Amazing Baby

I don' t really know if he does it on purpose, or its just because there's kind of a big scene going on down there, but Boon has picked yet another Brooklyn based band to feature on You got Bo0ned . I swear if I see him doing a guest spot on How to Make it in America I will know something is up. and I will laugh at him because that show sucks. I gave it a chance because it has Shannon Sossamon and Samarie Armstrong... and Luis Guzman, but its so boring. The Music is good mind you, but there is no way I can care about these characters. If you want to make the next Entourage, try to not do it about making jeans. Jeans? Really? Can you make a show about somthing I care less about? Maybe the next series could be "How to Make it in Canada" and be about Curlers trying to start a pro league. That I would watch. At least until I got bored.

But I digress. Amazing Baby. Part of the scene that gave us Vampire Weekend. Yeasayer These guys even went to School with MGMT. Actually founding member Simon O'Connor was actually in a band with the guys from MGMT. The difference? Amazing Baby would be the kind of starving artists with a trust fund type you would see in HTMIA.... Not totally believable. They have a nice sound that lies somewhere between Kings of Leon and MGMT that some may call psychedelica, yet not so retro and standout-ish as the Black Hollies. They will definitely appeal to anyone who likes any of these bands I have mentioned including myself, but I will reserve final judgment on them until their second effort. Unlike How to Make it in America... which will probably not even get a second season.

Listen: Amazing Baby "Headdress"




Amazing Baby - Headdress

VOTD - Happy Hollows - Big Bad Wolf

Yes, I know I'm a Happy Hollows whore. And How! I can't help it. I have grown to really love the album... I whisper sweet nothings in its ear. I hold it ever so gently in my arms. I want to take it home to meet my mother. Anyways, they have a brand spanking new video.

Evelyn Evelyn

quite possibly the weirdest premise for a Band ever, Evelyn Evelyn is a musical duo consisting of two conjoined twin sisters. The duo was supposedly "discovered" by Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls and Jason Webley. At least that is what we are supposed to believe. The "twins" look and sound suspiciously like Palmer and Webley... but who am I to judge. I wish there was an actual key for Air quotes. Real quotes just don't show my skepticism enough.

Anyways, This is a random album. It's like a movie... the rise to fame of the great conjoined duo and makes you feel a part of it. I'm a Carney at the circus with a creepy crush on the siamese twins... well at least one of them. But I know that Eva knows I only want her for her sister so I settle for the bearded lady. In my mind Eddie Izzard was playing the part of Mr Kite from Sgt Pepper. And there was a chicken Man. He raised them in the chicken wire cage you know. And Sandy Fishnets... she used to read to them at night. And they rode an elephant. And then they made all sorts of new friends. On Myspace. Like Margaret Cho, Corn Mo, Chantal Claret, Frances Bean Cobain, Neil Gaiman, Tegan and Sara, Andrew W.K., and “Weird Al” Yankovic... to name a few. And they all sang together like the people in We are the World. The old cool one. not the crappy new one with Jamie Foxx doing a Ray charles impression.

You know what really cracked me up the most though? At the End of the Album, the conjoined twins sing a cover of Love will Tear us Apart. hahahahaha.

Sounds Mad? Pure Insanity? It is. Its wondrous beautiful madness. and they have taken me with them apparently.

Listen: Evelyn Evelyn "have you seen my sister Evelyn?"




Evelyn Evelyn - have you seen my sister Evelyn

DownBeat 5

This song and this band make me Happy. Its really hard not to compare Downbeat 5 to Joan Jett and the Runaways or the Ramones... They have that garage pop punk sound that feeds off the 50s and 60s rockabilly and hairspray sound. Very Much like the Detroit Cobras... and you know my weakness for girls with big... voices. and Jenny D can wail.

Yeah, its a cover of the Shangrilas, but its acurrate of their sound.

