Method Man - Tical

Pretty sweet album, something about Meth's voice that just makes you feel cooler. One of my favorite changed lyrics in the Mannequin Men van is: "Where's that show you dudes are playin? DE KALLLLLLB" that'll make you feel pretty lame. It's all about checks and balances.

Tical

Jake Thackray-La Di Dah

A little weird, yes, but amazing nonetheless. Such a smartass has never been witnessed before. A gruesomely talented guitar player and arranger, those only being trumped by his lyrical genius, Jake is a man among boys. The closest thing I can compare him to is an american Brel...but better. I don't know really what this comp is from, but it's pretty good. Great album to cook to, and sit around to, especially this time of year. Give it a couple spins, it's a grower.

La Di Dah

Alan Price-Runaway

some solo stuff from me. have about five. here's one.

Runaway

Move Your Mule: Ace's Skinhead Reggae Vol. 2

Here's the latest comp. Took quite a while to put together because I did a lot more digging than the last one. Some deep stuff and some stuff I somehow left off of the first one. Let me know if you want me to re-up the first one cos I think the link is dead.

Enjoy.
Here's the track order in case it sends it into iTunes all messed up:

1. The Dynamites-Tribute to Drumbago
2. Laurel Aitken-Skinheads Are Wrecking the Town
3. Pat Kelly-If I Don't Work
4. Hortense Ellis-My Last Dance
5. The Reggae Boys-Ba Ba
6. The Rudies-Devil's Lead Soup
7. Joe Mansaro-The Thief
8. The Concords-Butoo
9. Llyod & Claudette-Queen of the World
10. Dandy-Move Your Mule
11. The Harmonians-Music Street
12. The GG All Stars-2,000 Tons of TNT
13. The Versatiles-Spread Your Bed
14. Prince Buster-Pussy Cat Bite Me
15. The Kuraas-Stampeed
16. Vincent Foster-Shine Eye Gal
17. Sir Lord Cosmic-Wha'pen
18. Derrick Morgan-Come Back

Move Your Mule

The Cars - Shake It Up

Seems a little odd, I know. It's weird though, because as a kid I listened to the Cars constantly and would consider them one of my first favorite rock and roll bands. Heard 'Since You're Gone' on the radio and it started it all over again. It's definitely a grower, but this album has some pretty weird/awesome shit going on.

Get down.
Shake It Up

The Clash - Sandinista!

Rain, it's been around for quite a bit longer than the Clash I assume. It kinda sucks, but it's not really all that bad once you accept the fact that it is raining and will be for some time. It allows an easier recession into those boring melancholy feelings that are so often inconvenient. Let's be honest with each other, that shit feels good sometimes. It's especially good when accompanied with a guru to lead you out of the dark places once you've lingered too long. This is the one thing that I have found to do such a thing. An incredible record that gets better every single time I listen to it. Oddly, it is also the record that brings in the 'I want to be alone' feelings most sincerely. I don't think that's always a bad thing. Wallow away, don't apologize, and enjoy the rain.


Sandinista!

Neil Young - Time Fades Away

There's something unspeakably comforting about someone who shares your disdain and joy for the world in the same easy breath. Uncle Neil.


time fades away...

Tough Shits - Prick Up Your Ears-Complete Tough Shits

We played with these dudes in Philadelphia.
Aside from being some of the sweetest dudes we met on tour, they were also the weirdest and the most fun. Their show was sweet as hell and involved a guitar being smashed....in front of twenty people. Either way, I knew we were in for a treat when Greg came in and asked if they had anyone for the guest list and the first person to be put on was the singer's mom. Mom was then treated to a set that included jerking off the microphone and talking almost exclusively about drugs.

The songs are fucking brilliant and arranged perfectly to strut their simplicity. Sweet guitar playing, great harmonies, wonderful lyrics. I'm super stoked on these dudes.

gg-g-g-g-g-g-get it. so most highly recommended.

tough shit

Julie Dorion- Whoda Thunk It???

Bill Did!
So click the link and see what he has to say....Good shit.

Let's Go To The Dance-Rocksteady Selections '65-'69

A mix I spent some decent time on, all jams.

