R.I.P. Duane

Try to follow my logic here. Eat a Peach : Duane Allman ::: Sublime (the self-titled 1996 album) : Bradley Nowell.

Translation time: Duane died during the recording of this album in a motorcycle accident just as Brad died during the recording of the Sublime record, albeit from heroin he was using to make his music better. Some would argue the heroin helped alot, but that's another debate for another time.

This is a classic fucking album. Some point to Live at the Fillmore East which came out just a short time before this one. However, this one has some live tracks on it, in addition to some studio staples which are now veritable classics. "Melissa" is the best known track here, but "Blue Sky" and "Ain't Wastin' Time No More" are also pretty well known if you know your way around the classic rock radio dial. I present it here because I think it's a cohesive work and one I often put on when I want to be in a good mood. Hope it cheers one of ya'll up.

To all our readers all across the globe, from Germany to D.C. to Chicago to NYC: Merry Christmas and a happy strictly bangers.

The Real Stones

Man oh man, what I wouldn't give to be one of you guys, downloading the Rolling Stones' seminal Exile on Main Street and hearing it for the first time in 2008/09. This album is as raw as it is polished, as carnal as it is subtle, as country as it is rock and as hard as it is soft. It can be all of these things because it is a true masterpiece. I'm not sure if it's widely regarded as the Stones' masterpiece by all, but it is certainly regarded as such by me. And I, as you may or may not be aware, am the supreme arbiter of all things relating to taste.

Lotsa classic tunes on here that you're probably already familiar with, from "Tumblin' Dice" to the Keith Richards-sung "Happy" to the oft-covered "Loving Cup." The album as a whole is nothing short of intensely cohesive, especially when you consider that this was a double LP (4 sides of music) when it came out. For you trivia nuts out there, Beatles rooftop pal and organist/performer in his own right Billy Preston appears on a bunch of these tracks also. Continuing the trivia fun, track 3, "Shake Your Hips" is a tune written by Slim Harpo most recently made famous by a man named Robert Randolph and his friendly Family Band.

Give it to your dad for Christmas. He'll thank me but want to know what you did with his vinyl collection... Get it here...

Gang Gang Dance

Here's a reasonably new album that I have been enjoying of late. Gang Gang Dance - another Brooklyn band with a very eclectic mix of sounds to say the least. They released their 4th album this August after 3 years without a full-length studio LP and it's certainly worth your time. There are some interesting tribal, shoe-gaze, electronic, funk elements that overall make for something listenable and unusual - and often, downright awesome. At least one song sounds like MIA, another like M83, they're kind of all over the place. But they are more or less out there on their own, doing something very different that's simultaneously very accessible.

Listen: Saint Dymphna

PS - for all you folks in the NY area, David Byrne is performing at Radio City in the near future. Get on it. Saw his show a month ago in DC and the man is back! Full stage production, dancers, choreography, and his voice is like a bell. Excellent show, worth the dough. Not to mention, the new album is unbelievable and I hope you haven't slept on that one.

One More For Ya

As if the one below wasn't enough...The El Michels Affair: these guys are off the Truth & Soul label so that should tell you a little about the sound. They've been sampled on the recent Wu-Tang album and bring that old soul/funk sound to the table. Very enjoyable - though I don't actually own any of it yet.

Menahan Street Band

It's been a brisk weekend of borough hopping for this humble DC dweller. Fortunately I managed to pick up a brilliant band in my travels. Hot off the Daptone label (well to be specific, the Dunham label, an imprint of Daptone), these guys are part Budos Band, part Amy Winehouse's backing band, part Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and all funky rhythm. The live show (which is coming to Brooklyn on the 20th for you lucky natives) is supposedly kick ass and involves a suite of horns and percussion filling the stage. Give it a listen - very cinematic, very urban, makes for some very easy listening.

