Water you saying?

MP3: Brilliant Colors - Value Lines

After a 2 year victory lap of their debut full length and a handful of 7 inches, Brilliant Colors return with their sophomore release titled Again and Again.

This time around the songs are catchier, more developed and most importantly better than ever, though not to worry - it's not like anyone left the garage, they merely painted the walls. So now it sounds like chewing on a spark plug while realizing that they're fucking delicious and no one else knows this fact except for you.

Go with that feeling, and enjoy 10 songs from one of the better and most deserving bands of the modern age. Snag a copy this coming Tuesday, thanks to the folks at Slumberland Records.

Brilliant Colors - 'Round Your Way from Slumberland Records on Vimeo.

Song

MP3: Matt Valentine - Stay

Matt Valentine is half of folkers MV & EE. Here is a song from his sans EE record that was released earlier this year on Woodsist. Enjoy this song on any current or upcoming lazy day.

New Jacuzzi Boys: Cool Vapors

MP3: Jacuzzi Boys - Cool Vapors

Jacuzzi Boys rule, the new record Glazin' is out August 30th on Hardly Art, here is a song from it - 'nuff said.

Order it and get a free 7 inch: http://www.hardlyart.com/shop/jacuzziboys.html

White style, white knife, white girls, white nights.

MP3: White Life - Time Is Wasting

MP3: White Life - Flirp

MP3: White Life - Follow

MP3: White Life - I Want Love

(NOTE: 4 is a lot of tracks and certainly more than we would usually feature, but since the very awesome Ehse Records has this record available for free download I figured I'd give you all I could to make you fully back this band. They do have vinyl and cdr's available, so totally snag one of those. I got my LP in the mail today and it sounds like a really, really tasty sandwich.)

I'm finding that a lot of nostalgia is already surrounding White Life for me in only a month. That's a word I hate to throw around because it is insanely over/misused in music reviews - just because a sound or lyric evokes a certain familiarity doesn't automatically make it a thing from the past... but I digress.

This band's record was introduced to me by a friend of mine and it's been a pretty long time since that's happened, at least from someone unconnected to music journalism / blogging / industry / whatever. That was a neat feeling, especially since their recommendation turned out to be such a homerun.

White Life are two siblings based out of Baltimore who make music that is nostalgic only in the fact that their's is an album that hangs around - after the first song you know you're going to be blasting it all summer long. You stick around to learn the hooks, the best beats, your "HOT TRAXXX" if you will. Pop music hasn't felt this passionate or intimate on a ambitious scale in a lightyear - in fact this will probably be the last time it ever will, so put on some comfortable shoes to dance in and then boogie till you fuckin' die.

FUCK YEAH: Sticky Icky

STREAM: The Icarus Line - Let It Fall (demo)

While we await the straight ripper that is Wildlife, due this August, our internet buddy honcho Travis Keller posted this gem of a demo (gemmo? or is that too British?) from a prospective new album following suit this fall for his own label. Not only are The Icarus Line back, but they seem to rolling and rocking and knocking it finally down. Their ability to disappear in the past was always been their detriment since they have the songs, but hopefully they'll get it going and get the funding to launch a full frontal assault. Travis, send us mp3s of both records, and next time you dudes are in New York I got the first round. Enjoy.

ROMCOM-IN'

MP3: Big Troubles - Misery

Just heard this one earlier today, it sounded real nice (though I expect nothing less from Slumberland): Big Troubles have a new record called Romantic Comedy coming out on September 27th and this is a song from it.

FUCK YEAH: New BWS

We can't wait to hear the new album after this gem has emerged. Enjoy.

New Wooden Shjips - Lazy Bones

MP3: Wooden Shjips - Lazy Bones

If it seemed like all of the greats were putting out records this year, you're onto something. This September 13th, Wooden Shjips 'drop' a new full length called West (and first recorded in an 'official' studio) on Thrill Jockey, their first for the label.

I don't need to tell you that this, the first released recording from the album and third in sequence, "Lazy Bones" is awesome - it obviously is. I just need to post it, and I just did. Mission accomplished. Fuck yeah.

Your turn, downloader.

FUCK YEAH: It's so ezy.

MP3: High Speed & the Afflicted Men - Get Stoned Ezy

A gem from 1982, enjoy it like the holiday never stopped.

