Again! Again! MixCD! MixCD!

we(heart)handclaps

2007-10-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

this mp3 blog is dead! long live the new blog!

we(heart)handclaps: "we(heart)handclaps the sounds of two hands clapping"
We're refiring on all blogging cyclinders, now.

I've switched mp3 blogs from AgainAgainMixCD.blogspot.com (awkward and kinda long...) to the simpler and more evocative "we(heart)handclaps". Which, undeniably, we do.

New design for that site to come, and it's going to be listed on The Hype Machine. So, I'm going to try and be a little professional about updating, editing and writing creatively.

Go download the Rumble Strips bouncy single, "Girls & Boys in Love."

Thanks for reading.

Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights

2007-10-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

And we're back to mp3blogging.

Though we're thinking of registering for an actual domain name and new title for the blog. What do you think of "WeHeartHandclaps.com"?

This is guitar-driven Clash-like goodness that's so deliciously anthemic that even a car company, like say, Hyundai, would find it a little too perfect for their commercials.

Did I mention that if you ever use one of these mp3s on a commercial you owe me a beer? Well, you do.

Hard Fi - Suburban Knights

Coconut Records - West Coast

2007-08-07T17:42:00.000-07:00

So it runs out that Jason Schwartzman does more than have a hit play. (Rushmore reference). He also writes a pretty sweet melody. Witness West Coas by Coconut Records.

Happy Birthday!

2007-07-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to us!

stereogum presents...OK X: A Tribute to OK Computer

2007-07-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

Pretty damn cool collection of covers of all 12 songs on Radiohead's OK Computer. And not by super-obscure bands, only semi-obscure ones.

stereogum presents...OK X: A Tribute to OK Computer: "Introduction

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Radiohead's OK Computer we've asked some of our favorite musicians to participate in a song-by-song covers compilation. Indicative of the album's continued importance, each invitee jumped at the chance; the results are personal, intense, tellingly various. Slow down, dig in, enjoy. But note: we did this all legal and everything, so we can't keep these up forever...get 'em before someone else does. Ambition makes you look pretty."

Daytrotter | Free Songs: The National

2007-07-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

Very cool cover of the Psychedelic Furs classic.

Daytrotter | Free Songs: The National: "Fourth song
Pretty in Pink (The National) [3.16MB] [1721 downloads]"

OPmP3: best of 2007 divided by 2.

2007-06-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

The excellent Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good has their 1/2 year best of 2007 mp3s up.

Take a look at them, here.

selling out is not selling out?

2007-06-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

From Pitchfork, whose opinions I take as a little grandiose, usually. An article about musicians working for The Man (aka corporations.) Begins talking about Wilco & VW's marriage of convenience and moves on from there. Coupla interestint points, if you're into that kinda thing.

Pitchfork Feature: Column: Get That Out Of Your Mouth #36: "There's something wrong with Wilco's new deal with Volkwagen-- and it ain't the money. Sure, some of their fans are crawling around message boards yelling "SELL OUT," but I don't have a problem with a band taking a check from a car company. The problem is what they expect to get out of the deal. Wilco's licensing not one, but up to half of the songs on their new record Sky Blue Sky, to air on TV commercials and on a cross-branded section of the Volkswagen site. As Wilco puts it on their own site, "With the commercial radio airplay route getting more difficult for many bands (including Wilco); we see this as another way to get the music out there."

Wilco hopes to get mass media exposure. And they're not the only ones. Paul McCartney's new disc, Memory Always Full, debuted at #3 with his best sales in years thanks to Starbucks and their Hear Music label-- which means he's doing better with a coffee giant than with Capitol Records. And the other day I got an e-mail from a new band, the 88, telling me that they just signed to Def Jam-- but just as important, they landed a song in a Sears commercial. With CD sales tanking and the record moguls cowering in their cubicles, that Sears ad could be the best exposure they get.

...

At first I balked at this. Licensing a song to a corporation used to mean a quick buck; when did artists start leaning on non-music companies to keep them afloat? But then I tried to take a Wired "rock band 2.0" perspective, where everything's rosy and corporations can be hip and good for society. And now I'm a convert: I think corporations should do even more for musicians. They should put them on their payroll. And there's another problem. While we tell ourselves that in the digital mediasphere, artists have the power to 'own their careers,' I'm starting to doubt that's true. Sure, artists can run their careers as a business. But do they 'own' anything, beyond (sometimes) their copyrights? Or are they more like freelancers, selling their culture and ideas to any willing bidder-- and starving when the phone stops ringing?

In digital media today, corporations are regaining their power as the arbiters of your long-term ambitions. And forget about the disruptive power of the internet: all those get-famous-quick schemes only make this more true. Sure, you can kickstart on MySpace or YouTube. But nobody wants to stay there. The newcomers quickly turn to corporations for recognition and start-up cash; and career artists turn there for stability, and the steady cash that they feel they deserve. Nobody can live hand-to-mouth forever, especially if they resent it. So if they can get a payout -- hell, a partnership-- like the Wilco-Volkswagen deal, they should take it. Working for the man is good enough for the rest of us. Shouldn't it be good enough for rock stars?"

stereogum: White Stripes taking it back to the days of brick and mortar

2007-06-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Midnight release parties. What a throwback. But kinda cool, too.

I know I'll be hitting the 'download' button on iTunes at Midnight. But not for the Stripes but the Spree.

stereogum: White Stripes taking it back to the days of brick and mortar: "The White Stripes are taking over the old Tower Records on Sunset Blvd. for a midnight madness sale Tuesday June 19th at 12:01AM and then a special performance on Wednesday June 20th in the store. The whole store is being decorated in the style of the old Tower, except with imagery from the band. The first 200 people to buy the record at midnight will receive tickets to the show. Fans have already begun to camp out to ensure their tickets. Check out the youtube channel for video coverage of the event."

The Polyphonic Spree Bonus DVD Segment 3 - In Stores June 19

2007-06-15T16:26:00.001-07:00

Tim recording the girls vocals to 'Running Away'. Gorgeous to hear them on their own.

New Spree video

2007-06-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

Shot by Hal Samples, using only still photography.

The Stone Roses - She Bangs The Drums

2007-06-01T09:48:00.001-07:00

Can't say why I'm particularly fired up today about this song, but let's just say it relates to a certain new client of mine.

M. Ward on C0nan

2007-05-23T16:33:00.001-07:00

Frankly amazing. I love when musicians get together and jam on one another's songs and so clearly enjoy playing with each other.

All In Good Time

2007-05-18T14:41:00.001-07:00

It brings tears to my eyes to see this.

First DOWNLOAD: The Polyphonic Spree - 'The Championship' and LISTEN.

Then head over to this guy's blog and watch what happens the very first time a crowd heard the song.

The Polyphonic Spree leaves the stage in NYC and then this happened..."

Pitchfork: Neko Case to Tour With Rufus Wainwright

2007-05-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

But the big news to the announcement is Neko's solo tour: Check the last date and location. Very nice.

Pitchfork: Neko Case to Tour With Rufus Wainwright: "Neko:

05-26 George, WA - Gorge Amphitheatre (Sasquatch! Festival)
07-19 Pittsburgh, PA - Byham Theater *
07-20 New York, NY - Central Park Summer Stage
07-21 Greenfield, MA - Greenfield Community College (Green River Festival)
08-09 Kansas City, MO - Voodoo Lounge at Harrah's Casino #
08-10 Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theatre #
08-11 Austin, TX - Stubb's Bar-B-Q #
08-13 Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle #
08-14 Nashville, TX - Ryman Auditorium #
08-15 Charlottesville, VA - Charlottesville Pavilion #
08-16 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
08-17 Philadelphia, PA - Mann Center for the Performing Arts
08-18 Mansfield, MA - Download Festival
09-02 Marquette, MI - Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park
09-03 Detroit, MI - Detroit International Jazz Festival
11-16 Los Angeles, CA - Walt Disney Concert Hall"

OPmP3: Go! Team

2007-05-17T15:15:00.001-07:00

From an italian blog called inkiostro, the new Go! Team single.

Initial reaction: not as great as say, Ladyflash.

Second reaction: I am humming this in the elevator.

