C.C.R.E.A.M. (Christmas Cookies Rule Everything Around Me)

There's two more days until I head back east for some Philly/Brooklyn time but the overconsumption is well underway. This SNL video is still making me laugh on the dozenth viewing, as my office is exactly like this one right now and I am behaving exactly like Fred Armisen. You're gonna have to take me to cookie court. Guilty as charged, Your Honor. Cookie crimes.

I'm supposed to compile a "best of 2008" list for Radio Free Chicago this week. Does anyone actually read these? I know I don't give a crap what anyone else's list is and I certainly don't expect anyone to care about mine - the only reason they're useful is to grab songs I never got around to downloading earlier (I need four more songs for the complete Fleet Foxes album). Anyway, in the spirit of sharing I give you my favorite remix of 2008. Metronomy is great, the video for the original of this song is fantastic, and this remix is the #1 dance party anthem of the year in club My Room.

Metronomy - Radio Ladio (Mac 3000 mix) (div share)

And still no stateside release for "Nights Out." What gives?

ya better hide it, I just might bite it

Bon Iver - Creature Fear
(div share)

Bon Iver plays the Vic tonight; sold out. Group mopefest!

Bon Iver and Lykke Li do "Dance, Dance, Dance" in L.A.

Fuck Yeah, Sharks!

Christmas Time is Here

Vince Guaraldi Trio - Skating (div share)

Update: A psychological evaluation of the Peanuts gang. Schroeder was always my fave, but I did always wonder what was up with Five and his weird hippie family.

Wind chill is definitely a factor.

This morning while I was standing on the el platform, an acquaintance silently patted my arm in solidarity as he walked by. That's because we both looked like we were on the verge of tears from the indescribable cold. I got windburn just walking from the train to my office! I said I would find this charming until early December and I did, but now I just try not to think about the next three months. Now I fully understand why Chicagoans drink so damn much. We need it to live.

Bjork - Hunter (div share)

Daedalus - Soulful of Child (div share)

Au Revoir Simone - Fallen Snow Teenagers Rmx (div share)

You're in for a rare treat, sensory-input-wise, being around me.

Classic Dancehall Gems, part 3

Cutty Ranks - Who Say Me Dun (div share)

Beenie Man and Ms. Thing - Dude (div share)

Papa San - Coca Cola Shape (div share)

James Murphy: brilliant lyricist, amateur puppeteer, all-around genius.

I'm a Pisces but I'd rather be a killa whale

Andre Nickatina - Fillmoe (divshare)

Andre Nickatina - Killa Whale (divshare)

Andre Nickatina - Cobra Status (divshare)

From 2000's "The Daiquiri Factory":
Andre Nickatina - The Daiquiri Factory (divshare)

Andre Nickatina - Rumppa Bum Bum (divshare)

From 2003's "Conversation With a Devil":
Andre Nickatina - A Yo (divshare)

The first time I'd ever heard of San Francisco's Andre Nickatina/Dre Dog was when I moved to the Bay Area in 2000. We were staying at a house in San Rafael and on one of my first days there I rifled through a stack of CDs to find that I didn't recognize at least half the artists, who were all Cali-based: I knew Del and DJ Quik but E-40, Keak da Sneak, and JT the Bigga Figga sounded like totally made-up names for a movie about fictional rappers. "Who's Dre Dog?" I asked. "Is that like, poor man's Dr. Dre?" The owner of said CDs just looked at me with a mixture of pity, confusion, and reproach like I didn't know anything about anything.

And that's what genuinely excites me about the East Bay hip hop scene: As corny as I find so much of it to be, it's this completely successful subculture. The kids there go crazy bananas for rappers that most of the country has never heard of, and some of them even break out eventually. I don't find most of the talent to be half as compelling as the energy that surrounds them though, the main exception being Nickatina. I feel like he has an unabashed lyrical creativity that a lot of those who have had their heyday after his lack (and by 'unabashed' I mean even when it's weird and all over the map it's still great that he went there) and his production is generally interesting too. West syeeeed.

Ya Damn Right I'm Thankful.

Michael Jackson - I Can't Help It (Tangoterje Re-Edit) (divshare)

Todd Terje's Oslo disco odyssey

"The names of Brailey, Bricoux, Clarke, Hartley, Hume, Krins, Taylor and Woodward were permanently inscribed into the history books on the night of April 14th, 1912, and their totally unselfish deeds during that night serve as a constant reminder of the devotion to duty many people displayed during the sinking. Shortly after midnight, as the lifeboats had begun to be loaded, Hartley assembled his band in the First Class Lounge, where many of the First Class passengers were now assembling, and began to play. Many people later commented on how strange it seemed to be wearing a lifejacket, awaiting orders to get into the lifeboats, whilst the band continued to play away as though nothing had happened. Later, as more and more people began to realise the seriousness of the situation, and began to file onto the Boat Deck, so too did Hartley, reassembling his band on the Boat Deck close to the entrance of the Grand Staircase.

