Fleet Foxes

I didnt want to like this band, I had heard so much about them and thought it was a bunch of Pitchfork leg humpers claiming they had found the holy grail. I had tried to listen to them once before, but I was either in the wrong mindset or just not listening properly. It happens from time to time, but I gave it another try and I do really like this album.

It's folky, wolf snuggling, mountain climbing (not in a North Face kind of way), tree hugging and Fox tickelingly good. Robin Peckhold is a great songwriter and has a great voice and when the harmonies kick in this band sounds a little like My Morning Jacket at times. I wouldnt say their music sounds much like that as its more of rugged classical jamboree.
Excellent write up from NPR (does this band more justice than my post) and full live concert if you have time right HERE

These guys are currenty on tour and a few shows with Wilco. Unfortunatley, no KC tour dates in the near future scheduled.

Streaming are a few songs off their self-titled album. They are-
"He Doesnt Know Why"
"Ragged Wood"
"White Winter Hymnal"



Tour Dates / Shows
Aug 4 2008
11:30P
CBS’s Late Show with David Letterman playing Blue Ridge Mtns. What. The. Fuck.
Sell-outsburg, NY
Aug 7 2008
8:00P
HALDERN POP FEST
REES-HALDERN, GERMANY
Aug 8 2008
8:00P
OYA FESTIVAL - HOMELAND BECKONS
OSLO, NORWAY, Oslo
Aug 9 2008
8:00P
WAY OUT WEST FEST! CONFIDENTIAL TO DUNGEN - PUT OUT A NEW RECORD ALREADY
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN
Aug 10 2008
8:00P
BEATDAY OH-EIGHT
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Aug 18 2008
8:00P
RED BUTTE GARDEN W/ WILCO !!!!! (WTF?????)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
Aug 20 2008
8:00P
EAGLE KNOLL WINERY w/ WILCO (How did we get here, seriously, what is going on)
BOISE, ID
Aug 21 2008
8:00P
INB ARTS CENTER W/ WILCO !!! (Still flabbergasted)
SPOKANE, WA
Aug 23 2008
8:00P
LES SCHWAB AMPHITHEATER W / WILCO !!!! (Shock, disbelief)
BEND, OREGON
Sep 6 2008
8:00P
CRYSTAL BALLROOM - MUSICFEST NW W/ BLITZEN TRAPPER
PDX, OR
Sep 17 2008
8:00P
Back ’round the US of A
Americatown
Sep 21 2008
8:00P
TREASURE ISLAND FEST
SAN FRAN, CA
Oct 24 2008
8:00P
Coming back to UK & EU!
Old world
Oct 28 2008
8:00P
THE WATERFRONT W/ J TILLMAN
NORWICH, UK
Oct 29 2008
8:00P
UNION W/ J TILLMAN
SHEFFIELD, UK
Oct 30 2008
8:00P
UNIVERSITY ANSON ROOMS W/ J TILLMAN
BRISTOL, UK
Oct 31 2008
8:00P
SPACE TWO W/ J TILLMAN
BIRMINGHAM, UK
Nov 2 2008
8:00P
TRENT UNI W/ J TILLMAN
NOTTINGHAM UK
Nov 5 2008
8:00P
SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE W/ J TILLMAN * SOLD OUT *
LONDON, UK
Nov 7 2008
8:00P
VICAR STREET W/ J TILLMAN
DUBLIN, IRELAND
Nov 8 2008
8:00P
ABC W/ J TILLMAN
GLASGOW, SCOTS
Nov 9 2008
8:00P
THEE ACADEMY W/ J TILLMAN
MANCHESTER, UK
Nov 10 2008
8:00P
SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE W/ J TILLMAN
LONDONTOWN, UK
Nov 11 2008
8:00P
JUNCTION W/ J TILLMAN
CAMBRIDGE, UK
Nov 12 2008
8:00P
More dates abroad to follow.
Pangaea

Maps and Atlases

Maps and Atlases released a 5 song EP earlier this month titled "You and Me and the Mounatain" and I wish it would've been an LP. I get that EP's are extended singles but with a band like M&A I want more.

Their 2006 debut album "Trees, Swallows, Houses" is progressive and a little Math Rock but the songs still have that human feel which is hard to achieve when you're playing songs as "Mathy" or as structured as theirs. Maps and Atlases play songs that are technical yet organic which is what the band set out to do when they joined, I think their debut and the new EP represents this very well.

The new album is a bit poppier which is good and Dave Davison vocals sound much better than I remember. Now I'm excited to here more from this young, talented, "mathy" group. Sp, bring on the LP and the kick ass math equations....I have a bad ass calculator and I'm adequate at Excel.













Here is the band playing live- "Everyplace is a House" from '06 Trees, Swallaws, Houses. Its not the most amazing live performance and as you'll see his voice is a little off/weak at times but the music is so good its forgivable.



Here is that song via M&A web, there are also two new tracks and two old (including this one) streaming in the white box.......yes!
Maps and Atlases- Everyplace Is a House.mp3

Blitzen Trapper

Wild Mountain Nation would probably be filed under one of the best of '07 if I had listened sooner. Here is a video from that album (same name) and a couple off this album are streaming to the box in the top right.

