The theme this time around is driving beats. I feel like this mix leaves me battered and bruised in the end but feeling good from all the crazy dancing I’m doing around my living room. When I first heard this distorted-noise-rock I thought it was awful but it has grown on me and reminds me of the emotionally charged music of Rage Against the Machine or Nine Inch Nails. Almost like taking that industrial sound and instead of using synthesizers having the guitars and volume do it for you. I managed to transition into some neo-soul at the end because you know they have driving beats and ending with some house. So there should be something in here for everyone. Enjoy.
Next Girl by The Black Keys
From: Akron, OH
Album: Brothers
I first heard Black Keys a couple years back and I thought they sounded like all the classic rock I grew up on. There’s nothing wrong with that but I didn’t feel like they were bringing anything new to the table. However, the songs I’ve heard off the impending Brothers has got me thinking different about this blues-rock duo. Something more raw that makes me think its more soulful. Already got tickets to see them at the Fillmore. Should be a great show.
No Home by The Ettes
From: Nashville, TN
Album: Danger Is EP
This is my attempt to slowly ease into the bombardment on the sense, but I don’t think anything can really prepare you for the next song. The Ettes have toured with The Black Keys and you can hear that distortion rock but with a simple strong beat.
A/B Machines by Sleigh Bells
From: Brooklyn, NY & FL
Album: Treats
I’m sure a lot of my listeners will skip over this song and I won’t be offended. This is the epitome of noise-rock where the volume is turned up to 12 (past 11!!). It’s repetitive, it’s distorted, it’s loud…but within it’s simplicity I hear emotion. Hard for me to explain.
I Was Thinking… by Gauntlet Hair
From: Lafayette, CO Forest Family Records was created by the guys behind Gorilla vs. Bear (one of my favorite music blogs) and Weekly Tape Deck. I would have to say they are batting a thousand since their first limited release was Cults which I played in my last mix and now this is their second release. Taking that noise-rock and adding some pop to it.
Across the Sea by Hanoi Janes
From: Sachsen, Germany
Album: Across the Sea / Skeleton Girl
Now the distortion takes a slight turn and is applied to that retro surf sound. This might be my first posting from Germany and I hope to hear more coming out of there.
One Day by Kings Go Forth
From: Milwaukee, WI
Album: The Outsiders Are Back
Now this is full on retro neo-soul but I think their use of distortion gives it a modern feel. And soul music coming out of Milwaukee. Awesome!
Midnight Hour (feat. Estelle) by Talib Kweli
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Revolutions Per Minute
Talid Kweli is going back to his roots. One of his first recordings was with DJ Hi-Tek under the monikor Reflection Eternal back in 1997. 13 years later they are doing it again. Obviously they are riding on the wave of neo-soul although I feel a lot of people would tell you that soul never went anywhere. Maybe it’s just the rising tide then.
Pretty Apollo by CYNE
From: Gainsville, FL
Album: Water For Mars
I came across this track thanks to an online series called The Season. Not only is he following the lives of some incredible athletes but he’s also giving some coverage to great bands. CYNE (Cultivating Your New Experience) is a four man hip-hop collective of 2 emcees and 2 producers.
Clay Stones by We Are The World
From: Los Angeles, CA
Album: Clay Stones
And finally we transition into house music with that driving beat compelling you to just keep dancing.
This mix seems to be a little on the down-tempo side for me. Not quite as rockin’ as some of them. Might be my mood due to all the rain. More focused on simple, pretty songs. And the 60′s inspired surf rock is probably me looking forward to warmer days. Enjoy.
Go Outside by Cults
From: New York, NY
Album: Cults 7″,3:21″
There is practically no information about this band on the interwebs. And just try searching for “Cults” in Google. I’ve pieced together that it’s a boy/girl duo out of New York. The song actually has quotes from a cult leader and then it gives you this light and airy song about going outside. I’ll let you decide what it’s about. Be sure to check out their website by clicking on their name above. You can download a couple other songs from them.
