Nick Cave and Warren Ellis- Song for Bob

---------------Ever hear one of those songs that instantly makes you think? My answer to that is "Song for Bob" an airy, haunting song from the 2008 movie "The Assassination of Jesse James." If nothing else from the film, the soundtrack is all-together a mournful and beautiful obituary to outlaw Jesse James and the men who turned against him. The soundtrack composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis arrests the listener to a heavy-hearted symphony of strings and piano that makes funeral marches sound like pop songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz0FSG9h-GI&feature=related

Song of the Day

The Kills - Satellite

——————— The Kills Allison Mosshart and Jamie Hince know that a theatrical, outlaw music video is the way to keep the buzz going on new material.The video looks like an editorialized heist with a wardrobe that would make Nylon jealous and the ultimate getaway car - a vintage Rolls Royce. A macabre yet sultry beat that hints to notions of mischief do more than compliment the duo on “Satellite,” singled from their forthcoming album,Blood Pressures.  This delightfully dark preview to their next album makes us super-excited for more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hniPVDz12bc&feature=fvsr

Vacation All I Ever Wanted...

Won't be posting this week. Going on vacation for a little R&R. 

Here's a little EP of what I'll be hearing:

1. Whatever songs apply to the term, "copa cabanna"

2. The Boy from Ipanema

3. Anything Van Morrison

4. Hopefully not Jimmy Buffet

5. Lots and lots and lots of reggae. 

Song of the Day

**3/2/11
Brand New - Soco Amaretto Lime
--------------A pause in the evening to do this post. This song is many things, many things that we don't think about unless the tempo is slowed and the guitar sounds like a heartbeat. Don't mean to sound cheesy here, but this is one of those songs that you just have to listen to to get the real feel for. The ending is particularly noteworthy, as it is abrupt and almost crude - probably the strongest message in the entire song. If you want to stay 18 forever, this is a perfect song off a near-perfect album, Your Favorite Weapon.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LE1Bd_wX1M

Song of the Day

**2/28/11
Washed Out - New Theory

Mixmaking is an artform - some people make jumbled together, out of order mixes that are as creative as a kindergarten’s fingerpainting project. But some are fine works, crafted meticulously and harmoniously to the ultimate listening experience. Washed Out was on one exceptional Pollock of playlists I received not too long ago. 

Washed Out, the stage name for Ernest Greene, is a part of what some call the “chillwave movement” that is happening in music. Washed Out follows the format of Caribou and LCD Soundsystem on a more minimal scale. The song “New Theory” has pop-techno elements that make for a festival favorite. Get it from the Life of Leisure EP. 

Song of the Day

**2/27/11
Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
--------------------Some people have New Year's resolutions, but this is my one-week resolution: I will post every day this week! I know, right? I mean, that's sort of what I should be doing anyways but I've been busy as a bee. Like that bee in the White Stripes video though, adorably lonely and such.

  Anyway, Foster the People make catchy pop-tinged haze rock that works well alongside Blur and the Gorillaz. The group from LA formed in 2009 and started some hype from a well-received performance at SXSW. They released a self-titled EP a month ago, and I'm looking forward to where they take their sound beyond the preview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLK7hrRijes&feature=player_embedded

Song of the Day

**2/20/11
The Blakes - Don't Bother Me
-----------------An album ends and you need something to listen to - happens every day. I was asked what I wanted to hear next, I said "anything that sounds like the Beach Boys took too much acid, recorded some demo tracks during a punk phase and never released it." Wil pulled out a band called The Blakes, and he was pretty spot on with my description.

  The Blakes hail from Seattle, and have had a varied career independent of labels and within them. In 2009 they released Lights On EP and Souvenir LP. "Don't Bother Me" is from their 2006 self-titled album released on a local label Light in the Attic. It was their first commercially available album, and it's definitely a more pop driven sound.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYUA8QXd99I

Song of the Day

**1/24/11

Tame Impala - Solitude is Bliss
--------------------When finding music, word of mouth can either be a newfound discovery or a ton of hype. When a friend of mine mentioned his long struggle to get Tame Impala on vinyl and played a few tracks from their 2010 album, Innerspeaker, all I wanted to do was hear more.

