Sun Run

I mixed this for last year's Sun Run and had a personal best. I stashed it away for a while forgetting how good it had turned out. I've rediscovered it and am going to run to it again this year and see if I can duplicate last year's success.

Sun Run Mix 2009

Deepsky - Talk Like a Stranger (Markus Schulz Remix)
Kamaya Painters - Summerbreeze
Rui Da Silva - Touch Me
Jes - Imagination (Tiesto Remix)
Fonzerelli - Moonlight Party
Randy Katana - In Silence (Reset)
Max Linen - Flashback
Duncan Sheik - On A High (Gabriel & Dresden's Love From Humboldt Remix)
Gabriel & Dresden - Tracking Treasure Down (Club Mix)

Mix Time 50:16
Run Time 41:47

Omni-bear

Minus the Bear recently released their fourth full-length album OMNI. Full disclosure, I'd been waiting patiently for this one. The transition between OMNI and their last album 'Planet of Ice' induces all forms of fire and ice analogies that I'll spare you, but it's true that MTB have picked up the pace considerably. OMNI, produced by Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins - Wincing the Night Away), displays the bands infinite ability to remain unbored with their instrumental choices....cue Omnichord.

Jake Snider continues the lyrical imagery, which is probably my favorite component to MTB. What girl wouldn't want 'Secret Country' written about her?

The album has flickers and hints of inspiration from across the musical board....70's funk guitar riffs (ala Shaft), why not? Animal Backwards comes outta nowhere like an impromptu mid-album dance party. It packs an especially booty shaking punch as it comes from Minus the Bear, a band you wouldn't typically associate with that kinda bass.

You can stream the new album here but it's certainly worth the purchase.

I'm an especial sucker for the guitar line on Hold Me Down

Kettering

New stuff, and stuff I like

The music world continues to please us with plenty of new tracks to explore. Interpol are out with a new album later this year. 'Lights', taken from sessions for their fourth album, is available from the band's official site. According to the band, the song will be the first of several to be released in the next few months and when complete, we should expect the new record to have a more "orchestra feel."

I have really been digging Japandroids a lot recently. Japandroids are a two-piece band from Vancouver, who got their start at the University of Victoria in 2006. Their 2009 debut Post Nothing was one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year and the band has continues to please us with the release of the first in a series of 7" singles. I am not typically into loud guitar, but as a two-piece Japandroids are able to achieve rock riffs that don't come off as over-bearing, but rather as hooky and infectious.

Tunng is a folktronica (for lack of a better term) band from England. To date they have released four albums, the most recent of which is 2010's ...And Then We Saw Land. Land is probably the most accessible of the bands releases as they have steered away from the the impromptu electronic asides. "Hustle" is the lead track and first single from the new album and best exemplifies what Tunng are all about - smoothe melodies and hooky guitar riffs.


Interpol - Lights


Japandroids - Art Czars


Tunng - Hustle

Tenderoni

Bloc Party front man Kele Okereke will make his solo-debut June 21 when he releases The Boxer. Its expected that this album will have a heavy electroic influence ala the eccentric Bloc Party track "Flux". Our first taste from the new album was made available earlier this week. The track entitled "Tenderoni" has a heavy electronic surge reminiscent of something that I can't place my finger on. If the track title sounds somewhat familiar it should. Teneroni is also that name of a track by 80's inspired Canadian dance duo Chromeo who incidently also have an new album on its way this summer. Oh and incase you were wondering as I was:

Tenderoni - a slang terminology used to describe one's younger male or female love interest or someone too young to talk to or become involved with, Pretty Young Thing or P.Y.T.

Kele - Tenderoni


Chromeo - Tenderoni


Chromeo - Night by Night

Leaks

Its been a fun week for internet music geeks as several forthcoming spring albums have made their premature release on the web.

I had been eagerly anticipating the new Foals album since I got my first taste of lead track "Spanish Sahara". Foals have migrated away from their manic math-rock choppiness that was indicative of their 2008 debut Antidotes and instead have adopted a dancier poppier vibe. Total Life Forever is certainly a more mature sounding record with more harmonies and drawn out grooves. Definitely will have this one on heavy rotation over the summer.

Crystal Castles moved up the official release of their sophomore album to coincide with its leak earlier this week on the web. On their new self-titled album (their debut was also self-titled) Crystal Castles continue their unique brand of static and scream but with a decidedly more subdued approach than previous efforts (listen for the Sigur Ros sample). At the typical pop-length of four minutes, Crystal Castles waste no time forcing their Atari-inspired dance impulses right in your face, but do so with a more sophisticated approach.

