Friday, September 28, 2007

Deerhoof - Free Live Album

By turns cuddly and chaotic, San Francisco's Deerhoof mixes noise, sugary melodies, and an experimental spirit into sweetly challenging and utterly distinctive music. The group began as the brainchild of guitarist Rob Fisk and drummer/keyboardist Greg Saunier in 1994; early releases, such as 1995's 7"s Return of the Woods M'Lady and For Those of Us on Foot, had a more traditionally harsh, no wave-inspired sound, though they also included the quirky tendencies that dominated their later efforts. Vocalist/bassist Satomi Matsuzaki joined the group in time for 1996's self-titled double 7" on Menlo Park, but other members passed through Deerhoof, including Chris Cooper of Angst Hase Pfeffer Nase. The following year they released their full-length debut, The Man, the King, the Girl, on Kill Rock Stars and the Come See the Duck 7" on Banano a year later.

Fisk left Deerhoof after 1999's Holdy Paws, an experiment that saw the band trying to write songs that favored composition over individual sounds, and pursued similar ideas in his solo work and in Badgerlore. Halfbird, which was recorded before Fisk departed, was released in 2001, after John Dieterich was recruited as Deerhoof's new guitarist. That year the group also released the My Pal Foot Foot 7", a cover of the legendary Shaggs song that also appeared on the Better Than the Beatles tribute. In 2002, the group released the critically acclaimed Reveille; 2003's Apple O' followed soon after, and also featured auxiliary guitarist Chris Cohen. Their fifth album, the much more cohesive and focused Milk Man, appeared in spring 2004. The following year was another busy one for the band: not only did they embark on tours of the U.S., Europe, and Japan, but they released the Green Cosmos EP, the full-length Runners Four, and a Deerhoof tribute album that was only available on the band's website. In 2006, the group toured with the Flaming Lips, the Fiery Furnaces, and Mary Timony, among others. That spring, Cohen left Deerhoof to concentrate on the Curtains. Along with recording their own album, the band also collaborated with composer Ed Shearmur on the music for Dedication, a film directed by Justin Theroux. The concise yet eclectic Friend Opportunity arrived in early 2007.

Deerhoof have released a free MP3 album of live performances, outtakes, remixes, and covers. It's currently being offered on the Kill Rock Stars web site.

Deerhoof - Free MP3 Album


Bonus:
Future Of The Left - Curses (2007) !!!
VA - Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten OST (2007)
50 Cent - Curtis (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/ymanaz
Death Cab For Cutie - We Have The Facts And We're Voting Yes !!!
The Sea And The Cake - The Biz !!!
The Definite Articles - Live To Retract Them (Cafe Bazaar Sessions) !!!
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2m822x
Kanye West - Graduation (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/yrwf2k
Akon, Booba, Jaheim, Pharell Williams, The Game, Tom Snare, David Guetta, Mac Tyer, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/ytoqrm
James Blunt - Back To Bedlam
The All-American Rejects - The All-American Rejects
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2uxjpm
Indie/Alternative
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/yr4lby

Thursday, September 27, 2007

The WoWz

The WoWz are a prolific three-piece miscellaneous band from New York City who comb (and combine) the eternal dolor of Hank Williams Sr. with the perverse humor of David Berman and the improbable harmonies of BEATLES FOR SALE. Since 2004, theyve recorded two full-length records and an EP.

Their debut, LONG GRAIN RIGHTS, was recorded in early 2004 at Balloon Heaven, an appalling dump of a Bensonhurst basement that has likewise captured the sounds of Adam Green, Herman Düne and Jeffrey Lewis. Released on NYCs Recommended If You Like Records, LONG GRAIN RIGHTS plays like a fermented solution of powdered sugar and baking soda - a compound as addictive as picking your scalp.

After completing that album, Sam James (guitar, bass, vocals), Simon Beins (guitars, vocals) and Johnny Dydo (drums, vocals) sought out the next basement they could find: Johnny's pop's laundry room in Yonkers. There, inspired by sawdust and commuters' fury, they continued to mutate, juxtaposing Sam and Simon's rebelliously cherubic voices with the electric flatulence of bass fuzz and the astonishingly ornithological indigestion of feedback.

In the meantime, The WoWz played frequent acoustic sets all over NYC and began to leave the subway long enough to play out of the city, hitching rides with pals like The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, The Brunettes and David-Ivar Herman Düne.

