Friendos, Carl's back with some new tunes and vids for your listening and viewing pleasure. Be excited. Be very excited.
If you haven't by now, join Lala. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Hands down the best music listening/sharing/purchasing community around. JOIN LALA
1. Paper Route - "Last Time": Admittedly, I hadn't heard of these dudes until a couple months ago. Upon first listen to their Absence album, this song stuck. And it stuck hard. Roaring guitar riffs, punchy basslines and a catchy melodies aplenty.
2. Pela - "Waiting on the Stairs": Indie rock magnificence is what these guys produce. If you're opposed to magnificence, don't listen. I've posted a song from them before - they aren't a new band, but I am just fully discovering them for the first time, and oh boy are they good. Their Anytown Graffiti album is Carl-Approved. That's how you do it. . . That's how you make indie rock.
3. Great Lake Swimmers - "Moving, Shaking": The Great Lake Swimmers churn out some tuneful, laid-back folk music. This one in particular, is beautiful. Tugs at the 'ol heartstrings a bit. If you dig, check out their Bodies and Minds album.
4. Julian Casablancas - "11th Dimension": This track has been all over the place lately but fuck it, I'm jumping on the wagon. It's too damn catchy. There's been a lot of hype surrounding the Strokes frontman's debut solo album Phrazes For The Young. Some of the hype is deserved, but it's a mixed bag in my opinion, there are some gems (when he sticks to the Strokes-type sound) and some duds (when he delves into other sounds). I applaud the effort as a whole, however.
5. Mumford & Sons - "The Cave": A folk rock group from London currently flying under the radar in the US. These guys are incredible. Banjos, piano, horns, lyrics and lead vocals all come together for a uniquely enjoyable sound. Their album Sigh No More is only available as a UK import right now, not sure when the US release date is, but be on the lookout if you know what's good for you. Carl Approved. A word to the wise: if you do search for the album, try not to get it confused with Sigh No More by Gamma Ray, which is a complete dumpster fire. A video for another Mumford & Sons song, "Little Lion Man" is posted below.
6. Pony Pony Run Run - "Hey You": These Frenchies lay down some catchy dance-friendly pop hooks as evidenced here.
7. Washed Out - "New Theory": Another warm and fuzzy dream-pop gem off Carl-Approved Life Of Leisure. I thoroughly dig.
8. Lake - "Madagascar": As is customary here on Carl, we're gonna switch gears once again. Lake has a lazy, easy-going throwback sound and they do it well. Simple, yet calculated arrangements make them easy on the ears. I think you'll agree. As an added bonus, they have that echo-y 60's Mamas & Papas effect goin on in some of the songs. Their album Let's Build A Roof is Carl-Approved.
9. Why? - "This Blackest Purse": I've seen Why? described as a "Hip-Hop" Indie Rock band. Doesn't make any goddamn sense. Just because the lead singer has a terrible voice and sings in near monotone doesn't make it "hip-hop". I digress. Whatever it is, it's good and it's unique. Their recently released Eskimo Snow is a great listen.
10. Pretty Lights - "Finally Moving": I'm a sucker for sample-infused DJ grooves. This one fits the bill. It feels like it would fit the end credits of a movie where a gang leader just took revenge on the rival gang for killing his brother. Screen fades out as we see him walking out of a dark alley littered with freshly-dropped bodies, gun still smoking in the crisp winter night air.
11. Chromeo - "Night by Night": Chromeo's new single. Hotness. Break out your skinny jeans and weird neon hightops and DANCE, hipsters!
12. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - "Get Yo Shit": a blues band from Austin, TX influenced by James Brown. After you listen to this you'll make the JB connection immediately. More where this came from on Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!.
13. Jackson 5 - "I Wanna be Where you are (Dallas Austin Remix)": The only decent song off the new Michael Jackson Remix albums. Catchy as shit.
14. Monsters of Folk - "Temezcal": Monsters of Folk is a self-described folk "super"group, consisting of Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes and M. Ward. I'd ease up on the self-promotion a bit - their album cover shows their faces enshrined as a Mt. Rushmore of sorts, for fuck's sake. That said, their product isn't half bad. This song is one of the highlights off their (not-surprisingly) self-titled Monsters Of Folk.
15. Starfucker - "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second": Feels like a care-free jaunt through candyland. This duo has some great tracks on their most recent album, Starfucker.
16. Volcano Choir - "Island, IS": A beautiful song by a newly-formed band consisting of Bon Iver and Collections of Colonies of Bees. Video below.
aaaaand some videos for your viewing pleasure. . .
Volcano Choir - "Island, IS"
I've become fascinated with the beauty and simplicity of this song and video.
Mumford & Sons - "Little Lion Man"
These guys are something special.
Air - "Sing Sang Sung"
New single from Air. And their trippy take on the 'ol bouncing ball effect.
Antlers - "Two"
Spectacular song. Interesting video.
Showing posts with label Indie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indie. Show all posts
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Carl Approved: The Temper Trap
Hello Friends, it's been awhile, I apologize. Carl's been out of the office for a spell, while he gets his shit together, please have a listen to this incredible debut album by The Temper Trap, Conditions. The album has been out for awhile in Australia and the UK, but was released today in the US. These guys feature tight arrangements, upbeat rhythms, catchy melodies and although he sounds a bit like a leprechaun at times, if you can get past that, the lead's falsetto is simply magical. Their "Sweet Disposition" single was featured as the backbone of the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack (great movie, btw) but other than that, they haven't made a whole lot of noise here in the States. I'm guessing that will change soon. They begin a short US tour tomorrow in LA, moving on to San Fran, Seattle, Chicago, NYC, Philly and finishing in Boston on October 29th. If you're in any of these cities, check them out, it will be your first and last opportunity to see them at such small venues.
In the meantime, enjoy. Some highlights: Love Lost (potential Carl's Song of the Year candidate), Sweet Disposition, Rest, Down River, Fools, Science of Fear.
In the meantime, enjoy. Some highlights: Love Lost (potential Carl's Song of the Year candidate), Sweet Disposition, Rest, Down River, Fools, Science of Fear.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Carl Approved Albums
Good day friends. Today I wanted to share a couple nominations for "Best albums of the second half of 2009" . . .
The first is Hospice by The Antlers, a heartbreaking, delicate and altogether beautiful concept album about a woman named Sylvia on her death bed with the narrator by her side. Sure, the themes of desperation and impending death are a bit gloomy but they are the heart and soul of the album. The songs and melodies themselves are intriguing, but without the despair in Peter Silbman's voice and the sorrowful lyrics, it's a good album. With them, it's a great album.
The other is XX
by The XX. Who would've thought music this simple could be so beautiful and captivating? The album's elegance lies in it's understatement. In the current environment of noise pop and overproduction, this album is an oasis of simplicity. An amazing debut.
The first is Hospice by The Antlers, a heartbreaking, delicate and altogether beautiful concept album about a woman named Sylvia on her death bed with the narrator by her side. Sure, the themes of desperation and impending death are a bit gloomy but they are the heart and soul of the album. The songs and melodies themselves are intriguing, but without the despair in Peter Silbman's voice and the sorrowful lyrics, it's a good album. With them, it's a great album.
The other is XX
by The XX. Who would've thought music this simple could be so beautiful and captivating? The album's elegance lies in it's understatement. In the current environment of noise pop and overproduction, this album is an oasis of simplicity. An amazing debut.Monday, August 10, 2009
Carl: The Final Frontier
People of the blogosphere, Carl is back again. Apologies for the time lapse since the last post. Shame on me. I'll make it up to you, I swear. With that in mind, I have for you today, a concoction of awesomeness for your ears and eyes. And another thing before I forget, join Lala if you haven't already. It's the best music service out there. Enjoy. . .
1. Kid Chocolat - "The Secret of the Zombies": I'm not sure where I heard this song or when, but somehow it ended up in my collection, and man, I'm glad it did. A little digging uncovered the fact that the song is not a flash-in-the-pan. Kid Chocolat is legit and his Zombiparti! album is Carl-Approved. Flowing verses about zombies and horror flick samples over flowing beats. Good shit.
2. Metric - "Twilight Galaxy": The standout track from Fantasies. It is moody and sparse, but I'll be damned if it's not beautiful.