Listen: Downbeat 5, "Dum Dum Ditty"




Downbeat 5 - Dum Dum Ditty

VOTD - Frontier Brothers - You should start a band

NO covers today... too lazy to come up with a catchy story. However do not fear, I bring good stuff... This song kicks ass... so not what I would expect from a Ft. Worth Band, however they are doing their album in the ATX, so that probably helps out with their cool factor. I'm already looking for more stuff from these guys... this is the first single off their 3 song EP.

If you happen to be in Dallas, The Frontier brothers will performing at Bill's Records on April 17 for Bill's birthday bash. Looks to be a good show.... someone needs to catch it for me cause I'll be out of town.

VOTD - Dominique Young - Show my ass

I thought it might be amusing to have a song called Show My Ass posted on the same day as New Pornographers... I like to freak out the adult content filters.

The video doesn't have anything that will blow your mind, but it is directed well. And the song is just pure fun. It kinda makes me want to break out my Snow-Informer cassette.

Fur in not Murder. It is Music.

I'm a furry man. some would say hirsute even. And you know that I think a beard makes you 20 times more powerful in the indie world. That's why you gotta respect a band called Fur. Well again, it's not really a band, its Denton Texas' own Bryce Isbell and not only does he call himself Fur, but he has the all powerful beard. Maybe that's why he calls himself Fur... but that's besides the point. the point is that he left the Arrogant Sea, and put out an album Called Witches... call it chill wave, call it electro-trance.. its mellow enough to share a spot with Enya on a Pure Moods CD or be playing in the background of your massage... but yet dancey enough that it won't put you to sleep... it's just plain bewitching. The track for today is a collaboration with another dentonite... Alan Palomo, better known as the mind behind Neon Indian or GhostHustler, or Vega. These guys are on top of their game, and even though its all instrumental, it needs to be shared.

Listen: Fur, "Black Castles"




Fur - Black Castles

New Pornographers bring us all together.

Today on "You Got Booned"... Health care -- should bloodletting, leaches, and cunanderos be covered in the universal health care plan. Are you worried that Tony Romo could injure himself playing a pickup game of hopscotch. And... there could be something in your fridge that could give you the clap... More in a minute, but first our top story...

The New Pornographers will be releasing their new album Together on May 4th, and if you are like me you are going to go out and pre-order it now. If you don't know who the Pornographers are by now you make me sad. These guys were the first Canadian indie supergroup. They were there for me when I first started down the road of music less travelled. When I finally came to my senses and realized that Clear Channel had ruined radio, Mass Romantic was there to comfort me. When I made my first all indie mix CD, Electric Version was represented. And when I first started providing Boon with music on a regular basis, It was Twin Cinema that helped show him the way. Now look at him... suggesting all sorts of good music to post. he's alls growns up. Then came Challengers which pretty much made the world aware of who they were debuting at #34 on the Billboard charts.

So Sit back and bask in the glory that is the New Pornographers. Put your Hands together


Listen: New Pornographers, "Your Hands Together"




New Pornographers - Your Hands together



Oh and I almost forgot... they are starting their world tour to promote the new CD...

The New Pornographers - 2010 Tour Dates


Friday, 5/28 - Parc Del Forum, Barcelona, Primavera Sound

Mon, 5/31 - George WA - Sasquatch Music Festival

Mon, 6/7 - Calgary AB - MacEwan Hall*

Tue, 6/8 - Edmonton AB - Edmonton Event Centre*

Wed, 6/9 - Saskatoon SK - The Odeon Events Centre*

Thu, 6/10 - Winnipeg MB - The Garrick Centre*

Fri, 6/11 - Minneapolis MN - First Avenue

Sat, 6/12 - Milwaukee WI - Pabst Theater^#

Sun, 6/13 - Columbus OH - Newport Music Hall^#


Tue, 6/15 - Toronto ON - The Sound Academy^#

Thu, 6/17 - Montreal QC - Le National^#

Fri, 6/18 - Boston MA - House of Blues^#

Sat, 6/19 - New York NY - Terminal 5^#

Mon, 6/21 - Philadelphia PA - Trocadero Theatre^#

Tue, 6/22 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club^#

Wed, 6/23 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club^#

Fri, 6/25 - Chapel Hill NC - Memorial Hall at UNC^#

Sat, 6/26 - Atlanta GA - Variety Playhouse^#


Sun, 6/27 - Nashville TN - Cannery Ballroom^#

Sun, 6/28 - St Louis MO - The Pagaent^

Thu, 7/15 - Vancouver BC - The Vogue Theatre^"

