The Port Sunshine

Fin

2008-11-24T00:18:00.000-05:00

Thanks for coming

Ready? BREAK!

2008-09-05T23:29:00.003-05:00

Taking an extended vacation. Will be building up a big collection of albums to feature here, as well as some other goodies up my sleeve for the fall

Best,
Andy

Books Into Film, Part 1 - The Black Dalhia

2008-07-19T21:35:00.003-05:00

Reading the book first, I knew going into the film that it wasn't going to possibly be able to work. The only thing I knew about the movie was that it came out in 2006 and got less than stellar reviews. Here's why.
James Ellroy is an amazing writer. The time period in which he's set his two most famous novels, LA Confidential and The Black Dahlia, is ideal as it is able to go against the grain of the post-war iconoclastic American ideal. He is the quintessential neo-noir author; his plots are as multifaceted, intertwined, and complex as the characters working through them.
Bucky Bleichart is an amazingly complex figure of indecision, being torn apart by his ideals, wants, needs and desires. He's working his way up the ladder, but doing it on his terms, and not giving an inch to his superiors. His relationships with Kay and Madeline/Elizabeth create a debilitating confusion inside him as to what his intentions are and how he copes with his innate desires. At the same time, the only family figure in his life is his German ex-pat father who is slowly dying after Alzheimer's has rotted out his mind. At the beginning of the novel Bucky explains his father's situation as well as his habits, such as shooting birds or a dose of anti-semitism left over from the war years. But towards the end Bucky merely mentions his father in passing, with lines like "I visited the old man, he didn't recognize me" before quickly getting back to the case. It's one of many examples of the shift in Bucky's mental state and how it affects his relationships with the people around him. He'd entirely different by the end of it, and not necessarily for the better.
HIs relationship with Kay and Lee, and their characters, are as complex. Lee and Kay's history together is strange, and is ripe for conflict to arise from just below the surface.
The book walks us through years, the tedium that is police work on a high-profile murder case, chasing down witnesses, following false leads, and finally making breaks. It is not a typical murder mystery, where there is an "A-HA!" moment. Instead, Ellroy offers us a puzzle there the pieces begin to fall into place, but some don't fit after years of force and some only after the working through the minutiae of their cases.
The film couldn't possibly fit the breadth of the novel into two hours. Due to that simple fact, which of course everyone knew from day one of pre-production, the film suffered from a confusing, glossed over plotline that was moving too fast to understand and involved characters we'd heard mentioned but hadn't seen or had seen for a split second. I read the book closely, and I still had no idea who Baxter Fitch was when they pointed to him as a conspirator in the bank robbery. A quick look at the film's IMDB (where film criticism goes to die) reviews and messageboard shows that pretty much everyone who had seen the movie had a couple of questions about it. That is par for the course; I have seen LA Confidential tens of times and still don't think I know everything that happened at the Night Owl Cafe. Ellroy's plots are tough to understand, and when there is only so much time to get it across, while still keeping some of it back to create intrigue, it becomes very confusing to try and keep track of it all. That's why the movie was forced to turn to the ever-horrible flashback voice overs complete with reverb playing through Josh Hartnett's mind when he stumbles upon something like the murder scene. It's an age-old trick that bluntly reminds the viewer of what's going on, but when it's utilized out of necessity due to plot confusion, the filmmakers know they've dug themselves into a hole.
Like LA Confidential, The Black Dahlia suffers from a cast that the audience knows far too well from other genres, and therefore the believability for them in a dramatic role is much harder. Both Bucky and Lee are much older than Aaron Eckhart and Josh Harnett. Although Hartnett gave it his all and delivers a genuinely decent performance, you can tell he wasn't the top choice for Bucky (Mark Walberg was first signed to it). I didn't picture Kay as being as attractive as Scarlett Johansson, and was surprised at how good Hillary Swank can look when she's trying. I wish that Rose McGowan had a larger role in the film (her character is around for a good chunk of the book) because I think she absolutely embodies the noir aesthetic and knows exactly how to play it by being very well versed in cinema.
One thing that absolutely saves this movie is Brian De Palma's amazing cinematography and some of his shot choices. He was such a good choice to direct this, as he has worked in the neo-noir field, which often shows how crazy LA can be, and he has made films that push boundaries while at the same time are visually stunning. His long shots, particularly while Blanchard and Belichart are on the stakeout and the Short crime scene is revealed, are just jaw dropping. By contrast, there are times when the shots are phoned in, where the lighting makes it look like it's only raining on Hartnett or the camera doesn't get close enough to capture the details attempting to be presented.
So for Book vs Movie, the clear victor here is the book. Ellroy's novels are just so fantastic that everyone would love to see them as films, but the time frame of films simply can't allow for the story to be told effectively. LA Confidential came close, but The Black Dahlia fell far short. His characters are too complex for ten minutes of exposition, his plotlines too involved for even two hours of action to cover. He has successfully created a subgenre of the mystery/thriller novel that defies convention, and film has yet to successfully find a way to concentrate his plots without losing any of the elements that made them so great when we read them. We've seen it before with films like Lady In the Lake and The Long Goodbye, and hopefully it's only a matter of time until Hollywood finds a way to capture the author who has made it his mission to perfectly show just how strange and dark a place it has been.

Status Update

2008-07-06T21:28:00.003-05:00

Hey folks The Port Sunshine is not dead I've just been busy of late but in the autumn I'm planning on changing up the whole page and being a bit more dedicated to it. Also going to expand into the horizons of movies, books, and all sorts of music to make it a bit more of a multifaceted blog and keep it interesting.

If you're at all interested in becoming a contributor for TPS, drop me a line.

Cheers,
Andy
TPS

ps- Anyone else loving the new We Are Scientists? They are without a doubt the best current US rock band on the scene.

cya!

Review- Last Shadow Puppets

2008-05-09T00:17:00.006-05:00

So I was right all along. I'm happy to report that, in case you haven't heard, Alex Turner's newest venture has turned out brilliantly and fully met and at some points exceeded my expectations. Rather go into the nitty gritty of the album (which I've listened to almost exclusively for about 10 days), I will direct you HERE to the NME's review of it. I normally wouldn't do such a thing, but it's actually a very well written review of the album and touches upon everything I wanted to point out, especially the reference to Ennio Morricone. While first hearing the songs, I could only think of showdown sequences in a Leone western or a Kurosawa film. I also like and agree that lyrically you can pick out Turner's tunes as ones that sound like they picked up where "Do Me A Favour" left off. My favorite track off the album is "Standing Next To Me." It is one of the less grandiose songs, but has a great mid-level tempo and I can see it being in Turner's arsenal when he's fifty and doing Weller style acoustic concerts three times a year.

Like the NME reviewer, I don't think this will be canonized into brit rock legend the way Whatever You Say I Am... or even Favourite Worst Nightmare might. However, for having come up with it on a lark holiday to France after getting into Scott Walker, it shows just how brilliant Alex Turner and Miles Kane are. Also not to be forgotten is the drummer and producer, the man who added all the strings that turned the album into a Walker-inspired epic, Simian Mobile Disco's James Ford, whose white guy 'fro can be clearly seen behind the drums in the Jools Holland video.

Note how the acoustic versions of the sound resonate much different than the album; lyrically and stylistically still top notch, but seemingly missing something after hearing it with the strings. For a few tracks on the album, that epic nature really holds them up, but nonetheless its a fantastic project from three absolute geniuses, and I for one couldn't be happier to have something fresh, new, innovative (albeit revisionary), and dare I say genius one more time?

Olav Basoski- Live at Pacha Ibiza Summer '01

2008-04-28T13:24:00.002-05:00

This right here is old school. The electro-rock-dance movement has brought a whole new generation of hipsters into the scene. What's happening is a retrospective look on the entire scene; I was at a dance event last month (Boston's Basstown, look into it if you're in the 'hood), and the guest DJ (Lauren Flax from NYC, also worth looking into) was dropping loads of stuff from 2001-3, and even some older chicago style stuff. It was remarkable to see the crowd absolutely loving it because it was their first time hearing most of it. Something like Cassius' "La Mouche," which I've personally heard hundreds if not thousands of times in my own dj sets and whatnot, was tapping into virginal ears, and making the same impression it did on me the first time I heard it.
When I got into dance music (around '02) I swept the p2p's looking for any and all mixes. Since then I've lost a lot (I typically burned them to a cd and ditched the files), but of those I still have, this one by Olav Basoski is one of my favorites.
There is nothing that special about this mix, it's mixed flawlessly for the most part and has a lot of unknown funky-house on it, but it achieves the same goals as all the old stuff these days. For veteran house listeners, it will bring back great memories of those summers from about '01-'03 when guys like Tim Deluxe, Mint Royale and the French House dudes made music that was still fresh and exciting (note for n00bs: 04-06 house, swedish house mafia stuff, isn't very good). For new listers, it gives them a glimpse, as it did for me, into the past and another clue as to how Justice, Ed Banger, Institubes, and all the others got to where they are.

