Zak Mering makes it possible for music crushes to exist. So Post is a 13 track album that he slipped my way yesterday morning and, at this point, I can't even tell you how many times I've listened to it. This is just another reason to grab Raw Thrills' 14 track Shakedown LP a little early. Like I had mentioned before, the first 50 copies of this LP will also recieve a cassette with these 13 unreleased tracks. So get down, Shakedown and grab it early over at Sixteen Tambourines (and it looks like Olde English Spelling Bee will be carrying some of his records in the future, too).
So, I honestly love all of them but I figured I'd leave a few for you to discover on the tape. Are you as excited as I am to see that he covered Nilsson? (!!!)
Waves gently tickle my feet as I walk along the smooth wet sand. There are no footprints for miles. I am alone. The setting sun causes my eyes to squint while I try to make out the colors of the buoys in the distance. The low sea abandons much to be discovered along the shoreline. Iridescent light reflects off of broken shell surfaces, while inside, my heart aches.
Ireland's Low Sea released a full-length and an EP this year. You can grab both on iTunes or their latest on Lefse. Here's my favorite track from each, as well as their so-very-addicting, so-very-sweet cover of Sweet Jane.
In honor of the Winter Solstice, here's Golau Glau's celebratory track off of the Myrrh & Myth EP. Now out on The Pin Factory label and currently available for free download on Bandcamp.
Here's a new video from Fabien aka The Tearist. This features scenes from Meshes of the Afternoon by Maya Deren, and The Dante Quartet by Stan Brakhage.
OK, it's TIME! Time for what you ask? Well, my friend, it is now time to feature one of the bestest bands around; one that I fell in love with a very long time ago; one that is no secret to Boston (but still, somehow, remains to be a secret to Boston) and one that I cannot wait to share with you (AGAIN!).
You remember ...the new unreleased record! from back in August? Well, that album now has a name, and it's called Wholesome and it's as delicious and nutritious as that bowl of bran flakes you have in front of you this morning...but unlike what you've got there, what these guys have here will have you singing and "dancing around the kitchen and whistling like a foolish old man!"
Here are some of my favorites from this newly mastered album (that they will be releasing next month) but you can stream the entire thing in the last post or over at Bandcamp.
Also, can I be honest with you? When their sophomore album Et Tu, Fluffy? came out, I looped some of these tracks (especially "What Ever Happened to That Beautiful City?) for HOURS. Obsessed would be an understatement. So, I figured I'd share some of my favorites off of that album, as well, just in case you want to obsessively do the same.
In the spirit of the Holidays, here is a jingle jangle for you from their latest double-sided Holiday 7". This, along with their other holiday number The Biggest Snowflake, can be purchased for two dollahs on their James Brown Died on Christmas Day Bandcamp page. This video is from their Holiday pre-pre-release party earlier this month in Cambridge, and if Joe O'Brian's performance doesn't make you smile then I don't know what to tell you; you might just be a grinch...OK, HIT ME NOW!
Also...(yes, there's MORE!) these guys (and gal) are as sweet as their music is so if you ever get a chance to see them live, please do. They are such lovely people, they're fun to talk to and they're loud and rowdy onstage just like a Boston band should be!
Probably not the most appropriate song to throw on here for a Friday afternoon, as you should be revving up for your weekend but here's a short thrill to get you hyped-up for Raw Thrills' 14 track Shakedown LP that will be out by February on Sixteen Tambourines Records. This is the solo work of our beloved Zak Mering (of The Sweethearts, Greatest Hits and Outer Limits Recordings, etc.) Pretty much anything this guy does, I am way into and it will end up in my library.
Pre-order this up at sixteentambourines.bigcartel.com (along with so many other awesome records). Limited 300 colored vinyl with first 50 copies to include an extra cassette with 13 unreleased songs.
WHOA, I didn't get out much today but even if I had I'm pretty sure this would still top most things I could have seen today.