 Tame Impala are a four-peice psyhcadellic rock band from Perth, Western Australia. My friend described them as Cream meets the Beatles when the Beatles started going off the pop radar in favor of a more experimental direction.They toured with MGMT and got rave reviews for their material, and their popularity is only growing stronger in the U.S. If you like "Solitude is Bliss," check out more from Innerspeaker, particularly "Lucidity" and "The Bold Arrow of Time."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F2e9fmYL7Y&ob=av2nm

Coachella Lineup 2011

Yes.

A couple of things:
Most of these bands I'm a fan of, and if I'm not jumping up and down over them (Best  Coast), they fit the festival. Chromeo, The National, Mumford & Sons and Jack's Mannequin would be my Top 4 at the moment, but that's subject to change.
 Aside from festival staples like Kanye West and others like Afrojack and Cee Lo Green, this year Coachella looks like an electronic haze and rock festival. Hip-hop and rap are great at festivals, and I wish the genres were represented more. 
As always, if you're going, take me with you. Otherwise I will watch from afar and envy every last one of you spending three days in the valley without me.  

 

Song of the Day

**1/18/11
Blonde Redhead - Heroine
--------------Interesting hair combo, right? Great name for a band, though. Today's song "Heroine" is the kind of girly Sonic Youth sound that flows well with those moments where you need to swim in creative concentration. The fluidity of the song is something relaxing and completely nonchalant, which lately is what we've all needed. Take a listen to "Heroine" and "Publisher" from the Blonde Redhead album, 23. 


http://www.myspace.com/blonderedhead/music

Song of the Day

**1/9/11
DJ Nate - Back Up Kid
----------------In terms of rap and hip-hop, a lot of people ask "west coast or east?" I have very good reasons for liking both: my dad's from Los Angeles and I was born in Oakland, but my mom is from New York. So isn't that sort of like choosing between mom and dad?

  While I won't give away my actual favorite, Chicago is home of many of rap and hip-hop's leaders, particularly Common and Kanye West. Now there's a new kid emerging from the windy city: DJ Nate. His song "Back Up Kid" combines traditional hip hop tracks with a little dubstep in the chorus. It's catchy and promising, and his LP Da Trak Genious was released in October, 2010.

So if you're worried about pledging your allegiance to either coast, maybe the middle with DJ Nate is the perfect place.

http://www.planet.mu/discography/ZIQ280

Song of the Day

*1/7/11
Mumford & Sons - Winter Winds
-----------------I'm not a meteorologist, but Mumford & Sons named their song after one of the worst types of weather. Good thing the song is great - the best way to hear this song is if you're taking a heroic drive into unknown lands or chasing your band mates out of the woods and throwing things at them. "Winter Winds" is that kind of full-bodied, dramatic folk song.

  Mumford & Sons, despite a unique sound and heavy bluegrass-driven songs, have garnered a huge following in the U.S. Probably thanks to bands like the Avett Brothers and My Morning Jacket, Wilco and others. Add Mumford & Sons to your list of old is new favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KCg_QEHtkY

Song of the Day

**12/28/10
Sam Tsui - Firework & Grenade Mashup (Explosion Medley)
----------------I love Youtube sensations, mostly because of the artistic license to call your mashup an "exposion medley." Rightfully titled, because Sam Tsui performs beautifully on piano and knocks out the radio hits with a voice that puts up a great fight with Bruno Mars.

  Sam Tsui are two crooners on Youtube named Sam and Kurt. They're on iTunes, but their mashups and covers gain the most attention from over 500,000 + subscribers. Check their page out after hearing this song of the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_IWRuryzaY

Song of the Day

12/27/10
Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On
-----------------2011 is quickly approaching, which means the chance to create a mix worthy of a champagne toast at midnight (or at least a shot). Superstars will definitely feel the warm welcome of a new year with Lupe Fiasco's "The Show Goes On." Sampling the Modest Mouse hit "Float On," Fiasco has pulled off a perfect combination of indie rock and hip-hop that makes a solid radio replay. The set release date for Fiasco's new album Lasers is March 8, 2011.

http://lostinthesound.com/news/396-lupe-fiasco-releases-new-music-video.html

Song of the Day

**11/29/10
Beach Fossils - Golden Age
--------------Today's selection process was quite a challenge - I had a lot of candidates up for the vote, and I had a super difficult time figuring out who to feature today.

