STEREO/PASTE

WE HAVE MOVED!!!!!

2011-05-04T16:53:00.005-04:00

Come check out our new diggs:

stereopaste.tumblr.com

Stray Phrases

2011-03-02T22:18:00.004-05:00

Stray Phrases is a sick hip hop/jazz group consisting of Storm Siegel on drums, Dave Mainella on keys, and Evan Crane on an upright bass. If you're in the New York area, the Paste strongly recommends a live viewing. Their seamless rendition of J Dilla's entire Donuts album is more than on point. Don't believe me? Download the whole fucking thing here, and prove us wrong. Really out-there, dope band. Here's a link to their page:

Stray Phrases

Forecast for Mid-50s

2011-02-21T15:57:00.000-05:00

Caribou - Melody Day

Caribou - Odessa

The Everly Brothers - Cathy's Clown

Joe Cocker - Marjorine

DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE

2011-02-20T20:26:00.001-05:00

...find your own music.

Taking it back...

2011-02-16T18:15:00.000-05:00

Naughty by Nature - Hip Hop Hooray

Naughty by Nature - O.P.P.

Big Punisher - Still Not a Player

Souls of Mischief - '93 'til Infinity

Forecast for Scattered Flurries

2011-02-14T11:05:00.003-05:00

Part Two: More to follow later this week...

Ima Robot - Ruthless

The Dead Weather - The Difference Between Us

Roy Orbison - Dream Baby

Seasick Steve - The Jungle (Bachlors of Science Remix)

Chuck Berry - Maybellene

The Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love

Forecast for Wintery Mix

2011-02-12T18:55:00.009-05:00

Sooo I've been building up quite the backlog in the last month. A ton of new albums have just come across my desk and here are some real jems that you should really pick up:

More to follow later this week:

Broken Social Scene - Sentimental X's off their new Forgiveness Rock Record

The Dead Weather - Die by the Drop

Gramatik - A Bunch of Questions

Flying Lotus - Do the Astral Plane

Generationals - When They Fight, They Fight

Sister Crayon - (In) Reverse: Premium soundtrack material, meaning that in the best way possible.

Department of Eagles - On Glaze

2011-02-11T18:43:00.002-05:00

James Blake

2011-02-06T16:30:00.000-05:00

WidowsPeak

2010-12-16T22:20:00.004-05:00

Good Brooklyn band named this. See below:

WidowsPeak - Harsh Realm

Wye Oak

2010-12-11T20:12:00.002-05:00

Baltimore, MD just can't help turning out amazing guy/girl duos. Wye Oak is Andy Stack on drums, keyboards and bass and Jenn Wasner on vocals and guitars. Pitchfork has labled their sound as "earnest folk-influenced indie rock with touches of noise and dream pop". Joe will definitely enjoy the noise element especially a minute into For Prayer; so good. They're just about to release their third record on Merge Records (home of Arcade Fire, The Love Language Caribou ect) called Civilian, which judging from the title track below is going to be pretty sweet. They're great to see on stage around B-more since Wasner sings lead vocals and plays electric or acoustic guitar, while Stack plays both drums and keyboards, playing the drums with his feet and right hand, and the bass line with his left hand. Pretty cool to check out. Look out for Wye Oak to make some big things happen.

Wye Oak - Civilian

Wye Oak - For Prayer

Nice, Mick

2010-12-11T16:56:00.001-05:00

Johnny Royal

2010-12-07T02:36:00.005-05:00

Who is this guy? Does any body have any leads?

Johnny Royal - Lover Boy

Ryan Dahle

2010-11-30T00:34:00.002-05:00

To The Beat

2010-11-26T20:35:00.000-05:00

To The Beat from Desolat MG on Vimeo.

Tennis

2010-11-22T10:20:00.000-05:00

Tennis is Denver-based husband and wife duo pumping out pop diddies like no one's business. The band was formed about a year ago when the couple bought an old sailboat in Florida and toured the Eastern seaboard for seven months; writing songs sporadically. Eventually they blew all their cash on moorage fees and lobsta dinners and had to flee back to Denver to record. Marathon is a legit and comes off their 7" hit train.

Tennis - Marathon

Tennis - Take Me Somewhere

Tennis - Baltimore

Color!

2010-11-21T18:23:00.005-05:00

The song is "Caregiver," by Memoryhouse.

Scenes are from Shadows of Our Forgotten Ancestors (1964).

Roman Candle

2010-11-19T17:57:00.004-05:00

Roman Candle was Elliott Smith's debut album as a solo artist, which he recorded while still in Heatmiser. It has recently been released and remastered to showing off a few of Smith's best.

Elliott Smith - Last Call

The Moondoggies

2010-11-19T17:32:00.002-05:00

The Moondoggies are four dudes out of Everett, Washington making some sweet tunes. A former high school band turned business men turned real band in Seattle is now what we call the Moondoggies. Now signed to Hardly Art, an offshoot of Sub Pop Records, there pumping out some solid stuff and touring with Dawes. Changing is a solid track off their debut album Don't Be a Stranger and It's a Shame comes off their recent EP. Definitely check them out.

The Moondoggies - Changing

The Moondoggies - It's a Shame, Its a Pity

Ariel Pink

2010-11-19T16:58:00.001-05:00

Made by Delo. It's what the world looks like when your flip camera takes acid.

The Wobbulator

2010-11-17T18:13:00.002-05:00

It's like a microkorg for your television.

Here's to anybody who used to play with magnets and the computer screen back in the day.

Massive Attack

2010-11-17T15:37:00.003-05:00

A cool video from Spoonize's reel:

Massive Attack - Danny the Dog

Miss Peggy Lee

2010-11-12T14:51:00.002-05:00

Nickelus F

2010-11-12T01:24:00.000-05:00

Nickelus F - Aggressive Content

The Wave Pictures

2010-11-10T23:12:00.001-05:00

New Pogo

2010-11-09T11:04:00.004-05:00

The amazing remixer is back with his take on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Following some work at Disney (apparently), Pogo released his new track a few days back and it has been taking over the Internet. Check out the video above to see where he finds the sounds.

Phantom

2010-11-08T22:37:00.002-05:00

Kill some time.

PULP

2010-11-08T22:23:00.006-05:00

http://www.pulppeople.com/

Stone Jack Jones

2010-11-06T23:56:00.000-04:00

Black Coal

Seizure Inducing

2010-11-06T00:10:00.003-04:00

And dark as hell. Good vid.

Benga — Baltimore Clap

Sun Ra

2010-11-05T13:56:00.005-04:00

Sun Ra is the mastermind behind some of the sickest free-from jazz to come from the modern era of music; and at the same time, his style established a precedent for hip hop that cannot be refuted. He claimed to be of an "Angel Race," not for Earth, but Saturn, insisting his birth name belonged to, "an imaginary person who never existed...Any name I use other than Ra is a pseudonym." Enjoy, Earthlings.

Sun Ra - Where Pathways Meet

Safari

2010-11-05T13:39:00.004-04:00

Safari has been out on the road for the last two months promoting their new album Maybe Tomorrow - a hearty straight rock album for anybody who is sick of flittering hipsters dancing around microkorgs . The current lineup is comprised of Marco Narone on drums, Billy Webb on bass, and Nico Walker on lead/vocals. Walker brings to the table a visceral voice like he doesn't give a fuck, and a set of lyrics cut from his experiences which include a two year tour with the Line Infantry in Iraq.

Safari - Banger

Safari - New Lover

Breathe Owl Breathe

2010-11-05T13:24:00.000-04:00

East Jordan, Michigan's Breathe Owl Breathe is new folk gold. Singer Micah Middaugh drummer Trevor Hobbs and cello/ vocalist Andrea Moreno-Beals craft some pretty sweet melodies. The band was formed in 2004 when Andrea had just finished her sixth week at Oberlin College, where she met Micah at a Dairy Queen in Northern Michigan. Being the academic she is, she dropped out, and holed herself up with Middaugh and now-bandmate Trevor Hobbs in what they call “magic central,” a small log cabin commune in the Michigan woods.