The new Broken Social Scene also made a premature appearance to internet music fans this week. Lead track "World Sick" is a great album opener and leads to two more strong tracks that get the listener primed for a hooky rock album. However after this the album falls somewhat flat. As Hear You Now reported earlier, Forgiveness Rock Record was recorded with a relatively slim six core members but would feature "guest" appearances from the typical cast of collaborators. While Emily Hanes and Amy Milan each get lead duty on one track each, Feist is relegated to backing vocals on one of Drew's many all-too similarly sounding tracks and Jason Collett is absent, guitar-riff or otherwise, from the album completely.

Broken Social Scene has always been a bit of an enigma for me. They have some absolutely phenomenal songs and some absolutely awful ones. I suppose that’s what you get when you have an ever-changing cast of members. Tracks like "Sweetest Kill" would sound terrific on any summer mix tape, however, the album as a whole sounds a bit too much like a BSS Present Kevin Drew Sophomore album than a true full BSS-ensembled effort. Its kind of funny that they name the album what they did. Almost as if they are apologizing for not giving us something better, especially after waiting for over five years.

Band of Horses are also out prematurely with new album Infinite Arms. Upon first listen the album seems a little more emotive and melodic than 2007's disappointing Cease to Begin. This album certainly has its slower numbers but not of the coma-inducing variety that seemingly made up the majority of their previous release. The biggest redeeming quality of the band has always been Ben Bridwell's voice. Infinite Arms has got that easy-going lazy summer feel to it, but it will be interesting to see if this one sticks with so many other great sounding albums for it to compete with.

Foals - Spanish Sahara


Crystal Castles - Celistica


Broken Social Scene - World Sick


Band of Horses - Compliments

Compliments from Band of Horses on Vimeo.

Friday Thoughts and Music

I have been listening to the new MGMT album a few times over the last couple of weeks. Not sure what to think just yet. In Congratulations, MGMT have veered wildly away from the bar-ready pop numbers that highlighted their debut and instead have produced an interospective art-rock album, more suitable for listening to on quiet spring afternoons. I still hear a lot of people tell me that they like MGMT. Do they really, or do they just like 'Kids' and 'Electric Feel' from that one time they heard them when they were out at the bar?

In totally unrelated news, I am really digging 'Harmonix' by Surfer Blood. So much so that I can't get past it and give the rest of the album a proper listen. It kind of reminds me of Arcade Fire`s 'Neighborhood #2 (Laika)' which reminds me that Arcade Fire are releasing a new album soon, which makes me happy.

MGMT - Congratulations Edit: Link Removed
Surfer Blood - Harmonix  Edit: Link Removed
Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #2 (Laika)  Edit: Link Removed

Music for a Saturday Night

Neon Indian - Sleep Paralysist


Lady Gaga - Telephone (Passion Pit Remix)


Tegan and Sara - Alligator (Kevin St. Croix Remix)

What's with Ben Gibbard?

Is Ben Gibbard on drugs? I just watched a concert of Death Cab for Cutie on TV and it reminded me of Pemberton Festival two years ago, when Death Cab came on to the stage and my brother and I looked at each other and wondered who the skinny-looking guy on the left was. Turns out it was newer skinnier version of Ben Gibbard. What's more is during the conert I watched today, Ben was definately tapping his foot double time to the beat during their encore of "Transatlanticism", like he was hearing a beat that wasn't there. "Is he on speed?" we asked each other. We used to joke that we wanted to be close enough to the stage to poke Ben in his chubby belly and how he looks just like Colin Meloy. Now we joke that he looks like he's on drugs and looks like younger, nerdier version of Neil Young.

One Night in May

One upcoming night in May presents itself with a bit of a predicament. Its been some time since I have purchased tickets to any live shows and wouldn't you have it, two very likeable artist will play on the same night in Vancouver.

Shout Out Louds are an indie-pop band from Sweden. Earlier this year, they released their third album entitled Work. While not as strong as their sophomore release, Shout Out Louds fall back on hooky riffs and symphonic harmonies. Extremely pleasant to listen to, their live show would certainly be one to go and chill out at and leave feeling warm and nostalgic on a late spring evening.

On the contrary, experimental electronic duo, Fuck Buttons, will be swinging through town that very same night. It's been some time since I have seen a live electronic performance. Fuck Buttons are a synthy euphoric emotional jouney. One can only imagine what their live performance might sounds like.

Sounds like I will have a decision to make.

Shout Out Louds - Please Please Please


Fuck Buttons - The Lisbon Maru