It’s been a long year–exacerbated by a miserable economy, more war, the heightened threat of global warming—so take your mind off it all with the good that happened. Like, for instance, a year full of great music we posted!
A look back at some great music we posted in September and October!
The Revolting Cocks – I’m Not Gay - brings back its own retarded, mutant brand of noise-rock to upturn noses further with its indeterminable-yet-offensive musical stench (a retarded description, though intended affectionately).
Rainbow Arabia – Omar K remix (Ghosts on Tape) - there’s a great deal of the unique in Rainbow Arabia’s new EP, Kabukimono, on which keyboardist Danny Preston and his wife, Tiffany, exploit their respective musical talents to the fullest.
The Slits – Ask Ma- Fans of the band’s eccentric sound should be psyched to learn that nothing much has changed: a mix of everything from dub, reggae, and electronica floods Trapped Animal, and proves once again that The Slits are able to maintain the same cutting edge sound that made them purveyors on the scene three decades ago.
The Penelopes – Gut Feeling - There’s something oddly refreshing at the heart of France dance duo The Penelopes’ brand of twangy, ambient rock n’ roll. Picture the electric Fender reverb of a 1960′s strat mixed with a layer of synth and bubblegum pop dance beats, and you’re only getting a small part of the picture.
Scott Hardkiss – Hey Deejay (Jimmy Edgar remix) - Mixing different styles of electronica, techno, trance, and more, many of Scott Hardkiss’ song titles are both self-explanatory and satirical: Beat Freak encompasses a wide variety of different beats, both percussive and synth-based, while others like The Revolution Has Begun are less genre-bending revelations than catchy, quirky observations on electronic music’s self-indulgent obsession with retro effects.
Pigface – Mercenary (Beijing Mix) – Bringing back the rumbling, distorted white noise sound that made them innovators of industrial, Pigface is one of the few bands that managed to stay relevant in the scene without sounding like charlatans of the genre’s ‘elite’ (i.e., Stabbing Westward and all the other bands which ripped off NIN).
State Radio – State of Georgia (Live Acoustic) – The schizophrenic musical sensibilities that lurk underneath their radio-friendly image will please many and perhaps drive away many others; one need only listen to their new LP Let It Go to get a sense of the band’s diverse musical territory.
The Mary Onettes – Puzzles - The Mary Onettes’ critically acclaimed debut was described as the perfect mix between A-ha and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Now they are back with a grandiose new album. Imagine a Swedish equivalent of The National on a diet of speed, Planet Earth DVDs, and 80′s guitar pop singles and you’ll have a vague idea of how amazing this is.
The Twilight Sad – I Became a Prostitute – Unlike many bands which hail from their home country, one of the most unique aspects of The Twilight Sad is how defiantly lead singer James Graham’s Scottish brogue resonates in the songs, a welcome touch to what deceptively seems like a somewhat Americanized sound. Perhaps it’s also this charm that adds to the witty, stream-of-consciousness prose the band utilizes to surprising effect on their latest album, Forget the Night Ahead.
Burns- First Move- Take a listen to “First Move” and one of the first things you’ll notice is how much the funk-oriented guitar and bass sound of Burns could be something off of Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. It’s this classic-sounding riff which helps provide the underlying theme for the song, which continues for some time before giving way to a serene interlude of thin, piercing synthesizers under a variety of lush and ambient sounds.
A look back at some great music we posted in August!
Black Milk -Give the Drummer Sum – 2008’s Popular Demand proved to be one of the sleeper hip hop gems of the year, seeing the rising star collaborate with legends like Pharoah Monch and others.
The Darlings -Teenage Girl – It’s rare that a band manages to masterfully merge the catchy hooks of yore with that je ne se qua indie sensibility and a bit of proto-punk abrasiveness (remember The MC5?)– but it proves to be a conglomeration of endearing traits which have already helped NYC’s own Darlings garner notoriety outside the city that never sleeps.
Dada Life – Happy Hands and Happy Feet - Happy Hands and Happy Feet (the song and the album) is everything from underground trance, to punk, to the same bizarre artistic revolution that makes up their name.
Cougar – Stay Famous - Where thick, distorted noise-driven guitar/bass meets electronica new and old, turning into a collective of the experimental and just plain mental.
The Rentals – Song of Remembering – Former Weezer bassist Matt Sharp reforms 90s’ hitmakers The Rentals with a vengeance, bent on taking modern rock radio back and injecting a withered pop music scene with some fresh blood.
Brian Glaze of Brian Jonestown Massacre - Bad News – On his second album, Green Living, Brian Jonestown Massacre drummer Brian Glaze cleverly mixes a bit of new wave — think Low and Scary Monsters-era David Bowie; a pinch of Lou Reed — with the poppy-yet-no frills rock of his mainstay outfit.
Bobby Evans and Freakazoid Robots – Them Jeans Remix – Freakazoid Robots simultaneously summons the precision of a contemporary expert DJ, while paying tribute to retro arcade oldies like Millipede, Galaga, and all the forgotten Ballys’ games of yesteryear.
Zaza – Sooner or Later -While associated with their peers in Brooklyn’s recent exploding indie-pop/shoegaze scene, Zaza sonically contrast from their guitar-pop brethren in favor of something darker, more mysterious driven by haunting, ethereal vocals and rolling, cavernous rhythms.
As Tall as Lions – Circles - With You Can’t Take It With You, the band; vocalist-guitarist Dan Nigro, guitarist Saen Fitzgerald, bassist Julio Tavarez and drummer Cliff Sarcona, has made its smartest and most impressive album to date.
Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights – Gypsy Woman – Jumping off the Southern leg of the Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd tour (and definitely influenced by the aforementioned), the band is ready to head into the studio in Nashville to lay down some new material which will be the follow-up project to their 2007 Hot Trottin’.
Photo by Zoetica Ebb
Photo by Joe Gall
A look back at the Top Ten mp3 downloads from the magnificent month of May!
Thunderheist – Nothing 2 Step 2
We Were Promised Jetpacks – Ships with Holes will Sink