January 2012
2 posts
Mezzanine Owls - Obstacle
A few months back (yeah, I’m right on top of everything), Mezzanine Owls released their first single in three years. Besides just being elated that they are still around, I am stoked that this is also a great single. With shoegaze being one of the popular recent revival genres, these guys are one of the few new acts that could have actually stood toe-to-toe with the first-wave shoegazers...
The White Album
It seems as if all of my recent favorites are coming via Bandcamp. This one came to me via an NPR list called “Who Needs A Record Label?”. The White Album are from Sweden and like their wintry Bon Iver. These two songs are both perfect. Enjoy. The White Album - “Guns And Ammunition”. The White Album - “The Line”.
December 2011
2 posts
Pickwick - "Blackout"
If you’re not familiar with this song, then immediately go here and watch the video. This has to be the vocal performance of the year. This guy has some serious pipes. Best tune to come out of Seattle in ages. Enjoy. Pickwick - “Blackout” (a capella version recorded live at the Suzzallo Reading Room, University of Washington). Pickwick - “Blackout”.
King Krule - "Out Getting Ribs"
I think this track is at least a year old but I just recently heard it courtesy of one of the Fader podcasts. King Krule (previously Zoo Kid) is the only 17 year old alive that can open with a lyric like “hate runs through my blood / well my tongue was in love” without sounding completely emo. Instead, he takes ‘old soul’ to a new level and it works in every way. This is a...
November 2011
3 posts
Spectrals - "Big Baby"
“You crashed into me when I was 17…” This song opens up like a classic Jesus & Mary Chain jam, all simple guitar hooks and cool laid-back melody. Catchy. And that’s always what I dig. Enjoy. Spectrals - “Big Baby”.
Bos Angeles
These tunes have been floating out there for a while now but somehow just hit me lately. Bos Angeles are easily now my favorite band of the past month. These guys bring the melody sometimes lost from lo-fi and juice it up with ample riffs and cool, straight-forward drums and bass. So stoked to hear more from these Brits. This stuff is great. Enjoy. Bos Angeles - “Beach Slalom”. Bos...
The Wooden Sky
“You said ‘Lay your head down next to mine on the ground’”. This song is how I feel today. It’s been a very odd, disconcerting, and yet very grateful week. Enjoy. The Wooden Sky - “River Song One”.
October 2011
4 posts
Anika - "No One's There"
“We’ve all been too greedy and wanted what we couldn’t have…” Aptly described as “Nico fronting Metal Box-era Public Image Limited” (here), Anika comes off as cold and icy. But the dub rhythms that back up this tune hypnotically dig into you. I love bass-driven music like this. Pure flashbacks to The Pop Group, Raincoats, and Au Pairs on this one. This is...
Lucy Rose
Something mellow for you here. I’ve been listening to these songs a ton lately and especially like these acoustic versions. This girl has some real talent. I hope you dig it too. Enjoy. Lucy Rose - “First” (Live Acoustic). Lucy Rose - “Night Bus” (Live Acoustic).
Guillemots - "I Don't Feel Amazing Now"
Remember Guillemots, that madcap seemingly one-hit-wonder UK pop band that owned 2006 with “Trains to Brazil”? Yeah, they’ve sadly never topped that tune (few could), but their third album is out and this slower gem is another dose of classic songwriting. 2nd best song of this past summer. Enjoy. Guillemots - “I Don’t Feel Amazing Now”.
Theophilus London - "Why Even Try" (RAC Remix)
Time to break the long silence yet again, this time by posting my two favorite songs from this past summer. Let’s start it upbeat with this perfect remix (via the RAC, who else?) of Theophilus London’s “Why Even Try”. Everything about this is perfect. Endless repeat. Enjoy. Theophilus London - “Why Even Try” (RAC Remix).
August 2011
1 post
Young Souls
I just noticed a recent Guardian article about a Dean Chalkey short film entitled “Young Souls” about northern soul (well, less “about” per se and more just showing the lifestyle, dancing, etc). I’m a complete sucker for this kind of stuff, so here it is: vimeo link. There is also a picture gallery to accompany the Guardian article here. Also, related links: Youth...
