Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Dr. Dog, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Band

Song: Delta Spirit - Bushwick Blues [download here]

I first saw these guys open for Dr. Dog in a teeny tiny club in northern Virginia a few years ago. I had heard their first single, “Trashcan” on All Songs Considered a few weeks before and decided that is was an opener worth seeing. Thank GOD I did that because they gave Dr. Dog a run for it’s money. The exuberance and soul of Delta Spirit’s debut “Ode to Sunshine” was multiplied in a live setting. Anthemic, old-timey indie rock exploded from the speakers, and I was captivated. Their whole first album was fair game in the live setting and really translated into an invigorating set. “Ode to Sunshine” stayed in my car for a lot longer than most albums and I waited cautiously for their follow-up, knowing that the sophomore slump is a bitch and that even the best groups are victim to it.

Fortunately Delta Spirit eased my mind by producing a completely solid follow up. Though it is a departure from their debut album, I can’t say that it’s groundbreaking in any sense. Delta Spirit’s bag was never innovation, and this album is pretty solid support for that. Borrowing from the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, and using vocal harmonies reminiscent of all bands that use vocal harmonies, Delta Spirit has made an album that is immediately likable and recognizable.

The album starts out with a duo of great rollicking up-tempo tracks “911” and “Bushwick Blues” followed by a soulful slow-burn track called “Salt in the Wound” which leads into one of my favorite tracks on the whole albums “White Table”. The middle of the albums drags slightly but this is totally made up for by the two closing tracks. The standout of the album for me is the second to last track, “St. Francis”. This is just pure spaghetti western badassness supported by a fantastic steady guitar lick. Please enjoy the music and support this incredibly passionate group.

1. Original post: Delta Spirit – History From Below

2. Posted in: folk-rock, americana, bluegrass

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Dr. Dog, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Band

Song: Delta Spirit - Bushwick Blues [download here]

I first saw these guys open for Dr. Dog in a teeny tiny club in northern Virginia a few years ago. I had heard their first single, “Trashcan” on All Songs Considered a few weeks before and decided that is was an opener worth seeing. Thank GOD I did that because they gave Dr. Dog a run for it’s money. The exuberance and soul of Delta Spirit’s debut “Ode to Sunshine” was multiplied in a live setting. Anthemic, old-timey indie rock exploded from the speakers, and I was captivated. Their whole first album was fair game in the live setting and really translated into an invigorating set. “Ode to Sunshine” stayed in my car for a lot longer than most albums and I waited cautiously for their follow-up, knowing that the sophomore slump is a bitch and that even the best groups are victim to it.

Fortunately Delta Spirit eased my mind by producing a completely solid follow up. Though it is a departure from their debut album, I can’t say that it’s groundbreaking in any sense. Delta Spirit’s bag was never innovation, and this album is pretty solid support for that. Borrowing from the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, and using vocal harmonies reminiscent of all bands that use vocal harmonies, Delta Spirit has made an album that is immediately likable and recognizable.

The album starts out with a duo of great rollicking up-tempo tracks “911” and “Bushwick Blues” followed by a soulful slow-burn track called “Salt in the Wound” which leads into one of my favorite tracks on the whole albums “White Table”. The middle of the albums drags slightly but this is totally made up for by the two closing tracks. The standout of the album for me is the second to last track, “St. Francis”. This is just pure spaghetti western badassness supported by a fantastic steady guitar lick. Please enjoy the music and support this incredibly passionate group.

1. Original post: Delta Spirit – History From Below

2. Posted in: folk-rock, americana, bluegrass

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/delta-spirit-history-from-below/feed/ 5 http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-4-420-chalice-all-stars/ http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-4-420-chalice-all-stars/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:41:05 +0000 J Meagher http://www.indieshuffle.com/?p=7317

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Lee “Scratch” Perry, Scientist, King Tubby

Song: Madlib - Track 5 [download here]

Dub is the perfect summer companion. Often meandering and directionless, dub follows a feeling to the point of exhaustion, switches it up, and then does it again. I turn to dub when I feel tired of hearing music that sounds like it was painful to make. Dub is not in the details but in the big picture. This feeling is perfectly captured in a three-piece set of free podcasts produced for Ropeadope (a seriously serious record label/music promoter/cool shit poster) by a dude named “Dirty Drummer”. They can be found here, here, and here. But the focus of this post is obviously the next stop on Madlib’s Medicine Show tour, “420 Chalice All-Stars”.

So what can you expect from a mix-tape with source material that is a little more familiar than obscure Brazilian psychedelic cuts? In short this is great introduction to dub for people who haven’t explored much farther than my holy trinity of reggae heroes: Marley (thanks Amy!), Toot’s and the Maytals (thanks Adam!), and Jimmy Cliff (thanks Brenden!). For newbies this is where you decide whether you want more from reggae culture than Marley and ummm…medicinal supplements. Dub and non-mainstream reggae is not the easiest genre to become an aficionado of. There aren’t too many memorable hooks, the lyrics are sometimes hard to understand, if you do understand them they don’t always mean much, and a lot of dub sounds the same. But like I said before, dub is about feeling and movement; “420 Chalice All-Stars” is no different.

It has to be said that this superbly produced. With good headphones on it is hard to believe that most of this stuff was pulled off old, poorly pressed, vinyl. Each track contains several cuts from different songs and it’s damned impressive that Madlib can create any type of uniformity in terms of quality. The bass is low n crisp, and the snares and keyboard vamps are piercing. It’s hard to pick out a single track as they flow so effortlessly together and that this music really wasn’t made with commerciality in mind. But give the one I selected a shot, download the podcasts mentioned above if you like it, and get ready for the summer.

P.S.

I’d also just like to make another point about the prolific-ness of Madlib. The first four releases of the Medicine Show combine for about 5 hours of playtime. You would have to play Vampire Weekend’s “Contra” over EIGHT times to equal the length of first four releases in the “Medicine Show” series. I don’t think that actually means anything, but it’s interesting to think about.

1. Original post: Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show No. 4: 420 Chalice All Stars

2. Posted in: hip-hop, madlib, reggae, dub

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Lee “Scratch” Perry, Scientist, King Tubby

Song: Madlib - Track 5 [download here]

Dub is the perfect summer companion. Often meandering and directionless, dub follows a feeling to the point of exhaustion, switches it up, and then does it again. I turn to dub when I feel tired of hearing music that sounds like it was painful to make. Dub is not in the details but in the big picture. This feeling is perfectly captured in a three-piece set of free podcasts produced for Ropeadope (a seriously serious record label/music promoter/cool shit poster) by a dude named “Dirty Drummer”. They can be found here, here, and here. But the focus of this post is obviously the next stop on Madlib’s Medicine Show tour, “420 Chalice All-Stars”.

So what can you expect from a mix-tape with source material that is a little more familiar than obscure Brazilian psychedelic cuts? In short this is great introduction to dub for people who haven’t explored much farther than my holy trinity of reggae heroes: Marley (thanks Amy!), Toot’s and the Maytals (thanks Adam!), and Jimmy Cliff (thanks Brenden!). For newbies this is where you decide whether you want more from reggae culture than Marley and ummm…medicinal supplements. Dub and non-mainstream reggae is not the easiest genre to become an aficionado of. There aren’t too many memorable hooks, the lyrics are sometimes hard to understand, if you do understand them they don’t always mean much, and a lot of dub sounds the same. But like I said before, dub is about feeling and movement; “420 Chalice All-Stars” is no different.

