My listening habits have been strange lately.  Check that my listening habits have always been strange.  I tend to get stuck on certain bands and even certain songs for unhealthy stretches of time.  Currently I have been stuck on Julian Casablancas’ solo album Phrazes For The Young, specifically track number six - “River Of Brakelights”. 

I’m not saying listening to one song over and over is a bad thing, but it does limit my ability to thoroughly listen to new albums.  Sure I’ve listened to the new Beach House album, but I haven’t really listened to it the way I have Phrazes For The Young.  Which is funny because I really had no desire at all to listen to Casablancas’ solo album more than once.  There’s just something about the mix of synths and twangy beats that connects with my brain and won’t let me move on to anything else. 

I’m not sure any one can really understand how the mind is impacted by certain notes, beats, lyrics but it’s an interesting topic.  I recently picked up Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks (a neurologist who also wrote the wonderful The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat: And Other Clinical Tales).  In  Musicophilia Sacks discusses the extreme effects music has on the brain, including ear worms that have the ability to drive people mad.  It’s an interesting read if you’re looking for something to keep you occupied during winter’s last gasp. 

Take a listen to my current ear worm, a few previous problem songs, and Mr. Sacks himself discussing his book:

• MP3: Julian Casablancas – “River Of Brakelights”
• Buy: Julian Casablancas – Phrazes For The Young

• MP3: Cloud Cult – “When Water Comes to Life”
• Buy: Cloud Cult – Feel Good Ghosts

I remember thinking WTF?!?! when I heard that the legendary Roots Crew would be the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon band.  I couldn’t believe that they would stop touring to be a house band.  In reality they still get around and they add something that Mr. Paul Schaffer can’t do for The Late Show.  The Roots are simply a great band in their own right and every once in a while they don’t just do a good job backing the musical guest, but they elevate the performance. 

Last night was one of those nights as Hot Chip stopped by Fallon to play the title track from their upcoming album One Life Stand.  Take a look at the performance and don’t forget to follow Hot Chip’s Felix Martin (@Hot_Chip) and The Root’s (@questlove) on twitter.

• MP3: Hot Chip – “Take It In”
•  Pre-order: Hot Chip – One Life Stand (out 2/9/10 via astralwerks)

Originally I had planned to put together a well thought-out mixtape every Friday.  I thought it would be fun to cap off every week with a nice little collection of songs for your listening enjoyment over the weekend.  Instead I’ve been putting together mixes at completely random times with weeks or months in between.  I may want to be organized, but I’m never going to get there.  Besides it’s more fun to put together a good mix when the mood is right. 

I’m not sure exactly what that mood is, but I suppose I’m experiencing it right now.  Here’s the 5 Score Pachyderm Mixtape V4.0 for your listening pleasure.  As always you can order a la carte or get the combo meal at the bottom:

• Eels – “Little Bird”
• The Welcome Wagon – “But For You Who Fear My Name”
• Carolina Chocolate Drops – “Old Cat Died”
• Woods – “To Clean”
• Strand Of Oaks – “Two Kids”
• Tallest Man on Earth – “King of Spain”
• Retribution Gospel Choir – “Hide It Away”
• Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – “The Sound”
• Great Lake Swimmers – “Still”
• The Album Leaf – “Falling From the Sun”
• Beach House – “10 Mile Stereo”
• She And Him – “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here”

5 Score Pachyderm Mixtape V4.0

I love La Blogotheque, mainly for their Take Away Shows.  Up until this morning I hadn’t even heard of La Blogotheque’s Les Soirees De Poches Series.  When I saw (via Prefix Mag) Vampire Weekend and La Blogotheque in the same sentence I had to bite.  This is yet another beautifully intimate shoot by La Blogotheque of a band, who’s album Contra, is in constant rotation in my car (I love it and it’s also the only cd in my car).  Enjoy the performance below and take a look at their Take Away Show form 2008:

Video: Vampire Weekend – La Blogotheque’s Les Soirees De Poches Series

Video: Vampire Weekend – La Blogotheque Take Away Show – 2008

If you’ve read this blog for any length of time at all you know that I am a huge fan of Deer Tick.  Their brand of grunge-country is dirty and in your face.  John McCauley’s voice is raspier than hell, but it just adds to the grit and raw emotion attached to every song.  Don’t let the grunge-country description fool you though, they can write a love song like no-body’s business.  I missed John playing with Those Darlins (he’s engaged to Nikki) when they filled in for the missing The King Khan & BBQ Show at Off Broadway, but I did catch them opening for Jenny Lewis at The Pageant last year – I’ve been hooked ever since. 

Thankfully they are returning to our neck of the woods.  Deer Tick will be playing Mojo’s in Columbia on Monday, March 15.  I’m not one for missing my eight hours during the week (damn I’m old), but I will be staying up and howling at the moon with a PBR in my hand come March 15.

