Wayfairly Cool

Memory Cassette- Ghost in the Boombox
S. Carey- In the Dirt
Land of Talk- Quarry Hymns
Ra Ra Riot- Shadowcasting
Chromeo- Night by Night (Siriusmo Remix)
Kyle Andrews- You Always Make Me Smile
Miami Horror- Moon Theory (Punks Jump Up Remix)
The Clientele- Jerry
Film School- Heart Full of Pentagons
Ra Ra Riot- Too Dramatic
Mayer Hawthorne- I Need You
Abe Vigoda- Throwing Shade
The Tallest Man on Earth- I Won't Be Found
Jenny & Johnny- Big Wave
New Villager- Rich Doors
Lauren Flax feat. Sia- You've Changed (Original Mix)
Tiesto feat. Sneaky Soundsystem- I Will Be Here
Belle & Sebastian- Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying

S. Carey- All We Grow

There's really nothing I enjoy more than beating Pitchfork to the punch. So before that evil mutant music mega-blog invariably enshrines S. Carey's, All We Grow, as "Best New Music," I'm coming out of semi-retirement to tell you that this album makes my heart go "bump-bump" like Scandinavian heiresses with 100 million dollar fortunes (No, not you, Elin, I'm looking for a younger Nordic bride...).

S. Carey, (or Sean Carey for those still scarred by Initials after being exposed by that disturbing piece of celluloid, M. Butterfly) was a collaborator on Bon Iver's seminal masterwork, For Emma, Forever Ago, and he continues to explore the same sonic terrain on the stunningly beautiful album seen here. And yes, the first time I heard "In the Dirt" (posted below), I put on high socks, flipped upside down, and did a headstand in a giant vat of goat's milk, but I suppose everything looks more idyllic in photos...

-Matt

Hear and watch a fan-made video for "In the Dirt" here:

Sufjan Stevens: All Delighted People EP

Sufjan Stevens is "back" in some form, at least.  Today you can stream for free (or buy) his entire new EP here: http://sufjanstevens.bandcamp.com/

I haven't listened to it all yet, so no review for you! (listen at your own risk)  The opening and closing tracks are mind-boggling long, but the rest appear to be normal Sufjan songs...with a bit more electric guitar and effects going on.

Catch him on tour late October in LA, Portland and Seattle.

In the meantime, enjoy some of his new songs...finally, and let the pretentiousness ooze from the banjo to your ears.

- Nate

Vagabond Lawn

The Twelves- Works for Me
!!!- The Most Certain Sure
Polock- High on Life
Games- Everything is Working
Geographer- Original Sin
Flunk- Play
Small Black-Photojournalist
The Twelves- When You Talk
Lady of the Sunshine- Home Sweet Home
Adrian Lux- Strawberry (Marcus Rombo Remix)
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin- Back in the Saddle
Kisses- People Can Do the Most Amazing of Things
The Chain Gang of 1974- Devil is a Lady
Dominant Legs- Clawing Out at the Walls
Delay- Hooray
Balam Acab- See Birds
Magic Kids- Superball
Restless People- Days of our Lives
Minks- Ophelia
Weekend- End Times
Sun Airway-Oh Naoko
Sun Airway- Put the Days Away
Lone Wolf and Cub- She Put a Bicycle in her Pocket
Oh Land- Heavy Eyes
Matthew Dear- Little People (Black City)

Arcade Fire Makes Me Eat Crow

Ok, ok, ok, ok, ok...Win Butler Wins.  By the time I posted the smorgasbord of reviews last week, I had listened to Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs" 5 times, thought it was ok and my voting scaled down the overall score.  After 5 more listens, I realize that this record is actually very good.  It is still no "Funeral," but finally the songs are starting to really resonate with me.

However, I still have one MAJOR gripe: This record is 2-3 songs too long.  A little editing and this could be a masterpiece.  A great album should make you want to immediately start it over, but after listening to this record, I need at least a day or two break before going through it all again.  It's a bit of a chore.  I still hate the topic of suburbs, but I suppose not everything can be about death, religion, and wars like their first two records.

