New Beginnings

I'm returning to blogging, but you won't find me here any more. I've made the move to Wordpress. You can find me HERE

My Baby Was Taken

The Pipettes are back! Their new single is Our Love Was Saved By Spacement. Check out the video below:

All The While

She Comes Alive by Baby Monster is currently one of my favourite songs. Give it a listen to:

Favourites Revised

Since we're a couple months into 2010, I decided to reflect on my favourite songs from 2009. I decided I wasn't happy with my previous list and compiled a new one. Most of the same songs made the cut, but most have a new ranking.

1. Animal, Miike Snow
2. Too Fake, Hockey
3. Rich Doors, NewVillager
4. Head Straight, Alex Metric
5. You've Got The Love, Florence + The Machine
6. My Girls, Animal Collective
7. Time Wastin' Woman, The Frowning Clouds
8. Ambling Alp, Yeasayer
9. Audience Of One, Cold War Kids
10. All Is Love, Karen O And The Kids
11. 11th Dimension, Julian Casablancas
12. Airplanes, Local Natives
13. Daniel, Bat For Lashes
14. Lisztomania, Phoenix
15. Is This Really What You Want?, “Jesus Christ.” (the indie band)
16. Love Long Distance, Gossip
17. Gravity, Nico Vega
18. Magic, Ladyhawke
19. Disco Biscuit Love, The Jezabels
20. Dominos, The Big Pink
21. Black & Blue, Miike Snow
22. U + Me =, Dan Black
23. Buoy, The Nightgowns
24. Wonderful Life, HURTS
25. Learn To Lose, Hockey

Favourite Songs 2009

Below are my favourite songs from the past twelve months. I am cheating a bit, as some of the songs may not officially be released until 2010.

1.Miike Snow – Animal

2.Hockey – Too Fake

3.NewVillager – Rich Doors

4.Alex Metric – Head Straight

5.Animal Collective – My Girls

6.Florence And The Machine – You've Got The Love

7.The Frowning Clouds – Time Wastin' Woman
8.The Nightgowns – Buoy
9.Bat For Lashes – Daniel

10.Local Natives - Airplanes

11.Cold War Kids – Audience Of One

12.Karen O And The Kids – All Is Love

13.La Roux – Bulletproof

14.Yeasayer – Ambling Alp

15.MillionYoung – Hammock

16.Gossip – Love Long Distance

17.Phoenix – Lisztomania

18.“Jesus Christ.” (the indie band) – Is This Really What You Want?

19.Nico Vega – Gravity

20.Ladyhawke – Magic

21.The Jezabels – Disco Biscuit Love

22.Polly Scattergood – Bunny Club

23.Bebe – Se Fue

24.The Big Pink - Dominoes

25.Miike Snow - Black & Blue

Legendary

Emanuel Xavier's debut album, Legendary - The Spoken Word Poetry Of Emanuel Xavier' drops today and is available thru the following outlets:

CDBaby: Order your CD HERE

iTunes: Digital Download Only HERE

Plus, the 10th anniversary edition of his novel, Christ Like, is still on sale HERE

There Are Gods Amongst Us

Emanuel Xavier, a close friend of mine, will be releasing his first album in a couple weeks. It's spoken word over music. Honestly, I never thought of myself as someone that would ever enjoy spoken word, but his frank and honest work won me over. The musical backdrop is just the cream cheese icing on the red velvet cake. The album will be available for download on December 15, 2009 via CDBaby, where it is currently available for streaming. So go check it out, show some love this holiday and support a truly gifted artist.

Pre-Order The Album HERE

Purchase the 10th anniversary edition of his novel, Christ Like, HERE (It's on sale!)

Miss Me?

In case you were missing my youtube videos of Brandi Carlile, A Fine Frenzy and Santigold, they are back up (after my Julieta Venegas footage got my other account suspended):

CONCERT VIDEOS

Soft Night Breeze (FREE MUSIC ALERT)

Over a year-and-a-half ago, I posted a review of new artist Grenouille's few songs that had been posted to his MySpace page. I had nothing but praise for him at the time, and it's no different today. In fact, he is getting extra points for offering up his debut album, Shadows Of The Lagoon, for free.

