The first Wes Anderson move I ever saw was The Life Aquatic. I had heard a lot about his movies and I realized why he is so great: really good dry humor and good soundtracks. When I was watching The Life Aquatic, I noticed that the acoustic songs being played by Pele Dos Santos sounded very familiar. I thought "is that David Bowie? but that's not English?" I waited till the end of the credits to see that it was David Bowie and that they were being perfomed in Portuguese by Seu Jorge. Unfortunately, I do not know Portuguese so I can't understand the translation, but that doesn't mean it's not good music. I highly reccommend this to any David Bowie fans or Seu Jorge fans or any fan of music in general.

Seu Jorge - The Life Aquatic Sessions (Album) LINK PULLED! SORRY!

Listening to this makes me wants to see Sufjan live even worse. It is very refreshing to listen to these songs with different instrumentation. My personal favorite out of this concert is the 9 minute version of "The Predatory Wasp." This concert made me go back and listen to all the original songs with a whole new light. Sufjan finishes the concert with the creepiest and most beautiful version of "John Wayne Gacy Jr." The extra harmonies will chill your spinal fluid. Since I will not be able to see Sufjan until his next tour, I think this is the next best thing. It can also hold your craving over until the Avalanche album comes out.

Casimir Pulaski Day
The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders
The Praire Fire That Wanders About
Jacksonville
The Predatory Wasp Of Palisades
Chicago
The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts
John Wayne Gacy Jr.

It's about that time again...time to go home. The album was shared by Andrew Kenny of the American Analog Set and Ben Gibbard of Death Cab, Postal Servce, All-Time Quarterback, etc. I only have the Gibbard tracks because I personally like these better. All four tracks are very simple acoustic songs. The last song "Choir Vandals" is a cover of an American Analog Set song and Kenny did the same with a Death Cab song, "Title Track." I love all four songs equally. Again, this exemplifies Gibbard's ability to do whatever he wants when it comes to music.

Ben Gibbard - Home Volume 4

Sorry for the wait. 54 is the count. Enjoy.

Aesop Rock - Labor Days
Aimee Man - The Forgotten Arm LINK PULLED!
Archers of Loaf - Icky Mettle
Beatles, The - Abbey Road
Beatles, The - Magical Mystery Tour
Beck - Mutations
Beck - Sea Change
Brand New - Deja Entendu + Your Favorite Weapon
Bravery, The - The Bravery
Bright Eyes - Digital Ash In A Digital Urn
Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Brunettes, The - Mars Loves Venus
Built To Spill - You In Reverse
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Death Cab For Cutie - The Photo Booth
Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism
Dropkick Murphy's - Live on St. Patrick's Day
Flaming Lips, The - Zaireeka
Foo Fighters - One By One
Gomez - How We Operate
Gorillaz - Demon Days
Hot Hot Heat - Make Up The Breakdown
James Blunt - Back To Bedlam
Jem - Finally Woken
Kanye West - The College Dropout
Kanye West - Late Registration
Killers, The - Hot Fuss
Lady Sovereign - Vertically Challenged (pass: RISKY)
Madness - The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1
Madvillain - Madvillany
Matchbox 20 - Yourself or Someone Like You
MF Doom - Operation Doomsday
Modest Mouse - Baron Von Bullshit Rides Again
Modest Mouse - The Moon and Antarctica
Musiq - Soulchild
Pavement - Watery, Domestic EP
Paul Anka - Rock Swings
Pedro the Lion - Control
Placebo - Meds
Portishead - Dummy
Portishead - Portishead
Rilo Kiley - The Execution of All Things
Sea, Like Lead, The - EP
Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
Spin Doctors - Pocket Full of Kryptonite
Streets, The - A Grand Don't Come For Free
Streets, The - The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living
Swedish Forest - Beloved Melancholy EP
Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now
Three 6 Mafia - The Most Known Unknown
Tim Buckley - Copenhagen Tapes
Warriors, The - OST
Yo La Tengo - Fakebook
Yo La Tengo - Genius and Love

Hope you all enjoy, and as always, these links have been gathered from around the net. I didn't upload any of it.

Other links are from Regnyouth, Indie Surfer, Against The Grain, Baby Borderline, e-Junkie, Francis the Cat, Greyout, Lost on Purpose, mp3 Index, Oh No!, Palaver, Music Man, Smooth Tunes, Sound Education and Where is Your Mind. PLUS MORE

I can't think of a better way to avoid my paper at four in the morning...

Relatively speaking, ”He War” is one of the heaviest rock songs on Cat Power’s You Are Free disc. It is rumored that frontman Chan Marshall was aided by ex- Nirvana drummer and Foo FightersDave Grohl on several tracks from the album. The typically sparse information found in the credits cryptically attribute the drums to D.G. and T.H. only, which I suppose only helps to foster Marshall’s reticent mystique; the female counterpart to Palace’s reclusive Will Oldham if you will. ”He War” is also one of the more produced tracks found on the album, Grohl providing a shuffling drum groove to crackly guitar, accented by piano runs and high chiming guitar licks. Marshall’s lyrics remain somewhat obtuse as she sings in a close, double tracked harmonies, “I never meant to be the needle that broke your back / You were here, don’t look back / He war / He war / He will kill for you / Hide from who you can / You know you can” that suggest an ill-fated relationship that best be buried in the past. In the second half, Marshall’s vocal takes on a hypnotic vibe that is exaggerated by the phone line fidelity of her voice and an exaggerated delivery as she purrs with almost haughty defiance, “I’m not that hot new chic / And if you want me to run with it / We’re on to your same old trick / Get up and run away with it”. Chiming guitars, floaty backing vocals and the thud of toms drive the point home as the song builds to a climax. ”He War” show signs of a maturity, of an artist more comfortable in the studio setting and confident enough to make it work to her advantage. (amg)

Cat Power - "He War"

UPDATE: There will be a Roundup on Friday... unfortunately, there won't be any posts this wkend. Now that school's over, Aerotones and I are going on a vacation to "study and work on our theses." Bestimitation.... it's up to you.

so... for those of you waiting for the Thursday Roundup, we are all busy coming up to finals week, so it may just be a little delayed. Sorry for the problem, but don't expect a delay like this ever again. Thanks for understanding.
--Just Pretend

I posted a live version of a John Butler song a week or so ago and I got quite a few requests. This album kicks serious ass in every way. John Butler is an amazing musician and truly loves what he does... you can tell.

