Review: Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks- Mirror Traffic

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Review: Jay-Z and Kanye West- Watch the Throne

Part of the reason I like to stay up after midnight is to read Pitchfork.com. Shortly after midnight, they usually post their reviews of the latest albums. Last year I remember refreshing my page and seeing them give Kanye's latest a perfect score. Was it as really good as "Kid A" or "Soft Bulletin" or "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" or hell, even "Source Tags and Codes"? No it wasn't. But the chances Kanye took were worthy of any praise it was receiving. It was a hip hop album we hadn't heard yet, there were King Crimson samples, nine minute songs with auto-tune solo's, a unnecessary Chris Rock appearance, oh and lyrically, Kanye couldn't be touched. So here we are, a rap superstar at the top of his game, with no place else to go.

Something funny happened though, he buddied back up with the elder statesman in Jay-Z. Hova is fresh off of what was probably his worst album, he headlined Bonnaroo and Coachella, scored a number one hit, and yet seemed unsatisfied. So now the best rapper of all time teams up with the most polarizing artist in the world. So usually these things are supposed to suck. Jigga isn't a stranger to these collaboration albums, he did some clunkers with R. Kelly which ended in a disastrous tour with Kelly being maced. Hell, I was skeptical, considering the lead single "HAM" sucked (thankfully it's on the deluxe edition), I set myself low. I should've known better.

What works with "Watch the Throne" is that it's two artists in their prime, just having fun. Yes, they're flossing their gifts in a dire economic climate, but damned if I can't get a kick out of it. Latest single "Otis" uses a sample by Mr. Redding and is the running for the song of the year. The two giants trade back and forth like a couple of kids arguing who had the best summer to a backing track of "Try a Little Tenderness", it's a fucking broment on an album, the type of broment you and your BFF have when you realize how awesome it is to know someone who can keep up with your lifestyle.

Nearly every song features bars being traded, "Niggas in Paris" samples the underrated Will Ferrell comedy "Blades of Glory" to a Yeezy beat and well, it's about flaunting. Album highlight and opener "No Church in the Wild" starts with an eerie line sung by Frank Ocean from OFWGKTA and gets darker and better from there. Ocean guests on two tracks here and his stock will probably rise considering this will be a hit album, and his collective has been taking the internet by storm.

There are some clunkers though, "Lift Off" features a cheesy chorus from Beyonce and has a beat and lyrics akin to a Lonely Island parody, it's nearly laughable, especially coming off of the tremendous opener. Closer "Why I Love You" is pure cheese that may or may not be a hit single and features the nerve shattering Mr. Hudson who guested on probably the worst Jay-Z song ever. I won't even mention it here to spare you. But what it lacks in trying to be serious, it makes up for being fun.

Both Yeezy and Jigga are at their best when they're being themselves and having some fun. It's easy to tell when they try to hard, but when they forget everything and want to one up each other, we as fans win. While I'm sure there's tons of money to be had in a sequel, I can't help but think where they go from here. Can this rejuvenate Jay-Z and help him forget about aging and wanting to stay relevant? Can Kanye keep up the pace he's set for himself since he picked up a mic? Time will tell, but if I may be a little cheesy here, this album proves that nobody is even close to usurping the throne.

**** 1/2 out of *****


-bro sport

Concert Review- Decemberists at Stubbs, Austin TX 8/8/2011

I've seen The Decemberists three times on this current tour, and I've yet to be disappointed. Most of it's because the music is good and the song selection is safe, but partly because Colin Meloy is a very underrated front man. Need proof? Go to a show and try not coming back with a smile on your face. Meloy plays the hell out of his guitar, he sings his little heart out, and for a guy who writes some pretty grim tunes, he's pretty damn hilarious. But even this being a third show for me, it was special in it's own way. Jenny Conlee, the longtime multi-instrumentalist for the band, made a rare appearance with the band after being diagnosed with breast cancer back in May. Her presence was felt and she's glue to a well made machine.

Opening with "Leslie Anne Levine" from "Castaways and Cutouts" was a great choice. It's a song, rarely played that kind of set the tone for the light hearted approach the band took for the evening. New tracks off the band's latest LP "The King is Dead" sounded great too, highlights being "Rox in the Box" and "All Arise!" in which I myself "two stepped" with a much older, attractive woman who sang the lyrics back at me. The show kind of put you in that mood to sing along with your fellow man...or woman.

