Bluegrass

Head over to Fitz & The Tantrums website to stream their soon-to-be-released album, Pickin’ up the Pieces. This is probably my favorite band these days. It takes a lot for me to get excited about a band/album and this is one I’m excited for.

Looks like the girl on the cover of Vampire Weekend’s Contra wasn’t too happy they used her photo – she’s suing them.

Kanye West leaks his latest, Power.

Janelle Monae feat. Big Boi – ‘Tight Rope‘
Janelle Monae routinely does no wrong in the music world. Listen to this and tell me you aren’t jamming in your office chair. Try it.

Locksley – ‘She Does’
I feel like this should be the background to an Apple iPod commercial. All the silhouetted people dancing to this with white headphones and a colorful background. Yes, I believe so.

Aloe Blacc – ‘I Need a Dollar’
I like to listen to this song as I’m billing clients. Soulful number here. I need a dolla, dolla, dolla that’s what I need…

Chairlift – ‘Bruises’
Fun little bass line here. Takes me back to San Francisco where I first heard it.

Fitz & The Tantrums – ‘Breakin’ the Chains of Love’
I predict big things for Fitz & The Tantrums. Band of the moment for me. A bit old school in their sound. Kind of a Mayer Hawthorne vibe, but more rock, less motown.

Miles Fisher – ‘Don’t Let Go’
I have 3 songs of Miles Fisher in my iTunes. This is the second I’ve posted to a playlist. It’s pointless for me to say I like him. I think it’s obvious I do.

Peanut Butter Wolf – ‘Rock Unorthodox’
Stones Throw Record head honcho took the name Peanut Butter Wolf. Smooth rap is what he does. Listen.

The Steeldrivers – ‘Midnight Train to Memphis’
A little bluegrass-y and blues number here. Lead singer’s voice is raw. Grab some moonshine and let’s have ourselves a party in a barn.

Mansions on the Moon – ‘She Makes Me Feel‘
N.E.R.D. signed group. I like what I hear so far. Mood music right here.

As always, a few particulars…First, these are for sampling purposes (all are mp3 format), I’d suggest you purchase the songs/albums if you like these selections. Second, for Windows users, to download simply right-click and select “Save Target As…”. For Mac users, hold the “control key” then select “Save Link As…”

Not a lot to say about these tracks this time around, just dig in and listen.

The XX – “VCR”
Sasha Frere-Jones says it best, “the songs on “xx” are as intimate as pop gets, and, now that I’ve fallen for the music, it makes complete sense that it baffled me live. These are songs to be sung inches from someone’s ear, preferably with the lights off.”

Broken Bells – “The High Road”
DJ Danger Mouse is back with the The Shins front man, James Mercer, to form Broken Bells. I’ve only heard this track, but love it. 

Quincy Jones – “Hikky-Burr”
You may recognize this as the theme song from The Cosby Show, and that may be 20% of why I love it. The other 80% is because it’s damn good.

Rihanna – “Hard”
This is my JAAAAMMMM! Aw, yea yea yea! That Rihanna reign just won’t let up…

Weezer – “Can’t Stop Partying”
Weezer and Weezy? Yes Please.

Ben Sollee – “A Change is Gonna Come”
I’m hooked on the cello riddled cover of Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come. Great song to wind the day down with. And, for some reason I feel like I should be wearing a bow tie while I’m listening to it.

Dan Black (f/ Kid Cudi) – “Symphonies”
A nice track on all accounts here. Love the orchestra feeling they’ve got going on. I’m really digging Kid Cudi’s flow on these “side” tracks he’s been doing.

Jack Kerouac fans, unite! A documentary One Fast Move or I’m Gone: Kerouac’s Big Sur is set to release October 20, 2010, the day before the 40th anniversary of Kerouac’s death. It will also be released on DVD that same day and you have the option to buy the sound track as put together by Ben Gibbard (with Jay Farrar and Son Volt). The album has taken lyrics taken from Kerouac’s 1962 novel Big Sur. Check out the video for “San Francisco”.

On a side note, I walked by “Jack Kerouac Way” every morning on the way to On the Fly. No real story or relevance (other than the it’s the same guy!); I’m just saying.

Head over and stream the new Vampire Weekend album, “Contra”. Best bit is about the cover. I personally love this description (but there’s more at that link on the real story).

With all due respect she looks like the lifeguard that everyone at the country club lied they shagged in back of their jaguar or on the golf course at night.