Paqman&Bull

New Toro Y Moi Album Brings Many Happy Returns

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 19:19:00 +0000

Nerdy Crooner Plays Ladies Man on Latest Release 'Anything In Return'

If you've been on the P&B tip for a quite some time, you may recall my past post on the Chillwave genre, where I searched for some guidance/insight/understanding of exactly what this style of music really was.

Although using the term "chillwave" to describe the music of Toro y Moi (real name Chaz Bundick) has now become passe (he has tried to distance himself from being a poster boy for the genre), the music on his latest release Anything in Return defies specific categorization.

Here's my shot a description: It melds downtempo electronic music and indie pop with flourishes of hip hop, 80's and 90's freestyle (think Stevie B or Shannon) and New Jack Swing R&B.

The lead single So Many Details reminds me of the following artists ALL AT THE SAME TIME:

808's & Heartbreaks-era Kanye West
The Neptunes/N.E.R.D.
Justin Timberlake
James Blake
Bon Iver
Al B. Sure

The track slowly builds momentum with layers of sonic texture and some hip hop style vocal samples, but just as things get moving, it breaks down like a Transformers Decepticon, only to build itself right back up again with even more layers of sound.

It's a silky smooth cut despite the nerd-like awkwardness of the lyrics and Bundick's personality, which shows itself in both the music and the video (see below).

It's panty-remover music for fans of The Big Bang Theory! And this first single truly sets the tone for the remainder of the album.

The record is bookended by two uptempo tracks at the beginning and end, but tracks 3 through 9 serve as it's fulcrum, and is where fans of Toro y Moi's first album Causers Of This will find their sonic sweet spot.

Aside from the first single, other stand-out cuts from this include Cola, High Living, Grown Up Calls, and Day One....

IMHO, with the exception of track #2 Say That (personally I'm not feelin' it), this entire album has no bad songs.

It has been on blast for me ALL WEEK LONG, and I don't think I'll stop listening anytime soon!

-Turnbull

Paqman's Top 10 Albums Of 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 20:55:00 +0000

Tens of thousands of albums have been released this past year, so P&B are taking on the arduous task of breaking down our very own Top 10 Albums of 2012 List. We'll break down the albums, EPs, and mixtapes, etc, that made for quintessential listening throughout the year. If you don't see something on here that you feel should've made the lists, feel free to leave a comment or send us an email about it!

10) Kid Koala - 12 bit Blues

I've got so much love for Kid Koala, and it goes beyond him being a proud Canadian. Eric San (aka Koala) takes old blues to the next level with a fresh take on some old recordings. As an added bonus, San creatively found a way to turn the CD case into a working mini turntable. Brilliant.

P&B Approved Cuts: 1 bit Blues (10,000 miles), 3 bit Blues, 8 bit Blues (Chicago to LA to NY)

ALL OF THE P&B APPROVED CUTS CAN BE ENJOYED HERE ON RDIO.

9) Grizzly Bear - Shields

I've tried to get into Grizzly Bear in the past, but always had a hard time getting a feel for their music. Shields is the most cohesive collection of songs that I have had the pleasure of experiencing from the group (with limited exposure to the 4 piece from Brooklyn of course). I missed them when they opened for Radiohead years ago, but I now finally get them.

P&B Approved Cuts: Sleeping Ute, Yet Again

8) DIIV - Oshin

As we continue to keep it Brooklyn, DIIV (pronounced Dive) come in at number 8 with their shoegazingly awesome debut album. The riffs are delay and reverb heavy, reminiscent of the Cure, with very dreamy melodies and hooks. I'm looking forward to seeing them live (heard that they sound much edgier on stage) next time they are in the Tdot.

P&B Approved Cuts: Past Lives, How Long Have You Know?, Doused

7) Oddisee - People Hear What They See

Amir Mohamed el Khalifa, better known as Oddisee, has been in the game since 1999. Surprisingly, Turnbull and I only discovered him this year. Coming off as a more conscious rapper, Oddisee quotes Rakim and a Tribe Called Quest as influences and you can hear it in his rhymes and production. Don't be fooled, this is the REAL Wiz Khalifa.

P&B Approved Cuts: Ready to Rock, That Real, American Greed

6) JJ DOOM - Key to the Kuffs

The super villain does it again. Everyone's favourite masked man behind the mic, DOOM, delivers a classic album with producer/rapper Jneiro Jarel. DOOM does not disappoint on "Kuffs" where he spits his signature rhymes, which are as witty as ever. Legend claims that DOOM recorded all of his vocals in the UK since he was denied entry back into the US due to complications with his visa. The English are lucky to have this mad genius living among them, as long as he shows up when booked to preform. You just can't keep this villain down!

P&B Approved Cuts: Guv'nor, Winter Blues, Retarded Fren, Wash Your Hands

5) Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods

My fave rock/alternative outfit came out with a solid effort which hits up the mid-way mark of this round up. Silversun Pickups have put together another eerie collection songs that could double as a soundtrack for a horror movie. The only element missing from the album cover to complete the imagery would be an ominous shadow on the white fence. There is a heavier electronic presence on "Woods" that melds well into their sonic arsenal. Some of the intros are a little on the long side, but most of the tracks are so great that you don't notice it. They showed that they are in the driver's seat now since bands they have been compared to (i.e. the Smashing Pumpkins) totally flopped with their releases this year.

P&B Approved Cuts: Skin Graph, Make Believe, Mean Spirits, The Pit

4) Captain Murphy - Duality

When Captain Murphy first hit the web-waves, it was believed to be a colabo from Tyler, The Creator, Earl Sweatshirt and Flying Lotus. It was finally revealed later in the year that it was the brainchild of Flying Lotus, who laid down the rhymes and production. The sound on this mixtape of the year reminds me of Mad Lib (who appears as a producer on "Children of the Atom") but only weirder...which is why I feel in love with it. The narrative on the album is a guide on how to become a cult leader, complete with all the steps to achieve this dark goal. FlyLo put together a 35 minute NSFW video for "Duality", which includes stock cult footage and hardcore sex scenes. Totally worth to view if you feel like tripping out for half an hour. The video, and a free download of the entire mixtape (with bonus tracks), are available poetically at captainmurphy.xxx .

