Author Archive
Heavy Hawaii – “Teen Angel”
Years ago, I happened upon a painting in an abandoned office that depicted a carnival hidden amongst a heavily wooded area with stormy skies above. It immediately reminded me of the final scenes of Child’s Play 3, so I knew I had to hang it and proudly show it off to my peers. Said peers didn’t know what to make of it, especially considering the other offices in my building were littered mostly with local scenery and animal paintings, nothing that appealed to me as much as the bleak childishness of the carnival painting.
Much like the painting, Heavy Hawaii’s “Teen Angel” is just a peek into a joyous wonderland where the inhabitants are unaware of the danger that perhaps surrounds them. Dark undertones shrouding an otherwise blissful occasion.
Heavy Hawaii’s 6-song EP, HH, will be released September 28th on Art Fag Recordings.
Download:
Houses – “Soak It Up” MP3
Didn’t know what I was getting into until that bass line and more notably, the hand-held percussion effects, kicked in. That’s when I knew that everything was gonna be alright. Houses‘ “Soak It Up” has such a uniquely tropical feel that it was no surprise to learn that their debut LP, All Night, was recorded in a remote area of Hawaii.
Pre-Order All Night, set to be released 10/19 via Lefse Records
Kristian Mattson’s brand of imaginative folk has been a staple around these parts over the last few months, and just in time for the turning of the leaves, The Tallest Man on Earth just released a five-song EP titled Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird. EP fulcrum “Like the Wheel” finds a gentler Mattson toning down the pickin’ and opting for a straight roots ballad.
Download:
The Tallest Man on Earth – “Like The Wheel”
Buy the EP at iTunes now.
The physical release is set for 11/9, via Dead Oceans.
When he’s not putting out brilliant singles and albums from the likes of Weed Diamond, Junior Low, and Ancient Crux, Kevin Greenspon is cranking out his own distorted, garage-punk records. The founder of Bridgetown Records, Greenspon just released a split album featuring five of his own tracks paired with five new songs from Cleveland whiz-kid, Dylan Baldi, who you may know as Cloud Nothings. Both Baldi and the California-based Greenspon offer quick-hitting pop melodies, refreshing in their youthfulness and immediacy.
Download:
Cloud Nothings – “I Apologize”
Kevin Greenspon – “Carpool Pepsi”
Buy on CD at Bridgetown Records
Buy on cassette at Cass/Flick (UK)
Take it one step further this week and take some of the music we bring to you to your friends or family or co-workers, get them up on some of this goodness. Don’t let people get away with saying there’s no good music out.
Singles
Matt & Kim – “Cameras”
From Sidewalks, out 11/2 via Fader
Restless People – “Don’t Back Down”
From Restless People, out 9/14 via IAMSOUND
Jupe Jupe – “Something About Love”
From Invaders, out now
Soulphonics & Ruby Velle – “Your Head Will Get There”
From “Your Head Will Get There” single, out now
Sunset – “Moonlight”
From Autoshines, out 10/12 via Autobus Records
Sufjan Stevens – “I Walked”
From The Age of Adz, out 10/12 via Asthmatic Kitty
Coma Cinema – “Business As Usual”
From Blue Suicide, out soon on Wonder Beard
Maximum Balloon – “Groove Me” Ft. Theophilus London (Alex Metric Remix)
Original Version from Maximum Balloon, out 9/21 via DGC/Interscope
Abe Vigoda – “To Tears”
From Crush, out 9/21 via Post Present Medium
Craft Spells – “Party Talk”
From “Party Talk” 7″ single, out in September on Captured Tracks
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All Songs in One MP3: Weekend Mix – All Tracks
All Songs in One RAR File: (download only)
I got down on Hot Fuss for a minute, but the past few years have caught me sleeping on The Killers. I’ll give them this: they were on the Springsteen train fairly early, so now when I hear The Gaslight Anthem or the like, I can’t help but imagining Brandon Flowers’ glittery jacket. Sorry about that, Gaslight Anthem. The Killers frontman has a solo album called Flamingo hitting stores September 14th. You may have already heard “Crossfire”, and here’s another new track that features Jenny Lewis on backup vocals. Remember when Linda Ronstadt sang backup on Neil Young songs? This is nothing like that, but it’s not too bad.
Stream:
Brandon Flowers ft. Jenny Lewis – “Hard Enough”
(Via twentyfourbit)
Speaking of creeping, if you’re cool with Arcade Fire knowing where you live and/or used to live, then check out the fascinating interactive video for my favorite track from The Suburbs, “We Used To Wait.” You may remember director Chris Milk from his brilliant video for Gnarls Barkley’s “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul.”
Matt & Kim – “Cameras”
Stop creeping on Facebook for a moment and head to Matt & Kim’s page to hear their new single, “Camera,” off their upcoming album, Sidewalks, out November 2nd. Also, stream it over at that radio station from Real World: Seattle.
(Via The Fader)
If your tolerance for preciousness lies somewhere between Jens Lekman and Belle & Sebastian, then Magic Kids’ debut LP, Memphis, is just the album for you. “Superball” and “Good To Be” are relentless grin-inducers that don’t waste a single note, while the buzzed-about “Summer” succeeds mostly in its final minute when the acoustic and timpani build into twinkling, girl-group harmonies. Dense instrumentation and familiar harmonies are prevalent throughout, but tracks such as “Hey Boy” and “Hideout” offer just enough twists to keep them from becoming Beach Boys also-rans. Part of me thinks Memphis may have been better off seeing a May or June release, but good luck finding a more effervescent bookend to the Summer of 2010.
Download:
Memphis is available 8/24, on True Panther
Buy on iTunes
Buy on vinyl
“Boy” and “Too Dramatic” are arguably the finest tracks on the album, both upbeat, surprising, and immensely precise. From the synths on the back half of “Foolish” to the Stevie Nicks sound-alike, “You And I Know,” The Orchard’s middle-third slightly delves into 80′s rehash, before “Shadowcasting” and the Rostam Batmanglij-produced “Do You Remember” pick things back up. There are a few issues with singer Wes Miles’ penchant for falsetto, and a couple of the tracks drag on a bit long, but ultimately The Orchard is a rewarding and promising step in the young band’s career.
The Orchard is available August 24th, on Barsuk
Buy on iTunes
Buy on vinyl
