Slight Break...Will Return Very Soon

Greetings Nomes,

I just wanted to let you know that this week is unfortunately a little rough for me with work and travel but there should be new posts by the end of the week.

Posts coming soon include reviews of the new Tennis, Leonard Cohen (FINALLY going to get this up!?), Sleigh Bells, Lambchop, a few lesser known bands I think you'll enjoy, and Lord knows what else will come across my auditory sensories in the near future.

Follow me on twitter at @jclyne56 and I will notify you there as soon as I have some new posts up. If you're not already, you can also follow me on This Is My Jam at http://www.thisismyjam.com/#./jclyne56 for fairly consistent updates of songs I'm currently digging.

Thanks for reading!

Listen Again and Longer: Gorillaz - Do Ya Thing (Extended Version)

Considering this week wouldn't be complete without yet ANOTHER mention of the new Gorillaz tune featuring James Murphy and Andre 3000 "Do Ya Thing," well here you go. At the end of their recording session they laid down an epic 13 minute version of the song and this version won't be found on the Converse site. When I say "epic," that's exactly what I mean. This version is a little more of what I expected with there being much more of an LCD Soundsystem vibe as the song builds and more of Andre as opposed to the shorter version which is very much a Gorillaz song with a couple cameos.

Check it for yourself at 107.7 The End and be sure and stay till the end for Andre's extra verse and repeated "I'm the shit" and crazy LCD Soundsystemified ending that will make you wish they were still around. 

Video: Beirut - Vagabond

Check the new video by Beirut for "Vagabond" off of their excellent 2011 album The Rip Tide. It's a black and white goofy throwback to soldiers and nurses at a dance of some kind. There are odd match-ups and plenty of not-wanting-what-you-have along with chain smoking, alcohol-induced vomiting, and chasing chickens. Sounds like a typical Tuesday to me....

Very good tune and interesting video. Check it out below, the song alone should put you in a good (or at least better) mood.

Listen: Solo Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes) - Olivia, In A Separate Bed

Last night, Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes dropped a tweet that he uploaded a new solo acoustic song called "Olivia, In A Separate Bed." The song is very heartfelt and equally heartbroken. It is apparent that "Olivia" is about the breakup of a relationship and there were subsequent tweets to support this idea that have since been deleted from his account.

Maybe it's actually about the recent departure of their drummer, J. Tillman, under the guise of a relationship? Or maybe not...either way, this is another beautiful song constructed by Mr. Pecknold.

You can stream the song on his SoundCloud and see what you think for yourself.

Listen: Gorillaz - Do Ya Thing ft. James Murphy and Andre 3000 (of Outkast)

So the day has finally come! Well, almost. Scheduled to hit the Converse website tomorrow, but now available via a radio rip, is the much ballyhooed track by Gorillaz with special guests James Murphy and Andre 3000. This is especially awesome since we lost Murphy's epic project LCD Soundsystem last year and have long been waiting on a new Outkast album.

The track is called "Do Ya Thing" and mixes classic Albarn-Gorillaz, Murphiness, and an epic flow by Mr. 3000. You can hear for yourself over at Listen Before You Buy.

I'm guessing the part at the end when someone keeps saying "can we get an Outkast album now?" isn't part of the song yet I totally agree.

**UPDATE: You can now download the track for free over at Converse's website. Do it!

Prevaluation: Deer Tick - Tim EP

Deer Tick just announced they have a new EP that will be released on February 28th online and will be sold as a 10" during their upcoming tour. These 5 songs were recorded during the sessions for last year's solid Divine Providence. There is an acoustic version of Providence's lead single "Main Street" of singer/guitarist John McCauley performing only a few minutes after he finished writing the tune. That alone makes Tim pretty badass.

The EP starts off with the bluesy rocker "Born At Zero" to set the table for what's to come. Then as a nice break in the middle, there's the mellow burner "She's Not Spanish." The songs and flow all follow suit to Providence but are different enough that it's understandable why they missed the cut yet are obviously worth the release.