Did you get to see a shark?? Or...?? Or...??
These three dudes recorded this in their New York practice space on Dicta Tape. You can download this jam for free on Bandcamp, along with their sssecond track Second Sunday, if you ssso desire.
The sun has left, the clouds have returned and the rain has washed the snow away. Somehow, the hands of time have reversed overnight — leaving behind mid-summer warmth and late-autumn-like surroundings. With the change of weather, came a 'typhoon', that splashed and crashed against my windows for hours. A sudden disruption to my night occurred — one that kept me awake and thinking; much like the unexpected surprise of a vicious storm that nails you a like a typhoon, everything you know around you can change just as suddenly — a good night's sleep, the change in weather or a shift in life events. Luckily, as fast as the storm may appear, it can fade just as quickly — and with its trail, follows a time of stillness and a moment to reflect; or, in some cases, just a mellow Monday. In honor of this almost catastrophic weather event (joking), I thought I'd share a tune from the very appropriately named band, Typhoon.
This is a 16 (sometimes 19) member band from Portland, Oregon — a place that is very familiar with the moody weather patterns of this earth. These guys have a bunch of great tunes coming out (some of which you can check out on their site and through the form of video on the web) but here's one from their May release Hunger and Thirst, that I absolutely love.
This is a video from Matthew Ross for the same track. This was shot with a Bell and Howell Super 8 and Canon 7D. It takes a few twists along the way. Enjoy.
Here's Drew Diver's official video for his and Maria Usbeck's charming indie pop track Farewell, which was featured back in November. If you missed it, want to hear more or would like to read about their upcoming 7", you can check it out here.
Your day just got a little meaner and stranger but don't worry, these super chill, fuzzy, lo-fi tunes won't hurt you or bite you...but there's a good chance California's Will Marquis will (if he's as mean as he claims to be).
These tracks appear on his Probably Not EP, and up until recently, you were able to bank it for a buck on Bandcamp but now it's only available for your listening and sharing pleasure (what a bitter/sweet deal that is). Who knows? Maybe he'll change his mind and his name to The Nicest Boys and make it available for download again...but, then again...Probably Not...
This is one of the Strangest Things you'll ever hear.
This is I Won't Bite (you should sink your teeth in this one until second 47 before you decide to call it quits).
You should Probably Not listen to this EP on Bandcamp and you should Probably Not go to his MySpace page either. Be mean! Fight fire with fire! No, don't do that. Be nice. Hugs and kisses for everyone.
Here is their video for it, which features clips from the 1970 classic En kärlekshistoria. You may also recognize this footage from Paddy Power's video for Around the Moon by Summer Camp (which I featured back in September).
Over a year ago, we were all taken on our first Neon Indian mind trip (and what a trip it was!); now, after much play and much rest, Neon Indian has suddenly surprised us with our first mind drip — one that allows us to explore the trippy results of the LZX Visionary.
"Lars Larson and partner Edward Leckie of Sydney, Australia have been developing an analogue video synthesizer called the LZX Visionary in the tradition of esoteric video art tools used in the 1970's. The LZX Visionary manipulates and creates images in the same way a normal synthesizer does for sounds. Mind Drips is the first music video to utilize this unique synthesizer, and all of its visual effects are recorded in real-time using techniques such as abstract pattern synthesis, video feedback, and analog compositing."
Lace up those lollerskates, here's some indie pop from brooklyn that will get ya spinning those wheels around the rink...or your living room...or your office! Do it. You won't do it.
It's Monday, just tell them you're still drunk...
I'm actually a velcro kind of gal myself, and always will be. How 'bout you? Do you prefer the security of a long, luxurious lace or the convenience and comfort of a strap?
PS: If you La La La Live in LA or CA (or the US), then I've got some news that you'll La La La Like: these Parisians are currently on their US tour, so if you can catch them, you'll be one of the La La La Lucky ones (but you better hurry!).
