smash vinyl

April March and Billy Childish are two of my favorite people on this planet. I've already featured the milkshakes' Billy Childish earlier, so now it's April March's turn. Imagine the hottest chick you've ever seen singing the must irresistible catchy pop tunes over a beach boys guitar riff. Now give her style, class, and a sense of the retro 50's classic rock scene and you've got something remarkably great. Get out your leather jackets and baby doll dresses.

Aavikko is from Finland and they are a lounge band through and through. Imagine a James Bond of the 80's at a frilly pink neon cat club and two sleekly dressed musicians on stage wielding casio keyboards and indecipherable electronic contraptions. If you've got that swanky feeling for some Vodka Martini's and lovely lady with a cutting tongue than this band may be what you need in the background. This is from their album Viitostie.

Von Iva is a hard piece of double bubble, you know, the gum version of those hip fucking dance bands you absolutely fucking hate, but always end up dancing to. . . The Von Iva's are different because they don't give a fuck about those bands. In fact, i think they just plain don't give a fuck. Through the grape vine I have heard that the singer, Jillian Iva, was accosted by some random douchebag at a concert. Apparently she hides a goddamn knife in her boot and that poor mother fucker got cut up. Drummer Kelly Harris is rumored to knock suckers out. Literally. And keyboardist Becky Kupersmith actually files her nails and coats them in hardened steel, you know, just in case. And the bassist, Elizabeth Davis-Simpson, well, lets just say that bulge in her right stocking ain't there because she's happy to see you. These bitches are tough...just sayin...

If you haven't seen or head RJD2 yet you haven't been alive in the world of music. Mr. Ramble John Krohn can apparently be found on the streets of philly with vinyl under his arm at all times. His live show is nothing short of amazing, and usually electronic music bores me to tears. RJD2 tears up the tables, the beat machines, the samplers, everything is analog and astounding. The man is a savant in this world of mediocre DJ's and wanna-be electronic musicians. He puts them all to shame. I've been listening to his new album which is all of his own acoustic work mixed up and sampled along with his singing. Much like most of his other albums I'm a huge fan of half of the tracks, but just a confused spectator for the other half. Sometimes he's just too slick for his own good, but other times you're right down the slide with him and its a great ride. Check out this track he did with Jakki. "Keep trying to keep it real while keeping it raw" ... from the deadringer album.

Organs, acoustic guitars, violins, cellos, droning vocals, and rain. "Friends of Dean Martinez" makes some of the best instrumental music you will ever hear. It is sparse, and mysterious. Like wandering around the desert as it turns to night and everything starts to hum around you as the land becomes alive. They have released a couple of records on sub-pop, and I would love to get a hold on some of their vinyl. Have a listen.

Multi-track sweeping guitars and drums ride along whispered vocals in "Statistics". Each track is a vortex of dreamy melody and hypnotizing rhythm. Statistics is the work of mastermind Denver Dalley, and he has released three ablums to date already - all on Jade Tree records. Denver has also played in Desaparecidos with famed singer-songwriter Conor Mullen Oberst of bright eyes. "Statistics" is officially on hiatus as Denver works on a project in Nashville called "Intramural". Check out this track "The grass is always greener" to get an idea of Denver's work in Statistics.

Tight drum beats, ambient organ, catchy piano, free sax, samples, and simple vocals make up "menomena". From Portland, Oregon, a menomena is a trio of incredibly talented musicians who are currently releasing albums on barsuk records where they share the roster with other bands such as mates of state, death cab for cutie, and rilo kiley. They've released four solid albums of unconventional, but sweetly pleasing music. Take a listen.

Water flowing through pipes, dripping beats, blurpy snare drums, casio keyboards, searching guitars, blonde redhead -ish vocals and lyrics... this is Dean And Britta. If any part of you liked the Postal Service, or even Kid A from Radiohead then you may like this. It is music for waking up, going to sleep, or just lounging in between this world and the next where you can float on clouds and enjoy the lovely music you just killed yourself to. Here is a taste of Britta's complacent vocals on "singer sing."

Franz Kafka would be proud of his character Gregor Samsa from the metamorphosis coming to life in this beautiful ominous music. This band captures the depths of depressive lethargy and beautiful laziness in a swirl of "ohmmy" bass and blissful vocals. Gregor Samsa is foolproof for overcast days curled up with a cup of hot cocoa and a newspaper.

