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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Top 10 Playlist Vol. 3



Hello all! Here is the 3rd installment of the top 10 playlist. These tracks have a bit of everything, and highlight some fantastic live performances. Thanks to all you out there shooting me suggestions. Keep the recommendations coming. Enjoy.


MusicPlaylist
Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sweden is so hot right now....




I don't know if you all have heard, but Sweden is killing it right now. I was just reminded of this thanks to a preview for the American version of Steig Larson's Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, due out next month. First, it reminded me of how fantastic the original Swedish-language trilogy was. The American version does look pretty sweet. But I highly recommend you all catch the original first (available on Netflix) because I seriously doubt the American Lisbeth could be half as awesome as the bad-ass Noomi Rapace you see pictured above.

The Millenium Trilogy novels/films are not the only awesome entertainment sensation coming out of the little Nordic powerhouse. There are the amazing Wallander mysteries, recently turned into great mini-movies for PBS's Masterpiece Mystery series. More pertinent to this blog, however, is killer music being produced by the likes of the dance-pop goddess Robyn, the indie pop band Miike Snow, and the quirky-yet-enchanting Lykee Li. I put together a few of my favorites from these artists below for you all to check out.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Audio Track Direct Downloads!!

Procrastination has taken serious hold this evening. Instead of working I compiled all the songs mentioned in previous posts that I have in my collection but haven't provided for download. I then figured out how to write the code for hyperlinks so that you could instantly download any of these tracks by clicking on the blue text. So. Here you go. This blog shit is addictive...
1. Misty Blue - Dorothy Moore
2. Yeah Yeah - Matt & Kim
3. Like Eating Glass - Bloc Party
4. Nike Boots - Wale
5.Pon de Floor - Major Lazer
6.Hold You - Gyptian
7.Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
8.Footsteps in the Dark - Isley Brothers
9.Brown Skin Lady - Black Star
10.Thieves in the Night - Black Star
11.Respiration - Black Star
12.Luchini - Camp Lo

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Album Preview::Common - "The Dreamer/The Believer"


Just caught a first glimpse of two tracks off of Common's new upcoming album, The Dreamer, the Believer, due out on December 20th, 2011. Produced by No I.D., the album unveils a fresh electronica-fueled feel to back up Common's artistic flow, and includes guest appearances by two legendary poets, Nas and Maya Angelou. Below you will find videos for "Blue Sky", "So Sweet", and a behind the scenes promo video of the album photo-shoot.

"So Sweet" (filmed in Haiti) was originally only made available online with a $1 donation to J/P Haitian Relief Organization. It's now available for free, but Common continues to raise money to support relief efforts in Haiti.



Maya Angelou on Common:

“I wanted to speak about Common, who is extremely uncommon. When I first heard him, I knew he was rare. I thought, my goodness, this young man…hello. So good, so talented, well raised. When I met his mother, I understood much. I will always support him. I know that I stand on the shoulders of great men and women. And I know there are young men and women who stand upon my shoulders” - Maya Angelou

Seriously. Is there anything this guy does that isn't awesome? Loved by Maya Angelou? Raising money for Haiti? New album? Oh, and he just released a new autobiography, "One Day it Will all Make Sense", that is a New York Times Bestseller. Sick. And the ladies love him. Read why you should too here.




Thursday, November 10, 2011

5 Reasons You Should Still Be Watching Music Videos

For as long as I can remember I've had a serious obsession with music videos. As a kid raised in a house without cable, sleep-overs with friends weren't just an excuse to stay up past my bedtime, they were an opportunity to offer my delicate developing young psyche to the gods of MTV and VH1. I happily did so, from the moment I would arrive until the sun came up the next morning. Though my parents were inevitably pissed I would be returned to them without a wink of sleep, I was giddily happy about whatever new song, artist, or dance move I had discovered the night before.

Things have seriously changed since then. Does MTV actually show videos anymore? Does VH1 still exist? In today's ever-connected internet age, my guess is that most folks catch music videos online passed on by friends on Facebook or Twitter or some such thing. I've heard many of my friends say they don't even watch music videos anymore. To me, this is a tragic statement. Yes, music on its own is still powerful. But there is something special that can be added to this experience through visuals.

So, if you are one of those people who are hatin' on videos, here are 5 reasons to change your mind.

1. INNOVATION
We have come a long way since "Video Killed the Radio Star". Some particularly thoughtful artists have started to get creative, and explore how to make the video medium fresh and exciting. Here are two great examples.

"We Used to Wait" - Arcade Fire
If you only click on one link in this post, you should click on this. This experimental video allows you to interactively participate with the song's theme of childhood revisited. You can plug in your own childhood address, and then images of that location are incorporated into the video. You are asked to write a letter to your former self, and then that is put into the video. Its kinda amazing, and definitely a bit creepy.

"House of Cards" - Radiohead
This video uses 0 cameras or lights. Instead, the video is the result of visualizations of data collected from 64 rotating lasers that basically use 3D plotting technologies to gather information about shapes and relative distances between objects. Another example of Radiohead being light-years ahead of pretty much everyone else.



2. NOT JUST FOR PROFESSIONALS ANYMORE
Famous artists and big budgets are great and all, but one of the greatest things about music videos these days is that almost anyone with a camera and a clever idea can get in on the fun. Here are 4 of my favorites in one playlist.

(1) Dancing in the Rain- Turf Feinz
Oakland-born TURF dancing (Taking Up Room on the Floor)is a form of street dancing that intends to tell as story through movements inspired by everything from popping, to breaking, to ballet and jazz. This video went viral last year, due to the jaw-dropping moves, but what is more powerful to me is the story behind it. Apparently D-Real (white t-shirt) had recently lost his brother in a car accident. In a tribute to his brother, this crew of East Oakland youth went out in the rain to the scene of the death to dance in honor of their lost friend. The results below have now spread world-wide.

(2) "Home" - Jorge & Alexa Narvaez
A father, a daughter, a guitar, a camera and a great song. This one gets me every time.

(3-4) Daft Hands/Daft Bodies
So clever.



3. STORY TELLING
It is not easy to have a cohesive beginning, middle, and end in a <8 minute piece. It can be done, however, and one of my favorite examples of a great song presented through a great story is LCD Soundsytems "Home". I have never seen a robot I wanted to hug more.

4. DANCING
Sometimes the greatest thing about a video isn't the song itself, but the sick-ass dancing that accompanies it. Some of the best videos I have seen lately have introduced me to new dance styles, exhibited moves and coreography I could never possibly master (We've all seen "Single Ladies", right?), or given me a step-by-step how-to about how I too could learn how to "Dougie" like John Wall. Check out a few of my favorites below.



5. VISUAL BEAUTY
HD technology and no longer being limited to a 4+ minute T.V. time-slot (thanks internet!) have freed up artists to think differently about how to visual present their work. Kanye recently took this to another level with his 34 minute "Runaway" mini-movie. Yes, the dude be crazy. Yes, its over the top. But I dare you to watch this and tell me it isn't beautiful and mesmerizing. If you have the time, I suggest watching this full screen.



Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Kanye, Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Big Sean & Charlie Wilson:: "Good Friday"



Good Friday


I recently found Good Friday while trolling some other fantastic music blogs. The track is sick, especially the infused piano hook, and the driving bass. A great tune to pump up your day. Are you ready to go? La La La Lala...

Misty Blue