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Pick Your Poison: Tuesday 6-12-12

On 06/12/2012

Tuesdays mean new music release days in America, and I’m pleased to try and inform you each week of what’s out there for you to buy. Here’s a long list of artists putting out new stuff this week, be it an EP or a full length album. If you notice one of your favorites in here and haven’t been keeping up with them, finding out they’ve got new material being release could be a nice surprise. Look for fresh stuff from the following artists: Anabot, Azealia Banks, Bobby Womack, The Bouncing Souls, The dB’s, Dent May, Emily Jane White, Future of the Left, Hot Chip, The Hundred in the Hands, The Inner Banks, Jaill, Joan of Arc, Jukebox the Ghost, Metric, Motion City Soundtrack, Nouela, Phoebe Jean, Piano Magic, POP ETC, Richard Hawley, The Tallest Man on Earth, These United States, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Variety Lights, Wintersleep and The Young. Phew, that’s a long list. It’s almost as long as today’s dose of Pick Your Poison. In this particular set, I’ll give a thumbs up to tracks from The Fire Tapes, The Ocean Floor, She’s So Rad, Warning Light and Wild Ones. Beastie Boy Mike D remixed Bosco Delrey pretty well, as did Mmoths with a Vacationer track. Other than that, stream good stuff from Atlas Genius, Levek and Plant Plants in the Soundcloud section.

Bosco Delrey – My My Race Car (Mike D Remix)

Dogtanion – Islam

The Fire Tapes – Transistor, Monitor (ZIP)

Girl In A Coma – One Eyed Fool

Infantree – What You Wanna Do

Jack Dolgen – Baby I’m Afraid Tonight

Jeremy Fisher – Built to Last

Kimbra – Settle Down (tree & docko Remix)

Le Le – Drunken Cigarettes

Meyhem Lauren – Peruvian Desserts (ft. Action Bronson and Roc Marciano)

The Ocean Floor – The Last Four Years

Sacred Caves – On the Outside

She’s So Rad – Rockin’ Back Inside My Heart (Twin Peaks/Julee Cruise cover)

The Toothaches – Pretty and Loud

Vacationer – Trip (Mmoths Remix)

Warning Light – Whispering Priest

Wild Ones – It’s Real

SOUNDCLOUD

Atlas Genius – Symptoms

ev ree whuhn – Control

Levek – Black Mold Grow

Phantom Limb – Angel Of Death (Hank Williams Cover)

Plant Plants – One To Adore

Race Horses – Mates

Pick Your Poison: Monday 6-11-12

By Faronheit

On 06/11/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

Happy Monday to you. I hope your weekend was a memorable one, filled with fun and time with friends or family. I’m going to keep this intro short today, mostly because I’m hard at work on a review of the Radiohead show that happened last night and I don’t want to take up too much time from that (ed: it’s finished now, read it here. In one quick sentence? The show was amazeballs. More on that later. For now, please enjoy this set of mp3s and music streams. A quick Class of 2012 note for you. You can grab an mp3 of a new Frank Ocean song below. He’ll have a record out this fall that you and I will need to pay attention to. Also part of my Class of 2012, Charli XCX has a new single out this week, which you can stream in the Soundcloud section below. Other downloads I’ll recommend today come from Archers, The Drowning Men, Pony Trash (which has members of The Chambermaids and Polica in it), Restorations and Zucchini Drive. There’s a new CocoRosie song up for streaming in the Soundcloud section too. It features the great Antony Hegarty, so I hope you’ll check it out.

Archers – Super Blues

Baby Buffalo – Sea Salt

Dead Rat Orchestra – The Geshin and The Guga

The Drowning Men – Lost In A Lullaby

Fallon Cush – Forever After

Frank Ocean – Pyramids

How Many Birds? – Helium

Matthew E. White – One of These Days

Mothlight – Marble Giant

Of the Opera – Cities of Gold

Olof – Seven Things

Pony Trash – Submarine

Restorations – A

Shy Hunters – Time Bomb

Vancans – Like A Kid (Born Upstate)

Zucchini Drive – Jaguar Sky

SOUNDCLOUD

Big Scary – Falling Away

Charli XCX – You’re The One

CocoRosie ft. Antony Hegarty – Tearz For Animals

Dog Is Dead – Glockenspiel Song

Passion Pit – Take A Walk (The Highweights Remix)

