Umm What? Blake Sennett aka "Pinsky" aka "Joey the Rat" is in Rilo Kiley?!

So I'm a product of the 90's and I will always and forever confirm that this was hands down the best decade. For music, movies, and yes, television. One of my absolute favorite shows was a Nickelodeon classic, "Salute Your Shorts". Best show ever! Kids at summer camp, capture the flag, awful waffles, Donkeylips! haha. I have both seasons on DVD and I'm going to state "top 5" on the all time best purchase list. Anyway, how does this relate to music? Well when Michael (season 1) got sick and didnt come back to camp the following summer, the gang; aka Budnick, Z. Z., Dina, Telly, Donkeylips, Sponge and Ugg (Lee), met a new camper, Ronnie Pinsky. Pinsky was an excellent addition. He was funny, athletic, and he pissed of Budnick because, lets face it, he was cooler than him. I found out today in my daily interweb music troll, that our friend Pinksy (Blake Sennett) is the guitarist for the indie rock/pop band Rilo Kiley and they are legit! I'm pretty sure I've heard of Rilo Kiley before, but now I'm like way into them (thank you Pinksy). Check out the album Under the Blacklight (2007), it's pretty solid. I should also give Blake the cred for being in one of my other absolute favorite shows as a kid, Boy Meets World! Are you kidding me Blake?! Salute Your Shorts star followed up by a stint as "Joey the Rat" in the epic Boy Meets World! Now you're making records in a successful band, touring with adorable Jenny Lewis (see photo below)!? Ha this guy has it made. My hat is off to you Blake/Pinsky/Joey "the Rat". I am listening to Rilo Kiley right now and after knowing all this now, it just makes me like the band even more. Is that bad? I don't care, haha. Sweet discovery in my book.

Great song. Check it out!

Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley

Live on Conan - Sennett on lead geetar

Unfortunately this clip doesnt have Pinksy. YouTube kids suck and couldn't upload a decent season 2 opening theme. bahhh

Blake then...

...all growns up!

PS: Jenny Lewis = hot.

DL This Now!

Amazing remix of Gorillaz - Stylo.

New MGMT out Today...sparking mixed reviews?! que?

So I'm pretty stoked for "Congratulations", but I'm reading a lot of negative listener reviews out there basically shitting on it. They seem to all be pissed that its not Oracular Spectacular part 2. No, there's no "Kids", no "Time To Pretend", and definitely no "Electric Feel", but get over it! Artists (especially MGMT and the like) are allowed to progress and develop new sounds and arrangements. Its what makes music so interesting! I am a huge fan of this album. It gets better and better with each listen. I have never seen MGMT live, but I am more inclined to do so now more than ever. They're a trippy, talented pair and I 'congratulate' them. Wow...that was clever haha.

Oh, just caught Pitchfork's review of Congratulations..6.8?! Really? bahh. Maybe I don't see/hear it.  But I dig this one!

MGMT

"Aw' c'mon" Show Review - The Soft Pack @ Great Scott. Allston, MA

I went to see The Soft Pack last night at Great Scott in Allston.  I've been digging thier self titled album a lot and at $10 a ticket, I'd be an asshole not to go. The opening bands were Beaters & NODZZZ.  I missed almost all of the Beaters' set but caught all of NODZZZ...unfortunately, could have done without.  I really don't like to hate on bands, but this one was not one of my favorites.  I wont harp on them any longer, just not a fan.  Anyway, the Soft Pack came out and played a great set.  I was blown away by their talent.  It always gets me when I see dudes younger than me ripping it up on stage, touring and living the dream.  Not to mention releasing one hell of a great album (Self Titled - Feb 2010).  Hailing from sunny San Diego, it only makes sense their record solicits summer suns and warm surf tones.  Really energetic, punk influenced, garage rock is what I like and is what the Soft Pack are all about.  I 100% recommend checking them out if they make their way to your neck of the woods this year.

31-Mar	MAXWELL’S w/ NODZZZ, BEATERS	Hoboken, New Jersey
1-Apr	THE MERCURY LOUNGE w/ NODZZZ, BEATERS	Manhattan, New York
3-Apr	MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG w/ MALE BONDING, NODZZZ, BEATERS	Brooklyn, New York
6-Apr	LA TULIPE w/ MALE BONDING, BEATERS	Montreal
7-Apr	EL MOCAMBO CLUB w/ MALE BONDING, BEATERS	Toronto
8-Apr	MAGIC STICK w/ MALE BONDING, BEATERS	Detroit, Michigan
9-Apr	THE EMPTY BOTTLE w/ MALE BONDING, BEATERS	Chicago, Illinois
10-Apr	TURF CLUB w/ MALE BONDING, BEATERS	St. Paul, Minnesota
13-Apr	CHOP SUEY w/ MALE BONDING	Seattle, Washington
14-Apr	DOUG FIR LOUNGE w/ MALE BONDING	Portland, Oregon
15-Apr	BOTTOM OF THE HILL w/ MALE BONDING	San Francisco, California
18-Apr	COACHELLA	Indio, California

The Soft Pack

This song is awesome. "C'Mon"

Live on Letterman. Oh, check out the drummer.  He's practically standing upright when he plays. Kinda intense.

