First off, I don't even know if k-os' new album Atlantis: Hymns for Disco is available in the U.S. I've looked at the usual spots and can't find it, other than having to pay exorbitant prices to get it as an import. That means you should buddy up with a Canadian right quick and beg him to get this album and send it to you.
Born in Trinidad and raised in Toronto, k-os (stands for knowledge of self, pronounced like "chaos" draws from so many styles it's difficult to absorb at first. He slides in and out of hip-hop, dancehall, reggae, rock. But then, after about two listens, I found myself humming the chorus to Sunday Morning out of the blue, leading me right back to the disc.
The promotional folks want to call this the Crazy of the new year, and they might not be too far off. It's uplifting, catchy and has a hell of a singable chorus: "Every day is Saturday night, but I can't wait for Sunday morning." That theme of daily renewal probably would be corny in the hands of a less talented writer. Here, it's rewarding and contagious.
Happy New Year's Eve! Continuing to preview releases coming out in the first quarter of 2007, !!! (chk chk chk) is putting out their next record, Myth Takes, this coming March 4th on Warp Records. Full of big basslines and a funk feel, it has more than a few tracks that will have you shaking your ass.
Warp Records says the album "combines an enhanced focus on incredible song writing with all the intricacy, freedom and shear dance floor swagger that made Louden Up Now such a delight". I say, "Dance Muthafucka, Dance!"
1. Myth Takes 2. All My Heroes Are Weirdos 3. Must Be The Moon 4. A New Name 5. Heart of Hearts 6. Sweet Life 7. Yadnus 8. Bend Over Beethoven 9. Break In Case Of Anything 10. Infinifold
I'm looking forward to Bloc Party's sophomore album, A Weekend In The City, due out early February, so I was listening to these today to tide me over. This demo apparently doesn't have the same "energy and development" that the album version does, but it will be interesting to hear the difference once the album is out. I know the album has hit the torrents, but I haven't downloaded it. I'll buy it, or hope someone sends it to me (hint hint). I did go ahead and grab The Prayer so I could get a taste of the album's sound though.
There is sure to be backlash on this album, but I think it will probably find it's way onto a lot of blogger year-end lists in 2007. 2007 is shaping up to have some great releases, so the blogosphere may be jumping around so much that no album really has time to bombard you readers and listeners so much that you wanna spit on it...well, other than Neon Bible.
1. Song For Clay (Disappear Here) 2. Hunting For Witches 3. Waiting For The 7.18 4. Prayer 5. Uniform 6. On 7. Where Is Home? 8. Kreuzberg 9. I Still Remember 10. Sunday 11. Srxt
There's a new band on the rise in Austin, a rock trio called Meridianwest, and it's only a matter of time before the right scout comes along and coerces them into relocating.
Friday night. Drake. Five bands. Five (plus) hours. Yikes. Brooklyn's Mahogany were the act I most wanted to see on this night (see previous post), but they were also the last on (natch) so I got to investigate the rest of the eclectic lineup first. Breakdown is as follows:
By the time I first saw Band of Horses this year in March, I only barely recognized their name and had little to no clue if going to that show, a last-minute decision, would even be worth it.
As previously mentioned, James Brown made eight albums for Smash Records, five of which were instrumental. Handful of Soul, released in 1966, was the fourth (via). The album features covers and originals.One of the covers is a pretty interesting take on When a Man Loves a Woman.
While we wait for the sophomore LP from Quannum’s Lifesavas (titled Gutterfly), I was sent this remix of a song whose original version I’m only guessing will end up on Gutterfly because it wasn’t on the group’s debut Spirit in Stone.
draws from so many styles it's difficult to absorb at first. He slides in and out of hip-hop, dancehall, reggae, rock. But then, after about two listens, I found myself humming the chorus to Sunday Morning out of the blue, leading me right back to the disc.
Friday night. Drake. Five bands. Five (plus) hours. Yikes. Brooklyn's 
