Mid-Semester Woes

The past couple of weeks have been so crazy here at Oneonta that I haven't been able to listen to music let alone make a Top Five of songs I am currently listening to. However, I stumbeled across a live radio performance of Alligator by Grizzly Bear. Now, this song was originally featured on the album Horn of Plenty which was written and recorded solely by Grizzly Bear singer and guitarist Ed Droste. Many songs off Horn of Plenty are not performed live for numerous reasons but I am really glad to see that the band decided to arrange this song for full band performances. Hearing this song makes up for not having listened to music the past two weeks. I really encourage you to take five minutes out of your life and listen to this song, because it is fantastic!

This Week: Ah, Spring

Yes, spring is in the Oneonta air, faithful readers.  And, when the birds are a-chirping and that sweet smell of spring flutters through my slightly-opened window the songs I become excited, and I cannot hide it.  That being said, here is a slightly longer list of music I am currently listening to.  To be honest, I don't want to write reasons why I recommend these songs, because they're all just songs that get me in the spring mood.  Listen to the songs on the side, and let me know what you think.  What are your spring songs?  Enjoy.


Reel Big Fish- Beer

Cursive- The Great Decay

Los Campesinos!- My Year In Lists

Bishop Allen- Rain

The Decemberists- The Sporting Life

The Explorers Club- Do You Love Me

Midtown- Like a Movie

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?