Friday, May 28, 2010

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin | Sink/Let It Sway

Yes, yes, yes... Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin are back with a fresh new Chris Walla produced album and a new single "Sink/Let It Sway."

We've been big fans of theirs for a few years now, and even bigger fans of their outstanding album Pershing. While "Sink/Let It Sway" isn't quite on par, yet, with the tunes of their last album, it's a good start.

MP3: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Sink/Let It Sway

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band | Leaving Trails

A lot of people don't like it when you say a band is the "bastard child of...", but, I'm not one of "those people." I find it to be one of the best ways to describe someone pretty well.

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam band sound like the bastard child of Interpol and The Strokes and grew up listening to Spoon. The garagey vibe with the monotone, sing-talk lyrics. "Leaving Trails" rocks out in a completely garage/indie-pop way and has a summer-time vibe.

MP3: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band - Leaving Trails

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Behind The Tables With DJ Sober




I've seen Sober play out a couple of times, the first time I saw him was when he opened for Kool Keith a couple years ago. I saw him another time opening up for someone else, but, he was excellent both times I saw him. For me it was awesome to watch him at his craft, but, it was even better that he was playing all late golden era NYC hip-hop. Craig Mack, Biggie, Wu...

The video is stunning in it's cinematography and bed music, which is really what sets this piece off. (via DC9 via Bocha Libre)

Pretty Lights | Making Up A Changing Mind

It really is no secret that we're big fans of Pretty Lights around these parts. But, what was a little surprising to me is that I missed the latest release... that was released back in March. I am slippin.

The newest EP continues with the clever wordplay titles, and down-shifts a little bit. The classic soul and blues samples help give this EP a very laid back vibe. The music doctor prescribes it for the first thing you listen to after smokin' out or as the soundtrack to makin' it with you partner.

Get the whole shebang, shebang for free here.

MP3: Pretty Lights - Understand Me Now

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Pearl Jam + Ben Bridwell | Hunger Strike

Warpaint | Elephant

Recently I was asked by a promoter to create a poster for an upcoming show featuring the band Warpaint. I knew the name, not the music. Usually, I do a little research into the band, their sound and what not to come up with the poster. However, for Warpaint... I mean c'mon, pretty easy to come up with something. Yeeeaaaah... I got shutdown and asked to come up with something else. Part of the gig? Yes.

So, I checked out their tunes and was blown away, I was pretty off the mark with what I had created. But, upon listening to them I fell in love. I heard "Billy Holiday" first, then "Elephant." Charming, mesmerizing, minimalist and right in my wheel house.

MP3: Warpaint - Elephant

Monday, May 24, 2010

Yo La Tengo | Here To Fall (Pete Rock Remix)

It's not often you'll see a Yo La Tengo post here, but, when I see Yo La Tengo and a Pete Rock remix, then consider my interest piqued.

MP3: Yo La Tengo - Here To Fall (Pete Rock Remix) (via Matador)

Friday, May 21, 2010

DJ Rap | I'm Ready

It's been about 12 years since I was introduced to DJ Rap via BT's "Never Gonna Come Back Down." I was intrigued to see who exactly would inspire Mike Doughty to find a way to insert her into his freestyle on that song and why he would want her digits. Then I saw the cover of her debut electro-pop album Learning Curve. I mean, if you're a red-blooded American man (who loves electronica) and you see that album cover and don't buy it... keep on walkin'.

That album was front to back goodness, decent processed vocals over great beats that wouldn't push the average listener away.

Well, it's been 11 years since that album and after DJing around the world since then she's finally back with a new song, "I'm Ready."

Sadly, it's a bit of a disappointment. It comes nowhere near the greatness of "Bad Girl," "Good To Be Alive" and "Ordinary Day." I'm going to hold out judgment until I can hear the rest of the album... but, this is lacking promise.

MP3: DJ Rap - I'm Ready (via Spinner)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

23RAINYDAYS | The Enemy


23Rainydays wears their look and influence firmly on their sleeves. The look clearly derived from goth and a sound that comes from equal parts dance music and punk this L.A. band wants you to take notice of them... and not always for the best.

Lead singer Ian Kaine MacGregor tries a little too hard to sound like his English goth-pop influences. Instead of saying "my" it comes out a "moy" and so on and so on. What they lack for imagination and originality is made up with catch album titles, Instruments of Fashion And The Murder of Romance. While bands like Deadsy have come off as hard and more catchy, 23's best song "Goodnight & Goodbye" isn't featured on this album.

The boys need to stop trying so hard to be edgy and focus more on the music.

MP3: 23Rainydays - Get A Gun

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

It's Been A While

Did you miss us? We missed you. We had to take a little time off to things back in balance with working full-time, going to school full-time and transitioning jobs. But, we will be back and just as good as we ever were.

We look forward to you coming back for more...

-Lance

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Kristen Wiig | Champion

Kristen Wiig: sexy, funny and now sultry singer. Yep, the easy-on-the-eyes comedian is featured on the MacGruber soundtrack with "Champion."

MP3: Kristen Wiig - Champion

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

About Last Night... Pearl Jam

The long cold winter of my Pearl Jam discontent was finally over on Monday night as the last of the international grunge boys made their way to Kansas City.

The set meandered through all eras of their music and started off strong with one of my favorite songs, "Of The Girl," from Binaural and continued with "Animal" and "World Wide Suicide." However, for me the show bogged down a little bit with their newer material. "Unknown Thought," "Among The Waves" and "Johnny Guitar" don't have the rockin' sting the band once carried. It probably springs from the fact that as the band approaches their 50's (yes, fifties) they just aren't as pissed off as they once were in their twenties... and the newer songs show as much as they may still have the same opinions and feelings they should be shaking their fists instead of yelling.

But, here's the rub... the songs through 2003's Riot Act, even 2007's self-titled album still have all the piss-and-vinegar they once did and still hold the same emotion.

That being said, they are still, and will probably continue to be one of the most entertaining live acts that are on the road.

Of The Girl
Animal
World Wide Suicide
Got Some
Unthought Known
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
MFC
Johnny Guitar
Amongst The Waves
Even Flow
Gods' Dice
Present Tense
Daughter
Wishlist
Insignificance
Do The Evolution

Encore 2

Off He Goes
Just Breathe
Given To Fly
The Fixer
Life Wasted
Porch

Encore 2

No More
Black
Better Man
Happy Birthday
Alive
Rockin' In The Free World
Yellow Ledbetter