Jonathan Wilson-Gentle Spirit (2011)

First things first, I really enjoy the album art, an always under-appreciated aspect of releasing a record.

Second, this has become one of my favorite albums of 2011. Jonathan Wilson, as both a musician and producer, is one of the major forces at play in reviving Los Angeles's Laurel Canyon music scene. Most notably, he produced both of Dawes's albums, and hosts jam sessions at his compound (not a home...a compound). This record offers a pleasant blend of folk, psychedelic, and mellow classic rock (think CSNY, etc). There isn't a weak song on this beautiful record, and as with anything I post, I highly recommend checking it out.

My personal favorites include the title track, as well as "Desert Raven," and the ten-minute closer "Valley of the Silver Moon."

DOWNLOAD HERE

Ganstagrass-Gangstagrass

Ok, maybe this combination of gangster rap and bluegrass is just novel. But I don't care, its fucking cool, and I dig it.

If you are a rational individual, which I like to believe most of my readers are, you are probably wondering how this could possibly work. I get it. I wondered the same thing.

It may not be the best record you will ever listen to, but it is certainly an interesting fusion of genres that I highly recommend giving a spin.

Download here

The Joy Formidable-A Balloon Called Moaning (2008)

Like the Stone Foxes, The Joy Formidable was another late pick up for me before Outside Lands. Aside from having a pretty awesome name, the 3 piece from Wales carries a pretty heavy while catchy alternative rock sound. I dig it, and they put on a great live show. If you generally like my taste in music, you'll probably like it to. That's why you read this right?

This is all I have by them, but I'm definitely interested in acquiring some more. Not really a bad track on the album.

Here

Na dzravi (cheers) from Prague.

Stone Foxes-Bears and Bulls (2010)

Could have sworn that I posted this in early august when I discovered it during my background research for Outside Lands Music Festival. They aren't that big (hopefully yet) but they are fucking tight. Easily one of my highlights of the festival. They have a nice modern yet classic bluesy rock sound that I think could take them far. A good way to frame their sound is to picture a bluesier Wolfmother. Patience is probably my favorite song.

Dig it.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (2010)

Macklemore is a Seattle based hip hop artist, Ryan Lewis is his MC. Their sound solidly embodies the northwest style, a la Blue Scholars, that many of you will/do enjoy. This is their EP, and in the later half of the disc it offers great remixes of all the songs which are sweet enough to stand on their own. Strong lyrical themes of recovering from substance abuse and enjoying life can be found. This is definitely some of the best most honest hip-hop I have heard recently, and I think you should check it out...or I wouldn't be posting. Plus they are playing Outside Lands in San Francisco next weekend, so if you are going you should come check their set out with me.

Sorry for the lapse in the blog, more to come soon, I've been listening to some good shit that I'm looking forward to share. Off to Norcal...

DOWNLOAD HERE

The Sea And Cake-Everybody (2007)

Not entirely sure when I picked up this album, but I rediscovered it during this past quarters final's push. Solid album with some catchy hooks and a mellow jazzy style. The singer's voice actually reminds me a lot of The Slip. I like it.

Nothing to get super pumped up about, so don't go try to get swoll to this stuff, BUT if you are looking for a some easy listening, this one is for you.

Mediafire is the best

Dispatch...LIVE

I had the pleasure of seeing Dispatch live last night at the Greek Theater in Griffith Park. When you are in that area with all the tall trees, it kind of makes you forget what a polluted shithole LA tends to be--definitely a refreshing experience. It is also refreshing to see one of your favorite bands, who hardly ever tours anymore, live.

Needless to say, the show was awesome, they played all the songs one would hope to hear. Even "Outloud->Mrs. Robinson" and "Cut It Ya Match It->For What Its Worth." Overall an unreal performance, thrilled I was able to get tickets.

For your listening pleasure, today I offer one of their classic live albums. Give it a spin and enjoy. Next tour dates are on the East Coast, so if you are over there check it out.

Here

Trey Anastasio, Les Claypool, and Stewart Copeland...powers collide!

The answer can be found on this album "The Grand Pecking Order" under the supergroup heading Oysterhead. For those unfamiliar, Anastasio's standard post is as the guitarist/vocalist of the jam band Phish (can't wait to see them at Outside Lands this summer). Les Claypool is the virtuoso bassist/singer/lifeblood of the experimental funk metal band Primus (if you don't listen to them, you at likely least are familiar with the South Park theme song). Steward Copeland is the drummer from The Police. I actually don't have a whole lot to say about him, but Copeland's skillful drumming perfectly fits this sound.

While perhaps an unlikely matching, the three find a fitting flow and offer a cohesive album despite their very different backgrounds, which is a huge testament versatile talent. This album is fun and incredibly interesting, and though it may reside a bit on the quirky end of the spectrum, it remains completely approachable. Some of the lyrics are a little obscure, but that is part of the charm. Overall, no two songs on this record are exactly alike, and you should expect to be surprised from track to track.

Download Here

Tame Impala-Innerspeaker

Grab this album please, it is fucking awesome. Tame Impala offers a swirling psychedelic jammed out grooves while still maintaining an extremely approachable sound that is not very common in the contemporary musical climate. There aren't many albums released these days that make me pine for my record player. This is one of them. Plus, check out the cover art. It's dope. Right now I would say my favorite song is "Jeremy's Storm."

I was introduced to this band by my buddy Tahl who has pretty consistently introduced me to bands that give me faith in the future of music since freshman year. They are playing at Coachella, so if you are going, try to catch their set.

