The Innocence Mission – Happy Birthday (Live)
November 9, 2011 § Leave a comment
Visit the Innocence Mission website here.
Stan says: #Wednesday. A lovely version of a beautiful song that (according to iTunes) we have not played since way back in ’08 – a glitch in our re-listening system that has now been corrected. Noting the birthday related lyrical content, we’d like to dedicate this post to the mighty Lou Ferrigno who today joins the ranks of the Sexagenarians. Lou, we appreciated your line in fake tan and your ability to dig that Dr Banner guy out of 20 tonnes of cement every Saturday afternoon more than you can know. And while Messrs Bana, Norton and Ruffalo might not be the worst actors in the world, it is to you who our thoughts will turn whenever we consider what it means to be truly hulky.
Dad Rocks! – Take Care
November 2, 2011 § Leave a comment
Taken from the album ‘Mount Modern’
Released on 8/11/11 by Paper Garden Records (US)
& 7/11/11 Scary Monsters Records (UK)
Buy from Paper Garden/ Buy from BSM.
Dad Rocks! Bandcamp here.
Stan says: #Wednesday. There’s been much love in these parts for Snævar Albertsson’s Dad Rocks! side project since his ‘Digital Age EP’ reared it’s head in 2010 (and from which ‘Kids’ is available as a free download here). We heard new tracks ‘Take Care’ and ‘Weapons’ via Paper Garden a few months ago and have found ourselves living in quiet but growing anticipation of the full length ever since. As it transpires ‘Mount Modern’ is almost everything we hoped it might be – a warm blanket of a record that betrays it’s Danish/Icelandic roots in all the right ways. Listening to it may prove to be one of this winters best weapons against those “why is it dark already, it’s only 4pm?” demons that can increasingly be found lurking in the mid week shadows at this time of year. So if you’re feeling seasonally susceptible then check out the full album stream that’s just gone live courtesy of The 405 here and see what happens. It might just beat the caffeine and lemon based alternatives.
Unruly Dogs – Freaky Weather
October 26, 2011 § Leave a comment
Taken from the album ‘Unruly Dogs’
Released 11/11/11 on Grandpa Stan Records
Tumblr here / Bandcamp here
Stan says: #Wednesday. There will be more on the soon to be released Unruly Dogs record in a week or so, but after we got soaked to the bone and then baked on the bus within the space of 5 minutes earlier today it seemed like the perfect moment if ever there was one for us to post album excerpt ‘Freaky Weather’. Who knew Unruly Dogs could be so thoughtful?
The Auteurs + Luke Haines
October 19, 2011 § Leave a comment
Stan says: #Wednesday. Distraction struck when listening to the new album by Luke Haines this morning (available now on iTunes, ltd edition digipak out 7/11 on Fantastic Plastic here), and we found ourselves absentmindedly sticking on ‘New Wave’ by The Auteurs instead. Perfectly autumnal, ‘Junk Shop Clothes’ was always our favourite tune on an often bizarre record that was littered with standouts and quite unlike any of its Britpop bedfellows at the time. It’s just such a shame Haines has decided to become so conventional in his writing these days. Now, where exactly did we get up to with ‘Nine And A Half Psychedelic Meditations On British Wrestling Of The 1970s And Early ’80s’ …
Megafaun + Bon Iver
October 12, 2011 § Leave a comment
‘These Words’ by Megafaun
Taken from the album ‘Megafaun’
Out now on Hometapes/Crammed Discs
Purchase from Hometapes here
Stan says: #Wednesday. We’ve been as excited as ever to revisit some of Peter Gabriel’s back catalogue and that incredible voice (still one of our favourites) via his ‘New Blood’ project this week. It’s also been a great relief to see that Mandy Moore persuaded her husband to sit down and write some decent songs before releasing another record (if only she could work the same trick on Prince). Plenty more music buzzing away in our brains of late but the new Megafaun album is proving one of the most repeatable listens. And this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact they they used to be in a band with Justin Vernon in his pre Bon Iver days. Despite being the first single lifted from the album, the Beta Band meets TV On The Radio-isms of ‘These Words’ are probably not the best introduction to the sound of the record as a whole, but if you like a bit of Alt Country + Folk Gospel + Prog with your breakfast cereal then it’s well worth investigating the new Megafaun release further if you haven’t already done so. Visit the Megafaun blog here
+ …
A new Karma Kid Remix of Bon Iver for handy comparison:
‘Towers’ (Karma Kid Redub) by Bon Iver
Forest Fire – The News
October 5, 2011 § Leave a comment
Taken from the album ‘Staring At The X’
Released 17/10/11 on Fatcat Records
Stan says: #Wednesday. Though we weren’t quite as enamored with Forest Fire’s 2008 debut ‘Survival’ as some, it still appealed to our ears more than many other records we heard that year. Following a pattern set by recent free download track ‘Future Shadows’, ‘The News’ (the first single to be lifted from their sophomore release), only emphasizes the major steps the band have chosen to take away from the style of their debut, … but does so in such a slacker/’Let It Be’ era Replacements/we don’t give a f*!? kind of way that we can’t help but enjoy the changes. Love the ‘off the edge of the cliff’ ending too. Buy/Pre-order the album from Fatcat here
St Vincent – Cheerleader (Live In Session)
September 28, 2011 § Leave a comment
Original version taken from the album ‘Strange Mercy’
Out now on 4AD
Stan says: #Wednesday. PC seems to be in love with Annie Clark – and with good reason. This version was recorded live in session on WNYC’s Soundcheck earlier this month and is one of the standout tracks from her new album. Buy it direct from 4AD here.
Friends – I’m His Girl
September 21, 2011 § Leave a comment
Out now on Lucky Number Seven Records
Stan says: #Wednesday. Coming on like a 2011 redux of ‘Whatta Man’ by En Vogue, this Brooklyn gang seems to be everywhere right now – but with a bassline like that it’s hard to say no.
Dan Mangan – Jeopardy
September 19, 2011 § Leave a comment
Live at Trinity St. Paul’s, Toronto
Stan says: #Monday. Pondering how it’s become mid/late September when I’m sure we should be getting ready for Spring to hit … and Mangan’s sentiments in this live version of the album closer from his forthcoming third solo release (Oh Fortune) feel right on the money. The shaky (phone) camera work only adds to the charm.
My Sad Captains – Orienteers
September 14, 2011 § Leave a comment
Taken from the album ‘Fight Less, Win More’
Released 7/11/11 on Stolen Recordings
Stan says: #Wednesday. Still a sucker for a bit of soft focus acoustic guitar pop when the mood strikes. It’s nice to see My Sad Captains are sticking to their guns two years on from the release of their debut. A lovely little tune. Live at The Lexington in London on 16/9/11. Check out their blog here for more info on upcoming gigs + releases.
GRANDPA STAN 