A New Beginning

I officially move in to my place tomorrow - or maybe as early as tonight, depending on when the current inhabitants move out - and it feels like a grand beginning that I can't wait to...well, begin. It's a new space for a new year. Everything feels so fresh right now, and I'm looking forward to making this the most productive year of my life.

Here's a song that makes me feel fresh and new.

Owl City - "Hello Seattle (Remix)" (Download)

Throw Me The AWESOME

It occurred to me this morning that despite the fact that I've told literally everyone who will listen how much I love the new Throw Me The Statue album, I have not yet done so in blog format. So here I go, imposing my viewpoint on you, the reader. And my viewpoint is this: Creaturesque is wonderful.

It definitely is a different album than its predecessor. Moonbeams had some amazing highs ("Lolita", "About To Walk", even "Young Sensualists"), but it was overall a tad inconsistent. Not so with Creaturesque, as each and every track is filled with gorgeous pop hooks and Scott Reitherman's sparse but perfect vocals.

Not that I have anything against "difficult" pop albums - because seriously, if you can find an album that does the impossible and knocks Merriweather Post Pavillion off the top of my best of 2009 list, let me know, as I've been trying rather desperately - but there's something refreshing about a record that goes for the pop jugular so incessantly. It feels like Reitherman stood behind his producer in the studio and screamed, "Hooks! I demand even more hooks!" Although to be honest, with that voice I can't picture him screaming in any sort of anger. I'm sure he asked nicely.

Throw Me The Statue - "Snowshoes" (Download)

Need Help Getting Amped For The Club This Friday?

Not anymore. Let the dance party commence.

You're welcome.

Dylan Rhymes & Pablo Decoder - "Kemptown" (Download)

Billboard Thursday: Jason DeRulo - "Whatcha Say (Feat. Imogen Heap)"

In what must make Imogen Heap a very happy camper given her new album is out soon, some guy named Jason DeRulo sampled her epic and timeless "Hide And Seek" for his new song, and it's actually pretty good. When given the alternatives this week (seriously click that, it's dreadful), "Whatcha Say" is downright Beatles-esque.

Sampling "Hide And Seek" seems pretty obvious, and really he doesn't do a whole lot with it. I could see someone really chopping up her vocals and making something dirty out of it, but DeRulo wants to go the emotional route with this one, and he does a decent job. "Whatcha Say" is a song about wanting to make it up to your girl after getting caught cheating, presumably by becoming famous enough that she forgets you're an asshole. I applaud that logic.

Not a whole lot else to say about it. It's got the feel of a song that's either going to really catch on and become huge or just fall off the face of the earth. I'm hoping for the former, because there's far worse on the radio right now.

Jason DeRulo - "Whatcha Say (Feat. Imogen Heap)" (Download)

* My 100 YSI downloads limit is likely going to be reached in the near future for this. If it does and you really need this mp3: Google is your friend, kids.

Stop! Collaborate & Mixtape: "ONE BIG CIRCLE"

From birth to childhood to adulthood to death, we all eventually travel in

O/N/E_B/I/G_C/I/R/C/L/E/
(feat. WXYZebra)

1. Daniel Johnston - Big Business Monkey (1983)
2. Laura Viers - Untitled (2005)
3. Eluvium - An Accidental Memory (2004)
4. Brian Eno & Harold Budd - The Chill Air (1980)
5. Library Tapes - Fragment I (2008)
6. Antony & the Johnsons - One Dove (2005)
7. Faust - Petits Sons Appetissants (2009)
8. Pulco - Paper Pinatas (feat. Butcher's Prime Cuts) [2009]
9. Jenn Grant - Parachutes (2009)
10. Jessica Lea Mayfield - I Can't Lie to You, Love (2009)
11. LSD March - Shiroi Sekai De (2009)
12. Shugo Tokumaru - Sanganichi (2007)
13. Painting Petals on Planet Ghost - Yume No Hanashi (2008)
14. The Dandelion Council - Mystery and Wonder in Millard Canyon (2008)
15. Joe Hisaishi - Always With Me (2002)
16. Barbra Streisand - Memory (1980)

rinse and repeat

Video Of The Week: The Books - "Take Time"

The Books have a way with editing and compiling sound. They know what they are doing and they manage to make something fresh and unique with each track they release. That goes the same for their videos as well, as you can see from this week's VotW. From their upcoming DVD release, Play All, is the video for 2003's joyous "Take Time." The video really captures pure happiness quite well, as does the track. Check it out to the right of this post, or by clicking the following link.