In June 2004, The WoWz found yet another basement that would let them descend into it; and so they set up shop at Care-A-Lot Studios in Harlem and hastily recorded the 5-song NICOTINE BUBBLEGUM EP for Luv-A-Lot Records. Throughout 2005, The WoWz composed and recorded the soundtrack for Mosaic Films production KING CORN with producer Bo Ramsey, and released their second full-length, COOL DUMP (Luv-a-Lot / RiYL), a reaming tower of questionable matter lovingly groped by some and exasperated by many.

Like LONG GRAIN RIGHTS and NICOTINE BUBBLEGUM, COOL DUMP finds the band at the outer reaches of quirkiness, poised to teeter upon the precipice (and prepuce) of advisable beauty until they all fall down... and perhaps only then, after we've read their wills, might we understand what that name of theirs means.

The WoWz are currently at work on their third full-length album with producer Ben Fries, due out in 2008. The band has also recorded the soundtrack to the new documentary, KING CORN (http://www.kingcorn.net), which will kick off its national theatrical run at New York's legendary Cinema Village on October 12th, 2007. Highly Recommended!

The Wowz - Birds Fly High (from Long Grain Rights)
The Wowz - My Baby Loves Me (from Nicotine Bubble Gum EP)
The Wowz - Distant And Wide (from Cool Dump)
The Wowz - Cool Dump (album download)
The Wowz @ MySpace


Bonus:
Kanye West - Graduation (2007) !!!
UGK - Underground Kidz (2007) !!!
Talib Kweli - Eardrum (2007) !!!
Soulja Boy - souljaboytellem.Com (2007)
Will.I.Am - Songs About Girls (2007)
Rascal Flatts - Still Feels Good (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2f5njy
VA - Chi City (OST)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2a6jcg
Jay-Z & Dr.Dre - Chronic 3000
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2fv836
Mano Negra - Casa Babylon
Nas - Hip Hop Is Dead
VA - Big Mike - Fourth Quarter Pleasure Part 3 (Bootleg)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2hga4g
Spoon - Live At Webster Hall NY, 06-09-2005
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/25zd8j
Mount Eerie - Live At Kerckhoff Grand Salon 11-16-2003
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2hynmw
Whiskeytown - Sampler
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/ywhkl6
Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better
Kanye West - College Dropout
Gym Class Heroes - As Cruel As School Children
+ Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera, Gnarls Barkley, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/yvlep5
Citizen Cope - Every Waking Moment
VA - Terror Squad Presents DJ Kahled - Listennn: The Album
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/yv6sal

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Elevado



Elevado's story began in Athens, Ga., when Justin Sias and wife Kitty Snyder (Pitch-A-Tent Records) collaborated -- through online file sharing -- with former Athenians Cain Wong, Mark Duca, and David Sandridge -- living in Los Angeles -- and Don Dudenhoeffer to produce Elevado's first album, the transatlantic "Occidental Oriental" (2003).

Their headquarters, The ISP Space (located in the East Atlanta Village next door to The Earl --Atlanta's most popular indie venue), is a cavernous space that houses video installations, paintings and mix media exhibits, cds, vinyl and other merchandise from local and national bands that have played there. Scheduled to release seven CDs this year, the label they run, ISP, started in Athens during the late nineties and quickly regained speed in Atlanta last year by releasing three 7-inch singles (Elevado, Aviator, Parade), a limited edition cd: "LIVE at ISP" featuring Pistolero, (2006) and reissues of Elevado's first two albums, all available through Stickfigure Distribution.

Unsuspecting recipients of a booking buzz, Elevado and ISP have already welcomed bands including San Diego's the North Atlantic and Sexy Time Explosion (Gold Stand Laboratories), Amersterdam's zZz (Howler Records), Finland's Fun and Antelope (Dischord Records).

Elevado's fourth self-produced album, "This World is on Fire" (April 2007) was conceived while on tour and features an electro-experimental combination of programmed beats, live tracks, four-track recordings and circuit bent fun sounds adding atmosphere to their first concept album. Recommended!

