Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Today's Brew | "Blog-Hoppin'"

I thought this would be a fun exercise-- and maybe I'll add a few more entries later.
But for now, enjoy!

-When you thought the endless lists were over, Good Weather For Airstrikes offers up his Best of 2006: Top 50 Vids
-For those who made a new year's resolution to be more organized, I Guess I'm Floating has an entry about iConcertCal.
-Broken West stop by for an acoustic set at The Aquarium Drunkard Show this afternoon on Little Radio (2pm PST).
-Wolfnote (aka Good Hodgkins) shares with us the low level Parsefork: The Complete Unnecessary Music Review Aggregator.
-JunkMedia has an insightful article about the recent TimesTalk Sessions in NY where Horatio Silva sits down with Rufus Wainwright for an Inside the Actor's Studiosque interview. Check the article out ovah here.
-LA Weekly has an article about The Gospel According to Cee-Lo.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Late Night Brew | BBC Radio 1: Bloc Party

Two bands make their tour de Brit: Arcade Fire and Bloc Party
Now if you don't mind listening to the lame babblings of Zane Lowe of BBC Radio 1 and his mediocre playlist of songs, and like a typical radio station that loves to tease the listener in waiting for the actual live show, they sure did a wonderful job. Unfortunately the whole event is streamed,.


Was it worth the wait? Well if you do, you'll have to wait at least...
-34 minutes into the show to hear bits of interviews of the band (for a 2-3 minute interview)
-1:11 minutes into the show to hear the live show.
stream it ovah BBC Radio 1: Bloc Party (Live)

Today's Brew | Deerhunter


P-folk's gave the album by Deerhunter "Cryptograms" a 'best new music' stamp of approval. They like 'em as much as we like 'em. The album drops on Feb. 6th.

Here's what P-folk said about this album:
Atlanta five-piece Deerhunter, who hailed Cooper as a primary influence in a recent Dusted feature, show their guts admirably on this vast, visceral second album. Arranged in chronological sequence from two distinct recording sessions, Cryptograms is alternately murky and ethereal, amorphous and incisive, shot through with Sonic Youth guitar squall, Spacemen 3's blissful hymns, the morbidly introspective drum sounds of early Factory Records productions, and the abstract sonic richness of Harold Budd's collaborations with Brian Eno. (excerpt by Marc Hogan, January 30, 2007)

Read the full review ovah here.

My previous entry about them ovah here and here.

mp3:
Deerhunter- "Heatherwood"
(YouSend: for a limited time only)

YouTube: Deerhunter- "Straight Lights"


-----------------cut here 8<--------------------------

Also:

Today, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's sophomore release "Some Loud Thunder" drops today.
They are currently in Europe on tour with Cold War Kids and Elvis Perkins.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- "Underwater (You and Me)"

Monday, January 29, 2007

Today's Brew | BBC: Eno + Daytrotter: The Elected


BBC Radio 4's Front Row program interviews Brian Eno as he discusses his current art show as being a "secular religious" experience, and his position as an "evangelical atheist".
His thoughts on music as he calls this the "Digestive Period" in music.
His thoughts on music today:
"I hear too many versions of Talking Heads...nearly all bands, guitar bands, trace their roots to the Talking Heads."
Brian Eno will be producing the next Coldplay album, and he assures us that the sound will be very different from what they've done in the past, and also that they will not sound like the Talking Heads. Perhaps the best move that Coldplay ever made in their whole career.
BBC: Radio Player (Interview starts in 5 minutes in)


Daytrotter offers up The Elected stop by for the Monday edition of the Daytrotter sessions this week.
Daytrotter Session: The Elected
And be sure to check out Grizzly Bear: Lasso'd.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Today's Brew | Of Montreal and more...


A band known for their peculiar album titles returns with "Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?", that's been getting some glowing reviews.
Kevin Barnes and company are in town for a three day show in Los Angeles and they'll be hitting up three different venues.

Tonight: El Rey Theatre
Saturday: Avalon
Sunday: Troubadour

Also if you want to stream their album, visit here:
E-card: Of Montreal

mp3: Of Montreal- "Heimdalasgate Like A Prometheum Curse"
(courtesy of polyvinyl, if the link doesn't work, visit their E-card for the free download)

My Space: Of Montreal
official site: Of Montreal

--------------------

Also:

The Shins do in-store performance at Amoeba Music in Hollywood. I'm really debating now whether to go or not. Especially since someone told me that its been heavily publicized at a local radio station that I really don't have anymore respect for, and really avoid any events they endorse, and also for the type of crowd they bring.
I do like their new album, but not sure if I really want to be caught in the madhouse.

