Need NYE Party Music? SubEx Got You Covered

We understand the economy hasn't been great this year and not everybody is going to be able to afford to go out tonight or to pay a fancy DJ for their NYE parties tonight. No worries, SubEx has got you covered. Below you will find links to download 4 of the very best mixtapes we've heard this year, full of all the hottest mashups, etc. That should give you a good 4+ hours of party tunes to shake your rump to. And after your mixtapes runout, everyone should be too drunk to notice when you just restart your megamix back at the begining.

Have fun, be safe, and have a good time. SubEx will see you next year.

The Hood Internet Mixtape Vol. 4
The Best of Bootie 2009
Stereogum & Team 9's MySplice 4
Versus: The White Panda Mixtape

And here are but a few samples of the types of goodies that lay within:

MP3: Eminem Front (Eminiem vs Clipse vs The Who)
MP3: Party Ben - All The Single Ladies In Mayberry
MP3: Phoenix Gets Cured
MP3: Hood Internet - Good Old Fashioned Rump Shaker (Matt and Kim vs Beastie Boys)

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A Fight In The Streets Tonight

The very first post I ever did for this blog was about my buddies in Man Factory who at the time had just released 'Round 1' of their planned 3-part Street Fighter II rock opera. It's been awhile, but after a summer of recording and a winter of rehearsals the boys are all set to make a triumphant return. While 'Round 2' won't officially be released until sometime next month, you can hear the new portion of the trilogy tonight live at Caves bar in Arlington at 10PM sharp.

Download Round 1 for Free

MP3: Man Factory - Balrog 24/7

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Manned Missiles - Might As Well EP

When you first pop in the CD of a band with a name like Manned Missiles you might be expecting something in the vain of noisy garage-metal to come blasting from your speakers. Anything but carefully-crafted pop tunes. And thoughtful piano tinkering would be right out. But then again you'd be wrong. With their Ben Kweller-meets-Robot Monster Weekend sound, semi-soulful vocals, and dare I say early Beatles penchant for melodies on their new Might As Well EP, the Denton crew really managed to hit the nail on the head. Even better it's available for free download on their bandcamp page.

MP3: Manned Missiles - The Way

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You Want More R. Stevie Moore In Your Life --Trust Me

While I've been doing the post X-mas cleaning, throwing away old clothes, installing a new light fixture, etc. all day the music of eclectic songsman R. Stevie Moore has made things go along a lot smoother. And it's not just because his song "Dewey Decimal System" appeals to my library science schooling, the lo-fi legend has amassed over 400 self-released cassettes and CD-R's in his career. Or as the great Joey Kendall once put it, "He eats all your obscure diy singer/songwriter friends for breakfast."

As of now Lost Frog has a free download of Hobbies Galore: His Best Sixteen. Grab it before it's gone. There's no better R. Stevie Moore introductory collection out there.

MP3: R. Stevie Moore - I Want You In My Life

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Return of The Dark Horse

I just got word that The Besnard Lakes will be releasing their followup album to the rapturous The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse LP in March 2010 via Jagjaguwar. While the psychedelic guitarwork is supposed to be the centerpiece of the Montreal husband/wife's brand of dirge-pop, it's the female harmonies that I can't get enough of.

MP3: The Besnard Lakes - And You Lied To Me

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A Holiday Reminder From The Flaming Lips

In the spirit of the fast approaching holiday, a special song came to my mind this morning. The Flaming Lips, who, in fact, will soon be headed our way, have an affinity with the Christmas season. The song “A Change At Christmas (Say It Isn’t So)” from the Ego Tripping At The Gates Of Hell [EP] gives a real perspective on humanity during the holidays.

Everyone in this world is different from one to the next. Anger, pain and sorrow fester in the smallest crevasses of our minds on a daily basis. But there is something about this time of year that, for the most part, brings the world together under a common banner of peace and love and joy and sharing. But why does it have to only be this time of year when people are in such communion?

“It’s just human nature, and that’s just the way we are… Say it isn’t so…” is Lips singer Wayne Coyne’s answer. There’s no way that we can always be happy all of the time. Through happiness, there is sadness also. You can’t have one without the other. Maybe this is what makes the holiday season so much better. If we were always happy, we would never really know how great it is to be that way. It’s not until you have met the dark that you can really see where the light begins. But it’s a bit sad that we become so much closer and, generally, happier in this time of season, but then “go back to the way we were” before; killing and stealing and lying and cheating.

This song is just a reminder to look at ourselves at this, the end of another year, and realize the beauty of community and happiness, and how during this time of year, “All of mankind reveals it’s true potential.” Happy Holidays from all of us here at SubEx.

MP3: Flaming Lips - A Change At Christmas (Say It Isn’t So)

- Cory Coleman [c]

The Guestlist w/ Andrew Tinker

In anticipation of not being around for a day or two I figured I best leave you with something tasty. And what could be more tasty than the latest edition of the Guestlist? Founding Spree member Andrew Tinker offers up quite the treat. His rock/pop/country/r&b/jazz-filled debut full-length, It Takes The World, released earlier this year is quite a gem. Don't simply take our word for it, tune into KXT for any period of time and you are bound to hear his nostalgic take on young love "Nineteen". It's a little early, but I'll go ahead and and reveal one of my New Year's resolutions for '10 is to catch this guy live.

"The Top Five Essential Tunes To Be Included In Any Well Rounded “Air” Musician’s Repertoire" by Andrew Tinker

5. Michael Jackson - “Billie Jean” (Thriller, 1982)

This is an air bass player’s go to track – it’s got the essentials: grooviness and simplicity. This combination allows the performer to focus almost exclusively on doing the signature bass player head bob.


4. Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Call Me the Breeze” (Second Helping, 1974)

Although it has a few noteworthy air guitar moments, the real gem of this particular song is Billy Powell’s rippin’ piano solo. Watching a great air piano player nail the intricacies of this solo is an exhilarating, though all too rare delight.


3. The Who – “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (Who’s Next, 1971)

Keith Moon would have made an incredible air drummer had he not been an actual drummer. That is why his dazzlingly flamboyant playing style, showcased most famously in “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” has served as inspiration for air drummers of all ages and abilities for the last forty years. And when you’re not splintering air drum sticks into tiny shards of rock n’ roll, you can pop a few air guitar strings with some Pete Townshend windmills. For more advanced air guitarists, try throwing in a scissor kick or two.


2. Ferde Grofé – “Cloudburst” (Grand Canyon Suite, 1931)

A masterpiece of American music, Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite features a finale capable of transforming a single air musician into a one person air orchestra. “Clouburst” calls for the player to be a passionate air violinist, a delicate air cello soloist, and an epic air trombone player, to name only a few of the prominent air musician roles. You can even crank an air wind machine if you like. But the most prestigious character is also the most intense, and certainly the most fun to play – the air conductor. Taking up the air baton to lead a world class air orchestra through the heroic ending of “Cloudburst” requires the air conductor’s full concentration and technical ability, and a successful run through will certainly leave you walking on air (sorry, I couldn’t resist).


1. Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (A Night at the Opera, 1975)

This piece has everything. You can pantomime an air piano part, play the air chimes, wail a classic air guitar solo, cue an air choir, and of course, sing your guts out. Sure, you might welcome the challenge of taking on all the parts single handedly while in the privacy of you own car, but the real magic is how this song changes a room of ordinary folks just minding their own business into a coordinated troupe of rock musicians and opera singers capable of flawlessly performing the most demanding technical passages, even (and often) while intoxicated. And all it takes are five little words: “Is this the real life...”


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LOLCORNELL of the Week

Ya it's more LOLCORNELLZ. Get over it already.




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New Naxat Demos

Alex Atchley claims he started his Naxat project because nobody in the DFW area wanted to work with him, and whether or not that's a truefact, it's probably better this way. With nobody to compromise with Atchley is left much to his own devices. There is also nobody to prevent him from combining videogame music with prog tendencies. And while I'm not ready to say he's the next Kraftwerk or anything, he will still take you on a pretty grandiose midi-laden adventure just the same.

He's recently posted some new demos on his website (where you'll find some other free downloads as well) in order to convey his new musical direction and to entice area listeners to his 12/26 tour kickoff show at 1919 Hemphill. Sure it may be historically the worst day of the year to schedule a show, it would still be a shame not to go to this one.

MP3: Naxat - flashbulb (demo)
MP3: Naxat - a voices (demo)

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Uffie's Got Something You Can Kiss

Uffie is back with a new single 'MCs Can Kiss' from her upcoming Sex, Dreams & Denim Jeans. Though Mr. Oizo relies heavily on an Ohio Players sample the verse still feels more Lipps, Inc to me. Throw in a vocal performance that would make Lady Tigra proud (you know you love the cars, the cars that go boom), and I'd say Uffie is all set to become Ed Banger's counterpunch to Mad Decent's Amanda Blank. Although I can't lie, the faux sax solo outro does kinda lose me. Fortunately the rest of the track is strong enough to keep me coming back.

Besides Oizo, the disc will also feature SebastiAn, Pharrell, Feadz, and Mirwais (aka Morrow's dream production roster). Look for it, appropriately enough, on Valentine's day 2010.

MP3: Uffie - MCs Can Kiss

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So Long, 2009.. Hello There, 2010..

In a little more than two week, a new year will be upon us. Have you made those ever-important, ever-cliche resolutions yet? Did you include the vow to attend more home-grown concerts than those held at Super Pages headlining acts rhyming with "The Tonas Dothers?" Well, get ready to make good on that promise (while keeping the stadium feel) this spring. Come March, Denton, Texas will once again be the stage for the up-and-coming NX35 Music Conferette (similar to SXSW but with less walking). AND, (well enough vamping, Jennifer) Flaming Lips is on the bill!!! This Oklahoma-born group is set to perform a free show on Saturday, March 13 on Hickory Street (one block east of Denton's historic town square). Midlake and Stardeath and White Dwarfs will open. Happy fucking New Year, everybody. 2010 is looking pretty sweet already!

~Jenn

Make That Top 41

I was standing in line at Wendy's while chanting 'where'd you get that, where'd you get that' when it dawned on me that I had made a glaring oversight on my top 40 songs of 2009. Let me be the first to apologize to Max Moon, Dallas producer Picnic’s new collaboration with Astronautalis. Their debut track from this year's Kixpo mixtape, "Urban Outfitters," makes the duo's LP something to watch out for in 2010. This one is so good it’s hard to believe it was made by locals –especially when one considers that it isn’t an instructional dance tune.

MP3: Max Moon - Urban Outfitters

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LOLCORNELL of the Week

Could it really be? Is it too early for a New Year's resolution? I can't believe it has taken me this long, but I think I have finally realized the only thing that can fill a certain Cornell-shaped hole in my heart...

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My Thursday Morning Soundtrack: My iPod Is Much Better Than Yours

As most of us now have an iPod of some sort, you know how after a while, your shuffle tends to repeat itself or plays songs that you don’t dig on at the time and end up skipping. This morning the ol’ shuffle blew my musical mind with a back to back to back chain of consistently awesome songs.

At first I didn’t really think anything of it, but as it continued on, I grew more ecstatic and nervous at the same time; realizing what greatness was happening… Like that Friends episode where Joey and Ross throw the ball back and forth in the apartment without dropping it for hours upon hours? You know you’ve seen it too. I knew this was too good not to share with the SubEx community. So here it is in it’s entirety from beginning to end for your enjoyment. Happy Thursday!

1. Arcade Fire- Neighborhood # 1 (Tunnels)

2. Richard Buckner- Fater

3. Jesus & Mary Chain- Just Like Honey

4. Frente’- Pretty Friend

5. Mos Def- Life Is Real

6. Pearl Jam- Dissident

7. Sunny Day Real Estate- Guitars and Video Games

8. Golden Smog- Please Tell My Brother

9. Yves Montand- Rue St. Vincent

10. Townes Van Zandt- Sad Cinderella

11. 100 Damned Guns- Hard Row To Hoe

12. Loretta Lynn- Mrs. Leroy Brown

13. Elliot Smith- Waltz # 2

14. Wilco- Rhythm

15. Planxty- Follow Me Up To Carlow

16. Ryan Adams- Blossom

17. They Might Be Giants- Fingertips (part 13)

18. Bob Dylan- Just Like A Woman

19. Minus The Bear- Pachuca Sunrise

20. Old Crow Medicine Show- Wagon Wheel

21. Ella Fitzgerald- I Thought About You

22. Drive-By Truckers- Outfit

23. Beach Boys- You Still Believe In Me

24. School Of Seven Bells- Chain

Suddenly, part 8 of The Hobbit audiobook came on next; thus ending my longest chain of consistently awesome shuffle songs ever. It seemed fate, as the last song was called “Chain”. I knew it was the shuffle’s way of saying that everything good must come to an end eventually, and it was wonderful. And so now, too, comes the end of our time together. Music is neat!

-Cory Coleman [c]

Cory G's Top 40 Songs of 2009

There's a part of me that thinks these year end lists are a little silly. Everybody does one and in general you end up seeing the same handful of songs on everybody's lists --only in a slightly different order. The massive increase in traffic, however, shows that people really do love these lists. But come on, in the end though you don't really care if I rank Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks" 4 slots higher than St. Vincent's "Marrow" or 8 slots below it. So here they are, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, the top 40 songs that I liked the most this year.