Elevado - The World Is On Fire
Elevado - Postcard From Four Walls Down
Elevado @ MySpace


Bonus:
A Place To Bury Strangers - A Place To Bury Strangers (2007) !!!
Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder canyon (2007) !!!
Port-Royal - Afraid To Dance (2007) !!!
Deerhunter - Cryptograms (2007) !!!
Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity (2007) !!!
Neurosis - Given To The Rising (2007) !!!
Loose Fur - Born Again In The USA !!!
+ Chromeo, Mogwai, Dntel, Tim Hecker, Love, Patrick Wolf, Pillow, The Evens,
Roses Never Fade, Caribou, UNKLE, Ulrich Schnauss, William Basinski,
The Chocolate Watchband, Wolf Parade, Mark Templeton, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/26a5bq
50 Cent - Curtis (2007)
Talib Kweli - Eardrum (2007)
VA - Ibiza Rocks 2007
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2n9d3f
DeVotchKa - How It Ends
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/y3l6l4
Indie
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2md77e
Alternative
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2424bf

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The Retread Sessions

KUT.org and Super!Alright! in Austin, Texas are proud to present Retread Sessions, an on-going series of videos capturing unique performances by some of our favorite artists. The first three sessions are viewable online now - and feature new versions and special, never before seen glimpses into the talents of artist like Shearwater, YACHT and Black before Red (recently featured on Pitchfork's Forkcast).

KUT's Retread Sessions are unique live performances in which musicians are given a chance to reexamine and reconstruct songs outside of the traditional performance locales. Stepping out of the studio, off the stage and into the world that influences their sound to give intimate performances, these artists showcase the beauty of great songwriting, the art of improvisation and a devotion to evolving that quickly becomes addictive to watch. Web Producer Paige Maguire curates, directs and produces the series for NPR affiliate KUT 90.5 FM in Austin, Texas. View all the content here.


Black Before Red - Split Milk Mistake


Yacht - See A Penny (Pick It Up)


Shearwater - Palo Santo


Bonus:
Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger (2007) !!!
Richard Hawley - Cole's Corner + Lady's Bridge (2007) !!!
Troy Von Balthazar - Troy Von Balthazar !!!
Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrpha (2007)
Ray LaMontagne - Trouble + Till The Sun Turns Black
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2gnmkr
Goapele - Even Closer
John Legend - Get Lifted
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/245pnb
Nizlopi - Half These Songs Are About You
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/36apuk
King Diamond - Give Me Your Soul...Please (2007)
W.A.S.P. - Dominator (2007)
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia + Deadwing + Fear Of A Blank Planet (2007)
Annihilator - Never, Neverland
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2uydmq
Japanese Music: M-Flo, Shazna, Fay Ray, Heartsdales, Inugami Circus, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2kafxf

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Siberian

Since forming in early 2004, Siberian has managed to generate a significant buzz within the Seattle music scene. Siberian’s original 4 song demo, though never intended for release, was circulated throughout the Seattle music scene, earning the band a loyal fan base, radio play, and enthusiastic praise from local critics. Described as stunning and dynamic, their music skates a delicate balance between gorgeous pop melodies and unique compositions, creating a sound that is as interesting as it is beautiful. Their debut EP Hey Celestial!, demonstrates a surprisingly striking musicality coming from such a young group and, if it’s any indication of what’s to come, expect great things from this talented new band. The upcoming full-length debut titled 'With Me', is to be released in October, 23rd. Recommended!

Siberian - Belgian Beer And Catholic Girls
Siberian - Islands Forever
Siberian @ MySpace


Bonus:
Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam (2007) !!!
The Field - From Here We Go Sublime (2007) !!!
Deerhunter - Cryptograms (2007) !!!
Caribou - Andorra (2007) !!!
Apparat - Walls (2007) !!!
The Juan MacLean - Less Than Human !!!
Avey Tare & Kria Brekkan - Pullhair Rubeye (2007)
+ AFX, Akron/Family, Aphex Twin, RJD2, Modest Mouse, Boredoms, Panda Bear, Girl Talk,
Stars Of The Lid, MF Doom, N.W.A., J Dilla, LCD Soundsystem, Snow Patrol, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/yrerts
Porcupine Tree - Fear Of A Blank Planet (2007)
Devin Townsend - Presents: Ziltoid The Omniscient (2007)
Blackfield - Blackfield II (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/yoqa8p
Frog Eyes - Live Concerts
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2ljopy
Indochine - Alice Et June
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2gz9tk
The White Stripes - Icky Thump
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2g3nf3
Bonobo, Portishead, Miles Davis, Wu-Tang Clan, Yann Tiersen, Keziah Jones, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2djwfp
Billy Talent - Billy Talent
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/ywaaoh

