mixtape songs /

Explosions in the Sky, the band who brought us the Friday Night Lights soundtrack and some of the best post-rock albums around, are at it again. Today they released a new album entitled All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone. If you can’t get enough of the other Explosions in the Sky albums then All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone is worth checking out. If you want something new, evolved and fresh, then stay clear. On first listen I couldn’t help but think that I had heard it all before.

Explosions in the Sky - Welcome, Ghosts
Buy Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

It’s a bit late to be writing a post about this song but I can’t help it, I like it too much. Arcade Fire - Cars and Telephones, recorded about seven years ago as a demo, leaked and slowly circulated around the net. The Arcade Fire were taken back when people started requesting for it live, surprised anyone had even heard it. It still stands as one of my favorite Arcade Fire songs, the low-fi recording and the simplicity of the song backs up the honest lyrics about relationships.

Make sure to check out the Arcade Fire this weekend on Saturday Night Live, Feb 24th.

The Arcade Fire - Cars and Telephones
The Arcade Fire - Cars and Telephones Live Video (updated, thanks Phil)

Coolio, Spice Girls, Avril Lavigne…you can sing the lyrics, hum the tunes, recognize the faces…Yet, you would never admit to a friend such shameful things. Although I’m still divided on the admittance part, Lady Sovereign falls into the same category: catchy tunes and witty lyrics.

Lady Sovereign a.k.a. SOV, the self proclaimed “Biggest Midget in the Game”, is a 19 year old British hip-pop artist who’s latest album Public Warning released in 2006, is the epitome of what I call a “skipper”. When you find a skipper, the following scene usually unfolds: The first time you listen to SOV, all you hear is a little British psuedo-jamaican-accented girl spitting out profanities. So, what’s your first instinct? Skip!

But wait, another track comes on, your ears get tickled by the sound of the energizing blip-blop synth sounds of Love me or Hate me, the Ladys headliner track. After a few lines, you realize she’s quite fluid, could even say, not unlike the Nile, she flows; and her British accent seems to actually add to the already somewhat unique and humorous sound.

(Continued)

Earlier this week, a video called Scratch was brought to my attention by a co-worker. This full length documentary covers everything from the roots of hip hop and turntablism to the current world DMC championships. Since hip hop has such a huge influence in the mixtape world, I figure it would be of interest. I am not sure if this is an illegal rip of an actual video for sale. If anyone knows where Scratch can be purchased please leave a comment and I will add it to this post.

Watch Scratch Documentary

Want some great tracks for your next mixtape? John Vanderslice who manages Tiny Telephone recording studio, is an incredible photographer and musician, has an entire live set for download on his site. Recorded in 2005, the set includes some great tunes like: My Old Flame, Pale Horse and Me and My 424. If you like him live, be sure to buy an album.

John Vanderslice - Live at the Independent Show
John Vanderslice - My Old Flame (live)

This isn’t promoting a new release or track, simply a artist. I looked up Andrew Bird on YouTube while poking around on my lunch break and was reminded how amazing of a live show he has. You don’t get to fully appreciate his albums unless you know how they are made. Andrew, like other artists (Final Fantasy and Minus the Bear to name a couple) takes advantage of looping pedals. By looping riffs over top of themselves he is able to build full songs himself. I was lucky enough to see Andrew with Martin Dosh in Vancouver a few months back. Definitely one of my top shows of 2006.

Andrew Bird - “Skin, Is My” - Live at Bonnaroo
Andrew Bird & Martin Dosh - “Simple X” - Live at Bonnaroo

After Zach Condon’s tour for Gulag Orkestar hospitalized him (instant fame + 20 year old + touring with a 12 person band = bad news), Zach has narrowed his team down to 8 and released a new EP, Lon Gisland. This album brings to us more of the great indie rock / Balkan brass with Zach’s surprisingly aged voice dancing between horn hits and ukulele plucks. If you haven’t heard this New York based 20 year old I suggest you take a listen below and keep your eye out for the upcoming EP.

Beirut - Elephant Gun

Stones Throw, the label which Madvillian and MF Doom call home, has released another limited-time free album, Chrome Children Vol. 2. The second installment under the Chrome Children title features artists such as Madlib, Four Tet, Percee P, Oh No, J.Rocc and many more. A strong follow up to last months free album, Liberation by Talib Kweli & Madlib this album is something you can’t pass up.

M.E.D. (Produced by Dabrye) - Rhymes With An L
Guilty Simpson (Produced by Four Tet) - Money Motivated Movements

Download the whole album at Stones Throw.

Conversions in Metric’s gentle analog chirps and chimes make me think of watching 8mm nature films while riding a bicycle. Without overpowering instruments or producing, French Paddleboat’s warm songs build upon themselves naturally. Using only analog samples it carries a lively, moving feeling with spontaneous, yet well placed accents. Acoustic drums intelligently threaded through calm harmonies is what gives French Paddleboat it’s active, catchy melody.

Recorded and mixed at Triple Crown Studios in 1997, Scott August’s Conversions in Metric was later released in 1999 by Vancouver’s Scratch Records. If you have interest in bright, minimalistic music or respect for anything analog, this is a album you can’t miss.

French Paddleboat - My Robots love to dance
French Paddleboat - Goods sett & type

Serkus by Sam Skarstad, a 20 year old New York native, arrived in our mailbox earlier this week. Sam’s layered vocals and hidden harmonies complement the varied instruments and sounds presented on the album.

From lively acoustic finger plucks to hand claps and mangled flutes, the album changes itself from a friend on a summer road trip to a umbrella on a rainy day. The strength of this album lies in Sam’s ability to paint imagery through textures. The songs don’t present themselves entirely on first listen, however Sam has created a sound that speaks directly to you with no distraction. Serkus takes you on a trip with a scenic soundtrack; I suggest you take a listen.

“The only lights that I can see are stars, and the shapes that slide beneath my feet are sharks.”

Sam Skarstad - Boats
Sam Skarstad - Ice Cave