Stu Reid Under The Covers: Some Dudes Cover Morning Benders and Lissie Goes Gaga

Well, I've become more or less obsessed with The Morning Benders as of late - their sophomore album Big Echo has been on heavy repeat around mi casa. After seeing them at SXSW, I'm sold that these guys are the real deal. They have a commitment to the music that is really really cool, and the end product shows how much they pour into it. One of my favorite videos of the year is a feature Pitchfork made featuring a large number of San Fransisco musicians playing "Excuses" http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/episode/2115-the-morning-benders, a recording that is really quite divine.

Recently another video of "Excuses" has been cruising around the information superhighway. It's a video of a guy in what looks to be a barn, playing a number of instruments and singing the song quite well. Luis over at PMA got the hook up with a high quality mp3 of his cover, and I'm excited to share it today. Check out the video and song below.



The Ice Tray - Excuses (The Morning Benders Cover) (YSI)

Another cover that has been all the rage recently is Lissie's cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." Lissie is an up-and-coming name that you'll hear a lot about in the near future. The cover is nice - it's not my favorite song, but I do really like what Lissie has done with it. Check it out, along with another pretty adorable video. Happy covers!



Lissie - Bad Romance (Lady Gaga Cover) (YSI)

Well, I've become more or less obsessed with The Morning Benders as of late - their sophomore album <i>Big Echo</i> has been on heavy repeat around mi casa. After seeing them at SXSW, I'm sold that these guys are the real deal. They have a commitment to the music that is really really cool, and the end product shows how much they pour into it. One of my favorite videos of the year is a feature Pitchfork made featuring a large number of San Fransisco musicians playing "Excuses" http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/episode/2115-the-morning-benders, a recording that is really quite divine.<br /> <br /> Recently another video of "Excuses" has been cruising around the information superhighway. It's a video of a guy in what looks to be a barn, playing a number of instruments and singing the song quite well. Luis over at PMA got the hook up with a high quality mp3 of his cover, and I'm excited to share it today. Check out the video and song below.<br /> <br /> <object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OD072SlIIWU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OD072SlIIWU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /> <br /> <b>The Ice Tray - Excuses (The Morning Benders Cover)</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFOcHBDVnNUME0wTVE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>)<br /> <br /> Another cover that has been all the rage recently is Lissie's cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." Lissie is an up-and-coming name that you'll hear a lot about in the near future. The cover is nice - it's not my favorite song, but I do really like what Lissie has done with it. Check it out, along with another pretty adorable video. Happy covers!<br /> <br /> <object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MWe07krS8_E&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MWe07krS8_E&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /> <br /> <b>Lissie - Bad Romance (Lady Gaga Cover)</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFOcHBDVnNUME0wTVE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>)

Sleigh Bells, Rusko, and Major Lazer - 4/4/10 @ The Middle East, Boston

I had the privilege of catching Sleigh Bells, Rusko, and Major Lazer playing together at the Middle East in Boston on Sunday night – whoo what a show.  A night after playing the gargantuan Terminal 5 in NYC, Diplo and friends packed the significantly smaller Middle East to the rafters for a great night of big beat dancing.

Sleigh Bells kicked things off with a blistering set – I was super impressed by this pair at SXSW, and they blew my mind again on Sunday night. Lead singer Alexis Krauss is a complete rock star, leaning into the crowd, punching the sky, and screaming into the microphone. She dominates the stage while guitarist Derek Miller absolutely slays. On the surface it’s a strange pairing, matching this guitar-driven pseudo-metal with Diplo and Switch’s electro reggae. Underneath that surface it’s all about hype music and big sounds, and all three groups shared that power.

Rusko, although not my favorite flavor, put together a pretty sweet set of dubstep remixes of familiar songs. A bit telling that the beginnings of each track he played – when he teased the original before slaughtering it with a dubstep thump – were the highlights of his set. Regardless, he set the table nicely for Major Lazer.

Supported by two hyperactive dancers, Diplo dominated the dancefloor as Major Lazer. Wisely splurging on a baller laser light display, the group lit up the ceiling of the Middle East as a sweaty crowd danced below. The energy continued to build throughout the set, climaxing with set closer “Pon Di Floor” and encore “Hold The Line.” It was an epic set, and one that has reignited my love for Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do in a big way.

Here's my new favorite Sleigh Bells tune (besides, you know, all the other ones) plus a couple really dope Major Lazer remixes.

