Release Date: 2008-05-13
Label: K7 Records

Some super sick beats again here. Just so happens I'm rummaging through the hip-hop/instrumentals/turntablist on backlog and this cream right hurr is rising to the top. Dunno bout yall but I can get down to some Circus of Horror. Way down.

South Carolina based Danny Swain is pretty sick at mixin beats together. Give it some proper attention on the same playlist as Phox :) And I know yall must think I'm running out of music but I'm just running out of time with all this good weather sneakin' up so fast and the end of the semester workload hittin hard. I'm pullin thru just like all yall so fear not, the music flow can never be stifled.

Label: Manhattan Records

Richard Julian has been around the scene for over 10 years but until he scored it big with a gig opposite Norah Jones he wasn't getting any attention. This is his fifth solo album and it's a nice bounce around the above genres. Apparently Ms. Jones is also a fan of his music and I'm guessing she probably has some pretty dece taste in music. I like it too and I like to think my taste ain't all that bad, so ear it up.

Genre: Pop Indie Rock
Website: www.myspace.com/phantomplanet
Release Date: 2008-04-15
Label: Atlantic

Git reddy for the infectious beats of Phantom Planet (as made more popular by The O.C.). This is their fourth full length album and I am pretty sure I like it the most. The album (like most) manages many moods of Indie Rock so check out their other tracks for sure.

Hooray for The Weepies! The result of collaborative efforts between Steve Tannen and Deb Talan (who are now married!), this album carries the same familiar sound that I grew to love with their last album Say I Am You. Differently the same, if you will. Get the album when it comes out on Tuesday because as far as folk goes you'll be hard-pressed to find either better voices or better harmony.

Release Date: 2008-04-15
Label: Virgin US

This is Tristan's 2nd album and if you're anything like me you had no idea she was coming out with a new album so cheers to unexpected pleasantries. She's still doin' it right and if you check over at amazon you can actually get a hard copy of this album for cheaper than it is to download it. But then again, that's not including shipping. Tristan's had me as a fan for a while now, you too?

Poem to the Hospital 2

Genre: Hip Hop
Release Date: July 6, 2004

LAST POST TODAY!!! I need to get away from my computer. Everyone should hear this before bed tho...Shastud that means you.

Tracklist:
1. Melody Day
2. Sandy
3. After Hours
4. She's the One
5. Desiree
6. Eli
7. Sundialing
8. Irene
9. Niobe

Genre: Indie
Release Date: August 21, 2007
Label: Merge Records

Some music for the nice weather. Get outside tomorrow and enjoy that sunshine!!

Release Date: 2006-10-10
Label: Poker Flat

These guys are in Copenhagen and their stuff is scrumptiously electronic. Super layered and progressive yet electronically funky enough to keep it fresh, you can't go wrong cuz there's always a time for their songs. Catch the album if you're enjoying the remixes but be warned, the remixes are a little funkier than the originals, which I assure you does not mean the original versions aren't good, they just aren't the same. Ear with love.

1. A Mirror
2. It's On You
3. The White Sun
4. Black Snakes
5. Going Through The Motion
6. Salton
7. To Know Is To Trust
8. Waiting Room

Genre: Indie rock
Label: Phratry Records
Release Date: Oct 31, 2004

Every once in a while things get all whacky and Shastud and I have a genre switch. We have both concluded that it is beyond our control and only the alignment of the stars are to blame. I'm not really too good with the whole indie scene...but i hope you enjoy these guys.

Release Date: 2008-02-10
Label: Freedom Ent.

Finally got around to skirtin' the edges of my backlogged Hip Hop albums. First one to stand out is Everliven Sound, comin' atcha from Jersey. Skit Slammin' gets you some quality beats with 4.5/5 star emcee's. Some of the chori (thats plural for chorus) are a little cheesy sounding to me but I'm just following my ears. You follow yours and head over to their myspace when you're done earing the above (I love the breakbeat accordion thing goin on in track 5).

Youtube this other sick track of theirs.

Release Date: 2008-05-06
Label: Roadrunner

If you're looking for some serious Rock, like, old school Rock, look no further. Takin' it to town with everything that makes you feel like headbangin', The Parlor Mob even make sure to take it the acoustic rock route with the last track. Super nice because there's nothing like finishing on a note like that. It doesn't hit storeside for another few weeks so make sure you check their myspace while you wait!