The Books - "Take Time"

"All is sacred, all is sacred, all is sacred! There is nothing Natural in nature, my lad, remember that!"

YE-LID News: ADORABLE ALERT. Headlights Is Returning.

I'm not sure how many members are currently in Headlights, so that picture may be wholly out of date. But it DOESN'T MATTER because the creators of the most purely listenable album of 2008 have returned to my life! Whenever a band has an adorable pop sound, it's like my brain can't help but compare their songs to those off of Some Racing, Some Stopping. See they, reference hearts. SO cute.

Wildlife is going to be out October 6th on Polyvinyl, and you can pre-order it here. In the meantime, check out first release "Get Going", a continuation of their exploration into hazy pop landscapes.

Headlights - "Get Going" (Download) (link taken down by DMCA request)

Fool's Gold Are On A Mission To Become My Favourite Band Ever

It's almost as if they came together for an exclusive FG meeting and were like, "What could we do to make Darren love us even more? We already did afropop better than Vampire Weekend ever could...How about we start doing some electronic shit?" And then they did.

And then it worked.

Fool's Gold - "Nadine (Memory Tapes Version)" (Download)

Must. Make. A. Post.

So, we're at that point in the year where I scramble to find something to write about in between the craziness that is my life. Like I mentioned in my last post, I just moved back to school, I've worked every day I've been in the city, and I've been spending the rest of my free time making up for a lost summer by consuming alcohol with my friends like it's my job.

Today, I've decided my post would be dictated by the shuffle button. More specifically, I came to the conclusion that I would post whichever song came on with the fifth button press. I got a Super Mash Bros. track, which means I might even get a decent amount of views for this. It's as if God was saying, "Congrats on being a lazy blogger. Now go finish off that bottle of wine in the fridge."

So it has been said, and so it shall be done.

Super Mash Bros. - "From Honor Roll To Out Of Control" (Download)

New City, New Year

As of yesterday I'm all moved back to school. Not yet into my new apartment, but I'm back in the city, which I've realized is exactly where I need to be. I'm so much more myself around here, even when I'm not comfortable with being more myself. It forces emotions and actions out me, but it's healthy.

The mp3 below comes from one of the most under-appreciated pop acts of the past few years. The guy who produced The Pipettes debut album - a.k.a. arguably the best pure pop record of the decade - released his own work and no one paid attention? For shame.

Monster Bobby - "I Heard You Moved Away" (Download)

Just Listen: Music For Your Heart

Music For Your Heart dropped like a late-90s ray of sunshine into my inbox. First listening to "The One", I felt like Stuart Murdoch had died without me knowing and had been reincarnated as Sandra Zettpunkt, the soft-voiced singer of this project. It sounds like classic Belle and Sebastian, with the light guitar hook, barely-there drumming, and third-person narrative. If You're Feeling Sinister is one of my favourite albums - potentially my favourite, I'd have to really think about it - and "The One" sounds straight out of those recording sessions.

MFYH's debut album Turning Marvel comes out September 25, so get more info and prepare to pre-order it here.


Music For Your Heart - "The One" (Download)

Resonance: "Swelling Melons"

Another edition of Resonance was brought on today by a complete pancake flip of feelings. Things went from ice cream to shit stream pretty quickly and the songs below really represent that switch quite well for me. Feelings of confusion and walking into immovable barriers come about when referring to the feelings that rushed me, oh so suddenly, tonight. I sincerely hope nobody feels the same way at the moment, but if by chance someone does, maybe these will help.
The first track of this Resonance is a track I would usually just ignore. Upon first listen of MGMT's Oracular Spectacular, I overlooked this track for the simple reason that it wasn't as catchy as any of the other tracks, initially. Now, however, especially after things took a turn for the slightly worse, this song couldn't be more fitting. The popping snare, almost-uniform strumming of the guitar, the flow of the chorus and the pace of the entire track all have a hand in the night. The title of the track is eerily similar to the flow of emotions that took place. Moons are sadness, birds are happiness, monsters are anger/frustration.

