Today, I fly out to Honolulu to see my brother. While I’m out there I’ll be seeing Andrew Bird at the Pipeline Cafe and trying to see what kind of music scene #50 has to offer. I’ll be checking in from time to time but don’t expect that much updates.
If you’re in the Bay Area this week though, check out Daedelus, Nosaj Thing, and Jogger at the Mighty tonight, St. Vincent and Wildbirds & Peacedrums at at the Great American Music Hall and Editors and The Antlers at the Warfield on Monday, Vivian Girls, Best Coast, and The Bananas at the Bottom of the Hill on Tuesday, Eyedea & Abilities, dosh, and Grieves at the Bottom of the Hill on Wednesday, Wild Beasts, Still Life Still, and the Magic Bullets at the Independent on Thursday, and The Album Leaf and Sea Wolf at the Great American Music Hall on Friday.
For more Bay Area shows, go to epic sauce. Or for more Bay Area music news, click the Links tab and there’s a plethora of great websites to choose from.
I’ll be in touch…
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[mp3] The Album Leaf – Blank Pages from A Chorus Of Storytellers (2010)
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Opening with a whisper and ending with a snarlingly epic conclusion. Perhaps the theme of the album is an ideal reflection of Caspian themselves, a band that insists on finding its own way and settles for nothing less than instrumental perfection.
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As usual Bradford Cox connects to the very heart of the melancholy and joyous side of music. Logos in my opinion is better than anything he’s ever done. I know how bold that is, but I love this record.
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A lyrical mastermind and a thought-provokingly amazing songwriter. This is punk music for the hip-hop soul and done so cleverly with the help of the Rhymesayers. Songs like Low Light Low Life and Goodbye are alone worth purchasing this album.
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The amount of emotion poured into Hospice is unrelenting. Having already heard Bear early in the year, I had to find out what the rest of the album sounded like. Bear ended up being re-translated for me once I had heard the whole album through. Like reading one middle chapter of a book and then going and reading the whole thing in order. Hospice is a gorgeous and delicate record and a sneak attack on the listener’s emotions.
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His craft in songwriting and artful hi-fi production are well represented in Romanian Names. I’m pretty sure the world will end if this man makes one bad record. Keep saving the world my friend!
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[mp3] John Vanderslice – Fetal Horsesfrom Romanian Names (2009)
20. Doom – Born Like This
The grittiness is back. Lyrically brilliant and an all out blast to listen to, plus any record with a sample of Charles Bukowski is automatically awesome to me.
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DOOM – Ballskin from Born Like This (2009)
19. Sleep Whale – House Boat
As a sucker for ambient music and electro-acoustic soundscapes, Sleep Whale’sHouse Boat is my year’s MVP. A friend of mine said they reminded him of The Album Leaf, I responded with, “No, these guys are better.”
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[mp3] Sleep Whale – Cotton Curls from Houseboat (2009)
18. Jónsi & Alex – Riceboy Sleeps
Drenched in alien-like soundscapes and complex acoustics, “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson (Sigur Rós) and Alex Somers (Parachutes) made the world of ambient music shake with Riceboy Sleeps. The album’s ethereal movements and angelic atmosphere made listening an almost supernatural experience.
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[mp3] Jónsi & Alex- Boy 1904 from Riceboy Sleeps (2009)
17. Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
This is a more fragile record than people give it credit for. Songs like Moon and Moon and Glass are worth cuddling up with a pair of headphones and letting Natasha Khan’s soothing voice take you.
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Bat For Lashes – Glass from Two Suns (2009)
16. Mos Def – The Ecstatic
Probably his best record to date. He’s been batting 1000 this year and this is no exception. Enlisting Madlib, Chad Hugo, and Georgia Anne to help produce this record was the obvious reason this record turned out so well, but Mos Def still has that lyrical flow everyone knows and loves.
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Mos Def – Twilight Speedball from The Ecstatic (2009)
15. Division Day – Visitation
Visitation is a work of structured and dark industrial beauty. Infused with haunting melodies, complex arrangements, vibrant sonic palettes, and infectious rhythms; this eleven-song LP will undoubtedly both challenge and pleasurably reward anyone not familiar with D-Day.
