Obligatory Half-Assed Grab Bag Thursday

Ever notice how many blogs you read on the Hype Machine just post a huge list of mp3's and then never say one thing about the songs? I don't get it, that's just lazy blogging right there. How bout just throwing something out there like: "this list of songs below are things that have my pants going extra crazy right now. Some of it is things I've received and just haven't had time to sufficiently post about it, while others are just things that are currently blowing up the blogosphere, and one track in particular that is 4 years old but is for some reason really making my junk extra hard this week."? What would be wrong with that?

That being said, here are some electro, hip-hop, folk, new-wave, and other songs that I've been listening to this week. Please enjoy.

MP3: Beanie Siegel & Jay-Z - Glock Nines (Ratatat Remix)
MP3: Kid Cudi - I Poke Her Face (feat. Lady GaGa, Kanye, Common)
MP3: One Eskim0 - Givin' Up (Don Diablo Remix)
MP3: Spencer Product - We Bite
MP3: Honey Brothers - Demonstration
MP3: Fischerspooner - Never Win
MP3: El Michels - Shimmy Shimmy Ya
MP3: Middle Class Rut - Busy Bein Born
MP3: Venice is Sinking - Ryan's Song
MP3: Spanish Prisoners - Kiss the Lawn Goodbye
MP3: Dirty Projectors - Stillness is the Move

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Quick's Big Thing Awards

Heard about Quick's "Big Thing 2009" yet? It's a cool event designed to promote local musicians, and anything that pumps up our music scene is cool with me. Categories and nominees are listed below, each person can vote once per category HERE and once via text message. You can probably guess who SubEx voted for (please forgive the shameless self-promotion). Anyway, check it out, vote it out, and help support the scene in general!

BIG GROUP
(Nominees must have more than one permanent member.)

1. Bosque Brown (text 1 to 25430 to vote)
2. Damaged Good$ (text 2 to 25430 to vote)
3. Dove Hunter (text 3 to 25430 to vote)
4. Fight Bite (text 4 to 25430 to vote)
5. The King Bucks (text 5 to 25430 to vote)
6. Matthew and the Arrogant Sea (text 6 to 25430 to vote)
7. The O's (text 7 to 25430 to vote)
8. RTB2 (text 8 to 25430 to vote)
9. The Theater Fire (text 9 to 25430 to vote)
10. True Widow (text 10 to 25430 to vote)


BIG SOLO ARTIST
(Nominees must be solo acts, even if they perform with backing bands.)

1. Nicholas Altobelli (text 11 to 25430 to vote)
2. B-Hamp (text 12 to 25430 to vote)
3. Farah (text 13 to 25430 to vote)
4. Daniel Folmer (text 14 to 25430 to vote)
5. Robert Gomez (text 15 to 25430 to vote)
6. Sarah Jaffe (text 16 to 25430 to vote)
7. Kristy Kruger (text 17 to 25430 to vote)
8. New Science Projects (text 18 to 25430 to vote)
9. Clint Niosi (text 19 to 25430 to vote)
10. Salim Nourallah (text 20 to 25430 to vote)


BIG ALBUM
(Nominated albums must have been released between Mar. '08 and Feb. '09.)

1. Dove Hunter, The Southern Unknown (text 21 to 25430 to vote)
2. Fight Bite, Emerald Eyes (text 22 to 25430 to vote)
3. Jack With One Eye, The Bad Sleep Well (text 23 to 25430 to vote)
4. Sarah Jaffe, Even Born Again (text 24 to 25430 to vote)
5. Matthew and the Arrogant Sea, Family Family Family Meets the Magic Christian (text 25 to 25430 to vote)
6. Mount Righteous, When the Music Starts (text 26 to 25430 to vote)
7. Record Hop, Record Hop (text 27 to 25430 to vote)
8. Shibboleth, Experiment in Error (text 28 to 25430 to vote)
9. Sorta, Sorta (text 29 to 25430 to vote)
10. The Theater Fire, Matter and Light (text 30 to 25430 to vote)


BIG SONG
(Nominated songs must have been released between Mar. '08 and Feb. '09.)

