365. JE SUIS ANIMAL "TALE FROM THE SEA"

i thought i would see out the year with a delicious slice of sublime Scandinavian indie pop, let your senses be submersed in the wondrously enchanting et irresistibly catchy, fuzzed-out, euphonic et wistful Tale From The Sea, from Oslo-based indie pop outfit Je Suis Animal off the delightful pop-laced compilation album "Tweest and Shout" (2011).




et here's an epic new shoegaze-y track to stimulate your eardrums;



i'd highly recommend getting your hands on the deliriously pop-laden "Tweest and Shout" compilation album, it is out on Perfect Pop Records, available physically on cd, or you can download it digitally from itunes.

stream a selection of tracks off the compilation album via soundcloud.

you can find Je Suis Animal here: myspace | facebook

365. WHAT ...

365.

What I can do – I will –

Though it be little as a daffodil

That I cannot – must be

Unknown to possibility –

{Emily Dickinson, The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson}

364. EVANS THE DEATH "I'M SO UNCLEAN"

 

totally missed this track upon its initial release, but must confess since i discovered it i've been under its charm, so here's the deliriously infectious et somberly reflective, rousing et thrashed-out, The Smiths-y, forlorn aa-side single I'm So Unclean, from London/Brighton-based indie pop/punk outfit Evans The Death off their "Threads/I'm So Unclean" 7" (2011).

i'm really digging singer Katherine Whitaker's deadpan, Morrissey-inflected crooning et her wonderfully sardonic et self-deprecating lyrics! enjoy!!!

"When I'm watching the shopping...channel

I will think of you

When I'm making a sandwich

I will think of you

When I try and get to sleep

I will think of you.
When I try ..."

MP3: I'm So Unclean

check out the endearingly awkward et stilted, nature-bound, twee performance video for I'm So Unclean.

the "Threads/I'm So Unclean"  7" is out on Fortuna Pop! it is currently available on white vinyl {limited to 500 only!} so get in quick. 

a debut full length album is in the works et set for release in April, 2012 on Slumberland et Fortuna Pop!

you can find Evans The Death here: myspace | facebook

RUSSIAN RED "CONQUER THE WORLD" MUSIC VIDEO

check out the gorgeously observed 'tour' video for Russian Reds' wistful et anthemic single Conquer The World; video directed by Virgili Jubero. originally part of the epic CANADA documentary series "La Pelicula del Día de la Música". enjoy!

364. ANY ...

364.

"Any dream about birds means good health,"

she said.

{Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Chronicle Of A Death Foretold}

363. BLANK REALM "FALLING DOWN THE STAIRS"

check out this deliriously off-kilter et manic, jingle-jangly et organ-laced, The Clean-esque, psyched-out, guitar pop epiphany Falling Down The Stiars, from Brisbane-based psych pop outfit Blank Realm off their "Falling Down The Stairs" 7" (2011).





the "Falling Down The Stairs" 7" is unfortunately sold out on Lil Big Chief Records, however i did spy that it was now available over at Midheaven, so you can score it from there! otherwise you can stream both sides on soundcloud.

you can find Blank Realm here: myspace | facebook

363. SHE ...

363.

She opened her eyes wide, and she heard

the silence spinning its soft endless web.

{Katherine Mansfield, Bliss}

362. APPALOOSA "PATCHWORK"

here's the entrancingly blipped-out et uber-sassy, minimal wave-infused title track Patchwork, from Paris/London-based electro-pop/neu disco duo Appaloosa {Anne-Laure Keib et Max Krefeld} off their "Patchwork" EP (2011).

"Now you glued yourself together
will you stick with me forever?"

check out the stylish, ennui-laced visuals for Patchwork. video directed by Spanish fashion photographer/filmmaker Virgili Jubero.

the "Patchwork" EP is out on DiscoTexas, at present it is only available as a digital download, you can acquire it from Beatport or itunes.

you can currently stream the entire "Patchwork" EP on soundcloud. 

you can find Appaloosa here: myspace | facebook | twitter | appaloosaruns

362. HE ...

362.

He had not found the word that came next.

{Alain Robbe-Grillet, La Maison de Rendez-Vous}

361. SHABAZZ PALACES "RECOLLECTIONS OF THE WRAITH"

next up is a delicious track i've been thrashing religiously of late, the stripped-back et lyrically hypnotic, beat-sputtered et percussion textured, jazz-infused, glitched-out incantatory groove Recollections Of The Wraith, from Seattle-based experimental hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces {Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler ex Digible Planets et Tendai Maraire} off their phenomenal debut full length "Black Up" album (2011).

