The Most Holy of Unions: Elton John and Leon Russell

Pianists and master songwriters Elton John and Leon Russell will release The Union, an album full of gospel soul and balladry that may make you cry during at least one listen. The ages of John and Russell mean nothing to them at this point; for them, age has no boundaries, only more songs to be sung and stories to tell. The Union, as David Fricke puts it, seems like a "conversation" between two friends. And that's exactly was it is. The album is touching and sassy at times--despite their ages, John and Russell are as sincere and saltier than ever. More importantly, the duo represent the legendary musical friendships that we never had the pleasure of seeing in our generation: Lennon and McCartney, Hendrix and Townsend, Cash and Lewis. However, this perfect union says it best: "Your my best friend. You've shared my crazy ways."

Elton John and Leon Russell - The Union by napicram

--Mike

MIX: i was working in the lab late one night...

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

1. Sonic Youth - "Sacred Trickster"
2. Grinderman - "Heathen Child"
3. Radiohead - "Bodysnatchers" 
4. Clues - "Cave Mouth"
5. Charlotte Gainsbourg - "IRM"
6. The White Stripes - "As Ugly As I Seem"
7. Sufjan Stevens - "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Ahhhhh!"
8. Big L - "Da Graveyard"
9. Big Boi - "Night Night"
10. Evangelicals - "Halloween Song"

Girls -- "Heartbreaker"

Girls, a San Franciscan band with a sun-soaked sound, put out their debut album last year to unbelievable critical acclaim. Album (real original title... I know) was easily up there with my favorite debuts of last year and I have been itching to hear more stuff by them for a while now. Well, my wish has finally come true. Broken Dreams Club EP will be released in about three weeks and the first single has just been released. "Heartbreaker" is a fantastically cute, fun, well-crafted, pop song that I can't get out of my bed. I am sure you will like it as much as I do.

- Greg

Girls - Heartbreaker by Spine Magazine

MY TEENS: Matthew Sweet -- "Sick of Myself"

Have you ever liked someone so much that you were sick of yourself? This has happened to me quite a few times and that is exactly why I would come home and blast "Sick of Myself" until I had tinnitus.I am inspired to write this after listening to NPR's podcast entitled "tunes to get you through your teens." The music of my teens was mostly older stuff, just cause that's what I liked back then. I never really liked the pop music of my early teens (I was born in 1990, if you were wondering), which is odd because now I seem to only listen to new music, including new pop music.

Anyway, Matthew Sweet is an often forgotten genius of the 90s. I was first introduced to Sweet about 8 years ago and I fell in love with one song in particular. "Sick of Myself" is easily one of my favorite songs of all time. A lot of people may say, "this is like the best song ever," or something completely ridiculous, but with this I am being serious. I have heard this song more times than any other song I have ever heard in my life, with the only exception being probably "Help!" by some British band. I think its the idea that my teens was a lot about "love," or at least my ideals of love at this early age, which is the reason why I enjoy this song so much and why it connects with my teen years.

If you like this, which you will, LISTEN to more Matthew Sweet NOW. He is so great!

- Greg

Matthew Sweet - "Sick of Myself" 

MIX: last autumn leaf

This mix was far harder to put together than my summer one, Endless Summer Bummer. Perhaps this is because, in general, there are fewer songs about autumn than there are songs about the summer or winter. So, with this mix I just attempted to encapture a  solid "autumn" sound. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

last autum leaf 

1. Megafaun - "Heretofore"
2. Deerhunter - "Helicopter" 
3. Spoon - "Goodnight Laura 
4. Efterklang - "Modern Drift"
5. The National - "Anyone's Ghost"
6. Warpaint - "Undertow" 
7. Local Natives - "Sun Hands"
8. Tame Impala - "Jeremy's Storm"
9. Gil Scott-Heron - "Me And The Devil"
10. Kanye West - "Runaway"

- Greg

Superchunk -- "Crossed Wires"

Every year there seems to be an album or two that totally rocks my world. In particular, I am speaking of albums that are done by either a reunited band or a band that have been around for years, decades, even centuries (?)... wait not centuries, but you get the point. Last year these albums for me were Dinasour Jr.'s Farm and Manic Street Preacher's Journal for Plague Lovers. This year, Superchunk, North Carolin natives and indie-rock legends, put out their first album since 2001. You would think that Majesty Shredding might sound a bit rusty, but nope; not at all. This album just absolutely kicks ass, every song is effortlessly simple, but yet boisterous. This is not an album that will win over the "artsy" types, but who cares... sometimes all I want to hear is just a simple rock record. This is it. "Crossed Wires" is one of a hand full of fantastically crafted rock/pop songs from Majesty Shredding that is super easy to just dig a lot. Give it a listen.

Crossed Wires by Popfrenzy

Gold Panda -- "You"

Gold Panda is a London-based musician/producer who got his big break for remixing bands like Bloc Party, but I think his debut album, Lucky Shiner, will bring him out even more in the lime light. Lucky Shiner is as gorgeous as it is dance provoking. "You," the albums opener, is an amazing textural space that will have your head thumping. If you like this I seriously recommend the album. Enjoy!

