Thao Nguyen of Thao with the Get Down Stay Down has written a long, impassioned article for Bitch magazine on breakup songs. Titled "Break Me Off a Piece of that Breakup Song," it looks at "the perverse pleasure of musical pain" you get from wallowing in sad songs, and lists ten of Nguyen's favorites. The Virgina native-turned-San Francisco musician should know. Her newest CD, Know Better Learn Faster is one of the most memorable post-breakup albums in recent memory, with its emotionally-fraught songs like "When We Swam," "Good Bye Good [...]
In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book. Finch is the third book in Jeff VanderMeer's Ambergris Cycle, and also the third book in the series to inspire its own soundtrack (by Murder By Death ). With Finch , Jeff VanderMeer has created a richly populated world with speculative fiction imbibed with impressive detective noir storytelling. Paul Tremblay wrote of the book: "Told in a [...]
"In the Know" is a recurring series on Stranger Dance that features the latest and greatest MP3s circling the web. If you think you've got a tip we should know about email Peter . Charlotte Gainsbourg - "IRM" Gainsbourg's forthcoming LP, IRM , features the handy-work of Beck who writes, produces and mixes multiple tracks. There's even a duet between the two on [...]
Sitting here, watching the clock, waiting for 5 o'clock to come...but at this very second, I am totally distracted by the audio bliss trickling into my ears in the from of the new record from Jason Molina(Magnolia Electric Co., Songs: Ohia) and Will Johnson(Centro-matic). I love both of these bands, so I was counting on loving this album, but I am happy to report it is totally exceeding my expectations! It's the most beautiful sort of melancholy. Just gorgeous stuff..there is a sample for you below. The 'Molina And Johnson' record is available everywhere on November 3. [...]
I've decided to create an installment in which I do a recap of my favorite albums of the past ten years now that we're coming up on the turn-of-decade - yes, 2010 is upon us. They key: I do them one at a time. I figure contemplating the weight of albums that have been instituted in my library for the better part (or even just half) of a decade would warrant a skewed opinion when comparing them to those released just this month. And, as these things are all truly opinion-based, well I just couldn't have that. [...]
Here, for no apparent reason, is a collection of bands named after places. Architecture in Helsinki I never knew the city was renowned for its flair for buildings. I guess it's catchier than Architecture in Slough. Beirut A New Mexican who named his group after a Lebanese city and plays eastern European, French and Mexican-influenced folk. Somebody has identity issues. [...]
This is yet another of those bands that we've come across from time to time but never really paid enough attention in order to recall later on. Jason Molina is the man behind this act and has already realeased a dozen (or more) records under the name Songs:Ohia before recording his last LP titled Magnolia Electric Co. This signaled the stage name change to Magnolia Electric Co along with a few more albums, until we reach this year's latest release titled Josephine. Jason's music is sweet lo-fi folk with elements of alt-country that bring obvious comparisons to the master Will [...]
Part 1 By: Michael Tapscott Sade Sunday's sat cold with a lingering spirit, an unnamed and undefined amorphous blob that cried out, "you have a commitment here fellows!" So, I met with Josh, on a Wednesday, in his bedroom. As we rotated seats between his couch and his bed to play tracks of our own choosing that the other person could care less about, I thought to myself, "this shall not do." Josh and I met in Indiana University, our musical sophistication lies in those backwaters where we weaned each [...]
Jason Molina Tal vez algunos de ustedes recuerden a Songs: Ohia , o ubiquen mejor a Jason Molina por ser la voz de Magnolia Electric Co. . Aparte de llevar estas bandas, Molina ha colaborado con diferentes artistas, entre ellos uno de mis consentidos, Will Oldham, a.k.a Bonnie 'Prince' Billy . Tiene ya una larga relación con Secretly Canadian , sello que lanzará el próximo 3 de noviembre su nueva colaboración: Molina & Johnson . ¿Quién es Johnson? Will Johnson, frontman de Centro-matic (banda de Texas, formada [...]
Go ahead, be cynical. The first mention Small Black on Pitchfork came with the disclaimer , " Live, they ( Josh Kolenik and Ryan Heyne) add Pitchfork.tv contributors Juan Pieczanski and Jeff Curtin to the mix." Personally, I'd urge you to put aside your conspiracy theories for a moment and give "Despicable Dogs," a fair listen, for in its four minutes you'll find an abundance of warm keyboard sounds presented in the framework of DIY styled, New Order synth-pop. MP3: Small Black - Despicable Dogs [...]