The Penelopes – Summer Life

Pick Your Poison: Friday 6-8-12

By Faronheit

On 06/08/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

Short and sweet on the Friday beat is what I aim for, so instead of chatting about weekend plans, let’s get to business. First it’s my weekly reminder that Faronheit has a Facebook page. Go there, click “Like”, and get links to every single post on this site, plus a few exclusives like music videos that strike my fancy and Spotify playlists of my own creation. Secondly, Pick Your Poison is good today, as it is most days. You don’t want to miss downloading songs from Beast Make Bomb, Little Daylight’s remix of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Giraffage, The Mynabirds, Richard Hawley and Swiss American Federation (featuring Cary Brothers). In the Soundcloud section there’s a new Whigs track you might get excited about streaming. Have a great weekend!

Autosave – The (Shit-Faced) Memoir

Beast Make Bomb – Dream Boat

The Canvas Waiting – This City

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Man On Fire (Little Daylight Remix)

Force Fields – Robot Milk

Giraffage – Feels

Herculion – Restless

Jonti – Nightshift in Blue (Dro Carey Remix)

Kyle Adem – Armour

The Mynabirds – Generals

Pinks Quieter – May I Come In

Plant Plants – Embrace the Real

Richard Hawley – Leave Your Body Behind You

The Smittens – Burning Streets of Rome

Swiss American Federation – Oxygen (ft. Cary Brothers)

SOUNDCLOUD

Drops – You Have My Word

Dublin Aunts – Heartbreak Reputation

The Malex Kings – The Getaway

Nude Beach – Some Kinda Love

The Whigs – Summer Heat

Pick Your Poison: Thursday 6-7-12

By Faronheit

On 06/07/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

Wayne Coyne and The Flaming Lips might be in a little bit of trouble. Okay, it’s more like a slightly heated argument than anything serious (for the time being). You may recall that on their Record Store Day exclusive album The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends that there was a track featuring the lovely and powerful Erykah Badu. If you’ve also been paying close attention to music sites the last couple weeks a music video for that song may have caught your eye. A very NSFW music video that features Erykah’s sister Nayrok sans clothing and bathing in a variety of liquids and such. Well surprise, surprise, I guess that video wasn’t officially “done”, or as the band says it was, “unedited and unapproved”. Oddly enough, it looked quite edited. The “unapproved” part makes more sense though. The video has been scrubbed off the internet for the time being, with the hopes of posting an “edited and approved” version next week. In the meantime, Erykah is none too pleased with how this whole thing went down. She took to Twitter with a long missive about how angry she is about that video. She seems to feel that the video was “tasteless, meaningless and shock motivated” and disrespected her as an artist. That was point one of many as to why she disapproves of that video. Hopefully they’re able to come to some sort of agreement on a final product, but in the meantime, Wayne tweeted a pretty snarky reply that included a photo of his lips covered in glitter with the comments of “I kissed it!!!!” and “Nice ass!!!!” in reference to Erykah’s sister Nayrok having her body covered in it for the video. So there’s your amusing tidbit for the day. More on that if it develops. In the meantime, here’s today’s Pick Your Poison, complete with “edited and approved” mp3s from Baby Monster, Brown Shoe (covering Springsteen), Burning Hotels, Manor, The Spring Standards and TEEN. In the Soundcloud section there’s some good streaming stuff from Family Band, Four Tet and Class of 2012 artist Blonds.

Acid House Kings – I Just Called to Say Jag Älskar Dig (SAW Remix by Nixon)

Baby Monster – Hitchhiker

Birds and Batteries – Let the Door Swing

The Bolts – Walk Away

Brown Shoe – I’m On Fire (Bruce Springsteen cover)

Burning Hotels – Always
Burning Hotels – Always (Shuttle Remix)

Christina Martin – Marina

Fat Tony & Tom Cruz – Bad Habits (ft. Bun B and Nick Diamonds)

Hills Like Elephants – Invisible Ink

Manor – Afghan Hound

Michael the Blind – Who Is She?