 To help, I turned to one of my many audio-spiritual guides: Pandora. I chose Real Estate for my station title and  was delivered a musical wonderland of surf rock, a sound that can be grainy with overdrive or calm like waves in sleepy electric guitar.

Beach Fossils were my top choice because they emphasize everything the genre can and should be. Take a listen, and you'll know what I mean.The sound is something like what you'd hear in a 1950's jukebox, but with a lot more punk and subjects that don't involve pink Cadillacs and sock hops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoyTJQk4Les

Song of the Day

**11/25/10
Real Estate - Out of Tune
---------------Today, the bird is the word. Thanksgiving is upon us and if you checked out our Twitter page, you already know what we're full of thanks for!

  Not to be denied a heaping plate of music, we'll give you one the size of a house. Real Estate have a song for any vibe and any season, and on a cool day with loved ones "Out of Tune" might be one of our favorites. The song's free-spirit blithe attitude of the instrumentals are juxtaposed with dark lyrics, like good food almost ruined by a shitty game of football or grandpa after too many drinks. Either way, "Out of Tune" is our selection for perfect harmony on Thanksgiving, or any day.

The album cover seen here is there new self-titled LP, released fall of this year. Pitchfork gave it an 8.5 out of 10. Sounds good to us!

http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/14740-out-of-tune/

Midnight Mix

**11/16/10
----------------Today there wasn't really any tune I could call the "Song of the Day." It happens like papercuts and procrastination, but I'll leave you all with a random and non-related mix for the evening.

1. The Smiths - The Queen is Dead (Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty)

2. Jimmy Eat World - Sweetness

3. Enter Shakari - Solidarity

4. Dr. Dre - What's the Difference

5. The National - About Today

6. Cat Stevens - Peace Train

7. The Scale - Interpol

Song of the Day

**11/15/10
Dum Dum Girls - Jail La La
----------------Not too many chicks would  take the experience of being thrown in the slammer. But even with frantic lyrics that beg for freedom and not to tell dad,  Dum Dum Girls make incarceration seem so tragically hip.

 Dee Dee, Bambi, Jules and Sandy hail from California, and they surround their off-color themes in sunny punk guitars and catchy choruses. They're sacred slam "Catholicked:" is nothing short of a Blackhearts influenced-anthem missing from the once-festering walls of CBGB.

http://www.myspace.com/dumdumgirls

Song of the Day

**11/14/10
Rihanna feat. Drake - What's My Name?
-----------------Rihanna's last album Rated R was kind of forced - I knooww she went through some rough times, but it wasn't much of a bounce back. But with steamy songs and tough-subject thinkers, Loud is the outrageous, red-haired scream that RiRi needed. There is (thankfully) a remix of the radio hit featuring Eminem "Love the Way You Lie," a song about sex in the air and of course, "Only Girl in the World."
 
  Lots to pick from, but "What's My Name?" is the stripped down sequel to "Rude Boy." The lyrics are plenty forward, but the beach-club friendly beat makes for a different, more romantic atmosphere.

http://perezhilton.com/2010-11-12-rihanna-whats-my-name-music-video-drake

Song of the Day

**11/13/10
Peter Bjorn and John - Nothing to Worry About
-------------In following the childhood code of no school, sugary cereal, and cartoons, Saturdays shouldn't be a day where you have to do anything but enjoy yourself. Finding that precious gift of free time might be easier today, and it could be more upbeat if you listen to "Nothing to Worry About." Peter Bjorn and John album Living Thing doesn't stick to one tempo or one theme. "Just the Past" and "It Don't Move Me" are two highlights of the album's variety. Check it out and have a great Saturday.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rIguM71LQI