Diplo is a master DJ of sampling and recycling. He puts a fresh "spin" on old melodies, and strange sounds found everywhere in the world. Just from perusing his blog Diplo propounds unique sounds to sample from the mainstream to the obscure, from Laos to England. He has a new album out soon, and I wholly recommend you check out this maestro de vinyl now to be ready for the upcoming masterpiece.

Chances are that if you've heard any dance music at a club or on the radio that that band has ripped off Fela Kuti in some way. Current trendy dance bands will always site him as a major influence in their current. Pounding tribal drums, steaming sax, big choral voices, and sound that makes you think of a hot humid day and sweating to some serious spicy dance music that even makes the local tropical trees groove out.

If you ever wished you were in the middle of a 50's greaser flick hanging out with jerry lee lewis and elvis then "thee milkshakes" is the band for you. Complete with references to cruiser's and cadillac's this band represents everything good about rock n' roll as defined by Chuck Berry and the Rolling Stones. Both gritty and smotth, punk and rock, Billy Childish, and thee Milkshakes do it right. Going on a long road trip to New Orleans? This is the band to take on the road with you. I'm a fan of all of their stuff, but here is a little taste.

DFA records is one of my favorite labels. Of all the fantastic bands they press albums for, the Juan Maclean is probably my favorite, followed closely by Hot Chip. The Juan Maclean's album "less than human" is a plush work of smooth electronic dance music. Its slick sampling, and sweetly manipulated drum tracks will have you tapping your foot through the whole album. My favorite song on the album is Tito's way.

Don't forget to check out DFA records if you like this. 0 comments »

One of my favorite albums this year. Albert Hammond Jr. dishes yum yum poppy goodness in the form of simple guitar work and fitting lyrics. This album will have you singing along after a second listen. And you know what? I bet you won't be sick of it soon either. In fact I bet it will be constantly on rotation. One of my favorite songs from the "Yours to Keep" album is "Everyone Gets a Star"


Check out the album and enjoy some umm umm lipsmacking goodness of sing-along heartfelt beauty from the mindsprings of Albert Hammond Jr.

Ratatat is GigantoNormous beats, sick ass synths, monster fat bass, and succulent guitar loops. This duo could out produce Dr. Dre even without all his money. I doubt they would admit it though. "9 Beats" was leaked to the internet, and in fact was never "released." However, Ratatat did use the music from "9 beats" to create their "Remixes Vols I and II" album which features samples of some major Rap artists on top of their dope ass music. Track one from 9 beats is one of my favorites.

But lets face it, all of their music makes me want to ride on 24" chrome and stunt. And maybe "do this" a little bit. If you're not into rap, don't worry, 9 beats and all of their other non-remixed shit will make you sorry you hadn't heard them before.

Gang Gang Dance is a noisy collection of syncopated rythmic jungle echo dissonant melodius ethiopian buzz saw menagerie cluster fuck. If you like your music to rythmically confuse, and melodically startle then God's Money will descalp your ugly head. This band is what modern "art rock" bands have been failing to do. The best track on the album is by far "2A. Glory In Itself 2B. Egyptian"

Take a listen and find yourself step into a gypsy thronged cult of scary beautiful ritual and opera. If you like that then here is another track from gang gang dance called "Nomad for Love (Cannibal). Enjoy.

Nobody is Elvin Estela, and his new album "Pacific Drift" is absolutely incredible. It is like rolling down the windows near the ocean and the sea breeze caresses your face and plays with your hair. My favorite song on the Pacific Drift Album is the "White slowly folding into blue remix".

If you ever need some "chill out" music, some pre-party hang out grooves, or some tumes for those random days at home lounging on the couch with a good book then this album is for you.

I have been listening to their album for weeks now. And I've linked to my favorite song on the album. Her voice is like Chan Marshall from Cat Power, but the music is rocking and grungy. If Kurt Cobain and Chan Marshall had a daughter, she would be named Lizzie Powell, and her band would be called Land of Talk. Check out my favorite song "Summer Special".


(pic from their show at the Great american music hall)