I love the classic rock feel of this song.

Friday Songs...

Apparently I'm a mix addict as of late. A real mixer of songs, if you will.

I dont know if they're truly mixtapes since they're not full length, but rather than bore the few readers out there and myself with a full 10-12 mix, i think its good to keep it to 5-7 songs. Since its a summer Friday I thought it would be good to post some easy going songs, a few ambient ones, and a few that are good for a Friday / Saturday summer day. Give it a listen. These 6 songs will be in the top white box to the Right...and there are still 3 Beck tracks off the new album below this mix (now a total of 4 if you look real hard).

Back to work for me.

1. Blonde Redhead- Silently
This album (23) is one of the best of 2007 and I wish I would've talked about it more but its never too late I guess.

2. The Republic Tigers- Made Concrete
I was late to game on this group. I'd heard about them but just never was grabbed by them until a friend who's musical taste i really respect pointed them out. After listening to the full album I was convinced. These guys are just another example of the great (and often times verlooked) talent in Kansas City / Lawrence. Such a great pool of talent here.

3. Francis International Airport- Words on Logs
Just a download earlier in the week from an online banner advertisement. Thats right,the advertisement grabbed my attention. Usually I disregard them but this one looked so organic and legit that I went for it and found a decent song out of it.

4. Ratatat- Bruleè
I got to keep the ambience going and this New York duo will always do that. This is one of their new songs off of LP3. Great album, great band, great song. Try not to smile when this is playing


5. Beck- Orphans
Okay, okay. I'm humping Beck right now...i already blogged about him two days ago but I really like this album and yes this might now fall exactly into the "ambient category" but it at least has its foot in the ambience pool...dont you think?


6. Dr. Dog- Old Days
I'm really into these guys and how they're able to keep a 60's pop but still make it fresh. I dont think they're in no way a 60's rip off band but just fans of that time and very talented.

Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Modern Guilt

Beck's latest album came out yesterday and I've got to say I'm pleasently surprised. I wasnt a monster fan of Guero, in fact liked the 4 Bit-Rate remixes that came out before Guero better than the actual album itself. Modern Gulit grabbed me right away, maybe it was just timing, me looking for a change or something new, but nonetheless it happened. This is an artist that never should seize to amaze, he can really do no wrong. A few of my favorite tracks so far are Youthless and Replica. Youthless is as straight forward of a funky bass line as you can get (i hate using the word "funky" too because, well...its a ridiculous word) but I dont care and I'm not ashamed to say i love the song right now.

Next is Replica, its a little all over the board at first listen but makes complete sense after a couple of listens and actually starts to become "pretty" within all the madness of the crashing bass thumps and bumps. Thats right, I said it...pretty.

Also, i dont want to leave out Gamma Ray, song #2 on the album, it takes me back to the High School days of Odelay mixed with a dash of Mutations.

Check 'em out in the White box to the right.

The Fourth of July

A few songs to get you in the mood to pop some fireworks, grill a couple of hot dogs, and pound some American brew, none of that import crap either.

Happy Fourth of July weekend.

Disclaimer...these songs are not taking the place of the '08 Summer Mix.

All Songs streaming in the White Box (top Right)


1. Summertime- DJ Jazzy & Fresh Prince
2. Summer- Modest Mouse
3. It's Summertime- The Flaming Lips
4. Gorgeous Summer Jogging- Islands
5. Summer Babe- Pavement
6. Summer Days- Phoenix
7. Heavy Metal Drummer- Wilco

Lets not Forget about the French.....revisited

Below is from a post I made last summer around this time. I love this country and am ready to see some major Changes for the better in the next year. Go Obama!

Still want to point out the French thing see...below

On the topic of Independence Day, I thought it would be appropriate to give a shout out to the French. Many people regard the French as being rude or too proud, even folks who have never set foot in the country.

I think this. There are polite people and rude people. Different cultures behave differently, maybe French just keep to themselves a little more. Yes they're are a proud country and they should be. We're a proud country too. Yes, the French do expect visitors to try and speak their language. (that sounds very familiar)

My point is......we should always stay in good company with the French. They were good pals when were trying to become a country. Its partly because of France that we are a country today. They had a Navy, and they defeated the British at the Battle of Chesapeake. The British surrendered at the next battle (Yorktown) because of this.

Sorry about the silly rant. So, what the hell does this have to do with music?

Well, what better way for you to give our French friends a high five then by listening to some French artists. There is no better way.

On a sidenote, I looked and looked for a song by Gerard Depardieu but couldnt find anything. Instead I had to settle for Phoenix, Stereolab, and The French Kicks.

The French Kicks are in no way from France but they have French in their name and I really enjoy them. Besides, you can't give the French all the credit.

Give me some feedback. Did I come on to aggressive?

Phoenix - Summer Days
Stereolab - Les Yper-Sound
The French Kicks - Close to Modern

The French Kicks - So Far We Are

Vanderslice

Really into John Vanderslice today. Particular these two tracks-

Tablespoon of Codeine & The Minaret. Both are beautiful.

Both streaming in white box to the right.

Working on a 4th of July mix...hopefully it will be ready by the 4th.