The Music Miz

Hello?

2009-07-16T00:07:00.000-07:00

Is there anyone out there?

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Minus Story

2007-06-29T21:41:00.000-07:00

"Aaron"

Pardon me for not describing Minus Story as a psychadelic, low-fi, cutting edge indie band. This is a band that falls in between the cracks of all those categories. If I must, I will describe this band as orchestral. This song, "Aaron", off the new album My Ion Truss is a perfect example of how a band can take rock music to an orchestral level. You see, contrary to popular belief, being innovative is more than merely adding strings and brass to make up for whatever depth is lacking in your music. Being innovative is skipping the thick violin sections and replacing them with raw, pulsating electric guitar. Being innovative is cutting out the timpani and plugging in a rolling percussive hook that gains momentum and then drops off into a saxophone solo that defies the vocalist and starts a virtual musical standoff until the vocals drop back in at the end to put a provocative stamp on the whole thing. Provocative meaning it provokes you to question, "What the hell was that?" I'll tell you what it was: it was the sound of another band breaking the sound barriers of categorization with pure skill and integrity. It was the sound of a good band.

Download >>Aaron

Lemon Sun

2007-06-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

"Telephone, Are You Alive"

My senior year of high school brings back a lot of memories, my fondest were of my friend Albert asking girls if they fuck on the first date, girls telling me I was weird and waking up early in hopes to catch this video by some band called The Strokes. Since then not much has changed, girls still think I'm weird, garage rock is still ruling the airwaves and teaching kids how to dress. Los Angeles' Lemon Sun is keeping things tried and true with their poppy, guitar-driven rock. The four lads and a lady lay down the standard equation, catchy hooks over some rockin' melodies. "Telephone, Are You Alive" follows on the coat-tails of bands like Rooney, The Mooney Suzuki, and of coarse The Strokes, who still kept the garage rock image but made their music radio-friendly. Lemon Sun may be no MC5, but they still can kick out the jams just as well. I can easily see "Telephone, Are You Alive" making the Indie 103.1 play list, or being blared out of some car parked on Sunset Blvd late at night

Download >>Telephone, Are You Alive

Seabear

2007-06-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

"I Sing I Swim"/"Hospital Bed"

Some of your first musical encounters with Iceland probably came in the form of a pixie named Björk, or if you’re really cool (or just pretending), possibly the Sugarcubes. If not, then surely the icy sounds of Sigur Rós introduced you to the contrasting sounds of a not-so-icy Iceland. As most of us may have already learned by now, the land is more lush and alive than its name lets on, but a majority of the music seems to perpetuate the same conflicting image. Seabear seems to be conscious of this. “It’s not cold in Seabearia!” claims their myspace headline. Their latest, The Ghost That Carried Us Away, is ripe with soft, subtle chamber-folk gems like “Hospital Bed.” The song weaves a choir of “La La’s” into a gentle lullaby, with Sindri Sigfoessen singing softly over plucked strings. After the lullaby comes dreamy guitars, piano, and circular melodies. “I Sing I Swim” offers more of the same gentleness, with rolling piano and shimmering noises, sounding a lot like the U.K.’s Boy Least Likely To. The warm fiddle driven folk-pop of Seabear is pretty refreshing when compared to the glacial soundscapes of their countrymen. Seabearia may have been a great place to visit if it ever actually existed.

Download >>I Sing I Swim

Download >>Hospital Bed

Minus The Bear

2007-06-26T01:49:00.001-07:00

"Knights"

“Knights” instantly stood out to me the first time I listened to Minus The Bears latest album Planet of Ice. Some quirky synth starts you off into a track that has vocals and guitar that begin with a certain sweetness to them, but that changes almost instantly. That sweetness is replaced by some more aggressive guitar and drums, as well as vocals that are continually building in emotion. This is all broken up intermittently with some carefree guitar riffs. All of this is slowly building into a crescendo that reaches its peak and then is gently brought back down, the tempo gradually slows, and the vocals are more drawn out as “Knights” comes to its close. Planet of Ice is definitely a must have, containing all the elements that previously made Minus The Bear worth a look, but goes beyond that with more complex orchestrations that make for a solid lineup. Planet of Ice will be released August 21^st.

Download >>Knights

Oh No! Oh My!

2007-06-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

"The Party Punch"

With a somewhat overlooked eponymous debut album under their belts, Texas trio Oh No! Oh My! decide to look towards their old material to get a little recognition. The songs on the “new” EP, having been recorded under a previous incarnation by the name of The Jolly Rogers, have been around since before their debut as Oh No! Oh My! I must admit to being a little disappointed last year after purchasing their self-released album without any of the songs from The Jolly Rogers Demo having made the cut, which is why I was excited to hear that “The Party Punch” would finally see a physical release on the Between the Devil and the Sea EP (8/7). Most bands probably hate being called twee, but “The Party Punch” is the sort of swingin’ acoustic ditty you’d easily associate with the genre. Full of joyous handclaps and (forgive me for this one) gleeful guitar lines, the song is sure to inspire happy head-nods. Just go with it.

Download >>The Party Punch

Deadbeat

2007-06-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

"Night Train To Paris"

I can’t help but to think in images with this song. With a name like “Night Train to Paris” I have to wonder which came first, the title or the music. Certainly the sound-scapes and rhythms pulsing throughout this Deadbeat (a.k.a. Scott Montieth) composition accompany the thoughts and mental scenes conjured by such a noir title. Perhaps it’s the sounds themselves conducting the images on this ride. Dark muffled electronic pumps and a combustion of hot syncopated percussion, manage to stay bound together by a dub groove that stays just below the surface, never getting too excited but rather staying controlled and studied. I am particularly moved when the bass groove kicks in about half way through. Its subtlety is not lost in the dub mix but rather excites the images and possibilities summoned by this gem. I’m not sure that we make it all the way to Paris on this ride. It’s over before we know it, and it left us standing in the tracks.

Download >>Night Train To Paris

Iron & Wine

2007-06-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

"Boy With A Coin"

Don’t be fooled by Sam Bean’s consistent, hushed delivery. Although unassuming, and sung with a breathy whisper, his vocals often carry a weighty sense of purpose. Lyrics like “A girl with a bird she found in the snow/Then flew up her gown and that’s how she knows/If god made her eyes for crying at birth/Then left the ground to circle the earth” ring just as poetic when sung in his mild mannered tone. With every release, he also manages to expand his sound using the most subtle touches. “Boy With A Coin,” the first single from Shepard’s Dog (due 9/25) adds backwards guitar, African hand-drums, and handclaps to his growing repertoire. Religion often occupies a large part of Bean’s lyrical content, but is presented more as mythological stories rather than preachy anecdotes. Among the swarm of over-hyped and eagerly anticipated albums, Shepard’s Dog can be seen as something more reliable, not easily swayed by the flimsy doctrines that dictate indie viability. It’s a good album, with nothing more or less to be expected.

Download >>~~Boy With A Coin~~ (link removed by request)

Pinback

2007-06-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

"Good To Sea"

Is it fair that I review a song by one of my very favorite bands? Yes. Yes, it is, because it gives me the right to say that this may be their best album yet. In "Good to Sea" the San Diego natives are back with another plucky tune about loss and acceptance. Intricate patterns of airy keyboard notes and doubled up guitar are blended thoughtfully with Zach and Rob's pleading voices. On any other voices the heady lyrics would seem like whining, but with Pinback it is an urgent message that seems to float just inches above the music (Who else could lackadaisically lament, 'Oh no, I hit rock bottom,' and make it sound so satisfying?). I will never tire of admiring the way Pinback crafts a new world for every song they record. Listening to this new album, especially this little opus of a single, the world seems a bit better. A bit more human. Somehow, they make it sound nice to be here.

Download >>~~Good To Sea~~ (link removed by request)

Múm

2007-06-18T17:34:00.000-07:00

"Dancing Behind My Eyelids"

Iceland’s Múm have always been characterized by a certain childish innocence. And if the music itself didn’t make this apparent, song titles like “I’m 9 Today” confirm their intentions. Initially aiming for the sounds of the ignorant bliss and inherent playfulness bestowed amongst children as they did on the excellent Yesterday Was Dramatic, Today Is OK, they’ve gradually moved towards a darker, sometimes even creepy sound. But if “Dancing Behind My Eyelids” is a good indication of what the forthcoming Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy, Let Your Crooked Hands Be Holy is going to be like, it’s definitely a far cry from the shadowy, misleadingly titled Summer Make Good. Much of this can be attributed to the departure of Kristín Valtýsdóttir who was responsible for the nymph-ish vocals on most of the tracks. “Dancing…” marks a return to the aforementioned playfulness, beginning with sparse, ambient chunks of sound before evolving into a fully formed song. Incorporating various samples, noises, synths, and IDM drum patterns on the way, the song becomes a beautiful cluttered mess— much like the closets of children when they have too many toys. If Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy… captures the same childlike magic as Yesterday Was Dramatic, then it will definitely have been worth the wait.

Download >>Dancing Behind My Eyelids

Róisín Murphy

2007-06-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

"Overpowered"

Róisín Murphy’s last album Ruby Blue was a masterfully crafted piece of found-sound pop. We obviously have Matthew Herbert and his P.C.C.O.M. manifesto to thank for its musical charm, but Murphy’s silky jazz vocals made up a large part of the albums success. But this time around, the Ramalama Bang Bang has been smoothed over into a steady, sensuous boom. “Overpowered” is a dizzying night club anthem, complete with squiggly acid synths and house atmospherics. It sounds like a step backwards at first when compared to the sonic experimentation of Ruby Blue, but it’s more like a lateral leap within the same genre. “Overpowered” is dance music in its purest form; simple in structure, but effective in its purpose. I’ll probably always be more attached to Ruby Blue, but that doesn’t mean Murphy’s Sophomore will be any less of an album.

Download >>Overpowered

Yeah Yeah Yeah's

2007-06-15T23:31:00.000-07:00

"Down Boy"

I hope I’m not the only one that prefers the messy garage rock from Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Fever To Tell as opposed to the orderly-by-comparison Show Your Bones. If not, rejoice with me fellow fans of old. YYY’s are set to release the Is Is EP, a batch of songs recorded back in ’04. It’s a good reminder of why I loved this band in the first place; heavy, ferocious guitar licks, killer drumming, and Karen O’s hungry growl. They also had a great balance of sweetness and sweat, as “Down Boy” displays so well. The song could easily be the sound of the two albums combined, effectively balancing the raunchy rock with well-measured constraint. If the YYY’s decide to re-embrace the sound of their first full length, it would probably be the first time I couldn’t fault a band for doing the same thing twice.

Download >>Down Boy

Jake Newton

2007-06-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

"Just Showing Off"

Singer/Songwriters make you sick don’t they? They always seem to boo-hoo all over your parade when you’re trying to have a party. You probably shudder at the sound of an open-chord strum. While there have been plenty half-assed artist that give any acoustic six-stringer a bad name, we sometimes overlook those that actually put feeling into their music. Some may wear their heart on their sleeve for fashions sake, but Jake Newton’s seems to know no other place to be. The music drips with honesty and emotion sung in the language of personal experience-- a language that is very hard to fake. “Just Showing Off” accuses and accepts blame in the same breathe. Lines like “Here’s where it meets in the tangling of sheets/Where the histories been repeated over and over again” admit the guilty act of dual-consent. It may sound like sappy stuff, especially if you’ve built a defense mechanism against anything remotely emotional or sincere, but you may also discover how nice it can be when you let your heart live outside your chest every now and then.

Download >>Just Showing Off

Album Review- †

2007-06-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

Justice
†
9/10

Is this really a revolution? There’s no space. There’s no air. Everything is packed from end to end into a claustrophobic mess. It’s loud and filthy sounding. There are no slow builds. It hits hard, and then, later in the song, hits harder. The synths aren’t subtle, they scream. The beats don’t vary much from the steady boom-tap combination. Every track is a raging party. Will Justice liberate the idle feet of children everywhere? Is this really a revolution? Et justice pour tous?

Forgive me for the drastic exaggerations, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been genuinely excited about an electronic album. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for minimalist, maximalist, micro, and whatever else you can preface before –house. As many times as I’ve played Gui Borrato’s Chromophobia and The Field’s From Here We Go Sublime, and as much I love both those albums, I’ve never had a reason to get physically excited. Most of these records seem to exists to be intellectualized more than anything. But † is like a visceral punch in the face. The message here: dance or be damned. No one wants to be damned, and so we can’t help but dance.

And if I may be so daring as to inspire a collective gasp amongst the electronic elite, I like † better than anything Daft Punk has ever put out, past or present. If that sounds blasphemous to you, you can rest assured that this is only one man’s opinion. It may seem even more ridiculous since Daft Punk are more like the blueprint to Justice’s model, but I can’t help but feel like Justice actually deliver harder, better, faster, and stronger than any of their contemporaries. But lets be honest, this is dance rock folks, nothing more or less. It’s quite possible that any existential musings on how Justice will change the face of electronic music or music in general are baseless.

That being said, if we were to evaluate † on sheer listenability, it still comes out on top. From the opening timpani of “Genesis,” you know exactly what to expect; super compress sci-fi sweetness. “Let There Be Light” lets loose some harsh, search-and-destroy synths and their signature fuzzy funk-bass with an array of hi-hats slamming into each other at full-speed. There’s a moment of cool-down around the 3:30 mark before radio noise introduces “D.A.N.C.E.”, which has to be your favorite song….ever.

There isn’t one weak track throughout the entire album. Besides the less than desirable raps from label mate Uffie on “The Party”, it still gets repeat love. Plus, you gotta love a couple French dudes that sample Three-Six Mafia. “DVNO” is the real party track anyway using the duo’s signature formula to maximum effect. One of the most insane highlights of the album, “Stress” uses hyper-tense strings for an effective exercise in tension and release. “Waters Of Nazareth,” a repeat from the EP of the same name, is the nastiest thing here. High on distortion and heavy on the tom drum and hi-hats, it would make a killing on the dancefloor.

So yes, it’s a noisy, reckless, sweaty mess, and it’s fantastic. It’s the best time you can have when you’re alone in your car. It’s the most fun you’re going to have without drinking. Oh yeah, it will probably sound great in a club too. Forget what we told you before, this really is the best dance party ever.