3. The Very Best - "Warm Heart of Africa": These guys make some great ass-shaking, feel-good tunes, here is yet another off their soon-to-be-released LP. It's named after Malawi's tourist slogan and features Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig. Not that that's a selling point, it's a great song with or without him.
4. Lightning Dust - "Never Seen": Lightning Dust is a newer band on the scene with a shitload of promise. This song is one of their most intriguing efforts off Infinite Light. The song is minimalist, highlighting Amber Webber's ghostly voice, and builds a tension that never quite breaks. It leaves you wanting more. In a good way.
5. Neon Indian - "Should've Taken Acid With You": No album from these guys yet, but Carl will be first in line when it's released. Dizzy, chilled-out pop melodies seem to be their M.O., and I love it. With song titles like "Deadbeat Summer", "Terminally Chill", and "Should've Taken Acid With You" I don't think we're gonna hear any foot-stompers from them anytime soon.
6. Neon Indian - "Deadbeat Summer": See Above.
7. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - "40 Day Dream": This is an interesting band. It's made up of 12 people who dress like it's 1970 and drive around together in a converted school bus. They make some good tunes though, including this one, complete with punchy drums and a catchy chorus. Their self-titled album Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros is definitely worth a listen. I'm still trying to decide if it's good or great. I'll get back to you when I figure it out.
8. Antlers - "Kettering": Speaking of great, this song/album from the Antlers is undeniably so. Carl-Approved Hospice in an incredible album start to finish. The theme of Hospice is Centered around a relationship with a terminally ill child. Whether it's autobiographical or not, it certainly feels like it could be. A chillingly beautiful album.
9. Rex The Dog - "Bubblicious": Switching gears a bit here. I posted the awesome video for this awhile ago and may just do it again for those of you that missed it last time. While the video caught my attention first, I realized later that the song was almost as awesome. Dance bitches.
10. Beirut - "Concubine": Beirut aka Zach Condon is an endless source of solid tunes, this is yet another off his March of the Zapotec & Realpeople: Holland double album.
11. Washed Out - "Feel It All Around": From what I've heard, Washed Out (aka Ernest Greene) has a knack for making lazy, dreamy summer soundscapes such as this one. No albums yet, but someone to watch.
12. Theophilus London - "Sabali (Remix)": The UK DJ is hit or miss when it comes to some of his remixes, but he gets it right on this rehash of Amadou and Mariam's "Sabali".
13. The Big Pink - "Velvet": The London-based duo comin' at you with some big-ass guitars. This song just kicks you in the nuts, calls your mom a bitch and doesn't even feel bad about it.
14. The Dodos - "Fables": The Dodos follow up the excellent Visiter with the equally excellent Time To Die. This song stands out as one of the best on the album. Great foot-stomping percussion in this one.
15. Futurecop! - "Tonight's Hero": I know I've sang the praises of Futurecop! here previously, but I'm doing it again. Wanna fight about it? He puts on a great live show, heavily 80's influenced. Synthtastic. Check out his Carl-Approved EP The Unicorn and the Lost City of Alvograth. Beat that name.
16. Freur - "Doot Doot": I heard this bit of hotness from the 80s for the first time the other day and was flabbergasted that I hadn't heard it before. Then I realized it was by a group named Freur and immediately understood why.
Gossip - "Love Long Distance"
A disco-pop gem, complete with spandex, keytars and huge balloon heads.
Miike Snow - "Animal"
Good track, decent video.
Banjo or Freakout - Upside Down
Makes you feel like your dreaming. Great tune too to match. Also, a reminder that the last days of summer are upon us, so go enjoy the beach with the grim reaper, policemen, chickens and a huge purple guy.
Brule's Rules
Dr. Brule offers up valuable tips on living alone.
1. Kid Chocolat - "The Secret of the Zombies": I'm not sure where I heard this song or when, but somehow it ended up in my collection, and man, I'm glad it did. A little digging uncovered the fact that the song is not a flash-in-the-pan. Kid Chocolat is legit and his Zombiparti! album is Carl-Approved. Flowing verses about zombies and horror flick samples over flowing beats. Good shit.
2. Metric - "Twilight Galaxy": The standout track from Fantasies. It is moody and sparse, but I'll be damned if it's not beautiful.
3. The Very Best - "Warm Heart of Africa": These guys make some great ass-shaking, feel-good tunes, here is yet another off their soon-to-be-released LP. It's named after Malawi's tourist slogan and features Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig. Not that that's a selling point, it's a great song with or without him.
4. Lightning Dust - "Never Seen": Lightning Dust is a newer band on the scene with a shitload of promise. This song is one of their most intriguing efforts off Infinite Light. The song is minimalist, highlighting Amber Webber's ghostly voice, and builds a tension that never quite breaks. It leaves you wanting more. In a good way.
5. Neon Indian - "Should've Taken Acid With You": No album from these guys yet, but Carl will be first in line when it's released. Dizzy, chilled-out pop melodies seem to be their M.O., and I love it. With song titles like "Deadbeat Summer", "Terminally Chill", and "Should've Taken Acid With You" I don't think we're gonna hear any foot-stompers from them anytime soon.
6. Neon Indian - "Deadbeat Summer": See Above.
7. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - "40 Day Dream": This is an interesting band. It's made up of 12 people who dress like it's 1970 and drive around together in a converted school bus. They make some good tunes though, including this one, complete with punchy drums and a catchy chorus. Their self-titled album Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros is definitely worth a listen. I'm still trying to decide if it's good or great. I'll get back to you when I figure it out.
8. Antlers - "Kettering": Speaking of great, this song/album from the Antlers is undeniably so. Carl-Approved Hospice in an incredible album start to finish. The theme of Hospice is Centered around a relationship with a terminally ill child. Whether it's autobiographical or not, it certainly feels like it could be. A chillingly beautiful album.
9. Rex The Dog - "Bubblicious": Switching gears a bit here. I posted the awesome video for this awhile ago and may just do it again for those of you that missed it last time. While the video caught my attention first, I realized later that the song was almost as awesome. Dance bitches.
10. Beirut - "Concubine": Beirut aka Zach Condon is an endless source of solid tunes, this is yet another off his March of the Zapotec & Realpeople: Holland double album.
11. Washed Out - "Feel It All Around": From what I've heard, Washed Out (aka Ernest Greene) has a knack for making lazy, dreamy summer soundscapes such as this one. No albums yet, but someone to watch.
12. Theophilus London - "Sabali (Remix)": The UK DJ is hit or miss when it comes to some of his remixes, but he gets it right on this rehash of Amadou and Mariam's "Sabali".
13. The Big Pink - "Velvet": The London-based duo comin' at you with some big-ass guitars. This song just kicks you in the nuts, calls your mom a bitch and doesn't even feel bad about it.
14. The Dodos - "Fables": The Dodos follow up the excellent Visiter with the equally excellent Time To Die. This song stands out as one of the best on the album. Great foot-stomping percussion in this one.
15. Futurecop! - "Tonight's Hero": I know I've sang the praises of Futurecop! here previously, but I'm doing it again. Wanna fight about it? He puts on a great live show, heavily 80's influenced. Synthtastic. Check out his Carl-Approved EP The Unicorn and the Lost City of Alvograth. Beat that name.
16. Freur - "Doot Doot": I heard this bit of hotness from the 80s for the first time the other day and was flabbergasted that I hadn't heard it before. Then I realized it was by a group named Freur and immediately understood why.
Gossip - "Love Long Distance"
A disco-pop gem, complete with spandex, keytars and huge balloon heads.
Miike Snow - "Animal"
Good track, decent video.
Banjo or Freakout - Upside Down
Makes you feel like your dreaming. Great tune too to match. Also, a reminder that the last days of summer are upon us, so go enjoy the beach with the grim reaper, policemen, chickens and a huge purple guy.
Brule's Rules
Dr. Brule offers up valuable tips on living alone.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
What Would Carl Do?
Good people of the blogosphere, Carl's comin' at you today with an eclectic mix of some awesome new tracks and videos. Listen up bitches!
1. Wave Machines - "Keep the Lights On": Don't confuse these guys with "Wavves" who deal in lo-fi, scuzzy, static noise rock. Wave Machines are quite the contrary, they have a clean, finely produced groove to them. Their debut album Wave If You're Really There is well worth checking out.
