NFT's Got You Covered 2018

2018 has been a rollercoaster if rollercoasters had more trials and tribulations than thrills and excitement. I had high hopes of bringing Nostalgia For Tomorrow circa 2010 back to reality, but again the rollercoaster of life had an open seat for me in the front row. Despite all that, I won't apologize. Instead, I'll write about some things that make me happy. So, here is a list of my favorite cover songs from the year 2018. For listening and enjoyment purposes only.

Always Crush Me - Wreck and Reference



Wreck and Reference take Guided By Voices' lo-fi recording and all its roughness, amplify it by 100, and project it into twisted industrial metal. The monotonous guitar strumming is traded in with synths and slacker vocals become panic-induced yelling. "Always Crush Me" is the perfect little cover for a perfect little song in Guided By Voices' giant-ass catalog.


Agony - Beach Fossils

Yung Lean's under the influence love song from last year gets an upbeat treatment thanks to New York rockers, Beach Fossils. "Agony" is an ice cold number about tripping balls that seems indulgent at first, but give it a few listens and you will discover a haunting song that boarders on claustrophobic. With Beach Fossils' addition of light guitar and a steady bass, the walls seem to move even closer in on you. BF's version might be a bit more upbeat than the original, but it's far from the most rock n' roll rendition of a Sadboy-type song; that award goes to a similarly named band, Beach Goons, who covered Spooky Black's "Without U" back in 2015.


I Started a Joke - Marissa Nadler



A number of songs from Marissa Nadler's second cover album could have been posted here. There's one of my favorite Leonard Cohen tracks ("Avalanche"), a heartbreaking Daniel Johnston track ("True Love Will Find You in the End"), and a somber Danzig deep-cut ("Blood and Tears"). I have to give the spotlight to Nadler's rendition of "I Started a Joke" by Bee Gees though, since the original turned 50 years old this year. Plus, it's really good.


Bark at the Moon - Integrity



Integrity haven't slowed down a bit since releasing their barn burner, Howling, For the Nightmare Shall Consume last year. This year, the metal/hardcore crossover vets released a split with American black metal outfit, Krieg, and for Halloween released a cover of an Ozzy Osbourne classic. Despite the essential choice, Integrity's deliver is anything but tongue-in-cheek. Yes, it's still clearly an Ozzy track, but Integrity's signature sound breaths new life into the old beast. Take a listen above and go off the rails of the crazy... err, bark at the moon.


The Book of Love - bedbug



A few years back, a work friend invited me to his wedding and mentioned that the wedding song would be "The Book of Love". He asked me if I had ever heard of the song in hopes that I would guess The Monotones' song by the same name. Instead, I did my best Magnetic Fields impression without drawing too much attention to myself. He was impressed but also a little confused. I never ended up attending the wedding, but I did learn that "The Book of Love" is a very popular wedding song. The twist, of course, is "The Book of Love" by The Magnetic Fields on the album, 69 Love Songs was later covered by the more-known-by-co-workers, Peter Gabriel. Flash forward to this past Halloween, I'm attending one of the 8 Halloween cover shows the Boston-area had to offer, and bedbug was performing as the Scrubs Soundtrack, a medley of songs from the hit show. One of the songs bedbug played happened to be "The Book of Love", which appears in the season 8 finale a la the Peter Gabriel version. I joked about whether bedbug covered The Magnetic Fields version or Peter Gabriel to myself. Flash forward to a few days ago, when a 69 Love Songs tribute album was released by Living Statue Records. There, waiting for me among the 69 songs, was bedbug's "The Book of Love". This recorded version might be missing the Scrubs samples that were weaved into the rest of bedbugs' Halloween set, but it's still really awesome to see my pointless anecdote about "The Book of Love" grow each year.


By My Side - Ben Walsh



Ben Walsh of Tigers Jaw's cover on Don't Stop Now II: A Collection of Covers is a perfect example of a gateway song to the original. Without clicking on Ben's cover, I would have never given much of a thought to the new Porches album. Now "By My Side" is among one of my favorite songs of 2018. As for the compilation itself, if you got the cash I highly recommend grabbing all 33 covers which benefits RAICES (Refugees and Immigrants Center for Education & Legal Services). RAICES seems like a great place to throw your money at; throw your money at anything and everything that is not a giant fear-mongering wall.


