Voxtrot - Voxtrot

Found and posted at the request of Chris. I'll let him elaborate.

Donuts - J Dilla

You've probably read a lot about this album - how Jay Dee was in the hospital, dying, and putting this thing together in his bed, using whatever records his pals brought him while he laid there with a turntable and laptop.

Though it's just an instrumental hip-hop album, it's probably the saddest collection of songs I've ever heard. The quality is very, very high.

So enjoy these Donuts. They're very sweet.

Oh, and t3h hits: I've got ratings on "Stop!", "The Diff'rence", "Time: The Donuts of the Heart", "Two Can Win", "Don't Cry", "Thunder", "One for Ghost", "Bye.", and "The Last Donut of the Night", but remember that we've all got different taste (mine is pretty bad) and you might like some different cuts than me.

Word.

The return of GNR

Uploaded to the site is the album "Whenever it's Done", which in reality is the long-awaited – since 1993 in fact – album by Guns N' Roses "Chinese Democracy". No release date has been set yet, so enjoy this bootleg, because who knows when the actual album will come out.

-Jason

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists-Living With The Living

Ted Leo Rocks! His live shows Rock! Ted Leo brings the ock to Rock.

This is indie rock goodness. No strings attached rocking.

Rock this shit while rocking out.

Tracks to check out: Who Do You Love, Colleen, and La Costa Brava. But please don't stop there, keep rocking with the RX bandits.

Great Lake Swimmers-Ongiara

The first word that comes to mind when I think about Great Lake Swimers is mellow, also maybe haunting. Definitely for fans of Andrew Bird, Badly Drawn Boy, My Morning Jacket, Wilco.

Based out of Toronto, this indie-folk, roots music and alt country pop outfit (straight from their website), sings amazing tunes with lyrics to boot.

No specific tracks to check out, just give it a listen.

I URGE YOU ALL TO TRY IT. Let me know your thoughts and I can post the first 2 if you like.

Feist - The Reminder

You may recognize Leslie Feist as the female vocals on the last Kings of Convience album, Riot On An Empty Street. She is also a contributor to Canadian post-rock including Broken Social Scene and Apostle of Hustle. Sometimes delicate, sometimes boisterous, The Reminder is a fantastic album that shows of Leslie's many talents. My favorite tracks so far include My Man My Moon, Sea Lion Woman, Brandy Alexander, and How My Heart Behaves. Enjoy.

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

It hadn't even made it into the scurvy hands of internet pirates when Wilco streamed their newest album, Sky Blue Sky, on their website this past Saturday evening. Of course, it didn't take long for files to start circulating after that. But maybe that was the point, beat the pirates at their own game and control the buzz. The stream is down now, but you can download a track from the album at wilcoworld.net. Lucky for you, I've posted the complete album for your previewing pleasure. It's a good album and I've got some opinions about it which I'll share another time. But for now, my favorite tracks include Either Way, Sky Blue Sky, Walken, and What Light. Give it a listen and share your opinions here. Enjoy.

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

The latest offering from Isaac Brock and his Modest Mice with a little help from Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. Not as immediately striking as their previous albums but there are some great tunes on here including Dashboard, Missed the Boat, and Spitting Venom. Enjoy.

Son Volt - The Search

I'm not sure that you could rightfully call this band Son Volt since Jay Farrar is the only remaining original member. None the less, the biological father of Alternative Country has created another album to remind us all that the genre is not yet dead no matter how hard Jeff Tweedy tries to kill it. I haven't given this one much of a listen yet, but my earlier impression is that it is good, but not great. I really enjoyed their last album, Okemah and the Melody of Riot, and it took me a while to come around to it. So, I'll give this one a chance. Enjoy.

Pulp: Peel Sessions

I love Pulp.

I love Jarvis Cocker.

I hope you do too!!

Peel Sessions combines songs from all of the seminal Pulp releases, from 2004's highly underrated We Love Life, to the classics, This Is Hardcore, Different Class and His and Hers, all the way back to the early days of It, Freaks and Separations.

Jarvis is the lead singer of Pulp, and gives us his first solo album. It came out in November in the UK, should hit the states in March. Those lucky few going to Coachella will get a glimpse of this modern genious. Yeah, I said it. There is a secret song after a long pause on the final track, which was passed around the web a while back. It is called Cunts Are Still Running The World, and was written exactly one year after the big flop that was Live 8.

1983, Bitches!

I've got little else to say except that She's So Unusual came out in 1983, and if you were around then, you rocked out to it (because it was turbo-ubiquitous - even lil' ol' me in bumbletruck, Minnesota had it on cassette), and then probably engaged in what became two decades of backlash against Cyndi Lauper.

