Free Energy/ "Hope Child" at Brooklyn Bowl

Ray Concepcion beautifully captures Free Energy's "Hope Child" for Pitchfork's "Tunnelvision." Free Energy is derivative music that stylistically could fit any Almost Famous classic rock mold. On record they sound like a more populist version of the Hold Steady-like bar band which is no reason to head over to their myspace, however, the video below is worth the 5 minutes.

Gil Scott-Heron/ "Me and the Devil" Video

First thing, in I'd say about a month (check my last post date), that sparked a "I need to share"/"I need to discuss" fire in my brain.

Directors, Coodie & Chike and Michael Sterling Eaton, portray skate culture as a mysteriously deviant voodoo gang. The video captures the sweeping movement of skating within the haunting city night. Like most videos out there, "Me and the Devil" isn't exceptional or "post-worthy" because they well...are in congruent to the song or are just flat out flat. However, for me Gil Scott-Heron's voice and consequential musical track brings about powerful images of a man that has once lived, died, and now speaks to us from the beyond. (Not to say he is Jesus or anything, but, he sings like a man on the brink.) The song over shadows, but, the video compliments nicely.

"Brother Sport" Video

Animal Collective continually prove they are a factory of ideas. Vision and execution pervail in this childish psyche explosion of color. Feels like a coloring book laid over/then integrated with real life images.

Is it summer yet?

"Big Wave Rider" by Rainbow Bridge.

The (k)Now

beck/charlotte gainsbourg "heaven can wait"

Recently, Beck made a record with French Actress/Singer Charlotte Gainsbourg. The first track, "IRM" perferated the blogosphere in late summer. The song's production implicates Beck's involvement but there are no actual vocals that place him in studio (although he absolutely was). Proof is in the pudding, but, no writing on the wall...Until the second helping off of IRM, "Heaven Can Wait," scribbles all over the proverbial wall with lipstick and spray paint "BECK WAS HERE." Beck and Gainsbourg elegantly merge their vocal mojo in a track that likens to most material off Sea Change.



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real estate "fake blues" & "basement"

Real Estate performed new track "Basement" (as captures by Ray Concepcion) at Piano's in NYC for CMJ and "Fake Blues" at Pitchfork Showpaper Benefit. "Basement" carries the common thread of aquatic, ever expanding guitar that makes Real Estate so pleasant. While "Basement" lingers before shooting for the moon, "Fake Blues" seems to start mid flight. The Pitchfork Showpaper Benefit set includes a performance of Ducktails' "Mall" and is available for free download at Pitchfork.





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dum dum girls "play with fire"


Buzzsaw band Dum Dum Grils create a teasing and distant sounding cover of Rolling Stone's dingy "Play With Fire." With tasteful and purposeful decisions the band create a sonic current or stretch of road with the elongated "fire" that leaves lead singer's, Dee Dee, mouth. While I wish more of the lyrics were audible, that's not in the Dum Dum Girl's vain; playing it the way they hear it.

stream> dum dum girls:: "play with fire"

The (k)Now

So I came back with a few posts and then went away again...but it was all for a good cause. Here is The (k)Now with some more music/writing projects on the way.

real estate "black lake"

Another video from Jersey's Real Estate. The band played at CMJ last week and all the classy basement fun was captured by Chocolate Bobka. Real Estate's live footage adds to the charm of the band and is more essential than most of their LP's.

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them crooked vulture "new fang"



Them Crooked Vultures composed of Homme, Grohl, an Jones is a no brainier on paper (at least to me). The band can't fail in the rock world. Whether it is critically acclaimed is another issue and the band's first song "New Fang" is the critics most tangible piece of material. The track is riff frantic, carries a nice swing pace, and Homme always makes rock and roll sound ghastly. "New Fang" doesn't break down any walls and I hope this is one of the more instrumentally mild tracks. As safe as this song sounds, I am sure it is safer to spend $14 for the whole S/T LP out November 17th...so head to your nearest Best Buy.

previously:

them crooked vultures

For all things mainstream and Best Buy-like, I am curious to wonder what Josh Homme (lead singer/guitarist of Queens of the Stoneage) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin bassist) would want to do with Dave Grohl of the "Foo Foo Fighters." It is understood that Grohl and Homme have worked together (Grohl playing drums on the QOTS's Songs for the Deaf), but, after Grohl's most recent Foo releases, what could they possibly still have in common. All bitching aside, I am excited to hear about this undeniable supergroup called Them Crooked Vultures in which Grohl will once again sit behind a kit, Homme on guitar, and Jones on bass. Let's hope Grohl wipes off the Foo stank from his boots before entering the studio and can get back to basics with some originals.

There are some rumors about a fall album release and tour, however, no official word. Until then stay connected at the bands official website, Myspace, and Facebook. Something smells...

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Distortion in music is mostly associated with what was considered as grunge, or, punk; and gets overused by most alternative styles in an effort to add an edge or aggressive quality to what would normally be listened to as soft. This year specially, I have heard far more lo-fi infused songs/groups. Now add distortion to one's populist palette. "A/B" Machines by Brooklyn's Sleigh Bells, is a hook heavy, indie car guitar driven explosion that takes drum distortion to new lovely brutal level. "A/B Machines" can be found on Sleigh Bells' CD-R called Magic Metal.


