On this week's episode of the podcast our crew talks about... music? honestly I was as surprised as you are. Topics of note include black metal, D'Angelo, and weird funk records.
To hear this week's episode of our wonderful podcast please look for YPOIW on iTunes (please rate and subscribe). If you prefer a direct download, that is provided here.
On this week's episode of the podcast what are you listening to evolves into Josh telling amazing stories. Also the guys take turns discussing their own music related pet peeves.
For this week's monthly mix, our nefarious band of music nerds chose their favorite B-sides, rarities, and unreleased tracks from their favorite artists. Owen Pallett covering Mariah Carey?! A spacey Pavement jam performed on Space Ghost Coast to Coast?! Play these obscure gems in the embedded playlist to the right.
Alexander
Pavement - "The Sutcliffe Catering Song"
Pavement - "Harness Your Hopes"
Pavement - "Space Ghost Theme II"
Steve
Final Fantasy - "The Miner Becomes Forgetful"
Final Fantasy - "What Do You Think Will Happen Next?"
Owen Pallett - "Fantasy (Mariah Carey Cover)"
Kyle
Weezer - "I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams"
Weezer - "Suzanne"
Weezer - "Tragic Girl"
Mark
Arcade Fire - "Lenin"
Arcade Fire - "Surf City Eastern Block"
Arcade Fire - "Brazil"
Josh
The White Stripes - "Hand Springs"
The White Stripes - "Stop Breaking Down (Rolling Stones Cover)"
The White Stripes - "Good to Me (Brenden Benson Cover"
The Good Side
Fleet Foxes - "She Got Dressed"
TJ
Modest Mouse - "Baby Blue Sedan"
Modest Mouse - "All Night Diner"
Modest Mouse - "Never Ending Math Equation"
Danny
Flying Lotus - "Quakes"
Flying Lotus - "It's a Secret"
Mia Doi Todd - "My Room is White (Flying Lotus Remix)"
In which facial hair is exclusively discussed for the vast majority of this podcast and Austin decides that he's going to make the mustache cool again. Also: "Friendly Chops", and we meet another one of Josh's awesome friends.
To hear this week's episode please search for us on iTunes or click HERE (please rate us and subscribe!). If you prefer a direct download please click HERE
This week, some new footage of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love playing a previously unheard song entitled "Stinking of You" surfaced onto the Internet. At one point, he holds up Frances Bean in the mirror and says "LOOK AT THE FROGGY BABY, OHWOAHOH" and it's completely adorable. Frances Bean is now 19 and I'm sure she's completely embarrassed by this video going viral, but whatever.
Austin K (@AustinKirley): I'm listening to Death Grips. Leave me alone.
Danny Spiteri (@dannyspiterijr): In addition to more Death Grips (obviously), I went on a bit of a post-punk kick, specifically with stuff like New Order's early highlights and The Feelies' first album. I also listened to Negativland's Escape From Noise in full for the first time, which was a disorienting but pleasurable experience.
Jack Hayter (@gonnahayt): Apart from Death Grips, I listened to the debut album from Kindness and I've grown addicted to Jai Paul's track "Jasmine."
Josh Custodio (@_allmyfriends): My week was controversial. I was beefing with people left and right. It made me wanna listen to old punk music. I did that.
Kyle Shoemaker (@_Shoey): Yep, the only fucking thing I listened to was The Money Store... your move, other bands.
Mark Gillis (@Mark__Gillis): Just like last week I've been listening to more Death Grips. I've also been listening to the debut album from Zammuto; that thing is so damn fun-sounding!
Steve Jones (@vestenet): I started this past week with a fucking invigorating show by Screaming Females. The Money Store also continues to be fucking invigorating. But the dulcet tones of the new Starry Starry Night soundtrack from World's End Girlfriend keep things in balance.
We here at YPOIW have been listening to entirely too much Death Grips. Normally I'd be writing something absurd about how Lady Gaga tried listening to Death Grips and wound up in a mental institution, but I think we're good. Listen to Death Grips if you haven't yet and don't forget to read Steve's review.
