New Music Tuesday: Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite • Tegan and Sara • Local Natives • Emmy Rossum • Tomahawk • Ducktails

January 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite - Get Up

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks, album highlights, lowlights and important takeaways for select albums.

Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite – Get Up!

4-BamsTop Tracks:
“I Don’t Believe a Word You Say”
“I Ride at Dawn”
“Get Up!”

Album Highlight: Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite’s new collaboration Get Up! is one of the best blues albums I’ve heard in a while. A mix of acoustic and electric, Get Up! showcases the strengths of both artists. Musselwhite’s haunting and impassioned harmonica is a constant throughout, while Ben Harper’s signature slide guitar finds it’s moments to shine.

Album Lowlight: This album is very bluesy, and although that is what makes it work so well, it is also the reason it can be a little pedestrian at time. I really would love to hear what Musselwhite can do outside of the realm of blues.

Takeaway: Harper and Musselwhite have created a rejuvenating blues album merging what we love about both artists into one cohesive record. It sounds like Musselwhite had carte blanche to layer his trademark sound throughout. This is a record that will get regular play in my rotation.

~Kevin Raos

Tegan and Sara – Heartthrob

3-BamsTop Tracks:
“Closer”
“Drove Me Wild”
“I Couldn’t Be Your Friend”

Album Highlight: “Closer” is the catchiest and most club friendly track on the album. Tegan and Sara divert from their typically indie-rock, girl band strengths to produce a fantastically successful new-wave dance jam. “Closer” showcases their strong grasp of current pop music trends and signifies their evolution as songwriters. However, the opening track falsely sets you up for a less than exciting sophomore effort.

Album Lowlight: “Now I’m All Messed Up” feels like the overproduced, female vocalized electro-rock bands songs of the late nineties. The track lacks in both lyrical content and musical style. The added effects and distorted chorus almost seem like a cover-up for the lack of song structure and lyrics that sound like a high school journal entry.

Takeaway: “I Couldn’t Be Your Friend” has a great piano hook from the beginning, but takes a minute to pick up. Once involved in the chorus though, it is one song that you can’t help but continue to listen and maybe even sing along. “I couldn’t Be Your Friend” is the best lyrical effort on the album and all around most complete track on Heartthrob.

~Molly Kish

Emmy Rossum – Sentimental Journey

2-BamsTop Tracks:
“Sentimental Journey”
“I’ll Be with You in Apple Blossom”
“Nobody Knows You When You’re Down”
“All I Do Is Dream of You”

Album Highlight: “Sentimental Journey” is the title track and best example of the direction this album should have gone in. This song is a wonderful display of Rossum’s vocals and unlike the rest of the obnoxiously campy show-tune album has a beautifully simplistic blues arrangement, paying homage to the female jazz legends she is attempting to emulate.

Album Lowlight: Although an obvious cover straight off the 1933 soundtrack for Roman Scandals, the final track of the album “Keep Young and Beautiful” further accentuates the actress/musician cross-over effort Rossum struggles with throughout the entire album. It’s over the top within the opening five seconds of the track’s vaudeville monologue and instantly makes me want to listen to it as an actresses’ audition rather than as a recording artists tribute.

Takeaway: Amidst the various efforts on the album to display contemporary jazz ballads, “All I Do Is Dream of You” is the most successful. Rossum clearly has the chops to produce a beautiful love song, best done in this manner of a stripped-down standard.

~Molly Kish

Tomahawk – Oddfellows

2.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Stone Letter”
“White Hats/Black Hats”
“South Paw”

Album Highlight: Mike Patton has always had a knack for the experimental, whether it be Mr. Bungle, Peeping Tom or any of his various acts. “Rise Up Dirty Waters” displays the balance between quiet beauty and maniacal frenzy, always keeping his listeners on their toes.

Album Lowlight: Their sound is kind of stuck in an area of Nu-metal meets Les Claypool. One needs to truly love the singing style of Mike Patton in order to truly appreciate — and enjoy — Tomahawk.

Takeaway: This alt-metal supergroup has been featuring the weird, Patton-fueled sound for over a decade, and this album continues that tradition. A fun romp of a listen for any Nine Inch Nails or Tool fan still holding onto the hard rock heydays of the 90’s and early 2000’s.