My previous entry about them ovah here.
But I may stop by to see how bad the crowd turnout is.

Cold War Kids wrap up their Bi-coastal residency in LA at a show in Spaceland tonight.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Today's Brew | Mahogany


Here's a band that just slipped past my radar. So far from what I've heard, I likes 'em alot.
They are from Brooklyn, influenced by Brasilia, and that they got the attention of Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) to produce some of their material. Stream some other songs from them at their My Space.

From their album "Connectivity" (2006):
mp3: Mahogany- " Neo-Plastic Boogie-Woogie"
(YouSend: for a limited time only)

YouTube: Mahogany- "Supervitesse" (produced by Robin Guthrie)


My Space: Mahogany
official site: Mahogany

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Late Night Brew | OCMA : Close & Burden

As some of you may have been saddened by the recent demise of The OC series on Fox. I only heard of the news from NPR, and frankly I wasn't too enthusiastic or remotely interested in watching the show. Especially since I grew up in the OC, I really didn't need to be reminded of the type of lifestyle or place I grew up in. Anyways, one thing to definitely check out, if you do visit the OC or live in the local area, is to visit the Orange County Museum of Art which is located in Newport Beach.

Yes, I know. There isn't much of an art scene in the OC, or maybe there is, and I'm totally oblivious of it, since I now live in the LA area. Anyways, there's a couple of upcoming shows that struck my fancy, and I hope to catch when it opens.

Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration
jan 28, 2007 - apr 22, 2007

Emma, 2002; Pace Editions Inc, New York, printer (Yasu Shibata); Pace Editions, Inc., New York, publisher
Featuring 118 works dating from 1972 to 2002, Chuck Close Prints illustrates the artist’s range of invention in etching, aquatint, lithography, handmade paper, direct gravure, silkscreen, traditional Japanese woodcut, and reduction linocut. Highlighting the creative processes and technical collaboration between the artist and the master printers, the exhibition demonstrates how Close has consistently but variously challenged the accepted boundaries of the printmaking tradition. Taken together, these prints constitute a remarkable self-portrait of the creative drive, vision, and intellect of one of America’s most important living artists. (text from the OCMA site)

Chris Burden: A Tale of Two Cities
feb 3, 2007 - jun 10, 2007

Inspired by the artist’s fascination with war toys, bullets, model buildings, antique soldiers, and a fantasy about the twenty-fifth century—a time when he imagines the world will have returned to a system of feudal states. The miniature reconstruction of two such city-states, poised for war, incorporates 5,000 war toys from the United States, Japan, and Europe—on a 1,100 square foot sand base surrounded by a “jungle” made of houseplants. The viewer is only able to comprehend its details by looking through binoculars, becoming part of Burden's installation. (text from OCMA site)

official site: OCMA

Today's Brew | Deerhoooooooooof


Tonight Deerhoof drops by the El Rey for a soldout show. Unfortunately, I totally blanked out and forgot about this show entirely. Shame on me for missing out on that, especially as I've repeatedly hyped up their latest release on this site, and I've gotta say, it's pretty damn good.

Some classic video footage taken of their performance at The Smell in LA *not sure of the date...here.

From their 2005 album "Runners Four":
mp3: Deerhoof- "Running Thoughts"

From their album "Friend Opportunity":
mp3: Deerhoof- "The Perfect Me"
(YouSend: for a limited time only)

My previous entry about them from last week ovah here.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Today's Brew | Earlimart


Earlimart announced that their new album is to be called "Mentor Tormentor" according to their website.
Not really sure which record label they decided to go with or even if they are with a record label.
To get the latest schpeel on them, they currently are blogging at this site.
Besides maintaining The Ship (a studio co-owned by Earlimart’s Aaron Espinoza and Grandaddy’s Jim Fairchild based in Eagle Rock (LA), CA), in which fellow shipmates Silversun Pickups had recorded their album "Carnavas", this could be yet another vibrant year for some local LA bands.

From their forthcoming album "Mentor Tormentor":
mp3: Earlimart- "Never Mind The Phonecalls"
(YouSend: for a limited time only)

official site: Earlimart
My Space: Earlimart

Monday, January 22, 2007

Evening Brew | Coachella


If you haven't already heard...the news is finally out for this year's Coachella.
Coachella returns with its all to familiar formulaic brand of three nights filled to satisfy all-- your typical big band reunions, some top shelf "indie" bands, and then the buzz bands that I'm sure the peeps at Coachella have been doing their homework on.