June 2011
1 post
A Baker's Dozen: Volume 20
I can’t believe we’re already at Volume 20. The hits just keep coming. Enjoy. 01 - Gypsyblood - “Take Your Picture”. 02 - Motopony - “King Of Diamonds”. 03 - California Wives - “Tokyo”. 04 - Strange Talk - “Climbing Walls”. 05 - The Pass - “Cross Walk Stereo”. 06 - Bahamas - “Hockey Teeth” (Live On Southern...
May 2011
5 posts
Moose
“I wanna marry in the morning, with the sunlight in our eyes…” One of my favorite bands from the wonderful early 1990s shoegaze era was Moose. Though I largely lost interest in them after their first three EP’s, I still go back to those early EP’s (all released in 1991) often. If you’ve never heard Moose before, here is a tune to sample from each of the 1991...
James Blake - "A Case of You"
Yeah, this tune has been blogged to death already (I’ve even tweeted it and posted a link). But, just so we’re clear, this is the song of the year so far. No contest. So, of course I need to finally post it here for your mass consumption, right? Enjoy. This is utter brilliance. James Blake - “A Case Of You” (Joni Mitchell Cover; live at the BBC).
Texas Reception Soundtrack
My wife threw an amazing backyard wedding reception for our niece Kayla this weekend which was completely to an old 1920s/1930s theme (you know, turquoise mason jars and all that; picture above). Every detail was spot on, including an amazing Austin band called Bold Daring True who were the perfect soundtrack to the evening (completely stunning harmonies). After the band played, I put on the...
Bleeding Knees Club - "Have Fun"
The formula has become completely cliche (trace The White Stripes through to No Age and Wavves): Two people playing drums and guitar, bashing out lo-fi pop tunes. Sounds simple enough, right? As if. You trying writing this stuff. It’s nearly impossible to sound this effortless. So, while some may scoff at the ‘crappy production’ and ‘amateur musicianship’, all I...
Watch“Hockey Teeth” by Bahamas via Southern Souls. So utterly perfect. MP3 available here. Band website here.
April 2011
3 posts
James Blake - "A Case of You" (obsessed with this... →
Eastern Conference Champions - Sideways Walking
“I don’t see the advantage of letting go of something…”. I first featured these guys almost four years ago back in June 2007 (link here). Why haven’t I pay attention since? I’m an idiot. Here’s a song that I just discovered (video here) from 2009 that has floored me for the past few days. Absolutely stunning. That chorus hits me every single time...
Surfer Blood - Take It Easy (RAC Mix)
I can’t say that I’m one of those guys that is all into remixes, but the RAC (Remix Artist Collective) is consistently killing it right now. If you haven’t heard anything they’ve done yet, go to their site and pay special attention to the Phoenix and Tokyo Police Club mixes. The RAC are that rare remixer that actually adds to the song or depicts it in an entirely new...
March 2011
3 posts
C86
“The world was hers and then it fell apart again…” Has it really been 25 years since the NME’s C86 tape? This recent Quietus article reminds me that it has. Crazy. Absolutely crazy. I must have listened to “Velocity Girl” at least a thousand times in that span (truly one of my all-time faves). Having read the article, I noticed that this classic historical...
Josh T Pearson
“Rarely has something so physically fragile sounded so mighty in its emotional resonance” (source here). Remember that classic Comet Gain lyric “broken, beaten, and bruised, but still believing”? I think, ultimately, what separates the people I like from the people that I can easily pass on is believing. It’s the optimistic opposite of bitterness. It’s the...
"Choose your influences wisely and play like you...
“The way I see it, pop music is a 20th century exploit - solely. It starts with blues in the 20s and goes through jazz, R’n’B, rock & roll, soul, house and hip hop; then it kind of stops. All of these forms of popular music were pioneered by a handful of, generally, quite poor, black men in America. They were using, abusing and misusing technology that had fallen into their hands; like...