1. Coming On To The Scene - Johnny & The Attractions
2. Richard Cory - Ken Boothe
3. So Nice Like Rice - Charlie Kelly
4. Drip Drop - Termites
5. Woman of the Ghetto - Phyllis Dillon
6. Dancing Mood - Delroy Wilson
7. Somebody's Baby - Pat Kelly
8. Deep Down - Hazel & the Jolly Boys
9. With a Girl Like You - Henry III
10. If You See Jane - Yardbrooms
11. Rougher Yet - Slim Smith
12. To Sir With Love - Dawn Penn
13. Go Away - Eric Donaldson
14. These Eyes - Lee Arab
15. Silent River Runs Deep - The Gaylettes
16. Rough Rider - Prince Buster
17. Pretty Looks - Cornell Campbell
18. Lets Go To The Dance - Prince Buster

Let's Go To The Dance

John Cale- Fear

Back to back days? Yes.

I figured I would put this record up because most of you won't like it at first and I intend to test your mettle.

Cale is awesome. This record is totally wussed out, but i can't stop listening to it so...

Fear

Chris Bell-I Am the Cosmos

I've been a tad bummer-ed recently about some shit, and then I remembered this record existed. If you feel like wallowing, or if you happen to be one of those people who can't cry even when they're pretty upset, this record can cure you. Take once a day (preferably at night) with two bowls and a glass of wine. You'll be blubbering like a fucking mental patient in twenty minutes.

It rocks too....but shit, his voice just heaves, makes my chest tight.


Get mad, or get even

Ace's Moon Landing-Skinhead Reggae Comp.

So...It has been ages, and I have no real good excuse. I just got the internet at my house so it's totally possible that I will be updating more. Either way, I have put together a comp. for all of you that includes my favorite skinhead jams from all of the stuff I have been listening to lately. There's some fantastic stuff on here and it is perfect for trying to pretend that it's nice outside (it is a balmy fifty degrees in Chicago right now).

This one should be a good jumping off point for most of you, some weird shit and some standards.

You A Pirate

This Thursday in Chicago

V/A-Girls Like Dirt

Some serious, stone-cold, classics. From Justin Hinds' 'Save a Bread' to two of the best Creations cuts. Great stuff. Probably not a good place to start for people who don't know rocksteady since this a little more lo-fi and definitely fewer hits than the Trojan box. 'Let's Go To The Dance' by Prince Buster breaks my heart every time I hear it. The lyric: Loving her is no disgrace, but it seems to me, another guy's been sipping my tea...

Surely you knew, once the weather changed, that this is all that would be getting posted.

Sit back, rock steady.

Girls Like Dirt

Ethiopians-All The Hits and So Much More

Shit.

Been quite a while, I know.
Relax.

In order to encourage the idea of relaxing, here's some of the best shit I have ever heard to "relax" to. Vocal melodies that would make Dennis Wilson blush, and simply fantastic harmonies as well. Simply a must have for the summer and beyond. I dare you, double dare you even, to listen to this and not want to ride your bike down a crowded street on your way to some water. A great album to fish to, to dance to, to fuck to. What more can a man ask.

Get on the train to skaville

It's Ace's Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Ace.

What a long strange trip it's been.

Mannequin Men recorded the new single for HoZac this weekend and came out with two good 'uns. Can't post em yet, until the 7" comes out, but when things get pressed, i'll throw some digital copies up here. Email me if you want to hear it and i'll send it along.

!!!

Shrimpss - 2 New Songs

1. Song
2. Beach Towel

I'm really really quite fond of these two. We worked hard at getting things to sound a little different on these and we're finding out that we might actually have something cohesive working. Pretty cool actually. I like making music with those dudes.

Still couldn't talk Lust into singing but his drum tracks are incredible.

shrimpss

Have to say it again...

Just have to say that You and Me on a Jamboree is the BEST blog site I have ever been to for any music, and luckily enough for me (and you) that music is Reggae.

Totally comprehensive and awesome, I want to encourage you all to check it out on a sunny day like today.