But go back in time, and take a listen with fresh ears. This album rocks out in a way that only a one-shot pop album can. Loaded with singles, and sporting remarkably light early-80s synth production (synthesizers have never sounded so great on a record as here, paired with Cyndi Lauper's strong, bouncy voice), this is a triumph. This release includes three live tracks that don't really add much, but there they are.

Anyway, enjoy the trip down memory lane if you were there. If you weren't, well, here is a hell of a time capsule.

Andrew Bird is Dr. Stringz

It is unfortunate that this is not on Armchair Apocrypha

Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition

A little throwback for all ya playa haters, well, thrown back to 2004.

Murs, a founding member of Living Legends out of California who claims to be "More Coldplay than Ice T", and 9th Wonder, a producer from Little Brother out of North Carolina, formed to make this instant classic. They continued to work together on 2006's excellent Murray's Revenge (on both Kyle and My best of the year lists)

Part of the whole indie or underground rap scene, the album is just plain excellent. The production taps into a little of everything, focusing on R&B, straight beats, and jiggling hooks. Murs lays down sick vocals and rhymes that are straight up ghetto but has all the emotion and relevance that this genre of hip hop is best known for.

A 45 minute film based off of this album was made by Murs and some friends and released late 2005 as a deluxe edition. Have not seen it but would love to. Anyone???

Apostle of Hustle-National Anthem of Nowhere

The new album from Broken Social Scene's Andrew Whiteman.

This is Ap0stle of Hustle's second disc, after 2004's Folkloric Feel.

A great sound similar to BSS, indie folk experimental or whatever the fuck you want to call it.

Another excellent album from our good neighbors to the north, Canada! Reminds me of a good joke...eh!

From their press release:
'National Anthem of Nowhere’ is for everyone who feels that they have no voice or can’t be heard. They hear this title and something stirs inside them. Then they hear this song and they feel that they “know” it. They meet strangers in nowhere places and will never forget those meetings. They wander out into the suburban, in-between zones and there they are welcomed.

blues boy and pre string spaghetti

i know. long time, no post. my apologies.

two things i'd like to share in attempts to get back into your collective good graces: 1) a fantastic live recording of bb (blues boy) king and his band circa 1965. bb and lucille swing, the band jumps and the audience wails. 2) spaghetti western's debut, before they added string co. to the name... my latest impulse purchase. not as musically strong as the quiet mob EP, but worth a listen or two.

p.s. thanks for the great postings and tunes. 700 hobo names and neon bibles - you just can't beat this shit with a stick.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

I'm not sure I could think of a worse album title if I tried. Fortunately, Neon Bible is not as lame as it's title. It hasn't blown me away yet and is honestly a bit of a disappointment when compared to their debut album, Funeral. But it's still a good album except for a few throw away tracks. My favorites include "Intervention" and "No Cars Go." Enjoy.

Martin Dosh: Pure Trash

Though Dosh has been sharing the stage recently with Andrew Bird, he also performs wonderfully well alone. His solo performances are always a treat, and to watch him work up close (as I got a chance to do recently at a gallery opening), is fantastic. He completely ignores the crowd and simply experiments with his various instruments, throwing (sometimes literally) sounds together which you hear a moment later, integrated seamlessly. This isn't music to hum along with. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Minneapolis's own Martin Dosh.

LCD Soundsystem-Sound of Silver

Following up the leak's, I bring you the fabulous new release from LCD SOUNDSYSTEM- Sound of Silver.

As Kyle put it, "indie hipster electronic crap", this album is a hybrid of sorts, a la RJD2 or Junior Boys.

Made famous by their remixes and original songs under the DFA Label, James Murphy has created a unique sound. Everything culminated with 2005's "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House." My house.

Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha

Armchair Apocrypha is the follow-up album to Mr. Bird's amazing 2005 release, The Mysterious Production of Eggs. Recorded mostly in Minneapolis, Andrew enlisted the help of a few local musicians including Haley Bonar and touring partner, Martin Dosh. You can hear Dosh's influence throughout the album and specifically on the song "Static X" to which he wrote the music. Haley sings backing vocals on several tracks, most notably "Spare-Ohs." If you've seen Andrew Bird in the past year or so, there is a good chance you've heard several of these songs already. We have been lucky here in the Twin Cities that Andrew has played several shows locally while recording his newest album here. Andrew has a knack for tinkering with his sound during shows and his songs live usually never sound the same twice. So, even though these songs are familiar, there are some welcome surprises. It may be Dosh's influence, but this album seems more focused on electronics and drums than the acoustic sounds of The Mysterious Production of Eggs, it's nice to see a musician as talented as Andrew Bird push his sound even further. Armchair Apocrypha will be released March 20 on Fat Possum Records. Enjoy.

