Mark Ronson f. MNDR & Q-Tip, “Bang Bang Bang”

Courtesy of DeSalsa LLC, this track is what Guy Fiery would call "out of bounds bro"! Crazy synths and beats. I'm still reeling from the first listen. But I had to put it up as quickly as possible. Just a straight banger. And who knew Q-Tip was still alive? Good for him, still livin. MNDR's got a santogold sound to her and i like it. This will blow up most definitely.

Mark Ronson f. MNDR & Q-Tip, “Bang Bang Bang”

Surfer Blood - Swim

This isn't incredibly new, but I'm posting it anyway because summer's upon us. These guys are out of West Palm Beach. No, that's not a typo, they're really from West Palm Beach. When I think rock, I think... West Palm Beach. Total hotbed for lo-fi indie rock. Just teeming with it. I mean, somebody's gotta entertain all the retirees, right? I'm pretty sure these guys are the first band out of Florida that's not a boy band or some derivative thereof. Anyways, these guys are solid regardless of where they're from. No synthesizers which makes this a rare post for me as a song without them. Check it out:

Surfer Blood - Swim

Two Door Cinema Club - This is The Life

These guys are from the Motherland, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. So I've got to respect that. Usually when I think of Irish music, I think of the Irish Rovers, Tommy Makem, The Chieftans, and Green Alligators & Long Neck Geese. Well, these guys are changing my thoughts on what is possible to come out of Ireland other than songs that are fun to sing when you're 12 beers deep. With a pretty catchy electro pop sound, these guys are solid. Check it out:

Two Door Cinema - This is The Life

Notorious B.I.G. vs Aloe Blacc (Juicy Dollars)

If you're a fan of the HBO show How To Make It In America, then you'll know this tune from Aloe Blacc. It's a pretty solid throwback to the Bill Withers era. In fact when I first heard it, I thought it was Bill Withers. Well, now it gets mashed up Biggy Smalls' Juicy and the result is pretty solid. It's almost like it was meant to be.

Penguin Prison - The Worse It Gets

Penguin Prison is relatively new to the New York electro scene having only played a handful of live shows, but he is blowing up right now. To be honest with you, I don't really want to like this song. But it is so insanely catchy I can't help it. It's a surreal blend of Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me", Men At Work's "Who Can It Be Now", 80's synth pop, funk, and house. I don't want to compare him to Owl City either, but I think I kind of have to. It's the kind of song that you would sing in your car if you were alone. So, I hope puts a smile on your face. Check it out, no one's judging.

The Kids Are Stronger (Daft Punk vs. MGMT)

OK. Maybe MGMT has been played out. I get that. But, what about a mash up between Bob Marley, Daft Punk and MGMT? Can't think that you've heard that yet. Anyway, this is not incredibly new, but it's new to me and most likely you too. So I'm gonna call this a throwback. Very well done all around. So, there's that.

The Kids Are Stronger (Daft Punk vs. MGMT)

The Black Keys - Tighten Up

These guys opened up for Pearl Jam on Thursday. I'm really liking their new album that came out last week. Definitely worth a listen. Give it some run.

The Virgins - Rich Girls (Le Castle Vania Remix)

These guys are out of New York. And this song came out a couple of years ago. But this rework is fun too. Transforming it from a lo-fi indie rock tune to a party starter. Check it out.

Pearl Jam - Madison Square Garden - 5/21/10

So I got a late call from my good friend Bryan DeSalsa on Friday with a ticket to Pearl Jam's Friday night show at the Garden. Never seen em live. Always wanted to. Tried to 2 years ago when they were in town and got burned for $300 fake tickets. I blame myself. My first and last time getting burned by New York.

