[seven].second.(spectrum)

New Track From Abe Vigoda

2010-07-05T20:53:00.000-07:00

Abe Vigoda - no, not the American film and television actor. Abe Vigoda - yes, the LA-based tropical punk band. Now that we've clarified that, the band has released a new track called "Throwing Shade". While you could certainly thrash out to their previous stuff, this new track moves towards something with a more metered dance groove. This is certainly due to the addition of a new member, Dane Chadwick, on the drum kit. It seems there is more emphasis on electronic instrumentation and sampling, but even so, the off kilter vibe of AV is still there. Perhaps we will see this fleshed out more when the guys put out their forthcoming album Crush on September 20th via Bella Union.

Abe Vigoda - "Throwing Shade"

Blu Is At It Again

2010-07-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

You may remember the name Blu from a post way back. Well he's at it again, and this time he's upped his game to a whole new level. Everything is bigger and better. Entitled "Big Bag Big Boom", Blu aptly and deftly uses his constantly morphing style of art to chronicle the evolution of life here on Earth. The use of space and seemingly normal objects to convey this story is incredible and the sheer effort and time this would require are something to marvel at alone, much less the sheer awesomeness of the art itself. What we're trying to say is check this shit out asap!

Blu - "Big Bag Big Boom"

We're Back!

2010-07-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

When real life gets busy, sometimes you've gotta put your digital life on the back burner. So amidst moving, looking for paying work and traveling - on top of a regularly schedule jam packed with  ropin' cattle, underwater frisbee, inventing new board games, treasure hunting and inciting third world countries to rebel - there's been a lack of regular content. So to make up for it, we'll be hittin' your ear drums with a sonic cornucopia of jams. We hope you'll forgive us.

To start a new single, from of Montreal - "Coquet Coquette".  The single reminds us that the much anticipated release of False Priest, the next album since Skeletal Lamping (2008) is finally drawing near. Slated to drop September 14th, we can expect to see a few more singles over the course of the summer. "Coquet Coquette" shows that of Montreal's next release is likely to continue infectious eccentricity we've come to love from the group.

of Montreal - "Coquet Coquette"

Speaking of infectious, there has been no end to the level of attention Swedish group Miike Snow has been getting lately since the release of their self-titled debut last year. Containing a barrage of singles with "Animal", "Silvia" and "Black & Blue" the stellar track "Song for No One" went largely unnoticed. With the catchiest little guitar riff in recent memory, old school bass and drums, and silky contemporary vocals this needs to be in your summer rotation asap.

Miike Snow - "Song for No One"

You might have noticed we have a certain taste for things with a nostalgic vibe. Which is why we find this track from 1960's Indonesian girl group (sooo sweet!) Dara Puspita is particularly tasty. Meaning Flower Girls, the band has a lo-fi garage aesthetic in the ilk of contemporaries like Best Coast. For instance hear how Dara Puspita puts a fresh spin on the already timeless cut "To Love Somebody" from The Bee Gees. So good! Where can I get this on vinyl?! Oh wait, right here! 

Dara Puspita - "Somebody to Love"

Back in the states, yet another band from a place I'm really starting get tired of for being so cool - Brooklyn - is Keepaway. Approaching 6 digits of views on the myspace, the band has recently started drawing attention from larger blogs, but is still on the verge of larger success. With only an EP to their name so far, expect to see these guys at some festivals next year if they can keep the hype going when their first full length drops. While avoiding the obvious Animal Collective comparisons with some indie rock stylings, the band can't entirely escape the clear Merriweather Post Pavillion-era influence. "Yellow Wings" is a great example of that synergy which is found on their Baby Style EP.

Keepaway - "Yellow Wings"

What do you know?! Another band from Brooklyn... Translations. Diverting from the electronic influences of late, Translations maintains a sound that is ostensibly rock'n'roll, albeit somewhat ecelectic.  On their standout track "The Wanderer", the cooler sounds of post-punk transition nicely to the warmer classic rock inspired chorus. With only 4 digits worth of views on the myspace with this group, they are certainly on still on the rise, but like so many Brooklyn bands, the future looks bright for Translations.

Translations - "The Wanderer"

Tame Impala - Innerspeaker

2010-06-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

While it's a place I'd surely love to visit, with the exception of boomerangs and didgeridoos, I can't think of a lot of exciting exports out of Australia. However, they have been known to make some pretty good music, especially lately ( Jonathan Boulet and Richard In Your Mind). Home to The Seekers, AC/DC, The Vines, Jet, Wolf Mother and many others, the Australians are no stranger to rock music. Carrying on the classic rock flag is Tame Impala, who is probably about as classic rock as you can get while still being contemporary. With guitars that would please Hendrix and vocals that bear an uncanny resemblance to John Lennon, it's no wonder that the members of Tame Impala are making a name for themselves. It also doesn't hurt to be touring with MGMT and have past dates with Yeasayer and The Black Keys under your belt. Releasing their debut album, Innerspeaker, on Modular (arguably Australia's biggest label), the band has certainly skipped to the relative front of the line in terms of international success.

For good reason though, Innerspeaker is a piece of psych rock gold. While it may not stand up to the pop sensibilities of late, and it's probably not the first choice record to throw on at a party, that doesn't take away from the fact this would be great soundtrack to a summer roadtrip, drinking beer out in the sun or passing the joint around. There is a nice diversity to the album, from circular jam tracks like "Solitude is Bliss" to straight forward arena rock like "Desire Be Desire Go" or the dizzying eclecticism of "The Bold Arrow of Time", there is a little something for everyone in the rock department, and these standout cuts show it off. Fundamentally, Tame Impala are all about layers. Nothing is ever left to float on its own and songs that start off with simplicity are soon methodically built into a wall of sound. These layers provide a great pillow for the Lennon-reverbed vocals and John Bonham percussion to operate. If anything the level of complexity and technical skill displayed on this debut release proves that we can probably expect interesting things from this group in the future. Somewhere between now and then, we hope that Innerspeaker makes it on to a record player near you. If not, check out "Desire Be Desire Go" in digital form below. Old and new, just like Tame Impala.

Tame Impala - "Desire Be Desire Go"

New Music Tuesday - Minks

2010-06-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

Coming out the interminable epicenter of creativity that is Brooklyn, is yet another hot new band - Minks. Opting for the popular minimal info approach, there isn't a lot known about the project. However, here are some of the facts:

Judging by live footage the band seems to have 6 members.
They have just released a new 7" on Captured Tracks.
They have a lovely collection of pictures on a blog.
They have an undeniably dark, gothic aesthetic.
Their track "Funeral Song" is catchy as hell.
The music video is made by Wooden Lense, a Portland-based film collective.
I fucking LOVE macaroni and cheese. Wait....

With only a 7" to date, Minks emanate a pretty cohesive sound, one in the ilk of Gothic New Wave. You can certainly hear elements of The Cure or The Smiths - a clear, driving bass line, nickel guitar that darts in and leaves lazily, whining synth layered over simplistic drums. "Funeral Song", which is the standout single, even has some vocals reminiscent of Morrisey's baritone croon, but to just compare them to The Smiths though, would be unfair. Their other tracks show there is more capacity to this group than just regurgitating John Hughes soundtracks. Even "Funeral Song" is a departure from simple emulation, an eerie inversion of effervescence and depression. It's a bright song for sad kids. Good news for people who love bad news, to reference the melancholic Modest Mouse. And while "So long summertime/I'm not coming back" constitutes the chorus of a single making it's way to us right at the first signs of sunshine and warmth, we can't help but disagree a little in our minds, but our ears certainly couldn't care less. The lovely video work of Wooden Lense below shows that our eyes can be pretty happy, too. If you like it, then I know you'll dig this as well. How can you be a sad kid now? Enjoy!

Minks - "Funeral Song" (Wooden Lense)

Crocodiles - "Sleep Forever"

2010-06-14T17:01:00.000-07:00

After seeing Crocodiles open for The Faint and Ladytron last spring, I have to say I was pretty smitten with their dark demeanor and manic energy. Their April '09 debut, Summer of Hate, quickly became one of my go-to zone-out albums. Which isn't to say that the duo is devoid of stimulating riffs or raucous percussion, you could certainly thrash out to the titular single (video below), but there is something rather mollifying about their hazy brand of noise-pop. While Summer of Hate exuded a more sinister vibe, their new single "Sleep Forever" still employs that wall-of-sound style, but Producer John Ford (one half of Simian Mobile Disco), cleans up some of the fuzz and moves the band towards a slightly more light-hearted tone. Frontman Brandon Welchez' vocals come off as less haughty and caustic, and the instrumentation moves away from the crunchier guitar riffs of old. The future looks exciting for Crocodiles, currently on tour with Dum Dum Girls. The pair will roll through Portland on June 25th, via the Hawthorne Theater. I just might see you there!