Do I even need to ask?
Alexander Borg(@HelloAlexxander): This week I the I experienced Coachella from the comfort of my air-conditioned home while everyone else fried in the desert. Radiohead killed it, St. Vincent totally convinced me to buy her Record Store Day single, Pulp proved that Jarvis Cocker has only gotten cooler with age, and Neon Indian bleep blooped like no other.
Danny Spiteri (@dannyspiterijr): I saw both Radiohead and Jeff Mangum live(!), so plenty of the former and Neutral Milk Hotel. I've also been enjoying new albums from Spiritualized, Clark, Black Dice, THEESatisfaction and, of course, DEATH GRIPS.
Josh Custodio (@_allmyfriends): I'm feeling left out because I don't absolutely ADORE The Money Store. Oh well. Spent the weekend streaming Coachella and went to a farm. Slick right?
Kyle Shoemaker (@_Shoey): I'M IN YO AREA // TEACHIN BITCHES HOW TO SWIM // YO WE CAME TO BLOW YOUR SYSTEM // GAGA CAN'T HANDLE THIS SHIT // etc.
On this week's episode we go for entirely too long without a real topic. We also play a game comparing Silver Jews and La Dispute lyrics. I can also confirm the triumphant return of James, who doesn't disappoint in his quest to judge each and every member of the podcast.
To hear this week's episode please search for us on iTunes or click HERE (please rate us and subscribe!). If you prefer a direct download please click HERE
So it turns out that A$AP Rocky loves Lana Del Rey because of her quote: "Swagga" and "Lips". Could anyone imagine if they actually hook up? The amount of attention these people crave is basically 2nd to none and they might do it for that fact alone. Any and all offspring they produce would be legally retarded in all the good states.
So now that I've insulted everyone, what are you listening to?
Alexander Borg (@HelloAlexxander): The musicianship exhibited on BADBADNOTGOOD's new album BBNG2 is absolutely magnificent. In sharp contrast to BBNG's bold take on jazz fusion, I've also been enjoying Gentlemen Jesse's sophomore album Leaving Atlanta and Tigercats' Isle of Dogs.
Austin K. (@AustinKirley): I, Austin, have been away from beloved internet, and have spent my time reading the wonderful Game of Thrones and replaying Fallout 3. Lettin' my nerd flag fly, bitchez.
Danny Spiteri (@dannyspiterijr): Linda Perhacs' stunning Parallelograms has me on a bit of a psych folk kick, and my long overdue first listen to Spiritualized's Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space has my anticipation rising for their upcoming album. I also came to the realization that Broadcast's Tender Buttons is a personal classic.
Josh Custodio (@_allmyfriends): "SHES GOT STICKERS ON HER LOCKER / AND THE BOYS NUMBER THERE IN MAGIC MARKER". I'm just so glad Jacks back.
Kyle Shoemaker (@_Shoey): While most people are probably using the new Death Grips song "I've Seen Footage" to work out, I've found that it's an excellent sountrack to eating Oreos. Also, I've been listening to BBNG2... a lot.
Mark Gillis (@Mark__Gillis): The album I've listened to most this week is BBNG2 by BADBADNOTGOOD, it's an amazing piece of work. Besides that I've been listening to a lot of Dinosaur Jr. and I'm coming to realize that they might be only of my favourite bands ever.
Steve Jones (@vestenet): After an enjoyable Easter morning spent listening to them, I have added the creation of a Yellow Magic Orchestra tribute band to my list of life goals. All interested parties should contact me. Experience in producing electronic music is a plus, as I have none.
TJ Duane (@DallasShalDune): I've been watching old David Lynch movies, re-playing Baldur's Gate II, and delving into the Tom Waits discography. They've all been worthwhile ventures.
TTK (@TelepathicKid): I've been listening to the warm crackle of vinyl, with my new copies of Mount Kimbie's Crooks & Lovers, and The XX's self titled spinning non stop since I got them.
