Wow. It was one year ago today that I squeezed out my first post as The Burning Ear and 411 posts later and here we are. It’s amazing how fast time flies and how much great music can come out in a year. Birthday’s are a time for celebration and gift giving so I’ve wrangled together a little something for all of you to celebrate with. Over the past 12 months a number of great tracks have found a happy home in my stereo but for whatever reason or another I never covered them on the site. As a 1st birthday gift I thought I would bundle them all up for you. For the sake of browsing I’ve taken these 25 tunes and divided them into three ridiculously arbitrary categories. There is also a zip of all the jams at the bottom of the post so grab that bad boy. I hope that you all find some new favorite bands and remember that there are more sweet, sweet jams popping up here everyday. It has been a great pleasure to work on TBE this past year and to watch myself grow along with it. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of you who stop by everyday to listen to these great songs and read my silly words. More and more people are leaving comments and I can feel the TBE community growing. We may never take over the world but we will certainly be having the most fun. Stay tuned because their are a few things in the pipelines that I am looking forward to. I only hope this next year is as exciting and fruitful as the last!
If your weekend left you with a need for a peaceful and meditative Monday than this is your jam. Balmorhea hail from Austin Texas and weave the kind of elegant instrumental folk that instantly calms my nerves and makes me wish I had a fireplace and something really deep to think about. My acquaintance with them is limited to the beautiful “Bowsprit” off their upcoming Constellations LP but fans of this track will be happy to know they have a few other albums to soak in.
The title of Sandler’s sophomore comedy album is more pertinent these days than it was in 1996. The once hilarious comedian made a bee-line off the funny-wagon shortly after this album’s release and it’s generally been tough times watching anything of his since Big Daddy. It’s too bad he lost touch with his comedy. Or maybe it’s just too bad I grew up. Either way, Punch Drunk Love, Reign Over Me, and last year’s misunderstood Funny People, are great examples of the talent that lies beneath the potty humor and baby voices. Anyway, back to his comedy albums. Sandler’s mix of sketch and song served him very well on his first two albums. Both are “classic” albums in my 14 year old eyes and “Ode To My Car” has always been my favorite song off either.
Crookers are best know for their chart-devouring remix of Kid Cudi’s “Day N Nite” and have spent the past year trying to get out from under their own shadow. Track after track has drifted through my speakers and still nothing to write home about. Until now. “Transilvania” is definitely not their best work but it is the first jam from their upcoming Tons Of Friends LP that has got me pumped for it. Steed Lord joins the epic cast of collaborators, lending a weirdo vocal track that perfectly complements the foreboding beat-fest that is best enjoyed towards the later end of a substance-filled evening. In other news, Miike Snow collaborated on Crookers’ debut and I’ve found the track and included it below. Crookers’ themselves tell the story of the track’s inception but fellow Miike fans will find it a curious read, especially when you consider that Miike Snow’s version includes no credit to Crookers in the liner notes. Regular readers can guess which version I prefer.
That suave looking fella to our right is Ben drew, a British rapper who goes by Plan B and who has been dropping his lyrical styling on the UK for years now. “Stay Too Long” looks to be his attempt at cracking his audience open a bit and as far as I’m concerned it’s working. This is exactly the the kind of hyped-up gospel funk that get’s my ass moving on a Saturday night. The first few listens through I assumed that the title had something to do with and overdue breakup but closer listening (and this illustrative video) have led me to the conclusion that the themes covered have much more to do with bar brawls and drunk bros than any affairs of the heart. This guy gets more intriguing by the minute.