The Best Song Ever: Darlin'

MP3: The Beach Boys - Darlin'

It's hard to fight the urge to end up posting basically their entire discography in this category. They've really been the only band I've actually listen to the past weeks because other than a passing fancy, I've just found the sustained quality to be lacking so far this summer—might as well go back to the source. Enjoy.

New Zola Jesus: Vessel

MP3: Zola Jesus - Vessel

Looks like we can expect more awesome bonkers high end pop tunes from Zola Jesus: she releases her newest full length Conatus on October 4th. Sacred Bones continues to have the record label honors, and if "Vessel" is any sign, this one is gonna be great.

FUCK YEAH: Deathbound

MP3: Mastodon - Deathbound

Just watch and download, you don't need to be a dick about it.

FUCK YEAH: Praxis

MP3: Ex Reverie - Black Butterfly

It's been some time since 2008's "The Door Into Summer", but at last Ex Reverie returns with "Praxis": 4 songs you can rough house with. Get it as a name-your-price download or a radical black light poster at her Bandcamp page: http://exreverie.bandcamp.com/

New Class Actress: Keep You

MP3: Class Actress - Keep You

The always underrated Elizabeth Harper returns with her Class Actress project, this time following up on last year's leave-you-wanting-much-more ep " Journal of Ardency". Well here is more: "Rapprocher", which is apparently French for "come closer", drops out of an airplane on October 18th from Carpark. Hear opener and all around great pop song "Keep You" now, it's real cool.

HOT TRAXXX: I Wanna Take You Out & In This Filthy City

MP3: Part Time - I Wanna Take You Out

MP3: Part Time - In This Filthy City

Holy shit, my whole world opened up after hearing Part Time yesterday. So good! Here's 2 songs from the upcoming full length "What Would You Say?" with "In This Filthy City" being the highlight of the pair. Seriously, you just heard the soundtrack to your weekend.

This comes out July 5th on Mexican Summer. Don't miss it.

(PS. if anyone has a copy or download the Part Time's self titled tape hook me up: unicorntastic@gmail.com you'd rule and maybe I can throw something your way)

Distressor

MP3: Whirr - Leave

MP3: Whirr - Blue

Tracks 2 and 3 from Whirr's effect drenched shoegaze debut "Distressor", pressed under their former name of Whirl. It's out of print now, but ebay or google around and you can find a copy at it's intended price.

Also the band just signed to Tee Pee with a new record to be released early next year - that's gonna be great.

HOT TRAXXX: Party in the C.I.A.

MP3: "Weird Al" Yankovic - Party in the C.I.A.

Fuck cred, "Weird Al" hit it hard on this one and it's funny in the same way the Onion is—because it's all based on fact. With lyrics like "You need a quickie confession?/We'll start a waterboarding session" and "Better put your hands up and get in the van/Or else you'll get blown away/Stagin' a coup like, yeah/Brainwashin' moles like, yeah/We only torture the folks we don't like/You're probably gonna be okay" the man is on point with the entirety of the track. With the genius within I sure hope Miley Cyrus begins performing this version at shows, she'd gain some respect if so. Enjoy this summertime party anthem.

New Washed Out: Amor Fati

MP3: Washed Out - Amor Fati

It's been so long since these sounds (whatever genre you want to label it as, though for the sake of this piece let's just call it "music") have sounded fresh - or as good, but then again, Washed Out was out of the game for a little while. It really shows the lasting power of "Life of Leisure" and the "High Times" tape because everyone who was touched by them sure got a lot of milage from it all.

But it's Summer 2011, a perfect (and current) time for a comeback: by now "Within and Without" opener "Eyes Be Closed" is old news, but today track 3 has been splashed upon us from above: there's no doubt who you're hearing when listening to the song, called "Amor Fati": you instantly feel a sense of soothing familiarity, allowing you to unabashedly feel blissed, coated in the sunshine's gaze: hopeful for the future, but feeling better than ever about the past because 'fuck it'.

"Within and Without" is out July 12th on Sub Pop. Pre-order now

GO TEAM: On the fuzz.

