Wilco -- "I Might"

To say that I just "like" Wilco is a grand understatement. They are arguably one of my favorite bands of all time and Jeff Tweedy is certainly up there with some of favorite songwriters of all time. So, to hear new material from them after an album that I thought was just alright compared to their whole discography (it was still better than most album I heard last year... that's how great they are) gets me extremely excited. Their newest single, "I Might" was released along with a cover of Nick Lowe's "I Love My Label" (a great song to cover considering this is Wilco's first release on their very own new label, dBpm) at this past weekend's Solid Sound Festival, Wilco's festival. I gotta' say that this new single is superb. I love the vibe, the instrumentation, and the production. And no, I am not just saying that because I love Wilco. I really think "I Might" is a great song and will lead to a fantastic new album, which will hopefully be out this September. Tweedy has also hinted that the album will be entitled The Whole Love. I haven't been this excited for an album in a long time. Let's hope it's another classic from these gents.

Wilco -- "I Might"

Wilco -- "I Love My Label" (Nick Lowe Cover)

-- Greg

RISING: Footyhip

Judging a blog's character and quality is a difficult task. What makes one blog better than another? Do you read a particular blog just because of their music taste? Their news? Their editorials? I think the answer to my first question lies in between the lines of the page. What defines a good blog is one that is passionate and genuine about their literally endeavors, whether that may be music, sports, food, etc.

That being said, I am happy to say that I have found my new favorite blog: Footyhip, a site that certainly defines what good blogging is. Footyhip is a up-and-coming blog created by three witty, intelligent, and most importantly, passionate young college students. The "footy" aspect of their blog contains writing about their love of soccer, while the "hip" refers to all that is their passion for great music. They have already turned me onto many great artists including Foster The People and Ace Enders (I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business). Although they may be a relatively new blog, I already envision a bright future for these guys. Some blogs fly by on mediocre, bland, and unimaginative writing, while blogs like Footyhip are paving the way for what true blogging is. Their work is a clear labor of love and deserves some recognition. Check out Footyhip!

http://footyhip.com/

-- Greg

I NEED SLEEP! ... what's your favorite album to listen to while sleeping?

For the past week I was volunteering as a counselor at American Legion's Jersey Boys State. For those of you who know of the program, it goes without saying that you get no sleep there. I am literally dead to the world and so I ask you the reader, what is your favorite album to listen to before/while sleeping. The album I have chosen is a new one, Julianna Barwick's The Magic Place. This is not to say that it is a boring album, but rather to say that the music on this record is so beautiful that it leads to easy dreaming. What do you listen to before sleeping?

Julianna Barwick -- "Bob In Your Gait"

-- Greg

Foster the People -- "Pumped Up Kicks"

I was a little late getting to this song, but I remember that the first day I heard it I also noticed that it was being played everywhere I went. This is a song that seems to follow you around literally and figuratively (in that it will be constantly stuck in your head and it's really catching on with pop culture). Song of the summer? Possibly...

-- Greg

YOUTUBE: FreddeGredde -- "Killer Queen" (Queen Cover)

 This guy is super talented. Great concept... great song... well done.

MIX: we won't know the actual if we never take the chance: Best of 2011… thus far

1. Telekinesis -- “You Turn Clear In The Sun”
2. Cults -- “Go Outside”
3. Destroyer -- “Downtown” 
4. Childish Gambino -- “Freaks and Geeks” 
5. TV On The Radio -- “Will Do” 
6. Death Cab For Cutie -- “You Are a Tourist”
7. The Weeknd -- “What You Need” 
8. James Blake -- “The Wilhelm Scream” 
9. The Antlers -- “Rolled Together” 
10. Panda Bear -- “Last Night At The Jetty” 
11. The Dø -- “Bohemian Dances” 
12.  tUnE-YarDs -- “You Yes You”
13. Yuck -- “The Wall”
14. Fleet Foxes -- “Grown Ocean” 
15. Nat Baldwin -- “A Little Lost”
16. Julianna Barwick -- “Vow” 
17. Radiohead -- “Seperator”                 

an hour long reflection of my favorite music released this year.

-- Greg 

Liturgy -- "High Gold"

I am not normally prone to this "type" of music, but when done artfully and in a nature that isn't just meant to be only in your face, it is often a nice change of pace from the norm. Liturgy is a Brooklyn black metal trio who absolutely slay. Their second album, Aesthethica, not just makes your ears bleed, it kicks the crap out of you and will leave your body sore after every listen. I mean this in the best way possible though. This is intense music, which I love, because it's full-blooded and not fake in the slightest. Often bands create a faux intensity (cough* Sleigh Bells cough*) that just sounds obnoxious, but this a record that just makes me feel so alive. Below is the opening track that will certainly take you on a ride... to hell. Enjoy!

Liturgy -- "High Gold"

-- Greg

Nat Baldwin -- "A Little Lost"

There is often little room in my life for precious and beautiful music. That may seem strange to some, but in reality I often don't have the time to give certain, most typically "pretty," albums their deserved amount of listening time simply because I have to keep up with so much of what is being listened to in the indie "blogosphere." Moreover, the music that strikes me first is normally never orchestral in its arrangement. This notion changed a great deal when I heard Nat Baldwin's People Changes. Nat Baldwin, for those of you who aren't familiar with him, is the bass player for indie darlings Dirty Projectors, but has been doing his own stuff without Dave Longstreth and the gang since 2003. Nat Baldwin's music is absolutely stunning, most notably for the beautiful double bass that is featured on the album. However, what I love most about Baldwin's music is that it can strike you as simple pop, as well as it can strike you as beautiful jazz/folk. Such is the case with People Changes' opening cut, which is actually a cover of the Arthur Russell song "A Little Lost." This song is simply amazing. It is so good that it took me an hour to listen to all of Baldwin's People Changes (only 30 minutes long) because I couldn't stop listening to this song. Great lyrics, great instrumentation, great voice... great song. Can't get enough of this song.

Nat Baldwin -- "A Little Lost" (Arthur Russell Cover)

-- Greg