smash vinyl

Somewhere in brooklyn are a few young guys who stumbled into an east coast forest and found themselves sprinkled with Mono tinged pixie dust... only to emerge with an album full of feverish music. The woods is a crackling and hissing noise of a reel to reel tape recorder, the light strumming of an electric guitar running through a 10" amp running past unnameable distortion pedals, and a collection of campfire style singing voices. The woods bring an eclectic combination of noises and melodies that form a very unforgettable collection of little numbers. Take a listen to 'be still' below... and if you like what you hear check out other bands on the fuckittapes label like Meneguar - the woods other band.

M.I.A. is musical attitude. And the beats are as sexy as the mastermind and artistic genius behind M.I.A., Maya Arulpragasam. The Kala album is a unique mixture of styles, merging dancehall, electronic, dub, and world music. The musical textures used in the sampling of M.I.A's driving melodies, and percussive hits are meticulously selected. And Maya's vocals are somewhere between Sri Lankan tribal hollers, and electroclash sassiness. I'm sure you've heard this band talked about, but if you haven't given a good listen to the Kala album, now is the time to do so. M.I.A. ain't fucking around. Check out the 20 dollar track below...

Beirut is a brilliant assortment of musicians. Masterminded by one young Zach Condon and his love of instruments... French horns, trumpets, ukelele's, viola's, xylophones, stand up bass, accordions, flugelhorns, conch shell horns... If it makes a noise this band probably plays it. With song names based on physical places in eastern europe, the music pacing along in a martial waltz, and crying in gypsy horn hollars... the melodies of an ancient type, from an unknown place in a long forgotten country played by a sadly forgotten people... translated by a unique and mysterious kid from New Mexico.

Two men, one sound, possibly two video game consoles climaxing together in an ultimate entertainment system orgasm. The result is 'Fuck Buttons.' Many of their sounds come from things found a thrift stores and flea markets, like small children's toys and other odd instruments. The resulting sound is something like a small gray cloud raining little buzzsaws ripping through miniature wind chimes on an overcast day. It is the most beautiful, and chaotic combination of noises I've ever heard.

This sweet sweet sweetheart musician has a knack for writing oddly wonderful lyrics with despairing and haunting melodies. In a way not unlike Chan Marshall of Cat Power, this one has the ability to play music that sticks in your head for days. Her voice is confident and powerful enough that sometimes your forget where you are, and wander aimlessly into a childhood memory of hers and yours blended together. I find that at least a few of her songs make my eyelids a bit heavier for sadness and want of a sweet dream away from reality. Alela Diane makes a type of gypsy folkish music you won't soon forget about.

Not since their seminal album 'the shape of punk to come,' by Refused, has a band from Sweden, convinced the ears of listeners that Sweden has a brilliant and unique brand of sound to bring to the music world. But unlike the sharp, in your face, hardcore punk offered by Refused, Lykke Li is instead a warm, subtle, and danceable pop music. It is the type of album that your ex-girlfriend would put on and dance upon her bed wearing only her underwear. Lykke Li's style is sometimes reminiscent of the norwegian pop singer Annie. However, Lykke Li's music isn't strictly a pop dance music like Annie's. In fact, it often takes on a pulsingly rythymic, and atmospheric style. Her voice is so otherworldly gentle. At times, it seems her tiny throat can't encompass the sweetness she sings entirely in a sound. Instead it breaks, and cracks to octaves reserved solely for heavenly sounds. And the way she pronounces english words is like candy in your ears. Lykke Li is precious, and her music even more so.

Imagine its a very late night, someone put on some stupidly depressing and buzz-killing music like Stereolab, or Belle and Sebastian, and amazingly people start to go home with 'headaches' and sudden bouts of 'tiredness'. Break out the uppers, and spin some Cut Copy. The sweet blissful, and entirely danceable tracks like 'feel the love' will keep the headaches at bay, and neatly convert your waning buzz to another plateau. Their music will gently wash against you on the dance floor and keep you going for hours to come. Highly recommended as apart of any standout dance mix.