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Red Collar

Red Collar are Jason Kutchma (guitar and vocals), Mike Jackson (guitar and vocals), Andrew Blass (keys and vocals), Beth Kutchma (bass and vocals) and Tim O'Toole (drums).
The band is based in Durham and Chapel HIll, North Carolina. The band's music is often described as kind of like Bruce Springsteen fronting Fugazi. Even though the band denies any relation to bar-rock music, one can often recognize the Hold Steady like guitar riffs in their songs. From the other side, the punk rock influence is strong and is responsible for the aggressive interpretation and high-energy songs.

This year Red Collar released their debut album - the Hands Up EP. The band built a strong fan base, played a SXSW showcase and toured the mid-atlantic region. The Carolina Hurricanes (pro hockey) actually play the Red Collar's album at their games and it's also got added to a bunch of college radio rotations - KEXP & XMU among others. Recommended!

Red Collar - Hands Up
Red Collar - Used Guitars
Red Collar - Stay
Red Collar - Witching Hour
Red Collar @ MySpace


Bonus:
The Modern Lovers, Tally Hall, The Paper Chase, The Residents, The Epoxies, Against Me,
Dropkick Murpheys, Five Iron Frenzy, Jello Biafra, Milo Goes To College, Philip Glass, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2fx6wf
Sia - Healing Is Difficult !!!
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3agjxe
Ben Kweller - On My Way !!!
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3arh32
Archie Bronson Outfit - Derdang Derdang (2006) !!!
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2jvnb8
Madrugada - The Deep End
Royksopp - The Understanding
+ David Gilmour, Corky Laing, Bjorn Berge, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2sqg4z
Emitt Rhodes - Emitt Rhodes + The American Dream
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2kd9pp
David Guetta - Pop Life (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3bgd8b
Acrnym - Flowers (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/39oyg9
Enya - The Memory Of Trees
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3ccj4c

Friday, September 14, 2007

Band Of Horses - New Album

Band of Horses was formed by Ben Bridwell (guitar, vocals) and Mat Brooke (guitar) in 2004 after the break-up of their previous band, Carissa's Wierd. The group initially got attention from Sub Pop records after opening for Iron & Wine in Seattle area shows. In 2005, the band released their debut EP, Band of Horses Tour EP, which was sold exclusively at shows and on Sub Pop's website. Their debut full-length, Everything All the Time was recorded in 2005 with producer Phil Ek and released on March 21, 2006 to generally good reviews.

On July 13, 2006, Band of Horses appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman sans Brooke. As of July 25, 2006, Mat Brooke left Band of Horses to focus more on his other band, Grand Archives, who had also signed to Sub Pop. The band's second album, Cease to Begin, is slated for release on October 9 2007. Lead singer Ben Bridwell said about the album in an interview: "I guess the first record had some kind of country-ish leanings and things [but] I think there’s maybe a little bit more of [that] feeling on it, a little more down-home, I guess, and not so much indie rock." The first track "Is There a Ghost" was made available for download on their MySpace page on August 28th. Highly Recommended!

Band Of Hoses - Is There A Ghost
Band Of Horses @ MySpace


Bonus:
Simian - Chemistry Is What We Are !!!
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2mbzyz
Buffalo Tom - Big Red Letter Day + Sleepy Eyed !!!
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/37mu6m
Bright Eyes - Fevers & Mirrors + I'm Wide Awake It's Morning + Cassadaga (2007)
Feist - The Reminder (2007)
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (2007)
Oh Laura - A Song Inside My Head, A Demon In My Bed (2007)
Sophie Zelmani - Memory Loves You (2007)
+ Placebo, Coldplay, Björk, Belle & Sebastian, Arctic Monkeys, Antony & The Johnsons, Razorlight,
Regina Spector, Nikola Sarcevic, The Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, Black Lips, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/322sm5
Elliott Smith - X.O.
Animal Collective - Feels
God Speed You Black Emperor - Yanqui U.X.O.
+ M. Ward, Fischerspooner, Blonde Redhead, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/rcvop
Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3bqrbg
Belle & Sebastian, Kaiser Chiefs, Hot Hot Heat, Kings Of Leon, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2jk894
Dance
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3acklg
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2oy4m9

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Bitter Bitter Weeks



Brian McTear started Bitter Bitter Weeks some time around 2001. Though he ultimately aspired for it to be a band, he released two full length albums more or less as solo efforts in 2003 and 2004. The third album, Peace is burning like a river, finally sees the band vision come to life.

