Spicy Chipper

Here's my review of the new Hot Chip album, Made in the Dark. I interviewed Al Doyle, one of the Electro-nerds, in December and AS.com should be posting that interview soon. When they do, I'll post it here as well.

In the meantime, check out this video of "Ready for the Floor." Human Tetris anyone?

Biscuit Bloggin'

I am now an official contributor to The Biscuit Blog. For those of you that haven't gotten your fill of biscuits yet, the blog is run by Joel, a buddy of mine who recently moved from Atlanta to Austin. He blogs about everything from the perfect chicken wing to stupid Sky Mall products, but mainly concentrates on music. That's where the expert (hah), yours truly, comes in. Every Tuesday, George Fontaine, from Livewire Recordings picks his two favorite releases from that day. Then I'll follow up with reviews of the albums the next Tuesday. If you ask me , the whole situation's fun as biscuits and gravy. So get over to TBB and check it out!

Sup Pob Sweets

Sub Pop has two bands right now that I am super excited about. The first is Fleet Foxes, with vocals reminiscent of MMJ, and two other Sub Pop bands--Band of Horses and the Shins. But they aren't resting on these influences. There's gospel, folk, and chamber pop present here, creating breathakingly ethreal songs that wash over you like a hot shower after a long slumber. Whenever I listen to these songs, I feel like Delmar getting baptized in "O Brother Where Art Thou." Or put it this way, if this were a church choir, I would have been twenty minutes early to church when I was seven years old.

Stream--Fleet Foxes

The next is Grand Archives, the new project of Mat Brooke, formerly of Band of Horses. GA sounds like the half-brother to BoH and the grandchild of CSNY--pretty awesome if you ask me. "Torn Blue Foam Couch" features a lovely blend of lush harmonies and ascending instrumentals. It's also probably just as good if not better than most of the songs on Cease to Begin. Brooke and Bridwell sure do know how to write some fucking songs.

Stream--Grand Archives

BTW, Fleet Foxes is opening for another Sub Pop outfit, Blitzen Trapper, on March 23rd at the 506. You can bet your sweet ass I'll be there.

Also, that band I posted the video of rocking Letterman last night will also be at the 506 tomorrow night. The Sammies and Bull City open. Prepare to, in the words of Parker Gispert, rawk your nuts off.

"Power Trio, Paul? Love it!"

Letterman liked it and so do I. The Whigs rocked Late Night with "Right Hand on My Heart" last night. Check it out.



I gotta run to class, but I got lots of goodies when I get back.

Best of 2007...Sorta

There's more I'd like to reminisce on from '07, but for now, here is my best of list and my buddy BK's list. He's constantly turning me on to new jams, best of which is Toro y Moi so he more than deserves the cred.

BK's Top Ten Albums:
Okkervil River-The Stage Names

Feist- The Reminder

Panda Bear- Person Pitch

Of Montreal- Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer

Deerhunter- Cryptograms

The National- Boxer

Battles- Mirrored

Grizzly Bear- Friend EP

Menomena- Friend or Foe

Elvis Perkins- Ash Wednesday

Bk's Best Songs
Feist- "1234"
Fuck Buttons- "Bright Tomorrow"
Black Kids- "I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You"
Grizzly Bear- "Little Brother (Electric)"
Of Montreal- "Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse"
Best Fwends- "Sk8 or Live"
Vampire Weekend- "Mansard Roof"
Kia Shine- "Krispy"
Cracked Out- "Bennigan'z"
Okkervil River- "Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe"

Gotta love the diversity of that list.

