Wednesday, December 28, 2011

HOT TRAXXX: Cloud Nothings - Stay Useless


Holy shit - Cloud Nothings went from a really cool band to something truly special in the blink of an eye! I saw them earlier in the year and it was a hell of time, and goddamn this new album is everything you would want it to be. "Stay Useless" is easily Attack on Memory's centerpiece, a total rock song with Dylan Baldi hitting some chill inducing notes, all masterfully recorded by the great Steve Albini.

It sounds fresh, exciting and most importantly enduring, something that I hope becomes the trend in 2012 - now with the added pressure of the bar being set so high by January's Attack on Memory. Don't miss it.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Pure X - Surface [VIDEO/MP3]


MP3: Pure X - Surface

Pure X
"Surface"
Pleasure
Acéphale 2011
Director: Malcolm Elijah

While putting together my best of 2011 list (coming Friday!), I've been looking a lot at Pleasure, the LP by Pure X. I didn't listen to it as much as I should've this year, which I'm trying to make up for now, but it's really a hell of a record, you know?

These are essential '11 jams, children.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Catwalk - Christmas Don't Be Late [MP3]


Not sure if we'll post any X-MenX-Mas tunes beyond this, but today's selection is certainly a keeper.

I had never heard any Catwalk before this Chipmunks cover, but dude's (tiny) back catalogue is just as great as this song, so track it down.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Bleached - Electric Chair [MP3]


Did you hear this one yet?

It's the b-side to Bleached's newest single Searching Through the Past. "Electric Chair" sees them cross the finish line after a fine debut year, bringing their count to three quality 7 inches.

Thanks dudes - for the hits!

Friday, December 09, 2011

Colleen Green - Live on WMBR [ZIP/MP3]

MP3s:
03. Mike

Colleen Green was cool enough to play on the radio for my birthday this morning, wasn't that nice of her? She also played 2 new songs ("Only One" and "Darkest Eyes") which sounded real dank.

So I ripped the session after it wrapped, as a gift to myself. There was a lot of chatting not found in my edit, so if that's your thang you can find the whole thing somewhere in here. Enjoy yourself!

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Tennis - Origins [MP3] + Deep in the Woods [VIDEO]


MP3: Tennis - Origins

Tennis
"Deep in the Woods"
Origins
Forest Family Records 2011
Directors: Scott Laidlaw & Frank Rinaldi

BONUS: Enjoy an mp3 of the a side - "Origins", which will appear on their forthcoming LP2 Young and Old on Fat Possum. Excited for this one, as the group seems to have amplified everything that was charming about them and abandoned the lackluster songwriting that plagued their last effort Cape Dory, preventing it from becoming anything memorable.

FUCK YEAH: King Blood - End of a Primitive [MP3]

 

Richie Records recently announced that they will be delivering the next King Blood record to a thirsty world sometime in early 2012. "Terrific" is the phrase I'd most likely use in response to that delightful bit of news.

Until I can jam that, here is a selection from 2010's impossible to find Eyewash Silver.

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Summer Twins - I Don't Care [MP3]


While the Summer Twins' self titled debut is out already in Japan, I don't have enough gas to make it to a record store there. Good thing Burger Records is releasing it next month in the states! Apparently the US pressing will be with different artwork and completely remastered - sounds killer!

Enjoy "I Don't Care", a tasty delight from the album itself and download their very great EP The Good Things for free if you haven't already.

The Best Song Ever: I Walked With a Zombie [MP3]


The skies became seas, and the unsuspecting world below was left to drown in a flood of evil.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

HOT TRAXXX: Charli XCX - Nuclear Seasons [VIDEO/MP3]


MP3: Charli XCX - Nuclear Seasons

Charli XCX
"Nuclear Seasons"
Nuclear Seasons (Single)
This Is Music 2011
Director: Ryan Andrews

Sharon Van Etten - Serpents [MP3]


Today brings the first taste of Sharon Van Etten's forthcoming LP3 (and Jagjaguwar debut) Tramp. Can't wait for this one, SVE's epic was one of last year's best and she totally fucking ripped when I saw her back in January or whenever it was.

