Real Estate

I'm really liking the jingle jangle of this guitar…on this Thanksgive Eve.
Meet Real Estate out of New Jersey.

This foursome sings songs about the Jersey shores, Pensacola shores also known as the redneck Riviera. They sing about rolexes getting lost in the sand. All the things we go through in our childhood, yet my memories include a Timex, Casio (or maybe a Swatch in my rolling in the dollar years) getting lost in dirt or weeds. Either way, I enjoy their songs very much. Reminds me a little of Holiday Shores and a little of Surfer Blood who I also really like.

Listen to the songs below by Real Estate, the first is off their self titled 7”. The second is off their full length album (titled Real Estate) which just came out last week. Oh yeah…. The band name seems way too familiar…I’m not sure why, but I guess if they like it that’s all that matters.

Real Estate - Old Folks mp3
Real Estate - Beach Comber mp3

The Flaming Lips

Embryonic will be released on 10/13...

The Flaming Lips have always been a staple when it comes to modern day music and one of my personal favorite bands. I'm always also proud to point out this magnificent group is from my hometown...which is OKC. LOVE that.

I love Wayne C. because he has always done what he and the Lips wanted to do even though it may have taken years and years to become what everyone is willing to love. They kept playing and playing and have become what most indie / rock bands aspire to become.
Do what you love.

Two Songs off the new album. Buy it ALL on 10/13
See the Leaves.mp3
Silver Trembling Hands.mp3

Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer

Blitzen Trapper's 2008 "Furr" is a great album, it combines folk, rock and a nice layer of soothing keyboards. Their sound reminds me of the photo above... when i listen i see images of cowboys in space or scenes from the movie West World (yes the one with Yul Brenner).

Luckily we can picture more of these images as Blitzen Trapper recently released a 7 song EP titled from the single- "Black River Killer".

Total of 6 previously unreleased songs (tour CD only).

Love these guys.
Here are my two favorite songs from the new album..

Big Black Bird.mp3
Preacher's Sisters Brother.mp3

Grizzly Bear meets Michael McDonald

I love Pizza and I love wedding cake. I could potentially eat pizza daily if forced to and I probably like wedding cake more than most folks. I often think about wedding cake for dessert even when weddings are not anywhere in the near future. I also love Nachos and I love Crème Brulee, I sometimes think about making a monster plate of nachos (using an entire bag of chips) at my house while I watch TV, and at other times I think about being able to make a delicious Crème Brulee, with the crusty burnt coating on top. I currently do not own one of those little torches, but will put on my "to purchase list".
I could carry on all day about my favorite entrees vs. desserts….

Here is the thing; I like these things completely separate from one another. I don’t like my wedding cake icing on top of my pizza. I don’t want to dip my nachos in my crème brulee. For one, my chip would not be able to penetrate that crispy carmel coating, but mainly it’s because I don’t like the combination of the two tastes together. It’s unsettling, its awkward, and I dont think those tastes belong together (Kettle corn on the other hand is a completely different story)

The unsettling taste of mixing salty and sweet foods together is how I feel about Michael McDonald singing with Grizzly Bear on “While You Wait for the Others” from 2009’s Veckatimest. Those that know me know I have a strange love for Michael McDonald. Part of it is probably some reminiscence of my childhood, but the other part is pure enjoyment. I even listed McDonald's “Sweet Freedom” as my favorite song from 1986. Some find his voice painful and nothing short of music only to be played when riding an elevator, but I truly do find pleasure in his work.

Grizzly Bear, in my opinion, has released one of the best albums of the year. I cannot get enough of them. When I heard McDonald was singing this song I thought it was a joke, but then I purchased the EP and sure enough, it’s the real McDonald. I have to give it a few more listens to see where I will finally land on this. Either way I can say I applaud GB for going for it and experimenting with such a genre opposite artist.


Next, I want to hear Grizzly Bear cover Sweet Freedom or maybe a Genesis song…say “No Reply at All” off of Abacab.

