Tuneage

Tristen - “Matchstick Murder” I love this song. I...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:57:47 -0600

Tristen - “Matchstick Murder”

I love this song. I love this video, which lets us sneak a peak at an indie rock dinner party gone wrong. The adorably charming Tristen is originally from Chicago, but currently resides in Nashville… the perfect place for her to craft her folky twang and vocal harmonies.

If you’re in the NYC area, Tristen will be playing a free show at The Living Room tomorrow night (11/21). Perhaps I’ll see you there!

Beach House - “Norway” The way it starts -...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:56:50 -0600

Beach House - “Norway”

The way it starts - mechanical drum machine hits and organ blast - makes you think that it is just another track off of their self-titled debut. “Get out of 2006, Beach Hou…” But before you finish that thought, the track has exploded. Compared to their somnambulatory jams of years past, this track is Babe Ruth calling his shot in the bottom of the ninth. Phrases like “hazy and ambling,” which once seemed so appropriate for their past work have no place alongside Victoria Legrand’s pant-and-yell chorus routine. The woozy guitars are still firmly in place, and the organ is still the backbone of the track, but the drums have sprung to life and the contrast between the verses, which feel like stretched taffy, and the lush, powerful chorus provide a dynamic which Beach House has never achieved before. This is the sound of a band stepping up its game.

Kyuss - “Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop” The genre of...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:08:00 -0600

Kyuss - “Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop”

The genre of stoner rock probably has a somewhat maligned reputation, by virtue of its misleading name. Certainly, the genre used to be known for its artists and fans being stoners — it’s said that the effects of marijuana complement the music quite well — but there’s no reason anybody can’t enjoy it, provided slow-to-mid tempo, low-tuned guitars, melodic vocals, and a whole lot of bass sounds good to you.

Stoner rock’s influences go right back to the 1960s if you look hard enough, with the likes of Blue Cheer, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Grateful Dead, and Iron Butterfly being notable influencers. But Kyuss are said to have made the first true stoner rock album with “Blues for the Red Sun” in 1992. The release of “Welcome to Sky Valley” (1994) marks their finest point, as far as I’m concerned, and this track is from that album.

The most interesting thing to note about Kyuss, for my money, is the history of its band members. Josh Homme was one of Kyuss’ only continuous members, who of course later went on to form Queens of the Stone Age. That’s the most notable mention, but far from the only one: members of Kyuss at one point or another have been responsible for great bands like Fu Manchu, Eagles of Death Metal, Slo Burn, and Mondo Generator. Stoner rock seems like a fairly incestuous genre in that respect, with a lot of bands sharing members, which is true, but it was also a lot of shared talent, and they’ve been responsible for producing a lot of music that still sounds great today, 17 years after Kyuss started making music, and 14 years after Kyuss broke up.

Fuck Buttons - “Flight of the Feathered...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:44:00 -0600

Fuck Buttons - “Flight of the Feathered Serpent”

Well these guys have stepped their game up! Their 2008 debut Street Horrrsing delivered a nice hypnotic mix of noisy skronk, electronic texture, tribal rhythms and other buzzy signifiers. What makes the band distinctive, of course, is that they are not afraid to get epic—see “Sweet Love for Planet Earth”. Their recent release, Tarot Sport, delivers more of their signature sound, but the approach is streamlined and the band makes greater use of electronic rhythms. The album-closing double whammy of “Space Mountain” and “Flight of the Feathered Serpent” is enthralling—part dance work-out and part noise bliss-out, quite worthy of the epic titles.

Basement Jaxx featuring Lightspeed Champion - “My...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:33:00 -0600

Basement Jaxx featuring Lightspeed Champion - “My Turn”

My new on-repeat track: Lightspeed Champion’s soothingly sad voice combines with Basement Jaxx’s dance rhythms. Like most great cocktails, the combination is even better than the sum of its already wonderful parts. The audio file was too big to post, but hey, just an excuse to share the retro-tastic video.

WWTB Let’s just call this the “Oops, I forgot to...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:05:45 -0600

WWTB

Let’s just call this the “Oops, I forgot to post this yesterday” edition of WWTB.

Annie - Don’t Stop (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)

Gejius - “Makkuro Kurosuke” When you imagine...

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:39:25 -0600

Gejius - “Makkuro Kurosuke”

When you imagine meeting the woman of your dreams and eventually marrying her, you probably don’t imagine a blogging platform, a music blog, and a little-known electro artist from Oregon playing a big part in it, but for me, it did.

Heather and I have a lot to thank Tuneage for. We met on Tumblr — when we started following each other, of course — but it was me asking her to contribute to Tuneage that really gave us the chance to get to know each other.

We got married this weekend, some 11 months after the first time we met, and more than a year since asking Heather to contribute to Tuneage. She visited me in Brighton, and we spent a cold, winter week holed up in my dorm room listening to music, playing Guitar Hero, and just getting to know each other. During that time, Bill posted this song on Tuneage, that both Heather and I immediately loved, and it became “our song.”

