illy symphony (Our Wednesday Spotlight Favorite!)

“Our Hump Day… Ergo Our Wednesday Spotlight Favorite!”

More often than not, whenever you talk to someone with any degree of success in any given field, and you ask the secret of their success, you will usually get an answer that goes something like this: I was born to do this, or I started with the basic principles, or I worked really hard and learned everything about (insert passion).

So, it comes as no surprise when the musical auteur known only as illy symphony gives us a similar formulaic response. But, here it sounds like the truth only because it is, or rather he is, the real McCoy. Like the well-worn adage goes, “The proof is in the pudding,” and in this case, I’ve not only sampled the pudding, but my ears have licked the damn bowl clean as well. Needless to say, the results are downright euphonious!

Recap, illy symphony started with the basics, he fell head over heels for percussionistic sounds, mainly the kick and the snare. Later, he become enamored with vinyl and the art of synthesizing and excavating the ghosts of beats into the twin atmospheres of rhythm and groove. In short, with an innate skill illy symphony has mastered his chosen craft and is now poised to make a debut. A debut not given to someone unworthy of review. No, this one has put in work. And yes, I hope you like pudding, the rich chocolatey intensely rhapsodic variety, because this won’t just stick to your ribs, it’ll coat your eardrums with joy. After the jump, check out what illy symphony had done with the works of Lana Del Rey, Little Dragon and Jack White, and if they’re pleased with his work, like me you’ll be utterly ecstatic. Peace.    Continue reading “illy symphony (Our Wednesday Spotlight Favorite!)”

My Brightest Diamond // Feeling Good (Nina Simone Cover)

Life reveals the most amazing coincidences at times. Months ago when I began this blog I was looking for new music and found the album A Thousand Shark’s Teeth by My Brightest Diamond (2008) I loved the album and wrote it on my list of songs and albums to review. However, I forgot about it until I was recently reunited with Shara Worden/My Brightest Diamond through her gorgeous Nina Simone cover “Feeling Good.” In addition, at the time (all those many months ago) I also listed her label as Asthmatic Kitty. Now, at the time I didn’t know the significance of the label, until I discovered that Asthmatic Kitty is the label co-founded by Michigan’s very own Sufjan Stevens. However, the biggest thrill was also discovering that Shara Worden/My Brightest Diamond is from Detroit, Michigan! This is a pleasant kernel of information, because I am always looking for artists/bands with roots here in Michigan, and thus far I’ve found quite a few, which I have featured and reviewed here on the blog. And so, without further delay I give you one of the sexiest songs you’ll hear this Valentine’s Day, “Feeling Good” by my fellow Michigander/ homegirl Shara Worden. Peace.

By the by My Brightest Diamond will be in concert at:

The Covenant Fine Arts Center
Calvin College 179
Knollcrest Circle 49546
Grand Rapids, MI, US

“Feeling Good” (Nina Simone Cover) 2009

All Things Will Unwind (2011)

A Thousand Shark’s Teeth (2008)

Kishi Bashi // I’ll See You There

 

How cool of Kishi Bashi to delicately craft an inspirational ode as songgram, (Kishi Bashi’s word not mine, but it so works)“I’ll See You There” as a thank for one of his recent, and ardent, Kickstarter supporter, Cam Linh. I knew Kishi Bashi was a cool guy, now it’s beyond substantiated. Peace.

“I’ll See You There”

“Bright Whites”

William Fitzsimmons // Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want

Like most of you I am celebrating Valentine’s today with a loved one(s). and in the spirit of romance I will be posting not a few songs within the amorous vein. And although the William FitzsimmonsThe Cure cover “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” is sappy and a bit whiny, it fits the mood perfectly. However, Fitzsimmons brings a whole barrel full of sobriety and wholesomeness to the tune unmatched in its fragility and overall tenderness. This song begs an answer to the most prolific question on Valentine’s Day, “Will you be mine?” Peace.

“Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” The Cure Cover

“The Tide Pulls From The Moon” From Gold In The Shadow (2011)

“Beautiful Girl” From Gold In The Shadow (2011)

Black Milk and Danny Brown // Black And Brown EP

What you get when you conjoin nasty beats by Black Milk with gorgeously pornographic lyrics by Danny Brown? Well, you get a pretty good time vibing out not really giving two good GOTDAMNS! But that’s just me spouting off about my Detroit homies.  But you really can’t blame me ’cause the EP is just that dope! So, if you’re the type to get your head into raps alternate universe madman on the mic then give this a few spins on Ouija board planchette. Although this joint dropped back in November via Fat Beats Records. But, don’t use tardiness as an excuse not to wild tha fuck out. Peace. Continue reading “Black Milk and Danny Brown // Black And Brown EP”

Drake Ft. The Weeknd // Crew Love (Shlomo Remix)

No doubt, 2012 is going to reveal itself to be the year The Weeknd blew up sky-high into the stratosphere. And it seems as if The Weeknd‘s homie Drake is doing whatever he can to make sure  Abel Tesfaye gets a lot of shine. Check this track out, and although it says Drake is featuring The Weeknd it appears that it’s the other way around. Regardless, it’s smooth like a baby seal’s bottom, and Shlomo did a hell of a job making it even more chilli most. Peace. Continue reading “Drake Ft. The Weeknd // Crew Love (Shlomo Remix)”

Baobab // Baobab

I suspect your familiar with the term comfort food, yes? Well now, let me introduce you to yet another word to enter into the lexicon of musical terms, ‘comfort music’.  And although I’m not sure if it’s a coined term or not, I think it is a more than apt descriptor to encapsulate the tranquil music provided by North Carolina folk-pop band Baobab. With songs like “Brownian Motion, Spring Forward, Music for a Movie and Poor I Was” it is only natural to fall ear over ear for their hard to believe self-titled debut album Baobab.  I was fortunate enough to have news of this band e-mailed to me, (How lucky am ? Very!). So, I am only paying a good deed forward, in the hopes it will make others feel as good as I felt when listening to a big bowlful of the ‘comfort music’ that is Baobab. Peace.  Continue reading “Baobab // Baobab”

The Library Is On Fire // They Don’t Know You (Like I Know You)

With the Indie music scene being what it is (Amazing!) it is hard for a band to stand out from the crowd. Unless of course your band kicks balls and goes by the indefatigable name The Library Is On Fire. And like the urgency such a name implies, you too should with much alacrity lend your ears and give a listen to the Brooklyn-based trio (Steve Five, Pete Sustarsic and Travis Tonn). For the record, these guys just don’t make music, they make music you’ll identify with, because they’ve got the goods for all your crummy and euphoric emotions alike. And check the back story on this band and get your hands on their Magic Windows, Magic Nights (2010) album released on (Fill in the Blank) Records. The 2010 LP is 15-tracks that’ll back up all the kudos this band has justifiably earned along the way and then some. But, for now luxuriate in the chill sonics of “They Don’t Know You (Like I Know You)” from the bands Works On Paper (2011) release. Peace. Continue reading “The Library Is On Fire // They Don’t Know You (Like I Know You)”

black valve animals // the dreamer

Although the above art work for Black Valve Animals may appear a tab bit narcissistic and self-aggrandizing, well it’s not intended as such. However, if Brady Daniell-Smith is proud of the musical constructs he puts forth for our pleasure, then I understand completely. As the sole member of the entity that is BVA, the native New Zealander is orchestrating music that appeals to a wide spectrum of worldly inhabitants whose main focus (other than survival ) is to chillax whilst listening to something soothing, but equally sophisticated and well, interesting. Listen to the chillwave-pop song “The Dreamer” and let the music speak so much more eloquently than my meager attempts of compliment. Peace. Continue reading “black valve animals // the dreamer”

stars in coma // paint my picture on the thick shell

Swedish indie-pop band Stars In Coma fronted by André Brorsson is just the kind of band I like: easily accessible and with melody enough to bob my head to while chillin’ in a universe that’s totally alright with my chillin’. Share my enthusiasm for these guys by listening to the band’s “Paint My Picture On The Thick Shell” taken from their absolutely beautiful Midnight Puzzle album. And after the jump I’ve left you with enough SIC material to get you thoroughly motivated to seek out more. Peace. Continue reading “stars in coma // paint my picture on the thick shell”