In 1994, my father bought me my first stereo, a small Sony unit with a dual tape deck and CD player. Having not entirely grasped the idea of music as stand-alone entertainment, I accepted the gift with a tepid smile and placed it on my dresser. I had, in fact, only just stumbled into adolescence on a criminally unhealthy diet of Phil Collins-era Genesis and Talking Heads albums. (Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse of Reason was tossed in as ambiance during my early readings of Tolkien, nerd that I was-er-am.) This somewhat decrepit early mix may have exerted some influence on taste later in life, as you might note in some of my reviews. David Byrne still presses hard on my palette. Is that so bad? …read full article…
This morning, KEXP [link] decided to play “How to Reduce the Chances of Being a Terror Victim,” by the XX Teens. I never heard the song, and at once, thought it quite hilarious. Originally released by Mute Records back in February 2008, the novelty track channels the deadpan delivery style notable in King Missle’s “Detachable Penis.” The inspiration for the title and lyrics was an article that appeared on the Fox News website. Indeed, it is a word-for-word rip. See for yourself [link].
Video after the jump.
I, like so many others, am a sucker for a flaky piece of pop-culture stupidity. I read gossip and men’s interest blogs (which is great because I am a man, you know!) and peruse the internet for style tips (which I ignore) and music tips (which I usually don’t depending on the source) so it comes as a bit of a surprise that any pop-culture blogs are saying something that, at its core, makes me angry:
Zooey Deschanel (right, of Weeds, Elf and She & Him with M. Ward) looks like Katy Perry (left, she of “I Kissed a Girl,” the only number one song at iTunes with a rating under 3).
The way people mention it, they make it sound like its a fact, some piece of common sense that seems to have evaded me. To quote Style Bakery [link], “Katy Perry, Zooey Deschanel and thisotherchickie (don’t worry about who she is, I didn’t include her in the piece because this is a music blog and that would have made it confusing) all have a very similar look. In fact, they kind of all look like the same person, don’t you think?”
No. I met Katy Perry at the Guys Choice Awards in LA. She’s cute and tall and is awesome. I could talk to her, see why people found her sexy, but Zooey makes me all “gooey” inside. I would stab a blind person to make out with her. I couldn’t be around her, I would blush and giggle and generally make an ass of myself.
That’s one way they’re different. …read full article…
Holy sweet marbles, I love The Submarines [Official Site, Myspace]. When I first reviewed their last LP, Declare A New State! [Review], I had no idea how much joy that album would be bringing me for the next two plus years. Like the happiest-couple-on-Earth, my now-wife and I really blossomed as a team around the time that album came into our lives and hearing the story of their romance and how this album brought them back together, well, let’s just say it works like a charm, guys!
Ahem.
Their new album, Honeysuckle Weeks, is another dose of indie-pop goodness. I would love it more if I hadn’t had to listen to it all on their Myspace page (why weren’t we given this album to review?!?!?! Someone please remedy this!) and they are currently on the road for a few select shows in August with Aimee Mann, including a headlining stop at Mercury Lounge here in NYC.
Come inside for mp3s, stay for the tourdates…”after the jump” …read full article…
Phoenix, Arizona’s Dear and the Headlights [Official Site, Myspace] have set a September 30th release date for sophomore album, titled Drunk Like Bible Times …read full article…
Coming off the success of their critically-acclaimed debut LP, High Expectations/Low Results, Faunts [Myspace] are prepping for their next full-length release with a new EP that features their notable sound turned up a full ten notches in “indie-intensity”. The Edmonton-based act were born in the fall of 2000 by brothers Tim and Steven Batke, quickly becoming the stars of their burgeoning music scene. Before long, they had already shared the stage with prominent Canadian bands Broken Social Scene, Stars, and Do Make Say Think, and while they weren’t stealing the spotlight away from these notable acts, they were able to win over a sizable following with months of powerful live performances. Their biggest break, however, would come in the form of the song we have featured here, “M4 (Part II)”, which played over the end credits in one of last year’s biggest games, Mass Effect.