P&B Approved Cuts: El Topo, Mighty Morphin Foreskin, The Ritual, Between Friends feat. Earl Sweatshirt

3) Tame Impala - Lonerism

Tame Impala is the psychedelic brainchild of Kevin Parker, who writes and records most of the tracks that you hear on "Lonerism" and all previous releases. The Perth based group took a safer approach on their 2nd studio album, writing what seems like more radio friendly cuts. The raw charm from "Innerspeaker" has faded a bit, but the sound and songwriting have matured. I had the pleasure of seeing Tame Impala in November 2012 and they preformed exactly as expected. The live sound was on point, air tight and mesmerizing.

P&B Approved Cuts: Apocalypse Dream, Music To Walk Home By, Elephant

2) Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.a.a.d. city

Kendrick Lamar dropped what was by far the most anticipated rap album of the year. Like any project touched by the great Dr. Dre, the release date was pushed back due to issues with some of the tracks (presumably "creative differences" on cuts that Lady Gaga worked on i.e. "Partynauseous" and "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe"). This would not put a damper on the hype surrounding "good kid, m.a.a.d. city" since it was received extremely well by critics and fans alike. K-Dot showed why he is rap music's saviour, displaying his signature flow and incredible delivery via his rhyming acrobatics.You cannot underestimate this kid's skill and his impending influence on young rappers listening to his work. Lamar's mixtape was #1 on my 2011 list and his 2012 release could easily be at the top of his one as well.

P&B Approved Cuts: The Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees, Poetic Justice, Real, The Recipe

1) Frank Ocean - channel ORANGE

Mr. Ocean had quite an eventful year. He went on his first NA tour, released his major label debut album and announced to the world on tumblr that he fell in love with a man. He made some brave moves to deliver these major elements of his young career. "channel ORANGE" is a concept album where each track is unique, but lead to the album's cohesiveness. It's like Ocean is channel surfing for the duration of the LP. From "Sierra Leon" to "Crack Rock" to "Bad Religion", you get a sense of the diversity in his songwriting. It feels like you've got a 1st class ticket aboard his journey into his musical awareness. If Ocean keeps delivering albums like "ORANGE", his longevity in the R&B and Pop game is all but guaranteed.

P&B Approved Cuts: Sierra Leone, Sweet Life, Super Rich Kids, Pyramids, Monks

2012 Honorable Mentions:

Reptar - Body Faucet
El-P - Cancer 4 Cure

Deftones - Koi No Yokan
Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music
Soundgarden - King Animal

-Paqman

Amazing Disappointment: So long, Peter Parker?

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 01:44:00 +0000

Cover for Spider-Man #700 (Photo via spidermancrawlspace.com)

I haven't read Amazing Spider-Man #700 yet, but the crawling was on the wall as the series was leading up to it's final issue. As most of you know (if you don't and care, you can stop reading this post right now), Doctor Octopus has switched bodies with Peter Parker and has been web-slinging around NYC in his place. Pete has been trying to find a way to get his body back as he's fading away in Doc Ock's deteriorating shell. From the rumblings online (and death threats to the Spidey creative team), he does not succeed in getting back to his perpetually youthful body.

I am not impressed by this turn of events at all. I'll save my final judgement until I've leafed through the $8 book. I cannot understand how they could wipe out one of the most iconic characters/alter egos of all time and let a villain take the keys to Spider-Man's body. This is the lowest point of Marvel's "Now" relaunch this year. On the flip side, you can never really die in the Marvel and DC Universes.

-Paqman

I Got Key'ed & Peeled (And I LOVED IT!)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 20:45:00 +0000

image via nycgo.com

I was hanging out with RGD2, Willis Mack, and D-Ny over at The Weatherman's place last Friday.

When I'm with these dudes, I know there's a chance I'll get exposed to some weird-ass, obscure TV series.....past examples include and The Increasing Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job.

This night was no exception, as this time they introduced me to "Key & Peele" on Comedy Central.

Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are two Mad TV alumni.

I watched about four or five skits from this sketch comedy show and it was some of the funniest shit I've seen in years!

There's a ton of their stuff on Youtube. Here are just a few examples:

East/West College Bowl:

Dubstep:

Substitute Teacher:

-Turnbull

Goddammit People! Stop Calling Me The Muscle Hamster!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 18:08:00 +0000

image via bucsnation.com

Would you all please stop calling Doug Martin "The Muscle Hamster??"

He hates his nickname.

Now I know, I know....it's a hilarious handle!

But seriously, folks.....Doug does not like it. (And yes I'm talking to you, Tony Kornheiser!)

NFL Network's Game Day Morning show today aired clips from LaDainian Tomlinson's interview with the 5'9", 223-lb Martin, in which he voiced his opinion on his imposed Muscle Hamster moniker.

He's not feeling it.

And can you blame the man?

Martin's preferred nicknames include "The Dougernaut" or "Martin Scores-easy"

But anyway.....

The diminuitive rookie running back sensation outta Boise State has been MURDERING IT for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season, and he currently leads the league in yards from scrimmage.

Martin has stepped wonderfully into the Bucs backfield this season, making everyone forget about LeGarrette Blount, while reminding us all of Warrick Dunn.

Props to Buccaneers Coach Greg Schiano for doing a nice job so far this season.

-Turnbull

Karriem's Beats Makin' Me Fiendish

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 23:29:00 +0000

The title of this post is taken from a rhyme from the track "Quills" by The Roots, which appeared on their 2002 album Phrenology. It was the first time I'd ever heard the name of Detroit jazz drummer and producer Karriem Riggins.

I knew he was popular within hip hop production circles, but I never really knew much about him.

But I was recently tipped off on this latest record he has released entitled Alone Together, and I gotta say I'm feelin' it immensely!

This album lives right at the cross-section of hip hop and jazz music, and will bring delight to fans of instrumentals and beats. The first comparison I drew was to J Dilla's Donuts album.

What I like about this record is the fact that with 34 tracks in total, you'll always discover a new track that you dig, so it always sounds fresh. This is what you've come to expect from a Stones Throw release.

A super-dope record indeed.