Trap Doors by Broken Bells
From: New York, NY
Album: Broken Bells
Not a pairing I would have predicted but here we have Danger Mouse, which some of you may know from Gnarls Barkley, and James Mercer, the lead singer of The Shins. I don’t always like what Danger Mouse puts out there, but this particular track draws me in. It feels like they are truly relying on each other and building off the strengths that they both bring to the project. This record was released early last month.
Boy Lilikoi by Jónsi
From: Iceland
Album: Go
Jónsi is the lead singer of Sigur Rós and I believe this is his first solo project and I think it shows how much he brings to the band. It’s a beautiful song that builds on itself and has an orchestral quality to it. Go came out March 8th.
Giant Stairs by A Weather
From: Portland, OR
Album: Everyday Balloons Everyday Balloons, the second release from A Weather, came out March 2nd. It’s a simple sound that just goes along at the right pace and the hushed harmonies are beautiful.
Boys Who Rape (Raveonettes Cover) by Suckers
From: Brooklyn, NY
I know this is a bit of a heavy topic, but I found this cover too good to pass up. The Raveonettes did it with a bit more pop and I think Suckers bring the appropriate weight to the song. The Suckers will be releasing their debut LP on June 8th.
Vacation by Beach Fossils
From: Brooklyn, NY
Fuzzy surfer pop. Just something simple with effects on the vocals to make it sound a little different. Definitely reminds me of something from the 60′s. They should be releasing an album this month but I couldn’t find any specifics.
Coldest Morning Light by The Pharmacy
From: Seattle, WA
Album: Weekend
I know…Fuzzy surfer pop. More keyboards, less twangy guitar, and slightly less effects on the vocals. But it does conjure up that 60′s feeling again. The entire album, which was released last month, was recorded on a 4-track, one microphone, and a reverb pedal. Seems like I’ve heard a lot of bands taking this retro approach and opting for analogue over digital.
Cranberry by The Ruby Suns
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Album: Fight Softly
I never realize until I line the songs up, but this one also has a bit of that beachy feel to it. Fight Softly is their third release and again, came out last month. Looks like I’m playing catch-up.
Demons (Body Language Remix) by Yes Giantess
From: Boston, MA
I think most of you have figured out that I like to end on a dance beat. The original song is by Yes Giantess but I want to make sure that Body Language (the ones in the picture to the right) get proper credit. I wouldn’t like this song if it wasn’t for them. It verges on tween pop but I feel like they rein it back in and put enough interesting elements in there. Body Language released a 5 track EP last December called Speaks.
No real theme this week so I’ll just say, here is a mix from me to you. Hope you like it.
Dog Days Are Over by Florence And The Machine
From: United Kingdom
Album: Lungs
This record came out last year but I just now got around to listening to it. I posted her other single, “Kiss With A Fist”, over a year ago but didn’t know what else to expect from her. Her bluesy neo-soul sound is great without sounding too retro.
Crazy by The Pack A.D.
From: Vancouver, Canada
Album: We Kill Computers
Heavy White Stripes influences, this female duo knows how to mix blues and rock. This will be their 3rd studio release and it’s coming out at the end of April. Until then, bang your head to this track and watch for them touring some where near you.
Able To by Eternal Summers
From: Roanoke, VA
Album: Eternal Summers [EP]
Another duo, this time a co-ed version. This EP is coming out March 13th. This song simply has all the elements I love in music lately. Gritty guitars, pop sensibilities, and beautiful vocals.
Ain’t No Grave by Johnny Cash
From: Badass, America
Album: American VI: Ain’t No Grave
Do I really need to say anything about Johnny Cash? The man is an icon. I can tell you that he worked on several recordings with Rick Rubin during his last days. Rick Rubin has been putting the final touches on these songs and slowly releasing them as a series. This is the sixth and last one. This particular song sends a chill up my spine and I just can’t get enough of it. As soon as those chains kick in…oh man. Just really well done.
