Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Winter Solstlist 2011



Tunes to warm your soul.

The Horrors - Still Life
James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream
The National - Think You Can Wait
The War On Drugs - Come To The City
Other Lives - For 12
Kurt Vile - On Tour
Wilco - Black Moon
Real Estate - Green Aisles
Beirut - Goshen
Bon Iver - Wash.
Radiohead - Codex

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Best of 2011



When starting the process to write my annual year-end essay, my initial thoughts were drawn to the extreme highs and lows that came my way during the past 12 months. But really, when you get down to it, that's what this life is all about...a personal reaction to how you handle success and adversity. At least I'd like to think so. The idea of happiness and enjoyment cannot truly be realized until an order of balance provides one with perspective. To that end - it seems only natural that years are defined by their highlights and lowlights. Luckily for us, we have the ability to recall many of these moments by the greatest of communal experience: music.

The great inventor, Thomas Edison said, "Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." That's a beautiful thought, right? Essentially that success is often determined by a willingness to persevere through times of discomfort in order to see what greatness awaits you. Challengers of predetermined thought and habit have potential for personal gain and rewards...but I believe the greatest reward lies within an individual's methods of support - it's typically these that allow one to soldier on during times of adversity. For purposes here, I'll whittle those support methods down to a mixture of: friends, family, faith and music (generally speaking, entertainment).

This past October, the world lost a great architect of innovation. An individual who by all accounts, chose not to let practicalities or bumps in the road stand in his way of accomplishing goals. For me personally, his determination has proven to be life changing - allowing instant access to the world at the swipe of a finger. His ideas made it possible to activate and heighten any given experience while allowing instant sharing of those same experiences with others. Imagine how different your life would be today...if he simply, gave up.

Musicians/bands/artists are creating and progressing their craft at a level not experienced by many generations; a technological renaissance, if you will. Innovations make it possible to listen to (and share) music at a rate never before imagined. Through whatever music medium you most enjoy, it's become easier than ever to access and tap into personal soundtracks. This in turn, enables us to: smile upon, learn from and/or grieve in any given experience we wish to recall.

The past 12 months have also brought about an obvious and forward undertone of restlessness. Whether it be political, economical or personal - there is an undefinable variable at play. We know things need to get better but we're having a tough time determining how we get there. Like similar circumstances before us, music continues to play a major role in expressing frustrations and representing one's ideas and agendas; capturing relatable emotions for others to understand and as a result, allowing some sort of clarity and comfort.

The makeup of a year differs from person to person and really, tastes and methods of dealing with adversity and success differ as well. The through line for us all, is that this life at times is both very difficult and enjoyable. Two polar opposite emotions in which we are all connected. Sharing and reflecting upon life's highlights and lowlights is only human in nature; it's one thing that we can all agree upon.

Next year will undoubtedly be challenging and with that, rewarding, too.

Below are my favorite tracks that accompanied the many memories that made up my 2011. I encourage you to share yours as well.

Thanks for reading and cheers to a successful year ahead,

T-Hale

Top 10 Songs of 2011

10) Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
9) White Denim - Street Joy
8) Radiohead - Lotus Flower
7) Other Lives - Tamer Animals
6) Girls - My Ma
5) Bon Iver - Calgary
4) Destroyer - Song For America
3) Cass McCombs - County Line
2) M83 - Midnight City
1) Cut Copy - Take Me Over

Best Albums of 2011

10) White Denim - D


9) Radiohead - The King of Limbs


8) M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming


7) Beirut - The Rip Tide


6) Other Lives - Tamer Animals


5) Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues


4) Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost


3) Cut Copy - Zonoscope


2) Bon Iver - Bon Iver


1) Destroyer - Kaputt


Honorable Mentions

Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo
James Blake - James Blake
Real Estate - Days
Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest
The War On Drugs - Slave Ambient
Atlas Sound - Parallax
Wilco - The Whole Love
St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde
Cass McCombs - Wit's End
The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



A few tunes to keep ya warm.

On another note - Best of 2011 should be wrapped up and posted in the next couple days.

Cheers.