~Kevin Quandt

Ducktails – The Flower Lane

3-BamsTop Tracks:
“Flower Lane”
“Under Cover”
“Academy Avenue”

Album Highlight: The Flower Lane is a Steely Dan-inspired album with a fuller sound than previous releases, yet it’s still in the beach vibe of Matt Mondanile. Tracks like “Assistant Director” feature electronic effects and a danceable vibe, a new sound to this once solo project.

Album Lowlight: I feel like a few of these songs might get a better treatment from his No. 1 gig, Real Estate. Vocals could leave a little to be desired, but it doesn’t subtract from the overall sound much.

Takeaway: Ducktails takes the breezy feel of Real Estate and mixes in more 80’s pop and world influence. For fans of heavy reverb! The inclusion of Big Troubles as Mondanile’s backing band adds the feeling of a full band as opposed to the entirely solo efforts previously released under the Ducktails moniker.

~Kevin Quandt

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New Music Tuesday: Bad Religion • Toro y Moi • Ra Ra Riot • The Joy Formidable • Nosaj Thing • FIDLAR • The Growlers • Foxygen

January 22, 2013 by 2 Comments

Bad Religion - True North

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks, album highlights, lowlights and important takeaways for select albums.

Bad Religion – True North

4-BamsTop Tracks:
“Past is Dead”
“Hello Cruel World”
“Dept. of False Hope”

Album Highlight: Bad Religion’s sound has been crafted over three and a half decades, and it hasn’t deviated much from a strong drive, mixed in with educated, anti-establishment lyrics and endless touring. Some faster tracks from the “80-85” era are a pleasant surprise.

Album Lowlight: A few odd songs like “Dharma and the Bomb” could have been omitted, as they are a little goofy and misplaced. If you aren’t a fan of 90’s punk drumming, this album may not be for you.

Takeaway: A must for any fan of Bad Religion or punk-tinged rock and roll fan. There are lots of thoughtful lyrics sung masterfully. True North continues a great punk rock tradition, what you’d expect from vets like Greg Graffin and Co.

~Kevin Quandt

Toro y Moi – Anything in Return

4.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“So Many Details”
“Say That”
“Cola”
“Cake”

Album Highlight: Chazwick Bundick’s new LP Anything in Return is heavily dance-influenced compared to his prior works, and he’s brought a new beat to the table by lacing his first three tracks with UK deep house and R&B sensibilities. The opening section of the record has the freshest sound on the record.

Album Lowlight: It’s Toro y Moi’s longest record, and it does feel a bit long. “Touch” and “Day One” aren’t spectacular, but they aren’t bad either.

Takeaway: Anything in Return blends tracks influenced by dance (“Harm in Change” and “Say That”), R&B (“So Many Details”), micro-house (“Rose Quartz”), disco/chillwave (“Studies”), electronic pop (“Cake”) and funk (“High Living”). It’s a sexy, cohesive album, and Bundick takes a mature look at youthful living with his smooth lyrics. This is a winning record.

~Mike Frash

Ra Ra Riot – Beta Love

4.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Dance with Me”
“Is It Too Much”
“Angel, Please”
“Binary Mind”

Album Highlight: Ra Ra Riot’s new album Beta Love is upbeat and infectious, combining many elements from their previous work with a more developed electronic sound. If Ra Ra Riot was in the alpha phase before, they have certainly progressed into the Beta phase with ‘Beta Love.’

Album Lowlight: Nitpicking here, but the second half of the album doesn’t quite retain the all-out dance party of the first half. After “Angel, Please”, the LP settles down a little and takes the listener into a nocturnal state with “When I Dream”.

Takeaway: Ra Ra Riot has created a tremendous indie electropop album. The band’s sound has evolved, moving away from the heavier, classical sounding music to a more electronic, synth vibe. Ra Ra Riot purists might be skeptical towards the change, but I love it. One of the best albums in a very young 2013, IMO.