You can stream the entire EP right now over at rdio. I recommend checking it out if you're a fan of the Tick.

New Jam: J. Nolan - Hit Em (ft. Rizz Capolatti)

I recently told you about my favorite new(er) MC J. Nolan and he has a new song for us called "Hit Em" featuring Rizz Capolatti. Staying true to his form "Hit Em" has Nolan's smooth flow over some jazzy beats. He does pick up the pace some with his delivery this time, which I'm guessing has to do with the fast-flowing Capolatti.

You can check the jam and download for free over at his SoundCloud. 

Prevaluation: Roman Ruins - Homebuilding

Graham Hill's solo project Roman Ruins is set to release his debut album Homebuilding on February 28th. You may not recognize the name of this Oakland, CA based songwriter and producer but you surely will recognize some of his work. Graham has played drums and toured with the bands Papercuts and, one of my personal favorites, Beach House. Speaking of, he helped with the recording of Beach House's stellar 2010 release Teen Dream.

I have been listening to this album almost nonstop for the last couple of days and it is very good. Musically, the style kinda reminds me of Washed Out with it's somewhat slow-building chilledness and dreaminess (see "Mother's Day"). There are understandably also traces of Beach House influence (see "Freret Jet"). Both are good things, at least to my ear holes.

The first couple of listens through, there weren't necessarily any songs that stood out in the "man, I could totally hear that on the radio" kind of way we tend to judge albums. At least I find myself doing that. Not really sure where I picked that habit up. That isn't a knock either, my number 1 album of 2011, Destroyer's Kaputt had a similar feel. Anyway, where was I.... Yes...After a few listens, though, Homebuilding started to really come to life and I was able to truly hear the songs for how good they are. One that specifically stands out now is...you know, I'll let you decide for yourself. All you need to know is this is a solid debut album of lively yet relaxed tunes.

You can pre-order the extremely limited pressing of the Homebuilding vinyl or name your price and download the LP at their Bandcamp. I pre-scooped the vinyl and already received my download code for the album. Another reason to go this route is you get a bevy of remixes. Some are Roman Ruins songs remixed by others and some are the versa of vice, such as a remix of Beach House's "Lover of Mine," one of my favorites from Teen Dream.

I recently mentioned the video for "Mighty Love" being available on Vimeo, so hit it up!

Video: Jack White - Love Interruption

Jack White brought himself back into our minds with the recent announcement of his first solo album Blunderbuss, out April 24th on his Third Man Records label. Well yesterday, perfect for Valentine's Day, he dropped the video for the 1st single "Love Interruption," which you can check out below.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what a solo album by White will sound like after all these side bands and collaborations he has been in and how they mesh with the old White Stripes sound we all know, love, and miss.

Preview: Gorillaz - Do Ya Thing (ft. James Murphy and Andre 3000)

Not gonna lie but I have been pretty geeked out about this since I first caught wind of the Gorillaz, James Murphy, and Andre 3000 collaboration for Converse's "Three Artisits, One Song" series. Been needing some more James Murphy tuneage in my life since LCD disbanded last year and Andre is half of my all-time favorite, Outkast. This coincides with Gorillaz working on a line of shoes with Converse and I can only imagine how those will turn out.

"Do Ya Thing" drops next week on the 23rd so keep your ears open.

Recently a video leaked teasing the song and video for it which you can check out below.

New Song/Video: Porcelain Raft - Something In Between

I have been loving me some Porcelain Raft with the recent release of Strange Weekend. The 7" for "Unless You Speak From Your Heart" comes out next week so we are treated with the B-Side, "Something In Between," which is a very good tune that is not featured on Weekend.

You can check it out below...

Video: Childish Gambino - Heartbeat

Donald Glover returns as his hip hop alter ego, Childish Gambino, with the new video for the intense track "Heartbeat" off of last year's solid major debut Camp. A tortured soul is this one.

