A Favorite

This is possibly one of my favorite pieces of music. It is not exactly a simple task to describe why. I would hope that it is enough to say that some sounds and motifs just touch certain people more. I will not begin to try and understand the psychological connection between music and emotion, but this song makes me happy in many ways.

Chromeo – Business Casual

First listen is now available at NPR music, and my first impression here is that this is a step in the right direction for the retro-funk duo. It is simultaneously a more mature record and more 80s-influenced. The sounds are all crisp, the keys work is very creative and smooth and it hits even harder than Fancy Footwork. As a whole, I think that it is more listenable than the previous album, and I imagine that is based on a better flow between tracks, and a little more variety in the synths and pads that are utilized.

Robin Pecknold Performs New Tunes

Robin Pecknold, of Fleet Foxes fame, has recently been on tour with Joanna Newsom. Along this tour it has been reported that he has unveiled some new tunes. It is possible that some or all of these tracks will make an appearance on an upcoming (and highly anticipated) Fleet Foxes release. For example, the b-side to the Mykonos 7″ has appeared on some of his set lists, the rather glorious “False Knight On The Road” (listen). I think we can all hope that some of the new songs below are being recorded and poured over by the Foxes. If you only have time for one, I suggest “Look Up, Look Down That Lonesome Road” (EDIT: “Lonesome Road” is an old folk song recorded by many, it appeared on a Doc Watson album in 1977). It is already well-developed and Pecknold’s voice is really as good as it seems on record. He comes up with such interesting melodies that it is impossible to get bored with the first listen, and that is where I imagine most musicians lose their audience. Until more news is released, let us keep our fingers crossed for a new album, and perhaps a little tour.

Look Up, Look Down That Lonesome Road

Blue Spotted Tail

Helplessness Blues

Inception: A Movie Worth Seeing

After a summer full of 3-D gimmicks and otherwise forgettable releases (although Exit Through the Gift Shop was a wonderful surprise, it wasn’t necessarily summer) we finally have the summer blockbuster that we have needed for at least two months. I cannot remember the last time that I was actually anticipating a film’s release. Normally such behavior only leads to let downs and unmet expectations. Inception, however, is everything that a large-budget summer film should be, and perhaps a little more. The question could be raised, of course, as to whether or not the film is good only because it stands amidst a season of flops, but that will not be addressed here.

GAYNGS – Relayted

I should admit, that I was pretty excited about this release after hearing a couple of the tracks in preview (thanks to Brooklyn Vegan). Pitchfork claimed it as a huge joke played on the listener that simply went to far. I will say that there is some worthwhile material buried in the 69 BPM Relayted. There is also some material in the middle portion that perhaps I just do not get, or am not in on the joke. I do think that I will give it a few more listens though, before I write it all off.

Wye Oak – My Neighbor / My Creator

After meeting the Baltimore duo this weekend at Siren, but arriving too late to see their set, I looked up their latest EP and was greeted with some very pleasant tunes. My Neighbor / My Creator was released during Spring of this year and is a brief but well-thought-out five song EP. The duo creates a very large sound, attributed to some heavy layering in the studio. It is fun music and Jenn Wasner’s voice is nothing short of perfect for this sort of indie-chill-rock. I imagine the EP would be best enjoyed on a back porch with some good friends in the heart of summer. Download the absolute standout, and most heart-breaking, track from My Neighbor / My Creator “I Hope You Die” right here.

NPR – All Songs Considered

My obsession with NPR Music’s facelift this year continues as I keep finding interesting little features. The All Songs Considered podcast is not something I would typically seek out, yet this latest installment held a couple of tracks that I was particularly intrigued by. Ra Ra Riot, as you may know, is releasing an album this fall and I have not heard any material from it until today. To say they have picked up where The Rhumb Line left off would be doing them a disservice. The track highlighted here is “Boy” from The Orchard, set to be released August 24th on Barsuk Records. It is certainly a Ra Ra Riot track, the bass drives the song with an interesting rhythm while the strings come in for tasty little highlights. The production itself sounds a little stronger this time around, while ‘mature’ doesn’t necessarily describe much, the track does seem more mature, and thick as a whole. It is at the very least enough to keep me excited for another month until the official release.