A bunch o' house and remixes...

Hi friends. Lets get started. 

Wrap your head around this.

Enough said.

Nella bocca del lupo

I don't know why I chose that as the title, but it's been in a phrase floating in my head today. It's Italian for "Good Luck!" Any whoo....

So I did not post Friday cause I had a play this weekend. Now that that is all over, I will be more diligent in posting. Today, my brain is ADD and I'm gonna post random stuff. Also gonna be a lazy post. I need to go to bed haha.

IT'S SATURDAY!!!

Happy Saturday, if you're at all like me, you're probably getting drunk at the moment. So lets seize the drunk, (Carpe Drunkum), and listen to some get-fucked-up beats. Excuse the formatting, I'm on a friends PC. Ft. a new friend of mine from MSU going by Nyiddle. Some insane dubstep tracks.

 

"Dude, watch their eyes... Watch their eyes..."

Howdy, first of all I would like to say, "WHY CAN'T BLOGGER REMEMBER MY DAMN FORMATTING!" Everything would be so much easier. Secondly, Hi. How is everyone doing? Grood. Tonight's gonna be a short little post. Sooo... Enjoy!

Take It Easy - Surfer Blood (Indie/Beach)

Isolated - Gamble & Burke (Dance/Alternative)

Video not worth watching...

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear (Indie)


VIDEO SO WORTH WATCHING!!!


Slow Down - Trolley Snatcha (Dubstep)




World Champion Mix - DJ Fly (Hip Hop/DJ)


If you like Hip Hop, House, or anything related to music, watch why they call this guy the World Champion of DJing.

In the pit of the peach

So today has been a strange day. First day back to school and work since last Thursday. I have been sick since Sunday. I had a midterm and I am just exhausted. I have had some strange feeling in the pit of my stomach all day. You know the one where you think something is wrong, you're nervous about something, or something's about to happen, but you don't know what it is it? It may just be the antibiotics I'm on. Who knows, but to try to calm me down I have been on an folk kick for the day. Here are some of those tunes:

Bon Iver - Blindsided


Bombay Bicycle Club - Dust on the Ground


Band of Horses - The Funeral


My Morning Jacket - Librarian


Broken Social Scene - Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl

I'm gonna have'a some kinda fun.

Everybody's got a mum, and I gotta give mad shout outs to mine (as should everyone for various reasons…). If it wasn't for my mum, I wouldn't be listening to the music I am today. Sure you can argue that taste in music is subjective, and I will absolutely agree. However, I definitely owe most of my musical taste to the music my mum raised me on. My mum was into the alt scene in the 80s, and she definitely rubbed this off on little baby me. When I was a kid, I would absolutely LOVE going for car rides, no matter where or for how long, just as long as I could run to the car, reach in the glove compartment and grab The Talking Head's cassette. This one's for you ma. 

Television Man - The Talking Heads (Alternative/Rock)

First song of the night. Memories of this song are as before mentioned, driving anywhere. I would literally fight my brother for control of the radio as a young child, just so I could listen to this whole album. Still to this day, I remember every single word, and singing it with my mother at any time. Great lines from this song include, "When the world crashes in through my living room, television made me what I am."


Some Kinda Fun - Teenage Head (Punk/Beach-Pop)


Straight outta Canada (what else would you expect). Although this album dropped before my date of birth, it's still undeniably awesome. Another band I was raised on.


A Message To You Rudy - The Specials (Ska/Reggae)


Talking to my mum shortly before posting tonight, she recommended I played a different song by The Specials, however, I have more memories with this song, and I just love the horns sections. If you enjoyed this one, then check out the first one I was going to post, Pressure Drop. 


Mirror In The Bathroom - The English Beat (Punk/Alternative)


Can't have a post about 80s alternative music without The Beat. Amazing song. Have a listen.


All That She Wants - Ace Of Base (Indie/Alternative)


This song/band, I can't give my mum credit for. I don't remember how I found Ace of Base, but I'm pretty sure they just found me. Haven't listened to them in YEARS, but I will definitely revisit the early 90s and listen to them as often as I can.

