Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Fine Arts Showcase


MP3:
The Fine Arts Showcase - Friday On My Knees

NOTE: Today's second in a double shot of contributions comes from Matt Giordano, who sheds is temporary tough guy image for something from the Swedes. Like a jacket or something, since it's getting cold. Fuck yeah? Not really.

Woah, two posts from two of next year's projected best albums in a row? We here at Fuck yeah! Go team! sure love you all. What The Fine Arts Showcase gives us here is a logical progression from their last (and fantastic) album Radiola—their trademark brand of pop music, yet with their psychedelic influences brought further to the front. Enjoy, and anticipate.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Dead Prez


MP3: Dead Prez - Politrickkks (featuring Malcolm X)

NOTE: Today brings the first of two contributions coming from Matt Giordano, who gives us an update on the when they're on, they're on and when they're off, it sucks Dead Prez. Looks to be a return to grace luckily, even if the subject matter is already mostly dated: welcome back hip hop! Fuck yeah!

This track, easily from one of next year's most anticipated albums, Dead Prez returns at top-form with their masterful political rhymes and über-crunk beats. Looking towards a social-anarchical state, Stic.man and M1 have always been tops at coverying their message of a harmonious America. So much hope permeates from their lyrics it's ridiculous—they know our system is fucked and they want out.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The Black Keys: MP3 AND A CONTEST TO BOOT!


MP3:
The Black Keys - I Got Mine (live)
VIDEO: The Black Keys - I Got Mine (from the dvd, Quicktime required)

I love the Black Keys a whole ton. A lot of my favourite memories in life have been soundtracked by them and visually they are always a stellar sight so when I caught wind that they are releasing a new live dvd recorded at one of my favourite venues, it was hard to stay calm.

"Live at the Crystal Ballroom" is a 17 song jaunt of rock and roll and life saving tunes. It's got all of the hits, man:

1. Same Old Thing
2. Girl Is On My Mind
3. Set You Free
4. ThickFreakness
5. Stack Shot Billy
6. Busted
7. You’re The One
8. Remember When (Side B)
9. Your Touch
10. Oceans and Streams
11. Strange Times
12. Psychotic Girl
13. 10 am Automatic
14. No Trust
15. I Got Mine
16. All You Ever Wanted
17. Till I Get My Way

...and is not to be missed. It is directed by Lance Bangs and features music videos and behind-the-scenes footage of the band in the studio working on their last record.

To celebrate the release of such a legendary dvd, Fuck yeah! Go team! is giving away 2 signed copies of the still fresh and excellent "Attack & Release". Radical! All you've got to do is fill out and send the following:

NAME:
EMAIL:
FULL MAILING ADDRESS:
JOIN THE BLACK KEYS MAILING LIST:

Send to unicorntastic@gmail.com with the subject "The Black Keys Contest". Make it happen friends! Contest ends November 26th.

DVD TRAILER:


"Live at the Crystal Ballroom" dvd is out November 18th from Nonesuch.
{purchase "live at the crystal ballroom" from nonesuch}

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

VOTE!


MP3: Bruce McCulloch - That's America

NOTE: Just a quickie from Matt Giordano. Go vote!

Seeing as how it's election season and everyone's getting all a fuss, we should reflect and let Bruce McCulloch tell us all the truth.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Best Song Ever: Cowboy Song


MP3:
Thin Lizzy - Cowboy Song

Sigh. I honestly could post almost every Thin Lizzy record ever in this column or even create a "best band ever" just for them, but I just took the needle off of side B of my "Jailbreak" record and this is where my mind is at.

The great thing about Thin Lizzy is you could fill a room up and everybody will find a song that spoke to them on any of their albums: from the heartbroken to the middle class, that one song is yours to cherish as it was written for you. Happy birthday. "Cowboy Song", the track featured here today, appeals to the boy in us men, who grew up loving and wanting to be a cowboy, just like our daddy's. Being grown up sure ain't fun, as our horses are automobiles (or bicycles if you're a badass) and getting into a gun fight at dawn will land you in the slammer. Bummer. But this song makes me feel like a cowboy, as it is written to work both in the historical sense and the modern sense... you see what Phil Lynott did there? You should give this a shot if you're not a Thin Lizzy fan, it is wonderful. It gets soft and it rocks, which gets thrown around a lot but this truly accomplishes the near-impossible feat of sounding like everything. Fuck yeah!

Oh, and to close out, I'd like to challenge the internet: please post high quality, awesome, new or old, LARGE photographs of this band. Seriously, doing a Google image search for this band is depressing. Once you've done this, email us and I will replace this post with your finding and credit you and shit, maybe you'll get some mail too!

Friday, October 24, 2008

The return of the mighty Mos Def?


STREAM: Mos Def - Life In Marvelous Times (via RCRD LBL)

Typically when delving into the pasts of my fellow bloggers, most of them found or fell in love with hip hop from the Wu-Tang Clan or any early 90's positive mc group that made a minor splash. For me, I was sucked in by Black Star's self-titled Rawkus debut (and sadly, only record) featuring Mos Def and Talib Kweli. From there, I not only followed their careers, but most of the Rawkus roster, as well as enjoying mix tapes from my friend in high school who would fuel my thirst for quality flows.

Soon after graduation, the mix tapes stopped, and everybody I was following had lost the spark that made them special and unique, mostly falling into the same troubles that made mainstream hip hop so boring and insipid. Mos Def followed up the phenomenally brilliant debut "Black On Both Sides" with a strange and beyond lackluster mess in the rock/blues/rap album "The New Danger". It was so hard to stand behind the man, as he seemed to be distracted by his new acting career, content to phone in what made him so special and promising to begin with. Things only seemed to go further downhill on 2006's unlistenable and artless "True Magic".

He then left Geffen, who had acquired MCA who had acquired Rawkus for Downtown Records, a very credible and very consistent record label. There seemed to be some freshness in the air but it still didn't seem enough to forgive the sins of the past.