Good to know that the winter will be a bit more bearable on February 7th, when Tramp is released. Sounds toasty.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

FUCK YEAH: Wooden Shjips - Phonograph [MP3]


Here's an outtake from West by Wooden Shjips, that originally appeared as a bonus 7 inch included in the LP, but now has been released widely.

It's a business as usual track for the dudes, and business is gooood.

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

FUCK NO: Die Antwoord


Longtime readers of the blog may be surprised that it look this long to finally acknowledge these purveyors of aural cud. As easy as they were to ignore the hype marketers began their push, they're statements pertaining to their upcoming record need to be translated, knowing how hard it may be for English speakers to pick out their Afrikaans lyrics. Their statements appear italicized below, with the translation underneath.

So anyway... Interscope offered us a bunch of money again to release our new album TEN$ION.


This is simple: Interscope/UMG paid for the recording of the new album.

But this time, they also tried to get involved with our music, to try and make us sound like everyone else out there at the moment.


Upon hearing the finished product, the executives asked if we could possibly make it listenable. We asked them to explain further. To paraphrase a near half-hour diatribe on what makes something listenable and referring to it as commercial rap's "Lulu" we found ourselves rather taken aback by their lack of faith in our "masterpiece"—they even suggested firing that blonde thing and replacing her with Rihanna. Fools, they are! We're making the music of the future we responded, and they had the gall to retort that the record sounded like a mixture of all of the worst rap songs of 2008.

So we said: 'U know what, rather hang on to your money, buy yourself something nice...we gonna do our own thing. Bye bye'


Mr. Record Executive wrote off the album expense, tore up our contract and even gave us the album. He said "Good luck even trying to give this to the toilet or the rubbish heap".

Friday, November 04, 2011

David Bowie Fridays: Warszawa


MP3:
David Bowie - Warszawa

Has the legend returned????!?!

Enjoy.

Real Estate - It's Real [VIDEO/MP3]


MP3: Real Estate - It's Real

Real Estate
"It's Real"
Days
Domino 2011
Director: Weird Days

NSFW: Jacuzzi Boys - Glazin' [VIDEO/MP3]


MP3: Jacuzzi Boys - Glazin'

Jacuzzi Boys
"Glazin'"
Glazin'
Hardly Art 2011
Directors: "6 girls (and one tiny dog)"

HOT TRAXXX: Mazzy Star - Common Burn [MP3]


The thing about successfully ripping off a band's style is that it makes the listener yearn for the original so much more. Sadly though the Ramones are dead and Black Sabbath is too old, too sober and too rich.

Mazzy Star, however, are still spring chickens and with their reform comes the "Common Burn" single, which finds them sounding better than ever while managing to take a shit all over everyone who copped their sound. 

Death to false shoegaze. Welcome home, soldiers.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

High Places - Sonora [VIDEO/MP3]


MP3: High Places - Sonora

High Places
"Sonora"
Original Colors
Thrill Jockey 2011
Director: Keith Musil

On tour:
Fri Nov 4       - Los Angeles, CA - The Smell - Post Present Medium (PPM) Ten Year Anniversary Celebration
Tue Nov 8     - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
Thu Nov 10 - Baltimore, MD - Softhouse w/Purity Ring
Fri Nov 11      - Ann Arbor, MI - WCBN presents w/Damned Dogs at the Halfass
Sun Nov 13 - Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid Scheme w/Memoryhouse
Mon Nov 14 -  Toronto, ON - Garrison
Tue Nov 15      - Montreal, QC - Il Motore
Fri Nov 18      - Brooklyn, NY - Glasslands

