Unusually Great

I generally like to think of myself as having pretty wide/varied tastes. I read a lot of music blogs and listen to a lot of music. It's rare that I like everything from one specific place - usually my hits come as an aggregation of a number of different sources. There is one exception, however. Nearly every single track I've heard from Neon Gold is straight fire. Even the stuff that's outside my normal scope is fantastic and plays over and over and over and over. Exceptional stuff, for real.

Recently, Neon Gold has dropped a couple tracks that really caught my eye. The first is less of a track and more of a mixtape - the latest from Theophilus London, hiphopster extraordinaire. Some really hot tracks on this mix, but Crazy Cousins is for sure the standout. I'm pretty sure the drumbeat is a GarageBand Loop (seriously) but Theophilus builds on it with a choral background, great lyrics, and a fun chorus to really make it pop. I'm definitely feeling this track.

Theophilus London - Crazy Cousins (YSI) (filesavr)

The second track from Neon Gold that has been bumping for me recently is a remix by Bo Flex  of US Royalty's "Keep It Cool". Bo Flex does double time as the synth-man for Passion Pit and producer of Giantess, and here he adds some delicious synthy-ness to a borderline emo rock track. Not my usual flavor, but this song has an infectious hook and great HANDCLAPS. This song, more than almost any other, confirms my love for any song that has handclaps in it. I've been listening to this song so much that I've started trying to sing it around the apartment, which has really dire consequences. Listen to this version instead.

US Royalty - Keep It Cool (Bo Flex Remix) (YSI) (filesavr)

UPDATE:  Apologies all around - originally we had this track listed as a Bo Flex and Giantess collab, and mentioned that Bo Flex was a member of Giantess.  This isn't true - this is a Bo Flex remix only, and he is the producer of Giantess, not a member.  Our humble apologies for the incorrect info.

I generally like to think of myself as having pretty wide/varied tastes. I read a lot of music blogs and listen to a lot of music. It's rare that I like everything from one specific place - usually my hits come as an aggregation of a number of different sources. There is one exception, however. Nearly every single track I've heard from <a href="http://neongoldrecords.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Neon Gold</a> is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">straight fire</span>. Even the stuff that's outside my normal scope is fantastic and plays over and over and over and over. Exceptional stuff, for real.<div><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296953272602523618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdvba1ofiN1WFicjQJU0ONzZNcqTR8gUW-gzr2JTaXx7AyA4L4CjuqtJxlZ8vdo4kZXEXRqcKpaMyUGFIpOFDS-d5tkPY6ozla4hUg961VtQIdC-I0mrBNVQpC5r6Nz49cCUBF-sYFj1m/s320/fire-breathing-7.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 261px;" />Recently, Neon Gold has dropped a couple tracks that really caught my eye. The first is less of a track and more of a mixtape - the latest from Theophilus London, hiphopster <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">extraordinaire</span>. Some really hot tracks on this mix, but Crazy Cousins is for sure the standout. I'm pretty sure the drumbeat is a GarageBand Loop (seriously) but Theophilus builds on it with a choral background, great lyrics, and a fun chorus to really make it pop. I'm definitely feeling this track.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Theophilus London - Crazy Cousins <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBRbGtBYTJLVlhIRGc9PQ" target="_blank">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/07crazycousins" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a></span><div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296953268100148082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF5I0YGIlVH5qSyukbGRVz5Cs64LbsCiSt7RXTb-eEayPCqMbp8OqmQOniU5idNZBsP4dyLO8VZGhWuL2jU75X58RYc5OqKTTuFRO_w4wzDyySbqtJq3Cnb5BJrN9KJyHdl4ECiVl_kRf/s320/extraordinaire.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 257px; height: 320px;" />The second track from Neon Gold that has been bumping for me recently is a remix by Bo Flex  of US Royalty's "Keep It Cool". Bo Flex does double time as the synth-man for Passion Pit and producer of Giantess, and here he adds some delicious synthy-ness to a borderline emo rock track. Not my usual flavor, but this song has an infectious hook and great HANDCLAPS. This song, more than almost any other, confirms my love for any song that has handclaps in it. I've been listening to this song so much that I've started trying to sing it around the apartment, which has really dire consequences. Listen to this version instead.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">US Royalty - Keep It Cool (Bo Flex Remix) <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBRbGtBYTJOMUNGa1E9PQ" target="_blank">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/02keepitcoolboflexgiantessre" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:  </span>Apologies all around - originally we had this track listed as a Bo Flex and Giantess collab, and mentioned that Bo Flex was a member of Giantess.  This isn't true - this is a Bo Flex remix only, and he is the producer of Giantess, not a member.  Our humble apologies for the incorrect info.</div></div></div>

Wall-E

This post is about Wall-E, the movie and Wale the rapper. First off, Wall-E got snubbed for a best picture nomination. It was without a doubt the most touching and well thought out movie of the year. Did you even realize that for the majority of the movie there were no voices? Nope, you probably did not, but it it felt like there were voices. Never has a robot shown so much empathy or emotion with saying so little. While also being tremendously cute, Wall-E was also a scathing critique of where our society is going and a distopian view of the future that made the movie appeal to a number of very diverse audiences. No matter what you walked away with, Wall-E was a stunning film.

Wale, The Beast of the Beltway, came out with a second ballin mixtape in 2008 entitled The Mixtape About Nothing. Despite it being on Pitchfork's top 50 albums of the year and the great Seinfeld reference both in its title and cover art, I somehow overlooked this piece of work for the entire year. Only last night, after finally acquiring The Mixtape About Nothing, did I fully begin to appreciate what an intelligent and refreshing mixtape it is. It is truly a fun listen with fun lyrics, sick beats and Seinfeld clips. While staying hard (such as by getting Pusha T from Clipse to rap on The Future Heavy Song and rep Playcloths), Wale references Priest Holmes, Alex Ovechkin and a host of other awesome sports personages like Oxana Baiul! Wale is certainly humorous and catchy, but he also talks about Gitmo and stays topical while still managing to throw in audio clips from old Seinfeld episodes. From the bangers where he raps over the beat from Roc Boys or uses parts of the Seinfeld theme, Wale is always having fun. To top it all off, he's teaming up with David Sitek from TV on the Radio and Lairs to produce his 2009 debut album, which will feature guest appearances from Tunde and others. Wale's tribute to Seinfeld is impressive in that he has crafted a superb, funny and intelligent album without resorting to cheap tricks, or cut and dry rap lyrics, but by simply using a critical eye in observing the world around him.

Wale - The Future Heavy Song (YSI) (filesavr)
Wale -The Freestyle (Roc Boys) (YSI) (filesavr)
Wale - The Kramer (YSI) (filesavr)
Wale - The Manipulation (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FdSC0qoP57yqI4rkkU2dESw3qUujPy_RnJxKuyW5hUnTWFOqipwUF6ALsIxC7bCtJl9A1yiCSRUVmGvqkmpdwFanOSZqidtCCPvFUDf-TlxXOnswhQnmfVviWJaDdyOO6k7scyYFqU6e/s1600-h/wall-e.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296732931587216930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FdSC0qoP57yqI4rkkU2dESw3qUujPy_RnJxKuyW5hUnTWFOqipwUF6ALsIxC7bCtJl9A1yiCSRUVmGvqkmpdwFanOSZqidtCCPvFUDf-TlxXOnswhQnmfVviWJaDdyOO6k7scyYFqU6e/s320/wall-e.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 285px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This post is about Wall-E, the movie and Wale the rapper. First off, Wall-E got snubbed for a best picture nomination. It was without a doubt the most touching and well thought out movie of the year. Did you even realize that for the majority of the movie there were no voices? Nope, you probably did not, but it it felt like there were voices. Never has a robot shown so much empathy or emotion with saying so little. While also being tremendously cute, Wall-E was also a scathing critique of where our society is going and a distopian view of the future that made the movie appeal to a number of very diverse audiences. No matter what you walked away with, Wall-E was a stunning film.<br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296732821637542738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrkMLa1VSNOb1_HCfBVOii08E6MMbYu5FyGFPrjydO8JWKr_oUqEUYutHtABTgQw0Mn9YCFrE-4JaX6co15WUjNf4Emtf-zJjEbV0MQ2JSb1mnX10OiFLDhSYA3wsEHTVTnhzRKn-ZXCH/s320/bush_turkey.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 313px;" /><br />Wale, The Beast of the Beltway, came out with a second ballin mixtape in 2008 entitled The Mixtape About Nothing. Despite it being on Pitchfork's top 50 albums of the year and the great Seinfeld reference both in its title and cover art, I somehow overlooked this piece of work for the entire year. Only last night, after finally acquiring The Mixtape About Nothing, did I fully begin to appreciate what an intelligent and refreshing mixtape it is. It is truly a fun listen with fun lyrics, sick beats and Seinfeld clips. While staying hard (such as by getting Pusha T from Clipse to rap on The Future Heavy Song and rep <a href="http://www.thestureidexperiment.com/2008/12/clipse-put-on-their-playcloths.html" target="_blank">Playcloths</a>), Wale references Priest Holmes, Alex Ovechkin and a host of other awesome sports personages like Oxana Baiul! Wale is certainly humorous and catchy, but he also talks about Gitmo and stays topical while still managing to throw in audio clips from old Seinfeld episodes. From the bangers where he raps over the beat from Roc Boys or uses parts of the Seinfeld theme, Wale is always having fun. To top it all off, he's teaming up with David Sitek from TV on the Radio and Lairs to produce his 2009 debut album, which will feature guest appearances from Tunde and others. Wale's tribute to Seinfeld is impressive in that he has crafted a superb, funny and intelligent album without resorting to cheap tricks, or cut and dry rap lyrics, but by simply using a critical eye in observing the world around him.<br /><br />Wale - The Future Heavy Song (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBRbGtKYUkzMWwzZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/03thefeatureheavysongfbunbpushatandtrefromucb" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Wale -The Freestyle (Roc Boys) (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBRbGtIcHYwZ21Ga1E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/04thefreestylerocboys" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Wale - The Kramer (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBRbGtCZEtRYTkzZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/06thekramer" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Wale - The Manipulation (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBRbGtCZEswZ2wzZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="ttp://www.filesavr.com/11themanipulation" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

Stu Reid Under the Covers

Back with another Stu Reid Under the Covers, since it's been a while. There are some covers that have come out in the last couple months that are just wayyyy too good to ignore. So ignore them we shan't.

I posted a couple weeks ago about Pale Young Gentlemen covering Paper Planes, and included the Clash's "Straight to Hell" along with it, the song from which M.I.A.'s opening riff was grabbed. Well, the fates aligned to bring to my ears a fantastic cover of said original, Straight to Hell, by Brit-popster Lily Allen. If this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will. I don't think I've ever had someone tell me to go straight to hell quite so sweetly. Fantastic cover.

Lily Allen - Straight To Hell (The Clash Cover) (YSI) (filesavr)

Another cover that has been everywhere is the fantastic version of Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, that ubiquitous Vampire Weekend track, by Hot Chip and Peter Gabriel. Highlight of the song - Peter Gabriel singing "And it feels so natural, Peter Gabriel too/And it feels so unnatural to sing your own name". Really a fantastic version of a great song, this cut gives it a well worn track snappy new outfit.

Hot Chip and Peter Gabriel - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (Vampire Weekend Cover) (YSI) (filesavr)

And finally, a daring feat on the part of We Are Scientists. Remember them? They were supposedly the next big thing in indie rock, in the class of the Killers and the Arctic Monkeys. They had that one great song - Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt - and then faded into oblivion. Or at least faded to the point where they said to themselves "it couldn't hurt to cover some Sigur Ros, right?" I'm not sure how I feel about people covering Sigur Ros - it seems like an exercise in futility since it's pretty much impossible to match the eerie beauty of that Hopelandic group. This take is an interesting one, though, and definitely worth at least a listen or two.

