RFT Music Showcase

Want to check out a lot of good live music for only $5? Well then you should make your way to The Loop tomorrow, June 1st for the River Front Times Music Showcase.  The ever so conflicting schedule can be found on A to Z.  Alison and I wish we could be there, but alas we are in a different city. So go check it out broskies!

Super Music Video Saturday!

All right. I don’t have individual videos like I did last time, but there is this epic video that has inside look on the LA noise scene via Pitchfork TV. Its called 40 bands in 80 minutes and takes place at the II Coral. The premise is that the venue gives major noise bands only 2 minutes to show all they’ve got. I think this video is pretty old because HEALTH looks pretty young, but they are performing one of their best songs. The video also includes some of our favorite noise bands: Abe Vigoda, Bipolar Bear, and HEALTH. It is quite spectacular and available on the site for only a week, so go watch it now!!! Sorry I wish I could embed it on the site, but alas P4k would not allow me to do so or I just don’t know how.

Who Are All These Bands!?

Does It Offend You, Yeah? is the newest hot faux indie band.  Quite frankly they offend me very much so.

It offends me that corporations can find the most generic sounding band and market it as “hot” to the masses and they’ll believe it.  DIOY,Y?  simply combine the likes of all the current electro wave synth rock bands such as The Klaxons, Justice, and The Killers and want to claim that as their own.   I’m not going to fall for it.  I’m sure this band will be a hit with alternative screamo teens that realize that being emo isn’t cool anymore.  This isn’t something new, we all heard of this before.  So why should I listen to some band rip off a bunch of other better bands?  I simply don’t get it.

This is a trend band and it annoys me that such a band could exist and thrive on such a non creative and  unoriginal sound. I will give it to them and say that I really enjoy working out to their music.  It’s not bad music and definitely danceable, but it’s the principle.  They used a formula and are cranking out tunes that don’t stimulate the brain or seek a greater meaning.

Album Review | Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs

Ok, here it is my review of DCFC’s newest album, after prejudging it so harshly in the past. I thought that it was only fair that I post what I thought of it. I know I am behind, but better late than never, right?

One thing I am surprised as a Death Cab For Cutie fan is how unaware I was of the epicness of the music. Narrow Stairs seems to be much more of an anthem driven album with progressive guitars and Gibbard’s angsty singing laid on top than albums in the past. It makes me want to drive on an empty highway going nowhere with my foot hanging out the window. Of course, there are those slow jams that fill the background of any teenage suicide scene as well as optimistic child birthing scenes. Death Cab For Cutie is great for the imagination and creating movie soundtracks for me, I guess. Some songs like “Talking Bird” is easily forgettable and passable. While “Long Division” on the other hand is probably the most pleasant surprise I got from the album. It was so distinctly different and unusual from what I would expect from DCFC, but I truly enjoyed the track. I would love to know the inspiration because it makes me want to have a good ole boogie down to that song. Although I find that “The Ice Is Getting Thinner” is basically the same song as ” Marching Bands of Manhattan” except a concluding version.

All in all, I would say the album is good. I mean it’s not my favorite of theirs, but they still remain current and relevant which I think it’s the best they can do right now. The sound has changed, but not drastically to where they would lose the appeal of their target audience. The music has definitely improved and it has become much more complex and stage driven rock.

Standout tracks are “Bixby Cannon Bridge”, “No Sunlight”, “Your New Twin Sized Bed”, and “Long Division”

Death Cab For Cutie – Long Division[MP3] [Itunes] [Insound] [Amazon]

Chicago Rocks!

Well, Pitchfork just had a post about how much Chicago rules.

So I had to goose that energy and tell you guys that The Hood Internet, also Chicagoans, have just dropped their most recent mix tape entitled The Hood Internet vs. Chicago which includes–as you might expect– Chicago artists. Highlights include R. Kelly, The Cool Kids, Kid Sister, Mahjongg, The Chicago Bears, Kanye West, Smashing Pumpkins, etc! I just have to say I’ve been waiting for a Mahjongg mashup for a long time as well as another Kellz jam. It’s been way too long since The Hood has made one of those. I mean currently it’s the town where you will both see Alison and I, so… basically Chicago Rocks! WOOOOO! Check you guys on the flip side.

The Hood Internet – 80s Problems (Tha Basix vs Mahjongg) [MP3]

The Hood Internet – Kells-tone For The Painfully Alone (R. Kelly vs Casiotone For The Painfully Alone) [MP3]

Ratatat Brings Some New Shit

Ratatat is back, and quite triumphantly, I must say. Their forth-coming album, LP3, is set for release on July 8th through XL Records. I think their track “Seventeen Years” will be the best Ratatat song ever made, however you can feast your ears on these two new gems. “Shiller” is just gloriously eerie. Like some sort of funeral song, or something. “Mirando”, on the other hand, is pure tropical goodness. Reminds me of El Guincho, but a lot less heavy on the tribal looping. Enjoy, kiddies!

