[MP3s] You Ain’t No Picasso’s favorite songs of January 2010
January 27th, 2010 by Matt
One of my New Years resolutions was to post about more and smaller bands. I feel like I’m doing pretty well on that part of the resolution, but figured that doing a month’s end compilation of some of my favorite tracks would be a good way to make it easier for you guys to share in the love. So here’s a collection of 13 of my favorite tracks that I shared with you this month, including quick reasons why you should give it a shot and when the record will be out.
Enjoy!
MP3: Kite Club – Going Swimming
Why you should care: because the song is awe-some! Easily one of my favorites of the month.
When it’ll impact your life: no idea. Apparently the band is just about a month old, so expecting them to have an album ready for international shipping — they’re Australian — is expecting a bit much. Still, keep an eye on them starting today.
MP3: The Morning Benders – Promises
Why you should care: a.) it’s a fantastic track. b.) it’s produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear — aka the guy who’s quickly becoming the best rock producer since Nigel Godrich.
When it’ll impact your life: Big Echo is out March 9 via Rough Trade.
MP3: Grizzly Bear – Boy From School (Hot Chip cover)
Why you should care: Holly hell, dude — it’s Grizzly Bear doing a fantastic cover of Hot Chip. Why would you NOT care??
When it’ll impact your life: Right now, if you let it. (seriously though, I’d be surprised if we got a studio version of this any time soon. Just enjoy this recording and be thankful)
Why you should care: because that last Ruby Suns album was just fantastic.
When it’ll impact your life: Fight Softly is out March 2, via Sub Pop — I can practically smell it!
Continue reading the rest of the list after the jump.
MP3: The Happy Hollows – Faces
Why you should care: because they sound like an awesome mixture of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Deerhoof.
When it’ll impact your life: the album just hit stores this week and the band are currently in a Samsung commercial. So, now-ish.
MP3: Muchuu – Somebody Tell Me
Why you should care: because you dig pop music and being happy.
When it’ll impact your life: actually, you’ve got me on this one. I think their album is already out in the UK?
MP3: Roadside Graves – Liv Tyler
Why you should care: it’s Roadside Graves, man! If you’re into rockin’ Americana like Blitzen Trapper or Wilco, they’re the next must-worship band. Plus this song kinda sounds like Bruce Springsteen.
When it’ll impact your life: You Won’t Be Happy With Me is out March 16 — just in time to catch them at SXSW.
MP3: Rafter – Paper
Why you should care: because this song is what would happen if the Ruby Suns or decided to be super fun; kinda like what Architecture in Helsinki were shooting for on their last record, but without sounding so dated.
When it’ll impact your life: Animal Feelings (and its awesome artwork) will be out April 13 on Asthmatic Kitty.
MP3: White Hinterland – Icarus
Why you should care: along with Joanna Newsom’s upcoming record, this looks to be one of the big releases from our favorite musical ladies this spring. And based on this one track, it sounds like White Hinterland out-Beach-Housed Beach House on this one.
When it’ll impact your life: Kairos is out March 9 on Dead Oceans
MP3: Caribou – Odessa
Why you should care: because Caribou’s been super consistent for years and apparently show no signs of stopping.
When it’ll impact your life: Swim is out April 20th on Merge.
Why you should care: because who doesn’t love it when an LA buzz band actually has something to back up the buzz? It’s some spooky folk/pop music that manages to sound fairly fresh.
When it’ll impact your life: the duo are self releasing EPs this spring and hitting up SXSW where they’ll no doubt be on the lookout for a label.
MP3: Ben Sollee + Daniel Martin Moore – Something, Somewhere, Sometime
Why you should care: because it’s two of Kentucky’s finest songwriters teaming up to do an album inspired by mountaintop coal mining and the plight of the poor in KY. Plus, it sounds great!
When it’ll impact your life: the duo’s Jim James-produced collaboration Dear Companion is out Feb 16.
MP3: The Knife – Colouring of Pigeons
Why you should care: it’s new beautiful freakiness from the Knife. This is pulled from a play they scored about Charles Darwin. Wild, huh?
When it’ll impact your life: Tomorrow, in a Year is released digitally tomorrow.
Tags:
ber // Jan 27, 2010 at 11:22 am
Nice! I’m a fan of this new feature.
A. // Jan 27, 2010 at 12:11 pm
This is excellent. Something to listen to over lunch hour!
afm // Jan 27, 2010 at 5:33 pm
I like this! It’s cool to have a playlist. Plus, these bands these totally make me want the band out.
Lisa // Jan 27, 2010 at 8:59 pm
I agree with alot of these, I’ve been dancing around the room to these.
FireFly // Jan 28, 2010 at 4:06 am
WOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!! Brilliant list! I love this! Grizzly Bear covering Hot Chip, it cannot get any better than that! Nice!
Vanccce // Jan 28, 2010 at 11:30 am
Matt, this is an excellent idea. I love being able to sample an entire playlist of songs from varying artists at once rather than just sample one song at a time. That way I can skip around and let the best music come to me instead of trying to find it. You should do this every month!
Matt // Jan 28, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Vanccce: I’ll for sure keep doing this, just so long as you keep reading!
Mike // Jan 28, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Thanks for putting these up! I really like the idea of doing this at the end of the month, rather than waiting all year and then blasting out a huge, unwieldy list that can be a bit much to digest.
Tokyo iron Chef // Feb 1, 2010 at 8:27 am
Nice idea!