~Kevin Raos

The Joy Formidable – Wolf’s Law

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“This Ladder Is Ours”
“The Turnaround/Wolf’s Law”
“The Leaopard And the Lung”

Album Highlight: The second half of Wolf’s Law contains enjoyable tracks that don’t sound like the typical, upbeat alt rock this group usually puts out. Check out “The Leaopard And the Lung” and a slow but lovely “Silent Treatment.”

Album Lowlight: Why throw a 70-second gap in the middle of the last track “The Turnaround/Wolf’s Law”? Both the parts within this track are excellent and could have been bridged. I’m sure there’s a reason they weren’t completely merged, but it just breaks up a beautiful final song in an unspectacular way. And “Maw Maw Song” is a little meh.

Takeaway: The Joy Formidable produce a noisy wall of sound that abruptly comes and goes, and Ritzy Bryan’s guitar-work dominates this album. If you’re a fan of The Joy Formidable, give it a spin, but you may be stumped by the odd, yet entertaining second half of the record. Overall, there isn’t anything particularly groundbreaking to be found in this LP.

~Mike Frash

Nosaj Thing – Home

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Glue”
“Tell”
“Try” feat. Toro y Moi

Album Highlight: Subtle, yet contemporary beauty at its finest. Tracks such as “Distance” from LA electronic musician Jason Chung feature a fresher take on old legends like Boards of Canada. “Tell” leans closer to the dub-scape sound of London-based beat maker Burial.

Album Lowlight: Though it’s not Chung’s style, one bigger, fuller or faster track could have helped full-album listening experience. I had higher expectations, as this album was nearly four years in the making. I guess when you’re producing for hip-hop stars, it gets time-consuming.

Take-away: It was well worth the wait for Jason Chung’s new album under his Nosaj Thing monicker, as this fresh batch of progressive down-beat tracks is full of his unique sound.

~Kevin Quandt

FIDLAR – FIDLAR

3-BamsTop Tracks:
“Cheap Beer”
“Wake Bake Skate”
“5-9”
“Blackout Stout”
“No Waves”

Album Highlight: “Cheap Beer” is the lead single and party anthem of the album, leading into the record apologetically with screeching distortion, pelting lyrics and surf rock guitar riffs. The song sets course for a 14-track homage to the grittier side of punk rock, highlighting the angst of wasted youth set in the streets of LA.

Album Lowlight: “LDA”, reminiscent of a Ramones ballad, is a song that sidetracks from the anxious energy that keeps this album interesting. Appearing in rotation after the most lively track on the album “5-9”, the song stunts the manic motion of Fidlar’s material in what seems like a forced attempt to squeeze a cheesy love song into the mix.

Takeaway: “Paycheck,” a track which starts off unconventionally slow, is sung in unison, and is placed on the coattails of the least impressive song on the album. One might pass this up the first listen or two. The latter half of this song shreds, slapping the listener in the face with the albums’ strongest guitar solo.

~Molly Kish

The Growlers – Hung at Heart

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Someday”
“Naked Kids”
“One Million Lovers”
“Row”

Album Highlight: The opening one-two punch of “Someday” and “Naked Kids” gets the album started in a big way. “Someday” finds Brooks Nielson singing about the future and “when tall boys turn into champagne, and Bologna turns to steak”. “Naked Kids” is a slower-paced psychedelic ode to a lost lover, and he swears he’s changed and has had an epiphany. Great opening tracks here.

Album Lowlight: Every song seems to blend together — it’s hard to distinguish between different tracks. Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys was supposed to produce this album, but The Growlers weren’t happy with Auerbach’s touch, so they went back in the studio and did it their way. It does make me wonder what Auerbach could have done with these songs.

Takeaway: All in all, this album is enjoyable, especially the lyrics and the 60’s SoCal psych-rock vibe, but I feel it could have had stronger material. All the songs are good, but only a couple stand out from the others.

~Pete Mauch

Foxygen – We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic

4-BamsTop Tracks:
“Shuggie”
“We are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic”
“San Francisco”
“Oh Yeah”

Album Highlight: “We are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic” is the album’s title track and undoubtedly the strongest song. A psychedelic freak-out coated with soulful shrieks, impressive percussion, steady guitar riffs and someone ripping on the organ, Sam France and Jonathan Rado showcase their incredible musical talent and chops for songwriting.