It has to be said that this superbly produced. With good headphones on it is hard to believe that most of this stuff was pulled off old, poorly pressed, vinyl. Each track contains several cuts from different songs and it’s damned impressive that Madlib can create any type of uniformity in terms of quality. The bass is low n crisp, and the snares and keyboard vamps are piercing. It’s hard to pick out a single track as they flow so effortlessly together and that this music really wasn’t made with commerciality in mind. But give the one I selected a shot, download the podcasts mentioned above if you like it, and get ready for the summer.

P.S.

I’d also just like to make another point about the prolific-ness of Madlib. The first four releases of the Medicine Show combine for about 5 hours of playtime. You would have to play Vampire Weekend’s “Contra” over EIGHT times to equal the length of first four releases in the “Medicine Show” series. I don’t think that actually means anything, but it’s interesting to think about.

1. Original post: Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show No. 4: 420 Chalice All Stars

2. Posted in: hip-hop, madlib, reggae, dub

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-4-420-chalice-all-stars/feed/ 13 http://www.indieshuffle.com/gorillaz-plastic-beach/ http://www.indieshuffle.com/gorillaz-plastic-beach/#comments Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:45:29 +0000 J Meagher http://www.indieshuffle.com/?p=7102

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Blur, Danger Mouse, Deltron 3030

Song: Gorillaz - Rhinestone Eyes [download here]

I have better luck reviewing albums as a whole and not focusing on specific tracks. I like albums that play with themes and concepts to the point where the sum of the album is greater than it’s parts. I have NEVER been able to do that with a Gorillaz album. The first two Gorillaz albums are disjointed messes of ideas and stories that I’ve really enjoyed by pulling out the tracks I like and burying the rest. That’s why I was so excited to read that the Gorillaz were working on a concept album! Ahhhh the land of Plastic Beach will bring some much desired continuity and meaning to their music.

What I’ve discovered is this: Plastic Beach is just as much of a musical mess as their previous releases, while being less ambitious and more self indulgent. I just can’t get over the idea that the Gorrilaz project is solely for Damon Albarn’s amusement, which isn’t a bad thing, but did we really need Bobby Womack on two songs here? I don’t feel like I can take this seriously as a “concept” album because the narrative, with its environmental undertones, is so weak that it doesn’t really add anything to the album.

As for the individual tracks there are some great songs here. “Rhinestone Eyes” is a standout track. Albarn’s dispassionate delivery juxtaposed with the funky, organ driven music suggests a melancholy that doesn’t need to be explained in order to be understood. Songs like “Rhinestone” and the excellent Lou Reed supported “Some Kind of Nature” manage to create atmosphere naturally, other tracks such as “To Binge”, “Broken”, and “Melancholy Hill” (really?) sort of just tell you how the song should make you feel.

Hip Hop joints “White Flag” and “Superfast Jellyfish” make me think I’ve wandered onto the set of Yo Gabba Gabba or The Wiggles, which I guess isn’t inherently a bad thing but those two tracks represent the majority of the hip hop on the album. Contributions from MF Doom, Del tha Funky Homosapien, and De La Soul used to be highlights on Gorillaz albums. Now the hip-hop element sounds like the soundtrack to some cracked out kids show.

Speaking of Yo Gabba Gabba, Mos Def does provide a brief glimmer of awesome on my favorite song on the album. “Sweepstakes” features Mos conjuring wacked out images of the chaos, luck, randomness of life while the track builds into a demented zombie marching band stomp. Other tracks just don’t achieve this success: “Stylo” sounds like random noises thrown on top of the theme from Knight Rider. Instrumental track “Glitter Freeze” would have been badass if Muse hadn’t already done it on the opening track from their most recent album.

Scott Votel (blogger and guest contributor to indieshuffle) made some interesting comments in his mostly positive review of the album:

Thematically, the album concerns the degeneration of the environment. For Gorillaz, though, the ruthless exploitation of our planet isn’t just an inconvenient truth; it’s a terrific metaphor for postmodern artistry. The way that far-flung detritus ends up on a beach in the middle of the ocean is evidence of chaos theory’s cruel logic. The metaphor suggests that culture is really just an ocean of unmoored trash, washing up on far shores, waiting to be reused and recycled.

While I certainly enjoyed reading and appreciating that statement, I think he’s seriously grasping at straws here. Even if Albarn’s environmental sentiment is an honest one, it doesn’t escape being an unessential one, and that comes off as lazy to me.

Elsewhere on the Web:
myspace | myspace.com/gorillaz

1. Original post: Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

2. Posted in: hip-hop, alternative, electronic-rock, gorillaz

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Blur, Danger Mouse, Deltron 3030

Song: Gorillaz - Rhinestone Eyes [download here]

I have better luck reviewing albums as a whole and not focusing on specific tracks. I like albums that play with themes and concepts to the point where the sum of the album is greater than it’s parts. I have NEVER been able to do that with a Gorillaz album. The first two Gorillaz albums are disjointed messes of ideas and stories that I’ve really enjoyed by pulling out the tracks I like and burying the rest. That’s why I was so excited to read that the Gorillaz were working on a concept album! Ahhhh the land of Plastic Beach will bring some much desired continuity and meaning to their music.

What I’ve discovered is this: Plastic Beach is just as much of a musical mess as their previous releases, while being less ambitious and more self indulgent. I just can’t get over the idea that the Gorrilaz project is solely for Damon Albarn’s amusement, which isn’t a bad thing, but did we really need Bobby Womack on two songs here? I don’t feel like I can take this seriously as a “concept” album because the narrative, with its environmental undertones, is so weak that it doesn’t really add anything to the album.

As for the individual tracks there are some great songs here. “Rhinestone Eyes” is a standout track. Albarn’s dispassionate delivery juxtaposed with the funky, organ driven music suggests a melancholy that doesn’t need to be explained in order to be understood. Songs like “Rhinestone” and the excellent Lou Reed supported “Some Kind of Nature” manage to create atmosphere naturally, other tracks such as “To Binge”, “Broken”, and “Melancholy Hill” (really?) sort of just tell you how the song should make you feel.

Hip Hop joints “White Flag” and “Superfast Jellyfish” make me think I’ve wandered onto the set of Yo Gabba Gabba or The Wiggles, which I guess isn’t inherently a bad thing but those two tracks represent the majority of the hip hop on the album. Contributions from MF Doom, Del tha Funky Homosapien, and De La Soul used to be highlights on Gorillaz albums. Now the hip-hop element sounds like the soundtrack to some cracked out kids show.

Speaking of Yo Gabba Gabba, Mos Def does provide a brief glimmer of awesome on my favorite song on the album. “Sweepstakes” features Mos conjuring wacked out images of the chaos, luck, randomness of life while the track builds into a demented zombie marching band stomp. Other tracks just don’t achieve this success: “Stylo” sounds like random noises thrown on top of the theme from Knight Rider. Instrumental track “Glitter Freeze” would have been badass if Muse hadn’t already done it on the opening track from their most recent album.

