Oh The Places Binki Shapiro Will Go

Last November Mikey and I snuck into the backstage area of The Lounge on Elm where we were able to spend some quality time with the band responsible for putting out our favorite album of 2008. The highlight of this for me was an intimate 20-minute one-on-one conversation with the adorable and talented Binki Shapiro in that dark hall space. Mikey later told everyone that we made out, which though it wasn't true, is one of the many reasons that guy is one of my very best friends.

Recently children's writer/illustrator Dallas Clayton put long lost track out on his blog that features Binki sweetly singing along with Jason Boesel of Rilo Kiley and James Valentine of Maroon 5. The song, which is lyrically-inspired by the Dr. Seuss book, “Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?” was originally intended to be released on a children's album that Clayton was compiling for his son.

Being in a band with Rodrigo Amarante and Fabrizio Moretti, Binki doesn't always get the credit she deserves for being the talented musician that she is. I'm glad that now people will see that she was putting out some good ish even before her Little Joy days and that she should also start getting more of the credit she is due.

MP3: Binki Shapiro & Friends - Kid's Song

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SubExx Reviews The XX

I’m definitely not the most up-to-date person when it comes to new music. I’m just a lover of music and someone who wants to share the mystery of this entity with anyone who wants to listen. There is not one particular kind of music that I won’t listen to. An artist should always be given a chance. Take the new record by The XX, for example, which is simply called XX. If someone had asked me yesterday if I had ever heard of this group I couldn’t have said yes, because that would be lying. And lying is for car salesmen and government officials.

I didn’t know what to expect from xx, but honestly, because of the name, my mind kept taking me to Dos Equis beer and then to “The Most Interesting Man In The World”. Man, I wish he were my uncle Tommy… But from the first melodic notes of “Intro”, I was surprised. I’m not going to say in a good way or a bad way. Though, I will say that I didn’t turn it off.

The music has elements of many styles of music and culture. It is sweet and dark and melodically delicious blah blah blah. It is also very simple. The harmonizing guitars and trade off singer style on “Crystalized” is bouncy and cool. The mellow, 80’s-pop-singer-balladesque style of “Shelter” is dark and unnecessarily epic. It does show diversity, though, which is good for this record. It keeps you fresh and doesn’t wear you out with the exact same sound on every song. “Infinity” starts off dramatic and soft but quickly begins to sound just like a California surfer band that ran out of happy stuff to sing about and hired Phil Collins to produce a revival hit song. They should heed their own words in the song and “Give it up.”

But according to extensive research and the statements of high-ranking musicologists, the masses are suffering from a prolonged musical boner over The XX I personally don’t hear anything specifically mind altering on XX, and upon looking down, I establish that I must have erectile dysfunction or maybe I just like the record as a friend. Hmmm… The lyrics are easily forgettable and the melodies don’t ever really draw you in. But I’ll bet you there are at least a hundred scenester chicks in the Dallas metroplex that have this record on their iPod right now and can’t wait to show it to “Geoff” later. To which he will finally see how “in the know” she is and maybe… just maybe… finally kiss tonight… Vomit!

I can describe this record in the way that I describe a dining experience at Chili’s Restaurant. It’s never good. It’s never bad. It just is what it is. Personally, XX sounds like The Raveonettes with a bigger recording budget. Yeah! I said it! POW!

MP3: The XX - Basic Space

- Cory Coleman [c]

Giveaway: Tix to Warren G at Granada Theater

SubEx peeps mount up! The Warren to the G will be at The Granada next month to regulate. Sure like Vanilla Ice he may be predominantly known for one mega-hit single from the early nineties but I think it would be unfair to lump Warren G's upcoming stop in town to the more-flash-than-substance travesty that marked Van Winkle's Trees debacle. Just take a quick glance at the list of collaborators on his "Tha G Files" album released earlier this year; I think it's fair to say Ice wouldn't have been able to land names like Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Bishop Lamont, Ice Cube, Paul Wall, Lil Keke, and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker.

Long story short, the good folks over at the Granada have given us a pair of tickets to giveaway. If you want 'em just email us with the phrase "I'm tweaking into a whole new era" as the subject. Don't be a busta, just get to it already.

Congrats to the winner.

Bonus viddy: The Yacht Rock boys reveal the mysterious backstory behind Regulate.

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Asobi Seksu Does Acoustic

Normally, I wouldn't recommend going out on the sabbath (if only because everyone needs a recovery day). However, this Sunday (9-27) SXSW veterans, Asobi Seksu, return to Hailey's in Denton. This time around, though, the band is celebrating a new album, Rewolf. With a release date of November 10th, the all-acoustic disc was recorded at Olympia Studios right before the 50-year-old landmark closed its doors forever. You can expect to see material from their past 3 full-length efforts, limited B-sides and a luminescent cover of Hope Sandoval's Suzanne. So, pick up the CD when it's released in a little over a month's time, or make the journey to Denton to see their acoustic material live. It's a win-win situation either way.