Crocodiles - "Sleep Forever"

Crocodiles - "Summer of Hate"

[adult swim] + music = awesome!

2010-06-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

Anyone whose been a regular fan of [adult swim] knows that the crew over there is pretty hip to the groove. Airing shows like Tim and Eric, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and a slew of other cult favorites, their slightly bent, minimalist programming has pervaded a generation. Known for using a wide variety of contemporary music in their commercials and filler material, [adult swim] has recently partnered with Kia for the Adult Swim Singles Program. "8 Free Tracks 8 Straight Weeks" the page boasts. Well, they are currently on Week 4 and the past three weeks have been pretty satisfying. Displaying expansive taste, past singles include an acoustic ballad from Matt Sweeney and Bonnie "Prince" Billy, a fresh hip-hop cut from Killer Mike produced by Flying Lotus of all people, and a funky flow from Madvillain - the collaborative of Madlib and [as] favorite MF DOOM. This week continues to shake things up with a great new track from chillwave superstar Ernest Greene aka washed out. Interestingly enough the track features vocals from Chairlift frontlady Caroline Polachek. The result is "You and I", a hypangogic underwater dreamscape that could easily accompany any steamy romance montage from a 90's movie. Romeo + Juliet comes to mind. Regardless, it's a track that you could comfortably sink into on repeat for a good long while. I know, I just did it. Try it for yourself and check out those past singles too. Stay tuned, they've still got four more weeks of titillating tracks to come.

washed out ft. Caroline Polachek - "You and I"

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Latest Single From Toro Y Moi

2010-06-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

Traditionally, when we enter a new decade, we find that the genres we've become accustomed to change with the era. 2010 is no exception. With bands like Neon Indian, Washed Out and Memory Tapes creating one of the most popular genres of this new decade, we are all becoming quite familiar with chillwave. Riding into our hearts on this chillwave is Toro Y Moi. If you've never heard of bedroom artist Toro Y Moi yet, you need to check him out asap. Coming out of South Carolina, the project is spearheaded by Chazwick Bundick. In addition to having one of the coolest names ever, he also has one of the chillest projects out right now. (Pun intended!) Chillwave, also known as glo-fi, is a genre that eats up eclectic influences and produces an interesting spread of dreamy electronic pop that somehow evokes an undefinable nostalgia. Toro Y Moi is no exception. Blending 70's pastoral folk, 80's new romanticism and 90's indie into one cohesive album, Chaz released his full length debut, Causers of This, in January of this year. I recently saw Toro Y Moi as a 4-piece, opening for Caribou at the Hawthorne Theater. Let me say there is no doubt that this kid is definitely only on the up and up. As an opener, they were rallied into an encore and played an interesting new single "Leave Everywhere". Recently released, the track departs from TYM's chillwave roots and moves towards more guitar driven, purely lo-fi rock. This is par for the course, as Chaz had stated that he intends to release two different albums this year. While he doesn't mind the chillwave label, he wants to show that he's into all kinds of music, and by the sound of this single we're all for that notion. Yay for diversity! Keep it coming Mr. Bundick.

Toro Y Moi - "Leave Everywhere"

Bjorn Copeland (Black Dice)

2010-06-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

New York based artist Bjorn Copeland is a pretty talented dude. Despite comprising one third of the trio behind Black Dice, he is also quite an accomplished visual artist. Regularly doing work for the band's albums, posters and t-shirts, he has also displayed his collage style art in a multitude of galleries on the east coast. Employing a vivid color palette, from neons to primaries, and focusing on the blend between geometric shapes, patterns and organic imagery - Copeland seems to address, moreover mock, the high glitz, over-produced graphic design that dominates major media sources. He also regularly adapts found objects into sculpture and installation pieces that strike the same chords as his 2 dimensional work. If you haven't ever checked out Black Dice either, then get on it. Existing for over a decade now, releasing an album on DFA (founded by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem), the group is currently on the roster for Paw Tracks (founded by the members of Animal Collective.) Here's the video for 2007's "Kokomo", which definitely incorporates the artistic style evident with Copeland into moving form. Epileptics be warned!

Black Dice - "Kokomo"

Cults - "Go Outside"

2010-06-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

Back in March a group called Cults made a big splash in the music blogosphere with "Go Outside". At the time is was the only known track from the deliberately clandestine group. While deciding to wait for a little something more to write about, this song has quickly racked up a substantial play count here at the Spectrum. We were quite excited to find out a good deal more about Cults in recent months. We now know the project is helmed by Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin who are film students in NYC. The song was released as part of a set of 3 on a 7" over on their Bandcamp. The group has plans to release a full length sometime this year and possibly start touring. In the meantime, the aforementioned 7" is so buttery delicious that we can continue to satiate ourselves just a little longer.

"Go Outside" plays comfortably in the mix of any summer playlist. The call to action from the title is evoked perfectly in the sonic qualities of this track. Despite an ironically morbid sampling from ultimate cult leader Jim Jones - jangling glockenspiel and a Jackson 5 inspired bassline mingle with reverberating choral vocals that resemble the kind of lo-fi indie pop coming out of some countries like Sweden lately. Grab your bicycle, get their one and only release over on the Bandcamp, get it on your iPod and set to repeat, then start riding for perfect summertime fun. With only that 7" to their name, the details of this project may still be a little hazy and your summer might be even hazier, but it's clear that we can't wait to hear more from Cults.

Cults - "Go Outside"

Video Magic: Foals - "Miami"

2010-06-08T15:35:00.000-07:00

With as much cultural diversity as a Spike Lee film, Foals latest video release for "Miami" is surely a weird one. Gang fight between body builders and drag queens? Hell yeah! Baby powder and a hydraulic hoopty? You bet! While it's not really clear if the video is supposed to be suggesting something about Miami itself, or merely humorous juxtapostion, the song itself is certainly worth a listen or two. Off their newest release, Foals just dropped their new album Total Life Forever on May 11th via Sub Pop. Laugh, cry, maybe gag a little? You decide.

Foals - "Miami"

Junip - Rope and Summit

2010-06-08T14:43:00.000-07:00

The low-key, acoustic stylings of Sweden's Jose Gonzalez are what made him famous. So you wouldn't necessarily know what to expect when he formed a trio called Junip back in 2005 and put out an EP called Black Refugee. Now 5 years since that debut release, you still can't really be sure what to expect, but you might have a better idea. Announcing the release of a new full length, set to drop for September of this year, the band has made the 4 track Rope and Summit EP available for free over on their website. The title track "Rope and Summit" is hopefully a lovely harbinger. Tickling our expectations, the song displays Gonzalez innate aptitude for restraint, featuring his trademark nylon abilities, building slowly into a tightly bubbling soundscape of riffs and repeating vocals. Somehow he makes the transition more naturally than you would think. Combining elements of kraut-rock and jazz, this cut certainly has refreshingly uptempo and off-kilter vibe that seems to come with ease from the typically soporific Gonzalez. The second track, "Far Away", picks up where the first left off, displaying a new level of energy, but Junip doesn't disappoint the original fan base. The second half gently puts you back to sleep with the jammy "At the Doors" and lulling "Loops", proving that elements of Jose will always remain as they certainly should. Check out the title track and grab that EP now.

Junip - "Rope and Summit"

Mashin' It Up

2010-06-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

The White Panda, Procrast aka Tom Evans and DJ Griffi aka Dan Griffith, are one of the most reliable DJ crews mashin' it up on the internet these days. In the ilk of The Hood Internet and RAC, these guys regularly have new tracks in the "Top 25" on Hype Machine. Soon to unveil their newest batch of tracks with Rematch, they're latest track, "The Next Starf*cker", comes as teaser for that release. This is a summer party jam at it's finest, combining some real fan favorites with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg's hood flows on "Smoke Weed Everyday" and Starfucker's poppy accompaniment on "Rawnald Gregory Erickson The Second". Check it, grab the track and throw that shiz on your iPod party playlist ASAP!

The White Panda - "The Next Starf*cker"

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New Project: CEO

2010-06-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

One half of the Swedish duo The Tough Alliance, Eric Berglund is making waves with his new side project - CEO. The project, like many these days, was a mystery to many at first; with no myspace or word who was behind it. Pitchfork only recently discovered that it is indeed Berglund. Check out the official band page for an equally cryptic description. CEO seems to maintain TTA's funky electronic presence, while cultivating a sound that is perhaps slightly poppier in a more a traditional sense. Either way, if the single "Come With Me" is any indicator, then we're looking forward to CEO's June 29th debut White Magic on Modular.

CEO - "Come With Me"

New Track from Menomena!