Dogwalkers and Dragon come off their most recent album Magic Central and Toboggan comes from their first full-length album Canadian Shield. Real solid tracks; working well with the Baltimore fall.

Breathe Owl Breathe - Dogwalkers of the New Age

Breathe Owl Breathe - Toboggan

Breathe Owl Breathe - Dragon

Nisargadatta Maharaj Dropping Straight Up Knowledge

2010-11-05T12:22:00.002-04:00

If any of you need something to meditate on look no further. Nisargaddatta will help you out. Here he discusses themes from his seminal book I Am That in 1973.

Phantogram

2010-10-21T13:42:00.008-04:00

Phantogram is Saratoga's psych pop street beat darlings. Their new label, Barsuk Records (home to indie bigwigs Death Cab, nada surf...), claims Phantogram's music "sounds like it's made by a band from the city (I think that means The New York City? Joe might know them). Electronic loops, hip-hop beats, shoegaze, soul, pop — each finds its way into their songs. Unexpectedly, the band doesn't live and work in a major urban center, but rather calls the town of Saratoga Springs, NY" Pretty kwel.

The intro of Mouthful of Diamonds is magic in motion; sound magic. When I'm Small and Turn it Off are legit as hell. Definitely check these dooders oot!

Phantogram - Mouthful of Diamonds

Phantogram - When I'm Small

Phantogram - Turn it Off

Photo cred to David Kepner Photography, who shot them last tuesday at the Bluebird in Boulder, CO.

Angus and Julia Stone

2010-10-18T19:03:00.005-04:00

Angus & Julia Stone are the brother-sister duo from Newport on the Northern Beaches outside Sydney, you've all been hearing about. Their parents are musicians and their dad heads a cover band so naturally they're going to make a band. Angus and Julia Stone began to collaborate in 2006, each having gained experience as solo artists beforehand; that year, the two released their debut EP, Chocolate and Cigarettes. In the years since, they've released a bunch of EPs and two full-lengths.

Julia's lyrical style is a folky blend of Coco Rosie and Joanna Newsome with the inflections of Lykke Li; And The Boys is the best example. Angus brings it on the guitar and splits lead vocals, offering the band much more range. If you didn't like Laura Marling, you'll love these guys and if you liked Laura then you're going to Love A&JS. Definitely check 'em out.

Angus and Julia Stone - And The Boys

Angus and Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane

Angus and Julia Stone - Jewels and Gold

Laura Marling Killin It

2010-10-18T11:22:00.005-04:00

English folk revivalist and total babe, Laura Marling is decidedly killing it. Recently I've succumbed to modern English singer/songwriters (Johnny Flynn et al) and I'm warning you now that there will be many more posts to come on the sub-genre. I'm not sure if it's a combination of English nostalgia and the fact that folk perfectly accompanies the building chill of Fall as the radiators begin to fire up for the long winter ahead, but I'm loving it.

Both Rambling Man and Devil's Spoke come off Laura's second album, I Speak Because I Can, which was released last March. Produced by Ethan Johns (who has collaborated with Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Ray LaMontagne, Kevin Prosch, and Rufus Wainwright), the album has a much more mature sound and lyricism, which her pervious album overlooked. Devil's Spoke comes off as powerful driving tune that you can't help but tap to it. Rambling Man is also very solid with a big build.

Laura Marling - Rambling Man

Laura Marling - Devil's Spoke

The War on Drugs

2010-10-10T16:23:00.007-04:00

The War On Drugs is Philly's best music export that Jason has never heard of. TWOD's backbone is the collaborative matchup of Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile(which you already enjoy and dearly love). They began playing as The War on Drugs in 2005, and self-released a demo EP. Definitely check out their debut LP for Secretly Canadian Records, Wagonwheel Blues, which was released in 2008.

Coming through is by far my favorite single and There is No Urgency and Taking the Farm are standouts from Wagonwheel Blues. Their road jam style is sure to please as autumn slowly kills our summer buzzes.

The War on Drugs - There is No Urgency (YSI)

The War on Drugs - Coming Through (YSI)

The War On Drugs - Taking the Farm (YSI)

Stardeath and White Dwarfs

2010-10-10T15:00:00.000-04:00

Stardeath and White Dwarfs is Norman, Oklahoma's experimental rock band. The band has released one album, one single "Toast & Marmalade For Tea" on Half Machine Records and a self-titled EP. Their first full-length album, entitled The Birth, released in 2009, on Warner Brothers.

The band has made some significant headway on the path to become authentically relevant through their close collaboration with the Flaming Lips. Stardeath's Dennis Coyne is the nephew of Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne. In fact their connection to the Flaming Lips goes deeper as Casey Joseph, Matt Duckworth and Ford Chastain of Stardeath all worked as roadies/ techs for the Flaming Lips at one time. This connection has fueled such collaborations as the The Flaming Lips' 2009 remake of The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd with Henry Rollins and Peaches.

The Flaming Lips Stardeath and White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins and Peaches - The Great Gig In the Sky (YSI)

Stardeath and White Dwarfs - New Heat (YSI)

Stardeath and White Dwarfs - The Birth (YSI)

Music on the Way

2010-10-06T12:58:00.002-04:00

Dear Beautiful Readers,

Please excuse Bennett's post. He's been super over-tired and cranky. The real story is that the three editors of STEREO/PASTE went down to Cabo for a little R&R (here's a pic of yours truly and some blogger groupies on our yacht), which was fantastic, until Bennett gambled us into debtors prison. After two months of mariachi music and barnacle scraping, we're back on the map. Keep an eye out for the next big playlist this weekend, but for now, enjoy some sick Zambian folk music, played on a homemade guitar...

Ken's Song - A Traditional Era from David Tree on Vimeo.

Oh Yeah, Wazzup?

2010-10-05T15:43:00.004-04:00

Seriously, we've been slacking on posting, but fear not! We're making a comeback. The three of us have decided it was all Joe's fault for the hiatus, so sorry.

Anyway I thought it was easiest just to throw out a ton of stuff that I've been listening to. Its going to be across the spectrum but I don't care, just deal with it.

Duck Sauce - Barbara Streisand (Fare Soldi Remix)

El Perro Del Mar - Change of Heart

Twin Shadow - Castles in the Snow

Tortoiseshell - This Girl (Canyons Dub)

Infusion - Try It On

Cults - Go Outside

Housse De Racket - Champions (Edwin Van Cleef Remix)

Housse De Racket - Oh Yeah! (Walter Sobcek Remix)

Louis La Roche - Do You Remember?

Boards of Canada - Dawn Chorus

Aeroplane vs Friendly Fires vs Flight Facilities - I Crave Paris

Tim Williams - I Hit Another Wall

Ka-BOOM!

Photo Credit : David Kepner Photography

Also cheers to Mike for help with this post. He's currently offering Asian Cooking Classes in his kitchen if anyone is interested in enrolling.

Black Mountain

2010-08-10T01:04:00.003-04:00

Vancouver, BC's Black Mountain is psyche rock gold. Mixing down home crushing guitar and 60s styled psyche, they're sure to please. Druganaut comes off their 2005 EP and Angels is my favorite of their 2008 In The Future effort both on Jagjaguwar Records. Definitely check them out.

They're playing the 26th at the Bootleg Theater in LA.

Black Mountain - Druganaut (YSI)

Black Mountain - Angels (YSI)

Freddie King

2010-07-22T02:55:00.006-04:00

Rumors of a summer hiatus are false. All this hot weather has rendered us useless, well not all of us..ahem.. Any who,

Freddie King is the man. Texas claims Freddie King as its son, but although he was born on a farm near Gilmer in 1934, King's real contribution came as one of the young musicians from Chicago's West Side who challenged the Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf South Side musicians starting in the late '50s. Some great stuff to check out. The lesser known of the three "Kings" of blues, Freddie's blues guitar riffs have shaped rock guitarists for generations and after listening its easy to see why.