2. Atlas Sound - "Walkabout (w/Panda Bear)": Bradford Cox (of Deerhunter) teams up with Noah Lennox aka Panda Bear on this hazy feel-good throwback. Calliope loops, la-la voices, and a bouncy beat - a summer classic in the making. . .
3. Florence & The Machine - "Cosmic Love": I've read the comparisons to Kate Bush, but I wonder why it is that whenever we hear a woman with a strong voice they're immediately compared to Kate Bush? She sounds more like Annie Lennox to me. Be that as it may, this song is big. Big and powerful. More where that came from on her Lungs album.
4. Pela - "Lost to the Lonesome": An older song that I rediscovered recently. Pela is an all-around solid indie rock band who don't stray too far from the tried and true formula of rhythmic electric guitars, drums, and a whiny self-loathing lead singer. But they do it well.
5. Major Lazer - "Keep it Goin' Louder": Guilty pleasure time. DJs Diplo and Switch teamed up to form Major Lazer, which is both a name for their "band" as well as a make-believe cartoon Jamaican Commando who graces the cover of their debut album Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do. For this album, Diplo and Switch have lined up a who's-who of Jamaican vocalists and use their beats and DJ-wizardry as a backdrop. I was skeptical, but it's actually an enjoyable, entertaining listen all the way through.
6. Mogwai - "Auto Rock": Another song unearthed from a few years back. As I said in my last post, Mogwai are the masters of the epic rock instrumental, this is just another example from Mr. Beast. Movie soundtrack producers take note - put this song to any slow-motion "underdog-miraculously-beats-the-odds" scene and you're gold.
7. Bibio - "Sugarette": Off the fantastic, and Carl-Approved Ambivalence Avenue, this track bobs and weaves over, under and around a single beat. It feels pre-meditated and impulsive at the same time. Bibio is a true artist and a damn good technician.
8. Cass McCombs - "You Saved My Life": One of the better songs off his recent Catacombs album which is full of melodic, sparsely arranged songs like this.
9. Delorean - "Seasun": I read about Delorean and saw that they're from Barcelona and thought "well shit, they must be cool if they're from Barcelona. . . " So I checked them out - not too bad. This is a great summertime jam - handclap rhythms, dreamy vocals on top of piano beats and synths. Yay.
10. Shit Robot - "Simple Things (Work it Out)": Shit Robot caught my eye because a) their name is awesome b) they're under the DFA label, and they rarely release crap. True to form, this is not crap. You can feel James Murphy's (LCD Soundsystem) influence in the production.
11. Robert Francis - "One by One": I came home drunk from the bar one night, and i know I was drunk because I started watching "Last Call with Carson Daly." Enough said. Anyway, he had a guest spot with Robert Francis, who I had never heard of, so I gave it a shot. He played this song and by the end of the performance I was singing along, but whether it was because I was shitfaced or because it was actually a good song was a mystery to me the next day. I listened again, and it is indeed a good song. His album, One By One is pretty damn good too. Thanks Carson Daly. I still hate you, though.
Windsurf - "Weird Energy"
I must say I have a soft spot for shitty 80's montage videos. This is one of the best I've come across. Glorious.
Passion Pit - "To Kingdom Come"
A good old fashioned stop-motion Victorian science laboratory dance party video.
Bark Bark Bark - "I'm Needy"
Prepare to be entertained and slightly confused.
1. Wave Machines - "Keep the Lights On": Don't confuse these guys with "Wavves" who deal in lo-fi, scuzzy, static noise rock. Wave Machines are quite the contrary, they have a clean, finely produced groove to them. Their debut album Wave If You're Really There is well worth checking out.
2. Atlas Sound - "Walkabout (w/Panda Bear)": Bradford Cox (of Deerhunter) teams up with Noah Lennox aka Panda Bear on this hazy feel-good throwback. Calliope loops, la-la voices, and a bouncy beat - a summer classic in the making. . .
3. Florence & The Machine - "Cosmic Love": I've read the comparisons to Kate Bush, but I wonder why it is that whenever we hear a woman with a strong voice they're immediately compared to Kate Bush? She sounds more like Annie Lennox to me. Be that as it may, this song is big. Big and powerful. More where that came from on her Lungs album.
4. Pela - "Lost to the Lonesome": An older song that I rediscovered recently. Pela is an all-around solid indie rock band who don't stray too far from the tried and true formula of rhythmic electric guitars, drums, and a whiny self-loathing lead singer. But they do it well.
5. Major Lazer - "Keep it Goin' Louder": Guilty pleasure time. DJs Diplo and Switch teamed up to form Major Lazer, which is both a name for their "band" as well as a make-believe cartoon Jamaican Commando who graces the cover of their debut album Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do. For this album, Diplo and Switch have lined up a who's-who of Jamaican vocalists and use their beats and DJ-wizardry as a backdrop. I was skeptical, but it's actually an enjoyable, entertaining listen all the way through.
6. Mogwai - "Auto Rock": Another song unearthed from a few years back. As I said in my last post, Mogwai are the masters of the epic rock instrumental, this is just another example from Mr. Beast. Movie soundtrack producers take note - put this song to any slow-motion "underdog-miraculously-beats-the-odds" scene and you're gold.
7. Bibio - "Sugarette": Off the fantastic, and Carl-Approved Ambivalence Avenue, this track bobs and weaves over, under and around a single beat. It feels pre-meditated and impulsive at the same time. Bibio is a true artist and a damn good technician.
8. Cass McCombs - "You Saved My Life": One of the better songs off his recent Catacombs album which is full of melodic, sparsely arranged songs like this.
9. Delorean - "Seasun": I read about Delorean and saw that they're from Barcelona and thought "well shit, they must be cool if they're from Barcelona. . . " So I checked them out - not too bad. This is a great summertime jam - handclap rhythms, dreamy vocals on top of piano beats and synths. Yay.
10. Shit Robot - "Simple Things (Work it Out)": Shit Robot caught my eye because a) their name is awesome b) they're under the DFA label, and they rarely release crap. True to form, this is not crap. You can feel James Murphy's (LCD Soundsystem) influence in the production.
11. Robert Francis - "One by One": I came home drunk from the bar one night, and i know I was drunk because I started watching "Last Call with Carson Daly." Enough said. Anyway, he had a guest spot with Robert Francis, who I had never heard of, so I gave it a shot. He played this song and by the end of the performance I was singing along, but whether it was because I was shitfaced or because it was actually a good song was a mystery to me the next day. I listened again, and it is indeed a good song. His album, One By One is pretty damn good too. Thanks Carson Daly. I still hate you, though.
Windsurf - "Weird Energy"
I must say I have a soft spot for shitty 80's montage videos. This is one of the best I've come across. Glorious.
Passion Pit - "To Kingdom Come"
A good old fashioned stop-motion Victorian science laboratory dance party video.
Bark Bark Bark - "I'm Needy"
Prepare to be entertained and slightly confused.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Carl's Songs/Videos of the Week
Hope everyone had a great 4th full of fireworks, bbq and booze. All in the name of celebrating our wonderful country's birthday, of course. Apologies for the slight absence, but never fear, Carl is back. Enjoy.
1. Holy Ghost! - "I Will Come Back": More known for their remixes, Holy Ghost! is a new-ish band under the DFA (James Murphy aka LCD Soundsystem) umbrella. I like their sound - there's a pinch of Italo-disco, a dash of 80s dance, and a shitload of awesome. Their debut album is scheduled for early next year. Check out the video below too.
2. Temper Trap - "Love Lost": Ever since I heard, and subsequently became obsessed with their first single, "Sweet Disposition" I've been eagerly waiting to hear the entire album Conditions. It's still not out in the U.S. (only in Australia), but I must say, it's damn good and is hereby Carl-Approved. Light falsetto melodies and swirling guitars aplenty throughout the album. This is one of the highlights.
3. Temper Trap - "Fools": Another beautiful tune off Conditions. This one really showcases Dougy's unique vocals.
4. The Golden Filter - "Peter Bjorn & John - Lay it Down (remix)": The Golden Filter has some funky remixes, this is one of their better attempts.