MGMT - "Of Moons, Birds & Monsters" (download)

Next comes a track from Johnny West. If you're a regular reader, you'll know I heart his stuff. Nudge You Alive opens with the strings from this track, like something out of a 1950's musical. Then the strings subtly warp and a movement-filled bass line and drum beat come in, to accompany regretful lyrics. Immediately I picture nothing but blurred lights above the skyline of an empty city as I drive down a wet worn-in road.

Johnny West - "Toss It Around" (download)

Four notes on the piano start this ride of a song, which are very soon accompanied by dissonant delay noises and quivering vocals. George Harrison/Elliott Smith-esque vocals with subtle hints of manic depression hidden beneath (especially in the chorus) deliver the lyrics with expert precision. Soon, a lounge/jazz drum pattern holds the song together like glue and by the end of the song, the singer's "disappearance" makes you want to smile (just before the track changes completely, in an effort to change your mind).

The Good Listeners - "Condition Down" (download)

Billboard Thursday Sidenote

Excerpt from my July 23 Billboard Thursday column on Shakira's new single "She Wolf":

"'She Wolf' doesn't sound like a song that's going to be accompanied with a video of her desperately shaking her ass in an attempt for attention in the U.S. market."

I FAIL.

Billboard Thursday: Miley Cyrus - "Party In The U.S.A."

Every once in a while, the Disney machine just gets it right. Mind you this doesn't happen too often, but still, Miley's "See You Again", Demi's "Don't Forget", and the JoBro's "Lovebug" all come to mind off the top of my head.

Add "Party In The U.S.A." to that list. There's some real pop perfection hidden here, with the summery synths, the Jay-Z and Britney references, and Miley's modern day L.F.O. style faux-rapping. And before that last bit makes you cringe, we both know you fucking loved "Summer Girls", so don't even play with me. Plus, y'know, patriotism is sweet and all that. Because this isn't a party in Canada or Britain or Australia, folks; this is a party in the U.S.A. which makes it the BEST party EVER.

It's odd that a song so clearly made to be some sort of "summer jam" was released in August, but no matter; it's fun, it's fresh, and it'll remind a lot of us of the good times we've had the past three months. This doesn't mean I forgive Miley for getting "The Climb" stuck in my head for weeks, but it's a good start on the road to reparation.

Miley Cyrus - "Party In The U.S.A." (Download)

Just Listen: Cool Catz

Nostalgia FTW! There's something very old school about L.A. based rap duo Cool Catz. And it's wonderful.

This is the [fake] YE-LID exclusive on how Cool Catz were formed.


[Vanilla Ice enters the club. Sits down next to Del Tha Funky Homo Sapien.]

Del: Holy shit, it's Vanilla Ice!

Vanilla Ice: Yeah man, what's up?

Del: What've you been up to in the past twenty years?

VI: Y'know, just rap, beats, bitches. The usual. Been really working at my craft.

Del: So wait, you're saying you've become talented?

VI: Don't wanna be cocky, but fo sho.

Del: Then I challenge you to a rap battle. Right here. Right now.

VI: I accept.

[Del and Vanilla Ice both throw down dirty verses in the middle of the club. Crowd goes nuts. After much debate, battle is considered a tie.]

Del: Wow. That was incredible. I can't believe you don't suck anymore.

VI: I can't believe you managed to rap about bitches, what you had for breakfast, and the periodic table in thirty seconds.

Del: "Helium" and "feelin 'em" is a sick couplet.

[Both men pause.]

VI: We got that crowd pretty hyped...We really should start our own group.

Del: Done.

[Vanilla Ice and Del high five and exit the club. End scene.]


"Nitro" is the killer first release from this group which includes neither Vanilla Ice nor Del Tha Funky Homo Sapien. But still: get excited.