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[mp3] Division Day – Devil Lightfrom Visitation (2009)
14. St. Vincent – Actor
The amount of talent Annie Clark exudes on Actor is undeniably amazing. Her beautiful voice melds perfectly with her intricate guitar work and the grand orchestrations make Actor quite possibly her best work so far.
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The atmosphere that lurks in this album is the definition of ‘heavy’ music. Not heavy as in metal, just weighted and dark. You are instantly transported and free to let your imagination run a muck.
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Fever Ray – When I Grow Up from Fever Ray (2009)
12. Clues – Clues
Punch me if you want but I wasn’t too impressed with Island’s new album, Vapours. However, Alden Penner’s (along with Brendan Reed and Bethany Or) Clues pretty much made up for the disappointment of both Vapours and probably never getting another Unicorns record. Penner’s voice carries the listener off on an epically fun voyage. It’s like a Pixar movie as a record; accessible, joyous, and overwhelmingly creative.
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It was almost like he took a step back from his past records and took a different approach on this album. For the better of course, but the songs sound more rich with landscape and heavy on layers. That signature prose and instrumental genius exists, making Noble Beast one of the more fun folkish records of the year.
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They are quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. Not only because of their performance with Björk but because of their uncategorizeable style on Bitte Orca. Their complex arrangements of harmonies and jazzy melodies make this record a pleasure never to be guilty over. My only complaint; too short.
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[mp3] Dirty Projectors – No Intentionfrom Bitte Orca (2009)
9. Mew – No More Stories Are Told Today I’m Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories The World Is Grey I’m Tired Let’s Wash Away
Despite having one of the worst albums covers this side of a community college photoshop submission (something they’re kind of famous for), No More Stories is an dark and epic giganotosaurus of a record. Some call them progressive rock from another planet, I agree…except for the prog-rock part.
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Mew – Beach from No More Stories Are Told Today I’m Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories The World Is Grey I’m Tired Let’s Wash Away (2009)
8. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
As a casual fan of Animal Collective, I approached this album like I approach all AniCol records, an open mind. Well, my mind was properly blown thank you very much. This album will forever be known as their most important record of not only their career but in independent music in general.
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Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes from Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)
7. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
It’s extremely difficult to make pop music art again. Last year MGMT almost made it but their record fizzled out midway. No band this year could match the sheer catchiness and addictive rhythms of Phoenix. No wonder commercials and radio have been jumping at the chance to play their music.
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[mp3] Phoenix – 1901 from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)
6. The Flaming Lips – Embryonic
Booming with fuzzed up entertainment and free minded lyrics. This is evidence that there is always room for growth in a band that has already perfected it’s craft.
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The Flaming Lips – The Sparrow Looks Up At The Machine from Embryonic (2009)
5. BlakRoc – BlakRoc
When some one says ‘rap-rock’ I want to punch a puppy…just want to get that out there. But when I heard BlakRoc, I heard the roots of two genres meshing together and creating something that probably should have been done a long time ago. Mixing the Black Keys with the likes of Q-Tip, Raekwon, RZA, Pharoahe Monch, etc; you get a potent mix that requires the listener to crank the volume.
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BlakRoc – Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo) (feat. Jim Jones & Mos Def) from Blakroc (2009)
4. Fanfarlo – Reservoir
Criminally underrated and perhaps annoyingly overhyped. Either way it’s undeniable that the humble Fanfarlo entered this year with one of the most heartwarming and lovable records. I see bright lights in their future, catch them while you can.
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While not exactly another Sunny Day Real Estate album, Jeremy Enigk’sOk Bear is a grower, and boy does it grow on you. Covering all aspects of his music that I love and even touching on new ground, Enigk made the long drives to work that much more beautiful.
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They have been perfecting their brand of progressive beach rock for years and finally have made the record that truly embodies the real talent that is Portugal. The Man. Bonus points for the fantastic album art. Well done men.