Download >>DVNO

Download >>D.A.N.C.E

Caribou

2007-06-12T23:56:00.000-07:00

"Melody Day"

The man formerly know as Manitoba (before being sued by Handsome Dick(head) Manitoba himself) is back with Andorra, his first offering for Merge records. The album brings a much welcomed shift back to the psychedelic sampling that made Up In Flames and underground classic. The opening track “Melody Day” abandons the thin simplicity of his previous album The Milk Of Human Kindness and builds on endless layers of “is it real or is it sampled?” instrumentation. There’s definitely more of a live band sound to this record, but it’s still the work of a large vinyl collection (it’s like analogue heaven for the audiophile). With so much stuff crammed into a four minute slot, it’s easy to get lost in the mélange of guitar licks, drum kits, and melodic found-sound. But once you find your way around, there’s nothing left other than a beautiful song to start the summer.

Download >>Melody Day

Sweater Weather

2007-06-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

"The Pains Of Relocation"

An orchestra set to slightly deeper blue, a title that suits North Carolina’s folk rockers, Sweater Weather. A multi-member, instrument collective, that takes cues from The Shins, Sufjan Stevens and Damien Rice. Their latest track, “The Pains of Relocation,” recounts a tale of childhood through the eyes of singer and songwriter Casey Trela. Trela scores a soundtrack that captures the tone and emotion of a Wes Anderson film. The band makes great use of multiple instruments, which includes guitars, cellos, drums, accordions and even a glockenspiel to create a deep, slightly depressing resonance. When Trela’s bitter sweet lyrics are thrown into the mix, fans of Conor Oberst might ask him to lighten-up a bit. Sweater Weather reminds me a lot of another gloomy singer/ songwriter, Nick Drake. Whose dark and disheartening tunes set the pace for artists like Trela and Oberst. Much like Drake, Sweater Weather’s music brings to mind that even on the most sobering, dismal days, there still lays beauty underneath it all.

Download >>The Pains Of Relocation

Calvin Harris

2007-06-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

"Disco Heat"/"Acceptable In The 80's"

Newsflash: Scottish born Calvin Harris joins the never-ending lineage of techno-funk producers. Using an archaic Amiga computer and other ancient equipment, nearly every song on Harris’ debut album I Created Disco (due 6/18 in the U.K.) was created with the dancefloor in mind. Whatever you do, pay no attention to Harris’ lyrics. I would also tell you to pay no attention to the album title, but it’s actually fairly accurate. No, he didn’t create disco, but the title immediately becomes attractive to those attracted to dance music. Basically, it’s smart marketing. And although Harris didn’t create disco, he did create “Disco Heat,” and that’s good enough for me. Don’t let the hipster guitar riffs in the intro fool you, on the other side awaits an electro-house dance party. Calvin keeps it light on the lyrics and lean on the production, using a classic super-fat bassline and echoing synth stabs. “Acceptable In The 80’s” was practically engineered to be the next Reagan-baby anthem (or whoever was the ruling party in Scotland at the time). But whatever it is that was acceptable in the 80's remains a mystery. So yeah, it’s basically another one of those “Don’t think, just dance” type albums. Fair enough.

Download >>Disco Heat

Download >>Acceptable In The 80's

Stars Of The Lid

2007-06-11T19:47:00.000-07:00

"Even If You're Never Awake (Deuxieme)"

I was having a bad day. I was angry to say the least. I wanted shout and throw things. I wanted flip the entire room on its head, creating as much chaos as possible. It would have been easy to embrace this anger, put on some Rage Against The Machine and start kicking shit around in a furious tantrum. But I didn’t. Instead, I went for the opposite. I put on And Their Refinement Of The Decline and laid down instead. I opened up and let the soothing washes of sound flood through me. By the time I had got to “Even If You're Never Awake (Deuxieme)” on the first disc I felt like a different person. While a majority of the songs prior seemed to bleed into one large beautiful orchestration, this tracks seemed to stick out. Mixing lush strings, radio noise, and other instruments that sound as if they were played live and re-sampled, the song is a three-phase exercise in patience and appreciation. With patience, as it is with most ambient drone music, one can appreciate the innate beauty of the genre. But Stars Of The Lid seem to have a better, if not more human grasp. From the obvious details (the sounds of empty, lonely piano chords. Distant angelic voices.) to the subtle shifts in the general mood of the music, And Their Refinement has a lot to offer for the attentive listener. It’s also the cheapest prescription for anger management.

Download >>Even If You're Never Awake (Deuxieme)

Bowerbirds

2007-06-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

"In Our Talons"

Shipwrecked. Pirates. Barnacles. These are a few things that come to mind when listening to “In Our Talons” from The Bowerbirds album Hymns For A Dark Horse. There’s nothing wrong with any of these things either-- the imagery is more than welcome. The album is full of beautiful, dusky barroom folk which ranges from tender acoustic ditties to brothel-blues numbers. “In Our Talons” rides a current of booming percussion and accordion. A chorus of voices proclaim “You’re not alone, you’re in our talons now.” Only here does the percussion rest, and the gentle acoustic finger-picking can be heard over the accordions drawn out melody. You can’t help but imagine being surrounded by the torrential sea, resting only in the comfort of some guardian bird’s talons (a Bowerbird, perhaps?). Hymns For A Dark Horse is definitely a unique listen. The band will probably be compared to The Decemberists for lack of a better parallel. But where the Decemberists spin elaborate tales pointing towards the past, The Bowerbirds seem to make ancient music rooted in the here and now. For them, this is the weary sound of reality; the sounds of the ghost of the present day.

Download >>In Our Talons

Miracle Fortress

2007-06-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

"Have You Seen In Your Dreams"/"Little Trees"

With the endless number of Brian Wilson wannabes and harmony obsessed indie poppers, I’m surprised I haven’t sworn off every Pet Sounds carbon copy I’ve come across. But for some reason, they keep coming, and I keep eating them up. The latest being Montreal’s The Miracle Fortress, and their debut album Five Roses. With a combination of Beach Boys charm, innocence and earnest, Graham Van Pelt (the man behind the moniker) churns out fuzz-pop fueled by an endless amount of sunshine and summertime memories. “Have You Seen In Your Dreams” uses all these elements to maximum effect, adding some ‘dreamy’ textures to make good on its name. “Little Trees” greets us with a pitch-warbling synth and clean acoustic plucking. The song turns blissfully happy-go-lucky, layering in psychedelic effects with the expected harmonies. While the whole album doesn’t cash in on this masterful formula, it definitely has its fair share of sun-drenched gems. No matter how much you try to avoid it, it’s bound to earn a few smiles.

Download >>Have You Seen In Your Dreams

Download >>Little Trees

Shout Out Louds

2007-06-06T23:39:00.000-07:00

"Tonight I Have To Leave It"

So, yes, these guys are from Sweden but you can’t get mad at them because this (Our Ill Will) is their second album. What that means…I don’t know…but I feel like it gives them some gravitas against the others. They’ve also got some cool videos on the old youtube that will take that Robert Smith image right out of your mind. This song, “Tonight I Have To Leave It” is an undeniably catchy tune filled with sweeping strings, perky percussion, and a whole bunch of reverb. I especially have to give it up to drummer Eric Edman. He’s got this driving, almost surf rock back beat that spices the song up significantly. His ability is a bit overwhelmed by the music on top, but when you give it a careful listen he's quite amazing. I may have been influenced by the videos, but The Shout Out Louds definitely have a cinematic quality to their music. “Tonight I Have To Leave It” seems to be written so that you can cut romantic scenes together in your head while driving. It’s a huge song with huge points to be made i.e. “Give Love!” So do what they say, shout it out loud, and give it up to the drummer!

Download >>Tonight I Have To Leave It

Scissors For Lefty

2007-06-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

"Lay Down Your Weapons"

Get your dancing shoes out, Scissors For Lefty’s newest album Underhanded Romance will be hitting shelves June 12^th and it’s bringing a solid lineup of that indie dance pop we all can’t help but love. The quintet from San Francisco bring us an album that’s full of quirky synths mixed with some killer dance beats, eccentric vocals which sometimes have a Franz Ferdinandish style to them, and all pulled together by some well placed guitar riffs. The instantly catchy “Lay Down Your Weapons” is no exception to this combination for success. It will have you up and moving before you know what hit you. It opens with a steady beat that will get you started, vocals that will keep you going and some idiosyncratic synths/ guitar that make it all work. So who’s ready for a dance off?

Download >>Lay Down Your Weapons

White Rabbits

2007-06-05T22:32:00.000-07:00

"While We Go Dancing"

If you don’t know already, White Rabbits are a sextet from New York who, with their debut Fort Nightly, have garnered some well deserved buzz and blog-o-cred. One cut from the album, “While We Go Dancing”, is a really fun song that somehow combines traditional pop with some weird kinda off or minor key stuff that crescendos the verses into a really satisfying and dance worthy chorus. There’s a Strokes-y guitar popping around a steady beat, while rambling piano keys roll around the vocal melody. The piano allows a wickedness to emerge from the melody and keeps the guitars from overpowering the song. The lyrics are sung with such a passion that when the chorus appears, any tension is released with joy and sweetness, and is savored until the next line of verse comes up. The neat breakdown towards the end of the song, filled with “oooh” voices and bass lines, seamlessly breaks anything that one might misconstrue as monotony. “While We Go Dancing” is not just another upbeat dance rock song. It combines the challenging and sophisticated elements that we love about indie music with poppy sounds that fall beautifully into place.

Download >>While We Go Dancing

Beirut

2007-06-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

"Venice"

When Devon told me to check out “Venice,” but told me it was “different” than most Beirut, i’ll be honest…it scared me. Then I took a listen, and all that fear vanished. The slow tempo electronica works flawlessly with the signature impassioned vocals of front man Zach Condon, and the horns pull everything together. “Venice,” as simple as it is, drips with emotion. It's one of those songs that reaches inside of you and takes hold of you-- it's music you can feel. It will be available on the compilation CD that accompanies the annual music issue of magazine The Believer so check your local bookstores and news stands.

Download >>Venice

Dizzee Rascal

2007-06-04T23:01:00.000-07:00

"Where's Da G's (Ft. UGK)"

Never did I imagine Dizzee Rascal scoring a collaboration with Texas legends Bun B and Pimp C. Nevertheless, here it is. And what should be an awkward meeting between the two actually turns out to be one the stronger tracks on Dizzee’s Maths & English (due 6/12). After catching us up to speed on the gritty ghetto life in England (something some of us may have never knew existed) on Boy In Da Corner and defending his credibility during his rise to popularity on Showtime, Maths + English is Dizzee’s plea for viability. It’s his ‘street’ album, if there ever was such a thing, and getting UGK on this track may add some credibility to his claims. Here, Dizzee eschews the skittering beats characteristic of most grime records and shoots straight for the bounce. While the track could have made the cut on a UGK album (and the boys ride it like it belonged to them first), the hollow synth line and glassy arpeggios keep it close enough to home to where it doesn’t sound out of place on this album. If you hadn’t before, maybe now is the time to start taking Dizzee seriously.

Download >>Where's Da G's

Get To Know: Carina Round

2007-06-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

After a terrible year-long delay, English born/L.A. based Carina Round’s second album Slow Motion Addict is finally set to be released tomorrow (6/5). The album also has a surprisingly legit (read: expensive) looking film counterpart of the same name. Much of the press has slowly been released prior to the albums release, with some calling the album “possibly her breakout.”

Her first EP, The First Blood Mystery was released independently in the U.K. and contained a mixture of smoky jazz café textures and spoken word poetry. It was a good start, but only hinted at the singer/songwriters full potential. 2004’s excellent The Disconnection was a true testament to Round’s skill as a songstress. The album contained an air of mystery that warranted repeated listens. The songs are acoustic based, but fleshed out by the band with skill and a deft ear for arrangement. “Into My Blood,” is laced with electronic touches and somewhat dissonant siren-like guitar squalls. It also showcases Round’s wildly expressive voice, ranging from a silky smooth coo to a terrifying shriek. “Paris” starts off with spacious acoustic strums and upright bass plucks before the chorus kicks in, sporting horn arrangements and subtle samba rhythms.

Download >>Into My Blood

Download >>Paris

While The Disconnection was a slow brooding grower, peeling layer after layer while expanding its sound at the same time, Slow Motion Addict aims straight for the gut. It strips away most of the complex textures from the previous album and opts for a more “punk” sound. The guitars are turned up, and very few songs meander long before rocking out. While it doesn’t seem fair the label the album simpler than the previous, it’s safe to say it’s much more straightforward. It’s geared more for immediate satisfaction, possibly an attempt to break free from the purgatory-like state between indie stardom and commercial success (which neither, unfortunately, Carina Round has yet to see). Along with “The Disconnection” (possible left over from the last album?), “How Many Times” is more of a marriage between the two worlds of the previous and current album, and one of the more catchy numbers. “Take The Money” is a surf-rock song exploring the much covered topic of greed and selling out that plagues so many new artists. While I may still long for the enticing subtleties that made The Disconnection one of my favorite albums from ’04, I would still love to see Carina break into the mainstream with this album. One can only hope.

Download >>Take The Money

Download >>How Many Times

The Little Ones

2007-05-31T08:30:00.000-07:00

"There's A Pot A Brewin"

Some of you may not agree, but I feel as though “There’s A Pot A Brewin” presents The Little Ones as a much more evolved, mature, and musically endowed band. It’s something that I had really hoped for since verging on a burn out of their EP. They really have a knack for getting you to move in your seat no matter how you are feeling. The cha-cha time and purely rhythmic break down is really refreshing. The band seems to have broken a tried and true formula and found a new type of “happy” upon which we can all celebrate-- Corona’s and all. The catchy-ness of this song, which can be found on their “Lovers Who Uncover” single, will not be sloughed off as the saccharine sweetness some of their older songs have a tendency to do. The Little Ones combine both current and classic pop elements in “There’s A Pot A Brewin.” The shuffle rhythms (as Devon has described them) are brought way up front and made the center of the song, leaving the kitschy guitar solos behind. Add some Jackson 5 bass lines and chimes and you’ve got yourself one hell of a party.

