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Year end? Not quite.

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So I guess Mookie will be giving you your snazzy year in review. I can still give you a few awesome tracks from this year, though. Some? Are definitely repeats of what’s already been posted, but I won’t assume you’ve been reading this all year. That would be pretty stupid of me.

Before all that? I do want to share another song – not from this year – with you all. As you know, I have been posting a little of the stuff Deerhunter has made. “Disappearing Ink” is definitely amongst my top songs for this year, by the way. Well, from last year’s album Microcastle, Deerhunter released one stellar tune in “Nothing Ever Happened”. The real highlight of the tune is the guitars and then the keyboards within the last minute to minute and a half. Epic shit. Don’t believe me? Take a listen for yourself.

Download Deerhunter – Nothing Ever Happened

So how about those top songs? Well, these aren’t really going to be much different than most of the lists you’d see out there, I’d imagine. First off, I have to say that the best video this year? We Have Band’s “You Came Out” is the clear winner here. In case you haven’t seen it yet? Here it is.

Now, on to what I deem the best tracks of the year. There really isn’t a challenge on the best cut of the year. For real. Now, I’m not the biggest Animal Collective fan. They’re a little hit or miss at times for me, which is probably a good thing. It keeps my mind clear to how I view all the tracks. Now, “My Girls” is just stellar in about every regard. So It’s an easy choice as the top track of the year.

Download Animal Collective – My Girls

As for the rest of my top tunes? Well, I have to say it’s a huge drop from #1 to #2. That doesn’t mean these aren’t good tracks, but Animal Collective I honestly think did something very unique and special in creating “My Girls”. Since I don’t really like making a list in order, I just want to put it out there that the next few tracks are among my favorites for this year.

The Horrors – Sea Within A Sea
Sunset Rubdown – You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
Micachu – Golden Phone
Deerhunter – Disappearing Ink
YACHT – Waste of Time
White Denim – Regina Holding Hands
Atlas Sound ft. Panda Bear – Walkabout
Phoenix – Girlfriend
Shout Out Out Out Out – Bad Choices
Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream
We Have Band – You Came Out
Animal Collective – What Would I Want? Sky

And now the normal bullshit thing to say – BUY STUFF! Seriously! And hell, if not? Donate some money to Mookie, who runs this site. He busts his ass for you guys to bring you some awesome music, and I feel quite honored that he asked me to help him out. So yeah…..do that.


Flat

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This is gonna be one of those epic posts. Where I discuss in detail a song that for some reason is long forgotten. Sort of.

Anyone remember the Levis ads with the little yellow sock puppet? No? Here’s a reminder. And hell. It is playing the song I am gonna post today.

That song was the epitome of awesome. For real. And the video? Was just as cool. Don’t believe me? Well I have the video, also. So there!

Well, this guy seems to have suffered from the one-hit wonder phenomenon. He’s since made more music, but to be honest? None has really caught my attention. Here’s a really weird vid for the song “Positif” he made last year. Eh. Sorry. Not all that great.

Well, without making you watch any more videos…..well, actually, I will make you watch one more. About how fucking stupid the Snuggie is. Seriously. If you buy one? Kill yourself. Soon.

So yeah. Now here’s “Flat Beat”.

Download Mr. Oizo – Flat Beat

Now go buy stuff. It’s Xmas. Hooray capitalism!

Hot Damn! New Hot Chip!

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Oooooh. New Hot Chip album is coming! February of next year, according to their site and the first single is the same as the album’s title, One Life Stand. So how does this one sound? Well, this all depends on what you think of Hot Chip. These are guys that make solid blippy electro pop that simply makes you want to groove. If you don’t want to groove? You’re probably white. But that’s okay. I’m not here to judge you. That’s what your mother is for. Here’s One Life Stand, their newest single.

Download Hot Chip – One Life Stand

Anyhow, their last album Made In The Dark featured a video that helped promote The Dark Knight. The song was “Ready For The Floor”, and despite the wooden features of their lead man Alexis Taylor, it’s a pretty cool video. That vid? Is below.

Well that song had a remix I had completely forgotten about by Jesse Rose. While I do love Rose, this remix starts off strong. Aaaaaand gets repetitive. Very quickly. It’s in essence nothing more than a glorified DJ tool, but that’s not such a bad thing. If you’re a DJ. Or have a short attention span. Here’s that nugget of goodness.

