Land of Giants : Cannibal Dolls

This is the sound that a ton of contemporary bands are trying to emulate. And if they did it this successfully, I’d fully support them.  As it is, “Cannibal Dolls” was the a-side on the one record that Land of Giants ever released… in 1982. It’s paranoid ‘n’ eerie synth lines match its lyrics: “Lock up your children/Devils in disguise/Lock up your children/Devils in their ey-eyes.” The band recorded a number of other demos throughout the 80’s, which, in response to overwhelming requests, are now being released together, here…

Listen to “Cannibal Dolls” Here

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Camille Yarbrough : Take Yo’ Praise

Camille Yarbrough is best known as the voice featured on Fatboy Slim’s rock-your-socks-off hit, “Praise You.” Her sexy, sassy self was originally recorded in 1975 on her first and last album, “The Iron Pot Cooker.” No matter how long her one hit wonder has been in the music pot cooking, we still think it is hot and ready to serve.

Listen to “Take Yo’ Praise” Here

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Wild Yaks : River May Come

One of the most exciting and enthusiastic bands I’ve ever encountered has been Wild Yaks, fronted, surprisingly, by a balding, 30-something, self-proclaimed “shoe salesman from New Jersey” named Rob. Rob is dedicated to his craft and dedicated to his fans. He sends out semi-regular emails to pretty much everyone he meets (just email him to include yourself: wildyakslake@yahoo.com), either espousing the fanatical nature of this or that, or asking if anyone has a cellphone charger in brooklyn, and sometimes attaching special mp3s.

Their music is passionate. Every member pours his heart out every moment on stage.  Although the five-piece band, including a wild sax player (is that dude still around? i hope so), are all east-coasters, they have a bluegrass-tinged rough and roaring rock sound. They have been getting more and more love in the press as of late, they have a debut album dropping next week, a badass cliff-jumping video, a documentary in the works, and lots of love to give.

Listen to “River May Come” Here

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Juliet Commagere : Overcome

Juliet Commagere may appear to be a brand new face in the music world, but like many of the surprising engenes that seem to pop up out of nowhere, Commagere has some thick roots in the industry. Until now, she has been best known as the keytar-playing front woman of the band Hello Stranger, which has opened for everyone from the Foo Fighters to Kings of Leon. She also sang back up for Inara George in the Bird and the Bee. Her friends include legendary slide guitarist Ry Cooder’s son, Joachim, (her high school sweetheart), and Robert Francis is her brother. Now regarding her music…Commagere’s debut record ‘Queens Die Proudly’ was released this month. The tracks are dreamy and beautiful with an edge of emotional darkness.
02 Overcome

Listen to “Overcome” Here

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Le Corps Mince De Francoise : Ray Ban Glasses (Norman Palm Winter mix)

Le Corps Mince De Francoise are two sisters and their friend hailing from Finland, (hence their English is spot on).  Norman Palm, a German arty/folky softie has ever so kindly made a light & upbeat remix of their song “Ray Ban Glasses”. It’s crisp, catchy and should have anyone who listens to it dressing daringly with a spring in their step.

Listen to “Ray Ban Glasses (Norman Palm Winter mix)” Here

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Karen O. : All Is Love

We are all ecstatic with excitement for the release of Spike Jone’s Where the Wild Things Are this month. And it seems this is one highly anticipated film that will live up to expectations. In anticipation for the actual movie, I suggest you listen to its soundtrack. A compilation of original songs by Karen O. (yet another genius element of the WTWTA machine). Karen O. delivers a delicious array of magical and whimsical melodies, often featuring the laughter and cheering of little children, which is aptly appropriate for the soundtrack to this movie. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this album before, after and during your Where the Wild Things Are viewing experience.

Listen to “All is Love” Here

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Billie the Vision and the Dancers : A man from Argentina

Billie the Vision and the Dancers. The brainchild of Lars Lindquist and some honest friends. This track typifies their simple and sincere approach to music. A great song to  smoke cigarettes to.