McTear began in the early 1990s with his band, the Marinernine. That lasted for nearly eight years, taking him from late high school, into and beyond his college years. When the Marinernine split up he focused on producing records, finding the likes of Matt Pond PA and Mazarin. It was a welcome change up, spending more time in the studio than in smoky clubs (McTear lives with Cystic Fibrosis, a respiratory condition, which is not always conducive to the details of being in a band). All the while, he never stopped writing songs.

His aspirations to sing and perform reignited sometime in 2001. It also became apparent that he was more than just any old frontman in a rock band. He was great singer, and with the release of the first self-titled album, Bitter bitter weeks, in 2003 (My Pal God Records), fans and critics agreed that his oft' understated songwriting finally found a worthy partner in his stalwart, yet subconsciously trembled voice.

Bitter bitter weeks evolved to become a full band in 2005. As a group effort, Peace is burning... features the great work of Amy Morrissey (keyboards), Mike Fleming (bass), Ric Menck (drums), Jesse Gallagher (organs) and Brian Christinzio (piano, organs).

Peace is burning like a river is a rock record. While past Bitter bitter weeks records were perceived to be dark in their simplicity, this new record is vast, honest, assured and dare we say "triumphant". The album picks up on arrangement ideas inspired by the work he and Quentin Stoltzfus did for Mazarin. At the same time, it taps into the American jangle of early to mid-80s college underground music ("alternative", they used to call it), while sitting atop a subtle Eno-esque bed of organs and tape echo. There are songs about life and death, mid-air daydreams, cold war apocalyptic fantasy, ghost dreams, hyper-awareness in the last seconds of life, friendship gone sour, as well as apologies to future generations, and much more... Highly Recommended!


Bitter Bitter Weeks - Danger In The Halls
Bitter Bitter Weeks - Terrified
Bitter Bitter Weeks @ MySpace


Bonus:
Mum - Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy (2007) !!!
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2xgbna
The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs !!!
Killing Joke - Night Time
Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2z5u9u
Aimee Mann, Beirut, Camera Obscura, Magnetic Fields, Ratatat, Regina Spektor,
Stars, The Blow, The Books, The Arcade Fire, The Kings Of Convenience, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2jmzqd
The Stills - Logic Will Break Your Heart
The Decemberists - Albums
They Might Be Giants - Flood
The Tiger Lillies & Kronos Quartet - The Gorey End
Earl Klugh - Midnight In San Juan
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2hoasd
Daphne Loves Derby - Good Night Witness Light (2007)
Boys Like Girls - Boys Like Girls (2007)
Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight
Iron Maiden - A Matter Of Life And Death
Velvet Revolver - Contraband
Bond - Born
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2daef8
The Fratellis - Costello Music
The White Stripes - Icky Thump
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/24fllv

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Jens Lekman

Sweden's Jens Lekman emerged from relative obscurity to quickly establish himself as the darling of the global indie pop set, winning widespread acclaim from fans and critics for his uncommonly witty and well-crafted pop songs. Born February 6, 1981, in Gothenburg, Sweden, Lekman exhibited little interest in music as a child, but at 14 was recruited to play bass in a friend's cover band. Within weeks he was writing his own original material, quickly accumulating hundreds of songs. Assuming the alias Rocky Dennis (borrowed from the disfigured protagonist of the 1985 American film Mask), Lekman recorded and released a series of limited-edition CD-Rs beginning with 2001's The Budgie-Album. A year later, he compiled a collection of highlights and mailed the sole copy to the U.S. indie label Secretly Canadian, but remained largely unknown until the 2003 EP Maple Leaves became something of a cause célèbre on Internet file-sharing services. The Swedish indie Service Records reissued Maple Leaves later that same year, and after abandoning his pseudonym once and for all with 2004's Rocky Dennis in Heaven EP, Lekman issued his acclaimed full-length debut, When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog, distributed in the U.S. via Secretly Canadian. The LP generated the Swedish Top Ten hit "You Are the Light," and in 2005 Lekman traveled the globe, issuing several tour-only EPs and collecting his previous singles, B-sides, and compilation tracks as Oh You're So Silent Jens. Following this flurry of activity, he announced on his website plans for an extended hiatus from performing, scrapping a planned sophomore LP and reportedly accepting a position at a local bingo parlor; Lekman nevertheless quit after just two days on the job and fully rededicated himself to his musical pursuits.

