Archive for Monday, February 23, 2009

Cancer Bats on the “Deathsmarch”, new music video

Posted in Video with tags , , , , , , on Monday, February 23, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always envied the the prolific and seemingly “tight-knit” Toronto/Buffalo hardcore-punk scene; its no secret that there has been a long line of stellar bands to from this region, and this post is about the latest. The brand new “Deathsmarch” music video is pretty much quintessential Cancer Bats, a Toronto band of gritty punk rockers that is quickly gaining notoriety. “Deathsmarch” may be a bit more mid-paced than usual from these guys, but at its core it’s still the enthralling, disgusting, southern infected hardcore that they are known for. While perhaps a bit cheesy at times (though I think that probably has more to do with the overly enthusiastic fans than anything else), the video is a pretty awesome clip. It’s a really well-shot piece that could easily be mistaken for one of their lives shows if it the edit weren’t so clean.

When they are at their best, there is no one better at what they do. The over-the-top riffage and impassioned, engaging vocals that make their live shows so fun are also exactly what make “Deathsmarch” a great aural piece for this type of clip. Enjoy!

(featuring a guest appearance from Wade of Alexisonfire)

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Ace of Base get the nasty, gritty, dirty remix treatment

Posted in Audio, Downloads with tags , , , , , on Monday, February 23, 2009 by Erik Burg

I’ve been having a pretty solid day already. Classes, check. Paycheck, check. Laundry, check. Music domination, check. And more in line with music domination now, this time with one of my favorite guilty pleasure tracks. Ace of Base’s “All That She Wants” is the subject of this remix, fixed up by remix masters Disco Villains. These guys have done tons of different mixes and I’ve loved almost all of them, and this song is no exception. I can’t believe I’m openly admitting that I love the original, and now I’m dancing around to the remix. Turn it up loud, and do the same. Enjoy!

disco-villains

MP3: Ace of Base – “All That She Wants” (Disco Villains Remix)

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Album Review: Zombi, Spirit Animal

Posted in Audio, Music Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on Monday, February 23, 2009 by Erik Burg

spirit-animalIf there was ever an album to be described as epic, and in the actual definition of the word, not “epic” as in “cool”, this is that album. Hands down. Whether it’s a good or a bad thing, I can’t truly decide yet. Far and away the most sprawling and expansive album I’ve nearly ever heard, Spirit Animal is a rare treat for all those instrumentalist fans out there. It’s like a modern day Phish or Grateful Dead, minus the drugs and bad music, and with more synthesizers and keyboards. The shortest track runs seven minutes, three of them over 11 minutes, and plenty of tunage in between.

And I can’t tell, for the life of me, whether I like it or not. I mean sure, I can appreciate it musically and acknowledge the fact that the two guys are greatly talented, but I feel like if I was playing this in my room alone I’d rather not be caught doing so. Spirit Animal while at times mesmerizing, can get quote cheesy at time… there I said it. It’s just so, like I said, epic, that you just want to laugh at it and tell Zombi to stop taking themselves so seriously. But hey, maybe that’s it’s charm, that nothing else like this has existed on a mainstream level in a long time.

Another problem that I have with this album is that it become extremely repetitive, whether it’s in the structure of each song, or repetitive as a song itself. What Zombi does well it does very well. Heavy synth that matches the electro guitar, dark bass line, and drums that never stop, often breaking into few minute long jams that astound the listener. And all of that is great, it really is, but Spirit Animal kills it for me, sorry. I would probably be in love with this as a five track 24 minute long EP instead of this hour long five track whirlwind of an album. It’s all crazy stuff, maybe it’s over my head, I don’t know really. But what I so know is that Zombi can jam and put together some impressive material, it’s just that they do it for too long, and in an almost embarrassing fashion. I can be over kill, and it can be genius.

Lucky for you, Zombi is streaming the entire album. Or you can be lazy and grab on of the tracks below. I’d encourage checking out all of their stuff I’ve got posted here. I think you’ll definitely see what I mean about these guys. It’s worth your time.

