BAND TO WATCH ALERT!

Currently Listening To:

Holy Ghost! - Some Children
From the Album - Holy Ghost!

*Note: Michael McDonald now has a modern coolness factor thanks to Holy Ghost!. I’m just continually raving about these guys! I love, no, I adore their debut album. While I do have the entire album on constant rotation, I have continually sought out this song for the past week. Booty-bouncin’ funk + children’s choir + Michael McDonald vocals = brilliant. And now, they’ve gone and topped themselves by creating a new mini-video with the help of Adult Swim. Genius.

RAMONES MANIA ALERT!

“We need change, we need it fast. Before rock’s just part of the past. ‘Cause lately it all sounds the same to me.”

Currently Listening To:

Ramones - Do You Remember Rock & Roll Radio?
From the Album - End of the Century

*Note: Been on a huge Ramones kick lately. I was 17 the first time I explored their music. This song is one of my all-time favorites. Their message about mainstream radio is equally relevant today, if not more so. Clever, loud, badass, originality. No one else will ever sound like them.

OH HELL YES ALERT!

Currently Listening To:

Young MC - Know How
From the Album - Stone Cold Rhymin’

*Note: The smooth, stylish rhymes of Marvin Young, flow-master extraordinaire, and the Dust Brothers. This is how it’s done! They just don’t make them like this anymore.

OH HELL YES ALERT!

Currently Listening To:

CLASSIXX - Cold Act iLL
Out of Print Single - mp3 available online

*Note: Skateboarding. Breakdancing. Super sick awesomeness! Hot track from Los Angeles based DJ duo, CLASSIXX. This clip makes me SO homesick for So Cal summers! I love it. Sigh…

ARTIST TO WATCH ALERT!

“I’m not myself today.”

Currently Listening To:

SONOIO - Enough
From the Album - Red

*Note: Oh sweet Jesus…I am hooked. This cool cat, Alessandro Cortini, will be supporting Ladytron on their upcoming tour. Wow…just…wow!

BAND TO WATCH ALERT!

Currently Listening To:

Holy Ghost! - Wait And See
From the Album - Holy Ghost!

*Note: Any band that makes a video featuring their Dads in the starring roles is cool by me. It tells me that they don’t take everything so seriously. Ironically, this band should be taken more seriously. Their debut album is incredible but has been a slow starter this year. The recent nod and wink in Pitchfork’s Overlooked Records 2011 feature should help push them into the limelight. If I had to pick a phrase to describe their sound it would be “the long lost 70’s/80’s crossover band that never was.” The album feels like a refreshing relic from another time. It embodies that feeling you get when you’re record shopping. You come across an intriguing vinyl LP you know nothing about, bring it home, and it blows your mind. I think Holy Ghost! deserves a spot in the upper echelon of contemporary electronic artists. Their songs are instantly danceable, lyrically intelligent and flow with whipsmart pacing. The use of piano/keyboards in Hold On is enough to get you hooked; their expert use of vintage synths will make you stay. If you’re looking for a fresh new album to add to your summertime playlist, do not hesitate to pick this one up. I can’t rave about them enough.

BAND TO WATCH ALERT!

Currently Listening To:

Cassius - I Love U So
From the EP - The Rawkers

*Note: This is just…awesome. You can download the iPhone application, here.

BAND TO WATCH ALERT!

“Constant surprises, coming my way. Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate.”

Currently Listening To:

Little Dragon - Constant Surprises
From the Album - Little Dragon

*Note: Wowee wow wow! What is it with bands and artists from Sweden? Seriously! I keep finding out that the new and unusual music I love is the hottest export this country has to offer, and Little Dragon is no exception. They have been around for a few years but have recently garnered more attention for their musical diversity; a harmonious blend of Neo Soul, Electronic and Synthpop styles. They are currently playing a select few dates at major festivals in the U.S. and then hitting Australia and Europe through the end of the year. Catch them while you can. Don’t you dare miss them! Their new album, Ritual Union, drops July 26th.

STUCK IN MY HEAD ALERT!

“Is he strong? Listen bud, he’s got radioactive blood!”

Currently Listening To:

Various Artists - Theme from Spider-Man
From the Album - Spider-Man (Music from and Inspired By)

*Note: Grooviness…hijacking…brainwaves! This cartoon was one of my all-time favorites. Oh yeah, I rocked Spider-Man Underoos in the 80’s! WORD.