Album Lowlight: The least complicated effort on the album, “No Destruction”, lacks in production value and lyrical content. It’s great in the context of a stripped-down country song, but it doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the tracks on this album.

Takeaway: With its borderline obnoxious lyrical interludes, “On Blue Mountain” seems silly at first. I was at first deterred from what ends up being one of the most enigmatic tracks on the album. Approach this album with acceptance of the ironic song structure, and you’ll sure to be smitten by the end.

~Molly Kish

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New Music Tuesday: Jessie Ware • A$AP Rocky • Yo La Tengo • Parquet Courts • Christopher Owens

January 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Jessie Ware - If You're Never Gonna Move

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks, album highlights, lowlights and important takeaways for select albums.

Jessie Ware – If You’re Never Gonna Move [EP]

4.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“If You’re Never Gonna Move”
“Sweet Talk”

Album Highlight: Tracks from the tail end of the Devotion LP like “If You’re Never Gonna Move” and “Sweet Talk” get the proper spotlight in this EP.

Album Lowlight: Not much to complain about here.

Takeaway: Jessie Ware is already a star to many. Ware should be a force to be reckoned with by the end of 2013 due to her MTV-pop appeal and her credibility within the EDM scene.

A$AP Rocky – LongLiveA$AP

4-BamsTop Tracks:
“Fuckin’ Problems” feat. Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar
“Long Live A$AP”
“1 Train” feat. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T.
“Goldie”

Album Highlight: The diversity of beats, track production and supporting players. LongLiveA$AP has appearances from Schoolboy Q, Santigold, Skrillex, Drake, Joey Bada$$, Danny Brown, Action Bronson and Kendrick Lamar, which means A$AP has surrounded himself with some of the most creative names in music from the last couple years.

Album Lowlight: Repeated use of “purple.” We get it, you love purple swag, purple drank and probably the fact that purple doesn’t rhyme with shit.

Takeaway: With his first LP finally arriving — and delivering — A$AP Rocky takes his place as one of the top rappers in the game. It’s not surprising the best tracks on the album are super-collaborations that involve Kendrick Lamar.

Yo La Tengo – Fade Out

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Before We Run”
“Ohm”
“Cornelia and Jane”
“The Point of It”

Album Highlight: The amazing penultimate track “The Point of It” and the slow-building, triumphant finale “Before We Run” end the LP on a high note.

Album Lowlight: The pacing of the record slows down around “I’ll Be Around” and “Two Trains,” but the energy lull around the two-thirds mark works to enhance the wonderful ending.

Takeaway: Fade Out is a slow-grower. Give it an extra listen if it doesn’t strike you the first couple times. The subtleties add up to a sum that is greater than it’s parts.

Parquet Courts – Light Up Gold

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Stoned and Starving”
“Master of My Craft”
“Borrowed Time”

Album Highlight: “Stoned and Starving” feels like some magical mix of Broken Social Scene and King Tuff. Any way you look at it, this is a great track.

Album Lowlight: The chord repetition becomes a bit monotonous during some of the slower tracks.

Takeaway: Distortion, lo-fi sound, stoner singing and lyrics and surf-rock-meets-Brit-rock chord simplicity. Light Up Gold feels familiar but offers originality with its genre-blending tracks.

Christopher Owens – Lysandre

2.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Here We Go”
“A Broken Heart”
“Lysandre”

Album Highlight: When the guitar solo allows the record’s best track “Here We Go” to take off. This tracks sums up Lysandre pretty well.

Album Lowlight: It’s a bit too minstrel with the reoccurring Lysandre’s theme. At times, it feels like the pied piper is traveling down a lonesome road with you.

Takeaway: Owen has crafted a record with even more confessional whispers in his first solo since the breakup of Girls. The attempts at cohesive pop are more straight forward than Ownes’ work with Girls, but the themes of insecurity and dwindling confidence continue on.

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Who’s better with Big Boi: Little Dragon or Kelly Rowland?

