Shiny Tops & Soda Pops

Sharon Van Etten

2012-02-01T14:32:00.000-08:00

I had heard the name Sharon Van Etten kicked around for a few years, and have heard some of her stuff be played on the radio, but I never gave her music a proper listen. This week her new record Tramp dropped, and I must say Etten is well on her way to being a power player in the singer-songwriter world. Though I am still letting Tramp grow on me, the one song that sticks out for me is the single "Serpents." I love the way her cold voice sounds on top of the guitar wail in the background.
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Serpents

Wilco/Charles Wright

2012-01-23T12:35:00.000-08:00

I am more than excited for tomorrow night's Wilco concert at the Palladium. This will be the second time I have seen the group and they do not disappoint. I think the reason I loved seeing this band live is I know their catalogue very well, I am after all a fan. I think the experience of seeing your favorite band live and being able to sing the lyrics with fellow fan is the most rewarding concert experience. To me it is far more meaningful than any sort of theatrics or gimmick. I've been going through all their albums this past week and I stumbled on their live album Kicking Television. Wilco close out the show with a cover of Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band's "Comment (If All Men Are Truly Brothers)" I found it to be a very poignant note to end a concert on. I have posted Wilco's cover as well as the original.
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Wilco - Comment (If All Men Are Truly Brothers)
Charles Wright - Comment (If All Men Are Truly Brothers)

RIP Etta

2012-01-20T11:56:00.000-08:00

Etta James 1938-2012.

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Seven Day Fool

Dr. Dog

2012-01-13T10:48:00.000-08:00

Dr. Dog's 2010 record Shame, Shame has blossomed into one of my favorite records of recent years. From start to finish it is a record of perfectly constructed McCartney-esque pop rock. So it makes me extremely excited to hear that in a few weeks their followup Be The Void will be released. Dr. Dog are a group that I can take comfort in knowing that they will not disappoint. Yesterday, a track from the new record leaked out out into the web by the band's label. It's called "That Old Black Hole." What I love about Dr. Dog is you can't really tell what they're album is going to sound like after listening to one song, because they take so much pleasure in varying different styles in their music.

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That Old Black Hole

Late Discoveries: Sleater-Kinney

2012-01-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

** Late Discoveries is a periodical on ST&SP. because we're only human and can't possibly hear every band that comes along, sometimes we miss a truly great album or artist.**

If anything the first part of 2012 for me will go down as the time when I discovered the magic of Sleater-Kinney. It's impossible to keep up with every band on the face of the planet, but when I first listened to The Woods it was like a bomb had been dropped on my ears. They are everything I want in a band to be. They have a simple enough setup, two guitarists and a drummer, but when they plug in they are a indomitable force to be reckoned with. I have a huge crush on Carrie Brownstein in particular. Not only is she one of the greatest guitarists currently performing, her comedy show Portlandia on IFC is some of the freshest comedy I've seen in awhile as well. Though they have gone through a few drummers, Janet Weiss could be the female version of John Bonham, she strikes her kit with such tenacity and purpose it's impossible to ignore. Lead singer and guitarist Corin Tucker lets her voice flail with a Janis Joplin banshee like quality to it. Her voice plays its own unique role in their music. I always hate to lump female bands into their own unique pile, because it really doesn't matter what sex you are to be able to create rock music. Sleater-Kinney have shown that they rock harder than most other bands period. They are on a current indefinite hiatus but rumor has it they might make another record with in a few years. If the band ever does perform again, I will be first in line with my twenty bucks. Until then, I guess we still have the Corin Tucker Band and Carrie and Janet's side project Wild Flag to fill the void with.

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Jumpers (from The Woods)
You're No Rock & Roll Fun (from All Hands On The Bad One)

The Gun Club

2012-01-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

Went to The MOCA to catch the "Under The Big Black Sun" exhibit the other day, it was for the most part a very inspiring collection of California art, well worth the $5 while it is still in town. One of the main pieces they had was a room dedicated to the art surrounding the Los Angeles punk scene of the 80s. The exhibit featured show posters, still pictures, and live videos of bands like The Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, X, and Flipper. One band in particular that I have always been a fan of were The Gun Club. They were a post-punk band that blended punk,blues, and rockabilly together. They released a few iconic records including Miami, and Fire of Love. I love the stop and go fury of "Preaching The Blues." For me, The Gun Club were a standout group from this scene.
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Preaching The Blues (demo version)

Patti Smith

2012-01-04T11:44:00.000-08:00

I am an absolute novice to the music of Patti Smith's music, so to rectify that I decided to pick up a copy of Easter. On it is the controversial "Rock & Roll Nigger." Now before you get your civil right's panties in a bunch you need to realize what this song is about. One line from this song is:"Jackson Pollock was a nigger." Smith is taking the traditional meaning of that word and showing that it is not limited to the color of one's skin. In fact society often looks down on certain groups of people in disgust in the exact same way. Artists for one have undergone much prejudice for who they are. Now, I am by no means the most qualified person to draw such conclusions, and a much better man than I might be able to delve deeper into the implications of this song, but what Patti Smith has done here was step into an uncomfortable place, somewhere where few artists are brave enough to go and make a stand stating that in terms of being mistreated, we're all in this together. It's a powerful, controversial song that many people will draw opposing opinions about.
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Rock & Roll Nigger

New Years Eve

2011-12-31T09:50:00.000-08:00

From my third favorite album of the year comes "New Years Eve" by Tom Waits. It's the perfect ending to his triumphant record Bad As Me. Waits unfurls the mischievous events of a family New Years Eve party to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." It's the perfect song for the occasion, a reflective moment honoring the past, forgetting the bad, holding on to the finer memories and looking forward to the future and all of the infinite possibilities it may hold. Goodbye 2011
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New Years Eve

A Year In Review: Top 25 Abums of 2011

2011-12-19T12:19:00.000-08:00

2011 has come and gone, and though there were some great aspects in the music world, I feel that 2011 will be looked back as a year of darkness. Let’s just take a look at some of the bands and artists we lost this year: The White Stripes, R.E.M., LCD Soundsystem, Sonic Youth, Wolf Parade, Rilo Kiley, Gil-Scott Heron (RIP), Amy Winehouse (RIP), Gerard Smith of TV On The Radio (RIP), Bert Jansch (RIP) and of course among others the big man himself Clarence Clemmons (RIP). These were not just any other bands, these were hugely influential artists that have impacted the music world forever. Despite the losses, some crazy good music was released this year, and so let’s take the time to recap on what we loved.

1) Atlas Sound - Parallax

Bradford Cox is a certifiable genius. He especially shines when he is with his main outfit Deerhunter. However it’s his introverted side-project Atlas Sound that takes the cake for me in 2011. On Parallax Cox produces his most accessible record to date by marrying the rock & roll of Deerhunter with his avant-garde experimentalism that we’re used to with Atlas Sound. There’s one song in particular called “Flagstaff” that starts off as a hushed acoustic track that then gradually becomes a hallucinatory journey. I’ve been listening to music since the day I was born and I cannot think of a single song that uses feedback in such a peculiar way, Sonic Youth would be proud. This record is superbly versatile with everything from the hard guitar riff of “My Angel Is Broken” to the blissful pop of “Te Amo.” It’s the kind of record that takes you on a stylistic journey, all thanks to Cox’s never ending creative streak.

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Flagastaff

2) Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Parallax might take the cake for creativity, but it is no question in my mind that Girls’ sophomore record is the best sounding album of the year. Girls have created eleven tracks that all sound like they belong from a different era in Rock History. Until you realize how wholly unique this record sounds are you able to stop trying to place a finger on their influences. This time around Girls have upped their production quality and have added a few other bold elements to their sound including a gospel choir on a few tracks including the epic “Vomit.” Girls are a rock band for the new generation that graciously tips their hat to the old, I expect within a few years they will become a household name.

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Honey Bunny

3) Tom Waits - Bad As Me

Talk about from a record coming from left field! When Waits announced he would be releasing his first album in seven years I had expected another album with a similar aesthetic to Real Gone. Nope. Not at all. Instead he dropped Bad As Me which is his most accessible record that doesn’t let go from the chugging start of “Chicago.” In fact I would go on record by saying that Bad As Me is the best album to introduce a Tom Waits novice to. The reason being is this record has a bit of every style of music Waits has ever touched. From his late night diner musings on “New Years Eve” to the chaotic cacophony of “Hell Broke Loose.” Oh yeah, did I mention that Keith Richards, Flea, Les Claypool, and one of the Los Lobos guys are on this record? Waits knows how to put a band together. This man ages like a bottle of rusty wine, and thank god for that.

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Bad As Me

4) tUnE - YarDs - W H O K I L L

Whokill was my number one album for the first half of 2011 and it’s between “Bizness” and Fleet Foxes “Helplessness Blues” for my favorite song of the year still. This album is a frenetic artsy mess and I love it, even though Sirius XMU killed “Gangsta” for me by overplaying it. Frontlady Merryl Garbus is a force to be reckoned with.

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Bizness

5) Bill Callahan - Apocalypse

Bill Callahan’s new album is like a Cormac McCarthy novel in album form. It is a bleak, sparse and chilling record of country/folk/rock. Though there are some soft moments in Callahan’s Apocalypse “Riding For The Feeling” is a lightheaded breezy tune as well as the hopeful “One Fine Morning” shines a little light in the otherwise pitch black portrait Callahan paints. I’m a sucker for good imagery in lyrics as well as

apocalyptic themes in general, and this album marries the two perfectly.

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Drover

6) The Black Keys - El Camino

The Black Keys don’t sound like they did back in their Rubber Factory years and that’s perfectly alright with me. Anyone who ever said that “Rock is dead” needs to pick up a copy of El Camino and then eat their own words. Though El Camino is not as varied as Brothers it certainly makes up for it with sheer adrenaline. There is one slow song on this record “Little Black Submarines” which happens to also be the album's strongest song. Some of the songs get lost in El Camino’s dust but for the most part this record is one memorable hook after another.

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Little Black Submarines

7) Cut Copy - Zonoscope

With me in my infinite depression over the loss of LCD Soundsystem (seriously guys, come baaaaccck!) I was forced to find a new dance rock band to love, while they’re no LCD Cut Copy is damn talented in their own right. I want to run track to “Need You Now” the pulsing yet melodic anthem that tore up the floor wherever these guys performed. Up until the release of Zonoscope, Cut Copy were good at releasing a few good tracks and a bunch of misses, however with this album these Aussies have really stepped up their game.