- Greg


You by Gold Panda

Grinderman -- "Palaces Of Montezuma"

Formed in 2006, Grinderman is a side project of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: legends of the post-punk world. I was first introduced to Grinderman with the release of their newest album, Grinderman 2, which is just bonkers. It's really something interesting and needs to be heard. I am not saying that it's my album of the year material, but I won't be surprised to see this top many websites list.

"Palaces Of Montezuma," the clear pop highlight from the album, has been the subject of a recent plagiarism case, in which a young man from England has claimed that his song, "Grey Man," was pretty much stolen by Grinderman's "Palaces Of Montezuma." Nick Cave and Grinderman have since denied the allegations. Its actually pretty comical because I have listened to the song that was supposedly "ripped off" (check it out HERE) and, besides the chord progression, it sounds nothing like "Palaces," which is just a way better song. I don't know Nick Cave, but I just couldn't imagine Nick Cave, a man of so much musical praise, stealing a song from some lousy unsigned band. Anyway, give this song a listen and seriously consider giving Grinderman's new album a listen.

Grinderman - Palaces Of Montezuma by The Big Beat

VIDEO: Weezer Performs "Memories" for The Black Cab Sessions

The Black Cab Sessions have always been, and will probably always will be, my favorite indie playground for musicians. This is not to say that the Day Drotter sessions and Take Away Shows are no good because they are also fantastic, but I just really love the simplicity of Black Cab Sessions: take a few guys from a band and put them in the back of a cab in jolly ol' England. On another note, I'll admit that I am not a huge fan of Weezer, perhaps this is because of the let down of two of their last three records, Raditude and The Red Album, which were not their best work, but their newest record, Hurley, is quickly regaining my respect for the band. This performance showcases an acoustic version of the lead single, "Memories," in which Rivers Cuomo let loose with some ferocious vocals. Check it out!


weezer from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Belle & Sebastian -- "I Didn't See it Coming"

I am sure many of you are familiar with the music of Scottish, indie pop group Belle & Sebastian, but for those of you who are not, I suggest you check out the bands second album, If Your Feeling Sinister, which is a classic indie gem from 96'. Anyway, today marks the release date of their newest album, Write About Love. The band hasn't put out a studio record since 2006, so I, along with many other fans of the bands, didn't really know what to expect. Would it suck? Will it be as good as their earlier records? The consensus so far amongst many writers is that it's a success. Write About Love's fantastic production + great guest spots (Carey Mulligan and Norah Jones) + pretty and simple song writing = a super enjoyable listen. My suggested track is the first, "I Didn't See it Coming," which is just so god damn catchy.  I really adore this song for its back-to-basics chord and song structure, along with it's double tracking drums. There is really no reason to not really enjoy this song. Give it a listen.

Belle & Sebastian - "I Didn't See it Coming"

YOUTUBE: First Aid Kit -- "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" (Fleet Foxes Cover)

While the world waits in anticipation for a new Fleet Foxes album sometime in the future (I hope). I now occupy my need for Fleet Foxes with amateur covers of their music. This was a cover I found on Youtube and wow... just wow. This blew me away. "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" is an already beautiful song, but this takes it to a whole new level. This is not to say that it's better than the original, but it is pretty damn good. First Aid Kit, a young, Swedish, sister-duo with some serious talent, impressed the hell out of me with this cover. Since this was put up on Youtube (2008) First Aid Kit is seeming to get a lot of attention, which they rightfully deserve. You gotta' check this out!

- Greg

Studying with Greg: Aphex Twin // Selected Ambient Works 85 – 92

I don't study often (that was a joke, Mom), but when I do, I listen to a lot of Aphex Twin. I think Selected Ambient Works 85 - 92 is the perfect studying record. Many of the songs are recorded with only light percussion and a few haunting synth melodies, plus it is nearly an hour and fifteen minutes long. That's just about as long as I ever want to study. So whens its over... time for bed. I am not a huge fan of ambient music, but if you had to choose one ambient album to listen to, this should be near the top of your list. It's a classic.

Aphex Twin - "Xtal"

What are your favorite songs or albums to study to?

We'd like to hear what songs, albums, or genres of music you guys like to listen to. Post a comment under this post and let us know!

--Mike

Strung Out: An Orchestrated Study Session

Why a picture of Valkyrie you ask? Is it because shes riding a masculine horse with a tanned, rock hard body, wielding a spear that has tasted the blood of O' so many men? Maybe. Is it the image of her kicking the living hell out of me and enjoying every minute of it in the sickest way possible? Partially. What about the epicness that is about to ensue when she jumps over a regiment of Norse gods and makes every one of them throw up in their mouths? Kind of.

Well, not really. I just put that up there because it's cool looking.

