Song: Pablo Picasso
Artist: Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
Album: The Modern Lovers
Also try: The Velvet Underground, Pavement, The Vaselines
Commentary: Boston proto-punk from 1972. Recorded the year before Mr. Picasso passed away; hopefully he got to hear this awesome song about how awesome he is.
Choice lyrical sample: "O, be not schmuck, be not obnoxious, be not bell-bottomed bummer or asshole"
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Friday, March 29, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
"cool jumper" by Wavves
Song: "cool jumper"
Artist: Wavves
Also try: Times New Viking's Rip it Off, Vivian Girls, Zach Hill in Death Grips, Best Coast
Commentary: Kills me. This is some cutting-edge post pop-punk. Clearly drawing from the same playbook as pop-punk (their new album sounds so much like Green Day sometimes), Wavves are subverting the paradigm in awesome ways (and that's why it's still "indie", so it's cool, right?). Just look how long this song is! While their earlier albums, Wavves and Wavvves, have the more innovative music, "Cool Jumper" is easy to like and Zach Hill rocks it (it's always a little sad when bands take the Modest Mouse path from ground-breaking to complacent). Anyway, I'm posting this because a new Wavves album comes out tomorrow!
2020 update: I was vaguely aware of vaporwave at the time, but did not know what it was called.
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PS - I was pleasantly surprised by this fan video; I think Wavves would approve.
PPS - It was a total accident that I posted at 4:20, but I think Wavves would also approve (cf. cool jumper art )
Artist: Wavves
Also try: Times New Viking's Rip it Off, Vivian Girls, Zach Hill in Death Grips, Best Coast
Commentary: Kills me. This is some cutting-edge post pop-punk. Clearly drawing from the same playbook as pop-punk (their new album sounds so much like Green Day sometimes), Wavves are subverting the paradigm in awesome ways (and that's why it's still "indie", so it's cool, right?). Just look how long this song is! While their earlier albums, Wavves and Wavvves, have the more innovative music, "Cool Jumper" is easy to like and Zach Hill rocks it (it's always a little sad when bands take the Modest Mouse path from ground-breaking to complacent). Anyway, I'm posting this because a new Wavves album comes out tomorrow!
2020 update: I was vaguely aware of vaporwave at the time, but did not know what it was called.
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PS - I was pleasantly surprised by this fan video; I think Wavves would approve.
PPS - It was a total accident that I posted at 4:20, but I think Wavves would also approve (cf. cool jumper art )
Friday, March 22, 2013
RIP Jason Molina
I'm making a double Jason Molina post in honor of his recent passing. Jason Molina was a talented songwriter who made me feel connected to the Midwest. I've come to appreciate his dark musings only lately, never getting into the promotional singles on Secretly Canadian's websites. It was Magnolia Electric Co.'s Daytrotter session that first piqued my interest and Didn't It Rain that first sucked me in. I'm still working my way through the prolific Molina's impressive oeuvre and look forward to discovering more of his work.
I should also say that it's musicians' voices that often hook me. I couldn't tell you how many times I've found myself trying to imitate the distinctive warbles that enrich his singing.
Song: The Dark Don't Hide It
Artist: Magnolia Electric Co.
Album: Trials & Errors
Also try: Will Oldham (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Palace, etc.), Bill Callahan, Silver Jews
Commentary: The "Dark Don't Hide It" was my catchy point of entree to Jason Molina. This is a great live version and Molina does some great variations live.
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Song: Blue Chicago Moon
Artist: Songs:Ohia
Album: Didn't It Rain
Also try: BPB's I See A Darkness, Mark Kozelek, Cat Power
Commentary: "Blue Chicago Moon" comes in at almost 7 minutes, but Jason Molina uses every second to unfold his bleak, semi-narrative vision. His allowance for hope keeps the experience from despair, but Songs:Ohia sure creates a brooding, pensive mood here.
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Song: The Dark Don't Hide It
Artist: Magnolia Electric Co.
Album: Trials & Errors
Also try: Will Oldham (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Palace, etc.), Bill Callahan, Silver Jews
Commentary: The "Dark Don't Hide It" was my catchy point of entree to Jason Molina. This is a great live version and Molina does some great variations live.