-Turnbull

K-Dot Takes T-Dot: Good Kid, m.A.A.d Talent

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 01:51:00 +0000

(Photo via flickr.com)

I'm not a huge fan of weekday concerts. Can't really bust loose and get into it (if you know what I mean). This is especially true for a hip hop show. The wait...it always drives me crazy, waiting for all of the fluff to run its course before the main event (while staying disciplined). Mix in the young fans, a few too many unannounced opening acts, a few too many announced acts not showing up. It usually becomes an adventure and test of patience, which I don't have on a weekday. We arrived an hour later than the posted show start time for the previously stated reasons and didn't miss a thing.

BET is the Music Matters tour's sponsor and we were fortunate enough to watch a 5 minute plug for the network on the main stage's big screen. Eventually and thankfully, Kendrick Lamar arrived. No extraness or drawn out introduction. Just Kendrick doing work. The kid is a pro and he rhymed through material from his 3 mixtapes with great energy and precision. He played all of my favorite cuts from Section 80 including "Hol' Up", "A.D.H.D.", and "No Make Up (Her Vice)".

Our first taste of stage banter from Lamar came a few songs into his set when he explained that it was his first time back in Toronto since 2010 and said that he was finally back home. We know that he's from Compton, but on this night he gave a performance worthy of his hometown. The energized crowd ate up every track he special delivered until it came crashing into an ecstatic crescendo. October and Toronto's very own Drizzy Drake dropped by and laid down the first verse and chorus from HYFR. He professed his admiration for the young member of Black Hippy, and told those in attendance to expect an amazing record to drop on 22-AUG-2012 i.e. good kid, m.A.A.d. city, Lamar's major label debut.

I wrote a post on Lamar over a year ago and I'm a bigger fan after seeing him live. You don't often have the opportunity to see an artist who is on the cusp of greatness. But we all witnessed a star in the making who was meant to do this. I cannot wait to see him grow and mature into who could be the greatest MC to come out of the West coast.

-Paqman

In Which The NHL Hates Itself And Will Lose Its Momentum

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 23:29:00 +0000

If this guy can't handle the lockout, there's no hope for the rest of us (photo via toromagazine.com)

As the clock strikes 12 am on September 16th, 2012, please welcome the latest edition of the NHL lockout. You might want to hurl your verbal stones at the ever lovable Bettman and his team of owners. Or those unfortunate players that make money playing a game. It doesn't matter how you shake it, they want their money and their "fair share". And the fans? Unless we can actually get the PSEC off the ground, here's your very quick survival guide until the NHL and NHLPA get their shit together:

- If you watch American football, you're good. Skip this whole section.

- If you don't dig on pigskin, it's the home stretch in the MLB. I'm not a huge fan of the regular season, but the playoffs get really intense. October looks a little brighter.

- As the World Series winds down, the NBA kicks into high gear. The season starts on October 30th with the Miami Heat defending their well deserved championship title and the newly renovated LA Lakers see if Kobe can play nice with his new friends, Nash and Howard.

- Get a hobby, or restart the one you gave up on. Drinking is not a hobby.

- Most importantly, don't panic.
...

You have to wonder how long Bettman will hold on to this NHL Commissioner gig. He's about to get his lockout hat trick, which is embarrassingly impressive. The Commish still holds his seat of power for one simple reason: the owners think that he's doing a good job. And he might be for all I know. From a fan perspective, he's terrible (hence the boos every time he makes an appearance) and his crony Daly is even worse. Unless you like rude, smug SOBs. Yeah...you might like them if that's your preference.

You have to love the press conferences that both the NHL and NHLPA put on this week. I find it so strange that this stalemate is becoming a PR battle for both sides of this negotiation. "No seriously, were the good guys here. Really we are. I want this season to start as scheduled. It kills me that we aren't. But we can't because the other side's demands are out of line. Did I mention that were the good guys?" Here's an idea, talk to us when you make some progress. I don't care if the other side are being a bunch of big meanies. Everyone can get paid, and we can continue to drop an insane amount of cash to watch it. This is the absolute worse time for a stoppage (not that there's ever a good time). The Kings won their first championship and people were buzzing on this. The NHL made record revenues. There was some serious momentum building up, folks. Get ready for it to stop dead.

Finally, to all of the fans out there in the world that say they will stop watching hockey if the lockout goes down, I'm calling you on your bullshit. As soon as you hear the news that the CBA has been signed and hockey is on, you will cry tears of joy. You will be back on that Franzen so fast and will eat up every second of the world's fastest and most exciting game.

-Paqman

Get Rich Or Die Ansari

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 01:23:00 +0000

(All photos via emceezansari.tumblr.com)

Please welcome Emceez Ansari to the webosphere, a brilliant tumblr account that features mashups of hip hop album covers and one of my favorite comedians Aziz Ansari. His face/look kills me when he's on stage and this takes it to the next level of awesome.

Take the jump to see more of these P&B approved gems.

-Paqman

JJ For Guv'nor: Jneiro Jarel + MF DOOM = JJ DOOM!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:15:00 +0000

image via guardian.co.uk

SHOULD you call it a comeback?!!? That answer's up to you.

Either way you slice it, I've returned to the blogosphere. Its been a long time since I've been here....had a lot on the go over the summer. Hit up the Osheaga Festival in Montreal (aka Mount REAL!!) Man, do I ever love that place. Nicest city in this great country IMHO.

And my cohort in crime Paqman tied the knot earlier this month. Congrats again....was honoured to be a part of it!

Anyway.....the point of the post is this:

JJ DOOM is the shit. I'll bring you up to speed if you're not aware. JJ DOOM is the latest collaboration between villain himself, everyone's favourite mask-donning hip hop superhero, MF DOOM and producer Jneiro Jarel. The rec is called Keys To The Kuffs.

I recommend this for anyone who's a fan of DOOM, particularly of the Danger DOOM collabo he did with Danger Mouse. I didn't really love that album. But to me, Keys To The Kuffs sounds like that album, but about 100X better?

Have you heard it? What do you think of it? We'd love to hear your opinion.

In the meantime, check out the weird-ass splitscreen video for "Guv'nor." I believe it's the first single:

-Turnbull

What You Want Me To Do? I'm Sorry! I'm Back...And The Game Has Changed.