Download >>There's A Pot A Brewin

Port-Royal

2007-05-31T08:10:00.000-07:00

"Deca-Dance"

I have a soft spot for the type of sweet, crackling white noise that runs rampant throughout Port-Royal’s Afraid To Dance. There’s something comforting in the sound of noise being coaxed into something melodic. After meandering through misty textures and aimless washes of sound, they hit hard on “Deca-Dance” with a squeaky four-on-the-floor beat. The usual culprits (guitars in heavy reverb, airy synths, ocean-like washes) flood the mix. As if to remain true to the album title, they eventually abandon the danceable drum track and opt for scattered, off-beat bass drums. The whole scene eventually melts away, leaving whatever sounds are left to wallow in an icy cave. Afraid To Dance sounds like a band inside a machine. Its instruments break the surface every now and then, but remain plagued by the cold noise of one’s and zeros. It’s dark and beautiful—possibly a terribly accurate window into the future.

Download >>Deca-Dance

Immaculate Machine

2007-05-29T00:45:00.000-07:00

"Jarhand"/"Dear Confessor"

Who knew that A.C. Newman, chief of The New Pornographers, had a niece talented enough to cover Neko Case’s parts on tour? Who knew that said niece, Kathryn Calder, belonged to an excellent band called Immaculate Machine? Everyone except me, that’s who. Surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, Calder shares many similarities with Case, and the band even evokes the pop-spirited sound of The New Pornos. “Dear Confessor” makes wonderful use of catchy harmonies and rolling drums while the band dismiss the usefulness of maps. “Jarhand,” the album opener, is another energetic pop song showcasing the bands impressive use of space (they’re only a trio). The new album Fables (due 6/12) ranges from the power-pop of these tracks to heartfelt mid-tempo ballads. It’s definitely a worthy investment, and with contributions from Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy) and Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand) we’re obviously not the only ones that think so.

Download >>Jarhand

Download >>Dear Confessor

The Go Find

2007-05-29T00:41:00.000-07:00

"Adrenaline"

Laptop pop is a tricky thing. Anyone with a Mac and GarageBand can make a track these days. Luckily, there are still artist that can make art from readily available technology. Dieter Sermeus, a.k.a. The Go Find, make hushed electronic pop. He just recently released Stars On The Wall on Morr Music. “Adrenaline” is the sound of patience in musical form. It starts off with a cheesy drum beat and some drowsy keyboards. Its sleepy tempo momentarily doubles its speed, adding layers of wavering synths and subtle noises. As the song progresses, it becomes buried deeper and deeper in a bed of noise, with each sound essentially washing each other out. It may sound plain or boring on any given day. But at the right moment, when everything seems to be moving too fast around you, “Adrenaline” contradicts its namesake and delivers the dose of downtempo goodness you’ve been needing.

Download >>Adrenaline

Spoon

2007-05-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

"Don't Make Me A Target"/"The Ghost Of You Lingers"

How do you introduce new Spoon material? Does it really matter if Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga isn’t any different from any other Spoon release? Of course not. People want their Spoon, and they want it however they can get it. “Don’t Make Me A Target” is the opener for the aforementioned album, and it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect from the boys; descending muted chord progressions, one-handed piano lines and spiky guitar parts. However, “The Ghost Of You Lingers,” which made its way to the net before the full album had leaked, had everyone fooled. To be honest, regardless of whether I liked the track or not, I was willing to take the journey. I was genuinely interested in the bands new direction. Would the whole album be a Steve Reich inspired piece of minimalism like this song? Would Britt have recorded everything in a bare-bones fashion? Would he really shun the trademark Spoon sound for something a little more avant-garde? Well, apparently not. “The Ghost Of You Lingers” isn’t pushing any musical boundaries, but it definitely drew a line in the sand. Would the hardcore Spoon fans be willing to go along for the ride? Would any skeptics be converted to believers? Who knows. As far as the album goes, it could hold its own separate from the knowledge of any prior albums. But you can’t help but feel like they’ve got something more in them.

Download >>Don't Make Me A Target

Download >>The Ghost Of You Lingers

Simian Mobile Disco

2007-05-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

"It's The Beat"/"Tits & Acid"

After becoming kings in the remix game, Simian Mobile Disco decide to step it up with a full length release of original material (not counting their work as Simian). Now, if your thought process is anything like mine, you’re probably rolling your eyes right now. But wait, what if I told you Attack Decay Sustain Release (due in the U.K. 6/18) was the hottest album of its kind so far, right behind Justice’s full length? It’s ridiculously addictive, and on par or better than their best remix work. You could pretty much play pin the tail on the donkey with the tracklist and have a 90% chance of scoring a winner. Check out the slow-burning Vitalic techno of opener “Sleep Deprivation,” or the hyperactive acid house of “Tits & Acid.” Better yet, get a whiff of the lead single, the techno-funk anthem “It’s The Beat” featuring The Go! Team’s in-house rapper, Ninja. It doesn’t take a mathematician to solve this equation: Hot tracks + Simple lyrics=Non-stop party. So if you ever get tired of hearing about the apocalypse, SMD’s got you covered. They’ve pretty much establish their priorities upfront: it’s the beat.

Download >>It's The Beat

Download >>Tits & Acid

Okkervil River

2007-05-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

"Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe"

Okkervil River are incredibly dramatic, but in a good way. It’s a sort of bookish melodrama, the kind that pans out slowly through novels, page by page. With the combination of Will Sheff singing at the top of his range and the wordless bridge, “Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe” sounds like the band channeling Arcade Fire’s...…(ahem) fire, but is by no means a copy cat. Sheff sings with wild intensity over persistent, muted acoustic strums and deep pounding drums. The band accents the story, adding spooky piano effects upon the mention of a haunting. It’s hard not to mention the lyrics with lines like: “From the speakers your fake masterpiece comes serenely dribbling.” They read like modern poetry, filled with vivid imagery and detail at every turn. So yeah, this song is pretty awesome. And if it’s any indication of what the bands forthcoming album The Stage Names is going to be like, we can expect great things.

Download >>Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe

Common

2007-05-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

"The People"

Oh Common, must you be plagued to live the rest of your career trying to break out of hip-hop limbo? For years now you’ve been straddling the line between underground and commercial success. What’s wrong with the underground anyway? Isn’t that where the people live? Common declares “We do it for the people,” but complains about the Grammy’s doing him wrong in the same breath. Of course, this is all easily forgiven since Common always delivers on the lyrics. On this track, Kanye (apparently the new DJ Premier?) abandons the mainstream production and opts for the underground friendly technique. This could be the sign of Common returning to his “roots,” or just a throwback track for nostalgia’s sake. Whichever way the road takes him, whether commercial success or underground hero, he deserves it. “I’m keeping my eyes on the people, that’s the prize.” I hope he’s telling the truth.

Download >>The People

Favorties (So Far)

2007-05-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

Lazy post alert!!!

Here are some of our favorite previous posts. Most of these are songs from albums that aren't out yet or don't exist. The rest of them are just too kick ass not to repost.

"The Bomb"- New Young Pony Club (original post)
If dance rock is dead, someone forgot to tell NYPC.

Download >>The Bomb

"D.A.N.C.E."/"Phantom"- Justice (original post)
Allow me to rant a little....Justice's full length album simply titled "†"(due 7/10) is pretty much the best thing since sliced bread. I haven't listened to an album this obsessively since Neon Bible. That good.

Download >>D.A.N.C.E.

Download >>Phantom

"You'll Find A Way" (Switch & Graeme Sinden Remix)/"Creator"- Santogold (original post)
Yep. Still bananas.

Download >>You'll Find A Way (Switch & Graeme Sinden Remix)

Download >>Creator

"Life After Love"/"Stay Awake"- Low Vs. Diamond (original post)
The best 80's band of '07 (until the Interpol album of course)

Download >>Life After Love

Download >>Stay Awake

"Je Veux Te Voir"- Yelle (original post)
You don't hate the French anymore, do you?

Download >>Je Veux Te Voir

"Konichiwa Bitches" (Trentemøller Remix)- Robyn (original post)
Hot.

Download >>Konichiwa Bitches- Trentemøller Remix

"War On Sound"/"Don't Ya Know"- Moonbabies (original post)
Swedish indie pop. It's a no-brainer.

Download >>War On Sound

Download >>Don't Ya Know

"Sick Sick Sick"- Queens Of The Stone Age (original post)
QOTSA bring the RAWK.

Download >>Sick Sick Sick

"You're A Wolf"/"Ses Monuments"- Sea Wolf (original post)
Are we crazy, or does having "Wolf" in your name guarantee critical acclaim?

Download >>You're A Wolf

Donwload >>Ses Momuments

"Money For All"/"Get The Hell Out"- Nine Horses (original post)
What Pink Floyd might sound like if they were around today.

Download >>Money For All

Download >>Get The Hell Out

"No Comply"- Studio (original post)
Kind of perfect.

Download >>No Comply

"I Am The White-Mantled King"/"Born Again Christian"- Cats On Fire (original post)
Morrissey would be proud.

Download >>I Am The White-Mantled King

Download >>Born Again Christian

Album Review- Voxtrot

2007-05-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Voxtrot
Voxtrot
8.5/10

Every one of Voxtrot’s songs have been a self contained gem; a stand alone performance that’ll either break your heart or make you dance. The band’s discography contains only three EP’s, which is enough to be enamored by the hearts of the musically aware and gather a dedicated fan base. However, EP’s tend to be like cookies. They can be amazing, sweet, and no matter how full you are you want more. Though just as you could never sustain yourself fully on cookies, a band would be hard to survive solely on EP’s. You need a meal. And like a good meal, an album should be savory and sweet, hardy, something that you can dig your teeth into. This is the best way that I can describe and justify the difference between Voxtrot’s previous releases and their full length debut Voxtrot. It’s food that is different, sometimes startling, though it is clearly made by the same chef, and is just as tasty.

The band is smart enough to ease you into this difference. The first track titled “Introduction” is simultaneously an introduction to their album and an introduction towards a new and slightly more grown up Voxtrot. The song’s swelling strings and guitar “intro” are very much like the Voxtrot that we fell in love with. It’s a beautiful song that captures the essence and charm of the band. Ramesh Srivastava’s lovingly fey and sweet voice carries an energy and punch that highlights his signature “remember when” lyrics.

While the sound of the album is overall more “rock and roll” than previous works, the heartbreak of cello’s can still be heard lifting up Ramesh’s melody. Such is the case in the gem “Ghost”. Pounding waves of piano and drums accompanied by swelling strings and sweet noises hold Ramesh’s increasingly clever wordplay afloat. His lyrics tend to be like short stories and he ventures to use some interesting and sometimes intentionally awkward rhymes and word rhythms a la Stuart Murdoch, matching sounds and consonants rather than perfectly fitting couplets.

Voxtrot also juxtaposes a distinct tone of aggression with the sweetness of earlier songs; both lyrically and in the music. “Stephen” is an easy, fairly straight ahead love song (either fraternal or romantic…you be the judge) that is deceivingly the most traditional Voxtrot song on the album, crooning right from the start, “Stephen I love you, I can’t grow past you.” In contrast, the band rocks out on “Brother in Conflict” while Ramesh shouts, “I wanna drown you in a pool of blood.”

Sometimes in order for you to unlock the true beauty of an album, it takes the same heart and openness that the songwriter invested while creating it. When you allow Voxtrot to settle in to your aural muscle memory, the difference between the bands EP’s and LP will start to fade. You’ll realize that while there might be something to be missed, we as an audience gain so much from an album that is certainly it’s own animal. An animal that doesn’t harp on the past, but evolves from such a sweet canon. I truly feel that if given the chance, Voxtrot will launch it’s namesake into an echelon reserved for the few bands that will shape this decade’s soundtrack.

Download >>Stephen

Download >>Ghost

Album Review- Boxer

2007-05-21T07:09:00.000-07:00

The National
Boxer
8.7/10

Alligator, The National’s last effort, was a hit or miss affair. Many critics hailed it as an underrated classic, while others deemed it average or missed it altogether. With Boxer, it will be impossible for anyone to ignore or deny its status; not only is it easily the band’s best album, it’s simply one of the best of the year.

It’s no surprise the so-called “rockers” on Alligator stood out being shoved in between mostly mid-tempo songs. On Boxer, the band manages to distribute its energy evenly over twelve tracks. It still has its slow moments, but they’re more like rest stops rather than detours. They’ve also created a sort of humbled largeness with their sound without becoming overwhelming or indulgent. The string arrangements on “Squalor Victoria” play the supportive role, slowly stretched beyond each phrase over relentlessly driving tom-tom percussion.

Which leads us to Drummer Bryan Devendorf’s contribution to this album-- It cannot be understated. He has always done excellent work on the previous albums, but here he showcases his true skills. His patterns drive the music into interesting territory, while still playing the supportive role. “Brainy” finds him cramming every drum in his kit into each verse. Mostly all of the other songs benefit from his inventive rhythms.

Matt Berninger’s lyrics have always been sung in a weary, everyman tone, and Boxer show no signs of a different approach. Some lyrics actually sound ridiculous, such as on “Ada” in which Berninger sings “Ada don’t talk about reason why you don’t want to talk about reasons why you don’t want to talk.” But these clumsy, circular refrains have become characteristic of the band. It’s the sort of thing you expect from The National-- an endearing sort of weakness. This may even be what makes the band sound so humble.

From the excellent first track “Fake Empire,” to the spooky spy-riff opening of “Mistaken For Strangers,” to the beautiful, acoustic “Start A War,” Boxer is incredibly strong and consistent. Each song has something to offer, never showing any visible signs of a formula at work. Everything sounds honest, but is laced with just enough drama to make it interesting. There’s no life altering revelations here. No groundbreaking music developments. No pretentiously deep meanings to be dug up. There’s just a great album. It’s something no one will be able to ignore.

Download >>Fake Empire

Download >>Squalor Victoria

GoodBooks

2007-05-18T09:47:00.001-07:00

"The Illness"

Will we ever get sick of that cowbell? From the moment the drummer launched into that driving cymbal/tom shuffle, persistently knocking on said cowbell, I knew I was going to have to give in. “The Illness,” from their EP of the same name (due 7/5), is the sort of dramatic song you’d associate with post-punk Britain, and if you’d done so, you’d be exactly right. But no matter who GoodBooks owe their debts to, the song is pretty killer in its own right. From the scraps of buzzed-out guitars to the huge hook practically begging to be echoed by overzealous teenaged concertgoers, “The Illness” has crossover success written all it. Although it’s not quite clear whether they’d be crossing over from indie to mainstream or from England to America, I’m certain that one of the two are inevitable. I’ll have to give the drummer the majority of credit for peaking my interest with his percussive skills, but the rest of the band definitely gets props for fleshing the whole thing out. I’ll avoid the obvious band comparisons. Let’s just assume that GoodBooks will be big.

