MGMT Streaming New Album on Website

MGMT is giving fans an early listen to Congratulations, the follow up to their phenomenal Grammy-nominated debut, Oracular Spectacular.  The new record isn’t due out until April 13th, but right now you can stream the entire thing for free from their website.  This random act of kindness was prompted by the unfortunate leakage of the new album. Fortunately for us, these guys kept a positive attitude about the situation: “Hey everybody, the album leaked, and we wanted you to be able to hear it from us. We wanted to offer it as a free download but that didn’t make sense to anyone but us.”  It makes sense to me.  But I’m still grateful for this nice little treat.  Hope it makes your ears bleed.

RW: Sleepyhead (Bo Flex Yes Giantess Remix)

I’m starting to wonder if I will ever get tired of remixes, edits, and reworks of Passion Pit‘s song Sleepyhead.

It’s just one of those tracks, kinda like MGMT‘s song Kids, that just always has room for one more remix.

Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Bo Flex Yes Giantess Remix)

This remix is just so smooth.
The vocals are so crisp!
The drums are so tight.
The synth just dances around the whole time.
It’s just like one big party in your ears!

I’ve been a little more than lax when it comes to having regular posts lately. Still adjusting to the college life. Well one of my adjustments is usually in the form of a wonderful alarm. Fun little side note, a few months back I blogged about a rework of Sleepyhead by Emil&Friends… well that’s what I hear every beautiful morning over and over and over and over again until I turn it off.

I hope your ears find time to get out of bed… come on you sleepy-bled.

Nathan’s Top Albums of 2008

To be quite honest, I am a little disappointed with music this year. It was rather difficult for me to come up with my top 10 again this year, not because there were just tons of great albums to choose from, but that there were tons of mediocre albums to choose from.  There were just very few albums that I fell in love with, from beginning to end, this year.  So here are the ones that stuck out to me the most, and don’t get me wrong there are some great ones in this list. I just think that the music business has seen and will see better years.

10 KaiserCartel – March Forth

One of the first bands I discovered via I Hope Your Ears Bleed mailbox that didn’t suck. In fact they didn’t suck so much that they made this list.  They are a cheery pop duo that kept me whistling all year with this fantastic debut. If you are a Mates of State fan check out this album for a double dose of pop candy goodness.  But don’t misunderstand that phrase and think that this album lacks substance or doesn’t leave you satisfied. Unlike most “pop candy” these guys have created something that will last. I will be enjoying this album for a long time to come.

KaiserCartel – Oh No

09 She & Him – Volume One

She & Him is made up of the gorgeous and very likeable actress, Zooey Deschanel and the him part is indie folk artist M. Ward. With her voice and song-writing combined with his gorgeous arrangements you get one of the most enjoyable and accessible records of the year.  I don’t know how anyone could not like this album at least a little bit.  Which might be why it ended up as Paste’s favorite album of the year.  It has a little something for everyone.

She & Him – Sentimental Heart

08 Anathallo – Canopy Glow

These guys are one of the most dynamic groups around. The orchestration on each song is very complex and they utilizes a wide variety of instruments, including horns, guitars, drums, piano, bells, strings, and the list could go on.  But what makes them so unique, and why love them so much is they also love to use tons of unconventional objects like chains, velcro strips, stomp boxes, pipes and even their own hands.  Plus they have incredible voices that they utilize as yet another instrument with great harmonies throughout the album.  Even with its late November release it has become one of the most played records of the year for me. Who knows how high it might have climbed the list had it been released earlier.

Anathallo – The River

07 The Silent Years – The Globe
This album provided for me not just the best song of the year, but just an all-around great rock album.  If that’s what you want to call it. I have a hard time describing this album since it seems jump genres from song to song. But it does so gracefully.  It isn’t disjointed at all.  It seems like their drummer somehow seems to carry you safely from song to song.  Not to mention the song-writing and vocals of Josh Epstein are impeccable.  This is another album that utilizes a plethora of instruments. But I think my favorite thing about the album is the way they use silence as an instrument in this stand-out track from their great sophomore effort.