December 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Big-Boi

Big Boi appeared on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” on Friday with Little Dragon supporting him for the album’s lead single, “Mama Told Me”. Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors was released on Tuesday, December 11.

When Big Boi first announced his album and track list, Little Dragon was featured on the lead single “Mama Told Me.” But due to lawyer shenanigans, Little Dragon couldn’t collaborate with Big Boi for the album.

Subsequently, Big Boi replaced Little Dragon with Kelly Rowland from Destiny’s Child. On Tuesday, Big Boi made an appearance on “The View” with Rowland supporting him on “Mama Told Me”.

So who’s better with this track? Yukimi Nagano from Little Dragon or Kelly Rowland?

ANSWER: We’ll go with Little Dragon.

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Mystery emcee Captain Murphy revealed to be Flying Lotus

December 5, 2012 by 2 Comments

Captain-Murphy

Captain Murphy, an unknown hip-hop pseudonym, seeped up from the underground no more than a couple of weeks ago, making the rumor mill work overtime to unmask this mystery emcee. Theories swirled after a track released for “Adult Swim” featured the name Captain Murphy along with Flying Lotus and Odd Future’s Earl Sweatshirt.

Flying Lotus feat. Earl Sweatshirt and Captain Murphy – “Between Friends”

After a few weeks of inactivity, the mix tape Duality was released to much fanfare and accolades, both due to the variety of production and rhymes. The vocals tend to sound slightly altered, which fueled the rumor that it may be more than one artist. Some thought the lyrical quality lent itself to the Odd Future camp and may be some combination of Earl Sweatshirt and Tyler, The Creator, and rumors swirled around with links to Flying Lotus, who also was a possible addition to the audio-tweaked stew. Some even thought it was a collaboration between the Low End Theory crew with up-and-coming wordsmith, Zeroh, a young LA writer and performer.

Zeroh – “Barkpench”

The mix of production featured on Duality is a variably “who’s who” of beat producers, the bulk hailing from Los Angeles. Production credits include Jeremiah Jae, Madlib, Teebs, Just Blaze, SAMIYAM and the mega-hot TNGHT. One of the best tracks on the release utilizes TNGHT’s track “Bugg’n”, a big beat that has been begging to be flowed over.

Captain Murphy – “Shake Weight”

Captain Murphy – “The Prisoner” (Live at The Airliner)

Then last week, it was announced that Captain Murphy’s identity would be revealed at The Airliner on Wednesday, November 28th at the weekly staple, Low End Theory. The masses arrived early, which is pretty standard at this progressive Thursday night church, and not long after, a caped and masked man took the stage to Gaslamp Killer on the controls. He stood tall, and most in the know figured it out quickly. Stephen Ellison, aka Flying Lotus, was in fact the mysterious voice spitting semi-obscene rhymes over a surprisingly refreshing mix tape.

Earl Sweatshirt – “Between Friends” (Live at The Airliner)

Earl Sweatshirt decided to make a rare stage appearance for “Between Friends” at The Airliner, donning his signature fishing hat and grinning ear to ear. One can only hope he starts to get more stage confidence as many wait on baited breath for any release or semblance of a tour.

A deluxe edition of Duality features a track-by-track breakdown, a plethora of psychedelic artwork and even instrumental versions of the tracks. The accompanying videos on the Captain Murphy website have a great visual quality, which further enhances the total package.

There has not been much from the camp since the unveiling, and like Earl Sweatshirt, one can only hope for more shows and polishing from this promising project. Flying Lotus’ critical ascent appears to have larger wings than once thought.

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New Music Tuesday: Wiz Khalifa • A-Trak • Memory Tapes • Alexis Taylor • Scott Walker

December 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Wiz Khalifa - O.N.I.F.C.

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Wiz Khalifa – O.N.I.F.C.

Top Track: “Remember You” feat. The Weeknd

Wiz Khalifa’s LP, which was troubled by multiple delays, see collaborations with Cam’ron, Pharrell and The Weeknd.

A-Trak – Tuna Melt [EP]

Check out this preview for A-Trak’s new four-track EP. Mmmmm tuna melt.

Memory Tapes – Grace/Confusion

Top Track: “Sheila”

This six-song album is from New Jersey-based producer Dayve Hawk.

