Muzak For Cybernetics

Muzak for Cybernetics Mixtape: 8 Tracks for Nov. 2009 (Japan Edition)

2009-11-05T01:46:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted an 8 Tracks mix, but I thought this time around I would put together a themed mix consisting entirely of Japanese bands and songs inspired by my recent trip to Japan. Some of these songs are brand new while others are old, but hopefully some will be new to you. Among the choice cuts we have a song from one of the many stellar Japanese Beatles tribute bands (The Parrots), a track from the latest Polysics record, and a new Deerhoof side project called OneOne. When you press play, the music to flow!

Playlist:
OOIOO - O O I A H
DMBQ - Ohh! Baby
The Parrots - Drive My Car
Polysics - Wasabi
8bit Project - Raiders March
The Zoobombs - Jumbo
Cornelius - Breezin'
OneOne - Urumaku Shotengai

Field Music - Each Time is a New Time

2009-10-29T00:38:00.003-04:00

Although I've been enjoying the music of both School of Language and The Week That Was, I still couldn't help lamenting the fact that Field Music had supposedly broken up after the release of their second album Tones of Town. Naturally, I'm pretty stoked to find out that they're back together again, and they've been writing so much new material that they're actually going to be putting out a double album early next year! The brothers Brewis will release Measure on February 17th via Memphis Industries, and they've got a couple of free MP3s available via their official website right now. Check 'em out.

Datarock - The Pretender (Video)

2009-10-29T00:14:00.002-04:00

A nice little homage to John Carpenter's They Live. The song appears on Datarock's second album Red, which is in stores now.

» Buy it on Amazon

Weezer - (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To (Video)

2009-10-29T00:05:00.003-04:00

The first single from their new album Raditude. Directed by Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer).

» Pre-order it on Amazon

The Flaming Lips - I Can Be a Frog (Video)

2009-09-23T13:53:00.000-04:00

The Flaming Lips have a new album coming out in a couple of weeks called Embryonic, and if you thought their last few records were a little too poppy and/or commercial (by their standards, anyway), I doubt you'll feel the same way about this one. Embryonic is the band's first double album, and it seems to be pretty out there in terms of experimentation and weirdness. This video for "I Can Be a Frog" says it all! (Animal noises provided by Karen O. from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.)

» Pre-order it on Amazon

Free Energy - Free Energy (Video)

2009-09-22T13:55:00.005-04:00

I've been wondering what happened to the band Hockey Night for a while now, and apparently someone forgot to tell me that they broke up. Fortunately, Paul Sprangers and Scott Wells have since started up a new band called Free Energy, and they capture a similar sound right down to the '90s indie vibe and Pavement-esque vocals. Their upcoming debut album is being produced by LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, but in the meantime, look for their digital EP (out today on iTunes) and check them out on tour with The Rakes this fall!

Air - Sing Sang Sung (Video)

2009-09-22T10:46:00.000-04:00

French electronic duo Air are back with a new album next month called Love 2, and the first single is a beautiful song called "Sing Sang Sung". Let this video take you on a colourful animated journey as you watch a ball roll through trippy cartoon landscapes. Directed by Mrzyk & Moriceau.

» Pre-order it on Amazon

The Bicycles - What a Fool (Video)

2009-09-19T19:44:00.001-04:00

I've always been a sucker for 8-bit art and animation, and when you combine it with Canadian power pop group The Bicycles, it makes for an unlikely yet endearing match. The song is from their album Oh No, It's Love, and the video is directed by Chris Cunningham (no, not that Chris Cunningham).

» Buy it on Amazon

Modest Mouse - King Rat (Video)

2009-08-05T20:23:00.003-04:00

Well if you can believe it, Heath Ledger has given us yet another gift from beyond the grave: he directed this new animated video for Modest Mouse's "King Rat". The story goes that he approached Isaac Brock with an idea for the video back in January of 2007. The basic storyline was sketched out prior to his death, so The Masses went and completed it according to his vision.

The video will be available on iTunes on August 7th, and proceeds from purchases will go to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The new Modest Mouse EP No One’s First, And You’re Next features b-sides and outtakes from the recording sessions for their last two albums.

» Buy it on Amazon

Bit Shifter - The World Has Turned and Left Me Here

2009-08-05T20:13:00.004-04:00

I'm a sucker for 8-bit and/or lo-fi electronic renditions of popular songs, and if (like me) you're a fan of both Weezer and Moog Cookbook, then you'll definitely want to check this compilation out. Weezer: The 8-bit Album is a free compilation of chiptune artists re-inventing classic tunes from Weezer in a variety of ways. Not every song is a winner, but how can you complain when it's free? Thanks Pterodactyl Squad!

» Bonus Track: Unicorn Dream Attack - Jamie
» Download the Whole Album

The Octopus Project - Wet Gold (Video)

2009-08-05T20:03:00.002-04:00

Here's another quirky little video from The Octopus Project, who just released their Golden Beds EP last week. Who says that being stranded at sea can't be fun? The video is directed by the Zellner Bros, who also did the video for "Truck".

» Buy it on Amazon

The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother (Video)

2009-07-30T00:30:00.002-04:00

Yep, Jack White's got another band. This video is pretty bad ass though. It's directed by Jonathan Glazer, and it's got machine guns. The album Horehound is in stores now.

» Buy it on Amazon

Devo - Don't Shoot (I'm a Man) (Video)

2009-07-30T00:11:00.004-04:00

I've been pretty excited about the prospect of a new Devo album coming sometime this year (apparently, it's actually been delayed until 2010), and yet somehow the fact that they had recently released a brand new video managed to slip right past me. "Don't Shoot (I'm a Man)" was among a handful of new songs that they debuted at SXSW in March, and will appear on their forthcoming album Fresh.