5. Mogwai - "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong": The best song off their incredible Rock Action. Not a new song by any means, but it's one of the best epic instrumentals ever created. Plain and simple. Close your eyes and let it take you to Awesometown.
6. Metric - "Collect Call": Metric's new album Fantasies is a sneaky gem. Led by the baby-voiced Emily Haines, her voice weaves perfectly in and out of shimmering guitars and bouncy synths. The results are catchy as hell.
7. Metric - "Gimme Sympathy": See above.
8. Drake - "Best I Ever Had": A brief history of Drake via Pitchfork: "Relative unknown creates mixtape with a few friends and uploads it to the internet, and then, within a few months, he's maybe/possibly dating Rihanna and fielding seven-figure offers from broke major labels. Except in this case, the relative unknown in question was a star on the Canadian teeny-drama "Degrassi: The Next Generation", and the friends in question are Lil Wayne and Trey Songz and Chris Paul. Even weirder, the main overarching theme of Drake's So Far Gone seems to be the stresses and travails of fame, even if he recorded the damn thing when he wasn't famous in any meaningful way. And now the tape has made him good and famous for real." So Far Gone is the name of the mixtape and is worth checking out.
9. Drake - "Let's Call it Off (remix)": Another remix of a Peter Bjorn & John song. PB&J can't be happy that most of their songs are better as remixes than originals.
10. Miike Snow - "A Song for No One": Swedish producers step out from behind the curtain with their critically underappreciated album. . . Miike Snow.
11. Moby - "Study War": Moby's new release Wait For Me is a throwback to his Play and 18 heyday. This is good news. Save a couple songs, Hotel and Last Night were pure garbage. Though not executed as well as Play, Wait for me goes back to that "Moby Sound" - samples, minimalist beats and strings. I know the poor guy likes to think of himself as a singer, artist, performer, philosopher, techno genius, as well as a producer but unfortunately, he's really only good at producing. Let's hope he's finally realized this, because the sooner he does, the better off we'll all be.
On to the videos. . .
Holy Ghost! - "I Will Come Back"
Beirut - "Concubine"
Major Lazer - "Hold The Line"
Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video #1
I'm sure a lot of you have seen these, but they're worth watching, whether it's for the 1st or 776th time.
Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video #2
And the other one. . .
Until next time, enjoy this happy lizard in a chair. . .
1. Holy Ghost! - "I Will Come Back": More known for their remixes, Holy Ghost! is a new-ish band under the DFA (James Murphy aka LCD Soundsystem) umbrella. I like their sound - there's a pinch of Italo-disco, a dash of 80s dance, and a shitload of awesome. Their debut album is scheduled for early next year. Check out the video below too.
2. Temper Trap - "Love Lost": Ever since I heard, and subsequently became obsessed with their first single, "Sweet Disposition" I've been eagerly waiting to hear the entire album Conditions. It's still not out in the U.S. (only in Australia), but I must say, it's damn good and is hereby Carl-Approved. Light falsetto melodies and swirling guitars aplenty throughout the album. This is one of the highlights.
3. Temper Trap - "Fools": Another beautiful tune off Conditions. This one really showcases Dougy's unique vocals.
4. The Golden Filter - "Peter Bjorn & John - Lay it Down (remix)": The Golden Filter has some funky remixes, this is one of their better attempts.
5. Mogwai - "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong": The best song off their incredible Rock Action. Not a new song by any means, but it's one of the best epic instrumentals ever created. Plain and simple. Close your eyes and let it take you to Awesometown.
6. Metric - "Collect Call": Metric's new album Fantasies is a sneaky gem. Led by the baby-voiced Emily Haines, her voice weaves perfectly in and out of shimmering guitars and bouncy synths. The results are catchy as hell.
7. Metric - "Gimme Sympathy": See above.
8. Drake - "Best I Ever Had": A brief history of Drake via Pitchfork: "Relative unknown creates mixtape with a few friends and uploads it to the internet, and then, within a few months, he's maybe/possibly dating Rihanna and fielding seven-figure offers from broke major labels. Except in this case, the relative unknown in question was a star on the Canadian teeny-drama "Degrassi: The Next Generation", and the friends in question are Lil Wayne and Trey Songz and Chris Paul. Even weirder, the main overarching theme of Drake's So Far Gone seems to be the stresses and travails of fame, even if he recorded the damn thing when he wasn't famous in any meaningful way. And now the tape has made him good and famous for real." So Far Gone is the name of the mixtape and is worth checking out.
9. Drake - "Let's Call it Off (remix)": Another remix of a Peter Bjorn & John song. PB&J can't be happy that most of their songs are better as remixes than originals.
10. Miike Snow - "A Song for No One": Swedish producers step out from behind the curtain with their critically underappreciated album. . . Miike Snow.
11. Moby - "Study War": Moby's new release Wait For Me is a throwback to his Play and 18 heyday. This is good news. Save a couple songs, Hotel and Last Night were pure garbage. Though not executed as well as Play, Wait for me goes back to that "Moby Sound" - samples, minimalist beats and strings. I know the poor guy likes to think of himself as a singer, artist, performer, philosopher, techno genius, as well as a producer but unfortunately, he's really only good at producing. Let's hope he's finally realized this, because the sooner he does, the better off we'll all be.
On to the videos. . .
Holy Ghost! - "I Will Come Back"
Beirut - "Concubine"
Major Lazer - "Hold The Line"
Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video #1
I'm sure a lot of you have seen these, but they're worth watching, whether it's for the 1st or 776th time.
Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video #2
And the other one. . .
Until next time, enjoy this happy lizard in a chair. . .
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Carl's Way or the Highway
Friendos, I have some more magical music and videos from Carl's endless vault of magical music and videos. Pay specific attention to the Chris Dane Owens video at the bottom. Not sure how I ever lived without this magnificent piece of rock-techno wizardry.
Without further ado, here are some tunes. Don't have time to write about them today, just listen and enjoy.
Chris Dane Owens - "Shine on Me"
I could be wrong, but from what I gather, I think he's taking himself seriously. Unfortunate for him, but a dream come true for us. This is directly from his website (which he clearly wrote himself):
"Chris Dane Owens is a Los Angeles native who distills many of his city's musical styles into one unique brew. Pop melodies mingle with rock guitars, driving beats, and the occasional gleam of techno-wizardry. With confident songwriting, Chris performs modern rock tracks that are crafted with uncompromising care. . . Watch Owens' spectacular new music video "Shine On Me" (the first installment of a trilogy) directed by Academy Award winning special effects artist Robert Short, whose feature film credits include; "Splash" "E.T." "Beetlejuice" and "Ace Ventura". With his custom Gretsch Sparkle Jet guitar in hand, Chris is planning an international tour for the album later this year."
Obviously, CDO's tour is not to be missed. As for the video, It's on a level of awesomeness that I'm still trying to wrap my arms around, just can't quite get there. Bow down to your overlord, Chris Dane Owens. . .
Birdy Nam Nam - "The Parachute Ending"
A new trippy cartoon video from Justice's proteges. Both the song and video simply rule. I see big things coming from these guys.
Busdriver - "Me-Time"
One of those Chuck-e-Cheese robots flips out and terrorizes some kids. Honestly, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often. One of the better rappers around, in my humble opinion.
Without further ado, here are some tunes. Don't have time to write about them today, just listen and enjoy.
Chris Dane Owens - "Shine on Me"
I could be wrong, but from what I gather, I think he's taking himself seriously. Unfortunate for him, but a dream come true for us. This is directly from his website (which he clearly wrote himself):
"Chris Dane Owens is a Los Angeles native who distills many of his city's musical styles into one unique brew. Pop melodies mingle with rock guitars, driving beats, and the occasional gleam of techno-wizardry. With confident songwriting, Chris performs modern rock tracks that are crafted with uncompromising care. . . Watch Owens' spectacular new music video "Shine On Me" (the first installment of a trilogy) directed by Academy Award winning special effects artist Robert Short, whose feature film credits include; "Splash" "E.T." "Beetlejuice" and "Ace Ventura". With his custom Gretsch Sparkle Jet guitar in hand, Chris is planning an international tour for the album later this year."
Obviously, CDO's tour is not to be missed. As for the video, It's on a level of awesomeness that I'm still trying to wrap my arms around, just can't quite get there. Bow down to your overlord, Chris Dane Owens. . .