I’m reposting it today for her, for me, for Tuneage, and for you guys. If Tuneage hadn’t taken off the way it did, we might never have met. So here’s to many more happy years, for Heather and I, and for Tuneage.

And just to keep this relevant: Gejius released a new album in September called The Last 46:08 of Your Life that you should probably buy.

Rodrigo y Gabriela - “Hanuman” A strange thing...

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:47:00 -0600

Rodrigo y Gabriela - “Hanuman”

A strange thing happened to me this morning. As I was sifting through my unplayed podcasts, something emerged from my speakers that I wasn’t sure I’d ever heard before. It sounded like it rocked, it felt like it rocked, but it was early and I hadn’t yet had a reasonable amount of coffee, so I wasn’t sure my brain could be trusted. I asked a few friends with good music taste if my uncaffeinated brain was playing tricks on me, and as it turns out, I was right; this music rocked.

The rocking music in question is Rodrigo y Gabriela, a Mexican guitar duo with a flair for metal-infused flamenco. Yes, you read that correctly, they basically play acoustic Mexican folk metal. And it rocks. “Hanuman”, the lead-off track to the band’s latest record, 11:11 (which is a collection of 11 songs, each dedicated to a specific artist), is dedicated to Carlos Santana and features some breakneck guitaring with a Santana-esque feel. How could that not rock?

Feist - “I Feel It All (Britt from Spoon Remix)” Leslie Feist...

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:13:49 -0600

Feist - “I Feel It All (Britt from Spoon Remix)”

Leslie Feist writes songs that lend themselves to remixing. So much so that there is an entire album of Feist remixes titled Open Season. One remix that does not appear on that album is the one the Britt Daniels of Spoon did of the Feist song “I Feel it All”.

The wonderful thing about this remix is that nothing is added to the song. If anything Daniels breaks the song down into its simplest form and gives us only what we need. He has taken out the signature guitar part that carries us through the original. Also gone are most of the background vocals and harmonies but you’ll barely notice because you’ll be too focused on the bad ass bass and drums.

For more Britt Daniels fun be sure to check out his version of Interpol’s “Slow Hands”.

Clare and the Reasons - “That’s All” This...

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:46:46 -0600

Clare and the Reasons - “That’s All”

This is the best Genesis cover I’ve ever heard (in my humble opinion, at least). Brooklyn based chamber-pop extraordinaire Clare and the Reasons mix light, airy girlie vocals with fun instrumentation which include brass, strings, and other things to hit. This track, off the recently released “Arrow”, is the follow up to the acclaimed debut EP, “The Movie”.

Additionally, they have an amazing cover of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” on their Myspace. Certainly worth checking out along with “Rodi” and “Pluto.”

Friendly Fires - “Paris” (Aeroplane...

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:46:00 -0600

Friendly Fires - “Paris” (Aeroplane Remix)

I’m big on travel. Traveling is pretty much the only thing I think about anymore. I’ve got an upcoming 8 hour flight to Japan and I’m trying to come up with a traveling playlist for the ride.

My first thought is this amazing remix of Friendly Fires “Paris” which replaces the original vocals with the always beautiful Au Revoir Simone. The original song is a sweet but unremarkable promise to move to France but it becomes an instant party with the heavy Aeroplane synth and the updated vocals.

What suggestions for good traveling songs do you have?

Metric - “Help I’m Alive” (80Kidz...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:02:08 -0600

Metric - “Help I’m Alive” (80Kidz remix)

Just when I thought I was going to have to retire Metric’s wonderful “Help I’m Alive” from my personal playlist due to over-listening, 80Kidz has gone and reworked it into a dancier, equally wonderful version of itself. Brilliance!

Shaboi - “Curse Walk” When someone mentions...

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:08:59 -0500

Shaboi - “Curse Walk”

When someone mentions Halloween music, one song comes to mind: “Monster Mash”. To be fair, that song’s a classic in its own bad, kitschy kind of way, but Halloween music is hardly a booming genre. Perhaps Halloween just isn’t a holiday worth celebrating in song (the way Christmas seems to be), but there’s a certain mood to Halloween that I think makes it a prime candidate for good tuneage.

Thankfully, a few local Nashville-ians felt the same way and put out a short album (start-to-finish, the entire thing is under 20 minutes) with a decidedly Halloween feel. The subject matter stays squarely within the ghoulish and the undead while the music ranges from 8-bit to rap to even a bit of country. If you’re headed to a Halloween party and need some mood-fitting music or you just want to get in the spirit without having to dress like a damn fool, then download your free copy and take it with you. You won’t be disappointed.

Julian Casablancas - ”11th...

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:19:00 -0500

Julian Casablancas - ”11th Dimension”

“Everybody sees me but it’s not that easy/ standing in the light field waiting for some action.” This line, accompanied by what sounds like a 14 year old Iron Maiden freak attempting the Batman theme song on the bass guitar, begins “Juicebox,” the first single released from The Strokes’ First Impressions of Earth. And what was my first impression of First Impressions?

I am never going to listen to this band again.