These dudes from L.A. just won’t stop impressing me. Looking back on it now I am kicking myself for turning down an invitation to see them play back in August. Somehow I just didn’t “get” the early tracks “Airplanes” and “World News” (of which the former has turned into one of my favorites). Eventually I heard “Camera Talk.” Then I heard “Sun Hands.” Then I started seeing all their fantastic artwork (Their MySpace is a good start). And then the other day I finally got their album, Gorilla Manor. It’s as if they knowingly named the opening track “Wide Eyes” as a prediction of my reaction. Gorilla Manor is full of those pleasant surprises but none so striking as in the middle of “Sun Hands” when everything goes off the rails in the best way possible. Local natives are growing on me exponentially with each listen but it’s that unexpected eclecticism that I worry will keep away listeners who prefer to neatly label their music. A lot of people (myself included) often need an album to have that one standout track to hook you in and to mutually appreciate when it comes on in a bar/club. The frustrating beauty of Gorilla Manor is that every track on the album can be that track and sometimes they even sound like they were made by different bands. How can Local Natives nail it so hard in so many different ways? My recent favorite is the lush “Who Knows Who Cares,” what is yours? I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a big range of answers.
Another collection of recent remixes for your listening pleasure. Some real gems in a here and a few others that are more “interesting” than “awesome.” Read on. Rock om. And if you want more jams by any of these artists use the ‘tags’ links at the bottom of the post!
♫ Boy 8-Bit – Baltic Pine (Run Hide Survive Remix) / Remixing an instrumental track is tricky territory. Without a well known vocal track to lean on how do you make it your own while still maintaining the original’s integrity and awesomeness? Definitely tricky, but good to know it’s not impossible.
Zooey Deschanel and M Ward’s first album as She & Him went criminally under-listened by me and the recent leak new track “In The Sun” is a delightful remind not to let that happen the second time around. Logic would dictate that general goodwill towards these two would have waned considering Zooey’s rising fame and recent marriage to Mr. Gibbard but somehow they remain completely endearing and legitimate. M. Ward’s talent has never been disputed but Zooey continues to impress with both her acting chops and singing skillz. “In The Sun” is the kind of song you want to sing out loud to and in the absence of a lover to sing to I recommend a dog. He/she is probably just as bummed as me that it’s so cold outside and could use a little sweet serenading.
For the uninitiated here is my favorite jam from She & Him’s first album, Volume One, and here is it’s fantastically irreverent video. The comfortingly titled Volume Two is out March 23rd.
Aloha have apparently been around for years and have a slew of albums under their belt but all that is news to me. All I know is that Stereogum featured “Moonless March” a while back and it’s frenetic energy, breakneck guitar work, and rollicking piano have me hooked. Not nearly as gloomy as the album cover suggests, this jam is more suited for a high speed car chase in a “alternative” cartoon. I can definitely imagine a crazed dude/dog/bank-robber speeding away from inept police as he careens his comically shaped car around animated street corners. The only other jam I have heard from these guys is less spastic, but no less appealing so I’m curious to see how the forthcoming Home Acres LP will sound.
Caribou is the solo moniker of Ontario, Canada’s Daniel Snaith who recently unleashed “Odessa” on the world as a taste of his forthcoming LP, Swim. The track can barely contain itself and it screeches and stomps through 5 pure minutes of dance-in-the-dark magic. Is that a triangle making that epic clanging noise? “Melody Day” (below) is from Caribou’s last album, “Andorra,” and while still a jam, is quite different from “Odessa.” Andorra is a bit too mellowed-out hippy-dippy for my tastes but if Odessa is an indicator or Caribou’s new direction then I am stoked. I wonder what long-time Caribou fans think of this new sound?
(Mp3s taken down at label’s request. Stream “Kids” below)
Uh-oh. We’ve got a trifecta on our hands. Airship are sporting a great name, impeccable artwork, and infectious pop rippers. “Kids” is the latest track from these Manchester lads and can be found on a mini-compilation about their fair city. No word on weather it will also be included on their forthcoming debut LP but more of their jams are on their 2008 EP Spirit Of The Beehive. “Algebra” is the noticeable standout from that 4 song collection and it’s churning guitar guitars and pulsing bass are impossible to resist. The EP also showcases the band’s less overt stylings with a pair of mellower slow-burners that round out their sound very nicely. These guys are definitely one massive helium filled deathtrap that I have no problem’s getting on board. (Thanks IGIF!)