What went through their minds as they played together on that night can only be guessed. As the slant of the decks increased more and more, did they even consider that this was their last hour alive, or did one or two of them hold out a slight hope that eventually, one of the officers would amble over, and instruct them into a lifeboat? Whatever their thoughts were, we will never know. All eight bandsmen were lost."

X - I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts (div share)

Earth, Wind, and Fire - That's the Way of the World (div share)

winter's bright promise

It's 26° out, and I'm sartorially under-prepared for this, but for all the fear and anticipation of My First Chicago Winter I'm loving the cold this week. It adds a sharper definition to everything in the way that fall air does times two. I will find this charming until at least early December!

Animal Collective - Winters Love (div share)

Sung Tongs is one of my favorite albums of all time and my neighbors across Milwaukee Ave play it really loudly sometimes when they're not having band practice in their living room. It makes me want to befriend them, and send coded messages with flashlights, and string up a tin-can phone.

Scenario Rock - Perfect Love Antidote (Bobmo rmx) (div share)

Bobmospace

I'm reposting this because Hypemachine is ignoring me for some reason:
Pocketknife & Cousin Cole - My My, Hey Hey (Cousin Cole Into the Blue Remix) (div share)

I'm Hypamatized

From today's mailbag. Ice cream and cake and cake, peanut butter jelly time...chicken moose rhino monkey.

About
Flagrant Fowl Records
Previously on GPB

Pocketknife & Cousin Cole - My My, Hey Hey (Cousin Cole Into the Blue Remix) (div share)
[buy]

Deaf As a Ghost

Last weekend, while listening to the radio on a long drive, I remarked that I was "deaf as a post." Except someone thought I said "deaf as a ghost" and didn't understand the expression. And yeah, that wouldn't make sense, because the notion of a deaf ghost runs entirely counter to what is historically considered perhaps the only advantage of ghost-hood: omniscience. I'm thinking chiefly about the joys of finally being able to eavesdrop on any conversation and getting to watch people shower, but it also reminds me of a recurring dream another friend of mine used to have after losing her boyfriend of eight years to cancer. After Sean died he would come to Jessie in dreams and she'd get to see his face again. The problem was, whenever he'd try to talk it was either as if there was a wall of plasma between them that would muffle the sound, or else he just couldn't get any words out at all. Jessie half-believed it was actually Sean and not a figment, that they were really trying to communicate but the strict stratification of worlds wouldn't permit it, even in a dream.
I guess I half-believe that too. Partly because my visit with my vegetative mother last week has me feeling that it's only fair we should get some sort of final chance to say unsaid things, or at least ask what it's like in there — in The Beyond, or in my mom's head. If people who are gone can't talk it's only fair to assume that they can listen, right? So for this reason I believe it was Real Sean in Jessie's dreams, and I also believe it because of this, one of my favorite poems ever.

By Marie Howe, from "What the Living Do":

THE PROMISE

In the dream I had when he came back not sick
but whole, and wearing his winter coat,

he looked at me as though he couldn’t speak, as if
there were a law against it, a membrane he couldn’t break.

His silence was what he could not
not do, like our breathing in this world, like our living,

as we do, in time.
And I told him: I’m reading all this Buddhist stuff,

and listen, we don’t die when we die. Death is an event,
a threshold we pass though. We go on and on

and into light forever.
And he looked down, and then back up at me. It was the look we’d pass

across the kitchen when Dad was drunk again and dangerous,
the level look that wants to tell you something,

in a crowded room, something important, and can’t.

Burial - Ghost Hardware (div share)

Blonde Redhead - Maddening Cloud (div share)

but you're still the one pool where I'd happily drown

My trip back east was a full-to-bursting four and a half days that went by too fast. I learned that six months is at once a short and long time and found a lot of comfort in familiar food, voices, and neighborhoods. I was awed and inspired by some people's generosity of spirit and disappointed and confused by others' lack thereof — which underscored my recent realization that there is absolutely no way to predict anything, and that one's perception of another person really is nothing more or less than a perception. I had some meaningless fun that felt kind of oddly meaningful and managed to make it through two days in Delaware without referencing the Wayne's World joke once. All in all, days so well spent that I was grateful for even the ugly parts. I miss you, but it's clearer than ever that I have every reason to leave you behind.

Ween - You Were the Fool (div share)

LCD Soundsystem - New York I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down (div share)

that. just. happened.

CeCe Penniston - Finally (div share)

Headed out of town again, when all I wanna do is stay here in Chicago.

I Wish it Was Tomorrow Night Already.

When I was in Austin the weekend before last, I heard an album I liked in a store so much that I bought it as soon as I came home. For real, I'd heard almost the entire album in that store, as my best friend was Born to Shop. Paul Duncan is from the south - born in Texas - but lives in Brooklyn as his handsome scruffiness commands him. In the dead of last winter I suddenly started liking Bonnie Prince Billy, and this appeals to me along the same lines.
From 2007's "Above the Trees":

Paul Duncan - The Fire (div share)

Paul Duncan - High in the Morning (div share)

On a wildly different note, I went to the Empty Bottle on Halloween and saw a band called Detholz! ("death holes"). A phenomenon here in Chicago, Jeff Tweedy has taken them on tour with Wilco a few times which is not surprising as they put on quite the show. For the most part they masterfully played very, very whaaat the fuuuck theatrical covers - Like a Virgin, We Built This City, Conga, The Gambler - although they apparently have their own material as well. They opened with the Karate Kid theme and it was amazing.

