pulp and circumstance, juiced.

Today is good for some myth to turn you on...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:14:00 +0000

As most oft readers of Pulp and Circumstance know, there is an unwavering love in this space for Nick Cave, his Bad Seeds, and quite anything else he touches.

And for some reason, Cave's Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus double disc has been on repeat in these parts for some days of late, particularly "Babe, You Turn Me On", which was also featured on a mixtape P&C offered up at Non Pretentious Dot Com about a month back.

There's no shortage of Cave at this site; I mean, P&C dedicated the entire month of February 2008 to the man's work as a lead up to his latest release. So clearly, you can take a gander back if you'd like to know more.

But, maybe you don't care that Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus is one of Cave's greatest collective bodies of work; The Lyre of Orpheus is his instrumental interpretation of the myth of Orpheus and his love for Eurydice--and the aforementioned track, "Babe, You Turn Me On", is sung from the viewpoint of Orpheus lamenting and remembering the memories of Eurydice just after her death. Splendid, indeed.

So enjoy some Nick Cave, as P&C is today. And if you'd like a bit more, might we suggest this excellent sit down with the man Pitchfork conducted last year.

Even though the "blackest purse" isn't the greatest summer accessory...we tell you the Why? now...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:08:00 +0000

P&C usually declares summer as the time in which the ladies steer clear of the blackest purse, and opt for something lighter, more fun, and ultimately more colorful.

But when it comes to the Why?'s, we don't really feel it's necessary to get into it. What's that you say?

The brilliant outfit Why?, fronted by the glorious Yoni Wolf, has just announced details of their fourth studio release on one of this here blog's favorite labels, Anticon; Eskimo Snow, which is a meaningful follow-up (so far) to last year's Alopecia, features the excellent melodic tune "The Blackest Purse", which will have all you followers forgetting that whole summer baggage mantra, alright.

And you will ask the Why?'s, of course. The answers will come in the form of psychelic folk with a decidedly pop sensibility--and what can be more fun than that in this not-so-summery summer weather?

I can predit this record won't just last in these weather-worn days of July; in fact, Eskimo Snow was apparently written at the same time as Alopecia, and meant as a double disc, but was turned into two seperate bodies of work after a wintery revelation over hot toddys. Brills!

Eskimo Snow will drop, officially, on September 18. In the meantime, get ready by whipping out "The Blackest Purse". You've never been so cool in summer....

Enjoy.

[Why? - The Blackest Purse.]

Artist(s) to Watch: Coeur de Pirate!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Having time of late to really take to new artists, and looking for something that not only goes swell alongside the bang of thunder and the spatter of rain, but something that soothes the drenched spirit, P&C has found it: 19 year old Canadian songwriter Beatrice Martin, stage name Coeur de Pirate.

Light and airy, Martin has been playing the piano since she was a little girl; and her debut full-length record, Coeur de Pirate, features little effort to produce some soft sentiment; it's a remarkable trip through songwriting, french lyrics, and a splash of French folk with the introduction to instruments like banjo, accordian, and various other strings on a number of the album's tracks.

Meanduring through bits of bedroom inspired indie pop and the aforementioned folk, Beatrice delivers complex, playful piano-driven tunes that feel far more mature than her 19 years. Favorite tracks include the melodic "Commes des Enfants" and "C'etait Salement Romantique", which will have you at its opening piano elements and have you waltzing around the room wishing you had a partner to waltz along with. It's sentimental but exudes nothing short of sweet happiness.

It's no wonder this young Quebec-based songwriter is up for a Polaris prize this year; her debut puts her a cut above a lot of the rest.

Enjoy.

[Coeur de Pirate - Commes Des Enfants.]
[Coeur de Pirate - C'etait Salement Romantique.]

I have "No Intention" of not projecting this dirtily on you...of course!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:48:00 +0000

This is the only record getting me through the rain, really.

Thank you Bitte Orca, and Dave Longstreth--with rain, or without--I would love you nonetheless.

There is nothing better than some experimental tunes when the weather, in summer, is trying to flex its own depressing experiment on Bostonites who pleasure in getting a few months of legit. sun every year.

When will it stop? The rain, that is, not the Dirty Projectors. Stillness if the move, no?

[Dirty Projectors - The Bride.]
[Dirty Projectors - No Intention.]

