The hottest boyz.

MP3: Casiotone For the Painfully Alone w/ Dear Nora - Hot Boyz

A collection of b-sides and singles from Casiotone For the Painfully Alone is a dream come true for any fan, and the recently released "Advance Base Battery Life" is everything you could hope for.

The biggest gem that had gone over my head in my collecting days was "Hot Boyz", a Missy Elliot cover that showed up on a States Rights Records comp way back when. It's a collaboration with the criminally underrated Dear Nora, who takes on lead vocals for one of the most awkwardly charming and completely sincere genre bending takes I've ever heard. It's a sore thumb and has been on heavy repeat for as long as I've had it.

Don't forget to be on the lookout for "Vs. Children", the next great Casiotone masterpiece coming next month. I already like it a whole bunch myself.

Parenthetical Girls

MP3: Parenthetical Girls - One Father, Another

MP3: Casiotone For the Painfully Alone - Love Connection

Slender Mean Society owner Zac Pennington proves that his great ear for great music doesn't just stop at releasing it, but writing it. Parenthetical Girls might freak you out a little bit (look at their album covers, it's pretty much an audible version of that) but there is something really quite beautiful on the surface. "One Father, Another" was the song that struck me the most when seeing them live (both times). It builds and builds until it sounds like all the players exploded. It makes little sense but at the same time manages to sound together.

As a bonus, I've included Casiotone For the Painfully Alone's cover of PG's "Love Connection". A personal highlight from last years delightful "Etiquette".

{buy parenthetical girls recordings from slender means}