Category Archives: Music

♫ Short Stack ♫

I’ve been so busy with the new job and other life stuff that I haven’t had much time to find new music (or post on the blog) but here’s some stuff I’ve been loving lately.

The Delta Mirror

He Was Worse Than The Needle He Gave You”

* * * * *

Reading Rainbow

“Be Who I See”

* * * * *

Little Dragon

“Looking Glass”

* * * * *

Frightened Rabbit

“Swim Until You Can’t See Land”

* * * * *

Broken Social Scene

“World Sick”

Advertisement

Spanish Sahara

The Foals album, Antidotes, was one of my favorite albums of 2008. I’ve been anxiously awaiting their next album, Total Life Forever, which is scheduled to drop in the U.S. on May 11th so I was pretty stoked to run into this video for a new song, Spanish Sahara. I was surprised by how different it is from the dance-punk rhythms of earlier songs but not at all surprised by how much it tickled the pleasure center of my brain. The video itself is a little creepy but gorgeous and mesmerizing (as is singer Yannis Philippakis and his big brown eyes). Oh and the expansive winter landscapes completely reminded me of a Dan McCarthy painting.. like this one minus the dinosaur.

♫ Short Stack ♫

It’s been awhile since I’ve made a music post. Here are a few songs I’ve had on repeat the last few weeks.

Fan Death – Veronica’s Veil

* * * * *

Warpaint – Billie Holiday

* * * * *

Twin Sister –  I Want a House


* * * * *

Thee Oh Sees – I Was Denied

* * * * *

Pit Er Pat – Water

Top Albums of 2009: 10-1

My favorite albums of the year!

(PS – Has anyone else noticed how bad album art has been this year??)

#10 The AntlersHospice

* * * * *

#9 Screaming FemalesPower Move

* * * * *

#8 The xxxx

* * * * *

#7 Wild BeastsTwo Dancers

* * * * *

#6 PapercutsYou Can Have What You Want

* * * * *

#5 The ThermalsNow We Can See

* * * * *

#4 The Joy FormidableA Balloon Called Moaning

* * * * *

#3 Yeah Yeah YeahIt’s Blitz!

* * * * *

#2 Fuck ButtonsTarot Sport

* * * * *

#1 Grizzly BearVeckatimest


Top Albums of 2009: 11-20

#20 You Say Party! We Say Die!XXXX

* * * * *

#19 Black Lips200 Million Thousand

* * * * *

#18 Le LoupFamily

* * * * *

#17 Drummer Feel Good Together

* * * * *

#16 A Place to Bury StrangersExploding Head

* * * * *

#15 Dead Man’s BonesDead Man’s Bones

* * * * *

#14 Animal CollectiveMerriweather Post Pavilion


* * * * *

#13 Atlas SoundLogos

* * * * *

#12 Local NativesGorilla Manor


#11 Handsome FursFace Control

(#1-#10 next week…)

Gentlemen, Scotch, and Song

Kell and our friend Jared have started a new podcast, Gentlemen, Scotch, and Song. You can listen as they sit down with a fine glass of scotch, discuss music in a polite fashion and completely rock out. I love the chemistry between the duo, which isn’t surprising since they are such funny individuals.

They’ve posted their first show and another should be up in the near future. So settle in with your own libation and flip your hearing switch into the “hell yeah” position.

You can listen via their site or iTunes.

Below is the playlist from their first show:

  1. “Revenge” by Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse featuring the Flaming Lips.  Album “Dark Night of the Soul” in 2009.  Visuals on the project from Mr. David Lynch.  Website : http://dnots.com/
  2. “Brazil” by Cornelius.  Album “Point” on Matador Records in 2002.  Originally composed by Ary Barroso/Bob Russell.  Notes : Original Portuguese version written by Barroso in 1939 under the name “Aquarela do Brasil”
  3. “Bell” by Screaming Females.  Album “Power Move” on Gon Giovanni Records in 2009.
  4. “Dove” by Ikon, remixed by Stephane Pompougnac.  Album “The Concorde Lounge – Super Sonic Jet Set Love” on Casa Brutus records in 2003.  Originally composed by Ireland/Rizzo.
  5. “The Sheep Look up” by dj /rupture and Andy Moor.  Album “Patches” on Cargo Records in 2009.
  6. “Zum Zum” by Mike Monday.  Album “Smorgasbord” on Playtime records in 2006.  Originally composed by Mike Monday.

Top Albums of 2009: 21-30

December is the worst. I hate that it’s dark when I get to work and dark when I get home. I despise wearing socks. Digging my car out from its icy tomb makes me want to take hostages. And if Silent Night were a person I’d punch him in his glasses.

But there is one thing that makes me giddy for this time of year – top album lists! They’re such a great way to be a lazy researcher.. just let everyone else sift through the crap and present the gems. With that said, here’s some of what I was left with after my yearly sift. Starting at 30 and working backwards…

Also I’d love to hear what albums you were crazy for this year!

#30 The RaveonettesIn and Out of Control

* * * * *

#29 TelepatheDance Mother

* * * * *

#28 Portugal. The ManThe Satanic Satanist

* * * * *

#27 Flaming LipsEmbryonic

* * * * *

#26 Washed OutLife of Leisure

* * * * *

#25 Fever RayFever Ray

* * * * *

#24 The ShiversIn the Morning

* * * * *

#23 Matt and KimGrand


* * * * *

#22 CrocodilesSummer of Hate

* * * * *

#21 Smith WesternsSmith Westerns

(#20-#11 next week…)

The Symphony of Science

FINALLY science and the auto-tuner have gotten together! Who hasn’t been waiting for this moment? The Symphony of Science is a project started by John Boswell to “deliver scientific knowledge and philosophy in musical form”. Here’s “A Glorious Dawn” by Carl Sagan featuring Stephen Hawking. Hilarious stuff! Check his site for two other fantastic videos.


♫ Short Stack ♫

I’ve been sick and lazy this week.. but now I’m getting back on the blogging horse!

The Twin Peaks theme between the first and last song…  totally not intentional, totally sweet.

Surfer Blood – Twin Peaks

* * * * *

Mumford and Sons – Little Lion Man

* * * * *

Sleigh Bells – Crown on the Ground

sleighbells

* * * * *

Drummer – Feel Good Together

drummer

* * * * *

You Say Party! We Say Die! – Laura Palmer’s Prom

Grizzly Bear – Ready, Able

I’ve become re-obsessed with Grizzly Bear’s Vickatimest over the past few weeks. This video for their song Ready, Able, directed by Allison Schulnik, is a little creepy and a lot amazing.