Ka-pow, mother fucker.

MP3: The Smith Westerns - Be My Girl
MP3: The Smith Westerns - Glam Goddess

If you're not on board yet, you'd best hop on: The Smith Westerns could and should be huge. Fuzzed pop bliss that makes you want to hop in the bootleg Nirvana pool displayed on the cover. We all dig "Be My Girl", but give "Glam Goddess" a shot. I was going to order this online from HoZac, but then it turned out my local record shop had a copy, so it might be easier to find now. The point is, run, don't walk and dig on some sweet nugs.

In anticipation.

MP3: The Bear Quartet - Euthanasia
MP3: The Bear Quartet - Birds Are Singing Deep Within The Greenery
MP3: The Bear Quartet - The Repairing Of The Red Sea

NOTE: Today's contribution comes from lil' Matt Giordano. Shockingly, this is his first post on the Bear Quartet in the entire history of this blog. Seriously, you'd get how crazy that is if you knew him. Never too late? Fuck no!

Listen up music world. The new album by the greatest band on the planet is coming out on 9 September, and what better way to get your ears ready than by offering up a couple of classic tracks. One could state that every song by The Bear Quartet is a classic, and that wouldn't be to far off—especially of late, as three of their recent albums are amongst the definitive of the decade (2001's Ny Våg, 2004's Saturday Night and 2006's Eternity Now). Here is a song from each.

89, the new album by The Bear Quartet is, again, out 9 September. A song will be available on the blog around then.

PPM25

MP3: Soft Circle - Light Bright

The Soft Circle side of the 12 inch vinyl split with High Places is a real revelation. I had caught audible glimpses of them (or him I guess) a couple of times, but what's on here is completely awesome. It's got the right stuff: beats, interesting repetition and killer vocals. A total hit, both jams.

I chose not to post the High Places song, despite being my favourite thing on the split, for 2 reasons: it's too long to just give away and everyone already loves this band. It's totally worth buying though and you get a download code to boot. Pitchfork posted a stream of the High Places track awhile back, which can be found here.

This split is out now from PPM. Keep killing it Dean.

Bright colours.

MP3: Major Lazer - Can't Stop Now (feat. Mr. Vegas & Jovi Rockwell)

That Major Lazer record that came recently is tight. "Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do" is dance hall reggae hip hop stoner pop music at it's finest. There's so many things going on that just leak from your speaker's pours that it can be overwhelming to really hear it. But it's all there, I swear it. This track is my favourite thus far as it's summer all over, but it's all hits.

Also, enjoy the killer video for opener "Hold the Line" featuring Mr. Lexx and Santigold. It's awesome.

Sun was high.

MP3: Best Coast - Sun Was High (So Was I)

One of my favourite Summer finds, Best Coast, has a 7 inch coming out soon from Art Fag. 3 songs, all great, including the coolest "Sun Was High (So Was I). This shit is the greatest, I swear it. Take it to the pool!

The Best Song Ever: What You Get Is What You See

MP3: Tina Turner - What You Get Is What You See

NOTE: Today's contribution marks the glorious return of Matt Giordano, who is not dead. Good news? Fuck yeah!

Man the 80s had the best drum sounds ever, those triggers slay. Speaking of slaying, I bet Clapton slayed Tina's box after he layed down this bitchin' soloing. Enjoy.

Jim Breuer's liner.

So recently, I was given the opportunity to get Jim Breuer to record a "liner" for the blog. Very odd, but it couldn't hurt and I like Half Baked enough so here we are. It came in today and it's still odd but cool. There's a special on Comedy Central airing on the 25th and a dvd of it coming on the 29th, as hyped in the spot. It'll be on the right side of the blog for the time being and here in it's full sized glory for you to enjoy.

He's saying "fuck" by the way.

FUCK YEAH: Pissed Jeans

MP3: Pissed Jeans - False Jesii Part 2

Not much text required: Pissed Jeans' "Hope For Men" still gets a lot of spins from me. They're got a newbie coming next month titled "King Of Jeans". This song is from it. Long live the King.

FARMER DAVE SCHER everybody!!

MP3: Farmer Dave Scher - Bab'lone Nights

This blog has and always will love anything Beachwood Sparks related, as the past can prove. So it doesn't take much to get me excited about a Farmer Dave Scher (BWS, All Night Radio, all your favourite bands) solo record.

It's coming real soon! "Flash Forward to the Good Times" comes out August 18th on Kemado Records, which isn't a surprise because they are the best record label ever. It's going to be great, and I will gladly accept a promotional copy and will buy the vinyl edition for sure.

To tide us over, Kemado subscription off-shoot Mexican Summer released an already sold out single in the form of "Bab'lone Nights b/w You Pick Me Up"; both hits and both appearing on the full length as well. You can track one of these down on Insound, but hurry up, because as stated they're all sold out otherwise.

So download today's mp3 as it's our post of the week/month/year/whatever. It might be the best song this blog ever posts; in fact I'm sure of it. Just in time for Summer too!

