Phoenix are giving me Lisztomania

/3 Comments/in , /by

phoenix-wolfgang-art

oh… this is show time

Phoenix – Lisztomania

I, along with the rest of the blogosphere, have been sitting on the new Phoenix album for a while now but considering it’s release date isn’t until May 25th I figured it prudent to wait until May to drop my thoughts on it. Well May is here kids, and I couldn’t be more excited to hype this album! I have been a long time fan of certain phoenix songs (“If I Ever Feel Better,” “Long Distance Call”) but I never really got into any of their albums as a whole. That all changed when I got my paws on Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. When the single “1901” hit the web back in February (get my favorite remix here) I had a feeling this album would be a real step up for the French quartet and boy was I right. You can tell by glancing at my Last.fm stats that I haven’t been able to stop listening to this album. Clocking in at 9 tracks (10 if you count the 8 minute ambient filler of “Love Like a Sunset” being split into 2 parts. I don’t.) and 37 minutes it is short, but oh so sweet. The aforementioned “Love Like a Sunset” aside every track here is solid gold. Short, infectious, and tightly wound, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is like Phoenix’s version of Danny DeVito on It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia: I never really had much faith in their early work but with this I’m sold. And so should you be. May 25th, people. This one’s worth your cash.

Phoenix – Long Distance Call (From 2006’s It’s Never Been like That)

Bury your face in MySpace /// iTunes too

Harlem Shakes want this weekend to be about Strictly Game

/3 Comments/in , /by

technicolorhealth

make a little money, take a lot of shit, feel real bad, then get over it

Harlem Shakes – Strictly Game

With its weirdo-distortion, trotting drums, and the cruising “Ooohs,” the opening of “Strictly Game” is hard to pin down. The drum machine beat that kicks in doesn’t help. Luckily the confusion doesn’t last long as all but the drums cut out with the incoming vocals. Now we’ve got a jam. It almost feels like there should be hand-claps. I recommend toe-taps as a worthy substitute. Brooklyn’s Harlem Shakes (named after the dance move) released their Burning Birthday’s EP in 2007 and generated a lot of buzz with their energetic/spastic live shows. 2009 sees the release of their first full LP, Technicolor Health, and it more than lives up. I never really fell for the EP but I have been playing this one for a week straight. If the major tuneage isn’t enough, get it cause they name-drop Poughkeepsie (holler!) on “Niagara Falls.” Oh, and the guitarist, Todd, is the fantastic one-man side project Arms. Get on that too. I know, it’s a lot. But it’s the weekend so it’s all good, yo. Here is one from the EP to comfort you.

Harlem Shakes – Red Right Hands

Bury your face in MySpace • eMusic too

Passion Pit’s new single has me Reeling

/2 Comments/in , , /by

passion-pit

and here I am, oh here I am, oh when will someone understand

Passion Pit – The Reeling

You may remember Passion Pit from my Head’s Up ’09 mix (or from every blog in the galaxy). Well now is that time, folks, that moment of truth when all the hype and anticipation come crashing down on the head of their first single from the upcoming debut LP Manners. First things first, if you aren’t familiar with “Sleepyhead,” the track that grabbed the blogosphere by the ankles and pulled, then cancel your bikini wax and get on it ASAP. Ok, ready? Good. So “The Reeling” has been getting some harsh reactions and I am not feeling their negative vibes, man. In addition to a sweet children’s choir, the track has danceability, rockability, funkability, (drinkability?) and is generally groovy, MAN! I liken those harsh vibes to the dude that complains about his new girlfriend because she is not as hot as his last girlfriend. First, every lady (song) should be treated individually and not compared, that’s just rude, and second, you know if you had never met your Ex (Sleepyhead) you would totally bone this babe (The Reeling) if she came onto you in a bar. And you would love it. So don’t fron’t, you negative Nellys. Anyway, all convoluted sexual metaphors aside, I am feeling this track and am looking forward to more from my favorite vaguely vaginally named band.

Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Kids At The Bar remix)

If that was too much reading then how’s a ’bout you get dancing with my favorite “Sleepyhead” remix. This one is a “put your drink down, shout “I LOVE this song!” and squeel your way to the dance floor” kind of remix. You know. Oh, you know.

Bury your face in MySpace.

Whitest Boy Alive’s new album!

/3 Comments/in , /by

whitest

you only need to be more certain what it is you’re living for

Whitest Boy Alive – High On The Heels

Whitest Boy Alive would have been featured on my favorite albums of 2008 list except that their debut Dreams came out in 2006 and I only discovered it last fall. And what a discovery it was! I have a hard time finding music to chill out to because I often find that kind of mellowness to be boring or uninspired. Dreams is the perfect album for chilling without funk-killing. The kind of album you can throw on when you have people over and the music wont overtake the conversation. Oh, and if the vocals sound familiar that’s because it’s Erlend Øye from Kings of Convenience. Anyway, WBA just released their second album Rules and I am digging it. It hasn’t grabbed me like Dreams did but I am giving it time. “High On The Heels” is the first track to jump out at me so far. Also check out my favorite from Dreams, “Fireworks.” But seriously folks, I can’t stress the top-notchedness of Dreams enough, it’s like instant ear-therapy. Get on it.

Whitest Boy Alive – Fireworks

Whitest Boy Alive on MySpace

Say Hi to new Say Hi!

/7 Comments/in , /by

sayhi

it’s the way that she curses

Say Hi – Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

Say Hi is Eric Ellbogen whose lo-fi indie act was based in Brooklyn when I discovered him a few years back. He relocated to Seattle for his last 2 albums and oddly enough the change has amped up his sound. Just compare the propulsive head-bobber of “Oh Oh….” (above) to his sophomore album’s “I think I’ll Be a Good Ghost” which is much more mellow, contemplative and dare I say “haunting?” No, no, I’ll spare you. Anyway, this dude has put out 6 albums in 6 and a half years and while the early ones aren’t fully formed I really think he hit his stride with last year’s The Wishes And The Glitch. “Northwestern Girls” (below) is the album’s fantastic opener and is followed by a stable of very solid tracks. Maybe more of those unlistenable art-rock hipster collectives from Brooklyn should head out to Seattle?

Say Hi – Northwestern Girls

Say Hi (To Your Mom) – I Think I’ll Be A Good Ghost

Yeah, Say Hi To Your Mom was the full band name for the first 4 albums. I guess we all grow up someday…

Say Hi on eMusic (check out the album art) / MySpace

The Gay Blades bring it with O Shot

/3 Comments/in , , /by

gayblades

and the courage to change the things i can

The Gay Blades – O Shot

OK, where do I even start?  The Gay Blades are two dudes from the NYC area that have developed (and perfected) what they call “Trash Pop.” Don’t ask what that means, just listen to “O Shot,” the album opener off their stellar debut LP Ghosts. I withheld The Gay Blades from my What Up ’08? mix for only one reason: they are so good I didn’t want them to get lost in the shuffle. Grab this track, grab their album, and grab a hold of your eyeballs as you ponder this piece of music video wonderment which was made by some dear friends of TBE.

The Gay Blades on MySpace