“Let's clear some space out / So we can space out.”

MP3: Recollections Of The Wraith

"Black Up" is a must have, cutting edge experimental hip-hop album, if you don't have it already then you can acquire it from Sub Pop on cd, lp et mp3, it is also available digitally from itunes.

you can find Shabazz Palaces here: facebook | shabazzpalaces

LOVE INKS "ROCK ON" MUSIC VIDEO!

well here's yet another video that escaped me when it first came out, the suitably angsty et rather creepy, James Dean mask wearing music video for Love Inks' deliriously stripped-back, bass-laden cover of David Essex's anthemic single Rock On. video directed by Ash Eliza Smith. evocative of the brilliant "Rimbaud In New York" (1978-79) photographic series by NY-based artist David Wojnarowicz.

361. AH ...

361.

Ah, the sky is too distant!

{Marina Tsvetayeva , The Fatal Volume}

360. MILIEU "XMAS LIGHTS"

if you're looking for something a little 'different' than the standard Christmas pop clichés to play on Christmas day then look no further, check out this wonderfully blipped et blissed-out track to set things off, Xmas Lights from Columbia, South Carolina-based ambient pop artist Brian Grainger aka Milieu off their fantastic "Swirling Tinsel Singalongs" album (2011).

"Swirling Tinsel Singalongs" is the perfect downtempo, ambient album, infused with the right amount of Yuletide spirit to keep you suitably chilled et festive, enjoy!!!




i'm really digging the psyched-out, hypnotic cover art for "Swirling Tinsel Singalongs", but be warned, don't stare into the snowflake vortex for too long or you'll become transfixed et lost forever in its kaleidoscopic beauty ...!

i'd highly recommend getting yourselves a copy of these delightful ambient Christmas soundscapes, the "Swirling Tinsel Singalongs" album is currently available on bandcamp for download {name your price}, so give what you can et enjoy!

you can find Milieu here: facebook | milieu-music 

360. A ...

360.

A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one

chooses that moment of experience from which

to look back or from which to look ahead.

{Graham Greene, The End Of The Affair}

359. MÚM "NÚ ER GUNNA Á NÝJU SKÓNUM"

i thought i'd attempt to get into the Christmas spirit et share with you this absolutely stunning interpretation of a traditional Icelandic Yuletide carol! grab your eggnog et lounge-out to the enchanting et soothing, plinky, lap-steel et kazoo-laced, marvelously mellifluous et eccentric Nú Er Gunna á Nýju Skónum (Now Gunna Is Wearing Her New Shoes) from Icelandic avant pop outfit Múm off their wonderful "Gle∂ileg Jól" 7" (2011).

Nú Er Gunna á Nýju Skónum is traditionally sung in Iceland around the Christmas tree at Yuletide-dances! enjoy!


MP3: Nú Er Gunna á Nýju Skónum

the delightful cover artwork is by lead singer Örvar ˝óreyjarson Smárason.

i highly recommend getting yourself a copy of the precious "Gle∂ileg Jól" 7", it is available from ANOST on vinyl et comes with free digital download et bonus track, otherwise you can download it digitally from itunes.

you can find Múm here: twitter | facebook | mum

ERIK OMEN "PAYPHONE" MUSIC VIDEO!

check out the mesmerizing et tripped-out, 80s video-effects styled music video for Erik Omen's entrancingly smooth et blissed-out single Payphone (feat. Holiday Sidewinder), directed by Erik Omen, Motion Graphics/Design by Mel Pragassen.

359. TO ...

359.

To the usual Christmas tree I added
Japanese good-luck branches, so festive
and tinkly, and a glass wind-chime
at the top of the tree.

{Anais Nin, The Diary of Anais Nin, Vol. 6: 1955-1966}

358. MIRROR LADY "ROMAN CANDLES"

here's a wonderful track i tripped over this morning as i was desperately trying to find something to post before the Yuletide insanity begins! open up your hearts et ears to some deliriously soulful et forlorn crooning over a delightfully twangly et shimmery, damaged, lo-fi casiotone lamentation. Roman Candles is from Boston-based lo-fi pop trio Mirror Lady, at this stage it is just a digital single.