Cool Catz - "Nitro" (Download)

Video Premiere: Free Energy - "Free Energy"

One of DFA's newest signees Free Energy just released the video for band theme song (I assume) "Free Energy", a wonderful jam about being young. Everything I've heard from these guys (read: two songs) has been fantastic. They have the ability to capture the feeling of being a carefree twenty-something, which is very special indeed. Check it out.

Free Energy - "Free Energy" (Download)

Video Of The Week: Antony & The Johnsons - "Crazy In Love"

Firstly I'd like to formally apologize for the lack of VotW last week due to massive amounts of explosions and gunfire (it probably had something to do with something much less significant/entertaining, but my memory isn't as sharp as it used to be.) In any case, I'd like you guys to check this week's video out. Joie Iacono directs the official music video to a Beyonce cover/Antony & The Johnsons B-Side. With footage from Pink Lady by James Elaine, the slow cuts and ratted feel of the footage suits the song quite well. I think personally it is a huge improvement on the original, although it's tough to compare the two as they are of two completely different genres. Check it out to the right or by clicking here.

Antony & The Johnsons - "Crazy In Love" (Beyonce Cover)

Directed by Joie Iacono

Stop! Collaborate & Mixtape: "ZOO"

Someday I think I will realize that all we are is animals in one big spherical

Z/O/O/
(feat. Dustin)

1. Animal Collective - Loch Raven (2005)
2. The Mountain Goats - Magpie (2005)
3. Ween - Vinnie The Eel (1997)
4. Be Your Own Pet - Wildcat! (2006)
5. Black Lips - A Lion With Wings (2007)
6. Blonde Redhead - Misery is a Butterfly (2004)
7. Man Man - Feathers (2006)
8. Pink Floyd - Pigs (Three Different Ones) [1977]
9. Grandaddy - The Animal World (2006)
10. Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy (2005)
11. Shout Out Out Out Out - Chicken Soup for the Fuck You (2006)
12. Talkdemonic - Mountain Cats (2006)
13. This Will Destroy You - Leather Wings (2008)
14. Aesop Rock - Fish Tales (2008)

and we walk on crushed peanut shells all day long

Track Review: Diplo's Beats > Your Beats

There's no doubt, Amanda Blank's debut LP I Love You has many moments where it's as terrifyingly bad as it's terrifyingly good. But my god, when I say terrifyingly good I mean terrifyingly. Like, The Shining terrifying.

"Something Bigger, Something Better" is one of those moments. Diplo lays down a beat that is sexy, for sure, but it's just so odd. I don't even really know how to describe the sounds that he intersperses throughout (though that one "ooo" noise sounds like a chocobo from the Final Fantasy series, and I only think that because I'm huge nerd). The awkwardness of it makes it an addicting track. Couple that with Blank's top notch sex romps, and suddenly you have a song you CAN'T PHYSICALLY STOP LISTENING TO.

I know P-Forkizzle dropped the "2.0" bomb on I Love You, but frankly I don't think it's that bad. There are certain tracks that are disastrous, but when you surround them with songs as plainly addictive as "Something Bigger, Something Better" or "Might Like You Better", I think those missteps can be [mostly] forgiven. Regardless, enjoy this.

Amanda Blank - "Something Bigger, Something Better" (Download)

Red Flash! Cold Breeze!

On my way home from work tonight, a song creeped up on me while shuffling through my iPod. A track off of Beastie Boys' The Mix-Up (an album that never ceases to amaze). "Melee" to be a bit more specific. It really put me in a good place.

Beastie Boys - "Melee" (download)

Then immediately afterward came The Arcade Fire's "Wake Up" surrounded in glorious musical beauty and it put me in an even better place. I like this place and I invite you all to come visit me there.

The Arcade Fire - "Wake Up" (download)

Show Stopper: Red Tag Rummage Sale! Great Prices!

