Dec 20 2011

The Top 200 Songs of 2011 – 150-101

150. Drake feat. The Weeknd – Crew Love

This is the first of many times for both these artists on the list. Here the Weeknd provides his eerie tortured-party R&B before the beat drops and Drake laments.

149. Cass McCombs – County Line

McCombs brings another signature somber note in his trademark melancholy falsetto. One of my favorites from Wit’s End.

148. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

The first verse of this track more or less describes my life right now – realizing we are not unique snowflakes but small cogs in a machine we don’t know about yet. Simple, yet poignant.

147. The Joy Formidable – Magnifying Glass

From the maniacal laughter to the thumping stomp of that chorus to those wailing guitars, Joy Formidable claim the throne as the loudest new band of 2011.

146. YACHT – Dystopia

A play on an old R-rated cheerleader chant becomes a boogie-worthy ode to the end of the world. In typical Yacht fashion, it makes you wanna dance around the flames.

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Oct 28 2011

FFF6 Playlist Series – Sunday’s Blue Stage

A friend of mine and I were discussing the awesome awesome lineup for Fun Fun Fun Fest this year, and recently, they announced their schedule for our viewing pleasure. My friend was excited, but admitted he knew only a few bands. Where, he wondered aloud, could he find a comprehensive rundown of each band, a sampling of their musical chops, so he could further educate himself before the finest weekend of his year? I assume the Fun Fun Fun website has such a playlist, and they do, and it’s cool, but I wanted to make my own. So every Friday, from now until the fest (that’s nine weeks), I will be posting a playlist for your educational purposes for each stage and day, excluding the Yellow stage, which is mostly comedy.

This week’s playlist covers the bands playing on the Blue (Hip-Hop/Dance) stage on Sunday – Soul Khan, SPEAK, Bird Peterson, G-Side, Grimes, MNDR, Austra, Baths, Del the Funky Homosapien, Flying Lotus, Diplo, and Odd Future.

Listen to the playlist on Spotify.

My Stage Pick: Baths

Saw this guy last SXSW, and it was pretty phenomenal for just a guy, a laptop, and some knobby board thingy. Baths chops up his songs to a degree that make them constantly engaging, but still utterly danceable. His album Cerluean is one of last year’s best, and his live show is not to be missed.


Jan 22 2011

Culture Greyhound Podcast – 1/22/11

Starting today, and every Saturday, I will post a 15-20 minute podcast featuring some tracks I’ve been jamming the previous week, as well as some commentary and random musings from yours truly. The broadcasting bug has bitten again; I can’t stay away from the microphone for very long. Unfortunately, due to music licensing issues, this isn’t a proper “podcast” in the traditional sense – you can only stream it from this page and there is currently not a downloading option. Also, this is my first go-around in a long while, so I sound pretty rusty. Still, I hope you enjoy, and be sure to check back next week.

Playlist:

Times New Viking – No Room to Live
Millionyoung – Replicants
MNDR – Cut Me Out
TV Girl – On Land
Wavves – Mutant