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 21:33:00 +0000

(Photo via antiquesweb.org)

It's been a while since I've dropped science in the form of a post. Shit has changed P&B faithful! Let's kick this off the right way: to all of our readers, thanks for hanging in. If you're anything like me you crave fresh information and the blog has been stale for a minute. We have some exciting things coming down the pipe which we will drop on you when the time is right. Please continue to come back and keep that subscription on lock.

From a personal perspective, my life has amazingly changed. Curious? Click here. Best day of my life! Best day ever!

Now y'all know about my love/hate relationship with RIM, the embattled Blackberry maker. I'm happy to announce that I've officially purged my life of all Blackberry products. I've moved all of my day to day tools to Android, Google's mobile and tablet OS. Before I explain how awesome my new toys are, let me tell you why I jumped ship. I've defended BB since my first device, the Storm 9530. I then moved on to the Torch 9800 and scooped up the Blackberry Playbook. One of my biggest complaints for all of these products was the lack of support i.e. OS updates and missed deadlines. That wasn't enough for me to change over. The final nail in the coffin for me was the re-sked of BB10, the latest and greatest OS which is supposed to be the harbinger of a bright future for the Waterloo based company. Initially slated for a 3Q2012 release, it was pushed back to 2013.

I'm a patient guy but enough was enough. I gave away my Torch and Playbook to family members and bought the Samsung Galaxy S III and Google Nexus 7 tablet. I came out of the tech stone age and arrived back to the future. Having these devices is like watching the Dark Knight Rises again for the first time. Like listening to MF DOOM's "Mm...Food" without knowing anything about the supervillain. These devices are so responsive! So smooth! I don't have to reboot them after uninstalling an app! I have Chrome on my smartphone and tablet! Happy days!

Here is my promise to you: I'm done talking about Blackberry until they are taken over. I'm done settling for crappy anythings. We're ready to recommit to you. I'm all about change and change is good.

-Paqman

23 GIFs to Explain The NBA Finals

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 22:24:00 +0000

image via slamonline.com

I'm not happy with the result, but I'll take it.

Miami Heat are World Champs. I'm glad to see certain dudes on their team will get a ring, such as Mike Miller, and Shane Battier.

Lebron definitely learned his lesson from last year. I guess it was just his time. I'll give props where it's due.

With that said, the folks at Buzzfeed are at it again with these hilarious GIFs that break down the series.

Click HERE to enjoy!

-Turnbull

NBA Commish David Stern Responds to Jim Rome's "Loaded" Question

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 02:41:00 +0000

NBA Commissioner David Stern made an appearance in "The Jungle" today, otherwise known as the Jim Rome Radio Show.

To say that things got testy during their discussion would be a gross understatement, as Stern took major offense to Rome's question about whether the NBA Lottery was "fixed."

Good on Romie for asking the question. He meant no disrespect, and was throwing out a question on an issue that a lot of NBA fans (and sport fans in general) would love to get to the bottom of.

For the Commish to reply the way he did only showed his true character.

Shame on you Stern.

-Turnbull

2012 Bonnaroo Live Webcast Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 04:38:00 +0000

image via ibtimes.com

The 11th edition of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will be broadcast online this weekend for all your viewing pleasure.

Click HERE to go to their Youtube channel to catch some great bands.

You can also take the jump below to check out the schedule of performances, so you can plan when to tune in, right from the comfort of your own crib.

Bonnaroo 2012 Webcast Schedule:

Friday, June 10, 2012

12:30 p.m. Steven Bernstein's MTO Plays Sly

1:00 p.m. The Soul Rebels

1:45 p.m. tUnE-yArDs

2:00 p.m. The Infamous Stringdusters

2:45 p.m. The Lonely Forest

3:00 p.m. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

3:15 p.m. Two Door Cinema Club

4:00 p.m. Laura Marling

4:30 p.m. NEEDTOBREATHE

5:00 p.m. The Avett Brothers

5:00 p.m. Fitz & the Tantrums

6:30 p.m. Little Dragon

6:30 p.m. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

6:45 p.m. Alabama Shakes

7:45 p.m. Kendrick Lamar

7:45 p.m. St. Vincent

8:45 p.m. Foster the People

9:00 p.m. Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A

10:00 p.m. Radiohead

10:30 p.m. White Denim

11:30 p.m. SOJA

Saturday, June 9, 2012:

12:30 p.m. Darondo

1:00 p.m. Charles Bradley & his Extraordinaires

1:30 p.m. The Devil Makes Three

2:00 p.m. Das Racist

2:30 p.m. Sam Bush Band

3:00 p.m. Temper Trap

3:30 p.m. Battles

4:00 p.m. Punch Brothers

4:45 p.m. Blind Pilot

5:30 p.m. Dawes

6:00 p.m. Flogging Molly

7:00 p.m. Santigold

7:00 p.m. Mogwai

8:30 p.m. Childish Gambino

8:30 p.m. Dispatch

10:00 p.m. Red Hot Chili Peppers

10:00 p.m. Umphrey's McGee

Sunday, June 10, 2012:

12:30 p.m. Delta Spirit

1:00 p.m. Gary Clark Jr.

1:15 p.m. ALO

2:00 p.m. Here We Go Magic

2:00 p.m. Grouplove

3:00 p.m. Trampled By Turtles

3:00 p.m. City and Colour

3:30 p.m. The Antlers

4:00 p.m. Kathleen Edwards

4:30 p.m. Kenny Rogers

5:00 p.m. Ben Folds Five

5:45 p.m. Bon Iver

6:30 p.m. The Shins

7:15 p.m. Young the Giant

8:00 p.m. Phish

8:00 p.m. fun.

9:15 p.m. The Civil Wars

10:45 p.m. Kurt Vile & The Violators

-Turnbull

2012 NHL Playoffs: Unpatriotic Report And Final Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:12:00 +0000

(Photo via nhl.com)

I read this week that Bell and Rogers are gunning for the "Hockey Night In Canada" rights, which are up for renewal in 2014. So after 60 years of broadcasting into Canadian homes, there's a chance that the CBC will lose the televised Saturday night tradition. Surprisingly, I'm not upset about this. Not even close. Ask the "10 years younger" version of Paqman and that dude would be raging. "Tradition! Legendary! Institution!" is what he would've said (note to younger Paqman: Chill out homeboy!). All I see today is a sub par product that needs a make over and new talent (I'm talking to you Cole...we cool MacLean. We cool.) I prefer the TSN team right now, and NBC for the Cup Final.