Over the weekend I had a chance to head out to St. Catharines, Ontario with a few close friends. You're My Home (an acoustic solo project), Wayfarer, and Lemuria (from Buffalo) all played at Seventy-Three (a quaint little venue downtown). However the band that jumped out at me was Red Tag Rummage Sale (also from Buffalo, NY). Husband and wife duo, Phillip and Lisa Freedenberg, bring a lot to the table when it comes to taking things in a different direction. Whether it's the dissonance of the cello, riffs that take root in you or their vocals resonating together, everything flows quite smoothly. Also, I can promise you that the sudden switches in time signatures will make you smile. Dirty Projectors-esque vocals/guitar and their jumpy rhythms make this band one to look out for. On top of all that, they are really cool people. We ended up making our way to Waterloo the next night to see them play yet again at a different venue. Both performances left the room with such a positive rush of energy and left us all smiling. I highly recommend keeping an eye out for Red Tag Rummage Sale and checking out their latest album, Body Maps, available right here. Show your love.

Red Tag Rummage Sale - "Pitbull River Chase vs. The Paper Tornados" (download)

P.S. Thanks again to Phillip and Lisa for the positive energy and showing us a great time.

Just Listen: Lacrosse

Caution: This post gushes over a band who are incredibly CUTE. Be warned.

I adore Lacrosse. They came out of nowhere and stole my heart, like a thief stealing in the name of LOVE. And if that sounded really lame, no matter; they're a high energy six-piece who sing songs about relationships, youth, and how they affect each other. Excellent.

I guess they could be compared to a less couple-y Matt & Kim, with the boy-girl harmonies and infectiously catchy tunes. These guys know their way around a pop hook. They find the pocket of a song and then just let it soar. I have a serious love of pop music, and Lacrosse know how to make it.

They just released Bandages For The Heart (adorable!), so go check that.

Lacrosse - "We Are Kids" (Download)

It's Nice To Come Home

My parents have been out of town for the past week and a half, and it's a little comforting to know they're almost home. Taking care of the pets and being in charge of my little brother's survival can be stressful at times. It just feels...nice. To know that everything is going to return to normal, that is.

Three cheers for coming home.

Julie Doiron - "Nice To Come Home" (Download)

Billboard Thursday: Jay-Z Feat. Rihanna & Kanye West - "Run This Town"

So, The Blueprint 3 is officially on the way, and do we like what we've heard so far? I think so. "D.O.A." was decent enough as a pre-album hype getter, and as far as I can tell, "Run This Town" doesn't embarrass itself as a legit first single.

My problem, I guess, is what we were expecting (and what rap was needing, really) was a monster track, and we got...this. It's pretty good, Rihanna sings a good hook, Kanye adds in a solid guest verse, and...I don't know. Maybe it only fails under the weight of its expectations, but "Run This Town" doesn't feel like enough. There's really nothing particularly wrong with it, I just don't think the beat is big enough nor Jigga's verses strong enough to announce an album that's supposed to be as unstoppable as The Blueprint 3.

It doesn't help that Jay-Z is by far the least interesting part of it all. Rihanna's hook is the highlight, and Kanye out-raps the main attraction. Everything about this song is just...okay. "Run This Town" isn't allowed to be mediocre. Sadly, it is.

Jay-Z Feat. Rihanna & Kanye West (Download)

I'm Like Fidel Castro In This Bitch

You're going to vote for this. And you're going to vote for it now.

As if I needed another reason to love Pance Party. They gave the PP treatment to Lil Jon's new track (featuring Swizz Beatz) "I Do" for a Loud.com contest, and it's predictably DIRTY. Help the boys out, text in some votes.

Video Premiere: KNIIFE PRRTY - "Pins Down"

Fantastic new video for what I've decided is my favourite KNIIFE PRRTY track, "Pins Down". Trippy as hell, much like the song itself.

KNIIFE PRRTY - "Pins Down" (Download)

Not-So-Daily Mixtape: "WEEKENDS"

Hey babe, are you free this

W/E/E/K/E/N/D/S/

1. Boards of Canada - Hey Saturday Sun (2005)
2. Johnny West - Saturday Night at my Favourite Dive (2004)
3. Lotus Plaza - Sunday Night (2009)
4. Cut Copy - Saturdays (2004)
5. Jens Lekman - Friday Night at The Drive-In Bingo (2007)
6. Trevor Hawkins - For A Sunday (2008)
7. Elton John - Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting (1973)
8. Why? - Good Friday [Almost Live Version] (2008)
9. Ulrich Schnauss - Sunday Evening in Your Street (2001)
10. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Come Saturday (2009)
11. Oliver Cheatham - Get Down Saturday Night (1983)
12. Open Grave Culture - Sunday Ascending (2008)
13. The Kills - Last Day of Magic (2008)
14. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Sunday Street (2008)

let's get in a fight, alright?

