Grates Contest Winner / Ys is Awesome

The winner for The Grates Contest we were running has been chosen! If your name is Pat McLeod then you should have already recieved an email from me. Congratulations Pat, enjoy your winnings! Thanks to everyone else for entering and we should be running another contest sometime soon.

Unrelated:
I know I was building the hell out Joanna Newsom's Ys, but I have finally heard it and I can attest to it currently being my favorite album of the year. I was afraid that because of all the big production names involved that it might have been overproduced, but they really held back and the orchestration is subtle and perfect in my opinion. I'd be interested if I hear anything better than this for the rest of the year.

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There will be some kind of more substantial post later. I'd like to apologize for the sudden drop in quality of posts around here, but I've just started school and it's been eating up my time and I'm still trying to adjust to my new daily schedule. It'll get better, I promise :)

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The Fits

Ben and Sara, who started The Fits back in 2004 (Sarah now lives in England)

I've been really lax about reading email submissions lately just because I've been so strapped for time, but I realized that I end up spending hours upon hours on MySpace, many times not finding a thing, so what's a few minutes to read an email, right? As it turns out, today was a good day to make this decision, because otherwise I may not have heard The Fits (although their name feels incredibley familiar like I've seen it somewhere before). The above picture is obviously a wee bit out-of-date, as Sarah is no longer with the band, but I think that photo does a good job in creating a visual image of what they sound like. The Fits debut Near Fits (a jumble of "Fine Arts") which was released back in January on Ufi Records, is brimming with indie pop gems, with a little bit of folk thrown in for good measure.

[MP3]: The Fits :: Ball of Twine
If this song wans't so damn happy, I could definitely picture it as some Figure 8 era Elliot Smith song, but since it is happy, I'll just say it could of been one of my key Summer songs had I heard a few months earlier. The jangly guitar paired with the kazoo sounding do do do's in the beginning of the song hooked me within the first 10 seconds and the song just gets better and better after that with the guitar stealing the show, dancing and wiggling all over the place.

Buy Near Fits from CDBaby
or visit The Fits on Myspace and listen to more tracks
them, go buy Near Fits from CDBaby

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Broadcast: "Unchanging Window/Chord Simple"

Broadcast

The recently released Future Crayon, a collction of Broadcast's earlier UK EPs, b-sides and other rarities, is quite the feat because though it's a collection, it manages to feel like a well rehearsed album. Future Crayon works from the band's very earliest sound noodlings all the way up through recent non-album gems such as "DDL" and "Unchanging Window/Chord Simple." The latter now being one of my favorite Broadcast tracks to date. Pitchfork recently described the song as a "modern day 'White Rabbit,'" which I actually couldn't agree with more. Check it out.

[MP3]: Broadcast :: Unchanging Window/Chord Simple (Hugely Recommended!)

Buy Future Crayon from Amazon.com
Broadcast on MySpace

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I Wish I Was A Mole

Women and Children

Getting ready to head off to my first day of classes so here's a quick update before I get back and put up something a little more put together. On Women and Children's upcoming album Paralyzed Dance, Tonight one time lovers Kevin Lasting and Cheryl June Serwa jump from influence to influence blending together pieces of blues, psyche, rock n roll, classical, and even baroque creating an album full of comforting textures, perfect for watching the world wake up in the morning. I've been listening to this record on the way into work every morning for the past week and it's a much better highway companion than Tom Petty. Check out these two tracks, from the album.

[MP3]: Women and Children :: My Head In Your Dirt
[MP3]: Women and Children :: Oranges

Paralyzed Dance, Tonight will be out in October on Narnack Records
Women and Children on MySpace

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The Blow: "Parentheses"

The Blow

I'm sure you're all well aware of my excitement over the upcoming Joanna Newsom record by now, but another upcoming release that I'm just as excited about is The Blow's Paper Television. I'm sure most of you, just like me, have already listened to "Pile of Gold" a million times, but if you're still now convinced that Paper Televison is going to one of the most awesome records of the year, check out this equally magnificent track.

[MP3]: The Blow :: Parentheses (Highly Recommended!!!)
My ignorance toward staying on top of, well, anything from Friday afternoon to Sunday has led me to just now notice that Pitchfork featured this track on Friday, so you probably already heard this song. Well, whatever, I already wrote that sweet paragraph up there so I better not waste it, plus, you know, this is a damn good song. If these two tracks are any indication, the lyrical catchiness of Paper Television is going to be mind-blowing. If you're still trying to get that chorus from "Pile of Gold" out of your head, then the non-rhyming brilliance of "There's something in the deli aisle that makes you cry, of course I put my arm around you and I walk you outside, through the sliding doors, why would I mind?" should fill it's spot nicely.

In Case you've been living in a deep deep hole...
[MP3]: The Blow :: Pile of Gold

Paper Television will be out October 24th of the wonderful K Records, and you should buy the hell out of it, or I'll hunt you down and kill you, or least pull the shingles off your roof.

The Blow on MySpace

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Out November 14th! Yessssss!

That's it folks, we finally have a release date! On November 14th Drag City will release Joanna Newsom's Ys. Birds will sing and the sun will shine and everything will be perfect. Seriously, so excited!

Umm, oops.

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Born Ruffians: "Piecing It Together"

As if we really require any, here is even more proof that Canada is awesome at indie rock. Ontario's Born Ruffians are a rare breed of rock band blending the sounds of completely spastic indie rock with the sweet catchiness of jangly pop into one completely dancable and infectious final product. They must be doing something right to have caught the ears of Warp Records, who will soon be releasing their debut self-titled EP on October 17th. I'm in love with every track on the EP but these currently my two favorites.

[MP3]: Born Ruffians :: Pieceing It Together (Highly Recommended!)
[MP3]: Born Ruffians :: Merry Little Fancy Things (Highly Recommended!)
"Piecing It Together" starts with fast ringing guitar and wuirky vocals that made me immediatly think of Of Montreal, but then it changes and slows down a bit, then changes again into something that sounds almost out of some forgotten 80's pop song. Then, after the short pseudo chorus it changes again, this time opting for feedback drenched guitar stabs that sound like they came right out of a Modest Mouse song. Of Montreal to Modest Mouse in a few simple steps, there you go. You can even dance the whole time, how about that?!

The Born Ruffians EP will also be out in the UK around the same time as the U.S., as XL Recordings will also be releasing it for you European folks.