The Reunion List:
The Jesus and Mary Chain- 1984-1999
YouTube: The Jesus and Mary Chain- "Just Like Honey"


Crowded House- 1985-1996
Happy Mondays- 1985-1992
Rage Against The Machine- 1991-2000

Okay, I was once a RHCP's fan, but I almost envision them becoming our generation's version of the Rolling Stones...now that's a scary thought.

And, they've got Willie!

Second Cup | Daytrotter

We don't normally do this, but I thought these guys deserve some visibility as they've really taken off with their site in the past recent months.
Be sure to stop over by the fine folks at Daytrotter. One of our fave sites to visit, and hopefully it'll be your fave as well. Quite an expansive new look to their site featuring various articles, illustrations, and live sessions. They now offer up two different days of the Daytrotter Sessions- Mondays and Thursdays.

This week's Monday Daytrotter Session serves up The Velvet Teens.


Another feature of their site is called: Lasso'd
And look who's up on that this past week.
Cold War Kids get Lasso'd.

Today's Brew | The Tiny


They're from Stockholm, Sweden and the lead vocalist Ellekari has an amazing resemblance in her vocal styles as Joanna Newsom in a Nordic context. The Tiny are also a classically trained guy who knows his strings named Leo and a bassist named Johan.
One of those bands that would easily go right under one's radar, but as I mentioned before, I'm heavily drawn to the whole Nordic music scene...check em out and stream their music on their My Space.


Video: The Tiny- They Say It's Weird"
Supposedly their 2006 release "Starring Someone Like You" is getting a domestic release here in the States, and its also part of the 1/23 conspiracy.

official site: The Tiny
My Space: The Tiny

Friday, January 19, 2007

Today's Brew | Deerhoofffffffff


Okay, Deerhoof's new album "Friend Opportunity" is also part of this whole 1/23 conspiracy. You know the day when a bunch of notable releases drop suddenly and hordes of mobbing consumers run frantically to their local record store...but then you realize that was just a dream. The real scenario would be, finding various ways and means to get a copy of the album such as:
1. via net (lots of music bloggers out there, ya know).
2. from your buddy who seems to find albums prior to their official releases. (a closet music blogger?)
3. at your work, if your fortunate to have itunes, and within itunes sharing your able to find ways to rip a copy off someone who possibly has a copy of the album.

But if all fails, and by chance you are unable to wait for for its official release and your willing to dish out 9.99, itunes has it available. And if you like Deerhoof like we do, you're in for a treat.

On their site, Deerhoof has this rather cryptic message under their News section:
Ignum. Pullulo edo Lugo in lex Edoctus capio concedo ictus, ego sic magnificabiliter Retribuo an Laurus penitus, refero abeo os ile ferito nam De ora Personam Strepitus carina Refero Optatus arma texo arca Dilgenter ferox Luxuria. Sus penna Sono Proelium pario has Viduitas Sordes suborior, hic ira quis Perago tu Ops ratio, rufus ut Simul Sperno rixa mos turbo lucus Mortifera veles Chalybs imperit.


Shhh...but don't tell P-folk this, but I think they are possibly "Christians" too.

There is a theory on the song "+81", that was proposed by my friend Gary. He thinks the song was actually inspired by a japanese zine called the same name...check it out here.

mp3: Deerhoof- "+81"

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Late Night Brew | Cold War Kids


If you haven't already read the article regarding the backlash of the Cold War Kids as being dubbed a "Christian band" and for attending Biola University, or as the article puts it "Bible Institute of Los Angeles". And of course all this came as a result from P-folk. How fitting, a pitchfork stabbing at the kids with the question of faith.
We here at ADD will continue to support bands like Cold War Kids, and bands that are categorized as "Christian bands" by P-Folk. Because as P-Folk may have alot of influence, but guess what, we believe music is a relative thing. And if you like it, support it...and if you don't, you don't have to. It's as plain and simple as that. It's always nice to read reviews, but guess what, if you didn't already know this, to my young audience out there, P-folk ain't the main source of all reviews. Dammit, this has become a text heavy entry...movin' right along.

Excerpt from the article:

Rock fans seem to view religion as a hindrance to deep, creative thought, as if some a Christian musician sits in a studio and thinks, Gosh, would Jesus approve of this lyric? I'd better lose it. Moreover, religion goes against the rebellious, hedonistic and godless spirit that makes rock 'n' roll so appealing. The fact that the genre was birthed out of gospel, negro spirituals and the blues doesn't seem to matter. We want the power of the chord, not the Lord.

