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...

New Swedish House Mafia

The Mafia is a pretty intimidating group of DJs. Their story isn't exciting (Axwell met Ingrosso drinking, who later introduced him to Angello), but their music definitely is. Eric Prydz (Pryda) used to be in the group, but according to the group's slogan (Made in Sweden), he was kicked out when he moved to London. They were the first act I saw at Ultra this year, and they started the show off incredibly well. This song in particular blew the crowd away. Hearing it again brings back memories and puts a huge smile on my face.

Axwell, Angello, Ingrosso Feat. Deborah Cox - Leave the World Behind (Original Mix) (YSI)

Jack Beats

Jack Beats is an electro DJ duo from London. They have a pretty fresh sound and some crazy "wah-wah" DJ sounds. I featured their song "Get Down" on the Late Night Playlist #1, and if you ddin't get it, I would be sure to. Now I have two of their remixes. One is of Project Bassline and appropriately titled the rave remix. The other is a remix of Lady Sovereign.

Project Bassline - Drop the Pressure (Jack Beats 'Rinsed Out Rave' Remix) (YSI)

Lady Sovereign - I Got You Dancing (Jack Beats Remix) (YSI)

Surf City

Surf City is a young quartet from New Zealand. They used to be called "Kill Surf City," but there's an unfortunate band in England with the tag, so now the Jesus & Mary Chain reference isn't as obvious at first sight, though sonically, it remains.  But the band makes good on their citations of the Zombies, Sonic Youth, and Animal Collective, among others, as influences. All that said, the guys have a very promising, impressively assured self-titled 6-song EP that was released on Arch Hill Records in 2008. Dickshakers Union is an impressive uptempo song, which got me into this EP. Canned Food which follows it on the album has an awesome bass line in the beginning to keep up the energy from Dickshakers. This band is meant to be listened to loud so, do so.

The cover art was done by artist Steve Keene

Surf City - Dickshakers Union (YSI)

Surf City - Canned Food (YSI)

The Love Language

The Love Language is Stuart McLamb, Jordan McLamb, Junis Beefmonth, Missy Thangs, Joshua Pope, Kate Thompson, and Thomas Simpson.

Raleigh North Carolina's 7-Man lo-fi indie rock band The Love Language. Vocalist Stu McLamb's songwriting is pretty notable.  Some people have compared them with Animal Collective but I really just don't see it that plainly. Their first album, The Love Language, was released mid-March on Bladen County Records. I have high hopes for this band but we'll see how it'll end up. 

Lalita is their most popular song and I can see why with it's catchy chorus and I love the lo-fi recording.  Sparxxx is pretty good too. It' s guitar seems a little belle and sebastian like especially with the bells behind them. Providence: Good

The Love Language - Lalita (YSI)

The Love Language - Sparxxx (YSI)

The Love Language - Providence (YSI)

Adam K & Soha

Adam K and Soha are members of the increasingly popular progressive house genre. They are common collaborators who crafts perfect after hours music. With a steady beat, the music won't put you to sleep, but the encompassing sounds is much more relaxing and conducive to chilling.

Their main single is "Twilight," a straightforward track within the genre. With the steady synth beat that has now become famous because of the Deadmau5 remixes, the song is perfect for those after the party moments when you get back home. Even better, the song was remixed by the mouse himself, for an even smoother groove.
Adam K & Soha - Twilight (Deadmau5 Remix) (YSI)

Benny's CD Rock and Rave was the perfect CD for just that - raving. With incredibly intense screeching noises and fast tempos, the CD was meant to get you pumped up. One track on the CD "Come Fly Away" was a standout primarily because of the beautiful vocals of Channing. Adam K took these vocals and put them into a better context, creating one of the most memorable songs I have heard in a while.
Benny Benassi - Come Fly Away (Adam K & Soha Remix) (YSI) ****

This remix is much more subtle than the others. They basically just create a more enveloping sound, but it is very effective in changing the mood of the song.
Kaskade - 4 AM (Adam K & Soha Radio Mix) (YSI)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

After listening to It's Blitz! a few more times, I am less disappointed. They have changed their style completely, and that is hard for avid fans of the band. But that is not to say that their new sound isn't well crafted or their songs not great in their own right. Furthermore, when you start playing with pop melodies, you can always get remixed by MSTRKRFT. The opening track off the album has done just that, transforming my least favorite song on the album into another distinctive MSTRKRFT jam.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero (MSTRKRFT) (YSI)