Hot mixes: July 2013 Week 1

Lex Maestracci - "Exit" 2013

This mix isn't really my bag, but it's still well done. Some tunes you'd probably hear in a big dance club nowadays, but maybe slightly on the harder sounding side of things, just not TOO hard. People that really enjoy dancing will probably enjoy this mix. Check it out.

Takanome - "Goodtime Funk/R&B Soulful Side" 2013

This is a pretty enjoyable mix. I like how he throws in mega pop stars like Mariah Carey in with lesser known stuff. It's a good blend of the known and not so known. It makes it so a wide range of people can get down to the set. I also like how this guy's mixes seem to mostly fall in the late 80's and early 90's, stylistically, but he doesn't confine the song selections to that era either. It's still anything goes, but everything seems like it's placed right. Listen here.

BitsBits: Hotlist- June 2013

http://www.mixcloud.com/ryanbirch54/hotlist-june-2013/

The best songs I heard last month and a condensed audio version of this blog.

Album Reviews: June 2013 Week 4

Brandon Patton - "How I Allegedly Bit A Man In Gloucestershire" 2011

A friend passed this along to me and said he thought I would really enjoy it, and he was definitely correct. I would put him in the same category of comedy rock as Stephen Lynch and Liam Lynch. He doesn't fall into the trap of a lot of comedy/music people do, where there's inevitably some cornier and low aiming material. Some of the songs are more just light-heartedly funny and not full on comedy, but that actually helps the overall feel of the album. It feels like the work of a good singer-songwriter instead of a circus seal stage act. At the same time, the raunchier moments on this album are downright gross, and I love it. My favorite song on this is probably the title track. It doubles as a good storytelling song and a drinking anthem. Also check out "Would You Take A Bullet For Me?", "Indier Than Thou", and this live version of "Munching The Cooch". (I couldn't find the studio version).

Knxwledge - "Hud.Dreems.Prt.1.5" 2013

This dude seems to be slowly but surely getting better, and he already was pretty dope. I like that someone like him exists, making all these quick beats firmly planted in between traditional hip hop sounds and the offbeat swing of the beat scene movement. It's almost like he's trying to get Madlib to pass the Loop Digga torch to him and run with it. I actually kinda like this EP a little more than a lot of the more recent stuff i've heard from him. You can purchase it for $1 or just listen to it here.

Otem Rellik - "Blood Bone Piano" 2012

Just another one of those blind downloads I end up with. I looked it up and he hails from Denver. This music reminds me a LOT of Astronautilis and to a lesser extent P.O.S., Sims and Ceschi as well, so if you enjoy those artists a lot and are looking for something else, you should give this dude a try. I feel like Otem Rellik's sound is a little more rock based than those other guys, but only barely. This is still what I would consider a mostly hip hop influenced sound. This isn't bad sounding music at all to me, but I do feel like there is a little something missing from the equation with this album. Maybe he just needs time to get more seasoned and tighten up his rapping style and vocals, but there is potential there. You can purchase this album for $4 or just listen to all the songs here.

Tomahawk - "Oddfellows" 2013

So, it's been a little while since the world has heard a proper rock album featuring Mike Patton as the vocalist. Pretty much since the last Tomahawk album and the Peeping Tom album, which was like 6-7 years ago at this point. In between that time he's been mostly working on soundtracks and scores, and collaborating with John Zorn, which has been fine and dandy, but i've been longing for him to return to writing rock or pop songs, or shit, just hear him sing. This album definitely supplies that, and is definitely a well put together LP, so it puzzles me that none of the songs seem to actually "move" me like I want them to, they just end up being "pretty cool" or "alright". It's possible that I might just need to spend some more time with this album as well. The sound of this album is almost reminiscent of Mr. Bungle - "California" in a way, and also more like the earlier Tomahawk albums than "Anonymous", the 2nd most recent one. Check out the Peeping Tom-esque "I.O.U.", this video for the title track, the video for "Stone Letter", and also "South Paw".

The Flaming Lips - "The Terror" 2013

Man, I was not prepared for how fucked up the overall sound of this album is. It's not fucked up like their last album was, where too often it dwelled in the experimental realms and not enough in the actual realm of awesomeness. Just being weird and jacked up for the sake of being weird and jacked up. The feel of this album seems more natural and focused, but at the same time more actually psychedelic, instead of just being noisy. This album is almost like an audio version of one of those "3D" pictures where you have to "relax your eyes" and the image pops out at you eventually (unless you're that dude in "Mallrats"). You definitely have to get your ears used to this, and then once you do, it sounds pretty damn sweet. Their best album since "At War With The Mystics", but definitely not on that level of greatness either. This sounds like Clams Casino doing experimental remixes of ELO, with maybe a slight touch of "Kid A" style Radiohead. Check out "The Sun Blows Up Today", "Try To Explain", "Turning Violent", and "Be Free, A Way".

