G chat with sweetness and light

me: and ps my new obsession http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjy2P0MSVlo&NR=1

7:29 PM Katherine: it's like hipsters formed a barbershop quartet

7:30 PM me: it's silly i love that band and that song and haven't stopped since i found it at 2 am this morning

7:31 PM Katherine: oooooh 2 am

that's what christmas breaks are all about

You're just a spoiled LA girl

Warning, if you don't sign on to the Kanye West Crazy Train you probably won't be into this new album. There is more auto-tune on this album then there is braces in an audience of the twilight movie. It would be easy to say Kanye is jumping on the robot voice band wagon after the success of T-Pain but you need to remember Kanye was a producer first and his producing was thick with vocal modulation, see through the wire.

I am a fan of Kanye and understand that his music is about the experience of being Kanye West. The past year West lost his mother to an early plastic surgery related death and broke up with his fiance, so if he makes an album that is super introspective and dark, then I'll allow him that. But for those who need club anthems, see Stronger, kanye has promised a new album by june. This will suffice until then. Listen to it more than once.

It's electro-pop, it's not rap, it's ocdelicious.

She wants a man who has got his game locked tight

I first heard chromeo a few years back, the song mercury tears was on a snowboard video (don't get the wrong impression, i watch maybe one a year.) I had heard that Chromeo had a new album out and I kept pushing the first listen back, but I was home from work monday watching a Made marathon on MTV and they kept featuring spots for Chromeo. I downloaded the album and LOVE IT!!

Being 6 months late on this I share it with caution. Turns out Dan Whitmore has loved this whole album for months... and no note to me, what a rascal.

Love this song, Momma's Boy, enjoy it, I do.

I strolled in the club with hat down michael jack style

I love rap music and I have some body issues.

Horse Feathers: House With No Home

I'm in sort of a rut these days and I'm sure some of you can relate. This is my problem; I haven't been able to find anything really good to listen to lately. The bands I've researched in the past couple of weeks haven't sparked any intrigue (kinda sounds like the presidential candidates) and I've been left with nothing but wasted time. So, I just decided to go to the record store and pick up whatever looked interesting. After rummaging around for a while, (I'm sure the people there thought I was insane: picking up an album, walking five feet, then returning it to the shelf and repeating the process a couple more times) I finally settled on this album, and I'm glad I did. People new to folk music sometimes find it all to be the same. "Oh yeah, its got a banjo picking arpeggios, down-from-the-mountain vocals, a fiddle, and a tambourine in a song or two." The nice thing about Horse Feathers is that the minimalist structure of the songs give the artists much more room to be able to slowly reveal overpowering ideas through the placement of obscure musical statements. It might take a few listens to catch, but when you do hear it, listening becomes much more interesting and enjoyable. Its also nice to listen to truly talented string players. These guys are all well accomplished musicians. At last, something to listen to! And please, this blog isn't just for Paul and I to rant about crap we think we know about. If you have some bands you'd like us to recognize, let us know! I'm definitely interested in hearing it, because this week was rough, only being able to find one band to suffice my hunger. Horse Feathers was a lifesaver!

Okkervil River

I can't stop listening to the new album "The Stand Ins." In an attempt to impress a girl I had marked their concert on my calendar. As the show came closer the girl changed but the objective remained the same: impress girl with depth of indie knowledge.

She said she was into going to the show. Then I realized the only exposure i had to Okkervil River was a streaming concert I had listened to months ago on NPR. So I downloaded the most recent album from the band. It's great. This falls into a category of bands and music that is yet to be named but is best described in quoting my brother when he was telling me about Pavement 6 years ago. "I think I like the music because it's music that i feel we could make. It's toe tapping, not head banging and sloppy." The writing is clever and fun.

In short Okkervil River is fun, smart and OCDELICIOUS.

Los Campesinos

I origianlly got Los Campesinos' EP from my sister on a burned CD with half of Spoon's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga album. Seeing as how I didn't have a CD player at the time I left the CD in my mom's car in another state. But everytime i went to visit it was almost a treat know what my mom would have this CD in her car next to Steely Dan's greatest hits and the new indigo girls. So when I heard the new album by Los Campesinos was out I got it digitally and have been able to give it a proper listen.