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[mp3] Portugal. The Man – People Sayfrom The Satanic Satanist (2009)
1. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
It didn’t take long for me to love every inch of this album and have it grow into one of my favorites of all time. The very genius of this record is the gentle journey that it takes you on. You are instantly transported and forced to pay attention like a book you can’t put down. A smart and aurally perfect record on every level.
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[mp3] Grizzly Bear – Cheerleader from Veckatimest (2009)
So far this year has been quite musically mindblowing. But wasn’t that kind of expected? With even more anticipated albums, songs, and tours on the horizon, 2009 is shaping up to be one of the better years on the decade.
Top 5 Albums That Met/Surpassed My Expectations
Simplistic and a combination of years of timeless work.
Meticulously crafted and easy to get obsessed with. An instant classic.
Too easy? STFU! This album will forever be an example of when everything we knew about experimental pop changed.
Sunlight and skill in a 12-track album. Way better than expected.
Took some time to love but there is something special going on here that is beyond a simple rock album…
Top 5 Songs That Caught Me Off Guard (in a good way)
Sleepy Sun – White Dove
St. Vincent – Save Me From What I Want
Bat for Lashes – Glass
Mos Def – Auditorium – Mos Def,
Clues – Remember Severed Head
Best Compilation For Anyone With Good Taste
The Grizzly Bear and Feist song alone is worth purchasing this perfectly crafted comp.
Top 5 EPs That Teased Me To The Point Of Joyous Anger
The amount of imagination and playfulness is undeniable. I can’t wait to see what they do next.
They never cease to amaze and pull at the heart strings.
This is the evolution of true rock music in the making. I can’t wait until August 25th for the full product.
Spoon at the their most dramatic and dreamy. An interesting listen.
Is he seriously of this world?
Top 5 Instrumental/Ambient Album That I’ve Been Reading To
This is a monster that has been awakened to destroy your eardrums.
A moving debut masterpiece.
Refusing to be pigeon-holed or classified. Gifts delivers their most personal record yet.
I am so happy this finally got a proper release. An emotionally effusive debut.
Well today is the last day of the San Francisco Popfest and probably the best day to attend one of the shows. After all today is Dear Nora, Eux Autres, ChEAP RED, Birds of California, and the ever so wonderful Botticellis at Café du Nord. This is a great opportunity to witness the best in local music and up and coming bands that you’ll be listening to later on because your friends told you to or Pitchfork gave them a 8.1 and you figured, “Hey! They’re good but certainly not the most innovative or cred-boosting I’ve hear this year.”
Right.
Anyway, you also have The Dears, Great Northern and Eulogies playing The Independent tonight as well as the biggest midget in the game Lady Sovereign and Chester French at the Rickshaw Stop. Monday, Flight of the Conchords and Arj Barker bring the laughs to the Berkeley Community Theatre.
Tuesday hosts Animal Collective and Grouper at the Fox Theater in Oakland. I’ve been waiting months to finally see these guys and hear the new tunes live. Could this be the best show of 2009 for me? We’ll see. In San Francisco, you have Boston’s Passion Pit rocking out at Bimbo’s 365 Club to a sold out crowd. I remember seeing them at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge playing for like 5 people and thinking to myself, “…cool.” Now look at them.
Wednesday I’ll be zoning out at the Mezzanine with M83 and James Yuill. I haven’t seen M83 live yet but from what I’ve heard they’re fantastic. Also St. Vincent returns to the Bay with Pattern Is Movement to play Bimbo’s 365 Club. I would have liked to go to see her but my heart belongs to M83 right now. Our good friends at Ears of the Beholder are going and will most likely be giving a report of the festivities. So stay tuned.
Thursday explodes with Black Moth Super Rainbow and School of Seven Bells at the Bottom of the Hill, the lovely Jenny Lewis at the Fillmore, The Prodigy at The Warfield, King Khan & The Shrines making noise at The Great American Music Hall, and Japandroids with No One and The Nobodies & The Happy Hollows at Hemlock Tavern. No lack of options here.