1. B-Hamp, "Do the Ricky Bobby" (text 31 to 25430 to vote)
2. The Boom Boom Box, "Henry the Skunk" (text 32 to 25430 to vote)
3. The Cut-Off, "Black Market Value" (text 33 to 25430 to vote)
4. Dove Hunter, "Evil on the Highway" (text 34 to 25430 to vote)
5. Fight Bite, "Swissex Lover" (text 35 to 25430 to vote)
6. Jack With One Eye, "Sun In Glass" (text 36 to 25430 to vote)
7. Sarah Jaffe, "Even Born Again" (text 37 to 25430 to vote)
8. Mount Righteous, "The Feeling You Bring" (text 38 to 25430 to vote)
9. The O's, "You've Got Your Heart" (text 39 to 25430 to vote)
10. Sorta, "Fool's Gold" (text 40 to 25430 to vote)


BIG LIVE ACT
(Nominees must be known for captivating or innovative live performances.)

1. The Boom Boom Box (text 41 to 25430 to vote)
2. Damaged Good$ (text 42 to 25430 to vote)
3. Dove Hunter (text 43 to 25430 to vote)
4. Florene (text 44 to 25430 to vote)
5. The Great Tyrant (text 45 to 25430 to vote)
6. Jack With One Eye (text 46 to 25430 to vote)
7. The King Bucks (text 47 to 25430 to vote)
8. Orange Coax (text 48 to 25430 to vote)
9. Record Hop (text 49 to 25430 to vote)
10. Teenage Cool Kids (text 50 to 25430 to vote)


NEXT BIG THING
(Nominees must be considered fairly new or up-and-coming.)

1. Awkquarius (text 51 to 25430 to vote)
2. The Boom Boom Box (text 52 to 25430 to vote)
3. Darktown Strutters (text 53 to 25430 to vote)
4. Fergus & Geronimo (text 54 to 25430 to vote)
5. Fungi Girls (text 55 to 25430 to vote)
6. Giggle Party (text 56 to 25430 to vote)
7. GS Boyz (text 57 to 25430 to vote)
8. Jack With One Eye (text 58 to 25430 to vote)
9. Iris Leu (text 59 to 25430 to vote)
10. The Orbans (text 60 to 25430 to vote)


BIG DJ
(Nominees can include groups of DJs who perform together frequently.)

1. Disqo Disco (text 61 to 25430 to vote)
2. EZ Eddie D (text 62 to 25430 to vote)
3. Maetrik (text 63 to 25430 to vote)
4. Jason Mundo (text 64 to 25430 to vote)
5. The Party (text 65 to 25430 to vote)
6. Clay Pendergrass (text 66 to 25430 to vote)
7. Prince William (text 67 to 25430 to vote)
8. Luke Sardello (text 68 to 25430 to vote)
9. Schwa (text 69 to 25430 to vote)
10. DJ Slim (text 70 to 25430 to vote)


BIG STUDIO ACE
(Nominees can include producers, engineers and technicians.)

1. Tom Bridwell (text 71 to 25430 to vote)
2. Justin Collins (text 72 to 25430 to vote)
3. John Congleton (text 73 to 25430 to vote)
4. Salim Nourallah (text 74 to 25430 to vote)
5. Matt Pence (text 75 to 25430 to vote)
6. Picnic (text 76 to 25430 to vote)
7. Play-N-Skillz (text 77 to 25430 to vote)
8. S1 (text 78 to 25430 to vote)
9. Stuart Sikes (text 79 to 25430 to vote)
10. Young Starr (text 80 to 25430 to vote)

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Nothing to Worry About (LehtMoJoe Remix)

After months of nothing, it's a flood of LehtMoJoe posts lately, but hey, I gotta stay one step ahead of our good buddy Mark Ronson.

While most people spent Record Store Day watching bands play at various record store celebrations, some folks were actually inside buying those 'record' thingys. Leht used the occasion as an excuse to finally purchase Peter Bjorn and John's "Nothing to Worry About" single on vinyl --which he then promptly remixed. The Leht version features neurotically twitchy vocals that create a general sense of uneasiness in the original (especially towards the end). Apparantly the inspiration for the track was supposed to be a 'street fight,' but like Mikey put it, "...this track is so grimy it's more like a fight in a sewer." I think these guys put it best when they said the track makes you wonder whether there might actually be something to worry about. Overall it's just another banger from LehtMoJoe.

MP3: Peter Bjorn and John - Nothing to Worry About (LehtMoJoe Remix)

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Official 2009 ACL Lineup

With SXSW a month and a half behind us, it's time to look again towards our state's capitol. The official lineup for Austin City Limits was announced this morning. I have to say that the list is pretty rock/folk heavy with scarcely a pop act in sight. Look for major artists like Sonic Youth and Pearl Jam to share the stage with indie up-and-comers Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears and Bon Iver. Local darling, Sarah Jaffe, also made the list!

