Beach House - Conan

Beach House played Conan the other night and performed 10 Mile Stereo. Spoiler alert.... Teen Dream is super high on my album of the year list.

New Toro Y Moi Single - Leave Everywhere

Toro Y Moi has a 7'' single coming out July 20th via Carpark Records. It is now available for pre order. The song is very different then what we are used to hearing from Chaz. Instead of the electronic Macbook side, we get traditional instruments. Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure Chaz recorded every instrument himself. The song, 'Leave Everywhere' has the perfect amount of lo-finess to it, just a little bit of re-verb on the vocals and guitars. You can still hear his great singing voice shine through, the song is super catchy. This really showcases what Chaz can do as an artist...he really is an all around musician. Download it below mannnnnn.

UPdate: here is the video for Leave Everywhere

Toro Y Moi - Leave Everywhere from Heidi Petty on Vimeo.

Toro Y Moi - Leave Everywhere by berman1125

DP @ Wesleyan

I'm goin to see Dirty Projectors at Wesleyan today and you (probably) are not. Be jealous.

Cults - First Ever Performance

Cults has arguably the catchiest song of the year. 'Go Outside', just released on Forest Family has been chatted about by us here. Now there is a video of the first ever performance from the group. They played their first concert ever at The Mecury Lounge in New York a few days ago. Here is a video of 'Go Outside'

PS-22 Chorus - Beach House

PS22 Chorus has worked with Passion Pit and covered Phoenix . Here they are covering Beach House's 'Zebra'... learned it in half a day....speechless 

Go Outside

I read 90 degrees on my way home from work this afternoon. Made this playlist and I ain't comin back in til it's dark. Here it is in a .zip file. Download it, play it, go outside. Repeat steps 2 and 3.

Free Download Go Outside ----> HERE!!!!

Go Outside from Helene Park on Vimeo.

Phoenix Release Free Live Album

Phoenix is such a kickass band. Every album is pop perfection. Their latest release 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' has blown up beyond comprension and the song 1901 was a staple for 2009. Keeping it cool, they are now giving away a FREE live album from Sydney. Their live sound doesn't change too much from what we hear in studio...but why mess with something that is already perfect?

Tracklisting for Live in Sydney:
01 Lisztomania
02 Lasso
03 Fences
04 Girlfriend
05 Armistice
06 Love Like a Sunset
07 Rome
08 1901

Free download of the album ------------>HERE

New Neon Indian Track - 'Sleep Paralysist'

Neon Indian dropped a new song for us over the weekend. Not too long after the new MGMT track was leaked either...'Sleep Paralysist' is co-produced by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor and it sounds a lot like Neon Indian's debut album...which means its fucking badass. The song does have more of a studio feel to it, more of a finished product. The only thing I don't get is the Mt Dew Green Label...who the fuck wants Mt Dew???

Listen to and Download the track for free in the embed box below....enjoy :)

Neon Indian - Sleep Paralysist by berman1125

Local Music Alert!!!!!!! - Slam Donahue

Just found out about Slam Donahue. He is one of the DIY, shoegaze, indie-pop guys and he is from Connecticut. I can't find out too much about the guy, it appears he has no albums out...just playing local gigs around the area. He is playing the Tweefort CD release party tonight @ Cafe 9 in New Haven. 'These Things' is the song featured on the CD. You can listen to some of his music on his Myspace. I found him through this blog post  over at Ct Indie. Marijuana Cops is a new video just posted a few days ago.

Passion Pit - Little Secrets

Passion Pit is one of Oxygen Ashtray's favorite bands. Their debut album 'Manners' is the most danceable album I have ever heard. It is perfect indie synthpop to the T. They are the single band that I want to see most in 2010, save maybe Phoenix. I just realized, I have yet to do a write up on this band soooo here is what you need to know.

- They hail from Cambridge
- They have one album, Manners and a EP ---> Buy
- The EP was written as a Valentines Day gift for lead singer Mike's girlfriend.
- The EP was passed around Emerson College. It became huge in Boston.
- Form band, play Boston, record album.
- Album blows up on the interwebs
- Become one of the biggest bands in the country (happening now)

Here is the music video to my favorite song 'Little Secrets', it was just released this morning via their Twitter.  If ya not dancing...ur dead.

it wont let me embed the video....so here is the link-------> http://www.mtv.com/videos/passion-pit/484643/little-secrets.jhtml#id=1518071

Magic Man - Real Life Color

I think I just found my new favorite album of '10. Okay, maybe that was a quick draw...I'm still on my first spin, but this is fantastic music. The Boston based duo, Magic Man, started making their music together during a summer spent in France. They took what they had and brought it back to the states, where they tweaked and edited it. It's definitely got that lofi indie feel, but its very electronica too. This music reminds me of Freelance Whales, with a little Modest Mouse feel.