"As we lay and watched the fireworks
and the ashes hit our eyes
We had nothing left to talk about
all we did was say goodbye" 

i'm really digging the fuzzed-out, soulful breakdown on this track, enjoy!

recommended for fans of Youth Lagoon, Perfume Genius et Foxes In Fiction ...




check out Mirror Lady's debut single Shapes on his bandcamp or souundcloud.

you can find Mirror Lady here: facebook | twitter | mirrorlady

358. HIS ...

358.

His life has been an attempt to realize the task

of living poetically.

{Søren Kierkegaard, Either/Or: The Seducers Diary}

357. FEAR OF MEN "DOLDRUMS"

here's an infectiously bittersweet et somberly reflective, twangly, wistfully harmonious, guitar pop reverie Doledrums, from Brighton/London-based indie/garage pop outfit Fear Of Men off their self-released "Alice Munro Demos" cassette (2011).

recommended for fans of Veronica Falls, Widowspeak et Feathers ... enjoy!




check out this moody et somber, b&w, 80s-styled, gothic-tinged video for Doldrums, directed by Natalie Gravy.

the "Alice Munro Demos" cassette tape is sold out unfortunately! et apparently it will not be sold digitally! oh well, i'm sure it will surface in one form or another! meanwhile you can check out some of their other offerings via their bandcamp.

you can find Fear Of Men here: facebook | fearofmen

357. MY ...

357.

My pen scratches at the kitchen table

and city birds sing anxiously at the window.

{Kate Kilalea, The Concealing Chair}

356. GROUP ANMATAFF "TINARIWEN"

i thought i'd feed off the 'ethnomusicology' theme from yesterday, so here's an irresistibly catchy et groove-infused, noodly, blues-tinged, guitar-led, colorful et festive track all the way from West Africa, Tinariwen by Mali-based outfit Group Anmataff off the utterly fascinating et endearing DIY compilation album "Music from Saharan Cellphones" (2011).

the title Tinariwen means deserts, but it is also likely to be a reference to the renowned band Taniriwen, who are also from the Sahara Desert, Northern Mali. enjoy!




if you like what you hear then i'd highly recommend getting yourself a copy of this precious et inspiring compilation album; "Music from Saharan Cellphones" is available from Sahel Sounds et Mississippi/Little Axe Records on lp!

the vinyl release is a selection of tracks taken from the original two volume compilation cassette releases. the songs were collected/copied/exchanged off various cellphone memory cards in the Malian town of Kidal in 2009-2010 by Portland-based producer et ethnomusicologist Christopher Kirkley, which made up the original compilations. they can still be downloaded for free on his site here: vol.1 et vol.2, if you don't have them already. enjoy!

you can also download "Music from Saharan Cellphones" digitally from bandcamp.

LE RÉVÉLATEUR + SABRINA RATTÉ "BLEU NUIT" MUSIC VIDEO!!!

totally missed this when it came out many moons ago, but i feel compelled to post it now for anyone who can't get enough of entrancing 80s-styled analog video mixing effects, Bleu Nuit is part of an incredible collaborative audiovisual work between electronic composer Roger Tellier-Craig aka Le Révélateur et analog/digital video effects {re}innovator extraordinaire Sabrina Ratté. the complete "Fictions" DVD/album is available now from Thrill Jockey {edition of 100 only, so get it fast!}

this is a truly immersive et sublime audiovisual experience, not to be missed!!! enjoy!

356. HE ...

356.

He found words almost entirely ineffective;

but in addition to words, there was all that

could be conveyed by gestures, changes

of expression, mere physical presence.

{André Malraux, Man's Estate}

355. AMEN DUNES "ETHIO SONG"

if you've been hanging-out for a healthy dose of woozy, hallucinogenic pop, then you can stop your fretting, i've got exactly what you need, check out the ecstatically impassioned et sincere, warbly, reverb-addled, guitar-damaged, acid-folk trip Ethio Song, from New York-based psych-pop/folk crooner Damon McMahon aka Amen Dunes off the "God Damn I Hate the Blues" split 7" (2011).

Ethio Song is a unique et idiosyncratic interpretation of an old traditional Ethiopian folk song, enjoy!





the "God Damn I Hate the Blues" split 7" is out on Kraak Records, it is part of an on going series of wonderful split 7" releases, definitely worth checking out.

if you don't have Amen Dunes' absolutely phenomenal "Through Donkey Jaw" album, strongly urge you to get a hold of it immediately, you can acquire it from Sacred Bones on cd or lp! or you can digitally download it from itunes.

also if you missed my post for the remarkable single Christopher, then check it out along with the stunning video.

you can find Amen Dunes here: myspace | facebook

355. STANDING ...

355.