We Are Scientists - Hoppipolla (Sigur Ros Cover) (YSI) (filesavr)

Back with another Stu Reid Under the Covers, since it's been a while. There are some covers that have come out in the last couple months that are just wayyyy too good to ignore. So ignore them we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">shan't</span>.<div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296574945406219698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8zz6v1n6vkuUcaKRwtwooEUkYuz14nefe8BS6YwhDx-jemqYAIIo0gWfnlfy3VIJd9V6SwvMFsdR847C2UoeLdDMvtc1jmDwRQZDuVUvCzfmYXnvCM0TpaL8ggdu1kzNvN-ZUVQVItSq/s320/shan't.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I posted <a href="http://www.thestureidexperiment.com/2009/01/stu-reid-under-covers-vol-6ish.html" target="_blank">a couple weeks ago</a> about Pale Young Gentlemen covering Paper Planes, and included the Clash's "Straight to Hell" along with it, the song from which M.I.A.'s opening riff was grabbed. Well, the fates aligned to bring to my ears a fantastic cover of said original, Straight to Hell, by Brit-popster Lily Allen. If this doesn't make you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">smile</span>, I don't know what will. I don't think I've ever had someone tell me to go straight to hell quite so sweetly. Fantastic cover.<div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Lily Allen - Straight To Hell (The Clash Cover) </span><a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBSSmI1TlE3N0IzZUE9PQ" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(YSI)</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01straighttohell" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(filesavr)</span></a><div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296574945549500898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fZGhPp341fDMJEAtOU7DIR2-fZ9B_u8WPL3-lztBKzWqsiUZZAjgnyQATTG-qBCNBY1piOpFgNZKsm4bSBFgA-Uhyphenhypheni_Tr2mYxgOZzQH16OXX7BYugWikccGelimA89WyWD5o2yZFuutE/s320/smile.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" />Another cover that has been everywhere is the fantastic version of Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, that ubiquitous Vampire Weekend track, by Hot Chip and Peter Gabriel. Highlight of the song - Peter Gabriel singing "And it feels so natural, Peter Gabriel too/And it feels so unnatural to sing your own name". Really a fantastic version of a great song, this cut gives it a well worn track <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">snappy </span>new outfit.<div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Hot Chip and Peter Gabriel - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (Vampire Weekend Cover) </span><a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBSSmJ6Q0M5bEFLSkE9PQ" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(YSI)</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01capecodkwassakwassavampirew" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(filesavr)</span></a><div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296574939102028866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCLjXrm5kv_h6J6ZXQNmS3En1vrUC1FBcMQaJZSDe9_2VIn5mlE5MSHmZOrL9JQ3xh_vJEDJZ9qNaJVK6zjmuORBd5NBI_0xFdT41NeuTtYyr7NdliQOOG_irtg-7ir1fYKcvsPgEwSqZ/s320/snappy.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 320px;" />And finally, a daring feat on the part of We Are Scientists. Remember them? They were supposedly the next big thing in indie rock, in the class of the Killers and the Arctic Monkeys. They had that one great song - Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt - and then faded into oblivion. Or at least faded to the point where they said to themselves "it couldn't hurt to cover some Sigur Ros, right?" I'm not sure how I feel about people covering Sigur Ros - it seems like an exercise in futility since it's pretty much impossible to match the eerie beauty of that Hopelandic group. This take is an interesting one, though, and definitely worth at least a listen or two.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">We Are Scientists - Hoppipolla (Sigur Ros Cover) </span><a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBSSmJ6Q0NUME4zZUE9PQ" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(YSI)</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="http://www.filesavr.com/hopppollasigurroscover" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(filesavr)</span></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Fur is back

First is was the great album Furr by Blitzen Trapper and now its the Handsome Furs. Composed of Dan Boeckner from Wolf Parade and his wife Alexei, the Handsome Furs are about to release their sophomore album, Face Control, this March. I'm Confused is pretty rockin track off the aforementioned album that really showcases Boeckner's influences on Wolf Parade. With Boeckner you're getting a unique voice, a dash of meloncholy, but also some straight up rawk. If I'm Confused is any indication, Face Control is going to be good and a little less mopey than Plague Park.

Thats all I got. Its going to snow a lot tomorrow and go see Passion Pit at the Middle East on February 6. Get your tickets now.

Handsome Furs - I'm Confused (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9D3YTLt4nlp8f3TUSeY4EeAKSY6K7WqYJXAyOFVY6gNOQCZce8zEextMyVk4L1j49gUDOxIWtRe3zLYWJogPVLyd_SY6XHM80eWozHRj6yQcLbRzOCgVnLw5-xsrv29uICrjctebAUw1L/s1600-h/giseletom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296194745697683122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9D3YTLt4nlp8f3TUSeY4EeAKSY6K7WqYJXAyOFVY6gNOQCZce8zEextMyVk4L1j49gUDOxIWtRe3zLYWJogPVLyd_SY6XHM80eWozHRj6yQcLbRzOCgVnLw5-xsrv29uICrjctebAUw1L/s320/giseletom.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" /></a><br />First is was the great album Furr by Blitzen Trapper and now its the Handsome Furs. Composed of Dan Boeckner from Wolf Parade and his wife Alexei, the Handsome Furs are about to release their sophomore album, Face Control, this March. I'm Confused is pretty rockin track off the aforementioned album that really showcases Boeckner's influences on Wolf Parade. With Boeckner you're getting a unique voice, a dash of meloncholy, but also some straight up rawk. If I'm Confused is any indication, Face Control is going to be good and a little less mopey than Plague Park.<br /><br />Thats all I got. Its going to snow a lot tomorrow and go see Passion Pit at the Middle East on February 6. Get your tickets now.<br /><br />Handsome Furs - I'm Confused (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTQk0xUnIrV3pIRGc9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/06imconfused" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

Lovely Ladies

If there's one thing there's a dearth of here on TSRE, it's wonderful female vocalists.  Sure, we post the occasional M.I.A. track, or some Britney every now and then.  But it's rare that a female vocalist struts her stuff across these here pages.

So here are some long overdue lady props.

This first track has been playing over and over on my work computer for a couple weeks now, and I absolutely can't get enough.  I just checked, and it's my fourth most listened to track on this computer.  Even I'm surprised by that.  

Clare Maguire is a London native who recently signed to the UK label Polydor Records.  She sings with full-voiced soul, letting her pipes carry the track with a very minimal percussion, organ, and brass backing.  Fantastic.

Clare Maguire - Strangest Thing (YSI) (filesavr)

In another vein, Lykke Li is a female singer who has been getting lots of hype all over the interwebs for about a year now.  I'm not going to lie, I've never been the biggest Lykke Li fan.  I'm a little ashamed of that fact, but it's the truth.  I haven't been captivated by her the way others have, and I keep searching for that spark.  Pocketknife's recent remix of Breaking It Up creates said spark with a pulsing beat and - you guessed it - copious hand claps.  The man knows the way to my heart.

Lykke Li - Breaking It Up (Pocketknife's Loosefoot Remix) (YSI) (filesavr)

And finally, a little more melodic and soothing female singer, Marissa Nadler.  This song reminds me uncontrollably of an indie-rock Emmylou Harris, which is a compliment if I've ever given one.  Just come across this track, and I totally dig it.

Marissa Nadler - River Of Dirt (YSI) (filesavr)

Woo!  Girls!

If there's one thing there's a dearth of here on TSRE, it's wonderful female vocalists.  Sure, we post the occasional M.I.A. track, or some Britney every now and then.  But it's rare that a female <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">vocalist</span> struts her stuff across these here pages.<div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295863413260113298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecE8DbOypX6OpEZ1wKl3kV2ZWS3fAAsq4nPVUlb7U4H8AxKE3YkwtbUMe47c8r5YkIOUUo9hS9sBUbUWYFYN1O-E0sRCDoCS0o5SlFRwahyiFkVcl7huwA78oWAglDRBq3rvEQC-49n8K/s320/3+Cats+Strut+Your+Stuff+001.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So here are some long overdue lady props.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This first track has been playing over and over on my work computer for a couple weeks now, and I absolutely can't get enough.  I just checked, and it's my fourth most listened to track on this computer.  Even I'm surprised by that.  </div><div><br /></div><div>Clare Maguire is a London native who recently signed to the UK label Polydor Records.  She sings with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">full-voiced</span> soul, letting her pipes carry the track with a very minimal percussion, organ, and brass backing.  Fantastic.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Clare Maguire - Strangest Thing </span><a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBSWWVucVhVVGwzZUE9PQ" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(YSI)</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="http://www.filesavr.com/strangestthing" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(filesavr)</span></a></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295863412984405330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggon5h43ZuC7b3_qGOVj0wAvI15_FFPWoc6JMdMg26Mxd643TwpdP_zuqAeZQsgTqADspjLarl7Ty93A_t3Kgz7HsQEc3gc3Es2Tv4dUwNQFF0nesekJDnd0Svb6ZZkV3QOnyLAzD6pXe-/s320/full+voiced.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" /><div><br /></div><div>In another vein, Lykke Li is a female singer who has been getting lots of hype all over the interwebs for about a year now.  I'm not going to lie, I've never been the biggest Lykke Li fan.  I'm a little ashamed of that fact, but it's the truth.  I haven't been captivated by her the way others have, and I keep searching for that spark.  Pocketknife's recent remix of Breaking It Up creates said spark with a pulsing beat and - you guessed it - copious <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">hand claps</span>.  The man knows the way to my heart.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Lykke Li - Breaking It Up (Pocketknife's Loosefoot Remix) </span><a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBSWWVucVhmVFlLSkE9PQ" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(YSI)</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="http://www.filesavr.com/breakingituppocketknifesloosef" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(filesavr)</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295863413950042498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oHdyfkkGPZ-fRNO02jLkwKqX5Z19S-f1URu5Sm6soovBQZuMKKpk78JiYQ-8cK5_N6ONdKDwRne7fJ2aNOVTn9fQUpmEkMg1kKtLQ2lWmuVqLUwo_Yl1dc3Fyq5vinqDEZMsAJu9qeba/s320/Hand-Claps.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 312px;" /></div><div>And finally, a little more melodic and soothing female singer, Marissa Nadler.  This song reminds me uncontrollably of an indie-rock Emmylou Harris, which is a compliment if I've ever given one.  Just come across this track, and I totally dig it.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Marissa Nadler - River Of Dirt </span><a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBSWWVxeFhsamVGa1E9PQ" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(YSI)</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="http://www.filesavr.com/riverofdirt" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(filesavr)</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Woo! </span> Girls!</div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295863414022402562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulqKjvukQFAnT7nLd_8rS5IHaTRMUy60PMjXM6mGSgH0hIse7YxasfkCSyg3LACDJ4_9UuyIdVw3lXqQdO1ch8oUsfKk9K_ah8W2cte6omFKXz_Ta-gg5QrQJBIReQ8C12DRGu0S0Ksu_/s320/WooBus+logo1.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 300px;" /></div>

Eclectic

Eclectic (adj): Composed of diverse parts

School of Sevens Bells is made up of the guitarist from Secret Machines and a set of female twins. Like a good deal of my favorite music, their songs involve complex rhythms, a dash of electro and layered vocals that become another instrument in the composition. On my new jam Iamundernodisguse, two distinct female vocal strings twist and intertwine in the air, helping to form a swirling wall of sound in which (BEWARE!) a listener is easily lost.

Oh yeah and School of Seven Bells uses bells in some songs. obvi, duh

School of Seven Bells - Wired for Light (YSI) (filesavr)
School of Seven Bells - Iamundernodisguise (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichl1J4JRdPmeC1MB-tjpRYJgLo4_rXZNj4bpZ7wZ4x4LqTm5v4YIvsHCbDHEuu05zbfAX7CPF0dCReHyMdyMC0mBoxWPNsMsdP3H5SUQNzwAlIS7nMBwdjZVNtjUWDHjOhbD6E0kDP64i/s1600-h/ski_kober.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293938748950712178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichl1J4JRdPmeC1MB-tjpRYJgLo4_rXZNj4bpZ7wZ4x4LqTm5v4YIvsHCbDHEuu05zbfAX7CPF0dCReHyMdyMC0mBoxWPNsMsdP3H5SUQNzwAlIS7nMBwdjZVNtjUWDHjOhbD6E0kDP64i/s320/ski_kober.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 320px;" /></a><br />Eclectic (adj): Composed of diverse parts<br /><br />School of Sevens Bells is made up of the guitarist from Secret Machines and a set of female twins. Like a good deal of my favorite music, their songs involve complex rhythms, a dash of electro and layered vocals that become another instrument in the composition. On my new jam Iamundernodisguse, two distinct female vocal strings twist and intertwine in the air, helping to form a swirling wall of sound in which (BEWARE!) a listener is easily lost.<br /><br />Oh yeah and School of Seven Bells uses bells in some songs. obvi, duh<br /><br />School of Seven Bells - Wired for Light (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTcmxaQk5Fc0lLSkE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/04wiredforlight" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />School of Seven Bells - Iamundernodisguise (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTcmxaQk5nYU4zZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01iamundernodisguise" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

Bright was the day

This post comes via the In Case You've Been Living In A Cave News Service, or as we like to call it around these parts, the ICYBLIACNS.  Not just Bliacns, but Icy ones.  

It's rare to come across a compilation that is worth the time put into it - usually they're disjointed, consist of a couple good tracks surrounded by filler, and don't represent any actual artistic vision.  Bands put in their one track to show their political affiliation, labels throw together a compilation to promote their less well known artists, old labels try to make some spare cash off of bands that have moved on to bigger and better things.

There is a compilation coming out, however, that is straight up amazing.  It's called Dark Was The Night, and is a compilation album organized by The National to benefit the Red Hot Organization, an "international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture".  A worthy cause if I've ever heard one.  The tracklist reads like my dream album collection, with cool artist pairings, awesome covers, a bunch of new songs, and all original recordings.  No recycled tracks here, please.

The track-list is jaw dropping.  The highlights?  All of it, really, but that "all of it" includes the Dirty Projectors teaming up with David Byrne, The Books teaming up with Jose Gonzalez, and Feist teaming up with Ben Gibbard.  And those are the first three tracks.  What?  Check the whole tracklist - and a new streaming track every day - at the Dark Was The Night myspace.

If any compilation deserves to be purchased at full price, it's this one, so go spend your indie dollars to get this album on Feb. 17th.  In the meantime, enjoy the approved-for-posting collaboration that kicks off the album, Dirty Projectors + David Byrne's "Knotty Pine".  Ah, so good.  Plus a couple of my favorite DP tracks for kicks.