Main site for You and Me on a Jamboree
Reggae in the Grass

Dukes of the Stratosphear - 25 O' Clock EP

As you might be able to guess from the truly fucked up cover art, this one is kinda psyched out. It's real good and upon repeated listens keeps getting better. This is Andy Partridge and the XTC kids trying to figure out how to put out weirder records. The answer, as we all discover eventually, is to make up a fake band and release the shit. This band is quite a bit better than your average side-project, and there is some really worthwhile stuff on this EP, which is how it wound up on this here blog.

I've always been a fan of the XTC stuff that leaned a little closer to this direction so this is an obvious choice for me. Hopefully, for you XTC haters out there (and there shouldn't be any) this will convince you of the fact that they were a truly great band and a band that's prowess in rock n' roll cannot be denied.

You like Floyd, right? Then get this shit and shut up about how much you hate Drums and Wires (even though it rules).

Dukes of the Stratosphear

Kevin Ayers - Bananamour

I know, I know...It's been a while.
I'm sorry.

Work has been kicking my ass, and I've been busy as hell.

I figured I'd throw this up here because I really can't stop listening to it.
I play 'Shouting In a Bucket Blues' for anyone who will listen to it, and I kept playing 'Decadence' on repeat on the drive home from Los Angeles.

There's something about Kevin Ayers that I didn't quite pick up at first. Now it's dripping from my chin and I can't get enough of the guy. Great guitar playing and a totally unique voice (both literally and stylistically) combine for a real strange musical experience. I know the word 'genius' gets thrown around a lot at people like Bobby Conn and Devendra Banhart and the like, but if you really wanna get to the root, try Ayers on for size.

Here ya go, dorks.

Bananamour

Currently-March 24, 2009

Been writing a ton of new shit lately with the boys and I'm pretty sure that it has something to do with listening to a TON of new things. Trying to figure out a little bit of a new angle to work things from and getting into some albums that have previously eluded me. I think I'm learning that the key is to temper the weird shit with a little bit of obviousness. Look dumb and play smart, if you will. Here's some songs that have been particularly interesting to me in these past few weeks. Come out on Wednesday and hear how much I rip em' off.

The Bats-Made Up In Blue

-I put these EPs up a while ago and not nearly enough people downloaded them. They're incredible in their simplicity and concurrently how that simplicity piggybacks how hard the songs are to play. The rhythms played in this tune specifically sound rather simple (and are, kinda) but the way everything is woven is truly brilliant. Something I try to constantly copy and can never pull off.

Can-Sing Swan Song

-This came on in the van on the ride home from Iowa and I realized how modern this song is. It sounds like it should be the new Devendra Banhart single. That's no dis on Can, but when you think about it, they really do sound similar. Can is such a strange strange band, and one that I didn't get into until very recently. Their ability to weave songs in and out of genre while still sounding like the same band is incredible and something I admire a great deal.

Kevin Ayers-Shouting In a Bucket Blues

-My old boss, Joe, turned me onto Kevin Ayers and I hated it at the time. As I got older, the nonchalant nature of his recordings really struck me. A virtuoso indeed, the guitar playing on here is hilariously bombastic yet still tasteful. The lyrics are by far what hits me hardest with Kevin's stuff. The opening line of "Sometimes I get too drunk and feel so goddamned low..." is so plaintiff that it almost goes unnoticed. I listen to this song at least once a day and will continue to until I start the cohabitation that is on the horizon. The most "male" song I have heard that has absolutely no masculine qualities.

Harlem-Psychedelic Tits

-This is one of the obvious "garage" records I just can't stop listening to. This fucking kid can SING. The Black Lips wish they were still this good, and Harlem wishes they started the trend cos they'd likely be rich. We can't always get what we want, folks. Again, fantastic lyrics about, what I'm guessing, is sex on hallucinogens. The way the chorus decays is radical and propels this seemingly simple song into one that I'm sure I will be able to place in my life when I'm older.