Freddy King - Going Down (YSI)

Freddy King - You've Got to Love Her with a Feeling (YSI)

Freddy King - Have You Ever Loved A Woman (YSI)

My June Playlist

2010-06-04T02:43:00.010-04:00

Lo-fi chillwaving out of Lafayette, Colorado is Gauntlet Hair. These self-proclaimed BFF's Andy and Craig have been putting out some solid material recently and are about to release their first cut from Forest Family Records.

Gauntlet Hair - I Was Thinking... (YSI)

Black Moth Super Rainbow's headman Tobacco has been busy and he's just released a new solo album that's decent but gives the impression that BMSR's sound hinges completely on front-man Tobacco.

Tobacco - Six Royal Vipers (YSI)

Brooklyn rock duo She Keeps Bees is great. Imagine if Cat Power had a shred of rock and testosterone to back it up.

She Keeps Bees - Gimme (YSI)

Front-man of the Black Keys, Auerbach has put together some solid solo material. A must check it out if you dig the Keys at all.

Dan Auerbach - The Prowl (YSI)

Ariel Pink is still sick. This song keeps me happy even when I'm trapped on the 101 S. They're playing July 9th at the Echoplex and I will be first in line.

Ariel Pink's Huanted Graffiti - Can't Hear My Eyes (YSI)

Beach Fossils and Friends

2010-05-13T01:30:00.002-04:00

Here are a couple of gems that I've uncovered in the post-ironic interweb. Yes I've posted Kurt Vile recently and yes I'm going to do it again. After listening to Beach on the Moon you'll understand; or perhaps not, but I don't care.

And

Beach Fossils are Brooklyn's Dustin Payseur, John Pena, and Sennott Burke. They've got quite the habit of making dreamy, slightly fuzzed pop. According to Stereogum "the word “fossils” rightly hints at nostalgia that goes deeper and more distant than a few summers past." Yeah like really long ago. Also it appears that they're pretty good friends with the Eternal Summers since they were planning to do some SERIOUS CHILLAGE in nyc.

Kurt Vile - Beach on the Moon (Recycled Lyrics) (YSI)

Beach Fossils - Youth (YSI)

Beach Fossils - Wide Awake (YSI)

A Lil Bump and Grind

2010-05-11T01:47:00.001-04:00

Never have I heard an artist so unabashedly beg for sex. R. Kelly's smooth beats and quality production do a great job masking the reality that he spends the entire song telling some chick how hard and how deep he's going to pound her. With songs like this you can really appreciate how much ass R. Kelly gets. It really explains his whole child peeing incident, because with that much ass, he had to bored and want to move on to "other things." Check out the music video for the LP version above, its solid. In 1994 R. Kelly was the shizdizzle. I would die a happy man if I could work half as much game.

R. Kelly - Bump and Grind (Old School Mix) (YSI)

Twin Sister

2010-05-09T13:57:00.007-04:00

Blasting off from Long Island, the quintet otherwise known as Twin Sister is killing it. They've just released two EP's, Color Your Life and Vampires with Dreaming Kids. If you're bored and looking for some remixing, they've offered up samples from all of their recordings on their site to see what people can come up with. They're playing at the Echo in LA on July 27th and I will definitely be there to fawn over them. If you see someone getting kicked out for trying to get on stage it'll probably be me. Enjoy their sound; its pairing quite nicely with this summer heat and Mike's malbec.

Twin Sister - I Want a House (YSI)

Twin Sister - Ginger (YSI)

Twin Sister - Phenomenons (YSI)

GROUPLOVE debut EP

2010-05-05T15:31:00.004-04:00

GROUPLOVE, formally known as GROUP, will be releasing their debut EP tomorrow both as a physical release and a digital download. In addition to "Colours," which has already been featured here, "Gold Coast" is my favorite track off of the EP. The song illustrates the bands confidence and creativity, given its sparse nature. The band will be performing two shows May 11th and 26th in Los Angeles. Check out their myspace for more information.

GROUPLOVE - Gold Coast (YSI)

GROUPLOVE - Colours (YSI)

Memoryhouse

2010-05-04T13:12:00.000-04:00

Ontario, Canada's Memoryhouse is the recording project of neo-classical composer Evan Abeele and photographer Denise Nouvion. The band choose the name “Memoryhouse” as a tribute to German composer Max Richter’s seminal work. Last.fm says they mixes ambient loops, breezy samples, aquatic guitars, and burbling synths. Some say their sound is fresher than Beach House's but let's be honest thats not possible. The remix is real good definitely check it out. Lately is their popular tune that great for getting sensitive. Gian Lorenzo Bernini is my favorite by far.

Memoryhouse - To The Light House (Millionyoung remix) (YSI)

Memoryhouse - Lately (Troisieme) (YSI)

Memoryhouse - Gian Lorenzo Bernini (YSI)

Kurt Vile

2010-05-03T21:22:00.003-04:00

Kurt Vile is a guitarist and singer from Philadelphia, PA. When not playing with The War on Drugs, Vile collaborates with his backing band the Violators to make some lo-fi post-punk fuzz. Things make sense when you consider he was just signed by Matador Records in 2009. Both Hunchback and Overnight Religion are solid tracks. Each show Vile's post-punk and softer side respectively.

Kurt Vile - Hunchback (YSI)

Kurt Vile - Overnight Religion (YSI)

Volcano Choir

2010-04-28T15:33:00.007-04:00

Volcano Choir is a bunch of doods from Wisconsin. Its a collaboration between Jon Mueller, Chris Rosenau, Jim Schoenecker, Daniel Spack, and Thomas Wincek of Collections of Colonies of Bees and this francophile guy named Justin Vernon. The collaboration predates the meteoric rise of Vernon’s Bon Iver project, with original songwriting dating back to the summer of 2005, right around the time the Bees first toured with Vernon’s previous band DeYarmond Edison.

It's has been gloomy in Baltimore for the past week and Volcano Choir fits perfectly with the mood, which will carry on beautifully for June Gloom in LA. Their biggest hit is Island, Is and it's easy to see why. Cool Knowledge is my favorite song; short and very sweet. Volcano Choir's album, Unmap, is great all the way through. Imagine Vernon with more instrumental variety. Collections of Colonies of Bees is really solid in their own right and definitely worth getting into.

Volcano Choir - Island, Is (YSI)

Volcano Choir - Cool Knowledge (YSI)

Collections of Colonies of Bees - Flocks I (YSI)

Inpetto

2010-04-25T14:54:00.002-04:00

The German DJs responsible for "Toca's Miracle 2008" have a slew of other remixes that might not be club favorites, but are definitely worth a listen. "Better Run" wanders between different subgenres while "Shadows" maintains a standard progressive beat. I know it has been a while since I have posted, so enjoy.

Those Usual Suspects - Shadows (Inpetto Remix) (YSI)

Tocadisco feat. Nadia Ali - Better Run (Inpetto Dub Mix) (YSI)

Un poco de música cubana

2010-04-23T14:05:00.003-04:00

I don't know about any of you guys but its definitely the season for a little latin flavor. Jack Anderson invented Cuban music in the late 1980s when he started Brunch Jungle Records in a tiny shack outside Havana. Today the genre has blown up across the world and I have found a few diamonds for you to enjoy. Havana Cultura's remix is awesome. Pasa El Borrador is a little thug jam thats sure to keep you moving. Patria Querida and Lagrimas de Soledad are old school reimaging of Buena Vista Social Club's distinctive sound.