Alexis Taylor – Nayim from the Halfway Line [EP]

The lead singer from Hot Chip releases this four-track EP, and apparently he’s an Arsenal fan. The fùtbol moment that’s oddly in the middle of the video is what the name of the EP is referring to.

Scott Walker – Warrior

Top Track: “Epizootics!”

The 1960’s pop sensation turned experimental artist is releasing his first album in six years.

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New Music Tuesday: Green Day • Deftones • Soundgarden • Crystal Castles • Fake Blood

November 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Green Day - Dos!

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Green Day – ¡Dos!

Top Track: “Stray Heart”

Deftones – Koi No Yokan

Top Track: “Tempest”

Soundgarden – King Animal

Top Track: “Non-State Actor”

Crystal Castles – III

Top Track: “Plague”

Fake Blood – Cells

Top Track: “End of Days”

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New Music Tuesday: Public Enemy • Friendly Fires • Dirty Projectors • Teen Daze • Andy Stott

November 6, 2012 by 4 Comments

Public Enemy - Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Public Enemy – Most of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear on No Stamp

Top Track: “I Shall Not Be Moved”

Friendly Fires – Late Night Tales: Friendly Fires

Top Track: “Under the Sun”

Dirty Projectors – About to Die [EP]

Top Track: “About to Die”

Teen Daze – The Inner Mansions

Top Track: “Discipleship”

Andy Stott – Luxury Problems

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New Music Tuesday: Calvin Harris • Neil Young • Cee-Lo Green • Andrew Bird • The Coup

October 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Calvin Harris - 18 Months

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Calvin Harris – 18 Months

Top Track: “Sweet Nothing” feat. Florence Welch

Harris releases his first album since 2009, but he now has pop stars like Florence Welch, Ellie Goulding, Dizzee Rascal and Rihanna guesting on his tracks.

Neil Young – Psychedelic Pill

Top Track: “Ramada Inn”

Got 20 minutes? Good. Listen to this slow-burner and watch the archival footage. Young’s still got it.

Cee-Lo Greene – Cee Lo’s Magic Moment

Top Track: “Run Rudolph Run”

Cee-Lo drops a Christmas album in October and is too busy to actually show up in the music video.

Andrew Bird – Hands of Glory [EP]

Top Track: “Three White Horses”

Andrew Bird follows his excellent LP in 2012 with this EP.

The Coup – Sorry to Bother You

Top Track: “The Guillotine”

Boots Riley and The Coup continue to spit political rhymes on their sixth LP.

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New Music Tuesday: Shiny Toy Guns • Gary Clark Jr. • Paul Banks • Titus Andronicus • Diamond Rings

October 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Shiny Toy Guns - III

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Shiny Toy Guns – III

Top Track: “Waiting Alone”

Gary Clark Jr. – Blak and Blu

Top Track: “Numb”

Paul Banks – Banks

Top Track: “The Base”

Titus Andronicus – Local Business

Top Track: “In a Big City”

Diamond Rings – Free Dimensional

Top Track: “I’m Just Me”

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New Music Tuesday: Boys Noize • Bat for Lashes • Trey Anastasio • Godspeed You! Black Emperor • Daphni

October 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Boys Noize - Out of the Black

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Boys Noize – Out of the Black

Top Track: “XTC”

German EDM producer and DJ Alexander Ridha releases his third LP.

Bat for Lashes – The Haunted Man

Top Track: “Laura”

The cover art for this album is striking, weird and great all at the same time. The album has some very successful moments and is worth a listen.

Trey Anastasio – Travelor

Top Track: “Pigtail”

The Phish frontman releases an album of tracks he’s mostly been playing for years solo or with Phish. The title track “Traveler” was the only track not heard until a recent Trey Anastasio Band show. Co-produced with Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Jónsi), Traveler features the Trey Anastasio Band and such guests as Mates of State’s Kori Gardner, The National’s Bryan Devendorf and Matt Berninger, Icelandic percussionist Samuli Kosminen, Rob Moose (Bon Iver, Antony and the Johnsons), Thomas Bartlett (Rufus Wainwright, David Byrne) and theremin virtuoso Rob Schwimmer.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!