The Clash-Something About England

-What a bizarre fucking song. Can't believe that this is the same band that wrote 'Janie Jones'. The Clash has made a HUGE reintroduction to my listening pile. When the snare cuts in with the hi-hats at the end of the first "verse" it is incredible. They made the political lyrics palatable and made the goofy ones important, the way a band is supposed to pull it off. Mick Jones is a fucking genius and his harmonies are something that should be mocked. Honestly, please, kids, I'll never smite you for mimicking the Clash.
No one will.

The Zeros-Rico Amour

-Not much to say about this song, but somehow it keeps coming back to me so I figured I'd put it up and see what you guys thought about it. The cadence of this song is just perfect. Steady, lumberingly fast, and delivered very articulately. This is the kind of stuff I always loved about punk. Songs about nothing, the embrace that fact.


Narrator-Wolves In the Walls

-One of the best songs that a friend of mine has ever written. Any friend, any band, any time, this song speaks louder than it could have possibly been intended to. The delivery on the vocal is magic, and totally encapsulates how I would expect Sam to speak to himself in his head. Aside from that, everything sounds like it is passing through the other notes. There's nothing to hold onto until the second verse and then you are offered some beds of notes and nothing more. It reminds me of people who have no association with the song. I hope that one day I put together something that can come close to matching how important this song feels.

The Clean-Whatever I Do It's Right

-The bass in the intro is enough to make you cream your Levi's, but what really dominates this song is the vocal's dance with the drums. The Clean got so much of the simple shit right that it is frustrating. Verse, verse, verse, bridge, verse. The songs aren't following shit, they're just being played. The feel of these songs is something that makes my face hot with envy, must be something in the water in NZ.


My Current Temp

Blackout Fest, Athens, Ohio April 16-19 2009

Well, we finally got asked to play Blackout Fest in Ohio, but we aren't able to do it since it's a Thursday and we have to pretend that we are big boys with real lives. Kinda a drag. The bill seems like a true ripper, and we would have had the chance to re-match Times New Viking which woulda been fun. It's a seven and a half hour drive without stopping which means eight and a half or nine if you're us, and I would have to be back by six Friday. Not happening. Either way, Blackout Fest is one of the cooler festivals that happen across the U.S. on a regular basis, and if I'm not mistaken they've had at least ten of 'em, maybe more.
One of the bands that I was most excited about playing with, a band we shared the stage with in Columbus, that I'm pretty sure didn't like us, the Guinea Worms. Great stuff, but you could tell they thought we were posers. Whatever. Here's a song of theirs since I don't want to put up their recordings and cheat them outta scrilla. Hilarious song title.

SXSW can blow me...

We're not going this year, mainly because not only is it the biggest cluster-fuck in the history of man, but it isn't very much fun either. SXSW is always pitched to bands as this oasis of music appreciators and geniuses gathering to discuss the beauty of the sung note, when in actuality, it's a bunch of writers who cannot write and artists who don't make art tugging each other off. Nobody climaxes, even.

Another reason is, all there is to do for three entire days is drink beer. That is a bad scenario. I present you with an example.



Enjoy.

Arab Strap-Philophobia

Yeah, I'm a bit salted lately, so? I've been really really stressed out and busy and all the other pedantic bullshit excuses, so shut the fuck up. Yeah, this record is sad, so?
Kidding aside, this record falls into the canon of records that you listen to when you break up with someone. Most records fall into the "got broken up with" realm and I appreciate the subtleties involved in writing from the opposite end. The sneering reality of not wanting to be with someone but not wanting them to be with someone else. 'Packs of Three' pretty much hits it on the head. It's possible that "It was the biggest cock you'd ever seen, but you've no idea where that cock has been" is the best opening lyric to an album ever, and "you said you were careful, you never were with me" is the best follow-up. Leaning towards overwhelmingly depressing most of the time is a sure way to get your record listened to on a limited basis, but the serene nature of the "sad" on here makes it o.k.

Give it a whirl.

