So You Think You Can Dance?
Short post this week. John Fratelli (born: John Lawler), lead singer and guitarist of that band The Fratelli's released a solo album last month entitled "The Magic Hour."
The standout track is "Rhythm Doesn't Make You A Dancer," an utterly infectious rock tune that serves as an excellent reminder of how Dam catchy the Fratelli's are. This one will be on my iTunes repeat for the foreseeable future.
The Philly Connection
On the road again.
After a very welcomed two week "vacation" to DC and NYC, I've hit the road again - this time landing in Philadelphia. So, in honor of my arrival in the City of Brotherly Love, I thought it might be appropriate to feature a local group in this week's write-up.
While in NYC, a good friend told me about a young rap group that have blown up out of an all-boys prep school in suburban Philadelphia. The high school seniors have fashioned themselves OCD: Moosh and Twist.
While at first skeptical, I was absolutely blown away when I heard/saw this video. It would be all too easy to compare them to fellow Philly rappers Chiddy Bang, but frankly I can see these guys surpassing the Drexel duo in only a matter of time. The talent is there (and hell, even the white boy's got flow).
"City Kids" is easily the standout from the group's recently released mixtape Up Before the World, but the album provides plenty more enjoyable tracks. Love the Journey sample too. You can download the whole mixtape FREE on their fan page.
The Booze
Atlanta-based blues rockers, The Booze, may only have been around for a few years, but upon listening, one could certainly confused them for a group that's been around for decades.
The sound is an astonishing homage to the Stones, The Kinks, Ry Cooder, and countless other blues-rock pioneers of the 1960s. Lead forex broker and singer Chaz Tolliver (a name that might rival that of his wrinkly counterpart) sounds like Jagger, dances like Jagger, and kind of looks like he could have been the love child of Jagger...and Malcolm McDowell (circa 1971). DNA test results are still pending.
Move this band to the top of your list of uber cool groups to watch in 2011 ASAP!! Here's the video for "Down On Your Luck," another track off of their March release, At Maximum Volume.
Me Me Me
Home. Sweet. Home. Yes, I am back!!! Until the 17th, that is...but don't worry, I'll be back again in April. For those of you in the #DMV, I'll be making my glorious return to Adam's Morgan (and Dan's Cafe) this Saturday, as we celebrate the joyous birthday of Mr. Lebo.
To hold you over, I've got a great retro-esque track to share this week. "Me Me Me" is the first single release off of a self-titled album by Brooklyn rockers, Middle Brother. The alt-punk-country-rock "super group" consists of some of the most talented up and coming indie singer/songwriters out there -- John McCauley of Deer Tick, Dawes' Taylor Goldsmith, and Delta Spirit's Matthew Vasquez.
The Middle Brother sound consists of some awesome raw harmonies, bad-ass sentiment, and a uber-hip rockabilly flair. This is a song certain to make you want to twist and shout...in the coolest way possible.
Weekends
So one of the pitfalls of having a job where I frequently need to work on weekends is that I rarely know what day of the week it is. That explains why I am posting this on Thursday, as opposed to my usual Wednesday schedule. Oops.
Fortunately, I've got a weekend treat that is sure to delight. As, you've probably figured out by now, I'm a sucker for anything "Beatles." So, when a friend shared this track with me, I had a hard time masking my excitement. "Weekends," by Chicago indie-rockers Smith Westerns, has one of the most quintessential George Harrison sounds that I've heard since...well, Harrison. The guitar riff sounds like it could have been lifted straight off Harrison's album All Things Must Pass.
The track comes off Smith Westerns' most recent album Dye it Blonde, which was released January 18th, 2011. Check it out here.
Tyler the Creator
What can I say, I'm a sucker for a sick music video.
Check out the first single off the sophomore album from up-and-coming rapper Tyler the Creator. The 19-year-old, LA-native was signed this month to the XL label, joining some of the top acts in the business.
The single was released earlier this month, and the full album, Goblin, is set to drop April 2011.
