Stars - Do You Trust Your Friends

I finally figured out how to post music to my blog. I AM GOD.

Stars new album came out a couple weeks ago. It's a compilation of covers/remakes of all the songs on "Set Yourself On Fire", done by their cool musical friends. Here are the first three songs. Final Fantasy's is by far the best on the entire album. Not because the rest of the album blows, but because it is such an amazing song. Way better than the original, and the original was good already. Enjoy.

Elliott Smith - New Moon

Thoughts on post-humous releases? I'm creeped out. Feels like dead people speaking to me. And it feels unethical. Obviously Elliott Smith chose not to release these songs for some reason or other before he stabbed himself in the heart. And yet someone out there has chosen to release them now for mucho dinero. Making money off dead people? Seems desperate. I like to think they will donate it all to some suicide prevention charity, but am too lazy to look into what's actually happening. Oh well! Maybe you'll enjoy it more: www.myspace.com/elliottsmithnewmoon

The Noisettes

Not particularly distinct. But still - a nice sound for a sunny day: www.myspace.com/noisettesuk

I like "Never Fall in Love Again."

UPDATE: I take it back. I really like them a lot now. The more I listen to them, the better they get. Check out "Hierarchy" too.

Joanna Newsom - The Book of Right-On

Now I know what you're thinking. You can't listen to her voice for more than 3 seconds without feeling like your ears are bleeding. But you MUST. Force yourself to listen to some of her songs a few times over and you will not regret it. I once felt the same way and I LOVE her now. I've never found anything even close to her - she's like a tiny musical imp. Her music is magical - in the magic kind of way. And harp-playing? I always wanted to play a harp when I was little! Anyway. The point is. She is incredible, though admittedly an acquired taste. And if you don't believe me, you are STUPID. Oh, I went there.

Here are some of her awesome lyrics:
I killed my dinner with karate -
kick 'em in the face, taste the body;
shallow work is the work that I do.

Do you want to sit at my table?
My fighting fame is fabled
and fortune finds me fit and able.

Devendra Banhart Interview

Might I share some comments from YouTube...

whiteboyy00: "This guy is tripping BALLS"

BoardsofKyle: "Very well done interview for such a complex, spiritual being. His advice is actually worth taking note of. 'Just don't care so much...'"

artistchick10: "he's so sexy"

The Avalanches - Frontier Psychiatrist

Holy shit. Who doesn't love a video starring old people?

Seeing the video after listening to the song so much is crazy, no? My perception of it is completely changed.

Anthony and the Johnsons - For Today I Am a Boy

Another 2005er. Probably the best song written in the past 5 years. By anyone. Just like the other 'bests' it starts simple and slowly builds up into glorious, heart-jerking, toe-curling climax. Uh. That's all.

Unfortunately, no youtube videos, except an offensive parody put up by high school boys. And no myspace posting of this song. All I could find was a clip on the official website, but if you haven't heard the song already, I recommend downloading the entire song first. If you're a lazy asshole, you can find the clip at:

http://media.brainwashed.com/common/sounds/mp3/antony_and_the_johnsons-for_today_i_am_a_buoy.mp3

Andrew Bird - Fake Palindromes

From his 2005 album "Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs." There is no music video, except live performances, which just don't sound as good. So visit his myspace and listen to the track there. Poetic lyrics.

"my dewy-eyed disney bride, what has tried
swapping your blood with formaldehyde?
monsters?
whiskey-plied voices cried fratricide!
jesus don't you know that you could've died
(you should've died)
with the monsters that talk, monsters that walk the earth

and she's got red lipstick and a bright pair of shoes
and she's got knee high socks, what to cover a bruise
she's got an old death kit she's been meaning to use
she's got blood in her eyes, in her eyes for you
she's got blood in her eyes for you

certain fads, stripes and plaids, singles ads
they run you hot and cold like a rheostat, i mean a thermostat
so you bite on a towel
hope it won't hurt too bad

my dewy-eyed disney bride, what has tried
swapping your blood with formaldehyde?
what monsters that talk, monsters that walk the earth

and she says i like long walks and sci-fi movies
if you're six foot tall and east coast bred
some lonely night we can get together
and i'm gonna tie your wrists with leather
and drill a tiny hole into your head"

TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun

Back to 2004! Still a killer song. Also look up "ambulance," "province," and "young liars." Sad to have missed this concert twice.

The Elastocitizens

AMAZING! Toronto shows May 12th and 26th. I'm there!

From their myspace: "Drawing it's 12 members from such diverse worlds as dance, theatre and jazz the Elastos successfully combine all these elements into a powerhouse dance-party stage show that is anchored in the strong grooves of heavy funk while looking forward to something completely new."

Listen to their music (and look at pictures) at www.elastocitizens.com