Exciting the Fear Control...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:20:00 +0000

If you were a fan of 2007 record Plague Park from Wolf Parade offshoot, Handsome Furs, there's no doubt for the past few months you've done all you can to ensure some Fear Control.

The March release from the husband-wife Montreal-based duo of Dan Boeckner and Alexei Perry is an absolute banger and a splendid follow up to what was one of my favorite debut records of a few years ago; and damned if P&C can't stop spinning it of late in prep for their Monday, July 6 gig in Great Scott, which we expect all of you Bostonites to be at, clearly.

Fear Control is infinitely catchy--like on "I'm Confused", which will have you dancing about uncontrollably to a solid beat backed by what feels like absolutely unsure and insecure, anxious vocals from the lovely Boeckner. He really does sound confused, as should be.

So as this rain falls, revist albums that have been out a bit; drip yourself in synth-pop glory and you'll forget you're also dripping wet.

Enjoy. See you at the gig hopefully.

[Handsome Furs - I'm Confused.]
[Handsome Furs - Radio Kalininbrad.]

King of Pop becomes King of Digital Music Sales? Yes sir. Obviously.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:20:00 +0000

Rightfully so, the legendary King of Pop--who never had trouble selling records when they were originally released (and years on, quite frankly)--is dominating digital music sales today, namely Thriller, Number Ones, Bad, and Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection.

For a man whose music never saw the tastes of a la carte buying and the degeneration of the "concept album" bought as a whole, the fans are flocking to iTunes to scoop up what's most important: his collective catalog of tunes.

Some of the numbers, to boot: 7 out of the top 10 albums on iTunes today belonged to Jackson, including the aforementioned, as well as Off the Wall, The Essential Michael Jackson, and Thriller (25th Anniversary Edition).

For singles, "Thriller", "Man in the Mirror", "The Way You Make Me Feel", and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" were listed in iTunes top 10 singles (followed behind in 12th and 13th spots, respectively, "Billie Jean" and "Black or White"...as well as everything else, for that matter!); for his childhood work with the beyond thrilling Jackson Five, many of those tunes are sitting pretty in the top 50--including "I Want You Back" and "ABC".

At least we know that NYC and Boston weren't the only locales blasting the Michael Jackson from every window last eve; now, all those iPod earbuds will be blasting, too.

R.I.P Michael Jackson

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:59:00 +0000

One of the world's greatest entertainers, the king of pop, Michael Jackson, has passed on. He was 50.

Arguably one of music's greatest innovators, he revolutionized the way music is delivered and provided a stage persona like none other, bridging the gap that was, at the time, firmly wedged between traditional rhythm and blues and the pop world. As a young child, my father introduced me to the tunes of a young Michael, the dynamic fireball who got his start fronting family band The Jackson Five...and from the first flick of the needle, I was mesmerized.

Since then, my father and I watched countless bits of footage of his precocious pop sensibility, his slick sliding of the feet, and the remarkable way, at just age 10, he could pull off the pinky ring and brilliant 'fro. From there, my Mum often would detail the exact moments in which she first saw him perform "Billie Jean" live, in 1983, as a solo artist; the night he paused, turned toward side stage, and slid his shoes across what felt like a mile of stage.

And his music comforted me as a young girl. I wore out my Jackson 5 cassette tapes, which I'd play on repeat via a little boom box which sat on the floor of my bedroom, the accompaniment to an afternoon playing Barbies--all of who could dance the moonwalk in their own right.

Now, all I have is a few 45s to spin; the epic single "Billie Jean", off the astounding and epic record Thriller (which garnered 7 out of 9 tracks total as Top 10 hits), released in 1982 and minted beautifully in cherry red vinyl..and the Jackson 5 classics, all on the Motown imprint--some warped from overplay so badly they'll, for ever now, have to remain in sleeve.

So I write this in honor of my Pa, who introduced me to the king of pop's tunes and who died at age 50, just as Michael did, and to the tunes that cemented my love for music as a child. And to those Barbies of mine, who sit in a crate somewhere in my Mum's basement--they are undoubtedly doing a musty moonwalk in honor of the man, tonight, too.

You will be missed.

[The Jackson Five - The Love You Save (live, accapella).]
[The Jackson Five - I Want You Back (live, Goin' Back to Indiana Special).]
[Michael Jackson unveils the moonwalk and "Billie Jean", March 25, 1983, at 25: Motown.]