The NBC product looks crisp and is more engaging. Love how they discreetly provide a constant flow of stats around the scoreboard. The play by play delivered by Doc Emrick is energetic, but sometimes "dumbed down" to accommodate the casual US hockey fan. Keeping on the mindless, Pierre McGuire aka Captain Obvious is in the mix. Its still hard to believe that he was in the running for the Habs' front office ("Thanks to Mr. Molson for hiring me. He's a monster!!") I also like resident colour commentator Eddie Olczyk. He keeps the broadcast informative and level headed. The entertainment level on NBC is at a higher level and that's why I made the switch.

CBC Sports, I'm on to the next. I'll be back when I don't have a choice. Upgrade your team and the quality of your broadcast and I'll be a believer again. P.S. Healy is a tool and needs to take his homering ass to the NYR/MSG broadcast.

Thoughts And Observations On Game 1:

- Doughty is a beauty. Haven't watched many LA games this year and I'm glad to see the million dollar holdout in action. The kid has so much confidence when he brings the puck out of his defense end. Doughty reads the play so well and makes the right decisions. Which leads me to the...

- Kings breakout. They are doing exactly what I've been preaching all these years. Quick passes. Wingers streaking down their wings. Making themselves available for a pass. LA makes it looks so easy while they execute their breakout with surgical precision. And they make the Devils D look foolish as they scramble for positioning. If NJ doesn't find a way to slow down the LA breakout, they will be toast.

- I'm expecting the Devils to have a huge game 2. This team's strength is off-ice, after the arena lights have turned off. It's all about adjustments, which is why they have found success this post season and the reason they're at the big dance. All credit goes to DeBoer and his coaching staff for tweaking the club's strategy in every round without breaking away from the original game plan. Full marks to the players for executing the strategic adjustments.

- The Kings are currently on a 9 game road win streak these playoffs, which is insane. 13 wins in 15 games. Very impressive, but something has to give. What goes up, eventually and always comes down.

Favourite Tweet From The LA Kings Twitter Account On Game Night:

They sure love this Marty guy in Jersey.

— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 31, 2012

-Paqman

End Of An Era: The Detroit Red Wings' "Perfect Human" Nicklas Lidstrom Retires

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 02:31:00 +0000

(Photo via slapshotcentral.tumblr.com)

Stanley Cup Champion. Olympic Champion. World Champion. Norris Trophy Winner. Conn Smythe Recipient. All Star. After 20 dominant years, "Mr. Perfect" Nicklas Lidstrom retired from the franchise that drafted him 53rd overall in '89. He was selected after Sundin, Holik, Kolzig, Foote and Zamuner to name a few. He is the most decorated player of that draft and arguably the most important d-man of all time.

I unfortunately did not get to see Lidstrom play as much as I would have liked to, but the little that I saw was enough. He was one of those gifted athletes that read the game with ease. He had "ice vision", as he saw the play develop before anyone else. His offensive instinct was only matched by his defensive prowess. He was the complete package.

Lidstrom's career stats run down like I created him in an NHL video game. From Puck Daddy's statistical tribute to the Red Wings' #5, here's my favourite achievement:

937

The number of regular-season wins in which Lidstrom took part. He became the first NHL player to appear in 900 regular-season wins on Nov. 11, 2011, in a 3-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Lidstrom was a plus-2.

He is a natural born winner who became the prototype for defensemen in today's NHL. This is a huge loss for the Red Wings, the NHL and hockey in general. It will be strange to see the Detroit lineup next season without Lidstrom. A class act throughout his career, humbly dominating the sport without an ego.

Click here to read an amazing tribute to Lidstrom by Ameridian from Winging It In Motown, an SB Nation Red Wings blog.

-Paqman

11 Memes That Explain the Heat-Celtics Series

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:26:00 +0000

image via celticshub.com

Courtesy of Buzzfeed. Click HERE to view.

-Turnbull

Dig On The Smashing Pumpkins' "Siamese Dream"

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Mon, 28 May 2012 01:12:00 +0000

P&B brings you the "Dig On" Classic Album Series. We'll delve into our vaults to discuss the records that have profoundly impacted our musical tastes. The albums we present are considered essential to anyone's record collection. In the end, you can't understand the present (or future) until you "Dig On" the past.

(photo via pushingvinyl.blogspot.ca)

"And it's a chance I'll have to take.

And it's a chance I'll have to break."

-Lyrics from The Smashing Pumpkins' "Luna"

Like many others, I associate music to specific memories and times in my life. There are albums that I can't even listen to anymore because I get blasted with some serious post traumatic stress (Sarah McLachlan's Surfacing). And other albums bring me to an amazing, happy place. "Siamese Dream" is one of those special records that uncannily make me calm and remind me of what it feels like to be swept away by a collection of incredible songs.

The Smashing Pumpkins formed in Chicago in the late 80's by polarized band leader Billy Corgan. He started out on the local scene by himself armed with a drum machine. He met James Iha while working in a record store and the foundation of the band came to be. D'Arcy Wretzky and Jimmy Chamberlain soon joined to form the original lineup that would last a (somewhat) productive 12 years. According to Corgan, the Pumpkins sound came together when jazz trained percussionist Chamberlain added his aggressive and precise flavour to the mix. Their first release "Gish" was well received and laid the groundwork for their major release after signing with Virgin Records.

(Photo via exclaim.ca)

Conflict is a catalyst for amazing work and this was the case for "Siamese Dream". Corgan brought back Butch Vig, know for his work with bands like Nirvana and Garbage, who was the producer on "Gish". Armed with a big budget and high expectations, The Pumpkins decided to record this new album in Georgia so that they could mitigate the distractions brought on by friends and their hometown of Chicago. But the main reason was to get Chamberlain away from his drug dealers since he was addicted to heroin. He was know to disappear for days on end during the recording of "Dream" while they feared that he would never come back due to an overdose. Corgan also added his own drama to the process. He laid down the majority of the guitar and bass parts, to the dismay of Iha and Wrtezky. This obviously caused some friction within the group, alienating the supporting cast members. Corgan claims that he did most of the work since he could record the parts more efficiently, in fewer takes. Surprisingly, Vig was on board with this dictatorial method. Along with Chamberlain, Iha and Wretzky were often missing from the studio while Corgan and Vig put in long hours. After 4 months of recording and mastering (thanks to Alan Moulder) and coming in 250K over budget, "Siamese Dream" was released in the summer of 93 to fairly positive reviews. It has sold a total of 4 million copies (not including the reissues) and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200.