~Jenn

Mates of State @ Granada

It's a little late now, but Mates of State were here Monday inciting loads of awkward underage crowd surfing. Read my full review over at DC9, and see great photos here and here.

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One If By Audio, Two If By Video

Spring always brings about a slew of hot young things wanting to have the next summer jam. I present three worthy candidates up for the coveted role: Little Boots represents the latest in shiny, synth-heavy pop with a sound that is both crowd and critic friendly. Check out "New In Town" that offers heavy choreography and a knockout blue dress.



Fever Ray brings a dreamy, hypnotic flair to otherwise sub-par electronic... not to mention her moves in "When I Grow Up" remind me of fellow Swede, Lykke Li.




The Gossip, an old-hat favorite of mine, has a new single out, "Heavy Cross," off their yet-to-be-released album, Music for Men. While the song does indeed rock, I would be shocked to discover one that did not kick significant ass while featuring the vocal stylings of the one, Ms. Ditto.

~Jenn

Mates of State @ Granada TONIGHT!

Adorable husband/wife duo Mates of State are playing over at Granada tonight w/ Black Kids and Sunbears, and I think the phrase "Giant Calliope Organ! Crooked Waltz Drumming. Joyous Holleration Harmonies!" pretty much sums up what they're all about. I know these 2 somehow manage to make enough racket for a band of 5, but I've never gotten to see them do their thing live before. From what Mikey tells me, it should be pretty kick-A. Expect a proper review in the morning.

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Alison Mosshart & Co. Really Killed It At The Granada

The Kills show at Granada on Saturday night was simply amazing. The stage presence of those two set a new bar for me, and Alison Mosshart just might be my new biggest rock-chick crush. Read the rest of my review of the show over at DC9.

Also, there are some great shots of the duo and fans over at Bill Ellison's Flickr page.

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LOLCORNELL of the Week

(Comic courtesy of Al Byrne)

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Mark Ronson Thinks LehtMoJoe Is Some Authentic Ish

Congrats to local producer LehtMoJoe for having a track featured on the most recent episode of Mark Ronson's "Authentic Shit" radio show. Full playlist and link to download the show over at East Village Radio's site. You may remember SubEx first unleashing the remix of Major Lazer's "Hold the Line" into the blogosphere last week, and now it appears the rest of the world is taking notice. Kudos once again to Leht and Dallas' burgeoning electro scene.

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Way to Kill the Weekend

Dunno if you've already made plans for tomorrow night, but if not, I think the Granada is where the action's going to be. I can't wait to see The Kills, one of the most sexually suggestive live acts, perform songs from their album Midnight Boom, which turned out to be one of the most remixed discs of 2008. (Search hypem for SebastiAn's remix of Cheap and Cheerful and you'll know why). Also on the bill are reformed brit rockers The Horrors, who just happen to have a new disc, Primary Colours, coming out next month. I just found out that Magic Wands were opening the bill, which just put the whole thing over the top for me. This is a must-see show for anyone who loves their poprock heavily drenched in reverb and dripping with hipness.

MP3: Magic Wands - Black Magic

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More Friday Freebies: or We Really Are Worth the Trouble

Being less than a month away from finishing my MLS degree, you can imagine how my ears perked up when I heard about a band called The Library --or perhaps my further shock to learn that they were actually pretty decent to boot! The LA dance-rockers have just released a self-titled EP, featuring the Maroon 5-ish sounding track "You Don't Need No Doctor, Sugar".

That being said, I have a signed copy of the EP to give away, a hyper-seductive shirt (featuring the image below) to the first person who sends me an email with the phrase "You guys really are worth it" in the subject line. *Congrats to SubEx reader Christina.

MP3: The Library - You Don't Need No Doctor, Sugar

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The King Bucks Have Got Country By The Tail

As an attempt at full-disclosure I will admit that I am a member of that coveted male 25-54 demographic and as such I find myself tuning into local sports radio station 1310-AM The Ticket --probably a lot more than I should. Judge if you must, but once you make it past the obligatory fart drops you discover bits of gold, such as local country act the King Bucks.

The band features former members of the Drams (Chad Stockslager and Keith Killoren), members of Sorta (Danny Balis and Chris Carmichael) and a one time member of the Polyphonic Spree (Joe Butcher), who share song-writing and singing duties. Starting about a year ago, the group didn't set out to be a Buck Owens cover band (as you might infer from the name) so much as a tribute to the music popularized long ago by Owens and his legendary peers and all but forgotten by the country artist of today.