Oh, yes...yes, yes, yes. Here's an awesome video for Wise Blood's STRT SRNS by Pat Vamos. He used some filthy footage from the Adventures of Filthy Harry trailer, which you can check out here but you might want 1:39 of your life back.
Saw these guys play in Cambridge Wed. night and they totally blew me away. After losing power at my place from a wild storm, I headed over to Middlesex Lounge to watch one of the most mind-blowing performances I have seen in a while. I really just want to say F#%K yeah! This is some crazy good indie rock that isn't just noisy but has substance, soul and sweat.
What they contribute together as a live band is a sound and an energy that is completely different from what you'll hear from them on these few tracks (yes, I know that's usually the case with live music, but theirs is ridiculously good); the talent that pours (floods!) out of these guys makes me weak and woozy...and short of breath (evidently).
Here are a few tracks from their self-titled '08 LP. If you haven't yet, get after these.
Also, these Dedham dudes just released their second LP What Ever Happened to Monday Nights? It's pretty mellow compared to their first release and what they are currently working on now but if you're in the mood for mellowing out here are a few Songs for Toons.
Hi friend, I just thought I'd tell you that the stars in the sky have never shimmered as bright as the ones I see in your eyes tonight. Are you blushing yet?
Here are some/all of my favorite Shimmering Stars tracks from the last few months. I thought I'd cluster them all together—kind of like the M 31 cluster (aka the Andromeda Galaxy) that will be visible during this month of December; but in actuality, you don't really need that, there's more than enough here to get you to stargaze for daze.
This is Connor Burke's whopping 24k gold video for Same Dream China. It comes in all shades of gold—an entire spectrum, in fact—and has also been proven in 4 out of 5 case studies to alter a person's mental state so that they never dream the same again...they say you actually dream in Chinese. How about that for a video?
I don't know what the going rate is for an entire Gold Panda these days but you can stream and order the debut LP at luckyshiner.com and grab some free panda treats over there, too. So go get 'em, tiger! I mean panda...
Don't you think if a band is going to name themselves Pure Ecstasy, they'd have to be pretty damn good? I would think so. Actually, I would hope so. Lucky for Austin, I don't think any bar fights will start with an argument against them; these guys are pretty damn good. So, until they start producing music that is below bar standards, all bar stools will calmly remain at rest.
Pure Ecstasy will be releasing their debut album very soon; so in addition to these three indie psychedelic tunes (two of which have already been released) you'll have a few X-tra to chill out to.
Hey guys, I'm heading down the Holiday Road for a bit. Gonna take a break from the world wide web and hang with the fam and eat some turkey and lamb...thought you might enjoy this jam...by Lindsey Buckingham. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! And if you don't celebrate it, maybe you should 'cause turkey is good.
Swimming holes, long grass, tire swings, friendship, romance, picking flowers, bike riding, daydreaming, bubblegum, lazy sunny afternoons, surfboards, salty hair and sunsets...and driving down long winding roads with your hands hanging out the window.
Everyone deserves to get lost in this song. I always listen to it on loop—it's way too short and way too good not to let it carry you away. Here's a new unmastered version (originally released back in August).
Here's some moody, noisy kick ass basement rock from some weird dudes producing this stuff on their Nintendos over in Purchase, New York.
This here photo is vintage Weird Korea getting weird and awesome.
Starting off with their almost nine-minute-long track Dagger (this is the one that really hooked me) from their No Art // No Trade EP. Currently available for free download on Bandcamp. The beginning of this song couldn't be more perfect.
Since the release of WOOM's debut album Muu's Way back in July, there have been a bunch of remixes that include the works of Greg Saunier of Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, BJ Warshaw (Parts and Labor, Shooting Spires), Lucky Dragons, Talk Normal, Japanther, and Butchy Fuego (Pit er Pat, The Boredoms). BaDaBing Records recently announced that they are going to release this "slew of remixes" as an EP entitled Muu's Way Remixed. Check out two of the tracks below and definitely watch this new video for their original release of The Hunt.