Friday's show, while I have nothing to compare it to, was a borderline life changing event. The floor of the garden literally shook, Eddie Vedder shed a tear while the crowd sang "Better Man". They played "Hunger Strike". The crowd was electric. They closed with "Yellow Ledbetter" and a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner that would give Jimmy Hendrix a run for his money. They played almost 3 hours straight through. I can't say enough about this show, other than i must have said "ARE THEY SERIOUSLY PLAYING THIS RIGHT NOW?!" at least 35 times. Say what you want about Pearl Jam, but they put on a show for their fans like nothing I have ever seen. And the energy they put out still gives me the chills. Check out the review and set list from Billboard:

Pearl Jam - MSG - 5/21 - Billboard Review
Set List:
Corduroy
Hail, Hail
Do The Evolution
World Wide Suicide
Got Some
Breath
Nothingman
I'm Open
Unthought Known
Grievance
Amongst The Waves
Present Tense
Not For You / Modern Girl
Push Me, Pull Me
Rats
Daughter / W.M.A.
The Fixer
Why Go

1st Encore

The End
Just Breathe
Lukin
Black Red Yellow
Sweet Lew
Given To Fly
Spin The Black Circle
Rearviewmirror

2nd Encore

Wasted Reprise
Better Man / Save it for Later
Black
The Real Me (The Who)
Hunger Strike (with Band Of Horses' Ben Bridwell)
Alive
Kick Out The Jams (MC5)
Yellow Ledbetter

Phoenix - Love Like a Sunset (Live in Sydney)

So Phoenix is awesome. I know that. Hopefully you know that. I had a chance to see them in Central Park last fall for what was one of the most amazing shows I have ever attended. It was a cool, crisp, fall Saturday. And the stars aligned for a show of epic proportions. Passion Pit was the opener. By the time Phoenix came on stage, Passion Pit had already whipped the crowd into a dance party frenzy. I was skeptical that Phoenix would be able to match their tight album sound on stage, but they did just that and more. Their drummer is a maniac, and they put on a helluva show. It was one of those shows that you can't get out of your head for about a month and you ride that post show high/let down. Just awesome.

Anyways, they played a phenomenal rendition of Love Like a Sunset, much more drawn out and creative than the already drawn out and creative album version. It should be noted that when they were playing this, it started to rain and I couldn't have been happier. Here's a similar rendition from their Sydney show.

It's a very slow build, with the bass line going for a walk until about the 5:30 mark, at which point, they proceed to just flip the script and put on the turbo boosters.

Enjoy.

Phoenix - Love Like a Sunset

LCD Soundsytem - Home (last LCD Post)

OK I swear this is the last of the LCD Soundsystem posts for a while. But I feel I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't share it with you. At this point I think it's fair to say I have picked what I deem the most worthy tracks for your listening pleasure. But you really should just buy the whole album for yourself.

Also, they are in town this weekend starting tonight playing 4 shows at Terminal 5. Tickets are still available for Sunday's show. I'll be there. Will you?

LCD Soundsystem - Home

Pretty Lights - Hot Like Sauce

Pretty Lights is producer Derek Vincent Smith. This kid's out of Boulder, CO and he's puttin down some serious beats. Taking bits and samples of everything from Big Boi to Motown, the result is an anthem to nod your head to. The hook is so choice: Ask around the streets man, I'm certified.

Pretty Lights - Hot Like Sauce

The Futureheads - Struck Dumb

The Futureheads - Struck Dumb


The boys from England have a new album due out June 1 titled "The Chaos" and I feel like I haven't listened to them in a few years, but they are good when you are in the mood for some British garage rock. They also have an astounding rendition of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love" which I can't seem to find now. But it's amazing nonetheless, I'll try to find it. But for now check this out.

Passion Pit Covers The Cranberries - Dreams

Passion Pit has absolutely blown up over the past two years. They are coming to town in June and you should go see them at Governors Island. Here, they cover the Cranberries'- Dreams. Quite well too. Check it out.

Passion Pit - Dreams (Cranberries Cover)

LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yrself Clean & More!

Yes, there have been a lot more lcd soundsystem posts on this blog than other band, but the fact is, they just released a ridiculously good album, so what am I supposed to do? And in what seems to be becoming a running trend on this blog, this takes the cake for longest intro. It also takes the cake for biggest payoff. James Murphy certainly likes to draw things out, with most tracks on the new album going 9 minutes or longer and you know what? That's OK. But I guess that shouldn't surprise anyone at this point. Anyways, that's fine with me. When this kicks into gear, it's a minor facemelt.

If you are impatient, and can't wait for the beat to drop, then fast forward to the 3:00 minute mark and grab a hold of everything that's not bolted to the walls.

UPDATE
And just when I think things can't get any better. I stumble across a majestic rendition of "You Wanted A Hit" - remixed by Keljet. And wow, I didn't think anyone could improve on Murph's work, but Keljet has done just that. This one will blow up.

LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted a Hit (Keljet Remix)

Freelance Whales - Generator - First Floor - Aislyn Remix

Freelance Whales is a band out of Queens, New York. Formed in 2008, they are signed to frenchkiss records, the same label as Passion Pit, Dodos and Local Natives. This cut of their album weathervanes gets remixed by Aislyn, who is Passion Pit keyboardist Ian Hultquist with his girlfriend Sofia Degli Alessandri making synth pop in their Brooklyn apartment. so hip!

Band of Horses - Laredo

New Band of Horses Album out this week. This is the second single off the album. I haven't had a chance to listen to the whole album yet, but I haven't heard the best reviews. Regardless, I think this track is solid.

The Killers - Mr.Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont Mix)

This is about 4 years old. But upon hearing the news that Killers' front man Brandon Flowers is doing his own solo project while the Killers are on indefinite hiatus makes me think this is worthy of a post. The album which is in full swing is to be called "Flamingo" and I think it could bring back the Killers sound of old ala "Hot Fuss".

Anyways, this is a great remix.

The Black Keys - Same Old Thing

These guys played a secret show at the classic car club in nyc on saturday night. i couldn't make it. and i'm still not okay with that.
The Black Keys - Same Old Thing"

City Calm Down

These guys are straight out of Melbourne, Australia. Coming at you with an extremely refreshing, and original sound. It's a blend of 80's synths, new wave, and some driving beats. I like it. What if you do too?

Check out these two tracks:
City Calm Down - You Can Have It So Much Better

City Calm Down - Lost. Trapped

The National- Bloodbuzz Ohio

The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (official video) from The National on Vimeo.

this album came out a week ago. a very solid effort by the national. it's an acquired taste. best listened to on a rainy day in its entirety.

Saturate

Taken in Bushwick. 2006.

Crookers- Cooler Couleur Ft Yelle

Yelle is a French group founded by lead singer and namesake, Yelle and GrandMarnier. A third member, Tepr, joined the band before the recording of their debut album. The band came to prominence when they posted an early version of the song “Je Veux Te Voir” on MySpace in September 2005, it later reached the top five in France. Their debut album, Pop-Up was released in 2007.

Italian DJ/production duo Crookers recently released Cooler Couleur featuring hard hitting phat beats and the french vocals of Julie Budet. And Junkie XL puts their own exclamation point on it too. Just solid all around.

This remix is just ridiculous. The wailing guitar breakdown in middle reminds me of some early Joan Jett - i love rock & roll. Check it out won't you?
Crookers - Cooler Couleur - Feat. Yelle (Junkie XL Remix)

The Chemical Brothers - Swoon (Don Diablo Remix)

i don't know what it is lately, but songs seem to be taking a while to develop. whatever, don't be fooled by the first 45 seconds of this track. it picks up at the 45 second mark, and gains steam throughout. nice remix. and i could have sworn the chemical brothers were in jail. for making crystal meth.

Peter, Bjorn & John - Nothing To Worry About (Hoppus/Holmes Remix)

came out in july, but i didn't have a blog then. but still good. dark and dreary for your monday night. and yes, that's mark hoppus from blink 182. who knew he could remix?

LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted A Hit

LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted a Hit


extremely long intro, but well worth the wait. if you can't wait, go to the 1:55 mark. just put it on and start doing something else. it'll sneak up on you. trust. album out tomorrow. from the sound of it, this is shaping up to be the best lcd soundsystem album to date. and rumor has it that this is their last. so. more posts tomorrow.

Broken Social Scene - World Sick

Big Boi - Shutterbug

i haven't heard from big boi in quite some time. but i like this new sound. solid beat.

Joker - Tron

a bit repetitive but this calls to mind a combination of dr. dre and robots. cruisin.

LCD Soundsystem - All I Want

james murphy and the folks at dfa are dropping "this is happening" on monday. if you haven't given lcd soundsytem a listen you should. solid.

The 10 Best Surf Photos In The History Of TransWorld SURF

The 10 Best Surf Photos In The History Of TransWorld SURF

TEAHUPOO 3/17/2010

that's some heavy stuff.