Download >>The Illness

Cornelius

2007-05-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

"Sensuous"

Within the maze of the glitched out- post techno- folktronic- cut-n-pasteology world that is Cornelius exists a little piece of serenity named “Sensuous.” While the lead off/title track of his recent U.S. release may inspiring yawning from most, especially among fans, it somehow manages to keep my attention more than anything else on the album. It’s spacious and well measured, with guitar plucks chopped and panned across the mix. It’s one of those rare tracks where you enjoy the silence in between just as much as the sounds themselves. The details are much clearer, and the small changes in texture seem large within the context of its atmosphere (i.e. the guitar noises that burst like mini-explosions inside an echo chamber). I’ve always had an affinity for music that seems destined for film. Just like film, every moment in life has the potential to be scored, and I always find myself collecting songs in anticipation for a certain moment. This one will be filed under “Considerably long moments of contemplation.”

Download >>Sensuous

The Go! Team

2007-05-16T07:33:00.000-07:00

"Grip Like A Vice"

So with a never ending sample tank of 80’s flashbacks, action show themes, and dusty drum loops, The Go! Team return to follow up critics fav Thunder, Lightning, Strike!. The first taste, “Grip Like A Vice” is breakdance anthem with the women in mind. The bands resident rhyme spitter Ninja drops pro-female verses old-school style, even repeatedly name checking the decade that birthed the technique. It’s hard to tell exactly how much of the music is sampled as opposed to live overdubs, but it all blends perfectly into a ruckus-fest of brass fanfare, strings, and lo-fi guitar noise. As usual, there’s the beefy backbeat of multi-tracked drum kits— which is what really makes the song party-worthy. This one’s a no-brainer; they already did all the work for you. All you have to do is add the moves.

Download >>Grip Like A Vice

Black Moth Super Rainbow

2007-05-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Sun Lips"

When people start tossing out terms like ‘Psychedelic,’ it usually means something in the music has that swirling flange effect or that it sounds ‘colorful.’ Hardly do you ever come across the type of Psychedelicness that actually makes you feel like you’re on drugs instead of wanting to be on them. But I’ll be damned if Black Moth Super Rainbow aren’t the type of Psychedelic that makes “Lucy In The Sky…” sound like “Bye Bye Bye.” The first half of Dandelion Gum seems to wonder in and out of focus, but by the time we hit “Sun Lips” it finds it footing. You can easily imagine yourself floating in a field of daisies with its sleepy, flute like synthesizers and tweaked out robotic vocals. And while its effect is dangerously potent, it’s also a little scary to imagine a band this committed to the material. But pysch-nerdness aside, “Sun Lips” is easily the best trip you’ll find without indulging in illicit substances. Just be sure not to operate heavy machinery.

Download >>Sun Lips

The Twilight Sad

2007-05-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

"That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy"

I really slept on this one. I’ve been holding on to it for months. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but when I first heard “Cold Days From The Birdhouse,” I immediately wrote them off based solely on James Graham’s super thick Scottish accent. “How could anyone take them seriously?” I thought. Am I captain of all the idiotic indie-elite? Indeed I am. But alas, we are all capable of growth. And even before their Best New Music status, I had come to realize that the bands debut full length Fourteen Autumns And Fifteen Winters was a commanding, titanic force to be reckoned with. “That Summer….” became my personal favorite, and, in my opinion, is the one that encompasses everything great about the album. From the heavy thudding tom drums to the lingering guitar noise that seems to struggle to stay afloat. From the heavy crashing of guitars on the chorus set against Grahams’ beautifully dramatic refrains (“The kids are on fire in the bedroom”), to the aftermath (identical to the opening) left in the wake of the storm. If there’s one thing to be learned from all this, it’s this: never judge a man by his kilt.

Download >>That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy

Polytechnic

2007-05-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Man Overboard"

I can’t tell if Polytechnic’s debut album Down Til Dawn is really as awesome as I think or if it’s just one of those sugar-rush type satisfactions. I’m willing to put my money on the former, but I haven’t absorbed it enough to draw any final conclusions. Let it suffice to say that it’s really good, and that “Man Overboard” is a gem amongst many. Polytechnic sounds like a band about to come apart at the seams, or maybe it’s just lead singer Dylan Giles reckless delivery, which is similar to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s Alec Ounsworth. It’s a beautiful thing and somewhat refreshing. If you wanted to, you could easily draw similarities in the music as well, but this would be a lazy comparison. You could just as easily recognize the bands knack for hooks and steady guitar riffage. “Man Overboard” makes use of piano to anchor the songs waltz timing. Add some high-pitched “oohs” under Giles’ emphatic barking and you’ve got some sort of infectious shipwrecked shuffle. Before you know it, they peel back the noise and what was once hard, accented “oohs” have becoming soothing, as if to apologize for all the fuss they caused earlier. Consider them forgiven.

Download >>Man Overboard

The White Stripes

2007-05-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

"Icky Thump"

A few years ago The White Stripes played Conan for 5 nights in a row. It was there that those still unfortunate enough to have not seen them live (myself included) were really able to experience (however removed) the incredible power behind the band. They’ve always had an aesthetic to their records that people have obviously been drawn too, but it’s in their live show that an immense power, a force likened to Led Zeppelin, a charisma not like any other band around today, and a certain umph that I consider to be the real essence of The White Stripes comes alive. Though however powerful and rock n roll they may be, I find that umph missing in their records. That is, until now. "Icky Thump", the title track and new single from their forth coming record out in June, is a powerful rock song. One that indeed, captures that UUUMMMPH that I have so been wanting since first seeing what they are capable of in their live show. If anyone has thought that The White Stripes have played out any gimmick that might have existed, or wondered if there was anywhere they could go musically, "Icky Thump" relieves those worries. In addition to the bands trademark guitar and drums, the song is injected with some wicked seventies metal synthesizer. Jack’s dual vocals cackle along side the gut punching guitars in yet another march towards vinyl/analog heaven. "Icky Thump"’s recorded as if your ear is pressed hard against the mesh of the speaker cabinet and yet it’s got enough air for you to swing your fists into someone’s wall. "Icky Thump" only enforces that fact that it doesn’t take Jason Stollsteimer’s face to prove that Jack White is a force to be reckoned with.

Download >>Icky Thump

Dungen

2007-05-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Mon Amour"/"Så Blev Det Bestämt"

I was never able to fully appreciate Ta Det Lungt, Dungen’s last effort. Maybe it was all the hype that came before the album was even readily available in the states. Maybe it’s because I had already worn out all my Jimi Hendrix records. Maybe it’s because I couldn’t understand a word he was saying. Eventually, I was able to appreciate the album for its skillful arrangements and guitar work, considering it all could be attributed to one man. Gustav Estjes, Dungen’s principle songwriter/arranger/six-string guru, has chops comparable to the aforementioned legend. After accepting the bands obvious obsession with classic rock and all things progressive, I had a much easier time getting acquainted with their latest album Tio Bitar. I’m still blown away by how many instruments Estjes’ has mastered and how well he’s able to piece them together recording most of the parts on his own. “Mon Amour” is a stomping psych-rock rollercoaster that starts on the “groove” setting and ends on “acidtripfreakout.” Starting on a lighter note, “Så Blev Det Bestämt” is a breezy finger picking ballad that gives way to a two minute sitar solo. It’s enough to have you reaching for your hookah. It might also be the only time you refer to something as "heavy" and actually mean it.

Download >>Mon Amour

Download >>Så Blev Det Bestämt

Album Review- Sky Blue Sky

2007-05-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

Wilco
Sky Blue Sky
8/10

You've probably heard me talk about the power of simplicity a lot. About how refreshing it is to hear something done simple and well. If you think about the timeless songs of our age, most of them are of the simplest nature. "Yesterday" is the most covered song in history without having anything complicated about it. To be certain, simple songs that are effective are no easier to make than songs made complicated just for the sake of complication. But is it necessary to make a big deal out of the simplicity of the music? Normally, no. But when it comes to Wilco, yes.

Wilco are like the heroes of indie rock, which is interesting since their music could never be classified as such. But if you think about it, they've amassed a dedicated fan base and have been largely successful without ever even coming close to "mainstream" success. Unlike certain bands, lets say Radiohead who also have a dedicated fan base but are known by all, Wilco is still relatively unknown to the mainstream audience. This hero status, whose catalyst was the success of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, creates an impeding pressure on the band to do something different with their sound. Push the envelope and raise the bar. Instead of giving in to these demands, Wilco moves forward with one eye towards the past, specifically towards the M.O.R. FM gold of the seventies. Sky Blue Sky effectively shakes off the experimental (a term Tweedy doesn't like) of recent efforts without fully reverting to their (hates this one too) alt-country roots. And guess what, Sky Blue Sky is better than A Ghost Is Born, and more consistent to boot.

Simple may sound harsh to the ears of the musicians that created the music, and it may give you the impression that the music lacks detail—this of course, would be a terrible assumption. Sky Blue Sky is just as richly detailed as any of their other records. It also probably contains some of Tweedy's most direct lyrics to date. The title track is probably the best example of this newfound marriage with its sweet and breezy guitar strums and ghostly slide guitar wrapped in distant reverb. There also seem to be a running theme in the lyrics, a sort of acceptance of the life you have be it good or bad. "Oh I didn't die/I should be satisfied I survived/It's good enough for now" Tweedy sings on "Sky Blue Sky." The album opener "Either Way" is even more supportive of this theme: "Maybe the sun will shine today/The clouds will blow away/Maybe I won't feel so afraid/I will try to understand either way." While it's tempting to make a connection between Tweedy's new lyrical approach and his personal life, I'd rather consider it general advice for a new mode of living.

When talking about this record, it's impossible not too mention the sounds of it. Its warmth and depth may sound wrong to most ears, especially those used to the cold, over compressed sound of records made today. The approach lends itself to the music very well, creating a vinyl friendly environment just as they had intended.

Regardless of the sound of the record, the songs are what count the most. This, I feel, is what makes Sky Blue Sky a great album. "Impossible Germany" is an obvious highlight, easygoing one moment while creating a ruckus of noise the next. It's a great example of the bands excellent chemistry considering the amount of line-up changes they've experienced. When listening to "What Light," I couldn't help but wonder if Tweedy had covered some long lost Bob Dylan song. The opening lines sound like his modus operandi: "If you feel like singing a song, and you want other people to sing along/Just sing what you feel, don't let anyone say it's wrong." Another highlight from the album would be the closer "On and On and On." It's heartbreaking, yet strangely uplifting. It pretty much sums up the idea of life and death in a mere four minutes. It's a beautiful song, and terribly powerful once you fully absorb its message.

Strip away whatever pre-conceived notion you have of Wilco. Forget how they used to sound, are supposed to sound, or how you hoped they would sound. Sky Blue Sky is the sound of a band at their peak, comfortable with the context in which their music exists and content to be who they are….whoever that may be.

Download >>Impossible Germany

Download >>On and On and On

Cats on Fire

2007-05-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

"I Am The White-Mantled King"/"Born Again Christian"

So I really like these guys. They’re called Cats on Fire. Maybe it’s because they’re from Finland and I’m contractually obligated to jizz myself over every band from Scandinavia. Maybe it’s because they do fun things like adding some funky spoken word stuff a la “Dirty Dream Number Two”. Or maybe it’s because, well…call me crazy, singer Mattias Björkas sounds EXACTLY LIKE MORRISSEY! Now before Belle and Sebastian were compared to the likes of T.Rex, they were constantly and sometimes obtusely compared to The Smiths, though Stuart Murdoch never has sounded like Morrissey. Also, no one, as far as I can tell, has been able to successfully conjure both The Smiths and earlier Belle and Sebastian without losing the bands individuality. Once you get past the Moz comparisons, word phrasing and everything, you realize that Cats on Fire are really a great indie pop band. “Born Again Christian”, from their album The Province Complains, fulfills this year’s quota for “super easy fun pop song that my friends will make fun of me for.” I’d like to think that it’s the songs popping guitars, it’s simple beat, and Björkas’ sleepy bravado that get me, but I’d be lying. It’s the Moz and Finland. The Moz. And Finland.

p.s. Check out "I Am The White-Mantled King" from the same album. It’s pretty sweet too.

Download >>I Am The White-Mantled King

Download >>Born Again Christian

History Invades

2007-05-10T00:12:00.000-07:00

Intensity In Ten Cities"

Dance punk with a rebellious edge? Count me in. “Intensity In Ten Cities” sounds like a digital fire if there ever was such a thing. It’s even more impressive when you consider the fact that they’re actually a rock band….guitars and all. Gone is the screaming D.C. post punk of their previous album, the trade off being screeching (guitar?) sounds and a cascading kit workout. Which brings me to the drums; either the drummer is a machine, or the machine is a drummer. Screw the typical four on the floor disco dance-- No snare, hihat, cymbal, or tom is left unstruck. They also keep the verse to a lean minute-thirty, leaving the rest of the song open for a jam session. Most of all, you gotta give credit to any band that cites Was (Not Was)(of “Everybody do the dinosaur” fame) as an influence.

Download >>Intensity In Ten Cities

Bonde do Role

2007-05-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

"Solta O Frango"/"Geremia"

I wasn’t going to any Brazilian clubs in high school, but it was at that time that I developed an affinity for the freakishly happy jungle music that had me shakin’ what my mama told me not to. This track, "Solta O Frango" (or "Release the Chicken"), by Bonde do Role shows me that the Brazilian club scene hasn’t changed too much. I’m sorry- did she say Release the Chicken? YES. I did. The title of the song is silly the same way the song is: pounding George of the Jungle drums mixed with a squeaky female voice alternating with feigned classic hip-hop beats and a crowd-mentality chorus that urges everyone to “release their chicken”. The fact that it’s a self-contained party is what’s so appealing about this style of music. With effects that our beloved Timbaland may not be brave enough to use, this song is a collage of funky and funny that needs to be listened to, if not enjoyed THOROUGHLY.