Here's an eleven track mix of some songs I have been digging over the last couple of months but haven't had enough time to give them each their own feature. I thought it might be nice to throw them up here for you to enjoy on this sunny (and snowy) Friday. To be quite honest, I'm still not ready for winter... I'd much rather be hanging out on the beach and making phone calls with this guy, how 'bout you?
Depending on how close you follow music, these may or may not be new to you at this point, but nonetheless, always nice to come back to so "hey, listen to this!"
Here's the new official video for The Tallest Man On Earth's Love is All track. Johan Stolpe "bought 4 rolls of super 8 film from a random guy in Finland and made this."
Now two years after Jonquil's 2008 Whistle Low EP was released and their title track is still one of the most played songs in my entire library. No matter what mood I'm in, this song has me jumping up from my seat and dancing like a complete nut. Jonquil released their sophomore 7" One Hundred Suns today and I can already tell that the track It Never Rains will have me shaking my limbs in unnatural ways over the course of the next One Hundred Suns and days.
Here are both tracks: start with the new then the old, or the old then the new; it's up to you.
This self-titled album is full of trippy, post-punk, psychedelic, 60s-sounding tunes and grooves. I suggest listening to the few tracks below and go from there. Anika will be released in the States this December on Stones Throw but you can stream and purchase the album now on Bandcamp.
Anika's voice and the sirens in her Yoko Ono cover have been driving me wild for days.
Dino Rossi has been up to some tricks lately. We never know what or when he's going to pull something out that little hat of his. This time he surprised us with some Computer Magic MAGIC. So reach into your own hat, pull out that mouse and click play; it's time to get digital everyone!
I don't know how these guys managed to do it in this short four song debut EP but Finland's French Films has created a sound that fluctuates between that of more well known bands, such as The Drums, The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, The Colour, Stellastarr and even Joy Division. I know that's a lot to live up to (and they sound like The Drums more than any of them) but it's the vocals that really trigger those musical connections for me. All and all I don't think you can go wrong if a band is compared to even one of those aforementioned.
French Films released their Golden Sea EP last month.
My palms have been ignited from hitting replay all day! This is some of the catchiest indie beach pop I have heard in a while, and the fact that it comes with a Russian accent makes it all that much better. Yes, you should listen to this.
Beautiful Braids...I really want to experience their intertwining strands of "sweeping sounds" and strong structures in person one day. Their debut album Native Speaker will be released January 18th on Kanine Records; and I really can't wait! I think it's going to be mind blowing, judging from what I have heard from them so far.
Some of Raphaelle's inspiration for this album came from the feeling of damp hair (I think that's pretty funny). Check out this awesome performance by them, and see if you can pick up on that dank damp feeling.
A Katy Perry cover? Really? Yes, I never thought a Katy Perry song would make it onto this blog but after listening to Weed's and Foxes and Fiction's recent collab of Teenage Dream over and over...and over again (I have to say it is shamefully addicting), I decided that I had to share it. When you reach second 47 and Weed steps in, you'll understand why it made it to this blog. The contrast of their two sounds in this song are more than enough to keep you interested; and I'm willing to bet you'll catch yourself singing it later in the day.
Here's the oh-so-sweet video for Games' way-too-short track Shadows in Bloom, off of their recently released, very futuristic, very awesome, can't-get-enough That We Can Play EP. Now out on Hippos In Tanks and elsewhere.
OK, now that you've got the scoop, You Can Play...
Holy loincloth! Gabriel Berrios' drum beats and samples make me want to swing from branch to branch and dance and dance on a tropical island! I have listened to this album tree times today! If you don't like this album, I don't know what to tell ya!