~Jenn

What To Do, What To Do?

So many great shows this week it's hard to know where to start or what to say about them. Last night saw Ra Ra Riot playing the Granada which we reviewed for DC9.

And then there's the free Spree show at Palladium tonight of course, or you could opt to see Monotonix rip RGRS a new one as they stick things into their old ones.

Then the Horrors return to Granada tomorrow night. Every blog in town seems to have free tickets to this show, if you just read long enough you are bound to stumble upon some.

Saturday my new favorite punk band Hard Times are playing Zuroma, this is also the Mount Rightoues EP-release party and the first chance peeps will have to get their EP/Button/Sticker combo pack.

Lastly Asobi Seksu returns to Hailey's for some acoustic fun which Jenn will preview in further details in the morning.

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Giveaway: Tix to See Bassnectar at Granada Theater

Bassnectar and crew are coming to Dallas on October 1st for a big dance party-type show at the Granada. According to their publicist they will be bringing "...a custom built PK sound rig on hand from the Wobble Factory with lighting by Videolicious." Then when you mix the monsterous rig with heavy thumpers that as you might infer from the name are indeed pretty bass-intensive one would have to assume this one should be pretty massive.

Long story short, we have a pair of tix to the show to giveaway. Visit us over on our Twitter account and RT the phrase "Anyone care for a pair of tix to see Bassnectar @granadatheater 10/1 ????? RT and follow to win!" --well for a chance to win.

Congrats to the winner.

MP3: Bassnectar - Cozza Frenzy

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Congrats To The Best Local Music Website in Dallas

Congratulations are in order this morning to Michael Briggs and Brent Frishman over at NTX Showlist for turning a modified Google calendar into the award-winning Best Local Music Website in Dallas. You guys compile shows into a list format like no others. I looked for your acceptance speech this morning but alas you are still just a list. But I don't mean to sound overly snarky, as I will admit to using your site all the friggin time. Congrats again, you guys are the best.

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Need a Strokes Fix? Then This Is It

As of this month is has been 4 long years since The Strokes put out their last album, "First Impressions of Earth," and that's a long time to go without a Strokes fix. Sure countless Strokes spawns have cropped up in the 8+ years since the boys first burst onto the scene as the purported saviors of rock-n-roll, but really for me nobody does Strokes better than, well, The Strokes.

The boys have been putting out some pretty cool music under their various side projects, most notably Little Joy who had the distinction of being SubEx's 2008 Album of the Year. But that aside we were assured album #4 was in the works as of last January which I've recently learned will not be finished until sometime in early 2010. Perhaps the impending Julian Casablancas solo effort "Phrazes for the Young" is to blame? Either way it looks as if we'll still have some time to wait before anything new from The Strokes is out.

Which is what lead me to Chicago's Pet Lions. Their carefully-crafted indie pop immediately reminiscent of 2001-era Strokes. While they might not be as groundbreaking as The Strokes were, through consistently smart lyrics sung in a style closer to Ezra Koenig's pronounced style than anything Casablancas casually mutters they manage to forge out a sound that is all their own. Their debut EP "Soft Right" is full of accessible pop hooks and catchy melody, PLUS in a move that's becoming all to familiar these days, it can be downloaded for free by signing up for their mailing list.

MP3: Pet Lions - Roman History
MP3: Pet Lions - Stuck at the Bottom

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Who Knew Ukuleles Could Be So Magnificent?

Some folks choose to believe that with Facebook, Twitter, and the multitude of other social networking applications that it's an either/or situation. The great thing about having so many options for bands though is the magnificent synergy they create when working in concert with one another.

For instance this morning when @mattpicasso, aka Matt Jordan, aka "The guy who runs You Ain't No Picasso and works at CD Central" tweeted that if Dent May were famous enough Will Forte would do a great impression of him, it really didn't mean all that much until it was paired with videos and MP3's from Dent May and His Magnificent Ukulele I received later in the morning.

From Matt's Will Forte comparison it was painfully obvious which person in the press photos were Mr. May (although I would contend his looks are more Benny and the Jets-era Elton). And curious to see if he sang like Forte as well it was a no-brainer to watch a music video that I may have otherwise never thought twice about.

And the verdict? I suppose I could see a bit of Will in May's slightly tone deaf ,slightly arrhythmic brand of serenading. As initially off putting as it may be, it really has a way of quickly becoming endearing.

