7.5.09

PDX!
In honor of my up coming move to Portland, OR I wanted to post something Portland related. So here they are, Quasi! Quasi formed as a band in 1993 and toured with Elliott Smith as his backup band back in the day. They've been putting out their special blend of indie/grunge/progressive ever since. I'm looking forward to having a chance to see them live. So I'll be taking a vacation from this blog for a few weeks while we make our way west and get settled in PDX. Peace and Love!

6.29.09

One third cLOUDDEAD/DJ/Producer/Co-Founder of record label Anticon, Odd Nosdam puts me in a daze. Combining elements of ambient electronic and hip-hop, Odd Nosdam can easily make you feel dizzy...in a good way. Check out Fly Mode off T.I.M.E. Soundtrack below.

6.26.09

Peace MJ...

My fondest MJ memory isn't of a song I grew up listening to. In fact I hadn't heard my favorite MJ song until almost 20 years after it was recorded. I used to accompany my sister to "parties" when I was 14 and her boyfriend (a house DJ) would always play Rock With You at some point in the night. I can clearly remember dancing with my sister in a sweaty bingo hall at like 4am and Mr. DJ would put this on. It was and still is my jam.

6.25.09

Quickie...

Just a quick one today. I'm tired and it's been a long one. Blind Melon, awesome 90's rock band. Amazing lead singer/songwriter Shannon Hoon from Lafayette, IN died in '95 of a drug overdose. It's definitely one of those "good die young" stories. My sister turned me onto them when I was a teenager and have been a fan ever since. Check out my fav, Soup below.

6.24.09

Just sort of stumbled onto this album the other day. I have yet to purchase it, but am definitely planning to. Ocote Soul Sounds and Adrian Quesada released this eclectic, Latin inspired/Afro Beat(ish) record on June 23rd. This is summer porch music. Best enjoyed with friends or a loved one. Cannot wait to listen to this one by the Pacific this summer! Check out the video below to catch this huge band turn out funky grooves for your enjoyment.

6.23.09

A friend of mine schooled me on some El Michels Affair a few weeks. The album, Enter The 37th Chamber, sat in my bag for two solid weeks. Finally ripped it a few days ago and have been giving this little record a decent amount of my attention since. Released in April of '09 on Truth and Soul records. The group covers stuff. Sounds simple, but that doesn't really do them justice. They somehow got hooked up with Raekwon in 2005 which lead to a series of concert dates. The dates were so popular they decided to record an album of all Wu-Tang covers. If you're a Wu fan and dig listening to instrumentals, I highly recommend it. Have a listen below.

C.R.E.A.M.


The PJs Remix feat. Raekwon

6.22.09

MF, the holder of a boulder...

MF Doom (the MF stands for Metal Face), IMHO the dopest lyricist around. Doom's story is an interesting one. One of those rise and fall, and rise again kind of stories. Doom (Daniel Dumile) started out as 1/3rd of the hip-hop group KMD. KMD released one album before Doom's little brother and KMD member, DJ Subroc was killed in a car accident. Doom fell into a deep depression, walked the streets, retreated from the hip-hop lifestyle, seemingly for ever. In the late 90's he moved to Atlanta from NY and swore revenge "against the industry that so badly deformed him." He took on a super villain persona. Wears a metal mask when he performs and murders crowds with his lyrical talents. Best wordplay rapper out there. Get a taste below...and if you say you know hip-hop, you don't know shit if you don't know DOOM (ALL CAPS).

Money Folder


Doomsday

6.19.09

Koushik. What can I say about him? I bought his debut full length Out My Window not long after it was released via Stones Throw. I think the first song I heard by him was a free emusic download. At the time I was heavily into Hip-Hop and since it was released on Stones Throw, you know I had to give it a listen. It didn't really fit into my Hip-Hop bubble at the time though. I was hesitant. It had a "poppyness" to it the first time I heard it. Maybe it was the sugary vocals. It definitely had a certain quality that I couldn't deny, nor could I really define. It had that "this sounds familiar" quality. Like something you heard as a child.