Born Ruffians on MySpace

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Continental Divide: "The Days Drag, But He's Old"

Nathan of Continental Divide

Disclaimer: Okay, yes, I posted this yesterday, but it turns I had more than a few things wrong, so I apologize. I have edited and updated the post and I really urge you to check out this amazing track.

Contitnental Divide is a four piece from Destin, Florida that loves keyboards and bells. I've also recently discovered that I love them and that they're extremely promising and if they really wanted to, they could probably take the blogosphere by storm. Yeah, I said it. Blogosphere blogosphere blogosphere. This track will be appearing on an unsigned band compilation released by Velvet Blue Music which is home to Richard Swift, Denison Witmer, and Starflyer 59. If these guys continue at the pace they're going, I can't see them being unsigned for very much longer.

[MP3]: Continental Divide :: The Days Drag, But He's Old (Listen Now!!!)
If you were wondering why the elipses is there, it's not because it's part of the title. It's there because the fulltitle of the song was cut off on their MySpace, which is their only home on the internet. About the song though, it's awesome! I mean, I use enough hyperbole as it is, so what's a little more, right? In all seriousness though, this song sounds a bit like the result of The Strokes singing some unwritten Wolf Parade song. In fact, it's got a real "Wolf Parade's first two EPs" sound to it, what with the drum explosions, buzzing keyboards, and those sweet sweet bells. With the right production, these songs could be even better than they already are. Keep your eyes fixed on these guys in the coming year.

Continental Divide on MySpace

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Super Totally Great Grates Contest!

The Grates

In celebration of my 400th post, and also the U.S. release of the fantastic Gravity Won't Get You High, we here at Skatterbrain (read: just me), are presenting the Super Totally Great Grates Contest. The rules will be simple and I think you'll agree the prizes are pretty awesome.

ONE WINNER WILL RECIEVE THE FOLLOWING:

• 1 limited edition The Grates t-shirt (customized with drawings by the band)
• 1 signed CD of The Ouch. The Touch. EP
• 1 CD copy of Gravity Won't Get You High

Okay so how do you win all that stuff? Well, it's quite simple actually. Just leave a comment on this post with the following:

• What does "19-20-20" mean? (Hint: click here)
• Your first and last name
• Your email address

I will then randomly select one winner and announce it here. This contest will run from today, Wednesday August 23rd all to next Wednesday, August 30th. Sorry folks, but this contest is open to U.S. residents only.

The Grates on MySpace

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It's Pronounced "Ees"

Joanna Newsom

News of Joanna Newsom's upcoming album Ys has been trickling out slowy, day by day, and now we have even more details to drive us even crazier until it's release, which, by the way, hasn't been confirmed yet (though, it will be out on Drag City). If you've been following the Joanna news, you know this: The album will consist of five songs ranging from nine and a half to almost seventeen minutes in length and there's a lot of big production names involved (Van Dyke Parks, Steve Albini & Jim O'Rourke). I think that's all we knew, I think.

Well the more I hear about the makings of this album, the more I think that I could probably name it one of my favorite albums of the year before ever hearing a second of it. Ys is a collaboration of Joanna's voice, her harp, and a full orchestra. Out of the five tracks on the album, only one is "classic" solo Joanna and her harp, with the rest setting Joanna front and center as the sounds of orchestra swell and blow behind her. An impressive amount of instruments went into the making of Ys, including: strings, woodwinds, and brass plus dulcimer, marimba, various percussive instruments (including a horse skull!), banjo, mandolin, electric bass guitar (played by master of mellow Lee Sklar), electric guitar (played by jazz-great(-and-definitive-MAD-magazine-authority) Grant Geissman), and accordion played by Van Dyke himself.

The album was mixed and mastered at Abbey Road by the phenomenal Jim O'Rourke using some 40 tracks spread over two synched up 24 track machines. The album's artwork (pictured above) was created by Benjamin Vierling of Grass Valley, CA in old-master style, using layers of egg-tempura and glazes. I can't wait to see this baby on double gatefold vinyl.

The tracklist again is as follows:
1. Emily.............................12:07
2. Monkey & Bear..............09:29
3. Sawdust & Diamonds.....09:54
4. Only Skin.......................16:53
5. Cosmia..........................07:15

This track's been around, I think, but that's probably because it's absolutely amazing. However, "Emily" will sound nothing like this on Ys, as it will be fully orchestrated and probably even more incredible. I'm so excited for this album, I still don't even know what to expect!

[MP3]: Joanna Newsom :: Emily (live)

Joanna Newsom on MySpace

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The Grates Return to the U.S.

The Grates will be returning to the states this coming September in support of the U.S. release of their fantastic album Gravity Won't Get You High, still one of my favorite albums of the year. These guys and gals put on an incredible show and they aren't playing too many dates, so if they're coming to your town, you better be there!

Dates Are Much More Fun:
Sept. 05 - Cinespace, Los Angeles, CA
Sept. 06 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA +
Sept. 07 - Logan Square, Chicago, IL *
Sept. 08 - Kraftbrau, Kalamazoo, MI *
Sept. 09 - Lee's Palace, Toronto ON *
Sept. 10 - La Sala Rossa, Montreal PQ *
Sept. 12 - Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY <
Sept. 13 - TBA, New York, NY

+ w/ The Like
* w/ Rogue Wave
< w/ The Dears

For a taste of what a Grates show might be like, check out the video for "19-20-20":



The Grates on MySpace

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AIH working on new "dope jamz," lose members

Architecture in Helsinki

It's been a while since we last checked in with everbody's favorite Australian freak pop troupe Architecture in Helsinki and according to a update posted on their website, many things, both good and bad, are abloom!

Friends.

So, It is a hive of creativity in the Helsinki world at the moment. We are in the midst of demoing somewhere between 9 and 20 songs for our new record. Right now we don't have a name but there are many ridiculous working titles! some of which we will list next time around....

Suffice to say, the jamz are sounding dope, though, we are probably getting a little too into Cameron's Latin percussion drum machines (the Phil Collins influence is definitely putting a dampner on that!) All according to plan we should have the record finished by the end of this year for an early to mid 07 release date, hopefully, we will also be able to squeeze in a new single in the meantime.

We will be hitting the road in the US in September/October to roadtest a bunch of the new songs, and also team up with our friends Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, on a run of shows starting around central park in New York City and ending in Los Angeles, CA. (see dates below).