Sleigh Bells – Infinity Guitars (YSI) (drop.io)

Major Lazer – Pon Di Floor (The Deficient Remix) (YSI) (drop.io)

Major Lazer – Keep It Goin’ Louder (So Shifty 1961 SKA Remix) (YSI) (drop.io)

I had the privilege of catching Sleigh Bells, Rusko, and Major Lazer playing together at the Middle East in Boston on Sunday night – whoo what a show.  A night after playing the gargantuan Terminal 5 in NYC, Diplo and friends packed the significantly smaller Middle East to the rafters for a great night of big beat dancing.<br /> <div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDs9vA9u_8iiCQqbEyysyHdQ1ltQXAIFIadXlQcmm05VT8zcXJhw9EfXMpg2K15fyNBsn6c_NLK4Lu-AjLBjRaTt57gSI2mZAo6rI6RTu4_o11s8j_eLx0BXvOp5JYXxpjfI15Zzap98/s1600/lasersTSRE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDs9vA9u_8iiCQqbEyysyHdQ1ltQXAIFIadXlQcmm05VT8zcXJhw9EfXMpg2K15fyNBsn6c_NLK4Lu-AjLBjRaTt57gSI2mZAo6rI6RTu4_o11s8j_eLx0BXvOp5JYXxpjfI15Zzap98/s320/lasersTSRE.JPG" /></a>Sleigh Bells kicked things off with a blistering set – I was super impressed by this pair at SXSW, and they blew my mind again on Sunday night. Lead singer Alexis Krauss is a complete rock star, leaning into the crowd, punching the sky, and screaming into the microphone. She dominates the stage while guitarist Derek Miller absolutely slays. On the surface it’s a strange pairing, matching this guitar-driven pseudo-metal with Diplo and Switch’s electro reggae. Underneath that surface it’s all about hype music and big sounds, and all three groups shared that power.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Rusko, although not my favorite flavor, put together a pretty sweet set of dubstep remixes of familiar songs. A bit telling that the beginnings of each track he played – when he teased the original before slaughtering it with a dubstep thump – were the highlights of his set. Regardless, he set the table nicely for Major Lazer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Supported by two hyperactive dancers, Diplo dominated the dancefloor as Major Lazer. Wisely splurging on a baller laser light display, the group lit up the ceiling of the Middle East as a sweaty crowd danced below. The energy continued to build throughout the set, climaxing with set closer “Pon Di Floor” and encore “Hold The Line.” It was an epic set, and one that has reignited my love for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do</i> in a big way.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here's my new favorite Sleigh Bells tune (besides, you know, all the other ones) plus a couple really dope Major Lazer remixes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sleigh Bells – Infinity Guitars</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFOOGNRYTJ1Yk5jR0E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://drop.io/hidden/djprsxilfz0piw/asset/MDQtaW5maW5pdHktZ3VpdGFycy1tcDM%3D" target="_blank">drop.io</a>)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Major Lazer – Pon Di Floor (The Deficient Remix)</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFOOGNUVEhkMnRFQlE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://drop.io/hidden/pasgkcg7mo7eou/asset/cG9uLWRpLWZsb29yLXRoZS1kZWZpY2llbnQtcmVtaXgtbXAz" target="_blank">drop.io</a>)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Major Lazer – Keep It Goin’ Louder (So Shifty 1961 SKA Remix)</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFOOGNheFhVbTlFQlE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://drop.io/hidden/inh50ar27fi6hc/asset/MDEta2VlcC1pdC1nb2luLWxvdWRlci1zby1zaGlmdHktMS1tcDM%253D" target="_blank">drop.io</a>)</div>

Beach House March 28 @ The Paradise Boston

Last week Claire and I, along with a mob of other enthusiastic fans, had the pleasure of spending the evening with Beach House. Just as a preface, sometimes the crowds in Boston are not that great, but Sunday night the ambiance was perfect. True to form, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally spent over an hour crafting a swirling, engrossing, and melodic experience. While only occasionally allowing their wave of sound to actually crest and crash, Beach House constructed a groove that never let up. I barely felt the time go by. Standing amongst dreamy tinsley props, Legrand shredded on her keyboard throughout and when the crests came, impressed me with her chesty voice and ability to rock out. I was particularly struck by Scally's live, intricate guitar work that really is so essential to Beach House's sound. Friendly, talented, and fun - the show reinforced my growing obsession with Beach House.