Enjoy : Menahan Street Band

Johnny Osbourne - Truths and Rights

Maybe I'm alone on this, but I always feel a strange draw to reggae in the winter. After stumbling onto this album via my Toots and the Maytals Pandora station, I've been totally addicted to it for a few weeks now (I hope the dude who invented Pandora is swimming in a pool of cash Scrooge McDuck style, its the best thing on the internet ever). As I later discovered, Truths & Rights is considered by many to be the best reggae album ever made. It's not as polished as Bob, and vocally and lyrically closer to 70's R&B than anything Jamaican. Songs like "We Need Love" and "Jah Promise" are just pure ragged soul, and makes me feel like I'm in a hammock somewhere on a beach outside of Kingston, listening to Johnny and his band off in the distance. It's a pretty pleasant thought when you're freezing your ass off. Also, this album is thought to be the birth of dancehall, so if you were wondering who to thank for Shaggy, Johnny's your man.







Johnny Osbourne - Truth & Rights

You know the worlds gone mad when blacks wear plaid...

Skip to 1:09:


Peep:


Download:

http://www.asherrothmusic.com/ <------- Settin up a pension when I mention I'm professional...

Save the eminem comparison for someone who cares.

Hey Jerry, it's your cousin Andy...Andy Garcia; you remember that old sound you've been looking for? Well listen...to this!

I may have gone a little overboard on that title, but that's OK, you live and learn, right?

Instead of a "classic rock" album, I've chosen to go with a classic rock throwback album, albeit one that came out about a month ago. Those of you who know me know that I have a fondness for the so-called Americana music scene, also known as alternative country, in particular the work of the tabloid-friendly Ryan Adams. I'm also of the opinion that he hasn't really made a great, standout, perfect all-the-way-through album since 2001's Gold. Cold Roses came close, and I'd recommend that one highly , but the length of its two discs sometimes get in the way. This is his newest, Cardinology, also made with a backing band called the Cardinals, and it's by golly by gosh outstanding.

Lyrically, Adams is at his best, whimsical, forlorn, but always searching for the romance in the everyday monotony, "I always pause if I can on fifth avenue, look uptown with my head in the stars..." He even gets a bit Lou Reed-ish on Magick, "You're like a missile strike, government goes underground, warhead on legs, what goes around comes around..." Musically, the album finds the perfect mix of the American Beauty-era Grateful Dead of Cold Roses and the Exile on Main Street era Rolling Stones.

I promise I'll be back in a week or whatever with something that's actually classic (maybe one of those two albums or do you guys have those already?,) but in the meantime, I thought I'd give ya'll a taste of what I've been spinning (as though I own a turntable...what file has been accessed the most by my audio decoding software?) HERE!

Radical Face - Ghost

If your Sufjan and Arcade Fire records are starting to wear thin, I've got the next best thing in Radical Face. A concept album by a 24-year old dude from Jacksonville (his Postal Servish band Electric President is worth checking out), Ghost is sonically odd in that it sounds both epic and lofi - handclaps mingling with hornlines, whistles drowning out choirs - and the combination is hypnotizing. The chorus of "Wrapped in Piano Strings", for example, has been my crack for the past few days. True, the dude can barely sing, but when you can write and arrange like this I don't really care.





Radical Face - Ghost

The Golden Filter

Just got back from the midwest suckas. I picked up a new track for you all from the Golden Filter. TGF dropped Solid Gold back in July. Since then, there has been demand for more. Enter TGF's newest release: Moonlight Fantasy. TGF is supposed to be releasing an album in early 2009. Check out Solid Gold and Moonlight Fantasy:

Solid Gold: http://www.zshare.net/audio/5156571130747d07/
Moonlight Fantasy: http://www.zshare.net/audio/51558393a55b6672/

By the way, any thoughts on the new Blue Sky Black Death album Slow Burning Lights?

-PDC-

Hot Minute

What up people. So I haven't posted in a while, but I have been thoroughly enjoying this DJ duo and feel I should share it with you good people. Fred Falke and Alan Braxe are making some delicious music. A friend described it as Steely Dan and mixed with Daft Punk. And I don't know about you, but that sounds delightful. Take a listen.