The flicker of a true diamond...or is it really a robot? No, No. It's Marina is all.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:08:00 +0000

P&C has been addicted to the delicious vocals of a one Marina and her Diamonds for quite awhile now, particularly thanks to an introduction to her tunes via a number of avenues, one of them blogger extraordinaire Nialler9.

That being said, her music is a a smash--and that can't be further from the truth in regards to her latest single, "I am Not a Robot", which has an equally impressive video to boot.

Marina is all pop goodness; oft argued to sit middle of the road to La Roux and Little Boots, if you are intrigued by either of the aforementioned, you're sure to appreciate this little gem. While I'm never a fan of the comparison; still, at least, all three represent some seriously powerful songwriting, an ever growing presence of pop musical prowess for the female set, so golf claps on that one.

Her latest EP, The Crown Jewels (out on Neon Gold), won't disappoint, really. The Welsh-born singer features new wave elements which crush with drum and bass, as well as keyboard inspired ballads that will make you weep and wish you were with her.

So enjoy her latest one, and some other ones (off the Obsessions 7-incher), too. Gobble away...and wish you were covered in...diamonds.

[Marina and the Diamonds - I am not a Robot.]
[Marina and the Diamonds - Obsessions.]
[Marina and the Diamonds - Seventeen.]

The "audacity" of a "huge" circle?

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:23:00 +0000

The mobile disco has just released an absolutely splendid video for their lead single "Audacity of Huge", feat. Chris Keating of Yeasayer fame, courtesy of PTV, and it's pretty damn brills. It's of course bizarre, and features a whole host of images via one floating circle. Strange indeed!

"Audacity of Huge", as P&C has mentioned numerous times, appears on sophomore release Temporary Pleasures (Wichita Recordings), which will drop August 17. The single for "Audacity of Huge" hits record shops a bit before, at August 3.

Enjoy.

Does this weather make you want to "Run to Your Grave"? Cue The Mae Shi.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:03:00 +0000

I am totally punked out. Thanks in part to an exhausting work week, as well as courtesy this absolutely diabolical Boston rain out.

And the best way to let this punked out mood fester as the rains pour on, is to grab the experimental punk off the record shelf, blast it, and throw your body around in the hopes that the rain will be so fearful of your flailing body, it will recede...for good.

Welp, at least humble blogger has got these at the ready. Cue The Mae Shi, which is an L.A. based outfit I've been enjoying for a couple of years now but haven't reached toward in quite some time.

Alas, thanks to the latest mixtape from a NonPretentious Dot Com contributor (of which P&C served up Nutrition for a couple of weeks back...when the weather was swell and I couldn't think of anything but freshly squeezed juiced and delicious fruits), I'm digging back into The Mae Shi, an L.A.-based experimental punk meets noise-core outfit that has already produced a pretty descent catalog of material since they formed back in 2002.

Their first EP, in 2003, was passed out to friends and bardered for mixtapes and the like, which is pretty cool if you ask me. Who doesn't love a mixtape? (...see, this is all coming full circle, isn't it?)

But there is no better album to turn to--particularly if you are a Mae Shi virgin--than last year's HLLYH. Stand out tracks include "Run to Your Grave" and "Lamb and the Lion". The lush, noisy and at times messy sounds will draw you in for sure. Apparently The Mae Shi cite their inspiration from the varied experience of the remix and the flow of hip hop production, which can always mean a good thing in my book.

So enjoy a bit of Mae Shi to get you through this weather. It helps, so click and breath out.

[The Mae Shi - Run to Your Grave.]
[The Mae Shi - Lamb and the Lion.]

Always tease tease tease...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:07:00 +0000

Honestly, if you are in need of a pump up or a boost, there couldn't be any better than this here tune, and of course, seeing Mick Jones and Joe Strummer working it live.

As I've been incredibly busy in work training faculty members on the ins and outs of using Google Apps as our communication and content management system (...zzzz...), I haven't had much time for anything but teaching technology and collaborative cloud computing...

Oh, and the Clash.

So enjoy, will you?

Every week is "mystery meat"...Not this week. "Ecstatic" over this meat!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:57:00 +0000

I can remember the first time I stumbled upon Black Star, featuring one brilliant New York MC and his partner in words, Talib Kweli, after my first boyfriend, a skateboarder with a predilection for blasting underground hip hop and 80s dirty rhymers and beat pioneers, thrust a mixtape at me and told me not to ask any questions. But after popping it in my stereo, all I had was questions.

