Presenting Toms Relling Presenting Cannonball Adderly's Somethin' Else

The hard bop and cool styles of Sir Cannonball Adderley are captured here on this sublime jazz masterpiece. This alto sax is just right on throughout the entire album. All killer no filler. I speak like I know it, but I was actually just recently turned on to this album by my great friend Toms Relling from San Francisco. He's gotta a lot of words to speak and a lot of soul to share. Check his stuff out over here, and if you're reading this Tom, know I expect to see these dirty blues recordings soon.

Loving links lie in the comments.

The Blue Pill, Red Pill Drill

By now I'm assuming all you college kids are back at school; and with that realization comes some bad news. Turkey Day is over, ya bum; and the next couple weeks of projects and exams are going to fucking suck, really. Fortunately, you've got a few options.

The Red Pill:

Storytelling by Belle & Sebastian

First off, this isn't Belle & Sebastian's best album. Nor is it my favorite. Nor is it the first that I would recommend to a friend. But, I believe that its their most uniquely beautiful and strangely haunting album. I've come back to her time after time during these miserable fall afternoons always so be pleased with the shyly suggestive lyrics and soft hooks. "Black and White Unite" and "Big John Shaft" are two of my absolutely favorite B&S tunes, and the instrumental "Fiction" will set you at ease after only a few doses. This album is supposed to be a soundtrack for a movie, but I've never heard of the actual film. There is some hilarious dialogue bytes from the film in the album, though. If you don't have it, give it a few listens and take what you need out of it. Leave the rest though.

The Blue Pill:

Copper Blue by Sugar

Bob Mould is on the complete opposite side of the dial from Steve Murdoch. After the breakup of his hardcore/college rock legendary band Husker Du, Mould came back strong with punk hooks and a whole lot of catchy melodies with Sugar. If you like Husker Du, this is a lot different (I Think), but the melodies and sentiments are similar. Add more R.E.M. to Husker, and subtract some Dead Kennedys guitar, and this is what you might be left with. Really great album thats sure to help you through some times.

So, if you wanna lay down and see if the exams might take themselves, listen to Storytelling. If you wanna humbly kick their asses though, spin Copper Blue. Either way, have a great night. Links are doin' what they do best in the comments.

Mimicking Birds - Mimicking Birds (2009) (a pun?)

Winter is enclosing a lot faster than any of us would have wanted.    Staring into an overcast sky an overcoming feeling of solemnity and recognition that the warm tones of summer are long gone begins to seep in.  Preparation starts for the great change by dusting off the old SAD light and thickening up the stockpile the chai tea.  The Mimicking Birds' 2009 debut self-titled album is a prefect representation of the kind of music that begins to take over the stereo.  A slow acoustic guitar encumbered with a layer of  vocals reminiscent of Edward Droste (Grizzly Bear) brings a meditative state of ambiance.  Subtle whispering and a reserved falsetto bring a very personal and humanistic feeling that is, in itself,  the feeling of winter.  Enjoy!

link sits quietly in the comments

Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children (1998)

Experimental, electronic, IDM, ambient, magic.
It's getting very cold. I am wearing gloves all the time. My cocoa is running low. I need a fire to keep my feet warm. I need to listen to Boards of Canada. Music Has the Right to Children always touches me around this time of year. It is an album of discovery. Imagine children puffed up with winter jackets, racing through the barren, snow covered woods, discovering nook after nook of natural beauty. A remarkable album to listen to in the evening. Absolutely gorgeous.

Link In Comments

Sharon Jones & The Dapkings - 100 Days, 100 Nights

The soul queen of the 21st century. Seamstress of all coherent Daptone blendings. Foxy fortress of funk. She really is the next torch-taker for my life-changing female soul singer flame, with the likes of none other than Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: Sharon Jones

Link in Comments

Bill Evans Trio - Sunday at the Village Vanguard (1961)

Gorgeous piano Jazz off the Riverside label. This is Evans' first trio and this album begins the long collection of the Trio's sessions. I'm personally just getting into Evans' material, so why don't you get acquainted with me.

Link in Comments.

