Thursday, May 31, 2012

10 Records to Sweeten Your Summer

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: nothing beats listening to music in the summer time. This summer promises to be especially fruitful, with new releases from so many of my favorite bands. Over at Phrequency.com, I spill the beans on 10 records I'm looking forward to in particular -- head over there to check out the goods.

some of my picks...

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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Music Video Modays...on a Tuesday: Eternal Summers get ready to rage

Summer 2012 is the summer nobody took anyone else's shit. It's the summer of banishing reservations, and giving in to the vibes. Summer 2012 is a rage-tastic romp through fist-pumping anthems + beer-soaked sing-alongs, and shooting things with guns in the middle of the desert, as this new video for Eternal Summers' "Millions" makes clear. How will YOU be letting loose the rage this summer?



 "Millions" appears on the record Correct Behavior, out this July on Kanine.

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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Best New Music: Japandroids

Raucous. Ragin'. Sweat-Soaked. Anthemic. These are all words with which to describe Celebration Rock, the new record from Vancouver power-pop duo Japandroids. They're also words that conjure memories of what are probably the best days of your lives -- assuming a raucous, sweat-soaked rager sounds as fun to you as it does to me.

Post-rager cigar break?


And maybe that's why their music is so effective -- because it combines emotions and nostalgia into a big, cathartic release, perfect for fist-pumping along to. Over at Phrequency.com, I delve deep into the science behind the anthems -- head over there to catch out my full review.

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

XPN2 Playlist, 5/21/12

6:00

Crocodiles, “Endless Flowers”
Endless Flowers

Eternal Summers, “Millions”
Correct Behavior

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Revolution, I Love You, “Cotton Shirts”
Cotton Shirts (Single)

John Hammond, “Clap Hands”
Wicked Grin

Yeasayer, “Henrietta”
Henrietta (Single)

White Rabbits, “I’m Not Me”
Milk Famous

Spoon, “Everything Hits at Once”
Girls Can Tell

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Junior Boys, “Itchy Fingers”
It’s All True

Kindess, “Cyan”
World, You Need a Change of Mind

The Sounds, “24 Hours”
Dying to Say This to You

The So So Glos, “My Block”
Tourism / Terrorism

The Soft Pack, “C’mon”
The Soft Pack

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Guided by Voices, “Clown Spots a UFO”
Clown Spots a UFO

Tony Orlando & Dawn, “Knock Three Times”
Platinum & Gold Collection

The Essex Green, “Don’t Know Why (You Stay)”
Cannibal Sea

Kids on a Crime Spree, “Dead Ripe”
We Love You So Bad


Google image result #15 for "We Love You So Bad." Apparently 
the greatest love is reserved for Piranha: 3D.


7:00

Grouplove, “Tongue Tied”
Never Trust a Happy Song

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The Love Language, “Brittany’s Back”
Libraries

Herman’s Hermits, “No Milk Today”
There's a Kind of Hush All Over the World

Fruit Bats, “Heart Like an Orange”
Tripper

Sonny & the Sunsets, “I See the Void”
Longtime Companion

Chairman of the Board, “Give Me Just a Little More Time”
Give Me Just a Little More Time (Single)

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The Joy Formidable, “Cradle”
The Big Roar

The Arcade Fire, “Month of May”
The Suburbs

The Babies, “Caroline”
The Babies

The Black Lips, “Family Tree”
Arabia Mountain

Robbers on High Street, “The Fatalist”
Grand Animals

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Via Audio, “Lizard Song”
Animalore

Reptar, “Orifice Origami”
Body Faucet

Laser Background, “Pinwheels”
Laser Background

Finn Riggins, “Dali”
Vs. Wilderness

Alex Winston, “Locomotive”
King Con

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Shout Out Louds, “Fall Hard”
Work


Tune in again next week for more musical happiness.

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Monday, May 21, 2012

Song of the Moment: Via Audio, "Lizard Song"

Ok, so this lil gem actually dropped 2 years ago -- but I first heard it just last week when I caught the band live opening for The Spinto Band. I was impressed with their energy, playfulness, and ability of their guitarist to preform without a shirt and not look like a douchebag. This tune in particular stood out, with its frantic, catapult beat, hand claps and zany animal noises. Check it:



"Lizard Song" appears on the record Animalore; the band's 3rd record, Natural Language, drops this year.

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Friday, May 18, 2012

This Saturday, twang out in West Philly...

Philly this weekend is supposed to be straight-up gorgeous...which to me means a prime opportunity for strolling around the city, grabbing a beer with friends and listening to some tunes.

If your wanderings lead you into West Philly (for a Man Full of Trouble Porter and Flammenkuche pizza at Dock Street perhaps?), make sure to stop by Studio 34 and catch the playful + intimate folk of hometown heroes Honey Watts and Johnny Miles. My friend, fellow DJ + Folkadelphia host Fred Knittel is throwing the show, which promises to exude gentle melodies + warm vibes. Need more info? Check out the event FB page, and get ready to mellow out.