Later on in their album, BDR ventures out into new territory. “Geremia” is a song that sets this group on a different level, mainly due to its lack of bass. Blasphemous as it sounds, these Brazilians have managed to create an infectious dance hit that doesn’t really need more than a muted drum line hook in the background that keeps the song hopping along. Heaven forbid I fail to mention the kazoo chorus that sets up the entire theme for the song. The only thing about this track that takes some getting used to is the pubescent male voice that drones on verse after verse. Typical of (dare I say it) Baile Funk music, teenagers are often given creative reign over vocals and lyrics. The result is a lot of inside jokes and colloquialisms that no one really gets (anyone releasing their chicken, yet?) Still, no one really seems to care. The songs are just too funky to let a little thing like verbiage get in the way.

Conclusion? Bonde do Role is not revolutionizing Brazilian music at all, but is continuing a healthy Brazilian tradition: shake that booty if you’re gorgeous. Heck, shake it if you’re ugly! Just shake it! Thus concludes our cross-culture lesson for today.

Download >>Solta O Frango

Download >>Geremia

Kelley Polar

2007-05-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Rosenband"

Retro future-funk. There’s nothing redundant about it. All you need one listen to Kelly Polar’s last album Love Songs Of The Hanging Gardens to become a believer. Mixing electro beats with Philly soul string arrangements, Kelly Polar creates irresistible dance floor anthems. With one foot in disco and the other tangled up in electronics, you end up with the sort of space-station futurisms you hear on “Rosenband.” Harmonies don’t hurt either, and Polar’s got plenty. And while they work a more subtle angle here than they had on Love Songs, they're no less effective. They still add a layer of soulful flavor. I would have expected the title track from the Chrysanthemum EP to be the stand out, but “Rosenband” beat it out by a long run. Hopefully all the songs on the next album will aim for the same.

Download >>Rosenband

Timbaland

2007-05-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Laff At Em" (Give It To Me Remix feat. Jay-Z & Justin Timberlake)

Get over it. We like Timbaband. I don’t care if this is the umpteenth post dedicated to him, this remix is worth twenty more. In fact, I don’t even know why they called this a remix. It’s a bona fide stunner on its own. Even with JT throwing out a “Give it to ya’” every now and then, Tim could have easily slipped this track on to Shock Value right behind the original and no one would have complained. But alas, I’m guessing since Jay-Z reportedly missed the deadline for the album (along with Kanye West), this must have been his way of making it up to us. Easily the best verse from his most recent guest appearances: “I ditty-bop like Diddy back when Biggie cockeyes hypnotized the masses behind Versace glasses.” Even Timbaland rides the beat like a pro. I’ll spare you the overreaching superlatives. Just know it’s fucking hot.

Download >>Laff At 'Em (Give It To Me Remix)

Rocky Votolato

2007-05-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

"The Wrong Side Of Reno"

Votolato has become a master at the rootsy blues-folk from the days of old. The Brag & Cuss, his follow up to last years excellent Makers, makes no attempt to fix what ain’t broke. It offers up the same brand of down-trodden, country tinged, self-deprecating sweetness you’d expect from a farm raised Texan (Now that I think about it, most of the people I know from Texas are the opposite of self-deprecating, but whatever). “I hear a train whistle blowin’/And it’s in key with my song,” he starts on “Wrong Side Of Reno.” It starts like a typical acoustic guitar/harmonica set, but brings in the tom-tom and rim shot percussion on the chorus. I’ve always been able to appreciate Votolato’s lamenting for more than woe-is-me-ism. He manages to sound confessional and masculine at the same time. There’s something honorable about a man singing about his troubles unabashedly.

Download >>The Wrong Side Of Reno

Radical Face

2007-05-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

"Glory"

While Electric President did its best to harness the electronic charm of The Postal Service, Ben Cooper’s music as Radical Face is more in touch with the roots of folk and Americana, but updates the two with electronic flourishes. Ghost operates on a much grander scale as well. Like most of the songs on the album, “Glory” is the sound of something majestic and all too important. It’s made of the stuff soldiers would rally to in the final hours of battle…..at least that’s the impression I get from the marching sounds in the intro. Despite its grandiose scope, the song still remains humbled with simplicity. Its presence is just as affable as it is effective, and you can’t help but be enamored by it. I’d like to think there’s still room in the world for songs like that.

Download >>Glory

Bracken

2007-05-07T07:30:00.001-07:00

"Heathens"

Chris Adams is back again, but this time in the form of Bracken, his latest side project. After several albums with his primary outfit Hood, Adams recently released We Know About The Need on the alternative rap label Anticon. What seems like an odd pairing on paper actually works in reality, even though Bracken would never be filed in the rap section. Maybe Brit-Hop? “Heathens” starts in some dark echo chamber. After its twisted introduction, a clattering hip hop drum beat and chopped vocals flood the mix. Adams has always displayed an affection of hip hop style sampling, which was apparent with Hood. So you can pretty much expect the same thing from We Know About The Need. “Heathens” warrants some comparisons to Beta Band, or maybe even a chilled out Hot Chip. Basically, it’s downtempo with a backbeat. And in this case, that’s actually not a bad thing.

Download>>Heathens

Interpol

2007-05-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

“The Heinrich Maneuver”

This is too easy. I’m starting to think Interpol will never have to change their formula and they’ll still sound pretty awesome. “The Heinrich Maneuver” uses all the same typical Interpol trademarks: One-note guitar strokes, a strict, straightforward drum track, and Paul Banks cryptic lyrics (“You wear those shoes like a dove”). What more do you want? Change? Progress? Too bad. These dudes will probably ride the same wave until there’s nothing left.

Download >>The Heinrich Maneuver

M.I.A.

2007-05-04T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Hit That"

I can’t figure out if this is supposed to be a parody of all those macho songs bragging about how many girls they can sleep with in one night or if Maya’s just feeling really freaky these days. If you didn’t catch it the first time “Boys let me see you hit that” is pretty much the gist. I can’t imagine she’s trying for radio play, but “Hit That” is definitely lighter on the nasty analog of Arular. Its still got M.I.A. written all over it-- who wouldn’t recognize those signature vocals? “Hit That” isn’t even one of the highlights on the forthcoming Kala when compared to some of the other tracks floating around. It’s more like a lean appetizer to prepare you for the big meal.

Download >>Hit That

Architecture in Helsinki

2007-05-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

"Heart It Races"

The music of Architecture in Helsinki always seems to be on the brink of musical chaos; twee vocals that try to sound tough, arrangements that combine tubas, recorders, trombones, and bouncy analog synthesizers. Their new single “Heart it Races” from their upcoming album Places Like This pushes the barely in-control aesthetic even closer to the brink of chaos, though somehow the band gathers enough gravitas and sweet ass rhythms to keep you groovy. The word “tougher” comes to mind when I hear “Heart it Races”. Maybe it’s the lower than usual vocal “baum, baum-bu-dum-bu-dum” accompaniment, that sets the song running into a calypso type rhythm filled with steel drums and everything. If the single is any indication of how Places Like This will turn out, Architecture in Helsinki have definitely stepped up not only the presence of the vocals, but the way in which they use their voices as yet another instrument in their arsenal. “Heart it Races” is significantly less straight ahead as some older songs like, “Maybe You Can Owe Me”, “It’s Five”, or even “Do The Whirlwind”. While I very much enjoy the diversity and maybe even maturity that “Heart it Races” has presented, I’m cautious to say it’s a step in the right direction. Too much of these clever musical juxtapositions could send you into a dizzy dry heave.

Download >>Heart It Races

YACHT

2007-05-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

“So Post All ‘Em”

Forgive me, but I’m slightly baffled. YACHT is one half of the blow, and the man responsible for all of those hot tracks on Paper Television right? Right. So how come “So Post All ‘Em,” the lead off track from his ridiculously titled solo album I Believe In You. Your Magic Is Real sounds like some experimental, tribal voodoo dance? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great start. I only wish the rest of the album indulged in more of the left-field Animal Collectivism of this track. It sounds like a dozen acoustic guitar overdubs with a dozen galloping hand drums to match. Of course, he adds in random effects and other manipulations to remind you you’re not listening to Brazilian folk music (no, I don’t have any idea what that really sounds like either). The song does a good job of blurring the lines between electronic and acoustic. If only the other tracks on I Believe… followed suit…

Download >>So Post All ‘Em

The Cinematic Orchestra

2007-05-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

"To Build A Home (Feat. Patrick Watson)"

I'm a sucker for cinematics. So, at least for me, the aptly titled Cinematic Orchestra can't possibly go wrong. This track, featuring Patrick Watson, is a beautifully drawn out soundscape, scoring the precious moments between the complexities of day-to-day life and the simple things we take for granted. Simplicity is also key to the song. "This is a place where I don't feel alone/This is a place where I feel at home." It's a basic discovery that may seem trite or cheesy to most ears, but will resonate with those that have felt alienated in their own abode. It's not necessarily an ode to the outcast, but more a celebration of one of the most basic human needs: the need to belong. I know, I know, it sounds like overwrought philosophical blah-blah-blah. But it's hard not to dig for a deeper meaning when things are made so beautifully simple.

Download >>To Build A Home (Feat. Patrick Watson)

Patrick Watson

2007-05-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Daydreamer"/"Drifters"

I don't know how last years Closer To Paradise managed to slip through the cracks, but it did. I'm not going to try to convince you it's some sort of underrated album of the year (it's not), but I definitely felt it was worthy of some attention. Maybe people just got sick of Canadians. Who knows. All I remember is hearing it and being caught up in its sweeping arrangements and dramatic orchestration-- both of which I'm a sucker for too. From the rolling piano line of "Drifters" to the fairytale-gone-wrong electronics of "Daydreamer," every song is laced with cinematically themed music, which happens to have vocals on it. This doesn't mean Watson's voice is dismissive (he sort of resembles Jeff Buckly in his softer moments), just that the music draws you in more with its engaging arrangements. "Drifters" is actually more driving than the title suggest, with an ever building crescendo. The only thing that really "drifts" is Watson's melody. "Daydreamer" shuffles between skittering beats and banjo plucks showcasing the albums diverse sonic pallet. As of now, Patrick Watson is Canada's best kept secret.

Download >>Daydreamer

Download >>Drifters

Coachella 2007!!!

2007-04-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

Awwwww man! COACHELLA! Wasn’t that amazing?!?! I mean, when that one band…..so awesome. I almost….you know….all over my pants!!!! MAN! Great times. Hot, crowded, but man….great. G-R-E-A-T.

You’re right. We didn’t go. And if you can’t tell, we're about as bitter as squirrel nuts (don't ask).

Rage? Probably just o.k. I mean, they couldn’t have been that…..you know, after all these years….(sob)……right?

Here are some tracks from bands you may have seen and said “Man, I hope the Miz posts music from this band on Monday.”

We hope you choke on your gluttony:

Amy Winehouse: Rehab (Hot Chip Remix)

Andrew Bird : Dark Matter

Arcade Fire: Intervention

Arctic Monkeys: Brianstorm

Blonde Redhead: 23

Busy P: Rainbow Man

CSS: Alala

The Decemberists: O Valencia!

Digitalism: Darlight

El-P: Drive

Girl Talk: Smash Your Head

The Good, The Bad & The Queen: Northern Whale

Grizzly Bear: Easier

Hot Chip: Over & Over

Interpol: The Heinrich Maneuver

The Jesus & Mary Chain: Just Like Honey

Jose Gonzalez: Remain

Junior Boys: In The Morning (Hot Chip Remix)

Justice: D.A.N.C.E.

Kings Of Leon: Ragoo

Konono No.1: Mama Liza

LCD Soundsystem: North American Scum (Dunproofin's Not From England Either Mix)

Lupe Fiasco: Kick, Push

The New Pornographers: Use It

Noisettes: Sister Rosetta (Capture The Spirit)

Of Montreal: Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse

Peter, Bjorn & John: Young Folks

The Rapture: Whoo! Alright-Yeah... Uh Huh

Ratatat: Lex

Rodrigo y Gabriela: Diablo Rojo

The Roots: Don't Feel Right

Rufus Wainwright: Going To A Town

Silversun Pickups: Lazy Eye (Original), Lazy Eye (Curtis Vodka Remix)

Sonic Youth: Incinerate

Spank Rock: What It Look Like

Sparklehorse: Shade and Honey

Tapes 'n Tapes: Insistor

Tokyo Police Club: Box

Halrem Shakes

2007-04-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

"Carpetbaggers"

Even through my extensive research (read: little), I still can’t seem to find out why these guys decided to name themselves Harlem Shakes. I can’t help but think of little kids in sweat suits dancing in P.Diddy videos. Aside from the imagery that comes with the name, I can’t seem to get enough of the bands EP Burning Birthdays. The lead off track “Carpetbaggers” starts off on some heavy tom thuds and naked guitar plucks. The chorus gets a slight doo-wop treatment with “oh-oh’s” breaking up the vocals. My first take on the song left the impression of a hybrid between Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Wolf Parade. It may not be entirely accurate, but it’s a good start. While most tag the band as lo-fi indie rock/pop, they don’t sound any more lo-fi than a majority of other stuff out there. Regardless of inaccurate tags, Harlem Shakes are one of the most promising bands buzzing around the blogosphere. This is one of the few instances where you’d benefit from tuning in to the hype. Either way, you’ll hear from them again soon enough.

Download >>Carpetbaggers

Page France

2007-04-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

"The Ruby Ring Man"

This song reminds me of the 60s. No, I wasn’t alive, but everyone has their own impression of what the 60’s was like. “The Ruby Ring Man” makes me think of what rock and roll may have sounding like before it became classic rock. Imagine Bob Dylan crooning over a slightly sped up version of The Velvet Underground’s “Sunday Morning” and you might get the picture. And while the pre-classic rock statement may be slightly overreaching, I can’t help but think of how many rock bands were influenced by VU before they actually rocked. … And The Family Telephone, the bands third full-length in three years, is filled with the same earnest, easygoing vibe heard on “The Ruby Ring Man.” It’s pretty refreshing to hear something as honest and simple as Page France, especially within the array of over-produced music and we’re-so-important posturing. It’s sort of like starting from the beginning.

Download >>The Ruby Ring Man

Digitalull: Your Weekly Electronic Fix

2007-04-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

The German Connection

Efdemin

Efdemin, aka Phillip Sollmann is yet another techno artist from Germany, joining the ranks of fellow compatriots Ellen Allien and Superpitcher amongst a long list of respected producers. His self-titled debut for Dial records is another excellent addition to the growing number of albums credited as minimal techno. Luckily, the album explores other styles of the electronic knit, such as house and straight techno. "Knocking At The Grand" and "Loh & Brot" are two standout tracks from the album.

