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Caged Animals – All The Beautiful Things In The World (Video) ***(NSFW)***

For the past few hours I have been telling myself this, “I am not a voyeur, I am not a voyeur, I am not a voyeur…” But damn it! Maybe I am and a sinner too, because I just keep on watching the very, hmmm, er… “artful” video “All The Beautiful Things In The World,” by those esteemed Brooklyn gents Caged Animals led by the consummate master of adult lullaby’s Vin Cacchione. But really, I gotta stop beating myself up over this (Pun?), the human body is a beautiful “aesthetically pleasing form,” so there shouldn’t be any shame is admiring it, right? At any rate the video is the highbrow creation of filmmaker/visual artist Jamie Harley, and the song is taken from the bands full LP release Eat Their Own, which debuted back in September ’11. I’m also throwing in the invigorating video for the song, “Girls On Medication,” because it is too much damn fun! Peace. Continue reading “Caged Animals – All The Beautiful Things In The World (Video) ***(NSFW)***”

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the history of apple pie // mallory

I think The History of Apple Pie is my fatal fuzzy fantasy band come to life, if not they’ll do until it gets here. Their music is the perfect blend of shaggy hair in your bubble gum — don’t worry, that’s just my way of describing their unshorn shoegazy pop sound. And the vocals of Stephanie Min make want to do unmentionable things to my speakers. Like rip ’em apart and commune with their fizzling innards. Hey, what can I say? I’m weird like that. Anyway, listen to the song “Mallory,” and if it makes you feel like putting on the warm wool sweater of nostalgia and pout into your yearbook, don’t say I didn’t warn you. THOAP is mighty, mighty delicious stuff. Peace. Continue reading “the history of apple pie // mallory”

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Keepaway – Cake

If you happen to need a good reason to smile, then simply take matters into your own very capable hands and click on the tracks below. Yes. Instant smile eh!. The self-described Psych-Pop trio Keepaway are on the literal cusp of releasing their debut LP Black Flute via Das Racist’s Greedhead label. So, in honor of this momentous achievement let’s all play their stickily and funkily song, “Cake,” well into the night. Well, at least until those rowdy braless uddered cows come home way past curfew again. Damn cows! Peace.

By the way I just had to add the track, “Faces Now.” Why? Well, just because. Enjoy! Continue reading “Keepaway – Cake”

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Battlekat // The Pain (Video)

She swallowed shards of flower petaled ice/Sung arias of longing and regret/She reached her strong durable hands out into the heavens and drew unto herself the flesh of stars/There I stood in a field of woe/Marveling at the silhouette of her voice howling into the night sky.

I am enthralled with Battlekat, formally referred to as ‘Just A Number 05272011′. I am continuously amazed as I listen to the kaleidoscopic jigsaw puzzle that is their music. Which,by the way sounds like it was made from the shattered souls of stained-glass Gothic cathedral windows. In my mind that’s an above level compliment. Agreed, its quirky, but just enough to keep things interesting. And the musicianship is as tight as Amber Rose’s pretty posterior. For this Best Fit Session live set, we have Bk playing their song, “The Pain,” and it is without a doubt something I want to listen and watch endlessly for the next week or so. And rest assured the song The Pain and a few others I snagged from iTunes will be on my playlist and on constant rotation. Another cool band from Scandinavia is always a good thing. Peace.

Battlekat – The Pain (Best Fit Session) from Best Fit Sessions on Vimeo.

Continue reading “Battlekat // The Pain (Video)”

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Cool Rainbows – Southern Summer Sun

More cool stuff from almost down under. It’s a good thing I cast my musical net far and wide in order to catch wind of this Auckland, New Zealand band. The Cool Rainbows are everything you might expect from a band with such a, well, cool name. The band is headed by lead singer Djeisan Suskov, and the song, “Southern Summer Sun,” is the first release from their forthcoming debut album Whale Rocket via the Lil Chief Records. I got the video to the song below and it’s a very laid back and chilled out sort of deal. Plus, it sounds like everything you can imagine a song titled Southern Summer Sun would sound like; all shimmery and a bit tropical. Right now its available for a pay-as-you-like download. So after you’re finished soaking up the good vibes and sun worshiping the sounds, go cop this track for later use. By the way don’t forget your sunscreen. Peace. Continue reading “Cool Rainbows – Southern Summer Sun”

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The Shins – Simple Song

About 40 minutes ago I got an e-mail from The Shins announcing the release of their first single, “Simple Song,” and boy is it nice. I am beyond happy. I really dig hearing James Mercer and his voice after a long hiatus. Plus, I’m really loving the guitar on this one, actually I love the whole damn thing. Good to have you guys back! Peace.

Listen to Port Of Morrows’ “Simple Song” endlessly now.

