The Ministry of Song™

Fill Your Inbox. Empty Your Mind.

2009-02-13T16:34:00.000-05:00

Stop the underground transmission. Stop it now. Eliot, we will not stand for your wordless messages of musical glory. Once they are translated, you will be... dealt with.
Eliot Lipp - Live From The Beat Bunker.mp3

This is Alice Russell.
Listen to what Nxxxxxxx Public Radio says about her soultastic self.
“She is the embodiment of --- eyed soul...Alice Russell may not yet be as well known as fellow British ---- divas like Amy Winehouse or xxxx Stone, but she’s --- than their equal.”
Alice Russell - Got The Hunger.mp3

Breathe On Me Electronically. Shhhhh. Yum.

2009-02-13T02:15:00.000-05:00

The Ministry of Song would like to clear up some confusion.
Despite what some treacherous news sources have been reporting, Destiny's Child has not made a comeback under the guise of Animal Collective.
This song tries to insist otherwise.
But it is lying.
Listen to this, LISTEN TO US.

Tiara Wiles - Breathe On Me.mp3

minisong: #1K78F9989

2009-02-02T11:43:00.000-05:00

Publication X has announced Golden Bloom a top "Undiscovered Band Worth a Listen." Subversion at its finest. The press is a press of lies - trust us, or you must trust no one.

“We're admittedly big ---- fans, and ‘------ Devices’ feels like a doubleplusgood b-side from the Summerteeth era.”

Golden Bloom releases their LP in early 2K9. Download minisong: #1K78F9989 with your pointpresser now.

Golden Bloom - Doomsday Devices.mp3

WARNING: Solstice Songs and "Home"Coming

2009-01-30T17:00:00.000-05:00

Do not be deceived.
The appearance of 'snow' across Oceania today was, of course, created by us, for your enjoyment.
You're welcome.
To further this interest in your wellness we also are sending out a friendly reminder that Solstice Songs are never appropriate or fair to your neighbor. We will "Let it Snow", you need not sing the heathen's melodies because of the presence of precipitation.
Transgressors will receive proper punishment.
Those who report transgressors will be given an extra task to complete as reward.
Instead of Solstice Songs, you should listen to John Forté, a Grammy-xxxxxxxxx artist who is best known for his work with "The Fugees".
Fellow hater of dominant upper class white people, Kanye West, is also featured on this minisong.
Listen to it.
Remember that by 'homecoming' he is not referring to 'home' in a sense of ownership which leads to corruption and death. He actually means 'collective living area'. Listen. Do it.
John Forte - Homecoming.mp3

CHAIRLIFT TOUR DATES. YOU, FRIEND, SHOULD GO.

2009-01-29T21:35:00.000-05:00

The almighty chairlift is now on tour. You must go. They unite they proles with their oddly pleasingly, minimalist song structure. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are also approved. Listen to their acoustic overtones on Daytrotter.

UpComing Tour Dates:
With Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
02/13/09 BROOKLYN, NY -BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC

With Yacht
03/13/09 CLEVELAND, OH -GROG SHOP
03/14/09 CHICAGO, IL -SCHUBAS TAVERN
03/16/09 ST. LOUIS, MO-THE GARGOYLE
03/17/09 LAWRENCE, KS -JACKPOT
03/18/09 NORMAN, OK -OPOLIS PRODUCTION

At SxSW
03/19/09 AUSTIN, TX -THE RED 7 (OTHER MUSIC SHOWCASE)
03/19/09 AUSTIN, TX -CLUB 1808
03/20/09 AUSTIN, TX -URBAN OUTFITTERS

With Yacht
03/22/09 DALLAS-FT. WORTH, TX -HOUSE OF BLUES-DALLAS
03/23/09 HOUSTON, TX -WAREHOUSE LIVE
03/24/09 BATON ROUGE, LA -SPANISH MOON
03/25/09 NEW ORLEANS, LA - HOUSE OF BLUES
03/26/09 TALLAHASSEE, FL- FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, CLUB DOWNUNDER
03/27/09 ATHENS, GA -40 WATT CLUB

