Darnielle and Princess Peach

This is truly a gamer's wet dream come true in the form of an amazing Mountain Goats song. John teams up with Kaki King to pay homage to one of the greatest video game love stories of all time. It's called "Thank You Mario But Our Princess Is In Another Castle" and you can find it here! Please check this one out!!!!

Leaky Reviews

Okkervil River- The Stand-Ins



So, if you put the cover art of last release from Okkervil River above the cover of the newest album, it completes a macabre, melancholy picture that serves as an excellent metaphor for the relationship between the two LPs. The newest effort from Will and company is not so much a new album, but a continuation, or completion to the last. It serves as a beautiful and catharthic climax to tack on to the tail of The Stage Names (2007). But, you don't need to make the comparison to find this record brilliant. From the first listen, Sheff's strained tenor, which serves as the focal point above some awesome guitar/ piano harmony, will pull you in and either make you weep or glow. I find myself biased whenever I attempt to review an Okkervil River album because personally, I feel moved when I hear this band, even coming out of some shitty, stock, laptop speakers. If you don't love this album, then you have no soul.

Conor Oberst- Conor Oberst



Since these LPs leaked at the same time I figured I'd give them a few listens and review them together. I didn't know that I would find myself writing some sort of "Hot and Not" gimmick, but that's the position I'm in right now. I'll start with the only positive thing I could possibly say about this... abomination. Say what you want about how bad this guy's last few records have been (Cassadaga (2007)) but it is very obvious that Oberst is maturing. Now, I don't necessarily feel he is growing in the right direction, but if you've noticed, he has found the type of music he wants to make and he is making some solid albums in that vein. He has no variation anymore, his voice, though still shaky, just doesn't have that "sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat" urgency about it. And I feel he has given up lyrically. This record lies flat for a majority of a listen. I used to be able to listen to him and feel something, I mean, I still feel something, but it's more of an urge to vomit rather than drink booze and cry about girls. I guess it's not really that bad, but I was really anticipating this one, as I was with Cassadaga. I would hesitate before you pre-order this one on i Tunes.

Best of '08 so far, according to Big A

So, I've been out of commission after a major surgery to my right arm, which has given me a chance to listen to a lot of the releases of 2008 that I haven't been able to get around to. I decided that it would be good to do a little list of the best that this year has had to offer, since we're at the halfway mark and all. Just a quick side note, I've been listening to some different bands lately so this list might not be the hippest, but well, fuck being hip.

10. Andrew Jackson Jihad- Only God Can Judge Me



Like I said, I've been listening to some different things lately, and this qualifies as one of them. Can't really remember how I first heard this folk punk two-some, but I was really pulled in from the first banjo twang. This EP demonstrates that the band can do more than play fast, and lyrically, they are as good as ever.

9. Silver Jews- Lookout Mountain/ Lookout Sea



This one was not as great as I expected, but, come one, anything by my main man David Berman can't be too disappointing. I might need to digest this more before I move it either up or completely off the list, but until then, it sits at 9.

8. Why?- Alopecia



I have never been to into this threesome until the most recent release. Alopecia marginally surprised me, and I was actually pretty impressed and found myself actually listening to the whole album through. I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that there wasn't much being released around the time of this one, but either way, it's pretty damn good.

7. m83- Saturdays= Youth



I've always been a staunch critic of dance/ club music and how some of these "artists" can swagger around the indie scene with such pride. I may be turning as I have found the most recent release from Anthony Gonzalez absouletely brilliant! If I was a leather pants-clad hipster-doofus, I would've put this higher on the list, but I still think most electronic music sucks.

6. Destroyer- Trouble in Dreams



This is another album I need to log a few more listens into, but even after the first time I heard this release I was impressed. This might move up the list by the end of the year.

5. Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes



This was an awesome album that I was really looking forward to hearing after their EP came out. I heard the leak pretty early and sadly, I had really over-listened it by the time of the actual release, but I think this was everything I was expecting from this up-and-coming indie group.

4. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy- Lie Down in the Light



When I first heard this album, I thought it would be a mood- sensitive album, like there rest of his releases; boy, was I wrong. I could listen to this album back to back through any activity, mood, weather, or apocalyptic disaster. This is one that I can guarantee will be on the end of the year list!

