What We're Listening To: I Fought The Law Edition

TNG Music Editor Rocky submits this post for your listening pleasure.

So yesterday, for the first time in my life, I was called for jury duty. I'm of two minds. Part of me feels as though it's my civic responsibility, and something we all have to do in order to preserve our relatively just, civil society. Plus, it's interesting to see our actual judicial system at work rather than Jack McCoy, and it's a change from my normal routine. But the other part of me is annoyed. Why? Because I was actually picked to be on the jury. Apparently, of the fifty people in the courtroom, I was deemed one of the twelve sanest and most rational. Me! I can't even begin to tell you how messed up that is. But even if that's what I have to do all week, it doesn't mean you guys shouldn't get your mixtape fix, so welcome to What We're Listening To! This is TNG's weekly rundown of the music that we don't in any way object to. On the menu this week, we've got: Lily Allen, Lilofee, Go West, The Vince Guaraldi Trio and Ra Ra Riot. Check out our reviews, plus the mixtape below the fold...

Lily Allen—It's Not Me, It's You

I really don't know much about Lily Allen except that she has a pretty, slightly warbly British-accented voice and makes great pop songs. We got a copy of her January 2009 release, It's Not Me, It's You, here at TNG headquarters a few weeks ago, and I got slowly drawn in. The music is as to be expected, pretty pop songs, light and airy, elegant, blissful. The lyrics provide a strong contrast to the musical timbre. The first track ("Everyone's At It") is about how everyone is on drugs. Track 3 ("Not Fair") is how her boyfriend has problems with premature ejaculation and is really bad in bed. Track 8 ("F*** You") is an amazingly up-beat middle-finger to awful people (including homophones! Thanks Lily!). However, the song that nearly brings me to tears cry is Track 10 ("Chinese") where she sings to her boyfriend how she's coming home from a long trip and all she wants do to is come home, see his face, drink some tea, order chinese food and watch TV. Someone hand me a hankie. - Michael

Lilofee—"Lock and Key"

I discovered San Francisco-based band Lilofee, aka Kimi Recor and Rob Easson, last week and I can't get enough of their dark pop style. While Kimi is on record saying that she has a hard time writing anything besides fairy tales, the song I first became obsessed with is "Lock and Key" off of their album The Only Years - a synth-y ode to pansexuality and free love. What keeps the song from straying into "I Kissed a Girl" territory is the fun, clever and unapologetic nature of the lyrics. The first lines of the song set the cultural tone ("I'm part of generation sexually ambiguous/All the girls kiss all the girls/And the boys don't know what to do/So they borrow our pants and our shoes and our eyeliner too), the chorus offers a provocative challenge (Hey Mister, Hey Mister/I kissed your kid sister/Whatcha gonna do?) and the second verse explains the title (We were made to be explored by others physically/Like a lock with many, many, many different keys/And I play safe but I don't play by the rules...). Even if you don't listen to the words, the music is catchy and utterly danceable - I haven't been able to get it out of my head all week. - Jolly

Go West—Dancing On the Couch

An album of imponderable questions. What does that damned red couch have to do with anything? What are “Chinese Whispers,” and does it matter when the song sounds so good? Why did lead singer Peter Cox sabotage his future as a rock star to sing lounge-y songs like “From Baltimore to Paris” and “The King is Dead”? Is it an absolute requirement that every ‘80s album have one socially-conscious song like “Crossfire”? Why did the boys decide to include a slightly redone version of “Don’t Look Down” from their first album? Is heaven an Alan Murphy guitar solo? And can anyone work a metaphor like Go West? Cox’s sexy, tormented vocals on “Masque of Love” use dancing and boxing as stand-ins for the difficult negotiations of a relationship’s end and run double puns on the meanings of “masque” and “mask.” Trust me, it totally works, and for ‘80s pop music, this is brilliant writing. What can I say? I used to be an English teacher, I’m still a dork, and I get all riled up about this stuff. - Philip