Scott Votel (blogger and guest contributor to indieshuffle) made some interesting comments in his mostly positive review of the album:

Thematically, the album concerns the degeneration of the environment. For Gorillaz, though, the ruthless exploitation of our planet isn’t just an inconvenient truth; it’s a terrific metaphor for postmodern artistry. The way that far-flung detritus ends up on a beach in the middle of the ocean is evidence of chaos theory’s cruel logic. The metaphor suggests that culture is really just an ocean of unmoored trash, washing up on far shores, waiting to be reused and recycled.

While I certainly enjoyed reading and appreciating that statement, I think he’s seriously grasping at straws here. Even if Albarn’s environmental sentiment is an honest one, it doesn’t escape being an unessential one, and that comes off as lazy to me.

Elsewhere on the Web:
myspace | myspace.com/gorillaz

1. Original post: Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

2. Posted in: hip-hop, alternative, electronic-rock, gorillaz

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/gorillaz-plastic-beach/feed/ 13 http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-3-beat-konducta-in-africa/ http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-3-beat-konducta-in-africa/#comments Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:40:50 +0000 J Meagher http://www.indieshuffle.com/?p=7026

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Ali Farka Toure

Song: Madlib - 39 Bonus F [download here]

I’ve been stuck on this review for weeks now. Madlib’s “Beat Konducta” moniker is one he uses to release mountains of themed hip-hop beats. Past installments include “Movie Scenes” (A film score for a Blaxploitation film existing solely in Madlib’s mind), “Beat Konducta in India”, and “A Tribute to…” (J Dilla). These releases seem completely targeted towards serious hip-hop and world music heads, and “Beat Konducta in Africa” is no different.

In fact, this is the first Madlib Medicine Show release that has seriously challenged me. Part of it is the 43 (!) tracks the album is divided into, part of it is the schizophrenic use of spoken word audio clips, but I can’t for the life of me get through this monster in one sitting. The music is interesting enough, using samples from popular African songs and coming from regional genres such as juju, highlife, afrobeat, and African flavored jazz and funk. Madlib provides his usual woozy production style with lots of fade ins/outs. If you listen to this with headphones you will likely loose your sense of equilibrium.

The most frustrating thing about this record is I can’t decide where someone would listen to it. First I thought it would be good background party music, but there is too much random talking in the album for that. Then I thought about while exercising, but the album doesn’t really maintain any sort of intensity that would work in that context. Driving? Like I mentioned earlier, the amount of spoken word stuff makes this seem like an NPR broadcast at times.

As soon as a song starts building towards something it cuts into something else, which can be frustrating if you’re looking for a more cohesive experience. Songs like “Blackfire” contain amazing polyrhythmic drumming and instrumentation but it takes over a minute of talking to get there. My favorite moments on the album are the closing “bonus” (they’re on every version of the album) songs titled A, F, R, I, C, and A (Amanaz) These tracks stick primarily to the music and are some of the longest pieces on the record.

What I come up with after giving this record chance after chance is this: Volume 3 of the Medicine Show is mostly for long time fans and for people looking for a different perspective on African music. Madlib releases an INSANE amount of music, you don’t have to love it all but why not at least give it a shot?

1. Original post: Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show No. 3: Beat Konducta in Africa

2. Posted in: hip-hop, madlib, world music

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Ali Farka Toure

Song: Madlib - 39 Bonus F [download here]

I’ve been stuck on this review for weeks now. Madlib’s “Beat Konducta” moniker is one he uses to release mountains of themed hip-hop beats. Past installments include “Movie Scenes” (A film score for a Blaxploitation film existing solely in Madlib’s mind), “Beat Konducta in India”, and “A Tribute to…” (J Dilla). These releases seem completely targeted towards serious hip-hop and world music heads, and “Beat Konducta in Africa” is no different.

In fact, this is the first Madlib Medicine Show release that has seriously challenged me. Part of it is the 43 (!) tracks the album is divided into, part of it is the schizophrenic use of spoken word audio clips, but I can’t for the life of me get through this monster in one sitting. The music is interesting enough, using samples from popular African songs and coming from regional genres such as juju, highlife, afrobeat, and African flavored jazz and funk. Madlib provides his usual woozy production style with lots of fade ins/outs. If you listen to this with headphones you will likely loose your sense of equilibrium.

The most frustrating thing about this record is I can’t decide where someone would listen to it. First I thought it would be good background party music, but there is too much random talking in the album for that. Then I thought about while exercising, but the album doesn’t really maintain any sort of intensity that would work in that context. Driving? Like I mentioned earlier, the amount of spoken word stuff makes this seem like an NPR broadcast at times.

As soon as a song starts building towards something it cuts into something else, which can be frustrating if you’re looking for a more cohesive experience. Songs like “Blackfire” contain amazing polyrhythmic drumming and instrumentation but it takes over a minute of talking to get there. My favorite moments on the album are the closing “bonus” (they’re on every version of the album) songs titled A, F, R, I, C, and A (Amanaz) These tracks stick primarily to the music and are some of the longest pieces on the record.

What I come up with after giving this record chance after chance is this: Volume 3 of the Medicine Show is mostly for long time fans and for people looking for a different perspective on African music. Madlib releases an INSANE amount of music, you don’t have to love it all but why not at least give it a shot?

1. Original post: Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show No. 3: Beat Konducta in Africa

2. Posted in: hip-hop, madlib, world music

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-3-beat-konducta-in-africa/feed/ 4 http://www.indieshuffle.com/pants-for-bears-a-relative-concern/ http://www.indieshuffle.com/pants-for-bears-a-relative-concern/#comments Sat, 03 Apr 2010 19:19:32 +0000 J Meagher http://www.indieshuffle.com/?p=6261

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Frank Zappa, Parliament, Allman Brothers

Song: Pants for Bears - El Presidente and the Minions [download here]

A few weeks ago I saw this plus sized band (all seven of ‘em) at a local club in Harrisonburg, VA and made up my mind to grab whatever recordings they had to compare to the live show. This turned out to be a DIYIAB (do-it-yourself-in-a-basement) EP called “A Relative Concern”. With this in mind I was expecting a low-quality, slapped together representation of what was a completely entertaining live act. Wait a minute there, Mr. Jump to Conclusions: this sounds rock-damn-solid!

While Pants for Bears is definitely a live band first, I was pretty surprised by the quality and diversity of the tracks. In this recording I hear the ass shaking party grooves of Parliament, the weirdness of Frank Zappa, the down-home soul of the Allman Brothers, and the hundreds of dirty guitar riffs that inspired bands like the Black Keys.

So what is the difference between a progressive psychedelic band with indie cred and one without? Three or four synthesizers? A fabricated lo-hi aesthetic? A complete unwillingness to make music people can dance to? Well the truth is I don’t know, and don’t really care. This is the kind of band that is just going to get better and better on record, with each member pushing each other to get weirder, better, more exploratory, and willing to take risks. The good news is Pants for Bears is ready to enjoy right now as the group is making live sounds that people used to wait months to see. You went to go see Parliament because they had the funk, and you wanted it badly. Well Pants for Bears has the funk…and some pants…for bears.