Best tribute album ever: I'm Not There

Bob Dylan's biopic Im Not There is a great film and it has the greatest soundtrack/tribute ever. Just look at it.

Link In the Comments

Disc One

1. "All Along the Watchtower" – Eddie Vedder and the Million Dollar Bashers
2. "I'm Not There" – Sonic Youth
3. "Goin' to Acapulco" – Jim James and Calexico
4. "Tombstone Blues" – Richie Havens
5. "Ballad of a Thin Man" – Stephen Malkmus and the Million Dollar Bashers
6. "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" – Cat Power
7. "Pressing On" – John Doe
8. "4th Time Around" – Yo La Tengo
9. "Dark Eyes" – Iron & Wine and Calexico
10. "Highway 61 Revisited" – Karen O and the Million Dollar Bashers
11. "One More Cup of Coffee" – Roger McGuinn and Calexico
12. "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" – Mason Jennings
13. "Billy 1" – Los Lobos
14. "Simple Twist of Fate" – Jeff Tweedy
15. "Man in the Long Black Coat" – Mark Lanegan
16. "Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)" – Willie Nelson and Calexico

Disc Two

1. "As I Went Out One Morning" – Mira Billotte
2. "Can't Leave Her Behind" – Stephen Malkmus and Lee Ranaldo
3. "Ring Them Bells" – Sufjan Stevens
4. "Just Like a Woman" – Charlotte Gainsbourg and Calexico
5. "Mama You've Been on My Mind" / "A Fraction of Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie" – Jack Johnson
6. "I Wanna Be Your Lover" – Yo La Tengo
7. "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" – Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
8. "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" – The Hold Steady
9. "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" – Ramblin' Jack Elliott
10. "The Wicked Messenger" – The Black Keys
11. "Cold Irons Bound" – Tom Verlaine and the Million Dollar Bashers
12. "The Times They Are a-Changin'" – Mason Jennings
13. "Maggie's Farm" – Stephen Malkmus and the Million Dollar Bashers
14. "When the Ship Comes In" – Marcus Carl Franklin
15. "The Moonshiner" – Bob Forrest
16. "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" – John Doe
17. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" – Antony & the Johnsons
18. "I'm Not There (1966)" – Bob Dylan and The Band

Saredren Wells: Memories Are Hunting Horns... (2010)

A journey to Chicago to visit Tony inevitably resolved with a sojourn to Reckless Records where we plundered the dollar cds and bankrupted our billfolds for the night.  While rummaging around the racks, I picked up this tasty little guy Saredren Wells' debut album, Memories Are Hunting Horns...  I'll be honest, this was just one of those bargain bin joke purchases I made because the first track was called "For Wes Anderson (or You)" and it cost only 4 dimes. When I got back home and queued up the guy I was instantly blow away.  A soft voice, compelling acoustic guitar, and piercing violin dominate this extremely personal and sentimental album.  The gravity and emotion fill in nicely among the ranks of Bon Iver, Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens.  Keep and eye out, this guy is going to explode.

Note: It is nowhere to be found online right now. A purchase from his independent label would be well worth it. Check out his website for a sweet video.      http://www.saredrenwells.com/

The Bats - Daddy's Highway (1987)

Late 80s New Zealand indie rock, very influential sound.
You'll love it. Link in Comments.

1. "Treason"
2. "Sir Queen"
3. "Round and Down"
4. "Take It"
5. "North by North"
6. "Tragedy"
7. "Block of Wood"
8. "Miss These Things"
9. "Mid City Team"
10. "Some Peace Tonight"
11. "Had to Be You"
12. "Daddy's Highway"

Sam Rivers - Contours (1965)

This is the second album, on the Blue Note label, by avant-garde/jazz saxaphonist Sam Rivers. It fits around the halfway point between dense structure and free jazz, and the album is supposedly a crucial album in the bop category, although I don't really listen to bop jazz. The solos on "Dance of the Tripedal" just can't be topped.