Vince Guaraldi Trio—Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus

My boss has been out all week which means I can listen to music in the office. So, what album to turn to when I want great music that doesn't distract while I work? Vince Guaraldi's 1962 album Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus is easy-breezy listening but structurally solid. Guaraldi was inspired by the 1959 film Black Orpheus, which took the ancient Orfeo and Eurydice legend and set it in Rio during Carnaval. Guaraldi's take on this film's soundtrack is filled with fantastic bossa and samba dance rhythms, strong choruses and freewheeling improv exchanges. And if Guaraldi's smooth piano tricks make you think of Charlie Brown and Snoopy, it's for a good reason: Guaraldi did all of the original music for the Peanuts movies. As great as those soundtracks are, they shouldn't overshadow this album or his other work. - Chris

Ra Ra Riot—"Can You Tell"

I haven't fallen this hard for a song in ages. I'm obsessed. Seriously. According to iTunes, in the past four days, I've listened to it 54 times. I'm listening to it right now. It's just such a sweet, sexy little love song that also happens to rock. Oh, and the strings just absolutely kill me. Now, admittedly, I don't know a whole lot about Ra Ra Riot, but the song is from their album, The Rhumb Line, and if "Can You Tell" is any indication, that album is probably amazing. I'll let you know, if I ever get past it. Also, the video is new my favorite thing, not only because the leader singer is so hot I don't even know what to with myself, but it's so simple and cute and clever that your heart might start doing cartwheels. Now before you say anything, yes, it seems to be about falling in love with your girlfriend's sister, but in a sweet, totally non-skanky way, so chill and enjoy! - Rocky


And without any further ado... THE MIXTAPE!

Click me!

As always, I added a few extra songs. This week's theme is pretty simple: classic songs about breakin' the law, son! Here's the playlist:

The Clash - "I Fought The Law"
Ra Ra Riot - "Can You Tell"
Lilofee - "Lock and Key" (Jolly)
Velvet Underground - "Waiting For My Man"
The Vince Guaraldi Trio - "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" (Chris)
Mobb Deep - "Shook Ones"
Sublime - "Scarlet Begonias"
Steve Miller Band - "Take the Money and Run"
Serge Gainsbourg - "Bonnie and Clyde"
Lily Allen - "Chinese" (Michael)

Unfortunately, Philip's selection was unavailable this week, but he was kind enough to provide us with a video, which you can access by pressing this.

And with that, I shall bid you a fond adieu. Hopefully, the government will have given me my life back by next week, and WWLT will be back at full strength. Have a happy week!

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What We're Listening To: Coming In Like A Lion Edition

TNG Music Editor Rocky submits this post for your listening pleasure.

Man, I thought we were gonna get off scot free this winter. Didn't you? There's something just so exceedingly obnoxious about snowstorms in early March. It's like spring is right there. I can see it. I can taste it. But, no! You get ten feet of snow instead. Sigh... Well, hopefully, like me, you got or gave yourself a snow day. And remember, spring is only three weeks away. "Three weeks... three weeks..." That'll be my mantra (until next week at least). In the meantime, at least we have the gift of sweet, sweet music! Welcome to What We're Listening To, TNG's weekly column that breaks down the music (and occasionally the other things) keeping us warm at night. On the menu this week, we've got: Phoenix, Freshlyground, Icehouse, Rush, Obi Best, Mates of State and Dan Deacon. Our reviews and the beloved mixtape await you below the fold...

Phoenix—"1901"

I always get this mix of excitement and trepidation when I hear that a band which I've associated with a particular part of my life is releasing a new album. There are so many memories attached - what if it sucks? So when a friend sent me a link to the song "1901" off of the French pop/rock band Phoenix's upcoming album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, I was nervous. Phoenix was a big part of my college experience, both the good (dangerously overcrowded dorm room dance parties) and not-as-good (a debacle of a failed attempt to see the band live which ended with me sleeping in a friend's car in downtown Philly) times. All hesitation melted away, however, the first time I heard the ridiculously catchy and danceable track and have literally pressed "Repeat" on it over and over again all week. The only disappointment, in fact, is that I have to wait until the end of May to hear the rest of the album. - Jolly

