t-shirt because i used to have the exact same thing way back when. the second is el guincho. now, just how to international bands - the former being from australia and the latter spain - snagged these is beyond me. has anyone else ever spotted this phenomena?

cut copy - far away remixes

2008-12-09T18:42:00.000-08:00

it's no secret that cut copy make cosmic dance music. their latest effort, in ghost colours, was produced by dfa's tim goldsworthy and has now been given spaced-out treatment by the likes of hercules and love affair, aeroplane and the golden filter. head on over to rcrdlbl to listen to the h&la and golden filter remixes.

the tammys

2008-12-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

were a girl group who really only surfaced with one hit "egyptian shumba" which featured the three women yelling and shrieking in a very un-girl group manner. but, the song is all the better of it, and it's a sad fact that this single never made any waves when it came out in the early '60s. you can listen to it here, as it's kinda hard to come by.

fan death - veronica's veil video

2008-12-04T20:51:00.000-08:00

this is one of the more interesting videos i've seen recently and does nothing but make me love these ladies even more

vancouver

2008-11-28T14:50:00.000-08:00

taken on a recent trip to vancouver, bc

design for obama

2008-11-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

la is a nice place

2008-11-20T19:30:00.001-08:00

I've been liking fader tv's recent series, la is a nice place to live and the most recent episode features current obsession abe vigoda.

note: for some reason the video doesn't want to be embedded, so click here to view.

bluish

2008-11-17T18:39:00.000-08:00

one of the songs leaked today on fact magazine, "bluish" from the forthcoming animal collective record is beautiful. like, one of the most beautiful songs i've ever heard, type of beautiful. the type of beautiful that makes me want to cry, not because of sadness but pure euphoria. the bass is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo deep. it's amazing. words just can't describe.

you'll see

fan death

2008-11-14T08:30:00.000-08:00

though i got my first taste of fan death way back in august, their recent spot as the guardian's band of the day reminded me of this super catchy, girl disco duo from vancouver. they've been working with in-demand british producer/dj erol alkan, who put his stamp on the killer "veronicas veil" and damn if they don't sound like they emerged out of the same time warp that hercules and love affair did. the comparisons fall between the knife and glass candy, though i would argue that they may sound vocally like the perfect match between the two, the musical arrangements are pure garage-era gems, with perhaps a little undertone of wickedness. that shouldn't be too surprising, as they take their name from the south korean urban legend that leaving an electric fan on at night can cause death - be it through suffocation, hypothermia or poisoning. fan death seems to be more on the evasive side, as thorough details about the group are hard to come by. whatever the case, you should take the time to listen to them, i swear it's worth it.

alaska airlines ad '61

2008-11-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

old alaska airlines ad, as taken from the argus observer.

your personal moon

2008-11-13T08:40:00.000-08:00

apparently, the new thing in russia is taking pictures with a big ole, moon-shaped light box. the juxtaposition of industrial soviet landscapes with an incandescent white moon is pretty striking. more from the unicorn diaries

ggd <3

2008-11-11T11:17:00.000-08:00

after seeing them last night, i now say with conviction that i agree with the glowing reviews they've had of their live shows, just as well as i can agree with the positive press re: saint dymphna.

filip dujardin

2008-11-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

belgian photographer filip dujardin takes neat pix.

expansion

2008-11-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

Andrea Galvani

Maybe it was the recent elections, the fact that the weather is actually kinda nice these days, or that I'm going to see one of my favorite bands tomorrow night, but I'm feeling pretty invigorated and so it feels right to make some changes around here. No longer will there be exclusively music, but random art, fashion, or stories about the Brazilian rainforest might just find their way onto this site. If you want all music, check out public access.

Actually, the real reason I made this post was because I could in no way think of how to use that picture and somehow connect it to something musical.

new panda bear t

2008-11-07T12:14:00.000-08:00

Mr. Noah Lennox has resurfaced once more, though neither with new music nor something affiliated with that other thing he does, but rather in the form of this fancy new t-shirt. It cost 20 bones and the deets can be found here.

gang gang dance - "house jam" (hot chip remix)

2008-11-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

Gang Gang Dance's epic "House Jam" is my favorite song of the year, likewise is Saint Dymphna one of my favorite albums. Apparently, I'm not the only one feeling that sentiment. Affable British synth-poppers Hot Chip (fans, apparently) have taken the liberty to add their own syncopated, off-beat twist of the track. Exceptionally weird but insanely arresting, the remix is premium which is not surprising when you realize the genius that each respective band has within their ranks. Give it a good solid three or four listens, it's a creeper.

mp3: gang gang dance - house jam (hot chip remix)

ladyhawk v ladyhawke

2008-11-03T23:04:00.000-08:00

I'd been seeing Ladyhawk all over The Fader for their Barfing All Over Europe tour diary (part 1, 2, 3, & 4) and was perplexed as to why I couldn't figure out where the girl was. The band's "Top 10 Songs For Rainy Sundays in Vancouver" mixtape got some praise on the aforementioned webpage and it was then that I realized I had been mistaking them this whole time for Ladyhawke, who is responsible for the irresistible "Paris is Burning" single that got major love from Cut Copy earlier this year. Whoops. A lack of investigative curiosity led me to numerous occasions of confusion, all of which could have easily been avoided had I enough sense to simply clicked a hyperlink. Now it's my obligation to set the record straight.

Ladyhawk is a four piece band from neighboring Vancouver, Canada who make spirited rock 'n roll and don't seem the least bit afraid of indulging in common debauchery. Their solid LP Shots is out now on Jagjaguwar.

Although I'm sure she enjoys her fair share of debauchery, Ladyhawke is a New Zealand pop princess who consists of equal parts Annie and Kylie. As already stated, her epic single "Paris is Burning" got an incredible facelift this summer when fellow Oceanians Cut Copy gave it a severe disco tang. It seems as if her album is out already in the UK, though not in the States. Luckily for us, there are a whole host of great remixes floating around the internet. You know the drill.

wild combination

2008-10-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Matt Wolf's Wild Combination, the highly acclaimed biopic on Arthur Russell, is a moving look at one of music's most creative personalities. Enigmatic to the fullest capacity, Arthur approached pop music from an avant-garde background, trying simultaneously to reach the masses and retain his independence from outside opinion. The latter proved to be the mightier of forces, with Arthur receiving extraordinary little media or widespread notoriety during his lifetime, especially with his solo efforts.

