CATEGORY: MP3

Those upbeat, jangly guitars!  That odd, addictive voice!  It can only be Houseguest!

A surprising gem in a sea of twee pop, messy garage rock, and electronic promo albums laying on my desk, Houseguest’s High Strangeness was one of my favorite albums that I received in 2007.  Quick, short, and to the point, High Strangeness is a high-energy pop record whose most interesting feature, its skewed, subversive tone, is carried strongly by singer Ted Mallison’s unique voice.  Upon first listen, I remember thinking, “Wow, these guys…actually know how to write a good song.  Awesome!”

Here are two tracks from High Strangeness, blazing album opener ‘Fashionable Living Room’ and the equally delightful ‘On Waldon Software’.  To listen to some new cuts from their up coming 2008 release, visit the band’s Myspace page.

Houseguest - Fashionable Living Room

Houseguest - On Walden Software

Purchase Houseguest’s High Strangeness on Amazon.com

CATEGORY: MP3

Out of all the bands I have found out about through random myspace profile hopping, I think that This Will Destroy You is the one I’m most happy I found. They have an incredibly goofy name, but in the midst of this giant post-rock craze, they really stand out to me. What they are able to do is find some really great melodies and allow them to progress so well. Sure, to a lot of you they may just sound like another Explosions In The Sky copycat, but give ‘em a chance. They stand out on their own in my mind.

p.s. - I’ve watched a view YouTube videos and I would LOVE to see these guys play live.

This Will Destroy You - They Move On Never Ending Tracks Of Light

Purchase This Will Destroy You’s self-titled sophomore album on Amazon.com

CATEGORY: MP3

Hey, how have you been? Long time no talk. I’ve so been enjoying my freedom from my mp3 posting duties!

I’ve spent my time listening to a handful of records, all of which I’ve purchased with my own money strange enough. Unfortunately, the bulk of what I receive to review is pretty uninspiring. Most of it comes from upstart labels whose artists are still trying to figure out what they want to do. Some records have been pretty interesting (check out Patience Please, they’re fun!) but none of it comes close to capturing my attention the way new records from the National, John Vanderslice, and M.I.A. have. I’ve even found myself addicted to Tegan and Sara’s latest guilty pleasure of a record The Con. Back in Your Head is sooo catchy!

Hands down the sweetest thing I’ve heard recently is the Bat for Lashes record, Fur and Gold. The thing is so haunting and eery. Even the slow piano ballads, which normally are the downfall of female piano pop acts, are great here. Check out the creepy fun video for the single What’s a Girl To Do?.

I recently heard the new Band of Horses mp3 on their Myspace page. I know a ton of band members have left but I really hope the rest of the cd is better than this.

The real reason I decided to pop my head in and post is because I’ve just heard the most hilarious intro to a song EVER. Seriously. Download this new leaked Britney Spears mp3 and laugh your bottom off.

[mp3] Britney Spears - Gimme More

CATEGORY: Music Videos

As the July 24th release date approaches, John Vanderslice is revealing more and more of his Emerald City. Above is Time To Go, the first video from the record, along with a link to Mr. Vanderslice’s Myspace page where you can stream the ENTIRE album for a limited time. Eat it up, kids![stream] The entire Emerald City album @ http://www.myspace.com/johnvanderslice

CATEGORY: MP3

Whenever a band or artist’s website is prefaced with a disclaimer that “we don’t like the internet” or “we hate Myspace” it reeks a little bit of self-importance and pretention. If having an online identity where fans can access your music easily and efficiently is such an ethical comprimise for you then don’t have one. I don’t want to hear how a band’s Myspace is run by a third party because the “artist” doesn’t want to harm his integrity by filling out the fields on his own.

With that said, UK experimental act Microphone Stand is one of these bands. Their Myspace page reads “This page was setup and is run on behalf of microphone STAND, as they do not like myspace…”. Gee, thanks for that heads up. I would have thought they loved Myspace had the issue not been clarified. As for the music itself it is a claustrophobic, paranoid mish mash of gently strummed accoustic guitars, distorted cymbals, and sporadic heavy blasts of electronic beats; pretty much what you’d expect from an experimental solo artist with a laptop, some editing software, and a personal mantra that includes not selling out to Myspace (or at least not directly selling out to Myspace).