Freshlyground—Nomvula

I fell in love with this 7 person band when I saw them live at an HIV/AIDS March on Parliament while studying abroad in South Africa in the Spring of 2005. They broke into the music scene with their first album "Jika Jika" in 2003, blending traditional African music with folk, blues, and jazz. Each member of Freshlyground brings something different to the table, marrying different styles and cultures. Often singing her her native language Xhosa, front woman Zolani Mahola seduces the audience with her smoky voice, while Simon Attwell's dancing flute and Kyla-Rose Smith's plucky violin [not to mention her dashing good looks] keep your foot tapping even on the slower songs. - Maggie

Icehouse—Man of Colours

I bought this for the hits, “Crazy” and “Electric Blue.” And “Crazy” is a terrific romantic power ballad, maybe the best out there—but “Man of Colours,” the softer, gently-sung story of an elderly painter observing the world through the window in his attic room, is even more affecting. And “Electric Blue” is a perfect pop song, bright synths and a killer, soaring chorus—but the hard-charging “Nothing Too Serious” and inspirational “Touch the Fire” equal that feat. So I came for the hits, but I’m staying for the sheer number of great songs, and I’m guessing that Man of Colours is going to be in heavy rotation for a long time on my own personal playlist. - Philip

Rush—The Spirit of Radio

This greatest hits album by Canadian rock band Rush is an excellent overview of the group's work. The music is very "80s" sounding with lots of synth--great stuff. Of particular note is "Closer to the Heart." This song is a bit slower, but I love the melody. Another great track is "The Trees" which, with its civil rights era lyrics, is particularly appropriate to TNG. MY favorite, however, on the album is "Subdivisions." As an urban planner and urban dweller, I agree with the songwriter--'the suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth." But in light of recent discussions here on TNG, it's also apt because it considers the 'subdivisions' of society into which we must fit or 'be cast out.' - Matt

Obi Best—Capades

Zack and I checked out this new band last week after listening to their album a few too many times. Alex, the band's frontwoman, has an impressive vocal ability and a cool, funky vibe that shines through in this quirky-but-substantive debut. "Nothing Can Come Between Us Now" - which has the lyrical caveat, "except for a big problem" - is the best song on the album, kicking it off with a hypnotic piano line and subtly pulsating beat. "It's Because Of People Like You," another highlight, tells the horrors of having a nasty note left on your car due to a bad parking job. Favorite line of the album: "You're still here on the second verse / On the third we break up, baby how it hurts." - Corey

Mates of State—Re-Arrange Us

I'm trying to figure out a way to say this without sounding like a complete nerd or a total jackass, but there's just no good way to go about it, so here goes...I first heard Mates of State on This American Life. Ira Glass told me they were great. I would follow Ira Glass off a cliff. So, here we are, a few albums later and I owe Mr. Glass a thank you note. This husband/wife team are pure fun. They're heavy on the keyboards, percussion and strings, and weave tight vocal harmonies that are nearly instantly catchy. This is not complicated music - it's good clean stuff done well with a tip of the hat to 80s synth bands. And to sweeten the deal, there are still tickets available to their April 4th show at the 9:30 Club. - Chris

Dan Deacon—Bromst (March 24)

I know I'll probably get some shit for this, but, as a native Washingtonian, I was raised to be pretty dismissive of all things Baltimore. All those years having to suffer the indignity of rooting for the Orioles taking its toll on a city's psyche, maybe? So in the earlier part of the 00's, when the whole Baltimore scene (Wham City, Artscape, Club music, etc.) started really coming into its own and rising to national prominence, I admittedly didn't pay too much attention. Turns out I've been missing some cool stuff. (Obviously.) Recently, I got my hands on an advanced copy of electronica wizard/local celebrity Dan Deacon's new album, Bromst, and I have to say I'm kind of in love with it. Like a lot of his previous work, it's weird and freaky and chaotic, but it feels like a much more controlled chaos. Beneath all the beats and loops and feedback and craziness, there's a rhythm and a light that are infectious. It's joyful and I haven't felt compelled to use that word to describe much lately, so I guess... spring's coming? Think of it as Merrweather Post Pavilion's maniacally chipper little sister and be sure to check it out later this month. - Rocky

And now, without any further ado... THE MIXTAPE!