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Need You Now

8) Radiohead - The King of Limbs

All admit it, for the first few months I was not impressed with the King of Limbs at all. It’s extremely short and it didn’t shake the music world to its core like their previous albums. However after seeing their performances on SNL and The Colbert Report I decided to listen to this album more closely then I fell in love. This is Radiohead’s most organic album to date. I love how Radiohead has become an album band. They put in their years creating radio-hits so they could then start shedding their skin after each record. This album features some very intricate instrumentation and almost African influences on it. I believe this credit is due to their added second drummer Portishead’s Clive Deamer. What I will say about King of Limbs is that “Codex” and “Give Up The Ghost” are two of Radiohead’s best down tempo songs of their career.

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Codex

9) St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

The actor out of work returns to unleash her complex ear candy on the world once again. To me St. Vincent sounds like the most lavish Sufjan Stevens piece but done entirely on her guitar. “Surgeon” and “Cheerleader” are the standout tracks on Strange Mercy but I really dig “Northern Lights.” It’s a song that builds and builds until she releases her batshit crazy fury on us all.

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Surgeon

10) Adele - 21

You know, I will say that most artists get immensely popular due to their commercial appeal, but there are a select few that become superstars because they are un-fucking-believable. Adele is one of the latter. People always ask me, “What’s the best instrument?” and to me, I really believe it’s the human voice. A great voice is unique, it cannot be truly replicated it’s an instrument that can only be mastered by that blessed individual. Adele has a cannon of an instrument. I’ve seen so many people brought to tears over “Someone Like You” because her recounts of her previous breakups are something everyone can relate to. She’s a great talent with a great story, however I’m scared that once she finds happiness and starts reflecting that in her music a lot of people are going to jump off the bandwagon. Is it the story or the voice that really makes Adele popular? We’ll see.

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Rumor Has It

11) Low - C'mon

Low have been around for years but this year’s C’mon was my introduction to the band. A lot of Low fans would say that The Great Destroyer is the definitive Low release but I prefer 2011’s C’mon. It’s a very dramatic and emotional record. I love a collection of songs that have a sense of purpose to them and these tracks are exceptionally crafted.

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Majesty/Magic

12) M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming

Anthony Gonzalez of M83 is taking traditional shoegaze to newer and bigger heights. With Hurry Up We’re Dreaming he may have crafted his opus, it’s a sophisticated bombastic album filled with memories tied to childhood that spans over two discs. Gonzalez has stated in several interviews that he is proud of the family he came from and tries to capture the magic of childhood in his records. That explains the oddball kids’ story about a frog “Raconte-Moi Une Histoire.” Pitchfork called “Midnight City” song of the year, and while I disagree I find it nonetheless absolutely infectious.

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Steve McQueen

13) Feist - Metals

Feist returns with a record that though is not commercially as good as her soon-to-be classic The Reminder but is artistically superior. Sure it doesn’t have the hits like “1234” but that song is one of those once in a decade mega hit anomalies. Metals is an album that just sounds so perfect, you can feel the grooves in the strings and the wood of the piano coming through the speakers. “The Circle Married The Line” has to me my favorite track if I needed to pin one down. It’s such a simple and beautiful song. It’s a lovely phrase to describe a sunset, and the use of imagery to show how viewing the sun meet the Earth allows one to take comfort in knowing that all problems pass and all wounds are healed by time. A beautiful record, from one of the most formidable indie artists around.

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The Circle Married The Line

14) Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Wow, where to start with this record. Fleet Foxes have established themselves as one of the few folk bands alive that can headline music festivals. The reason behind that is very clear, they have with two albums and an EP gathered a body of work that most bands dream about. The title track is what really does it for me with this record. It’s such a lyrically vivid politically-charged passionate song. I would have to admit that though most of the songs on here are solid, they just don’t stick with the listener as well as the first album did. However Fleet Foxes have been able to be true to themselves and craft another fine woodsy folk rock record filled with twists and turns that keep the listener invested. They are a band that I hope will be around for a long time to come.

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Helplessness Blues

15) Eleanor Friedberger - Last Summer

“My Mistakes” is such a god damn catchy pop tune it ought to be a crime. Though the rest of the album doesn’t quite touch the peak of that first single, Eleanor has done a fine job stepping away from her duties as frontlady for The Fiery Furnaces and establishing her own distinct solo career.

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My Mistakes

16) Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation

Earlier in the year a new DIY artist Youth Lagoon released a song “July” that picked up a ton of buzz, he got signed and quickly released his first record and is now touring the country as an artist. That’s the power creativity and the internet can have. At first glance Youth Lagoon might seem like every other lo-fi DIY artist. But with this record he shows that he knows how to craft great pop songs. I expect that within a few albums he might become a much bigger thing.

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Cannons

17) Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Here’s another band that have created a tremendous amount of buzz with their first record. UMO are a very unique and funky band. The sound like they are part of a Muppets soundtrack more so than an actual serious band. Their self-titled debut is very short but it’s too intriguing to be ignored.

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Thought Ballune

18) JEFF The Brotherhood - We Are The Champions

The Black Keys aren’t the only duo left that can absolutely tear shit up. JEFF The Brotherhood have been making quite the ruckus this year, even Jack White is a big fan of them which I’m sure reminds White of another young rock duo. However whereas The White Stripes were all about emulating the blues, JEFF The Brotherhood seem to have a much more punk background, channeling the grooves of The Ramones and The Clash more. Still this is the party rock album of the year.

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Ripper

19) Dirty Beaches - Badlands

Alex Zhang-Huntai’s music sounds like a soundtrack to a grainy black and white noir murder mystery. It’s a shadowy moody lo-fi record that his disturbingly full of menacing character. This is going to be my go-to for future Halloween soundtracks and late night drives down long treacherous roads. Also check out the bonus two track EP Lone Runner he released alongside this record.

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Lone Runner

20) PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

PJ Harvey couldn’t have picked a better year to write an album depicting London burning to the ground. Polly Jean has released a very poignant and politically charged record that is easily one of the best of her career. Some reviews are as simple as that.

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Let England Shake

21) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Hysterical

After a long hiatus CYHSY pick up their sticks and head into the studio and emerge with one of their most varied and clean sounding records. I love their first two records dearly, and it’s hard to stay objective when I talk about them because I consider myself a big fan of their career. They are a band that has done every single thing their way and have created some very quality music. They should be as big as Arcade Fire, but they’re not and that troubles me a lot. Get with it world.

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Ketamine & Ecstasy

22) R.E.M. - Collapse Into Now

R.E.M. bow out of the game with their strongest album in years. This record will go down as a return to form for the Athens, GA legends. Many criticized that they were slowly losing touch over the years but with Collapse I believe that they have put those criticisms to rest. An odd opinion I have on R.E.M. is that if you give Peter Buck a mandolin he’ll give you a good song, and this record has more than one song featuring that instrument. Their previous album Accelerate was just too straightforward for my taste but with Collapse Into Now the band did a good job at leaving us with a record that touched pretty much every type of song they have ever done.

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Oh My Heart

23) The Weeknd - House of Balloons

The elusive newcomer The Weeknd, a man who has yet to play a live show ever has released two solid mixtapes this year. House of Balloons just drips with sex. It’s a fresh take on R&B, he fuses Mowtown with hip-hop swag and electronica to make something that has immediately taken off. Within the year he was already producing and guesting on a new track on Drake’s new record. I almost hope he never steps out into the light and forever drops free music on the world for us to enjoy without having to completely commit his whole life to the whole music game.

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The Morning

24) Gil-Scott Heron & Jamie xx - We're New Here

Jamie xx took a gamble by taking Gil-Scott’s already warmly received I’m New Here and reworking it into a completely different record a year later. To some this might sound like the same record remixed and released. However I beg to argue that this is not a remix album. Jamie has taken Heron’s words and shined a different light onto them, giving these lyrics an entirely new life and perspective. Rest in peace Gill-Scott.

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I'll Take Care of You

25) Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming

Charles Bradley a new spotlight in the new-soul revival released his first hit record at the age of 63. He is another artist like Adele and Bon Iver that I’m afraid their story might overshadow their actual music. This is a man who stuck with it for years and years of being told “No” and finally as he enters what should be the twilight years of his life he catches his big break. No Time for Dreaming is filled to the brim with the soul that only a man who has been through a lot can deliver. Otis Redding would be proud.

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No Time For Dreaming

Best Reissue: The Beach Boys - Smile Sessions

I am nowhere near the music historian that I would like to be to make a qualified assessment of how big of a deal The Smile Sessions are. It’s certainly not a record that a casual Beach Boys fan should buy. It’s really a release for the super nerds like me who want to hear four discs worth of outtakes, demos, band members shouting at engineers, and most importantly it chronicles the mental collapse of Brian Wilson. Though I held “Good Vibrations” in the highest of regards before, it wasn’t until this release that I realized how technically complex this song is. There’s an entire disc of material dedicated to this one song! The Smile Sessions are a real archivist’s treasure trove which makes this the best reissue of the year.

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Heroes & Villains

Here are some records that though they did not make the cut are still worth checking out:

Fucked Up - David Comes to Life

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Mirror Traffic

Julianna Barwick - The Magic Place

The Caretaker - An Empty Bliss Beyond This World

Active Child - You Are All I See

**ALSO** Check out this special Spotify playlist I created for both lists. CLICK HERE.

(Some bands are left out because their music isn't licensed for Spotify, but it's still worth it.)

Also: Top Hip-Hop Records of 2011

A Year In Review: Top Hip Hop Records 2011

2011-12-14T11:19:00.000-08:00

There were so many great hip-hop records released in 2011 that if I just made one list I would have to leave off some records that deserve to be mentioned off of it. So ladies and gentlemen I present to you a genre-specific end of the year list. First up it's my Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums of 2011, stay tuned for my Top 25 Rock/Other Albums of 2011 soon. If you like what you hear please subscribe to the blog, and buy these records. There were a couple I'd like to mention that barely missed the cut, Beastie Boys- Hot Sauce Comittee Part II, E-40 - Revenue Retrievin' : Graveyard Shift, Lil' B - I'm Gay (Happy). These records are worth checking out as well.

1) Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne

If there isn’t a Nike commercial made with “Niggas In Paris” playing in the background someone in their advertising department needs to lose their jobs. When Jay-Z and Kanye announced they were going to be collaborating on an entire album together it immediately became the most hyped album of the year. I’ll admit I was initially hesitant to give The Throne a spin, I hated Jay’s Blueprint III, and I was afraid I’d become an even bigger Kanye West fan after his brilliant My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. I did not expect Watch The Throne to become easily my most listened to record of 2011. Hova and Kanye have created here an album of material that is larger than life and so grandiose it clearly shows why they deserve the title of being the two kings of hip-hop. Jay-Z is in especially rare form here showing some of his best flow since The Blueprint. Not only are most of the tracks especially Niggas In Paris so unbelievably baller, the two aren’t afraid to show their soft side too with “New Day” an honest account by the both of them pledging to be good fathers to their unborn children. Watch The Throne isn’t just a record, it’s an event, a new peak that future generations of hip-hop artists will hope to climb.