- Nate

Revised ihatekidslikeyou collective rating: 4.375 out of 5.

Watch Arcade Fire perform "Ready to Start" Live at Madison Square Garden:

John Heart Jackie: “We Are Gold Mounds”

Ok, let’s get one thing straight: We can all agree that Matt loves to dance, evidenced by his epic playlists he’s been posting. You can’t fault the guy, nothing wrong with grinding, electronic music.  However, for those of you whose glow sticks have run out and feet hurt, here is a drastic reprieve in the form of Portland, Ore. folk duo John Heart Jackie. 

Months ago I spotlighted their EP, but they are fresh off a full-length release and a west coast tour to match. For those in LA, catch them this Saturday at Echo Curio (See www.johnheartjackie.com for more tour details). Peter Murray and Jennie Wayne of J<3J have significantly upped their game with their latest release “We Are Gold Mounds,” giving us 9 unique songs that manage to touch on almost every emotion, tempo, and folk style. This record is noticeably more polished and musically diverse than their first release, featuring many instruments, more interesting arrangements, and refined experimentation. I caught up with Peter and asked him about the record.  He said that the record features a lot of friends contributing musical parts, including drums by Ryan Dobrowski (Blind Pilot), Mat Davidson on the musical saw and mandolin, and a pedal steel guitar played by Luke Reynolds (Blue Merle, Brett Dennon, Guster), among other musicians.  Peter and Jennie traditionally play live as a duo, but with the expansion of their songs, they are bringing along John Mogielnicki to add drums, bass, mandolin, saw and additional harmonies to fill out the live show. 

Peter and Jennie split vocal and songwriting duties, providing a nice balance between very opposite vocal tones and styles, while Jennie’s delicate vocal intonations are a standout on this record. I asked Peter what was the inspiration for the record and he said, “A lot of this record was inspired by the time we spent writing a recording out in Dundee, Oregon at the grape vineyard where Jennie grew up.  It’s an amazing 80 acres completely removed from anyone and anything. ‘Deep as Whales’ is all about living out there.  We moved the studio out there and just read, wrote, played music, listened to records, went for walks in the woods, ate entirely too much good food and just enjoyed time away from cell phones, internet and people in general.” 

Coming in at only 30 minutes, the album is short, and although there are only a few hooks, you will still find yourself singing along by the second listen, so give it a spin.

- Nate

Best Tracks: Deep as Whales, What Came Before, You’ve Been On My Mind, For Olivia (be mine)

Love Child Of: Abandoned Midwest train stations, porches and iced tea in Georgia, harvest, Norah Jones, Iron & Wine, PORTLAND, floral dresses + dirty boots, nostalgic introspection, and old newsie caps.

ihatekidslikeyou collective rating: 3.5 out of 5 children picking dandelions

Check out my favorite track, Deep As Whales below:

Deep As Whales by johnheartjackie

Watch J<3J perform "Marylin Monroe" below:

I'm not in Europe, but I'm Glad I'm Here...

Pony Pony Run Run- Walking on a Line
Miike Snow- Billie Holliday (LightsOverLA Remix)
The Longcut- A Tried and Tested Method
Good Shoes- The Way My Heart Beats
Yes Giantess- The Ruins
Love Is All- Never Now
Robyn- Hang With Me (from Body Talk P. II)
Two Door Cinema Club- Hands Off My Case, Monty
Netsky- Everyday
Spearmint- Julie Christie
BMX- War
The Mayfair Set- Let it Melt
Everything Everything- Photoshop Handsome
Gold Panda- You
Post War Years- Soul Owl
Mercy Arms- On and On
Chew Lips- Piano Song
Josh Pyke- Memories and Dust
Tycho- The Daydream
Goldheart Assembly- Carnival 4 (The Carrying Song)

Oh, hello there...(8 reviews for yous)

Hi, It’s Nate…I’m back from my hiatus to spew my opinions.  Matt has been holding down the fort with some amazing playlists. These past couple months saw some huge releases, so instead of doing full reviews on all of them; here’s the nuts and bolts from the highlights…and lows.