Click me!

As usual, I went ahead and added a few extra tracks and one teensy substitution. Since Bromst isn't out yet, playlist doesn't have any of tracks. (Although, as of yesterday, you can check out the whole thing here...) So for my official pick, I chose a track I really like from Dan Deacon's 2007 release, Spiderman of the Rings, called "The Crystal Cat." I don't think it's necessarily as sonically interesting as the new stuff, but it's fun and a good primer for the stuff you'll hear if and when you get ready to wrap your mind around the new album.

For the first bonus track, remember Franz Ferdinand? That first eponymous album? You were probably drunk. But remember how their second album kind of sucked? Well, the Scottish indiepoppers are back and their new single isn't half bad. Dirty lyrics and dance beats, just like back in the day.

Next, folky singer/songwriter M. Ward's new album Hold Time is so good I want to give him a hug. It's absolutely the perfect album to weather you through the schizophrenic meteorological shitstorm that is March in Washington, DC. It's a little dreary and sad, but full of warmth and surprises. "Stars of Leo" is a particular favorite.

And, finally, on New Year's 2004, my best friend was driving me home and played me Rainer Maria's "The Double Life" from the album Long Knives Drawn. I then proceeded to make her listen to it another 50 times, because it's so gay and it doesn't even know it! I'm guessing it's actually about an affair, but when taken out of that context, the lyrics are like manna from heaven for a semi-closeted 23-year-old. Especially one that actually did dream of waking up on the Lower East Side in the arms of some crazy/beautiful artiste. (There's still time I suppose...) Anyway, it's always been a personal favorite of mine and since the playlist.com gods approved, I figured I'd tack it on. I hope you enjoy, and here's the full playlist.


Mates of State -"My Only Offer" (Chris)
Obi Best - "Nothing Can Come Between Us" (Corey)
M. Ward - "Stars of Leo"
Rush - "Closer To The Heart" (Matt)
Dan Deacon - "The Crystal Cat"
Phoenix - "1901" (Jolly)
Franz Ferdinand - "No You Girls"
Icehouse - "Electric Blue" (Philip)
Rainer Maria - "The Double Life"
Freshlyground - "Doo Bee Doo" (Maggie)

Much love to all! See you next Tuesday!

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What We're Listening To - 2/24/09

TNG Music Editor Rocky submits this post for your listening pleasure.

Afternoon, ladies and germs! I'm pleased as punch to be here, fully recovered from last Saturday's Homo/Sonic, TNG's monthly dance party at the Black Cat. Did you check it out? First of all, My Dear Disco, the band that opened the show, absolutely ripped the stage apart. And then, of course, there were all of those sweet, sweet jams provided by Michael and Zack! My compliments to everyone! If you weren't able to make it out this time, not to worry, there's always next month. Be sure to keep an eye out, because it's kind of the best time. Anyway, speaking of sweet jams, here's what you came for: What We're Listening To, TNG's weekly rundown of the music currently making us swoon. On the menu this week, we've got: Beatbeat Whisper, Cocteau Twins, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Ella Fitzgerald, Steve Winwood, KT Tunstall, Appaloosa, The Streets and Tears For Fears. All of our reviews, plus the mixtape, await you below the fold...

Beatbeat Whisper—Wonder Continental

Some of my favorite bands have earned that moniker because I heard one of their songs, was intrigued, looked up their lyrics online and then decided I needed to check out the whole album. I guess it's the former English major in me, but I get really excited by groups which are catchy and entertaining and write lyrics which I think can be placed side-by-side with capital "P" poetry and hold their own. Beatbeat Whisper, an indie folk duo out of Oakland composed of brother and sister team Ayla and Davyd Nereo, accomplish this on their 2008 release Wonder Continental. My first introduction was the song "Mismanaged Skies" and after reading the lyrics to "And Suddenly the Apart Was Shared", which begins with a Thanksgiving blessing sung in a round and turns into basically an epic poem, I was hooked. Yeah, they're kind of experimental, but in a good way, I would argue. - Jolly