Fri, 7/16 - Portland OR - Crystal Ballroom^"

Sun, 7/18 - Oakland CA - Fox Theater^"

Mon, 7/19 - Los Angeles CA - Henry Fonda Theater^"

Tue, 7/20 - Los Angeles CA - Henry Fonda Theater^"

Wed, 7/21 - Tucson AZ - Rialto Theatre^"

Fri, 7/23 - Austin TX - Stubb's BBQ^"


Sat, 7/24 - Dallas TX - The Showroom at Palladium^"

Sun, 7/25 - Tulsa OK - Cain's Ballroom^"

Mon, 7/26 - Lawrence KS - Liberty Hall^"

Wed, 7/28 - Denver CO - Ogden Theatre^"

Fri, 7/30 - Boise ID - Egyptian Theatre^"

Wed, 8/4 - Madison WI - Orpheum Theatre^

with support from :

* = The Mountain Goats


^ = The Dodos

# = The Dutchess & The Duke

" = Imaad Wasif

---

Fredrik

More Swedish goodness on your plate for today... The Band Fredrik. Off their album Trilogi which was released back in November we have the song "locked in the basement". It's a hauntingly melancholy, yet somehow manages to be happy enough to give you hope. In short, it sounds as if you were truly locked in a basement. Not like Silence of the Lambs style where you put the lotion on the skin or else you get the hose again. And not like being in some crazy Sex dungeon basement where you might be tied up but you know if it gets too rough you always have your safe word. Mine is Omphaloskepsis... which is really hard to say with a ball gag in your mouth. Just Sayin. No this song makes you feel like the door locked behind you, but you know someone will be home eventually, so you have to just keep yourself entertained until then... I can also see this with little animated characters accompanying you in this quest... like something out of the movie Nine.


Listen: Fredrik, "Locked in the Basement"




Fredrik - Locked in the Basement

WTFVOTD - Peelander Z - So Many Mike

WTF had one if its crack collaborating journalists out at SXSW this weekend. Smokin' Joe of Smokin' Joe's in the mow may or may not have been inebriated down in Austin, but he never stopped looking for good music to report on. He introduced me to Peelander Z... a wacky Japanese band who according to Joe label themselves as Japanese Action Comic Punk. And now I will return the favor by sharing them with you lovely people.

Jesca Hoop

This girl started out as Tom Waits Nanny back in Southern Cal. It was during this time that Mr Waits decided to mentor her So it came as no surprise that she created an album that was quirky and moody... perhaps a soundtrack to a cartoon that hasn't been animated. This is off her second album Hunting My Dress, and it makes me happy... I love the Tusk-like undulating rhythm and the voice and lyrics.



Listen: Jesca Hoop, "Four Dreams"




Jesca Hoop - Four Dreams

VOTDs - Hot Chip I feel Better /Lady Gaga - Telephone

No covers today... been workin' all night, and I'm gonna get some sleep before its basketball watching time. So I leave you with this Hot Chip Video. Words cannot describe it.



Yeah. I know. it blew your freakin' mind. And if that's not enough, check the new Lady Gaga out. I'm not big on Gaga... but this is...well... interesting and not entirely safe for work due to some of the outfits.

Samuraj Cities

These guys kinda frighten me in their picture. I don't like the way they are looking at me... my first thought it to say "Hey fun boys get a room" with techno music blaring in the background "unce unce ucne ucne unce". Then I get a bit scared they could be looking at me saying "the pants. Now take off the pants". But I guess I will have to forgive them cause they are Swedish and are probably watching an intense women's curling match.