[mp3] Microphone Stand - Orchestra Gob

CATEGORY: Editor's Pick - MP3 - Music Reviews

After weeks of indie blog hinting the general public can finally see for themselves whether The National’s fourth studio album Boxer is the record to beat in 2007. If magazine & newspaper critics have any say in the matter Boxer is, at the least, a very surprising step up from 2005’s already adored Alligator. Here is what Stylus magazine has to say about Matt Berninger and company, which I believe sums up the record & most reviews beautifully:

“Boxer is a National album through and through but blessed with a restraint and self-assuredness of a band on top of its game, resulting in a startling masterpiece on par with Turn on the Bright Lights, Bows & Arrows, or any other austere tribute to urban alienation you care to name.”

The only negative review I could find was from the UK surprisingly (which is where the National seemed to receive most of their attention prior to Alligator) and even then the publication, The Gaurdian, gives the record 3 out of 5 stars; although not until after criticizing the band’s last two records as “claustrophobic, minor-key U2-on-a-budget” and “deadened, muffled music”.

Harsh, no?

But perhaps the most interesting piece of feedback I’ve read for Boxer comes from the Earth’s largest social networking site, Myspace. For a week the record was available for full streaming on the band’s page and they were featured as a spotlight artist. Here is a screenshot of their write up on Myspace’s homepage.

Best band in America? Not sure the site’s 16 year old screamo-loving base will agree, but I sure love hearing those words.

Now the next step beyond what the critics think is to see how the public responds to the record. As Goodhodgkins so perfectly states, “If there’s one thing about Boxer that everyone and their grandma is going to use to discredit it, it’s the fact that there’s no ‘Abel’ or ‘Mr. November’”. These are the exact thoughts I had as I sat down and listened to the record for the first time.

As great as it would be to have a clear, aggressive single, Boxer benefits from its uniformity. Other than the darkly energized ‘Mistaken for Strangers’, most of the songs on record are content to give up their personal will and do their part in making Boxer a great complete listen. No instrument or vocal track attempts to stand out above the rest or steal the spotlight away from the collective whole. In my opinion, this is what gives Boxer the advantage over Alligator. It’s smarter and shows more restraint/maturity.

Hopefully fans will recognize this (it shouldn’t be very hard) and the chants of “It’s no Alligator!” and “Where is Mr. November?” will last only long enough before “Hey, I think I’m starting to love this cd!” kicks in.

BONUS:

Here is the band performing ‘Mistaken for Strangers’ and ‘Apartment Story’ live during MTV’s 24 Hour Human Giant Takeover last week (the always intelligent & musically knowledgeable people at MTV mixed the video tags, so Apartment Story is actually Mistaken for Strangers and vice versa).

By the way, Los Angeles residents can catch Human Giants’ Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer perform long-form improv at their always delightful Myspace Show every Wednesday night at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater on Franklin Blvd. Much recommended!

CATEGORY: MP3

The National’s new record Boxer comes out May 22nd on Beggar’s Banquet but, of course, you already knew that. You’ve been checking their official website and Myspace everyday looking for updates and any trace of information concerning the status of their new record. You’ve been reading over the official tracklisting over and over again hoping that one day soon they would feed your obsession and finally post a song from the record. We know you too well.

Well, my friends, the day you are waiting for has finally arrived. As of Friday, March 23rd the first song from the highly anticipated follow up to 2005’s critically acclaimed Alligator was made available both for streaming on the band’s Myspace and download on their website.

Hellz yes.

The name of the song in question is ‘Fake Empire’, a softly sweeping piano ballad that shows off an exciting new side of the band. Color me much impressed! The three minute track reminds me of the subtle intensity and lyrical emotion of ‘About Today’ (Cherry Tree EP) combined with the clean interweaving guitars featured on Alligator. Much like the men featured on the record’s cover, this is a classy National dressed up in a black fitted suit and tie. By the time the climactic flurry of horns hits, I am already itching for the replay button.

Now all we need is John Vanderslice to follow suit and show us what he’s been working on all these months.

[mp3] The National - Fake Empire