Cocteau Twins—Heaven or Las Vegas

My boyfriend's played this band in the background since we first got together but he finally gave me a formal introduction last week when we were making dinner. Though I'd previously only heard Liz Frasiers airy vocals and unintelligible lyrics in passing, I really fell for them when they became the focus of my listening. The whole thing sounds like a swirly collage of sounds and voices that makes a person like me want to strip to his underwear and lie down in snowstorm and be happy about it. Though I don't reccomend actually doing that. As an added plus they give some context to contemporary bands like M83 and Asobi Seksu. - Zack

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour—Fruit

As you can tell from Zack's weekly new music posts, we get a lot of new music sent to TNG headquarters. I try to load all the new stuff onto my iPhone and listen to it all on shuffle at work, listening for songs that stand out. The Asteroid Galaxy Tour's sound definitely drew my attention. They are like a mix of Gorillaz, Morcheeba and Cody Chestnut, with a tank of helium thrown in for good measure. Imagine a woman with a freakishly high voice raps over guitar riffs, beats and sampled strings. You might have heard their track "Around the Bend" on an iPod commercial starting in September 2008. Other stand-out tracks include "Satellite," "The Golden Age," "The Sun Ain't Shining No More" and "Lady Jesus". Their full album isn't slated for release until April 2009, but the EP "Sonic Arts" featuring some of the album's best tracks is available now. - Michael

Ella Fitzgerald—The Very Best of the Gershwin Songbook

This week has been a haul. I find when the going gets tough, the tough listen to Ella Fitzgerald. What can I say? Ella Fitzgerald and the Gershwins made the world a better place. "The First Lady of Song" laid down these definitive interpretations of George and Ira Gershwin's music in 1959. If you're not familiar with either Ella or the Gershwins, this is a great first album. Cut down from the original (and amazing) 60-song, four-disc recording, this "highlights" album contains standards like "I Got Rhythm," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," and "Someone to Watch Over Me." - Chris

Steve Winwood—Chronicles

Knowing my deep love of ‘80s music, TNG’s Zack recently gave me his copy of Steve Winwood’s semi-greatest-hits album, Chronicles. He told me that he loved the second number, “While You See a Chance,” so much that he would replay it and not get on to the rest of the songs. My problem is even worse: song one, “Wake Me Up on Judgment Day,” is so good that I don’t even get along to “While You See a Chance,” let alone the rest. Not that there aren’t other classic moments: “Valerie” (before it got mucked up by being covered as “Call on Me” a few years back), Chaka Khan’s wailing all over the last section of “Higher Love,” and the slinky shake-yo’-thang of “Spanish Dancer” all do it for me. At least they do when I get past “Wake Me Up on Judgment Day.” - Philip

KT Tunstall—Drastic Fantastic

This Scottish singer-songwriter's second album is glossier, rockier, and deeper than her first effort, where the few songs she is known for ("Suddenly I See," "Other Side of the World") originate. I always find myself returning to this album when the weather is changing as there's something ominous about it that goes well with a chilling uncertainty. It starts off with a bang with "Little Favours," slows down after a few tracks with my theme song, the warmly accoustic "Hopeless," before landing on my favorite track, "I Don't Want You Now," a great breakup song if ever I heard one. You won't get the full effect without buying the album from iTunes, as two of the best features are the comic-themed liner notes and a behind-the-scene video in which Tunstall shows off her talent and Scottish charm. Sorry, ladies - Tunstall says she's not gay, despite her now-infamous rainbow suspenders. - Corey

Appaloosa—"The Day (We Fell In Love)"