Hot Mixes: June 2013 Week 4

Petite Yeti - "Redemption Thru Style: May 2013 2nd Hour"

This is a nice little radio show based out of Charlotte, NC. Mixes like this make me realize how many people are out there making beat scene music right now, and how a lot of them are really good sounding too. Have a listen here.

Petite Yeti - "Redemption Thru Style: April 2013 2nd Hour"

I went back and listened to the show from a month before as well. Here it is.

Scrimshire - "Mix For Groovement Magazine June 2013"

This is one of those mixes that Mixcloud suggested for me based on my listening. This sounds pretty good. The selection of styles isn't exactly my cup of tea, but this dude is a capable and enjoyable DJ still. Check it out here.

DJ Clone Funk - "Soul Magic" 2013

Another nice one from Clone Funk. Nice mix of soul and dancey stuff. Hear it here.

O Benjamim - "Sundays #1" 2013

This is another mix that is not necessarily my bag, but the DJ still pulls it off really well and makes some really good transitions and choices. Check it out here.

Free The Robots - "Free The Robots x The Chemistry Magazine" 2013

This mix blew me away. This is EXACTLY the type of stuff I wanna hear nowadays, and just flawlessly executed. I listened to this twice in a row and I hardly ever do stuff like that. Listen and free download here.

Adam Kvasnica - "More John Coltrane" 2013

A nice Coltrane themed mix, good for a lazy afternoon. Listen here.

Album Reviews: June 2013 Week 3

Ayatollah - "Avant Garde" 2013

It's weird. The first time I listened to this album, I didn't really like it. It seemed like a below average, east coast beat tape. I gave it a 2nd chance on my headphones, and it sounded pretty good. I like how he blends some familiar samples in with the unknown ones. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but if you're looking for some instrumental hip hop reminiscent of beats from 10-15 years ago, this is a solid release. Check out "Nothing But The Funk", the only song on here I can find a link for, for some reason.

Firewater - "International Orange" 2012

This album slipping through the cracks for me for more than half of a year is proof that either the market is oversaturated right now, or I need to narrow my scope of what music I choose to check out. I don't know how I missed the actual release of this last year, but i'm glad I got curious a couple weeks ago and thought to myself "I wonder if Firewater has anything new cooking up?". Ever since an old co-worker of mine introduced me to the music of lead singer Tod A, both this band and his old band, Cop Shoot Cop, i've been pretty mesmerized with his blend of international party rock sounds combined with mega-political lyrics. I feel like this new album is almost a little more straightforward and to the point than previous Firewater albums, if that's possible, but that's what this society needs right now, a fucking WAKE UP call. Anyone out there that says there's no good new rock music coming out with meaningful songwriting, needs to check this band out. Here is the video for "A Little Revolution". Also check out "Glitter Days", "The Monkey Song", and "Ex-Millionaire Mambo".

Groundislava - "Treasure Chest" 2013

I've been a pretty big fan of his previous work, and this was a cool free download. A collection of a bunch of remixes he did and a couple new tracks as well. Free download from his Bandcamp page.

Bonobo - "The North Borders" 2013

This album seems to be the apex of what he can do so far in his career, in terms of it being a perfect combination of accessible, dancey, crisp, detailed, and otherworldly. It's perplexing to me that I don't enjoy this album more than I do. Something about it seems too sterile and safe, but it's by no means that type of an album, really. It probably sounds like i'm being too harsh on this album when you read this, but understand that this album is better than more than 99% of all other music out there. I was just wanting something a little less friendly and predictable and more progressive than this album is, but I also recognize that this album is damn near flawless in it's execution. Check out the video for "Cirrus" (what a great video, btw, I love this). Also check out "Sapphire", "Antenna", and "Jets".

Vex Ruffin - "Eulogy" 2012

First of all, this is a free download from the Stones Throw site. This EP is an amazing display of lo-fi awesomeness. I would put him in the same category of DIY avant-garde artists as Zackey Force Funk, Baron Zen, and James Pants, who have many different influences and styles, and it all mashes together into it's own new style. It's very punk in concept and the end results of this EP sound great to my ears. Check out the title track, "Space Out", and "Perfect Congestion".

