So tomorrow Chris and I move into our apartment in Brighton MA. Exciting. There's a lot to get done before we're all settled though. I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine soon.
Reel 2 Reel - I Like to Move It
July 31, 2008
Moving Day
July 30, 2008
Put on your PJs
I feel like it's rare, in these days of our lives, for a band to jump right from obscurity to having a full LP on repeat in my iTunes. Artists are hyped up beyond belief before even releasing more than a couple official tunes (see: Santogold, A-Trak, Bloc Party, Yeasayer) so that by the time the first full length drops, it's old hat and they're a household name. At least...well...a hipsterapartmenthold name. Regardless, that's why Project Jenny, Project Jan took my ears by storm.
PJPJ is a self-described Electro-Karaoke duo act. One dude - who we'll call Sammy Rubin - fiddles knobs, presses the enter key, clicks mouse buttons, and does all those crazy things that a 2k8 DJ-type does when making music. Another dude - who we'll call Jeremy Haines (but sometimes we'll slip and call him Warren Haines) - sings loud, borderline obnoxious, insanely catchy melodies over the top. They're from Brooklyn, 'nuff said.
I first heard these guys playing at the Big Green Bus party at BG (thebiggreenbus.org, bitches), and they immediately caught my attention. Much dancing was had. Frantic and frenetic, this music gets me hyped up for anything - driving, running, dancing, writing, you name it. It's just edgy enough to keep my attention while not pissing me off because it's too out there. Maybe a little too much for some, it's perfect for me.
Here are a couple bomb tracks from the clunkily titled debut LP "XOXOXOXOXO". "Brooklyn" is so catchy it gets stuck in it's own head, "Zoobar" has an excellent southern/middle-eastern twang to it (fer rill), and "Marsupial" is just bounce-off-the-walls crazy. Peep this shit, it's hot.
Project Jenny, Project Jan - "Brooklyn"
Project Jenny, Project Jan - "Zoobar"
Project Jenny, Project Jan - "Marsupial"
July 28, 2008
Hipster Love Songs
So I visited Dartmouth this past weekend for Mike's Hat and I ended up running into a lot of people I realize that I had begun to really miss. I've come to peace with leaving, but I will always like going back and I have renewed faith that I will keep those friends. Also I got to see Nick Weir play ultimate for the first time. A spectacle to say the least.
The Black Angels - Its Your Touch
So while I'm reminiscing here are some smooth hipster ballads for when you're wooing, remembering, feeling blue or just straight chillin.
Sebastien Tellier - La Ritournelle (metronomy mix)
General Electrics - Tu M'Intrigues
Oh yeah and Sebastien Tellier's new album has a boob on the cover. He's a debonair fellow.
July 24, 2008
So
I pooped like 5 times today. I'm pretty sure that means I'm dying. So it's been nice knowing you.
It also makes me say "Whoa". Much like the bass on this A-Trak, um, trak. It's his first "single" from his "LP" which is the continuous Nike Run thing that's like 43 minutes. It's great. Really solid. Better than Aesop Rock's or LCD Soundsystem's, which is saying something because both of those are pretty effin' good. So check it out.
A-Trak - Say Whoa
Also, if you go back and listen to LCD Soundsystem's 45:33, you'll recognize a good like 12 minute run of what then became "Someone Great" - my personal fav-o-rite off of the overrated Sound of Silver (Hi Mike Lynch!). Oh, and here's a mash-up of it too. Just 'cause...ya know...mash-ups.
LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great
DJ STV SLV - Great! There It Is
July 23, 2008
Be Mine!
I'm not gonna ramble. Just wanted to posted these two vastly different but incredible variations on Robyn's "Be Mine!"
Robyn - "Be Mine [Ballad Version]"
Robyn - "Be Mine [Ocelot Mthrfckrs Remix]"
Enjoy!
Why so Serious?
Hello everyone. I hope you all have seen the Dark Knight by now, preferably in IMAX if possible. I loved the audible gasps, cheering and clapping in the theater. It brought me back to my childhood when people still used to clap during the credits of movies. I sure did. For me the greatness of the Dark Knight comes from its ability to keep a viewer emotionally engaged for a full two and a half hours. I was tense, nervous and really felt lonely sometimes just like good ole' Batman. I have no idea how Nolan's going to follow this one up, but part of me just wants him to walk away and leave this masterpiece as the finale. But.. thats not going to happen. I have faith though that the next one will still be good. Frank Miller's Return of the Dark Knight anyone? I was up in Maine this past weekend and whenever I found my mind wandering it was always back to the Dark Knight. I seriously can't get it out of my head and that is why it is a great film. Not the best ever you IMDB weirdos, but a great film nonetheless. I really can't stop thinking about it. Well, here's some songs that fit with it in my head.
Take a break. Listen to some tunes. Why so serious?
Daedelus - Sundown
Daedelus - Clockwork Springs
I also saw WallE last week, which was also a great movie. I laughed, I cried, I hurled. How do they make robots so cute? I don't get it. It has to be the huge eyes. I'm sure those guys at Pixar have some magic formula to make any character extremely cute. It works. Also, so many great 2001 A Space Odyssey references and genuine humor too. What a great movie. Its definitely geared towards an older audience though. Kids are not going to get all the references and subtle social critiques.
Icy Demons - Spywatchers
And lastly I'm really digging the new Wolf Parade album. The last track Kissing the Beehive is awesome. It picks you up and throws you around in a 12 minute shopping cart ride through a parking lot filled with burning cars. Again it reminds me of Batman... sort of. I mainly just wanted to post it.
Wolf Parade - Kissing the Beehive
Also, Chris and I are moving into our new apartment next week and housewarming gifts are appreciated and encouraged. Until next time. I'll be practicing my disappearing pencil trick.
July 20, 2008
Stu Reid Under The Covers
Music and pictures that I'm pretty psyched about, revolving around the theme of Covers, one of my personal faves.
I've been stewing on these tracks for a week or so now and think they're worth posting, since they've stayed on the top of my itunes recently played for a bit. A great combination of really great ideas and really horrible ideas.
The first comes from the boy in the corner, everyone's favorite captain, Dizzee Rascal. I loves me some Dizz, and this track is no different. A cover of The Ting Tings' "That's Not My Name" that flips it on its side with some racial themes to give it a little more weight. Some terrible off-key singing here that surprisingly doesn't kill the track. And best of all, a shout out from Dizzee to the Ting Tings. Picture Dizzee Rascal rocking out to the Ting Tings. Ahh, awesome. Here's both versions:
The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
Dizzee Rascal - That's Not My Name
Up next is my favorite of the A Milli covers I've heard. Not technically a cover, I guess, since it comes from Chamillionaire's mixtape and just features the same beat, but I make the rules in this post, so I say it counts. Also, I didn't make a joke about "A Milli"ion covers, so I should get some slack. Regardless, some great criticism here of a boring rap industry, delays from Dre and Eminem, and a cute little Soulja boy shout-out. The Soulja boy call doesn't work as well the second time around, there are some plain stupid and empty lines, and a poorly executed breakbeat brings it down a couple notches. Worth a listen anyway, here are both versions:
Lil Wayne - A Milli
Chamillionaire - A Milli
Finally, a pretty dope cover of Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl". I have my issues with the original here - it plays on pretty cliche teenage boy fantasies and is pretty heteronormative (hi Lambda 10!). But it's so damn catchy! Here's a guilt-free cover by a classically trained pianist, Max Vernon. Takes a little time to get going, but one the synth kicks in, it's money in the bank. Just the cover here, turn on a radio for the original.
Max Vernon - I Kissed A Girl
