Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Friday, February 18, 2011
The King of Limbs
Just downloaded my copy of Radiohead's The King of Limbs. Can't believe it came out today. So awesome! Thom Yorke is such a badass. I wish I had the ability to dance like he does. He's so hypnotizing.
Review coming soon...
Friday, December 31, 2010
Best Music of 2010
I know it's been an eternity since I last updated this thing, and a lot has happened since then. But I don't want to bore you with all my personal crap.
Anyway, without further ado, here are my lists for Best Music in 2010:
Best Albums
50. Motion City Soundtrack- My Dinosaur Life
49. Band of Horses- Infinite Arms
48. The Gaslight Anthem- American Slang
47. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Soundtrack
46. Broken Social Scene- Forgiveness Rock Record
45. I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business- The World We Know
44. School of Seven Bells- Disconnect from Desire
43. The Dead Weather- Sea of Cowards
42. Stars- The Five Ghosts
41. Warpaint- The Fool
40. Ra Ra Riot- The Orchard
39. Circa Survive- Blue Sky Noise
38. Sufjan Stevens- The Age of Adz
37. Wavves- King of the Beach
36. Neon Trees- Habits
35. Jenny and Johnny- I’m Having Fun Now
34. She & Him- Volume Two
33. Broken Bells- Broken Bells
32. Titus Andronicus- The Monitor
31. No Age- Everything In Between
30. Tokyo Police Club- Champ
29. The Morning Benders- Big Echo
28. Steel Train- Steel Train
27. Sleigh Bells- Treats
26. Big Boi- Sir Lucious Left Foot
25. Linkin Park- A Thousand Suns
24. Brandon Flowers- Flamingo
23. Best Coast- Crazy For You
22. Angus & Julia Stone- Down The Way
21. Deerhunter- Halcyon Digest
20. Kid Cudi- Man On The Moon II
19. Deftones- Diamond Eyes
18. Young the Giant- Young the Giant
17. Surfer Blood- Astro Coast
16. Vampire Weekend- Contra
15. Janelle Monae- The ArchAndroid
14. Gorillaz- Plastic Beach
13. Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
12. Two Door Cinema Club- Tourist History
11. Hellogoodbye- Would It Kill You?
10. Mumford and Sons- Sigh No More
9. Beach House- Teen Dream
8. The National- High Violet
7. LCD Soundsystem- This Is Happening
6. The Tallest Man on Earth- The Wild Hunt
5. Frightened Rabbit- The Winter of Mixed Drinks
4. Freelance Whales- Weathervanes
3. The Black Keys- Brothers
2. Local Natives- Gorilla Manor
1. Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
Best EPs
5. A Classic Education- Hey There Stranger
4. Lydia- Assailants
3. Tallest Man on Earth- Sometimes the Blues Is Just a Passing Bird
2. Girls- Broken Dreams Club
1. Geographer- Animal Shapes
Albums that I tried my BEST listening to but simply could not get into for one reason or another
5. Interpol- Self-titled
4. Jonsi- Go
3. Joanna Newsom- Have One on Me
2. Yeasayer- Odd Blood
1. M.I.A.- MAYA
Best Shows of 2010 (that I’ve witnessed within the Bay Area)
10. The Dodos w/Magik Magik Orchestra @ Palace of Fine Arts (Feb. 25)
9. Freelance Whales @ Rickshaw Stop (Nov. 19)
8. The Avett Brothers @ Oakland Fox Theater (Apr. 17)
7. The Black Keys @ Live 105’s Not So Silent Night @ San Jose Pavilion (Dec. 10)
6. Phoenix @ Outside Lands Festival @ Golden Gate Park (Aug. 15)
5. Atoms for Peace @ Oakland Fox Theater (Apr. 14)
4. The National @ Treasure Island Festival (Oct. 17)
3. Weezer @ Nob Hill Masonic Center (Nov. 29)
2. Mumford and Sons @ The Warfield (Oct. 20)
1. Arcade Fire @ Berkeley Greek Theatre (Oct. 2)
Anyway, without further ado, here are my lists for Best Music in 2010:
Best Albums
50. Motion City Soundtrack- My Dinosaur Life
49. Band of Horses- Infinite Arms
48. The Gaslight Anthem- American Slang
47. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Soundtrack
46. Broken Social Scene- Forgiveness Rock Record
45. I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business- The World We Know
44. School of Seven Bells- Disconnect from Desire
43. The Dead Weather- Sea of Cowards
42. Stars- The Five Ghosts
41. Warpaint- The Fool
40. Ra Ra Riot- The Orchard
39. Circa Survive- Blue Sky Noise
38. Sufjan Stevens- The Age of Adz
37. Wavves- King of the Beach
36. Neon Trees- Habits
35. Jenny and Johnny- I’m Having Fun Now
34. She & Him- Volume Two
33. Broken Bells- Broken Bells
32. Titus Andronicus- The Monitor
31. No Age- Everything In Between
30. Tokyo Police Club- Champ
29. The Morning Benders- Big Echo
28. Steel Train- Steel Train
27. Sleigh Bells- Treats
26. Big Boi- Sir Lucious Left Foot
25. Linkin Park- A Thousand Suns
24. Brandon Flowers- Flamingo
23. Best Coast- Crazy For You
22. Angus & Julia Stone- Down The Way
21. Deerhunter- Halcyon Digest
20. Kid Cudi- Man On The Moon II
19. Deftones- Diamond Eyes
18. Young the Giant- Young the Giant
17. Surfer Blood- Astro Coast
16. Vampire Weekend- Contra
15. Janelle Monae- The ArchAndroid
14. Gorillaz- Plastic Beach
13. Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
12. Two Door Cinema Club- Tourist History
11. Hellogoodbye- Would It Kill You?
10. Mumford and Sons- Sigh No More
9. Beach House- Teen Dream
8. The National- High Violet
7. LCD Soundsystem- This Is Happening
6. The Tallest Man on Earth- The Wild Hunt
5. Frightened Rabbit- The Winter of Mixed Drinks
4. Freelance Whales- Weathervanes
3. The Black Keys- Brothers
2. Local Natives- Gorilla Manor
1. Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
Best EPs
5. A Classic Education- Hey There Stranger
4. Lydia- Assailants
3. Tallest Man on Earth- Sometimes the Blues Is Just a Passing Bird
2. Girls- Broken Dreams Club
1. Geographer- Animal Shapes
Albums that I tried my BEST listening to but simply could not get into for one reason or another
5. Interpol- Self-titled
4. Jonsi- Go
3. Joanna Newsom- Have One on Me
2. Yeasayer- Odd Blood
1. M.I.A.- MAYA
Best Shows of 2010 (that I’ve witnessed within the Bay Area)
10. The Dodos w/Magik Magik Orchestra @ Palace of Fine Arts (Feb. 25)
9. Freelance Whales @ Rickshaw Stop (Nov. 19)
8. The Avett Brothers @ Oakland Fox Theater (Apr. 17)
7. The Black Keys @ Live 105’s Not So Silent Night @ San Jose Pavilion (Dec. 10)
6. Phoenix @ Outside Lands Festival @ Golden Gate Park (Aug. 15)
5. Atoms for Peace @ Oakland Fox Theater (Apr. 14)
4. The National @ Treasure Island Festival (Oct. 17)
3. Weezer @ Nob Hill Masonic Center (Nov. 29)
2. Mumford and Sons @ The Warfield (Oct. 20)
1. Arcade Fire @ Berkeley Greek Theatre (Oct. 2)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
New album releases for 6/22/10: VersaEmerge's 'Fixed At Zero'
My latest article posted on examiner.com:
Ah, it’s Tuesday! And you know what that means, right? New music! But, with the multitude of new music being thrown your way, deciding what album to pick up becomes that much more difficult. To make your life easier, here’s a suggestion—go buy VersaEmerge’s new album, Fixed At Zero.
At first glance, the Florida-based female-fronted alt-rock trio is likely to elicit comparisons to their Twilight-bolstered labelmates Paramore. Admittedly, they do have a few things in common. Yes, they’re both on the infamous Fueled by Ramen label, have a petite leading lady with powerhouse vocals and cute, emo-looking boys as back-up. However, it ends right there.
Just one listen to their full-length debut, Fixed At Zero, will make you scoff at even the idea of comparing the two bands (no strike against Paramore, because I love them, too). With grand orchestration, experimental twists, and pristine production, Fixed at Zero takes a unique and engaging approach to the usual alternative & punk that you’re used to. Lead singer Sierra Kusterbeck’s vocals are outstanding, with a controlled range that is way beyond her years. Her sweet yet fierce voice is nicely complemented by Black Harnage’s intricate and driving guitar work. From the enigmatically peering kick-off “Figure It Out” right down to the haunting and intense closer “Lost Tree,” Fixed At Zero is a mysterious pop odyssey that will you have intrigued and keep you going back for more.
Stream Fixed At Zero in its entirety on the band’s Mypace page.
Click here to download the album on iTunes, or you could get off your behind and pick up a physical copy at either Target for $9.99 or Best Buy for $7.99.
Other albums to check out today:
The Roots – How I Got Over
Kele – The Boxer
Sia – We Are Born
Stars – The Five Ghosts
Uffie – Sex Dreams & Denim Jeans
Coliseum – House With a Curse
Health - ::DISCO2
Chemical Brothers – Further
The Constellations – Southern Gothic
Ah, it’s Tuesday! And you know what that means, right? New music! But, with the multitude of new music being thrown your way, deciding what album to pick up becomes that much more difficult. To make your life easier, here’s a suggestion—go buy VersaEmerge’s new album, Fixed At Zero.
