Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Gayngs - The Gaudy Side of Town

Chromeo - Don't Turn the Lights On

Tennis - Marathon




\We didn't realize, that we had arrived\At high tide, high tide, barely made it out alive.\

Tennis is a husband and wife duo, which is awesome. Alaina Moore has a unique voice, which is even more awesome. They recorded their album while sailing on their sailboat around the ocean, which is the most awesome thing I have ever heard of.

The song feels good, and is a great summer anthem. The vocals are obscured to the point where you can't recognize lyrics, but it doesn't bother you. The song just works. The woah's and oh's touch your brain and release endorphins, and we all know what that means.

The "Marathon" 7-inch drops 7/31 via Underwater Peoples

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

How To Dress Well - Ready For the World


How To Dress Well



If you liked the post about Washed Out, then you should love HTDW. This song flows naturally and gracefully, and makes you feel a wide range of emotions.

I can't think of a single scenario that this wouldn't be a great soundtrack for. Walking down the hall at school, at a funeral, winning the championship, making top ramen, it all works. And coupled with this song, it all has a little bit more emotion behind it. Entitled 'Ready For the World' it could be one of the most appropriate song names I've ever heard.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Keegan DeWitt - Say La La



Keegan DeWitt




I am in awe of this song. I don't even know what to say about it. I know firsthand that it is incredibly easy to bob your head to it. That's about all I can think of. I am sort of at a loss for words right now. This is amazing.

Well done, Keegan. Well done.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Bill Callahan - Jim Cain


A Young Bill Callahan


\I started telling the story\Without knowing the end.\

When I first heard this I loved the music -- but I wasn't too keen on Bill Callahan's voice.
Now I see the error of my ways.

This song is so hypnotically beautiful and pure, it's absurd. Lyrically it's magnificent, musically it's genius, and vocally it's gorgeous. Bill's voice is simple and perfect for the song. I find myself wanting to sing along every time I hear it.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Yu(c)k - Automatic



\I was always an automatic\Don't assume I'm in control\.

I find Yuck's music to be incredibly beautiful. Which is incredibly ironic. But I'm guessing that's what they were going for?

Their upcoming EP - Weakend is on cassette (!) with a limited edition of 100, and is already sold out. It drops August 2nd. The band's blog can be found here.

Arms - "EP" Review


I was upset when I heard that The Harlem Shakes had broken up. I thoroughly enjoyed "Technicolor Health".

They truly didn't get the recognition they deserved and their debut album was incredible.

But I'm more than a little surprised that Todd Goldstein wasn't featured a little more on the album. I mean, I know he was the guitarist after all, but his voice especially. Don't get me wrong, I love the uniqueness of Lexy Benaim's voice, but I was caught off guard at how great Goldstein's pipes are. On "Arms EP" his voice soars and dives, and before you know it, you are singing the tunes in your shower.

The project has been around since even before The Harlem Shakes, but before he did all of the instruments himself. Now that the Shakes are donezo, he got himself a full band, and really started to get his hands dirty.



One of the first things you notice is that Goldstein has a great mind when it comes to catchy music, and hooky songs. Songs that you can't get out of your head. But in this case, it isn't a bad thing. Not at all.

The EP starts off with "Floaters", which instantly caught my attention. The guitar - as to be expected - is wonderful. The chorus feels powerful while not feeling too overpowering. Goldstein sings \You're born under a bad sign\Just wait until your luck runs out\. The song has a sad, yet optimistic feel to it.

The next song, and my favorite off of the EP, is "Heat & Hot Water". It starts off dark and deep, and constantly builds. His voice bouncing and waving, Goldstein sings \Are you at peace\When you're feeding the beast\Wherever we go?\. This song, to me at least, is the catchiest of the album. Even after just one listen, you find yourself humming the chorus for the rest of the day.

Overall I would say I enjoyed "Arms EP" more than I enjoyed The Harlem Shakes "Technicolor Health". Every song on the EP is absolutely wonderful. You could listen to it over and over again and still enjoy the ins and outs of every song. But we'll have to wait and see until the Arms full album comes out. They are currently working on it and it is going to be called "Summer Skills". I cannot wait to see what it brings.

Oh yeah. The EP is FREE here.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

ARMS and Gayngs

ARMS

The Harlem Shakes -- a band that I LOVE -- broke up last September.
Which blows because they never got the recognition they deserved.

BUT, I recently stumbled across a band called ARMS.
I found them to be incredibly intriguing.
Only today did I find out that ARMS is the Harlem Shakes guitarist's Todd Goldstein's band.

AND, His new self titled EP (it dropped in March) is completely free on the bands website.

So I have decided I will be doing a review of it. It should be up in the next couple of days.

For now you can nibble on this.

Gayngs - The Gaudy Side of Town



Gayngs is a supergroup featuring members of Solid Gold, Bon Iver, The Rosebuds and many many more.

I swear I am not trying to follow all of Justin Vernon's work. The guy is just all over the place.

Monday, July 19, 2010

The Shouting Matches - Death Letter (Son House Cover)



the quality on this isn't great -- but it blew my mind anyway.

I have a completely new level of respect for Justin Vernon.

It's hard to comprehend that this is the same man
who sings Skinny Love.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Monday, July 12, 2010

Washed Out (Ft. Caroline Polachek) - You and I



Its been awhile since I've heard a song that me feel this much inside.
Without even really understanding the words,

I feel pain, I feel love, I feel alone, I feel remorse, I feel joy.

Thank you Washed Out

Elkland - "Apart"



Jonathan Pierce - Vocals/Best Dancer Ever
Adam Kessler - Guitarist

This is an old song. The aforementioned half of the band is now "The Drums", who were recently declared "New York City's coolest band" by NME Magazine.

Also, I'm pretty sure Jonathan was in Karate Kid.