Podflash.net

Is it time yet?

2010-07-28T08:00:00.001-07:00

2009-05-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

It's just a hiatus, and it too shall end...

Camera Obscura "My Maudlin Career"

2009-04-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

“This maudlin career has come to an end/I don't want to be sad again…” sings Tracyanne Campbell on the title track of Camera Obscura’s new album. And while I wish no particular harm on anyone, particularly the singer of one of my favorite bands, I selfishly hope she doesn’t get her wish. Her apparent melancholy has resulted in some of the most alternately aching and catchy indie pop songs of this decade, and the new disc is another plentiful helping. Somewhere in a sleepy netherworld where the Everly Brothers provide soundtracks to unwritten David Lynch movies is where you’ll find their sublime dream-pop, and My Maudlin Career continues the winning formula of their earlier catalog. If you didn’t care for their sound before, this album isn’t likely to change your mind. It’s a pretty singular mood born in the rainy gray days of Scotland, staring out the window and daydreaming.

For more info: See the video for the first single "French Navy" here. Preview the title track here. More previews here, here, and here. Visit Camera Obscura on Myspace.

Bob Dylan's 'Theme Time Radio Hour' might be ending...

2009-04-21T01:21:00.000-07:00

...or so says this article. It must be true, because that's my luck. The whole satellite radio thing is get dangerously less interesting by the day, just like it's terrestrial predecessor.

It's Music Video Monday...

2009-04-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

...over at my Examiner.com page. This week watch clips from Datarock, Camera Obscura, & The Ropes.

Today's graphic by: http://ilikesurreal.deviantart.com/

Why File Sharing Will Save Hollywood, Music

2009-04-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

A great dialogue-starter from Wired Magazine, if, like me, you're interested in such things.

Free MP3s of Phish Reunion Shows, brah

2009-03-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

They're back! This weekend America's unwashed masses will reconvene in Hampton, Virginia to welcome back their gurus of groove: Phish. Of course, there are a lot fewer tickets than there are neo-hippies who want to see their triumphant return. The band has apparently taken notice of this, and circulated this benevolent email this morning:

"In celebration of Phish's first shows in over four years, we're thrilled to be able to offer fans free, high-quality downloads of the band's sold-out March 6th, 7th and 8th concerts at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia at LivePhish.com.

Each show will be professionally multi-tracked and mixed onsite and within 24 hours, 256kbps MP3s will be made available for free for a limited time at LivePhish.com. Fans who wish to download higher quality versions may purchase FLAC downloads. The shows will also be available on CD. Both are available for pre-order now. Register at LivePhish.com to receive an email when the free MP3s are available.

"We really wanted to show our gratitude to all the Phish fans for their support and the overwhelming response they've had to these shows. It's going to be an amazing celebration and we only wish everybody could be there," said Trey Anastasio".

For more info: visit Phish on Myspace, or ask that guy in the park with the flip-flops and the bongos.

Hey, Sexy Boots

2009-03-04T09:46:00.001-08:00

I didn't expect I'd be part of the vast media machine talking about the new U2 album, but alas, I'm too enamored with it to let it slide. They're kind of like a Favre-ish veteran quarterback; they probably aren't going to the Super Bowl, and their arm-strength isn't what it used to be, but they'll probably win most of their games and do it with an occasional thrill. This and other horrible analogies in my official review over at Examiner.com.

Welcome Back, Nadia Ali

2009-02-18T21:17:00.000-08:00

Lusicious New Yorker (via Libya) Nadia Ali made our heads spin as half of iiO back in the early part of this decade, and after a painfully long wait she returns. I tell you all about it over at my Examiner page, where you can also get a free download. The video is here. Hubba hubba.

Marvin Gaye "Let's Get It On"

2009-02-14T09:48:00.000-08:00

Aww yeah. It's Valentine's Day. And as overused as it may sometimes seem, there are few tracks more money than Marvin's ode to the hibbity-dibbity when it comes to dimming those lights. Track is free today only over at Amazon. Click the link below, big daddy:

Welcome Back, Camera Obscura!

2009-02-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

My Maudlin Career, the latest release from Scottish popsters Camera Obscura, will be available on these shores on April 20. I'm certainly excited for it, but less so than I might be for others who labor in the studio for years on end for one simple reason: their last long-player (2006's excellent Let's Get Out of This Country) is still in heavy rotation on my iPod and in my car. Not only does it boast one of the most brilliant indie singles ever (the wholly addictive "Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken"), but for me the entire collection has a Teflon-type quality that prevents me from ever getting tired of it. I can't explain it, really. I can't claim they're one of my most "favorite" bands, but at the same time, there are few records in my collection that boast such a trait. If you're unfamiliar with the band, they're champs at a brand of fey, gray-sky melancholy pop (think Belle & Sebastian or The Clientele) that sounds perfectly natural coming from the Northern UK, but would somehow come off as fraudulent coming from America. Still, the band sites two American artists, David Lynch and The Everly Brothers, among their biggest influences. As disparate as that might sound, a listen to nearly any harmonic track in the band's catalog (particularly "Razzle Dazzle Rose"), and suddenly you're having cherry pie and coffee in Twin Peaks. I'll post a full review of My Maudlin Career closer to the release date, but in the meantime you can sample the track below. You can also get it as a free download from the band's official site.

Introducing My Brightest Diamond

2009-02-12T10:27:00.001-08:00

Check out Artween

2009-02-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

I'm always up for new artistic endeavors, and I'm blown away by both the effort and the originality of Artween. If you enjoy art half as much as you enjoy music, you've got to get over there and browse around. (Graphic by nektaria giannoulakou, found on Artween.)ARTWEEN is a social network who invites all actors of the art world to exchange, discover, admire & express themselves around their common passion ART

ARTWEEN will introduce you to an artistic cyber travel, visiting an artist studio at Beijing, strolling into galleries in Berlin just before enjoying a flute of champagne in a NY museum.
It doesn't matter if you're addicted to primitive art, obsessed by contemporary art or have a keen interest in the Renaissance. Artists, Galleries, Museums, Foundations, Students, Amateurs, create your page, develop your network and imagine your experience. Join the tribe you desire!

Register for free, get connected and interact with people or institutions which inspire you, spread & share artistic news, receive invitations to events... and if you're the discreet type, remain anonymous.

Still Alright

2009-02-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

If you want to see my contribution to the heap of press the new Lily Allen disc is getting, you can click on over to my Examiner page. Sample tracks are, of course, abound if you do a quick search on elbo.ws.