The best part, the band has decided to give this album away for the lovely price of free. So do yourself a favor...head on over to http://magicman.bandcamp.com/ download this album fo freeeee!!!!

Seriously, go download it.

Almost Famous Is Perfect

This morning I awoke in New Hampshire with what I like to call 'The Keene Hangover' and it sucks...every time. After digesting some Dunkin, and a B-load to the face, the opening credits for 'Almost Famous' were just finishing, I was a happy boy. I sank down into the couch, and let one of the best soundtracks ever take over and ease my hangover.

'Almost Famous' is a fictional movie that is semi-autobiographical because director Cameron Crowe was in fact a teenage writer for Rolling Stone. The story is loosely based on his journeys with The Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Lynard Skynard, and The Eagles. Every piece of music whether it be a two second clip of Rod Stewart's 'Every Picture Tells A Story' or the entire 'Tiny Dancer' scene is perfectly placed throughout the movie. Crowe knows how to make music become a character in his movies. Each song sets the mood for the scene and really ties the story together. I kept catching myself saying wow, this is the perfect song to use right here.. If you have seen it, you know what I mean. If you have not seen it...GO SEE IT! Just look at this soundtrack...

The Green Tracks are YouTube links *****gottta watch em! They are the best ones

Simon & Garfunkel: "America"
The Who: "Sparks"
Todd Rundgren: "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference"
Yes: "I've Seen All Good People: Your Move"
The Beach Boys: "Feel Flows"
Stillwater: "Fever Dog"
Rod Stewart: "Every Picture Tells a Story"
The Seeds: "Mr. Farmer"
The Allman Brother Band: "One Way Out"
Lynyrd Skynyrd: "Simple Man"
Led Zeppelin: "That's The Way"
Elton John: "Tiny Dancer"
Nancy Wilson: "Lucky Trumble
David Bowie: "I'm Waiting for the Man"
Cat Stevens: "The Wind"
Clarence Carter: "Slip Away"
Thunderclap Newman: "Something in the Air"
The Who: "Baba O'Riley"
Alvin and the Chipmunks: "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"
Brenton Wood: "The Oogum Boogum Song"
Iggy and the Stooges: "Search and Destroy"
Black Sabbath: "Paranoid"
Jethro Tull "Teacher"
Yes: "Roundabout"
Joni Mitchell: "River"
Black Sabbath: "Sweet Leaf"
Pete Droge: "Small Time Blues" (Droge)
Little Feat: "Easy to Slip"
The Raspberries: "Go All the Way"
Stillwater: "Hour of Need"
The Guess Who: "Albert Flasher"
Stillwater: "Love Thing"
Neil Young "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere"
Fleetwood Mac: "Future Games"
Deep Purple: "Burn"
Stillwater: "You Had to Be There"
Blodwyn Pig: "Dear Jill"
Steely Dan: "Reelin' in the Years"
MC5: "Looking at You"
Stillwater: "Love Comes and Goes"
Jimi Hendrix: "Voodo Child"
Free: "Wishing Well"
Buddy Holly and The Crickets: "Peggy Sue"
Elton John: "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters"
Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show: "The Cover of The Rolling Stone"
Stevie Wonder: "My Cherie Amour"
Chicago: "Colour My World"
Neil Young and Crazy Horse: "Cortez the Killer"
Led Zeppelin: "The Rain Song"
Led Zeppelin: "Bron-Yr-Aur"
Led Zeppelin: "Tangerine"
Led Zeppelin: "Misty Mountain Hop"

Vampire Weekend - Blogotheque

La Blogotheque is an amazing French website that records artists in a very fast, one take, demoish type feel right in the heart of Paris. In 2008 Vampire Weekend stopped in for a session that you can watch Here. They headed back to France in 2010 for another session with La Blogotheque. They breeze through songs off their new album like 'Cousins', 'California English', and 'Horchata'. They also played a few songs off the old album. Usually tracks are broken down into different videos and shot in seperate locations. This time they kept the cameras rolling. Here is a special twenty minute set with Vampire Weekend playing for a very friendly crowd. Enjoy! :)

Album Review: Toro Y Moi – Causers Of This

You know that feeling? After listening to the opening track of an album, you just get know that it's going to be a fantastic listening experience from start to finish. Well that's how I felt after listening to the opening track 'Blessa' off of Toro Y Moi's debut album 'Causers of This'. It has warped beats, dreamy vocals, and eventually moves into an electronic jam sphere. The entire album is drenched in exotic synths and heavy dance beats.