The PC is cooler then the Mac

I recently heard an interview with John Hodgman on NPR this weekend. He was promoting his new book Areas of My Expertise. You may recognize his name from his apperances on The Daily Show and This American Life. I had never but it together before but after looking him up on his website areasofmyexpertise.com, I did not not put two and two together and realize who he actually is. John Hodgman is PC, from those cleaver and often copied Mac ads staring Die Hard 4's, Justin Long. Justin Long is a realtive bore of an actor and often seen as the poor man's Zach Braff. But this is not about Justin nor Braff it is about the subline wackiness that is Mr. Hodgman.

Really take the time to explore his site. There is some great stuff on there. Apparently John has an unatural facination with Hobos, as we all do I am sure. I have posted on the iDisk John Hogman reading 700 different Hobo names. It sounds exactly what you would think. PC reading Hobo names like, "Cricket Eating Charlie Digs" and "Professor Challenger" while John Coulton playes guitar. It goes on for nearly an hour. The cool thing about it is that it was all done in one take. Yes I know it is weird but really take the time and listen to it, maybe not in all one sitting but listen. It is funny, extremely funny.

Enjoy

***uploaded while listening to John Hodgman and John COulton read 700 Hobo names***

Joanna Newsome

For the last couple of weeks we have been listing to David Byrne's January play list Welcome to Dreamland . The playlist consist of artists that fall under the freak folk rock category. Their roots are in ’60s psychedelia, ’90s jam bands, electronica, and a number of world music traditions. One artist that caught my interest is Joanna Newsome. I am posting both of her albums: Ys released in Nov. 06 and The Milk-Eyed Mender released in 2004. Newsome is an accomplished classical harpist that sings/tells stories (her pitch and phrasing may seem unusual or hard to take at times). Sometimes she sounds like Bjork. Either you like the vocals or you don't, it is definitely an acquired taste. The final mixing for her new album Ys was done by Jim O'Rourke.

Tom Waits "Orphans"

I going to assume you're aware of Tom Waits. If you like him, then dowload this. If you don't like him, then please ignore. This is the new 3 disc box set from Tom Waits. The box set is called "Orphans." Each disc is organized in of the 3 styles of Mr. Waits. "Bastards" is a collection of spoken word/weirdo music. "Bawlars" is a collection of sad songs. "Brawlars" are the types of songs that appear on the Fight Club Soundtrack or on a Ramones tribute album. Enjoy.

Jeff Tweedy - Sunken Treasure

Songs from the DVD Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest uploaded for Chris and anyone else that may be anticipating the upcoming release of Sky Blue Sky.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder

Probably one of the most anticipated sophomore albums of 2007 next to Arcade Fire's forthcoming Neon Bible. Don't worry, Alec Ounsworth's voice is still annoying as hell and they sound like a band that is about to explode at any moment. But they've matured musically and have made anything but a safe follow-up to their 2005 self-titled independent release. What sets Some Loud Thunder apart is the production, at some points garbled and muddy, at other points crisp and poppy. In fact, the opening track is so unlistenable, CYHSY will probably loose as many fans with this album as they'll gain. Enjoy.

Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth

Since appearing on Non-Prophets "Doomage" in 2004 with the line "Must not discuss divorce with the case still pending, but I got some shit to tell you on my next record," The Undisputed Truth has been one of the most anticipated of upcoming hip-hop albums. Originally set to be released in early 2006, Brother Ali's latest effort has been pushed back to March 2007. I offer to you the "Clean Advance" version of The Undisputed Truth. Unfortunately, this means that all the naughty words have been scratched out and you are reminded every minute or so that "this is a pre-advance copy." Fortunately, this means you have a chance to preview this album and pre-order it before it drops.

Brother Ali joins forces once again with Rhymesayers super-producer, Ant. The beats are tight and musical like you'd expect, the flow is smooth and positive in a way that only Ali can spit. But there is something noticeably different about this record compared to Ali's previous efforts. His lyrics have always been extremely personal, but this album quickly becomes a confessional and appears to be as much therapy as it is entertainment. Since releasing Champion in 2004, Ali has apparently lost his mother to cancer, gone through a divorce, and a subsequent custody battle. Normally, that type of personal struggle may be better left unmentioned, instead he makes it the forefront of his storytelling. Brother Ali's rise from the ashes is the theme of The Undisputed Truth. Unfortunately, the record suffers a bit from all this truth. Ali forgets the listener in favor of dealing with his personal ghosts. The Undisputed Truth doesn't have the urgency of Shadows on the Sun or Champion, but it is an important step for one of underground hip-hop's rising stars.

Enjoy.