The Silent Years – Black Hole

06 Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend

While I think that this band is one of the more overrated bands out there, I couldn’t help but include it in this list.  I probably listened to this album more than any other this past year.  It is incredibly fun and very different than anything else that’s being played these days.  Not to mention their song writing is very clever.  There are many standout tracks on this album, and if somehow you made it through 2008 without hearing these guys you have to give this album a listen.  I absolutely love the way the strings open this stellar track.  It takes me back a couple centuries to a time when you still had to squeeze oranges to get fresh orange juice, yet you were still somehow more sophisticated than today.

Vampire Weekend – M79

05 MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

This album started with just two freshmen art students  playing pretend that they were indie pop stars.  They started off just playing around with some synthesizers and pre-recorded vocals playing shows and just having some fun.  Before they new it they had a long-term deal with Columbia Records and were the opening act for Of Montreal. Still not able to believe their good fortune, when asked who they’d like to have produce their record, they responded with Prince, Nigel Godrich, Barack Obama, and “not Sheryl Crow.” Fortunately for us, they were hooked up with Flaming Lips collaborator, Dave Fridmann, who helped them create one of the best psychadelic indie-pop albums around.

MGMT – Kids

04 Mates of State – Re-Arrange Us

So if you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of catchy sing-a-long pop.  That is so long as it doesn’t completely suck.  Like this fantastically addictive, emotionally charged, hook-laden pop masterpiece.  While they have injected a little more piano than in the past, they haven’t strayed too far from their roots.  Hammel’s slick and drumbeats still drive the entire album, and Gardner’s vocals are better than ever. It’s soft and loud, sweet and sour, cheerful and melancholy. It’s a fully realized album that will appeal to indie snobs and ignorant radio listeners alike.  So whichever you are, go out and buy this album today.

Mates of State – The Re-Arranger

03 Noah and the Whale – Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down

Here is the fifth debut album to grace my top ten list (it’s not the last).  Yes I am a sucker for folk-rock bands that use lots of strings and horns throughout their songs.  But it is Charlie Fink’s songwriting that boosted this mediocre debut into the top of my list.  It’s hopeful songs like “Give a Little Love” and its more melancholy successor “Second Lover” that make this album so great.  And who isn’t put in a better mood when they hear “5 Years Time” pouring through the tv set?

Noah and the Whale – Second Lover

02 Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst

This is one of the last album’s I expected to make my list this year.  But I have not been able to stop listening ever since I saw him live back in September. Just think of a happy and country version of Bright Eyes.  I am blown away at how well Conor is able to do southern rock.  Make no mistake though, this is not a solo album in the least.  This record would be nothing without the Mystic Valley Band.  Let’s hope that he doesn’t just kick them to the curb and that these guys have only just begun their musical journey together.

Conor Oberst – Get Well Cards

01 Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago

While this list was difficult for me make, choosing who belonged on top was not.  Justin Vernon isolated himself in a remote cabin in Wisconsin just looking to get away and take a break.  And he walked out with the best album of the year. There was a tiny bit added upon his return in the studio (horns, backing vocals, drums), but the majority of the album is just Vernon and his hauntingly enchanting voice.

Bon Iver – Lump Sum

Well I hope you enjoyed the list and found at least one new album to out and purchase.  And stay tuned for the albums we’re most excited about for 2009.  Here’s to another great year of music. Huzzah!

RW: My Top Remixes of 2008

rick astley will never give you up, let you down, make you sick, or ruin your remix.

I can already hear the moans. “Another top ten?” Yeah. But take this with a grain of salt,  and I think you will find this to be a very enjoyable experience.