Young Galaxy - Shapeshifting
Canadian rockers, Young Galaxy have apparently been bouncing around the industry for some years now, however have struggled to distinguish themselves from the plethora of other artists experimenting with the "dream pop" genre. Hopefully that will change now.
"We Have Everything" off their most recent album, Shapeshifting (released February 8th, 2011), appears to be a very big step in the right direction. A new star has been born (and no, its not Pluto). The song definitely has an '80s feel to it, but with a new age dance beat, and Catherine McCandless's vocals are no short of extraterrestrial.
Tennis
When Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore got married after graduating from the University of Colorado - Denver, neither had any idea that the other had any musical talent. In fact it wasn't until the two departed on an 8-month sailing trip along the North Atlantic Coast that Moore realized Riley's knack for the guitar and Riley discovered Moore's delicate voice. The couple returned to port with a slew of songs and a band name. Tennis, as they were called, soon after enlisted drummer James Barone, and signed to Fat Possom Records, home of acts such as The Black Keys, The Walkmen, and Andrew Bird.
One thing is immediately apparent about the duo. Tennis roots its stylistic definition in nostalgia. The group sports a sublime blend of 60s girl-pop and 50s/60s surf rock. However the group's sound is far from one-dimensional. Moore's vocal range allows for a stylistic variance uncharted by many contemporary groups attempting to recreate a retro-sound.
Here are two tracks from Tennis's debut album, Cape Dory. Enjoy.
New XV + J. Cole
The kid with the green backpack is back with a fresh tune produced by J. Cole. I've been tracking up and coming hip-hopper XV in the blogosphere for a few months now. So, I got a bit excited when I read that he was working on a collaboration with with J. Cole. The lyrics suggest that this song is a proclamation of sorts, that XV will be taking off from here. That wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.
Here is "SmallVille" by XV.
The Booze - Kick Me Where it Hurts
Blog post to come pending Mick Jagger DNA test...
Ok fine... I'll give you a little more than that. Atlanta-based blues rockers, The Booze, may have only been around for a few years, but upon listening one could certainly confused them as a group that's been around for decades.
The sound is an astonishing homage to the Stones, The Kinks, Ry Cooder, and countless other blues-rock pioneers of the 1960s. Lead singer Chaz Tolliver (a name that might rival that of his wrinkly counterpart) sounds like Jagger, dances like Jagger, and even kind of looks like Jagger.
Move this band to the top of your list of cool groups to watch in 2011 ASAP!! Here's the video for "Down On Your Luck," another track off of their March release, At Maximum Volume.
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Home. Sweet. Home. Yes, I am back!!! Until the 17th, that is...but don't worry, I'll be back again in April. For those of you in the #DMV, I'll be making my glorious return to Adam's Morgan (and Dan's Cafe) this Saturday, as we celebrate the joyous birthday of Mr. Lebo.
To hold you over, I've got a great retro-esque track to share this week. "Me Me Me" is the first single release off of a self-titled album by Brooklyn rockers, Middle Brother. The alt-punk-country-rock "super group" consists of some of the most talented up and coming indie singer/songwriters out there -- John McCauley of Deer Tick, Dawes' Taylor Goldsmith, and Delta Spirit's Matthew Vasquez.
The Middle Brother sound consists of some awesome raw harmonies, bad-ass sentiment, and a uber-hip rockabilly flair. This is a song certain to make you want to twist and shout...in the coolest way possible.
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So one of the pitfalls of having a job where I frequently need to work on weekends is that I rarely know what day of the week it is. That explains why I am posting this on Thursday, as opposed to my usual Wednesday schedule. Oops.
Fortunately, I've got a weekend treat that is sure to delight. As, you've probably figured out by now, I'm a sucker for anything "Beatles." So, when a friend shared this track with me, I had a hard time masking my excitement. "Weekends," by Chicago indie-rockers Smith Westerns, has one of the most quintessential George Harrison sounds that I've heard since...well, Harrison. The guitar riff sounds like it could have been lifted straight off Harrison's album All Things Must Pass.
The track comes off Smith Westerns' most recent album Dye it Blonde, which was released January 18th, 2011. Check it out here.