If I get some positive feedback, I'll post up more sets like this from the likes of Cassius & Together, Sebatian Leger, Demon, and others.

enjoy.

Here

Be Your Own Pet- The Kelly Affair

2008-04-26T11:58:00.004-05:00

So I found this track from our friends at Fluokids, and it it first caught my attention when I thought to myself "What an overly-obscure reference." Upon listening to it though, it was like hearing the voice of someone you loved a long time ago. I really liked BYOP's first album, but it was such a pent-up, flash in the pan album of energy, it came and went quickly. Also, if I remember correctly, it came out at a time where there was TONS of great music coming out, and it was hard to keep all the plates spinning. It's great female fronted guitar rock, and the band further impressed me when I saw them warm up the Arctic Monkey's crowd in Washington DC May of last year. The people around me had mixed reviews, but I thought they had a great performance and did their job or raising the energy of the crowd for the headliner.
For this track, it was an odd coincidence that not two days ago I downloaded the soundtrack to the Roger Ebert written, Russ Meyer directed Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. BYOP obviously enjoyed it as much as I do, enough to write a pretty awesome party tune about it. The Kelly Affair is the name of the fictional girl band in the film, until they go to a party hosted by Z-Man Barzell, who takes control of them and renames them the Carrie Nations. It's absolutely one of the craziest, funniest films I've ever seen, and I highly recommend it. I've included clips of both BYOP performing Kelly Affair and the Kelly Affair themselves perforoming their fictional hit "Sweet Talking Candyman" with Strawberry Alarm Clock.
Hopefully Be Your Own Pet's follow-up album will not fizzle out as quickly as their last one, but they can definitely play my late-1960's drug-fueled house party anytime.

Enjoy.

Be Your Own Pet- The Kelly Affair (Live From Leadmill Sheffield 3/22/08)

Here

The Kelly Affair- Sweet Talking Candyman (Live from Z Man's)

Here

Last Shadow Puppets

2008-04-11T12:35:00.002-05:00

I am sorry if I got you really excited thinking I had this leak. I don't, but I needed to post about how excited I am for this album. Through some miracle of modern technology, I got the last Arctic Monkeys album about a week after it was mixed down, months before its scheduled release. Unfortunately I don't have that luck this time around, because I am waiting on this as if it's going to cure an epidemic. There are a few reasons to think it just might. Alex Turner is, in my opinion, the best songwriter on the scene. Secondly, of what I've heard of Miles Kane from the Little Flames and youtube'd Rascals material, it seems like he falls in the same ranks as Turner in musical ability and songwriting skills. To finish off the tri fecta, the album was produced by James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco and is said to have a very 60's influenced sound. The thing about British albums influenced by the 1960's is that they don't usually mean late 60s psychadelia rock. The Americans typify the 60's with hippies, Haight Ashbury, LSD, and think that the best part of the decade was the Friday to Monday of Woodstock.
But the 60's mean much more for those within the UK. It starts, really, in the late 50's as the youth culture began to scism from their parents generation. The early 60's were, again in my opinion but I feel also the opinion of most Brits, the best part of the decade. Surely "swinging" London and the city streets of Antonioni's blow up in 1966 was highly influential, but the mod era that nurtured the small faces, zombies, rolling stones, and yardbirds were really the best times of that decade. And from this time and those artists I hope this album is able to adopt its sound. I will be disappointed if it ends up sounding like a later Small Faces album and Alex starts wearing Hendrix scarves on his head. I don't think that's likely to happen, and I feel confident saying that this album, released in the next week or so, will meet my expectations and yours.

Teddybears- Soft Machine

2008-02-26T18:28:00.004-05:00

Something about the Swedes have always attracted me to their music. They rival top European countries in terms of their quality musical output, which, in case you didn't know, is pretty high. I found that I like a band and THEN discover they're from Sweden, rather than vice versa. Some noteworthy swede acts include Shout Out Louds, Robyn, The Hives, Jose Gonzales, The Caesars, The Sounds, Peter Bjorn and John (another TPS fav), I'm From Barcelona, Anne Brune and the er, Cardigans.
The thing that first attracted me to Teddybears was a picture of them performing in these ferocious bear masks. Some bands wear masks, and usually they're benign or warm and cuddly, especially if they're animal masks. But Teddybears chose to design their masks with frightening accuracy to a live angry bear, and combined with a suit makes for a hilarious stage show.
Their album is really listenable, and has the same dexterity and uniqueness of Fatboy Slim's usual output. It features artists as diverse as Iggy Pop and Nenah Cherry and reggae legend Elephant Man all singing over Teddybear's unique rock-lectro, big beat party music. Although it is snowing here and therefore untested, this would make a perfect at-the-beach-party soundtrack. For a trio of frigid Scandinavians, creating such warm music seems surprising. But these guys have produced more pop hits in the last decade than one would think, and so seeing them create such quality material under their own name doesn't come as such a surprise. It's a really good album and if you haven't heard of them until now, you'll recognize a few of the songs from adverts when within the first few bars.

Teddybears- Soft Machine (Zshare)
Robyn- Cobrastyle (Teddybears Cover)

Alternative Tape- Hitz vol. 1

2008-01-29T02:28:00.000-05:00

So I wanted to put together a bunch of tracks I've been enjoying lately, with the only filter being no dance music. I almost made it. The Robyn track on here is more like euro-pop, and its the original mix and its really quite cool. As for the rest of them, they're mostly slower and or acoustic jams I listen to when not listening to electronic music, which is either early in the morning or extremely late at night. Some are old, some are new, some are Kate Nash doing covers, some are people covering Kate Nash. Either way, all the tunes are pretty good. I didn't compile them with album info like "port sunshine mixtape" or anything like that, just handing them over, hoping that they may warm your eyes open on frosty mornings on your way to work as they have for me this winter.

enjoy

Here

one year anniversary

2008-01-13T21:24:00.000-05:00

so I just noticed that I started this blog exactly a year ago. Happy Birthday Port Sunshine!

Thanks for making it a great year everyone!

Sebastian- Live at Pig Party 18 April 07

2008-01-13T21:05:00.000-05:00

This is an older dj set, but is one of my favorite by any artist. Sebastian absolutely storms it up, and plays tunes that are today (but I'm sure not for long) considered classics. Sebastian is part of the Ed Bangers crew, and rolls around with the likes of Pedro Winter, Justice et al. He came on the scene in 05 and does some pretty decent remix work. I really like how big he is able to make his productions sound.

Original Article

Here

Justice- Xmas Mix

2008-01-13T19:55:00.000-05:00

Welcome to a new year at The Port Sunshine! I'm sorry for my limited posting of late, I've been caught up in a few things (including employment, damn you!) that have kept me pretty busy.
I like to think that this blog encompasses the gamut of my musical taste, and of late I've been mostly concentrating, as a lot of us have, on dance, edm, electronic, indiedisco, or whatever your name for it may be.
If you've been paying close enough attention, you may of heard of some dudes called Justice. They will be embarking on their first north american tour soon, playing Madison Square Garden and the like. The Boston show I was hoping to attend reportedly sold out in under five minutes, so I'm hoping for a dope afterparty like the Ed Bangers one after the Daft Punk performances.
In other Justice news, they submitted a mix to Fabric, the label/club that releases really awesome mix cds from top djs. However, they put all the sort of terrible music they are fans of (to relate, see my post about The Wonders) on their cd, and it was rejected by Fabric. I recently obtained said mix, and I think it's pretty cool. I've defnitely dj'd sets just like this consisting of Tavares, 80's acid, 90's hip hop, anything I once bought saying "Maybe there's some cool samples here."

Anyways, enjoy, I'm hoping to post some more in the coming days, weeks, and hopefully not months.

TPS

Here

Top Albums of '07

2007-11-19T22:16:00.000-05:00

1. Maximo Park- Our Earthly Pleasures
2. Simian Mobile Disco- Attack Decay Sustain Release
3. Justice- (Cross)
4. Arctic Monkeys- Favorite Worst Nightmare
5. Klaxons- Myths of the Near Future

Eagerly awaiting next year for (hopefully) a return from We Are Scientists, Oasis (so they say), and many others.

Please post your top albums or tracks of '07, and keep checking for future updates!

TPS

Oasis- Live @ Virgin Megastore 8.30.94

2007-09-28T14:21:00.000-05:00

Great acoustic set of six songs, including Live Forever and Sad Song. A must have for fans.

And as a bonus, some video reportedly of them backstage before the gig.