The tracks therein that little mixtape (which I still have somewhere) stunned me straight out of my dirty cons with the spittage of a one Dante Terrell Smith, better known moniker, Mos Def: "Yo, from the first to the last of it, delivery is passionate./The whole and not the half of it, vocab and not the math of it..." And then, of course, there was Talib with his spatter about Sade and being a visonary.

That was "Definition"...and here we are, all the way at me, completely ecstatic. Or is that Mos Def?

It's both of us thanks to Mos Def's fourth solo studio go round, The Ecstatic, which dropped today in record shops on Downtown Records. And it couldn't be any more inspiring than that day back in 1998 when I first heard Black Star. And while "Mr. N*gga" will forever be my all-time favorite Mos Def bit, some of the tracks on The Ecstatic have left me jaw agape...and welp, ecstatic.

The album features dueling production from the brilliant Madlib and the late J. Dilla, as well as guesters from his longtime collaborator Talib Kweli and some remarkable Slick Rick. Much of the lyrical elements are entirely inspired--looking back at the history of his career and his previous work with Kweli. And after his third go round, True Magic, was anything but, fans were really hoping for a winner here, and quite frankly, should feel "ecstatic" at the thought Def has delivered where fans have feared falter.

There are, too, instrumental elements that will take you on quite the trip--traditional Indian sound that would make any Bollywood score director fall to knees and beg for a part of it in their reel, afrobeat, funk, jazz, and beyond. Yet, it sounds as if Mos Def didn't leave three square blocks in Brooklyn to make this...just as it should be, really. Stand out track is his first single, "Quiet Dog Bite Hard", which features a sample of the brilliant father of afrobeat, Fela Kuti, and Mos Def flexing his percussion chops on some timpani.

What's more, Mos Def did an absolute bang up brilliant job last night on Letterman, tackling the aforementioned timpani along with spitting to much applause.

Hot on the heels of humble blogger gobbling up everything available on the making of The Ecstatic, I stumbled upon one of the most remarkable things in awhile: Mos Def dissecting his favorite hip hop artist, MF Doom, now just Doom, and his brilliant lyrics.

Not only is it funny as hell, its pretty remarkable to see one excellent artist dig into one of their inspirations; and not just in the standard way with lines like "um, "insert typical artist here" is such an influence."

Plus, he sets the stage for a battle: Doom v. Lil' Wayne. Def puts his coin on Doom. Second that, with the little money I have, too.

With that being said, check out The Ecstatic...now. And to get you inspired, here's a bit of a Mos Def retrospective.

[Black Star (Mos Def and Talib Kweli) - Definition.]
[Mos Def (feat. Q Tip) - Mr. N*gga.]
[Mos Def as Chuck Berry - No Particular Place to Go (for Cadillac Records film).]
[Mos Def - Quiet Dog Bite Hard.]*

*off the just released The Ecstatic

Play some Blk Jks..."After Robots", of course.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:35:00 +0000

The intriguing Blk Jks, an outfit Pulp and Circumstance has been following for a bit now, have finally released details on their much-awaited by this here blog debut record.

Discovered by Diplo, the South African band infuses genres like funk, afro avant garde, electro, dub, even metal, with a whole bunch of fuzz and sonic explosion. It's one of the most interesting blends of music heard, in my humble opinion, in awhile because their tunes have so much going on, but not in an unfocused way. The band vacillates betwixt polished tracks and more rambling tunes that sound as if they are loose cannons with nowhere to fall; and that's quite exciting.

That being said, their debut full-length studio record, expected out on Strictly Canadian, will see record store shelves on September 8th. Titled At Robots, expect it to feature some tracks they've played far and wide--including a pretty sick set at SXSW 2009.

So, enjoy one of their latest efforts, to be featued on At Robots. Expect great things from this here band.

[Blk Jks - Molalatladi.]

How soon is now? Oh, it's now...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Clearly, I have a problem of late. For some reason, I cannot, and I mean cannot, stop spinning The Smith's second studio record--and most well known, turned oft into iconic tshirts (of which I too have one...bah!)--Meat is Murder.

Particularly "How Soon is Now?" It's like every time I hear "...I am human, and I want to be loooved" I decide, there an then, that I must hit repeat. What's with me? Am I turning into a sad bastard blasting The Smiths in my parents basement?