The John Butler Trio's U.S. debut album, Sunrise Over Sea, is phenomenal -- from the opening notes of "Treat Yo Mama," a muscular and soulfully expressive roots rocker, to the final strains of the expansive, ten-minute-long opus "Sometimes." The John Butler Trio is arguably the best musical group Australia has to offer in 2005, and Butler's superb, bluesy riffs and innovative melodies are only part of the JBT musical equation. The sturdy rhythm section of Shannon Birchall (on bass) and Michael Barker (on drums) gives added life to hit contenders like the powerful "Company Sin" and the buoyant, breezy "Better Man." If the mid-album blues vignette "Damned to Hell" seems an ill fit at first, its lo-fi, banjo-strummed presentation shifts effortlessly into the warm, heartfelt "Hello." On occasion, as with the uplifting acoustic number "Peaches & Cream," Butler's voice recalls the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis, but Butler and his bandmembers are without question on their own trip. And one only needs to hear the magical love song "Seeing Angels" to feel the trio's transcendental power.~John D. Luerssen

John Butler Trio - "Sunrise Over The Sea"

The world has never seen an entity who can combine funky-ass jazz and R&B flavors into a fresh and witty hip-hop jam like the Tribe can. "Excursions" finds "the abstract poet" Q-Tip at the top of his game, flowing verse after verse of addictive rhymes relating the old-school masters to the state of the union in the early '90s. This track opened the group's arguably most well put together album with such a band, spreading the sound of true hip-hop to the masses.

For the one person who doesn't have this album... check out this track and then go buy Low End Theory.
A Tribe Called Quest - "Excursions"

It's just one of those days... Sitting and trying to write a paper and my iTunes shuffles onto this album... everything stops for a second. The strangely beautiful voice of Emiliana Torrini lets you drown in its thick, raspy glow. Similar to Neko Case, Hope Sandoval (of Mazzy Star) or Norah Jones, Torrini's voice leaks into your subconscious with an ebb and flow that forces the listener into her rhythm. For its style, Fisherman's Woman rarely has a weak moment. The opening track, "Nothing Brings Me Down" begins solemn and repeats pastel imagery all the while trancing you into her beautifully layered voice and simple guitar riff. The album builds slightly and one can imagine the oceanic concept of the whole album. The song "Lifesaver" is a tribute to a boat and its counterpart in the sea.

Torrini doesn't ever have to deal with the issue of making her music too busy either. Her detailed attention to each aspect of her music is noticeable in each song. She never does more than she has to and is rewarded for it. The climax of the album, in my opinion, lands on the eighth track, "Heartstopper." Poppy and smart, the song is a picture and story slowly told by virtue of the events of her amazingly plain day.

The thing about Emiliana Torrini that makes her stand out is her ability to tell a story. It is a lost art to be able to make a song a journey, so to make an album sincerely move you through the full gamut of emotions is rare. Enjoy Emiliana Torrini, she is a true gem.

Emiliana Torrini - "Fisherman's Woman" (Album) LINK PULLED! SORRY!

He was only two when his father died, but the youngest of the Marley sons must have learned something. At the age of 13, he formed his first band, the Shepherds -- which also included the son of Third World's Cat Coore and the daughter of Freddie McGregor; the group even opened up the 1992 Reggae Sunsplash festival. By 1994, Damian was working on his own solo project, and with the help of his father's label, Tuff Gong, he recorded Mr. Marley. Also lending a familial air to the sessions was the presence of Stephen Marley, who produced and co-wrote several songs for the LP. Halfway Tree from 2001 earned a Grammy nomination but the public generally overlooked the ambitious album. Not so for the reggae meets hip-hop single "Welcome to Jamrock" which became an urban phenomenon soon after it's summer of 2005 release. Street-level mixtapes began featuring it, urban radio couldn't get enough of the track, and remixes -- both legal and not so legal -- began appearing at a fast pace. The well-rounded album Welcome to Jamrock delivered on the promise of the single that same year.

This is the middle of the week soundtrack for everyone. Just want you all to get accquainted with something different here. Damian Marley definitely has his father's influences... but he's easily the most progressive of the Marley kids. Featuring new club-wonders such as Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man, Bounty Killah, Elephant Man and the prolific Nas on his record, Damian hopes to make a breakthrough, crossover album. I would say that he does. Take a listen.

Damian Marley - "Welcome To Jamrock" (Album) LINK PULLED! SORRY!

Martin Gustafson (keyboards/backing vocals), The alternative rock outfit the Perishers includes Ola Klüft (vocals/guitar), Pehr Åström (bass), and Thomas Hedlund (drums). Hailing from Umeå, Sweden, the Perishers formed in 1997. They played shows in their hometown until signing a recording contract with the local Swedish imprint North of No South in 2001. The band's debut album, From Nothing to One, was issued the next year. Tour dates across select areas of Scandinavia and Taiwan also coincided with its release. Let There Be Morning, the Perishers' second album overall and their North American debut on Nettwerk, appeared in spring 2005.

