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:

Heavy Hawaii – “Teen Angel”

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.

Houses – “Soak It Up”

Pre-Order All Night, set to be released 10/19 via Lefse Records

I sold my Facebook soul to Anti- so you guys can have a new Dr. Dog track. You’re welcome. What of it? Ah, well, it’s solid. Good to hear music from these guys. I think ‘new’ means it’s a B-side to help remind everyone about Shame, Shame, which is a great album.

Dr. Dog – “Take Me Into Town”

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)

Oh man, you know the players, maybe you know the particulars. It doesn’t matter. Just give this romp a spin. It’s fun.

Kanye West (Feat. Bon Iver, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross) – “Monster”

I know link-roundups have their merits, and I’ll post ‘em now and again, but they rank just a notch above crazy cat videos in the blogosphere merit-scale. Here goes:

Two write ups on My Morning Jacket: The First, The Second

Carl Broemel solo stuff

Jenny and Johnny’s debut, I’m Having Fun Now, streams at NPR until the 31st.

Pitchfork counts down the top 50 music videos of the 90′s.

Tennis/Ducktails/Family Portrait show report.

New one from Rick Ross.

“…So let’s get on with it, we ain’t got too much time…” Ten singles, one mega-MP3, and the singles pack. Snag the one you like and get to listening.

Singles

Magic Kids – “Summer”
From Memphis, out now via True Panther

El Guincho – “FM Tan Sexy”
From Pop Negro, due September 13th

Laetitia Sadier – “One Million Year Trip”
First proper release from Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier, due September 21st from Drag City

Miami Horror – “Holidays”
From Illumination, out now

Grouplove – “Colours”
From Grouplove EP, available now

Dead Confederate – “Run From The Gun”
From Sugar, streaming and available for purchase now

Warpaint – “Ashes To Ashes” (David Bowie Cover)
From Manimal’s Bowie Tribute We’re So Turned On, all profits go to War Child UK

Rosie & Me – “Bonfires”
From Bird and Whale EP, available now

Dominant Legs – “About My Girls” (EP version)
The Young At Love And Life EP is out via Lefse

Vic Godard – “Blackpool”
From Blackpool EP, available now

Weekend Mix & Singles Pack

8.27 Weekend Mix – All Songs-One Mp3

All Songs in One RAR File (download only)

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:

Magic Kids – “Superball”

Magic Kids – “Summer”

Memphis is available 8/24, on True Panther

Buy on iTunes

Buy on vinyl