My Top Ten Albums:
1. Boxer-The National
2. 23 Blonde Redhead
3. In Rainbows- Radiohead
4. Emotionalism-The Avett Brothers
5.Person Pitch-Panda Bear
6. Neon Bible-the Arcade Fire
7. Strawberry Jam-Animal Collective
8. La La Land- Wax Fang
9. War Elephant­-Deer Tick
10. Ga Ga Ga Ga­­-Spoon

Top Ten Songs
1."Slow Show"-The National, Boxer
2."Shame"-The Avett Brothers, Emotionalism
3. "Good Girl/Carrots"-Panda Bear, Person Pitch
4."(Antichrist Television Blues)"-the Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
5."The Rat"-Dead Confederate, Dead Confederate EP
6."The Ghost of You Lingers"- Spoon, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
7."Nude"-Radiohead, In Rainbows
8."Dirty Dishes"-Deer Tick, War Elephant
9. "2080"-Yeasayer, All Hour Cymbals
10. "The Doctor Will See You Now"- Wax Fang, La La Land

And because BK mentioned Best Fwends, a band that blew me away in London, I'm posting this video as an end of the week treat.

What Would You Do, If You Were Attacked by Robotron Crab People?

First off: GO TARHEELS. Little too close for comfort last night, but I never really thought we were going to lose. That's why it's the ACC. You beat your rival by 31, then, four days later, eek out a win against the last ranked defensive squad in the league. Any given night.

Les Savy Fav's Let's Stay Friends was one of my top 50 records of 2007, and "What Would Wolves Do" is definitely my favorite from that album. Well, looks like it's my lucky day, because P4k posted the video for the song earlier today. Another plus for me is that it's directed by Ryan Quincy, an animator for South Park--my favorite show. Maybe that's why the pretty little honies turn into robotron crab people in the end. It's one of the more entertaining videos I've seen in awhile.



Also, didn't realize that LSF drummer Harrison Haynes is from Durham. Here's an Independent article on him from awhile ago.

And please, for the love of God, go check out Toro y Moi's new tracks. I'm supposed to be reviewing Atlas Sound right now, but it's so hard, because I cant stop listening to these jams. Start with "Such Bad Handling."

Toro y Moi---Assorted Tracks from My Touch

Finally, Yeasayer and MGMT tonight at the 506. Be there or be [].

Wednesday Potpurri

The Drive-By Truckers' new album, Brighter than Creation's Dark, comes out next week on New West Records. Below you'll find the video of a hell-raisin' new cut, "That Man I Shot," from last weekend's Rock show at the 40 Watt in Athens. Patterson Hood says the number is based on a soldier's account of his time in Iraq.

Seems our band has some fans over there and we're always moved by the stories of really fine folks who are sacrificing so much for our privileged existence. The man in That Man I Shot probably doesn't agree with a lot of my viewpoints, but I tried to be true to what he said and how he said it. You don't have to agree with someone to respect them and that seemed to run both ways with us. As a writer, it's not my job to agree or disagree and certainly not to judge. It is my job to be as true to the character's voice as humanly possible and to tell the story accordingly.

The rest of the song by song write up can be found here.

Rock on. From what I've heard, I can't disagree with the multiple 4 star reviews this album has received so far. With this and the Whigs new one coming out, 1/22 should be a great day for Athens.

Also, remember that tonight, [edit: I'm an idiot. It's tomorrow night.] Yeasayer and MGMT are playing at the 506. Expect a write up on that soon. In addition, be on the lookout for my interview with Hot Chip for American Songwriter. I'll post that as soon as it's finished. Here's my review of their album.

The Ocho

Greetings. Happy New Year. Today, let's check out some things that are neat.

1st. Toro y Moi (Chaz Bundick) is streaming tracks from his new album, My Touch, on myspace. This new material draws heavily on the electronic direction he took with his cover of Beach House's "Master of None." Quite different than Woodlands, but still pretty awesome. I really think this kid will make some tidal waves in the Ocho.


B. MGMT was on Letterman last week. That means Hank Sullivant, former multi-instrumentalist for the Whigs, currently shredding a Carolina blue Fender for the Brooklyn-based psych outfit, was also on. Congrats, Hank and MGMT. Word on the Skreet is that Hank has a new solo album. Hopefully we'll have some news on that soon. I'll try to see what I can find out on Wednesday night, when MGMT and Yeasayer will be at the Local 506.

Here's the vid of "Time to Pretend."


III. Gorillavsbear posted the latest Take Away Show from La Blogotheque featuring Alela Diane's "The Rifle." I've loved this song ever since I heard it on Daytrotter, so I'm feeling this.

Have a nice Monday.