Attending college in the town of Claremont, CA can prove just far enough from L.A. (about forty minutes) to feel musically relevant. Quality concerts are sparse, often requiring the kind of adventurous, treasure-seeking attitude that college students can spare little time for. Keg parties are quite time consuming, you see...
Formed in 2000 by Pomona graduates Chris Cain (bass and back-up vocals) and Keith Murray (guitar and lead vocals), as well as Harvey Mudd alum Michael Tapper (drums and back-up vocals), the boys quickly developed a sizable cult following with their two self-made LPs and two self-produced EPs. By 2006 they were touring with the likes of Maximo Park, The Arctic Monkeys, and The Mystery Jets, playing David Letterman and Conan O'Brien along the way.
When indie-rocker Michael Benjamin Lerner signed a record deal with Merge Records earlier this year, he quickly released his band's first self-titled debut, Telekinesis. Produced by Death Cab's Chris Walla, this Seattle-based band reinvents power-pop perfection. Despite an album chalk full of bubbly chords and irresistible hooks, my favorite track is the slower ballad "I Saw Lightning."
Since reading more about two of the most influential independent labels in U.S. history (Thanks history of rock textbook), my love for the sixties has only grown. Never thought that was possible. Both Motown and Stax records were born from humble beginnings; the one man and a dream conception, that led to family run organizations, and eventually, two powerhouse studios that stand as rock n' roll landmarks today.
Founded in 1959 by professional boxer, songwriter, and producer Berry Gordy, Motown Records became famous for it's assembly line production. Artists were shuttled in off the streets of Detroit and into a rigorous grooming process including finishing school, etiquette classes, dance lessons, and stage presence instruction by executive musical director Maurice King. Artists' careers were cultivated slowly, under the watchful eye of Gordy, and his infamous attention to detail. With what he called "The Sound of Young America," Gordy transformed an $800 loan (used to purchase the old studio house, affectionately christened "Hitsville, USA") into a multi-million dollar company. In it's most successful years between 1964-1967 Motown produced fourteen #1 Pop singles, twenty #1 R&B singles, forty-six more Top Fifteen Pop singles, and seventy-five more Top Fifteen R&B singles. Artists like The Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye, The Impressions, The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and Smokey Robinson all thrived for years under the Motown label.
Around the same time down in Memphis, Stax Records was founded amidst a hotbed of racial tension. Despite the fact that in most southern cities, segregation prevaled and perverted nearly all daily interaction, Memphis's "transracial" attitude was unique. Music - particualrily the thriving nightclub scene - allowed for blacks and whites to comingle harmoniously and without incident. Judgments from one musician to the next were predicated on talent, not race or skin color. Like Motown, Stax began with one man: Jim Stewart. A bank worker by day, Stewart started Satellite records out of a garage in 1957, until the financial support of his sister Estelle allowed the duo to move into an abandoned theater. Their first big break came in 1961 when one of their artists, The Mar-Keys (formerly The Royal Spades) hit pay dirt with their single "Last Night." Satellite changed their name to Stax that same year, and "Soulsville, USA" was born. Over the next fifteen years, Stax produced the most extensive catalogue of soul music to date. Artists like Same and Dave, Booker T. and The MG's, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding lifted the label out of obscurity and into the annals of rock n' roll history.
If you haven't heard the awesome word, the FREE remix album of Daft Punk's Human After All dropped today. The buzzed about album was a collaborative effort; ten of the best music bloggers chose a favorite on the verge DJ/producer to rework a track. Learn more about it and download the LP in it's entirety over at my fav, Sheena Beaston. 
Today's Listen and Love: Project Jenny, Project Jan's infectiously ambient 2007 debut, XOXOXOXOXO. While most of the album defies categorization, every track can certainly be labeled entertaining. Rhythmically diverse and sonically original, this badass duo know how to jump-start even the lamest celebration.
No breaking news here folks. Heartless Bastards latest release has been snowballing buzz since January of this year. With the release of The Mountain on February 3, 2009 the "Best Album of the Year" label was instantaneously thrown around by bloggers and music journalists alike. Despite being released around the time of the critically-acclaimed Merriweather Post Pavilion, The Mountain managed to penetrate the online community, even turning the ears of Animal Collective's most devout worshipers. For previous fans, this LP may appear more downtempo and polished than the hard-rocking ferocity of Stairs and Elevators. After a thorough listen (or ten), newcomers and die-hard fans alike can't help but fall head over heels. Trust me. Even for Heartless Bastards, there sure is a lot to love...
Just a little reminder that, wherever you are, you should be having one. A beach party that is. Solo BPs are not only acceptable, they're radical. Make sure to bring your iPod and a pink flamingo to keep you company.
