Jul 25, 2011

The brief History of Acetone: 1993 to 2000


Genre: Slowcore

On its 1993 debut, Cindy (Vernon Yard), Acetone decorated a Velvetsy foundation with icy psychedelia, chunks of garage noise, and a sprinkling of Issac Hayes guitar. But apparently the LA trio found its own concoction unsatisfying, because over subsequent albums, it radically changed the recipe. In fact, its recently released, eponymously titled third album, on Neil Young's vanity label, Vapor, is the musical equivalent of a whispered conversation, a collection of fuzzy pop tunes so elongated that the melodies and chord progressions practically dissipate as they're played. That's not to say Acetone's music isn't memorable; it's just not particularly palpable. The fluid, pulsating bass lines of Richie Lee serve as a skeleton for guitarist Mark Lightcap to stretch a thin skin over, with his light, fragile strumming and chord-changing squeaks. The pair's shy vocals are equally complementary, and Steve Hadley's drumming caresses the other sounds more than it propels them. If you're looking for action this probably won't do it for you, but Acetone's trancey minimalism makes good sense on this bill with the more extrovertedly hypnotic Spiritualized. And as with the headliners, Acetone's music gets a substantial energy boost when performed live. - Peter Margasak


Tracklist:


Acetone "All for the love of a Girl"


Such a great band… Subtle beauty.

Full Moon's Summer Journey - July 2011


I used this new iPad app to create this little video (iMotion HD) - 803 pictures taken from my house which is perched up on top of a hill in Southern Quebec; I get a pretty good look of the moon most nights - Now I can share the phases… 

Indie Covers Eight (2011) - Pastoral Gangsta Collection


Genre: Indie bands covering some serious hood music and other tuneful ditties

Recently I came across a bunch of rap songs covered by some of the sweetness voice out there, and just had to share. So this compilation's theme sees street music meeting the pastoral in a way that just makes you wanna skip through fields of flowers holding your fully loaded glock. 

Playlist:

The Wedding Present - Box Elder
Nina Gordon - Straight Out of Compton
Ben Folds - Bitches Ain't Shit
Total Warr - Jamie
Computer Magic - Just Like Starting Over
Violent Femmes - Do you really want to hurt me?
The Gourds - Gin and Juice
Giant Sand - Jumpin' Jack Flash
Rock Plaza Central - Sexy Back
The Kooks - Crazy
Dr. Dog - Heart It Races
Mumford and Sons - Cousins
Ace Reporter - I'm the Man who Loves You
Sameblod - Dance Dance Dance
Dale Earnhardt Jr. - God Only Knows
Astrid Swan - Shady Lane
Walk a Thin Line - Atlas Sound
I'll Believe in Anything - Her Space Holiday
Larrikin Love - A Horse with No Name

Jul 24, 2011

Bedhead / The New Year : 1993 - 2008




Genre: Slowcore / lo-fi guitar mastery

The Kadane brothers' musical timeline is like the stock market, seemlingly forever growing yet the working classes suffer the brunt of the misery due to the lack of connecting with Bedhead and The New Year. Their music has a longeviety but only to a small demographic; the blue blood of music… not meaning the "creme-best," rather that limited audiences have had the exposure. Songs grow on and in you, ever so slowly to peaks of joy with guitar interplay, the solid drum pound and understated poetry…  Excellent history. 
This mix is a taster… Enjoy.

This subtle, delightful and lovingly crafted album will doubtlessly be revered by those lucky few who have been following the Kadane brothers throughout their quiet but increasingly remarkable musical careers. - Pop Matters 

The songs begin as reflective, melancholy odes and transform themselves into chiming cathedrals of sound. - Los Angeles Times


Jul 15, 2011

TeArs arE iN yOUr EyEs • 2011


Genre: Indie Pop/Folk, Electronica, Singer-Songerwriter

A friend of mine planted a seed recently… A series of somber singles from some of today's most awesome artists. Here's to tears of sadness, happiness, coldness, hotness, painess, and blindness. Tears are here to stay!

Tracklist:

Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Follow You Into The Dark
Beck - Lost Cause
The Shins - New Slang
Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day
Her Space Holiday - Sleepy California
Ben Folds Five - Brick
Pinback - Boo
Doveman - The Best Thing
The Weakerthans - Left and Leaving
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - Face Like Summer
Postdata - Drift
House of Wolves - Flight
The American Analog Set - Born on The Cusp
Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek
Red House Painters - New Jersey
Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Beirut - Nantes
Antony and the Johnsons - You Are My Sister
Cashier No. 9 - 6%
Belle and Sebastian - This Is Just A Modern Rock Song
Peasant - Hard Times
Tindersticks - Sweet Memory
Kossoy Sisters - In The Pines
Joanna Newsom - Does Not Suffice
Adem - Tears Are In Your Eyes

Jul 6, 2011

Mathemagic - II (2011)

Genre: Indie Shoegaze
Bandcamp / MySpace
Mathemagic is the collaboration of brothers Evan and Dylan Euteneier from Guelph Ontario. They capture the feeling of the summer using their warm, dazed guitar riffs, barely-there synths, and blissed out harmonies.  The songs draw inspiration from The Beach Boys to Animal Collective and contemporaries such as Washed Out, Friend, and Toro Y Moi.  The brothers initially worked on separate projects until coming together as a band last summer. PBR

Jul 5, 2011

Indie Covers Seven [2011]


Genre: Lots of Sunny Indie Goodness

My intent is to sway you into summer happiness, because these songs sound outstanding outdoors! So get outside and play, jump, splash, kick, swing, swim, eat, laugh until your body bursts from the swelter of the sun.

Tracklist:
Iron and Wine - Waiting for Superman
F.S. Merriwether - Paparazzi
Quasi - Beautiful Things
The Flaming Lips - Kundalini Express
Clem Snide - Hopelessly Devoted
Forest Swords - If Your Girl Only Knew
Jay Reatard - There Is No Sun
Cobra Verde - Temptations
Arcade Fire - Lenin
Franck Black Francis - Caribou
Acid House Kings - Almost
Angil - Saturday
Built to Spill - Ripple
The Handsome Family - Faraway Eyes
Lee Ranaldo - Stephanie Says
The Reflectors - Such Great Heights
Elk City - Close To Me
Nile Nash - We Can Change The World
Stars - Asleep