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.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Friday, October 05, 2007
Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights
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
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
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Coconut Records - West Coast
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.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
stereogum presents...OK X: A Tribute to OK Computer
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."
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."
Monday, July 09, 2007
Daytrotter | Free Songs: The National
Very cool cover of the Psychedelic Furs classic.
Daytrotter | Free Songs: The National: "Fourth song
Pretty in Pink (The National) [3.16MB] [1721 downloads]"
Daytrotter | Free Songs: The National: "Fourth song
Pretty in Pink (The National) [3.16MB] [1721 downloads]"
Monday, June 25, 2007
OPmP3: best of 2007 divided by 2.
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.
Take a look at them, here.
Friday, June 22, 2007
selling out is not selling out?
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?"
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?"
Monday, June 18, 2007
stereogum: White Stripes taking it back to the days of brick and mortar
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."
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."
Friday, June 15, 2007
The Polyphonic Spree Bonus DVD Segment 3 - In Stores June 19
Tim recording the girls vocals to 'Running Away'. Gorgeous to hear them on their own.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Friday, June 01, 2007
The Stone Roses - She Bangs The Drums
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.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
M. Ward on C0nan
Frankly amazing. I love when musicians get together and jam on one another's songs and so clearly enjoy playing with each other.
Friday, May 18, 2007
All In Good Time
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
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"
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"
Thursday, May 17, 2007
OPmP3: Go! Team
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)"
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)"
Feist - I Feel It All (Live)
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'.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Penis Power - Alexyss K. Tylor
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.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Light and Day-Sun Machine in NYC
July 18 in Los Angeles. 1/2 back money back guarantee to anyone who goes and doesn't like it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
