Vampire Weekend on Letterman - A-Punk

This song makes me happy

Tragedy! The Format breaks up!

Ack! The Format announced today on their myspace blog that they are calling it quits. Here's what the post said:

"We have just put out word that we will not be making a new Format album. Please understand this was a tough decision and we're both upset about it. While we accept there will be false speculation as to why, understand that Sam and I remain extremely close and in fact are still passing the twin peaks box set back and forth in an attempt to figure out who REALLY killed laura
palmer. We also want to thank everyone with and within the Format,
particularly Mike, Don, and Marko, whom without, none of this would have
ever even been fully realized. We both suggest you support their musical
talents and whatever they decide to do. And lastly we want to thank the
fans who made this the best 5 years of our lives."


Very sad! They will be missed. In memoriam, enjoy this amazing live Format cover of Billy Joel's Moving Out.

The Format - Moving Out (Billy Joel Cover).mp3

Turntable Needed, Donations Accepted

Dear Everyone,

I am looking to buy a record player / turntable. I have recently started collecting some vinyl, but have nothing to play them on. So sad. Let me know if you guys know of anyone selling or giving one away.

ALSO - if anyone has some vinyl LPs that jive with my music taste, and you want to sell - drop me a line!

New Mountain Goats Video -Sax Rohmer #1

The first video off The Mountain Goats' new LP, Heretic Pride. Not only is the album fabulous, but this is one of the most innovative cool videos I have seen in a LONG time!

Best movie background music

If any of you have caught Cloverfield, there is a party scene with some awesome music in the background. Definitely a party I would want to be at. Hypeful even got together the playlist together with MP3s. Check it out!

Saul Williams - Sunday Bloody Sunday video

Intense? Less annoying than Bono? Yes, and yes.

27 Jennifers video - Mike Doughty

Hooray! A new video for Mike Doughty's upcoming LP, Golden Delicious. The video features 27 girls actually named Jennifer.

New Years Eve Radiohead Webcast - in case you missed it

In case you missed it, here is the New Years Eve Radiohead webcast Scotch Mist. They sound amazing. As for me, I missed it because I was too busy freezing at Seattle Center watching the Space Needle fireworks show malfunction. No countdown, no "Happy New Year!!!" . . . just lots of confused, disappointed, cold people wandering back to their cars. Woo Hoo!

Belated 2007 Albums rundown

Ack! I have been so busy that I failed to offer my Best albums of 2007 list to the deluge of other lists that have been circulating around the blogosphere. I have a tough time ranking albums, so I am going to base my decisions largely upon the following questions:

1. What is the album's play count in my iTunes?
2. How long has my excitement about the album lasted?
3. Does it work as an "album," or are there just specific songs that I like?
   

Top 5

• Band of Horses – Cease to Begin
• This album got me more excited about music than anything has in a long while. I had sampled their Everything All at Once last year, but for some reason, it didn't stick. I must have played Cease to Begin 10 times through, back to back, when I first got my hands on it. I have subsequently come to enjoy their previous release as well. I love the indie-croon, I love the harmonies that remind me of something off the O Brother Where Art Though soundtrack. The beard frightens me, but I can get past that.
  

• Bright Eyes – Cassadaga
• Along with the Four Winds EP, Connor Oberst has again impressed me with Cassadaga. I can even forgive the country twang on a few songs due to the overall strength and musicmanship of the rest of the album. I LOVE the strings on the album, am still impressed with Oberst's poetry, and am very glad that his vocal skills have improved yet again, as with each previous succeeding album. My wife still says he sounds like a Billy goat, but thats fine with me.
  
• Radiohead – In Rainbows
• I hope all of the hubbub about this album doesn't leave a bad taste in peoples' mouth. When Radiohead is "on," I love them. When they are "off," I can't stand it. Kid A didn't do it for me. In Rainbows takes what they do best and projects it down fresh and new paths. It is an odd album in that respect. It all feels very familiar, but doesn't smack of repetition. It doesn't feel like they are simply repeating tired formulas. With each listen I like it more.
  
• Domo – Baby Mercury
• Why hasn't anyone heard of this band? I have readily admitted my penchant for indie-punk-pop. This Tempe, AZ 3-piece packs a mighty punch! Guitarist and main vocalist Captain Advantage - AKA Jason Sukut (previous keyboardist for fifteen minutes fast) has an unbelievable talent of consistently writing some of the most catchy hooks I have ever heard. Their previous 2006 self-released Sweet Creepy is equally impressive. I hope this band breaks big. I also hope that Sukut's membership in the Source Victoria doesn't distract him from giving us some more Domo albums!
  
