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Of Montreal // Paralytic Stalks (Stream)

Over ten-years going and as fresh as ever! Kevin Barnes and crew have conjured up another phenomenal batch of sound potion with the new album titled Paralytic Stalks. We’ve already been teased with two singles “Wintered Debts” and “Dour Percentage.” And for your listening pleasure the entire LP is streaming online. Check it out and peruse individual track play-by-play from Kevin Barnes. So, high-tail it over to  Spin.com to listen. Also, you know I love it when you guys leave comments or vote. Peace. Continue reading “Of Montreal // Paralytic Stalks (Stream)”

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Sleigh Bells // Comeback Kid // Born To Lose (Video)

Aside from the obvious cool points scored by Derek sporting a Nirvana tee and the always vivacious Alexis jumping up and down on a bed with Cherubs in the background casting knowing looks, then there is the matter of the rifle. I scratch my chin wondering if there is a Freudian reference running amok. Nevermind, everything in its right place. Let’s talk about the latest single “Comeback Kid” and all the brouhaha it’s causing. Well, there isn’t much to say except Alexis isn’t taking any shit from any would-be beau. ‘Nuff said. Peace. Continue reading “Sleigh Bells // Comeback Kid // Born To Lose (Video)”

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kate bush // eider falls at lake tahoe + video

It all started many moons ago, way back in 1978 when The Kick Inside was released, and a then 19-year old Kate Bush came bursting onto the music scene. And now, here we are, the year is 2012 and boy has it been an impressive career for Ms. Bush. Long before Björk, Tori Amos or more recently a Florence and The Machine, there was this scrappy, albeit eclectic, force of nature with her soon-to-become trademark voice, and a penchant for literature, modern dance and the color red. Finally, after so many seasons, (her last previous release was Aerial (2005) the wait is over. With the release of 50 Words For Snow (November 2011) we are given the usual gifts we’ve come to expect from Kate Bush, and we are more than happy to have them. The latest single “Eider Falls At Lake Tahoe” has an accompanying video directed by none other than Kate Bush herself. In a nutshell, it illustrates the tale of a faithful dog missing its master who has recently passed. Like so many, I am an adoring fan and with good reason, hers is the stuff of angels’ breath and utterly melodious meditation. Although you never know what to expect from Kate Bush, you can always count on her sense of beauty to win out over all else.  Kate Bush, brings together the universe in the tiny, yet potent capsules of her songs. Her oeuvre is dotted with an array of star-lit odes, which make up a dazzling constellation. So, cock your ear to the heavens and listen, her stars are falling beautifully; all around. Peace. Continue reading “kate bush // eider falls at lake tahoe + video”

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DTMD // Makin’ Dollars

2012 is still fresh, so it’s only logical we sit back and reflect on 2011 and all the music the year produced. No serious conversation concerning rap can exclude the many wonderful offerings by our ace homies Mello Music Group and their well-stocked roster of rap all-stars. We all know how cream will always rise to the top, but at times we are unaware of such delicacies. Not because we don’t know any better, it’s just that sometimes good things get overlooked and obvious choices go unchosen for lack of awareness. Case in point. The extraordinaire rap-duo: Dunc and Toine. With confidence they saddle up to the spotlight turning bravado into an asset and a positive tag worth wearing on battle ready rolled-up sleeves. Dunc’s production is above par, and in fact raises the bar for would be contenders. Dunc’s work, and indeed his style are veritable nods to rap heavyweights J Dilla, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Pete Rock, among others. Yet, he doesn’t’ mimic so much as he incorporates points of reference with new life, which propel his sound into the stratosphere. But if production is the of the river Styx, separating the world of supreme beats from that of the common mediocre fare. Then by all means Toine’s lyrical adeptness is the proverbial manna from above, leading those who once fed on saccharine enriched music to an abundant and organic menu which satisfies the soul. His is words leading boys into manhood. Turning singular alphabets into mature statements culled from reason and wisdom. Together DTMD Makin’ Dollars is collectively more than a physical entity, combined they are an audible representation of two young men making their way in the world, clearing a swath wide and exact. And they ain’t followers. Naw, never that! They’re improvisers aspiring to reach Rap’s promise land; the mountaintop of your notice and the audience of your well-tuned ear. Peace. Continue reading “DTMD // Makin’ Dollars”

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Oberhofer // Heart

Check out the new Oberhofer song Heart and tell me it’s not a wonderful thing. I have kept up with this New York-based band for a while now, and when you listen to this song you’ll understand why. The new album titled Time Capsules II, will be released on March 27th via Glassnote Records. I will say this, Brad Oberhofer had outdone himself this time (no surprise), and we’re the lucky bastards because of it. Also, check out Oberhofer Tour Dates too. I’m going, so you really don’t have an excuse. Peace. Continue reading “Oberhofer // Heart”

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Pulled Apart By Horses // Until My Head Exploded: Greatest Hits // V.E.N.O.M (Video)