At first glance, the Florida-based female-fronted alt-rock trio is likely to elicit comparisons to their Twilight-bolstered labelmates Paramore. Admittedly, they do have a few things in common. Yes, they’re both on the infamous Fueled by Ramen label, have a petite leading lady with powerhouse vocals and cute, emo-looking boys as back-up. However, it ends right there.
Just one listen to their full-length debut, Fixed At Zero, will make you scoff at even the idea of comparing the two bands (no strike against Paramore, because I love them, too). With grand orchestration, experimental twists, and pristine production, Fixed at Zero takes a unique and engaging approach to the usual alternative & punk that you’re used to. Lead singer Sierra Kusterbeck’s vocals are outstanding, with a controlled range that is way beyond her years. Her sweet yet fierce voice is nicely complemented by Black Harnage’s intricate and driving guitar work. From the enigmatically peering kick-off “Figure It Out” right down to the haunting and intense closer “Lost Tree,” Fixed At Zero is a mysterious pop odyssey that will you have intrigued and keep you going back for more.
Stream Fixed At Zero in its entirety on the band’s Mypace page.
Click here to download the album on iTunes, or you could get off your behind and pick up a physical copy at either Target for $9.99 or Best Buy for $7.99.
Other albums to check out today:
The Roots – How I Got Over
Kele – The Boxer
Sia – We Are Born
Stars – The Five Ghosts
Uffie – Sex Dreams & Denim Jeans
Coliseum – House With a Curse
Health - ::DISCO2
Chemical Brothers – Further
The Constellations – Southern Gothic
Friday, June 11, 2010
The Perfect Summer 2010 Playlist
Here's the latest article I wrote for examiner.com:
The wait is over! Summer is finally here! Before you go out in the sun and have some fun, you’ll definitely want to stock up on the right music. Whether you’re chilling by the beach, throwing a killer party, or heading off to your next road trip, here are a few fresh jams to add into your iPod that’ll surely enhance your summer experience:
Katy Perry (feat. Snoop Dogg) – “California Girls”
This one’s a no-brainer. Pop queen Katy Perry’s latest single just screams summer smash: you’ve got palm trees, bikinis, daisy dukes, and Snoop Dogg putting down a slick rhyme. What's not to love about this song?
Sleigh Bells – “Rill Rill”
The Brooklyn boy/girl duo Sleigh Bells is generating some serious buzz with their debut, Treats, which combines sugary pop hooks and massively loud rhythms. Embedded within an album full of fierce sonic explosions, “Rill Rill” is like a refreshing breeze with its chill tempo, sweetly sedative vocals and soaring use of an old-school soul sample.
Surfer Blood – “Floating Vibes”
With a band name like Surfer Blood, one can only assume that surfer rock and beach music must be part of the equation. But, Surfer Blood’s Astro Coast is so much more than that. The album is packed with lots of punch, and “Floating Vibes” is just one of its many shimmering tracks.
She & Him – “In the Sun”
When Zooey Deschannel isn’t lighting up the silver screen, she’s impressing listeners everywhere with her wonderful and luminous indie pop tunes. Veiling hopeless longing with a sunny melody and aw-shucks attitude, “In the Sun” is likely to turn that frown upside down under any circumstances and will probably keep you smiling all summer long.
The Morning Benders – “Excuses”
Pitchfork shined the spotlight on this Berkeley quartet, giving them a glowing review for their sophomore album, Big Echo. In a perfect encapsulation: “…[Excuses] rubs the sleep out of its eyes with a single electric guitar surfing over a sea of hazy, twinkling piano keys, before an acoustic guitar figure bursts wide open like a summer sunrise.”
La Roux – “Bulletproof”
Who would’ve ever thought that a Ginger with a side faux hawk could create such a catchy song? As you much as you might want to escape it, this is one of those songs that’ll get stuck in your head for days on end.
Freelance Whales – “Kilojoules”
From the Brooklyn subway to South by Southwest, Freelance Whales are drawing crowds everywhere with their charmingly quirky sound and unique amalgam of instruments. As the title indicates, this gem of a track is about body heat, but it’s not exactly what you might think.
Janelle Monáe (feat. Big Boi) – “Tightrope”
Falling somewhere between a female version of Andre 3000 and James Brown, Janelle Monáe is making a name for herself with her electrifying stage presence and mad style. “Tightrope” is a funky soulful jam, with handclaps aplenty and colored by some smooth rapping from the other half of the eclectic duo of Outkast.