Alabama Shakes - Hold On
Miike Snow - Devil's Work
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross Feat Karen O - Immigrant Song

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



White Denim - Anvil Everything
The Black Keys - Run Right Back
Future Islands - Before The Bridge
Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale
Birdy - 1901

Monday, November 21, 2011

Fleet Foxes - The Shrine/An Argument

Sean Pecknold directs another vid for Fleet Foxes. Take a peek at the animated piece below...

The Shrine / An Argument from Sean Pecknold on Vimeo.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



In honor of turning back the clocks...

Buffalo Springfield - Sit Down, I Think I Love You
Gene Clark - No Other
The Kinks - Lola
George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
Harry Nilsson- Me and My Arrow

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack (Monday Edition)



It's been a few... many apologies. Some tasty ones below. Thanks gang - enjoy.

Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans
A.A. Bondy - Surfer King
Blind Pilot - Keep You Right
Future Islands - Balance

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Thanks - Steve Jobs (1955-2011)



RIP Steve Jobs. Through your vision, design and innovation our life has improved. From this humble little blog - thanks for changing the way music and information is consumed. Limitless exploration with the world at our fingertips... that is a beautiful thing.

You will be missed.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Drive



It's not often that I throw up a post about a film... but I must implore you to experience the greatness of Drive. The film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn has a pulse and pace like no other picture I've experienced before. Refn's fresh take on cinematography, focus on timing and soundtrack all work seamlessly together in order to create a modern, yet throwback feel; that can only be best described as an assault on your senses.

The soundtrack was curated by Cliff Martinez (who has an impressive resume to his name). One of my favorite tunes from the soundtrack is below... give it a listen and then do your best to see this in the theatre. I still can't shake it.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



October is fresh and so is the 2011 edition of the Autumnal Equimix... but, here are a few more tunes that have me tapping my toe.

Wilco - Art Of Almost
St. Vincent - Year Of The Tiger
Real Estate - Green Aisles

Friday, September 23, 2011

Autumnal Equimix - 2011



Jamz for the beautiful season.

Enjoy,

T-Hale

St. Vincent - Cruel
Girls - Magic
The War On Drugs - Baby Missles
Other Lives - Dust Bowl III
Gillian Welch - The Way That It Goes
Bon Iver - Holocene
Kurt Vile - Baby's Arms
White Denim - Some Wild Going Outward
Beirut - The Rip Tide
Low - Try To Sleep
Elbow - Lippy Kids
Radiohead - Separator

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Think about (and thank) your personal heroes today... I feel it's the best way to honor those that have gone before us.

Ryan Adams - New York, New York
The National - Fake Empire
Fleet Foxes - Your Protector
Arcade Fire - Intervention
Wilco - Ashes Of American Flags

Friday, September 2, 2011

Stream Wilco's New Album Tomorrow!



Wilco wants to reward everyone's hard work this Labor Day with a 24 hour stream of their upcoming album The Whole Love.

They sent out the below note (excerpt) to their email list and well, you've pretty much got the scoop.

You can also pre-order the new album via their interweb store and through ANTI- Records. Also, stream the first single below whilst your at it.

Your bbq playlist just got a whole lot easier, huh?

"... we're gonna do a special under-the-radar stream of the new record tomorrow for Wilcoworld only. Here's the deal -- as a reward for your labors, ours, and those of our forefathers/mothers -- starting at 12 Noon Central time tomorrow (Saturday) and for 24 hours straight we're gonna stream The Whole Love in its entirety, at wilcoworld.net. That's right. Your first chance to hear the whole thing is tomorrow. Trust us, you'll be glad you made time to check it out."

Wilco - I Might by hipstereo.blogspot.com

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



On Monday, we lost one of the greatest songwriters to ever come our way. RIP Jerry Leiber.

Ben E. King - Spanish Harlem (written by Leiber and Stoller)
Fool's Gold - The Dive
Serge Gainsbourg (w/ Jean Claude Vannier) - Danger
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Tigers
Atlas Sound - Terra Incognita

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Fall Creek Boys Choir (Bon Iver + James Blake)



A week ago James Blake tweeted an ambiguous bit about getting together with Bon Iver... ("24th August 2011 - James Blake & Bon Iver 'Fall Creek Boys Choir'").