The best portion of the show came from the only two cuts off of the underrated "Hazards of Love" album. The one-two punch of "Won't Wait for Love" and "Rake's Song" made for a headbangin' and fist pumpin' good time that displayed the fun of both the band and the crowd. While the album didn't get it's due on this show, the aforementioned tracks were among the best played on this whole tour. For an encore, you get "The Mariner's Revenge Song", I won't tell you anything to spoil it for you, but it's one of those things you have to experience for yourself since it's probably the cheesiest, sweetest, most fun you can have at a show with songs involving death, killing children, political change, and lost love.

Not once was I bored, even opening act Caitlin Rose, with her pretty face and country songs had me tapping my feet. The Decemberists are one of the premier bands right now that we have in the states. Pretentious? Yes. Melancholy? Without a doubt! But good lord, these Portlandians know how to have a good time. In the face of a serious situation within a band member's health, you wouldn't be able to tell if they were going through turmoil or not. Like a live band should be, they just want to have fun.


-bro sport

Concert Review- Arctic Monkeys at Stubbs, Austin TX 8/2/2011

So I keep wondering to myself, where are the great rock bands? Surely there are better bands than Arctic Monkeys, but let's be honest, how many pure rock bands do we have that are consistently good? Arctic Monkeys have been tearing a hole in England for the past decade but have suffered a bit in the states. Popular? Yes. But these guys are headlining stadiums in their homeland and they're playing clubs here. That being said, they're a live band that work in any venue, they're just that damn good at what they do.

Set opener "Library Pictures" off of this year's "Suck It and See" is a terrific way of displaying the band's talent, and probably their most underrated card is Alex Turner's delivery on his often sly and cryptic lyrics. He's a good singer, but the dark material of the Monkeys' last two albums has been enough put a little whoop ass into Turner's persona which was that of a Teddy Boy.

Oh but then we have Matt Helders. Helders is probably the best drummer out there period. Listening to him pound away on "Brianstorm" is something to see because you can't believe someone can actually go that fast and keep up with the band. "Crying Lightning" is also a spectacular showcase of his skill as well, the twists and turns in that song are enough as it, but Helders can keep it up and pound and not outshine the band, in fact he seems completely modest and comfortable on stage compared to the others.

The Austin crowd was perfect. The crowd had fun, knew most of the words, lost their shit to "I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor", and largely appreciated the band as well as their fans back in the old country. New cuts like "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" sounded great and were played with an added jolt compared to their album counterparts. They're young, hip, and have made four good albums and rival The Strokes as the best pure rock and roll band of the past decade. It's a shame they're not as big in the states, but those of us in attendance on Tuesday will appreciate them either way.

-brosport

Grandpa Was A Lion - In A Dream

One of our YNFBs, Grandpa Was A Lion, have had a busy 2011. With a new album already out, the one-man band has just released a new EP. Archaic is a wonderful 5-song EP, that picks up where The Whalestoe Tapes left off. Enjoy the EP opener "In A Dream" below and pick up a copy of the Archaic EP here.

-brosephstalin

Video: Wooden Shjips - Black Smoke Rise

Wooden Shjips - Black Smoke Rise from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

"Black Smoke Rise" can be found on the band's latest album, West, out now on Thrill Jockey

-brosephstalin

Das Racist - Michael Jackson

After releasing two mixtapes, Brooklyn's Das Racist bring their unique brand of hip hop back to masses with a new album, Relax, due September 13, via Greenhead. You can stream the first single from the album, "Michael Jackson", below and pick up a copy of the song at iTunes. You should probably buy it. We highly suggest you do.

Michael Jackson

-brosephstalin

Times New Viking - Live at WFMU

Lo-fi legends Times New Viking stopped by WFMU's Cherry Blossom Clinic with Terre T to perform some tracks off their latest album, Dancer Equired, out now via Merge. Stream the show here or below (*Note: Fast forward to the two-hour mark, to listen to their set).

