Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
track: Curren$y - You See It
I don't smoke, but if I did I would undoubtedly enjoy Curren$y even more. This is perfect music for cruisin' around real slow. Weekend at Burnie's sounds like its album cover -- neon lights, Miami in the '80s, Vice City music. Check out a track below, but know that this sounds best in a vehicle, and taken in as a whole album.
Friday, June 24, 2011
mini reviews: Thee Oh Sees, Black Lips, Ty Segall
2011 has been a great year for garage rock so far. Here are 3 of my favorite garage rock records from this year, all of which are strong contenders for my AOTY at this point.
Thee Oh Sees - Castlemania
Imagine if Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem dosed the inhabitants of Sesame Street, unbeknownst to them. The band would be playing, half the street would be in flames, Kermit would be running around like an idiot with his arms flailing over his head, Animal would be clanging on bells, and random Muppets would be singing, oblivious to the carnage around them. That's what this album sounds like. Basically, it sounds like its amazing album cover.
favorite songs: I Need Seed, Corprophagist (A Bath Perhaps), AA Warm Breeze
listen if you like: woodwinds, clanging bells, bleeps and bloops, monster vocals
Black Lips - Arabia Mountain
200 Million Thousand was taking mushrooms and drinking whiskey in a dank basement that smells like cat piss. Arabia Mountain is doing acid and drinking beers in a sunny park with your friends. When I talked to the band 2 years ago at a Scion Garage Fest, they said the record was going to be out early last year. It was worth the wait; this is easily the best record the Black Lips have made to date.
favorite songs: Modern Art, Family Tree, Mad Dog
listen if you like: sunny parks, mischief, mixing lots of drugs 'til you're confused
Ty Segall - Goodbye Bread
This is a lot calmer affair than Ty's past work; essentially it's a garage singer-songwriter record. Usually, nothing sends me running to the hills faster than the tag "singer-songwriter," but this kid has got talent. Check out his 2011 EP of T-Rex covers, Ty Rex, and his 2010 LP, Melted, as well. You won't be disappointed.
favorite songs: Goodbye Bread, You Make the Sun Fry, My Head Explodes
listen if you like: guitar, melancholy with your fun, fuzz
Imagine if Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem dosed the inhabitants of Sesame Street, unbeknownst to them. The band would be playing, half the street would be in flames, Kermit would be running around like an idiot with his arms flailing over his head, Animal would be clanging on bells, and random Muppets would be singing, oblivious to the carnage around them. That's what this album sounds like. Basically, it sounds like its amazing album cover.
favorite songs: I Need Seed, Corprophagist (A Bath Perhaps), AA Warm Breeze
listen if you like: woodwinds, clanging bells, bleeps and bloops, monster vocals
200 Million Thousand was taking mushrooms and drinking whiskey in a dank basement that smells like cat piss. Arabia Mountain is doing acid and drinking beers in a sunny park with your friends. When I talked to the band 2 years ago at a Scion Garage Fest, they said the record was going to be out early last year. It was worth the wait; this is easily the best record the Black Lips have made to date.
favorite songs: Modern Art, Family Tree, Mad Dog
listen if you like: sunny parks, mischief, mixing lots of drugs 'til you're confused
This is a lot calmer affair than Ty's past work; essentially it's a garage singer-songwriter record. Usually, nothing sends me running to the hills faster than the tag "singer-songwriter," but this kid has got talent. Check out his 2011 EP of T-Rex covers, Ty Rex, and his 2010 LP, Melted, as well. You won't be disappointed.
favorite songs: Goodbye Bread, You Make the Sun Fry, My Head Explodes
listen if you like: guitar, melancholy with your fun, fuzz
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
list: Most Overrated Albums of 2011.5
If people try to tell you any of these are good, don't listen to them -- they're liars.
James Blake - James Blake
Lots of silence + auto-tuned crooning + cheesy sounds = James Blake
Yuck - Yuck
Nothing original. Blatant worship of a scene that wasn't any good to begin with.
Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver
The second album from the guy who wrote his first album in a cabin in the woods. Continues to show his love for Wisconsin, this time by making an album that's pure cheese.
Smith Westerns - Dye it Blonde
These guys have potential, but this kind of band shouldn't be this polished. Not enough variety, unlistenable over a full album.
TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light
They're capable of so much more. Lots of weak tracks. Every time I listen to it, I forget it's on. When it's over, I can't recall a single thing.
The Antlers - Burst Apart
Dig the first track. Second track gets into a groove....then you realize it's not a groove, it's a rut, and it lasts the rest of the album.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong
This is just god-awful.
Gorillaz - The Fall
The album famous for being recorded on an iPad. Guess what? It sounds like it was recorded on an iPad. The first track sounds like wet farts. It doesn't get much better from there.
James Blake - James Blake
Lots of silence + auto-tuned crooning + cheesy sounds = James Blake
Yuck - Yuck
Nothing original. Blatant worship of a scene that wasn't any good to begin with.
The second album from the guy who wrote his first album in a cabin in the woods. Continues to show his love for Wisconsin, this time by making an album that's pure cheese.
Smith Westerns - Dye it Blonde
These guys have potential, but this kind of band shouldn't be this polished. Not enough variety, unlistenable over a full album.
TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light
They're capable of so much more. Lots of weak tracks. Every time I listen to it, I forget it's on. When it's over, I can't recall a single thing.
The Antlers - Burst Apart
Dig the first track. Second track gets into a groove....then you realize it's not a groove, it's a rut, and it lasts the rest of the album.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong
This is just god-awful.
Gorillaz - The Fall
The album famous for being recorded on an iPad. Guess what? It sounds like it was recorded on an iPad. The first track sounds like wet farts. It doesn't get much better from there.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
album stream: Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
The debut LP from Unknown Mortal Orchestra is streaming here.
Buy it here. It's out June 21 on Fat Possum.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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