In forthcoming releases section, we are working on compiling an album of remixes of tracks from 'In Case We Die'. Thus far we have mixes from Mocky, Hot Chip, Dat Politics, Squeak e Clean, Qua, 33HZ, Franc Tetaz, Isan, DJ Medhi and Safety Scissors, with a few more to be confirmed. We are ultra happy with the way it is turning out, a wild and motley crew have been involved and their interpretations cater for all moods, for feet, heart and brains! This should see a local release in Australia and the US sometime in September/October, and all going to plan we willl have it to sell on tour in the US in a few of weeks.

In the last months since our spring euro/us sojourn ended, the winds of change have been blowing through our camp. We have to announce that AIH is now a 6 piece as Tara and Isobel are no longer part of the group. The presence and pizazz over the past few years has helped make AIH what we are. We want to thank them endlessly for their heart and energy and wish them the very best with their future endeavours.

And on that note we must bid farewell...

Take care, stop at red lights,
Love,
Architecture in Helsinki

Isobel was my favorite member in the group and she, as well as Tara, will be sorely missed. However, with 9 to 20 new songs on the way, I can't help but think I might just be okay!

In other Architecture in Helsinki news, they have now put their cover of "Pet Sounds" up on their MySpace. I highly recommend you check it out.

Previously on Skatterbrain:
Architecture in Helsinki live on WOXY

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In Ink Please: "Too Hot There Anyhow"

In Ink Please

Like many other bands out there, In Ink Please's members are separated by more than a few states. Jerik Hendrickson and Vanessa Palmer originally formed In Ink Please back in 2003 when they were both living in Fargo, North Dakota. But, in 2004 Vanessa moved out to Seattle to go to college and study Chemistry. The duo still made time to get together and write their pretty pop songs and eventually got a deal with Baltimore, MD's Fall Records, the first home of Page France. Their second release, a full length titled Formica Table For Two will be out soon on Fall Records. I had this track, the third on the upcoming album, on repeat all the way into work this morning.

[MP3]: In Ink Please :: Too Hot There Anyhow
On Formica Table For Two Jerik and Vanessa create warm little pop songs using mostly acoustic guitar and piano, and Vanessa's beauiful voice, of course. I can just picture her peering out of her foggy rain covered window in Seattle singing this lyrics, "You and I have had our differences in the past, but California can we call a temporary truce, so I can see some palm trees and walk the piers, and get myself south enough of here, so I can see some sunshine, for the first time, in a long time."

Ink Ink Please will be on the road through the end of August and most of September. Please go see them.

Tour Dates:
Aug 23 2006 Fantasia Coffeee Bellingham, WA
Aug 24 2006 Teahouse Kuan Yin Seattle, WA
Aug 24 2006 The Mars Bar Seattle, WA
Aug 24 2006 Skylark Cafe and Club Seattle, WA
Aug 25 2006 ABC House Olympia, WA
Aug 26 2006 The Dutch House Portland, OR
Aug 27 2006 The Hideout Redding, CA
Aug 28 2006 1078 Gallery Chico, CA
Aug 29 2006 Sweet Lou's Cotati, CA
Aug 30 2006 Hotel Utah Saloon San Francisco, CA
Aug 31 2006 Mainzer Theater Merced, CA
Sep 1 2006 Jive 'n' Java Fallon, NV
Sep 2 2006 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
Sep 4 2006 The Trunk Space Phoenix, AZ
Sep 5 2006 Burt's Tiki Lounge Albuquerque, NM
Sep 7 2006 The Dusty Bookshelf Manhattan, KS
Sep 8 2006 The Electric Snake Wichita, KS
Sep 9 2006 Radish Infoshop Springfield, MO
Sep 9 2006 Lemmon's Saint Louis, MO
Sep 10 2006 Big Car Gallery Indianapolis, IN
Sep 12 2006 Ottobar Baltimore, MD
Sep 15 2006 House New York City, NY
Sep 17 2006 TBA Detroit, MI
Sep 18 2006 TBA Madison, WI
Sep 19 2006 Courderoy's Espresso Chicago, IL
Sep 20 2006 TBA Des Moines, IA
Sep 21 2006 The Cave Northfield, MN
Sep 22 2006 VFW Fargo, ND

In Ink Please on MySpace

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I Felt Myself Overflowing

The Bank Holidays

After a bit of a break from guitar pop yesterday, the jangle is back! It has recently occured to me that Australia has been churning out amazingly good indie pop bands the past couple years, and I have just been completely oblivious, until now. Though I still haven't heard more than two songs, I can safely that The Bank Holidays are now one of my favorite Australian imports. They make smart indie guitar pop in the vein of bands like The Shins and The Zombies. The band's last two EPs were full to the brim with immediately catchy melodies, full band Beach Boys-esque harmonies, and surprisingly intelligent drumming for a simple indie pop band. But I guess they're really not that simple afterall. Keep your eye on this band.

The Bank Holidays' first two EPs Good Looks To Camera and Day For Night, released 2004 and 2005, respectively are avaible from The Lost and Lonesome Recording Co for $10 each. The band is currently recording their debut full length. This track comes from their first EP, Good looks To Camera, and is summery pop bliss.

[MP3]: The Bank Holidays :: Tread Easy (Very Rec'd and Stuff!!!)
The song opens with a chorus of ba-ba-ba's that sound like they came right off Pet Sounds. The lyrics have this sort of confident laziness to them that James Mercer had down on Oh, Inverted World (but, not so much on Chutes) and the guitar melody accentuates them perfectly. The part that still sticks out the most to me are the drums that lead you into the chorus, "snare snare snare, tom tom tom, snare snare snare." it's so simple, yet so deviously clever at the same time and it manages to grab you and make you remember it.

Check out the fantastic video for "Tread Easy"

The Bank Holidays on MySpace

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You must must must must go watch the video for The Light Footwork's incredible song "The Art of Everyday Communication, Part 1" because a) the song is amazing, b) the video is great, and c) Becca is a cutie pie. (via GvB)

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Dark Meat: "Angel of Meth"

Dark Meat/Vomit Lasers Family Band/Galaxy or just Dark Meat for short, is all of the talent in the city of Athens, Georgia, in one gigantic band. Well, almost. The number of bands with connections to Dark Meat surpasses 20 and at any given time the band includes at least 15 members, sometimes more. The Athens music scene has always been about a sense of community and Dark Meat is just that.