-brosephstalin

Stream: Slumberland Records Summer Sampler 2011

One of our favorite record labels, Slumberland, have just released their summer sampler for 2011. The sampler includes Veronica Falls, Big Troubles, and a host of other amazing bands. Stream it below and download some of the songs for FREE.

SLR Late Summer '11 Sampler by Slumberland Records

-brosephstalin

Stream: The Flaming Lips/Lightning Bolt Split EP

Thanks to the people at Psych Explorations of the Future Heart for uploading all the songs featured on the EP. Anyways, stream the rest of the tracks after the jump and enjoy.

Your New Favorite Band: Chelan

With a mix of ambient sounds and haunting vocals that will leave you intgrigued and in a daze, Los Angeles duo Chelan is the project of Jennifer Grady and Justin Hosford. Having worked together for over 10 years, the duo blends the atmospheric qualities of ambient music with Grady's folk-like vocals to create a style of music that is more similar to chamber music, rather than "chillwave".

The band recently released a new album, Towers, and I highly recommend you pick up a copy here or stream it below. Enjoy.

Towers by Chelan

-brosephstalin

The Weeknd - Live at the Mod Club (Free Album Stream & Download)

Earlier this week, we reported on The Weeknd's first live appearance. Thanks to the people at KanyeToThe and Souncloud user GertJan, we are able to experience this show, in full. The bootleg quality of this show is not the best, but it's pretty decent. Stream the entire show below or download it here. Enjoy.

The Weeknd - Live at the Mod Club by GertJan

-brosephstalin

Veronica Falls - Veronica Falls

A few weeks ago, we posted a new track by Veronica Falls and stated that they had a new album coming out this fall. We are happy to report that their debut self-titled album (the cover is shown above) will be coming out September 20, on Slumberland. We are highly anticipating the release of this album.

As a bonus, here's the band covering one of my favorite songs of all time

Veronica Falls covers Roky Erickson's Starry Eyes from BlearyEyedBrooklyn.com on Vimeo.

Thanks to One Thirty BPM for the tip.

-brosephstalin

Video: Vivian Girls - Take It As It Comes

"Take It As It Comes" can be found on the band's album Share The Joy, out now on Polyvinyl.

Also, we, at TheGrandeBurrito, would never leave Kickball Katy alone on a Saturday night.

Your New Favorite Band: Total Babes

Featuring members of Cloud Nothings, Total Babes, much like Cloud Nothings, play a brand of infectious lo-fi pop-punk with an early 90's feel.

Even though the band has released only a few songs, It can be seen that this band has a great sense in creating catchy, memorable melodies.

For your enjoyment, here is "Like They Always Do", which can be found on the band's debut album, Swimming Through Sunglight.
Total Babes-Like They Always Do by Old Flame Records

Swimming Through Sunglight comes out August 30, on Old Flame.

-brosephstalin

Widowspeak - Nightcrawlers

Widowspeak, one of our favorite bands here at TheGrandeBurrito, just released a new song, the brooding "Nightcrawlers", that will be found on their forthcoming self-titled debut album.

Enjoy "Nightcrawlers".

Widowspeak - "Nightcrawlers" by forcefieldpr

Widowspeak comes out August 9, on Captured Tracks 

-brosephstalin

Your New Favorite Band: The Frowning Clouds

With a sound that could be mistaken for a deep track on the Nuggets or Pebbles compilations, Melbourne's The Frowning Clouds play straightforward 1960's r&b infused, garage rock. It's raw, it's energetic, and, most importantly, it's really good. 

Stream their single below, and pick up a digital copy of the single here, or the limited edition cd single here.

-brosephstalin

Polvo - Heavy Detour

Indie rock icons, Polvo have a new 7" single out today, "Heavy Detour/Anchoress ", via Merge. Stream the A-side below and pick up a copy of their single at your local record store or online.  

Polvo - Heavy Detour by MergeRecords

-brosephstalin

Video: Mastodon - Black Tounge

"Black Tounge" is one track that will be on the band's newest album, The Hunter, due sometime this fall.Watch it below, and enjoy it (Yes, that's a command!).