Heartless Bastards: All This Time

Heartless Bastards, a recent LaLa acquisition covertly selected by my sly girlfriend, feels like an amped up version of Cat Power minus the with less piano and histrionics. "Into the Open" and "Searching for the Ghost" get the album rolling and the rest of it doesn't disappoint.

Mos Def-True Magic

So apparently this was recalled today by Geffen. Pitchfork talked about it. The CD came in a clear plastic case with no artwork or liner notes. It was pretty cheap. According to the article, they are going to rerelease the album in the spring with a different tracklist and actually promote the thing, as opposed to what they did this time by releasing it on the last Friday of the year and making it hard to find.

I actually quite like the album. It is more Black on Both Sides than the Black Jack Johnson punk/rock/hip hop of The New Danger. There are a few songs where he mumbles some of his def poetry shit however.

Either way, decide for yourself.

Paleo – Carpet Samples from The Song Diary

Some notes:

Paleo is David Strackany.

Is originally from Illinois.

Went to college in Iowa.

May or may not have run an art gallery.

Is currently writing one song a day for every day of one year –(that's 365 for you folks in LA).


He's touring and recording a song a day and posting them to his website as part of his "Song Diary" project. I just saw this guy perform last night at Big V's and got a copy of this and his first record Misery, Missouri. He plays this toy acoustic guitar and he reminded me of a younger, thinner version of Tiny Tim. It was cooler than it sounds and the more songs I hear, the more I like it. Check out his website (paleo.ws) for the rest of the Song Diary, including yesterday's song "Sunday Prayer XXXIX". If I wasn't out so late last night, I would be catching his show tonight at the 331 Club (I guess I'll just have to wait for the mp3).

Gyrofrypepsi

So, here's this thing.

As far as I can tell, Selda Bagcan is like the Ethel Merman of Turkey. Or maybe the Judy Garland, or Lesley Gore. Maybe she's closer to the Grace Slick of Turkey, or maybe, just maybe, I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. It's possible there is no American analog to this woman with the throaty, emotional voice.

All I know are these facts:

1. I got this album last Thursday night


2. This album is filled with chunky Turkish psych-rock breaks


3. Listening to this album makes me feel like I'm drunk, it's 3am, and I'm waiting in line for gyros and fries at the Parthenon, State St.

It might be a little far-out for some of you indie kids, but as Abba said (and they were foreigners too) Take A Chance!

My Best of 2006

Hello Everyone.

Here are my 2 cents on best of lists. A disclaimer, I do not necessarily think these 10 albums are the "best albums musically" or anything like that, they are simply my favorite 10 albums, or the albums that did the most for me this year.

Here you go, if you want a specific album, just let me know and I will post it.

1) Phoenix-It’s Never Been Like That

2) OH NO! OH MY!-ST

3) The Stills-Without Feathers

4) Razorlight-ST

5) Peter, Bjorn and John-Writers Block

6) Murs and 9^th Wonder-Murray’s Revenge

7) Beck-The Information

8) Band of Horses-Everything All The Time

9) Islands-Return to the Sea

10) Justin Timberlake-FutureSex/LoveSounds

Honorable Mentions:

1) Tokyo Police Club-A Lesson in Crime (This would be above, but it is only 16 minutes long)

2) Built To Spill-You in Reverse

3) Jarvis Cocker-Jarvis

4) The Magic Numbers-Those the Brokes (Out in the UK in 2006, USA is 2007)

5) Ratatat-Classics

6) The Decemberists-The Crane Wife

7) Ghostland Observatory-Paparazzi Lightning

8) The Whitest Boy Alive-Dreams

9) Lupe Fiasco-Food and Liquor

10) Guillemots-Through the Window Pane

11) I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness-Fear Is On Our Side

12) Voxtrot -3 EP’s

13) Maritime-We The Vehicles

14) Ghostface Killah-Fishscales

15) The Kooks-Inside In/Inside Out

And if you care, my favorite movies of 2006 are:

1) CHILDREN OF MEN
2) BRICK
3) UNITED 93
4) BORAT
5) JACKASS 2 (Yes, seriously)


Films I have not seen yet but expect them to be on this lists are: The Departed, Pan's Labyrinth, Half Nelson, Babel...many more, I see to many movies for work so I don't get out that much if they are not a Universal flick.

Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

Post-rock, or music for your New Year's Day hangover. Enjoy.

Year of the Dog - 10 Songs from 2006

Similar to my previous post listing my favorite albums of 2006, here are some my favorite songs of the year. This was a tough list to create since I kept it to only 10 songs. But this list reflects those songs that caught my ear and stayed there. I've uploaded the playlist for those of you that don't already have these tunes. Enjoy.