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Canadian rockers, Young Galaxy have apparently been bouncing around the industry for some years now, however have struggled to distinguish themselves from the plethora of other artists experimenting with the "dream pop" genre. Hopefully that will change now.
"We Have Everything" off their most recent album, Shapeshifting (released February 8th, 2011), appears to be a very big step in the right direction. A new star has been born (and no, its not Pluto). The song definitely has an '80s feel to it, but with a new age dance beat, and Catherine McCandless's vocals are no short of extraterrestrial.
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When Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore got married after graduating from the University of Colorado - Denver, neither had any idea that the other had any musical talent. In fact it wasn't until the two departed on an 8-month sailing trip along the North Atlantic Coast that Moore realized Riley's knack for the guitar and Riley discovered Moore's delicate voice. The couple returned to port with a slew of songs and a band name. Tennis, as they were called, soon after enlisted drummer James Barone, and signed to Fat Possom Records, home of acts such as The Black Keys, The Walkmen, and Andrew Bird.
One thing is immediately apparent about the duo. Tennis roots its stylistic definition in nostalgia. The group sports a sublime blend of 60s girl-pop and 50s/60s surf rock. However the group's sound is far from one-dimensional. Moore's vocal range allows for a stylistic variance uncharted by many contemporary groups attempting to recreate a retro-sound.
Here are two tracks from Tennis's debut album, Cape Dory. Enjoy.
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Howdy from Columbia, South Carolina: home of the Gamecocks. Took me all of 24 hours to make my way into the local dive bar. Hey, its hard to argue with 2 dollar Bourbons and one dollar pool games.
Anyway, this week's profile is on Philly-based musician, Summer Fiction. The pseudonym for singer/song writer Bill Ricchini, Summer Fiction features a refreshing blend of 60s baroque pop and folk-rock ballads. The sound has a hint of Guster with a little Jeff Buckley thrown on top.
The self-titled album came out about a month ago, and already has garnered much well-deserved critical acclaim. Vogue Magazine described the album as a group of “Lovely, bookish songs with a hint of French new wave. A band to watch in 2011," while NPR's World Cafe called it "One of the most heartwarming records to emerge in years.”
Needless to say I'm going to be keeping a close eye on Summer Fiction from now on. I'll be in Philly in about 6 weeks and hope to see him live then.
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Greetings from Snow-lanta, Ga. If you are in the area, make sure to swing by the AEPi house on Emory's campus tonight from 5 to 8, where I will be giving away hundreds of free tickets to Big Boi's show at Center Stage. I'll be the one in the 40 foot tour bus parked in the lot... can't miss it.
(Update: Due to school closings, the ticket give away has been pushed to Thursday, January 20th from 11 - 2)
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Unfortunately, it appears I've been banned from all of my music streaming sites for "copyright violations," so I'll be limited to posting videos for the time being...oops. That said, I've got an incredible one to share today.
The Morning Benders have been making noise in the industry for a few years now, touring with some of the top indie/alternative acts out there. But when I saw this video, I was absolutely blown away. As frontman Chris Chu explains in the introduction, the objective of this session was to emulate the "Wall of Sound" recording technique, originated by legendary producer Phil Spector. That is, to pack as many people into the studio as possible to create a dense, layered, and reverberant sound.
The result is a thing of pure beauty. I expect huge things from the 25-year-old Chu from here on out.
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Cash's 2011 New Year's Resolutions:
1) Approach every new situation with (uncharacteristic) optimism.
2) Stop paying to see Nick Cage movies.
3) No mo Fo' Lo ko.
Which of these will I manage to achieve? And which will be added to the long list of epic failures? I guess only time will tell.
Alex Ebert, or as most know him, the lead singer and brains behind Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, is back with a vengeance. "Truth" is a very cool, albeit a little spooky, groove released from Ebert's new side-project, Alexander. The self titled album will debut in March 2011.
For the film buffs, theres definitely a lot of influence drawn from Ennio Morricone's Spaghetti Western scores in this one.