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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Best New Music: Reptar

Growing up, I never would have guessed that the infamous green dinosaur from Rugrats (you know the one!) would end up sharing a name with one of my fave new bands. (2012 is weird yo.) But lo and behold: REPTAR -- an Athens, GA four piece with a hearty sense of humor and penchant for big, danceable pop.


another penchant: rainbow scarves


On debut record Body Faucet, the band brings it hardcore: with fist-pumping, life-affirming choruses, lush synths, and funky Afro-pop-inspired freak outs. Check out my full review at Phrequency.com, and learn how you can stream the entire record for free. Tommy Pickles would be proud.

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

XPN2 Playlist, 5/14/12

6:00

Bishop Allen, “Oklahoma”
Grrr… 

Magic Kids, “Hey Boy”
Memphis

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Bare Wires, “Don’t Ever Change”
Cheap Perfume

Bad Sports, “Teenage Girls”
Kings of the Weekend

Wax Idols, “Dead Like You”
No Future

Cheap Time, “More Cigarettes”
Wallpaper Music

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St. James & the Apostles, “Kiss & Tell”
St. James & the Apostles

The Jezabels, “Endless Summer”
Prisoner

The Raveonettes, “Into the Night”
Into the Night

Light Asylum, “A Certain Person”
Light Asylum

Melody’s Echo Chamber, “Crystallized”
Crystallized (7”)

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Night Panther, “Snudge”
Snudge (Single)

Saint Etienne, “Method of Modern Love”
Method of Modern Love

The Boo Radleys, “Find the Answer Within”
Wake Up!

Blackbird Blackbird, “Pure”
Summer Heart

Javelin, “Vibrationz”
No Mas

 Google image result #47 for "Vibrationz." Wanna a good
 laugh? Search "Vibrationz" on Google Images.


7:00

Yo La Tengo, “From a Motel 6”
Painful

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Dinosaur Feathers, “Certain Times”
Whistle Tips

Telekinesis, “Awkward Kisser”
Telekinesis!

Family Portrait, “Wait”
Family Portrait

Twerps, “Jam Song”
Twerps

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Best Coast, “Why I Cry”
The Only Place

The Apples in Stereo, “Sun is Out”
New Magnetic Wonder

Friends, “I’m His Girl”
I’m His Girl (7”)

The Meters, “Handclapping Song”
Struttin’

The Black Keys, “Sinister Kid”
Brothers

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Langor, “Ladyblade”
Ladyblade (Single)

The Lucksmiths, “Sunlight in a Jar”
Warmer Corners

Reptar, “Houseboat Babies”
Body Faucet

Rubblebucket, “Came Out of a Lady”
Omega La La

The Talking Heads, “Wild Wild Life”
True Stories

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Japandroids, “Young Hearts Spark Fire”
Post-Nothing


Tune in again next week for more sweet jamz.

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Monday, May 14, 2012

Music Video Monday: Langor

Totally digging this new vid from local(ish) guys Langor, in which front man Brian Langan receives a total ass-whooping from one, vengeful, voodoo-wielding gypsy.


Summer pop with a healthy dash of twisted? Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

"Ladyblade" is available now through Prairie Queen Records.

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Thursday, May 10, 2012

It's here!! Your 2012 Phrequency Summer Road Trip Mix-Tape

Ohh the summer. Great time for a lot of things -- best time for a road-trip with your bff's: zooming down the highway in someone's busted-up vehicle, cranking out jamz and making memories. Over at Phrequency.com, I've put together the season's ultimate road trip mixtape -- head over there to read about it, and stream the entire thing for free.


mixtapin'


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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

XPN2 Playlist, 5/7/12

6:00

J. Roddy Walston and the Business, “Used to Did”
Hail Mega Boys 

Jack White, “Sixteen Saltines”
Blunderbuss

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Metric, “Youth Without Youth”
Synthetica

Miike Snow, “Cult Logic”
Miike Snow

La Femme, “Sur La Planche”
Le Podium #1 : La Femme

Ladytron, “Destroy Everything You Touch”
Witching Hour

The Cardigans, “Erase/Rewind”
Grand Turismo

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Nightlands, “300 Clouds”
Forget the Mantra

Santigold, “Disparate Youth”
Master of My Make-Believe

Annie, “Sweet”
Don’t Stop

Coconut Records, “Nighttiming”
Nighttiming

Yelle, “Ce Jeu”
Pop-Up

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Yacht, “I Walked Alone”
Shangri-La

Dogs Die in Hot Cars, “Godhopping”
Please Describe Yourself 

Dom, “Rude as Jude”
Sun Bronzed Greek Gods


 Google image result #17 for "Sun Bronzed Greek Gods." NICE.