Detholtz! - FLEX/You're the Best Around (div share)

Link Dump

Hood Internet's Mixtape Volume One (the first thing I ever posted to this blog) got major points for imagination but about half of the mashups were a bit of a trainwreck. Over the past year and a half everything they've put out just gets tighter and more inspired. Oh, and it's also all free for download on their Web site.
Download Hood Internet Mixtape Volume Three
They're at home in Chicago tonight playing Sonotheque but I'll be at Diplo.

Speaking of Diplo and Mad Decent: Their latest podcast, "Love in This Bmore Club" comes from Dave Nada and combines two of my favorite things, R&B slow jams and Bmore beats. Get it here

Cheese and the Funk Doctor Spock (aka Method Man and Redman) play the House of Blues on Friday. I'll be out of town but on the plane I'll be listening to the amazing Redman mix from Cosmo Baker of The Rub, a dj trio that puts on the best dance party in New York first Saturday of every month. Holy crap, I forgot how many good Redman songs there are. Get it here.

Ol Dirty Bastard vs White Williams - Got Your Smoke
(div share)

The Whistle Stop

Andrew Bird - A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left (div share)
Autumn in Chicago has given me a serious new appreciation for local hero Andrew Bird. I'm kicking myself for skipping the Millennium Park show, which you can download here.

We Have Band - You Came Out (demo) (div share)
This has been floating around for months and I'm a little confused as to why they aren't famous yet. myspace

Minitel Rose - Magic Powder
(div share)
FUCK a Justice, I could eat these French boys up: myspace

Juelz Santana - There It Go (The Whistle Song) (div share)
dip set dip set dip set dip set

Band of Annuals

Despite the fact that dance music and hip hop make up the two biggest slices of my music-listening pie chart, the third-biggest sliver is a genre I like to call Quiet Times Music. It's what I listen to at night while washing dishes, when I know Crookers will get me too hopped up to sleep, or on the train home when the workday has worn me thin. Devendra Banhart, Elliot Smith, Neko Case: QTM.

Speaking of Neko, she used to bartend at The Hideout, which is one of my favorite places here in Chicago. A few weeks ago I saw her play their Block Party (she played again the next day with the New Pornographers), which was amazing. Sunday night I found myself there yet again to see Salt Lake City's Band of Annuals, and their beautiful performance has put them on my QTM playlist. They're on tour until the end of November, so if you're a fan of alt-country, or music that sounds like sitting in a field on a warm fall day, or just watching someone play the pedal steel guitar, go see them.

Band of Annuals - Ain't Looking Back (div share)

Band Annuals - Don't Let Me Die (div share)

Buy their album here.

no borders no boundaries

"They both wanted him back inside her."

Anoraak - Never Ending Romance Disaster (div share)

my little tornado

The Kills - Last Day of Magic (James Rutledge remix) (div share)

Four from Three

I've lost the ability to be anything resembling clever, so here's some songs off of three albums I've been listening to a lot:

Planet Asia and F.L.O. - Mikilikihi (div share)
Buy Planet F.L.O.
After I do my final Mixtape Recovery Project post I'm finally going to do one about all the East Bay rappers I got obsessed with when I lived there years ago (Andre Nickatina/E-40/Keak Da Sneak/Rasco, etc). I averted my gaze when the hyphy shit went down because the get dumb-dumb novelty sunglasses thing was cornier than krumping. I'm a sucker for whispering and finger snapping though - "Vans" still sounds white hot to me. Ok, this song smells hyphy but I like it too:
Planet Asia and F.L.O. - Dem Boyz Go (div share)

Hercules & Love Affair - Raise Me Up (div share)
Buy Hercules and Love Affair
H+LAspace
I used to fall firmly in the "hate Antony Hegarty's voice" camp but lately he's all I want to hear.

The Dodos - Winter (div share)
Buy Visiter
There's a chance I'll be sick of this album in about a month and may never listen to it again. But it was recommended to me as good fall music, and it is.

Wasn't sure I'd ever see the other side of September 2008. I'm ten years older on the inside and look about five years older on the outside, yet oddly enough I'm only about two years wiser.

Tidbitz

I'm covering the dance beat now over at Radio Free Chicago. Haha the 'dance beat,' get it?...I'm sorry.

My favorite song of the day is a Scottie B remix of a song by Chuck Brown, the so-called Godfather of Go-Go. I have a soft-spot for DC go-go even though I don't actually love the music, and Scottie B can do no wrong by me. B'more FOREVAH.
Check it over at Blastercase.

This is the first song I every heard by Scottie B and the woo! yeah!s still make me laugh:

Scottie B and King Tutt - Call Me Al remix
div share

Stay Classy.

