Summer Mix Giveaway

Maybe it's the fact that a lot seems to be working out these days or simply that I got to enjoy a beautiful afternoon at AT&T Park, but I have finally caught the summer spirit. Listening to my brother tell me about his "summer mix," I realized I had to concoct a summer mix of my own. When I got home today, I opened up iTunes and put together a playlist with a few heavy hitters (Bruce Springsteen, Arctic Monkeys, OutKast), a few bands you need to know about (Port O'Brien, TigerCity, the Confusions), and just a tad of shameless self-promotion. 21 tracks in all and the best part is - I want you to have a copy. So if you want one, just send your mailing address to newrecords@gmail.com and you will receive a copy of your very own in the mail. And if you want to send us a mix cd back in return, feel free, but that is not a requirement. I promise you this mix is perfect for a drive to the beach, to play on your iPod while taking a jog, or to enjoy while sipping a cold one on the porch.

Best of the Year (Halfway)

Today, the writers of Dusted Magazine looked back at some of their favorite records from the first half of 2008. I didn't own any of them, so clearly I have my work cut out for me before my best-of list in December. Despite what I've missed, I have heard some great records in 2008 that continue to renew my faith in music. In no particular order, here are my ten favorite from the first half of the year:

Rainydayz Remixes, AmpLive
Small-Time Machine, Cassettes Won't Listen
Trouble in Dreams, Destroyer
Saturnalia, The Gutter Twins
Magnificent Fiend, Howlin Rain
Arm's Way, Islands
The Age of the Understatement, The Last Shadow Puppets
Consolers of the Lonely, The Raconteurs
S/T, Vampire Weekend
Alopecia, Why?

Bagel Radio's Best of the 2007 Rebroadcasted

Tune in to Bagel Radio right now (9:30AM PST) to hear a rebroadcast of Bagel Ted's "Best of 2007." Just heard the Rapture and the Good the Bad and the Queen so some great music is being played.

Come Back, Le Tigre

I wish Le Tigre would make another record. I was listening to WOXY and "Well Well Well" came on, and I realized I missed Le Tigre. The world needs a new Le Tigre record!

Video - "Well Well Well"

Hit the Wall

I've been obsessed with this song all day. It's called "Hit the Wall" by Brendan Canning. Canning is a member of Broken Social Scene and his forthcoming solo record (entitled Something For All of Us...) is the second release in the Broken Social Scene Presents series. In a story posted today on Pitchfork, Canning expressed disdain for the fact that his album had leaked ahead of its July 22 release date. He will be releasing it a little earlier to digital outlets.

MP3 - "Hit the Wall" - Brendan Canning

A New 7" For Me

Dale Cooper (portrayed by Kyle McLachlan) on Twin Peaks once said something very wise:

Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it. Don't wait for it. Just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot black coffee.

I've tried to adopt this same philosophy in my own life, and when I saw the Frog Eyes/Hello Blue Roses split 7" - I knew I had to buy myself a present. It was a good selection, too, and one I feel I especially deserved given the emotional highs and lows of the past week.

Frog Eyes contributes two tracks to the A-side, and for those of you who may be unfamiliar - Frog Eyes is the brainchild Carey Mercer who also plays in supergroup Swan Lake with Destroyer's Dan Bejar and Sunset Rubdown's Specer Krug. The two tracks he contributes are re-imaginings of songs from his fabulous 2007 record, Tears of the Valedictorian.

Hello Blue Roses is visual artist Sydney Vermont and her boyfriend (the aforementioned Bejar), and they serve up two covers. Vermont takes the lead on a gorgeous rendition of "Foam Hands," which originally could be found on Destroyer's Trouble in Dreams. The two then duet on version of Richard and Linda Thompson's "Wall of Death" that is equally fabulous.

This 7" is limited to 500 copies and you can purchase it from Absolutely Kosher.

MP3 - "Idle Songs" - Frog Eyes
[From Tears of the Valedictorian]

Bo Diddley, R.I.P.

I started listening to Bo Diddley right after my dad died. I was 13 and attempting to compile an accurate history of rock and roll. Any such quest is quickly going to lead you to the work of Bo Diddley. 1955 single, "I'm a Man" has been a blues staple since its release, while the simple, driving "Bo Diddley rhythm" served as the foundation for both his own singles as well as hits like Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away," Johnny Otis's "Willie and the Hand Jive," and Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy." Ask any great guitar player and chances are they owe a debt or two to Bo, who passed away today at the age of 79.