1. St. Vincent – Marrow
2. Two Weeks – Grizzly Bear
3. Paper Chase – What Should We Do With Your Body
4. Nurses – Technicolor
5. LehtMoJoe – Tom Petty
6. Pony Pony Run Run – Hey You (StereoHeroes Remix)
7. A.C. Newman - Changeling (Get Guilty)
8. RTB2 – When Hammer Hits Stone
9. Danny Balis - Tethered
10. Giggle Party – Jason Bought A Hatchet
11. Very Best – Warm Heart of Africa (feat. Ezra Koenig)
12. David Bazan – Bless This Mess
13. galleryCat – Say Say Say
14. Dazzler – Yesterday’s News
15. Passion Pit – Little Secrets
16. Disco Ruido – Mrs. Love
17. Dirty Projectors – Stillness Is The Move
18. The Spinto Band – Moonwink
19. Peter Bjorn & John – Nothing To Worry About
20. Camera Obscura – French Navy
21. Congorock – Runark
22. Julie Doiron – Consolation Prize
23. The Bird and The Bee – My Lover
24. Alela Diane – White As Diamonds
25. Dead Weather – Treat Me Like Your Mother
26. Phoenix – Lisztomania
27. Big Boi – Shine Blockas (feat. Gucci Mane)
28. Major Lazer – Hold The Line (LehtMoJoe Remix)
29. Here We Go Magic – Warm In The Shadows
30. White Rabbits – Percussion Gun
31. Miike Snow – Black and Blue
32. Wilco (The Song)
33. Them Crooked Vultures – Scumbag Blues
34. EELS – The Look You Give That Guy
35. The Thermals – Now We Can See
36. Dent May and His Magnificent Ukulele – Oh Paris!
37. Kid Cudi – Make Her Say
38. Monsters of Folk – Say Please
39. Devendra Banhart - Angelika
40. Ben Kweller – On Her Own


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Random Fact of the Day

We've done this before but it's been far too long. Basically just a random fact we find fascinating. No back story or full post necessary.

In November 2007, Butch Walker lost all of his possessions, including the masters to every song he had ever recorded, when the Malibu home he was renting from Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers burned down as a result of a wildfire in Southern California. Butch titled his new album "Sycamore Meadows" after the street the house was on.

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Holopaw Wants Your Art

Inspired by the line "In the retelling let it be rendered just a pinprick, just a puncture, just a scratch," from their song "The Lazy Matador" Holopaw decided to recruit a couple dozen artists to 'respond to/remix/reimagine' their new album Oh, Glory.

The bevy of paintings, drawings, collages, videos/films, and performances they got in response can be found over at the band's blog. Listen to their single "The Art Teacher and The Little Stallion" below and if you feel inspired the band would love you to send them your art. Either way it's a solid little number to start the day off with.

MP3: Holopaw - The Art Teacher and The Little Stallion

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Been sitting on this one for quite some time now, so perhaps you've all heard it, but we have been in a hip-hop mood this week. We're working on a little project that we can't talk about just yet, but we think 2010 is going to be the year when DFW's super talented emcee's finally come above ground and start getting some of the attention they deserve.

As for the Cool Kids, this mashup with Chicago's Hey Champ (clever I know) much improves upon the version that appeared on Cool Kids' super disappointing Don Cannon-produced Gone Fishing mixtape. You may remember the annoying 'Tha Cannon' drops that so polluted the disc it actually made us start to hate Don Cannon, Pat Summerall, that guy from that 1920's stock footage that takes a cannonball the gut, the movie Cannonball Run, and basically anything that remotely involves cannons --pirates included. Anyhoo, it's also pretty refreshing to hear Mikey and Chuck rapping over somebody else's beats for once.

MP3: Cool Kids x Hey Champ - We Are Champions

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The Guestlist w/ Don Cento

I recently read an article in another local publication where the author was pondering the "Dallas" sound. While the author in question wasn't all that successful coming up with a defining band or sound for our city I will argue that he simply got here too late. Before the "D-Town Boogie" movement made Dallas the unofficial capital of instructional dancing we had a great rock scene. Not only were bands like Chomsky and Deathray Davies all the rage, to me that was the "Dallas" sound.

For Chomsky's Don Cento "15 Minutes to Rock" was not his 15 minutes of fame. He has been playing with boogie-woogie-surf outfit Shibboleth for some time now --heck I remember seeing them at the old Trees in my high school days (probably opening for Weener if I had to guess). Cento and his extremely talented bandmates also served as Trey Johnson's backing band for his Mount Pelee disc released earlier this year. And if you didn't know already Cento also turns out to have quite the sense of humor. Case in point:


"The Top 5 Members of the Jackson 5" by Don Cento

5. Michael - The King of Pop began his career in the Jackson 5 as the Prince of the High-Pitched Squeal. Tragically Michael died at age 50, never having fully learned the alphabet. Alternate names for Michael: Jacko, Toddler Toucher (acquitted), Suzanne

4. Marlon - Vocalist. Also a Wayans. Followed his singing career by portraying an aging Mafia boss presiding over his family and empire during a time of global change. Alternate names for Marlon: Marlonboro Red, Dennis

3. Jermaine - Bassist and second-tallest member of the group. Solid choice for the middle linebacker position. Alternate names for Jermaine: JJ, J.J., Jay-Jay, Paul

2. Tito - Lead-guitarist and most uniquely-named member of the group, Tito followed in his fathers footsteps and organized his three sons into a family band. Unfortunately lighting does not strike twice. Alternate names for Tito: Tit-O, Tito Totto, Roger

1. Jackie - The man's name is Jackie Jackson. 'Nuff said.


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Scanners - Salvation (Don Diablo Remix)

Our buddy Don Diablo has turned the newest single by UK rock outfit Scanners into an epic dance monster with his addition of guitars, strings, and a killer break. The 'Salvation' remix EP is out now via Dim Mak Records. That's the touch of death for all you western-minded kids.

Diablo's managaer also tells me 2010 US dates are currently being confirmed. Let's hope that means a Dallas stop is on his horizon.

MP3: Scanners - Salvation (Don Diablo Remix)

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A Little Bit Party And A Little Bit Bullshit

All over the hype machine lately I've been seeing a mashup of that shitty Miley Cyrus song with Biggie's "Party and Bullshit". Isn't this kind of blasphemous? Sure the Notorious one is so BA that he makes even that blonde tart's cheesy synth lines sound decent but that's not the point. Perhaps one DJ just thought he was being clever, with He being the party and she being the the bullshit. But even that bit of solace doesn't much comfort me. Instead I'd like to resubmit the PB&J mashup our buddy (and recent Guestlist participant) Dave Wrangler did last January. After cleansing your pallate with Miley it sounds just as refreshing as ever.