“Knocking At The Grand” introduces itself with percussive bells. Here, Efdemin creates the sort of dark, haunting textures similar to Plastikman. The usual swift hi-hats come in to play over a circular sub-bassline. As with most microhouse, the space in between is the most intriguing part. The track spends most of its time playing with fleeting sounds that poke in and out of the mix, never staying long enough to form any sort of relationship. With a sparse sonic collage and slippery basseline, “Knocking At The Grand” feels like the shadowy death-dance for the final rave.

Download >>Knocking At The Grand

“Loh & Brot” is based on the more conventional structures of house music, with its bassline offset from the downbeat. Click-clack percussion is interspersed throughout choppy, processed synths and filtered organ chords. The second half of the song gives way to a synth reminiscent of an old science documentary, effectively climaxing without making too much fuss. Eventually, the synth turns into an ominous wash of sound, lingering aimlessly like a gray cloud shadowing the landscape.

Download >>Loh & Brot

Pole

Pole is not one of your typical techno producers. In fact, it’s safe to say he’s not really techno at all. Named after his favorite piece of studio equipment (Waldorf 4 Pole-Filter), Pole is the moniker of Stefan Betke. Some would categorize him as “post-techno,” but since techno hasn’t disappeared, I’m hesitant to use such labels. While his past albums have varied from dub influenced to house, rhythm has always been the most important factor. Betke’s latest release, Steingarten can be easily separated from the slew of techno/house albums from Germany’s electronic scene. Neither Pole, nor the album is easily categorized.

“Warum,” the album opener for Steingarten is built on a deceptively simple, loose groove. The bass sounds even deeper than an 808, if that’s even possible. The industrial sound of drills and pipes are layered throughout the track, adding a sort of “found sound” style approach to programming. As loose as the track may sound upon initial listen, everything pretty much adheres to a strict rhythmic phrasing. The handclaps are loose and scattered, but all within a tight frame. “Warum” sounds fairly linear at first, but its intricacies manage to reveal themselves after repeated listens.

Download >>Warum

Sea Wolf

2007-04-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

"You're A Wolf"/"Ses Monuments"

Alex Church, who began his musical career as a bassist in local Los Angeles indie group Irving, is gearing up for the May 8^th release of Get to the River Before it Runs Too Low, the debut EP of his solo project Sea Wolf. Although many bands share the common “wolf” in their names, you can be assured Church sets Sea Wolf apart from the rest with an array of instruments ranging from cello to keyboard, accompanied by the use of his own melodic singing and story telling lyrics which are all put together to create ear pleasing, memorable songs that you may just find yourself singing well after the music has stopped. Acoustic guitar accompanied by deep strings that hang in the background, and the occasional string swell that join the chorus in “You’re a Wolf” hook up effortlessly with the softly sung, sometimes drawn out melodic lyrics, and instantly make it a standout track on the upcoming EP. “Ses Monuments” has a very different feel when it opens with a jaunty synth that will remind you of your first Nintendo, and returns periodically throughout the song. Despite the more upbeat tempo, “Ses Monuments” shares the drum/string/guitar relationship that works so well throughout Get to the River Before it Runs Too Low. With the solid line up of this first EP, and the prospective September release of a full length, I think we will be seeing much more of Mr. Church and Sea Wolf in the future. Keep your eyes and ears open.

Download >>You're A Wolf

Donwload >>Ses Momuments

Matzak

2007-04-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Girl In The Water"

I usually leave the electronic stuff to our digital guru Jared, but I couldn’t resist with this one. I haven’t been able to shake “Girl In The Water” from my playlist since I got my hands on Matzak's excellent Life Beginnings. I'm amazed at how well the track travels the path from minimalist techno to maximalist textures. From the classic drum machine bassline to the typical rave organ stabs, all the standard ingredients are there. Hyperactive airbrush sounds seem to drive the rhythm into new territory without touching the actual tempo of the song. Since most electronic music of this kind lacks any formal melody (at least to untrained ears), it’s always a curious thing when a song gets stuck in your head. It’s as if there’s some secret ingredient at work, but what it is is beyond me. I just know that “Girl In The Water” has fit perfectly for whatever mood I’m in at that given moment.

Download >>Girl In The Water

Manic Street Preachers

2007-04-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

"Underdogs"

It’s been a long, long road for the Preachers. They’ve been making political protest albums since ’91. And while they were once superstars in the U.K., they received very little love in the states. They’ve been relentless with their message, but not always successful with its delivery. Send Away The Tigers finds the band embracing a straight ahead rock approach, as on “Underdogs.” The song could be seen as a logical step backwards; it’s very much like the American “punk” rock from the mid-nineties. Lyrics like “This one’s for the freaks, for you're so beautiful/For all the devotion ridden in your soul” are sung sympathetically over muted power chords. Before you know it, the guitars rip through the air like an explosion while the snare drum jackhammers into infinity. “For underdogs revenge is sweet.” I’m starting to think “Underdogs” may be more autobiographical than outcast anthem.

Download >>Underdogs

The Kissaway Trail

2007-04-25T07:30:00.001-07:00

"Tracy"

Bear with me on this one. While “Tracy” starts off wonderfully, I have a feeling this guys voice is going to be the deal breaker for most. When most people complain about indie rock, the number one criticism is that the singer’s voice is too winy. And while nothing makes me cringe more than a winy voiced sissy singer, I don’t get the same vehement feelings with The Kissaway Trail. Maybe I’ve been listening to too much Joanna Newsom. Besides the higher pitched lets-sing-at-the-very-top-of-our-range vocals, “Tracy” should feel familiar to most. While the band could have rested on the infectious, bouncy guitar line alone, they do a great job of fleshing out the arrangement. The bands self title debut ranges from the innocent enthusiasm of “Tracy” to the ambitiously dramatic, but is not always successful in either. Still, most bands would kill to have just one “Tracy” under their belt.

Oh yeah, and I was told not to mention that the band is from Denmark.

Download >>Tracy

The Honeydrips

2007-04-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: We here at www.themusicmiz.com are sponsored by the Swedish Government.

The Honeydrips. Sounds like something that’s kind of gross and kind of good at the same time. Which is how “Trying Something New”, the second track off their album Here Comes the Future kind of sounds. Fortunately, the combination is a tasty one. “Trying Something New” is an upbeat song awash in distorted echoy explosions, eighties organ bass lines, wispy lyrics about getting away and well…trying something new, with a fairly sweet, oddly ascending, distorted guitar riff at its center. Mix these together and you get something that ends up sounding like a spacey new wave laser tag dream song, while remaining a fairly grounded and organic rock song. The Swedes truly seem to have a highly eclectic output of bands that have an intense grip on what the rest of the world is going to dig music wise. The Honeydrips seem to bee no exception.

Note: www.themusicmiz.com is not sponsored by the Swedish Government. That was a lie.

Download >>Trying Something New

People Press Play

2007-04-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

Maybe it’s not just Sweden that produces 90% of the talent pool in indie rock. People Press Play hail from Denmark and are here to make an argument for Scandinavia as a whole. The band combines the soft, hushed vocals of Azure Ray with the downtempo electronics of Mum. “Frail” is definitely a low-key affair with it’s spacious arrangement and plainspoken lyrics. Delicately phrased synth-bells are mixed with synth-blips, while wordless vocals jump back and forth between notes in the background. “Always Wrong” underscores Sara Savery’s delicate voice with bouncy, sprightly electronics. It’s the perfect soundtrack to relax to. People Press Play’s self titled debut is electro-chill at its best; not too busy, but not too boring.

Download >>Always Wrong

Download >>Frail

Queens Of The Stone Age

2007-04-23T00:49:00.000-07:00

"Sick Sick Sick"

“Rock should be heavy enough for the boys and sweet enough for the girls.” Those words, straight from QOTSA head honcho Josh Homme, sum up the band pretty well. The music is always great for rocking out without sounding like a macho scream fest. I like to think of it as hard rock with a groove. With their fifth album Era Vulgaris to be released in June, the band has seen a slew of line-up changes as well as slight changes in musical direction. And while experimentation is always welcome, I have to admit that I feel the band is at its best when they bring the rawk, as they do on “Sick Sick Sick.” It almost sounds like a reckless Nirvana b-side. The song is heavy on riffs and rhythms, equally useful for head banging or just plain dancing. Homme describes the new records as "Dark, hard, and electrical, sort of like a construction worker." I’ve spent the last week or so trying to figure out what the hell he’s talking about. Let’s just hope it somehow means “good.”

Download >>Sick Sick Sick

Bonus: Here's a track featuring Trent Reznor that was cut from the album.

Download >>Era Vulgaris

Moonbabies

2007-04-23T00:43:00.000-07:00

"War On Sound"/"Don't Ya Know"

…..It’s a beautiful start. If you don’t love Moonbabies within the first ten seconds of “War On Sound,” then you probably won’t like them at all. It’s easy to be skeptical when songs are as instantly gratifying as this one, but after repeated listens, the song has remained on replay in my mental jukebox. “Don’t Ya Know” has fared just as well, with its Postal Service style programming. The Swedish duo has managed to craft an amazingly lush pop album with Moonbabies At The Ballroom (due 5/29 in the U.S.) with a handful of songs just as addictive as these. They’re best likened to Canada’s Stars; an acoustic/electronic hybrid of romantic indie-pop. With the bands profile elevating on a day-to-day basis (“War On Sound” was included in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy), it won’t be long before they’re on everyone’s list. Mark another one for Sweden.

Download >>War On Sound

Download >>Don't Ya Know

The Maccabees

2007-04-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

"Latchmere"

Tim pretty much nailed it in his Maximo Park review, so I won’t bore you with the whole post-punk rhetoric. Just know that The Maccabees fall squarely into the same category. They sound almost identical to The Futureheads, even sporting similar harmonies. Now whatever you do, don’t fall into hype that surrounds the band. They’re not the “Best Band In Britian,” like certain people would like you to believe, but when you want something fun, upbeat, and not too heavy, “Latchmere” will do the trick. Repetitive eight-note down strokes, thin wiry guitars, rolling drums, thick accents—they’re all there. If you listen closely after the intro, you can actually hear a harmonica play for all of five seconds. While nothing is particularly mind blowing about the band’s debut album Colour It In, there’s something to be said about the their knack for catchy melodies and memorable hooks. Consider it mix-tape fodder for all those cool indie kids.

Download >>Latchmere

The Snake The Cross The Crown

2007-04-20T04:32:00.000-07:00

"The Great American Smokeout"

For sometime there was speculation as to whether we would hear anything more from The Snake The Cross The Crown. They canceled the remainder of their tour dates when on the road with their second album Mander Salis, and seemed to have simply dropped off the map. Fast forward to 2007 and they resurface with the release of Cotton Teeth. Something had changed though, and what a wonderful change it was, resulting in an album with that folk feeling that reaches into your bones and makes you want to say “I’m coming home mama.” “The Great American Smokeout” begins with acoustic guitar that is reminiscent of stepping in your car turning the key and hearing the motor sputter just a slight bit before it starts, but once it does you’re off and down the road. The kick drum leads you into the catchy chorus which is accompanied by an equally catchy piano melody. All of these elements give “The Great American Smokeout” that good ol’ Americana folk feeling, which for some strange reason, always seems to be the perfect soundtrack for that summer road trip you’ve been planning.

Download >>The Great American Smokeout

Digitalull: Your Weekly Electronic Fix

2007-04-19T19:31:00.000-07:00

Klaxons - "It's Not Over Yet"

Yay, rave is back!! Well, not really because it never went away, but the Klaxons are apparently (according to idiot NME) here to make it more accessible (even though I never saw a live band at any rave, what the shit?). Their video for Magick, with the glow stick blood spraying everywhere, seemed to visually kill that idea about them being rave resurrected. On to the song; sometimes hype can kill a band like this.....and this band has way too much (unneeded) hype. That being said, the Klaxons may very well hook you in with a rock vs. electronic recipe that at the very worst would end up on an OC soundtrack or at the very best introduce you to a new genre you never knew existed. "It's Not Over Yet" is most likely a token add on track to their album Myths Of The Near Future, but it's definitely one of the best. Originally a mid 90s trance song by Grace and later more famously a late 90s re-work by Planet Perfecto (Paul Oakenfold), "It's Not Over Yet" is nothing more than a sophomoric, lost love song, but the Klaxons cover it very nice with a live instrument version (see more accessible reference earlier). Bringing in the electric guitar and live drums with the male vocal (original was a female vocal) shows how talented these guys are; and to do a remake of a vocal trance song, (which no one to my knowledge has done yet) just shows a lot of balls. So, sit back eat some candy and enjoy some pure cane sugar, twice.

Download >>It's Not Over Yet

The Junkies - "Toys Professor" (Incorporation Mix)

This remixed track is pretty much a hipster's wet dream, but whatever, it sounds goddamn good. The Junkies sort of look like Aqua at first glance (remember that Barbie Girl song?) only not as much hair gel and way more talent; and conjure up Book Of Love. This Brooklyn, NY collective includes DJ Cosmo, Michelle Antoinette (almost falling out of her shirt!), Daniel Blue, Gil Bitton, Bleu, and DJ Johnny Blista; gotta love a group with 2 DJs and 2 female lead singers with more to spare. "I like boys that look like girl toys.....I like the girls that like the boy toys" are the main lyrics here, which, while not anything eye opening or breakthrough (and not meant to be), sound pretty darn sexy even if you're not stumbling around drunk wondering how in the hell you will get home. If anything, this may get someone laid from a night out at the indie dance club, so what's the harm in that? I say none. Add to that some stutter chorus, sounding a tad like Blur's "Girls and Boys", deep synth rackets, and dueling male/female vocals (and pseudo white persons rapping?), let this be the track that makes you think going out tonight and spending way too much on drinks, watching white dudes dance, and being kicked out at 1:30 is a great idea.

