Live on the Sunset Strip

MP3: Otis Redding - Respect

MP3: Otis Redding - I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)

Recently released was a live record from the late great Otis Redding. Recorded in 1966 at the Sunset Strip, the collection takes tracks from the many sets he played during his stay. It all rules for sure, though I wish they either included every single song from every set or trimmed it down a bit. I love "Satisfaction" as much as the next man, but I don't need to hear it 80 times on the same record.

Dripping a dip in the jacuzzi

MP3: Jacuzzi Boys - Smells Dead

Just got the "No Seasons" vinyl in the mail. My weekend will be spent listening to Jacuzzi Boys and I suggest the same on your end too. Burger has the tape edition, limited with bonus track, so snag that while you can brothers and sisters!

Our Kristofer Åström apology post

MP3: Kristofer Åström - A Song While I'm Away

Slow music month, this is. And it's not a bad thing, because we can look back on fonder times. This is more an apology post than anything else, because if memory serves me correct, we totally slacked on posting anything from the new Kristofer Åström record last year. So here it is, KÅ prettying up an oft-overlooked Thin Lizzy ballad. Phil Lynott would be proud.

Gwarpaint

MP3: Warpaint - Billie Holiday

Warpaint's "Exquisite Corpse" came out last year, but I just found it so fuck off. I'm really digging this one and it is quickly becoming my May record. It's like psychedelic Cat Power which is as awesome as it sounds.

Casiokids for Summer!!

MP3: Casiokids - Grønt lys i alle ledd

The new Casiokids is coming soon (like June 8th soon) and it's really awesome. If you get it on vinyl now you'll get yours on 180 gram purple wax with a bonus remix lp that doesn't suck at all. So download the opening track from the collection and then pre-order yourself a copy of Topp stemning på lokal bar". You'll love it.

Hey there, Lower Dens.

MP3: Lower Dens - Hospice Gates

New Jana Hunter is bliss. Instead of releasing her new songs as a 3rd JH long player, she became a full band called Lower Dens and that material is their debut album "Twin-Hand Movement". It's gonna rule, and it's out July 20th from Gnomonsong. I can't wait.

The Best Song Ever: Je veux qu'il revienne

MP3: Françoise Hardy - Je veux qu'il revienne

Today's post is from all time classic babe Françoise Hardy, on a song that appears on her seminal "Mon amie la rose" record. I first heard wind of Hardy in a magazine article in the early 00's that my old roommate had in the restroom. It was well written enough for me to seek out some work and I instantly became a lifelong fan.

"Je veux qu'il revienne" was the opening track to a greatest hits lp I found used for $1.50 at a (now shuttered) record store in Northampton, MA a few years back. The song was so amazing that I had to find the album that it came from, and when I did I was not surprised that it was equally as great. Any of her material is a score, but this one wins for me simply because of the incredible memories that come with it for me.

Naked mermaids

MP3: Phosphorescent - The Mermaid Parade

I've got the new Phosphorescent lp "Here's To Taking It Easy" just waiting for me to devour it, but I just can't get past the 4th song on the album: "The Mermaid Parade". Beyond the fact that lyrically it's one of the first songs I can relate to in quite some time, it's just a total home run. This song will crush you so gently and you'll never see it coming, even after you've listened to it ten times in a row. So I can't tell you how the new album is, but I can tell you that "The Mermaid Parade" is fucking right on.

¡En vivo!

MP3: Jonathan Johansson - Aldrig Ensam (acoustic)

After seeing the stellar video of this performance, I was extremely happy when the always generous (and quality) Hybris sent a link to an audio recording out. To pull off such a breathtakingly minimal pop song live is another thing altogether. It's a performance worth shedding a tear over, and I cannot wait to hear his followup record.

FUCK YEAH: Witch

MP3: Witch - Seer

Listen to Witch.

That is all.

The DOM post.

MP3: DOM - Living in America
MP3: DOM - Jesus

This one has been a long time coming: I've always meant to do a DOM post, but honestly my peers were doing such a great job at it that it didn't seem like it was the right time. Which is silly, because "Sun Bronzed Greek Gods" is 100% fantastic from start to finish, and there is no wrong time. So here we are, and I'm writing this up finally.

It's a beautiful day today, and the weekend is upon us. I am living in Massachusetts and I'm pretty glad to be here. The reason I bring all of this up is that DOM is also from MA, and their music reeks of sunny day listening. When I listen to these songs, I hear a soundtrack to this state and I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time. It's an era all right, and it's one that will always be looked at fondly.

So check these dudes out, like you haven't already. It's pop music for party animals. The good kind, not the douchey kind. Everybody is on the right kind of drugs.

Also, what a rad album cover from friend Jheri Evans (who's art is scattered all about this blog). Buy the 10 inch now and it'll ship later this month. No regrets, I promise.

Reflections.

I loved the "Train of Thought" record by Reflection Eternal (aka Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek) a whole ton when I first heard it way back when. I was in high school and my friends & I would constantly add tracks from it to mix tapes and cd-rs to skate to (this was pre iPods aka I'm old). It was fucking dope. Some of my favourite memories are during those sessions.

So, 10 years later, the duo reunite for their sophomore lp "Revolutions Per Minute". From what I've heard so far, it is less influenced by where those dudes were at in that time (post-Black Star, Hi-Teknology, the Rawkus sound) and more in tune to their current personas... which is fine, great even. Really, on their own they've had some highs and lows, but in the end I've always been happy that they are around and at the end of the day, they're still part of the best things about hip-hop.

So check out a stream of "Midnight Hour" featuring Estelle (which is the clean version, but don't let that stop you) and see what the fellas are up to. So far so good. Now let's get that Black Star follow up started.

"Revolutions Per Minute" is out May 18th.

Never Mine, always fine.

MP3: Brilliant Colors - Never Mine

Today's post continues the Slumberland Records sound which was covered by Matthew yesterday.

I was checking in with Brilliant Colors to see what they were up to and what they're up to is TWO fresh singles out now. One is on Make a Mess and the other on Slumberland. I've provided the A-Side from the latter in mp3 form, it rules just like the rest of the group's output.

Track both of these down now, you're in for the usual delicious treat.

Chin chin chin chin chin up!

MP3: Chin Chin - My Guy

Fact: Vivian Girls are shit.

Fact: Dum Dum Dum Girls are shit.

Fact: Chin Chin are very good.

Slumberland was altruistic enough to issue their 1985 album "Sound of the Westway" on vinyl recently, most likely just a reminder that most hyped bands nowadays, people used to be able to play their instruments in time and sing in key.

FUCK YEAH: Muttin' Around

MP3: Total Abuse - 14 Years Old

Whew. Total Abuse are back with a new lp titled "Mutt" and it is expectedly radical. It's out now from the record breaking PPM on vinyl and comes with a zine and digital download to boot (bux bangin'). 80's hardcore noise set in today's future. Or something. Writing is hard, just listen to music.