Heres some random cool stuff from the past few weeks of music:
DOWNLOAD:
New Smashing Pumpkins - "Widow Wake My Mind" & "Song For A Son"
MUSIC VIDEOS:
The xx - "VCR"
Warpaint - "Elephants"
ONE-SENTENCE REVIEWS:
Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
Rating: 77/100
The amount of raw rock power present in the Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), John Paul Jones (LED ZEPPELIN!) trio Them Crooked Vultures is absolutely legendary but it fails to come together consistently despite some truly epic moments of rocking.
Aziz Ansari - Intimate Moments For A Sensual Evening
Rating 85/100
Aziz Ansari's debut comedy album is fresh, energetic and absolutely hilarious.
Best of Bootie 2009 - Various Artists
Rating:72/100
I love a good mash-up, and there are definitely some really good mash-ups on this collection, but overall I wasn't blown away.
M.I.A posted this video on her Twitter yesterday and it seems like it might just be a new song from her forthcoming album that she has been talking about a lot lately. Specifically she mentioned that the album will be "gimmick free". I didn't realize Arular and Kala were so gimmick ridden that she needed to make a point of assuring me that her 3rd album would be gimmick free. Either way this song might not be on the album, hell, it might not even be M.I.A. All I know for sure is that she posted it on here Twitter. Enjoy!
When the band's self titled debut dropped in early 2008, Vampire Weekend redefined indie pop by stripping the genre down to its bare basics. It was a reminder that melody, above all else, is what makes or breaks pop and their sophomore effort Contra only continues to highlight the profound song writing skill of front man Ezra Koenig. The album kicks off with the "Horchata" which introduces us to an evolved Vampire Weekend sound that builds upon the squeaky clean aesthetic of their first album by adding some synthesizers and drum pads, all without detracting from the intangibles that made the band's debut album so lovable.It is a little disconcerting at first to hear Vampire Weekend rely on all the staples of electronic music that have over-saturated the pop & indie landscapes, but Contra doesn't ever sound like its following any trends. Instead they use their synths and auto-tuned vocals like they were the first ones with the idea, and the result is a refreshing premium blend of sounds and genres that only expands the scope of their pop sensibility. When you look at the equation on paper (preppy indie, afro-beats, auto-tune) it seems like it would be a epic cluster fooey, but the flawless execution and good old fashioned songwriting skill hold the whole mess together. Contra is most certainly a testament to Vampire Weekend's talent, but more importantly it showcases their vision. A mere 12 days in, its reassuring that one of indie's most promising rising stars has stepped into the new decade with their eyes and ears on whats next. Contra is a perfect transition album from the 2000s to the 2010s, as it acknowledges the past but moves gracefully and energetically into the future. If Vampire Weekend has anything to say about it, I think we are in for another decade of great music.
High Point Tracks: "California English", "Cousins", "Giving Up The Gun"
This morning the Dirty Projectors released a free digital single, that you can download by submitting your email address into the box below. Be patient for the email, as it can take a little while for the download link to arrive.
This isn't a great quality video but its still pretty awesome. The first two minutes of the video is the band covering The Cranberries' "Dreams" and it is followed with a incredible performance of "Sleepyhead". Enjoy!
With the exception of my year-end and decade-end lists, I haven't had the time to blog about much of anything in the past month. But just because I wasn't writing about music, doesn't mean I wasn't listening to and buying music like my life depended on it. So here are some quick reviews of some of the jamz I've been into lately. There were a few more albums that I have but haven't been able to give a critical listen to, but as soon as I do, I'll post up some reviews.,
ONE-SENTENCE REVIEWS:
Miike Snow - Miike Snow
Rating: 79/100
The debut album from this indie production trio is easy to digest and has some real moments of true electro-pop genius, but lacks the depth and substance that often separates good albums from great albums.
High Point Tracks: "Animal", "Sylvia", "Cult Logic"
Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster
Rating: 81/100
One of the more refreshing pop albums I've heard in recent years and while it isn't particularly long, Lady Gaga proves that 34 minutes of intelligent, diverse & flawlessly executed pop is all you need to solidify your place at the top of the genre.
High Point Track: "Bad Romance", "Telephone"
Digitalism - Idealism
Rating: 80/100
The best and worst part of Idealism is it's similarity to other, more impressive electro-duos like Daft Punk and Justice, and though Digitalism has a competent grasp on the genre, there is little new ground explored here.
High Point Tracks: "The Pulse", "Jupiter Room", "Zdarlight"
Passion Pit - Chunk of Change EP
Rating: 77/100
While the bands debut LP was my favorite album of 2009, the Chunk of Change EP lacks the energy and polish of Manners; it is however, redeemed by the appearance of the always incredible "Sleepyhead".
High Point Tracks: "Sleepyhead", "I've Got Your Number"
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Rating: 86/100
Somehow TPOBPAH was able to take the worn out sound of fuzzy 90's low-fi indie and make it sound current, which is truly a testament to the band's songwriting prowess and aesthetic finesse.
