Jonquil - Lions

I couldn't find a video for this anywhere so I'm using this fan-made one. I heard this track on the brilliant trailer for "Tomorrow We Disappear". I'd heard of these Oxford chaps before but never really paid them much mind. There's just a sort of haunting quality to this track though, it's really cool. Think I'll have to check out some more of them now.

Arkells - Never Thought This Would Happen

I missed yesterday. That was not intentional. These guys have a new album coming out. They're pretty popular in the indie circles, I suppose for good reason. Always been kind of hit and miss for me. I feel the same about this track. It's ok. I have an issue with it being labeled as an 'acoustic' rendition when there's a drum track playing in the background. Perhaps 'stripped' would be more accurate. 

Lusine - Arterial

Now this is what I'm talkin' bout. Dope track, sick video, top notch. This is the work of Jeff McIlwain, and he is in his groove. A+, keep up the good work dude.

Pretty Lights - Lost And Found

This fella has drifted quite a ways from the trippy soulful grooves that got him big in the first place, lately opting for big-sounding electro dub. I really wasn't a fan of his last album, which is disappointing because I loved his older stuff. I guess we all have to evolve in our own ways and obviously somebody is really digging his new stuff, but I just ain't feelin' it. This is actually a b-side from the new album, and for me it's better than most (if not all) of the a-sides.

Helios - First Dream Called Ocean

It's Tuesday, it's late, we need some chill-out beats. This is the Stray remix of a great track by Keith Kenniff, a prolific ambient producer and musician extraordinaire. I highly recommend checking out all his stuff, especially if you're into thinking music.

FKA Twigs - Two Weeks

...and this is just crazy. Great track, awesome video. I had no idea who she was until I saw it, now I've got the album and I'm ready to give it a listen. Love the production, a kind of dub mix that sounds a bit like a couple tracks I've got on the go. Dig the vocal mix too, though the lyrics are definitely PG-13. Earmuffs!

Addison Groove - Abandon

This is actually a Tony Williams (aka Headhunter) production, but it's Josefina who provides the lovely vocals. A nice chilled out grooooove...

Broods - Four Walls

So my vacation was nice, thanks for asking. Sorry for leaving that part out of my last post. I'm sure you understand. Lately Mondays have been all about metal, but it's cooler since my last post was pretty heavy, let's change it up today. How about ladies night? By that I mean some talented ladies doin' some sweet sainging. Here's Georgia Nott, one half of yet more talent from New Zealand. 

Tool - Right In Two

Since we've been talking about Mr. Carey, it seems criminal not to post a song by his real band. Upon closer inspection, it's been four years since I posted a video by them, and eight since they released an album. Coincidence? Completely. 

This is not an official video, since they hardly ever put those out, it's a fan-made one using footage from "The Gloaming", a pretty cool animated short worth watching. Man I hope their next album comes out one day. These guys are unquestionably one of the greatest bands on the planet in the history of all time ever. In the universe. Happy now, metalheads?

The Residents - Hello Skinny

Objection, Your Honor, Primus and The Residents aren't metal bands.

True enough, but nobody declared this an official Metal Monday anyway, and it's dark and dreary and twisted and loosely connected, so I'll allow it.

If you're into Primus you may recall an eerie cover of this song on the re-issue of Frizzle Fry, and in fact the vocals on this original, released in 1978, sound even more eerily just like Les Claypool, only it isn't. It's as if the song were always intended to be written for a man yet to perform it, and a band not yet created. Bizarre, creepy, and wonderful. 

Primus - Over The Electric Grapevine

What do you do when you're the world's greatest bass player and you need a stand-in for your world class drummer on your upcoming tour? Why, you get the world's greatest drummer, of course. What a silly question. Haha. 

Of course these opinions are subjective, but if you were to ask most aficionados, the names Les Claypool and Danny Carey would, at the very least, be in the conversation as the best on their respective weapons of choice. Herb isn't far behind Mr. Carey in my books, but this is like a present to all those drummer geeks who always wondered "what if?" I envy all who get to witness this guaranteed awesomeness.

The Saturday Beat

Time to revive the old bonus beats again, but slightly different. I used to embed the YouTube links and then minimize the player but it doesn't really work now with the new code so I'll just switch to Soundcloud links instead. Probably for the best anyway.