The Spring Standards – Watch the Moon Disappear

TEEN – Better

White Widow – Serial Love Affair

SOUNDCLOUD

Blonds – Run

Family Band – Moonbeams

Four Tet – 128 Harps

Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders – Cold Feet

Making Movies – Hangover Blues

Shoreline Is – French Leave

Pick Your Poison: Wednesday 6-6-12

By Faronheit

On 06/06/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

“America! Truck Yeah!” That’s the slogan an NYU graduate film student Heather Fink wanted to use as part of a Chevy advertising campaign. Because one doesn’t simply suggest a slogan without some hard evidence to back up how effective it could be, she put together a couple of “spec” commercials to fully sell it. Savvy filmmaker that she is, she recruited Les Savy Fav’s Tim Harrington along with comedian Bobby Tisdale to star in those commercials. Naturally, they’re pretty funny. You can watch one of the commercials here and the other one here. I’d love it if Chevy adopted these, however they chose to pass on the idea. Maybe Ford will be interested? Anyways, that was just a fun little slice I thought you might enjoy on this Wednesday. As for today’s Pick Your Poison, I’ll recommend tracks from The 65’s, Bogan Via, Calexico, The Dust Engineers, Ian McGlynn and Will Magid. Be sure to check out a full mixtape from How to Dress Well too. In the Soundcloud section don’t miss streaming a song from Museum of Bellas Artes.

The 65’s – Greatest Pretense

Afrobeta – Do You Party? (UMF Remix)

Alphanaut – Back to the Stars (Acoustic)

Alt-J – Fitzpleasure

Bass Science – Ghost in the Wires

Bogan Via – Kanye

Calexico – Para

The Dust Engineers – Snot Nosed Dweeb

Guantanamo Baywatch – Sad Over You

Guy Capecelatro III – Joe the Sailor

How to Dress Well – Live Yourself (Mixtape)

Ian McGlynn – Falling Towards Heaven

Jhameel – The Long Run

A Thousand Fuegos – No Up No Down

Will Magid – Brown Paper Bag

Zambri – My Could Have True (Plastic HealtH Remix)

SOUNDCLOUD

Eyan Green – Chico Norte

Fur – Cocoon

LTD – You Must Be Dreaming

Museum of Bellas Artes – Bear Cubs

Sick Fix – Boudica

The Young Evils – Dead Animals

Snapshot Review: Japandroids – Celebration Rock [Polyvinyl]

By Faronheit

On 06/06/2012

In album review, BNM, mp3, music, snapshot review

Japandroids are a band with an expiration date. The Vancouver duo crafted their last album Post-Nothing with the thought they’d be breaking up soon thereafter, having not found success in the relatively unsupportive music scene of their hometown. That record was in essence a mission statement from two guys that had nothing left to lose and wanted to go out in a blaze of glory. Well, it seems that glory found them, because their song “Young Hearts Spark Fire” did as its title described and ignited the passions of rock fans across the globe. The entire album actually did wonders for the band, and two years of touring with large crowds suddenly made returning to a much more normal, non-music life a far less appealing option. As much as they dislike recording, it remains an essential part of any artist’s shelf life to keep generating new material. So with the exact same collection of people, instruments and rules they had on their last album, Japandroids set out to see if lightning could strike twice. Celebration Rock is the result. While the artwork, 8 song track list and running time might well have been photocopied from Post-Nothing, the songs themselves represent a very important progression for the band. First and foremost, the very internal and personal nature of the songs has been excised to focus on bigger emotions and an outward projection. The tortured thoughts of two guys on the verge of imploding their band have been replaced by songs about other people, possibly you, that want to live and party and lust and take revenge – sometimes all at the same time. The music plays along with that vibe too; there’s a distinct hunger and energy present in Brian King’s guitar riffs and Dave Prowse’s drumming that’s designed for bigger and better things. Whereas before they were making music for themselves, now they’re making it for their fans. Opening track “The Nights of Wine and Roses” sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the record, saying we’re all drinking and smoking and spending time with friends while waiting for the big and important moments in our lives to finally arrive. The lesson learned in the end is that those big and important moments are the ones where you’re waiting. The supercharged kick in the teeth that starts the album holds up in all its headbanging, devil horns and mosh pit glory through “Fire’s Highway”, “Evil’s Sway” and an effervescent cover of Gun Club’s “For the Love of Ivy”. They truly epitomize what the album’s title is all about. At the halfway point however, a shift takes place that changes the dynamic of the record. Rather than racing for the finish line in blistering fashion, they temper the energy only slightly and go for more of an emotional and nostalgic approach. “Adrenaline Nightshift” evokes some of the best moments The Replacements ever had sonically while tapping into abstract imagery like “a blitzkrieg love and a Roman candle kiss” and espousing that “there’s no high like this.” A similar mentality is tackled in “Younger Us”, reflecting back on youthful indiscretions with a bunch of “remember when”‘s and “thinking that this feeling was never gonna end.” But those two tracks really wind up as stepping stones for “The House That Heaven Built”, a crossroads at which the band’s intense instrumentals and recent lyrical prowess collide at their peaks. As the song chugs along with sheer purpose, King sings like he’s just achieved a newfound clarity and confidence in his life and wants to pass such wisdom onto us. “If they try to slow you down/tell ’em all to go to hell,” he professes like a man that has broken through all of his boundaries and is utterly ecstatic at the possibilities that lie before him. If that doesn’t suck you in, the hook most assuredly will. Celebration Rock ends on a ballad, or at least something that turns the speed and noise down from 11 to maybe a 9.5. “Continuous Thunder” is about the electricity between two people and the question of whether they can salvage their tenuous relationship. It might not be the happiest song on the record, but it does strive to keep the same sense of boldness and conviction as everything else. As the guitars finally drift off gently into that good night, the album’s final seconds are the same as its first: the sound of fireworks. We use those pyrotechnics only in the most joyous and exclamatory circumstances, such as weddings or after a home run in baseball. On Celebration Rock, Japandroids knock one out of the park.