Beach House - Norway (YSI) (zshare)

Beach House - Take Care (YSI) (zshare)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUrveUIZ8VxllzyJqd5itVy0ZPZWpksr3q36ag0t2tvyydAeeLaLeNnOr0xevNkkspOfvDtlwzgNSTHAvjodgzl9ML2hHGnvZdRPKuo9Odjt2s48VZVYxmQLzoB2hDkY5u9BrNFYBg0fW/s1600/TSRE+Beach+House.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456457082291795442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUrveUIZ8VxllzyJqd5itVy0ZPZWpksr3q36ag0t2tvyydAeeLaLeNnOr0xevNkkspOfvDtlwzgNSTHAvjodgzl9ML2hHGnvZdRPKuo9Odjt2s48VZVYxmQLzoB2hDkY5u9BrNFYBg0fW/s320/TSRE+Beach+House.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a>Last week Claire and I, along with a mob of other enthusiastic fans, had the pleasure of spending the evening with Beach House. Just as a preface, sometimes the crowds in Boston are not that great, but Sunday night the ambiance was perfect. True to form, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally spent over an hour crafting a swirling, engrossing, and melodic experience. While only occasionally allowing their wave of sound to actually crest and crash, Beach House constructed a groove that never let up. I barely felt the time go by. Standing amongst dreamy tinsley props, Legrand shredded on her keyboard throughout and when the crests came, impressed me with her chesty voice and ability to rock out. I was particularly struck by Scally's live, intricate guitar work that really is so essential to Beach House's sound. Friendly, talented, and fun - the show reinforced my growing obsession with Beach House.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beach House - Norway</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFOeFVkQ1JEa1ZjR0E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/746123879abbb7dd/" target="_blank">zshare</a>)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beach House - Take Care</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFOeFVUaytFc0x2Wmc9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/74612423027bd434/" target="_blank">zshare</a>)

More Lists!

Recently Cokemachineglow released their list of the top 100 albums of the 00's (HERE). Usually I'm not a huge fan of reading large lists, but because of CMG's slightly off-kilter music tastes and writing style, I dove right into it. There is some great stuff to be discovered on the list and I leave it up to you to peruse at your leisure, but I will share a few nuggets.

New Buffalo - The Last Beautiful Day - delicate and sunny girl pop, good for reading on a porch.

New Buffalo - While You're Away (YSI) (zshare)

The Avalanches - Since I Left You - seemless and diverse sampling masterwork from a while ago, a hidden progenitor?

The Avalanches - Electricity (YSI) (zshare)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERjXv-z_yYBLipYuOqllhzdg7TK9t34-gQa0Jx4YJn5q5-5s7rpnoBdIrEVww49hwgmKyCDD_3__3i1ZB2XoC-a82HB8m1M_60TKASMWGiRFuXMs3QuPKdLn3q4vDnG3xicA8CgXBEXK2/s1600/TSRE+Cokemachine.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455730099481641170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERjXv-z_yYBLipYuOqllhzdg7TK9t34-gQa0Jx4YJn5q5-5s7rpnoBdIrEVww49hwgmKyCDD_3__3i1ZB2XoC-a82HB8m1M_60TKASMWGiRFuXMs3QuPKdLn3q4vDnG3xicA8CgXBEXK2/s320/TSRE+Cokemachine.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" /></a>Recently Cokemachineglow released their list of the top 100 albums of the 00's (<a href="http://www.cokemachineglow.com/feature/5204/top100albums-2000s" target="_blank">HERE</a>). Usually I'm not a huge fan of reading large lists, but because of CMG's slightly off-kilter music tastes and writing style, I dove right into it. There is some great stuff to be discovered on the list and I leave it up to you to peruse at your leisure, but I will share a few nuggets.<br /><br />New Buffalo - <span style="font-style: italic;">The Last Beautiful Day</span> - delicate and sunny girl pop, good for reading on a porch.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Buffalo - While You're Away</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFPb3BOQ1I5NVZjR0E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/745367970aba1e76/" target="_blank">zshare</a>)<br /><br />The Avalanches - <span style="font-style: italic;">Since I Left You</span> - seemless and diverse sampling masterwork from a while ago, a hidden progenitor?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Avalanches - Electricity</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFPb3BOQ1IwVW52Wmc9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/7453683625ae7a40/" target="_blank">zshare</a>)

Laura Marling Comes Alive

We've gushed about Laura Marling here at TSRE before and I am about to do it again. In addition to being super cute and super British, Laura Marling also happens to be super talented. Her sophomore album I Speak Because I Can takes all the heart and power of her debut Alas I Cannot Swim and just cranks everything up. Some tracks feel folkier, some tracks feel more heartfelt, the highs higher, and the lows lower. No longer are we simply listening to personal ruminations, but now Laura Marling is able to use her arresting voice to teach and instruct. We are witnessing the ascent of a great young talent.

PS. Claire loves her too.

