Sufjan Stevens -- "Too Much"

Sufjan, where the hell have you been? Illinoise, his last serious studio record, will forever be one of my favorite albums of the past decade, but it seems and sounds like a lot has changed since then. For one, the 50 states project seemed to have been a pretty big joke, which really pissed me and many of his adoring fans off. I really wanted to hear a New Jersey record. He probably would have just took a crap, recorded it, and put it on a loop for an hour. All kidding aside though, what has not changed in the last five years is Sufjan's amazing ability to write music. There seems to be less orchestration and more electronic-based loops on "Too Much," or perhaps a combination of both at points, but it really doesn't matter that there is this change from his past work. The song is still just as good as anything he put out in the past 10 years.

Sufjan Stevens - "Too Much" 

COVER: Sondre Lerche --"Bluish" (Animal Collective)

 

Animal Collective recently released a video for their Merriweather Post Pavillion track, "Bluish." Without the effects thrown in by Animal Collective, the track could sound like the B-side for Conor Oberst or M. Ward. However, my wish came true when Norwegian singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche decided to cover the song in his soft spoken, ballad-like ode. The cover is stripped down to the bare essentials--a single acoustic guitar. Subtle effects are added, like an echo to Lerche's voice--a nice touch to an even nicer song.

--Mike

Sondre Lerche--"Bluish"


Video for Animal Collective--"Bluish"

Colin Greenwood Discusses Today's Music Culture, Future Steps for Exposure to the Masses

While researching at my internship at the Columbia Journalism Review, I came across a rather interesting article written by outspoken Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood about his reflection on the band's choice to release In Rainbows digitally back in 2007. The piece, which was featured on Great Britain's media site Index on Censorship, gives the reader a candid look into the minds of not only Greenwood, but all the members of Radiohead. The piece is more of a response to the groups' recent announcement of completed songs, hinting at the completion of a new album at the end of this year.

Greenwood discusses in great opinion and depth about today's state of music, how music is delivered, how we receive it, the controversial future of it, and what the band has in store for their upcoming album.

If this Radiohead thing should ever fall through for Greenwood, he certainly has a future in media criticism.

To read the full piece, go to http://www.indexoncensorship.org/2010/09/radiohead-copyright-freespeech-music/


--Mike

Matt Costa -- "The Season"

My fascination for Matt Costa began when Mike and I saw his show from backstage at the first All Points West. He played his songs with a huge smile and really impressed the hell out of me. It was really something to admire. Costa's last record, Unfamiliar Faces, was way too long ago for me and I am psyched to hear this new record, Mobile Chateau, which I believe just came out today... don't quote me on that though. I have not heard it yet, but I have heard the first track to be released from the new album. "The Season," is a bit of a change of pace for Costa. Inspired a great deal by the 60's, this a change of pace I am really enjoying. Give it a listen.

Matt Costa - "The Season"

COVER: Radiohead -- "The Headmaster Ritual" (The Smiths)

Radiohead can do no wrong in my book and this, along with everything they have ever done, is just amazing. I think I just came.

REVIEW: Of Montreal // False Priest

Well, I might have lied about this album being a “top 5 contender” in Pitchfork’s top 50 albums of the year, but I still like this album. I don’t care what they thought of it. False Priest is the band’s tenth studio album and for me, at points, it is their catchiest, most cohesive work yet. “Out Riotous Defects,” “Coquet Coquet,” “Sex Karma,” and “Famine Affair” are some truly shining moments. This album flirts with brilliance at many points, but at other points it just doesn’t work for me. In this sense, it is similar to Yeasayer’s Odd Blood.

What I mean by “just doesn’t work” is that there is just too much going on in the production. Anthony Fantano, of The Needle Drop, touches on this point in his review of False Priest, which is where I noticed this notion of “too much going on.” It’s interesting because if you look at a song like “Famine Affair” you can hear that there is less production niches, and instead more solid song writing. This makes for the strongest moment on the album. So, if Kevin Barnes, leader of Of Montreal, just steps back from the complexities of his production there is more to like. A song like “Hyrda Fancies” is a good song, but it is just too boasting in its production to me. Conversely, moments like “Our Riotous Defects,” seem very peculiar from the outside, but I really enjoy it for its wacky nature. It sticks out for its bizarre temperament but songs like “Hydra Fancies” and “Around the Way” do not have enough “weird” for me or just not the “weird” that I truly enjoy from Of Montreal. I hope you can understand that. It seems like a dumb concept, but let’s be honest: Of Montreal is a pretty out-there band. I don’t think it’s just me who wants and expects weird music from Of Montreal. This record has some amazing uncanny moments, but not enough. Like I said, where it succeeds, Kevin Barnes and company do it masterfully, but at other times it just doesn’t seem kosher.