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Ryan Gosling Can Only Sing Goofy
Saw this trailer for Blue Valentine while fulfilling my Kwanzian duties of seeing a movie on X-Mas (actually saw two, The Fighter and True Grit - both amazing). And no, I didn't order Chinese food... I went sake bombing...
The curious thing about that line of dialogue is, that's how Gosling actually sings in his real-life band Dead Man's Bones. Gosling is an Executive Producer of the film, so he clearly had some say over the script. Good for him for putting the obvious out there, I guess. Still not going to see the movie.
Here's the Dead Man's Bones singing "In the Room Where You Sleep" As goofy his voice may be, it works for the music he's putting out. And how can you not like a little kid attempting to sing through a wolfman mask. See for yourself.
Movie comes out December 31, 2010. First narrative-feature from director Derek Cianfrance since 1998. Both Gosling and Williams received Golden Globe noms for their respective performances. The film is scored by Brooklyn idie-band, Grizzly Bear, however has no connection to the Tom Waits album of the same title.
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The Award for Best Kazoo Solo of the Year
And the award for Best Kazoo Solo of the Year goes to...
20-year-old singer/song writer Kai, hailing from Toronto, Canada. Check out two rocking kazoo solos in her single, I Choose Me. The song comes from her debut EP 11:11, which is set for release in January 2011.
Simple and upbeat, its hard not to like this track.
Sounds like: Pearl and the Puppets, Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor.
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Moving Up
Phew time flies.
The day has come: my last as a working man in the nation's capital. It's been a good run here at Ms. Gnomer Industries, premier manufacturers of indestructible lawn ornaments, but all good things must come to an end.
Sitting at my desk, for the last few "productive" hours I have left here, I find it very to concentrate. That is, on the present, at least. Many great adventures (and much warmer weather) ahead. Things are looking good to come.
Same song taped live for SXSW by NPR. Really outstanding.
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My Generationals
If you haven't heard of the Generationals yet, now is a good time to start.
Last month marked the release of their latest EP, Trust, the follow-up to their killer full-length album, Con Law. The 4-song set is solid from cover to cover, however the title track easily is the standout of the lot. Good luck getting this bass-line out of your head.
And because I love you (lie), here are two tracks from 2009's Con Law.
The Generational's next LP is due to hit the internet on March 11, 2011. Stay tuned.
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Sayonara Suckers
Greetings from my boss's office.
Yes, the big kahuna is gone for the week so Cash is in charge. I've got a nice window to look out of, a big desk to rest my feet on, and the most comfortable recliner in the office. Ah, its good to be king. Now if only I could find my cigar...
Anyways, I'm breaking from my laborious day of making cold calls and playing Robot Unicorn to share a little bit of the wealth.
Now, close your eyes, lean back in your easy chair, and drown out your boss with the sweet sounds of Suckers.
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Secscapades
I, for one, can't wait to travel this Thanksgiving.
That's right, this weekend, I will, at last, celebrate an astronomic milestone in my short lifetime. A coming of age (if you will) in a fashion only previously thought possible in my own fantasies or in critically acclaimed films like "Snakes on a Plane," "A Lot Like Love," and "Moonraker." This weekend...I become a man.
Yes, I am proud to announce that, I, Cash, will finally become a member of the illustrious Mile High Club.
...Ok, so maybe a pat down and/or full body scan by airport security doesn't qualify me for membership, but whatever. Just let me have my moment!
Anyways, I guess this wouldn't be much of a Thanksgiving post without some cheesy spiel about how thankful I am for all of you. So behalf of all of us @AudioNugs:
"Thanks."
But seriously, I wish all of you a very safe and festive Turkey Day. Get fat, get drunk, get tired. God, I love this holiday.
... Lastly, a song dedicated to my fellow travelers -- an infectious little tune to "Pack Up" to.
Oh, and in celebration of free wifi on Delta flights, I present you: "Little Kids Reenacting Kanye's Tweets."
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Sour Apples
I thought I would veer slightly on-course this week to celebrate the best thing to happen to music since the mini-disc player.