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Niggas In Paris

2) Shabazz Palaces - Black Up

Back in the day there was a tremendous indie hip-hop group called Digable Planets, which prided themselves in sampling Jazz and keeping their beats as minimalist as possible. They were one of the most intelligent hip-hop acts around. Well, Ishmael Butler who was then called Butterfly is back with a new group called Shabazz Palaces and they released a record this year that is truly some next level shit. Black Up is one of the most challenging, forward thinking and frankly poetic hip-hop records of recent years. Whereas Jay & Kanye sampled Otis Redding and Nina Simone, Shabazz Palaces sample distorted electronic sounds and children crying (seriously). Yet it all comes together and works perfectly. This is certainly the most unique hip-hop record of the year. Black Up is challenging and is certainly not club material, it is very introspective, it’s a feeling, it’s a feeling, it’s a feeling.

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Are You Can You Were You (Felt)

3) The Roots - Undun

If you were to tell me that there was going to be a hip-hop concept album wrapped around a Sufjan Stevens song I’d call you crazy. Yet for The Roots it’s exactly the kind of difficult challenge one would expect them to tackle. The Roots have been steadily releasing one solid album after another that they have nothing left to prove. Undun is based around an instrumental Sufjan Stevens song “Redford” and follows the fictional character Redford Stevens through the decisions he makes until the record ends with the flatline of his death. It’s the darkest and bleakest thing The Roots have ever done, but it’s also one of their most emotional records too. Being able to bare your soul is something that great artists do, and The Roots are no exception.

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One Time

4) Big K.R.I.T. - Return of 4Eva

Mississippi’s Big K.R.I.T. isn’t that great of a rapper. If we were to judge him on his flow he wouldn’t be on this list. However, as a producer he’s nothing short of phenomenal. His newest free mixtape that he self-released Return of 4Eva is one of the most polished hip-hop records of the year. He reworked his 2010 hit “Country Shit” and gave it a sharper set of teeth along with a solid guest spot by Ludacris. This is the record you throw on when you have a great subwoofer in your trunk.

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Country Shit (Remix) (Feat. Ludacris & Bun B)

5) Drake - Take Care

Another super hyped artist that delivered in 2011 was Canada’s Drake with his intimate Take Care. The thing I like about Drake is that he’s honest. Drake doesn’t try to build his ego up to some gigantic size, in fact most of his songs are about missed connections, failed romances and self-pity. This kind of honesty is rare in today’s world and deserves recognition.

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Crew Love (feat. The Weeknd)

6) Frank Ocean - Nostalgia/Ultra

2011 was the year of Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. While I can’t say I’m a fan (especially of Tyler, The Creator) I do enjoy Frank Ocean who seems to have departed from his Wolf brethren and made a name for himself in 2011 by landing a number of sweet guest spots on big name albums, but his own record stands on its own as well. Ocean isn’t a rapper he’s more of an R&B singer that resides in the world of hip-hop. So while there are rap elements to his music, what really draws people in is his pristine voice.

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Novacane

7) Spank Rock - Everything Is Boring & Everyone Is A Fucking Liar

I first heard “Car Song” while I was driving on the freeway, and it is a very aptly named song as I quickly found the music causing me to drive well over the speed limit. This is a club hip hop album to the max, one that will keep the party going till the break of dawn.
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Car Song (feat. Santigold)

8)A$AP Rock - LiveLoveA$AP

Another critically acclaimed free mixtape that was released this year was New York’s A$AP Rocky who has recently signed a multi-million dollar record deal with a major label as a result of this. It’s easy to see why, this is a very well put together mixtape and “Peso” is catchy as all hell.

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Peso

9) DJ Quik - The Book of David

Quik returned in 2011 with The Book of David, which was warmly received by critics. It’s puzzling to me why this guy isn’t more of a household name. It’s an expertly crafted release filled with great club bangers as well as some more experimental sounds.

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Do Today (feat. BlaKKazz & Jon B)

10) Das Racist - Relax

I think I love the idea of Das Racist more than I actually love their music. Here’s a group that is borderline Dada, they have no regard for any of the standards in hip-hop and they seem to not take their music seriously yet still make it work. Along with Lil B, Das Racist are creating a brand new sub-culture in hip-hop of this ironic rap about everything and nothing at the same time.
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Michael Jackson

Perfume Genius

2011-12-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

Here's a look ahead for 2012 for ya. Perfume Genius returns with a new song off his up coming 2012 album. It's called "All Waters" and it's about internalized homophobia, a gay man himself he talks about how sometimes he becomes self-concious about holding his partner's hand in public. Aside from the lyrical content Perfume Genius steps up his vocal prowess and is absolutely mesmerizing on this one.

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All Waters

John Martyn

2011-12-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

If you don't have any John Martyn in your library then I'm doing you a friggin service. The late British singer/songwriter dabbled in everything from Jazz to Blues to Rock & Roll. However, I believe that Martyn truly shined when it was just him and a guitar. Simple, yet highly emotive folk. I will never understand why Martyn isn't more of a household name like Nick Drake or Leonard Cohen. If you're looking to expand your Martyn knowledge banks I highly recommend both London Conversation and Solid Air.

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Run Honey Run

Getting Older

2011-12-02T23:25:00.000-08:00

When I started this site a little over two years ago, I made it a priority to make posting on here a regular thing, hoping for a strict Monday/Wednesday/Friday kind of thing. And for the most part I have been able to do that, because I was in college. It's the strangest thing, when you graduate this drastic lifestyle switch happens. Suddenly you're getting up earlier, going out less, and still trying to squeeze every minute out of the day to make the most of it. I've gotten to a point where I have to shuffle my priorities around and unfortunately to those of you who frequent this site I have been neglecting you. So it's time for a revamp of what this site is. ST&SP isn't going away, if fact it's only going to get stronger. I'm going to stop posting every single new band I come across and instead focus on writing well thought out pieces on bands and songs that mean a lot to me.
So in a sense while the quantity of posts will go down, (hopefully) you'll see the quality of these posts go up.
There's still a lot of music I want to shine a light on, and I hope to have a kickass end of the year list for you all within a few weeks. Thanks for understanding and for your readership.

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The Velvet Underground - I'm Not A Young Man Anymore

Alice's Restaurant

2011-11-23T10:06:00.000-08:00

By now if you're an avid reader of this blog you've come accustom to this post around every Thanksgiving. It's one of the few traditions I keep, but every turkey day I dust off Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant and listen to the title track. Clocking in at over eighteen minutes it is a lighthearted yet very profound folk song full of spot on social commentaries. Thanksgiving is a family holiday, and I don't think anyone has the right to call their family normal. Every family has their eccentricities and bizarre facets, and the people that Guthrie introduces us to a whole host of crazy characters in this song. So, while you're putting together your tofurkey for tomorrow why not take a little trip to Alice's Restaurant.

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Alice's Restaurant Massacre

Gil Scott Heron & Jamie xx

2011-11-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

One 2011 record that I am late to getting around to is Jamie xx's reworking of the late Gil Scott Heron's I'm New Here record and released it as We're New Here. This is one of the few times I've ever seen an artist get his work remixed and it actually sounds on par with the original. Jamie xx is not just slapping a new label on the same product, he's able to take Heron's music and re-engineer it into something completely original and fresh. This is a great late night album.

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I'll Take Care of You

Wire

2011-11-11T21:47:00.000-08:00

I've been in a punk phase lately, maybe it's because of winter but I've been listening to a ton of Fugazi and spinning the crap out of this record from the highly influential English punk troupe Wire. Pink Flag is a must own for anyone who wants to be even considered the slightest punk fan. It's a bona fide classic.

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Ex Lion Tamer
12 X U

Lonesome Cowboy Lou

2011-11-09T23:54:00.000-08:00

I was going to write one of my special "needs to stop" posts about Lou Reed, but to be honest, he's stopped trying since the 1980s. Yes it's true, Lulu his most recent project with Metallica is not only the worst album of the year by far, it may be the worst album since Reed's other craptastic record Metal Machine Music, a record entirely of unlistenable white noise. As one critic writes, "Listening to Lulu is like watching The Challenger take off." If you read interviews even Metallica seem to be unsure about this project's release but Lou Reed doesn't give a fuck. As far as he's concerned he lost all of his fans years ago. It makes me wonder has Lou sincerely given up putting effort into his work, or is he trying some weird art experiment by exposing the beauty, if any that can be found in the most unconscionable of sounds. Anyways let's revel in Lou's past rather than his present, here's a live Velvet Underground track that was recorded when they were playing a basement gymnasium somewhere.

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Guess I'm Falling In Love

Blitzen Trapper

2011-11-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

A few years back Portland's Blitzen Trapper released Furr an album that should be a definite bookmark in the history of modern folk rock. Then they followed that record up with Destroyer of the Void, an album that was all over the place and actually hurt their career in my opinion. It was one of my least favorite albums of 2010. When I heard they had a new record out called American Goldwing I was almost hesitant to listen to it out of fear that a band I liked so much would go deeper into their grave. However American Goldwing is a pleasant surprise. On this album Blitzen Trapper re-create a very vintage American road rock feel. They seem to be into a very big guitar sound on this one, which isn't a bad thing at all. Where this record suffers is while there are some great moments on this album, Goldwing fails to have that magic of Furr or Wild Mountain Nation, thus making the songs not as memorable. This record could either grow on me, or see my shelf for a long time to come, we shall see.

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Your Crying Eyes

Atlas Sound

2011-11-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

Alright, I'm convinced, Bradford Cox is a certifiable musical genius. Being leader of two bands (Atlas Sound and Deerhunter) that have consistently pumped out great record after great record is a real chore, but Cox makes it seem effortless. This time last year he released five albums of demos on the internet for free and called them Bedroom Databank. Atlas Sound has always been the more esoteric outlet for Cox's music yet with Parallax he seems to have molded the sound of Deerhunter into this project making his most accessible Atlas Sound record to date. I don't want to say this is album of the year cause I've only had this for about a day but it's certainly one of the strongest releases of the year. Bradford Cox, you are a musical savior.

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Te Amo

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T16:30:00.001-07:00

Trick or Treat.

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Bob McFadden and Dor - The Mummy

Halloween

2011-10-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Halloween is right around the corner so here's a slew of songs that will get you in the mood for some devilish delight. Trick or Treat.