When I saw the news today of a brand new Mos Def track, I found myself curious but expecting the worst, a dramatic change from my late teens when the news of anything Mos Def would stop the world and fill me with such excitement. Clicking without paying attention, I was then treated to a whispered promise fulfilled in "Life In Marvelous Times", with it's spastic future-like beat and a man who sounds well rested and hungry for the promise he once held. I fucking love it, I really do. It feels great to have faith again, and if a second song can follow up on this feeling, I will be his biggest fan once more. One can only hope the forthcoming "The Ecstatic" can bring everything I dream of and more.

Monday, October 20, 2008

FUCK YEAH: New Parts & Labor


MP3:
Parts & Labor - Nowheres Nigh

Holy shit: Parts & Labor made a pop record! I was going to take today off to relax and bring some comics back to the library, but then I heard "Nowheres Nigh" off of the band's new record "Receivers" and I couldn't resist. Since we last left the dudes, they lost a drummer and picked one right up as well as a new addition in a guitarist to boot; not sure if that helped to spawn the sound they're producing right now or that I am forgetting that they were a constantly shifting musical group (probably the latter).

So be on the lookout tomorrow, I don't think anything worthwhile is coming out anyway. Just this gem. Run, don't walk. Or trip... seriously, be careful out there.

"Receivers" sees release tomorrow from Jagjaguwar.

{purchase parts & labor recordings from insound}

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Saturday, October 18, 2008

You probably didn't miss: "Stay Positive".


MP3: The Hold Steady - Slapped Actress

NOTE: Now, with the work week over, we enjoy the weekend with a look at the records we can all count on enjoying. The ones that both got and are worthy of the hype. Fuck yeah!

Yes, it's true, you probably didn't miss "Stay Positive" by the Hold Steady, but since the Summer air has cleared and it's gotten cold as all hell, it's no longer the outdoor party record it once was. So does the story of the aging hipster hold up inside the apartment or the heated car hold up? Of course it does. Because in the end, the Hold Steady brings the quality before the gimmick, and despite the season, quality keeps warm. Fuck yeah!

Friday, October 17, 2008

You may have missed: "Starfucker".


MP3: Starfucker - Isabella Of Castile

NOTE: As the year winds down and we look back at the records we've come into, it's a good time to figure out what may have been missed. This week I will take you there, and over the weekend there will be 2 bonus posts of albums you probably didn't miss, but I'll talk about why I think they rule and maybe open a dialog. Fuck yeah!

Okay, so this record just came out a couple of weeks back so if you missed it, it might be because you haven't heard of it or haven't had a chance to make it to the shop yet. No biggie. But I would like to make sure Starfucker's self-titled debut is not missed, as it is amazing. Our friend Zach Hangauer knocked it out of the park with his "German Love" post, and the track I've posted is to help cement our claim in Starfucker being the best new band of 2008. They killed it in Lawrence on Monday and this jam sounded beautiful.

"Starfucker" is out now from Badman Recording Co.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

You may have missed: "1".


MP3: Juvelen - They Don't Love You

NOTE: As the year winds down and we look back at the records we've come into, it's a good time to figure out what may have been missed. This week I will take you there, and over the weekend there will be 2 bonus posts of albums you probably didn't miss, but I'll talk about why I think they rule and maybe open a dialog. Fuck yeah!

Juvelen's "1" is an album myself and frequent contributor Matt Giordano have been championing since it's release and it is one that continues to grow and surprise each time it gets dusted off. In a landscape full of dance pop Prince wanna be's, Juvelen is the only one to take the genre to the next level, brining the correct amount of hipness and swagger to make the ladies swoon all night and the dance floor sweaty. This may be the sexiest album of our generation, and certainly of 2008.

The good news for us in the States and the better news for those NYC/CMJ bound is you will have a chance to see the Swedish wonder at work: He's in town. One gig is with the super incredible Starfucker, so don't miss out. Straight from the Hybris mouth:

Juvelen will play live at CMJ in New york next week! We will also be there, so get in touch if you want to meet up!

Three gigs in all:

1.
The Electric Bowery
Weds Oct 22 6-9pm FREE
Happy Hour Swedish Music Showcase $4 drinks
with Razzia/ Hybris/I Made This Records
presented by ITSATRAP. COM and International Rescue Artist Development
at Bowery Electric - downstairs
327 Bowery (at 2nd St), NYC
Firefox Ak 6:20
Juvelen 7Pm
Hello Saferides 8pm

2.
Weds Oct 22After the Jump on Wed night @ Knitting Factory
Main

8 PM Starfucker
8 45 PM Unicycle Loves You
9 30 PM Bad Veins
10:30 Crystal Antlers
11:30 Heloise and the Savoir Faire
12:30 Juvelen

3.
Saturday, Oct 25 Kanine Records and Friends UnCMJ Party:
Crashin In At Public Assembly (70 N6th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn,NY

With live performances by:

Front Room
4:00pm-5:00pm Sky Larkin(Wichita)
5:00pm-6:00pm PRE(Deleted Art)
6:00pm-7:00pm Radio 4
7:00pm-8:00pm Holy Hail(Kanine Records)
8:00pm-9:00pm The Muslims
9:00pm-10:00pm Shock Cinema(Kanine Records)
11:00pm-12:00am The Mae Shi(Moshi Moshi)
12:00am-1:00am Cut Off Your Hands(679 Records)
1:00am-2:00am Johnny Foreigner(Best BeforeRecords)
2:00am-3:00am The Uglysuit(Touch & Go Records)
3:00am-4:00am Juvelen(Hybris)
"1" is out now from Hybris.

{purchase juvelen recordings from parasol}

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

You may have missed: "The Hopeful and the Unafraid".