Around the start of the 1980's, Russell began participating in early disco groups that helped foster the movement's growing appreciation for unconventional compositions. Perhaps the most famous of these being "Is It All Over My Face?" which he recorded under the pseudonym Loose Joints. Equally as crucial were "Go Bang," as Dinosaur L and "Wax The Van," this time filled under Lola. All of these tracks represent an acute sense of what makes people dance, yet they also mix in unconventional elements such as ambient vocals and cello parts. It was these unorthodox undertones that dominated Arthur's recording sessions, many of which were done in isolation in his New York City apartment which he shared with his partner, Tom Lee, until his untimely death from AIDS in 1992. Lee is one of the main reasons for Arthur's recent resurgence. As Wild Combination sheds light on, Arthur was a terrifically difficult person to deal with in any sort of business or musical way and it took an intermediary like Tom to help present the music to ears that would be willing to spread the material. Such was the case when the owner of Audika Records contacted Tom sometime soon after Arthur passed away, and Tom gave access to the myriad tracks, outtakes and rarities that had been meticulously tinkered with right in his very apartment.

Perhaps the film's most intriguing undercurrent was how intensely connected Arthur was with his music and his knowledge of the power that it held, both as a performer and listener. One interviewee made the claim that "music has a healing power," which is manifested through the determination and idiosyncratic approach Arthur took when writing music. Salient also was how impacted people who had interacted with him were, and indeed still are. Arthur was the type to make an impression that lasted long after his introduction. Tom was initially drawn in after merely seeing Arthur talking on a phone on the sidewalk. His parents, an adorable elderly couple from Iowa, demonstrated that although their son was different in most ways from them, he was still too important to them for communication to be completely severed after he ran away from his home in high school, and his death still wears deeply on them.

Touching indeed, Wild Combination is probably the best movie I can recall seeing within the past few years, if not already one of my favorite selections. And, as a documentary, I think that speaks volumes. Like most geniuses, Arthur was taken prematurely and never garnered the respect he deserved. However, thanks to numerous cd releases within the past few years - including Love Is Overtaking Me, which comes out next week - and Wolf's movie, Arthur is finally seeing the respect he deserves, both as an artist and a luminary. That his music still sounds incredibly futuristic fifteen years past its inception gives major credibility to the exclusive talent that only comes one in a lifetime.

el guincho mixtape - gorilla contra bear

2008-10-22T18:12:00.001-07:00

El Guincho has made an epic mixtape for gvb & imeem, in celebration of his epic Alegranza! disc, which has finally been released to a patient world. I have never heard of any of the featured artists before, but its mainly spanish-infused vibe is both well executed and accessible, much in the same way as his debut. I'm still so happy that El Guincho is finding success while retaining his heritage and singing not in the typical lingua franca of most music in the states, but in the beautiful romance language of Spanish. Check out the mixtape below and don't be afraid to dance.

GorilaContraBear Mixtape - El Guincho

Also, let it be known that El Guincho has great pix.

new ac cover art

2008-10-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Animal Collective, you tripping!

Yes, that is the album art for January's highly anticipated, Merriweather Post Pavilion. And you thought I was excited before! Now I'm simply counting down until the 20th day of the new year. Or, at least until it leaks on the internet. But, even if I didn't love Animal Collective to support them by purchasing their physical releases (I do), this optical illusion is enough to intrigue even the most anti of AC fans. I'm tripping already.

destroyer

2008-10-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last year, I became heavily obsessed with Vancouver, BC's Destroyer. I had enjoyed his 2006 release Destroyer's Rubies, but never delved any deeper. Slowly, I started listening to Your Blues, City of Daughters, and his much lauded Streethawk: A Seduction. Idiosyncratic in style, arrangements, voice and prose, Destroyer has cut himself a unique place in music with these releases, among others. If I had to pick a favorite album, I would lean towards Rubies, and only because it was an integral album for me within the indie spectrum. But, every album of his has their time and place, and the ones listed above are highly recommended. At the rate he is going, Destroyer should churn out another album within the next few years. Just don't expect him to go on tour, as he is known to actively abhor the process of playing live. And, if the records continue in their same unique pattern, that's fine by me.

scott walker

2008-10-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

You'd think I would have already gotten the memo (not once, but twice) that Scott Walker is the shit, but apparently I was too busy being obtuse. However, my stupidity has since fled and I've realized the genius that is Mr. Walker. Releasing a string of eponymous albums in the late 50s and early 60s, his music is somewhere between Phil Spector grandeur and Beach Boys early-adulthood emotions. I can't really think of anything to tell you besides the fact that you should just buy an album and see for yourself. Quite the sales pitch, eh?

back fo real

2008-10-15T01:13:00.000-07:00

I now finally have internet at the house. Not that I felt particularly deprived during the past few months - I actually rather enjoyed not having it at the house - getting new music wasn't the easiest task. Luckily for me, as well as for you, there is RCRD LBL. A site that I frequented last year, it gives music away for free and is completely legal. By having artist consent (some have even released albums through the site), RCRD LBL is allowed to allow us lucky internet seekers to find new, groundbreaking music that has been easily categorized and accessibly described. The only hitch is that you are asked to use a direct-link when citing the songs, which is really not that much of a hitch.

One find that didn't even take me an entire listen to appreciate is Hamburg, Germany's Dance Inc. Listed as a cross between electro-poppers Cut Copy and David Bowie, with the music of the former and vocals of the latter, Dance Inc have a penchant for electronic pop music that evokes some beautiful imagery and makes you want to dance. Check out their song, "Don't Run to the Suburbs" here.

live report - high places + santogold + sigur ros + deerhoof + cut copy

2008-10-09T19:45:00.000-07:00

Part of the reason why there has been a major lack of activity around here is that I've been busy soaking up some decent performances that have rolled through town.

