Commix - FabricLive 44

2009
Fabric
Buy

7/10

One of my hipster Lower East Side friends recently made the claim that breakbeat is dead – and has been for quite some time.

Cambridge's dynamic duo of drum and bass, Commix, offer a slightly less bleak assessment – breakbeat isn't dead. Not yet, at least...(Read more at the Silent Ballet)

Songs of the week: 2/24/09

Just dance.

***songs of the week #22

1. The Game - Zodiac (B-b-break beats. This is such a sick track, from sick EP, but I can't find anything else by them. There's another Zodiac that's electronic, but they suck. Any help?)
2. Slink - Bombs Into You (Jury's still out on the hype:substance ratio for Bombs Into You, but this is pretty fun)
3. Budapest 1956 (firing squad) - Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles (The shape of things to come)
4. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed - Los Campesinos!
5. Homesick - Mutated Forms (So fun)

Manchester Orchestra announce tour dates

It seems like half of my news pertains to this band, but when they're as talented as they are, can you really blame me?

Hot off the press, Manchester Orchestra have announced the dates for their US spring tour in support of the anticipated Mean Everything To Nothing. Are you pumped?

I am.

***
From an announcement via Facebook:

April 21st is a big day for us.

Not only does "Mean Everything To Nothing" hit stores, but we‘re also kicking off our US headline tour. We’ll start in Nashville on the 21st and end up on June 4th in Orlando. Other bands joining us are FUN (featuring ex-members of The Format and Anathallo) as well as Audrye Sessions and Winston Audio.

Fan pre-sale tickets for the tour go on-sale February 27th and will be available to the public on March 5th. Details are here http://manchesterorchestra.frontgatetickets.com/?utm_medium=columbia-email&utm_source=manchesterorchestra&utm_campaign=columbia-email|manchesterorchestra|20090223.

Here’s the full tour:


Apr 21-Nashville,TN @ Exit In
Apr 22-Athens,GA @ 40 Watt
Apr 23-Carrboro,NC @ Cat's Cradle
Apr 24-Richmond,VA @ The National
Apr 25-Baltimore,MD @ Ottobar
Apr 26-Philadelphia,PA @ Trocadero
Apr 29-New York,NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Apr 30-Cambridge,MA @ Middle East
May 1-Rochester,NY @ Water St.
May 2-Pittsburgh,PA @ Mr.Small's
May 3-Cleveland,OH @ Grog Shop
May 5-Pontiac,MI @ Eagle Theater
May 6-Columbus,OH @ Skully's
May 7-Covington,KY @ Mad Hatter
May 8-Chicago,IL @ Subterranean
May 9-Minneapolis,MN @ Station 4
May 12-Denver,CO @ Marquis Theater
May 13-Salt Lake City, UT @ Avalon
May 15-Seattle,WA @ El Corazon
May 16-Vancouver @ Biltmore
May 17-Portland,OR @ Hawthorne Theater
May 19-San Francisco,CA @ Bottom of the Hill
May 21-Los Angeles,CA @ Troubadour
May 22-San Diego,CA @ Voodoo Stage HOB
May 23-Tucson,AZ @ Congress
May 24-Tempe,AZ @ Clubhouse
May 26-Austin,TX @ Emo's Inside
May 27-Dallas,TX @ The Loft
May 28-Houston,TX @ Walter's
May 29-New Orleans,LA @ Spanish Moon
May 30-Oxford,MS @ Proud Larry's
May 31-Birmingham,AL @ Bottletree
Jun 2-St.Petersburg,FL @ State Theater
Jun 3-Orlando,FL @ The Social
Jun 4-Orlando,FL @ The Social

I'm going going back back to Albany

Well, this is the end of my "Spring Break" in Florida - yeah, I don't know why my week vacation was in February, but whatever. I was able to enjoy my birthday in the warmth of the tropical sun, a killer new album by The Prodigy, and Clint Eastwood's marvelous Gran Torino.

On a more serious note, Chris has announced his resignation from the blog. His run was short but sweet, and I know that I appreciated his contributions greatly. Good luck, Godspeed, et cetera.