MP3: Jason Anderson - The Hopeful and the Unafraid

NOTE: As the year winds down and we look back at the records we've come into, it's a good time to figure out what may have been missed. This week I will take you there, and over the weekend there will be 2 bonus posts of albums you probably didn't miss, but I'll talk about why I think they rule and maybe open a dialog. Fuck yeah!

You know, I had a grand summer to "The Hopeful and the Unafraid" by Jason Anderson. This vinyl with free cd cemented my admiration for the man and now, come autumn, I am still loving it. 10 stories about life anyone can relate to and it's impossible not to sing along. Rock it loud and if you missed it the first time, check out our "GO TEAM" post from Jason Anderson on the song "This Will Never Be Our Town". Dig in.

"The Hopeful and the Unafraid" is out now from K Records.

Monday, October 13, 2008

You may have missed: "UnonoU".


MP3:
Danava - Down From A Cloud, Up From the Ground

NOTE: As the year winds down and we look back at the records we've come into, it's a good time to figure out what may have been missed. This week I will take you there, and over the weekend there will be 2 bonus posts of albums you probably didn't miss, but I'll talk about why I think they rule and maybe open a dialog. Fuck yeah!

Danava's "UnonoU" came out very early on in 2008 and I got around to posting about it in April. So it's very possible that you might have missed out on it when it was released and/or covered. Not a problem, let's talk: people this year have been trying new genres out left and right, be it punk rock or dance pop, but metal seems to still be a dirty word with those who don't play in that sandbox. Fair enough, it's what makes that music so great and rewarding in that it's scary and sends off listeners who aren't serious about their intentions. There were a lot of great records that came out this year, but one that is eying my number one is "UnonoU" by Danava.

7 songs of rock and roll brilliant, peppered all over with out of place but proper fitting puzzle pieces like horns and synths to build up to one delicious meal. You'd be shocked how many times I've played this one and created converts out of the unexpected. THAT is what makes a great record, and this one has it in spades.

Light up, grab a pint, whatever, but it's party time when you jam out on this one. Find it before you make up your mind on 2008 friend.

PS. For those of you wondering, the video is for the single "Where Beauty and Terror Dance". Radical.

"UnonoU" is out now from Kemado Records.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Rachael Yamagata video


We will have a menagerie of Rachael Yamagata posts coming in the future, but today I am happy to share with you the excellent video for "Elephants", the opening diddy from her just released "A Record In Two Parts…Elephants and Teeth Sinking Into Heart" double shot. Make it happen folks, see you next week!

Tourtastic:

October 28 - 9:30 Club - Washington DC
October 30 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
October 31 - Paradise - Boston, MA
November 1 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
November 3 - Bogart’s Front Room - Cincinnati, OH
November 5 - Park West - Chicago, IL
November 6 - Varsity Theater - Minneapolis, MN
November 7 - High Noon - Madison, WI
November 8 - Blueberry Hill - St. Louis, MI
November 9 - Liberty Hall - Lawrence, KS
November 11 - Bluebird - Denver, CO
November 12 - Avalon Theater - Salt Lake City, UT
November 13 - Knitting Factory Concert House - Boise, ID
November 15 - Chop Suey - Seattle, WA
November 17 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
November 18 - Henry Fonda Theater - Los Angeles, CA

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

The Best Song Ever: Break My Stride


MP3: Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from the Matt Giordano, who apparently took some time away from a recent cocaine binge to grace us with this post. Fuck yeah!

We often proclaim various songs to be the best ever, but perhaps we have rediscovered one that is. Whilst Rick Astley has become an internet phenomenon, I believe the internet community has seriously overlooked the true gem of the 80s, that being Matthew Wilder's instant classic "Break My Stride". Not only is the song one of the happiest, but also very uplifting. It adds an extra bounce in your step, making each day a bit more joyous.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Dungen


MP3: Dungen - Sätt att se
MP3: Dungen - Minda damer och fasaner

Time and time again, Dungen has delivered golden beauty, crafting masterpieces that slowly create a grand opus: their latest record "4" just may be the biggest and best piece of the puzzle yet.

Putting the guitar down and sitting at the piano, mastermind Gustav Ejstes has changed the name of the game, all without abandoning the psychedelic salt and pepper that made Dungen such a grandiose endeavor to behold. Sometimes things get hip swayingly crunchy or sometimes they become a swirl of strings, floating to the sun and gently falling with the stars. Even when it jams, like the 2 part peek into a kaleidoscope of ideas titled "Samtidigt" that is sprinkled in the near bookends of "4", it manages to not be a turnoff (seriously, jamming is fucking lame, keep it in the practice space people, not in the studio), maybe for the first time in rock history. That alone deserves a blue ribbon, but they bring along many reasons to earn not only one, but many: Dungen's "4" cleans out the entire fair. Fuck yeah!

"4" is out now from Kemado Records.

{purchase dungen recordings from insound}

Monday, October 06, 2008

Gun Outfit


MP3:
Gun Outfit - Your Will

One of my favourite labels, Post Present Medium, released a new 7 inch recently from Gun Outfit, a great band out of Olympia. I've been seeing them compared to Dinosaur Jr. and the Meat Puppets, who are both awesome, but they really are on their own level of unique and clever. The 2 guitarists do well to stand out from one another, and yet compliment the other to lay down the structure of a great song. The 7 inch is 3 gems long and you can find early versions of them and more at the band's website.

It's been nice, having just moved to Lawrence, KS recently and I didn't have the space to pack any records, just my record player. It's caused me to give serious focus on any new vinyl I get, letting me take it in and let me just say that this has been a highlight on the turntable lately. Seriously, this is a band to look out for.

{purchase the gun outfit 7 inch from ppm}

Friday, October 03, 2008

Totally in love (still) with Laakso!


MP3: Laakso - Rotterdam Here I Come
BONUS MP3: Markus Krunegård - Noiserock i Japan
NOTE: Today's contribution comes from the Matt Giordano, who was kind enough to grace all of us with a return to form in spreading his man love for Laakso. It's okay, I missed them too. Fuck yeah!