This lovely track that appeared on Kitsune Maison Compilation #6 (The Melodic One) late last year, has been released as a single with remixes by Sis, Todd Edwards, and Acid Girls. There is also a remix by Ted & Francis floating around, too. The remixes are pretty good (T & F is the best), but the original is hard to improve. I can't stop listening to it. J'adore the simple beginning that features Anne-Laure Keib (chanelling Nico) singing plaintively over a sweet piano riff. Then a wonderfully hypnotic beat gallops in and takes this song to a place I don't want to leave. BTW...the video is superb, too. - Summer Camp

The Streets—"When You Wasn't Famous"


The Streets, comprised of British pop rapper Mike Skinner, perfectly blends complex beats with tongue and cheek humor. Skinner refreshingly manages to do this without being vulgar or aggressive. When you Wasn't Famous is from one of my favorite Streets' album, The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living. - Allison

Tears For Fears—"Head Over Heels"

Last week, I was Loveless and now I'm "Head Over Heels." Go figure. Now I'm sure I don't need to tell any of you possessed of a healthy appreciation for the 80's (Philip), but for those of you who don't know, this is Tears For Fears' masterpiece. I mean sometimes you just need a little melodrama and this song, from their 1985 album Songs From The Big Chair, is completely over the top in the best way possible. Pounding drums, soaring synths, and a huge choral refrain all for the sake of a foolish love. It was also featured heavily on the Donnie Darko soundtrack. So on top of being a great song, it now makes me think of Jake Gyllenhaal brooding in slow motion. Can you really ask for anything more? Nope. Perfect song! - Rocky


And now, without any further ado... THE MIXTAPE!

Click me!

Like I always do, I added a little something something to the mixtape this week. The British pop-indie band, Arctic Monkeys, are famous for their rollicking, uptempo numbers, but generally I prefer their ballads. There's this melancholy in lead singer Alex Turner's voice when he sings about hating life or missing his sweetie that I just find really genuine and sexy. Anyway, last Saturday I was walking around town, running errands, blissfully unaware of the food poisoning that was about to rock my world, and kind of stressing about life in general, when "Only One Who Knows," from their latest album Favourite Worst Nightmare, popped up on the old iPod. It's all about sadness and stress and disappointment, but it's so pretty and spot-on that, by the end, I was all blissed out and had to listen to it another five times. Hopefully you'll enjoy it too. Here's the playlist:

The Streets - "When You Wasn't Famous" (Allison)
Steve Winwood - "Valerie" (Philip)
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour - "The Golden Age" (Michael)
KT Tunstall - "Little Favours" (Corey)
Tears For Fears - "Head Over Heels" (Rocky)
Beatbeat Whisper - "And Suddenly The Apart Was Shared" (Jolly)
Appaloosa- "The Day (We Fell In Love)" (Summer Camp)
Cocteau Twins - "Frou-Frou Foxes In Midsummer Fires" (Zack)
Ella Fitzgerald - "The Man I Love" (Chris)
Arctic Monkeys - "Only One Who Knows" (Rocky)

Have a great week, everybody! We'll see you again next Tuesday!

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What We're Listening To: Tuesday's The New Monday Edition

TNG Music Editor Rocky submits this post for your listening pleasure.

How's it going, everybody? I trust everyone had a lovely holiday weekend. I, for one, spent my whole weekend drunk and dancing. Well, when I wasn't crying into a pint of Chunky Monkey that is. Good times! But enough about me, because it's Tuesday afternoon and that of course means another installment of What We're Listening To, the weekly series where we here at TNG put all our dirty, dark musical secrets on display. On the menu this week, we've got The Pipettes, Joan Armatrading, Andrew Bird, Le Tigre, French Miami and My Bloody Valentine. Our reviews and the mixtape await you below the fold...