Third reaction: infectious.

inkiostro: "Ci piacevano un sacco, i Go! Team. Con quella loro attitudine aerobica a una materia sonora magmatica e ipercinetica, costruita ad arte su campionamenti e indie-rock, cori da cheerleader e rime hip-hop, e con un paio di singoli da paura (come la spettacolare Bottle rocket) e diverse perle nascoste nei lati B, i Go! Team sembravano davvero qualcosa di insolito in un panorama sempre troppo rassicurante. Apprendo che il combo inglese sta per tornare con un EP e con un disco, proprio nel momento in cui mi imbatto nel nuovo singolo Grip like a vice. Battimani, cori, riff orientali rubati chiss�dove, e rime serrate su basi che somigliano sempre alla soundtrack di qualche episodio di Rocky. Non sembra un passo avanti n�uno di lato, solo un passo in pi�. Rassicurante, gi�.

The Go! Team - Grip like a vice (MP3)"

Spree'ng a leak

2007-05-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

leaky leaky leaky...

It's a new spree song.

Feist - I Feel It All (Live)

2007-05-17T05:24:00.001-07:00

So much to discover/uncover/take undercover (sorry - rule of threes) on the new Feist CD - The Reminder.

I Feel It All on the album is a kind of alt-country strummer as done by a worldly Torontoan who resides in Paris as produced by a French keyboardist.

Love how she pronounces one 'hwon'.

gorilla vs. bear: it feels so alive going backwards: new polyphonic spree: light to follow

2007-05-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH

i can has spree?

gorilla vs. bear: it feels so alive going backwards: new polyphonic spree: light to follow: "
We are officially in love with The Polyphonic Spree's upcoming album, The Fragile Army. As a fan of everything that Tim Delaughter has created over the last 15 years or so, I can genuinely say that this album ranks right alongside Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb as one of the most beautiful things Delaughter has ever done. 'Light to Follow' has been one of our favorite songs since we first saw the band perform it in Austin last year, and the studio version doesn't disappoint. Although this song is quite unlike anything Tim has ever done (check the programmed drum beats and '80s synths), it sounds to our ears like a perfect combination of everything we love about JHLTAB and The Beginning Stages of....

mp3:
The Polyphonic Spree Light To Follow"

Penis Power - Alexyss K. Tylor

2007-05-16T15:16:00.001-07:00

Unbelievably great.

The Long John Silver's analogy is particularly savvy. (about 3:30 in).

Link to best musical track to put underneath it to come.

Light and Day-Sun Machine in NYC

2007-05-14T16:00:00.001-07:00

July 18 in Los Angeles. 1/2 back money back guarantee to anyone who goes and doesn't like it.

The Fragile Army

2007-05-14T15:59:00.001-07:00

Link will probably be down by the time you read this, but search youtube for 'polar bears'.

Pitchfork Forkcast: On Repeat: The Go! Team: "Grip Like a Vice" [Stream]

2007-05-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

Head over to Pitchfork for a listen to the new Go! Team single.

Very... interesting. Not as insanely catchy as Ladyflash tho.

Pitchfork Forkcast: On Repeat: The Go! Team: "Grip Like a Vice" [Stream]: "On Repeat: The Go! Team: 'Grip Like a Vice' [Stream]

With their moderately large international audience and handful of licensing deals, it stood to reason that the next wave of Go! Team material would be tighter, smoother, and slicker, more willing to play by the rules of big-selling pop. But on the evidence here, the band's leader Ian Parton has lost none of his interest in trying to cram about four different songs into one four-minute single. 'Grip Like a Vice' sounds like the band is riding a shopping cart with bum wheel as it zooms dangerously down a bumpy hill. Synthetic handclaps rush by so fast they verge on applause, drums are less concerned with keeping time than making noise, the keyboards sound more like a warning than melody, and rapper Ninja, reeling off the late-80s hip-hop party starting clich�s, is kept down in the mix, where she sounds more like a human sample than a master of ceremonies.

The single's B-sides will include a cover of Sonic Youth's 'Bull With a Heather', a remix by ex-Beta Band leader Steve Mason, and a new Go! Team track."

Pitchfork: Exclusive: Polyphonic Spree Announce Summer Tour

2007-05-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

Whoooooooooooohooooooooooooo!

July 18, El Rey theatre in LA.
July 14 for you Portland folks.
July 17 in SF.

Pitchfork: Exclusive: Polyphonic Spree Announce Summer Tour: "
Xml_feed_buton RSS Feed

News-header

Exclusive: Polyphonic Spree Announce Summer Tour
Band gets smashed, becomes Polyphonic Pixy Stix
Been moving through life like a slug? Are you letting it live you, rather than living it yourself? Are you looking for someone who really understands? The Polyphonic Spree can help. Their potent blend of happy-go-culty Kool-Aid has inspired devotees with wills stronger than yours, brother. They're just looking to show you a better way.

The spectacular (and only slightly creepy) Polyphonic Spree wish to welcome you to the fold this summer on a bunch of North American happenings and be-ins. You can find out firsthand whether or not those new black get-ups have any end-of-days significance, and maybe pick up a copy of the TVT-issued, tracklist-flux The Fragile Army, due June 19. Just make sure not to eat anything you didn't personally unwrap. "

!!! (Chk Chk Chk) - Must Be The Moon (taken from Myth Takes)

2007-05-10T01:11:00.001-07:00

This is what I hope my upcoming Memorial Day trip to SF will be like...

Simian Mobile Disco

2007-05-10T00:19:00.001-07:00

Borrowing from EDSBS.com's Friday cheesecake theme, we're adding a lil Friday cheesecake to our Lazy Blogger Friday.

Simian Mobile Disco also teamed with Justice to do that banger 'We are your friends!'

The Go! Team set to return with new album | News | NME.COM

2007-05-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

Fucking sweet.

While we're going over new albums I'm excited about, I actually had a dream last night that I saw the Polyphonic Spree at a playground.

The Go! Team set to return with new album | News | NME.COM: "The Go! Team set to return with new album
Plus Brighton collective get ready with two singles
3 hours ago

The Go! Team are set to release their as-yet untitled new album on September 10.

The follow up to 2004's 'Thunder, Lightning, Strike' will be proceeded by two singles - 'Grip Like A Vice' on July 2 and'Doing It Right' on September 3.

Other tracks that are scheduled to appear on the album are 'The Keys To The City' and 'Titanic Vandalism'."

New Groove Armada!

2007-05-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

A proper electro banger in the return single from Groove Armada. Looking forward to hearing this at the clubs.

Groove Armada - Get Down

Arctic Monkeys At Coachella 2007 (Part 13)

2007-05-01T15:07:00.001-07:00

When the Sun Goes Down at Coachella. From where Butter and I were standing, the sun, was er, going down.

Perfect.

stereogum: The Fragile Army, Mashed

2007-04-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Go get a mash-up of the new Polyphonic Spree. Sounds like their much vaunted change of direction isn't going to be such a change of direction.

And that's a *great* thing.

stereogum: The Fragile Army, Mashed: "The Fragile Army, Mashed

It's been a tough to keep up with just how many of our favorite bands were dropping new material in '07, and Tim DeLaughter's solution is one to grab even the most ADD-addled blogger: ditch the rainbow robes, don the black parade fatigues, and tease the forthcoming record in a coherent, seamless mashup. This track comprises bits from all eleven cuts from The Fragile Army, perfect for the Ritalin set, still enough to whet you Spree fiends' appetites for a few weeks. We even get a little promo pitch from Tim in the coda.

The Polyphonic Spree - 'Fragile Army Mashup' (MP3)

Wow. Yes, we just got a whole lot more excited, too. The Fragile Army is out 6/19 on TVT. Sucks to have to wait 'til June, but that gives you plenty of time to cop the new Polyphonic threads."

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

2007-04-23T15:59:00.001-07:00

I know it's nearly Zach Braff type music, but I dig it still.

And isn't that what Boris would've wanted?

Indian Thriller

2007-04-19T21:11:00.001-07:00

Suh-weet.

Young Folks, Bluegrass style

2007-04-16T21:02:00.000-07:00

This is an amazing bluegrass version of Peter, Bjorn & John's original, the whistling song from Grey's Anatomy.

Feist - 1 2 3 4

2007-04-16T15:34:00.001-07:00

Call this the antidote to a Case of the Mondays.

More big happy fun, please!

OPmP3: Bloc Party remixes

2007-04-07T00:16:00.001-07:00

Some fine Bloc Party remixes over at Good Weather for Airstrikes.

We'll strike the same deal of handjobs/beer for server space, too.

Good Weather for Airstrikes � Blog Archive � …And We’re Back: "Thanks to one Mr. Nicky Berger, who DONATED HIS ENTIRE SERVER TO US (seriously), we’re back in business. So yeah, we’re all ridiculously in debt to this man and owe him, like, at least 1,000 handjobs or something. Or maybe just a beer. We’ll see how things go.