Birdy Nam Nam - "The Parachute Ending"
A new trippy cartoon video from Justice's proteges. Both the song and video simply rule. I see big things coming from these guys.
Busdriver - "Me-Time"
One of those Chuck-e-Cheese robots flips out and terrorizes some kids. Honestly, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often. One of the better rappers around, in my humble opinion.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Discovering Discovery
Discovery is a potentially-Carl-Approved side project of Vampire Weekend's keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot's lead singer Wes Miles. They are scheduled to release their debut LP, named "LP" on July 7 and currently streaming these 4 songs on their website. It's an interesting synthy/glittery sound but I need to hear the final product before I pass too much judgment. I'm currently on the fence because I'm so damn sick of Vampire Weekend, but trying to get past that - maybe 'ol Rostam is sick of his own band too, hence the side project. I am cautiously optimistic.
Monday, June 8, 2009
May the Carl Be With You
Good day my friends. Carl's comin at you again with a fresh mix of songs and videos. So listen up if you know what's good for you. Oh yeah, and sign up for a Lala account so you can listen to the tunes - it takes 10 seconds and it's free.
1. Solid Gold - "Bible Thumper": Hailing from Minnesota, Solid Gold is one of the better new bands around. Check out their Bodies Of Water LP. Shit is hot. Get in the ground floor while you can, I think they'll be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
2. Hockey - "Too Fake": Speaking of great new bands, here's another. Though they have not yet released their debut album (expected this summer at some point), the singles they've released are intriguing. They have a little Strokes-y feel to them, but a bit more beat-driven, a la LCD Soundsystem.
3. VEGA - "No Reason": Looking for a summer dance jam? Look no further. It's got the bouncy beach ball beat, the sun-shiny synths, and the wave-like vocal loops. Weather or not you like it (not even sure I do), it's gonna get stuck in your head, and you're gonna dance.
4. Matthew Dear - "When She Don't Need Me": I've been touting Causes 2 as a top-of-the-line compilation/benefit album - this song is just another example of why.
5. Das Racist - "Combination Pizza Hut & Taco Bell (Wallpaper Remix)": This "song" is simply ridiculous - but in the best way possible.
6. Boys Noize - "Shine Shine": A cosmic instrumental groove. A great song for your next roadtrip mix, even better if your making that trip in a spaceship, flying car, or even a hovercraft. And Oi Oi Oi is a solid album. As an added bonus, the cover art is a diamond-encrusted skull. Everybody wins.
7. Kleerup - "Chords": See above. I just gave you 2 perfect songs for your next spaceship/flying car/hovercraft roadtrip mix. You're welcome.
8. Harlem Shakes - "Sunlight": One of a few fun songs off Technicolor Health. They are touring with Passion Pit this summer.
9. Au Revoir Simone - "Fallen Snow (Teenagers Remix)": A great track off Reverse Migration, an album featuring various artists' remixes of select Au Revoir Simone's tunes. An enjoyable listen.
10. Rural Alberta Advantage - "Don't Haunt This Place": Another band to watch - RAA self-released their Carl-Approved Hometowns awhile back but were recently picked up by the Saddle Creek indie label, signaling big things for the trio from, yep, rural Alberta. These guys will be big one day, and deservedly so.
11. Peter Bjorn & John - "It Don't Move Me": Their new single off Living Thing. Posted the strange video below. Not that a strange video from PB&J is surprising. . .
12. Antony & The Johnsons - "Another World": I'm gonna slow it down here for the next two songs. Off the beautiful The Crying Light this song stands out as one of the more gorgeously haunting songs I've ever heard. The depth of despair and longing this song evokes is simply incredible. Warning: Don't listen to this if you're at work and a little mentally unstable. You will cry.
13. Charles Spearin - "Vanessa": This isn't your average song. It comes off of Charles Spearin's compelling The Happiness Project. By background, the Happiness Project is part spoken-word, part sociological experiment and part musical experiment, it is the result of Spearin's discussions with his neighbors in Toronto about their idea of happiness. He recorded the responses and then reformed them into music, using the pitch and cadences in peoples voices as the basis for his music. The result is a very thought/emotion provoking album not to be missed. This song in particular is extremely affecting in which a deaf woman (Vanessa) describes her experience hearing for the first time.
MGMT - "Kids"
Cool video, but at what price here guys? Poor kid is gonna be f'ed up beyond belief.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll"
Peter Bjorn & John - "It Don't Move Me"
A creepy dad with OCD training his kid to dance like Michael Jackson? Not sure what's going on here. Your guess is as good as mine.
Spontaneous Dance Party
How to start a dance party 101.
1. Solid Gold - "Bible Thumper": Hailing from Minnesota, Solid Gold is one of the better new bands around. Check out their Bodies Of Water LP. Shit is hot. Get in the ground floor while you can, I think they'll be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
2. Hockey - "Too Fake": Speaking of great new bands, here's another. Though they have not yet released their debut album (expected this summer at some point), the singles they've released are intriguing. They have a little Strokes-y feel to them, but a bit more beat-driven, a la LCD Soundsystem.
3. VEGA - "No Reason": Looking for a summer dance jam? Look no further. It's got the bouncy beach ball beat, the sun-shiny synths, and the wave-like vocal loops. Weather or not you like it (not even sure I do), it's gonna get stuck in your head, and you're gonna dance.
4. Matthew Dear - "When She Don't Need Me": I've been touting Causes 2 as a top-of-the-line compilation/benefit album - this song is just another example of why.
5. Das Racist - "Combination Pizza Hut & Taco Bell (Wallpaper Remix)": This "song" is simply ridiculous - but in the best way possible.
6. Boys Noize - "Shine Shine": A cosmic instrumental groove. A great song for your next roadtrip mix, even better if your making that trip in a spaceship, flying car, or even a hovercraft. And Oi Oi Oi is a solid album. As an added bonus, the cover art is a diamond-encrusted skull. Everybody wins.
7. Kleerup - "Chords": See above. I just gave you 2 perfect songs for your next spaceship/flying car/hovercraft roadtrip mix. You're welcome.
8. Harlem Shakes - "Sunlight": One of a few fun songs off Technicolor Health. They are touring with Passion Pit this summer.
9. Au Revoir Simone - "Fallen Snow (Teenagers Remix)": A great track off Reverse Migration, an album featuring various artists' remixes of select Au Revoir Simone's tunes. An enjoyable listen.
10. Rural Alberta Advantage - "Don't Haunt This Place": Another band to watch - RAA self-released their Carl-Approved Hometowns awhile back but were recently picked up by the Saddle Creek indie label, signaling big things for the trio from, yep, rural Alberta. These guys will be big one day, and deservedly so.
11. Peter Bjorn & John - "It Don't Move Me": Their new single off Living Thing. Posted the strange video below. Not that a strange video from PB&J is surprising. . .
12. Antony & The Johnsons - "Another World": I'm gonna slow it down here for the next two songs. Off the beautiful The Crying Light this song stands out as one of the more gorgeously haunting songs I've ever heard. The depth of despair and longing this song evokes is simply incredible. Warning: Don't listen to this if you're at work and a little mentally unstable. You will cry.
13. Charles Spearin - "Vanessa": This isn't your average song. It comes off of Charles Spearin's compelling The Happiness Project. By background, the Happiness Project is part spoken-word, part sociological experiment and part musical experiment, it is the result of Spearin's discussions with his neighbors in Toronto about their idea of happiness. He recorded the responses and then reformed them into music, using the pitch and cadences in peoples voices as the basis for his music. The result is a very thought/emotion provoking album not to be missed. This song in particular is extremely affecting in which a deaf woman (Vanessa) describes her experience hearing for the first time.
MGMT - "Kids"
Cool video, but at what price here guys? Poor kid is gonna be f'ed up beyond belief.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll"
Peter Bjorn & John - "It Don't Move Me"
A creepy dad with OCD training his kid to dance like Michael Jackson? Not sure what's going on here. Your guess is as good as mine.