The Canadian post-rock collective emerges from a seven-year hiatus, announcing new album two weeks ago, made it available a week ago and it officially releases on Tuesday, October 16th. It’s excellent.

Daphni – JIAOLONG

Top Track: “Pairs”

Daphni is one of the stage names for Daniel Victor Snaith, aka Caribou. He also goes by Manitoba.

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New Music Tuesday: Ellie Goulding • Macklemore & Ryan Lewis • Tame Impala • Freelance Whales • Lord Huron • METZ

October 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Ellie Goulding - Halcyon

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Ellie Goulding – Halcyon

Top Track: “Anything Can Happen”

Ellie Goulding reveals the same horrible haircut as her boyfriend Skrillex, yet approaches stadium-size stardom with her first album.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist

Top Track: “Same Love” feat. Mary Lambert

The video for “Same Love” is one of the better audio/video combos of the year.

Tame Impala – Lonerism

Top Tracks: “Elephant”
“Feels Like We Only Go Backwards”

Hands down, one of the best albums of the year. Lonerism is compulsively listenable from beginning to end, the first and the 10th listen all the same.

Freelance Whales – Diluvia

Top Track: “Spitting Image”

There are at least a couple gems with “Spitting Image” and “Locked Out”.

Lord Huron – Lonesome Dreams

Top Track: “Time to Run”

Lord Huron’s debut LP is a strong effort and deserves a listen.

METZ – METZ

Top Track: “Headache”

METZ seems to have a cleaner and slightly more subdued sound live as seen above, compared to their self-titled first album.

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New Music Tuesday: Muse • Kendrick Lamar • The Vaccines • Flying Lotus • Matt & Kim • The Mountain Goats • Beth Orton • Moon Duo • Dark Dark Dark • Taken by Trees • Ultraísta

October 2, 2012 by 2 Comments

Muse - The 2nd Law

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Muse – The 2nd Law

Top Track: “The 2nd Law: Unsustainable”

Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, m.A.A.d City

Top Track: “Swimming Pools”

The Vaccines – Come of Age

Top Track: “No Hope”

Flying Lotus – Until the Quiet Comes

Top Track: “Puddy Boy Strut”

Matt & Kim – Lightning

Top Track: “Let’s Go”

The Mountain Goats – Transcendental Youth

Top Track: “Transcendental Youth”

Beth Orton – Sugaring Season

Top Track: “Magpie”

Moon Duo – Circles

Top Track: “Sleepwalker”

Dark Dark Dark – Who Needs Who

Top Track: “Tell Me”

Taken by Trees – Other Worlds

Top Track: “Dreams”

Ultraísta – Ultraísta

Top Track: “Small Talk”

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New Music Tuesday: Green Day • Deadmau5 • Mumford & Sons • Talib Kweli • Dragonette • Django Django • Preservation Hall Jazz Band • The Soft Pack

September 24, 2012 by 1 Comment

Green Day - Uno!

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Green Day – ¡Uno!

Top Track: “Let Yourself Go”

Green Day will release three albums over the next six months, starting with “¡Uno!”, followed by “¡Dos!” and “¡Tre!” Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong had an awesomely appropriate meltdown at a iHeartRadio in Las Vegas Friday, then postponed their show at the Fillmore in SF this coming Friday. It all sounds like a well-planned way to avoid the first of many promotional appearances.

Deadmau5 – > album title goes here <

Top Track: “Professional Griefers” feat. Gerard Way

Style over substance? To many people, yes. But to most EDM fans, it doesn’t matter; aesthetics, friends and drugs are part of the package. As Deadmau5 releases his sixth album after contemplating a hiatus, can the biggest DJ in American history hang up touring at his peak?

Mumford & Sons – Babel

Top Track: “I Will Wait”

Mumford & Sons release their second LP on September 25th after performing on Saturday Night Live successfully over the weekend. They will probably tour on this album for two and a half years.

Talib Kweli – Prisoner of Conscious

Top Track: “Push Thru” feat. Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar & Glen Reynolds

Hip-hop icon Talib Kweli releases his much anticipated fifth solo studio LP, and it features guest appearances from Melanie Fiona, Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar, Nelly, Busta Rhymes.