-brosephstalin

TV Girl - Benny and The Jetts

With a unique brand of melodic indie-pop, San Diego's TV Girl are back with a new song and EP. "Benny and The Jetts", the title track of the group's new EP, is a song that is undeniably catchy. It's a song that is extremely enjoyable and filled with great hooks and melodies. I highly suggest you download a copy of the band's EP here and check out "Benny and The Jetts" below.

TV Girl - Benny and the Jetts by thegrandeburrito

-brosephstalin

DOOMSTARKS - Victory Laps

DOOMSTARKS, the collaborative project of MF DOOM & Ghostface Killah, have released their first song, as a duo, "Victory Laps". The song will be featured on a limited edition 12" picture-disc single that will be released on August 30, via Metal Face/Nature Sounds. Stream it here and enjoy.

Thanks to Nah Right for the tip.

-brosephstalin

Your New Favorite Band: Union of the Snake

I have to admit, I do not know much about today's 'Your New Favorite Band.' All I can gather is that they are from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and that the band is made up of members from other bands I have not heard of either.

But, this is what I do know. their music is loud, abrasive, and very dense. Their sound is massive wall of raw, melodic noise that can't be ignored.

Anyways, the band has only a couple of songs on their Bandcamp page, which can be streamed below. Enjoy.


-brosephstalin

Video: The Weeknd - Live In Toronto

Last Night, The Weeknd, the mysterious R&B project of Abel Tesfaye, played their first live show, in front of a packed audience at the Mod Club in Toronto. Embedded above and below is footage from that gig. Enjoy.

-brosephstalin

Review: Iceage- New Brigade

So about a week and a half ago, broseph stalin and I went to a small sweaty club in Austin to check out Danish punk heroes Iceage. In no way did I think the visceral sounds that came from their debut album "New Brigade" could translate or be as brutal. Not only was I wrong, I was glad to be wrong, all while I feared for my life, mainly because the crowd was as rowdy as I've seen and someone threw a trashcan. But back to the album, have I mentioned it's brutal? Because it is. It may be weird to see a bunch of kids who wouldn't be able to drink, if they lived in the U.S., make such amazing music, but here we are and I hope we're in for the long haul.

Punk rock has been kind of a laughable genre as of late, the bastardization of it in the states has been supremely annoying because bands have forgotten the spirit of it (brosephstalin's take: Kind of true, but bands like No Age, Titus Andronicus, Screaming Females, Ted Leo, OFF!, etc. have been doing a good job of reminding people that punk is more than Fall Out Boy, Vagrant Records and Hot Topic.). "New Brigade" has the spirit and a smidge over 20 minutes, it's hard to remember the fact that most of these records didn't try to make three minute pop songs. Each of these tunes has a point, with only one reaching your average three minute length time. Tunes like "Remember" and "Collapse" are relatively short, but they prove their point in such a way that at a tad bit longer, it would not only over stay its welcome, but you'd be way too tired to even go on to the next tune.

There's a few duds in the mix, album closer "You're Blessed" would've been right at home with Drive Thru Records (brosephstalin's take: Uhhhh, what? That sounds nothing like Drive Thru Records), and "Eyes" cuts off before it gets real interesting, but it's all neatly packed to where it's not exactly weighing down the album, after all, you could probably finish listening to this album while watching an episode of South Park without the commercials, it's quick and to the point and doesn't make you think any less or any more of what it should teach you. After all, if this were any longer, it would probably burn you alive.

But back to that concert last week. I may have feared for my life (brosephstalin's take: You should have no fear, when you are with brosephstalin) all thanks to some kids who are younger than me and look weaker than I am (I'm not exactly a tall or muscular gentleman) (brosephstalin's take: I am though. Ladies???? I'm kidding. I'm totally taken.), which is why it's all the more enjoyable. Not a fuck in the world was or should have been give, because it's all fun and dangerous and for the people. Oh, and these kids are 18 and 19 and have only made the best debut album of the year and play their shows with enough energy to have you spent. I hope to God I have to pray to him many more times because of these kids.