Dirty Projectors and David Byrne - Knotty Pine (YSI) (filesavr)

Dirty Projectors - Like Fake Blood in Crisp October (YSI) (filesavr)

Dirty Projectors - I Will Truck (YSI) (filesavr)

This post comes via the In Case You've Been <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Living In A Cave</span> News Service, or as we like to call it around these parts, the ICYBLIACNS.  Not just Bliacns, but Icy ones.  <div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295275337194011618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInHA0EkeuHTZLe8Q2rNiT_TGan2AhkiKmpEuzZXRMtkyy_tjZ4p5aDpzu2-yghF9gw4veYgSbdGaKfbS-26ueQFkwB1GCVetfCvekffSY2y8M7qGP6h8BL4izz89lD8HYTuQlAt_ciatM/s320/living+in+a+cave.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></div><div>It's rare to come across a compilation that is worth the time put into it - usually they're disjointed, consist of a couple good tracks surrounded by filler, and don't represent any actual artistic vision.  Bands put in their one track to show their political affiliation, labels throw together a compilation to promote their less well known artists, old labels try to make some <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">spare cash</span> off of bands that have moved on to bigger and better things.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295274943070748754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74wcpBra7WehzlJpCZDU8PtyPXs32BUhrPZ4nwxkzxT2P3psdMbLefiiENW0AlxxhNkv6iT_j9I75Ap9V4RItuRk4aFqgjZylBrLsl9y71mT08zT6nlM68Bx1knZsB13aAJuBUrM_lwHm/s320/spare+cash.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" /></div><div>There is a compilation coming out, however, that is straight up amazing.  It's called Dark Was The Night, and is a compilation album organized by The National to benefit the Red Hot Organization, an "international charity dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS through popular culture".  A worthy cause if I've ever heard one.  The tracklist reads like my dream album collection, with cool artist pairings, awesome covers, a bunch of new songs, and all original recordings.  No recycled tracks here, please.</div><div><br /></div><div>The track-list is jaw dropping.  The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">highlights</span>?  All of it, really, but that "all of it" includes the Dirty Projectors teaming up with David Byrne, The Books teaming up with Jose Gonzalez, and Feist teaming up with Ben Gibbard.  And those are the first three tracks.  What?  Check the whole tracklist - and a new streaming track every day - at the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/DarkWasTheNight">Dark Was The Night</a> myspace.</div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295274597819155250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GwPh9mFlJEAM6R7aiPBJlNffAgOSoWJM4jSfNM4lLtiuiQ9fPKA5pkxsvO2X1FNrzTzaiDV5A9x_QT5lzwltU-qruYerZK2P0nOViZ8L0ebr7b8y_7hClOxVLOgqGF7spKrtqyhezPaE/s320/Highlights.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 320px;" /></div><div>If any compilation deserves to be purchased at full price, it's this one, so go spend your indie dollars to get this album on Feb. 17th.  In the meantime, enjoy the approved-for-posting collaboration that kicks off the album, Dirty Projectors + David Byrne's "Knotty Pine".  Ah, so good.  Plus a couple of my favorite DP tracks for kicks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dirty Projectors and David Byrne - Knotty Pine <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUbUpZWlRtNEpMWEE9PQ">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/1-01knottypine">(filesavr)</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dirty Projectors - Like Fake Blood in Crisp October <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUbUpZWlRwaFFLSkE9PQ">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/03likefakebloodincrispoctober">(filesavr)</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dirty Projectors - I Will Truck <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUbUpZWlRIcWZIRGc9PQ">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/04iwilltruck">(filesavr)</a></div></div>

No No No Notorious (Yes)

The Truth and I went to see the new movie about Biggie - Notorious - last night, and to our pleasant surprise it wasn't horrible. In fact, it was pretty damn good. Not the most in depth storytelling, not the most extensive character development, and a pretty predictable plot. Our theory? Put a soundtrack of bangers behind any movie, and it'll be a great watch. 

B.I.G.'s tunes grace the film throughout, from Party and Bullshit to Juicy to Hypnotize, and there were multiple points in the film where people in the audience would rap along with his BIGness, which was pretty fly.

In a lot of ways, Biggie's tunes connect a lot of people - from people who grew up on rap to hipsters who discovered him through GirlTalk and Ratatat. It was pretty cool to see all different kinds of people, both in the movie and in the movie theater, grooving to the tunes of this massive man. Unbelievable that he died at 24.

My one regret about the movie? They never played the eponymous track! I kept waiting at the end of the movie for that brilliant "No-No-No-NOTORIOUS" to drop and the crowd to go crazy, but it didn't happen. A little disappointing, but a fun flick nonetheless.

Anyway, here's hodgepodge of Biggie flavored tracks for your enjoyment:

Notorious B.I.G. f. Lil Kim and Puff Daddy - Notorious B.I.G. (YSI) (filesavr)

Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy (YSI) (filesavr)

Biggie Smalls - Party and Bullshit (Ratatat Remix) (YSI) (filesavr)

The Truth and I went to see the new movie about Biggie - Notorious - last night, and to our pleasant surprise it wasn't horrible. In fact, it was pretty damn good. Not the most in depth storytelling, not the most extensive character development, and a pretty predictable plot. Our theory? Put a soundtrack of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">bangers </span>behind any movie, and it'll be a great watch. <div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294961153154055170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhyphenhyphenH8qvMcpD9_7D9zrfykJPW7-fT_xR-fWKP7ftZaBR_MkCxRNO-RtF5zxaDAvC2u8Zy0xpUGdgY8BsuGV5nUxfWWU2PzXW3FDii8HiCHcDpp0iT4iKIUotgbxr6vvgNTS1rtdNS-bFyI/s320/bangers+and+mash.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 291px;" />B.I.G.'s tunes grace the film throughout, from Party and Bullshit to Juicy to Hypnotize, and there were multiple points in the film where people in the audience would rap along with his BIGness, which was pretty fly. </div><div><br />In a lot of ways, Biggie's tunes connect a lot of people - from people who grew up on rap to hipsters who discovered him through GirlTalk and Ratatat. It was pretty cool to see all different kinds of people, both in the movie and in the movie theater, grooving to the tunes of this <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">massive </span>man. Unbelievable that he died at 24.<div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294961147817384562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-u-xzuSY6oczGT1k1zmny5ZEv3hj0jtSN5TtvHU8lOMFGm5AIMrnt_KxktZsML13T4M6GG0FWqDE-3L0QZdGkWargFEAtTOgqWiZc_tSuqBC5WKOQZWFKJZvgnK17fIEZocfD2J-o07T/s320/MASSIVE.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" />My one regret about the movie? They never played the eponymous track! I kept waiting at the end of the movie for that brilliant "No-No-No-<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">NOTORIOUS</span>" to drop and the crowd to go crazy, but it didn't happen. A little disappointing, but a fun flick nonetheless.<div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294961148175499442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QomBg1u34ZhbK1Ku2eK6uW6TNET_hIOwCsXOoqTywDTKft79y5T8A7XypNxPQzIGRPgk76WxIZl92V8JBp4fsrMiq01EAbqXi310JPgeWNlzTzOIbqygKyV4K3X8MxmWlEGQUDSdowf_/s320/biggie.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" />Anyway, here's hodgepodge of Biggie flavored tracks for your enjoyment:<br /><br />Notorious B.I.G. f. Lil Kim and Puff Daddy - Notorious B.I.G. <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUbUpkUnFveE9Ga1E9PQ" target="_blank">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/11-notoriousbigftlilkimandpuffdaddy-" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a><br /><br />Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUbUplZDVOQndLSkE9PQ" target="_blank">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01-notoriousbig-juicy" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a><br /><br />Biggie Smalls - Party and Bullshit (Ratatat Remix) <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUbUplZDVBNkZMWEE9PQ" target="_blank">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/02partybullshitbiggiesmalls" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a><br /><br /></div></div></div>

Stu Reid Sampler 5 - Jay-Z meets Bobby Bland

Back again with a Friday Stu Reid Sampler, this one coming courtesy of a years old tip from Mr. Brockavich. Usually I love listening to a song, hearing a sample hook, and then chasing down the sample to hear the original. In this case, however, I heard the original first, followed immediately by the Sampler. The song in question is Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City)". Commonly called Bobby Blue Band by mistake, Bobby Bland is anything but, weaving together a couple grooving guitar lines to provide the perfect backdrop for his smooth yet scratchy voice. Fun fact, Bobby Bland was once the driver/valet for BB King.


Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City) was Bland's last official single, dropping in 1974 at the tail end of 16 years of prolific record production. He went on to record more afterward, but it remains his most popular song. The song is classy, smooth, and easy on the ears.

Jay-Z's 2001 album The Blueprint took Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City) flipped on its head to become Heart of the City (Ain't No Love), taking out the class and adding a relaxed beat kit to give the tune a little bit more of a modern feel. Hova stays remarkably true to the original, however, utilizing most of the original instrumentation rather than just yanking the hook. He raps about menage-a-trois and other tasteful things, and really brings it home with a little over a minute left by dropping to an a capella/handclap breakbeat - the surest way to TSRE's heart.


Both songs are fantastic, both have a very different feel. Great to hear Jay earlier in his career - less swagger-ific and more passionate, he sounds fresh here, despite the track being 8 years old.

Bonus, the MTV Unplugged version with the Roots playing the music and Jaguar Wright singing the hook! Definitely worth a listen, as is the whole MTV Unplugged set.


Bobby "Blue" Bland - Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City)

Jay-Z - Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)

Jay-Z f. The Roots and Jaguar Wright - Heart of the City (Ain't No Love) live on MTV Unplugged

Back again with a Friday Stu Reid Sampler, this one coming courtesy of a years old tip from Mr. Brockavich. Usually I love listening to a song, hearing a sample hook, and then chasing down the sample to hear the original. In this case, however, I heard the original first, followed immediately by the Sampler. The song in question is Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City)". Commonly called Bobby Blue Band by mistake, Bobby Bland is anything but, weaving together a couple grooving guitar lines to provide the perfect backdrop for his smooth yet scratchy voice. Fun fact, Bobby <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bland</span> was once the driver/valet for BB King.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA3TY0S5r1UD7ihScXDu6G2KLQJesF-OYzg_Rt2N767gzG4dDDcryIfG1wz-F6LX1fYP4cz4XDyWwEL5YVb8CsAbQkQ9nIb4JLuNNp4ypvConqciEt0xJUyAlc7sMf8W-uFT6zJzKPLPZ/s1600-h/bland.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294364511008450610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA3TY0S5r1UD7ihScXDu6G2KLQJesF-OYzg_Rt2N767gzG4dDDcryIfG1wz-F6LX1fYP4cz4XDyWwEL5YVb8CsAbQkQ9nIb4JLuNNp4ypvConqciEt0xJUyAlc7sMf8W-uFT6zJzKPLPZ/s320/bland.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><br />Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City) was Bland's last official single, dropping in 1974 at the tail end of 16 years of prolific record production. He went on to record more afterward, but it remains his most popular song. The song is classy, smooth, and easy on the ears.<br /><br />Jay-Z's 2001 album The Blueprint took Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City) flipped on its head to become Heart of the City (Ain't No Love), taking out the class and adding a relaxed beat kit to give the tune a little bit more of a modern feel. Hova stays remarkably true to the original, however, utilizing most of the original instrumentation rather than just <span style="font-weight: bold;">yanking</span> the hook. He raps about menage-a-trois and other tasteful things, and really brings it home with a little over a minute left by dropping to an a capella/handclap breakbeat - the surest way to TSRE's heart.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFsmbBHngt7uU9JTjzEBdiUZebiib__EfMLHopmcR5gMqYY-7mJFhwsGMCXIsnsDlTwe_Iye1nZzW0lTC48NT5pj6Lc2dNuq_rVUi3-DFjgKJ53n2PNXlnAGLunWfiTq1F_QLG1ZMDYXE/s1600-h/yankovic.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294365389998902578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFsmbBHngt7uU9JTjzEBdiUZebiib__EfMLHopmcR5gMqYY-7mJFhwsGMCXIsnsDlTwe_Iye1nZzW0lTC48NT5pj6Lc2dNuq_rVUi3-DFjgKJ53n2PNXlnAGLunWfiTq1F_QLG1ZMDYXE/s320/yankovic.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" /></a><br />Both songs are fantastic, both have a very different feel. Great to hear Jay earlier in his career - less swagger-ific and more passionate, he sounds fresh here, despite the track being 8 years old.<br /><br />Bonus, the MTV Unplugged version with the Roots playing the music and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jaguar</span> Wright singing the hook! Definitely worth a listen, as is the whole MTV Unplugged set.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1qPqYLiis9bH350d94v3IWzCMKxOIjosuntVaF11fRH4ZPncbyR4wqZSyQPESZ8YVjggTp5vx2bGhUwQYWQleURs85fYtObe6toAR9tinBq9r8Bagfx8DAOw-rsWQneRSAN7JHcSI-8h/s1600-h/jaguar5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294366401834775170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1qPqYLiis9bH350d94v3IWzCMKxOIjosuntVaF11fRH4ZPncbyR4wqZSyQPESZ8YVjggTp5vx2bGhUwQYWQleURs85fYtObe6toAR9tinBq9r8Bagfx8DAOw-rsWQneRSAN7JHcSI-8h/s320/jaguar5.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTT204TkxreERIRGc9PQ" target="_blank">Bobby "Blue" Bland - Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTT205NEgwZ2tLSkE9PQ" target="_blank">Jay-Z - Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTT205NEg4aU1LSkE9PQ" target="_blank">Jay-Z f. The Roots and Jaguar Wright - Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)</a> live on MTV Unplugged

Woods Rock Update

This post is for my friend Kev who loved Blitzen Trapper before I had even heard of them. Blitzen Trapper manage to be hip and rugged at the same time - sort of like music for the greatest hodown in backcountry history. Every time I hear one of their songs I get a vision of hiking in the White Mountains, or sitting around a fire on the shores of a lake. Black River Killer is off Blitzen Trapper's most recent album Furr and is a languid ride through the hills in a beat up old jalopy. From their first album, Wild Mountain Nation is a hillbilly romp replete with country twang and guitar frills. There is something about Blitzen Trapper that makes me reminisce every time I listen.

Last year some friends and I went on a long hike along the Pemi Loop in New Hampshire and on the drive home after 5 hard days we listened to Blitzen Trapper completely exhausted, but filled with nature. So absolutely fitting for the end of an amazing experience. I miss stuff like that. Oh well, enjoy the tracks and nature.