A bangin' track that's a couple years old but still rock solid. Classic Green Velvet techno groove combined with the Harvard BASS. Yessir.

Funky bumpin' house track with that lick of motown. Classy.

Deep, dark, and delicious. Late night tech house for the moonlight.

Bouncy poolside summer groove. Lovin' this one.

Some nice phat mainline groove action. Really smooth remix.

Bryan Raydio - Into The Deep EP

So it's done. Finally. At last. This one has proved a major roadblock, but I'm through it. Now onto more, and much, much sooner. While it's been a good two years since I put out my last EP, it's actually been about four years since the very first incarnations of these tracks took shape. They've gone through countless edits and I was just never satisfied with them. After chipping away I'm finally where I can say I've had enough.

Production, mixing, and mastering was all done by me, mostly in FL Studio using various VSTs both native and external. The songs themselves are kind of a progressive-techno-IDM mix, I'm never really sure how to describe my stuff in terms of genre unless it's clear-cut. Definitely a darker feel to these ones, pretty intense, which isn't necessarily a reflection of my mood these days, it's just how the songs came out. Hopefully they don't scare anyone away!

I'd like to think I've made a few advances technically since the last release. Hopefully these tracks have a cleaner sound to them. I was pretty meticulous in the mixing stage and spent a lot of time making sure everything was EQ'd properly and in phase. That's not to say it will be perfect, because for all I know on some speakers they could sound crap, but after testing on my studio monitors, various headphones and ear buds, and the car stereo, they sound ok on my end at least. Do let me know if there are glaring errors.

One thing I did differently in the mastering stage this time was I left some air in the final cut. Those in the production business will have seen and heard countless tracks that are blasted and squashed and maximised to death. Some refer to it as the loudness war. I'm very conscious of it and after making a couple different versions, I much preferred to leave the volume down and leave the original dynamics. So at the final limiting stage I only compressed the peaks by maybe 1-1.5 db at the most, most of the time it wasn't compressing at all. If you have no idea what any of that means, don't worry about it. It just means you might have to turn up the volume a little bit if you want it real loud. 

Now that these buggers are out of the way there will be more, and soon. I put out six EP's in 2012, I expect to have at least two or three more out this year. I'm going to leave this here for a couple days. Click on the album cover below to get to the download page. I'll get back to posting on Saturday.

Red Fang - The Meadows

Brand new video! Done and done.

Iced Earth - A Question Of Heaven

I'm actually pretty shocked that I've never posted any of these guys before. Not that I listen to them every day or anything even close, but they're a pretty awesome metal band. 

Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache

I was going to post my own stuff, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. I'll fall back on some metal, since it's Monday. This is actually three songs all in one go. These guys have a new singer, but he ain't Howard Jones. Behold his greatness.

1 - The End Of Heartache

2 - Take This Oath

3 - Numbered Days

United Steel Workers Of Montreal - Place St. Henri

Wooo, what a rush. Let's slow things down and slide into the evening with this fantastic outfit from Montreal. Haven't heard anything new or seen them live in a couple years, but I hope they're still going strong.

Steve N Seagulls - The Trooper

Can't go wrong with a bluegrass cover of Iron Maiden, amiright?

Old Man Luedecke - Kingdom Come

It's a lazy Sunday so that sounds like a good excuse to post some relaxing acoustic stuff. Starting with some bluegrass from this cheery fella from Nova Scotia. 

London Elektricity - All Hell Is Breaking Loose

This is a track from 2008 with a new video. Farking brilliant.

Todd Terje - Spiral

I post a fair bit of this fella, but it's only because he's awesome.

The Subs - Concorde

I'm a bit tuckered out from a long day in the sun so I thought I'd post some chillaxo music, but then I thought no, I'm going to suck it up and rock some dance beats. Git 'er done.

Here Come The Mummies - Chaperone

I like to call this genre mummy funk.

Har Mar Superstar - Prisoner

I know nothing about this band or producer. Not even going to do any research. Just gonna post it. Creds to Johnston Haynes for posting this elsewhere. And yes, that is Juliette Lewis.