I bought the album thinking it deserved a complete listen. I was right, it definitely deserved one. It has become the most played album I've bought in the past few years. I literally play this album at least twice a week...on the regular. In the car, at the park, at home cleaning, at work working. It's one of those records that works in lots of different environments. Koushik Ghosh, Canadian via Calcutta, holds two masters degrees. One in ethnomusicology, one in biostatistics. It's no wonder this record is so genius. Check out the video for Nothing's The Same below.



Also, enjoy the beautifully buoyant Be With (right click, save as).

6.18.09

Come Back!

Quite possibly my favorite band of all time, Arcade Fire hasn't put out a new record since March of 2007's Neon Bible. I've seen a few pieces of new material since then, but nothing that compares to their two full length releases. Their contribution to the Dark Was The Night compilation, Lenin is an amazing piece of music. Well done, but it really just leaves me wanting more. In March of 2009 a concert DVD was released named Miroir Noir that features footage from the Neon Bible tour. Still though, I just want a new album. I'm greedy I guess. They have given me so much, yet I am never satisfied. Finally! A ray of sunshine breaks through the clouds when I hear that they are playing music again. Founding member Win Butler said in April of 2009, "We feel really creative right now. We're in a really good space as a band...I'm happy to play music". No official word on when they would start working on it, but fingers crossed they already are. Watch the band perform Neon Bible in this amazing video below.



And please enjoy one of my favorites from the Funeral album, Rebellion (Lies).

6.17.09

You may remember the first post on my mission to resurrect this blog was a Major Lazer song, Hold the Line. Well, the album dropped yesterday and I really can't wait to get it. I've heard a few songs and they were some "bangers". You really can't deny the talent Diplo and Switch bring to the table. The album, recorded in Jamaica at Tuff Gong studios, features an impressive bunch of artists. Santigold, Nina Sky, Mr. Vegas, and oddly, comedian Andy Milonakis, just to name a few. The album, as explained on the Major Lazer wikipedia page is based around "a fictional backstory that Major Lazer is a Jamaican commando who lost his arm in a secret zombie war in 1984. He supposedly fights vampires and various monsters, parties hard, and has a rocket powered skateboard." Awesome right? Check the video for Hold the Line feat. Mr. Lex and Santigold below.



Then check Zumbie feat. Andy Milonakis. Warning: this one gets a bit "rough".

6.16.09

I recently bought a huge stack of records from a buddy who was moving. Among these records I found the occasional Benny Goodman, a few Jethro Tull, Sergio Mendez, ya know, you're standard random stack of records. While digging I came across the Richie Havens record Mixed Bag. Now, I have definitely heard of Richie Havens before and I can clearly remember his voice singing that famous version of Freedom from Woodstock. I pulled this one out immediately, singled it out among the other hundred or so records and put it in on the record player. What I found was a record filled with emotion, songs that could, on a rainy day, send you inside yourself. A record meant to be played on summer nights with close friends. Richie Havens still tours if you can believe that. He's been with us 68 years and continues to share his talent. Below is a video of Richie playing Handsome Johnny off of the Mixed Bag record at Woodstock '69. Enjoy!

6.15.09

MODESELEKTOR + APPARAT = MODERAT

My boy JK featured something on his work blog about Moderat last week. We had been talking about them for a few days. I heard one song and liked it, but never attempted to go find the whole record. I'm glad he did because it has been getting major play by both of us all weekend. Two music geeks agree, purchase this album. One half Modeselektor, one half Apparat, both of which are German electronic producers. Together, the three producers/arrangers swirl up a firestorm of glitched out, sometimes trancy, beautifully sleepy melodies that take you on a long trip down a deep dark hole. At the bottom of this hole is a party and the kids they are a dancing. Check Rusty Nails below. Right click, save as here for keeps.

6.12.09

All aboard!

