Renaissance Men Don’t Surf

RMDS: Peter's Top Albums of 2006

2006-12-31T01:21:00.000-08:00

Well, this has been a whirlwind of a year for me, as far as "indie music" is concerned. Most of you loyal(right?) readers out there would have laughed at my iTunes at the begginning of 2006, as my indie cred was little to none. But thanks to a few friends (cough Jeff and Joe)I was able to get hooked up with all the good stuff I'd missed throughout the years. I spent most of the early months of the year enjoying the best stuff of 05, and by the time summer hit I was sucked into everything and anything '06. Blogs, leaks, and "lists" soon became the fixation of my thoughts. 2006 led me through many phases; my Joe-induced folk phase started it all, but soon transitioned into a summer phase filled with overflowing amounts of happy indie pop, and finally finished with a phase that included an all out love affair with dance beatz. I still love it all though, especially the "pop" as my list will indicate, but I'd say my tastes as a whole have become more ecclectic (I'm so trill), despite my innabilty to get through even one track on Scott Walker's The Drift - I'll keep trying though Jeff! So with that all said, here's my Top Albums of 2006, accompanied with my favorite song (sorry no mo3 as my bandwith has been exceeded - ugh, I said I'm sorry, geez), my favorite lyric from said song, and a mostly short write-up. Welp, Enjoy, and we will see ya on the other side.

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15. Annuals - Be He Me

Dry Clothes:

“Well Missy, sure you can look through my drawers. I've got nothing to hide. So, crying soul don't you tally the toll because where's the love in counting?”

For the longest time I insisted that this album was good, but front loaded, and therefore not worthy to make my top albums cut. But my boy Casey kept on bugging me to give it more of a chance; and sure enough, I did, and he was right. And although Casey still maintains “Complete or Completing” is the album’s standout, I can’t shake myself from LOVING the 2:00 minute mark on Dry Clothes, when the lid flies off, and the Annuals pour out every drop of energy left in their skinny little adolescent bodies, shouting the above lyric…ya, it’s infectious, you know it.

14. The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes

Pull Shapes:

“Dance with me, pretty boy tonight / Dance with me, and we'll be alright / There's a whole floor before us, just for you and me / So follow my lead, and we'll 1-2-3 / Pull Shapes…”

I don’t think I could ever meet the Pipettes. I’d absolutely melt. Hands down the cutest album released this year. This album is sassy, fun, and dance worthy – in a 50’s sock hop kind of way. Come to the U.S. ladies– like, now.!

13. Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies

Rubies:

“All good things must come to an end, the bad ones just go on forever…”

Who knows where this album would be on my list if I had gotten a hold of it earlier than October! Although Bejar’s crashing guitar riffs can sometimes wear on me, I force myself to sit through it solely for those beautiful moments of soaring bliss, which appear in almost every song. “Rubies” is the perfect example of this (and one of my favorite songs of the year); specifically at the 4:07 mark: pure bliss…ahhh, sooooo good.

12. Ratatat - Classics

Montanita

“Raaaaar” (From “Wildcat”)…that’s a joke. Har Har.

Who would have thought such a presumptuously titled album would almost live up to its name. The beats are funky fresh and the guitars are twangy, shimmering goodness. This album is like the printers these days that allow you to print, photocopy, scan, and fax: I could always wake up to it, dance to it, or do homework to it. Oh, these guys blast the hell out of the speakers live too. Neeeeaaat!

11. Ben Kweller - Ben Kweller

Sundress:

“Everybody's trying to be the best / What about the girl with loneliness / I like your sundress…”

Cheesy lyrics; perfect pop songs. Go ahead and make fun of me for liking Ben Kweller, I don’t care!

10. Kite Flying Society – Where Is the Glow?

Love & Seagulls:

“All of the trees make music for me, as green as the grass leading out to the sea / And in that time, so quiet divine, the foamiest friend is mine.…”

This album is simply delicious; just look at that lyric above. Mmmm. Drawing straight from the playbooks of the Beach Boys, Rogue Wave, and The Shins, local San Diegans’ Kite Flying Society released a debut record overflowing with sun kissed lyrics and breezy So Cal melodies. Where Is The Glow? was neck in neck with The Life Pursuit (see below) all summer long, vying for my “soundtrack of the summer” vote, and although they nearly missed, they still get mad props. Seeing these guys live outside on a sunny day in San Diego with a snow cone in hand was all I needed to solidify them in my top ten! I can’t wait for the next album guys!

9. The Blow – Paper Television

Parantheses:

“…And when you’re holding me we, make a pair of parentheses / There’s plenty of space to encase whatever weird way my mind goes / I know I’ll be safe in these arms / You’re not a baby if you feel the world /All of the babies can feel the world / That’s why they cry.”

Aside from releasing my favorite track of the entire year (see above mp3 and lyric), The Blow’s Paper Television delivers an all around assault to the musical senses, in the best way possible of course - filled with blips, bleeps, and the most charming, albeit sassy, pop melodies you’ve ever heard. I melt every time I listen to this album. Go ahead and take a listen, I guarantee you’ll want to dance, cry, and smile all at the same time.

8. Phoenix – It’s Never Been Like That

Rally:

“Standing in line, I think you're pretty / Lying on your bed, I think you're pretty too.”

Probably the only pure “indie rock” album you’ll find on my list, and even then, it’s more “soft rock” than anything. Similarly to my #2’s, these Frenchman don’t miss on any of the ten tracks. In an indie music world where originality seems to be the only thing that matters, Phoenix reminds us that sometimes simple and solid is just as good. It’s Never Been Like That is an instantly likeable album, overflowing with lyrics and guitar riffs that are bound to stick in your head.

7. Joanna Newsom – Ys

Cosmia:

“And all those lonely nights down by the river / Brought me bread and water, water in…”

…Similar to my number one album of the year, this only album has the ability to reach down, pick me up, and place me in a new world. When I close my eyes and listen to Ys I see dense wooded forests, and creatures I never knew were even fathomable. This album is something special and if I wasn’t so ADD, this would have been higher on my list – at least I can appreciate it!

6. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife

The Crane Wife 3:

“And I will hang my head, hang my head low…”

…The Decemberist’s best album to date also proves to be one of the best of 2006. Colin Meloy orchestrates a perfect blend of “pop” and “epic” that never left my musical pallet thirsty. The bookend tracks alone, “The Crane Wife 3” and “Sons and Daughters” provide an awe-inspiring beginning and end for the wonderful songs found in the middle. This album is a diverse, winding, epic tale brought to life via Meloy ‘n company. Well done, guys and gals, well done.

5. Josh Ritter – The Animal Years

Girl In The War:

“Because the keys to the Kingdom got lost inside the Kingdom / And the angels fly around in there but we can¹t see them / I got a girl in the war Paul…”

…The saddest, most sincere album of all 2006. Josh Ritter is an artist who flew under a lot of radars, but his deep, emotional lyrics which breathe sincerity deserve attention. This album moves along like a somber narration of a story set in the Midwest, evoking a wide range of emotions, namely bitterness. With wonderful production to accompany these lyrical flurries, the often simple musical arrangements still managed to hook me on nearly every song. While it’s evident Ritter doesn’t have all the answers figured out regarding life and God, it is evident that he knows how to make an excellent, genre-defying album.

4. Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit

The Blues Are Still Blue:

“I've been creeping round this town because / Well, creeping's just my way (oh oh)…”

I’m not sure if I’m ready to jump on board with all the peeps saying this is Belle & Sebastian’s best album to date, because I personally believe If Your Feeling Sinister is one of the greatest albums ever made. BUT, that does not mean that this isn’t a damn fine record too, because it IS. Looking at the transformation of B&S from their early days to 2006’s The Life Pursuit demonstrates what an amazing band they really are. To pull off such a change from their spacey, soft twee pop days, to a cohesive indie pop album is an incredible feat. I could go on all day talking about how much these Swedes impress me (and often consume my listening habits), but I’m just going to tell you that The Life Pursuit was THE soundtrack of the summer, and also, one of the very best albums of 2006 – no matter what way you look at it.

3. I’m from Barcelona – We’re from Barcelona

Ola Kala:

“Have you ever felt that nothing's ever going your way? / Every good thing that you find is always running away”

I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty disappointed about how little end of the year respect I’m From Barcelona is getting. And don’t think this album is up on my list to spite the haters (read Pitchfork) either, because We’re From Barcelona has been nestled high atop my favorite albums list for quite some time. I think what’s happened is people try to write these guys off as just another impractical and goofy twee pop outfit; and yes that’s what it looks like on the outside, and sure 26 members isn’t all that practical, but these guys take on a certain level of consciousness in their songs that is not seen in your average indie pop group. While, groups like The Boy Least Likely To (whom I love equally to IFB), blissfully recount childhood scenes as if they are still living in them, I’m From Barcelona takes a reflective and nostalgic approach, often lamenting about childhood misfortunes (“Chicken Pox”) and realizing that they have to eventually grow up (“Rec and Play”). You are probably laughing in your chair at me right now, to even take indie pop this seriously, but that’s the only way to do it – because they take themselves seriously. Anyways, because of this said consciousness within the lyrics, We’re From Barcelona floats far above most pop albums; just listen to that chorus crash down in “Ola Kala” – don’t be afraid, because everything is going to turn to be okay. I’m From Barcelona sees it from all angles, and that’s what makes this album special: they can have fun and sing about tree houses, but deep down they realize they must grow up sometime, and it pains them – which despite what yawl may say, its pretty evident in every single melody and chord on this album.

2. Math and Physics Club – Math and Physics Club

Darling Won’t You Please Come Home:

“I love it when the coals burn way down low / You slide up next to me, so sweet, so slow”

Of all the albums I listened to this year, this is the only one that happened to nail me at just the perfect time. See it was October, and I was living in San Diego, and the closest thing to fall you can get in SoCal is a cool ocean breeze. Being from Colorado, I was desperately craving the changing colors of leaves, and the smell of warm apple cider. Luckily for me, Math and Physics Club’s self titled debut magically placed me in this fall wonderland that I had been longing for. Whether it was “Darling Won’t You Please Come Home” putting warm butterflies in my stomach or “La La La Lisa” epitomizing every single crush I ever had, this album complimented by mood to perfection nearly every listen. To boot, this is one of the few albums that I constantly listen to as whole – my Itunes shows upper twenties play counts on every song! Well anyways, don’t let my personal connection to this album fool you: MAPC’s s/t does not disappoint on any of its ten tracks as it essentially perfects soft, twee pop. This is a seasonal spreading, love and loss focused, mind blowing debut – BUY IT!

1. The Knife – Silent Shout

Silent Shout:

“Yes in a dream all my teeth fell out / A cracked smile and a silent shout”

By now, this is of course the trendy pick for album of the year, but I could care less. I think this album is special because it came full circle on me. The first time I listened to it on a rainy afternoon this summer in my car I was weird-ed the hell out by the album’s opener and title track “Silent Shout”, even though at the same time I was very intrigued. As I probed deeper into the album in the fall I found myself dancing to “We Share Our Mother’s Health” nonstop, and soon thereafter became enchanted with the mysteriousness of “Marble House.” Every piece of this album seem to fall perfectly into place for me, until I literally couldn’t get enough. No matter how many times I spin this album, I still always get taken to another world…and that’s about as articulate as I’m going to be able to get on something I love as much as Silent Shout – my album of the year.

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Honorable Mentions:
(which on any given day could have made it into the Top 15)

Russian Futurists – Me, Myself, and Rye, M. Ward – Post War, Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - #3, Danielson – Ships, Damien Jurado - Now That I'm In Your Shadow, Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope, Lucero - Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers, Rocky Votolato - Makers

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Well, that's it for 2006 folks. It's been a great year. I've learned alot, and despite the half-assed nature of this blog, it really has been a good endeavor. Unfortunately I don't know if it will survive, being that I am going to be leaving for Spain for 5 months (from Jan 5th to June 7th), and to tell you the truth, blogging is going to be the least of my concerns! Well, maybe if you bug Joe enough, he might become the posting machine that I know he is deep down inside and RMDS will soon rival the likes of Pitchfork(quasi blog) and Sterogum. Scratch my hesitation, I'm sure of it. But regardless, it's been a fun time, and maybe I'll pick it back up this summer, who knows? Well, once again, have a Happy New Year, and don't forget to leave some comments. We lub 'um. Goodnight all.

RMDS: Joe's Top Albums of 2006.

2006-12-28T14:35:00.000-08:00

...with special guest Peter Miller providing filler noises such as "bonch" and "ween dog."

Well here we are again; there's only a few more days left in 06, and that means it's about time to finish up our year end list 'extravaganza' here at RMDS. While my list will be coming tomorrow, today we have Joe's picks for Best Albums of 2006. Following suit with all the other lists on the site so far, Joe's picks are great - whether it be in paying respect to his folk roots, giving a nod to some of the pop albums I always played on repeat, or professing his love for the epic hip hop releases of the year, Joe's list proves to be a nice recap of a year of great music. So scan his list, pick up a few mp3's at the bottom, and leave him some nice comments. Enjoy:

15. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife

14. Spank Rock - Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo

13. Matt & Kim - S/T

12. mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister

11. The Blow - Paper Television

10. T.I. - King

9. Islands - Return To The Sea

8. The Game - The Doctor's Advocate

7. Girl Talk - Night Ripper

6. Sufjan Stevens - The Avalanche

5. Rocky Votaloto - Makers

4. Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up, I Am Dreaming

3. Josh Ritter - Animal Years

2. I'm From Barcelona - Let Me Introduce You To My Friends

1. Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope

Honorable Mentions:

Bonnie Prince Billy - The Letting Go
Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
Lily Allen - Alright, Still
Ratatat - Classics
The Mountain Goats - Get Lonely
Kite Flying Society - Where Is The Glow?
Band of Horses - Everything All The Time

Looking Forward to In 06:

1. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
2. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
3. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
4. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
5. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Various MP3's For Your Downloading Pleasure:

-mp3- The Decemeberists - The Crane Wife III
-mp3- Matt & Kim - Lightspeed
-mp3- The Blow - Parantheses
-mp3- Girl Talk - Hold Up
-mp3- Josh Ritter - Girl In The War
-mp3- Regina Spektor - Fidelity
-mp3- The Mountain Goats - Woke Up New
-mp3- Band of Horses - Funeral

RMDS: Skubic's Top Albums of 2006.

2006-12-23T03:40:00.000-08:00

Today, RMDS begins the first installment of our 3-part year end list extravaganza. Our first list comes from part time RMDS contributer, Skubic - and to say the least, I really like his list. Alot. It's bottom loaded with alot of solid alt-country rock that you may have missed this year, so please click on the band's name, and follow the link to check out some tasty, whisky drenched tunes. Alright enjoy, and look forward to Joe's picks in the coming days:

10. Girl Talk - Night Ripper (mp3- Hold Up)

9. Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That

8. I'm From Barcelona - Let Me Introduce My Friends

7. Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies (mp3 - Rubies)

6. The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America

5. Lucero - Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers (mp3 - Weight of Guilt)

4. The Head Set - Way Past Used (mp3 - Enemies)

3. Calexico - Garden Ruin

2. The Decemberists - Crane Wife (mp3- The Crane Wife III)

1. The Broken Family Band - Balls (mp3 - I'm Thirsty)

I highly recommend you check out The Broken Family Band (The best country band out of Cambridge!)...The Decemberists have managed to stay high on my list despite Stephen Colbert's attacks on their Literary Indie-Prog Rock-ness...Calexico just feels right for some reason, I think it has something to do with the fact that I eat Mexican at least 6 days a week...The Head Set are a great new band I have already talked up enough...& Lucero are always a good choice, and I already raved about them too.

So there you have it. Balls.

RMDS: Top Shows of 2006

2006-12-21T17:44:00.000-08:00

Well, as promised, here are RMDS' top 9 (yes, we like weird numbers to accompany our lists) live shows of 2006. We were fortunate enough to attend a grip load of shows this year, and thoroughly enjoyed nearly all of them, despite the ridiculous amounts of money we spent to attend them. Welp, here they are, with all my splendid photography to accompany them. Enjoy, and as always, we love your comments - even if they say "Go eat a dick." K. Here:

9. Lady Sovereign / June 14 / The Fox - Boulder, Co

Sure, the S.O.V. gimmick has run its course by now, but this doesn't change the fact that she is a natural performer. Maybe it was the alcohol, but her between song banter alone, deserves her this spot on our top shows list. Oh, and "Random" was a treat as well. Don't hate.

