You Oughtta Know

Listen / MP3 / Music / You Oughtta Know — 9 Comments
7
Mar 09

You Oughtta Know: Hockey

You Oughtta Know: Hockey listen

No, not the sport. The awesome, funky, LCD Soundsystem-esque band that is making their way through the blogosphere. That Hockey.

Hockey is hailed as a synth-laden version of The Strokes, or perhaps more accurately by Pinglewood.com: “if Julian Casablancas and James Murphy had met in 80s New York and become inseparable buddies, dragging each other in and out of CBGBs and Studio 54.”

The band is likely to be one of 2009’s big breakout artists, and their great single “Too Fake” shows off immense versatility. Starting out with a new-wave, electro opening and building to a catchy, poppy chorus, “Fake” should be on repeat for all PMA readers this week. Let me know what you think- a YSI download link is posted below.

Hockey- Too Fake

Listen / Music / New Releases / You Oughtta Know — 12 Comments
28
Feb 09

You Oughtta Know: Fanfarlo

You Oughtta Know: Fanfarlo listen

As I Guess I’m Floating says, you’ve heard this a million times: “there’s this new great band with the perfect mixture of Arcade Fire, Beirut, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!” And also a million times, you’ve been disappointed that this band doesn’t live up to the hype.

While Fanfarlo’s stuff does not yet match the emotional power of Arcade Fire’s or Beirut’s, it comes MUCH closer than all of the other wannabe anthemic, orchestral songs we hear all the time. This is because THESE Arcade Fire similarities aren’t forced, but true to the band’s music. It’s epic, fantastic instrumentals, with a Zach Condon-esque voice at the top to bring it all together.

The London-based band has just released their first full-length, Reservoir, and it is excellent. Filled with building bridges and anthemic moments, it’s just the right medicine for what could possibly be an Arcade Fire-less 2009. Check out two of the band’s best songs, “I’m A Pilot” and “Fire Escape,” below. Thanks to Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good (an awesome blog) for introducing me to the band. They think that “I’m A Pilot” has a “Crown Of Love” feel, but I get more of a “Well And The Lighthouse” vibe- the song kind of flows along like slowed-down part that goes “Resurrected, living in a lighthouse.” Listen below. What do you guys think of Fanfarlo? Continue reading →

Gigs / MP3 / Music / You Oughtta Know — 7 Comments
28
Feb 09

GIVEAWAY: ZARIF @ THE LAST DAYS OF DECADENCE 4/08

Zarif

Bringing together the classic songwriting of Stevie Wonder with the 80s pop sensibilities of Cyndi Lauper, North London based singer songwriter Zarif creates her own brand of quirky retro-tinged soul. After being featured on hip-hop production duo The Nextmen’s critically acclaimed album, “This Was Supposed To Be The Future” including the single, “Something Got You,” Zarif had a busy 2008 touring with the Nextmen, playing countless festivals like Glastonbury and Bestival, and supporting Taio Cruz on his UK tour. Billboard has called her “Winehouse with Madonna’s pop flair,” and The Guardian says she’s “the next big thing in British soul.” She even caught the attention of the Grammy award winning John Legend, who she performed a duet with at this year’s Tommy Hilfiger Sessions. Continue reading →

Live Music / MP3 / Music / New Releases / You Oughtta Know — 2 Comments
18
Feb 09

Get To Know: The Miniature Tigers

Get To Know: The Miniature Tigers live music

When I saw Ben Folds last week at Princeton’s McCarter Theater, I was blown away by the opening act, Miniature Tigers. The band instantly impressed with unbelievably catchy hooks, quirky lyrics, and fun instrumentals. After just a few listens to their debut LP, Tell It To The Volcano, you’ll be singing along with the tune of every song. The highlights are many- just about every song manages to stay in your head and have you feeling some kind of nostalgic emotion. What makes the music so great is it’s melancholy sweetness. All of the tracks are pure, unadulterated power-pop-rock, but below them lies a dark, solemn tone.

