Listen / MP3 / Music — 6 comments 26
Oct 09 
The big news this week is that Lil Wayne is going to jail for up-to a year for gun possession, but this, of course, won’t be stopping Weezy from dropping his No Ceilings mixtape this Halloween. It’s been a while since I’ve kept up with Lil Wayne’s various off-album releases, but this track caught my attention.
My favorite Lil Wayne tracks, save for “A Milli,” have been some of his freestyles on his mixtapes, and his “Run This Town” freestyle brings back the Lil Wayne we were enjoying in late 07 and early 08. The lyricism of this track, coupled with Wayne’s vehement and overtly cocky delivery triggers thoughts of “A Milli,” not because it bears a resemblance to it, but because this “Run This Town” freestyle will fit nicely next to “A Milli” and among other mind-blowing performances that remind us why Weezy calls himself the Rapper Eater. Continue reading →
Listen / MP3 / Music — 1 comment 26
Oct 09 
Philadelphia’s Amazing/Wow describe themselves as a Avant-Punk Rock power duo that makes no-nonsense punk songs that cut through with abrasive stop/start dynamics. That is a rather simple description that ultimately ends up low-balling the band.
In the same vein that runs through the core of the West Coast’s noise-pop aesthetic, Amazing/Wow find their place, somewhere between No Age and and something a bit more digestible. Amazing/Wow find a way to hold on to melody and structure while still thriving in a chaotic wall of sound. Songs like “We Don’t Need Anything” and “Spy Games” sound like a powerhouse when performed live, whereas “Where Is The Universe?” sounds like Amazing/Wow’s “alt-rock” cross-over hit.
According to their manager, who used to work with PMA faves Chiddy Bang, the band will begin recording their first official release by the start of this November. The duo also has plans to tour down the full east coast and then back upwards towards Philadelphia from late February into most of March. Dates are tentative and will be listed on their Myspace page over the course of the next couple months. Each song being provided were recorded in a west Philadelphia basement.
Amazing/Wow – We Don’t Need Anything
Amazing/Wow – Spy Games
Amazing/Wow – Where Is The Universe?
New York: check Amazing/Wow out @ Piano’s tomorrow (Tuesday)
Album Reviews / Music — 6 comments 25
Oct 09 
HEALTH
Get Color
Lovepump United
out September 8th
71 /100
[Rating Scale]
Listening to HEALTH’s sophomore album, it’s tough not to envision barren landscapes and smoking piles of ruin. Ironically, for an album titled Get Color, the music is painted in blacks and grays – mechanical, repetitive, noisy without remorse. Get Color, like other products of the LA noise rock scene, sounds like machines have taken over the Earth, found some musical record of the humans who used to inhabit this planet, and are now attempting to replicate the melodies and rhythms.
Except that on Get Color, the machines are actually doing a fairly passable job. There are haunting, ethereal hints at humanity – an echoing human voice here, a drumbeat that sounds a little too organic to be programmed there. And that hint that this music isn’t completely made by machines is what makes all the difference. Continue reading →
Listen / MP3 / Music — 6 comments 25
Oct 09 
Kissy Sell Out, a UK DJ and producer that is known for this energetic and charismatic style, is quickly gaining notability. “Go Explode” is a song off his debut album, Youth, which came out earlier this year. The album took over a year to produce and reflects upon his childhood memories.
“Go Explode” is a song that is very cleverly put together. You can feel/hear Kissy’s awkwardness, anxiety and just straight up clumsiness with girls not only in the lyrics of the song, but also in the jolting electronics. Mid way through, you can hear a little bit of triumph and hope as he attempts to overcome his inability to get a girl.
The track is seamlessly produced and lyrically amusing/funny (I really hope he actually lit a few girls’ hair on fire when trying to flirt). Perfect upbeat tune for any day. Listen to “Go Explode” here Continue reading →
Listen / MP3 / Music — 2 comments 25
Oct 09 
Check out Moneypenny’s debut single “Say No” remixed by fellow Chicagoans Hey Champ. There isn’t a doubt that the quirky electro/dance DJ duo Moneypenny is doing big things. In fact, if you know anything about the local electro-music scene in Chicago, Moneypenny (formerly known as Rocktapussy) is a household name.
Both DJ’s A-Cup and Mother Hubbard have longstanding and respected careers on the city’s nightlife scene, and there’s something about their musical synergy that always turns their parties into a sweaty, rockin’ good time.
Now branching into live performance versus just mixing, Moneypenny has released “Say No”. Heavy bass beats and simple yet sharp synth melodies coupled with DJ A-Cup’s panting and angry, sometimes moan-y voice, give the track a certain gritty, underground electro feel. Get familiar with it. Both Moneypenny and Hey Champ are fresh Chicago talent that should be kept on the radar. “Say No” is catchy and interesting, and I guarantee it will make you want to bounce.
Moneypenny – Say No
Moneypenny – Say No (Hey Champ Remix)
Listen / MP3 / Music — 3 comments 25
Oct 09 
“Hannah” is yet another track off the Freelance Whales’ debut album, Weathervanes, which we’ve listening to non-stop here @ PMA for a couple weeks now.
While previously posted tracks have featured quiet but epic instrumentation, “Hannah” comes out loud, with strong beeps and blips that make the Whales sound more like a Postal Service wannabe than the next big thing.
But once lead singer Judah Dadone croons “and if you’re partial to the night sky,” the electronics fade away, and the beautiful harmonies of the Freelance Whales kick in, we’re in for another treat of a song from this original band. Weathervanes was self-released on August 23rd. You can buy it on iTunes or CD Baby.
Freelance Whales – Hannah
MP3 / Music / Remixes — 6 comments 23
Oct 09 
Mad Decent just dropped this one on us. Esteemed M.I.A. and Santigold producer, and one half of Major Lazer, Switch has transformed The Big Pink’s somewhat silly “Dominos” into a super jam that should not be absent this weekend.
Download the remix and the instrumental here Continue reading →
MP3 / Music / Remixes — 2 comments 23
Oct 09 
We introduced you to Mille and their thunderous “Crysteena” a few weeks ago, and now we’re excited to share their official remix of Marina & The Diamonds’ new single, “Mowgli’s Road.”
Mille are quickly becoming one of my favorite new producers. This one is ready for the dancefloors and weekend parties, and will probably go down as one of my favorite remixes of 2009.
Marina & The Diamonds – Mowgli’s Road (Mille Remix)
Listen / MP3 / Music — 9 comments 23
Oct 09 
LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy has decided to give “Bye Bye Bayou” for free in high quality because of last week’s leak. That was really, really cool of him, don’t you think?
“Bye Bye Bayou” will still be released on vinyl November 7th. LCD Soundsystem is also on Twitter. Download “Bye Bye Bayou” here Continue reading →