I got really excited yesterday when I remembered I'd gotten a ticket to see Cut Copy and the Presets in two weeks. I bought it awhile ago and it's sold out now, apparently. It's just like that time I stuck a twenty in my pocket, and then found it drunkenly a month later after fishing those dirty jeans from some dusty corner of my closet floor and was like heeey, free money! Oh, P.S.: I'm kind of a dirtbag.

The Presets - Are You the One? (Van She rmx) (div share)

Treasure Fingers - Come True Tonight (Dub mx) (div share)

The Mixtape Recovery Project, Part 2

Wherein I attempt to find all of the songs from two magical mixes past.

Aesop Rock - Daylight (div share)

Cenobites - Kick a Dope Verse (div share)
Kool Keith, Godfather Don and Bobbito. Speaking of old tapes, if anyone has recordings of the Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito show to give me I'll love you forever and ever.

Non Phixion - They Got... (div share)

Natural Resource - They Lied (div share)
baby Jean Grae, when she was going by What?What?

Latryx - Say That (div share)
Lateef and Lyrics Born's best song, together or solo.

Part Three will have my wishlist, as I can't find a bunch of the songs I need to round up an.y.where. This has been really fun though, in both the hunt and in reaching into the deep recesses of my memory to recall what was on these tapes...

it will never be over

my favorite movie from the great Whit Stillman...which Netflix doesn't have and is eighty damn dollars used on Amazon.



Chaz Jankel - Get Myself Together (div share)
Chas Jankel

Cerrone - Major Sea (mixed by Bob Sinclar) (div share)
Cerrone
Bob Sinclar

The Mixtape Recovery Project, Part 1

Basically everything I own is currently in a storage unit next to the Brooklyn Bridge. I miss almost none of it, except when I have the occasional "aw I can't believe I didn't bring that!" about something I don't really need at all, I just want right that second. One could argue that no one needs analog tapes anymore but since May I've been wanting the two perfect hip-hop mixes I've had for years and years. One fell into my hands in college, and I've copied it for so many people so many times I got used to hearing it in the rooms and cars of vague acquaintances and strangers. The second one was made for me in 2001 by an ex whose roommate in Oakland had an amazing vinyl collection. These prized possessions have been living on borrowed time for so long that I needed to recreate them electronically anyway, and this is the first part of my attempt to round up these songs.

The High and Mighty - Dirty Decibels
(divshare)
(buy)

The Coup - Swervin
(divshare)
(buy)

Jugganots - Clear Blue Skies
(divshare)
(buy)

M.O.P - Handle Ur Bizness (Premier Remix)
(divshare)
(buy)

Cannibal Ox - Iron Galaxy
(divshare)
(buy)

Party Across the Pond

I listen to Sinden's KissFM show whenever Mad Decent's blog is good enough to post mp3s of it, and always wish I could teleport to England whenever they talk about Fabric nights with lineups we don't get here (Annie Mac, Toddla T, etc.). If I was in LDN next Thursday I would hit up this Hidden Depths party. The night's talent is curated by Chromeo and guests apparently include New Young Pony Club, Herve, Annie Mac, Tronik Youth, and everyone's favorite grab-bag artist(s), "tbd."

For those of you better situated geographically, you can register to win tickets here:
http://www.sanmiguel.co.uk

Chromeo - Needy Girl (Dolby Anol's French Mistake rmx) (div share)

Ain't No Such Thing

Another Friday, another 90s classic. There will be a bunch more next week, as I'm currently trying to recreate two of my favorite mix tapes from ages ago. Have a good weekend!

Mobb Deep - Shook Ones, Part II (div share)

Actin' Like Life is a Big Commercial

I don't have cable, which means I don't have DVR, which means when I watch TV I often watch the commercials. Like many people who have been underpaid in creative jobs, I've considered getting into advertising. The money is good and I'd be surrounded by plenty of smart, pop-culture savvy people. But then I remember my general distaste for consumerism and the practice of preying on people's insecurities/inventing whole new voids in their lives just to convince them to buy shit they don't need, and realize it's just not for me. Still -- I find the general cringeworthiness of many ads compelling and I guess that's why I love Slate's "Ad Report Card." This week readers wrote in on their least favorite spots, and one woman writes in:

I especially enjoyed your article about inappropriate musical choices in television commercials. On that note, I wonder if you've seen this spot for Wishbone salad dressing, which uses the song "Bump" by Spank Rock. Sure, they didn't use any of the lyrics, but I have to wonder why they'd create an association between "delicious vinaigrette dressings" and one of the filthiest songs I've ever heard.—Noreen T.

Well, the ad does say they're changing "everything" about salad dressing. I'd argue that "Bump" is the perfect soundtrack to accompany that mission. Why shouldn't a vegetable vinaigrette conjure sentiments like "You get it from behind, in just Chanel pumps"? For their next ad, I suggest they use "Toss My Salad," by underpublicized genius Filthy Sex Toy. (Given Filthy Sex Toy's graphic lyrics, I must sternly warn you that what you will see should you click on that link is in no way safe for work. And yet I must also stress that fabulous entertainment awaits beyond.)