Havana Cultura - Think Twice (Marc Mac of 4 Hero Remix) feat. Danay & Carina (YSI)

Los Guaracheros de Oriente - Patria Querida (YSI)

Los Aldeanos - Pasa El Borrador (YSI)

Gillas Peterson Featuring Danay - Lagrimas de Soledad (YSI)

Luvstep

2010-04-21T16:08:00.005-04:00

I don't know if anyone else has a hankering for some indie pop-laced dubstep. I think a lot of dubstep gets a terrible image from its fans e.g. pokemon and rave kids. Although its got a softer, romantic side that this mix really gets into. So put away your Barry White and turn up the dub and Mike this might be a great mix for your next "study" date. Its sure to get leotards droppin' in no time.

Dirty South Joe and Flufftronix - LuvStep Mix

Also Autumn in New York is a terrible movie

Wild Nothing

2010-04-20T11:30:00.009-04:00

Wild Nothing is the solo project of Virginia born Jack Tatum, who’s music is the product of an unhealthy obsession with nostalgia. E Unlike the current brand of one-man bedroom bands, Tatum aims for something higher. Cloudbusting is real solid. I've been on a huge Real Estate kick and this really supplements my jonzing for shoegaze in the meanwhile. All are solid tracks enjoy today amigos.

Wild Nothing - Cloudbusting (YSI)

Wild Nothing - Promise (YSI)

Wild Nothing - Summer Holiday (YSI)

PS Autumn in New York is not a good movie.

SECRET cities

2010-04-07T00:01:00.001-04:00

Based out of Fargo North Dakota, Secret Cities has made a name for themselves, producing layered synth-pop that makes the eyes glaze. Their debut album, due in June on Western Vinyl, is the final product of their senior thesis on Brian Wilson and youth spirituality. There has been a lot of love out there for Wilson-esque harmonies and feel good vibe in modern indie scene from Panda Bear and the like, but none take it in the direction of Secret Cities. Definitely enjoy.

SECRET cities - Pink Graffiti Part 1 (YSI)

Tron

2010-04-05T14:11:00.006-04:00

Despite his young age, Joker has already made a name for himself in the weird world of dubstep. The 20-year-old Brit combines a variety of electronic elements to create his signature creepy sound. But once the bass drops on "Tron," you'll have a hard time not nodding your head to the beat.

Joker - Tron (YSI)

GROUP

2010-04-05T13:53:00.001-04:00

The new Los Angeles-based band has the confidence and fresh song-writing ability to make a name for themselves in the crowded indie rock arena. With a mixture of different influences, the band is easily accessible and unbearably catchy. Listen to their debut single below or go onto the band's myspace.

GROUP - Colours (YSI)

Why?

2010-03-28T18:17:00.010-04:00

Why? is a trio of Cleveland transplants to the fair city of Oakland. The band is led by Yoni Wolf and his brother Josiah and their buddy Doug. Yoni is an art school dropout who has honed his lyrical style on his family synagogue’s 4-track, while convincing his drum playing brother to join his cause out in California.

Doug also went to high school with the Wolfs and later got kicked out of U of Cleveland for carrying a stun gun, where they played in a Steve Miller cover band and took key bumps in Starbucks' bathrooms with the door closed. The following songs come from their third full-length studio album called Alopecia on Anticon/Tomlab records. Yoni blends a unique vintage of lo-fi freak-rap drizzled over an indie shortcake. Sure to please the senses, though not for the kids.

Simeons Dilema - Why? (YSI)

Good Friday - Why? (YSI)

The Hollows - Why? (YSI)

Good Stuff

2010-03-24T13:44:00.003-04:00

Noah Baumbach's (much anticipated) Greenberg is out in theatres. Unless you live some place besides New York. Then you're kind of out of luck. Starring the fireman from Orange County, the movie follows a New Yorker who travels out to Los Angeles to house-sit for his brother. Guess who wrote the complete soundtrack? None other than James Murphy and LCD Soundsystem. Check out this single from the forthcoming soundtrack CD (via March 9 press release). It kills.

LCD Soundsystem - Oh You (Christmas Blues)

p.s.

Not to be confused with Hey You, the Pink Floyd song from The Squid and the Whale.

Pictureplane

2010-03-24T13:20:00.002-04:00

Pictureplane (aka Travis Egedy) is a 24 yer-old artist based in Denver, Colorado. He made himself known playing regular shows at the warehouse where he lives - a place called Rhinoceropolis (dig its high-tech webpage here). He's pretty intense, but just right for certain occasions...like when you're raving with some speed-freaks and wanna get down. Readers who enjoyed our post on Neon Indian might be especially interested.

Pictureplane - Goth Star

Rainbow Arabia - Negative Slave (Pictureplane remix)

Eternal Summers

2010-03-23T14:59:00.003-04:00

Eternal Summers is a dude named Daniel on drums and a chick named Nicole on guitar that call Roanoke, Virginia their home. They have just released their self-titled 8 song EP, which is available the internet machine. This unsigned duo gives a new face to jangly surf pop. Think of it this way; imagine if Best Coast had a real drummer and had a little more jangle to their wangle.

Able To is their popular tune on the interweb and is getting some moderate buzz after SXSW. Kry is great. Their sound on most of their softer fare is akin to Baltimore's blessed Beach House, which isn't a bad thing whatsoever. To be fair I picked up this duo up after Dane Reynolds posted them. So here's to you Dane; not bad.

Kry - Eternal Summers (YSI)

Able To - Eternal Summers (YSI)

Lightswitch - Eternal Summers (YSI)

Frank Black

2010-03-04T09:06:00.002-05:00

Honeycomb is the eleventh studio album by Frank Black, which was released in July 2005 on Back Porch Records in Nashville, TN. It's his first original solo work since 1996's The Cult of Ray. If you haven't been keeping up with Frank Black after the death of the Pixies, well this is what he's been up to. Honeycomb is quite a departure from Black's normal fare with the Pixies and Black Francis but it's definitely a noteworthy look into this artist's ability.

I Burn Today - Frank Black (YSI)

Lone Child - Frank Black (YSI)

Name Dropping...

2010-03-02T23:10:00.004-05:00

King Rat

Modest Mouse | MySpace Music Videos

"King Rat"

Directed by Heath Ledger

Animation by Terry Gilliam

Music by Modest Mouse

(new line-up, of course, with Johnny Marr)

That's a lot of stand-up names for a rather disappointing CD. Though Modest Mouse continues to drift towards effervescent bubbliness, this is actually a pretty cool song from their most recent album, No One's First, and You're Next. It was originally an out-take from their previous album. Probably because it didn't fit in with the smooth, alternative vibe they were going for then.

Regardless, Enjoy.

Tony Joe White

2010-03-02T00:50:00.003-05:00

If anyone of you are a fan of J.J. Cale then Tony Joe White is going to be in and around your alley. His distinct southern blues tied with Cale-like guitar riffs, punched up with powerful brass make for some magic. Polk Salad Anne is his biggest hit. Its good but its his simplest work. Willie and Laura is down-home swamp blues and Roosevelt and Ira Lee have a great adventure together. Wish I was there.

Polk Salad Anne - Tony Joe White (YSI)

Willie and Laura Mae Jones- Tony Joe White (YSI)

Roosevelt And Ira Lee (Night Of The Mossacin) - Tony Joe White (YSI)

Gramatik

2010-02-28T03:14:00.001-05:00

Fit for almost any occasion, Gramatik's Street Bangers Vol. 2 combines soul, jazz, and hip-hop beats for a very listenable and consistent album. Over the past couple weeks, I've found myself playing this album over and over. Hailing from Slovenia, Gramatik was probably the only MC in the country for some time. According to his (fairly cheesy) biography, music invaded his life from a young age. The effect is obvious in the music, though, as each song employs influences from very diverse areas.