Japandroids – The House That Heaven Built

Buy Celebration Rock from Amazon

Pick Your Poison: Tuesday 6-5-12

By Faronheit

On 06/05/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

Remember yesterday when I said I wasn’t feeling well? After a night that was ultimately spent praying to the porcelain god, I strongly suspect I had food poisoning. Feeling better today (so far), though I have been careful about what I’m eating. That cleared up, the normal Tuesday business is that I tell you all about the new full lengths and EPs being released this week, in case you’re looking to pick something up. This week you’ll find new stuff from Alejandro Escovedo, Amanda Mair, The Beach Boys, Crocodiles, Dntel, The Hives, Japandroids, Kelly Hogan, Langhorne Slim, Liars, Melvins, The Mynabirds, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Pujol, Rhett Miller, The Rocket Summer, Scott Lucas and the Married Men, Teen Daze and The Temper Trap. Definitely some interesting stuff on there. Also some interesting stuff in today’s Pick Your Poison. I’ll advise you to download tracks from Dalton, Dub Pistols, Echo Lake, Emily Jane White and Marissa Nadler cpveromg Townes Van Zandt, Flosstradamus & DJ Sliink, and Silver Medallion covering Robyn. Lest I forget, The Deer Tracks are a pretty awesome electronica duo from Sweden, and they’ll be playing a show at Schuba’s on Thursday, June 14th. It’s set to be a great show, and they’ll be performing songs off their Archer trilogy. Hell yes you should go if you’re in the area. Buy tickets here.

Dalton – Breaker

Damon Moon and the Whispering Drifters – The Fool

The Deer Tracks – W
The Deer Tracks – Dark Passenger

Dub Pistols – Alive (Radio Edit)

Echo Lake – Even the Blind

Emily Jane White and Marissa Nadler – Close Your Eyes I’ll Be Here in the Morning (Townes Van Zandt cover)

Emorie – Change

ExDetectives – The Lawn

Fine Steps – Tomorrow For All of Today

Flosstradamus & DJ Sliink – Test Me

Maren Parusel – Tightrope Walker

Men Without Hats – Head Above Water

Niyaz – Parishaan

Nova Albion – Human Condition

Sidi Touré – Maïmouna

Silver Medallion – Dancing On My Own (Robyn cover)

Sinden – Keep It 1000 (L-Vis 1990’s Construction Mix)

SOUNDCLOUD

Miriam Bryant- Finders Keepers

Project 46 – Atarax (Original Mix)

SirAiva ft. Laura – Miss Tery (Original Mix)

The Traps – Your Head Land

Pick Your Poison: Monday 6-4-12

By Faronheit

On 06/04/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

Have you ever felt sick but had no idea what was wrong with you? As in, your sinuses are clear, your head feels fine, but your body feels like there’s something out of whack? I’m no doctor and haven’t asked anyone for their opinion, but I feel like I’m coming down with something. It’s possible I have a fever, and there’s just a slight touch of nausea rising from my stomach. I’m not looking for a diagnosis from some helpful commenter, but really I’m just trying to reflect my current state and explain why I’m not going to mess around with this Pick Your Poison intro today. Let’s get straight to the meat and potatoes of this before another symptom arises. I’ll recommend tracks from Amanda Palmer, Anabot, Archers of Loaf, EDH, Laetitia Sadier, Patrick Watson, Perfume Genius and Super Magic Hats. In the Soundcloud section there’s good stuff from Arrange, The Hudson Branch (covering Wilco), Liam Titcomb and a Fela Kuti cover collaboration that involves tUnE-yArDs and ?uestlove of The Roots. Let’s hope I’m feeling right as rain tomorrow.