Sleigh Bells:: A/B Machines

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g vs. b halloween mix


Mixtape scary weirdness from the scene, Gorilla vs Bear. They claim this is no party mix (they are right), not even, a mix to get ready to; but, its definitely a music equivalent to a ghost story. So when the night is winding down, bust out the flashlights and scare the shit out of all your friends with this mix.

gorilla vs. bear halloween mix 09 (29mb)

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the mantles "bad design"


I can't get sick of rushed sounding music. While I would never assume no effort went into The Mantles new track "Bad Design," their sound is lazy, ambivalent, and unimpressed with everything (even themselves). It is an amazingly spontaneous attitude that I can most accurately be describe as how you feel waking up after a day of making mistakes. "Bad Design" the A-side on the Bad Design "7 is limited to 300 copies and available here.

The Mantles:: Bad Design

The (k)Now

where the wild things are: all is love

The first track from the loaded Where the Wild Things Soundtrack is on the film's myspace.  The always spastic Karen O serves as chief architect of the soundtrack enlisting an assortment of her musical buddies (including an untrained children's choir) to partake; hence, the title of the single, "All is Love" by Karen O and the Kids.  As trite as the title is, the song is playful and tone appropriate for what Spike Jonze's film looks like.  It start with a saddened piano and progresses into a sing along lovefest highlighted by the the voices of children.  (where's the sunshine and rainbows)  While this song could have easily slipped into a purple dinosaur suit carrying life lessons like how sharing is caring, Karen O's quirky and spontaneous sensibility keeps it a tad more dystopian.

stream "All is Love">

very best and m.i.a.

"Rain Dance" (feat. M.I.A.) is the newest single from Warm Heart of Africa to hit the internet.  From what I've read, this track isn't the best on the album, but, is the most accessible song, playing it safe with the always stylish M.I.A.  

The Very Best:: Rain Dance (feat. M.I.A.)

 

dan deacon: "paddling ghost"

Dan Deacon is one of my favorite discoveries of '09.  His album, Bromst, is a battle of man vs. machine; and within moments shows a world where the two can coexist.  Regardless the strife or the synergy, Bromst is a sonic pleasure.  "Paddling Ghost" is featured on Bromst and is an adequate "slipping into" or starter.

dum dum girls: "be my baby" (the ronettes cover)

The (k)Now

best coast: "something in the way"

"Something In The Way" is a new track from Best Coast.  I discussed their previous "The Sun Was High (And So Was I)" back in June and it has been part of my summer soundtrack ever since.  "Something In The Way" doesn't divert from the tone harnessed in "The Sun Was High," but, it does feel more reflective.   

Best Coast:: "Something In The Way"

family portrait: "on the floor"

Family Portrait was another band featured on the Underwater People's Showcase earlier this year.  While the tracks "Snow" and "Mega Secrets" were spaced day dreams, "On The Floor" is a rampant surge towards the girl "On The Floor."  Summer Love has never sounded so unobtainable nor so prevalent.

Family Portrait:: On The Floor

pterodactyl: "share in the shade" video

So Pterodactyl (never heard of you) chose to tackle the myth of what happens (if anything) when you lick a toad in the forrest.  According to them, you actually do hallucinate, and your visions are quite extraordinary or (to me) hilarious.  I hope their wizard of imagination land is wearing pants.  There is no visual evidence that he is...so I can only hope.

MGMT "Kids" Video

Better late than never.  MGMT has a video for "Kids" from director Ray Tintori.  Now people have been disclaiming the video saying "no children were harmed," but, I choose to side with Fader and believe that while the child in the video will grow up to have no recollection of the video experience, he will definitely make some life decisions based on his newly created subconscious. (which speaks to what the video is trying to say)  Amidst a neglective mother, the little dude sees monsters and freaks out at the world around him, then spawning a psyche animation experience that has to be inspired by his childhood trauma.  It is amazing what we see in the world when we feel vulnerable, even as kids.

Music Videos

From time to time as I comb through the web looking for fresh music related material, I start to question whether my interest derives from the pursuit of more mind blowing work, or an indication  that I really need to get a life.  So between watching Weezer cover "Kids" (at a T Mobile party filled with sorority sisters and fraternity brothers in Los Angeles) and the Killer's new music video for "The World We Live In," I occasionally find a treat.  "Dark Bubbles" video from Black Moth Super Rainbow is one of those finds that validates geeking out over new music and video content.  It is the first step in reinventing the music video and embracing the web as the portal (opposed to MTV, VH1, Fuse or any other "music" T.V).  The video alone stands as a visual piece, however, the interactive component is what makes this video an experience all to its own (and surely a trend setter).  

Black Moth Super Rainbow is a psychedelic candy project, that overloads on the synth and vocoder while incorporating some folk elements.  Like "Dark Bubbles" video and their sound elude, Black Moth Super Rainbow thrives off experimentation.  I got a hold of BMSR's 2008 release Dandelion Gum and was transported. (I didn't love it, but, I liked it)  The band can come across as one dimensional and listening to an entire album can feel tedious;  however, Black Moth Super Rainbow at its best is a promising blend of styles.

via passion of the weiss

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"Beach Comber" from one of my favorite sunny psychedelics at Underwater Peoples, Real Estate.  The video is simple, not much to it...but I can't get enough of this song or band.  Real Estate has located a nostalgic and forgotten tonality that I can only hope makes a comeback.

via pitchfork