Great clip that puts you in the exact mindset you wanna be in for Midnight Television's self titled tape, out now from my pals at Beer on the Rug. I need to snag a copy of this, like you should, and together we'll take flight through memory lane - hazed through age. Like a fine cheese, on VHS.

Stream n' buy:

Farewell Gustaf

MP3: The Fine Arts Showcase - Laughter

Farewell Gustaf.

New Bleached: Think of You

MP3: Bleached - Think of You

"Carter" is the title of the new 7 inch from Bleached, and it's a-side "Think of You" is expectedly radical. Download it above and then buy the single from Art Fag - it ships in mid-July with it's first pressing limited to 500 copies on black wax. You should totally get one, Bleached are one of my favorite new bands of the year so naturally I ordered one.

The Best Song Ever: Grey Riders

MP3: Neil Young - Grey Riders

Seeing as the live documentation of Neil Young's ill-fated "International Harvesters" phase got shelved by Geffen, he's finally released the live documentation that shows who fucked that one up big time. "Grey Riders", the closing track on the set rips, and there's really no other way of describing it. The sound mix is phenomenal, allowing the distorted guitars to kick, the pedal steel to bridge and the synth-strings to be used most tastefully. If I had a car I would blast this one all day long. Enjoy.

Thanks for the wreck: Buddyhead

MP3: Lilac - So Young
MP3: Lilac - Moon

Those OG's over at Buddyhead may be a bit slower in the posting realm, but when they do, they post quality. Whether it be about the brace of upcoming Icarus Line records (which we're totally stoked on) or their reviews, they're always on point. This falls into the latter, where they've recently posted a review of Lilac's debut EP, and I cannot wait to hear the rest. Feel good summertime jams are always welcome around these parts, and thanks to Travis et al for this one. Enjoy.

HOT TRAXXX: Nights and Days

MP3: Blouse - Nights and Days

Yo Friday: Here is the b-side from Blouse's recent "Shadow" single on Sub Pop. Well worth your investment!

Have a good weekend everyone! Sorry about being so absent recently, lots of crazy craziness is to blame. All caught up mostly, and will totally see you Monday!

Video: The Hoodoo

MP3: Purling Hiss - The Hoodoo

Hey dudes, check out this new video for "The Hoodoo", off the much anticipated "Lounge Lizards" 12 inch by Purling Hiss. Hope my copy ships soon - the ball is in your court, Mexican Summer!

The Best Song Ever: Stuck With BBQs

MP3: Huey Lewis and the News - Stuck With You

Goddamn, it's summer about to be summertime and the heat's come at us like a tonne of bricks. Summertime as an adult can be tough at times—kept inside by your job when all you want to do is enjoy every day and barbecue with a couple of brewskis as the sun goes down, fireflies fluttering about the smoke for the fire, the condensation from your vessel evaporating into the humid air seamlessly, all the while blasting the best hits of yore. Enjoy.

FUCK YEAH: Confusion

MP3: Justice - Civilization (The Fucking Champs Remix)

It truly was one of those "what the fuck" moments when I saw that our beloved Fucking Champs "remixed" the Justice song "Civilization" on the latter's new EP. It's not that Justice are necessarily bad of over-hyped, however they're overshadowed by the shear awesomeness that The Fucking Champs provide for us every time they turn up. It's like, why have Kraft Singles when you can have Caciocavallo Podolico? Enjoy.

Down at the Hut

MP3: Personal and the Pizzas - Joanie

Here is another b-side for you, this one from Personal and the Pizzas' new single for "Dead Meat". It's a bit of a ballad, for those of you who like soft crust.

Video: Dazed

MP3: Bleached - Dazed

Triumphant new video from Bleached for "Dazed", the b-side to their very excellent "Francis" 7 inch out now on Ooga Booga - it sounds real great in the sunshine. Check out that clip below and be on the lookout for the "Carter" 7 inch coming next month from Art Fag.

FUCK YEAH: Woods

MP3: Woods - Wouldn't Waste

Our favorites Woods just keep getting better, which must be why they've waited nary a year since dropping their last full-length to give us another set of gems. With two jams already have been publicly available, perhaps it's time to drop a ballad on your ears. The longer this band is around, the better the music industry is—thanks boys, for your output to date. Please keep it coming.

Blood.

