Before the Rascals, Streets, Allens there wuz R. Manuva. Nom’d for a mercury award back in 20 aught 1 for the fantastic “Run Come Save Me,” he had been the uk rap dude to beat for a few years. Returning this year with a M.I.A.-esque banger called “Buff Nuff,” I hope he’ll make a jump back in the collective consciousness.
Also, this video single-handly influenced my decision to purchase a athletic sleeveless t-shirt. I’m still not sure whether I pull it off. Maybe I should get a chain?
Jay Reatard is a punk where I thought there were no punks. Turns out that Memphis, Tennessee does more than country (I know over-generalization, they do great sweet tea also). Reatard has made his mark in the area while performing for a plethora of garage bands: The Reatards, The Lost Souls, The Bad Times, The Final Solutions, Angry Angles and now as Jay Reatard. The music is reminiscent of late 70’s - early 80’s garage punk (Ramones, Circle Jerks, The Jam, Buzzcocks). With Reatard you’ll be jamming in a matter of seconds. Just make sure to turn the speakers up to an 11 and enjoy some of that delicious tea while you’re at it.
What if you could hang out with 16 of your closest friends every night? It seemed only appropriate for me to celebrate America Day by going out in Norway to see a Swedish band named after a Spanish city. By the second song, the air was full of blue balloons and the singer had already stolen a cigarette from the lips of his biggest fan. I thought I was exaggerating when I said the band had 15 members, but that turned out not to be the case: there were 17 people onstage the entire time.
If you want some sunny Swedish pop with choruses perfect for singing along to with your windows down, this is what you need. And you thought it wasn’t hot in Scandinavia. Pshaw.
(Incidentally, the saxophonist would have been my idol if I had known of him when I started band in 6th grade.)
If you haven’t already heard, Beck’s newest is due to come out July 8th. It tends to sway towards the more mellow style of his older albums more than The Information or Guerro, but he never really stays in one place for too long. Check it out, it’s well worth a listen on a lazy summer day.
I’ve been a fan of these guys since I first saw them at the croc opening for Harvey Danger. The last couple of years have yielded a great EP and countless live performances for them, and last week they finally released Mingle, their first full-length album. If you’ve seen or heard them before you’ll know they love to mix genres to produce great, light-hearted, party-inducing songs. If you haven’t seen or heard them you have some homework to do.
The Amazing Ms. Holly Conlan is here with a free song via itunes. A good friend, she’s the person I gave my piano too when I moved from Los Angeles. So talented, such a good good voice! She writes music that just makes me feel at home, ya know?. Intricate melodies, subtle piano movements…This new single is just so lush…so smooth. I think you need to DL it immediately!!
Maps & Atlases are a Chicago based math rock band. They are really great musicians, I particularly love the guitar work. They are well worth a listen, check out the track below.
All I can really say about this movie is, it’s a must see. Art Film, creative, weird, romantic, silly and odd.
Featuring the lovely and tantalizing Christina Ricci in a tap dancing number you will soon not forget.