1. The Great Salt Lake | Band Of Horses
2. Chinese Translation | M. Ward
3. Rabbit Fur Coat | Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
4. John Saw That Number | Neko Case
5. Born In The U.K. | Badly Drawn Boy
6. Bush-League Psych-Out Stuff | P.O.S.
7. Original King | Brother Ali
8. Get Your Curse | His Name Is Alive
9. Clogged Castle | BOAT
10. Do You Believe In Rapture? | Sonic Youth

The Beatles - Love

Ever wondered what classic Beatles tunes would sound like if they where in the hands of someone with ProTools? Well no need to lie awake at night and wonder, the result is Love. This is a remix of classic songs by the Beatles (from the original 4 track recordings) by George Martin and his son Giles Martin. This was done for the Cirque du Soleil Vegas show of the same name. Sounds like it would be a load of crap, right? Sounds like it could be like that Billy Joel musical, or heaven forbid the Bob Dylan one.

Suprisingly it is not as bad as you would think. Love has a big thing going for it, it is the original Beatle music, and producers that are familiar and love the original material

I enjoyed the album, it never got too "clever." Beatle songs are like the U.S. Constitution. Either you feel that they way they are record is the way they should remain for the end of time and should not be f'd with or you feel that they can be changed and evolve with the times. I as with the constitution fall some where in the middle. Beatle songs where close to perfect when they were recorded and in an essence timeless, this is why there are so many bad Beatle covers (G Love's Blackbird and most of the I am Sam soundtrack). Now the timelssness of their songs make it so adaptable to change (ie Rufus Wainwright Across the Universe). When it is done with care and respect it can make something magical.

Love is close to magical. Giles intertwines several classic Beatle tunes to make a swirling sonic experience that continues to make the listener think about what they are hearing but also of the original tunes. Unfortunately this is a gimmick and with all gimmicks I can see it getting old really fast. Love will not be a lasting album in the Beatle's pantheon of great records, but an interesting footnote in their ever expanding mythology.

All Songs Considered recently did a show that interviewed Giles Martin and talked extensively about the record and the project. If you are interested I would suggest downloading their podcast on it. If you don't subscribe to their podcast you should because it is really good.

I have included the art work from the album for you reading pleasure.

***This post updated while listening to Rufus Wainwright, no particular album but just some songs by him.***

Low - Drums and Guns

I was first introduced to Low by Greg who gave me a copy of their 2001 release, Things We Lost in the Fire. It took a very long time for the album to sink in. For some reason I didn't get it at the time. But one day it clicked, and now Low is one of my favorite bands currently recording. Granted their live shows are as slow and tedious as you might imagine, but if you are familiar with their music, seeing them live can be an impressive experience.

I am very happy to share their upcoming release, Drums and Guns. On first listen, this album is every bit as good as last year's, The Great Destroyer. If you've seen Low live this past year, you will most likely recognize several of the songs which have been reworked for this album. There is a stunning version of Murderer which has been a staple at live shows recently. Producer Dave Fridmann, who also helped on The Great Destroyer, joins Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker once again to hone Low's haunting sound. Zak Sally has apparently been replaced by bassist Matt Livingston, both in the studio and at live shows. Drums and Guns is haunting and terrifying both in lyrics and tone. Apparently, Alan has gone through some dark times recently and these songs are the result. Drums and Guns is scheduled for release on March 20, 2007.

Enjoy.

A Christmas Gift from David Gilmour

It's the long-awaited impromptu acoustic rendition of David Gilmour playing Syd Barrett's Dark Globe. He premiered it at the Clam Castle show in Austria last summer, without even having played it at the soundcheck or having rehearsed it! The performance was so emotional, the entire band and crew spontaneously applauded when he finished.

Also posted is an Arnold Layne video of David Gilmore, Rick Wright, David Bowie, and band performing a great early Pink Floyd song that Syd wrote.

David Gilmour | On An Island

Merry Christmas

Happy Christmas (War is Over) | John Lennon
Ding Dong Ding Dong | George Harrison
Father Christmas | Kinks
A Christmas Song | Jethro Tull
Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night | Jimi Hendrix
Blue Christmas | Elvis Presley
Santa Baby | Marilyn Monroe
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas | Bing Crosby
Linus and Lucy | Vince Guaraldi Trio
Hanukkah Song 1 | Adam Sandler
Christmas Parodies | Jimmy Fallon

Ho Ho Ho! It is Christmas Time!