This slick animated video was directed by Gerald Casale and Davy Force, and if you ask me, the music already sounds better than anything on their 1990 album Smooth Noodle Maps. Fingers crossed... I must see these guys live before I die!

Muzak For Cybernetics Mixtape: 8 Tracks for July 09

2009-07-10T11:00:00.008-04:00

Just in time for the hot summer months, it's another 8 Tracks mix for you to enjoy courtesy of Muzak For Cybernetics! Among the bands featured this month are Grand Duchy (Frank Black's new band with his wife, Violet Clark), funk/soul/electro act The Phenomenal Handclap Band and Toronto's own Black Hat Brigade. All you have to do is press play.

Playlist:
The Phenomenal Handclap Band - 15 to 20 (feat. Lady Tigra)
Hot Chip - Transmission (Joy Division cover)
Junior Boys - Hazel
Passion Pit - Little Secrets
Mahogany - Neo-Plastic Boogie-Woogie
Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Little Girl (feat. Julian Casablancas)
Grand Duchy - The Long Song
Black Hat Brigade - Castlevania

Polvo - Beggars Bowl

2009-06-23T00:03:00.007-04:00

This September, yet another '90s indie rock band will make its triumphant return. Polvo are one of the early pioneers of what could be considered "math rock", except that no one wants to use those words anymore. Merge Records is gearing up to release In Prism, their first album in 12 years, and they've given us a sample track from the album that kicks all kinds of ass.

"Beggars Bowl" features crunchy yet angular guitars, and plenty of stops and starts... I didn't know how badly I missed this until I heard it again.

Weird Al Yankovic - Craigslist (Video)

2009-06-17T16:10:00.004-04:00

If you were expecting Weird Al to write a song about Twitter, well guess what... he's one step behind you! Instead he's given us "Craigslist"... a timely topic mixed with a dated parody/tribute to The Doors. Kinda strange, and not all that funny either, but the video is directed by Liam Lynch (Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny) so I thought a few people might be interested.

Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes (Video)

2009-06-15T16:54:00.005-04:00

A trippy video for a trippy song, featuring melting ice sculptures and members of the FLEX dance crew (who also appeared with Animal Collective on Letterman). Taken from their latest album Merriweather Post Pavilion; the single hits stores on July 7th.

» Buy it on Amazon

Coconut Records - Microphone (Video)

2009-06-05T02:17:00.003-04:00

The first video from Jason Schwartzman's second solo album Davy is a pretty low-budget affair, but quirky and charming nonetheless. Shot essentially on the fly by Johannes Gamble at his house, it all takes place within the surreal dreams of a snoring dog. How adorable!

» Buy it on Amazon

MGMT - Kids (Video)

2009-06-04T15:05:00.006-04:00

"Kids" was released as a single by MGMT back in October I believe, but apparently they just recently got around to making an official video for it. I suppose we can forgive them since the video also happens to star Joanna Newsom. Don't watch before bed though... it might give you nightmares!

Fischerspooner - We Are Electric (Video)

2009-06-03T18:09:00.003-04:00

Now this is a music video! I want that crazy hat. Fischerspooner's third album Entertainment is in stores now.

» Buy it on Amazon

Tortoise - Prepare Your Coffin (Video)

2009-06-03T18:02:00.003-04:00

From their upcoming album Beacons of Ancestorship, out on June 23rd via Thrill Jockey.

» Pre-order it on Amazon

Mixel Pixel - Monster Manual (Video)

2009-06-03T01:53:00.000-04:00

Cool animated tribute to the D&D Monster Manual... if you're not a nerd, you won't know what that is. Directed by Dan Meth through the $99 Music Video Program!

» Mixel Pixel on MySpace

Dinosaur Jr. - I Want You To Know

2009-04-30T14:25:00.007-04:00

Back in 2007, Dinosaur Jr. re-united and recorded the album Beyond, which to my ears was a refreshing and welcome resurgence of early '90s rock (not unlike The Lemonheads comeback from the year before). It was like they had picked up pretty much where they left off and transported me back to my high school days. Still, apparently Lou Barlow wasn't completely happy with the album, and wanted to fully reclaim their roots. Now that their new album Farm is finished, he is describing it as "totally old school", and a lot more in line with their first three records (you know, before they signed to a major label). If this first track is any indication, I'd say he's right on the money. Farm will be released on Jagjaguwar Records on June 23rd.

» Pre-order it on Amazon

Phoenix - Lisztomania (Video)

2009-04-30T01:45:00.003-04:00

I first heard Phoenix on the soundtrack for Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation, which has gone on to become one of my favourite soundtracks of all time. They are a French band that formed in the late '90s with close ties to electronic bands Air and Daft Punk. Although they aren't an electronic band themselves, they do use synthesizers liberally in their dreamy pop/funk/rock blend. Their fourth album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is almost upon us, and as seen in the video for "Lisztomania" it is at least partially themed around classical composers. The video was directed by Antoine Wagner. Look for the album in stores on May 26th.

The Boy Least Likely To - When Life Gives Me Lemons I Make Lemonade (Video)

2009-04-26T20:27:00.006-04:00

UK indie pop outfit The Boy Least Likely To just released their sophomore album The Law of the Playground in the U.S. a couple weeks ago, but they've already made three (count 'em three!) videos from the album including this one for "When Life Gives Me Lemons I Make Lemonade". Directed by Jayne Vidheecharoen, it's hot off the presses and features the knitted bird from the cover of the album in an animated wonderland of sorts. (Interesting bit of trivia: The Office/Parks and Recreation star Rashida Jones appears in the video for their most well-known song "Be Gentle With Me".) Be sure to follow The Boy Himself on Twitter!