PS. I am very glad that LOST is back. fyi

Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation (YSI) (filesavr)
Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav6maSQntI8R_Zc_H7rcWF8wLafEPuOo2dCbA0bJqLb3ecXz6jtLdFQKlX33v87h5-fiwjdQ0Y4LXHaN2QHNVwxCFlq_7cg2le4IzTO01r6VmBrrA0VQqRYKFEEjXEQPJZJnPKs1nlu1g/s1600-h/DSCN0731.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293930293772244002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjav6maSQntI8R_Zc_H7rcWF8wLafEPuOo2dCbA0bJqLb3ecXz6jtLdFQKlX33v87h5-fiwjdQ0Y4LXHaN2QHNVwxCFlq_7cg2le4IzTO01r6VmBrrA0VQqRYKFEEjXEQPJZJnPKs1nlu1g/s320/DSCN0731.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><br />This post is for my friend Kev who loved Blitzen Trapper before I had even heard of them. Blitzen Trapper manage to be hip and rugged at the same time - sort of like music for the greatest hodown in backcountry history. Every time I hear one of their songs I get a vision of hiking in the White Mountains, or sitting around a fire on the shores of a lake. Black River Killer is off Blitzen Trapper's most recent album Furr and is a languid ride through the hills in a beat up old jalopy. From their first album, Wild Mountain Nation is a hillbilly romp replete with country twang and guitar frills. There is something about Blitzen Trapper that makes me reminisce every time I listen.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4smJlzIZpnTKjYPq37fMc46FT_EshPKgWwUCpXjlsLHp2kWul3EXcVSq9wE5ry8vbvQ7Oh6LwGCSrBneXNCH874v3V9BRneswUH6GwrIxWp38Sl_NTIgfKGCUMw5EyRxKOS3earebgwSs/s1600-h/IMG_6806.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293929855985787122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4smJlzIZpnTKjYPq37fMc46FT_EshPKgWwUCpXjlsLHp2kWul3EXcVSq9wE5ry8vbvQ7Oh6LwGCSrBneXNCH874v3V9BRneswUH6GwrIxWp38Sl_NTIgfKGCUMw5EyRxKOS3earebgwSs/s320/IMG_6806.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><br />Last year some friends and I went on a long hike along the Pemi Loop in New Hampshire and on the drive home after 5 hard days we listened to Blitzen Trapper completely exhausted, but filled with nature. So absolutely fitting for the end of an amazing experience. I miss stuff like that. Oh well, enjoy the tracks and nature.<br /><br />PS. I am very glad that LOST is back. fyi<br /><br />Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTcmxjQ1BrUmxMWEE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/02wildmountainnation" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTcmxjQ1B0TWwzZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/07blackriverkiller" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

Bron Bron

Has anyone seen that new State Farm commercial where LeBron signs with the Browns to play football? Its like he's already practicing to hold up that Knicks jerseys in a couple of years... but more to the point this commercial really reinforces the fact that Lebron would dominate any sport that he could play. Can you image him just toasting some flatfooted DB or skying the shit out of some dude on the Ultimate Field. He would also be able to bring the hurt on the ice.



So 23 by Blonde Redhead has nothing to do with Lebron besides the number, but the song is great and always gets my head spinning. Also, what do you think that LeBron is thinking about when he sees Braylon Edwards on TV at the end of the commercial? How even without playing any football he is already a better receiver that Edwards, or how Edwards probably has the worst hands in football. *Sigh* I love Larry Fitzgerald.

Bonus: This song by Cannibal Ox propelled me to Ultimate Frisbee greatness, seriously it is a great workout song.

Blonde Redhead - 23 (YSI) (filesavr)
Cannibal Ox - From The Planet of Eat (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHLgAIfud1Jd4edmPGE6D9W7b6hi0lTNuupdkeqkcJ7J_8fmfbh41bVyIHs0-EbJCrKIV9RN33mjcUEci-Oy-U4H-Paqr3KX9PZxw2fjEbjCv1MsoAURP1x2-7wMzF3UmFRixBHBiRp8I/s1600-h/2247149677_5e4e94162b_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293609267443025922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHLgAIfud1Jd4edmPGE6D9W7b6hi0lTNuupdkeqkcJ7J_8fmfbh41bVyIHs0-EbJCrKIV9RN33mjcUEci-Oy-U4H-Paqr3KX9PZxw2fjEbjCv1MsoAURP1x2-7wMzF3UmFRixBHBiRp8I/s320/2247149677_5e4e94162b_o.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" /></a><br />Has anyone seen that new State Farm commercial where LeBron signs with the Browns to play football? Its like he's already practicing to hold up that Knicks jerseys in a couple of years... but more to the point this commercial really reinforces the fact that Lebron would dominate any sport that he could play. Can you image him just toasting some flatfooted DB or skying the shit out of some dude on the Ultimate Field. He would also be able to bring the hurt on the ice.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OckLh5yMn04&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OckLh5yMn04&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />So 23 by Blonde Redhead has nothing to do with Lebron besides the number, but the song is great and always gets my head spinning. Also, what do you think that LeBron is thinking about when he sees Braylon Edwards on TV at the end of the commercial? How even without playing any football he is already a better receiver that Edwards, or how Edwards probably has the worst hands in football. *Sigh* I love Larry Fitzgerald.<br /><br />Bonus: This song by Cannibal Ox propelled me to Ultimate Frisbee greatness, seriously it is a great workout song.<br /><br />Blonde Redhead - 23 (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUYkJpSWVmVGJIRGc9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/0123" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Cannibal Ox - From The Planet of Eat (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUYkJpSWVZY1NGa1E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/13fromtheplanetofeatbyel-p" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

I Know A Guy Who Sang With Rivers Cuomo! and Other Failed Pick-Up Lines

So we here at TSRE had, once upon a time, the privilege of attending Dartmouth College, best known for Dr. Seuss, Drinking Time, and being referenced in Superbad/Gossip Girl. It is a small college, but there are those who love it. Anywho, at said institution, we were often graced with a capella singing. For the non-collegers among us, a capella singing is when you take normally good songs, remove all instruments, and turn them into softer, less good versions of the original. Basically like a cover, but without anything redeeming. Most of my friends who are in an a cappella group would agree.

There are, however, some pretty nice kickbacks to being in an a capella group - groupies, tours, groupies, etc. A few of our friends, most notably the tall drink of water in the glasses in the following video, recently got a taste of one such kickback in the form of a studio sesh with Rivers Cuomo, courtesy of Stereogum. Rivers and the boys (members and former members of the Dartmouth Aires) give a jaunty rendition of the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby" that is pretty great, and also really really really really hilarious.

First of all, Rivers is maybe the 4th best singer involved in this song - his voice strains to hit the high notes and he looks concerned and/or lost the entire time.

Secondly, Rivers looks like some sort of Paul Simon/Mr. Rogers love-child. Definitely about as far from "Rock Band Frontman" as you can get.

Thirdly, there's a prolonged shot of just the Aires' shoes. Why? Art, that's why.

Fourthly, the last 10 seconds, after the conclusion of the song. Rivers looks like he just found out that magic is real. Or that his amnesia is permanent. Conclusive evidence that this man is off the deep end.

Worth checking out - it's a good tune, an interesting video, and pretty freakin' hilarious. Also, I'm throwing in a couple a capella tracks that I think are pretty great - TV On The Radio doing a Pixies cover, and DaVinci's Notebook singing the timeless classic, Enormous Penis. Enjoy.

TV On The Radio - Mr. Grieves (YSI) (filesavr)

DaVinci's Notebook - Enormous Penis (YSI) (filesavr)

So we here at TSRE had, once upon a time, the privilege of attending Dartmouth College, best known for Dr. Seuss, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avYUL1A-WUM" target="_blank">Drinking Time</a>, and being referenced in Superbad/Gossip Girl. It is a small college, but there are those who love it. Anywho, at said institution, we were often graced with a capella singing. For the non-collegers among us, a capella singing is when you take normally good songs, remove all instruments, and turn them into softer, less good versions of the original. Basically like a cover, but without anything redeeming. Most of my friends who are in an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">cappella</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> group</span> would agree.<div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293175055607703298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaFRmYMbCZYSHqL3P_0qLTfnXzd5pYAWEOib9onDQqFaXeZf0PrfbNvkIem_fE4m1L44gKm-9TBXnjSc5JAUIx5jIoZj4vcN4mdxL6rKlhZSFo_GzPkkzuWWpwnSWN3VIBQ53Mz0nVEwD/s320/a+capella.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" /></div><div>There are, however, some pretty nice kickbacks to being in an a capella group - groupies, tours, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">groupies</span>, etc. A few of our friends, most notably the tall drink of water in the glasses in the following video, recently got a taste of one such kickback in the form of a studio sesh with Rivers Cuomo, courtesy of <a href="http://www.stereogum.com/">Stereogum</a>. Rivers and the boys (members and former members of the Dartmouth Aires) give a jaunty rendition of the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby" that is pretty great, and also really really really really hilarious.</div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293175055133901810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HZrkpMedlZijVkb6cmP07vGu3i4QZDLfkvdBetBmlmmYwguOJB-FsUfyBZ6ApbBknnDKsOiDDqdTSS9vydnMUTLGMRxli7Yia5qsuvnq63SG3UqTpjZKL7THJ_YzLN1Gl8-kFjO7nUDu/s320/groupies.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" /></div><div>First of all, Rivers is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">maybe</span> the 4th best singer involved in this song - his voice strains to hit the high notes and he looks concerned and/or lost the entire time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Secondly, Rivers looks like some sort of Paul Simon/Mr. Rogers love-child. Definitely about as far from "Rock Band Frontman" as you can get.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thirdly, there's a prolonged shot of just the Aires' shoes. Why? Art, that's why.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fourthly, the last 10 seconds, after the conclusion of the song. Rivers looks like he just found out that magic is real. Or that his amnesia is permanent. Conclusive evidence that this man is off the deep end.</div><div><br /></div><div>Worth checking out - it's a good tune, an interesting video, and pretty freakin' hilarious. Also, I'm throwing in a couple a capella tracks that I think are pretty great - TV On The Radio doing a Pixies cover, and DaVinci's Notebook singing the timeless classic, Enormous Penis. Enjoy.</div><div><div><br /></div><div> <object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://stereogum.com/v/UV7EU0dvjHn1o"><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://stereogum.com/v/UV7EU0dvjHn1o" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="360" width="480"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div>TV On The Radio - Mr. Grieves <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTb2VLV3JEbUpMWEE9PQ">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/05mrgrieves">(filesavr)</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>DaVinci's Notebook - Enormous Penis <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTb2VPd0FENlIzZUE9PQ">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/enormouspenis">(filesavr)</a><br /></div></div></div>

Ain't Life Grand?

For Brooklyn Duo Matt & Kim life is about to be. Following up a raucously fun, albeit slightly repetitive, self titled debut last year, Grand, the forthcoming second album from Matt & Kim shows signs of musical maturation. Keeping with their battle-tested blueprint of playing the keyboard and drums literally as hard as humanly possible, Matt & Kim deliver an album that is extraordinarily catchy, while not being altogether too vapid. Matt & Kim adapt more complex rhythms (LOTS of handclaps too!) and layers of sound that complement their syrupy hooks. Unlike their track Yea Yeah that was primarily composed of two lyrics, Daylight off of Grand, is even more catchy, but with a genuine sense of earnestness that should not be overlooked.

I have loved Mat & Kim since last summer at Lollapalooza when CSS bailed and Matt & Kim jumped in to play an impromptu set in the scorching midday heat while screaming at the top of their lungs. Check out the new album and I guarantee a happy time.

Happy MLK Day. Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend (if you have one). On a completely unrelated note: I have never seen Teen Wolf, but now I am consumed by a need to all because of Bill Simmons.

Matt & Kim - Daylight (YSI) (filesavr)
Matt & Kim - Yea Yeah (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1P0Y7MHeM3HjWxcwNBnub0ol-tmklOKD1Xl6Dv_9g_2bj-lor-G_QKbaT46r_SNXZd4y_iGQBzyLpCelASM1fu2uBM0sH8kWOf1m63UKo6OIoKG8QTnDfzxuG4LiE4UbGimgZIujv1C9/s1600-h/matt-damon-arthur.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292075726254935602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1P0Y7MHeM3HjWxcwNBnub0ol-tmklOKD1Xl6Dv_9g_2bj-lor-G_QKbaT46r_SNXZd4y_iGQBzyLpCelASM1fu2uBM0sH8kWOf1m63UKo6OIoKG8QTnDfzxuG4LiE4UbGimgZIujv1C9/s320/matt-damon-arthur.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 244px;" /></a><br />For Brooklyn Duo Matt & Kim life is about to be. Following up a raucously fun, albeit slightly repetitive, self titled debut last year, Grand, the forthcoming second album from Matt & Kim shows signs of musical maturation. Keeping with their battle-tested blueprint of playing the keyboard and drums literally as hard as humanly possible, Matt & Kim deliver an album that is extraordinarily catchy, while not being altogether too vapid. Matt & Kim adapt more complex rhythms (LOTS of handclaps too!) and layers of sound that complement their syrupy hooks. Unlike their track Yea Yeah that was primarily composed of two lyrics, Daylight off of Grand, is even more catchy, but with a genuine sense of earnestness that should not be overlooked.<br /><br />I have loved Mat & Kim since last summer at Lollapalooza when CSS bailed and Matt & Kim jumped in to play an impromptu set in the scorching midday heat while screaming at the top of their lungs. Check out the new album and I guarantee a happy time.<br /><br />Happy MLK Day. Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend (if you have one). On a completely unrelated note: I have never seen Teen Wolf, but now I am consumed by a need to all because of Bill Simmons.<br /><br />Matt & Kim - Daylight (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBRblRpVnM1aVozZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01daylight" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Matt & Kim - Yea Yeah (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBRblRpVnMzS3BMWEE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/03yeayeah" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

Meat Cake!

So I just saw them make a meatball cake on Ace of Cakes. Pretty cool, but not nearly as ambitious as a cake actually made of meat, rather than fondant. An actual meat cake would probably taste better as well.