Dark Meat's debut, Universal Indian, is the sound of an entire community coming together to create something huge, and have a lot of fun at the same time. Pulling together a full choir of voices and an enormous collection of instruments from electric guitar and tuba all the way down to bongo drums and harp, Dark Meat are Athens' rolicking answer to The Polyphonic Spree. Universal Indian will be October 24th on Cloud Recordings, home of the Olivia Tremor Control, Circulatory System, and the Tall Dwarfs. If you feel like you're ready, check out this track from Universal Indian right now.

[MP3]: Dark Meat :: Angel of Meth ( Highly Recommended!)
If you took Black Mountain, dragged their drunk asses out of Canada and dropped them down in Athens for a year, gave them a full choir and a horn ensemble or two, locked them in a backyard and told them to make just one song, this would be that song. I don't really have anything else to say.

Dark Meat/Vomit Lasers Family Band/Galaxy on MySpace

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New Silversun Pickups Video!

The only band I've been steadily listening to lately that isn't cutely indie pop is the Silversun Pickups. Their new album Carnavas will probably end up being one of my favorite albums of the year. Check out the brand new video for one of my favorite songs on the album, "Well Thought Out Twinkles." The video looks like it came right right out of a dream, and is very visually intresting. Also notice the drummer's setup, it's arranged rather strange. Ooh, a rhyme.

[MOV]: The Silversun Pickups :: Well Thought Out Twinkles (Low)
[MOV]: The Silversun Pickups :: Well Thought Out Twinkles (Hi)

[WMV]: The Silversun Pickups :: Well Thought Out Twinkles (Low)
[WMV]: The Silversun Pickups :: Well Thought Out Twinkles (Hi)

Silversun Pickups on MySpace

Related:
Silversun Pickups and Viva Voce announce fall tour

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Bobby Baby: "Lucky Moments"

Two of my favorite blogs, Indie MP3 and Swedes Please, have already covered covered Bobby Baby fairly extensively in the past, but since she's awesome and came up on iTunes randomly today I figured I'd share a song with you. Since 2002 Ella has been making dreamy indie pop all on her own at home under the aliases Kangasmukko, Ella Glockenspiel and currently, Bobby Baby. Then in August 2005 Bobby Baby and Lucky Misu started the Do What You Doo! studio, where she now records all of her music. In May she released the Loves To Dance EP on Red Letter Day Records, and recorded a few more songs that have yet to be released. This song doesn't appear on the EP but it's probably my favorite song of her's.

[MP3]: Bobby Baby :: Lucky Moments (So Recommended!)
I think the reason I like this song so much is because, unlike the majority of her other songs that lean more on the electro indie pop side, this one relies on a melody led by acoustic guitar. Ella sings lyrics like "I like the moments in between, go to work and go to sleep, I like resting my head on your shoulder" with such a childlike innocence in her voice that I can't help but always smile.

Watch the video for "The Some Place New" from the Loves To Dance EP.
Buy the Loves To Dance EP from Red Letter Day Records

Bobby Baby on MySpace

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The Marshmallow Kisses: "My Dear Giant"

I'm not gonna lie, if MySpace didn't exist, there's a good chance that Skatterbrain wouldn't either. That being said, I have been spending excessively excessive amounts of time on there lately trying to find/here as much indie pop as I can. Often I spend hours on there with nothing at all to show for it, but sometimes I find something amazing like The Marshmallow Kisses. They sound exactly like you would imagine a band named The Marshmallow Kisses would sound. The Marshmallow Kisses are Peter and Edine. These songs comes from their I Wonder Why My Favorite Boy Leaves Me An EP last spring on the Taiwan label Silent Agreement. Fall in love and enjoy!

[MP3]: The Marshmallow Kisses :: My Dear Giant (Super Recommended!!!)
[MP3]: The Marshmallow Kisses :: Everyone Else Is Ahead, Far Ahead
They say they sound like Belle and Sebastian, but I don't really see much of a connection besides the fact that they both make absolutely perfect indie pop. "My Dear Giant" has appeared in a few TV commercials over in China and Taiwan, and when you hear it, you'll know why. You could pretty much sell whatever you wanted with Peter and Edine's amazing harmonies floating in the background. When the synth strings and tambourine come in for the chorus, you'll be hooked, I guarantee it.

If you're not in Hong Kong or Taiwan and would like to buy a copy of the I Wonder Why My Favorite Boy Leaves Me An EP send Peter an Email and tell him you want to buy one.

The Marshmallow Kisses on MySpace

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There's a whole bunch of new links in the blogroll in the sidebar and I couldn't encourage you more to check out every last one of them, because they're all great. Also, By now I'm sure you've noticed I changed some things around here. I'd love to hear what you think. Comments? Critiques?

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Beauty Sleep: "Mayor of Athens"

It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who's been reading for the past week or so that I'm now obsessed with The Besties. Well, The Besties are on Skipping Stones Records and while I was browsing their website I stumbled upon another Brooklyn band (friends of The Besties, no less) by the name of Beauty Sleep. Skipping Stones will be releasing Beauty Sleep's debut full length Songs On Tape Records this winter. Here's a new track from the upcoming release.

[MP3]: Beauty Sleep :: Mayor of Athens (Pretty Recommended)
The band states their two biggest influences as being Rilo Kiley and Built To Spill, which is actually quite evident in their music, and especially this song. The lyrics and melodies say pop, but the catchy as hell guitarwork in the verses hints that Beauty Sleep is much more than just a pop band. The guitar I speak of almost reminds me of the toy piano melody in "2am" by Thee More Shallows. Anybody else?

Interested in more new songs? Send them an email will your cell phone number and they'll play you a new song on your voicemail. How neat! Assuming that they actually do it.

Beauty Sleep on MySpace

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The Airfields: "Lonely Halls"

While I wait for art to get finished for The Airfields' Laneways 10" EP I figured I'd go ahead and introduce you guys to them here. They come stock with two keywords: "Canada" and "Jangle Pop." Now either both or at least one of those words has now got you interested, and if that's not the case than you shouldn't be reading this. Go, get out of here, jerk. Okay, for those of you still with us, check out this awesome track from their Laneways EP. The CD version of Laneways is currently available for buyage and the 10" should be ready soon. I'll keep you posted.

