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the helio sequence // can’t say no

Ever wonder how some bands escape your notice? Well, the Portland duo The Helio Sequence is one of the beautiful bands that for some unknown reason have completely circumvented my radar, until now. I’ve listening to tracks from their album Keep Your Eyes Ahead (2008) and I keeping repeat in an attempt to make up for lost time. The LP contains nearly a dozen tracks, and for me the stand outs are, “Can’t Say No” and “Shed Your Love” and the remarkably endearing song, “Hallelujah”. Also, according to the band’s Facebook page they’ve recently finished recording their new record, however no solid details concerning it’s release. But, I suspect their as yet untitled body of work to drop later this year. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. Peace. Continue reading “the helio sequence // can’t say no”

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Dntel // Still

James Scott “Jimmy” Tamborello bka Dntel is a lot things, but it’s his skill at composing wickedly chill electronica that has garnered him the most attention.  The track “Chill” is a perfect example of his ongoing and ever-expanding oeuvre. Most recently, his latest LP titled Aimlessness is total dream production. This release is 12-tracks of gorgeously sculpted music; it’s the stuff burning candles and iridescent moonlight listen to when they want to vibe out. You can also check out his superb internet show Dying Songs exclusively at dublab, which is the perfect accompaniment to chill evenings spent maxin’ and relaxin’. Peace. Continue reading “Dntel // Still”

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THEESatisfaction // QueenS (Official Video)

Stasia Irons and Catherine Harris-White who comprise the duo THEESatisfaction released their non-too-shabby album awE naturalE March of this year to much avail. Yeah, there kinda’ a big deal. Yep, you might have guessed they are a couple of down sisters with a penchant for hip hop and high-tuned conscious lyrics. So it is with great pleasure that I present to you the duos video premiers of “QueenS”. And yes indeed, it’s hella’ dope. Peace. Continue reading “THEESatisfaction // QueenS (Official Video)”

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Beachwood Sparks // Myth

it breaks
silently
no a flood
but it dreams to be

these tears
are emotion
overflowing

these tears
are no myth.

According to Sub Pop Records’ Bud Scoppa, “Some albums were made to be played on a Saturday night. The Tarnished Gold LP by Los Angeles’  Beachwood Sparks is meant to be played on a Sunday afternoon. Listening to Beachwood Sparks’ first album in 11 years is like being under cobalt blue skies and smelling the night-blooming jasmine on a perfect spring day in Los Angeles.” Now, who can argue with that, except why limit your listening experience to a Sunday afternoon? And their utterly heart melting song, “Myth” well I’ll end with this. Some songs just start you thinking about moments. Moments suspended in time and melancholy. Hell, it even inspired me to pen the poem preceding this review. I hope it puts a wan smile upon your heart as well. The bands forthcoming album is scheduled to drop June the 26th. Peace. Continue reading “Beachwood Sparks // Myth”

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The Shins // The Rifle’s Spiral (Video Premiere)

If you’re like me you have an intense admiration for James Mercer and his wonderful band The Shins. And like you need another reason to go gaga over this wonderful troupe of bandoliers. The video premiere of “The Rifle’s Spiral” is showing exclusively on www.nowness.com. Check it out and see, and hear, what all the fuss is all about.

A 5 song EP of The Shins‘ Google/YouTube SXSW Live From the Lot party performance is now available exclusively on Google Music! And, “The Rifle’s Spiral” from Live at the Lot is available as a FREE DOWNLOAD on Google Music. Peace.

