I'll freely admit that at first, when rhythm oriented video games such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero dropped, I was a openly skeptical. Over the past few years I've changed my tune and occasionally you'll find me at a party rocking out the mic or drums on everything from Weezer to System of a Down (I won't go so far as to actually own the games, but I also won't sit disapprovingly on the sidelines). Well the latest iteration of said rhythm games comes in the form of DJ Hero and [...]
I think I've been dismissing the latest album by The Killers, 2008's Day & Age ( amazon ) ( itunes ), largely because it's not Hot Fuss 2.0. In fact it's not even close to Hot Fuss . Granted there are tracks like Human and Spaceman which seem to align quite well with the oft revered first offering from these glamorous desert dwellers, but the album as a whole strays quite a bit from what many fans were hoping for. I think if you give the album another try you'll appreciate it for what it actually is. [...]
Posting about Julian Casablancas the other day had me jonesing for some good old strokes. I posted this track ages ago (around the time The Strokes offered it as a free download from their myspace page), but since then I have found a way to lose track of it entirely. Fortunately through my clever use of the interwebs I have found a way to release it once again. Enjoy. mp3 : The Strokes - I'll Try Anything Once (You Only Live Once Demo) The song drips with everything I love about these New [...]
Julian Casablancas has succeeded in cultivating a certain persona for himself. Something about him oozes likability and it's hard to define simply why that is so. Maybe it's because he's the front man of The Strokes, maybe it's because his deadpan and washed out vocal delivery inspires everyone to sing along, or maybe there is some other magic behind his charm. Whatever this intangible effect is it simply drips off of the latest track from Julian's solo album Phrazes For The Young ( amazon ) ( itunes ). mp3 : Julian Casablancas - Out of [...]
I stumbled upon this little gem of a cover this morning while I was listening to music at work. A friend sent me the link and I thought I would pay it forward. The track is a fairly straightforward cover of the Fleet Foxes classic Tiger Mountain Peasant Song. If you like what the ladies have done with it (somehow I think they make it even more haunting than the original) make sure you check out their myspace page from some more great songs. mp3 : First Aid Kit - Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (Fleet [...]
I think this song is out to get me. I remember vaguely watching this band play late one night on Letterman. And although they seem to be a random collection of hippies and vagabonds there was something about the oft repeated refrain of "home is wherever I'm with you" that held my attention. I mean basically, this track which hails from the 2009 album Up From Below ( amazon ) ( itunes ), is the epitome of the modern indie folk classic. There are two singers, male and female, whom sing in a throwback call and response style [...]
This post is a little off the beaten path today. The track hails from a 2006 EP called Information Chase and it contains no lyrics. Although this isn't the first time I've posted a purely instrumental track this does mark the first time I've posted an instrumental track that's composed entirely of bits/bleeps. Just think Nintendo era soundtracks with serious club credibility and you're on the right track. mp3 : Bit Shifter - Hexadecimal Genome I enjoy this track, I hope you can enjoy it as well. It's not for everyone, but that's [...]
Whether or not you actually like Tiesto (or the copious amount of remixes, mixes, dance tracks, beats, etc., that he's made) we can all agree on one thing. The lead singer of Sigur Ros, oft called Jonsi, is brilliant at almost every single turn. So when Tiesto teams up with Jonsi and asks him to sing over the title track to his new album you just know it's going to be epic. And trust me, epic it is. mp3 : Tiesto - Kaleidoscope (feat Jonsi) Honestly I'm not sure if there is anything [...]
Ah, the Pursuit of Happiness. It is a foundational principle upon which the United States was built, a movie in which Will Smith cried a lot, and an action that probably gets boys, girls, husbands, wives, boyfriends, and girlfriends into more trouble than it's ultimately worth. Never you mind, death professor, Kid Cudi has taken all of those associations and thrown them out the window. What is left is an elegant slice of modern hip hop that's supplemented by MGMT and Ratatat. What's not to love? mp3 : Kid Cudi - Pursuit of Happiness (feat [...]
Agree with me or not (or feel guilty about it or not), but I think the latest single by The Veronicas is actually sorta kinda addicting. And while I'm not ashamed to admit that I like the catchy string loop, the dance beat, or the Kelly Clarkson stylized delivery I still possess too much pride to actually research this track , post about the entire album , or generally admit anything other than I listened to the radio this past weekend, heard this track, and thought I should post it. mp3 : T he Veronicas - [...]