8. TV On The Radio / September 25 / Soma - San Diego, Ca

-Original Review-

Although Return To Cookie Mountain never really captivated Joe and I like it did the rest of the blogging world, these guys know how to jam live. Distorted and loud noise aside, TVOR managed to deliver on every song; especially in their back to back performance of "Province" and "Wolf Like Me." Mmmmm.

7. AIH and The Blow / September 16 / The Epicentre - San Diego, Ca

-Original Review-

Khaela from the Blow was as sassy and cute on person as she is on Paper Television, and despite not playing our fav "Parantheses," she still swooned and awed almost everyone there...Architecutre In Helsinki unleashed a set chock full of new songs on the unsuspecting audiance, and despite initial hesitations, it turned out to be the dancy goodness I had hoped for from the Aussies, just in a new and fresh kind of way. Yummmmmy...can't wait for their new album.

6. Iron & Wine @ Sasquatch / May 27 / The Gorge - Eastern Wa

Sam Beam owned the stage that day. With looming thunderclouds hovering above, he whisped through most of the Iron & Wine catalog. The Gorge proved to be just the perfect setting for tunes such as "Trapeze Swinger," and Joe and I both agree that Beam delivered an unforgettful performance.

5. Cold War Kids / June 22 / Larimer Lounge - Denver, Co

Ya, the inevitable 'Kids backlash is upon us. Even I turn up my nose when friends tell me how much they like Cold War Kids, but forgetting about this live set would be a crime. Although they had to open, CWK blew everyone else off the stage that night (Tapes and Figurines), as they doused every song with soul and energy.

4. Beck @ Sasquatch / May 28 / The Gorge - Eastern Wa

Maybe I'm biased because I was front row for this set, with thousands behind me, but this was a damn fine show. Beck demonstrated why he is an indie rock king, as he unleashed hits from his back catalog and at the time, the forthcoming Information. Oh, and do I really have to say anything besides "Puppets"? Nope.

3. The Faint, Ladytron, & Ratatat / December 7 / Palladium - Hollywood, Ca

The only "dance" or "electronic", if you will, show I've ever been too. And in a year, which saw my affinity for dance music ever-increasing, this was the climax. All three bands steamrolled through the hits ("Glass Danse", "Seventeen", and "Wildcat" - respectively), and when all was said and done, I was dripping in sweat due to the all out dance party that ensued throughout the night. Head and shoulders, the funnest show I've ever attended (It helps when you have 15 of your best friends there, btw!). Oh, the DJ's killed it in between sets too.

2. Wolf Parade / August 25 / The Wiltern - Los Angeles, Ca

-Original Review-

The whole RMDS crew saw this one, and we all agreed: these Canadaian indie rockers absolutely destroy it live. Krug 'n company's electrifying stage presence was an incredible expansion to Apologies. I'd be hard pressed to find a band that rocks harder than these guys live.

1. Sufjan Stevens / October 9 / The Wiltern - Los Angeles, Ca

-Original Review-

Predictable? Cliche? Yes. And like with all the other hype and backlash that Sufjan amasses, he still always delivers. With a full horn and strings section, Suf gave new context to all the songs - mostly off of Illinois and Seven Swans. The highlight was of course "Majesty Snowbird," which we here at RMDS can't wait to here once it's done in the studio. The performance once again solidified what a dynamic singer-songwriter, and now performer, that Sufjan Stevens is. In a year full of good shows, this one stood on top for us at RMDS!

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Well, that's it. I hope you enjoyed our choices and the pictures. Please leave comments if you'd like. Look forward to Mike, Joe, and I's year end lists in the next few days.

Arcade Fire - "Intervention"

2006-12-18T18:51:00.000-08:00

Grr. I was set on putting up my top live shows of 2006 up on the blog today, but my heart really wasn't in it, considering all I've done lately is play Arcade Fire on repeat. I'm not going to post the new song "Intervention" because it's everywhere already, but the hype machine (this link will direct you nicely) should help you unearth both the BBC Radio radio rip, as well as the old KCRW in-studio version. Both are fantastic, in their own respects, I might add.

Anyways, I just wanted to share with you the video of that said KCRW performance way back from 2004. It is a treat and I hadn't seen it posted anywhere so I thought you might like:

Oh, and if that doesn't get you excited about the forthcoming album, then these two tidbits should:

"According to sources, including MOJO magazine, the new album makes use of Pipe Organ, Military Choir, Hurdy Gurdy, a full Hungarian Orchestra amongst others. Win Butler described the album as sounding "like standing by the ocean at night."
-Wikipedia on Neon Bible

"Apparently the small group of people who have heard the album (in highly-secured listening sessions with band officials standing by, mind you) have said it’s fucking amazing (read: better than Funeral)..."
-Derek over at Good Weather For Airstrikes

Well that's about it for today. I'm going to get back to bonerizing over how good "Intervention" is and hopefully I will get my top shows up tomorrow. Sweet. Now go grab yourself some egg nog and enoy that nasty organ in all its epic glory.

RMDS: Top Songs of 2006

2006-12-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

Finals are over and Christmas is rapidly approaching - and we couldn't be happier here at RMDS. To celebrate, Joe (remember him?) and I have collaborated to create our Top 11 songs of 2006 - that we both were able to agree on. (Oh, before I forget, folloiwng our combined list will be some of the songs Joe and I specificially held close to our respective hearts). Anyways, enough with the filler: these our the songs that we conversed about endlessly on the phone over the summer, played on repeat in the dorm, and became devastated over when they weren't played live (see #5 and #2). These are our favorite songs of 2006 in all their epic, dancy, and retrospective goodness. Enjoy:

11. The Crane Wife 3- The Decemberists (mp3)
Critics can predict the decline of The Decemberists till the cows come home (I'm not convinced that said cows aren't mentioned somewhere on The Crane Wife), but as long as Collin Meloy delivers the goods melodically, I have a hard time getting concerned for Portland's finest. Insert joke about hanging my head here.
10. Trill - Clipse (mp3)
If any element of this song had been slightly mishandled, it could've been horrible. The beat is just dirty enough, the hook perfectly lazy, and Pusha T and Malice rap with just enough of a detached sense of "do you really think we're trying our hardest?" to convince listeners that they really are T to the RILL.
9. Snow (Hey Oh) - Red Hot Chili Peppers (mp3)
This song makes me sad. Real sad. Buy you don't have to be. That's just me. But I think everyone can enjoy that melting guitar riff, and the sooting "Hey Ohhh's" no matter what mood they are in. Right?
8. Sad Sad City - Ghostland Observatory (mp3)
Think 80's, synths, and the funkiest beatz you've ever heard...got it? Now you kind of have an idea of how good this song is. "Well I, need you...to want me, to hold me, to tell me the truth..." Try getting that out of your head. I sure can't.
7. Hold Up - Girl Talk (mp3)
I would only be repeating what better writers had already attempted when I to reflect upon the manic collage art of Girl Talk. This is the ultimate party song from the ultimate party album. It made me shake that laffy taffy and come to a fresh appreciation of both Nas and Rivers Cuomo. Also, this song contributed greatly to me making a fool out of myself to music. Long live pop music.
6. Woke Up New - The Mountain Goats (mp3)
If it's not obvious by the title, this is THE song to wake up too. Often Woke Up New was the only thing that could somewhat reconcile having to trudge through another 40 hour work week this summer. For this, I thank you Josh Darnielle; you know how to write a damn, fine song.
5. Lightspeed - Matt & Kim (mp3)
Lightspeed came out of nowhere to blow away RMDS and all our friends, and then they didn't even play it live. Ugh. (Insert sad smiley face here). Regardless, this song captures all of my little league sports angst and the increasing reality of growing up, and rolls it up into one ball of melodic retrospect. I lub you Matt & Kim.
4. Girl In The War - Josh Ritter (mp3)
I will admit it, I am suspicious of music in any way associated with Nashville. I often buy Paste Magazine, read the track listing of their sampler, get super intrigued, and then listen to it and quickly become super bored. Josh Ritter throws all of my west coast prejudice back in my face. He may be a little bit Nashville, but I hear some Dylan here, maybe even some Cohen. This song is an example of songwriting worth paying attention to, and of production that dresses up said songwriting without crushing it completely. I have a feeling that Josh Ritter might be showing up on end of the year lists a few more times before his career is over.
3. Fidelity - Regina Spektor (mp3)
The most hopeful, pristine pop vocal imaginable. I instantly associate this song with clear skies and sunny days and the general feeling of coming up for air. This song really shows the genius of Regina Spektor: she is just as comfortable making a radio-friendly, winningly produced piece of pop perfection as she is cranking out the piano ballads and anti-folk urban storytelling. Just watching people smile the first time the chorus hits is enough to earn this song the number 3 spot in a year chock full of great singles.
2. Parantheses - The Blow (mp3)
A song packed with more catches, hooks, and draws than anything I've heard all year. I can't even begin to describe how much I love this song, so I'm just going to give you the mp3, and some of the lyrics - if that doesn't convince you, than you are a hard ass who has never had a crush: “…And when you’re holding me we, make a pair of parentheses / There’s plenty of space to encase whatever weird way my mind goes / I know I’ll be safe in these arms / You’re not a baby if you feel the world /All of the babies can feel the world / That’s why they cry.” MELT.
1. Funeral - Band of Horses (mp3)
This song stands as clear reminder of the easiest way to make a great song great: lots and lots of build-ups and sudden changes in dynamics. Soft-Loud-Loud-Soft all the way. We here at RMDS found ourselves listening to this one while lying face down on the floor more than once. Almost as awkward a moment as when we played Girl Talk for our visitorrs...that's another story. But anyways, hands down, single of the year.

Pete's Top 10 Songs (that aren't seen above)
We Share Our Mother's Health - The Knife
The Start Of Something - Voxtrot
Province - TV On The Radio
Rough Gem - Islands
Rubies - Destroyer
Majesty Snowbird - Sufjan Stevens
Cosmia - Joanna Newsom
Click Click Click Click - Bishop Allen
My Love - Justin Timberlake
Antarctica - Antarctica Takes It!

Joe's Top 10 Songs (that aren't seen above)
Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado
Springfield - Sufjan Stevens
What You Know - T.I.
Street Lights - Rocky Votolato
In A Sweater Poorly Knit - mewithoutyou
Never Went To Church - The Streets
Gold Lion - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Too Much - The Game
Kilo - Ghostface Killa
Bump - Spank Rock

Well, that about does it for now. Joe has a flight home to Seattle later today, and I have a long car ride to Colorado tonight. So wish us safe travels, leave us some comments regarding our picks, and look forward to our year end lists in a few days! ...oh, Happy Holidays!

Casey Dienel makes it all ok....

2006-12-12T01:05:00.000-08:00

Well... finals are tough, but Ms. Casey Dienel seems to make it all ok...

-mp3- Casey Dienel - Tundra (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
-mp3- Casey Dienel - Better In Manhattan (Daytrotter Session)

Buy Wind Up Canary - quite possibly the best female solo album of 2006.

Look at me now...

2006-12-04T13:12:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, it is upon us. Or at least upon us student bloggers. Yes, finals is what I'm referring to - and when it rains, it pours. As you can tell, the blog is going to be taking a back seat for the next week or so as I devote my prescious time to studying and papers. But in order to not leaving you hanging too much, I've compiled a mini mix of songs I've been diggin' the hell out of lately. So sit back, grab some sweet songs, and check out some of the other fine blogs on my sidebar during my hiatus. Enjoy, and happy holidays:

Oh, all of these come with the highest possible recommendation peoples. Get downloading.

-mp3- Matt & Kim - Lightspeed (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
-mp3- Destroyer - Rubies
-mp3- The Russian Futurists - Precious Metals
-mp3- Cat Power - Lived In Bars
-mp3- Horse Feathers - Dustbowl
-mp3- Charlotte Gainsbourg - The Operation
-mp3- The Knife - We Share Our Mother's Health (Ratatat Remix)

...mmm, egg nog.

I'm In Love With Your Brother

2006-11-29T00:09:00.000-08:00

I've really been getting back into The Knife lately. After just watching their phenomenal new DVD, "Silent Shout: An Audio Visual Experience," I have gained a new found appreciation for the Sweedish duo. Aside from the stunning live set, the DVD includes various music videos; and I found the one below to be incredibly fascinating.

The song, "Pass This On" from their Deep Cuts release, is filmed in what appears to be a banquet room. Although in alot of The Knife's videos the "meaning" is often hazy, this video accurately depicts the creepy lyrics in a successfully creepy way. The video begins with a transvestite(?) lipping the words of the song while seducing Olaf. Meanwhile, Olaf's sister and other member of The Knife, Karin, stares from her seat. What really makes this video stand out though, is the speed that is shot in. While the song moves along at normal speed, the people move in slow motion. Aghhh, just watch...it's trippy in so many ways:

Oh, here's a sweet remix of the above song too:
-mp3- The Knife - Pass It On (Dahlback And Dahlback Remix)

Buy all of The Knife's albums, they rule.

RTB? of the Day: East River Pipe

2006-11-28T00:03:00.000-08:00

As promised, I am beginning my new feature today that will be ongoing until I post my "albums of the year" list around Christmas. Being the not-so-creative guy I am, I will be calling it the "Remember This Band?" feature. So anyways, on to the good stuff...

I feel pretty silly not having heard of East River Pipe's 2006 release What Are You On? till just the other day. In fact, when I first got the album, I ignorantly assumed it was their debut. To my suprise, What Are You On?, is ERP's outsanding sixth LP. And although I am not familiar with any of the band's back catalog, I can assure you that this album, released way back in January, is something not to be forgotten during the hustle and bustle of year end lists. The opening two tracks are fantastic:

-mp3- East River Pipe - What Does T.S. Eliot Know About You?
This song really is instantly likeable. His eccentric, muffled voice accompanied with the perplexing lyrics are hard not to latch on to. I can't quite decipher what this song's meaning really is, but I pick up a hint of sarcasm regarding people who think they are really smarter than they actually are. Ahh, I have no clue. It's just a good song, work with me.

-mp3- East River Pipe - Crystal Queen
If Wayne Coyne and The Soft Bulletin had twins that were separated at birth, than this song would be the lost child. While "Race for the Prize" received the proper nurture and upbringing, "Crystal Queen" got lost in the rough. Despite his neglect, he still managed to maintain a simple likeability with its spacy vibe and distant synths. Now that this gem has finally been unearthed for all to hear, and it is his turn to shine. Although no 10.0 reviews will accompany him and his friends, it definitely deserves your ears!

Buy What Are You On?

The Home Stretch...

2006-11-27T00:03:00.000-08:00

No picture or "real post" today. Right now I am re-energizing, as it is now that stretch of post Thanksgiving break and pre school/finals assault. But...... I'm really excited about this next month of blogging, surpisingly enough. Over turkey break I received a ton of good albums from a few buds; albums that I had missed this year while I was in my indie-pop shell. So basically, I have tons and tons of albums I want and need to get around to hearing.

With that being said, from now until Christmas I will be revisiting albums from earlier this year that slipped past my radar and thus I will not be posting any "new" music per se, although "new" is a relative term considering it probably will be new to both you and me! Anyways, I know I'm not making any sense, I just wanted you to know what things will look like around here for the next month.

And then of course there is the end of year album list. Although alot of blogs will start putting theirs up real soon, I'm loing to wait until around Christmas, so I have time to make a good, solid list that reflects my favorite albums from the year. Sooooo, sit back, enjoy hearing about some bands you may have overlooked, and get ready for RMDS' album of the year list!

Oh, and to not leave you guys hanging, here is a song from a band you might have forgotten about. This is Phoenix's live version of their wonderful "Long Distance Call" that they did for KEXP the other day. Enjoy.

-mp3- Phoenix - Long Distance Call (Live on KEXP)

Oh, and leave a nice comment if you'd like.

The Skygreen Leopards

2006-11-21T23:07:00.000-08:00

Mmm, I'm finally back in my home state of Colorado, and it feels good to be home. Cold, but nonetheless still good to be home. Coincidently, The Skygreen Leopards couldn't have come into my life at a better time as their cozy folk-pop is already beginning to help me stay warm.