Travie McCoy (feat. Bruno Mars) – “Billionaire”
Enlisting the help of rising superstar songwriter/producer Bruno Mars, the Gym Class Hero gone solo must’ve known he had a summer hit on his hands way before it was even released. With its laid-back vibe and breezy, reggae-tinged hook, “Billionaire” is an essential sing-a-long made for the sunshine.
LCD Soundsystem – “Dance Yrself Clean”
Logging up close to about 9 minutes, “Dance Yrself Clean” is an epic emotional excursion of pure sonic bliss. It’ll have you laughing, crying, and dancing all at the same time.
Other songs to include:
Tokyo Police Club – “Bambi”
Minus the Bear – “Summer Angel”
B.o.B. (feat. Lupe Fiasco) – “Past My Shades”
Rogue Wave – “Good Morning (The Future)”
Broken Bells – “The Ghost Inside”
Band of Horses – “Laredo”
Jónsi – “Go Do”
Neon Trees – “Animal”
Gorillaz – “Stylo”
Drake – “Find Your Love”
The wait is over! Summer is finally here! Before you go out in the sun and have some fun, you’ll definitely want to stock up on the right music. Whether you’re chilling by the beach, throwing a killer party, or heading off to your next road trip, here are a few fresh jams to add into your iPod that’ll surely enhance your summer experience:
Katy Perry (feat. Snoop Dogg) – “California Girls”
This one’s a no-brainer. Pop queen Katy Perry’s latest single just screams summer smash: you’ve got palm trees, bikinis, daisy dukes, and Snoop Dogg putting down a slick rhyme. What's not to love about this song?
Sleigh Bells – “Rill Rill”
The Brooklyn boy/girl duo Sleigh Bells is generating some serious buzz with their debut, Treats, which combines sugary pop hooks and massively loud rhythms. Embedded within an album full of fierce sonic explosions, “Rill Rill” is like a refreshing breeze with its chill tempo, sweetly sedative vocals and soaring use of an old-school soul sample.
Surfer Blood – “Floating Vibes”
With a band name like Surfer Blood, one can only assume that surfer rock and beach music must be part of the equation. But, Surfer Blood’s Astro Coast is so much more than that. The album is packed with lots of punch, and “Floating Vibes” is just one of its many shimmering tracks.
She & Him – “In the Sun”
When Zooey Deschannel isn’t lighting up the silver screen, she’s impressing listeners everywhere with her wonderful and luminous indie pop tunes. Veiling hopeless longing with a sunny melody and aw-shucks attitude, “In the Sun” is likely to turn that frown upside down under any circumstances and will probably keep you smiling all summer long.
The Morning Benders – “Excuses”
Pitchfork shined the spotlight on this Berkeley quartet, giving them a glowing review for their sophomore album, Big Echo. In a perfect encapsulation: “…[Excuses] rubs the sleep out of its eyes with a single electric guitar surfing over a sea of hazy, twinkling piano keys, before an acoustic guitar figure bursts wide open like a summer sunrise.”
La Roux – “Bulletproof”
Who would’ve ever thought that a Ginger with a side faux hawk could create such a catchy song? As you much as you might want to escape it, this is one of those songs that’ll get stuck in your head for days on end.
Freelance Whales – “Kilojoules”
From the Brooklyn subway to South by Southwest, Freelance Whales are drawing crowds everywhere with their charmingly quirky sound and unique amalgam of instruments. As the title indicates, this gem of a track is about body heat, but it’s not exactly what you might think.
Janelle Monáe (feat. Big Boi) – “Tightrope”
Falling somewhere between a female version of Andre 3000 and James Brown, Janelle Monáe is making a name for herself with her electrifying stage presence and mad style. “Tightrope” is a funky soulful jam, with handclaps aplenty and colored by some smooth rapping from the other half of the eclectic duo of Outkast.
Travie McCoy (feat. Bruno Mars) – “Billionaire”
Enlisting the help of rising superstar songwriter/producer Bruno Mars, the Gym Class Hero gone solo must’ve known he had a summer hit on his hands way before it was even released. With its laid-back vibe and breezy, reggae-tinged hook, “Billionaire” is an essential sing-a-long made for the sunshine.
LCD Soundsystem – “Dance Yrself Clean”
Logging up close to about 9 minutes, “Dance Yrself Clean” is an epic emotional excursion of pure sonic bliss. It’ll have you laughing, crying, and dancing all at the same time.
Other songs to include:
Tokyo Police Club – “Bambi”
Minus the Bear – “Summer Angel”
B.o.B. (feat. Lupe Fiasco) – “Past My Shades”
Rogue Wave – “Good Morning (The Future)”
Broken Bells – “The Ghost Inside”
Band of Horses – “Laredo”
Jónsi – “Go Do”
Neon Trees – “Animal”
Gorillaz – “Stylo”
Drake – “Find Your Love”
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