Genre: Reggae/Hip Hop/Remix
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-10-08
Label: Sony/BMG Japan

This is a bonus track included in the Japanese release of the s/t CD by Collie Buddz. Of course I like a good remix and this one does not disappoint. All the classic awesomeness of the Come Around track with some sick emceeing thrown ova the top. This will polish it off for the month of September. Averaging three posts per day with a total of 90 this month I'm hoping to continue finding 30-45 minutes a day to dedicate some music to all of you listeners throughout the world. Music is love and love should be spread. Feel it.

Genre: Acoustic/Folk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-04-15
Label: Gravitation

And here's one for the acoustically inclined. Europe never fails to impress me with it's singer songwriters. Especially those from Norway and Sweden who manage to sing in English better than we do (I've said it before and I'm saying it again!). This whole album has a feel of a rusty Nick Drake with endless and limitless fingerpicking. Sounds like a banjo. Sounds like it sounds good.

Genre: Soul/Funk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-04-07
Label: Record Kicks

So there isn't anything crazy special about Baby Charles in my opinion. This music slides right into the Sharon Jones-ish slot and it just sorta cruise controls around in there. Doesn't ever hit the passing lane and never really throws me for any surprising curveballs of awesomeness so this one just gets an "decent-for-the-genre" branding. I was reading somewhere that track 06 is a ripoff of the Beastie Boys instrumental track Lighten Up. If it's true I can't blame Baby Charles because the Beastie Boys are sweet. And yep, UK once again!

Genre: Turntablism/Beat
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-01-01
Label: Grease

Located under a rock in Ohio is Ruckus Roboticus who loves play with scratches. Makes me think of literally playing with a turntable and I'm sure that's just what it's like for anybody who knows them as well as he does. He actually does a remix of Bloc Party's Hunting For Witches which is on video so check that out. Turntable experimentalism at its finest so pick up some headphones and bust em.

Genre: Indie Rock/Dub Punk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-08-13
Label: Deltasonic

Some rockin ass indie. I wouldnt have gone with Dub Punk if their myspace hadn't had me consider the combination as the ear catalyst and it does kinda make you feel for the niche. But for real this indie hits it home and sets yet one more example of what can be done within the world of indie. The UK gots a lots of thats these days. Their gigography is here so go see them if you can. So weird to think about touring Europe instead of US but all you Europeans should check em out.

Genre: Americana Folk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2006-12-12
Label: Independent

Yeaaaa Thrift Store Cowboys bringing some gritty ditties up in here that go down clean in spite of thei . They got Texas on their side which maybe has something to do with their feel for the folk. My favorite ones aren't the ones being shared but they're still good so grab this one and spend some time gettin down.

Genre: Indie Folk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-09-11
Label: Dim Mak

Back to LA with The Deadly Syndrome. Indie Folk and Folk Indie depending on which track you go for. Track 04, the first to ear, is a great little folkish song and track 10 is a prog indie song. I can enjoy quite a few tracks on this album - their softer ones are fantastically composed and produced. They're up and coming and were formed by four young and aspiring musicians so check out what they're working with checkcheck.

Genre: Acoustic/Folk Rock
Website: Myspace & Buy!
Release Date: 2007
Label: Independent

This makes it up here partly because it's good stuff, partly because it's really unknown, and partly because they tour with Pete Francis from Dispatch. You've probably already seen above but Pete is in track 01 which yall should ear to get a feel for the musicality of Mr. Francis. The Five Percent are New Englandish, rockin out of PA and writing their music that fits so well with the scene up in that neck of the woods. I would know. ~!~ Track 07 is more my style from this band. Track 03 rocks out me stylez too.

Genre: Indie Rock
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-10-15
Label: Tabu

The Floor Is Made Of Lava is an energetic indie rock band from Copenhagen who I learned of by stumbling across their song Do Your Sister. The song is hilarious and talks about doing "your little sister." Who knows... but I DO know that they have quite a few youtube videos out there for your additional ear/eye samplage. Told Her I'm From Compton, Happy Monday are two music videos on there but the scope isn't limited to just that seeing as to how you can find some Tabu TV half-drunk interviews (not in English but you can still get the point). Oh and lets not forget, the Buy! link above is to this album remixed which I have not yet gotten my hands on, so if you do drop me a line and lemme know what you think.