**** 1/2 out of *****

brosephstalin's take

No Flag - Live In Los Angeles

From Consequence of Sound:

No Age have been known to cover Black Flag’s “Six Pack” in concert, but L.A.’s post-shoegaze punk duo got a chance to experience the real deal last night. Newestra reports that Chuck Dukowski and Keith Morris – both founding members of Black Flag – joined No Age on stage following their set at L.A.’s MacArthur Park. Under the banner No Flag, the quartet then went on to perform a six song set, barreling through cuts from 1978’s Nervous Breakdown EP, as well as “No Values” from 1980′sJealous Again. Naturally, chaos ensued. We have your video evidence below.

Click here to see that video evidence


-brosephstalin

Your New Favorite Band: Carousels

Not much is known about Carousels. They are an English duo, with a sound that seems to draw its influence from the music of Primal Scream, The Stone Roses, and mid-1980's UK shoegaze bands (i.e. Slowdive, Lush, Moose, Chapterhouse, etc.). They have released two songs, that I know of, via their Soundcloud page.

Anyways, check out what they have given us so far. It's quite excellent work.  

CAROUSELS DEMOS by Carousels


-brosephstalin

Wu-Tang Clan (ft. Ghostface Killah) - The Black Diamonds

RZA recently posted track, on his Soundcloud page, that will appear on the Wu-Tang Clan's new compilation album Legendary Weapons. "The Black Diamonds" features Ghostface Killah, Roc Marciano and Killa Sin, and can be streamed below. Legendary Weapons comes out July 26 on E1 Music. 

The Black Diamonds, feat. Ghostface Killah, Roc Marciano & Killa Sin by RZAWU

-brosephstalin

Surf Club - It's True

With a name like Surf Club, it should not be difficult to figure out what type of music this band plays. Simply put, they play a brand of beach rock infused jangle pop that creates the perfect music for your hot summer days on the beach, near the pool, or driving around aimlessly. 

Anyways, enjoy "It's True', and keep a lookout for the release of their upcoming EP. 

-brosephstalin

Flying Lotus - Unreleased Music

The prolific Flying Lotus has uploaded a new batch of songs on his Souncloud page. Here's just a sample of what he has posted. Click here for more new tracks.

Flying Lotus - Voyagerrrrrs by Flyinglotus

Flying Lotus - Elephant Ride '07 by Flyinglotus

Flying Lotus - buriedMIX2 //burial dj kicks??'08 by Flyinglotus

-brosephstalin

Concert Review- Eels at Stubbs, Austin Tx, 7/20/11

Mark Oliver Everett, otherwise known as E has a knack for writing bleak tunes. He's been through several traumatic experiences that it's no surprise his songs can make you downright feel like crap. What is surprising is how much fun you can have at an Eels show. The songs are sad, but the way they're played along with the genuine fun the band looks like they're having on stage make for a more than pleasurable experience. This past Tuesday, I got to witness one of alt-rock's most interesting minds as E and his band kicked off their US tour with a bang.

Coming on stage with a backing band dressed exactly like him, complete with sharp suits, beards, and sunglasses, what may have seemed a bit off and unorthodox came off as funny and well done. Along with a brass duo (E referring to them as "The Snatch Brothers"), the band quickly blasted into a terrific opener with "Flyswatter", and for 19 more songs, the showcase of three guitars, impeccable timing on the drums, and some sweet, sweet saxophone entranced the crowd. The songs receiving the most praise were the ones off of the trilogy starter "Hombre Lobo", "Tremendous Dynamite" early in the set was a beer swilling kick in the ass, showing the great ear for catchy and grimy rock and roll that E has always had.

Older fans were treated to some nice cuts off of "Shootenanny!" and "Souljacker" with "Souljacker 1" evoking the biggest and best response of the evening. How could it not, with E screaming out "AWW YEAH" while obliterating his guitar as if to be some hero to the masses. While the show had many songs from the post-2000 output, no fan would go home disappointed, because of how exciting the band came off. The encore featuring the combo of "Fresh Blood" (the closest thing to a hit Eels may see in this decade) and "Souljacker" highlight "Looking Up" sounded like it was closing out an Elvis impersonator show in Vegas...the good kind of impersonator.