2010-05-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hot off the heels of our post about Helio Sequence's new track "Converter" comes "Five Little Rooms" from Menomena. This is relative because despite being just label-mates, the two Portland bands are good friends and the b-side "Converter" was released as a split 7" with a Menomena's b-side "Pilgrim's Progress". This new single, "Five Little Rooms", comes as well-timed hype for the July 27th release of Menomena's new record Mines on Barsuk Records. Details of the release came from drummer Danny Seim himself over on the band's website. Danny gives us the facts about the song:

Here are five little facts about "Five Little Rooms"

1.It's the ninth track on our new album
2.It started out as one song a few years ago and ended up an entirely different song a few months ago
3. It prominently features the words "prostitute", "children", "hung", "bridegroom", "suburban" and "mcdonalds" (we're edgy now, haven't you heard?)
4. It was the last song to be chosen for the new record, which, in our perverted world, somehow makes it the most appropriate choice for the first single
5. It's either the best or the worst song we've ever written; you decide!

Well I wouldn't say it's either the best or the worst, Danny. Certainly not as addicting as their biggest hit "Wet and Rusting", the track does highlight the breadth of Menomena's sonic capability. Employing a number of instrumental voices, from saxophones to kazoos, you have to give props to the band for crafting something that still works despite being so eclectic. Give the song a listen below and download it for free if you like.

Menomena - "Five Little Rooms"

Block Art by Johan Theeuwes

2010-05-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

Illustrations by Johan Theeuwes on 40cm x 40cm blocks. The idea is that each block can be played with to make up your own story. These would be fun to have in your house for people to get clever with. Kind of like magnetic poetry, but more visually appealing. Either way each panel itself is a great image in its own right. Anybody come up with a story of their own?

A new track from Helio Sequence

2010-05-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

Like Blur, The Helio Sequence released a new track back on Record Store Day. Somehow I missed it, but that doesn't mean it's any less awesome. Reportedly a b-side off their forthcoming unnamed album, the song is called "Converter". No definite release date, but with the band's last release, the wonderful Keep Your Eyes Ahead in 2008, this track is quite a teaser to salivating fans and one that indicates we will probably be hearing the single sometime this fall, if not summer. Featuring the floating vocals and oscillating melodies of Brandon Summers and machine-like rhythm backing from Benjamin Weikel, "Converter" is what we've come to expect from The Helio sequence. Perhaps a sign that the band won't completely buck their sound like some bands this year. Take that how you will, but in this case, I'd be more than pleased to hear the band continue moving in a lateral direction. Keep Your Eyes Ahead was so good, they could probably release it in reverse and call it their new album and I would still love it. In this new song Summers says "We won't wait for justice" - no we won't, but we will certainly be waiting for their next release.

The Helio Sequence - "Converter"

New Music Tuesday - Girlfriends

2010-05-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Brand new to the city of Portland comes Jerry Joiner and his act Girlfriends. Combining influences of math rock and post-hardcore, there is something more than just teenage angst to this guy. Beautiful jazz inspired lines layer with thunderous percussion in the ilk of Tera Melos. Like the silverware drawer crashing to the floor, Girlfriends is both clean and sleek while still capable of blasting your ear drums. With gang vocals, looping guitars and head bobbing drums, Jerry Joiner has created one of the most interesting and complex one-man bands to come along in awhile. Be sure to keep an eye on his MySpace or Facebook for upcoming shows. With plans to record new material in July, there is plenty to keep an eye on. Girlfriends first full length is available on Bandcamp, so there's no reason not to pick it up for however much you want! He's new to town, so throw him a couple bones though guys. Either way, Portland welcomes you Mr. Joiner!

Girlfriends - "Untitled #6"

Girlfriends - "The Apocalypse Made Me Brave"

Sunny Day

2010-05-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

In lieu of doing actual writing on this most perfect of spring days. I'll leave you with some great solar jams for this wonderful occurrence. Hopefully these tunes can find their way to your iPod and into your ears with a riverside bike ride or sidewalk jaunt with a warm breeze. Perhaps, no certainly, more content on some of these artists later, but for now enjoy!

The Album Leaf - "Falling from the Sun"

The Pica Beats - "Summer Cutting Kale"

Richard In Your Mind - "The New Sun"

Empire of the Sun - "Walking on a Dream"

Millionyoung - "Hammocks"

Other sunny jams already on this blog:

http://svn-scnd-spctrm.blogspot.com/2010/05/local-lowdown-orca-team.html

http://svn-scnd-spctrm.blogspot.com/2010/04/finally-new-blur.html

http://svn-scnd-spctrm.blogspot.com/2010/04/jonathan-boulet.html

http://svn-scnd-spctrm.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-and-old.html

http://svn-scnd-spctrm.blogspot.com/2009/11/fresh-track.html

And more! Check the archives.

New Release by The National

2010-05-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

There have almost been too many solid releases in 2010 thus far. From Thee Oh Sees to local act Hosannas, this week has been no exception. One release I'm especially excited about is the new album High Violet from The National. Unlike the last two posts, The National are most certainly not helmed by a female lead. Singer Matt Berninger's distinct, baritone delivery makes for one of the most recognizable male voices in contemporary music. Achieving major notoriety with the immense critical acclaim of their last two albums - Alligator (2005) and Boxer (2007) - this is an eagerly awaited release from both fans and critics alike. Since 2007 the band worked with director Vincent Moon (of Blogotheque fame) on a A Skin, A Night (2008) and the Virginia EP of B-sides and rarities. High Violet is the band's fifth album and the next rung in their ladder of success.

High Violet is nothing short of what we've come to expect from The National, and while progressive is sometimes what we like to see from bands, I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Mostly employing the traditional array of instruments - piano, drums, guitars - the accompaniment is as tight as ever. Berninger's voice is the perfect brush for painting scenes of dark walks alone and gruesome depictions of love. In "Terrible Love" Berninger laments, "It's a terrible love and I'm walking with spiders." If anything is different with High Violet, it's because that it is somehow more organic, more unbridled than the savvy, sleeker imagery conjured up in previous efforts. In "Conversation 16" we hear "I was afraid I'd eat your brains/ 'cause I'm evil." These introspective and drifting vocals build with harmonic choral backing that comfortably transcend the innately pensive and evocative tones we've come to love. This comfortable scope means that whether you're giving this album a serious listen or simply have it on in the background, it's hard not to lose yourself in it. So while we've yet to quite reach the halfway mark for 2010, you can be sure that like the last two albums, High Violet will definitely be on a lot of people's year-end lists.

Released yesterday, you can pick the album in major stores nationwide or online. Surely High Violet will be on full display when these guys play Sasquatch in a few weeks. In the meantime sample their new single "Bloodbuzz Ohio" in visual form below or preview their whole album over on Spinner and check out some of those other great releases too.

The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio"

New Music Tuesday - Buffalo Moon

2010-05-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

I've always loved the tropically cool sounds of Bossa Nova. From Sérgio Mendes to João Gilberto to Stan Getz, I can always turn to Bossa Nova for something that is eternally fresh and fun. That's probably why the tracks from Buffalo Moon over on GvB caught my eye, or rather my ear. Hailing from Minneapolis, probably the last place you'd expect something Bossa Nova to come from, the band features the vocal stylings of Karen Freire, a transplant from Ecuador, which explains how the band is capable of blending such authentic Bossa Nova sounds with the American influence of light pysch pop. As tropical as whiskey and orange juice, there is something familiar, but not quite normal about these guys and it's this dissonance that makes them extra special. "Pool Side Dreaming" is a perfect example and a classic number that is sure to get your your hips bouncing and your fingers snapping in that sensual Latin kind of way. Their debut album Wetsuit is available on CD and limited cassette from Moon Glyph. Despite evoking images of a sun setting on tropical waters, expect the unexpected from these guys with track titles like "Money, Pussy, Weed" and "Iowa's Got a New Strip Club". Another thing you can expect is to hear a lot more from this group if they continue fleshing out this thirst-quenching blend of influences. First CocoRosie and now Buffalo Moon - I'm noticing a trend of female vocalists. Anyone else been inclined that way lately?

Buffalo Moon - "Pool Side Dream"

CocoRosie - Grey Oceans

2010-05-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

There is so much you could say about CocoRosie, from their distinctly unpredictable style to their equally eclectic blend of pop, blues, folk, electronica, hip-hop and more. Riding the wave to international success with 2007's The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn, today marks the release of their 4th album - Grey Oceans. Recently making the switch to the Sub Pop label, arguably the most prominent label in the indie game and for good reason, you know that this is gonna be a big release. I have always withheld judgement of CocoRosie and listening to the new single "Lemonade", I am still unsure. A lonely piano sonata, layered with soulful, fuzzy synth and classic CocoRosie wilted and scratchy vocals give way to a jazzy chorus in the ilk of Feist's "My Moon My Man". There is part of me that wants to cast off CocoRosie as trying too hard to be out there, too eccentric for their own good, but ultimately I think I appreciate their uniqueness. In a world full of "the same," there is undoubtedly no group quite like CocoRosie. Grey Oceans is a testament to that singularity and despite what may be some of the worst graphic design I have ever seen on an album cover, it's definitely worth a listen. You can check out the entirety of Grey Oceans on Sub Pop's SoundCloud or listen to "Lemonade" below to get a pretty good idea.