There's also the poor track record of musicians who find religion. No matter your generation, you've probably witnessed at least one amazing artist fall off the map in search of some god. Whether it was Cat Stevens finding Allah, Prince discovering Jehovah or Lauryn Hill worshipping some jackass who claims to be the Messiah--the one thing they have in common is that while they may have saved their souls, they damned their music. Lucky for Bob Dylan, he found God, then lost him again two albums later.

But why is it that Cold War Kids are criticized when other artists--most notably Sufjan Stevens, Kanye West and the Danielson Famile--are critically adored despite their flagrant imbibing of Jesus Juice? It's simple, really: Those artists wear their spirituality like a fish sticker on the bumper of a mini-van. U2's religion didn't block their path to superstardom, but they were extremely open about their Catholic faith. After a while, people got over it and just focused on the music.

But Cold War Kids are more ambivalent about their ties to the world's most famous carpenter. While Willett does sing that he's "begging Jesus to cleanse my mind" in "Don't Let Your Love Grow Away from Me," he also says "my demons took up the whole church pew" and asserts that "all my words won�t save me this time." In "Sermons vs. The Gospel," he asks for mercy before suggesting that he and God may not be on the same page. The effect is that Cold War Kids sound less like devout followers and more like tainted characters grappling with their place in the cosmos.

This makes the rock press uneasy. The rock press doesn't like to imagine that a middle ground exists when it comes to religion. Having failed to clearly report their religious "baggage" to the customs officers of popular culture, Cold War Kids are almost viewed as missionary spies who've infiltrated the largely agnostic world of rock 'n' roll. Rock writers view them as fakes--hiding their religion in order to "make it" in a secular scene--and think it's their duty to "out" the band. And, dubious or not, outlets like Pitchfork, which has a reputation of approaching topics such as religion from an us-versus-them standpoint, will go out of their way to brand the Kids as Jesus freaks.

Call it a witch-hunt in reverse.

"You want people to get what you're doing," Willett says. "But in a weird way, the negative attention is attention, and hopefully people will dig a little deeper and realize that article or review is way off."

But how far off?

(courtesy of San Diego Beat, by Seth combs)

Read the full article here.

Cold War Kids are currently in residence for the month of January on a bi-coastal gig- LA and NY.
January 19th- Silverlake Lounge, LA
January 24th- Mercury Lounge, NY
January 26th- Spaceland, LA

mp3: Cold War Kids- "Heavy Boots"

Second Cup | Menomena

Just highlighting once again the big first wave of releases set on 1/23.

The P-folks (my new term for Pitchfork) have given the album a big phat glowing review with a rating of 8.5 and classifies it as being the best new music flavor of the month (that is if another album is able to top that.)
Some of the past albums reviewed by P-folk categorized as best new music have been questionable to say the least, but that's a different topic in itself. But for this particular album I'll concur with the P'Folk on this.
Also if you haven't visited their website, holy shite, the site is sheer brilliance.
Be sure to check out the Radness.

I highly recommend you check out their very first music vid...it's beautifully shot.

(you can't tell on this screenshot, but its a figure composed of trashbags doing the michael jordan jump as it tosses a bag of trash, neatly wrapped.)

Menomena- "Coughing Coughing"
directed by Jonnie Ross

My previous entry about them ovah here.

Today's Brew | The Shins...again.

Just another friendly reminder: January 23

The Shins- "Phantom Limb"
Directed by Patrick Daughters (most notably known for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs videos)

From their album "Wincing the Night Away":
mp3: The Shins- "Phantom Limb"

My previous entry about them ovah here.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Today's Brew | Iggy Pop & The Stooges


A new album coming out from these guys...called "The Weirdness" this March, just in time as they will be at SXSW this year. Coincidence? Makes you wonder about these reunions and comebacks.

Nevertheless, nothing beats the classic...

mp3: Iggy Pop- "Lust for Life"
(YouSend: for a limited time only)

official site: Iggy Pop & the Stooges

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Late Night Brew | The Good, The Bad + The Queen

U.S. has The Raconteurs. the collaborative efforts of Jack, Brendan and The Greenhornes.
Canada has Swan Lake. the collaborative efforts of Daniel Bejar (Destroyer, New Pornographers), Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown) and Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes).
The UK thought they join in the fun, and offer up their own collaborative efforts- The Good, The Bad + The Queen featuring Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Paul Simonon (The Clash, Havana 3am), Simon Tong (The Verve), Tony Allen (Kuti and Africa), and produced by Dangermouse.

