down

So apparently my hosting site where I upload all the mp3s has suspended the account (I suppose I was using too much bandwidth). I'm sorry if you visited the blog and the download links were inactive. I don't have any other alternative to host songs, and I do not want to refer back to megaupload or yousendit. If you have unlimited bandwidth or something to offer, drop me a line.

Until I can find something stable I'm going to give this blog a break.

aloha, cat power, and mail

Aloha's new record Some Echoes (scheduled to be released in April) defines what indie pop should sound and feel like. They get me fired up and excited over music again, something that is really rare for me. Almost every aspect of the band (the drumming, the keyboards, the basslines, the guitars, the vocals/lyrics) renews indie rock. The melodies just get me and it's infectious. This will definitely be on rotation for the next coming weeks, I guarentee it.

Aloha started in 1997, in the town Bowling Green, Ohio. Since then they have released various albums/EP, the more notable one among them being their last full-length Here Comes Everyone. Cale Parks, the drummer, is also in both Cex and Joan Of Arc.

I recommend picking up this album when it hits shelves. I'm almost positive that I'll still be rocking out to it.

+ Featured songs; "Big Morning" - download here, "Weekend" - download here

+ Featured video; "Summer Away" - view here

Pitchfork has reported that Cat Power has dropped off her US Tour. Following dates have been confirmed for cancellation:

2/11 Memphis, TN
2/14 New York, NY
2/18 Boston, MA
2/20 Seattle, WA
2/22 Los Angeles, CA
2/23 San Francisco, CA
2/24 San Francisco, CA
2/26 Chicago, IL
3/15 Austin, TX

I was trying to see her through the two days she was in SF, but apparently due to "health" reasons, it's a no go. Hopefully all is well, and I'll be sure to catch her next time around.

Oh, and I've been getting a lot of CDs in the mail lately. There are some goodies here and I'm bound to put up some mp3s to share. If you're in a band and want to be considered for band review or feature, contact me. I'll try and atleast post a song or two, and include a little info on bands that get at me.

new rotation

When I first started the blog, I had every intention of updating my "rotation" sidebar every month or so. Well, it's been about three months since then, so I decided to post what I really have been listening to as of late. I've chose a song from each release and posted their mp3s for you to sample. If you enjoy, I really recommend purchasing the band's album; most of these are essential and nice to have in your collection.


The Thrills - Let's Bottle Bohemia: I never really paid attention to this band up until recently, and this album surprises me. It has that really nice California pop feel.

+ Featured song; "Not For All The Love In The World" - download here


The Microphones - The Glow, Part 2: Some of the songs have a really dark tone to them, but a lot of it is really mellow. It's quite a masterpiece.

+ Featured song; "The Glow Pt. 2" - download here


M83 - Before The Dawn Heals Us: Oh. My. God. This is probably my favorite release of 2005.

+ Featured song; "*" - download here


Destroyer - Your Blues: I'm in love with Daniel Bajar. This album is classic, every song is near perfection. Just for the fact that it reminds me of Bowie, I'll love them forever.

+ Featured song; "New Ways Of Living" - download here


The Zombies - Absolutely The Best: I remember growing up and my parents playing them a lot. I never really appreciated them at the time, but now they've left a big impression on me. Amazing band.

+ Featured song; "The Way I Feel Inside" - download here


Voxtrot - Raised By Wolves EP & Misc Songs: This band will be huge. Just wait.

+ Featured song; "Mothers, Sisters, Daughters And Wives" - download here


Ugly Casanova - Sharpen Your Teeth: Isaac Brock's other musical endeavor. Though I doubt that the band will release another record, this one was a nice teaser. It'll keep me occupied while I wait for the new MM record (I've heard that Brock is playing with Johnny Marr?).

+ Featured song; "Cat Faces" - download here


Tapes 'N Tapes - The Loon: I'm a little late on this one, I just never really caught on to the hype that a lot of bloggers surrounded them with. Good band.

+ Featured song; "Insistor" - download here


Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited: This man is such a badass.

+ Featured song; "Queen Jane Approximately" - download here

the stills

I'm greatly anticipating The Stills' Without Feathers album that comes out in May/April. Though The Killers' Brandon Flowers thinks otherwise ("... bands like The Stills bother me because they're all style and no substance." - link), I think that The Stills is one of the more memorable and solid indie pop bands out today.

Since I've been into the Radio CBC 3 Sessions stuff recently, here's one of The Stills. I got the featured download off of a YSI on some blog. I don't remember from where (I'd actually really like to credit/thank them), but it was no more than a week ago or two ago I (Heart) Music. Anyways, the "Killer Bees" acoustic rendition is superb.

Tracklisting:
01. Lola Stars And Stripes (3:51) - (download)
02. Gender Bomb (4:08) - (download)
03. Animals And Insects (4:03) - (download)
04. Killer Bees (acoustic) (4:52) - (download)
05. Ready For It (6:00) - (download)

or download the whole thing here (.rar)

destroyer

I've already listened to Destroyer's new album Destroyer's Rubies and I must say I'm impressed. I've always dug Daniel Bajar's vocal style, if it be through The New Pornographers or Destroyer.

Anyways, here's a CBC Radio Session. I also threw in some new songs off of Destroyer's Rubies. It'll hold you off until the new album drops February 21st.

Tracklisting:
01. New Ways Of Living (3:15) - (download)
02. Don't Become The Thing You Hated (2:54) - (download)
03. The Music Lovers (4:30) - (download)
04. An Actor's Revenge (2:34) - (download)
05. Notorious Lightning (6:45) - (download)
06. Certain Things You Ought To Know (3:43) - (download)

or download the whole thing here (.rar)

+ Featured downloads; "Rubies" - download here, "European Oils" - download here

add Destroyer on myspace, they don't have many friends.

the best of black jazz records (1971-1976)

I apologize for not posting everyday like I used to. School has caught up with me and I've been focusing on doing design work, as well as making music. Everything is just hectic.

I've been listening to a lot of jazz records lately. I actually nabbed this off of indietorrents two or three days ago and I can't stop playing it. It totally soothes me while walking to the bus stop or printing something in my silk-screening class.

So I've decided to upload the whole thing for everyone to enjoy. Sharing is caring.

»The Best Of Black Jazz Records (1971 - 1976)
Tracklisting:
01. The Awakening - Mode For D.D. (download)
02. Doug Carn - Higher Ground (download)
03. Calvin Keys - Aunt Lovey (download)
04. Roland Haynes - Eglise (download)
05. The Awakening - Slinky (download)
06. Walter Bishop Jnr. - Coral Keys (download)
07. Rudolph Johnson - Diswa (download)
08. Henry Franklin - Blue Lights (download)
09. Kellee Patterson - Maiden Voyage (download)
10. Chester Thompson - Powerhouse (download)
11. The Awakening - March On (download)
12. Walter Bishop Jnr. - Soul Village (download)
13. Rudolph Johnson - The Highest Pleasure (download)

or download the whole thing here (.rar)