Well, here we are on the 24th and we're left with a mellow jam that lends two falsetto/auto-tuney crooners with some backing from J Blake's dubby influenced, produced beats.

What do y'all think? I dig.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Cass McCombs - The Same Thing
The War On Drugs - Comin' Through
Little Dragon - Ritual Union
Beirut - Port of Call
Anna Calvi - Blackout

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack - One Jam Edition



Busy day - so just one cut for ya. It's a good one, though.

How Come You Never Go There by Feist

Monday, August 8, 2011

Beirut - The Rip Tide



Journeyman (literally) Zach Condon and his band of Beiruts are readying their third full length album: The Rip Tide, via Condon's own Pompeii Records.

We've heard a couple singles (East Harlem and Santa Fe) and on first go 'round of the whole album... I find it to be focused, simplistic and in my opinion, the most assured work of their catalogue.

Thanks to NPR Music, you can hear for yourself; right this very moment.

Be sure to pick this one up (In stores August 30, digitally now) - it's the perfect soundtrack to welcome autumn as we close out summer.

Enjoy.

Beirut - The Rip Tide

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Jens Lekman - An Argument With Myself
Fruit Bats - Tangie & Ray
The War On Drugs - Come To The City
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - How Can U Love Me
Memory Tapes - Wait In The Dark

Friday, August 5, 2011

Stream Lollapalooza This Weekend



They say everyone knows someone in Chicago. Well, if that's true, then all your Chicagoian mates are rippin' it up at Lollapalooza this weekend. Bummer, I know.

BUT thanks to the moderns of the interwebs - Youtube will be live-streaming the event all damn weekend long. So it ain't all that bad.

Check out the schedule below... There are two channels with which you can choose and an ample line-up of stellar tunes. YKTAM picks can be found in bold.

Enjoy.

-------

LOLLAPALOOZA STREAM SCHEDULE
Note: Set times are Central

FRIDAY CHANNEL 1
1:30 PM The Vaccines
2:15 PM Delta Spirit
3:00 PM Foster The People
4:00 PM White Lies
5:00 PM Two Door Cinema Club
6:00 PM The Naked and Famous
7:00 PM The Kills
8:15 PM Coldplay

FRIDAY CHANNEL 2
1:45 PM TAB the Band
2:30 PM Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
3:30 PM Smith Westerns
4:30 PM *Backstage Access*
5:30 PM Mountain Goats
6:30 PM Bright Eyes
7:30 PM *Backstage Access*
8:00 PM Encore: Foster the People
9:00 PM Encore: White Lies

SATURDAY CHANNEL 1
1:45 PM J. Roddy Walston & the Business
2:30 PM Fitz & The Tantrums
3:30 PM Mayer Hawthorne & The County
4:30 PM Big Audio Dynamite
5:30 PM Local Natives
6:30 PM TBA
7:30 PM *Backstage Access*
8:00 PM My Morning Jacket

SATURDAY CHANNEL 2
1:30 PM Grouplove
2:15 PM Walk the Moon
3:00 PM Black Lips
4:00 PM Death From Above 1979
5:00 PM *Backstage Access*
6:00 PM Ween
7:00 PM Beats Antique
8:00 PM *Backstage Access*

SUNDAY CHANNEL 1
1:30 PM Imelda May
2:15 PM Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses
3:00 PM The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
4:00 PM The Cars
5:00 PM Portugal. The Man
6:00 PM Arctic Monkeys
7:00 PM Explosions In The Sky
8:00 PM Foo Fighters

SUNDAY CHANNEL 2
1:45 PM The Joy Formidable
2:30 PM Noah and The Whale
3:15 PM *Backstage Access*
4:15 PM Flogging Molly
5:15 PM Cage The Elephant
6:15 PM Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
7:30 PM *Backstage Access*

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Stereogum put together a tribute album featuring various artists covering the seminal Is This It by The Strokes. Couple standouts are below... but I suggest you dip into the whole thing; here.

Also, happy Shark Week.

Grouplove - Tongue Tied
The Morning Benders - Last Night
White Denim - Drug
Thurston Moore - Circulation
Owen Pallett - Hard To Explain

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Summer heat.