Here

I'm From Barcelona- Let Me Introduce My Friends

2007-09-28T14:12:00.000-05:00

I got this album having never heard any of the songs before, but relying solely on reputation to deliver a good album. Like most of the music I attain in this fasion, I put it on my Ipod, thinking "maybe if I'm in the car, I'll give it a shot." Which I never do. However, as many of you who own Ipods can probably attest to, when it is in "shuffle songs" mode for some reason it will play a lot of the same artists or songs, as if the ipod itself had its own personal tastes. So my ipod loved this album all summer, and I found myself listening to it in full a number of times. It's a great summery sort of album of a band with 29 members who aren't from Barcelona or Spain but Sweden. I have had the pleasure of speaking with many a Swede in my day and they are a great people, albeit unattractive (with the exception of those ten gorgeous ones). To stay on track, however, I will curtail my description and just let you know this is a really cool album in the vein of Of Montreal or even the Flaming Lips.

enjoy

Here

Underworld- Crocodile EP

2007-09-20T20:26:00.000-05:00

Who knew that Underworld was still cranking out new stuff? I really enjoyed their last studio album, A Hundred Days Off, and after hearing this EP I think this next one will be great as well. They're also on tour, and they've just completed the soundtrack to the new Danny Boyle film Sunshine. Who knew?! Glad to see that these guys can make music for almost 20 years, and still find themselves filling seats at major venues arguably ten years after their peak in popularity.

Here

That Thing You Do- OST

2007-09-17T19:40:00.000-05:00

A guilty pleasure. I've posted about it before, but this is the full soundtrack, with Del Paxton, Diane Dane, and Cap't Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters. There's a deluxe version of the movie out on DVD now, I highly recommend its purchase.
enjoy,

Here

Etienne De Crecy- Tempovision

2007-09-17T19:31:00.000-05:00

Remember the days when French Touch was clean, talented, and uber-repetative? Back in the late 90's, when the first French Touch ruled dancefloors, Etienne De Crecy, along with Cassius, Daft Punk, DJ Falcon, and a handful of others (all in the same social grouping, of course) ruled international dancefloors with this kind of music. With all the hipsters jumping on board the scene, its sometimes tough to find someone who knows that it hasn't always been dirty and as raw as the second French Touch led by the Ed Bangers crew. Etienne de Crecy has definitely taken a backseat along with Cassius and DJ Falcon, as Daft Punk have managed to stay on only by creating the current state of raw, awesome songs. Without Human After All the way artists like Justice, Mr. Oizo (who has been around literally forever), and Busy P would probably sound different, if they were around at all.
Here is a throwback to the way things used to be, a forgotten classic. Hopefully some of you can reminise about the first time you heard Music Sounds Better With You in ibiza, in your wild days before the job and the mortgage and family.

enjoy

Here

Death From Above 1979- You're a Woman, I'm a Machine

2007-09-17T19:17:00.000-05:00

The lone full length album by the innovative toronto duo, death from above 1979 were some of the hardest working guys in modern rock. Jesse would play bass with a couple cheap pedals to achieve maximum soundage, and sebastien would sing and slam on the drums. They're like lightning bolt except they're much more put together and I feel much more talented. their songs are crazy/violent/ephemeral/sexy/jagged, and their image was and is really cool. Jesse has gone on to team up with producer Al-P and Sebastien is just getting around to releasing some solo stuff.

The Conan appearance was memorable, I actually caught this when it premiered, and was cool because Max Weinberg jumped in on drums, awkwardly, the only way he does things.

Here

An Evening With Pete Doherty f. Carl Barat

2007-09-10T14:31:00.000-05:00

Right here's a bootleg of the April evening in which Pete Doherty, in the midst of his "An Evening with Pete Doherty" concert series, was joined by his former bandmate Carl Barat. The pair performed a series of songs towards the end of the set, and it's pretty easy to tell when Carl joins Pete onstage. Otherwise, it's a fantastic collection of songs by Pete showcasing the best of his babyshambles and a bit of libertines material, and catches him in a very subdued, performative setting, one in which I feel suits him best. Underneath all the headlines and scandel I think Pete is a genius not unlike Oscar Wilde before him. He's gained more infamy than fame, but I feel as though looking objectively at his craft shows off his utter genius.

Sorry for the bad quality and the multipart files, but its a live recording and it's huge.

enjoy

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Lightning Bolt- Wonderful Rainbow

2007-09-09T23:53:00.000-05:00

There's not much I can say to describe Lightning Bolt that will do judgement to them; they're more a band you must listen to and experience. Once getting beyond the whole "this is just a bunch of noise" idea, I found that I really enjoyed this band and the music they made. It's fast, hard aggressive, and will definitely scare your roommates if you just got back to college and have a loud enough set of speakers. They've been around forever, playing just about anywhere they can, with most of their shows in Rhode Island, where they attended RISD, an art school with such notable alum as the Talking Heads, Gus Van Sant, Black Dice and the guy who invented the "Wassup" Budweiser commercial.
This is probably my favorite album of theirs, and I pass it along to you.

enjoy

Here

La Zen Bee- DJ Set

2007-09-07T21:26:00.000-05:00

You're probably asking yourself "Whoa, Port Sunshine has updated? Where has that dude been?" Well, truth be tealt I've been here the whole time, but sort of on a grande vacances spending my time reading, finding new music, and most importantly working on this new project- La Zen Bee. It's an electronic duo between myself and a mate of mine, and we present to you this DJ set we've mixed. We've got some original stuff in the post, tidying up the loose ends of it, and when it's complete you'll be the first to hear it. In the meantime, listen to this and feel free to give any feedback about it. I'll try to keep posting other stuff too, so keep checking us out here at The Port Sunshine

Cheers,

Here

Numero #- Chewing Gum

2007-08-13T15:58:00.001-05:00

one of my favorite finds on my recent trip to montreal

Maximo Park- Missing Songs

2007-07-28T15:36:00.000-05:00

Great compilation of b-sides from a great band, including demo versions of Apply Some Pressure and Graffiti, and also a great version of Isolation, the John Lennon track

Here

10000 woot!

2007-07-24T18:07:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much for making The Port Sunshine reach 10000 hits in only seven months! I know that things have slacked a bit on the album post end and risen in the youtube end, but hopefully I'm still exposing you to some good stuff, and I will totally be continuing with interesting stuff I find on the best bands.

And sorry for the Crispen Glover post, I've been tracking his downward spiral since Back to the Future, and that clip was so over the top I thought it would be interesting.

enjoy!
The Port Sunshine

Cassius- Toop Toop

2007-07-21T13:03:00.000-05:00

Two amazing videos, one stop motion animation with the band and the other the Bremen Town's Musicians version i found on youtube. It's an old 60's russian cartoon retooled to fit with the song, which it does amazingly. Then a video the guys released documenting the making of their new album 15 Again to the song. The mp3 is at the bottom.

enjoy.

Here

What Is It?

2007-07-14T19:11:00.000-05:00

"What Is It? is a bewildering, unnerving, surreal, blackly comic film from the visionary mind of Crispin Glover that tells the inner and outer struggles of a young man facing villains and demons on multiple planes."

Crispin Glover aka George McFly released this in 2005, and from this trailer and a few reviews, it seems like a total mindfucking. The trailer reminded me of that scene towards the end of Easy Rider when they're all tripping in the graveyard, only this graveyard features Meyeresque giant boobs, blackface... AND THEN A NAZI CAME! Really weird, and I can't really find anything beyond that. It's not available on dvd (yet) but be sure to check back on it if for any reason this interests you

Because I love good covers...

2007-07-03T13:34:00.001-05:00

Tom Jones AM cover

2007-07-03T13:30:00.001-05:00

exclusive to the mike pryles show

Oasis- Within You Without You

2007-06-28T14:12:00.000-05:00

Not the best quality, but...
Here

Girl Talk 4 Prez

2007-06-28T14:05:00.001-05:00

Street Sounds- Crucial 1

2007-06-01T19:12:00.000-05:00

Street Sounds was a legendary record label that released the hottest electro and hip hop tunes in the UK. They released compilation albums of amazing electro and 80's hip hop that are so encapsulated in the period, but at the same time have elements that sound like they could've been produced yesterday.
This is one of their compilations that mixes hip hop and electro together. I have other ones that have just hip hip and just electro, let me know if you'd like them posted.

Here

Girl Talk- Night Ripper

2007-06-01T19:08:00.000-05:00

I hate to call this a mashup album, because it's definitely not, but Greg Gillis does use at least like 18 different songs in each one of his tracks. It's simply great part music, and from what I've heard his live show is legendary. He's playing at both Viginfest in Baltimore as well as Bonnaroo, and probably others. I could go on, but really there isn't much else to say that isn't explanatory when listening to the tracks.

