A holiday greeting from the good people at… Devo! — “Happy Something to You”
Music recommendations, the occasional book or movie plug, plus an oddity or two along the way, from your pal, B.
December 22, 2009
December 10, 2009
Hot City — “No More”
Robotic as hell, but has a great tech-house rhythm, and a lot of chilly Detroit bass to it. Were I running a club or a radio show, this one would be in heavy rotation — but only after dark.
October 11, 2009
Destroyer - Bay Of Pigs
An 8-minute edit of Dan Bejar’s stellar new single. Full version of Bay Of Pigs is 13+ minutes, but I chose to save you that burden. This gent is one of the main songwriters behind the New Pornographers, and he is the soul of the current Vancouver music scene. Bowiesque, in his occasional pretentions, but I give all that a hearty thumbs up. I choose to call it ambition!
October 11, 2009
Built To Spill - Life’s A Dream
They’re back! And the new album may be their best in a decade, at least. If you were ever a fan, check this new release out very closely.
October 11, 2009
The Very Best - Warm Heart Of Africa feat. Ezra Koenig (of Vampire Weekend)
Irresistible lead single from long-awaited debut from Esau Mwamwaya and the producer duo known as Radioclit. Think M.I.A. without the edge. Good-time tunes! Highly recommended.
September 28, 2009
Girls - “Lust For Life”
Lead-off song from this San Francisco-based band’s debut LP, titled somewhat comically, “Album.” (They barely appear in the video, and no, there are no girls in the band.)
This is going to be one of those indie records that ends up on a ton of year-end best-of lists. It’s sunny guitar pop, but with lyrics that are among the most heartfelt and personal that I’ve heard in years. Lead singer Christopher Owens’ background is rather harrowing, and it clearly has informed his art. But you can also tell that this is a fellow hungering for things not-that-far out of reach.
Personally, I hope Christopher finds a sense of contentment through the success that seems destined to come his way. This is one strong debut. I suggest it highly.
September 18, 2009
Ernie Anastos — “Keep F-ing That Chicken”
Easily one of the most insane bits of happy-talk you will see all year. (Or perhaps EVER.) This may, in point of fact, outgun his other notorious mumbling from a few years ago. (Nope. Not quoting it. But, hint, it involves a Web address.)
Oh, Ernie, you must not drink before the show!
September 16, 2009
Delorean - “The Big Dipper”
A great track from the Barcelona band’s great current EP, Ayrton Senna. (I posted “Seasun” from this same record a few weeks ago.)
These guys deserve a higher-profile! Would love to see them open for a band like Phoenix. THAT would be a hot ticket!
September 8, 2009
The Stone Roses — “Fools Gold”
In honor of the debut’s impending rerelease in the U.S. market, here is the masterstroke.
Some might argue this was the last great song they produced, though I’ve always admired “One Love.” Either way, it’s nice to have these Mancs to recall on a day certain to be all about a certain four-piece from Liverpool. ;)
August 28, 2009
The xx - “Crystalised”
Intricate pop — very smooth; not one bit dull.
Yet another group of Elliott School grads (like Burial, Four Tet and Hot Chip before them.) BNM and 8.7 from Pfork, and I agree wholeheartedly.
August 26, 2009
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Washed Out — “Feel It All Around”
For the waning days of summer, here’s a woozy synthpop treat.
Ernest Greene, the South Carolinian behind Washed Out, self-released this one, and I found it got its hooks in me. Perhaps not as deeply as Air France or JJ, but I definitely wanted to hear it a second time, immediately after the first play finished. (Always a good sign.)
August 17, 2009
The Horrors — “Mirror’s Image”
The excellent second single from Primary Colours. The video, incidentally, makes it way to you via Nine Inch Nails’ Web site and YouTube channel. (The Horrors are opening for Trent & Co here in NYC later this week.) If you liked MBV back in the day, give this a spin.
August 6, 2009
The Big Pink - “Dominos”
A superb slice of techno-rock blend, with jaded lyrics that, well, you may never notice because the groove is so solid.
The drums sound Bonham-big on my iTunes-purchased copy of this track. The band’s a duo from London, and they’re signed to 4AD over there, which is an enduring mark of quality, if you ask me. The debut album, A Brief History of Love drops during the second half of September, if you believe Wikipedia. I’ve already pre-ordered it on iTunes based on the strength of this track.
July 31, 2009
Delorean - “Seasun”
Barcelona’s Delorean have hit a career high with their new EP, Ayrton Senna.
They’re a true rock band, but they have evolved toward a sound that lands pretty close to Cut Copy, in my opinion. And since In Ghost Colours was one of my favorite records of 2008, that’s praise.
Can’t understand why the dude who posted this to YouTube has added a carrot graphic, but at least you can hear the track clearly.
July 31, 2009
Joker - “Digidesign”
State-of-the-art dubstep, without the menace of Burial. A name to watch.
And to play loudly in the car when driving around with the windows down. ;)
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