Chairlift Only
03/28/09 NASHVILLE, TN- EXIT/ IN

With Sebastien Tellier
04/13/09 SEATTLE, WA -CHOP SUEY
04/14/09 VANCOUVER, BC- RICHARD’S ON RICHARD’S
04/15/09 PORTLAND, OR -DOUG FIR LOUNGE
04/17/09 SAN FRANCISCO, CA -THE INDEPENDENT

With Peter, Bjorn and John
4/21: Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
4/22: Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre
4/23: Chicago, IL @ Metro
4/24: Newport, KY @ Southgate House
4/25: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Theatre
4/26: Ottawa, ON @ Capital Music Hall
4/27: Montreal, QC @ Le National
4/28: Boston, MA @ Paradise
4/29: NY, NY @ Webster Hall
4/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
05/1: Philadelphia, PA @ World Café
05/2: Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

NEW TING TINGS VIDEO.

2009-01-28T21:32:00.000-05:00

The Ting Tings - New Music - More Music Videos

Winston is my name. I love Big Brother. The Ting Tings come close. Enjoy, if you will.

XIMENA SARIŃANA. SXWX. Watch the Feed.

2009-01-27T21:18:00.001-05:00

Grammy nominated artist to featured at SXWX. Let the citizens of Oceania rejoice, we are bridging the societal gap. Let us partake in the celebration of this spanish music. Enjoy, while it still lasts.

Glasvegas New Video and Tour Dates

2009-01-27T00:48:00.001-05:00

Glasvegas have returned to the UK. We don't believe in political boundaries so this means nothing to us.
In an attempt to remedy this apparent problem, they have put out a new video for "Flowers and Football Tops".
View it Here.

They spoke with Spinner and sang songs.
That happened in this location that we are linking to with these words.

Glasvegas North American Tour Dates

3/23 The Parish New Orleans, LA
3/24 The Loft Atlanta, GA
3/25 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, NC
3/26 Black Cat Washington, DC
3/27 The Note West Chester, PA
3/28 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY
3/30 Webster Hall New York, NY
3/31 Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
4/2 La Tulipe Montreal, QC
4/3 Mod Club Toronto, ON
4/4 Magic Stick Detroit, MI
4/6 The Bottom Lounge Chicago, IL
4/7 Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN
4/9 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
4/10 Avalon Theater Salt Lake City, UT
4/12 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC
4/13 Neumos Seattle, WA
4/14 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR
4/16 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA

T.V. KILLED THE RAIO STAR.

2009-01-26T21:12:00.000-05:00

TV and Radio Stars are Uniting. iCarly, a paranoid android is releasing songs. She from -------- TV SHOW. Do the citizens of Oceana rejoice?

As an added bonus, the “About You Now” EP premieres the songs “FYI” and “Party Girl,” providing listeners with a tantalizing first taste of new music from Miranda’s forthcoming debut solo album.

Miranda's tracks from the iCarly - Music from and Inspired by the Hit TV Show album have generated sales of more than 600,000 singles.

iCarly - Music from and Inspired by the Hit TV Show, the album of music and dialogue from the popular live-action Nickelodeon series, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio album chart and #1 on the SoundScan Top Children's Current album sales chart shortly after its release in June 2008.

NEW PETER BJORN + JOHN . . . WE GRANT YOU PERMISSION TO SEE THEM ON TOUR

2009-01-26T17:00:00.003-05:00

WATCH THE VIDEO. YOU MUST. IT AWAITS.

TOUR DATES:

4/21: Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café

4/22: Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre

4/23: Chicago, IL @ Metro

4/24: Newport, KY @ Southgate House

4/25: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Theatre

4/26: Ottawa, ON @ Capital Music Hall

4/27: Montreal, QC @ Le National

4/28: Boston, MA @ Paradise

4/29: NY, NY @ Webster Hall

4/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

05/1: Philadelphia, PA @ World Café

05/2: Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

Chairlift (www.myspace.com/chairlift) supporting every date!