The Whispers - Keep On Lovin' Me

It's Funky Fresh Friday. I stole that from DJ STV, but there you have it. Let's boogie.

Tom Petty - Forgotten Man

Meanwhile, outlasting them all, is this king among kings. Not to sell his band short at all, it wouldn't be right without The Heartbreakers, but it's just shorter to write this way. Call me lazy. Anyway the man is 63 years old and just put out a new record. It's an impressive effort if you ask me. Maybe not among his best, but when you've been writing and releasing new music for 40 damn years... rest assured Tom, you are not forgotten.

R.E.M. - Discoverer

At the other end of the life-cycle spectrum, this, to my knowledge, is the last ever complete band session of this world renowned act, and this is the very last song. What a moment, and a great way to wrap up a lifetime of rocking out.

Black James Franco - A Small, Good Thing

Here's a little garage slash basement act, simple but sweet. The song title could almost be used as a band tagline. I dare say some Jack White influence in here somewhere...

Jon Hopkins - Abandon Window

And even more contemporary, and let's get rid of vocals altogether.

Gregory Porter - No Love Dying

Now let's get a little modern, and strip it back a little more. Chip Crawford on the keys.

Sonny Boy Williamson - Nine Below Zero

It's been a little heavy around here, so let's slow things down, waaaaay down. I'm not sure of the date of this one, but I'm guessing it's late '50s, maybe around 1960. That's the one and only Memphis Slim with the intro, and in the band the legendary Otis Spann (piano) and Willie Dixon (bass). Matt Murphy of Blues Brothers fame is on the guitar, not sure about the drummer. Anyone have a guess?

Buildings - Because It Doesn't Matter

Now for something new, that's probably a little more stoner punk than metal, but it's heavy enough for me to qualify. The video has clowns which makes it creepy, so that's bonus marks as far as Metal Monday is concerned. Get into it, man.

Prong - Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck

Nothing like a solid metal one hit wonder to keep us going. To be fair, these guys are far more prolific than that, and it's beyond a stretch to label them like that, but this is really the only song I can really remember getting into. I even bought the album when it came out. Listening to it now, it's pretty ordinary stuff, but hey, it's a blast from the past, so why not.

Down - Stone The Crow

Let's make this a proper Metal Monday, since I seem to be back on track in the posting department. I remember hearing this track back in '95 and thinking "this is awesome" so I couldn't really understand why I hadn't posted it yet, but then I remembered why because it was near impossible to find a decent version of the video with audio that didn't sound like a bad radio recording. This isn't the greatest quality ever, but it'll do. Now to get caught up on all the stuff they've put out in the last 20 years that I missed...

Raleigh Ritchie - Stronger Than Ever

Who knew eunuch warriors could be so creative? Grey Worm has some pretty cool tracks, this one has been in and around the UK charts for a bit. I wouldn't call it ground breaking originality, but it's pretty decent effort, and I'm looking forward to hearing more from this accomplished spear assassin.

Molotov Jukebox - Double Dare

And a little gypsy music, which somehow seems appropriate coming from Osha the Wildling, aka the fabulous Natalia Tena. I like this one better than Melisandre's offering.

(please don't burn me)

Carice van Houten - Particle Of Light

It's a Sunday and there's no Game of Thrones. I know, I know, it's been like that for a few weeks now, but still. The damn show is addictive. Such a ridiculously talented cast. Let's show off a few more of them, starting with Melisandre, aka the Red Woman, the fiery priestess all up on the Lord of Light. I guess this song is from her softer side?

Fairmont - Dysnomia

More Canadian techno! This time out of Toronto, via Jake Fairley. Really solid track, nice mid-set psychedelic propulsion unit. Wacky atomic video to go with it.

Steb Sly - Roadtrip

Straight outta the 'fax, some steady beats from Steve Sim.

Hugo - Joint Is Jumping

I've been talking about finishing my own tracks for a while now, and now I'm finally going over the finishing touches to this EP I've been meaning to have out ages ago. One final mixdown session and a little mastering treatment and she'll be good to go. In the meantime here's some techy beats to move them feet.

This is actually the Audiojack remix of this track, which is a dope sounding deep tech house groove. The video is a total waste of time so feel to skip it.