Getting together to play time-tested, whisky-soaked favorites, the Bucks gradually began mixing in originals with that same retro flare and penchant for witty titles [see: If You're Trying to Kill Me (You're Already Halfway There)] that could just as easily be a long-lost George Jones classic.

With regular gigs at Adair's Saloon in Dallas and Lola's in Ft Worth, the guys are on their way to becoming the area's default country band, and that's a good thing. Their unique brand of progressive honky-tonk sounds very fresh and yet retains a semblance of old-time familiarity, earning them opening spots for Junior Browne, Hal Ketchum, and 1100 Springs among others.

I recently picked up their debut disc from Good Records, and I've really been enjoying it. While I can't help but think of the many Garth Brooks parodies I've heard on The Ticket while listening to Mr. Balis sing, but his delivery is just too deadpan for me care. In fact, he nails it so perfectly that his four tracks are easily my favorites.

I have been playing the King Bucks album for my country-loving and country-indifferent friends alike to the same reaction--boffo. Catch one of their frequent local gigs, and while you're there, go ahead and buy me a beer to cry into.

Pick up the disc at Good Records, or order here.

MP3: King Bucks - Autumn Leaves

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St. Vincent Overload

If you're like us and have been anxiously awaiting the release of St. Vincent's latest, head on over to NPR to hear Actor in it's blissful entirety two full weeks before the official release date. Then check out the video footage of the band practicing some of their new tracks for
SXSW.

~Jenn

Major Lazer - Hold the Line (LehtMoJoe remix)

I know it's been a minute since I last posted about local producer LehtMoJoe, but I've caught wind that his full-length album Spaghetti Western finally has a release date --July 17th (more news on that front to come).

But that's not why we're really here, as Diplo released a track earlier today from one of his newest projects Major Lazer (feat. Santigold and Mr. Lexx), called "Hold the Line". Diplo threw the intrumental and acapella versions on his blog as sort of challenge to bedroom producers everywhere, and less than 24 hours later our own Leht has already answered the call.

It may seem obvious in hindsight, but he mixed the Major Lazer dub with some Toto samples (get it?) and a white hot beat that emphasizes the rhythm of the vocals much more precisely. I won't over-hype it, as I think the track pretty much speaks for itself.

MP3: Major Lazer (feat. Santigold) - Hold the Line (LehtMoJoe remix)

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It's Kind of a Big Deal

Looks like the Clipse is back and the third time's mos def. the charm. They've gone back to their roots for latest single "Kinda Like a Big Deal." The track appropriately features a guest spot from Kanye West, who I guess has taken some time off from putting fishsticks in his mouth long enough to spit some rhymes. Listen below (via AzizIsBored), it's certainly worth your time.

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Delicious Retro Remix Mixed Bag

First up, Mrs. Love by Disco Ruido which samples the extremely underrated Beatles cut "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)". While it's not techniaclly a "remix" in the purest sense of the word, it's one of those tracks so simple and gorgeous you kick yourself for not thinking of it first. I surmise that if there were a Pineapple Express sequel released in the near future, this track would play behind the trailers, making Mrs. Love the Paperplanes of 2009.

Next we have IAMXL's dancey re-working of Billy Joel's acapella classic "For The Longest Time." I am not too familiar with IAMXL's previous work, but apparantly he does this thing often and is highly regarded. I applaud him for not succumbing to the temptation to get too crazy on this one, letting Mr. Joel's original masterwork remain the star of this one.

Finally I give you a track from a man called Wolf who remixes Johnny Cash's forgotten gem "Rock Island Line". It was featured on a double disc of Cash remixes by various DJ's. The cool thing about remixing Johnny is his music was so rhythmic to begin with, with that chugging train beat he threw down -not to mention that he was a total badass. I imagine the fact that Johnny used a dollar bill woven through his guitar strings in lieu of a drummer on most of his early tracks makes him an easy target for remixers as well. Please can somebody just make a Man in Black Album of Cash/Jay-Z tracks already?

MP3: Disco Ruido - Mrs. Love
MP3: Billy Joel - For the Longest Time (IAMXL remix)
Mp3: Johnny Cash - Rock Island Line (Wolf remix)

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LOLCORNELL of the Week

I'm sad to report this week that there will not be a new Conversations With Cornell comic this week, but I have been assured that it will return next week with a very special edition. To fill the void I've added a few random Cornell comics I found over at DeviantArt.com, where there were surprisingly many Cornell comics (most of them terribly drawn) from all parts of his career. *Click the comics to see them full-sized and without the blurry text.