Minimal Monday

2009-02-09T16:22:00.000-08:00

"Minimal" indeed have been the blog posts of late around here, and for the few faithful that continually return I apologize. In my defense, I have been laboring away on something quite cool (I think, anyway), and didn't want to return until it was ready. Still, it pains me to click over to my site and see it withering on the vine. So here we go. Happy 2009, and I'll let you know when that other thing finally happens. (Today's graphic by the mighty Pard Morrison, click to enlarge.)

Richie Hawtin @ Cocoon invites Minus - Amnesia Summer 2008

Phonique @ Sputnik, 1/24/09
Josh Wink Essential Mix, 1/24/09

From The Increasingly Benevolent Trent Reznor:

2009-01-09T21:06:00.001-08:00

"Your gift... The internet is full of surprises these days.
I was contacted by a s mysterious, shadowy group of subversive who SOMEHOW managed to film a substantial amount (over 400 GB!) of raw, unedited HD footage from three separate complete shows of our Lights in the Sky tour. Security must have been lacking at these shows because the quality of the footage is excellent. If any of you could find a LINK to that footage I'll bet some enterprising fans could assemble something pretty cool. Oh yeah, you didn't hear this from me."

from xkcd.com

2009-01-09T20:59:00.000-08:00

(thanks Veshi!)

Carl Cox on Radio FG 1/7/09

2009-01-08T20:36:00.000-08:00

Didn't mean to disappear into the new year without a warning (hope yours is off to a blazing start), but alas, I have been tinkering away at something I think we'll both enjoy when I finally stop tinkering with it...which I hope is soon..., at any rate, to mark my place, here's a bit of our dear friend Carl Cox. Nothing like the big man to motivate me through my resolutions.

George Orwell x Shepard Fairey Print set

2008-12-30T17:22:00.000-08:00

"A couple of months ago, Shepard was approached by Penguin Books (UK) to do his take on the cover art for the literary classics, "1984" and "Animal Farm." Being that both books were inspirational and personal favorites of Shepard, this was a no brainer. For the release, Penguin Books did a promotion selling the books with a cover art print set. These prints were only available in the UK...UNTIL NOW! The print set is available in a very limited quantity. The set will be released on 12/31 between noon and 3pm. They are offset prints, size A2 (about 17" x 24"), Edition of 200, signed/numbered. The print set will be available for $140. ONLY THE PRINTS WILL BE AVAILABLE." Limited 1 set per person/household, you can order here on 12/31.

The Visual Telling of Stories

2008-12-23T14:00:00.000-08:00

I'm haven't entirely figured out this site yet, and it's creator doesn't really seem to mind. In fact, it seems to be encouraged. It is, however, jammed full of some interesting and thought-provoking imagery. The creator, Dr. Chris Mullen, says: "This site records a range of material dedicated to the study of the Visual Narrative. The original site, intended for part-time students and other interested parties was closed down by the University of Brighton when I taught there and I was subsequently denied access to the original images most of which, however, were in my own collection. I am in the process of re-building the Visual Telling of Stories on my own Server in an expanded and improved format which I hope you continue to enjoy."

The Second Life of Beer Cans

2008-12-16T10:02:00.000-08:00

Choosing just one great photo set from http://curiousphotos.blogspot.com/ is next to impossible, so for this shout-out I just defaulted to a subject near and dear to my heart: beer. The site is filled with beautiful, mind-boggling, hilarious and fascinating visual posts in every subject you can think of (and plenty that you can't). Its a tribute to how good blogs can be when they retain vision and focus. But don't take my for for it, see for yourself.

It's Snowing In Las Vegas!!

2008-12-15T11:17:00.001-08:00

...and not the errant little soap-flake that makes its way into a light rain either; it's actual snow that has been coming down for hours and (gasp!) accumulating on the ground. Sure, it's not upstate New York, but here in the desert, it's like waking up in bizarro world.
Plus/Minus "Snowblind"
Black Sabbath "Snowblind"

Waking Lights

2008-12-09T20:56:00.000-08:00

The Waking Lights might be making some of the most beautiful songs to come out of the New Jersey tri-state area since Born To Run. Like some kind of distant cousin to Elliot Smith or Grant Lee Phillips, their EP Songs For Jo is six tracks worth of exceedingly lush poetics; worth its weight in songwriting and melody. If this is the beginning, the journey is likely to be a memorable one.

Waking Lights "Sharks"

Stencil Revolution Returns

2008-12-04T10:40:00.001-08:00

Briefly down, but never out, I'm happy to say Stencil Revolution is back online. A fertile forum of stencils & street art, the site is also loaded with user tutorials and some stunning photographs, many in the vein of prankster godfather Bansky. (Image by SR user Logik; click for a full view)

Ryan Elliot @ Compression LA, 6/22/07

2008-12-02T20:16:00.000-08:00

"Detroit’s Ryan Elliott has gained international notoriety by programming sets that are as well crafted and sophisticated as they are danceable. From ice cold minimal techno to summery house beats, Elliott has played everything from Fabric to the Guggenheim with equal success...[more about Ryan]"

Ryan Elliot @ Compression LA, 6/22/07

Ten Myths About Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T09:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! If you need some trivia as a conversation starter around the table today, Rick Shenkman, editor of HNN drops Ten Myths About Thanksgiving on us, rendering our American holiday all the more nebulous. Enjoy.

Sweet Rides

2008-11-26T17:15:00.000-08:00

Robert Berry at Retrocrush has undertaken the task of compiling the coolest 100 pop culture vehicles of all time. Every day he'll add to the list. So far he's up to 93, and even if it's low on the list, it's nice to see the chick-magnet AMC Pacer make the cut.

Over Our Dead Bodies: Chinese Democracy

2008-11-22T12:48:00.000-08:00

Just a few hours from now, pigs will be flying and hell will be frozen, as it appears the impossible folly of Chinese Democracy, rock music's Spruce Goose, will finally be upon us. Now sure, in the next few hours, something ridiculous could happen (and in the legacy of this album, one almost expects it), but enough promos have now made the rounds that the songs "Axl-n-Friends" have been whiling away for more than a decade and a half can't possibly be kept under wraps any longer. What a weird end to a weird journey. I'm sure I'll have plenty to say about this in the days to come, but right now I have to run around and say "There will be democracy in China before there's Chinese Democracy" and other expiring jokes while I still can, and from the early press, it sounds like Axl might indeed have the last laugh. In the meantime, here's a couple of good reads on the subject:

Fargo Rock City author and funny cat Chuck Klosterman's review makes more than its share of valid points, while still offering plenty to argue about.
MTV lets Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse "The Devil" Hughes hear the album and give some impressions. Hughes is apparently just as funny and sharp in conversation as he is on record.
I, Axl, a hilariously creative blog I've already enjoyed for months is bound to get some narrative lifeblood from the [apparent] release of Chinese Democracy.
The New York Times begins the [unsurprising] barrage of negative criticism that the album will no doubt receive. Based on the circumstances of its creation and release, some might argue it is deserved.