Ajnabi – My One and Only Love

Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra – Want It Back

Anabot – Take Down

Archers of Loaf – Dead Red Eyes

The Aston Shuffle – Won’t Get Lost (96 Bulls Remix)

Blak Lyons – California
Blak Lyons – SUnrise

Branko – Going In Hard (ft. Dominique Young Unique)

EDH – Ice

Enola Fall – We Become Wolves

Laetitia Sadier – Find Me the Pulse of the Universe

Motion City Soundtrack – True Romance (Alternate Take)

Noonie Bao – Do You Still Care?

Patrick Watson – Words in the Fire

Perfume Genius – Rusty Chains

SANGO x ZandSHE – Saturn x Neptune

Super Magic Hats – Charcoal

Thallie Ann Seenyen – Dub 4

Twin Sister – Kimmi in a Rice Field (Spanish Prisoners Remix)

SOUNDCLOUD

Age of Consent – Ghost Rider (Suicide Cover)

Arrange – North

The Hudson Branch – Sky Blue Sky (Wilco Cover)

Liam Titcomb – Love Don’t Let Me Down

tUnE-yArDs, ?uestlove, Angélique Kidjo and Akua Naru – Lady (Fela Kuti cover)

Pick Your Poison: Friday 6-1-12

By Faronheit

On 06/01/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

Did it seem like this week just flew by? That’s what a holiday on Monday will do for you. We’re back at the weekend, and that’s a great thing. A couple items of business before cashing in the chips and taking a couple days. First up, this is the weekly reminder that Faronheit has a Facebook page. If you’re looking for some extra content or simply links to all the posts that appear here on the site, do me a favor and click “Like” at the Facebook page. I’d appreciate it. Secondly, I want to briefly mention that Cory Branan, who has a new song available for download below, will be playing a show at Schubas on June 26th. Audra Mae and Briar Rabbit open the show. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. Check him out, I hear he’s great live, and that song below is great too. In addition to Cory Branan, there are some excellent songs today from Codeine, Crocodiles, Dent May, The Henry Clay People, Husky, Micachu & the Shapes, Sonny & the Sunsets, State Lines and They Might Be Giants. The Soundcloud section is full of gems too. Don’t miss streaming new stuff from Balam Acab, Friends, Yuck side project Parakeet, and Ty Segall Band.

Codeine – Median (Peel Session)

Cory Branan – Bad Man

Crocodiles – Endless Flowers

Dent May – Home Groan

The Henry Clay People – Hide

Husky – History’s Door

I’m Not Jim – Uncomplicated

Kirk Ross – A Little Love

Lawrence Arabia – Travelling Shoes

Lightouts – Stray Boy

Micachu & the Shapes – OK

Sonny & the Sunsets – I See the Void

State Lines – Win Free

Terrible Feelings – Another Night

They Might Be Giants – Clap Your Hands (Live Version)