In which Josh makes a triumphant return to save our podcast from the depths of mediocrity and performs psychological evaluations of his fellow podcasters... but not before his friend James wins the hearts of everyone and puts us into the iTunes top 100.
To hear this week's episode please search for us on iTunes or click HERE (please rate us and subscribe!). If you prefer a direct download please click HERE
Another month, another playlist. Meticulously constructed by our staff of music nerds, this playlist is sure to get you out of your crushing depression caused by Jet's breakup. Stream the playlist in the sidebar to the right and check out the detailed track listing below:
Coachella added a 2nd weekend to their 2012 edition of the festival in the hopes that more people could see their favorite artists from half a mile away. The plan largely backfired as both weekends sold out in 3 hours. Realizing more profit could be made organizers scrambled to add as many additional weekends as needed and now Coachella 2012 is lasting a full 52 weeks. One promoter said "This is so exciting for us, Coachella only comes one time a year".
What Are You Bumpin?
Austin K (@AustinKirley) - Austin's week has been all about early electronic music, preferably of the pre-70s variety. There's way more to choose from than you might think, with Terry Riley, Morton Subotnik, and Douglas Leedy on heavy rotation.
Danny Spiteri (@dannyspiterijr) - My listening diet for the week included The Avalanches' sample-based masterpiece Since I Left You, Cornelius's extremely diverse Fantasma, and Destroyer's recent highlight Kaputt.
Jack Hayter (@gonnahayt) - This week I revisted the superb De La Soul album Stakes is High and got my first taste of Wilco with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
Josh Custodio (@_allmyfriends) - This week was spent debating Radiohead, Coachella and life.
Kyle Shoemaker (@_Shoey) - This week consisted of getting my face melted off by the likes of Ceremony, Refused, and Liturgy. I've also been trying (and failing) to comprehend the new of Montreal album Paralytic Stalks. Also, a metric fuckton of Skyrim.. I killed so many Cave Bears and Bandits, man.
Mark Gillis (@Mark__Gillis) - This week I've been listening to a ton of Elliott BROOD since I went to go seem them, and it was awesome. Besides that I've really been digging Youth Lagoon, and I've been patiently waiting for some of my anticipated 2012 albums to come out (leak).
Steve Jones (@vestenet) - I am addicted to Field Music's Plumb and of Montreal's Paralytic Stalks. 2012 is turning out to be an excellent year for music and albums that begin with "P."
TJ Duane (@dallasshaldune) - I'm getting psyched for my first Radiohead show, so I'm re-sifting through their albums in album marathons. I sprinkle each album into my playlists every week for a week. Last week I spun The Bends 10 times. I'm listening to OK Computer this week. When I listen to them all--post, Pablo, of course--I'll start back over at The Bends.
TTK (@Telepathickid) - Lately music hasn't been my main thing to bump this week. It's been episodes of The Simpsons, with the 500th episode coming up I thought I'd better do something in celebration!
This week marked the formal announcement of a new tour and album from the band Van Halen. This announcement was made on the summit of the highest peak in this world and made by an immortal dragon. Sammy Hagar meanwhile has announced that he's currently homeless and will be attempting suicide again sometime soon. David Lee Roth has announced that he'll quit Van Halen the moment afterwards as his entire passion of the project was quote: "To piss off Hagar".
What Are You Bumpin?
Austin K. (@AustinKirley)- This week has been all about IDM for me. I've been introducing myself to Aphex Twin (I know, I should have listened to him before), dissecting the Boards of Canada discography in a major way, and bobbing my head to the mysterious Evian Christ's instrumentals. Danny Spiteri (@dannyspiterijr) - This week I've been digging into Massive Attack's classic Mezzanine, revisiting some of Kanye West's better albums, and listening to the always great Boards of Canada in hopes that they release some new material soon. Jack Hayter (@gonnahayt) - Recently I've been rather addicted to The Weeknd and the release of Echoes of Silence most certainly added fuel to that. I then sprinkled in some Fleet Foxes and We Are Trees. Josh Custodio (@_allmyfriends) - This week has been about learning to love metal with Alcest, leading me to realize genres aren't as far apart as I thought. Kyle Shoemaker (@_Shoey) - What's music? I've been playing Skyrim side-quests until my eyes bleed. What is with Bethesda games and cannibalism anyway? Steve Jones (@vestenet) - This week, I have been murdering bandits,
assassinating emperors, and slaying dragons to the gorgeous works of Mr.