Big Beats For Your Big Weekend

2008-11-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

Groove Armada @ Space Ibiza Closing Party 10/5/08
Timo Maas, La Boum De Luxe (FM4) 11/15/08
Juan Atkins @ Periferias Festival 11/1/08

A Wacky, Beautiful Promo Mix by Max Tundra

2008-11-19T17:27:00.000-08:00

I'd write my own description, but I can't say it better than this:

"Max and I met in Barcelona in 2005 at Primavera Sound. His slot was at 4am. He put on a mask, wrapped himself up in tape, and played forty minutes of music made mostly using Amiga sample tracker software from the late 1980s. There was virtuosic melodica playing, Pointer Sisters-style singing, and an eight-minute version of “So Long, Farewell” from The Sound Of Music. I was wasted and ended up passing out on a beach in my underwear. When the sun rose, I woke up with dried meringue and sand glued to my hair, and in a daze, I realized that I had just witnessed nothing less than the best music performance of my life." --Owen Pallett, Final Fantasy

Max Tundra Promo Mix

Tracklist:
Max Tundra: Orphaned
The Funky Worm: Hustle!
Jensen Sportag: Cocktease
Set The Tone: All Tied Up
Ark: Le Magicien D'Os (Mr Oizo Mix)
Linda Scott: I've Told Every Little Star
Soundhack: Rodeo
Roberto De Simone: Secondo Coro Delle Lavandale
Jerry Goodman & Jan Hammer: Like Children
Skeletons & The Girl Faced Boys: Git
Von Südenfed: Fledermaus Can't Get It (Max Tundra Mix)
Mr Oizo: Patrick122
Louchie Lou & Michie One: Shout (Acapella)
Frank Zappa: Night School
The Art of Noise: Snapshot
Funk D'Void: Jack Me Off
Basti: Man At CIA
Trans Am: Cold War (A Grape Dope Mix)
Royal Trux: Money For Nothing
Thomas Bangalter: Ventura/Into The Tunnel
Ivor Cutler: The Railway Sleepers
Mint Royale: The Effect On Me (Max Tundra Mix)
George Duke: Stand
Ronnie Hazlehurst: Sorry! Theme
Busta Rhymes: Gimme Some More
The Flying Lizards: Gyrostatics
Eskaton: If
Max Tundra: Which Song
Scritti Politti: Small Talk
The Jammers: Be Mine Tonight
Gentle Giant: Interview
Mr Oizo: Skatesteak
DJ Brokenwindow: Hair, Nails, Percolator
Dominique Leone: Nous Tombons Dans Elle
The System: Now I Am Electric
10cc: Clockwork Creep
Trans-X: Digital World
Harry Merry: Bye Bye, Here's Some Stuff
Kimitaka Matsumae: Dekanime Theme
Slick: Space Bass
IQ: Beef In Box
Max Tundra: Glycaemic Index Blues
Neil & Iraiza: Wasted Time
Devo: Theme From Dr Detroit
Patrick D Martin: I Like Lectric Motors
Manfred Mann: Can't Eat Meat
Ride: Leave Them All Behind
Brandy: What About Us
Illreme: Kyou Wo Tou
Prince: Let's Go Crazy (12" Mix)
Steely Dan: Bodhisattva

Pulp Muppets

2008-11-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

Lowfish

2008-11-13T17:29:00.000-08:00

I've made the point on these pages before that a lot of electronic music is a product of the climate, the actual weather, it was born in. Listen to Richie Hawtin or Misstress Barbara and then try to tell me that those aren't "cold weather beats"; sounds that were born in cabin fever, and sounds that know when we leave the club tonight we're going to freeze our asses off. The electro music of Canada's Lowfish exudes a similar snowbound vibe, although in an altogether different realm. Unlike most producers today, Lowfish is unique in that his dark, clinical, eerily beautiful albums are completely analog; completely forward-thinking sounds created on machines that are increasing obsolete. His latest outing, frozen&broken (out now on Noise Factory), is perhaps his most fully realized; a complete work of chilly genius. Lowfish "Things Fall Apart"

The Real Photoshop

2008-11-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

A truly brilliant little project. I keep looking back at it over and over. A high-res version and a video of how they did it is here, and worth a look.

Minimal Monday

2008-11-10T17:18:00.000-08:00

Kollektiv Turmstrasse Live Promo 2008
Richie Hawtin @ Guendalina 8/15/08
Trentemoller @ You FM Lounge 11/2/08

Jim Rome Rants On "Hombrew Guy"

2008-11-05T15:29:00.000-08:00

If you've ever been handed a glass of thick, dark sludge that you're told is beer, tried not gag when you sipped it, and didn't have the heart to tell the brewer that it's disgusting then you have to hear this rant by radio host Jim Rome. Eschewing his singular sports talk for a few minutes, Rome does the dirty work for you. Hilarious. (For more info on subscribing to his podcasts and streaming, visit www.jimrome.com.)

2008-11-04T14:11:00.002-08:00

Cursebird

2008-11-02T09:04:00.000-08:00

This site is funny and randomly poetic in its own vulgar way.

Rays fan takes a bottle to the head. World Series 08

2008-11-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

Whoever chucked that bottle should inquire about the Chiefs starting QB job.

Big Beat For Your Big [Halloween] Weekend

2008-10-31T17:23:00.000-07:00

If it seems like some posts were here, and now they're gone, you're (probably) not hallucinating. As it was famously said in the Big Lebowski "sometimes you eat the b(e)ar, and sometimes, well, the bar eats you." While I re-imagine this blog's purpose, and figure out what to do next, let's get lost in some thumping choons and our ridiculously festive American holiday...

Halloween dudes by ~leepro on deviant ART

Infected Mushroom @ Kazantip'16 8/3/08
Monika Kruse @ Contact FM 2005
Jimpster @ Sonar Festival 6/21/08
Lee Burridge - Get Weird Promo (Lovefest 2008)
Carl Cox @ Webster Hall New York 10/17/08

Bowling + Rollercoaster = Fun!