Here is the song for streaming pleasure -
Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others feat. Michael McDonald.mp3
Also, a Grizzly Bear (sans Polar Bear) -
Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
And a McDonald (without Grizzly Bear) -
Michael McDonald - Sweet Freedom.mp3

Holiday Shores

What do you think of when you hear Holiday Shores? Do you think of sandy beaches along a Northeastern coastline? Do you think of 50's style bathing suits or a boardwalk with roller coasters? Are there Beach Balls and images of coneys floating in your head? Maybe Cape Cod or a small beach community in Maine.

These are the things i used to think. But now when i hear the name Holiday Shores I think of of a jangly poppy guitar with distorted 60's style keys. I think of worry free timing and rough yet easy listening vocals. However, I will always continue to follow-up these thoughts with coneys.

This 5 piece band calls Tallahassee, FL home which was somewhat surprising when I first read just because no other band that I recall was from Tallahassee, but really good music can come from anywhere. Their new 10 track album "Columbus'd the Whim" was released on August, 4th. At times its a very familiar sound, but its also not really directly comparable to another band either. As mentioned above the style is reminiscent of the 60's low fidelity type of sound. I would definitely encourage people to buy this album. I can easily see this being on some "best of '09" lists.

The summer is still among us for at least a few more weeks, so relax, flip on the bbq and enjoy the remaining sunny days while you can with the Holiday Shores.

Below are three songs off the new album which you can stream. Listen and remember to purchase. available via Itunes.

Holiday Shores - Days Drag.mp3

Holiday Shores - Phones Don't Feud.mp3

Holiday Shores - Bradley Bear.mp3

Fleet Foxes (revisited)

2008 was quite a year for the Fleet Foxes, they were part of the folk / indie explosion which i love. I was suddenly reminded of their beauty this past weekend while doing some outdoor painting. Thats right...painting outdoors. Manly work...I mean real manly stuff. I'm talking- sweat was on the brim, had to have a cold beer to cool me off, shirt off cause I'm in the backyard where the neighbors cant see me, type of work. Anyway, the ipod was on shuffle and the Double F's came on (Fleet Foxes)

The song that came on wasnt from their 2008 album. The song i heard was "She Got Dressed" off their 2006 EP. Its a very good EP and...it actually made me think of "In the Hot, Hot Rays" off the same album and how appropriate that song was for the current outdoor painting situation. So, i decided to listen to the entire album and was surpised by how much i love it...to me its completely different than their 2008 breakthrough.

It seems to be a bit more Rockin' (if thats an appropriate word to use with the Fleet Foxes) or maybe its just more jammin'?

This six song EP isnt available on Itunes and i dont know exactly how i have a copy, but its definitely worth tracking down.

Here are two songs from Fleet Foxes 2006 EP

Fleet Foxes - She Got Dressed (mp3)
Fleet Foxes - In the Hot, Hot Rays (mp3)

We Are Country Mice

We are Country Mice formed in Brooklyn just a very short time ago, but hearing WACM perform live you would think they've been playing and writing together for years.  Last night I had the pleasure of seeing WACM in Kansas City (Davey's Uptown) which was their 2nd stop of their midwest tour.  Not that any band should be described, but  here I go...I would say they're classic rock & roll meets a rodeo.  Or Imagine Neil Young bumping into Wayne Coyne at a bbq joint, followed by a hug, a slab of ribs, ice cold margaritas under the stars on a park bench out back.   However, just typing a bbq situation or Rock & Roll meets a Rodeo isn't fair, because they're much more than those things.  They have something all of their own which needs to be seen and heard individually to grasp.  

I should also say, I not only had pleasure of getting to watch a great band, but I was also lucky enough to hang out with who I consider two very good friends and experience them doing something they love and do very well.  

I will continue to post about WACM as they continue to play and create.   

We are Country Mice have 7" titled "Make Your Own Damn Fun" available through Insound, but copies are limited.  Purchase HERE

AND, For any music lovers in Chicago this evening.  Check WACM out at Cals.

Then Sunday they will be in Madison, WI at the Frequency.

After that they will be back home in NY and will be the a resident band at Pianos each Thursday night for the month of September

You can listen to both songs at their myspace page.  And of the two songs is available here for your listening pleasure. 

Ballad of John.  