The Dark Lord (of love) by Patrick Bower & The World Without Magic
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: The Dark Lord (of love) EP
It’s pretty tough to follow Johnny but I think these guys do a good job of moving us slowly back into the pop world. The voice and lyrics evoke this rather somber image but the music and clapping hands will get you bopping in your seat. I’d love to see how this translates on stage and hopefully will get the opportunity when they tour the states later this year. This EP will be released at the end of the month.
Western hospitality by Club 8
From: Sweden
Album: The People’s Record
This seventh release from Club 8 is coming out in May and is a slight change from their previous slightly morose sound. “Western Hospitality” is a melting pot of different global sounds with a bossa nova beat and surf guitars and many other elements that I can’t even explain. Good stuff.
Fresh by Devo
From: Akron, OH
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You all know who Devo is! They haven’t release a studio album in 20 years and you can find this song on the as yet titled album coming out in May. “Fresh” gives me the impression that Devo has just picked up where it left off which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I look forward to hearing more.
Colors by April Smith and the Great Picture Show
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Songs for a Sinking Ship
I feel bad putting this track and that Florence and the Machine one on the same mix since there are some serious similarities between these bands. But where Florence is dark and bluesy, April has a upbeat, bright, and bit more of a country or rock-a-billy sound. This also happens to be a success story for Kickstarter where people can ask for funds to do whatever project they want. April Smith was able to get $13,000 and as of last month, Songs for a Sink Ship is a reality.
My Baby Left Me by Rox
From: South London, UK
Album: Memoirs
Rox is short for Roxanne Tataei, a half Jamaican and half Iranian neo-soul and R&B singer from London. This is the debut single coming out March 15th which is off the debut album coming out later this Spring. Beautiful song and this girl is going to be big.
Sleepyhead (Starsmith Remix feat. Ellie Goulding) by Starsmith
From: London, UK
Album: Sleepyhead
So this should probably be called a cover instead of a remix since Starsmith is pretty much recreating all the music and Ellie Goulding is singing all the lyrics. Starsmith is a well known DJ and producer and Ellie Goulding is an up and coming pop singer. This indie song from Passion Pit has been turned into a disco, contemporary, pretty song but still has the original edge. I really like it.
And I have to bring attention to OK Go‘s latest video. It’s a GIANT Rube Goldberg machine and it truly is a work of art.
I felt my title was a bit boring so I’m trying to think of something else I should call my mixes. ‘MYSBLT mixes’ doesn’t quite roll of the tongue. I’m open to suggestions if you’re willing to share some ideas in the comments section.
This week has probably the most repeats for me since I started this. Three of the bands below I have had on previous mixes. If you didn’t like them the first time around, maybe you’ll hear something different this time. Enjoy.
The Big Guns Of Highsmith by Lightspeed Champion
From: New York, NY
Album: Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You
Devonté Hynes is Lightspeed Champion. He was born in Houston, TX, grew up in England, and now calls New York home. He has an experimental style comfortable with classical as well as electronic sounds. I know this song is a little repetitive but I just love the choir style chorus. Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You just came out this past January.
Swim Until You Can’t See Land by Frightened Rabbit
From: Scotland
Album: The Winter of Mixed Drinks
I love this band. There is something so endearing about the lead singer’s voice and Scottish bands just know how to rock. This would be Frightened Rabbit’s third studio release (coming out this month) and it definitely sounds like them. I know people like bands because they sound a certain way, but somehow I always want bands to be evolving. Don’t get me wrong, The Winter of Mixed Drinks is a good LP, but it sounds like a continuation of the last one.
Little Lion Man by Mumford & Sons
From: London, England
Album: Sigh No More
I’m so bummed that I missed these guys coming through town. Another example of why I should have been listening to music last year. Mumford & Sons is just a GOOD folk rock band with beautiful harmonies, the right amount of banjo, and thought provoking lyrics. This song in particular speaks to me about way too many times in my life. Sigh No More came out last October but this band has been getting a lot of attention ever since early Summer of 2009. I highly recommend picking up this CD.