Video - "Mona" - Bo Diddley and Tom Petty

Return of the Bay

When I first moved to San Francisco four years ago, and attempted to integrate into the music scene, I was not all that impressed with what I saw. There was a good band here or there, but most of what was getting attention just seemed derivative of the latest trend. Furthermore, Bay Area bands just weren't getting attention from the national indie media. But something interesting has happened over the past few years, building up and finally coming to a head in 2008. A number of bands have come up from the Bay, found audiences around the country, while having praise heaped on them from the likes of Pitchfork and Stereogum.

Listening to a new Scenecast compiled by Cokemachineglow and The Bay Bridged, I was struck by just how good and exciting the music in the Bay Area has gotten. The Bay Bridged also recently pointed out that a number of Bay Area bands have been showcased by Daytrotter sessions. Among those receiving the well-deserved national attention - the Dodos, Port O'Brien and the Morning Benders.

I saw the Morning Benders play an in-store at Virgin a couple weeks back, and I kind of like to think of them as our answer to Vampire Weekend. Like Vampire Weekend on the East Coast, the Morning Benders emerged from a prestigious California university, armed with catchy pop tunes that generated blog buzz and a quick label deal. Their is also something decidedly West Coast about their sound.

It is a very exciting time to be involved in music in the Bay Area - I just hope we haven't reached our peak yet.

MP3 - "Crosseyed" - The Morning Benders

MP3 - "I Woke Up Today" - Port O'Brien
[There are 3 different versions of this song. This is the most recent.]

Can You Make Love in a Club?

In Usher's new single, he confesses that he wishes to make love in a club. Not just any club, though, this club. I can't help but feel that this is just a tad impractical, not to mention unsanitary. Thankfully not everyone thinks doing this regularly is a good idea. Young Jeezy - who collaborates on the song - says, "It was a twist, because it was talking about making love in the club. I'm a G. I don't do stuff like that." Take a lesson from the G's, Usher, and keep the love making in the bedroom.

Record Shopping in San Diego

I was in San Diego this past weekend visiting my brother and, as you know, I can't go anywhere without checking out the local record store. Thankfully, my brother is the same way, so we headed over to Lou's Records in Encinitas. Lou's is a pretty cool shop, with everything in two adjacent buildings - one for new and one for used. I poked around the vinyl and was tempted to buy the Gnarls Barkley double-LP, however I soon realized I would have no practical way of bringing it home. I settled on the new Portishead, entitled Third, on CD. (I also bought a Lou's Records button for $0.50 because I like buttons). My brother picked up three albums I've been dying to hear - the Last Shadow Puppets, Islands' Arm's Way, and No Age's Nouns. I was able to listen to all but the No Age on my train ride to Lose Angeles, and everything sounded fabulous.

MP3 - "Eraser" - No Age

Download These

MP3 - Milk Moustache - Modey Lemon
[New Modey Lemon record is out now on Birdman]

MP3 - "Blue Driver" - Vetiver
[A new track from some of San Francisco's finest]

I Will Possess Your Heart

"I Will Possess Your Heart" is the first single from Death Cab For Cutie's latest record, Narrow Stairs. It's a pretty good tune. It is just over seven minutes, though not particularly epic. Just gentle building of instrumentation for four minutes followed by a dark, Death Cab pop tune. The lyrics are kind of creepy, though I still found myself singing, "You gotta spend some time, love, you gotta spend some time, with me" earlier this morning. I wonder if that makes me creepy. I found you can stream the whole album at this cool site called Luisterpaal which is kind of the Dutch Pitchfork.

Good Work Listening

Everyone needs sounds to get them through the work day, and sometimes you forget your iPod. Islands recorded some Daytrotter sessions. The Bay Bridged has a great new podcast up on Geographer. Stereogum has the new Beck song (produced by fucking Danger Mouse!).

Listening Habits

My listening habits are constantly changing. For most of April, I just was not in much of a mood to listen to music. I would listen to Johnny Cash in the morning, and have it on if I was doing something around the house, but never for any extended period of time. Even at work, I felt more inclined towards Sports Talk Radio than any of my standard stations. This past couple of weeks, however, music has again become a consistent thing. After spending a good couple of hours organizing my music in iTunes this past weekend, I devoured two thirds of my eMusic allocation for the month, picking up new records from Why?, sOuth and Fuck Buttons, while adding another record to my growing Destroyer collection (Streethawk: A Seduction) as well as that one Dan Bejar made with his girlfriend under the name Hello, Blue Roses. I put Why? on this morning for breakfast, and the first half sounded great.