2008-10-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

Years ago when the first edition of Roller Coaster Tycoon came out, I gave it to my brother for the holidays. He was a college senior at the time, appreciated the gift, but insisted that I babysit it for his final semester. He feared that such a distraction could cost him his Bachelors. I thought he underestimated himself, until I took it back to my place. Two weeks passed and I suddenly found myself unshaven, with bloodshot eyes, and acutely addicted to coffee. His fears, as it turns out, were not unjustified. I was as reluctant to return the game as Gollum was to give up the ring, and I have scarcely let myself play any video game ever since. During my madness, I found all the sick little quirks the programmers put in games these days, like being able to drown the Park's entertainers (with little apparent consequence). It was refreshing to discover that I'm not the only twisted bastard who played this doomed contest:
(Thanks Veshi!)

Brass Bed

2008-10-27T17:20:00.000-07:00

If you've ever wondered what the Flaming Lips might sound like if they were a SoCal rock band in the '70s (and really, who among us hasn't wondered that?), it might sound something like Brass Bed. Their full-length Midnight Matinee dropped about six weeks ago, and it exudes that dreamy rock charm that only comes from nights spent listening to Pet Sounds with Fleetwood Mac in a Laurel Canyon bungalow with a backpack full of drugs in 1976. Of course this is 2008, and the band is from Louisiana, so that pretty much shoots my theory in the ass. But this disc is good, reeeaaally good. I rocked on my recent outing to San Antonio, and played back to back with that Graham Nash reissue (see below) in the warm autumn air was a breath of surreal magic. I have yet to confirm if they cover "Lay Lady Lay".

Brass Bed "BBC Midnight Broadcast"

2008-10-26T08:43:00.000-07:00

50 Stunning Underwater Photos

2008-10-21T08:51:00.001-07:00

Smashing Magazine has put together yet another inspired batch of images. This time they collect the difficult art of underwater photography. Nice work.

Minimal Monday

2008-10-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

Alex Under @ Voltt Loves Summer, Amsterdam, 8/30/08
Richie Hawtin @ Minitek, NYC 9/14/08
Superpitcher @ Loki Loungeclub, Toronto 10/23/07

Matthew Sweet On Tour

2008-10-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

Cracking open the wrapper on Matthew Sweet's tenth (tenth!) studio album gave me some pause about just how steadily and methodically Sweet has crafted an impressive guitar-pop canon. The guy just never falters. Sunshine Lies is yet another solid showcase of the vaguely Byrd-esque jangle and sing-along that has become his trademark. And trying my best to stay away from "Bitter-Sweet" wordplay, the angst and heartache that are often disguised in beautiful melodies on other albums are closer to the surface here in the uneasy lyrics, not unlike the rougher moments of Altered Beast, except on the lovely title track, featuring recent collaborator (and still a minx!) Susannah Hoffs. Sweet hits the road soon for most of the autumn; a lock for a great night of music if he's in your area.

Tour Dates

10/20 Boulder, CO – Fox Theater
10/22 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue Mainroom
10/23 Chicago, IL - Park West
10/24 Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Funhouse
10/25 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
10/27 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
10/28 New York, NY – Webster Hall
10/29 Falls Church, VA – State Theatre
10/30 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
11/01 Covington, KY - The Madison
11/02 Charleston, WV - Mountain Stage syndicated radio show
11/05 Baltimore, MD - 8X10
11/06 Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
11/07 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
11/08 Athens, GA - 40 Watt
11/09 Nashville, TN -3rd & Lindsley
11/19 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
11/26 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey

If Vinyl Designer Toys Are Your Thing...

2008-10-16T13:27:00.000-07:00

...this is a solid post.

Great Reissues: Graham Nash

2008-10-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

If time, money, and technical expertise were no constraint (ha!), I think my dream job would be putting together reissues. Putting the lost gems of yesteryear together with the artwork, bonus tracks, and liner notes they deserve is a record store nerd's dream. Of course, this dream job of mine is already problematic, since the CD is fast falling by the wayside while the world (myself included) adopts the immaterial mp3 as their listening mode of choice. How do you put lush packaging in a small digital file? Also problematic is the fact that the good folks at Rhino have mastered the art of the reissue, the latest evidence of which is their treatment of Graham Nash's 1971 solo outing Songs For Beginners. There's a bonus DVD of a new super hi-fi mix and a slew of extras, and the sleeve art is lovely, but this is the type of album that truly stands on its original merits. A solo disc in name only, the supporting cast is stellar: Rita Coolidge, Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Dave Mason, Neil Young and David Crosby among others are a near heavely choir. The strength of the songwriting is well-documented, and the sound, like Nash himself, is the sweeter ingredient from CSN&Y. Of course "Simple Man" is here, as well as my favorite "Better Days", and the hit "Chicago", which despite being about long-ago controversies seems to sync up well with the heated politcal air we currently find ourselves in. I listened to this disc several times on my recent trip to San Antonio. The air was warm and breezy as I pottered around the River Walk with my Ipod, and there was something intangibly perfect about these eleven songs in that space and time (and admittedly the six pack of Lone Star didn't hurt). Spend a little time with this album, and I have a hunch you'll also find some unexpected nook where it fits perfectly.

Where Does The Time Go?

2008-10-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the lapse, my beloved readers. Among the many things I have been up to was a random jaunt to the home of The Alamo; San Antonio, Texas. It was an unexpected delight that rejuvenated my spirits (including my blogging spirit, such that it is), and I highly recommend a visit if you have the means. But there is a lot of music left to talk about before 2008 draws to a close, (and only a month or so to make Chinese Democracy jokes). So let's get started...

2008-10-01T10:37:00.001-07:00

Tina Fey's SNL Hilarity Continues

2008-09-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

Prodigy: Master Mix 002

2008-09-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Fans of Prodigy were jumping up and down a couple years ago (literally) when they released their first Master Mix, and based on the current web rumble are just as geeked up over its recent sequel: Master Mix 002. Features all the tracks you think you'd hear, and some unexpected remixes; a fun blast from the past.

New Larry Tee Mixtape

2008-09-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

The good folks at this.bigstereo.net posted a fine mixtape from electroclash originator Larry Tee.