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Mallapalooza 2009 + Bonus MP3

In perhaps the least publicized show of the weekend, Mount Righteous will be joined by the likes of Pheonix, AZ's Kinch and Austin's own Voxtrot tomorrow evening at University of Dallas (in Irving). I've taken the liberty of checking tomorrow's forecast for you, and don't worry it should be sunny and 70's by the 8PM show start.

As a bonus, Voxtrot has offered a free MP3 of "Trepanation Party" to promote the show.

MP3: Voxtrot - Trepanation Party

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Freebie Friday Fantasies

Download "Help I'm Alive," a free track from the new Metric album, "Fantasies," on their MySpace page (or below), and pre-order the album while you're there. Or just continue to listen to the epicness that is Monster Hospital while dancing around your cubicle...which is what I'm doing right now.

~Jenn

And The Fates Align...

In the summer of 2006, I graduated from college, started my first real job, got laid off from that same job, broke up with my boyfriend, found a new boy and had a falling out with my best friend. Somewhere in all this drama, I purchased Regina Spektor's critically acclaimed album, Begin To Hope, which became the background music to this difficult chapter in my life.

Fast forward three years, I'm looking for a new place and a new job, and Regina Spektor is slated to release her latest effort, Far, on June 23rd. Four outstanding producers (who have worked with everyone from Eminem to REM) created this not-to-be-missed album that's filled with gripping lyrics and intoxicating beats. Look for the first single, "Laughing With," to pop up in the next few months. I'm hoping that Far will be the intro music for what is sure to be my greatest adventure yet. Wish me luck!

~Jenn

*edit: I'm surprised how leak-proof the album has been thus far. Regina's interview with Pitchfork about her new album can be read here though.

Marry Me, Joan?

Like most music bloggers out there we get lots of unsolicited music sent to us each week, and a large portion of it is unimpressive to say the very least. You could imagine our hesitation when we saw this morning a cover version of St. Vincent's "Marry Me," sitting in our inbox, from a guy named John. We have no room to judge though, as we can't leave a karaoke bar or norebang without belting out hits from ABBA or Alanis Morissette.

Listening to it on the phone in the car while driving back from the airport at 5:30 AM it was a very pleasant surprise and really set the tone for how we hope the rest of the day goes. It also incited a few more subsequent listens once we got home to some better quality speakers. Sure it doesn't have quite the same level of emotion as the original and it may be a little unstable changing the lyrics to 'Marry Me Joan' to accomodate the change in sex of the singer, but let's face it, St. Vincent's version was one of those tracks so damn good that even the sparest cover couldn't ruin it for us. Heck, it really just gets us even more giddy for the impending release of "Actor".

This so called Johnny Herbert guy also has a full-length out later this summer, althoughwe can't personally vouch for it yet. Hit up his MySpace for more info.

MP3: Johnny Herbert - Marry Me (St. Vincent cover)

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Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Never do I make it a whole week without finding tracks from either Don Diablo or Dave Wrangler, and rarely do the duo ever disappoint. This week is no exception, as Houston's hardest working DJ has remixed a track from one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time (Jay-Z's "Reasonable Doubt") and still found time to mix an original track as well. Check em out, maybe spin em at a party this weekend.

MP3: Jay-Z - Can't Knock The Hustle (Dave Wrangler remix)
MP3: Dave Wrangler - Beat is Pumpin'

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The Holes in Your Face Are Pleasing

More and more of the most hype indie rockers have been making appearances on Yo Gabba Gabba and other similar shows adored by the ever-growing population of the infant children of hipsters, and as the trend grows we are rewarded with more and more tunes that sound (lyrics aside) like they could easily be geared towards children.

Case in point, "Jason Bought a Hatchet" by local band Giggle Party. This song has everything a hipster baby could want: spelling, counting, group shouts, and some mass murder for good measure. That song, as well as the rest of their EP of party punk anthems "The Holes in Your Face are Pleasing" are available for free download here.

Check em out at the Lounge on Elm St. next Friday the 24th (with Man Man and Boom Boom Box).

MP3: Giggle Party - Jason Bought a Hatchet

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Come on Kiddos, Put 'Em on the Glass!

