Jarring: Top Jams of Two Thousand & Eight.

21 12 2008

January:
Vampire Weekend, self-titled
MGMT, Oracular Spectacular
Black Mountain, In The Future

February:
Atlas Sound, Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel
The Mae Shi, Hllyh
Los Campesinos!, Hold On Now Youngster…

March:
Ruby Suns, Sea Lion
She & Him, Volume One
Cut Copy, In Ghost Colours
WHY?, Alopecia

April:
Santogold, self-titled
Portishead, Third
M83, Saturdays = Youth

May:
The Cool Kids, The Bake Sale
Spiritualized, Songs in A & E
No Age, Nouns

June:
Girl Talk, Feed The Animals
Lykke Li, Youth Novel
Fleet Foxes, self-titled

July:
Dr. Dog, Fate
Beck, Modern Guilt
Black Kids, Partie Traumatic

August:
Noah & The Whale, Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
The Walkmen, You & Me
TI, Paper Trail

September:
TV On The Radio, Dear Science
Beach House, Devotion
Okkervil River, The Stand Ins

October:
Deerhunter, Microcastle
Crystal Stilts, Alight of Night
Mt. Eerie, Lost Wisdom

November:
Little Joy, self-titled
Guns & Roses, LOLOLOLOLLLL

December:
Kuroma, Paris

& a lot more. I mean, every day I see another album I forgot to add but most of those can be found on the surprisingly dependable Pitchfork list of two-thousand and eight.

JAM MASTER ’08
Adam Weiss.
Thanks for always keepin’ me on the ball, son.

& that concludes T&tT’s Best Jams of ’08.


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Flufftronix’s “Hip Hop” Remix

15 10 2008

I recently started following a gentleman DJ by the name of Flufftronix after reading through a blog he wrote, hypothesizing that Gossip Girl influenced Twitter. After an enjoyable reading experience, I obviously had to check out his jams. The Chicago native has spun with some of the industry’s best including Girl Talk, DJ AM and Flosstradamus. I was particularly blown away by his mix of Dead Prez’ “Hip Hop”. Already an amazing track, Flufftronix has turned it from a steady assault on the music industry to a body moving besiege of beats and bulky bass.

Flufftronix also just posted his Love Lockdown remix, which I think is a vast improvement from the original track which I found to be less than Kanye-esque.

For more on Flufftronix, his jams & the rest of his endeavors (which include blogging for iheartcomix, producing original tracks and design), I recommend you check out Flufftronix.com.


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Out of the Pantry: Volume Deux !

7 10 2008

Jams for October

I wish fall was more prominent here in Los Angeles. Maybe some leaf changes or something, more than one humid day of rain. October makes me miss NYC and subsequently makes me…. miss feeling in love. This is a feeling I stave off but from time to time, I can’t help that I am female and wish my life was a little more like a romantic comedy. I want to wear cashmere turtlenecks and clutch him* while braving the weather in the city, burying my face into his shoulder at stop lights. I want to spend an entire day snuggled on the couch watching flicks we’ve never seen, drinking Irish coffees… while it’s raining… in tri-blend leggings… ! Unfortunately, rather than a Woody Allen script, my life reads a lot like a lamer version of Sex and the City- less nudity, more douchebags.

But ! A girl can dream can’t she ?

Everyday. :)

OUT OF THE PANTRY VOLUME TWO POP-OUT PLAYER !

OUT OF THE PANTRY VOLUME TWO POP-OUT PLAYER !

Some of the songs are missing.
I suggest you find those songs and listen to them.

*A completely fictional character.


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Jarring: Kimya Dawson

9 09 2008

The Jam: Kimya Dawson’s Alphabutt

Take everyone’s (un/)favorite irreverent indie folk singer. Add kazoos, blocks and xylophones. Hold on to outlandish, less-than-sung lyrics. Mix in infantile, mildy foul words. Serve with a grain of salt.

Tastes a lot like: Bubblegum Jam- Tastes okay when you’re ten but it’s still hard to swallow.