We at Fuck Yeah Go Team have been negligent this year. Why, you ask? Because we have yet to post a Laakso song! Obviously with no new album (although singer Markus Krunegård released a solo-album, of which a bonus mp3 is included), there's no need to post them. However, there is an obligation to, as they have been the best band on the planet since their inception. This track is from one of last year's stellar Laakso releases Mämmilärock. Someone should be paying this band millions of dollars just for being amazing.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Liz Durrett


MP3: Liz Durrett - Wake to Believe

Boasting a producer/arranger in Eric Bachmann (Crooked Fingers, Archers of Loaf, songwriting deity), an uncle in Vic Chesnutt and a label in Warm, it was pretty hard for me to ignore "Outside Our Gates", the 3rd record from Liz Durrett. Thankfully, it doesn't disappoint, and fulfills as a meaty 11 song album that is more layered than naked. It's nice to hear that from a singer-songwriter these days, as most of them seem to boast on the fact that they are so thin, which is all well and good, but I feel like it's time for more. The sweetness that is "Outside Our Gates" has it in spades, be it from strings or beat keeping percussion: call it folk, rock, whatever genre you'd like, but Liz Durrett can confidently fly the flag of quality any day.

"Outside Our Gates" is out now from Warm Electronic Recordings.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

The Kid


MP3:
The Kid - I just wanna play punk like daddy did

The Kid put out "Transient Blood" a couple of months back, and sadly I am only getting to it now. It's a more polished affair, still brining the goth-electro-pop jams that you've come to love, sometimes with a little bit of sun. Case in point: "I just wanna play punk like daddy did", infectious from start to all-too-soon finish, it'll have your body waving about in glee, arm extended/finger in the air with "let's go down now"'s swimming from your lungs and the urge to indeed play punk like daddy did.

"Transient Blood" is out now from Hybris.

{purchase the kid recordings from hybris}

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Best Song Ever: Wake Up Little Susie


MP3:
The Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Susie

I don't think it's wrong to assume that calling "Wake Up Little Susie" the best song ever goes beyond just the personal opinion of this blog. The Everly Brothers were quite the pop songsmiths in their hayday, and throughout the years they've been covered by everybody from the Beach Boys to the Beachwood Sparks.

Their true gem for me is this song, as it the most timeless. It doesn't completely rely on the easy emotions of love and actually tells a tale that is still relevant to this day: who hasn't stayed out a bit too late with someone you may or not be going steady with, possibly passed out from too much fucking or getting high and you miss your curfew? Brilliant stuff.

Fun fact: according to the Wikipedia entry for the "Wake Up Little Susie" single, George W. Bush declared it his all time favourite song on Oprah back in 2000, though he erroneously thought it to be by Buddy Holly: smooth.

Friday, September 26, 2008

High Places


MP3:
High Places - Golden
MP3: High Places - From Stardust to Sentience

The new eponymous record from High Places is very much worthy of it's self-titling in that it is a fine representation of the group and all of it's strengths. What was merely hinted at on the group's singles collection "03/07 - 09/07" is realized to it's fullest potential; it is two people's musical outlet at it's greatest hour.

You've certainly heard of High Places, probably starting late last year and well into 2008, as they've fit in like a glove at your favourite band's gigs and consumed all of your favourite internet news and mp3 publications. It felt like there was a bit of a label race to snag up this talent (in the shadows of course) and when it was announced that Thrill Jockey had reigned victorious, everybody seemed deserving of their winnings.

All of this, of course, makes for an interesting introduction, but it requires ignoring once you get down to the dirt and actually listen to the band and it's debut long player. They're not exactly reinventing the 'High Places' wheel, as they are that rare band that has found it's sound and embraced it completely, but they have perfected it, erasing any near-impossible flaws that could've been found in the past. It is the perfect pop record in the sense that it only goes 19 seconds over 30 minutes, and the beat never stops. It is ethereal and it is bouncy, it is sweet and it is challenging, all of the things that make it so rewarding to be a fan of this music. While it's less buried treasure than it was when it started, it still sounds personal enough for everyone to hold dear: when you're listening to songs like "Vision's the First..." or "Golden", it is yours. You get the empty room percussion, you get the rarely pitch-shifting vocals and the synths serve to sew it together into a well fitting shirt. It's all yours. High Places have done their part, and now it is our turn to sit back and enjoy it. Be it at a party or a candle lit dinner, this record is the soundtrack to every possible activity in life, and I personally am thankful to have that in any band, it is aces that it comes from these folks. An audible job well done.

"High Places" is out now from Thrill Jockey.

{purchase high places releases from insound}

Monday, September 22, 2008

"German Love" by Starfucker


MP3:
Starfucker - German Love

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from Zach Hangauer, who has been missed around these blogging parts. Hopefully he is enjoying some love at this moment, German or not. Fuck yeah!

If the mid-70's Kraftwerk boys sang a verse without the vocoder and then Weezer, a year before the Blue Album, sang the octave-up response, you'd have the gist of "German Love". That there is anything more going on, any brilliance in the structure or a mixologist's melange of sounds and styles - much less drums on full-blast A/C, much less that Portland art-collage wink wink - is gravy, frosting, whipped fucking cream.

"German Love" is the only Starfucker song I've heard, so I have no idea if they are one-hit wonders, but the more I think about it, the more I'm certain they know what's up. Even the words, "German Love" spark sparks. The "German" part is famously literal, wracked by philosophical passions but incapable of expressing them casually. And the "Love" part is the most open, earnest, vulnerable passion we feel. So Starfucker channels Kraftwerk to sing "German Love, I will give it to you/ give it to you/ give it to you" like hungry robots, as though repeating the desire will fulfill it. And then they bop their mop-tops and froth their Weezer falsettos into "But she won't have a thing to do with me/ to do/ to do with me", full of teenage - twenty-something - universal longing, howling wolves by way of a boy's choir. Need a cherry on top? Having set the stage, Starfucker throws the two themes together, the Capulets and the Montagues, desire and defeat, all intermingled like it ain't no thing, like indie-rock pulls off drama like this all the time, so effortlessly, so puzzle- solving-perfect.