This strikes me as the kinda record Sturdy would listen to while shooting. Kinda weird, but everytime I hear it that's what I think. So, all you photographers out there. Set up lights and shit to this (but take pictures to Fugazi).
Philophobia

Cypress Hill-III Temples of Boom

I think it started in my pal's JoJo's bedroom. Talking about smoking weed but having no real idea what actual weed was because we were smoking brown shit that made you get a really bad headache, and chonged your eyes worse than you could imagine. This was the soundtrack. We liked rock and roll, but this was too great (even then) to pass on. I remember going to the Smokin' Grooves tour that these guys did with Tribe Called Quest and the Fugees and meeting B-Real at a hotdog stand after the show. He was just walking around. Shook his hand, had him sign my shirt. Weird.

This record is still in pretty heavy rotation and my appreciation for it just grows as I get older.

It's pretty genius, actually, and I don't give a fuck if you don't download this because it's too 'low brow'.
You're a bozo. This record is awesome.

spark another owl

The Lemonheads-It's A Shame About Ray

I remember hearing the Lemonheads maybe once or twice before I promptly made my mother buy me a 'Come on Feel...' T-shirt at Kohl's. It's strange, but I loved them in spite of their obvious wussy qualities which could/should have gotten me beat up. My sister thought they were the best, and anything that she was into pretty much fell into my lap. These songs instantly remind me of her, in college, and my first beers, and things like that. It was a rough time for the two of us but I'm certainly not reminded of it when I listen to these songs. There's something in them that makes you nostalgic for something you can't really even remember and that makes me happier than I can express.

So, Dee, here's to you.

It's A Shame...

The Bats-First Three EPs

I've been obsessed with Surf City, this band outta NZ recently, so I figured that I'd throw up one of my fav NZ records. This is kinda pussy, yeah, but whatever. It's a good coming out of winter into some nice weather album and is really really easy to cook to. Has a member of the Clean, which could save any band, and some really fantastic Kiwi kinda shit going on throughout.

'Mad on You' and 'Earwig' are my favorites right now, but they change from day to day. Give it a listen. It's really great stuff.

The Bats

The Specials - More Specials (1980)

Here ya go, Patrick.
Talked about this band for about two hours already today with various people. It's 11:15 in the morning.

This record weaves through a crowded mind like a dude who's gotta take a shit. Unstoppably affronting and simultaneously in the background. Give it a whirl, Merle.

Do Nothing.

Shrimpss-These Arms Are Shrimpss EP

Well, we collected all the old stuff with the new mixes and added a brand new cut: 'Speed Reader' from the 19th.

1. Speed Reader
2. What Does Earning Mean?
3. Manufacturing Company
4. Ripped Friends
5. Volunteering

LINK FIXED-FEB. 24th 9:30 AM CST
These Arms Are Shrimpss

Slob Dylan-The B of FL and JP

Jesse and I, from our forthcoming record 'John Wesley Farting'*

*-original by Bob Dylan 'The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest'

get it here

Four Tet-Rounds

It's been a while I know, and for some of you, waiting all this time for an electronic record might really irk you.
Well, fuck you. Boring ass kids.

This is a wonderful record from a truly amazing dude. Truly a musical electronic record which is hard to do for sure. This was my choice for record of the year back when it came out and it was running against some pretty hard competition. I can listen to this anywhere, anytime, but it's especially good when it's raining (like nearly every good record) when you are really really angry (like a few great records) or to go to sleep (a truly rare combo).

Give it a chance you garage rock dorks.

Rounds

Rick Berger-Lighthouse

In my relatively short time playing music, I've gotten the chance to play with some truly talented musicians. Luckily, a in 2003 I got the chance to play with a quiet, kinda shy kid who immediately struck me as someone with a wealth of ideas that weren't being mined by others. Rick could (and did) teach me more about songwriting by talking about food than others could by giving a seminar. There's a brevity and wit to everything that he does, and his lyrics are truly something I have always admired.

Having Rick leave Mannequin Men was one of the hardest things I have gone through in my musical career, (luckily, we won the lotto on a replacement) and something that awakened me to the fact that a songwriting partner is something that is as rare as it is crucial to a band.

Every time I hear something that Rick has done it's immediately identifiable, but fresh, familiar, yet challenging.

I am grateful every day that I got to be there for some of the songs that have came out of this kid, and hopeful every day that I will be there for more.

Here's something I was around for the start of and I guess it's still a work in progress.
Too good not to share though.

