One more song...

Here's another song I meant to include in today's "Song of the Day" post. I really like this one, by a band called Sea Wolf. Very interesting lyrics, etc, etc. Enjoy.

Music of the day

As music seems to be becoming an overwhelming trend in my posts, I figured I would make it official and try to make a "Song of the Day"-style post on most days. Today, which will probably not be unlike most days, I have a couple of songs that I would like to share with you. The first is from a Swedish band called Fanfarlo. They have a sound not unlike Beirut, an artist which has lately become one of my favorites. What it comes down to is essentially this: if it has trumpet or glockenspiel, I'm 50% more likely to like it. It really is a beautiful song, so please give it a listen.
The second song is by Everthus the Deadbeats, a band with very interesting members and sound. Give their song "Dinosaurs" a listen.

Art Brut makes your friday night sound weak

Art Brut is a British band that perform songs that testify to their dedication to the Rock 'n' Roll lifestyle. The singer has a style that mirrors that of Cake in that he doesn't exactly sing, and his sense of timing is impeccable. As you can plainly see in this song, "Mysterious Bruises" you simply can't hang with the likes of these guys.

The Blow is fun... for your ears

Two tracks I really enjoy from an artist I recently discovered. The Blow is a duo from Portland, OR and the singers name is Mikhaela Yvonne Maricich. Please enjoy.

R.I.P. Jay Bennett (1963-2009)

Jay Bennett, known mostly for his outstanding work with indie rock/alt-country band Wilco, died in his sleep May 24. Cause of death is still undetermined, but it was commonly known that he suffered from severe hip problems, and recently revealed through his myspace page that he was in need of hip-replacement surgery, but could not afford it due to lack of health insurance.
While inter-band tensions with frontman Jeff Tweedy forced him out of Wilco shortly after recording his 3rd album with the band, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, his influence on the band was undeniable and very fortunate for us who will be able to enjoy the music in perpetuity.
If you aren't familiar with the band, I encourage you to start with the YHF album, and I assure you that you will be glad you did.

MGMT+ Daft Punk= Unbeatable

This is a great video for a mashup of Daft Punk's "One More Time" and MGMT's "Time to Pretend". the DJ/ video mixer is Alfredo Lapuz, Jr. AKA DJ Immuzikation, well known for his own dance party sets as well as his work in Athens, GA band Velveteen Pink. He is also playing keys with Hank Sullivant (formerly of the Whigs and MGMT) in his latest musical incarnation, Kuroma.
Immuzikation will be touring with MGMT and Kuroma this summer as well as doing his own sets at Bonnaroo in June. If you are looking for fun at a premium value, you can catch Alfredo in action during Athfest, Saturday June 27th at the Georgia Theater starting at 9pm when Gift Horse*, Kuroma, Velveteen Pink and Immuzikation will perform what is without a doubt the must-see show of the weekend. Bring your stamina and your dancin' shoes.
*Shameless plug: website contains blurb from author's band review for last year's Red & Black Athfest preview edition.

Get on up and move

Take a moment to get on up and enjoy these two numbers from Suckers and Akron/Family, the former being described as "musical soul mates of MGMT", which translates into awesome.

Adam Asks A Republican

It should come to no one's surprise that I spend a lot of my down-time listening to podcasts, and one of my favorites is the Adam Carolla Podcast. I've wanted to showcase an episode before, but have had a hard time deciding which one to choose. Also, most of them are over and hour long, and for those of us that put in more than part-time hours, it can be hard to allocate that sort of time to a radio-esque program.
If you subscribe to Carolla's brand of humor, almost all episodes are guaranteed to please, but I found one that tickled my funnybone in particular. In this episode, Adam interviews Ohio's 19th District Rep. Richard Martin (R) and his wife Jazz. they discuss everything from his jump from the private to public sector, to raising handicapped children. Give it a listen here, or download it off of iTunes. It is definitely entertaining in the most absurd of ways, and vice versa. If you find yourself often defending the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly, you may be offended by this one, but otherwise it is very enjoyable. Conversely, If you find yourself desiring more of the candid politician, you can find it at his website Ask a Republican or search for the same on YouTube. Please enjoy.

Returning to an Old Favorite

Basketball and Swine Flu

After 18 years, the Atlanta Hawks finally managed to win a 7-game series and advanced to the 2nd round where they will face what is most likely their demise in the form of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Hawks prevailed in what was, to most accounts, one of the least interesting playoff series in recent memory, especially when compared to the Celt's-Bulls series, which was easily one of the best. As an attendee of Sunday's game 7, I was thrilled that the Hawks won, but found myself hoping towards the end that Dwayne Wade would get subbed back in and sink 3's a la Flea in a MTV Rock 'N' Jock Basketball game. Does anyone else remember the 5-point basket that would come down from the rafters and hang temptingly at 25 feet above the floor? In blowout playoff games, I feel like this could be a very intriguing addition that could renew the drama in lackluster series such as the Hawks-Heat, where 20+ point margins of victory were rampant. I did revel in the fact that Pachoulia got a larger standing-o than Joe Johnson, and that they portrayed Zaza in a video at the half as Rocky taking on Apollo Creed (Dwayne Wade), complete with training sequences of him sporting a hoodie, air boxing. Simply brilliant.
In other news, just outside the friendly confines of Phillips arena, a deadly menace lurked, as "Fiesta Atlanta" took over Centennial Olympic park. The seething mass of illegals milled about, infecting one another to the tune of accordion-led mariachi music, and the tainted offspring frolicked in the water fountains in what was clearly fever-induced delirium. As threatening thunderheads loomed perilously above, merchants of death hawked their wares to unsuspecting victims desiring tacos, bebidas, and anything that can be mass-produced and stamped with a South American country's flag. I tried to warn others that the seemingly innocent celebration of heritage was in fact a cleverly disguised, overt attempt to hasten the spread of the pandemic H1N1 virus, but it was to no avail. My desperate cries were swallowed up by the drone of the nonsensical ramblings of the sick over the PA system. as I fled the scene, one gibberish phrase that was repeated ad nauseum became ingrained in my mind... "Hola Atlanta! Muchas gracias a todos por asistir hoy!" Obviously, I am fortunate to have escaped with my life. Check out the grizzly photos I managed to snap of the carnage.