New Video: Titus Andronicus - "A More Perfect Union"

A More Perfect Union

Titus Andronicus | MySpace Music Videos

Okay, I've been meaning to write about this album ever since I first laid ears on it, and with this video release for "A More Perfect Union", I felt it was a sign that today should be that day.  The Monitor came out earlier this month and I was immediately blown away. Titus Andronicus created an intricately raw and layered rock album guaranteed to be in the running for 'album of the year'. They have an amazing ability to fuse lo-fi punk and alt rock to produce a rough yet fantastically powerful indie rock sound that I cannot get enough of. Seriously, I listen to this album in full at least 3 times a week. Oh, and I just found out they recorded The Monitor in a barn in New Paltz, NY.  If you've been to NP then you understand why that's cool.

If your a fan of the rough, punk inspired, rock that bands like Japandroids, No Age, or the Soft Pack create, then be sure to check out Titus Andronicus!

The video is sweet but unfortunately, the song is cut down from the full 7:10 to a weak 3:34. You need to hear the track in its entirety to really appreciate what they've done here. Track one below.

Titus Andronicus

Crushing Hard: National Zooey Deschanel Day

So the new She & Him came out today and I have absolutely no problem admitting to listening and loving their stuff.  Seriously, what's not to like?  It's extremely happy, upbeat, oldie's inspired, fun! With brilliant songwriting from M. Ward paired with the oh so gorgeous and multi-talented singer/actress Zooey Deschanel, the cleverly titled She & Him are an indie-folk duo guaranteed to appeal to audiences of all extremes.  "Volume Two" (Merge Records. March 2010) literally picks up right where "Volume One" left off.  On Two, we find 13 tracks of consistently lovely folk-pop assured to get you smiling while hanging in your apartment, going for a drive, or going for a walk in the sun.

Volume Two - She & Him

And while the music is great, my personal favorite part is the imagery that accompanies "She & Him" Is there a more attractive woman out there?...not possible.

Free Music Friday!

Friday = your chance to explore new music...for FREE. (actually not all tracks are "new", but all are pretty sweet)
 

(images & links prompt mp3 download)

 The Morning Benders - "Promises"
from Big Echo (Mar. 2010)

Pantha Du Prince - "The Splendour"
from Black Noise (Feb. 2010)

RJD2 - "Games You Can Win"
from Colossus (Jan. 2010)

Jeff The Brotherhood - "Bone Jam"
from Heavy Days (Oct. 2009)

No Age - "Eraser"
from Nouns (May 2008)

Urban Outfitters: more than just a trendy cash suck

In the spirit of SXSW, Urban Outfitters is dropping 25 FREE tracks on us. Some great picks are mixed in this list.  Check out Urban Outfitters Live In Austin for updates on all that's going down at SXSW via U.O.'s eyes.  I also would like to mention that I happened upon these free tracks in my quest for a new trendily obscure t-shirt.

Washed Out - "Feel It All Around"
Jookabox - "Light"
A Sunny Day In Glasgow - "Nitetime Rainbows"
Dam-Funk - "Mirrors"
Toro Y Moi -"Blessa"
Local Natives - "Sun Hands"
Surfer Blood - "Swim"
Free Energy - "Dream City"
Dum Dum Girls - "Jail La La"
Japandroids - "Young Hearts Spark Fire"
Wake Up Lucid - "Broke Down House"
Let's Wrestle - "We Are the Men You'll Grow to Love Soon"
Here We Go Magic - "Fangela"
Acrylics - "All of the Fire"
Jeremy Jay - "Just Dial My Number"
Bachelorette - "The National Grid"
Scanners - "We Never Close Our Eyes"
Warpaint - "Krimson"
The Golden Filter - "Hide Me"
Memory Tapes - "Plain Material"
Villagers - "On a Sunlit Stage"

Click here to get all 25 tracks

Free mp3s - Drive By Truckers - "Birthday Boy" & "This Fucking Job"

Cop 2 Free tracks from this week's new one by the Drive By Truckers via RCRD LBL.  I'm digging on "This Fucking Job" more so, but both songs are sweet.  Some good ol' southern rock for you on St. Patty's Day.

from The Big To-Do (March 2010)

Ridiculously Fun Album Alert! - Fang Island

Fang Island - self titled (February 2010)

"Fang Island is a self-proclaimed “Healing & Easy Listening / Visual” band from “Philayorkadence” in the United States of America. Fang Island makes music that they describe as 'everyone high-fiving everyone.'" - Last.fm Haha this is such a great description for this band.  Seriously, I just gave Fang Island's self titled album a listen here at work and it easily took the place of my routine post-lunch cup of coffee. So much energy in each addictive track.  Its like listening to 8 different genres rolled into one; post-punk, elecronic, classic rock, instrumental, metal, alt. rock, etc. etc.  This is definitely a favorite for 2010. Check the full album out below.

