Agenda

Sorry? On Dec 31st we will post our best of 2010 lists. On Jan 10th, the blog will relaunch.

You can continue to send me songs at unicorntastic@gmail.com or snail mail: FY!GT! / Joey Gee, PO Box 508, S. Egremont, Massachusetts 01258

Please enjoy Matthew Giordano's worst of '10 list.

The Worst Records of 2010

1. MIA - Cock in /\/\ /\ Y /\ Mouth
2. Abe Vigoda - Crushed by Cock
3. Best Coast - Crazy for Your Cock
4. Dum Dum Girls - I Will Cock
5. The New Pornographers - Together on Cock
6. Wavves - King of the Cock
7. Twin Sister - Color Your Cock
8. jj - n° 3 Cock
9. The Sword - Cock Riders
10. Chromeo - Business Cock
11. Of Montreal - False Cock
12. DOM - Sun Bronzed Greek Cocks

Dirty P's, on yer knees.

MP3: Dirty Projectors - Temecula Sunrise (live at Other Music)

Re-releases are stupid, honestly. They're usually only worthwhile if an album has gone out of print or grown to seminal status over the years. I bet you're expecting me to defend the October re-release of Dirty Projectors' brilliant "Bitte Orca", but I won't because it's fucking stupid.

The good thing to come from this is that the great Other Music pressed a white label vinyl release of all the live tracks recorded at their shop so now you don't have to spend your money on something you've bought before. Mine hasn't arrived in the post yet, but I await it anxiously every single day.

Listen to Lower Dens

MP3: Lower Dens - Blue and Silver

I don't know if you know this, but Lower Dens put out one of the best records this year. I can only hope that people are listening to "Twin-Hand Movement", but it kind of feels like people aren't listening to "Twin-Hand Movement": LISTEN TO "TWIN-HAND MOVEMENT"!!!

Throwing Up

MP3: Abe Vigoda - November

I've now found myself a bit ashamed to say that I enjoyed the single "Throwing Shade" when it was released. I enjoyed Skeleton and Reviver, even the amateurish Kid City. Sadly, one track cannot save the new Abe Vigoda album, even if the heights of that "November" reaches prevents the vomit from exiting my mouth for two minutes and fifty-one seconds.

The gloriousness of realized brilliance.

MP3: Starfucker - Julius

Guess what? Starfucker are back after an incredible full length, an okay ep and a clusterfuck of a name change, and they sound better than ever/they sound like they give a shit again!!

"Julius" delivers on the promise of that first LP plus their mesmerizing live show, and is the A-Side to the single that bears it's name. It will appear on an upcoming full length coming in the far away lands of 2011 on Polyvinyl. Hey Polyvinyl, you know you've been killing it lately right? I hope you know that from all the money I've been sending you.

Anyway, this single is great and can be pre ordered now on blue or black wax with an instant download of the whole thing. It's in stores October 12th, don't miss it!

GIRLS, LIVE.

MP3: Girls - Live at ATP 2010

Yo. Here is Girls' entire set from All Tomorrow's Parties that they recently played. It rules / enjoy.

MP3: Girls - Live at ATP 2010

Yo. Here is Girls' entire set from this year's All Tomorrow's Parties

GO TEAM: Children of the Light

MP3: White Flight - Children of the Light

Roll your windows down over and over friends: White Flight's "Children of the Light" may only be one song, but it warrants multiple rides around the neighbourhood, with your speakers bursting with an energy not felt since WF's "Panther".

Another track taken from the so-anticipated-it-hurts "White Ark", COTL is available as a digital single with b-side "Thunder Over Thunder" giving you a chance to cool off before diving right back into the jacuzzi water.

Thanks Range Life! Cop this single on iTunes, yo.

Knockouts

MP3: Sharon Van Etten - Don't Do It
MP3: Sharon Van Etten - Love More

Dude. I'm not gonna pretend like I had heard Sharon Van Etten before yesterday: that's not how I roll. But I'm also not gonna pretend that I haven't been listening to her new record "Epic" nonstop since then. It's fucking brilliant. I picked up her first record too, and it's way radical but this one is a total rocket ship to the moon. Check out these jams, and get yourself a copy of "Epic" from Ba Da Bing! Records asap, it is released October 5th.