Havana - Superorganism

Superorganism's intoxicating rendition of "Havana" feels like it manifested via a long night of partying at a local karaoke bar. Something that could not have been duplicated at the karaoke bar, however, is their candy-coated production that has been ever-so-carefully melted into digital goodness for the ears. There might not be as much going on as there is in every other facet of Superorganism's recordings, performances, and wild Spotify music videos, there's still no mistaking the dedication to their commitment to ultra quirkiness.


I Wanna Be Adored - King Woman



A major appeal to the Stone Roses' hit number, "I Wanna Be Adored" is the misheard chorus which I always sing as "I Wanna Be A Door", while others mishear it as "I Wanna be a Dog" or, similarly, "I Wanna be Your Dog". King Woman's version adds a new layer to the already misunderstood lyrics by draping the song in doom-y drone atmosphere. "I Wanna Be Adored" seems unrecognizable at first, until Kristina Esfandiari AKA Miserable's wispy vocals come in. Eventually the song picks up and echoes the aforementioned line that sounds especially like "I Wanna Be A Door" until coming to an untimely end. It might not go down as smooth as the original, but give it a few listens and let it grow on you like a small rash or black mold.


Infinity Guitars - Sunflower Bean

What better way to celebrate a record label's 10 year anniversary than taking a swing at a song that is surprisingly almost 10 years old. Sunflower Bean manage to shed some of the over-amplified guitar work without losing any of the energy that rarely is heard from Sleigh Bells these days. The result almost sounds like "Pepper" by Butthole Surfers, but maybe that's just me wanting something to sound like "Pepper" by Butthole Surfers. Either way, I highly recommend playing this cover full-blast in a beat-up 90's Volvo just as the original was meant to be played.


Moon River - Frank Ocean

Despite being a day late, Frank Ocean's "Moon River" is this years' Valentine cover song. Channelling his inner Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffanys, Ocean delivers a poignant rendition of a timeless classic only the way he could. "Moon River" is just a reminder how incredible Frank Ocean is even if this wasn't his best take.


People / Halfsleeper - CJ Boyds



CJ Boyds has been traveling all over the country for 10 years playing with all sorts of wonderful talent. Boyds' cover album in honor of 10 years on the road might not be the biggest, but it's definitely the most ambitious cover album on this list. Not only are Boyds' covers carefully picked to reflect the bands and musicians he has shared stages and spaces with, all the covers are by musicians he has played with covering all 50 states plus Washington, DC and an unknown bonus track for US territories. Along with that, Boyds recorded each song in the respected state as to which the song is associated with. Currently, only "People / Halfsleeper" is available for listening, but judging by this drone-y Dilute meets Chelsea Wolfe combo-cover recorded in California, Boyds ode to the US is going to be mighty impressive.


Pontiac 87 - Preoccupations



A few bands seem to loose some steam when they change their name. Preoccupations, formerly Viet Cong, however are keeping the hype train going. This year they released an album called New Material (Which might be there new name next year) and a split with top-tier post-punkers of the '10s, Protomartyr. Preoccupations prove they are here to stay with their spaced-out rendition of "Pontiac 87". The cover might not be the most challenging, especially since both bands are so similar, but maybe not appropriating someone else is a good thing for Preoccupations right now.


Same Drugs - Free Throw



With a band tackling Chance the Rapper's "Same Drugs", one might think that Free Throw are putting a special spin on a hometown favorite. However, Free Throw are not a Chicago emo band. Hell, they're not even an East Coast emo band. Free Throw from Nashville, Tennessee already take on the task of being a long shot, a surprisingly not "southern" emo band. Free Throw aren't defined by where they reside, but rather by how moving their music can be. It's a surprise to most, and a cover of Chance seems like the biggest surprise Free Throw could have come up with, yet here we are. "Same Drugs" comes as a surprise at the end of Missing Pieces, a small compilation of re-imagined songs from their 2017 album, Bear Your Mind.


Playlist w/bonus covers:

Afraid - Sinister Vibes

Afraid - Sinister Vibes (2015)

Portland's residential dark synth wavers are also back with another super original album that is appropriately named Sinister Vibes. Once described as electronic music from inside a deep dark well, Afraid have climbed their way out onto land and right into your backyard. They aren't just huddled behind the bushes either, they are right out in the open ready to strike you with their soulful ax. Don't bother calling the cops or running away... Afraid's Sinister Vibes will be both heard and felt.