The Other Mouse

This man, right here, is the absolute definitions of Music Genius. His name is Brian Burton, but you may know him better as Danger Mouse. This is a tribute so to speak, of one of the best producers of our times. Collaborating with more artists than anyone has fingers, he's made a massive name for himself in the music industry, while still staying in the background. Starting off more than ten years ago, and still going strong and releasing music to this date, this is a man who has a hand in more things than we all could imagine. Lets take a run down of some of his incredible songs from across the years. 

The Northside - Pelican City (Trip-Hop/Electronic)

"Wait, I thought you said this was about Danger Mouse?!" It is! This is Danger Mouse, BEFORE he was Danger Mouse. This is from his project in the early 90s he called Pelican City. Great beats, and amazing scratches. 


Moment Of Clairity - Danger Mouse (Jay-Z vs The Beatles) (Rock/Hip Hop)


Finally, from the album that got him famous, this is "Moment of Clairity" by Jay-Z, mixed with "Happiness is a Warm Gun" by The Beatles. One of the greatest mashup albums ever created (in my opinion). This took Danger Mouse from some DJ/Producer out of New York, from the producer to have on your side. 


November Has Come - Gorillaz (Electronic/Hip Hop)



No, Danger Mouse isn't part of the British band Gorillaz, but it would be damn cool if he was. He just helped produced this album, which as their second album, you can use the first as a clear comparison. Not saying their first album wasn't good (because it freaking was), but you can hear the difference pre and post Danger Mouse. 


Benzie Box - Danger Doom(Hip Hop/Rap)


Transitioning smoothly into one of my top albums of all times is this one titled "The Mouse and the Mask". A fitting titled for a duet consisting of Danger Mouse, and MF Doom. And what makes it even better, is that it also consists of samples from various adultswim shows. This song in particular is featuring another amazing rapper, Cee-Lo.


Go-Go-Gadget Gospel - Gnarls Barkley (Pop/Hip Hop)


An extremely under-rated song from the project Gnarles Barkley, which consists of Cee-Lo, and...you guessed it... Danger Mouse! You all remember the song "Crazy", well this one is far superior. 


Beck - Gamma Ray (Alternative/Beck)


Beck has his own genre. This another album Danger Mouse had his hand in. Him and Beck produced this whole album titled "Modern Guilt". Great album, even though I'm not a HUGE fan of Beck's. 


The High Road - Broken Bells (Indie/Alternative)


Another amazing album from another amazing duo; Danger Mouse and The Shins' lead singer James Mercer form the amazing act Broken Bells. Amazing. 


Thats it! I promise! (However I can only assume that Danger Mouse is probably cooking up something better! Better than producing The Black Keys' newest album.)

A Saturday Night In

Goodevening friends. I'm beat. Long story short, long night last night makes for a very short day today. Kudos to Meredith for a stellar posting, those songs were really really good. Tonights gonna be a little bit more on the short side, but not lacking in musical quality I assure you that. Enjoy these songs, while I go to bed. 


Jamaïca - I Think I Like U 2 (Indie/New Wave)


Lisa Savage - Appalachacha (Indie/DreamWave)

(Had to sound cloud this one, couldn't find it on youtube)


The Drums - Saddest Summer (Indie/Beach-Pop)


The Good Natured - How Can I Believe In You (Indie/Pop)


Islands - Rough Jem (Indie/Pop)

Look at that fucking hipster

*Click title for actual website called "Look at this fucking hipster"*

So when I came back this year back to NYC, people had started making assumptions about which "stereotype" I fell into. Apparently as a result of conversations I had with people back in New York while I was in Europe and in Memphis for the summer, I now fell in the category of "hipster." Friends left and right began calling me this is word. Am I a hipster, I thought to myself?

What is the definition of hipster? According to Mr. Webster, the term began back in the 1940s to describe "a person who is unusually aware of and interested in new and unconventional patterns."

According to this definition, I am a hispter. I guess I like to think I am aware of new/unusual "patters," mostly within the realm of the Arts. My friends tell me that about 5 months after have introduced them to a band and they become a bit more popular, they like them. I guess I'm a trend setter?