As far as I can tell, their 5th LP: Disciples of California, went virtually unnoticed in the blog world. The aptly titled album, released not too long ago (October 24) via JagJaguar Records, compiles eleven wonderfull songs which the site describe as a blend of "pop melodies, minimal country truisms, jingle-jangling Californianism and angular folk." Works for me! The title track, which also opens the album, is quite a treat for my ears, and now yours too:

-mp3- The Skygreen Leopards - Disciples of California
Right from the start this track invites you over next to the fire. It really wants to be friends with you, in a sincere Christian kind of way. With its warm, jangly guitar coaxing you near, it's tough not to get sucked in. The almost lazy-sounding vocals recreate an image not to far displaced from the fields of the above photo, and before you know it the 'Leopards got ya sitting down around the fire roastin mallow's with them! And this ain't all that bad...shmores anyone?

The Skygreen Leopards: Website / Myspace / More MP3's / Buy the Album

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Anyone else back home for Thanksgiving and gettin' all those weird nostalgic feelings of high school and such? I sure am. Time flies...

Clipse - "Trill"

2006-11-20T18:52:00.000-08:00

I have never got excited about a hip hop or rap release. Ever. Sure, I have those random mp3's scattered across my iTunes that you will hear at a club, but I've never been an enthusiast of the genre, not even in the slightest bit. Until now, that is.

See, I heard the buzz bubbling around Clipse's prolonged release Hell Hath No Fury. I heard little bits here, and little bits there about how good this album was going to be. The only hip hop blog I read, Cocaine and Blunts, rated this album way back in 2005 as his second most anticipated album of all of 2006 and Gorilla vs. Bear steadily sung it's praises. And then a couple a days ago Pitchfork wrote a track review on one of the songs on the forthcoming LP and I finally broke. The write-up made me gitty (in the most gangster way possible, that is) and I just couldn't resist getting my hands on this album. Luckily, what I soon discovered on my own, aligned directly with the hype and I couldn't be happier. Enjoy:

-mp3- Clipse - Trill
I don't know enough about hip hop to even come close to writing a good track write-up, so I am going to go ahead and once again direct you to that Pitchfork write-up which got me hyped on all this whole Clipse thing to begin with. I will say in my ignorance, though, that this is one of the illest beats I've ever heard, fronted by some equally incredible dark lyrics. This is gansta s*%t people. "Bitch I'm so trill..."

Bonus track: an extra sweet mash-up of another song you'll find on the LP...
-mp3- Clipse vs. CYHSY - Clap Your Hands Say Wamp Wamp

This album hits stores November 28! Go buy it. If it can give my view on the hip hop genre a full 360, you're sure to be able to find at least something you like:

**Buy Hell Hath No Fury**

Clipse: Website / Myspace / More MP3's

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I am heading home to Colorado tomorrow for Thanksgiving Break! I'm pretty sure I will still continue posting amidst all the yams and tryptophan though, so stick around and have a nice Holiday week.

Damien Jurado - "Denton Tx."

2006-11-19T23:19:00.000-08:00

When Joe first turned me onto Damien Jurado last spring I couldn't get enough. Rehearsal's For Departure soon became one of my favorite albums and I couldn't stop singing his praises. Needless to say, I was super excited for the oppurtunity to see him live at Sasquatch over Memorial Day Weekend. But for some reason his live performance didn't deliver; mainly because of the distorted amps and loud sound that droned out his cozy, Midwest appeal. I was quite dissapointed.

Upon hearing that his new album was going to hit stores in October of this year via Secret Canadian records, I got re-excited and hoped to enter myself in another Damien Jurado phase, like I had before. But after a spin or two through Now That I'm In Your Shadow, I was bored, disinterested, and once again disappointed.

...But here I am today: a changed man. For some reason I revisisted this album the other day and proceeded to get hit by it like a ton of bricks - something just clicked this time around and I have now fell in love with almost every track, soaking up every drop of its warm, depressing folk.

-mp3- Damien Jurado - Denton, Tx.
In the past few days I think every time I've opened up my iTunes I have immediately clicked on this song. Although the album is filled with sadness, this song might be the culmination of this feeling as it tells a story of a girl who has lost her dad and is now seemingly wandering through her life. Somehow Damien's music always seems to perfectly coincide with the angst and longing that he describes in his lyrics:

She has a dad she doesn't know
Who sends her letters with no return address...
"I don't know his name..."
"He don't know my face..."
"I am better off this way..."

...this song is no exception. With these lyrics resonating with loss, Damien crafts a beautiful song with alternating views of perspective within the song's narration. Gentle strumming and a casual piano are all that back the lyrics, but it's all it needs. As the song softly weaves in and out of various people's thoughts, it never ceases to reflect its lonely, remorseful tone.

Another track off of Damien's 7th and newest LP:
-mp3- Damien Jurado - What Were The Chances

My favorite Damien Jurado track, also coincidentally about loss:
-mp3- Damien Jurado - Ohio

Website / Myspace / Buy Now That I'm In Your Shadow / More MP3's

Ratatat Remixes Revisited

2006-11-17T00:39:00.000-08:00

With all the buzz this year around Classics, it's hard not to have heard of Ratatat from somewhere. But even I, being the pre-Classics fan I am, had not heard of the Ratatat Remixes Vol. 1 album which was released way back in 2004. On the album the duo takes thirteen popular (2004) hip hop album tracks and adds their well known shimmering guitar base and their trademark blips 'n bleeps. Anyways, I really like these remixes alot! As a few of my buds and I have discussed before, alot of time rappers and hip-hop artists don't always have the best ear for a good beat to accompany their lyrics and this album demonstrates how good a hip-hop song can be with a bumpin' beat. Here are a few standouts from the album. Enjoy:

-mp3- Ratatat - Kanye West : Get Em High
-mp3- Ratatat - Ghostface Killah & Jadakiss : Run

Also, an unrelated sweet Ratatat remix of an even sweeter song:
-mp3- The Knife - We Share Our Mother's Health (Ratatat Remix)

Ratatat: Myspace / Site
Buy: Ratatat Remixes Vol. 1
More MP3's from the Remixes

Magic Numbers - "Take A Chance"

2006-11-15T23:22:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to lie, I feel kind of silly not having heard of The Magic Numbers until a few days ago. The fact that these four Englishmen formed in 2002 and released their s/t debut in June of 2005 should show that I have been out of the loop. Well in my defense, I can say that now, if any time, is the perfect place to jump on the Magic Number's bandwagaon as they just recently released their wonderful sophomore album Those The Brokes on November 6th via Heavenly 100 records. Although it's a little bit of a tredge to get through the whole album, it does have a few front side gems that are definitely worth hearing. And just because I like you, I think I will share them with you today...

-mp3- The Magic Numbers - Take A Chance
This song isn't waiting for anyone. Right from the start the quick quitar and floating "Oohhh, Ohhh's" show that there isn't going to be any slowing down on this ride. Once the vocals hit, I can't help but hear a softer version of something that'd appear on Phoenix's It's Never Been Like That. And considering that Phoenix's third LP is one of my top albums of this year, it is clear how highly I recommend this song! Anyways, enough with the comparisons - The Magic Number's have that soft rock, indie pop sound down to perfection on this track and you need to listen up. Enjoy!

-mp3- The Magic Numbers - Boy
Mmm, tuck in the covers. It's time for a night lullaby. Oh, and don't get out of bed: "Don't you leave..."

The Magic Numbers: Site / Myspace
More tracks at The Hype Machine
Buy Those The Brokes @ Amazon

Page France - Live at HOB

2006-11-15T19:10:00.000-08:00

Ahh yes, after immersing myself in Page France's music for the past nine months it was quite the treat to finally see them live. Although they were sandwhiched in between local San Diegan's Kite Flying Society and the Anathallo brigade, I'm only going to write about my beloved Maryland indie-poppers because I've already reviewed each of the other's live shows. (If you'd like to check out my previous reviews on the other said bands, you can do so here and here!)

Before Page France even played their first song I was pretty dissapointed that they weren't headlining, but I tried not to let that get me down. Michael Nau 'n company came right out of the gate with "Junkyard" and my first reaction was how well Nau's voice came across live - crystal clear - just like on the records. From here Page France played a well balanced mix of tunes from both EP's and Hello, Dear Wind.

One of the highlights throughout the night were Nau's, perceived improvisiations on some of the songs. At the end of "Junkyard" he added multiple verses, which although I can't remember, I can still assure you were fantastic and a nice deviation from the expected. To close the night, the crew finished with "Chariot," but Nau added a few verses on to the end while using the catchy hook from "Feathers": "...and we will be a happy ending." Overall, the show completely delivered as Nau's clear voice and pleasant lyric additions were an excellent expansion to their recorded work. The night just solidified in my mind what a prolific singer/songwriter Michael Nau is, and why Page France is one of the best bands out there right now.

-mp3- Page France - Junkyard
-mp3- Page France - Bush

Setlist:
Junkyard
Say Wolf In The Summertime
Dogs
Pigeon (New Song!)
(Ahh, forget!)
Elephant
Antarctica
Windy
Chariot / Feathers

Page France Tour EP; Tonight @ HOB

2006-11-13T23:13:00.000-08:00

Mmm, yes. It has been long awaited here at RMDS to see our fav's Page France live in concert. And finally that day has come. Tonight Michael Nau and company will bring their breezy and Biblical indie pop all the way from the East Coast to the House of Blues in San Diego. Locals Kite Flying Society (who we saw live earlier) and up-n-commers Anathallo (who we also saw live earlier this year) will both also be playing.

Page France also recently announced that they'd be releasing a tour EP, entitled Tomato Morning, that will be available at all their upcoming shows. And luckily for you, I've got three of the four songs off the EP for your downloading pleasure. Enjoy and cya at the concert!

-mp3- Page France - Tomato Morning
-mp3- Page France - Without a Diamond Ring
-mp3- Page France - Who Cracked Your Egg

Check for a show near you...
Page France on Myspace
Kite Flying Society on Myspace
Anathallo on Myspace

Annuals 'n such...

2006-11-13T12:14:00.000-08:00

I'm sure most of you have undoubtedly already heard about these blog-buzzed, P-fork affirmed, experimental-indie rockers from North Carolina. No? Well they are the Annuals. Not "The Annuals," as they'll be quick to point out, but the Annuals. For those of you that have already heard about this band of 19 and 20 some-year-olds, I'm going to spare you the repetitive descriptions of their "hybrid sound" and "layered, dense pop music" - even if it is very true! What I really want, though, is to tune you into a song on their newly released album Be He Me that has me going crazy:

-mp3- Annuals - Dry Clothes
This song is a story. A story with brief foreshadows, character development, and sing-song themes. And like any good story, the climax is the hook - this song is in no way different. Listen to it build, hear the conflict bubbling all the way up to the 2:00 minute mark. And Bam! The lid pops off and the instrumentation is stripped down to a thumping beat and raspy vocals. Listen... ( I haven't air guitared / drummed this hard in a long time). But soon the climax is over, and the resolution proceeds. To bad all good stories must come to an end.

Annuals: Myspace
Buy Be He Me @ Insound
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How can something so simple be so perfect?
-mp3- Belle & Sebastian - Piazza, New York Catcher
...And I don't even like baseball!

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Utter Tings...

- Pitchfork makes it pretty clear who their album of the year is going to be. I don't really think I can argue.
- My Old Kentucky Blog has aggregated quite a few WOXY lounge acts. Mmm, reminds me why I like Ben Kweller's s/t so much.
- IGIF is kickin' it old school with their new Histery Mixery. Although the M83 "I Guess I'm Floating" track on the last segment is a bit self-indulging!
- Wellllll guyyyys and gallllls, that's it for today. I got a ton of new music I'm sorting through, look forward for more consistent posting to come!

When I Am Gone (Sparrow House and I)

2006-11-09T19:57:00.000-08:00

Wow, once again, another long stretch of non-existent blogging. I'd like to say it won't happen again, but stuff happens. Stuff such as: getting straight up spat on by EZArchive, spilling a pop on my keyboard, and getting swamped with presentations and papers...you get the idea: it's been rough. Well, luckily I have now snagged another free file hosting service, fixed my keyboard, and emerged from the depths of studying.

But don't be fooled, during this hiatus I have not stopped listening to music. In fact, after receiving my new external hard drive last week, I've been on a mp3 acquiring spree. And slowly and surely, I will theoretically sift through the junk and post all the good stuff that I'm realllllly enjoying. That's what this blogging's all about anyways, right? Anywayyyys:

I like Voxtrot. And not so coincidentally, I like Sparrow House: which is the moniker by which Voxtrot's Jared Van Fleet releases his beautiful solo material. Already swamped with Voxtrot touring and recording, Jared impressively plans on releasing four seasonal albums over the next year via Sparrow House. I happened to snag the aptly timed Falls EP the other day, and it does not dissapoint. It is filled with very enjoyable soft and intricate pop masterpieces such as this one:

-mp3- Sparrow House - When I Am Gone
To me this song has that same unexplainable appeal as an Elliot Smith song. I realize this could be considered blasphemy to some, but it's breezy, echoing lyrics and quick, catchy guitar don't seem too far displaced from Elliot's "Somebody That I Used To." Granted, Jared's voice doesn't have near the unique hook of Elliot's, it still manages to intrigue me in that same "complex, yet so simple" way. Ohhhh, I really like when the piano enters at the 1:20 mark tooooo. You won't be disappointed if you download this song, I promise.

Sparrow House: Website / Myspace
Buy the Falls EP @ the Website.

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...Utter Tings:

- Two of my favorite artists, The Shins and The Apples In Stereo, both have their 2007 releases leaked (oops!). And yes, I've snagged mp3's from both, and they are wonderful. Kinda dissapointing considering they'd both be in my top 10 of this year without a doubt. Ugh. Well my list will do without them I guess. Oh, by the way, if you happened to acquire these said albums, I'd highly recommend "Red Rabbits" and "Energy," respectively.

- Ryspace, my favorite place for quality live downloads, ripped a very intriguing Sufjan KEXP set from ages ago. One track includes probably my two favorite Sufjan songs ever in back-to-back, lo-fi greatness. Thanks Ryspace and Enjoy:
-mp3- Sufjan Stevens - For The Widows In Paradise + He Woke Me Up Again

- The wonderful people over at Good Weather For Airstrikes have figured out their hosting situation and have uploaded their 11'th installment of the M3 mixes, go check it out!

- Oh, and I was curious on your thoughts on Borat. I saw it over the weekend, laughed my ass off, and then walked out and said I didn't like it! What's your take...?

Benjy Ferree: In the Countryside

2006-10-31T15:10:00.000-08:00

Geez, it's been almost a full week since I last posted and that's unacceptable! It's been a combination of being busy and the whole not-so-EZ archive deal (haha). Anyways, no more excuses. We are back to the good stuff...

I don't know much about Benjy Ferree. In fact I don't even have his full debut LP, Leaving The Nest, which is to be released on Domino Records November 7th. But even after just hearing a few songs, I do know that I abosultely love Benjy's spin on the whole indie alt-country rock thing. If this song is any indication of the album's likeability, than look for Benjy to turn some heads and make some lists by the end of the year. For fans of Ramona Corodova, Page France, Josh Ritter, Ben Kweller, etc...Enjoy!

-mp3- Benjy Ferree - In The Countryside
Hearing this song for the first time, reminded me of the first time I heard Page France. It must be something about lo-fi recordings and nasally, unique voices. Aside from the song's title, it isn't hard to imagine this song taking place in the Midwest - and goodness golly - good-clean-fun has never sounded so good! If your not bobbin your head, whistlin', and clickin your cowboy boots together by the end of this quick sing-song jam, than you need to lighten up partner!

-mp3- Benjy Ferree - Private Honeymoon

Benjy's Site
Be his myspace friend
Pre-order Leaving the Nest

You Needed More?

2006-10-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

I know, I know - all the hip kids already posted on The Sleepy Jackson way back when their sophomore album was released in July. I, however, being the ignorant blogger that I am, just got this album the other day - and "better late than never" has never been so applicable. The Sleepy Jackson's newest album, Personality: One Was A Spider, One Was A Bird, is a masterfully orchestrated pop masterpiece. Its quirky lyrics and endless amounts of delicate musical subtelties create an incredibly diverse album that is enjoyable all the way through. So come on, get over the gay album art, and dig in:

-mp3- The Sleepy Jackson - You Needed More
Kicking off the album, this track shows the first of many faces to the aptly titled album. Channeling a little bit of Animal Collective's Feels and some 1960's pop, "You Needed More" starts with Luke Steele's vocals echoing over some drizzling ambience. From there, the drizzle turns into an all out pour; and before this song ends, you will have been (happily) drenched in some of today's most innovative pop! And just in case you needed more (har har!), there's twelve more excellent songs to be enjoyed.