Sweden has given us so much good music over the years... the list is overwhelming, so its no suprise that Samuraj Cities rock. And they do rock. It's kinda early 2000 retro, reminding me of Communique or early Bravery. They sound awesome, and I really love the song I'm posting from their album Mixed Up Record Collections. I just can't get over the J in the name. The name is pronounced Samarai Cities.... yet they stuck a J in there to confuse me. Is that really necessary? I mean you guys sing in English, so shouldn't the name be in English too? Or is it just cause its a japanese word? Maybe they are just rebels. From now on the J is dead to me.


Listen: Samuraj Cities, "Spoonful of Talk"




Samuraj Cities - Spoonful of Talk

Harlem

So Harlem , our favorite Austin trio, has gottten picked up by matador, and they are set to release their 2nd album Hippies in April, and if it's one thing austinites know abut, it's hippies, so its bound to be good. From what I've heard so far it is. I love that they haven't lost their Pixies like sound with their catchy bluesy rhythms. See for yourself.



Listen: Harlem, "Gay Human Bones"




Harlem - Gay Human Bones

Black Hollies

The Black Hollies... now this is an interesting band... They have an extremely 60s psychedelia sound... with the organs and all... Reminiscent of The Blues Magoos or Cream or more recently The Verve, both from across the pond. In fact if I didn't know that they were from the same state that gave us Snooky and The Situation making out in a hot tub, I could have sworn they were British. That's right they are from Jersey, and they are definitely catchy... much like whatever is in Snooky's underpants. The hooks are infectious. It makes you want to do a hippie on acid dance. you know what I'm talkin about... something like this...




Anyway.... back to the band. The album dropped in October. It's called Softly towards the Light. Have a listen


Listen: Black Hollies, "Gloomy Monday Morning"




Black Hollies - Gloomy Monday Morning

Covers Friday - Circle of Life Edition

jeeesh... all sorts of server issues today. for todays covers post... oh its the classic story of love betrayal and loss... Boy meets girl, boy and girl get married, then comes kids, and then come infidelity. And then the girl gets even. Like Sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives....

He walks into the room. It's filled with Beautiful Girls. He was always wary of beautiful girls since his last relationship. he was damn near suicidal when she said it was over.



Listen: Deer Tick, "Beautiful Girls"




Deer Tick - Beautiful Girls (Sean Kingston)


She saw him as soon as he walked in the door.. he had a certain air about him. A certain savour fare. She knew the nervous walking. She thought to yourself... Here comes your man.



Listen: Meaghan Smith, "Here Comes Your Man"




Meaghan Smith - Here Comes your Man (Pixies)




She made eye contact and went in for the kill. it wasn't long before he was buying her drinks and suggesting they get out of the club and head back to his place but they wouldn't even make it back there before it started. The dark of the alley, the head while he's driving, hot as a fever, rattling bones, the SEX was on Fire!



Listen: Alesha Dixon, "Sex on Fire"




Alesha Dixon - Sex on Fire (Kings o f Leon)



That Night they met he knew he needed her so. It was like since the day saw her he had been waiting for her... It wasn't long after that he asked her to be his baby.



Listen: DM Stith, "Be My Baby"




DM Stith - Be My Baby (Ronettes)



Years past. Things were going great. A baby is born crying out for attention. They liked to watch him laughing picking insects off plants with no time to think of the consequence. Ahhh... Kids.



Listen: Ben Lee, "Kids"




Ben Lee - Kids. (MGMT)



Then a new woman came along. He knew his woman's love would never die. but he also knew that that would change if she ever found out about him and her. He told his mistress "I know her love is true, but its so damn easy making love to you... I'm gonna Run to you"



Listen: Malcolm Middle and the Hold Steady, "Run to you"




Malcolm Middle and the Hold Steady - Run To You (Bryan Adams)



And find out his woman did. Heartbroken, she attacked the situation the only way she knew how. See she was from Lousiana, and she practiced Voodoo all her life, and there was no way her man would get away with this. She put a spell on him.