Fri Nov 25      - Madrid, Spain - Primavera Club      
Sat Nov 26      - Barcelona, Spain  - Primavera Club  
Tue Nov 29      - London, UK  - Plan B
Wed Nov 30 - Paris, France  - Batofar 
Thu Dec 1       - Kortrijk, Belgium  - De Kreun
Fri Dec 2       - Koeln, Germany  - Week-End Festival 
Sat Dec 3       - Berlin, Germany  - HAU 2    
Sun Dec 4       - Prague, Czech Republic  - Meet Factory      
Mon Dec 5       - Vienna, Austria - B72
Tue Dec 6       - Muenchen, Germany  - Feierwerk      
Wed Dec 7       - Luzern, Switzerland  - Suedpol      
Thu Dec 8       - Yverdon, Switzerland - Amalgame     
Fri Dec 9 - Torino, Italy  - Spazio 211
Sat Dec 10      - Bologna, Italy  - Locomotiv 
Sun Dec 11      - Bourogne, France  - Generiq Festival
Tue Dec 13      - Den Haag, Netherlands  - State-X New Forms Festival 
Wed Dec 14- Amsterdam, Netherlands  - OT301   
Fri Dec 16      - Lisbon, Portugal - ZDB      
Sat Dec 17      - Guimaraes, Portugal - CCVF

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

FUCK YEAH: The Spits - All I Want [MP3]


MP3: The Spits - All I Want

Everyone's favorite band of mutants with more self-titled albums then Weezer has returned with the glory of a half-decade. Sometimes it's hard to pick a track so rock out to the album opener. Enjoy.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

EMA - Angelo [MP3]


Souterrain Transmissions, clearly with an eye for no-brainers, is releasing a new EMA single for Past Life Martyred Saints gold metal hit "Marked". It also comes backed with new song "Angelo", which you can download here (NOTE: I will update with a better quality mp3 once it becomes available to me).

The single is available digitally now and becomes physical on November 21st. Make your dreams come true.

The Beach Boys - Smile [GIVEAWAY]

Hey guys I've got a 2CD copy of the looooooong awaited Smile by The Beach Boys to giveaway and even a t-shirt too!



If you are a United States resident just email me at unicorntastic@gmail.com with your name, shirt size, email and mailing address and in one week (Nov 8) a winner will be chosen, at random of course.

Good luck! Need more details on this killer album? Keep reading:
The long awaited release of the Brian Wilson and Beach Boys masterpiece, SMiLE Sessions. With the full participation of original Beach Boys Al Jardine, Mike Love, and Brian Wilson, Capitol/EMI has, for the first time, collected and compiled the band's legendary 1966-'67 sessions for the never-completed SMiLE album. Rolling Stone magazine recently called SMiLE "the most famous unfinished album in rock & roll history." 
In several sessions between the summer of 1966 and early 1967, The Beach Boys recorded a bounty of songs and drafts for an album, SMiLE, that was intended to follow the band's 1966 album, Pet Sounds. The master tapes were ultimately shelved, and The Beach Boys' SMiLE has never been released. Drawn from the original masters, SMiLE Sessions presents an in-depth overview of The Beach Boys' recording sessions for the enigmatic album, which has achieved legendary, mythical status for music fans around the world.  

SMiLE Sessions physical and digital configurations include an assembled collection of core session tracks, while the box set delves much deeper into the sessions, adding early song drafts, alternate takes, instrumental and vocals-only mixes, and studio chatter. SMiLE Sessions invites the listener into the studio to experience the album's creation, with producer, singer and bassist Brian Wilson's vision leading the way as he guides his fellow Beach Boys, singer Mike Love, drummer Dennis Wilson, lead guitarist Carl Wilson, rhythm guitarist Al Jardine, and newest member Bruce Johnston (who'd replaced Brian Wilson in the touring group during 1965), through the legendary sessions.

 Artwork for all of the SMiLE Sessions physical and digital configurations has been created with and inspired by Beat-Pop artist Frank Holmes' original 1967 LP sleeve art and booklet designs intended for the SMiLE album. With its three-dimensional shadowbox lid, The SMiLE Sessions box set offers a whimsical peek inside the storied "SMiLE Shop."

