Beck

Beck's debut album, One Foot in the Grave (1994) was re-released with a bonus disc of material by K. Records this week. Double album available in vinyl, also. This was before he was hooked up with a hip-hop producer to cut the single "Loser" later that year. Think of it as the Oh Me Oh My... of Beck's career - a collection of demo's basically.

Just because it's sort of related, I wanted to add this beautiful clip from an otherwise awful movie. It's a cool effect, how they introduce the fighters as if they were characters in an N64 game. It reminds me of 1080. Anyway, the song in the background is "1000 Pesos" -- by Beck.

Sleeping Bag - Beck

Painted Eyelids - Beck

Teenage Wastebasket [Electric Version] - Beck

Mattress - Beck

Death Cab for Cutie

Bellingham, Washington's Ben Gibbard and his boys from Death Cab for Cutie have recently released their fifth EP entitled "The Open Door" on Atlantic Records. The EP is a companion piece to their last LP "Narrow Stairs," which was released nine months before. The five song EP consists of four abandoned tracks from Narrow Stairs and adds one ukulele demo called "Talking Bird." The Open Door basically takes over where Narrow Stairs left off. Its release is coming in support of Death Cab's last tour promoting its last LP before they head back to the studio. My Mirror Speaks is pretty standard Death Cab fare that seems straight from Narrow Stairs aside from its title lyrics. Loyal Lover gives the standard formula a more my bloody valentine feel with its distortion. I know its not going to get people up and dancing but is always a good bet when getting sensitive.

Death Cab for Cutie - My Mirror Speaks (YSI)

Death Cab for Cutie - I Was Once a Loyal Lover (YSI)

Death Cab for Cutie - Talking Bird (Demo Version) (YSI)

Some More Progressive

Considering how much progressive I have been listening to recently, I decided to just put a few of my favorites of the last few weeks together into a post. For me at least, this is the kind of music you can listen to wake you up in the mornings, have on while you do work or put on after a night out to keep a calmer vibe.

Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan - Silence (YSI)

Smartminds - Miami Mood (YSI)

Glenn Morrison - No Sudden Moves (YSI)

Feed Your Head

While wandering cyberspace and such, I came across this really creative video. As far as I can tell, the artist's name is Pogo - another musician from Perth - who composed this beat taking 90% of its sounds from the 1951 classic Alice in Wonderland. The result is actually a pretty cool song, but the gem is this video that accompanies. It's tough to make out the remixed lyrics, but this could be close:

We choose to love all our trouble. (x4)

There is a long way to love that I have to travel. (x4)

There is a long way to love but you are trouble. (x4)

But I ... still love... still love... still love...

One-Hit Wonders

I have two one-hit wonders for you guys to check out. These two bands are pretty horrible but they both have one fucking awesome song to cling to. Maybe I'm being way too "metal" because I think their sounds are whimpy, but they both need to assert themselves more. I think that's the same reason I never got into Of Montreal.

Anyway these two singles are awesome.

One For the Team - Garden (YSI)

Band from Minneapolis/Chicago? (thats from their site). Their just celebrating the release of their third album called "Build a Garden". 

Wave Machines - Keep the Lights On (YSI)

From Liverpool, England on Neapolitan Recordings. I think they have a big potential.

Also the Band Pictured Above.

The xx

The xx are a fucking amazing band from South West London. They have just released their first single called "Crystalised" on Young Turks Records.  Its pretty good but Teardrops and Blood Red Moon are sure winners. I know some people have preferences for female vocalists and if you don't already the xx will certainly convert you. Definitely check these guys out they are worth at least a listen. I'm calling it early that these guys will definitely go somewhere big.

The xx - Teardrops (YSI)

The xx - Blood Red Moon (YSI)

The xx - VCR (YSI)

The Black Lips

Atlanta, Georgia's "flower punk band" The Black Lips have somehow just released their fifth studio album amid nonstop touring called "200 Million Thousand" on Vice Records. You guys both know the Black Lips for their crazy stage antics and a preference for playing in exotic and dangerous locations including tours in Israel, Jordan, Tijuana, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Their new album is pretty decent and I'd recommend getting it if you haven't yet. Short Fuse is their single from the album and its pretty standard Lips. Starting Over is my favorite off the album. The music video for Short Fuse is absolutely insane and worth a watch if you're not prone to seizures. Official Video Link from Vice Records.

Black Lips - Starting Over (YSI)

Black Lips - Short Fuse (YSI)

Chris and Thomas

In 2003 Chris and Thomas arrived in Los Angeles, California. The duo’s live debut was on 11/18/03, opening up at the Hotel Café for Alexi Murdoch. They're first full length debut Land Of Sea (2006) was recorded with renowned producer/engineer Mark Howard (Bob Dylan, U2, Tom Waits). The recording didn't get much play until KCRW in Los Angeles picked them up. Broken Chair is great for its harmonies and catchy guitar riffs and vocals. 

Chris and Thomas - Broken Chair (YSI)

Chris and Thomas -  Isn't That So (YSI)

Starchaser

Italian disco-house duo Starchaser create dreamscape house music. The DJ duo consists of Thomas Schwartz and Fausto Fanizza. Thomas Schwartz is quite the accomplished DJ in his own right. “Twighlight on Mars,” is an appropriate title considering the name of the group. The song fits in the beautiful genre of progressive house that Deadmau5 has brought into the spotlight recently. With echoing piano synths repeating in the background, there are really a few individual tracks in the song. The production quality perfectly meshes the very similar sounds into an enveloping groove. The constant one-two (bass-snare) drumbeat allows the listener to lose him or herself in the beat. With clear references to the disco wave of the 70s, the song sounds, in a sense, timeless.

Starchaser feat. LO-FI Sugar - So High (Thomas Schwartz and Fausto Fanizza Remix) (YSI)

Starchaser - Jambe Myth (Luigi Lusini Remix) (YSI)

Thomas Schwartz - Twilight on Mars (YSI)

Alright, Amigos

Here's a sick and trippy video just to tide you over.

And it's got conan in it, so everybody's down.

Call to all readers: special prize to anybody who can locate the long lost holy grail of conan vids -- when Max jumps in and plays drums over Death From Above 1979's set...