Here

Jarvis Cocker- Jarvis

2007-06-01T18:58:00.000-05:00

Jarvis Cocker's latest comes out at the bottom of a hole the man has found himself in in the past few years. Pulp seems like a very long time ago, and his political messings have caused a rift between him and some of his fans. However, if this album is coming from the bottom, it is clear that he is looking up at the top. The selection of songs have a great dexterity that allows for different overall listens when put on shuffle. Some are straight up rock tunes, some are more fitting with the pre-oasis britpop of suede and early blur, while some feel only supported by Cocker's unique voice and and the piano he's sitting at, with a cigarette burning in the ashtray.
It's a great album, and can fill in among the ranks of This Is Hardcore or most of Pulp's other works. His voice is a reminder of the great talent of years past, but this collection of tunes brings new freshness into his voice.

Here

Concert Review- The Kooks

2007-05-15T15:51:00.000-05:00

The Kooks rocked the 9:30 Club Saturday night, bringing their unique sound and style to DC fifteen months after the release of their debut album.
After the monumental success of “Inside In/Inside Out” The Kooks have been on the road for over a year, selling out almost everywhere in both Europe and the US. Their US tour began with a debut performance at Coachella, which, in an interview before the show, singer Luke Pritchard described as “pretty amazing...when the sun set, it was fucking great.” But after criss-crossing North America and coming off two shows at New York’s Fillmore, which were attended by such notables as We Are Scientists’ Chris Cain and Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows, one would expect a more subdued show at the end of the tour. However, for a band that says that although the sell-outs could be attributed to “a lot of young girls,” they also admit that “every gig is different,” and they seemed excited to perform for the DC audience Saturday night.
In terms of the set list, the songs played made for a much different show that I had expected. Because it has been over a year since the release of their album, there were a handful of new songs premiered at the set, and they had no lack of gusto in their delivery or in playing new tunes back to back rather than supporting them with favorites. However, those girls in the front row, queued up since their moms dropped them off, still got the hits, including their breakthrough “Naïve,”as well as “She Moves in Her Own Way” and “Sofa Song.” Luke also did not show any lack of inhibition as he climbed into the audience, danced around the stage, and spoke incoherently, all before returning to the stage to perform a solo-acoustic performance of what is arguably the best song on their album, “Jackie Big Tits.” His stage demeanor does not seem to reflect his subdued attitude off stage, where he seems like a very hard working, humble guy. Thankfully, his tunes are thoughtfully crafted and hold their own, and therefore his on-stage rowdiness is completely deserved.
The Kooks are one of those great bands that seem to be set aside rather quickly, but whether it’s coming up on shuffle on an Ipod or you’re catching them live, the sentiment that they are a solid band is reinstated and their songs become fresh in your mind again. Saturday offered a well-executed show by a well-formed, smart, unique band that will only continue to succeed if they keep doing what they are doing. I had a great time, and I thank you Mr. Pritchard.

I believe the show was taped by XM, so if you have it, be on the lookout and if anyone sees it on another blog let me know

TPS

Stroll On and Blow Up

2007-05-11T17:41:00.001-05:00

The combination of legendary film and legendary music

Kitsune Maison Comp. 4

2007-05-11T13:06:00.000-05:00

I usually don't post albums I have found on other blogs, but this is worth a write up. The fourth installment of Kitsune Maison's compilations could be their best one yet. It's intense at times, but also subdued at moments. It knows when to let itself get crazy, but is able to still reel it in and just leave a bouncing synth line to lead the tune for awhile until it revs up again. most of the tunes are full on, some even anthemic, while others are more minimalist and forgettable. Great compilation from the Paris boys though, as always. Keep it up.

Here

the living dead

2007-04-21T20:03:00.000-05:00

Hey folks The Port Sunshine is not dead! I have just been really busy lately, and there honestly hasn't been that much good new music coming out worth mentioning. Most of the highlights can be found on other blogs, and it hasn't really been my thing to just link up someone else's post. I am finishing up university at the moment, and so with two weeks to not fail my classes, all my free time has been devoted to that. But keep an eye out, because once I'm done I will start putting up hard to find stuff as well as great new releases again.

cheers
TPS

Deathproof- OST

2007-04-05T20:18:00.000-05:00

The soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's new movie, paired with Robert Rodriguez's film and presented as Grindhouse. Features some cool rare 60's tunes like Down in Mexico by The Coasters, Jeepster by T. Rex and Hold Tight by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich. Cool soundtrack, Quentin. Now quit ripping everyone off. We understand you like how everyone analyzes your films as postmodern, and you say it's homage, but honestly, please come up with something genuinely creative.

Here

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.- The Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager

2007-04-05T20:12:00.000-05:00

Really good acoustic stuff from the dude from Southend. He's sort of like a brit who listened to a lot of post grunge US music, then added a dash of what the UK was offering when the album was made, and it's a good fusion. Some people say Billy Bragg-like, which I don't really agree with but can see the paralell. He sounds sort of like the guy from the Goo Goo Dolls, but we'll look past that at the high points. Call Me Ishmael is a great tune, and at the very least this album can be put on during an intense make out session to make your lady feel like she's a cast member on the O.C. or something.

Here

Le Loup

2007-04-05T20:06:00.000-05:00

Le Loup won our battle of the bands. They are so fucking brilliant and new that I don't even have their mp3s. you have to go to their myspace page to check them out. They consist of 8 members including a banjo player and french hornist. Somehow they make it all work, and come off playing some of the best fucking music I have heard in a while. My made up genre for them (I definitely enjoy making up genres for new bands to fill) is avant garde roadhouse, as they definitely have a Clap Your Hands Say Yeah-ish vibe, but also a southern twang with eerie vocals harmonies, and sounds. Please check out their music, and become a fan, these guys are toatally great and are probably the best band on this blog right now.

Here

The Alphabetic Order- I Am Magically Happening EP

2007-04-05T20:00:00.000-05:00

The Alphabetic Order played the WRGW battle of the bands, but unfortunately they had to pull out after sweeping the first night. They toatally exceeded my expectation, as their tunes are a well crafted pop tunes capapable of fitting well into a mix of the La's, Oasis, Maximo Park, and whatever else happens to be on random on my ipod. Check out their EP and their myspace if you dig, they're in the dc area right now doing shows.

Here

The White Hat- Waiting to Play for You

2007-04-05T19:53:00.000-05:00

The White Hat is a cool little blues project by a guy named Ben. He won second prize at the WRGW battle of the bands, and his stuff is pretty decent. It sounds much better a. live and b. with a kickin drumset, neither of which this album can offer, but its still pretty good. Glass Eye is by far the best tune, and steer clear of his awful cover of Power of Love on his myspace. Otherwise, good image, decent tunes, solid rocker (in the mod/rocker sense).

Here

Noel Gallagher- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

2007-03-28T13:02:00.000-05:00

I haven't really found many good new albums to post that aren't available on other blogs, so please pardon the lack of posting lately. I was just going to apologize for that, but then I found this great video of Noel Gallagher's performance from the Teenage Cancer Trust fundraiser at Royal Albert Hall from the other night. In addition to covering the Smiths, he was aslo joined on-stage by the one and only Paul Weller, and they played Butterfly Collector. He also played Don't Go Away for the first time in a number of years, since they don't normally play the tracks off Be Here Now.

Anyways, thought I would share. As soon as I get some decent music in, be sure that I will post it. In the meantime, if you've got any requests, let me know. I am the local expert on British rock, so any sort of British rock from about the mid eighties to the present that you'd like, let me know.

enjoy

Middle Distance Runner- Plane in Flames

2007-03-21T22:22:00.000-05:00

Middle Distance Runner is a great band from the DC area, probably one of the best I've heard in my four years of being here. As an anglophile, I rarely like a lot of US bands, but these guys are definitely worth a listen. In fact, this album was the first album in a long time I haven't skipped tracks on the whole way through or thought was garbage after the first three. A lot of DC bands have a sort of mid-atlantic southern twang about them (I blame maryland as a whole) but these guys avoid that altogether and deliver an album that's better upon multiple listens. They opened for Forward Russia recently, which is how I had heard about them, but couldn't place them when their album fell in my lap today. The singer sounds a bit like the guy from Supergrass, and the music sounds like earlier Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, that sort of Rocker vibe is definitely present. It's definitely got a thumbs up from me, so give it a listen.

Enjoy

Here

The Winter Sounds- Porcelain Empire

2007-03-20T19:10:00.000-05:00

The Winter Sounds are from Atlanta, and they're out on Livewire recordings. They're not bringing any revolutions with them, but they are a pretty solid guitar rock band sorta sounding like Rilo Kiley or The Bravery (sans the terrible singer). The singer actually has a pretty unique sound and is quite melodic. Very cool band, currently touring the US, check them out.