"Exploded Drawing SXSW 2013 Compilation"

First of all, you can download this for free here, and I strongly urge you to. This is one of the best compilations I think i've ever heard in my life. 24 tracks and not a single dud. Most of this falls into the instrumental hip hop/beat scene pocket. I can't stress enough how stellar of a release this is. A good portion of these artists are people i've never heard of before, so this gave me a lot of good new music suggestions.

Lil B - "Based Jam" 2012

So this is the next album from the self proclaimed "Based God" I decided to check out. At this point, i'm starting to think that Lil B is the closest thing to Kool Keith to come out of the next generation of rappers. Some of his lyrics are so incredibly shitty that you feel embarrassed to be listening to him, and then he'll turn around and be completely unique, and say some really heartfelt stuff that's well put together. He clearly has many sides to his personality and that is part of his appeal. You can download this for free from datpiff. Check out "Up & Down", "Supposed Ta", and "Hit Em Up".

"Stones Throw + Leaving Records: Dual Form (Double Cassette)" 2013

This is a decent collection of random weirdness that you might expect if you're familiar with these 2 record labels. The cassettes are all sold out already, but this is also available in other formats as well here. This is a nice compilation to kick back and get lost from reality to. Check out "Sadnis" by Knx or Knxwledge as he's better known. Also check out "Lion's Dream" by Dak, "Bardo States (Dreamwalker Version)" by Run DMT, and "Atimo" by Yuk.

Vandaam - "Vandaam" 2013

First of all, you can download this for free here. This is the full length debut from this Minneapolis trio consisting of the production duo of Sloslylove and Adept accompanied by the mysterious vocalist, Lady Midnight. I think more than anything, this album shows promise more than it actually delivers, but it's also heads and shoulders above most of the local music around here in my opinion. They lay down some pretty easy going, light electronic, slightly trip-hoppy, piano based beats that fit well with her easy going vocal style. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for these guys, as i'm looking forward to hearing the styles develop over time.

Madlib - "Beat Konducta Vol. 0: Earth Sounds" 2012

Apparently, this was the Beat Konducta EP that started it all, and was originally released as a double 7" in 2001, which explains why it sounds so primitive compared to what he's been doing more recently. All in all, this is still Madlib, and it's still a really nice beat tape. You can listen to them or purchase the mp3's here.

Thee Oh Sees - "Floating Coffin" 2013

Goddamn, look at that artwork! (haha). This is seriously one of the greatest rock albums i've heard in years. Ever since Ween broke up, I was thinking it would be hard for another band to provide me with at least some of that same sound pallette that they were providing, that my brain clearly craves, but up steps Thee Oh Sees. I had liked a couple of their previous releases well enough, but they straight hit it out of the park with this new one. I can't recommend this album enough. Check out "Minotaur", "No Spell", the title track, and "Nightcrawler".

Matmos - "The Ganzfield EP" 2012

I haven't listened to the album yet, but this is the pre-EP for their new full length release, which I will have to check out really soon. What I read about this album is that they did some Ghostbusters-esque experiments on volunteer test subjects that had to do with light and sound and sensory deprivation. Sounds spooky. Check out the video for "Very Large Green Triangles (Edit)", and also check out the insane (maybe not in a good way) vocal collage of "Just Waves", and also "You (Rrose Mix)".

Belbury Poly - "The Belbury Tales" 2012

I enjoy listening to this album. It falls in a pocket somewhere in between stuff like Stereolab but with a more trip hop style and live instrumental funk stuff such as Shawn Lee. I love it when a blind download turns out to be cool like this. Check out "A Pilgrim's Path", "Earth Lights", "My Hands", and "Summer Round".

"Enjoy The Experience" 2013

This is a 2 disc compilation of songs that are more on the offbeat/leftfield side of things. Check out "Piledriver" by Dennis The Fox, this crazy "Elton John Medley" by Silk & Silver, "6.4 = Make Out" by Gary Wilson, and "Monkey Bridge" by 33 1/3.

Grip Grand - "GG Doom! But How?" 2013

I've never heard of Grip Grand before, but this is a cool little EP of his remixes of random MF Doom songs. Here is a link for the free download.. Check out "Jive Turkeys", "Gonads", and my personal favorite, with the epic sounding Frank Zappa sample, "Jesus Pizzas".

Sweet Valley - "Jenova" 2012

This is the 3rd free download release of theirs, and unfortunately my least favorite, but that doesn't mean there's not some gems on here. The way the drum kit is on most of these songs and the way the samples are flipped, it reminds me a little of older Odd Nosdam stuff, which is pretty cool. You can download this for free here..

