Daft Punk: Live in Las Vegas

Recorded in 2007 when Daft Punk took part in the multi-genre music festival Vegoose which is sadly no more. This set, consisting of seven songs with over half of them 10 minutes or longer, is a show packed with big beats from start to finish. In the background, in the car, in a room full of people, Daft Punk delivers and this live recording proves they can do it harder, better and faster than most.

Daft Punk: Live in Las Vegas

Homosexuals Love Iced Tea

There was a day a ways back when I was socializing too much, incorporating lots of whiskey into my daily regiment, and thought the best thing I should do is take the night off. With that in mind I thought I’d enjoy a delicious non-alcoholic drink on the couch since all I ever have is water in my house. Plus, I was out of smokes. A full pack of cigarettes is always a necessary piece of the puzzle if planning to lay on the couch all night watching movies so I mustered up some energy and began my massive trek to the corner store located, conveniently, right at the corner of my block. I walked into the store and headed towards the back to choose my beverage. 

Jeff the Brotherhood: We Are The Champions

Here we have a brother duo from Nashville who incorporate distorted, fuzzy guitars with lots of  heavy snare and bass drum beats all combined to make some heavy rock n' roll. I have no idea why I have not seen this band yet. Everyone says their live shows stick with you and are hard to shake, like smoke on your clothes after leaving a dive bar. Make no mistake, this record is stripped down pop simply played fast and loud. Coming at about 35 minutes, We Are The Champions is a record with 11 cuts that are come at you quickly, filling your head with a sound similar to something if early Weezer and the Black Keys  got together one drunken night and fucked.

Jeff the Brotherhood: We Are The Champions

Big Box Stores

There is a lot of talk recently surrounding Target employees attempting to unionize yet company has been going to great lengths to prevent this from happening. I have not worked at Target but I have worked at another big-box store.

Captain America Trailer

Do you think it will be good?

Conan O'Brien Documentary

 

I really hope this is good.

NYC Subway

I am lucky that I do not need to ride the subway on a daily basis.  I am grateful I can ride my bike or drive to work only a short distance away. Unfortunately I was riding the subway during morning rush hour the other day and the train was beyond crowded. The amount of people, all scrambling to get on the next train, overwhelmed me. I decided to let the first train go by without even attempting to get on. I thought to myself there is a small chance the next train would be less crowded.

Kyle Kinane: Death of the Party

Constipated? Maybe laughing will loosen you up. 

Kyle Kinane: Death of the Party

Nirvana: Peel Sessions

There is a lot of talk about Nirvana putting out a massive deluxe edition of Nevermind for the 20th Anniversary of its release. Several reports are saying that included in this forthcoming release is all the Peel Sessions Nirvana did between 1989 and 1991. Recorded over three sessions, Nirvana headed over the pond to record with John Peel for BBC1. Consisting of several originals and as well as covers, you can see why they would add these recordings to the anniversary boxed set. 

Nirvana: Peel Sessions

Ryan Adams: June 11, 2011

An excellent quality recording of Ryan solo on stage in Oslo, Norway. I am not sure if this European tour he is doing will carry over into the states but this recording will fill the void if you have one. The performance is intimate and beautiful yet at certain points hilarious. He even calls out someone in the front row for recording the performance with their phone rather than sitting back and simply enjoying the show. The way he presents his point it is impossible to disagree with him. This is the type of Ryan Adams I cannot get enough on and I know this will become a regular in my musical rotation.

Ryan Adams Live in Oslo, Norway

Speaking With Strangers

Recently a friend and I were walking the streets on New York City after the bars had closed. If anyone has been in that situation you know that you encounter some interesting people. It was then we decided we should interview some of them. When interviewing a stranger on the street with a camera  thrown in their face they tend to tense up, back off and refuse to talk with you. When it is only audio recorded though your mobile phone it is as if you are just another drunk chatting with them of the street. This is a little piece I put together with part of an interview we did.

Radiohead: Live From the Basement

The Decemberists

The Decemberists have been touring the country promoting their latest release, The King is Dead, which brought them by NPR to perform for the series Tiny Desk Concerts. With only Chris Funk, Sara Watkins and Colin Meloy performing acoustic, the band peforms "Down By The Water", "Rox In The Box" and "June Hymn".

The Decemberists: Tiny Desk Concerts

Some Music to Enjoy

"Hello There" by Louis C.K.

