If you're like me, the list of "Stuff I Like" includes loud music, beer, and girls. From the sounds of it, then, Japandroids are a lot like me. Their album Post-Nothing came out earlier this year and is 45 minutes of pure sweaty-basement-show-in-the-middle-of-summer energy. In the most awesome way possible, the record sounds like it was recorded in a tin can and the vocals were quite literally phoned-in. Nearly every track is a highlight, which means when they did a session at KEXP studios earlier this week, they played some of the highlights from the album. One complaint, though: KEXP's fancy slick studio removes most of the dirt from their sound, making them sound a little bit bored. Singer Brian King even sounds like he's trying to, um, actually sing, as opposed to the madman's howl he managed to nail on the record. Check out the video below, and then check out the link to your new summer anthem "Young Hearts Spark Fire."
Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire
Speaking of music for summer, Air France has a new easy-breezy tune on their MySpace (follow the link) called "GBG Belong to Us," whatever that means. Regardless, this one is perfect for sipping iced tea in your back yard with some burgers on the grill. Their No Way Down EP (2008) was the soundtrack to my past summer, and is definitely worth checking out.
And last but not nearly least, I've got an update on the Modest Mouse 7" that I mentioned previously. The b-side to "Autumn Beds" is out, and it's everything that I had hoped for. "Whale Song" supposedly has been a live staple for awhile, and it's drawn out (read: awesome) instrumental passages are definitely indicative of that. There's lots of squealing electric guitars, rock-steady bass, and a pretty impressive vocal showing by Mr. Isaac Brock. Just when I thought that they might not "got it" anymore, it has been made quite clear to me that they still "got it".
Modest Mouse - Whale Song
Now listening to: New Order - Low-Life (1985)
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I have been following your music blog with the same intensity as Sting singing since it's conception. I wonder, though, if you should spend your time reveiwing more contemporary musi. These bands you talk about seem to be unheard bands from the late 80's or bands based in other countries. Killswitch Engage's self titled album just came out, and I can't tell you how great it is. And a guilty pleasure of mine, Hannah Montana, has a album out on July 7th! I hope you have time to check out some of this more significant music.
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