Friday Friday Friday! Wolf Eyes and Black Dice at the OCD Warehouse and Sun Kil Moon and Mia Doi Todd at The Great American Music Hall. I HIGHLY suggest attending Sun Kil Moon even though Langhorne Slim will be folking it up at The Independent. It’s tough, but a wise choice.
Saturday wraps up the week with indie-punks The Thermals at the Bottom of the Hill, The Roots at Davies Hall in San Francisco, and goth-tronic band Woven and instrumental locals Cloud Archive at the Hemlock Tavern. Woven made our top 20 Best Albums of last year with Designer Codes and are definitely worth checking out if you’re into dark electronic Aphex Twin vs Elliott Smith music.
All-around awesome band, mewithoutyou will be releasing their upcoming album it’s all crazy! it’s all false! it’s all a dream! it’s alright on May 19, 2009. From the looks of this video it seems like their taking a poppier approach while still holding that spoken word/prog-folk feel.
Track Listing:
1. every thought a Thought of You
2. the Fox, the Crow, and the Cookie
3. the Angel of Death came to David’s room
4. goodbye, I !
5. a Stick, a Carrot & String
6. bullet to Binary (pt. two)
7. Timothy hay
8. Fig with a Bellyache
9. Cattail Down
10. the King Beetle on a Coconut Estate
11. Allah, Allah, Allah
A megaload of amazing albums came out this week. First off, if you haven’t heard anything off of St. Vincent’s (Annie Clark’s) new album, Actor, yet…you’re missing out. The album is rich with cinematic pop epics and that undeniably charming nature Annie Clark is known for. Pick it up when you get the chance, it’s brilliant. Akron/Family’sSet ‘em Wild, Set ‘em Free came out this week and will get a proper review this week, so stay tuned. Cryptomnesia, the first release by El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez, which is a new outfit differentiated from the guitarist’s other namesake projects by his selection of players, specifically Zach Hill (Hella) on drums, Jonathan Hischke (Hella) on synth bass, and Juan Alderete de la Pe¤a (The Mars Volta) on bass guitar and a guest appearance from frontman Cedric Bixler Zavala (The Mars Volta). I like this album more than some Mars Volta albums, which is a pretty good thing. Electro-freaks had a good week with Peaches releasing I Feel Cream and Fischerspooner with Entertainment. Post-metal giants Isis came out with Wavering Radiant this week. Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band released their first album credited to the group with Outer South.
St. Vincent – Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood
(the above song is a likely candidate for Song of the Year)
Kata Rokkar is a place where you can download free mp3 from artists and bands that I currently love and listen to. They are only for sampling purposes and to influence you to go out and support these artists by purchasing their records and going to their concerts. If you are a record company or an artist that is displeased with a song being displayed, feel free to contact me and I will remove it ASAP. Thank you and enjoy!
So far this year has been quite musically mindblowing. But wasn’t that kind of expected? With even more anticipated albums, songs, and tours on the horizon, 2009 is shaping up to be one of the better years on the decade.
A megaload of amazing albums came out this week. First off, if you haven’t heard anything off of St. Vincent’s (Annie Clark’s) new album, Actor, yet…you’re missing out. The album is rich with cinematic pop epics and that undeniably charming nature Annie Clark is known for. Pick it up when you get the chance, it’s brilliant. Akron/Family’s Set ‘em Wild, Set ‘em Free came out this week and will get a proper review this week, so stay tuned. Cryptomnesia, the first release by El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez, which is a new outfit differentiated from the guitarist’s other namesake projects by his selection of players, specifically Zach Hill (Hella) on drums, Jonathan Hischke (Hella) on synth bass, and Juan Alderete de la Pe¤a (The Mars Volta) on bass guitar and a guest appearance from frontman Cedric Bixler Zavala (The Mars Volta). I like this album more than some Mars Volta albums, which is a pretty good thing. Electro-freaks had a good week with Peaches releasing I Feel Cream and Fischerspooner with Entertainment. Post-metal giants Isis came out with Wavering Radiant this week. Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band released their first album credited to the group with Outer South.