1. Original post: Pants for Bears – A Relative Concern

2. Posted in: psychedelic, rock, funk, pants for bears

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Frank Zappa, Parliament, Allman Brothers

Song: Pants for Bears - El Presidente and the Minions [download here]

A few weeks ago I saw this plus sized band (all seven of ‘em) at a local club in Harrisonburg, VA and made up my mind to grab whatever recordings they had to compare to the live show. This turned out to be a DIYIAB (do-it-yourself-in-a-basement) EP called “A Relative Concern”. With this in mind I was expecting a low-quality, slapped together representation of what was a completely entertaining live act. Wait a minute there, Mr. Jump to Conclusions: this sounds rock-damn-solid!

While Pants for Bears is definitely a live band first, I was pretty surprised by the quality and diversity of the tracks. In this recording I hear the ass shaking party grooves of Parliament, the weirdness of Frank Zappa, the down-home soul of the Allman Brothers, and the hundreds of dirty guitar riffs that inspired bands like the Black Keys.

So what is the difference between a progressive psychedelic band with indie cred and one without? Three or four synthesizers? A fabricated lo-hi aesthetic? A complete unwillingness to make music people can dance to? Well the truth is I don’t know, and don’t really care. This is the kind of band that is just going to get better and better on record, with each member pushing each other to get weirder, better, more exploratory, and willing to take risks. The good news is Pants for Bears is ready to enjoy right now as the group is making live sounds that people used to wait months to see. You went to go see Parliament because they had the funk, and you wanted it badly. Well Pants for Bears has the funk…and some pants…for bears.

1. Original post: Pants for Bears – A Relative Concern

2. Posted in: psychedelic, rock, funk, pants for bears

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/pants-for-bears-a-relative-concern/feed/ 5 http://www.indieshuffle.com/lyrics-born/ http://www.indieshuffle.com/lyrics-born/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 02:02:55 +0000 J Meagher http://www.indieshuffle.com/?p=6099

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Lifesavas, Lateef the Truthspeaker, Gift of Gab

Song: Lyrics Born - Do That There (The Young Einstein Hoo-Hoo Mix) [download here]

Lyrics Born is a silly, silly man. And that’s just how I like him. LB’s 2003 debut Later That Day… was not something wholly original, but something hip-hop hadn’t seen since the break-beat heyday of the 80’s: A hip-hop artist that is totally serious about his craft, but also uses humor and the absurd to compliment his rhyming style. It was a fun album with bouncy beats and smile inducing rhymes that were perfect for a sunny day. LB was so happy with his work on that LP that he followed it up two years later with…that LP.

Same !&#$ Different Day was for the lack of a better term a remix album. Containing a lot of the original material from Later That Day… this remix album twisted, turned, flipped, expanded, and polished the source material to the point that it was almost unrecognizable. The result: One of the most fun hip-hop albums of the 00’s. Part of the reason for this is the amazing collection of supporting artists including The Lifesavas, Evidence (from Dilated Peoples), KRS-1, Young Einstein, E-40, and Morcheeba. The second part of the success of the album comes from the genius of the production. Taking LB’s funky (but ultimately conventional) beats and really screwing with them creates something much better than the original.

So what does that say about Lyrics Born as a solo artist? Well, in 2008 LB returned to his solo efforts with an LP called, Everywhere At Once. DAMN was that accurate! The album was a huge disappointment for me as LB tried too hard to break the mold and forgot to make a solid hip-hop album. The production was schizophrenic, touching on every influence he’s ever claimed without perfecting any of them. He pretty much ignored the machine gun delivery he was famous for and took on hum-drum subjects like shoes, overcoming adversity (three LPs in?), and being super $&@!ing awesome. This is the guy who once rhymed,

On and on, with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Shinobi and Kobe Bryant/
Pokemon and Pinnochio on the Okeefenokee Swamp”

LB is still an enigma to me. When he’s on he’s one of the finest ever to come out of the Bay. When he’s off, well, same !&$% different rapper.

But, please enjoy two of the best tracks ever to come out of the bay area hip-hop scene. First, the aforementioned craziness known as “Do That There “ (The Young Einstein Hoo-Hoo Mix) and the sticky groove laden bay-area anthem, “The Bay”.

1. Original post: Lyrics Born – Everywhere At Once

2. Posted in: hip-hop, bay area, lyrics born

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Lifesavas, Lateef the Truthspeaker, Gift of Gab

Song: Lyrics Born - Do That There (The Young Einstein Hoo-Hoo Mix) [download here]

Lyrics Born is a silly, silly man. And that’s just how I like him. LB’s 2003 debut Later That Day… was not something wholly original, but something hip-hop hadn’t seen since the break-beat heyday of the 80’s: A hip-hop artist that is totally serious about his craft, but also uses humor and the absurd to compliment his rhyming style. It was a fun album with bouncy beats and smile inducing rhymes that were perfect for a sunny day. LB was so happy with his work on that LP that he followed it up two years later with…that LP.

Same !&#$ Different Day was for the lack of a better term a remix album. Containing a lot of the original material from Later That Day… this remix album twisted, turned, flipped, expanded, and polished the source material to the point that it was almost unrecognizable. The result: One of the most fun hip-hop albums of the 00’s. Part of the reason for this is the amazing collection of supporting artists including The Lifesavas, Evidence (from Dilated Peoples), KRS-1, Young Einstein, E-40, and Morcheeba. The second part of the success of the album comes from the genius of the production. Taking LB’s funky (but ultimately conventional) beats and really screwing with them creates something much better than the original.

So what does that say about Lyrics Born as a solo artist? Well, in 2008 LB returned to his solo efforts with an LP called, Everywhere At Once. DAMN was that accurate! The album was a huge disappointment for me as LB tried too hard to break the mold and forgot to make a solid hip-hop album. The production was schizophrenic, touching on every influence he’s ever claimed without perfecting any of them. He pretty much ignored the machine gun delivery he was famous for and took on hum-drum subjects like shoes, overcoming adversity (three LPs in?), and being super $&@!ing awesome. This is the guy who once rhymed,

On and on, with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Shinobi and Kobe Bryant/
Pokemon and Pinnochio on the Okeefenokee Swamp”

LB is still an enigma to me. When he’s on he’s one of the finest ever to come out of the Bay. When he’s off, well, same !&$% different rapper.

But, please enjoy two of the best tracks ever to come out of the bay area hip-hop scene. First, the aforementioned craziness known as “Do That There “ (The Young Einstein Hoo-Hoo Mix) and the sticky groove laden bay-area anthem, “The Bay”.