This mash-up is from Gorilla Vs. Bear (a personal favorite) and combines Animal Collective's My Girls and Frankie Knuckle's Your Love to great effect. My Girls apparently is something of a tribute to Frankie's classic house track, which is emphasized in how the two songs flow together with such a similar underlying rhythm. Everything Animal Collective touches turns to gold. Also for good measure here is My Girls, my favorite song off Merriweather Post Pavilion. Yes.

Short and sweet today, just like weekends and meat cake. Also, if you're in the Boston area buy tickets to see Cut Copy at the newly re-opened House of Blues on March 22nd. We'll be there.

Frankie Knuckles x Animal Collective - Your Love My Girls (YSI) (filesavr)
Animal Collective - My Girls (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOR3124HCmvtIZ5oW2QEFbDP0H_Zghh5vOQRPW1UzaiDtNSOva7sASb1-t3bF6f91RiH1yrIh3cbhnOpum2g9RJCIPmeyaGfu6nUYZj3jsIe-3pC-OGSr42gbyYg3J8Wy1VxsNHlh0nMD/s1600-h/466-1126-meatcake05.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291741397570276450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOR3124HCmvtIZ5oW2QEFbDP0H_Zghh5vOQRPW1UzaiDtNSOva7sASb1-t3bF6f91RiH1yrIh3cbhnOpum2g9RJCIPmeyaGfu6nUYZj3jsIe-3pC-OGSr42gbyYg3J8Wy1VxsNHlh0nMD/s320/466-1126-meatcake05.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><br />So I just saw them make a meatball cake on Ace of Cakes. Pretty cool, but not nearly as ambitious as a cake actually made of meat, rather than fondant. An actual meat cake would probably taste better as well.<br /><br />This mash-up is from <a href="http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gorilla Vs. Bear</a> (a personal favorite) and combines Animal Collective's My Girls and Frankie Knuckle's Your Love to great effect. My Girls apparently is something of a tribute to Frankie's classic house track, which is emphasized in how the two songs flow together with such a similar underlying rhythm. Everything Animal Collective touches turns to gold. Also for good measure here is My Girls, my favorite song off Merriweather Post Pavilion. Yes.<br /><br />Short and sweet today, just like weekends and meat cake. Also, if you're in the Boston area buy tickets to see Cut Copy at the newly re-opened House of Blues on March 22nd. We'll be there.<br /><br />Frankie Knuckles x Animal Collective - Your Love My Girls (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBSUXVpZ2dmVFlLSkE9PQ">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/yourlovemygirls">filesavr</a>)<br />Animal Collective - My Girls (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBSUXVuTkFWRC9IRGc9PQ">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/02mygirls">filesavr</a>)

Young Luck?

Over the course of "being a music blogger" lots of "bands" send you "music" in the hopes that you'll like their "innovative style" and "rich sound".  They want you to "give their tunes a listen" because, their promoters promise, they're "the next best thing".  

Some of the time this music is awful.  Most of the time it's mediocre, and sometimes it's even pretty decent.  But sometimes a track comes along that is just completely awesome.  Music that is polished (not Polished), catchy, and interesting.  Recently, one such track caught my ear.

The band is called Love Between Equals, and the track is Young Love.  It's energetic, catchy, and sonically huge.  Sure, it's a little bit repetitive, but it's repetitive in a good way.  The kind that makes you want to start listening to it again as soon as it's over.

If The Faint, MSTRKRFT, and Daft Punk had a red-bull fueled one night stand, they would make Young Love.  

I'm not saying Love Between Equals is going to go anywhere.  The other songs at their (his?) myspace leave something to be desired (Fatbacks is decent), the use of autotune in contemporary music continues to bug me, and the production is a bit choppy and one-note at times.  Love Between Equals may never make a label record, but they did make one freakin' banger track.  

Love Between Equals - Young Love (YSI) (filesavr)

Over the course of "being a music blogger" lots of "bands" send you "music" in the hopes that you'll like their "innovative style" and "rich sound".  They want you to "give their tunes a listen" because, their promoters promise, they're "the next best thing".  <div><br /><object height="373" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://player.hulu.com/embed/aol_player.swf?pid=cDe84tIjzzCBRGBaL4Jfyu6m05jhqs7f&embed=true"><param name="wmode" value="window"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed height="373" width="400" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://player.hulu.com/embed/aol_player.swf?pid=cDe84tIjzzCBRGBaL4Jfyu6m05jhqs7f&embed=true"></embed><h1 style="font:bold 0.8em arial;padding:0;margin:5px;">Watch more <a href="http://video.aol.com/show/saturday-night-live" target="_top" title="Saturday Night Live videos">Saturday Night Live videos</a> on <a href="http://video.aol.com/" target="_top" title="AOL Video">AOL Video</a></h1><br /><br /></object></div><div><br /></div><div>Some of the time this music is awful.  Most of the time it's mediocre, and sometimes it's even pretty decent.  But sometimes a track comes along that is just completely awesome.  Music that is polished (not Polished), catchy, and interesting.  Recently, one such track caught my ear.<div><br /></div><div>The band is called Love Between <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Equals</span>, and the track is Young Love.  It's energetic, catchy, and sonically huge.  Sure, it's a little bit repetitive, but it's repetitive in a good way.  The kind that makes you want to start listening to it again as soon as it's over.</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291307714361788738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OLwZY3sxHRg-zR7La-oPjdHIYHdtmPtJXvlvucRadPT1ZImp_nMEdYIzvd_rkoh7XGcgU9jLlI8CcamhfcHG2WxPo6DSH1wxlyD3KW7DkR7kmlXLgcZAwnG2c4zgrZ-JmyEVmXA1Zc65/s320/equals.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 282px;" /></div><div>If The Faint, MSTRKRFT, and Daft Punk had a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">red-bull fueled</span> one night stand, they would make Young Love.  <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291307709273795762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ymEoYGF4X1Bk47cUznaxvcG8-s5q4fRLsu8mn9p95WzgsfMwPqBidt9n13FEnE0tYBUoxE1gBO8oE_WC3e0m3-n1tHmzNKpMxllsqK5VcQv7ny9n1rhF7ra3xr6EozIX3G0xudrUYhZP/s320/red+bull+fueled.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 296px;" /></div><div>I'm not saying Love Between Equals is going to go anywhere.  The other songs at their (his?) <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lovebetweenequals" target="_blank">myspace</a> leave something to be desired (Fatbacks is decent), the use of autotune in contemporary music continues to bug me, and the production is a bit choppy and one-note at times.  Love Between Equals may never make a label record, but they did make one freakin' banger track.  </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Love Between Equals - Young Love</span> <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBRblRxZy96NE5MWEE9PQ">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/younglove" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a></div></div>

Stu Reid Under The Covers Volume 6ish

Paper Planes was such a ubiquitous song in the last year that I'm always a little hesitant to touch on it for fear of overwhelming backlash against what went from obscure gem to popular song to beating a dead horse over the course of about 4 days. So when I first heard the Pale Young Gentlemen covering the track, I wasn't sure what to do. I figured I'd let it ruminate for a couple days before doing anything with it.

I'm really glad I did. But even after a few days of listening to it and thinking, I'm still not really sure what to think. Part of what I love about M.I.A.'s version is the bombastic intro (ripped from The Clash's "Straight to Hell", not Spanish Bombs as I had originally mis-remembered), and that's missing here. Another thing I like about the original is the ever present gun shot, also removed in the PYG version. And the lead singer sounds like he's really tired and had to be convinced to sing the song.

But against all odds, I like it. I could deal with it being a little louder and a touch faster, but the strings sing nicely in the background, I like the cutesy bell, and for some reason the track really grows on me. I think it's the final vocal bridge that seals it for me - a kind of trailing off that sounds like the thought behind it is "that's the best we could have done with it, let's let it linger."

I dig what they did with it.

Pale Young Gentlemen - Paper Planes (M.I.A. Cover) (filesavr) (YSI)

and for kicks:

The Clash - Straight to Hell (YSI) (filesavr)

<div>Paper Planes was such a ubiquitous song in the last year that I'm always a little hesitant to touch on it for fear of overwhelming backlash against what went from obscure gem to popular song to beating a dead horse over the course of about 4 days. So when I first heard the <a href="http://www.thestureidexperiment.com/2008/11/alt-folker-i-hardly-even-know-er.html" target="_blank">Pale Young <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Gentlemen</span></a> covering the track, I wasn't sure what to do. I figured I'd let it ruminate for a couple days before doing anything with it. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291360271500576018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIsRKO40-4DkIuXt5e2sRxGuHgZIdTrjtCiBeL6BYCqWMrBo4GXQ_MSeovfuV7ctoZSFE19vmUJXgpJ-33S9xL7vZsZ6yG-dXL62fSl-0YnmN1rr5C57J7FhheXsnzIXMInUTpb7QqTuh/s320/gentlemen.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" /></div><div>I'm really glad I did. But even after a few days of listening to it and thinking, I'm still not really sure what to think. Part of what I love about M.I.A.'s version is the bombastic intro (ripped from The Clash's "Straight to Hell", not <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Spanish </span>Bombs as I had originally mis-remembered), and that's missing here. Another thing I like about the original is the ever present gun shot, also removed in the PYG version. And the lead singer sounds like he's really tired and had to be convinced to sing the song.</div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291360271145568626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuo0NXcJyWfetjon2PCfUJ6mHtMZRk6yRK0_4-9ESFI1Fv50iCHZyFgc7q39UOpvf5OKIEOvIgKzoj0px3sRv7EtHJPVTADvZeWYleb4MWhPOzQ2-LgS4bPcrPLc4S_oU2U0r4zoAfW-W/s320/spanish.gif" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 293px;" /><div><br /></div><div>But against all odds, I like it. I could deal with it being a little louder and a touch faster, but the strings sing nicely in the background, I like the cutesy bell, and for some reason the track really grows on me. I think it's the final vocal bridge that seals it for me - a kind of trailing off that sounds like the thought behind it is "that's the best we could have done with it, let's let it linger."</div><div><br /></div><div>I dig what they did with it.</div><div><br /></div>Pale Young Gentlemen - Paper Planes (M.I.A. Cover) <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01paperplanes" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a> <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBSSlIrcTJUME1LSkE9PQ" target="_blank">(YSI)</a><br /><br />and for kicks:<br /><br />The Clash - Straight to Hell <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUMWZHRSt5UkZMWEE9PQ">(YSI)</a> <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/2-18straighttohell">(filesavr)</a>

Tickling the Indie Ivories

2009 is going to be the year of world music and pianos for hipsters. I listen to music all day at work and as a consequence I get tired of music pretty quickly. I am currently devouring the new Animal Collective and somewhat unexpectedly I can't get enough of the album Ferndorf by Hauschka. Hauschka's brilliant compositions draw the listener in and then some 45 minutes later, he or she is released back into the living world. Delicate, but also forceful pianos and strings dance across your imagination evoking images of bucolic landscapes and dusty folklore. The minimal orchestration eschews the human voice for the simple interaction of piano and strings. Hauschka has created a work that is able to transport, but is also able to reintroduces the listener to the classical tradition, albeit in a modern/hipster context. By creating such a wonderous landscape with his music, Hauschka has started the rebirth of classical music for the hipster generation. Please enjoy and be careful, you may find your mind wandering.

The album cover is also one of the best that I have seen in a while.

Hauschka - Blue Bicycle (YSI) (filesavr)
Hauschka - Rode Null (YSI) (filesavr)

2009 is going to be the year of world music and pianos for hipsters. I listen to music all day at work and as a consequence I get tired of music pretty quickly. I am currently devouring the new Animal Collective and somewhat unexpectedly I can't get enough of the album Ferndorf by Hauschka. Hauschka's brilliant compositions draw the listener in and then some 45 minutes later, he or she is <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291398647231202450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ2FKWBbl3t_RJ3EOA6IQU296iX7BN6TM8llgfR0SOQhwokWqUg44WMQmvkGBGFyNC90wIYwyloDiLxD5hBXAECJc2ZS3U4hw1de4DLLbGN8giEsNhFZ5osSr_IhIGl1hUcbpzVbMJVEp/s320/bach_shades.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" />released back into the living world. Delicate, but also forceful pianos and strings dance across your imagination evoking images of bucolic landscapes and dusty folklore. The minimal orchestration eschews the human voice for the simple interaction of piano and strings. Hauschka has created a work that is able to transport, but is also able to reintroduces the listener to the classical tradition, albeit in a modern/hipster context. By creating such a wonderous landscape with his music, Hauschka has started the rebirth of classical music for the hipster generation. Please enjoy and be careful, you may find your mind wandering.<br /><br />The album cover is also one of the best that I have seen in a while.<br /><br />Hauschka - Blue Bicycle (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTNU1PZDVCMTdIRGc9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/ferndorfhauschka1bluebicycle" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Hauschka - Rode Null (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTNU1PZDVEbUtGa1E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/03rodenull" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

What you doing?

Sometimes I stumble across songs via some other blogs that are just so good they can't be ignored. The riffs and hooks get stuck in my head, and I walk around for the next few days telling everyone in earshot "you HAVE to listen to this song. N.A.S.A.'s "Whachadoin?", which features Spank Rock, M.I.A., and apparently Santogold, is one such track.

I'm not going to lie, I wasn't totally captured by the other songs that have dropped off of the much hyped upcoming N.A.S.A. release. North America South America had some pretty fly tracks, and they definitely got me to bump a little bit to their beats, but I honestly found their guest list more impressive than what they produced.

Whachadoin? on the other hand, grabs you by your ear and drags you as close to your stereo as you can get. From the first fractured, stuttering beat the song is buoyant and bouncy, and the rest of the track follows suit and leaves a fresh taste in your mouth. Even if you haven't been feeling the earlier N.A.S.A. tracks, check this one out for sure. And if you've liked the other ones, you're probably already listening to this track.