Gramatik - Just Jammin' (YSI)

Gramatik - Hit That Jive (YSI)

Gramatik - The Prophet (Version 2.0) (YSI)

Delta Spirit

2010-02-18T17:34:00.006-05:00

Delta Spirit is a group from San Diego. These sounds are off their last album, Ode to Sunshine. The vocals by Matt Vasquez are distinctive; reminds me at times of Alec Ounsworth from Clap your hands which makes sense since they've been touring together along with Dr. Dog and Cold War Kids. The mix of instruments really make this album especially their brass section. Trashcan is the popular tune but I'm more a fan of Parade. Let me know what you think.

Trashcan - Delta Spirit (YSI)

Streetwalker - Delta Spir it (YSI)

Parade - Delta Spirit (YSI)

Vetiver

2010-02-17T11:44:00.008-05:00

Vetiver is a perennial grass of the Poaceae family, native to India. Mats made by weaving Vetiver roots and binding them with ropes/cords are used in India to cool rooms in a house during summer. The mats are typically hung in the doorway and kept moist by spraying with water periodically. It acts like an air-cooler when wind from a fan or outside hits it. It also adds a pleasant aroma in the house which is commonly described as "cool" and "refreshing".

Vetiver is also an awesome folky offshoot of Andy Cabic based out of San Francisco. You might recognize Cabic from Devendra Banhart's Cripple Crow album, which he co-wrote and produced. Vetiver has been around for a while and often collaborates with Banhart and freak-folk sweetheart Joanna Newsom. I've posted a few songs from their latest effort "Tight Knit" on Sub Pop. Everyday is the most popular tune from the LP but its also the most sensitive. Through the Front Door is my favorite by far. If you can, definitely get this album. It's been perfect listening during Snowpocalypse 2010 and even better now that the Big Melt 2010 has started.

Through the Front Door - Vetiver (YSI)

Everyday - Vetiver (YSI)

More of This - Vetiver (YSI)

Everybody's Favorite Topic

2010-02-16T11:28:00.002-05:00

Some sinsemilla sounds to beat through your eardrums. Richie Spice is a contemporary reggae artist from Jamaica, currently making some waves in the UK's infamously gritty dub scene. He's got a melodic tone that makes him ripe for remixing and overlays, but original tracks maintain this vintage sound with throwback guitar riffs, and a multi-percusive rhythm section.

Richie Spice - Marijuana

Richie Spice & Ratatat - Marijuana

Ugly Casanova

2010-02-16T10:45:00.006-05:00

Isaac Brock -- known best for his singer/songwriter contribution to Modest Mouse -- developed somewhere down the line, a persona called Ugly Casanova. When Modest Mouse started touring heavily, Brock began to dress up under the pseudonym and do sideshows in order to dodge press sent by his record label. His acts weren't always musical, but more along the lines of an Andy Kaufman bit. Makes sense from a man who got hooked on meth while working cross-country as a truck driver. In 2002, when he wanted to record a side project, contractual agreements with his label necessitated him to release it under his Ugly Casanova moniker. It is a stripped-down treatment of his already idiosyncratic songwriting, but with a little more funk vibes (in the body of a skiffle band). Final product comes out sounding along the lines of Beck's demo album -- One Foot in the Grave.

Ugly Casanova - Spilled Milk Factory

Ugly Casanova - Ice On the Sheets

Ugly Casanova - Diamonds on the Face of Evil

Some Highlife

2010-02-09T23:47:00.004-05:00

It's been a while since I last posted on Highlife music, so I think something like this is in order. Unfortunately, the band's name is not listed on the recording of this "concert-party" from a dancehall show around the 1930's. The song was was pressed in Ghana on a shellac record, and the fact that it has survived at all is a miracle. Solid horns and base; really catchy chorus. Hope you enjoy.

African Highlife Samples - Track 14

And here's an unrelated throwback made of gold:

Jimmy Cliff - Scotty / Draw Your Breaks

House Grooves

2010-02-09T12:35:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've put up some dance numbers. My listening in the last couple months has shifted away from house and into more organic sounds. Regardless, I always love my house jams and here are some recent standouts.

This track by Peter Brown combines all the traditional elements into a tidy and well-produced package. Good ups and downs and a solid breakdown.

Peter Brown - I'll House U (Swanky Tunes Mix) (YSI)

Erick Morillo has been a big name for a while. Add this to your collection.

Erick Morillo - I Get Lifted feat. Deborah Cooper (Original Mix) (YSI)

EDX has been the subject of many posts on Stereo/paste for good reason. His latest continues the trend of very clean and listenable progressive house.

EDX - Party of Politics (Original Mix) (YSI)

The final song is a bit of a darker tune, not meant for the dance floor. The production is as crisp as can be, though, and the song is definitely interesting enough to merit a few listens.

Cirez D - Glow (YSI)

King Tuff

2010-02-08T19:28:00.001-05:00

King Tuff is crazy music. King Tuff or Kyle Thomas is a musical recluse from Brattleboro, Vermont. He's just released his first full-length album called Was Dead on Colonel Records. After listening to the album, "Sun Medallion" immediately jumped out at me as the stand out track. Sun Medallion has the potential to reach a lot of people with its lo-fi sound and vintage revival guitar riffs. Connection and Freak When I'm Dead are great too. If anyone is interested VBS has a great interview. All I can say is Hail to the King.

Sun Medallion - King Tuff (YSI)

Connection - King Tuff (YSI)

Freak When I'm Dead - King Tuff (YSI)

Slim Harpo

2010-02-07T21:37:00.003-05:00

Here's another old-time delta blues legend. Slim was an orphan from Baton-Rouge, born in 1924. Probably one of the most important pioneers of electric-blues, Slim was never a full-time musician. He ran his own trucking business. His songs are basically standards; you'll hear them covered six ways to Sunday. A notable example is The Rolling Stones cover of "I'm a King Bee." It's basically a note-for-note copy/rip-off/tribute whatever you wish to call it. I'm laying down two tracks which have received a little less play time in their old age. Killers none the less.

Slim Harpo - Buzzin'

Slim Harpo - Shake Your Hips

Beach House

2010-01-30T10:36:00.004-05:00

The 3rd LP from Indie favorites Beach House demonstrates a more refined sound and stronger songwriting than their previous efforts. The quality holds strong throughout all ten tracks. The single, "Norway," follows the bands signature sound (simple drum machine, guitar line, and Victoria's smooth vocals) but creates a fuller sounds than other tracks. I haven't given the album enough of a listen to give a full review, but this is definitely a CD to check out. They unfortunately won't make it out to Philly or NY until May, but at least we'll have some new material until then.

Beach House - Norway (YSI)

Beach House - Lover of Mine (YSI)

Danger

2010-01-29T14:04:00.002-05:00

Have no fear y'all, a new crime-fighting frenchman is on the loose. The world no longer needs to fear a lack of pumping bass and catchy electro. Danger is that hero. This guy is truly a stand out on his newest release EP III. I'm definitely going to keep and eye on this guy.

0h00 - Danger feat. Vyle (YSI)

4h30 - Danger (YSI)

Ernie K. Doe

2010-01-27T19:08:00.004-05:00

Ernie K. Doe (born Ernest Kador) was a staple of early soul from New Orleans, who eventually blended into obscurity, and back out via eccentricity. Before his death in 2001, he was known to tramp about the bustling music scene in a green cape and a crown, trumpeting his title as Emperor of the Universe. His daughter still runs his old night club down in Louisiana, and his jams still rock. This track, "Mother-In-Law," made K-Doe the first artist to ever produce a #1 chart-topping single from the depths of The Big Easy. 1961. I'm posting it with another song off his album Here Come the Girls! to show he's worth his weight in gold. Not capes.