Sinister Vibes is out now on a very hip (from the sound of it) label, Crash Symbol. I would definitely recommend grabbing the tape from those guys and going to see them before they get too hip and move across the state or something. For Portland folks they are playing tonight at Poland Street and tomorrow they are playing in Bangor at COESPACE on Columbia Street. Get Afraid!


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Bandcamp
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Leveret - Action At A Distance

Leveret - Action At A Distance (2015)

What once was a bedroom project for a young Mainer has once again evolved into something extraordinary. With the first official show down and Action At A Distance recordings finally at my ears I never thought I would be trading my Leveret dancing shoes in for Leveret neckbraces, but with the new jam-heavy initiative apparent on this new record, things are really starting to heat up!

Action At A Distance is a 10 track mix bag of electronic and sensual pop/rock party music. With the addition of Penn and Cormac on this release, experimentation is a bit more prominent than the last album, Infinity which was played out like Jesse Gertz's early works of a one-man electronic act's swan song. Now with the full-band in full-force, there are a lot more to be done and heard. The electronic and seductive feel is still there as always but there are a lot of new sounds that I have never heard from Leveret before thanks to four more hands holding more guitars and effects. There are also a lot more influences that shine through that previously could not be accomplished by Jesse alone.

With the addition of a full band listeners' are always bound to come across things they wish sounded a bit more stripped down or less polished. With Action At A Distance though, the use of rock and roll instrumentation as opposed to the keyboard and bass of the past makes these songs feel a lot fuller. A recommendation I always gave Leveret was to play louder! Now with the extensive use of electric guitar I think they have found just the right volume for their party-pleasing jams.

The album does a really good job of displaying the talents of all its musicians. With "Grandfathers Axe" we hear more of what Cormac can bring to the table (and pedal board) not just by his use of the guitar but also with his vocals - something previously never showcased before other than for backing vocals during live performances. Cormac can bust out some very sleek and seductive vocals that are perfect for the more intimate moments of the Leveret experience. At A Distance also does a great job of showcasing Jesse Gertz's vocals on "Oscillator" and and the electronic epic closer "Ghost". Jesse's vocals are clear yet laid-back, something I think Jesse has improved incredibly on and I think his vocal performances here are some of his best yet.

The only negative comment I have with At A Distance is also one of the best things about the album and that's that there is too much going on. During Leveret's record release show at the Space Gallery in Portland I was hearing a lot of comparisons being thrown around as to what the new album sounds like; I heard Party music, I heard electronic, I heard indie pop, I even heard Queens of the Stone Age-core. While there's nothing wrong with comparisons or sounding like all sorts of different things, I think that by delivering so many different sounds track after track, listeners are left really not knowing exactly what it is the band is going for.

Then again, all the sounds Leveret are delivering here on At A Distance are really well done and at least are not anything generic. It probably doesn't help matters much either now that there is also another band going by Leveret that play folk music from the UK... but this right here is the only Leveret worth figuring out!


Highlights: "Oscillator", "Unclothing", "Swallow", "Little Drum Song", and "Ghost"



Now check it out for yourself!

Official Site
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Monday LXXV

Still Monday somewhere...

Iron Chic - Spooky Action (2013)

Spooky Action is Iron Chic's (Long Island, NY pop punk) new 7incher for their European tour this year. It features three tracks including a Butthole Surfers cover that also contains a sample of "Suicide is Painless" - the theme to M.A.S.H.

The Butthole Surfers cover is "Goofy Concern".



Last.fm

Elvis Depressedly - Holo Pleasures (2013)

Fuzzy lo-fi from Matt Cothran (who is also Coma Cinema). This is his new album, Holo Pleasures under the  Elvis Depressedly name.



Fans of Coma Cinema, monotone singing, lo-fi recordings, short songs, Teen Suicide/Julia Brown, and cigars will most definitely hate Elvis Depressedly.

Also, be on the look out for Coma Cinema's new album rumored to be released in May.

Last.fm

Mark Daniels - Emotional Chi: A Tribute to Life Without Buildings (2011)

Emotional Chi is a remix album using only songs from Life Without Buildings' super underrated album, Any Other City (2001).

Mark Daniels puts a nice spin on the already catchy song styles of Sue Tompkins, a musician I happened to find at the height of my Scottish accent addiction a had a few years back. So catchy!