MP3: Notorious B.I.G. vs Peter Bjorn and John - Party and Bullshit (Dave Wrangler mashup)

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Subservient Experiment's Albums of 2009

Sure we may all spend our spare time contributing to the same blog, but us SubEx-ers are a diverse set. Never the type to settle on trying to come up with some sort of amalgamated top 10 list that could somehow simultaneously encapsulate all of our collective tastes we have instead opted to churn out separate lists. Really it just means lists for you to peruse and/or scoff at. Enjoy.

CORY GRAVES' LIST

10. Dead Weather – Horehound
Sinister heavily rocking blues from one of 2009's MANY supergroups. If live shows were taken into consideration they’d definitely be much higher on the list. As it is though, Horehound is still one of the darkest, dirtiest albums of 2009 and retains a mean sexiness that put it over the edge.

MP3: Treat Me Like Your Mother

9. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
See Passion Pit’s “Manners”. I couldn’t go anywhere for awhile without hearing “Lisztomania,” but hey that song was pretty BA. I saw these guys live in NY this summer and they also turned out to be one of the tightest live bands I’ve ever seen. Period.

MP3: Lisztomania
MP3: Don Diablo x Phoenix x Jay -Z - 99 Fences

8. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
2009 has been the year of the supergroup (I was this close to having 3 in my list) but Them Crooked Vultures were simply on another plane. It wasn’t really a surprise to anyone that one of the godfathers of metal, John Paul Jones, could collab with one of grunge’s founders (Dave Grohl) and one of the quirkiest guitar players of the aught’s (Josh Homme) without it turning out to be the extraordinary and heavy work that it did.

MP3: Mind Eraser, No Chaser

7. Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career
Orch-pop (and it’s offshoot Baroque-pop) have been pretty big the past year -and-a-half, but nobody quite does it as well as Camera Obscura. After all, who can’t appreciate a band that infuses inspired classical arrangements with such spot-on pop sensibilities?

MP3: French Navy
MP3: My Maudlin Career

6. Passion Pit – Manners
In today’s one music climate one surefire way to measure an album’s greatness is to just take a look at how many remixes it spawns. If this were the only criteria Passion Pit would be the far and away #1 album on everybody’s top albums list this year.

MP3: Little Secrets (LehtMoJoe Remix)
MP3: The Reeling

5. St. Vincent – Actor
To me Annie Clark is the perfect conundrum; porcelain features with darkly anxious lyrics, her gentle coo over distorted syncopated strings, electronic affectations to more classical arrangements. When all of these elements come together the result is one of the smartest and freshest albums of the year.

MP3: Marrow

4. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
The sheer brilliance of this album earned the boys a diverse following from people like Jay-Z to Michael McDonald. And for good reason, this disc has it all. Although brilliantly orchestrated throughout there are still moments that can make your head bob –which explains why The Hood Internet were able to mash “Two Weeks” and Dead Prez’s “Hip Hop” so seamlessly.

MP3: While You Wait For The Others
MP3: Grizzly Bear vs Dead Prez - Two Weeks of Hiphop

3. Nurses – Apple’s Acre
The Nurses somehow create psychedelic, kaleidoscopic pop while remaining extremely minimalist. The primal simplicity of the percussion adds just enough to make the whole thing rhythmic without add too much clutter. I’m really surprised I haven’t seen more people talking about this record this year.

MP3: Technicolor

2. Paper Chase – Someday This Could All Be Yours
All I have to say about this album is that it is utterly brutal. This is one of those take no prisoners albums that will be glad to deliver a personal ass-kicking whenever the listener feels like they need it.

MP3: What Should We Do With Your Body

1. A.C. Newman – Get Guilty
Every musical idea has its purpose on the New Pornographer’s latest solo effort, and despite somewhat grand orchestrations, the album manages to maintain its intimacy. The disc’s standout track "Changeling (Get Guilty)" best exemplifies this idea, with its palm-muted pre-chorus that make the astonishingly explosive wail of "Change your mind…" in the chorus even more overtaking.

MP3: Submarines of Stockholm
MP3: There Are Maybe Ten Or Twelve


MORROW'S LIST

10. Boomkat – A Million Trillion Stars
Taryn Manning, best known for her stair falling performance in that Brintey Spears' movie, and Hustle And Flow. She's got a band with her brother, called Boomkat. They are pretty good. Nothing great here, but I like her voice and the production. That is all, move on.

9. LehtMoJoe – Spaghetti Western
Not just a remixer, this local boy has got some great original material. Electro/pop/hiphop done well. What do you know?

MP3: What Do You Know

8. Lupe Fiasco – Lasers
Jay Z released the Blueprint 3 to great fanfare, and failure. Yeah, I said it. 2 strong songs does not an album make. Lupe is as solid a rapper as they come these days. You probobally didn't catch it, but check Fire, flips Hendrix. Interesting take, and I think he pulls it off. "Your flow looks like my bedroom when I was four".

MP3: Shining Down

7. Taken by Trees – East of Eden
Beautiful vocals. Features the best cover of "My Girls" this year by leaps and bounds. Pan flutes, sitars and classical spanish guitars elevate this album into a genuinely refreshing aural experience.

MP3: My Boys

6. Muse – The Resistance
Muse continues their Queen VS Yes VS Radiohead ways on this 2009 release. Very large, very epic, sprawling, at times overreaching, but lovely to hear an anti establishment group do well in a market full of puppets and lady gagas.

MP3: Uprising

5. Mr. Oizo – Pourriture EP
It's an EP, get over it. Either you're are into this kind of electro, or you're not. You cannot convert, Oizo is a genre unto himself. Much like a Burger Box number 1, his style remains largely the same as his efforts in the late 90's. Check out the white trash superstar Uffie on Steroids (Mr. Oizo Remix), yes, he remixes himself. BET YOU WON'T!!!!

MP3: Pourriture 7

4. Lonely Island – Incredibad
SNL's Adam Sandler pt. 2, Andy Sandberg and his seamen at Lonely Island release the funniest album since Silk the Shockers' "Charge it 2 da game". Buyoed by white people favorite " I'm On a Boat", every obnoxious boat owning white person now has a new anthem, move over Sir-Mix-Alot, we gonna fly this boat to the moon somehow.

MP3: Jizz In My Pants

3. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
You've heard it everywhere, and you love it. Don't you. Great pop/funk/electronic music.

2. Bassnectar – Cozza Frenzy
Dubstep/electro/skitz album of the year. FOOLS. Bassnectar lives up to their name, sake. And if you are listening on anything less than 8's, you are doing a disservice to yourself and local residential district. Plenty of attention to detail on this release, crisp, clear and cool. Won't mix well with your lean, however.

MP3: Cozza Frenzy

1. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, John Paul Jones. Really, what more could you want? 3 genuine bad asses blend in the best supergroup collobaration this decade. "Scum bag blues" and "No One Loves Me & Neither Do I" lead this riff laden, diverse, and excellently crafted album.