Rating: 82/100

Of Montreal - "Sex Karma"

Cee-Lo Green -- “I Want You”

Now that everybody on the planet has heard "Fuck You," Cee-Lo is back with a much more chill new track. Despite its quieter demeanor it is still a great song. Enjoy!

Cee-Lo Green - "I Want You"

COVER/REMIX: Nyle -- "Let The Beat Build" (Lil Wayne)

I am not sure how I came across this, but boy am I happy I did. "Let The Beat Build" was by far my favorite song on Weezy's Tha Carter III for a pretty obvious reason: the production. Like the title implies, this song really does know how to let the beat build...(bitch). This version by Nyle came about about a year ago, so it is a little dated, but whatever. Anyway, I am throughly impressed with the musicality along with Nyle's flow. The video is also pretty well directed. Check it out!

COVER: Meg & Dia -- "Ignition (Remix)" (R. Kelly)

One Word: AWESOME

RECOMMENDED: The Bad Plus

The Bad Plus is easily one of my favorite jazz trios of all time. Formed in Minneapolis, The Bad Plus made a name for themselves quickly with their 2003 major label debut These Are Vistas, in which the trio performed originals along with covers of bands like Nirvana to the mind-numbing electronica of Aphex Twin. Over the years The Bad Plus have covered Rush, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Yes, and Heart, just to name a few. But, what has always impressed me most about the band was their originals. Their new album, Never Stop, is their first record with all originals and I have been in heaven listening to it. To get a better feel for the record check out the video below.

Listen to "Never Stop" HERE

MIX: inbetween two moons

Hey guys! I am back on my mix making frenzy like the good old days, but I wanted to challenge myself with this one. The concept is that I picked two songs that share a similar word,in this case "moon," (Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" and Neil Young's "Harvest Moon") and I had to find a way with 14 other songs to connect them through one word being similar between each song. It was much more difficult than I thought it would be, but I finally figured it out. I really enjoy making "theme/challenge/pattern" mixes so if you have any ideas you want me to play with in a mix just leave a comment.

For the record, the last mix's pattern was that each song came out a year later from the song before (also known as chronologic order by if my wording confused you). I started in 1987 with Dinosaur Jr. and made it to 2002 with Wilco.

Note: R.E.M's "Pale Blue Eyes" is a cover of The Velvet Underground .

Song of MY Day: Tame Impala--"It's Not Meant to Be"

Aussie psych-rockers Tame Impala released their debut album this year entitled Innerspeaker to phenomenal critical acclaim, becoming a force to be reckoned with when lists are compiled for the years top albums. Already huge in the land down under, Tame Impala rely on textured soundscapes that penetrate the genre in a fresh way. Like their contemporaries Dungen, the jazzy compositions only make up a small part of the band's catologue of songs. Songs range from dancy, to heavy, to bluesy and everything in between. Each song brings a different feeling, emotion, and creativity to the instruments that are channeled through a number of effects like reverbs, delays, chorus, flanger, and other kinds of names I can't even pronounce. The music is as tight as the jeans they wear and unmatted as the hair that grows on their head.

"It's Not Meant to Be" incorporates the textures of the album best. The song has been stuck in my head for at least three days, thus entitled "song of MY day." The chorus is probably the best part, in which the drums switch to a dancy sort of beat, then back again to a jazz improvisation that finishes it off with a jam that could turn the sun blue and your hands switch places with your feet.

--Mike

Tame Impala - It’s Not Meant To Be by defacto

The Strokes Are in My Backyard

In one of the most super secretive shows to ever grace the planet, The Strokes returned to their home turf of New York City for the first time in four year and graced the stage once again as the house band for Tommy Hilfiger's party/fashion show at Lincoln Center as part of the last night of a week long celebration of Fashion Week.

Sitting in my dorm room on a cold, rainy Sunday night left me and my roommates (who are also avid Strokes fans) forced to dedicate massive amounts of concentration to books and documents no one reads anymore. We had our windows open until we heard something reminiscent of "Hard to Explain" come from what sounded like Lincoln Center, which is literally right next door to my school, Fordham University. At first, it sounded like a recording, as if an orchestra had arranged a piece covering "Hard to Explain."

We immediately shunned it, until another Strokes song came on and we heard Julian's voice. We grabbed our coats and flew down the elevator as fast we could because we knew it had to be real. Bolting through the doors of our school, we could hear the music being blasted like an outdoor concert. We sprinted through the rain, our legs getting tense, letting us know we were clearly out of shape. As we ran up the steps to Lincoln Center, we were greeted by a red carpet and what appeared to be a massive party being held inside.