Standing at the kitchen sink, clenching her hands,

she told herself it was nothing.

{Paula Fox, Desperate Characters: A Novel}

354. COOL RAINBOWS "SOUTHERN SUMMER SUN"

i'm very pleased to be posting the delicious debut single all the way from my hometown, the infectiously languorous et laid-back, jazz-infused, shimmery et washed-out, halcyon-tinged reverie, Southern Summer Sun, from Auckland-based indie pop crooner Djeisan Suskov aka Cool Rainbows off his debut "Southern Summer Sun / Tidal Wave" digital 7" (2011).

Suskov may have been daydreaming about the summer sun when he originally wrote this track, but we antipodeans can now fully embrace the fruits of his labour and savour it as an official summer anthem! for those northerners feeling the Winter chill, this track will revive those faded memories of your past summer et have you blissed-out in no time. enjoy!

"We can walk the beach till dark

and fall asleep under clouds.

Do you remember

jumping off rocks,

eating ice cream with your fingers."

recommended for fans of Breaks Co-Op, Washed Out et Toro Y Moi ...




let your eyes soak up the hypnotic et gorgeously grainy, nostalgia-steeped visuals for Southern Summer Sun, directed by Andrew de Freitas {Kieran Blake's Yer Not A Sunrise} for Newfoundland Tack. enjoy!

Cool Rainbows - Southern Summer Sun

the "Southern Summer Sun / Tidal Wave" digital 7" is available from bandcamp, so head over there now et give Suskov whatever money you can for Christmas! the 'b' side Tidal Wave is a gorgeous pop epiphany! {what's with Auckland musicians and tidal waves?! see also The Wilberforces infectious single Tidal Waves}!

Cool Rainbows' debut long player "Whale Rocket" is in the works et set to be released on Lil' Chief Records in the new year. so you can thrash the digital 7" in  mean time!


you can find Cool Rainbows here: twitter | facebook

354. I ...

354.

I could smell the curves of the river beyond the dusk

and I saw the last light supine and tranquil upon

tideflats like pieces of broken mirror, then beyond

them lights began in the pale clear air, trembling

a little like butterflies hovering a long way off.

{William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury}

353. BLOOD ORANGE "CHAMPAGNE COAST"

check out the latest infectiously sultry et lovelorn, tropical-flavored, soulful, r&b groove Champagne Coast from Brooklyn-based synth pop/r&b crooner Devonté Hynes aka Blood Orange off his impressive debut album "Coastal Grooves" (2011).




the infectious debut album "Coastal Grooves" is out on Domino Records, you can acquire it on cd, lp, mp3 et now available as a playbutton. you can also download it digitally from itunes.

if you missed my posts for the outstanding singles Dinner et Sutphin Boulevard, then i strongly urge you to check them out, you won't be sorry!

you can find Blood Orange here: myspace | facebook | bloodorangeforever

353. IT ...

353.

It is guaranteed

To thumb shut your eyes at the end
And dissolve of sorrow.

{Sylvia Plath, The Applicant}

352. BLU & EXILE "SHE SAID ITS OK"

next up is a delicious slice of experimental-leaning hip hop, the bass-heavy et piano-laced, nostalgia-steeped reverie She Said Its Ok, from LA-based "underground" hip hop mc-producer duo Blu & Exile off their long awaited sophomore album "Give Me Flowers While I Can Smell Them" (2011).




the "Give Me Flowers While I Can Smell Them" album is currently available as an "unmixed/unmastered" version, you can acquire it digitally or stream it via bandcamp. there is no info as to whether this album is going to get an official cd or vinyl release, keep your eyes et ears peeled.

you can find Blu & Exile here: facebook

352. LAST ...

352.

Last night I passed some people celebrating

the discovery of Life, they did not notice
as they were too busy dancing, I composed

a poem in honour of the word Life.

{John Pule, Restless Spirit}

351. TENDER FOREVER "WHERE ARE WE FROM"

life getting you down? need a quick pick-me-up?! well then, you'll definitely appreciate this spirited track, it demands to be played loud! expose your mind-body et soul to the rousing et sassy, 80s-infused, synth-blazing et percussion-charged, existential pop anthem, Where Are We From from Portland-based electro-pop artist Melanie Valera aka Tender Forever off her outstanding "Where Are We From" EP (2011).

recommended for fans of fellow Krecs artists Mirah et The Blow ...