Here's one of them:
-mp3- The Sleep Jackson - God Lead Your Soul

Buy Personality: One Was A Spider, One Was A Bird from AmpCamp
The Sleepy Jackson Site
Be friends with The Sleepy Jackson

Darling, Won't You Please Come Home

2006-10-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since an album has really completed me. I know that sounds like an over-dramatized statement, but the new self-titled Math and Physics Club album has essentially engulfed me of late. I find myself listening to it when I wake up, when I go to bed, when I am wishing for fall weather in Southern California, and basically, whenever else I feel like it! MAPC isn't necesarrily doing anything new (see Lucksmiths and B&S), but something about its perfected soft, delicate pop sound seems to grab ahold of me on every single one of the ten tracks. The lyrics are perfect for an anguished teen, as it discusses relationships and heartbreak in numerous seasonal settings. This album is a must have for not only fall, but for 2006. Look for this album on my end of the year lists and enjoy this beautiful song!

-mp3- Math and Physics Club - Darling, Please Come Home
Everything on this track seems to fit in to place perfectly. Jangly guitars and a hushed pop melody accompany the lyrics of a lovestruck boy longing for his love to come home. Like all the other songs on the album, this one takes on a specific seasonal feel with the descriptions of the sun setting and the fireflies outside. The culmination of this aesthetic occurs at the 1:25 mark when the song shifts pace and lead singer Charles Bert whispers: "I love it when the coals burn way down low / You slide up next to me, so sweet, so slow." If this isn't the anthem for a fall romance, I don't know what is. Mmmm, darling, won't you please come home?

Here's another song from their 2005 Movie Ending Romance EP:
-mp3- Math and Physics Club - Movie Ending Romance

MAPC's Site
Be Their Myspace Friend
Buy their EP's and Math and Physics Club at Matinee Record

Ode to fall: A Mix.

2006-10-22T22:39:00.000-07:00

Oh fall...what a season! And a season that calls for a playlist. Fall carries a somewhat odd musical mood in my mind. Fall for me should be filled with calm melodies and energetic vocals; epic songs that you can listen to on the way back from a football game or on the way to a 12 oclock horror movie. See, good fall music has a big responsibiliy on its personified shoulders. It has to be able to ease you off your summer loves and your huge summer twee phase, and into drinking coffee and wearing sweaters. But it's job doesn't stop here. Fall music must then also transition you into the snowy and dark winter acoustics. Quite the daunting task, if you ask me, for this fall music to take on.

So, if your scratching your head as to what kind of songs could possibly evoke such a complex mood, then this playlist should be of some assistance. From Belle and Sebatian's upbeat poppy fall anthem to The Decemberist's gritty ode to love, this playlist is bound to get you into the mood for warm cider and walks through parks painted orange and red with fallen leaves! So grab your scarves, bundle up, and have a wonderful fall. I hope you enjoy. :D

-mp3- Belle & Sebatian - Women's Realm
-mp3- Casey Deinel - The La La Song
-mp3- Chas Mtn. - Cinematic Unbearable
-mp3- Desaparecidos - Whats New For Fall
-mp3- Destroyer - No Cease Fires
-mp3- The Decemberists - Clementime
-mp3- Grizzly Bear - On A Neck On A Spit
-mp3- Headlights - Put Us Back Together
-mp3- Jose Gonzales - Hearbeats
-mp3- Tunng - Code Breaker
-mp3- Unkown - Cherokee

*Also, a special thanks to Natasha for pulling together this post. Look for some posts from her in the future possibly as well!

Let's build a fort!

2006-10-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

No, no no. I did not take their picture and alter it in paint. This was all their doing. See, teamAwesome! is just a bunch of fun, college-aged Coloradans who don't take themselves too seriously. Mixing everything from violins to glockenspiels, teamAwesome! creates a carefree, happy pop sound. The band draws alot of its style from the likes of Architecture In Helsinki, while adding in the fun and childish lyrics that are reminiscent of The Boy Least Likely To. With not one song over three minutes, teamAwesome! manages to keep my ADD childish-self entertained for all 21 songs of their Greatest Hits Vol. 1 album! This track is the highlight in my opinion! Enjoy:

-mp3- teamAwesome! - Fort!
Like any good happy song, this one playfully hooks you from the start. With the twee-ish repition of "Ba ba" dueling between the male and female vocals, the song resonates with child-like fun. From here, its just a simple guitar and a boy urging his friends to build a fort with him. Not any fort though; a fort that will "reach to the big blue sky"! The song peaks as everyone joins in at the 1:31 mark for a bubbling chorus. Unfortunately, before this fort even starts to get built, the song slows down and stops. Why? I don't know. Kids get distracted!

Here's two more songs from teamAwesome's newest EP Heck Yeah! :

-mp3- teamAwesome! - Yr Fur
-mp3- teamAwesome! - Oh Ship!

download teamAwesome's Greatest Hits Vol. 1 for free here!
buy their 2006 Heck Yeah! EP
teamAwesome! on myspace
the teamAwesome! website

Pelle Carlberg : Everything Now!

2006-10-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

It's hard to act proffessional about this, considering I feel like a gitty school boy on Christmas morning, but I'm going to try anwyays. Needless to stay, I was very estatic upon receiving our very first ever promo album here at RMDS. And even more wonderful, is the that I like it...A LOT! The artist and album in question is Sweeden's newest up-n-coming pop sensation Pelle Carlberg. His debut solo album Everything Now! will be released on October 24 via Twentyseven Records. Carlberg, fromerly the front man of the Sweedish pop act Edson has loaded his new LP with one pop gem after another. Pelle draws most of his influences from his across-the-pound counterparts such as Belle & Sebastian, Camera Obscura, and Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - all while adding his own mature and satirical slant. I've been listening to this album non-stop now for the past day, and although I enjoy it as a whole, I always get stopped in the heart of the album with these two songs. Enjoy!

-mp3- Pelle Carlberg - Go To Hell, Miss Rydell (!!!!)
I can't help but think Belle & Sebastian when I listen to this track, but once I get past that, I hear so much more. The song tells the story of a lamenting musician, angered at a bad review from a certain Miss Rydell. The lyrics, while bitter, come across as more satirical upon careful listening. The music is just some simple strumming with a little tamberine, but the lyrical rhymes add just enough charm to hook you in. If anything, you have to smile at these lines: "She told me this conversation is over / Send me an email when you're sober / ...And I wasn't even drunk."

-mp3- Pelle Carlberg - Riverbank (!!!!)
Right when I thought I was done with my summer happy twee phase, Pelle Carlberg has to hit me with this track. I was trying so desperately to start listening to fall music. But just as quickly as I could jump into that pile of leaves, "Riverbank" has pulled me out. The incessant chorus filled with the repetition of "Du-Du-Du" is as irrisistibly delicious as a firecracker popsicle. Ugh, you win Mr. Carlberg - let's go play in the water!

Pelle Carlberg's Site
Buy Everything Now!

The Sad Pop Song Mixtape

2006-10-16T22:34:00.000-07:00

Like thousands of other indie hipsters, I love my happy-twee-indie-pop. I listen to it a good chunck of the time as I frolic around my beautiful California college campus. But unfortunately, I am not always in the mood to smile and giggle. You know what I mean right? Ok. Sooo...because of this aforementioned dilemma I decided to make a mix that would more appropriately accompany a sad state of emotion despite the weather still being sunny and the setting being happy. To evoke this specific emotion I decided to take all of the best sad and slow songs from my favorite indie pop groups and toss them into one conveniant mix. I'm not claiming that all of these songs are necessarily the epitome of a sad song, but just that they take a distinct stylistic turn and tempo change from the bands normal recordings which results in a somber tune! On the same note, this mix isn't recommended for rebounding from a broken relationship or anything (you can let these guys do that), but more for those times when you know life is good and sunny but a few little things are still getting ya down. These songs are about wilting flowers, childhood illnesses, and sad helpless animals! You get the point. So hopefully this mixtape will find a niche within your ipod for all those little downer times during the day. Now then, get outta here 'n go dabble in some sorrow with RMDS' first ever mix: The Sad Pop Song Mixtape!

-zip- The Sad Pop Song Mixtape (61mb)

-mp3- Rogue Wave - California
-mp3- Islands - If
-mp3- Ramona Corodva - Heavy On My Head
-mp3- Belle & Sebastian - The Boy Done Wrong Again
-mp3- The Boy Least Likely To - My Tiger My Heart
-mp3- The Format - Snails
-mp3- The Lucksmiths - The Music Next Door
-mp3- Kite Flying Society - Groundflower
-mp3- Page France - The Saddest Ones
-mp3- The Apples In Stereo - What Happened Then
-mp3- I'm From Barcelona - Chicken Pox
-mp3- Voxtrot - Warmest Part Of The Winter
-mp3- Beulah - Emma Blowgun's Last Stand

ps. I even attached some nifty album art to accompany the songs! And also, download the zip file if you want the whole thing and not just specific songs. Enjoy!
pss. If this depresses your indie boy/girl heart too much, you can check out Skatterbrain's Totally Twee Super Summer Mega Mix which is packed with happiness out the wazoo!

Ghosltand Observatory: "Sad Sad City"

2006-10-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

Mmm, this picture reminds of that pic of The Blow I posted a few weeks back. And coincidentally, Austin's Ghostland Observatory pumps out very similar dance-jams to that Portland duo. Together they are both feuling my complete indie-electro-dance obsession I am going through right now!

I gotta give props to Chris over at Gorilla vs. Bear for turning me onto these guys. His pics of them live intrigued me to download the stuff, and I was not disappointed. I don't know what to say about these guys, except that they make me want to dance my ass off. Combining some infectuous electro-beats with a thumping drum and eccentric voice is all it takes to make up a Ghostland Observatory song - but boy does it pack a punch. Thier website bio says their end result is "ballsy" - and I say: fair enough! Luckily for you guys, you can put your money where their balls are because they have two full LP's. The latest Paparazzi Lightning, was just released earlier this year. Sooo, download these two tracks, buy their CD's, and proceed to make a fool of yourself dancing like me! Enjoy.

-mp3- Ghostland Observatory - Sad Sad City
-mp3- Ghostland Observatory - Vibrate

Ghostland Observatory on Myspace (Check the tour!)
Buy Paparazzi Lightning at their site

also, I'm going up to San Francisco for the weekend because we have a mini-break, so don't expect any posting until Monday! I do have a sweet mix for you guys when I come back tho - so get stoked. Alright, have a good weekend yalls.

Sufjan Stevens / My Brightest Diamond - Live at the Wiltern

2006-10-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

No stylistic summary to start off the review. The concert was the shit, so just read it and deal with my bird puns.
I'm sorry that came off mean. Here: I really like Sufjan and MBD and they both perfrmed immacuately. Please read below...

My Brightest Diamond
I really never would have guessed that Shara Worden was such a showman (showwoman?). Bearing a red velvet dress and high heels, I simply assumed that she would sit motionless at her piano and project her mysterious sound. Thus, it took me by suprise when Ms. Worden, rocked back and forth on her heels, annunciating her stimulating guitar riffs with extravagant two-steps. Unlike the bouncy butterfly she would later be in Suf's butterfly birgade, Worden owned every squaure inch of the stage with a commanding presence and didn't leave a single crevice of the Wiltern distanced from her voice. This all culminated near the end of the set during her charged chords at the 2:10 minute of "Golden Star." The moment proved to be an emphatic close to the show; even more so than the heavily touted and aptly named "Something of an End" (which was still good!). My Brightest Diamond was a wonderful precurssor for Sufjan and she definitely should not be dubbed as just an opening act.

-mp3- My Brightest Diamond - Golden Star

Sufjan Stevens
I had previously seen Sufjan Stevens a few months back at the Sasquatch Music Festival. It was somewhat like the reminents of his Illionois tour, and like the other ones, there were cheers, horns, and the rest of the works. I'm not saying I was dissatisfied; I mean it was my first time seeing my favorite artist. But something was missing in his short performance at the open-aired Gorge Ampitheatre in Washington. Ok, I'm losing you, I know. Here's what I'm trying to say: Sufjan's new tour is a complete reflection of his masterful recorded work that I believe his previous tours didn't due justice.

Last night at The Wiltern, the master snowbird and his butterfly birgade took the sold-out audiance on a soaring trip through new and old material; resulting in sights and sounds that are uncomparable in my mind to any other concert experience I've ever had. Sufjan, although still quite, showed more poise and confidence between songs than the previous time I saw him - offering up witty banter that smoothly transitioned the audiance from the likes of the Detroit skyline to the loneliness of the Great Lakes.

Sufjan's eleven piece orchestra seemed to nestle itself perfectly on stage: adding that extra oomf when needed, and hiding in the wings(I'm done with the bird puns I promise) when Suf slowed down. I don't think one person would argue that the night's brightest momement occurred smack dab in the middle of the set with the 10 minute-plus epic and new piece "Majesty Snowbird." Whether or not you've already heard the track via the blogosphere, this piece really needs to be heard live. Sufjan owns the song, orchestrating the entire thing, all while his attention seems entirely focused on the piano. With a new Christmas song and some more Illinois hits (see below) Sufjan slowly descended his flight (I lied) until leaving stage. Although it must of been known the flock (I really lied) would return to the stage, the Wiltern audiance remained on their feet, cheering for what seemed like minutes on minutes. Upon return, Suf delievered a Seven Swans centered two-piece encore, that dripped of nostalgia and bitter sweetness. The last notes of "The Dress Looks Nice On You" seemed more like a cliffhanger than a closing however; everyone wanted more, but Sufjan was done.

I don't know what to say really, as far as on a critical level - except that Sufjan, in my mind. is now not only an icnredible singer/songerwriter, but also a blossoming performer. It is not an easy task to orchestrate such a spectacle, all while incorporating some some of his most complex and innovative work to date (see mp3's below) - yet he does it. And with seemingly compete ease to boot. I'm not sure where Sufjan's recorded work is going to go from here, but if this tour is any reflection of what is to come, Suf fans are in for a treat.

-mp3- Sufjan Stevens - Majesty Snowbird (Live)
-mp3- Sufjan Stevens - Sister (Live)

Setlist:
Sister
The Transfiguration
The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts
He Woke Me Up Again
Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head! (Rebuild! Restore! Reconsider!)
The Predatory Wasp Of The Palisades Is Out To Get Us
John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
A Good Man Is Hard To Find
Majesty Snowbird
Casimir Pulaski Day
Jacksonville
That Was The Worst Xmas Ever
Chicago
The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders: The Great Frontier/Come to Me Only
-Encore-
To Be Alone With You
The Dress Looks Nice On You

- Sorry for so few pics and their quality. It's the best I could do. We were in the balcony!
- Ahh, other mp3's to come when EZArchive starts to work again. Sorry x 2.

Plague Songs Compilation

2006-10-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

When I first heard about the 4AD Plague Songs compilation I was very intrigued. Thier idea was to gather together 10 original recordings from various artists and present a song for each Biblical plague. (If you are unfamiliar with the plagues, you can click here and read about it from Exodous 7-12). Anyways, the result of their project, released by 4AD records, is incredible and moving - to say the least. The genre-spreading recordings give a very unique perspective into the Biblical account from Exodous. The 10 song compilation features contributions from music figures such as Scott Walker, Rufus Wainright, Brian Eno, Robert Wyatt, Stephin Merritt (Magnetic Fields), Laurie Anderson and Imogen Heap. After listening to the album a few times, I find myself floored every time I get to this song. Big is in this year, and this one certainly fits the bill...

-mp3- Brian Eno and Robert Wyatt - Flies (The Plague Of Flies)
The track starts off with an incessant buzzing. The flies swarm in your ear. But soon a gentle and ambient noise begins to drone out the buzzing. Piano and synthed-out guitars struggle against the pesky insect. Then at the 2:49 mark, Robert Wayatt's distinct voice acts as the resolution to the aforementioned annoyance. Wyatt's soft and hushed words side nicely with Pharaoh - Moses will rid the land of the flies as long as he will let his people go. The flies stop buzzing. The song finishes. Pharaoh is off the hook...for now:

-Bonus mp3- Imogen Heap - Glittering Cloud (The Plague Of Locusts)

Plague Songs is out now on 4AD in the UK,
and November 21st in the US...

Buy it on Amazon
Listen to tracks from Plague Songs and download a screensaver.