Ernie K. Doe - "Mother-In-Law (Alternate Version)"

Ernie K. Doe - "Fly Away With Me"

FUNK

2010-01-27T18:32:00.002-05:00

If you're looking for some funk that HASN'T been sampled a thousand times over, Jean-Claude Pelletier's 1974 Streaking! album is a diamond in the rough. It's got some unique and punchy baselines, but the large rhythm section is what makes the album stick. He backs off where more popular artists from this period of blaxploitation sounds would lay on the horns. I'm a huge brass fan, myself, but there are so many unmistakable hooks coming out of the grind-organ alone. So why is it so rare? God knows. Probably because it's French. Since Streaking! was never released on CD format, the vinyls fetch exorbitant fees wherever you can find them. Basically, if you want some virgin tracks with an extremely raunchy soul, dig through this guy; because, in the end, aren't we all looking for a virgin with some grit?

Jean-Claude Pelletier - Dangerous for Your Healt h

Jean-Claude Pelletier - Hey Doc! Help...

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

2010-01-26T23:42:00.005-05:00

To be honest Joe was the one to recommend this amazing album but he's been too lazy to post it and I couldn't let that happen. Anyway 25 year-old Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson is great artist from Brooklyn. He has just released his second album called Summer of Fear on Saddle Creek Records with the help of Kyp Malone (TV on the Radio), Chris Taylor & Christopher Bear (Grizzly Bear) and Say Hey Records. Its some incredible songwriting by a talented young guy. Buriedfed, The Debtor, and Woodfriend start off his self-titled debut album and really give you the best idea of his material. Most impressive for me is Buriedfed.

Buriedfed - Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson (YSI)

The Debtor - Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson (YSI)

Woodfriend - Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson (YSI)

Dark Night of The Soul

2010-01-25T19:42:00.006-05:00

Dark Night of the Soul is a great compilation album and illustrated book put together by DJ Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse, and for an extra dap of weirdness they threw in David Lynch. In addition to the hardcover book, the album includes vocals from the Flaming Lips, Julian Casablancas, Frank Black, Iggy Pop, Nina Persson of The Cardigans, Suzanne Vega and Gruff Rhys. Its very good. Standouts include Little Girl which is in classic Casablancas style. Also the contributions by the Flaming Lips, and Gruff Rays are very solid definitely give it a listen.

Little Girl (feat. Julian Casablancas) - Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse (YSI)

Revenge (feat. the Flaming Lips) - Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse (YSI)

Just War (feat. Gruff Rhys - Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse (YSI)

Don't worry we're back.

Robbed

2009-11-05T12:31:00.003-05:00

In a blurry night of boozing, dancing, and probably sleeping in public, I was robbed two weeks back here in Madrid. I woke up at 4pm after a "rough" night to no phone or wallet. Even worse, the fucker took my only operational headphones. This put a dent in my music listening to say the least - new music crept out of the shitty speakers on my laptop, but it just wasn't the same. I bought a knife and then today I ponied up the cash for a new pair of earbuds with "RESONANT BASS" screaming across the label. To celebrate, enjoy these groovy tunes.

Steve Angello - Tivoli (Original Mix) (YSI)

Will Bailey - Hustlin and Scratchin (Gigi Barocco Remix) (YSI)

Chillwave Glo-fi Brah

2009-11-01T15:59:00.008-05:00

I'm going to admit it. I've been dragged into the Chillwave obsession. It's gotten a shit from critics saying it's just a fad. Only time will tell if this is true. I don't know what it is but I've gotten really into shoegaze lately, so I guess that helps explain it. I feel like the genre covers a lot of ground, so get ready for a big swash across the glo-fi spectrum. These are a collection of stand-outs. My favorites are the Librarian turned Sampling Rocker; Washed Out and Small Black a tiny band from Long Island. The rest are great. Definitely give it a listen.

Small Black - Despicable Dogs (YSI)

Washed Out - Feel It All Around (YSI)

Washed Out - New Theory (YSI)

Smith Westerns - Be My Girl (YSI)

The Time & Space Machine - Children of the Sun (YSI)

Ghosthustler - Only Me to Trust (YSI)

Neon Indian - Mind, Drips (YSI)

Rap Playlist

2009-10-20T10:18:00.003-04:00

I don't know whether its my recent string of arrests or my general anger towards race relations and life in the hood, but I've been listening to a lot of rap recently. Many new albums have surfaced recently showcasing some of the best work we've heard from already established artists.

Raekwon's latest, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II, has gone through hell just trying to get released. Finished possibly as early as 2005, the album has gone through various record labels, name changes, and producers. Despite all of the drama involved, the final product was worth the wait. With tight production from RZA, J Dilla, y Dr. Dre, clever lyrics about life at the top of the mob, and various Wu-Tang members throwing in verses, the album hits hard on all ends. Listening straight through, I cannot say that there is a bad track. While I am posting these two RZA productions, I insist that you give the album an entire listen.

Raekwon - Black Mozart (feat. RZA & Inspectah Deck) (YSI)

Raekwon - New Wu (feat. Ghostface Killah & Method Man) (YSI)

People Under the Stairs is a hip-hop duo out of Los Angeles. Their albums are usually consistent all the way through and feature exclusive production by group's two members. Carried Away is out now, the duo's seventh LP. "Down in LA" conjures memories of my hometown while "Come on, Let's Get High" has a great vibe.

People Under the Stairs - Down in LA (YSI)

People Under the Stairs - Come on, Let's Get High (YSI)

Of the albums in this post, I'm having the most trouble with Q-Tip's Kamaal the Abstract. While The Renaissance sits high on my list of best rap albums this decade, this effort strives for a rap-over-jazz feel rather than just jazz beats. For the most part, the songs are a bit boring. Considering how well Tribe crafted beautiful verses over Jazz beats, I'm surprised I don't like this album more than I do. Regardless, "Even if it is so" is definitely the most interesting track and worth a listen.

Q-Tip - Even if it is so (YSI)

Not their biggest fan, I nevertheless enjoy the few tracks I have by Cunninlyguists. Their newest single seems to continue their trend of very memorable beats and smooth verses.

Cunninlyguists - Running Wild (feat. E40 and Evidence) (YSI)

Finally, one of the most surprisingly delicious songs in this post comes from none other than former Outkast member Big Boi. A SMOOTH jam, this one deserves some attention. I can imagine this gaining a lot of traction in the mainstream in coming months.

Big Boi - Shine Blockas feat. Gucci Mane (YSI)

The Wheel

2009-10-14T15:00:00.005-04:00

Denver, Colorado's Nathaniel Rateliff is the singer-songwriter behind both Born in the Flood and The Wheel. The Wheel's debut album, Desire and Dissolving Men is an impressive collection worthy of its attention. Rateliff boasts some very capable assistance from his string duo, but it's Rateliff who strums, plinks, and beats (lightly) on six different instruments on the record. And, as I've heard, it's "his high, emotive tenor and his charcoal sketches of human frailty that shine."

Slow is the ultimate getting sensitive song of this Autumn. I think its his best track off the album, and I expect the burgeoning generation of altbros to play this track for their own little Lux Lisbons. The Wheel is a great effort and I'm excited to see what Rateliff comes up with in the future. Enjoy.

The Wheel - Slow (YSI)
The Wheel - My Hanging Surrender (YSI)
The Wheel - Just For Me, But I Thought of You (YSI)

Yukimi Nagano

2009-10-11T13:23:00.005-04:00

Yukimi Nagano is the half-Japanese/half-Swedish vocalist of both Koop and her own side project; Little Dragon. Born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden to a Japanese father and American mother, Yukimi says, "I grew up listening to American folk because of my Mom, but I've always had an affinity for R'n'B."

Gothenburg, Sweden is best known as the home of such indie greats as Soundtrack of Our Lives, José González and Jens Lekman, not to mention the infamous black metal scene. Little Dragon throws its hat into the ring, competing skillfully in such a demanding market. Little Dragon is composed of Nagano and her close high school friends Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrick Källgren (bass) and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards).

You might know Yukimi best from her work with Sweden's electronica-jazz band Koop, and both Yukimi and Erik play live with José González.