Quickly, what you'll see in the video is Dent May and his pals singing “Oh, Paris” to the unsuspecting patrons of Tacqueria Cancun, home of what May calls the greatest super tacos known to man. And what you'll hear in the MP3? The first single from the upcoming album "The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele" which I must point out was recorded in his home --a doublewide trailer which is parked in in Taylor, Mississippi (population: 300).

MP3: Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - Meet Me In The Garden

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Watch Princeton Get Killed and Then Go See Them Kill at The Granada

We've been throwing out our fair share of puffery for Wednesday night's Ra Ra Riot show at the Granada, but they are not the only draw of the night. Not to be overlooked are Los Angeles' Princeton who have a new album "Cocoon of Love" dropping next Tuesday. Just because they're not actually from the east coast as their name somewhat implies, doesn't mean they don't cop a little of that east coast style. Listen to single "Calypso Gold" and watch the video for "Martina and Clive Krantz" and hear them mix lush string arrangements with danceable syncopated rhythms much in the same way that RRR does. In short, they'll be well worth showing up a little early for.

MP3: Princeton - Calypso Gold

*EDIT: I completely forgot about the "Tweet-Up"/meet-and-greet thing with Ra Ra Riot which is scheduled for just before the doors open. It's a great opportunity to meet the band and perhaps snap your new facebook profile pic. I went to one of these a while back and totally got to hug Ben Kweller. That being said, I guess there is another reason not to dilly-dally on your way to the Granada.

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Raditude: The Game

I think everyone is painfully aware of my feelings concerning Weezer. While they were formerly one of my alltime favorite bands, they have been nothing short of dissapointment as of late. I have felt sort of bad, though, about bashing them so harshly as of late, which is why I haven't yet come on here and made fun their new album (though they make it pretty hard not to). Not one thing has been said about what a dumb title "Raditude" is (thanks again Rainn Wilson for that gem).

And then yesterday I came across a blog that revealed the "Raditude" tracklisting and I couldn't believe what I was reading. Is this a new Weezer album or a Backstreet Boys album? Instead of just coming on here and bashing it, however, I thought we could have a little fun instead.

Below are 20 song titles, 10 are from "Raditude" and 10 are from teen-pop acts. For each track just guess Weezer or Other, then add up your points (up to 20 obviously) and feel free to put your scores in the comments section. (Scroll down for answers)

1. (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
2. What’cha Gonna Do (About It)
3. Do Your Thing
4. I'm Your Daddy
5. Big Girl Now
6. The Girl Got Hot
7. Can't Stop Partying
8. Pumpin’ Up The Party
9. Walk Me Home
10. That’s Just The Way We Roll
11. Put Me Back Together
12. Trippin' Down The Freeway
13. Sexiest Woman Alive
14. Love Is the Answer
15. Let It All Hang Out
16. Girl Can Rock
17. In The Mall
18. Going Out In Style
19. Was it Something I Didn’t Say
20. I Don't Want To Let You Go




















ANSWERS

1. Weezer track 1
2. New Kids on the Block
3. *NSYNC
4. Weezer track 2
5. New Kids on the Block
6. Weezer track 3
7. Weezer track 4
8. Hannah Montana
9. Mandy Moore
10. Jonas Brothers
11. Weezer track 5
12. Weezer track 6
13. O-Town
14. Weezer track 7
15. Weezer track 8
16. Hilary Duff
17. Weezer track 9
18. Kellie Pickler
19. 98 Degrees
20. Weezer track 10

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Album Preview: Monsters of Folk

Five years ago I went to a Bright Eyes show at which I first heard Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, M. Ward, and Jim James refer to themselves as the Monsters of Folk. Collaboration that night consisted merely of Oberst playing on Ward’s “O’Brian Nocturne” and the quartet’s cover of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash’s “Girl from the North Country.” The only tangible takeaways from this brief introduction was how comfortable the guys were with each other and how easily their styles seemed to mesh.

Over the 5 years since that tour, the indie super group slowly put together the long rumored, self titled “Monsters of Folk” album. The group comes out swinging with two tracks (Dear God and Say Please) that completely integrate the individual artists’ abilities. Standing alone these tracks suggest the quartet has created a sound all their own. The remainder of the tracks however can be compartmentalized relatively easily into each artist’s unique style.

Whether its Wards aptly named “Slow Down Jo”, James’ dreamy “His Master’s Voice” or Oberst’s familiar escape themed “Ahead of the Curve”, each artist contributes material long time fans can readily identify. With Mogis primarily producing, (reminiscent of Jeff Lynne’s role in the Traveling Wilburys) either Oberst, Ward, or James take the lead on each song with the others contributing instrumental depth and surprisingly pleasant harmonies.