3. Girl Talk- Feed the Animals



Cries of "Overrated!" could be heard from bloggers coast to coast as the release date approached for Greg Gillis' project's 2008 release. After being thrust into the limelight with his magnum opus, Night Ripper, many expected him to fade away like so many blog-darlings do. But Greg would not relent, he would not give up, he would fight his way to the top! And with this awesome album he does just that, expect this to be an '08 party starter!

2. Santogold- Santogold



Santi White has done what many artists expect to do in a decade in less than a year. After the release of her self-titled album, which absolutely blew me, and many I know, away, she has gone on to record with Pharrell and is even about to tour with Coldplay (you know how I know she's gay... oh, forget it.) This is a must have for anyone, with any musical taste.

1. The Gaslight Anthem- The '59 Sound



This will probably be disputed by most other bloggers, and really anyone who claims to have a refined indie taste. Well, don't let these charlatans swindle you out of hearing one of the best rock n' roll albums of all time. So what if it sounds like Springsteen, these guys make him look a tutu-wearing creep. I picked this album as number one because it really stuck on me, I find myself telling everyone I know to check it out, and listening to it every chance I get. To get the full effect, chug a beer, and another, and another, then enjoy.

Paste Interview with Doug Martsch

Doug Martsch of Built to Spill talks about the current indie music scene. link
"And I feel, myself, that there’s not a whole lot I can learn from some 25-year-old from America."

I Was Running

mp3: A-Trak - "Mastered" ft. Lupe Fiasco

He should make the cover of Thrasher. This song is from the Running Man mix for Nike.

Popcast: Girl Talk - Feed The Animals Listening Party

Check out the Popsicle listening party. This week's subject is Girl Talk's new album, Feed The Animals.


mp3: Popcast # 1

W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E Video

He stands on R2D2 in it but it's still not even close to the best music video ever made:

Bitstrips

I found my new favorite website. Check out Bitstrips. The website allows you to create your own comic strips and characters. Also you can rate other people's strips and publish them anywhere. Check out my first attempt.

New Raekwon and Ghostface

mp3: Raekwon ft. Ghostface Killah - "Jihad" from the upcoming Only Built for Cuban Linx II

Arto Saari Gets Abducted

Arto doesn't have to look forward to any anal probes or seed-stealing after being picked up by Alien Workshop. He joins an elite crew and leaves behind a fledgling Flip gang after many years he spent with them. Look forward to some new, excellent Arto art from the designers at A. W. who have been pioneers in the art of skateboard graphics. In other news, Jerry Hsu has joined the prolific team that C.C.S. has. All is well in the world of skateboarding!

Reviewin'

Lots of good music came out this Tuesday.

The Roots - Rising Down
3.5 Pops

The Roots dropped their 8th studio album on Tuesday. Continuing with the darker themes and mood of Game Theory, the synth heavy album features guest spots from favorites like peedi peedi and Popsicle golden boy Wale. Luckily they dropped the Fall Out Boy ridden "Birthday Girl". I feel that the album is a good step for the boys from Philly. Dark and socially conscious, without it feeling forced.

Here is "Rising Up" featuring Wale and Chrisette Michele.



Santogold - Santogold
4 Pops
I had avoided the hype on this album and only heard 2 songs before it's release, "LES Artistes" and "You'll find a way". The prior definitely jumped out at me and I knew this album would be special. As soon as I got through that song, the first on the album, I found out the version of "You'll find a way" that I had was a remix, and the album version is a ska influenced rendition that couldn't be further away from what I had heard. I was pleasantly surprised and my expectations for the album shifted. Santi's debut jumps through influences, touching on dub, new wave, hip hop and pop sounds without ever feeling jarring. Her vocals range from yelps to smooth pop singing. A talented singer with a diverse backdrop to shine on. Great album.