These remixes are sure to put at least a little pep in your step today.

Last.fm

Happy V-Day!

Lover or no lover, here's some music to get you through this lovely day!


Dirty South Joe & Flufftronic - Luvstep IV: A New Hope (2013)

I don't know whether I like these annual mixes by Dirty South Joe & Flufftronic or the teasers posted months in advantage for them...

This years' Luvstep mix includes artists and remixes/remixers such as M83, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Adventure Club, Zeds Dead, Hundred Waters, Star Slinger, and many, many more.


Put this bad boy on and feel the love... all night long. Or approximately one hour and seventeen minutes if you can only sit through it once.

Here's the teaser by the way:

Every year they use a romantic scene from a movie where music is involved and replace that music with a song from the mix. This years' teaser is from Moonrise Kingdom, one of my favorite films from last year because I'm white and love Wes Anderson flix.

Last.fm


The Hundred Acre Woods, Julia Brown, Modern Baseball, Old Gray - 4-Way V-Day Split (2013)

Not only is this 4-way split for Valentine's Day, it's also another one of those releases with a super good cause. All proceeds from the purchase of this 4 song release via Topshelf Records go to V-Day, "a global charity to end violence against women and girls".

The four bands included in this release are The Hundred Acre Woods (whom I've never listen to until now), Julia Brown (Sam Ray of Teen Suicide, etc.'s new and totally listenable project), Modern Baseball (whom I've recently featured on a Friday Streaming), and Old Gray (acoustic like the rest of the pack).



Enjoy and have a great V-Day! <3

Monday XXXXXXIII

Long. Live.Monday

Keiko Tsuda - Sake Duo Kit (2012)

Some nice Japanese electro math punk rock from Lyon, France.

Keiko Tsuda released two albums on Bandcamp last year, this one being the first.



Last.fm

Hot Tears - EP (2012)

Hot Tears is not a new Katie Perry project.

It's actually a quint little indie rock/pop project by Molly Fischer who mostly plays every instrument except for cello which was provided by Erica Freas of my last post and how I found out about this unfortunately unknown wonder.

I especially enjoy the last track, "Cliffs" myself.



Last.fm

Victor Shores - People EP (2011)

"Just 3 weird doods with 3 loose moods."

Mood-swinging good emo that gets a little shouty but only in the bestest, coolest meaning of the word.



Last.fm

Glass Fingers - Do You? // Remixes (2013)

Featuring remixes of Glass Fingers' new sensually seductive single, "Do You?" by local hardbodies Mr. Neet, Computer at Sea, Jared Fairfield (as Jared Fartfield), Afraid, and Glass Fingers himself along with the album cover HE DIDN'T WANT YOU TO SEE!

Along with the remixes and the original version of "Do You?", this snazzy little bundle of naughtiness comes with an acoustic version for all the ladies out there.




Warning: this album may cause boners. Raging female boners.

That is all.

Last.fm

NFT's Got You Covered: Minor Threat + Misfits

Who says Halloween's over? Here are some more (short and sweet but hopefully not stale) treats:

Extra Happy Ghost!!! - Hippie Depression (2012)

The Canadian psychedelic lo-fi pop project known as Extra Happy Ghost!!! Released (technically not released yet) this new little digital 7'' featuring two tracks. One of the tracks is a Minor Threat cover... It's "Filler" and I'm not sure what I think of it just yet. It's definitely not your average cut/copy cover so I reward the band for that. Anyways, give it a try along with the first track, an original, called "Choke Me Out Against the Wall". Maybe you'll like it, I don't know.



Last.fm

Stalker Texas Ranger - Misfits Cover EP (2009)

Five short 8-bit Misfits' covers. The Misfits songs cover (in order) are: "Hybrid Moments", "Angelfuck", "Attitude", "Skulls", and the ever-twisted, "Last Caress".



Disclaimer: all tracks are instrumental.

Last.fm

Monday XXXXVIII

Oh yeah, for sure.

Dikembe - Broad Shoulders (2012)

New Dikembe is not to be eff'd with. Just really good and honest stuff!

Seriously, dude.