MP3: Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Ffunny Ffriends

Had this grandiose plan to update a ton on the blog today with a bunch of cool music but then my bike broke and I took a nasty spill in the process so fuck that. Tonight UMO plays Cafe 9 in New Haven and I'm gonna be there to groove and hopefully stop bleeding. New record out on Fat Possum in like 2 weeks or something. You'll forgive me for not checking.

FUCK YEAH: Vision Quest

MP3: Black Lips - Bicentennial Man

MP3: Black Lips - New Direction

So the new Black Lips record is upon, and to much surprise, it's full of hits. In the past, the Atlanta quartet's albums have been bogged down by duds, which really made for long listening—which is odd because they've always had great songs thrown in the mix. On Arabia Mountain we find them running the gamut of jangly 1960s pop, all with great success. Here we have for you a brace of tracks for the hit parade. Enjoy.

The Best Song Ever: Dancing in the Moonlight

MP3: King Harvest - Dancing in the Moonlight

This is some Thursday shit right here.

Water them

MP3: Blonde Redhead - My Plants Are Dead

I guess everyone hated last year's "Penny Sparkle" by Blonde Redhead? Weird, because it sounds really awesome to me, and I've never been their biggest supporter. The whole thing is sorta dark, slow burning and full of atmosphere aka killer. Here is a really good song from it, try not to listen to what other people say unless those people are me.

The Best Song Ever: Don't Drop Out

MP3: Dolly Parton - Don't Drop Out

We love you, Dolly.

FUCK YEAH: 866 Belle Mead Island Drive

MP3: Where Fear and Weapons Meet - Other Face

Been listening to and buying a ton of old school hardcore records lately. One that came in the mail just today is from the seminal band Where Fear and Weapons Meet. It's their first 7 inch from 1998 and it is entirely great. You can still get copies for some criminal reason, so snag one.

The Best Song Ever: Our Little Rendezvous

MP3: Chuck Berry - Our Little Rendezvous

This one is for you "Macho Man" Randy Savage. You're doing blow off of endless tits with the gods now. See you guys next week.

FUCK YEAH: You Make the Sun Fry

MP3: Ty Segall - You Make the Sun Fry

Drag City premiered the first single from Ty Segall's forthcoming "Goodbye Bread" and woof: it rips hard (well, it's actually a bit more mellow but dude can't not approach things from a level of general badassery). June 21st can't come soon enough.

HOT TRAXXX: Make U Move

MP3: Juvelen - Make U Move

The mighty Juvelen is now back, after three years of laying dormant with a straight banger. "Make U Move" comes from the EP of the same name, and picks up right where the one man boy band left off with 1. You can purchase this phenomenal EP from Amazon and start the party instantly. Juvelen shows all of those other weak-ass pop acts how it's to be done. Enjoy.

Norm be killin' it.

Norm Macdonald is maybe the funniest dude of all time. His newest special "Me Doing Stand Up" was tight and is available on cd + dvd on the popular release date June 14th from Comedy Central. Preview some jokes with the widget above!

New Marissa Nadler: The Sun Always Reminds Me of You

MP3: Marissa Nadler - The Sun Always Reminds Me of You

More new tunes from Marissa Nadler's self-titled June 14th album out on her own Box of Cedar Records. Heard this in demo form awhile back - it was killer then and it's killerer now.

David Comes 2 Trife

MP3: Fucked Up - Turn the Season

Fucked Up are a very popular and widely prolific band. Which makes it somewhat strange that the upcoming David Comes To Life is only the third full-length output in a band that's conceptually very regimented. Perhaps, that's why, of course, they've only released three—to ensure that the quality of such meets only their highest standards. After the "Royal Pudding" incident, Canadians are surely in need of a pick-up, which this provides. Enjoy.

Weyes.

MP3: Weyes Blood - Romneydale

Back in the Myspace days, many moons ago, I actually stumbled across Weyes Blood and was pretty blown away. Glad to see a physical release at last: "The Outside Room" is out now on Not Not Fun in a vinyl edition of 480. Don't miss out, it drips.

Also check out this tight video for Candy Boy:

FUCK YEAH: Harmonia

MP3: Liturgy - Harmonia

Here is the closing song on the new Liturgy album, and it does a damn fine job in doing so. These fellas have been ruling for the past couple of years and show no signs of breaking that trend. Enjoy.