CocoRosie - "Lemonade"

PS. What do you think of this new SoundCloud player? I'm really digging the potential of the rest of their services. I may have to invest in an account.

Mashin' It Up

2010-05-04T22:18:00.000-07:00

From Quix-22 and Elliot Caps comes a great mashup of Biggie, Tupac and The XX. Pairing "Intro" from The XX, which provides a beautifully smooth build-up and beat, and the continually reinvented poetics of Biggie and Tupac, these two DJ's have created something that's real hard not to get hyped on. When the drums come in on this song, I challenge you to keep your blood pressure at a normal rate. Seriously.

The XX vs Biggie vs Tupac - "Runnin' With The XX" (Quix vs Eliot Blend)

New Music Tuesday - Motorcycle Maus

2010-05-04T21:35:00.000-07:00

Certainly not Deadmau5, maybe a little more Modest Mouse, it's hard to pin down exactly what Motorcycle Maus sounds like. Especially using bands with some variation of mouse in their name to compare them, of which those are the only two I can think of. Perhaps then, we should stick to the adjectives and hyperbole typical of the music blog. So what comes to mind when you listen to Motorcycle Maus? Melancholic, wreckless, layered, lo-fi, a plethora of intrumentation, avant-garde. Like a rainy day in a coffee shop or your reflection in the bus window. Electronic and acoustic, Motorcycle Maus is that special blend of art rock that many try for, but few pull off with much success. "Fiji Mermaid" arguably the single from their Knockout EP harks on Neutral Milk Hotel or Okkervil River. Getting more electronic on "Dancing With Yr Bloodcells", Motorcycle Maus shows that they can run the gamut musically while still producing enjoyably morose gems. Hailing from Philly, Motorcycle Maus has been motoring around the country on a huge spring tour. They had trouble finding some place to play in Portland, but hopefully we can get these guys back into town soon. In the meantime, find some dysphoric delight on this New Music Tuesday from Motorcycle Maus.

Motorcycle Maus - "Fiji Mermaid"

Motorcycle Maus - "Dancing With Yr Bloodcells"

Local Lowdown - ORCA TEAM

2010-05-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

2010 is the year of surf revival. With the rise of bands like Best Coast and Surfer Blood, we're all falling in love again with the simple, lovely, reverb-laden sounds of the ocean. One of the bands whose doing it best is ORCA TEAM. It doesn't hurt that these guys are Portland locals, albeit maybe a little ironic with our utter lack of surfing round these parts. Orca Team is a simple three piece consisting of Leif Anders on bass and vocals, Jessica B. on guitar and Ami Taylor on drums, and it's simplicity that makes these guys great. Old school surf-pop riffs blend with arrangement that lends itself to post-punk sensibilities, so Beach Boys they are not, nor should they be. Oozing bass lines and minor tone vocals groove nicely with the jangly reverberating guitars and punctual rhythm backing. As timeless as a day at the beach, Orca Team is both contemporary and classic. Capable of brightening even the rainiest Portland evening, these guys can rock both bars and basements with ease. Be sure to check them out at the Orca Team headquarters, The Pink Room, with Nucular Animals, Karen., and Stag Bitten on May 7th. We might be lucky enough to see Ander's new project BESTIES as well.

ORCA TEAM - "Let It Go"

ORCA TEAM - "Vancouver B.C."

Sam Brewster

2010-04-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

Illustrations by Sam Brewster. He's done work for several publications including Science Fair, Reader's Digest and Bullet Magazine. Brewster employs humorous juxtaposition and an eclectic color pallet. Sometimes social commentary and other times just plain weird, but entirely satisfying. With a trademark style watch out for Brewster's work in future publications and be sure to check out his publishing website Hand of Man Publishing.

28 Days in May

2010-04-28T23:04:00.000-07:00

What do you do when everything you have is gone? You've divorced your wife, split custody of your kids, bankruptcy is a real possibility and the bank is foreclosing your home. This is the life of Charles Wittenmeier - a down on his luck, middle-aged director who was major player in the TV advertising game through the 90's. For many years Wittenmeier lived a life of luxury in Hollywood, but with the the changing economy of the new millennium, Wittenmeier's career hit a low spot and he moved from Tinseltown to Stumptown with his family. They found their dream home in the Mt. Tabor area and planned to discover happier times. The hard times never ceased for Wittenmeier though and eventually his wife left him. Now the one of a kind home in Mt. Tabor, where he had hoped to reboot his life and career, is a constant symbol of broken dreams. When the bank told Wittenmeier they were foreclosing on his home he decided he wasn't going to let that emptiness be his final memories of that place. Wittenmeier knew he had to do something drastic if he ever wanted salvation. Looking back he says:

"I'm at a time in my life where I've lost everything and I've lost nothing. My goal is to live a life as a positive example for my kids in finally doing what I love. This is an experiment to finish the things I've always wanted to finish, collaborate with people I've always wanted to collaborate with and ultimately gain insight into myself. One day I was sitting in the empty house after my wife moved out and I realized my life has become the Talking Heads song. How did we get here and where do we go? As American's we've been sold a bill of goods, and I've helped sell it."

Together with Jordan Kinley and the rest of the Into The Woods gang, the group has decided to do something with this wonderful home, to make good on that dream to change his life. The house will be seized on May 28th, and so starting May 1st, the group of enterprising folks have joined together to turn the lovely home into a massive work space for musicians, visual artists and writers and document that creative period. The project is appropriately titled "28 Days in May". At the end they hope to produce a coffee table book, an album and a documentary. The group has a Kickstarter page going to raise funds for the project and it also explains the project in much more detail. In addition to purely funding an awesome project and opportunity like this, at Kickstarter you can also find incentives for your level of contribution. With only 3 days to go, the group needs some major donations to reach their $10,000 goal. If you're in the Portland area I'm sure you'll be hearing more about this soon. They plan to have live shows and a constantly rotating crew of creative people coming in and out, as well as some more permanent characters. If you're not, be on the lookout for the end-products which will likely be available sometime this year. Check out this video below or watch it over on the Kickstarter page. Become a fan on Facebook too.

28 Days in May - Jordan Kinley / Into the Woods

Kind of Blue

2010-04-28T23:00:00.000-07:00

This for my father who was diagnosed with brain cancer this week. If you have parents you love, please give them a call and just have a chat. My dad is a huge jazz fan and still remembers the exact moment he first heard this album in its heyday. Miles Davis will always be one of the greatest musicians off all-time and Kind of Blue is considered by many to be the best jazz album ever, one of the best albums of any genre. His backing personnel on this album may be one of the greatest lineups too - Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Jimmy Cobb and Bill Evans. Anyways, just watch this great live version of "So What" and get your parents on the phone because you never know what can happen.

Miles Davis - So What

Finally - New Blur!

2010-04-27T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hot off the heels of Plastic Beach, Damon Albarn has once again reunited with the horse that got him there - Blur. One of the biggest bands of the late 90's, Blur was one the quintessential indie Brit rock groups. Blur's last production was in 2003 with Think Tank. Since then Albarn has blown up even further with one of the biggest bands of the new millenium - Gorillaz. Blur released the track on April 17th to celebrate Record Store Day. Great guitar work and Albarn's trademark melancholy blend for a nice summer jam. Personally being a little disappointed with Plastic Beach, I'd love to see if this single is a sign of things to come. For now, I guess we'll have to do with this and just reminisce on the old days.

Blur - "Fool's Day"

The Beautiful Summer

2010-04-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

Part happy, part sad, part music video, part fashion, part short film - all beautiful. Starring the gorgeous Lou Doillon, directed by Stephanie Di Giusto. Here's a little number that is sure to entertain. Have a look.

Stephanie Di Giusto - Le bel été

Banksy Film

2010-04-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

By now Banksy is a pretty well known name amongst people who live in cities, under the age of 30. Whether or not you fit that description, you may not have known that there has been a Banksy film in the works - Exit Through the Gift Shop. Premiering at Sundance 2010, the film features footage of several of the most famous graffiti painters in the world including Space Invader, Andre, Shepard Fairey, and of course, Banksy. There is footage of several of these artists at work and also exclusive up close scenes with the masked man himself. It looks as if there are several twists to the expected, which is exactly what we've come to expect from Banksy and the film only does wonders for furthering the Banksy mythos. One description of the film says "L.A.-based filmmaker Terry Guetta set out to record this secretive world in thrilling detail. For more than eight years he traveled with a backpack through Europe and America. After he met a British street artist known only as Banksy, things took a bizarre turn," while others have added, "The film tells the story of an eccentric shop-keeper-turned-documentary-maker who attempts to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on him."