Here

The Good, The Bad & The Queen Live 9:30 Club Washington, DC 3/14/07

2007-03-15T00:44:00.000-05:00

The Good, The Bad & The Queen are the most important band in the UK, possibly the world, at the moment. That being said, here is a review of their concert.
First, the music. It’s fantastic. If you haven’t heard it, hear it. The group is a supergroup of trans-regional, trans-generational music icons including Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Blur and Gorillaz’s singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Simon Tong from The Verve, and influential Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen. Albarn first conceptualized the project while working with Tony Allen on his Mali Music album, but it didn’t get off the ground until Albarn began writing about London again. In doing so, he created one of the most thought provoking and contemporary views of London since his own Parklife album of 1996.
Together, live, the band was on top form. The stage was eclectically decorated with Tibetan peace flags, union jacks, and a black and white painted mural backdrop that I will discuss in more detail later. Damon was on point with all the vocals, Paul was dancing all around the stage like it was 1978 again, Simon was subdued, and Tony was amazing to watch (at one point he was playing the crash cymbals by tapping lightly on them with the tip of his finger).
The audience for the show, like the members of the band, was eccentric to say the least. Many forty-something Clash fans milled about the dirty floor of the 9:30 club with Blur and Gorillaz fans as well as general hipsters. Sadly, no Verve fans seemed to come through, although I guess most Blur fans would be Verve fans as well. Anyways, the band came on stage to the sounds of the string quartet who played with them, Paul Simonon in his now-signature fedora, Tony Allen in a leather fedora, and Damon with a beaming smile on his face put on a Victorian top hat for the duration of the show. For being near forty, Damon may have a more adult roundness than his malnourished frame at the height of the Blur years, but has remained a charmingly handsome guy. After opening with “History Song” and “80’s Life,” Damon finally spoke to the crowd, saying “We are a collection of individuals, and we are here in Washington tonight to tell a story. This is the part when the whale swims up the Thames,” then launching into “Northern Whale.” They played the entire album in the same order, and encored with unreleased track “Doghouse” and were joined by Eslam Jaweed on their final number, “Mr. Whippy.”
It is true, The Good, The Bad & The Queen are here to tell a story, the modern history and state of London and England. They use carefully crafted lyrics, mood and tone to deliver a dark message about the current state of affairs. Some songs seem to be Damon speaking to England herself, speaking to the land, about love and trials and tribulations.
The imagery of The Good, The Bad, and The Queen is incredible and goes along with their overall theme. Their album cover shows a painting of the 1666 London fire with the Tower of London in the foreground as buildings burn in the background. At the show, a chalked canvas displayed a typical London flat and an iron rail bridge in the foreground. The middle-ground has a row of flats and clouds, and above the clouds in the background is a lone skyscraper. It is done all in one shade of dark brown or black on white cloth. Its message is the conglomeration and commoditization of English history. We look back and through the steel, the flats, the industrial cities, and it all leads to this eutopia of a blank, lifeless skyscraper. London in particular but the UK as a whole has sold itself and its identity to the highest bidder. As an affect, the music has become stagnant, with US pop and hip hop dominating, and a handful of British bands singing about nights out leading the race in guitar rock. I’m not saying that music should be inherently political, or that bands like the Arctic Monkeys are not doing their jobs as leaders of the pack. One band is not superior to another because one is more overtly political in their songwriting. But When Damon does it, he’s usually spot on, and GBQ is no exception. Three generations of English rockers (the punk movement, Britpop, and post-Britpop) and a genre defining drummer team up on this project to paint an eloquent picture of English life as they see it today.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen are the most important band in England right now because their music reflects their attitude towards the way they see their England being taken in the wrong direction by those at the wheel. The members that make up the band are here to tell you a story, a story of a city rich in history and cultural identity, but a city that has fallen on hard times, a people who move too fast, and fail to appreciate everything around them.

Enjoy

Here

Review- The Horrors, The Films

2007-03-11T23:36:00.000-05:00

Tonight saw me heading back across the city to RNR Hotel for none other than The Horrors. The Films, a band from South Carolina, opened, they were alright. They were sort of the american version of Dirty Pretty Things, and I don't mean that as a compliment. While some of their tunes sounded like Libertines/DPT tunes, they were always with the undercurrent sound of that band you remember playing every college event on campus. You know, the band that sort of sounds like Pearl Jam mixed with Dave.
The Horrors acted exactly the way you'd think. I saw Joshua Von Grimm getting shot glasses for backstage beforehand, so I sort of picked up what would go down (as if they needed alcohol). Spyder Webb was actually my favourite Horror member, as he acted completly above the crowd as well as his band members. Tomethy was hidden in the back behind Spyder, and I was dissapointed to see he has traded the Longhorn bass for a Fender. They were all on stage for a solid five minutes before Faris appeared, apparently very paranoid about the lights. Mayem ensued as they ripped through their popular tracks. My personal favorite moment came when Faris, balancing between the monitors at the edge of the stage, pushed an underage girl, who had been standing in her spot at the front since I got there around nine, by the face into the crowd, sending her flying. So much for saying The Horrors have given in to being victims to the pop scene. Faris then tried to climb onto any of the club's fixtures, settling for the bar, where he knocked over glasses. Faris' act was completly ridiculous, and by some miracle he was still able to stay on point with singing the lyrics. The intersong banter was present, but the mutterings of Faris were not able to be translated by anyone in the american audience. Absolutely crazy show, they're playing a huge UK tour, but the only way you'll see them in the US soon is to catch them in Cambridge, MA tommorow (tuesday) night at the Great Scott or in LA next weekend.

Review- Matt & Kim @ Rock and Roll Hotel, DC

2007-03-11T23:25:00.000-05:00

Last night my friend was in town and asked if I had heard of Matt & Kim. I said no, I had not, and, thanks to the information superhighway, I was able to get a few tracks and checked out the video for Yea Yeah. Having seen this and giving it the proverbial thumbs up, I discovered they were playing DC that very night. How fuckin crazy. So we paid the exorbitant cab fee to get there, but everything was made right when the bands got underway. The opening band (*something* Levine Ensemble) was a decent punk band that had moved out of the garage, nothing mind blowing.
When Matt & Kim took the stage, it was as though someone had passed out rainbow-tasting lollipops filled with whatever's in whipped creame to make it so laugh inducing. They were joking with each other, and made the crowd feel very lighthearted as they began their set. From where I was standing, it sounded like Kim was hitting the bass drum literally as hard as she could, and her arms flailed as she played, constantly smiling and laughing. Matt's lyrics are sung in a voice that isn't sure of itself, but is willing to gasp every last syllable if it meant he could keep playing. The audience, although sparse for a Saturday night, was definitely feeling the vibe sent from this duo. Other hilarious moments included when Matt took off his glasses and couldn't see a damn thing, and when Kim danced around stage at the provokation of Matt. Definitely an $8 well spent, check out their website or myspace or whatever to catch them in your city. If you can't find any of their music in other blogs, you're retarted, but if you really can't let me know and i'll put some up.

Supergrass: Greatest Hits 94-04

2007-03-06T23:51:00.000-05:00

Not much to say about supergrass that hasn't been said. If you know them, you know they're a great band that have been playing as hard and as long as Oasis. Sort of the workin man's oasis. Good rock tunes, but can also get a bit chilled. These are the greatest hits, because i thought that someone who was just getting into Supergrass from my post wouldn't want to dive right into Road to Rouen or something. So anyways, here we are, enjoy. Oh, they're also opening for AM on the Manchester gigs, that was the running theme of these posts. Amy Winehouse is also in support, but I don't really care for her, so she got the axe.

Here

The Coral- S/T

2007-03-06T23:48:00.000-05:00

Band from Liverpool. This is their first album. They are opening for Arctic Monkeys on their Manchester Festival dates, so if you're going, bone up on this album. It's solid rock, very Liverpudlian. Also one of Noel Gallagher's favorite bands.

Here

Arctic Monkeys- Leave Before The Lights Come On E.P.

2007-03-06T23:41:00.000-05:00

It's been quite a week for the Arctic Monkeys. They won two NME awards, are riding high as their album is getting stellar reviews from critics, and they just announced their openers for their absolutely huge festical dates at Old Trafford. I have heard the new album a number of times, and I agree with most everyone else that it is an absolutely fantastic album. Balaclava is my favorite tune at the moment, but the entire album, seriously, is great. I wouldn't say it's better than WPSIATWIN, but it's a much different album full of solid tunes from a rock band that has had to grow up in about a years time. PLEASE DON'T ASK ME FOR IT/ TO UPLOAD IT, I WON'T. In case you haven't noticed I appreciate music blogs for exposing people to new music, but I really do wish for people to support bands by not only going to their shows but also buying the albums.
Anyways, this EP is the one I listen to most frequently. I think Leave Before The Lights Come On is by and large my favorite and the best AM track. The other two tracks are absolutly great covers, especially Baby I'm Yours.

Enjoy

Here

Oasis- Wonderwall

2007-03-03T14:19:00.000-05:00

If you haven't heard it already, the new version of Wonderwall that Noel and Gem played during the acoustic sessions is miles away from the album version, which in itself is a finely crafted (albeit not their best tune) piece of music. It takes almost all the pop elements out of it and delivers the tune everyone knows and sings along with in a completly new way. People have remarked that this is the way Noel always wanted it to sound, which I don't believe, but one can tell that he prefers this version. It seems like he plays these songs so much (Oasis still practice at least 5 days a week) that although they are released onto a cd and therefore set in stone, the songs still have room to transform.