Heh. Another one that makes me confused is the JC Penney fake Breakfast Club ad, with that grossly sterile version of "Don't You Forget About Me." MSNBC sums up my reaction perfectly. Isn't the reference lost on most kids born in 1993? Or are they talking to their parents, in which case don't you realize their reaction to the ad is going to be 'thanks for pissing on my nostalgia with this absurd burlesque of the original'? Also as Adblog says, "the characters are not weird, quirky and strange-looking at all. Instead, they are normal, trendy and strikingly beautiful, no Ally Sheedy-type makeover required."

I thought something similar when watching the previews for the new 90210. I know the old one was sexy 'for its time' or whatever, but instead of balding regular-dad Jim Walsh now it's "Silk Stalkings" guy. Jesus, Gabrielle Carteris wouldn't even get to be an extra on this show. When did everyone get so sexy all of the sudden? Don't get me wrong, I'm totally going to watch 90210's premiere. But in the back of my mind I'll be thinking about Rob Stone, Kevin on "Mr. Belvedere"/hideous cross-eyed monster by today's standards.

Fugazi - Merchandise (div share)

Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me (div share)

Spank Rock - Bump (Switch Remix) (div share)

it's like murder she wrote, once I get you out them clothes

E-Six and Roan played this in the DJ tent of Lolla on Sunday and that's when I officially fell in love with them. It's kind of obscene how much Kel I post, considering how I actually hate him as a person. I guess like with most things I blame God. For giving him the very voice of an angel! An angel I don't want to be touched by, but I'm too old for him anyway.

Cousin Cole - Ignition Remix Remix
(div share)

Here's the Chromeo song I deleted for no real reason the other day...I want to see them live again in a non-outdoor festival setting where I'm dancing and trying not to come up against the zitty back of the shirtless Broseph in front of me. I also want to learn French real quick so I can have Dave 1 as my TA.

Chromeo - My Girl is Calling Me (a Liar) (div share)

Mercury Tears

Sorry about the Livejournaly-ness the other day. Seriously though all drama aside: I've made a huge mistake.

The Smiths - How Soon is Now?

Billy Bragg - Tracks of My Tears (alt link)

Jay Reatard - The Night of Broken Glass (alt link)

I know I posted this last fall, but it came in the mail last week and I fucking love this song:
Feral Children - Jaundice Giraffe (alt link)

(As one might guess, they're produced by Scott Colburn who did Animal Collective's "Strawberry Jam" and "Feels.")

Time to Make the Donuts

I started my new job today, so I might be a little spotty with the posting for awhile. You know, while I cope with my bracing new reality of getting up early, falling behind on what's going on with Sonny and Kate on Gen Hosp, and being a contributing member of society and stuff.

I like this dude a lot this week. I've been listening to him in the morning while I'm packing my workaday lunch pail.

Telekinesis! - Imaginary Friend (alt link)

Telekinesis! - Coast of Carolina (alt link)

Telekinesis!space

Summer Songs, the Sequel

My trip back home was both great and mildly torturous. Not only do I miss my friends, I miss the summers I'm used to: the ramshackle magic of Coney Island, shows at McCarren Pool and Prospect Park, saying I'm going to SummerStage knowing I'll never make it above 42nd Street, drinking at countless Brooklyn rooftops, bars, and backyards, even waiting for the F at 1 am on the brain-scrambling sweatbox that is the Second Ave platform staring at the end of the tunnel with every other single person there, all of us silently praying in unison for the light to reflect off the linoleum tiles. I'm trying (only semi-successfully) to not be homesick, to make the best of my time here in Chicago, and to hope I'll feel it more here once I get into a routine. I just need to embrace my new surroundings, and wow, also try not to sound so self-helpy when I talk about these things, fuuuck.

Anyway, here's some more of my go-to hot weather music. I'm gonna go eat a peach.

Kimya Dawson - Parade (alt link)

Funkadelic - Can You Get to That (alt link)
The first time I heard "Maggot Brain" was on a Chicago visit; I found it in my sister's CD collection from college. I was 16 and it's one of the last times I can remember getting that feeling you get as a teenager when you first hear a certain album and you don't know what it's quite about, but you definitely know you want in on whatever "it" is. The perfect soundtrack for your next bbq. Buy it.

DJ Cam - Dieu Reconnaîtra Les Siens (alt link)

Quix*o*tic - Sitting in the Park (alt link)

Jimmy Jones - Good Timin' (alt link)

*photo by Jennifer Herbert

Travelin'

I'm headed home to New York and Philadelphia for a too-short whirlwind trip involving Shake Shack!, snuggling with friends, my cousin's wedding, more friend snuggling, and a watermelon-eating contest on the Lower East Side, in that order. I'm glad Pitchfork's lineup suuucks this year or I would be 1% sad about missing it.

Here's a song by The Black Ghosts that I really like, partially because it reminds me of Phoenix. And Tahiti 80. Man, do I love that easy-breezy Euro sound.