So while the identity of Banksy is certainly never revealed, nor any rumors confirmed, it's not even clear whether in the end Banksy may have actually directed it or not. John Cooper, Sundance Festival Director, said "Sundance has shown films by unknown artists, but never an anonymous one." Oh Banksy, you sly motherfucker. The world can only wait to see what you do next.

Exit Through the Gift Shop is currently premiering at several US locations over the course of this month and next, but unfortunately there is no showing in Portland. Lame! So if you want to, go ahead and tease yourself with this trailer like I did and eagerly wait to see the full feature somewhere, somehow. You'll be the first to know if I find out.

Exit Through the Gift Shop -

Post Human Presence

2010-04-26T16:32:00.000-07:00

Mixed media paintings by Adam Friedman.

“In my work I attempt to visualize the imperceptible geologic process by compacting millions of years into a single moment. Rocks bend and grow. Entire mountains crumble in an instant. And the environmental damage that human kind has left in their wake has long since healed. I’m drawn to how geologic processes (erosion, orogeny, etc) relate to our institutions (financial, governmental, etc). I strive to present an era that defies human intervention in the landscape. An optimistic view of the natural world, post human presence.” — Adam Friedman

Watch This Box

2010-04-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

This is why college is stupid. I feel like this is a great example of 90% of my classmates and/or professors. Without getting too lofty over a short animation, I think it concisely illustrates the subversively toxic progression of credentialism in our society. Funny, but kind of sad in that context. That being said this video is pretty entertaining for all its brevity. Have a look.

Joseph Pelling - Outside the Box

LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

2010-04-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

James Murphy is becoming a well-known name these days, on and off the internet. Co-founder of DFA Records and frontman of LCD Soundsystem. The latter is is releasing their 3rd album, This is Happening, May 18th. Until that time NPR, yes National Public Radio - who by the way have made huge strides in their online entertainment section in the last year or so if you hadn't noticed (yay public radio!), is streaming the entirety of This is Happening from their entertainment section until that date. The album in it's entirety is much better than the uninteresting, 90's throwback single "Drunk Girls" and the accompanying half baked music video directed by the pandemonious Spike Jonze. Although, Murphy and LCD make up for it with "Dance Yrself Clean", the rightful single and a song I haven't gotten out of my head for a few days. Composed and explosive, highly dynamic and cohesive sound - the funky auxillary drums and low key, melancholic lyrics float along to a dreamy synth that bridges the gap between lo-fi-ish, downtempo and the sudden eruption of electronic noise where Murphy lets the vocals ride. Conveniently the first song on the album, listen to it below along with the whole release. The album which continues LCD's blend of rock and electro, is at once streamlined and still surprisingly buoyant. Murphy, 40, who just contributed some tracks to Noah Baumbach's Greenberg, a film about conviction and aging, is certainly the embodiment of those themes. I'm looking forward to the new album which will definitely be out in full force when LCD Soundsystem plays Sasquatch on Sunday, May 30th, and at the Roseland on May 29th here in Portland.

Track Listing -
1. "Dance Yrself Clean"
2. "Drunk Girls"
3. "One Touch"
4. "All I Want"
5. "I Can Change"
6. "You Wanted a Hit"
7. "Pow Pow"
8. "Somebody's Calling Me"
9. "Home"

LCD Soundsytem - "Drunk Girls" (dir. Spike Jonze)

Early Tim Burton

2010-04-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

Tim Burton certainly has his die hard fans, die hard haters. I'd say I'm somewhere in the middle. I think he's certainly an auteur of sorts and this first short film of his Vincent proves just that. It's clear that his trademark dark, whimsical style has been there from the beginning. I actually like this short quite a bit, like some of his other early stuff, which proves what I've said lately. That being, I think he's gotten a little too big budget for his own good. With the budget to do whatever he wants, he ironically just continues doing the same thing. A smaller budget would force some much needed ingenuity out of him. Anyways, check this early work out and see if you agree.

Tim Burton & Rick Heinrichs - Vincent (1982)

Gina Tuzzi

2010-04-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

Sweet Paintings from Gina Tuzzi.

Bump It

2010-04-25T05:31:00.000-07:00

Cardboard or Bread? 100% Ghetto Blasta. Design by Sein.

Well maybe you don't have to bump this jam below, but definitely get a jive on with this hot track from The Strange Boys. "Be Brave" is so conventional and straightforward it's fresh. A solid riff, a groovy horn section and an infectious chorus make this track one of the funnest cuts on the interwaves right now. More on The Strange Boys later. For now just work on figuring what the hell ever happened to simple, solid jams like this.

The Strange Boys - "Be Brave"

Northwest Exposure

2010-04-23T06:28:00.000-07:00

Anyone who hasn't checked out the Seattle-based label Hardly Art certainly should. With bands like The Dutchess & The Duke and Le Loup, they are certainly holding it down for the Northwest along with plethora of other solid labels round these parts. If you haven't checked either of the above acts, go now, but if you have or just don't care what my nappy head has to say then I urge you to check out this track - Ichthus Hop by Talbot Tagora (also on Hardly Art if you didn't put that together.) Off their latest LP Lessons in the Woods or a City, this off key thrash pop is sure to get your nappy head bobbing wildly along. Ah look, I just insulted us both! Now we're even. As long as we stay united here in the great Northwest. And if you're not from the Northwest, well... that sucks.

Talbot Tagora - Ichthus Hop

Wizard Smoke? Awesome.

2010-04-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

Check out this pretty rad skate video from Liam Mitchell and the talented film collective Salazar. Not the "phattest trickz", but still a beautifully captured concept for a genre that's been rehashed for decades now. Also featuring some fun old school vibes from The Seeds, Kula Shaker and Generationals. Which is great because it saves me the trouble of having to blog Generationals seperately. Listen for the last song in this video, "When They Fight, They Fight", or check it out on their myspace because it's one of my favorite cuts right now. Ah hell, I'll just throw it up after the video. You have no excuses now!

Liam Mitchell (Salazar Film) - Wizard Smoke

Generationals - "When They Fight, They Fight"

Gnar...

2010-04-23T05:48:00.000-07:00

Drawing by Winnie Truong.

Caribou - "Odessa"

2010-04-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

This track kind of blew up recently and for good reason. So you may have heard it already, but I do love this music video which you may not have seen. Also, Caribou's new album Swim just dropped on 4/20. Something of a new direction for Caribou, who I previously loved for the electro psych-rock vibes of "Melody Days" off Andorra (2007). That track is still available for listen on the MySpace. With "Odessa" and Swim though, Caribou has struck out in a new direction. Eschewing the 60's and 70's sounds of Andorra in favor of something more modern, the vocals in "Odessa" hark on Chromeo, but the melody and instrumentation never tries for that disco vibe. Nonetheless, "Odessa" is running away with the prize for the dirtiest dance beat of the summer. This album establishes Dan Snaith (Caribou) as a true heavyweight in the electronic scene, proving that he can probably do just about anything. Anyways, check out the video and pick up the new album.

Caribou - "Odessa"

So Clever It's Delicious

2010-04-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

A short film that I've admired for a long time. It's a favorite of mine for those occasional "youtube throwdowns" if you know what I mean. Certainly one of the most inventive stop-motion shorts I've ever seen. Check out Spaghetti Western by PES. With a trademark whimsical style, PES received an Honorable Mention in Short Film at Sundance 09 for this offering. Find out why below.

PES - Spaghetti Western

Party in a Church? Hell Yeah!

2010-04-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

For all readers in PDX (assuredly most of you) come get down this Saturday (April 24th) to stylings of Soap Collectors, Spesus Christ, Adventures! With Might and Your Canvas. Soap Collectors is releasing their new album at this show and it's sure to be awesome. Formerly known as the Funky Church (2456 SE Tamarack), this space is incredible. Looks like a church, rocks like a house basement. Spesus Christ has been featured on this blog before. They have some new content out since then available over the interwebs or at the show. They're are a great local band and the others are equally great and local. So come one, come all for Saturday Mass.

Sexual Overload

2010-04-22T03:32:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this post with NSFW, but you probably already figured that out. Alva Bernadine is completely unapologetic for his sexually charged, surrealist photography that is anything but tame. Flamboyant imagery and striking composition combine in his latest book Gratuitous Sex and Violence: My Favorites. A pretty blatant title, the photography is uncomfortably humorous and is sure to keep your eyes wide shut as you make your way through it. Bernadine sums his work up best when he says:

“I take the theatricality of surrealism, the elegance of classical haute couture photography, the narrative of reportage and the refinements of advertising photography and mix them all into a ‘Bernadinian cocktail’ — a radical photographic synthesis.”