• Minus the Bear – Planet of Ice
• This album was a pleasant surprise. I liked their Menos El Oso, but I didn't love it. However, I love Planet of Ice. It features the best parts of the pre-Menos El Oso era, and incorporates the good innovations from Menos El Oso. It seems like a reconciliation of two styles - like the band was trying to sort through and come to terms with the various sounds they have been toying around with. However, in being such, Planet of Ice fails to break much new ground. Thats fine with me though, because it rocks my socks off! Also, I don't know what it is about the albums title, but it perfectly fits the feel of the music. Weird, I know, but true.
  

Close Runners-Up

• Iron & Wine – Shepherds Dog
• I can't decide if I like where Sam Beam is taking us. I like this album a lot, but often find myself returning back to his more stripped-down, acoustic recordings.
  
• Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha
• Holy Musician! Always amazing, but never at the top of my list.
  
• Lifesavas – Gutterfly
• Spirit in Stone took a long time to grow on me, and I think the same holds true with Gutterfly.
  
• Maritime – Heresy and the Hotel Choir
• I loved their previous releases. This one holds up well, and might hold together better as an album than the other 2 did.
  
• Dear and the Headlights – Small Steps, Heavy Hooves
• Another band that everyone should know. These guys are just fun.
  
• Galactic – From the Corner to the Block
• Funk + a bunch of the Quannum crew = awesome.
  
• Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
• I don't like all of the songs on this album. But the ones I do like are among my top tracks of 2007.
  
• Great Lake Swimmers – Ongiara
• I have clocked a lot of hours studying to this album
  
• The New Amsterdams – At the Foot of my Rival
• SOOOOOO much better than Story like a Scar. SO much better!
  
• Okkervil River – The Stage Names
• Growing on me, quickly.
  
• Grand Archives – Grand Archives CDR
• Though only 4 songs long, this self-released CDR is giving me VERY high hopes for their upcoming Subpop full length.
  
• Blue Scholars – Bayani
• I liked their self-titled and Long March EP better, but I still spin this one a lot. I especially like playing the opening sample of "Still got Love" really loud to annoy the Mrs.
  
• Adam Panic – Wonderful
• This album has been a long time coming - I am glad it is finally out, but hope it picks up
  
• Jose Gonzalez – In our Nature
• Why hadn't I heard of this guy before? Amazing.
  
• Lateef the Truth Speaker and Z-Trip – Ahead of the Curve
• Oh Lateef - how you tease us! I have been waiting for a full length Lateef album for a while! This is getting there, but I'm ready for a full album of 100% new tunes.
• Viţa de Vie - Egon
• I hesitate to mention it, because its Romanian and no one I know but me speaks Romanian. But, this is Viţa de Vie's best album, hands down, by leaps and bounds. Too bad no one but me enjoys it.
  

Good enough to get significant play-time in my iTunes

• Pinback – Autmn of Seraphs
• Pinback never stuck with me before, but I like this one.
  
• Saves the Day – Under the Boards
• "Can't stay the same" is among my top tracks of 2007. There are some other gems on this album, but some not-so-good ones too.
  
• John Vanderslice – Emerald City
• A few phenomenal tracks, a few lackluster ones.
  
• Jeremy Enigk – The Missing Link
• The new songs on the EP were great - I wish there was more.
  
• The Weakerthans – Reunion Tour
• Awesome! I thought these guys were done for.
  
• The Mighty Underdogs – the Prelude EP
• The LP will be highly anticipated. The Gift of Gab + Lateef = classic. It has a very early '90s vibe in the sample choices.
  
• The National – Boxer
• I didn't like it on the 1st listen. I have no problem with mumbling, but this album bored me. After a couple more listens, it is growing on me.
  
• Lyrics Born – The Lyrics Born Variety Show: Season 2
• I liked Season 1 a lot better, but still good.
  

OK, but disappointing

• Rogue Wave – Asleep at Heaven’s Gate
• Some great tracks, but a bunch of ho-hum ones that didn't resonate with me.
  
• Jonah Matranga – And
• Lackluster.
  
• Angels & Airwaves – I-Empire
• An embaressing admission. Tom is SO pretentious and it shows in the music . . . but . . . I thought it wasn't 1/2 bad. Not great, but I haven't deleted it.
  
• Matt Pond PA – If you Want Blood
• Meh.
  