Break from the Classics for a Solo Newbie

As all 3 of you who read this blog regularly know, I've lately been focusing on classic albums. Today will be different. I have uploaded the debut solo album from Brad Barr, better known as the lead singer/lyricist/guitarist for rock trio The Slip. The album's totally instrumental, but, it's pretty incredible, powerful stuff. And I like hyping it, so...get it while it's hot.

I might recommend the opening track, "Sarah through a Wall" and also the odd Nirvana cover, "Heart Shaped Box."

Enjoy. More classics to come soon.

Are A**x H***i, Larson and I the only ones left who care anymore?

Anyone else wanna contribute?

I'm calling out to all ya'll... Download HERE

Prolyphic and Reanimator - The Ugly Truth

After 2007, which was a banner year for hiphop (think Kala, I'll Sleep When You're Dead, The Cool, and American Gangster), 2008 has been pretty slow, with the rap/rock pendulum seeming to swing back the other way. One crucial exception is this album, equal parts Eminem, Atmosphere, and Brother Ali, which is easily the best underground release of the year. DJ Reanimator drops diamond-tough, lazer-guided beats, while MC Prolyphic raps with a force not heard since the white guy from Detroit laid the mic down. So. Fucking. Hard.






Prolyphic and Reanimator - The Ugly Truth

To paraphrase Olivia Newton-John, "Let's get classical!"

Alot of people don't realize that Frank Zappa never did drugs. Most of you probably just reread that and are now wondering why I've begun lying on this blog to inflate my already self-aggrandizing ego. In fact, I am telling the truth; Zappa was notorious for living on a diet of cigarettes and coffee only. He wouldn't even allow his band members to do drugs.

Most people point to the names of Zappa's children, Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Ehmuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen, and suggest that the acid didn't fall too far from the tree. In fact, there was no acid; Zappa frequently decried the trippy-dippy nature of 1960s psychedelic rock, even, unlike John Lennon, during the actual 1960s. This album was Zappa's answer, as you might guess from the cover art, to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. He asserts sarcastically, "Who needs the peace corps?" [From a political standpoint, I might recommend his bitch-slap on CNN's Crossfire from the mid 1980s investigations into obscenity on recording albums <--Way before Jon Stewart ever did it...]

I could've posted Joe's Garage, which is perhaps a better known album, but simply doesn't showcase the outright bizarre oddity that is We're Only In It For the Money. Some of his more comedic, better known songs, (I might suggest "Jewish Princess" or "Catholic Girls") are great, but not indicative of his true genius. He was also a classically trained composer; his last public appearance before his death from prostate cancer, was by invitation to conduct a German chamber ensemble through his song "G-Spot Tornado."

This album is very weird. I'd recommend headphones and perhaps some of that stuff Zappa wouldn't touch. Listen to it in full first...but for clarification's sake, I think it's extremely important to note that many of these songs do stand alone, both lyrically and musically, separate from the larger cohesive unit of the LP as a whole. Most notably: "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body," "Concentration Moon" and "Bow Tie Daddy." When listening, keep in mind that this album was released in January of 1968. If I turn just one of you on to Frank Zappa, I'll consider it all worthwhile.

Happy Thursday morning...

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

The story: dude breaks up with his band and his girlfriend simultaneously. Lost in the world, he sets off for his dad's hunting cabin in Wisconsin, to seclude himself under the snow and piece his life back together. After a few weeks, he picks up his guitar again and starts playing and the songs just come. And after a few months of strumming away alone in that cabin in the dead of winter, an album is done. Hence, "Bon Iver" = bon hiver = "good winter" in French.

So what does 4 months of total seclusion sound like? One of the most intensely beautiful acoustic albums since "Pink Moon". The comparisons to Iron & Wine and Elliott Smith can be made, sure, but as Pitchfork said its more like the solo album TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe never made. The contrast of Justin Vernon's powerful voice against the most subtle instrumentation is just fucking perfect. Simply put, you need this album in your life.






Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

The Superest of Super Groups

Yes, that's right folks. Welcome back to Classic Rock Album Time. I received alot of warm regards and well-heeded advice regarding my little shindig here. In the late 80's, five super-hit songwriter guitarists got together, almost entirely out of coincidence and convenience, to record a song. Those 5, George Harrison (of Beatles fame, maybe you've heard of 'em?), Bob Dylan (the Real Bard), Roy Orbison (voice of rare beauty), Jeff Lynne (of the Electric Light Orchestra and shockingly, the most minimal household name of the 5) and Tom Petty (the consummate hitmaker), were collectively referred to as The Traveling Wilburys.

They took on aliases, as Wikipedia explains, and nowhere on the entire album is it discussed whom is actually whom:

• Otis Wilbury (Jeff Lynne): keyboards, guitars, lead & backing vocals.
• Nelson Wilbury (George Harrison): guitars, lead & backing vocals.
• Charlie T. Jnr (Tom Petty): acoustic guitar, bass guitar, lead & backing vocals.
• Lefty Wilbury (Roy Orbison): acoustic guitar, lead & backing vocals.
• Lucky Wilbury (Bob Dylan): acoustic guitar, harmonica, lead & backing vocals.

It's a pretty stellar album, and was nominated for a multitude of Grammys (not that that really means anything, but...) More significantly, and perhaps more poignantly, just over two months after its release, Roy Orbison died of a sudden heart attack. Impressively, the album sold more than any Dylan album had ever sold (at that point...I think his Greatest Hits has since eclipsed that mark.)

The hit that you'll probably know is the title track, "Handle With Care," which was recorded to such delight that the fivesome regrouped to record a full album. They're all pretty great though, each with a solid hook, strong, subtly poignant lyrics incorporating elements of each individual member's contributions.

If you've never heard it, I implore you to download it. How's this for a classic rock album selection?

gone

gonefdasfgs

Classic Album Time from this Guy

This is the album about which Cameron Crowe-penned Elaine Miller states matter-of-factly, "Yes it's poetry. It's poetry of drugs and promiscuous sex. Honey-" Then she points to their eyes on the album cover: "-they're on pot."

And indeed, it's very likely they were. I'm not sure how much love Simon and Garfunkel get from our little online crew here. Either way, this is arguably their masterpiece, although some might argue for their final album, 1970's Bridge Over Troubled Water, the fact that this came out in the all-important year 1968 should probably push it over the top.

All these tracks are standouts. Listen to the title track, "Fakin' It," and the frighteningly accusatory, "You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies." Garfunkel would go on to star in Mike Nichols, Carnal Knowledge, but would never do much more together other than play Central Park. Garfunkel did co-write "Voices of Old People" but in case you were wondering, that track's fairly, shall we say, conceptual.

Is anyone enjoying these classic albums? If not, I'll just stop. If nobody responds, I'll take that to assume you hate me. But I still won't stop... ("I thought I told you that we won't stop...")

TVotR - Dear Science

Up until now, TVotR has been one of those bands I've admired way more than actually listened to. That all changes with "Dear Science" - Pitchfork's current album of the year and easily the most interesting music I've heard in awhile. From the afrofunk horns to the 80's synths, this is a rock album that's weird in all the right ways, always pleading for more of your attention and consciously defying your expectations. These guys sound like no one else now or before, singular in a time when that's almost impossible. I'm not ready to say "album of the year" after a few spins through, but fuck me if I won't still be pounding this 4 months from now.

TVotR - Dear Science (now a .zip, thanks Lev)

Gilles Peterson - Brownswood Bubblers 3

Gilles Peterson has maybe the best job in the world. He's a British DJ with the most popular show on BBC radio, and a record collection so large, he's bought a whole house to store it, which he calls Brownswood. He's in demand around the world for his distinct musical taste, based on 60's and 70's soul music, and has helped launch artists like Jamiroquai, Gang Starr, Lupe Fiasco, and Roots Manuva. That throwback musical sense is showcased here in this phenomenal collection of soul and jazz from bands I've never heard of...in particular, "Where Would You Be" is some sublime Sam Cooke-like shit. Why don't we have this kind of dude in America?