AIR- Pocket Symphony

2007-02-27T21:04:00.000-05:00

AIR have been in movies, to raves, and everywhere in between. they grew up with the generation of Parisians that attended the field raves and began bringing electronic music to the people (for all this and more check out "French Connections: From Discotecque to Discovery" in bookstores). On this new album, they do a great job of once again breaking the boundaries they've set up for themselves. Compared to previous albums, it seems a bit more serious, both in intesity and musicality. There are less whimsical synth bits and more piano parts in minor. Jarvis Cocker also features on the album, and his song is really, really fantastic. Tony Allen of The Good, The Bad, & The Queen (how many of you are upset I use that as his reference?) and Neil Hannon also appear on the record. It's a great album, and its title is somehow fitting. AIR will be listened to on ipods within the pockets of millions, but this album will play like a symphony, if only through small white earbud headphones

Here

MSTRKRFT- The Looks

2007-02-27T21:00:00.000-05:00

Jesse from DFA1979 and their producer teamed up to do this electronic side project which released their full length in July of last year. It's and absolute kick in the teeth stompfest through electronic beats rawer than your sister after prom night. Terribly analog, wonderfully catchy, MSTRKRFT is just that, a master in the art of blowing your mind with electro

Here

Mylo- Destroy Rock and Roll

2007-02-27T20:37:00.000-05:00

I was walking down the street today listening to Mylo's " Rikki" when I thought "why hasn't anyone on the blogs posted up mylo?" He may be a bit dated, but his tunes are incredible. I was a house dj for years, but the lack of any mind blowing musical output in the electronic genre made my giving up on it quite easy. bgut once in awhile an album comes out of the barage of absolute crap electronic music and acutally delivers something that so many others fail at delivering...freshness. Mylo and MSTRKRFT are the only two albums i have heard since 2002 that have convinced me that electronic music is still cool. And so, I deliver them to you, in the hopes you may find them as breathtaking as I did the first time I heard their infectious hooks and beats.

Here

Explosions In The Sky- All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

2007-02-22T21:25:00.000-05:00

Explosions in the sky are so damn cool, they don't need "oh baby, I can't believe you left me" lyrics in their tunes. In fact, they don't need lyrics at all. Their guitarscapes (yes, guitarscapes) are as monumental as Mt. Rushmore, and the trippiness is like an acid hit in swinging london. So, I feel that's a fairly accurate judgement, let me know if you disagree at all.

enjoy

Here

Tahiti 80- Fosbury

2007-02-22T20:18:00.000-05:00

The latest from the French pop group. Some of their tunes remind me of Phoenix, others remind me of Keane and still others Justin Timberlake. If Phoenix is too obscure for you, give Tahiti 80 a try. They haven't had much success in the US, the only thing I've seen them on before was one of those Abercombie & Fitch compilations that came free with a graphic tee. But they're still a good listen for times when you want to just sit back and relax with a great pop album

Here

Pete Bjorn and John- Writer's Block

2007-02-22T18:51:00.000-05:00

from pitchfork: So, the title's just a pun. Peter Morén, Bjorn Yttling, and John Erikkson all wrote songs for their third album, Writer's Block, but where last year's heartbroken Falling Out drew inspiration mainly from 1960s pop, the Stockholm-based trio's latest LP finds them aspiring to new levels of sonic diversity, exploring everything from lo-fi 80s electronics and shoegaze guitars to slacker beats and icy dreamscapes. It's a lot of new ground for a band to have covered in a year's time; fortunately, PB&J (uh, yeah, we know) managed to harness their melodic expertise and cultivate their textural craftsmanship at precisely the same time. The result is their most focused and fully realized effort yet-- an album that adds an imperial hugeness to the teen noir and garage-y psychedelia of their past efforts-- and one of the better pop records we've heard this year... As an album, Writer's Block shares these new lovers' singular focus. "Paris 2004" is a classical guitar-tinged traveler's ballad in the manner of John Cale's near-perfect "Andalucia", exchanging Cale's studied ambiguity for sentimental bedazzlement; Erikkson's "Start to Melt" flickers with amazed adoration; and Morén's "Objects of My Affection" combines the dramatic flair of an uncharacteristically upbeat Morrissey with the nasal vocals and ringing acoustic guitars of a post-Loveless "Like a Rolling Stone".

Here

Dirty Pretty Things- Bang Bang, You're Dead EP

2007-02-18T21:41:00.000-05:00

The EP that came out shortly after Waterloo To Anywhere that features an acoustic version of the title track as well as a "Tavern" version of "Wondering" which I much prefer to the original album version. If you like it, and don't have Waterloo To Anywhere, pick that one up. It's a lot like Libertines without the sloppiness, which some prefered and some loathed. Me, I like to listen to Libertines when the mood strikes me, but DPT seems to be much more deep and with much more musicality, if nothing because there isn't that level of slacking off associated with working with Pete Doherty.

Here

Aberdeen City- Another Seven Years EP

2007-02-18T21:29:00.000-05:00

Aberdeen City are not from Aberdeen, they are from Boston. However, whether Scots or not, they are from the most anglophilic city in the US. That being said, they obviously rock. I've met them, and they are all really cool guys, and the best part is, the music is absolutly solid. They hooked up with the same guy who produced the Bravery, but their music began much better than anything the Bravery can do, and so Nic Hard only added to the band's already great creativity. There's been comparisons to bloc party, but i think they sound much more like Editors or even Interpol. This is the EP from their full length, "The Freezing Atlantic," which expounds the full range of the band's solid tunes. They're probably the best band to come around Boston since Aerosmith, but I don't think they're gonna fizzle as fast as those one hit wonders. Anyways, check it out, and if you like it, pick up the album. They're in the studio now, but will be back on tour soon to continue promoting "The Freezing Atlantic."

Enjoy

Here

Dr. Dog- We All Belong

2007-02-18T21:17:00.000-05:00

It's a really cool seventies style album. The RIYL includes The band, My Morning Jacket, The Shins, and The Beach Boys. I guess I understand how they could have come to these parallels, but it's definitely a unique sound in these days of 4/4 dance rock or folk rock sufjan stevens style stuff. It's a pretty good idea, and they've had success opening for the likes of The Strokes and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. They're also an octet, which is pretty damn cool.

Here

Of Montreal- Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

2007-02-18T20:47:00.000-05:00

This album is a lot like The Sunlandic Twins, but I think it flows a bit better. The songs themselves are great, trippy numbers that show off the band's skills of creating a great mood through music. You know why Outback chose an Of Montreal song for their steak commericials? Because it makes you think that the mood at outback is just like the mood of the song; carefree, happy, and indulgent. The falsettos kill, the melodies maim. It's another great record from another great band.

Here

The Films- Being Bored EP

2007-02-13T00:59:00.000-05:00

This band has been making friends with a lot of big acts lately. Currently on tour with Ok Go in Germany, they've opened for The Kooks back in November and will be playing with the Fratellis, Mando Diao, Mutemath and the Horrors in the coming months. They have a really cool sound that combines the rock elements of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club with a bit more of a punk influence rather than a blues one. Their videos also reek of a 60's rock influence. The tune Belt Loops has a line "she's like the devil a in a dark shade of lipstick" which, combined with the singer's style and the tune comes off as really cool. It's the type of EP that makes you look forward to seeing them live as well as buying the album at full price at the show.

Here

The Harlem Shakes- Burning Birthdays EP

2007-02-13T00:46:00.000-05:00

The Harlem Shakes are a new New York band that are much better than their peers. Whenever I think of indulgent New York bands, the only one I can settle on is Morningwood, who in their pretentiousness about being a "new york indie band" forgot to put any talent into their album. The Harlem Shakes however proud of their geography, made sure the EP was decent before flaunting the image. Yes, they are New Yorkers, so their proud of their inherrant annoying qualities, but at least the tunes are decent. Sickos and Felt Wings are two great tunes, and definitely set them in the realm of a New York(ish) band like We Are Scientists rather than (ugh) Morningwood. That's not to say they sound like WAS, they sound a bit more pop, nasal, and they even make room for synths in the repetoire. They put out a good vibe, and the music is pretty good.

