It has been way too long since i posted about something great coming out of the Twin Cities. That all stops tonight. The TV Sound is a band whos debut disc is currently calling to me from the Electric Fetus. I dont own the album but i heard these guys on the final "Off the Record" show on Radio K last week. Their disco-pop sound is polished and classy. They take their name from a 'Duran Duran' song, and the influence there shows as well. Ah Minneapolis, im going to miss you.
The TV Sound Myspace (I swear im not going to do this all the time, i just cant find an mp3 for the life of me.)
Stream more of their songss in the media player on their mainpage.
The TV Sound's next show is at "Ruckus." You may be thinking. WTF is ruckus!? Well im glad you demanded to know! Ruckus is a weekend of free music at the Nomad World Pub. It is Friday Sept 8th and Saturday 9th. If you are in the Twin Cities and over the age of 18, i dont see any reason to not be there. Check out this ridiculous lineup!
Back from a long weekend at SMU with a post compliments of my good friend Matt Perkins. We last heard from Matt as he provided us with some photos from Lollapalooza 2006. Recently in NYC, Matt came back raving about a show at Sin-E featuring "Apes and Androids." Their electro-funk sound is quite interesting, add a pinch of "Queen" and you have a promising young band. These guys are just getting started so i cant find an mp3. You can listen to four songs on their myspace page.
It has been way too long since i posted some good hip hop. The Roots have been giving us just that for years and years. These guys consistantly are showered with praise about their amazing live show, but they have also recorded some solid work as well. I've been spinning their new record "Game Theory" all summer and it doesnt look like that will be slowing down anytime soon. Their drummer and band leader Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson has been everywhere, and is basically the first call drummer for the biggest live hip hop events around the world. With the state of mainstream hip hop being what it is, I always find it refreshing to see a great band like this doing well.
Tango much? Me either. However, i keep hearing Mark Wheat spinning this track from the newest Gotan Project record. I have absolutely no background on Tango, everything i know about it is probably a stereotype, (the forbidden dance stuff, guys with roses, and big hats). The group was formed seven years ago in Paris, by three guys set on reviving the Tango to a new generation by fusing traditional Tango with electronic beats. Its quite interesting. Yours truly will be seeing them live in London in November.
Some quick searching on the bands name and I found that the group's name comes from a form of "Rioplatnse Spanish" wordplay which involves reversing syllables. Hence "Tango" becomes "Gotan."
My love for Hot Chip has already been pronounced.I will be in London this fall, which is causing me to miss their First Ave show. However, i was recently checking some London club listings and was delighted to see that Hot Chip is playing in London while im there. Rad. 'Junior Boys' are opening up the show, and theres a very good chance that like their album, "So This is Goodbye" more than Hot Chip's "The Warning." They are very close in content, with their electro-pop and quirky blippy beats. Turns out they also got a hefty review from everybody's favorite site of all time.
One thing that ive always been facinated with is the weird gap in sound when you look at the USA singles charts vs. the UK singles charts. Sure there is alot of the same stuff, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, and Ne-Yo, but alot of the time you see stuff like The Kooks on the UK charts. This great indie-pop band are currently hovering around the top ten with their hit "She Moves in Her Own Way." This great brit-pop band is doing great for themselves overseas playing huge venues, and getting props from Elton John. Will the success continue here in the states? Time will tell, their record "Inside In/Inside Out" hits stores October 3rd.
So its been about two months since this blog has been operational, and I bet by now you are asking yourself, "how does Neil decide what he's going to post about?"
Well I have your answer, but be warned, its not pretty.
I saw Phoenix at the Fine Line a few weeks ago and was blown away. I had only heard their record once or twice and knew after i saw them live that i had to go back through it a few times. Phoenix, hailing from Paris sound like the french version of the Strokes. Their new album is filled with catchy jangly rock songs that keep you coming back for more. Their new album "It's Never Been like This Before" is currently one of my favorite records of the year.
My good friend and fellow blogger (R.I.P.?) Matt Perkins attened Lollapalooza in Chicago this weekend. He was kind enough to send me some of his pictures from his journey. Hope you enjoy.
I hope everybody is ready for some lovely sappy music. My friend introduced me to Joshua Radins album a few months ago and ive finally gotten around to giving it the time it deserves. Ususally i throw stuff like this out the window, because lets face it, the singer-songwriter genre is usually bland and played out. Joshua isn't re-inventing the wheel here either, but there is just something about his hushed voice and gentle guitar that gets me.
Rolling Stone also just gave his record 4 out of 5 stars, so thats good news for him.
Also, Garden State star/Mandy Moore's beau Zach Braff directed his new video for the song Closer. Check it out here!
Voxtrot was SO last week. Im not saying that I no longer enjoy Voxtrot, but this week the Silversun Pickups have been the band to beat on my Itunes. Frontman Brian Aubert's raspy vocals have two modes in most songs; "peaceful and soothing" and "raspy and intense." One of the best things this band has going for it are their transitions from chill verses to loud chorsues. Their melodic sound is very well crafted. Plus they have a bassist that is easy on the eyes. Check them out August 12th at the entry. 21+.