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Holiday Shores – New Masses For Squaw Peak

You know the heady and oh so giddy feeling you get when you find money in forgotten places; a twenty in jeans you haven’t worn in ages. You get the picture. Well, discovering Holiday Shores gives me that same feeling. Just multiply it by a higher numerical value and we’re on the same page. Listening to their record is akin to the first time I listened to Of Montreal, and a few other bands that have made a distinct impression on me in recent years. The album is  stocked to the proverbial gills with new sensations, and a varied collection of colorful sounds that would make Kandinsky proud. And New Masses For Squaw Peak has all those musical colors you get when rainbows go bad and start scrawling graffiti on abandoned buildings and subways cars; which make this a decidedly different kind of LP. I’ll call it Ethereal Sugar Pop with muted tones of dirty hands melancholy, how’s that? Holiday Shores is fresh and exciting, and they take you on a ride among roiling cumulus clouds in a laughter powered zeppelin painted by surrealist artist Oliver Vernon. Perhaps 2012 will see this band get the recognition they so rightfully deserve, but if not I’ll just share it with you and it’ll be our little secret. Peace. Continue reading “Holiday Shores – New Masses For Squaw Peak”

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The Penelopes – Now Now Now (Miguel Campbell Remix)

This is one of those tracks with a sound so groovy upon hearing it your limbs start to move immediately, seemingly of their own volition. The Gallic duo, Axel Basquiat and
Vincent Tremel, together comprise The Penelopes and their song, “Now Now Now,” will surely make its way into your playlist far into the year. Oh, and the Laura Kidd vocals, sublime. No details about their forthcoming album, but rest assured I’ll keep you posted. Peace. Continue reading “The Penelopes – Now Now Now (Miguel Campbell Remix)”

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lana del rey // national anthem

(Photo courtesy of thisisfakediy.co.uk)

Every other day or so it seems someone is writing something about Lana Del Rey. And from what I’ve read most reviewers are divided. The big bad press on this demure songstress are equally torn, not really knowing what to make of this new studio Gangsta Boo. Love her or hate her, the woman with the bee-stung lips has got it going on. I’m in the camp of those who adore the whole package, whether or not her’s is a contrived image or not doesn’t really matter to me. I’m sold. Maybe even a bit obsessed.

However, what does matter is her output, which is continuously getting better each time out. Her initial buzz starters, “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans” were catchy enough, and in the “Video Games” collide offereing she played the coy, slightly tempestuous card for all it was worth. Can you blame her? And then “Born To Die” came along and furthered, not only our collective curiosity, but it was a well timed release after her so-so performance at Manhattan’s Bowery Ballroom. So far, we’ve been privy to 7 out of the 12 songs listed on LDR’s soon to drop LP, which also includes “Diet Mountain Dew” “Disco, “Yayo”, “This Is What makes Us Girls,” and “Off To The Races,” in no particular order. All of these tracks sound better than average to me.

Now, we have “National Anthem,” to chew on and it’s more than just fat and gristle, it’s rack of lamb marinated in all the aromatics available to ensure lots of flavor, and again the presentation is very agreeable. It works because we’re all carnivores at heart. And who can resist the raw sexualized lamb Ms. Del Rey is offering up? Not I. Now, “National Anthem,” with it’s gutsy guitar and a fist full of dollars hook, is not only catchy, but it also possesses a bit of spot-on social commentary. Consider the lyrics ” Money is the anthem of success? Money is the reason we exist? Everybody knows it, it’s a fact, kiss kiss? No hollow lyrics here. Whatever your thoughts are regarding  Lana Del Rey, her star isn’t likely to fade anytime soon. In 2012 her ascension to the venerable ‘Court of Pop Ladies’ is pretty much a sure bet.

Haters, go bark up another more deserving tree, because this Quercus coccinea is growing deep roots in the fertile soil of our pop culture, for days. And Lana, you can be our China doll, and this reviewer, most assuredly doesn’t want to see you fall. Peace. Continue reading “lana del rey // national anthem”

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Toy – Left Myself Behind

Most bands are fronted by, or revolve around a vocalist or a badass guitar player, not the case with the five-piece ensemble known as TOY. No, this band comes together around a Korg Delta keyboard/synth. This band is also a mix bag of sorts, grafting sounds from across the musical spectrum: Punk, Electronica, and various visages of rock are all present and accounted for. And it all fleshes out for an overall novel sonic texture which works out, not so surprisingly, well. Check out the bands’ first single release  — Left Myself Behind — and the B-side — Clock Chime. Both sides can be downloaded for free from their Heavenly Recordings website. You can also pre-order the 12″ which drops January 23rd. Peace. Continue reading “Toy – Left Myself Behind”