Details at www.peterbjornandjohn.com

http://www.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn

Kicksville Mojo Working Cover

2009-01-26T12:42:00.000-05:00

Kicksville covers Muddy Waters' 1957 cover of Preston Foster's "Mojo Working". Cover of a cover.
If we had a mojo, this would work it.
Kicksville - Mojo Working (Cover).mp3

Recommended Album of Week: Antony and the Johnsons - "The Crying Light"

2009-01-25T21:45:00.000-05:00

We recommend this album like no other. Curious about the album?

Antony and the Johnsons - Spiraling

Listen to Antony's beautiful voice. Appreciate Antony's voice. Tune in to WX1984 for more. You must tune in. Tune in now.

French Kicks. YOU WILL ENJOY. YOU MUST ENJOY.

2009-01-25T16:59:00.002-05:00

The French Kicks sound like warm soup. They create a minimalist, mellow sound-scape on each of their tracks, and it always goes down smooth. Relying heavily on drums and shiny/spacey guitar lines, The French Kicks achieve an incredibly full sound, despite their sparse writing style. Their music (see "England Just Will Not Let You Recover") is the soundtrack that plays in your dream sequences, when you are riding on ponies to candy mountain. Sit back, relax, and let The French Kicks massage your ears.

The French Kicks - Abandon (mp3)
The French Kicks - England Just Will Not Let You Recover (mp3)
The French Kicks - Also Ran (mp3)
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Sarah Siskind is... Kind

2009-01-24T21:12:00.000-05:00

Sarah Siskind is a fan of breaking our hearts.
And warming them.
This hurts us immensely.
We do not like this wide array of emotions being abused at such lengths.
Please listen to her music and then forget that you ever had all these feelings.
It is unhealthy.
Yet the temptation is so great.
Point click point click point click!
Sarah Siskind - Falling Stars.mp3

Patrick Cleandenim Looks Good In Jeans

2009-01-24T20:58:00.000-05:00

Patrick Cleandenim fell through a time warp. Sometime during the 1940's or 1950's Cleandenim was birthed in a big band jazz club. Shortly after being held in the arms of a kind-hearted trumpet player, Cleandenim crawled into a wrinkle in time all the way to the 00's. With music that incorporates strings, various horns, trumpet, and piano, Cleandenim's album is certainly a throwback to a different era. He is the indie take on the musical, Chicago, and the results are sassy and suave. "Baby Comes Home" and "Hypnotized" sound like the music that plays during a film noir, when the damsel in distress pleads, "Detective! Detective! Something dreadful has just happened, I need your help!" "Birds of Fashion," however," takes on a completely different tone; its the kind of music that should be playing when you are riding bikes with that special someone on a summer day, but instead of going to get ice-cream, you go see Chicago.

Patrick Cleandenim - Baby Comes Home (mp3)
Patrick Cleandenim - Hypnotized (mp3)
Patrick Cleandenim - Birds of Fashion (mp3)

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N.E.R.D. Brings The Heat

2009-01-23T20:57:00.000-05:00

When Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams (a.k.a. The Neptunes) comprise 2/3 of your band, its nearly impossible to suck, which explains why N.E.R.D. is so damn good. Each track is an exciting blend of nerdified samples, ranging from the upright bass in "Everybody Nose" to a 70's-style guitar riff in "My Drive Thru." Any production involving The Neptunes has yielded contagiously danceable results with a high risk of uncontrollable shimmying. And including Julian Casablancas from The Strokes plus producer-gone-singer Santogold in the same track? Brilliant. The nerd within me stabs someone with his pocket protector and proceeds to strut his stuff on the dance floor.