ANYWAY, what better way to celebrate than with two incredibly sexy remixes from the freshly-leaked I Still Remember EP. First up, we’ve got SebastiAn’s rework which is just all kinds of ridiculous. I don’t even know where to begin, but one thing’s for sure - SebastiAn just established himself as the force to be reckoned with in the remixing game; he’s operating on a whole new level right now. I mean, just look at this remix. SebastiAn takes arguably the safest and most vanilla track on A Weekend In The City and turns it into an absolute MONSTER, drawing you in gently with some seductive spiraling synths before dropping the motherfucking beat at the 0:50 mark, like Zeus himself raining thunder and lightning down on the unsuspecting masses below. Things carry on like this the rest of the way out, as Kele’s “I should have kissed you!” yelps, punctuated by SebastiAn’s massive, bass-heavy synth surges, recall all the desperate urgency of Silent Alarm that’s sadly absent on the new record. SebastiAn, I bow before you."

Bloc Party - I Still Remember

2007-04-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

In which Bloc Party sinks into a Killers-like anthemic chime, and Kele longs again for whatever Kele longs for. I still like it, even though everytime I hear it I think it's a Killers song.

DOWNLOAD: Bloc Party - 'I Still Remember'

My Old Kentucky Blog: Amy Winehouse Rehab Remix : Home of the After-After-After-After-After-After-After-After-Party!

2007-04-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

If you don't love Amy Winehouse already, i may withdraw my conditional love for you.

Pharaoh: They gave me crystal meth and e-tabs, but i said No-No-No/They tried to send my black ass to rehab but i won't Go-go-go...

My Old Kentucky Blog: Amy Winehouse Rehab Remix : Home of the After-After-After-After-After-After-After-After-Party!: "Amy Winehouse Rehab Remix

Yeah, I guess April Fool's isn't that funny on the 5th. We'll ditch that. Sorry, I spent most of last night and today working on getting covers tracks reupped. it was like waiting music.

Another remix of Amy Winehouse's Rehab. This one features Pharoahe Monch.

[listen] Amy Winehouse - Rehab (remix ft. Pharoahe Monch)"

Arctic Monkeys: 505 � Shameless Complacency

2007-04-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

Arctic Monkey leak (better than monkey throwing feces):

Arctic Monkeys: 505 � Shameless Complacency: "Although I still have no clue why they’ve been hailed as the amazing band they most certainly aren’t, the Arctic Monkeys are still capable of producing good songs. Such is the case with the latest track from their upcoming album, ‘505′. It slows down their trademark ADHD formula, and actually gives the band some time think about what their doing. The result is one of their better songs.

Arctic Monkeys - 505.mp3"

Culture Bully � Amy Winehouse Live in Paradiso, Amsterdam (02-08-2007)

2007-04-04T14:24:00.000-07:00

Get yer live Amy Winehouse mp3s a here: Culture Bully � Amy Winehouse Live in Paradiso, Amsterdam (02-08-2007)

The Cure team up with Ashlee Simpson

2007-04-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

I don't feel good about this. In fact, I feel so bad, I've got nothing snarky prepared to write.

The Cure team up with Ashlee Simpson: "The Cure team up with Ashlee Simpson

04/02/2007 1:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
courtesy of NME.com

The Cure frontman Robert Smith has teamed up with singer Ashlee Simpson for a collaboration on her new album.

The as-yet-untitled album is the follow up to 2005's I Am Me.

Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz denied any involvement in putting the unusual pair together, even though both of them are his personal friends.

He said: 'I doubt I had anything to do with it, 'cause they were friends since she was performing in Chicago. But I definitely only have good things to say about Ash--I think the collaboration could be great.'

Simpson is also known to be working with Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley, Chad Hugo from the Neptunes, and John Legend, reports Entertainment Weekly."

Modest Mouse: Missed the Boat

2007-03-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

My favorite new track from the new Modest Mouse album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. It's called 'Missed the Boat' (what is it with Isaac and the water? though it should be noted that the cover graphic is a hot-air balloon.)

Featuring permanent member Johnny Marr on guitar and a guest appearance by James Mercer of the Shins, I think it's the poppiest number on the disc.

It's on repeat now, but not in the way that Float On was. My friends and co-workers are probably very thankful for that.

DOWNLOAD: Modest Mouse - Missed the Boat

The reviews, according to Metacritic.com, have been 'Generally favorable'.

Modest Mouse: We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank (2007): Reviews: "'We Were Dead,' the Isaac Brock-led band's follow-up to its breakthrough 2004 hit 'Good News for People Who Love Bad News,' is their first release to feature their newest member, former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. The Shins' James Mercer guests on three tracks."

LBF: Heavy Metal Drummer

2007-03-09T14:29:00.001-08:00

I miss those days so innocent and pure.

OPmP3: Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good � String Quartet Tribute - Arcade Fire

2007-03-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good � String Quartet Tribute - Arcade Fire: "If you’ve followed this site long enough, you might remember a time when I posted a new String Quartet Tribute album every week. While those days are long dry, I still have a soft spot for the SQT and while I was perusing emusic today I noticed that they were releasing their tribute to the Arcade Fire’s Funeral today (conveniently linked to the Neon Bible release date).

Since some of these songs are heavily string orchestrated already the songs turn out sounding like a instrumental version of the song, which isn’t actually too bad of a thing to be listening when you have classics like “Neighborhood #1″ and “Rebellion (Lies)”. The only downfall is that the strings have a hard time capturing the urgency of the band, reducing most everything to pleasant background music. Still though, if you’re trying to pick up everything with the Arcade Fire name on it you can get your hands on, this release shouldn’t be missed.

MP3 Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
MP3 Rebellion (Lies)

Grab it at emusic"

Arnold Rave

2007-03-07T10:03:00.001-08:00

Arnold is so fucking down with going to Burning Man it's not even funny.

He politely requests you rub some Vicks-Vap-o-Rub on his massive pecs.

LBF + OPmP3: Maia Hirasawa - And I found this boy

2007-03-02T10:52:00.001-08:00

Goddamn, but I love Swedish pop goodness. This track from someone named Maia Hirasawa (how's that Japanese - ed) sounds like indie meets 80s English pop like Dexy's Midnight Runners.

I can see bopping along to this down the PCH, top down. I could see selling this song to a teen starlet, 2 years before she starts letting vj hang out in public.

Watch the video. Apparently the song's about having a one night stand with a member of another band. If you watch even with half an eye, you should be able to guess which instrument that gentleman plays. (She mentions in the song that the girl has a boyfriend back home.)

Download it at Songs:Illinois: http://songsillinoismp3.blogspot.com/2007/02/maia-hirasawas-debut-single-and-i-found.html

Scatter o' Light: that'll do

2007-03-01T10:10:00.000-08:00

A really crappy rip of the new Arctic Monkeys single Brianstorm is available at the link below. But the rip's nearly unintelligible. I say wait for a better leak on the InterTubes.

Scatter o' Light: that'll do: "that'll do
brianstorm - arctic monkeys
(radio broadcast version)
hmmmmm, yeah. the new arctic monkeys tune was aired on the radio in the uk yesterday. zane lowe played it twice in a row (above). it's a bit muse-ishly frantic. and definitely better the second time around. and yes, it's brianstorm and not brainstorm. more info here."

OPmP3: Wilco: The New Sky Blue Sky Tracks � Shameless Complacency

2007-03-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

LEAK alert!

3 new Wilco tracks have fallen from the sky and are working their way through the SCHOOOMP! pneumtic tubes of the internet. (Little known fact: if you can find a bank that still has the tubes, you can write a message, put it in the container and instantaneouslythat message will be emailed to God.

Wilco: The New Sky Blue Sky Tracks � Shameless Complacency

Very early this morning (or very late last night), three new tracks from Wilco’s upcoming album, Sky Blue Sky (artwork pictured above), made their way onto the internet. They showcase a more relaxed Wico, seeming to return to their alt-country roots, while throwing in some R&B into the mix. I haven’t listened to them very much, but as of now, You Are My Face seems to be the standout track, with a beautiful guitar solo, and obvious R&B influences. Sky Blue Sky hits stores on May 15th, but based on information floating around, you can expect a leak well before then. Could it happen this week? Maybe so.

Wilco - Either Way.mp3
Wilco - You Are My Face.mp3
Wilco - Walken.mp3

Dylan Hears a Who!

2007-02-28T14:47:00.000-08:00

A faux Dylan covers Mr. Geisel.

Dylan Hears a Who!

