Listen and Love

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.

Project Jenny, Project Jan - 320
Project Jenny, Project Jan - Marsupial

Check out the live performance of their cleverly crude single "Negative," which can be found on their groundbreaking 2005 EP, EP. Also, check out their site here.

Listen and Love

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...

Heartless Bastards - The Mountain [mp3]
Heartless Bastards - Hold Your Head High [mp3]

I was lucky enough to snag my copy from Amazon for only $1.99 on the daily deal. But search out this treasure at any price. It's well worth dropping some Hamiltons. And be sure to check Amazon mp3 everyday; Today's special is Passion Pit's first (and very fun) full-length release, Manners. There hasn't been a debut with this much hype since Vampire Weekend. Good thing? Bad Thing? You decide,

LtK

The Beach Party

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.

Hot Chip - The Beach Party [mp3]

I'm (Still, Still) On a Boat

OMG. I have no words. Other than: What do you think the ratio of words to expletive beeps is? Poor Jorma...

Listen and Love

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.

John Vanderslice - White Dove [mp3]
John Vanderslice - The Minaret [mp3]
An absolutely amazing song instrumentally, as well as lyrically. A great commentary on the destruction and pointlessness of war.
John Vanderslice - Tablespoon of Codeine [mp3]

Also, here's a few special treats for your continued attention. Thanks lovers. Promo tracks from V-slice, the new album stream link, and a rocking performance vid of "White Dove."

Full Album Stream @ NPR

John Vanderslice - Fetal Horses (Off Romanian Names) [mp3]
John Vanderslice - Too Much Time (Off Romanian Names) [mp3]



Ltk

(Put on Your) Summertime Clothes

Animal Collective was live on David Letterman last week. They killed it, as usual. I'm still holding out for them to do something with "Lion in a Coma" single-wise. It may not be as radio-ready as others, but it's bottom-line brilliant.

Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes [mp3]

Major Tom

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.

Shiny Toy Guns - Major Tom [mp3]

RIP

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.

Replacements include bassist Ron Lewis from Grand Archives + Fruits Bats and drummer Joe Plummer of Modest Mouse. In short, the fundamental changes were accredited to new composition/production ideas for their TBA fourth album.

This is rough for me. The only original members now remaining are (my unrequited love) Mercer and Dave Hernandez. And what a weird way to announce someone leaving - simply stating they are not a part of the band. Did they leave on the basis of creative difference/personal choice? Or were they more or less forced out of the band they originated? Either way it's sadness personified. I only hope this "new sound" isn't their grander intention to land on another movie soundtrack, commercial, or Starbucks compilation. How boring. How creatively pointless. Ultimately, I'm going to put my faith in James Mercer because nine year commitments don't come along too often for me. Show me this artistic RIP isn't all for some commercial crap, and I'll change my tune. Pun intended.

The Shins - Girl Inform Me [mp3]
From Oh, Inverted World (2001)

The Shins - Pink Bullets [mp3]
From Chutes Too Narrow (2003)

The Shins - Sea Legs [mp3]
From Wincing the Night Away (2007)

In honor of the dearly departed members, and perhaps an era in weightlessly jangling, revelatory indie-pop, here's a mini thematic mixtape. After this loss, you think the band will start feeling a Phantom Limb?

Stars - Death to Death [mp3]
Ra Ra Riot - Dying is Fine [mp3]
White Lies - Death [mp3]
Japandroids - The Boys are Leaving Town [mp3]
Samamidon - O Death [mp3]
Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye [mp3]