auditory discourse

Everybody’s got’em. Those skin crawling, so called “classics” that people try to pawn off onto you, by claiming the brilliance of the lyrical structure – the searing solos – those heavenly harmonies. bullshit. you know better, and they should too. Here are those songs that I can’t seem to shake. in no particular order:

Aerosmith – Walk This Way {From Toys In The Attic}

The Rolling Stones – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction {From Out Of Our Heads}

Eagles – Life In The Fast Lane {From Hotel California}

David Bowie – Fame {From Young Americans}

Elvis Presley – Hound Dog

I’ve been listening to Blitzen Trapper’s title track from their forthcoming album Furr all summer now, and it still hasn’t left my head. I have also just learned that they have posted 3 new songs on their myspace. This one will most likely creep up in my year end list by the time that rolls around. And if that cover is any indication of what else is to be pried out of it, we should be in good shape. Furr is due out September 23rd via Sub Pop.

Blitzen Trapper – Furr {From Furr}

Got a couple bands to dump onto the millions that read this blog. So perk those ears up and unspool that cochlea, it’s time for new music tuesday:

First up is one band that received a couple accolades from my previous blog, standard lipsum. Okkervil River used to be known for their depression enducing ballads (see Black Sheep Boy). Not that they were bad – on the contrary. It’s like trying to watch Magnolia once a week – great film, but I try and keep it to a once a year type occasion. Anyway, They’re siamese twin to last year’s The Stage Names, entitled The Stand-Ins, is as much of a departure from their old moody ways as it’s counterpart. But, in an ironic twist – I find The Stand-Ins to be a much more cohesive and accomplished album.

Okkervil River – Lost Coastlines {From The Stand Ins}

Next up, David Vandervelde is one of those musicians who unfortunately get lost in the mix of overhyped bands. Jay Bennet, who you might know as the guitarist that left Wilco during the recording of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, helped produce (as well as play a lil bass) Vandervelde’s debut, The Moonstation House Band, in 2007. Murder in Michigan was among my favorite tracks of the year. But on his new record, Waiting for the Sunrise, David Vandervelde hones his skills. Much of the music is reminiscent to the glory days of pop-rock – the likes of Bowie and Fleetwood Mac. If Lindsay Buckingham is listening somewhere, he’s proud.

David Vandervelde – Knowledge of Evil {From Waiting For The Sunrise}

This is actually one I’ve been listening to a while now, but figured it’s worth mentioning. Greg Gillis remixes, Dj’s, mashes up, and spins some of the most recognizable songs from then and now on his new album under the Girl Talk moniker, Feed the Animals. Back on June 19th – the record was given the “Radiohead” treatment, with a pay what you want electronic tip jar. Which, to say, is a pretty appropriate way to pay for something that is literally not Girl Talk’s material to begin with. But that’s cool, because once you hear what he does, you’ll start feeling a little more generous looking at that mouse cursor with empty field box. He certainly makes the songs his own. Combining everything from Vanilla Ice, Jay-Z, Radiohead, The Guess Who, Aerosmith, Ice Cube, to Dexy’s Midnight Riders. And that’s just a couple from one track.

Girl Talk – Play Your Part (Pt. 1) {From Feed The Animals}

This is an artist I recently picked up. Neil Halstead’s new album Oh! Mighty Engine is one that caught me by surprise. Mixing the folky moods of Nick Drake and the lyrical landscapes of Elliot Smith, Oh! Mighty Engine is one of those early morning, rainy day mixes that require headphones to hear every E string pluck.

Neil Halstead – Sometimes The Wheels {From Oh! Mighty Engine}

And lastly, a band that keeps firing the knockout blows with each record they put out. The Walkmen have yet to dissapoint me. Especially the way they sold their new record (You & Me), legally, on Amie Street for $5.00, with all the proceeds going to charity. pretty fucking cool of them. You’ll more than likely see this on a lot of year end short lists, and rightfully so. I wish I could describe their sound that would do them justice, but I fucking suck as a writer, so I’ll leave it up to you to check it out on your own. Here’s an asterick mark so you’ll remember. *

The Walkmen – In The New Year {From You & Me}