According to Vice, Vampire Weekend, is a "pussy, pussy band." Well, I maybe pretentious, but I'm not pretentious for the sake of being pretentious, and although Vampire Weekend may be a "pussy, pussy band," their ability to write melodic, poppy, catchy, unique, and upbeat music can hardly be matched by any band currently producing music. Get their latest album, and take a walk for a few miles, and you'll find yourself in one of those rare good moods that only music can evoke. For those that enjoy comparisons, I would tell you that Vampire Weekend is akin to what Simon and Garfunkel would have produced if they were in their early twenties, and living in the upper west side. This track, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, is from their self-titled debut. Enjoy.

On the post before this one I mentioned Lightening bolt, and I figured that they were about do for a post. I don't want to ruin it for you so listen to the sample below before reading any further. This band is rip off your face good. When I was at their show last time the drummer was wearing a gas mask with an aviator style microphone inside. They sounded like they were about to start a riot in the middle of New York. Anyway, what I didn't want to ruin was the fact that this band is only two people Bass, yep, that's bass you hear, and drums. Pretty fucking ridiculous huh? Well go see them live. One of the best bands to see live today. BTW- i mentioned it in my last post but the original member from this band is doing his solo thing "Soft Circle" at art murmur, which is a bus apparently, on august 3rd in oakland. He is also performing again on august 4th at 21 grand in Oakland as well. Do yourself a favor and don't miss this.

Soft Circle is a one man onslaught of drums, guitar, keyboard, bass, vocals and whatever else he can possibly play with any available appendages. He is an original member of Lightening Bolt, 6 year member of Black Dice, and also has done other releases for DFA records. This man should be a living legend as he is a total fucking badass rockstar making music that is always on the cutting edge of "totally awesome." I'll feature lightening bolt some time in the future, until then enjoy this, and check out one of the shows he's playing in the bay area aug 03 or 04, 2007.

Beulah defined, and still defines the music of San Francisco. Any band from SF that is worth two shits has stolen or will steal from Beulah. They are quintessential to truly enjoying a stroll around the bay area. They are dose of heroin on a cloudy day, or a ride to the beach on a sunny one.

April March and Billy Childish are two of my favorite people on this planet. I've already featured the milkshakes' Billy Childish earlier, so now it's April March's turn. Imagine the hottest chick you've ever seen singing the must irresistible catchy pop tunes over a beach boys guitar riff. Now give her style, class, and a sense of the retro 50's classic rock scene and you've got something remarkably great. Get out your leather jackets and baby doll dresses.

Aavikko is from Finland and they are a lounge band through and through. Imagine a James Bond of the 80's at a frilly pink neon cat club and two sleekly dressed musicians on stage wielding casio keyboards and indecipherable electronic contraptions. If you've got that swanky feeling for some Vodka Martini's and lovely lady with a cutting tongue than this band may be what you need in the background. This is from their album Viitostie.

Von Iva is a hard piece of double bubble, you know, the gum version of those hip fucking dance bands you absolutely fucking hate, but always end up dancing to. . . The Von Iva's are different because they don't give a fuck about those bands. In fact, i think they just plain don't give a fuck. Through the grape vine I have heard that the singer, Jillian Iva, was accosted by some random douchebag at a concert. Apparently she hides a goddamn knife in her boot and that poor mother fucker got cut up. Drummer Kelly Harris is rumored to knock suckers out. Literally. And keyboardist Becky Kupersmith actually files her nails and coats them in hardened steel, you know, just in case. And the bassist, Elizabeth Davis-Simpson, well, lets just say that bulge in her right stocking ain't there because she's happy to see you. These bitches are tough...just sayin...

If you haven't seen or head RJD2 yet you haven't been alive in the world of music. Mr. Ramble John Krohn can apparently be found on the streets of philly with vinyl under his arm at all times. His live show is nothing short of amazing, and usually electronic music bores me to tears. RJD2 tears up the tables, the beat machines, the samplers, everything is analog and astounding. The man is a savant in this world of mediocre DJ's and wanna-be electronic musicians. He puts them all to shame. I've been listening to his new album which is all of his own acoustic work mixed up and sampled along with his singing. Much like most of his other albums I'm a huge fan of half of the tracks, but just a confused spectator for the other half. Sometimes he's just too slick for his own good, but other times you're right down the slide with him and its a great ride. Check out this track he did with Jakki. "Keep trying to keep it real while keeping it raw" ... from the deadringer album.