It was indeed, the Strokes; a band for many of us who have inspired and disappointed us, became soundtracks for our growing up, made us learn how to play guitar, and dress in ways we would never think of. They were playing for us not even 100 feet away inside, but hearing them was just as good. We listened outside the doors in the rain as they played "Reptilia" and "Juicebox" to all the movie stars and models.

We were all still pretty beside ourselves that this was a once in a lifetime thing. The Strokes just don't come around like this. I stood proud outside that night, knowing that whoever was walking out as they played, they were making a big mistake. It's one of those memories that I'll have in my head for awhile, it's almost theatrical in a way: hearing one of our favorite bands, running through the rain, being denied to get inside, seeing our faces, realizing this is actually happening--all in my backyard of New York City.

Supposedly, it was reported that as he ended the set, Julian said into the mike, "Thanks. We had fun."

Well Julian, we had fun too.

--Mike

COVER: Dirty Projectors -- "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" (Bob Dylan)

This morning, my European History Professor began the lecture by playing Bob Dylan's, "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine," one of my favorite Dylan songs. It is an absolutly gorgeous song and this cover truly brings out the majesty in it. If you enjoyed this I highly suggest listening to Dirty Projector's last record Bitte Orca, a true classic in my eyes.

Dirty Projectors - "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine"

BONUS COVER: Harper Blynn - "Halo" (Beyonce) and a little of Dirty Projector's "Cannibal Resource"

VIDEO: Surfer Blood -- "Floating Vibes"

The boys from Surfer Blood, who put out one of my favorite debut records of the year with Astro Coast, are back with a video for "Floating Vibes," one of the catchiest tracks on the album. Check it out! Also, you HAVE to hear Astro Coast it is highly recommenced. Enjoy!

COVER: Eels - "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" (Prince)

I was introduced to this cover a few years back and has always remained near the top of my list of my favorite covers. Eels are just awesome and this song is just so so so brilliant. Prince is a god for writing this one. I hope you enjoy!

Jukebox The Ghost -- "Empire"

A while back I attended a Ben Folds show, which was actually kinda ehh on his part, but, what was impressive was the opening act, Jukebox The Ghost. A three-piece band from Philly, Jukebox The Ghost is made up of super-tight musicians and fantastic song writers. Their new album, Everything Under the Sun, was released on Tuesday and has really impressed me with its well intentioned charm. There are plenty of great songs, including, my personal favorite, "Empire." Enjoy!
Jukebox The Ghost - "Empire"

River City Extension -- "Something Salty, Something Sweet"

River City Extension, a "folky" group from Toms River, NJ, was a band that was once suggested to me from a friend in a random class, but I never really looked into. However, today I was fortunate enough to find a track from their debut album, The Unmistakable Man, on NPR. I was thoroughly impressed. "Something Salty, Something Sweet," in terms of sound, is actually pretty well explained by its title. Anyway, whatever way you describe the sound, I am sure you will dig it. Enjoy!

River City Extension - "Something Salty, Something Sweet"

MIX: how can I convince you it's me I don't like

(Photo by Claire Rementilla)

It has been a while since I posted a mix, so I figured I give it a shot again. Because I am back at school now this is very "college" oriented. Well, "college" oriented in the sense that it is mostly college rock, or at least music I could imagine myself listening if I went to college throughout the late 80's through the last decade or so. There is a pattern to this one, but I will see if you can figure it out. I hope you enjoy! 

VIDEO: New Deerhunter--"Helicopter"

Fact: Bradford Cox is a beast.

Fact: Deerhunter could very well, have the best record of the year coming.

Fact: My balls are turning blue with pain.

Their forthcoming album, Halcyon Digest, which will be released September 28, is teasing me. Recently, the guys of Deerhunter released the single, "Revival," a dazing, semi-psychedelic hymn of a song that bleeds the essence of Deerhunter. Today, the group releasesd their new single/video for "Helicopter." The video is an interesting one. The video is nothing theatrical or showy, but certainly captures your attention and holds on to it until the end. With a multitude of effects and pedals, Cox makes an acoustic guitar seem like his invention: innovative, stylistic, and above all, fucking awesome. "Helicopter" is a keeper.

--Mike

To watch the video, click the link to the website.

http://halcyondigest.com/helicopter/

VIDEO: Built to Spill -- "Hindsight"

Built to Spill have been around for years, but yet still amaze me by putting out music that is so fresh and personal. "Hindsight" was my favorite song on 2009's There is No Enemy and is now is one of my favorite videos of the summer. As lame as it sounds, this video is just so damn cute and touching. Check it out!