"Written, arranged and recorded by himself in a home studio in Tenerife (Canary Islands), it mixes his intimate side as a crooner and singer songwriter (influenced by of Nick Cave, Jeff Buckley, Micah P Hinson and Tom Waits) with sounds that range from french musette to experimental electronica, seasoned with arrangementes inspired by film music"

Download the album HERE. You'll be happy you did.

He Only Loves You When He's On Pills

I know I never post here, but every once in a while a song comes along that compels me to share. Disco Biscuit Love by Australian band The Jezabels is one such song.



Official
Facebook (become a fan)

Wanna Make You Ejaculate

I love of Montreal, so I thought I'd share the love with you guys. Their latest album, Skeletal Lamping, features some brilliant work, including the gem Plastis Wafers. The song is over seven minutes long, but I've always thought that the first two minutes and forty seconds would make for a great single. So I was playing around in GarageBand and decided to create an edit for myself. Then I thought I'd share it with you guys. And what a nice welcome back gift, I think:

of Montreal - Plastis Wafers (Pleasure Puss Edit) (link updated May 2)

Favourites: Song Edition

It's the last day of one amazing year...at least musically speaking. Sure, record sales and the economy are down, but digital single downloads have never been higher. Reflecting on 2007, I think I appreciated the albums far more than I did the songs. This year, it's just the opposite. I had countless songs that I loved, but only a few albums (as a whole) that generated excitement. I really had to work at coming up with albums for my year end list, but I couldn't list enough songs. In fact, at one point, I had over one hundred and fifty songs on my list.