Lately Ive been rolling my eyes more than ever over what is possibly the stupidest commercial of all time. Sir Mix-a-Lot, Sponge Bob, and Burger King have combined forces in order to promote their kid's meals and causing parents everywhere to go into a collective state of shock. But it really shouldn't come as a surprise at all to those who have ever seen a BK commercial in the past --from their creepy-ass king, to the voyeuristic subservient chicken, to their exploitation of midgets little people, they always manage to make you feel a little dirtier for having seen them.

And parents seemed to be more pissed that Nickelodeon gave the go-ahead for the ads than they do about the fact that Nickelodeon would let BK use their characters to hawk junk food in the first place. I must say, at the age of being a legitimate kid's meal eater, I wasn't allowed to use words like "butts" and now here's a video entirely about butts (albeit of the comical square variety) aimed directly at kids that age. Who cares if the whole thing objectifies the square-assed women of the world?!

The only person in this scenario I can't really blame at all is Sir Mix-a-Lot, who after a failed sequel to "Baby Got Back" (1992's ode to large female upper-halfs "Put 'Em on the Glass") and "Monsta Mack," his contribution to 1993's Beavis and Butthead Experience album, has done little else. It leads me to wonder if I am cool or a huge dork for knowing 3 Sir Mix-a-Lot songs. Either way I applaud the guy for basing an entire career on asses of the large variety and making loads of money along the way. High five Mixa, you win.

MP3: Sir Mix-a-Lot - Put 'Em on the Glass

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Album Preview: Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career

Early in the year when A.C. Newman's solo came out I quickly dubbed it the greatest album of 2009. Ever since, many albums have come along trying to knock Mr. Newman off his perch, and 3 or 4 have even been considered contenders. But it was not until Camera Obscura's latest release "My Maudlin Career" that there has been any serious competition for the number one spot.

Much like 2008's champs Little Joy, Camera Obscura manage to make you feel both upbeat and relaxed simultaneously --that is to say it is both an album you can drive to or just as plausibly use as a sleep-aid. The band has always shown moments of brilliant musicanship, lush vocals, and brutal lyricism, but never have all three been put together so well and so consistantly than on this, their 4th studio album. I think the best albums are those that mean all things to all people, and that perfectly describes My Maudlin Career. Some folks have called the album dark, I've heard others say it soothes them, and personally it reminds me of new love. Tracks like "French Navy" remind me of when I first started dating my wife, driven by exciting string melodies that evoke those first-date butterflies. "Swans," easily the most joyous track on the album reminds me of both a Mr. Clean commercial and a hymn that we used to sing in the children's choir at church. And moments like that are all over My Maudlin Career: flashes of distant memories you never really had about things you never really did in places you've never really been, all the while feeling strangely familiar.

The whole disc is streaming for free this week over at NPR's "First Listen" section, I suggest you go check it out.

MP3: Camera Obscura - French Navy
MP3: Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career

Buy: Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career

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My First Mobile Post

So apparently Blogger let's you post directly from your phone now. Dunno why I think this is so cool and yet I'm so against Twitter. Either way this advancement in technology should lead to more frequent posts in the future. =w=

Annie Clark Gives Good Face on New Video

St. Vincent, aka Annie Clark, just released the video for the first single, "Actor Out of Work," from her sophomore effort, Actor. Relying on close shots of Annie Clark's overly animated facial expressions and various actors crying on demand, the video allows the viewer to absorb the distorted sweetness of "Actor Out of Work" without being distracted by the various instruments and musicians that this sound requires. I have to confess that it took a few listens for me to really latch on to this new Annie Clark. Now, I'm totally hooked and anxiously awaiting Actor's May release date.

MP3: St. Vincent - Actor Out of Work

~Jenn

To Tweet or Not To Tweet

You may remember exactly one week ago when SubEx faced the biggest dilemma of its young life: to tweet or not to tweet. We left the decision up to you guys, and after a week of voting the choice of "Hell No!" received almost twice as many votes as "It's About Dang Time!". Thank you to all of those who voted, and for saving us from ourselves.

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LOLCORNELL of the Week

Comic Courtesy of Al Byrne

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Do You Realize: SubEx's OK Tour Diary

This weekend I had the privilege to venture into the great state of unassuming expanse that is Oklahoma, all the way up to Norman to be more specific. In the course of many hours spent in driving through the Arbuckle Mountains and speaking with several Okies/Sooners I learned many things on this grand adventure.

Firstly I learned that Chef Paul Prudhomme and fellow Kangol-sporting celebrity chef Dom DeLuise were, in fact, two separate and distinct humans. I guess deep down it's possible that on some level I may have known that, but it wasn't until purchasing some of Prudhomme's famed "Magic" seasoning that I realized it was not Mr. Deluise's mug on the package. I can't tell you how this has shattered my belief system.