[MP3]: The Airfields :: Lonely Halls (Highly Recommended!)
If you caught my post a little while ago on Rocketship, then imagine them, sans organ, and you've pretty much got The Airfields. Here, twinkling guitars interweave creating a dream-like melody that shares as much in common with early Sarah Records era pop as it does with My Bloody Valentine or Slowdive. The lyrics however are typical pop fare flowy gracefully in the verses and then hitting sharper in the chorus following the snare drum's orders.

Visit Humblebee Records and buy Laneways on CD now. Or, like me, you can wait until the sure-to-be beautiful handmade 10" is finished. The guys (and gal) have been on a break from performing since May and are writing and recording steadily for their debut full length that will no doubt be awesome. Also, I highly recommend heading here and checking out the video for their song "Red Fox," which also comes from the Laneways EP.

The Airfields on MySpace

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Totally Twee Super Summer Mega Mix

Okay, so I'm aware that Summer's beginning to wind down, but I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet. I've created a mix, using the most special of ingredients, known to be very powerful against the threat of fall and it's plans to overtake Summer. Join me in listening to this mix all day long and riding Summer out as long as we can! P.S. It's not all twee, but most of it is, so whatever. You can download the big boy .ZIP file, or if you're into having yourself a buffet, you can download all songs seperately below.

[ZIP]: Totally Twee Super Summer Mega Mix (73mb)

[MP3]: The Besties :: Prison Song
[MP3]: I'm From Barcelona :: This Boy
[MP3]: Tommy James & The Shondells :: I Think We're Alone Now
[MP3]: Postal Blue :: The World Doesn't Need You
[MP3]: Arrah and the Ferns :: Apple For Evan
[MP3]: Bishop Allen :: Charm School
[MP3]: Go Sailor :: Fine Day For Sailing
[MP3]: Acid House Kings :: Keep Your Love
[MP3]: Tullycraft :: Wild Bikini
[MP3]: The Brrr :: Beauty and the Beast
[MP3]: Suburban Kids With Biblical Names :: Rent A Wreck
[MP3]: The Specific Heats :: Ice Cream Shop
[MP3]: Pants Yell! :: Public Gardens
[MP3]: The Lil' Hospital :: Fast Learners
[MP3]: Rocketship :: Kisses Are Always Promises
[MP3]: The Pipettes :: Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me
[MP3]: Stauesque :: Choir Above Fire Below
[MP3]: Of Montreal :: Sleeping In A Beetle Bug
[MP3]: Vells :: Hey Hey La La
[MP3]: Jens Lekman :: A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammer Hill

I didn't number those, but that's the order their in in the playlist, so yeah. Hope you guys enjoy this mix as much as I do (I burned it and listened to it all weekend long!) and if there's anything you particularly like on here, let me know in the comments and I'll post more of it!

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Also, if you haven't yet, head over to Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good and check out Taylor's super sweet back to school mix. I'm so glad he included "There She Goes," it couldn't have been more perfect!

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Grizzly Bear Vs. Of Montreal

When I heard news of the new Of Montreal remix album Satanic Twins (Polyvinyl) I was a little shocked. At the time, it seemed to me that Of Montreal were already weird enough that remixes would just be overkill. Well, to my surprise not only are the remixes defnitely not overkill, but most of them are pretty damn good. Take this remix of "I Was A Landscape In Your Dream" for example, by the incredible Grizzly Bear.

[MP3]: Of Montreal :: I Was A Landscape In Your Dream [Grizzly Bear remix]
Here, in true Grizzly Bear style, they take one of darker songs from The Sunlandic Twins and make it even darker. Utilizing mostly organ drone and slow crackling static the song takes on a whole new incredibly dense ethereal feeling that I think not only might fit the lyrics better, but also makes the chorus of ooh's and ahh's that much more eerie. In fact, if I'm not being too bold, I'm gonna go ahead and say I like this remix more than the original. Compare and decide for yourself.

[MP3]: Of Montreal :: I Was A Landscape In Your Dream

Preorders for Satanic Twins went out yesterday, so if you STILL haven't ordered your copy yet, what the hell are you waiting for? Head over to Polyvinyl Records and get yourself a copy of the limited edition 2LP. Or yknow, you could suck and just get it digitally on August 22nd via iTunes, eMusic, or anywhere else fine MP3's are sold.

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The Best Thing I've Seen All Week!

This is the video for the feel good song of the year, "Prison Song" by The Besties. When I found this video today it completely made my week, the dancing is hilarious and the girls are adorable. Basically, it's the best thing ever. Enjoy.



The Besties on MySpace

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Holy Shit: "Written All Over Your Face"

As you might have noticed, this blog is becoming almost 100% pop focused lately. If you're not a huge sucker for pop like I am, then I'm sorry because here's some more. It's a shame that HOLY SHIT wasn't around when I was a kid because they would have been a great excuse to say "HOLY SHIT" all the time and be able to get away with it. However, it's probably a good thing there around now because I'm pretty sure my 12 year old self would have hated them. My 20 year old self though, well he likes Matt Fishbeck and he likes Ariel Pink, and he especially likes it when they get together to make carefree pop tunes like this one.

[MP3]: Holy Shit :: Written All Over Your Face
What I love about this song is that while it's still got an Ariel Pink feel to it, it also feels much more focused. Focused as in, unlike a lot of of his solo stuff, I want to listen to this song on repeat over and over again. While the guitar carrys the main melody, I think it's the high hat tinkering and hand claps that really do it for me. The song's finest moment comes just as you think the song is about to end and then the handclaps come back in as he sings " I dont have to ask you, it's written all over your face" over and over again into the sunset.

BONUS [MP3]: Ariel Pink :: Getting High in the Morning

Holy Shit's Stranded at Two Harbors is out now on UUAR
Holy Shit on MySpace


Elsewheres:
Here's a new Beck video that's been floating around Youtube. The song is called "Nausea" and it's nothing short of awesome. There's also some great skating in the video too.

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Polyvinyl Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Last year something wonderful happened. The basically unknown Missouri band with the funny name Someone Still Loves Boris Yeltsin uploaded a few songs to their website. Within weeks they were plastered all over every music website that wasn't sleeping in a hole. Broom, the album that these songs called home, displayed some of the finest, effortlessly amazing pop songs my ears had heard in a long while. Plus, you gotta love a band who puts their home phone number on their website.