Here is the first single, LES Artistes




Blue Sky Black Death - Late Night Cinema
4 Pops
Production duo Kingston and Young God are back with an album showcasing their instrumental prowess. 2006's A Heap of Broken Images was what hooked me, with the instrumental disc outshining the main disc with appearances from rappers. This album stands alone and continues with a similar sound and feel. A bit less dark, but the production is top-notch. Rich, atmospheric, often haunting instrumental hip hop. The sound is different from most well-known producers, relying less on obvious sampling and creating smooth, flowing music where the mood often shifts dramatically throughout the song. Unlike most instrumental hip hop releases which are either beats wishing for an MC or the instrumental accompaniment to an album, BSBD's production is moving and rich enough that there isn't even room for vocals. I've only had time to listen to this album a couple of times, but I suspect that like Heap of Broken Images, the appeal will last for years as I discover more and more nuances of their rich soundscapes.

3 songs from the album on their myspace.

Starin' Like A Goat

I had higher hopes for Spanky and The Boss. 2 popsicle sticks down.

The song in the background to this little clip has potential though.

Jay Reatard Makes Boy Get New Shirt, Face

That's all I will be thinking about when I listen to "My Shadow" from now on.

Different angle below. Up close shirt mutilation.

Musings

This is the first time I've watched an entire feature on Pitchfork TV. First of all I'm glad to see that the little kid from A Christmas Story is still relatively famous. I never knew he was British and named Jamie Lidell. After watching this squirmingly unfunny interview all the way through can you really justify trusting this person's music? I'm glad to see that Abebe kind of plays along with the rambling, bearded giggling of Lidell and feigns amusement. If someone was trying that hard to entertain you, wouldn't you laugh along as well? Soon though, it's going to be hard justifying Pitchfork as a reliable critic if the HQ is going bananas for this dork.

Here's the interview:

Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell

I believe this guy is faking what his voice sounds like but don't hold that against him. Listen to the first song when he says, "an address that you know...she heard it on cassette. The first song is average. I saw these shitheads in concert and they didn't even play the song "we've got our tracks covered/thanks to your older brother". "In A Cave" has a catchy little thing it does "all my hair grows in/ wrinkles leave my skin" you'll hear it. This is up there with their better songs. The next one sucks. "Juno" is about that the movie i think, trying to grab some of that money.(kind of dates the song, guys) I think "Tessellate" is going to be the new single, it blows dick too. "The Harrowing..." something sounds different, maybe try out that one if you want to hear something sound different by them. The rest all sounds the same. This sounds like something Pitchfork would like though.(Edit - Nope)

Be Your Own Pet - Get Awkward

This is the sophomore(?) album from Nashville highschoolers. They talk about pizza and slumber parties. The first song, "Black Hole" contains the lyrics "eating pizza is really great/so is destroying everything you hate." If you like eating pizza this song is for you. The second song blows. They don't mention pizza once. "Becky" is a pretty good song. It talks about signing yearbooks and "talking shit" but it's catchy enough to ignore all of that. "Food Fight!" talks about partying also. I didn't listen to much else but I assume it sucks. It's a good album to have on if you are having a pizza party though.

Pretend You're Us!

Muxtape is this website where you like put up songs on it and people can be all like, "oh snap, they listenin' to this?"

Pretend you are Alex and I by listening to what we are listening to:

Bort

Jame Gumb

also here are two mp3's that you might enjoy after the listening:

mp3:Estelle ft. Kanye West - American Boy

mp3:Paper Route Gangstaz - Bama Gettin Money (Diplo Remix)

Popsicle Review: Visiter

I usually shy away from attempting to write up an album after P4k has already done so, let alone with an album that receieved the, oh so prestigious, "Best New Music" label. But after hearing this stellar album from this San Fran twosome the Dodos I had to give them atleast some ups. With the usual bullshit you see P4k upping you either expect some monotonous sounding dance, dance-punk, disoco-punk, remixes of the above, or, strangely enough, freak folk. So the unexpecting listener might have been preparing for a pounding beats with an overweight hipster singing on top, or they may have expected sparse guitar with shrill squealing lyrics being spit out above it. Well, prepare to be fucked in your ear pussy. It is amazing the kinds of things duos are able to accomplish today, this band sputters out tunes that sound like they could have been accomplished by only a full ensemble, they sound like Animal Collective at times. And lyricists and singer Meric Long's voice is a soothing shift away from that yuppie from Vampire Weekend or the like. It is easy to compare this band to Animal Collective, especially from a percussion standpoint, the drummer is very versatile and able to change the way one sees a drummers role should be, akin to Panda Bear. In "Joe'z Waltz", the Dodos descend into a great bluesy tune that shows how this band is not afraid to take chances. I have several term papers to work on, so I won't turn this review into a dissertation on the band (like some people we know) but I just had to get in a few words about this band. You will not be dissappointed with this record, trust me. P.S. Check out those shoes! I have wanted those Lakai Manchesters for quite a while now!