As you all expected, I love it. Can't stop listening to this wonderful ironic exciteable dark happy music. They are pitchfork and NPR's darlings right now and they should be yours too.

I need human heat

(Originally written in July)

This week was my birthday and thank you NPR for a great present. Usually I'm not too impressed by Bob Boulin and NPR's All Songs Considered. Much like the rest of NPR arts and culure stories the ASC ends up taking themselves and artists they review a bit too seriously. But recently ASC had a poll on their website to find the best albums of 2008 so far. And the results were pretty interesting. The fist result was the new Panic at the Dicso. I know i know, Panic at the Disco was voted one of the top album by NPR listeners!! But as you most likely suspected Panic at the Disco had a link on their website asking people to vote for them. I'm imagining 17 year old youths with black hair and lip rings leaving the world of pittchforkmedia.com and hot topic to enter, if only for a strategic vote, the parellel universe of Nina Totenberg and Morning Edition. And what happens when dad walks in on that 17 year old son of whom he is so worried about because he doesn't get why he wears eyeliner and girls jeans, when that dad sees the familiar three color logo of NPR on the website? The dad goes through sock first then disbelief next comes a calming feeling of comfort, "he'll be alright, even though he may act oddly and be so aloof from the family Robert Seigel and Renee Montain will bring him back". But sorry dad you've got a few years until your 17 year old son comes around and realizes that


I had to cut myself off. the extended metaphor got away from me. But enjoy the Scottish goodness.

Bon Iver

I know some of you are sick of me talking about this guy, but I honestly have been obsessing since June, and I really can't get over it. Bon Iver. What a man. For Emma, Forever Ago is the best album that has come out since Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. I know, its a lofty claim, but hey, no one reads this blog anymore so I could say "SHIT-FIRE DAMNATION" and no one would even yell blasphemy. Seriously though,  I have a fever, and no, its not for more cowbell, its for more Bon Iver. 

http://www.emusic.com/album/Bon-Iver-For-Emma-Forever-Ago-MP3-Download/11161152.html

So Much Chips you can have a bag if you a snacker!

Alright. Some of you may know I work as a DJ. DJ Heartbroker (it's a bit ridiculous). I DJ parties with 200-1500 ppl usually. I'm not the biggest fan of Hip Hop but this work helped me get though college, really working weekend nights playing music to a bunch of sweaty 18- 20 somethings is better than washing dishes.

I was Dj'ing a party a few weeks ago and I got a text from a friend asking me to play lollipop by lil wayne. I had no idea what the song was and didn't play it... but turns out I love the song and have probably listened to it upwards of a hundred times in the past week. But not the original, the remix with Kanye. It's more polished and more clever... of course its more clever if Mr West is gracing us with his presence.

"I got so much chips man you can call me Hewlett_Packer, I got so much chips you can have a bag if you're a snacker"

Well done Lil Wayne, you're silly clever and I love you.
**Caution Un-EDITED**
Lil'" Wayne ft. KanYe West - Lollipop (Official Remix)

Hayden- Bass Song

If there was one song in the world I had to listen to for the rest of my life, this song might be on the top 10, because every single time I listen to it, I'm surprised by something I hadn't heard the previous time. Just listen to the little placements of sounds during the transitions. The small trickle of the piano, the orchestra in the background rolling like thick swells in the ocean, the low shuffle of the percussion and piano, in some parts the bass imitates the hollow sound of a marimba, even the little noises in the background that let you know the song is human, that someone is there in the room with you. And listen to his voice; the small swells and releases in his musicality is astonishing. If you hear it one time without really listening, and then you listen to it again, really paying attention, its like listening to two completely different songs. And the song is so diverse too. Its a perfect study song, a perfect driving song, even a good running song, but its mostly a nothing song. This song is simply beautiful.

a link to the song will be up shortly.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