Tracklisting:

1. Let’s Make Nasty (Xmas in July Mix) — Larry Tee feat. Roxy Cottontail
2. Louis Vuitton (Santiago and Bushido mix)– Larry Tee feat. Jeffrey Starr
3. That’s Not It — Larry Tee feat. KIM
4. Pussy Beats (Jeff Doubleu mix) — Larry Tee/Jeff Doubleu
5. My Pussy (Mom and Dad mix) — Larry Tee feat. Amanda Lepore
6. I Love U (Bart B More mix) — Larry Tee
7. Get Your Grind On (Xmas in July mix) — Larry Tee feat. Christopher Just
8. Black Pussy Suprise — Larry Tee feat. Tobell von Cartier and Christopher Just
9. Clap That Ass (Tomboy mix) — Larry Tee feat. Tobell von Cartier
10. Hipster Girl — Mel Merio feat. Larry Tee
11. Summertime Love — Christopher Just w a lil help from Larry Tee
12. Licky (Herve Goes Low) (Larry Tee re-edit with Santogold) — Larry Tee feat. Princess Superstar

The Black Ghosts "Repetition Kills You"

2008-09-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

Damon Albarn always has his fingers in some sort of delicious pie, and the latest is his guest vocal for the new Black Ghosts thumper "Repetition Kills You". Heralded by some as "electro-pop glory in its finest", it is being released in a (bargain priced) digital-only pack that carries some top notch remixes of the track by Diplo, Laidback Luke and others.

Insects & Wristwatches....of course!

2008-09-24T15:39:00.001-07:00

"No bugs about it! Mike Libby is an artist that creates works of art using insects and antique watch parts..."

Jar Jar Binks Salad

2008-09-17T14:23:00.000-07:00

Who among us can deny we've always wanted to know how to carve the most hated Star Wars character into a nutritious root vegetable salad? Seriously, who?

50 Amazing Gig Posters Sure to Inspire

2008-09-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a fantastic collection of rock poster art, mostly of indie darlings, over at Well Medicated. Glad to see the art form has continued to evolve and impress. Great post WM!

R.I.P Richard Wright

2008-09-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

1943-2008

Pink Floyd "The Great Gig In The Sky"

A true SNL Gem

2008-09-14T10:31:00.001-07:00

Transformers Soundboard

2008-09-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here's another site that shouldn't be as much fun as it is. I don't remember these quotes inducing so much laughter. Maybe there is a gas leak in my office...

OJayZis

2008-09-04T13:14:00.001-07:00

01: Intro live
02: Wonderback
03: 99 Supersonic problems
04: Justify it out
05: Supernova Hello
06: Quick gangster
07: Momma Look Me
08: Where did Brooklyn go
09: Ignorant Shirt
10: Dec4th Masterplan

Download here.

Hypocrisy Compiled; Another Daily Show Gem

2008-09-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

I've been far more removed from all the election shenanigans this time around than I was last time out. Debate is good, but it doesn't feel healthy to get caught up in the hype. Nonetheless, Jon Stewart and company have hit the nail on the head yet again:

pH10

2008-09-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

A little Jungle for your Thursday with lords of the Brooklyn underground pH10. You've probably heard their dirty beats, whether you were aware of it or not, as they are frequently (and for good reason) splashed in the hottest video games, indie films, and sneaker campaigns, among other joints. But it's their live shows that really are the stuff of legend, and doubly impressive considering the act's underground status. Their new disc (which incidentally featured a marriage proposal on the cover from leader Recone to his partner SyBO T...she said yes) Well Connected expertly captures that same live energy and lets you have a little warehouse party right there in your car or bedroom. This is good, nasty fun. Sample what I'm talking about on this track: Enter The Underground (feat. Pete Miser and Jamalski). Well Connected drops 10/21/08.

Introducing 'Little Boots'

2008-09-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

"Little Boots’ debut American release will come in the form of the Arecibo EP out mid-November through IAMSOUND Records. The EP will be on 12” vinyl and digitally through iTunes and emusic, produced by Joe from Hot Chip and Greg from Bird And The Bee."

In the meantime, you can get a feel for Little Boots on her "Computer Fairyland Mixtape" download that features her 80s New Wave, electro, computer-a la-Kratwerk sound. Nice.

23 awesome license plates for computer geeks

2008-09-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

Came across this funny post last week and was relieved to be disqualified from computer geek-dom, as there were several of these that had to be explained to me (by actual geeks).

Paul Oakenfold: Perfecto On Tour

2008-08-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

San Diego, California 8/23/08
Long Beach California 8/09/08
Gatecrasher, UK 7/26/08

2008-08-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

Sasha:::Cream @ Amnesia, Ibiza, 7/31/08:::

2008-08-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

A "thank you" mix for the fans for their continued support.
:::HQ Thank you mix:::

The Weekend Sixer

2008-08-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

Have a great holiday weekend, my friends. Here's six tall cold ones for ye; if you're hittin' the road, you can take them to go. If you're being a hermit, they work indoors too. And as always, in a handy carrying case. Happy Labor Day!

Tracklist:
Black Kids "I'm Not Gonna Teach..."
Izzy Stradlin "Memphis"
Depeche Mode "Freelove"
Beastie Boys "Rock Hard"
Mick Jagger "Memo From Turner"
Supergrass "When I Needed You"

The "Beerdolier" from Uncrate. Not for amateurs.

Songblitz Album Cover Game

2008-08-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

The last thing in the world I need is to get addicted to a game that matches album covers to music samples...and yet....

Aviary Ghost

2008-08-27T18:08:00.000-07:00

It's still in the triple digits here in Vegas, so on some level it's still too early for me to get into "cold weather music", which is not so much a genre as a feeling; you can often tell when the artist has sat through some evil winters (The Smiths were cold weather music, much Canadian techno is also chilly), and their songs are particularly relatable on overcast, cool days. Having said that, I couldn't pass up the chance to talk about Aviary Ghost, and their brilliant, self-released disc Memory Is A Hallway. AG hails from Michigan, and the lush sounds on this disc are the sounds of cabin fever and the color of drizzle on windows. Many styles are abound (folk, jazz...too many to name), but all the diversity is unified by its singular feeling. The lyrics and structures are strong, punctuated by occasional warm swells of guitar. This album will be perfect in February, but it still sounds pretty great right now.
Aviary Ghost "The Brain is a House"

Reverse Graffiti, continued...

2008-08-26T08:01:00.001-07:00

reverse graffiti
Thanks to Nibootoo for the hot tip on this clip, which picks up where the post below leaves off.

35 Greatest Works of Reverse Graffiti

2008-08-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

"Welcome to the world of reverse graffiti, where the artist’s weapons are cleaning materials and where the enemy is the elements: wind, rain, pollution and decay. It’s an art form that removes dust or dirt rather than adding paint..."