Congrats on the Face, Bro!

It's no surprise that the entire world of skateboarding has turned its back on Ryan Sheckler. And after laying my little peepers on this [insert interchangeable acne cream company name] commercial, I couldn't help but wish the little fella would, you know, suck a tail pipe. This little shit would sell out any of his fellow skateboarders, and the entire sport (me and Riley argue over whether or not its a sport, so for now let's call it good old fashioned fun) for fame; and now, finally, he has actually sold his dignity so he could make a few bucks. Well, he does join the illustrious crew whom already mindlessly endorse this product: Jessica Simpson and P. Diddy (bad boys for life). Let us take a moment of silence and mourn for this lost soul... He states, "I was wearing tights pants, small t-shirts, long hair...", well, congratulations man, now you're a tool.

Hsu? New Shoe? Blue? HELL YEAH!

Jerry Hsu, our resident asian-american hero, has finally released his brand new pro model for the totally rad, like totally non-corporate company, Emerica. Okay, so I'm not too big on Emerica, but I sure as hell love me some Jerry Hsu (running Enjoi bias [did I mention they're our parent company?]) and his shoe looks great! I never was a fan of high or even mid-tops, but Jerry chose some very agreeable colors and made them look stylish and functional. But the release party for the man's shoe was even better, it looks like some of the people were getting drunk for the first time! Check out these pics and make sure to go out and purchase your new Hsu's (this pun is priceless) as soon as your nearest skate shop gets them in! Respect!

Fear and Loathing in Hunts Vegas

Benzi and Diplo are putting out a paper route records mixtape. purveyors of "wood grain" and "rollin'" which I think were 2 of the best rap records of 2007. coming soon on mad decent. here is a sampler. sounds like its going to be great.



MP3 Download

via urb

Popsicle Review: Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel

Well, I finally had a chance to fully listen and digest Bradford Cox's latest release under his solo moniker, Atlas Sound. I didn't have much solo-Bradford experience beyond a cover of Grizzly Bear's "Knife" (Which I didn't quite get) and a few singles here and there. To put it bluntly, I've never been very impressed. Which is why this record absolutely blew me away. Each song has its own unique charm as well as a very prsonal aspect. One song is about a girl who Cox proposed to (in 5th grade), another is about a death in his family that hit him hard, and there is even one inspired by bite marks left after a homosexual make out session. The only negative aspect of it was the dreamy, atmospheric texture seemed to shroud Cox's melodies. But when you step back and look at this album as a whole or peer into the minutae of synths and fuzzy guitar you will not be dissappointed.

Commercial Humor

I was going to lay off on commenting on Art Brut's latest break into Hollywood with their T Mobile commercial. But then I saw another troubling advertisement that also caught my eye. Two men, from different sectors of "show business", who I find humorous and entertaining have made the jump, or should I say plummet, into mainstream television advertisement. T Mobile fails to harness the humorous nature of the Art Brut front man Eddie Argos, and Denny's makes a mockery of Paulie "Walnuts" in their respective commercials. You have to head over to Idolator to check out the Argos ad but we have poor Tony Sirico's Denny's sell right here.

Popsicle Review: Heretic Pride

The hardest bands to review are those who have released wide discographies that span decades as well as those who have transformed over time making it nearly impossible to compare their early work with new releases. The Mountain Goats, however, posess both of these features. With nearly three-hundred songs under his belt and a career reaching back to his reggae days in college in the early nineties, as well as a stark contrast between the type and quality of music produced, any new release by John Darnielle is very hard to review and rate.