6.5 never-ending drum solos and synth pedals out of 10

Stream: the entire “Spirit Animal” HERE

MP3: Zombi – “Spirit Animal”

Zombi live @ the Empty Bottle in Chicago 4/28/07

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Mr. Gaspar does the mash with Daft Punk and Boys Noize

Posted in Audio, Downloads with tags , , , , , , , , on Monday, February 23, 2009 by Erik Burg

mr-gasparI’m kind of disappointed in myself for not posting more remixes and mashups on here, seeing as I listen to them non-stop in the car or on my way to class. So yeah, I’ll try and get more of those out to you loyal readers. Here is a nice start, Mr. Gaspar, who’s remixed everyone from Katy Perry to The Cardigans along with some original material of his own, has yet another remix floating around the interwebs lately. This one mixes up Daft Punk’s classic “Harder Better Faster Stronger” with Boys Noize’s intense electro jam “Lava Lava”. It’s not perfect, and it’s nowhere near what a mashup is possible of doing as far as how it create new and nostalgic feelings all at the same time, but this track is a nice treat for anyone interested in both of the featured artists. It’s a grimmy and rough track in the end, but I love it all the same, what can I say? I’m a sucker for a good mashup. check it out for yourself, enjoy!

MP3: Harder Better Faster Stronger // Lava Lava (Daft Punk vs. Boys Noize) Mr. Gaspar mashup

Bonus (!): Mr. Gaspar – “Give You A Call”

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Album Review: Knonam, Loud.com EP + Download

Posted in Downloads, Music Reviews with tags , , , , , , on Monday, February 23, 2009 by Tim Althaus

knonam-loudcomepcover250 I don’t think I talk enough about how happy Minneapolis Hip-Hop makes me. For the last 15 years there has been Hip-Hop pouring out of the great city of Minneapolis from the Rhymesayers team. Ever since I was in 10th grade I’ve had the great pleasure of finding out about it all, or so I thought. A lot of people don’t know that there are still a lot of other great emcees in the Twin Cities, and Knonam (pronounced No Name) is a great testament to my previous statement. I found this gem on the internet a little while ago, to be honest I can’t remember where I found it, but I wish I did so I could give them the props they deserve.

This EP is only technically seven tracks long (Brother Ali does the intro), and it features some of the biggest names in the midwest on guest appearances (Brother ali, Eyedea & Royce Da 5’9″). This EP also has stellar production from behind the boards courtesy of Knonam and Jake One. Knonam is one of those guys that fires off rhymes like a machine gun, all while making it seem so effortless. Every track on this EP is quality, I don’t think there is one track I would skip if I was listening to this album. Knonam’s production is very heavily influenced by 80’s music and it’s very easy to tell on tracks like “1988” & “Ransom” . The track “Hold It” featuring Brother Ali is pretty close to as perfect as you are going to get. In the first verse Knonam spits: ” The day I retreat to ya’ I’ll spit without clips/watch me swallow a Rubik’s Cube and shit it out fixed”, and Brother Ali spits: “We come to your town umpteen deep, and wipe your legacy out in one clean sweep!”. That’s the common theme of this album, dope ass rhymes with punchlines on every track.

Knonam actually dropped a debut album last year called Length of the Blade which you can purchase here. I am going to make sure I get myself a copy of that album, and everything else this guy does. It’s always really refreshing to me to be able to find out about such great talent so close to home. This is probably the most refreshing EP I’ve heard besides The LAyover EP in years, Knonam really brings the heat. I’m telling you, don’t sleep on this, you will truly regret it.

10/10

Guess what? You can download this EP for free! HERE!

