Working its summer magic, shot in Brooklyn and directed by David Altobelli, School of Seven Bell’s “Windstorm” video has premiered on the band’s Facebook page. Like ’em and the video kicks into gear immediately.
(And for your iPod shuffling, we have the track free below.)
School of Seven Bells – Windstorm (Mp3)
Authorized for download!
Kid Cudi dominated #musicmonday this week. Not only did lots of people link to him, they linked to an unusually wide variety of songs.
This week, my brother Mark, who is temporarily residing in my guest room on my floor, is lending his classically trained musician ears to this venture. (Mark tweets, hilariously, at @bad_moniker, by the by.) We listened to every one of these darn #musicmonday Kid Cudi songs. These are our thoughts.
Up Up & Away (The Wake & Bake Song): “Clip” and “bud” in the first 30 seconds. Then “motherf***er,” “who gives a f***,” and the “N” word in one verse. This is not very subtle. Also, it ends in a monologue. From Mark: “The music of it sounded exactly like a Killers song, or the Bravery. And then I got distracted by the kitten playing with a dolphin.” Obviously, we are related.
David Guetta featuring Kid Cudi—Memories: Mark has started to sing “Cats” before the song even begins. When it does begin, I immediately start dancing. But, like, dancing sarcastically? I’m positive this is possible. Also, I think this song might have the MOST stupid lyrics I have ever heard in my entire life. Mark is now singing falsetto Black Eyed Peas and says “uuuueghhh.”
Mojo So Dope: “This is really bad,” says Mark. “I’m of the opinion that you should either rap or sing, and if you try to do both at the same time you do neither.” I am now unsure if I know the difference between rapping and singing, but get distracted because good heavens, Kid Cudi the naughty words! I am clutching my pearls over here, and I have a fouler mouth than…actually I’ve been out-sworn by my grandma and by a nun, so never mind.
Erase Me (featuring Kanye West): This is an overhand clap kind of song. Don’t know what I mean? Go to 2:50 of this iconic video. Mark and I are both disappointed that what could actually have been a HILARIOUS diarrhea joke gets softened (get it?) when Kudi pronounces the line “die Aria.”
Consequence featuring Kid Cudi—Buggin’ Out: The googly eyes in the music video for this song are freaking. Me. Out. Also, I was trying to find the deep meaning behind them, and then I re-looked at the name of the song. Buggin’ Out. Bug eyes. Duh. Mark charitably deems this one “less irritating.”
I Be High: Guys, guys! I think Kid Cudi likes to get high! In a remarkable coincidence, this song does to me the same thing most abusable substances do: Makes me really sleepy. As Mark says “This is so boring. Why did I ever agree to this?” One long minute later: “He was clearly low while writing this.” Ahahaha. No.
Dat New New: This song features the lyric “You guys think acute but Cudi is obtuse.” Hey Cudi? Obtuse: Not a complimentary modifier.
Mark, summing up his experience, says “I really hope he doesn’t get big.” At this point I inform Mark that Kid Cudi already is big. Mark doesn’t get out much, because I keep him locked in my apartment.
Role #mmodel: “zufanek: Dne?ní #musicmonday v?nuju mojí nejposlouchan?j?í skladb? roku 2008 od brooklynských hipík? MGMT http://post.ly/poh7” MGMT? Brooklyn? Hip? Czech!
My #musicmonday pick: I am a sucker for power pop and Free Energy’s Bang Pop (also an overhand clap song…) has been making me happy.
Mark’s #musicmonday pick: Swing, by the Bloody Hollies. He came up with a bunch of reasons for choosing this jam but I don’t feel like typing any of them.
Oh, man – I just got one of those icy spine shivvers.
(Want one too?)
R.E.M’s “Fables Of The Reconstruction” …is 25 years old.
TWENTY-FIVE. (And I bet more than a few of you aren’t even that old, hm? Put that beer down.)
In celebration of time flying like you just can’t believe, Capitol/ I.R.S. have released an expanded 25th Anniversary 2CD and digital edition of the R.E.M.’s classic 1985 album.
The new edition features the digitally remastered original album, plus 14 previously unreleased demo recordings, cut prior to the album’s studio sessions, including one long-sought track that has never been released. The commemorative release also adds insightful new liner notes by R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, with the 2CD package presented in a lift-top box with a poster and four postcards.
This being The Vinyl District however, we’ve got a copy of the remastered original album on 180-gram vinyl to mail to one of you old codgers.
We’ll keep it easy because, well, you’ve earned it after all these years. Simply sing the praises of the band, or the release, or some far flung memory from ‘back in the day’ in the comments to this post and the most compelling gets a brand new copy mailed to him or her around which new memories will be borne. Or forgotten. Who knows.
Remember to leave us a contact email address—important!—and we’ll choose one of you nostalgia buffs next Monday, 8/9!
“My stitching was born to fall apart,” Jesca Hoop says upon some reflection on her personal journey—and damn if the best music isn’t borne of such sentiment. (And sometimes a blog or two.)
That precarious muse has lead to the release of her sophomore LP, “Hunting My Dress” out just last week on Vanguard and already the UK press has their hearts set to swoon:
“In a voice that ranges from gentle, crystalline charm to edgy intensity, she’s in turn playful, bluesy, haunting, and folky. What prevents this all from becoming a mish-mash of textures is Hoop’s single minded passion, which lends a self assured cohesion to her diversity.” FOUR STARS —Uncut
“This is a swirling, swooning album with an earthy, minimalist sound powered mainly by her delightfully shape-shifting, slippery voice that rises and falls from wistful and elegant to rich and sultry.” —NME
Declarations of praise aside, Jesca’s an unabashed vinyl fan and this week between promotional jaunts for the new record, she’ll be setting aside some time to turn US on to what’s turned HER on and what informs her myriad of musical perspectives.
So, sit back and relax—Jesca’s your DJ for this week.
A favourite vinyl moment. | I’ll never forget listening to Joni Mitchell’s ‘Song for a Seagull’ on vinyl one a misty morning while sitting on the coverd porch in a rocking chair amidst the redwood trees.
The songs, the mist, the tea, the trees all became the same thing a total environment. We listened to the record like it was a movie. And again and again. That record (and on vinyl) signifies those days of a gorgeous simplicity… of unfettered youth… of freedom.