The instant attraction to "Siamese Dream" for me was the overall sound. At that point in time, I was listening to Nirvana and Pearl Jam, who had a simpler sound in terms of production. Corgan and Vig accomplished such a massive sonic assault that was not present on their peers' albums and helped to separate them from the "grunge" bunch. The "Wall of Guitar" robustly gave depth to the signature songs on the album. Tracks like "Geek U.S.A." and "Silverfuck" are guitar driven rockers, which are heavily overdubed for that grandiose effect. Vig claims that "as many as 100 guitar parts were compressed into a single song" and Corgan has gone on record saying that "Soma", the epic middle song of the set, has 40 different guitar parts. As a guitarist, I've tried countless times to recreated the Pumpkins sound with various guitar pedals and sound processors, with little to no success. Corgan was all about keeping the overdub sound organic without the use of heavy guitar effects to get the sound he wanted. Chamberlain also contributed to the Pumpkins overall feel with his jazzy approach. His work on "Dream" is not as ambitious as "Gish" (seriously, there are some insane fills on that albums. Note to you: listen to "Gish" first, then move on to "Dream") but he does bring his unique touch which helps distinguish them from the pack.

I fell hard for the guitar solos found on "Dream". There was a void within alternative music in the early 90s and Corgan filled that hole with authority. The solos weren't flashy by any means. They brought the songs to a new level without being too busy or "show stealers". I love how they are unconventional and innovative at the same time. If you've ever experienced Corgan's guitar skill set, you know that he can shred with the best of them. Shockingly, he checked his guitar solo "ego" at the door and inserted tasteful leads that elevated the songs.

"Today", the second single from the album, put the Pumpkins on the map. It cracked the top 10 worldwide, instantly recognizable thanks to the opening riff (which I jammed the hell out of back in the day). The irony behind the song is that it's about suicide, or contemplating the act of suicide. Everybody and their mother loved the song, singing along to the lyrics unaware of the sombre message within the poppy and bright chord progression. "Hummer" is one of my faves on the record. I love the contrast found within the song. The tone of the clean guitar during the verse is dreamingly beautiful and soothing. "Mayonaise" is also on top of my very crowded essential songs list. But that can be said for most (if not all) of the tracks on "Dream".

(Photo via the-smashing-pumpkins.vcnora.com)

From top to bottom, "Siamese Dream" is a masterpiece that fused so many different rock genres (pschycledic, shoe gazer, arena, and alternative to name a few) into a new style that can be called "Corgan Rock". Their influence is undeniable, as their sound can be heard in music by bands like Silversun Pickups and My Chemical Romance. Corgan never shook the totalitarian tag that was pinned to his "Zero" t-shirt after all of these years. It was later underlined with testimonies from the dearly departed bandmates who confirmed that he was a complete control freak. But I will say that the man had a vision and delivered it, despite his band mates. Corgan gave us some of the most memorable music from the 90s single handedly. Ego aside, no one can question his ability to write an amazing pop song with a heavy rock edge.

This album will forever remind me of me of winter, particularly the 93-94 edition of the season. I listened to it non-stop, virtually on repeat for daylight saved days. "Siamese Dream" became the soundtrack for my teenage angst for that period and gave me comfort while I escaped my "problems". Problems that were ridiculous in retrospect. Even though they might have seemed insurpassable back then, they passed without issue. I did mention that "Siamese Dream" reminds me of happy times, which is contradictory after writing this last piece. Corgan and Co brought me joy in those difficult times. And when music has the ability to do so, it puts a smile on my face.

Dig On These Tracks:
- Quiet
- Hummer
- Mayonaise
- Luna
- Geek U.S.A

-Paqman

2012 NHL Playoffs: In Which We Analyze The Finals Potential Of The Frozen Four

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Sun, 13 May 2012 13:56:00 +0000

(Photo via bloguin.com/puckdrunklove)

If you picked the four teams poised to battle it out in this year's edition of the NHL Stanley Cup Conference Finals, you're a better man than me. Not even the pundiest of hockey pundits got this one right. It's been an awesomely odd playoff thus far that gave us several great moments: Giroux's 6 point game, top seeds and perennial contenders dropping like flies, and goaltending dominance by the expected and unexpected. With 2 rounds in the books, we move to the Cup Semis where childhood dreams will be made, or will bust like Fabian Brunnstrom.

Before I jump into this, I need to talk pools. I'm happy to say that thanks to fantastic seasons by Malkin, Giroux, and Spezza, I won my office pool. Brimming with confidence, I jumped into 2 playoff pools: one box and the other draft. My draft pool is already toast. I now have 0 players remaining after Nashville got turfed. My box pool? D.O.A. (calling my box team "Alexandre Daigle" didn't bring the mojo I was looking for!). My strategy for both teams was based on a tried and tested method: I predicted the final four and loaded up my team from those rosters. The teams in question were: Nashville and Vancouver in the West, Pittsburgh and Boston in the East. 3 of those were eliminated in the 1st round, 1 in the 2nd. Moral of this tragic pool story: anything can happen in the Playoffs, but go with your gut. Additionally, watch way more hockey next season.

Moving on to the analysis of the Frozen Four..

Eastern Conference

(Photo via bleacherreport.com)

New York Rangers (1)

How did they get to the Semis?

The hard way. The Eastern Conference kings of the hill needed 7 games in their first round matchups versus the Senators (8) and Capitals (7). Now that Washington has been dealt with, the Rangers are the shot blocking leaders with 267 in 14 games. Captain Callahan's crew are committed to team defence and, tell me if you've heard this before, defence wins championships. Lundqvist is the anchor on that front. Hank has been impossible to score against, allowing 2 or less in goals in 10 playoffs games. They strike hard on offense. They collapse strategically on defence, creating a blueshirt wall of impenetrability.

Will the Rangers make it to the Cup Final?