Listen: She And Him, "I Put a Spell On You"




She & Him - I put a spell on you (Screaming Jay Hawkins)



The spell made it look like an accident... There he and his mistress were, in the same dark alley where he'd met his wife so many years before. Tonight would be different. A Mugger would catch them in the throes of passion and demand their cash... when he tried to fight back the mugger thrush the knife into his belly repeatedly splattering blood into the air like crimson tears. it was raining blood.


Tori Amos, "Raining Blood"




Tori Amos - Raining Blood (Slayer)



In the distance you could hear the voodoo queen laugh with approval. Now she would prepare for the funeral

Serena Ryder & the Beauties - Funeral (Band of Horses)

Listen: Serena Ryder, "Funeral"




Serena Ryder & the Beauties - Funeral (Band of Horses)




(fin)

Holly Miranda

Holly Miranda isn't really under the radar. If you haven't heard of her yet, you definitely will soon... and from more respectable sources than WTF thats for sure. She's kinda been built up to be the next big thing... everybody says so, so it has to be true.

Born in Detroit, and raised between Michigan and Tennessee, she used to front a band called the Jealous Girlfriends which was based in Brooklyn. They had some success with a song getting played on Showtime's the L Word. She went solo, released an EP, and then got Dave Sitek from TV on the Radio to produce her album Magician's Private Library. A couple of the TV on the Radio guys even guest on the record. All this would be enough to want to check her out. But then Kanye happened. Kanye West has been pimping her out like she was his number one ho... strangely he's the one that exposed her solo act to the masses before anyone else... hell he even scooped Pitchfork. For Shame. And if That wasn't enough to check our out, Then Tegan and Sara got a hold of her, and got her to tour with them, almost guaranteeing a cult following.

Personally I don't care about the hype. I like the sound. Cat Power crossed with Stevie Nicks crossed with Thao Nyguen style vocals against a Taken by Trees vs Fever Ray Backdrop of Rhythm, although a bit happier on some of the tracks.


Listen: Holly Miranda, "Waves"




Holly Miranda- Waves


Listen: Holly Miranda, "Slow Burn Treason"




Holly Miranda- Slow Burn Treason

VOTD - Hold your Horses

So this video for the song "70 Million" recreates some famous paintings. I enjoyed it.

70 Million by Hold Your Horses ! from L'Ogre on Vimeo.

Under New MGMT

That's right folks, for today's "You got Booned" post, we got the new MGMT from the new album Congratulations. The new album seems to be headed in a new experimental direction for these guys... less of the standard MGMT electro pop that will automatically stick in your head and get played in every movie soundtrack everywhere. But thats a good thing. The title track "Congratulations" has the mellow feel of "Pieces of What" on Oracular Spectacular but with a more Bright Eyes sound to the vocals. "Flash Delerium" has more of a Bowie-esque vocal with an old school animal collective meets Rocky Horror Picture Show backdrop. I kinda miss the distinctive vocal sound of the last album, but all in all pretty pleased.

Listen: MGMT, "Congratulations"




MGMT - Congratulations


Listen: MGMT, "Flash Delirium"




MGMT - Delirium

An horse is an horse of course of course

An horse is an Australian duo and their sound reminds me a lot of Tegan and Sara... well with a touch of Hole from the Kurt Cobain era. Ironically enough Sara from Tegan And Sara ended up discovering them and taking them on tour... Their EP Not Really Scared got some pretty good reviews, and they ended up taking the best songs from it and added some more stuff to release Rearrange Beds last year. Have a listen

Listen: An Horse, "Postcards"




An Horse- Postcards



Listen: An Horse, "Company"




An horse- Company

Islands... in the stream. that is what they are.

Dirty I know. you will be singing that song all day. just know. We can rely on each other. uh huh.

The islands are a Canadian band, helmed by Nick Diamonds and the band recently reunited with Jamie Thompson, one of the original founders of the band back in 2006 when these former Unicorns were collaborating with some of the canadian up and comers of the time like Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade and making music that made you feel like you were enjoying a nice vacation in the islands with its calypso rhythm mixed up with synth pop beats. The second album ventured into a darker guitar heavy sound, but with the return of Thompson, Vapours is back to being light and breezy. It's more 80's synth pop than before but I like it.