Live performances by Lekman have differed in style; at times he has performed alone with only a guitar and a CD player, sometimes doing a cappella versions of his songs, while at other times he has been accompanied by a choir and string quartet. Recently, he has toured with an all-female back-up band, dressed mostly in white, that provides basic rock instrumentation as well as horns and backing vocals. According to Jens Lekman's official site, a new album, Night Falls Over Kortedala, will be released in Sweden on September 5th and in the rest of the world October 9th, with the single "Friday Night at the Drive-in Bingo" preceding the album's release. Highly Recommended!

Jens Lekman - Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo
Jens Lekman - A Sweet Summersnight On Hammer Hill
Jens Lekman - You Are The Light
Jens Lekman @ MySpace


Bonus:
Boris with Michio Kurihara - Rainbow (2007) !!!
A Hawk And A Hacksaw - The Way The Wind Blows (2006) !!!
Eagles Of Death Metal - Peace Love Death Metal !!!
+ Aphex Twin, Devin The Dude, E.S.G., Eyehategod, Sleep, Kyuss, James Brown, Mos Def, NOFX,
RJD2, Public Enemy, Radiohead, Janes Addiction, Ziggy Marley, Lou Reed, Bad Brains, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/33zuhn
You Say Party! We Say Die! - Loose All Time (2007) !!!
My Brightest Diamond - Bring Me The Workhorse !!!
CocoRosie - Noah's Ark
Lila Downs - Una Sangre (One Blood)
The Puppini Sisters - Betcha Bottom Dollar (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2na8b8
Brand New - Devil And God Are Raging Inside Of Me
Stretch Arm Strong - A Revolution Transmission
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2w5y4z
Amy Winehouse, The Sounds, Nelly Furtado, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3b2vxf
Arctic Monkeys, Blink 182, Prodigy, Faithless, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/34tms8
The Kooks - Inside In, Inside Out
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2j3lls
Radiohead - Amnesiac
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3939hl
Radiohead - Live In Toronto
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/yqurm6

Monday, September 10, 2007

Phosphorescent

Athens, GA, resident Mathew Houck is the sole member of Phosphorescent. Houck's career began in 2000 when he released the Hipolit album under the name Fillup Shack. A tour of England and Spain followed, and while the European press drew comparisons to Bob Dylan and Will Oldham, the London Evening Standard declared him "the most significant American in his field since Kurt Cobain." Houck's first release as Phosphorescent, entitled "A Hundred Times or More", appeared in 2003. In 2004 he released EP, "The Weight Of Flight". 2005 saw release of Phosphorescent's second full-length, "Aw Come Aw Wry".

Musicians often head to New York - it's a familiar story. But something magical happened when Matthew Houck picked up stakes halfway through making his new Phosphorescent record, "Pride", and moved to Brooklyn from Athens, Georgia. "Pride" is something different. While it's not without the moments of sheer abandon that have made Phosphorescent's work unmistakable-"At Death, A Proclamation" thunders into familiar territory-mostly gone are the messy marching bands and evangelical fervor. Here, Houck instead channels something more mystical and haunting, offering up a dark, meditative set of songs that is all the more spiritual-sounding for its restrained tone. On previous albums, he's recruited guest musicians to fill the gaps, but on "Pride", Houck has only enlisted the services of a makeshift choir, otherwise recording every instrument himself. His achingly cerebral delivery recalls Arthur Russell, but honestly, "Pride" sounds like nothing else we've ever heard. These are poems uttered in an empty field, punctuated by shouts and hollers, as if from a singer either abandoned or possessed. The lyrics are Houck's strongest ever, wrapped in washed out choral etudes that could be channeled from a rural French chapel or a solemn African tribe in prayer. "Pride" sounds like it was made by a man set free. In fact, "Pride" sounds broken free of time and place altogether. Yet still it is warm, familiar, and welcoming-a record to call home. "Pride" will be released on October 23rd via Dead Oceans. Highly Recommended!