Today's installment was born out my anticipation for the upcoming release of John Vanderslice's latest, Romanian Names. The album is set to be released next Tuesday, May 19th. Until then feast your tympanic membranes on his 2007 masterpiece, Emerald City.
The spanking new single from Shiny Toy Guns, "Major Tom" is now available for free thanks to Amazon Mp3. Don't go in with "Le Disko" expectations. You won't hear it on primetime TV, but this track is still worth some spins.
The Shins as we once knew them are officially dead. Pitchfork and Stereogum have both reported that keyboardist Marty Crandall and drummer Jesse Sandoval apparently "aren't in the band" anymore. James Mercer dishes on the lineup shuffle, as well as some other extracurricular projects aside from The Shins. Read the full article here.
Lucky for me I know what to do when I'm in the mood for Wes Anderson and The Kinks. Turn on The Darjeeling Limited and I'm golden. This amazing film is chalk full of Kink goodness. Check for "This Time Tomorrow" 32 seconds into the trailer. Not only is Wes a comedic genius who understands the darkly hilarious intricacies of family, but he can but a pretty dec soundtrack together. His music selections define his characters; elaborating perfectly on their already bizarre development. Love it.
Off the upcoming release All Balloons, here's a new One eskimO track that will tug at those heart strings. If you're planning on picking up a copy of the album, prepare to weep a little.
And for purely superficial Entertainment, Fischerspooner. Seriously, don't let me catch you saying I thought this was anything more than a quick and dirty listen.
New Music Tuesday 5/5
Today's Listen and Love is a slight throwback. I've loved on Animal Collective's latest for months now, but it's Panda Bear/Noah Lennox's 2004 release, Young Prayer that's been occupying my ear buds lately. Recorded shortly after the death of his father, the soft-spoken electronic meditation of Young Prayer is a pitch-perfect audio eulogy. If you can't get enough, check out Noah's greatest solo effort to date: 2007's Person Pitch.
New Patrick Wolf is burning up my play count. Just when you think he can't get any better. Start getting excited for the release of The Bachelor.
I've been rocking out to Kid Cudi's Dat Kid from Cleveland mixtape for a bit now. You probably have been too. It hosts leaked/familiar tracks like "Sky Might Fall" (See Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen trailer), "I Poke Her Face," "Higher Up," "Sky High," "Switchin' Lanes," and the "09 Freestyle." I've never been able to get into mixtapes (not even Lil Wayne's massive collection), but Cudi is just so freaking likable, I'm starting to change my mind. It's close to the hate to love scenario.
Today's Listen and Love is an installment from my own personal discovery. I'm bummed to have only come upon Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele two weeks ago. I could have been rewarding my ears with these gems since February. Don't make my mistake, get in on this right away. For fans of the quirky instrumentation of Sufjan Stevens, Beirut, or Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band. And of course, ukulele aficionados.
TV on the Radio is once again at the top of my playlist with some remixes off their Dear Silence EP. My favorite is the Gang Gang Dance remix, because the self-proclaimed "underground" act always gets me. That reminds me, buy Saint Dymphna right away. If you love on Yeasayer or Deerhunter this ones for you.
New from Mike Skinner, via his Twitter, it's the latest from The Streets. Not sure how I feel about the freebies yet. I miss the era of Original Pirate Material.
Viewer Beware: Radness follows. Peaches spanking new vid for the single "Talk to Me" surfaced today. If you haven't already heard, the stellar new album I Feel Cream drops May 5th. Circle, heart, and peach that date on your calender because this one is going to be epic.
Today's Listen and Love: The Tallest Man on Earth's 2008 release: Shallow Graves. He opened for Bon Iver, and manages to pull off contemporary Dylan. I love on it.
Though it's been out for awhile, I'm just getting into this Drake and Mickey Factz reworking of Lykke Li's "Little Bit." Call me unfashionably late to this party.
Today's Listen and Love: The latest release from Minneapolis-based rapper/emcee P.O.S., Never Better. The title is completely appropriate. He's never been better.
Time to knock another installment off my 1000 minutes. If you're lost, start here.
New Peaches, I Feel Cream hits stores May 5, 2009. We are tots excited. Exhibits A-C:
Portland favorite Blitzen Trapper stopped by Chicago Public Radio's Sound Opinions for a stunning live set and a chat with our favorite music critics/DJs, Jim and Greg.
Here's some links to stream some live Blitzen in iTunes. Visit Sound Opinions, and/or download last week's podcast for more content.
Today's Listen and Love: 100 Monkeys' debut album, Monster de Lux
Today's Listen and Love: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's self-titled 2009 release.
