Couches and Cardigans

Ron Contour A.K.A. Moka Only

2011-09-04T23:58:00.000-07:00

What's that? You say "I like A Tribe Called Quest and Mos Def"? "I would like to hear more music that sounds like that." "Could you point me to it?"

Why yes. I can.

Shallow Gravy - Jacket (Venture Bros.)

2011-09-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

Fans of Venture Brothers on Adult Swim are generally full on fans. Watch about three episodes or so, and you probably will be too.

So, for fans of the Venture Bros., enjoy "Jacket" by Shallow Gravy. It's not cinema magic, but it'll make you chuckle a little for sure.

This could easily be an SNL Digital Short, and would be viral instantly.

The Coup - Boots Riley

2010-12-07T17:39:00.000-08:00

Aaaaaaw shit... i'm back.

So, Boots Riley is a force to be reckoned with. Like the ideas he promotes, he slinks in the background and you might never notice him. From doing the score for the Simpsons, to a side project with Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, this motherfucker has the groove runnin' all through him.

Earlier albums as the Coup (purposely pronounced the coop ??) were average at best. Similar to all low budget hip-hop, a genre which produces 98% the same, 2% amazing, they were at best forgettable, at least unnoticeable. All that changed with the release of Pick a Bigger Weapon.

This is one of the most underrated hip-hop albums that has graced a beat. Like a musical equivalent of a blaxploitation film, Pam the Funkstress' loops are exactly what you would need to paint a velvet painting that had a name with the word ebony in it. Boots Riley meets the challenge with the flow of a seasoned street kid. It retains both the sound, fun, and militant politicism that no one else could deliver.

Please, take a moment, work your dancin' legs, and enjoy this fine fella that will make you wanna have a house party like it's 1989.

The Coup - My Favorite Mutiny

The night was sultry

2010-04-13T23:42:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post a random assortment for listening pleasure. Best for nights alone or just being lowkey.

so, here ya go... enjoi.

The Ballad of the RAA - The Rural Alberta Advantage
This is the Dream of Wine and Regime - Owen Pallett
Good Woman - Cat Power
The Start of Something - Voxtrot
Green Grass of Tunnel - Mum
Starlfur - Sigur Ros
In the Summertime - The Rural Alberta Advantage

The Rural Alberta Advantage

2010-01-18T17:34:00.000-08:00

With a hearty helping of optimistic ballads, The Rural Alberta Advantage's debut album Hometowns has been the perfect soundtrack for this winter. Something about looking out on dirty snow and grey skies has seemed more hopeful since I've had this to listen to.

Nils Edenloff is the frontman of this Toronto-based group, and his voice is reminiscent of John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants if he had recently been dumped. Couple that with simplistic arrangements and amazing songwriting and what you get is thirteen songs that produce a feeling similar to laying in bed all day... in a good way.

I love this album, start to finish. Check out their website for more on them if you'd like.

c

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Sleep All Day

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Don't Haunt This Place

The Rural Alberta Advantage - In The Summertime

The Hidden Cameras - In the NA

2009-12-01T20:27:00.000-08:00

This band, and this song in particular, kinda woke me up the other morning. There's a looong intro that's fairly quiet, so it had been playing for a few without me noticing. When the Tommyesque keyboards kick in, that's about the time that the coffee went flyin'. Anyway, it's a great song from an excellent band, and it makes me want to watch british comedy for some reason. So, I'm off to have a laugh.

Visit The Hidden Cameras Website for more info or to buy their newest release "Origin: Orphan"

The Mountain Goats w/Final Fantasy & Larkin Grimm 11/20 - The Mercy Lounge - Nashville

2009-11-18T19:09:00.000-08:00

If you can get to it, I can gaurantee it will be quite worth the trip.

If you haven't been privy to this business, then i suggest you check it out. John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats has a voice reminiscent of a pirate recently scorned, complemented by slightly optimistic melodies that offset it perfectly.

Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy) puts Frerbluca to shame with his talent on a violin. My introduction to him was a cover of Bloc Party's This Modern Love that makes the original seem mundane.

Listen, and the drive to Nashville will sound a lot shorter afterwards...

here's a video of the two together from a show on the 7th...
(not so great sound quality)

The Mountain Goats + Final Fantasy from CakeIn15 on Vimeo.

Broadcast 2000

2009-11-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

So, I ran across this band by pure accident, and I could not have been happier. British main man Joe Steer produces the kind of building, folky, happy songs perfect for a roadtrip. I'm always a sucker for orchestral pieces thrown into pop songs, but here it's used abundantly to great effect. Give it a listen.
Broadcast 2000 - Don't Weigh Me Down from broadcast 2000 on Vimeo.

Unfortunately, their website doesn't have much to it, but you can pre-order their debut album or visit their Myspace for more music and such.

Herman Dune - Don't You Worry A Bit, Try To Think About Me

2009-11-15T21:50:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine turned me on to these guys...

Imagine a duo headed by a slightly French Van Morrison with a beard that could also host an awesome kids' show. That's Herman Dune. Amazing music that makes you want to tap your foot and smile in the sun.

I missed the show in Nashville around Halloween, but I can only imagine it was ridiculously good. If anyone knows of any video from the show, let me know and I'll try to post it.

You can check out their website here.

Here's a video containing good music and snazzy hats.

HERMAN DUNE - "Don't You Worry A Bit, Try To Think About Me" (dublab VisionVersion) from dublab on Vimeo.

Herman Dune performs Leonard Cohen's Here It Is on NPR

The Non-Commisioned Officers - Make-Out with Violence

2009-11-15T21:19:00.000-08:00

I am becoming increasingly envious of Nashville music... if you listen to the Non-Commissioned Officers, you will see why... man, I hope these guys come to Knoxville. I saw them at the Protomen Act II cd release party on Cannery Row in Nashville and they blew it up. Bought the soundtrack and listened to it the next two weeks non-stop.

There's 44 songs on the soundtrack, and there's a good chunk of them that are score for the movie, but they're phenomenal. Though even if you require vocals for your music, there's about 15 songs or so for you to sing along to... check it out fo' sho'.

No Means No from MAKE-OUT with VIOLENCE on Vimeo.
This song is from the soundtrack for Make-Out with Violence, written by Eric and Jordan Lehning (known as the Deagol Brothers), members of the Non-Coms who also directed and starred in the film.

Check out their website for more songs from the 2-disc, 44 song soundtrack.

Ponies in the Surf

2009-11-15T18:21:00.000-08:00

here's a good start.

Ponies in the Surf - Ventricle

Let me say that these guys are one of my favorites. Siblings Camille and Alexander McGregor succeed in putting my heart at ease the way few bands can. Their collection A Demonstration is one of the easiest to listen to ep's i've ever heard. Like warm gravy... for your ears... but without the mess.