Unfortunately, no on the later part of that statement--since I've never lived in my Mum's basement, ever, even though her basement would have been the perfect musty, posters hanging off the wall, kind of place to blast said sad bastard tunes.

And even though "How Soon is Now?" didn't appear on the original UK release, rather as a b-side, it found its loverly success here in the states anyhow and has put me straight in The Smiths coma. Must be pulled out.....?

Maybe I should stop watching old episodes of The Craft (hello! great t.v. show...watch it) and I then, only then, I can be pulled from the mire.

Enjoy, anyways.

[The Smiths - How Soon is Now?]

It'll be "Two Weeks" and a wonk on the "Service Bell" to get me to stop listening to this...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:56:00 +0000

Humble blogger can't stop streaming the delicious live collab. betwixt the darling Leslie Feist and the experimentally brilliant Grizzly Bear.

The indie greats worked "Two Weeks" off Grizzly Bear's new record, Veckatimest, as well as "Service Bell", a track they recorded up together for the loverly Dark was the Night compilation at a gig this past Friday night in Toronto.

You too can gobble up all the greatness here.

For P&C's review of the amazing Veckatimest, well by all means.

Happy, now? You should be.

It's going to be "huge" alright...in remixing, that is.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:56:00 +0000

That didn't take long. Just weeks after Simian Mobile Disco slammed us with their new track, off their forthcoming sophomore release, with "Audacity of Huge" feat. Chris Keating of Yeasayer fame, the mixmasters are already reworking the track.

Naum Gabo's remix of "Audacity of Huge" is pretty intriguing. No word, as yet, on whether it will appear as a b-side to the single's August 3 release.

Temporary Pleasure was recorded up at the duo's east London studio space betwixt 2008 and 2009. P&C had the "pleasure" of being introduced to a few of the tracks as part of their latest live gig set, which rolled through Boston's Paradise in April. They sounded massive.

Temporary Pleasures is out just a few weeks on from the August 3 single release, at August 17. The new record will also feature guest vocals from the lovely Beth Ditto of Gossip, as well as Alex Taylor of Hot Chip, Gruff Rhys, and even Telepathe.

Let P&C know what you think of Naum Gabo's work over on those disco monkeys.

[Simian Mobile Disco - Audacity of Huge (Naum Gabo Remix).]

I think I might have loved a man for his beard...once?

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:04:00 +0000

Often times, late in the eve, when I'm catching up on random sorts of things and just spending quiet time with a cup of tea, I crave lighthearted, sentimental--straight lovely--tunes as light, soothing background fodder.

Ahem, let me just say, in this humble space, that I am loving life and ukulele...thanks to Sophie Medeleine. Her deliciously stripped, ukulele-driven tunes about things as whimsy as beards, locomotives...and welp, knitting, make me drool and then grab a tooth in pain. It's just too sweet for words.

You can stream all the tracks from her latest venture, LOVE.LIFE.UKULELE. here. What's more, you name the price for the downloads--and can gobble up some of her other work, like the hilarious Beardsong: A Rocky and Ball Creation (apparently written with Hannah Rockliffe) and The Stars. All three sets of materials were released this winter; the aforementioned two in February 2009, and the surprisingly well-polished LOVE.LIFE.UKULELE in March.

Still, after all that, if you can still handle the sugar...might I watch her in action so you know it's the real deal. Sophie makes beards seem as lovely as I've always known them to be; yes, this here humble blogger is a sucker for lovely male beards. They are splendid, indeed.

It's a NonPretentious Mixtape...I promise you!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:27:00 +0000

Awhile back, the lovely website NonPretentious Dot Com reached out and asked if humble blogger would contribute to their weekly mixtape series. Of course, I squealed and danced and hemmed and hawed and adjusted and tweaked and finally threw up my hands and passed my mix onto the brilliance behind the website.

And it is here for the gobbling. You not only get my little commentaries on all the tunes chosen, but you can download the whole mix over at iTunes...that is if you pay for it. Alas, fear not my blogger friends.

Shoot me an email or poke at me on Twitter if you want me to give it off to you for no pennies...I can do you one since you read this here space.