Resonance: "Alone in the Snow"

I've decided to experiment with a new little segment for the blog called Resonance. Which, in turn, is just a big excuse to share some music with you guys. Specifically tracks that are resonating a lot with me at the moment. Lately, I've been feeling some intense feelings of loneliness and these songs have really pulled at my chest, so to speak. Also, I apologize in advance for mentioning snow in the middle of summer.
First up is Matthew Dear's "Give Me More" from his 2007 debut, Asa Breed. The combination of the reverberating piano, the layered distant vocals and simplistic guitar is just so classic. I can really relate to the catchy, repetitive lyrics and I've yet to hear this track without singing along.

Matthew Dear - "Give Me More" (download)

Next is "Fill My Eyes" by the one and only Cat Stevens, from 1970's Mona Bone Jakon. Who knew such a folkish summery ballad would touch me all that much? This song always cheers me up when I'm feeling alone, and I'm not quite sure if it's the simplicity of it all, the subtle softness of the vocal delivery or a combination of the two.

Cat Stevens - "Fill My Eyes" (download)

Vashti Bunyan's 2005 release, Lookaftering, surprised me and I'm sure surprised many others. Breaking an almost 40-year hiatus, it made us wish she had been making music all those years. One track that sticks to me like bees on honey is "Same But Different". Beautiful baroque strings and woodwinds, and a flowing note progression in both her voice and the guitar. The feeling of sinking down into the ground is something I quite often associate with this track. Also, this song reminds me of something off of Midlake's The Trials of Van Occupanther.

Vashti Bunyan - "Same But Different" (download)

Last, but not least, is a track from Cyane's 2008 album, My Baby Blue. One that I have written about before, clearly a favourite of mine from the moment I first heard it. Once the little intro is finished and the magical-sounding piano comes in, "Stardust" goes from "good" to "breathtaking" in a single bound. The best imagery I can associate with this track is the leaves of trees flowing in the wind ever-so-slowly. That, or dying.

Cyané - "Stardust" (download)

It's Not A Beautiful Day!

J'ai peur.

There's an intense thunderstorm going on outside, and I live in an area where tornado warnings are legit. The thunder sounds like car crashes, over and over. Lightning keeps illuminating my otherwise dark living room. The wind is making the trees billow around like marionettes. Chaos.

It'll all look better in a few hours. I'm sure of it.

Neko Case - "This Tornado Loves You" (Download)

It's A Beautiful Day!

Once you've blogged long enough, I've realized you find the smallest of excuses just to share something. Like right now: the weather.

It's gorgeous outside, and as such this is going to be a very short post so I can go outside and enjoy it. Put a smile on your face and be a part of the summer while it's still here!

Much love.

YACHT - "Summer Song" (Download)

Billboard Thursday: David Guetta Feat. Akon - "Sexy Bitch"

There's intentionally funny songs, and then there's unintentionally funny songs. "Sexy Bitch" falls under the unintentionally funny category.

Example 1: Akon discusses trying to describe an incredibly hot girl without being disrespectful. This happens directly proceeding a line calling girls back home "neighbourhood ho's" and directly preceeding the chorus in which he calls the girl a "sexy bitch".

Example 2: David Guetta is unintentionally funny by nature. See: above picture.

The entirety of "Sexy Bitch" is a blatant play at American chart success after the European-aimed "Love Takes Over". It might just work; the track itself is a banger, and should play well in clubs. It didn't debut in the top fifty this week, but the mid-fifties is a decent place to start, and it wouldn't shock me if this went top ten. It's just not going to win any awards for its creativity, which I think Guetta is fine with; he's had some success with this formula, and kudos to him for knowing what works.

David Guetta Feat. Akon - "Sexy Bitch" (Download)


On an unrelated sidenote, can someone explain to me the proper way to write the plural of "ho"? Hos just doesn't look right, so I've gone the apostrophe route (ho's). I'd appreciate some confirmation as to whether or not my ghetto slang is grammatically correct.