Last thursday a friend and I went out to see the High Places and Ponytail show. Musically, both bands were spot on, High Places hypnotizing me for their 45-minute set and Ponytail yelping and being nerdy B'More kids for their opening slot. Unfortunately, the vibe was lackluster since the venue was very empty. But, let it be known that Rob is one of the nicest musicians I've met, personally apologizing for the fact that the kids and adults were segregated, and Mary is every bit as cute as previously thought, if not moreso.

On saturday, my fav female eclectic Santogold played the bass-y Showbox Sodo. Though she had a constant smile on her face, played the "Lights Out (Diplo's Panda Bear mix)," professed her love for our beautiful city, and played the goodies off her solid debut, her set only lasted a half hour. I don't know if it was because there were a lot of younger people there, but it seemed that nobody was really that upset by it. I was pretty disappointed, however, and felt very underwhelmed after leaving. At least her dancers kick ass.

The next days, friends and I went to Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony, to see Iceland's newest creative musical export, Sigur Ros. And, it was every bit as grandiose as would be expected from the dreamy and epically portioned band. For only having four members, with the exception of some drummers on "Gobbledigook," the sound was much fuller than I thought it was going to be. That the show was wildly adored is no surprise, as it seems that Sigur Ros might just be the quintessential band for Seattle's musically-obsessed populace. Their music is as beautiful on a bright summer day as a rainy fall evening. In a year of greats, this was certainly a top performance. Even if they hadn't played any music, their costumes would have been enough to sate me. But, thankfully, the music they played was spot on in every aspect.

Tuesday found me and some friends seeing Deerhoof. Though I'm not the biggest fan, I'll say that musically, they are one of the more creative bands I've heard in a long time. To try and classify them exactly would be too hard a proposition to even try and comprehend, and so I won't. But, know that I have much more respect for them after seeing their show.

Last night, Australia's Cut Copy played to a super-packed Showbox. And, though I've become jaded with In Ghost Colors from recent overload, they are certainly penners of some significantly catchy 80's electro-tinged tracks.

antony & the johnsons - 'another world' video

2008-09-30T21:48:00.000-07:00

Antony & the Johnsons have debuted a new video for "Another World" off the titular EP, which comes out in a week (more on that soon). It's simple and haunting; the perfect match for the song.

lykke li + bon iver = 'dance dance dance'

2008-09-30T21:23:00.000-07:00

I guess northwestern Wisconsin and Sweden probably are roughly the same climes, though who we know from each that are connected with this post are musically polar. Lykke Li makes danceable pop music with oddly sexual lyrics, while Bon Iver strips down to the bare necessities in order to evoke a poignant history. But, here they are, playing Lykke's 'Dance Dance Dance' off her Youth Novels somewhere in L.A. You'd expect everyone to seem out of their element, but the song is really enjoyable, with Justin providing his falsetto and backing band and Lykke being as strange as usual.

Check it:

kurt cobain's ashes to be smoked by berlin artist

2008-09-29T16:35:00.001-07:00

When in Rome, right? Or, in my case, Seattle.

Apparently, as reported by Anthem earlier, a Berlin performance artist by the name of Natascha Stellmach is set to smoke the former Nirvana frontman's ashes. As for the motivation, Stellmach claimed her intention to be to "release Cobain from the media circus and into the ether." Sounds like Stellmach may be smoking a little too much of something besides this city's most beloved X-Starbucks employee. Unclear is the way in which she actually ascertained the ashes, and whether or not they are authentic. By golly, art really is pushing some boundaries.

woodpigeon

2008-09-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

Guardian's new band of the day, Woodpigeon is a collective of Canadian musicians who make anthemic, grandiose chamber music. Not surprisingly, they've been lumped in with another band that fits well into the same description by saying that they "come across as a sort of semi-acoustic Arcade Fire or full-band version of Sufjan Stevens." Though I actually see more of a musical resemblance to Sufjan, especially in lead singer Mark Hamilton's vocals, 'a full-band version of Sufjan Stevens' seems contradictory, if not completely void of all significance, to what Sufjan actually does. But that's neither here nor there.

Woodpigeon are from Calgary and follow in their countrymens tendency to play in multiple bands at once. So too do they take cues from their country's well orchestrated indie-pop. Less of a juggernaut than Arcade Fire and not as gritty as Broken Social Scene, Woodpigeon evoke the joy of roaming through untamed woods or lazing in rolling fields during autumn's cascading light. "Knock Knock" croons and beats to a backdrop of a billowing guitar line, while the weird "Death By Ninja" deals with a desire to kill "with just one little punch." Hey, at least Canadians are still weird, right? And with the bevy of great bands that Woodpigeon effectively join, who can complain? Not I, not I.

They have an album out now titled Treasury Library Canada which can be purchased here by a pay-what-you-want paypal order or by buying a more traditional, physical copy.

deerhunter - microcastle

2008-09-28T18:33:00.000-07:00

Though I've been listening to Microcastle since the beginning of June, I'm not exactly sure if I'm behind with this review. See, the original release date was October 28th but, as suggested by how long I've had this record, it leaked a little prematurely. Just a little. Rightly disappointed, Deerhunter chose to sell it on itunes in the interim so as to generate a little capital for what is one of the year's better albums.

Their last effort, Cryptograms, generated lots of critical praise. Alongside a thunderously intense live show, Deerhunter rose quickly to the top of the indie radar for creating what lead singer Bradford Cox coined as "ambient punk." Not as aggressive as its predecessor, Microcastle still employs heavy distortion and ambience, although both elements are seemingly more upbeat and positive. When listened to as a whole, there is a palpable sense of a band emerging from its shell of angst and channels dark imagery in an illuminating way. As an example, standout "Agoraphobia" is about a fear of being trapped, a lonely existence in the modern world. But, set to the upbeat drums and winding guitars, when Bradford croons "I want to fade away, fade away," it feels more like a plea to be taken into the sunset after a perfect summer day than a desire to be released from an overbearing life. Another track with persistent drums, constant bassline, and steady strums, "Nothing Ever Happens," deals with, as the title surprisingly suggests, boredom and a fleeting life.