Jeremy Soule.
TTK (@TelepathicKid) - Been listening to a winning combination of the consistently great Beck, the drum 'n' bass era of Aphex Twin, and The XX in preparation for their supposed new record to be dropped this year.
Did it disappoint you that YPOIW didn't include individual songs in our Best of 2011 features? Honestly it disappointed us too, so the playlist for January is our attempt to make amends for that, as it contains all of our personal favorites. It's available now on our side-bar for consumption, and we've included a more detailed list of all of our picks below. We sincerely hope this helps repair that hole in your heart.
1. Clams Casino - "I'm Official" (Austin)
2. Colin Stetson - "Red Horse" (Austin)
3. Shlohmo - "Same Time" (Austin)
--
4. Oneohtrix Point Never - "Up" (Danny)
5. Shabazz Palaces - "Are You... Can You... Were You? (Felt)" (Danny)
6. tUnE-yArDs - "Bizness" (Danny)
--
7. M83 - "Reunion" (Josh)
8. Oh No! Yoko! - "Buki Bag" (Josh)
9. Teen Daze - "Let's Groove" (Josh)
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10. La Dispute - "King Park" (Kyle)
11. Danny Brown - "Monopoly" (Kyle)
12. Fucked Up - "Serve Me Right" (Kyle)
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13. Austra - "Spellwork" (Mark)
14. M83 - "Midnight City" (Mark)
15. Veronica Falls - "The Fountain" (Mark)
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16. Braids - "Glass Dears" (Owen)
17. Panda Bear - "Drone" (Owen)
18. WU LYF - "We Bros" (Owen)
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19. Mountain Goats - "High Hawk Season" (Simon)
20. Atlas Sound - "Te Amo" (Simon)
21. Fleet Foxes - "The Plains/Bitter Dancer" (Simon)
I seem to be unable to post about anything non-White Stripes related this week. This needs to be mentioned though.
Jack Whites' Third Man Records are putting out iPhone cases. This seems to counter Jacks fear of embracing technology. However, there is one reason this makes perfect sense: the cases are made from actual, playable vinyl.
On the heels of my open letter to Jack White earlier this week; I stumbled upon this list. Aggregated by Gilles Leblanc, this is a fan-voted list of the twenty best White Stripes songs. Personally, I'm super impressed by this list, since many of my favourites are on here. It's great to see "I'm Slowly Turning into You" and "Black Math" so high. I'm a little sad that "White Moon" and "Offend in Every Way" didn't make the cut, but all in all, it's a solid list. Any misses for you? Surprises?
It's the brand new craze that's sweeping the nation kids, work out with your pal BONNYVARE™ in his brand new DVD: BOOTYSWEAT FOR EMMA. You'll have pecs that even Win Butler would be jealous of. It's time to throw away that VHS copy of Sweatin' to the Oldies and start getting your pump on to the sweet sounds of the indie-sphere. Inside the case you'll find a voucher that entitles you to $5 off of your DVD copy of Public Speaking 101: w/ Bradford Cox.
WHAT ARE YOU BUMPIN?
Austin K (@AustinKirley) - This week, I've been listening to (and enjoying greatly) the new Nujabes, and revisiting some of my favs from earlier in the year, Shlohmo and Clams Casino.
Danny Spiteri (@dannyspiterijr) - I've used the last seven days to finish catching up on the 2011 albums I've been meaning to get around to, including the video game reminiscent sounds of Rustie's Glass Swords, the hyperactivity of the Beastie Boys' Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, and the extremely bassy dub techno of Andy Stott's Passed Me By.
