Currently Listening To...: Part Two

I hope everyone is enjoying break this week.  Since we all have six more days of waiting to be back in the beautifully grey Oneonta, why not check out a few new bands?

1. Phantogram- Eyelid Movies
The Saratoga Springs duo recently released their album Eyelid Movies on Barsuk Records, home of Death Cab for Cutie, Rilo Kiley, Mates of State and Nada Surf.  This new "street beat, psyche pop" band are sure to make headlines this year and breakthrough in big ways.
Phantogram- Mouthful Of Diamonds

2. The Soft Pack- The Soft Pack
Originally called the Muslims, The Soft Pack are what I imagine Vampire Weekend sounding like had Ezra and co. been influenced by The Beach Boys instead of Paul Simon.  I'm a big Vampire Weekend fan (as evident by earlier posts), and after a recommendation from Greyscale, I was hooked. 


The Soft Pack- C'mon

3. The Clash- London Calling
A classic album that I have been listening to constantly lately.  The Clash have influenced everyone from  Green Day to MIA (yes, that catchy hook at the beginning of "Paper Planes" is a Clash sample).  30 years after this groundbreaking album came out, it is still influencing everyone.
The Clash- Hateful

4.  Scampi- a bunch of songs on Youtube
A friend of mine sent me the link to her yesterday because she thought I would like it.  She was right.  She's a French girl playing songs on her ukulele.  What's not to like?  This is her version of Lykke Li's 'Little Bit.'
Scampi- Little Bit (Lykke Li cover)

5. Be Your Own Pet- Be Your Own Pet
A bit of a throwback, BYOB disbanded in 2008, but it wasn't until a few months ago I discovered what I'd been missing.  Really punky and really good.  They are what Paramore wishes they could be, and more. 
Be Your Own Pet - Adventure

Top 5 Records: Break=Boring :(

I was so excited when I left Oneonta last Friday! I could barely contain my excitement during the car ride home at the thought of seeing my friends!! I was acting the exact opposite of a dog in a car on his way to the vet!!! However, about twenty minutes before I reached my house I realized after texting several of my friends that no one but I has the luxury of having this week off. So, for the past few days I have had to find ways to occupy my time. With that said I have a few songs, all with running times of 10 minutes or more, for you to listen to if you are in the same boat as me and have a lot of time to kill all by yourself. And don't worry; you are not alone. And yet... you are.

Fuck Buttons- Olympians

Olympians by Fuck Buttons, (am I allowed to say fuck on the Internet?) is by far one of the most epic songs I have heard in a while. Tarot Sport was a sleeper album that caught many listeners and critics off guard in 2009 and for good reason; its really flippin' good. (is that more appropriate?)
Fuck Buttons- Olympians

Panda Bear- Bro's

I suppose no album can be classified as perfect, except for Person Pitch by Panda Bear. It is so good that to describe it exceeds my limitations of the english language, so I'll just ask you to listen to Bro's instead, please.
Panda Bear- Bros

Deerhunter- Calvary Scars/ Aux out

Bradford Cox's vocals are beautifully self-deprecating on this track that starts off slow but picks up speed into a wall of guitar distortion. WARNING: DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS SONG IF YOU ARE JESUS BECASUE YOU MAY BE OFFENDED.

Deerhunter-Calvary Scars/Aux Out

Sigur Ros- Svfen-G-Englar

To quote one music journalist "All we first new about Sigur Ros was that they were from Iceland and Radiohead liked them." Sigur Ros (pronounced si-ur rose) have come a long way since 2000 but the first track off of their second studio album Agaetis Byrjun gets me every time with its ambient guitar drone that swallows you whole like a blue whale devouring krill.

Sigur Ros - Svefn-G-Englar

Miles Davis and John Coltrane- So What

The only thing better, I'm assuming, than hearing Miles Davis perform So What live is hearing him perform it live with John Coltrane. I stumbled upon this live track on my iPod a few months ago and have been digging it ever since. It's what I'd imagine it would sound like if Zeus and God jammed out for fifteen minutes.

Miles Davis and John Coltrane- So What

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it!!

So, tomorrow the new Joanna Newsom album, Have One on Me, comes out and it got me thinking; what other albums are due out this year? I took a look at Metacritic's upcoming album list, and Panda Bear, M.I.A. and LCD Soundsystem, among others, are all releasing material this year. However, I was shocked to see that jj are releasing a new album as I thought they and chillwave died with 2009. Neverthless, I am still really excited to see what will come of music in 2010.

Make a comment if there is any artist or band you think will be big in 2010 that has an album due out, or tell us which artist or band you wish wouldn't have quit their day job.

NO SALE FOR YOU!