M.I.A.: “M A Y A”

Pitchfork gave it a terrible review in an effort to look like they have an honest opinion by saying the token “her earlier work was much better, blah, blah, animal collective rules, blah, blah.”  However, they got the timeline backwards; this is M.I.A.’s most compelling and accessible collection of hit-factory jams to date.  Her sound just doesn’t shock people anymore.

ihatekidslikeyou collective rating: 4 out of 5

Big Boi: “Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty”

He’s had these hits locked away for three years while he was involved in a record label dispute, and they still sound so fresh and relevant. There are not many sing-a-long hooks like we’re used to by his Outkast counterpart, Andre 3000, but this is as solid a rap record as I have heard in a while.

ihatekidslikeyou collective rating: 4 out of 5

The National: “High Violet”

Every record gets better and better.  I can’t think of another band that has put out 3 unbelievable records in a row, each better than the last.  And I can’t think of another band that can make the lyrics “I’d eat your brains” actually sound cool. 

ihatekidslikeyou collective rating: 4 out of 5

Arcade Fire: “The Suburbs”

Unlike The National, Arcade Fire has released 3 progressively worse (although still good) records from its iconic Funeral release.  It continues to grow on me, but I feel like this is more of a concept album about an un-compelling topic: suburbs.  Yes, we all came from that, but the nostalgia isn’t there.

ihatekidslikeyou collective rating: 3.75 out of 5

Perfume Genius: “Learning”

Rehabbed, drug-addict, turned Seattle songwriter, Perfume Genius paints VERY dark, personal portraits of life.  It is perfectly lo-fi, with the treble in full effect. Its musical simplicity comes off genuine and is necessary to leave space to tell his stories. Check out stand out song Mr. Peterson.

ihatekidslikeyou collective rating: 4 out of 5

Crystal Castles: “Crystal Castles (II)”

Finally a Crystal Castles record people can actually listen to start to finish and not just skip to the 1 good song.  Yes, there are still a few annoying screams, but this is a phenomenal release for any electronic fans. I absolutely love this record and it is constantly playing in my car.

ihatekidslikeyou collective rating: 4.5 out of 5

Band of Horses: “Infinite Arms”

Meh.  Not sure if they just got lazy, or if it’s because they produced it themselves, but this record bores me.  After their previous release, I had such high hopes they would stay on a similar path, but this will only play in the background while I’m doing laundry.

ihatekidslikeyou collective rating: 2.25 out of 5

Wolf Parade: “Expo 86”

I don’t know what to say. I thought Spencer Krug was a genius with the first Wolf Parade release, and then came the amazing side projects of Swan Lake and Sunset Rubdown. He even said this new record was his favorite ever – MARKETING LIES!!  I can’t get into it no matter how hard I try.  BLAH.

ihatekidslikeyou collective rating: 2.75 out of 5

Light Sail

Arcade Fire- Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Tame Impala- Alter Ego
Kavinsky- Nightcall
Mystery Jets- Two Doors Down
Caribou- Odessa
Morcheeba- The Sea
Kid A- Wasnotwas
Breakbot- Baby I'm Yours
Here We Go Magic- Tunnelvision
Delta Spirit- People C'mon
Jogger- Nice Tights (Keenhouse Remix)
Jens Lekman- The End of the World is Bigger than Love
LCD Soundsystem- Drunk Girls (Holy Ghost! Remix)
Goldspot- Call Center Girl
Take- Neon Beams
Turboweekend- Something or Nothing
Tennis- Baltimore
Here We Go Magic-Collector
Suckers- Black Sheep
Ganglians- Cryin' Smoke
Matthew Dear- Soil to Seed
Lotus Plaza- Sunday Night
Tennis- Marathon
Flying Lotus- Massage Situation
The Drums- Forever and Ever Amen (St. Etienne Remix)