Unfortunately, the term hipster has become associated with this:



Well I don't smoke; I don't own an American Apparel hoodie; I haven't worn Vans since high school and I sure has hell don't have a Trust Fund. I actually saw a said hipster once with a plastic dinosaur toy tried to a string used as a necklace... What have kids these days reduced themselves to. Plastic toys attached to a string as a necklace? Really. Let's be a little more classy.

Really the only way I associate with hipsters is through their music. I think the motto for hipsters is just dance which is my motto as well. AND I love knowing about bands before they become popular. Haha. I guess I am pretentious. oops. Here are some of those bands you may have not heard about yet.

MOUNT KIMBIE



MEMORY TAPES


GOLD PANDA


BLACKBIRD BLACKBIRD



MillionYoung




And just for shits and giggles this is a mix done by MillionYoung of the song "To the Lighthouse" by Memoryhouse another great "hipster" group.

NO DUBSTEP!

Yes, I know this is becoming more like "The Dubstep Session" when I post, but I'm gonna steer away from that. Much like Meredith, dubstep, house and the like have been keeping me up when need be, but now I'm sick, so lets chill out a bit shall we?

Sink Or Swim - Deer Tick (Indie/Folk)

This is Deer Tick, fantastic Indie Folk-ish band, with a lot of Blues influences. This song is from their 2007 release "War Elephant", definitely worth checking out.


Switched On - Islands (Indie)


Here comes the weekly Canadian group; Islands. I kind of forgot about them for a while after they dropped their first album, and when they released "Vapours" last year, it all came flooding back. Great sound on this Montreal based band, and I imagine they would put on a phenomenal live show.


Wolf Parade - Little Golden Age (Indie)


Back to back Canadian bands, that's what's up. This is Wolf Parade, originally from British Columbia, moved to Montreal. This song is off of their newest album "Expo 86", and its a superb song, so enjoy it.


Si Loin De Vous - Nadiya (Dance/Hip-Hop/I'm not sure)


I almost can't believe I actually posted this song. After a recent bathroom session, me and some friends found ourselves at a hookah bar. This song came on, and the three of us nodded silently to the beat. My French is a bit rusty, and they didn't speak it at all. Point being, you don't have to understand what the hell they're trying to get across, to know that the song is kick ass. Probably is going to be in your head for days.


Woke Up Drunk - ZachInkley (Acoustic/Alternative)


Amazing song. Just saying. The first time I heard this, was the first time anyone heard it. This a great friend of mine playing a song he wrote. He currently plays for a kick ass band playing some really high caliber good old fashion rock with a hint of punk called Tourmaline (very worth checking out). This song has some absolutely gorgeous lyrics, and although the quality isn't that good, I can almost assure you this kid is going places, so there will be plenty of material to come. 

Where the beast run and play

So with running on little sleep and needing to get work done, I have been using electro/dubstep/house as a natural adderall and was planning on posting mostly those types of songs. However, now its winding down and I need a break. With that said, I have switched my musical attention back to my favorite band... Animal Collective.

This band formed back in the wee youth years the members lives. Noah Lennox (Panda Bear) and Josh Dibb (Deakin) met in second grade while Brian Weitz (Geologist) and David Portner (Avey Tare) met in high school. Panda Bear and Deakin went off to school in Boston while Geologist and Avey Tare attended schools in the Big Apple. Panda Bear made his first album in college. They all ended up quitting college, living in NYC to make music. They released their first album in 2000 and are still continuing to do so. (Sidenote: Deakin is an on and off member. His last contribution was on Strawberry Jam in 2007). Their last EP/album was released in 2009 and now each are doing solo stuff for a bit. Avey Tare just released a solo album and Panda Bear is slowly releasing his newest album slowly. There are a couple of new singles of his floating around but the entire album has not been released as a whole.

I'm actually gonna post more than 5 and I am gonna go in chronological order for this one from oldest to newest.



