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!