While the show was sparsely attended and some weird omissions from the show (I was bummed we didn't get "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues"), it was hard not to wipe the smile off the face of your average attendee to the show. It was loud, it was fun, a cover of Sly Stone's "Hot Fun in the Summertime" was played, there were even crazy introductions to band members, but it made us all feel glad that the live hiatus is done and such a show could be put on even if you have the electro shock blues.

-bro sport

Your New Favorite Band: Big Jesus

The state of Georgia has been home to a lot of amazing metal bands (Mastadon, Kylesa, Baroness, etc.) who have pushed the musical boundaries of the genre and have created some of the most amazing music in the last few years (i.e. Kylesa's Sprial Shadow, Baroness' Blue Record).

Atlanta's Big Jesus is primed, like their state-mates, to make a huge impact in the metal scene. 

With a definitive early 90's sludge metal sound, but with a more "modern" take, the band's brand of metal is enjoyable not only for the typical fan, but for anyone who is not familiar with the genre.

They currently have an EP out on their bandcamp for FREE. I highly suggest you download a copy. 

Enjoy "Ribs", the first song off their EP.

-brosephstalin

Eternal Summers - On My Honor

Eternal Summers just released a new song, "On My Honor", that will be part of a split 7" single, The Mystic Fortress Sessions, Vol. 1, with the band The Super Vacations. The single is being released, on August 2, by Funny/Not Funny Recordings and can be pre-ordered here.

Enjoy "On My Honor"
Eternal Summers - On My Honor by thegrandeburrito

-brosephstalin

Video: Pure X - Easy

Pure X - "Easy" from Malcolm Elijah on Vimeo.

"Easy" can be found on the band's recently released album Pleasure. It's out now on Acéphale.

-brosephstalin

Network Awesome - The Women of Punk

The website Network Awesome is hosting a week-long celebration honoring women in punk. The site has performance footage, interviews, and articles of bands/artists you might have heard of (Sonic Youth, Patti Smith) and others you might have no clue of (Delta 5, The Bags). We highly recommend that you check it out. 

Hoop Dreams - XCPR

Blacksburg, Virgina's (Go Hokies!) Hoop Dreams not only have a rad name (TheGrandeBurrito loves basketball and the documentary of the same name), but play an infectious brand of post-punk/jangle-pop that is similar to that of Beach Fossils, Wild Nothing, and The Wake. 

Currently, the have a 7" single out, on Captured Tracks, called XCPR. 

Here's the title track, for your enjoyment.

-brosephstalin

Your New Favorite Band: Grandpa Was A Lion

Grandpa Was A Lion is a one-man band, led by Justin D'Onofrio. With a self-described "Chill-Glo-Fuzz-Folk-Dream-Pop" sound, the man carefully balances these multiple influences and genres, and creates a brand of music that is extremely lush and very fascinating.  

His debut album, The Whalestoe Tapes, is currently available for purchase on his Bandcamp page, and can be streamed their too.

For your listening enjoyment, here's the album track "Whitecaps"

-brosephstalin

DJ White Lotus - Suicidal Thoughts (Kanye West, Notorious B.I.G. Mash-up)

Enjoy.
Biggie x Kanye - Suicidal Thoughts (White Lotus Runaway Mashup) by DJ White Lotus

To check out more DJ White Lotus tracks, click here.

-brosephstalin

Your New Favorite Band: Psychic Blood

With a sound that is eerily reminiscent of early Husker Du and Sonic Youth, Psychic Blood is a band that specializes in playing a brand of bombastic noise rock/no wave punk that will destroy your speakers. It's gritty, it's distorted, and it's some of the best music I have heard this year.

Below, you can stream their 7" single, Strain.
PSYCHIC BLOOD - STRAIN 7" by PSYCHIC BLOOD

For more music, check out the band's Soundcloud page.


-brosephstalin

M83 - Midnight City

M83, the electronic dream-pop project of Anthony Gonzalez, has a new album coming out October 18, via Mute.

Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, the follow-up to 2008's amazing Saturdays=Youth, is slated to be released as a double album.

"Midnight City" is one track that will be found on the album. Head to this site and enter your e-mail to download the MP3 of the song.

-brosephstalin

Dum Dum Girls - Coming Down

Dum Dum Girls, the distortion-driven garage rock foursome, have a new album, Only In Dreams, coming out September 27, on Sub Pop.