Come inside for more info and mp3s “after the jump” …read full article…
By Jon Sevastra
I met a middle aged guy named John outside the club waiting for the show who struck up a conversation. He tells me he heard Back Door Slam’s [Official Site, Myspace] “Come Home” on the radio and thought he heard something promising. Having grown up on artists like Hendrix and Clapton he tells me he hasn’t heard a group worthy of similar status in a long time. He seemed skeptical that this band would be it but figured he’d give them a try anyway. Similarly I was there for about the same reasons.
The New Year [Official Site] will be hitting the West Coast on the road this fall, in support of their upcoming self-titled record [link].
Tour dates and more info “after the jump” …read full article…
It’s been about a year since I divulged my weakness for candy-pop girl groups in my interview with the Hot Toddies [link]. So it’s only fitting that I make reference to another trio, the equally infectious All Girl Summer Fun Band [official website, wiki]. The Portland trio is not new to the scene, having released two prior albums via K Records, All Girl Summer Fun Band (2002) and 2 (2003).
These United States [Official Site, Myspace] commit CRIMES on their second LP of 2008, that is, which will be available Oct. 7 via United Interests. The album is a mixture of all things grand happening in American music: strong storytelling and passionate instrumentation married in an effort to prove that music is the art that moves us or makes us want to move.
The lead single, “West Won”, is available here, so please check it out, it’s a jaunting track and a slap in the mouth to lazy alt-rockers. You know, the type of song that Ryan Adams would write if he wasn’t too busy “tumblogging” and “life casting”.
Tourdates, tracklisting and mp3 “after the jump” …read full article…
This week on Soundloading //
Reverb Nation has over 200,000 indie artists
Amie Street has 1.1 million more songs for sale
Last.FM is paying it’s artists directly
Best Buy begins selling vinyl
Video spotlight // “Bag of Hammers” by Thao Nguyen
It’s time to spread the love and see what our friends are blogging about today…
Kentucky readers, enter to win tickets to this Friday’s Apples in Stereo show. Three pairs are available [Backseat Sandbar]
This one is too funny to ignore. A band called Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head. If past is prelude, they will receive much blog buzz for mediocre music (think Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) [Hate Something Beautiful]
Pop Tarts Suck Toasted has put together a mix of bands playing at this week’s Pitchfork Fest in Chicago [PTST]
Speaking of the Pitchfork Fest, Muzzle of Bees is giving away tickets. Enter for a chance to win, sucka [MOB]
Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest 2008 slated for for Nov. 8-9. Early commitments include Deerhoof, Dan Deacon, and the Dead Milkmen. The festival is working to have an “all green” function. Hop on the environmental bandwagon [gorrila vs bear]
Like an endless pitcher of margarita mix, This Is Ivy League’s [Official Site, Myspace] self-titled debut album is a summer essential, and just as refreshing. The album is less beachy than the steel drums of Vampire Weekend, but plenty summery enough to listen to at cookouts while a rogue beetle crisps in your citronella candle. It takes all of the great elements from 60’s folk and pop, and blends them into modern guitar transitions and clever, often dreamy lyrics. From this recipe, This Is Ivy League has concocted a chilled out album that, even with computer generated beats, doesn’t sound like technology threw up all over it. …read full article…
Sitting in my Eilat hotel room after a long day in the scorching heat, my eyes are gazing east across the Red Sea – Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the distance. There is a gigantic Jordanian flag fluttering in the wind, marking the city of Aqaba. At the moment, though, I’m leaning on the arm of the couch with pad in hand. The boob tube is tuned to MTV Europe, one of a few all-English stations on these airwaves. And it’s awesome. This version of the channel is essentially a replica of what the station was in its eighties heyday. There are random logo animations, far-out culture spots, and of course, plenty of videos to satiate the appetite. The latter, we obviously never see anymore, except in the wee hours of dawn. But you didn’t need me to tell you that.
This week, K Sawyer talks about the iPhone/iPod Touch 2.0 software and the bevy of music software it comes with.
