LBF: Heavy Metal Drummer

I miss those days so innocent and pure.

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

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

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

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

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

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!

A faux Dylan covers Mr. Geisel.

Dylan Hears a Who!

OPmP3s: Air - Once Upon a Time

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

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

Adorable quirky NY by way of Russia piano playing singer.

Going to try to see her whole set.

Coachella Must See's Saturday

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

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

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

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'

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

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

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

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

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'

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)

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

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

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

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

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 ::::::::::

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

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

Coachella Buzz: Klaxons - Golden Skans

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.

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

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

The real Coachella line-up
Originally uploaded by againagainmixcd.

Fucking Amazing!

Germ Commercial

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

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

We're searching for a new home.

All mp3 links will be down for the short term.

Moment of Silence, Moment of Thanks

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

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.

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."

#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

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)

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.