Not forgetting the drone and ambiance which garnered them fame, Deerhunter still uses dissonance to its advantage by knowing where to intermix the fast with the slow, the soft with the heavy. As on the title track, the song breezes around Bradford's voice for a few minutes until things pick up and the rest of the band speeds through the song's remaining bars. Following is couplet ("Calvary Scars," "Green Jacket," and "Activa") that are drowned in sound and keep things short and sweet, the longest peaking at 2:09. Though not necessarily the most ambient of tracks, "Saved By Old Times" features vocals from fellow Atlantan, Cole Alexander of Black Lips, and modulated samples from old movies.

Markedly positive, Microcastle is the effort of a band that has matured musically, lyrically and individually. And such changes have allowed for growth that should find Deerhunter on everyone's lips, not for their behavior, but for their music. Hopefully though, they haven't changed the decibel levels at their shows and you'll still be able to feel the bone-rattling bass.

holy hail

2008-09-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

Although I don't remember exactly how I stumbled upon them, New York's Holy Hail are a current obsession. Combining the raw dance power of ESG with sexy, dual boy/girl falsetto refrains a la contemporary NYC duo Free Blood, these guys nail the hammer on the head. Groovy bass lines, timbale rolls, punk energy, and a well studied look at dance music's varied roots all denote what I hear in their music.

They'll be releasing a new album, Independent Pleasure Club through Kanine Records on November 11th. They've got a few new songs, "Independent Self Devotion" and "Cheery Street," streaming on their myspace.

gang gang dance - saint dymphna

2008-09-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

If not the most conceptually dense record I've ever listened to, Gang Gang Dance's Saint Dymphna is certainly up there. Even after taking a few listens, to describe exactly what GGD create is next to impossible. It's fair to say they meld together the conventional with the absurd in a beautiful, epically proportioned ritualistic dance record. It's fair to say they borrow heavily from the tribal concept of rhythm tying everything together and being what every other element, be it melody or lyric, flows from. It's fair to say GGD have influences far too vast to ever be accurately described, as it seems they are the type to take inspiration from things both monumental and daily. It's also fair to say they could give a flying fuck what anyone has to say about their sound, as the music is far too singular to be concerned with preconceptions or popular opinion. And, that is for everyone's benefit.

Calling together hints of grime, Bjork's vocal tendencies, techno, primitivism, and the kitchen sink (quite possible, they have a reputation for playing whatever is available), Saint Dymphna is an out there dance record that could just as easily sate the psyched out Brooklynite as the British rave kid. Known for heavy improv and colossal jam sessions, Gang Gang Dance seem to have wrangled in their older, more eccentric tendencies towards musical chaos. In doing so, they have not lost an ounce of their uniqueness but instead have made quite possibly the best album of the year, if not a standout in a decade filled with other far flinging combiners of the worlds' various genres. The closest comparison I can think of would probably be Animal Collective, though Avey Tare and Panda Bear seem to use the human voice a little differently than GGD's main singer, Liz and GGD are not as direct in their musical affinities.

To say anything besides the fact that everyone should get this record would render this post void of all purpose. Saint Dymphna comes out on October 21st via The Social Registry.

mp3: gang gang dance - house jam (xxxchange remix)

isle land dvd

2008-09-22T19:44:00.001-07:00

In a recent myspace blog post, J. Tillman announced that he, Sean Pecknold and Kory Kruckenberg recently recored and filmed a four song film on Vashon Island. The dvd, titled 'Isle Land' will be available via Bella Union on the upcoming Fleet Foxes/J. Tillman tour, which finds them playing The Moore on October 19th.

monthly investigation: NEU!

2008-09-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

Pronounced "noy" and written in uppercase, block lettering, NEU! is a prominent krautrock band known for balancing its music between the steady, motorik beat and ambient feedback.

After splitting from another well known krautrock band, Kraftwerk, Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother formed NEU! in 1971 and released their self-titled debut quickly thereafter. Weak sales gave them little fame, though that album has come to represent many elements of krautrock that have since found their way into various genres, such as the post-punk driving rhythm section of Joy Division and the ambient works of Aphex Twin. They then went on to record two more albums, both of which garnered little besides a strong, but limited, fanbase and led to what could be considered a premature breakup.

Captivating is the only way I can describe the motorik tracks from NEU! As an example, the first song is their debut is 10 minutes, features no lyrics and never changes its rhythm and it manages to be breeze by on every listen. The ambient tracks are such a stark departure that it seems the ideological clash that would later split Dinger and Rother did wonders for producing a genuine sound that has since to be replicated anywhere near the mastery of the original.

a mini-mix

2008-09-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Fall has started once again in beautiful Seattle and school is right around the corner. Like the quiet before the storm, I figured I'd show a little bit of what I've been recently listening to, some of which is sure to show up on some sort of year-end, best-of list of mine in a few months. My, how 2008 is passing by! And with great music to boot.

download autumn:

golden - high places

we're through - james pants

crystal stilts - crystal stilts

balmy night - department of eagles

family tree - tv on the radio

of montreal - 'id engager' mad decent edit

2008-09-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I'm a few days late with this one. But, it's too good to not talk about. As you may have heard, Of Montreal's newest, Skeletal Lamping, was just pushed back by Polyvinyl and will now be released on October 21st. Not only is the content contained within the album itself extremely stimulating and ingenious, but so too is the way in which said content can be ordered. Not only does the record come in traditional CD and LP format, but you can also get it as a tote bag, button collection, t-shirt, paper lantern or wall decals. All include a coupon for the mp3s and the beautiful album art. Read more and order here.

In the meantime though, we can get our fill of some Of Montreal goodness from the unstoppably amazing folks at Diplo's Mad Decent. Taking the already über dance ready "Id Engager," the Mad Decent edit has plenty of finger snaps, "ah oh"s and throbbing bass hits to keep things moving steadily for the song's entirety. Download it below.

Of Montreal play with HEALTH at the Showbox Sodo on Wednesday, November 19th while Diplo, Abe Vigoda, Boy 8-Bit and telepathe will be getting mad at Neumo's on Halloween.

mp3: of montreal - 'id engager' (mad decent remix)

new juan maclean - 'find a way'

2008-09-17T12:07:00.001-07:00

Happy housers The Juan MacLean are back with another gem of a dance track, this time with "Find A Way." Off of a tour exclusive EP, Juan is now at the helm with lead vocals, though Nancy still contributes her own pipes in repetition. The piano is killer and the looping space bleeps add imagery to the cosmic euphoria they are singing about. I've said it before, but the DFA really are ze bomb shiiit.