What can I say about Clap Your Hands Say Yeah that already hasn't been explained in the band's title? This refreshing group from Brooklyn recently celebrated the one year anniversary of their second album (which I bought and completely ate up)....but I still feel nostalgic about their first, self-titled album released in '05. It's probably one of the only albums I own where I completely love every single one of the songs...a true OCDelicious album. In a way they could be compared to Interpol and Arcade Fire, minus the grave themes and add fun-loving, shuffle-your-feet simplicity. Unlike others, however, Alec Ounsworth's voice (a voice my mom swears only a mother could love) rings refreshing tones in my ears, even at its whiniest. Their use of bells, chimes, accordion, harmonica and other toy-like sounds in a mature, melodic, and modern indie setting offers the world a new form of musical-bliss never experienced before. These two songs, Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth, and Is This Love? are quite enjoyable.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=8540231

Vampire Weekend- Debut Album

When you live in a suburb of phx your exposure to breaking bands is severely limited. You don't hob nob with hipsters. There is no buzz at local hangouts. And all the local bands have perfected their Weezer covers and are working on some new stuff that will inevitably sound like a Jimmy Eat World song. So when the new album by Vampire Weekend was released last week I obviously missed it. But thanks to the powers that are the internet I can feel somewhat included in appreciating this new album.

The west african guitar parts in song like Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa sound something like mid-80's paul simon and the constant beat, steel drums and orchestral arrangements of Walcott give the album depth and personality. This album is warm clever and ocdelicious.

http://earbuds.popdose.com/taylor/Vampire%20Weekend%20-%20Cape%20Cod%20Kwassa%20Kwassa.mp3

http://www.mediamax.com/maxfife/Hosted/09%20Walcott.mp3

N.E.R.D. Everybody Nose

I'm not one for Girl Anthems... usually. There was that stint in the late '90's but who didn't <3 the SPICE GIRLS. I'm not talking about just the music, the whole brand! movie and all. But with a recent focus on manliness, including weekly quotas of ESPN and discussion of "the game", my knowledge and appreciation of the pro-girl has been waining. Thank you N.E.R.D for creating such a catchy song. Bouncing in my cubicle while listening and catching myself singing along to the main tag line "all the girls standing in the line for the bathroom" has returned me to an emasculated state. But the song is so super catchy that is makes me very excited for the full length album from this Captain America group of hip-hop producers. This track is awesome, embarrassing and OCDelicious

https://poptartssucktoasted.sslpowered.com/LP1.21/everyone%20nose.mp3

Built to Spill- Car

I have a strong emotional attachment to this song because it was on a mix cd my brother gave to me for Christmas when he came home from a long awaited visit from college. I was in 7th grade. Besides the radio and my parent's collection of vinyl they've had since the age of the dinosaurs, I knew virtually nothing of the outside world of music; and I was happily awakened to the indie world thanks to my brother's empty, college pockets. Car happens to be track one on the mix. I remember burning the candle til 2 in the morning as I listened quietly to Built to Spill over and over again. They became my meat and potatoes band, the one that started it all, the group that made me want to know what else was out there, which is exactly what this song is all about. " I want specifics on the general idea I wanna think what I should know Want you to do me what to show I wanna see movies of my dreams". Built to Spill happens to be everywhere. These old guys have been around for a while, and pretty much every indie-alt band out there has at least a speck of Built to Spill in them. Its like they created the "Essentials of Indie" manual and every aspiring musician just had to get their hands on it. Built to Spill has a vast range of formations from heart-exploding love songs to fun indie pop songs to 20 minute intricate ballads. No matter what mood your in, if you pop in one of their albums, you'll fill your ears with indie-loving charm.

http://idisk.mac.com/olneyce/Public/car.mp3

Blonde Redhead- Elephant Woman

Although this no-wave group from New York is often compared with Sonic Youth, their two most recent albums 23 and Misery Is a Butterfly makes Blonde Redhead incomparable to any band that I have come across. And there are many, many elements that set them apart from everyone else. Their groves, jazz influenced syncopation and rhythm, and use of exotic instruments and eerie background sounds, place them in the avant-experimental genre. Unfortunately, when some artists enter this experimental and transcendental vortex...they simply produce detached and fuzzy garbage. Not in this case. Blonde Redhead perfectly combines the use of structural compositions with an abstract twist. Their progressive chord changes and dark, romantic themes mystify me. On top of this eeriness that takes you on a trip through the vastness, and sometimes lonely emptiness of the universe is an intensity that grips you, and a violent emotion that leaves you completely awestruck. The song, Elephant Woman, is so full of intensity and emotion its hard to describe how I feel about it....as it is hard to place Blonde Redhead in any classification or with any other artist.