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Screamin' Jaw Hawkins - Little Demon
Screamin' Lord Sutch - All Black & Hairy
Broadcast & The Focus Group - A Seancing Song
Otis Redding - Trick or Treat
Donovan - Hurdy Gurdy Man

Tom Waits - Bad As Me

2011-10-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

Tom Waits has aged like wine, if that of wine was kept in a rusty lead pale with screws and razor blades at the bottom of it in some forgotten basement. What I guess I'm trying to say is Waits sounds better than ever. I bet Tom even surprised himself with the initial reception of his first record in seven years. First off, this album features superb instrumentation provided by Keith Richards, Flea, Les Claypool, and David Hidalgo from Los Lobos among many others. Waits was challenged by his wife and longtime writing partner to make this album as tight and compact as possible, no song was allowed to be longer than 4:26 long. This restriction is what I believe makes Bad as Me one of his most accessible records of his career. It starts with an explosion of fury with "Chicago" a scuttlebutt of a tune featuring blasts of horns and banjos while chugging along a runaway train. From there the album weaves through many different love songs that nod to all of the varying styles of Waits' career while still remaining fresh and new sounding. The album ends on a foggy "New Years Eve" in typical Waits fashion. I've always expected great things from Tom Waits but even I am surprised to how great Bad as Me is.

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Chicago

Youth Lagoon

2011-10-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

I present to you Youth Lagoon, a new rising star in the world of lo-fi indie pop. Their record, The Year of Hibernation is out now. I really enjoy the lead off track "Afternoon" It has a very "Hi-ho It's Off to Work We Go" feel to it with pulsing guitar and drums behind it. A great record to put on in anticipation of winter.

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Afternoon

Lana Del Rey

2011-10-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

If you follow music blogs or listen to Sirius XMU on the radio then this should be old news to you. Lana Del Rey might be this year's biggest success story. Here's a lady who was a struggling artist as her real name Lizzie Grant, realized that she was going nowhere so she decided to completely change her image. Her looks her sound, everything was reconfigured. She took on the name Lana Del Rey and recorded two songs and leaked those on the Web. With her sort of mysterious Nancy Sinatra appeal she was able to grab the attention of the Internet with the extremely popular "Video Games" and then bam! she has a couple of sold out shows at much bigger venues than someone with two songs should be playing and a record deal. A lot of people are arguing now whether her new found fame is the result of talent or a sheer publicity stunt. "Video Games" is a decent song but I happen to like the b-side "Blue Jeans" more. Take note artists, sometimes a less-is-more approach to your craft pays off.

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Blue Jeans

For The Sake of The Song: Hawkwind - Hurry On Sundown

2011-10-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

"For The Sake of The Song" is a new periodical segment where I take a look at some of my personal all-time favorite songs, dissect them and try and show you their genius.

I first heard "Hurry On Sundown" as a cover by the folk group Vetiver, I thought it was a pretty good song so I decided to check out the original version by 70s space-rock group Hawkwind and my mind was blown. Hawkwind started by David Brok in the early 1970s were famous for being one of the first groups to bridge the hippie and punk movement. Their albums were heavy sounding, after all Lemmy from Motorhead was their bassist for a time, yet their songs were often about science fiction and mysticism that attracted the flower children of London and other countries. Hawkwind are still around today having gone through an obscene amount of lineup changes and they rarely tour outside of Europe because, well they're not necessarily a household name.

On their self-titled debut album Hawkwind introduce us to "Hurry On Sundown" a five minute jangly acoustic jam that just plain rocks. The guitar and harmonica play off each other quite well while the drums and bass keep this track jamming. The lyrics are fairly simple enough, they evoke a message of peace and anti-war. I am surprised to find that Hawkwind didn't ever do another song quite like this one, which is a shame because it is such a unique and soulful piece of music. I doubt you will find "Hurry On Sundown" on any critics lists, which is a shame because it is an oft forgotten gem of psychedelic rock. There's a reason that every time I deejay on the radio I always close my show out with this song, because you can't go much higher than this.

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Hurry On Sundown

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

2011-10-12T15:55:00.000-07:00

Finally! After a four year hiatus and two recent cancelled appearances, one due to a shady mismanaged festival being cancelled, the other due to a hurricane I finally got to see one of my favorite bands of my high-school years, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. They played at a free block party right down the street from my apartment. The festival as a whole was okay, they really should have let Clap Your Hands Say Yeah headline, it took a long time for these guys to get to LA. With only a 45 minute set they kept it to familiar tracks from their first two records as well as peppering a few tracks from their surprisingly strong comeback record Hysterical, an album that features some really strong material with a much more polished sound. I managed to peek my head over the fence after the show and thank singer Alec Ounsworth for making the trip, he said they will be back soon. Who knows when that will be but they already have one ticket sold.

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Ketamine & Ecstacy

Yacht

2011-10-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

I have seen Yacht twice now in the past few months and both times were a party that couldn't be stopped. I will always have memories of seeing them at FYF dancing like an idiot in front of my girlfriend and embarrassing the shit out of her. However, last weekend I got to see them on my own and while I didn't party as hard as the first time I got to really take in what these guys are about. Yacht are disciples of LCD Soundsystem and are even on the DFA label. Yet, they certainly have taken their own route to fame. While Yacht and LCD share common ground with infectious basslines, I feel that Yacht are influenced more by bands like The B-52's and Eurythmics, they are certainly a lot more synth driven. I have warmed up to their newest record Shangri-la quite a bit, it could certainly be called a concept album with their constant theme of futuristic society and what not, but it is certainly an album that will get you up out of your seat and dancing like an idiot.

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Paradise Engineering

Feist - Metals

2011-10-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

I am quite sure Feist doesn't need the Shiny Tops & Soda Pops' bump, but I blog about what I love and I am absolutely in love with Feist's new record Metals. It has been a long time coming from her sure to be classic The Reminder, and for all you audiophiles out there Metals is quite a piece of ear candy. There is so much texture to each one of these songs, whether they be the sweeping woodsy landscapes ("Caught a Long Wind") or the subtler instrumentation ("Get It Wrong, Get It Right"). My favorite track at the moment has to be the tension-filled staccato of "A Commotion." While this album doesn't have the guaranteed radio singles of The Reminder, it certainly is a top 10 album of the year for sure.

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A Commotion

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

2011-09-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to head up to San Francisco this weekend to attend the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in Golden Gate Park. It's going to be a great reunion of friends and a chance for me to bask in all things bluegrass. Sure there are some non-grass bands there, Broken Social Scene will make one of their last appearances as well as Bright Eyes doing an extra long set due to The Civil Wars having to back out. However, what I am excited for more than anything is the chance to finally see the love of my life Gillian Welch, who in my opinion is one of the best folk songwriters of this generation or any. I also plan on catching Punch Brothers, Dr. John, Ralph Stanley, Elbow, The Devil Makes Three and so many more amazing bluegrass and roots music. I can't believe this whole shindig is free! Get on this Los Angeles, subsidized concert events.

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Gillian Welch - One Morning

The Band - Rock of Ages

2011-09-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Driving back to Las Vegas I decided to turn my attention to The Band's 1971 live album Rock of Ages an amazing compolation of music that features 28 tracks of The Band's best stuff recorded during a stint in New York. What is incredible about this live album is that not only is The Band one of Canada (or anywhere)'s most unique live acts at the time but it also features a tremendous five-piece New Orleans horn section composed by jazz legend Allen Toussaint. So what we have here is a unique mix of musical culture. The Band's woodsy songs about farm life and The Civil War meld together with the brass blasts of The Big Easy and create something completely original and exciting. Towards the end of the show Bob Dylan comes on and closes the show with his former band. I could go on about The Band forever and talk about how they are one of the most underated and influential artists of all time, but I'd rather let the music do the talking. Check out their cover of Marvin Gaye's "Baby Don't You Do It" that kicks off this tremendous collection of live material.

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Don't Do It.

A.A. Bondy

2011-09-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

A.A. Bondy has been quietly releasing solid folk albums for the past few years and it is really time this man became a marquee name. The swirling tones and ominous stomp of "The Heart is Willing" the first track off of his third release Believers is a perfect example of his unique spin on traditional folk music. This is a song that reminds us all that autumn is here. The summer has come and gone people, it's time to get dark.

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The Heart is Willing

Cass McCombs

2011-09-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

Cass McCombs will release his second album of this year very soon. I have been meaning to get into him for quite awhile and after his teriffic FYF set, I have been listening to him more often. His newest single from the supposedly more upbeat Humor Risk is titled "The Same Thing." If this track is any sort of barometer for the rest of the record then this year we will have seen two solid albums from McCombs making him one of the most active musicians of the year.

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The Same Thing

St. Vincent

2011-09-09T16:07:00.000-07:00

The queen of solidarity St. Vincent returns with another strong batch oddball kitchness with Strange Mercy. This will be on everyone's top five of the year I guarantee it. St. Vincent has proven to be an artist of considerable skill and uniqueness about her. I don't know if I like this record more than Actor yet, but I do know that St. Vincent is one of those people who is going to be relevant for a long long time.

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Northern Lights

Richard Swift

2011-09-07T15:44:00.000-07:00

Richard Swift has a new 12" coming out in October entitled Walt Wolfman, and has already released the first single "Whitman" of course about Walt Whitman. I love Swift's music, it's such good piano-pop music, Swift is one of those artists I can rely on to make a good mixtape into a great one.

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Whitman

Mister Heavenly

2011-09-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

If you're going to FYF tomorrow, which you should because for $40 it's a killer lineup make sure you check out this group Mister Heavenly, a supergroup featuring members of Man Man, Modest Mouse and Islands. Who know's maybe even their touring bassist Michael Cera (yes that one) will show up? Their debut album is a pretty solid effort and fans of Modest Mouse and Man Man will definitely relate to it.

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I Am a Hologram

Hindu Love Gods

2011-08-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

The short-lived Hindu Love Gods project between Warren Zevon and R.E.M. minus Michael Stipe is one of those bands that even fans often forget about. When they weren't respectively touring this group of friends would occasionally take over bar shows and small clubs and play a mix of covers from classic blues to Prince. They released one studio album of covers, it sold like the opposite of hot-cakes and remains a forgotten nugget for any R.E.M or Zevon fan. I think the fact that a recording of Warren Zevon and R.E.M covering "Raspberry Beret" exists proves Murphy's Law.

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Raspberry Beret

Nick Waterhouse

2011-08-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

Nick Waterhouse makes music that your grandparents listen to, that fun loose swingin' R&B of the 50's and early 60's. Waterhouse in addition to be one of L.A's rising stars is an accomplished producer, he is able to create such a vintage sound that he even pulled one over me when I first heard "Some Place." I thought this song was some uncovered nugget, not some new single. I am eager to follow Mr. Waterhouse's career because he certainly seems to have what it takes. Download this and get dancing.