A Refreshing Roundup:

2006-10-02T16:37:00.000-07:00

In my short career as a blogger I have teetered and tottered on the fine line of getting new music out to readers and actually enjoying some music along the way. I know that this conundrum of mine is not a new concept within the bloggin' world, but it seems like something I have been struggling with lately. Because let's face it, it's not always that much fun to scour Myspace and small record labels in hopes of finding a sweet new band. Granted when you do find that band it is a wonderful feeling, but generally you end up tredging through some not-so-enjoyable-stuff. Ok, let me get to the point. In my last few weeks of blogging, or lack there of, I have listened to some of the best tunes I've heard all year. I just haven't blogged about it because it can either be classified as "old news" or " already hyped-out." I mean, it's not cool to post on stuff in the Elbo.ws top ten right? Well...for today I am going to say "f*@k that" to that dumb hipster mentality and share with you what's really been bumping on my ipod for the past few weeks. I hope you enjoy it, even if you've already heard about it a million times...

Ben Kweller's new self titled album is easily in my top ten of the year. It has completely satisfied my alt-country/pop craving and left me asking for more. There really isn't a non-enjoyable song on the album; just soaring highs ("Run" / "Penny On A Train Track") and nostalgic lows ("Sundress" / "Thirteen") of goodness (I think I use this fake adjective way too much. Ugh). Anywayssss, I don't care if people say the lyrics are too simple or if this whole pop thing has already been done before. All I know is that I can't stop playing this album.

-mp3- Ben Kweller - Penny On The Train Track
-mp3- Ben Kweller - Thirteen

I love Suf. Who doesn't? I can't wait to see him a week from today in L.A. And best of all, his two newest songs show a completely new look from the Stevens camp. "Majesty Snowbird," a ten minute-plus symphonic piece, is epic to say the least. YANP puts it nicely. The song, as stated by Sufjan, is the theme song to his new tour. Could he of possibly changed his states project to the 50 State Bird Project? I can't even imagine what a song about the Colorado Lark Bunting would sond like!...Oh ya, "Sister Winter" is great too.

-mp3- Sufjan Stevens - Majesty Snowbird (Live)
-mp3- Sufjan Stevens - Sister Winter

Mmm, and if things weren't good enough, RMDS and the rest-of-the-world favorites Page France just did a Daytrotter Session yesterday and everything about it is gooooood: the write-up, the interview, the songs, and the album art (look to your left). Mmm, album art. They even did an unreleased song, which sounds wonderful. Here it is below...and be sure to head over there to download the rest of the sesh.

-mp3- Page France - The Ruby Ring Man (Daytrotter Session)

And finally, there's M. Ward. "Old news" huh? I know. Well I just got it the other day and realllly like it so suck it Trebek. Some call him the next Dylan, I'm not going to, I just reallly like this album. Give it a few listens and watch it latch on to you. It's been echoing in my ears all week...

-mp3- M. Ward - Poison Cup
-mp3- M. Ward - Chinese Translation

Well, there you have it. Nothing new, but just a bunch of good stuff that I've been enjoying. This post was, if anything, more for my own sake - a blogger renewing if you will. Regardless, I hope you keep reading RMDS and my mangled sentences even if we aren't consistently crankin' out the newest suff! Show us some love...

Orouni - In the old days...

2006-09-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

First off, let me ask for your forgiveness. I have been a bad blogger lately. Other than having ridiculous loads of homework, I really have no excuses for the lack of posting. So anyways, please keep reading RMDS and we will try not to be so lousy. Cuz c'mon, we like you...

....And we also like Orouni (named after Jack Kerouac's On The Road !!!). Demi, the man behind the genious of Orouni, is a Frenchmen from Paris. Almost all of his songs are simple arrangements, but his voice still manages to captivate me every time. His English lyrics accompanied with the soft taint of his French accent make every word seem like a sedative. I hear some Devendra Banhart, I hear some hushed pop goodness in my ears, and I think you will too. Enjoy...

-mp3- Orouni - In The Old Days Of Our New Life
Even the first time I heard this song, I knew there was something special about it. The intro is down right irrisistible; almost too simple to be that good. Just a piano and the simple strumming of a guitar lead you through the first fifteen seconds of the song. Whenever I hear it I think it should be in a movie. I'm not sure which one, but I know it would make the perfect backdrop in between scenes. Ahh, and if that's not enough, we have his voice. It's soft, endearing, and warm. The gentle lyrics are hushed straight from his basement to your ears; nothing is lost along the way. "Sometimes the wind will give you a chill / That's because you don't wear your scarf." Mmm, its fall.

Vote for this song on Puredemo!!!

Bonus...
-mp3- Orouni - The Lampost

Orouni's Website (Get More Songs Here!)
Orouni's Myspace
Orouni's Blog

TV on the Radio / The Ohsees - Live at Soma

2006-09-26T12:54:00.000-07:00

Yo yo yo, last night RMDS took a rare break from studies (we are HW machines) and caught TV On The Radio with The Ohsees at Soma. And let me tell you before we start this review...you know all that hype you've been hearing about this soul-filled indie rock band from Brooklyn? It's true. And although this cat has been out of the bag for awhile, we here at RMDS can finally say: TV On The Radio is legit and we witnessed it first hand last night.

The Ohsees
The Ohsees opened for TVOTR. They were spitting/sporting the whole "indie garage blues" type vibe. My mind was racing with comparisons the whole show, I think at one point I was ready to deem them "The Kills fronted by Jamie Stewart". It made a lot more sense at the time. At any rate, I liked this band's sound, but I felt like their songs could've used a little more variety, and maybe an occasional face melter. I feel that the previously mentioned "indie garage blues" sound usually consists of bands whose songs culminate in either rocking yr face off or descending into sloppiness. The Ohsees chose the latter, and while it was good dirty fun, my heart was achin' for something...more? So while I cannot give them a raging rave review, their songs were fun, and I think they have some major pot-ten-tial. check it.

TV On The Radio
I'm not sure if TVOR considered it a diss to be tossed on the small stage at Soma (a room probably comparable in size to your living room, but longer), but if they did, they certainly used it as incentive to blow down the constricting walls last night. Their expansive sound filled up every square inch of the room, blasting indie ears for a 12 song set that included hits off of both their previous album and EP, as well as their new and heralded Return To Cookie Mountain.

Opening with the long winded "Wash The Day Away," TV On The Radio wiped away any indications of showing touring fatigue. Lead singer Tumbe danced his way through the night with jolting arm gestures and soul filled singing. Kyp Malone, the guitarist and mastermind behind TVOR, presented a calm, relaxed demeanor which nicely juxtiposed Tumbe's seemingly uncontrolable energy. The peak of the night was reached early in the set when the crew howled through arguably two of the best songs of the year, "Province" and "Wolf Like Me," back-to-back. From there on out, TVOR had the crowd eating out of their hand for the rest of the night. Don't even get us started on the live version of "Let the Devil In"!

Despite my normal annoyance with super loud live music and distortion, TV On The Radio made it work. When I couldn't hear the words I simply marveled at the band's energy or hummed along with the intense, and at times, epic lyrics. Maybe I'm giving these guys too much credit with those words, but to me this album is all of those things and their live performance is a justice-serving unwinding of the layered genius found on their album.

-mp3- TV On The Radio - Province

Setlist:

Kite Flying Society - Live at Adams Av. Fair

2006-09-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

Just a few hours ago I was treated to a wonderful outdoor performance by Kite Flying Society at the Adams Avenue State Fair. After a slew of 21+ performances in San Diego, it was a breath of fresh air(literally) to finally see KFS play live for the fam, kiddos, and RMDS.

The up-start San Diego indie group perfomed on a side street to the fair and managed to attract quite a large crowd by the end of their set. The band's balantanly obvious summer pop sound transcended nicely to the bustling fair atmosphere. KFS played almost all the happy hits off of their wonderful debut Where Is The Glow?, as well as their melodic, soft sing-song lullabies "Groundflower" and "Tiger Stripes." They did venture away from their album once, performing a perfectly fitting cover of Ace of Base's "The Sign."

I think every Kite Flying Society show should be outside. It's really the only way to do their summer sound justice. With a free snow cone in hand, the show was a much needed break away from the stress of school and a nice reminder of some good 'ol summer fun. Whether it be under a roof or not, be sure to check out Kite Flying Society's always groing tour!

-mp3- Kite Flying Society - Groundflower

Setlist:
Submarine Music
(I blanked on this one. Sorry)
Hello June
If I Could Split
Groundflower
6000 Shipwrecks
This Shadow
The Sign (Ace of Base Cover)
Tiger Stripes

The Gay Witch Hunt

2006-09-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

Come all ye, set down your ipods and gather around your tele's. Tonight is the season 3 premiere for NBC's The Office. If you have not come to love The Office like me and millions of other Americans by now, I highly recommend that you throw your elitest feelings out the window and jump on board for a sure-to-be-hilarious season 3.

If by chance you were living in that dark hole I described above, let me fill you in. Last season ended with an unusually dramatic cliff hanger; diverting away from the normal hilarious antics of Michael(Steve Carell) and Dwight(Rainn Wilson). Although the season finale contained a funny casino night party, the real suspense occurred when Jim (John Krasinski) finally confessed his love for Pam (Jenna Fischer) and later proceeded to kiss her. This proved to be the climax of an ongoing plot line that pinned Jim's secret feelings for Pam up against the drawn out engagement of Pam and Dunder Mifflin warehouse employee Roy (David Denman). And thus we have season 3...

Here is a synopis of the Season 3 premiere episode, “Gay Witch Hunt” from TV Guide, which is set to air tonight:

The third-season opener is set in the wake of casino night, and things get mighty dicey when Michael heedlessly outs a gay Dunder Mifflin employee. Meanwhile, some details about Jim and Pam’s complicated relationship come to light.

If you haven't been able to tell, the RMDS crew are pretty excited for this. So be sure to tune in tonight to NBC 8:30/7:30c for all the amazing antics that are sure to ensue. Leave us some of your favorite Office moments or quotes in the comments if you'd like...

-mp3- NBC's The Office - Theme Song
-mp3- The Beatles - She Said She Said
-mp3- Belle & Sebastian - Step Into My Office, Baby

Fall/Winter Movie Picks

2006-09-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

It is almost fall, which means it is almost winter, which means the year is almost over, which means that...
Many sweet movies (or films, I am totally improper and switch back and forth) will come out between now and the end of the year (they do this cause they want to win awards and make $). Basically, from now until mid-January or so is prime movie time. So.
Here is my list of movies I am really really looking forward to.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THESE ONES

The Prestige
The Prestige has so many things going for it it's not even funny. It's about magicians, it has an amazing cast (seriously, David Bowie and Scarlett Johansson, plus a Batman vs. Wolverine showdown), and it's directed by Christopher Nolan who really has not yet failed to provide the public with sweet films. If I sound EXTRA geeky about this one, it's because I am really geeking out over this film.
Peep it.

Trailer on apple.com
The Prestige on IMDB

Babel
Everything about this is promising to me. I love ensemble dramas, it has an AMAZING cast, it is helmed by one of the mob of ultra-talented Latin American directors, the trailer rules...I could see this film becoming a new favorite of mine...not that I have high expectations for it or anything...

Trailer on apple.com
Babel on IMDB

A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints
This trailer really reminds me of Mean Streets. It won the directorial and best ensemble cast awards at Sundance. It stars Robert Downey Jr. All these descriptions of movies I'm excited for are getting really repetitive. But yeah, this one looks great.

Trailer on apple.com
A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints on IMDB

THESE ONES LOOK WEIRD BUT AMAZING

Pan's Labyrinth
I really am not a big Guillermo del Toro fan, but holy cow, this is going to be the creepiest, mind-blowingest, down-the-rabbit-hole, movie ever. Hopefully. The dominant movie geeks are totally freaking out over this one, and these guys are my film fan role models, so I am following their lead. Check it out.

JoBlo's got some trailers
Pan's Labyrinth on IMDB

Fur
This one probably should just be in the normal "I'm looking forward to it" category, but hey, it looks weird, so it goes here. This is a biopic of sorts of Diane Arbus, and (other than the fact that Robert Downey Jr. and Nicole Kidman are in this, I mean, c'mon, who would you rather watch act and all that jazz?) I am mostly looking forward to the fact that this film seems more interested in presenting a creative portrait of a famous individual's mindset than in making said famous individual into a token inspiration story (cough cough). So yeah, I'm excited for this (weird) one.

Trailer on apple.com
Fur on IMDB

Apocalypto
This film looks almost too epic, it's in another language, Mel Gibson embarasses himself sometimes, etc. etc. So yeah, just edges into the weird category. Still, no matter how you feel, you can't deny that this film is going to be a spectacle and a half. This is the sort of film that people mostly stopped attempting after, say, the 1930s. Leave it Mel Gibson. He's like Beaver, but unkind and bearded (or is he....well, he is bearded, but people like to debate his unkindness...anyways).

Trailer on apple.com
Apocalypto on IMDB

THESE ONES I HOPE TURN OUT REALLY GOOD BUT I AM SORT OF NOT SO SURE ABOUT THEM

All The King's Men
"Amazing Cast" is sort of a recurring theme in this post, and this film is (very blatantly) no exception. Now, the only reason this one isn't in a more respectable category is that it has all the markings of an Oscar-bait-gone-mediocre type problem project: the release was delayed, the reviews are ho-hum, and it appears to be the 2nd most Oscar-targeted film coming out this year (this is the Number 1). But you know, Sean Penn does some real face melting monologue action (it reminds me of another blistering film monologue...) and that alone is enough to get me out to see this one.

Trailer on apple.com
All The King's Men on IMDB

Marie Antoinette
Hmmm...I don't like the trailer very much at all and I think Kirsten Dunst has little to no chance of being capable of carrying a movie like this. But you know, I could be wrong. And even if it is a miss or the biggest WTF? of all time, it will still be interesting to watch and probably have some sweet tunes in it.

Trailer on apple.com
Marie Antoinette on IMDB

The Fountain
This is getting a lot of bad reviews and the trailer is sort of underwhelming. Movie Geeks, however, are stoked on it (or so they say, and I always follow their lead. Therefore, I am hesitantly stoked on this film. It's Darren Aronofsky, it'll be interesting if it's nothing else.

Trailer on apple.com
The Fountain on IMDB

so yeah, hopefully you watched at least one of those previews and were like "whoa!". If not, I feel bad, and here are some sweeeet songs I have been digging lately. I haven't blogged in a while and it feels so goooood. Especially since I thought this post got deleted and I magically rediscovered it. And I don't have any Philosophy homework tonight. what's the word?

-mp3- Harvey Danger - Diminishing Returns
-mp3- Feist - Now At Last
-mp3- Herbert - The Movers And The Shakers

bye
this post was actually written by joe, despite what the footer says.

Architecture in Helsinki/The Blow - Live At The Epicentre

2006-09-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

Friday was a wonderful night for the RMDS crew as we were lucky enough to see the opening leg of the Architecture in Helsinki tour. Although the evening was dampered slightly by missing band members and some unpolished/missing songs, AIH and The Blow beamed of excitement as they jammed all night long, debuting their new songs.

The Blow
When Khaela Maricich of The Blow got on stage to begin her performance, she was alone. After some small talk with the audiance, the first track began on the speakers and she whisped through the song all by her lonesome. I simply assumed that her partner in crime and drummer, Jona Bechtolt, would be accompanying her shortly. Boy was I wrong and sad when she announced that Jona was doing stuff with his side project Yacht for the night and would not be joining her. Despite my initial dissapointment I forced myself to maintain a positive outlook on the set.

And sweet damn...why did I ever doubt you Ms. Maricich?! If anything, Khaela threw all, if any, of her lonely inhibitions out the window, and danced her way through a sassy set. Her stage presence, similarily to when I saw Lady Sovereign this summer, exhibited the epitome of confidence. Incorporating her own dance moves in the breakdowns of the beats along with story-telling banter between songs gave her set a unique stamp. My only regret was that she didn't play "Parantheses." After talking with her after the show she simply said she wasn't ready to sing that song live. Oh well. She did manage to fit in "Pile of Gold" and "Pardon Me" to the set - both blog favs off of The Blow's upcoming release Paper Television. I look forward to seeing The Blow again soon...as a pair though, and with a pair of parantheses too!

-mp3- The Blow - Pile of Gold

Architecture in Helsinki

Although Architecture in Helsinki is now a critically acclaimed group within the indie community due to their wonderful debut In Case We Die, they might as well have been a brand new band Friday: featuring all new songs and missing two band members.