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Song: Blue Chicago Moon
Artist: Songs:Ohia
Album: Didn't It Rain
Also try: BPB's I See A Darkness, Mark Kozelek, Cat Power
Commentary: "Blue Chicago Moon" comes in at almost 7 minutes, but Jason Molina uses every second to unfold his bleak, semi-narrative vision. His allowance for hope keeps the experience from despair, but Songs:Ohia sure creates a brooding, pensive mood here.
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Monday, March 18, 2013
"You Oughta Know" by Das Racist
Song: You Oughta Know
Artist: Das Racist
Album: Shut Up, Dude
Also try: Heems, Kool AD, but really Das Racist were pretty special
Commentary: Can somebody notarize this? (spambots?) I'm calling it, Das Racist reunion tour, 2035. It'll be titled something that is hip, funny, and nostalgic 20-odd years from now, so I can't call that. They should never have broken up. Try to listen to their first four tracks on this mixtape and not love it. I'm surprised at how effective the gibberish-laden hook is in this song. And Kool AD and Heems both kill it in their verses.
Artist: Das Racist
Album: Shut Up, Dude
Also try: Heems, Kool AD, but really Das Racist were pretty special
Commentary: Can somebody notarize this? (spambots?) I'm calling it, Das Racist reunion tour, 2035. It'll be titled something that is hip, funny, and nostalgic 20-odd years from now, so I can't call that. They should never have broken up. Try to listen to their first four tracks on this mixtape and not love it. I'm surprised at how effective the gibberish-laden hook is in this song. And Kool AD and Heems both kill it in their verses.
Friday, March 15, 2013
"The Recursive Girl" by Fucked Up
Song: The Recursive Girl
Artist: Fucked Up
Album: David Comes To Life
Also try: Ty Segall's Slaughterhouse, Les Savy Fav, Japandroids
Commentary: When making this post I thought of that festival a couple of years ago that hosted all those bands with 'fuck' in their names. Now I had to be careful when looking up this event: while "FuckFest" might have been what I thought it was called, it would not be productive to search for that on Google... Turns out the Festival of the Fuck bands, held in Fucking, Austria (not to be confused with "F*cking Austria" sans comma), hosted the Fuck Buttons, Fuck, Holy Fuck, and Fucked Up. I bet people were cursing a lot there, that would probably make me uncomfortable.
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Artist: Fucked Up
Album: David Comes To Life
Also try: Ty Segall's Slaughterhouse, Les Savy Fav, Japandroids
Commentary: When making this post I thought of that festival a couple of years ago that hosted all those bands with 'fuck' in their names. Now I had to be careful when looking up this event: while "FuckFest" might have been what I thought it was called, it would not be productive to search for that on Google... Turns out the Festival of the Fuck bands, held in Fucking, Austria (not to be confused with "F*cking Austria" sans comma), hosted the Fuck Buttons, Fuck, Holy Fuck, and Fucked Up. I bet people were cursing a lot there, that would probably make me uncomfortable.
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Monday, March 11, 2013
"Hill and Gully Ride..." by Lord Composer
Song: Hill and Gully Ride; Mandeville Road
Artist: Lord Composer and His Silver Seas Orchestra
Album: if you don't have the 10", try The Secret Museum of Mankind, Vol. 1 Ethnic Music Classics: 1925-48
Also try:
Commentary: I first heard this on a mix by Jeff Mangum, and then checked out the Yazoo album from the library. The song is so catchy. Another one of those where I wish I spoke the language (Jamaican Creole) to sing along. I went exploring Mento music after hearing this track. It was fun (and the A-side to this 10" is pretty similar), but the comparative quality of this selection speaks to the excellence of curation by Yazoo.
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Artist: Lord Composer and His Silver Seas Orchestra
Album: if you don't have the 10", try The Secret Museum of Mankind, Vol. 1 Ethnic Music Classics: 1925-48
Also try:
Commentary: I first heard this on a mix by Jeff Mangum, and then checked out the Yazoo album from the library. The song is so catchy. Another one of those where I wish I spoke the language (Jamaican Creole) to sing along. I went exploring Mento music after hearing this track. It was fun (and the A-side to this 10" is pretty similar), but the comparative quality of this selection speaks to the excellence of curation by Yazoo.
