Friday, July 29, 2011

Wink - "Simple Man" (featuring The Interpreters)

Wink - "Simple Man" (featuring The Interpreters): "Late 90s electronica DJ meets a British pop-punk-influenced US trio for a relatively pop version of drum'n'bass with vocal sneers. Still sounds like 1999 to me, but I really enjoy it. (Also, this one's for you James Cole.)"

Monday, July 18, 2011

Deerhunter - "Desire Lines" (Rhapsody Original)

Deerhunter - "Desire Lines" (Rhapsody Original): "In this exclusive, live version, Deerhunter's solid slice of indie rock becomes even more epic, if with some heavy spacey/droning sections, but at least you get the power of their live set, whether you were there in Austin (where this was recorded) or not."

Sunday, July 17, 2011

T Rex - "The Street and Babe Shadow"

T Rex - "The Street and Babe Shadow": "It's a song that kind of goes nowhere, a looping shuffle of a sort, but Marc Bolan's 'Babe...I do mean, Babe...' always makes it feel like it's about to. At least Bolan's come hither vibe still makes it feel worthwhile."

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Miguel - "Strawberry Amazing"

Miguel - "Strawberry Amazing": "Not quite slow enough to be a 'slow jam', but kinda sexy anyway, this track percolates along a minimal groove, powered by Miguel's cocky-but-earnest vocals (often falsetto, no less). This is some hot, modern R&B. (Thanks to Josh F for getting this for us.)"

Friday, July 15, 2011

Robyn - "Don't F****** Tell Me What To Do"

Robyn - "Don't F****** Tell Me What To Do": "This week is killing me. This song totally speaks to me right now."

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The Decemberists - "Human Behavior" (yes, the Bjork song)

The Decemberists - "Human Behavior" (yes, the Bjork song): "It's awesome to hear such an electronic song worked in a much more acoustic - but entirely analog - fashion, while still preserving all the musical elements of the original. Colin's vocal in place of Bjork's takes a bit getting used to, but the musical arrangement is great. Well done, Decemberists - definitely worth a listen for both Bjork and Decemberists fans."

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Telekinesis - "Foreign Room"

Telekinesis - "Foreign Room": "Easily one of the best songs I've heard all year, even though it's already been out for a while. It starts out quiet, but when the pounding drums kick in with their simple but powerful beat, it's a complete rush of woozy excitement and confused emotions, like a rollercoaster that's both terrifying and exhilarating. There's so much energy, but it doesn't feel happy like you'd expect, all creating a brilliantly complex power-pop song. Amazing."

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Small Black - "Photojournalist (live)"

Small Black - "Photojournalist (live)": "Live from this year's Rhapsody Rocks Austin party, it's a more party-ready version of SB's gauzy new wave, particularly with the (dare I say it?) funky bass part and the faster tempo. Curious to see if their new music will wind up being more in this direction..."

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Shea Seger - "Clutch"

Shea Seger -"Clutch": "A little too mainstream to be alternative, a little too edgy to be pop and not quite fast enough to be danceable, this tune is a bit of a misfit, but is carried along by an infectious chorus and lots of great little instrumental touches."