In retrospect their first song (which was said to be inspired by the film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) was a nice foreshadow for the whole set. The new song was a very slow paced, almost ominous, chanted sing-song that perfectly illuminated the potential for their new album. From there on out, it was a pretty new-song-dominated set. However, AIH threw in plenty of their big hit numbers, all of which were enthusiastically recieved by the audience. For the most part, the set kept the crowd dancing the whole time, and there was a tangible sense of giddy excitement in the air, which culminated in AIH coming back on for one of the most reluctant encores I've ever seen. All in all, the set was sloppy but fun. You could tell that AIH was still adjusting to the loss of a few band members, but the new songs were still irresistibly catchy.

I think all of us here at RMDS left the building with smiles on our faces and a newfound anticipation of AIH's next album. So you, you go bring all your happy friends and go catch AIH on their monsterous tour. Go on, get your groove on with the dopest band from da land down undah...

-mp3- Architecture in Helsinki - It'5!

Setlist:

New (20k leagues under the sea?)
New (Little Mermaid?)
It'5!
New (About 2007!?)
The Cemetary
Wishbone
Same Old Innocence (New)
Maybe You Can Owe Me
Lazy (Lazy) (New)
New

-Encore-
Hot to Trot (New)

Thanks for your patience on this review. It was a crazzzzy weekend, capped off with a bunch of hw and such. We got some good posts comin' up though. Look for a mega-movie post from Joe tomorrow!

Ba Ba Ba Ba

2006-09-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

All of the members of RMDS are heading up to LA tonight for 6 Flags Fun 'n such. We won't be home till late in the day tomorrow and then we'll ski-daddle our way over to the Architecture in Helsinki and The Blow show. All that being said, we probably won't be posting until Monday. But expect photos and reviews and all that good stuff when we get back. We'll see you then!

(agh, ezarchive isnt workin now either, so you'll have to do without your songs right here)

cya l8r

Shut up and play that guitar

2006-09-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

"What else would you have me be?" are the echoing words Ben Nichols begs in the fantastic opener of Lucero's latest outing Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers. It seems like the perfect start to a great new album; asking his ex-darling if there is anything she would rather have him be. The rest of the album, due to hit stores September 26th via the Liberty and Lament label, goes on to answer that question: of course not.

Nichols and the gang have put together a record that proves they are not going to stop making great music (as if any of their previous records didn't). Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers is even more whiskey-breathed and gritty than any of their previous work. That is probably due to their sound being fleshed out by an organ and a piano, adding a little glow to their already highly polished southern rock. And to hold you over 'til the 26th, here are a couple of tracks that I particularly dig off of the forthcoming album...

-mp3- Lucero - What Else Would You Have Me Be
-mp3- Lucero - Cass

Lucero on Myspace
Buy Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers at Insound

And here is them covering Jawbreaker's Kiss the Bottle, just for kicks.
-mp3- Lucero - Kiss the Bottle

((And when you're holding me...))

2006-09-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

Don't let the picture disturb you. The Blow aren't scary people. On the contrary, Khaela Maricich sings some of the nicest pop melodies you've ever heard while Jona Bechtolt spraypaints a musical backdrop filled with fun dance-worthy jams. And the best news is that these two Oregonians(?!) are set to release their new full length album Paper Television on K Records Ocotober 24th!

The album's bass thumping opening track "Pile of Gold" has been making the blog rounds for a few weeks now, but in case that wasn't enough, we have two more songs off of their upcoming album to satisfy your musical tastebuds. Skatterbrain was the first to turn me onto the track "Parantheses" and I've had it on repeat since. It's a windy love story. With Khaela's beautiful voice at the healm, this track travels from a deli aisle to the arms of an insecure girl. This song's a virtual guidebook into a woman's head! Just listen and learn fellas. They just want you tol hold 'um.

"Pardon Me," although found later on the album, is equally good. The lyrics take a sassy turn, the beats stay infectious, and The Blow deliver another excellent song. Enjoy! And get excited for October 24th.

-mp3- The Blow - Parantheses (((((((((Do it!)))))))))
-mp3- The Blow - Pardon Me

The Blow's Website
The Blow on Myspace
Preorder Paper Television @ Amazon

ps. Look for their tour dates with Architecture in Helsinki !!!

So fresh and so clean...

2006-09-10T20:47:00.000-07:00

With 28 posts under our belt and over three full weeks of posting, we here at RMDS felt it was time to say goodbye to that tacky header template and give our blog a fresh new look. It's been long awaited I know, but it's better late than never. So give it a gander and leave us some nice comments with feedback. Or mean ones. Those work too. But seriously, let us know what you think and if you don't like it we'll tweak with it.

Oh, I even tossed together a mix for this special occassion...Enjoy!

-mp3- Bright Eyes - A New Arrangement
-mp3- Beach Boys - Surf's Up
-mp3- The Mountain Goats - Woke Up New
-mp3- Belle & Sebastian - Electronic Renaissance
-mp3- The Shins - New Slang
-mp3- Rufus Wainwright - Pretty Things

...special thanks to our friend zack for helpin us out with all that photoshoppin'!

I Reached Down For You

2006-09-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

I am a sucker for shoegaze guitar. That is probably exactly what I am going to say when I put Citrus by Asobi Seksu on my top 10 of 2006 list. It's never too early to start formulating these sorts of things.
Asobi Seksu is white boys and an asian girl singer. They are not the YYYs. They could get compared to a lot of bands on the more poppy end of the shoegazing scale. I'm going to go out on a limb here (a limb of the tree of "maybe Joseph doesn't know what he's talking about") but I don't think an album has come along recently with some nice lush pop like this that isn't all hand-clappy or twee or anything like that. I am going to go out on another limb of the same tree and make a Slowdive comparison. Refer to the first sentence of the post. I am digging the ohmygoodness out of this album.
Here are some songs, pay attention to this band, they really deserve it a lot a lot. I am probably a month or two or more late on them, but hey, listen to them again.

-mp3- Asobi Seksu - New Years
-mp3- Asobi Seksu - Thursday
-mp3- Asobi Seksu - Nefi+Girly

Asobi Seksu's Site
CheckTheir Myspace Too!
Buy Citrus at Insound

Tokyo Police Club

2006-09-07T01:50:00.000-07:00

I am always on the lookout for a good band. I found one a couple of days ago. They go by the name Tokyo Police Club (even though I am pretty sure that: a) they are not from Japan. b) they are not police officers and c) it's not really a club.) I found them through Ted Leo's web log (or blog for all you hippies) because apparently they played a show with 'em. Their music is quite upbeat and usually about robots, the future, or robots from the future. They recently released an EP entitled A Lesson In Crime. Some of the songs are actually very good. So listen up. I know what I am talking about. I write blogs for christ's sake!

-mp3- Tokyo Police Club - Cheer It On
-mp3- Tokyo Police Club - Citizens of Tomorrow

Check out tour dates 'n such on their Myspace
Buy their stuff at Insound

Oh, and they are from Newmarket, Canada. So a little more insight into the mind of a canuck.

Page France Preps Fall Tour

2006-09-06T16:43:00.000-07:00

I am stoked to be amped. Waking up to see this made my day...

Oct 26 2006 Wheaton College Wheaton, IL
Oct 27 2006 Schubas +18 Chicago, IL
Oct 28 2006 Warehouse La Crosse, WI
Oct 29 2006 Varsity Theatre +18 Minneapolis , MN
Oct 31 2006 Maintenance Shop Ames, IA
Nov 1 2006 Jackpot Lawrence, KS
Nov 2 2006 Sokol Underground Omaha, NE
Nov 3 2006 Hi-Dive Denver, CO
Nov 4 2006 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 5 2006 Bourbon St. Boise, ID
Nov 7 2006 Chop Suey Seattle, WA
Nov 8 2006 Berbati's Pan 21+ Portland, OR
Nov 9 2006 Bottom of The Hill San Francisco, CA *
Nov 10 2006 Chain Reaction Anaheim, CA *
Nov 11 2006 Spaceland 21+ Los Angeles, CA *
Nov 12 2006 Alex's Bar 21+ Long Beach, CA *
Nov 13 2006 House of Blues San Diego, CA <-- Counting down the days!
Nov 15 2006 Clubhouse Phoenix, AZ
Nov 17 2006 Stubbs Austin, TX
Nov 19 2006 Walters Houston, TX +
Nov 21 2006 WC Dons Jackson, MS +
Nov 22 2006 Vinyl Atlanta, GA +
Nov 24 2006 Social Orlando, FL +
Nov 25 2006 Fuel Coffee House Jacksonville, FL +
Nov 26 2006 The End Nashville, TN +
Nov 28 2006 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, NC
Nov 29 2006 Star Hill Music Hall Charlottesville, VA
Nov 30 2006 Ottobar Baltimore, MD
Dec 1 2006 Mercury Lounge New York, NY ..
Dec 2 2006 Maxwells Hoboken, NJ ..
Dec 3 2006 Northstar Philadelphia, PA ..
Dec 5 2006 Middle East Boston, MA ..
Dec 6 2006 Webster Underground Hartford, CT ..
Dec 6 2006 TBA Pittsburgh, PA ..
Dec 7 2006 Mohawk Buffalo, NY ..
Dec 8 2006 Grog Shop Cleveland, OH -
Dec 9 2006 Magic Stick Detroit -

All shows with anathallo.
* w/ anathallo, tiny lights
+ w/ anathallo, colour revolt
.. w/ anathallo, denison witmer
- w/ anathallo, those transatlantics

Definitely do not miss out on seeing this show if you can. Anathallo is a ball of fun live, and Page France is the one band that I've been craving to see live for a looooong time. :)

Oh, and in case you were curious as to what other shows RMDS will be hitting up this fall:

Architecture in Helsinki - Sept. 16 @ The Epicentre (San Diego)
TV on the Radio - September 25 @ Soma (San Diego)
Band of Horses - September 30 @ The Epicentre (San Diego)
Sufjan Stevens - October 9 @ The Wiltern (Los Angelos)

Brown Recluse Sings and Miscellany...

2006-09-05T15:06:00.000-07:00

(Sigh). What a fun and interesting weekend we had here at RMDS (emphasis on interesting)...Hopefully you checked out our Format and Anathallo review (twas a very good time)...Anyways, now on to the good stuff...

I don't know why I have sat on this for so long. Maybe it's cause I've been listening to it non-stop for the past week (Check my last.fm if you don't belive me!). But the promptness of this post is in no way relational to the excellence of thier music. Ok, before the ambiguousness drives you crazy, let me tell you that Brown Recluse Sings is legit.

"Beautiful indie pop" would be my way to describe this Philadelphia quintet's sound. Their songs come across as effortless and non-chalant; casually placing trumpets and keyboards into their swaying acoustic melodies. "Lazy Bones," the EP's opener and highlight, is a song of lamenting: a college student's anthem. This isn't a song about a slob being "lazy," but that of a semi-regretful teen sleeping in till 3 in the afternoon. He plans on mowing the lawn later. Maybe...The following track is just as good. "The Calm Before The Storm" shows no indication of a storm whatsoever. In fact, the song is pure summer bliss right from the get-go. The sunkissed lyrics blossom over and over again (0:39, 0:43, 1:15, 1:20...). Try not to bob your head.

-mp3- Brown Recluse Sings - Lazy Bones
-mp3- Brown Recluse Sings - The Calm Before The Storm

I could go on like this for each of the six songs on the EP, but the nice fellas at BRS asked me to stop at 2! Look for their debut to be ready in October! Show 'em some love and be their friend...

Brown Recluse Sings on Myspace

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now on to the miscellany. And not any miscellany to dismiss I might add...

- If you even made one half-assed effort to read the blogs today, than you've already seen the Sufjan news. Wait, wait, wait! Tell me. Ok fine. Asthmatic Kitty announced today that Sufjan is readying a 5-disc Christmas box set to hit the shelves on November 21. It comes with all kinds of goodies (stickers, essays, pictures, etc!!!). And the best part is AK offered up a new song. I like it...you can too:

-mp3- Sufjan Stevens - Sister Winter

- You should head over to IGIF to check out a sweet hip hop post(if you are into that)...I'm really starting to get envious of these guys and their ridiculously good mega-posts.

- I too, like many other bloggers, have been listening non-stop to the new Joanna Newsom album YS. And like Joe, I also have found a top candidate for my album of the year. It is playful, emotional, serious, juvenile, prolific, beautiful, monumental, and so many other adjectives rolled into one...Check out a sweet Newsom post over at the Yellow Stereo, where you can snag a bundle of live tracks.

...well I think that's about it. RMDS has a ton of new albums on our que, so look forward to some good posts in the near future. Like always, right?!

R.I.P. Steve Irwin

2006-09-04T15:22:00.000-07:00

I am in San Diego right now instead of back home in Seattle and I am missing Bumbershoot. I am sort of bummed about this, but then again, I am not made of money. Oh well.
One of the bands I would've most liked to see at said festival is definitely mewithoutYou. I've already seen them a handful of times, but it's always a lot of fun.
I think sometimes people write mewithoutYou off as another emo band (or even worse, another christian rock band). I am sad that people think these things, and whenever possible, I try and convince people otherwise. mewithoutYou has depth, passion, and talent well beyond that of almost any other band I can think of. They are a personal favorite of mine, and right now, they are miles ahead of several more P-Fork Approved indie bands in the race for the title of Joseph's album of the year (thank you peter miller).
So without further blah blah blahing, here is one song from their upcoming album (it really rules omg you have no idea) Brother, Sister and one song each from their two previous albums, Catch For Us The Foxes and [A-->B] Life.

-mp3- mewithoutYou - Nice and Blue (pt. 2)
-mp3- mewithoutYou - Everything Was Beautiful And Nothing Hurt
-mp3- mewithoutYou - Four Word Letter (pt. 2)

mewithoutYou on Myspace
mewithoutYou on da web (check out the blog section, good readings)
Buy their albums!!

ok, I might make another post later, but I really wanted to post on this album. Have a great day...

The Format/Anathallo - Live at Soma

2006-09-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

Mmm, well so far RMDS is two for two on concerts this fall. As a follow up to our wonderful Wolf Parade/Frog Eyes escapade, last night we were treated to a show dripping with nostalgic pop bliss as The Format and Anathallo serenaded teenie boppers and bloggers alike in San Diego.

Anathallo
I have often listening to a band's hyped up album, enjoyed it, and then became completely dissapointed by a stagnant and dissapointing live show. This is what happened when I saw Tapes 'n Tapes last summer. And after listening to Anathallo's Floating World a couple of times through, I was already crossing my fingers, hoping I could avoid another TnT. And unlike the aeformentioned blog babies, Anathallo's performance was a nice expansion on their recorded work. With their members scattered across the whole stage, swapping instruments that ranged from glockenspiels to trumpets, Anathallo delivevered perfect pop in a genuine and accessible way. They were the perfect balance of innocent fun and serious musicianship. Definitely an appropriate warm up for The Format...

The Format
If you find yourself seeing The Format any time soon, chances are you will be a bit disconcerted at the site of 100,000 14 year old girls in the audience. True, the audience did not present a typical people-that-like-good-music demographic, but The Format kicked my cynicism's ass and melted my cold elitest heart with a set that...pretty much ruled. Every song was perfectly executed. Lead singer Nate Ruess threw in an impressive amount of rock star showmanship, and the song selection (see below) included a generous helping of tracks from Interventions... (8 to be exact!), that provided the nostalgia fix I was hoping for going into the show. But it wasn't a complete stroll down memory lane as The Format packed in the best of their poppy hits off of the summer release Dog Problems. All in all, it was a perfect mix.
The Format knows their audience, they know that bombast sells and catchiness needs to be embraced, not avoided. They fill a very necessary role: the band that unites hipsters and their younger siblings through great pop songs. Usually only things like Christmas can do that in families torn apart by the opposing forces of the blogosphere and P!@TD.

Setlist:
Dog Problems
First Single
Wait, Wait, Wait
Sore Thumb
Snails
I'm Ready, I Am
She Doesn't Get It
Tune Out
Give It Up
The Compromise
On Your Porch

-Encore-
Timbe Bomb
Tie The Rope

Special thanks to San Diego photographer Jonny Ups for allowing us to use his great photos. Check his site out here!

Come on, Come on

2006-09-02T03:46:00.000-07:00

Do you like rock 'n roll? Yeah? So do I and so does The Head Set. And they are doing it better than 99% of the bands on the radio these days (I think; I don't really listen to that thing, I hear the waves give you cancer... or maybe that's cell phones.) They are working on their LP as we speak, that's right 24hrs a day 7 days a week, their the hardest working group in showbiz. Plus, they have an entire EP online for FREE!!! Who would think you could get free music from the internet? It's like the radio minus the cancer! Unless the internet gives you cancer too... These three songs get me everytime. Download them, then go to their website and download s'more.

