End of Summer "BaLaNaDa" Compilation!

That's right folks. Tomorrow is the first day of September, and in my books it is officially Autumn. Goodbye to long sunny days, iced tea and long nights out under the stars. But say hello to pretty leaves, bonfires and toasted marshmallows. I for one am excited to wear my big green flannel jacket again. So, to celebrate the end of the summer I am working on a compilation of songs that have the words "Ba", "La", "Na", and "Da" in them. I would like for any readers out there that have suggestions to please email me or comment on this entry. Perhaps at the end whoever has the most (legitimate) suggestions will earn themselves a prize. Anyways, here are the rules:

1. Song must have one of the aforementioned words in it (Ba, La, Na or Da)
2. Word must be repeated more than once
3. Song must be in English (just for judging consistency)

Have fun and I will post the entire compilation on here when it is done. Enjoy the Fall, adios Summer!

The Polyphonice Spree-The Rebecca Fantasy

Visit me in my mountain home.

Chicago's Baby Teeth are quite the conundrum to try to describe or classify. I think the closest that I can come up with to paint a picture of their sound would be a a giant rock-n-roll-grilled-cheese-sandwhich, and I mean that in the most endearing way possible. They keep it grooving with some of the most rockin' bass lines available for your speakers and they don't shy away from songwriting tools that would make mere pop bands cringe, like unashamedly dramatic string lines and lyrics like, "Visit me in my mountain home/ impossible to find." Their new album, The Simp is available now and it is the perfect thing to toss on the next time you feel like shakin' it and/or wearing polyester.


Baby Teeth-Prove It on the Stage
Baby Teeth-Looking for a Road

Thou Shalt Listen Too...8-28-07

The Amazing Pilots-I've Got Wings Irene
A great song from a great album that kind of got lost in the shuffle. A lot of my friends have recently gone back to school so a song about leaving is kind of appropriate. (buy)
















Nic Bommarito-Once a Freak Always a Freak
Nic is somewhat of a renaissance man. He is a world traveling philosopher that also has time to record albums and draw...and blog about it all. This song from his Taciturn album is a nice and relaxed number. The string parts are absolutely magical. The best part is that this album is free to download over at 12rec!














Lee Dorsey-Ride Your Pony
This ex-boxer turned soul singer put out some classic grooves. This song has a guitar lick that just won't quit and the gunshot sound effects in the middle make this song a keeper. (buy)

Do yourself a favor...

Watch the trailer for Sigur Ros' upcoming film Heima. The trailer alone enough get the tears of joy flowing. Seeing the live clips reminded me once again of what an unparalleled experience it is to see them live.

Dynamo!

So I am good friends with a nice bunch of boys in a band that go by the name Enlou. This nice bunch of boys just went and recorded some songs at the lovely Lunchington Studios and I must say they sound great. To my knowledge the EP, which is tentatively titled The Year We Grew Our Faces is the first proper recording that the band has had and it sounds absolutely fantastic. Their sound is awash in effected guitars and reverb but still urgent and forceful enough to not get lost out in space. There is also a groovy dance able element thrown in there too between what's reminiscent of Colour Revolt and the more recent Brand New. I have heard three of the five songs that will be on their forthcoming EP and they are all superb, enchanting and extremely catchy. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that poised as they are to release what will undoubtedly be one of the best releases this year, not a single one of them is out of high school? Many bands twice their age don't even come close to their level of songwriting maturity and the uniqueness of their sound. I'll post a song here closer to the release date but for now you can preview one of the songs, "Mossu", at their myspace page. Utterly beautiful.

Coming back here.

Well, I cannot lie. I am in a band and the reason that I have not updated in the past couple of weeks is because I was actually on the road for our first tour and recording a full length album. The trip was incredible and I got to see a good portion of the east coast. Right now I'm in the process of settling back into the groove at home which includes updating this thing. I have lots of exciting bands to share in the coming weeks so be ready.

Isaac

ps. Here's a song from one of my favorites about coming home.

Engineers-Home

Oh, China Gate

While Mr. Isaac is away gallivanting around the countryside, I figured I should keep this blog afloat with some sweet tunes. My latest kick has been the ever-impressive yet criminally-overlooked post-rock/math-rock pioneers Cul de Sac. This is the kind of band that needed no gimmick or easily accessible hook to lure in listeners. This fierce attachment to sporadic, experimental ideas has made them an extremely rewarding listen for those willing to pay attention to what they're doing. This excerpt from their album "China Gate" does just that - the subtle nature of the music is inviting, but doesn't encroach on the listener. The alluring atmosphere it creates takes you over once you give in, and it literally floored me by the end of my first listen. Fans of krautrock, post-rock, math-rock, and even psychedelic will feel at home with the buzzing blur and serene rhythm created, as the guitars sweep and swoon with a distinct crunch that somehow maintains a melodic feel. as the drums plod onward in almost tribal fashion. The approach is cerebral and intentional, but feels "strung-out" enough to warrant an almost "trippy, jam band" identifier. Yet another gem hidden from public view in the 90s, and hopefully this band isn't through creating these brooding, powerful instrumental masterpieces.

Cul de Sac - Doldrums