N.A.S.A. - Wachadoin? f. Spank Rock, M.I.A., and Santogold (filesavr) (YSI)

Also, a couple really sick remixes that have breezed through my ears in the past couple days - Wallpaper Dio's remix of ubiquitous Passion Pit Sleepyhead, and Prefuse 73's remix of TV On The Radio's Dancing Choose.

The Sleepyhead remix was the winner in Passion Pit's remix contest, and is pretty good. I wouldn't say it's my favorite of the Sleepyhead remixes (that honor belongs to Bo Flex and Giantess, with a runner up going to The Knocks), but it has some pretty dynamite horns. Worth a peep.

Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Wallpaper Dio Remix) (filesavr) (YSI)

Finally, I would be remiss not to mention Prefuse 73's great re-working of TVOTR's Dancing Choose, a rappy track off of Dear Science. Prefuse makes amazing music, and this is no exception. It tones down Tunde Adebimpe's shouting into a more traditional song format, while still keeping the intensity of the original. Check it out over at rcrd lbl's site here.

Sometimes I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">stumble </span>across songs via some other blogs that are just so good they can't be ignored. The riffs and hooks get stuck in my head, and I walk around for the next few days telling everyone in earshot "you <span style="">HAVE</span> to listen to this song. N.A.S.A.'s "Whachadoin?", which features Spank Rock, M.I.A., and apparently Santogold, is one such track.<div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291031232230601986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkGJgNKiLaoWmgs4ExzHJHJEXTQUOUdrfnlIowEd1xbjCZzgKx0XELPU-roXHcpp8BId90RQNNjv-ApuSngfDZV0cZxzthPuLBN4L2FYL8nLjh0rwjw6sftD0RCnD24YEaBMdLejNWWmF/s320/stumble.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" />I'm not going to lie, I wasn't totally captured by the other songs that have dropped off of the much hyped upcoming N.A.S.A. release. North America South America had some pretty fly tracks, and they definitely got me to bump a little bit to their beats, but I honestly found their guest list more impressive than what they produced.</div><div><br />Whachadoin? on the other hand, grabs you by your ear and drags you as close to your stereo as you can get. From the first fractured, stuttering beat the song is buoyant and bouncy, and the rest of the track follows suit and leaves a fresh taste in your mouth. Even if you haven't been feeling the earlier N.A.S.A. tracks, check this one out for sure. And if you've liked the other ones, you're probably already listening to this track.</div><div><br /></div><div>N.A.S.A. - Wachadoin? f. Spank Rock, M.I.A., and Santogold <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01whachadoinfspankrockmia" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a> <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTaklwbWc5eFZMWEE9PQ" target="_blank">(YSI)</a><br /><br />Also, a couple really sick remixes that have breezed through my ears in the past couple days - Wallpaper Dio's remix of ubiquitous Passion Pit Sleepyhead, and Prefuse 73's remix of TV On The Radio's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Dancing </span>Choose.<div><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291031226908643602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVStR9tN9uaaHUkxoRxm73xxYmK0Z81DzKKeVKt121WN_iyGpoXBKx84sBYcCS4loq2YbFohFmbTfpGlq6SYNuf_lif7YA7Y_iaqDqM_Xr-nmQheLiupA0uEI-fB8hpTNSfCossnkjJr0/s320/dancing.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" />The Sleepyhead remix was the winner in Passion Pit's remix contest, and is pretty good. I wouldn't say it's my favorite of the Sleepyhead remixes (that honor belongs to Bo Flex and Giantess, with a runner up going to The Knocks), but it has some pretty dynamite horns. Worth a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">peep</span>.<br /><br />Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Wallpaper Dio Remix) <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01sleepyheadwallpaperdioremix" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a> <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTaklwbWcwMEVLSkE9PQ" target="_blank">(YSI)</a><div><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291031222074147154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWt3nRscD55xYwqd09r_eFx-oCm8crJcbmm8mD5q7IrqGcTm1SoW0wYLzSS04QvKAQMZBzJ6-ctgTV2q5mfChyphenhyphenJuplgzCfnDhViKvbnSH1Bwq2tSDDD-BKdYc208kuOjIWN5Mw2iNuxdX/s320/peep.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Finally, I would be remiss not to mention Prefuse 73's great re-working of TVOTR's Dancing Choose, a rappy track off of Dear Science. Prefuse makes amazing music, and this is no exception. It tones down Tunde Adebimpe's shouting into a more traditional song format, while still keeping the intensity of the original. Check it out over at rcrd lbl's site <a href="http://rcrdlbl.com/2009/01/08/download_tv_on_the_radio_dancing_choose_prefuse_73_remix_" target="_blank">here</a>.</div></div></div></div>

The 90s

Its pretty weird how all the old styles from the 80s and early 90s are suddenly hip again. Clothes, glasses, the Lakers-Celtics rivalry, foreign conflicts etc. I'm guilty along with most everyone else on enjoying the trend and I don't mind. Just thought I'd point it out using this video by Armand Van Helden as demonstration.



While a little bit later, remember when Powerman 5000, Papa Roach and these other tracks were awesome? Don't lie. I certainly do. Luckily (or sadly for some) these tracks have not returned to popularity recently. Sit back, relax and reminisce with me on how awful middle school was.

Papa Roach - Last Resort (YSI) (filesavr)
Fuel - Shimmer (YSI) (filesavr)
Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal (YSI) (filesavr)
Powerman 5000 - When World's Collide (YSI) (filesavr)
Three Doors Down - Kryptonite (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7a_zr5ztvc6MXsS7vQNo4pVK1qHRIyfadNEsdF7Glok4bw-i_5srby8pz476BViSWT35iK1OAmew7NHExUcOTWD00UJ941K0YyAtGlO8pV-vC_dxMagKgCAEv0vu-dOogD4CDQtRGKVN/s1600-h/MikeGreenwell.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290502310264540210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7a_zr5ztvc6MXsS7vQNo4pVK1qHRIyfadNEsdF7Glok4bw-i_5srby8pz476BViSWT35iK1OAmew7NHExUcOTWD00UJ941K0YyAtGlO8pV-vC_dxMagKgCAEv0vu-dOogD4CDQtRGKVN/s320/MikeGreenwell.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" /></a><br />Its pretty weird how all the old styles from the 80s and early 90s are suddenly hip again. Clothes, glasses, the Lakers-Celtics rivalry, foreign conflicts etc. I'm guilty along with most everyone else on enjoying the trend and I don't mind. Just thought I'd point it out using this video by Armand Van Helden as demonstration.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f4RWiK_cjjs&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f4RWiK_cjjs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />While a little bit later, remember when Powerman 5000, Papa Roach and these other tracks were awesome? Don't lie. I certainly do. Luckily (or sadly for some) these tracks have not returned to popularity recently. Sit back, relax and reminisce with me on how awful middle school was.<br /><br />Papa Roach - Last Resort (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTQmtZWlQzS3BMWEE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/02lastresort" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Fuel - Shimmer (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTQmtVMVhrYUIzZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/03shimmer_1" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTQmtVMVhoeWFGa1E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/12smoothcriminal_1" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Powerman 5000 - When World's Collide (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTQmtZWlQyWGNLSkE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/03whenworldscollide" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Three Doors Down - Kryptonite (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBTQmtUb0JPSHlGa1E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01kryptonite" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

Stu Reid Sampler Chapter 4

What up. Back with another chapter of the Stu Reid Sampler, where we trace the samples of contemporary music back to their originals. I love uncovering great samples, especially when the original hook is recontextualized in a completely new way.

This one only sort of counts as an uncovered sample, since technically the "sample" portion of this Kanye tune is Jamie Foxx covering Ray Charles' "I've Got A Woman", but the essence is the same. Especially because the original is so dope. I definitely love the original Ray Charles version with a passion, and it's gotten many listens from me.

Kanye's take on it is pretty solid as well, as I'm sure you've heard. He's no stranger to sampling great tracks, so I have the feeling he may make another appearance here on Stu Reid Sampler. Big points go to the original here, though.

Enjoy.

Original: Ray Charles - I've Got A Woman (filesavr) (YSI)

New: Kanye West f. Jamie Foxx - Goldigger (filesavr) (YSI)

What up. Back with another chapter of the Stu Reid Sampler, where we trace the samples of contemporary music back to their originals. I love uncovering great samples, especially when the original hook is recontextualized in a completely new way.<div><br /></div><div>This one only sort of counts as an uncovered sample, since technically the "sample" portion of this Kanye tune is Jamie Foxx <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">covering </span>Ray Charles' "I've Got A Woman", but the essence is the same. Especially because the original is so <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">dope</span>. I definitely love the original Ray Charles version with a passion, and it's gotten many listens from me.</div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289153310411240194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzRA6DRfhPXYwJV-gcbx-q07KJOAGV55MMmefaTtqcuBBYV_FnFxqhql_Gp9URSThNO2WLe1NmYS_6mLEtStTnb-bFgL-dLHlRQPpTucU-d3dS3CPm6zaNb-ZE_UX0zocYrCKXEfsk869/s320/dope.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" /><div><br /></div><div>Kanye's take on it is pretty solid as well, as I'm sure you've heard. He's no stranger to sampling great tracks, so I have the feeling he may make another appearance here on Stu Reid Sampler. Big points go to the original here, though.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Original: Ray Charles - I've Got A Woman <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01-ive-got-a-woman" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a> <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBURFFRUzhZY1IzZUE9PQ" target="_blank">(YSI)</a></div><div><br /></div><div>New: Kanye West f. Jamie Foxx - Goldigger <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/04kanyewest-golddiggerftjamiefoxx" target="_blank">(filesavr)</a> <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUS3d0NmN3TGhMWEE9PQ" target="_blank">(YSI)</a></div>

The Kandi Man

Is not back. Michael Olowokandi, the former number 1 draft pick still remains a free agent with no NBA opportunities in sight. He was so bad with the Celtics a few years ago. SOOOOO BAD. Well here's the new song that Nike is using in their Lebron ads right now. Candyman by Cornershop is a throwback and is perfect for the commercials. I absolutely love it. List of Demands by Saul Williams, used last year by Nike, was the song of my senior Ultimate Frisbee season and I can see Candyman blowing up as the hype-up music of choice for people everywhere. Serioiusly if you listen to these songs before playing any sport you will absolutely dominate. No question.

Have a great day watching football and hopefully the Celtics get back on the right track tonight. Oh and Brian Dawkins always hits after the play with his helmet, what a dirty clown. With hating both Dawkins and Eli, I have no idea who to root for right now.

Cornershop - Candyman (YSI) (filesavr)
Saul Williams - List of Demands (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhav36qVE6fqhbu7J2b9TfcRmO6vQnJZDDTX0wV16cTRV9iBZX3Fj_d7SwbIUBBMA9kWEVq23LhdL-mIILks0l6tz10SextAw2RQZEOUWn9RvSwZTdDOL5GlZJPxB7ZHQZqCuVUETyw_jvE/s1600-h/michael_olowokandi-arton21125-240x240.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290108288996686626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhav36qVE6fqhbu7J2b9TfcRmO6vQnJZDDTX0wV16cTRV9iBZX3Fj_d7SwbIUBBMA9kWEVq23LhdL-mIILks0l6tz10SextAw2RQZEOUWn9RvSwZTdDOL5GlZJPxB7ZHQZqCuVUETyw_jvE/s320/michael_olowokandi-arton21125-240x240.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" /></a><br />Is not back. Michael Olowokandi, the former number 1 draft pick still remains a free agent with no NBA opportunities in sight. He was so bad with the Celtics a few years ago. <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/olowomi01.html" target="_blank">SOOOOO BAD</a>. Well here's the new song that Nike is using in their Lebron ads right now. Candyman by Cornershop is a throwback and is perfect for the commercials. I absolutely love it. List of Demands by Saul Williams, used last year by Nike, was the song of my senior Ultimate Frisbee season and I can see Candyman blowing up as the hype-up music of choice for people everywhere. Serioiusly if you listen to these songs before playing any sport you will absolutely dominate. No question.<br /><br />Have a great day watching football and hopefully the Celtics get back on the right track tonight. Oh and Brian Dawkins always hits after the play with his helmet, what a dirty clown. With hating both Dawkins and Eli, I have no idea who to root for right now.<br /><br />Cornershop - Candyman (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUS3dxZy9wM2wzZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/13candyman" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br />Saul Williams - List of Demands (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUc0w2bEo5RlpMWEE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/05listofdemandsreparations" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

I H8 Lemons

But I do enjoy a glass of delicious lemonade on occasion. So does Pitchfork apparently with their stellar review Lemonade's Self-Titled EP. I posted a remix of their track Real Slime a while back and since then the multi-talented outfit has only grown on me. Big Weekend begins the EP by emphaticaly ripping off your pants and by pants I mean any dearth of fun you might be experiencing. If the pulsating cow bells and synths don't make you want to move or at least do pull-ups, I don't know what will. At the risk of sounding too similar to the Pitchfork review (eek!), if you like !!! or Professor Murder, but with a more eclectic twist, check Lemonade out. Lemonade also doubles as a great soundtrack to Planet Earth if you were wondering.