Shortly after crossing the border into OK, I was made aware that the recently passed Oklahoma Senate Joint Resolution No. 24 made The Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize??" the Official Oklahoma Rock Song. I could go on a rant about why state legislature is wasting the tax payers' time and money over such trivial matters, but for Wayne Coyne and co. this is too damn cool. It makes me wonder what the official rock song of TX would be: something by ZZ Top, Reverend Horton Heat, Toadies, Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson, SRV?

Apparantly the song "Now We Can See" by The Thermals is really starting blow up on radio. Although I hadn't heard the song before this weekend, I have now heard it at least half a dozen times, and I am really starting to love it. It's no wonder though, the "oh-way-ah-oh-wah-oh" sing-song chorus vocals are super infectious.

I also was hipped to the band Cage the Elephant by my good friend Laura. I feel like I have been living in a cave for never having heard of them before. They were described to me as an awesome White Stripes rip-off with an affected Jack White-wannabe for a singer. Moments later their single "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" popped on the radio and I would say the assement couldn't have been more dead on. Don't get me wrong, Cage the Elephant sounds really great, and I would even venture as far as to say I would buy their albums and possibly see them play live, but there will always be a part of me that never fully respects them. To put it another way, they are the Miller 64 of beers, yes they are still beer and therefor delicious, but give me Jack White's High Life any day of the week.

Speaking of beer, that's another thing that Oklahomans have managed to mess up. Come on, it's beer how can you possibly screw that up? You are possibly worse than Colorado in that department.

MP3: The Flaming Lips - Do You Realize??
MP3: The Thermals - Now We Can See
MP3: Cage the Elephant - Ain't No Rest for the Wicked

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Ralph Stanley: Alive and Well

We received a number of worried emails after the Granada Theater suddenly stopped selling tickets to tomorrow night's Ralph Stanley show the other day, and slapped big red capital letters over his poster on their site. Worry no more kiddos, I have contacted Granada management and the legendary banjo-picker is indeed alive and well. His other TX gig simply got canceled and it no longer made sense to make the journey, capisce?

MP3: Ralph Stanley - O Death

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Twittergate Pt. II, or: Why NIN's Timbaland-Produced Album Easily Outshines Cornell's

Remember that gay Twitter fight Trent Reznor and Chris Cornell engaged in a few weeks back about the shittiness of Cornell's "Scream" album? Back then you may remember we called the feud one of the lamest in rock and roll history, but we take all that back now that Reznor has taken it to the next level.

Recently Cornell broached the subject with Rolling Stone, calling the feud childish, lame, and whathaveyou. Reznor responded with a fake website promoting his "new" album "Strobelight" which was also "produced" by Timbaland, and including guest performers such as Sheryl Crowe, Jay-Z, Bono, Chris Martin, and Maynard James Keenan. The album is FREE to download, and only comes in WMA files. We won't ruin the surprise for you regarding what happens when you actually try to purchase the album. It's definitely a giggle. We also love how he manages to evoke Kanye's lameness as well with that cover photo.

Is Reznor being over the top and super childish? Without a doubt. Does Cornell's new album suck? You betcha! After seeing this site, and putting it into context with the rest of Twittergate, which one comes off the lamest?

IMHO, round two belongs to Reznor.

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Don Diablo Saves the Day

What do most bloggers do on slow newsdays (or slow newsweeks like this one has been)? Most scour the hype machine or hitup old favorites like Stereogum, etc. For me all I have to do is check in on my workhorse Don Diablo, who when not working on his album of originals always seems to have a few new remixes up his sleeve.

This new one is from a band I've never heard of (Cagedbaby), for a yet to be released song of theirs (Forced). Either way, Mr. Diablo gives it his usual treatment which is just as good for dancing as it is breaking up the blogging-doldrums.

MP3: Cagedbaby - Forced (Don Diablo remix)

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St. Vincent Leaks

For the past few months one upcoming release has seemed to generate more buzz in these parts than any other, and judging from all the leaked singles, Annie Clark's sophomore release as St. Vincent is set to deliver on its promises. In a year that has been seemingly dominated by female releases, this one is poised to be the queen of them all (and possibly my biggest crush yet).

Take leaked single "Actor Out of Work," for instance: it is an updated version of Supergrass' "Alright," only with 10 times the melancholy, and oodles more adorability. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album in May, or to see her in June at my favorite local venue, the Granada Theater.