Also, the on fire Polyvinyl is releasing a 7 inch single with 2 exclusive tracks come November. Snag a copy of "I'm Giving Up On You b/w You Didn't Really Do That" now and get an instant download. I did and I'm your friend so do it too.

Hot goddamn

MP3: Grinderman - What I Know

MP3: Grinderman - Bellringer Blues

Some things always meet expectations, some exceed. We've long come to expect Nick Cave and any of his Bad Seeds cohorts to give us a great record, but since Nocturama the game has changed. At the time, it felt odd; in retrospect, it was the band's farewell to it's moribund lounge-blues. Then his double disc opus Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus, it was called amongst his best... then Grinderman, it was again praised... then Dig!!! Lazarus, Dig!!!, again, rightfully praised. His soundtrack works were also heralded and provided further experimentation. Now we have Grinderman 2.

It could very well be euphoria from my own listening experience, but this might just be his/their best album to date.

Consistency post.

MP3: Japandroids - Heavenward Grand Prix

While these "chill" bands can be fun sometimes, in the end it lacks any kind of talent or passion. That's just a fact and I think why I like Japandroids so much is because they bring quality every single fucking time. They really get what they're doing and what's great about music in general: they never sound like they're not feeling it.

So I didn't even notice it until the single for "Heavenward Grand Prix" went up for sale online, but I always drop everything in order to get any new output from these dudes. That makes them my favourite band, or pretty fucking close. Download the a-side to this single, the 3rd in a series of 5. All passion. The PJ Harvey cover on the flip side is a curve ball, but a damn fine one at that.

FUCK YEAH: Ride, mother fuckers, ride.

MP3: Black Mountain - Let Spirits Ride

Black Mountain deliver their best album yet in "Wilderness Heart" and shine all over, but it's "Let Spirits Ride" that they reign supreme. Fuck yeah Friday!!

Hot shit in a champaign glass.

MP3: Twin Shadow - Slow

The brilliance of "Slow" didn't hit me at first, but it was good enough for me to download and listen to a few times. Then it got better, and in the context of an album, it became great: it's just got those parts and harmonies that give me chills like music used to.

Twin Shadow's shockingly great "Forget" is well worth your time, and out September 28th from Terrible Records. Peep the video below.

Twin Shadow 'Slow' (NSFW) from Twin Shadow on Vimeo.

Sainthood

MP3: All Saints Day - Only Time Will Tell

All Saints Day (feat. Katy from Vivian Girls) finally have a physical release coming out! Art Fag has created a 7 inch for the band, limited to 500 copies on black. Order yours now, mine shipped out asap which is rad if you're as impatient about waiting for mail as I am. While you're waiting, enjoy the b-side from the single dudes.

FUCK YEAH: Journey into mystery

MP3: Marnie Stern - Transparency Is the New Mystery

New Marnie Stern from her forthcoming self-titled LP3 coming out October 5th from Kill Rock Stars. Duh face duh, it fucking shreds, but I read in this interview that she wants to be more than a token baller guitar player, so lets try to appreciate her feelings too on top of how bad ass this shit is.

Deerhunter's Helicopter motion picture

DOPE

MP3: Curren$y - Breakfast

Curren$y's new LP "Pilot Talk" fully capitalizes on the popularity of weed in music this year, but it comes across as less gimmicky and more honest, probably because of all the video game references that are sprinkled throughout. This shit is way laid back, so much so that the guests on the record take note and tone it down some. Even the beats are chill, which is a breath of fresh air in the wafting smog of thick bass and over the top samples. Download this shit.

The greatest song ever

MP3: Archers Of Loaf - 1985

MP3: Archers Of Loaf - Fabricoh

I haven't listened to Archers Of Loaf in ages.