What may seem over the top to some has certainly brought Bernadine some prominent work. Over his 25 year career he has shot for Vogue, GQ and Elle. Personally I think it's great stuff though, so cringe, laugh and hopefully enjoy.

Straight Outta Sydney!

2010-04-22T03:07:00.000-07:00

A growing favorite of mine check out Jonathan Boulet. Coming out of Australia, this flowering new artist has been making some waves in the blogosphere lately. At 21 years old, he's caught the eye of several prominent blogs with the cut, "A Community Service Announcement". As the single of the self-titled debut on Modular Records (label for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Wolfmother and Chromeo to name a few), it's a super poppy, riff driven anthem that is nothing short of infectiously catchy and upbeat. Hopefully this guy will get over to the states soon and we can bounce around in real time to this young blood. I was kind of surprised he didn't get picked up for any summer festivals. Also check out "Continue Calling", a track that appropriately sounds like it was made during a debauchery-laden late night basement jam session.

Jonathan Boulet - "A Community Service Announcement"

Jonathan Boulet - "Continue Calling"

Take Me to the Cinema

2010-04-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

Adolescence, love, absurdity - things we can all relate too. Which is why this short film from Gastón Rothschild is so entertaining and heartfelt. It seems Rothschild hasn't made much else yet, but I look forward to his future work. Check out this beautiful little Argentinian piece to see what I mean.

Gastón Rothschild - Un Juego Absurdo (2009)

Spring: Time To Be More

2010-04-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air and that's always inspiration for change. So with that, I'm trying to exercise more, be more tidy around the house, be more responsible and most importantly - write more. Expect to see some more content on here in the coming days and weeks. I've been talking to some friends about becoming contributors so that certainly increase the volume and diversity of content. I changed the blog layout and color scheme drastically for something a litle more fresh and lightweight. In the meantime here is a jam from Real Estate that hopefully gets you warmed up a little bit. With the release of their lovely new self-titled LP on Woodsist Records, Real Estate is playing the Pitchfork Festival in Chicago this summer. Expect to hear a lot more about these guys later this year.

Real Estate - "Beach Combers"

To J.D. Sallinger

2010-01-29T20:36:00.000-08:00

I know it's been about a month and this is kind of a random post, but I was feeling tragically inspired today, so I thought I'd share it. J.D. Sallinger passed away a few days ago (Januarary 27th, 2010.) He was 91 years old. His last published work was in 1965. I wrote a little ode to him. Click the link to read it.

J.D. Sallinger -

"What really knocks me out is a book, when you're all done reading it, you wished the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it."

If only I could've done that every time... I guess this will have to do.

So much of childhood innocence has filled your pages and our hearts. And like a child, all your questions still remain. Past, present, future. Generations will come and go, but this child will never leave us. So how do we honor you? You prince of the fields, hidden away for so long. You with the stoic essence of a martyr, an ardent wander through Robert Frost's woods. This ruckus of your death, the chanting of the bells, waking the Bananafish! Your sick society has found you! Have they no shame? When will the phonies learn? And yet, here I too herald you with apotheosis. It seems then I'm still learning. So what can I do to carry on your silent discourse? To fathom the depths of this love and squalor? Perhaps it's unattainable, and maybe that's what you realized all those years in solitude. Still I'm sorry that your disaffection hasn't solicited a more eloquent distortion. Conjured more inspired wandering of our own. Lord knows you tried - all those children you caught at the cliff's edge, I among them. With each day I fail you, but I am grateful for your immanence just the same. You shot for the impossible. To never sellout in this 24/7 supermarket. Half-price people and full-price friends, discount love and buy-one-get-one ideas. Standing there absurdly in this roundabout checkout, you outside looking in through the Glass - it's clear we are all phonies next to you. Unwavering till the end, may you now rest in peace.

"Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them - if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn't education. It's history. It's poetry." (Catcher in the Rye)

- Kevin Davis

yeasayer video: ambling alp

2009-12-29T23:40:00.000-08:00

so you've heard of yeasayer, yeah? no? maybe? well, either way the band is set to release a new lp in the beginning of 2010. february 10th if you want to be exact, and if you do, then you're most likely already awaiting the release of yeasayer's new lp, odd blood (if you haven't already heard it, rumor has it that it's been leaked.) either way, yeasayer has a pretty new video out for their from their single for that album - "ambling alp". so check out the video, song, album, and band, depending on what you haven't checked already. or re-check all of the above if said checking has already been checked.

yeasayer - "ambling alp"

when cold is hot and old is new

2009-12-12T18:22:00.000-08:00

i don't if everyone got the memo, but it's definitely winter. it's fucking cold! i was walking down the street to my favorite bagel shop (kettleman's, check it out if you're in PDX) and i had this interesting sensation in my hands that i'm sure we're all familiar with - when you're hands are so cold, they feel like they're burning. i've always thought this was odd, and i started thinking about it as another spectrum, something i'm fond of as you may have noticed. in the sense that, if you go far enough one way, you can somehow end up back on the other side.

this idea reoccured in my head as i later sat in kettleman's, eating my bagel, reading the music section of the portland mercury. i started to relate this concept to music. there's an interesting niche that exists in music, where many bands that are coming out with "fresh" sounds are really beginning to sound like they could've come out 30, 40, 50 years ago. which is i suppose is nothing new exactly, as bands will always have influences, but in this day and age of digital-this and electro-that, there's a lot of room for the old to become to new again. one of my favorite examples of this is edward sharpe and the magnetic zeros. to see what i mean, hit the jump.

i was instantly in love with these guys after hearing their here comes ep back in may, but i didn't write a blog then and i figure now is as good a time as any to write something about them. and there's there's no shortage to write about when reviewing edward sharpe and the magnetic zeros. from the fact that this band is compiled of a regular cast of 10 musicians on stage to the reality that this motley crew first toured the country in big white school bus. imagery which becomes crystal clear and totally fitting when their choral, folk-rock, seemingly "oldies" sound first hits your ear drums. led by frontman alex ebert, aka edward sharpe, the group goes beyond just their music to eschew a certain retro aesthetic that is undeniably cool. for example, they are currently 2 video releases into a 12-part feature length movie musical. not only that but i can easily imagine these guys playing both today's sasquatch and yesterday's woodstock and providing the same meadow stomping merriment. with clear signs of modern production value it's certainly sounds like something you could be listening to streaming on this website, but at many times like something from the back seat of the family station wagon in the 90's, on that "old" FM radio while watching your mom tap her fingers and sing along . or is that just me?

so for good reason, this is a band that has quickly achieved a remarkable amount of success and acclaim for having only one full length album released back in july, up from below. perhaps because alex ebert was also the frontman of ima robot. a relatively well known band in the early 2000's that was at one time signed with virgin records; meaning he's got connections. all of which is to say these guys are not exactly breaking news, but in this day and age it can take awhile for that acclaim to translate into mainstream success and these guys are definitely on the verge. not exactly a household name or garnering much of any big radio playtime, but when your hit single "home" has over 200,000 plays on myspace, you know you're getting somewhere. expect to see these guys on a few summer festival line-ups. don't wait though, now is as good a time as any to take off a few layers and dance around barefoot to edwarde sharpe and the magnetic zeros.

home -

part 2 of 12: kisses over babylon -

new and old

2009-12-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

we'll start with the old - i was recently checking out millionyoung's myspace. you may remember that name from my post about this guy few weeks ago here. regardless, mike diaz is his name, and he's got a new official EP coming out january 19th. featuring a new favorite, "cynthia". the EP is called be so true. if the two tracks out so far on his myspace are any indicator of the rest of the release, then be on the lookout for this just after the new year.

cynthia -

and now for the new - if you liked millionyoung, then i bet you'll really dig the group, the radio dept. . these guys hail from of sweden and are producing some really wonderful stuff, like many of their nordic peers. drawing on what seems to be a heavy new wave, 80's inspired influences, these guys manage to create a fluid blend of electronics and real instruments. melodic keyboards and guitars soften the smokey, distorted vocals and create something both fluid and danceable. formed in 2002, these guys definitely know what they're doing. i was turned onto them by cam from spesus christ who i've also talked about on this site before, so they must be good. it looks like they toured china this summer, which is pretty cool, but let's hope they make it over to the states sometime soon.

freddie and the trojan horse -

awesome music video: fujiya & miyagi - "ankle injuries"

2009-12-08T02:14:00.000-08:00

check out this awesome music video.  not sure if it's completely stop-motion, it would be truly incredible if it is. stop-motion seems to be a recurring style on this site. that being said, i'm extremely impressed by this video and the music pretty fun too. slick bass groove from fujiya & miyagi.

a+b=c, but a≠b≠c. math? wtf.... no, music!