OPmP3s: Air - Once Upon a Time

2007-02-26T20:17:00.001-08:00

I'm not the biggest Air fan in the world, but they played a surprisingly good set at Coachella a few years ago. So, I'm looking forward to seeing them this year on Sunday night, though hopefully they won't be on at the same time as Happy Mondays.

stereogum: New Air - "Once Upon A Time": "New Air - 'Once Upon A Time'

Like the best in Air's incomparable catalog, 'Once Upon A Time' is tough to hold down, both evocative yet languidly detached, at once rife with instrumentation and as buoyant as, well, air. It's the first single from Pocket Symphony, and the one for which they just shot a note perfect video. We tend toward hyperbole with the band that gave this blog its name, so we'll spare you the gush and just let you at the track. It's awesome. (Sorry couldn't help it.)

Air - 'Once Upon A Time' (MP3)"

OPmP3: Mark Ronson

2007-02-22T10:58:00.000-08:00

Mark Ronson's an English producer who's done a bunch of really interesting producing and remixing of popular UK acts. Or rather, perhaps, he's popularized them.

I'll let the inestimable Fluxblog describe his solo track. The revisit of the Lily Allen track (Coachella Sunday) takes the original's ska and swerves nostalgic into the girl group/motown territory of some of his Amy Winehouse work. Think I like the original better, but maybe it's just fresher.

FLUXBLOG: A Jointless Finger Made Out Of Pork: "Mark Ronson featuring Santo Gold 'Pretty Green' - The original version of 'Pretty Green' by the Jam is hardly a sleepy tune, but in comparison to this super-kinetic cover by producer Mark Ronson, it seems stiff and comatose. Is there even a proper genre name for this thing, other than 'classy dance-pop stuff with horns that Mark Ronson makes' or um, 'modern Ze'? Santo Gold has a prissy, bratty voice similar to that of Cristina, though her delivery is more playful than caustic and ironic. Not to say that there isn't some irony in this record; it's just that it's not the kind that is meant to make you feel bad. (Click here for Mark Ronson's MySpace page.)"

DOWNLOAD: Lily Allen - Smile (Mark Ronson revisit)
DOWNLOAD: Mark Ronson f. Santo Gold - Pretty Green
And get the Ronson produced Amy Winehouse track 'Rehab' at previous post 'LBF - Amy Winehouse - Rehab'

Coachella Saturday regina spektor - hotel song

2007-02-21T16:28:00.001-08:00

Adorable quirky NY by way of Russia piano playing singer.

Going to try to see her whole set.

Coachella Must See's Saturday

2007-02-21T16:27:00.001-08:00

Arcade Fire.

We love us a spectacle at AgainAgain. And these Montreal(ans? ites? ians?) are sure to provide a highlight after the sun goes down.

OPmP3: Kings of Leon Leak

2007-02-21T12:22:00.000-08:00

Kings of Leon (Coachella Saturday) have a new album out soon, and it's leaking all over the place like that boat that Isaac from Modest Mouse and Co have taken to their doom.

Get two tracks over at the Test Pilot, and another one(the single) over at Side One:

The Test Pilot: "'Knocked Up' a sick, 7 minute intro song combined with the nasty, scattered guitar of 'McFearless' make the new Kings of Leon album, Because of the Times KILLER. The boys have definitely developed in their off time for a much more aggressive sound that gets darker and pretty fierce at times.

Knocked Up
McFearless"

Side One

"Whoa. I have to say that I never thought Kings Of Leon would ever amaze me ever again. I thoroughly enjoyed their first album, Youth & Young Mandhood, but their sophomore effort, Aha Shake Heartbreak, fell flat for me. In fact I was so disappointed that I buried the band in the back of my mind for what would have been forever until I came across a couple of songs from their upcoming release, Because Of The Times. It's due out on April 3 via RCA and is really looking like it is going to be one of the higher quality efforts of 2007. It's crazy how sometimes you will force forget a band only to have them come back and make you look ridiculous for doing such a thing. Get ready to enjoy a couple of your new favorite songs.

:Kings Of Leon - McFearless: This song is the sole reason that today's post starts out with Whoa. I absolutely love how the music is just jam-packed with energy and tension; it really takes Caleb's voice work and easily makes it the most epic thing that this band has ever done. Who would have thought that the band who would shoot to the top of my list of "artists to see live" would be the Kings Of Leon!?

:Kings Of Leon - On Call: I can see why this is the first single off the album. It has a very slick modern rock vibe going on and it's catchy enough that it holds a chance of getting lodged in your head. I personally would have chosen McFearless to be the first single and this as the second, but since I'm not running the show it's vice versa. Listen up for my favorite part at the 2:26 mark when a nice little guitar solo slides in out of nowhere."

Sasquatch!: Arcade Fire, Bjork, M.I.A., Interpol, Spoon

2007-02-20T21:17:00.000-08:00

According to Pitchfork, here's your less bands, more scenic views alternative to Coachella...

Pitchfork: Sasquatch!: Arcade Fire, Bjork, M.I.A., Interpol, Spoon: "The Pacific Northwest's Sasquatch! Music Festival has announced the preliminary lineup of its sixth annual festival, which will be held over Memorial Day Weekend on May 26 and 27 at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington.

The lineup includes Bj�rk, the Arcade Fire, the Beastie Boys, Interpol, M.I.A., Spoon, the Hold Steady, Grizzly Bear, Neko Case, the Thermals, the Blow, Loney, Dear, the Black Angels, Electrelane, Manu Chao, Mirah, and Bad Brains. There are still more acts yet to be announced, but the full lineup so far is listed below."

special Grand Ole Opry guests at Neko Case

2007-02-18T20:46:00.001-08:00

Last night's Neko Case show at the Fonda had a very special guest. New labelmate, Porter Wagoner made a surprise appearance and sang a few old numbers.

The faithful in the crowd that were a little more country than alt were suitably wowed by the presence of a Country Hall of Famer.

We were impressed, but even more so when the actor Dwight Yoakam (Sling Blade) and also the former Mr. Angelina Jolie showed up and played bass and drums, respectively.

Neko, of course, was amazing. You really need to see her live, if you haven't. More on her tomorrow or later tonight.

From the LAist:

"(l-r): Marty Stuart, Billy Bob Thornton, Porter Wagoner, and Dwight Yoakam perform a surprise set before Neko Case @ The Henry Fonda Theatre.

For the first time in recent history, Hollywood was rattled by bonafide foot-stomping. Many in the audience at the Music Box last night had no idea what was taking place when Neko Case announced Porter Wagoner's intention to take over Hollywood. But a historic buzz took hold when an old man in a purple rhinestone Nudie suit strutted out to the stage and launched into "A Satisfied Mind" with Case at his side.

The 79-year-old Wagoner, who sounded as if he was singing with very few teeth in his mouth, is known by the MySpace generation as one of the figures on the much-forwarded "application to be a redneck." He also appeared in Season 2 Episode 9 of Ali G to provide songwriting inspiration for Borat.

In real life, he was the host of the syndicated Porter Wagoner Show from 1960-79 and is credited as the man who "discovered" Dolly Parton. Wagoner is one of the oldest surviving members of Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. Marty Stuart, who played alongside Wagoner for the entire mini-set, is known for his bluegrass style and for backing up Johnny Cash in the 1980's. Dwight Yoakam, the country music stud of the late 80's and early 90's, joined on a few songs and Billy Bob Thornton, the country boy actor and Angelina ex-beau ably handled the drums on "Satan's River" and "Green Grass of Home.""

OPmP3s: Good Weather for Airstrikes 'hotly tipped'

2007-02-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

The excellent Good Weather for Airstrikes has a round-up of some of the 'buzz' bands slated for 2007, mostly from an anglo viewpoint.

I think we've posted or mentioned about Klaxons (Coachella band), Maccabees (get First Love), and you might've heard about Lily Allen(Coachella) by now.

He also talks up Cold War Kids which I'm going to post up today/tomorrow with a pic from Amy Whitehouse, who is gorgeous and fabulous, but not to be confused with singer Amy Winehouse.

Good Weather for Airstrikes

"Hotly Tipped For ‘07: The Bands To Watch (Part I)

Yeah, this would be much more appropriate if it came at the actual dawn of the New Year, rather than a month-and-a-half into it, but this is just how I roll. Anyway, this is the first of two installments in which I will be featuring the hot new bands primed to do big things in 2007. Obviously, some are going to do bigger things than others (see: Klaxons, Mika, The Maccabees, etc.) and due to the late nature of this post, some have already done or have begun to do big things, but either way the following is your complete directory of the bands to watch in ‘07. This is the first of two installments, in which I’ll be highlighting the bands most likely to score big with significant chart success, and the second installment will feature newer artists on the rise and primed to break into the public awareness, but not necessarily ready for radio stardom yet."