JENNIFER HUDSON'S LIST

10. Deer Tick – Born on Flag Day
The gravelly, tobacco-worn voice of John Joseph McCauley III (multitonal almost to the point of Tuvan throat singing) paired with old-school country beats produces one of the most genuine albums of this year.

9. Amanda Blank – I Love You
Although Amanda is not revolutionizing the rap/pop genre by any means, she did put out one hell of a dance album. Not to mention that this is, in fact, her debut effort! AND I know every word to every song...that has to mean something.

MP3: Might Like You Better
MP3: Might Like You Better (Radio Krome Remix)

8. St. Vincent – Actor
Local-ish girl drops the pretty whitewash and puts out a darkly brilliant album. Fuzzed-out guitar tones and layered techno noise create a hard backdrop for Annie Clark's sweet vocals.

7. Regina Spektor – Far
A personal favorite, Regina never disappoints. On her latest, she's taken her trademark pop (one filled with sound-effects-as-instruments, quotable lines and her standout accent-tinged voice) to the next level where there's enough room to contemplate God, frolic at the beach and enjoy a dance number or two.

6. Those Darlins – Those Darlins
This, my friends, is a drinking record. Wrought with songs about booze, songs about the problems caused by booze and songs about the adventures had with booze, the self-titled debut is a hard-hitting gem that is eclipsed only by its live retelling. Seriously, if you missed Those Darlins the last time they were in town, that is a grave mistake you aught not to repeat.

MP3: Red Light Love

5. The Dead Weather – Horehound
I must confess. I love the Zepp. And, since Jimmy Paige is being a prick, this may be the closest I come to ever hearing new Zepp material, albeit female fronted material. Plus Jack White is kind of a god.

4. Ida Marie – Fortress 'Round My Heart
Fun! That's all I've got, and that's all you need.

3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It's Blitz!
When this rock band decided to exchange lead guitar with a synthesizer, it gave me pause. But, thankfully, the YYYs really brought their A game along with their synth! Never doubt Karen O; lesson learned.

2. Florence + The Machine – Lungs
A pretty voice made interesting by truly unique sound layering. This formula doesn't lose it's effectiveness from the first song to the very last note.

MP3: Drumming Song

1. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
And....Neko Case! Besides being one hell of a singer, Neko can write circles around most of today's artist. Her lyrics read like deepy personal poetry without that artificial, cutesy aftertaste that some firsthand accounts create...not to mention that her backing band is an extremely talented group of seasoned professional musicians. She just can't fail!

MP3: People Got A Lotta Nerve


CORY COLEMAN'S TOP 10 RECORDS I LISTENED TO MOST IN 2009

Instead of doing a top releases of the year list, I have decided to list the top 10 records that have influenced me, been a part of a certain season of change or simply just something I couldn’t stop listening to throughout the year. It could also be called “Top 10 Records of 2009 That Annoyed Jenn While Riding In My Car.”

These albums, and in one case a different type of “album” altogether, span the years and are not in any way limited to being a new release. Regardless, I believe it to be a quite diverse and thorough list for you all to enjoy. Here’s to another year! And here’s to the sunny slopes of long ago. Cheers.

10. Pedro The Lion – Winners Never Quit
Every year has times of happiness as well as its share of sadness. And I’m sure I’m not wrong in saying that for most people, when we are sad, there is a certain record that we sadistically like to listen to and really let the darkness sink into the depths of our spirit. This year, that record for me was Winners Never Quit.

9. Harper Simon – Self-Titled
Out of all the music I have heard or records that I have reviewed since writing for SubEx, this was my fav. of the bunch. He’s the son of a musical genius. How could it be bad? Plus he reminds me a bit of me, I guess.

MP3: The Audit

8. Park Family Bluegrass Band – Tradition
This was a record my Mimaw picked up at a festival she and my Papaw attended this past spring where they saw this band perform... All traditional songs, of course. She gave it to me, and I let it sit for months. One day I popped it in my car stereo on a whim and was immediately blown away at the talent of this band. I mean… It really is a family band. The fiddle player is an 11-year-old girl for cryin’ out loud! She rips that bow to shreds!

7. Beirut – Gulag Orkestar
I came across this fairly recently and was immediately drawn to it. I even wrote a little something about one of the songs on this record a few months back, because it moved me so intensely. There is just something hauntingly beautiful about the Balkan folk sound that really sucks me in.

6. 100 Damned Guns – Musica De Tormento
These boys are some good friends of mine and the rest of the Ramblers. We’ve played with them for a few years and even opened up for them for the release show of this record back in March. Their mix of originals and spins on traditional songs are energetic and generally just badass. One of my favorite locals and a really good record.

MP3: Broken Bottle Blues

5. Townes Van Zandt – Live At The Old Quarter- Houston, TX 1973
This record is my favorite Townes record of all that I have ever heard. It’s just him, a guitar and some really ridiculous jokes. Live. His voice is immaculate and the stories he tells for each song really gives a more personal understanding of the lyrics behind them. Who are Loop and Lil? I know.

4. Felice Brothers – Self-Titled
Though released last year, I was not made aware of The Felice Brothers until a good portion of this year had already passed by. I first heard these guys on a Catastica trip to Austin with my guitar player Andy. I honestly thought it was some Bob Dylan record I hadn’t heard at first, but really took a liking to their folk ballads and murder songs. Better than the Avett Brothers?

3. The Complete Harry Potter Audiobook Series (Specifically The Half-Blood Prince)
I know this is out of the ordinary, but I can’t help but pay homage. A friend of mine, who shall remain Kate DePeety, downloaded this entire audiobook series for me as a Christmas present last year, as I am technologically… Dumb. Best present ever?! Yep.

I was in a music funk. I was tired of everything, and I mean everything on my iPod. This was perfect! Since I work in a cube-farm, it was great for me to put on and just zone out for the eight hours of my daily sentence. Narrated by one of the most talented voice personalities, Jim Dale, I could leave my grey prison cell every day and be the biggest nerd in the muggle world. I literally cycled through all seven of them for about six months straight. Then I found SubEx and found good music again!

2. Raveonettes – Whip It On
This album was given to me by a now ex, also as a Christmas present last year. It has been in on of the six slots of my car’s six-disc changer since then. It was great to me at first, but then, as you know through a break-up, it can be painful to hear after that. But having worn out the other discs in the changer to the point of possibly no return, I begrudgingly would go back to it when I didn’t have my iPod. Recently I have fallen back in love with it. Every song is in b minor, and every song has a distorted, driving melody. It’s a quick listen. Maybe 25 minutes? But it keeps your attention for every second.

1. Beachwood Sparks – Once We Were Trees
This is, hands down, my record of the year. Again, this was something I got from my guitar player Andy. I sat on it for a while and never really… Well… Having recently written about my Beachwood Sparks beginnings, I won’t retell it here, but I will say that this record is definitely in my top 10 records of all time for sure. It is just a really good Country-folk rock record. I don’t see how anyone could not like this band. Amazing.