If you are trying to place Toro Y Moi aka Chaz Bundick into a musical category, he can be compared to the likes of other DIY lo-fi pop projects like Neon Indian, Washed Up, Emil and Friends. 'Lissoms' has that straight up Animal Collective/Daft Punk dance floor vibe to it. It really gets your toes tapping and is currently my favorite track. 'Freak Love' is a musical whirl. Repeating vocals and crackling white noise, it sounds like a record being spun at a very weird and fast pace. The song goes round and round in non stop rotation. I also really love 'Low Shoulders'. It has a real good summer feel to it with very catchy synth hooks. This album is a full-blast indie dance anthem if you will, a perfect way to welcome the new decade.

Also check out Chad's blog, he takes some really cool pictures http://www.toroymoi.blogspot.com/
Head on over to his MySpace to check out tour dates and more info. Hoping to check him out in Boston on March 27.

Key Tracks:

Toro Y Moi - Lissoms by berman1125

Toro Y Moi - Blessa by berman1125

Toro Y Moi Low Shoulder by berman1125

Lovely Laura Marling

Some of you may know that i have a HUGE crush on Ms. Laura Marling. She hails from Hampshire, England and is one day younger then my sister... It's amazing that someone so young could have such a powerful voice. She literally stops me in my tracks when she sings. I first caught wind of her from our friends @ The Stu Reid Experiment with the song 'Ghosts', the lead track off her debut album 'Alas I Cannot Swim'. It tells the story of a young man that had his heart broken and doesn't know who to trust. A theme that everyone can relate to. Love and heartache are the central themes throughout the entire album. Laura belts out every word with a Joan Baez/Regina Spector like passion. She has a new album due out in 2010 called 'I Speak Because I Can'. Check out these two videos, they are amazing...also check out more about Laura at her Myspace or http://www.lauramarling.com/

Videos:  New Romantic , Ghosts , Ghosts(Live)

Merry Christmas

Obviously this video gets its own post. Dave Matthews' 'Christmas Song' is one of the most honest songs I've ever heard. He tells the story of Jesus Christ, from birth to death.This song goes unknown to the casual DMB fan, but this is one of the best songs Dave has ever written. This video is an acoustic take with the help of Tim Reynolds. It is from the  3-29-03 show at App State.

'She was his girl; he was her boyfriend
She'd be his wife; take him as her husband
A surprise on the way, any day, any day
One healthy little giggling dribbling baby boy
The wise men came three made their way' Basically a nice way of saying enter Jesus.

'Not very much of his childhood was known
Kept his mother Mary worried
Always out on his own
He met another Mary for a reasonable fee, less than
Reputable as known to be'  From 12-30 we know nothing about Jesus, keeping Mother Marry worried, and then he runs into Mary Magdalene.

'When Jesus Christ was nailed to the his tree  
Said "oh, Daddy-o I can see how it all soon will be
I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene
Instead I fear I spill the blood of my children all around' Jesus talking with God during his death

'Preparations were made
For his celebration day
He said "eat this bread and think of it as me
Drink this wine and dream it will be
The blood of our children all around' Dave mentions Christmas, and The Holy Communion

'Father up above, why in all this anger have you fill
Me up with love
Fill me love love love' I really love this line by Dave at the end of the song. In a sinners world, Jesus wanted to spread love and joy. 

Merry Christmas everyone.

The Year Of Phoenix

There can be no doubt that 2009 is the year of Phoenix. The French pop-rock sensation is living the hi life off their recent release 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix'. This album appeals to everyone from Lady Gaga lovers to the biggest indie snobs. They're pleasure-pushers, filling tunes with riffs, phrases, and beats a five-year-old could love. If you haven't checked out their back catalog, make sure to get your hands on 'Alphabetical' and 'It's Never Been Like That'.

Thomas Mars has a very soft, crisp voice that you know as soon as you hear it, very pleasing on the ears. This album has a ton of listenability with the epic 1-2 punch of Lizstomania/1901 and songs like 'Fences' 'Lasso' and 'Girlfriend'. There is no doubt that 1901 is my favorite song of the year. The beat is infectious. The lyrics, catchy, and the synths have enough hooks to land a 10lb large mouth. They hit it big in the USA this year having stops at Bonaroo and SNL. Also playing a lineup of gigs to support their album with the popular band Passion Pit opening for them. PP/PHX could be the best concert of the year, they are two absolutely electric bands. Wolfgang continues to get play in my ipod despite its early 09 release, its an album i can't stop listening to...so listen up!


Alphabetical Key Tracks: Run Run Run , Victim Of The Crime , Everything Is Everything
Never Been Like That Key Tracks: Napoleon Says , Long Distance Call  ,   Consolation Prizes
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Key Tracks: Lisztomania 1901

Acoustic French Set (amazing):  La Blogotheque