Happy Easter

Considering today is Easter, and even though the meaning of Easter may have lost it's value over the years, it still stays steadfast in my heart. Jesus died for our sins, and was resurrected, and today is the day we celebrate his resurrection.

So, me being the type to tie things into one another like a shoestring holding a pair chucks together, I present you with tracks off of one of the most over looked and highly relevant albums of all-time The Jesus and Mary Chain's debut wall-of-sound stunner, Psychocandy.

"It has been noted that the band was very fond of drugs such as LSD and methamphetamines and that the drugs influenced the ear-piercing, screeching feedback, which immediately became their trademark. The record received unanimously positive reviews and is now considered a landmark recording."

MP3's

Just Like Honey

The Living End

Taste The Floor

The Hardest Walk

The National

Since the overwhelming success and straight forwardness brought forth by The National about two years ago with the release of Alligator, the guys have brought back their sharp chords and melodies for more of a party instead of their last album's parade. Actually Boxer is more of a get-together, but who doesn't like the term party?

I'm pretty secure in saying anyone who can enjoy a good get-together will enjoy Boxer. It's edgy but not too risky, segued, but not inflected. Boxer is not a shadow of Alligator but more it's own self, casting it's own view. But just as Alligator has proven to, Boxer also gives us a stronger feeling of assurance with each new listen.

MP3's

Boxer track-list

Fake Empire (mp3)
Mistaken for Strangers (mp3)
Brainy
Squalor Victoria (mp3)
Green Gloves
Slow Show (mp3)
Apartment Story (mp3)
Start a War (mp3)
Guest Room
Racing Like a Pro
Ada
Gospel

Back 2 Back

Since the Florida Gators Basketball Team became the first "Back 2 Back" National Champion since Christian Laettner's Duke Squad back in the early 90's, I'll post a few "Back 2 Back" songs on albums of the past 2 years that I really seem to enjoy.

MP3's

Swan Lake - Beast Moans (2006)

4. A Venue Called Rubella
5. All Fires

The first of the two being the more experimental
...and the second being the godsend.


Dappled Cities Fly - Granddance (2006)

8. Granddance
9. Within Hours

Granddace is a good album as a whole but the
way the title track glides into the elegant and waving
'Within Hours' is almost flawless.


Loney, Dear - Loney, Noir (2007)

1. Sinister In A State of Hope
2. I Am John

'Sinister' is pretty and poised,
and 'I Am John' is hands down Song of The Year.


LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver (2007)

4. Someone Great
5. All My Friends

A little over two years ago I said "James Murphy
is making the best music of today"
and he has not proven me wrong.

Track of the Week

DeVotchKa - How It Ends

Roommate

Roommate started as a solo project for Kent Lambert. Now a full band, based in Chicago, they have had some radio play in Belgium, but other than that they are pretty discreet. Songs The Animals Taught Us came out in 2006, and an early 2007 EP entitled New Steam has been released. If all goes as planned the band will release their sophomore effort sometime in 2007.

MP3's

Roommate - Tuesday

Roommate - Fresh Boys

Roommate - Hot Commods

Roommate - RP (Forget The Metaphors)

The Last track being a River Phoenix tribute, and my personal favorite.

Arms

Arms is Todd Goldstein. Todd is a guitarist for The Harlem Shakes. Todd is a very talented man. I do not know Todd, but if i did, I'd shake his right hand, look him square in the eye and tell him how if he hadn't written "Tiger Tamer" I would have. But I'm glad he did because it probably would have taken me a few years to write and record, and that would have been years missed listening to it.

This music stays with you like chap stick in the wintertime.
Sometimes you just need it.

MP3's

Arms - Whirring

Arms - Kids Aflame

Arms - Tiger Tamer

Arms - Shitty Little Disco

Grand Archives

The computer oriented city of Seattle, Washington has a new band under their belt, fronted by Mat Brooke (formally of Band of Horses and Carissa's Wierd) along with four other members, who include Jeff Montano, Curtis Hall and Ron lewis.

I'd have to say this is a step in the right direction for Mat, who contributed to penning the songs "St. Augustine" and "I Go To The Barn Because I Like The" on last years Band of Horses debut.

Archives sound is noticeably different than both Band of Horses alt-country, and Carissa's Wierd emotional backbone. All four member contribute to singing, which brings out very pleasant harmonies. My guess is that this is what Mat has been waiting for.

MP3's

Sleepdriving

George Kaminsky