Genre: Acoustic Pop Rock
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-07-30
Label: Sony

So this is not your average expectancy for this blog but I know there are some listeners out there who can appreciate a less-mainstream version of a mainstream song. This is for yall! Cuz even I can enjoy a nice round of acoustic versions even though they usually don't make it on my playlists because of their still-too-familiar nature. Meh. Pick it up if you like these songs, their acoustic versions, or the band!

Genre: Breakbeat/Nu Jazz
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-11-12
Label: Altered Vibes

So back to the UK who numbers-wise have dominated this scene during the month of September. But when it's good it's good and goodness is goodness regardless of origin. The only reason I really wanted to put this up on here is because I love the repetitive funk lick in the first track. But then I remembered all the other reasons I love this album and it made me feel better about gettin this out there. Njoi~!

Genre: Soul/Jazz/Downtempo
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-09-18
Label: Agogo

Yeaaah Germany back up in here. Haven't pulled in anything from them in a hot one so it's nice to get some phat beats to lounge out to from here. This is a DJ team who has been puttin the beats on people for a decade now. Still fresh and still funkin in their bossanova style. There's a lot of variety on the album so be sure to check it out ya ear? Try track 02 with it's sick hand percussion.

Genre: Acoustic/Reggae Roots
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-10-11
Label: Third Surfer Music

Denver can now boast Braddigan as one of it's many talented artists. When I was younger I want to say he and Dispatch were pullin it in for the Northeast New England area and left a nice mark on the music scene there. Well Dispatch is no more and each have gone their own way. Brad was the drummer and you can here more distinctly what he contributed to the collective before hittin it solo. It's chill. This is also the reason I found Josh Garrels so lets thank Braddigan for gettin him on track 09.

Genre: Indie Rock/Experimental
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-03-25
Label: Secret City

Montreal brings us some inconsistent music from Plants & Animals. The band has some tracks that kick some major a*s in their genre but for some reason the second half of the album doesn't quite do it for me. Sometimes I can stomach it over other music but it sounds like the songs are relatively indecisive as far as mood and tone go. But maybe that's the point?! They almost take on a progressive or post rock feel. Whatever. Listen to Feedback In The Field, I love this song, and also Sea Shanty is a good song that will convey the description I gave above. Ears.

Genre: Acoustic/Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-01-15
Label: Credential

Figured I'd keep it west coast u.s. cali stylez with some San Diego, CA action by Jon Foreman. This is a bit of a gearshift for earitnow's funky/reggae/turntable tendency of late but that's what yall should be expectin. Good sh*t comes in all different flavors. This one is acoustic. This one is exactly what the doctor ordered if you're out there studying, need some quiet background music, or just happen to have a penchant for the softer side of music. I know I do.

Genre: Hip Hop/Downtempo/Soul
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-09-23
Label: Om

Fresh off the press is Soul Vibrations from J Boogie's Dubtronic Science. On the whole it's got too much of an R&B feel to it for me to love it all but there are tracks on here that are surefire keepers. Don't let me turn you off though because to clarify it's the downtempo aspect that seems a little r-and-b-ish. These tracks were busted out a lil ways north of The Lions up in the San Fran area. Om Records is also a sweet label so check the earsnacktracks.

Genre: Reggae/Dub/Soul
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-02-19
Label: Ubiquity

In case you hadn't noticed, Ubiquity is an awesome label right up there with the likes of Ninja Tune (a personal favorite). These L.A. ragga beatstas don't do too much singin and let the muzik do most of the talkin for them. This is their only album out as far as I can tell so hopefully they'll keep us happy with many more to come. Until then get the album and add it to your chill, sunny day, and funky playlists.

Genre: Electronica/Dub/Trip Hop
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-09-23
Label: Eighteenth Street

Been sittin on this one for a lil bit and now that I'm finally gettin to it I hope those of you who haven't gotten a whiff of this album yet are getting excited. Thievery Corporation has no doubt touched many aspects of everybody's couch, chill, hookah, climbing, and snowboarding sessions at some point (an whatever other sessions yall may be gettin yaselves into). The whole album is good so pick it up because no introduction needed. BaM!

Genre: Breaks/Hip Hop/Jazz
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-02-05
Label: Ubiquity

Dope hip hop jazz funk banger up in the house! Check out these sick breaks that would be an emcee/producer dream to eff around with. Ya's gonna ear super mellow track 03 featuring Darondo and then a nice beat heavy break called Rocktober. He keeps it smooth while gettin it on and there's a lot to say for seemlessly combinin those. Representin C-A-L-I give it up for Clutchy Hopkins.