Or
Check out Soundloading here
So, one of my favorite blogs, Gorilla vs. Bear, has done the world a great service and posted the latest video from Radiohead’s In Rainbows release, “House of Cards”. Since I am not cool with being trumped on something (anything) related to “Thom and the boys,” I am following suit. You need to see this frigging thing, people.
“No cameras or lights were used. Instead, 3D plotting technologies collected information about the shapes and relative distances of objects. The video was created entirely with visualizations of that data.”
I have no idea what that means, but I love director James Frost.
“House of Cards” [mp3]
After the jump, we’ve posted some of the insane behind the scenes stuff as well. …read full article…
I’m From Barcelona [Official Site, Myspace] will release Who Killed Harry Houdini? through Mute Records on October 14 of this very year.
Hooray! (I say “hooray!” because their first single, “Paper Planes,” will be out in a little over a month, August 19).
Their follow up to 2007’s debut Let Me Introduce My Friends, Houdini will serve as a showcase for the prodigiously mammoth, 20+ member band’s ability to craft their infectious and colorful indie-pop.
“Inspired by escape mastermind Harry Houdini and his own experiences as a failed amateur magician, frontman Emanuel Lundgren and band locked themselves in the studio and escaped into songwriting. The result is a return to form as well as an exploration of new subject matters and musical territory.”
Needless to say, we’re looking forward to this one.
Check out some mp3s “after the jump” …read full article…
will you be buying vinyl again?
Hey everyone. The video embed above is an interactive discussion thread. Sign in to Seesmic and reply to the video with your own, or leave a comment below. Either way.
I’ve got an ipod touch and I love it. I get basically every feature of the iphone without the crazy monthly fee and the sense of superiority (though I have some of that). Right, yes, it’s not a phone, but since I’m only a year into my Rogers plan there’s really no point in switching over, especially considering how downright criminal the plans are up in the great white north. We actually have petitions about it.
Anyways, today I’m supposed to receive my shiny new 2.0 software on the thing. It’s basically supposed to make my already perfect ipod and make it better by allowing me to install applications, even though a quick google search would allow it to do that anyway (not to mention months ago). The applications available from the hacked installer were pretty good (and a pretty near perfect preview of most of the “legal” apps. Sketches is the same. So is the To Do app), but a little bit of inspired polish could have made them better. That appears to have happened with the app store.
But Apple is pissing me off today. My .Mac account for Soundloading has been down since mid afternoon yesterday and still hasn’t come back up. Mobile Me is nowhere to be found. Itunes updated to 7.7, which allowed me to look at the App store and download a few apps, but the 2.0 software for the ipod touch is conspicuously absent, making the app section little more than a tease. I know Apple likes to make us wait in anticipation for their website to go back up, but this is ridiculous. Amazon can update its servers to throw thousands of new products on without interrupting anything. Google can update features on gmail without interrupting service. What’s going on in Cupertino that the entire service everywhere has to die for a day?
More than anything, I’m looking forward to the itunes remote control app, which basically turns my ipod into a remote control for my notebook and my stereo. Being an ibook user, the typical remote doesn’t really work, so I’m excited to have something. It’s also cool to know I can now chat on facebook with the thing, bringing my real life conversation/digital conversation rate over to the right side even more.
Anyways, regardless of what happens, you can email the show at soundloading@mac.com and we’ll still get your emails. And we’ll probably have something to say about this on the show this week, either in audio or video formats. Probably audio.
By Jon Sevastra
This week on All Access, Sam sat down with the trippy-as-eff atmospheric-rock act, CIAM [Official Site, Myspace] (pronounced “SEE-AM”) at the late, great Steve McQueen’s home in the Hollywood Hills for an short chat. Then its off to the KCRW studio for their live performance of “The Call” on Morning Becomes Eclectic, a show that SMS friggin’ loves and that his buddies in Salt and Samovar played on as well. (Hi Dane and DS!)
I was just happy to see the inside of the home of the guy from Bullit. …read full article…