So I got two little presents for all of you. First of which is a little Christmas mix I put together. It is reminiscent of the "card" I sent in 2003. Here is the Track listing:

1. Snowflake Music - Mark Mothersbaugh
2. Welcome Christmas - Dr. Suess
3. Christmastime is Here (Instrumental) - Vince Guaraldi Trio
4. I Saw Three Ships - Darol Anger
5. Love Came Down at Christmas - Shawn Colvin
6. Christmas Is Near - Dr. Ralph Stanley
7. Winter Weather - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
8. Jingle Bells - Frank Sinatra
9. White Christmas - Esquivel
10. You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch - Aimee Mann
11. Zat You Santa Claus - Louis Armstrong
12. Santa Claus - They Might Be Giants
13. Silent Night - Johnny Cash
14. Joy To the World - Eef Barzelay
15. I Love NYE - Badly Drawn Boy
16. Careless Santa - Mono Puff
17. welcome christmas (reprise) - califone

Also as a bonus I have put up "The Night Before Christmas" as read by Bob Dylan. It is wonderful. Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas.

Midlake - The Trails of Van Occupanther

I'm sure there are more than a few great new albums that I missed this year. I missed this one when it was released and almost avoided it completely because the first review I read of this album compared Midlake to Fleet Wood Mac. I do not like Fleet Wood Mac, but I'll let you decide for yourself if the comparison is valid. So, after hearing the single, Young Bride, I decided to give this album a chance. I'm glad I did. If you haven't heard The Trails of Van Occupanther yet, it's worth the download if only for the opening track, Roscoe, and the aforementioned single. Although, the remainder stands up very well as a complete album. Enjoy and happy Christmases.

The Shins — Wincing The Night Away

Here is the much talked about leak of their upcoming album. There are lots of tight catchy pop songs with ambitious melodies. The Shins have a certain sound and are sticking with it.

Ultramagnetc MC's

Sam's recent post and Hartzell's constant reminders have inspired me to add some more influential hip-hop to the scene. Ultramagnetic MC's came out of the Bronx block parties of the 80's sounding like no other group around. Apparently the first group to use a sampler as a live instrument and the first to trust a former psychiatric patient with the mic. Kool Keith's unconventional lyrics and timing along with Mo Luv's danceable break-beats and experimental sound make Ultramagnetic a group that can't be ignored. Their first and best release, Critical Beatdown, may sound dated now but in 1988 it took underground hip-hop by storm.

I'm also offering up Ultra's first studio release in 11-years. Due out in 2007, I was hoping it would remind me of what influenced the underground scene in the 80's and 90's. Unfortunately, it come across as dated and the lyrics forced. There is nothing fresh here. But I offer it up anyway at Sam's request.

Enjoy.

The Who - Odds & Sods

I am also posting The Who "Odds and Sods" a collection of unreleased material, rarities, and outtakes released in 1974. It is a quirky collection of songs that are fun to listen to. Enjoy

The Who - Endless Wire

"Endless Wire" is the first new studio album/original material by The Who in twenty-four years. If you are a Who fan give it a listen. At one time in my life their music spoke to me. It had the right mixture of aggressive rhythms, wild drumming, great base lines, and of course angst lyrics. What more does a young adolescence male need?

The second part of my Birthday gift to all of you, goes along with the Best of 2006.

My personal favorite album of 2006 is still PHOENIX-It's Never Been Like That.

My second favorite album is this, PETER BJORN AND JOHN-Writers Block.

You may have heard the ridiculous first single, Young Folks, with the addictive whistled opening, and chorus that will gladly stay in your head for weeks. Easily my vote for Best Song of 2006, by such a long distance, I can't even think of number 2. (Although it is Long Distance Call by Phoenix)

This album is so amazing, you may have to check your pants, pinch yourself, or simply wipe the tears away from your face. Seriously though, I don't want to build it up anymore.

Please just download it, listen to it, love it, and pass it off to people. Oh, and do it quick because the rumor is that Coke or Budweiser just bought the rites to Young Folks, and Grey's Anatomy already played it during one of their episodes.

I don't want to write about what it sounds like or anything clever or not so clever about it. It truly just deserves a listen from beginning to end, and you will be hooked.

I seriously believe that after the first and second listen, it could end up on many of your Best of 2006 lists. (Don't get me wrong, I love Badly Drawn Boy more than the next guy, but this album makes Born in the UK look like the latest release from Danity Kane)

The Magic Numbers-Those the Brokes

Hello Everyone,

Today is my birthday and I am feeling like giving things to other people.

My first gift to you all is the AMAZING new album from British brothers and sisters, THE MAGIC NUMBERS-THOSE THE BROKES.

This is their second album, and criminally does not come out in the U.S until February or March.

With sounds rooted in the 60's harmonies of beach pop, as well as modern Brit Pop and the lovingly titled Twee movement, THE MAGIC NUMBERS craft excellent pop songs that both move you and tickle and love bone. God, I am so cheesy sometimes.