Phosporescent - A Picture Of Our Torn Up Praise
Phosphorescent @ MySpace


Bonus:
Tv On The Radio - Live At Amoeba Music [EP] (2007) !!!
Torpedo Boyz - Headache Music (2007)
Amy Winehouse - Live At Astoria 02-19-2007
Mark Ronson - Version (2007)
The Tiny - Close Enough + Starring: Someone Like You (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/ysqj4x
Weezer - Albums, Demos, Mixes
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/yuzut2
Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
Michael Buble - Michael Buble
Justin Timberlake - Lovesounds
Norah Jones - Not Too Late
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2y93vx
Ben Harper - Live
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2h6apz
Ben Harper - Both Sides Of The Gun
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2xcvyw
Dresden Dolls - Yes Virginia
Peeping Tom - Peeping Tom
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/27xpln

Friday, September 07, 2007

SoKo

The following text is taken from Fat Planet Blog. You may find it here in it's entirety. For more music reviews visit www.fatplanet.com.

Once upon a time there was a little soko girl and a little soko boy and together they were the sokos. The story goes that the little soko boy left the little soko girl, and the sokos became just soko. If he was indeed the one that broke her heart, then he’d better be watching his new girl’s back, as sokogirl is lurking with a sharpened dagger.

Young parisian singer SoKo has been making a cold-hearted name for herself with the release of her debut e.p. ‘Not Sokute’, and in particular the lead track. A soft, folk lullaby, sung in english with a smoky french accent, the melody of ‘I’ll Kill Her’ belies the lyrical intent - that when soko finds the ‘bitch from hell’ that stole her boy’s heart and, by default, her own future, there’ll be murder. Literally. It’s never made clear whether soko is the spurned lover, or - more interestingly - simply the faceless stalker creating fantasies in her own mind.

As Amy Winehouse dragged motown soul into the 21st century by adding a dash of street-savvy and a slew of obscenities, so too does SoKo bring the often too-cute world of folk music down to the gutter. The e.p. is available from itunes, and she’s currently making three tracks from a recent radio recording available to download from her murdochspace. Of those, ‘My Enemy’ follows a similar path to ‘I’ll Kill Her’, and at a stretch might even be seen a something of a sequel. (~ Fat Planet).

So, forget Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and all of those mainstream 'bitchy' girls and check out the SoKo. She's the most exciting surprise of the year. Viva La France! Highly Recommended!


SoKo - I'll Kill Her
SoKo - My Enemy (p3 radio session)
SoKo @ Virb
SoKo @ MySpace

SoKo - I'll Kill Her



SoKo - The Dandy Cowboys (unofficial video)




Bonus:
M.I.A. - Kala (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2dn5kf
Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna Are You The Destroyer?
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/yrafhe
!!! - !!!
M. Ward - Post War
Peter Bjorn & John - Writer's Block
The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/ywwtwg
Stars Of The Lid - The Tired Sounds Of... + And Their Refinment Of The Decline (2007)
Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position
Boards Of Canada - Albums
Mogwai - Mr Beast
+ Mika, Leafcutter John, Polar Bear, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/ypn67g
Peter Bjorn & John - Writer's Block
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/25h8we
Circa Survive - On Letting Go (2007)
Imogen Heap - Speak For YOurself
The Bravery - The Bravery
The Sound Of Animal Fighting - Tiger & The Duke
+ 2Pac, Tech N9ne, Rx Bandits, Karate High School, The Fall Of Troy, Reel Big Fish, Women & Children Men,
Acceptance, Coheed And Cambria, Tsunami Bomb, The Doors, The Killers, Monty Are I, Mars Volta, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2bnh4l
Chris Isaak - Forever Blue
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2xcm82
Rock
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2yvpd2
Alternative
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3a7hwd

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Virgin Of The Birds

Named after a poor English translation of a Salvadore Dali painting, Virgin of the Birds is primarily Jon Rooney augmented by the talents of various folks for live shows and selected recording. Virgin of the Birds was created as an outlet for Rooney’s songs outside of Morning Spy, an indie pop/rock band he formed in San Francisco that has enjoyed considerable inconspicuous acclaim since their debut release first surfaced in early 2004.