Playing all the instruments themselves, the album has the at ease quality their early live performance suggested it would. With a fluid track progression, the album will pair well with the peaceful feel autumn brings. I suggest listening to it with the windows open and a smile on your face.

MP3: Monsters of Folk - Say Please

-Justin Steele

Justin Steele is an extra special SubEx contributor

The Bukhan Killaz Strike Yet Again

I don't know how the timing is always so good on these things. Here we are in yet another dreary, overcast, slow news day feeling all down about ourselves when the Bukhan Killaz reemerge yet again. Somehow they always know just the perfect time to strike. For those playing along at home, I believe this is the 4th? overall attack. How those Bukhan kids manage to up their game every time I do not know.

=w=/Mikey

On my morning commute today something happened to me that never has before; I had to turn down the bass on my car stereo while listening to a Beatles album. The thing is, I’m just not sure if this is a good or bad problem to have. My initial thought a few months ago when I heard the Beatles albums were going to be artfully remastered was honestly “who cares?”. I have heard plenty of unnecessarily remastered/repackaged albums in the past and somehow I never fail to be disappointed.

With the Beatles though, I’m not sure what to think. I am a huge fan of their body of work, and I even have a cat named Maxwell Edison who I’m pretty sure would kill me with a silver hammer if he had opposable thumbs.

I mean, from the first note you hear its blatantly obvious that the remastering was done with surgical care. Every sound is crystal clear, hi-hats are crisp, the bass is boomy, a delicate balance has been struck, a perfectly flawless digital balance has been met. And yet I am hard-pressed to form an opinion. Sure, on the $1,500 Event monitors in my home studio the difference is immediately noticeable, but on my less than perfect car studio? Well I wouldn’t say the mix sounds as brilliant.

Tracks from the later years, especially those involving strings, do sound quite warm and current, but I’m not sure I like my Beatles to sound like they are the latest in studio wizardry. Reverb has mostly been stripped away and analog noise has all but been eliminated, but not completely to positive results. With the anti-wall-of-sound attitude being invoked these new remasters illicit images of Rick Rubin coaxing the fab four into stripping things down to the signature Beatles sound.

You will most certainly hear things you’ve never noticed before, such as dog barking clearly being vocally mimicked throughout “Hey Bulldog,” but you will also hear flaws and tiny inconsistencies. In short, the jury is still out. Yes the sound quality is nothing short of breath-taking, but is that necessarily what you want from your Beatles albums?

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But Don't Forget the Sour Cream

You may remember Jenn's call to action a few weeks ago concerning Oso Closo and their My Chipotle Burrito contest. Then this past Monday Chipotle announced that the boys won and will have a burrito named after them on the menu, as well as some prize money and year's worth of free chow.

We were able to do a pretty interesting little Q&A with Oso Closo frontman Adrian Hulet which is up over at the DC9 at Night blog. It's definitely worth checking out.

MP3: Oso Closo - Oso Closo Burrito

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Bonus MP3's

A few electro tracks I've been dancing to a lot lately. And by dancing I mean that awkward thing white people do when music is playing and by lately I mean only when nobody is looking.

It's no big secret Don Diablo's been working pretty diligently on a solo album the last few months. He's sent us a track called "Get On The Floor" which actually isn't going to be on the album, but like Don said, sending it to us is better than it ending up in his private collection. A little bird also told me Don just might make a stop through Dallas in December, so keep an eye out for that.

Not much to say about Stereoheroes new cut "Juke Dem Hoes" but it sounds just like you'd think it would with a title like that. Word of the year in electro music: "bang," and besides that being this tracks mantra it does bring plenty of bang. On a side note, the cover to this single is perhaps one of the most graphic I've ever seen.

We also got an email from little-known producer Alan Wilkis who we're sure we'll hear more from in the future. His "Warm Heart of Africa" is very 80's cheese but manages to retain the reggae groove that's so essential to what The Very Best is all about, and Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig's vocals just fit so well with this style. Dare I say I enjoy it more than the original (gasp!).

MP3: Don Diablo - Get On The Floor
MP3: StereoHeroes - Juke Dem Hoes
MP3: The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa (Alan Wilkis Remix)

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Eye On The Sparrow Designs

Ever wanted to make a donation to a good cause? “But all I have is this pocket cheese, some Visine and these broken guitar strings,” you might say. Well, there’s a little someone out there that will at least gladly take your old, used strings. Eye On The Sparrow Designs, created by Abbie Chesney, a member of the local music community, was begun just months ago to help raise money for The Carter Albrecht Music Foundation and would really appreciate a little help from the SubEx community.