Download Hot Chip – Ready For The Floor (Jesse Rose remix)

Now go buy stuff. The lord commands you. And he left it a little “l” for a reason. Because if you need to be scared shitless to do good? You’re a moron.

The dice were loaded from the start

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Have you listened to Sawdust yet?

You know, I once had a theory. The best songs are on the B side. I even got a customized license plate: B SIDE. But in the digital age it is hard to notice when a B side is actually offered on a single, let alone an album. And when a “B sides” album is released, we are conditioned now to view it with a skeptical “what are they trying to market at me now” eye.

The Killers released a collection of “B sides and rarities” (your eyebrow almost instinctively wants to raise in a sneer doesn’t it!) two years ago, and they ultimately called it Sawdust.

I loved almost every unreleased single on “Hot Fuss”, their first album. I thought it was a good one. As you know, The Killers ended up getting insane attention and adoration, and as will happen sometimes… Many of us may have decided to turn away from them. When Sam’s Town came out, I remember standing at Zia trying to decide whether to buy it. I remember word for word what I said to Mookie: “I am just not interested in what else Brandon Flowers has to say right now.”

Well, we didn’t buy Sam’s Town on that visit but of course we still ended up buying it soon after. I enjoyed it – there is just something about The Killers for me I guess – but Mookie thought it was Meh. He liked to listen to it on the exercise bike though.

I have to admit I don’t remember paying attention when Sawdust was released, but I followed the news about the recording of Day & Age, which came out in 2008. I still didn’t even pay enough attention to that album, either.

Let’s make all of this right. It’s time to take notice of Sawdust. Covers of Joy Division, Kenny Rogers, and Dire Straits. Uh-huh. Doesn’t that sound like an odd enough collection of “b sides and rarities” for ya? A few new tracks. A few scraps from the cutting room of the previous albums. And it works.

Here you go. The Killers’ cover of “Romeo and Juliet” from Dire Straits’ 1980 Making Movies album. Well, from the B-sides and rarities 2007 Sawdust album. We’re good, right?

Download The Killers – Romeo and Juliet

And just because I want you to go buy this damn album for someone you know who loves b sides as much as I do, I am not going to share any of the new tracks that they put on this ditty. But here is a version of “Sam’s Town” that I love. Cuz I like living in Sam’s Town, quite honestly. I see London, I see Sam’s Town.

Download The Killers – Sam’s Town Abby Road Version

Hey homeslices. There are only 14 days until Christmas. Even fewer by the time you read this. Buy something!

Rape Me!

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So this is going to be more of a politically tinged post – and yes, with music. With laughs, also. If this post somehow made it to certain Republicans in the Senate? Well, I might be teaching the Irish jig down in Gitmo.

So Al Franken, we’ve been told, is just using his post to pass some outlandish things. I mean, according to some Republicans in the Senate? Attaching an amendment to a bill that holds people accountable for rape is just un-American. Seriously. Want proof? Below is a video on it. Not to mention the link I posted just above.

Man, I had some laughs out of some of the quotes those idiots laid out for us. My favorite, however, was by South Dakota Senator John Thune.

“I think hopefully he’ll settle down and do kind of the serious work of legislating that’s important to Minnesota.”

Yes, because protecting rape victims just isn’t very important Mr. Thune. Well, let’s take a look at Mr. Thune. Below is a picture of the guy. What stands out the most is the size of this guy’s forehead. I mean, seriously. Look at it.

I mean, it’s sort of ironic that his state is the home of Mount Rushmore. Because Mount Rushmore could fit comfortably on his dome. I have proof below.

So I’ll get to the music in a minute, because it’s fitting for the topic at hand. I just had to share the letter I sent to this elected dipshit. I am curious if I’ll get a response.

“Sen. Thune,

This is a quick note to tell you I applaud your courage. It’s not every day that a man in such a powerful position can stand up to the temptation of using common sense. Your vocalization about the dangers that Al Franken has brought our country and its economy by protecting rape victims makes me want to stand up and salute not just one flag, but a few dozen. All at once. While draped in one. And painted from head to toe like one.

Because that’s what a true patriot does. Defies logic and decency and shows women where their true place is. You, sir, are a true American hero. Never mind those that are dying overseas in a war that a chosen few with some silly stuff called proof have shown as illegal. No, they could learn from the book you clearly need to write. Because our country’s literary history is that much less enriched because your words of wisdom aren’t echoing in the ears of so many functioning illiterates.