It’s a claim on which I’ve made good. Knowing that First Impressions exists has been enough for me to turn my back on the truly great Is This It? and it’s very listenable (from what I remember) sister, Room on Fire. Like walking in on your girlfriend and a tearful, naked Glenn Beck in your bedroom, First Impressions was enough to not only dump the band, but burn the photo album filled with memories from that great vacation you took to Honolulu. I have guiltily viewed their recent demise with gleeful spite. My initial reaction to the news that frontman Julian Casablancas was releasing a solo record: scoff. My initial reaction to its title (Phrazes for the Young): a Monty Burns laugh. My initial reaction to its first single, “11th Dimension:” unadulterated awe.

The drums keep the song poppy and light while the synths bounce around in the foreground. The tasteful Strokesy guitars know their place behind Julian, who returns to full-yearning precocious punk mode. The lyrics are still stupid, but I’m dancing too much to care. C’mon girl, I forgive you for the whole Glenn Beck thing. Come back to me. I’ll take you with open arms.

WWTB? Another week of WWTB to empty your...

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:17:00 -0500

Devendra Banhart - What Will We Be

Diamond District - In The Ruff

Hudson Mohawke - Butter

Kam Moye - Splitting Image

Matias Aguayo - Ay Ay Ay

Pylon - Chomp More

Tegan & Sara - Sainthood

WWTB?

Another week of WWTB to empty your wallet….

Devendra Banhart - What Will We Be (buy the CD)
Diamond District - In the Ruff (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)
Hudson Mohawke - Butter (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)
Kam Moye - Splitting Image (buy the MP3s)
Matias Aguayo - Ay Ay Ay (buy the CD)
Pylon - Chomp More (buy the CD/buy the MP3s]
Tegan and Sara - Sainthood (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)

Hudson Mohawke - “No One Could Ever” Hudson...

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:33:52 -0500

Hudson Mohawke - “No One Could Ever”

Hudson Mohawke’s (aka 22-year-old Ross Birchard’s) music glides over notes and rhythms endlessly (Is it any wonder that his debut LP is titled Butter?). It’s difficult to detect where one note begins or where the beat will transition from second to second. He never gives the listener a break and this is a good thing.

On the surface, songs like the rapturous singles “Rising 5” or the short but sweet “No One Could Ever” sound likedensely layered electronic hip-hop tracks. Upon further listening however, it easy to discern that Mohawke is challenging you. One can’t help but think: What exactly is going on here? How did he produce this? Where will it all lead? Listening to one of his songs is different each time as each listen provides something quirkier or stranger or more fascinating to the ear. Mohawke obviously wants this, wants the listener to be engaged with the music beyond a passing interest in an intangible mp3.

Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band -...

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:26:00 -0500

Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - “Express Yourself”

This Charles Wright original is so good that N.W.A. sampled it without using profanity.

The best part is for singing: It’s not what you look like, when you’re doin’ what you’re doin’, it’s what you’re doin’, when you’re doin’ what you look like you’re doin’.

The Whigs - “In The Dark” This is a brand new...

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:16:00 -0500

The Whigs - “In The Dark”

This is a brand new track off of The Whigs’ forthcoming album of the same name, which comes out early January. This song is definitely a departure from the band’s signature blend of southern and indie rock. I’m really digging this ‘new’ sound and look forward to hearing more off In The Dark. Enjoy!

WWTB Right on schedule, here’s what’s worth buying...

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:02:00 -0500

Atlas Sound - Logos

Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport

KoC - Declaration of Dependence

Royce a 5'9" - Street Hop

Spiral Stairs - The Real Feel

WWTB

Right on schedule, here’s what’s worth buying this week.

Atlas Sound - Logos (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)
Fuck Buttons - Tarot Sport (buy the CD)
Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)
Royce da 5’9” - Street Hop (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)
Spiral Stairs - The Real Feel (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)

Big Boi (ft. Gucci Mane) - “Shine...

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:00:37 -0500

Big Boi (ft. Gucci Mane) - “Shine Blockas”

It’s a simple formula, really. Step 1: take an old soul track, find a segment of the song where the singer enthusiastically pronounces a vowel. “Aaaaaaa”s and “Oooooo”s are safe choices - here, Big Boi and Co. went with an “Ohhhh”/ “Ahhhhh” combo. Step 2: Make sure that the sample has piano or melodic percussion - a vibraphone, used here, works fine. Step 3: Add trumpets/ synth pads to fill up the track. Step 4: 808 Kick + Stutter Snare. This step is non-negotiable. Step 5: If the spirit so moves you, rap a little bit.

The formula is far from fail-proof. Turn on your local radio station ending in -Z for a near-continuous stream of exemplary failures. But Big Boi, however, is Big Boi. Unlike his purple-wigged “Hey Ya”-ing ex(?) team-mate, his output is consistently solid, full-sounding, developed, and excellent. When he strips the sample for his second verse and leans back on the organ, Big Boi sounds like a man on top of his game. It lacks the abstract ambition of Stankonia, and the hackneyed piece of misogyny in the beginning is a turn-off, sure, but once the glorious, just-won-the-Peace-Prize groove sets in, it’s all “Shine” and no “Blocka.”