I'm All About This Right Now

Selling out never made me want to shake my ass so much.

Clipse Feat. Keri Hilson - "All Eyes On Me" (Download)

Just Listen: Pomegranates

Pomegranates are just so easy to love. New album Everybody, Come Outside! reminds me a lot of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's 2008 release Pershing, in that it's the kind of record that you throw on when you just want music you know you're going to be satisfied by. All the hooks are immediate, fresh, and enjoyable.

Which isn't to say this is some kind of fluff album. Songs like "This Used To Be My Land, But Now I Hate This Land" are also emotionally touching despite having the band's signature cuteness throughout. Check it out, and let the band's enthusiasm wash over you on a day when you need it most.

Lovely.

Pomegranates - "This Land Used To Be My Land, But Now I Hate This Land" (Download)

Video Of The Week: YACHT - "Psychic City (Voodoo City)"

YACHT brings us such a great video for our VotW this week. The crispy occult-filled track, "Psychic City (Voodoo City)". You can check out the video to the right of this post, or by clicking here. This song has such a killer hook.

YACHT - "Psychic City (Voodoo City)"
by Jona Bechtolt

Scandal!

I love having this blog, because it gives me a place to mention that I think the hook from this...



...sounds oddly like the hook from this.



Right?

YE-LID 1, Pitchfork 0.

Have An Electro Dance-y Dance Day

These remixes have been kicking around my inbox for a while now, and today I feel is the day to whip them out. I know I'm a bit late in posting them, but I refuse to have my posts dictated by the blogosphere because I am MY OWN MAN.

I don't like posting remixes just for the sake of getting hits on HypeM, so let it be known: these are some dirty fucking remixes, otherwise they wouldn't appear here. The Pance Party remix is my new official workout theme, and the Brain Matters remixxx [sic] is just disgustingly good.

Check them out and show the artists some love.

The Presets - "Kicking And Screaming (Pance Party Remix)" (Download)


RQM - "Barely Evil (Brain Matters Remixxx)" (Download)

Stop! Collaborate & Mixtape: "MOOD SWINGS"

Once upon a daytime, this guy (who we'll call Em) met this guy (who we'll call Dee) and they bumped into each other and fell down rather hard. After getting up from their tremendous descent, something was on the ground next to them. This mixtape was what they found. It must've fallen out of their heads. The result? One joyous little journey.

M/O/O/D_S/W/I/N/G/S/
(feat. Your Ex-Lover)

1. Atlas Sound - Quarantined (2008)
2. Matthew Dear - Deserter (2007)
3. LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great (2007)
4. Pictureplane - Goth Star (2009)
5. Cut Copy - Far Away (2008)
6. Hercules and Love Affair - Blind (2008)
7. The Chemical Brothers - Asleep From Day (1999)
8. K.C. Accidental - Tired Hands (1998)
9. Ballboy - Leave The Earth Behind You and Take A Walk Into The Sunshine (2001)
10. M83 - Graveyard Girl (2008)
11. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Kurt Cobain's Cardigan (2007)
12. Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire (2009)
13. Black Lips - Crazy Girl (2003)
14. Sonic Youth - Eric's Trip (1988)

sometimes we're one thing and sometimes we're another,
but it's okay,
we love you anyways

Just Listen: Joseph Birdsong

There's something really charming about the little ditties produced by Joseph Birdsong. For those who aren't all about this whole "Web 2.0" thing, Birdsong is pretty big star on YouTube, and yesterday he uploaded a video for the first song to be released off of his upcoming iTunes EP (which should be out late this year or early next).

"Paper Cranes" is the thing that lovely indie film soundtracks are made of. It clocks in at a miniscule 1:15, and yet like Answering Machine Music-era Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, he manages to use minimalism to his advantage, crafting a fantastically catchy and oddly touching track.

If you read this blog even semi-often, you know that CFTPA is one of my favourite artists because of the way he uses classic pop hooks to tell stories about the mundanity and general fucked-ness of people's lives. Birdsong's tone is a tad more chipper than CFTPA's, but on "Paper Cranes" he shows the same kind of knack for simple melodies and great storytelling. Pop music is amazing because of it's breadth, and this is one artist who appears to have found his niche.