The Black Ghosts - Something New (alt link)

Phoenix - If I Ever Feel Better (alt link)

Tahiti 80 - Heartbeat (alt link)

LP3

I got the new Ratatat today, and I'm so pleasantly surprised by how much I like it even on just the first full listen. When their first album came out in 2004 it was a total revelation to me; I remember wishing this was the direction Daft Punk would go in after "Discovery," but the next year they just got even glitzier (and, to me, less interesting) with "Human After All." "Ratatat" sounded like what it was--two Brooklyn dudes futzing around in a room--in the sense that the songs all had the same guitar-and-synthesizer sound. But the bare-bones quality just made it more cohesive as a full album overall, introspective and warm-sounding. I guess I wanted more from their second album because it just seemed like more of the same to me. Maybe I was too quick to dismiss it though, and should stop hating on the fact that they have a 'trademark sound.' I'm officially in love with Ratatat again!
Stream "LP3" here.
Buy it here.

Ratatat - Falcon Jab (alt link)

Doctor, my foot!

Important health update, you guys.
Last week I was blithely frolicking through the streets of Chicago in my flip-flops (ok I was taking the alley shortcut from the CVS back to my apartment) and one of the 8 million tiny shards of bottle glass, which pave the streets of my neighborhood like so much gold dust, got embedded in my heel. I am equally mad at these mysterious people who can't seem to master holding on to a beer, and at myself for wearing flip flops and then proceeding to walk around a LOT on my flesh wound. Now half the time it hurts real bad and the other half it's totally fine, but I'm afraid to run on it so today I'm going to suck it up and get the fucker cut out. Pray for meeee! It's really tiny I hope they can find it.

Peter Murphy - Cuts You Up (alt link)

bauhausspace

Summer Songs

The July playlist so far; couple new ones but mostly just stuff I always want to hear this time of year. Enjoy the holiday...I want a hot dog. I wish it was hot out. Hot pockets. Hot toddies. Hott.

Pacific! - Sunset Boulevard (Lord Skywave rmx)** GPB recommended (alt link)

Sexton Blake - I Need Love (cover, dur) (alt link)

DJ Quik ft. Chingy - Get Down (alt link)

Foster Sylvers - Misdemeanor (alt link)

Ghostface - Child's Play (alt link)

Cassie vs Ratatat - Me & U (Siik remix) (alt link)

DJ ST SLV - American Boy (Estelle/The Ting Tings) (alt link)

Fuck an Eagle

My buddy Dan made a cartoon series for Frederator called "The Meth Minute 39," which just recently ended its run with the 39th installment. Some of my friends did a bunch of the voices, so feeling homesick today I caught up with the ones I hadn't seen. I have a couple favorites but this is one and it's music-related:



Dear Diary,
Black Sheep and Nice and Smooth played a free show last Wednesday and I even grabbed the flyer but then I threw it away and then I forgot and I missed it. I'm so mad I could spit!

Black Sheep - Strobelite Honey (alt link)

Nice and Smooth - Hip Hop Junkies (alt link)

One More Time

I posted this a few months ago, but I've gotten e-mail requests for it again recently so here's a short lil mix from Sheffield's Toddla T. Some stuff from "Ghetto Blaster," some other stuff too.

Toddla T Mix
(alt link)

Previously, on GPB:
Toddla Time

Sam Sparro's "Black and Gold" made my 2007 top-ten list, but for some reason he's just blowing up now. Is it a stateside release? A post-Winehouse 'let's throw everything British and soulful and white on the wall and see what sticks'? I'm too lazy to look into it, but here's another song I like by him:

Sam Sparro - Sick
(alt link)

I'm Hiding Out

Last Thursday I went to see Dawn Landes at The Hideout, which is my favorite in Chicago until further notice. I first visited last July to see Professor Murder play there after Pitchfork, and last week -- my fourth time there -- I finally figured out why I'm so obsessed: It looks like it could be in "Twin Peaks." A house in an otherwise completely industrial area, it feels kind of edge of the earth and inside it looks like a grange hall with white Christmas lights strung across the roof beams. If I saw a midget dancing and talking backwards in the middle of the floor I totally wouldn't even be that surprised.

Dawn Landes and her band sounded really good and they played this surprisingly charming cover of "Young Folks." Who knew I'd ever be able to enjoy this song again; I'm pretty sure it played on at least 10 of this season's TV shows and became lazy shorthand for 'hip and fun!' the way "Hey Ya" did in movie trailers a few years ago. The dude's baritone is what officially makes this version adorbs. I'm posting this because the show made me think of my roommate back in Brooklyn and all the times I'd come home to hear her playing guitar and singing in her room.

Dawn Landes - Young Folks (alt link)

Nothing New

I've been posting an unusually high number of older songs these days. That's because I haven't heard that much new stuff I'm super excited about lately, to tell the troof. The only remotely (and I mean remotely) newish albums I'm listening to are Cut Copy's "In Ghost Colours" and White Williams' "Smoke." They're both exactly what I want in a summertime album: a lighter-than-air, won't-change-your-life kind of record. The aural equivalent of a beach read.