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Some Place

Van Morrison - T.B. Sheets

2011-08-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through my collection of Van Morrison records the other day and stumbled upon the oft-forgotten track "T.B. Sheets" off of his debut LP Blowin' Your Mind. This song is a sprawling nine minute blues jam with a laid back swagger to it that reminds me of David Crosby's "Cowboy Movie." However, the tone of this song is starkly contrasted by the lyrical content of "T.B. Sheets." This is a song about that awkward moment when you're next do someone's deathbed and it's time for you to go. If you read the lyrics on their own the song is actually quite depressing, a dying person begging a friend to stay with them until the end without success. Yet Morrison hides this painful image behind a relaxed bluesy rock tune which makes it easier to handle. It's a brilliant song and if it weren't nine minutes long I could see "T.B. Sheets" be considered one of Van Morrison's many classics.

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T.B. Sheets

Future Islands

2011-08-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

Future Islands from Baltimore have a very distinct sound, a mix of Post-Wave meets Tom Waits due to the singer's uniquely garbled voice. I don't know enough about these guys as I'd like to, but they are definitely on my list of albums to pick up. If you're in Los Angeles and are going to the FYF festival next week get there early and check these guys out.

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Balance

Late Discoveries: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - Some Loud Thunder

2011-08-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

** Late Discoveries is a periodical on ST&SP. because we're only human and can't possibly hear every band that comes along, sometimes we miss a truly great album or artist.**

This weekend I will have a chance to see one of my favorite bands from my high school years perform, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! After taking a few year hiatus these guys are back and have a new record coming out in September. CYHSY! is important because they were one of the first DIY success stories to come out of the internet age. They still remain completely unsigned by a label and have pretty much done everything themselves. This business model paved the way for so many artists to just put music out themselves not having to rely on the industry to promote their music. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! will always be remembered for their stellar self-titled debut record but many people tend to pass over their sophomore record Some Loud Thunder.
Many critics and fans alike have passed this album off as being inferior to their first release which I never understood why. Sure each of their albums had a few duds on them but Some Loud Thunder has some terrific tracks that rate right up with their best material. I wouldn't say this album surpasses their debut but is certainly on par with it.
Some Loud Thunder is certainly much darker than it's predecessor, for instance the devilish disco-rock of "Satan Said Dance" remains one of their biggest hits to date. However there are so many other overlooked tracks on this album like the eerie piano-driven "Love Song No. 7" or "Yankee Go Home" and "Underwater (You and Me)" are all songs that should have received much more attention than they have. Some of the tracks show inklings of singer Alec Ounsworth's solo career like the swampy bayou folk of "Arm and Hammer."
Some Loud Thunder is a record that took me a long time to appreciate its brilliance and I think fans and critics need to give it a second listen, because now it is my most played record of theirs. Though it is certainly harsher than their self-titled I would not call this record sub-par. I cannot wait to see what direction they take their third album with. Catch Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! at Sunset Junction Music Festival this Sunday it's $15 for one day.

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Love Song No. 7

On The Tube

2011-08-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

This week saw the release of some awesome music related YouTube finds. The first we find Neil Young busking on the streets of Scotland with a Banjo, then there's Radiohead's entire performance of King of Limbs live From The Basement, and then we wrap things up with Bon Iver's perfectly executed Icelandic video for "Holoscene" So grab your favorite cozy chair and watch these nuggets.

Wooden Shjips

2011-08-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

This Friday at The Echo psychedelic rock quartet Wooden Shjips will be doing a free show sponsored by Sailor Jerry Rum for those of you who are 21+. You have to RSVP over at The Echo's website and I'm not sure if the list is full yet, but it's worth the shot. These guys have a new record that is coming out in September but until then I still play their impressive 2009 record Dos from time to time.

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Down by The Sea

Eleanor Friedberger

2011-08-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Last Summer, the solo debut from Fiery Furnaces frontwoman Eleanor Friedberger has been on pretty much constant rotation at my place for a good week and a half now. It's a solid straightforward pop album that is much more cohesive daresay than any Fiery Furnaces album. The album's opener "My Mistakes" starts the record off on a brilliant pace and Friedberger doesn't let up for the remainder of the ten tracks. I'm not sure if you'll see this atop of many critics end of the year lists, but it will certainly be on mine.

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My Mistakes

Roots Roadhouse at The Echo & Echoplex

2011-08-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Things might get a little twangy here for awhile since this weekend is The Roots Roadhouse festival here in LA featuring the best of underground roots, bluegrass and country music. Not only that but the lineup for this year's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival has been announced, which I am going to. So if you're free this weekend come down to Echo Park and check it out!

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

2011-08-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

Unknown Mortal Orchestra is a kooky sounding Portland trio that is part lo-fi funk and part Muppet/Sesame Street episode mash up. Needless to say their self-titled debut album is one of the more unique and satisfying indie records released this year.

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FFuny FFriends

Twin Sister

2011-08-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

Twin Sister from Brooklyn are making their way up in the blogosphere of indieness. They apparently had a memorable set at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago last month and are set to play during the day at FYF here in LA. Their singer has a soft yet playful quality to her voice while the rest of the band seem to have this muted lo-fi Tom Tom Club thing going on. These guys fit very much in the direction that indie music is gravitating towards.

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All Around and Away We Go

The People Who Died

2011-08-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

If I could pick one song I would want to cover if I had a band, it would have to be "The People Who Died" by the Jim Carroll Band. This highly unique ironic tale of friends who made irresponsible decisions with their lives is one of those fun tracks to sing along to and try and memorize the lyrics too. I have posted the original version as well as a much more raw version by the Drive-by Truckers who quite often close their shows with this tune.

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Jim Carroll Band - The People Who Died
Drive-by Truckers - The People Who Died (Live)

The Shakes

2011-07-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

Keeping with some new faces in southern fried music. Here are The Shakes from Athens Alabama a highly unknown unsigned soul-rock group. In the constant search to find artists that have that "it" factor, I feel like I've struck gold with these guys. The frontwoman pictured above has a cannon of a voice, knows how to evoke strong emotions from her listeners and can play a mean guitar lick.

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You Aint Alone

Turf War

2011-07-27T15:59:00.000-07:00

All the way from Atlanta come Turf War. These newcomers have a record produced by The Black Lips producer that is being released in September. They have released the first track from that record "Cheers to the Years." It doesn't get more straight-forward rock n roll that this. This is perfect summer backyard party rock.

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Cheers to the Years

The White Stripes

2011-07-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

The White Stripes may be gone and my hopes of seeing this titanic duo live again have faded, all is not lost for fans. Jack White's Third Man Records are slowly releasing White Stripes rarities and b-sides from their vault. Their most recent offering includes an Otis Redding cover of "I've Been Loving You Too Long." I've heard the original and I consider myself a huge Redding fan, but I've got to give Jack major props here because he took Mr. Pitiful's words and made them his own. Jack sounds happy singing this song but the real pain and torment he pours into his guitar. I am so glad this song was kept in storage until now, because I feel like if this had been dropped as a B-side to a single it would not have been as appreciated. I can only hope there is a plethora of White Stripes vault material that will keep a piece of my favorite band alive for me for a long time to come.

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I've Been Loving You Too Long

Jeff The Brotherhood

2011-07-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

For fans of duos of rock and roll such as The Black Keys here is a newish team that is making waves in the indie industry, Jeff The Brotherhood. Where The Black Keys and White Stripes gain influence from classic blues artists, Jeff The Brotherhood seem to take from The Ramones and other punk artists from that era. This is straight-forward fun cock rock and roll.

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Ripper

The Tiger Lillies

2011-07-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

The Tiger Lillies are going to be a challenge for some of you. I can tell you right away most of you might be put off by their sound initially. However, if you are a fan of the avant-garde and the whimsical then these Brits are right up your alley. My Itunes playlist tries to label their genre as "Dark Cabaret" it's more like Dark Brechtian Punk Cabaret inside a big top circus. If you like Tom Waits or the Bonzo Dog Band these guys to me sound like a mix between them with a little Tiny Tim thrown in. If you're trying to get into The Tiger Lillies good luck, their discography is massive and even I am having a tough time deciding where to start. My favorite song so far has to be "Crack of Doom" off of Blood + Blasphemy which I have posted below. Though some of you might not enjoy them, you can't say they are not original. They tell vivid often gruesome tales through their accordion-laid circus antics. They don't come stateside that often but when they do tour they often set up shop for multiple days and perform in a sort of twisted Barnum & Bailey setup. Also check out a recent performance of The Tiger Lillies covering Tom Waits's "Diamonds & Gold"

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Crack of Doom

Megafaun

2011-07-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

Like Bon Iver? Check out his former bandmates' band Megafaun. I played basketball with these guys a few years back, good times. This song is very heady, but I love the fact that they sample the sounds of cicadas in the background. Look for their new album in the fall.
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These Words

2011 So Far...

2011-07-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

Half of 2011 has come and gone and already people are shaping up what their end of the year lists are looking like. A lot of bands have released some very very good records this year, but not a lot of what has been released has blown me away and left me wanting more. Many albums have failed to surpass their predecessors in my opinion. Take for example, Bon Iver. Everyone loves that man's falsetto siren of a voice and as of right now it's Pitchfork's favorite album. But not one track on that record captivated me like "The Wolves (Act I & II)" did or half of the other songs on For Emma. We can argue and nitpick over why certain releases this year should be loved or disliked, but let's just get into it instead, I guarantee you this list will change drastically come December.

1) tUnE-yArDs - W H O K I L L

This album is a chaotic mess of swirling sounds that just somehow manage to come together into a powerful and ingeniously fun record. Frontwoman and ukeleleist Merrill Garbus's voice is what really makes Tune Yards work for me, she has an uncanny ability to sing with such varying character that makes every single track on Whokill unique.

Download via Mediafire:
Doorstep

2) Bill Callahan - Apocalypse

Apocalypse is easily the most aptly titled record of the year. Callahan is to country/folk like Cormac McCarthy is to literature. Callahan paints a bleak Dante-esque landscape of "the country" that becomes more and more daunting the further he travels down the rabbit hole, however the closing number "One Fine Morning" breathes a sigh of relief and signals a more hopeful and redemptive sign of hope showing us the beauty of the prairie. His lyrics have the ability to seem cryptic and extremely present at the same time. Bill Callahan is our generation's Townes Van Zandt folks, get used to it.

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America!

3) Cut Copy - Zonoscope

With LCD Soundsystem sadly gone, there is room at the top for the next huge dance/electro/punk band. Australia's Cut Copy has put forward their candidacy with Zonoscope. This album is a party from start to finish. The opening track "Need You Now" makes me feel like I can run track at The Olympics and the epic 15 minute closing track "Sun God" is the best long dance jam I have heard since The Juan MacLean's "Happy House." It's going to be hard to top this album as best dance album but we'll see the year is young and there's still a new Rapture album to be released.