Joseph Birdsong - "Paper Cranes (Preview)" (Download)


Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - "Secretest Crush" (Download)

Show Stopper: Hillside Festival (Sunday)

Sunday started much like Saturday...with a giant hangover. We laid in our tents throughout most of the afternoon, listening to the sound of nearby shows. Clues, Winter Gloves, and Gentleman Reg all sounded wonderful (except when I couldn't hear them due to the raging thunderstorm). It was a relaxing, if somewhat painful, way to spend a lazy Hillside Sunday.

Our final volunteer shift began at six o'clock, and it ended up being by far my least productive. As soon as we got on, we were told that the Lake Stage vendors were running severely short on dishes. The problem was that there were no dishes to give them, as the dishwashers were also behind. So Sunni and I jumped into the dishwashing area and began feverishly cleaning. The best part about this was being right next to the Great Lake Swimmers show, so it's almost like we got to see it by default.

The second half of my shift consisted of a lot of wandering between different shows. My job was supposed to be to watch a freezer truck near the Lake Stage, but since no one was even using it, I was able to discreetly catch some performers. Sadly I missed the Rural Alberta Advantage, but Patrick Watson sounded grand as usual. I headed in briefly and watched Ambre McLean, a Guelph local artist with a stunning voice.



What followed at nine, though, was what made this a weekend I'll remember for the rest of my life.

When Final Fantasy came on stage, there was a storm looming on the horizon. It looked dark and ominous, but the show began on schedule. He was playing a lot of new material, all of which sounded unbelievable.


Final Fantasy - "Do You Love" (Download) (this isn't actually the song in the video; that song is as of yet unreleased, as far as I know)

And then the rain started.

It poured and poured. Thunder and lightning were crashing all around. He began playing a song called "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt", and about half way through the stage crew attempted to shut him down for fear of the stage getting hit by lightning. But he wouldn't stop, and no one went to find cover. As the sky poured buckets over everyone, the song climaxed and the lightning began acting as another instrument; with each flash the crowd cheered and yelled in pure joy. When the song was over, everyone kind of just stood there, in complete awe of what we had just witnessed. We were wet and muddy, but no one cared.

Thankfully, someone took a very high quality video of it.



With my life fulfilled, the festival came to a close. See you next year, Hillside.

Stop! Collaborate & Mixtape: "SWEAT"

So I got pretty sadfaced when I noticed we hadn't made any posts since Thursday, and I'm going to make the effort to try and get more posts up, more often. In the meantime, remember that we are still hiring writers. Send in your applications as soon as you can, but for now, enjoy this water-themed collaborative mixtape.

S/W/E/A/T/
(feat. Dustin)

1. Akron/Family - River (2009)
2. Annuals - Blue Ridge (2008)
3. Badly Drawn Boy - Camping Next to Water (2000)
4. The Ventures - Over The Mountain Across The Sea (1963)
5. Woods - Rain On (2009)
6. Calexico - Man Mad Lake (2008)
7. Camera Obscura - Lunar Sea (2003)
8. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood (2005)
9. Chad VanGaalen - Old Man + The Sea (2008)
10. Cloud Cult - When Water Comes to Life (2008)
11. M. Ward - Neptune's Net (2006)
12. Liars - Flow My Tears The Spider Said (2004)
13. Man Man - Whalebones (2008)
14. Vetiver - Rolling Sea (2009)

P.S.
Welcome to August everyone and on a completely unrelated note, spider bites are rather unpleasant

Track Review: EXCITEMENT IN ALL CAPS

One of the best songs you've heard this year, y/y?

I got initially excited because I thought, "OMG, Fefe fucking DOBSON has reinvented herself as the black, Canadian Lady Gaga!" The letdown was minor when I realized it was not in fact Fefe fucking DOBSON but rather Eva Simons, a European with Rihanna's voice, Lady Gaga's style, and La Roux's hair. As you can see above, it's all as wonderful as it seems.

To quote the Popjustice post that I got this from, "Silly Boy" sounds like pop music just PUNCHED ME IN THE FACE. And I love it.