Category: Alternative


The Mast “UpUpUp”

Here’s a sexy yet eerie tune from Brooklyn duo The Mast off the EP UpUpUp(Remixes). The beat flows in and out as it rides a cosmic wave of energy while Haale Gafori’s ethereal vocals hover beautifully over it adding just the right amount of poison to create a track that’ll make you want to take your clothes off. How can you go wrong there? Well I guess if you are in the grocery store or going through security at the airport or jogging you can. Just be careful where you play it, but on the other hand if I see or hear about a nude jogger epidemic I will at least know I got my point across. Enjoy the awesome video with a chalked up Pandora Marie below.

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"He must be listening to The Mast's UpUpUp"

When I first heard the lead single “Strange Attractor” I knew this was an album I couldn’t wait to be released. During my toiling, anguished days waiting in anticipation I played “Strange Attractor” on an endless loop and that helped me stay grounded until the glorious day arrived of The Looking Away release. I bought it the day before just as the clock stroked midnight and I hit the purchase button and watched with eager joy the number of tracks being downloaded dwindle from 10 to 0. My moment hath arrived! Upon the first note being played I had a smile that would make the Joker envious and my neighbor’s worried. Lush, atmospheric pop with Richard Sauberlich’s buttery toned vocals laid over. Ahhh….yes!!! Please enjoy thouroughly the vidoe for “Strange Attractor” and then one of my other faves from the album “White Sparks” below and do yourself a favor and buy this amazing album here.

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Beach Fossils

Beach Fossils is a Brooklyn-based group, formed in early 2009 by Dustin Payseur. After signing to Captured Tracks and quickly pulling together a live band, they took off playing countless shows across the U.S. gathering a slew of devoted fans in their wake. In May of the same year, their debut LP Beach Fossils met with favorable reviews and became known for its jangly, single note guitar style, dusted with summer-fueled romance.

As the heavy touring schedule progressed, the band became scattered with many line-up changes, including twelve different drummers and three guitarists. In between tours, Payseur decided to expand beyond solo recordings and collaborate with bassist John Peña (and label-mate Jack Tatum of Wild Nothing on the song “Out in the Way”) for the EP, What a Pleasure, which was released in March of 2011.

Payseur takes influence from music, poetry, art and philosophers (Don Cherry, Ravi Shankar, Rumi, Lao-Tzu and Jean Cocteau), having an equal and crucial impact on his work. Beach Fossils is busy recording their sophomore LP, which is due for release in 2012. Steady members of the band have actively formed their own groups, guitarist Cole Smith with DIVE and John Peña with Heavenly Beat. Both of which have recently signed to Captured Tracks.–Taken from there website here. Check out the video for the fantastic “Adversity” off of their “What A Pleasure” LP as well as the newly released “Shallow” and the aforementioned “Out in the Way” with Wild Nothing. Then when you’re done with that stop on by iTunes and buy their stuff. It’s worth it for sho!

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 Adam Granduciel moved to Philly in 2003 and met Kurt Vile and together they started The War On Drugs in 2005. Vile remained a prominent member of the band until his departure in 2008. TWOD was put back together like Steve Austin with Granduciel remaining the centerpiece(bionic eye). TWOD released “Future Weather” in 2010 and with which album “Coming Through”  comes from. This track is flat out amazing. Immediately upon pressing play you will hear the massive Bob Dylan(circa 1960′s) influence as well as some Springsteen. But OMG this song is great. It’s a perfect summer tune or one to keep you warm on a cold night. “Baby Missiles” is the love child of an Arcade Fire-Dylan chocolate in my peanut butter mishap that spawns a new awesomeness that can cure paralysis. Toe tapping, finger snapping, so excited gotta take a crappin’ type of groove. “Baby Missiles” comes from the fantastic album “Slave Ambient” released mid August of last year. Buy it here and check out the tracks below.


Dream Brother “Haunted Heart”

Not Mulder and Scully, just rockers from Minneapolis.

Dream Brother – Haunted Heart (Feat. Paul Sprangers) by Dream Brother

Ian Anderson(One For The Team)  has ventured off on his own to make some releases with some friends of his under the name Dream Brother. “Haunted Heart” features Paul Sprangers from the band Free Energy. Anderson takes lead vocals in this track with Sprangers filling in on harmony. Anderson says he will be releasing a pair of songs every so often with friends whose music he digs. The other track released with “Haunted Heart” is “Pretty Eyes” with John Vanderslice. Both tracks are available here for free download. You need this track in your iPod. It has great vocals and it should be the first song on your spring playlist bridging you into summer. Fantastic!

 

Elite Gymnastics “Omamori”

Minneapolis-ites Elite Gymnastics categorize themselves as k-pop(korean pop, I believe they have a korean fetish) or future grebo(dirty noisy style with lots of sampling). This track is off their LP ‘Ruin” released late September of 2011. When I first heard the name I thought it might be another movie featuring Missy Peregrym as the lead, but I was mistaken and greatly relieved when I found it to be these guys.  I like what I hear from them and they get quality airplay in my iPod. They are a group to keep an eye on and to get in your musical playing device right now.

Elite Gymnastics “Omamori”

"Elite Gymnastics' thankfully the band and not another Missy Peregrym movie.

 

Blouse “Into Black”

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Blouse “Into Black”

Portland band making music that should be the soundtrack to my lovelife with tracks like ‘Into Black’, ‘Videotapes’, ‘Roses’, ‘Controller’, and ‘Firestarter’. Yeah that sounds about right. Don’t judge! I am my own man. Anyways this is another great album that deserves some love(iTunes Hello!). There sound to me is that of a darker ‘Seapony’ and akin to ‘Still Corners’. Released around Halloween of 2011 it would sound perfect playing on your stereo during a roadtrip to famous murder sites ala ‘Kalifornia’. Just be careful of the Early Grace’s on the way. Sidenote: I think Early Grace is a great name for my next dog. A perfect Squidbilly name as well. What kind of dog fits that name best?

 

Casiokids “Golden Years”

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Casiokids “Golden Years”

I love this band. From out of Norway via Bergen comes Casiokids. A synthpop outfit formed in 2005. Their latest album is called “Aabenbaringen over aaskammen” and is one of my faves from 2011 and gets constant iPod play from me. It’s title means “The Revelation Over The Mountain” to me it means “The Revelation in My ears”. It is an album equal parts party and morning after party with it’s danceable tunes and it’s slower paced ones to balance it out. “Golden Years” is a perfect blend of both and should be on one of your mixtapes almost immediately. I’ll give you a few seconds to grab a blank CD. Enjoy the fun that is Casiokids. Great for all occasions!

Loney Dear “Calm Down”

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Emil Svanangen is Loney Dear from out of Stockholm and he makes pretty damn good music. He’s the Swedish Bon Iver to me. 5 albums to his credit and they all offer epic beauty to your ears. “Hall Music” is his latest release(Oct) and from which this song comes from, but each album is worth the buy. I own all of them and listen to them repeatedly. This song exemplifies the emotional stirring that can happen when his tunes are played.  I feel like swimming in a sea of puppies when I hear this. So beautiful. What do you feel?

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