Here

Apples in Stereo- New Magnetic Wonder

2007-02-13T00:40:00.000-05:00

A friend Amanda recently wrote a great write up of Apples in Stereo:

It's no accident that the Apples in Stereo had to add the "Stereo" to their name to avoid sounding too much like the Beatles' record label - with their bright harmonies, catchy guitar hooks and "woah-oh-woah" lyrics, the Apples in Stereo just sound a heck of a lot like the Beatles, period.
"We're doing music that's very close to us," Apples bassist Eric Allen said. "I guess it's because it's the first music we listened to, so it's just natural. I don't think of things in terms of, 'Oh, I want to make this sound 60s.' It's just what I grew up on. Hopefully it sounds natural, but that's the way it comes out of us."
But the Apples In Stereo have more to worry about than reinventing Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson. The Apples themselves have been around for 15 years, and Tuesday released their sixth studio album, "New Magnetic Wonder" - now they have to worry about reinventing themselves. "I think it's new in a lot of ways," Allen says of "Magnetic." "On our last album, the sound was very stripped down, sort of Ramones-y, but this one has kind of got everything. It's a lot more varied than a lot of our albums."
It's been five years since the Robert Schneider-fronted Apples turned out their last retro offering, "Velocity of Sound." Though the band officially hails from Denver, its members live all over the country and have spent the time pursuing individual side projects and, according to Allen, "just living our lives … hanging out with our girlfriends." But Allen, who joined the band in 1995 after Schneider convinced the former guitar player to pick up the bass, assures Apples fans that the wait was well worth it: "It's the best Apples album ever!"
Whether or not "Magnetic" lives up to the rough-edged rock of 2002's "Velocity" or the smooth pop of 1997's "Tone Soul Evolution," the disc should get its fair share of play thanks to a couple famous friends. "New Magnetic Wonder" was the first album released on new label Simian, headed by Elijah Wood - yes, mop-headed little Frodo Baggins, Elijah Wood. "It's incredible," Allen said of the partnership. "Our album's getting reviewed in more places, more interviews, a higher profile than we've ever had before. You can't understate how much Elijah Wood has helped, just because he can go on Letterman and talk about The Apples in Stereo - no one's ever done that before."
"New Magnetic Wonder" also features some pretty high-profile contributions - it's a veritable reunion for Elephant Six, rock's own Fellowship of the Ring, a collective that spawned some of the 90's most successful indie groups, from Of Montreal and The Apples to now-defunct bands Olivia Tremor Control and Neutral Milk Hotel. Olivia Tremor Control's Bill Doss has quietly joined as the band's official keyboardist, while indie rock god Jeff Mangum will contribute, Pitchfork reports, "drums, cow object, backing vocals, handclaps." While the sounds of hands clapping and a mysterious bovine instrument aren't exactly the most significant of musical stylings, Mangum's status as rarely-spotted yeti of the indie scene since the dissolution of Neutral Milk Hotel means that even a slight harmony on a new track should generate an unhealthy amount of buzz.
But is "New Magnetic Wonder" the "best Apples album ever"? On first listen, it sounds like the album might earn the Apples a more mainstream audience, with the almost too-catchy chorus of "Energy" and the simple sad-sack lyrics of "Same Old Drag." The album, which features 14 tracks and 12 short musical interludes, trades the more intimate, breezy bliss of earlier work like "Tone Soul Evolution" for a very clean, polished production. The line between solid retro pop and shallow, throwaway tracks is thin, and The Apples fall on both sides of the line here. While Wood's help will make their record cause a splash, whether Jeff Mangum's slight presence is enough to keep fickle indie fans hooked remains to be seen.
One thing's for sure - all the press and celebrity partnerships aren't turning the veteran rockers into divas. Allen of life on the road, "I think the worst we do is like, smoke too much pot and fall asleep. That's about as bad as it gets."

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Stubbs the Zombie Soundtrack

2007-02-09T18:54:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite albums, in general. Basic backstory, a bunch of indie artists came together to cover doo-wop songs to soundtrack a game about a zombie invasion in the 1950's. There's a certain place in my heart that loves 1950's americana, I think it was formed from seeing Back to the Future so often as a child. All these tracks are great, but standouts are Cake's, Oranger's, and the Raveonettes.

Enjoy

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The View- Hats Off to the Buskers

2007-02-09T18:04:00.000-05:00

The NME said of The View, "Believe: The View embody all that is great about new music- nay, all that is great about big hearts and big guitars" They are definitely NME's "it" band of the moment, but live up the image by having a very unique sound blending all those middle of the road teenage guitar bands with a melodic, head bobbing tone that reminds listeners of not just Pete Doherty but also Colin Blunstone or maybe even a few Beatles tunes. Do I think they're going to be the band of the year, as NME boasts? No, but for the time being they're a unique group that have tunes I enjoy listening to for their uniqueness. It's a bit of "went down the chip shop thursday nights" but then again haven't the best bands lately all had a bit of that?

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The Wonders- Complete Collection

2007-02-09T17:43:00.000-05:00

Ok, so it's only five songs, plus a track by Jimmy's band after the breakup, The Herdsmen. But come on, the movie was like an hour and a half. Anyways, These are great tracks, I personally think "Little Wild One" could've made an excellent follow up single to "That Thing You Do!" if only the band had gotten to that point. Anyways, here it is, for your consideration. I know you'll love it, because "you are my biggest fan."

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Les Breastfeeders- Les matins de grands soirs

2007-02-08T21:42:00.000-05:00

Canadian indie rock band from Montreal. Haven't heard much about them, haven't listened to the album yet, but it looks pretty ballsy. Feel free to post your reviews critiques complaints etc in the comments section. We can sort of have a two way conversation about the albums I'm putting up. Sorry about the crap quality photos as well, you take what you can get I guess.

Enjoy.

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The Noisettes- What's The Time Mr. Wolf?

2007-02-08T21:19:00.000-05:00

The Noisettes are a really cool, sorta soulful indie band from London, sorta like if TV on the Radio was female fronted. Coincidentally, they'll be on tour with TVOTR starting March 28th. This album is in stores 4/17, I highly recommend buying it because the book pictures are really quite cool, and there's cool notes.

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Silversun Pickups- Carnavas

2007-02-08T20:45:00.000-05:00

I posted their video a few weeks ago, but here is their debut album. It was definitely one of my top 5 albums of 2006, and I still listen to their stuff almost daily. They are on tour opening for Snow Patrol, but after that hopefully they'll do some proper gigs in great venues. They're from SoCal, they rock hard, and they're awesome. I'll let the album speak for itself.

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Fall Out Boy- Infinity on High

2007-02-08T20:06:00.000-05:00

New Fall Out Boy. Total guilty pleasure music, but catchy nonetheless. The song titles aren't as funny as the last album, but I guess with this much exposure you can't really take risks. I've only listened to it once, so I can't give a fair assesment, but from what i've heard it looks to be another great album from this great poppunksters

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Babyshambles- The Blinding EP

2007-02-08T19:16:00.000-05:00

This Ep is light years better than Down in Albion. With this triumphant recording, as well as a spot on the NME shock wave awards tour, it would seem that Pete's getting himself together and become successful again. With witty lyrics and killer tunesmithing, this EP is much more reminicent to Libertines, but also has that distinctive difference.

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Darkel

2007-01-31T16:13:00.000-05:00

This post is in anticipation for the new AIR album, which should be popping up on here sometime next week. In the meantime, check out the solo project of jean-benoit dunckel

review from amazon: What happens when you take half the French electro-pop band Air? Pretty much half the music. Darkel is the alter-ego of Jean-Benoit Dunckel, who along with Nicholas Godin makes up Air. Even without Godin, Dunckel makes a sound familiar to Air surfers, with lots of analog synthesizers, icy strings, and fuzzy Moog bass lines. You also get a lot more vocals and a lot less of the perfumed atmosphere that makes Air so attractive, even in the midst of their most banal songs. As a singer, Dunckel sounds like he's listened to a bit too much Kraftwerk, with his French-accented English; breathy, reed-thin tone; and a vicious lisp. The difference is Kraftwerk only used lyrics as a hook in their otherwise mechanistic electronic trance. Dunckel, however, is trying to write real pop songs in the vein of Soft Cell and Depeche Mode. His electro-themes are embellished by a bit of punk aggression on "TV Destroy," and a distinct whiff of '60s psychedelic pop emerges on the "Lady Madonna" piano vamp of "My Own Sun." Air's lyrics have never been profound, but they are usually lifted by seductive melodies and singers like Beth Hirsh, or extensive processing on their own voices. Hopefully, a remix album sans vocals is around the corner. Darkel/Dunckel leaves us a glimpse of what that might sound like with the album's intoxicating instrumental closer, "Bathroom Spirit." The oblique title fronts an ethereal track mixing Muzak kitsch with spacey ambiences. There's little doubt that without the Air pedigree, Darkel would remain in the dark

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Classic Smokin' Cuts

2007-01-30T22:12:00.000-05:00

This album is absolutely perfect to listen to either while high (although I never have) or simply while cruising or chilling in the summer. It's got some fantastic tracks on it, and is a very coveted album as it is a bit rare. It came free with the June 2002 issue of the now defunct Ministry Magazine, a dance/clubber magazine owned by the same company that owns Ministry of Sound. The Josh One tune as well as the Bent tune are reason enough to pick this one up. Burn a copy of it and save it for when its sunny and warm and try to tell me it's not perfect. You won't, because it is.