Peach Cobbler

MP3: Marmoset - Peach Cobbler

Marmoset may be one of the coolest, greatest bands ever. Seriously, the world has robbed them of the credit and riches deserved to a group who constantly delivers music of the highest caliber. As us fans do before every record, we pray that whatever newest effort they are releasing (the beyond excellent "Tea Tornado" in this case) will be the one that catches on. Fingers crossed this time.

What you have here is 14 songs of smart, wispy rock and roll that is audibly clever on all possible levels and remains confident and carefree for the entire duration. Whereas these days most albums feel like a chore to listen to, "Tea Tornado" is the kind that makes you wish there was more time in the day to play it. Don't miss this one.

"Tea Tornado" sees release 8/4 on Joyful Noise Recordings.

New Wavves: Mickey Mouse.

MP3: Wavves - Mickey Mouse

Everybody's favourite whipping boy Wavves canceled a show and posted a demo all at once. "Mickey Mouse" was made available for downloading in .aif form (though converted to mp3 here for your enjoyment) on his Ghost Ramp blog. It's listed as a demo for album 3, and it sounds pretty cool. It will be interesting to hear the end result and will be even more interesting to read the classic comments on Stereogum once this gets posted. Woo hoo!

Japandroids to earn thumbs up award.

MP3: Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire
MP3: Japandroids - Wet Hair

I have heard the name Japandroids going around for some months now but I never got around to giving them a listen until last week when I was on the Polyvinyl website for some reason. As soon as I heard "Young Hearts Spark Fire" I was hooked. It's like all of those great bands I grew up with, but using the mature, adult mindset I am currently enjoying so much.

So yeah, I pre-ordered the vinyl and got the album download right away and I've been digging it tons. "Post-Nothing" is a lot of fun and sure, there are one or two cheesy songs but I can't play music, so who am I to judge? Maybe they're really cool and I'm missing something. It's not even that big a deal, they don't even suck they're just kinda... whatever. The point is, this album fucking rules. Make it happen.

Free music from Free Energy: dig it.

MP3: Free Energy - Free Energy

All I needed to read in the email I received with this mp3 in it was "Thin Lizzy". Sure, the fact that it's coming out on DFA didn't hurt, but I fucking love Thin Lizzy.

Free Energy are pretty rad too, they feel classic in the modern sense and are quite catchy to boot. Their self titled song appears on the 7 inch they've got coming out on the 21st of July (hey that's next week!). I can feel the TL influence and totally appreciate it, so Free Energy: if we ever meet, come claim a high five from me. We can party.

Brand new Hope Sandoval to make dreams come true.

MP3: Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions - Blanchard

It had been so long that I gave up on any news regarding a new Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions record, until last week when I received the perfect email.

"Through The Devil Softly" sees release September 1st through Nettwerk, and I couldn't be more excited. Her last record, 2001's "Bavarian Fruit Bread, is still a very important album for me and it came along at a very influential time in my life. It sounds like she's still got it: the single "Blanchard" is every bit as dreamy and goddamned beautiful as you'd expect, maybe even more so. I can't wait for a whole record of this, seriously.

FUCK YEAH: Total Abuse

MP3: Total Abuse - Secrets

Fuck yeah Total Abuse!

This song, "Secrets" paints a picture of bitter jealousy and betrayal, leading to blood on the sheets. Hope to see more real soon from this class act. It's a hit!

The Best Song Ever: What's Wrong

MP3: Dennis Wilson - What's Wrong

Have you heard Dennis Wilson's lone solo effort "Pacific Ocean Blue"? He takes the beach to the dark psychedelic side. Not so drippy, more lonesome if anything. It was a tough call, but I chose to post "What's Wrong", which is way solid and way the best song ever from the best album ever. Cop the reissue vinyl and get wet.

New Vivian Girls popped up...

...and it's pretty bland, at least on first listen. I'll give another song or two a chance before writing this off.

via RCRD LBL

Drip drop.

MP3: Woods - Rain On

Who isn't listening to Woods? Songs Of Shame: great fucking record. I've been loving "Rain On", and is firmly placed in my memories as Summer 2009. Dig in.

Who's up for lunch?

MP3: Mika Miko - Turkey Sandwich
MP3: Mika Miko - Beat the Rush

It's been a few months since Mika Miko's "We Be XUXA" was released, and luckily it still seems to be enjoyable. I played out the record when I first got it and now it's finding new life again. Sounds like a keeper. Plus, anyone who points out that "I want turkey sandwich" is the catchiest chorus ever to me should be appreciated. Thanks all around.

FUCK YEAH: Red Fang

MP3: Red Fang - Prehistoric Dog

It occurred to me that even though Red Fang has not released any new songs in a hot second, their self titled nationally available record and the genius "Prehistoric Dog" is never old news. You know the score: Red Fang is the best band from the Earth and will one day lead us to glorious doom. Happy birthday.

Eating Us and delicious.

MP3: Black Moth Super Rainbow - Gold Splatter

A band like Black Moth Super Rainbow could easily make the same songs and records over and over again and still be great, but luckily they released "Eating Us", a complete progression to the trademark BMSR sound.

The song that I can't get out of my head or stop listening to is "Gold Splatter": it stops time and fills the space with beautiful music. So far, it's made every day better during the minutes it consumes. No need for helmets as the flight is not bumpy, just float along...