2009-12-08T00:04:00.000-08:00

well it's been awhile since i've posted anything new. ran into thanksgiving, a birthday and what feels like a busy last couple weeks, but i really couldn't tell you what that was filled with. anyways, as such i guess i'll get back in the swing of things with three, that's right 3, bands that i've come to like quite a bit lately, and wuddyaknow, they tie in together quite nicely. not so much musically, at all really, but i like diversity; the american public schools raised me that way. and on the days i actually showed up for class they also taught me some nifty math skills which i will now utilize. the three bands are as follows: horse feathers, dinosaur bones, dinosaur feathers. a+b=c, but a≠b≠c. see what i did there? i thought you might like that. although, that really wasn't mathematical in anyway... shit. i'm sorry mrs. heffernan. :( anyways check 'em out after the jump.

horse feathers -

variable a, these guys are local to portland, which is always a good start. heavy on the acoustic vibes, they definitely draw from folk and bluegrass influences. utilizing a wide variety of instruments and lovely use of layering, at times i'm reminded of sufjan stevens, but the songwriting is not so eccentric. mellow and soothing, talented and polished - definitely worth a listen. 

honest doubters -

dinosaur bones -

part b of our equation is dinosaur bones. coming from the land up north out of toronto, these guys are bringing the canadian fire. fire? uh wrong direction, that's mexico... shit. canadian frost? that may be sort of accurate here. these guys exude of cold and melancholic pop vibe. rhythm-driven and guitar-laden, these guys are certainly worth chilling out to for a moment.

royalty -

dinosaur feathers -

feathers. dinosaurs. solve for c. we can finally solve this musical equation, and what a solution it is. dinosaur feathers is on my short list of favorite new bands this year. it sounds like what animal collective might have come up with if they were short on electronic equipment and wanted to create an indie rock band. with vocals that remind of fleet foxes for their lovely fidelity and melodic delivery, this band delivers a sound much sunnier than thoughts of their hometown brooklyn would inspire. sure to start making waves in 2010 on many people's springtime playlists, jump the gun and warm up now with dinosaur feathers.

early morning risers -

mashups rock

2009-11-23T20:54:00.000-08:00

tired of miley cyrus? me too. admittedly, "party in the usa" is pretty damn catchy, so this mashup of miley and biggie gets all the catchy without as much kitschy, and combines for something pretty fun. have a listen.

party and bullshit (in the usa) -

oh gosh, new animal collective ep

2009-11-21T18:23:00.000-08:00

pretty straight forward. so straight from the horses mouth aka their myspace:

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE TO RELEASE NEW EP

FALL BE KIND IN STORES DECEMBER 15, 2009

Animal Collective are set to release a new five track studio EP on November 23rd 2009 (digitally) and 15th December (physically).

Recorded by Ben Allen at Sweet Tea in Oxford, MS in February 2008 and at Mission Sound in Brooklyn, NY August 2009, Fall Be Kind includes recent live favorites Graze and What Would I Want? Sky (featuring the first ever licensed Grateful Dead sample). Fall be Kind will be available worldwide on CD, 12” vinyl and via digital download.

Track Listing
1 - Graze
2 - What Would I Want? Sky
3 - Bleed
4 - On a Highway
5 - I Think I Can

pretty cool stuff. the grateful dead sample bit is pretty interesting. this release will certainly be a great capper to what has been a phenomenal year for the band. also if you haven't heard, the guys have released a live rendition of "bleed" called "bleeding" that can be heard as a b-side on their brothersport 10-inch single. that's available now over at domino records website, who is also producing fall be kind. you can listen to "bleeding" online over at hypemachine.

*update* rumor has it that the fall be kind has been leaked on to the interwebz. ohnoes!!! just fyi...

wrap your head around this

2009-11-20T17:45:00.000-08:00

Ready for some visually eye-popping, mind-bending art? In my daily browsing of the interwebz today, I came across the second video I've seen in recent weeks by a new favorite artist of mine - blu. Blending graffiti, stop motion, ambiguous concept based art and a loose musical backing, this guy really does it for me in a lot of ways. Maybe he'll do it for you too. Lord knows there's a lot of doing to be done. 

Like what you see? Be sure to have a look at blu's website, which is a piece of art in itself. There you can find all kinds of crazy stuff besides just his videos. Go go go!

take a look

2009-11-20T17:08:00.000-08:00

stunning. trippy as hell, but god damnit what a beautiful music video. the song, "ready, able" by grizzly bear is one of my favorites too. you just can't lose. check it out.

new hometown heroes: spesus christ

2009-11-19T20:51:00.000-08:00

jesus not cutting it for you anymore? tired of waking up early for church? don't worry i've got you covered. there's a new savior in town and it comes in the form of spesus christ. cameron spies (speez) graduated from lincoln high school here in portland. so he is no stranger to these parts, but recently moved back to the motherland aka portland after a stint down in the bay area. there he and two friends began crafting the melancholic, downtempo, trip hop beats that i've come to love profusely from these guys. spesus christ puts out a sound that reminds me of animal collective (and/or panda bear), why? and the notwist, which is interesting because none of those bands are exactly downtempo or trip hop, but i think you'll see what i mean. perhaps they will flesh out their sound more when they release their first full length effort.

until that time, cam just sent me their brand new self-titled 3 track ep and it's absolutely wonderful. versions of two of the tracks have been online for awhile, "truce" and "here it is". the ep features remastered editions of those and a third song, "airport gate". utilizing a polished electronic ability, the band puts out a finished product that is emotionally raw. light and dark, hard and soft. at only three tracks, i desperately want more from these guys. please spesus save me!

spesus christ - "here it is"

all kinds of awesome

2009-11-18T02:03:00.000-08:00

here's a pretty cool video, my roommate david showed me sometime back. it's been a favorite web video of mine since then. you've always gotta have a few premium go-to's in this day and age when the occasional web video showoff goes down amongst friends. "oh yeah! well have you seen this?! this video tops numa numa, rickrolling, what what in the butt, chocolate rain, charlie the unicorn AND keyboard cat!" well, this is really nothing like any of those, but all kinds of awesome none the less. wrap your head and your eyes around this one:

here comes a new wave: surfer blood

2009-11-18T01:31:00.000-08:00

florida natives, the young men of surfer blood are making internet waves lately. i first heard of these guys a few weeks ago from my friend john and i've been jamming out ever since. equal parts weezer and more upbeat shins, this band takes all that and turns it up a notch, for something that is entirely pop/pop/pop. at times even reminding me of the smiths, for their ability to write songs with sweeping choruses, capitalizing on a sound that is both crisp and full due to their heavy use of reverb. this quality coupled with compelling percussion creates an anthemic hit in "swim (to reach the end)" that has been generating a lot of buzz up and down the shorelines. that song is coming off the bands first full length effort astro coast. another favorite track of mine, a more mellow endeavor, is the second track below, "harmonix". the album is set to drop january 19th of next year. pre-order their album now over at insound. can't wait that long? check their tours dates over on the myspace. expect to see these guys at a few summer festivals and assuredly SXSW at the very least. portland locals, like myself, can catch the band november 30th at holocene with japandroids. really diggin those guys too. should be a great show to work off the turkey weight.

swim (to reach the end)

harmonix

bring in the clowns

2009-11-17T17:15:00.000-08:00

despite my best attempts at humor, i'm sure i fall somewhere short of short. so, to deal with an utter lack of side-splitting and belly-aching around this place, i've instituted what perhaps might become a regular feature - bring in the clowns. without further ado, here is an old favorite - baby cakes:

feast your eyes on this

2009-11-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

this has gotta be one of the cooler music video's i've seen a long time. we have band's  song "you came out" is a great track too. lightweight, catchy and most certainly danceable. the melody's pace is frantic, but the beat keeps your feet bouncing in time. reminiscent of "le disko" from shiny toy guns, you might call "you came out" it's more eccentric cousin. the video is made up of 4,816 still images and it is nothing short of weird and beautiful. yes please!

to understand a little better what it took to make this video, check out the band's flickr page. there you can see all 4,816 high-res images used to make this stop motion masterpiece.

fresh track

2009-11-17T16:20:00.000-08:00

i just stumbled across this lovely number from cleveland, OH band - cloud nothings. with only one picture, hardly any info, and only one upcoming show, these guys are something of a mystery it seems. all mystery aside though, their track "hey cool kid" has got to be in my top 5 catchiest songs of this year. with a hook like a heroin addiction, this lo-fi pop gem is ultra scratchy and will leave you feeling like you just left a party in andy warhol's loft. i'm really curious to see what comes of this interesting little mystery.