Photograph by Kyle Johnson I have always had a degree trouble with the work of Jason Molina. From Songs: Ohia through to Magnolia Electric Co. I have wanted to love his stuff, but aside form the odd track here and there, something has always prevented me form really connecting with his work. I just seem to have a problem sitting down and listening to his music for sustained periods...until now... Josephine the new album by Magnolia Electric Co. connects with something in me in a more consistent [...]
MOLINA AND JOHNSON Twenty Cycles to the Ground [mp3] A teaming up of Jason Molina and Will Johnson. From Molina and Johnson's upcoming self-titled record, due out November 3rd.
Album Previews Great news from Secretly Canadian found its way into my inbox the other day. Jason Molina of Magnolia Electric Co. and Songs:Ohia fame, and Will Johnson, principle songwriter for Centro-matic and South San Gabriel, combined forces and recorded an album in Texas earlier this year. The album is slated for release on November 3 in the states and November 2 in the UK on the aforementioned Secretly Canadian label. The first single, which you can listen to below, is entitled "Twenty Cycles To The Ground." Sounds [...]
[mp3] Molina and Johnson: "Twenty Cycles to the Ground" Well we're just giddy round these parts for the collaboration between Jason Molina (Magnolia Electric Co./Songs Ohia) and Will Johnson (South San Gabriel/Centomatic). You aready know our love for these purveyors of the darker side of country rock, so really we're just here to share with you the information on the release, the new mp3, and well, our general excitement. There you go. Here's some nice words from your friendly label, Secretly Canadian. Molina and [...]
Molina & Johnson , new album from Jason Molina of Magnolia Electric Co./Songs: Ohia and Will Johnson of Centro-Matic/South San Gabriel, will be released November 3rd through Bloomington, IN-based label Secretly Canadian . Molina and Johnson apparently met at a Magnolia Electric Co. show in Austin, TX in 2007 and hit off. The pair recorded the record last year. MP3 : Molina & Johnson - Twenty Cycles To The Ground ------------------------------ -------------------------- [...]
Molina & Johnson Molina & Johnson (Secretly Canadian) Releasing: 3 November The first leaked track from Molina & Johnson, the new collaboration between the honchos behind Magnolia Electric Co. and Centro-matic, respectively, is called "Twenty Circles to the Ground". It sounds a bit more Johnson than Molina, though it has the same soft, persistent toms that have been backing Molina since Songs: Ohia. If you live in the Netherlands, Belgium, England, or Spain, you'll be able to see the pair perform live for the first time in November and December. 01 Twenty Circles to the Ground 02 All Falls Together...
There is a hushed grace to each Great Lake Swimmers release, a wonderfully fragile quality--a la Bonnie Prince Billy or Songs: Ohia--that is responsible for their devoted, near-religious fan base. While Great Lake Swimmers have been slowly building excitement with their previous two releases, Ongiara is truly on a whole other level, deserving to move them from buzz-worthy to legendary. Singer/
After a few listens of shoegaze act Last Tide's debut EP, The Broken Places , I thought to myself, "BROOKLYN!" But no, this is a DC-based band featuring Nate Frey on guitars/vox, Rob Miller on bass, Libby Dorot on synth/vox, and Misha Alexander on drums/vox. The band draws inspiration from early ninties post-punk and shoegazer acts as well as honoring the scene with lo-fi recordings and dreary vocals. Last Tide don't modernize the genre though, they nearly replicate that era to the tee. Take that however you want, but the band [...]
I've been spending a lot of time recently combing through Pitchfork's list of the top 500 songs of the decade, but one thing that has annoyed me is that I can't find a site that actually lists all 500 songs on one page. I'm tired of having to scroll through page after page. So, I'm doing it myself. Here's the complete list, republished merely as a reference. Go to www.pitchfork.com to see the full presentation with song reviews, artwork, and audio clips. 500. The Big Pink - "Velvet" 499. N.E.R.D. - "Run to the [...]
There are some songs that, when I listen to them on my headphones while walking around in public, I start to feel really, really cool - like I know something that no one else does. This song has such groove. Try it out. Songs: Ohia - " Captain Badass " from Axxess & Ace (1999) Buy it here Posted by Jordy
Vampire Weekend - Cousins
WKND PLYLST!! This has nothing to do with NEW MOON!
HOT CHIP TAKE another crack at IT and I’m IN
The Beach House Theory of 2k10.