Release Date: 2008-04-07
Label: Eye Industries

Some truly quality indie goin' on right here. The album flows so well with different styles and tempos of indie-hearted rock and it will take you on a fantastic journey which never (at least not for me) involves the next track button. And of course... as expected... they're not from the States but instead are hailing from the UK. You'd think with sheer numbers of people the US would be putting out more and more quality artists than the UK but such is not the case. Quality not quantity. My Federation is serving to further solidify this point! Youtube :)

Orchestrate feat Glass Onion

Chattapella

Dialect Crew is out of South Shields UK and Chattabox is one of their four primary MC's. Orchestrate is easily one of the best hip-hop tracks I have heard this year. It makes me want to pick up a British accent, turn up the stereo in my car, and scream things like STRAIGHT out my window at people while eating a crumpet. I can't stop listening to this song right now and I hope it infects your brain as well...

Website: www.myspace.com/matthewryan
Release Date: 2008-04-01
Label: Megaforce

I read a review of this album and there was a fantastic quote in it: "Great music, is the music of what happens." (That's from acclaimed Irish poet Seamus Heaney). So this album is really good, and if you look at a picture of the band on myspace he looks kinda scary (if you're reading this don't misinterpret that as ugly) but guess what? The music is never about what you look like it's about what you can do with your musical creativity. I guess in the grand scheme of pop culture looks might matter but not when it really matters. I like this album a lot, so if you feel that way about the songs you ear here you'll be thoroughly contented with the rest. This album's release notes were also incorrect when first typing this; yet another lesson to double check my facts.

Sweet youtube videos (that one is Closing In) that weren't quite what I expected. Check the sidebar of that link for additional songs and vids.

Release Date: 2008-02-19
Label: Atlantic

Same label, different guy. Must just be that time of the month for singer-songwriters on Atlantic, but regardless, Marc Broussard is also one of those guys who doesn't need much of an introduction. He's gone from southern soul tearin' it up solo on an acoustic to backed by a full band jammin the blues-ed out funk at festivals. Either one works for me, but if you haven't been a fan of his since back in the day you should certainly take a look around the web for his older stuff.

I don't think Mr. Mraz needs much of an introduction given his rise to the spotlight over the last 5 years or so. His new album, We sing We Dance We Steal Things, will be coming out in the latter half of May, with these tracks being non-studio versions (I'm assuming, given that they're from this-or-that session) of songs you'll find on the final product. So get your ears tuned in for what will be coming in a more full-flavored version at a later date.

Release Date: 2008
Label: Oxblood Records

I'm baaaaaaack. I know all of you probably have other music resources out there and that I'm a fairly convenient one, so I apologize for my absence and am now back to return convenience and tunage to your digital doorstep.

Although an uncommon combination of genres, you'll know what I'm talking about with the surf country feel after the chorus during track 2. Their newish label, Oxblood, was started in Kansas (yeah i know... there's stuff there?) by a local radio guy and a local used-to-be drummer. The idea was the capture the sound of this band playing in a room instead of a few (or one) track(s) at a time, ultimately layered for the final poofy sound. It's not too shabby and I'm certainly throwing it on the appropriate playlists.

Time is the Enemy

5th Exotic

The Sound of Everything

Genre: Electronic
Label: Tru Thoughts Ltd.
Release Date: 2001/2006

2001 = SOOO OLD SKOOL. Enjoy the new and the old of what Quantic has to offer. Sorry for being MIA for so long. I was out in Massachusetts peeping grad schools for the weekend with the fam. Hopefully Shastard will stay away and control of his blog will finally be mine!!

Tracklist:
1. Day at The Bookies (UB&O Mix)
2. All Out King feat. Romanowskiy
3. Mi Chat Latin feat. DJ Mexican
4. Genio Del Dub (Control Machete Remix by UB&O)
5. Corazon De Leon (Subrok Mission Remix)
6. Chicharras Night (Chico Sonido Remix)
7. Bristol Brooklyn Bridge feat. Blanquito Man & Fragment Crew
8. Mundo Insolito (Toy Selectah / Control Machete Remix)
9. Cumbion Mountain (Cico Sonido & Toy Selecta)
10. Lyrica Volcanica (Dub Mix)
11. Tinto Tintero
12. Mi Altar Voy A Armar
13. Nina (Air Remix)
14. Corazon De Leon (Kabanjak Remix)
15. Day at The Bookies (Romanowski Remix)
16. Guitar Ahoy feat Cuffy El Guapo Flamenco Guitar
Release Date: Jan 29, 2007
Label: Collision

Shake that booty with a little Up, Bustle & Out.