Ever watch Adult Swim on Cartoon Network? Ever wonder who makes those dope beats played between shows? The answer is Flying Lotus. FlyLo, as he is affectionately referred to by his fans, creates his own genre by layering South American influenced percussion's, elements of jazz, and electronic "noise". The outcome is a brilliantly composed hip-hop sound that can barely be classified as hip-hop. It's more of a journey, yes a journey. A journey to another world. A world where robots and humans make beautiful music together. Two of my favorite tracks below. Get ready to board the rocket ship!

Massage Situation


Auntie's Lock/Infinitum

6.11.09

Those Heartless Bastards!

My lovely girlfriend Bessie turned me on to The Heartless Bastards soon after we began dating. I became immediately enchanted with the band...as well as her. Lead singer Erika Wennerstrom sings with a haunting grit that turns fairly simple lyrics into the ones that give you goosebumps. We had a chance to see them live awhile back at a small venue in Indianapolis. It could have been classified as a religious experience had it not been for Erika's pounding of domestic beer between songs. She'd lean down and take a big swig before belting out "And I find myself, In a fleeting moment, Traveling far and wide, To the great big open." Two tracks for your listening pleasure below.

All This Time (this is for Bess)


Into The Open (and this is for us both)

6.10.09

Sometimes I feel the need to break away from my standard format. I have a desire to listen to something more...pure. So this post marks a break from the strictly "new" music I have been posting. We all know our musical tastes change, mine almost every 6 months. So here we go. A few years ago I was schooled on a musician named Paul Pena. He is probably best known for writing the song Jet Airliner, made famous by The Steve Miller Band, but Mr. Pena was more than that. He was a delta blues man turned Tuvan throat singer. He was a man born destine to loose his sight, and did so by the age of 20. He studied flamenco and morna music styles. He was...well, a great man and musician. That's all you really need to know. Not intrigued? Check the video below for a taste of his Tuvan throat singing, a sort of didgeridoo sounding style of singing, but without the didj. Amazing.



Listen below for a little piece of his bluesier stuff. Gonna Move from the New Train record, a personal favorite.

6.9.09

I can feel the real bang bang!

Brooklyn's Telepathe (pronounced "TEL-EP-ATH-EE") released Dance Mother May 12th on IAMSOUND Records. This record provides the beats to make you dance, and the kind of floating lyrics to make you feel as though this dance floor was placed atop a cloud. Chrome's On It (Gold Panda remix) provided for your enjoyment below. Telepathe + Gold Panda = Crack.

6.8.09

Dark Days Exit.

Stumbled upon Felix Laband a few months ago and purchased the dreamy Dark Days Exit immediately. South African born Laband combines elements of classical, jazz (the acid kind) and dreamy lounge beats to create a relaxing "electro" experience for his listeners. Don't fall asleep though, you will most definitely miss something if you do. Listen to "Whistling In Tongues" below for a taste. Right click, save as here for keeps.

6.5.09

Keytar!

I saw Woodhands perform in Indianapolis about a month ago. I really appreciated their intensity, especially the drummer. They make a lot of noise for just two guys. And I mean that in the best possible way. Listen to Under Attack from the Heart Attack album below. Right click, save as here for keeps.

6.4.09

Iggy goes French lounge?

I wanted to post this yesterday, but Dilla took priority. Yes, you read the title correct. Iggy Pop, the "Godfather of Punk" has released what he calls a "a quieter album with some Jazz over tones". Made because he "just got tired of listening to idiot thugs with guitars, banging out crappy music". "Préliminaires" was released May 25th and I for one applaud the man. I've only heard a few tracks, but it honestly sounds worth buying. No joke. Check the video below for a taste. Oh and in case you were wondering, Iggy still goes shirtless.

6.3.09

J Dilla Changed My Life!


J Dilla's new album "Jay Stay Paid" was released yesterday and is currently meeting all expectations. Executive production by none other than Dilla's mother, Ma Dukes, who is currently suffering from Lupus, the same disease that took her sons life less than 4 years ago. Check the video below for a taste. If you like it, buy it...or better yet, buy two for Ma Dukes!