Jack Hayter (@gonnahayt) - I managed to find time in-between losing my voice to bump the awesome Big Baby Gandhi mixtape and Undun from the never-disappointing Roots.
Josh Custodio (@_allmyfriends) - This week has been full of defending Micheal Buble, listening to Public Image Ltd, making Christmas songs, and wishing I was in half as good shape as Justin Vernon.
Kyle Shoemaker (@_Shoey) - I spent this week listening to albums that I already love to make sure they deserve their high placement on my year end list. Danny Brown's XXX, La Dispute's Wildlife, and Childish Gambino's Camp to name a few. I've also been eating high caloric foods and making fun of Justin Vernon while secretly wishing that I had his body.
Mark Gillis (@Mark__Gillis) - This week I've been way more busy studying for exams than I have been listening to music. I've just been bumpin' number theory and game theory all week, does that sound fun to everyone?
Nick Weber (@Testiclops) - This week I've been pleasing myself with the sultry sounds of Omega Massif, Sleepmakeswaves, and Stateless. These new albums are making my ear-boner more swollen than Justin Vernon's sciatic nerve.
Steve (@vestenet) - Soothing the end of semester stress with "new" Nujabes and learning oral sex tips from Danny Brown. TRIPLE X.
My name is Josh Custodio. I hold you in very high regard. De Stijl was one of the albums that got me into music, Get Behind Me Satan helped expand my tastes, Consolers of the Lonely housed some of my favourite guitar lines ever.
Jack, I am writing you this letter, because I am confused. Your name attached to anything used to be a litmus test for quality, a project that I would certainly love. As a young superfan of The White Stripes, I was so excited for more output from you! Broken Boy Soliders delivered in a big way. When I heard you were hopping back behind the drumkit in The Dead Weather, I was ecstatic. I loved Horehound! That project also introduced me to Alison Mosshart, thanks for that.
You know, I loved the consistency of the product we got from you. I love the format of the Stripes' CDs! The first song was the single, the last song was a joke, and there was a song with the word "Little" in the title. The vocals were gonna scream, the guitar lines were going to tear, and the production was going to be one-of-a-kind in this decade. You knew what you were getting, and it was always good.
But since 2010, you've been toying with my heart. The first piece of output we got from you outside your three bands, was that recording you did with Conan O' Brien. I was actually pretty cool with that, I'm a fan of Conan, and have enjoyed your guys' ongoing relationship throughout the years. Given what happened to him with the Tonight Show it seemed like you helping a bro out, giving him a chance to showcase something that his audience didn't really know he had.
Shortly after that recording however, I found out that my beloved White Stripes were breaking up. I was devastated. I took part in the #RIPwhitestripes hashtags, I wished that it had just been a rumour, or one of your many tricks. Sadly, it turned out to be true, and since then our relationship just hasn't been the same.
I'm starting to discover that you have some sort of affection for comedians. As with the aforementioned Conan release, you also have done left-field team ups with Stephen Colbert and now this John C Reilly one?! Jack, you're too talented for this! I don't mean to tell you what to do, but please, release a CD of your own material! You're too good for this!
Nonetheless, I can overlook most things. My admiration for you is high. There's one thing I can't overlook though Mr. White. This. Why would you team up with the consensus worst musical group of the past 20 years? An Insane Clown Posse/Jack White collaboration was the final nail in the coffin. I just don't get it.
In closing Jack, I don't mean to rag on you too much. I re-listened to Icky Thump today, and of course it still kicks ass. I look at videos like this and remember how nobody has energy on stage like you. Third Man Records is cool, I like that you're able to sell out of hard copy vinyl. Ultimately though, please call up Meg and get The White Stripes back together. If that isn't viable, I think I'd settle for a solo CD. I miss you man.