MP3: Where Are We From

the "Where Are We From" EP is out now on Krecs, it is available on either cd, lp or as an mp3 download, you can also acquire it digitally from itunes.

you can find Tender Forever here: myspace | facebook | tenderforever

KINDNESS "CYAN" MUSIC VIDEO!

totally missed out on this delightfully playful et clever video when it first dropped, so here it is now for anyone else who happened to be out of town visiting relatives. here's the wonderfully conceived et executed self-reflexive video for Kindness' funked-out, infectious single Cyan, directed by Ben Fries for Deadhorse Films. you have to appreciate the playful synchonising of key lyrics with shop signage. this video has a definite CANADA-style going on, with allusions to Godard's "Le Mépris". enjoy!

351. SHE ...

351.

She didn't turn the light on, just the heat light

so the room was red and dreamlike.

{Sohie Dahl, Playing With Grownups}

350. VILLE LEINONEN "ENSIMMAISTA KERTAA"

i felt i'd gone as long as i could without risking people going into withdrawal over not hearing any new tracks from the beloved lands of magical pop, Scandinavia! to keep things interesting i've prepared a delicious fix from her mysterious neighbour; Finland, that will keep you soaring on the transcendental pop plane, here's a fluttery et blissed-out, deliriously layered et textured, sublime duet Ensimmäistä Kertaa {For The First Time}, from acclaimed Finnish "sonic sculptor" et avant-folk crooner Ville Leinonen off his sublime album "Auringonsäde/Pommisuoja" (2011).

Ensimmäistä Kertaa features the gorgeously airy vocal harmonies of Finnish pop singer Paula Vesala. enjoy!


MP3: Ensimmäistä Kertaa


if you like what you hear then i would highly recommend that you get the stunning "Auringonsäde/Pommisuoja" album, it is out now on Fonal, it is available on cd, or you can also acquire it digitally via itunes.

you can find Ville Leinonen here: villeleinonen

KIERAN BLAKE "YER NOT A SUNRISE" MUSIC VIDEO!

take a look at this gorgeously observed et performed, intimate et dramatic, plan-sequence/'POV' video for Kieran Blake's brilliantly titled, incantatory, damaged love song Yer Not A Sunrise. directed by Andrew de Freitas for Newfoundland Tack. bathed in warm, early morning sunlight et filmed in super 8mm which immediately lends the video a pleasantly muted, soft et textured feel. enjoy!

350. WHAT ...

350.

What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman,

for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees

with a headache self-conscious looking

at the full moon.

{Allen Ginsberg, A Supermarket In California}

349. SETH FRIGHTENING "WAKE UP"

next up is an absolutely devastating track from the antipodes! the achingly introspective et off-kilter, ambling, acoustically-driven, deliriously schitzed-out, epic, psych-tinged lamentation Wake Up, from Wellington-based psych/noise folk crooner Sean Kelly aka Seth Frightening off his phenomenal new "B.Hoo" EP (2011).

"I'm in a coma,

oh what a loner

Sooner or later, I'll die

Go outside."

there is definitely something going on with the water supply down there in Wellington, something has to be contributing to the significant amount of excellent music that is emerging there. perhaps it is from these 'poor' musicians consuming large quantities of moldy rye-bread, the ergot poisoning inducing tripped-out psychic states leading to the creation of heightened musical works, this is thought to have been a contributing factor in producing the 'surreal' et hallucinatory masterpieces of Brueghel et Bosch! it certainly demands further investigation!

highly recommended for fans of Syd Barret, Amen Dunes, Phil Elverum et Connan Mockasin ...




i'd strongly suggest getting yourself a copy of the stunning "B.Hoo" EP, it is out now on Sonorous Circle as a free digital download via bandcamp, why are you doing still reading, head over there now et check out this captivating three-song EP!

you can try spooking Seth Frightening here: myspace

349. CONJURATION ...

349.

Conjuration, sleight of hand, magic, witchcraft 

were the subjects of the evening.