Bandcamp
Last.fm

LEANN GRIMES - I'm Not Too Skinny (2012)

LEANN GRIMES A.K.A. Shane Conerty is back with an all new stack of indie rock jams that have been chopped up and turned into something super catchy and actually fun to listen to again. And while I wasn't all that excited when I saw what was on the cutting room floor for original tracks, I was once again impressed by the way they have been re-arranged in bumpy, sample-happy GRIMES fashion! Notable acts like Beirut, Man Man, St. Vincent, and Destroyer all get the treatment along with many other bands I don't normally listen to or have heard of yet, which is really Conerty's whole point of this project; to get people interested in these bands and support them. I on the other hand, would rather just support him. Keep doing what you're doing, Shane Conerty!

Last.fm

Speedy Ortiz - Sports EP (2012)

Some more new(ish) stuff.

Sports!

Bandcamp
Last.fm

Why? - Sod in the Seeds EP (2012)

Oh, and speaking of new.... Yoni & the gang have a new EP out called, Sod in the Seeds. It's free here but probably only for a limited time so grab it while it's still there! If you like earlier Why? stuff and not so much the last record, Eskimo Snow, I really think you should check it out! Quick! GOOOOOOOO!

Last.fm

Monday XXXX

XXMONDAYXX

Jowls - Cursed (2012)

With guitar and drum duty by ex-members of Victor! Fix the Sun and bass by an ex-member of cloud mouth, Jowls already had the makings of one hell of a band, but damn, I got to say they really surprised me with this one... in a good way, of course. This new release entitled, 'Cursed' may just take the cake as my favorite screamo album of the year and possibly fill in for the loss of a new Victor! Fix the Sun record. Definitely something I'm going to be listening to a lot!

Last.fm

Goose Hunt - throw it at your dads house (2012)

This fun little electronic indie pop outfit from Montreal is going to be rolling into Maine in July and I felt I should share it. "Check it out" is my favorite track so far and is actually what you should do with it.

I don't know much more about the band per se but the show will be at Genos on the 26th.

Last.fm

Shakey Graves - Roll the Bones (not 1987)

Shakey Graves is Texan native, Alejandro Rose-Garcia. When he's not wearing cowboy hats, he's wearing goat heads. 'Roll the Bones' is filled with some dirty back road folk jams and even a surprise cover of The Boss's "I'm on Fire" (well, I guess it's not that much of a surprise since it's called, "I'm On Fire" but I really thought it was going to be an original or something). This album could have either been released this year or 1987. It probably wasn't released in 1987 though.

Some perfect American music for this coming Fourth of July, if you ask me.

Last.fm

Monday XXX

More action than xXx.

Hope everybody had a good Easter.

Anybody want my jellybeans?

Shapes Like Dinosaurs - Rarities (2012)

Shapes Like Dinosaurs just released some new material on their Bandcamp that generally consists of demos, unfinished jams and improv. It's got some good ideas and I would really enjoy hearing what "Fingers 5000" will evolve into. If nothing, that's okay too.

Last.fm

By Surprise - Mountain Smashers (2011)

Once I learned that By Surprise isn't Boy Problems, for some reason I had the impression they were the same band and what I was listening to on my ipod, I felt like this should have been one of my favorite albums of last year. It might not be 2011 anymore but I'm still going to listen to this album like it was. 2011 listens as a whole is my goal for this album and I don't think it will be that hard.

By Surprise is a super slick indie rock/twinkly/69th revival emo punk band from Jersey. They also have a split with Hightide Hotel, an EP called 478, and are currently on tour with Into It. Over It. I think they sound like an emo-y version of the rad punk band, Big Kids. That's really really rad.

Nothing against Boy Problems. If they had gotten back to together and released a new album: that would be on here too.

Bandcamp
Last.fm

Astronomer - Heavy Air (2010)

Very Cursed-"Friends in the Music Business"-hardcore from Boston. These guys opened up for KYOTY a couple weeks back when I went to the CD release party in Boston and I wasn't disappointed at all. They definitely pack a punch without having to look really tough or scary. Hell, I didn't even know they were a hardcore band... I just thought it was that whole seven flights or stairs/two hour wait period stuff. 

Jokes.