"Where Would You Be"


"How Bout Us"



Gilles Peterson - Brownswood Bubblers 3

More Elbow

Asleep In The Back (2001) - "In an era when every other British band is shamelessly apeing past incarnations of Radiohead (Coldplay, Travis, Doves), it's refreshing to hear a band actually worth paying attention to. Elbow's Asleep In The Back is the true marriage of Pink Floyd and Joy Division that OK Computer was mistakenly pegged as."

"Red"



Elbow - Asleep In The Back

Cast Of Thousands (2003) - "Rather than attempting to repeat the maudlin splendour of their debut, Asleep In The Back or even succumbing to the temptation to write about celebrity parties and having more money than they used to, Elbow managed to remain wonderfully accessible. It sounds a bit more polished than Asleep but is just as moving and it’s a bit more psychedelic but just as powerful. "

"Ribcage"

Elbow - Cast Of Thousands

Leaders Of The Free World (2005) - "Elbow are a great band regardless of what it takes for them to find their footing. Leaders of the Free World is a bit more rock & roll than not, with guts and heart, because Elbow have finally embraced their powerful, surrounding space this time out."

"Station Approach"

Elbow - Leaders Of The Free World

Some Real Shit for Old School

So...I've been reading this blog and keeping quiet. Once again, I feel a need to decry the unreasonably impartial hip-hop leaning segments of the viewing and listening audience. As a result, I'm going to take this opportunity to, "take it ol' school." I'm going to try to post a classic, oft-unheard from album as regularly as possible. Hey...it's all illegal in the end, right?

King Crimson was a British pseudo-psychedelic progressive rock band from the late '60s, early '70s. This is their debut record, "In the Court of the Crimson King." It's very odd, but...most contemporary headbangers and hip pop-rockers would at least cite it as groundbreaking. I happen to think it holds up really well and is always worth a listen.

Hopefully this turns some of you on. Incidentally, that Beatles mashup got me really excited but for the most part kind of dissapointed. As far as I'm concerned, no rapper should ever say Yoko Ono's name unless it's followed by "has a vagina saltier than sushi." Yes, you can quote me on that.

Keep the posts coming guys (and Brynna)...they always make me feel more cultured than I really am.

Nas should have just named his album Black Guy. Why was he trying to be so controversial?

Download here or by clicking title.

The Visioneers - Dirty Old Hip Hop

The idea behind the Visioneers is fucking awesome - started by Marc Mac (of 4hero, look them up if you don't know), it's a bunch of UK studio musicians paying homage to their favorite U.S. hip-hop producers such as Jay Dee and DJ Premier. In effect, these guys "resample" their samples, turning them into extended instrumentals. They have a really sweet organic jazzy sound - the drumming in particular is too dope. Great to work/chill to.

"Runnin"

"The World Is Yours"

The Visioneers - Dirty Old Hip Hop

Danny! - And I Love H.E.R.

The year's next concept-mixtape comes from Danny!, a rapper/producer from SC very much in the Lupe/Kanye camp. Loosely based both on the Common classic "I Used To Love H.E.R." as well as the Beatles, its basically a 70-minute metaphor on hip-hop as woman. Really cool, loungey production, and a breezy flow make this another to throw in the rotation.

"The Groove"

"Yoko Ono"

Danny! - And I Love H.E.R. (REUPPED)

Murs and 9th

Murs and the Carolina kid at it again. A little snack before he drops his first major label, Murs for President (which apparently DJ Quik is producing from top to bottom). A little different feel than the last two collabs, 9th's gets into some different tones, but still brings the funky soul. All in all these two can't do wrong in my opinion. great shit.

Kid Cudi - A Kid Named Cudi Mixtape

Coming straight out of the dungeons of rap in Cleveland, Kid Cudi totally shouldn't work on paper but somehow does. Picture a second-rate John Legend doing a duet album with a second-rate Lupe Fiasco, produced by Spank Rock and you're in the neighborhood. Lyrics are eh, but holy shit what beats. His LP drops later this year, can't wait for it.