Some people might know The Perishers for the song "Golden Brown" on the soundtrack to Snatch (a great movie/music moment) or from the OC Soundtrack, but there is more fun to be have with those Sweedes (holler to Nyman). Check out this slower track from their latest album. It's the opening track to 2005's Let There Be Morning.

The Perishers - "Weekends"

and just cause I'm feeling generous, here's another great track from the album. Just tell me if you guys like what you hear, got it?

The Perishers - "Trouble Sleeping" This is definitely one of my favorites... a little like a Travis song.

I am quite tired from today... shit is getting rough. But not when I've got Islands to listen to! This is an indie gem, if I've ever seen one. On their debut record, Return to the Sea, Montreal's Islands have crafted a rich, exciting, and emotionally deep sounding album that carries on the freewheeling spirit and sound of the Unicorns as well as that of the Elephant 6 bands of the late '90s. You see, Islands singer/guitarist/songwriter/producer Nick Diamonds and drummer Jaime were members of the Unicorns and they have taken the strengths of that band, amplified and adjusted them, added a few more vital ingredients, and come up with a disc that satisfies on a variety of levels and rates among the best indie rock around. The Unicorns were a lo-fi, experimental car crash of a band, equal parts whimsy and exuberance; Islands are a much more adult and measured experience with a much cleaner sound and more classic arrangements (lots of strings, accordions, standup bass, and pianos to go with the cheap synthesizers). Diamonds' voice is much less whimsical; he has scaled back on the Coyne meter from nine to around five and now conveys his slightly off-kilter lyrics with more emotion and honesty. Despite the changes, the group hasn't lost any of the sunshine-addled spark that the Unicorns had, as songs like the whirling "Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby" or "Jogging Gorgeous Summer" (which comes kitted out with steel drums and recorder!) clearly demonstrate. The trippy "Volcanoes" (nice rock snob reference to the Troggs tapes in the lyrics), the indie psych/hip-hop mash-up featuring the rhyme skills of Subtitle and Busdriver, or the epic-length psychedelic singalong that opens the record so nicely ("Swans [Life After Death]") show that the band hasn't lost their ambition, either. "Ones" itself has more big-hearted ambition and dramatic power than most bands could dream of unleashing. The lovely instrumental "Tsuxiit" or the sweetly pop-rocking "Rough Gem" sound like the work of another band entirely, and indeed all of these comparisons to the Unicorns are ultimately irrelevant. It's not like you have to be a fan of that band to fall in love with this one. All you need is an indie pop heart and two functioning ears. A love of melodies and innocent weirdness. The ability to see through the clouds of hype surrounding other lesser bands and grab on tight to this band and record. So clap your hands, say yeah, and throw Islands a parade (wolf or otherwise) because Return to the Sea is an indie rock triumph!

AMG gives it a great 4.5/5
Pitchfork gives it an 8.4/10 and an '05 - '06 Album of the Year Nominee

Islands - "Return to the Sea" (Album)

Unlike most musicians, Jeff Tucker wasnt one of those bright-eyed kids who begged his parents for guitar lessons at age 3. He didnt sing along to Queen in front of a mirror, using a shampoo bottle as a microphone, at age 12. He didnt star as Teyve in his high schools production of Grease. His family didnt urge him to follow his dreams of being a rock star. Because he didnt have any. Instead, Jeff Tucker, now lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter for Los Angeles-based alt-rock quintet Rock Kills Kid, was a socially withdrawn, barely employed, directionless 19 year old. Writing songs saved him. You can hear it all over the 11 jagged tracks he wrote for Rock Kills Kids debut Are You Nervous. The albums emotional tension recalls some of the most angst-filled recordings of the late 70s and 80s by U2, The Cure, Joy Division and The Smiths.

Because you say,
don't mean you mean it,
Run away to find a home,
Now i'll let you in,
yeah, i'll let you in.
yeah...

Rock Kills Kid tells a pretty interesting story with not so many words. It is interesting to analyze a song like this because it is unexpected... and usually fruitless. RKK, however, has a certain appeal, not truly outstanding, but special. Try the Song of the Day and tell me what you think.

Rock Kills Kid - "Hide Away"

About five years after briefly surfacing as part of Andrew Loog Oldham's stable, Vashti -- now billing herself with her full name, Vashti Bunyan -- made her only album. A folkier and more serious-minded effort than her initial mid-'60s recordings, it is a pleasing yet overly dainty slice of British rock-tinged folk, produced by Joe Boyd. A certain similarity to some other acts under Boyd's supervision, such as the Incredible String Band and Fairport Convention, was assured by contributions from the ISB's Robin Williamson and Fairport's Dave Swarbrick and Simon Nicol. For good measure, there were string and recorder arrangements by Robert Kirby, who had done some string arrangements for Nick Drake, another Boyd-produced artist. Comprised solely of original material, Just Another Diamond Day contained dignified yet slightly sad ruminations with a pastoral, indeed rural feel, imbued with images of solitary meditations upon rain, wind, sunsets, and open fields. The drum-less, acoustic arrangements yielded an intimate ambience well-suited for Vashti's fragile, measured, almost despondently wispy vocals. These were rather in the manner of Marianne Faithfull's highest and most whispery early efforts, albeit with far folkier setting and more vivid lyrics. The CD reissue of this rarity (on Spinney) is enhanced by four bonus tracks that, with an oh-so-slight poppier bent, actually rate as the best material on the disc: the 1966 B-side "Love Song," a pair of unreleased 1966-1967 acetates, and a 1969 version of "Iris' Song" (to be redone as "Iris's Song for Us" on the LP). It's too bad, though, that the other three songs from her official 1965-1966 singles weren't added, as well, to make this a more complete retrospective. - Richie Underberger