Dock Ellis & The LSD No-No by James Blagden

words cannot even begin to do this story justice. dock ellis is a legend. the way he tells this story is just amazing. really well done. i just made a touchdown.

is it winter yet?

Magic Flashlights from Mike Benson on Vimeo.

not a whole lot to say here. pretty self explanatory

The Most Ridiculous Thing I've Seen

Avalanche Skier POV Helmet Cam Burial & Rescue in Haines, Alaska from Chappy on Vimeo.

i dont want to spoil it for you but the video is a bit long. to put it bluntly: dude goes to alaska. dude wears a helmetcam. dude drops in. dude causes avalance. dude gets buried for 5 minutes. dude gets dug out by his friends. amazing. this is just remarkable. dude must have been freaking out. buried alive. then your buddy comes and digs you out and the sun is shining. i bet the beer never tasted so good that day.

see this film now

thats it, thats all from numero f on Vimeo.

if you have not seen that's it that's all. please do yourself a favor and check it out. it is by far the best snowboarding film ever produced. too bad it's summer now, because you'll need to head to new zealand to replicate this one. travis rice goes huge. jerermy jones is the man. you have to respect jeremy, in an effort to save the planet, he has elected to no longer use a helicopter. all the lines and parts you see him in are hiked by him for sometimes days at a time. that's hardcore. get stoked.

Coffee Shop

an abandoned coffee shop in bushwick. i thoroughly enjoy this shot. something about it is just very soothing to me.

Torstein Horgmo Summer Part 2009

The Camp Of Champions - Torstein Horgmo Summer Part 2009 from Camp of Champions on Vimeo.

The Camp Of Champions - Torstein Horgmo Summer Part 2009

Song - Shove It by Santogold


dude's got steez

Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull - May 1st and 2nd, 2010

Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull - May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.

this is some terrible beauty capturing the volcano eruption in iceland that grounded planes for about a week.

PROPS STRIKE

another brooklyn shot. industrial. take the long way home

Chromeo - "Night By Night" Video

to keep with the 80's tip. here's some chromeo. came out a while back. but it's aight.

College "Teenage Color"

this track just speaks to me. takes me back to 1987 and florida. when everything was just rad. you know, flourescent colors, oakley was on the up and up. cocaine everywhere, sushi was on the rise. people loved their bmw's. miami vice was on tv and everything just worked. well this takes me right back.

Daft Punk TRON Legacy Theme

so, i haven't seen the movie 'tron'. but i do know that it was a cult classic made in the early 80's (favorite decade) involving computer mainframes, jeff bridges, kid napping, and technology taking over human life. well, it kind of sounds like the matrix, except 20 years before the matrix.

anyways, the wizards over at disney are making a sequel to 'tron' and guess who's doing the entire sound track: yup, daft fucking punk. so, i'd like to thank the cool intern at disney who threw the idea out there and i'd like to thank the execs for listening and making an unbelievable decision to go with daft punk. talk about audio/visual overload. i cannot wait.

Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em

graffiti wings

i took this many moons ago. taken in bushwick brooklyn at the skate spot.

Memory Tapes - Bicycle

this falls into a very interesting space. somewhere in between the cure /steel drums/ dreamscapes / david byrne. however you want to classify it, it's good. give it s listen won't you and listen all the way through and you'll get the cure reference.

Delorean - Deli

solid tune from delorean. a group i just recently started listening to. they've been around for a while, but they are just starting to hit my radar. they're from spain. the basque country to be exact, which is near france, so that explains why they're so good.

Yelle - Ce Jeu (Fisk remix)

Yelle - Ce Jeu(Fisk Remix)


literally the first time i heard this track my face melted. im serious. melted right off. once i put it back on, i listened to the song again and again: face melt. right off again. so, i'm presented with a situation... do i continue to listen to the song and keep getting my face melted? yep. sure do. i dare you to put this on at a party/club/lounge/the office and not start a dance party. not possible. not now, not nevah. no way.

PS. yes i know it's in french. i think i like even more because of it. facemelt

welcome

i spend far too much time listening to good music not to share it with the world. a friend's father once said to me "life's to short to drink shitty booze". and that's when it hit me, that comment meant so much more than it seems on the surface. life's too short for shitty anything. so let's listen to some good music, look at some cool shit, and talk about some cool things. grab a hold of something, it's gonna get weird.