I heard this one on the mighty KEXP today and it’s definitively in my sweet spot. Check it out. Some deets from the KEXP realtime playlist
Category: audio
Summertime Mix
This isn’t new, but as we round the turn and start looking ahead to warmer days and sunny skies, I thought I would share one of my favorite mixes of last year. Ryan Hemsworth conjures up languid, summer vibes with this mix, highlighting the sounds of the ATL. Of special note is his version of Abra’s “Sick Girl.”
Abra “Sick Girl” – Hemsworth version
Here’s the track list for the curious:
Hope you ears enjoy this as much as mine do.
-B
Friday’s Tune
Superogranism “Something for your M.I.N.D”
UPDATE : This song was pulled from Soundcloud. I will repost a version asap.
I hate making comparisons, but for the sake of laziness, this is something like The Moldy Peaches filtered through a Panda Bear/Brian Wilson time continuum, and I think you will love it.
Porchlight Records
Hey everyone, I just wanted to get in a little self-promotion, and formally announce that I will be joining Zach Bolotin in co-running Porchlight Records. We specialize in helping bands and musicians release their art on vinyl. This June, we will be releasing Grand Hallway’s latest, “Winter Creatures”
Pre-order the vinyl LP ( purchase includes MP3 download code ) HERE!
Listen to “Fourths” a favorite of mine from the new album:
My favorite albums of 2010
Here are my favorite albums of 2010. In all cases, these are the albums I spent the most time with. Sure most of these are on other lists as well, and many of you are hip to how good the Kanye, Big Boi and Deerhunter albums are, but go ahead and spend a little time with the White Denim album. The White Denim album is hosted on their website and fans can download and contribute an amount of their choice. It is a great, great record that should not be overlooked. The No Age and Abe Vigoda albums both feature two bands transitioning from their punk roots to more of a shoegazey, layered sound. In both cases, they absolutely nailed it and have released the best records of each band’s career.
Without further adieu, here is my list. Enjoy, and have a safe and fun holiday season.
No Age : Everything in Between
No Age | Dusted
Deer Hunter : Halcyon Digest
Deer Hunter | He Would Have Laughed
Abe Vigoda : Crush
Abe Vigoda | November
Fang Island : Fang Island
Fang Island | Davey Crockett
Kanye West : My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West | So Appalled
Big Boi : Sir Lucious Left Foot The Son of Chico Dusty
Big Boi | Follow Us
White Denim : Last Day of Summer
White Denim | If You’re Changing
Roots Manuva Meets Wrongtom : Duppy Writer
Roots Manuva Meets Wrongtom | Lick Up Ya Foot
Broken Social Scene : Forgiveness Rock Record
Broken Social Scene | Texico Bitches
The National : High Violet
The National | Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
Fang Island & Matt and Kim Show Review
Waiting for Fang Island to take the stage Monday night was like waiting to open a new present. As a newly minted Fang Island fan, I paid my $25 and showed up at the Paramount on September 28th specifically to see Fang Island, the opener, with the idea that I would hang around to take in the headliner, Matt and Kim.
This was my second show of the month of September; the first was seeing Pavement at the Paramount on September 6th which for me, makes this an exceptionally action packed month.
Fang Island rocked so hard I thought my head would explode. It is no understatement to say that they blew me away. Loud, melodic, hopeful and triumphant. Grinning from ear to ear throughout the set I was sure I looked a fool, or at the very least creepily happy. I suddenly realized I had become that creepy old guy bouncing alone at the concert in a sea of twenty something fans. As it was a school night, I can’t attribute the smile to any debauchery or Bacchanalia, just a deep appreciation for the music and the lift of the melody.
Fang Island
Little did I know that Matt and Kim would be co-conspirators in a mission to permanently disfigure my face into a shit eating feline grin.
From the moment Matt and Kim took the stage, I couldn’t take my eyes off them. They had me. As sickeningly saccharine as this sounds, Matt and Kim are CUTE, all caps. Sidenote, I think they are married. To each other. How cute is that? Kim plays drums and Matt plays everything else. They position themselves at the front of the stage allowing everyone a great view of their handsome selves. Kim, who by the way is the only person in attendance that had a bigger smile than me, played with fearless and reckless abandon. The joy was contagious. Occasionally, Matt and Kim would punctuate the end of a song by standing on their respective stools or seats with a fist in the air! RAWK!