But life goes on, and as I make my return to the frozen north, I only have Biggie as my companion.

***
Going Back To Cali - The Notorious B.I.G.

A Journey Down The Well - Sorry Monsters, I Have To Grow

A few months ago, I was approached via e-mail by a band known as A Journey Down The Well to review their forthcoming album Sorry Monsters, I Have To Grow. Upon listening to it, I was frankly perplexed, and have been unable to produce a decent write-up of the work.

So instead, I'll defer to Fred Bevan's review written for "The Silent Ballet". I think he more or less hits it right on the head.

Songs of the week: 2/18/09

I've been out of town all weekend, and wasn't able to post a "Songs of the Week" yesterday...so, I'll post it today instead.

Nothing special, just a few songs that I kind of dig. Hope you kind of dig 'em too.

***songs of the week #21

1. Down To Your Soul - Right Away Great Captain (Overlooked output by Andy Hull)
2. Opium Pop Ballad - Keith Canisius (Bliss)
3. On My Trail - Winston Audio (Throwback to classic Alternative Rock)
4. Can I Kick It? - A Tribe Called Quest (I hope you know this already)
5. Take Me To The Hospital - The Prodigy (More new Prodigy sickness)

New song from Riding Alone For Thousands of Miles

This weekend I received a nice surprise in my GMail from our favorite New Jersey post-rockers, Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles. I'll let them take it from here. Enjoy!

***

Hello again,

We just wanted to let you know that we just posted a new song on our last.fm page.

We just recorded this song last night for a demo of songs that may appear on our upcoming studio debut album. There are plenty more songs on the way this one just happened to be the easiest one for us to record. Please download it, digest it and give us any feedback. Also, please tell anyone that may be interested to go ahead and give it a listen(we might not be able to leave it posted for very long).

Hope all is well.
Best regards,
RAfToM

P.S. the song is still homemade 8-track recording but the quality is about 100 times better then our older stuff. We borrowed some good mics and cables and they made a lot of difference.

Exciting stuff, be sure to let me know what you guys think. Late "Songs of the Week" to drop tomorrow night. Cheers!

Valentine's Day What???

After two flights, a layover, and no rest whatsoever, upon arriving in Florida yesterday my first and only instinct was to sleep for 13 hours. And so now it is Valentine's Day, and I didn't even realize that.

Whoops, my bad. In other news, it's good to be home, tomorrow's my birthday, and this kid's a dad.

And now, a song for lovers.
***
L-O-V-E - This Is My Suitcase

What Kind of Music Do You Listen To?

Have you ever asked someone that question? I'm sure you have, and I know I have on many, many occasions. It's the most common ice-breaker we use to initiate conversation and begin relationships. The funny thing about it is, we ask this question, and we usually get the same answer every time! You might be at work with a new co-worker and the jarring amount of silence, calls for you to ask that question.

"Hey, so what kind music do you listen to?"

"Uh, I listen to a little bit of everything. Don't mess with my presets!"

The next time someone says that, you should going quickly reply, "So you like the Twilight Soundtrack too?! Do you like J-Pop?!" Simultaneously, placing your right hand on their shoulder, you look into their eyes-- like you've found a new musical soul-mate. It will not only freak them out, but encourage them to stop being lazy about their life interests. Specifics people!
-----
By the way I recently saw the film Lars & the Real Girl. It's a wonderful film with an even better original soundtrack, courtesy of David Torn. Got that shi' for my birf'day!

Something to write home about

It's a sunny day in Albany? How did that happen? It's 50 degrees and it's February - how awesome is that?

This calls for a change - some happy upbeat music.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to enjoy the weather while it lasts. By the time I get back from Florida, it's supposed to be cozy and 20° again. Exciting! Here's some I Am Robot And Proud.

***
Something To Write Home About - I Am Robot And Proud

Songs of the week: 2/10/09

I'm starting to really, really hate the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. The latest victim? Last Tuesday's installment of "Songs of the Week".

Oh well, I'm dealing. Also, I make a brief return to La Florida in just a few more days. Fun.