{Elizabeth Gaskell, Cranford}

348. SLEEPING BAG "SLIME"

well i'm super late on this one, so you'll have to forgive my oversight, if you've already heard this track: good for you, you're dismissed for the day, for everyone else, prepare yourselves for a class trip back to the 90s when infectious indie rock reigned supreme, you're sure to have an immediate Proustian-rush when your ears are exposed to the addictively twangly et hand clap-laden, apathetically melodic, Weezer-y single Slime, from Bloomington, Indiana-based indie rock trio Sleeping Bag off their self-titled debut album "Sleeping Bag" (2011).


MP3: Slime

check out the wonderful 90s-styled, deadpan performance video for Slime, directed by Nathan Vollmar and William Winchester Claytor. gotta love the random flying cats, et of course toxic flying green slim shots! enjoy!

the "Sleeping Bag" album is out on Joyful Noise Recordings, it is available on cd, lp or mp3 formats, feel like something more authentic, then you're in luck you can also purchase yourselves a special screenprinted 'Sleeping Bag' sleeping bag! you can also download the album digitally from bandcamp.

what are you waiting for, go get yourself a 'Sleeping Bag' sleeping bag so you can have a Sleeping Bag sleepover party!!!

you can haunt Sleeping Bag here: facebook | twitter | sleepsleepingbag

SOFT METALS "PSYCHIC DRIVING" MUSIC VIDEO!

take a look at the wonderfully 'surreal' et avant-leaning, glittery, aquatic themed video for Soft Metals' enchanting single Psychic Driving, directed by video/performance artist Erica Schreiner.

348. THEREFORE ...

348.

Therefore the first step for a mind overwhelmed

by the strangeness of things is to realize that this

feeling of strangeness is shared with all men and

that the entire human race suffers from the division

between itself and the rest of the world.

{Albert Camus, The Rebel}

347. TERRY MALTS "TUMBLE DOWN"

check out this deliriously hook-laden, fuzzed-out, Ramones-y, bumblegum-punk anthem Tumble Down from San Fransisco-based "chainsaw-pop" trio Terry Malts off their forthcoming album "Killing Time" (2012).

"Tumble down ...

the hill with me ...

Don't be afraid ...

of what you cannot see."

MP3: Tumble Down

et here's another ridiculously infectious et nostalgia-swooning, a cappella-laced, buzzsaw guitar pop reverie off the fantastic "I'm Neurotic" 7" (2011).

MP3: Distracted

the "Killing Time" album is set for release on February 21st, it is available for pre-order from Midheaven on cd, lp et mp3 formats.

you can stalk Terry Malts here: facebook

347. SHE ...

347.

She had an eye to see and an ear to hear:

he could show her things and tell her things,

and taste the bliss of feeling that all he

imparted left long reverberations and

echoes he could wake at will.

{Edith Wharton, Ethan Frome}

346. ACTUAL WATER "LA VIOLENCE SUR LES CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES"

get a load of this awesomely fuzzed-out, jingly-jangly, rollicking et riotous, psych-smeared, drunken, garage pop ditty La Violence Sur Les Champs-Élysées, from Toronto-based garage rock revelers Actual Water off their forthcoming sophomore album "The Paisley Orchard" (2012).

La Violence Sur Les Champs-Élysées plays out as a kind of ode to that old rock 'n' roll cliché, you've gotta love the coughing et spluttering that abruptly puts an end to lead singer Tony Price's pie-eyed crooning at the end of this track, et shortly after the song just suddenly cuts out unexpectedly, as if they had ran out of tape while they were laying down their raucous jam session! truly inspired! enjoy! 


MP3: La Violence Sur Les Champs-Élysées

feast your ears on the delicious motorik-driven, neu-imbued, kraut rock epiphany from the debut album "Double Negatives" (2008);

MP3: Boutique Neighbourhoods

the word "random" would probably best describes this video, et that's a good thing! check out the wonderfully entertaining, lo-fi, 80s studio-styled, Flying Nun pastiche music video for La Violence Sur Les Champs-Élysées. directed by Danielle Nemet. featuring what must go down as one of the most awkwardly self-conscious, hammy et utterly disaffected band performances ever, intentionally so, i should add et ridiculously funny for that reason! enjoy!

the "The Paisley Orchard" is set for release January 24th on Unfamiliar Records, until then go check out some other tracks on their bandcamp!

oh, yeah et you better follow these guys on twitter if you want to gain admittance into the Paisley Orchard before you shuffle off this mortal coil!

you can find Actual Water here: myspace | facebook

346. THE ...

346.

The wind tugged at the wild grass growing from
cracks in the wall and at the hen's downy feathers,
which floated out horizontally to their full extent
with the unresisting submissiveness of light and
lifeless things.