No. Call me bitter...call me what you want. But I've watched every Rangers game since the Playoffs kicked off and this team is beyond opportunistic. This luck is destined to run out. I could be dead wrong and I have been in the past. Studs like Richards and Gaborik need to step up their game against a tough Devils team. As King Henrik goes, so does this team. Up to this point, he's been going hard.

(Photo via espn.go.com)

New Jersey Devils (6)

How did they get to the Semis?

With focus. The Devils battled through their 1st round match up against the 3rd ranked Panthers, needing 7 games to take out the Cats. They took the lessons learned from that series into their rendez-vous with the truculent Flyers. The Devils beat Philly in 5 games for 2 reasons: a "never say quit" forecheck and discipline. The tireless, relentless pressure on the Philly defensemen paid out huge. Throw in effective and balanced line use by DeBoer for the full 60 (and some) and you have yourself fresh forwards for the entire game.

Will the Devils make it to the Cup Final?

Yes. If Mr. Brodeur keeps playing like he's in his mid-20s and the Devils keep their emotions in check like they did in the Flyers series, they will be tough to beat. And that Kovulchuk guy is pretty good.

Western Conference

(Photo via sports.nationalpost.com)

Phoenix Coyotes (3)

How did they get to the Semis?

Energetically. The Desert Dogs won their first playoff series since moving from Winnipeg in 1996 against a tough Blackhawks team. A balanced attack (13 players with at least 1 goal) and solid goaltending have brought them to round 2. Mike Smith has been lights out since the start of the tourney. He stonewalled the Preds during their battle for a Semi-Finals golden ticket after being discarded for much of his career. This is the "Year Of Redemption" for many Coyotes, with Smith leading the cast from the Island of Misfit Players.

Will the Coyotes make it to the Cup Final?

No. Something has to give. Guys like Vermette, Pyatt, and Smith are playing the best hockey of their lives right now. I don't see how this can continue, or imagine them playing at this high level up to the Cup Finals.

(Photo via bleacherreport.com)

Los Angeles Kings (8)

How did they get to the Semis?

Historically. The Kings are the only 8th seed in NHL history to take out the number 1st (Canucks) and 2nd (Blues) ranked teams in a playoff year in their own conference. The addition of Richards and Carter give them the leadership and scoring depth they desperately needed. And they have a dude called Quick between the pipes, who has been beyond incredible. The Kings are a testament to the compete level in the Western Conference. They are the lowest seed of the west coasters, but are much more dangerous than their ranking.

Will the Kings make it to the Cup Final?

Yes...and no. Team depth is key for this club. Sutter has come in and made this team a contender via some old school hockey. Even Penner has been nothing to pancake at. BUT an 8th seed has never won the Cup. You can be historical. You can also be a victim of it.

How do you think this will play out? Lay down your predictions in the comments.

-Paqman

3 New Songs You Need To Hear From Week 19, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:02:00 +0000

You will need an Rdio account to completely listen to these songs. If you don't wanna sign in or register for access, enjoy the 30 second preview.

Beastie Boys - Shake Your Rump

This song is not new, but another small token of appreciation for what the Beastie Boys brought to the game and a small tribute to Adam "MCA" Yauch. The Beastie Boys are one of the most important hip hop groups of all time as they brought a fresh and energetic touch to the genre. Additionally, Licensed to Ill, Solid Gold Hits, Paul's Boutique, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2, Ill Communication, Check Your Head, and the Beastie Boys Anthology all re-entered the Billboard 200. There has been such an overwhelming outpouring of love for MCA and the Beastie Boys, and this is an amazing "Thank You!" to celebrate their work.

You might dig this if you like: yourself. Seriously, listening to the Beastie Boys is a must for any music fan, whether you like hip hop or not.

Silversun Pickups - Mean Spirits

I've been waiting on this album for a minute. The LA based 4 piece did not disappoint with their 3rd full length release, Neck Of The Woods. I've listened to "Woods" at least 7 times already and can't stop. This is what I love about this band: they have nailed down their sound to a science. Their music is instantly recognisable and has evolved from their early EPs to now. But the essential, dominant elements are the vocals and overall feel. Mean Spirits is one of the harder, fast paced cuts from "Woods" complete with an instantly catchy chorus. Can't wait to see them live.

You might dig this if you like: Smashing Pumpkins, Coheed and Cambria

PS I Love You - Sentimental Dishes

I added this one to my mobile based on the album cover, so this is the "Paqman Surprise Of The Week". Upon further research, I found out that this 2 piece are from Kingston, ON. From the jump, Sentimental Dishes comes in with a great beat and a simple chord progression. Love the vocals, which remind me of a frantic Robert Smith from the Cure. The messiness throughout "Dishes" gives the track some welcomed rawness, which comes to a crescendo before the solo. Overall a great rock tune and some cancon for all of you proud Canadians out there on the interweb. I'll be keeping an eye on these guys.

You might dig this if you like: Frank Black, Pavement

What new tracks did you rock out to this week? Let us know!!

-Paqman

Dig On Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Babylon By Bus"

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:51:00 +0000

P&B brings you the "Dig On" Classic Album Series. We'll delve into our vaults to discuss the records that have profoundly impacted our musical tastes. The albums we present are considered essential to anyone's record collection. In the end, you can't understand the present (or future) until you "Dig On" the past

image via eil.com

When it comes to the music of Bob Marley & The Wailers, the album owned by most is the quintessential Legend, which contains a great cross-section of singles from albums released throughout the band's career.

But for fans looking for a record that captures the true spirit and essence of Marley's energetic live shows, Babylon By Bus is the way to go.

Released in 1978, the tracks from the album are taken from the group's European tour from the same year, with most of the songs recorded from shows in Paris, France.

As someone who was not fortunate (or old) enough to witness the magic of a BM&W's concert, this recording will really give you a sense a being there. You can hear the crowd clapping and chanting along to the music, which makes the environment seem more like a joyful, spiritual revival as opposed to a standard musical performance.

Bob Marley was obviously more that just a songwriter and performer. He was a spiritual leader, so he certainly loved engaging with his audience and sending out "vibes" to the crowd in the name of his Rastafarian faith.

Although he is no longer with us, Babylon By Bus is a living, breathing document of how Bob Marley's music and mysticism can captivate a crowd.

If you don't have it, get it.