As Long As We’re Together by Andrew Morgan
From: Lawrence, KS
Album: Please Kid, Remember
I was really torn on this song because it does make me bop in my seat and Andrew Morgan’s voice is relatively unique…but there is also something cloying about it. And his voice kinda reminds me of John Mayer, which isn’t a good thing if you were wondering. After everything is said and done, it’s a pretty song and it does make me smile when I hear it. This LP was released early last year so you might have already heard it.
Up by Man/Miracle
From: Oakland, CA
Album: Shape of Things
Oakland love, baby!!! I feel like there aren’t that many bands out of the Bay Area that I ever get excited about, but these guys are changing that. This is their sophomore release and it just came out this February. This is another full LP that I can wholeheartedly recommend. Buy it now! You can catch them at SXSW and they’ll be on tour with Rogue Wave starting in April.
Jail La La by Dum Dum Girls
From: Los Angeles, CA
Album: I Will Be
Lo-fi, garage-rock, pop band. Nothing more, nothing less. Just good music. Signed by Sub Pop last year, you can get their debut LP on March 30th. The lead singer is Kristin Gundred (now using the stage name “Dee Dee”) from Grand Ole Party but this is definitely a divergent path for her.
Falling Asleep by FEATHERS
From: San Francisco, CA / New Orleans, LA
Album:
There is very little information about this “band?”. Big Stereo turned me on to them and their MySpace page says they are from San Francisco/New Orleans. I equate this song to a spacey, electronic, beach sound. I’m hoping we get to hear some more from this mystery group in the future.
Icarus by White Hinterland
From: Portland, OR
Album: Kairos
Ethereal and beautiful. I feel transported when I hear this song. Transported to some calm, gorgeous place. White Hinterland is 25 year old Casey Dienel who just recently moved from Massachusetts to Oregon and from what I understand, changed her sound along the way. Kairos will be out on March 9th.
Cold War by Janelle Monáe
From: Atlanta, GA
Album: The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe will be at Café du Nord on March 21st (and 22nd) and I’ll be there in the front row if possible. I’m not usually an R&B fan but her voice and those great beats just get me. Her previous release, Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase, got her a Grammy nomination and was a themed album about some futuristic city with androids. The ArchAndroid continues the story line and will be out May 18th. You can also hear another track featuring Big Boi from Outkast on her website.
Apparently I should dedicate this mix to Brooklyn. Eight out of ten songs has something to do with this petri dish for indie music. My apologies for a couple of harsh transitions this week. I just had to put these three songs in the front because I think they are all really good and then I ended up with some things tacked on the end because I wasn’t sure where to put them. That doesn’t make them any less great. Enjoy.
None’s Listenin by Japanther
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Rock N’ Roll Ice Cream
This is FUN punk! aka pop-punk. Just a great lo-fi garage band with catchy hooks. Japanther is a two man rock group that has been around since 2001. Rock N’ Roll Ice Cream will be released March 2nd and the entire LP is infectious. Definitely worth picking up.
Bodies by Savoir Adore
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: In The Wooded Forest
This track makes me feel bad that I was so out of the music loop last year. In The Wooded Forest is the debut LP from Savoir Adore released last September. It’s distinctly pop with some indie sensibilities that I don’t know how to explain, but I can hear it. Something about how they mix the simple drum and guitar with synth-style keyboards. I can’t help but dance to this.
Ten By Ten by Bluebrain
From: Washington DC
Album: Soft Power
“But Roger,” you say, “this band is from DC. Not Brooklyn.” What you don’t know is that this brother duo moved from Brooklyn one year before working on these songs. Unfortunately, the move was quickly followed with one of the brothers dealing with temporary paralysis, misdiagnosis, and eventually spinal surgery. Fortunately, he completely recovered and they released their debut album earlier this month. Another song that makes me dance around. I hear heavy New Order influences.