***songs of the week #20

1. My Year In Lists - Los Campesinos! (Short and sweet)
2. Wax Simulacra - The Mars Volta (To commemorate their Grammy win)
3. The Last Signal... - ...Of Sinking Ships (Post-rock excitement!)
4. Thunder - The Prodigy (Hot off the press)
5. Photograph - Instra:mental (Drum n' Bass WHUTTT)

Manchester Orchestra announce release date

I guess I'm a rather interested party, so I might have a bias, but who's excited for Manchester Orchestra's next album to drop?

In that vein, strangeglue has announced the release date of the anticipated Mean Everything To Nothing. April 21, 2009. Save the date.

Full story here.

Lil' Wayne, among others, wins Grammy

Last night, I was pleased by many things at the Grammy Awards: The Mars Volta won a Performance award for their track "Wax Simulacra"; Robert Plant received quite a warm reception, attaining the coveted Album of the Year for his work with Allison Krauss; and how about Justice's nod for their remix of MGMT's "Electric Feel"?

But a night is never complete without an appearance from Weezy himself, so here's Lil' Wayne's performance, followed by a somewhat less-than-graceful reception of the Rap Album of the Year prize.

Enjoy.

***

Amercan Nite

Let me try this again - this got taken down last time, but I think it's because I used a copyrighted image for the album art. So, this time, a nice picture from my broken camera instead. Enjoy!

American Nite - Andy Kissner

(Also on MixUpload!)

This is a 26 minute mix of what were my favorite songs released in 2008. Please enjoy:

* Day 'N' Nite (Crookers Remix) - Kid Cudi
* American Boy - Estelle ft. Kanye West
* Raven - Proxy
* (You Think You're) John Fucking Lennon - Glassjaw
* NY Excuse - Justice (Technically released first in 2006, this song saw new prominence with its inclusion on 2008's A Cross The Universe)
* Live Your Life - T.I. ft Rihanna
* Black Heroes - Ratatat
* A Milli - Lil' Wayne
* 3 Peat - Lil' Wayne
* A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
* Kids - MGMT
* I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry
* Viva La Vida - Coldplay
* Soon We'll Be Found - Sia
* Kim & Jessie - M83
* I Will Posses Your Heart - Death Cab For Cutie
* Time To Pretend - MGMT
* Heartless - Kanye West
* Murmurs Part 2 - UpCDownC
* A Thread Cut With A Carving Knife - Stars

Keith Canisius - Ferris Wheel Makeout

2008
Darla Records
Buy

6/10

Upon hearing the name Keith Canisius, my first instinct is always to make some sort of association with Canisius College, a Jesuit school in Buffalo, New York. This is a terrible connection on my part, because there is nothing pious on Ferris Wheel Makeout. Just fun. And, last I checked, the church regards pretty much anything involving fun as a sin, right? (Read more at the Silent Ballet)

New Manchester Orchestra Track

Spinner has posted a link to a new Manchester Orchestra track entitled "I've Got Friends".

When I saw them in December, I wasn't able to obtain a setlist, so I can't be sure - but I believe I've heard something to this extent live, and enjoyed it. This is presumably off of their upcoming album Mean Everything To Nothing, which I am looking forward to eagerly.

Happy listening.
***
I've Got Friends - Manchester Orchestra

Rap megamix

Over at Brooklyn Radio, they've posted a massive megamix by Chris Read called The Diary. In a bit more than an hour, Read compiles a history of hip-hop and rap into a gigantic mix which is simply jaw-dropping.

Most of the songs are divided into years, so the whole thing isn't continuous, but warrants mention nonetheless.

Click here for Chris Read's The Diary.

Superbowl

After a wonderful Super Bowl with a BULLSHIT ENDING, I only have one thing to offer you: mood appropriate music.

One might say that the root of the Steelers' victory lies in the fact that the Arizona Cardinals fell apart in the last few minutes of tonight's football match endeavor. In fact, one could say that without a doubt.

So, here's The Roots, "Without A Doubt", off of 1999's Things Fall Apart.

***Without A Doubt - The Roots