-mp3- The Head Set - Pure Convenience
-mp3- The Head Set - Come On, Come On
-mp3- The Head Set - Bonnie and Clyde

p.s. It's really good stuff. Think 70s rock. They even got studio time with Television's guitarist Richard Lloyd. Oh yeah, get their other EP Ask Her Twice on Amazon. Come on! Come on!

My feet won't get me there...

2006-09-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

Yaye. I'm going to go join hundreds of teen girls and boys with swooping haircuts tonight to see the Format and Anathallo. Definitley excited to see The Format play off of both Dog Problems and Interventions and Lulabies. Grrr, well it should be a good time. I should have a review up in the near future as well. But to hold you over, I'll give you some Format tracks you may not have already gotten your paws on. Arg Arg. What an appropriate Dog Problems pun. No? Ok. Anyways, enjoy.

-mp3- The Format - Janet (live)
-mp3- The Format - I'm Only Sleeping (Beatles Cover) (live)
-mp3- The Format - The Compromise (acoustic)

The Format on Myspace
(Check Some Other Live Dates Near You)

drinkin' pabst 'til a half past noon...

2006-08-31T16:23:00.000-07:00

Unlike Joe, I sometimes have a difficult time willingly "representing" my home town of Denver, Colorado. Don't get me wrong, the mountains are nice, but somewhere in between the excess amounts of Nalgene's and Croc's, has caused me to slowly disown my state of eighteen years.

But every once in awhile, something will come along and join the mountain tops in holding a special place in my Colorado heart. Today, that something is the Denver-band Pee Pee. Now, although Pee Pee aren't as big of a Colorado fixation as the Rocky's, I can definiely picture their band/ensemble/collective traveling up into the foothills and playing all night long next to a campfire. Wait? You are sill stuck on the name huh? Well don't be deceieved. Pee Pee packs in mature lyrics and orchestral jams that easily dismiss their beer-in-hand vibe and childlike name.

Their songs range in style as they are able to casually accompany strings, horns, and accordians at will with their 9 members. "Over the Hill" is the standout track(imo) as it incorporates pop melodies fronted by laid back lo-fi folk singin'. Go ahead and donwload 'em all. Then head over to their Myspace for another. Enjoy.

-mp3- Pee Pee - Over That Hill
-mp3- Pee Pee - Dixie Cup Song
-mp3- Pee Pee - Impossible

Pee Pee's Myspace

I'll Believe In Anything

2006-08-31T15:33:00.000-07:00

Since we have been so Wolf Parade obsessed lately I figured we might as well rep there new video, which came out yesterday and has already debuted on the likes of megablogs Pitchfork and Stereogum. I really don't have much to say about it. It was directed by Matt Moroz, it takes place in what I believe is the early 19th century England. Then again I know nothin' about history, nor do I know where they actually shot the video. BUT they do shoot each other a lot. Once again, a little more insight into the mind of a canuck.

p.s. Their olderish video for Modern World by Adam bizanski is freaking awesome too.

The Language Arts

2006-08-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

This is my first post on RMDS. So forgive me poor grammer and bad spellings.
Anywho. My favorite caucasian Canadian rapper apparently realized it was Joe's birthday because he has shared with us the best gift of all. The gift of free music (because nobody gets free music nowadays.) It's called Strong Arm. Which is a very appropriate title for this album/mixtape because it feels a little like someone putting you into a headlock and forcing you to take in some strange, dark music. And oddly enough, this album makes such an event not seem so bad. If you've ever listened to Buck 65 before you know he is intrigued by the odd, desperate, and sinister side of life. Strong Arm is no execption to these previous works. Ranging from blues to dub and everything in between it's a lot to take in at 35 minutes. But I dig it. Maybe you will too.

-mp3- Buck 65 -Part I
-mp3- Buck 65 -Part II

Buck has also recently made a new music video for Devil's Eyes. Just a little more insight into the mind of a canuck.

There's bugs in my shoes...

2006-08-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

Ok. Lot's a stuff going on at RMDS (as I mentioned in the previous post).

After hassling for nearly an hour with all of his demands, we are proud to now have Mike S. on board with us. Mike is a fellow student at our University and a friend. His music taste is impeccable, and I think it will add a really nice dimension to our blog. Look forward to posts from him coming soon. Like real soon. I'm pretty sure he's writing one now.

I don't quite feel like making a "real" post right now as I have many ideas I need to sort out in my head, before I start firing on a all cylinders. I will say, however, we have some great new bands/tracks to spit at you in the following days. So keep tuning in.

But, being that I'm not in the mood for a well structured post, I'm not just going to leave you hanging. Instead, I will share with you some of the treats I found surfing the blogosphere today...

-mp3- Rogue Wave - Debaser(live)
I owe Largehearted Boy for directing me to this live set of Rogue Wave performing in Boston earlier in August. This is a Pixies cover, but it definitely sounds like it could fit right in with Descend Like Vultures. Zach is back to his usual antics: sweet, soft, catchy, and sincere melodies. Enjoy.

-mp3- Page France - Weatherman, Section Three
I finally received my copy of Page France's split EP's Pear and Sister Pinecone, and although I already had Pear, it was a wonderful treat. Anyways, I am always a bit biased concerning Page France and Michael Nau as I typically instantly fall in love with everything they produce. This song is no exception. It's more Pear than Hello, Dear Wind. It's poppy, it's sunny. It's Page France, what's new?!

-mp3- Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Sons of Cain(live)
I owe this mp3 to Bradley's Almanac who has a bomb diggity Ted Leo post today full of mp3's, live reviews, and sweet links. Go here to check it all out. I don't have much to say about this song as it is just more solid, catchy rock from Mr. Leo.

-mp3- The Mountain Goats - Alpha Omega (live on KEXP)
Like I have mentioned before, I'm new to The Mountain Goats. By that I mean: I love Sunset Tree and the new Get Lonely but I am pretty ignorant to the likes of their old stuff. This song is from a KEXP session Josh Darnielle recently did in Seattle. After a little research, I discovered this song was originally released on a compilation abulm in 1995, Our Salvation is at Hand. The song is the last in a series of stories about a couple. This song documents his first breakfast alone after his wife leaves him. The song breathes a sigh of relief. He eats boiled peanuts.

Well enjoy those semi rare/live/new songs. Thanks to the people who originally found them. I'm such a thief. Happy Tuesday.

happy birfday to you...

2006-08-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

So today is Joe's birthday(the one on the left, another peter, not me, is on the right ...hi petooor). And being one of the two primary members here at RMDS, I find it appropriate to show him some love on his bday as he ventures into life outside of the "teens."

So enjoy the picture. Enjoy the birthday songs, and leave Joe some love in the comments.

-mp3- Sufjan Stevens - Happy Birthday
-mp3- Andrew Bird - The Happy Birthday Song

also, asides from Joe's birthday we have some really exciting things going on at Renaissance Men. We are most likely going to have another memeber join us on board soon which is going to increase the musical goodness here ten fold. More news on that to come. We also have some neat posts lined up along with a grip load of cocnerts in the near future. Siq. We look forward to your continued readership...

....happpppy birfday to youuuu.

*update* joe's friend rachel took this photo. its very artistic. thank you dear.
*update* apparently i very rudely mispelled the aeformentioned photographer's name. i'm very sorry rachael. i even hyperlinked ur name this time. that should make things right. k? thanks!

I'm gonna build an airport, put my name on it

2006-08-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

I was reading The Dharma Bums last night, and there was a beautiful passage in which the narrator described his first glimpse of Mt. Hozomeen (obligatory WA bragging) from a fire lookout on Desolation Peak.
I was familiar with Desolation Peak, but not with Mt. Hozomeen. So I google image searched it.
Above is one of the pictures that I liked the best. I hope no one is afraid of mountains or anything.

I really like vocal harmonies in music. They are like mountains on a musical landscape if you will. Or maybe I'm just trying to tie two unrelated thoughts together. It's the latter.
Here are 3 songs, all of which have been favorite songs of mine in the past, all of which come with strong memories attached, and all of which contain killer vocal harmony moments.
You may well have heard one or two or all of these before, but try to listen to them as if you were hearing them for the first time. You may also find this all very corny, if so, I am sorry, I will try to find some really ironic, cynical type music to post soon.
but for now...

-mp3- Ben Folds - Fred Jones pt. 2
-mp3- Denison Witmer - Stations
-mp3- Damien Jurado and Rosie Thomas - Window

have a nicccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeee day everybody. i just got a really nice package in the mail, spirits are high here at RMDS.
bye bye

try to catch me shaking that laffy taffy

2006-08-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

This is my attempt to do one of those more normal type posts where I find a sweet new band and type about dem.
So here it is

The Volta Sound are from Ohio. They play some happenin' tunes that are somewhere between a more chillllll version of the mighty Pink Mountaintops and the sound of what would happen if Pete Townshend got really into some psychedelic folky type jams. That's my first impression, take it as you will, and please oh please listen to the songs and formulate an opinion and give these guys some smoochin'

-mp3- The Volta Sound - We'll Be Fine (I think I love this one the best)
-mp3- The Volta Sound - Couldn't Eat It All
-mp3- The Volta Sound - I Knew You'd Know

The Volta Sound on Myspace

so yeah, enjoy that. There might be some more RMDS posts coming up here right quick, I am on a roll.
bye bye

To sail, to pillage...

2006-08-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

The weekend is over and we are already back to school here at RMDS. The weekend was good. We went to the beach yesterday. There was splashing. And Joe's fair Washington skin got burnt. Good times.

I bet Jacob Borshard likes playing his ukelele on the beach. In fact, the ocean would be an excellent companion to his breezy lyrics - simple stories that strike a chord for kids with geos wanting to become pirates. Borshard's songs at the core, however, evoke thoughts of high school and being a teenager. I particularly can relate to his thoughts about girls and speeding tickets. And if Joe was writing this post, he would most assuradely point out that he hails from Washington. I don't know what that has to do with anything, but it just goes to show that Joe's shameless WA shout-outs everyday are now starting to permeate into my writing. Ahhh. Anyways...regardless of who you are or where you are from, you should be able to enjoy these down to earth folk songs with pop melodies.

Oh, and the best thing about Jacob Borshard is that he has both of his albums available for download at his website. For free! Check out his artwork too. What a renaissance man.

But in case you are too lazy to jog on over to his site, I provided four of my favorite songs below. You should download them all. Enjoy.

-mp3- Jacob Borshard - Brains Brains (for you pirate people)
-mp3- Jacob Borshard - Grass Stains (for you lover people)
-mp3- Jacob Borshard - Vincent and Theo (for you wandering people)
-mp3- Jacob Borshard - Full of Aces (for you poker people)

Jacob Borshard's Website
Jacob on Myspace
Jacob's Sculptures
Other write-up's about Jacob Borshard's music here, here, and here.

...so pass the rum and draw your swords.

Waiting for something that will never arrive

2006-08-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

We saw Wolf Parade last night. It was really sweet and a good time was had by all. Even the nasty people making out and the 15 year old babies with novelty t-shirts. Good time rock music.

The opening band (as throughly covered in our concert review post which I am too lazy to hyperlink to because it should be right in front of your eyes) was Whalebones. They had some blues sound, some monster guitars, some jam band crazyness, some meanness to their music, some grime (not like Dizzee) in their vocal harmonies, some weapons in their hands, some fire in their bellies, etc.
I loved them, you should too. Try kicking your leg or throwing your fist up at appropriate times in the song. Worst case scenario, you make yourself look stupid in front of a hottie. On the plus side, you would burn calories.

-mp3- Whalebones- Ladyfingers
-mp3- Whalebones- Another Jungle
-mp3- Whalebones- Blood Bank (Highly Recommended!!!)

Whalebones on Myspace

That's about it. Have a beautiful weekend. Tell me some sweet stories.
bye bye

Wolf Parade/Frog Eyes - Live at the Wiltern

2006-08-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Let me just start off by saying that Wolf Parade absolutely killed it last night at The Wiltern. The night could not have gone better as we were able to get right up front, sneak in my camera(shh), and listen to three kick-ass bands. Enjoy our first ever concert review at RMDS...

Whalebones
The night got off to a great start with opener Whalebones. They had a supremely confident stage presence and a blues/jam band type sound equally reminiscent of both Black Mountain and Black Keys. Now, that may sound like Urban Outfitters' answer to The Grateful Dead, but let me tell you, Whalebones was legit. The songs had claws, the guitars dropped bombs on my head, expect a post hyping them up to arrive very soon.

Frog Eyes
Frog Eyes' set really brought out the worst in one of the most obnoxious crowds I've ever been a part of. They had some kickin' jams and a unique stage presence that steadily improved throughout the set. However, their music is not very accessible (say it ain't so), and even though we here at RMDS were very into their style, the set did drag a bit. Nevertheless, they kept it real, and Casey Mercer's Black Francis-esque showmanship accompanied with tweaked out solos and high energy deserved a much more respectful audience.

Wolf Parade
I'm not going to lie, I was somewhat apprehensive about Wolf Parade's live show. Of course, I love their recorded work, but it seemed like every live review I ever read of WP played them off as nothing special. Reviewers praised Sunset Rubdown and their live set, but seemed hesitant to give as much credit to Wolf Parade's show. Fearing Krug had over extended himself with all his other projects, I went into the concert hoping simply for a solid performance.

In retrospect, I shouldn't have been so timid about having high expectations. Wolf Parade came out firing. They blazed through the first half of their set with a barrage of seemingly effortless jams. One thing we really noticed about Wolf Parade's live performance was how many different influences and stylings they pull together to make their unique sound. Seeing Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner alternating on lead vocals lead to a new appreciation for their recorded work. It is very easy to listen to Apologies to the Queen Mary and forget about the intricacies that went into the songwriting because it is so well produced. Wolf Parade pulls all of this musical meshing off with ease, all while managing to pack in a grip load of fun-filled energy.

The latter half of the set was to be particularly noted as it was practically perfect. "I'll Believe in Anything" procceeded directly by "This Heart's on Fire" was enough to leave us both in awe.

Other than that, we don't have much to say other than that you should definitly see Wolf Parade live if you are given the chance. Below, we have the setlist, accompanied with mp3's of our favorite songs of the night. Enjoy.

Setlist:

Things I Don't Know (New Song) (mp3)
Shine A Light
Grounds For Divorce
It's a Curse
Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts
We Built Another World
You Are A Runner And My Father's Son/Fancy Claps
Modern World
(New Song)
(New Song)
I'll Believe in Anything (mp3)
This Heart's On Fire (mp3)

-Encore-
The National People's Scare
Dinner Bells

Nobody knows you...

2006-08-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

So Joe and I (along with another cool cat: Mike) are headed up to L.A. tonight to see Wolf Parade and Frog Eyes. My excitement is overflowing. Spencer Krug might be the busiest man in indie music these days with Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, and now Swans Lake all occupying some of his musical efforts. Hopefully he's ready to howl all night long at The Wiltern.

Also, this will also be the first of many live reviews here on RMDS. So hopefully, my outdated camera can snap a few blog-worthy photos. Regardless, we'll have a review up in the following days. That's about it. Here's a couple mp3's from the respective Canadian outfits. You probably already have them and have listend to them on repeat like me. But here they are anyways...

-mp3- Wolf Parade - I'll Believe In Anything
-mp3- Frog Eyes - The Akhian Press

...and nobody gives a damn.

Someday when I'm older...

2006-08-24T18:59:00.000-07:00

Basically I'm making this post because The Boy Least Likely To recently posted this picture on their myspace and I really like it. Yes, I'm very articulate.

Well, I guess to make this post more than just a picture, I'll offer you a a couple TBLLT songs that you might not have heard if you only own The Best Party Ever. Um, I dont feel like writing about these songs much, but I will say "Rock Upon A Porch With You" sure gets me excited to get in touch with my geriatric side.

-mp3- The Boy Least Likely To - Rock Upon A Porch With You (Do It !!!)
-mp3- The Boy Least Likely To - Every Grubby Little Memory

The Boy Least Likely To's Website

Is it just me?

