This is Animal Music

I could describe Tallahassee's Look Mexico in a number of different ways. I could say that they are like a more uppity and energetic American Football. I could describe their guitar parts as being angular and melodic, a bit like Minus the Bear. I could go hopping off the walls and say they somehow remind me of The Marshall Tucker band with the way their songs feel like they were all slowly deep-fried and put onto a paper plate with a big hunk of watermelon. But the truth is that they are all of these things and none of these things all at once. They encompass a unique arena of southern-gentleman indie rock that is all their own. They also happen to be purveyors of fine cutoff shorts, most noticable when they play live. Their new album released on Lujo Records entitled This is Animal Music is quite the tasty surprise. Great music for the middle of summer and the aforementioned paper plates and watermelons.

Look Mexico-Done and Done
Look Mexico-You Ever Get Punched In The Face For Talking Too Much?

X Marks the Spot

I have been mildly addicted to the song "X Marks the Spot", from Brooklyn outfit Taxi Taxi. The production is delightfully understated and it has an awesome, "walk-in-the-rain"type groove. The twirling synth sounds in the backround absolutely tickle my ears every time I hear them chime in. Their album, Maps and Legends, is now available on itunes so check them out because they are well worth flagging down.


Taxi Taxi-X Marks the Spot

another gem...

Taxi Taxi-Anna

Michael, the Lone Archer from the North Shore

I had the chance to see the one-man extravaganza Deastro a week ago and, quite frankly, my mind was blown. Randy Chabot handles all instruments and crafts what kind of sounds like a more danceable, lo-fi version of M83, but with a lot more Nintendo influences. Something that must be heard for yourself. Live, it is one of the most fun, intense and breathtaking of times I've had in a while.

These songs come from his We Will Never Waver Quiverstar album, but in talking to him after the show he said there is a double disc album in the works for later this year that will be much higher quality, as these were recorded using merely a four-track. I am anxiously awaiting it.

Deastro-The Green Harbor
Deastro-The Gallery Gods

So here we go, like some poetic imagery or something

Hello world, I am a new writer for this blog. I see Isaac already made a stellar post today, but what the heck, here's a post from me too.

Coming out of virtually nowhere, this Danish collective called Lis Er Stille has made some music that makes us all scratch our heads wondering why someone hasn't done this before. These guys throw all possible tricks into a song and have it twist and turn and rise and fall and essentially carry itself like a musical roller-coaster. The results are mystifying and gigantic, with these larger-than-life rock epics barrelling forward at the speed of a bus with broken brakes...so you don't know exactly where it's going to go, but you know the end will involve explosions, so that's a good reason to keep watching. So here are two selections, one from each of their albums.

Lis Er Stille - Lorelei
Lis Er Stille - End Credits (End of the Tracks)

Thou Shalt Listen Too...July, 17th 2007

Idaho-Down in the Waves
A gorgeous meditation on taking risks and jumping into the water, which is perfect for the beginning of that time of year in which diving into a cold swimming pool sounds enticing. (buy)




The Incredible Moses Leroy-The Color of Sky
The other morning I had been up all night and the first hints of mornign were beginning to appear outside. I decided that I might as well bite the bullet and watch the sunrise since I could not remember the last time that I had done so. Afterwards I was convinced of two things: a) the goodness of God, and b) that I needed to listen to this song again. (buy)




Red House Painters-Summer Dress
One of my favorite bands/artists of all time. Makes me think of summer dresses even more fondly when I remember this song. (buy)



*ps.*

Everyone please welcome my good friend David aboard the AGRUE boat. He will become a co-author here so you should be hearing from him in the near future!

Tell the truth to me baby.

So I don't keep up on Liars for a while and they go and record a new album. It's due out this August and musically it is a bit closer to early Liars mixed with the ethereal beauty of Drum's Not Dead all slathered in the ruckus of They Were Wrong So We Drowned. Some parts even sound a little like the newly reunited Jesus and Mary Chain. Should be a pretty killer album.


Liars-Plaster Casts of Everything

National Dairy/ Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month

I have officially been a vegetarian for four and a half years now and I still love every minute of it. I am what is technically called a "lacto-ovo" vegetarian, which mean I still enjoy the occasional cheese or eggs, which is the casm that seperates me from total veganism. So, needless to say, this month was made for me. There is almost nothing I love more than a fresh slice of pineapple or a nice pasta salad with some delicious feta cheese. Mmmmmm.
Head on out to a farmer's market today and enjoy these songs as you bite into a nice apple or have a midnight snack later with some (soy) milk and cookies.


The Church-Under the Milky Way
The Danielson Famile-Fathom Nine Fruits Pie

Flex your love muscles.

When I saw Daniel Johnston a few weeks ago I also had the unexpected joy of seeing the ever lovable Matthew Shelton bring his oddly sweet folk songs to a hot, but appreciative, capacity crowd. I should admit before going any further that I have a bit of a biased opinion here, seeing as how Shelton is from my hometown, but he just self-released his debut album Cold Water, Hot Blood this year, and it is always nice to see a hometown boy done good. His music is a kind of meandering folk that takes its time, unfolds and is slowly fleshed out with violins, cellos and flutes. Shelton has a subtle baritone that possesses a strange sense of passion that is more Marvin Gaye than Nick Drake, especially since a lot of his lyrics can get pretty steamy, but in the end Shelton's delivery and sense of maturity balance out the arousal with ackwardness and make it impossible not to fall in love with him and his songs. Like sitting by a lazy river with the one you love.


From Cold Water, Hot Blood:

Matthew Shelton-Sick of Your Body
Matthew Shelton-Tatooed Eyelid

Thou shalt listen too....July, 4th, 2007

"Thou shalt listen too..." will be a new feature on AGRUE where I share a couple of songs that I have been enjoying at the moment for your enjoyment in a few moments.




1. Ester Drang-One Hundred Times
Gorgeous music from these Oklahoma natives suitable for night-time drives or naps under trees. Also, if you EVER get the chance to see them live do so. Absolutely breathtaking. (buy)




2. Aloha-Summer Lawn
One of my favorite Aloha songs ever and because it's the start of summer. The piano hook in the beginning of the song is so undeniable it will beat down your front door. (buy)




1. The Polyphonic Spree-Move Away and Shine
They have a new album and this is the quite possibly the most perfect song for graduates. (buy)