20syl - Kodama

Where do people come up with these names? Numbers, big letters, small letters, I guess you've gotta be creative these days. My name seems pretty dull in comparison. Anywho this is a great video for this chillstep track. I especially like the drawring and the knitting. The chess is a nice touch too.

High Tone - Until The Last Drop

These crazy Frenchmen are always good for something wacky, which this video surely is. It's a little more upbeat dub, almost trip-hoppy. Meh, it's got some wub-wubs.

Para One - Every Little Thing

I'm not big into the dub per se, but there are some choice tracks out there. I'm a fan of this dude's production, and to be honest I like the original mix sans Cam'ron better, but this'll do for now. Dubbin' it up. Here we gooooo...

Mastodon - High Road

The new album from these cats is impressive. It's a bit more melodic than I'm used to hearing from them but it works. Definitely in the running for my year end best of list.

Sandrider - Gorgon

Great track from an under-appreciated band.

Pet The Preacher - Remains

Metal Thursday! Not really the same ring to it as Monday, but we'll make due. Here's some grungy stuff to get you pumped up for the weekend, or maybe just your laundry.

Chinese Man - Once Upon A Time

Tumi droppin' the lyrics on this funky production. Pretty sweet video too.

Step Brothers - Step Masters

A tinge of the Beasties with this one. Evidence and The Alchemist in da house!

CYNE - Running Water

Hip hop anyone? Anyone? Cultivating your new experience.

Kimbra - 90s Music

...and this is Kimbra's new video. I have nooooo idea what to think of it. It's quite a departure from her last album, which was pretty good. The production is kind of glitchy pop, reminds me of M.I.A.. The video is totally nutso. Overall package: up for debate.

Sarah McLachlan - Into The Fire

How about an oldie but a goodie? Sarah's got a new album out. Haven't heard it yet but this was the song that first caught my ear many moons ago. 

BOY - Skin

Been on the road. Good times were had. Back in business. Here's a choon.

Daniel Avery - Drone Logic

This one comes from an album that was most unfortunate not to make my Best of 2013 list. So much so I just had to go back and check to make sure that it didn't, because I really thought that it did in the end. Anyway it's a very good album, easily one of the best electronic releases of the year, and this is just one of several killer tracks. Enjoy your Saturday. And whatever you do, don't forget to giver.

David August - Forgive Me If I Bleed

This one's more dubby, but still has a minimal tech vibe. And it's really cool.

Extrawelt - Breedle

I always thought Saturdays were best for techno. There's just something inherently more metal about them. You can giver all night and then you get a day of recovery. Let's start small.

Todd Terje - Strandbar

I rocked this track at Folly Fest this year. I'll be putting that mix up soon, by the way.

Dusty - Mood Matters

I just love this video.

Daft Punk - Touch

It's Friday, which is a good day for groovy disco beats. Have at 'er.

The Stanfields - The Boston States

Let's tie it up with some celtic punk folk. These guys are awesome. I'm sayin' it again.

Iron Horse - Rocketman

Posted another cover by these guys a while back. Seems to fit nicely with my country vibe.

Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down

I'm feelin' kinda country-ish today. As country as I get, that is. Truth be told I don't like country music. I don't mind some of the older stuff, real country as I like to call it. No fake accents, pick up trucks, and regurgitated lyrics over pop beats. More of a folk feel to it. Kinda like this. Dope track with a dope video. Nothing says country like Jap-anime.

Bill Callahan - Small Plane

Well, since we're already down here, may'sll go a little further. South we go, to New York! If you haven't heard of Bill before, you can thank me later. He's great. Really great.

Brown Bird - Thunder And Lightning

Let's stay in the east, but a little further south. To Boston we go! Still chillin' though.

Rose Cousins & Jennah Barry - All The Stars

I'm up early. Can't process anything loud or angry, so here's something relaxing. From Nova Scotia, no less! The Trestle Trail Bridge in Liverpool, to be exact.

Queens Of The Stone Age - The Vampyre Of Time And Memory

If you haven't seen my Best of 2013 list, DO IT NOW! Sitting on top of the pile, above all other challengers, was this awesome album by Josh Homme and crew. This was one of my favorite tracks, though that changes from day to day. The video is completely wacky.