Listen: Islands, "No You Don't"




Islands - No You Don't

Covers Friday - lyrical mad lib Edition

yeah I don't really have a theme for today's post. But if today's post were a movie, it would go something like this

(opening credits I think it will be called Can Buy me Love)

cut to:
(Zapka-esque bullies harass me an my girl... ther is pushing and shoving, perhaps even one of the cronies licks my girl on the face while I'm gettin pummled by our Zapka Character... finally a friend shows up... the Zapka crew scatters. To the friend I say this... )

What's with these homies dissin' my girl? Why do they gotta front? What did we ever do to these guys that made them so violent?

(say goodbyes and thank you to the buddy, and tehn continue to walk the girl home... feeling shame. She is noticibaly frazzled about the harassment, beating and slander. I try to console her, but I think it makes it worse)

I don't care what they say about us anyway. I don't care 'bout that. What's a matter babe?... are you feelin' sick? What's a matter babe, are you feelin' blue?

(she then proceeds to tell me that I make her physically ill because I'm a wimp for not being able to stand up to these guys, and I should grow some balls and muscles... maybe find an old asian mentor that will teach me ludicrous things as a life lesson all the while secretly teaching me martial arts. Then she mentions something about us "Not being right" for each other )

What can I do, girl To get through to you, Cause I love ya baby. Say, Say, say what you want, but don't play games with my affection. Shawty you da hottest, love the way you drop it. With brains so good, coulda swore you went to college.

(my attempt at humor seems to be working... She giggles for a bit, then realizes that I actually insulted her intellegence with that remark. She throws a garden gnome at me and starts to run inside, saying that she's going to go back to her old boyfriends, the Oakland Raiders... I reach out to her)

Wait... they don't love you like I love you. Long as you got me, you won't need nobody. You want it, I got it, go get it, I buy it. Tell them other broke brothers be quiet. Stacks on deck, patron on ice... We can pop bottles all night. Baby, you can have whatever you like.

(She turns, smiles and her eyes and all the bling I bought for her seem to twinkle in the moonlight. She jumps back in my arms and asks me if I really mean it. I say yes.. we kiss and then she whispers something about a new bedroom set)

(fin)

Listen: Little Pictures, "Buddy Holly (Weezer cover)"




Little Pictures - Buddy Holly (Weezer cover)


Listen: Woodpigeon & Louise Hull, "Say Say Say (Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney)"




Woodpigeon and Louise Hull - Say Say Say (Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney)



Listen: Rogue Wave, "Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)"




Rogue Wave - Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)



Listen: Anya Marina "Whatever you Like (TI)"




Anya Marina - Whatever you Like (TI)

Its hard to be humble when you are Matthew and the Arrogant Sea

It's a bit of a local thursday again as we turn the spotlight on Matthew Gray and Matthew and the Arrogant Sea. Like Midlake, these guys are one of the more high profile outfits from Denton, although I guess in Indie music the term "high profile" has to be thrown around loosely... lets just say he's pretty much an integral part of the Denton Music scene. So much so that Gray has been promoting and booking bands for Denton's music Conferette NX35... the North Texas precursor to SxSW. Oh and MATAS will be performing there too. As well as SXSW (3/20 - St David's Bethell Hall). And did I mention they just had a show at the Granada last week with Akron/Family (who I love) and Warpaint (who I will be posting soon). As well as getting ready to put out a new album called You can't tame a Busy busy peeps.

So what do they sound like you ask? They are folksy and trippy. Somewhere between Fleet Foxes and Beach House lies the Arrogant Sea... and perhaps Bon Iver is out sailing on it. Great sound altogether. Here's a taste of the upcoming new album and a video of a song from the the past.



Listen: Mattew and the Arrogant Sea, "Jack Russell Kilt"




Matthew & the Arrogant Sea - Jack Russell Kilt

VOTD: Gorillaz - Stylo

This is also a you got booned video of the day, since he beat me to this one...
but when he told me that Bruce Willis was in it, I immediately thought... without cool animation, its just not a Gorillaz video. But this kicked ass, so I'm posting.