 Box Set Content  
- 5 CDs / 2LPs / 2 7" singles 
- Three-dimensional shadow box lid featuring the original artwork of Frank Holmes. 
- The Box Set measures 13" x 13" x 2.5" 
- 60 page case bound book features liner notes by:
Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, Frank Holmes, Peter Reum, Tom Nolan, Domenic Priore 

Anecdotes by:
Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, Diane Rovell, Dean Torrence, Mark Volman, Michael Vosse, David Anderle, Danny Hutton 
Timeline 
Sessionography 
Lyrics 
Frank Holmes drawings 
Producer's Notes 
More than 60 previously unreleased photos

 Box also contains:  
- 6 panel folder holding 5 CDs and singles. Features photos of original session tape boxes. 
- 7" vinyl singles
 - "Heroes and Villians" in sleeve art 
-  "Vega-Tables" in sleeve art 
- Gatefold 2 LPs 
- Features full tracklisting of proposed unfinished album + 
- Stereo mixes and session highlights (not available on CDs)
- 12" x 12" booklet created for original release features: 
- Photos by Guy Webster 
- Drawings by Frank Holmes 
- 24" x 36" poster of Frank Holmes cover art

Purchase link for the SMiLE Sessions Light Up Box Set:  
http://www.merchdirect.com/TheBeachBoys/Combos/Limited_SMiLE_LIGHT_UP_Box_Set?productid=14651  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeachboys

Monday, October 31, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

HOT TRAXXX: Veronica Maggio - Jag Kommer [MP3]


MP3: Veronica Maggio - Jag Kommer

It's been awhile Swedish pop. So much so that we've been beginning to miss one another. Some of it maybe due to Laakso not releasing anything new in way too long, or even Marit Bergman just not reaching the heights of Baby Dry Your Eye in subsequent releases. But hot goddamn (and emphasize the hot)—the new Veronica Maggio hits the spot. Totally awesome pop music by a total babe. Enjoy.

Wild Flag - Electric Band [VIDEO/MP3]


MP3: Wild Flag - Electric Band

Wild Flag
"Electric Band"
Wild Flag
Merge Records 2011
Directors: Andrew Ellmaker & Lara Gallagher

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Monday, October 17, 2011

HOT TRAXXX: Bleached - Searching Through the Past [MP3]


MP3: Bleached - Searching Through the Past

Bleached are back with their best A-Side yet: "Searching Through the Past" jangles into your heart and infects it with a gleeful disease, until you die of murderous joy - except that it kind of sounds nothing like that at all.

Searching Through the Past is out December 6th on 7 inch/digital via Suicide Squeeze, of all labels.

Monday, October 10, 2011

True Widow - Bathyscaphe [MP3]


Usually this would be a good fall post. True Widow make that perfect autumn drone you want to hear while sipping on pumpkin beers and wearing long sleeves, but it's almost 80 degrees outside. What kind of bullshit is that?

Thursday, October 06, 2011

GO TEAM: Kelly Hangauer - I Can Almost Feel [MP3]


My former Ladyparts bandmate Kelly Hangauer has finally embraced the internet, and I feel like if it doesn't embrace him back we're going to lose him.

He's hard at work on a semester in Prague, recording some new tracks along the way including the 5 day old "I Can Almost Feel". He probably hates the song by now, but I loved it and I just wanted to say that I miss him and I hope he's having a blast.

Keep up with him on his Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/huntersandgatherers

Monday, October 03, 2011

The Best Song Ever: Live Neil Edition [MP3]


This week is going to be crazy - just sayin' is all. Here's 2 from this Live in Chicago 1992 deal that was going around the download blogs last week.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Deerhunter - Rhythm + Colorscale [MP3]


It's been a rainy couple of days and when that's the case you usually go running to your old favorites. Here are the 2 Japanese bonus tracks for Deerhunter's Halcyon Digest. I know we keep posting outtakes for that album, but we really are excited for BC's new Atlas Sound album. This is just how we get through the pain of not having a copy of it yet. One day, in 2012, we'll all look back on this post and laugh at it, but not today. Enjoy.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Twin Sister - Gene Ciampi [MP3]


MP3: Twin Sister - Gene Ciampi

That new Twin Sister record In Heaven sure is nice, but let's go ahead and take a look at some bonus (and completely album-unrelated) images from cover artist/genius Jonny Negron. Enjoy.