ps. Mr. herbie hancock on keys

Link in Comments

An Andrew Bird Exclusive

If you are a big Andrew Bird fan you will want to check out this instrumental bonus disc from the Noble Beast limited edition release entitled Useless Creatures. Just being released separately for the first time, this one brings an excellent listen with a great span of feeling.  While we all love his witty lyricism, you definitely won't be missing them here.  Chilling and convivial, Andrew Bird once again demonstrates his mastery of the violin and compelling compositional skills in what he describes a an "ambient experimental record."  We are able to hear some longer stuff, namely a bone-rectifying 10 minute "The Barn Tapes" followed by a 9 minute "Carrion Suite". Listen to this in very dim lighting.

link is just hangin out in the comments

Amanaz - Africa (1975)

A gem from Zambia's 70s "Zamrock" style, half sung in English and half sung in native Zambian "Bemba". Fuzzy guitar, groovin beats, stoned chants, its just what you wanna hear on this Sunday evening.

Link in comments

Get funky with The Budos Band!

Off the very fine Daptone label, The Budos Band, are best described as Afro-soul. They combine afro-beat horns and guitar with tough beats and an often sensual rhythm. They have become my favorite group to toss on in a party atmosphere. I love them and you will too.

Both links in comments. Just do it!

Brazilian Tropicalia Update: Os Mutantes have reunited

Psychadelia from Brazil for your buns. Their self titled debut from 1968's been spinning in the room all morning, as I'm very excited to have discovered that this group has reunited and are playing chicago in a few weeks. If anyone knows how they sound as a live band these days, I'd love a comment on it. I'm really not sure how this album will sound live 40+ years later.
Anyhow, regardless of the reunion, holy moley is this album fun!

Link in Comments

Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala (2007)

I got really into this album by Swedish pop singer Jens Lekman over the summer. It's fun, grooving, and is difficult to compare anything else to. Layered bass lines and catchy synth lines characterize most of the tunes, and it's an album I found myself frequently coming back to. I'm not sure what Jens is up to these days, but he has a couple other albums that are nice as well.

Link in comments

People Under the Stairs: O.S.T

After a really strange weekend that climaxed with me and a few guys freestyle rapping for 4 or 5 hours, I feel compelled to share some of the stuff that is currently scooping up some play time. People Under the Stairs' third studio album stands as one of my favorite West-Coast Rap Albums with laid-back rhymes and tones that will tear you apart.  They definitely have an old school sound reminiscent of Tribe and often sample some random funk or soul album. The instrumentals alone will melt your face,  and signal the rapture to come before the rapping even starts. Have some fun with this one and also be sure to check out their other stuff as well. Link in comments

Neil Young's Rock Opera?

Greendale is a 10 song rock opera done by Neil Young & Crazy Horse in 2003. It is accompanied by a graphic novel and film. In great emotional depth and character complexity, the Green family from somewhere in California are analyzed and much is to say about the small town conflict. If nothing else, just check out the epic final song, "Be The Rain". It's become one of my absolute favorite Young tunes. Enjoy your Wednesday.

Link in Comments

Psyche Origami - Is Ellipsis (2005)

I cannot figure out how I found this hip hop group, but this is a really refreshing project clearly influenced by old school hip hop like DMC and Ice Cube. A lot of great relaxing samples in the background and aggressive yet sometimes playful lyrics in the foreground. I always love discovering fresh hip hop projects and I hope you feel the same way.

Link in the comments

Happy 65th Birthday ole Shakey!

Girl Talk is still awesome and free

It's been a long time since I've listened to any Greg Gillis aka Girl Talk. Actually, it's probably been since Feed the Animals came out for free that I got into this mashup dreamland. Anyhow, Gillis just came out with a new free release entitled All Day, it is posted at the label, Illegal Art Records, website. I've posted the link below. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Download it here

Silkworm's Firewater - A "College Favorite" For Years to Come

Like all too many great artists I listen to (The Smiths, The Fall, Tom Waits) Silkworm has admittedly taken me way too long to listen to. I've known about these dudes for some time, but for whatever stupid reason or assumption I had, I'd never listened to a single song by who some consider to be the greatest Matador band of all time. No longer though. Last week I picked up Silkworm's 1996 Firewater. To be honest, I knew that it would be a favorite of mine from the first full listen. The "slack" yet ernest tone of the singer (sorry, I dunno his name) resonates beautifully with me, and obviously the mixture of odd Polvo guitar twisty turns and balls-out crunch of Son Volt distortion appealed to me immediately. It's truly one of the first albums that I can see reminding me of my Freshman year of college, too, no matter how lame that sounds. Theres just a sense of rambling adventure and a down-and-out aesthetic that seems alright to me. Anyhoo, listen up and tell 'em I sent you.