hey cool kid

whatever happened to: the offspring

2009-11-17T15:50:00.000-08:00

whatever happened to _______? a question, these days often times answered by trustworthy dr. drew. it is also a fairly common question in the music world. from one hit wonders to freak balloon accidents to the limelight in your eye (it stings, okay?) - some bands just... burn out, while others fade away.  these bands manage to keep their act together, but just seem to end up losing the public's attention. that's where the casino circuit comes in i guess. boyzIImen anyone? (maybe that will be the next edition?) well their fellow 90's icons, the offspring, have certainly done some kind of fading in recent years too. when was the last time you thought about them? or heard one of their songs? i'm not sure what it was that made the offspring first pop into my head last night.... maybe because i'm a pretty fly for a white guy? ...no. so maybe i was reminiscing fondly about the first, and only, time i saw them, at tony hawk's boom boom huckjam in 7th grade. i feel like that's a line that will definitely date me when i'm older. if it doesn't already.... anyways, with my curiosity piqued, and a fresh google page ready, i began to discover what really happened to those loveable punksters. keep reading to find out!

with a lead guitarist name like noodles, i'm sure many of you are you scratching your heads as to why these guys ever lost their cool. their place in the spotlight. why aren't they already in the rock'n'roll hall of fame? how could we ever forget about dear ol' noodles?! or bleach-headed frontman dexter holland? whose voice is, to me anyways, is still the epitome of tween rebellion in the 90's. a notoriety that shall not be forgotten anytime soon... but seriously, with this stroll down memory lane, i began looking back at the offspring's track catalogue, primarily their greatest hits album. yes, they have a greatest hits album, a sure sign of music prestige - and often infamy. maybe not so needless to say, they certainly did have some hits, from the drunken la-la-la lead-in of "self-esteem" to the ya-ya-ya of "all i want", the offspring were clearly not only masters of syllabic lyricism, but also capable of crafting instantly recognizable smash hits. which is why it isn't any wonder that the offspring's real breakout came with their 1994 album smash. the follow up americana features several well known tracks to any child of the 90's. most memorably,  the extremely romantic ode to your girlfriend "why don't you get a job?" and the much loved whiteboy classic, "pretty fly (for a white guy)."

for a band that formed in 1984, the offspring has had a pretty good run considering. their last notably big single was arguably "(can't get my) head around you" and it received pretty substantial radio airplay in 2004. a solid 20 year span, going on 25 total, 15 since smash and no signs of stopping. the band has had relatively few personnel changes over the years, most importantly the departure of longtime drummer, ron welty in 2003 prior to the release of splinter. he would be replaced by future angels and airwaves drummer, adam "atom" willard. 2008 brought the release of rise and fall, rage and grace. the eighth album from the band was well-received by fans, but garnered mostly lackluster reviews from critics. the band recently finished up their north american "shit is fucked up" tour with well-known acts dropkick murphys, alkaline trio, and one of my other favorite 90's bands - sum 41. (on a side note, the tour also featured shiny toy guns which was rather surprising to me considering the rest of the lineup.) a ninth album is supposedly in the works according to interviews with both noodles and "dex", with plans to begin recording by the end of 2009.

so, it would seem that the offspring is certainly not down and out. looking at it, one could argue that they really haven't even faded away all that much from a money making point of view. still together, still booking spots on international tours, still working on another album, and most importantly, not having televised heart-to-heart's with dr. drew. which leaves me to ask - how come i never hear about these guys anymore? has this band somehow fallen into some weird quasi-fame? some realm of celebrity where everybody knows them and nobody cares? to be honest, i probably just stopped caring, and i'm sure i'm not the only one. after all, the biggest thing the offspring had going for them was probably was the 90's itself. with events like boom boom huckjam no longer the rage and a definite lack of all things "x-treme" - is there any place at the top of the heap for a band like the offspring? probably not, but that's just fine with me. i'm content to dust off the old cd player and go shred the board every now and then. and if anything this look back at the offspring reminded me of one thing - i can always use more cowbell!

new jamz

2009-11-14T23:36:00.000-08:00

most of the blogs i tend to look at are music related. probably because music is what i involve myself with most. i'm always looking for new tunes to groove to. sing to. fall asleep to. laugh to. ride to. party to. [verb] to. you get it! so with that being said - here are a few tracks (moreover bands) i'm really diggin' lately. keep reading to find out!

coming from the east coast, and straight into my heart is a new find, youngmillion aka mike diaz. i was instantly captivated by the first song i heard - chlorophyl. it was intoxicating and i probably gave it a listen at least 5 times. oh man, what a solid track. coming off the sunndreamers ep, chlorophyl is a song that builds like a heavy dream. it sounds like a blend of radiohead, gorillaz and animal collective. some really great guitar samples and african drums blend with some very floaty synth lines to create something both diverse and cohesive at the same time. the echoing, ghost-like vocals, with their minor key tonality, allude to radiohead strongly. thom yorke, he is not, but just give it a listen and see what i mean. 

MillionYoung - Chlorophyl

i really love everything i've heard from this guy, mike diaz. so definitely be on the lookout for him down the road. i see big things to come. check out the track "youthless" on his myspace for another favorite new jam.

you can always count on the nordic nations for some dancy shit. from heavy trance to electro-pop, electronic music seems to come from that region faster than you can say "Luftputefartøyet mitt er fullt av ål." norwegian for "my hovercraft is full of eels." speaking of norway, i've recently become very fond of norwegian group, casiokids. one look at the track titles and you'll notice these boys definitely aren't from around here. their song "togens hule" is a new jam i can't get enough of. this track, like everything from casiokids, is unabashedly funky. your hips will be moving from the very start to the very end. raw drums and screaming synths blend here to make something really fun. this track, a concert review of a show here in portland , OR and some cool photos of the band can be found over at melophobe.

Casiokids - Togens Hule

if you especially liked youngmillion, then i recommend you give the old once-over to casiokids' "finn bikkjen!" or the new 30th-over like i have. ghostly vocals juxtapose nicely with some very light, poppy samples and a strong bass line. something that sounds like benny benassi mixed together sigur ros and samples from super mario kart. i know, i know! W-T-F. check it.

fire away i say

2009-11-14T18:46:00.000-08:00

hello and welcome to yet another random blog. oh noesss, another random blog?! well too bad! never got on this bandwagon before, but seeing as i've taken a recent liking to many other blogs around the interwebs, i thought i'd try my hand at it. i've been meaning to do some more writing and journalistic endeavors. so maybe this will be the ticket. check out my profile if you're really that interested.

well now that that's that, you may be asking: what's this? i'm not sure what the entirety of my intentions are with this baby, but i figure that's the fun part. primarily: things to do, music to listen to, stuff to look at, text to read and more. oh boy! anyways, let's get started. yay!!!

[seven].second.(spectrum)

New Track From Abe Vigoda

Blu Is At It Again

We're Back!

Tame Impala - Innerspeaker

New Music Tuesday - Minks

Crocodiles - "Sleep Forever"

[adult swim] + music = awesome!

Latest Single From Toro Y Moi

Bjorn Copeland (Black Dice)

Cults - "Go Outside"

Video Magic: Foals - "Miami"

Junip - Rope and Summit

Mashin' It Up

New Project: CEO

New Track from Menomena!

Block Art by Johan Theeuwes

A new track from Helio Sequence

New Music Tuesday - Girlfriends

Sunny Day

New Release by The National

New Music Tuesday - Buffalo Moon

CocoRosie - Grey Oceans

Mashin' It Up

New Music Tuesday - Motorcycle Maus

Local Lowdown - ORCA TEAM

Sam Brewster

28 Days in May

Kind of Blue

Finally - New Blur!

The Beautiful Summer

Banksy Film

Post Human Presence

Watch This Box

LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

Early Tim Burton

Gina Tuzzi

Bump It

Northwest Exposure

Wizard Smoke? Awesome.

Gnar...

Caribou - "Odessa"

So Clever It's Delicious

Party in a Church? Hell Yeah!

Sexual Overload

Straight Outta Sydney!

Take Me to the Cinema

Spring: Time To Be More

To J.D. Sallinger

yeasayer video: ambling alp

when cold is hot and old is new

new and old

awesome music video: fujiya & miyagi - "ankle injuries"

a+b=c, but a≠b≠c. math? wtf.... no, music!

mashups rock

oh gosh, new animal collective ep

wrap your head around this

take a look

read more books or else!

new hometown heroes: spesus christ

all kinds of awesome

here comes a new wave: surfer blood

bring in the clowns

feast your eyes on this

fresh track

whatever happened to: the offspring

new jamz

fire away i say