Download via Mediafire:
Need You Now

4) Low - C'mon

Some of you may be scratching your heads on this one, I haven't talked about this record on the blog yet and Pitchfork gave it only a 7.2 but they're fucking idiots. I am fairly new to Low though they've been around awhile and I've heard their most acclaimed record The Great Destroyer but I think this one is better. C'mon weaves in and out of sparse quite lullabies and pounding anthems. This album has something that very records I've heard this year have, drama. The members of Low are clearly going through some sort of internal struggle that translates beautifully into their music. Check out my favorite track "Majesty/Magic" which starts out ominous and slowly builds and builds.

Download via Mediafire;
Majesty/Magic

5) Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

The title track for this album helps the rest of the record out immensely, because it is my favorite song of the year so far. "Helplessness Blues" is the kind of song that this country needs to hear right now, a politically charged track that has a deep rooted philosophy attached to it. It's the kind of track that can help people through tough times and help them to see the light. It just so happens that one of the prettiest sounding bands, Fleet Foxes gets to deliver this message. While Helplessness Blues is not as memorable nor does it surpass their previous album, it is certainly more complex and they don't rely too heavy on the harmony which is exactly what I wanted from this band, so thanks guys!
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The Shrine/An Argument

There were a lot of other albums that barely missed the cut that you should expect to see towards the end of the year and should check out in the meantime:
Thurston Moore - Demolished Thoughts, Man Man - Life Fantastic, PJ Harvey - Let England Shake, The Weeknd - House of Balloons, Shabazz Palaces - Black Up, Ty Segall - Goodbye Bread

America!

2011-07-04T00:27:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th Everyone! Add this to your BBQ Playlist, one of my favorites of 2011.
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Bill Callahan - America!

Handsome Furs - Sound Kapital

2011-07-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Though I am still lamenting the loss of Wolf Parade, an indie supergroup that combined the best elements of Handsome Furs and Sunset Rubdown into one of the most solid bands in all of indiedom, I am very excited to hear new material from the Furs. Sound Kapital has caused quite a lot of controversy due to the NSFW album cover. Many people think it to be pornographic, I disagree I find it beautiful and very artistically done, it might even be my favorite cover of the year. Despite the naked lady, this is Handsome Furs best album to date, so though the death of Wolf Parade may get me down at least Dan Boeckner has had time to perfect his other group.

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What About Us

Shabazz Palaces

2011-06-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

From the ashes of the defunct indie hip-hop group Digable Planets comes frontman Butterfly's new project Shabazz Palaces and their debut LP Black Up. Whereas Digable Planets played heavy with a jazz background, Shabazz incorporates a heavy emphasis on distortion and electronic sounds. This results in one of the most unique hip-hop albums in a long time. It's not something you'll hear being blasted at the clubs, this is smart risky rap. It's a feeling. It's a feeling.

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Are You Can You Were You (Felt)

The Rapture

2011-06-27T11:56:00.000-07:00

Back in the day there were three prominent artists to come out of the DFA label. LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip and The Rapture. LCD became legendary, Hot Chip continues to pump out solid albums, but The Rapture however faded away. Band members quit, they had a couple relatively popular albums, "House of Jealous Lovers" was epic but for some reason they couldn't quite keep it together. Call it a comeback! Because in September The Rapture will drop a new album and have already released the incredibly powerful "How Deep Is Your Love?" which just might be one of my favorite songs of the year. The track starts strong and quickly finds its groove that continues to build and progress throughout the entire song. Electro kids take note, this is dance music done right.

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How Deep Is Your Love?

My Morning Jacket at Pantages 6/22

2011-06-24T11:28:00.000-07:00

It was hard to tell if the smoke that filled The Pantages Theater last Wednesday night was from a fog machine or the fact that My Morning Jacket were absolutely burning this mother fucker to the ground. Jim James & Co. tore through an absolutely blistering two and a half hour set. The group seemed to favor their new album Circuital the most by playing the entire album. That was my one gripe about this show. I know bands tend to love playing their new material for crowds because it's fresh and exciting for them as a band, and Circuital is a fine album but only four or five of the ten tracks are worth hearing live. I would have traded "Outta My System" or "Slow Slow Tune" for "Dondante" or anything off of At Dawn which they completely ignored that night. But alas, we can't always get what we want.

It's very difficult to talk about this band's live presence on a blog or watch YouTube videos of them. They are a force that must be experienced live. My Morning Jacket cranks it up to eleven the entire show, and through the swell of keys, drums and guitars Jim James's voice pierces through the cacophony straight into your soul. From the epic opening notes of "Victory Dance" to the blazing closer "Megateeth" this band kept the entire Los Angeles audience completely captivated.

Here's one of the songs I wish they would have played.
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The Way That He Sings

Outta Town

2011-06-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

I'm out of town for a few days, so it may seem slow on here. See you Friday where I'll have a write up of My Morning Jacket live at Pantages Theater.

Bon Iver - Bon Iver

2011-06-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

Whereas his previous record For Emma, Forever Ago softly played like a gentle snow in a cold winter, Bon Iver's self-titled sophomore LP blossoms from the spring. It's a new direction for Justin Vernon although it is still breathtakingly beautiful and reminiscent of For Emma, it certainly stands on its own. The problem Bon Iver had to face was that their first LP is considered by many to be one of the best records of the previous decade. It is a record that people (myself included) have fond memories associated with. If you were to compare these two records, which you shouldn't, then of course For Emma stands above and beyond Bon Iver. This record simply put is beautiful, and will be on the top of many people's year-end lists. However, there are some dull moments in this record and some songs towards the latter half of the album don't really stand out. The last song "Beth/Rest" I haven't quite decided if I like or not. The lyrics of the track are extremely heartfelt, but the song's aesthetic borders the line of being pretty and schmaltzy, with it's Phil Collins-esque cheese guitar solos gently in the background. Above all things Bon Iver is a very pleasant listening experience and the band once again becomes the soundtrack to nature hikes everywhere.

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LINK REMOVED BY REQUEST

Vetiver - The Errant Charm

2011-06-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Vetiver return with their 5th album of their signature breezy laid back folk. This is a perfect summer evening album that should be played just as the sun begins to disappear over the horizon. The Errant Charm much like every Vetiver album is a slow-burner and I'm sure after repeated listen this will become one of my favorite albums of the year. The major change for the group is their successful attempt at a straight up no frills rocker with the track "Ride Ride Ride." This shows that Vetiver are not yet quite done exploring their sound and are keen on switching things up. Vetiver are quickly becoming synonymous with solidarity.

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Wonder Why

Hall of Fame: The Beach Boys - Holland

2011-06-10T15:02:00.000-07:00

** Hall of Fame is where I discuss my favorite albums of all time, they may not always be the most critically acclaimed, but they hold a special place in my heart**

Everyone loves a good comeback, and for The Beach Boys the late 60s and early 70s were a very rough time. Their leader, Brian Wilson had suffered a mental collapse and were constantly living in the shadow of other successful bands like The Beatles. For their nineteenth album the band decided to ditch America and record in The Netherlands. After several attempts the band even got Brian Wilson to get on the plane. Carl Wilson had the duty of steering Holland into the direction that the band wanted it to go in.

I have this theory about The Beach Boys, when people are younger they tend to focus solely on their early work like "Barbra Ann" or "Help Me Rhonda." They're great songs don't get me wrong, they are absolute staples in American Rock & Roll, however they're very straightforward. Yet, as one gets older they begin to discover The Beach Boys' later work that includes records like Holland and Surfs Up. My theory has to be true! These are Beach Boys songs that never see radio-play, why would an oldies station play "Sail On Sailor" when they just as easily could play a mega hit like "Surfin' USA"?

However, where albums like Holland lack in commercial appeal, they make up for it in content. This is a beautiful fully-realized album with depth, risk and landscape. Holland received much critical acclaim as it should have, and for a brief moment The Beach Boys were back in the limelight before they faded away again. Holland is one of those records that I firmly believe will stand the test of time and will be eventually considered by critics and fans alike as their best album.

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Funky Pretty

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks

2011-06-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

With the political world is in an uproar over "Weinergate" there isn't a more perfect time for Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks to release their new politically charged single "Senator." Seriously, I'm beginning to think this Senator Anthony Weiner thing is just a really involved ad campaign for the new Malkmus album. I like the Malkmus & The Jicks releases, of course his solo work is always going to be in the shadow of his other Titanic-sized band Pavement, but he seems to be getting his kicks during "Senator." The Beck-produced album is due out in August!

Dowload via Mediafire:

Senator

Sick in Bed

2011-06-06T17:59:00.000-07:00

I've been out of it the past few days with food poisoning so I haven't had the right mindset to put together a well thought out post. So here's a track from More Songs About Buildings and Food by Talking Heads it's called "Stay Hungry." Watch what you eat kids.

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Stay Hungry

ST&SP Presents: Summer's Eve

2011-06-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

I love mixtapes, to me they are one of the best ways to discover new music. There's a beauty in listening to a short segment of a song blend into the next one. I have collected a number of mixtapes over the years and they have greatly expanded my knowledge of music. I have thought about doing this for a while but never had enough time to spare cutting everything together. Yet here we are, Shiny Tops & Soda Pops Present: Summer's Eve, our first summer mixtape. There's something for everyone on this tape, download it, burn it to disc and pop it in your car for ultimate listening pleasure. This mixtape is dedicated to all the other blogs whose mixtapes have inspired me to do this: Aquarium Drunkard, The Rising Storm, Ponytone, Gentlebear and Cold Splinters. We will see you in the winter with our next mix!

ST&SP Present: Summer's Eve (run time: 1:05:53)

Tracklist:

Nat King Cole – Nature Boy

Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

Atlas Sound (feat. Panda Bear) – Walkabout

David Crosby – Tamalpais High (At About 3) / Wooden Ships Jam Demo

Dirty Gold – California Sunrise

Spoon – The Underdog

James Brown – Your Cheating Heart

Anthony Lamont – Benny The Skinny Man

Head Hands & Feet – Safety In Numbers

Grateful Dead – Rolling Thunder (Shoshone Invocation)

The Monkees – As We Go Along

Flo & Eddie – Keep It Warm

Chubby Checker – No Need to Get So Heavy

Dead Man’s Bones – Lose Your Soul

Panda Bear – Surfer’s Hymn

Third Wave – Eleanor Rigby

The Roches – Hammond Song

Bob Dylan – Wigwam

The Equals – Reincarnation

Os Mutantes – Bat Macumba

The Fiery Furnaces – Benton Harbor Blues

Emit Rhodes – Mary Will You Take My Hand

Little Joy – For No One’s Better Sake

Roberto Cacciapaglia – Sei Note in Logica (excerpt)

Hoagy Carmichael – Two Sleepy People

Download from Mediafire:

Summer's Eve

Thoughts on the Coachella Announcement

2011-05-31T22:20:00.000-07:00

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival sent out an email last week informing fans that a big announcement would be made on their site Tuesday morning at 10am. I didn't think much of this, since around this time of year they usually announce which weekend the festival would be taking place the following year. Instead they made an announcement that in my opinion could dramatically change the concert industry for better and for worse.