Since much of your constituency may be lacking in a proper and formal education, you should instead release a series of coloring books. And in every picture where a Halliburton executive is violating a young woman, where that young woman’s naughty spots are? You should have a gigantic picture of Satan. I mean, those things are MEAN. And caused these poor people to lose their minds and commit a sin. We know who the true victims are!

Regards (all while forcing others to salute our flag with me),
Walt Zink”

Anyhow, I promised that there would be music. Well, considering we’re discussing rape, why not break out some classic Nirvana. Here’s “Rape Me” from their seminal album In Utero. For added kicks? I’ve posted Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine’s cover of the song, also.

Download Nirvana – Rape Me

Download Richard Cheese – Rape Me

Go buy stuff. It’s uber-American. If not, John Thune will eat your babies.

What Would I Want? BAND!

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This week features a new-ish track by indie sensation Animal Collective, as well as a fun little track by We Have Band.

Animal Collective have just released another EP, Fall Be Kind. Five more tracks appear here, and the track I’m talking about is easily the standout of the five. Another highlight is “I Think I Can”, but I’m here to bring everyone “What Would I Want? Sky”.

So considering the ruckus over Merriweather Post Pavilion, this little EP adds some fuel to the fire for the heralding that will no doubt come about when end of the year lists start trickling out this month. Man, that was a long sentence. So here’s What Would I Want? Sky”.

Download Animal Collective- What Would I Want? Sky

Next up is a fun one by London trio We Have Band. Really, the highlight of this track is more the video than the song. Think Michel Gondry done exponentially. Stop motion madness! Close to 5,000 photos were taken for this video, which had to be quite a pain to do at points. This track can best be described as some updated disco, and it’s simply a track that you just have to kick back and enjoy. The video? Best of the year. No doubt about it.

Download We Have Band – You Came Out

Go buy stuff. Tis the season and all that seasonal pine smelling bullshit.

King Khan rules over you

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I’ve just recently discovered the oddity known as King Khan. Recently, on tour with BBQ (real name: Mark Sultan), the Khan was arrested for having certain fungi in possession. His tour manager was also arrested, having an invalid license.

No matter. They still make some quirky era-inspired tracks. Depending on whether he’s working with BBQ as King Khan and the BBQ Show or with the Shrines (as, yes, King Khan and the Shrines), you’ll get a pretty varied era-specific sound. Here’s where I get to have the fun of sharing the tracks I like.

First up is what I think is the best of the bunch. It’s off of the latest King Khan and the BBQ Show album entitled Invisible Girl. This is reminiscent of late ’70’s punk at its glorified high. Just think of the Ramones, and you’ll get a good comparison. This track, “Lonely Boy” is loads of fun, and while only around two and a half minutes, packs a lot into it.

Download King Khan and the BBQ Show – Lonely Boy

Next up is something hearkening back to the ’50’s off of King Khan and the BBQ Show’s self-titled album. “Fish Fight” is a romp, and Chuck Berry is written all over this one. This is the sort of stuff that the Amazing Royal Crowns were going for, also, but the stripped down sound that these guys have makes it a big winner.

Download King Khan and the BBQ Show – Fish Fight

Lastly is from King Khan and the Shrines. This is really one of the only ones I dug off of What Is? and has a completely different sound from their usual ’60’s guitar inspired riffs. This makes me think of the Rolling Stones, and I think you’d clearly see why I think that. Rolling grooves and very mellow. Definitely a big winner.

Download King Khan and the Shrines – The Ballad of Lady Godiva

As always, buy this stuff. Or else turkeys will come by and smack you around a bit. They will! I swear!

Since I Drove My Girl Away, or I Can Feel Your Arms

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Yes, there are two titles for this blog post. Here’s why…

It’s getting to be wintertime.

It’s getting cold.

You need a soundtrack for this.

And maybe some wine.

And a fireplace, and another body.

You got all that?

I mean, I can help you with the soundtrack part. But you’re on your own for the rest.

And if you don’t have all the rest, fine then. I’ve got the perfect emo album to listen to while you watch the rain hit the window. Life is always hard for the belle of the boulevard.

Download Dashboard Confessional – Belle of the Boulevard

It’s about that time for Chris Carrabba to give us a new album. It’s a double album, so why don’t you go ahead and listen to Side 1 for your angst-filled lonely drives and Side 2 for those evenings with wine and fires (No! Stop! Romantic wine and fire. No setting fires!). Alter the Ending is a collection of 11 tracks performed with the energy and devotion we know and love from Dashboard Confessional, and the same 11 tracks repeated in acoustic form.