Release Date: 2008-04-08
Label: Lemongrassmusic

Release Date: 2006-06-06
Label: Narada

I ran across this album while listening to her more recent one, which in my honest opinion, is not nearly as good. So I reverted to her old album so you could at least get a taste of Camille and get her name out there a bit. The sweetest thing about this album is something I think is intentional and is also something I've never encountered... which is that every track of the album starts and ends with the same droning note. If I wanted to take two seconds to pick up my guitar I could tell you what note it is but in the interest of more music I'll spare myself the exercise in music theory. Suffice to say it's pretty frickin' cool and you can ear it on the two tracks above.

Release Date: 2008-04-21
Label: Nettwerk

Belgium based Styrofoam has this album comin' out pretty soon and is chock full of cameo's from artists you may or may not know. Josh Rouse is the one I knew best and I'm pretty ok with the way that track turned out (cuz, no offense to Josh, but his more recent stuff has let me down, but that's ok as long as he's likes what he's doing). Most of the information or reviews for Styrofoam are in a language I clearly don't understand so your entire comprehension of this band will start and end with your ears. Beginning now.

Tracklist:
1. 1983
2. Sao Paulo
3. Bad Actors
4. Orbit Brazil
5. Shifty
6. Babble
7. Pet Monster Shotglass
8. Hello
9. Untitled #7
10. Unexpected Delight (Feat. Laura Darlington)
11. 1983 (Daedelus's Odd-Dance Party Remix)

Release Date: Sep 19. 2006
Label: Plug Research

Ummmmm. You need to hear this. I feel like my ears just lost their virginity.

My Room is White (Flying Lotus Remix)

For those who liked Mia in the last post...This song is OFF THE HOOK. I was filtering through a lot of her stuff and then I came across this song and was like. Dude. Turn the speakers up! It is from her La Ninja Amor And Other Dreams Of Manzanita album. Looks like I might have to look into who these Flying Lotus characters are next...

Tracklist:
01. Children Of The Sun (featuring Dwight Trible and members of Build An Ark)
02. One For Ayler
03. Into 777 (featuring Sach)
04. Like This (featuring Lil Sci)
05. A Zillion Tambourines (featuring Kamau Daaood)
06. Elevation
07. With Voices (featuring Lil Sci)
08. Drum Riders (featuring Brother J and Cut Chemist)
09. Ropepe (featuring Najite)
10. Through The Pauses (featuring Sach)
11. Beautiful Flowers (featuring Prince Po, Yusef Lateef and Dwight Trible)
12. Earth's Children (featuring Mia Doi Todd)
13. Sleep Stasis (featuring Daedelus)
14. Worth It (featuring Abstract Rude)
15. Love Needs No Destination To Have Made It (featuring Imiuswi)
16. Life Force Contact

Genre: Hip Hop
Release Date: May 30, 2006

Sorry I've been so out of the scene lately. Workin' non-stop and flying out to Boston this weekend means it's only gonna get worse before it gets better. Ah well. Listen to Earth's Children before bed tonight. That Mia Doi Todd has a trippy voice.

Anna's new up and coming album is a tasty little folk treat for all of us. Although I didn't share it with yall, track 2 (Bridges) is a personal favorite because of the way it sounds like her hand is hitting the guitar for the beat (even if that's probably not what's happening :P). It's a sappy song and we all have a little sap in us so be sure you ear it. Anna is pretty old school, meaning lots of you should know her by now, so if you don't now's your chance to get acquainted.

Release Date: 2008-03-31
Label: Polydor

We're gonna start today with a nice dose of Indie with more-than-subtle hints of pop to it. This is their debut album and is reminiscent of The Futureheads or The Kooks (both great bands) so if that sounds appealing to you than you won't be let down. Highness is their single and is one you'll be listening to and I'm a big big fan of the driving guitars in it (not to mention the catchy vocals).

Fresh City

Climb

Just when you thought all hope was lost...
Abel's music frequently appears on Josh Lowell's soundtracks and this is how I came to fall in love. These two songs are off two different albums (816 Mix and Magic Cuts). Fresh City is by far the best song to ever be posted on this blog. EVER.

if you're looking for somewhere to make a purchase. It's some high quality music (one song is in english and it sounds really good) and the rest are in Portuguese (thx Moka). One you're not gonna ear here is track 5 and I would very very highly suggest that you go listen to a sample on Emusic's site. It's quality. Go good foreign language tunage!

Release Date: 2008-05
Label: Domino

Adem has been on mixes I've made in the past. One was from a different album and one was Invisible Man (Track 11 on this album). I'm a huge fan of his experimentation in the acoustic and pop genres. Always a surprise and never knowing what to expect, Adem (from UK) rarely lets me down and always pulls through in some aspect. Track 2 is lush with a string section that complements the drawn out emotionally charged vocals. Mmm. Enjoy this one. Track 8 builds off of a climbing little slide progression that fits this niche very nicely :)