Laura Marling - Devil's Spoke (YSI) (zshare)

Laura Marling - Alpha Shallows (YSI) (zshare)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19AkXdWjtUxDc4-gfX-W02VuDCNiRr13VqalNi5M0NhS_iT_rolR_nN8M3qhcrBM_tTwV0G0Nnc3Wsd-Coz-GSHUqwDTqO-PfhqCSEvGKsk3m7m-BOduYFU01XSGaH9la0f9RZ-fCfcYj/s1600/TSRE+Marling.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455726592945638322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19AkXdWjtUxDc4-gfX-W02VuDCNiRr13VqalNi5M0NhS_iT_rolR_nN8M3qhcrBM_tTwV0G0Nnc3Wsd-Coz-GSHUqwDTqO-PfhqCSEvGKsk3m7m-BOduYFU01XSGaH9la0f9RZ-fCfcYj/s320/TSRE+Marling.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" /></a>We've gushed about Laura Marling here at TSRE before and I am about to do it again. In addition to being super cute and super British, Laura Marling also happens to be super talented. Her sophomore album <span style="font-style: italic;">I Speak Because I Can</span> takes all the heart and power of her debut <span style="font-style: italic;">Alas I Cannot Swim</span> and just cranks everything up. Some tracks feel folkier, some tracks feel more heartfelt, the highs higher, and the lows lower. No longer are we simply listening to personal ruminations, but now Laura Marling is able to use her arresting voice to teach and instruct. We are witnessing the ascent of a great young talent.<br /><br />PS. Claire loves her too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Laura Marling - Devil's Spoke</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFPb3BBYTJBNkUwTVE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/745363196aae9d02/" target="_blank">zshare</a>)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Laura Marling - Alpha Shallows</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFPb3BBYTJtMEpjR0E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/74536355b771af6c/" target="_blank">zshare</a>)

Old Friends

This week, I’d like to give Simon & Garfunkel a little love. You can find more groundbreaking music from the 60s, and you can certainly find edgier music from the 60s. But it’s hard to find more consistently beautiful music.

Paul Simon is a great songwriter, which shouldn’t be news to anyone. This blog has lauded Graceland in the past. But his earlier work with partner-in-crime Art deserves some praise as well. His lyrics can be a little too poetic, but he conjures up some powerful imagery, whether it be the “cars on the New Jersey turnpike” in “America” or the old friends who “sat on their park bench like bookends” in “Old Friends.”

But just as crucial to the music’s beauty is Art Garfunkel’s distinctive, airy voice, which floats softly above Simon’s, hopping from harmony to harmony with impeccable tone and tuning (and remember, this was before auto-tune rendered perfect tuning unimportant). I’m not sure how he does it—maybe it’s all the pot he smokes, but probably not.

A few tracks below for your enjoyment: “Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall” might be my favorite, as the vocal blend between the two singers is about as good as it ever gets. “April Come She Will” was actually written by Garfunkel, and an appropriate song given the month. And finally, “Kodachrome / Maybellene,” which is my favorite track off of the Concert in the Park album. Its got great energy that builds and builds and finally explodes when they break into the Chuck Berry song. Enjoy.

Simon & Garfunkel – Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall (YSI) (dropbox)
Simon & Garfunkel – April Come She Will (live) (YSI) (dropbox)
Simon & Garfunkel – Kodachrome / Maybellene (live) (YSI) (dropbox)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DmHkgWkm5Z4tmAc65zOwEbjaFbZOgEgj3OkawtwHtD4tm_KnTaBSL5OWZVe3F_K97VkrzEV7ItFLGpbb5fgzVX6vvuKXUtOKKPO8iIHZHGea0JjJPpb1_EQAbnXSt8zk2phtBOvyPb8/s1600/simon_garfunkel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455545459684141282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DmHkgWkm5Z4tmAc65zOwEbjaFbZOgEgj3OkawtwHtD4tm_KnTaBSL5OWZVe3F_K97VkrzEV7ItFLGpbb5fgzVX6vvuKXUtOKKPO8iIHZHGea0JjJPpb1_EQAbnXSt8zk2phtBOvyPb8/s320/simon_garfunkel.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 270px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This week, I’d like to give Simon & Garfunkel a little love. You can find more groundbreaking music from the 60s, and you can certainly find edgier music from the 60s. But it’s hard to find more consistently beautiful music.<br /><br />Paul Simon is a great songwriter, which shouldn’t be news to anyone. This blog has lauded Graceland in the past. But his earlier work with partner-in-crime Art deserves some praise as well. His lyrics can be a little too poetic, but he conjures up some powerful imagery, whether it be the “cars on the New Jersey turnpike” in “America” or the old friends who “sat on their park bench like bookends” in “Old Friends.”<br /><br />But just as crucial to the music’s beauty is Art Garfunkel’s distinctive, airy voice, which floats softly above Simon’s, hopping from harmony to harmony with impeccable tone and tuning (and remember, this was before auto-tune rendered perfect tuning unimportant). I’m not sure how he does it—maybe it’s <a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,580550,00.html" target="_blank">all the pot he smokes</a>, but probably not.<br /><br />A few tracks below for your enjoyment: “Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall” might be my favorite, as the vocal blend between the two singers is about as good as it ever gets. “April Come She Will” was actually written by Garfunkel, and an appropriate song given the month. And finally, “Kodachrome / Maybellene,” which is my favorite track off of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Concert in the Park</span> album. Its got great energy that builds and builds and finally explodes when they break into the Chuck Berry song. Enjoy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Simon & Garfunkel – Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall</span> (<a href="https://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFPNU1DeFV3NUpjR0E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3915396/3-08%20Flowers%20Never%20Bend%20With%20The%20Rainfall.mp3" target="_blank">dropbox</a>)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Simon & Garfunkel – April Come She Will</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(live)</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFPNU1DeFUyWGRFQlE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3915396/06%20April%20Come%20She%20Will.mp3" target="_blank">dropbox</a>)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Simon & Garfunkel – Kodachrome / Maybellene</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(live) </span>(<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFPNU1DeFU5RlkwTVE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3915396/13%20Kodachrome_Maybellene.mp3" target="_blank">dropbox</a>)</span>