Portugal. The Man - So American
Beirut - Santa Fe
Smith Westerns - Smile
Kurt Vile - Puppet To The Man
Girls - Vomit

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

M83 - Midnight City



Our fav captain of epic jams, M83 (Anthony Gonzalez), is readying his forthcoming double album, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming (via Mute) for release October 18. We received a bit of a still life preview, entitled Echoes, a couple weeks ago; but now we can lend an ear to the first single Midnight City.

Head over to his website, enter in your email and you'll receive a download link. OR stream the single below. Either way, don't forget M83 be making a swing through Los Angeles November 9th at The Music Box. Tickets are still available.

M83 - Midnight City

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Traffic Jamz.

Real Estate - It's Real
The Horrors - Still Life
Yuck - The Wall
The War On Drugs - Baby Missiles
Washed Out - Amor Fati

Friday, July 15, 2011

Pitchfork Music Festival - Live Stream



This year's edition of Chicago's Pitchfork Music Fest, kicks off today and the tastemaking website will be live streaming the whole, hot-damn thing.

Additionally, they'll be tweeting all weekend from the event via attendee/virtual attendees comments. They'll be digging through the following trend: #p4kfest and RT'ing their favs. Line-up and link for stream is below.

Enjoy (especially you LA kids - could be a mess out there this weekend!)

Live Stream Link

Friday, July 15 (all times are CST):

8:30 Animal Collective (GREEN)
7:30 James Blake (BLUE)
7:20 Neko Case (RED)
6:30 Das Racist (BLUE)
6:25 Guided By Voices (GREEN)
5:30 Curren$y (BLUE)
5:30 Thurston Moore (RED)
4:35 Battles (GREEN)
4:30 tUnE-yArDs (BLUE)
3:30 EMA (RED)
3:20 Gatekeeper (BLUE)

Saturday, July 16 (gates at 12 p.m.):

8:30 Fleet Foxes (GREEN)
7:40 Zola Jesus (BLUE)
7:25 DJ Shadow (RED)
6:45 Twin Shadow (BLUE)
6:15 The Dismemberment Plan (GREEN)
5:45 The Radio Dept. (BLUE)
5:15 Destroyer (RED)
4:45 OFF! (BLUE)
4:15 Gang Gang Dance (GREEN)
3:45 Wild Nothing (BLUE)
3:20 No Age (RED)
2:50 G-Side (BLUE)
2:30 Cold Cave (GREEN)
1:55 Sun Airway (BLUE)
1:45 Woods (RED)
1:00 Chrissy Murderbot ft. MC Zulu (BLUE)
1:00 Julianna Barwick (GREEN)

Sunday, July 17 (gates at 12 p.m.):

8:30 TV on the Radio (GREEN)
7:40 HEALTH (BLUE)
7:25 Cut Copy (RED)
6:45 Toro Y Moi (BLUE)
6:15 Deerhunter (GREEN)
5:45 Kylesa (BLUE)
5:15 Superchunk (RED)
4:45 Baths (BLUE)
4:15 Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti (GREEN)
3:45 Shabazz Palaces (BLUE)
3:20 OFWGKTA (RED)
2:50 Twin Sister (BLUE)
2:30 Kurt Vile & the Violators (GREEN)
1:55 How to Dress Well (BLUE)
1:45 Yuck (RED)
1:00 Darkstar (BLUE)
1:00 The Fresh & Onlys (GREEN)

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Tap a foot and tip a hat.

Wilco - I Might
Gillian Welch - The Way That It Goes
The Rosebuds - Woods
Beirut - Goshen
Frank Fairfield - Poor Old Lance

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Cut Copy - Blink and You'll Miss A Revolution



Aussie party starters, Cut Copy, are still riding high following the release of their album, Zonoscope. The group is readying another single, Blink and You'll Miss A Revolution, for digital release August 9th (with a 12" physical copy to follow soon thereafter).

Furthermore, Toro y Moi has lent his mellow hand to a remix of the jam, that will accompany the release. Good stuff.

Cut Copy has a number of tour dates through the remainder of 2011. They'll be performing at Pacific Festival in Orange County, 8/13... which is the closest stop to LA that has been announced.

Stream both cuts below.