New Curren$y: #JetsGo

Stream: Curren$y - #JetsGo

Another tight track from weed's very own Curren$y, still smooth as all hell. "#JetsGo" is the hashtag hit from the forthcoming "Weekend at Burnie's" opus. Above, you'll see its nostalgia drenched cover art: pretty sweet stuff. This shit is out June 28th on Warner Bros and any day now on the internet.

GO TEAM: The woods are full of killers.

MP3: Lord Dying - Greed Is Your Horse

Lord Dying is not only the new band from my old co-worker Erik, but also they are a fucking gnarly band from Portland. Big riffs, lots of thunder, bong kong. They just released their 5 song demo online, get a digital copy now.

HOT TRAXXX: Real is a Feeling

MP3: Pictureplane - Real is a Feeling

New Pictureplane record, co-produced by HEALTH's Jupiter Keyes. "Thee Physical" lives up to it's promise July 19th from the oft-missed Lovepump United.

The Best Song Ever: Needles and Pins

MP3: Ramones - Needles and Pins
MP3: Jackie DeShannon - Needles and Pins

The Ramones perfected it, but of course the original, as sung by the great Jackie DeShannon and written by Sonny Bono (as in "& Cher") and classic doucher Jack Nitzsche (the dude who wrote with Neil Young and then banged and beat up his ex-wife) is a high mark. Enjoy.

FUCK YEAH: In pink.

MP3: Purling Hiss - The Hoodoo

New Purling Hiss release: get "Lounge Lizards" now from Mexican Summer. This dude has never let anyone down ever.

David Bowie Fridays: Shuffle Says...

MP3: David Bowie - Rebel Rebel

Enjoy.

The Best Song Ever: Tinfoil

MP3: Rainer Maria - Tinfoil

Goddamn: Still a fav, even after all of these crazy years. We're ready for the reunion tour, dudes!

Your King Tuff (2 of 2)

ZIP: King Tuff - Mindblow
MP3s:
01. Dancing on You
02. Lazerbeam
03. Black Zelda
04. Hands
05. Lady
06. Staircase of Diamonds
07. Connection
08. Neon Lights
09. A Pretty Dress
10. Stone Fox
11. She's on Fire
12. Fine Fine Legs
13. Dazzler
14. Ripper
15. So Desperate

"Mindblow" was a cd-r compiled in 2006 of old King Tuff material, pre-"Was Dead". Very out of print and even hard to find on the internet. Enjoy yourselves!

(PS. Could not find a decent size image of the cover art. It's included in the zip and mp3s, but I drew up a little something above if you get bugged by 100X100 files like I do. If you have a better size version please send it over and I'll put it up asap!).

Your King Tuff (1 of 2)

MP3: King Tuff - Hands

Re-recorded classic from King Tuff, appearing on the newest entry in Scion's A/V Garage 7 inch split series, this one being with the great Hex Dispensers. Dig it.

(via Nu Rave Brain Wave)

HOT TRAXXX: Wonderful (The Way I Feel)

MP3: My Morning Jacket - Wonderful (The Way I Feel)

Goddamn these angelic songsmiths. With the release of Circuital a month away, what we have here is what is easily the band's best ballad since "Golden" from It Still Moves. Throughout the album, Cap'n Goodies leads his magical fantastical band of twilight surfers through a dim haze, guided only by the lights of fireflies and the sparse moonlight creeping through the canopy. Enjoy.

The Best Song Ever: Tibet

MP3: The Bear Quartet - Tibet

As it gets warmer out, the time comes for warmer jams. Queue the oft-loved The Bear Quartet, with "Tibet" from the 1995 EP of the same name. Silkier and smoother, this classic always gets the crowds into a sweaty dance. Perfect for those humid nights when a slight breeze wipes the brow for you, and then gives you two high fives for listening to the best band around. Enjoy.

New Washed Out: Eyes Be Closed

MP3: Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed

The gunslinger known only as Washed Out has announced his return to the village with intentions to unleash his relaxed mayhem upon the ears of the not very innocent. Now signed to the Sub Pop brothers, he is to release ye olde "Within and Without" come July the 12th.

Wanted dead or alive.