So what is this? Synth-pop? Indie-rock? Ganking tween from the tweens for a stoned and boozy Art School party? Acoustic guitarelectronica? There aren't more compressed drums mixed with more diffuse cymbals anywhere on MySpace Music - they've totally flipped it. 10 years of digital Portastudios and we're finally making sense of the way it sounds. I'm wondering if this is the palette for the rest of the record too? D.I.Y. pumped through the digital makeover machine except now there's bands that are too fucking savvy to let it neutralize them.

"German Love" sounds like a glass ceiling busting, like the romance between digital and analog is finally getting past the sniffing-butt stage. It's "Power to the People" seized by people ready to wield it. And they're three kids from Portland! And they're packing maracas!

"Starfucker" is released September 23rd from Badman Recording Co.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Vivian Girls "Tell the World" video


The Vivian Girls are a band I've been digging on since their first 7 inch, but I missed the boat on their full length on it's first edition so I refused to listen to anything from it until it sees wide release next month from In the Red. However, seeing that they had a new video out for "Tell the World", I couldn't resist watching it and now it's constantly on repeat. The video itself is a total blast, a fine visual to accompany the wonderfully catchy song, filled with detached steering wheels and dancing friends (bears, monsters, hipsters) that is worthy of your eyes. So yes, I am very excited for self-titled to come out. October can't get here soon enough!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Talkdemonic


MP3: Talkdemonic - March Movement

Golly, I knew Talkdemonic had a new record coming out, but TOMORROW?! What a slacker I've been! I have not heard the album itself but I have heard the song I am posting today, "March Movement", a sprawling work of beauty that hits all of the right notes and emotions (as usual); they find a way to make strings more awesome and to make banjo an instrument with strings taken from your heart. Talkdemonic continue to prove that they are the only active band exploring the landscape of sound and doing unique and original things with it. Incredible.

"Eyes At Half Mast" is released tomorrow from Arena Rock Recording Company.

Tourtastic:

9/20: Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
9/30: Seattle, WA - High Dive
10/1: Missoula, MT - Crystal Theater
10/3: Fargo, ND - The Aquarium
10/4: Minneapolis, MN - 400 Bar
10/7: Chicago, IL - Schubas
10/9: Somerville, MA - PA's Lounge
10/10: Philadelphia, PA - Khyber
10/11: New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
10/12: Washington, DC - The Red and the Black
10/13: Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
10/14: Mt. Pleasant, SC - Village Tavern
10/15: Atlanta, GA - The Earl
10/17: Tampa, FL - Crowbar
10/18: Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds
10/21: Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon *
10/22: Austin, TX - Mohawk
10/24: Tucson, AZ - Plush
10/27: San Diego, CA - Casbah #
10/28: Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
10/29: San Francisco, CA - Cafe du Nord

* = w/ Born Ruffians and Plants & Animals
# = w/ Jeffrey Lewis

{purchase talkdemonic recordings from arena rock recording company}

Friday, September 12, 2008

Hello Saferide: Anna


MP3:
Hello Saferide - Anna

The great thing about Hello Saferide is that she's consistent, which seems to go unappreciated around these parts. Hopefully the upcoming "More modern short stories from..." will change that. Check out and enjoy the mp3 and video for the single "Anna". The record comes out September 24th from Razzia. Hopefully It's a Trap! will have some copies for us gents in the States sooner than later.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Noise For Obama!


MP3: Lightning Bolt - Dracula Mountain
MP3: No Age - Here Should Be My Home

I have been subconsciously praying for a way to link Lightning Bolt, Deerhoof and No Age together other than being fucking amazing, but last night I was finally given a way: Noise For Obama. A new website launched by noise artists in support of future United States President Barack Obama, it gives personal statements from members of the bands I just mentioned as well as the radical Foot Village and a link to register to vote (pretty pointless as you've already done so, right?).

Don't worry, it doesn't end there: Lightning Bolt's Brian Chippendale is lending his Black Pus project to a split 12 inch with Foot Village which collects tracks that originally appeared on their split cassette and adds a bonus Foot Village jam and 2 Black Pus jams. To make the deal sweeter, included is a 16" x 22" poster of a full colour animal photo with screened art by Chippendale on top of it (it should be noted that BC's art is amazing, and has 2 widely available art books/comics available from PictureBox Inc: Ninja and Maggots [the cover is pictured above, but it comes minus the Obama face]). All profits go to support the Obama campaign and it sees release October 14th from Deathbombarc. You can order it now right here.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

New Deerhoof: "Offend Maggie"


MP3: Deerhoof - Offend Maggie

Very excited for this one: the new Deerhoof record "Offend Maggie" drops in the States October 7th from Kill Rock Stars. Today the blog family has been passing the title track around our dinner table and boy is it delicious! It's a quickie and starts off with some pretty sweet acoustic guitar work before exploding into the charm and sophistication we've come to love from the 'Hoof. It's one and done and a great way to up the anticipation. Bring it on!

