LiTTLE RADiO mixtape: Vol. 1

The times have changed my friends. No more mixtapes or even mix-cds these days, everything is heresay and word-of-mouth. Whether it stems from a lack of time, or just plain laziness, it has become difficult to burn a solid batch of tunes for someone wanting to discover some new music.

Mixtapes used to be like a resume for someone you were interested in dating. Nowadays it's nearly impossible to talk to anyone and get a solid opinion about what kind of music they love, like or even despise. People are so uncertain about certainty. These little "mixtapes" contain 10 songs that I can't seem to stop playing. The first installment goes a little something like this:

1. School of Seven Bells: "Wired For Light" - From their Myspace page.
2. Fields: "If You Fail, We All Fail" - From their Atlantic Records debut Everything Last Winter.
3. Welcome: "All Set" - From their Fat Cat Records release Sirs.
4. The Pity Party: "Dronebots and Peons" - From their handmade and painfully good EP. 
5. Jarvis: "Black Magic" - I know it's a rip off of "Crimson and Clover," but I don't care.
6. The Twilight Sad: "Walking For Two hours" - Pulverizing space rock from Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters.
7. Dr. Dog: "The Girl" - From their surprise longplayer We All Belong.
8. Xu Xu Fang: "Good Times" - The Xu Xu Fang express builds momentum on this Myspace track. 
9. The White Stripes: "Icky Thump" - I'm so ready for this album.
10. Dungen: "Familj" - I love the flute that comes in near the end of this beautiful jam.
    

Fri May 4 2007 · Posted in Daily

400 Blows - Mortar and Pestle

The only official video from L.A.'s 400 Blows. Powerful.

Directed by Shafel and Levitz

Fri May 4 2007 · Posted in Music Videos

The Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored

When the Time Life series starts to issue their classic hits collections from our generation, along with some worn-out musicians from the 80's and 90's hosting the infomercial, this song will be right at the top of the list.

Thu May 3 2007 · Posted in Music Videos

Satellite Party - Wish Upon A Star

Directed by Robert Hales

I didn't know that Nuno Bettancourt co-produced and plays live with Perry Farrell's new band Satellite Party.

Thu May 3 2007 · Posted in Music Videos

Young Galaxy - Outside The City

Young Galaxy's new album comes out next Tuesday via Arts & Crafts. The album has some fine moments, this is the best one.

Thu May 3 2007 · Posted in Music Videos

Dr. Dog: We All Belong

Dr. Dog
We All Belong
2007 | Park The Van

On Dr. Dog’s latest album The Band and The Kinks immediately come to mind, but there's a carnival vibe floating throughout every song that reminds me of a traveling circus, minus the safety nets. Vocally, Dr. Dog handle some serious three-part harmonies that would rival REO Speedwagon and The Beach Boys. And for some of you reading this, the vocals will be the only selling point you’ll need after the first spin. Overall, the album is sprinkled with pianos, guitars and horns arranged to baffle your senses. It's that good.

It's difficult to pick particular peaks on this record because all of the songs are so refreshing, but I will anyway. "The Girl," “My Old Ways,” “Ain’t It Strange” and the Motown-meets-Beatles groove of “Worst Trip” are the outstanding moments. Hooks, dynamite instrumentation and amazing harmonies flourish in every verse and chorus.

What's so appealing about this record is how Dr. Dog's use of melody never feels deliberately vintage, yet the album sounds like a classic. The listener is brought into to a world where ideas are the central theme and they're executed with layers of lush melody and harmony, unlike many 70's inspired rock albums of today.

-Scott McDonald

Thu May 3 2007 · Posted in Reviews