Download >>Toys Professor (Incorporation Mix)

Nine Horses

2007-04-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

"Money For All"/"Get The Hell Out"

Meet my latest obsession. While not as bananas as Santogold or as grandiose as Arcade Fire, it’s an obsession nonetheless. Former Japan lead singer David Sylvian fronts Nine Horses with Steve Jansen & Burnt Friedman. The bands recent EP Money For All features re-workings of songs from 05’s Snow Born Sorrow, as well as the two new tracks featured here. While much different than his sparse, haunting solo album Blemish or his contribution on Fennesz’s Venice, Sylvian’s voice is trademark enough to make the material recognizable. His low, wavering tone stands out over the galloping industrial noises of “Get The Hell Out” where he connects non-sequiturs such as “Get the hell out/Honey it’s your birthday”. It creeps on you like a shadowy tempest with its dark, bubbling synths and granulated machine sounds. “Money For All” starts off with a muddied drum loop, eventually finding Sylvian backed by some soulful harmonies. I can’t truly explain why I’ve been so obsessed with the bands EP, all I can tell you is that it slowly sucked me in without me even realizing it.

Download >>Money For All

Download >>Get The Hell Out

Ghosthustler

2007-04-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

"Parking Lot Nights"

One day I’ll get sick of that sound. But for now that distorted, scuzz-fuzz synth is the key to my heart. It keeps begging me to breakdance. It keeps telling me to put on that 80’s style sweatband I’ve been hiding in my closet for so long. I got so wrapped up in the moment once I tried spinning on my head and nearly lost my neck. I can’t help it, it’s infectious. “Parking Lot Nights” sounds like it came straight from the Ed Banger camp, but these dudes don’t even have a deal yet. Normally I stray from posting songs from unsigned artist, but “Parking Lot Nights” is a worthy exception. Besides, I’d be willing to bet Ghosthustler won’t have to go too much longer before the get snatched up by a label. And even if they don’t, we’ll just play “Parking Lot Nights” on repeat until we drop.

Download >>Parking Lot Nights

Maximo Park

2007-04-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

"Girls Who Play Guitar"

It’s funny that in the midst of the post-punk-punk new-wave-or-whatever revival of a couple of years ago, we seemed to have forgotten that there were actually some good bands. The good one’s seemed to have survived by not only transcending the hype and the dance punk stigma, but growing from what seemed to be a short lived trend. I’m not sure if Maximo Park were ever really “one of those bands” though they seemed to have been caught up in the swirl. Either way, the band’s sophomore release Our Earthly Pleasures kicks off with "Girls Who Play Guitars", a song that seems to have evolved from the genre. In a way, singer Paul Smith makes my heart skip with how brilliantly he weaves the lyrics through the first minute of the song. His North Eastern English Brogue, reminiscent of Joe Strummer, thrusts out confessions and cool images (“In the gaps, inbetween words, Are the things that really intrigue me/It's the gasps, and the sighs, that say more about what's inside you”) in and out of what begins as a staccato beat. Then he rides the lyrics and melody on top of an explosion of ascending and descending power chords. That combined with an interesting bridge make for a fairly amazing, air tight three minute rock song. Maximo Park are a pretty straight ahead, steady, though deceivingly chopsy band. Some might not be convinced yet, but give "Girls Who Play Guitars" a good couple of listens and it’ll be hard not to have at least steady infatuation with the rest of the album.

Download >>Girls Who Play Guitars

Apostle Of Hustle

2007-04-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Cheap Like Sebastien"

Apostle Of Hustle, headed by Broken Social Scene’s Andrew Whiteman, recently released their sophomore album, National Anthem of Nowhere. With a unique blend of sounds that range from that classic indie rock feel to a distinctly Latin flavor (that goes as far as “Rafaga” sung completely in Spanish), National Anthem of Nowhere is a breath of fresh air in a seemingly endless supply of “generic” music we see so much of today. The drum introduction to “Cheap Like Sebastien” has an almost marching band with a Latin twist feel to it. Soon after, the vocals are introduced, along with synths that hang in the background throughout the song and carry you through to the end. The soft spoken vocals along with a catchy bassline mesh perfectly with the synth, and with the help of some carefree female vocals. Then you have lyrics like “It was new, it was love, it was cheap” that embody that blissful yet sometimes despondent feeling love and life can bring us.

Download >>Cheap Like Sebastien

Stars

2007-04-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

"Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" (Final Fantasy Remix)

Back in the old days, the remix was sort of a commodity. Once a song reached its peak in popularity, someone would do a remix, a sort of ode to the song itself. Ahh, those were the days. Now, it’s some sort of industry standard to remix and entire album, even for artist with only one album out. And with a surplus of remix albums, a surplus of excess crap is bound to follow. With that in mind, you could probably understand my skepticism when hearing that Stars planned on releasing Do You Trust Your Friends?, a full re-working of Set Yourself On Fire, sometime in May. But alas, a remix can offer a new perspective on an old favorite, even when the original was pretty good in its own right. Final Fantasy strips the lush, majestic orchestration of “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead” into a simple, poetic ballad. Using the same progression from the intro, the song now rests on a gentle piano waltz. The strings that were once used as heavy accents now move smoothly back and forth….for the most part. In a typical Owen Pallet fashion, the violins have their moment of scratchy shrieks, purposefully piercing the comfortable atmosphere. If all remix albums started this good, we could look forward to more of its kind.

Download >>Your Ex-Lover Is Dead (Final Fantasy Remix)

Download >>Your Ex-Lover Is Dead (Original)

Mark Ronson

2007-04-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

"Just"

Mark Ronson has been pretty busy the last couple of years. Robbie Williams, Christina Aguilera, and Lily Allen are just a few artists that owe production credit to him. The most notable success of late would be Amy Winehouse, which a majority her recent album was produced by Ronson, including the first U.S. single “You Know I’m No Good.” From that album alone, you might figure the London born DJ/Producer may have a little more soul than the rest of his English compatriots. But you would never figure he had the skills to re-work a Radiohead masterpiece into the funk’d up adaptation presented here. The song originally appeared on Exit Music: Songs With Radioheads, an album full of Radiohead covers. The song now comes on his latest release Version, which takes songs from artists such as Coldplay, Ryan Adams, and even Brittany Spears and revamps them, northern soul style. “Just” is easily the most successful of the batch, managing to keep a majority of the original arrangement with different instrumentation. Maybe the next Radiohead album will have more soul and less machine….but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Download >>Just (feat. Phantom Planet)

Noisettes

2007-04-16T07:34:00.000-07:00

“Don’t Give Up”/“Sister Rosetta (Capture The Spirit)”

If Noisettes’ music were meant for a movie, it would probably be one of those kick-ass movies with motorcycles and bar fights. I’ve had to fight the temptation to break a beer bottle over someone’s head whenever “Don’t Give Up” comes on. This is actually pretty frustrating since I don’t drink beer-- there’s never a bottle in sight. The song is a sweat filled, garage rock romp-fest, the stuff trouble makers listen to when they’re looking for trouble. “Sister Rosetta (Capture The Spirit),” with its knee slapping rockabilly beat and lines like “We compliment each other just like Satan and Christ”, knows no good either. It starts off swing dance style, but wastes no time launching into power-chord punk-rock on the chorus. It wouldn't be enough if the London trio only knew how to rock, their secret weapon lies in lead singer Shingai Shoniwa; she’s got a fiery attitude and a soulful voice to match. What’s The Time Mr.Wolf? comes out tomorrow (4/17)-- don’t be surprised if you see an increase in local bar brawls.

Download >>Don’t Give Up

Download >>Sister Rosetta (Capture The Spirit)

Lost In The Trees

2007-04-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Lost In The Snow"

Listen, I’d be the first person to label Lost In The Trees a bunch of posers if I only listened to the first few seconds of “Lost In The Snow.” I’d pretty much write them off as knock-offs or hip-hop wannabe’s. Good thing they’re not hip-hop at all. All preconceived notions melt away once the east-coast style drum beat disappears and leaves a banjo in its absence. But what could have been pure kitsch or a clumsy attempt to defy categorization actually reads earnest. It’s simply including the elements of music the band’s main man Ari Picker has come to love, without any hip indie-elite posturing attached. To be honest, I’m sort of a sucker for the cinematic orchestrations found on the bands EP Time Taunts Me, so if they wanna add a simple little backbeat to freshen things up, be my guest.

Download >>Lost In The Snow

Preview- Björk

2007-04-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

"Earth Indruders"

There’s nothing like new Björk material to get people all excited. “Earth Intruders” is the first single from Volta, and owes some production credit to Timbaland (although how much I’m not sure). You can buy the single on iTunes. Here’s a preview for you in the mean time:

Album Review- Sharp Teeth

2007-04-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

David Karsten Daniels
Sharp Teeth
8.3/10

A majority of our lives are spent fighting against things we have no control over. There are your typical fights against evils such as injustice, world hunger, global warming, commercial radio, etc., that with enough will and effort might actually be won. But these are nothing. The hardest fights we as humans have to face are internal. The sort of internal battles that wreak havoc on our physical state being the worst, since there is no true escape from internal conflict. But we can never bring ourselves to fight against ourselves, so the problem must be externalized somehow in order for us to gauge its impact and challenge accordingly. In comes the art of catharsis. Demons weren’t meant to live inside the body, and this is why they must be exercised.

The artwork for Sharp Teeth seems misleading at first. It’s a gruesome portrait that makes one wonder what association it could have with the acoustic folk found on the album. Upon further listen, it becomes startlingly clear how accurate it is. Its portrayal of a man ravenously gorging the innards from a woman’s body is a bloody, but realistic view of human nature in the rawest sense. As the album illustrates, it works both ways. We have the just as much an ability to tear apart others as we do ourselves.

The album opener, “The Dream Before The Ring That Woke Me” should be able to convince the hardest of hearts of music’s ability to convey, as well as influence emotion. It’s the first, and last, truly happy moment of the album. The music builds and builds under the same lyrical refrain until it’s brimming over with joyous energy. If you can’t feel a palpable sensation in your heart, you should probably be sleeping in a morgue.

The following song, “Scripts” rests on quiet acoustic strums and lonely organ chords. It’s the blues at its bluest—you can practically hear the hound dogs howling. But just before we sink into total despair, the sound of a New Orleans band breaks the silence creating a sad, but somewhat celebratory rendition. “American Pastime” wins the award for best lyrical metaphor, likening a relationship to a game of little league baseball. “We’re not cut out for the major leagues” is basically the conclusion. It also shows that the music doesn’t have to be sad to be cathartic. With its circular, bouncy bassline and childish prose, it actually becomes an endearing form of release.

While all of the songs expose Daniels’ inner conflicts in some naked form, “Minows” is the best example of the music channeling his absolution. The crescendo swells until its apex is answered by a collective yelling towards the heavens; “And in the dark our touching is anonymous/I am a shark, drinking blood and drowning us.”

“I wanted to talk about planets….” David starts on the album closer, “We Go Right On”, “Something to romanticize this human cruelty we have within us/Something about orbits passing and an inability to do anything but what we are designed to do.” After a ten step process of catharsis, he comes to the realization that these are infact a basic part of human nature, something not easily exhumed. But while we may not always be able to exit all demons from our system, we can be certain that music will always be the best means for trying.

Download >>The Dream Before The Ring That Woke Me

Download >>American Pastime

Digitalull - Your Weekly Electronic Fix

2007-04-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

Adult- "I Feel Worse When I'm With You"

Sometimes we need to step outside of our silky comfortable lovey indie poprock sensitivity and jump into how we really feel. That manic, insane, uncontrolled feeling that keeps getting buried under soft harmonies and cushy guitar riffs needs to surface or else one day you will become a volcano and probably end up in a straight jacket. Adult has been making mizik since 1998, and although their sound or ideas haven't changed much, their unique wavelengths have been embedded as their own sound. Both straightforward and abstract at the same time, Adult creates chic, fast paced, electro that could make you dance, cringe, or say "fuck yeah" all at the same time. So answer that knock on your door and invite in "IFWWIWY". The anxiety you can never really express well comes in with some manic Adam Lee Miller keyboard and almost gabber beat that hits you in the temple right before Nicola Kuperus' shrill voice explains how we (ok I) feel about most people. As the video shows (it's on youtube) this looks like it is meant for your significant other but I think it is relevant to really anyone. I can't eat, breath, or sleep around a lot of people and honestly, couldn't say that to their faces. This song is a great muse for those of us who just cannot vocalize our grievances. The song title pretty much says it all (along with "Inclined To Vomit & You Don't Worry Enough" off of their new album Why Bother?) but at least they don't title their tracks Billy Corgan style.

Download >>I Feel Worse When I'm With You

Mr. Oizo - "Transexual" (Lorn Remix)

Mr.Oizo(below)
Lorn(right)

Quentin Dupieux has been in the game for a while now, most noticeably from that 1999 gem "Flat Beat". Ok so you don't recognize the title but you'd probably recognize the song. Look it up, we can't be your daddy for everything. Enough history, "Transexual" is the upcoming EP from Monsieur Oizo on Ed Banger Records and here is the title track all bass'd and lazer'd up just for you; complements of Lorn, who I've never even heard of before now. His talents seem to be emerging though, this track made me feel like I was back at the goth club, only not wearing fishnets or flailing furious fists at KMFDM. This song is pretty much all over the place with Benny Benassi type lady robot voice, hand clap snares, brown notes, and EDM organ breakbeat all in yo face. It almost seems German even though it's by a Frenchman, mixed by an American. Maybe the answer to life is France + USA = super German tranny goth.

Download >>Transexual (Lorn Remix)

Tokyo Police Club

2007-04-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

"Box"

HA HA! Fooled ya! Not only are Tokyo Police Club not from Japan, but they’re not cops either! Good one boys! You got us! Hahahahaha! But all seriousness aside, the Canadian blog-favs are destined to set the hype machine in motion…. as soon as they decide to release a full album. With only one EP (A Lesson In Crime) under their belt, the boys have already generated a decent buzz. So to keep the masses hungry, they give us the Smith EP, a digital only release. The lead-off track “Box” makes self-deprecation sound like fun. “It comes easy to a scum-bag like me” they admit. Fair enough. The drummer lays down a strict, propulsive rhythm while the rest of the boys shake out your typical, partially distorted guitar noise. “Box”, being only a limited release, really only hints at the bands potential. Whether or not their yet to be released full-length will fully deliver on the promise of early material….only time will tell.

