Where the food sounds good, and the music is pretty tasty too.
Although this Lip Color EP has been out since June it hasn’t lost its new car smell. With its drowsy half-lidded electro-Pop sound it is hard not to take notice. I was already in love with the fair city of San Diego, but now that love has just gotten a little bit deeper. I going to ask for San Diego’s hand in marriage and Lip Color will be our love child.
Aren’t you a great person? I think so, and since you’ve been so awesome as of late you should reward yourself with something nice. Boston indie-pop quintet The Hush Now have a new album dropping September 27th and I think it would make the perfect gift for someone like you. First, give it a listen below, just to see if it’s a good fit. This album is unique in that it is a one size fits all sort of LP. How clever of them, right? I meant to post this review this past weekend but because I have a selfish side I hoarded it. But after a bit of soul searching I thought better of it, and so here it is. Finally. Check out Memos and I think the both of you will get along just fine. Peace.
P.S. I love the opera bit towards the ending of the song “Hoping & Waiting”, how cool is that?
Domo Genesis is making his way out of obscurity and into the light of day. No longer is he content being the chill spliff smoking homeboy of the rap ensemble Odd Future. Yeah, you know the crew which consists of Tyler the Creator and Earl the Sweatshirt. Some fans and critics pass DG off as the lesser talent of the collective aggregate known as Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, often abbreviated OFWGKTA. I know, quite a mouthful huh? However, with his second mixtape release since last year’s Rolling Papers, Under the Influence is nothing short of 35 sweet-minutes of the 20-year-old rapper showcasing his skill-set for dope rhymes. No matter what others say Domo Genesis can hold his own against his more recognizable peers. And really, is there anything wrong with a little recreational ganja? I think not. So, for all those who indulge from time to time this one is for you and Jerome Simpson. Crank it up and alllow “Let’s Smoke” to fill your head-space and have a Happy Monday. Peace.
Spending time with the new LP from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is like spending time with someone comfortable and familiar. Listening to their album Hysterical is a journey, from the hyper-sugar high that is “Maniac”, to the more sedate and soulful fare of “Misspent Youth”. Regardless, this is a very tactile album, definitely something you can sink you ears into for many moons to come. No waiting for this one because its already out. Peace.
Under normal circumstances I’m not one for surprises. However, like with most things in life there are those rare exceptions. Justin Vernor of Bon Iver is without a doubt an incredibly talented craftsman. What he does with chords and lyrics is nothing less than stellar. So, can his song craft get any better? Apparently so. Just when I thought he couldn’t take it to another level Mr. Vernon pulls a rabbit out of his hat. On his latest album Bon Iver, Bon Iver the album closes with the song “Beth/Rest”. Now, even if you think the song is a bit grandiose it’s still a great song. Now, the surprise. Justin Vernon has taken this song and stripped it down to its bare bones, and what is left is pretty damn good, and that’s an understatement. Some people categorize Beth/Rest as a love song. Yes, it is a love song albeit a broken or a strained love song, and something wholly different too. It is almost a gospel musing with its naked spirituality, replete with declarations of something akin to a soulful throwing down of the gauntlet and taking a stance and confronting a thing head-on.
When Justin sings:
all the news at the door
such a revelry
well, it’s hocked inside
of everything you said to me
it was found what we orphaned
didn’t mention it would serve us picked
well your love is known
I’m standing up on it
aren’t we married?!
I ain’t living in the dark no more
it’s not a promise,
I’m just gonna call it…
This is the punch in the gut, it is a wake-up call. Whatever happened has come to the light of day. They either suffer and wrestle through it, or call it quits.
The song is now raw and intense and I can’t stop listening to it. Peace.
There is nothing quite as enjoyable as listening to beautiful music. Well, surely second to listening to gorgeous music is sharing such music with friends. We are friends, right? That is why I do what I do. Because getting the music out there is what I am all about. Take We Are Tress, the brainchild of James Richard Nee, and although I won’t go into a full-on bio or who most folks think the band sounds like. I will proffer this, We Are Trees are in the vein of bands similar to say Grizzly Bear or even Bon Iver, stylistically speaking. It is music to chill to and provides the perfect backdrop to accompany such occasions as making out or maybe just cuddling with your favorite cuddle-buddy. I’ve posted both the Boyfriend (2010) and Girlfriend (2011) EPs. And I am going to highly recommend the track “Dear Chan Marshall”, because like Mr. Nee I too am a huge Chan Marshall/Cat Power fan. Peace.
So you’re not a Mid Con fan yet? Well, maybe I can change that in a few minutes. If you like to party hard to the spastic beats that is electro-sound blasting music then this is your lucky day. Midnight Conspiracy is Mikul Wing and his partner Louis Kha. Formed over a year ago the dynamic duo have jettisoned to the top of Chicago’s mind bending dj scene. I could sit here and try to describe their music to you but it is always best to get the straight dope right from the proverbial horse’s mouth, so to speak that is. Let your ears perform their own due diligence, and if both of your ears are in perfect alignment then you’ll be rockin’ Mid Con in an iPod near you. Also, keep an eye out for their EP Discord which is set to drop September 27th. Peace.
P.S. Love the Crystal Castles remix.
I love, among other things, guitar bands. While that may translate into something else to other folk, it basically means to me bands who employ lots of guitar work in their music. Simple enough, no? The Icelandic band Sudden Weather Change makes the cut when it comes to rockin’ the fuck out. To my ears their music is one part Sonic Youth and some ratio of The Pixies. Hey, that’s just what I think. That said, check out their song “The Whaler”. This 7″ EP was released June 19th of 2010 by Kimi Records. This album has two songs, “The Thinliner” and “The Whaler”. Let me know if this kicks butt or not. Also, check ’em out on Facebook for additional tracks. Peace. Continue reading “Sudden Weather Change – The Whaler”
Hey, it’s Friday and to kick it off the best day of the work week I am posting the entire debut album of fun-rockin FM Belfast. FMB is one of those bands which instill perpetual happiness in whomever happens to listen to their music. At times channeling Dr. Seuss, and at other times sounding as if someone has spiked the punch with um…syrup (Ask Weezy). I like the simple structure of the songs, and although the lyrics can become nonsensical at times, it all comes together and somehow works in the end. This is the album which turned the heads of so many, and likely still winning over new fans even as I pen this. How To Make Friends is one of my favorite albums to listen too. Period. I have referred this album to I don’t know how many people since it’s initial release back in 2010, I almost feel like the bands unofficial unpaid publicist. Anywho, check it out and enjoy. Also, FM Belfast’s recent release Don’t Want To Sleep has been out since Mid-June and is laden with even more clever fun-loving music. Let the party begin. Peace
I like “Rocky Music” music. You know the type of music that makes you feel invincible, or has the innate ability to lift you up when your feeling down. You get the picture, right? Everyone has a song like this, and “All Greatness Stands Firm” by Midnight Lion could soon be your Rocky Song. Stewart Brock & Lewis Gardiner have a winning formula here, and I’m not sure if its the rigorous drums or the soul stirring vocals, mayhap both. Although this song is a little Pop-ish it still has a sound that is mostly counter mainstream. Give it a listen, and dammit whether or not you agree I’m still playing this song next time I need a little motivation. Peace.
Midnight Lion – All Greatness Stands Firm from Midnight Lion on Vimeo.