Shortly after the tragic death of Carter Albrecht from the Dallas-based Sorta two years ago, Chesney, close friend to Carter, began to think of a suitable way to remember him. “I began to compile an idea to bring the music community together by collecting used bass and guitar strings from local musicians and turning them into bracelets and now earrings, in addition,” says Chesney of her design concept.

The idea for Eye On The Sparrow Designs came from two things. One, from a horse she acquired after Carter’s death that she named Sparrow; from an inside joke between both herself and Carter. The other came from one of four sparrow tattoo designs that Carter’s girlfriend had drawn; Chesney having one, as well as Dallas’ own Danny Balis having another that can actually be seen on the cover of his recent solo release “Too Much Living”. These sparrows became somewhat of a symbol of Carter after his death, and each piece of jewelry has a stamp of a sparrow on the tags.

Many great, local artists have already given contribution to this great cause including the likes of: John Dufilho of Deathray Davies, James Driscoll, Ryan Becker of RTB2, Chad DeAtley of Dove Hunter, Madison King, Sean Conway of Hello Lover, Keith Killorean of the King Bucks and The Drams and Will Woolsey of Airline.

“Danny [Balis] swears his are on the way any day now,” says Chesney. “It's all for a great cause with twenty-five percent of all jewelry sales going to The Carter Albrecht Music Foundation.”

Even though Eye On The Sparrow Designs has only been around for a couple of months, there have already been hundreds of dollars raised for the foundation and can only rise with a simple donation by you readers. I recommend that you all check it out for yourself on her her Etsy site. Donation information can also be found on the site or by contacting Chesney directly.

“I can't do this without musician donations,” says Chesney. “I’m constantly searching for donations to have enough product to sell.”

So, to all the SubEx community out there, get behind one of the most free and easy donations you could possibly make and contribute to a great cause that only wants to bring us all a little closer together… Hugs are welcome.

-Cory Coleman [c]

It's Been A Minute

I know it's been a minute since the last post, but I promise at the very least one of those annoying MP3-filled posts sometime today to hopefully make up for it. Cut us a little slack, we were doing our thing in NY at the VMA's. I won't go into full re-cap mode, but if you care to know how it went we tweeted it up pretty good.

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Those Crazy Hazy Flat Duo Jets

I never got around to giving "It Might Get Loud" a proper review, but rest assured it was a must-see for anyone interested in music, guitars, Jimmy Paige, Jack White, the blues, etc. It was basically an amazing 1-1/2 doc. that I walked out of saying "man The Edge is a piece of shit". Although he is supposedly an unsurpassed effects genius, his only real purpose in the film was to serve as a foil to White's no-frills genius and to make White/Paige look all the more brilliant.

One of the cooler discoveries for me from the film was the Flat Duo Jets a mid-eighties rock-a-billy/blues act that held most of White's same ideals. It's no secret that White has often credited frontman Dex Romweber with making him who he is today. Checking out the video for "Crazy Hazy Kisses" on YouTube you can see Romweber dripping pure energy/emotion over what could be a pretty blasse 12-bar blues. Squint your eyes a bit and you might even convince yourself it's an early encarnation of White himself.

Not that this revelation suddenly makes Jack White any less-revolutionary or brilliant to me, it is cool to see where he gets his essence from, and who is responsible for enabling the glut of indie rock duos the scene is bursting with today.

MP3: Flat Duo Jets - Crazy Hazy Kisses

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Bonus MP3: Mount Righteous, Sing To Me, Tiffany!

Regardless of how happy/proud I am of this song, I do realize that there is no possible way I can say absolutely anything about it without A) being biased and B) sounding extremely douchey. So all you are going to get from me is a snippet from the official press release.

We recorded this in a weekend at [Joey's] brother's “art church” out in Romney this summer. It was a very sweaty experience. There are no guitars on this recording.

9 songs were recorded, and we chose these 5 for "Open Your Mouth". The other 4 will definitely be available in digital form shortly. A new song called “Up All Night” will be on “Gutterth Compilation 2” in November. We’re writing a full length album right now as an 8 piece band. Our sophomore album will have electric guitar on it...

MP3: Mount Righteous - Sing To Me, Tiffany

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Live! Live! Live! (In Denton)

Beings that I am a Denton resident and amazing national acts usually pass us by for one of our larger neighbors, I'm more than happy to promote cool bands when they come my way. This week, for example, two such acts will be gracing little ol' Denton with their bigger-than-life presence.