Blinking Pigs' driving drum beat and Yukimi's vocals make this song as amazing as it is. Definitely my favorite off their self-titled album. Twice is a solid track, great for getting sensitive. Her powerful voice pushes it through even the darkest foggy evening. Summer Sun plays a completely different game, showing her talents in the area of modern jazz. Also great for getting sensitive on the sunniest of Summer days.

Little Dragon - Blinking Pigs (YSI)

Little Dragon - Twice (YSI)

Koop - Summer Sun (YSI)

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

2009-09-24T12:34:00.006-04:00

If you enjoyed our post on the Love Language, then Edward Sharpe (front-man of Ima Robot) and his new gang, The Magnetic Zeros are right up your alley. Their debut album, Up From Below, has similarly been compared to the folk side of the Beatles, merging in the primordial soup of Laurel Canyon's hippy-dippy heyday. But it's the large size of the band (approx. 11 musicians) that gives it both a cheerful and heartfelt sing-along feel, with the edgy bite of low-fi soundtracking. Makes you feel like you were there - even though you can't quite put your finger on what was 'there' to begin with.

My brother turned me on to this group. Their lyrics have really grown on me while traveling. Perhaps it's all too aplicable: I'm posting one track called "Home," and another called "40 Day Dream." Perhaps if you're on the move, you'll find your head here as well. Enjoy.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home

Fanfarlo at the Troubabdor

2009-09-24T01:15:00.002-04:00

This past week I was fortunate enough to catch London, England's Fanfarlo at the Hollywood Troubadour on their brief US tour with indie darlings, the Love Language. Fanfarlo was formed in 2006 by Swedish musician Simon Balthazar and consists of Amos Memon, Cathy Lucas, Justin Finch, and Leon Beckenham. Their debut album, Reservoir, was recorded in October/November 2008 at Tarquin Studios, in Connecticut, so you can imagine the impressive meshing of sounds and influences that make this band.

To really understand Fanfarlo, it's important to note that Reservoir was produced by Peter Katis, who maybe better known for producing the latest albums from The National, Interpol, and Tokyo Police Club. The album was released in February 2009. In March 2009, Fanfarlo began touring with Snow Patrol to promote their debut. They've got a great sound that lends itself to easy listening especially as Fall creeps upon us. If you can imagine an English blend of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and the National with a more wholesome feel.

Their live show was inspiring. The intimacy of the Troubadour lent itself perfectly to the personal and down-homey feel this band produces. I have to admit that I have huge crush on the band's violin, keys, mandolin, glock, and saw player, Cathy Lucas, which probably skews my perspective on the show, but as I looked around the venue it was plan to see that Simon Balthazar had every chicken in the room drooling with his shoegaze style and youthful innocence as well. In short, they played a great set with a solid encore and I can't wait to see them again on their UK tour later next month. If you're interested, I highly recommend checking out their Live Set on Black Cab Sessions.

Fanfarlo - I'm a Pilot (YSI)

Fanfarlo - The Walls are Coming Down (YSI)

Fanfarlo - Harold T. Wilkins or How To Wait For A Very Long Time (YSI)

NEW DEADMAU5

2009-09-20T09:24:00.005-04:00

The time has finally come for the mau5 to finally deliver his much-anticipated 2nd (or 3rd) official release. Set to come out October 5th, For Lack of a Better Name includes many tracks that have already been leaked in one form or another online. Many were already selling on Beatport. After a first listen, this CD completely differs from Random Album Title. To begin with, RAT (whether intentional or not, this is very clever) is a nearly perfect electronic album. The listener follows carefully crafted ups and downs that span through progressive, deep, and electro house genres. This album spans genres, but rather abruptly. Honestly, this is more convenient to the listener, but is not quite as rewarding. The first half is for partying, the second for headphones. While I don't love "bot" or "word problems," the end of the album is simply beautiful. "Strobe" comes out of nowhere to close the album in a simple and ethereal way. I think the exposure to many of these tracks before they came out ruined the excitement for me a bit. In all fairness, when I first heard each song, the same joy swept over my face knowing that the mau5 had done it again. The three that I hadn't heard have had the same effect. For any fan of electronic music, this album is a must, must get. Mr. Zimmerman is so technically proficient that almost any music he makes will at least sound good. Each track on each song is so perfectly interlaced that if all else fails, he can at least have a future in production. I'm posting the first and last songs on the album to give an idea of how far-reaching it is. They are also two of the more interesting Deadmau5 releases, with live drums on the former and a 4 minute plus build up on the on latter.

Deadmau5 - FML (YSI)

Deadmau5 - Strobe (YSI)

First Post From Spain

2009-09-20T07:53:00.003-04:00

For the following semester, I will be living abroad in Madrid. I have only been here for a few days, and already have gotten myself sick from the crazy lifestyle. I started off in Ibiza, where we saw, among others, Steve Angello. The man has talent and loves what he does, occasionally more into the music than the crowd. Although we saw Angello at Pacha, our favorite club was Space and the most impressive was definitely Privilege. With a 10,000 person capacity, it is truly the largest club in the world. The DJ is suspended over a swimming pool while dozens of dancers strip onstage in front of a giant navy ship. Here is a classic disco-era house hit featuring one-time Swedish House Mafia member Eric Prydz.

Eric Prydz and Steve Angello - Woz Not Woz (Club Mix) (YSI)

Although he was missing in action on this certain night at Pacha Ibiza, Sebastian Ingrosso is firmly a member of the clan. Regardless, Angello ended up playing this, his remix of the overly-remixed "Kids," that somehow manages to bring out yet another entirely new side to the song.

Sebastian Ingrosso - Kidsos (YSI)

Fela Kuti

2009-09-17T20:25:00.001-04:00

After the success of Bob Marley, Island Records went looking for the next great import. They settled their sights on the not so settled, radical superhuman named Fela Kuti. The word maverick is in the first sentence of his wikipedia page, which doesn't even do him justice because there isn't a picture.

His funeral was the largest public congregation in Nigeria. Ever. He spent his life in and out of jail, openly fighting the corruption of the Nigerian military government. He married 27 women on the same day. He makes his rock and roll contemporaries look like the Brady Bunch. But most important to this particular discussion, his music kills.

He wails on the sax and sings and plays all kinds of traditional instruments. Funky Afro-beat guitar shreds through like a drum riff. I'm posting the A-side of his 1975 album, Expensive Shit.

Expensive Shit - Fela Kuti

Of course, it was the Professor who turned us on to him. He wrote a book on Fela, which is really more of a journal he wrote over a couple months while staying with the musician. He went over to Nigeria to film a movie and jam with Fela, but the government raided while he was there and took his passport. Issued beatings.

Highlife: Part II

2009-09-15T08:32:00.004-04:00

The fusion of the electric guitar into Highlife bred a whole new beast of short, funky riffs that support the poly-rhythms of the music. The poly-rhythmic structure is a natural result of incorporating so many individual drums. One drum line will start with a simple 4/4 rhythm, then the next is layered over, except in 3/4 time -- a waltz. The product is a revolving 6/8 you can recognize in each of these songs.

This particular picture is of a band run by John Collins, guitarist, producer, and chair of the Music Department at the University of Ghana. He shreds. Many of these short samples that I am posting were originally recorded by the Professor or his contemporaries. For the past 40 years, he's been collecting indigenous and popular music from all over West Africa; it is impossible to tell the story of modern music in Ghana without including John Collins.

He is also my music teacher.

Here are a couple examples of more modern Highlife. Some are rather low-fi, considering a number of these tracks were recorded with a traveling studio van. There is a shockingly soulful tribal jam, from the Ashanti region. The opening sounds like train tracks, but they're just sticks on wood blocks. Enjoy:

Highlife Fusion - Various Artists

2009-09-11T05:58:00.004-04:00

African Highlife

2009-09-09T04:48:00.003-04:00

The fusion of traditional African rhythms with Westernized brass and melodies is the core of Highlife music. Its capital is Ghana. It originated on the coast and spread through West Africa, via the vehicle of colonialism. It uses the poly-rhythmic tribal beats, which just roll like a wheel (as opposed to the more punctuated phrasing of western rhythms). The music has been around and evolved for the better part of a century - through the jazz age, and electronification, and war.