Lighthouse

Shrimpss-What Does Earning Mean?

New Shrimpss from last night.

1. What Does Earning Mean?

Shrimpss

Mudhoney-Superfuzz Bigmuff (1988)

It was just brought to my attention that this EP came out twenty, yes, TWENTY years ago.
In it's wake it brought what we know as grunge. Say what you wanna, but this shit is smokin' hot.
Shamefully, the band at it's "peak".

This is some warped shit for 1988.

Super Hairy Gigantic Muff

Flamin' Groovies-Teenage Head

This one has been sneaking into the DJ set more and more. Seems like everyone I play it for has never heard it before which seems strange, but at the same time, totally awesome. It's pretty easy to get enthusiastic about this record in the winter. It kinda exudes this strange aura of aggressive laziness. Some of the songs loaf around and don't really do anything, they go on for six minutes, they go through about seven jam parts, but still, you sit intently.

That's tough to do.

For anyone who digs on simple rock and roll and the way Todd Rundgren made records sound, you will fucking worship this record. Great vocalist and phenomenal guitar players in the same way that Malcom Young is a phenomenal guitar player.

Highly Recommended.

LINK FIXED 4:44 P.M. 1/29
Fixed Groovies

So...

not only did the dipshits at Can's record label make me take the download down for a record that is OUT OF PRINT, but they also made me delete the entire post because i called them money grubbers.
well...
fuck you, Can's record label.
money grubbers.

Saturday in Chicago

Santo & Johnny-Santo & Johnny

I've always really loved Hawaiian music, but have never been able to get past the fact that it was Hawaiian music. Right or wrong (wrong, obviously) i've never been able to get past the kinda inherent cheezy-ness. I guess that might explain why I was so drawn to the music of Santo & Johnny, because the Hawaiian influence is super evident, but it's taken in a darker, more rural-american, direction.

All this aside, a story from James on the beach in California spawned this post. Something about one of the brothers picking a drunk fight in bar and getting killed. I don't know if it's true, and to be honest, I don't particularly want to know. It's kinda revving my listening engine right now.

Absolutely beautiful and overlooked far too long....

Santo & Johnny

Simply the Best

Had to point you to another rocksteady comp over at Youandmeonajamboree.blogspot.com.

These guys get it right and from what I understand, they put this together themselves.
AMAZING rocksteady.
The best comp I have heard yet.

Please, for your sake and mine, pick it up over there for free.
Best nothing you'll ever spend.

Rocksteady Suffering

Television Personalities-Mummy You're Not Watching Me

We were listening to records last night at the place and for some reason I played this for Seth for the first time. If Seth really likes a record you can be pretty sure there's something there worth listening to. If he isn't that into it, you can bet that you won't remember it in a month.

Well, Seth really likes this record, and I do as well.

There's something really queer about the TVPs that I can't quite place. It's this sort of strange attention to detail on songs that sound like they were recorded in five minutes. Polishing a turd, if you will. Somehow, against all odds, it works for them and the shimmering mess that emerges by the end of the record produces five of you "favorite songs of all time". This album is no exception to that, although it may seem hard to digest all the reverb at first. The real reward with this band comes through repeated listens (I know that is said about everything), but every time I listen to this I hear a terrifying lyric that swept past me previously. Treacy's power comes from what he alludes to and not what he says. Check out 'A Day In Heaven' for a little taste of that. Also, this version of 'David Hockney's Diaries' (the first and slower version) as opposed to the 'They Could Have Been Better Than The Beatles' version isolates instead of embracing.

The TVPs are one of the best, and this record is recommended, like whoa.

1. Adventure Playground
2. A Day In Heaven
3. Scream Quietly
4. Mummy You're Not Watching Me
5. Brian's Magic Car
6. Where The Rainbow Ends
7. David Hockney's Diaries
8. Painting By Numbers
9. Lichtenstein Painting
10. Magnificent Dreams
11. If I Could Write Poetry

Mummy, You're Not Watching Me

The Replacements-Hootenanny!