If I had (and needed) a car I would blast this on a warm day like this one, windows down, for all to hear.

Blah blah Arcade Fire.

MP3: Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
MP3: Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

I didn't think I'd ever write this post. Arcade Fire are so well known and covered on the internet that who would really want or care for another blog post praising their latest long player "The Suburbs"? I know I wouldn't. The thing about Arcade Fire is that there is something so oft-putting about them, and it's not their fault or anything but it's just they're so over-hyped. That kind of shit is a real turn off. When their second record "Neon Bible" came out, I remember Matthew telling me how surprisingly good it was and I soon found myself agreeing with him. Did we post about it? No, because who gives a fuck.

But here we are, LP3 is upon us and I'm writing this post. "The Suburbs" is really really fucking great. Yeah, it's long but there is not one song on this sucker that feels like it's filler. Yes, it plays heavily on nostalgia which is typically annoying and an easy get, but it never feels insincere and is backed by sticky-as-glue songs that is a great example of musicianship at it's finest and most creative.

Check this out if you haven't already. I posted my 2 favourite songs from the album today and they're totally 5 star worthy on your iPod. Plus scope out the internet famous thewildernessdowntown.com for their google chrome music video.

Hindsight high

The new video for Built to Spill's "Hindsight" from the still great There Is No Enemy. Very nostalgic, hoping to feel that way when I see these dudes play in Northampton at the end of the month!!

The Best Song Ever: Lucky Bastard

MP3: Widower - Lucky Bastard

I wish this could be a GO TEAM post, but I only know Widower's Kevin Large so well. What I know in detail is his incredible songs, mostly off the Acres session, which today's Best Song Ever comes from.

The lyrics of "Lucky Bastard" have stopped me in my tracks most anytime I've listened to it: it's the ultimate mission statement of a great man. The music itself is a godsend, the rare reasoning behind the greatness of just someone playing a guitar and putting it all out there for whoever is listening.

Kevin is playing by himself these days, and I can only hope that will mean a return to form, but whatever may be will be and I will always think Lucky Bastard is a bad ass fucking track.

That Feeling b/w Eastover Wives

MP3: Dent May - That Feeling

MP3: Dent May - Eastover Wives

REAL QUICK / MORE FOREST FAMILY: Download this whole 7 inch by Dent May, then pre-order it. This dude is the real deal buds.

OOUTERLIMITSS

MP3: SLEEP ∞ OVER - Outer Limits

Sucks this one is already out of print, but Forest Family released a 7 inch from SLEEP ∞ OVER and it's a fucking gem and a half. "Outer Limits" is the highlight, it totally makes for a nice stoned Thursday night.

Grab the whole thing here.

Double Moon

MP3: Buffalo Moon - Low Tide Moon

It's actually more like a triple moon: Buffalo Moon's new 7 inch "Black Magic b/w Low Tide Moon" sees release in September from Moon Glyph. These guys are one of my favourite bands to come out this year so it's no surprise here that the b-side is stellar. Don't miss out: download this, then pre-order that bad boy before it's too late.

FY!GT! PREMIERE: Crying Shame

MP3: Fourth of July - Crying Shame

Lawrence, Kansas takes Fourth of July for granted.

While living there, I never saw them play a bad gig or write a mediocre song. I would argue that they are the most talented band in that city, if not the entire Midwest and come August 31st I fully believe that this will be realized by the masses (oh, plus I got to sing with a group of Lawrence's finest on "Tan Lines" and a few scatter shots all throughout the LP. So that shit makes this post officially a GO TEAM. Believe it.).

"Before Our Hearts Explode!" is FOJ's sophomore record and a lot has changed with the guys besides haircuts. While you could easily write this whole thing off as a breakup record (which it is PROUDLY) there is so much more going on. Brendan Hangauer's lyrics have gotten more precise and clever, keeping the songs selfishly about himself while weaving incognito tapestries that any listener could easily relate to. Yes, it's a "man"'s record, but the situations are so genderlessly universal that if you are human and you feel, you're in hook, line & sinker. It goes back and forth from sweet to ugly within the blink of an eye.