I like to break John down into two eras: the Panasonic Boombox era, and the studio era. Since Heretic Pride fits into the latter, its easiest to review it with albums like Tallahassee, The Sunset Tree, and Get Lonely in mind. The record opens with a Sax Rohmer #1 in which we see John pounding on the guitar and belting out his highly lyrical prose. After hearing this single I had such high hope for the new album that I actually knew I would be disappointed. And as I foretold I was, slightly.

The album begins to sound too predictable and because of how over-produced he is now it almost overshadows his lyrical genius. The record has no memorable lines, and something that Darnielle is great at doing is putting a phrase into our minds forever. It seems that John has completely shifted his focus onto his music rather than his lyrics which is very troubling for any true Mountain Goats fan. This album is far more listenable than the last release from Darnielle, Get Lonely, but The Sunset Tree still overpowers any of his other studio releases to this date. It seems that all Darnielle fans can hope for is his return to the old boombox recordings.

Rating: 5 Popsicles
[Since this is the first review I'll explain the rating system. The album will get from 1 to 10 popsicles, 10 being perfect and 1 being Icky Thump]

Happy Birthday J Dilla

On the 10th it will have been 2 years since J Dilla passed away. Dilla is one of my favorite producers of all time, and his music never seems to lose that spark it had when I first heard it. Today is Dilla's birthday, if you have never heard his work, give yourself a present and check some out.
Grab the Thank you Jay Dee Act 3 Podcast on itunes. Over an hour of Dilla classics.

Some standout dilla tracks...

A Tribe Called Quest-1nce again


This song changed how I thought about hip hop. 1996. I didn't even know what a producer was then. 10 years later I realized Dilla did the beat.

J Dilla - Nothing Like This

When I first heard this song I wasn't sure what to think. A bit different, but the video is great.

J Dilla - Won't Do

Classic Dilla style and swagger. Posthumous video featuring his brother.

Highlights from Donuts

10 Minutes of Donuts, if these don't get your head nodding I don't know what will.

Ghostface in Rehab!

Big Doe Rehab, that is. In the video from his first single off of "The Big Doe Rehab", we see Ghostface Killah in all his glory, discussing what he has been doing to fight his addiction. Ghost can't quite kick his old habits, and this hot nurse isn't helping.

Celebrate!

Lil' Wayne Still Loves Coke

After being arrested on yet another drug charge one would assume the high profile, yet inordinately relaxed rapper Lil' Wayne would probably lay low on the drug glamourization. But after viewing his new, live video, which was shot in San Diego, of his newest song "Gossip", it seems that he might have upped his drug reppin'. The crowd goes wild everytime Weezy snorts some "air coke". I'm sure his lawyers hope that he'll start "using his head" and keep the drug references to a minimum... well at least until his arraignment.

Between Two Ferns

Check out this serious interview between two silly people.



this is also pretty funny for those sad Arrested Development fans out there.

New Silver Jews Album, Interview

There's a great interview over at Pitchfork of Silver Jews' Frontman David Berman talking about the new record Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea. Berman talks about the progress of the album and getting a new eye because the old one was stomped on in a fight and had a growth on it. Great read.

mp3: Silver Jews - People

...

also, for those in wait for P.T. Anderson's epic There Will Be Blood to come to a theatre near them, read through this interview with the main man himself over at The A.V. Club

Mark Ronson presents Rhymefest - Man in the Mirror

I haven't listened to much Rhymefest. I loved "Brand New", but thought it might just be because of the Kanye appearance. Slept on him for a while but my interest was renewed with "Angry black man in an elevator". If you haven't heard Rhymefest, here is a good, free, and legal way to get a taste. Mark Ronson put together this mixtape which is a dedication to Michael Jackson, with Fest going back and forth with old samples of Jacko talking. Pretty funny skits. With tracks featuring Popsicle goldenboys Wale and Ghostface, Talib Kweli, and ronsonite Daniel Merriwether, this mixtape is a great listen. Rhymefest's El Che is set to drop this year.

Download Link



In other Ronson news, Mark is featured as guest dj on today's NPR All Songs Considered. He plays some good stuff and the interview is pretty interesting. Bob Boilen loves Wale!

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