Phantogram - The Day You Died

Here's another alternative band with a female lead. This is actually just the upstate New York duo of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, supported by guest musicians when they tour. It's a nice blend of staple guitar rock with an electronic tinge. With a couple full albums and a few EPs out now I still kind of feel like they haven't quite 'found their sound', and hopefully there best is yet to come. That said their latest release is a pretty solid effort and worth checking out if you're into something different.

Black Submarine - Here So Rain

When I first heard this track I was pretty excited that we might have a new grungy alternative rock band. I was wrong on a few points. First, they're not really new. They are in that this was their debut album release, but they're really kind of a super-group, with members of The Verve and Goldfrapp coming together with lead vocalist Amelia Tucker. Sadly, the album doesn't quite live up to the single. Davide Rossi takes the lead on a few tracks and his chops are not up to Amelia's. It's mostly hit-and-miss, with several tracks probably best left on the production floor. Anyway, this is a cool track and hopefully they can deliver more in this vein in the future. 

Darkside - Pitchfork Music Festival Paris

Finally this great duo jamming for a little over 45 minutes. Camera work, not so great.

1. Freak, Go Home

2. The Only Shrine I've Seen

3. Paper Trails

4. Golden Arrow

5. Heart

6. Metatron

Plants And Animals - Live On KEXP

And now these cats from Montreal. They're even better live in person.

1. Before

2. Song For Love

3. The End Of That

4. Lightshow

Chvrches - Tiny Concert

I'm taking tomorrow off. Probably. Maybe. We'll see. Here's some live performances to keep you entertained in the meantime. The first is these indie synth stars from Scotland.

1. Recover

2. Gun

3. The Mother We Share

Weird Al Yankovic - Tacky

Ah, that's better. Nice job Al. Tomorrow, something different.

Weird Al Yankovic - Handy

This one isn't as good as the others. And it's on a crappy player for now... meh.

Weird Al Yankovic - Biggest Ball Of Twine In Minnesota

May'sll make this a Weird Al week. Let's start with an unofficial fan video. Nice job dude.

Weird Al Yankovic - Foil

Two days in a row? Rules are made to be broken

Ceeb - Life's Questions

Reppin' the Freddy Beach. What up y'all?

Said The Whale - Camilo (The Magician)

Well I'm not prepared to get any more serious today so this one goes out to Camilo V.

Weird Al Yankovic - Word Crimes

And now for the King of Weird. All hail Al.

The Beards - Got Me A Beard

No sense straightening out now, let's stay silly.

Jim Carrey & George Martin - I Am The Walrus

It's a strange day. Let's get wacky. Incidentally this is better than I anticipated.

Jungle - Time

I've been waiting for this album since their EP came out, and now I has it. The verdict? It's awesome. Just like this video. So much fun. See ya tomorrow.

Die Antwoord - Pitbull Terrier

...aaaaaaand let's just get this one over with. WARNING: These cats are insane.

La Roux - Let Me Down Gently

May??? That's the last time I posted?!? Well that's embarrassing. In my defense I've been busy, but that's no excuse really. I've got a ridiculous amount of tracks to post, a couple new mixes on the way, and an EP or two in line over the next couple weeks. 

Let's fire this up again with some new La Roux. It's just the strangely alluring Elly Jackson now, no more Ben Langmaid, though he did collaborate on about half of the songs on the new album, including this one, before getting the boot from Elly. I'm excited to hear this album, the first one caught me by surprise so I hope she-slash-they haven't been bitten by the sophomore jinx. Guess we'll find out in a week!

Chet Faker - Talk Is Cheap

That beard is well groomed.

Tycho - Awake

Dear artists: stop writing your name in all caps. It's not original or cool or meaningful. It's been done.

Paper Tiger - The Fortunate Wayfarer

New stuffs and such soon. Really really. Let's play some different music today.

Chromeo - Jealous (I Ain't With It)

Man I love these guys, but I'm having a hard time getting into their first couple singles from the upcoming release. They're just a little too... EDM sounding. Still lots of funk, it's just a little soft. Hoping the album will have a little more meat on it.

Kelis - Rumble

New stuff from this talented chef who's now with esteemed label Ninja Tune. Kind of a weird mix, but I guess it works. Still iffy on the album as a whole but this track is a highlight.