1. That's Not My Name, The Ting Tings
2. L.E.S. Artistes, Santogold
3. Back Of The Van, Ladyhawke
4. Human, The Killers
5. The Toast, Nervous Cabaret
6. Kiss With A Fist, Florence And The Machine
7. I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked, Ida Maria
8. Id Engager, Of Montreal
9. Little Garcon, Born Ruffians
10. Something Is Not Right With Me, Cold War Kids
11. Bullets, Tunng
12. Ghosts, Laura Marling
13. Be The One, The Ting Tings
14. Ready For The Floor, Hot Chip
15. Cologne, Dolly Parton
16. Spaceman, The Killers
17. Mansard Roof, Vampire Weekend
18. Little Bit, Lykke Li
19. Christopher And Anthony, Jape
20. Dog Days Are Over, Florence And The Machine
21. Gobbledigook, Sigur Ros
22. I Like It Casual, Little Jinder
23. I Wrote This Song, Jonna Lee
24. You, Me And The Bourgeoisie, The Submarines
25. Brooklyn Go Hard, Jay-Z feat. Santogold
26. Shake It! Shake It!, Thomas Tantrum
27. Spiralling, Keane
28. Mercy, Duffy
29. It's Not My Problem, Sneaky Sound System
30. Shut Up And Let Me Go, The Ting Tings
31. Better Than Sunday, Ladyhawke
32. Shake That Devil, Antony And The Johnsons
33. Where Do I Begin, Sneaky Sound System
34. Joy, Temposhark
35. Beat (Health, Life And Fire), Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down
36. My Baby Left Me, Rox
37. Crime, Najwajean
38. Gallery Piece, Of Montreal
39. Fruit Machine, The Ting Tings
40. Turn Tail, The Young Knives
41. Paris Is Burning, Ladyhawke
42. I Wish I Could Keep You, Little Pictures
43. Perfect Problem, The Ting Tings
44. You Cheated Me, Martha Wainwright
45. Time To Pretend, MGMT
46. My Drive Thru, Santogold/Pharrel/Julian Casablancas
47. Young Love, Moto Boy
48. They Don't Believe, Russian Red
49. Mademoiselle Opposum, Barbara Carlotti
50. Great DJ, The Ting Tings
51. Don't Leave, Ane Brun
52. Evident Utensil, Chairlift
53. A Dustland Fairytale, The Killers
54. Out Like Bats, Tu Fawning
55. Cold Shoulder, Adele
56. Break In Violence, Nervous Cabaret
57. S E V E N T E E N, Marine And The Diamonds
58. People C'mon, Delta Spirit
59. Good Time, Brazilian Girls
60. M79, Vampire Weekend
61. Heavy Heart, Ghostland Observatory
62. Feel The Love, Cut Copy
63. Dumpster Diving, Castledoor
64. Neon Tiger, The Killers
65. Disco Fiasco, Kristoffer Ragnstam
66. On My Own Again, Kleerup
67. Used To Be, Beach House
68. Springtime, Annuals
69. Watchmaker, The Tom Fun Orchestra
70. Bag Of Hammers, Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down
71. Girls Girls Girls, Marina And The Diamonds
72. Chupee, Cocoon
73. GFC, Albert Hammond, Jr.
74. El Presente, Julieta Venegas
75. No One But Yourself To Blame, Bo Pepper
76. It's The Love, The Breeders
77. Spotlight, Jennifer Hudson
78. Make Me Smile, Pearl And The Pirates
79. Knickerbocker, Fujiya & Miyagi
80. Lay It Down, Peter Bjorn And John
81. Vidas Paralelas, Ximena Sariñana
82. Through The Night These Days, Jason Collett
83. That's That, Cass McCombs
84. Creeper, Islands
85. The Ides, FrYars
86. How Am I To Be, The Watson Twins
87. Love Is A Stranger, Martha Wainwright
88. Two Weeks, Grizzly Bear
89. The Escapist, The Streets
90. you Have Been Loved, Sia
91. How I Could Just Kill A Man, Charlotte Sometimes
92. And You Give, Michael Barber
93. Hard Line, Jill Barber
94. You Stood Me Up, Benji Hughes
95. Two Doors Down, Mystery Jet
96. This House Can Fit Us All, Little Pictures
97. In Or Out, Britta Persson
98. Beat Control, Tilly And The Wall
99. Wash Away, The Chapin Sisters
100. Disco Lies, Moby

A Waltz To Remember

In reflecting on this past year's films, it comes down to two films that had the most impact on me. One is my favourite, the other, in my opinion, the best film of the year.

Vicky Christina Barcelona

The latest Woody Allen movie is the favourite for many reasons. For starters, it's hilarious. I don't think I was expecting it to be quite so funny when I first ventured out to see it, but was pleasantly surprised by just how enjoyable it was. So much so I returned the following weekend to see it again...alone. Surprisingly, the only other film that I had watched alone at a theatre was another Woody Allen film, 'Match Point'. Secondly, the acting was flawless. During the first viewing, I was in love with Rachel Hall's performance. The second go round, I sat up and took notice of Penelope Cruz's brilliant performance. If it weren't for Viola Davis in 'Doubt', Penelope would be the front-runner for the Supporting Actress Oscar. In my opinion, at least. Finally, I related well to one of the characters in many ways, especially their philosophy on love. Oh, and it's one of those rare movies I not only can watch over and over, but that I actually want to watch again and again.

Waltz With Bashir

The BEST film of the year. It's the story of a man on a journey to reclaim his memories of the 1982 invasion of Lebanon by having former comrades tell stories they'd most likely wish they didn't remember. The beautiful animation distracts you from the fact that you're actually watching a documentary all the way up until the brutal, haunting final images. It had such an impact on the entire audience that not one person stirred until it was well into the credits. The film is riveting, engaging and one of the most beautiful films that I've ever seen. On a side note, Max Richter's score is breathtaking. Hopefully it will be nominated for an Oscar since the film itself has been shut out of the Documentary category due to a lame technicality.

