Midlake - The Trials of Van Occunpanther

This is one of my recent favorites. It's just so purty; the melodies and instrumentation are second to none, and the drummer is incredible (see video). I decided for this post to just copy and paste from their website (linked below) cause it's pretty accurate:

Every once in a while, a band comes along that undoubtedly evokes something special. You don’t know what it is, but you are certain that they belong set apart from amongst the crowd of musical peers in which they lay.  You quickly find yourself coming to the foregone conclusion that this band’s music is to be revered and will remain relevant for some time to come. Midlake has not only embodied this idealism in the hearts of many already, but with the introduction of their latest album, ‘The Trials of Van Occupanther’, they are making it a reality

Midlake


'Young Bride'

DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist - Product Placement

Most of you have probably heard of DJ Shadow (I'll probably post some in the future) and I'm sure you're also somewhat familiar w/ Cut Chemist and his projects (Jurassic 5 mostly), but you may or may not be aware of their collaborative projects. Basically, they've done 3 sets of tours together where they spin the greatest soul/funk records that you've never heard, and it's reaaaaaally great. There's also a great dvd that you can get w/ this cd and it gives you a much better appreciation for what's going on. Check out the clip below.

DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist

Fleet Foxes - Self-titled Debut

This album isn't out yet, but you need to get it as soon as it does. Will probably go down as the best album of 2008. Local Seattle outfit on Subpop has blown up recently after a nice review of their EP on Pitchfork. Think Crosby, Stills and Nash, 4 part melodies, feel good country camp fire gorgeosities. This is a must have.

Fleet Foxes

Pickwick & the Botticellis

Two bands that you will be hearing about in the near future, The Botticellis and Pickwick also happen to be dear friends of mine. The Botticellis are out of the bay area and make beautiful Surf/Pop songs that will have you humming melodies for weeks! Pickwick is a local Seattle indie/folk outfit whose influences range from Bob Dyland to Yo La Tengo. I won't go into detailed descriptions and taint their music, just know that it's really really good! They both will be touring soon and playing together @ Bottom of the Hill in San Fran. If you're in the San Fran/Bay area you should definitely check it out as you won't want to miss it.

Check out their pages and let me know what you think.

Edan - Beauty & the Beat

From the future we go back to everyone's favorite decade, the 60's. The album is pretty much exactly like the album art; psychedelic, heavy, beautiful melodies, and yes, hip-hop's greatest MC's w/ Beatles haircuts. Makes it hard to believe that all the production and rhymes were made by a jewish guy from Boston.

Edan - Beauty & the Beat





The guy dancing...is not Edan, but he's pretty fucking badass.

Deltron 3030

Today, we go back to the future. First up, Deltron 3030; the delicious collaboration of Dan 'The Automator' Nakamura and Del The Funky Homosapien. You may or may not have heard Automator on Dr. Octagon, Lovage, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Gorillaz...etc. Del is also in Hieroglyphics amongst numerous other projects including Gorillaz. This, however, finds both of them at their finest as far as I'm concerned. Nothing quite like quirky futuristic hip-hop, both epic and head-bobbing, mmmm...

Welcome to the year 3030:


'Mastermind'

Panda Bear - Person Pitch

Like Pitchfork, this was easily my favorite album of last year. Panda Bear is the drummer from Animal Collective and you can definitely see the similarities, but this album is definitely unique as well. As my good friend Miguel described to me; think tribal and dub music produced by Four Tet and sung by Brian Wilson. Ummm...ya!

Panda Bear

'Comfy in Nautica'