Today's premiere "Crying Shame" is the perfect example of that: it sounds like a relationship hanging on by a thread where both parties involved do everything they can to screw with each other but come the choruses it returns to the routines of the past and the fear of truly being alone.

So yeah, Lawrence takes Fourth of July for granted, but I think very highly of this album and I bet they will too to the point that it'll be worn like a badge of honor. Bravo FOJ, bravo Range Life Records.

LONG HAIR

MP3: Black Mountain - The Hair Song

Black Mountain have described their forthcoming "Wilderness Heart" as their most metal and most folk record. While either of those (mostly the much salivated metal side) have yet to appear, opener "The Hair Song" is still some very, very solid shit. Can't wait to truly rock though!

Past post

MP3: D.O.A. - Lady Tell Me Why
MP3: Hope - Dream Away

Numero Group really keeps on pounding the past in "Local Customs: Lone Star Lowlands". Although some of the songs where their influences on their sleeves quite heavily (the included "Dream Away" by Hope lifts its vocal harmonies basically from the Neil Young classic "When You Dance You Can Really Love"), all of the songs are still really well done. [Note: the D.O.A. song that is included here is not the same band that wrote "Marijuana Motherfucker.] However, that's what has always been great about the various compilations Numero has issued—some bands only have one good song, but that doesn't mean that it should be overlooked.

The End of the World Is Bigger Than Love

MP3: Jens Lekman - The End of the World Is Bigger Than Love

It's new, it's true. Read Jens Lekman's account of why this song exists here and then cross your fingers for a new record.

The Best Song Ever: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Graveyard Train [MP3]

MP3: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Graveyard Train

We all love the CCR hits, but it's the tracks in between that have caught my interest as of late. It's so genius that I get to live in a century with iPods on shuffle and once again I've found love for a song through the function: "Graveyard Train" is track 3 from 1969's classic "Bayou Country" and it sticks out like a cock in a cunt fight: it's a total drone-dirt jam, repetitive and pulsing all throughout. It sounds just as fresh as ever in today's changing climates and is my recommendation to you all for a July weekend party closer.

See you Monday nuders!

Where's that new No Age joint?

MP3: Wolf Parade - Cloud Shadow on the Mountain

Not here, unfortunately. But while we await it, here's a track from another Sub Pop band. The new Wolf Parade record is more rockin' than previous efforts, which is always a plus when a band decides to get lively—here's the lead track.

The coolest part is that the fella second from right looks like a young John Candy. NOW GO WATCH CANADIAN BACON.

Return of the Kings.

It's been a little while, but Grinderman return this fall with "Grinderman 2". Today, the single "Heathen Child" was released and holy mother fuck is this going to be a good one. It'll put some hair on your chest and some dirt under your fingernails like a damn jam should. P4K has more info on the single but G2 comes out September 14th in the States. Jus' sayin'.

New Deerhunter: Revival

MP3: Deerhunter - Revival

After Rainwater Cassette Exchange, it felt like the magic spark found in Deerhunter's previous work may have wained a bit. Enter "Revival", a blast of fire from their upcoming long player "Halcyon Digest" (out September 28th) which reignites all kinds of passion from their instruments to your ears. I dig it. Welcome back.

SNOOZE BUTTON

We will be back in full force next week, I pinky swear it.

The Sword return triumphant!

Any month that passes by without a new record from The Sword is painful, but the dudes are finally back with their 3rd long player: "Warp Riders". The artwork for it (and the cover above for the single) pretty much show you how awesome this is gonna sound. Better yet, for your email you can get an mp3 of "Trej Brujas" for free. Get stoked.

"Warp Riders" is out August 24rd from Kemado.

New Abe Vigoda: Throwing Shade

MP3: Abe Vigoda - Throwing Shade

Something happened between last year's great "Reviver" ep and the upcoming "Crush", but the game didn't just evolve, it damn near changed completely. This would be more alarming if Abe Vigoda didn't still sound on point. "Crush", the new sound from Abe Vigoda sees release September 21st on PPM.