The Pipettes—We Are The Pipettes

So I am one who tends to go through huge phases with the music I listen to. I exhaust myself with what's new and I refresh and overload all over again a few months later. The Pipettes have by far been one of the most energizing updates for me to date. I will admit, my love of The Pipettes was born out of The L Word in that fun scene circa season five when Jenny takes her assistant/ soon-to-be-arch-nemesis Adele out shopping with "Pull Shapes" playing in the background. But Zack lent me the entire album a few weeks ago and it has been on heavy rotation since. - Gem

Joan Armatrading—me myself I

This is the album that turned me on to Joan Armatrading. It doesn’t have any of my five favorite Joan songs, but I listen to it more than any of her others because of how consistently great it is. It veers between laid-back and relaxing (“Ma-Me-O-Beach,” “Feeling in My Heart (for You)”), warm and funny (“Me Myself I,” “When You Kisses Me”), and remarkably intense (“Simon,” “I Need You”). The gem is “Turn Out the Light,” a sexy, grindingly guitar-driven ballad about long-term love sung in Joan’s deepest register. As much as I liked Zack’s recent column about the “Top 17 Homo Love Songs,” it ain’t complete without a song by Joan. - Philip

Andrew Bird—Noble Beast

Once again, I'm in awe of Andrew Bird. His last album, Armchair Apocrypha, was one of the better things to happen in my world and Noble Beast is just so cool. Bird is a true troubadour with easy going, slightly slurred vocals. His signature violin playing is here, along with his whistling. Bird creates multi-layed, multi-mood beauties that blur lines between folk rock, classical, jazz and experimental. He's a heady sort, using words no one knows and somehow getting them to rhyme. The single, "Oh No," is paired later with the short instrumental, "On Ho." (Get it? That's Bird's idea of a joke.) The album is crafty, warm, fun, eerie, light and complex, all in turn. Check out "Fitz and the Dizzyspells" and shimmy a little. - Chris

Le Tigre—This Island

I know I'm a few years late, but I've just recently gotten into listening to Le Tigre in more than a club setting and have had this album on loop all week. It is unusual for me to find bands I like with a fun, enjoyable sound that also deal with substantial sociopolitical issues, but This Island nails it. "On The Verge," "New Kicks," and "Viz" are all great tracks; the high-octane anthem "TKO" is my favorite, which also happens to have a kick-ass video. I dare you to find someone who looks hotter in a cheesy prom tux than JD Samson. - Corey

French Miami—French Miami

A friend at work introduced me to San Francisco-based threesome French Miami on Friday and they've been my soundtrack to this past weekend. The power-trio makes rock music infused with big riffs, synths and catchy lyrics and they just generally get me pumped. I can't wait to see them live, as apparently all three members run around the stage taking on various different roles from song to song. Their self-titled album just dropped on February 15th, so expect to hear more from and about them in coming months. - Jolly

My Bloody Valentine—Loveless

Sometimes, yes, I am giant cliché. It's mid-February and I'm listening to an album called Loveless by a band called My Bloody Valentine. In my defense, however, it's an early 90s, pre-Grundge classic and probably the best headphone album of all-time. The arrangements are so lush and dense, you almost feel like you could reach out and touch them. Every song is like this vast ocean of guitars and synths that crashes into you, turning you over, sideways and under, while Kevin Shields and Bilinda Butcher's vocals float above it all, quietly singing you to shore. Check out "Soon," "Only Shallow," and "I Only Said," but only if you're in the mood to get hypnotized. - Rocky


And now, without and further ado... THE MIXTAPE!

Click me!

For the mixtape this week, I decided to keep it simple. I have what is probably best described as an undiagnosed case of ADD, so unless I'm listening to a podcast or something, I keep my iPod on shuffle and let the universe decide what I'm in the mood for. So for the bonus songs this week, I went into the "Recently Played" playlist and picked a few songs that I hadn't heard in a while before last week, but really struck me. Hopefully, you'll enjoy them as much as I did. Here's the playlist...

The National - "Fake Empire"
My Bloody Valentine - "Only Shallow"
Andrew Bird - "Fitz and the Dizzyspells" (Chris)
Le Tigre - "TKO" (Corey)
Air - "Once Upon A Time"
Joan Armatrading - "Me Myself I" (Philip)
Rufus Wainwright - "Beautiful Child"
The Pipettes - "Pull Shapes" (Gem)
Mates of State - "For The Actor"
My Bloody Valentine - "Soon"

For more about Jolly's pick this week, French Miami, click here.

Enjoy the four-day week everybody! We'll see you again next Tuesday!

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