Favourites

So it's the end of the year. A wonderful year, indeed. Aside from moving to NYC and getting a new job, the year was full of amazing concerts and brilliant music. Tomorrow I will post my favourite songs from the past year, but today I am focusing on albums. Keep in mind that this is not a best of list, just a list of my favourites. In keeping with the last post, I'm listing 29 to coincide with my age. Also, I don't feel much like explaining what I like about them, as I just am not really in the mood.

1. The Ting Tings, We Started Nothing
2. The Killers, Day & Age
3. of Montreal, Skeletal Lamping
4. Santogold, Santogold
5. Ladyhawke, Ladyhawke
6. Jape, Ritual
7. Nervous Cabaret, Drop Drop (In A Little Bottle)
8. Robyn, Robyn
9. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
10. Adele, 19
11. MGMT, Oracular Spectacular
12. Cold War Kids, Loyalty To Loyalty
13. Sigur Ros, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
14. Dolly Parton, Backwoods Barbie
15. Hot Chip, Made In The Dark
16. Ane Brune, Changing Of The Seasons
17. OST, Waltz With Bashir
18. The Submarines, Honeysuckle Weeks
19. Sia, Some People Have REAL Problems
20. Keane, Perfect Symmetry
21. Cut Copy, In Ghost Colours
22. Duffy, Rockferry
23. Sneaky Sound System, 2
24. Russian Red, I Love Your Glasses
25. Lykke Li, Youth Novels
26. Laura Marling, Alas, I Cannot Swim
27. Barbara Carlotti, L’ideal
28. Little Pictures, Owl + Owl
29. The Tom Fun Orchestra, You Will Land With A Thud

Great DJ

I know I haven't been around. Now that I will be traveling for work with greater frequency beginning next month, the chances of me being around here more are low. I considered giving the blog up, but I can't bring myself to do so. Instead, I think I may stick to either a weekly or bi-weekly format. What are your thoughts?

On with the show...

As is the now annual tradition, below are my most played songs from the past year according to Last.fm. As per usual, the number coincides with my birthday since I usually post it on my birthday. That didn't happen this year, but I'm still sticking with the trend.

In regards to the tracks, I don't completely agree with the rankings. There were periods of time that I didn't have internet connection and other times where tracks had more plays scrobbled than should have been. One notable track missing is I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked by Ida Maria. I know that I played it more often than Kiss With A Fist, but there was always an issue that prevented it from being scrobbled. But I digress. Here's the list as is.

Track/Artist

1. That's Not My Name, The Ting Tings
2. Nantes, Beirut
3. L.E.S. Artistes, Santogold
4. Back Of The Van, Ladyhawke
5. Shut Up And Let Me Go, The Ting Tings
6. Fruit Machine, The Ting Tings
7. Great DJ, The Ting Tings
8. Id Engager, Of Montreal
9. Jimmy, Of Montreal
10. Be The One, The Ting Tings
11. Underneath, Alanis Morissette
12. Human, The Killers
13. Mercy, Duffy
14. Ghosts, Laura Marling
15. The Zombies Are Inside Out, Feisty Stevens (a/k/a - Feist vs. Sufjan Stevens)
16. Tired, Adele
17. Something Is Not Right With Me, Cold War Kids
18. Past In Present, Feist
19. Kiss With A Fist, Florence And The Machine
20. We Get On, Kate Nash
21. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb, Spoon
22. How I Could Just Kill A Man, Charlotte Sometimes
23. Perfect Problem, Don't Be A Stranger
24. You'll Find A Way, Santogold
25. Back In Your Head, Tegan And Sara
26. Cologne, Dolly Parton
27. Paris Is Burning, Ladyhawke
28. Crash And Burn Girl, Robyn
29. Joy, Temposhark

As for my favourite tracks and albums of the year, those lists will hit the blog next week. I'm on holiday from today through Monday. I leave in a few hours for Indiana (blah) and will most likely not have internet access where I'll be.