February 2011
5 posts
A Baker's Dozen: Volume 19
Another set of thirteen gems for you. Enjoy. 01 - Voxhaul Broadcast - “Leaving On The 5th”. 02 - Satellite Stories - “Kids Aren’t Safe In The Metro”. 03 - Jonquil - “Fighting Smiles”. 04 - Freelance Whales - “Enzymes”. 05 - Wolf Gang - “Lions In Cages”. 06 - Joywave - “Golden State”. 07 - Cat’s Eyes - “Not A...
Catchy, Noisy Pop Songs
The way to my heart is a catchy, noisy pop song. I will keep the hallways of my future nursing home residence rocking with such items. So here are two gems that I’ve had on fierce repeat lately. The Cloud Nothings tune is a jangle storm with cool little riffs and the requisite fun dynamics. The Brass Bed tune is an explosion of beautifully loose bass playing, unhinged drums and ambitious...
Shimmering Stars
Now, here’s a band that I’m still very exited about for 2011 (earlier post here). While their sound may be fairly typical of a lot of recent lo-fi bands (early 60s Spector influence, good harmonies, loads of reverb, etc), they rise to the cream of the genre by writing great songs (as is always the case). The first tune here though is a great cover of the Everly Brothers’ classic...
Caspian - "Some Are White Light"
Sometimes everybody needs a little Post-Rock (yes, I hate that term). Yes, sometimes everybody needs to ride the crescendo/de-crescendo wave. And when it comes to that, Caspian deliver. This tune is from the Massachusetts-based band’s debut LP The Four Trees released way back in 2007. Enjoy. Caspian - “Some Are White Light”.
Houses - "Soak It Up"
Houses aren’t a new name around here (I posted “Endless Spring” here a few months ago), but it’s only recently that I’ve delved deeper into their tunes. “Soak It Up” is as mellow as it comes and sublimely catchy. I love subtle melodies and this BF/GF duo from Chicago know how to make them happen. Enjoy. Houses - “Soak It Up”.
Jayme Dee - "Love Whiplash"
For weeks, I’ve assumed that this girl was from the UK (similar vibe to a lot of recent UK girls), but she is from Los Angeles, which is awesome (me originally being from Southern California and all). This is an RAC remix (how do they so consistently kill it?) which I prefer to the original but it’s a great tune regardless. Enjoy. Jayme Dee - “Love Whiplash” (RAC Remix).
January 2011
5 posts
Pure & Unadulterated Northern Soul : Volume 2
Some 20 months after posting “Volume 1”, I’m finally posting a 2nd volume of my “self-curated” Northern Soul favorites. I just found this one in the closet a few weekends ago and it’s worthy of a posting. If you dig Northern Soul, you are in for a treat. Note: Zip file at bottom. Enjoy. 01 - The Just Brothers - “Sliced Tomatoes”. 02 - The Magnetics...
Pet Lions - "Roman History"
The haters will say they sound like The Strokes. I hate the haters. I dig big catchy hooks and this tune has them. I don’t mind feeling a little 2001 in 2011. Enjoy. Pet Lions - “Roman History”.
Please somebody make Danny Malone huge in 2011.
Look, I know nobody listens to me ever, but it’s about time (and has been for years) that somebody makes Danny Malone a household name. I may be extra biased because he lives in my town, but seriously this kid is a talent. As further proof, I offer two songs taken from a ‘demos and covers’ collection he personally sends anyone who asks for it via his myspace page. Yes, these are...
November 2010
3 posts
Irma Thomas - "Whenever"
The wonderful Derek’s Daily 45 delivers again with this early slab of New Orleans R’n’B (original post here). This one is infectious with a great positive lyric and rolling back-beat. See you out on the floor. Enjoy. Irma Thomas - “Whenever” (1963).
Ruby Coast
Canada (this time Ontario) delivers again with Ruby Coast, chock full of Tokyo Police Club-esque bounces and great vocal shouts. Completely up my alley. Pay attention to these guys. This EP is available here. Ruby Coast - “Creep Me Out”. Ruby Coast - “Whatever This Is”.