N.E.R.D. - Everybody Nose (mp3)
N.E.R.D. f. Santogold and Julian Casablancas - My Drive Thru (mp3)
N.E.R.D. - Spazz (mp3)

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Typical Cats Produce Not So Typical Sound

2009-01-22T20:57:00.000-05:00

When an angsty jazz band jumps four aspiring rappers in an alleyway, you get Typical Cats. Gone are the pulsating bass-lines and blipping synths of today's rap music; instead, each of their songs incorporate a looped jazz piano line over a hip-hop drum beat - and the results are undeniably cool. The members of typical cats aren't you're typical rappers, as their style is feels more like slam poetry (see "Qwelloquiallisms) and as if they are freestyling. These cats will undoubtedly make you purr. Meeow.

Typical Cats - Qweloquiallisms
Typical Cats - Snake Oil
Typical Cats - Take a Number

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Girl Talk Mashes Up Gold

2009-01-21T20:56:00.000-05:00

How nerdy looking Gregg Gillis could be the DJ/mash-up mastermind behind dance party favorite Girl Talk is bewildering. Taking samples from artists like M.I.A., The Ying Yang Twins, Beck, Of Montreal, and Grizzly Bear, this musically savvy mix maker incorporates indie music with an electronic twist, making it accessible in any sort of setting. Gillis has been touted as an “exhibitionist,” feeling it wise to strip down and groove to his tunes during certain songs that inspire. I wouldn’t be surprised if the muse behind these crazy compilations was indeed that same inherent strangeness he seems to possess, so I say let the insanity reign and give us more Girl Talk!

Girl Talk - Pure Magic
Girl Talk - That's My DJ
Girl Talk - Smash Your Head
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Man Man is so the Man

2009-01-17T20:56:00.000-05:00

During their live performances, Man Man wears white outfits and face-paint. Man Man is already better than 75% of the world's bands, even before they start to play. As a Vaudiville/Gypsy band, Man Man creates songs that were built for the local tavern or as an medium for rebellion against your parents. This band makes you to do that Russian Dance and spit vodka into people's eyes. Which is never a bad thing. Also, a whole goulash of instruments is used in their songs -piano, saxaphone, sousaphone, xylophone, marimba, and melodica, to name a few. I don't know what a sousaphone is, but if Man Man is using, it must good. Brace yourself. Then check out this raucous/drunken-fest of a band and start a riot.

Man Man - Top Drawer
Man Man - Von Halsing Boombox
Man Man - The Ballad of Butter Beans

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Mirah Is So Sweet!

2009-01-15T20:55:00.000-05:00

Mirah was born on a kitchen table! Besides becoming cooler than you and I from the moment she was birthed, Mirah is a delightful indie-folk artist. Her music has a cute-as-a-bean feel, as her songs are usually a mix of light drums, acoustic guitar, and/or ukulele. She is the cute girl - if Mirah tripped down a small flight of stairs, I guarantee that none of us would laugh. We would help her up, take her out to get some gelato, and then read poetry together. Her voice sounds innocent and sincere, so when she sings "Tell me, if we sleep together/Would it make it any better?/If we sleep together/Would you be my friend forever?" in "La Familia," we cant help but go "awww." Give this indie chick a listen. She will make you feel warm and fuzzy.

Mirah - Person.mp3
Mirah - Engine Heart (mp3)
Mirah - La Familia (mp3)

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BIG BROTHER IS JOY. LITTLE JOY IS CLOSE

2009-01-13T20:57:00.000-05:00

It seems that every time the fans pining for a new Strokes album get too restless, another solo project seems to crop up. Despite telling fans that plans are being made to record in early 2009, drummer Fabrizio Moretti recently released an album from his side project—one that sounds nothing like the band that catapulted him to fame, but is every ounce as good.

Named after an LA cocktail lounge, Little Joy is the brainchild of Moretti, Brazilian singer/guitarist Rodrigo Amarante, and multi-instrumentalist Binki Shapiro. Focusing on creating relaxing music that one could imagine listening to beachside, Little Joy makes good use of ukuleles, acoustic guitars, and Sinatra-esque vocals. Ranging from the sunshine pop of "No One's Better Sake" to a more tropicalia-sounding "The Next Time Around," Little Joy's self-titled debut album seems to do it all with elegance.