Yesterday (Tuesday), it was announced that after a long and winding trademark dispute, technology company Apple Inc. and Apple Corp., which owns the rights to the Beatles catalog, agreed to terms that make thirteen studio albums, three anthologies, and a box set available for purchase on iTunes for the first time.
Until now, the only Beatles songs that could be found on iTunes were the ones recorded by other people -- covers. And no shortage of them either. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but is that really infallible?
While thousands of musicians have tried, and failed, to share a piece of greatness with the Fab Four, a select few possessed the creativity and the talent to take a [good] song and make it better. In honor of the big announcement, I wanted to share my top 10 below.
The following songs do not simply imitate the originals. They inject a unique flavor into the song, thereby bolstering its very essence. That, to me, is the staple of a great cover. Take a look, and let me know if I missed anything great.
Nota Bene: I limited my selections to studio recorded covers. No live tracks were considered because there are too many of them to sort through, and most of them aren't very good.
The list:
10. What Goes On - Sufjan Stevens: It takes quite the musician to transform a cheesy attempt at Bluegrass into a work of art. Further proof that Stevens is one of the most creative instrumentalists in the industry.
9. All Together Now - Andre 3000: A great review of this song was posted on the blog early this summer.
8. In My Life - Johnny Cash: Lennon was 25 when he wrote the original. Cash was 70 when he covered it. Say what you want about his voice, but its probably the most honest cover on this list.
7. I Will - John Holt: This classic reggae cover is simply infectious. Jay-Z fans will enjoy the lead-in.
6. I Want to Hold Your Hand - Al Green: Green injects a little testosterone into the Mop Tops' first #1 hit.
5. Yesterday - Ray Charles: With more than 3,000 known versions recorded to date, the Guinness Book of Records recognizes Yesterday as the most covered song of all time. Charles tops them all by capturing the wistful longing of the lyrics to a T.
4. Hey Jude - Wilson Pickett & Duane Allman: When Pickett unleashes around the 2:40 mark, I get shivers down my spine. A great collaboration between two of the greatest blues musicians in history.
3. We Can Work It Out - Stevie Wonder: A silly and uninspired break-up song reformed into a refreshing anthem for social consciousness.
2. Across the Universe - Fiona Apple: Despite the original being one of my all-time favorites, its tough not to give this cover its due. Apple's voice is angelic -- and pairing her with this song is a match made in heaven.
1. With A Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker: This wasn't a tough pick, nor should have been. Cocker just nailed it. Keep the original Woodstock vid for when you warn your children about the power of hallucinogens.
Honorable Mention: Happiness is a Warm Gun - The Breeders.
...Phew.
From Jamaica With Love
This track is a few months old, but too good not to share.
Hailing from Paris, France, Jamaica features an awesome blend of rock, pop, and electronic. And like fellow-Parisians, and frequent collaborators, Phoenix, Justice, and Daft Punk, the duo have mastered the art of catchy electric guitar riffs and rocking bass lines.
So why, you may ask, is a French Pop-Rock group naming themselves after a small Caribbean island? Apparently because, "Places names for bands are always great but Aruba was already taken." I guess that's good enough for me... the song certainly is.
Presenting "I Think I like U2" from the album No Problem.
"Too Much" of a Good Thing
I've saturated my last two posts with yurowpop, so its probably about time to cover something domestic...
There is no denying that Sufjan Stevens is one of the most creative artists in the industry. He's also one of the best musicians around, occasionally playing up to 11 different instruments on his own tracks. That's what makes his latest album, The Age of Adz (pronouced: odds) so befuddling. In his first proper album since 2005, Stevens trades in his banjo, piano, guitar, vibraphone, drums, and so on, for an electronic sound bank and synthesizer. Still, to his credit, you can hear traces of his vast instrument collection (notably the oboe and english horn -- both of which Stevens studied throughout his early life).
The result is an eclectic symphony of sounds -- that I can only equate to what the Beatle's Sgt. Pepper might have sounded like had it been recorded 100 years from now. I'm sure this album will appeal to a lot of people, but Stevens, in my opinion, has let his creativity get the best of him on this one. Stick to your strengths, man. Did we not learn anything from 808's & Heartbreak? Here's the song "Too Much" from The Age of Adz.