This song's on heavy rotation though. The only song I'd heard from Walter Meego was "Keyhole" and I like this even more:

Walter Meego - Forever (alt link)

UPDATE: I need to listen to it again, but I think I am excited about the new Girl Talk, because I am a sucker for the frenetic mash-up. Name your price and get it here.
Girl Talk - What It's All About (alt link)

Randomness Redux

My brain is tired from talking to lots of strangers and constantly trying to get my bearings, so the best theme I can come up with right now is "hip hop I've either put on someone's mix or someone has put on a mix for me." Ta-daa. I really miss my fwiends.

Me to Sue:
Flosstradamus - Overnight Star (alt link)

Mark G. to me:
Doctor, Bear-Man, Purple, L.Man - Let It Go (alt link)

Me to Dan:
Eve, Missy Elliot, Fabolous - Tambourine remix (alt link)

Mark R. to me:
Main Flow + 7L - Permission to Speak (alt link)

Me to Molly:
Plastic Little - Steven and Billy (alt link)

Me to Amanda:
Kirb and Chris - Doorstep Girl (alt link)
K&C set their tracks almost exclusively to New Wave samples, a gimmick that works surprisingly well 50% of the time. This album came out a few years ago and this song holds up the best I think.

Molly to me:
Da Backwudz - You Gonna Luv Me (alt link)
I think of this as me and Molly's "song." By which I mean we slow dance romantically to it whenever it comes on.

The Pied Piper of Pedophilia

Shocker of shockers, R Kelly was found not guilty. At least I got plenty of enjoyment from Slate's fantastic day-by-day trial coverage (do yourself a favor and read it right now, it's hysterical). It's been a top story on the local news here in Chicago, obviously, and for me the highlight came last night when the anchor quoted the defense lawyer's response to a witness claiming R has a duffel bag full of homemade porn. Direct quote: "Like some kind of porno Santa Claus, he's running around with a bag of porno tapes wherever he goes." This whole debacle was 100% pure class, from start to finish. Something else I learned from Slate: I thought I knew all of his grossest song titles, but "I Like the Crotch on You," that one was new to me.

Jay-Z, R Kelly, Devin the Dude - Pussy (Remix) (alt link)

freestyle freestyle freestyle

Why do I enjoy freestyle so much? I was in junior high at the height of its popularity, and even then when I would hear it blasting out of cars in the parking lot of the Willow Grove Mall I knew it was terrible. I'd watch the dude slouched in the driver seat of his shitty car, one arm on the wheel, one arm on or around his acid-washed denim clad girlfriend ‒ windows rolled down so we could all appreciate the sweet sounds of Sweet Sensation ‒ and I did not for one second think this was sexy, classy, or cool. At night, though, I'd listen to Q102 even more than Power99 for some reason. In 1990 I was a fat seventh grader who would have had no place to hang out even if I had friends, so I was a captive audience and knew all the freestyle hits backwards and forwards. Did I ever actually like these songs? Do I like them now? Is it really just pure nostalgia at work, or a further example of my deep affinity for terrible dance records in general? Shit, I just can't tell. All I know is my friend Amanda shares my love, if that's what it is, and my second to last night in New York I found myself trying to sing her an Exposé song at 5:30 a.m., but my voice was gone 'cause it was 5:30 a.m. and we had no business being still awake. This one's for you Panda:

dance classics:
Debbie Deb - When I Hear Music (alt link)
It should be two words, "Look Out Weekend." Grammar error SEE ME AFTER CLASS Debbie Deb.

The Cover Girls - Show Me (alt link)

Stevie B - Spring Love (alt link)

Lil Suzy - Take Me in Your Arms (alt link)

slow jamz:
Timmy T - One More Try (alt link)

Stevie B - Because I Love You (alt link)
Oh wait, I definitely do love this song, I used to listen to it at work all the time which means I must really love it. I refuse to be ashamed!

Growth Spurt

I babysat my half-brother's two year old this weekend. My previous experience with children has been...sparse. It's not so much that I find them annoying.* It's more about the fact that they fill me with a gripping fear, it feels like they're looking right into me and they have so many questions, I can't swear in front of them, and they don't get my pop culture references. I guess I've always felt this way, and besides watching my younger cousins here and there growing up, I'd never actually babysat before Saturday (had I told you that, brother who reads my blog, haha?!). Anyway, in preparation for my first foray I was sure to pack some polish for my toenails and some gum I could snap while rolling my eyes at her incessant requests for...pizza? Because that's what kids like? We actually did have pizza, and our time together was delightful. We built forts out of books, colored, ate watermelon, good timez.
I was starting to feel pretty confident in my childcare abilities when Lina solemnly informed me that she had a dirty diaper and that my swift action on this matter would be much appreciated ("I made poopies"). That's when I realized I had never changed a diaper before. I panicked-ly lifted her up onto the changing table. "I've uh, never done this and I don't want to put in on backwards or sideways or something. I don't suppose you could walk me through it?" Lina giggled and wrapped her arms around my arm and tried to lift herself up like a monkey. I started laughing too and with that, I got incontrovertible proof that this whole moving to Chicago thing wasn't a completely terrible idea.

9th Wonder ft. Mos Def, Jean Grae, Memphis Bleek - Brooklyn In My Mind (alt link)
(buy)
My favorite 9th Wonder production is Little Brother's The Listening, check that out here.