Big Beats For Your Big Weekend

2008-08-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Paolo Mojo - Essential Mix, 8/16/08
Dave Dresden - August 2008 Promo Mix
Max Graham - friskyRadio, 8/12/08
Paul Oakenfold, Denver, CO 6/6/08
Graphic: http://lacura.deviantart.com/

The Octopus Project

2008-08-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

I've previously sung the praises of Austin's Octopus Project on these very pages, and I feel somewhat vindicated by their inclusion on this year's Lollapalooza lineup. It would be tempting for some to attribute a band with a Theremin some kind of alt-novelty status, but OP is a bonafide band with a (sorry) "Truck"-load of great songs, evidenced all over the lovely Hello, Avalanche, the disc they are currently out on the road supporting.

29 terrific instrumentals by bands that usually sing

2008-08-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Whoa, where does the time go? Apologies for the lapse, but you know how it is with us super-famous media moguls; we take a couple weeks off in the slowest days of summer to prepare for the prime time of Fall Sweeps. I really should get myself an intern though to keep the rusty hamster wheel that is this blog creaking in a somewhat forward motion. If you'd like to be my music blog intern, send me your resume (no dudes, please).

Somehow seeing a blog post infinitely better than most of mine got me going again, and it's from the good folks at AV Club. They've concocted a list of "29 terrific instrumentals by bands that usually sing", and they've done a pretty good job of it. Like any good list, it leaves plenty of room for argument, particularly in regards to exclusions, and like any good blog post, there is great discussion/suggestion/vitriol in the comment section. See what you think.

Ten Thousand Cents

2008-08-17T07:56:00.000-07:00

Ten Thousand Cents from Ten Thousand Cents on Vimeo.

Hold The Mayo

2008-08-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

I once worked at a restaurant when I was young where a fellow employee who had slept in his truck all night washed up in our dish sink, including his hair, which sounds almost quaint when compared to this tool, who felt the need to make a four minute video of reason 4,513 why you shouldn't eat fast food.

Tracy Shedd

2008-08-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

The first thing fans of Tracy Shedd will notice about her upcoming disc Cigarettes and Smoke Machines is that her voice is finally front and center in the mix...where it should be. A sweet and forthright echo of Liz Phair or Suzanne Vega, it is no longer buried in the instrumentation, and definitively delivers her strongest batch of lyrics and music to date. Check out "Whatever It Takes" now, and mark your calenders for Sept. 23rd, when the rest of this gem hits us.

xkcd.com

2008-08-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

(click for larger view)

Jet Favre

2008-08-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

True story: last night I had a dream that Brett Favre and I were lifelong friends, and in the middle of the recent media circus, we were hunkered down in some lounge waiting to hear where he would end up. In my dream, Chris Mortensen was his agent (which made some weird sort of sense), and eventually he gave us word that Favre had been traded to the Jets. Scarcely awake this morning, I clicked on Sportscenter only to see that truly they are now the New York Bretts. I know it's not groundbreaking or anything, but witness the havoc media saturation will wreak on even your poor sleep patterns. It was weird. What does all this have to do with the price of tea in China? Nothing. I remain a blue-blooded Giants fan, and would rather not explore why I dream about QBs from Mississippi.

Minimal Monday

2008-08-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

"And now for something completely different..."
Well, waxing nostalgic for the summer hippie days was um...intoxicating. If we didn't get to your favorite "Lolla-patchouli" act (we didn't even get to mine!), there's always next summer. Thanks for all your sympathetic emails. For now, it's time to get back to what we do here. What better way to kick us back into shape than some chilly, Euro-style minimalism? Should feel like a drizzly winter night in about three minutes...

Magda: Robert Johnson Podcast July 2008
Umek: Promo mix 200815
Richie Hawtin @ M_NUS Party, Ibiza 9/17/07

Dirty Hippie Week: CSN (& Stephen Colbert?!)

2008-08-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

Dirty Hiipe week continues as The Colbert Report hits the nail on the comedic head once again with a hilarious visit and performance from CSN (with Stephen actually sitting in for Neil!) Perfect.

Dirty Hippie Week Salutes: Passed Out Wookies

2008-07-31T16:20:00.000-07:00

Anyone taking in even a few shows by any band in the hippie canon over the last ten to fifteen years no doubt has seen a growing clan of Wookies. You know who I'm talking about. They're generally so hairy that they make regular granolas look like stockbrokers. They've cast personal hygiene into the wind. They wander around parking lots getting loaded and probably, almost certainly, have no tickets to the show (unless someone "Miracles" them), and generally have taken their experience into a realm few of us can relate to...particularly when they pass out. Passed Out Wookies has done a marvelous job capturing their essence, although since the site is rarely updated, one suspects that Wookies themselves are probably running it. At any rate, if you need a quick laugh, you're likely to get one here.

Dirty Hippie Week: The Grateful Dead

2008-07-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Having a feature called Dirty Hippie Week and not featuring the Grateful Dead would be like having a list of the greatest basketball players without Michael Jordan (ask Bill Walton). They're the unabashed Godfathers of the entire jam scene, and their warts-and-all approach resulted in some truly transcendent moments from their inception to their demise. In just a few days it will have been 13 years since our boy Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia shuffled off this mortal coil, but to many it feels like eternity. Still, Phil & Friends, Ratdog, and the various incarnations of The Dead have kept the party going in respectable and uplifting style, and have inducted a number of new faces and players into the legacy. Sure, some of the fans living in vans (even today) will make you scratch your head (possibly from the insects living in their blonde dreadlocks) but they can't be faulted for loving something so lovable. (Graphic by http://photobanana.deviantart.com/)

Here's part of one of my favorite sets, 5/8/77 @ Cornell, features:
Mama Tried
Row Jimmy
Dancin' In The Streets
Scarlet Begonias
Fire On The Mountain
The wah-wah sound on "Dancin'" always gets me. So cool.

Phil & Friends dates here, Ratdog dates here.

And as you probably already know, you can find tons of download-able Dead shows over here at The Archive.