Something is happening at Abbey Road studios in London, England. Speculation has surrounded the famous recording studio as rumors have reported that it's owners, EMI, are looking to sell the historic studio to the highest bidder. However, EMI has announced that though they are looking for investors they are not attempting to sell the St. John Woods property entirely. If you would like to read the full story you can check out the Guardian article here. And if you don't like reading, you can watch the video below.

At least he's doing SOMETHING, right?

My good friends over at Friendly Stereo recently brought to my attention to that Frankie Muniz, everyone's favorite middle child, is now the drummer for the band You Hang Up.  Although the band ain't my cup o' tea, it's pretty interesting that Mr. Big Fat Liar has changed career paths once again (he took a break from acting to pursue a life in race car driving).  What do you think of his new decision?  Of the band?  Of Frankie Muniz in general?

Michael Must Be Moonwalking in His Grave...

I know I'm a little late on the uptake for this, but I just watched the video for the new "We Are The World" for Haiti.  


Seriously?  


Justin Bieber opening up?  T-Pain singing with auto-tune?  Lil Wayne "singing"?  The rap breakdown in the middle?  What the hell were Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones thinking?  The Haitian from Heroes?  Vince Vaughn?  The list is outrageous and goes on here.  Maybe you could turn watching this into a drinking game?  Every time it is incredibly over the top, take a shot!


I've included the video.

New Bright Eyes Material

For all those out there that still hold on to their 10th grade inner poet, there is good news!  Bright Eyes is back...kinda.  Although Bright Eyes has not released anything since 2007's Cassadaga, lead singer/brain child/essentially, Bright Eyes has released a couple of solo efforts and last years acclaimed Monsters of Folk.  And, according to Drowned in Sound, the reissue of 2004's One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels, a split between Bright Eyes and Neva Dinova will include four brand new tracks.  This video is a brief preview of the new tracks.  No news yet on a new (final?) full length, but when I know, you'll know.

Top 5 Records: Olympic Gold Edition

As the world's best athletes converge upon Vancouver, BC, I can't help but imagine what it would be like if I was competing in the Olympics; I would probably fair about as well as Nodar Kumaritashvili. But, if I were to try and psyche myself up, as opposed to out, these are some of the songs that would be blasting through my headphones:

Yeasayer- Ambling Amp
The art-pop quartet, Yeasayer, are back with their sophomore contribution to the ever growing Brooklyn music scene. Odd Blood sees Yeasayer moving away from their experimental-world music style for a more distinct sound which resembles aspects of the Talking Heads mixed with a bit Devo(?). If that sounds a bit confusing, then give Ambling Amp a listen to see what I mean and feel inspired to take on the world at the same time.

Beach House- Silver Soul

With the Grizzly Bear stamp of approval, Beach House have been working hard the past few months making a name for themselves. Their new album, Teen Dream, is out and I cannot stop listening to Silver Soul. This song is an acid tripper's delight with some heavy reverb and church organ drone providing a beautiful drug induced sonic landscape. So, for those who would rather be relaxed as opposed to wired before competing, Silver Soul is the perfect dose for you.

Joy Orbison- The Shrew Would Have Cushioned the Blow

With only a handful of tunes produced, Joy Orbison has been making quite a name for himself within the dubstep scene. With the likes of Animal Collective's Avey Tare taking notice, Joy Orbison is sure to have a promising career as a dubstep producer. HYPH MNGO/Wet Look showcases his ability to bring elements of techno and ambient music into the dubstep rhelm. The Shrew Would Have Cushioned the Blow is his latest contribution, and though it is a mouthful, it is well worth a listen.

Moderat- A New Error

When I discovered that Bpitch greats Modeselektor and Apparat had made an album together, two things came to my mind: Why did it take me so long to find this out and how awesome is it going to sound? With the first question not of much important I gave Moderat's self titled album a listen and answed my second question; it was pretty damn awesome! The tune A New Error jumped out at me as a perfect techno tune to blast in my headphones to pump me up.

Talking Heads- Once in a Lifetime

If I were to be competing on such a stage as the Olympics and I could only choose one song to put me in the zone, it would definitely be Talking Head's Once in a Lifetime. Off of the masterpiece of an album that is Remain in Light, this tune reminds you that certain moments don't come around often.

Currently Listening To...

Radio_Vegged and I have decided to start posting our current top 5 things we are listening to. This may wind up being a weekly thing, so stay tuned and learn who your next favorite band could be!  All the songs are linked right next to this post.

1. Local Natives- Gorilla Manor

I saw a video of them performing a song on You Ain't No Picasso, and since their new album dropped today, I've been listening to them on repeat. They have this Dodos meets Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses sound that I'm really digging.