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Santogold x Diplo : Icarus

This week I offer an experimental track from Santogold and Diplo’s “Top Ranking” mixtape. Can’t muster many words besides “haunting” and “beautiful”. This experiment was a success. Diplo has such a good ear I wish more of his output was like this, and less club-a-dub. Anyway, most of the credit here should be given to Arthur Russell. The loop is a sample from his epic “this is how we walk on the moon” and Santogold… she takes Arthur’s original and breathes into it new life.

Listen to “Icarus” Here

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Pictureplane : Goth Star

Here’s a dark ‘n’ eerie, simultaneously infectious ‘n’ uplifting, Fleetwood Mac-sampling jam from Denver’s new electro heroes, Pictureplane. The song is “Goth Star,” from the group’s debut album ‘Dark Rift.’ It just goes to show how a few catchy loops and a sprinkling of Stevie Nicks is all you need to make a great song, like how just peanut butter and bacon make a great sammich.

Listen to “Goth Star” Here

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Egyptian Hip Hop : Rad Pitt

Odd that such a deep song, so full of emotion, could come from such a  young, inexperienced, poorly-named band. But the high-schoolers that make up Manchester’s Egyptian Hip Hop have filled their first release,  “Rad Pitt,” with all you could want in a rock song. It dips between moments of sparse instrumentation and overwhelming crashing chords. The tender guitar melody and un-crisp drums anchor everything. And the singer’s sincerity is undoubtable. The group is unsigned, and you can’t find their music anywhere…yet.  If their talent is as true as hinted at in this song, that won’t be for long.

Listen to “Rad Pitt” Here

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Mike Posner and The Brain Trust : Hey Cupid

Mike Posner and The Brain Trust’s A Matter of Time is some of the best new music I have heard in a long time. It is contemporary funk accomplished by mixing the best of hip hop, R&B, and pop. Michigan based Mike Posner is something of a producing prodegy, at only 20 years old he was able to produce a brilliant range of unforgettable beats on this mixtape. Get tuned in quickly if you have not already downloaded the entire mix.

Listen to “Hey Cupid” Here

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The XX : Islands

The couple, also known as The XX’s, in this song, “Islands”, have given up on their endless search for something more, someone better.

I don’t have to leave anymore
What I have is right here
Spend my nights and days before
Searching the world for what’s right here

Underneath and unexplored
Islands and cities I have looked
Here I saw
Something I couldn’t over look

I am yours now
So now I don’t ever have to leave
I’ve been found out
So now I’ll never explore

There’s a very peaceful, romantic, and reaffirming quality in the notion that you can find happiness in one true love.  I’d like to believe that we can be content and fulfilled, and that it won’t feel like settling, and that our eyes and minds will stop wandering. But isn’t the notion of an endless journey, constant exploration, meeting new people, and gaining new experiences also romantic? This couple burns its bridge to that lifestyle, and barely wants to imagine what it would be like if their island sunk.

See what I’ve done
That bridge is on fire
Going back to where I’ve been
I’m froze by desire
No need to leave

Where would I be
IF this were to go under
It’s a risk I’d take
I’m froze by desire
As if a choice I’d make

I am yours now
So now I don’t ever have to leave
I’ve been found out
So now I’ll never explore

Listen to “Island” Here

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Little Dragon : Never Never

Little Dragon’s sophomore album, ‘Machine Dreams,’ is the best girly, poppy, pretty, synthy, dreamy, tender, longing, haunting, swirling, moody, boundary-pushing, toe-tapping, infectious, and cool record to come out of Sweden since Lykke Li’s ‘Youth Novels.’

Listen to “Never Never” Here

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Generationals : When They Fight They Fight

Generationals is a band that surely has some 1960’s sunshine pop nostalgia lingering in their earwax. This New Orleans duo is made up of Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer. “When They Fight They Fight” is your perfect summertime jam, from their debut album “Con Law”. The Oldies have been a regular choice at a lot of New York and L.A. hotspots so there is surprise that their sound seems so appropriate.

Listen to “When They Fight They Fight” Here

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Faggottron : Alice

Here is a chap called Faggottron who plays with clips from children’s films and makes them into jolly head swimming tunes. This is a good example using parts of Disney’s take on Alice In Wonderland, it’s quite hazy yet very bright. There isn’t too much information about the mysterious Faggottron but there are other examples of his work available on YouTube.

Watch Video of “Alice” Here