Tourtastic:


10-03 Los Angeles - Avalon *
10-04 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
10-06 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom ^!
10-07 Seattle, WA - Neumo's ^!
10-09 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge ^!
10-11 Denver, CO - Bluebird ^!
10-13 Omaha, NE - The Slowdown ^%
10-14 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue ^%
10-15 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall ^%
10-16 Bloomington, IN - Buskirk Chumley Theater ^%
10-17 Chicago, IL - Metro ^#
10-18 Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom ^#
10-21 New York, NY- Spiegeltent
10-22 New York, NY - Irving Plaza ^#
10-23 Cambridge, MA - Middle East ^#
10-24 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street ^#
10-25 Philadelphia, PA - Starlight Ballroom ^#
10-26 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club ^#
10-28 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle ^#
10-29 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle ^#
10-30 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge ^#
10-31 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club ^#
11-01 Orlando, FL - The Social ^#
11-02 Tampa, FL - Crowbar ^#
11-05 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues ^#
11-06 Houston, TX - Numbers ^#
11-07 Dallas, TX - Granada ^@
11-08 Austin, TX - Fun Fun Fun Fest
11-10 El Paso, TX - Club 101 ^+
11-12 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress ^+
11-13 Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse ^+
12-05 Antwerp, Belgium - Trix
12-06 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
12-08 Rennes, France - Antipode
12-10 Lyon, France - Grrrnd Zero
12-11 Paris, France - Trabendo (Sonic Protest Festival)

& with Gnarls Barkley
* with Okay, Happy Hollows
^ with Experimental Dental School
! with Coconut
% with Au
# with Flying
@ with Hawnay Troof
+ with KIT

{purchase and pre-order deerhoof recordings from insound}

Monday, September 08, 2008

GO TEAM: Adventurers


MP3: Adventurers - Do me right

NOTE: Today's GO TEAM contribution comes from our own Matthew Giordano and his Adventurers project. He just released "Penguins & The Vinson Massif", a 15 song free download from the excellent Sound/Friends. Get it here and jam out.

When asked what "Do me right" is about, I really don't know. I'd be safe to guess subjectivity, and based upon its vagueness, well, that just sounds about right. Written and recorded in about thirty minutes on the Christmas morning of 2006, my brother and I were just having fun. Seeing as how Santa Claus did not bring us any new toys that year, we had to make our own fun.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Super duper.


MP3: The Cardigans - In the Round

WE'RE AT THE END OF THE CARDIGANS WEEK HERE AT FUCK YEAH! GO TEAM!

Closing out the extra long week with the newest Cardigans record "Super Extra Gravity". Maybe their most solid effort, and a fine showcase of a band that is wise beyond it's years with no signs of slowing down. I'm ready for the next album now!

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Long Gone.


MP3: The Cardigans - You're the Storm

WE'RE ONE POST AWAY UNTIL THE END OF THE CARDIGANS WEEK HERE AT FUCK YEAH! GO TEAM!

A hop and a skip later, pretty much starting from scratch came "Long Gone Before Daylight", the polar opposite of "Gran Turismo" or really anything that came before it. Mostly mellow and even a bit twangy, it sparked the biggest sea change for the Cardigans yet. A nice one to sleep to, and maybe be a little melancholy too.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Victory at Gran Turismo


MP3: The Cardigans - Erase/Rewind
MP3: The Cardigans - Hanging Around

WE'RE JUST ABOUT TO WRAP UP THE CARDIGANS WEEK HERE AT FUCK YEAH! GO TEAM!

"Gran Turismo" is a wild card of an album, it sticks out in the Cardigans' discography, abandoning their pop roots almost completely in favour of electronic sounds and darker tones. At times, it can be the most rewarding of albums from them and it makes you wonder what would happen if they revisited the ideas birthed from this time in the band. I'd like to see one like this again, at least for a spell.


Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Moon: currently band-less?


MP3: The Cardigans - Lovefool
MP3: The Cardigans - Iron Man

IT'S THE CARDIGANS WEEK (sorta) HERE AT FUCK YEAH! GO TEAM!

"First Band On the Moon" is the Cardigans album I listen to the least. It's very great though, and is the one that really set them off. At first, I was against posting "Lovefool" as it is an obvious choice, but when stepping away from the girly hype it brought, it really does stand as wonderful pop song. I know the band distances itself from it, but it's sweet and honest and really brought a great band into people's homes that wouldn't usually find them.

And of course, it's very much worth noting that the Cardigans are badass and metal as fuck, covering a Black Sabbath song for the 2nd time. They choose the seminal "Iron Man" this round, and it is everything a good cover should be. Word up.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Life is good.


MP3: The Cardigans - Rise & Shine
MP3: The Cardigans - Celia Inside

IT'S THE CARDIGANS WEEK HERE AT FUCK YEAH! GO TEAM!

And it wouldn't be a themed week without it starting late: For the rest of the week, we focus on the Cardigans and their albums, except for a couple. Today we start with "Life", the first exposure of them for myself and most of us in the States. I first heard the record from an old girlfriend and later picked it up in the used bin when I lived in Portland, which sparked my deep love affair with the Cardigans.

"Life" is certainly one of the more memorable Summer records for me; anytime while walking that a song from it comes up on shuffle from the iPod, I typically wait for it to end and then start the record from the top. One of the songs featured today, "Celia Inside", was a shuffle track for me which caught me on the perfect day and now when I hear it, it always feels like a perfect day. It almost sounds like a singles collection, which is fitting as some of these songs were their first ever written and re-recorded for this lp. It truly is a shining entry in the pop genre and is as solid an effort as any of their albums that came after.


Tuesday, August 19, 2008

NOTE!



Just a quick note, as I move to Lawrence, Kansas today, the mp3 blog will be crickets until next week when we bring you a new theme week! I'll try to post something if I get a chance this week, but it doesn't look good. Thank you for your understand, please enjoy the older postings and if you'd like, check out some of our brothers and sisters at the MOG Music Network, which can be found by clicking the badge on the right side. Sweet. Enjoy yourselves friends!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Lykke Li


MP3: Lykke Li - Breaking It Up

"Youth Novels" seems like old news in the world of online music journalism, but in fact the album has not been commercially available in the United States until August 24th. So the following review can be viewed as a rehash, a reminder or, heaven forbid, something completely new. There's nothing wrong with talking about things we love, that's what makes writing about music fun and educational. So with that said, let's talk about Lykke Li's "Youth Novels".