I have found myself to be a bit on the obsessive side over the past month of my life. I was again moved back to part time at work (which really means part time pay, which is just over sustainable) and alongside that came extra hours, even days, of leisure free time. Now you might think that I would use this time to do what I love. That I would use it to peruse music blogs, stream tracks from myspace to last.fm, attend shows, and download bootlegs. But for some reason I haven't done any of those things (although I [...]
I do apologize for the lack of posts during this past week. I really must apologize. But I fear I was busy scoring tickets to see the upcoming Sufjan Stevens mini tour (yes, I'll be there in Bloomington to see him play), galavanting about the countryside for an all to brief weekend, and listening continuously to the latest album by my new Scottish obsession We Were Promised Jetpacks. I would have killed to see these boys play with their compatriots (my other favorite Scottish band Frightened Rabbit - who is absolutely insanely good in concert), but alas they [...]
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson is a singer/songwriter out of Brooklyn who released his self titled debut, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson ( amazon ) ( itunes ), in July of 2008. If I had to pare down my review to as few words as possible I would say the following. Miles sounds like an urban version of a one man band. It's as if Bon Iver holed up in a bustling New York borough instead of an isolated cabin. mp3 : Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - Buriedfed mp3 : Miles Benjamin Anthony [...]
I first heard an album by Phoenix a few years back as I was hanging out in a giant mall in downtown Bangkok. I was bored, my traveling mates were all busy doing something else, and I used my free time to listen to a load of albums in a large music store. I loved their album in Bangkok so much that I bought it and gave it to my little sister for her birthday that year. I'm not sure if she ever really got into their music like I did, but it says a lot if I think an [...]
There are two words that immediately jumped into my head the first time I listened to the debut album by Throw Me The Statue. The first word is giddy. Giddy because that's how this music makes me feel. It's heartfelt, genuine, indie pop. At times they're acoustic Weezer, at times they spark like The Anniversary, and in other moments they are Band of Horses. Overall they're a solid band with interesting music. The second word is disbelief. This album, Moonbeams ( amazon ) ( itunes ), is solid from opening to close. Every song has something of interest, [...]
Lately I've been listening to a load of bands that I had never heard of before I got a job that keeps me sitting down for the better part of the day; parked behind a computer screen. Internet radio is a lifesaver after lunch and it's been quite a treat to get to listen to loads of new music (none of which I actively have to pursue). This album, Lust Lust Lust ( amazon ) ( itunes ), was released in 2007 by The Raveonettes. It starts off moody, packs in a lot of guitar fuzz [...]
I did some driving today. And, oddly enough, driving is where I listen to old music. Yes I have a decent car. No I don't have disposable income that would support an mp3 player and hookup to go with said car. Sad really. But it does allow me to listen to older tracks and albums while I'm driving about the countryside. Today I put a track on one song repeat and listened to it over and over again. It's just that good. The track hails from The Long Winters album When I Pretend to Fall ( [...]
I wondered what to title this post for the better part of this morning. I thought of adding something like "My Long Obsession" to the title, or some other such pale attempt to capture grandeur, but in the end I opted with just posting his name. Johnny Cash. If you count yourself a lover of all things music then this is one name that needs no subtitle (even if you do love his moniker The Man in Black) or introduction. Johnny Cash was an extremely prolific songwriter and performer and he deserves a listen on this hot July afternoon. [...]
I've been listening all night to the latest album by Vetiver which is a breezy trip through slow down modern American indie folk. I know that sounds like a mouthful of adjectives, but that is really what this album is. Think of Vetiver as an even more chilled out version of Kings of Convenience that sometimes plays with Devendra Banhart. So yes, to answer your question, they are the quintessential band to relax to late at night after watching movies and television with the boys (or ladies). mp3 : Vetiver - Everyday Everyday [...]
That's right, no picture. Why? Because I honestly can't find a single thing about this band/person/musician. I don't even know who or what Knatterjack is. Deal with it. What I do know is that I finally got my internet working, my laptop has been delivered in the mail, and this is the very first song that I'm choosing to post after my long and protracted summer hiatus. Rejoice ye minions and immediately proceed to downloading the following bliss filled track. Oh, and if anyone has any information as to what or whom Knatterjack is please kindly [...]
Vampire Weekend - Cousins
WKND PLYLST!! This has nothing to do with NEW MOON!
Bobby B's Top 50 Albums Of The Decade (#25-21)
new music from vampire weekend – cousins + music video