Spontaneous Dance Party
How to start a dance party 101.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Carl Approved: Passion Pit "Manners"
I wrote about Passion Pit last year (here) after I heard their 6-song EP Chunk Of Change which was a stellar debut. And after listening to their first full-length LP, Manners, I can officially say they are the real deal. That said, they are a polarizing band, you may love em, you may hate em, but they are unapologetically unique and refreshingly exuberant. And for that, Manners is Carl Approved. It's not a perfect album, but perfection is boring. Give a listen. Some highlights: Little Secrets, Moth's Wings, The Reeling, Eyes as Candles, Folds in Your Hands, To Kingdom Come, Sleepyhead (also on Chunk of Change).Thursday, May 21, 2009
867-530-CARL
Homies, Carl's back with a vengeance. Once again, it's time for another mish-mosh of stupefying songs and videos. Without further ado. . .
1. Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks": The first single from Grizzly Bear's new album Veckatimest
and it's a beauty. It's a little more lively and upbeat than most of their past work, but when it does show signs of getting a little too glittery, they reign it back in. Still has the same retro-baroque-folk feel as their previous work. Great unofficial video posted below too.
2. Friendly Fires - "Lovesick": My love affair with Friendly Fires remains in full effect.
3. The National - "So Far Around the Bend": Off the Dark Was The Night
AIDS awareness benefit compilation. Waiting for their new album with bated breath, but this will have to do for now.
4. Van She - "Kelly": Pure pop excellence.
5. Gomez - "Airstream Driver": I haven't been a fan of Gomez in the past but I was pleasantly surprised with a few song off A New Tide
such as this one.
6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Runaway": Starts off sounding like a creepy lullaby you'd hear in a horror movie and morphs into a haunting rock anthem.
7. Ladyhawke - "Magic": I'm partial to songs that could be playing with the end credits of a Steven Seagal movie. This strikes me as such a song, playing among highlights of his exquisite head-butts and roundhouses.
8. Sebastian Tellier - "Fingers of Steel": The Frenchman has some smooth grooves on his latest album Sexuality
.
9. Stars - "A Thread Cut with a Carving Knife": Yes, they can be sappy and I'm sure their lyrics are quoted in many a high school yearbook. But to their credit, Stars does beautifully combine melancholy lyrics, melodies and atmospheric sounds like few bands around.
10. Passion Pit - "Little Secrets": A highlight off their long-awaited first LP Manners
. Has anyone else noticed the strange-yet-effective trend of sampling children singing. Musicians take note - kids singing in your chorus is "hip".
11. Phoenix - "Love Like a Sunset Parts I & II": While I love all the great bouncy, jumpy, synthy songs they create, this epic digs deep and may just be their best song.
Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks (unofficial)"
The song is put to clips from the french film, Le Ballon Rouge and it works well.
Phoenix - "1901"
Animal Collective - "Summertime Clothes" (Letterman)
Interesting performance on Letterman the other night.
Crystal Stills - "Love Like a Wave"
1. Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks": The first single from Grizzly Bear's new album Veckatimest
and it's a beauty. It's a little more lively and upbeat than most of their past work, but when it does show signs of getting a little too glittery, they reign it back in. Still has the same retro-baroque-folk feel as their previous work. Great unofficial video posted below too.2. Friendly Fires - "Lovesick": My love affair with Friendly Fires remains in full effect.
3. The National - "So Far Around the Bend": Off the Dark Was The Night
AIDS awareness benefit compilation. Waiting for their new album with bated breath, but this will have to do for now.4. Van She - "Kelly": Pure pop excellence.
5. Gomez - "Airstream Driver": I haven't been a fan of Gomez in the past but I was pleasantly surprised with a few song off A New Tide
such as this one.6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Runaway": Starts off sounding like a creepy lullaby you'd hear in a horror movie and morphs into a haunting rock anthem.
7. Ladyhawke - "Magic": I'm partial to songs that could be playing with the end credits of a Steven Seagal movie. This strikes me as such a song, playing among highlights of his exquisite head-butts and roundhouses.
8. Sebastian Tellier - "Fingers of Steel": The Frenchman has some smooth grooves on his latest album Sexuality
.9. Stars - "A Thread Cut with a Carving Knife": Yes, they can be sappy and I'm sure their lyrics are quoted in many a high school yearbook. But to their credit, Stars does beautifully combine melancholy lyrics, melodies and atmospheric sounds like few bands around.
10. Passion Pit - "Little Secrets": A highlight off their long-awaited first LP Manners
. Has anyone else noticed the strange-yet-effective trend of sampling children singing. Musicians take note - kids singing in your chorus is "hip".11. Phoenix - "Love Like a Sunset Parts I & II": While I love all the great bouncy, jumpy, synthy songs they create, this epic digs deep and may just be their best song.
Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks (unofficial)"
The song is put to clips from the french film, Le Ballon Rouge and it works well.
Phoenix - "1901"
Animal Collective - "Summertime Clothes" (Letterman)
Interesting performance on Letterman the other night.
Crystal Stills - "Love Like a Wave"
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Carl's Songs (and Videos) of the Week
Hi pals. Back with another fresh dose of music and videos. New and old, hard and soft, fast and slow, whatever you need, Carl's got you covered.
1. Daedelus - "LA Nocturn": Posted a smokin' hot video for this last week. This song is off Daedelus' recent combined effort with Jogger, Friends of Friends
2. Bat For Lashes - "Daniel": Deservedly, Bat for Lashes has been getting a lot of pub recently for their Two Suns album. I can't disagree with the praise. This song is excellent, as is the fan-made video below.
3. Bloc Party - "Ion Square": Intimacy slipped under my radar and I'm just discovering some of it's treasures now. This is classic Bloc Party.
4. Pacific! - "Sunset Blvd": This Swedish duo shamelessly rips 70s soft rock and 80s synths. . . and I love them for it. There are some great songs on their Reveries album. I read something awhile back that described them as the missing link between Air and Daft Punk. Couldn't be more accurate.
5. Phoenix - "Armistice": Yep. More Phoenix. Deal with it.
6. Midnight Juggernauts - "Nine Lives": This one grabs you from the get-go and roughs you up a bit, just how it should be.
7. Stars - "14 Forever": Off their overlooked Sad Robots EP, which is some of their best work to date.
8. Gomez - "Bone Tired": One of the best tunes from A New Tide.
9. Passion Pit - "The Reeling": The first cut from their first LP, Manners. I'm much more impressed with the songs off their Chunk of Change EP (listen here) but it's still solid.
10. CFCF - "Crystal Mines": The main reason I love this song is because of the outstanding video
Bat For Lashes - "Daniel"
It's not the official video, but it should be. The official one is here but doesn't compare.
M. Ward - "Rave On"
Passion Pit - "The Reeling"
Moby - "Shot in the Back of the Head"
New single/video from Moby. Directed by David Lynch. Apparently they're BFFs now. A match made in weirdo heaven.
Annnnd finally. . . a lemur-type thing getting its armpits scratched.
1. Daedelus - "LA Nocturn": Posted a smokin' hot video for this last week. This song is off Daedelus' recent combined effort with Jogger, Friends of Friends
2. Bat For Lashes - "Daniel": Deservedly, Bat for Lashes has been getting a lot of pub recently for their Two Suns album. I can't disagree with the praise. This song is excellent, as is the fan-made video below.
3. Bloc Party - "Ion Square": Intimacy slipped under my radar and I'm just discovering some of it's treasures now. This is classic Bloc Party.
4. Pacific! - "Sunset Blvd": This Swedish duo shamelessly rips 70s soft rock and 80s synths. . . and I love them for it. There are some great songs on their Reveries album. I read something awhile back that described them as the missing link between Air and Daft Punk. Couldn't be more accurate.
5. Phoenix - "Armistice": Yep. More Phoenix. Deal with it.
6. Midnight Juggernauts - "Nine Lives": This one grabs you from the get-go and roughs you up a bit, just how it should be.
7. Stars - "14 Forever": Off their overlooked Sad Robots EP, which is some of their best work to date.
8. Gomez - "Bone Tired": One of the best tunes from A New Tide.
9. Passion Pit - "The Reeling": The first cut from their first LP, Manners. I'm much more impressed with the songs off their Chunk of Change EP (listen here) but it's still solid.