YouTube: The Good, The Bad + The Queen- "Herculean (live)"


My previous entry about them ovah here.

Today's Brew | NPR: Emily Haines


NPR Live Concert Series starts the new year off with Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton. (From January 11, 2007)
The set list for that night mirrored the same show she did earlier back in September.
Compare notes here:

From September 2006

Here's the set list from the NPR concert:
Our Hell
Doctor Blind
Crowd Surf Off A Cliff
Detective Daughter
The Lottery
Mostly Waving
The Maid Needs A Maid
Nothing and Nowhere
Reading in Bed
The Last Page
Winning


Download the concert here:
NPR: Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton in concert

Monday, January 15, 2007

Today's Brew | Interpol


Interpol has redone their site. A similiar thematic image as Bloc Party's "Weekend in the City". The site features only a forum link. I suppose more's to come in time.
Now some may argue, that Editors are the better band, but I'm actually looking forward to Interpol's new album, and maybe they can shun the critics that they can do something more to their existing sound.

From their album "Antics" (2004):
YouTube: Interpol- Slow Hands

Friday, January 12, 2007

Today's Brew | Richard Swift...again.

One of ADD's fave-- Richard Swift.
And waddahya know, he's got a brand spankin new music vid.


video: Richard Swift- "Beautiful Heart"

From the album Dressed Up For The Letdown (release date: Feb 2007):
mp3:Richard Swift- "Kisses for the Misses"

My previous entries about him ovah here.

Richard Swift will be in concert in support of Broken West at Spaceland on January 15th, Monday.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Today's Brew | Foreign Born

Pitchfork has Ed Droste from Grizzly Bear on this week's Guest List. His favorite new band is the LA based Foreign Born. Perhaps one reason may be the harmonizing vocals...hmmmm.



From their album "Remote Woods" (2005):
mp3: Foreign Born- "Remote Woods"
mp3: Foreign Born- "The Entryway"

Their new album "On the Wing Now" is set for release sometime this year.
Visit their My Space site, as they will be playing in town here in LA.

Blog Site aka Official Site: Foreign Born
My Space: Foreign Born

Sidenote: Grizzly Bear are currently on tour and will make their way to LA at the Troubadour on Feb. 21st.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Today's Brew | The Shins

Yet another Portland band, The Shins start the new year off, with a new album "Wincing the Night Away" (leaked copy was available, since late 2006).



From their album "Wincing the Night Away" (release date: January 23)-
mp3: The Shins- "Black Wave"
(YouSend: for a limited time)

Wincing Away:
January 13: The Shins are the musical guests on SNL
January 18-Jan. 21st: Stream Wincing the Night Away, in its entirety, on Myspace!
January 22: The Shins will be performing live at midnight at the Virgin Records in New York's Union Square.
January 23: on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman!
January 26: on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. free in-store at the Amoeba Records in Hollywood (8pm)

official site: The Shins
My Space: The Shins

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Today's Brew | Menomena


The Portland trio return with their third album as part of the early 2007 releases.
The artwork by Craig Thompson is pretty impressive as well.

From their album "Friend or Foe" (which drops on January 23):
mp3:Menomena- "Wet and Rusting"

Stream the e-card album here.

official site: Menomena
Menomena's Blog
My Space: Menomena

Monday, January 08, 2007

Late Night Brew | Cold War Kids

Speaking of residency, Cold War Kids are doing their residency by going bi-coastal. So a busy month for the kids as they start off the new year by making use of their frequent flyer miles.
So they'll be hitting up both LA and NY in the month of January.


January 10- NYC at Pianos
January 12- LA at the Silverlake Lounge
January 17- NYC at Union Hall
January 19- LA at the Silverlake Lounge
January 24- NYC at the Mercury Lounge
January 26- LA at Spaceland

From their Mulberry Street EP:
mp3:The Cold War Kids- "The Soloist in the Living Room"

official site: Cold War Kids

Today's Brew | The Submarines

The Submarines take up residency at the Echo on Monday Nights for the month of January.
The Echo is one of our fave venues to catch any live shows here in the city of angels.