First up, The Ettes headline tonight (so clear those calenders) at Rubbergloves. This stripped-down Nashville trio is opening for Juliette Lewis on her national tour, composed a few tunes for the upcoming Drew Barrymore roller-derby flick and brings the sexy with a sultry sound (imagine a fuzzed out, slow tempo version of early 90's girly rock).

Also, look for Charilift to pack out Hailey's with hipsters and college kids alike on Saturday night. After providing the backing track to an iPod Nano commercial (the mark of true underground success), this Brooklyn-based band has exploded in 2009 with various late night show appearances, a collaboration with Marc Jacobs, a VMA nomination and a fall tour with Phoenix and TV On The Radio.

So, take that Big D! Denton may not have big glowy buildings and murderous roadways, but occasionally we do attract the attention of notable musicians (and their booking agents). If only it were a bit more frequently....

~Jenn

Beirut’s "Prenzlauerberg" And The Mystery of Words

There’s always that song that stubbornly gets stuck in your head for a while, and you keep humming the one part you remember over and over to the point that annoys your friends. Right now, that song for me is "Prenzlauerberg" by the soul serenading Beirut. This song in particular, from the extraordinary album Gulag Orkestar, makes me cry in my pants. The stranger part than crying in my pants is that I don’t even know what singer Zach Condon is saying.

Sometimes I come across an artist who either sings in a foreign language, or, in the case of Condon, sings with such a slurred, un-emphatic vocal pattern, that I don’t really understand the lyrics. But I’ve come to realize over the years that the beauty of music is not just told through lyrics alone. Take Explosions In The Sky, for example, where the song title lets you create your own story from a symphonic rise and fall of melodies. "Prenzlauerberg" is the latest discovery of this sort. The words are mostly unintelligible; yet there is a deep emotional connection felt from the music. You can’t help but be spirited away on the notes of this Balkan inspired waltz and have your imagination take over. The imagination is like a fresh canvas, and songs like "Prenzlauerberg" are a brush and palette of musical paints that create an intimate, Technicolor work of art to each mind.

“Well just google the lyrics then, stupid,” said my mom. I tried, damn it. I even came across a blog centered on the fact that no one could find these allusive lyrics even after hours of searching or people’s lame interpretations of what the lyrics might be. Nope. Nothing but dead ends, folks. But I decided that I didn’t care. The song bleeds drowning sorrow. The hint of catching a word every now and then like cry, wait, advice… well at least I know I’m on the right track then. The droning orchestral arrangement, the up-beat crashing of cymbals, the swirling tone of haunting harmonies… "Prenzlauerberg" has such an epic resonance that I can only wonder at how amazing it would be to hear it performed live. All I imagine is a crowd of people just breaking down and weeping simply because the music made them.

Now, I am so in love with the mystery of the song that I almost don’t want to know what the real lyrics are. I implore you SubEx followers to listen to this song if you haven’t yet heard it. And for those of you that have, listen to it again, because yeah… it’s sexy good. And if anyone does happen to know the real lyrics, I guess let me know, and maybe I’ll drunk-google it one night when I’m all alone and vulnerable.

MP3: Beirut - Prenzlauerberg

-Cory Coleman [c]

Yet Another Likely Story

In honor of Neon Indian's big coming out party, so to speak, at Rubber Gloves tonight GvB has posted their remix of Au Revoir Simone's "Another Likely Story". For the most part I've yet to be suckered in by the massively overrated genre that is being lovingly reffered to as gorillavsbearcore and this track didn't do much to help the cause. It's just usually a band will have performed live at least once before being reviewed in Pitchfork or at the very least will have a debut album out.

While it's not an entirely unpleasant track to listen to, the arpeggiated keyboards don't really seem to do much to compliment the laid back quality of the acapella track the way the LehtMoJoe version did. Still though, I am proud to know that the 2 best remixes of this song thus far have come from our own backyard.

MP3: Au Revoir Simone - Another Likely Story (Neon Indian Remix)
MP3: Au Revoir Simone - Another Likely Story (LehtMoJoe Remix)

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Wanna See Ra Ra Riot For Free?

Chamber Pop champions Ra Ra Riot are coming to town again (does this make 3 times in less than a year?) to promote their elegantly melancholic Rhumb Line album. This time, however, not only are they are playing our favorite local venue, the good folks at The Granada have given us a couple of pairs of tickets to pass along to the loyal SubEx masses.

Wanna see Ra Ra Riot for free? There are 2 ways to win. To win the first pair, email me with "Dying is Fine" in the subject line. To win the second pair re-Tweet the following phrase "Want a pair of tix to see Ra Ra Riot Sept. 23 @granadatheater??? RT @SubExBlog to win!"

That's it. Get to it, and good luck!