Comprised of 2 sets of brothers and sisters, with simple pop harmonies and lyrics about love and joy and relationships, this is a perfect companion album to a bad day, a new girlfriend, a break-up, a long drive, a first date, a horrible Bears loss to the Vikings, or simply during the day in the office.

Happy Birthday from Me to all of you!!

How Cold Can Coldcut Get?

Coldcut is the seminal UK hip-hop production team of Jonathan More and Matt Black, a team that can be credited as much as anyone with advancing the hip-hop scene on British shores. Their style tends toward urban breaks, ambient dub, and jungle music, and anyone familiar with Ninja Tune Records can thank these two blokes: they started the label on the success of their early bootleg EPs.

What I've posted here is one of my favorite mixes, "70 Minutes of Madness", compiled by Coldcut as part of the Journeys by DJ series in 1995. Check the way they throw down the hilarious/bad-ass Kung-Fu film dialog in the beginning, move effortlessly into dub/reggae, slide over into urban breaks ("do you like scratchin'?"), and throw down some absolutely sick mixes. Nearly every important hip-hop break is represented on this mix at some point (the ubiquitous Stubblefield break, the Zeppelin break, an Eddie Bo break), as well as a lot of hip-hop artists like Mantronix (dig how they drop just a few moments of "King of the Beats" halfway through).

For hip-hop heads, this thing is geeky fun. The production is pretty slick, totally sick, and for an 11-year-old mix, remarkably fresh. Enjoy!

Posted while listening to Change (Makes You Want to Hustle) by Donald Byrd

a holler for some songs

Hey, does anyone still have that singles mix I posted a few weeks ago? I accidentally deleted some of the songs from my hard drive, and I NEED THOSE SONGS.

If someone could re-post, that would be tits.

EDIT: The relevant blog post is here

The Current's Top 89 of 2006

This is the time of year when music professionals and fans alike start compiling lists of their favorite releases of the past year. While I think these lists are a bit silly and pretentious, it's still fun to look back over the past year and remember what caught your ear. I know I have an iTunes playlist dedicated to this task. So, Minnesota Public Radio's very own, 89.3 The Current, is asking it's listeners to pick their top albums out of more than 700 that debuted on air in 2006. If anything, it's chance to throw your name in the hat for a new iPod.

Here's the list I came up with. See how important I am?

P.O.S. | Audition
Badly Drawn Boy | Born In The U.K.
The Decemberists | The Crane Wife
DeVotchka | Curse Your Little Heart
His Name is Alive | Detrola
Band of Horses | Everything All the Time
Neko Case | Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Cat Power | The Greatest
The Roots | Game Theory
Belle & Sebastian | The Life Pursuit
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | The Letting Go
Mr. Lif | Mo' Mega
Murs & 9th Wonder | Murray's Revenge
M. Ward | Post-War
Califone | Roots & Crowns
Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins | Rabbit Fur Coat
Sonic Youth | Rather Ripped
TV On The Radio | Return To Cookie Mountain
Boat | Songs That You Might Not Like
Wolfmother | Wolfmother

Gob Iron - Death Songs for the Living

While not the Will Arnet inspired Banana Grabber death metal opus I was hoping for, Gob Iron is an interesting piece of music. Gob Iron is a UK slang for harmonica. and the band is a collaboration between Son Volt front man Jay Farrar and Varaline multi-instrumentalist Andres Parker.

Death Songs for the Living is album composed of folk tunes, are reworked to the duo's own stylistic musings. Where the music is not much of a departure from Farrar's work with Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo the album is interesting a quite good. The album could be best described as close cousin to that of Tupelo's March 18-20, 1992. Farrar playing the part of, well Jay Farrar, and Anders playing Jeff Tweedy. Both adding their own finger prints on each of the songs. The biggest complaint is that Anders doesn't play a bigger role vocally on the album. Anders voice sounds like a young Billy Bragg and is a bit fresh (at least to my ears) then Farrar's lazy pseudo-southern drawl.

Highlights on the album on are, "Hard Times," "Hills of Mexico," and "Death is Only a Dream."

***This post updated while watching Boston Legal***

Jay Bennett - The Magnificent Defeat

I while back I posted something and mentioned that I was listening to Jay Bennett's The Magnificent Defeat. Klein freaked and wanted to have the album. Now, it took me awhile, but here it is for Klein and the rest of you. But before I you go and download it let me give you my two cents, which inevitably will become a dollar you didn't ask for.