SOUNDCLOUD

Arcane Roots – Habibty

Balam Acab – Ass Pop

Friends – Home

Parakeet – Shonen Hearts

Todd Hoover – If You’re the Same God

Ty Segall Band – Swag

Pick Your Poison: Thursday 5-31-12

By Faronheit

On 05/31/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

Chicago has quite a large number of great local bands that haven’t hit the big time just yet, and I’m always pleased when one sends me an email introduction. I try to support the local scene as much as I’m able without distracting too much from some of the more major worldwide indie acts, and in this case here’s something fun anybody from anywhere can get involved with. Chicago band The Bears of Blue River are preparing a new 7″ single for their song “Flamingo”, and they want you to design the cover art. Feel free to submit anything, from a photo you took to something you drew/painted or even something you created on your laptop. If it’s artistic or even simple and crude, feel free to submit it for consideration. You can get your art to the band through email or regular mail, bearing in mind that if you’re submitting something digitally the image should be as large as possible to avoid distortion on the actual finished product. Digital submissions can be sent to BearsContest@rhedrholl.com. Physical submissions should be sent to Rhed Rholl Recordings, PO Box 60315, Nashville, TN, 37206. Please know that by sending in your artwork you’re giving permission to the band and Rhed Rholl Recordings to use it in whatever fashion they like. If your piece is chosen, you will receive record #1 of 250 hand numbered pink vinyl, a framed copy of your artwork, and a special thank you in the liner notes. Just for submitting something the band will also include your name in the liner notes. If you’re looking for more details on the contest, simply click here. And so you’re not creating artwork for a band you might not have heard of before, here’s an mp3 to give you an idea of what the band sounds like: The Bears of Blue River – Blue Ribbon.

Now, onto today’s Pick Your Poison. Fun stuff in this set, and I’ll recommend tracks from Big Boi & Theophilus London, James Bowers, Katie Kate, Los Campesinos!, Sea of Bees, and a classic Silver Jews song. In the Soundcloud section be sure to stream songs from Matthew Dear, Nouela and Taragana Pyjarama. Oh, and lest I forget, Blayer Point-Du-Jour & Rockers Galore, who have an mp3 below, will be playing a show at Reggie’s Music Joint on June 5th with Mr. Blotto. Cover is $5 at the door, so if you want to see a quality show in Chicago this upcoming Tuesday, that might be worth checking out.

Big Boi & Theophilus London – She Said OK (ft. TRE LUCE)

Broken Water – Underground
Broken Water – Drown

d’Eon – Al-Qiyamah
d’Eon – Now You Do

James Bowers – Celia

Jezzy and the Belles – Confess Child

Judson Claiborne – Twilight Spirit

Karim Kureishi – Sleeping With Animals

Katie Kate – Houses

Los Campesinos! – Tiptoe Through the True Bits (ZIP)

Piano Magic – The Slightest of Threads

Rampue – Kopfübe

Blayer Point-Du-Jour & Rockers Galore – Ominous Black (ft. Schoolly D)

Sea of Bees – Gone

Silver Jews – Secret Knowledge of Back Roads

Space Command – Insult to Injury

Youth Mass – Sea of Green

SOUNDCLOUD

Hounds – Fan the Flames of the Fire

Icebreaker with BJ Cole – An Ending (Ascent) II

Matthew Dear – Her Fantasy

Mella Dee – Don’t Be Nesh

Nouela – Suckers

Taragana Pyjarama – Lo Ng

Snapshot Review: King Tuff – King Tuff [Sub Pop]

By Faronheit

On 05/31/2012

In album review, mp3, music, snapshot review

There is a small group of artists making music today that simply cannot sit still. Their need to create is so overwhelming that it cannot be confined to simply one band or project. Take a look at Robert Pollard, who operates under no less than 10 different names as part of collaborations with different people. He’s been averaging about 2-3 full lengths a year for quite awhile now, with at least two Guided By Voices records due this year. Or examine Spencer Krug, who has been part of Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake and currently Moonface – all within the last three years. Bradford Cox, too, hasn’t gone a full year since 2007 without releasing a record under either the Deerhunter or Atlas Sound name. Soon to be added to this elite collective might well be Kyle Thomas. In the last few years, he’s played important roles in the J. Mascis stoner metal side project Witch, odd folk band Feathers, and indie pop trio Happy Birthday. He’s also struck out on his own, releasing music under the name King Tuff. He put out his first solo record Was Dead in 2008, and finally found the time to make a follow-up this year. King Tuff appropriately made the new album self-titled, because it marks the first time most will hear his work. His debut came out on Teepee Records and was manufactured in such a limited quantity that you have to pay a pretty penny on eBay for a copy. Now signed to Sub Pop, his platform has expanded significantly, as has his sound. Where he blasted through tracks before with a ramshackle lo-fi punk style, he’s tempered that now by exploring elements of ’50s, ’60s and ’70s rock and pop. The guitars are still as fuzz-laden as ever, but the record doesn’t race to the finish line like it’s got somewhere to be. A song like “Unusual World” coasts along at a relaxed mid-tempo pace and incorporates synths and xylophone for added flavor. “Evergreen” rides on the wings of a summer breeze, drifting so lightly it almost feels like it belongs on another album. And piano ballad “Swamp of Love” comes off like an Elton John torch song filtered through Bob Dylan glasses. Outside of those softer or quieter moments, King Tuff is a whole lot of fun to listen to. “Anthem” carves out a grand place for itself as described. One of the best singles so far this year might just be “Bad Thing”, which blasts along with the speed of a powerboat and has a candy-coated chorus that will stick in your head for weeks. Meanwhile “Stranger” plays around with sounds previously reserved for T. Rex or Lynyrd Skynyrd. These record might not have a whole lot of weird experiments going for it, but what it lacks in sheer oddity it more than makes up for in strong composition. This is a collection of dynamic songs you’re supposed to enjoy and not think too much about. In other words, it’s a great record for summer. Sometimes you don’t need anything more than that.