I have enjoyed Kimya’s music career. She has carved out entire quirky niche for herself and I have defended her to no end. I respect people who find ways to express themselves, even if they are not conventionally talented. From the Moldy Peaches to her solo albums, I have always found her to be simply insightful. Alphabutt is also very… quirky. Yes, it is pure Dawson- cheeky, crude, obscure. Unfortunately, this is not a quirkiness I embrace. You may be saying, “Yeah, but it’s a children’s album.” Well, YEAH, I GET IT. But even looking at it as a children’s album, if I had children, I don’t think I would play this for them. Children already have enough bullshit coming out of their mouths without Kimya telling them B is Butt, C is for Cat Butt, D is for Doo-Doo, E is for Elephant do-do, F is for Fart, G is for Gorilla Fart. When she is not talking like a four year old, she is talking about things that are inconsequential for four year olds- for example in “Sunbeams and Some Beans”:
“I do what I do because there is a need
And a hunger created by corporate greed.
See, there is a surplus of food in this country
And no body should ever go to sleep hungry.”

Yes, that is AN EXCELLENT thing to tell children. I don’t disagree that the message is important and children should be taught to appreciate what we have. Children also should know about the student loans and finding their passions, but at the same time, she turns around and dumbs the children down with things like:
“Pee-pee in the potty,
starts as milk from mommy,
then that goes through your body
and then you make a pee-pee.”

The target audience for this album is blurred. Two year olds? Eight year olds? I can’t decipher it.

Strangely enough, the album is meeting some great reviews. Granted, it has some classically charming Kimya tracks such as “I Love You Sweet Baby” as she coos about her day with her daughter. But for the most part, I really don’t get it.

I’ve been listening to Alphabutt around the clock for weeks now, and singing the songs to my daughter, who enjoys their off-kilter, jangly humor even though she’s too small to get the words yet.

- from BoingBoing.net

From Pitchfork (HA) to Rolling Stone, they all seem to enjoy it. I imagine they are young, hip, parents who drink red wine and listen to Radiohead on vinyl after tucking their bundles of joy away for the night in their Ikea Hermelin crib. Not twenty-two year old whiskey slammers with compulsions for late nights in seedy Los Angeles lounges lusting after musicians and witticisms.

I will say I support Alphabutt over Telletubbies and Barney any day.
But my vote is to stick to Sesame Street.


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Out Of The Pantry: Volume One !

3 09 2008

Jams for September

The days following Labor Day festivies are always kind of a bummer. Back to school commercials are running ramped and everyone is dispersing to the lands of their studies. It’s the return to the ol’ grind again. Even those of us who don’t go to school feel it. Fall will be upon us in no time. BUT ! Summer’s not quite over yet- it’s still in the nineties here in Los Angeles ! So, keep your chin up before you have to put your nose to the grindstone with this collection of jams for the last minute of summer. Keep on soaking up the sun and milking the nights for all they’re worth !!! Enjoy.

CLICK TO HEAR OUT OF THE PANTRY VOLUME ONE !!!

CLICK TO HEAR OUT OF THE PANTRY VOLUME ONE !!!

Four tracks were unfindable so check ‘em out:
#12. Pity Party by Saint Motel
#14. Pretty Hair by Human Highway
#16. Tattooed Bible by Voxhaul Broadcast
#17. Weekend by Dr. Dog

The mix is also mostly available on Itunes.

And don’t forget:
TOMORROW NIGHT WHY? @ THE ECHOPLEX !!!
If you can’t make it, expect full coverage from yours truly.


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Jarring: Dr. Dog.

19 07 2008

The Jam: Dr. Dog’s Fate

Pick over fresh frequencies and rinse under cool water. Lightly crush sun-ripened berries with poetic aphorisms and kind ideology. Stir in the sugar, lemon juice, simplicity and new sounds. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often with warmhearted melodies and clean beats. Share with loved ones.

Tastes a Lot Like: Raspberry-Lemon Jam- sweet but not without a perfectly delectable amount of sour. Tastes like a summer day with friends, laughing from noon through dusk until it ends under the stars with a couple joints, light philosophical banter and a doo-wop sesh or two around the campfire. Yum.