Photo by http://everythingdead.deviantart.com/

Dirty Hippie Week: The Black Crowes

2008-07-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

When wayward guitarist Marc Ford departed the Crowes yet again in 2006 after (or so we thought) a great run of reunion shows with The Black Crowes, the vitriol from fans (who treated Ford like the Messiah) became so toxic that the band had to remove its bulging, angry message boards from its official site. It seemed the revolving door that is the Black Crowes was once again spinning, as it also saw the exit of longtime keys man Ed Harsch. Lineup changes had resulted in two half-baked discs (By Your Side and Lions) and suddenly the potential of the reunion after a five year hiatus seemed to evaporate before our eyes. The already-pessimistic fans were pissed. How did the Crowes respond? By recording their best, most consistent album since their sophomore masterpiece The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion with this year's Warpaint. Snagging Luther Dickinson from the North Mississippi Allstars (see below) resulted in some chemistry that even the band probably didn't expect, and the discs exudes the confidence and thunder of their extensive live shows. Raw blues, legitimate (not meandering) psychedelia, and the classic rock influences they proudly wear on their sleeve are evident in some undeniably strong songwriting (my favorites being "Evergreen", "Movin' On Down The Line" and the first single "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution"), and unlike Maxim, I've actually heard the album. In fact its been in steady rotation here at Casa Flash since its March '08 release. Best of all, it seems to have silenced the whiny little Marc Ford fanboys, and thankfully we can all just get back to rocking. It's not difficult.

Black Crowes 2008 Summer Tour Dates (if you haven't seen them live, you should):
07.29.2008 Cleveland, OH House of Blues - Cleveland
07.30.2008 Cleveland, OH House of Blues - Cleveland
08.01.2008 Bridgeport, CT Gathering of the Vibes
08.02.2008 Newport, RI Dunkin' Donuts Newport Folk Festival
08.03.2008 Vienna, VA Wolf Trap Filene Center
08.05.2008 Pittsburgh, PA Byham Theater
08.06.2008 Covington, KY Madison Theater
08.08.2008 Columbus, OH Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
08.09.2008 East Troy, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre
08.10.2008 East Troy, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre
08.14.2008 Fayetteville, AR Arkansas Music Pavilion
08.15.2008 Council Bluffs, IA Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino
08.17.2008 Jackson Hole, WY Jackson Hole Music Festival
08.29.2008 Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee Summerfest
09.03.2008 Victoria, Br Royal Theatre
09.04.2008 Vancouver, Br Orpheum Theatre
09.05.2008 Troutdale, OR McMenamins Edgefield
09.07.2008 Medford, OR Britt Festivals
09.08.2008 Puyallup, WA Western Washington Fair
09.08.2008 Puyallup, WA Puyallup Fair
09.10.2008 Arcata, CA Humboldt State University - Van Duzer Theatre
09.12.2008 Santa Rosa, CA Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
09.13.2008 Las Vegas, NV The Joint
09.16.2008 Mesa, AZ Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theater
09.17.2008 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre

Graphic by http://bob-rz.deviantart.com/, Black Crowes photo by http://arnoldez.deviantart.com/

Dirty Hippie Week: The North Mississippi Allstars

2008-07-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

I can't imagine there is an abundance of hippies in Mississippi, and actually, in years past, I wouldn't have rushed to call the blistering bluesmen of NMA hippies. But of late, the unwashed masses have been drawing them in as a few undeniable clues fall into place: 1) stellar lead-guitarist Luther Dickinson has been poached by bonafide hippies The Black Crowes (who we'll discuss later), and as such is the reason you won't see the NMA on the road this summer. 2) The band has put on show-stealing sets at recent hippie Mecca Bonaroo and 3) they've re-worked Champion Jack Dupree's tongue-in-cheek hippie anthem "I'd Love To Be A Hippy" for their latest disc Hernando.

I'd Love To Be A Hippy
(lyrics by Champion Jack Dupree/additional lyrics by Jim Dickinson)

I'd love to be a hippy
But my hair won't grow that long
I'd love to be a hippy
But my hair won't grow that long
Just crazy about the way
All the hippies carry on

He might go up the mountain
Tryin' to find a hiding place
He might go up on the mountain
Tryin' to find a hiding place
No matter where you go
He's got the long beard all in his face

I'd love to be a hippy
High up in the hills
Down in Mississippi
Taking all those hippy pills
I'd love to be a hippy
But my hair won't grow that long
Just crazy about the way
All the hippies carry on

(Crazy. Come on, son. Play it back for me one time. Somethin' ain't right.)

Now, your family will drive you to smoking reefer
Make the young girls sniff cocaine
Now, your family will drive you to smoking reefer
Make the young girls sniff cocaine
Take a little drink of whiskey
Flush the dirt right down the drain

I don't wanna be a teacher
'Cause a teacher stays in school
I don't wanna be a farmer
I wasn't born to work like a mule
I don't wanna be a preacher
'Cause a preacher can't have no fun
I don't wanna be a soldier
So don't shoot me with your gun
But I'd love to be a hippy
But my hair won't grow that long
I'm crazy about the way
All the hippies carry on

Well, well, well, well, well, well, well.

Podflash.net Presents: Dirty Hippie Week

2008-07-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

Last weekend it was uncharacteristically overcast here in Vegas. It didn't rain like it should have, and by most standards it was still pretty hot. But the cloud-cover dropped our temps about 20 or so degrees, and like kids on a snow day, everybody ran outside to mess around. It was the first time this year that I've felt that hippie tingle this year, that itch I got all through college in Northern Colorado (CSU, go Rams!!). Summertime was synonymous with big hippie rock shows and large amounts of time spent doing absolutely nothing; something the scenic mountains only seemed to encourage. Although I've long since outgrown that mode, it was undoubtedly a simpler time that I get nostalgic for (oddly enough) whenever you get the perfect warm summer day. Although Vegas quickly returned to its trademark oppressive, blow-drier style heat 2 days later, those 2 days were enough to inspire me to devote a week to those of you still doing your summer days justice and letting your (organic hemp) freak flag fly. So, without further ado, I present to you the first annual Podflash.net "Dirty Hippie Week" (clearly those special brownies have forever warped my judgement). Enjoy, brah.

Top graphic by oSKARt, bottom graphic by welsix, both from deviantART.

Awesome Ways To Recycle Dumpsters

2008-07-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

I sometimes listen to Colin Cowherd in the morning, who likes to stir up trouble in the sports world, and he frequently uses the phrase "dumpster fire" to describe situations gone awry (i.e. "The Oakland Raiders front office is a dumpster fire.") One of the many endearing things about this article, in which creative green uses are found for dumpsters, is that in the UK, they are called "skips". To me, this is a much better, vague word for something otherwise unsavory, although I have to admit "skip fire" doesn't pack nearly the same verbal punch. Anyway, I digress. Check out the article.