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Friday, March 8, 2013
"Electric PowWow Drum" by A Tribe Called Red
Song: Electric PowWow Drum
Artist: A Tribe Called Red
Album: A Tribe Called Red
Commentary: Aboriginal music out of Canada. I'm always a big fan of influences from musical traditions that don't get the mainstream play time. This album has some cool synthesis between older and newer musical influences. The internet won't tell me what nations they're from, though. (video apparently by another Native artist)
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Artist: A Tribe Called Red
Album: A Tribe Called Red
Commentary: Aboriginal music out of Canada. I'm always a big fan of influences from musical traditions that don't get the mainstream play time. This album has some cool synthesis between older and newer musical influences. The internet won't tell me what nations they're from, though. (video apparently by another Native artist)
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Monday, March 4, 2013
"Kate" by DAAP Girls
Song: Kate
Artist: DAAP Girls
Album: DAAP Girls
Also try: other local Cincinnati bands, Stuart's previous band the Lions Rampant
Commentary: Hot 'n' fresh release from my friend Stuart. I usually avoid friends' stuff because I'm not a huge fan, sorry friends. But I like this track, the music video is cool, plus my dad's painting of Red Cloud appears around 19 seconds.
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Artist: DAAP Girls
Album: DAAP Girls
Also try: other local Cincinnati bands, Stuart's previous band the Lions Rampant
Commentary: Hot 'n' fresh release from my friend Stuart. I usually avoid friends' stuff because I'm not a huge fan, sorry friends. But I like this track, the music video is cool, plus my dad's painting of Red Cloud appears around 19 seconds.
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Friday, March 1, 2013
"Ngo Mebou Melane" by Paul Pendja Ensemble
Song: Ngo Mebou Melane
Artist: Paul Pendja Ensemble
Album: Black Mirror: Reflections in global music (1918-1955)
Also try: the other songs on that album, Jeff Mangum's recent podcasts, Secret Museum of Mankind releases on Yazoo
Commentary: One time I had this melody stuck in my head for like a month, but I couldn't remember where I'd heard it and I obviously couldn't look up the lyrics. I eventually found it in my music library and even searched around to determine that the language is Lamnso, which was another adventure (into Bantoid languages). So needless to say, I find this tune rather catchy and the whole compilation pretty stellar. Dust-to-Digital is an excellent label (did you hear the album name Opika Pende at the Grammy's?)
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Artist: Paul Pendja Ensemble
Album: Black Mirror: Reflections in global music (1918-1955)
Also try: the other songs on that album, Jeff Mangum's recent podcasts, Secret Museum of Mankind releases on Yazoo
Commentary: One time I had this melody stuck in my head for like a month, but I couldn't remember where I'd heard it and I obviously couldn't look up the lyrics. I eventually found it in my music library and even searched around to determine that the language is Lamnso, which was another adventure (into Bantoid languages). So needless to say, I find this tune rather catchy and the whole compilation pretty stellar. Dust-to-Digital is an excellent label (did you hear the album name Opika Pende at the Grammy's?)
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Monday, February 25, 2013
"Never Stops" by Deerhunter
Song: Never Stops
Artist: Deerhunter
Album: Microcastle
Also try: Panda Bear, Paleo, Wavves, Seven New Songs by Mt. Eerie
Commentary: Bradford Cox records a lot of material. He releases some of it on albums and some of it is awesome. The whole double album, Microcastle/Weird Era Cont. is pretty awesome. This song has just the right combo of repetition and noise for me to make it a nice poppy rock song that holds my interest.
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Artist: Deerhunter
Album: Microcastle
Also try: Panda Bear, Paleo, Wavves, Seven New Songs by Mt. Eerie
Commentary: Bradford Cox records a lot of material. He releases some of it on albums and some of it is awesome. The whole double album, Microcastle/Weird Era Cont. is pretty awesome. This song has just the right combo of repetition and noise for me to make it a nice poppy rock song that holds my interest.
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Friday, February 22, 2013
"Adorn" by Miguel
Song: Adorn
Artist: Miguel
Album: Kaleidoscope Dream
Also try: ha, Frank Ocean? How to Dress Well (there! I came up with another one)
Commentary: Apologies for 2 incredible, catchy, stuck-in-your-head-for-days tracks in a row. Oh, and they're R&B, right? I've been singing to myself only in falsetto for weeks, between this and Thinkin Bout You. Just trying to achieve a "flutter" or perhaps "ululation." This song also won a Grammy? Try not to pre-judge. (do you know there is still a New Age category in the Grammys??!?