Ambling Alp by Yeasayer
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Odd Blood
Another wonderful electronic sound. I first heard Yeasayer two years ago at Live 105‘s annual BFD concert with Liz and I was very impressed. Odd Blood just came out last month and has been popular with both fans of indie and electronic.
Leave Me Alone (ft. Bjorn Yttling & Angelina Lucero) by Pretty Good Dance Moves
From: Brooklyn, NY/Chicago, IL
Album: PGDM
How many different ways can I define fun, upbeat electronic. Let’s call it electro-pop this time. I know there have been plenty of bands making this sound for awhile now but it reminds me of Passion Pit even though they haven’t been around for very long. An EP PGDM released last year garnered lots of attention and their full length LP is coming out in early March. This is another duo and that Bjorn Yttling featured on this song is from Peter Bjorn & John.
My Eyes To See by Alcoholic Faith Mission
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
Album: Let This Be The Last Night We Care
Alright, finally slowing things down a little bit and we are almost out of Brooklyn. Alcoholic Faith Mission is out of Denmark but they recorded this latest LP in Brooklyn which will be released in early March. Still electronic but more of an ambient sound. I’m reminded of Cloud Cult.
Do You Have a Strategy? by Uninhabitable Mansions
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Nature Is A Taker
According to their website, Uninhabitable Mansions is a band AND an art collective. When I heard the vocals on this song I knew they sounded familiar and sure enough this band includes Robbie Guertin and Tyler Sargent from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Annie Hart of Au Revoir Simone. I worry that they sound too similar to Los Campesinos but I’m a sucker for upbeat indie pop.
Paris France by Blair
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Die Young
Oh, clapping-hands-happy-music, how I love thee. Blair maybe living in Brooklyn now but she grew up in New Orleans and started playing publicly in Los Angeles. Die Young is this singer/songwriter’s debut full length release and it came out late last month.
Change of Time by Josh Ritter
From: Moscow, ID
Album: So Runs The World Away
From folk-pop to just folk. Another singer/songwriter, Josh Ritter discovered while touring that his music sold better in Ireland that it did stateside. This new CD will come out in Ireland first on April 23rd and the rest of the world will get it on May 4th. I don’t think I need to say much about this song. It’s just beautiful.
New York Is Killing Me by Gil Scott-Heron
From: New York, NY
Album: I’m New Here
Gil Scott-Heron is a poet, activist, and musician known primarily for his influential work in the late 70s and early 80s. In and out of jail on drug charges for the past decade, this is his first release in 13 years. The lyrics are almost unnecessary as his low, gravelly voice tells a story all on its own. Hence the stripped down simplicity of guitar and clapping hands.
I just had to share this even if it is a year old. PostSecret is one of my favorite online projects. The song you hear is “Shhh” from a band called Donora out of Pittsburgh. You can download the song below as well as “I Think I Like You” from the same band.
Happy Singles Awareness Day or SAD. My friend Arlie just informed me of this rather appropriate name for the fake holiday made-up by greeting card companies. It seems like people celebrate it either on or one day near the 14th. Not all of the songs in this week’s mix fit the theme, but a few do. Hope you enjoy.
Don’t Do It by Salvador Santana
From: Los Angeles, CA
Album: Keyboard City (Dig)
Can you say “funky”? There’s also a dash of techno and the singing style is spoken word/rap. Salvador Santana is originally from San Francisco but started his band in the southern part of the state. I’m sure you can guess by his last name that he’s the son of Carlos Santana. This is his second LP and it dropped earlier this month.
I’m An Animal by Shark?
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Noise Maker
This is the second EP from this up and coming band out of NY. I love the voice on the lead singer. To me it sounds like a raspy Jim Morrison. Noise Maker is an appropriate title for the sound of this garage (almost lo-fi) band. You can download the whole thing for free over here. So what’s stopping you?!?!