King Tuff – Bad Thing
King Tuff – Keep On Movin’

Buy King Tuff from Amazon

Pick Your Poison: Wednesday 5-30-12

By Faronheit

On 05/30/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

Here’s a couple of music news items that might spark your interest. It seems that Ween have broken up. At least according to Aaron Freeman aka Gene Ween. The band was together for 25 years and made some really weird but also really fun music. They’re also innovators in their own right. Given that Freeman launched a solo career earlier this month, the timing makes some degree of sense. What fascinates me is that Mickey Melchiondo, aka Dean Ween, apparently knew nothing about the breakup, saying on Facebook that it’s “news to me, all I can say for now I guess.” Secondly, I want to briefly mention that the enigmatic Willis Earl Beal was arrested over the weekend in the Netherlands for reportedly kicking a homeless man in the face. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if that turned out to be true. If you’ve heard Beal’s excellent record Acousmatic Sorcery, you probably know he pours out his heart and soul in those songs. Performing them live must be a highly emotional experience, and if somebody’s harassing you during it, a kick to the face might feel like the appropriate response at the time. He’s now out of police custody and planning to continue his tour like normal. Anyways, those are just a couple stories from the last few days I’ve found to be the most fascinating. I hope you do too if you hadn’t heard them already. Let’s get to today’s Pick Your Poison. I’ll happily suggest downloading tracks from Candidate, Freddie Gibbs, Gemma Ray, Kandodo, Oddience, Scout (covering The Replacements) and Ty Segall Band. In the Soundcloud section don’t miss streaming tracks from Giovanni James and Merchandise.

Candidate – City of Hate

David Ramos – Forgotten Dance

The Doc Marshalls – Why I’m Leaving
The Doc Marshalls – Kernow

Freddie Gibbs – Pull Up (ft. Young Jeezy & T.I.)

Gemma Ray – Flood And A Fire

Glass Vaults – Golden

Glimmermen – I’ll Be

Jhameel – A Maiden Calling

Kandodo – Laud the Hyena

The Mast – UpUpUp

Maya Laner – Oblivion (Grimes cover)

Oddience – Yes Sir

Orchestra of Spheres – There Is No No

Scout – Answering Machine (The Replacements cover)

The Toxic Avenger – 3,2,1

Ty Segall Band – I Bought My Eyes

SOUNDCLOUD

Coco Morier – Afterlife

Gary War – Superlifer

Giovanni James- Shining

Hot As Sun – Come Come (Tokyo Police Club Remix)

Merchandise – Time

Pick Your Poison: Tuesday 5-29-12

By Faronheit

On 05/29/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

Say hello to another new album release Tuesday. This week’s new release list is a little smaller than usual, primarily due to the holiday week scaring some artists off. Fear not though, because while there are fewer new records this week, the ones that are out today are generally bigger than normal. You might want to purchase new full lengths or EPs from Cadence Weapon, David Ramos, The Dig, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Gemma Ray, Glass Widow, Julia Stone, King Tuff, Ladyhawke, Lemonade, Marissa Nadler, Public Image Ltd., Regina Spektor, Saint Etienne, Scissor Sisters, Sigur Ros, Simian Mobile Disco, Sun Kil Moon, The Walkmen and White Lung. As for some of the great things available in today’s Pick Your Poison, I’ll certainly throw some force behind tracks from Broncho, Cold Warps, El-P, GHXST, Moon Furies, Roomdance and XNY. Be on the lookout for a stream of something new from Summer Camp in the Soundcloud section too.