Genre: Alternative Electronica
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-03-11
Label: Artwerk Music

Venice brings us this experimentalish electricified music experience for those of you in one of those moods. Opens up with some extra crunchy synth mixed in with all sorts of strange and suitable samples. The second one you'll ear it No Way which is an 8-bittish chick pop-electro song but it reminds me of some Yelle with a little less bump so I can dig it. If this is yo thang pick it up and if not you should get what ya can outta this and move one step closer to appreciating this sh*t~!

Genre: Funk/Breaks/Acid Jazz
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-09
Label: Spring Strut

What it is what it is?! Well I know what it ain't and What It Ain't ain't none o that ear candy yous wanna pass up. The original album is the absolute funkness and here we have it spiced in slightly different ways, all the while retainin the original flave that I've come to love so well bout Danny's muzik. Besides someone who makes phat jamz Danny is also responsible for my coming across this album in the first place so much more respek for that. Give it up for Seattle comin back acha up in here, and in stylez too~! Propz 2 to the remixers - don't know em too well but knowin em better now.

Genre: Hip Hop/Club/Breakbeat
Website: Myspace
Release Date: 2007-12-29
Label: Nation Music

Damn these fools tear it up! From the hip hop heavy first half to the breakbeat funkety finales it's all good. They got some Spanish language up in there, some ragga emcee, lil o this lil o that. They rock out hard and I'm lovin track 09 and 13. Make sure ya ear em. And again youtube is bringin us somethin for not just our ears but for our eyes as well with a video of Mescalito. Not featured on this particular album is Return of the Tres which has a similar feel to Mescalito, just maybe a smidgen slower on the horns.

Genre: Pop
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-06-24
Label: WEA Int'l

Sweden gives us this wonderfully talented 21 year old solo artist. She spent many years atop a mountain stuck with "The Immaculate Collection" by Madonna (hah) and another 5 traveling around India with her mother. Point of the story is that she has a few things to talk about even if most of it seems to be pretty straight-forward lyrical material. Check out the youtube videos for the songs you're earing above: I'm Good. I'm Gone. and Little Bit. Little Bit's video is trippay.

Genre: Indie Electro/Breakbeat
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2002-01-08
Label: City Of Angels

Who knows how I stumbled back across this old school album but it's good enough to get up here in spite of it's antiquity. Is anybody ever really surprised when they hear an old song and find it to be f*cking awesome? The most memorable time that's happened to me was a few years back when I rediscovered 93 'til infinity by Souls of Mischief. So yeah, this time around it wasn't as profound a feeling but still a good one. If it's easy to come by (might not be), scoop it up and dump it in ya ears.

Genre: Funk/Groove
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-06-19
Label: Melting Pot Music

Amsterdam funk crew Leftie's Soul Connection is back to the blog now that I've remembered to put this up here. Ok so first things first... get this album and check out tracks 01 and 03 because they are equally as favorite as the two you're earing right now. At least Fais Do-Do has a cool video on youtube that seems a lot like Bob Schneider's website and music videos. I prefer this album to their last album Hutspot so if you liked that one then this one will be a doozie.

Genre: Psychedelic Pop Indie Rock
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-09-04
Label: Killer Cobra

Sweden is gettin back in the mix with Swedish Band La Fleur Fatale. They have a decent music video of their title track Night Generation but I do wish that when they're talking about neon green flowers we could see some, cuz at that point in the music video everything is orange and it would contrast so nicely. Anywho, 's a good band with a nice balance of acoustic and rock tracks for your earing pleasure.

Genre: Ambient Electronic Pop
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-02-18
Label: Kids

Giving off a Sigur Ros/Maps vibe, Kyte seems to extend further and will probably appeal to the Death Cab For A Cutie crowd too. Sunlight and Boundaries both have videos (click on respective links) and they are awesome in a trippy time-lapsed sorta way. Boundaries uses magnetic dust mostly and Sunlight uses paper and murky liquids. It's prty badass. They're representin UK styles and it's gooood.

Genre: Electronica/Funk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2006-06-06
Label: Quango

Yeaaaaah Netherlands. Not enough representation from there. On top of that how could you now like a band with the name Kraak & Smaak. Two really good nicknames for whoever of the three producers got them... or maybe it's just because great music can leave you itchin for more like you just took some crack or smack. Whatev. They sample like champs and get the funk goin so what more do ya need?