Cut Copy - Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution by modularpeople

Blink And You'll Miss a Revolution (Toro Y Moi Remix) by cutcopymusic

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

M83 - New Album Tease

I wish every morning started like this. No word on when M83 will drop the new album but watch the clip below if you want to feel epic.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Summer Solstlist - 2011



Summer jams to beat the heat and/or (preferably) bask in it.

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean
Bon Iver - Calgary
Dirty Gold - California Sunrise
White Denim - Street Joy
Diego Garcia - Separate Lives
Beirut - East Harlem
Destroyer - Kaputt
Jamie xx - Far Nearer
Architecture in Helsinki - Contact High
My Morning Jacket - Circuital
Cut Copy - Corner of the Sky

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Happy birthday/father's day to my favorite readers!


Bon Iver - Towers
The Wooden Birds - Folly Club
Vetiver - Can't You Tell
Mr. Little Jeans - The Suburbs
The Civil Wars - I've Got This Friend

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Little bit o' this, little bit o' that.

The Weeknd - The Morning
My Morning Jacket - You Wanna Freak Out
Junior Boys - EP
The Wooden Birds - Two Matchsticks
Jamie xx - Far Nearer

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Bon Iver, Bon Iver



Justin Vernon needs little by way of introduction these days. The brains behind the Bon Iver project has been palling around with this guy, traveled around with Gayngs and released another album under the moniker of Volcano Choir. All good and great, but with all of that extracurricular activity, we the listener, have waited patiently (3+ years) for a proper full length follow up to his masterful, For Emma, Forever Ago.

First single, Calgary, came out swingin' and felt right for the season. Hushed melodies lead way to triumphant returns... you know the whole Bon Iver schtick; but man it sounds great in your backyard with a beer and a bbq going - doesn't it?

Simply put: I LOVE the new album and I think it's release is quite timely. YKTAM favs, NPR Music, have provided the full album for stream. Listen here.

Go get lost in it. It's summer after-all.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Get out and stretch your legs a bit today. It's a beauty.

Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Beirut - East Harlem
Alex Turner - Piledriver Waltz
GIVERS - Saw You First
Thurston Moore - Benediction

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Back In A Week


Sorry for the lack of posts. I got hitched, now I'm on a little vaca. I'll be back at it soon. For tunes check out Aquarium Drunkard.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Bon Iver - Calgary



Bon Iver has been slow to follow up his stellar For Emma, Forever Ago; but today we get the first listen from his upcoming S/T release, with a lovely little jam entitled: Calgary.

JAGJAGUWAR will be releasing the album, June 21st in the States. You can pre-order now.

They've announced a smattering of dates which you can check out at their website. However, nothing in LA yet.

Stream Calgary below or download your own copy with an email address.

Enjoy!










Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Sorry for lack of non-SMS posts, things are a bit busy on my end. Here are a few jams that feel good.

Dirty Gold - California Sunrise
The Kills - DNA
Raphael Saadiq - Let's Take A Walk
Danger Mouse and Danielle Luppi - Two Against One (Ft. Jack White)
Wild Beasts - Lion's Share

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Happy Mother's Day!

Other Lives - Tamer Animals
Big Star - Thirteen
We Are Augustines - Chapel Song
Black Lips - Modern Art
Bill Callahan - Baby's Breath

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Sunday Morning Soundtrack



Eat, drink and be merry (but please do all of these things whilst listening to good music)!

Bibio - K Is For Kelson
Diego Garcia - You Were Never There
Fleet Foxes - Bedouin Dress
Hooray For Earth - Surrounded By Your Friends
Architecture in Helsinki - Escapee

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Okkervil River - I Am Very Far



I would say in the past year or two there have been some pretty fantastic ploys to promotionally raise the profile of your band; see: Radiohead, the advent of the free album stream a week prior to release, live webcasting of concerts etc. etc.

Okkervil River brings a new dog to the fight, with a live concert webcast of their upcoming album, I Am Very Far performed live, front to back. Pretty cool, huh?

Check it out today (April 27th) @ 7 pm ET thanks to NPR Music - here.

I Am Very Far drops May 10, via JAGJAGUWAR and you can pre-order a whole array of album formats at the bands website.

Enjoy!