Sunday, May 3, 2009

Cymbals Eat Guitars

Remember Back to the Future?

Remember when Michael J Fox was playing guitar at the under the sea dance?

Remember when he started playing Johny B Good?

Remember when the guitarist with the busted hand got on the phone and told his cousin that he found the sound he was looking for?

Well Cymbals Eat Guitars is that sound. It's like Built to Spill if Built to spill had youth or the ability to feel any emotion regarding girls.

(Sorry no video yet)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Son Lux

If your sister is dating a guy and he is entered in your family's secret santa program and if you select his name and he isn't going to be at your family's Christmas celebration do you have to get his present to him on time? Well the answer to this rhetorical is no, no i didn't get Zach his present by Christmas. But the magnitiude of the greatness makes up for the timing. I gave him the Son Lux album At War With Walls And Mazes.

From some reason I've been into really haunted music recently (see upcoming Bonnie "Prince" Billy post). This is right up that alley but instead of being lo-fi like Beach House or Bon Iver this is a very polished album with walls of sound and empty halls stillness. The way lyrics are repeated while the score increases in intensity then drops to a whisper give the two lines incredible meaning. The classical themes hybrid with truly artist performance manipulations make this CD a must have (well please preview).

The album is great it's been in my player for 4 months.

Friday, April 10, 2009

The Streets-The Edge of a Cliff

I think I've always liked the Streets, at least since his A Grand Don't Come for Free album. I'm not sure exactly why I like him so much. It could be the unpretentious introspection or the frankness. Either way if you aren't a fan of rap per se you need to spend a little time with Mike Skinner

Some notables-
Blinded by the Lights
Dry Your Eyes
and on a less serious tone
Fit but You Know It

The reason for the post is the leading track for a new album released a few days ago. The Edge of a Cliff may be abrasive at first but is very well crafted lyrically and shows growth from the english songsmith. Visually- well let's just say I'm jealous of the man's rapid beard growth.

Enjoy the streets, add him to your list of white rappers that aren't Aesop Rock.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Sky Larkin

Dear Annie Cluff, Nicole DeSouza, Natasha Ploeger, Katherine Fiet & Lisa Hannigan,

Let me just say it's been a pleasure and you all have meant a lot to me throughout the years. As you probably know I have at some time in my life (and possible currently) had a crush on you. It had been very fulfilling for me and I whole heartily thank you for your unwitting service.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you my newest crush. She's super sweet and I think you two would really get along. She does match the standard Paul crush criteria
  • Tall'ish
  • Wears flats
  • Has bangs
  • And is cute
Her name is Katie Harkin and she is the lead singer and guitarist in the english band Sky Larkin. I saw her Tuesday night at a show. Her band opened for Los Campesinos and she was charming and gracious and I think I'm in love.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

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




Wednesday, December 3, 2008

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.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

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.