We Are Country Mice - Ballad of John (mp3)

Deerhunter- Rainwater Cassette Exchange

It’s only a five song EP, but the punch it packs is harder than an asphalt sandwich.
The opening title track bounces in and out like a beach ball in the Atlantic. Disappearing Ink is a more up tempo and a jarring bass line. My personal favorite off the 15 minute album is the fun yet ghostly whimpering Famous Last Words. Kind of repetitive, but it makes the song so appealing. Game of Diamonds may be the Debbie downer of the 5 songs, but it’s still good. It’s just a little slower but a nice segue to Circulation which jumps right on track with the first three songs.

Listen…buy, etc.

Deerhunter- Circulation.mp3

Deerhunter- Famous Last Words.mp3

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

I am really enjoying the new Grizzly Bear album this on this beautiful Saturday. Just got it this morning and have listened to it three times. This is a band that is able to take 50'sish music and make the hair on my neck stand. Truly timeless. I dont play guitar, but if i did i would want it to sound like this. Its beautiful. The stands out for me are "Two Weeks", "While You Wait for the Others", "Ready, Able" and "About Face", but they're all extremely great and the standouts could change as i continue to listen. I thought Yellow House was a good album, but wasnt crazy about it like i know others were. I'll definitely be going back listen.

Buy the album. Two tracks to wet the appetite

TBY denim!

Grizzly Bear- Two Weeks.mp3


Grizzly Bear- While You Wait for the Others.mp3

Mason Proper - Olly Oxen Free

From point A to point B and back again. Olly Oxen Free, will take you for a ride unlike most indie rock albums.

The beats are big in wonderful combination with a jarring and eerie guitar moving along a slippery ledge. On one side darkness and the other side freedom from creative restraint. Each song finds the band's feet slipping from one side to the other.

There is no lack of imagination in this effort offering a lot of abstract thoughts ranging from the thought of devolving through reincarnation to extraterrestrial evil plots but somehow you’ll find it relevant.

The band’s earlier releases are great as well wielding a much harder edge. Check out their myspace page for the insanely creative cover “Love Lockdown Gets Innocuous,” which combines LCD Soundsystem and Kanye West. http://www.myspace.com/masonproper

You can listen to the full Olly Oxen Free album on a another blog here: http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/2008/09/breakdown-listening-party-mason-proper.html

Band site: http://masonproper.com/

 

  

Deep Sea Diver

I've been wanting to post a few songs from this group out of Southern California, Deep Sea Diver. The group is led by Jessica Dobson (who played guitar in Beck's Modern Guilt tour). Jessica pictured above.

I saw Beck play at the Uptown theatre in Kansas City last Fall and wondered who the talented guitar / backup singer might be. I was happy to discover she had her own group out of Long Beach who i like oh so much. The EP is excellent and I cant wait to hear the full length.

Listen to New Caves and Hangin' On.
The Full EP is available via Pay Pal at the Deep Sea Diver MySpace Page

Deep Sea Diver- New Caves.mp3

Deep Sea Diver- Hangin' On.mp3

Friday Song - Apollo Sunshine

Today's song is brought to you by Apollo Sunshine. I heard it this morning and it reminded me that have to by this entire album. I have several songs from 2008's "Shall Noise Upon" but have to purchase all songs.

I wish it was Spring weather vs. Cold, wet, rainy stay inside weather. This song makes me want to be outdoors. Excellent.

Give this song a listen...you won't be angry.



Apollo Sunshine- Singing to the Earth (To Thank Her For You).mp3

Phoenix

The French pop indie rockers are at it again, the band I speak of is Phoenix. Their new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is scheduled for a May release but almost the entire album has been leaked and can be found on almost any music blog. I'm a fan of Phoenix. I always know what I'm in for with them...its poppy, happy, pretty songs. Timeless summertime rock, is what i like to call it.

I liked their first album United, I was luke warm with Alphabetical, but really liked 2006's It's Never Been Like That and have been anticipating a new release by these Frenchies....oh side note, the lead singer is married to Sofia Coppola (The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette)....that seems to be a point of reference you'll find on all the other blogs. Phoenix did some work with Air which did the score for Sofia's first movie....i wonder if thats how they met?

