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All Summer Long
Horrorshow |
Horrorshow - All Summer Long (Live)
And i still think of your face everytime it rains and I wonder
In a different time and place could we find our way to one another?
Solo MC from Horrorshow really crystalised the sentimental feeling of chance encounters and forlorn teenage infatuation when he penned All Summer Long from the group’s 2008 debut album The Grey Space.
On an album that features some heavy topics, such as depression, losing loved ones and finding hope, All Summer Long brightens the corners of The Grey Space and makes the listener feel what it’s like to be 16 and in love again.
To reward their fans on the four year gap since their last studio full-length, Horrorshow have decided to release a free live album, Live At the Spiegeltent. The generous act is also a calculated move to excite old fans and win over casual listeners before the group release their third album later this year.
Enjoy.
Download - Live At the Spiegeltent (album)
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Undeclared
The Dodos |
The Dodos - Undeclared
A fast narrative song from San Francisco group The Dodos.
The song is short and snappy and basically tells the story of how “my love goes undeclared.” It has a basic arrangement with just one acoustic guitar carrying the vocals but it is easy to listen to and works well.
Oh, I nearly forgot, The Dodos are signed to Frenchkiss Records. The independent label is home to some stellar indie acts including the Freelance Whales and Local Natives. I think The Dodos slot in nicely with the growing list of talented artists. Enjoy.
Download - Undeclared (control-click, save)
(Source: notjessatall)
The Pharcyde - Runnin’ (Philippians Remix)
The Pharcyde are one of the groups to emerge from the west coast of the US in the 90s. Their playful rhymes were a welcome difference at a time when gangsta rap dominated the airwaves. On their second LP Labcabinacalifornia they showcase a more mature outlook on life, which has been eternalised in the classic J. Dilla produced track Runnin’.
This remix from 2008 keeps the raps and feel of the original intact while chopping up a few additional samples and adding some electronic blips.
Several members left The Pharcyde after Labcabincalifornia and the group continued as a duo, releasing their final, poorly received album in 2004 before disbanding a year later. Despite their shortly lived success they have left a solid legacy and The Pharcyde continue to inspire hip hop artists
Enjoy.
Yann Tiersen - Atlantique Nord
Yann Tiersen is probably best known for his music on the Amelié soundtrack. However, he has contributed to many other French film scores and worked on several solo albums and in comparison, this body of music has recieved very little recognition.
Atlantique Nord literally meaning North Atlantic, appears on the soundtrack to Tabarly, a movie about a famous French sailor. Although I have not seen the film, the rich and emotive Atlantique Nord is captivating enough to make me want to watch Tabarly. If the movie ends up falling short of my expectations, at least I can rest assured that Yann Tiersen’s beautiful compositions will make the viewing worthwhile.
Enjoy.
Kommode - Houses For Birds
Before Erlend Oye and Glambek Bøe formed Kings of Convenience they were in a rock group with friends Anders Waage Nilsen & Øystein Gjærder Bruvik. The group were called Skog (which is Norwegian for ‘forest’). The group split up and Oye & Bøe reunited to form folk group Kings of Convenience, finding international success.
The two also have kept busy with side projects - Bøe has gone on to form The Whitest Boy Alive (releasing 2 popular albums) while Oye rejoined with Nilsen & Bruvik to form Kommode.
I’m guessing that not many fans of Kings of Convenience or The Whitest Boy Alive would have heard of Kommode as even I am unsure whether or not they have released a full length album, but their music is similar to the distinctive sounds of the Norwegians’ other projects.
As far as I can tell, the word kommode is German for chest of drawers. I could be wrong but if I’m wrong it’s only because the internet lied to me.
This track from 2008 has a steady beat and catchy guitar riffs. Clocking in at under 3 minutes, Houses For Birds wastes no time in getting down to business.
Enjoy.
Download - Houses For Birds
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Crazy Thinker
TZU |
TZU - Crazy Thinker
Crazy Thinker sounds like the lovechild of R2D2 and Prince - or somewhere on that continuum.
The highly polished production is unquestionably slick and it accompanies dreamy echoing synthesizers and equally smooth singing from Countbounce.
And who is Countbounce, you may ask? He’s one quarter of TZU alongside Joelistics, Pasobionic and Yeroc.
The outfit were a force to be reckoned with when Australia’s hip hop scene began burgeoning in the early 00’s. They released three highly acclaimed and distinctive albums with Crazy Thinker appearing as the closing track from their final effort Computer Love in 2008.
Their hallmark was their willingness to experiment and stray from ‘traditional’ music making methods from other hip hop acts. For example, the group would regularly incorporate live instrumentation into their music and would often learn to play a new instrument for the sake of artistic progression.
TZU’s future is unknown with various members pursuing their involvement in other groups, such as Paso in Curse ov Dialect. Coutbounce produces several songs for other Australian artists such as Urthboy, while Joelistics has pursued a solo career on Urthboy’s independent label Elefant Traks, alongside a roster of other major Australian hip hop acts.
Fingers crossed the group’s hiatus won’t continue for much longer. [April 2012] The group have just announced they are working on a new album named The Beginning of The End. More info here
Enjoy.
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The Girl
City And Colour |
City and Colour - The Girl
Today (March 8th) is International Women’s Day. I like to think of it as a day of the year where we can celebrate what it is we love about women, in particular the women we love in our life.
I think it’s completely necessary that all the men out there play this song to at least one important woman in their life today. Ladies, don’t hold back either. If there is someone out there who makes your life that much brighter, let Dallas Green aka City and Colour express it for you. I mean guys let’s be honest here, musicians just seem to be so much more adept at expressing their feelings without making situations awkward. Thank you recorded music!
Download - The Girl (right-click/ control-click and save)
Ladies, we love you.
Love always,
the ill chill pill.