Link in Comments.

The Sound of Silence

This past week Thom York was featured in the release of a  2 minute long silent song and video in honor of fallen British soldiers.  They believed that rather than recording a song, a track of just silence would allow people a time for reflection and to remember the people who gave their lives.  This song is currently in the process of making it's debut into the top 5 singles on itunes in the UK, toppling the mighty reigns of artists such as "McFly" and "Take That". Pretty cool, ya?

Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life

Had a little party with Stevie Wonder last night, so here's a totally classic album for your Sunday.

I'll prolly write more about this album later.

Link In Comments

Junkboy - Koyo (2010)

This project, led by brothers Mik and Rich Hanscomb, is an interesting mixture of chilled out post-rock, electronica, and folky guitar. Multi-instrumentation and the addition of a female singer create lush auditory harmonies and set a somewhat sensual mood. It's an interesting album amongst a somewhat monotonous genre, so I'd say you should check it out.

Link In Comments

Hey Soul Sista! Mavis Staples & Jeff Tweedy Collaborate

Lead singer of the Staple Singers, Mavis Staples has released an awesome new album called You Are Not Alone with Wilco-frontman Jeff Tweedy. Mavis Staples is that little lady who sings the second verse of "The Weight" on The Last Waltz Band Concert. She's been proposed to by Bob Dylan and has won a grammy for her collaboration with him. This album has a lot of passion carried from track to track. A video for the title track is posted below, which I'd recommend to anyone. Link to album in comments.

Skygreen Leopards: Disciples of California

This West Coast easy-listening folk band has been catching some solid listening time recently over in my parts.  I had originally thrown Disciples of California on the back burner after a week or so of listens but coming back to it I hear their the soft tones dripping sweet nectar into my eardrums.  What I had originally passed off as a another decent California folk album started to really stir me up emotionally when I gave it full attention, more or less the same feeling that resonates from the song Hummingbird by Wilco if you happen to venture in those waters.  If you've got some spare time and maybe even a couple of spare Charleston Chews, give this one a go. If you aren't that fortunate then just save it for later.

Who's Sick of Cheesy Love Songs?

Not this guy, but let me explain. There are two kinds of love songs, and I happen to only hate one of the types. The first type consists of the in your face, lyrically obvious, cheeseball love song. 80s hair metal and club singers eat these songs up, but I typically can't go for them. However, I find nothing cheesy in songs that happen to remind me of love and relationships, when the song doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the topic. I find music to be inherently good when it creatively captures a feeling, without naming the material in the damn title. This categorizing of love songs came into mind after watching Wes Anderson's 1996 debut, Bottle Rocket, again last night with some friends. The film analyzes several romantic themes throughout, and his musical choices to score these scenes are as always impeccable. International and obscure music emerges just as Anthony begins a relationship with Inez, a woman from Paraguay whose language barrier would normally leave Anthony lost in translation. However, the beautiful part is that their emotions drive the relationship to life without the obvious romantic dialogue. The music works in the same manner, where sentimental and loving themes are conveyed by mere sounds and created atmospheres. The music parallels their hotel relationship, as both work to convey love without the expected dialogue, creating a much more sincere depiction. Good art is that which can capture the feelings and emotions that words typically cannot, and Bottle Rocket succeeds in this aspect.
Link in comments

Wednesday Morning Sludge

There is literally no reason why I should be posting this right now. But this is Monoliths & Dimensions by Sunn O))). Again, there is no particular reason why this album pertains to Wednesdays, November, autumn, or anything in your life really, but it's a powerful album that you should hear. If you're half-awake, get ready. This may take your life. Link in comments.