Everything Is Gonna Be Alright

MP3: ceo - Everything Is Gonna Be Alright

I'm shocked at the number of random friends I've turned ceo's "White Magic" on to. It's fucking infectous, and today an outtake has surfaced. It, of course, rules.

Stay Gray, yo.

MP3: BAMBARA - Stay Gray

BAMBARA have created an ep that is what the format does best: it teases you, ends too quickly and gets listened to over and over. It's brash, in your face and totally fucking radical and I can't wait to hear more from these dudes. You can download the whole thing for free while digital supplies last at their bandcamp page. You're gonna love this.

You're fucking out, I'm fucking in.

MP3: Frankie Rose and the Outs - Little Brown Haired Girls

After a stellar 7 inch single, superstar Frankie Rose returns as Frankie Rose and the Outs for a full length music-tacular hi-fi experience: a self titled long player. You'll have to wait until September 21st, when Slumberland lets you throw a needle on the wax, but the digital world has allowed "Little Brown Haired Girls" to come out and play. It rules / she rules / you rule / we rule.

New Chromeo: Don't Turn the Lights On

Don't Turn the Lights On by Chromeo

New Chromeo is obviously a good thing. "Don't Turn the Lights On" from the forthcoming "Business Casual" sees the duo retain their smooth Miami Vice suave-swagger, with a bit of evil thrown in. Business Casual sees tangible release on September 14th.

Business Casual Tour Dates

MON 7/26 WASHINGTON DC 9:30 Club
TUE 7/27 PHILADELPHIA, PA Trocadero
THU 7/29 NEW YORK, NY Bowery Ballroom
FRI 7/30 BOSTON, MA House of Blues *
SAT 7/31 MONTREAL, QC Metropolis *
MON 8/2 OTTAWA, ON Capital Music Hall
TUE 8/3 TORONTO, ON Phoenix
THU 8/5 DETROIT, MI Majestic
FRI 8/6 CHICAGO, IL Lollapalooza *
SAT 8/7 MINNEAPOLIS, MN First Avenue
TUE 8/10 CALGARY, AB Flames Central
WED 8/11 VANCOUVER, BC Commodore
THU 8/12 SEATTLE, WA Showbox Market
FRI 8/13 PORTLAND, OR Roseland
MON 8/16 SAN DIEGO, CA House of Blues
THU 8/19 SALT LAKE CITY, UT Twilight Concert Series *
FRI 8/20 DENVER, CO Ogden
TUE 8/24 AUSTIN, TX Stubb's
WED 8/25 DALLAS, TX Palladium
THU 8/26 NASHVILLE, TN Cannery Ballroom
FRI 8/27 ATLANTA, GA Masquerade
SUN 8/29 LOS ANGELES, CA Hollywood Bowl (w/ The Chemical Brothers) *

* No Holy Ghost!

Gentlemen: A look back at a top 5 album from the 90's.

MP3: Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen
MP3: Afghan Whigs - When We Two Parted
MP3: Afghan Whigs - Fountain and Fairfax

First off: GENIUS album cover. The conception of such an idea is worthy of praise alone, but the fact that the photographer got these children to capture that moment so perfectly is nothing sort of incredible. I could seriously make this post about the cover alone, but the music contained inside demands to be written about.

My old boss at this record store I used to work at told me that the audio at the beginning of the Afghan Whigs' "Gentlmen" was the sounds of the highway leaving Cincinnati. It's a brilliant start to the lp and the soul and harshness that continues through cement it as an all time great. It's hard to not just post the whole album, but all 3 of these songs are a great start and a coda to the Whigs as a whole. Fuck yeah!

New Best Coast: Boyfriend

MP3: Best Coast - Boyfriend

Here is the new single and opening track from the California pop teen sensations Best Coast. It appears on their upcoming long player "Crazy for You" which has the children crying over their Tiger Beats and BC official licensed comic books. Pre-order from Mexican Summer if you haven't already!