It wasn't long before they were ending up on every "best of '05" list, recieving national coverage, and being hailed as the band that "could succeed The Shins." After releasing Broom on there own, the band eventually singed with wonderful Polyvinyl Records, who are now gearing up to re-release Broom on CD and 180g vinyl LP. If you've just came out of your cryogenic freezer and haven't heard Broom yet, check out this track.

[MP3]: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin :: Gwenyth
The opening piano/drum melody is one that immediately stuck with me. The opening melody of "Gwenyth" and the time change on "I Am Warm + Powerful" are probably my two favorite moments on Broom. I'm not sure who exactly this Gwenyth is, but they sure do talk about her a lot. She must be a pretty nice girl. Yes, I know I could probably find out who she is fairly easily, but her current mysteriousness is fascinating to me.

Here's a bonus MP3 for you guys. This is an earlier version of one of my favorite tracks from Broom. This one appeared on the Gwyn and Grace EP, which they released back in 2004
[MP3]: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin :: I Am Powerful And Warm

Broom will be made available nationally for the first time October 24, 2006 on Polyvinyl Records. I highly suggest you buy the shit out of it.

Elsewhere: Head over to Daytrotter and check out their great interview with SSLYBY and download a couple exclusive live tracks from their session there.

Also:


The Meeting Places

Los Angeles' The Meeting Places will release their sophmore record Numbered Days this coming October on Minneapolis label Words On Music. Think The Shins, if they were heavily influenced by The Cure and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Buried beneath the dreamy vocals and shiny twinkling guitars on "Hall of Fame" is an infectious pop melody that becomes harder and harder to deny the more I listen to it.

[MP3]: The Meeting Places :: Hall of Fame

The Meeting Places on MySpace

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The Besties: "79 Lorimer Song"

The Besties play some of the cutest and catchiest indie pop currently coming out of Brooklyn. They released their debut album Singer back in February(Valentines Day to be exact) on Skipping Stones Records. Their songs are full of keyboard and guitar driven melodies topped off with the always lovable girl/boy vocal trade-offs. This song actually comes from their earlier EP which was released before Singer. The reason I'm posting this one is because well, it's my favorite song from them for one. And two, I hadn't listened to it in a while and I had forgotten how great it was, so I hope you enjoy!

[MP3]: The Besties :: 79 Lorimer Song (Mighty Recommeded!)*
I've noticed lately that I have a harder time describing why I like songs that I really really like than the songs that I just kinda like. There's no resolution there, just a random thought. However, I do know why I love this song. It's the chorus, the chorus that I can't even understand most of yet still sing along with everytime waiting for my chance to sing "three times for the metal band that plays upstairs!"

*Mighty Recommended if you like cutesy, twee-esque, indie pop. Come to think of it, I've been posting a hell of a lot of pop lately, most specifically cutesy lighthearted pop, so you must all be used to it by now. And if you're not into it you're probably not reading this, so I guess we're cool!

The Besties have got a few shows coming up in August, and then a few more in October culminating with a set at Popfest New England!

Aug 10 Little Kings Athens, GA
Aug 11 Moon Colony Razorblade Jacksonville, FL
Aug 12 SK Netcafe Charlotte, NC
Oct 1 The Cakeshop New York , NY
Oct 7 POPFEST NEW ENGLAND!! Northhampton, MA

The Besties on MySpace

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Jewlie over at The Fabulist posted a band the other day by the name of The Parson Red Heads. She's been singing me her praises for several days and now that I've finally heard them I can strongly recommend that you head over there and check them out immediately.

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Viva Voce and Silversun Pickups Co-Headline Tour

Viva Voce's got an amazing record on the way and Silversun Pickups recently released an album that I've been almost unable to put down. So what do they do now? They tour across the U.S. together, of course. If you've somehow missed the boat on either of these bands then catch yourself up and make it a point to be at one of these dates. It's a shame most bands forget that Maryland exists.

[MP3]: Viva Voce :: When Planets Collide
[MP3]: Silversun Pickups :: Well Thought Out Twinkles

Dates Dates Dates:

9.28 Rickshaw Stop - San Francisco CA
9.29 Howie and Sons - Visalia CA
9.30 The Echo - Los Angeles CA
10.1 Modified - Phoenix AZ
10.3 Emo’s - Austin TX
10.4 Opolis - Norman OK
10.5 Randy Bacon Gallery - Springfield MO
10.7 Courtyard Café - Urbana IL
10.8 Southgate House - Newport KY
10.10 Iota Club and Café - Arlington VA
10.11 Mercury Lounge - New York NY
10.12 Mercury Lounge - New York NY
10.13 Johnny Brenda’s - Philadelphia PA
10.15 Middle East Upstairs - Cambridge MA
10.16 The Bug Jar - Rochester NY
10.17 Lee’s Palace - Toronto ON
10.18 The Lime Spider - Akron OH
10.20 Empty Bottle - Chicago IL
10.21 Maintenance Shop - Ames IA
10.24 Hi Dive - Denver CO
10.26 Neurolux - Boise ID
10.28 Doug Fir Lounge - Portland OR

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Bishop Allen: "Click Click Click Click"

It's that time again! Now, you might have already seen this posted on a few other blogs already, but I felt the need to give my two cents because I love Bishop Allen and also because "Click Click Click Click" is now officially my favorite Bishop Allen song. "Click Click Click Click" appears on Bishop Allen's July EP which, in my opinion, is the best one they've put out so far. As always, you can preorder the July EP, as well as pick up any of the previous month's EPs at Bishop Allen's quaint little store.

[MP3]: Bishop Allen :: Click Click Click Click (Super Recommended!)
My new favorite Bishop Allen song starts with careful acoustic picking that carries along through the first verse and chorus and then drums welcome in the rest of the band and the song really gets going, becoming the best guitar pop tune I've heard in a while. Also, it doesn't hurt that this might just be the catchiest chorus they've ever written. It amazes me how these EPs manage to not only stay fresh, but become better and better every month. Hats off to you, Bishop Allen.

Bishop Allen on MySpace

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The Velvet Teen: "GyzmKid"

I got started on The Velvet Teen a little late, but I've held a steady love for them since first hearing Elysium last year which is why I can't believe I almost forgot about their new record Cum Laude. Going into this record being only exposed to Elysium prior to it was quite a swift kick in the face. The album jumps all over the place, as well as still jumping into the sound that keeps a lot of people from becoming fans. That sound would be the sometimes emo-esque vocals and lyrics. That put me off a bit at first, but the music is just too engaging, insane, and in my opinion, brilliant to let a few whiny parts deter me from enjoying an otherwise incredible album. Anyway, whether that piqued your interest or not, do yourself a favor and check out this track. Cum Laude was released by Slowdance Records on July 25th.