enjoy

Tracklisting:
1 Sofa Surfers Sofa Rockers (Richard Dorfmeister Remix)
2 Plastikman Plastique
3 Josh One Contemplation
4 Nightmares On Wax Finer
5 Roots Manuva Dreamy Days
6 Renegade Soundwave Renegade Soundwave (The Leftfield Remix)
7 Faze Action In The Trees
8 Bent Always
9 Fridge (2) Anglepoised
10 Shawn Lee Happiness (Ashley Breedle Remix)

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Indie Concert Etiquette

2007-01-29T22:39:00.000-05:00

Ok so I've been to plenty of shows at venues of varying sizes and audiences of different backgrounds and different expectations. Through the course of my going to these shows, I've noticed that the crowd plays a large role in my personal feelings towards the show itself. Of course the band is numero uno, but a crowd can make concert going exponentially better or really annoying. I will be using examples which hopefully you will be able to relate. Obviously you won't relate completely as each show is significant and each crowd different, but hopefully my cast of characters in these examples will be general enough for you to think "Oh, That Guy." So, here are a couple tips I have come up with to make everyone's concert experience delightful and memorable.
If the band is an uptempo rock/power pop/garage band, with a drummer who is constantly busy slamming 4/4 beats out, chances are good that some of the crowd will be provoked to dance. This is ok. Dancing is a very natural reaction to showing the band you're digging the music. However, not everyone likes dancing. The most popular location of a dance "pit" (not to be misconstrued for it's inbred bastard cousin the "mosh" pit) is usually front and center, not AT the stage but directly in front of it. If you aren't feeling the music or for whatever reason don't feel like dancing to these upbeat numbers, remove yourself, if nothing more for your own sanity, to the middleground of the crowd. I once saw a harder dance rock band from the UK, and there were these 5 twenty to thirty somethings in the crowd that obviously thought it would be really awesome if they went to a rock concert directly from happy hour. They were still wearing their office jocky outfits, and desperately trying to cling to their miller lights as people around them started to get loose. They became extremely uncomfortable, especially the hypermasculine guys, as the people around them started to rub into them as the music got more rhythmic. However, they didn't remove themselves from the situation, but simply got aggressive, yelling at myself and other concert goers to "back off." finally, one of their females, who looked like she'd been in the bathroom practicing her lines for awhile, changed the mood by doing what brings me to my next point...
Don't take more than 1-3 pictures at the show, unless you're doing it for a blog/journo/website. Even worse are the kids (always teenagers, always have been on line for 8 hours to be crushed against the steel cage at the front) who, as soon as the band get on stage, whip out their camera phones and go at it. Perhaps we live in an age where we'd much rather watch something on a screen, even if it's taking place right in front of us, but taking lots of pictures at the show will only start to annoy other concert goers as you try to maneuver yourself into position. I mean, your low priced kodak camera will not get good shots anyways, and what most people end up with are the overexposed heads of the six people directly in front of them, and a black background. Stage, gone. Band, gone. Billy and his girlfriend, there, but looking ghostly. This same uptight business class group began to ignore the crowd around them when one pulled out a camera, and they began seeing how many variations of six different friends they could photograph. For at least three songs they were facing the back of the house, backs to the band, screaming about what a good time they were having.
My next point is please, don't give the band before the band your waiting to see (at a festival) or the opening band a hard time. While attending the V in Baltimore, my friends and I ran into this problem a few times. As it was an extremely extensive billing, there were people staking out spots for shows going on much later in the day. In fact at noon, when my friend and I caught Kasabian's great performance, there were teens in black hoodies and jeans (it was about 80 degrees) complaining how much they suck, and how they were there for The Killers, performing on the same stage some four hours and five bands later. If you don't like the band, but aren't there for them, just do everyone around you a favor and not vocalize it. Or better yet, know that there will be a constant flux of people over the course of the day, and that you could probably spend some time in the dj tent without thinking you'll miss The Killers. These same types of overmyspaced, undersexed eyeliner high schoolers would strike again en mass when Gnarls Barkley took the stage before The Killers. Granted, they are two very different artists, but now all you heard was hundreds if not thousands of teenage killers fanclubers airing their dissent that cee lo and dangermouse try to be indie, but couldn’t possibly be indie because they're too hip hop. In terms of opening bands, I’ve found that they're usually not that great, but they're never bad enough to complain about (except for Lady Sovreign), and usually these struggling musicians are here on a break they got, and after the guitarist mans the merch booth after their performance, they'll get a pizza with the headliner before packing into the van for the next stop on a tour that they will likely not see a large return on.
Please don't yell out song requests or obscenities to the band. In my early days of concert going, some friends of mine made this mistake, and caught a dirty glimpse from a couple crowd members and possibly Damon Albarn. While catching Blur on tour after the release of Think Tank, my two friends first yelled "ALEX!" to bassist Alex James. Right, fair play. But then they began yelling "Where's Graham?" I don't think the band were really phased by it, but it was and is a touchy subject. Another odd shout a band can hear came from Noel Gallagher and Gem's acoustic show in Canada, an exceptionally awful crowd as they gave all the tickets away to radio listeners. A few people shouted "Happy Birthday Noel!" It was enough to break the concentration of Gallagher, but he was able to maintain his cool by responding, ""it's not my birthday... oh... wait... did you mean from last year, is that belated?"
In terms of shouting out requests, please note the pieces of 8x11 taped to the floor near the mic. The band has a prefabricated set list that they very rarely will feel rambunctious enough to veer away from. Requesting hits is the worst. Of course they're going to play their hits, that's what you paid the ticket for, isn't it? Requesting the hit songs after the song has already been played means that you are too drunk to continue watching this musical event. Requesting b-sides or obscure early/cover stuff is the only time I have seen bands consider the idea. When someone requested "Be My Baby" to We Are Scientists, they performed it. But for the most part, use your head, and keep quiet. By all means cheer, clap, woot and whatever when you hear a song you like, but there's no need to yell "WONDERWALL!" literally right after they just finished playing it.
These are just some of the tips I can pass along to my fellow concert goers about how to make the most of their live concert experience. Feel free to comment on my insights as well as leave any of your own tips on Indie Concert Etiquette. Thank You

Joy Division- Live at Factory, Manchester

2007-01-29T22:26:00.000-05:00

Live bootleg from 13 July 1979, from the world famous Factory in Manchester, later known as the Hacienda. good quality recording, great band

Here

Exit Clov- Violent Berries

2007-01-16T23:57:00.000-05:00

Here is the new video from my fav dc popsters Exit Clov, who have opened many a show i've put on. They're a very unique sounding band with twin taiwanese sisters with almost the same voice. The guitarist is outstanding as well. The video's pretty cool. Check out their myspace or whatever to get in on the action. They're headlining at the blackcat in dc soon too.

Silversun Pickups- Lazy Eye

2007-01-16T23:41:00.000-05:00

Here is the video for Silversun Pickups' single "Lazy Eye." Not only a great song from one of my favorite bands of '06, but a great video as well. I can't decide whether it's set in the late 70's or very early eighties, but either way, it's great

The Good, The Bad & The Queen

2007-01-16T23:17:00.000-05:00

The Good The Bad & The Queen is the newest side project of Damon Albarn, which sees him teaming up with Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Verve guitarist Simon Tong, and Tony Allen. It sees a return to almost normalcy for Damon following his Gorillaz and a couple guewst appearance on friends' albums. The title itself seems to stick a middle finger up to the concept of the anglophilic britpop days of waving union jacks with it's title implying a certain unlovliness about the queen. The cover shows a painting of what seems to be the great fire of London of 1666, with a building burning and the Tower of london in the middleground. It's a great album as a whole, a very subdued Damon (think of "Good Song" on Blur's Think Tank), but each song is fantastic, and the album is terrific. Take it for a spin, and if you like it go buy it in the store for the cool booklet art or on iTunes

Here

The Little Ones

2007-01-13T19:33:00.000-05:00

The Little Ones are a great group out of southern California on Astralwerks. I saw them awhile back opening for Small Sins, and I have to say I was very impressed. Their Sing Song EP came out something like a year ago, it is not as good as they were live, but it's pretty damn good. They sort of sound like Phoenix, just a bit more california surf rocky .I hate when people say "It's sort of like Doves meets Bela Fleck meets Tiesto." I'll try to avoid this by using other comparisons, but Little Ones are like Phoenix meets the Beach Boys. Oh and the guitartist plays a Rickenbacker, which brings the whole things together.

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Wade Bloggs

2007-01-13T18:23:00.000-05:00

Hello,
This blog is to share some of the music I love with people. Occasionaly I may offer insight into things, be on the lookout for a post on indie concert etiquette, but mostly it will be music, people, and the culture I have become a fan of.