*That's kind of a lie I find many of them annoying.

In Da Club (Ayyy)

I've been in Chicago for five days now, but I was basically bedridden with sick for the first three, so let's say I've been fully upright in Chicago for two days. Today I tried to map a running route in my new hood and accidentally stumbled on a block of clubs and restaurants two blocks over. I've visited the apartment I'm currently living in many times, and yet I never realized it was within spitting distance of what appears to be a miniature equivalent of the Meatpacking District with a dash of 28th street. One of the clubs is even called Hogs and Honeys. Of course I immediately trotted home to look one of the spots up and stole this pic from its website. That dude knows Tom Ford is a homo, right?

Today in niche fetishes: All Lindsay Lohan, all spandex. You're welcome!

Cut Copy - Far Away (alt link)

Shannon - Let the Music Play (alt link)
I'm doing a big freestyle post soon, so get psyched. Or hide, depending on your feelings on freestyle.

I'm going underground, guys. Pray for me.

On Sunday I will stuff Caligula into the slightly-too-small cat carrier and relocate from Brooklyn to Chicago. I won't have Internet access right away, so GPB will be silent for at least a few weeks. It also fully dawned on me today that I'm straight-up unemployed, so feel free to e-mail me money and foodstuffs. Speaking of things I received in the mail, I'm sure this track will be all over Hype Machine by the end of the day but I can't say no to anything Amanda Blank and this remix is tight:

Amanda Blank - Get It Now (Japattack Remix) (alt link)
Related: That Wishbone ad with "Bump" as the background music is so absurd I can't even be that upset by it. That, and I'm too old to cry sellout as I do realize that even Pase Rock has to pay utility bills. Still, gross.

Wish me luck on my new misadventure and if you live in Chicago, feel free to get in touch!

I Don't Get It.

Went to the Black Kids / Cut Copy show last night at Studio B. I was feeling crappy and running on no sleep so I ended up leaving before Cut Copy even came on. The early exit also had to do with the fact that Black Kids was the sloppiest, jangliest mess I've heard in a long time. Everyone else seemed to love it, I guess I must be allergic...allergic to funkiness. Modern funk is my musical kryptonite, the province of unimaginative weddings and state-school party bands. Congratulations Black Kids, you broke my spirit! Please keep your youthful funky exuberance out of my ear holes forever.
If anyone caught Cut Copy's set though, tell me how it was. I'm really curious and sad that I missed them.

Today is lovely and mentally I'm on a blanket in the park right now. Some sunny day folk, old and new:

Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young - Suite Judy Blue Eyes (alt link)

Findlay Brown - Don't You Know I Love You (alt link)
(myspace)

Janis Ian - From Me to You (alt link)

Devendra Banhart - Hey Mama Wolf (alt link)
New fave celeb couple! "My Ban-berry Nights," I just died.

Let's Touch Unicorn Horns

Well I did it again. I sprained my party bone on a Thursday night and now I'm useless. Damn my friends for being such fun ne'erdowells! Now I just have to get them to move to the Midwest. A friend's a friend who knows what being a friend is, talking with a friend.

Kanye West ft. R Kelly - Flashing Lights rmx(alt link)

my favorite song of the week, via Mad Decent blog:
Warrior Queen - Things Change (alt link)

Islands - Creeper (alt link)

another Friday, another school dance classic:
Positive K - I Got a Man (alt link)

Manda Bala

For most of my adult life and for no apparent reason, I've had a love for things that come out of Brazil. Tropicalia, Lygia Clark's masks, caipirinhas, saudade, I even took capoeira as my gym requirement in college. In addition to the fact that Brazil's art scene had an interpretation of psychedelia that was far visually and musically superior to that of the U.S., there's a general vibrancy to all of these things that just makes me really happy. Thus, Brazil is very high on my list of places I must visit...although now I may skip São Paulo.

I watched the 2007 documentary "Manda Bala" (Send a Bullet) last weekend, and was completely blown away. It interweaves the stories of some pretty disparate characters — a plastic surgeon, an ex-pat businessman, a frog farmer, a kidnapper, a kidnapping victim, some of the most hardcore cops ever — to shed light on the the circle of corruption in Brazil. I say "shed light" because the result is by no means a comprehensive portrait; there's simply too much to cover. It did make me want to look further into the subject and I'm guessing that was intentional. Also, fans of Errol Morris will probably like the interesting way director Jason Kohn shot the interviewees and their translators as much as I did. Netflix it now.

I could write one million words about my favorite Tropicalia artists and songs, but instead I recommend delving in with a good compilation, of which there are several. "Tropicalia Essentials" (buy) is excellent, as is Soul Jazz's "Tropicalia: A Brazilian Revolution in Sound" (buy).

Tom Ze - Dor e Dor (alt link)

Os Mutantes - A Minha Menina (alt link)

Caetano Veloso - Lost in Paradise (alt link)

Gilberto Gil and Os Mutantes - Domingo No Parque (alt link)
I listen to this song when I get home from work, I'm tired, and I have to go back out.

Gilberto Gil - Samba do Aviao (alt link)