Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

Swirling guitars.  A little Tom Petty Americana. Awesome riff. “We’ll all get a job”.

Listen to Black Kids - “Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)“

You know that excitement you get when you see a new album by a band that that always managed to please your ears?  You know that disappointment when you find out that (as is custom) that new album just doesn’t cut it?  Well, I certainly felt the former with Stereo MCs newest Double Bubble, and unfortunately I can’t say that I disagree with the latter sentiment either.  The baggy-clothed, desheviled-white-rapper look is losing its novelty.  The rhymes and the delivery are still there, and as catchy and intriguing as ever.  But it is undeniable that the melodies are loose and incoherent, and that they are audibly lacking enough noise.  Nearly each track starts out with an interesting hook, but nothing is ever built upon (I’m ending this sentence with a preposition, so so sue me).  But there is just enough here to entice you, the remind you of the days of yore.  “Show Your Light” sounds like Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” meeting the genius of a rapper.  And the MCs show a little move in a different direction with the excellently soulful “You Got It All”.  So check out Double Bubble, you may find that I am wrong.

Listen to “Show Your Light”

Listen to “You Got It All“

Things have been a little hectic lately, and blogging just hasn’t fit in the way I’d like it to.  That said, expect to see a good amount of posting starting in a couple of days from now.

Cheers,

Benji

When Albert Hammond, Jr.’s Yours to Keep debuted a couple of years ago, my love for the Strokes’ Is This It? was transposed onto their lead singer’s (Mr. Hammond, Jr.) debut LP.  Whereas The Strokes had seemed to fall off their game, Hammond, Jr. was only elaborating on his band’s sound.  And his sophomore album, the surprisingly non-Hispanic influenced Como Te Llama?, is a continuation of the maturation process for Hammond, Jr. as a singer-songwriter.  Aptly titled, the album seems to rhetorically answer the “What is your name?” question he poses from the outset.  His name is Albert Hammond, Jr. and it seems that he wants to separate himself from The Strokes’ comparisons (but does he really?).

Whereas Yours to Keep was much more in line with a previous sound, Como Te Llama? introduces a more reggae-influenced (see “Borrowed Time” and “Lisa”) and a less pop-heavy style that may be less accessible but certainly shows more musicianship and indie clout.  “GfC” is this album’s “101″, with its catchy electric guitar riff and its tricky bass.  Meanwhile, “Miss Myrtle” is a lazier ditty that showcases Hammond, Jr. at his most comfortable.

You should certainly check out Como Te Llama? And that’s not a question!

Listen to “GfC”

Listen to “Miss Myrtle“

Sometimes there’s a good deal of ‘packaging’ that goes with certain records—the record company feels a need to hit you over the head with what that particular record is all about because you (the consumer) are not intelligent enough to figure it out on your own. Well Plug Research has continued to do this on behalf of Toronto’s now-budded abstract electronic musician Mike Milosh. Going under the name of simply Milosh, he has already released two well-received albums You Make Me Feel and Meme.  As the biline goes, the debut album was all about finding love and the euphoria entailed with that, while Meme was about lost love and starting over.  So what does Milosh say his new album is about?  Well he spent the past year in Thailand, and iii is about isolation and being away from the people and the things you love.

Just because Milosh’s music is more abstract than the norm doesn’t mean that there’s pretense on iii.  In fact, it’s the very opposite.  iii feels all the more accessible and welcoming.  Lush, warm tones seduce the listener, as Milosh’s unique vocal range flows effortlessly in the foreground.  His past two records have shown an artist developing a distinguished other-wordly sound, and iii only cements Milosh’s reputation as one of the eminent electronic musicians making music right now.  The bouncy synths are clean and crisp, and the percussions are catchy but not overwhelming–they ultimately create a dually disciplined and liberating atmosphere that indeed seems heaven sent.  “Remember the Good Things” is a magical confluence of courageous melodies and vocals that will have you entranced.  The softer “Another Day” has more of a lullaby feel to it in its own achingly sweet way.  So be sure to check out iii!

Listen to “Remember the Good Things”

Listen to “Another Day“

‘Cuchillo’ is Spanish for knife, or is it psychadelic folk rock?  The duo of Israel Marco and Daniel Dominguez coming straight out of Spain make up Cuchillo and their self-titled album is a complete delight.  Warm and chilling, soothing and contempletive, disciplined yet carefree, Cuchillo is a model for musical balance.  The band excels at the lyrically minimalist but sonically lush tune, gently dusting delicate rhythms off their fingers and spreading these morsels of magic to the masses.  Think Pink Floyd, with the modern sensibilities of the burgeoning Alexi Murdoch or the late Nick Drake.  It’s a weird combination, I admit, but I hear the influences vividly.  “Estricta Libertad” is a wonderfully harmonious rock ballad full of oohs and aahs laced over Spanish longing.  “Summertime in Sweden” takes on a less serious tone that’ll make this summer last just a little bit longer.

Get yourself a copy of Cuchillo.

Listen to “Estricta Libertad”

Listen to “Summertime in Sweden“

I came down this past week with one of the nastiest illnesses I can remember, and I’m still a little hesitant to say I’m fully recovered.  But nonetheless, here I am.  I apologize for the hiatus.  I came across this live version of Dylan’s famous “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” and I just wanted to share it with you.  Consider this a peace offering….

Bob Dylan - “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall“

The smooth plucking UK instrumentalist James Blackshaw is out with a new album Litany of Echoes after a much lauded debut and EP.  I have to say that the effort here is a little lacking compared to his previous efforts but I wanted to give you a little taste of what this incredble musician can do.

Check out Litany of Echoes.

Listen to “Infinite Circle“

Straight out of Detroit, Michigan comes the eclectic pop gospel PAS/CAL.  Anticipation has surrounded this collective for some time now, but not until July 22 will PAS/CAL have officially released its debut LP!  Imagine fellow Michiganer Sufjan Stevens mixed with UK-Swedish rockers The Ark combined with a taste of Apples in Stereo.  It’s insanely catchy retropop music that shows an octet with an amazing grasp for grooves and rhythms.  But their discipline doesn’t mean that they take themselves too seriously. All the songs on their debut I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura (loving the slightly sardonic album title) are adventurously fun and engaging ditties–they possess an everlasting energy that would surely outduel the likes of cheerleading squads the world over.  So what are you waiting for?  Check out the songs below and get the album I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura!

Listen to “O My Cherry”

Listen to “Little Red Radio“

Coldplay has released a new single (that doesn’t quite top the one-minute mark) in honor of their tour launch.  Viva la vida!

Coldplay - “Death Will Never Conquer“