Well, being a sucker for sentiment and a catchy 50s-sounding tune, this Brooklyn duo (Maria Usbeck from Selebrities and Drew Diver of Horse Shoes) caught my attention rather quickly with their track Farewell, not too long ago; and ever since then, I have found myself taking swigs, gulps and guzzles of their delicious fizzy pop Soda Shop offerings. Their debut double-sided 7" is expected for release this January on Shelflife Records; so man a seat at the counter, friends, you don't want to miss these specials!
This bone-us EP was released at the end of October on Gold Robot Records. It is actually meant to be an accompaniment to the Two Birds 7" that was released back in March but it has a new track, a cover and some really sweet remixes that you should def. check out and download for free.
Tracklist:
01. Seamonster - These Bones
02. Seamonster - New England (Bomarr Remix)
03. Seamonster - Oh Appalachia (Slow Jam Version)
04. Seamonster - Oh Appalachia (SOVIET Remix)
05. Seamonster - Oh Appalachia (Railcars Remix)
06. Seamonster - Bearsuit (Meanest Man Contest Remix)
07. Seamonster - The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (Visions of Trees Remix)
08. Seamonster - The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (Roman Ruins Remix)
09. Seamonster - The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (The Rocketboys Remix)
10. Björn Kleinhenz - Annalee (Seamonster Cover)
"Happiness, love and haircuts"...or so they say. Here's one off of Alex Knost's and Christina Kee's debut EP. These guys from Costa Mesa, CA produce mellow beach wave, garage rock that will leave you feeling eternally teenage.
Also, here's a short but very sweet experimental clip of Catwalk's 2008 7" release from YAY! Records. If you haven't yet, listen to the original version of Past Afar on YouTube.
I know a Boylant song when I hear one, that's for damn sure; well, I guess the fact that they come from him also helps but there is something so undeniably unique about Reed Parker's voice and the atmosphere he creates with his somber, yet cheerful beats and melodies. I always find myself swaying in my seat, nodding my head or tapping my fingers in a very relaxed way. It's the kind of music that distracts me from whatever I'm doing and leads me to glossy gazes and twirling of the hair.
His newest of the new tracks Silver Thistles lives up to its name with its shrilling sharp edges and reflective vocals in shiny silver surfaces. And his other new track Sweet Nothing should be called Sweet Something because that's exactly what it is.
So, some of you may have already seen these on the FB page but I realize not everyone goes there; and these definitely deserve some blog time. So, if you have seen them, watch them again, and if you haven't, do. These were filmed by my amazing and talented friend Ben Fee/Bar Bar Apartment Sessions. And because both versions of this song are wonderful and worth watching, you get both to watch with your lion face.
Love this ragged rock from Athens, ohio. Bad Lie is off their latest album Liar Liar, which was released back in September on Alien Snatch!. Go Snatch! it up.
Here's one more spooky artist for you before I head out for the evening. These guys are also from Ridgewood, New Jersey...what is it about that place? Honestly...
Ben Wagner, aka Craig Cruiser, covered one of Washed Out's best songs, New Theory, on his eight track release, Lifestyles (out today). And although summer comes to mind when we think of the word 'chillwave' Ben mentioned that this album, and the dreamy genre as we know it, is more about being trapped in his room during the wintertime than anything else.
Dino Rossi got me on a Growlers video kick today. This first one is one he recommended after my last post, and I would have to agree with him; it does pair up quite nicely with it. So, in his honor and The Growlers', here are a few videos for you to check out. I LOVE these guys!
This is Spider Stomp (I do the wiggly stomp when I see spiders, fo sho!)
"Change, people don't change. People don't change when you want them to."
Here you go, Sugar Pie. This is another track from Sam Mehren (who is Outer Limits Recordings). There are two amazing 7" singles coming out next month and if you pre-order by November 15th, you also get a free DVD with these awesome videos and more. So head over to OESB, check out some vids and gets some goods. This is just a little sample of what you can find over there right now (in addition to The Sweethearts video from last week).