AMG Gives it a Perfect 5/5 and an album Pick!
Pitchfork gives a solid 9/10

Vashti Bunyan - "Just Another Diamond Day"

Album Featurettes:

• Air - Moon Safari
• Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend
• Dexter Freebish - Life of Saturdays
• Nada Surf - The Weight Is A Gift
• Sounds Like Fall - Early Recordings
• The Walkmen - Bows + Arrows

Features:

• Talib Kweli Samples Ben Kweller
  
• Teddy Gieger is Overrated
• The Thursday Roundup
• The 4/20 Mix
• A Few Covers

Song of the Day

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Friday
• Saturday
  

The John Butler Trio is a jam band from Australia led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler. Two albums released by the band Three (2001) and Living 2001-2002 (2003) have gone platinum in Australia and reached the top ten of the Australian album charts in those years. The 2004 album Sunrise Over Sea debuted at number one on the Australian charts on March 15, 2004 reaching gold record status in its first week on sale. This success is more impressive given that the bands releases are marketed independently by Jarrah Records which John Butler co-owns with West Australian folk band the Waifs.

The band has won an ARIA award for "Best Independent Release" for Three in 2001 and has been nominated for three others. Three was released in the U.S. in 2002 and the John Butler Trio toured the U.S. in that year supporting the Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer.

Take a look at that hippie. That is John Butler. I don't know that much about him, but I do know that he is truly amazing. I got the drop from a friend of mine and I am really beginning to see how amazing John Butler truly is. This live version of "Ocean" from St. Gallen is truly a musical work of art. Check it out!

John Butler Trio - "Ocean" (Live at St. Gallen's)

Also, here's John playing in a tree for GreenPeace... lol.

Original: Gnarls Barkley - Crazy

• Ray LaMontagne - Crazy (Cover)
• The Kooks - Crazy (Cover) MY PICK
  

Original: The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

• Damien Rice & Vyvienne Long - Seven Nation Army (Cover)
• Hard-Fi - Seven Nation Army (Cover)
• String Tribute - Seven Nation Army (Cover)
• The Flaming Lips - Seven Nation Army (Cover)
• Nostalgia 77 - Seven Nation Army (Cover) MY PICK
  

Original: The Darkness - Get Your Hands Off My Woman

• Ben Folds - Get Your Hands Off My Woman (Cover)
  

Original: Christina Aguilera - Beautiful

• Clem Snide - Beautiful
  

[Req]: MK Ultra (John Vanderslice) - The Dream Is Over

• Death Cab For Cutie - The Dream Is Over (Cover)
  

RJD2's music is a collage of cut-and-paste hip-hop that combines disparate elements to make for soulful, moody portraits of the world. Born in Eugene, OR, on May 27, 1976, he moved to Columbus, OH, a few years later and was raised there. He first busted out onto the hip-hop scene in 1998 -- a time when producers were emerging from the shadows to seize the spotlight -- as the DJ/producer for the Columbus-based group Megahertz. MHz had two 12" singles released on Bobbito Garcia's Fondle 'Em Records and the group was mentioned in Vibe Magazine's "History of Hip Hop." - Charles Spanow

It's a chill Saturday and we're all just waiting to get over with school and let loose. "Ghostwriter" by RJD2 is awesome. In the vain of remix beat artists such as Thievery Corporation and Fila Brazilia, RJD2 comes up with a great beat with solid progression and masterful layering. Enjoy this song and welcome the vibes.

RJD2 - "Ghostwriter"

Simultaneously challenging and accessible, The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner is a song cycle about death and dying, people, relationships, optimism, innocence--you name it. On his first two albums, Ben Folds was quick to toss off bombs of blame (most notably on the vitriolic "Song for the Dumped"), but here he aims most of his criticism at the mirror. On the wondrously snarky "Redneck Past" he sings, "My ex-wives all despise me / try to put it all behind me / but my redneck past is nipping at my heels." Apparently he doesn't have a chip on his piano any more. The production is lush and ornate, with strings and horns embellishing Folds's usual quota of to-die-for hooks (which he seems to dash off as effortlessly as postcards from the beach). An obvious point of reference is Pet Sounds, but Ben Folds Five widen their scope to also include hints of Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, and even Queen, whose influence is front and center on the bombastic opener "Narcolepsy," a virtual homage to "Bohemian Rhapsody." Other highlights include "Army," a hilariously detailed indie-rock answer to Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant." --David Menconi

I also included the b-sides (Birds and the Acoustic Version of Magic)

Ben Folds Five - "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner"

The Walkmen... unfortunately, I was turned onto this band because of everyones musical guilty pleasure, The O.C. In an episode themed about going to a Walkmen concert. I thought to myself, "If this is the kinda stuff on the show... they must really know their shit..." and they do... don't kid yourself.

The members of the group all grew up together in Washington D.C. where they formed the band Johnny Fire Eater. After disbanding, they formed the Walkmen (a.k.a. Today Okay) and began a musical journey that would last for almost 8 years.

Bows + Arrows is a great album, and should be heard in that aspect. Independently, The Walkmen have many winners among the tracks, but as a whole, Bows + Arrows is fantastic. From the first track to the last, The Walkmen keep you in their world of fierce grooves and powerful pop-rock attitude. The boys use a variety of vintage equipment from ancient Les Pauls to '70's multi-track mixers, the result? An honest and fun record. The second studio attempy by the Walkmen is a success to say the least. With a sound like The Pixies or Arcade Fire, The Walkmen manage to produce a fantastic album with Bows + Arrows.

The Walkmen - "Bows + Arrows" (Album)

Thanks to Aerotones for the drop...