1. Original post: Lyrics Born – Everywhere At Once

2. Posted in: hip-hop, bay area, lyrics born

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/lyrics-born/feed/ 2 http://www.indieshuffle.com/preview-dr-dog-shame-shame/ http://www.indieshuffle.com/preview-dr-dog-shame-shame/#comments Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:20:42 +0000 J Meagher http://www.indieshuffle.com/?p=6036

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: The Band, Blitzen Trapper, Delta Spirit

Song: Dr. Dog - Stranger [download here]

It’s sort of a funny coincidence that I got my first chance to listen to Dr. Dog’s new LP “Shame, Shame” on the same day that my vinyl copy of their 2005 album “Easy Beat” arrived. I mean, they are still the same, but damn they’ve changed. “Easy Beat” is one of my favorite albums of the last decade because of it emotional, nostalgic, lo-fi quality. Every sound from the LP seemed like it was aching to get through the speaker. All of their oohs and aahs were coming from some drunks in the back of the bar, and the drums sounded like they were being played in the apartment across the hall. These were endearing characteristics for me, and ones that made the album perfectly suitable for the vinyl format.

Over the course of their next two albums they seemed to become progressively more comfortable in the studio and this album seals the deal. For “Shame, Shame” the drums are popping and crisp, the guitar tones are cleaner, and the background vocals and harmonies are clear and damned pretty. It’s the same soul Dr. Dog always had, just with some well-placed bells, and tasteful whistles added on. Near the end of a song called “Station”, a life-on-the-road ballad reminiscent of The Band, there’s a mini cacophony that really contrasts sweetly with the rest of the song. The guitar solo at the end of “Where’d All The Time Go?” adds the perfect exclamation point. Pretty much every song has something like that, which makes you remember each one differently. The lyrics by the way, are arguably the strongest part of the album. This band never has a problem writing things I don’t mind singing over and over again, a quality so many classic groups have. This is really a great addition to what is becoming a really stellar catalogue. Can’t wait to see them in the mountains of High Sierra this summer.

From “Mirror, Mirror”:

They found the body in the river,
they found a note left in the sand
Leave my worries to the water,
and leave my body to the land

1. Original post: Dr. Dog – Shame Shame

2. Posted in: folk-rock, psychedelic, alternative

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: The Band, Blitzen Trapper, Delta Spirit

Song: Dr. Dog - Stranger [download here]

It’s sort of a funny coincidence that I got my first chance to listen to Dr. Dog’s new LP “Shame, Shame” on the same day that my vinyl copy of their 2005 album “Easy Beat” arrived. I mean, they are still the same, but damn they’ve changed. “Easy Beat” is one of my favorite albums of the last decade because of it emotional, nostalgic, lo-fi quality. Every sound from the LP seemed like it was aching to get through the speaker. All of their oohs and aahs were coming from some drunks in the back of the bar, and the drums sounded like they were being played in the apartment across the hall. These were endearing characteristics for me, and ones that made the album perfectly suitable for the vinyl format.

Over the course of their next two albums they seemed to become progressively more comfortable in the studio and this album seals the deal. For “Shame, Shame” the drums are popping and crisp, the guitar tones are cleaner, and the background vocals and harmonies are clear and damned pretty. It’s the same soul Dr. Dog always had, just with some well-placed bells, and tasteful whistles added on. Near the end of a song called “Station”, a life-on-the-road ballad reminiscent of The Band, there’s a mini cacophony that really contrasts sweetly with the rest of the song. The guitar solo at the end of “Where’d All The Time Go?” adds the perfect exclamation point. Pretty much every song has something like that, which makes you remember each one differently. The lyrics by the way, are arguably the strongest part of the album. This band never has a problem writing things I don’t mind singing over and over again, a quality so many classic groups have. This is really a great addition to what is becoming a really stellar catalogue. Can’t wait to see them in the mountains of High Sierra this summer.

From “Mirror, Mirror”:

They found the body in the river,
they found a note left in the sand
Leave my worries to the water,
and leave my body to the land

1. Original post: Dr. Dog – Shame Shame

2. Posted in: folk-rock, psychedelic, alternative

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/preview-dr-dog-shame-shame/feed/ 5 http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-2-flight-to-brazil/ http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-2-flight-to-brazil/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:19:51 +0000 J Meagher http://www.indieshuffle.com/?p=4885

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Os Mutantes, Dangerdoom, J Dilla, Talib Kweli

Song: Madlib - Track 2 [download here]

So I’ve been crazy-sick the past few days, resulting in the overindulgence of over-the-counter crack, also known as Day/Nyquil. This has led to some interesting semi-conscious hours of music listening and conversing, and I’ve been thinking, what better time to put on Madlib’s latest international mind%$@# of a record titled, “Flight to Brazil”? This Brazilian, psychedelic tropicalia flavored mix tape is the result of Madlib pulling his favorite cuts from his enormous pile of vintage vinyl.

Anyone who wrote off the Madlib Medicine Show project, expecting it to be release after release of Madlib’s hip-hop work, will be shocked by the left turn Volume 2 takes from Volume 1. “Flight to Brazil” is about as far of a departure from Madlib and Guilty Simpson’s collab as you can get. But followers of Madlib’s career shouldn’t be surprised. I didn’t become a devout follower of Madlib’s work until I heard an amazing jazz remix album he did in 2003 called “Shades Of Blue: Madlib Invades Blue Note”.

This album really changed things for me in terms of appreciating and pursuing jazz music outside of Tribe Called Quest samples. He took sounds I was unfamiliar and uninterested in, and screwed them up in wonderful ways that made me want to listen over and over again (video for a track off this album will be included below). It’s safe to say that Madlib is NOT a one trick pony. From hip-hop, to jazz, funk, pyschedelia, and world music, Madlib has his thumb on everything.

The songs on this album however, are not influence in the same way that the jazz tracks on “Shades of Blue” are rearranged and reinforced by Madlib’s production. Besides the thoughtful sequencing and arranging of the different untitled tracks on the album, all of the work is left up to the unknowns performing these songs. This is good and bad for me. Madlib lets the tracks speak for themselves, and often that is a great thing.

On the second track Madlib begins with a cut based on an outlandishly funky bass line, with a nice sounding group of ladies chanting a few sweet yet incomprehensible lines (not speaking Portuguese bites me in the ass again). About halfway through the 7-minute track (an average length for this album) the tempo changes drastically into a different, poppy tropicalia recording…and then it changes again into a psychedelic 60’s rock workout…and then again into, well you get the point. The entire album is like this and that also my main complaint.

I’ve gotten used to Madlib taking obscure gems like these and turning them into his own monsters; that doesn’t happen on this album. Some of the tracks scream: “#@%$ with me! Make me weird and amazing!” But Madlib restrains himself, probably for the best, but I was still a little disappointed. There is fantastic news, however: I won’t have to wait very long for Madlib to drop his production style all over some international grooves. Madlib’s going on an African SAFARI!

1. Original post: Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show No. 2: Flight to Brazil

2. Posted in: hip-hop, madlib, world music

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Os Mutantes, Dangerdoom, J Dilla, Talib Kweli

Song: Madlib - Track 2 [download here]

So I’ve been crazy-sick the past few days, resulting in the overindulgence of over-the-counter crack, also known as Day/Nyquil. This has led to some interesting semi-conscious hours of music listening and conversing, and I’ve been thinking, what better time to put on Madlib’s latest international mind%$@# of a record titled, “Flight to Brazil”? This Brazilian, psychedelic tropicalia flavored mix tape is the result of Madlib pulling his favorite cuts from his enormous pile of vintage vinyl.