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest (2010)

1. "Earthquake" – 5:00
2. "Don't Cry" – 2:49
3. "Revival" – 2:13
4. "Sailing" – 5:00
5. "Memory Boy" – 2:09
6. "Desire Lines" – 6:44
7. "Basement Scene" – 3:41
8. "Helicopter" – 4:58
9. "Fountain Stairs" – 2:38
10. "Coronado" – 3:19
11. "He Would Have Laughed" – 7:29

It's Bradford Cox's new release under the Deerhunter monikor, Halcyon Digest, and it pretty well sums up Cox's musical ambitions. I feel like too often his music gets tossed into the generic Pitchfork media/indie rock generic pile of releases for those with too short an attention span. His off-kilter persona and prominent fame on the world wide web may give off this vibe, but his music cannot be tossed aside like the majority of bands he is grouped with. The sound travels all over the place, but keeps a relatively similar feel throughout. His music can put me in a warm mood similar to that which the Velvet Underground evokes. Anyhow, I think this is his best work so far, so check it out in the comments.

The Secret Generator Series: Deerhunter from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

I've Lived on a Dirt Road All My Life

Manitoba was the stage-name for Daniel Snaith before a pending lawsuit forced him to change his alias to what we all know now as Caribou. While I suppose I've never been too huge on Caribou (especially 2010's Swim), I can easily say that Manitoba's Up in Flames has been probably one of my favorite and most enduring musical discoveries of 2010, and a great example of an artist pushing himself hard early in his career to make beautiful music. Much like the previously-posted Yo La Tengo, Manitoba's influences are diverse. There's hints and swells of shoe-gaze, electronica, folk, brit-pop, a lot of warm, whispery vocals, a squeeze of some wild sax playing, and some big ole' scoops of balls-out drums. Every single song on this album is so rich, so diverse, and contains so much musical texture, that it seems hard for me not to play the "genius" card when referring to Snaith. This album is a sonic adventure, so bring along your cape, hat, and your boots. It'll get messy out there, but mainly it'll get beautiful.

Link in Comments

Fall Favs: Yo La Tengo - I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One

A mash of casually confident autumn gems:

1. "Return to Hot Chicken" – 1:38
2. "Moby Octopad" – 5:48
3. "Sugarcube" – 3:21
4. "Damage" – 4:39
5. "Deeper into Movies" – 5:23
6. "Shadows" – 2:27
7. "Stockholm Syndrome" – 2:51
8. "Autumn Sweater" – 5:18
9. "Little Honda" – 3:07
10. "Green Arrow" – 5:43
11. "One PM Again" – 2:25
12. "The Lie and How We Told It" – 3:19
13. "Center of Gravity" – 2:42
14. "Spec Bebop" – 10:40
15. "We're an American Band" – 6:25
16. "My Little Corner of the World" – 2:24

One of my all-time favorites, this excursion covers a multitude of sounds and genres while still creating a flowing, consistent atmosphere held strong through the last notes. The feedback solos, shoegaze tones, and lyrical content make this album sound unique as hell, but like something as classic as Coke. Lots of great memories with this album around this time of year. This will conclude this year's fall favs. Link in comments.

Yo La Tengo - Autumn Sweater from Cameron O on Vimeo.

Lower Dens, for when your dream goes pop.

In what may be one of rock's most obscure genres with a few definitive bands accompanied by a bunch of imitators, Dream Pop is slowly making some forward progress with Lower Dens' debut album Twin Hand Movement.  They have conquered the essence of what dream pop really is: strange oneiric chord progressions accompanied by soft and often indistinguishable vocals. This one is pretty laid back with a lot of versatility in the guitars from screeching to just twangy little solos.  Track to track though there is a nice blanket of warmth ready to keep you toasty. Produced by the same guy who did Beach House's Teen Dream, you know that this aint no little pooch.