Congrats to the winners, and thanks for all who participated.

MP3: Ra Ra Riot - Dying is Fine

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LOLCORNELL: Scream on a Plane Edition

In honor of the news that passengers on all Virgin American flights would be forcefully subjected to Chris Cornell's "Scream" album against their will, we've decided to bring back the LOLZ for this very special "Scream on a Plane" edition. Please enjoy, and don't hate us too much.

(Comic courtesy of Al Byrne, click to enlarge)

And just for grins, a few plane-related LOLZ we found in the archives.

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Musicans I'd Go Gay For

The electric guitar documentary "It Might Get Loud" was finally released in Dallas today. I haven't been this excited about a movie in a long time, which I think is due largely in part to my girlish-like obsession with Jack White. I mean it I seriously love this guy. Which lead me to wonder if under the right circumstance I would in fact go gay for him. I honestly can't say that I wouldn't. So, instead of questioning my sexuality like a normal man, I opted instead to compile a list of all the musicians I'd go gay for.

Jack White

The great thing about White is that he’d always keep you guessing. What’s he going to do next, produce a country album? Start yet another super group? Make a cameo appearance in another movie? Go back to reupholstering furniture? No matter what the busiest man in the music biz decides to do, you know it’s A) going to be high quality and B) going to be absolutely fascinating.

Dave Grohl

Even if you’re not into his rugged good-looks you can’t deny his charisma. Throw in the fact that he was in 2 (soon to be 3?) of my favorite bands of all time and I don’t stand a chance. Plus I’ve never seen him not chewing gum, which to me equates to a propensity for fresh breath.

Chris Cornell

I think my long-term man crush for Cornell has made itself pretty self-evident throughout the life of SubEx. But who could blame me? I defy you to find me somebody who doesn’t go gaga over a man with the pipes of an angel, the body of a 25-year-old surfer, and the sensitivity to write some of the greatest songs of the decade?

Prince

This guys oozes so much sex during each and every performance that it is sometimes uncomfortable to watch this guy play while fighting back arousal. And if the old adage that a guy that plays an instrument is immediately hotter holds true, what would one say about a guy who’s an expert at 23 instruments? I rest my case.

Stevie Wonder

If it’s true that losing one sense makes the others stronger then sign me up to see what this guy could do in the bedroom. For instance just look at how nimble those fingers are as he playful strokes his clavinet. And not that I even have to say it, but once you go black…

Daryl hall

Maybe because of his enviable golden locks, or perhaps just because I’ve just been watching a little too much of his monthly “Live From Daryl’s House” internet show but I think I could, in fact, ‘go for that’. Not only was he both the brains and beauty of his 80’s duo, he’s also somebody who can appreciate a man with a good mustache (which might explain how Oates kept his job for so long).

Ben Kweller

Sure he may have put on a little weight as of late, but really it only serves to make those chubby cheeks even more squeezable. His solo debut ‘Sha Sha’ is still one of my all time favorites, and besides showing off his versatility, ‘Changing Horses’ shows he’s still greatness. And like they say, everything (and I mean everything) is bigger in Texas ;)

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New LehtMoJoe Remix to Appear on Röyksopp's Upcoming Vinyl

I am not naive enough to think that we at SubEx have been the only ones blogging about local producer LehtMoJoe over the past few months. And judging from the popularity of the weekly remixes he released leading up to his Spaghetti Western album, we realize this hasn't been the case by a long shot. Even still I liked to think that SubEx was a LehtMoJoe insider of sorts, often being the first ones to offer up Leht remixes or bits of news.

So it was a tad surreal for me today when another blogger emailed US today to break the story that LehtMoJoe's remix will indeed be among those included on Röyksopp's upcoming vinyl release of their latest single "This Must Be It". They have also been offering free downloads of Leht's remix to build a little buzz for the single.

The single is out October 26th. It will be cool to finally own some LehtMoJoe on vinyl --even if we weren't the first to know.

This Must Be It (LehtMoJoe Remix) by Royksopp

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Mailbox Music Thursdays?

Once again I find myself with an overwhelming amount of solid MP3's on my desktop that I don't think I could ever find enough time to get around to giving each the proper review that they deserve. My best option is probably to start doing Licorice Pizza-style mailbox clearing posts every Thursday. Just throwing it out there, let us know what you think.

Highlights for me this time around include Blackalicious member Gift of Gab's new solo release, pyschadelic duo Sunbears! who's show we saw at Granada a few months back and believe me it way outdoes their recorded material. There's also a few new ones from one of SubEx's fav remixers Dave Wrangler who we still think should make his way to Big D for a few club gigs before too long. And probably the biggest buzzing act from the list are The Very Best, but when you look at some of their famous collaborators (M.I.A. and Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig just to name 2) it's really no wonder.