Hailing from the community of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Civilian delivers emotionally-driven alternative music for the masses. The group consists of Chris Graupner (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Tyler Martin (Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals), Tim McDonald (Bass), and J.P. O�Connor (Drums/Backing Vocals).

Since their formation, the members of Civilian have experienced regional success, radio airplay, and notoriety in both their hometown and beyond. They look forward to continuing their exponential growth as a band and as individual musicians

Civillian - "You're Gone"

Bob Marley & The Wailers - "Legend" (Album)

Today is a special day, as we all know. So let's celebrate! I put together a mix of my 14 4/20 songs this year, check it out:

1. Ziggy Marley - One Good Spliff
2. Slightly Stoopid - This Joint
3. Rick James - Mary Jane
4. Michael Franti - Ganja Babe
5. Wyclef Jean - Something About Mary
6. Madvillain - America's Most Blunted
7. Sublime - Smoke Two Joints
8. The Beatles - Doctor Robert
9. Devendra Banhart - Mama Wolf
10. Ugly Cassanova - Things I Don't Remember
11. Ed Harcourt - Only Happy When We're High
12. Bob Dylan - Rainy Day Women
13. Modest Mouse - Good Times Are Killing Me
14. The Doobie Brothers - China Grove

Check out the 14on4Twenty Playlist HERE!

Hope you all enjoy, and as always, these links have been gathered from around the net. I didn't upload any of it.

A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder
Arctic Monkeys - Who The Fuck Are The Arctic Monkeys?
At the Drive In - This Station is Non-Operational
Ataxia - Automatic Writing
Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun (pass: www.tha-industry.net)
Billy Bragg and the Blokes - England Half English
Blink 182 - Greatest Hits
Bloc Party - Always New Depths (B-SIDES & Remixes)
Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene - Feel Good Lost
Broken Social Scene - To Be You and Me EP
Built to Spill - You In Reverse
Craig David - The Story Goes
Creation, The - How Does It FeelDaft Punk - Homework
Dandy Warhols, The - Odditorium
Dane Cook - Retaliation
Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism
Doves - The Last BroadcastEarlimart - Trebble and Tremble
Eminem - Don't Call Me Marshall
Fort Minor - The Rising Tied
Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
Gwen Stefani - Love Angel
Incubus - Live in Malaysia
Jack Johnson - Curious George OST
Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams
Jin - Presents: The Emcees Properganda
John Mayer Trio - Try!
John Vanderslice - Pixel Revolt
Kaiser Chiefs, The - Employment
Kinks, The - Something Else By the Kinks
Luther Vandross - Greatest Hits
Metric - Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?
Mobb Deep - Blood Money
Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Like Bad News
Mogawi - 4 Satin (Pass: victory)
Nada Surf - The Weight is a Gift
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California Promo
Rihanna - Music of the Sun
Sigur Ros - Takk
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Snow Patrol - Maida Vale Studios
Soft Boys, The - Underwater Moonlight
Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
Stevie Wonder - Hotter Than July
T.I. - King CDS
Tool - 10,000 Days
Vines, The - Vision Valley
Walkmen, The - Bows & Arrows
White Stripes, The - Get Behind Me Satan
Yellowcard - Lights and Sounds
Zephyrs, The - Bright Yellow Flowers

Other links are from Regnyouth, Indie Surfer, Against The Grain, Baby Borderline, e-Junkie, Francis the Cat, Greyout, Lost on Purpose, mp3 Index, Oh No!, Palaver, Music Man, Smooth Tunes, Sound Education and Where is Your Mind.

For anyone who happens to be waiting for The Roundup... it's gonna be a good one--> THE BIGGEST ONE EVER! So just keep your pants on.

I have no idea what the current lineup for Picastro is right now, but I will tell you that I became interested in this band because Owen Pallett from Final Fantasy was a part of it.

Picastro, at one point, was only a cello and a guitar duo consisting of Stephanie Vittas (cello) and Kurt Newman (guitar). After sometime, different lineups and styles were used. Pallett played viola for some time before leaving to pursue his other projects (Final Fantasy and Les Mouches). After I began listening to Picastro, however, it was clear that they had more going for them than Owen Pallett. A solid indie effort, Picastro strikes its listeners with stark realism. Sometimes quite abstract and always powerful, Picastro is a great band in its own respect.

Today's song of the day is "Sharks" from their latest album Metal Cares. It's not always easy to understand, but definitely makes an impression about Picastro's style and the flavor of their music. Give it a try...

Picastro - "Sharks"

Also, there is an interesting article on their website about free music downloads. Check it out.

From: FreeAlbums

Sounds like Fall is the latest project of indie-folk singer Joe Young. He has recently released his debut album, The Wolf is at the Door on Yer Bird Records. At the same time, he collected his early recordings and made them available on a free on-line album titled, not surprisingly, Early Recordings.

Young plays a reflective, somewhat introvertive form of alt. country and Americana. Comparsions can easily be made to Iron and Wine and Townes Van Zandt but I like to think of him as a country version of Elliott Smith. The acoustic tracks all have a slow and relaxing tempo coupled with Young’s deceptively simple melodies and lyrics. “So Far Away” holds the singer in haunting uncertainty as he intones “I’m Sitting on the front porch singing out Amazing Grace / Never felt so good, never felt so far away”. “Beautiful Little Cigarettes” may be my favorite tracks with its bittersweet lyrics. I also like the delta blues influenced “MS” and the alcohol-soaked melancholy of “Whiskey Bottles and Wine” followed by a heart-felt but almost funereal “Will the Circle be Unbroken”.

I reccomend this if you are into Sufjan Stevens. They maintain the indie-folk attitude with great esteem. Enjoy it... it's better than Geiger.