~Bill

Vid of the Day: The Drum - Bongwater

Groovy Love Nuggets of Love

Here are a few tasty hip-hop comps that have caught mine cracker eye lately. While I'm no aficionado of the genre, I have been immersing myself in the grooves lately, and I've been learning a lot. As with basically any genre of music, there're a lot of honest and real tunes accompanied by a lot of other artists who either aren't really for pure reasons, or just really can't get their dern' jams right. The site which the said compilations come from is Cocain Blunts, a site which caught my eye a month or so ago because of it's great name and it's unique sampling of classic hip-hop acts that I would have not otherwise known. It's a small site containing a "Mixtape Archive" section and various interviews and other articles pertaining to the world of hip-hop. You won't find any auto-tuning or tinny electronic beats here; it's all clever, smooth-flowing MCs accompanied by raw, powerful sample-driven groves. It's always good to re-assure your tastes by finding a site like this that provides a lot of classic stuff, while also spinning in some really unique aspects.

The two comps offered are both "regional" samplings: one containing tracks produced in Atlanta within the years of 1985-1992, and the other showcasing the best from Trenton, NJ from 1986-1991. There's other cool stuff too, boogers, so just looky-poo.

A-Town Rap & Bass: '85-'91

The World Takes: The Best of Trenton Rap: '86-'91

Fall Favs: Cat Stevens - Tea for the Tillerman

Side one

1. "Where Do the Children Play?" – 3:52
2. "Hard Headed Woman" – 3:47
3. "Wild World" – 3:20
4. "Sad Lisa" – 3:45
5. "Miles from Nowhere" – 3:37

Side two

1. "But I Might Die Tonight" – 1:53
2. "Longer Boats" – 3:12
3. "Into White" – 3:24
4. "On the Road to Find Out" – 5:08
5. "Father and Son" – 3:41
6. "Tea for the Tillerman" – 1:01

Cat Steven's 1970 release, Tea For the Tillerman, carries profound sentiment for me. It is my favorite fall album, and no album, other than maybe his 1971 album, Teaser and the FireCat, even comes close to capturing this autumn atmosphere. His sweet croon soars over crisp acoustic melodies. Be sure to grab this one in the comments. Have a good saturday!

Lord Huron: Have ya heard him?

Coming out of nowhere like Bon Iver in 2008, somewhere deep within the nooks and crannies of Los Angeles, Lord Huron created 2 fantastic EPs in 2010 that are beginning to burst into hard drives across the world.   Seriously, this is the best find that I have had this year; fantastic earthy and atmospheric instrumentation composed with tropical drums and folk guitar is accompanied with chilling vocals that really make their music special. With only a mere 7 tracks out, be sure to grab both of the EPs and start to pray for a full length.

 ~Bill

link in comments

Fall Favs: Van Morrison - Astral Weeks

Side one

1. "Astral Weeks" – 7:06
2. "Beside You" – 5:16
3. "Sweet Thing" – 4:25
4. "Cyprus Avenue" – 7:00

Side two

1. "The Way Young Lovers Do" – 3:18
2. "Madame George" – 9:45
3. "Ballerina" – 7:03
4. "Slim Slow Slider" – 3:17

Tim and I had an exceptional listening with Van Morrison's Astral Weeks last night. It's a favorite album for the both of us, and certainly for all the writers at this blog. If nothing else, listen to "Sweet Thing" and "Madame George". So tender, so natural, such great pieces. Below is a stellar video of "Into the Mystic" off of Moondance, with a nice Morrison sax solo featured. Astral Weeks link in the comments.

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears- Tell'em What Your Name Is (2009)

1. Gunpowder
2. Sugarfoot
3. I’m Broke
4. Big Booty Woman
5. Boggie
6. Master Sold My Baby
7. Get Yo Shit
8. Humping
9. Bobby Boshay
10. Please Pt.Two
These are my jams, link in the comments.

kings of mashup: The Kleptones

To follow up the beat-gem that is Bullion's Pet Sounds, I give you The Kleptones, aka Eric Kleptone. Kleptone is a UK DJ that has released several internet-only mashup projects. The most notable projects have included taking the albums A Night At The Opera and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, by Queen and Flaming Lips respectively, and tossing conscience hip hop lyrics/tv and film dialogues on top of them. All of these projects can be downloaded fo free at the website posted below. I also posted one of my favorite cuts, off his 24 Hours album, "11:50 Closer To The Boxer" below. Don't write this off as just another lame, free mashup project. Kleptone has great taste and style, and all these albums are equally worth checking out.