Anyone who wrote off the Madlib Medicine Show project, expecting it to be release after release of Madlib’s hip-hop work, will be shocked by the left turn Volume 2 takes from Volume 1. “Flight to Brazil” is about as far of a departure from Madlib and Guilty Simpson’s collab as you can get. But followers of Madlib’s career shouldn’t be surprised. I didn’t become a devout follower of Madlib’s work until I heard an amazing jazz remix album he did in 2003 called “Shades Of Blue: Madlib Invades Blue Note”.

This album really changed things for me in terms of appreciating and pursuing jazz music outside of Tribe Called Quest samples. He took sounds I was unfamiliar and uninterested in, and screwed them up in wonderful ways that made me want to listen over and over again (video for a track off this album will be included below). It’s safe to say that Madlib is NOT a one trick pony. From hip-hop, to jazz, funk, pyschedelia, and world music, Madlib has his thumb on everything.

The songs on this album however, are not influence in the same way that the jazz tracks on “Shades of Blue” are rearranged and reinforced by Madlib’s production. Besides the thoughtful sequencing and arranging of the different untitled tracks on the album, all of the work is left up to the unknowns performing these songs. This is good and bad for me. Madlib lets the tracks speak for themselves, and often that is a great thing.

On the second track Madlib begins with a cut based on an outlandishly funky bass line, with a nice sounding group of ladies chanting a few sweet yet incomprehensible lines (not speaking Portuguese bites me in the ass again). About halfway through the 7-minute track (an average length for this album) the tempo changes drastically into a different, poppy tropicalia recording…and then it changes again into a psychedelic 60’s rock workout…and then again into, well you get the point. The entire album is like this and that also my main complaint.

I’ve gotten used to Madlib taking obscure gems like these and turning them into his own monsters; that doesn’t happen on this album. Some of the tracks scream: “#@%$ with me! Make me weird and amazing!” But Madlib restrains himself, probably for the best, but I was still a little disappointed. There is fantastic news, however: I won’t have to wait very long for Madlib to drop his production style all over some international grooves. Madlib’s going on an African SAFARI!

1. Original post: Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show No. 2: Flight to Brazil

2. Posted in: hip-hop, madlib, world music

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-2-flight-to-brazil/feed/ 8 http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-1-before-the-verdict/ http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-1-before-the-verdict/#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:35:51 +0000 J Meagher http://www.indieshuffle.com/?p=4446

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Guilty Simpson, Dangerdoom, J Dilla, Talib Kweli

Song: Madlib - Life Goes By [download here]

To call producer/beatmaker/lyricist Madlib prolific would be a straight up insult. The man is a hip-hop goliath. He’s an unstoppable locomotive of productivity. The man was already so consistent and generous with his music that the newly launched “Madlib Medicine Show” series comes off as almost comical. For those who haven’t heard, the “Madlib Medicine Show” is a set of 12 albums that will be unleashed one a month in 2010. The releases will alternate with original work on the odd months, and mix tapes on the even ones.

The greatest thing about this project for me is the chance to glimpse the inner workings and predilections of hip-hops greatest mind. This man has four tons of vinyl. Let me repeat for dramatic effect: Madlib owns four TONS of vinyl. That’s about a Ford F-150 worth of wax. These mix tapes will pull from all of it, bringing you the funkiest, most obscure cuts from South America, Africa, and other locales.

So how about Volume 1? Well, its called “Before the Verdict” and it seems to be a warm up for his and Guilty Simpson’s upcoming full length “OJ Simpson”. So why would Madlib kick off his grand experiment with a bunch of remixes and B sides from a future album? Well according to the labeling: “Call it a prelude to OJ Simpson. Call it whatever you like. What you get is 17 filthy hip-hop tracks.” We’ll that’s certainly to the point. Who cares if it’s an actual “album”? Especially when the album feels like an antiquated delivery method for such a progressive genre. The tracks are rock solid by the way. Simpsons somewhat flat delivery is like the metronome for Madlib’s off kilter beats and samples. In fact, you can sometimes forget Simpson is there at all until he pops off a signature, grin-inducing line. This is the guy that brought us “If I was any hotter, I’d drink straight vodka, spit out flames and piss lava” Wonderful. I’d say the Med Show is off on the right foot. You should pick this up to get in on the ground floor, and to become accustomed to getting your mind blown by the directions Madlib’s going to take you this year. Brazil anyone?

1. Original post: Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show No. 1: Before the Verdict

2. Posted in: hip-hop, madlib

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Guilty Simpson, Dangerdoom, J Dilla, Talib Kweli

Song: Madlib - Life Goes By [download here]

To call producer/beatmaker/lyricist Madlib prolific would be a straight up insult. The man is a hip-hop goliath. He’s an unstoppable locomotive of productivity. The man was already so consistent and generous with his music that the newly launched “Madlib Medicine Show” series comes off as almost comical. For those who haven’t heard, the “Madlib Medicine Show” is a set of 12 albums that will be unleashed one a month in 2010. The releases will alternate with original work on the odd months, and mix tapes on the even ones.

The greatest thing about this project for me is the chance to glimpse the inner workings and predilections of hip-hops greatest mind. This man has four tons of vinyl. Let me repeat for dramatic effect: Madlib owns four TONS of vinyl. That’s about a Ford F-150 worth of wax. These mix tapes will pull from all of it, bringing you the funkiest, most obscure cuts from South America, Africa, and other locales.

So how about Volume 1? Well, its called “Before the Verdict” and it seems to be a warm up for his and Guilty Simpson’s upcoming full length “OJ Simpson”. So why would Madlib kick off his grand experiment with a bunch of remixes and B sides from a future album? Well according to the labeling: “Call it a prelude to OJ Simpson. Call it whatever you like. What you get is 17 filthy hip-hop tracks.” We’ll that’s certainly to the point. Who cares if it’s an actual “album”? Especially when the album feels like an antiquated delivery method for such a progressive genre. The tracks are rock solid by the way. Simpsons somewhat flat delivery is like the metronome for Madlib’s off kilter beats and samples. In fact, you can sometimes forget Simpson is there at all until he pops off a signature, grin-inducing line. This is the guy that brought us “If I was any hotter, I’d drink straight vodka, spit out flames and piss lava” Wonderful. I’d say the Med Show is off on the right foot. You should pick this up to get in on the ground floor, and to become accustomed to getting your mind blown by the directions Madlib’s going to take you this year. Brazil anyone?

1. Original post: Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show No. 1: Before the Verdict

2. Posted in: hip-hop, madlib

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/madlib-madlib-medicine-show-no-1-before-the-verdict/feed/ 6 http://www.indieshuffle.com/j-meaghers-10-most-played-songs-of-2k9-part-2-of-2/ http://www.indieshuffle.com/j-meaghers-10-most-played-songs-of-2k9-part-2-of-2/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:10:11 +0000 J Meagher http://www.indieshuffle.com/?p=3353

So last year I got a laptop for La Navidad and it pulled my ass out of the stone-age, allowing me to put ALL of my music on one device and keep track of it. Before I was utilizing several external hard drives, streaming websites, compact discs, and the radio (the radio sucks/blows) to get my music fix. Since I’ve upgraded one of the coolest things for me has been keeping track of my listening habits. So the result of this is my top ten listened-to songs of the last year, which actually turned out to really surprise me. These haven’t necessarily been released this year, or aren’t all the most critically acclaimed albums, but give them a shot, there are some true gems here.