Download >>Box

Au Revoir Simone

2007-04-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

“A Violent Yet Flammable World”

The drum intro on “A Violent Yet Flammable World” is the same one perfected by Motown, Phil Spector, and so many other acts from the 60’s—and it still works. It’s a comforting welcome mat that tells you you’re entering familiar territory. But instead of launching into bouncy girlish harmonies or typical funky girl-group fanfare, Au Revoir Simone opt for a darker soundscape. The song is colored in grayscale, a monochromatic wash of storm cloud synthesizers. Underneath it all, the same drums from the intro keeps steady throughout the entire song, accented by what sounds like fluttering hand-drums. The vocals are sung with idle simplicity and innocence, and the harmonies don’t come in until the end—all which is in direct contrast with what you’d expect from the intro. It’s like the element of surprise, but one where they whisper it instead of shout.

Download >>A Violent Yet Flammable World

Elk City

2007-04-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

"Cherries In The Snow"

There’s a newfound energy on Elk City’s upcoming release New Believers. If you let the band tell it, they’d give credit to the departure of lead guitarist/singer Peter Langland-Hassan. If that’s truly the case, then it’s very unfortunate that one band member would be capable of stifling so much creativity. The music now lies somewhere between the soft, acoustic sounds of Camera Obscura and the charging rhythms and harmonies of the latter day girl groups. You make think I’m crazy, but I can actually hear a little bit of The Cranberries in “Cherries In The Snow”, which in this case is not a criticism. In between the “Ooh la la” harmonies and oh-so-90’s-rock guitar solo lies an irresistible slice of head-nodding pop perfection. The lyrics are simple enough to get stuck on endless repeat within the inner recesses of your brain, but cryptic enough make you ponder what reference may be flying over your head. But let’s not think too hard about that, we wouldn’t want to ruin the fun.

Download >>Cherries In The Snow

Apparat

2007-04-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Arcadia"

If it weren’t for the airy synths, soft falsetto, and distant angelic choir, I would have deemed “Arcadia” the next club banger. Strip it down to just the first few bars of the intro and you’re left with a potential radio-ready single. But with the other elements mixed in, it becomes the dream-like comedown after a long night of partying and substance abuse. It actually sounds like one of those parties where everyone dances is slow motion, fully bathed in blue light. The only thing keeping the song from floating away is the booming kick drum and clattering percussion. Coming off like a less erratic Thom Yorke, Apparat handles vocals on this and a handful of other tracks on the forthcoming Walls. The style suits the tracks well, keeping everything light and smooth to match the drifting background sounds awash in reverb. The only frustrating thing is deciding whether to pop and lock or sit back and relax.

Download >>Arcadia

The Rosebuds

2007-04-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

Are you having a bad day? Not for long! (I just said that while running down the street and ripping some tear-away pants from my loins). Don’t be fooled by the euro-pop synth strings and happy high hat. Sleeping on top of that sugary sweet melody is an indie-pop dream song called "Get Up And Get Out" from the duo of Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp, otherwise known as The Rosebuds. Not since PB&J’s "Young Folks" has a song been so set for a dance club remix. "Get Up And Get Out" is deceivingly amazing. The song’s beat is incorrigible, and worthy of some private dance sessions. The lofty melody introduced in the beginning of the song, and what is ultimately the songs musical center piece, is accompanied by a verse/chorus/verse of jazzy acoustic chords and great lyrics. It’s awesome that a song about curing the poisonous parts of life with goodness and freedom inspires just that. "Get Up And Get Out" may seem like aspartame, but if one expands their pallet a little more, they'll see that it’s sweetness is homemade and pure.

Download >>Get Up And Get Out

Eluvium

2007-04-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Prelude For Time Feelers"

Sometimes in life it seems as if before we have time to grasp what is happening at any given moment, that moment has ended and the next has already begun. We get so caught up in living for the moment that has yet to come we never have time to appreciate the moment that is now. Copia, Eluvium’s latest album seems to have the effect of slowing the world to near stop and allowing us to escape into a dreamlike atmosphere of thought, feeling and emotion. With “Prelude For Time Feelers” Matthew Cooper starts with a simple piano melody that instantly seems to slow your breathing and lovingly pull you from reality. While the simple circular piano melody runs throughout, string swells are gradually introduced and you begin to feel as if the music is empathetically reaching out to you, comforting you, much the same way a mother would rock her child to sleep in her arms. Turn off your phones, close your eyes and have a listen, “Prelude For Time Feelers” may just be what you need to transport you to that strange place between reality and dream, where neither seems to matter.

Download >>Prelude For Time Feelers

Art Brut

2007-04-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

"Pump Up The Volume"

Being obsessed with pop culture is an interesting habit when you’re in a indie rock band. Especially when that bands entire goal is to infiltrate pop culture. Then again, maybe that’s not so strange at all, but for some reason it still seems like an odd fixation for Art Brut. They’ve openly declared their desire to be on the British television program Top of the Pops, and still, after the shows cancellation last year, are adamant about it. So it’s no surprise that “Pump Up The Volume” finds lead singer Eddie Argos more interested in a song on the radio than making out with his date. It’s a ridiculous notion for most, but expected behavior from these guys (and girl). The music consists of the usual hard rock riffs paired with Argos' awkward, half melodic speak-singing. It’s hard to believe Argos when he claims to be serious about a majority of the material since most of it borders on tongue-in-cheek, but in this case we’ll have to just take his word for it. I can only hope that whatever song it is on the radio that keeps him from getting play is really, really good.

Download >>Pump Up The Volume

Low

2007-04-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Breaker"

When you’ve been around as long as Low have (fourteen years), you would think you’d run out of things to say. With the primary members being married (to each other) with children, one might assume that any fiery protest they may have had in them would have died with age. But obviously, as “Breaker” and the rest of the bands latest album Drums and Guns illustrates, assumptions aren’t always accurate. And while most protest songs attempt to channel their rebellious energy through the music, Low take a more subtle, effective route. The track uses a synthetic drum beat as the backbone, accented by heavy claps. Once the organ comes in, the sound of a mournful dirge becomes clear. The message is direct: “Our bodies break and the blood just spills and spills/But here we sit debating math/It’s just a shame, my hand just kills and kills/There’s got to be and end to that.” Whatever crimes are being committed, be it here or elsewhere in foreign countries, we’re all somehow responsible. It’s as if a lack of action, in effect, actively perpetuates the very injustices we’re ignoring. It’s heavy stuff, which of course no one wants to be bothered with. I guess we’ll have to leave it up to bands like Low to speak up every now and then and hope that someone’s actually willing to listen.

Download >>Breaker

Rufus Wainwright

2007-04-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

"Going To A Town"

Rufus Wainwright has given up. You can hear it in his voice. While he always sung in that lazy drawn out style, you can’t help but notice how tired he sounds this time around. What once sounded slightly defiant has become fully defeated. “I’m going to a town that has already been burned down/I’m going to a place that has already been disgraced/…I’m so tired of America.” Wow. No more clever puns, no sarcastic commentary, no humor. Whatever hit Rufus, it hit hard. While I can’t say that everything the man has done has been completely uplifting, I’m still certain that the level of depression has increased some-fold. While Rufus sings in his typical elongated fashion, the music sweeps and swells acting as Wainwright’s emotional conscious, as if the weight was too much to carry in his own voice. I don’t normally encourage drinking, but you might need one after this.

Download >>Going To A Town

Studio

2007-04-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

"No Comply"

Studio’s song “No Comply” begins in some casio-genius’ bedroom. Chalk full of cheap keyboard “Doo” voices and lo-fi beats. Though with each musical stanza, brilliant understated percussive noises emerge on top of a cruzie outer space bass line. The song is so deeply layered with sound you can spend multiple listens focusing on one or two lines a time and have a new experience with each one. With that in mind, “No Comply” is essentially in three or four different parts that snow ball into an ultimate crescendo filled with Duran Duran, LCD Soundsystem, Verve, and Daft Punk. I hesitate to orgasm over the danceable qualities of the song since it could be a little slow, depending on your taste. Though I’m sure some of our more visionary and dance inclined friends could be inspired to create some bitchin’ moves. In fact they should probably spend some time practicing ‘cause I’m starting to feel a little inspired myself.

Download >>No Comply

Digitalull: Your Weekly Electronic Fix

2007-04-06T06:48:00.000-07:00

Zeigeist

Sweden, one part of the recent holy trinity of music (with France and laptops) has given birth to yet another gem with Zeigeist. In case you happened to get the leaked version of Silent Shout by The Knife last year, you might have noticed an extra track at the end named "F As In Knife". The song is actually named "Tar Heart" and sounding like The Knife's twin, your humble corespondent didn't even blink. Cut to a month or so later only to fnd out someone had tacked it on to get Zeigeist a little publicity. May many blessings come unto that person. The performance-art group includes (according to their myspace page): Maria N Styling & Costume Design// Per S Music & Production// Mattias B Words & Performance Consultant// Nicklas H Conceptual & Graphic Design// Andreas S Movies & Stage Design. So as you can see, the Zei are one half music and one half visual, much like The Knife, whose music is prerecorded for live shows. I have no idea if Zeigest does the same, but clearly the mission here is to infiltrate both the ears and eyes. Fortunately their music holds up to their counterparts, very very well. First thoughts would probably be 80's-electropop/electroclash, but I seriously dare you to only listen to these only once. Zeigeist manages to make dance songs with a great deal of sophistication mixed with playfulness and heart. Even with all of this excitement, they have yet to release a complete album and so, we bring you 3 of the 5 tracks released so far. One of my fellow Mizians says they are all about sex, which I could tell in a couple, but not all. Hi Devon.

"Dawn/Night" leads you down the bubbly road, needles you with synths and then you'll recognize the Knife-like vocals (only not all distorted to sound like a creepy guy). Yes they sound very feminine and very lovely, not only that, but for a synth-pop group they manage not to ever sound cheesy, but truly genuine. The battling female vocals and numerous hooks will leave you spell-bound and the haunting, reflective, almost sadness provokes a little spark for your dead battery.

Download >>Dawn/Night

"Bunny" steps it up a little bit, enough to get you to do the pogo, including some electro hand claps and (gasp) even some guitar riffs. Also in this recipe are some independent woman attitude, mid-80's keyboard and male harmonies popping in for a quick visit. Get off me muscle boy, I just want to dance ....SNAP. (or have a lot of sex with you later)

Download >>Bunny

"Chasing Your Shadow All Around" is the sad song. His voice makes you melt a little and realize you've probably been in the same stranded situation, well maybe except for the first line which I will just let you listen for yourself. "My body's flesh and gore" rings out repeatedly alluding to just being a piece of meat. Combined with the late night purple sky-foamy waves washing on your feet as you walk along the beach alone-background of battling vocals and music, you might just cry a little bit.

Download >>Chasing Your Shadow All Around

Bikeride

2007-04-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

"There's Something Odd About Elizabeth"/"She's Radioactive!"

What is it about catchy tunes that cause our morals to fall to the wayside? We’re willing to ignore terrible musicianship-- as long as it’s catchy. Lyrical content, a sense of purpose, thought provoking; none of these elements seem to matter when you can’t get that damn song out of your head. Luckily for you, Bikeride make catchy tunes that you can still feel good about the morning after. They often sing Beatlesque melodies (let’s be honest, who doesn’t these days?) over playfully experimental music, sometimes even with a touch of psychedelia as on “There’s Something Odd About Elizabeth”. There’s even a Theremin, adding to the creepy (in an Addams Family sort of way), low droning voices from the verse. “She’s Radioactive!” goes straight for the hip shake. Bouncy four-on-the-floor drums push the rhythm to the forefront over classic sounding sythns. It’s great material for a dance party, but more like the kind where the people don’t know how to dance. They even shout out directions at the end: “Put your hands on your hips!/Let your backbone slip!” Sure, it’s kind of cheesy. But we promise not to tell if you do it anyway.

Download >>There's Something Odd About Elizabeth

Download >>She's Radioactive!

Ben + Vesper

2007-04-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

"Gardens Ahead"

The latest artist to join the Danielson family (which includes our good buddy Sufjan), are a duo by the name of Ben + Vesper. The (married) couple specializes in a unique brand of acoustic pop. Although lyrics like “The state of my plant life is my own business” and “Don’t try to divine my true thumbs color” lead me to believe there’s another substance influencing them besides pure talent (this is pure speculation by the way), I’m still willing to recommend them to fans of lush, folk influenced pop. The easy going “Gardens Ahead” from the bands EP More Questions makes use of care-free acoustic guitar, banjo, and some sort of chime that sounds like a star falling from the heavens. Ben sings with a slight drawl, à la Rufus Wainright, sometimes combining several words into one long sound. Vesper plays back-up, adding slightly unsettling harmonies which always manage to come together by the chorus. It all gently builds into a jangly, beautiful acoustic lull. It’s a good reminder of something most of us forget everyday: the art of relaxation.

UPDATE: I was informed by Vesper herself that no, they do not take partake in the use of illicit substances. They just really, really like plants.

No joke.

Download >>Gardens Ahead

Santogold

2007-04-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

"You'll Find A Way" (Switch & Graeme Sinden Remix)/"Creator"

It’s time to redefine “Bananas”. No, it aint got shit to do with produce. “You'll Find A Way” (Switch & Graeme Sinden Remix) is bananas. I listened to the track after it being suggested by of one of my fellow Mizians and promptly lost my shit. That loose, spacious, almost dub rhythm: bananas. The chains they substituted for a snare drum: bananas. The way they stretched the vocal over that sinister, bubbling synth: b-a-n-a-n-a-s. You get the point. There’s no two ways about it; I’m obsessed. I haven’t been able to digest any other music. It all seems pretty bland when compared with the few Santogold tracks I’ve managed to get my hands on. Check how she holds the tension in her voice, shouting warnings to “Watch out, run for cover!” while the beat plays it cool, executing equally measured claps and kicks before erupting into the aforementioned freak-out. It was the first moment of the year where my jaw literally dropped. Imagine my surprise when I came across the equally hot “Creator” after listening to some not-so-hot material from her previous full band effort. Imagine my face when I heard that bird-call vocal intro over sick drum rhythms and a queasy, wobbling synth line. Two shits lost in one day. I’m hesitant to make the obvious reference to M.I.A. because I think she deserves better, but it’s probably the closest comparison. Overreaching statement: I highly doubt there will be anything as exciting as Santogold in ‘07. Typical blog hype? Maybe, but you’d be silly not to see for yourself.

Download >>You'll Find A Way (Switch & Graeme Sinden Remix)

Download >>Creator