{Marcel Proust, Swann's Way}

345. JESSICA JALBERT "NECROMANCY"

"I'm going to sing you to sleep."

next up we have an utterly enchanting et lush, gothic-tinged, chamber-folk elegy Necromancy. from Edmonton-based indie folk/rock songstress Jessica Jalbert off her winsome debut album "Loyola" (2011).

Necromancy would certainly fit in nicely to an early David Lynch film like "Blue Velvet", Jalbert deftly captures that murky, inbetween zone where dark et light intersect, one feels the sombre weight of darkness et angst, but also a deep sense of the immense beauty et lightness that the world contains.

"Graveyards are popping up everywhere,

Smell of bodies in the air."

i find myself mesmerized by the inky et evocative image that adorns the cover for "Loyola", the linking/clasping gesture/pose of the hands is very suggestive. it almost feels like a detail taken from an old obscure Danish silent film, or perhaps conjures up a mysterious sign language.


MP3: Necromancy

et here's another deliciously warm et sultry, galloping, fuzzed-out, 70s-steeped, rock single from the album;

"And forever, and forever, and forever and forever ..."

MP3: Paris Green

oh, you might also appreciate the delightful new single from the album too!

MP3: Lake of a Lake

the "Loyola" album is out now on Old Ugly Records, you can acquire it on limited vinyl {250 copies only!} or download/stream the album digitally via bandcamp.

you can find Jessica Jalbert here: facebook

RAT COLUMNS "I WONDER" MUSIC VIDEO

check out the wonderfully playful et gorgeously grainy, b&w twee performance video for David West aka Rat Columns' infectiously jingly-jangly, lo-fi indie pop gem I Wonder, from his marvelous four-song self-titled "Rat Columns" 7" (2011), available from Smart Guy Records et Midheaven. video directed by Hannah Lew {of Grass Widows}.

345. ONE ...

345.

One merely thinks of water, actual water itself,

but the image of water is like a cry from our whole being.

{Simone Weil, Waiting For God}

344. SAPPHIRE SLOWS "SPIN LIGHTS OVER YOU"

you've just seen the intoxicating video for Animal Dreams, now subject your ears et body to another dosage of sonic hypnosis therapy, embrace the euphorically throbbing et arpeggiated, tranced-out, hazy et spectral, 90s piano-laced IDM epiphany that will have even robots tapping their feet et bobbing their heads ecstatically! be warned Spin Lights Over You is a highly infectious auditory trip that one doesn't want to come down from! from Tokyo-based bedroom electro-psych-house artist Sapphire Slows off her fantastic debut EP "True Breath" (2011).

recommended for fans of fellow Not Not Fun luminaries LA Vampires, Psychic Reality et Peaking Lights ...


MP3: Spin Lights Over You

the "True Breath" EP is out now on Not Not Fun, you can acquire it on 12" vinyl {edition of 500}, it is also available from Boomkat, Norman Records et Midheaven, also available as an mp3 download from these sellers as well as itunes.

you can find Sapphire Slows here: facebook | twitter

344. SHE ...

344.

She kept her dreams and lamentations to herself.

{Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Possessed}

343. JULIA HOLTER "MARIENBAD"

if you're still puzzling over what actually happened last year at Marienbad then perhaps this next track will shed some new light on the perplexing subject, then again, maybe not, regardless you absolutely need to experience this next track, it is as enigmatic, dreamlike et utterly enchanting as Alain Resnais' landmark film. how to describe it, that's certainly not so easy either ... let me simply confide that Marienbad is a wondrously effervescent, lilting et dulcet-toned, polyphonic, baroque-steeped, ethereal pop masterpiece from uber-talented LA-based avant-pop songstress Julie Holter off her forthcoming sophomore album "Ekstasis" (2012).

the incredible, reverb swooning breakdown strongly evokes the late Trish Keenan aka Broadcast et her distinct 'wall-of-sound', it gave me goosebumps! enjoy!

"Ten signs that read silence."

 

Julia Holter - "Marienbad"

 
the "Ekstasis" album is set for release March 8th on RVNG intl, it will be available on cd et double lp! as well as digitally via the usual outlets.

if you didn't catch my previous post for Goddess Eyes off Holter's stunning debut album "Tragedy", then you should check it out!

you can find Julia Holter here: myspace | facebook | juliashammasholter