Kid Cudi - A Kid Named Cudi

Does It Offend You, Yeah?

I'm not really into the electronic scene, but this shit is awesome. Real bass heavy synth with a good mix of beats - not just the same static trance groove over and over again. Flashes of Daft Punk and Justice here and there, but overall its a more of Bloc Party on E sound (probly why I like it). Its a solid debut. Link on the title.

NAS - UNTITLED

For all of you looking for the new Nas album and were disappointed by Brandon's post -- it's because the one below is part album part mixtape... check out this link to get the official 'Untitled' or just click on the title of this post

http://www.zshare.net/download/15455107f14d04d6/

New Hotness

Bounces between legendary and mediocre from track to track, mostly because of the beats. Could've been a blistering 10-12 track album, but gets real diluted towards the end. That being said, its easily his best album since God's Son.



Untitled


Seems to take cues from "In Rainbows" with the stripped-down feel and abbreviated tracklist. Dangermouse brings an interesting psychedelic edge to his sound, with the end result being somewhere between "Sea Change" and "Guero". Very good, and too short.



B - MG

Fleet Foxes

Yes, they sound exactly like My Morning Jacket/Band Of Horses/Crosby Stills & Nash/whatever. It's still great music by a great band. Are you too cool for great music now? Go fuck yourself.



Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum

New Sigur Ros: Same nonsense lyrics, totally different, folksy sound. Summer where their past albums have been winter. Totally works. Totally awesome. Probably their best.

Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum

Sounds Of Summer

So its supposed to be about 90 in NYC over the weekend, officially marking the end of the 2 or so weeks between rainy spring and fuck-hot summer when its actually pleasant to be outside. That also means its time to whip out the summer jams, and year after year there's always two albums I return to come June:

PUTS are a rap duo who singlehandedly brought the golden-age, 1990s sound into the present. Everything about them sounds dated - the beats, the flows, the party-up lyrics. But that's the beauty of them, too...crystallizing a moment in time when LA was the hip-hop center of the world and even Tupac was rapping about enjoying sunsets. This is what hip-hop, at least at one point in time, was meant to be: relaxed yet focused, raw yet happy, pure yet universal. At this point, OST is 6 years old, but it hits me the same way it did when I was lighting Js in the high school parking lot. And I still maintain that the beat for "Montego Slay" is one of the best ever made.

"Acid Raindrops"

"Montego Slay"

PUTS - OST

Before this dropped, Phoenix was one of many dime-a-dozen French electropop bands to ride the wave of hysteria that followed Air's "Moon Safari". And then in 2006, Phoenix did something totally unexpected: they tried to make a Strokes album. And failed. Miserably.

The result, though, is an album of accidental genius. As much as they tried to bury their crack-addictive hooks under distorted guitar and half-baked production, the melodies shine through. This is a pop album with just enough edge, just enough rough to make the smooth work. You will hum this shit for months, I guarantee.

"Rally"

"Long Distance Call"

Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That

Carter 3

I realize there may not be many Lil Wayne fans on here, but does anyone access to the Carter III? Larson I'm looking at you. If so please make my day and post that shit.

Ratatat - LP3

New Ratatat = Good
Predator = Also Good
New Ratatat + Predator in slo-mo = brillance

Ratatat - LP3

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

British rock. Like a folksy Doves, an early Radiohead fronted by Peter Gabriel, or Iron & Wine + Coldplay + Balls. This is their 4th album, and if you dig, the previous 3 are just as good.

"Starlings"


"Grounds For Divorce"


Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

Blue Sky Black Death - Late Night Cinema

I've been waiting for this one a long time - actually BOUGHT it on Amazon - and it just destroys. It tastes like instrumental hiphop on the tongue, but is actually more of a post-rock electro shitstorm...there's shades of Shadow and Blockhead, sure, but also M83, Burial, Godspeed!, Diplo, and Explosions in the Sky. Each track is so layered and complex, constantly evolving and building, but flows perfectly - I'm just totally fucking awed.