With just enough time to soak up Passed Away, Volume One and some sunshine, Dr. Dog is releasing their fifth full length Fate- a fitting title for the album that was heralded as “the album they always wanted to make”.
If we look at the progression of Dr. Dog, the jump from 2007’s We All Belong to 2008’s Fate sounds like a small one- especially in comparison to say their first full length Toothbrush to their second, Easy Beat. But why mess with a good thing? Fate is consistent with Dr. Dog’s nineteen-sixties-flash-back sound they perfected on We All Belong.
The lo-fi static that is prominent of their early work has dissipated completely. One might be afraid that this would affect their music, which it has in a very positive way. Dr. Dog has embraced modern aesthetics to accentuate their vintage sound. Lush with incredible Beatle-esque harmonies, they pair such clean, soothing vocals with clean tracks full of strings, horns and organs… you know, your basic Dr. Dog entrée. Which is exactly why I listen to them- because they sound like Dr. Dog. They’ve done right by themselves: boosted the quality without losing the ‘tude.
One of my favorite things about Dr. Dog’s music is their portrayal of problems and solutions. There is always a sense of comfort in everything. In a completely unobtrusive fashion, they present a set of beliefs and a way of living- live, love, be happy, empathetic and wise. Yes, life will always have its fair share of altercations but there is always an answer and there are no absolutes. An entire song about a disappointing friendship ends on the note that it is still a choice, “Are you my curse or are you my friend?” Talk of one being away is only teamed with the expression of their hearts being inseparable. Or God calling him son only to tell him he isn’t his son at all with such a sense of love it resonates true wisdom. Everything is and isn’t and in the end, it’s all right because somewhere there is a creek you and your loves can go barbeque.
Set to be released on the 22nd, Fate is accompanied by a special edition 7-inch when bought at a wide array of record stores across the country. Fun fact: The album cover art is directly correlated with a picture of Bonnie and Clyde! Wowzers! Dr. Dog is also touring vigorously over the next couple months- staying in the US up until November when they cross the pond.

For an intimate look at Dr. Dog, check out my interview with Taxi in March.


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Jarring: The Dark Knight.

17 07 2008

The Jam: The Dark Knight

With an IMAX, start with tons of potential and high expectations. Add two of Hollywood’s most talented men, a step-up from Katie Holmes and that same charming smile of Nick Naylor. Add some film alumni; mix well. Seep in defined acting chops. Add action; cut it up. Suspend disbelief; stir constantly. Boil with disappointing dialogue and cheesy, unbelievable monologues. Process for two hours and thirty-two minutes before setting the jars out on the shelves to be ferociously consumed by the masses.

Tastes a Lot Like: Bartlett Harlequin Jam- everything about it is seemingly delicious and then you have to go and add those damn fake, contrived Maraschino cherries.

Let’s start with Batman Begins. Well written and excellently executed, the film upped the ante in the latex smothered superhero department. Christian Bale is by far one of the supreme and dedicated talents in Hollywood (hello, did anyone see the The Machinist?) and brought a true sense of soul to the identity conflicted protagonist Bruce Wayne… not to mention a gym bag full of good looks. With a foundation like Begins, it’s hard to imagine its successor being anything but stellar.
The Dark Knight tells the tale of Batman and his escapades with the Joker. When I say “escapades” this includes a number of intense action sequences taking place in the streets and (watch out!) the sky. Not being much of an action fan myself, they were still incredible. It also has exactly what you want in a cast. Christian Bale still looks good in any suit from Bat to Gucci and performs so wholeheartedly it resonates within his relationships with all the characters. That carton of lukewarm milk casually known as the beard of Tom-Kat was rightfully replaced with a woman of substance and ability- Maggie Gyllenhaal. Aaron Eckhart is as honorably heartwarming as ever (mostly). Morgan Freeman and Michael Cane are genuinely talented gentlemen, as always. Heath was obviously the best in show. Maniacal and creepy, he was the epitome of The Joker. From his disgusting mannerisms to his eerie cadence, he filled the purple suit first worn by Jack Nicholson (much to his dismay) with an extra ounce of evil. All the performances were great- especially given the material.
Yes, that was an allusion to the fact that director Christopher Nolan and brother Jonathan are not writers. Look, I know I’m going into this not being able to believe every motorcycle/bus/plane/ferry/starship-cruiser chase I see. But if you have believable characters, I will totally eat up any technological tomfoolery scheme or military machine mumbojumbo. Unfortunately, the dialogue was cliché and there were a number of moments where more than a few of the audience members flat laughed out loud. I particularly liked the “We’ve got company!” sort of fillers and cheap speeches. I expected more from the good citizens of Gotham.
Besides the lame convos and the fact it is about two and a half hours long, it’s good. If you liked the first one, you should go. If you’re looking to get laid, this is a good date movie- you got your action, you got a nice little romantic through line, you got Gary Oldman; you’re set. Unless it’s some liberal babe who hates… Gary Oldman. Because no self-respecting human being hates Batman. And that’s a fact.