Check out "Heartbeat" and it's Thriller-esque  beats below...

Video: The Head & the Heart - Down In the Valley

One of my absolute favorite new bands, and albums, from 2011 was by The Head & the Heart with their fantastic self-titled debut album. This week they reminded us they are still awesome with the video for "Down In the Valley." This was actually the first song by H&tH that I ever heard early last year and I instantly fell in love. Their live show is even more amazing than their music with their energy and chemistry.

I hadn't listened to them for a minute until this came out, almost forgot how good this band is.

Check it out...

Friday Cover: Chairlift and Kool A.D. (Das Racist) - Party (by Beyonce)

I recently reviewed the solid new album Something by Chairlift and yesterday was made aware they did a live cover of "Party" by Beyonce with Kool A.D. of Das Racist for an Australian radio station. This is pretty sweet, I'm not gonna lie.

EP Review: Au Dunes - 73's & 88's

I honestly don't know much about Au Dunes, despite my attempts at researching them via The Google. The only reason I am aware of them and their solid EP 73's & 88's is once again because of Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes) mentioning them. 88's was actually released in June of 2011 but since I just found out about it, and am guessing not too many others know them, I wanted to drop a note it.

Au Dunes bring something to the table that is full of low-fi, garagey, 70's fuzz rockedness. A more recent comparison that instantly comes to mind is War On Drugs, but sans the obvious Dylan, Petty, and Springsteen vibeage. Take those away and add some extra fuzziness and you find Au Dunes. I'm hoping for more from these guys cause I dig what I'm hearing. Plus, I swear "Child Dust" would fit perfectly in just about any Quentin Terantino movie....

You can stream the 4 song EP and even download it for free on their Bandcamp. Do it.

Awesome Cover: Oupa & Tony Crow - Backwords (Porcelain Raft)

Oupa (Daniel from Yuck) and Tony Crow recorded an awesomely gorgeous acoustic cover of "Backwords" off the recently released Strange Weekend by Porcelain Raft,one of my early favorites of 2012. You MUST check this song out, it is fantastic!

You can check it out as well as pre-order the limited edition 7" and/or download the track HERE

Gracie - Treehouse EP

If you are looking for something to listen to that's dreamy with some chilledness and a skoch of funk, look no further than Gracie's just-released-yesterday EP Treehouse. The album opens with "Sisters," a spacy slow-moving tune that will have you singing along to the occasional chipmunk-ish "Everybody!." . Treehouse keeps going with 5 songs all from the same family but each has its own personality. You can tell which ones are directly related and which are the distant cousins. "Tryck R Treat" and "Candii" are the fun-loving and unpredictable sibling cousins.

You can stream "Sisters" and "Tryck R Treat" on their Bandcamp site and check out "Sisters" below...

Video: The Black Keys - Gold On the Ceiling

The Keys of the Black variety have released a video for their standout tune "Gold On the Ceiling" off of last year's El Camino. The video follows the band during their live online album release show at Webster Hall in NYC. They basically wanted to remind everyone when you see them live how obvious it is the band has grown yet is still the same. Love me some Keys, especially the live variety.

Unlike everyone else, I didn't post this yesterday because the video wasn't available on Youtube until late last night, so you can now view it below.

Imperial Teen - Feel the Sound

Although this San Francisco-based indie pop group has been around since 1996 this is, I believe, my first taste of them. Granted, there is very legit chance I would recognize some of their older stuff if I heard it. Luckily, this is a review of their latest and 5th studio album Feel the Sound or else I'd be screwed and lacking 4/5th of the content. However, since I don't have their previous records to rely on for a basis to compare I am able to bring a fresh perspective on this album without the bias of the older stuff. Like how I spun that one?