Baby Baby – Don’t Kiss the Merch Girl

Broncho – Losers

Camp Stag – Sirens

Cold Warps – Slimer

El-P – The Full Retard

Ember Schrag – Jepththah’s Daughter

GHXST – Doomgirl

Gossip – Perfect World (Samsa Remix)

Jake Hart – What We Are Now

Kimbra – Settle Down (Feature Cuts Remix)

Magic Sword – Retrogram

Mister 1-2-3-4 – Information Age Vampire

Moon Furies – Skyy

Roomdance – Katabatic

TRAILS AND WAYS – Nunca

XNY – Make Me

SOUNDCLOUD

Andy Burrows – Keep On Moving On

Candice Gordon – Smoking Like the Barrel of a Gun

Hot Soles – Ready to Burn

Karin Park – Restless (Hannah Wants Remix)

Summer Camp – Always

Pick Your Poison: Monday 5-28-12

By Faronheit

On 05/28/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

Happy Memorial Day! I want to take a moment to thank all the men and women who fight so hard and sacrifice so much for America. It’s also important on a day like today to remember the fallen – those that gave their lives to protect citizens and certain ideals. So thanks again to all who serve, have served and will serve in the future. The world is a safer, better place because of your efforts. I hope that there are some military personnel that visit this site to discover new music, and that those discoveries help make life better or more meaningful when times get tough. Please enjoy today’s Pick Your Poison selections. Stuff you might want to check out today comes from Catcall, The Mommyheads, Permanent Collection, Pujol, Tidelands and Yeasayer. In the Soundcloud section, you definitely don’t want to miss streaming tracks from Beat Connection and Cloud Seeding. I also want to give a very warm shout out to Psychic Twin, the new project from Erin Wraight of the excellent indie pop band Headlights. They’ll have a 7′ single coming out on Lefse Records towards the end of July that you can preorder here. Stream the A side of that release below – it’s quite good and divinely retro.

Avicii – Silhouettes (Disco Fries Remix)

Catcall – The World Is Ours

Chaser – Blood (Demo)

Deathline – Ten of Clubs

Dent May – Best Friend (Osborne Remix)

Jonas Schwartz – Excited

The Mommyheads – Science and Reason

Motel Mari – According to Who

Permanent Collection – It’s Alright

Pujol – Providence
Pujol – DIY2K

RAC ft. Penguin Prison – Hollywood (The Magician Remix)

Salem – King Night (Rotterdam Terror Corps Remix)

Tidelands – The New Black

White Violet – Lays Around Lazy

Yeasayer – Henrietta

SOUNDCLOUD

Beat Connection – The Palace Garden, 4am

Cloud Seeding – Newer Testament (feat. Greg Hatem)

Eric Copeland – Tarzan and the Dizzy Devils

Lindstrøm – Call Me Anytime (Oneohtrix Point Never Remix)

Psychic Twin – Gonna Get Her

Street Chant – Frail Girls

Pick Your Poison: Friday 5-25-12

By Faronheit

On 05/25/2012

In mp3, music, pick your poison

If you’re an American, this is a pretty big weekend. Memorial Day is often regarded as the official “start” to the summer season, and judging by the number of cookouts and pool parties set to happen this weekend, the tradition continues. It also means an extra day off of work, something that everyone likes. As far as I know, the site won’t really be taking Memorial Day Monday off, but I might call a last minute audible on that one. We’ll have to wait and see. But no matter what country you’re from, I hope the weather’s nice by you. Maybe have some friends or family over for good food and conversation? Sounds like a plan to me. Here are some mp3s to get you through it. I’ll recommend tracks from Alberta Cross, AVAN LAVA, Infernal Devices, The Mynabirds, The Spy From Cairo, Woodpecker and The Darcys remix of Zulu Winter. In the Soundcloud section you’ll want to stream tracks from Metric, Onra, SBTRKT and Ski Lodge.

Alberta Cross – Magnolia

AVAN LAVA – Tear It Down

Billy & Dolly – Oh Yeah

Homeless Raga – Looks the Same

Infernal Devices – Passengers

The Mynabirds – Body of Work

Nomadic Firs – Cover Bombs

Passion Pit – Take A Walk (Peking Duk Remix)

Radiation City – Find It of Use (Palmas Remix)

The Spy From Cairo – Alladin Dub

Tango in the Attic – Easy Bones (Inspired Flight Remix)

VSP – Svenska Sauna