MP3: St. Vincent - Actor Out of Work
Pre-Order the album HERE

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Makes Me Swoon

Sure, the new Silversun Pickups doesn't come out until next Tuesday, but starting today the whole thing can be heard streaming at The Leak.

They've also rolled out a video for the first single, "Panic Switch." It's a really sweet video that much like the Black Joe Lewis video is both simple and well-done, but I do offer a word of caution to viewers who are susceptible to epileptic seizures.



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Here Free Beer

Sure we already reviewed Here Holy Spain's new album awhile back, but today it's out for real. And to celebrate there will be an in-store performance at Good Records tonight at 7PM, complete with free beer/refreshments and stickers/posters of that BA cover art that was designed by James O’Barr, creator of The Crow.

The trio will be hitting the road with The Toadies starting tomorrow and I can't think of a more perfect opening act.

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Moonwinked

Although I love the concept that the Amie Street music website throws down, I must admit I use it far too little. It's a brilliant idea: pay for music what it's worth. Bedroom dj's can create a free account and upload their tunes and they will cost anywhere from a few cents to free. The more popular they get and the more people that download their tunes, the more expensive they get.

Don't get me wrong, the site is not just for no-names, all the big indierock albums can be found their as well --sometimes for as little as $5 to $7.

I also get periodic emails recommending new albums to me. One such email I got late last week informed me that I was receiving this message because I was a fan of Of Montreal and that I might also like The Spinto Band (which I did) and that The Spinto Band was offering a free download of track 1 from their newest disc. Brilliant on all fronts. Amie Street and The Spinto Band = 2 things worth checking out today.

MP3: The Spinto Band - Moonwink

Buy The Spinto Band's album from Amie Street (which was $5 the last time I checked).

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LOLCORNELL of the Week

Happy Opening Day!!

Comic Courtesy of Al Byrne

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As Seen In Denton

If you’ve never considered Denton as a viable venue to catch the latest and greatest, it’s time for an attitude adjustment.

First up, Great Lake Swimmers is playing at Hailey’s on April 8th. This melancholy folk group features delicate, whisper-soft vocals and poetry-like lyrics that center on various heartbreaking themes.

Pink Nasty, an Austin artist (Sara Beck) who I mentioned during SXSW, plays at Hailey’s on April 11. Beck spouts tales of humor and tragedy in a rumbling voice similar to Neko Case. I’m looking forward to Beck’s celebrated cover of Usher’s “Let It Burn.”

Get to Hailey’s early on April 19th, because the Vivian Girls will open the show. This all-girl punk group will speak to those that enjoy the hum of distortion pedals and the mechanical churn of a mosh pit. If straight-up rock is more your speed, Harvey Milk is headlining at Rubbergloves that same evening. Forming in the 90’s while living in Athens, Georgia, Milk broke apart, spawned a few noteworthy bands (The Tom Collins), aged a few years and reformed to create their best music yet. Don’t break out the walkers. These guys have still got it, trust.

With a celebrated SXSW showcase behind them, Telepathe, the Brooklyn-based duo of Busy Gangnes and Melissa Livaudais is bringing their experimental blend of20electronic and heavy percussion to Hailey’s on June 3rd.

Be sure to catch the entire set when Black Moth Super Rainbow and School of Seven Bells play at Hailey’s on June 20th. Black Moth incorporates many electronic instruments into their funkadelic, electro vibe. Their latest effort, Eating Us, comes out May 26th. The School of Seven Bells features these lush harmonies that beautifully wrap around a pulsating electronic beat for a sound that has all the indie kids buzzing.

Now is the time. Break out of your comfort zone, and come visit me in Denton. The locals don't bite, I promise.

~Jenn

To Tweet or Not To Tweet?

I think I have made my opinions on the lameness of Twitter very well known in the past, but lately I have gotten several emails from SubEx readers asking if I had a Twitter account, if they could be a follower, if I frequently tweeted, etc. My gut tells me to stay strong, that if US Senators have accounts then its time has passed and that it can no longer ever be considered cool again. Am I way out of line here? Chris Cornell lost so much of his dark rockstar mystique the day he opened his account, but then again as a blogger I have very little in the way of mystique. In a sense, would anyone even be interested in reading SubEx Tweets?

What it boils down to is that I've added a poll to the top right sidebar, and I'm asking everyone to put in their 2-cents. I am going to leave it up for 1 week, and leaving my Twittering future up to the masses.

Thanks in advance for understanding and for helping us out in such a confusing time in SubEx's history.

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