If you can’t gather from the gushing, this is just great music. Standout tracks are surely “The Wolf,” “Dino Damage,” “Cannibal Queen,” and the song from which the album gets its title, “Tell It To The Volcano.” But the point of this post is not to review the PMA-recommended album. No, the point of this post is to get you to know the band: PMA has an exclusive interview with lead singer Charlie Brand. Read on below for the interview and a couple MP3s. And don’t forget to pick up the album when you’re done! Seriously, it’s worth it. Continue reading →

Listen / MP3 / Music / You Oughtta Know — 2 Comments
16
Feb 09

You Oughtta Know- FUN.

You Oughtta Know FUN. listen

If you’ve heard The Format, you know there are not too many bands better at crafting epic works of pop-rock.

If you’ve heard Steel Train (who, by the way, have just started working on a new album of their own), you know there are not too many bands better at crafting epic works of pop-rock.

So to see the lead singers of both bands (Nate Ruess and Jack Antonoff) join forces is truly something to get excited about. Fun, their brand new band, already has one exceptional demo out that incorporates all of the best aspects of the music of Steel Train/The Format- clever lyrics, hooks galore, and a grand, epic pop scope. Check out the song, called “Benson Hedges,” and get excited for Fun’s first album, due in the spring. Andrew Dost is the band’s third member.

Keep in mind, this is a demo. Fully mastered, this should sound unreal. Continue reading →

Best of 2008 / Covers / MP3 / Music / New Releases / Remixes / Reviews / TV Shows / Videos / You Oughtta Know / YouTube — 19 Comments
30
Dec 08

Randi’s Best (and Worst) of 2008

This year has been pretty great. I started it off in Costa Rica for 10 days, and I finished it with 5 in Florida. The music wasn’t too bad either… we were introduced to great new bands, but lost legends like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Bo Diddly, Isaac Hayes, Richard Wright, Odetta, Eartha Kitt, and George Carlin (who I know shouldn’t count under music legends but I adored him). I must say I’m really looking forward to next year’s selections (Animal Collective, Andrew Bird, Chris Cornell, Lily Allen, The Decemberists… and that’s just what’s coming out Jan – March). I’ll also be studying in London from mid-January to mid-May (& *fingers crossed* L.A. mid-August to late-December), and I can’t wait to discover hundreds of more bands across the pond!

So without further ado, here’s my favorites and least favorites of this year – songs, covers, remixes, albums, TV shows, videos & movies [in that order]. Quick sidenote: when you look at my favorite songs, make sure to factor in the songs that I put as my favorite songs of the album in my favorite albums section. I just didn’t want to repeat myself, even though after re-reading this paragraph I’m not sure if I made myself any clearer. Anyway, I loved most of this year’s music, and here’s what I loved (and hated) the most.

I like to get the worst out of the way first, like ripping off a band-aid. So without further ado…

Least Favorite Songs (Or Songs That Made Me Hate Music)

10 – Flo Rida ft Will.I.Am – In The Ayer

9 – Rihanna – Take a Bow

8 – Kid Rock – All Summer Long

7- Miley Cyrus – See You Again

6 – Britney Spears – Womanizer

5 – Katy Perry – Ur So Gay

4 – Katy Perry – Hot N Cold

3 – Lil’ Wayne – Hot Revolver

2 – Soulja Boy – Yahh

1 – Katy Perry – I Kissed a Girl

Somehow #1 and #8 on my Most-Hated list made it to #18 and #20 on Rolling Stone’s BEST Of list, which makes me more than a little sick. But I digress. Moving on…

Favorite Songs (Just in Alphabetical Order and Probably Missing Some)

Continue reading →

Music / You Oughtta Know — 2 Comments
10
Apr 08

You Oughtta Know: The Dodos

You Oughtta Know: The Dodos music

The Dodos are a two-piece band out of San Fransisco, California, who create beautiful, hypnotizing songs and beats. The hooks are catchy and memorable, and the sound is different and unique. The band tends to clash styles of bands we’ve heard before and turn them into something fresh- you can’t help but think of Band of Horses, Panda Bear, and Animal Collective when you are listening to the Dodos. Still, I’m not a huge fan of Panda Bear or Animal Collective, but still find myself transfixed by this new band’s songs. Their cd, Visiter, has received tons of praise, notably from Pitchfork, and is available now.

You can check out a few songs (my personal favorite is “Fools”) and tour dates on their MYSPACE.

Then comment on what you think of this new “buzz band!”

-Adam