1. Original post: J Meagher’s Most Played Songs of 2009: Part 2 of 2

2. Posted in: indie rock, experimental, alternative, beach house, animal collective

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

I never had a brother, so this songs timeless message about familial bro support and voice lessons ring a bit hollow. But damn when that beat drops don’t I just want to shake my ass all over the damned place. I finally gave in to the Animal Collective this year, it’s been fun. I don’t see it as a long-term relationship, but my new years resolution is to live in the now.

The drunker you sound while singing, the more you sing about getting drunk, the more you sound like you’re living in the 19th century, and the closer you are to Canada, the more I’m going to like you. This is basically the template mastered by The Band in the ‘70s: Timeless Americana that makes you feel something, maybe drunk. The Felice Brothers put out an album this year (Yonder is the Clock) but I was a little let down by the crawling tempo towards the end of the album and the cleaner sound of the recording. Their self-titled LP however, is flawless in my mind, encapsulating everything I like about music.

Telling the elongated story of how I discovered these guys would take too long so basically it was: Fleet Foxes Pandora station -> girlfriend -> me -> seeing them play a random Eritrean bar in DC. Their music to me takes the vocal style of Simon and Garfunkel and adds a more nuanced and textured acoustic background. There are songs on this album that have more variety, but besides being a sentimental favorite, it really shows what makes these guys special: Vocal harmonies that go together like chocolate and peanut butter, and gorgeous acoustic melodies. I was damned impressed by this whole album and Chris and Thomas are really genuine guys that love music as much as you. I think they are finishing up their next album and prepping a tour for 2010 so check them out.

I was pretty damned disappointed when I heard that founding member Ryan Vanderhoof was leaving the band to go live in a Buddhist Dharma center. I thought the bands sound was getting bigger and better with each release, and Vanderhoof’s vocals were my favorite of the group. Their 2007 album “Love is Simple” was one of my favorites of the year and I waited, excited but worried, for their follow up. I don’t thing SEW, SEF is the cohesive and consistent experience that their previous effort was, but there is good news. There are some really good songs on this album, the vocals do not suck, and everything on the album is interesting and progressive enough for me to stay excited about these guys. They are a lean threesome now but their sound is rich and complex. “Love is Simple” was a more melodic album than their latest release, but this gem shows they’ve still got that hat, and they wear it really damn well.

Translucence, ghosted, baleful, musty, creeping, shimmering, autumnal, and murky are all adjectives used in pitchfork reviews to describe Beach House’s sound. Wow, now those are some fancy descriptive words. Let me give it a try: Listening to Beach House is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket of noise on the couch and having everything you could possibly want within arms reach. The sounds made by Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand are soothing, while maintaining enough spookyness to keep your attention. Even though I love this group I was still surprised I listened to them more than any other band this last year. I mean, It’s not usually what I go for, no punchy rhythm section and not many stringed instruments to be heard. But there’s something to be said for a band that can craft a sound that is immediately recognizable as theirs, and Beach House does the hell out of that. Can’t wait to listen to their upcoming album. “Norway” for the next year.

So last year I got a laptop for La Navidad and it pulled my ass out of the stone-age, allowing me to put ALL of my music on one device and keep track of it. Before I was utilizing several external hard drives, streaming websites, compact discs, and the radio (the radio sucks/blows) to get my music fix. Since I’ve upgraded one of the coolest things for me has been keeping track of my listening habits. So the result of this is my top ten listened-to songs of the last year, which actually turned out to really surprise me. These haven’t necessarily been released this year, or aren’t all the most critically acclaimed albums, but give them a shot, there are some true gems here.

1. Original post: J Meagher’s Most Played Songs of 2009: Part 1 of 2

2. Posted in: folk, alternative, dan deacon, heartless bastards, cat stevens

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog.

So this was the first surprise. After listening to this album through NPR music’s excellent “first listen” series I completely fell in love. I would probably say this was my favorite album this year. I thought it was a better album than the one pitchfork anointed at the beginning of the year to most likely be the year’s best album. Its a cohesive epic, sonically gorgeous, AND danceable. So why the hell isn’t it number one, and why is a song off that album pitchfork liked so much higher than this one? I think the play count was restricted by the fact that every time I played track 1, was compelled to play the next 10. So here is that track 1, but seriously, listen to the whole thing.

Ok, so I had a Cat Stevens thing going on this year, what of it? This is the only “oldie” on the list, which was surprising because I generally think of myself as an equal opportunist in terms of new/old music. But Mr. Stevens….errr Islam, boy does that voice scratch an itch for me, both fragile and confident at the same time. It’s the equivalent of a hot bath and aromatherapy candles for me.

If I ever got into an emotionally catastrophic breakup, this would be the song I would blast out of my car on the way to Oregon to start my new life as a dairy farmer or something. Epic wailing guitars, emotional depth in the lyrics, and sultry yet powerful vocals define this song. I love this band in general, and I would definitely suggest their other albums, but Erika Wennerstrom (lead singer/guitar) really opened their sound up on this album. Can’t wait to see ‘em live this year.

Confession: I first heard this band in a god damned Starbucks. Does that mean I can’t like it? Does it make me an asshole if I do like it? Arggghhhhhh! Well anyway, it seems like a pretty good fit for Starbucks: Consistent, inoffensive, and trying really hard to get you to like it. This is an incredibly infections mixture of indie, folk, and pop with just enough worldly flourishes to keep it interesting. It is also insanely easy to listen to and just really damned likeable. I was surprised by how much I listened to this band considering I don’t truly feel like a fan, a testament to the quality of the music.

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Black Keys, Dangermouse, Mos Def

Song: Blakroc - On The Vista (Ft. Mos Def) [download here]

I was too excited for this album to review it right away. The Black Keys…Mos Def…PHAROAHE MONCH!?!? Everything about this project made sense to me. the black keys have been experimenting more and more with each release, culminating in their collaboration with dangermouse on their 2008 LP “Attack & release“. Mos Def had experimented with rock production on his follow up to the classic “Black on Both Sides” and for what its worth, I think that album (called The New Danger) is absurdly underrated. But of course this project isn’t just Mos and The Keys, and that’s why I hated it.

After listening 2, 3, 4 times all I kept thinking was, “why so many collaborations?” They nail it on the two songs with Mos on vocals. I mean, both of these artists encapsulate the blues in their own unique ways, why not let them run with it for a whole album? What changed for me was when I tried forgetting who the hell was playing/rapping, and just listened to it for what it was. In actuality this album feels more cohesive than most hip hop records done by one person. When listened to as a whole, the personalities on the record become different characters in the same movie, all contributing something to the big picture.