And the show is absolutely free.
Our previous entry about them ovah here.

mp3: The Submarines- "Love and Hate"
(Zshare- download)

for more info:
The Echo

official site: The Submarines
My Space: The Submarines

Friday, January 05, 2007

Today's Brew | Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje


Pitchfork's got a review of her live album "Adventura Anatomica", and that captured my attention, since I've never heard the name before, but I have a soft spot for the Nordic music scene. So upon my curiosity, I checked out her site, and discovered, that the music was quite intriguing. I'm still taking in everything there, but I recommend you check em out yourself.
Tiny Mix Tapes calls her music as "spewing out vocal chunks that recall ol' Tom Waits gagging and coughing up blood."
Yes, the music is definitely not for everyone, but only reflects the diversity of music that's coming from the Nordic music scene.

mp3: Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje- "blues for silent bakers"
(download courtesy of her site)

official site: Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje
My Space: Maja Ratkje

----------------cut here 8< --------------------

Elsewhere. Be sure to check this out:

SwedesPlease has an entry and a couple of B-side tracks from Peter, Bjorn + John in their pre-Young Folk era.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Late Night Brew | From The Basement

For those who may not know this already, but I think this show could potentially be badass.

From The Basement sets a new standard for music TV production. The show is beautifully filmed in high-definition at Maida Vale studios in London with the live sound by producer Nigel Godrich. From The Basement has no host and no studio audience, instead the artist and their performance take centre stage. (courtesy of FTB)


Meg still rockin' out on the drums
View the trailer

Each episode's performances will be available via download only to allow repeated viewings.
Downloads are available from the site and from iTunes.

official site: From The Basement

Today's Brew | Deerhunter

I don't normally do repost entries, but this one deserves it.
A revised repost from November 2006 as their debut full LP album "Cryptogram" drops on January 30.

Today's Brew consist of alot of namedropping. But bare with me on this, cuz these kids from Atlanta deserve some attention, and definitely a band to keep an eye on for the year 2007.


Upon reading Pitchfork's Guest List: Liars, they mentioned these guys and actually toured with them.

Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s in NME had said their music borders along as “a religious experience.”

mp3: Deerhunter- "Like New"
(courtesy of Notown Sound)
Visit their My Space to stream some of their other music.

Notownsound: Deerhunter
My Space: Deerhunter

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Second Cup | Exploding Star Orchestra

Here's another release on January 23rd.



The orchestra is directed by Rob Mazurek. The group was formed to represent a "contemporary/ avante garde side of sound in jazz" for a concert back in 2005 in Chicago.
Their album is entitled "We Are All From Somewhere Else". Sounds a bit esoteric, but there is a concept behind this album.
We Are All From Somewhere Else is comprised of 3 distinct sections, and corresponds to a story involving an exploding star, cosmic transformation, a sting ray, the travels of the sting ray, intelligent conversations with electric eels, the destructive power of humans, the death and ascension of sting ray, the transformation of sting ray ghost to flying bird, and the transformation of bird to phoenix to rocket to flying burning matter to a new-born star. (text courtesy of thrill jockey)
Stream the music at their My Space.

My Space: Exploding Star Orchestra

Today's Brew | Best of Late '06: Films

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for a non-music entry for today.
One of the things I did over this holiday break was one of my favorite past times, which i always never really have time to do earlier in the year.
I went to the movies.
I crammed in a bunch of films.

I highly recommend (couple of my definite faves of 2006):

babel | directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu



watch the trailer here.

pan's labrynth (el laberinto del fauno) | directed by Guillermo del Toro



gotta thank my roomie J for this recommendation, but if you don't mind the subtitles--wow, great story and beautifully shot.
watch the trailer here.

I also caught this movie that is if you can handle the bizarreness:

david lynch's inland empire

i'm still taking in the whole film, still trying to figure out, what the hell i watched...
might have to see it again, just to figure out all the subtle things i missed


Now back to our regularly scheduled program. Thank you.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Today's Brew | The Good, The Bad & The Queen

We start the new year off with a new project by Blur's/ Gorillaz' Damon Albarn and company. The collaborative talents are a powerhouse to reckon with, and also reunites Damon with Dangermouse. I'm so far impressed by the initial track "Herculean" and look forward to getting my paws on the full album.
The self titled album drops on January 23rd.



The Good, The Bad & The Queen are: Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Paul Simonon (The Clash, Havana 3am), Simon Tong (The Verve), Tony Allen (Kuti and Africa), and produced by Dangermouse.

mp3: The Good, The Bad & The Queen- "Herculean"
(YouSend- for a limited time only)

Stream their other music at their site or at their My Space.


Order the album ovah here.
official site: The Good, The Bad & The Queen
My Space: The Good, The Bad & the Queen