Big Beats For Your Big Weekend

2008-07-25T10:29:00.001-07:00

Sander Van Doorn @ Dance Valley 7/12/08
Dave Clarke @ Extrema Outdoor 7/21/08
Nick Warren - Cosmic Space Mix - July 2008
Felix da Housecat @ We Love Space, Ibiza 7/15/07:
part 1, part 2, part 3

Chemical Brothers "Midnight Madness" Video

2008-07-24T13:57:00.000-07:00

As always, a typically top notch outing from the Chems, hitting us not only with another club thumper, but also a unforgettable video clip. Their new 2 disc retrospective drops 9/1, with a free download of "Midnight Madness" allegedly coming on 8/4.

i am neurotic.com

2008-07-24T08:55:00.000-07:00

This site is fast becoming one of my favorite daily diversions, for reasons I'd probably rather not understand. You can read and comment on the always-surprising neuroses of random individuals, like the person who pinches themselves every time they pee, or the chap that won't fill his gas tank all the way for fear of breaking down. You can also submit your own neurotic ticks for all the world to see. I did, but it was never posted which should either a) give me relief that my tick is not that serious, or more likely b) make me even more worried about it.

NEGATIVLAND

2008-07-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

I got hip to NEGATIVLAND more than 18 years ago on a tip from a bus boy at a Red Lobster (there are several things I don't like about that statement, but it's true). Hard to believe now that 18 years only comprises about two thirds of the career of the audio-collage geniuses, and maybe harder to believe that throughout that career, only now is the "band" releasing a song-based "album", Thigomatic, out now on Seeland Records. But make no mistake, although there certainly is (quite good) music of their own comprising abound here, it's still the NEGATIVLAND you've always loved. The brilliant sonic pastiche is still intact, honed to clever perfection, as evidenced on these tracks: "Richard Nixon Died Today" and "Basketball Plant".
If you've never 'sampled' the joys of NEGATIVLAND, this is a great place to jump in and work backwards.

How Not To Use The Drive Through ATM

2008-07-23T12:28:00.000-07:00

Guess you could say I "Herd" about this on morning sports radio (heh), an obvious candidate for the Darwin Awards, although I understand the driver was not injured.

Awesome Wine.com Promotion

2008-07-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

If you'll forgive a fairly blatant commercial here, I should tell you that the good folks at Wine.com are offering one cent shipping on purchases of a hundred bucks or more for the next 3 days only. Considering their selection, that's a hell of a deal. Just follow this link: 1 Cent Shipping on purchase of $99 or more at Wine.com! Enter code FRENCH1CENT at checkout. Valid July 14-18, 2008.

I Met The Walrus

2008-07-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

Another gem Laughing Squid brought to my attention (dammit Squids, is there anything you don't know? Do you have a bunch of monkeys combing YouTube for good clips? Sheesh.)

"In 1969, a 14-year-old Beatle fanatic named Jerry Levitan, armed with a reel-to-reel tape deck, snuck into John Lennon's hotel room in Toronto and convinced John to do an interview about peace. 38 years later, Jerry has produced a film about it. Using the original interview recording as the soundtrack, director Josh Raskin has woven a visual narrative which tenderly romances Lennon's every word in a cascading flood of multipronged animation. Raskin marries the terrifyingly genius pen work of James Braithwaite with masterful digital illustration by Alex Kurina, resulting in a spell-binding vessel for Lennon's boundless wit, and timeless message."

A Weekend Sixer

2008-07-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

It's oddly humid and overcast here in Vegas, and while the temps still linger in the high 90s, thats still a full twelve degrees cooler than those "excessive heat" days this week (which are apparently set to return on Tuesday). It practically feels like springtime, and a perfect day for a cold weekend sixer, packaged for your convenience in this handy carrying case.

Tracklist:
Beck "Walls"
Ratatat "Bird Priest"
Fleet Foxes "White Winter Hymnal"
The Dutchess and The Duke "Strangers"
The Verve "Mover"
The Subways "Girls and Boys"

Graphic by: http://cristif.deviantart.com/

Setting Sun

2008-07-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

Like Gary Levitt, frontman for Setting Sun, I too hail from upstate New York. And while that would generally be enough to at least draw my interest, I love his band's third album Children of The Wild precisely because it sounds like the rolling green country hills it was born in; a gentle, bittersweet ode to a simpler life. But my nostalgia aside, it's a dense, well-written disc that you're bound to like if you enjoy Neil Young, acoustic J. Mascis, Bright Eyes, Elliot Smith or just good songs.

Setting Sun "How Long"
Setting Sun "No Devil Me No More"

Colbert & Cookie Monster

2008-07-10T08:31:00.000-07:00

Colbert always makes me laugh, but having on Cookie Monster last week was hilarious.

elodieO

2008-07-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

There's another Excessive Heat Warning for the Las Vegas Valley today, which means another day of "indoor fun." Thankfully I've got another cool disc to keep the blow-drier type assault at bay: Stubborn by French newcomer elodieO. Mix the pop of Paris cafes in the 1960s (think Nico, maybe Marianne Faithful) with easy, down-tempo house flourishes and you've got the start of a truly unique, fresh-sounding platter. Stubborn drops on 8/19, and features appearances from several international artists, including Aaron and Jesse of the Brazilian Girls, The Cure, and French legend Serge Gainsbourg. The hip factor is through the roof on this one.
Here's a little taste: elodieO "Cuckoo (Remix)"

This Is Ivy League

2008-07-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

There's an "Excessive Heat Warning" in effect here in Vegas today, a fairly surreal event where radio broadcasts are interrupted by the National Weather Service to tell you that it's hot outside, much in the same way they would warn listeners in the Midwest that a tornado is coming. Since it has been in the triple digits daily for over a month here, you'd think people would already know that it's a bit toasty out there, but the warnings are trying to tell them "no, seriously, it's really hot...". It can be oppressive when you're just trying to do your everyday tasks, but at the same time, it's a great occasion to dig out the lazy hazy summer tunes, which brings us to the self-titled disc by This Is Ivy League. It dropped back in April, just in time for the season it best suits. Great, breezy harmonies, jangling guitars, and bittersweet songwriting are everywhere here, and when you hear that the band hails from NYC via Florida, it all just seems to make some weird sense. So with this disc and a cooler full of icy beverages, I'm ready for anything this Excessive Heat Warning can throw at me.
"The Richest Kids In Town"
"Crown of Love" (Arcade Fire Cover)