OPmP3: Leak Of The Day: Modest Mouse's "Ship" Sails Around The Internet - Idolator

2007-02-16T12:50:00.000-08:00

Fucking cool. But buy the album when it comes out!

Leak Of The Day: Modest Mouse's "Ship" Sails Around The Internet - Idolator: "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, the first album featuring the Johnny Marr-fortified lineup of Modest Mouse, is set to come out next month, but MP3s have started to make their way around the Web's back alleys. The record's most striking contributions don't come from the former Smiths guitarist, but from Shins lead singer James Mercer; he's on three of Ship's tracks, including 'Florida,' where Isaac Brock's growly yell gives way to Mercer floating in with a sweet, singsongy chorus:

Modest Mouse - Florida [MP3]
Modest Mouse - Missed The Boat [MP3]"

Jens Lekman

2007-02-13T16:27:00.000-08:00

The ever amazing Jens Lekman has a new track called 'Your Beat Kicks Back Like Death,' a cover of a song by someone named Scout Niblet.

He puts the chorus on insane repeat 'We're all going to die. We don't know how and we don't know when.'

But strangely it comes off as fatalistic happiness. A call to action as it's incantonated over and over.

DOWNLOAD: Jens Lekman - 'Your Beat Kicks Back Like Death'

Brazilian Girls - Live in NYC - Jique

2007-02-13T14:38:00.001-08:00

In addition to providing me with a great costume idea for Burning Man, you can see these guys at Coachella on Friday afternoon.

OPmP3: The Shins Bluegrass Tribute

2007-02-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

I'm a sucker for these bluegrass tributes. Here's the Shins, via The Underrated Blog:

The Underrated Blog: Let's Give A Tribute To The Shins: "Wes let me in on an album titled The Shins Bluegrass Tribute. It was available on eMusic so I figured it was worth a shot. I really had no idea what to expect, not really being much of a bluegrass expert myself. But it's pretty amazing how well these songs have been translated. I've listened to the album continuously in the past 24 hours and I am still amazed. I have no idea who this band is, [Edit: It's Iron Horse, thanks Belch] but they really did a top-notch job. Go pick it up.

# The Shins - Sea Legs
# The Shins - Red Rabbits
# The Shins Bluegrass Tribute - Know Your Onion!
# The Shins Bluegrass Tribute - Kissing The Lipless"

LBF: Rufus Wainwright 'California'

2007-02-09T14:55:00.001-08:00

Gay icon Rufus Wainwright (he did a song-for-song recreation of a famous Judy Garland concert at Carnegie Hall) plays Friday afternoon at Coachella.

DOWNLOAD: Rufus Wainwright - "California"

LBF: Amy Winehouse - Rehab (Live on Jools Holland)

2007-02-09T13:32:00.001-08:00

Tiny pop singer with a big voice(TM) with this bit of crooning soul. She'll be at Coachella. Catch her on Friday afternoon.

DOWNLOAD: Amy Winehouse - 'Rehab'

Maps

2007-02-03T16:43:00.001-08:00

Maps
Originally uploaded by againagainmixcd.

A great version of Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs available here:

http://jamiesrunoutgroove.blogspot.com/2006/09/mp3-yeah-yeah-yeahs-peel-sess

ion-2002.html

Modest Mouse - Dashboard

2007-02-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

Modest Mouse now features Johnny Marr of Smiths fame on guitar. Not that you can really tell on this track, their first single from upcoming disc We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.

It's no 'Float On', but it's still good.

DOWNLOAD: Modest Mouse - Dashboard (Fileden link)

Bloc Party - The Prayer

2007-02-02T11:24:00.001-08:00

First off, note that you'll need to click on the link here, which will take you to another page on the YouSendIt website. On that page is a Download Now button. Click on that. It's one added step than before, but it won't cost any of my friends any money in file hosting fees.

That out of the way, here's the brilliant new single from Bloc Party, 'The Prayer.'

First thing you notice, and this is fact, is that Bloc Party's drummer kicks much ass. Such force. And then the crazy warrior hymns start up. Menace, menace, menace. And then Kele starts singing about... being shy.

"God give me grace and dancing feet...Tonight make me unstoppable
I will charm, I will slice,
I will dazzle them with my wit"

Then a wash of synths and it nods at 80s New Wave, but I'm telling you they didn't play drums like this in John Hughes movies.

My first favorite track of the new year.

DOWNLOAD: Bloc Party - The Prayer (YouSendIt link)

trying out new file hosting

2007-02-02T11:24:00.000-08:00

New songs to be posted today, but first a little housekeeping.

I'm going to be trying out a few different FREE file hosting services. It would be remarkably helpful if you let me know what you think about the different services. Please, drop me a note and let me if the new downloading format is too difficult, a pain in the ass, great or whatever.

The other thought I had was to email files to you fine folks. It would be in the neighborhood of 2-3 mp3s per week. If you'd like AgainAgain via email, email me and we'll try that way out, too.

This is a blast to do and write for. Thanks for reading and listening.

-miguel

OPmP3 :::::::::: w w w . s t r e e t l a b . n e t ::::::::::

2007-01-31T12:42:00.000-08:00

A bunch of really cool remixes available here. Smashing Pumpkins, INXS, the Stones, some Astralwerks guy I've never heard of: :::::::::: w w w . s t r e e t l a b . n e t ::::::::::: "

s t r e e t l a b . m u s i c @ g m a i l . c o m
www.myspace.com/streetlab"

Flea Market Montgomery - Long Version

2007-01-30T11:06:00.001-08:00

Why can't Apple use such cool music in their commercials?

Coachella Buzz: Klaxons - Golden Skans

2007-01-29T16:29:00.001-08:00

Sunday, hopefully evening, not morning.

No idea what Golden Skans means, but I love the energy in the song.

Barbaro first 'athlete' to appear on cover of Wheaties, inside Elmer's.

2007-01-29T13:05:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm going to be bucked from a horse and paralyzed for this karma, but what the hay.

ESPN.com - HORSE - Barbaro euthanized after months-long fight for survival: "Barbaro euthanized Monday morning
Associated Press

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized Monday after complications from his gruesome breakdown at last year's Preakness, ending an eight-month ordeal that prompted an outpouring of support across the country.

Barbaro's epic struggle to survive captured America's heart. But his death leaves horse racing with an opportunity to honor his legacy with some reform.

'We just reached a point where it was going to be difficult for him to go on without pain,' co-owner Roy Jackson said. 'It was the right decision, it was the right thing to do. We said all along if there was a situation where it would become more difficult for him then it would be time.'

A series of ailments, including laminitis in the left rear hoof and a recent abscess in the right rear hoof, proved too much for the gallant colt."

New book: Love is a Mix Tape

2007-01-29T08:15:00.001-08:00

From stereogum, which you should be reading daily:

"Love Is "Hey Jude" On Repeat

Every week (not true) Stereogum suggests a music book you should read. We like Rob Sheffield's Love Is A Mix Tape a lot. Early in the book (before it gets to the heartbreaking mix tapes) Rob tell us about an April '79 afternoon he and his dad spent with "Hey Jude."

As my dad and I sat around the house one Saturday afternoon, playing Beatles records, we started batting around the idea that it was theoretically possible to loop a version of "Hey Jude" long enough to fill up an entire cassette. All we had to do was press pause and lift the needle every once in a while, and fiddle with the volume knobs. A few hours later, we had a ninety-minute tape of "na na nas," along with many "yeah yeah yeahs" and a few "Judy Judy Judy wows." We listened to the playback, and I could not believe what we had accomplished. This was a new Beatles song that hadn't existed before. It was Something New, as the Beatles would say.

...

I listen to Hey Jude now, and I think two things: I never want to hear this song again, and in 1979, my dad was around the age I am now, and given a Saturday afternoon he could have spent any way he pleased, he chose to spend it with his twelve-year-old song, making this ridiculous little tape. He probably forgot about it the next day. But I didn't.

That is the longest remix of "Hey Jude." Segue. "

The real Coachella line-up

2007-01-27T14:05:00.001-08:00

The real Coachella line-up
Originally uploaded by againagainmixcd.

Fucking Amazing!

Germ Commercial

2007-01-27T09:53:00.001-08:00

Marcus and I's new commercial or LA County Dept of Heatlh.

