What Are You Listening To?

[Music Head]

listened online



Long awaited for me after 2 years and being so impressed with the debut, sophomore effort on the block. New York band formed in 2006 while attending Columbia University. So much for that degree. Being Clash fans, this album title is in contrast to their Sandanista and the track of I Think UR a Contra includes the phrase Complete Control. Also the track Diplomats Son is a reference to Joe Strummer. I guess he was. Strummer is also cited as inspiration for the song Taxi Cab. With only 1 listen here, and only 1 dud, I'm already impressed, which is a good sign. Leadoff single of Cousins, I've seen them perform twice already on the late nights, and I wasn't wild about that. Love those african rhythms on the first track, which is the name of a drink. Nice use of horns/strings on various tracks.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - California English

Best Track - Giving Up The Gun

Your sword's grown old and rusty
Burnt beneath the rising sun
It's locked up like a trophy
Forgetting all the things it's done
And though it's been a long time
You're right back where you started from
I see it in your eyes
That now you're giving up the gun
When I was 17
I had wrists like steel
And I felt complete
And now my body fades
Behind a brass charade
And I'm obsolete
But if the chance remained
To see those better days
I'd cut the cannons down
My ears are blown to bits
From all the rifle hits
But I still crave that sound

CHORUS

I heard you play guitar
Down at a seedy bar
Where skinheads used to fight

Your Tokugawa smile
And your garbage style
Used to save the night

You felt the coming wave
Told me we'd all be brave
You said you wouldn't flinch

But in the years that passed
Since I saw you last
You haven't moved an inch

CHORUS

I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on

CHORUS

1) Horchata - 3.0 - audio
YouTube - Horchata - Vampire Weekend NEW SONG
2) White Sky - 2.0 - audio
YouTube - White Sky - Vampire Weekend ALBUM VERSION
3) Holiday - 2.5 - live
YouTube - Vampire Weekend - Holiday
4) California English - 1.0 - live
YouTube - Vampire Weekend performing "California English
5) Taxi Cab - 2.0
6) Run - 2.0 - live
YouTube - Vampire Weekend - Run
7) Cousins - 2.0 - video
YouTube - Vampire Weekend - "Cousins" (Official Music Video)
8) Giving Up The Gun - 3.0
9) Diplomats Son - 2.5
10) I Think UR a Contra - 2.0

Average Rating - 2.2

[JonG]

Sunburned Hand of the Man - Now Lift the Outer Finger from A. [Ecstatic Peace, 2010]

[JonG]

Hot Chip - Hand Me Down Your Love from One Life Stand [Astralwerks/Parlophone, 2010]

[Tiggi]

Antony & The Johnsons - The Crying Light



The accompaniment is far more spare on this album, which really exposes Antony Hegarty's unique voice.

I know there's been some discussion elsewhere about the relative merits of his work, & have to say I come down firmly on the "Antony is great" side of the equation.

V good album.

...& a great album cover...

[CMB1888]

Frightened Rabbit - Swim until you can't see land

[janie_jones]

The Nightmares - Static State

[Music Head]

listened online



Illinois band formed in 1998 out with 3rd release. Share label with former tour mates They Might Be Giants. Moderate success with their second album of Oh No reaching #69 in the states. This album title is taken from an 1876 book. First single is WTF? Must be shootin' for another video award. I prefer the one for track 2.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - White Knuckles

Best Track - Back From Kathmandu

In the dream you were someone different
You and everyone else all at once
You were beautiful, you were beautiful
In the dream you were just like you are

You loved everyone like a sovereign
Half magnanimous, half unimpressed
And I was talkin' too much, and I was tryin' too hard
In the dream it was just like it is

Everything was so simple
Things are and they always will be
Oh you are the answer to the question that is me
Yeah in the dream it was just like it is

We were captive there in a prison
Where everyone was guilty by mistake
It was infinite, It was infinite
In the dream it was just like it is

And I, I asked, is that good for you
You said "no probably not
But everybody needs to get through the night
And love is all we've got

Yeah in the dream it was just like it is
In the dream it was just like it is

In the dream you were someone different
You and everyone else all at once
You were beautiful, you were beautiful
In the dream you were just like you are


1) WTF? - 1.5 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E4wL2JiuJs
2) This Too Shall Pass - 2.5 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJKythlXAIY
3) All Is Not Lost - 1.5 - audio
YouTube - Ok Go - All Is Not Lost (New Song 2010)
4) Needing/Getting - 2.0 - audio
YouTube - Ok Go - Needing / Getting (New Song 2010)
5) Skyscrapers - 2.5 - audio
YouTube - A new song of OK Go - Skyscrapers
6) White Knuckles - 1.0 - audio
YouTube - Ok Go - White Knuckles (New Song 2010)
7) I Want You So Bad I Can't Breathe - 2.5 - audio
YouTube - Ok Go - I Want You So Bad I Can't Breath (oth music 706)
8) End Love - 1.5
9) Before The Earth Was Round - 1.5 - audio
YouTube - Ok Go - Before The Earth Was Round (New Song 2010)
10) Last Leaf - 2.0 - audio
YouTube - Ok Go - Last Leaf (New Song 2010)
11) Back From Kathmandu - 3.0 - audio
YouTube - Ok Go - Back From Kathmandu (New Song 2010)
12) While You Were Asleep - 3.0 - audio
YouTube - Ok Go - While You Were Asleep (New Song 2010)
13) In The Glass - 2.0 - audio
YouTube - Ok Go - In The Glass (New Song 2010)