Last.fm

Boy Crisis - Tulipomania (2009)

Boy Crisis was a short-lived (or maybe still alive?) pop group that featured Victor Vazquez AKA Kool A.D of Das Racist fame. Due to "internal problems with the record label", Tulipomania was never released officially and Boy Crisis never blew up like MGMT or Foster the People or whoever is really popular with a capital POP these days. It's only as serious as Kool A.D. can be (so not very much), but if you take it seriously you might end up getting the wrong impression. It's still a goofy think, especially now, hearing Kool A.D. sing, well.. actually really good and not about random things he sees around the office that he can rap about. Not that we don't like such things, of course (I love it).

Also, I'd keep this band away from your girlfriend, sister, or sister's little friends. It's pretty intoxicating and you know how those fan girls get... 

I saw the Kids Choice Awards. 

Official site

Last.fm

Also:

David Liebe Hart AKA that guy from Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! with the puppets (do I have to say more?), is looking to make a punk rock album and he needs our help! I'm not sure how genuine it is but he needs $8,000 (the price of punk) to complete his dream album featuring songs from the Tim & Eric tour and I sure as hell wanna see this happen and exist. So yeah, donate to his Kickstarter page and check back in 22 days from now to see if his goal is reached! I know whatever comes of this will be pure gold. Just look at that Trash Talk T-shirt! 

Seriously though, my friend's girlfriend met David once and HE IS JUST LIKE THIS IN REAL LIFE.

I'm serious.

Salame. 

Monday XXVIII

More pre-planned than Wrestlemania XXVIII...


Goodtime Boys - Are We Now, Or Have We Ever Been (2011)

Uggh. Not as bad as it looks. Not totally hipster bullshit... just hipster hardcore. I guess.

Goodtime Boy are a British hardcore/punk outfit from Britain. They are currently on tour with Pianos Become The Teeth. That's pretty cool.

Last.fm

Solid Space - Space Museum (1982)

Solid Space was a minimal wave/synth pop, two person act from the future. They would be the hippest thing going today if they decided to time travel to this year in time. Space Museum was their only release here on Earth in 1982, unfortunately...

Listen to the track "Destination Moon" below:

Last.fm

Hivemind - MMXI (2011)

This is the chaotic hardcore Hivemind from New Zealand (not the hardcore Hivemeind from South Florida). They play loud and fast like a good band of their status should. There's even a couple of gnarly spoken samples included inside MMXI, like George Carlin's "The American Dream" speech and another that sounds like Steve Buscemi. Hivemind also has some nice metal tendencies which is really what I've been diggin' and looking for lately.

Though MMXI is a quick one with only four tracks no more than 2 minutes a piece, there is definitely a lot to hear and get behind. Be sure to check out any of their other stuff (Demo 2010), if you like what you hear!

It doesn't matter what color your collar is.

Bandcamp
Last.fm

Spraynard - Funtitled (2011)

I'm pretty fucking pumped to see Spraynard tonight! That's right, to-fucking-night! The venue they were original supposed to play at went on hiatus a few weeks back and I was a little worried that this wouldn't actually happen after all. Luckily, the cool cats on Poland Street will be entertaining the local and travelling punks tonight with their space instead. Mad props to those guys as always. I don't wanna give away who else is playing, however; it will ruin the surprise for my posts later this week!

I like to say that Spraynard is the less serious RVIVR, a band that I was overjoyed to see last year at this time! Spraynard are definitely one of the best edgy pop punk acts out there today and I would even go out on a limb here and call them the funniest. I mean look at that artwork above... Look at their silly song titles... Look at who is in the band for god's sake:

spooky, scary white boys.

Even their name cracks me up. All I can think about is Spraynard Kruger from Tim & Eric's Awesome Show Great Job everytime I tell them to a friend. 

Your son's name is Spray?

Yes, It's short for Spraynard...

Spray-Spraynard is his full name?

"Spraynard Kruger"

He didn't do very good in school this year.

There will be a lot more Spraynard in the future on this blog for sure after tonight. I even hope to pick up their new release, Exton Square while I'm there! Check back in for more!

If You Make It (both Funtitled and Copy and Paste are Free by donation!) (plus their pink couch session)

Bandcamp

Last.fm

Monday XXV

More ramblings and four bands that have nothing in common; it's Monday!