2. Garfunkel and Oates-Music Songs

I first saw a video of this duo around the holidays singing this song called "Present Face" and I fell in love. Their mix of actually funny songs with indie pop/ukulele/adorableness is catchy and good. You may also recognize Oates (nee Kate Micucci) from Scrubs, When in Rome, and commercials.

3. Motion City Soundtrack- My Dinosaur Life

At first listen I was kind of disappointed with the newest MCS album, but after constant listening, I feel like it gets better and better. Songs like "Disappear" and "History Lesson" stand out and are classic pop-punk songs. Also, rumor is they were almost chosen to play this years OHFest.

4. Vampire Weekend- Contra

Easily, my favorite album of the year (so far). I am such a Vampire Weekend fanboy that even their rendition of Rancid's "Ruby Soho" has been a recent addiction to my iTunes library. Contra is the perfect followup to VW's 2008 self-titled debut. It blends upbeat punky songs like "Cousins" and "Holiday" with the slower, experimental "I Think UR A Contra" and reggaeish/MIA sampled "Diplomat's Son."

5. Regina Spektor-Us

Not an album, just a song off her 2004 album Soviet Kitsch. I rewatched 500 Days of Summer recently, and, since then, I have been incapable of getting this song out of my head. I love the strings in the background to accompany Regina's song of love. It's a pretty song.








Local Natives- Wide Eyes

Garfunkel and Oates- Present Face
Motion City Soundtrack- Disappear

Vampire Weekend-Ruby Soho

Regina Spektor- Us

It's Pronounced sha-DAY!

Sade are out with a new album entitled Soldier of Love. (that is correct, Sade are a group) Fronted by Nigerian native Helen Folasade Adu, Sade rose to prominence in the late 80's with their unique sound that blends Soul, Jazz, R&B and Funk. So, with pronunciation and proper verb usage aside, here is the title track off of her new album. You should check it out becasue... I mean... it's Sade!

Soldier of Love

Bonnaroo's Line-Up Announced!

The other day, Bonnaroo announced their line up for this years installment, June 10-13 2010 in Manchester, TN. While years in the past have made me wish I had the money and the chance to fly down and watch some of my favorite bands perform one after the other (2006 had Radiohead, Death Cab for Cutie, and Bright Eyes!!!), this years isn't making me too zealous. Here's a link to the Bonnaroo mainpage, and here are a list of the currently announced bands:

Dave Matthews Band • Kings of Leon • Stevie Wonder • Jay-Z • Tenacious D • Weezer • The Flaming Lips with Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform “Dark Side of the Moon” • The Dead Weather • Damian Marley & Nas • Phoenix • Norah Jones • Michael Franti & Spearhead • John Fogerty • Regina Spektor • Jimmy Cliff • LCD Soundsystem • The Avett Brothers • Thievery Corporation • Rise Against • Tori Amos • The National • Zac Brown Band • Les Claypool • John Prine • The Black Keys • Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers • Jeff Beck • Dropkick Murphys • She & Him • Against Me! • The Disco Biscuits • Daryl Hall & Chromeo • Jamey Johnson • Clutch • Bassnectar • Kid Cudi • Baaba Maal • Kris Kristofferson • Medeski Martin & Wood • The xx • GWAR • Dan Deacon Ensemble • Tinariwen • Wale • Deadmau5 • The Melvins • Gaslight Anthem • Miike Snow • The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band • Dr. Dog • They Might Be Giants • Punch Brothers • Isis • Blitzen Trapper • Blues Traveler • Miranda Lambert • Calexico • OK Go • Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue • Martin Sexton • Lotus • Baroness • Dave Rawlings Machine • Mayer Hawthorne and the County • Japandroids • Jay Electronica • Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros • Ingrid Michaelson • The Dodos • Manchester Orchestra • The Temper Trap • Cross Canadian Ragweed • Big Sam’s Funky Nation • Carolina Chocolate Drops • Needtobreathe • Tokyo Police Club • The Entrance Band • Local Natives • Brandi Carlile • Mumford & Sons • Rebelution • Diane Birch • Monte Montgomery • Julia Nunes • The Postelles • Lucero • Here We Go Magic • Hot Rize • Neon Indian • B.O.B

A simple way to share an online mix

This is nothing new, just something interesting I think should be better known. 8tracks is a mixtape-streaming site where you can create your own mixes for others to listen to, or where you can just browse through pages and pages of mixes. Who knows, maybe your new favorite band is just a mixtape away!

Seriously, what the fuck

The South African Afrikaans band Die Antwoord. I have no clue if this is serious or not, but what the fuck!