While Sufjan's creative computing may have overshadowed his natural talent on the Age of Adz, the same can't be said for Ben Talmi. Talmi doesn't have Steven's instrument collection (he's limited to an acoustic guitar, a moog synthesizer, a piano, and his voice), his production facilities (Talmi recorded all of his songs alone in his bedroom), or his experience (he's a 20-year-old student at Berkley). What Talmi does have is Stevens' enormous ambition to create -- to devise new sounds for the ears to enjoy. That ambition shines through brilliantly in his song "Scales of a Fish In the Sky" from his debut solo album, For The Dreamers. And for the dreamers it certainly is; once you hit play, you'll never want to wake up.
Check it out here.
Buy the album for however much you want at http://bentalmi.bandcamp.com/.
Say L'Oncle - October 28th
Ben L'Oncle Soul is everything that his name suggests and more. Recently signed to France's Motown label (who knew), Soul embodies every good thing that has happened to R&B in the last 50 years. His style is an awesome blend of The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, John Legend, and a little Justin Timberlake thrown on top in this first track. A bold statement, I know, but there's really not a better way to describe it.
The Tours, France-native made a name for himself by covering famous American tracks, and his take on Seven Nation Army epitomizes why he is a star in the making. A diverse group of influences are enormously apparent in this one. The offbeat guitars give the track a cool island feel and the synth breakdown around the 2:15 mark is reminiscent of British Invasion pop (The Zombies and The Animals come to mind). I could go on, but I'd rather let his voice do the talking.
Soulman is one of his originals. Vous ne comprendrez pas les paroles, sauf si vous parlez français, but its still got a great old-time R&B feel to it.
Welcome to Off the Beaten Path - October 18th
I wanna take a moment to introduce everybody to Audionugs' newest author, Ca$h (edit: no relation to Kei$ha or Curren$y), whose gonna be bringing us some faithful hipster-wannabe tunes off the beaten path. I can guarantee you that the tracks will all be a bit too good to get that cherished top-40 play on the radio, so make sure to check out Ca$h's uber-hipster picks every week.
It’s 4:46PM, and you sit irked at your bleak cubicle, staring blankly at your computer in order to foster the appearance of hard work. Your earbuds stream the sweet soundtrack of Pandora, and you try to limit your breathing to once every 2 measures, as not to inhale another unnecessary whiff of the Chinese food that your co-worker eats at his neighboring desk.
Suddenly, Pandora cuts to commercial, followed by a dreadful string of songs that were "mysteriously" added to your station during that Vampire Weekend phase you don't tell anyone about. You feverishly attempt to skip to the next track, but, to your dismay, are denied by the Pandora gods because you’ve skipped too many songs in the last hour. Your head throbs, and ears ring, as the excruciating falsetto/voice cracks of “Oxford Coma” continue to play on. At last, you can’t take it anymore! You rip off your headphones, and the piffle playlist seeps out into the office, just faintly enough to arouse your co-workers from the soothing lull of slurped lo-mein. Within seconds, your boss is onto your act. Swiftly seizing the opportunity, he rises and approaches with another menial task for you to complete.
You’ve just been “A-Punk’d," bitch… Sound familiar? I certainly hope not. Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting songs in hopes that the above scenario never happens to you, or anyone else you know, ever again...
The first track that I’ll introduce to you comes from Oslo, Norway, where indie-rockers Charlotte and the Co-Stars were joined by Soundtrack of Our Lives’ frontman, Ebbot Lundberg. Their single, “Players in Drag,” released September 6, 2010, is a rocking homage to the American surfer jams of the 1960s. The reverb-guitars might as well have been lifted straight off a Ventures or Dick Dale album. The vocals boast a fresh duet from the two collaborating artists, and just get better as the song goes on. Lundberg’s voice is unique, and actually pretty authentic to the surf rock genre - albeit, that authenticity might resonate as too flat or gruff for some tastes. Hear it all the way through before you decide.
