Who else went out to experience
the mess that was the Red Bull Flugtag this past Saturday? I was there
but I ended up bailing right before the midway point because of being overly
hot and a little frustrated with the constant glitches in the presentation.
I mean, experiencing Perry Farrell do a bizarro-lounge version of the
National Anthem isn't something that I really feel bad about missing
more than half of, but that's no reason for the piss poor effort of the
people that were in charge of making sure that the vocals were turned up.
Though, I probably would have let that issue go if there hadn't been poor
judging, no stands to sit in, bad music and hosts that just didn't get it.
I sincerely hope that next time isn't quite so lame.
On the bright side, the extra time that I saved from cutting out of that
hellhole early allowed me to dive into the pile of songs that has been
accumulating on my hard drive and dig out some gems for your listening
pleasure. I think it's a good way to kick off another week of
whatever. Enjoy.
:Numbers
- Mind Hole:
Sadly, for the most part of this year I don't think I've actively thought
about any Kill Rock Stars artists outside of They Shoot Horses Don't They?
and Deerhoof. And to think that label use to be one of my favorites!
Anyhow, regardless of that bit of randomness I think this band is epic and
fantastic in ways that will inevitably make this one of the best Monday's
you've had in awhile. The San Francisco-based project's Now You Are
This is out now.
:The
GoStation - All Together Now:
In case your brain isn't working today I made sure to include this catchy,
upbeat number. It's from the band's upcoming disc, Passion Before
Function, which comes on the heels of last year's Quiet Zone and
is due out on September 25. I completely missed their debut, but it
apparently garnered quite a bit of positive talk, so I won't be surprised if
the new full length does this same.
:Plastic
Operator - Peppermint:
What would an EP be without a crafty electronic pop song? Nothing, I
say! Seriously though, this is really good. I would even venture
as far as to say it's my favorite song in the EP. It's like the Postal
Service with a calmer, more spacious sound that also fills the room with an
undeniable charm. Mathieu Gendreau and Pieter Van Dessel's debut full
length, Different Places, is available now via Fine Day Records.
:Nire
- Girl In The Moon:
This has been buried at the very bottom of that pile of music that I
mentioned in the intro. A ramble full of appreciation for Erin Morgan
and Josh Hinton's work would have come sooner, but to be honest it's a
little difficult to just pick up and love. In fact, it doesn't
even become something worth remembering until you slow things down and
immerse yourself in each quiet, intimate detail. The duo's debut,
Vespers, will be out October 9.
:Johan
The Angel - Great Big Whale:
Brett and Britt Pedersen have only been making music together for roughly a
year or so, but their penchant for lush arrangements and ethereal vocals
gives off the impression that they've been doing it much longer. I
think it has something to do with the fact that they got their start in
Portland, which has one of my favorite music scenes. The husband/wife
duo's self titled debut is currently available.
-
John Laird -
Unless
otherwise expressly stated, all text in this blog and any
related pages, including the blog's archives, is licensed by
John Laird under a
Creative Commons License.