Fang Island - Fang Island

Huge fan of "Daisy", "Sideswiper", "Careful Crossers", "Welcome Wagon", & "The Illinois".  Start there!

The video for "Daisy" is sweet. Check it.

Free Music Friday!

In keeping with the trend, here are a few FREE tracks from recently discovered and blogged about artists..plus a few favorites. Enjoy!

(images prompt free mp3 download)

 Gorillaz - "Superfast Jellyfish"
from Plastic Beach (March 2010)

 Jimi Hendrix - "Valleys of Neptune"

from Valleys of Neptune (March 2010)

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - "Even Heroes Have to Die"
from The Brutalist Bricks (March 2010)

Frightened Rabbit - "Swim Until You Can't See Land"
from The Winter of Mixed Drinks (March 2010)

The Morning Benders - "Excuses"
from Big Echo (March 2010)

Pavement - "Stereo"
from Quarantine the Past (March 2010)

Liars - "Scissor"
from Sisterworld (March 2010)

 Animal Collective - "What Would I Want? Sky"
from Fall Be Kind (November 2009)

 The National - "So Far Around the Bend"
from Dark Was the Night (February 2009)

Free Music Friday!

A few sweet FREE tracks to take us into the weekend. Enjoy!

(images prompt mp3 download)

 

Titus Andronicus - "Four Score and Seven Part 1"

from The Monitor (March 2010)

  

Los Campesinos! - "Romance is Boring"

from Romance is Boring (January 2010)

  

Broken Social Scene - "World Sick"

from Forgiveness Rock Record (May 2010)

  

Local Natives - "Sun Hands"

from Gorilla Manor (February 2010)

  

Portugal. The Man - "The Dead Dog"

from American Ghetto (March 2010)

  

Freelance Whales - "Generator ^ Second Floor"

from Weathervanes (December 2009)

  

Neon Indian - "Deadbeat Summer"

from Psychic Chasms (October 2009)

New Music Tuesdays - Noteable Releases

Rogue Wave - "Permalight"

 

(artist support: image links to iTunes store)

Permalight - Rogue Wave

Athlete - "Black Swan"

(artist support: image links to iTunes store)

Black Swan - Athlete

Portugal. The Man - "American Ghetto"

 

(artist support: image links to iTunes store)

American Ghetto - Portugal. Th...

A Sunny Day In Glasgow - "Ninetime Rainbows"

 

(artist support: image links to iTunes store)

Nitetime Rainbows - A Sunny Da...

Freelance Whales...Cue the Banjos!

Loving Freelance Whales' debut "Weathervanes". Just gave it a listen on LaLa and I haven't heard such an upbeat happy album in a while.  A fairly new group, founded in 2008 in Queens; the Whales create flawless indie folk/pop utilizing everything from banjos, glockenspiel, synthesizers, guitars, bass, drums, and waterphones (what is a waterphone?). I'm checking them out when they come to Boston in April along with Cymbals Eat Guitars and Bear in Heaven, it should be a most excellent show.  A few reviews out there are noting the comparison between the singer of Freelance to Owl City (not cool) and I admit, there's something about this guy's voice that's very Owl City-esque...but the music backing him pardons this easily dismissible and forgivable comparison.  Give this album a listen and I guarantee you'll be smiling every time you hear the twang of a banjo, tap of the glockenspiel, or the overpoweringly catchy and calming harmonic hooks.

Sounds Like: "Somebody wired their heart to a synthesizer"

Check out "Starring", "Kilojoules", "Hannah", and "Generator ^ Second Floor".

Freelance Whales - Weathervane...

 

 

Free Music Friday!

Something new I'm trying out to make the best day of the work week even better.  Enjoy! -- (image prompts download)--

 

Vampire Weekend - "Horchata" 

Yeasayer - "Ambling Alp"

Surfer Blood - "Swim"

 

Local Natives - "Wide Eyes"

 

 Beach House - "Norway" 

  

The Soft Pack - "Answer To Yourself" 

  

Japandroids - "Art Czars" 

 

Hot Chip - "One Life Stand"

 

The Morning Benders - "Excuses" (dl below)

 

  Gorillaz - "Stylo" 

(ft. Mos Def & Bobby Womack) (Chiddy Bang Remix)