Average Rating - 2.0

[Music Head]

listened online



South Florida indie rockers formed in mid 2009 and after touring with Japandroids, already a first release. Now that's progress. Not too bad either.
Ok, the MJ pic on the dudes keyboard in track 1 is freaking me out. Not cool.
Some Vampire Weekend in there somewhere, or maybe they're just sticking to me from the other day.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Neighbor Riffs

Best Track - Anchorage

1) Floating Vibes - 2.0 - live
YouTube - Surfer Blood - Floating Vibes (Live on KEXP)
2) Swim - 1.5 - live
YouTube - Surfer Blood - Swim (Live on KEXP)
3) Take It Easy - 1.0
4) Harmonix - 2.5 - audio
YouTube - Surfer Blood - Harmonix
5) Neighbor Riffs - 1.0
6) Twin Peaks - 1.0
7) Fast Jabroni - 2.5
8) Slow Jabroni - 2.0
9) Anchorage - 3.0 - live
YouTube - Surfer Blood - Anchorage (Live on KEXP)
10) Catholic Pagans - 3.0 - live
YouTube - Surfer Blood - Catholic Pagans (Live on KEXP)

Average Rating - 2.0

[Tiggi]

Midlake - The Courage of Others



Pre-release download courtesy of Robbie.

He desribed this as "very Mellow", and indeed it is.

Maybe a little more Folky than Van Occupanther. Lots of lush acoustic guitars, & Tim Smith's vocals are suitably Wainwright-esque.

An excellent record that I will certainly buy...

[Music Head]

from my library



The definitive "Punk" album, and the best of that label in my library. Never did care for the category as a whole, but these guys put it all out there. Just raw energy. The flame fizzled out pretty quick though, leaving the ashes for others to run with. The only studio album, maybe for the best. The band disbanded shortly after this release. What a whirlwind of controversy over the use of a word. Actually I think God Save The Queen is what really got 'em riled up. The album was a #1 in the U.K. but not so for them damn yankees with a modest #106 showing.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Seventeen

Best Track - EMI

There's unlimited supply
And there is no reason why
I tell you it was all a frame
They only did it 'cos of fame
Who?

E.M.I. E.M.I. E.M.I.

Too many people had the suss
Too many people support us
Un unlimited amount
Too many outlets in and out
Who?

E.M.I E.M.I E.M.I

And sir and friends are crucified
A day they wished that we had died
We are an addition
We are ruled by none
Never ever never

And you thought that we were faking
That we were all just money making
You do not believe we're for real
Or you would lose your cheap appeal?

Don't judge a book just by the cover
Unless you cover just another
And blind acceptance is a sign
Of stupid fools who stand in line
Like

E.M.I E.M.I E.M.I

Unlimted edition
With an unlimited supply
That was the only reason
We all had to say goodbye

Unlimited supply (E.M.I)
There is no reason why (E.M.I)
I tell you it was all a frame (E.M.I)
They only did it 'cos of fame (E.M.I)
I do not need the pressure (E.M.I)
I can't stand those useless fools (E.M.I)
Unlimited supply (E.M.I)
Hello E.M.I
Goodbye A & M


1) Holidays In The Sun - *** - live
YouTube - The Sex Pistols - Holidays In The Sun
2) Bodies - ** - live
YouTube - Sex Pistols - Bodies
3) No Feelings - *** - live
YouTube - The Sex Pistols - No Feelings - Winterland Pt.10
4) Liar - ** - live
YouTube - The Sex Pistols - Liar - Winterland Pt.9
5) Problems - *** - live
YouTube - The Sex Pistols - Problems - Winterland Pt.11
6) God Save The Queen - *** - live
YouTube - Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen
7) Seventeen - ** - live
YouTube - Sex Pistols - Seventeen (Live in Stockholm 1977)
8) Anarchy In The U.K. - *** - live
YouTube - Sex Pistols - Anarchy in the UK Studio Version
9) Sub-Mission - ** - audio
YouTube - SUBMISSION-SEX PISTOLS
10) Pretty Vacant - *** - live
YouTube - Pretty Vacant- Sex Pistols (Promo Video 1977, HD)
11) New York - ** - live
YouTube - Sex Pistols New York
12) EMI - *** - live
YouTube - The Sex Pistols - E.M.I.

3's - 7
2's - 5
1's - 0

Rating - 2.6