After listening to Little Joy obsessively over the past few weeks, the only conclusion that I can come to is this: Little Joy is a stellar album that, in the face of a looming Strokes revival, I can only hope is more than a one-off.

TRACKS:
Little Joy - Brand New Start.mp3
Little Joy - No One's Better Sake.mp3
Little Joy - The Next Time Around.mp3

FORGET NATURE. GET BACK TO THE ROOTS. MUSIC #121Fd99

2009-01-13T19:56:00.002-05:00

Mother nature just got 10x cooler. In the words of Tree Roots themselves: "Tree Roots is Clyde Kurtis, native to the Northwest, backed by a sympathetic set of derelicts he’s found in his travels across the country." These are by no means your average derelicts. God I love the word 'derelicts.' Tree Roots is a modern take on raw, bare bones blues, as well as a refreshing homage to the great folk forefathers. This combo makes for an epic win. In the songs, "Oh No" and "Your Man," the band presents a loud and gritty rock n' roll, certainly drawing upon Kurtis' time in pre-Katrina New Orleans. But when the electric guitars subside, a softer side of the band is revealed; "My Old Home Town Blues" and "Irish Belle" echo the folk of Woodie Guthrie or Bob Dylan. These type of tracks are warm, nostalgic, and will certainly make your ears smile. Also check out "Lollypop Friends" on their MySpace. You can thank me later.

Tree Roots - Your Man.mp3
Tree Roots - My Old Home Town Blues.mp3

Andrew Bird Flies Away With Success

2009-01-11T20:55:00.000-05:00

In the real world, violins are not supposed to be cool. In the Andrew Bird world, however, the instrument is totally ballin’. Mr. Bird is a violin virtuoso born into a society of indie-folk, and so his music takes on a whole new element. Half the excitement is seeing him play live – he loops the violin several times, sings, switches to guitar, loops more violin, and then, unleashes a face-melting violin solo. Ay caramba! In addition to making refreshing/contemplative music Andrew Bird is the best whistler of the century. Out-whistle this man. I dare you.

Andrew Bird - Imitosisc
Andrew Bird - A Nervous Tic Motion to the Left
Andrew Bird - Heretics

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Sean Lennon Breaks Hearts

2009-01-09T20:54:00.000-05:00

Some wretched she-devil must have broke poor Sean Lennon’s heart. Nearly all his lyrics deal with the battlefield that is love in his appropriately titled second album, Friendly Fire. His music is whimsical with a melancholy glaze over it, summing up the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love. Comparisons to his father are inevitable, but I view Sean Lennon as entirely separate entity. His voice has a sweet songbird quality, topped with tasty harmonies, and clever melodies. If anything, Lennon’s greatest similarity to his late father is his excellent writing ability; each song is delicately crafted and poignantly charming. I recommend his tunes especially if the ladies (or the men) have been wronging you lately.

Sean Lennon - Dead Meat
Sean Lennon - Wait For Me
Sean Lennon - On Again, Off Again

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John Frusciante is a beast

2009-01-07T20:54:00.000-05:00

John Frusciante sounds like he was never even in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. As the guitarist of the wildly popular band, John can be credited with writing the most funkalicious riffs of all time (see “Suck My Kiss”). As a solo artist, however, Frusciante’s work is ruminative, darkly atmospheric, and oddly, a bit electro. His songs often incorporate a drum machine and a blipping synth to accompany his beautiful voice. Listen to any Chili Pepper song carefully, and you will see that he is the master of harmonies. Some of his tracks, such as “Murderers,” are purely instrumental, while others are just Frusciante singing over a bare acoustic guitar. Even as a single chili pepper, Frusciante still keeps things tasty.

John Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer - The Afterglow
John Frusciante - Murderers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Suck My Kiss
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