The album opens with what seems like a whisper but is actually part of a bigger bang and once we get to "Dance, Dance, Dance", the tone is properly set for the 50+ minute journey you've embarked on during which, you will be treated by Lykke Li's gentle, confident vocals and songs that'll touch your soul or make dance where you stand. On paper, "Youth Novels" can easily come off as schizophrenic and uneven, but audibly that couldn't be further from the truth. Obviously, you can mostly count on the fact that everyone has heard at least one Lykke Li song, but what is so fulfilling about her music is that they all can stand on their own, independent from the great picture, but still fit into place like one big puzzle. If you loved that one song, check out another. If you hated that one song (why?!), give another a shot and I am pretty darned positive you'll be swayed.

So come next week, make a friend or knock on an old friend's door. Imported the cd? Get the vinyl! Downloaded the cd? Buy it anyway! With school around the corner and Autumn's sweet embrace in plain sight, you're going to need a record to play for friends and close out there. Well kiddo, enjoy "Youth Novels". I do!

"Youth Novels" is released on August 26th from LL Recordings.

{purchase lykke li recordings from insound}

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Juliana Hatfield "This Lonely Love" video


I love Juliana Hatfield and cannot wait for "How To Walk Away" coming out this Tuesday. "This Lonely love" is on it, and here is the video. Keep making great records and please play bass and sing with the Lemonheads again someday soon!

Also, I guess she wrote a memoir that comes out in September. Fuck yeah, count me in!

Friday, August 15, 2008

R.I.P. Georgie James


MP3: Georgie James: Need Your Needs
MP3: Georgie James: Long Week
MP3: Georgie James: Aftermath

Finally, to close out the week, I'd like to take a chance to say goodbye to Georgie James, who called it a day last week. Their "Places" record, which was released last year, was really fantastic and full of great pop songs that prove to still be enjoyable today and show no chances of growing stale. While I wish they were still making more music, they can wear the "we made only one record but it fucking ruled" badge proudly. Good luck with your new projects you two, we'll miss you.

Also, this is our 200th mp3 post and I'm happy that these guys are it.

John now does Title Tracks and Laura still does Laura Burhenn.

Here is the video for "Need Your Needs". Have a good weekend!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

When I kissed her nipples she shook


MP3: Tribeca - Her breasts were still small

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from Sweden's friend Matt Giordano. He saw Wilco the other day in my next of the woods, I bet it was radical. Should I have gone? Fuck yeah!

The best feature of box-sets is that you constantly, yet slowly, uncover gems with each occasional listen. The example I have here is from the Labrador 100 box set which was released last year. Tribeca's "Her Breasts Were Still Small" is a proto-pubescent pop retelling in the only way it could properly work, as a slow-burning electronic number. Fuck yeah!

{purchase tribeca recordings from labrador}

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

TK Webb and the Visions


MP3: TK Webb and the Visions - Teen Is Still Shaking

I liked TK Webb's last record and I loved his work on the first Only Children album. I also like this song, from the upcoming "Ancestor", out September 2nd from Kemado. Should be awesome.

Also, TK Webb and the Visions are going on tour and has quite a few gigs with the (and I can't stress this enough) AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING and totally FUCK YEAH! worthy Witchcraft. So if it comes near you GO. It'll be a great night for music.

Tourtastic:

August 29 - Spark - Syracuse, NY
September 1 - The Czar Bar - Kansas City, MO
September 4 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA *
September 5 - Dantes - Portland, OR $
September 6 - The Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA *
September 7 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA #
September 8 - The Clubhouse - Phoenix, AZ *
September 10 - Red 7 - Austin, TX *
September 11 - Rudyards - Houston, TX *
September 12 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA *
September 13 - Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, GA *
September 14 - Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC *
September 15 - Rock and Roll Hotel - Washington, DC *
September 16 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA *
September 17 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY *

* w/ Witchcraft & Graveyard
$ w/ Witchcraft, Danava, Akimbo, Graveyard
# w/ Earthless, Witch, The Warlocks, Graveyard, Ancestors,
Night Horse, Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Icy Demons


MP3: Icy Demons - Jantar Mantar

Icy Demons released the perfect summer record in "Miami Ice". Perfect for the car, to get a pint to or whatever. Their album artwork is stunning, and I hope to see a lot from these duders in the future. Their music is a lot of fun and really something special.

"Miami Ice" is out now on Obey Your Brain.

{purchase icy demons recordings from obey your brain}

Monday, August 11, 2008

Darker My Love


MP3: Darker My Love - Add One to the Other One

Darker My Love released "2" last week and I must say it's pretty great. Real spacey and crunchy rock music with a couple of stand out gems. "Add One to the Other One" is one of those. The track that follows it is one too, but you'll have to get the record to find that out. Enjoy.

"2" is out now on Dangerbird Records.

{purchase darker my love recordings from insound}

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Republic Tigers CONTEST!


Hello friends! I am happy to announce a brand new contest for the Republic Tigers! You can win a signed copy of their new album "Keep Color" and some nifty shirts to boot! All you have to do is say hello to us in an email! Send to unicorntastic@gmail.com with the subject "Hello" and you're in the running!

The contest ends in 2 weeks (that's Sunday, August 24th!) so get on it!

PS don't miss our post below, today has been a busy today. And come Tuesday, I have some exciting news regarding the blog! Stay tuned!

Photographic evidence.


Recently, Anti released the album cover for Jolie Holland's upcoming "The Living and the Dead", and it looks excellent as always. She has always put herself on her album covers, mostly in photographs but once in a drawing. The point is I can't imagine seeing some other design without her in it because she has established this trend so well, it's pretty much set in stone.

Most solo artists do put themselves on the cover, and bands get in on the fun too. I'm not sure which I prefer, because a nice photograph can really tell you about who's craft you're listening to and really set the tone, but there is so much wonderful art in the world to be shared. I guess I could go either way, but it depends on the artist. If I were to personally record and release a record, which choice would I make?