"Coming Down", a powerful, heartfelt, Mazzy Star-esque track, is the first taste from the new album. For the price of an e-mail, you can download the song from the widget below, or stream it.

-brosephstalin

Video: Lost Sounds w/ Jay Reatard - 1620 Echles St

Scion A/V Presents: Lost Sounds - 1620 Echles St. from Scion A/V on Vimeo.

Led by the late Jay Reatard, The Lost Sounds were a Memphis synth-punk band, during the early 2000s. On July 19, Fat Possum is releasing a best-of retrospective of the band called Blac Static. "1620 Echles St" is one cut from the album. Enjoy.

-brosephstalin

Video: Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed

"Eyes Be Closed" can be found on Washed Out's recently released album, Within and Without, on Sub Pop.


-brosephstalin

Your New Favorite Band: Sourpatch

San Jose's Sourpatch, and their infectious brand of C86-influenced pop-rock, are getting a ton play around TheGrandeBurrito office (i.e. my house).

In a time when many bands are reviving, or blatantly ripping-off this style of music, Sourpatch is one of the handful of bands that fall into a category in which their music offers a refreshing update of a nearly 30 year old genre. 

For your listening enjoyment, here's "Cynthia Ann"

Check out the band's Bandcamp for more music.

-brosephstalin

Your New Favorite Band: Body Parts

With a sound that can be compared to Of Montreal, Dirty Projectors, and Local Natives, Body Parts, based out of Los Angeles, is a band whose complex, yet appealing brand of experimental pop immediately grabs your attention and leaves you wanting more.

Their album, On Purpose, is self-released and is currently available on their Bandcamp page.

Here is the first track of their album, "Doing Things". Enjoy.

Body Parts - Doing Things by thegrandeburrito

-brosephstalin

Video: Superchunk - Learned to Surf

"Learned to Surf" can be found on the band's latest album, Majesty Shredding, out now on Merge

Video provided by Pitchfork.

-brosephstalin

Video: Black Lips - New Direction

"New Direction" can be found on the Black Lips' new album, Arabia Mountain, out now on Vice.

-brosephstalin

Your New Favorite Band: Sea Monsters

From the band's website:

"Sea Monsters are a self-produced three-piece from Brooklyn, New York that sound like a punk band 60% of the time. Their favorite things are lager, Rockaway waves before 8AM, covers, and unassuming, plant-enhanced basement jamming. They listen to everything and everyone except the people they should probably listen to."

I couldn't have summed it up better. Although, I will add that their music is quite addictive. It's sweet, hard-driving, pop-rock that you can listen to for hours on end.

.Anyways, enjoy "In This Town"
In This Town by seamonstersnyc

For more Sea Monsters, check out their Soundcloud and Bandcamp pages. I highly suggest you do.

-brosephstalin

Review: Pure X- Pleasure

I don't know too much about Pure X, other than the fact that they had to change their name and that they're from Austin. That being said, they're boring...in the best kind of way. "Pleasure" is a fitting title for an album of My Bloody Valentine like guitars and dreamy vocals, these guys have concocted a formula that works simply because it makes you feel good without feeling bad about it, a hard feat to pull of in the current landscape. Listening to this album as many times as I have, I will tell you it's best on headphones and while going to sleep. The album also boasts some of the best guitar work I've heard on an album this year, whether it's the gritty production or these guys are fucking talented, you can tell they aren't being lazy.

Album opener "Heavy Air" is a nice instrumental track showcasing the best talents of the band sans vocals. The bulk of the album is pretty low key and most of it's pretty moody. In fact, "Easy" may be the only upbeat (if you can really call it that) track on the album, it's also the highlight of an album that's pretty tightly packed and is reminiscent of Panda Bear-like vocals. The harmonious vocals are some of the best parts of this album simply because they aren't overdone or overdubbed, it sounds natural and it doesn't sound like a guy just trying to fill some space over a smooth track. "Easy" also goes into a noisy track near the end full of dreamy and lush guitar and drum to satisfy your headbobbers.