Chocolate Girl - So this is off their first album Spirit They've Gone, Spirit They've Vanished. This is one of my favorite Animal songs. Although you can't hear the lyrics really, they are truly poetic like "And remnants of you is emotion/My breath's out" just beautiful. My favorite part of the song starts around 5:10. They switch to a slower beat with an acoustic guitar. Brilliant. This is a fantastic example of the band's use of sample sounds and the guitar. Fantastic.



Leaf House - This comes from Sung Tongs, an incredible. They have moved from using mostly sample sounds and electric sounds to more organic sounds, like drums, guitars, and untouched vocals. This song is a bit silly but the harmonies are great. Although this isn't Animal Collective's video they are a very visual band. They tend to do insane videos for their music. They even made a visual record called ODDSAC . That movie was nuts.



Banshee Beat - One of my favorites. It comes from the album Feels. I have to be honest. I think Feels is my favorite album. The flow of the album and quality of of music, lyrically and intellectually, is fantastic. It was hard to pick a fav but I can never not listen to this song. It always make me think of different times in my life. It's an ironic song though. The beat makes you dancey and happy but the lyrics are depressing as hell. It's about some guy finding out something bad about his girlfriend from a whole of people but her. Womp.



Tikwid - I really like this song just cause of the beat. The lyrics are nutty and I don't know if they make sense. To be truthful, I just like the fact he says "berries in my heart bread" haha.



For Reverend Green - When I first heard this song, I couldn't get enough. It comes from Strawberry Jam. I don't know what I love about it. I think it's my angsty song with all the screaming. Sometimes you need to scream. I once had this song on in the car before I turned off the car, and when my mom turned the car on, she heard it. She proceeded to tell me I listened to music that sounded like dying cats.... haha. I don't think my parents will ever understand this kind of music. Some other gems from Strawberry Jam are "Fireworks" and "Derek".



Water Curses - I just love the use of sample sounds on this. Great bathroom sesh song.



Bluish - The most romantic song ever. The use of stereo sound in this song is amazing. You have to use head phones but it's genius. It's number 6 on Merriweather Post Pavillion. This album is what has brought Animal Collective heavily in the public eye. I don't read Pitchfork but I'm sure I read somewhere that Pitchfork went gaga over it. Whhhattteevvaaaa..... Not a bad visual either huh?



What Would I Want? Sky - GODDDDDDDDD. This song. This song. When I first heard it, I think I listened to it at least 20 times the first day. I think it shows the genius evolution of Animal Collective, with the sample sounds and instruments in perfect harmony. This is off the EP Fall Be Kind and it definitely has a more "fall" feel compared to the "summer" feel of Merriweather. I couldn't find an album version but hopefully the live version will suffice. I believe I will always smile with this song on and it makes for a GREEATTT Bathroom session song. I also REALLY love Panda Bear's singing on this..... *girly giggle*
The "weight from thinking" usually goes way after listening to this song.

Evening Folks

This post should actually be called, "Why I should stop losing things", but it's not. Deal. Moving along, I left my macbook charger at a friends house (about two weeks ago), and let some one run off with my headphones. So here I am, dead macbook, no headphones, and dusting off an old rusty home PC so I can post this. Basically, my only musical intake the past couple days has been from my ipod. Here are a couple great songs, some new, some old...mostly old. But enjoy!


Gifted - N.A.S.A. (ft Kanye West, Santigold, & Lykke Li)(Hip Hop/Electro)


As I sat down to write this, all I could think is, I want a sweet ass video to watch while listening to a great track. Voila. Meet N.A.S.A. if you haven't already. LA's Squeak E. Clean and Brazil's DJ Zegon. Their first album was off the wall incredible. I must have listened to it 3 times a day for a couple weeks. This song, like most of the songs on the album, has an incredible video. Various artists from around the world were chosen to animate interpretations of their songs. And this one is unreal. If you can get passed Kanye rapping about how great he is, you'll hear Lykke Li doing chorus, and Santigold with a kick ass verse. Oh, and the video might make your brain hurt...good hurt. PS. Definitely watching on HD and in Full Screen for full effect.