Want to donate funds directly to Ma Dukes? Go here.

6.2.09

Ethiopian born musician and arranger, Mulatu Astatke teams up with Stones Throw artists The Heliocentrics to produce an album that does what it says, inspires. Inspiration Information 3, the third release in this Strut series is by far the best. Oh look, no RCRD LBL download today! Listen to Dewel on the functional, yet ugly little player below. Right click, save as here for keeps.

6.1.09

Downloaded the new Passion Pit album 'Manners' today. I don't have a fancy rating system, so we'll just say it's better than crappy. In related news, a certain website put up a Miike Snow remix of a Passion Pit song today, which was quite a nice coincidence since I've been looking for a reason to post something about them. I have not heard one song produced by these three that I didn't like. Miike Snow's new album drops June 9th. We'll see where it falls on the scale.

5.31.09

Chicago natives Serengeti and Polyphonic are set to release their new album "Terradactyl" June 23rd. Also in the works, "I GOT THIS MELODY", a b-sides and remix album. Help yourself to 2 times 2 (Alias Remix) below.

5.27.09

So you think you can solve all your problems by yourself?


Yeasayer is one of my favorite bands. Unfortunately, it took me awhile to realize that. I bought "All Hour Cymbols" in early 2008. I listened to it a few times, thought it was cool, then filed it away on the iPod. Recently, I purchased the fantastically done "Dark Was the Night (Red Hot Compilation)". With cuts from Dirty Projectors, Jose Gonzalez, Feist, Bon Iver, Arcade Fire, as well as Yeasayer (and many others), this album is an Indie kids wet dream. The Yeasayer contribution is by far my favorite. Below is a video of them performing "Tightrope" from that album.

5.26.09

You're a zero!


New Yeah Yeah Yeah's album dropped March 10th. I know I'm a bit late with this post, but I have been infected by their single "Zero". Even better is the RAC remix below. So get your leather on on on on...

5.25.09

D-E-L on this microphone...


Funk Man (the stimulus package) still available for FREE download here from Del The Funkee Homosapien. I have renewed faith in man everytime an artists puts out a full length free download. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Check the video below for the first single "Get It Right Now".

5.24.09 - photo

They call it the greatest spectacle in sports...


B-25 Bomber fly-over at the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500.

5.23.09

I will probably continue to rip downloads off of RCRD LBL until I figure out another way to play music here. They really do make it easy for bloggers to embed their little player. You can also download the track by clicking the little arrow. Pretty snazzy. Thanks, RCRD LBL! Anyways, posted last week was a song by the French-Finnish duo The Dø...pronounced like "dough". Sounds a bit bluesy, but makes you happy.

5.22.09

"It shouldn't be hard, maybe you're just looking in the wrong places...maybe you're just sen-tee-mental..."


I am a sucker for females that can sing. I will openly admit to crushing on a few in particular. Chan Marshall of Cat Power is at the top of my list (right under Bessie, but she can't sing so she doesn't count). Below is a scene from the film "My Blueberry Nights". I have never actually seen this movie, but it seems like it could be good. I mean how bad could it be...Natalie Portman, Norah Jones, Jude law...

5.21.09 - photo

Windows...


In a friends apartment after the Themselves show in Chicago. Long exposure with some processing.

5.21.09

Beasts and Barbarians....keep them at bay....


I have fallin in love with this song ever since RCRD LBL put it up for download a few weeks ago. Sky Larkin is a band out of the UK, but the Lull's Channel Switch Mix is what makes this song a gem. I've heard one other song by the band, minus the tripped out remix and it was promising. Listen to and download Matador (Lull's Channel Switch Mix) below.

5.20.09 - photo

Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, IN. HDR with a Nikon D40.

5.20.09

This is just a kick off, wanted to post something so that I can get back into the swing of things. Today, I say listen to some Major Lazer...remixed by LehtMoJoe. This track is awesome!