Songs like "Voices" and "Dry Ice" will also satisfy fans who want to move heads to 90's shoegaze rock. This all would lead one to believe Pure X with some buzz and another couple of albums could reach a stage where they can be at the forefront of a nu-gaze movement. The MBV comparions are pretty apt and these guys could make J. Spacemen clap, though they aren't that depressed and probably won't write an album as upsetting as "Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space". In a sense, we hope this is one Austin band that most of us would hope stay put because the city needs a savior different from your Spoon's, Okkervil's, and to a lesser extent, your Trail of Dead's.

Pure X have been building buzz around the Austin area and for good reason. It's a terrific start for a band who has a sound that's easy to love by a group of guys who are actually good at it. Critics and music fans alike will always have a soft spot for shoegaze rock, simply because it was the last time a movement within the rock and roll community heard something that changed the way we heard the guitar. This is an album written by guys who were more inspired by "Loveless" or Spacemen 3 rather than "Nevermind" or "Ten", and for that, we're grateful for another 90's inspired album that makes us remember why we love the community to begin with.

**** 1/2 out of *****

-bro sport

Your New Favorite Band: Jacuzzi Boys

Jacuzzi Boys, the fearsome, garage rock threesome from Miami, have a new album, Glazin', due August 30 on Hardly Art. 

"Cool Vapors" is the first cut from the new album. I highly recommend you check it out.

Jacuzzi Boys - Cool Vapors by hardlyartrecords

Also, if you are one of the first 300 LP pre-orders, you will receive a bonus one-sided 7" of the band covering a Kim Fowley song.

-brosephstalin

Wugazi - 13 Chambers (Free Album Download & Stream)

Well, the time has arrived, and we, at TheGrandeBurrito, couldn't be more excited. Wugazi, one of our personal favorites of 2011, have released their album, 13 Chambers, free of charge. 

Just click this link and follow the instructions to get your own copy of what could be an 'Album of the Year' contender.

Or, you can stream the album below

Wugazi • 13 Chambers by WUGAZI

-brosephstalin

Max Tundra - I Wanna Be Your Lover (Prince cover)

Shut up. Listen. Dance Your Ass Off. 

Max Tundra: I Wanna Be Your Lover by Max Tundra

Here's the original:

Prince - I Wanna Be Your Lover from Jon Saunders on Vimeo.

-brosephstalin

Your New Favorite Band: LA Font

With a sound that is very much influenced by the wonderful noise produced by Pavement, Built to Spill, and other like-minded American Indie-rock bands of the 1990's, LA Font seems like a band that, through the power of time travel (thanks Doc Brown!), has been transplanted from that "Golden Age of Indie Rock" to our present time. 

"Sharks", the A-side to their recently released single, is a straight-ahead head-nodder that might make you want to mosh in your bedroom, if you feel so inclined. Oh nostalgia....

Anyways, enjoy "Sharks"

LA Font - Sharks by thegrandeburrito

The "Sharks"/"Lipsmack" single is out now, on 7" vinyl and digital format, via Sister City Records.

-brosephstalin

Real Estate - It's Real

Ridgewood, New Jersey's pride and joy, Real Estate, are back with a new album.

On October 17, the band is set to release, Days, their follow-up to 2009's self-titled debut, on Domino.

In anticipation for the album's release, the band is planning on releasing a new single, "It's Real", on September 27.

For the price of an e-mail, you can download the A-side, "It's Real", or steam it below. 

-brosephstalin

Video: Panda Bear w/ Sonic Boom - You Can Count On Me

From Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. (Via The Audio Perv )

-brosephstalin

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - Tigers

As previously reported, Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks have a new album coming out, on August 23, called Mirror Traffic, via Matador.

We are lucky enough to share with you another track from the album called "Tigers". From what we have heard so far, this album could be an 'Album of the Year Candidate'. 

Anyways, enjoy "Tigers"

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Tigers by artsandcraftsmx

-brosephstalin

Wugazi - Forensic Shimmy

It is no secret that we, at TheGrandeBurrito, are huge fans of Wugazi and are definitely looking forward to their forthcoming release 13 Chambers. We highly recommend that you check it out.

Anyways, here is another incredible track from the album. Enjoy "Forensic Shimmy".

Forensic Shimmy by WUGAZI

-brosephstalin