Long Time No Post

I'd like to apologize to my 3-5 readers out there.....you know who you are. I haven't been a very responsible blogger lately. I've been busy with work and havent been able to set aside time for a post.

So what I have been listening too? Some good stuff. A band that I still cant get enough of (even since my last post) is The Joggers. I'm trying to ween myself off of them but nothing is working. Their album has been a sta ple while traveling and while squeezing some time in for an occaisonal run. Their drummer is a bad ass, and both guitar players are always doing something unique on each song. Give the song below a listen, it should rock your socks off....if you're wearing socks. Otherwise, it will make you want to twist the night away.












Right Click, Save As Target to Download
The Joggers-Since Youre Already Up.mp3








I also heard a few weeks ago the The Helio Sequence just finished their new album and currently has a release date of January 28th '08. It should be a good album to shake off some "holiday lbs" too. Below is the Harmonica Song from 2004's Love and Distance. You gotta love the "Life is a Highway-esque" (Tim Cochran) Harmonica Solo. Hopefully it will bring a smile to your face.












Right Click, Save As Target to Download
The Helio Sequence- Harmonica Song.mp3





Also, how much has Apple spent on the Nano spots??? "1234" by Feist seems like its been playing in every commercial block...to the point that it kind of takes the focus off the product. However, I've heard of lot of people ask the question: "whats that song in the new Nano commercial?". I would be willing to guess that there isnt a large spike in Nano sales just yet, but I would be interested to know how many times this song has been downloaded on Itunes? Maybe its to drive traffic to Itunes now, and by the time Christmas comes around, those kids (without Ipods) are nagging about wanting to take their music with them. Look who just solved the Apple model....or completely bombed in trying to do so.



Right Click, Save As Target to Download
Feist-1234.mp3


Either way, I do like this song but as whole, I'm just "so so" on Feist. I think she has a beautiful voice but I have to be in a very, very mellow mood to get into it. I like her more when shes with Broken Social Scene. If you havent downloaded it yet give it a listen up above.

As always..buy these albums if you like the songs....they're just samples, baby. (disclaimer).

Joggers

I love finding something unexpected that takes you by surpsise. Its a Breath of Fresh Air. for a few moments I feel like I've uncovered something know one else knows about. Then, minutes later I remember its not 1999. Nowadays, the second any artist releases an MP3 the entire album has been leaked, people have already reviewed the album, and its old news. Many of the music blogs I (admitedly) visit are like this.

I'm over the constant knowing of bands that arent known by anyone yet. It becomes more of a quanity vs. quality thing. That, and I have less free time than I used to. I've been trying to only focus on stuff that actually make my ears light up.

Last night I came across a band I'd never heard of via myspace. Its the Joggers. What grabbed my attention was the intricate guitar but the way they're were able to keep an upbeat, poppy sound.






I'm sure you can tell by these pics?

Give these songs a listen. The first is off their latest album (2005) With a Cape and a Cane. The second is a Yes cover. The third is a live song that I dont know the name of.

Joggers: White Madam.mp3

Joggers: Long Distance Runaround.mp3

Joggers: New Song (Live).mp3

Sluggish Sunday

I refrained from using Lazy Sunday but really thought about it.

Some very good friends are moving to NYC on Monday and last night was their going away party and I couldnt be more excited for them. At the party, we all stayed up pretty late had several drinks and had a great time. It's 2:45pm on a Sunday and this is the first time I've done anything productive. Just wanted to post a song I thought was fitting because -

A.) Its from the Walkmen, a NYC band.

B.) This song sounds like a Bob Dylan song (pretty sure Jason is a Bob Dylan fan).

The Walkmen - Another One Goes By.mp3

All the best of luck to you guys. If ever in doubt of what to say when walking around the big city...just use - "I'm Walkin here!"

Planet of Ice

The new album from Minus the Bear came out yesterday. Gotta say it, MTB is one of my favorite bands out there. They became one of my most recent favorites after their 2005 album, Menos el Oso. I had a few songs from 2004's - They Make Beer Commercials Like This but something about Menos sparked something, it opened up something so fresh for me. They're heavy on the guitar taps and sequencing but they do it in very, very a beautiful way.

So, the new album?

I've listened to it several times and I LOVE it. But really, I enjoy most if not everything this band does. With Planet of Ice I think they took some chances and stepped out of their norm. Yes, this album has its share of mathmetical / tempo changing which is what they do well....but on this one they calmed things down a bit and even threw in a little of the "classic rockesque" guitar. Oh and by the way, I've never been a huge guitar guy but Dave Knudson to me sounds like he could be one of the most talented guitar players out there right now. Guitar folks, please tell me if I'm wrong there?

I really didnt know what songs to sample here, I chose Knights which has the familar sound and Dr. L Ling which is a little more guitar heavy. I think this new album will entice fans new and old. Check it (Snapping my fingers)

Right Click, Save as to Download

Minus the Bear - Knights.mp3

Minus the Bear - Dr. L'Ling.mp3

Hot Fuzz

Last night my wife and I watched Hot Fuzz on video. We had seen this in theatres earlier in the summer but loved it so much we had to see it again. I think I'm about ready to claim Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright as my favorite comedy duo of the '00's strictly because of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz alone. Back to HF, I'm already a sucker for Point Break, Lethal Weapon, Alien Nation, and just about any other buddy cop movie out there. Well, almost any buddy-cop movie. I'm sure there are a few that might be buddy cop "turds".

The reason Hot Fuzz is so good is because its able to do 3 things well

1.) Make an action packed buddy cop movie

2.) Spoof a buddy cop movie

3.) Make a very funny movie

Shaun of the dead was able to do the same thing. Yes it was a spoof, but it was also action packed, a little scary, and sad. So, go home rent the movie, watch the movie and give it some thought. Another good thing about this movie is the soundtrack (Nice Segue). One of the first songs I heard reminded me of an old favorite from high school, Jon Spencer. It had been a while since I'd listened to them. The Eels and the Kinks are also featured.

I dont own the song from the movie so i couldnt post, but I have posted two songs from The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion '94 album, Orange. I never have seen this group live but it seems like it would be out of control.

Give these songs a listen, you will either love it or hate it.

Right Click and Save As to Download

Ditch mp3

Full Grown mp3

The Last Little Life - EP

One of my first posts ever was about the new Rentals EP coming out soon. Well, its been out for a few weeks now so thought I could touch on that a little more. The EP is only 4 songs, so it doesnt take long to get through. The first song (Last Romantic Day) is so, so and reminded me of where they left off....with Seven More Minutes (their second album), which is a little less synthesizer and a little more mature. Mature isnt always a good thing.

The second track "Little Bit of You in Everything" is much better (in my opinion) and reminds me of the first Rentals album that I know and love so much. However, I think my favorite song so far is "Life Without a Brain" (track 3) which also sounds like Return of the Rentals.

Not sure how much you can read into an EP which has 4 songs, but I like 2 of the 4 very much. Hopefully a full fledge album will be out soon.

Below is the video for "Waiting". Great song.

You may notice Maya Rudolph (from SNL) in this video. Hint-Green Sweater. She was briefly in the band as a keyboard player and vocalist.

Here is a new track from the EP and an older tune.

The old tune is the demo of "Waiting". It's a little rough but its still good.

Right Click, and Save As to Download

Rentals - Little Bit of You in Everything (mp3)

Rentals - Waiting (mp3)

Roy Rules!

I try to post music only topics but I just cant right now.
I know this is old but I came across it today and I love it. Its kind of like a music video I guess.









I hope you enjoyed.

Here is something Roy-like.


Right Click, and Save as to Download
Royksopp - Sparks mp3