MP3: Silver Morning After



-SubEx

RAAAAAAAANDY RAPS!

The artwork above pretty much says it all. The 8-A'ed Aziz Ansari alter ego apparantly has some mic skillz and ain't afraid to use em. If you remember the mini-doc Raaaaaaaandy came out with around the time of Funny People's release the only thing we all need to know about him is: "1. Y'all ain't ready. 2. Motherfuckers need to know. 3. Get yo' shit." Well it looks like come February us "punkasses" just might finally be ready.

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Everyone High-Fiving At Once Apparantly Looks Like This

Not sure really what's going on in the new Fang Island video. You may remember us posting the MP3 for their track "Daisy" a minute back, a nearly 5-minute long track the band describes as sounding like 'everyone high-fiving at once'. For the most part, the very simplistic viddy is just a group of sexually confused juggalos (or possibly happy hands club members) gallivanting about in an abandoned ballet studio with a group of ex presidents --and Al Gore. Like OK Go's efforts, it employs the same single camera, continuous shot that we're really suckers for. Only Fang Island manage to pull off the no-budget thing without getting called out for being deceptive masters of illusion. Upstart director Carlos Charlie Perez might be one to keep an eye out for.

MP3: Fang Island - Daisy

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A Lesson In Science With Sonic Youth

A familiar song came on my shuffle this morning, and right from the first “note” I knew exactly what it was. “Starfield Road” from Sonic Youth’s Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star record had inched it’s way into the mix. I’ve been in a very nostalgic mood recently, as what happens frequently with the changing season, and I remember that this was one of my very first and most loved records growing up. I felt compelled to immediately go back and listen to this entire record from beginning to end and recall thoughts of the good ol’ life back in ‘94.

I must say. This album has held up strong against the tide of time these past 15 years. Every song is just as raw and dingy as it used to be, but now with even more grit from all the trash it has trudged through over the years to maintain it’s status today as the quality record that it is.

Sonic Youth has the art of noise down to a science. I guess after 28 years together, it’s not that hard to believe. They have been praised as redefining what a guitar can do in rock music with their construction and deconstruction of instruments for different timbre and accent effects. Many have tried to follow in their footsteps and for the most part fallen short, but their influence can be seen in different ways in many groups. I hear evidence of this influence in some groups like the Raveonettes’ trebley, distorted guitars, or even our own RTB2’s insanely intricate, driving melodies and grungy vocal patterns.

Sonic Youth’s distortion and noise infused “melodies” create abstract beauty from both disaster and chaos. Founder and lead vocalist Thurston Moore is a musical experimentalist and genius. Bassist Kim Gordon is one of my all-time favorite female vocalists/performers… Also one of my first crushes… Maybe still holds a special little place in my heart?… Ahhhh. Kim Gordon *dreamy face*. Her deep, raspy, moaning voice is dark and thoaty, and her scream is shrill, yet guttural at the same time. Plus, she’s just damn sexy. That’s that. Sonic Youth would not be the same with anyone else.

I’m glad that these guys have stayed somewhat on the radar over all this time and still remain an influence in the musical world. Although I hate to see them regaining popularity from appearing on an episode of Gossip Girl, I guess after 28 years, a little extra face time couldn’t hurt. Sonic Youth deserves to be better known and respected in the music world than they have been. That concludes today’s lesson, folks… And there will be a quiz later.

-Cory Coleman [c]

Guestlist w/ Dave Wrangler

Over the last 10 years Dave Wrangler has managed to carve out quite the niche for himself in the world of electronic music. Nary a day goes by where you won't find a Dave Wrangler remix or mashup climbing its way up the Hype Machine's popular music charts. Sure he is recognized annually by various Houston media as one of the top DJ's in the city, but his greatness isn't limited by H-town's city limits; Rolling Stone magazine called his 'Life of the Party' mix a "goldmine". But really the most important thing is that his mixes are a SubEx staple. He's definitely a good, and on a side note we also appreciate the fine example he set by writing an intro to his list.


"5 Songs That I'll Take to the Afterlife" by Dave Wrangler

Everyone on this planet (that has a soul) holds close to them a unique group of songs that have touched them in ways that others might deem inappropriate. Alas, from my personal library I modestly offer to you these five gems that have shaped my life in rather peculiar, but significant ways.


Morrissey - Margaret on the Guillotine

"Viva Hate" by Morrissey- the VERY first piece of vinyl I ever purchased from a mom-and-popper called Hogwild Records. No offense to anyone sensitive to this subject, but if one were ever to slit their wrists- this song would provide the most poetic soundtrack. A personal classic.


Depeche Mode - Shake the Disease

A timeless DM track that was never released on a studio album. "Shake the Disease" is ancient in terms of the musical lifeline (1985), but still relevant to anyone who has ever fallen under the spell of love. "Here is a plea, from my heart to you. Nobody knows me as well as you do. You know how hard it is for me to shake the disease that takes hold of my tongue in situations like these." So powerful. Kudos to Martin Gore for penning this masterpiece.


Lisa Shaw - Always (Lovetronic Remix)

My first introduction to deep house was the Lazy Dog compilation mixed by Ben Watt- this track is the standout by far. If anyone should ever pursue the production of a vocal deep house tune- this should be the model that is followed. Lisa Shaw is to deep house as goober is to grape- ponder that.


Phoenix - If I Ever Feel Better

I first heard this tune on Erlend Oye's DJ Kicks album- a must have DJ mix. "If I Ever Feel Better" so precisely illustrates the time you got heart handed to you in brown bag, probably got cheated on, the dumper moves on WAAAAAYYY too fast, sunglasses indoors to hide your puffy eyes...the whole bit. Miraculously, you meet an amazing person, but the timing is just not if your favor. Who knows, maybe when you do feel better, you'll feel like kickin' it....we can chit-chat about superficial shit then commence to doing adult thangs. Thangs the good Lord forbids us to do.


2pac feat. Digital Underground - I Get Around

What happens when you do feel better? Well, you get around...and by around, I mean "AROUND." Like, "take no prisoners" around. "I Get Around" is the the quintessential summer-time-BBQ-reminisce about the days of freedom with your boys-party track. Don't we all sing aloud when the line "tryin' to make a dollar out of fifteen cents (a dime and a nickel)" comes on? Does anyone even know what that really means? R.I.P. Tupac Shakur = hip-hop royalty



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Diplo Answers The Call

A mere matter of days after we posted our conundrum over whether or not it was acceptable to dig Gucci Mane an answer has made itself clear. On this, the day Gucci's The State Vs. Radric Davis drops, Diplo has come forward like a toe-headed beacon in the night and shown us the way. On his Mad Decent website the illustrius Philly DJ has announced that he and Gucci are, in fact, collaborating on a mixtape.