She & Him have got a hold on me.

Hello and Welcome to today's edition of "You got Booned" where Boon tells me what to post and I do what he says like the obedient lap dog that I am. However today I have no qualms about this post.... She & Him. This post is about Zooey. sigh... ah Zooey... thy beauty makes me fall to my knees and those eyes stare holes through my soul. Ok, M. Ward... you are a cool fellow as well, but Zooey is the embodiment of all that is good in this world. Damn you Ben Gibbard for taking her off the market.

ahem... back to the music. So Volume 1 was released a few years ago and it was a brilliant record. I remember being at SxSW in 2008, front row at one of their first performances together ever and I was giddy like a school girl. I had no idea what to expect back then, and the music and the vocals blew me away.

Two years later, and I still don't get tired of listening to Volume 1. but thankfully the sequel that is Volume 2 will be out on March 23rd, and you can pre-order it at Merge . Now my expectations are through the roof. I expect their 2010 SxSW performances to be awesome and packed.
(03/18 – Cedar Street Courtyard (Merge Records Showcase)
(03/20 – Auditorium Shores (Ground Control Touring Showcase).

I expect the album to be spectacular. And based on the first couple of tastes of the album, my expecations might actually be met.

The first single "In the Sun" features some guest vocals from Tilly and the Wall... it's a bit more poppy than the norm, but still fabulous. You can purchase the 7" at Merge as well.

Listen: She & Him, "In the Sun"



She & Him - In the Sun


The second song is "Thieves" is an awesome countrifried throwback. It reminds me of a song that you would hear on Mad Men.

Listen: She & Him, "Thieves"



She & Him - Thieves



And now our picture gallery to the band ... well mostly zooey.
click on each for a larger view.

VOTD : OK Go - This Too Shall Pass

This is too cool a video not to post. Reminds me of the Pee Wee Herman Breakfast scene.

You say Party! We Say Die! ...I say sweet.

I was perusing my local record store the other day when I came across the album XXXX by You Say Party! We say Die! and I thought to myself... with a name that cool the music has to be great. Then I wondered why I hadn't heard of them coming through town at all. Well here's some history on YSP!WSD! (as the cool kids call them)... They are A British Columbian band. Yes another Canadian band. Apparently our neighbors to the North are a constant source for cool new bands, legalized weed, and publicy funded healthcare... Well this canadian band started out as a biker gang, but it got too cold to ride bikes so they just went inside and jammed. Apparently they've been around for a while, but because they had visa issues, they haven't been able to perform in the US, so they were banned in the USA for a while. Scandalous.

Back to the music... Is there really such a genre as dance punk? Because that's what these guys are classified as, and its really tough to argue against... the keyboard riffs are reminiscent of 80s dance, but the all around sound a lot like a lot less frantic and convulsive Yeah Yeah Yeahs, espcially since they went all synth pop.

They finally got their visas taken care of and will be in the ATX for SxSW... well everybody but the bassist... he's still banned from the US till 2011.


Listen: You Say Party! We Say Die!, "Laura Palmer's Prom"



You Say Party! We Say Die!- Laura Palmer's Prom


Listen: You Say Party! We Say Die!, "There is XXXX (within my heart)"



You Say Party! We Say Die!- There is XXXX (within my heart)

Rubik not just for cubes anymore

Ah Finland. you have given us so much lately. I especially liked the 6 goals you allowed in the first period of the semifinal game... that was so nice of you. But that's not all the finnish give... they give us music. Did you know that Finland is the metal capital of the world... actually I don't know if that's true, but there are quite a bit of metal bands there. Then amidst all the metal, stands Rubik.

Rubik may not be metal, but they are definitely finnish... look at these guys... when I think finland, these guys are what I imagine the fins to look like. A polar opposite to their death metal counterparts all over the country, Rubik is happy indie pop... smooth melodies, catchy hooks.. the whole shebang. Their second self produced album is Dada Bandits, and this is my favorite song from it.

Listen: Rubik, "Goji Berries"



Rubik - Goji Berries