Lemonade - Big Weekend (YSI) (filesavr)

Have a good weekend.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3IiarQt21Fi8jH3knHc8AAJJhEEsuzYoBfD1q7x-dajMuiT2nW99i5aSzBig34I5BoL-rZA6wy9eQeoBOb6Cqyz1kqlK5zXN7YQKfIZ-PxD7QJNjVjy-2TqfUsJK7k1vRuHhed203p3L/s1600-h/earthworm_jim.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289523650169607954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3IiarQt21Fi8jH3knHc8AAJJhEEsuzYoBfD1q7x-dajMuiT2nW99i5aSzBig34I5BoL-rZA6wy9eQeoBOb6Cqyz1kqlK5zXN7YQKfIZ-PxD7QJNjVjy-2TqfUsJK7k1vRuHhed203p3L/s320/earthworm_jim.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 312px;" /></a><br />But I do enjoy a glass of delicious lemonade on occasion. So does Pitchfork apparently with their stellar review Lemonade's Self-Titled EP. I posted a remix of their track Real Slime a while back and since then the multi-talented outfit has only grown on me. Big Weekend begins the EP by emphaticaly ripping off your pants and by pants I mean any dearth of fun you might be experiencing. If the pulsating cow bells and synths don't make you want to move or at least do pull-ups, I don't know what will. At the risk of sounding too similar to the Pitchfork review (eek!), if you like !!! or Professor Murder, but with a more eclectic twist, check Lemonade out. Lemonade also doubles as a great soundtrack to Planet Earth if you were wondering.<br /><br />Lemonade - Big Weekend (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUc0w5R0ZLVlZMWEE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/lemonadelemonade1bigweekend" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br /><br />Have a good weekend.

Better Late Than Never: Our Favorites of 2008!

Get ready for one CHUNKY MUNKY post, because here it is: The Better Late Than Never The Stu Reid Experiment's Favorite Albums of 2008, or as we like to call it around these parts, TBLTNTSREFA of 2008.  

Now that you have all those iTunes gift cards from your Aunts and Uncles who don't really know you all that well, and your itchy little fingers are looking to legally download some pay-for-music tunes before iTunes bumps up the price, TSRE gives you some unsought advice on what's worth your dollar.  Because we're not too into rankings around these parts, three of our top writers combined their brains to put together four categories of albums from this year - Universal Appeal (all three listed it in their top 12), Strong Showing (2/3), Niche Market (1/3), and Deserved Better (0/3, but probably because we didn't listen to it enough or it juuuust missed the top).  Without further ado - 

UNIVERSAL APPEAL:

TV On The Radio - Dear Science,

Without question, my personal favorite album of the year, this was a consensus choice as a favorite.  Dynamic songwriting, impressive vocals, brilliant songwriting, and TVOTR at their poppiest.  A helluva live show doesn't hurt either.  If you don't have this record, go get it.

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Perhaps a more controversial pick, the nature of this list brings out the best and the worst in Vampire Weekend.  Their debut album is a light, preppy afro-pop jaunt that's accessible at the first listen.  That same musical superficiality has earned them their fair share of scorn, but it's not being questioned that these young ivy grads are appealing to the masses.

STRONG SHOWING:

Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

It's my fault this album isn't up at the top with TVOTR and Vampire Weekend, but I wasn't as impressed with it as The Truth and The Kid.  It's definitely a solid album that's worth listening too.

I barely trust myself, so there's little reason you should.

Hot Chip - Made In The Dark

Made In The Dark is a bit of a schizophrenic assault from Hot Chip - danceable and original at points, and a bit disjointed and dull at others.  A great album, but probably fitting that it's in the Strong Showing category.

Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

An album that didn't quite capitalize on a breathtaking single, Med Sud I Eyrum Vid blah blah blah hints at fantastic and phenomenal growth from Sigur Ros, but only a few moments on the disc capture that potential.  Gobbledigook and Inni Mer Singur Vitleysingur are gorgeous, but the rest of the album is pretty standard (read: great) from Sigur Ros.

 

Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules and Love Affair

A debut album that certainly turned some heads, Hercules and Love Affair was also very close to vaulting into the top category. Surprisingly, The Kid, who introduced me to this love affair,

didn't count them among his favorites.  I'm sure they'll recover, and I look forward to catching more from these kids.

Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit - The Very Best Mixtape

This mixtape from Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya and remix artist Radioclit is incredible.  A brilliant mixture of electronic music, pop music, dance music, and world music.  I could listen to this album 100 times, and have.  It's a mixtape, though, so probably doesn't merit top status.  It's good, but it's not the very best.

Santogold - Santogold

The long awaited debut from M.I.A. II, this album has it's fair share of great tracks.  But outside of those great tracks lie danger and duds.  Perhaps better suited as an EP (Imagine this EP:  You'll Find A Way, Lights Out, L.E.S. Artistes, Shove It, I'm A Lady, Creator).  6 tracks of awesome.  I have a feeling she'll catch on.

Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III

Tough to ignore the massive year that this album had.  I think at one point it had like 4 tracks in the Billboard top 20 (does that exist?).  Ridiculous.  A Milli was the most loved/hated song of the summer, and there are some flat out killers on this album.  But, as Weezy is wont to do, it goes on a little too long and gets a tad too crazy.

M83 - Saturdays=Youth

This album hit early on, so I'm happy to see that it found it's way to a strong showing.  M83 have long been one of my favorite post-rockish groups, and they hit their stride with some of their more mainstream and accessible tracks here, while still maintaining their signature sound.

Flying Lotus - Los Angeles

Flying Lotus busted onto the scene with some fabulous remixes and the most ridiculous video ever, and definitely grabbed our attention here at TSRE thanks to The Truth.  A really interesting album full of Madlibish funky beats that's definitely worth some spins.

NICHE MARKET: 

The Cool Kids - The Bake Sale EP 

This is a ballin' EP from 2008's Beastie Boys equivalent, that likely got stuck down here because of it's EP status.  Good tracks on this one.

Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer

For some reason, Wolf Parade's At Mount Zoomer got caught in the shuffle a bit this year, and overlooked in a major way.  I myself am guilty of it, and have made a new years resolution to give this 

album another chance.  This one probably deserves better.

Beck - Modern Guilt

The Truth loved this record, another one that hit early in the year.  I never got into it, but he swears (I think) that it's Beck's best effort yet.  I maintain that Midnight Vultures can't be topped.  Or maybe Odelay.  One of those.

Foals - Antidote

Funny story about this album.  I had a friend who promised me for 3 months to 'lend' me his Foals CD to check out.  He never did, and I never did.  I regret it now, and they are on my New Years List.  I've heard great things about this album, though.

The Hold Steady - Stay

 Positive

Really liked this latest effort from The Hold Steady, but not enough to put it in my tops.  Still definitely worth checking out, particularly if you like The Hold Steady.  I'd never heard them before this year, and this album helped intrigue me.

Pale Young Gentlemen - Black Forest (Tra La La)

PYG are the forerunners of The Truth's Woods Rock genre, and they come highly recommended.  Some great tracks on this one.  And they just covered Paper Planes!

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles

Tons of hype about this one early in the year, I was surprised not to see it mentioned more around the turn of the ennium.  Funny story, this blog is related to the drummer.  Sort of.

Mogwai - The Hawk Is Howling

A great post-rock effort from old standards Mogwai.  Captures their old sound and packs a deliciously digestable punch.

  

Black Milk - Tronic

One of my favorite hip hop albums this year, this album is stuffed to the gills with hot beats and aggressive raps.  Glad this guy started to get some exposure after lots of years at the grind, hopefully he'll keep getting his due.

Why? - Alopecia

The Kid loves this album.  I've never heard it, except that apparently once I made fun of The Truth for listening to Why? when I heard it in his car.  Good times.

DESERVED BETTER:

Passion Pit - Chunk of Change EP

I know all three of us went crazy over this release, attended multiple Passion Pit shows, and generally enjoyed the crap out of this Cambridge band.  They made omellettes in our friend's house, and The Truth and Dedicated Fan X spent their New Years Eve with them.  So why aren't they on the list?  Maybe because it's an EP.  Or maybe we're just salivating in anticipation of their soon to be released debut LP.

Deerhunter - Microcastle

This album is apparently dopeshow to the max.  I'm afraid to listen to it, since I swore off Deer bands after a scarring experience with Deerhoof.  Definitely deserved better.

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

This album is all over year end lists, and White Winter Hymnal has recently been on repeat for me.  I think we all got on this train too late to count it among our favorites, and probably all feel bad about that.

Re-Up Gang - We Got It For Cheap, Vol. III

What a mixtape.  This tape is straight fire and got absolutely NO love at the end of the year.  Overshadowed by a lower quality PlayCloths mixtape, this one is definitely one of my most played hip hop albums of 2k8.  Check it out if you haven't.

Well, that's about all for the best albums of 2k8.  Rather than deal with best tracks, I'll just post a few of our favorites that haven't gotten love on TSRE before.

And since we just spent so much time with the best, don't forget to give some love to the Worst Song of 2008.

Happy New Year,

The Stu Reid Experiment

TV On The Radio - Shout Me Out (filesavr) (YSI)

Vampire Weekend - Campus (filesavr) (YSI)

Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook (filesavr) (YSI)

Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit - Will You Be There (filesavr) (YSI)