Interestingly enough Diplo opts to drive the nail deeper into autotune's coffin in liue of keeping Gucci's chorus in the same key as the instrumental. And even though this isn't the awe-inspiring dream track we were expecting, we still have high hopes for this collaboration's future output.

MP3: Gucci Mane - Danger's Not a Stranger (Diplo Remix)

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WTF, OK Go?

Blame it on the YouTube generation or just their penchant for pushing the creative low-budget envelope, but over the last several years Ok Go have been excessively more well-known for their videos than the actual songs the videos are made for. And more power to them I say. How many of us honestly would have ever heard "Here It Goes Again" and thought twice about it without the fancy treadmill choreography? An MTV awards performance and a Target commercial would also have been out of the question. Pretty good for not really having much of a record deal at the time.

OK Go is back up to their old tricks with their latest viddy for WTF. And even though the boys have a fancy Capitol Records deal this time around doesn't mean they have abandoned their low-budget, thoughtfully choreographed, 1-take videos composed using pretty much just a green screen, colored gaffer's tape, and dollar store toys. It's simple, colorful, and simply gorgeous --but who would have expected anything less?

Oh ya, and the song is actually pretty cool as well.

*Bonus: The boys have made a "behind the scenes" type video and posted it to YouTube that shows them just walking around to the green screen, waving wiffle ball bats at beach balls, etc. Too cool.

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Over The Weekend: An Early Christmas Present For Denton, TX

This weekend held quite a musical extravaganza for our fair burg of Denton. A trifecta of some of Denton’s best venues: Hailey’s, Dan’s Silverleaf and Andy’s Bar all had a special night of music for our listening pleasure. And all being located within the rim of the quaint Denton Square, you could almost see a golden glow of musical grandeur radiating outward into the open sky of Saturday night.

The annual Spune Christmas Show at Hailey’s rolled around again for an early Christmas surprise that did not let down. First of all, it was a five-dollar show, so we’re starting out on a good note. Upon acquiring the essentials from the bar, I headed in to find a new, yet highly buzzed about group, Baruch The Scribe, seducing the packed room from the main stage with their haunting, Balkan folk-style melodies.

After finishing their set, all I had to do was simply turn around to find the immediate beginning of an intimate set with Doug Burr on the second stage, whom near the end of his set, threw his set notes into the air, stepped away from the mic and went into a classic version of “Silent Night” that got the whole crowd singing together as if it were a hymn in Sunday service. It was a strange, yet wonderful and peaceful feeling and gave me a great sense of humanity around the general heart and soul area.

Following Doug Burr, a new group to my ears, though highly regaled by my fiddle player Mark, Seryn took to the main stage to great cheers from the crowd. I had never heard them before. But with their upbeat, folky melodies of banjo, fiddle and even the hammer dulcimer at times, mixed with their fresh vocal harmonies, I could not help but quickly become a fan of Seryn.

At this point, I make a short walk over to Dan’s Silverleaf to see the ol’ boys from 100 Damned Guns opening up for the King Bucks. After catching about the last half of 100DG fast-paced, set of country ballads, who always put on a great show and are genuinely nice guys, I braved the chilly Saturday night air and stepped out for a smoke, as Dan’s is now one of the few places in Denton to become non-smoking. Remember that, kiddies! The King Bucks then took to the stage and played through a pocket full of slow, country originals to boot-stompin’ honky-tonk classics until I realized that the night had to go on!

One more shot of Jameson to warm the bones, the march led back through the cold to Hailey’s for the headlining act, Telegraph Canyon. A group of talented instrumentalists, these guys combine some very compelling lyrics with layers of complicated and driving melodies in a stripped down and raw performance. A great act to see live and almost ends the night’s musical journey, but not quite yet!

The road then led to where it usually does for me, Andy’s Bar. My second home, Andy’s also played host tonight to a little two-man crew called RTB2. You might’ve heard of ‘em. Front man Ryan Thomas Becker, whom also just added to our “Guestlist” postings, is one of the most talented and eccentric musicians this side of the San Gabriel River. If you have heard RTB2, that is one thing. But seeing them live is quite the experince; amazingly mind-blowing and completely raw and different.

This was the perfect nightcap to a night filled with some of the area’s most potent and intoxicating acts and made for the best musical binge I have had since NX35 back in March of this year. For those that witnessed, you can agree. For those who did not, well… there’s always next Christmas, darlin’.

Cory Coleman -[c]

Finally Getting Into The Spirit

I've made no bones the past several years of my life that I am completely disillusioned with Christmas music. I absolutely cannot stand local stations going "all Christmas" --especially when they start before I've had my first bite of Thanksgiving turducken. Furthermore, I feel like when an artist releases a Christmas album that is the ultimate sign that their career is in the creative toilet (see: Bob Dylan). Rarely ever does one regain their integrity after sacrificing artistic production to the creation of a product designed solely as a profit booster.

That being said, I have been pretty refreshed this morning by Holiday Records' free Christmas music comp. Church Library, Bonfire Kids, The Arctic Flow, Historical Society, Victory VIII, and The Señors of Marseille all have contributed their freshly unique takes on what otherwise are considered 'classic' Christmas tunes. I especially love the way The Señors insert a pause into the prechorus of "Have A Holly Jolly Christmas" to emphasize the "KISS HER" line. Download the full comp here (via Holiday Records).

And as a bonus just to push you over the Christmas-spirit edge I'm including LehtMoJoe's 2007 mashup of 50 Cent's, "In Da Club" with Sir Paul's "Wonderful Christmastime" which is still firmly in my holiday rotation. Also a newcomer in my holiday mix are Here Holy Spain with their Dinosaur Jr-esque take on the season with, "God-damn It's Christmas". I think the title on that one pretty much speaks for itself.

MP3: The Señors of Marseille - Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
MP3: LehtMoJoe - In Da Christmas Club (50 Cent vs Paul McCartney)

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Blind Item: Guess Who's Coming to Denton

In the spirit of those trashy celebrity news sites (yes, I read those...don't judge me, monkey), I would like to submit my own gossip-worthy music tidbit that has yet to be released. So here it goes: This multifaceted female singer/rapper might like you better if you make the journey down to Denton for her February show. Happy hunting, kids.

~Jenn

To Gucci Mane or Not To Gucci Mane?

I have found myself at a crossroads this afternoon, as I'm really not sure if I quote-unquote should like Gucci Mane, but I'm starting to think that I might. I mean, I AM twice the G that I appear, but I'm also not what you'd classify as Street either. On the surface I can see there is nothing musically groundbreaking about his ghetto stylings, but I still find my head bobbing when I hear one of his jams. Perhaps it's because I can identify so personally with his lyrics about 'sipping on purple stuff' or using 'kush as my cologne'. Or perhaps I have just been brainwashed by every one of my FaceBook friends using "party party party, let's all get wasted" as their statuses every weekend. I guess really what I am asking is is this socially acceptable or should I just keep my love for his dirty southern rhymes on the DL?