Track Listing:

1. Positive Vibration

2. Punky Reggae Party

3. Exodus

4. Stir It Up

5. Rat Race

6. Concrete Jungle

7. Lively Up Yourself

8. Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)

9. War/No More Trouble

10. Kinky Reggae

11. Is This Love

12. Heathen

13. Jamming

-Turnbull

NHLPA Beard-a-thon Update: Week 5

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Sun, 06 May 2012 20:50:00 +0000

image via smr.newswire.ca

As promised, I'm providing an update on my progress in the NHLPA Beardathon.

Just about to enter Week 5, and the beard is coming in real nice right about now.

And because I surpassed the $100 fundraising mark, the Players Association sent me this super-dope, limited edition t-shirt! In fact, I've just hit $500 in total funds raised so far, and there's still plenty of hockey left. The Beardathon will conclude when the Stanley Cup is raised.

All proceeds from the event support The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada's efforts to eliminate heart disease and stroke.

This is a great cause, so if you're down, please visit Beardathon.ca to donate.

-Turnbull

Hip Hop Legend Lost: RIP Adam Yauch aka MCA

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Turnbull) — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:03:00 +0000

image via spinner.com

Music fans across the globe are mourning the loss of hip hop legend and Beastie Boys founding member Adam "MCA" Yauch.

MCA was one of the dopest MCs in the history of rap music, and was influential in making the genre the worldwide musical force that it is today.

It's not only his musical contributions that garnered him so much respect, but Yauch's passionate support of the fight for freedom of Tibetans also made him legendary.

You will be missed.

-Turnbull

Blunderbust? Jack White's Debut Album Review: The P&B BBM Chat

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:33:00 +0000

We here at P&B love technology. We both use Blackberry Messenger like crazy, so why not show our deep conversations to the world! This is a first in the Blogosphere (we think). Here it is: The P&B BBM Chat.

(Photo via weallwantsomeone.org)

T: So bro....seriously....are you not feelin' the Jack White rec?
T: For me...it's been a real 'half empty/half full' listening experience thus far
T: But the half I like.....I love!!
P: I'm on the same wavelength. I listened to it a few times and I feel like something is missing...like that Jack White swagger.
P: Sixteen Saltines is an amazing track. One of the best, if not, THE best from the set. I kind of expected more since he's playing with a full band of competent musicians.
P: That was a jab at Meg (duh). She did what she did, and did it well for the Stripes sounds.
T: It's interesting that you say that Jack is missing some "swagger.". I think this record is more subdued in a lot of ways, much different from his Stripes days
T: I'm not gonna act like I'm a White Stripes expert, but I definitely payed more attention to his career once he formed the Raconteurs.
T: And I feel this record is more in line with that sound...which I really dig man
T: I think the contributions he's getting from the studio players he's recruited is amazing! Relocating to Nashville has really influence Jack in some very interesting ways
P: I agree with what your saying, but I always psych myself out when I jump into a new album by an established artist.
P: Expectations and assumptions. They can kill your listening experience. Note to self: stop doing this!
P: I've always considered Jack White to be a blues renaissance man. The guy does such creative things with his label and his music.
T: My half empty/half full analysis goes like this: I think side A...or the first 7 songs are some of the best songs I've heard Jack write. Each are very catchy and have a quality that makes me want to hear them again and again
T: Starting with Missing Pieces, also Sixteen Saltines, which is ridiculous with that monster guitar riff! The title track is such a beautiful yet unconventional ballad
T: But once on side B, the album loses its appeal for me. The latter songs are good, but they just don't make me want to go back
T: I'm happy I invested in the vinyl...I think the wax really creates the listening experience Jack wants....very vintage-inspired
P: I'm happy that it was available on Rdio! Also appreciated that Jack streamed the entire album on iTunes a week before it was actually released. It just absolutely kills me when artists "window" their releases re streaming services. The shift is happening y'all! Don't fight the way folks consume music. I digress...
P: I believe and can see why "Blunderbuss" is best consumed on vinyl. As you elegantly pointed out, there is a contrast between both sides. I'm positive that this was intentional.
P: I have a strange feeling that once we see White live (please!), it will bring the album into perspective. This has happened to me so many times (read: Radiohead - Kid A) and I expect it will be the case with this one.
P: If the SNL performances are any indication of what we might experience, its gonna be a show to remember. Especially loved the all-female and all-male bands. The contrast between light and heavy was well delivered.
T: I really enjoyed the American Express Unstaged performance that took place last week....he performs an entire concert with the all-female band. Does not only new solo stuff, but also Stripes tunes, Raconteurs stuff, etc. It's really something else bro! The man is an exceptional talent.
T: The concert film is directed by Gary Oldman...dude does a great job
T: Even though the album only meets me half way....I'll give it a 6.5 rating outta 10
P: Love Interruption and Sixteen Saltines really got me hyped, but the rest of the album didn't live up to these fantastic singles. You know I love you JW...6 out of 10.

For Those Who Sleep: 3 Great New Songs You May Have Missed This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Paquette) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:55:00 +0000

You will need an Rdio account to completely listen to these songs. If you don't wanna sign in or register for access, enjoy the 30 second preview.

Torche - Kicking

If you like fuzzy, sludged out rock, this is for you. Hailing from the Sunshine State, this four piece are considered by some to be metal, but I just don't see it on their new release "Harmonicraft". It's pop with a lot of messy guitars. Sweet.

You might dig this if you like: Foo Fighters

REKS - Sit/Think/Drink

The new REKS rec has dominated my playlist this week. From top to bottom, it might be one of my fave hip hop albums so far this year. Sit/Think/Drink has 2 fantastic samples: De La Soul's "The Bizness" (the DJ's scratch of Common's rhyme is sick) and the Controllers' "Getting Over You". After listening to this, you'll wonder why this cat hasn't hit the big time.

You might dig this if you like: Elzhi, Nas (old stuff)

Vacationer - Everyone Knows

There are so many elements of this song to love: The smooth vocals. The great keyboard hook. The drum loop. Kenny Vasoli and his band have put together a sweet track and an above average debut album, Gone. The production on "Gone" is great, but the overall pop-rock factor is greater.

You might dig this if you like: The Shins, Vampire Weekend

Have you heard any new and amazing music? Let us know in the comments.

-Paqman