As a collection of pop songs, Mixed Choir, released in July 2007 by Abandoned Love Records, treads a line between intimate, lo fi folk and the occasional grandeur of early art rock. These are songs about girls, heresy, defiance and bright, searching guitars among other things. Indie pop is an excitable mistress, best quelled with a cocktail of hazy major-key melodies, unruly e-bow, and arcane balladry. Recommended!


Virgin Of The Birds - Sisters At The Sound Of Dawn
Virgin Of The Birds - Chemicals Change (Lovely Sparrows cover)
Virgin Of The Birds - City Falcons (feat. Parker Street Cinema)
Virgin Of The Birds - Condemned Stages Become Stellar
Virgin Of The Birds - I Fear The Sea
Virgin Of The Birds @ MySpace


Bonus:
Manic Street Preachers - Send Away The Tigers (2007)
Ville Valo (H.I.M.) and Natalia Avelon - Summer Wine [CDM] (2007)
Korn - Issues
4Hero - Play With The Changes (2007)
Lavagance - Back To Attraction
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3datk3
Maroon 5 - It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/292lzz
Rock/Rap
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/38fdpe

Monday, September 03, 2007

AM

AM was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and at the age of 13 his family relocated to the suburbs of New Orleans, (Mandeville, Louisiana). Taking refuge in his guitar, AM played throughout high school. While attending college at Loyola University New Orleans, he started writing songs, inspired equally by his own reflective temperament, by the literature and texts he studied as he earned his philosophy degree, and by the music he absorbed simply by living in New Orleans. To this day New Orleans is a source of deep emotion for AM. Always eager to lend his voice to charitable causes, AM has performed at numerous fundraisers and is dedicated to the rebuilding of his home city.

After moving to Los Angeles, AM began working out his songs encouraged by Gary Jules, a songwriter responsible for starting a haven for musicians at the then newly formed Hotel Café, and a friendship with Jamie Myerson, a respected solo artist and producer who has worked with Duncan Sheik, David Poe, Paul Oakenfold, and Sneaker Pimps.

Writing at home, he nurtured his unique style through a combination of meaning, poetry, and sound and began recording the results in his bedroom. AM eventually brought his homebrew discs to Myerson’s studio, where he and the producer explored their potential to grow within ambitious, expanded settings. Aside from some bass lines and drums, they cut every new part themselves, vocal and instrumental. “Jamie knew how to embrace the darker side of what I do,” AM points out, “from the long reverbs to the creepy synthesizer pads in the distance. It was a perfect partnership.”

Upon finishing the music that would become Troubled Times, the reception in his current home of Los Angeles has been considerably welcoming. Through podcasts of his appearances on KCRW’s Morning In the U.S., AM stirred strong responses at the South by Southwest Music Festival, after which Defend Music welcomed him into their fold. Television and film picked up on the buzz; and in a matter of months AM’s songs were heard in indie films at every major film festival in the U.S. and Canada including the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, and on television including HBO’s Big Love and MTV’s The Real World – at least 35 placements from this 10-song album as of this writing.

Los Angeles based singer/songwriter AM returns with his sophomore release "Soul Variations", a rich and musically varied album with political undertones heavily influenced by the effects Hurricane Katrina had on his hometown of New Orleans, what the tragic event revealed about America, and perhaps of humanity in general. “Soul Variations” also offers AM’s signature songs of lost love such as "Stepping Stone" and "Live A Lie".

AM - Soul Variations
(album stream)
AM @ MySpace


Bonus:
A Band Of Bees (The Bees) - Octopus (2007) !!!
Menomena - Friend Or Foe (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/36pc2u
Chamillionaire, Keith Urban, Paul Wall, Counting Crows, Jack Johnson, Queen, Pink Floyd, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/3xwocd
Slint - Spiderland
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2nkshk
Sonic Youth, Front 242, Face To Face, Kaleidoscope, Billy Corgan, etc.
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/244p6p
Bjork - Volta
The Rakes - Capture Release
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/2jlzzw
Timbaland - Shock Value (2007)
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/32zpdh
Siouxie And The Banshees - Hyaena
[CODE]http://tinyurl.com/38pxzo
Fat Freddy's Drop, Dir En Grey, Medialab, The Yellow Monkey, Gazette, Nightmare, etc.
[CODE]http://jrockftp.free.fr/