MP3: Gucci Mane - Lemonade

*EDIT: Case in point, the phrase 'party party party let's all get wasted' was added to my FB wall not 5 minutes after I originally posted this. In all caps no less.

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Akron/Family

Akron/Family's 2009 disc is one that borders on minimalism, sparse arrangements, while managing soul-shaking rhythms much in the same way The Nurses were able to do this summer on what quickly became one my favorites of the year.

The exuberant New Yorkers also further prove I'm a sucker for wisely-used auxiliary brass/wind instruments. Pick up Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free via Dead Oceans, and look for them to come through down in late Feb. 2010.

MP3: Akron/Family - River

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What Does You Know?

The good thing about putting in your notice at work? People stop expecting much from you at all. As such I've just been on YouTube all day jacking around, watching cat videos, and this LehtMoJoe/Rock-afire Explosion video about a half-a-dozen times. Just silly enough I had to share it. And speaking of Leht, he now has a 'RemixOne' zip file floating around the interwebs that has all those pre-Spaghetti Western remixes he was putting out like crazy all summer long. For those of you that probably missed at least one or two, well here they are in one neat and tidy package.

Download: LehtMoJoe - RemixOne

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Toro Y Moi, What's In A Name?

Looks like the lo-fi bedroom cassette sound that has been so big this year will be continuing into 2010 as Toro Y Moi (a.k.a. Columbia, South Carolina's Chaz Bundick) releases his latest effort Causers of This in February via Carpark. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not as up on the latest blggr terminology but I'm going to take a shot in the dark and call this gorrilavsbearcore with a multicultural flavor. That's probably way off but I've never really been big on labels anyway. Fortunately for Toro Y Moi the music speaks for itself.

MP3: Tory Y Moi - Blessa

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Clare and The Reasons Cover Genesis' "That's All"

I discovered Genesis at an early age when Nickelodeon for a reason I can't recall played the videos for "I Can't Dance" and "No Son of Mine". And up until a year or so ago I wrote off everything Phil Collins as a waste.

But Collins has had a pretty sizable resurgence in the hipster community as people have started to realize not only that he was a pretty formidable drummer, but that skill when mixed with his electronic 80's drum timbres result in samples that can be dropped in just about every dance remix out there. Just try to go to a club nowadays and see how much time passes before the DJ spins a tune that features one of Collins boisterous drum fills --I'd go as far as to say electronica historians will look back upon Collins as the James Brown of the 2000's. Perhaps "In The Air Tonight" will even be to our kids what "Funky Drummer" is to our generation.

At any rate, I find it interesting that Clare and The Reasons could cover Genesis' "That's All" without including so much as a single snare hit. Instead they opt for an "Eleanor Rigby" style string arrangement that accentuates what often goes overlooked: Collins' top-notch song-writing. When a song not only stands the test of time, but survives a genre change, gender of vocalist change, and gets stripped down, you know it must be great.

Clare and The Reasosns' new album Arrow is out now via Frog Stand Records.

MP3: Clare and The Reasons - That's All (Genesis cover)

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The Guestlist w/ Ryan Thomas Becker

It's been said before, but Ryan Thomas Becker is perhaps the most talented musician our area has to offer. It only makes sense that he's also probably the busiest as well. Aside from playing in four different bands (his RTB2 project being a SubEx fav), he's also an accomplished solo artist as well.

His sixth solo album Neighborhoof is out today. We're big fans of it, but that doesn't mean you should just take our word for it, Becker is playing a release show tonight at J&J's in Denton.


"My Top 5 Denton Rock Shows" by Ryan Thomas Becker

5. Will Johnson / John Vanderslice / Octopus Project

@Rubber Gloves

May 8, 2002

There were about 12 people in attendance that night. A member of the Octopus Project banged on a snare drum over pre-recorded madness. The drummer (Christopher McGuire) from John Vanderslice’s band passed out “notes of rock” to the show attendees. Mine read, “Rock will never die, only get stronger” in bloody ink scrawled on a torn piece of paper. That note is still in the tray of the JV disc I bought that night. WJ played “Gun” by Uncle Tupelo. A fan yelled out, “Impala!” (Funland cover). It was just another Wednesday night at Rubber Gloves.


4. Andrew WK / Corn Mo (.357 Lover)

@Dan’s Silver Leaf

April 28, 2007

I have never seen a wilder show at Silver Leaf. Corn Mo and his band were a vision. AWK opened his set solo to the surprised faces of the few hardcore AWK-ers. He played classical pieces on the keyboard and sang a Scott Walker cover (Duchess). Then .357 Lover and Corn Mo came out and backed up WK. Madness. Corn Mo and AWK’s pianos were facing each other. Dueling pianos. Just madness…


3. Centro-matic / Grand Champeen / Lo-Fi Chorus

@Rubber Gloves

July 7, 2000

This was just another excellent night of rock n’ roll (something that you can usually find around here on most nights). Grand Champeen owned it (they have become my favorite Austin band), and I probably sang along to Centro’s Huge in Every City. Highlight: GC’s cover of CCR’s Hey Tonight.


2. The Polyphonic Spree

@Dan’s Bar

July 10 2001

My excitement for the Spree has waned over the years, but I will never forget this night. Deemed as an “Intimate Evening” by the Spree, twenty five (+) band members were crammed on the tiny stage at the old Dan’s Bar. I was just two feet away from Delaughter. Growing up listening to my brother’s copy of Bill and adoring Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb, this evening led to a love that would last… let’s say a good year.


1. At the Drive-in / Jimmy Eat World / Post from Vermont

@Rubber Gloves

March 6, 1999

It’s back to Rubber Gloves. Oh, this was my first RGRS show. My co-pilot and I drove for a good hour before finally finding Sycamore off of Carroll. RGRS did not have a bar area at that time. It only had the main room (with an outside stage/hangout). BYOB. Packed house. We could only move laterally across the back of the room. Every few minutes, we would see the fro-ed head of either Cedric or Omar pop up over the audience.


Honorables: Rock Lottery, Little Grizzly’s farewell shows, jetscreamer at an open-mic night, and way too many others that deserve mentioning.


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Rubblebucket Orchestra

Not to say that I'm neccessarily on the lookout for bands that prominently feature horn players, I will admit my ears perk up a bit when I hear the familiar tones of a fellow trumpeter. Rubblebucket (formerly Rubblebucket Orchestra) are a soulful bunch that combine dancier Talking Heads grooves with more Fela Kuti-like tribal beats --and of course the integral horn section only serves to up the whole game a notch or two. It's also refreshing to see acts more and more frequently bucking the trite verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-double chorus formula. Check out their self-released, self-titled sophomore LP.

MP3: Rubblebucket - Bikes

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