Posted by mandrew

Wild Yaks : River May Come

One of the most exciting and enthusiastic bands I’ve ever encountered has been Wild Yaks, fronted, surprisingly, by a balding, 30-something, self-proclaimed “shoe salesman from New Jersey” named Rob. Rob is dedicated to his craft and dedicated to his fans. He sends out semi-regular emails to pretty much everyone he meets (just email him to include yourself: wildyakslake@yahoo.com), either espousing the fanatical nature of this or that, or asking if anyone has a cellphone charger in brooklyn, and sometimes attaching special mp3s.

Their music is passionate. Every member pours his heart out every moment on stage.  Although the five-piece band, including a wild sax player (is that dude still around? i hope so), are all east-coasters, they have a bluegrass-tinged rough and roaring rock sound. They have been getting more and more love in the press as of late, they have a debut album dropping next week, a badass cliff-jumping video, a documentary in the works, and lots of love to give.

Listen to “River May Come” Here

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Buy Here

0 Comments |

Posted by mandrew

Santogold x Diplo : Icarus

This week I offer an experimental track from Santogold and Diplo’s “Top Ranking” mixtape. Can’t muster many words besides “haunting” and “beautiful”. This experiment was a success. Diplo has such a good ear I wish more of his output was like this, and less club-a-dub. Anyway, most of the credit here should be given to Arthur Russell. The loop is a sample from his epic “this is how we walk on the moon” and Santogold… she takes Arthur’s original and breathes into it new life.

Listen to “Icarus” Here

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

0 Comments |

Posted by mandrew

Pictureplane : Goth Star

Here’s a dark ‘n’ eerie, simultaneously infectious ‘n’ uplifting, Fleetwood Mac-sampling jam from Denver’s new electro heroes, Pictureplane. The song is “Goth Star,” from the group’s debut album ‘Dark Rift.’ It just goes to show how a few catchy loops and a sprinkling of Stevie Nicks is all you need to make a great song, like how just peanut butter and bacon make a great sammich.

Listen to “Goth Star” Here

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Buy Here

0 Comments |

Posted by mandrew

Egyptian Hip Hop : Rad Pitt

Odd that such a deep song, so full of emotion, could come from such a  young, inexperienced, poorly-named band. But the high-schoolers that make up Manchester’s Egyptian Hip Hop have filled their first release,  “Rad Pitt,” with all you could want in a rock song. It dips between moments of sparse instrumentation and overwhelming crashing chords. The tender guitar melody and un-crisp drums anchor everything. And the singer’s sincerity is undoubtable. The group is unsigned, and you can’t find their music anywhere…yet.  If their talent is as true as hinted at in this song, that won’t be for long.

Listen to “Rad Pitt” Here

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Cant Buy It!

1 Comment |

Posted by mandrew

The XX : Islands

The couple, also known as The XX’s, in this song, “Islands”, have given up on their endless search for something more, someone better.

I don’t have to leave anymore
What I have is right here
Spend my nights and days before
Searching the world for what’s right here

Underneath and unexplored
Islands and cities I have looked
Here I saw
Something I couldn’t over look

I am yours now
So now I don’t ever have to leave
I’ve been found out
So now I’ll never explore

There’s a very peaceful, romantic, and reaffirming quality in the notion that you can find happiness in one true love.  I’d like to believe that we can be content and fulfilled, and that it won’t feel like settling, and that our eyes and minds will stop wandering. But isn’t the notion of an endless journey, constant exploration, meeting new people, and gaining new experiences also romantic? This couple burns its bridge to that lifestyle, and barely wants to imagine what it would be like if their island sunk.

See what I’ve done
That bridge is on fire
Going back to where I’ve been
I’m froze by desire
No need to leave

Where would I be
IF this were to go under
It’s a risk I’d take
I’m froze by desire
As if a choice I’d make

I am yours now
So now I don’t ever have to leave
I’ve been found out
So now I’ll never explore

Listen to “Island” Here

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Buy Here

1 Comment |

Posted by mandrew

Little Dragon : Never Never

Little Dragon‘s sophomore album, ‘Machine Dreams,’ is the best girly, poppy, pretty, synthy, dreamy, tender, longing, haunting, swirling, moody, boundary-pushing, toe-tapping, infectious, and cool record to come out of Sweden since Lykke Li’s ‘Youth Novels.’

Listen to “Never Never” Here

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Buy Here

0 Comments |