Feel the Sound, much like Hopsitality's debut I wrote about yesterday, was brought to my attention mostly through Twitternation, specifically by their label Merge Records. There was a lot of build up and countdowns to the release of this album so I thought I'd scoop it up without really hearing much. Life is about taking chances and this is one I am now ecstatic that I did. Imperial Teen has taken up a huge chunk of my rotation this week. The album is a fantastic display of catchy hook-filled indie pop to bob your head to. It's good in the car, it's good in the background, it's good when you need a pick-me-up, it's good pretty much anywhere! We're still talking about the album, right?

Now I might have to go back and check out the back catalog, especially since my friend Holly celebrated my newfound love for Imperial Teen mentioning she's seen them 6 times and how amazing they are. If only I had listened to Holly back in Missouri when she tried to tell me about all this good music out there she knew from her days of living in San Diego (discovered by the Germans in 1904). All I knew was the music played on our 3 radio stations that weren't talk or country. Those memories may cause me to go to therapy some day just so my ears can be at peace with the torture I put them through.

Check out the audio of the exceptionally catchy "Out From Inside" below:

Video: Neon Indian - Fallout

Neon Indian just dropped an official video for "Fallout" off of 2011's excellent Era Extrana. It is of the animated variety and was produced by everyone's favorite hilarious crazies over at Adult Swim. It's kinda like a teenager that has only seen girls in his dad's Playboy collection created a 80's Saturday morning cartoon type clip.

Check it below...I'm sure you can already see what I'm talking about

Notable Debut: Hospitality - Hospitality

Bursting onto the seemingly underground scene the last couple of weeks is the Brooklyn based trio Hospitality with their self-titled debut album. I honestly don't know if I have seen a band get more run on the twitterverse the last few weeks besides Hospitality. Obviously, I'm discounting Lana Del Rey with that last statement because at this point and with this conversation she shouldn't count. It hasn't just been bloggers and music publications either, other bands and artists have been all over plugging them and mostly unbeknownst to the band. Even Colin Meloy, lead sing of The Decemberists, tweeted this last week, "Coming out of twitter lock-down to say: Hospitality is, like, my new favorite band." That tweet also included their fantastic video for the current single "Friends of Friends." On January 31st, the day the album was released, he tweeted again, "@hospitalityband has a record out today and it's super good." Not bad for a band to get that kind of unsolicited publicity from an indie music God like Meloy right out of the gate.

My 1st taste of Hospitality was when the aforementioned video for "Friends of Friends" dropped and was mentioned that Alia Skawkat, who played the characted Maybe in Arrested Development, was in it. I love all things AR and especially now that the show is making a comeback and answering all of our prayers so of course I was going to check it out. Between the opening guitar-riff-buildup to my introduction to singer Amber Papini talking about not wanting to go down to the streets of New York and friends that are old and new friends, I was instantly taken in by the catchiness of this song.

Considering this trio has been together since 2007 and this being their 1st full-length album it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that there is such cohesiveness, clarity, and smootheness to their sound. You can tell they have been playing together a while and didn't just get lucky after only playing for a few months, which seems to be the trend. It's nice and refreshing and I hope for much more to come from Hospitality and to see them live soon!

To be honest, I was going to wait a little bit before reviewing this because there has been so much hoopla but I haven't been able to stop listening to it, even with such a strong week for new music!

Check the video for "Friends of Friends" below. It's crazy how much Maybe looks the same...

Video: Trippple Nippples: "Golden Road (Oli Chang Remix)

Word on the street is that Trippple Nippples are fast-rising dance group out of Japan. According to multiple articles I read on them, their live shows are INSANE and I really wanna check them out. To be honest, the only reason I know about them is this remix of "Golden Road" done by Oli Chang. Chang is 1/3 of one of my favorite new groups of 2011, the High Highs. This remix is oozing with the dreamy mellow synth-pop of High Highs and is pretty badass in its purgatory of wanting to be chill and wanting to get the party started. Needless to say, I dig it.

You can view the video over at Noisey