The Juan's forthcoming The Future Will Come will come sometime in the future, though the DFA website is currently under construction and so I was unable to get an exact date.

mp3: the juan maclean - 'find a way' (via rcrd lbl)

high places lp

2008-09-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

A stark combination of modulated drum pads and a beautiful female voice constitutes High Places' tribal, hypnotic sound. The Brooklyn band, comprised of Mary Pearson and Rob Barber, opt not to use anything more than electronics, vocals and auxiliary percussion, and in doing so, have created some of the most refreshing music I've heard in a while.

The duo's singles collection 03/07 - 09/07 came out earlier this year and showcased their unique take on African rhythms set against layers of electronic effects. Their self-titled LP, set to be released at the 23rd by Thrill Jockey, expands upon what 03/07 - 09/07 established, and feels more confident in every aspect. Mary's voice is fuller, the music more diverse, the feelings evoked even more powerful, resulting in a cohesive beauty that acknowledges its predecessor and incorporates a newly formed vigor. No doubt touring and high acclaim has aided High Places in expanding their palette. Regardless of the catalyst, this album, which should be considered their true debut, will hopefully find them generating even more praise and a larger audience.

10 songs totaling a half-hour exactly, the cd abounds with worldly sounds as diverse as Hindi strings, African drums, cascading harps and oodles of random percussion. Seemingly more a collage than an exhibition of musical prowess, High Places excel in creating art from varied backgrounds, united by a thread of positivity and Mary's alluring voice. "Golden" just might be my favorite track, with its entrancing, head-nodding beat and panning vocals. Two short instrumentals, "You In Forty Years" and "Papaya Year," further help the album in its blend of musical exploration and sonic creativity. Lyrically, it seems as if the duo is addressing themes of self-identity, as on "Gold Coin," the beauty that comes from destruction in opener "The Storm," and "Namer" tells of a protagonist eager to learn more about nature. However, postulation makes me think that High Places find more beauty in the human voice than in lyrics, which is not to insult them in the least. Rather, I think they understand the asset of vocals as another instrument and so utilize it to their full potential. Ending seemingly prematurely, the album never lingers too long in one place and leaves the listener learning for more. Though no one song sounds like another, there is an undertone of beauty that gives the album breadth, continually changing but never straying beyond random. And it is this same beauty that should find High Places acquiring the respect they deserve, both as innovators and creators of imaginative music.

the tough alliance + nordpolen

2008-09-16T17:27:00.000-07:00

The Tough Alliance are still making waves with their irresistibly catchy album A New Chance, which was released well over a year ago on their own label, Sincerely Yours. And for good reason. It's an album that blends nostalgia, longing, happiness and beauty into a collage of pop perfection. Making quite the wave this month, the duo is on the cover of the FADER's most recent issue. To read the piece (something I highly recommend), click here. I found it very interesting that the new, stateside issue of A New Chance will not open with the Azan, as they were approached by Muslims who found it offensive and so thought it better to cut it out. Bummer, there couldn't have been a better call to arms for the ensuing hour dance party contained on the disc. A single of "Neo Violence" will be released shortly.

Update - Making even newer waves today, TTA's 2005 debut has just seen a re-release on Modular and is the first review on the illustrious p4k. And what's more, I haven't stopped listening to them since I started this post. Damn you for being so undeniably wonderful TTA.

-----------------------------------------

The FADER also shed light on TTA labelmate Nordpolen. Singing exclusively in Swedish, the same poignant beauty of his fellow countrymen is the biggest ingredient of Nordpolen's dance tunes. A la Malajube and Sigur Rós, the indecipherable lyrics make me question whether or not some of the catchiest songs in the world come in other languages. His debut is out on September 24th via Sincerely Yours and you can help determine how many albums are actually printed by e-mailing them directly at 88an@sincerelyyours.se. Interactive music consumption never ceases to excite.

monthly investigation: krautrock

2008-09-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

Krautrock was birthed in 1960s Germany for myriad reasons. With American acid-rock, motown and the burgeoning hard rock movement vying against the British Invasion for the world's ear, Germany was left with a handful of obscure, avant-garde composers in its stead. Highly motivated by the emergence of a youthful, righteous and socially conscious intellectual demographic, the divided country became a breeding ground for those concerned with war, environmental issues, and the implications produced by the Space Race. Fed up with the status quo, musicians began experimenting with classical compositions and futuristic technologies as they sought to create a sound entirely unique and independent of current trends.

Ironically enough, the term Krautrock was penned by the British press when reporting on the first major Germany music festival that took place at Essen in 1968 (kraut itself being slang for German). Musically, the genre made use of motorik, or 4/4, rhythm and classic rock instruments, although the sounds were more electronically modulated than anything else happening at that time. Infusing elements of Jazz, Classical and Minimalist music, song structures varied greatly between strict structures and loose improvisation. Another distinguishing feature that set them apart from their European and American brethren, Krautrock artists spoke solely through their music, usually opting either not to sing at all or, as Nico of Velvet Underground fame popularized, employ a style more reminiscent of a poetry reading than a Beatles track.

Some of Krautrock's pioneering bands include Tangerine Dream, Amon Duul II, Can, Nico, Klaus Schulze, Kluster, Kraftwerk, NEU! and Faust. Interestingly, most don't sound much like any others, instead appearing to be bonded by a common ancestry and desire to restore a patriotism of sorts within a broken nation. The difference between each band's sound speaks volumes for Krautrock's ingenuity, demonstrating the different directions each was motivated to take their individual style.

Like most things radical, Krautrock was relatively unsuccessful, at least commercially, during its peak. However, it is often regarded as a major influence on the Post-Punk and has seen a resurgence within the past few years from artists as varied as Wilco, LCD Soundsystem and Stereolab. With the exception of Kraftwerk, most bands are now inactive and have been for awhile. Even activity around the Kraftwerk camp is relatively infrequent and sporadic. For instance, they played only four shows on U.S. soil this past year. However, that Krautrock has a limited history contributes to its greatness; there was no time for bands to destroy the beauty they'd created with trying to sell records for mass profit.

monthly investigation: an introduction

2008-09-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

I just had an idea to introduce a new column of sorts within the blog, one in which I take a genre of music that I know nothing about or would like to increase my knowledge of, give some explanation of it and introduce some prominent artists, ideas and places that pertain to the genre's existence. I thought it'd be an engaging way to come up with things to write about and stretch my musical awareness.