Okay, I finally found a link to the song, but its a YouTube video. And if you don't like the lovely anime graphics, spend your blessed 99 cents and buy it off iTunes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRbahynwyEs&feature=related

Hot Chip will leave you breathless

For the past two weeks I haven't been able to stop listening to this electronica band from London. The tight synth beats and ironic rhymes make it addictive. Who would have thought a group of twenty somethings would have such an affect on me. There new album will be coming out Feb 4th and leaks have been coming out on interweb for a minute and with each new track my expectations rise and rise.

Let's hope the new album isn't a disappointment because we all know that disappointment comes from unmet expectations... take my last gf for example.

Ready for the Floor
http://ricky.differentclass.org/uploads/hotchip.mp3


More Hot Chip songs soon if'n you like.

Wolf Parade- I'll Believe in Anything

When the parents of Sunset Rubdown, Frog Eyes, Atlas Strategic, and Hot Hot Heat conceived, they gave birth to a beautiful baby named Wolf Parade. Wolf Parade grew up strong and fast, with a little help from his Godfather Isaac Brock, and showed us a thing or two he had learned, making the other little kiddies kind of jealous. His mumble/squawk voice combined with his thunder-crash drums, weights-on-his-fingers keyboard, raw/throbbing guitar, and intense electronica synthesizer makes Wolf Parade a new edition to the new-wave family of indie rock.
I'll Believe in Anything, is Indian tribal dance meets crude guitar/drums with an emphasis on a high pitched yet bubbly-brook synthesizer. This combination makes a perfect way to wear the hell out of your mp3 player. Anyway, this doesn't make a bit of darn sense, just listen, you'll get the idea.
Beware, its incredibly OCDelicious!
http://alina.bothsidesofthemouth.com/09%20I%27ll%20Believe%20In%20Anything.mp3

Kickin' it off with the dreamtastic iron and wine

When I first encountered the sounds of Sam Beam's silky, yet ashen voice, and that twangy, melodious banjo that made my mind wander to a barefoot childhood full of sweet smelling summers and innocent mischief, I went through a good month or two of ultra OCDelicious obsession. Iron and Wine became one of those bands that saved me from the everyday robotics of life, transported my mind to thoughtful, thinly veiled dreams and made me wish I could grow a wicked beard (yes thats right) and drink cold lemonade on the front porch. His deep thoughts and lament for passing moments and forgotten lovers makes even the most nostalgic poets' work child's play.

This song in particular, Resurrection Fern, remains on repeat, even when my sisters beg for Baby Bash's, Cyclone...but that is for another day's topic. In the meantime, grab a seat in Grandma's rocking chair, press play, and dream of happy moments soon to come.

http://www.speedofdark-web.com/speedofdark/2007/Best-2007/Iron%20and%20Wine_08-Resurrection%20Fern.mp3

Xiu Xiu- I Do What I Want When I Want

I have never been into experimental music always found it a bit too much. But Xiu Xiu may usher me into the Genre. All i had previously known about this San Francisco based group I had learned at a music festival in California last year. A bunch of 15 year old kids wore their t-shirts. So as far as I knew then it was a new skate brand with a chinese logo, like Zhong.

I stumbled on this song this week and the eeriness of it keeps it on repeat. There are enough melodic breaks to make it listenable but it drifts of into morose wanderings enough to make it interesting.

It's toe tapping and OCDelicious.
http://stereoscope.fm/melody/011408_XiuXiu.mp3

Why the BLOG

I've had this problem ever since I was young. I would listen to one song over and over again. It would become an obsession. My family would make fun of it but I couldn't stop. I was ashamed of my OCD tendencies. Because the OCD was limited to Vanilla Ice raps and Niel Young jams I decided not to seek medical attention but instead suppressed the symptoms but was always afraid of any one seeing my top 25 played on iTunes because of the large disconnect on play count between the top of the list and the bottom.

It's time to come to grips with my condition. Hopefully this experiment will help me become more self actualized. I am going to blog about the songs that I habitually listen to. Please don't underestimate my sickness. Some times I'll listen to a song easily 40 times in one day!!

SO this is my treatment. OCDelicious!!!

Bon Appetit.