I've had a lot of favorite bands in my time here on Earth. I operate on hyperbole, anyone who knows me understands that, "they are the greatest band in the world" generally doesn't translate exactly. I find it easier to speak in absolutes as it suggests a sense of conviction that is absent from most everybody nowadays.

As I have taken time to really find music that compels me to do things like write a music blog for instance, I continue to return to the 'Mats.

I don't know really why it speaks so true and awkwardly. I'm late in the game and never hung at 7th street or Oarfolk and I'm not even sure I would have if I was there. But the Replacements understood that collision of everything and nothing. They didn't care at all and they cared more than anyone in a seamless, unquestionable line. This album shows me how it used to be possible to make a god honest statement about nothing at all, and consequently, most everything in the same breath.

As ridiculous as those homos who talk about the power of music are, and no matter how many times you have to listen to them, coked out of their minds, speak of intrinsic beauty, know there is truth to it. You can't find it everywhere, and you can't find it easily, but if you think like I do you can find it in the 'Mats.

To all those who hate them for being so good, and love them for being so bad.

1. Hootenanny!
2. Run It
3. Color Me Impressed
4. Willpower
5. Take Me Down To The Hospital
6. Mr. Whirly
7. Within Your Reach
8. Buck Hill
9. Lovelines
10. You Lose
11. Hayday
12. Treatment Bound

Hootenanny!

Monks-Five Upstart Americans

Had to share the link for this because it is incredible.
Apparently, these are the demos for Monk Time recorded in Germany when the Monks formed.
They sound as good, if not better, than Monk Time, and are more my speed as far as arrangements. Don't get me wrong, Monk Time slays and will be one of my favs til i'm gone, but the arrangements here are cleaner and more focused. Come to think of it, that doesn't sound like something I'd be into at all. Somehow, on these recordings it works really really well. The guitars sound fucking unreal. If anyone knows how they did that, please, tell me.

You guys should check out the other stuff on this blog I'm liking to as well. Real neat Yardbirds live stuff.


Monks-Five Upstart Americans

Oh, Eight Comp

O.k. so I made a comp with my two favorite songs of each of the records that made the list.
Don't know why I'm so good to you.

1. Thomas Function-Snake In The Grass
2. Thomas Function-Filthy Flowers
3. Wavves- The Boys Will Love Us
4. Wavves- Vermin
5. Jacuzzi Boys- Dream Lion
6. Jacuzzi Boys- Island Avenue
7. Ty Segall-The Drag
8. Ty Segall- Dating
9. Muslims- Future Rock
10. Muslims- Extinction
11. Nodzzz- I Don't Wanna (Smoke Marijuana)
12. Nodzzz- Is She There
13. Thee Oh Sees- Block of Ice
14. Thee Oh Sees- Poison Finger

Oh, Eight

Scout Niblett-Kidnapped by Neptune

Yup, that's right. Scout Niblett. People give me all kindsa shit for listening to her and I don't really get it. Everyone I talk to about this record says that her voice grates on them, and that it reminds them of Joanna Newsom. I can't afford weed good enough to make this true. This album flows great. This album is what your sub-conscious listens to when you put on Fleet Foxes. This album reminds me of Rick's old Volkswagen. This is a great headphone travel record, which I suppose are the only kind I upload since I am constantly commuting. She gets a pretty radical guitar tone that's kinda 1996 and super super compressed in an almost obnoxious way. Guess what? I fucking love 1996 and so should you. I recommend this for anyone who is a Liz Phair fan but wishes it would tweak a bit. Get real and get this record.

1. Hot to Death
2. Kidnapped BY Neptune
3. Pom Poms
4. Lullaby for Scout in Ten Years
5. Fuck Treasure Island
6. Relax
7. Valvoline
8. Good To Me
9. Handsome
10. Safety Pants
11. Newburyport
12. This City
13. Wolfie
14. Drink To Me
15. Where Are You?

Fuck Treasure Island

Shrimpss-Volunteering

NEW LINK IN COMMENTS 4/22/10



So we did another song.
I like it.

Jesse, Seth, and I sing.
Lusty plays guitars and does the programming
Jesse and Seth played the synth
I might have played a little guitar

it was late.