7:00

La Sera, “Love That’s Gone”
Sees the Light

She & Him, “Oh Boy”
Rave on Buddy Holly

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The Spinto Band, “Cookie Falls”
Shy Pursuit

The Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations”
Sounds of Summer: The Very Best of the Beach Boys [US]

AU, “Get Alive”
Both Lights

Twin Shadow, “Five Seconds”
Confess

Twin Sister, “All Around and Away We Go”
Color Your Life

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Beck, “Black Tambourine”
Guero

Blur “Song 2”
Blur

Titus Andronicus, “Breed”
SPIN Presents Newermind: A Tribute Album

Nada Surf, “Electrocution”
If I Had a Hi-Fi

The New Pornographers, “The Fake Headlines”
Mass Romantic

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Let’s Wrestle, “I Won’t Lie to You”
In the Court of Wrestling Let’s

Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang , “Outta Here”
Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang

The Postelles, “White Night”
The Postelles

Cults, “Abducted”
Cults

Here We Go Magic, “Make Up Your Mind”
A Different Ship

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Sambassadeur, “Days”
European


Tune in again next week for more hot jamz.

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Monday, May 7, 2012

Song of the Moment: AU, "Get Alive"

Hello Monday, are you really here again already? Get your week started right with this new tune from Portland rockers AU, which positively bursts with cheery harmonies and summer vibes:



"Get Alive" appears on the record Both Lights, out now on Hometapes.

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Thursday, May 3, 2012

Best New Music: The Spinto Band


There's no question that certain music sounds best at certain times of the year -- from the icy soundscapes of I Break Horses or Frankie Rose (winter music) to the breezy, spring sounds of a band like The Shins. Wilmington's The Spinto Band, on the other hand -- craft music that seems made for summer, with cheery Afro-pop accents and soaring harmonies.
  

Summer Spintos 

On new record Shy Pursuit, summer vibes are aplenty, as the band strums and croons its way through 10 warm-weather charmers. Check out my full review at Phrequency.com, along with 5 reasons to make Shy Pursuit your 2012 summer soundtrack.

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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Spinto Band came by XPN last week...

...and recorded a session of new tunes for The Key! I was lucky enough to partake in the magic, if only by listening and snapping some photos (heavy on the ISO). Check out my gallery over at The Key, along with the sweet, summery sounds of the band's new record, Shy Pursuit.

3 of 5 Spintos 

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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

XPN2 Playlist, 4/30/12

6:00 

Mystery Jets, “The Hale Bop” 
Radlands 

Tame Impala, “Solitude Is Bliss” 
InnerSpeaker


Suckers, “Figure it Out” 
Candy Salad 

Reptar, “Please Don’t Kill Me” 
Body Faucet 

The Swimmers, “Drug Party” 
People Are Soft 

The Concretes, “Chosen One” 
In Colour 

Billy & Dolly, “Gold” 
Dally Bon Idyll 


Quiet Hooves, “Good Moves” 
Stallin’ 

Marshallow Coast, “Seniors & Juniors” 
Seniors & Juniors 

Math and Physics Club, “Baby I’m Yours” 
Baby I’m Yours 

The Flaming Lips, feat. Tame Impala, “Children of the Moon” 
The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends 

Purity Ring, “Obedear” 
Shrines 


Lower Dens, “Alphabet Song” 
 Nootropics 

The War on Drugs, “It’s Your Destiny” 
Slave Ambient 

Frankie Rose, “Pair of Wings” 
Insterstellar 

Chairlift, “Take It Out on Me” 
Something 


 
 Menomena (I couldn't resist.)


7:00

Menomena, “Queen Black Acid” 
Mines 


St. Vincent, “Krokodil” 
Krokodil 

Wavves, feat. Members of F-ed Up, “Destroy” 
Life Sux 

Masshysteri, “Var Del Av Stan” 
Var Del Av Stan 

Gentleman Jesse, “I’m a Mess” 
Leaving Atlanta 

Mazes, “Cenetaph” 
A Thousand Heys 


Eternal Summers, “A Salty Salute” 
The Dawn of Eternal Summers 

Guided by Voices, “I Am a Scientist” 
Bee Thousand 

Mayer Hawthorne, “The News” 
How Do You Do 

Steely Dan, “Dr. Wu” 
Katy Lied 

Work Drugs, “Coral Gables” 
Coral Gables (Single)

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JJAMZ, “Heartbeat” 
Suicide Pact

Dominant Legs, “Young at Love and Life” 
Young at Love and Life 

LCD Soundsystem, “Sounds of Silver” 
Sounds of Silver

Allo Darlin’, “Neil Armstrong” 
Europe 

The Maccabees, “Toothpaste Kisses” 
Colour it in 


Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, “Stick Figures in Love” 
Mirror Traffic 



Tune in again next week for more fly jamz.

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