What inspires this post most of all is the 15 year old I saw playing fiddle in the park today. The boy set up shop and began playing, as if it was the Metropolitan Opera. The boy's talent was tremendous; musical talent of that caliber that I haven't heard in awhile. I stayed in the park reading the paper listening to the boy play for well over an hour. After I left, I dropped some money in the boy's case and felt very fortunate that this was the day he chose to play in the same place I was is the park.

In our study filled, anxiety laden lives of college, we find some of the music listed on our itunes leaving us wanting more at times and also a little less. We search endlessly for the right song that seems appropriate to study to or the right album that seems calming enough to make a tired night lively.

But in the midst of my study sessions preparing myself for my shit show of an art history exam, I've come to enjoy a completely different album that is far from your typical study session.

The soundtrack to Master and Commander has been playing on repeat during my study sessions. It is totally orchestrated; classical pieces take up the majority of the soundtrack, bringing the world and musical culture of the Napoleonic War to your ears. Fiddles and other strings tantalize your senses and act simply, as background music to a rather noisy air conditioned, loud whisper laden study room like the one I'm in now.

The Master and Commander soundtrack is peaceful, fun, and disciplined--a discipline that has certainly rubbed off on me to keep going into the wee hours of the night. The movie is damn good as well (Yes, I know, it has Russell Crowe in it--but he kicks the shit out of the French so stick with it).

For other mastery of the stirngs during homework, give composer Maurice Ravel a listen. It's just as good.

--Mike


Maurice Ravel

COVER: Iron Horse -- "New Slang" (The Shins)

 I don't know why, but for the last week I have listened to tons of Hank Williams and Pete Seeger records, along with some other country/folk legends. While listening to these often forgotten classics I stumbled upon one of my favorite covers of recent memory. Iron Horse, a bluegrass band out of Alabama, is known for covering rock bands (i.e. Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Guns N Roses) but with few exceptions do they cover songs as mellow as The Shin's classic "New Slang." After hearing this, my suggestion to Iron Horse: DO MORE INDIE SONGS!

Iron Horse - "New Slang" (The Shins Cover)

If you dig this check out: The Ooks of Hazard -- "Kids" (MGMT Cover) 
- Greg

REMIX: Four Tet -- "VCR" (The XX)

People often post a remix on a blog as the name of the band who is being remixed first then the person/band doing the remix second... so that means that most people would write, "The XX -- "VCR" (Four Tet Remix)," but I will not do that for a good reason. More so than most remixes I hear, this song works more so as a composition by Four Tet that just samples The XX than just an XX remix. I rarely post remixes, but I must say that I will make an exception for this one. I think it is brilliant. This is certainly not for everyone (i.e. Mike wasn't a huge fan of Four Tet's most recent album, There is Love in You). This is also totally understandable, but I will still highly suggest you check this out. I really enjoy it.

- Greg

PREVIEW: Kanye West's New Album Coming Out on November 22nd

"L.A. Reid who's doing a great job at Def Jam. We gone Kill it again on November 22nd!!!!!!!!!! Even with the leaks fam," read Kanye West's twitter at approximately noon today. After the release of the first single "Power," I was pretty excited. Then came "Runaway" and I literally dropped my jaw. Then, the leak of "Lost in the World," which includes a sample of Gil Scott-Heron and Bon Iver's "Woods," and I... well I won't go there. I don't care what people say about Kanye West, the man is an absolute genius. He is easily one of the most important musicians of this generation. Below are the first two singles from the new album. I am sure you have already heard them, but o well. They are worth a second listen anyway.

Kanye West ft. Pusha T - "Runaway"
Kanye West - "Power"

Women -- "Heat Distraction"

In my film course here at Rutgers, we are studying Dada, which was an art movement dating back to the late teen's to the early twenties. The main idea behind Dada was to, according to Wikipedia, "ridicule what its participants considered to be the meaninglessness of the modern world." This is to say that what was produced from this movement was attempting to destroy what was defined as "art," "literature," or, in the case of my studies, "film." You may be asking how this relates to this post. I will explain.

Women, a Canadian "art-rock" band, seems to be, to me at least, influenced heavily by Dada. Music snobs may shake their heads with this, but I can explain. The music of bands like The Velvet Underground and early Pink Floyd, which are bands that sound strikingly similar to Women, was highly influenced by Dada. Therefore, the music of Women is strikingly similar to the art of Dada. Maybe this is a stretch, but who cares? It's an interesting connection. "Heat Distraction," one of the highlights from Women's second record, Public Strain, which is receiving a great deal of critical acclaim, is one of my favorite songs of the last couple of months. It has many of these bizarre, dark, very out of place notes, but yet they work so brilliantly on this song. This is not a song you could see yourself really liking. Honestly, Women should be annoying to listen to, but they captivate my ears more than nearly any other band around today. Women seem to be destroying what we define as popular music by writing brilliant songs that sound nothing like what we call "popular music," just like Dada did to the high art of it's day. Whether or not you agree with my hypothesis doesn't really matter, but I still will highly suggest you listen to Public Strain, or at least check out "Heat Distraction." I am really diggin' it.

Women - Heat Distraction by leafhouse