• Matt Pond PA – Last Light
• This album was ok, but bored me. Not many stand out tracks
  
• Dashboard Confessional – the Shade of Poison Trees
• Better than the last 2 releases. MUCH better. I still yearn for the Swiss Army era though.
  
• The Thrills – Teenager
• I had high hopes for this one. Maybe too high - and thats why it didn't impress me.
  
• Rocky Votolato – The Brag & Cuss
• Rocky! You're killing me! I just can't handle this much country twang!
  
• Jimmy Eat World – Chase this Light
• Oh Jimmy. How you've fallen! Here's what I think the problem is. The band is no longer teenagers or even 20-somethings . . . but they still try to sing about teenage angst. It doesn't work anymore. Plus, too many of the songs smacked forced over-the-top-anthem-ness. Too polished - over produced. I'm not feeling the sincerity in the music like I did with Clarity. This said, there are a few really good tracks. Big Casino is a standout.
  
• Classic Case – Losing at Life
• Boring. I liked Dressed to Depress, and I loved Blankface. The band broke up in any case, hopefully their next ventures will be better.
  
• Saul Williams – The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!
• Meh. Give me more "Twice in a Lifetime." Give me more "Black Stacey." However, do check out the AWESOME cover of U2's Bloody Sunday!!!
  

The Dumbest Looking band of 2007

As I was eating my breakfast, a video came on for a band named The Last Goodnight. I was shocked and appalled by what absolute idiots these guys looked like. Cheese-ball mohawks, contrived emo-esque long hair all gelled down over the face, ridiculous outfits, sad pensive looks on their faces - they had it all. Good work Virgin Records - you really signed a winner this time. Is this what the music industry is coming to?! Major labels are starting to realize that the indie music scene is raking in a lot of money and critical acclaim - so they dig up some band, dress them up in some mainstream-ified attempt at indie fashion and give them some sad pining-away name like The Last Goodnight. Its sounds like an attempted homage to The Get Up Kids' The Long Goodnight, but without the sincerity, talent or actual emotion.

In any case, I couldn't turn the stupid video off because I just HAD TO see what the name of the band was at the end so I could look them up and excoriate them. I'm so disgusted by all of this, that I'm not even going to provide any links. Take that Virgin Records!

If you have an idea for a Dumber looking band - please leave a comment

Amos Lee - Colors

When was the last time that you listened to something new from the legendary Blue Note Records label? Their slogan "The Finest Jazz since 1939" is probably accurate. We're talking John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, Wynton Marsalis, Duke Ellington . . . the list goes on. While I "appreciate" classic jazz, I can't say I listen to it much. However, I can remember my old roommate Ken (a trumpet player) spinning some old jazz albums from Blue Note. In any case, Amos Lee is one of their contemporary acts and his music is really growing on me. Acoustic, bluesy, soulful. Enjoy this live video.

Best Music Video of 2007

According to Sterogum.com the best music video of 2007 was The Underdog by Spoon. Enjoy.

New Iron and Wine video - Boy with a Coin

Finally! A video from Iron & Wine's latest LP, Shepherd's Dog. Who knew that large beards and flamenco dancers could go together so well?!

Hopefully you've already snatched up Shepherd's Dog, but also consider buying the Boy with a Coin single. It has 2 great b-sides, Carried Home and Kingdom of the Animals.

New Phantom Planet

Let me be the first to say that I wasn't impressed with Phantom Planet's last LP. To be honest, I preferred Negatives 1, Negatives 2 and Polaroid - all b-sides collections. Oddly, Polaroid was the first Phantom Planet I heard, I was immediately hooked. From there I got their earlier Phantom Planet it Missing and The Guest. I highly reccommend purchasing all of those. But, I'm holding out hope that their Spring 2008 release, just announced to be on the Fueled by Ramen label, will be better than their eponymous release.

In honor of this possibility, enjoy this new video of them played some Christmas tunes. Plus an MP3 (which I presume will end up on the new LP) from their most recent Limited Edition Tour EP.

Phantom Planet - Leader.mp3

Andrew Bird - Imitosis

New Andrew Bird Video - Imitosis

Be a pal and by some of Mr. Bird's music!

Covers beat Originals #1

Covers Beat Originals #1

an MP3 series dedicated to cover songs that are better than the original

Who loves Phil Collins? Anyone? Anyone? Yup, thats what I thought. Phil is nostalgic however - conjuring up memories of the soft rock channel playing in the background as I got my hair cut by some lady named Denise when I was 11 years old. Hence, a good cover of Collins would be greatly appreciated: humorously nostalgic, but without the overt nausea-inducing effect of '80s soft rock. I even have a friend who considered starting a Phil Collins cover band called "Stu-Studio." Rusty, this one is for you.