Electric Tickle Machine
Psychedelic / Garage / Pop
From: East Village, NY
Band MySpace
Coming to: The Lounge on Elm St Nov. 19
MP3: Part of Me

bygones
Alternative / Punk
From: Los Angeles
Band MySpace
MP3: Click on That (Smash The Plastic Death)

Coathangers
Experimental / Punk / Rock
From: Atlanta
Band MySpace
Coming to: The Cavern on Oct. 13
MP3: Toomerhead

Gift of Gab
Hip Hop
From: Oakland
Band MySpace
MP3: El Gifto Magnifico

Logan Lynn
Indie / Pop / Emotronic
From: Portland
Band MySpace
MP3: Feed Me To The Wolves

Dave Wrangler
Indie / Hip Hop / Club
From: Houston
Band MySpace
MP3: Outkast vs Ratatat - Wheelz of Steel (Dave Wrangler Remix)
MP3: YACHT vs Amanda Blank - Might Like You Better (Dave Wrangler Remix)

Sunbears!
Rock / Electro / Psychedelic
From: Jacksonville, FL
Band MySpace
MP3: I'm Alive!

The Very Best
Psychedelic / Electronica / Reggae
From: Malawi/England
Band MySpace
MP3: Warm Heart Of Africa (feat. Ezra Koenig)
MP3: Rain Dance (feat. M.I.A.)

Tim Williams
Indie / Alternative / Acoustic
From: New York, NY
Band MySpace
MP3: Bruises (acoustic)

Trevor Giuliani
Indie / Folk / Electroacoustic
From: Portland
Band MySpace
MP3: Wasting Your Town

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About Last Night: Fruit Bats at The Loft

Midway through Fruit Bats performance at The Loft in Dallas on Tuesday night, lead singer/genius Eric D. Johnson looked at the paltry crowd of around 40 people and sheepishly said, “Thanks for coming out”. The immediate response from someone in the crowd echoed the sentiments of all; “Thanks for sharing your sweet melodies!”.

With their new record, ‘The Ruminant Band’ topping the CMJ radio charts, Fruit Bats have the look of a band that will be gracing the covers of Rolling Stone and headlining large festivals in the near future. On record, Johnson’s vocal register travels a wide range without falling into an American Idol, “look at me” trap. Live, he hits all the notes effortlessly while adding a gruffness that adds more emotion to already heart-wrenching songs.

The band also managed to avoid a common pitfall of a musically talented band. The phrase ‘70’s country-rock jam’ is frequently used in describing their music. It would be easy for them to fall into some Phish-like/jam-band-from-hell trap, but instead they keep the songs short, punchy and exciting. Solos are taken without a need to shine a spotlight or have everyone else in the band turn down a bit. These guys know they’re good and trust the intellect of their audience to follow along without needing cue cards.

The band was clearly in great spirits, chatting with the crowd throughout, smiling, laughing at their own inside jokes during songs while churning out “sweet melodies” effortlessly. Their cover of INXS’s ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ could easily have become a parody given the material. Instead it was a fun and heartfelt exercise that the band clearly loved performing.

A brief note about the state of the Dallas music scene. The turnout for this show was absolutely embarrassing, which makes this the second ‘under-attended’ concert I’ve been to in the past month (Gliss sold out their show in Austin after drawing a handful of people for their Dallas show). Eric Johnson’s connection with The Shins and the great publicity the new album has received should have been enough to draw a sell-out crowd. Dallas has a full-time, alternative (although I use the term loosely) FM station and an HD-Radio station that streams online for free. Neither plays the bands’ music and didn’t make any effort to promote the show. How much longer will it be, before labels like Sub Pop (The Fruit Bats label) and others start skipping Dallas when planning tour itinerary’s? Shame on you, Dallas. You missed the best concert I’ve seen this year.

-Todd Cochran

Todd Cochran is a special contributor. Read more of his fine work over at his site The Dumbing of America.

Fruit Bats @The Loft +Good Records In Store

Friendly reminder, the Fruit Bats are playing one of our favorite Dallas venues, The Loft, tonight. But before they bring their Rubber Soul-esque harmonies and 70's-infused indie jams to the intimate setting that embodies The Loft, Eric Johnson and company will be playing a stripped down in store set over at the even more intimate Good Records. In store starts at 7 sharp, the big show starts at 8.

*Edit--> Urban Outfitters have some free tracks you can download HERE, one of which is by none other than the Fruit Bats.

*Double Edit--> FREE BEER. Need I say more?

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