2006-08-24T15:54:00.000-07:00

what up what up.
the beautiful piece of greenhouse photography to the north was taken at my place of employment over the summer.
it is a nice place and they let me drive a sweet lawn mower sometimes, but I sweated a lot while I was there. Such mixed feelings...

before I start posting songs and all that normal stuff, allow me to direct your attention to Pitchfork's review of Get Lonely. Lack of a 10.0 aside, this is the type of review that gets me all excited for an album. Actually, who am I fooling? I've already listened to Get Lonely all the way through and it rules. Don't have a lot more to say about that, go buy it!!!

ok, now for some tunez.
Addition is the name taken by a strapping young man from Renton, WA (the 425). He plays some good old fashioned angsty acoustic music. Now, that may sound a bit tongue in cheek, but please don't let me be misunderstood, this is good stuff. There are 10 billion sad boys with acoustic guitars making mediocre music, but I think Addition really manages to rise above a lot of other acts. His voice reminds me of Will Sheff's, which is a huge bonus. His influences are solid as a rock, and it shows.
enjoy this while you can cause someday you will be dead.

-mp3- Addition- Someday Soon (Highly Recomended)
-mp3- Addition- So Cheap

Addition on Myspace

There are many bands that I've found on myspace, and many that I can't wait to blog on. Unfortunately, some of them don't let me download their mp3s. I am going to see what I can do about this. In the meantime, here are two lovely ladies you should listen to and fall in love with. They may not be new to you, but you know, it never hurts to hear a song more than once.

-mp3- Pink Nasty- May It Always Be (Bonnie "Prince" Billy cover)
-mp3- Pink Nasty- Groove and Grind

Pink Nasty on Myspace
Pink Nasty's Website

-mp3- Mirah- Person Person
-mp3- Mirah- Monument (Recomended More Highly Than a Kite)
-mp3- Mirah- Don't Die On Me (You Have No Idea How Good This Song Is)

Mirah on Krecs

I think I need to work on recommending things in more straightforward ways. Any suggestions?
Ok, since this blog is new and it could use a bit of a jump start, I'm going to just go ahead and post two songs that you probably/maybe have already heard but are still so freaking good I can't even believe it and you must have them. They also both touch on the possibility that maybe America/mankind in general sometimes does bad things. Sorta. You'll see. I consider them sister songs.

-mp3- Sufjan Stevens- The Star-Spangled Banner (Live)
-mp3- Bob Dylan- With God On Our Side

Hope you enjoyed this post and that it finds you all well. In less than 24 hours Peter and I will be done with our first week back at school and headed for a weekend o' fun.
bye bye

Brand Spankin' New Format Video

2006-08-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a quick post because I am in between classes. But I just wanted to tell you all(by that, I mean our 3 or 4 occassional readers) that The Format just debuted their video for "The Compromise" on their myspace page this morning. The video has loads of paper mache bobbleheads and creatures, along with giant robots in the desert. Oh ya, its a real good song too.

-mp3- The Format - The Compromise

Vote for the video on Fuse.tv
The Format's Website
The Format on Myspace

(Check out the Tour Dates! Joe and I will be at the Sept. 1 show in San Diego)

Ratatat - "Classics"

2006-08-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

In case you guys didn't already know, yesterday was an incredibly good day for music releases. I know I already posted on the new Mountain Goats' album, but I also wanted to share with you another one of yesterday's dope release (head over to the Yellow Stereo sometime for an even better roundup of August 22's releases).

In case you aren't familiar with Ratatat, they are a two piece group who jumble hip hop, electronica, and rock into jam-worthy instrumental beats. Coming off their self-titled debut album, Ratatat expands their sound on Classics. And rightfully so, given the name. Blips, bleeps, blops, and twangy guitar riffs make up most of the songs, but cellos and sleigh bells can be found in the mix as well. Not interested? Sounds too bland? Just give "Wildcat" a listen and hear that feline breathe down your throat at the 0:19 mark. Cruise down a midwest highway with "Montanita" at 80 miles an hour. And with "Lex" you might as well have just beat a hidden level in Mario. Bust it...

-mp3- Ratatat - Wildcat
-mp3- Ratatat - Montanita
-mp3- Ratatat - Lex

Buy Classics at Insound
Ratatat's Website
Ratatat's Myspace (Check Out Their Tour!)

also, I just got a notice about a couple of new Beck shows in the Southern California area. So if you have more money than me, go see 'um live and tell me about it. Oh, he's opening for Tom Petty at the show in Chula Vista. Siq. If only I had 86 dollars to spare.

I think my laptop battery is about to catch fire

2006-08-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

Over the summer I was anti-social and watched lots of movies. I denied this endlessly, but basically, that's the gist of it.
I love Netflix like a fat kid loves cliches.

Here are 3, all of which you have probably heard of, that really made an impact on me this summer. And of course, some songs that compliment them. hopefully.

Mean Streets

This movie fascinated me for several reasons. Most obviously, it's amazing to be able to watch Scorsese and DeNiro showing the beginnings of what would become two of the most legendary talents in cinematic history. That may be the most overdramatic sentence yet here at RMDS. Sorry. Despite Scorsese's early experiments with follow shots and other directorial feats of strength and DeNiro's vulnerable, out-of-control portrayal of Johnny Boy, I think it's Harvey Keitel who really steals the show in this film. He perfectly captures a character who is being driven to desperation by forces out of his control. And yet, Keitel's Charlie is still pursuing an escape, freedom, love, opportunity, life, the American Dream. Oh crime films, you get me every time.

"if you and me were free, we'd do as we please..."

-mp3- The Kinks - Till The End Of The Day

Cache (Hidden)

I had heard so much debate over whether Cache was genius and thought-provoking or pretentious and pointless that I practically lost interest in seeing it. That would have been a bonehead play on my part.
This film blew me away. I found myself thinking about it more and more and more as the days went by and the mailman took my magic red envelope far away from me. Oh well, mail is one of the many things I'm distrustful of after seeing this film. This is a film full of dread.

"And watch it all come down..."

-mp3- Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Another Day Full Of Dread

The Asphault Jungle

I have a soft spot (maybe a dark spot?) for film noir. I eat up the dialogue, I get all butterflied about the sinister cinematography. My pretentiousness grows and grows the more famous noir scenes I mentally catalogue. I think it might be because I used to read lots of Hardy Boys and other mysteries. I love me some detection. And as I have already pointed out, crime movies really do it for me. So yeah, Film Noir.
I think I loved this film because it really demonstrated a skillfull director's ability to take the typical "morality tale" style crime film to a deeper, more compelling level. Go rent this movie next time you feel like black and white for dinner.

"Are all my failings exposed?...As desperation takes hold..."

-mp3- Calexico- Love Will Tear Us Apart

In other news, my fellow renaissance man/surfaholic and I bought our tickets for 2 upcoming concerts tonight. Guess which ones...Hint: they tend to sing with their voices, not holler and whatnot.

bye bye

The Mountain Goats - "Get Lonely"

2006-08-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Josh Darnielle's memoir The Sunset Tree wows me every time I listen to it. Actually, I think anyone who has given the album a few listens, is probably sucked in like me. It's ability to make you dance, cry, and sympathize with Darnielle's troubling relationship with his stepfather was something only accomplished through honest and emotional lyrics that Darnielle delivers with the utmost sincerity.

The Mountain Goats newest endeavor, Get Lonely, is released today on 4AD records. Throughout the album Darnielle fights to forget about the aeformentioned troubling relationship and move on. The scars are still there, but songs such as "Woke up New" resonate with new hope. "Get Lonely" finds Darnielle taking trips downtown and painting pictures by himself. Where does he go from here? And "In the Hidden Places" zips around Darnielle's mind, seeking out solitude from his haunting past. The Mountain Goats' Get Lonely is another lyrical masterpiece by Darnielle and a wonderful follow up to The Sunset Tree.

-mp3- The Mountain Goats - Woke Up New (Mega Recommended!!!)
-mp3- The Mountain Goats - Get Lonely
-mp3- The Mountain Goats - In the Hidden Places

Buy Get Lonely at Insound
The Mountain Goats Website
Check out the video for "Get Lonely" on YouTube!

I Heart SD, Kite Flying Society, and The Donkeys

2006-08-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

Mmm. Southern California. The sun shines, the girls wear skirts, and even more importantly - the music resounding from the region these days is just as good as the the weather. At least this is the case for the new indie bands emerging out of San Diego.

As I spent hours upon hours sifting through blogs and bands during my summer in Colorado, I was delighted to find out that two of my favorite finds of the summer hailed from San Diego (Joe and I's new home for the school year). So, um, here they are...

Kite Flying Society

After I heard these guys named their band after a scene in Wes Anderson's Rushmore, I was pretty much sold. Since hearing their debut album Where Is The Glow? it's safe to say the music is so good it wouldn't matter if they had named themselves after this movie. Anyways, Kite Flying Society says on their myspace that their influences include The Shins and Rogue Wave, amongst others. Works for me. Although Beach Boys seem like a strikingly obvious, and complimentary, influence as well.

Where Is The Glow? is the epitome of a summer time record. The incredibly poppy "Love and Seagulls" might as well be played on every oceanside boardwalk during the day. "Thick as Thieves" on repeat in your bobbing sailboat and "Groundflower" softly whispering through a field at sunset would be appropriate as well. Ugh. Just listen.

-mp3- Kite Flying Society - Love and Seagulls (Highly Recommended!)
-mp3- Kite Flying Society - Thick as Thieves
-mp3- Kite Flying Society - Grounflower

Check out their SD tour stops and merchandise here...

KFS on Myspace
KFS's Website

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Donkeys

The Donkey's are just a few guys living in a basement. They sleep amongst their instruments and occassionally drink water. Some nights people will even come to that basement to hear them play their wonderful mix of indie folk and blues.

I'm kidding, but their pictures sure had me fooled. The Donkey's are simple and fun. Their lyrics are honest and realistic. "Come on Virginia" may be the summer's anthem - perfect San Diego folk if there is such a thing. "Lower the Heavans" is the most accessible instrumental I've heard in along time. Just make it to the 1:07 mark for me. And finally "Walk Through A Cloud" hums along like an amped up hymn. Go for it...

-mp3- The Donkeys - Come on Virginia (Download it! Come on San Diego, Do It!)
-mp3- The Donkeys - Lower the Heavans
-mp3- The Donkeys - Walk Through A Cloud

Check out their recent Daytrotter session (once they get the site fixed!)
The Donkeys on Myspace

Whats Up Internet What Up / 1st Real Post

2006-08-19T21:33:00.000-07:00

Summer is over. And our blog is here. To kick things off, we have a bunch of goodies for you that we hand picked for your enjoyment. (Just bare with the picture as it is a quasi practice for posting pictures as well as a hilarious inside joke).

Joe's Picks...
Ten billion paragraphs have been written about hot summertime goodtime fun in the sun music. Think Beach Boys or happy dance music or something. And I'm not about to try and put a dent in that stereotype. It's only our first post after all.

So here is some fun summer music. It's "fun" because it's so monumentally profane that if you took it seriously, your soul would die. Most of this song is typical N.W.A. gangster misogynist type of what have you, but Easy E's verse towards the end of the song holds one of the single most ridiculous, joyful, over-the-top moments I've ever heard in any song. Enjoy.
-mp3- N.W.A. - Gangsta Gangsta

At the beginning of the summer, I bought Paste Magazine's 100 greatest living songwriters issue. I like Paste, and I enjoyed reading the list as I sat at the San Diego air port listening to a large woman in a J-LO sweatsuit advising a friend against ever having kids. I could only hope that the child that she was holding was too young to understand what exactly was going on. Anyways, Paste ranked Neil Young #2. Solid choice, old news, so what? Welllllllllllllllllll as it turns out, they quoted lyrics from "Ambulance Blues" in the article, and they really turned my head. I'd listened to the song 4 or 5 times before, but it had yet to blowwwww my mind.
I listened to this song most days after I got home from work this summer. I don't know if Mr. Young meant for this song to mean as much as it can and does, but regardless, it is heavy heavy heavy. Acoustic music doesn't get any heavier than this. Dig in.
-mp3- Neil Young -Ambulance Blues

More songs need spelling. More songs need Okkervil River and Daniel Johnston.
U-N-C-O-N-D-I-T-I-O-N-A-L L-O-V-E
-mp3- Okkervil River ft. Daniel Johnston - Happy Hearts

Lastly, I have to give credit to the massively underrated Puritan Blister for providing me with this last song. I figure there is no way I will ever find anything to post without snagging great songs from cooler people, so I might as well get off to a proper start.
There is probably no quicker way to sound like your brain is made of diamonds than to sing a Leonard Cohen song. It also helps if you have a beautiful, almost overdramatic, voice.
-mp3- Regina Spektor - Chelsea Hotel 2

Pete's Picks...
As ambiguous in nature as this post it is, I personally had to narrow the focus for my own sanity. Therefore, the four songs I will present to you today come from my four favorite songs I saw live this summer. So, um, ya. Here they are in no partiular order of "bestness.'

I have a crush on Lady Sovereign. I'm just going to throw that out there right now. Given the ultimatum in this song by the S-0-V it's obvious I would not pick that latter. Anyways, despite being inebriated her entire set, the UK teen wonder managed to maintain some of the best stage presence I'd ever seen on a performer, regardless of age. Ok, before you start thinking this post is from Zach Slow, I'll just give you the song...
-mp3- Lady Sovereign - Love Me or Hate Me

Going into the most blogged about tour of the summer (Cold War Kids, Figurines, and Tapes 'n Tapes duh?), I must admit that I was pretty much ignorant to the music of Cold war Kids. Sure I'd heard the soul packed "Hospital Beds," but I was completely unprepared for the energy Cold War Kids put in their live show. The song posted below floored me the most. If lead singer Nathan Willet has never had an alcohol addiction or struggled to pay rent as he describes in this song, he sure has me fooled. His emphatic punches on the piano solidified this song in my head for days. And on top of all its goodness, it left me with my anthem for the summer as I awaited to head to Califronia for school: "This will all blow over in time...'
-mp3- Cold War Kids - We Used To Vacation

I had called nearly ten people in my cell phone before venturing to see The Boy Least Likely To by myself. Some may say this is a testament to my likeability and social skills, but I simply justify it by saying that none of these friends understand the perfect indie pop that TBLLT produces. Anyways, the lonely drive to Boulder, Colorado was well worth it. Playing nearly all of their wonderful debut The Best Party Ever was a nice treat, but even more delicious to my ears was their cover of George Michae's "Faith." If you can't enjoy this song, you probably need to seriously evaluate what traumatically happened to you during your childhood. And if you can't get past Michael's painfully cheesy lyrics, just please make it to the 0:57 second mark of the song to hear TBLLT toss in some bango, glockenspiel, and overall goodness into this oldie.
-mp3- The Boy Least Likely To - Faith

Rock Votolato plays songs for lovebirds. Well, maybe that's not his intent, but it sure seemed like it at the side stage of the Sasquatch music festival over Memorial Day Weekend. As a few buds and I stood amongst twenty some lovestruck couples, the wind blew crisp throughout the Eastern Washington air. Sounds too cliche? It was. But at the same time it was perfect. Rocky played almost his entire set off of Makers, and I couldn't have asked for more. The highlight being this tune. Everytime I hear it I can picture the grass swaying at the Gorge. No? Well, I can. Ok. Indulge.
-mp3- Rocky Votolato - Uppers Aren't Necessary

Well, that's all for now. The blogging life is rough, so makes us feel loved and leave us comments, be our myspace friends, send us e-mails, etc. We are not really sure what direction this blog is going to take. Basically, we are just doing this for fun right now. So I hope you enjoyed. Thanks,

Peter and Joe

Come Back August 20th

2006-08-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Renaissance Men Don't Surf. We are a mp3/movie blog that will be starting on August 20th.

Why not now, you say? Well, because the two contributers: myself(Peter) and Joe are far away from eachother currently. However, on the date of August 20th we will be reunited at the location in the picture.

See, we are going to be sophomores at Point Loma Nazarene University and spent the whole summer in our respective states of Colorado and Washington. But once we regroup in San Diego it will be all fun and games in the blog world. That is if I can get Joe to stop surfing to make some posts. We'll see.

Anyways, sorry for all that ramble. This will be the only post until the 20th, and from then on we will hopefully have continuous posting!

But for now I'll leave you with a little preview of what is to come:

Michael Leviton is just a man with a ukulele, who according to his myspace, sounds like "loneliness, misery, and longing." For me this is a spot-on description as he sings this song.

When I was little I would have never thought I would ever hate summer. But combine 40hr work weeks with a boring town and summer becomes the worst. Go ahead all you summer debbie-downers, sing along with Michael Leviton and I:

-mp3- Michael Leviton - Summer's The Worst