Fight The H8

I wasn't sure if I would ever return to the world of blogging, but today's protest against Prop 8 compelled me to make at least one new entry. I can't even begin to put into words just how moved by today's events I was. Way more than five thousand people crowded around City Hall in downtown Manhattan (covering, at the very least, five city blocks) to show support for equal rights for everyone. There were so many people (myself included) that were nearly brought to tears several times throughout the rally. Below are a few random shots of the crowd:







Here are a few videos that I was able to capture:

YES WE WILL!!!



Heather Matarazzo, Actress, Lesbian (we met her after the rally and she is so genuine and sincere)



Christine C. Quinn, NYC City Council Speaker



Emanuel Xavier, Poet, Activist, Author, Gay Man



Gay Men's Chorus singing the national anthem


Also out to show their support:

Kate ShindleFormer Miss America, HIV/AIDS Activist



Kim StolzAmerica's Next Top Model Cycle 5 Contestant, MTV News correspondent, Host of mtvU series 'The Freshman', Model

Wilson CruzActor (My So-Called Life)

And, last but not least, a few shots of my group:

Reybee and Chad
chad, Mary Lynn, Me and Reybee
Me and Reybee

All The Calories They Eat

I know I've been away from the blog for a while...and I'm actually considering taking a break for a little while longer. Right now it just seems like a chore when I post, and something like this shouldn't. That just tells me that my heart just isn't in it right now. But I've hit a bit of a rough patch here lately, dealing with being a little bit homesick (just missing my friends back in Texas a bit). I expect to be back up and running after my visit back "home" this time next month.

All that aside, though, I just stumbled across a great emerging artist. She's a Brit and, at least with the song I'm posting, sounds very ABBA-esque. Of course, I'm not the biggest ABBA fan, so I may be way off on that comparison. Judge for yourself, though. The singer is Marina And The Diamonds (despite the name, it's just her) and the song is Girls Girls Girls.

Like I Birthed You From Some Greasy Crevice On My Underside

I know that I have been absent for a couple weeks, but here come the excuses! Work has been busier and more draining than usual. My mother was in town for a few days. My laptop is nearing the end of its run and has essentially become a desktop. And my dog at my homework. But now I'm back...somewhat. Unfortunately, I am traveling for work and do not have access to my extensive collection of music; therefore, I am unable to post newer music. As a result, I'll be taking the NBC route and presenting a "it's new to you" song from a band that I've previously posted about here.

The Tom Fun Orchestra is, apparently, "the world's premier Vaudevillian Cluster Rock ensemble featuring an ambitious mix of electric and acoustic instruments and enough skilled musicians on stage to intimidate even the largest crowds." In other words, think of them as Canada's answer to Gogol Bordello...only without the accent. I posted their most accessible song, Watchmaker, back a while ago. After I wore that song out, the band's other songs became lost in the immense number of new songs that have been coming my way. The other day, though, I felt compelled to revisit their music and was reminded of just how interesting their work is. That's why I'm posting their song When You Were Mine. It may take a few listens, so give it a chance.
For additional songs and tour dates (sadly, none in the U.S.), visit them on MySpace.

I Will Listen To Your Every Word

I'm a big fan of free stuff, but an even bigger fan of free music. It is a safe assumption that if you're here, then you probably are, too. Which is why I'm happy to let you in on not only some free tunes, but what I consider to be some really fantastic songs. I'd definitely pay for them if it weren't already available for no charge. Richard Swift creates some gorgeous tunes with only a four-track recorder and a computer. His new EP, Ground Trouble Jar, sounds straight out of the 60s or 70s and feature some beautiful vocals. So head over HERE to download the album if you like the sample below.

BANG BANG BANG On The Wall

The always beyond brilliant Ladyhawke is back with her third single, Dusk Till Dawn. As per usual, both the song and video have an undeniable 80s vibe. And get ready for September 22nd, cause that's when she finally releases her album...something we've all been waiting some time for.