The 2012 Coachella music fest will be taking place over two weekends in April. April 13-15th and April 20-22. That's six days of music! They're reasoning for doing this is due to the high demand of tickets previous years, they feel that enough people missed out that would justify them repeating the whole experience again. Goldenvoice may try and make it seem like they're appeasing their fans, but really this is a money issue. Coachella generates a huge amount of revenue and on top of the swarms of kiddies who feel entitled to Coachella, this would justify them trying to recreate the magic a second weekend.

That is my first complaint about the change, the "magic" of it all. Part of the allure of going to a music festival is that it's an entirely unique experience, it's the sense of having 'been there' that makes each Coachella unique and legendary. Now with a repeat weekend to compare to, will that diminish from its glory? Will the ability to compare and contrast weekends add or detract from its overall experience? Not to mention this is an absolute logistical nightmare for whomever is scheduling the bands. Since the promoters want to have identical weekends, will this dissuade some performers from wanting to stick around for both weekends? Not to mention that most bands schedule their tours around the big music festivals, and having to commit being at Coachella for an entire week might be a wrench in many artists' touring schedules. I also feel sorry for the lower-tier bands who are still trying to establish themselves in the industry. For these bands a festival like Coachella is a great opportunity for getting noticed, yet hotels are expensive and this change might be a financial burden for some artists. Also, what happens if they sell out both weekends at capacity? Then there's two identically packed weekends, then what was the use of making this change at all? If that happened the only people that would benefit would be the promoters stuffing their pockets with even more money.

However my biggest complaint about this switch is the potential consequences this change will have on the surrounding music scenes. Coachella, like other music festivals force their artists to sign an exclusivity contract preventing them from performing within a certain radius around Coachella to prevent conflict. It's purely a business move, but whenever Coachella comes around the LA scene is absolutely dead. The added weekend is going to result in more independent venues suffering for a longer period of time. This move must put independent venues around the country on edge, because if Coachella pulls off two successful weekends next year, you bet your bottom dollar other big name festivals will follow suit.

On the other hand, my biggest complaint about Coachella when I attended two years ago were the crowds. There were too many people in attendance for the facilities, which for some made the experience not worth it. Perhaps Goldenvoice's idea will go over smoothly and a greater amount of people will get to experience new and interesting music without feeling overly claustrophobic. If they achieve this then Coachella is a success and ultimately this change is a huge help to the independent music industry. Goldenvoice certainly has the infrastructure to pull this off, but it is a extremely risky move that could either be the dawn of a bright new chapter in music festival history, or the death of Coachella as we know it.

Roberto Cacciapaglia

2011-05-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

There's only one way I know how to celebrate Memorial Day and that's by listening to 70s Italian minimalist avant-garde orchestral music! I heard a sample of this piece not too long ago on a mixtape and I had to rush out and hear the entire album. Roberto Cacciapaglia, an Italian composer still active today crafted Sei Note In Logica in 1979. It's a unique composition of music because he was one of the first composers to integrate computers into orchestral music and another unique aspect is that Sei Note In Logica is that it's comprised of only six notes. I have attached the first of two parts to this album. While I admit this music is not for everyone, and you have to be a real fan of avant-garde to appreciate it, Sei Note In Logica has still proven to be one of the more unique things I have ever heard put to disc. He's able to create such complexity under very limited circumstances. I would bet that modern chamber-pop artists such as Sufjan Stevens could have drawn influence from this record.

Download via Mediafire:
Sei Note In Logica (Part One)

The Reflectacles @ The Echo 5/24

2011-05-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday, I had the pleasure of seeing The Reflectacles perform their homecoming show at The Echo. It's been a while since they had played Los Angeles and it was the first time I was able to see them perform with their full lineup. They managed to gain quite the crowd for a Tuesday night, and the fans were eager to welcome the boys back. What amazes me about this band is how they effortlessly weave in and out different genres and musical styles. One minute they're covering "Man of Constant Sorrow" in the style of The Band, the next song begins like a George Clinton jam and their third sounded like a mix between Emerson Lake & Palmer and The Doobie Brothers. The Reflectacles cannot be pinned down! Another impressive attribute about this band is how comfortable they looked together on stage. Their relaxed nature allowed them to take on some heavyweight standards including Cash's "Ring of Fire" and Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land." The group's own material fit in quite nicely between the select covers they chose to play. The Reflectacles have grown quite a lot in a short span of time. They continue to discover and experiment with their classic sound which breathes life into their music. Check out The Reflectacles on Itunes and if they come to your town make sure to check them out, this is a band that does not disappoint.

Ty Segall

2011-05-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

ST&SP is back bitches! I apologize for the two week absence, I've been busy adjusting to the life of a graduate, and on top of that my computer crashed (music is safe, thanks for the concern) but I promise to you now that the posts will be as regular as my dad is after a bowl of Raisin Bran.
Behold! That cute flaccid puppy is the cover of the new Ty Segall record Goodbye Bread which drops in late June. Segall was on my end of the year list last year for his epic record Melted and is my favorite artist from the San Francisco slime garage scene. I was a little hesitant when I read in an interview that this new album was going to be more toned down and serious. While I can tell with "You Make The Sun Fry" he has certainly put more effort into his songwriting, his overall sound remains as gloriously grimy as before. Give it a whirl.

Download via Mediafire:
You Make The Sun Fry

Graduation

2011-05-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

This weekend is graduation for me, hence the lack of posting. In addition for preparing for the big day, I've been listening to the now famous Numero rare soul collection series. Collection #16 has to do with the subject of school, and one song in particular called "Now That School Is Through" by Cindy & The Playmates asks the same question that has been rattling around in my mind, "what are you going to do?" It's a fun loving summer song.

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Cindy & The Playmates - Now That School Is Through

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

2011-05-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

It's a big week in the world for me, so this will most likely be the only post for this week, good thing it's pretty funky. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears return with Scandalous and the lead single "Booty City." This track keeps in line with Lewis' previous party anthems "Sugarfoot" and "Gunpowder" which is fine, this artist is meant to keep it funky and fresh. Black Joe Lewis is able to move forward by staying exactly the same.

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LINK REMOVED BY REQUEST

X Rated Elvis

2011-04-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

Released in 1999, this bootleg features a collection of outtakes, live versions, and demos that were too "hot" to be released by Elvis's record label. While this record is nowhere near essential for the casual Elvis fan, Cut Me & I Bleed is a unique look into a side of The King that was often hid from the public eye. It's almost comical to hear Presley swear his head off or candidly talk about drugs like he does on this record. I've posted a few tracks from the compilation including an excerpt of Elvis addressing an audience about the claim that he has been strung out on heroin.

Download via Mediafire:

Stranger In My Own Home Town (rehearsal)

Got My Mojo Working (X-Rated Version)

Drugs Dialogue

Big K.R.I.T

2011-04-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

I'm extremely particular about Hip-Hop, in fact I could probably list all of the rap artists I listen to on both hands. Big K.R.I.T is one of them. Last year he released his debut mixtape for free online, and this year he has returned with an even better mix, Return of 4Eva for the same price. He even reworked my personal favorite "Country Shit" this time with guest vocals from Ludacris, who adds even more intensity to this already tenacious song. If you've got a good sound system in your car, pop this in roll down the windows and crank this shit up.

Download via Mediafire:

Sookie Now (feat David Banner.)

Country Shit Remix (feat Ludacris)

Deer Tick

2011-04-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

Saw Paul Simon perform the other night at The Music Box, it was a beautiful night of music all around. He closed with the classic "Still Crazy After All These Years" which had a powerful impact on me. Here's Deer Tick covering it.

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Deer Tick - Still Crazy After All These Years

Mojo Stone

2011-04-17T23:23:00.000-07:00

I need to show some love to Mojo Stone because for one they're friends of mine but more importantly they just released their newest EP entitled Hatchet which is available for purchase on Itunes. I remember seeing these guys perform their first show ever, it was for a benefit concert for a fellow friend who had passed away a few years prior. They stepped up introduced themselves as Mojo Stone and began to tear through Beatles covers like they'd been doing this shit for years.

Now, over a year later they have started to gain themselves a small but loyal following and have begun performing shows around town. Their EP Hatchet isn't a record that they recorded one weekend in somebody's basement. This record has a great deal of variety and structure to it. "Barefoot Boy" is a laid back folk-rock track that conjures images Delaney & Bonnie. "Gritty Love Blues" allows the band to show their teeth and jam out, they were wise to make this close out the EP because it leaves you wanting more.
What strikes me the most about Mojo Stone is they sound like have been together for years, these guys really do gel as band. Singer Natalie Meadors shows incredible range on Hatchet. One minute she can sweetly caress your inner ear like Neko Case, then the next minute she's tearing through your soul like Grace Slick. Neil, Henry and David's richly textured instrumentation and attention to detail is what gives this EP the amount of depth that it has.

I have posted their EP to stream below, if you like it buy it on Itunes, and who knows maybe next time I throw a party they can afford to bring beer.
Hatchet by Mojo Stone

My Morning Jacket

2011-04-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

My Morning Jacket returns with Circuital and to tease us they have released the title track for free! I have to say with this track alone, I can tell Circuital could be a return to form for My Morning Jacket. After the shaky at best Evil Urges they seem to be delivering material as strong as Z or It Still Moves. I have my ticket to see them in Los Angeles at The Pantages Theater. Needless to say, they are going to destroy that place.

Download via Mediafire:

Circuital

13th Floor Elevators

2011-04-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

13th Floor Elevators are considered one of the first and most influential psychedelic rock groups from the 1960s. Roky Erickson helmed this Austin Texas band from 1965-1969. They weren't as popular as say Jefferson Airplane of other contemporaries, but they certainly held their own. This track "Levitation" is from their record Easter Everywhere.

Download via Mediafire:
Levitation

Dirty Beaches

2011-04-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

Dirty Beaches' mastermind Alex Zhang Hungtai, a Canadian born in Taiwan has created a solid reverb filled record called Badlands. He cites filmmaker David Lynch as his biggest influence. This man could be ushering in the new era of crooners. Check out "Sweet 17" a throbbing lo-fi track that allows Mr. Hungtai to coo over a lovely Lolita-like figure.

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Sweet 17

Josh T. Pearson

2011-04-06T01:23:00.000-07:00

For fans of our previous artist Bill Callahan or Bonnie "Prince" Billy here is a newer desolate country-folk artist who has been making waves, Josh T. Pearson who has just released his debut solo album title Last of the Country Gentleman. Pearson, a native Texan who has long resided in Europe has penned a slow-churning blood soaked gloomy record that will get underneath your skin and stick with you a long time after.