[MP3]: The Velvet Teen :: GyzmKid (Very Highly Recommended!)
[MP3]: The Velvet teen :: Tokyoto (Also Highly Recommened!)
For lack of a better word, "GyzmKid" is an complete and utter mindf**k. The buzzing keyboard that you first hear only gives a quick hint as to what kind of ridiculous speed-freak drumming that Casey Deitz has waiting right around the corner. Then after a little buildup of Space Invaders-sounding bips and bleeps, the guitar comes in and wow. Just wow. I can't get enough of this song or this whole album, actually.

Buy Cum Laude from Amazon.com
The Velvet Teen on MySpace

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Kite Flying Society Tour Dates

Kite Flying Society's first ever tour begins today, Tuesday, August 8. Here are the tour dates - if you are in a city where their playing, you better go. Tell your friends, and you friends' friends, and your friends' friends' friends.

Le Dates:

August 08 Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland (Early show, on at 8pm)
August 10 Salem, OR - Cafe Noir (7pm)
August 11 Portland, OR - The Acme (9pm)
August 15 San Francisco, CA - The Make-Out Room (9pm)
August 16 San Diego, CA - The Casbah (9pm)
August 19 San Diego, CA - M-Theory Records (In-store 3pm)

[MP3]: Kite Flying Society :: If I Could Split

If you can't make it out to a show to snag it in person, then head over to their website and pick up the new album Where is the Glow?
Kite Flying Society on MySpace

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The World Doesn't Need You Now

Postal Blue is a three piece twee outfit from Brazil, except they sound very European, very Belle and Sebastian. The vocals sound very similar to Stuart's, the guitars would fit right in anywhere on If You're Feeling Sinister, the sparse snare and cymbal drumming even echos Belle and Sebastian. I'm not going to hold it against them though, because their music is also very much their own and it's been keeping me entertained all morning.

Pop Matters said, "The joy and beauty that Postal Blue finds in its exploration of, well, "blue" moods elevates this album from what a Nick Hornby character would deride as "sad bastard music". The ideal listener for Postal Blue's compositions is the same type of person described in "Rainy Day": those who find a sense of joy in the depressing and a sense of depression in the joyful"

Postal Blue's new Ep Road To Hapiness was released back in February on Humblebee Recordings, you can order it HERE.

[MP3]:
The World Doesn't Need You
Weather Sensitive
Puzzle

P.S. This was a repost because I've been steadily busy all day. Something new tonight, ok? Ok.

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Tick tock you're not a clock

I've always hated The Format, and I still probably do, but it would be a bold lie for me to deny that this song isn't one of the catchiest things I've heard in a while. What do you guys think?

[MP3]: The Format :: Time Bomb (Recommended A lot)
I had avoided their new album completely, but a few people had told me that Time Bomb was one of the best songs of the year so I figured I should look into it. Now, it's hardly the best song of the year, but this chorus has some serious staying power. It'll be in your head for a while.

The Format on MySpace

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Lil' Hospital at WMUC Tonight!

EDIT: I didn't make it out. I got stuck in a boat in the middle a river :(

If you're in Maryland, DC , or Virginia come out WMUC @ The University of Maryland tonight for a night of awesome east coast indie pop! Sorta like Indiepopalooza which took place a couple weeks back, but actually with a far superior lineup. Hope to see you there! Visit www.wmucradio.com for directions and stuff.

Check out the bands on MySpace:

Lil' Hospital
The Maybellines
The Besties
The Specific Heats
The Up Set

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(New!) The Blow: "Pile of Gold"

Paper Television, the new album from Khaela Maricich and Jona Bechtolt, also known collectively as The Blow, will be out October 24th on the illustrious K Records. This song is the jam of the week, that drum and bass beat is ridiculously infectious. Good luck getting this one out of your head: "All the girls are sittin' on a pile of gold, all the girls, the boys you know they want it, they want it want it." I want it.

[MP3]: The Blow :: Pile of Gold (Jam of the Week!)

The Blow have a MySpace

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Arrah and the Ferns: "Emo Phillips"

Before I say anything more let me forward this by saying that if you're one of those people that like banjos and cute indie pop music, then this might just be the best thing you've heard in a while. The combination of hearing both Arrah and the Ferns and The Changes within a day of each other has really put me in an extremely poppy mood and given me hope that pop music will always be the best music. But yknow, this feeling could change within a week. But for now, I'm just going to enjoy it.

Arrah and the Ferns hail from good ole Muncie, Indiana. Now, I just drove throuhg Indiana a few days ago and I've gotta say, it looks like making music might be one of the four fun things to do there. Just kidding, of course, to all you Indianians. Arrah and the Ferns' new record Evan is A Vegan was released this year on the Standard Recording Companys, home of Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, Everything Now! and others. Okay, now here are your simple instructions: 1) listen to this song 2) fall in love with it 3) buy the record. It's that simple!

[MP3]: Arrah and the Ferns :: Emo Phillips (Super Totally Recommended!!)
There is not a second of this song that does not have me grinning ear to ear. Arrah's voice is made to sing this kind of music, it's just so perfect. It's cute, but with just enough sass to pull off the lyrics The lyrics that, well, are awesome in my humble opinion: "OMG he broke up with me, now I hate the world, and I hate you too, she said. OMG, tell me who's that girl, on his myspace, I think I'll kill myself, she said." I dont know about you, but I think they're hilarious. But not ridiculous enough to deem the song cheesy, because actually, it's an extremely catchy and well written pop song, with an unexpected explosion at the end. A pop explosion!

Also download this almost equally awesome track from Evan is A Vegan.
[MP3]: Arrah and the Ferns :: Apple for Evan (Megareccadactyl!!)

Buy Evan is A Vegan for only $9!
OMG, like, they're on MySpace

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Cansei De Ser Sexy @ Pitchfork 7.30.06

After finally convincing Matt to go over to the Biz tent and watch CSS we were already a little bit late and ended up getting pretty crappy spots. However, crappy spots or not, I still loved them. Lovefoxxx is an insane performer and just feeds off the crowd and they in turn fed off her crazy manerisms (and fashion). It was a big Brazilian cycle of awesome and I just wish I was closer up to see it all.