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Jarring: Girl Talk.

16 07 2008

The Jam: Girl Talk’s Feed the Animals

On a Macbook, combine puree of top forty with remaining elements of vintage beats. Crush and stir in unexpected nineties hits. Boil vigorously with indie rock, stirring frequently with some eighties hairbands, for fifty-three minutes or until the jam is a set. Stir for 2 to 5 minutes while getting naked and then proceed to invite your audience to dance on stage with you. Enjoy.

Tastes a lot like: Blackberry Jam- unexpected but not inaccessible, unique yet familiar, perfect for the summer and oh, so dependably delicious.

Once upon a time there was this kid who used to be in a noise band, smashing up televisions who became a student of Case Western Reserve University with a laptop. This seems normal and relatively uninteresting but when combined with the crucial factoid of his name- Gregg Gillis- things come into perspective. And maybe you haven’t heard of Gregg but you probably have heard a lot about Girl Talk. And if you haven’t heard about Girl Talk, well, get out from under that rock.
Gregg Gillis is Girl Talk and Girl Talk is a man and his laptop making ridiculously lush and vibrant mash-ups. So, basically, he’s a DJ. Only he’s also one of the most prolific and talented experimentalists in the music industry right now. In 2002, he released his first album with Illegal Art and now six years later he has released his fourth full length, Feed The Animals.
Feed The Animals is absolutely filthy. The adjective usually has a negative connotation but in this context, it is in the highest of regards. Feed The Animals is such a outrageous collection of mash-ups and samples it is hard to decipher it without listening to it in its entirely. The first listen is a lot like taking a machine gun to your ears. You are hit with so many different sounds so quickly from so many eras that you are left defenseless. There is no point in even trying to comprehend it. Just accept the fact that in an hour you were just assaulted with Ace of Base and Cassidy, Rod Stewart and Ray-J, Quad City Djs and Question Mark & the Mysterians, Eminem and Yael Naim. And you liked it. A lot. Hold on… is that Rick Springfield?! With Soulja Boy?! Yeah, yeah it is. For each song, Gregg uses at least a dozen elements from other songs ranging from hip-hop to oldies to indie rock. On his previous album Night Ripper, he took in over six thousand samples from one hundred and sixty seven artists. He uses a calculator and a wav editor to concoct these hip-pop-classic-rockin’ orgies.
With Feed The Animals, Gregg is following the newly paved path that Radiohead recently led us down with the pay-what-you-want release. The album is intended to be listened to as if it is an entire set so if you pay a measly five bucks or more, you not only get the individual files but you get a seamless version of the entire album which is invaluable when it comes to parties, road trips or getting naked.
This album is not for the faint of heart, the closed of mind or the forgoers of fun. If you’re down to skip the Adderall and be immersed in a smorgasbord of surprise sounds, I promise you will not be disappointed. I would go as far to say that you will probably get your jollies off just thinking about that Kanye-Blackstreet mash-up.
Wait… is that Paula Cole?!
She hasn’t sounded this good since Joey loved Pacey.

Check out the new album at Myspace.com/GirlTalk.
Purchase the new album at Illegal Art.


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