Download via Mediafire:
Thou Are Loosed

Bill Callahan

2011-04-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Folk-country artist Bill Callahan is about to release his newest album Apocalypse which is an extremely apt title. The first single is the morose and doom-filled "Baby's Breath" It's an absolutely chilling song with it's mix of simple guitar progression and powerful lyrics. I admit I am not as familiar with Callahan as I should be, but after hearing this song I will be checking out him more often.

Download via Mediafire:

Baby's Breath

Exploding Star Orchestra

2011-04-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

Continuing with the jazz theme, here's a group that you can actually see perform today. Exploding Star Orchestra are an avant-garde jazz orchestra from Chicago. At the tail end of last year they released a new record titled Stars Have Shapes and I must say it's fantastic. I haven't encountered many modern jazz artists that I have liked, but this falls right in line with that free form experimental Bitches Brew-esque jazz that I love so much. This isn't you're grandpa's jazz band, this is some far out shit right here.

Download via Mediafire:

Impression no. 1

Miles Davis at Fillmore East

2011-03-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

I was recently given a Louis Armstrong record for my birthday by someone very dear to me, so recently I've been on a jazz kick. What I would like to present to you today is a page from music history. June 20th 1970, Neil Young & Crazy Horse played the Fillmore East, the opening act: Miles Davis. Can you believe that bill? Not only is Miles one of the most important jazz musicians ever, his famous genre-bending Bitches Brew had just shook the jazz world with its release a few years ago. This bootleg documents Miles Davis in one of his most experimental periods in his life. This bootleg is an absolute gem, download it tonight, sit with your favorite liqueur and enjoy.

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Miles Davis - Fillmore East 6-20-1970

Panda Bear

2011-03-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite albums ever is Panda Bear's Person Pitch. That record is just an absolute milestone in experimental pop music. His followup album Tomboy will be out very soon. A bunch of tracks have been released so far, and I must say I haven't been impressed. They have seemed all over the place and very repetitive. However, recently a vinyl rip of "Surfer's Hymn" leaked on to the web. This sounds a lot more like the Panda Bear I know and love. Richly layered and summery.

Download via Mediafire:

Surfer's Hymn

Omega

2011-03-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

One of my recent discoveries that has been on constant play in my room is the 60s Hungarian band called Omega. These guys were (and still are) Hungary's biggest rock band of all time, and have even played the most concerts abroad of any Hungarian rock group. The late 60s and early 70s were a tough time for Hungary, Communism was at its peak, yet here we have a group that was so inventive and expansive. I would have never thought that an Eastern-European country under the iron curtain would be able to produce such powerful space-rock and progressive psychedelia. Though they are strictly local now, Omega has become by far the longest running Hungarian rock band ever.

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Félbeszakadt koncert
Az 1958-as boogie-woogie klubban

My Brightest Diamond

2011-03-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

If you aren't familiar with Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond) you need to wake the hell up right now. This lady is like a mythical siren come to life. Check out this video from The Take Away Show

Here's a newer song that is hauntingly beautiful called "The Sea"

TV On The Radio - Caffeinated Consciousness

2011-03-20T23:22:00.000-07:00

A brand spanking new TV On The Radio album will drop in a few weeks. To keep our interests high the band has released a new free song from the album. This one is titled "Caffeinated Consciousness" TV On The Radio has always been full of surprises, but this song feels like a repeated roundhouse kick to the face.

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Battles

2011-03-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

Battles may have lost their lead member Tyondai Braxton but that doesn't mean they're giving up. Armed with a new member Battles have released their first single "Ice Cream." This song is in stark contrast to their darkly textured stomper "Atlas." "Ice Cream" finds Battles at a colorful and highly playful place. It's quite a change, but certainly fits within their catalogue.

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Ice Cream

Robin Pecknold feat. Ed Droste

2011-03-09T22:34:00.000-08:00

When the lead singer for Fleet Foxes and the lead singer for Grizzly Bear, two of the prettiest sounding bands alive team up to release free music, the blog world spins on its head. This is not new Fleet Foxes music, nor Grizzly Bear. These two guys decided to record a song together and release it to the world for free.

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I'm Losing Myself

REM - Collapse Into Now

2011-03-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

R.E.M. return this week with Collapse Into Now, their new album that they have decided not to tour in support of. This is a damn shame because after listening to it a couple times through, this album is already a thousand times better than their previous record Accelerate. While Accelerate was Michael Stipe's way of brushing off the dust and rocking out, Collapse Into Now has produced some possible new R.E.M. classics. "Oh My Heart" and "Uberlin" have what it takes to become new fan favorites. It seems to me that whenever they decide to vary their sound they tend to produce better music. Collapse Into Now is the perfect blend of acoustic and electric versions of R.E.M. and ultimately is the best record they have released in recent years.

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Talking Heads - Saratoga 8-5-1983

2011-03-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

Talking Heads may never reunite, though David Byrne still tours and Tom Tom Club are still around and you could try and piece them together, but it just wouldn't be the same. I've heard a few bootlegs of the band performing, but this Saratoga show in 1983 captured just how funky these guys were live. This concert was right around the time their famous Stop Making Sense movie came out, but I'd go as far to say that this particular performance is better. The bootleg is split into parts, the setlist is as follows:

Set 1:
Talking Heads :: Psycho Killer
Talking Heads :: Heaven
Talking Heads :: Thank You For Sending Me An Angel
Talking Heads :: Building On Fire
Talking Heads :: Book I Read
Talking Heads :: Slippery People
Talking Heads :: Cities
Talking Heads :: Big Blue Plymouth (Eyes Wide Open)
Talking Heads :: Burning Down The House
Talking Heads :: Life During Wartime
Set 2:
Talking Heads :: Making Flippy Floppy
Talking Heads :: Swamp
Talking Heads :: What A Day That Was
Talking Heads :: This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)
Talking Heads :: Once In A Lifetime
Talking Heads :: Big Business >
Talking Heads :: I Zimbra
Talking Heads :: Houses In Motion
Talking Heads :: Genius Of Love (Tom Tom Club)
Talking Heads :: Girlfriend Is Better
Talking Heads :: Take Me To The River

Encore:
Talking Heads :: Crosseyed And Painless

Much thanks to Aquarium Drunkard for originally hosting this.

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Part 1
Part 2

Tune-Yards

2011-03-02T09:17:00.000-08:00

tUnE-yArDs return with their sophomore release very soon, and have released the first track from it called "Bizness." If you are familiar with these guys from their first album Bird-Brains you'd know that this band is highly complex and experimental. While "Bizness" is very intricate it is also their most accessible song to date. In fact, I would go as far to say they sort of sound like Local Natives on speed here, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

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Sidi Toure

2011-02-28T20:58:00.000-08:00

Like Animal Collective? Of course you do, who doesn't love those freak psych-pop geniuses these days? One think about Animal Collective is they have never been very forward with stating who they are influenced by. Yet they did state once in an interview that one living influence of theirs is Sidi Toure, a well respected singer/guitarist from Mali. Since their shout out, Mr. Toure has slowly been gaining a cult following here in the states. La Blogotheque made a great video of him as well. In the beginning of the year Toure released Sahel Folk that is available here in the states. Check out "Bon Koum" below. Africa!

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Bon Koum

La Sera

2011-02-23T08:44:00.000-08:00

La Sera is a side project for Katy Goodman, one of the members of the chick-garage rock group Vivian Girls. "Devils Hearts Grow Gold" is much dreamier than her past releases. In fact one will find the song's structure very similar to "Where Is My Mind?" by The Pixies. I would go as far to say that La Sera actually has a lot more to offer than her original band.

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Dirty Gold

2011-02-21T22:55:00.000-08:00

After being pounded by rain for the past few days, the sun has peeked through and I must say it has been absolutely gorgeous for the past few days in Los Angeles. Here's a song from newcomers Dirty Gold that I am sure will be featured on many blog's summer mixtapes."California Sunrise" keeps nothing hidden, it is a blissful summery west coast indie pop tune that perfectly accompanies a beautiful day like today.

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California Sunrise

James Blake

2011-02-18T23:35:00.000-08:00

James Blake is an artist that has been placed on my "Best of 2011" potential list that I've started. This debut from the young Brit is extremely impressive. The man has such a powerful and crisp voice. He sounds mainstream yet is obscure enough to grab the indie crowd's attention. His self-titled debut sounds like Radiohead's Kid A meets blue-eyed soul.

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The Wilhelm Scream

The White Stripes

2011-02-14T00:58:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a few weeks now, and I still haven't fully recovered. I've listened to their entire discography multiple times in chronological order and it's amazing how fresh and exciting after a decade their music still sounds. Yes, The White Stripes are no longer with us it's true. Jack will go off producing records and playing in thousands of other bands, and Meg will most likely choose a quieter life out of the spotlight. On one hand I'm deeply saddened that they are gone. They've been hinting at new material for awhile and they certainly seemed to have a few great albums left in them. Yet, I'm also proud that my favorite band quit while they were on top, and never released a disappointing record. It's better to leave 'em wanting more I guess. I am not dwelling on why they broke up (though I have theories), but rather I think a great band like The White Stripes deserve to be respected and revered. I've been going through my bootleg collections of their shows, and would like to share my favorite one titled The Boston Tea Party. The quality of this bootleg is superb, this was taped during their Elephant tour, a time that many considered to be their pinnacle. The White Stripes were always one of my favorite live acts. Their simplicity allowed their stage show to be loose and spontaneous. People always criticized Meg for her talents, but I always felt that her simple style was a perfect way to keep Jack in check.
The White Stripes may be gone, but with their five studio albums they have left a legacy that ranks them as one of the greatest bands of our or any generation.

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The Boston Tea Party (Full album)

The Veils

2011-02-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

The Veils return with an EP titled Troubles of The Brain. I have never fully dug into their discography but I can say that these guys are extremely varied. The lead song from this EP is titled "The Wishbone." Solid. Solid psych-folk song.

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The Wishbone

Charles Bradley

2011-02-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

Starting a career in music in one's late 60's is almost an impossible thing to do, except for Charles Bradley. He's another addition to the vibrant new-soul movement that features Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. Honestly I wouldn't want this guy to be any younger, it's taken years of heartbreak and pain to make his voice into the soulful instrument it is today. He doesn't have the groove of James Brown, but rather is like Solomon Burke or Otis Redding at his more tender moments. If you like vintage soul, this newcomer is for you.

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The World (Is Going Up In Flames)

Lovin' You, Baby

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

2011-02-02T17:24:00.000-08:00

After a solid year of toying with us over Facebook about new material, Seattle folkies Fleet Foxes return with their new record Helplessness Blues and have released the title track for FREE. As far as the song goes, it's pretty solid, it's certainly no "Blue Ridge Mountains" but it has me very excited for the full release. It seems like they are trying to not rely heavily on the harmony making Robin Pecknold the main player in the band.

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Helplessness Blues