Bleached - Think of You [VIDEO]

Neat film for the Bleached track "Think of You" from the Carter 7 inch. Old news, but still cool. Cameos galore that may interest you if you're into California.

Friday, September 16, 2011

FUCK YEAH: Applebees



MP3: Mean Jeans - Forever Young

Tonight's the night! The whole team is excited for the long awaited Mean Jeans show at Don Pedro's in Brooklyn tonight - I thought I was gonna have to move back to Portland to see these dudes live! They go on at 11PM, it's $6 and it's gonna rule. Tweet at us if you wanna buy me and Matthew drinks, we'll gladly drink them.

More info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=272922186070229

So here is their cover of "Forever Young" that appeared on the latest Trouble in Mind 4 way split. Everyone loves a rarity right?

Have a fun weekend, but unless you're at this it's probably not gonna be as killer (good luck though!).

Thursday, September 15, 2011

GO TEAM: Say My Name Triumphant

 
ALBUM STREAM:


Say My Name returns with Say My Name 2, an album that finds the Kid utilizing a grandiose pallet of intentions and ideas that hit the mark every single time.

Each track tells a story unique to your imagination, bursting with back handed pimps, gash fountain babes and drugs that haven't even been invented yet... or at least that's what I hear. Honestly what is so fascinating about SMN's music is that it's entirely open to interpretation, but is so brilliant that even the biggest village idiot has boost towards "getting it".

Take for example two of the Kid's all-star collaborators on this LP: Kenneth Kupfer's long fingered, skull cane ladden artwork for the cover makes complete sense, as does Range Life Records honcho and not-frequently-enough FY!GT! contributor Zach Hangauer's Wonder Woman vs. injustice video for single "La Cygne" (available for viewing below). It's seriously worth investing in a project of Say My Name inspired art projects, but in the meantime it's beyond worth investing in Say My Name 2 - and you can September 20th when it's available for digital consumption.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

FRGVNSS


One of (if not) the best records of the year is officially out now! Here's an non-skipping mp3 of "Forgiveness" for those early adopters. Also follow this link to see the boys (pun!) on Jimmy Fallon playing beautifully. G'day dudes!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Nosebleed


MP3: Deerhunter - Nosebleed

In our wait to the upcoming Atlas Sound record, and whenever Deerhunter decide to drop another banger, here's the b-side from the "Memory Boy" seven inch which came out on Record Store Day earlier this year. Enjoy.

Friday, September 09, 2011

Frothing.


Colleen Green is been a welcome addition to the land of finely crafted musical beasts and her upcoming Cujo 12 inch for Art Fag only raises bars higher. It's drenched with hooks, nugs and Kindergarten Cop sound bytes - the classic formula of a sure thing. "Rabid Love" is a song on it and it's soooo good! Enjoy it like you would a fine wine that is gonna get you drunk and brave.

Cujo is out on October 4th.

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Video: Crete'n


The team agrees: the new Saviours LP is total goddamn aces. Here's the vid for "Crete'n", dig in mother fuckers.

New Blouse: Videotapes

 
More magic from Portland magicians Blouse, who after 2 genius singles have at long last announced their debut full length which is going to be self-titled. I don't get self-titling albums, but whatever. The point is this is going to be great and it's out November 1st on Captured Tracks.

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

SELF TITLED/SELF HELP



Finally got around to checking those dudes Widowspeak and their self titled debut that just came out on Captured Tracks. It sounds real good! It's also very fitting of this rainy cold weather that New England has been cloaked in all this week. I'm not complaining, I truly am loving that I can wear long sleeves again. Autumn = class.

Oh, but yeah check these guys out if you haven't yet. They're nice, especially if you love Mazzy Star. Do these bands cry over that comparison or are they bad ass about it like the groups that are covers of Black Sabbath or the Ramones and totally own up to it and we can all have a good time? I hope it's the latter...