Los Angeles kicks out another gem and this time it’s from the dynamic and beautiful Wait. Think. Fast. Besides making appealing music, the band features a husband-wife combo which I always find endearing. With 2 albums under their belt “Look Alive” is the first taste of their next collection. 2008’s Vuelve Al Mar, which frequently sees singer/wife Jacqueline Santillan’s singing in Spanish, has a much darker and mellower energy. It’s good stuff but less my vibe than the more life-affirming and head-held-high “Look Alive.” I’m definitely excited to see what the future holds for this group of clearly talented musicians.
This is the kind of jam that warms my blood on these wintry days. It’s hard not to bust a move with at least one part of your body when that bass kicks in and those guitars do their noodling. Lately this track has been my secret weapon to getting out of bed in the morning. Just be careful not to “oooohh” along while brushing your teeth cause it can get messy. The Pass may be from Kentucky but luckily for us they rock a decidedly non tradition sound for their locale. Their Colors EP is out now and full length LP should be out soon!
Ho. Ly. Shit. This is a straight mind stomper! That raspy voice you hear dominating the vocals is that of Eliot Pauline Sumner a 19 year old Lodoner who goes by the stage-name of I Blame Coco. The other voice is Robyn, whose soaring chorus is a striking contrast to the song’s grit and ferocity. I get that Island Records want’s to introduce their new investment to us with the help of an established songstress but I Blame Coco needs no coddling. The fact that she both wrote and played all the music on her debut album herself makes it clear that this lass is firing on a whole different set of cylinders than your average Britney, Gaga, or Ke$ha. Have a listen to an older track of hers to get a sense of the kind of range we are talking about here. With these two jams back-to-back it’s pretty easy to imagine the rest of the album could be equally epic. If only we had a release date to look forward to.
A new non-album track from a band would normally fit right into a TBE Digest but since this is Miike Snow we are talking about “Billie Holiday” gets her own post. I have no idea when this jam first hit the internets but it’s new to me (thanks to reader hen!). A Google search reveals that this page on the Miike Snow website but there are no internal links to it. Whatever, semi-secrecy aside, the fact that this jam didn’t make the cut on their LP seems to have more to do with it’s sound than quality. It’s a bit heavier and more ominous than the rest of the album but is nonetheless fantastic. I’m still shocked that Pitchfork gave their album a 5.0. Just no hope for some, I guess. Anyway, I couldn’t think of a better treat to kick off February!
It was They Might Be Giants recent appearance on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me that reminded me about this 1998 jam that tells the tale of a real worm who is a fake…
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Wow. It was one year ago today that I squeezed out my first post as The Burning Ear and 411 posts later and here we are. It’s amazing how fast time flies and how much great music can come out in a year. Birthday’s are a time for celebration and gift giving so I’ve wrangled together a little something for all of you to celebrate with. Over the past 12 months a number of great tracks have found a happy home in my stereo but for whatever reason or another I never covered them on the site. As a 1st birthday gift I thought I would bundle them all up for you. For the sake of browsing I’ve taken these 25 tunes and divided them into three ridiculously arbitrary categories. There is also a zip of all the jams at the bottom of the post so grab that bad boy. I hope that you all find some new favorite bands and remember that there are more sweet, sweet jams popping up here everyday. It has been a great pleasure to work on TBE this past year and to watch myself grow along with it. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of you who stop by everyday to listen to these great songs and read my silly words. More and more people are leaving comments and I can feel the TBE community growing. We may never take over the world but we will certainly be having the most fun. Stay tuned because their are a few things in the pipelines that I am looking forward to. I only hope this next year is as exciting and fruitful as the last!
![Uhh Yeah Dude [♡♡♡]](http://www.theburningear.com/media/2009/10/uhh+yeah+dude.jpg "America through the eyes of two American Americans. Seatbelts.")
Uhh Yeah Dude [♡♡♡]