Hope you enjoy!

hot chip do covers

2008-09-11T16:17:00.000-07:00

A band famous for reworks, remixes and covers, everyone's favorite London electro poppers Hot Chip are rumored to be working on two very different songs to remake; Joy Division's uber-famous "Transmission" and Vampire Weekend's "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa." An even bigger rumor lies within the speculated guest, "but this feels so unnatural, Peter Gabriel" himself. Weird, right? Alexis spoke with BBC's Newsbeat about the songs and said re: "Transmission" that the feel is entirely different from the original, much more tropical. I'm excited to hear it.

Alexis also spoke in the same report about the progress of Made in the Dark's predecessor which features one "Alley Cat" said to be in the vein of a "Arthur Russell mid tempo disco tune." Curiosity is killing my cat.

In other Hot Chip news, the video for "Wrestlers" is hilarious and features a cameo from Mr. James Murphy himself.

Wrestlers

On a different but related (both to this and the previous post) note, Esau Mwamwaya has also covered VW's "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa," which you can hear on his myspace, in addition to his cover of M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" and cameo on the dope "Get It Up."

el guincho + ruby suns

2008-09-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

Photos by Daniel Cantó

The two dudes behind two of my favorite releases of 2008, El Guincho and The Ruby Suns are actually buddies. They've played shows together, rep each others albums and even, as I posted about earlier, cover each other. The two share many musical similarities in that they orchestrate mesmerizing songs from behind a setup of a snare, floor tom and knobs galore. But, El Guincho's Spanish heritage makes him a little more consistently upbeat, while The Ruby Suns take time to bask in the perennial sun of Auckland, New Zealand in psyched-out bliss.

Both have been keeping busy, as El Guincho's video for "Palmitos Park" debuted yesterday on Pitchfork.TV, his stellar Alegranza! is set to be released stateside by Beggars Group on October 7th (that should be a good day for them) and he is supposedly working on another album. The Ruby Suns have recently released a cover of The Beatles "Holiday" with indie's current king shit Esau Mwamwaya and are about to go on tour with The Dodos in Europe. I just realized that there is a lone show at Seattle's very own Mars Bar on September 24th!

All appropriate mp3s and the video below:

mp3: the ruby suns ft. esau mwamwaya - "holiday" (the beatles cover)

thanks to gvb for finally getting an mp3 of this!

mp3: the ruby suns - "palmitos park" (el guincho cover)

video: el guincho - "palmitos park"

the crocodile cafe to reopen

2008-09-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

Legendary Seattle venue The Crocodile Cafe is set to open its doors sometime early next year, according to a report by Reverb. After abruptly closing almost a year ago, rumors (my fav being that Johnny Depp had bought it) have abounded about possible new owners and the croc's future. Alas, it will not be torn down and made into another lovely condo building, but we'll be getting back part of this city's vibrant musical history.

Full story here

bon iver - "flume" on conan

2008-09-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

Bon Iver and his For Emma, Forever Ago arsenal of ambient folk tracks are still as beautiful as they were a year ago. Truly jealous that I've yet to see him live, as the video of his debut performance on Conan last night proves that the CD loses none of its majesty when taken out of the rural Wisconsin cabin it was recorded in.

department of eagles - in ear park

2008-09-08T17:55:00.000-07:00

I'm sure at this point it's apparent: I kinda <3 Grizzly Bear. I mention them every single chance I get. That I'm obsessed with Daniel Rossen's other band, Deparment of Eagles and their forthcoming LP In Ear Park should come as no surprise. Even without a predisposition to favor anything connected with Grizzly Bear, it would be unarguable that this disc is a rare gem filled with lush harmonies, captivating arrangements, and psych-pop influence.

Department of Eagles spawned from Daniel and Fred Nicolaus sharing a dorm room at NYU during their freshman year and deciding to occupy their time with making music. They released The Cold Nose in 2003 to much excitement within a small circle of fans. Things then remained quiet, as Daniel joined forces with Grizzly Bear and Fred took a 9-5 as a banker. However, the creative spark between these two friends never went out, as the pair hammered out ideas whenever possible and, after four years, are finally ready to release their next album.

When questioned about the difference between crafting songs with DoE and GB, Daniel said "A lot of these songs felt way too personal to bring to Grizzly Bear-- there's a lot of childhood nostalgia and an emphasis on more concise songwriting." Affirmed by tracks such as standout "Teenagers" and "Classical Records," it would seem that poignant memories of past experiences find the band in a very comfortable place for them, both as singers and craftsman of beautiful '60's-tinged music.

Production again came from resident guru Chris Taylor, and who, alongside Chris Bear, also contributed various instrumentation to In Ear Park.

If you preorder the album before its October 7th release, you'll receive a bonus 7" free of charge. At least stream the title track and rollicking "No One Does it Like You" here.

antony + the oregon symphony

2008-09-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

Photo by Nilina Mason-Campbell

On Friday night, a friend and I went to the beautiful Schnitzer Hall in Portland to see Antony & the Johnsons and the Oregon Symphony combine their respective musical grandeur. The juxtaposition of Antony's unique voice with a symphony as the backing band was the perfect melding of, what the director called "cult rock with classical music."

I only knew three songs played, "For Today I am a Boy," "I Fell in Love with a Dead Boy," and a stirring cover of Beyonce's "Crazy of Love." But the unfamiliarity of the night made things more intense as there was a heightened sense of what we were witnessing was a singular event and not just another tour stop. Many of the unknown songs are sure to land on either of Antony's upcoming releases, the EP Another World and full-length The Crying Game, both to be released on Secretly Canadian with the former arriving October 7th and the latter January 21st. Expect to be amazed.

annie - don't stop

2008-09-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

I always feel that, due to her aesthetic, I should hate Annie. She's a pop princess, a label which has come to signify complete musical ineptitude thanks to Britney Spears, Fergie, Lily Allen, etc. But, I don't hate Annie in the least nor do I believe her music to be as pathetic as most of her contemporaries. In fact, Annie might just be the saving grace that pop music needs, the spearhead for a new movement of talented women with the ability to craft beautifully catchy songs.