Jay Bennett got his first musical chops while in Titanic Love Affair. TLA was a middling power pop group from Urbana IL. Think Mudhoney without the Seattle Sound. Nothing special. Jay toiled in this band as well as Steve Pride and His Blood Kin. Jay's real talent was found in producing and engineering. He also taught Math. Jay engineered albums for low end alt country acts such as Tim Easton, Allison Moorer, and Sheryl Crow. His relationship with Allison Moorer eventually brought him to the notice of Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. Jeff brought Jay on to Wilco as a touring member for AM. Jay was made a full member while recording the fantastic Being There. Jay played everything under the sun on that record. This would eventually become Jay's m.o. multi-instrumentalist.

Jeff found a unique writing partner in Jay. Jay was also the driving force behind the groups collaboration with English troubadour Billy Bragg on the Mermaid Avenue Records. Jeff and Jay's most fruitful collaboration was 1999's Summerteeth. It was Jay's crowning achievement in Wilco. He was able to put his stamp of a Beach Boy's-esqe harmonies and arrangments. Jeff really needed Jay and Jay needed Jeff. They worked well as a writing/producing team. 2001 brought about Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. And well if you have not seen Sam Jones' documentary "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart," about the making of that record, I cannot do the story justice. My suggestion is that you rent it. The short of is Jay left the band under dubious circumstances. "A circle can only have one center."

Jay was now free to do what he wanted. His first forary into solo music is to team up with a long time friend, Edward Burch and recorded the modest The Palace at 4 am and Palace 1919. The songs where great, a mix of stuff he and Jeff wrote but did not record for YHF, the Mermaid Avenue sessions and others.

Jay then went off on his own with the Ryan Adam's-esqe task of recording three albums in one year. First of which was Bigger Then Blue. Jay's second album The Beloved Enemy came out just 6 months later. Of course, marriage, divorce, and producing an album for Blues Traveler can put a cramp in anyone's plans. The third of the trilogy did not come out in 2006.

That brings us to this point. The Magnificent Defeat is a mess of an album. Apparently is culled from 70 + songs. It never finds it voice, it jumps from style to style with no reason to do so. Also the production is short of terrible. Jay, who is so enamored with the fact that he can play 50 instruments feels as though he should play them on every song. With several effects and vocal changes thrown in their for good measure. The album feels like someone who has discovered Pro-tools for the first time. The album is overindulgent and pretenious. With that being said there are some great songs on it. The opener "Slow Beautiful, Seconds Faster" is what is right and wrong about this album. "5th Grade" is what is right about song writing. "I Feel Fine" reminds us about why we fell in Love with Big Star and the like. The album is worth a listen, maybe a couple if you are big Summerteeth fan. Enjoy.


***This post updated while listening to Amiee Mann's I'm with Stupid***

Ryan Adams - Cardinal Radio

What happens when one of the most prolific songwriters of the last 5 years realizes that he can record music cheaply and get them out to the masses via the internet? The result is Ryan Adams' "Cardinal Radio". This online "radio station" consists of 8 Albums that Mr. Adams recorded under various pseudoyms such as DJ Reggie, The Shit, and WereWolph. Each band has its own unique style, from Hillbilly Punk to odd electronica. I feel most of it is unlistenable, but there are a few good nuggets mixed in there. I think Adams is doing this just becasue he can, and he knows people will listen and talk about him (like I am doing).

Adams' other albums are there as well for you to enjoy, if you are not familiar with his music check those out as well. I really like Ryan Adams with no real reason to do so. I think he is a great song writer, especially if you are into songs about women screwing you over. Or songs that sound like the Dead (Cold Roses) or the Replacements (Love is Hell). The problem is that he thinks he is the greatest songwriter ever and everything he puts out is awesome. Unfortunatly about 1/3 of it is fabulous and 1/3 is ok, and the last well is just not. I wish he would slow down and not put out some many albums and concentrate on putting out an album that is truly great. He has it in him. Plus he is looking more and more like a strung out Harry Potter, which is always cool.

Love Ryan Admas or hate him, he is doing some interesting things with music putting out what he wants. Pure Egotism, maybe? Genius? Time will tell. Interesting, yes.

***this post updated while listening to Katie sing lullabyes to Burke***

Right or Wrong?

Of all of the albums covered out there in the big bad world, not many artists have had the cullions to remake a masterpiece. Could anything be more dangerous to a musical career than to turn The Wall into a bluegrass album? Enter Luther Wright and the Wrongs.

I give to you the timeless clasic, only this time with a side of madolin, banjo and pedel steel.

Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

Of Montreal's newest album, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?, continues the journey with Kevin Barnes into euphoric synth-pop. Although this album is scheduled to be release in the first month of 2007, it could easily have been released in 1977. Parallels with prog-rock experimental artists of the 70's and 80's is uncanny. I've only listened to this album once through, so I pass it along to you without judgement, except to say that the album's longest track, The Past Is A Grotesque Animal, is terrifying. Enjoy.