Ratatat – Shiller [MP3]

Ratatat – Mirando [MP3]

No Longer Divided…Wait

Sanita and I will be reunited at the Do-Division Street Festival in Chicago this Saturday (May 31st) and Sunday (June 1st)! If you’re going to be in the area, why don’t you join us? Highlights include performances from Mucca Pazza, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, Gil Mantera’s Party Dream, the 1990s, and Frightened Rabbit. There are going to be local food and retail vendors settin’ up shop, as well as plenty of drink specials to hook you up with the sauce.

Where is it located, you ask? Well, on Division Street at Damen Avenue in Chicago, IL.

You will find Sanita and I at the pony rides.

Abe Vigoda is Not Dead!

I’ve been really meaning to write something about Abe Vigoda for quite a while now, and summer break is finally allowing me to do so. I like then because they are different than what I normally listen to, and with just the right amount of punk (a word I really hate throwing around) aggression, their music just gives off this “don’t give a fuck” attitude without all of the leather and studs.

Sharing a name with American actor often erroneously reported as dead (a different story entirely), these Chino, CA tropical punks are a frequent act at The Smell, the LA venue that’s been gaining tons of attention these days for it’s DIY aesthetic and rad performances.

While some of the actor’s more noteworthy works include The Godfather and Good Burger (Keenan and Kel, anyone?), the band itself released Kid City in 2007 and lately I haven’t been able to put it down. Their newest album, Skeleton, is set for release on July 8th.
If you’re a fan of the whole No Age/High Places/Mika Miko/neon clothing craze right now, Abe Vigoda would be a nice addition to your iPod. Although they ain’t coming to St. Louis any time soon (Billiken Club–Fall 2k8, anyone?) you may want to go see them in YOUR town if you have the means.

Abe Vigoda – Animal Ghosts [MP3] [Insound]

God Warrior of the Week

God Warrior of the Week May 25th is

Lykke Li

What is there not to like about Lykke Li? She’s a cute girl from Stockholm, Sweden singing catchy light indie pop songs about love. This new artist is taking over the blogosphere with her unique vocals reminiscent of Joanna Newsom.  It is the perfect soundtrack for late summer nights.

I really have no idea what is going on with her newest album, Youth Novel or when it is going to be released in the US. I do know that the album was produced by Bjorn from Peter, Bjorn and John and that’s just a reason enough to show why Swedes rock. Those Swedes just know how to mass produce the sweetest music makers. If you can’t wait, like me, then you can head over to The Hood Internet because they have a mash up that is way too legit to quit. You can also buy her EP, Little Bit off Itunes which reaffirms how awesome her album is going to be. What I’m saying is that she’s got just enough ‘tude to be a great God Warrior and I recommend hyping as much Lykke Li as possible. If you haven’t heard of her, it stops today!

She is currently on tour with El Perro Del Mar which couldn’t be a better match for a bill.  That would just fulfill my need for flowy indie pop jams for the summer.  Check out some clap driven songs below!

Lykke Li – Tonight [MP3] [Official]

Lykke Li – Breaking It Up [MP3]

Also check out her black cab sesssion. Girl is sassy!

From the City That Let the Liberty Bell Crack

Philadelphia may have been too dangerous for Will Smith on The Fresh Prince, but this town is boasting some choice musicians that make the risk worth it. Here are my choice picks from the city of brotherly love that are bound to get your toes tappin’ and fingers snappin’. Enjoy!

Man Man
This would be an obvious choice. I guess I’m more than a little obsessed with their live shows and their new album ain’t too bad, either. The only band that can pull off wearing all white, war-paint, and sequined headbands.

Man Man – Harpoon Fever (Queequeg’s Playhouse) [MP3] [Insound]

Spank Rock
I can never get enough of this Philly bro’s downright naaasty rhymes and bumpin’ beats. Yeah yeah I know, we are all soooo over Justice’s “D.A.N.C.E.”, but everything is better with a little Spank, no?

Benny Blanco mix Feat. Spank Rock and Mos Def – D.A.N.C.E. [MP3]

The YMD
Sometimes I just can’t handle all of the lo-fi goodness spewing from these two MC’s mouf’s. Totally in your face, totally name-droppin’ every ‘burb in Philly.

The YMD – New Direction [MP3] [Insound]

Pattern Is Movement
These two Philly gents have potentially put out my favorite record of 2008. Inspired by a set of antique photos, each track explodes with theatrical vocals, show tunes-esque piano, and polyrhythmic walls of sound.

Pattern Is Movement – Bird [MP3] [Insound]

Tickley Feather
This Philly lady’s lo-fi, FM Lite sound is crazy-awesome. Her vocals are slightly spooky, but the synth is oh-so-sweet.

Tickley Feather – Natural, Natural [MP3] [Insound]

And who could forget about Enon? We didn’t, see our Asian Mind Explosion playlist.