Klessa - Aloha Demons (2009) 

At first I was having a little trouble with this find. What bothered me most was the constant use of percussion and other effects that are always going on in this release by New Paltz band of friends and their friends, Klessa. I felt it was a bit too clunky and much too noisy for such a project. A few more listens to Aloha Demons though and I started to enjoy the "everyone just grab an instrument and play on it" kind of friends jamming and having a good time vibe (kind of like the band Typhoon). To that degree, I started to become a little jealous that my experiences with getting a big group of pals together to jam out were not as good as what this sounds - if that makes any sense - and from there I really started to enjoy this big group of music makers. maybe it's just the fact that they have a singing saw (or at least it sounds like they do) or maybe it's how they have a clarinet, an instrument that I've seen in a lot of band's lately, but have not heard it played the way it is here. Either way it is a perfect sounding album for NFT and the Monday post, so here it is. 

Last.fm (only tag is "unreasonable")

If You Make It ("Layers")

Cathedraal - Voix Blanches (2012)

Cathedraal is a french band that likes to experiment. Experiment with what you ask? Oh, you know.. cool stuff. I like to think that these guys are what it would have sounded like if Daitro started making more songs like Part IV. With that being said, I think I am more glad that Cathedraal are not Daitro because then I'd be mad as hell they stopped being heavy and went with a more contained sound. Voix Blanches still sounds great and does have its moments of chaos. 

Sometimes it also sounds like a french Mike Patton project or My Own Private Alaska (you may agree to disagree). 

You can telecharger it for free! That means free DL!

Bandcamp

Last.fm

I keep finding myself trying to write about the negatives of these goodies I have picked up along the way. I apologize if my comments are a bit on the hurtful side, I just wanna be a good blogger and there's no better way to do that then to bury things you don't like and praise the stuff you think other people should. But seriously, I'm working on being a little less negative and sassy and a little more positive and witty. 

Wale - Mixtape About Nothing (2008)

Here's something that made me chuckle. I forgot about this album and how I was totally going to post it! 

This is a mixtape by D.C. rapper Wale called Mixtape About Nothing, a heavily influenced and sampled Seinfeld release. Wale has seen every episode of Seinfeld and is here to prove it with his first Seinfeld inspired mixtape with a sequel in 2010 appropriately called More About Nothing. Wale is supposedly a very successful rapper now and probably doesn't watch as much white boy sitcoms as he used to. I could be wrong though. 

The album features J Dilla beats, production by Best Kept Secret (oops! I told!), The Roots on a song called "The Roots Song Wale is On", The Budos Band, Lil Wayne on a song called "The Cliche Lil Wayne Feature (It's the Remix Baby!)", Bun B, Pusha T, Tre, Tawiah, and even Julia Louis-Dreyus AKA "Elaine" herself! Seriously, she is... 

...and so is Kramer saying the N word. Yep, and it's not Nostalgia. 

The beats tend to sound a little goofy and bumpin' all at the same time which makes Wales raps sound a little sillier than you'd think. Unfortunately, I don't think this is for everyone and even if it has Seinfeld written all over it (not literally), I don't think all Seinfeld fans would enjoy this hip-hop epic. If you are like me though, you will understand that there is only two ways to listen to hip-hop... ironically or not at all. Just kidding Aesop. 

PS I chuckled because of an inside joke about Seinfeld, you wouldn't understand.

10.Deep

Last.fm

Mai, Mai - Mai, Mai (2011)

Mai, Mai is a "chamber and popular music" based project by a local Portland, Maine (I believe) mulit-instrumentalist, Sean Morin. I found out about this gentleman from a show he played at a few weeks back. He wasn't playing as "Mai, Mai" but was actually in a band made up of other local musicians who came together just two days before the show. They had never played with each other before and had only 48 hours to come up with a 25 minute set along with four other frankenstein-y bands just like them that night. The event is the 48 Hour Music Festival and it is in its fourth year. I meant to mention it before but I figured if you were cool you would have already heard and went. 

Sean Morin was in a band with my home boy, Jesse Gertz AKA Glass Fingers, along with the bassist from grrl punk outifit,  The Outfits and the drummer of Sunset Hearts among other things. I'll post the full set for all of you who are not cool or had to stay home and feed your cat rather then hike up to Maine to witness the awesomeness or awkwardness (I don't know the difference) that was Clitt Romney (down below). Oh yeah... that was their band name for the night and are rumored to actually be going into the studio and record some stuff some day. 

For Sean's own music, it is a worth wild look at what this guy actually plays for music. I thought the whole, "I play the keyboard" thing was a joke. Guess not! Ch-check it!