Neener neener

MP3: ceo - Illuminata

A release I had been looking forward since it's announcement is finally here. The ceo record! Erik Berglund of the mighty TTA doesn't stray too far from his other band's sound—which is a good thing because I've been awaiting a new Tough Alliance record for awhile now, and this will surely help to ride the tide.

FUCK YEAH: Melvins, as always.

MP3: Melvins - Pig House

As I stated in the comments of that post, I totally stand behind Matthew's selection yesterday. That said, it did sort of pussy things up a bit and it's the fucking weekend, so let's make some shit happen.

I don't know what the fuck this is about (yes I do, P4K just doesn't get it), cause the new Melvins record "The Bridge Screamed Murder" is another slam fucking dunk for the dudes since they recruited Big Business to make things more radical. Jam this one loud, we'll see you next week with some more choice nugs.

Nostalgia

MP3: Saves the Day - In Reverie

MP3: Saves the Day - Monkey

MP3: Saves the Day - Tomorrow Too Late

I know I'm going to get totally derided for this (and possibly the blog as a whole by association), but I've been listening to Saves the Day's "In Reverie" a lot lately. I've always loved this album and considered it easily the band's pinnacle; it's especially perfect for the summertime. I recall it taking a pounding when it came out (mostly from fans), which led to the band dropping their integrity and any notion of progression and releasing shitty pop-punk again, but I digress.

Here was a band changing their sound completely for the better, making beautifully lilting pop music, with hints that their next move was into psych-pop had they further pushed the instrumentation and melody. One can only imagine where the band could explored had they not given up on the best thing they've ever done.

T-T-T-Tame Impala

MP3: Tame Impala - Alter Ego

I don't know if you do drugs, but Tame Impala's Aussie psych masterpiece "Innerspeaker" is an audible argument to start. It kinda sounds like Dungen, space, DMT elves and the Fourth World all at once aka it's FUCKING AWESOME!

More new + rad Japandroids.

MP3: Japandroids - Younger Us

Yet another summer is here and Japandroids are still bringing fresh tunes for it. The 2nd in a series of 5 (so far) awesome 7 inch singles, Younger Us is up for pre-order now. Get it grrls and enjoy the a-side.

So radical.

MP3: Ty Segall - Girlfriend
MP3: Ty Segall - My Sunshine

Damn, Goner, you did it again. It's hard not to just leak this whole record, since every track is a hit, but here are 2 really rad Ty Segall jams from "Melted". This is the best and most listenable complete lp I've heard in a while.

The Best Song Ever: Reasons

MP3: Built to Spill - Reasons

"Reasons" is the first song that actually got me to give a shit about Built to Spill. And uh it's Friday. The Best Song Ever b's week minus a day is over, enjoy it and the random BTS drawing above that I found on google.

The Best Song Ever: Silver Soul

MP3: Beach House - Silver Soul

It says a lot about a band's staying power if you're still jamming their record that leaked in late 2009 and was released in early 2010. It's now the summer and Beach House's "Teen Dream" gets fresher with each listen. Thanks dudes.

The Best Song Ever: Woman on the Screen

MP3: Boris - Woman on the Screen

Fuck. Yes. Boris.

The Best Song Ever: Cat Walk

MP3: Beat Happening - Cat Walk

There are many great Beat Happening songs like there are days of the year: it all just depends on where you are at. I am at "Cat Walk" today, which is beyond fine with me.

FUCK YEAH: New Black Mountain

MP3: Black Mountain - Old Fangs

I love me some Pink Mountaintops and Lightning Dust, but man I've been ready for everybody to get back to it and record a new Black Mountain LP for what seems like ages.

Guess what? It is on mother fuckers: Wilderness Heart is the name of the game (that's the album art of the year up above) and will be out September 14th on Jagjaguwar. It's gonna rule, just like "Old Fangs" does.

No new photos, nor a new record that I know of.

MP3: Juvelen - All-Time High

Juvelen is back, and getting a bit seedy...but in the Juvelen way. Enjoy.