Genre: Electronic Lounge/Lo-Fi
Website: Buy!
Release Date: 2004
Label: Wagram Electronica

This import is a siiiiiick ride along some sexy, sensual, groovy, chilled-the-f-out beats with equally described chicas sleekly slathered ova tha top. It's a big bunch of beats with a couple of my favorites singled out. Many of these artists only feature music on compilations such as this so I had to get this up here to get them out cuz they won't make it out on their own without their own albums! Ear it up, buy it (expensive import), do what you gotta do.

Genre: Electro/Club/DJ/Experimental
Website: Evil Nine | Alex Metric
Release Date: 2008-09-09
Label: n/a

So I wish I had been at this Space Ibiza but I wasn't. Thankfully people make sweet live recordings because Alex Metric is a great pop electro mixer and I haven't heard much of Evil Nine but his myspace lists Death Metal/Black Metal. Hah. Anyways, some of this live set is a little weird but for the most part I dig this kinda music and I know some of yall out there who love Justice and DatA and the likes of them will probably love to ear this. FYI this is a larger track at 27 minutes long.

Genre: Reggae/Dub/Funk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-02-25
Label: Active Media

Found this reggae band a lil bit back and some of their tracks sound like a more poppy/uppety Sublime (but you're not earing those here). Track 04 is a sick instrumental with an organ and the last track is a funky reggae track about people not caring and how old that can get. And it does. This UK band has some other tracks up on myspace... ear em and decide if it's somethin you wanna own too!

Genre: Blues/Soul/Roots
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-09-02
Label: 7not

Alice Smith, Amy Winehouse, and now Jesse Dee. Artists who can belt out the soul-flavored roots-laden ooomph are more than welcome to a spot on my playlists. This one's outta Boston, MA and is new to these ears as of a few weeks ago. Good stuff though. Did I mention Jesse Dee is a white man who got dat soul? S'good so ear it now.

Genre: Soul Reggae/Ska
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008
Label: 2 Soul

So even though Amy Winehouse might be looking like absolute trash these days and may never make another album after six months in the studio and only two unfinished songs to show for it, at least we have this European-Fan-Club-Only release of Amy Winehouse covering songs by The Specials and The Skatalites (thank you Europeans!). It's good and groovy and was a really good idea for whoever in the mix of it all made this happen for her. Ears!

Genre: Pop/Soul
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2006-09-05
Label: Epic

Alice Smith is awesome. Saw her for the first time live when she opened up for Citizen Cope in Louisville at Headliners. She came out to encore with Cope for 107 degrees and she dropped some dope rhymes a la reggae and stole the show. On top of all that I finally picked up her album a lil while back and the album art was done by none other than Audrey Kawasaki who is perhaps my favorite artists (like art artist, not music artist). I haven't double checked this factoid cuz it's just my eyes telling me but its unmistakeably Kawasaki's style (see here). Anyways, this is a great album... get it and ear track 01 and 06 cuz they are also highly noteworthy.

Genre: Alternative Indie Rock
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-03-26
Label: Virgin

The Bees (UK again!) have a nice set of ten tracks here that I wanna say are mildly spiced with some 60's rock. Maybe it's the twang in the guitar or the type of distortion or the tangibly thick layering. If you're in the mood for their acoustic side you should ear track 08 which is their softest track of the album. My favorite is Better Days so get ahold of this album and ear it up. Big fan.

Genre: Indie Pop/Remix
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2006-10-19
Label: World's Fair

The Postmarks are from Miami, Florida and their music is what I would call not too shabby but you know me and reeeeemixes. The array of remixes is nice. Some slow, some fast, some clubby, some chillay. The remixers are pretty hot too. Pick this EP up and toss on remix tracks 03 and 09 on top of the earage above.

Genre: Alternative Folk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-11-05
Label: Universal

Once again the UK hits our ears with this band, The Flies. The band has a little bit of the Andrew Bird essence, especially with pluckage going on. All of these UK bands need to start venturing to the US to play in my neck of the woods. We certainly have a fantastic live music scene here in Chicago but there is always more room for music. Dig these mellowfied alternative and progressive tracks.

Genre: Indie Folk Rock
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2006-11-30
Label: Unfiltered

Long night. Late posts. This Brooklyn quartet (only one was born and raised there) makes music for the simple love of making music. I bet other bands do that but that's from the mouth of band member Ethan. It's the product of protools, a mac, and a small drum set. Small tools. Big sounds. The production is outstanding and if ya dig it then go the extra step and get the album!

Genre: Indie Soul Rock
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-07-23
Label: Ninja Tune

The Heavy has become a fairly common name in the music scene by now. What may not be a common name in the music scene is their song Easier which is not available on their only LP release and only available on this promotional release. It is certainly one of my three favorite songs of theirs and is a little more on the mellow side with less full band activity crowdin the airwaves. Ears up for yet another UK band.