High Point Track: "Young Adult Friction", "Everything With You"
Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
Rating: 88/100
Psychic Chasms is a weird, dancey, drug-induced trip that reveals more of its character with every listen; the end result is one of the most strange, interesting and fun albums of the year.
High Point Track: "Deadbeat Summer", "I Should Have Taken Acid With You", "Psychic Chasms"
The Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Rating: 90/100
This album is a bizarre combination of Zeppelin style guitar rock, indie freak folk and avant-guard pop, and when it comes together the result is so immensely satisfying that I am left wondering how no one else thought to make an album like this before now.
High Point Track: "Stillness Is The Move", "Temecula Sunrise", "Useful Chamber"
So in 2009 the economy was crap, the environment melted, the Phoenix Suns didn't make the playoffs, and half of all celebrities died. But musically speaking, it was a pretty rockin turn through the ol' calendar. Heres my favorite music from the past year:
TOP ALBUMS of 2009
15. Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Pains of Being Pure at Heart
14. Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
13. Eminem - Relapse
12. Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
11. Morrissey - Years of Refusal
10. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
9. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
8. The Decemberists - Hazards of Love
7. Drake - So Far Gone
6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Its Blitz!
5. The xx - xx
4. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
3. Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3
2. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
1. Passion Pit - Manners
Honorable Mentions:
Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of the Day
U2 - No Line On The Horizon
Dave Matthews Band - Big Whiskey and the Gru Grux King
Flaming Lips - Embryonic
Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster
TOP SONGS of 2009
25. "I'm On A Boat" - The Lonely Island
24. "Tik Tok" -Ke$ha
23. "Telephone" - Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce
22. "Forever"Drake ft. Lil Wayne, Kanye West & Eminem -
21. "Rome" - Phoenix
20. "Alive (Nightmare)" - Kid Cudi ft. Ratatat
19. "Zero" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
18. "Run This Town" - Jay-Z ft. Kanye West & Rihanna
17. "Heart Skipped A Beat" - The xx
16. "City Lights" - Method Man and Red Man ft. Bun B
15. "D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)" - Jay-Z
14. "Bad Romance" - Lady Gaga
13. "Moth's Wings" - Passion Pit
12. "Magnificent" - U2
11. "Blood Bank" - Bon Iver
10. "Its Not Your Birthday Anymore" - Morrissey
9. "Uptown" - Drake ft. Lil Wayne & Bun B
8. "Daniel" - Bat For Lashes
7. "Audacity of Huge" - Simian Mobile Disco ft. Chis Keating
6. "Heads Will Roll" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5. "Evacuate The Dancefloor" - Cascada
4. "Little Secrets" - Passion Pit
3. "1901" - Phoenix
2. "My Girls" - Animal Collective
1. "Empire State of Mind" - Jay-Z
LAST.FM MOST PLAYED ARTIST of 2009
10. Eminem
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs
8. Lil Wayne
7. Drake
6. Fleet Foxes
5. U2
4. Animal Collective
3. Kid Cudi
2. Radiohead
1. Jay-Z
In related news, we just ended a decade so here is my favorite music from the past decade:
TOP ALBUMS of the 2000s:
15. Kanye West - The College Dropout
14. Justice - Cross
13. Jay-Z - The Blueprint
12. Stars - Set Yourself On Fire
11. Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism
10. Passion Pit - Manners
9. Sufjan Stevens - Come On Feel The Illionoise!
8. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People
7. The National - Boxer
6. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake Its Morning
5. Radiohead - Kid A
4. The Postal Service - Give Up
3. The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America
2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
1. Arcade Fire - Funeral
Honorable Mentions:
Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
The White Stripes - Elephant
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Girl Talk - Night Ripper
TOP SONGS of the 2000s:
25. "Apartment Story" - The National
24. "Live Your Life" - T.I. ft. Rihanna
23. "Does He Love You" - Rilo Kiley
22. "When You Were Young" - The Killers
21. "Beautiful Day" - U2
20. "Sleepyhead" - Passion Pit
19. "Do You Realize??" - The Flaming Lips
18. "Wolf Like Me" - TV On The Radio
17. "Come Pick Me Up" - Ryan Adams
16. "Atlas" - Battles
15. "Fell In Love With A Girl" - The White Stripes
14. "99 Problems" - Jay-Z
13. "My Girls" - Animal Collective
12. "Kids" - MGMT
11. "Empire State of Mind" - Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys
10. "The Funeral" - Band of Horses
9. "All My Friends" - LCD Soundsystem
8. "Stronger" - Kanye West
7. "Crazy" - Gnarls Barkley
6. "Paper Planes" - M.I.A.
5. "Digital Love" - Daft Punk
4. "Maps" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3. "Rebellion (Lies)" - Arcade Fire
2. "Such Great Heights" - The Postal Service
1. "Reckoner" - Radiohead
TOP ARTISTS of 2000s:
10. Jack White (The White Stripes/The Raconteurs/The Dead Weather)
9. Wilco
8. Death Cab For Cutie
7. Daft Punk
6. The National
5. The Hold Steady
4. Arcade Fire
3. Jay-Z
2. Kanye West
1. Radiohead
Its been a hell of a decade, but now its on to the next one...
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