The Kleptones homepage is right here !

Bullion: Pet Sounds (In the Key of Dee)

Alright, this is just awesome. UK producer Bullion has fused J Dilla's beats with the legendary Pet Sounds (Beach Boys) sunshine pop album. I'm new to the late J. Dilla's work, but this is a killer first experience with some of his material. Get this right away in the comments, its really original.

Belle and Sebastian: Write About Love

I'll be the first to admit it, the only Belle and Sebastian that I have are their first three albums which as you all know, are extra tasty. I didn't really know what to expect coming into this one since the last release that I have listened to was 12 years ago. After about 3 weeks of listens though, I can say that this album has grown on me threefold. The first couple tracks really come at you with the more electronic side of B&S and are on par with anything else that they have written. The album does take a softer turn which I must say has to catch me in the right mood, but when it does the otherwise dull tunes are so sweet and singable. Anyway, definitely worth checking out.

~Bill

link in comments

Avey Tare - Down There (2010)

1.	"Laughing Hieroglyphic"	6:49
2.	"3 Umbrellas"	2:43
3.	"Oliver Twist"	4:19
4.	"Glass Bottom Boat"	1:42
5.	"Ghost of Books"	4:48
6.	"Cemeteries"	4:07
7.	"Heads Hammock"	3:35
8.	"Heather in the Hospital"	3:18
9.	"Lucky 1"	3:23

The newest project to come out of the Animal Collective collective is a swamp-soaked solo album from Avey Tare. Although the new Panda Bear will likely destroy this effort, I suppose this album still has a lot of merit, and what's the point in comparing two unique musicians anyway. It's a surreal album that's perfect for a morning like this, and it happens to be a great falling asleep album as well. Enjoy! Link located in comments.

Nas Demos: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

While the cutting autumn air and the colorful leaves turns me to the usual "fall music," for some reason I'm also drawn to some classic Hip-Hip sounds. Call me crazy, but there's somethin' about lazy, fuzzy sample loops and smooth, spitting lyrics that just feels "right" in fall and winter. But getting down to business, my offering today is Nas' 1991 Mixtape. While it's not as emotionally stirring or haunting as Illmatic or as purely produced as It Was Written, it is still very very good hip-hop by anyone's standards. On "Back to the Grill" Nas employs the help of MC Serch, a Jewish-American rapper who also hails from the Queens area. The monotone yet steady refrain is reminiscent of Tribe's "Scenario," and some of the rhymes will have you crying. ("I'm waving automatic guns at nuns") It's been on heavy rotation lately, and I hope you enjoy the tunes of this 18 year-old prodigy as much as I do.

Download in Comments, y'all.

The Freeborne: Peak Impressions

In my most recent plunderings of mostly forgotten psychedelia albums, I stumbled upon these bad boys and their sole album Peak Impressions. All-in-all, it is just a really fun album to listen to, reminiscent of the early Doors mixed with a bit of Sgt. Pepper's.   Everything is pretty laid back with some compelling organ and woodwind work layered with soft delay-encumbered vocals.  The drummer relies heavily on the toms and splashy cymbals during the buildups and they breakout with some impressive electric organ and guitar duels. The album has unbelievable flow from track to track, with none of the songs really overpowering the next.  I was also very impressed with the production quality which is actually perfect, somewhat of a rarity among these type of releases.  Anyway, go check this one out now.

~Bill
link in comments

anti-folk punk dude: Jeffrey Lewis

New York cartoonist and anti-folk, lo-fi musician Jeffrey Lewis finally came into my radar this weekend after seeing the video posted below from my buddy Zach. A comparison to Kimya Dawson and The Moldy Peaches is the best way to describe his style--witty, honest lyrics with bare minimum musical structure beneath it. His 2001 album, The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane, is a nice start to his collection. Enjoy the passion in this album by snagging it from the comments.

Daytrotter session

To Be Objectified from Rough Trade on Vimeo.