I would mention the rest of the bands who played but I don't want to leave anyone out of get their names/information/instrument/band wrong. I have a habit of that. 

They are Clitt Romney and they are here to get you off!

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Happy Valentines Day

Happy V-day.

Here's something for you and your significant other or self to enjoy on this most intimate day:

Dirty South Joe & Flufftronix - Luvstep <3 (2012)

Every year mix/compilation/DJ/electronic/dubstep artists Dirty South Joe & Fluffronix come out with a little over an hour mix that explores the sensual side of dubstep and electronic music. This is the third year of their "Luvstep" project of which really kicks Valentines Day off with a bang for lovers of dubstep. But for me, the music isn't even the best part. No, honestly it's their teasers that they put up each year to, well, tease us with what they've got for showcasing artists. How they do it? They put it in a classic romantic film scene.

Exhibit A is this year's teaser featuring some smooth dub stuff over a very steamy scene from Ghost. The one where ghost Swayze gets his mack on with Demi Moore with a clay wheel thingy:

Exhibit B is my personal favorite. It's the first Luvstep teaser and features my favorite lovey dovey flick, Say Anything. This time, instead of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" roaring from Cusack's ghetto blaster, we hear a very seduction and wobbly dubstep track to tempt his lover back into his arms:

The mix itself this year is actually really moving and features some familiar names such as Click & Whistle, Evol Intent, Clams Casino, Flufftronix himself, Ellie Goulding and Skrillex. But get this, the Skrillex song doesn't suck or curse the name of mainstream dubstep. Plus there are tons of other bands and tracks just waiting to be discovered. Like "Love Is On Your Side" by Sinjin Hawke, "Everything To Me (The Adventure Club Remix)" by LIPS, "Strange Behavior" by Feed Me Featuring Tasha Baxter and of course, the opening masterpiece "It Gets Better" by Mad Decent labelee (if that's a phrase) Derek Allen of which goes perfectly into the next track ("Life" by Kotez).

The mix can be DL'd as one big continuous MP3 or split up the way I like my mixes. Because I'm selfish and like individual tracks... Does that really make me such a bad person? Really?

Okay.

I don't always listen to Dubstep

But when I do, It's usually Luvstep

Luvstep.com
Last.fm

Black Bear - The Cinnamon Phase

Sam Beebe plays some catchy electronic pop music that is both gushy and geeky. With the moniker of Black Bear, Sam has the ability to distract you with his romantic beats while ripping your heart out with his claws. Musically metaphorical claws that is. Black Bear is fun and can easily be used to impress the ladies... At least, I like to think.

Black Bear - The Cinnamon Phase (2006)

The lyrics are quirky, the instruments are electric and the feelings you feel afterwards will be uncomfortably giddy.

If you are a fan of music that reminds you of ex girlfriends, whistling, songs about birds flocking each other, spoken word, your mother, being awkward, not liking Bright Eyes, music that makes you think of the seventh grade, one man electro projects or lists of things you like... You might like Black Bear's The Cinnamon Phase.

I could be totally wrong though.

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Myspace
Sam Beebe also got himself a Live at Last.fm session 
And if he wants he'll nap and dream his black bear dreams

Computer at Sea

Computer at Sea is Galen Richmond from the piney state of Maine. He bends circuits, plays bloops and bleeps on video game consols and beats up on old electrical instruments in an attempt to give his audience a nice homebrood example of electronic pop music. It's a perfect soundtrack for both robots and humans alike.

Computer at Sea - Palace of the Lightbulbs (2011)

The whole thing reminds me of robots dancing around in a sludgy pool of computer acid, slightly miss programed and slowly short circuiting. Richmond truly has a knack for this electronic stuff and it shows.

I've had the great fortune of seeing this gentlemen play a few times. One time at a robot dance party(!) and another with Dan Deacon (an electronic geek in his own right). Every time I see him with his table flooded with gadgets, gadgets of which I have never seen before and certainly don't have any idea how they work or what sound they make, I feel like I am eight years old again... Back when I used to take little nic-nacs from around the house to create a little sculpture that didn't do anything or have any purpose (kind of like this analogy). It was fun and sounded good to me. Just like Computer at Sea.

Computer at Sea also plays a sweet cover of "Be True To Your School" by the Beach Boys which is sweet!

Last.fm
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Be True To Your School