I was listening to the WTF Podcast with Marc Maron interviewing his old friend, Louis C.K. Within their discussion of how they each got their start, Louis C.K. mentioned these short films he made when he was in his early 20's and that he posted them online. I do not know when they were made. I guess I could go find out how old Louis C.K. is on his Wikipedia page and count backwards or do math to figure how what year it was when his was in his early to mid 20's but that sounds boring and sort of sad. To be honest, I don't care what year it was made. More I think about, I don't even fucking care if you even watch the short that Louis C.K. made that I just mentioned. Go back to doing whatever the fuck you do and forget that you even read this.

Mad Magazine

The early years of my childhood took place in a town where there were many pretty things to look  at and simplicity was embraced. With that said, I got much joy going to  7-Eleven to drink slurpees and play arcade games. It was also at said convenience store I often purchased Mad, the iconic comic book that somehow has withstood the test of time. From Kennedy to Obama  being portrayed on the cover  is proof how this magazine has stuck around. The thing with Mad was that I often liked the covers of the magazine more so than the content inside. Sure, there was great spoofs on pop culture and Spy vs. Spy but I always loved the covers. And it is here where you can check out 60 of the best covers from when the magazine got its start in the 1950's through today. Some are silly, other cleaver, but most importantly to me, they bring back a lot of memories.

Future Islands: Before the Bridge

Future Islands released a new song, "Before the Bridge", the first since their 2010 album In Evening Air. The song has a much faster beat, yet at the same time quite simple, than what was found on their last album. Below is the new track that also has an option to download as well.

Kevin Drew: Spirit If

 Broken Social Scene released a disturbing new music video for their song beautiful song "Sweetest Kill" from their album Forgiveness Rock Record. The thing is that whenever I hear Broken Social Scene I immediately think of Kevin Drew's solo record. I absolutely love it and went down musical memory lane this afternoon. Filled with many guest spots, this record is wonderful pop music to me. The songs move well, have catchy hooks and remain in your head after you've stopped listening. I'm happy I saw that Broken Social Scene video because it reminded me I had not heard Spirit If in a long time.

Kevin Drew: Spirit If

Fucked Up

Fucked Up released a new album, "David Comes to Life", that many people are saying is great. I have not heard the whole album in its entirety yet but what I have heard I really enjoyed. Looking around, I came across this 10 minute short on the band. I think its an interesting watch for someone unfamiliar with this band. It seems like Fucked Up is just gaining more and more attention everyday. NPR reviewed the new album, almost every website praises them but, it seems, the band has kept its humble roots. Its nice to see a solid, rock band gaining attention that it deserves.

Gang of Four: Entertainment!

The song "Damaged Goods" has been bouncing around in my head this morning for reasons more than one. With that, I thought I would add Gang of Four's 1979 debut album, Entertainment!, that "Damnged Goods" is on, so you can enjoy it if you haven't heard it.

"Damaged Goods"

Gang of Four: Entertainment!

Music to Enjoy

The Weeknd: House of Balloons

This is a hard one to describe. With that said, House of Balloons has an R&B base but from there the sound spreads into other genres making it hard to pin it down. Regardless, this album is smooth as some black silk draped on a sexy body in bed. I love the balance of sensuality and darkness. The drowsy atmosphere is found throughout the album but there are times the beat picks up, creating a groove perfect for dancing by yourself, with too many drinks in your stomach, in a crowded room with little light. Plus, there are lyrics, passionate and dramatic at times, certainly have the recipe for perfect sing along time alone or with friends. I have been taking this album in recently and you should do the same if you have not yet. It has a radio-friendly element to it but, at the same time, too off for radio which is the perfection combination for me.

The Weeknd: House of Balloons

Ramblin' Jack Elliott: Young Brigham

 Born in Brooklyn, Ramblin' Jack Elliott was not interested in following in his fathers footsteps to become a surgeon. Elliott was drawn to the rodeos that were happening at Madison Square Garden and this city boy wanted to be country through and through. Eventually he found a rodeo to travel with but eventually his parents tracked him down and dragged him back to Brooklyn. It was upon his return he befriended Woody Guthrie and viewed the man as a friend and inspiration. The chain of influence from Guthrie to Elliott was passed on by Elliott to Bob Dylan when he arrived in New York City from Minneapolis. Elliott's sound is classic Amerciana, blending folk, bluegrass and country. Young Brigham, released in 1968, has Elliott covering Guthrie, Dylan and even The Rolling Stones, plus several songs written by Elliott himself. In the end, this is a great folk record with country undertones. Its clean, simple and has a wonderful rich sound to enjoy. Ramblin' Jack Elliott is a singer/songwriter is someone that seems to have gotten swept under the rug of popularity since he surrounded himself with names biggert han his own. Regardless, he hung around these greats because he had the same skill and passion as them and that is heard when you hear his music.

Ramblin' Jack Elliott: Young Brigham