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Artist: Miguel
Album: Kaleidoscope Dream
Also try: ha, Frank Ocean? How to Dress Well (there! I came up with another one)
Commentary: Apologies for 2 incredible, catchy, stuck-in-your-head-for-days tracks in a row. Oh, and they're R&B, right? I've been singing to myself only in falsetto for weeks, between this and Thinkin Bout You. Just trying to achieve a "flutter" or perhaps "ululation." This song also won a Grammy? Try not to pre-judge. (do you know there is still a New Age category in the Grammys??!?
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Tuesday, February 19, 2013
"Thinkin Bout You" by Frank Ocean
Song: Thinkin Bout You
Artist: Frank Ocean
Album: channel ORANGE
Also try: Miguel, Mayer Hawthorne, uhhhh, I don't know much about this whole R&B scene yet
Commentary: I've been meaning to post this song, because I've been singing it so much lately. Then I saw the music video mentioned in a blog post... which is why the music video won't be posted here. Culturally appropriate much? Is it 2013 or not? Yikes. Read more about Native cultural appropriation on this blag, but start out with the corporate & celebrity call-out: Native Appropriations Blog
That's right. Nothing to say about the music.
(Ed. that's Culturally appropriate much with the verb [əˈproʊpriˌeɪt], not 'appropriate' the adjective)
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Artist: Frank Ocean
Album: channel ORANGE
Also try: Miguel, Mayer Hawthorne, uhhhh, I don't know much about this whole R&B scene yet
Commentary: I've been meaning to post this song, because I've been singing it so much lately. Then I saw the music video mentioned in a blog post... which is why the music video won't be posted here. Culturally appropriate much? Is it 2013 or not? Yikes. Read more about Native cultural appropriation on this blag, but start out with the corporate & celebrity call-out: Native Appropriations Blog
That's right. Nothing to say about the music.
(Ed. that's Culturally appropriate much with the verb [əˈproʊpriˌeɪt], not 'appropriate' the adjective)
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Friday, February 8, 2013
"San Francisco" by Foxygen
Song: San Francisco
Artist: Foxygen
Album: We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
Also try: Belle & Sebastian, Devendra Banhart, Nick Drake (again)
Commentary: Pretty catchy tune. Sonically similar to my last post from Cass McCombs. Draws heavily from the past, going back 40 or 50 years to bring us a fresh track (produced by Richard Swift no less) in 2013.
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Artist: Foxygen
Album: We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
Also try: Belle & Sebastian, Devendra Banhart, Nick Drake (again)
Commentary: Pretty catchy tune. Sonically similar to my last post from Cass McCombs. Draws heavily from the past, going back 40 or 50 years to bring us a fresh track (produced by Richard Swift no less) in 2013.
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Sunday, February 3, 2013
"County Line" by Cass McCombs
Apologies to all my followers out there who patiently await hawt nü postz so they can post spam in the comments. It's been a busy coupla weeks.
Song: County Line
Artist: Cass McCombs
Album: Wit's End
Also try: Atlas Sound, Kurt Vile, Daughn Gibson?, Damien Jurado?, Nick Drake
Commentary: A nicely engaging, well-constructed song on a not-outstanding album. The falsetto is a nice touch. The six minutes are quite doable.
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Song: County Line
Artist: Cass McCombs
Album: Wit's End
Also try: Atlas Sound, Kurt Vile, Daughn Gibson?, Damien Jurado?, Nick Drake
Commentary: A nicely engaging, well-constructed song on a not-outstanding album. The falsetto is a nice touch. The six minutes are quite doable.
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Friday, January 11, 2013
"Heroin" by the Velvet Underground
Song: Heroin
Artist: The Velvet Underground & Nico
Album: The Velvet Underground & Nico
Also try: Lou Reed, John Cale, Nico
Commentary: One of the greatest songs off of one of the greatest albums from one of the greatest rock bands of all time (with one of the greatest album covers). It's embarrassing to use all those superlatives...