SXSW Ridiculousness, Part 5: Surfer Blood

Another band that I had heard a ton about prior to SXSW was Surfer Blood. I've been listening to their debut LP, Astro Coast for a month or two now, and I've been really enjoying it. I had heard mixed reviews of their live show, though - a few complaints about lackluster stage presence mixed in with raves about their playing.

After checking the band out a couple times in Austin, I can see where both sides of the discussion are coming from. Surfer Blood is not an experienced band - they look like kids on stage, and I would be surprised if all of the members of the band could legally buy themselves a drink after the show. They lack a little bit of the showmanship that comes along with age and tour-maturity. They don't necessarily grab your attention when they take the floor.

Luckily, their songs are good enough to command some of that attention once they start playing. The tunes from Astro Coast are catchy and bright, and the perfect sort of music to rock out to on a sunny afternoon in the middle of Texas. Seeing these guys play made me really excited for summer - this disc is going to be in high rotation on hot days, I think. There's a reason they're called Surfer Blood - this band was built for the beach.

Surfer Blood - Swim (YSI) (filesavr)

Surfer Blood - Take It Easy (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_2111337884"></span><span id="goog_2111337885"></span>Another band that I had heard a ton about prior to SXSW was Surfer Blood. I've been listening to their debut LP, <i>Astro Coast</i> for a month or two now, and I've been really enjoying it. I had heard mixed reviews of their live show, though - a few complaints about lackluster stage presence mixed in with raves about their playing.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU8gr1JT_5mJoZrMXCLWwYMzqe2dFpuiG5kULPyhyphenhyphenDw_YZKTHzeN3CO1QV5yxaWlxjQw13zxjrF7ZmTNBrMTb3NiIUDzTqRuzbsdvX1u66840MFwUeOJkTVyzWn0x5PGxsQnlmEFD6O4/s1600/surfer_bloodTSRE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU8gr1JT_5mJoZrMXCLWwYMzqe2dFpuiG5kULPyhyphenhyphenDw_YZKTHzeN3CO1QV5yxaWlxjQw13zxjrF7ZmTNBrMTb3NiIUDzTqRuzbsdvX1u66840MFwUeOJkTVyzWn0x5PGxsQnlmEFD6O4/s320/surfer_bloodTSRE.JPG" /></a></div>After checking the band out a couple times in Austin, I can see where both sides of the discussion are coming from. Surfer Blood is not an experienced band - they look like kids on stage, and I would be surprised if all of the members of the band could legally buy themselves a drink after the show. They lack a little bit of the showmanship that comes along with age and tour-maturity. They don't necessarily grab your attention when they take the floor.<br /> <br /> Luckily, their songs are good enough to command some of that attention once they start playing. The tunes from <i>Astro Coast</i> are catchy and bright, and the perfect sort of music to rock out to on a sunny afternoon in the middle of Texas. Seeing these guys play made me really excited for summer - this disc is going to be in high rotation on hot days, I think. There's a reason they're called Surfer Blood - this band was built for the beach.<br /> <br /> <b>Surfer Blood - Swim</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFNclVKYUllcEx2Wmc9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/02swim" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br /> <br /> <b>Surfer Blood - Take It Easy </b>(<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFNclVKYUlvQUkwTVE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/03takeiteasy" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)