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

New Kurt Vile: The Creature


Looks like come November 8th Matador Records will re-release this year's great Smoke Ring for My Halo because... um? But the bright side of such a pointless endeavor is that it's being packaged with (and thankfully available on it's own 12 inch vinyl release) So Outta Reach, a new ep of 6 songs from those sessions, touched up upon and thrown at an adoring public. Oh and one of the songs is a cover of Boss classic "Downbound Train". You know, this one:



Maybe it sounds like this?


Monday, September 05, 2011

HOT TRAXXX: Warm in the Winter


Hot damn! Glass Candy released another on fire single - it's called Warm in the Winter, it's backed with "Beautiful Object" and it just further proves these mother fuckers can hang, staying cool as hell.

Friday, September 02, 2011

FUCK YEAH: Bang

MP3: Big Business - Guns

I've got to go and get some beers for tonight, so this is a quick one - enjoy the best song on the recent Quadruple Single by Big Business. Have a good weekend!

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Video: Bad Feeling


New video from Veronica Falls for their new single "Bad Feeling", which is out in 7 inch form now on Slumberland. It's also appearing on September 20's self titled debut which is highly anticipated by everyone cool, including yours truly.

Cool video, burning shit in the woods is pretty bad ass.

(I also really like this video to "Come On Over" which will also be on the LP)

HOT TRAXXX: GOTHAM


Hey, right off the bat I just want to say to HEALTH that it's sooooooo nice to hear anything new from you guys! You've really been missed! I guess these dudes are spending time making awesome covers because this, their version of Pictureplane's "Goth Star", is everything these things should be. Now it's totally a HEALTH song while keeping everything that is special about the original intact: namely it's glitterbomb fireworks display and it's genius sampling of Fleetwood Mac's oft-forgotten "Seven Wonders".

Not that anyone needed a reminder of how great this track was but GODDAMN it still has legs! Good on you, nuders.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Introduced


We're all going to pretend that we all didn't download Hurry Up, We're Dreaming this week and that "Intro", featuring the lovely Zola Jesus, is a complete shocker. So let's go ahead and talk about the song!

It actually IS a shocker. Listening to "Midnight City" for so long left it harder to imagine something of equal or greater quality could come before and properly set up such a beast, but here we are and it totally fucking rules. It's sprawling, warm and as big as space itself (like all M83, duh), but beyond that I was air drumming like I was fucking a goddamn superstar by the end of it and I like that because I'm not and escape is everything.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

New Meg Baird: The Finder


MP3: Meg Baird - The Finder

Some people release too much music, some just enough and too many not much at all - it's the Goldilocks theory. Meg Baird totally falls into the latter category, though now we're all lucky enough to anticipate a new album called Seasons on Earth, coming out on Drag City next month.

Everyone is older and wiser in the world and I guess this LP's is gonna reflect that - "The Finder" certainly makes me believe it. While her Philadelphia peers like Purling Hiss and Kurt Vile are painting the USA the color Philly one city at a time, 2011 seems prime for a lovely overtaking. All hail Queen Baird, mother fuckers.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

FUCK YEAH: Bad as Me


MP3: Tom Waits - Bad as Me

Every time Tom Waits raises his head, music stops. It doesn't stop because it's run out, it's stops because of the blindsiding that occurs. At that point, you'd think it would reevaluate it's position, but it just keeps prostrating to the admonishment being delivered by Mr. Waits. He's the voice of reason; he brings character to the world. With Bad as Me seeing release this October, I can only hope an appropriate Dickensian winter (finally) follows suits. Enjoy.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

New Atlas Sound: Terra Incognita


MP3: Atlas Sound - Terra Incognita

There are the constants to Bradford Cox that you not only count on, but thrive upon as well: his voice will break your heart, no matter what he's singing and it's going to sound awesome in some way, even if it's not readily visible on it's the surface. How does it change up?

Well his upcoming Parallax album, the 3rd under his Atlas Sound moniker, is self labeled as "science fiction" for it's genre -sounds stellar to me.

Out Nov 8th on 4AD (and by Nov 8th I mean when it leaks in October).