Wanting to not just give a list of glorious tunes, I decided to go with a fruit theme--after all, this is Pulp and Circumstance, Juiced! Working my way through bands with fruity names and tunes about fruit, and those tunes that are classics that really have nothing to do with fruit at all but reference fruit is some way, shape or form, you can score anything from Pulp classics to Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Peter Sellers, Peaches, Camper Van Beethoven, Orange Juice, Talking Heads...and beyond.

Thanks again to the lovely folks of NonPretentious for reaching out...one for my crafting blog Kraftworkin Everything Kitsch and the Kitchen Sink: Tunes to Krafttwork By will come shortly.

Let me know what you think. Mudslinging commences?

(Don't)You want some Little Boots?

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:02:00 +0000

Humble blogger is quite addicted to the delicious pop of a one Little Boots, aka UK songstress and 24 year old wonder, Victoria Hesketh.

What's more, Little Boots--who gets her name from a nick her friend slabbed her with--claims her moniker is meant to highlight her "little feet", something this here blog can relate to, having officially, the smallest feet any adult can claim (boos?).

Little Boots is really intriguing with some interesting disco-inspired pop tunes--she manages to blend that sweet, angelic style with some rougher edge.

But what's most kept on repeat of late is her brilliant acoustic cover of one of humble blogger's favorite tunes, "Don't You Want Me?" by Sheffield finest The Human League, which she performed for BBC radio just a bit ago. It's stripped down and different but really does the tune justice. Golf claps.

So enjoy this lovely cover, and be certain to keep an eye on Little Boots.

[Little Boots - Don't You Want Me? (acoustic cover).]

With a thud..."Arctic"-blast of info. on the third studio record...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:35:00 +0000

Humble blogger knew it! With a whole string of headlining festival dates this summer, this here blog got to sniffing that Sheffield's finest, The Arctic Monkeys, had a new album in the works--which was proper timing, anyways, since its been 2 years since the release of the brilliant sophomore go around, Favourite Worst Nightmare.

That being said, Arctics just announced deets on LP3--to see the light of day August 24 (thanks to a heads up from We All Want Someone to Shout For). The as-yet-to-be-titled record features 10-tracks...considerably less than the 25 they prepped for discussion to make the cut. Alas, this tight album leaves us in anticipation...what's to come from the boys, eh?

It was produced by the amazing James Ford (who lent a hand for Favourite Worst Nightmare and that little Alex Turner side-project) and Josh Homme of Queens of the StoneAge. Predicting more pummeling percussion and even heavier sound from the influence? Likely.

(Side Note: Is it just me or has Jamie turned from the red-cheeked babe into a total bear? Seriously.)

Enjoy an acoustic version of one of the latest Arctics tunes to make the LP3 cut.

[Arctic Monkeys - Fire & The Thud (acoustic).]

Uncensored Indeed: The History of Minstrel Songs and the Blues!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:42:00 +0000

Known most often as a racist representation of blacks pre an post civil war in America, Minstrel shows, which began in the 1820s, were first conducted by white entertainers who "performed in blackface". And despite their history of portraying African Americans as lazy, ignorant, baffoons, it helped to spawn some of the greastest music in history--classic blues.

By 1980, black entertainers hoped to find money by performing and revampin minstrel shows--creating troupes of their own and eventually dominating this entertainment field, which performed traveling three-act sets in tents mostly across the south. Out of this domination came the "Classic Blues" artists that P&C has written about often here; the blues artists gaining their first start in show biz through minstrel performances.

Eventually, by 1900, minstrel shows were out--and vaudeville was in. Giving way to acrobats, comedians, comedians, and of course, blues singers, for 25 years these "Classic Blues" artists traveling perfecting their stage performance--think Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and the like.

And thanks to the deliciously amazing Mike Rugel at the Delta Blues Museum and his brilliant Uncensored History of the Blues podcast, you can take a trip through these "Minstrel Songs". Performed by the likes of blues greats Son House, Gus Cannon, Barbeque Bob, and Furry Lewis, Rugel gives a nice history of the tunes, the musicians, and the role of minstrel.

It's a must listen for all blues devotees, really.

So enjoy a slice of some of my favorite blues artists, you won't regret it.

For anything P&C has written about the Uncensored History of the Blues podcast before, clicky clicky, gander, gander.

God help this girl...she can't stop listening!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:10:00 +0000

Four years, four years it's been...for Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian fame to finally roll out his latest project, God Help the Girl...