Thankfully, Annie's second LP, Don't Stop, will hit shelves October 6th. I say thankfully, because the album is quickly becoming one of my favorites of the year and I think it holds wonderful potential for her to reach even more critical praise than her debut. The lyrics are simple, dealing with relationships, love, you know, normal human existence type of stuff. But, I think the real beauty of the album, besides Annie's voice, is the songcraft. There is a lot of attention to detail and each song seems to stand strongly on its own. Two of the more straightforward hits, "I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me" and "Loco" have already been on the internet for a few months and received with much fanfare. "Bad Times" sounds like a Coldplay track, until an easy synth line kicks in under the vox, while opener "My Love is Better" is a rousing rock track whose lyrics deal with how much more awesome Annie is than other girls. Things slow down a lot with "When the Night," which sounds like a Michael Jackson ballad, albeit a little more futuristic. Goofy and strange, "What Do You Want (For Breakfast) is one of my favorite tracks just because the whole thing borders on being completely ridiculous, but Annie seems to wrangle the absurd into perfection each and every time.

Don't Stop is an album for everyone, regardless of musical taste or lifestyles. I feel like Annie could be the saving grace of the pop world, one to unite a divided generation behind what is the most enjoyable music in existence. But, somehow, I feel like Annie doesn't care about being overly successful and having her every move scrutinized by tabloids, since her album is an artistic statement and not a marketing strategy. So, until it's release in a month, you can wet your appetite by visiting her myspace page and streaming some tracks from the album.

new arthur russell lp coming in october

2008-09-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

Another Arthur Russell disc is on the way, according to an article published by p4k yesterday. Harvested from the myriad demos and unreleased material Russell recorded before his premature death in 1992, the new album will be titled Love Is Overtaking Me and be released on October 28th by Audika Records. Per usual, I'm sure the disc will showcase what was perhaps one of the most innovative musicians to have lived. Head on over to Audika's myspace to hear some new tracks off the record.

Interestingly, Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear is on the mixing and editing details. It seems as if Taylor is slowly taking over the world of great musical releases with production on the recent, stellar In Ear Park from fellow bandmate Daniel Rossen's other endeavor Department of Eagles and Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson's s/t. I'm sure, a la Yellow House, he's probably at the helms of the new GB album too. Quite the busy guy, it seems.

On a different but related note, the recent Arthur Russell documentary Wild Combination will hit shelves sometime in November and is scheduled to show here as part of the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, which takes place from October 17-26. Exact details when they surface.

radiohead

2008-09-02T00:05:00.000-07:00

Photo: Natalie Kardos

After having listened to Radiohead for what seemed like forever, I finally got to see them. And it was every bit as surreal as a juggernaut such as Radiohead should be when experienced live. Not only was I about 8 rows back and directly in front of Thom out of a crowd of (if estimates are to be believed) 80,000, but it was fucking Radiohead! I understand that such a lofty title as "the best band in the world" should not be taken lightly, but I do believe there to be no contest as to the sheer awesomeness of this band. It's not even that they have to be your favorite band, I just feel like there's no real way believe that anything else happening in mainstream rock even compares. The fact that these guys have landed in the mainstream rock category is impressive enough with such a varied discography as they've culled over the years.

Live, they played a heavy In Rainbows set that also drew greats from Kid A, Amnesiac, and OK Computer. Although the sound cut out twice, I still can't say that it was anything less than stellar. I hope the reason behind the technical difficulties arose from the carbon-neutral effort they put into the tour, an effort I greatly admire. The lights/visuals were spectacular as well.

Seriously, Radiohead has the whole package. They've got a great live show, they make mind-bending albums, they care about the environment, they're all extremely talented musicians, and from the smiles on each members' face while they played to an adoring audience at the famed Golden Gate Park, they are extremely humble given their situation.

blog not dead

2008-09-01T23:56:00.000-07:00

For the two people out there actually reading this thing, I just wanted to say that I'm not done writing on here. Between visiting the beautiful state of Wyoming for a spell, seeing Radiohead in S.F. (more on that later...), moving, and enjoying the last little bit of summer here in Seattle, I've been taking a nice break from incessant online browsing. But, no longer! School is just around the corner which means lots of studying, which in turn means lots of distractions, which in turn means lots of information-seeking about music, which in turn means more posts.

See you soon!

P.S., Alison, if you're reading this, contact me.

missed the boat: paper planes (dfa remix)

2008-07-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-19T12:38:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-07-18T13:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

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

tunes 6/27

2008-06-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

As part of my internship, I rummage through the interweb and attempt to find about 10-15 tracks of what has come out recently or what may have fallen under the radar and send them over to Clayton. This week is pretty disco-centric, so check it out.

tunes 6/27

and, as a bonus, from last week - tunes 6/20

2008's glass is half full

2008-06-26T18:08:00.000-07:00

And by that I mean, with the plethora of great albums that have already come out, most year-end lists are sure to be chock full of excellent talent. Although I've been taking a prolonged detour into lots of older music (hello Sam Cooke and Arthur Russell), looking at my itunes shows that I've also been listening to oodles and oodles of great artists. So, here are my favorite albums (so-far) of 2008. Hell, everyone else is doing it!

1 - Hercules & Love Affair - s/t

This was very obvious for me. I've been listening to this album since the beginning of January and what's more, it still sounds amazing! Andy did a great job, and having Antony on vocals gives it this complete other-worldly vibe that makes the cd all that much more enjoyable. I can safely say this is my album of the year already.

2 - Sigur Rós - Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalust

Although only officially released just earlier this week, this album has made me appreciate numerous things - the midday rays of summer, the slowing cascading light of Seattle at dusk, and the actual band itself. I really feel hard for their pop tracks, but with them came the slow, epic buildups that Sigur Rós is famous for and I fell equally as hard.