No new and eye-opening themes or lyrics. In fact, Chris seems to watch the sun go down a lot. But it’s OK. I like the way he has described this romantic occurrence throughout his past work, and watching it “burn down into cinders” is not a bad picture to paint is it? And really, you’d listen to this guy sing about his bowel movements. Admit it.
What! Don’t be annoyed. This is a fluff piece for a fluff band that you love to love or hate to love or love to hate but it makes you feel SOMETHING! I listened to Them Crooked Vultures hoping to review them for this post (maybe you weren’t aware how much I love Dave Grohl?) but it made me feel NOTHING!

So Dashboard Confessional is what you get, since their album was released on November 10. And it’s kinda like winter. And you want to get cozy. Or you want to be sad and alone. So here’s the next track I will share with you. Just don’t cut yourself.

Download Dashboard Confessional – Water and Bridges

What. I like it when people shorten old idioms. Water. Bridges. Deal.

No Love Lost

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So is anyone else out there a big LCD Soundsystem fan? I am guessing a lot of heads are nodding. Good. This post is about a track I somehow seemed to pass over. Now, are any of you all that nodded in agreement a fan of Joy Division, also? I am guessing there will be a fair amount of heads nodding to both, correct?

Well, when LCD Soundsystem released the EP for their track “All My Friends” (which was covered by Franz Ferdinand, albeit not on this EP), they also made their own stamp on an old Joy Division track called “No Love Lost”. Usually, most artists fail miserably when attempting to cover an older artist or band. Especially when that artist or band has a pretty big cult following. This is where I think many fail – they work to “re-create” a track everyone knows. So why not go the route of LCD Soundsystem and try to cover a lesser known track?

Now, I can hear some people yelling, “We all know this Joy Division track! It’s not lesser known! I hope your genitals fall off!” Well, first of all, my genitals are crazy-glued on. So neener neener. Secondly, not everyone knows the entire Joy Division collection or how much blow they did on some night in 1977. If you do? That’s creepy. Very, very creepy.

Anyhow, LCD Soundsystem did a pretty good job on this cut, and I am leaving both the original and the cover here for your listening pleasure. Now, I need to go eat something. Until next week!

Download Joy Division – No Love Lost

Download LCD Soundsystem – No Love Lost

And buy this stuff. If not, you’re getting nil for Christmas. True story.

And storms will surely come

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There’s many who’ll tell you they’ll give you their love,
But when they say “give” they mean “take.”
They’ll hang ‘round just like vultures till push comes to shove.
They’ll take flight when the earth starts to shake.

Guitarist/lyricist/vocalist Dustin Kensrue has yet again provided a deep and resounding message in Thrice’s sixth studio album, Beggars. In fact, this time around, they tweeted the entire recording process. Watch this video and check out what qualified as their “studio” for this album.

Someone may say that they’ll always be true,
Then slip out the door ‘fore the dawn.
But I won’t leave you hanging on.
Another may stay till they find someone new,
Then before you know they’ll be gone.
But I won’t leave you hanging on;
No, I won’t be that someone.

Yes, this entire album is completely an observation of the human condition, and it takes several spins before it really hits you over the head. This. Is. A. Masterful. Album. In the video above, Dustin touches on the fact that they’ve done a hybrid between recording live and recording piece by piece. The end result absolutely glows with all the energy of a live performance.

And come what may, I won’t abandon you or leave you behind
Because love is a loyalty sworn, not a burning for a moment.
And come what may, I will be standing right here by your side;
I won’t run away, though the storm’s getting worse and there’s no end in sight.

Dustin’s voice carries a pure velocity. He means it. It just doesn’t get much better than this. Check out “The Weight”:

Download Thrice – The Weight

And what of the name of the album? I really enjoy the message he conveys through many of the tracks asking just who you think is in charge? Just what lies do you tell yourself so you won’t have to do the right thing? And hey… You never hurt anyone. This means you’ve led a good life, right?

“I think we are at most times deluded in thinking that we are totally responsible for our circumstances, but in the end almost everything is beyond our control to a high degree and we can’t even be sure we will wake up tomorrow. Whether you believe that God created you for a purpose, or that the world is governed by blind chance, everything in life is a gift at its core; we are beggars all.”

You must buy this album. It really hits the mark that Thrice has been trying to clobber all this time. I could write another entire post on the tracks “In Exile” and on “Doublespeak.” Nevermind the fact that the title track wraps the record up beautifully.