1. Volunteering

Volunteer!

The Eight of Oh-Eight

since i want to be cool too, i figured i would make a list of the best records of 2008.

disclaimer: i don't really know a lot about music (current music especially) so my tastes may be what you kids call "lame". totally aware.

figure i'll pick eight records.

8. Jacuzzi Boys-Island Avenue EP

I would have put this one a little higher, but it's only three songs and an album that does not make. Still, this stuff is great. It runs the same race as the Black Lips but more deliberately and maybe even a little steadier. 'Dream Lion', although slow and kinda a buzzkill, is a staple in my DJ sets and is brooding in the way that Bauhaus t-shirts were in high school. Brilliant, snappy, simple stuff from Florida nonetheless. Can't wait for an LP from these guys.

7. Wavves-Wavves

Drum machines ran through Boss DS-1's and unintelligible vocals about 'beach goths'. I hated this record the first time I heard it. I still kinda do. I think that's kinda nice actually and I continue to listen to it for that express purpose. The song titles are fucking hilarious and the cadence of the record seems kind of disjointed from the actual songs if that makes sense. This is the only record released in 2008 that I really believe may have subliminal messages in it.

6. Crystal Stilts -Alight of Night

People say these guys/Vivian Girls cast-off sound like the Velvet Underground. Isn't that just fucking retarded? Why would you say that a band? Remember when people said that about the Strokes? It made no sense then and makes even less now. What these guys do sound like is really really good music to take NyQuil and walk around the city with headphones on to. In fact, that is the express reason they made it onto this here list at this here slot. It may have been freezing rain.

5. Thomas Function- Celebration

When we were down in Alabama playing a show this was all that anyone down there talked about and ended up comparing everything to. Naturally, before I even heard it, I hated the shit out of it. That was misled as this band is everything that great pop bands should be. Consistently awkward in an interesting but not overbearing way. Well crafted sinewy kinda songs that have a 4/4 base and 3/4 tempo. Great singer, great songs.

4. Ty Segall-S/T

Again, a grower. Can't stop listening to/talking about this record still. At first, lo-fi stuff always bothers me because of how hard it is to play the shit out. This stuff charges through the production and even if it just sounds like buzzing at points, it sounds like the buzzing has a motive. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful songs that at no point bore me (I think there's one song over two minutes). This is what I'd always hoped that KK & BBQ Show would end up moving towards and instead they started to sound like a shitty James Brown cover band. There is merit in Ty Segall's approach to music. They could be huge with a little compromise on their end, but I think that once people get a real grip on this record they won't need to meet anyone in the middle. Garagey without being dated, noisy without being intelligent. Like if a white Little Richard fronted a louder Dirtbombs.

3. Muslims-Muslims

How many fucking self-titled records made this list?! Jesus. Think of something people. It's really not that hard to name a record. I know it seems cool to just let the name speak for itself but you know.....wait.......you did what?
You released a self-titled record that was released to critical acclaim?
Then you changed your name to the Soft Pack?
Are you a fucking idiot?

What a fun record. The OK GO dis is enough for a listen.
It sounds like the Velvet Underground!

2. Nodzzz-Nodzzz 12"

Remember Half Japanese? Yeah, well these guys are a shitload better. Fun is the only way to describe them and if it wasn't for how ridiculously amazing the Thee Oh Sees record is, it would have been number one. The single not included on this record is 'I Don't Wanna (Smoke Marijuana)' and may be my favorite song of 2008. (The 7" has since sold out and will not be repressed from what I hear)

If you are a fan of pop music, this is your ticket to sweetsville.

1. Thee Oh Sees-The Master's Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In

Terrifyingly agressive music that still seems stoned and laid back. This is what garage bands want to sound like. Equal parts Jandek, Troggs, and Soft Boys with a little Donovan thrown in for good measure (check out their early cover of 'Get Thy Bearings' off of OCS4) this is my favorite band right now, period. John Dwyer from Coachwhips fronts with a girl that sounds so fucking hot it makes my buttcheeks tremble. GO BUY THIS RECORD RIGHT NOW DUMMY.