Get ready for one CHUNKY <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MUNKY</span> post, because here it is: The Better Late Than Never The Stu Reid Experiment's Favorite Albums of 2008, or as we like to call it around these parts, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">TBLTNTSREFA</span> of 2008.  <div><br /></div><div>Now that you have all those <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">iTunes</span> gift cards from your Aunts and Uncles who don't really know you all that well, and your itchy little fingers are looking to legally download some pay-for-music tunes before <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">iTunes</span> bumps up the price, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">TSRE</span> gives you some unsought advice on what's worth your dollar.  Because we're not too into rankings around these parts, three of our top writers combined their brains to put together four categories of albums from this year - Universal Appeal (all three listed it in their top 12), Strong Showing (2/3), Niche Market (1/3), and Deserved Better (0/3, but probably because we didn't listen to it enough or it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">juuuust</span> missed the top).  Without further ado - </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">UNIVERSAL APPEAL:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289138856147007522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fazCI1KjIfTx-D6LlSZhlYw_7YZ66tM0fKcpLp__9rmPmVRLkC7kE9WeG741DNN1FF86f6mbQfHd-tlCQ_kSvlw7H0fNRikc70duWDptMz2xvXtF9NGal1sPUbrMKqxorf4orn991kHg/s200/tv_on_the_radio-dear_science-cover.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">TV On The Radio - Dear Science</span>,</div><div>Without question, my personal favorite album of the year, this was a consensus choice as a favorite.  Dynamic songwriting, impressive vocals, brilliant songwriting, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">TVOTR</span> at their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">poppiest</span>.  A helluva live show doesn't hurt either.  If you don't have this record, go get it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289138851753003794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCr8m1w5qHW_DpX8_h52pq57Fz2LcphvsND-a1LzJDbRP40rD_X6k6i5HK-_tD9QO7yuKe3BWksbhdE002rTZNIuto4m6oCMBddWzPPw9BqQFPaDd9blk4KndjzcDeO3tCXLErpXIJTIWA/s200/Vampire_Weekend_-_Vampire_Weekend.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend</span></div><div>Perhaps a more controversial pick, the nature of this list brings out the best and the worst in Vampire Weekend.  Their debut album is a light, preppy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">afro</span>-pop jaunt that's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">acc<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">essible</span> at the first listen.  That same musical superficiality has earned them their fair share of scorn, but it's not being questioned that these young ivy grads are appealing to the masses.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">STRONG SHOWING:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289138499416771426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPVUxnaq44ZhAs__HerStqoNWY9I2fvnGXohPbgRmiErvDF09UEt1h__mkj6H60Hr3Xu21B-IyiBibxEUuJ7yVLC1ZAx-zVBc3JZON2EdDMz4MwvDB0-g08eMavprXZP_hy9Q2GeS6k5O/s200/In_Ghost_Colours-Cut_Copy_480.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours</span></div><div>It's my fault this album isn't up at the top with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">TVOTR</span> and Vampire Weekend, but I wasn't as impressed with it as The Truth and The Kid.  It's definitely a solid album that's worth listening too.</div><div>I barely trust myself, so there's little reason you should.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289138492372338322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtmcxo_KWaQinetzdm1nbdPbqBs4N6YbrhledYyZ-iu51cri8mRkZTcZxvsi1qmexv94zPAil9TstgOb3fAby3PbS81phLekpKN4JZCkmNZToSCS0Wit97lQY2bdO_k5td22M6RZfx7Mw/s200/hot+chip+made+in+the+darkjpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Hot Chip - Made In The Dark</span></div><div>Made In The Dark is a bit of a schizophrenic assault from Hot Chip - danceable and original at points, and a bit disjointed and dull at others.  A great album, but probably fitting that it's in the Strong Showing category.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289138486355875090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lznGwXlQxJIsPr8mcLBQUMBSH3ccP_rV4FKkYPqEJvEUuAnb9flBOhRATElSwDWdFrVyNVXmTyyj46qKu-iJV8-atAHHbAIwhlb_5eA6Q1PoDX4j0ar4VF1VduEOJWTfcYSfCiBnWEIm/s200/sigur+ros+med+sud+i+eyrumjpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sigur</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> Ros - Med Sud I </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Eyrum</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Vid</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Spilum</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Endalaust</span></span></div><div>An album that didn't quite capitalize on a breathtaking single, Med Sud I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Eyrum</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Vid</span> blah blah blah hints at fantastic and phenomenal growth from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Sigur</span> Ros, but only a few moments on the disc capture that potential.  <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Gobbledigook</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Inni</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Mer S</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">ingur </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Vitleysingur</span> are gorgeous, but the rest of the album is pretty standard (read: great) from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Sigur</span> Ros.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289137947272223058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Rae9Vy3Il7SMLjjJfgzb8WHQYmTblgOQM1jUHHaq51-ndYnk03r4mrBkjrKRdK3EWHWR8w0i3jix1ITNU7dcxtVvJRq5D9-DT50fc5UuXFGYjJll_bNscOQb9a9IT7iKB6DqiTtXejVc/s200/hercules-love-affair.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules and Love Affair</span></div><div>A debut album that certainly turned some heads, Hercules and Love Affair was also very close to vaulting into the top category. Surprisingly, The Kid, who introduced me to this love affair,</div><div>didn't count them among his favorites.  I'm sure they'll recover, and I look forward to catching more from these kids.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289137947549188226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7ffXyzwAJS58p0lk9arIE6ghx7fDonQ_Vu0P7Da9jv8QqIGtDfeLHAcqa3L2y1jnoUiw7OECOWa2QcVhGUa6jYJc6g3OHqE3aLY2dPX4-yn47xkrXYZ3Yq4YfEZffZ4hwbh6q_UAmFNs/s200/Esau+Mwamwaya+Radioclit+The+Very+Bestjpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Esau </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mwamwaya</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> and </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Radioclit</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> - The Very Best </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mixtape</span></span></div><div>This <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">mixtape</span> from Malawian singer Esau <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Mwamwaya</span> and remix artist <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Radioclit</span> is incredible.  A brilliant mixture of electronic music, pop music, dance music, and world music.  I could listen to this album 100 times, and have.  It's a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">mixtape</span>, though, so probably doesn't merit top status.  It's good, but it's not the very best.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289137943071978946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcq7SYneePAlGTolxFBYpTf0trC9xmXuR7ykdervdTPjWl4LB9D5w9Voz53sYw5CSyFxkayIXKv7f8zVMrZI1pHhyphenhyphenNA4BwSdB8vC-sOQWtPpjlyxYHNU6y2kN7SQTEhTO6Z5xjSIRWrekA/s200/santogold.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Santogold</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> - </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Santogold</span></span></div><div>The long awaited debut from M.I.A. II, this album has it's fair share of great tracks.  But outside of those great tracks lie danger and duds.  Perhaps better suited as an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">EP</span> (Imagine this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">EP</span>:  You'll Find A Way, Lights Out, L.E.S. Artistes, Shove It, I'm A Lady, Creator).  6 tracks of awesome.  I have a feeling she'll catch on.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289136562438369858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR8sWAZv47PZaUCEoZHKlI-Jx1EydQw-UZHYKAkSCnjnjHYm-48a7oYVmEFEgIbFjtAgSlNJpBJZ1FKGOVl8-l59446YfBTB8hqrpj1xv4x503rLIpgurYf9OjGYhiwlEz26GdIbaVpgm/s200/lil-wayne-carter-3jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Lil Wayne - </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Tha</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> Carter III</span></div><div>Tough to ignore the massive year that this album had.  I think at one point it had like 4 tracks in the Billboard top 20 (does that exist?).  Ridiculous.  A Milli was the most loved/hated song of the summer, and there are some flat out killers on this album.  But, as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Weezy</span> is wont to do, it goes on a little too long and gets a tad too crazy.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289136565470790594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOdRjLK1kbezJvpwz8uAl7-xXORZubhyr4KkwcTHNGxvoB_uR-YylljcyklUWkVF7ze6bh_5rpRRNQlnoPr-2tnhZlXopoxbh85EJ9oU74loeAxSjoCFfMPbjHDUCDgi4LHuc3mOhEm8z/s200/Saturdays=Youth-M83jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">M83 - Saturdays=Youth</span></div><div>This album hit early on, so I'm happy to see that it found it's way to a strong showing.  M83 have long been one of my favorite post-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">rockish</span> groups, and they hit their stride with some of their more mainstream and accessible tracks here, while still maintaining their signature sound.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289136559891492130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzCZ0SW6Xn_6UxvKVlmSVYNBJMuQHXhQjAgJSRWQlgEXJ7lUMp_jW5bgV7aSnKtQoA4GLnJborWxWGqUMhpRXY3S13X38ofuEzavT48KD2kHKvUAdxyI6nvZuuyDcld23YYEgvtq6iNaf/s200/Flying-Lotus-Los-Angelesjpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Flying Lotus - Los Angeles</span></div><div>Flying Lotus busted onto the scene with some fabulous remixes and the most ridiculous video ever, and definitely grabbed our attention here at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">TSRE</span> thanks to The Truth.  A really interesting album full of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Madlibish</span> funky beats that's definitely worth some spins.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">NICHE MARKET: </span></span></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289135909358475330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUttoZjU4LzU_voaYySYIYmxJwOQeywNzGICZknbA_gnXhD7EmPZPRd6RMtf2uUcybcysBSDbZE5baMpxQ38HGD35qTe6ixQEw3n9hB8y8PxhebvZrdH_ohsucRd9vuizz-U3_LFFWTPo/s200/cool-kids.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 174px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Cool Kids - The Bake Sale </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">EP</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div><div>This is a ballin' EP from 2008's Beastie Boys equivalent, that likely got stuck down here because of it's EP status.  Good tracks on this one.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289135907264781954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghm0aRP54UnCqYnSfoMr10VcT2xXwv05N6LXPVe8QL8dmxO94q2-LR2eW5yolLzQbDyYxJWPAB-MIcRphJDCwlI33kcTSvBcVDhD4tC1UchxE8cZw0QoR7mbALJ19lD9AMrM7Heh-TWGE2/s200/wolfparadeatmountzoomer.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Wolf Parade - At Mount </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Zoomer</span></span></div><div>For some reason, Wolf Parade's At Mount Zoomer got caught in the shuffle a bit this year, and overlooked in a major way.  I myself am guilty of it, and have made a new years resolution to give this </div><div>album another chance.  This one probably deserves better.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289135903355728818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiLi9SaT9qVtr_UlI8iHr4WqAYGtbLNlzTWF24YHjkYYVjoVqlKmkGmSSI7y_Wizc4-7Ouhs-z_38DWhcoy7oMEwhFC1R2swNZQIfWzUP8VL2dXjMBqNh_BXgx08u2TPDfuvNeFCZnovq/s200/beck+modern+guiltjpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 198px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Beck - Modern Guilt</span></div><div>The Truth loved this record, another one that hit early in the year.  I never got into it, but he swears (I think) that it's Beck's best effort yet.  I maintain that Midnight Vultures can't be topped.  Or maybe Odelay.  One of those.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289135232282967458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO6EQyu_GIiEBOudbKH9q0CFGpmUBUoz-vGeUMZigIlXCxKqHE3W_2REKD_vDYzX0-PYZyjzD7QZbuEjW4KmH0ReiynZHnACXJRMgkvZHZOn4NB46NNHDTGduDf5__Tcljmgu2dkjkFxk/s200/foals+antidotejpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Foals - Antidote</span></div><div>Funny story about this album.  I had a friend who promised me for 3 months to 'lend' me his Foals CD to check out.  He never did, and I never did.  I regret it now, and they are on my New Years List.  I've heard great things about this album, though.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289135224599244498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpiazKXSGeo2LJ2cdNQ8Aq4fmm2b5FnAh-Es6_U3wCXL81vwR4oa-_l8fgqRnEpm1SfdUZ-u57ggOwnwYx0HaavfgLRiKMwFTAuq5n3LA56IvSzeLjg82OKyMHAraFt-JwkpkGDzE3qhc/s200/hold+steady+stay+positivejpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Hold Steady - Stay</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> Positive</span></div><div>Really liked this latest effort from The Hold Steady, but not enough to put it in my tops.  Still definitely worth checking out, particularly if you like The Hold Steady.  I'd never heard them before this year, and this album helped intrigue me.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289135222464680194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd25QLbjnfv1qi3L0IqYXlXCGqk44O5uGy39h6ijL_CyZd5NjO0ZW83iLhWdaHkMNEz_mLGKSxGNup68OZju1XH5FYvPTi5esk-Q3Nber5G0CxhPT-vmfewZIBdU7BECTXtzazMYmihQLS/s200/pale+young+gentlemenjpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Pale Young Gentlemen - Black Forest (</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Tra</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> La La)</span></div><div>PYG are the forerunners of The Truth's Woods Rock genre, and they come highly recommended.  Some great tracks on this one.  And they just covered Paper Planes!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289135221140079202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBNu66ZhbQPVcWjDDkgONatTIicgzy_pjc4atug8dmOy_WRe7OqgNC7aX76nkKS3UBykjCDKxUSzTpKHunbTgIXn3A4dv2wr8sIR5nfzwGJUI0Ld5Gbs0K88Xwi5EHFTO7w0p1W3iY6D5/s200/crystal-castles.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles</span></div><div>Tons of hype about this one early in the year, I was surprised not to see it mentioned more around the turn of the ennium.  Funny story, this blog is related to the drummer.  Sort of.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289134332566338818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdi7mzP4cxRtQVf1ykTq2g6jbha6-SDfCQVnRGIjn2dNmKKnwcsqLR-VFDMzZy_XRFGrk4Bm26e1Gy0j7fEuBqea9w7yiiLZ9_1IS0KQPV4cW1b2lRrhyphenhyphen2iT3OUcF4sEJ-RUwSFWrcxSQi/s200/The-Hawk-Is-Howling.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mogwai</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> - The Hawk Is Howling</span></div><div>A great post-rock effort from old standards Mogwai.  Captures their old sound and packs a deliciously digestable punch.</div><div>  </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289134328074350802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBxbUbgmWZ7ghJf7phv8GP6QLkjj0hxUd7ZIU1iTb5Int8ocjf8bqQn0nQoE8zwl4stD_8sV2T8z9j67tXH5Rmb8RllTETzYPZCX7X4H_JkzWfwG-cYjZdOUKapUOjiQnFjqWdwWwvt0M/s200/Tronic.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Black Milk - </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Tronic</span></span></div><div>One of my favorite hip hop albums this year, this album is stuffed to the gills with hot beats and aggressive raps.  Glad this guy started to get some exposure after lots of years at the grind, hopefully he'll keep getting his due.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289134326635702674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PgZH05hRVE5Jk6U9CDPfP2M9HEQiGlpvgASSyyi3NnHqvW9wEM7a0iJP3hB_zDVq7sEA12zzXTr3Q_8K97SOLH3egNMeVUy22dqa0L85BIl2PrCtvxJVLUdNTgIq1qgr4lYTGsRxzX4v/s200/why+alopeciajpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Why? - </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Alopecia</span></span></div><div>The Kid loves this album.  I've never heard it, except that apparently once I made fun of The Truth for listening to Why? when I heard it in his car.  Good times.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">DESERVED BETTER:</span></span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289133329948008562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Prva6ryWB1rZnxomPTEooHew9PSjajyEe7Hu7dPoxO8wnJJM0lrOm_LrLGNRO4leXLyUk7GcW1BaxSgJz5K9liC8hCv168VPluZ7-i73uiKkxkgEEm3wJhrtoAWKk_XWhTP3n2L_GjJk/s200/Passion+Pit+Chunk+Of+Change.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Passion Pit - Chunk of Change EP</span></div><div>I know all three of us went crazy over this release, attended multiple Passion Pit shows, and generally enjoyed the crap out of this Cambridge band.  They made omellettes in our friend's house, and The Truth and Dedicated Fan X spent their New Years Eve with them.  So why aren't they on the list?  Maybe because it's an EP.  Or maybe we're just salivating in anticipation of their soon to be released debut LP.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289133329433580898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQOI4yuffn0FncXyZbMgk3cstmGRwpbc-O7ZWz01wOv8wrcJV9ozM7_SH2eaJ5b_vmgFQ5YMPhwAqDa7c8hjgzKVCgHz7Hldv7cKX_BjA42F7b89WT7DKUOFy2GsmA2uRW7k7ETCt2ZGm/s200/Deerhunter+Microcastle.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Deerhunter - Microcastle</span></div><div>This album is apparently dopeshow to the max.  I'm afraid to listen to it, since I swore off Deer bands after a scarring experience with Deerhoof.  Definitely deserved better.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289133326631593314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3wqMobt_Cpr2IFLUZ3D_EdbN9BUuNoddvnzzjITfHwU9e0x6mEffjl6xXVbhDndl-TLahfhaVdh73m9lRJ53sA5hmw_3_Kt1sBQgrFrsn4f3ocpIgt6_rAV9FOZ8aP_Il4u-ToI_ON2v/s200/fleet-foxes-lp.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes</span></div><div>This album is all over year end lists, and White Winter Hymnal has recently been on repeat for me.  I think we all got on this train too late to count it among our favorites, and probably all feel bad about that.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289132246051800578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_klZiefGZ9gJ6sg8oWC4yEIx388_PYQJc0mRAElVN8N05NAA5foIRDJ-OiAQh2FqxEG0glnaoLf2l-W24SnDEkaIvL5_-4ctLgdh1wtt-03Fgv6rTe0xMGfWsTS2xN-Nr3woSXbsUo4d/s200/reupgang.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Re-Up Gang - We Got It For Cheap, Vol. III</span></div><div>What a mixtape.  This tape is straight fire and got absolutely NO love at the end of the year.  Overshadowed by a lower quality PlayCloths mixtape, this one is definitely one of my most played hip hop albums of 2k8.  Check it out if you haven't.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that's about all for the best albums of 2k8.  Rather than deal with best tracks, I'll just post a few of our favorites that haven't gotten love on TSRE before.</div><div><br /></div><div>And since we just spent so much time with the best, don't forget to give some love to the <a href="http://www.thestureidexperiment.com/2008/11/circus-great-my-baby-not-great-negative.html">Worst Song of 2008</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy New Year,</div><div>The Stu Reid Experiment</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>TV On The Radio - Shout Me Out <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/09shoutmeout_2">(filesavr)</a> <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBURFFYTkEyWGNLSkE9PQ">(YSI)</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Vampire Weekend - Campus <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/06campus">(filesavr)</a> <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBURFFYTkFZY1NGa1E9PQ">(YSI)</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01gobbledigook">(filesavr)</a> <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBURFFYTkE1bmdLSkE9PQ">(YSI)</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit - Will You Be There <a href="http://www.filesavr.com/15willyoubethere">(filesavr)</a> <a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBURFFYTkE5bEFLSkE9PQ">(YSI)</a></div>