3 - Animal Collective - Water Curses [EP]

Best thing going in modern music, period. Animal Collective is an ingenious band in all respects, and this series of outtakes from last year's excellent Strawberry Jam only further cements that. And even more impressing is how they completely transform their already radical collection into the most transcending live experience.

4 - Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer

Maybe not as instantly gratifying as its predecessor, I still appreciate the fact that Wolf Parade decided to hone in their collective skills and make another album. It's a holistic effort, and I still think that there are many a great moment to be had.

5 - El Guincho - Alegranza!

Perfect album to really not fall into any genre but remain perfectly delightful. And I love the fact that he chooses to sing in spanish. Certainly a refreshing listen.

cd of selected songs from each album

wtf

2008-06-23T23:45:00.000-07:00

So earlier, I was thinking of posting a summer dance mixtape type-of-thing up here (which, I still probably will do) and as I was compiling some tracks, I realized that I really liked this remix I'd got last week. The chick's name was Little Boots and she seemed to be all the place. Fittingly, her hit song that seems to be on everybody's radar is titled 'Stuck On Repeat.' Even more fittingly, I just stumbled across this crazy video of her covering a band whose fame, at least partially, comes from a ubiquitous song that deals with the pleasure of repetition. Ocular pleasure below, aural pleasure in the works.

Video:

Little Boots - Ready for the Floor

new music - deerhunter

2008-06-21T17:57:00.001-07:00

like my previous post about Sigur Rós, Deerhunter wasn't really my thing. I saw them play with Grizzly Bear when they came through town last fall, and I had one of those "oh ok, I get it now" moments. But, it was still hard for me to return to their recorded material. That is, until I heard Agoraphobia. It's amazing, as is the rest of the record. Sonically, the band seems to have given up on the drone-vibe that kind of turned me off initially, instead using a lot more pop melodies. Check out the track and see just how great it really is.

mp3: agoraphobia

at mount zoomer

2008-06-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

I did a review for Wolf Parade's solid At Mount Zoomer for my school's newspaper. I'd post it here, but I'm too lazy to re-type it.

See them at Sub Pop's 20th Anniversary Festival @ Marymoor Park Sunday July 13th.

mp3: wolf parade - language city

með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

2008-06-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

I'll be honest, I've never really been the biggest Sigur Rós fan.

Then I saw the video for Gobbledigook. Quickly thereafter, the rest of the album became available on the internet and I've had a hard time not listening to it since.

My initial thought was that Sigur Rós had gone pop, and as a sucker for well executed pop music, it totally struck my fancy. Yet, it's really only the opening two tracks (aforementioned 'Gobbledigook' and my personal favorite, 'Inní mér syngur vitleysingur') that fit into said genre. The latter song is the perfect song to come out at the onset of summer -- beautiful horns, strangely anthemic lyrics that are impossible to decipher, throbbing drums and a palpable sense of change and happiness made possible only by the sun's warmth and presence.

The remaining tracks more-or-less sound more akin to what I've previous heard from the band. However, that's not to say that there are any sort of exhausted qualities. For instance, the 9 minute-epic "Festival" begins modestly with merely a falsetto and sparse accompanying electronic keys, until a bass drum kicks in and the song becomes an almost continual 4 minute build-up.

The rest of the CD is great and well suited for a lazy afternoon listen. Oh, and the last track "All Alright" is the first song Sigur Rós has ever sung in english. I don't want to be effusive, but even for someone who never never liked these guys, this album is completely amazing and I highly recommend it to ANYone.

mp3: inní mér syngur vitleysingur

make someone else feel dirty instead

2008-04-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

miles benjamin anthony robinson.

Perhaps you've heard of him by now? He's the lucky guy who has recorded with Chris Bear and Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear, is slated to record an album with Ky from TV on the Radio that is due for a 2009 release, and soon to be featured on the cover of The FADER. I guess the dude has had some troubles with addiction and the tribulations that are connected with that, and that makes sense seeing as his music is a little melancholy. however, don't let that deter you, since his songs are touched with sweet pop sensations, loopy vocals and jagged guitars. Certainly recommended on my part.

mp3: miles benjamin anthony robinson - the debtor

the dfa

2008-04-08T20:50:00.002-07:00

As my inaugural post, I guess I'll enter the blogsphere by talking about my favorite label, The DFA and some of the great music that its been churning out recently - which coincidentally is all I've been listening to as of late.

Leading of is Hercules and Love Affair. Essentially the work of one Andy Butler, H&LA enrolls the distinctive and unmistakable voice of Antony Hegarty (of Antony & the Johnsons fame), as well as the support of two female singers, Kim Ann and Nomi. The music itself harks back to the era when disco, homosexuality and NYC coalesced as the epicenter of underground club culture. The eponymous debut album combines horns, creative synth lines, four-on-the-floor drums, and an incredible vocal prowess throughout. Between straightforward dance tracks like "Hercules' Theme", "Blind", and "Raise Me Up" and more thoughtful tunes such as the opener, "Time Will" or "Iris", the breadth of H&LA surpasses that of a mere dance record, becoming instead an album that can sate your feet and mind at the same time. Andy has said that live dates will be announced soon for the States, which should be terrific. The only downside is that Antony will not be in attendance. It sounded too good to be true, didn't it?

Though one of DFA's earliest signees, The Juan MacLean merit recognition for the recent release of their stellar Happy House EP. The 12 minute track features a looping piano, auxiliary percussion, Nancy Wang (the keyboardist from LCD Soundsystem) on vocals, and more peaks and troughs than a small earthquake. I was never a fan of songs over the 7/8 minute mark, however Juan MacLean makes this track breeze by in such euphoria, their next LP - slated for a spring/summer release - cannot come soon enough. The Juan will also be going on tour at some point in the near future.

An offshoot of the Juan MacLean, Holy Ghost! released "Hold On" all the way back in October. However, that doesn't stop this song from being an insanely catchy track of analog synthesizers, gentle guitar plucks, and an irresistible bass drum line that demands the listener to do exactly what the track implies until the last pulsating beat has faded out.

mp3: hercules and love affair - hercules' theme

mp3: the juan maclean - happy house (lee douglas mix)

mp3: holy ghost! - hold on