Jumping on the Band-wagon: Avett Brothers
Posted by adspeert | Filed under Uncategorized
I’m thinking about establishing a “band-wagon” series for artists and songs that I am basically late to school on. Case in point is this song “Paranoia in B Major” by The Avett Brothers, which I came across on Monday and have had to play at least once everyday since. It’s off their album Emotionalism that was release in May ‘07. As I recall, their name had been flying around frequently and I paid no attention, neglecting to see them play when I went to Bonnaroo that summer.
And so, if I can revive this one track for one other music lover who may have missed it (or didn’t for that matter), it will make this whole blogging thing worthwhile. Well that may be overstating a bit, but it’s an awesome song so please enjoy (commenting wouldn’t hurt either).
The Avett Brothers - Paranoia in B Major
Tags: Alt-Country/Bluegrass, band-wagon, The Avett Brothers
Last minute invite - Regional Bias
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For anyone who sees this, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that local blog The Bay Bridged is hosting a benefit tomorrow night, and encourage you to make a showing.
Regional Bias: A Celebration of Bay Area Music & Culture to Benefit The Bay Bridged
This is a site that I personally am happy to support, and am planning to cram in as much culture and music as possible before having to run to the airport to pick up friends. My hope is that I will be able to catch Or The Whale before the bewitching hour…
Or The Whale - Rope Don’t Break
Tags: Alt-Country/Bluegrass, Or The Whale, The Bay Bridged
Sixties Soul in Style: Raphael Saadiq
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Let me start by saying I’m a sucker for old-school soul. That’s why I love what Raphael Saadiq does. Not only does he create fresh tracks that are at the same time ancient, but also finds ways to carry his retro stylings into visual mediums. Take for example, this video below that was dropped just a week or two ago. The only tell that he was a former member of Tony Toni Tone is his literal sex request.
Another piece of solid gold…
Raphael Saadiq - 100 Yard Dash
Tags: Raphael Saadiq, Soul
Bringing it back: Ratatat Remixes (…vol2)
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For some reason, a number of occasions have arisen lately where I have been compelled to bring up the Ratatat Remixes only to find my friends were unaware of their existence. This is typically followed by some hand-wringing and the admonition that they should find that shit. And so, in the spirit of leading a horse to water I decided this morning to dig up the download link. Hip Hop and Ratatat fans alike, drink up HERE.
If the link looks shady, well, that’s because it is. Totally kidding, the mixtape was released for free and this is the same way it found it’s way into my possesion. Simply avoid the offers to “make $4800 a month!” by entering the 4 verification letters in the upper right hand corner, and the click “Regular Download”. Thank me later.
Take a sip…
Notorious B.I.G. - Party & Bullshit (Ratatat Remix)
Tags: Hip Hop, mixtape, Ratatat
Can’t you feel the Knife?
Posted by adspeert | Filed under Uncategorized
Grizzly Bear
It’s always tough to plunge back into responsibility after a few days of freedom, but I’m coming back around and wanted to drop something quick.
Ever since this weekend’s Pitchfork Fest, I’ve had this song stuck in my head and so should you…
…and just for the hell of it.
Grizzly Bear - Knife [Girl Talk Remix]
Tags: Alternative/Indie, Girl Talk, Grizzly Bear, Pitchfork
Pitchfork Music Fest sampler
Posted by adspeert | Filed under Uncategorized
A few tracks from some of the bands I hope to catch this weekend in Chi-town….(in order of appearance)
Dutchess and the Duke - Reservoir Park
Mick Jagger called…?
Yeasayer - Sunrise
excited about this one
Beirut - Postcards From Italy
a great song from a recent favorite
Sunday Funday
Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation
two Sundays in a row?
The Walkmen - We’ve Been Had
heard they reach for the rafters
Grizzly Bear - All We Ask
album highlight from indie darling of the year
The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa
awesome sounding project, but am not sure it can compete with the potential spectacle that is a Flaming Lips show
The Flaming Lips - Fight Test
craziest concert I have seen, ever
Tags: Alternative/Indie, Beirut, Blitzen Trapper, Concerts, Dutchess and the Duke, Grizzly Bear, Pitchfork, The Flaming Lips, The Very Best, The Walkmen, Yeasayer
Discovery: White Boys Can Autotune
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In an environment where most would claim the last thing the music world needs is more auto-tune, Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend and Wes Miles of RaRaRiot may have, as Discovery, created a remedy for the souls of some music lovers by employing just that. Their album, LP, is a simple and enthusiastic effort that appropriates most of the baneful tendencies of contemporary hip hop and takes the power back with tongue-in-cheek.
While Pitchfork has appropriately judged that this album is not going to win any awards for high-art (and are right that there are a couple duds in the latter half), it is the lack of seriousness with which it takes itself that I think makes it so enjoyable. It may very well be the most fun to be found on your speakers this summer. And personally, I will be bumping the “shitty Jackson 5 cover” while the folks at Pitchfork are gnashing away.
(all songs are right-click save as for download)
Discovery - Orange Shirt
Discovery - I Want You Back said Jackson 5 cover
Tags: Discovery, Electronic, RaRaRiot, side project, Vampire Weekend
Blowing sh#$ up (pt2): Jet
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Jet is dropping a new album on Aug 25th and apparently the new single, “She’s a Genius” (below), hit the waves a couple weeks ago. It looks like their current tour comes out west to only hit LA and Anaheim, which is a major shame because last time they played the Fillmore it was perhaps the most kick-ass Rock and Roll show I have ever seen.
Blowing shit up to the Cold War Kids
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I came across this gem coutesy of the Stu Reid Experiment. These guys even put my college roommate Ryan to shame…
Tags: Cold War Kids, shenanigans
Summer through a window for Jens Lekman
Posted by adspeert | Filed under Uncategorized
Another recent indie darling I have come across is Jens Lekman. I had actually been told about the Swede over a year ago by a random acquaintance, but when I had tried to look him up at the time I found no online presence. That is not the case today.
Whether it be on La Blagotheque or the HypeM blogs, I regularly come across his name, and when I do I typically take notice. Today I followed his name and found out he has swine flu.
As he relates on his website:
I picked home one last souvenir from South America, it’s called the H1N1 virus. Wrongfully known as the Swineflue.
I was crossing the Atlantic when things started getting really bad, the fever was hallucinogenic and shaking me like a leaf and I grabbed the sleeve of the Air France steward. “I’m not feeling well, I should see a doctor” I said and the reply came as a brilliant mix of death anxiety and french rudeness: “Uh, yes… Terminal D… go there maybe… when we land”. After that the stewards and stewardesses took long detours. A ring of empty seats formed around me. Peoples eyes were kind but determined, they read “Poor you, I really wish you all the best but if you come near me or my kid I will have to stab you with this plastic fork”. I got up and went to the bathroom where I fainted.
Now I’m in quarantine for ten days. I can see the summer through my window and it’s just perfect. Summer is always best through a window.
Sounds like he is taking it a lot better than I would. Below is one of his only songs I have downloaded, I plan to get more exposure to him perhaps once he is out of quarantine. Anyhow, I have always been a little jealous when I listen to this song because it sounds like they are having so much fun. I picture a party on a beach on the coast of Spain or something and want to be there. Hopefully Jens recovers in time for some summer fun.
Jens Lekman - A Sweet Summer’s Night On Hammer Hill
Tags: Alternative/Indie, Jens Lekman, Swedish
