Oh Happy Day

Let it be known that today is a great day for music and videos. Why? Because I say it is. One of the highlights, “My Girls” by Animal Collective is one of the first couple of singles from their mind-numbingly rich and colorful new album "Merriweather Post Pavilion". I realize we’re only a month into 2009, but it’s my current frontrunner for album of the year, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. It may just go down as one of the better albums of the decade. This album is no f-in' joke.

Animal Collective is often rejected in some circles as being inaccessible or experimental - while I can understand that some people just don’t have an ear for their previous work, this album brings experimentation and accessibility together, with a much sharper focus on melody than past albums. The rewards that come from listening to the album are endless, every time I listen to the album I uncover treasures undiscovered throughout previous listens. This album is worth checking out, no matter what type of music you’re into.

Playlist:
1. "My Girls", the song of the year so far on the album of the year so far (sorry the song is cut short - the full version can be heard with the video below)
2. “Mykonos”, a beautiful song by Fleet Foxes off their “Sun Giant” EP
3. "Can you Hear My Kids Now", The Hood Internet’s nasty booty-shaking mashup of Lil’ Kim and MGMT
4. “Lay it Down”, a catch new single by Peter Bjorn & John
5. “Frank, AB” by a little known, yet awesome band called Rural Alberta Advantage
6. “No One Does it Like You” by Department of Eagles
7. “No Karma” a remix of Jay-Z and Radiohead off the album. . . wait for it. . . “Jaydiohead” by Minty Fresh Beats
8. “Bounce” by Detroit's very own, Black Milk
9. "Berlin" by electro-80's-folk band, Alaska in Winter




Animal Collective – “My Girls”
The video isn’t quite as good as the song, but that would have to be one hell of a video. Still very well done, howeva.



Rex The Dog – “Bubblicious”
One of my favorite videos of the short year so far.



CFCF – “Crystal Mines”
Creepy/weird/funny as all hell – cut from the 1974 French movie "Les Nuits Rouges". Just try to stop watching. . . you can’t.



The BPA – “He’s Frank”
The Brighton Port Authority aka Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim returns with 'He's Frank' featuring the legendary Iggy Pop. Quite entertaining. He’s released two other videos/songs I featured on the blog which are also well done. His album “I Think We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat” is coming out soon, and so far I like what I’ve heard. . .



Peter Bjorn & John – “Lay it Down”
This is video for one of PB&J's songs off their upcoming album “Living Thing.” The video doesn’t make any damn sense, but it's fun to try and figure out what the fuck they were thinking or what types of illicit street drugs they were mixing. . .

Artist Spotlight: Ghostland Observatory

This is how Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner describe themselves: “Ghostland Observatory is not a band, but an agreement between two friends to create something that not only heals their beat-driven hearts, but pleases their rock ‘n roll souls.”

I first heard this Austin, TX-based duo about 3 years ago and their sound grabbed me instantly, threw me on the floor and kicked me repeatedly in the groin – and I mean that in the best way possible. On the surface, I suppose you could describe their sound as electro-funk-dance-rock or some derivative thereof, but digging deeper you’ll find that placing a label on their genre is an exercise in futility. Really, it’s whatever you want it to be, and I think Aaron and Thomas would agree. Their music is all about having fun and dancing your balls off. Simple as that. It’s not complex music; at its root, Ghostland’s music is created with a beat-synthesizer, keyboard, occasional guitar and Aaron’s loud pipes. Simple. Basic. But I’ll be damned if they didn’t put those instruments together in a pot, stir them up and create magical dancefloor wizardry.

They have released 3 studio albums to date: Delete.Delete.I.Eat.Meat, Paparazzi Lightning, and their most recent, Robotique Majestique. Each album comes highly recommended and each is filled with its share of floor-shaking beats and dance party classics. Recognizing that this music isn’t for everyone, if you appreciate a unique sound and like to dance, chances are you’ll dig these guys.

Even more impressive than their studio albums are Ghostland’s live shows. I had the privilege of seeing them for the first time about 2 years ago at a small venue in Boston. The energy they managed to create at this 50-person show was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The show was nowhere close to being sold out, but instead of putting it on cruise control, they went ape-shit and blew the roof off the place. Aaron’s ridiculous dance moves and energy are as infectious as I’ve ever seen in a frontman. I also had the opportunity to talk to both Aaron and Thomas after the show since it was so small – they were extremely down to earth, very friendly and unassuming. I got the feeling that they simply love making music and while they are destined for stardom, it seems they are more interested in having fun and sharing their art than making it big. That’s the way it should be. Since that show, they have built up a large following outside of Austin, and their shows have continued to get even better as they refine their act.

Below are some songs I threw together off of each album. If you like what you hear, support these guys – go to their shows and buy their albums. Enjoy.

O-B-A-M-A, Say It!

Awesome Video.

From the directors Vimeo Page:

"The following is a mixed-media stop motion music video and celebration commemorating the election and inauguration of Barack Obama as the forty-fourth president of these United States. Audibly showcasing Adam Freeland's remix of Daft Punk's "Aerodynamic" and the imaginative stylings of forward thinking toy artists Dalek, Bill McMullen and Kubrick to name just a few. Independently animated and directed by the progressive minds of the directing team GOLD, the piece is a labor of love that invites everyone to join in or create their own celebration this coming Tuesday January the 20th."

Daft Punk Vs. Adam Freeland - "Aer Obama"

Songs of the Week: 1/14/09

Good day friendos. Today, if you don't mind, I'd like to post another array of random tunes and videos. I'll follow up later in the week with an Artist Spotlight on a kickass band you may or may not know about. Stay tuned for that. I have a lot to share, so I'll throw it all at you and see what sticks. . .




And some awesome videos I've seen recently. . .

I love this song and the video doesn't disappoint either. I think I speak for everyone when I say we could all do with a little less creepy mime-tiger facepaint, though. Regardless, get excited. . .

MGMT - "Kids"



One of my favorite songs of 2007. . .

LCD Soundsystem - "Someone Great"



This is an absolutely beautiful song along with acid-trip-esque video. Check out Portishead's album "Third" as well, one of the better albums of 2008. . .

Portishead - "The Rip"



Oh cute they're playing telephone. . . uhhhhh, wait hold on. . . what are they doing. . . did she just. . . hey, that's not how you play! (Great song too, btw)

Simian Mobile Disco - "Hustler"



I have a love/hate relationship with Kanye, but a love/love relationship with Muppet-ized Kanye. . .

Kanye - "Champion"

Happy New Year Bitches!!!

Haven't posted in awhile, the holidays really had me by the balls - sorry folks. I will make it up to you by giving you a heap of awesome tunes and videos. So without further ado. . .




Empire of the Sun - "Walking on a Dream"



Amadou & Mariam - "Sabali"



Fleet Foxes - "Winter White Hymnal"



White Williams & TV Carnage - "New Violence"



New Pornographers - "Myriad Harbor"



Ah-Ha - "Take on Me (Literal Version)"

Take on Me: Literal Video Version - watch more funny videos