We all might be re-enjoying "Wake Up" because of that cute as punch trailer for Where the Wild Things Are, but "My Body is a Cage" has been the Arcade Fire track on my repeat lately.
The exact word I would use to describe multilingual Sebastien Tellier's new song "Kilometer" is divine. There's no doubt in my mind that last year's Sexuality was off the hook. Production by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk fame probably didn't hurt. In conjunction with MGMT's Oracular Spectacular, it really did make 2008 the year of synthesizers. Now in 2009 I'm still finding new reasons to appreciate the French electro-pop conductor. Plus, you know I lose it when A-Trak lays his magic on anything.
I wouldn't classify myself as highly religious, but I can still observe Jesus' crucifixion and subsequent resurrection (or whatever your beliefs may be) with some great tunes. P.T. = Paschal Triduum = Party Time? Sidenote: I chose a random picture because my photographic search of "Good Friday'" kind of scared me.
This week (April 8th) marked the 15th Anniversary of Kurt Cobain's untimely death. It's hard to believe it was so long ago that the influential Nirvana frontman took his own life, leaving behind a wife, daughter, and promising career. I won't pretend to understand suicide, or get existential on y'all. I'll just put some classic Nevermind on and smell a little like teen spirit in Kurt's honor.
Thanks to an anonymous friend out there, I was reminded of the amazing teaser trailer for 500 Days of Summer. Shorter than the official full-length I posted yesterday, but equally as powerful thanks to Temper Trap, and their single "Sweet Disposition." The Melbourne (and soon to be London) based band is beyond buzzworthy. Just this March they completed their debut album, rocked a bunch of US cities, and inspired a fan campaign to get them SXSW placement. After playing the bigger than life V Festival in Australia this month, they guys will head to Europe to promote both their new single "Science of Fear" and perhaps take over the world.The monumental ‘Science of Fear’ is the band’s debut UK single and is already registering spins on the BBC’S Radio 1 playlist, whilst also spending five consecutive weeks on Australian tastemaker station Triple J’s most played list. This eye of the perfect ‘musical’ storm contrasts markedly with the hypnotic and gliding melodic spell of ‘Sweet Disposition’, but is equally a watershed mark for the act and further confirmation of this band’s refusal to be stymied by genre, expectation or any such ties that bind so many others on this brilliant album.
Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn’t. This post modern love story is never what we expect it to be — it’s thorny yet exhilarating, funny and sad, a twisted journey of highs and lows that doesn’t quite go where we think it will. When Tom, a hapless greeting card copywriter and hopeless romantic, is blindsided after his girlfriend Summer dumps him, he shifts back and forth through various periods of their 500 days “together” to try to figure out where things went wrong. His reflections ultimately lead him to finally rediscover his true passions in life.
So I completely stole this idea from Totally Twitterpad, who borrowed it from the creators at Tympanogram. The Project: If you were stuck on a desert island and could bring with you precisely 1000 minutes of music on your mp3 player, what songs would you fill it with? We listen to so much music on a daily basis that sometimes appreciation and meaning are lost in translation. But what if you had only a limited, select amount of songs to love for the rest of your life? What would bring you the most joy, the most comfort, the best variety through your numbered days? Chicago Public Radio's Sound Opinions also has a similar running segment, where Jim and Greg trade off throwing tracks into their "Desert Island Jukebox".
The latest release from Super Furry Animals, Dark Days/Light Years (March 30th) is both fun and complex. A welcome deviance from some of their previous work. Here's one I can't stop playing.
You can now preorder the new single "New in Town" from Little Boots' website, in regular and super bundles. The first 500 copies of the latter will be signed by the electronic princess herself. The super bundle also comes with some sweet remixes by Fred Falke, Drop the Line, and Franz Ferdinand, among others.
I'm going on a hunt for the Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band. I'm no wilderness buff and I don't even like shooting aliens in Halo, so lucky for me this is not that kind of venture. This search is less redneck, more shameless stalking. Local even, as MSHVB are straight out of this amazing city I call home. Stay tuned for a full piece on the quirky Seattle quintet in the next few days. They're moving on up past buzzworthy to full blown cool.
First, Mick Boogie lays his magic on Grammy-Award winning Adele and her debut album, 19 in his 1988 mixtape. I love on it for the sole reason that sometimes even songbirds benefit from a beat. My favorites:
Mick and Terry Urban tear up the Grammy nominees on 2009: The Grammy Remix Album. Don't grab your best stationary though; there's nothing to write home about. Considering the talent pool this year (Jonas Bros, Katy Perry, Coldplay, John Mayer?) seems to me they do a decent job of hammering silver out of tin, mediocre out of ... well, you decide.