Early Recordings is available in a full album zip of 192kbp MP3s. If you like the music support the artist by buying his CD. You can get excerpts and 3 full songs from his new album here

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Honestly, sometimes you hear hype and theory about an artist that you want to believe. Mine came in the form of an online interview somewhere that said, "A voice came on, with guitar... it sounded like John Mayer... only better!"

I went out a show back in October where Teddy Gieger was playing for about forty people... it was nice to hear this young guy playing like he was a legend... I definitely saw the talent... unfortunately... thats a bit unfounded. After picking up his album, the veneer of a prodigal child turns into manufactured tool. That is what Underage Thinking exemplifies. While Gieger definitely has his moments, it is way too hard to see him as a real person and not just a gimmick. Songs like, "For You I Will" and "A Million Years" feel good to listen to, but are definitely really contrived. For a younger guy, I definitely think Gieger is going to have success in his next endevours, but for someone who doesn't even do any of the solos, it's hard to give him all the hype and credit that he's getting. Getting picked up for a TV show and having only the best musicians at his disposal definitely gived Gieger the upper hand on other (and possibly more talented) competitors... but you can tell... so it just ends up looking like vanity and not genuine love for music.

If one sixteen year old deserves fame... it's definitely not that Arctic Monkeys guy, so I guess Gieger wins by default, but this is a definite don't buy for anyone willing to actually analyze the music. But for young teenagers and anyone looking for a really generic, singer-songwriter album... i guess you found it.

Teddy Gieger - Underage Thinking (pass: www.e-junkie.net)
But don't take my word for it... looks like someone found the need to upload it.

I couldn't write a better review:

Upon its reissue in 2003, Let Go had already positioned itself to be an indie rock milestone in the making for Nada Surf. They'd left the major labels behind for Barsuk's hearth and home, and remained for their fourth album, The Weight Is a Gift. The savory punk threads found on Let Go are much more relaxed this time out. The snarky, boyish charm of High/Low, which made the band a brief mainstream favorite in the mid-'90s, won't ever fade, but ten years later Nada Surf don't appear to be that interested in the angst-ridden, fashionable appeal that they once were; each member is now over 30. The Weight Is a Gift is a soothing fit for those who grew up with the band. This 11-song set calls clichés into question, challenges old convictions, and somehow makes sense of growing older without losing sight of one's youth. Looking inward isn't always an easy thing to do. Nada Surf have composed fine songs for free-thinking, analytical, and pensive individuals, without being overly complex. The result of all this experience and reflection is that Nada Surf and producer/Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla have made a great pop/rock record. It's more of an emotive affair, with soft-hued guitar layers, hushed harmonies, and frontman Matthew Caws' signature aching, bittersweet performances. From the gloomy orchestrations of "My Legs Grow" and the shiny hopes of "All Is a Game" to the more unapologetic, rollicking moments such as "Blankest Year" and "Armies Walk," the disc never loses momentum. Each song is perfectly trimmed, cut to flow without the touch of heavy production, especially "In the Mirror" and "Imaginary Friends." The Weight Is a Gift is Nada Surf's most honest and earnest record to date. ~MacKenzie Wilson

Nada Surf - "The Weight is a Gift" (Album)

I'm not going to waste a lot of time with this, but when I listened to Talib Kweli's latest mixtape back in the winter, I came upon a very familiar hook... after a few seconds I realized it was Ben Kweller's "In Other Words" from his album Sha Sha... and I think it works really well. Ms. Hill is a song about how fine Lauryn Hill is or something. Think Tank brings up a good point too (post is HERE), I think that a crossover of this kind really hits more than one audience and lets Kweli tap into the hugely untapped indie demographic for rappers. Here are both the tracks... for comparison.

Ben Kweller - In Other Words

Talib Kweli - Ms. Hill

If you frequent You Ain't No Picasso, then I'm sure you've heard of Page France. These guys are in contention as one of my favorite upcoming bands out there. The buzz has been around for a few months, but I'm getting to them now.

Page France started as indie as possible. A few friends got together at the request of Michael Nau and recorded a few songs and although they sent out some copies at the time, the demo just ended up gathering dust for some time. Finally, years later, they were picked up by fall records and released Come, I'm a Lion! They just released their latest album entitled Hello, Dear Wind and I recommend you buy it right now!

Today's song of the day is my personal favorite off of their latest entitled, "Chariot." Page France is, first of all, lyrically amazing. Their songs compel listeners to analysis. By using strong, intempo percussion, they make simple tunes feel like marches or anthems. I would describe their sound as something like last year's Boy Least Likely To, for a reference. This song is definitely song of the day worthy... take a whack at it!

Page France - "Chariot"

Bio: Dexter Freebish is the alternative pop/rock quintet unafraid of the pop inclinations. Hailing from Texas, they have been molding their crafty pop sound since the late '90s around their love for artists such as the Beatles, U2, Jimi Hendrix, the Verve, and Neil Diamond. It was only a matter of time that these inspiring musicians -- Kyle (frontman), Scott Romig (guitar), Charles Martin (guitar), Chris Lowe (bass), and Rob Schilz (drums) -- would come together and form Dexter Freebish. They were signed to Capitol in March 1999, and later won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for the Song of the Year with their single "Leaving Town." In September 2000, Dexter Freebish issued their debut album A Life of Saturdays. ~AMG

While not always as lyrically compelling as John Lennon, the guys of Dexter Freebish deliver a quality record with many treasures to be discovered. Although they were not as victorious in later attempts (Dexter Freebish - Tripped into Divine [2004]) their debut is as strong as any competitor. The true strength of A Life of Saturdays lies in the hooks; they flow smoothly and with a lighthearted sort of conviction that makes Saturdays a fun adventure in pop rock. If you are a fan of Matchbox 20, Harvey Danger, Collective Soul or Third Eye Blind... you will surely enjoy Dexter Freebish.