The Book of Love by The Magnetic Fields
From: New York, NY
Album: 69 Love Songs Vol. 1 (Vinyl Remaster)
I included The Magnetic Fields last week for their more recent release Realism but this is an older song. They are re-releasing their 1999 box-set on vinyl in April and this song seemed appropriate with the upcoming pink-heart day. Again, his voice and lyrics draw me in. Beyond that this song is rather naked with very little accompaniment. I can’t resist.
Drumming For Pistols by Puerto Muerto
From: Chicago, IL
Album: Drumming for Pistols
Puerto Muerto is a husband and wife duo that have been releasing LPs since 2001. One of their more interesting endeavors was a supplemental soundtrack to the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre which they then took on tour and had the movie showing while they played. Drumming for Pistols was released just a couple weeks ago and the title track gives you a pretty good taste of what to expect.
Beg You To Stay by Smile Smile
From: Dallas, TX
Album: Truth on Tape
Another duo, however this couple used to be an item and broke up after their debut CD. They decided to keep working together and made this latest LP all about breaking up. Reminds me of local Oakland band The Lovemakers. Even if it’s a depressing topic, you can guess that with a name like Smile Smile that it’s still going to have an upbeat sound. Folk-pop to be specific. Do you think they planned to release a CD about breaking up around Valentine’s Day? You can listen to the whole CD over here.
Gotta Have You by The Weepies
From: Topanga, CA
Album: Say I Am You
Nothing new about this song released in 2006, but I just stumbled across it and fell in love with it. It kinda goes with my semi-attempt at a theme. The Weepies are another married couple/singing duo and you’ve probably heard several of their songs on various TV shows.
Anna by Taken by Trees
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Album: East of Eden
A beautiful, dreamy song off of Taken by Trees second LP that came out last September. This is the solo project of Victoria Bergman, lead singer of The Concretes. You can stream the whole CD here. She recorded this in Pakistan and you can definitely hear the eastern influences.
Real Life (Memory Tapes Remix) by Tanlines
From: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Settings
Tanlines debut EP comes out in early March I prefer this remixed version of their first single but it’s not so over done that you can’t hear the original sound. It’s a sound I would call either tropical or beach-rock. And I don’t say that in a mean way.
Dear Boy by Bodies Of Water
From: Highland Park, CA
Album: RAM On L.A. RAM On L.A. is a fascinating project that came out almost a year ago (yeah I’m behind the times, sorry). The idea was to exhibit some of the great L.A. talent and to make it a cohesive endeavor, they each did a song off of Paul McCartney’s 1971 solo album, RAM. And it was all in the name of charity. The music was given away free and people were asked to donate to the non-profit No More Landmines. You can read all about it, and download the entire CD, here. This song is my favorite from the compilation and Bodies of Water was a band I heard about two years ago but I wasn’t really into their music. It’s another damn married couple that forms the core of this group with other band members making different appearances.
North by North by Faded Paper Figures
From: Los Angeles, CA/New Haven, CT
Album: Dynamo
This song gives me flashbacks of The Postal Service. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I wish The Postal Service would release another CD so I’m glad to hear someone continuing the sound but adding to it as well. Their debut LP came out in late 2008 and some how I completely missed it.
Lying Around (Sharam Jey Remix) by Cassette Kids
From: Sydney, Australia
Album: Lying Around
Yeah I know this won’t be liked by everyone, but it’s not everyday that I find a house song that I really enjoy. I don’t really like the Cassette Kids. I find them to be a diluted, emo version of Blondie. But this remix kicks ass! Sharam Jey is from Germany and you can hear more of his remixes here.
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Next Girl by The Black Keys
No Home by The Ettes
A/B Machines by Sleigh Bells
I Was Thinking… by Gauntlet Hair
Across the Sea by Hanoi Janes
One Day by Kings Go Forth
Midnight Hour (feat. Estelle) by Talib Kweli
Pretty Apollo by CYNE
Clay Stones by We Are The World