...and for the sake of record keeping, let's just make clear it was well worth every tick of the clock in wait.

OK, let's back up and get this straight. The lead singer and songwriter of Scottish indie pop band Belle & Sebastian has created this musical film, called God Help the Girl, and then collected up a whole bunch of artists to sing on its soundtrack of the same name.

The film, which will release in 2010, features old Belle & Sebastian classics, as well as new tunes written by Murdoch exclusively for the God Help the Girl. And he sought public talent to help record up his art--Murdoch held open auditions, allowing the public to submit tracks or videos featuring their singing talents for a chance to record on the soundtrack.

Featuring some delicious, albeit newcomer, female singers who will no doubt have great success, the 14-track album was recorded up in 2008, and includes lead vocals from the absolutely mesmerizing Catherine Ireton. There is also some guesting done by Asya, a teenager who fronts Seattle indie band Smoosh and Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy. The loverly contest winners, who wowed Murdoch with their musical chops, include Brittany Stallings and Dina Bankole, as well as Celia Garcia and Alex Klobouk.

Matador will release God Help the Girl in the states June 23, with a June 22 Rough Trade drop in Europe.

The first single, a real goose bump inducing track, "Come Monday Night", is absolutely infectious, you're sure to keep it on repeat. The amazing "Perfection as a Hipster" speaks for itself, really. No explanation needed.

Thank you once again Mr. Murdoch. Enjoy.

[God Help the Girl - Come Monday Night.]
[God Help the Girl - Perfection as a Hipster.]

Artist(s) to Watch: Little Big Adventure.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:57:00 +0000

Apparently this here blog is on a Labrador kick of late--not the pups, but the label. And after hearing Little Big Adventure signed on to the loverly label, welp, P&C jumped again.

Little Big Adventure is a deliciously addicting electro-pop at the hands of sole member Magnus Sätterström (naturally, a Swede...ahem, it's Labrador!), who just dropped his debut EP The Hateful Eye.

And it's pretty addicting, in fact. Magnus Sätterström creates these infectious numbers even though he claims his tunes are all about "hate". Hate never sounded so sweet, methinks, despite the distinct melancholy, thanks to that lush, layered instrumentation.

Decide for yourself. Take an adventure.

[Little Big Adventure - Happiest Times.]
[Little Big Adventure - The Hateful Eye.]

Man, I "labr"-adore this track...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:32:00 +0000

Thanks to a heads up from Swedes Please!, the loverly music blog dedicated to all things, well, Swedish, P&C is absolutely addicted to the new Radio Dept. track "David", the first single off their forthcoming album.

"David" is signature Radio Dept.; washed out and melodic, straight totally shoegaze--all reasons why humble blogger has long been a fan of this here band since their mounting success in the early 2000s.

And this new single couldn't come at a better time; as Bostonites sit in a freezing, damp mess of rain and generally March-like weather, welp, then an outfit like The Radio Dept. really fills a need.

What's more, one of my favorite labels--Labrador--is giving it all away, free. You really must gobble up "David" and see for yourself. But if you hanker for the added tracks a little EP affords, David will drop in record shops June 24.

Enjoy ahead of time, kittens (particularly my Boston weather-weary kittens).

This certainly makes my work more "fluid"...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna!) — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:21:00 +0000

Lately in work, humble blogger has found herself doing quite a bit of repetitive data entry and bug fixing and generally techie nonsense, that leaves me quite alone with my little laptop baby.

That being said, for some odd no rhyme or reason, my sometimes monotony and all the time plugged in aloneness has left me seeking solace from the brilliant electronic duo's 2008 record LP3.

More importantly, the brilliant track "Imperials", set to repeat. The album, recorded up in an astounding few weeks, features all these delicious manipulations, synthesizers, and addicting percussion.

What's more, today I was introduced to a brilliant new piece by Charlie Bucket, called "Fluid Sculpture", which is essentially this amazing art created by knitting surgical tubing and then running red fluid throughout. Bucket's video of the amazing artwork features none other than the aforementioned "Imperials", and it couldn't be better timing--Bucket will show off his creation this coming weekend at the Bay Area Maker Faire, put on by the techie heads over at the lovely Make Magazine. Uber drools.

So enjoy one of my latest addictions; and of course, if you find yourself working on projects like mine, theentire LP3 record is the perfect background tat, tat, tat.

[Ratatat- Imperials.]