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Swan Lake get all creep and crawly on their new single

Posted in Audio, Downloads, Music News with tags , , , , , , , , on Monday, February 23, 2009 by Erik Burg

March 24th marks the release of Swan Lakes newest album Enemy Mine (on Jagjaguwar records), but a few tracks have already been released in anticipation of the album. The newest single, entitled “Spider”, is a short romp in line with other Swan Lake material, from this album and their debut effort as well. It’s a hard-to-describe whirlwind of a track that, unless you kind of know what you’re getting yourself into, can be a complete turnoff upon first listen. Like most of their work, “Spider” is a herky-jerky (I’m an amazing writer) track that spills over with vocals and heavy rhythmic drums. The synthesized keys in the background add for a nice twist, especially in the chorus when they wind and swerve with the vocals, complimented by Spencer Krug‘s small vocal part toward the end of the song, “Spider” is a splendid track. Along with the other singles already released, Enemy Mine is shaping up to be an amazing album. Check out the mp3 below along with the album artwork (some of my favorite of 2009 so far). 

MP3: Swan Lake – “Spider” or check out “A Hand At Dusk” off of Enemy Mine as well.

 

Swan Lake's "Enemy Mine" set for release on March 24th.

Swan Lake's "Enemy Mine" set for release on March 24th.

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Sonic Youth unveil tracklist for 16th album… a while ago

Posted in Music News with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on Monday, February 23, 2009 by Ryan Buege

sonicyouth2009telephonething1

.. How did I forget to post this on the site? This is only the one band that finds its way into my ears each and every day. Nevermind, the album won’t be here til this summer anyway..

The Eternal is the first music Sonic Youth has recorded since their 2006 album, Rather Ripped. We can expect this to be in our hands on June 9, 2009, and it is the first release the Sonic Youth is making through the thriving and decidely independent Matador Records after their long tenure at Geffen. Produced by John Agnello and the band, The Eternal was recorded through November and December of last year at the band’s Echo Canyon West studio in Hoboken, NJ. Additionally, this album will feature the SY recording debut of former Pavement bassist Mark Ibold.

The press sheet says its their most inspired effort in a long time, and since Rather Ripped ranks near the top of the catalog for me anyway, I’m not complaining. The tracklist is:

Sonic Youth, The Eternal1. Sacred Trickster
2. Anti-Orgasm
3. Leaky Lifeboat (For Gregory Corso)
4. Antenna
5. What We Know
6. Calming the Snake
7. Poison Arrow
8. Malibu Gas Station
9. Thunderclap for Bobby Pyn
10. No Way
11. Walkin’ Blue
12. Massage the History

Sonic Youth will be touring throughout the summer in support of the new album, and I urge them to book a Minneapolis show.

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These Arms Are Snakes plan split release with All The Saints (on Touch and Go?)

Posted in Music News with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on Monday, February 23, 2009 by Ryan Buege

These Arms Are Snakes are pushing the art of the split release like no other these days, and have announced plans to put out a limited split 7″ with upcoming tourmates, All The Saints. This is the fifth split they’ve planned in the last two years, and right now it’s one of two that are expected this year (the other is the Minus the Bear split that was already announced).  Despite releasing an amazing new album at the end of last year entitled Tail Swallower and Dove that provides enough furious and progressive post-hardcore to satisfy those looking for new material, TAAS still isn’t able to sit still and just tour like normal musicians.

On this split with All the Saints, These Arms are Snakes side of the split features the track “Washburn” (a Japan-only bonus from the Tail Swallower.. album) in addition to artwork from Alicja Trout. Apparently, Touch and Go Records will be releasing the split within the next month or so, but there’s no word whether the massive (and very sad) cuts that Touch and Go announced today will hold up this release. My guess is that the vinyls have already been pressed, but who knows?… Hopefully it will be available in time for when TAAS comes through Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis with All the Saints and Darker My Love this Thursday, February 26th. Either way, it’s been a few years since I’ve had the chance to catch their gig and I’m looking forward to a wild show.

Keep reading for all the band’s upcoming US tour dates… Continue reading →

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