10. CFCF - "Crystal Mines": The main reason I love this song is because of the outstanding video
Bat For Lashes - "Daniel"
It's not the official video, but it should be. The official one is here but doesn't compare.
M. Ward - "Rave On"
Passion Pit - "The Reeling"
Moby - "Shot in the Back of the Head"
New single/video from Moby. Directed by David Lynch. Apparently they're BFFs now. A match made in weirdo heaven.
Annnnd finally. . . a lemur-type thing getting its armpits scratched.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Holy Carl, it's Friday!
Today we have a grabag of songs for you and, as usual, there is no theme, rhyme or reason to the playlist. Oh wait, there IS a theme - they're all BADASS!
And away we go. . . oh and sorry about the little ads that IMEEM sneaks in the playlists. I guess they have to make money somehow. That said, I'm currently considering other playlist providers.
1. DJ Earworm - "United State of Pop 2008": Earworm took the 25 top billboard singles and mashed them together over a backdrop of Vida La Vida. Pretty f*ckin' catchy I must say.
2. Empire of the Sun - "We are the People": The second single off these weirdos' Walking on a Dream LP. I can fault them for being strange (see video below), but not for creating delightful pop magic.
3. Phoenix - "Lisztomania": I've been posting a lot of songs from Phoenix lately, here is yet another off Wolfgang Amedeus Phoenix. Perhaps not as talented as Mozart in songwriting department, but a touch more fun.
4. Muscles - "Ice Cream": "Ice cream is gonna save the day again. I don't need a number, I just wanna dance with my shirt off." That kinda says it all here.
5. Casiokids - "Fot I Hose": Dudes from Norway deftly piece together glitchy synth sounds and a funky bass line and give us an instrumental of compelling, head-bobbing funk. I was also told that they are "nasty" in concert. This was verified by reviews of their performance at SXSW.
6. The-Dream - "Walkin' on the Moon": Call it a guilty pleasure, call it a man-crush, I don't care, i can't get enough of The-Dream. Love vs. Money is hit-tastic. I'm not a huge Pop-R&B fan and ususally quick to dismiss it, but my guard was broken down by The-Dream. And I'm glad it was. Let him into your life. . . don't be scared.
7. CFCF - "Invitation to Love": A soothing down-tempo jam. A great soundtrack to any daydream.
8. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - "Lesley Gore on the T.A.M.I Show": Possibly the longest artist/title combo I have written. Simple, sweet and melodic. These guys have more where that came from. See their album Etiquette.
9. Wave Machines - "Punk Spirit": A band from Liverpool. Their first album is due in June. I for one, am pumped. From the songs I've heard, they sound the real deal.
10. Camp Lo - "Luchini": Remember these guys!?!?!? Whatever happened to them? One album then out the door? What gives? I used to dig them. Word on the street is the duo has formed a new group, Freebass 808, and the comeback album is titled MoonBass. . . Yikes. Hey, as an old fan I hope it's good, but let's be honest, this is not a great start.
Vids. . .
Minilogue - "Animals"
The world could use a few more colorful dancing monsters. Incredible video.
Empire of the Sun - "We are the People"
Chances are they're not taking themselves seriously. If they are, beware.
Department of Eagles - "No one Does it Better"
Quoting Pitchfork here: "It's a pretty involved production for this modest (and wonderful) band, filled with singing ghosts, pirouetting legionnaires, and expressionistic death scenes."
And away we go. . . oh and sorry about the little ads that IMEEM sneaks in the playlists. I guess they have to make money somehow. That said, I'm currently considering other playlist providers.
1. DJ Earworm - "United State of Pop 2008": Earworm took the 25 top billboard singles and mashed them together over a backdrop of Vida La Vida. Pretty f*ckin' catchy I must say.
2. Empire of the Sun - "We are the People": The second single off these weirdos' Walking on a Dream LP. I can fault them for being strange (see video below), but not for creating delightful pop magic.
3. Phoenix - "Lisztomania": I've been posting a lot of songs from Phoenix lately, here is yet another off Wolfgang Amedeus Phoenix. Perhaps not as talented as Mozart in songwriting department, but a touch more fun.
4. Muscles - "Ice Cream": "Ice cream is gonna save the day again. I don't need a number, I just wanna dance with my shirt off." That kinda says it all here.
5. Casiokids - "Fot I Hose": Dudes from Norway deftly piece together glitchy synth sounds and a funky bass line and give us an instrumental of compelling, head-bobbing funk. I was also told that they are "nasty" in concert. This was verified by reviews of their performance at SXSW.
6. The-Dream - "Walkin' on the Moon": Call it a guilty pleasure, call it a man-crush, I don't care, i can't get enough of The-Dream. Love vs. Money is hit-tastic. I'm not a huge Pop-R&B fan and ususally quick to dismiss it, but my guard was broken down by The-Dream. And I'm glad it was. Let him into your life. . . don't be scared.
7. CFCF - "Invitation to Love": A soothing down-tempo jam. A great soundtrack to any daydream.
8. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - "Lesley Gore on the T.A.M.I Show": Possibly the longest artist/title combo I have written. Simple, sweet and melodic. These guys have more where that came from. See their album Etiquette.
9. Wave Machines - "Punk Spirit": A band from Liverpool. Their first album is due in June. I for one, am pumped. From the songs I've heard, they sound the real deal.
10. Camp Lo - "Luchini": Remember these guys!?!?!? Whatever happened to them? One album then out the door? What gives? I used to dig them. Word on the street is the duo has formed a new group, Freebass 808, and the comeback album is titled MoonBass. . . Yikes. Hey, as an old fan I hope it's good, but let's be honest, this is not a great start.
Vids. . .
Minilogue - "Animals"
The world could use a few more colorful dancing monsters. Incredible video.
Empire of the Sun - "We are the People"
Chances are they're not taking themselves seriously. If they are, beware.
Department of Eagles - "No one Does it Better"
Quoting Pitchfork here: "It's a pretty involved production for this modest (and wonderful) band, filled with singing ghosts, pirouetting legionnaires, and expressionistic death scenes."
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thank Carl It's Friday
Happy Friday homies. Tunes and vids galore below. But first, some exciting news. . .
It has been announced that Daft Punk will be creating an original score for the upcoming Tron sequel. Tentatively titled Tron 2.0, production is set for this spring with a release in 2011. If anything makes more sense than Daft Punk meets Tron, please let me know. Their most recent creations have let me down, but if anything can revive their glory days of Homework and Discovery, this might just be it. I'm having trouble computing how awesome this could be. To celebrate my excitement, the first song, and my favorite Daft Punk song of all time, Digital Love, is dedicated to Daft Punk in their heyday. Make me proud, boys.
More breaking news. U2's new album is garbage.
Without further ado, here are some songs. As always, the selected songs tend to jump all over the place in terms of genre, tone, etc. But thats the way it's going to be. Deal with it.
1. Daft Punk - "Digital Love": Classic DP.
2-3. Stars - "Undertow" and "Going, Going, Gone": Two beautiful songs off their new-ish Sad Robot EP. A very underrated album among critcs, mind you.
4. Friendly Fires - "Strobe": Off their self-titled album. These guys make some great head-bobbing music. The entire album recommended.
5. The Helio Sequence - "Broken Afternoon": As recommended before, their album Keep Your Eyes Ahead is great start to finish. This is one of thier slower-burners.
6. Polly Scattergood - "Nitrogen Pink": Yeah, that's her real name. Interesting song, a slow builder with some real emotion that digs in deeper and deeper as the song unfurls.
7. Miami Horror - "Bellevue": Featured them last week. If you're looking for 80's throwbacks, these are your guys. Their Bravado EP is rad. . . bitchin' even.
8. The Presets - "If I Know You": One of the Australian dance-punk duo's better songs.
9. Glasvegas - "Geraldine": One of my guiltier pleasures, this song has god-awful lyrics and a painfully simple melody, but i can't get that damn riff out of my head. Their self-titled album received a lot of great reviews, but don't be fooled. It's not good. I think of them as Scotland's wannabe Coldplay, with less talent. Segway alert!. . . .
10. Coldplay - "Stawberry Swing": Speaking of Coldplay, I'm not the biggest fan but when i first listened to Viva La Vida, this song stuck out as something special. If it wasn't for Chris Martin's distinct voice, I'd have no idea this was Coldplay. Is that why I like it? Not sure.
11. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll": The second single off their highly anticipated new album It's Blitz! A catchy song with a good beat. I'd give the album a B on first listen.
12. The National - "Brainy": Have you ever fell in love with an album, listened to it over and over, left it alone for awhile and then rediscovered it later to find out you loved it even more than you thought you did? No? F- you then. Well thats what happened for me with Boxer by The National. This is just one of the many gems on the album.
13. Phoenix - "1901": The first relese off Phoenix's new album Wolfgang Amedaeus Pheonix. Not too shabby.
Mr. Oizo - "Flat Beat"
Amazing.
Deathcab for Cutie - "Grapevine Fires"
A boy on a bike experiencing an over-the-top version of what's happening in the lyrics. One of the better songs on their underwhelming Narrow Stairs album.
Sportsday Megaphone - "Meet Me in the Middle"
Wait till the end.
Devo - "Freedom of Choice"
Worst video ever? You decide. Some things are so bad they're funny. But this one is so bad it makes me angry.
It has been announced that Daft Punk will be creating an original score for the upcoming Tron sequel. Tentatively titled Tron 2.0, production is set for this spring with a release in 2011. If anything makes more sense than Daft Punk meets Tron, please let me know. Their most recent creations have let me down, but if anything can revive their glory days of Homework and Discovery, this might just be it. I'm having trouble computing how awesome this could be. To celebrate my excitement, the first song, and my favorite Daft Punk song of all time, Digital Love, is dedicated to Daft Punk in their heyday. Make me proud, boys.More breaking news. U2's new album is garbage.
Without further ado, here are some songs. As always, the selected songs tend to jump all over the place in terms of genre, tone, etc. But thats the way it's going to be. Deal with it.
1. Daft Punk - "Digital Love": Classic DP.
2-3. Stars - "Undertow" and "Going, Going, Gone": Two beautiful songs off their new-ish Sad Robot EP. A very underrated album among critcs, mind you.
4. Friendly Fires - "Strobe": Off their self-titled album. These guys make some great head-bobbing music. The entire album recommended.
5. The Helio Sequence - "Broken Afternoon": As recommended before, their album Keep Your Eyes Ahead is great start to finish. This is one of thier slower-burners.
6. Polly Scattergood - "Nitrogen Pink": Yeah, that's her real name. Interesting song, a slow builder with some real emotion that digs in deeper and deeper as the song unfurls.
7. Miami Horror - "Bellevue": Featured them last week. If you're looking for 80's throwbacks, these are your guys. Their Bravado EP is rad. . . bitchin' even.
8. The Presets - "If I Know You": One of the Australian dance-punk duo's better songs.
9. Glasvegas - "Geraldine": One of my guiltier pleasures, this song has god-awful lyrics and a painfully simple melody, but i can't get that damn riff out of my head. Their self-titled album received a lot of great reviews, but don't be fooled. It's not good. I think of them as Scotland's wannabe Coldplay, with less talent. Segway alert!. . . .
10. Coldplay - "Stawberry Swing": Speaking of Coldplay, I'm not the biggest fan but when i first listened to Viva La Vida, this song stuck out as something special. If it wasn't for Chris Martin's distinct voice, I'd have no idea this was Coldplay. Is that why I like it? Not sure.
11. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll": The second single off their highly anticipated new album It's Blitz! A catchy song with a good beat. I'd give the album a B on first listen.
12. The National - "Brainy": Have you ever fell in love with an album, listened to it over and over, left it alone for awhile and then rediscovered it later to find out you loved it even more than you thought you did? No? F- you then. Well thats what happened for me with Boxer by The National. This is just one of the many gems on the album.
13. Phoenix - "1901": The first relese off Phoenix's new album Wolfgang Amedaeus Pheonix. Not too shabby.
Mr. Oizo - "Flat Beat"
Amazing.
Deathcab for Cutie - "Grapevine Fires"
A boy on a bike experiencing an over-the-top version of what's happening in the lyrics. One of the better songs on their underwhelming Narrow Stairs album.
Sportsday Megaphone - "Meet Me in the Middle"
Wait till the end.
Devo - "Freedom of Choice"
Worst video ever? You decide. Some things are so bad they're funny. But this one is so bad it makes me angry.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Fun for Your Eyeballs and Earholes. . .
Some new, some old, all awesome. . .
MGMT - "Time to Pretend"
This is what happens when you blow your video budget on hallucinogens and bows & arrows. . .
Casiokids - "I Fot Hose"
This is the Norwegian electro-pop band's new video for one of their instrumental tunes. Cartoons of their own heads on thier own bodies and on the bodies of ceremonial tribal African dancers. Hooray.
Kanye - "Welcome to Heartbreak"
Here we have a bunch of colorful pixelated Kanyes in shitty 80's sweaters singing sadly to each other about the emptiness of money and fame. Boo fucking Hoo.
Tahiti Boy and the Palmtree Family - "1973"
Dancing trees, singing mushrooms, giant waterfowl. What else could you possibly want?. . . besides the heavy drugs these guys clearly scored.
Chromeo - "Fancy Footwork"
Title track and first video from their latest album. The video plays off the creepy bodyless-leg theme they have going on their album cover and live shows. Not a great video, but the song makes up for it.
Zander Bleck - "Beyond the Horizon"
Last but certainly not least, I saw this on Nialler9, another music blog I frequent. Artists often send mass marketing emails to blogs to get their name out. This Zander Bleck creep sent the following (completely serious) email and video to Nialler9. . .
"Leave it to a talent like Zander Bleck to use his entrepreneurial skills, model looks, and amazing vocals, to create innovative and inspirational tunes and music videos that are generating quite a stir worldwide. Zander Bleck has blended his powerful singing and songwriting talent with the top production of Adam Longlands to create a phenomenal mix of vintage rock, pop and electronic sounds. A fresh fusion of club dance beats, British pop, and timeless rock, Zander Bleck offers an unconventional and refreshing style of music for listeners of every age and musical preference. Zander’s vocal talent resonates with artists like Bono and Chris Martin, and his music is energetic, infectious and distinctly a sound of his own. We would love to be a part of your blog."
In a way, Zander and his "people" are getting their wish, but for all the wrong reasons. A gold mine of unintentional comedy. Enjoy, please.
MGMT - "Time to Pretend"
This is what happens when you blow your video budget on hallucinogens and bows & arrows. . .
Casiokids - "I Fot Hose"
This is the Norwegian electro-pop band's new video for one of their instrumental tunes. Cartoons of their own heads on thier own bodies and on the bodies of ceremonial tribal African dancers. Hooray.
Kanye - "Welcome to Heartbreak"
Here we have a bunch of colorful pixelated Kanyes in shitty 80's sweaters singing sadly to each other about the emptiness of money and fame. Boo fucking Hoo.
Tahiti Boy and the Palmtree Family - "1973"
Dancing trees, singing mushrooms, giant waterfowl. What else could you possibly want?. . . besides the heavy drugs these guys clearly scored.
Chromeo - "Fancy Footwork"
Title track and first video from their latest album. The video plays off the creepy bodyless-leg theme they have going on their album cover and live shows. Not a great video, but the song makes up for it.
Zander Bleck - "Beyond the Horizon"
Last but certainly not least, I saw this on Nialler9, another music blog I frequent. Artists often send mass marketing emails to blogs to get their name out. This Zander Bleck creep sent the following (completely serious) email and video to Nialler9. . .
"Leave it to a talent like Zander Bleck to use his entrepreneurial skills, model looks, and amazing vocals, to create innovative and inspirational tunes and music videos that are generating quite a stir worldwide. Zander Bleck has blended his powerful singing and songwriting talent with the top production of Adam Longlands to create a phenomenal mix of vintage rock, pop and electronic sounds. A fresh fusion of club dance beats, British pop, and timeless rock, Zander Bleck offers an unconventional and refreshing style of music for listeners of every age and musical preference. Zander’s vocal talent resonates with artists like Bono and Chris Martin, and his music is energetic, infectious and distinctly a sound of his own. We would love to be a part of your blog."
In a way, Zander and his "people" are getting their wish, but for all the wrong reasons. A gold mine of unintentional comedy. Enjoy, please.
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