You have a tendency to perk up your ears when such a reputed indie label as Rough Trade describes a band as follows, “The band’s (Pulled Apart By Horses) self-titled 2010 debut was a sonic maelstrom of screamo and hard disco riffage; here was heavy music that you could shake a tail feather to, pop music at its most corrupted. Dance music played by wiry punk weirdo’s.” Such an introduction surely got my attention. So, get in touch with your inner ruffian and see if you can blow your speakers out playing PABH cranked up to 11. To get you up to speed, as a primer check out their 2011 release Until My Head Exploded: Greatest Hits. I gather you need no explanation on what you do with this one, but don’t be surprised if the neighbors call in 5-0. And that’s not all, I also have the band’s latest video for the raucous mosh pit ready single “V.E.N.O.M.” I warned you! Peace. Continue reading “Pulled Apart By Horses // Until My Head Exploded: Greatest Hits // V.E.N.O.M (Video)”

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Kishi Bashi // Room For Dream EP

I’ve come across a veritable deluge of outstanding music since I began this music blog back in August 2011. And when music is such an integral part of one’s existence you get very picky,  developing quite a discerning ear for what will and will not cut the mustard. I came across Kishi Bashi by a fortuitous accident. I was searching for tickets for the Loney Dear show in Chicago with Of Montreal headlining on March 28th at the Metro. But I found so much more, for also on this bill was, at the time an unknown artist, Kishi Bashi. So, I being the curious sort I went looking for all things related to Kishi Bashi and boy was I rewarded. It went something like this Facebook, Twitter, kishibashi.com, and then ended beautifully at kishibashi.bandcamp.com. It was like uncovering a serendipitous mystery of sorts. A mystery, which in the end left me with an incredible first impression of the inventive, and highly accomplished musician K Ishibashi. The Room For Dream EP is four extraordinary songs brimming with enough spine tingling effervescence, upon listening you’d swear your Set-Adrift-On-A-Memory-Bliss. The utter vitality of the music makes you want to succumb to one of the most primal impulses known to mankind. To dance, to move your body and smile. What more could you ask of music than that? I’m looking forward to the Chicago show.  And now I’ve more songs to sing along to: Manchester, Bright White, Conversation At The End Of The World, and Evalyn, Summer Has Arrived. I’ll know them all, or perhaps they’ll know me. Also, Kishi Bashi is also working on a new album scheduled for an April release. I’ll be eagerly awaiting. Peace. Continue reading “Kishi Bashi // Room For Dream EP”

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Mansions On The Moon // Athens (Video)

Intergalactic travel always goes better with something bangin’ out of the on-board speaker system, and we got the perfect space-bending accompaniment. Check out the latest single from Mansion On The Moon and you’ll thoroughly dig their track “Athens.” This is a Pharell Williams-produced joint, so you get his hit-making Midas touch. But the bedrock of every song is still MOTM‘s typical brand of fare from this L.A.-based trio. Lane Shaw‘s vibrant drums, supporting Ted Wendler‘s dreaming shoegazy guitar, along with the perfect dash of Ben Hazlegrove‘s mellifluous vocals and lightly funkified synths. Head on over to mansionsonthemoon.com for much more of their soon to be released Light Years EP. Peace. Continue reading “Mansions On The Moon // Athens (Video)”

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Shelf Nunny // Taboo (Ft. Kaka Smitty)

Although many claim it never rains in southern California, obviously they weren’t talking about funky beats and sly rhythms. Welcome to the sticky sounds of Santa Cruz-based producer Shelf Nunny. Sit back and submerge yourself in these tricky audibles, and let them caress you ear palette like the adept fingers of a certified music masseuse. With this latest track “Taboo” Ft. Kaka Smitty it’s raining complex bass galore, interspersed with the mesmeric vocals of Kaka Smitty. If  Shelf Nunny is getting his music making feet wet, then I am impressed.  I can’t wait to hear what he offers up once he dives head-on into the full breadth and width of his infinite universe of possibilities. To delve deeper, explore the sounds of this budding SoCal-based producer by visiting his SoundCloud page and on Facebook. Peace. Continue reading “Shelf Nunny // Taboo (Ft. Kaka Smitty)”

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Loney Dear // Loney Blues (Video)

When it comes to selecting the music for this music blog, I can only attest to having but a single criteria. Does the music touch me? If it doesn’t then that’s ok too. I’ll leave it where I found it without casting a disparaging word. But for those songs which appeal to me, well then I’m all ears (and heart). Loney Dear hits me right there in the solar plexus, no other way to put it really. Like many, your introduction to the music of Loney Dear will come with this song “Loney Blues” and it will touch you in unexpected places. The song is quiet, almost a whisper full of lament. You’ll turn it up to better understand the words, and what words they are by the way. This is a song which begs you to listen in solitude, without distractions. It is a song so forlorn and shrouded in mendicant black, so much so, it covers one’s heart completely and compels you to admit to bouts of loneliness and despair. This song will reward you on so many levels. I know nothing about Loney Dear other than I like it… a lot, and for now it will suffice. I’ve immersed myself inside of it cocoon like, and it is my hope to emerge out of the other side, if not a butterfly then perhaps … buoyed. Peace. Continue reading “Loney Dear // Loney Blues (Video)”