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Nikki & The Dove // Tomorrow

Malin Dahlström and Gustaf Karlöf collectively pit themselves against our eardrums as the band Nikki & The Dove. And thus far they’re winning us over to the bright side with kaleidoscopic musical fare one song at a time. And their  latest track “Tomorrow” is another example of why I am eagerly awaiting their forthcoming Instinct LP, which is expected to drop May 14th. To get your copy make sure to pre-order it on iTunes. And if that wasn’t enough you can watch the official video for the “Tomorrow” on YouTube. And after the jump I got the videos for the song “The Fox” which is my favorite song by N&TD right after their highly addictive “The Drummer” by the way. And I also have the video “DJ, Ease My Mind”. This ought to keep your busy for a hot minute. Peace. Continue reading “Nikki & The Dove // Tomorrow”

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THEESatisfaction // QueenS (Our Sunday Best)

Shabazz Palaces protégés THEESatisfaction (Stasia Irons and Catherine Harris-White bka Cat and Stas) are the antithesis to the music industry cash cow, ala Nicki Minaj (No disrespect, just a fact). So the chances of hearing these cool and positively energetic dames on American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest anytime soon? HA! Forget about it. And, I’m fairly certain they’re alright with not ripping Victoria Secret’s runway or culling a brutish male altar-ego too. Mainly because these young hip hop heads aren’t interested in artifice, nope not even a lil’ bit. And, you can best believe both like nothing better than to shake it up a bit and bust out pop culture and put its fickleness on front street, if you catch my drift. According to various sources, the duo met at college and discovered not a few mutual interests, ranging from classic, circa 70’s R&B to Funk and Jazz influences, an affinity for William the Shakespeare, and not surprisingly the sounds and ethos of 80’s and 90’s hip hop. Together, their sound is heavily steeped in, not only R&B and the like, but thought-provoking observations on a world not seen through rose-colored lenses. Peep the newly minted single “Queens” to understand where they’re coming from. THEESatisfaction are releasing their debut LP awE naturalE via Sub Pop on March 27th. You can also cop the free download of the single QueenS here. Peace. Continue reading “THEESatisfaction // QueenS (Our Sunday Best)”

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The Shins // September (Simple Song B-Side) Video

Hot off the press! Check out the “Simple Song” 7″ B-Side “September” by The Shins. It is a beautifully somber affair, and it only further whets our collective appetite for the March 20th Port Of Morrow LP release.

You can get The Shins Simple Song 7″ release next week (Valentine’s Day) at your participating Record Store Day dealer. Peace. Continue reading “The Shins // September (Simple Song B-Side) Video”

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shabazz palaces // are you… can you… were you? (felt) (official video)

Seattle-based hip-hop off-shoot Shabazz Palaces is a lot of things. For one, they aren’t in any way, shape or form typical of what one might expect from the world of rap, or any other genre for that matter. But, I imagine you’re going to be alright with the sound soon to be emanating from your speakers. Shabazz Palaces is led by Ishmael Butler aka Palaceer Lazaro. Ring a bell? No? That’s cool. However, there was a time when Ishmael Butler was also known by another name, he was ‘Butterfly‘ of Grammy award-winning jazz-rap group Digible Planets.

That was way back in the day, eons ago by industry standards of measuring time and space. And much like his past namesake, the ‘Butterfly’ has undergone another metamorphosis. With his latest project, under the guise of  Palaceer Lazaro he has joined forces with multi-instrumentalist Tendai Maraire and formed the mysterious, celestial anti-body known as Shabazz Palaces.

Previously, the duo self-released the eclectic EPs, Eagles Soar, Oil Flows, as well as The Seven New, each stretching the boundaries of hip-hop into musical Pythagorean theorems. Now, we have the Black Up LP, which is so aptly released via the legendary Sub-Pop Records. After the jump, we have the first official video for the track “Are You… Can You… Were You? (Felt).” I highly recommend an oxygen tank, a space suit and a good pair of 3D glasses for your ears. Peace. Continue reading “shabazz palaces // are you… can you… were you? (felt) (official video)”

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Male Bonding – Bones

Although the song “Bones,” by Male Bonding came out earlier (mid-2011), it’s even better covering my ears with remnants of summer on an otherwise gloomy Michigan day. The fuzzed out guitar and banging drums punching holes in lead-singer John Arthur Webb‘s vocals, or is it the other way around? Regardless, it’s a sliver of what I did last summer; a sound memento if you will. No matter, I welcome it. If you haven’t, check out the rest of the Endless Now album, and make your own ‘good times’ memories. Peace. Continue reading “Male Bonding – Bones”