Matt and Kim
Their songs are spirited, upbeat and anthemic. You can’t help but be drawn in. Being at their show leaves you with the feeling that you are part of something bigger than just seeing a band perform live. Matt and Kim are certainly not the only band to have this connection with their fans, but for me it felt visceral and real.
Bottom line. If you want to have fun, go see Fang Island or Matt and Kim. A warning though, your face may hurt as a result of the permasmile.
Fang Island – Fang Island Album Review
Fang Island are 5 piece out of New York, by way of Rhode Island. Zack Bolotin turned me on to them, and I can’t thank him enough.
Fang Island describes their sound as “a bunch of friends high-fiving each other”. I have also heard it described as “triumphant rock”. Both labels are certainly appropriate. This is an album of fun, accessible, inclusive ROCK anthems. Great Styx-like harmony vocals, fantastic riffs, and scorching guitar solos.
I played it for my wife and her friend this morning, and they were not into it. At all. Me, I can’t get enough. It’s far and away my favorite album of 2010. My only complaint is that it is not long enough!
If you live in Seattle, they are playing at the Showbox on 9/28. I can’t wait.
Daisy
Sideswiper
Big Boi Sir Lucious Left Foot The Son of Chico Dusty Album Review
Ahhh Yes. A hip-hop album that captures the listener and keeps them engaged for the entire album. Yup, that’s right. Just throw this on and listen to the end, then repeat.
Big Boi’s first solo release is catchy, arty and most of all fun. Great snappy beats with an emphasis on the low end married with Big Boi’s funny, witty and smart verses make this album a must-have summer fun fest from start to finish.
Singles “Shutterbug” and “Tangerine” are infectious bangers that will have you reaching for the repeat button.
Have a listen.
Shutterbug
Tangerine
Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley – Distant Relatives Album Review
Nas and Damian have put together a fantastic, collaborative, concept album about Africa -the continent that both artists point to as their ancestral and cultural homeland. “Distant Relatives” is a great album, which blends elements of reggae and hip-hop to create a polished, foot-tapping, hybrid sound. Proceeds from album sales will help fund schools that Nasir and Damian plan to construct in Africa.
The first single, “As We Enter” is super-catchy, and is backed by a groovy, Mulatu Atske sample. This song is pure fire, and bound to be a favorite. Also check out “Leaders” and “Friends”. Great message, great tunes. Enjoy.
As We Enter
Leaders
Friends
Brand New Heavies – Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1
I have been meaning to finish up this blog post for some time, and with the recent tragic news concerning Guru, I wanted to get this out today. Listen to the MP3s, leave a comment if you are so inclined and send some positive vibes Guru’s way.
I have two college friends to thank for my introduction to the Brand New Heavies and specifically, the landmark album, Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1. It was the summer of 1993 and I dropped in on Billy Ray and Brownie’s Brighton Bachelor Pad and was greeted by B. Ray, “Yo, check this out. Hip-hop backed by a live band.” At the time this was revolutionary. He threw on the disk, and I was instantly hooked. I think the first cut he played for me was The Pharcyde’s“Soul Flower”. To say it moved me is an understatement. After leaving their apartment, I made my way to Newbury Comics in two shakes of a rabbit’s tail and had that disk in my Discman before you could say “Boo”. To rap and hip-hop fans, the album now holds legendary status. It features a who’s who of golden-age underground rappers, backed by the tightest, funkiest, band around – The Brand New Heavies. Since this release, there have of course been additional live band/hip-hop collaborations, but nothing like Heavy Rhyme Vol.1. It’s now been 18 years since the release, and all I have to say is, can we PLEASE have a Vol.2?
Brand New Heavies featuring Gang Starr | It’s Getting Hectic
Brand New Heavies featuring The Pharcyde | Soul Flower
lookslikeaship 