The best way to help prevent the spread of an epidemic flu such as influenza is to simply wash your hands. Same goes for the regular flu and cold.

NME.COM - News - The New Pornographers reveal album details

2007-01-25T23:22:00.000-08:00

Neko Case is a member of supergroup/side project The New Pornographers.

They'll be playing Coachella. No word on whether or not Ms. Neko will be playing there.

NME.COM - News - The New Pornographers reveal album details: "The New Pornographers reveal album details
Vancouver band aim for a summer release

The New Pornographers have revealed some details of their forthcoming album.

The follow-up to 2005's highly successful 'Twin Cinema' is expected to be released in August, and features the band's longest song to date."

All mp3 links down

2007-01-24T16:06:00.000-08:00

We're searching for a new home.

All mp3 links will be down for the short term.

Moment of Silence, Moment of Thanks

2007-01-24T15:55:00.000-08:00

First, a moment of thanks to Sean Keener of Boots'n'all for being so kind and generous and hosting the mp3 files for the blog for the past year+.

Unfortunately, the (meager amount of) popularity of AgainAgainMixCD has caused us to go over the amount of bandwidth he was willing to give us. I think the problem stemmed mostly from putting the entire top 40 up at the same time for download, and we're going to adjust the amount of files we have up at any one time in the future.

Some of you may have noticed over the past 24 hours that the files are no longer downloading. Let's have a moment of silence now for the mp3.keener.org server, which having lived a good and pleasant life, has now closed its virtual doors.

I'm looking into other forms of hosting, whether it's on someone else's server, or through one of the free file hosting services. The downside to those is that it puts an extra step or two between the reader and downloading mp3s. Upside, no charge.

In the meantime, if anyone knows anyone out there with some extra server bandwidth, please contact me.

Coachella 2007 line-up

2007-01-22T15:06:00.001-08:00

Coachella 2007 line-up
Originally uploaded by againagainmixcd.

Not sure I¹m thrilled about having to take a day off of work, but this looks

pretty epic. Might be leaving early Sunday night and coming back to town.

2007-01-22T08:32:00.001-08:00

Jesus Christ. What a fucking lineup.

3 days though?

From billboard magazine

"As first tipped here on Friday, a reunited Rage Against The Machine, Bjork and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will lead the lineup for the 2007 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, to be held April 27-29 in Indio, Calif. The event will also feature a reunion gig from Crowded House as well as the Arcade Fire, Sonic Youth, Air, the Roots, Willie Nelson, Interpol, Manu Chao, Ghostface Killah and Fountains Of Wayne.

Rage Against The Machine co-headlined the first Coachella with Tool in 1999, while Bjork was a headliner in 2002 and the Chili Peppers served in that role the following year. The full lineup will also sport sets by Jarvis Cocker, the Good, the Bad and the Queen, Hot Chip, Peeping Tom, the Decemberists, the Happy Mondays, Arctic Monkeys, Tiesto, Kings Of Leon, Travis, Placebo, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Lily Allen, Paul Van Dyk, Gotan Project, Kaiser Chiefs, Silversun Pickups, Faithless and LCD Soundsystem.

In addition, DJ Shadow, Satellite Party, Stephen Marley featuring Jr. Gong, Konono No. 1, Nickel Creek, the Black Keys, the New Pornographers, Rufus Wainwright, the Rapture, !!!, Richie Hawtin, Explosions In The Sky, Junior Boys, Sparklehorse, Soulwax, the Kooks, Felix Da Housecat, Blonde Redhead, Damien Rice, Lupe Fiasco, Jose Gonzales, Brazilian Girls, Regina Spektor, Ozomatli, Peaches, Cornelius, We Are Scientists, Amy Winehouse, the Comedians of Comedy, Spank Rock, Tapes 'n Tapes, the Klaxons, Girl Talk, CSS, the Coup, Andrew Bird and Peter, Bjorn and John will play."

2007-01-16T00:19:00.000-08:00

#42 Fatboy Slim - That Old Pair of Jeans & #7 Bob Sinclair - Love Generation

In which we switch to full uplift.

the Fatboy track came through Sunny's PolloxNiner blog, which sadly isn't as updated as frequently as it used to be. The video steals another juggler's ball synch to a Beatles clip while the song makes due with a 'Ha! Haaaaa ha!' sample (?). It's a 'you go girl' kinda thing, that honestly, falls a little short of previous fatboy efforts like Praise You. (#2 1999).

Love Generation, on the other hand, brings to mind Soul (Easter) Brunch at Miss Debi Mae West's house in the valley. The sun was fighting the clouds all day long and Jessica, Vallier and I were all setting our minds to leave. (Jess, where are you?)

Just as we were making our way to the door, Chris threw this bit of Balaeric bongo goodness on the decks, and well, the sun *shone*. Pandemonium. Peeps on deck chairs, hands to the sky, bouncing like the good madmen and madwomen we all are. The words of the good reverend Jimmy Cliff exhorting us on.

One of those nearly perfect moments that will always define Soulicious crew for me.

4 nights later, with k8 visiting, and Sobier & Hart in for editing, Chris threw it on again, this time at Club 17 in Santa Monica. Less pandemonium, but fun to get the Sobier shuffle going to it. Also delightful to be able to dance with the enchanting Jill Auerbach.

DOWNLOAD: Fatboy Slim - That Old Pair of Jeans.
Bob Sinclair - Love Generation

Pitchfork: Forkcast

2007-01-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

Even though we're focused on posting about all of the top 40(+2), this was too good to pass up. It's from Pitchfork's newest section Forkcast, which is pretty much a music blog.

Hah! A salvageable tangent! This samples Top 40(+2) #3 'A Sweet Summer Night on Hammer Hill'.

Pitchfork: Forkcast: "WTF: Rapper's Delight Club: 'When We Were Kids' [MP3]

On the feel-good scale, the Maryland-based Rapper's Delight Club gets a 10.0 every time. We were introduced to these pint-sized rhyme-slingers and their mentor (high school teacher David Goldberg) last July when the fledgling crew served up some pretty sick verses over a Sufjan Stevens sample on a jam called 'First Ladies Anthem'.

Now these grammar schoolers are back with new rhymes, new samples, and a new two-part zinger called 'When We Were Kids'. Boasting flow well beyond these kids' years-- and, as before, indie savvy-- the tune samples the Motown-bred trumpet bounce of Jens Lekman's 'A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill'.

DOWNLOAD Rapper's Delight Club - When we were kids Version 1
DOWNLOAD: Version 2.

It's stuffed with hysterical verses-- including lines like 'I free people like Frederick Douglass/ I eat other rappers like some chicken nuggets'-- and a damned catchy chorus, and if it doesn't make your heart grow three sizes today, you're probably dead and/or Donald Trump."

2006 Top 40(+2)

2007-01-14T14:38:00.000-08:00

The Top 40 songs of 2006:

These are the songs that lodged themselves in my head and in my life this year. For those of you that work with me, you’ve no doubt heard a badly sung version of every single one of these.

Without further rambling, my Top 40(+2) of the Year:

1. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
Everyone's favorite of 2006, possibly? Post.
2. I Wish I Could See You Soon – Herman Dune
Swedish pop sweetness. Post.
3. Sweet Summer’s Night on Hammer Hill – Jens Lekman
Swedish sweetness that goes 'bum-ba-dum-ba-dum-ba-dum-dum-dum-dum' during a drunken woozy dancing house party.
4. We’re from Barcelona – I’m From Barcelona
Swedish innocence with cuteness in abundance. Everyone can be friends, if we don't take ourselves too seriously.
5. Star Witness – Neko Case
Alt-country noir from the biggest best belting voice in alternative music.
6. Pata Pata – Miriam Makeba
A 40 year-old world music gem from a South African block party. Saw her in Zurich on her farewell tour.
7. Love Generation – Bob Sinclair
Sundrenched balaeric dance pandemonium. A favorite of the Soul Brunch crew.
8. Lived in Bars – Cat Power
Another chanteuse, backed by memphis horns. See her live when you have the chance.
9. Alone Again Or – Calexico
High-desert Southwestern rollicking but heartbreaking cover of an Arthur Love classic.
10. Young Folks – Peter, Bjorn and John
The whistling song on Grey's Anatomy. The song I whistled while... never mind.
11. Never Went to Church - Streets
English rapper Mike Skinner's eulogy for his dad. Can I bring a tear to your eye.
12. Lazy Eye – Silversun Pickups
Sure they sound a lot like the Smashing Pumpkins. But this *rocks*.
13. Don’t Feel Like Dancing – Scissor Sisters
We could all use a little more flamboyantly gay songs in our life.
14. You Are the Generation That Bought More Shoes – Johnny Boy
Phil Spector girl group production = pure pop moments.
15. Music is Power – Richard Ashcroft
Curtis Mayfield sampling Britpop. One of the few 'deep' songs on this list.
16. Sun Comes in Circles – Brice Frillici
From out of nowhere, Beach Boys by way of the Mission District
17. Chewing Gum – Hey Willpower f. Annie
A total tart of a pop song for those of us who are over Gwen, Fergie & Xtina.
18. Steal Yr Face – Bobby Birdman
Downtempo. Stolen melodies from a fellow Portlander.
19. Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken – Camera Obscura
Straight ahead alternative pop song. I mean this in the best possible way.
20. So Far We Are – French Kicks
Brooklyn hipster's disaffected anthem. Post.
21. Made Up Love Song #43 – Guillemots
London hipster's besotted spellbound joyous hymn. Post.
22. Spoon Me – Ohm
Digital Swedish goodness. Toes the line between 80s new wave and something newer and better.
23. Phantom Limb – The Shins
A grower, for shore. It won't change your life like in Garden State, but may lead to a slight improvement in it.
24. Northern Lites – Super Furry Animals
Summertime horns and salsa beat from, erm, insane Welshmen.
25. Parentheses – The Blow
Another grower. Sweet handholding from a couple more Portlanders.
26. Do the Whirlwind – Architecture from Helsinki
Eclectic Australians wander all over the place but never stray from a good melody.
27. Treehouse – I’m From Barcelona
Eclectic Swedes (not Barcelonans) sing the joys of bringing someone back to your treehouse. Not a metaphor.
28. Teenage Feeling – Neko Case
That voice again. Remember the way it used to feel? Let's find it again.
29. Wildcat (E*vax mix) - Ratatat
Slightly more uptempo mix of the arena 'snarling cat' electro classic.
30. Eanie Meany – Jim Noir
The Adidas world cup song.
31. Jogging – Islands
More alternative pop goodness from the former Unicorns.
32. Happy Birthday, Dear Friend – Jens Lekman
Second appearance in the top 40 for Jens' wonderfilled, sweet guileless goodness.
33. Come to Me – Koop
Jazziest, smoothest laid-back lounge number of the year.
34. He Knows the Sun – Legends
Crap! More Swedes. And, predictably, more synthpop melody.
35. Steady As She Goes – The Raconteurs
36. One Night – Brothers and Sisters/By Your Side – Beachwood Sparks
One's a Sade cover done Easy California rock style, the other its more indie twin.
37. Chinese Translation – M Ward
A blues number that asks questions than loops the story back into itself.
38. Dancing with Myself – Nouvelle Vague
Brazilian-tinged lounge cover of the Billy Idol classic.
39. Kelly – Van She
Might well have been lifted out of a John Hughes 80s movie.
40. America – Razorlight
In a year of bands second more serious albums, Britpop wasn't left out.
41. Gold Lion – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Karen O rocks my world. Such charisma. Such pipes.
42. That Old Pair of Jeans – Fatboy Slim
In which DJ Norman Cook looks for that uplifting post-break up song.

2007-01-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

Top 40(+2) Herman Dune - I Wish That I Could See You Soon

#2 Herman Dune - I Wish That I Could See You Soon

The band Herman Dune first came to my attention via a YouTube clip of the 'In progress' version of this video(Watch it: here). In that version, you could see the green screen people holding the letters and the green screen steps.

The guileless unaffected geekiness of that version just seemed to match the song's innocence and hopeful hopelessness much better than the finished spot with visual effects.

Hearing this song now makes me want to wear pornj (hot pink+orange, for the non-disorienteers on this site), let my hair recede further and dance like only a gangly scrawny white guy can dance.

So much to love here: the white-boy trumpet, the clean chords on David Dune's guitar, the way that way that they call the back-up singers 'Angels' and actually prompt for them by name. Has anyone ever answered, "Do you really think she'll wait for you?" more happy-go-luckily than "I have no way to say and there is nothing I can do" than Herman Dune?

What good-hearted person couldn't like this song?

Side bar: what is it about the Swedes that make them such great creators of perfect pop music? And why does the combination of neutral accents and slight imperfection of their English diction create such a charming mix? Witness the way they sing, "AndI'mlike/ the sooner the better, do you/really think she'll wait for you?". What native English speakers would've broken the 'do you' away from the next line and isn't it all the more charming for it?

And while we lived, loved and laughed to 'Crazy' all year long, this'll be the song we put on every mix cd we make for every new crush for the next 10 years, and the song from this list most likely to be played at my wedding, if/when that ever happens.

I'm guessing if there were a 'times played' feature on YouTube that I'd have played the in-progress video over a 100 times in the last 3 months of 2006.

I'm pretty sure that the tip of the hat goes to Swedish music focused mp3 blog, Swedes Please. Head over there and know that they provide the perfect pop goodness, duty-free.

Also, take a look at Herman Dune, live, acoustic and doing laundry on the Concert a Emptor from La Blogoteque, here. 'I Wish' begins at 3:26 of the clip.

Top 40(+2) in pictures: Guillemots/French Kicks

2007-01-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

Picture (c) Amy Whitehouse

Today's tracks are a study in contrasts.

There's #20: French Kicks - So Far We Are immediately followed by #21: The Guillemots - Made Up Love Song #43 (their numeral or ranking not mine).

So Far We Are - launches with spaced-out repetitive chiming chords and then drums straight out of 'Bullet the Blue Sky' - all pulse-quickening snare and bass drum kicks. Anthemic is the word we like to use. Punch your fists to the sky in time to the music.

But... but... but the Brooklyn band scuttles it all with mewling half-felt lyrics, punctuated with the completely unrabble-rousing, "It's alright? Alright."

And instead of flying too close to the sun, the song fizzles along and gives a desultory hipster finger to the need to soar. In a year in which my passions and energy were largely conflicted and rejiggering, or more positively, shall we say, preparing for a great 2007, So Far We Are hit the mark more than I'd care to admit.

On the opposite side of that emotional state: Guillemots - Made Up Love Song #43.

"I love you through sparks and shining dragons, i do,
now there's poetry, in an empty coke can.
I love you through sparks and shining dragons, i do,
now there's majesty, in a burnt out caravan."

Builds up through a hopeful first verse. Almost as if he's telling this to a girl he's met and really likes, and doesn't know how she'll how she'll respond. The first chorus ends with

"I love you I don't think you care..."

And then the music builds through the next verse - much more hopeful but the Guillemot's crush is still keeping him in suspense.

Until the soaring final chorus lets him off the hook. In fact, it lashes the hook to some fireworks and lets them light up the night sky. Joyous reaching for the stars ensues. Lloyd Dobler bowing to each of the four winds in thanks as he leaves after a wondrous first date with Diane Court.

Perfectly capturing that moment when you find out that the girl you secretly hope likes you actually *does* like you back.

And then the coda. Holding her tight and whispering back

"Yes, I believe you. Yes, I believe you. Yes, I believe you..."

It's such a rare and wonderful and intoxicating way to feel, isn't it? We should always be so lucky.

thanks again to Amy Whitehouse for the great shot of French Kicks. please visit here at AmyWhitehouse.com.

WE ARE THE CHoMPIONS

2007-01-09T22:39:00.000-08:00

queen we are the champions

Top 40(+2) Mp3 related posting to restart as soon as I a) sober up and b) stop yelling "IT'S GREAT! TO BE! A FLO-RI-DA GATOR!"

GO GATORS! BEAT tOSU!

2007-01-08T10:26:00.000-08:00

We interrupt our regularly (shutup) scheduled music blogging for something a whole lot more important: football.

Thanks to Stewart Mandel for giving me a slight music tangent.

SI.com - Scorecard - College Football Blog: Last Words Before the Showdown: "∙ Florida Coach Meyer revealed Sunday that he’s a big Jimmy Buffet fan -- it’s the only thing on his CD player. For some reason, I can totally picture that."

Soundtrackin' the Top 40 in Pictures, with Amy Whiteheat

2007-01-05T12:06:00.000-08:00

Readers,

The fabulous music photographer and disorient friend Amy Whitehouse has been so kind as to volunteer her amazing live photos to help us liven up the Top 40(+2). We're deeply indebted to her visual skills. If you've need of some pictures, please give her a shout at amy (at) amywhitehouse d.o.t. com.

First up, our #1 mp3 of the year, Gnarls Barkley's Crazy.