AMG Score: 4/5 and an Album Pick

Dexter Freebish - "A Life of Saturdays"

Sorry that there was no Song of the Day yesterday... it has been an interesting weekend, to say the least...

The Paper Cranes: Bio from their myspace page -

"somewhere between 11.2 to 20 billion years ago all matter in the universe was created in what scientists refer to as the big bang. the paper cranes are composed primarily of this material."

My take on the Paper Cranes lies somewhere between The Arcade Fire, The Fiery Furnaces and Rogue Wave. Driving drumlines and interesting lyrics make "I'll Love You Til My Veins Explode" the song of the day. Have fun... this is a good song for Marathon Monday!

The Paper Cranes - "I'll Love You Til My Veins Explode"

Heres the recap... it's a little big... just in case you missed it or just wanna catch up:

1. Angels and Airwaves - The Adventure
2. Brett Dennen - Desert Sunrise
3. Neko Case - I Wish I Was the Moon
4. Two Gallants - All Your Faithless Loyalties
5. Her Space Holiday - Tech Romance
6. Slightly Stoopid - Cool Down
7. Spinanes - For No One Else
8. The Four Hundred - Fiji
9. Kelly Joe Phelps - Tommy
10. Derby - Parade
11. Ben Kweller - Tylenol
12. Owen - That Mouth
13. Binary Star - Masters of the Universe
14. Kanye West - Improvise
15. Nickel Creek - This Side
16. Death Cab For Cutie - We Looked Like Giants (live)
17. Red House Painters - Song for a Blue Guitar

Song of the Day Recap Mix Volume 2

...that there are Wonderwall covers! Here are four very different interpretations of the Oasis hit:
(Here is the original...just in case you haven't heard it when you were living under a rock)

Cat Power - "The Moody Folk Wonderwall"
Paul Anka - "The Jazzy Lounge Wonderwall"
Ryan Adams - "The Over-Dramatic Atmospheric Wonderwall"
Soma - "The Basic Cover of Wonderwall"

And here's an added bonus...

Oasis - Wonderwall (Video)

Red House Painters was primarily the vehicle of singer/songwriter Mark Kozelek, an evocative, compelling performer of rare emotional intensity. Like Mark Eitzel of American Music Club, to whose work the Painters were invariably compared and to whom their early success owed a tremendous debt, Kozelek laid his soul bare on record, conjuring harrowingly acute tales of pain, despair, and loss; unlike Eitzel, Nick Drake, and other poets of decay, Kozelek's autobiographical songs walked their tightrope without a net -- forsaking the safety offered by metaphor and allegory, he faced his demons in the first person, creating a singularly haunting body of work unparalleled in its vulnerability and honesty. (amg)

This is another pic from David over at ILIM. Solid and totally chill. It reminds me a bit of Sun Kil Moon... why? Because he was also in that amazing band, one of the chillest ever. Kozelek's bass voice and incredible control make this a great song to fall asleep to on a summer day... like I'm about to do.

Red House Painters - Song for a Blue Guitar

Any lucky owner of Binary Star's limited distribution pressing of the 1999 LP Waterworld would already be familiar with most of the material on this album, a remixed, remastered, and complete version of the original release. It has everything a great hip-hop album requires, with varied beats, differing rhyme deliveries, and content you'll find yourself thinking about long after it's been said. Unfortunately, without a huge marketing budget from a major label, this album will probably fail to reach the level of success it deserves, but then again Binary Star isn't necessarily after the typical ideal of success. With quotes like this -- "Rap's got 'em brainwashed with cash that don't last/And five minutes of fame, that's when it's a shame/Seein' real MCs try to imitate rappers/If you ask me? They goin' out ass-backwards/Tradin' in respect just to push a phat lex/And Puffy rhymin' on the remix, what's next?!" -- it's easy to see why this is a refreshing alternative from the mainstream of rap.

Binary Star - Masters of the Universe (Album)

So... needless to say that the concert last night was amazing. It was great to see an amazing show featuring not only the disgustingly talented Ben Gibbard and his crew, but also Franz Ferdidnand. Although Franz definitely played a more high intensity set, DCFC was truly amazing. Rarely hitting a wrong note and loving every second of the show... Gibbard and Co. made me a fan all over again.

The second to final song was an incredible version of "We Looked Like Giants" and it kicked so much ass. Heres the song just so you know... it's almost 9 min long, but it's soooo good. Especially when they brough a second drumset on stage so Gibbard and Nathan Good could light it up with a huge double drum set duet... it was insane.

Death Cab For Cutie - "We Looked Like Giants" (live)

While an increasing number of up-and-coming artists are making a name for themselves by blurring the lines between rock, metal, rap, soul, dance, country, and about any other musical style you can think of, Phantom Planet is sticking with rock & roll. Pop/rock, if you want to split hairs, but isn't that basically redundant? Ironically, with the defection of so many artists to hybrid genres, The Guest comes off sounding incredibly fresh. It's hard to think of too many contemporary bands that are making such unapologetically sunny, pop-tinged rock & roll. Take the punk out of Weezer, the kitsch out of Fountains of Wayne, or the Strokes out of the garage, and you come pretty close. The album opens strong with four infectiously upbeat tracks that are singalongs waiting to happen. The songs are well-crafted and impressively mature for a band whose members are scarcely legal drinking age. The only misstep is the schmaltzy "Anthem," in which lead singer Alex Greenwald muses about writing a song that the entire planet falls in love with. The rest of the album flirts with some electronic touches, but never deviates too far from the original course. Greenwald's vocals remain heartfelt and confident throughout, although he seems to be channeling Thom Yorke in his quieter moments, such as "Turn Smile Shift Repeat." Phantom Planet distinguishes themselves by not being afraid to make a lush, textured album that avoids sounding glossy or overproduced. The use of strings and keyboards is subtle but effective. Indeed, the first single and opening track "California" employs a vital piano hook to hold the song together. What holds the entire record together, however, is Phantom Planet's knack for feel-good tunes with melodies that bounce into your head and stay there. amg

AllMusicGuide gives "The Guest" a 4/5 and an Album Pick

Phantom Planet - "The Guest"

Hope you all enjoy, and as always, these links have been gathered from around the net. I didn't upload any of it.