Pharrell Williams - Happy

Rock yesterday, pop today. I'm sure you've heard the song by now. Catchy as hell. Here's the Bermuda version of the video. Don't worry Tony, I'm on the way.

Big Wreck - Ghosts

...and the official saviors of rock & roll, one of the best bands in the world led by one of the most awesome guitarists, the one and only Ian Thornley. New track, new album coming in June, it's all very exciting.

Band Of Skulls - Asleep At The Wheel

And here's a rockin' new track from these proper English fellows.

Plants And Animals - Bye Bye Bye

Who says rock is dead? It's just frozen. Hopefully some new contenders will emerge. In the meantime here's a great track from these cats out of Montreal. Can't believe this one is 6 years old already.

Nirvana - You Know You're Right

With all the hoopla over the anniversary of the death of Kurt Cobain and their recent Hall of Fame induction, it dawned on me that I've never actually posted anything by these legends, which is crazy because they were a huge influence on myself and so many other grunge rockers. So here ya go, one of their best that didn't actually see the light of day until some eight years after that tragic April afternoon of 1994. What might have been.

Butthole Surfers - The Wooden Song

Around the same era of grunge goodies was the emergence of this group of crazies led by Gibby Haynes. They'd been around on the scene for more than a decade and in fact Independent Worm Saloon, their first album of any real notoriety, was their 6th release. The most popular track on that album was, of course, this song, which was incidentally remixed by a certain Trent Reznor and released on a hard-to-find EP that I picked up many years ago. Good find that.

Everclear - Heartspark Dollarsign

I'll never get all these songs posted if I don't pick up my socks...

It's hard to understand what happened to these guys but mostly they just went in a power pop direction and sadly left their grungy guitars behind. Sparkle & Fade was a great album with so much promise. So Much For The Afterglow... well that just resigned them to their fate. I suppose their sound was always a bit light, but to me it just faded into radio fluff. Most of the time it's a question of survival, especially for bands with multiple members dependent on making an income, sometimes to support a family. Damn the hits, damn the weather, and damn the torpedoes.

"You're possessed with a power bigger than the pain."

Wild Beasts - Wanderlust

This is another album almost certain to be found on my best of list come December. Sure, they're indie, which isn't usually my thing, but they've got a darker edge and this album has some really interesting production that suits them nicely. Definitely check it out.

Tensnake - Love Sublime

One of my favorite discs of this year is from Marco Niemerski out of Hamburg. Lots of sweet disco soul and you can never go wrong with Nile Rodgers on your side.

Sir Sly - Where I'm Going

I know basically nothing about these guys except they're from LA. Not much going on in this video either but the track is pretty cool, so have a listen and be impressed.

Postmodern Jukebox - Game Of Thrones Theme

I've seen countless covers of the Game of Thrones theme, most of them utterly dull and pointless. Uber-gothic singers and string ensembles just trying to grab some clicks. It's probably working for them, but how about a little originality? 

Leave it to Scott Bradlee to freshen things up. He was the man behind that killer Lorde cover with Puddles a while back, and this time he's recruited the brilliant Dave Koz on the saxophone to rip out some jazz-tacular variations. Can just imagine sitting at some ritzy cafe in the streets of Montreux and hearing this from the house band. Long live the king.

Robson & Jerome - Up On The Roof

Everyone's favorite killer-for-hire Ser Bronn of Blackwater is known for his skill with a blade, but his alter ego, Jerome Flynn, was once a famous crooner in the UK in this sappy duo. Have to say I much prefer his new ventures to the old...

Wilko Johnson - She Does It Right

So March wasn't a very good month, was it? April's been off to a slow start too. I'll blame it on seasonal depression. The sun's out today so it's time to get some fresh air and get everything back on track. Seems I've been saying that a lot lately... 

Anyway Game of Thrones is back on and it's kicking ass and everyone loves it so today we'll do a little tribute. The first is from Ser Ilyn Payne, otherwise known as Wilko of Dr. Feelgood fame. In real life he still has his tongue, though sadly he's been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. That said he's supposed to have been dead by now and instead he's recorded a new album with Roger Daltrey and has been doing some touring of late. Remarkable man.