(This is the tricked out feed with chapters and album art and all that good stuff. iTunes only though, but seriously who doesn’t use itunes. I want to hear from you!)

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Ghostland Observatory – “Piano Man” – Paparazzi Lightning [Trashy Moped]

Before you think you are getting yourself into some horrible cover of the Billy Joel track by the same name, check yourself, because this ain’t that. Not much needs to be said about the G.O., just listen to the song, it has power. To sum it up though, this track is essentially a party, a big pants off dance off party, full of booze and darkness and sounds that get inside you and make you want to move. They’re from Texas and if you missed them when they came to your town, kick yourself in the head and read the internet more, because you are obviously slacking on keeping up your rep.

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Madlib – “Take It Back” – Chrome Children [Stones Throw]

Madlib is an omnipresent force in the indie/hip-hop/rap world, producing numerous projects for numerous musicians on numerous labels, releasing his own flows as Lord Quas, and most notably being one half of the Madvillian moniker. Here, he takes it solo though, just Madlib and the beat and what a good job he makes of it. The simple and slick production plays beautifully off the slow cadence of his delivery resulting in rap song with less bounce but more soul. This track can be heard on the impressive Stones Throw/Adult Swim collaboration Chrome Children, the second pairing of the unlikely partners.

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Pas/Cal – “Little Red Radio” – Dear Sir [Le Grande Magistery]

Man these guys are so lazy. Three EP’s in and still no proper full length. I like to call this pulling a Voxtrot, but these guys were at it first so it’s not quite fair. Either way, I’ll take EP’s over nothing and from the sound of it Pas/Cal is getting tighter and more focused with each release. Some one give these guys some big money so they can record an LP, pretty please. 

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Peter Bjorn & John – “Young Folks” – Writer’s Block [V2]

The words catchy as fuck immediately come to mind when I hear this song. I’m talking ‘catchy’, on the same level as Panic at the Disco! but just without all the guilt and shame. Seriously, will this album come out in the states already so we can all go out and buy it.  

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Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – “Oregon Girl” – Broom [Polyvinyl]
 
The feel good story of the year; SSLYBY gets picked up by a label (a good one at that) and now they get to release their self-released Broom of 2005 in 2006 and hope that more people pay attention this time. Seriously people, how are there still kids out there sleeping on this band. This song is about Oregon and Girls and what happens when girls live in Oregon and are cool. You’ll like it, don’t worry. 

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The Exploding Hearts – “Teenage Faces” – Shattered [DirtNap]

The Hearts busted on the scene quite quickly with their debut release Guitar Romantic. That was 2003, and now three years later, three tragic deaths behind us, and still a huge fan base, all of their ‘lost’ material as been compiled into a proper release. Even despite our yearning for anything new from the Hearts slanting our judgement of the record, the album still comes off as strong, memorable and essential. “Teenage Faces” is a new song and it will bring a smile to your face as you remember why you fell in love with them in the first place. It was such a sad day for music, but they will always be remembered, RIP.

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Aloha – “Mountain” – Some Echoes [Polyvinyl] 

As the year draws to a close, I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone about Aloha’s impressive 2006 effort, Some Echoes.  Take for instance album closer, “Mountain,” with its organ that could fill a church, bigger than any wedding march or funeral procession ever could.  “Mountain,” is an anthem in the truest sense of the word—it’s ecstatic, pulsing, writhing with hope and joy, piling layer upon layer of love.  When Tony Cavallario sings, “we’ll need a light on top to chase the planes away/but the birds can stay forever,” it’s hard not to turn the volume up and sing along.  That’s what this song is about—not the intricate, complex music that Aloha came of age making; no, it is the purest embodiment of the prog-pop bliss that they have grown into. 

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Racetrack- “Don’t Sit on the Pickets” – Go Ahead and Say It [self-released]

“Don’t Sit on the Pickets,” the first song off Racetrack’s EP Go Ahead and Say It is perhaps the best example of the progression the band has made over the course of their too brief career. It’s quick and punchy, but at the same time, the melodies and the lyrics are wonderfully layered with emotional connection. Self-released, the album further develops a sound they established on City Lights and because of its brevity, allowed them to keep a tight grip on the development of the tracks. “Don’t Sit on the Pickets” contains lyrics that are both applicable to the song’s theme and to the band’s break up. Because of these lyrical connections and the fantastic production, it was the best choice to start the album, and the best choice for those unfamiliar to Racetrack to relate to.

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The Awkward Stage – “I Love You, Hipster Darling” – Heaven Is For Easy Girls [Mint]

Sometimes you write a lyric and just know that your audience is going to eat it up, digest it thoroughly in their hearts, ears, and stomachs, and then spit it right back at you every time you sing it. The Awkward Stage’s debut features multiple such occurrences, most notably on “I Love You, Hipster Darling”. Even better, Shane Nelkin makes sure to back it up the chorus with just the right pop construction.

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Richard Buckner – “Town” Meadow [Merge]

Oh, Buckner’s voice is so welcoming and kind. It’s like reconnecting with a long lost friend each time you hear it grace the speakers with its warm baritone. The music is pretty solid here too – all around pleasant.

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Dosh – “Mpls Rock and Roll” – The Lost Take [Anticon]

Ever hear the saying “wait for it”? Maybe from a street performer or some random e-zine? Either way, you need to “wait for it” on this track. Wait for what? The piano part that finishes the track off is what. It’s so goddamn enjoyable that you’d wish Martin Dosh would have constructed the entire song around this beautiful finish.

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+/- – “One Day You’ll Be Here” Let’s Build a Fire [Absolutely Kosher]

You’ll want to put this one on repeat, folks. Honestly, the staggering rhythm and odd time signature wrap this all up in a smooth little package. And the vocals are spot on complimenting the bright percussion and deep, resonating bass groove. +/- are on to something here; a bright future awaits.

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AA Sound System – “Raw Joy” – Laissez Faire [New Saskatchewan]

While it may be hard to pinpoint exactly what style/sound/genre AA Sound System belong in, rest assured that “Raw Joy” is an all-out blissful affair. Think a tinge of the Replacements mixed with the alt-country of Son Volt. This band deserves all the praise and credit they’ve garnered and this track is no exception to their exceptional Canadiana.

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Peter and the Wolf – “The Highway” – Lightness [The Worker’s Institute]

Peter and the Wolf wakes you up gently and welcomes you to this lost highway ripe with darkness and lushness. The overall tone here is that of some sort of sobering melancholy and it’s a damn fine reflection, sealing up this month’s podcast on a wholesomely somber note.

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