Video: Deer Tick – “La La La” (acoustic live on the Pentagon Channel)

• MP3: Deer Tick – “Houston, TX”
• Buy: Deer Tick – Born On Flag Day

Related Post: New EP: Deer Tick – More Fuel For The Fire

Related Post: MP3: Deer Tick – Smith Hill

Related Post: Interview: John J McCauley III of Deer Tick

Related Post: MP3/Video – Deer Tick – Easy

Last week was all about the new Beach House album.  This week is a little be quieter, but there’s still some good music hitting the shelves today.  The Album Leaf releases their fifth LP today, A Chorus of Storytellers (pictured above).  If you’re looking for a beautiful soundtrack to your day take a listen to the mostly-instrumental ambient, atmospheric, moody (whatever you want to call it) tunes found on A Chorus of Storytellers – it reminds me quite a lot of Sigur Ros.  Here are some other interesting releases:

• The Album Leaf - A Chorus of Storytellers
• The Brunettes – Paper Dolls
• Glossary – Feral Fire
• Midlake – The Courage of Others
• Mount Eerie – Black Wooden
• Passion Pit – Chunk of Change EP
• The Sof Pack – The Soft Pack
• Toro Y Moi – Causers of This

• MP3: Midlake – “Fortune”
• Buy: Midlake – Courage of Others

• MP3: The Soft Pack – “Answer To Yourself”
• Buy: The Soft Pack – The Soft Pack

You can catch The Album Leaf along with Sea Wolf at The Luminary Center for the Arts on Saturday, April 24.  It will mark the second show for the new season of the Elevator Music Series (the first show being Califone on March 11).  Here’s a little preview of the show:

Video: The Album Leaf – “Micro Melodies” (live in Denton, TX)

• MP3: The Album Leaf – “Until the Last”
• Buy: The Album Leaf – A Chorus of Storytellers

Video: Sea Wolf – “Wicked Blood” (official)

• MP3: Sea Wolf – “O Maria!”
• Buy: Sea Wolf – White Water, White Bloom

I didn’t post this video right away because it pains me to do it.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s another great performance from what is probably the best band alive.  The thing is I was going to see Wilco in Madison, WI next month, but forces have conspired against me.  As a result the tickets will have to go to another lucky soul (if you’re interested let me know).  I was especially excited for this performance because Wilco will be focusing on specific albums at specific shows.  I was holding out hope that I could hear Summerteeth, my favorite Wilco album, from start to finish live. 

Any way enough whining out of me, after all I did get to see them fly through six songs at Farm Aid.  Enjoy Wilco’s performance of “One Wing” on Craig Ferguson’s show from Thursday night and cross your fingers that Wilco get smart and return to the Lou this year.

• MP3: Wilco – “You and I”
• Buy: Wilco – Wilco (The Album)

When you write a music blog no matter how big or small you get a lot of music sent your way.  There are a lot of small boutique PR firms out there specializing in social media and their job is to get a band’s name out there.  That means that every day I pass up tunes from people I’ve never heard of because I just don’t have the time to take a listen.  It’s sad really, one of the reasons I started a music blog in the first place was to open up more avenues for finding new music. 

So today I took a listen.  Specifically I took a listen to Fredrik.  Now maybe you have already run across these guys before, but I had not had the pleasure.  Despite expecting absolutely nothing I have to say I’m impressed.  Self-described as “forest-dwelling folk visionaries” this Swedish duo (which has expanded to six) produces elegant melodies that might remind you of Sigur Ros. 

I have to admit I absolutely hate trying to explain most bands, I mean here I am about to spew the phrase “experimental pop” for the thousandth time rendering the words meaningless.  All I can say is this is something different and it’s a good different.  You have to search for the melody a bit (it doesn’t just jump out at you), but when you find it you get sucked into one strange world. 

Fredrik just released their sophomore LP Trilogi via Kora Records this past Tuesday (1/26).  The album is a mixture of three previously released EPs (released in Sweden that is – in origami-wrapped packaging no less).  Take a listen to “Locked in the Basement” from the album and watch a couple of their beautiful videos below:

• MP3: Fredrik – “Locked in the Basement”
• Buy: Fredrik – Trilogi
• Myspace: Fredrik

During these hard economic times music lovers need free shows.  There’s just no getting around it.  Sure there are plenty of shows I want to catch at The Pageant, but I have to pick and choose.  That’s why places like The Billiken Club are so great.  You have the opportunity to experience national touring acts without having to offer up any of your hard-earned cash. 

I just ran across another chance to see a fantastic band for absolutely nothing.  Every Friday night the St. Louis Art Museum has free admission to their special exhibits, allowing everyone to enjoy the incredible works of art housed in that beautiful building.  On Friday February 26 visitors will also be able to take in some lovely indie-folk straight from the foothills of the Carolinas.  The Carolina Chocolate Drops will be playing their traditional fiddle and banjo tunes in the Grigg Gallery starting at 7pm.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops will be releasing the much-anticipated Genuine Negro Jig via Nonesuch on February 16.  Here’s a preview of the upcoming album, along with a few downloads:

• MP3: Carolina Chocolate Drops – “Cornbread and Butterbeans” (traditional)
• MP3: Carolina Chocolate Drops – “Hit Em Up Style” (Blu Cantrell cover)
• Preorder: Carolina Chocolate Drops – Genuine Negro Jig

One of my favorite local bands (Springfield, MO) is playing The Billiken Club tonight at 9pm (1/27 – free show).  Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin play some of the best Indie-Pop around and they always put on a fun show.  To call them a local band may imply that they have yet to “make it”, but nothing could be further from the truth. 

The first time I heard of SSLYBY was several years ago from a friend of mine in Jersey (not Missouri) and they are part of the wonderful group of artists over at Polyvinyl Records.  If you want some great melodies and a fun atmosphere join me over at The Billiken Club tonight – here’s a preview:

• MP3: SSLYBY – “Glue Girls”
• Buy: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Pershing

Video: SSLYBY – “I Think I Wanna Die” (official)

Video: SSLYBY w/ Via Audio – “Oceanographer” (backstage sessions)