Genre: Garage/Indie Rock
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-10-13
Label: A&M | Octane

Swedish rock band playin for the revival of garage punk rock. They've been around since the first half of the 90's so they've seen quite a bit of the evolving music scene. Word has it they put on one of the best live shows of their genre so it makes me curious enough to see the likes of them. They do wardrobe matching which lends to the awesomeness of their gigs, changing the costumes with each album. With this album they went with black & white which spelled their name when in synchronized positioning. That's some sweet sh*t.

Genre: Indie Folk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-10-23
Label: Polydor

South London Indie Folk/Rock band The Maccabees get pretty raw up in this EP. Precious Time's acoustic version is killer with the overlaying strings towards the end sounding oh so sweet. Originating in 2003 the band is 5 members deep and are anticipated to have another release in 2009. They recently toured with Bloc Party so if ya like them you'll probably like The Maccabees. But, get their album Colour It In because this is more of a folk take of their music.

Genre: Indie Rock
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-10-30
Label: Paper Bag

Goin' back in time (it seems that we must do this until I'm caught up for the most part) we've got an EP release by the fairly popular Tokyo Police Club. The Canadian indie rock band got their start in 2005 and have made substantial progress during the few years between now and then. I'm postin' this EP for two reasons really: this is the only release with Box on it and it also has the RAC Remix of Be Good and we all know how much I love a good remix. MMhmmm. Make sure you pick this one up if this is your genre.

Tracklist:

01. Woman Like You
02. Little Lover
03. Push
04. Devil's Twist
05. Perfect Combination
06. I Don't Mind
07. Gypsy Daughter
08. Get Up
09. All We've Got
10. Cognitive Dissonance
11. Make It Last

Genre: Lounge/Indie/Pop
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-08-28
Label: Six Degrees

MMMMM my my my I've been waitin for the moment to get this posted. I always did like this band but this particular album (their latest) is over a year old and still kickin a*s. It's just so frickin good. It really is sophisticated indie lounge. If any ears out there have ever listening to OPM, specifically their song Heaven Is A Halfpipe, track 08 on this album rubs a little like that. Again with the UK pullin more than their weight in musical contributions to this world. A year ago anyways. hah.

EDIT: Per request of MuseBox I removed these tracks. I would usually remove the post but I love this band so much I'm leaving it. I will instead be reviewing their newest album "The End Of The World." Keep an ear out.

Genre: Acoustic Folk Rock
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2008-03-04
Label: Compass

There's some deep rooted country fillin up in this album. The Waifs might be hit or miss with some of their songs pullin too much western dust for me taste but the tracks ur gonna ear are qualitay. First track is also good but I don't really like to sing/hear about someone gettin on their pony and riding. But! Some of yall might be horse people... who knows these days and in this world. Australia? Yeah I guess they probably have horses where The Waifs are.

Genre: Jam Rock
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-07-24
Label: Rubber Jungle

Of Trey's post-phish stuff I must say this is not my favorite. Some of it's good but you know how it goes (the feeling, anyways). But come on people, this is Trey we're talking about. I'm pretty darn positive that everybody wants to hear what he's doing even if it's >1 year old. For those of you who haven't heard it, give it a good listen and I personally get most of my dig on the first track with that sick little lick. Trey doesn't need much of an intro so let his guitar do the talking.

Genre: Pop Indie Folk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-09-17
Label: EMD Int'l

I'm a big fan of Turin Brakes. I'm a big fan of most every band that stumbles it's way across the digital divide into the reality of my life. Can we take a guess about this band being on here on a playlist before and now getting a review? Yes. It's true. Again. I was gonna drop the first track of the album in but track 02 busts some wannabe Michael Jackson basslines and aint nothin wrong with that. They do their genre well and they do it from the UK. Mad representation from there goin on these days. Bo.

Genre: Experimental Pop Folk
Website: Myspace | Buy!
Release Date: 2007-08-20
Label: Thrill Jockey

Highly eccentric, truly inventive. If there ever was an experimental folk album where the UK producer Mike Lindsey displayed musical a.d.d. I'm calling it this one. Starting as a project of his from his basement studio it eventually blew up as songs started leaking to friends and when it came time to do some gigs there was actually no real way to make that happen because it was the result of studio and production and not necessarily live band recordings. So off they went and hunted for band members and I guess now they do have gig capabilities. sweeeeeet.