Enjoy

Lemme Smang It...and more

Those of you keen to the wonderfully entertaining world of YouTube sensations may have become familiar with the hilarity of Young Humma and Flynt Flossy's "Lemme Smang It"-- a beautifully low budget synergy between smashing and banging that I was recently introduced to over this past spring break. If you haven't already, watch here:

In another track, Mr. Flossy and Mr. Humma bring in Whatchyamacallit to tackle the ever-difficult quandary of whether or not their girls would prefer to have their eggs fried or fertilized, just so they can be sure to please. Definitely not as good of a song, but certainly amusing nonetheless.

Flynt Flossy's solo "Did I Mention I Like To Dance" is also worth watching, if for anything but to take notes on dance moves for future reference.

If there is one thing I love, it is music that doesn't take itself too seriously and is not afraid to mock its own genre. I find this to be especially relevant within the context of hip-hop and rap. There are so many artists out there who try so hard to fit the mold and pump out the next bumping club-banger...that they all just end up sounding the same to anyone with half of a shred of true musical appreciation. I'd personally much rather a casual club-smanger...and these folks' subtle satire delivers exactly what I'm looking for.

Yes, these songs aren't really as dope without the videos flaunting their hilarious dancing, emotionless girls, and fake facial hair. Yes, the novelty of it all may very well be short-lived. But, why not enjoy until you move on?

As a bonus, if you are interested you can download Turquoise Jeep's compilation release here to enjoy the label's other songs including but not limited to: "Not Your Professor But Your Prosexxor" "Sex Syrup" "Cavaties" and "Wifey Boo". The Humma and Flossy songs are the best though. Check out their YouTube channel to watch the accompanying videos.

Cheers.

Neutral Milk Hotel-In The Aeroplane Over the Sea

As the name of the band suggests, Neutral Milk Hotel is a pretty obscure band, that I actually know very little about. I can best describe their as a combination of folk and lowfi rock coupled with bizarrely poetic lyrics. As far as lowfi music goes though, the production is actually very clean. There may not be a whole lot of effects (especially on the singer's voice), but you still don't feel it was recorded by your dad's walkman. Sure, it doesn't have the perfectly tuned pitch found in pop songs, but that is part of this style's charm.

I found this album digging through pandora the other day while studying, and I dig it. Might be too weird out there for some, but in my opinion it is actually a very accessible album. Sure its out there, but still within reach. Highlights include "King of Carrot Flowers Part 1" "Ghost" and "Two-Headed Boy." Give it a shot.

Hope you enjoy

Chief-Modern Ritual (2010)

Chief is a band local to the Los Angeles area that I became familiar with this weekend as they performed a free concert on campus that one of my good buddies booked. I almost missed the show due to the unforgiving gridlock of traffic conspiring against me whilst returning from a Costco run (fuck you, LA), but I luckily made it right in time for their first song. I instantly was into them, and in my opinion they blew the headlining band out of the water. The only bummer was that the fire marshall for the venue on campus only allowed around 100 people to attend even though the room's capacity appeared to be much higher. Oh well.

In my opinion these guys have some serious potential to gain popularity, which is why I want to help spread the word by sharing this album with you. Their sound is folky with a hint of indie--gently propelled by smoothly alternating/layered vocals offered by all four band members, honest lyrics, and mellow grooves. Don't hesitate, satiate that appetite for some fresh tunes...you'll be into it.

So, download here, and as always, don't forget to support the artists too.

God Is An Astronaut-Far From Refuge (2007)

The genre "post-rock" isn't really talked about too much in day to day exchanges or blog posts. I would assume that this is largely due to the fact that it is a pretty obscure genre that encompasses a broad range of sounds tied together by the common thread of long/fluid/instrumental/surging/atmospheric/textured songs. I've posted two very different post-rock bands in the past, Red Sparowes and Tortoise, both of whom I highly recommend checking out. Probably the most popular post-rock band is Explosions in the Sky who many of you may be familiar with. Don Caballero has carved out their niche as well.

However, the genre also withholds many unsung heros, and one of them is Ireland's God is an Astronaut. For me, overtime a lot of post-rock bands begin to sound the same, and you start to know pretty much what to expect--great go to sleep/study music. Some are heavier like Russian Circles (who I will post another time) or Pelican (who are actually relatively popular in the metal circuit). On the other end, some are more mellow, like Japan's Mono. Others are just plain awesome and break the mold--God is An Astronaut falls under that category for me personally.

Characterized by shorter "catchier" songs, extremely talented drumming, and a very cohesive sound, I highly recommend checking them out. If I haven't already made it clear, don't expect lyrics or anything even remotely resembling a radio hit (but when do I ever post that stuff anyways?). Do expect an expertly crafted and well thought-out instrumental album that you still will be returning to months from now.

Download here and if you like it, check out one of their other albums titled "All is Violent, All is Bright" at your local record store. Or iTunes.

Black Mountain-Wilderness Heart (2010)

Back in August, I posted Black Mountain's first s/t album released back in 2005. This is their newest album, and I really like the group (even though they are Canadian), so I thought I'd post it for you all to sample.

If you aren't familiar, Black Mountain manages to maintain a beautiful classic rock/psychedelic edge that sets them apart from the modern scene, while still keeping their style accessible. In music, there is always a fine balance between paying tribute to your influences and forging an original sound. This band performs this task very well. Check out the song "Old Fangs" for an example...hear any Deep Purple?

Give it a listen