"The Era When We Sang"


"My Work Will Be Done"


BSBD - Late Night Cinema (REUPPED)

Radiohead Show, Nissan Pavilion, May 11, 2008

Setlist:

1. All I Need
2. Jigsaw Falling Into Place
3. Lucky
4. Nude
5. Pyramid Song
6. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
7. Myxomatosis
8. Idioteque
9. Faust Arp
10. Videotape
11. Paranoid Android
12. Just
13. Reckoner
14. Everything In Its Right Place
15. Bangers and Mash
16. Bodysnatchers
17. Like Spinning Plates

Encore:
18. Optimistic
19. Karma Police
20. Go Slowly
21. Planet Telex
22. Fake Plastic Trees

Encore 2:
23. National Anthem
24. House of Cards

Starpower - The Petting Zoo

Last year, as a tribute to J Dilla, this British producer Bullion made a beattape exclusively using samples from the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" album which totally blew up on the interweb. NYC rapper Starpower recently got a hold of it and rapped over all 12 tracks, none of which are more than two and a half minutes long. Clocking in at just 22 minutes, this is the best mixtape of the year. Starpower is like Ghostface without the snarl, and the beats are just brilliant, transforming surf rock into dusty funk nuggets.

"Rod Only Knows"


"Bring Him Back"


Starpower - The Petting Zoo

My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

Yes, yes, that's correct. I'm posting an album that hasn't been released yet. You gonna be OK with that? Good. Tough shit. Don't go crying to the RIAA now, ya hear? Go buy this album if you like it.

It's called Evil Urges and it comes out June 10th. It's also outstanding. This band continues to reinvent themselves with every album. If anyone needs any of their earlier stuff, let me know cause I'll totally throw 'em up here (I have no inhibitions whatsoever.)

Somehow they manage to sound like Prince one song, Rush on another and then the Allman Brothers the next... Lotsa love for these guys, hope ya'll enjoy it.

Keep up the good work.

http://www.zshare.net/download/1132400835486046/

Black Keys - Attack & Release

The Black Keys are a blues rock duo from Akron, reminiscent of Zeppelin or the Black Crowes. In fact, way too reminiscent. But that all changes on this album, thanks to the production duties of Dangermouse. He adds just enough weird to take their songs from "I bet this would sound awesome live" to "this sounds pretty fucking awesome".

"I Got Mine"


Black Keys - Attack & Release

J.cole

J.cole. The next shit hip hop wise (along with the likes of Wale and Cudi but a little less out there) out of NC by way of Queens. An old school ny york flow (think AZ) with a dynamic personality (think Ye) and relatable personality (think Little Brother but a little more agressive). Anything you don't recognize is produced by the kid, because, get this.... hes a classically trained musician. He plays Horns and Strings people. It's J.cole, Aka. Simba With beautiful cover art by yours truely brought to the world by Say Uncle Group. Branding and Design if you need it. Attatched is the cover i liked... the official is on the itunes jump. http://www.zshare.net/download/1065071662ed466f/

Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue

So, finally, a band has attempted to cross the great Hippy/Hipster divide. 3 dudes from Montreal, they strike a good balance between folksy rusticness and edgy indieness. Though you'll hear shades of The Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, and the latest Iron & Wine, the song structures they use are completely original, exploding into psychedelic jams at the end of what seemed to be a 3 minute folk song. Really warm, summery and soothing...perfect for roadtripping.

Im lazy but my favorite album of 2k8 other then Lil Weezy mixtapes...

Wiki says: MGMT (formally known as The Management) are an American musical group based in Brooklyn, New York consisting of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden. Originally with New York-based Cantora Records, they signed on with Columbia Records/Red Ink/Sony in 2006. On October 5, 2007, Spin.com named MGMT "Artist of the Day".[1] On November 14, 2007 Rolling Stone pegged MGMT as a top 10 "Artist to Watch" in 2008.[2] The band was recently named 9th in the BBC's Sound of 2008 top 10 poll.[3] Their debut album Oracular Spectacular debuted at number twelve on the UK album chart, and hit number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.


http://www.zshare.net/download/10138737367e2540/