After discovering Scott Ford Radio on Friday, I obsessively went through their forums this weekend to download Twilight Singers and Gutter Twins bootleg. I also organized my Twilight Singers collection and noticed there is one song I'm missing.

I have a growing list of albums which I can't buy on eMusic, and I hope to purchase all of these on vinyl at some point:

Sunday at the Devil Dirt, Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
Odd Couple (double vinyl), Gnarls Barkley
The Age of the Understatement, The Last Shadow Puppets
Mudcrutch, Mudcrutch
Arm’s Way, Islands
Elephant Shell, Tokyo Police Club
Narrow Stairs, Death Cab for Cutie
Saturdays=Youth, M83
Nouns, No Age

I love music (obviously), but sometimes I just need to take a break from it and focus on something else. When it begins to feel like more of a habit of consumption than something enjoyable, I prefer to just read for a time instead. More recently, I've tried to break down my day so that nothing I do feels like an addiction over something I really want to do. When I do get in that mood of needing distance from music, there is always some reminder that pulls me back. Some reminder of why I love it so much to begin with. This past weekend, I pulled out my Steely Dan greatest hits, as well as Beck's Midnite Vultures, and those both helped remind me of why it is so important to me.

Listening Habits - Spiderman 3 Soundtrack

Oh, indie rock, you have come a long way. In fact, "indie rock" no longer means rock from an independent label - it's simply a sound and aesthetic, much like "independent film." The latest case in point - the Spiderman 3 soundtrack. Back in 2004, the first Spiderman soundtrack was littered with Nickelback and Sum 41, yet now the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Walkmen and Jason Schwartzman's new band write the anthems. Exclusive soundtrack songs are not usually considered a band's best work - yet a few of my faves stepped up to the plate. The Walkmen's "Red River" is quite good. When asked about any connections between the song and the film, Walkmen singer Hamilton Leithauser said, "Well, it's called "Red River" and Spider-Man's red." Works for me. Incidentally, the Walkmen's label, Record Collection is putting out the soundtrack.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs also drop a bomb with the exciting "Sealings" - pretty much up there with anything on there last record. With a title like "The Supreme Being Teaches Spider-Man To Be In Love," you knew the Flaming Lips' contribution was going to be rad. Songs from the Killers (no keyboards!) and Wolfmother are kinda disappointing, thought the inclusion of Chubby Checker's "The Twist" almost cancels them out.

Listening Habits - Arctic Monkeys (mostly)

Last year, Arctic Monkeys were the toast of the UK press and, while their debut was pretty good, it was sometimes hard to understand what all the fuss was about. While it may have been premature last year to describe them as one of the most important bands of their generation, their sophomore album proves they just may someday live up to it. Favorite Worst Nightmare is stronger and more varied than its predecessor and one of my favorite records this year. The band doesn't stray too far from its formula of fast, British drinking songs with a couple nostalgic ballads thrown in for good measure. Favorite simply refines this formula, with stronger lyrics and equal - if not more powerful - driving rhythm. Vocalist Alex Turner is not your traditional rock singer, rolling through stories with his cockney accent more like a rapper. A comparison to the Streets might be in order, making it fitting that Mike Skinner pal Dizzee Rascal appears on a B-Side, with Turner guesting on his upcoming album. Favorite tracks for me - "Do Me a Favor," "This House is a Circus" and "505."
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Also on the iPod lately - Jarvis Cocker's Jarvis, as well as the Music Lovers Guide For Young People, and just a couple spins of Maximo Park's Our Earthly Pleasures.

Listening Habits - PB&J, The Shins

I think that it's pretty important I at least mention the other music I've been listening to - and not limit this blog to the ONE band on my label. That is how this whole thing got started anyway. This time last year, I was an eager-to-please music blogger who was trying to listen to every possible new release. I've toned that down quite considerably this year, so I have been rather slow in listening to a number of high-profile releases. I've spent much of the past couple weeks given considerable iPod time to the new releases from the Shins and Peter Bjorn and John. The latter dropped one of 2006's best songs with the irresistible "Young Folks." I know that song is everywhere these days, but I still love it. The rest of the album is quite good as well - the guys certainly have a knack for indie pop, but they throw in some subtle (Timbaland-esque) avant garde touches here and there. As for the Shins, my friend Jamie said of the new album - "Not their best work to date, but contains two songs that are far superior to any past efforts." I'm not sure which two songs she is referring to, but I do think she hit the nail on the head. My personal favorite is "Split Needles."