TURN YOUR LIGHTS UP HIGH

This song absolutely kills it. "Grim Reaper Blues" by L.A. trio The Entrance Band.




Another gold star for NPR's all songs considered podcast.

EVERY EVERY DAY I SEE MY DREAM

Props to Big Reider for the heads up.

MORE GOOD STUFF

For me, there's pretty much nothing better than a lazy, sunny, Sunday afternoon spent unhurriedly thumbing around a record shop. The prospect of copping that one album I've been coveting non-stop the past few weeks, or, even better, the excitement of stumbling onto a new favorite through some chance of impulse is a satisfaction I find nowhere else. So yesterday at Sonic Boom was a great day.

More great stuff of late . . .

BLK JKS - Mystery EP

Seems this South African band's hype train has been steady rolling since a while back, but I was firmly in the dark until I threw on a pair of headphones yesterday at a listening station and was left slack jaw by "Lakeside." Here's an interesting bit about the group from the NY Times (via the BLK JKS' blog):

"Now and then it’s easy to guess that Blk Jks, from Johannesburg, are an African band on their four-song “Mystery EP”. That’s when they go bounding into three-chord South African township grooves in “Lakeside” or overlay the reggae foundation of “Summertime” with syncopated guitars. But Blk Jks make their music in a global swirl of possibilities; they are an art-rock band...While the lyrics (mostly in English) ponder philosophical quandaries — “All the wise men ’round the world don’t know the answers” — the band’s quick-fingered, multilayered vamps well up out of murky echoes, piling jubilation atop the anxiety, before submerging again."

The band is signed stateside to constant hitmakers Secretly Canadian. Here's hoping a full length is on the near horizon.

V/A - Dark Was The Night Compilation

A great idea for a great cause, this all-stars-of-independent-rock-get-together-for-charity album actually delivers the goods in full. The list of contributing artists is certainly stacked, but the best part is how the songs aren't disappointing recording-session throwaways or b-side filler. Just about every track is a worthy original, and the few that are not are either new arrangements of previous material or covers of traditional songs. A few highlights are posted below, but if there was ever a time to pay for the music . . .

The project was produced by Aaron and Bryce Dressner of The National in collaboration with Red Hot, an advocacy group for AIDS awareness. You can read more about their benevolent campaign and gawk the playlist over at darkwasthenight.com.

HOMECOMING

Back in action! The adventures were many and unforgettable, but I'm glad to return home and dive into the music again. I made a point to leave the iPod and other modern gadgets at home for the duration of my trip, so I've had a late start on all that 2009 has offered so far.

The new Animal Collective record continues to blow my mind even after the 1,000th time I've played it. Though here are some of my other favorite leads . . .

Cotton Jones - Paranoid Cocoon

Retro-cowboy country folk at it's best. Lots of lonesome pastoral crooning, male/female duets, and twang for days. I'm a sucker for those galloping, Lambchop-inspired instrumental tracks as well. Give the excellent "By Morning Light" a shot.

Miike Snow - "Animal"

The lead single from this elusive pair of Scandanavian electro-producers has me pretty jacked for an upcoming full-length (release date???). "Animal" is the jam, and exactly what great dance-pop should be. It's fun, has a beat that's easy to keep, and stupid, stupid catchy. But that doesn't mean an exclusion of complexity and invention. The opening sequence of snowballing synth, guitar, and horn stabs instantly plant the track's looping riff in your head, and the unexpected piano breakdown during the bridge is a welcome touch of genius. Peep some serious game below.







More on the way, soon.