This track is by The Postal Service, the creative side-project of Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard and DNtel's Jimmy Tamborello. It was featured on the Wicker Park soundtrack of all places. It starts slow, but kicks in at about 1:20. Enjoy.

The Postal Service - Against All Odds.MP3

If you haven't already, be sure to go buy everything the Postal Service has ever released [here] and pray that their next LP (currently in the works) will come out soon!

If you like this, then you should probably buy some of the stuff below!

Songs With Strings #1

Songs with Strings #1
an ongoing MP3 series featuring good songs with good strings

For our first installment we turn to the early career of one of my favorites - Ben Folds, who, in my opinion, is one of the most talented songwriters and musicians of our time. One of his best songs came early - on his 1990 demo. It was a bluesy track called Kalamazoo. Great song, fan favorite, but the original sound quality left MUCH to be desired. Thankfully, in 2004 Ben re-recorded Kalamazoo and put it on Super D, the third in a 3-part EP project. Explaining the new recording, Ben Folds said the following:

There's a couple of demos of this song floating around for years. I wrote it when I was about 19 or 20. One of the demos is really upbeat, recorded with my old band, Majosha. The other one was a four-track demo that I made of the song by myself in my apartment. I had to consult that version a few times to work out how the hell I was going to play drums, bass and piano on this and stay in time. Got it worked out. I added strings because I could.

Personally, I love when the drums come in. This is one of my favorite Ben Folds solo tracks. Enjoy.

Ben Folds - Kalamazoo.MP3

You can purchase this song on the original Super D EP.

Be a Pal and buy some Ben Folds or Ben Folds Five tunes!!!

Blue Scholars - Joe Metro video

One of my favorite NW hip-hop groups, the Blue Scholars just put out their 2nd single from the Bayani LP [buy it here]. Don't miss the DJ Sabzi playing the part of the bus driver.



As an added treat, check out this video of the Blue Scholars' fellow Massline Media label-mates Common Market performing live together with Geologic of Blue Scholars and Gabriel Teodros.




Add them to your collection!




Also, consider their associated act Common Market (same DJ, different MC)

Better Half - The Get Up Kids (new version)

Better Half - The Get Up Kids.mp3

Better Half was one of the best tracks off the Get Up Kids' 1997 LP debut Four Minute Mile. However, as the entire album was recorded over 2 days, the sound quality has always bothered me. Yes, yes, I know they remastered it in 2001 - but still pretty rough.

On this note, I recently stumbled across a newer recording of Better Half. And, as I always loved the music and lyrics, but chaffed at the low sound quality (and the fact that Matt Pryor's vocal skills were still in their early developmental stages), I was excited for this more polished version. It was labeled as an iTunes Exclusive Sessions acoustic track, but I haven't been able to find it on iTunes. I also read somewhere that it was at one time for sale as part of a digital EP from their label, Vagrant. But, Vagrant's website is not currently selling it. In anycase, I have the whole EP, recorded during their Guilt Show era. Enjoy the track, and let me know if you find where this is actually available for purchase.

"Better Half"

i saw my better half, the better half of a decade
slip through my hands inside her hands inside my pockets
when she reached for her advatages i should have done something
i saw my baby boy digging his own hole, keeping alive family traditions
when he lied about intentions i should have done something
well, i blame myself for everything it keeps my conscience clean -
i've got bandages to prove it

Elliott Smith v. Onelinedrawing

Elliott Smith versus Jonah Matranga's Onelinedrawing . Lets have an indie-acoustic throwdown!

Here are 2 of my favorite tracks by these two bands - both about parades.

Elliott Smith - Rose Parade.mp3

This is off of Smith's 1997 Either Or LP, which is possibly my favorite of his albums. I vacillate a lot on which is my favorite Elliott Smith album - Either Or, Figure 8, XO. It changes daily. however, the recent posthumous New Moon release is climbing in the rankings!

Onelinedrawing - The Big Parade.mp3

This is off of Onelinedrawing's Sketchy EP #2. It is about the disillusionment of a returned-home soldier (Vietnam era perhaps?). It may be one of the saddest songs in my collection. In other news, Jonah has dropped the Onelinedrawing moniker, and has a new album called And. Its good - a lot better than the Sketchy EP 3 he put out right before it.

Give each a listen and comment on which one you like best.


Buy some Elliott Smith


Buy some Onelinedrawing and associated bands