Amsterdam - Mightyfools ft. Guerilla Speakerz (AC Slater Remix)(Dance/Dubstep/Hip Hop)


This song instantly brings a friend of mine to mind. Her name's Karen, and the first time I listened to it, it sounded like one of her nights. This is (again) AC Slater, putting his touch on yet another songs. Have a listen to the ridiculous vocals.

Shake It - Hostage(Dubstep)


Gah! And here I told myself I was going to slowly wean dubstep out of my life. Oh well. You cannot escape. This is a banging song that really sneaks up on you. Be careful, wear protection, and don't pull anything.

I Want I Want - Digitalism (Dance/House)


Digitalism has been around for years and years, kicking out EPs here and there, and finally dropped an album in 2007. Have a listen to this really cool sounding group, this song is good because it's got so many different sounds in it. The band said that they had really only one major influence for their style. Can you guess what it is?

Emily Jean Stock - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (Indie)


When this album first dropped in 07, I listened the crap out of it. Literally. Such a great untouchable group, their sound is something else. It's just a pity that they haven't released, or even been seen since then. Anyways, enjoy this song. Let it bring out down for the night.

Ooh Canada

As I write this, I sit in my living room in Toronto. For all you Canadians out there, Happy Thanksgiving. For everyone else, Happy Thanksgiving. Lets post some bumpin Saturday night jams shall we? Edit: apparently I forgot to post this shortly after finishing it. Sorry I've been MIA, thanks for covering Meredith!!!!!

Pro Nails - Rusko(House/Dubstep)


Straight outta the UK, Rusko churns out a bumpin ass remix of Kid Sister's song "Pro Nails". Nice and wobbley british UK again tops my charts of things to listening while bathroom session-ing. Enjoy this sweet remix.

Zombies - Designer Drugs(House/Electro)



Gotta give kudos to a friend for this one. While hanging around living-room session-ing, he put this track on, and I was instantly feeling it. Great song, great beat, and if you close your eyes while listening to it, you can almost see some zombies gettin' down in your noggin.

Point/Counterpoint - Streetlight Manifesto(Ska/Punk)


This is still the best drunken singalong. Ever. I remember always singing this song coming home from the bars, or the parties with group of amazing people. Anyways. I got lost for a second there. Have a listen to this song, and it's sure to put a smile on your face.


Belong - Washed Out(Synthpop/Dream-Wave)


Welcome to Washed Out. Straight outta Georgia, this guy has only released two EPs, one last August, and one last September. This is off of the first one titled "High Times", and has been blowing up the Internet ever since. Have a listen to this song, and just chill right on out.


Switchblade - HEARTSREVOLUTION (LA Riots Remix) (House/Electro)


HEARTSREVOLUTION is a NY based electro duo who are trying to define the genre of Dance Pop/Punk, and it's working. This is the LA Riots remix of their song "Switchblades", and it's got the bump that only they could produce.

Nostalgia...

As I continue to stress over work, midterms, and life in general, my thoughts keep rewinding to my year abroad last school year. I miss Europe quite a lot. I miss the calmness that ruled my life. Things didn't really have deadlines but just happened when they happened. In thinking about those days, there is definitely a soundtrack that went along with that year. Here are some of the wonderful hits from Sept 09-May10

Aidan is slaaccccking....

HAHA. So Aidan asked me to post today because he has a paper to write. It's that time of year unfortunately. Time for midterms and papers... I can't believe it's already October... You know what that means?

FALLLLLLLLLLL! The leaves are changing; the Halloween candy and costumes are flooding the grocery and drug stores; people are carving pumpkins or just making pumpkin baked goods (Like myself. Yum yum).