The current Track listing is below.


"Lisztomania" (4:01)
"1901" (3:13)
"Fences" (3:43)
"Love Like a Sunset" (7:30)
"Lasso" (2:47)
"Rome" (4:37)
"Countdown" (3:55)
"Girlfriend" (3:24)
"Armistice" (3:04)

Here are two songs from the new album that i really enjoy and remember who coined the phrase Timeless summertime rock...
Phoenix- 1901.mp3

Phoenix- Armistace.mp3

Pree

The Kora Records sent over an Mp3 from their next album release which is from a band named Pree. I was immediatley interested in this song only after a few seconds of hitting play.

Below is The Kora Record's write up/background on the band and also is the MP3 below. You'll see references below about Modest Mouse/Isaac Brock..and i hear a little of that especially 2002's Sharpen your Teeth from Ugly Cassanova.

Pree, led by May Tabol (formerly of Le Loup) emerged onto the DC music scene
with a string of compelling and intimate shows during the summer of 2008. Pree's
musical prowess evokes seductive and shadowy moods that call to mind Regina
Spektor's imaginative narratives as well as Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock's
rhythmic vocal stylings-- mixing haunting folk elements, unmistakable vocals,
and a remarkable command of words to elicit a fare as delicate as it is
powerful.

Pree's debut album explores the dangers of building concrete walls
around intangible thoughts and impulses-- walls ultimately unable to house the
complex individuals they seek to shape, limit and define. Speaking through
characters with fractured personalities and questionable motives, A Chopping
Block examines the chaotic and often destructive relationships that take root
when individual fails to adopt cohesive and socially acceptable identities--
raising the question of whether social boundaries will ever be able to quantify
and contain any force as powerful and unstable, and as beautiful and reckless as
the human psyche.

http://www.thekorarecords.com/sounds/intheparlor.mp3

Brother Sport

One of my favorite songs of January thus far....

I'm in no way going to claim this the album of the year but i really really like this song.

"MATT!"

I would like to have a better understanding of exactly what the song is about. I have several thoughts / theories about what it could be about, but just give it a listen.

Brother Sport. mp3

Best of 2008 (Mix)

I'd like to make a little list of my favorite tracks of '08. You could look at these tracks and also maybe make the assumption that these are my favorite albums, you might be right but I dont want to confirm one way or the other.....See, I like to keep the readers guessing. It keeps them coming back to GBS, but thats blogging 101.

Time to get serious though, I shouldve posted this mix about 17 days ago but have been busy trying to feel out '09. Trying to just dip my toes in to see what the temparture is like, just a small sample of '09....a starter plate if you will before I take off the robe and jump right in. Well, so far i think its going to be a good one....so lets all jump in the '09 pool. But first, before we take the plunge lets take a moment (or 53 minutes and 39 seconds) to listen to my favorite songs (maybe albums of '08) streaming in white box to the left. Oh, and if you really like how the list looks or sounds, I have a zip file i could send.....just lemme know.

Some of these are consitent with other "Best of lists" but i tried to choose my true favorites and leave it at that. Have fun and let me know what your favortite songs of '08 are. These are not ranked as favorites but in order of how i thought they sounded best.
1. Beck - Orphans, Modern Guit

2. Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened, Microcastle

3. Department of Eagles - Teenagers, In Ear Park

4. Dr. Dog - My Friend, Fate

5. Blitzen Trapper - Sleeytime in the Western World, Furr

6. Ra Ra Riot - Oh La, The Rhumb Line

7. David Byrne and Brian Eno - Strange Overtones, Everything that Happens Will Happen Today

8. TV on the Radio - Dancing Choose, Dear Science

9. MGMT - Electric Feel, Oracular Spectacular


10. The Sea and Cake - On a Letter, Car Alarm


11. Stereolab, Vally Hi!, Chemical Chords


12. The Helio Sequence - Back to This, Keep your Eyes Ahead


13. The Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal, Fleet Foxes


14. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks- Cold Son, Real Emotional Trash


15. White Denim- Sitting, Workout Holiday