You know the song. You lived the song. You've got 20 covers of the song. Hell, your mom knows the song.

Its ubiquity creates a certain futility in trying to link Crazy to a specific memory. Crazy went everywhere *you* went. So, just think back to that time that you and I went to that place, y'know that one just over there, and that's what Crazy soundtracked this year.

All photos (c) Amy Whitehouse. Visit her at her website: AmyWhitehouse.com

Baby I'm Yours - Arctic Monkeys Music - MP3 Stream on IMEEM

2007-01-04T14:02:00.000-08:00

Heh.

Baby I'm Yours - Arctic Monkeys Music - MP3 Stream on IMEEM: "Baby I'm Yours "

Music of the Hemispheres - New York Times

2006-12-31T17:31:00.000-08:00

Very interesting article about how our brains process music. Not as scientific as it may seem offhand.

Ah..... Dopamine.

Music of the Hemispheres - New York Times: "Observing 13 subjects who listened to classical music while in an M.R.I. machine, the scientists found a cascade of brain-chemical activity. First the music triggered the forebrain, as it analyzed the structure and meaning of the tune. Then the nucleus accumbus and ventral tegmental area activated to release dopamine, a chemical that triggers the brain’s sense of reward.

The cerebellum, an area normally associated with physical movement, reacted too, responding to what Dr. Levitin suspected was the brain’s predictions of where the song was going to go. As the brain internalizes the tempo, rhythm and emotional peaks of a song, the cerebellum begins reacting every time the song produces tension (that is, subtle deviations from its normal melody or tempo).

“When we saw all this activity going on precisely in sync, in this order, we knew we had the smoking gun,” he said. “We’ve always known that music is good for improving your mood. But this showed precisely how it happens.”"

Thank you

2006-12-31T14:26:00.000-08:00

195 Posts and 175 mp3s into our inaugural year, I'd like to thank everyone for reading and listening.

Sharing great music fills me with joy.

Big, big, big shout out to Sean Keener and Boots'n'all for hosting the files.

We're going to try to be a lil more reg'lar in the 2007.

Have a great and safe New Year's Eve.
m

2006-12-22T14:07:00.000-08:00

LBF: How Do You Spell Channukkahh

Here's to the Maccabees and their miracle oils!

2006-12-21T12:38:00.000-08:00

The Monkees Riu Chiu

HT: Wendy

2006-12-19T15:56:00.000-08:00

The Shins - Phantom Limb

I'm a sucker for swords, school plays and Ken Van Damme's Automotive's most famous clients.

New Arcade Fire

2006-12-16T03:57:00.000-08:00

DOWNLOAD: Arcade Fire - Intervention

Rolling Stone : The 100 Best Songs of 2006

2006-12-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

Rolling Stone : The 100 Best Songs of 2006: "1 'Crazy' [Listen]
Gnarls Barkley
In a perfect world, Al Green could still sing collard-green soul gems like this one, but Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse stepped up with an instant classic, winning this year's 'Hey Ya!' award for the song nobody even pretended not to like. Everybody tried to cover it (our personal fave: the Raconteurs') -- but nobody can hit the chorus like Cee-Lo, and nobody ever will.

2 'Steady As She Goes' [Listen]
The Raconteurs
The first single from Brendan Benson and Jack White's garage-glam band was a perfect dirty sundae of fuzz-box stutter, metallic zoom and pop-chorale candy. It is also a good reason to hope the Raconteurs are no one-album project.

3 'Ridin'' [Listen]
Chamillionaire
The song least likely to be played in Drivers' Ed.: Chamillionaire dodges the cops, riding dirty with a car full of thugs who don't care where they're rolling or if they get there in one piece.

4 'What You Know' [Listen]
T.I.
T.I. gets majestic with bass and synth strings booming like your car just flipped the corner. What you know about that? T.I. knows all about that.

5 'Vans' [Listen]
The Pack
Bay Area MCs the Pack broke out with this sleek, bare-bones ode to midpriced sneakers. Words of warning: 'Lace 'em past the fourth hole, you some type of sucker.'

6 'Thunder on the Mountain' [Listen]
Bob Dylan
So that's how you bring sexy back! Dylan slaps on a cowboy hat and greases up his favorite Chuck Berry guitar riff, one step ahead of the apocalypse and one step behind Alicia Keys.

7 'Smile' [Listen]
Lily Allen
This deceptively named ditty was '06's most gloriously bitter breakup song: Part Mike Skinner, part Gwen Stefani, part Blondie, the young Allen defined her very own bratty, musically adventurous style on 'smile,' a reggae-lite platter about the joys of an ex's despair.

8 'Wamp Wamp (What It Do)' [Listen]
Clipse with Slim Thug
Best line: 'So proper/Hammertime gun-cocker.' But the lyrics aren't really the point here -- the cuckoo-for-coconuts Neptunes steel-drum beat is.

9 'Dimension' [Listen]
Wolfmother
Aussie guys dig out their big brothers' worn vinyl copy of Master of Reality and let the brain-bludgeon guitars off the chain.

10 'Ooh La La' [Listen]
Goldfrapp
The kind of groovy dance number Kylie used to write, full of steamy, sweaty vocals and a fierce Sixties vamp."

NME.COM - Top 50 tracks

2006-12-11T16:03:00.000-08:00

Can't remember if I blogged this or not.

I can tell you that Young Folks and Crazy will definitely be on our end-of-year post.

NME.COM - TNME Tracks Of The Year 2006.

DoCopenhagen: Top 50 Music Videos Of 2006

2006-12-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

Whatever will I do today at work? Oh yeah. Goof off.

DoCopenhagen: Top 50 Music Videos Of 2006: "Top 50 Music Videos Of 2006
Here we go again... Our top 50 videos of 2005 was a huge success. This year we decided to do things a little bit differently. All the videos are from You Tube and can therefore be watched in the browser. If you want to download the videos to your computer and watch it on your ipod or TV we recommend that you use this download tool from Lifehacker.com

BTW we have also made our own DoCopenhagen Video Podcast that you might want to check out. You can subscribe to it via iTunes by clicking here.

Enjoy
"

Top 30 from Music for Kids who Can't Read So Good

2006-12-06T16:41:00.000-08:00

Interesting that so far, 'Crazy' hasn't been denting anyone's top 5. It's easily The Song of 2006, though, right? Right?

My list to come sometime in the next 3 weeks. Currently a little more distracted and busy than usual.

From Taylor over at Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good � Top 30 Songs of 2006: "This is my first attempt at an end of the year songs list. As a measure I’ve selected songs that I think I’ll still be playing and replaying after the year, but as a rule I didn’t choose more than one song per artist. It’s kindof crazy to try to rank songs at a certain point, but after some toiling I came up with a definitive 30, that I’m happy with. A selection of them are available for download and they are labeled as such. Make sure to click read more… for my top ten. Thanks for visiting!"

NME.COM - Reviews - Oasis: Stop The Clocks

2006-12-03T22:03:00.000-08:00

When I was struggling to make it into advertising as a writer, when I was living at home and really missed college, when it seemed like I'd never make it, Oasis was there.

And their raw, full-throated yawp hit me like a ton of bricks. I can remember driving around Orlando, on my way home, and howling along with Liam to Noel's words.

"I think you're the same as me, we see things they'll never see, you and i are going to live forever..."

NME.COM - Reviews - Oasis: Stop The Clocks: "
We'll say it again: you all know what these songs sound like - but stop the clocks, take a look back, rejoice! Celebrate how they made you feel."

2006-12-01T10:38:00.000-08:00

Lazy Blogger Friday - Badly Drawn Boy - Silent sigh

This brings me back to Portland 2002. A really good year for music, and a year in which I fell in love with Burning Man and went on a 4 month wonderfully manic kick.

This song was on every 'Thank you for a wonderful 2002' CD that I gave to the crew.

DOWNLOAD: Badly Drawn Boy - Silent Sigh

Index of /

2006-12-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

Went and saw Cat Power on Saturday with Christy Van House (my boccé teammate and pal).

At the ornate Orpheum Theater with a full 9 piece backing band, the Memphis Horns, it was an up and down show. She really had trouble with the monitors and her voice levels.

As a result, the songs that she played just by herself, with only piano or guitar stood out the most.

I think my fave was 'Where is my love?'. It really showcases what makes Chan's voice special. Half-lullaby, half-plaintive cry, half-love-soaked-reverie, it's gorgeous.

Excuse the hiss on this live version and soak in some Cat Power.

DOWNLOAD: Cat Power - Where is my love? (live)