Mochipet - "Godzilla Rehab Center" 2012

This is an EP full of his more thick sounding, amped up sounding songs. Most of these tracks remind me of the remixes he did for Splatinum, which is cool. No super standouts, but no duds either. Check out "King Ghidorah", "The Cosmos", and "Hedorah".

Hot Mixes: June 2013 Week 3

DJ Clone Funk - "Funk Upon A Time" 2013

Give this a listen.

Zackey Force Funk & Kutmah - "This Is The Force Funk Sound" 2009

This is a super awesome mix from a few years ago, but still sounds just as fresh today. A perfect display of the range of styles that Zackey Force Funk has. If you like people who can bring the weirdness, then this is for you. Check this out here. There's 2 separate parts to this, so please check out both.

ABCNT - "Hit+Run 4 Year Anniversary Mix" 2009

The people at Hit+Run have put up a bunch of their older mixes on their Mixcloud page, and i've been enjoying it. This is a good party time, hip hop oriented mix. Check it out here.

Tellos F - "A l'ete Privee" 2013

I honestly don't know what the deal is with this mix. A bunch of newer classical music splashed with some jazz and some foreign language vocals. If this sounds like something you'd like, check it out here.

Nowy - "Nightcrawler Part 2" 2013

I'm definitely going to have to checkout the first part of this, because I really dig this blend of krautrock and experimental old electronic music. Here is where to listen.

Album Reviews: June 2013 Week 2

Tyler The Creator - "Wolf" 2013

Tyler is a weird anomaly to the music world right now. Not that the music that he makes is very weird, per se. It's mostly just recycled rebellious teenager rants that he'll probably cringe at when he's an old man, but you gotta get famous and make money somehow, right. Shock G said it best when he said "just to catch a break I had to blow up my nose". Everyone needs a gimmick, and Tyler has for sure honed in on the pouty teenager, mad at his parents, running back to his room screaming "I fucking hate you!", attitude. This is annoying to repeatedly hear for someone like me in my mid 30's, but i'm sure it goes over pretty well for the target audience. In the end, I would rather see people like him blow up than a lot of the average 2Chainz, Chief Keef type people, because I feel like for someone like Tyler this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful career that will change a lot over time and probably be a little sideways compared to the mainstream of the future, whereas those other guys are more like one trick ponies who are in the peak of their career, fully participating in the new millenium minstrel show, and can only go down from here. He's already showing signs of wanting to break out of this mold a little bit by having guests on this album like Erykah Badu and Laetitia Sadier. This album isn't as amazing or terrible as certain people are making it out to be, it's just a decent rap album that works good as background music for me. Check out the weird looking video for "IFHY", the video for "Domo23", "Lone", and "Jamba" featuring Hodgy Beats.

MGMT - "Alien Days" 2013

I have no idea about the origins of this song or when their new album is coming, but i've been geekin for a new MGMT release ever since 2009's "Congratulations", which was dismissed by all the hipsters that made them famous in the first place, because instead of trying to be some one trick pony, one hit wonder, bullshit electronic pop hipster act, they decided to be a full on progressive psychedelic rock band in the same vein as The Flaming Lips, and suddenly it seemed apparent to me that these guys were going to be interesting for years to come. As far as I know this was a vinyl only release for Record Store Day this year. Alien Days does not disappoint, but does not blow me away either. The B-Side isn't really a song, but a spoken word piece, that isn't very interesting to me. This was a good teaser to let me know they still exist and whet my appetite for more. Check it out.

L-Vis 1990 - "Circuits" 2013

I'm not super familiar with all of his other work, but I remember at least slightly enjoying a couple of his previous EP's. None of these songs really do much for me, but then again, I feel like a lot of the average techno and house songs out there don't really ever either. I'm a poor judge of this style of music because it's not really my thing, and when I do like stuff, it's very specific. Check out "That Thunder Track", "Wires", and the title song.

Cook Classics - "Cook Classics vs. Now Again" 2013

Now Again Records has an ongoing series where they let producers pillage their catalogue and make new beats out of them. I really enjoy the way this one turned out. I only have one other album by Cook Classics, and that one is more of a standard hip hop/producer album, with different guest emcees on each track. It's nice to hear him flaunt his style without rappers rapping over it, and the beats really ended up sounding versatile and not like they were all made by the same man. Unfortunately, I think this album is not quite yet available for retail, and I got it early through my Now Again subscription, so there is only one song available to listen to online right now, but you can download that song for free from the official site here.