Bob Dylan is one of the most respected and influential musicians of all time; it's not even debatable really. Apparently records like Blonde on Blonde have had the same effect on everyone else because a lot of people want to pay respect to him. This is culminating in a massive Dylan covers compilation entitled Chimes of Freedom coming out in January of next year. This 4 disc, 72 track compilation will feature both Dylan's contemporaries and those influenced by him. There are respectable artists on it for sure, but it also includes the likes of Miley Cyrus, Ke$ha, Maroon 5, and actress Evan Rachel Wood. In other news, the world is supposedly ending soon...(good)
What Are You Bumpin?
Austin K. (@AustinKirley) - Being in internetless mountains of rural Virginia, new music was at a minimum this Thanksgiving. However, I have been chillaxin' all cool with Shlohmo, decoding The Gaslamp Killers samples, and gettin' all nostalgia'd with BadBadNotGood's Zelda medley.
Danny Spiteri (@dannyspiterijr) - I've spent the week going minimal with Steve Reich, digging into some classic neo-soul with D'Angelo's Voodoo, and revisiting one of my all time favorite hip hop albums with Deltron 3030.
Jack Hayter (@gonnahayt) - I've been checking out hip hop beat maker Lakim, the debut solo release from former Little Brother member Phonte and the classic Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain.
Josh Custodio (@_allmyfriends) - Lots of listening to interviews this week, trying to get better myself. Stern, Strombolopolous, and Ghomeshi have been my teachers.
Kyle Shoemaker (@_Shoey) - Bob Dylan is still alive? Weird. I've been enjoying the 3 brand new episodes of Tell 'Em Steve Dave that dropped this week, revisiting the Milo mixtape following Austin's excellent interview with him and getting my ears blown apart by the new Black Pus album Primordial Pus.
Mark Gillis (@Mark__Gillis) - This week I've been trying to relive the 90s by listening to a lot classic Sloan and introducing myself to Eric's Trip. I also just gave the new M83 album a listen this week; let's just say I don't plan on touching a frog anytime soon.
Nelson Lopez - I've been easing my way into King Krule's vocals, getting mydisco fix by revisiting the Holy Ghost! self titled LP, and indulging myself inthe wonders of Thanksgiving left overs.
Nick Weber (@testiclops) - I'm going back to some modern classics this week with nonstop plays of James Blake, Girls, and a healthy dose of Ulcerate.
Steve Jones (@vestenet) - Skyward Sword release week, so I've been indulging in Zelda music. The 25th anniversary symphony CD, OC Remix's tribute album, and the Majora's Mask soundtrack mostly. Ears stuffed with too much pumpkin pie to hear anything else. DAWN OF THE FINAL DAY: TOO MUCH MUSIC REMAINING.
Above and Below is the debut EP from progressive rock band The Alaska. After seeing this band live a handful of times in Vancouver, I was very much looking forward to their first recorded output, and Above and Below did not disappoint.
This record places a high importance on mood; each songs' highs and lows feel like they are building towards something. The album is trying to get the listener swept up in the layers and layers of music that The Alaska present here. For an EP, this packs a ton of content in each listen. Songs here truly sound huge.
On this collection, each song plays like a miniature story; rarely do these tracks end up where they began. With a run time just shy of half an hour and only 4 tracks, each song averages to be about 7 minutes long. For example, take opening track “Nightmute”: opening with just guitar and hi-hat, it explodes around the 2 minute mark, and reverts back to quite before the 8-minute finish line. The constant changes within each song are engaging, and demand attention.
Guitarist Kevin Giesbrecht steals the show on the bulk of this album, utilizing guitar tones that are not standard for the genre. His guitar is an audiophile's dream, always being exactly as clean/distorted as the situation demands. Keeping everything interesting in 7 minute tracks is a challenge, one which this band seems more than capable of stepping up to.
My only real issue with this album is the production in parts; each member of the band seems very isolated from the others. This may have been a creative choice, however, these guys are clearly talented musicians, I would have enjoyed hearing the interplay between them a little bit more.
All in all, this is a solid showing from a promising band. If you are a fan of prog rock or post rock this is certainly worth the download. Also, its pay-what-you-want. Tough to go wrong there.