You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Soulwax Remix) -  the Rolling Stones

This remix puts a brand-new spin on a timeless classic. I first heard the song in the soundtrack of a movie,  and have loved it ever since. But it’s not just because it’s a classic song. I like it because of the job done by the remixer.  Soulwax is one of the best remixing outlets out there, and almost everything I hear by them I want to go out and purchase immediately.  But, this is just the first on my list and I’ve got nine more so let’s keep going.

Video Tapez (ft. Del the Funky Homosapien) – Radiohead

Radiohead has always been known for their abstract sound, as well as the interesting people that they attract. This remix is no exception. Featuring the styling of Del the Funky Homosapien (aka. Deltron 3030)  the song transforms from that of rock to rap.  There’s always a fresh sound when you try to remix Radiohead,  and it’s always super fun to listen to.

I’m A Cuckoo (Avalanches Remix)  – Belle & Sebastian

This remix is completely different. Instead of trading the original sounds for electronic beats, the original points of the song are replaced by tribal drums and a choir. This remix also happens to be done by one of my favorite remixing outlets, The Avalanches.  The subtle change of the backing makes a huge difference and in turn makes it one of my favorite remixes of the year, even if it was released a few years ago.

Umbrella (The Lindbergh Palace Dub) – Rihanna Feat. Jay-Z

Earlier this year I was able to obtain notoriety to our blog when I first wrote about The Lindbergh Palace, and some of the work they’ve done in remixing, more specifically their dubs. This dub mix is no exception and is one of the most profound pieces they’ve ever done.

Never Miss A Beat (Cut Copy Remix) – Kaiser Chiefs

This next remix is one that I kind of found out of the blue. It combines my favorite European rock influence with my favorite Australian electronic influence. Personally, I preferred the original version of the song to the remix, but what keeps bringing me back to this remix is not the song itself but the way in which it was remixed. Cut Copy is my favorite electronic group out there, and while I like their remixes, I like their original content better.

Electric Feel (Justice Remix) – MGMT

A sure winner for any top 10 list this year is can he beat anything by MGMT.  These relative newcomers generated lots of buzz this year with a seemingly endless number of great singles.  But it is this remix, however, that kept my ears bleeding all summer long.  Remixed by the heirs to the electronic music kingdom, Justice, this remix is full of classy transition and poise that you would only find in a Justice song.

Talk (Thin White Duke Remix) – Coldplay

Three words. Speak N’ Spell. Any song that uses a speak n’ spell is almost sure to be a good song in my book. Combine that with my favorite Coldplay song from the album X & Y,  and I’m sure to love it. This remix is not only enjoyable, but danceable.

If I Never See Your Face Again (feat. Rihanna) – Maroon 5

I’d always let myself be turned off to the idea that I would listen to Maroon Five, but the song is really catchy and I ended up liking it a whole lot.  Before I knew it I had listened to this song more than 10 times and enjoyed it more with each play. The song comes from the Maroon Five remix album released this year. Generally such albums tend to generate only a few good remixes, but I was very impressed with this one. Remix fans alike will will rejoice to the earlier sounds of Maroon Five set to hip-hop beats,  and given a whole new life.

Lights & Music (Boys Noize Remix) – Cut Copy

Before the release of their sophomore album earlier this year, thanks to the wonderful website HypeMachine, I found this incredible remix of the single “Lights and Music.”  Whenever I think of the original version of the song my mind always clicks back to this remix, since it was first to hit my ears.  It’s a fun playful mix, and even if it’s not the original, it’s still a great addition to any Cut Copy fan’s collection.

Never Gonna Give You Up (Solly Remix) – Rick Astley

When they write a book about Pop Culture 50 years from now, they will say that the year 2008 was the year of the RickRoll. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP! NEVER GONNA LET YOU DOWN! NEVER GOING TO TURN AROUND, DESERT YOU! NEVER GONNA MAKE YOU CRY! NEVER GONNA SAY GOODBYE! NEVER GONNA TELL A LIE, AND HURT YOU!

I hope your ears bleed in 2009.