October 2010
2 posts
A BAKER’S DOZEN: ZIP FILES
Thanks to the recent purchases of an iPhone and external hard drive, I’m finally going through the painful process of “cleaning up” some old MP3 files, including all 18 past volumes of my little “A Baker’s Dozen” series. If you are new here, I’m reposting zip file versions of all of these. 234 songs in all. (Note: To save the file, mouse over where it...
A BAKER’S DOZEN: VOLUME 18
Highlight of this set: the yell at 3:00 in the Annuals song. “Take my call!”. 01 - Foals - “This Orient”. 02 - Kele - “Everything You Wanted” (RAC Remix). 03 - The Drums - “Let’s Go Surfing” (Raveonettes Remix). 04 - Not Squares - “Asylum”. 05 - Johnny Foreigner - “With Who Who And What I’ve Got”. 06 - Satellite...
September 2010
4 posts
The Tallest Man On Earth (good tunes) →
Count & Sinden w/ Katy B - "Hold Me"
Goodbye M.I.A., hello Katy B. This is the most infectious beat I’ve heard all year and I love it. Enjoy. The Count & Sinden w/ Katy B - “Hold Me”.
Delta Spirit - "Bushwick Blues"
“Because my love is strong and my heart is weak, after all…” Delta Spirit - “Bushwick Blues”.
Noise Annoys? Nah.
To compensate for my relative silence lately (hey, kid #3 is on the way, the times they are a-busy), I’m going to post a slew of less-than-normal-pop songs here that I have been into throughout this year. Enjoy. Sherlock’s Daughter - “Song For Old People”. Best ‘chant chant repeat’ song of the year. Subway - “Persuasion”. Best ‘we wish we were...
July 2010
3 posts
Young Rebel Set - "If I Was"
“But I wasted so much time writing songs and playing on my guitar; I wasted so much love, now I wish I never learned to play a note…”. The UK strikes again with this genius of a folk song, the lament of an ordinary guy that just wants to keep his girl. As if we can’t all relate. Enjoy. Young Rebel Set - “If I Was”.
Local Natives - "Careful" (Television Cover)
“I used to have such sweet dreams, now it’s more like an air raid”. You can thank the wonderful Aquarium Drunkard for bringing this one to light via the project to cover Television’s 2nd LP “Adventure” (available here). Local Natives in fine form here noodling their way through Television’s “Careful” and completely making it their own....
Best Coast - "Crazy For You"
This song is ridiculously catchy and is easily my favorite song off their upcoming debut album (get it here). People like to glamorize the past, but I lived through the past and this tune is up there with the classic early Primitives singles (“Really Stupid” video). Best Coast deserve their own page in girl-driven-noisy-pop-tunes history. Best Coast - “Crazy For You”...
June 2010
7 posts
Yuck
If you liked that Kendal Johansson Big Star cover, you will dig these two tunes from the UK’s Yuck, slated for a coming tape release on Mirror Universe. “Weakend” and “Automatic” both sound like they could have easily been penned by Alex Chilton during the “Third/Sister Lovers” sessions. And that’s a major compliment. The rest of Yuck’s output...
Rubik - "Wasteland"
I’ve loved this song for a while now, but it took a recent remix (courtesy of the RAC) to remind me. If you still harbor a love for those early Killers singles, imagine Sir Flowers hanging out with Jonsi and you’ve got a feel for this huge tune (from Helsinki, no less). Enjoy. Rubik - “Wasteland”. Free EP here. Rubik - “Wasteland” (RAC Mix).
WatchSo, I’ve always been a sucker for the old “pure pop”/”blue-eyed pop soul” sound of the 80s (yes, those were my formative years…). The Sonnets sound like the best bits of The Style Council, Prefab Sprout (sigh), and mid-to-late period Dexy’s. I’m really looking forward to hearing more from this band (album due late summer). And thanks to “None...
Kendal Johansson - "Blue Moon" (Big Star Cover)
“Let me be your one light…” If you are looking for a beautifully bummed out album, then look no further than “Third/Sister Lovers” by Big Star. Gorgeously simple moody tunes including “Blue Moon”. I don’t know much about this cover of “Blue Moon” other than that it completely does the original justice. I love that droning piano riff and...