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Artist: The Velvet Underground & Nico
Album: The Velvet Underground & Nico
Also try: Lou Reed, John Cale, Nico
Commentary: One of the greatest songs off of one of the greatest albums from one of the greatest rock bands of all time (with one of the greatest album covers). It's embarrassing to use all those superlatives...
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Sunday, January 6, 2013
"Dip into my daddy" by Mt. Gigantic
Song: DIP INTO MY DADDY
Artist: Mt. Gigantic
Album: Old Smiler
Also try: Pixies, Times New Viking, Wavves, Tune-Yards
Commentary: I spent a lot of time looking for music in the early 2000s, without Google. Free mp3 downloads were abundant (especially single tracks from whole albums). I have no idea how I came across this album, but I still appreciate this track at least. A little chaotic drumming and screaming and still sticks in my head. Accessed from the band's entire ouevre, recently uploaded to the Free Music Archive, an excellent resource in general.
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Artist: Mt. Gigantic
Album: Old Smiler
Also try: Pixies, Times New Viking, Wavves, Tune-Yards
Commentary: I spent a lot of time looking for music in the early 2000s, without Google. Free mp3 downloads were abundant (especially single tracks from whole albums). I have no idea how I came across this album, but I still appreciate this track at least. A little chaotic drumming and screaming and still sticks in my head. Accessed from the band's entire ouevre, recently uploaded to the Free Music Archive, an excellent resource in general.
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Wednesday, January 2, 2013
"Janitor of Lunacy" by Soap&Skin
Song: Janitor of Lunacy (Nico cover)
Artist: Soap&Skin
Also try: Björk, Nico, Joanna Newsom
Commentary: Austrian singer Anja Plaschg (yes, Plaschg) makes pretty cool music. I was thinking of how much the music reminds me of Nico and found out Anja played Nico in a play. Here's a sweet cover of "Janitor of Lunacy"--not as in, the music is sweet; it's haunting and expansive like the original.
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Artist: Soap&Skin
Also try: Björk, Nico, Joanna Newsom
Commentary: Austrian singer Anja Plaschg (yes, Plaschg) makes pretty cool music. I was thinking of how much the music reminds me of Nico and found out Anja played Nico in a play. Here's a sweet cover of "Janitor of Lunacy"--not as in, the music is sweet; it's haunting and expansive like the original.
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Friday, December 28, 2012
"Arts and Leisure" by Action Bronson
Song: Arts and Leisure (ft. Kool AD)
Artist: Action Bronson
Album: Blue Chips
Also try: Das Racist, Ghostfunk, Curren$y's Priest Andretti
Commentary: This is another great mixtape of 2012. I picked this track because it also featured Kool AD, famed member of Das Racist (RIP). Action Bronson's not slouching here either.
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Artist: Action Bronson
Album: Blue Chips
Also try: Das Racist, Ghostfunk, Curren$y's Priest Andretti
Commentary: This is another great mixtape of 2012. I picked this track because it also featured Kool AD, famed member of Das Racist (RIP). Action Bronson's not slouching here either.
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Thursday, December 27, 2012
"Crazy in Love" by Anohni & The Johnsons
Song: Crazy in Love (Beyoncé cover)
Artist: Anohni and The Johnsons
Also try: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Anohni, Devendra Banhart, Anohni on Hercules and Love Affair's self-titled album
Commentary: Anohni does some incredible covers, especially of Bob Dylan. Today's song brings out the reflexive desperation of Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love." Anohni's voice does the heavy lifting, building a poignant tune out of fluttering instrumentation.
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Artist: Anohni and The Johnsons
Also try: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Anohni, Devendra Banhart, Anohni on Hercules and Love Affair's self-titled album
Commentary: Anohni does some incredible covers, especially of Bob Dylan. Today's song brings out the reflexive desperation of Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love." Anohni's voice does the heavy lifting, building a poignant tune out of fluttering instrumentation.
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Wednesday, December 26, 2012
"Oblivion" by Grimes
Song: Oblivion
Artist: Grimes
Album: Visions
Also try: John Maus, Gang Gang Dance
Commentary: This song is making some year-end lists. So is the music video. It's pretty fun. The K-pop influence stands out to me, in a great way.
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Artist: Grimes
Album: Visions
Also try: John Maus, Gang Gang Dance
Commentary: This song is making some year-end lists. So is the music video. It's pretty fun. The K-pop influence stands out to me, in a great way.
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