[MP3]: CSS :: Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above

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The Changes: "Water on the Gods"

Fact: There is just not enough jangy pop being made these days. The indie pop scene is getting more and more clogged up with casios and laptops everyday and the jangle just seems to not be as prevalent. There's been a bit of a popular comeback lately with Voxtrot's brand of 60's style guitar pop filling the ears of every hipster accross the world. So, just as in any scenario when there is a lack of something great, everytime it comes around it's a huge breath of fresh air. That's exactly why I'm so hooked on The Changes right now.

Prooving that Chicago knows how to pop just as good as anyone else, The Changes play shiny guitar pop that jumps back and forth from The Sea and Cake-esque tunes to straight twee pop throughout the entirety their upcoming record Today is Tonight. If you love Voxtrot, or jangy 60's influenced pop in general, then say hello to your new favorite band. Today is Tonight is out in September on Drama Club Records.

[MP3]: The Changes :: Water on the Gods
Like I said above, this album has a few faces. Well, this song would definitely fall into the more twee side of the album, which as might have guessed, is my favorite of the albums many personalities. As soon as I hear that opening note I just wanna crank this up and go running around outside. But I'm not going to, cause it's humid as hell outside. i'll just wiggle in my seat. yeah, that'll work.

The Changes on MySpace

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I'd like to urge you to go check out Resounder, a new music blog that doesn't look like a blogger template. Hooray! Some great stuff over there, new and old.

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Danielson @ Pitchfork 7.30.06

Danielson was probably my third most anticipated band on day two, behind Jens and CSS who, like Danielson, both put on fantastic shows. Jens was playing right after Danielson though and I knew we'd have to leave their set early to get sgood spots so we were more than delighted when they played all three of my favorites first, including "Did I Step on Your Trumpet?" and "Cast It at a Setting Sail."

[MP3]: Danielson :: Did I Step on Your Trumpet?

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Feel it feel it golden light

As many might know, I'm hardly a fan of electronica and dance music and rarely post about it here, but sometimes, there are exceptions, like Lisa Papineau. You may remember Lisa from her guest vocals in M83's "Teen Angst" last year, but if you don't it's okay because it's stickered right on the front of Lisa's new album Night Moves. For good reason though; her vocals on that song were incredible and they're just as great here. This girl has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard, even if she does use it for electronica.

[MP3]: Lisa Papineau :: The Quiet Storm (Highly Recommended!)
The fascinating thing about this song, besides Lisa's silky smooth voice, is how it manages to all at once be dancable, catchy, and beautiful. She flows in and out of the choruses so smoothly that it's almost like the whole song is just one single verse. However, there are choruses, and by the time you're through the first you'll waiting one the edge of your seat for the second one.

[MP3]: Lisa Papineau :: Out To You (Highly Recommended!)
This song is much more sparse musically than "The Quiet Storm," showcasing Lisa's voice stronger than anywhere else on the album. Besides a bit of synth, Lisa's voice is the melody here and it ends up being wildly catchy, in the laziest way possible. Again, when her voice rises up in the chorus you're kinda just knocked back in your seat.

BONUS [MP3]: M83 :: Teen Angst (Highly Recommended!)

Buy Night Moves by Lisa Papineau

Lisa Papineau on MySpace

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I think they heard a rumor

I didn't really feel like posting at work today, but here we are. I was browsing the Asthmatic Kitty website this morning and noticed a new record by Belltower. Turns out Belltower isn't so much a band as it is just one woman. That woman is Bridgit DeCook, AK label friend, Illinoisemaker, Castanet, and righthand woman to Liz Janes live. Being best friends with Asthmatic Kitty obviously has it's perks, as they been kind enough to exclusively release Belltower's first record, Sweet Fruit. The drastically reworked cover of the Pet Shop Boys' "Two Divided by Zero" is a perfect example of the dark acoustic beauty within Sweet Fruit.

[MP3]: Belltower :: Two Divided by Zero (Pet Shop Boys Cover)

Buy Sweet Fruit from Asthmatic Kitty for just $5

also:

For those of you that can read French, there is some news of the upcoming Joanna Newsom record set for release in November on Drag City Records. Looks like just five songs, but if you notice, they're all quite long. I'm not sure how I feel about this, but it looks like there are more than a few great producers on board, so who knows.

Joanna est de retour

La folkeuse à la harpe Joanna Newsom sera de retour dans les bacs le 6 novembre (Drag City), avec un nouvel album intitulé ys, faisant suite à The Milk-eyed Mender.

Il est coproduit par Van Dyke Parks (U2, Beach Boys,Bruce Springsteen, Tim Buckley, The Buena Vista Social Club), enregistré sous la supervision de Steve Albini et mixé par Jim O’Rourke.

Tracklisting :
1. Emily 12:07
2. Monkey & Bear 09:29
3. Sawdust & Diamonds 09:54
4. Only Skin 16:53
5. Cosmia 07:15

Vu la longueur des titres on sent que ça va passer non stop sur les ondes

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The Grates Announce UK Dates!

I've gotta go head out the door right now, but I've got a few more reviews and photos from Pitchfork to post later today, so check back a little later!

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Jens Lekman @ Pitchfork 7.30.06

Since Matt and I are huge fans of pop, we were both equally extremely excited to see Jens Lekman on day two more than anyone else. As it turns out our extremely high expectations were more than surpassed and his set ended up being my favorite of the entire festival.

We spent most of day two discussing how to pronounce Jens (turns out it's pronounced "yenz") and Jens' "maidens," as Matt aptly named them, and which one we thought was the cutest and how jealous we were of Jens having the privilege of touring with all six of them. I called dibs on the bassist, but Matt felt the trumpet-playing maiden was far cuter. What do you guys think?

It wasn't all about the maidens though, Jens' songs couldn't have been more perfect for the weather and they had the entire crowd singing and swaying along. As the equation typically always goes, good crowd = good show and that was the case here. Oh and I also took a lot of photos of the bassist, as you'll notice below.

[MP3]: Jens Lekman :: You Are The Light


The huge Danielson crowd we had to fight through to go get our sweet sweet spots for Jens.








I told you I took a lot of photos of the bassist!


I also took a photo of Matt in Taylor's sweet shades.


Preparing to bow like the classy and respectable Swedes they are.

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