Dragonette – Bodyparts

Top Track: “Let It Go”

Dragonette’s dance-pop is way too overproduced in this album, but it works in a live setting. Go see Dragonette and expect dance-pop over house beats that play well to an audience.

Django Django – Django Django

Top Track: “Default”

One of the best albums of the year, “Django Django,” was released worldwide in January and was technically re-released digitally in August. The CD release is set for September 25th. Expect psychedelic repetition that is better than Animal Collective’s new record.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band – St. Peter and 57th

This live record features tUnE-yArDs’ Merrill Garbus, My Morning Jacket, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), Allen Toussaint, actor Ed Helms, Givers and Steve Earle with the New Orleans institution that is The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. This album is a must-listen, and any trip to New Orleans requires a visit to Preservation Hall in the French Quarter.

The Soft Pack – Strapped

Top Track: “Tallboy”

The Soft Pack’s second album has its moments, but there’s nothing remarkable here from the Southern California band.

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New Music Tuesday: Band of Horses • Alt-J • Grizzly Bear • Dinosaur Jr. • How to Dress Well • LV • GOOD Music Compilation

September 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Band of Horses - Mirage Rock

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Band of Horses – Mirage Rock

Top Track: “Knock Knock”

∆ (alt-J) – An Awesome Wave

Top Track: “Tessellate”

Grizzly Bear – Shields

Top Track: “Sleeping Ute (Yet Again)”

Dinosaur Jr. – I Bet on Sky

Top Track: “Watch the Corners”

How to Dress Well – Total Loss

Top Track: “Ocean Floor for Everything”

LV – Sebenza

Top Track: “Sebenza”

Various (GOOD Music Compilation) – Cruel Summer

Top Track: “Mercy”

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New Music Tuesday: Bob Dylan • The xx • The Avett Brothers • The Presets • The Raveonettes • Calexico • Chris Robinson Brotherhood • David Byrne & St. Vincent

September 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Bob Dylan - Tempest

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Bob Dylan – Tempest

Top Track: “Duquesne Whistle”

Listen to the album on Spotify.

The xx – Coexist

Top Track: “Swept Away”

Listen to the album on Spotify.

The Avett Brothers – The Carpenter

Top Track: “Live & Die”

Listen to the album on Spotify.

The Presets – Pacifica

Top Track: “Youth in Trouble”

Listen to the album on Spotify.

The Raveonettes – Observator

Top Track: “Observations”

Listen to the album on Spotify.

Calexico – Algiers

Top Track: “Splitter”

Listen to the album on Spotify.

Chris Robinson Brotherhood – The Magic Door

Top Track: “Vibration & Light Suite”

Listen to the album on Spotify.

David Byrne & St. Vincent – Love This Giant

Top Track: “Who”

Listen to the album on Spotify.

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New Music Tuesday: Animal Collective • Cat Power • Stars • Jens Lekman • Bob Mould • The Fresh & Onlys

September 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Animal Collective - Centipede Hz

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Animal Collective – Centipede Hz.

Top Track: “Today’s Supernatural”

Cat Power – Sun

Top Track: “Ruin”

Stars – The North

Top Track: “Hold on When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It”

Jens Lekman – I Know What Love Isn’t

Top Track: “I Know What Love Isn’t”

Bob Mould – Silver Age

Top Track: “The Descent”

The Fresh & Onlys – Long Slow Dance

Top Track: “Presence of Mind”

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New Music Tuesday: Swans • Wild Nothing • Matthew Dear • Dan Deacon • Divine Fits

August 27, 2012 by 1 Comment

Swans - The Seer

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks and supplying the latest videos for select albums.

Swans – The Seer

Top Track: “Mother of the World”

Wild Nothing – Nocturne

Top Track: “Nocturne”

Matthew Dear – Beams

Top Track: “Her Fantasy”

Dan Deacon – America

Top Track: “True Thrush”

Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits

Top Track: “My Love Is Real”

Filed Under: New Music Tagged With: , , , , ,
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