Advantage, The - Elf Titled
Appleseed Cast, The - Pelegrine
ATL - OST
Be Good Tanyas - Chinatown
Beck - Remix EP
Brokeback Mountain - OST
Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene [Limited Edition]
Broken Social Scene - Feel Good Lost
*Built To Spill - You In Reverse
Cake - (Assorted Songs)
Dane Cook - Retaliation
Eagles of Death Metal - Death By Sexy
*Editors, The - The Back Room
Eels - Rotten World EP
Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have Had It So Much Better
Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
Interpol - Antics
*Irving - Good Morning Beautiful
Juelz Santana - DISCOGRAPHY
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Moby - Dream About Me
Morrissey - Ringleader of the Tormentos
Mos Def - The New Danger
Nickel Creek - Nickel Creek
Pixies - Doolittle
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Streets, The - (New Album)
Talib Kweli - Right About Now
Xiu Xiu - Knife Play
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The - Fever To Tell

*Courtesy of The Indie Connection. Password is theindieconneciton.

Other links are from Regnyouth, Indie Surfer, Against The Grain, Baby Borderline, e-Junkie, Francis the Cat, Greyout, Lost on Purpose, mp3 Index, Oh No!, Palaver, Music Man, Smooth Tunes, Sound Education and Where is Your Mind.

Sorry for how slow it has been lately... I've been involved with something like five different film projects at once and between shooting and editing I couldn't manage to get to all of your features and requests, but thats all over now....


This Side, Nickel Creek's sophomore release, finds bandmembers Chris Thile, Sara Watkins, and Sean Watkins out of their teens and into their twenties after playing together for 12 years. The southern California band's self-titled debut received wide critical acclaim for welding jazz, rock, and classical music to a bluegrass base. But This Side solidifies Nickel Creek's position as the single most original and inventive bluegrass band to emerge in the early '00s. Hardcore bluegrass fans wary of experimentation or even progressive bluegrass may scoff at this claim. But, when it comes down to it, the gorgeous, open production by Alison Krauss gives Nickel Creek's guitars, mandolins, and fiddles the space to dance through sparkling and genuine arrangements. Covers of everything from Pavement's rollicking Terror Twilight highlight, "Spit on a Stranger," to Carrie Newcomer's scathing folk "Should've Known Better" to the traditional "House Carpenter" are given elegant and unique twists. Plus, Thile and the Watkins siblings' originals, like the sleepy, subtle "Speak" and the darker "Beauty and the Mess," easily outdo the likes of folk-rockers Dave Matthews and Hootie & the Blowfish, while forging a new style to rejuvenate a genre that has always been a bit of a dark horse. It's decidedly more pop than post-rock-gone-folk outfits like Papa M, David Grubbs, Palace, and Miighty Flashlight, and lacks the rock & roll flash of Ryan Adams. But Nickel Creek's music is endlessly rewarding nonetheless, and accessible to just about everyone.

I chose the title track to this album as song of the day because it's that damn good. Lyrically, it is breathtaking and musically, it's complexity is soothing and the layering is brilliant.

Nickel Creek - "This Side"

Hey everyone, check out this post over at ILIM. Good stuff... give David a round of applause.
9 Artists, 8 1/2 Songs
Also, support that blog... it's gonna kick ass. This guy knows what he's saying!

This is an amazing music video that everyone should see. The basic premise is that there is a band that keeps factory workers working, but then the boss has some unfortunate news for the band, but I don't want to give away the ending. Watch it for yourself.

Wolf Parade - Modern World (Video)

At some point between signing and discarding a 50-million-dollar contract with Comedy Central, Dave Chappelle executed one of the best ideas anyone had come up with in a long time. With a great deal of help, the comedian put together a Brooklyn block party on a September day in 2004 and had some of his favorite artists perform all day long. The party provided a rare chance for a large group of like-minded artists to interact and share a stage in a very unique setting, and hundreds of New Yorkers, along with some transported guests from Chappelle's Ohio hometown, were made very happy. If you couldn't be there, you can see the movie, documented by Michel Gondry, and if you want to hear an hour's worth of excerpted audio, there's this CD. Kanye West, Cody ChesnuTT, and the reunited Fugees were present but don't appear here; despite the missing artists, this is a sharp, succinct summary of what went down, with most of the best performances included. Some of the thrills include hearing Erykah Badu and Jill Scott on the Roots' "You Got Me," Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane over the Roots' "Boom!," Scott's radiant "Golden" (a single that had just been released and should've gone to number one), and Mos Def's hyper-charged "Universal Magnetic." The brief interludes, scored by the uncredited Randy Watson Experience (the Roots' Ahmir Thompson and longtime associate James Poyser), supply the sequence of performances with smooth transitions. Often-funny segments from a planning-stage conference call that involved most of the artists, Chappelle, and Gondry are laid over the backings. A Needlz-produced studio track from Black Star is included as well. If you end up owning the DVD, you probably won't need this unless you're a massive fan of the involved. Regardless, it can't hurt to have another reminder that humanity isn't always horrific. Events like the one documented by this disc should take place every day across the planet. amg.

Dave Chappelle's Block Party OST (Album)