This is the first of a series of posts relating to Highlife music. Unfortunately, due to very funny restrictions here (in Ghana), a lot of the following tracks are abbreviated. However, I hope they still give you an idea of the spirit out here. Enjoy.

First, I'm posting a couple catchy examples of the early Highlife. For anybody looking for good hooks or vocal samples - this is an absolute gold mine. These are the pioneers of the music, laying the foundations:

Early African Highlife - Various Artists

FYF Fest

2009-09-07T21:15:00.015-04:00

September 5th, 2009 Los Angeles, CA was graced with FYF Fest or more colorfully refered to as Fuck Yeah Fest Fest, and it was just that. This year was the festival's fifth run and its first attempt at turning a three-day festival into a one-day three staged outdoor fest. This year the festival was dedicated to saving California's State Parks, which face almost complete closures due to the Golden State's enormous budget deficit. At 20 dollars a ticket into No-Fi Heaven; its a pretty sweet deal. Groups of note included: the Black Lips, No Age, Wavves, Dan Deacon, Times New Viking, Tim and Eric, the Thermals, Fucked Up, Mika Miko, Japanther and others.

To be honest, I was really disappointed with No Age live. The problem with no-fi live is that its near impossible to replicate the amount of production and layering that goes into their albums. That being said they played mostly off their newest album, Nouns. I've seen them earlier this summer at the Hollywood Palladium to similar disappointment and was really hoping the festival atmosphere would be enough to really bring out their live act. FYF was no different. Best example: No Age ended their set with Eraser (their biggest single), which at face value sounds awesome but not when it was performed solo by drummer Dean Spunt playing over a recording of his bandmate who had just left the stage earlier. For a band that tries to play the whole post-punk, "We're from the Smell" they sure do a lot of complaining (most notably about the lack of vegan options while on tour in Japan). Don't get me wrong they produce good stuff, I'm just reeling from a strong dose of reality.

No Age - Eraser (YSI)

No Age - Everybody's Down (YSI)

The Black Lips on the other hand, killed it. They're known for their live shows and

I can see why. Their stage antics have gotten them kicked out of venues around the world, including one case where they had to flee India to avoid arrest after having too much nudity on Indian national television. FYF was no different. The show was highlighted by rhythm guitarist Cole Alexander making-out with fellow band mates then proceeding to vomit throughout the show only to cover it up with cardboard and finish singing the chorus. The band played mostly from their most recent album, 200 Million Thousand but hit all the needed highlights from their older albums.

Black Lips - Bad Kids (YSI)

Black Lips - Dirty Hands (YSI)

Black Lips - Drugs (YSI)

Dr. Dog

2009-09-07T20:04:00.000-04:00

Dr. Dog is a psychedelic rock band from Philadelphia. The current lineup consists of Toby Leaman (bass), Scott McMicken (lead guitar), Frank McElroy (rhythm guitar), Zach Miller (keyboard), and Juston Stens (drums). Their earlier recordings show influence of the lo-fi sound and pop sensibilities of indie rock bands of the 1990s, such as Guided By Voices and Pavement. Recent albums have featured more polished production, which is nice if that's your thing.

Ain't It Strange comes off their third full length album entitled "We All Belong." Dr. Dog has this meandering style of song composition that leads the listener to never quite know what will come next. A song that starts up with pure doowop could finish with Beatles-Let It Be-esque rock. A great combination if that's what you love, which I do. Oh No is a solid track off "Easy Beat" that I would highly recommend. Also a must to check out is their new single, which is an Amazing cover of Architecture in Helsinki's Heart it Races. In this day in age its refreshing to see a band like Dr. Dog come along. Enjoy.

Dr. Dog - Ain't It Strange (YSI)

Dr. Dog - Oh No (YSI)

Dr. Dog - Heart It Races (YSI)

NEW ELECTRO

2009-09-06T20:07:00.004-04:00

Whether to work out or to get pumped up before going out, electro music is very useful to have in your library. In anticipation of my going to the beautiful beaches of Ibiza, I am posting a few tracks sure to prepare you for a great night out. These are a bit intense, so they are more for headphone listening or car stereos. Grab a good sound system (think subwoofer) and enjoy.

John Roman - Martyr (YSI)

Spencer & Hill - Trespasser (Club Mix) (YSI)

Steve Angello, Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso - Leave the World Behind (Barletta Edit) (YSI)

Fragma - Toca's Miracle 2008 (Vandalism Remix) (YSI)

Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso - It's True 2009 (Johnny Max Remix) (YSI)

Amazing Mashup

2009-09-02T19:07:00.004-04:00

The new XX album has been gaining traction and winning over naysayers who think their music is too simple. Well, this mashup, shown to me by a friend, brings out every part of their music. This is one of the better songs that I have heard recently. Thanks to Quix v. Elliot for making this amazing mix. Enjoy.

Biggie vs. Tupac vs. the XX - Runnin' with the XX (YSI)

TV on the Radio

2009-08-31T03:51:00.003-04:00

In a very fortunate series of events, Bennett and I were able to go to Outside Lands in San Fransisco for free. Walking around the area, two women drove by to simply give up their three day passes. We were staying at Stanford and had to get back, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity, especially considering TV on the Radio was about to go on. I'm a big fan of their new CD, but resisted posted because all of the songs were already out there in the blogging world. The Brooklyn band was great onstage, made only better by the perfect weather. Tunde thrashed about with so much energy that the crowd had to get involved. While the mixing was a bit off (one sax was significantly louder than anything else onstage), the songwriting shone through. I've included two of my favorite tracks from the new album.

TV on the Radio - Love Dog (YSI)

TV on the Radio - DLZ (YSI)

The Evens

2009-08-27T14:54:00.008-04:00

Washington, D.C.'s The Evens consists of Ian MacKaye and his domestic partner Amy Farina, formerly of The Warmers, and Ted Leo & the Pharmacists. Ian MacKaye is best known as the frontman of the influential hardcore punk band Minor Threat, the post-hardcore bands Embrace and Fugazi. The Evens released their self-titled album in early 2005, breaking a three-year silence by MacKaye.

Blessed Not Lucky and Mt. Pleasant Isn't both come off of the Evens' debut self-titled album. For those wanting to hear MacKaye revisiting his harder Minor Threat/Fugazi past, you're in for a big surprise. Together with Farina, MacKaye shows us his softer side, while still maintaining his punk activist roots. Blessed Not Lucky is my favorite off the album, which makes more for a relaxing late night jam than a punk anthem of his past. Mt. Pleasant Isn't in my mind is the best example of MacKaye's ironic activist lyrics, but I'll let you be the judge. Enjoy,

The Evens - Blessed Not Lucky (YSI)

The Evens - Mt. Pleasant Isn't (YSI)

Long Overdue

2009-08-26T17:10:00.002-04:00

I apologize to everyone who has been checking in only to find the same old posts each day. We have been off on summer in various corners of the globe. Personally, I just returned from Bangladesh and haven't had Internet access for weeks. Now that I am back (and have had a week to catch up a bit), I am ready to give you some good new tracks. These two I've had for a while, and in searching my head for what to post, I realized how unfortunate it is that these hadn't been put up. Sydney Blu has two amazing tracks. "Give it up for me" has one of the hardest hitting basslines I've heard in a while. I think the original is even better than Deadmau's interpretation. Also from Toronto, Blu has shown some promise. Most importantly, though, Sydney Blu is a chick. Enjoy.

Sydney Blu - Give it up for me (original mix) (YSI)

Sydney Blu - Give it up for me (Deadmau5 remix) (YSI)

Sydney Blu - Senses of the Mind (original mix) (YSI)