What about you? What kind of album covers do you dig on?

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Dungen in moving pictures.


Dungen, a band whom myself and my contributors think are the cat's pajamas, had a recent listening party for their upcoming "4", which comes out in September on the flawless Kemado Records. You can check out the whole thing above or at this link from the radical folks at the Fader, or something special from the cats at videothing right here. Get stoked.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Koufax chime in on the struggle.


MP3: Koufax - Any Moment Now

Koufax is back atcha with tales of class struggle, celebrity, parties, politics and flats (or apartments as we call them) on September's "Strugglers". It's awesome and like all of their albums, it sounds familiar while changing the sound enough to give you a new & unique experience (this one has saxophones!), though at one point you'll swear you're hearing a b-side from "It Had to Do With Love" on "Name of Love".

A half hour later and you'll want to listen to it again. Look out for this new classic from Koufax, you won't regret it. And get the "Any Moment Now" digital single from your favourite digital retailer for only .99 cents with the bonus non-album track "George Michael Issues" which is just as awesome as the album. No runt of the litter here!

Well done Robert Suchan and company. Well done.

"Strugglers" is out September 23rd from Doghouse Records.

{purchase and pre-order koufax recordings from insound}

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

The Faint


MP3: The Faint - Mirror Error

Fuck yeah, so here we are on the grand new release Tuesday and we've got a brand spanking new record from The Faint, everybody's old friend. "Fasciinatiion" may not be light on the letter 'I', but it is light in the sound. What? It's true, but it's fantastic.

The first 2 songs (that includes single "The Geeks Were Right") will tease you into thinking it's more of the same of their sound found on "Wet From Birth" (I'll let you decide if that's a good thing or not, I know where I stand), but come song number three you'll see the true direction of the album. It's all very subdued, relaxed dance music that sounds iffy on paper but in your ears makes total sense.

I can imagine a lot of energy live when these duders are playing these songs, but in the meantime the dance punks finally have an album for 4AM drives and to soundtrack their slumber. Dig it.

"Fasciinatiion" is out now from blank.wav records.

{purchase the faint recordings from insound}

Monday, August 04, 2008

Mas Y Mas


MP3:
Mas Y Mas - Pop Psychology

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from pop princess Matt Giordano. No extra words today, fuck yeah!

Mas Y Mas is a group you'll be hearing a lot of soon. Why? Because they fucking rule the school. They've been playing sporadically all over the East Coast the past couple of years and I hear a national gash slaying extravaganza is in the works. Fathers, lock your wives and daughters (and possibly mothers) because when these lads hit your town your women we'll be screaming "Gimme Mas Y Mas".

"Proud Sponsors of Pepsi" is out now on Sound/Friends and Rock So Tough.

Friday, August 01, 2008

FUCK YEAH: Apache


MP3: Apache - Bullet Train
MP3: Apache - Sugargliding

Now this is more like it: Apache sound like a party, and I would love to be invited. For now, I will keep jamming on "Boomtown Gems", full of plenty of fuck yeah punk rock that sound more like old friends than new acquaintances. This one is for the weekend, bring it to the BBQ and maybe buy the record if you dig on it. I know I am picking up the vinyl soon enough. Highly recommended.

{purchase apache recordings from birdman records}

Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Republic Tigers


MP3: The Republic Tigers - Golden Sand

MP3: The Republic Tigers - Fight Song

Today brings us the Republic Tigers. Some friends of mine were super familiar with this band and even did a couple of gigs with them, telling me to check them out. As fate would have it, the promotional cd god was looking over me and brought me a copy of the record "Keep Color" and boy am I thankful. To do the typical blogger comparisons, I'd throw in Interpol meets Mew, but it's more than just that. A solid pop record that I hope doesn't get lost in the shuffle this year, since so much has come out, but at the end of the day I'm confident that I will be listening to this little guy for years to come.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

mr. Gnome


MP3: mr. Gnome - Pirates

MP3: mr. Gnome - The Machine

Epic used to be cool for an all too short hot second and then produce mediocre material. And here we have mr. Gnome, who completely take it back and dominate it, proving themselves to sound as limitless as the stars.

Don't get me wrong, this thing isn't a feather, it's a goddamned heavy hitter. From the first song "Pirates", you get slugged and then breathed in by it's hauntingly beautiful sounds. Things will slow down through the course of it all, but will never let up or let down. By the end, you'll be taken aback and probably a changed person. This was meant to be: for fans of Cat Power meets Red Sparowes.

"Deliver This Creature" is out now from El Marko Records.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Best Song(s) Ever: Definition + RE: DEFiniton


MP3: Black Star - Definition
MP3: Black Star - RE: DEFinition

It may seem like cheating, but any fan of Black Star will tell you that these 2 songs are pretty much one. Mos Def and Talib Kweli created what is hands down my personal favourite hip hop album ever. Really, any song from it could be posted here, but I went with this one-two punch as it always brings me chills.

What really gets me is when "Definition" turns into "RE: DEFinition", the beat changes up and the song evolves into something just as great as what was before it, never shedding what worked in the first place. Black Star's appeal was that they were intelligent without sounding ostentatious and had beats that were accessible to any fan of music.

All throughout the record, each MC shines a little more than the other, but on these jams, everyone brought their A-game. I hope beyond all hope that they make a second record before I die, even if it sucks. Fingers crossed, friends.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Printer


MP3: Printer - Satisfaction

Printer's new record "Can You Take More?" may have come out earlier this year on the always excellent and consistent Adrian Recordings, but it is hardly old news. This sucker is chock full of great pop songs made from beats and a highly capable voice to steer the whole thing right where you want it to be, and along the way you'll find some clever hooks, interesting musical choices and plenty of smiles. It's not too late to snag this one for your collection, get on it. You'll love it.

{purchase printer recordings from adrian recordings}