Unfortunately this is only half true for those in NYC. Currently, October has brought a change in weather i.e. rain, rain, rain and some cold temperatures. woot woot. I've already got a cold which means lots of soup and warm tea. This makes me what to just cuddle in my bed and watch movies all day. That will be the theme for this post:

Snuggle Songs. You know the ones that make you just want to stay inside with a hot cup of tea under a warm blanket and vegg. Perhaps it might be just because I'm a hermit that I love that. haha

Also a change in pace today. I'm gonna tumblr style this post. So no descriptions. I got lots of work to do too and need to get to beddie bye. And for my latest basket of cheers, here it goes:

I've been so busy recently, that I've definitely been slacking on getting some good music going, so thanks to Meredith for picking up my slack and keeping things proper. Lets get to it. 

The Very Best - Warm Heart Of Africa(Afro-Western/Indie)

What happens when Africa meets London meets New York? This happens. This is Esau Mwamwaya, a wonderful man from the (warm) heart of Africa, with two London producers who go by Radioclit, and Ezra Koenig from good ole' Vampire Weekend. Together, the four of them make this gorgeous song, and with Ezra's catchy chorus, its one to listen to over and over and over...


Faded Paper Figures - Polaroid Solution (Indie/Synthpop)




I'm trying to figure out if I really like this song for how minimalist it is, or how much it sounds like The Postal Service. Either way, this is Faded Paper Figures off of their first album released a couple years ago. Its got a nice laid back groove to it, and like I said, a very Postal Service feel.


The Five One - Mandatory (Indie/Hip Hop)




A great track by a great group of people. They're all for revolution, and beautiful music with powerful lyrics. I also LOVE the autotune in this song. I'm a sucker for the autotune. The four of them decided to simplify themselves from social complexities by simply becoming colours. Thats right. The members of this group are Red, Blue, Green and Gold. Man, I'd love to be gold.


Freelance Whales - Hannah (Indie/Pop)




Another great track out of New York, Queens to be specific. A pretty new band on the scene, they've made big waves. This song is off their first, and so far only album "Weathervanes". Entertainment weekly called it "the best electric indie-pop debut since Ben Gibbard last tuned his laptop" which I just thought was funny. 


Chilly Gonzales - You Can Dance (Pop/Dance)



Ending things off with something a little funky from Chilly Gonzales, you can dance is a nice little track off of his latest album titled "Ivory Tower". Have a good Sunday night people.

Woah Woah Woah.

So I thought I was only gonna post once this week, but I have been on such a music kick that I just need to share with you guys! I hope your weeks have come to an end and you are ready to get the weekend started!



So Tanlines has the afro-beats that just make you wanna dance but also has a semi-indie feel. They don't sound anything like the typical bands coming out of Brooklyn, NY right now and I think that gives them an edge. Their lyrics are alright but their beats are dope.



El Guincho is the pseudonym for Pablo Díaz-Reixa who hails from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. I fell in love with his Alegranza album around 2008. His mix of afro/spanish beats with that psychedelic feel was fantastic. He also sings in Spanish which is always a A+ in my book. He is coming out with an EP (Piratas de Sudamerica and an album Pop Negro.
"Bombay" is from Pop Negro. I actually just saw him last night live and it was probably on the top 10 concerts I have ever been to.



This "Dream-Wave" genre band (shouts to Aidan for that) is comprised of Logan and Nick, two guys from Oberlin College. I actually saw these guys live and didn't know who they were. They create rhythms which range from very electronic to that "dreamy" stuff. They remind me of Neon Indian without lyrics. And speaking of Neon Indian, I'm gonna put some VEGA in here.



So I heard about Vega over the summer. Vega is an independent project of Alan Palomo, one of the members of Neon Indian. I spent an entire month searching for his album after hearing this song. Each song on his album Well Known Pleasures is different from the rest. I really dig the 80s club scene feel (synthesizzzzzers) that his music has. Apparently he is set to release another Vega album but that has yet to have a set date.



And for an ending piece I want to slow it down a bit. Local Natives are a Cali indie rock band who only formed about two years ago. I think this song musically is fantastic with its crescendos and interesting lyrics. Check out their Myspace page to check out some more of their stuff and check their concerts for their current US tour.

That's all from me for today! I will see you guys probably on Wed! Have a phenomenal weekend and please contact us for request, influences, or just to comment on if you like our blog or not. Check ya lata!