One of the many sickeningly cool things about this project is that it was thoroughly documented through its website, where there are episodic videos (mostly of Jim Jones lighting up in every square foot of the recording studio and discussing ridiculous things), nicely done B&W photos, and news about the Blakroc Camero (wtf?)

As a side note: does Jim Jones go to sleep with a joint in his mouth? Does he sweat liquid THC?  If he has fish, do they catch contact highs in their bowl? Has Jim Jones ever failed at getting someone high? Ever? This man is not a pot enthusiast, he is a connoisseur, an artist, a pot wizard perhaps.

…for better or worse, it ultimately serves as both the floor and the ceiling. If you’re okay with “solid” being the main descriptor for a project boasting such well-known talent, BlakRoc won’t be a disappointment – Pitchfork

1. Original post: Blakroc – Blakroc

2. Posted in: hip-hop, blues rock, blakroc

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: Black Keys, Dangermouse, Mos Def

Song: Blakroc - On The Vista (Ft. Mos Def) [download here]

I was too excited for this album to review it right away. The Black Keys…Mos Def…PHAROAHE MONCH!?!? Everything about this project made sense to me. the black keys have been experimenting more and more with each release, culminating in their collaboration with dangermouse on their 2008 LP “Attack & release“. Mos Def had experimented with rock production on his follow up to the classic “Black on Both Sides” and for what its worth, I think that album (called The New Danger) is absurdly underrated. But of course this project isn’t just Mos and The Keys, and that’s why I hated it.

After listening 2, 3, 4 times all I kept thinking was, “why so many collaborations?” They nail it on the two songs with Mos on vocals. I mean, both of these artists encapsulate the blues in their own unique ways, why not let them run with it for a whole album? What changed for me was when I tried forgetting who the hell was playing/rapping, and just listened to it for what it was. In actuality this album feels more cohesive than most hip hop records done by one person. When listened to as a whole, the personalities on the record become different characters in the same movie, all contributing something to the big picture.

One of the many sickeningly cool things about this project is that it was thoroughly documented through its website, where there are episodic videos (mostly of Jim Jones lighting up in every square foot of the recording studio and discussing ridiculous things), nicely done B&W photos, and news about the Blakroc Camero (wtf?)

As a side note: does Jim Jones go to sleep with a joint in his mouth? Does he sweat liquid THC?  If he has fish, do they catch contact highs in their bowl? Has Jim Jones ever failed at getting someone high? Ever? This man is not a pot enthusiast, he is a connoisseur, an artist, a pot wizard perhaps.

…for better or worse, it ultimately serves as both the floor and the ceiling. If you’re okay with “solid” being the main descriptor for a project boasting such well-known talent, BlakRoc won’t be a disappointment – Pitchfork

1. Original post: Blakroc – Blakroc

2. Posted in: hip-hop, blues rock, blakroc

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/blakroc-blakroc/feed/ 8 http://www.indieshuffle.com/bombadil-tarpits-and-canyonlands/ http://www.indieshuffle.com/bombadil-tarpits-and-canyonlands/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:00:13 +0000 J Meagher http://www.indieshuffle.com/?p=2050

Visit Indie Shuffle to download.

Sounds like: The Decemberists, Avett Brothers, The Mountain Goats

Song: Bombadil - Laundromat [download here]

I’m not sure if I will ever again listen an album as much as Bombadil’s debut LP, “A Buzz, A Buzz.” I don’t know if it was just because of where I was in life personally, or because I stumbled upon them randomly in a bar in Harrisonburg, Virginia, but the sounds of that record grabbed my attention in ways I doubted music could. It was nostalgic and whimsical and a little scary and I loved every song. “Tarpits and Canyonlands” (which came out in July) captures everything I loved about their first album with the added benefit of sounding freakin’ amazing.

The point brought up in almost every review of the album so far has been the contribution of producer Scott Solter. This guy has worked with acts like The Mountain Goats, John Vanderslice, and St. Vincent, and obviously knows how to bring a groups sound together. The songs are about as diverse as an indie-rock band can make them. From rollicking Decemberisty (yeah I said it) tunes, to whimsical folk yarns, to epic ruminations of life and death, its pretty much got it all covered. The instrumentation is wonderfully varied as well, I mean who doesn’t like the sound of pan flutes? What strikes me most is the honesty you hear in their voices. What they are saying may not always be transcendent, or thought provoking (though often it is), but you always believe they mean it, or have felt what they are expressing to you. I think this is a rare trait, and one Bombadil owns completely.

And like many of the songs they write, there is a hint of sadness to their story. A week before releasing the album, and embarking on the inevitable tour, which would spread the good word of Bombadil far and wide, the band made a sad announcement. One of the three full time members and chief songwriters of the band, Daniel Michalak, had been diagnosed with severe tendonitis of his hands, forcing them to cancel all upcoming shows. The band is hopeful of a full recovery, and they’re writing new songs in the meantime. Until then we have an excellent album I will be listening to again, and again.

1. Original post: Bombadil – Tarpits and Canyonlands

2. Posted in: folk-rock, Bombadil

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]>

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Sounds like: The Decemberists, Avett Brothers, The Mountain Goats

Song: Bombadil - Laundromat [download here]

I’m not sure if I will ever again listen an album as much as Bombadil’s debut LP, “A Buzz, A Buzz.” I don’t know if it was just because of where I was in life personally, or because I stumbled upon them randomly in a bar in Harrisonburg, Virginia, but the sounds of that record grabbed my attention in ways I doubted music could. It was nostalgic and whimsical and a little scary and I loved every song. “Tarpits and Canyonlands” (which came out in July) captures everything I loved about their first album with the added benefit of sounding freakin’ amazing.

The point brought up in almost every review of the album so far has been the contribution of producer Scott Solter. This guy has worked with acts like The Mountain Goats, John Vanderslice, and St. Vincent, and obviously knows how to bring a groups sound together. The songs are about as diverse as an indie-rock band can make them. From rollicking Decemberisty (yeah I said it) tunes, to whimsical folk yarns, to epic ruminations of life and death, its pretty much got it all covered. The instrumentation is wonderfully varied as well, I mean who doesn’t like the sound of pan flutes? What strikes me most is the honesty you hear in their voices. What they are saying may not always be transcendent, or thought provoking (though often it is), but you always believe they mean it, or have felt what they are expressing to you. I think this is a rare trait, and one Bombadil owns completely.

And like many of the songs they write, there is a hint of sadness to their story. A week before releasing the album, and embarking on the inevitable tour, which would spread the good word of Bombadil far and wide, the band made a sad announcement. One of the three full time members and chief songwriters of the band, Daniel Michalak, had been diagnosed with severe tendonitis of his hands, forcing them to cancel all upcoming shows. The band is hopeful of a full recovery, and they’re writing new songs in the meantime. Until then we have an excellent album I will be listening to again, and again.

1. Original post: Bombadil – Tarpits and Canyonlands

2. Posted in: folk-rock, Bombadil

3. Find more music on Indie Shuffle's Indie Music Blog. ]]> http://www.indieshuffle.com/bombadil-tarpits-and-canyonlands/feed/ 6