Some People Want To Do Crazy Things

So I have three new obsessions that just started this week. The first is, if you know me at all, quite shocking due to my lifelong dislike of fruit. I was roaming the LES over the weekend and felt compelled to try out Liquiteria. As I was studying the menu, one of the guys behind the bar asked if I wanted a sample. It was taken with much hesitancy because the Green Monster (which, contrary to what the name suggests, is not actually green) contains my most hated of all fruits...strawberry (you'll also find blueberries and bananas in there). To my delight, the mixture was sweet and delicious. Now I find myself scurrying over there at least once a day...out of the way (and rather pricey - a little more than $6 for my drink alone) as it may be.

This second one comes as a shock for me. I generally don't do too much reading, aside from the occasional magazine. In fact, the only time I have ever truly been captivated by a novel is when I was reading The Fountainhead in high school and, in the past decade since, any of the three works of the brilliant Zadie Smith. But since I've moved to NYC, I've felt as though I could be doing so much more than just listening to music and people watching whenever I'm riding the subway. So I picked up The Road, the Pulitzer Prize winning novel from Cormac McCarthy. I wound up finishing the novel in a day, due partly to the larger than normal font. But that left me hungry for more, so I rushed out and picked up The Amazing Adventures Of Kavalier And Clay, which is a book I've actually been wanting to read since it hit shelves in 2000. Now I'm completely wrapped up in it. So much so that it's actually inspired me to pick up my pencil and start drawing again. How long that'll last is anyone's guess.

And, naturally, my third obsession is some new music. Actually, the song I'm posting isn't necessarily my obsession, as it's really the entire new bundle I snatched up yesterday that is. This one just happens to be a fun, summery song that just helped put me back into a good mood. It's called Good Times and it's from Brazilian Girls, an NYC-based group. Their new album, New York City dropped earlier this week.

Of course, if you like what you hear, head over to Amazon or iTunes (via the link below) to download the album.

I'm Still There Holding Your Hand

One of my new favourite songs is I Wish I Could Keep You by New Zealand-based duo Little Pictures. It's a cute, pop-y song, plus, it makes me think about someone I know. Their debut album, owl + owl, is out now and may be ordered via Lil' Chief Records.

I Stood By It Until It's Last Sigh

The musical talent runs in the family, at least in the case of The Barbers. Last month I reported on Matthew Barber, but now it's his sister's turn. Jill Barber has delivered a saccharine sweet album all about love. Where her brother puts a pop twist on folk, she takes a decidedly country route. Dare I say I may just be more impressed with her body of work...enjoy Hard Line, a track from the album For All Time. Now, mind you, this album was actually released in Canada all the way back in 2006, but it's just now finding its way outside of that market. It's a good thing.


Download the album via Amazon or iTunes (the latter via the link below)

There's No Way You're Breaking My Heart

Be on the look out this Tuesday for new artist Little Jinder's debut EP, Polyhedron. She's from, where else, Sweden, and it's very evident in her songs. Below is one of the tracks from the album, I Like It Casual

I Can't Help It If It's True

Pitchfork has just made me the happiest guy alive! They've debuted the first single, Id Engager, from Of Montreal's upcoming album Skeletal Lamping! This is something that I've been eagerly anticipating since first listening to their previous effort, the amazing Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer, just under two years ago.

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across another track from the album, Feminine Effects. While I absolutely love it, Id Engager, while kind of lacking a hook, is far more, well, engaging. It's also more along the lines of what they had to offer on Hissing Fauna..., although I've read that the rest may be more of a departure than this. If you enjoyed the previous album (most of my readers back then thought was far too funky) then you'll definitely love this single.

DOWNLOAD, courtesy of Pitchfork (Right click and 'save as...')

I strongly recommend you support this band (cause they are my favourite) by pre-ordering via Polyvinyl. It's a great deal, too. If you order the three different versions of the vinyl single in the package form, it costs you a mere $10. BUT WAIT! That's not all. The vinyl will also contain the link to download all the tracks in mp3 format. I just did my part and pre-ordered, so should you!