Archive for the 'botm' Category

BOTM vol 12

Published
by
billy
on November 4, 2008
in amie miriello, arcade fire, ben lee, best of the month, bob, bossonova, botm, chark mu, coldplay, cover, decemberists, digital leather, gnarls barkley, goodtimes goodtimes, indie, jay z, kooks, lily allen, live, mgmt, modest mouse, mp3, music, nirvana, of montreal, raveonettes, smashing pumpkins and sufjan stevens
. 4 Comments

Welcome back to The World Forgot.  Welcome back to the Best of the Month series.  Welcome many readers to election day and welcome the rest of you to a wonderful November 4th.  For those that are still unaware what the BOTM series is all about here’s a quick refresher.  I collect songs all month long and the best that I’ve heard in the past thirty days I put together in one easy to find post.  If you’d like to browse through the past eleven volumes click here.  Enjoy the music, and if you live in the Midwest enjoy the glorious sunshine.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Amie Miriello - Disarm (Smashing Pumpkins Cover)
This is easily one of my favorite Smashing Pumpkins songs and I think this cover respects the original material while at the same time Amie isn’t afraid to put her own spin on this classic.  It actually sounds a bit like if Stevie Nicks covered the Pumpkins.

mp3 : Arcade Fire - Brazil (Bossonova Cover)
The music in this cover is every bit as cheeky as you’d expect but for some reason Win Butler’s voice adds just the right amount of gravitas to make this cover worth a second, third, or tenth listen.

mp3 : B.o.B. - Left Field Lovely
This track reminds me of all my favorite parts of Outkast.  If that’s not brilliant enough endorsement for this track I’m willing to bet you hate everything I love.

mp3 : Ben Lee - Float On (Modest Mouse Cover)
This is a pretty raw cover of the song that put Modest Mouse on literally every iPod in the world.  Never mind that about two thirds of the way through the song Ben accidentally halts the song and has to count it off again.  It’s wonderful.

mp3 : Chark Mu - Eh Oh
Mr. Mu makes mighty impressive remixes.  Apparently when he’s not splicing together beats and melodies he’s busy making some equally impressive original material.  Clearly Chark Mu is a force to be reckoned with.

mp3 : Coldplay - Lost+ (feat Jay-Z)
After Chris Martin contributed a bit of talent to that Jay-Z track a ways back we all knew that Z would return the favor.  That’s just the type of classy gentleman he is.  The rhymes don’t kick in until after the two minute mark, but they’re worth the wait.

mp3 : Digital Leather - Dead Sound (Raveonettes Cover)
The first two thirds of this track are filled with enough glitches and blips to satisfy anyone with a heart for Fruity Loops or Acid Pro.  The real beauty reveals itself when the music is stripped away for a moment and you realize your heart is crying out for it to begin again.  Don’t worry, it does.

mp3 : Goodtimes Goodtimes - Eloise
If you’re wondering who should be crowned the next Dylan look no further than this track.  Seriously.  It is as if the vocals, the melodies, the whisper of whimsy, the overdose of melancholy, and the guitar strumming are taken right from Bob himself.

mp3 : Lily Allen - Naive (The Kooks Cover)
Lady Sov can kiss Lily’s butt.  If there was any question as to who was the better of these two oft quarrelling ladies this song puts most of that squabble to bed.  Honestly, can anyone imagine Sov pulling off anything like this?

mp3 : Of Montreal - Crazy (Gnarls Barkley Cover)
It’s live, it doesn’t have the best audio quality, but it captures the fun that is infused into every Of Montreal set.  And let’s not forget that Kevin Barnes can actually sing {even if he might be the weirdest performer currently on tour}.

mp3 : Of Montreal and MGMT - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana Cover)
I’m not sure where this cover comes from.  It’s in a live setting, and it’s decent quality, but what I find more fascinating is that it’s Of Montreal and MGMT paying homage to Nirvana.  And they do it in an appropriate straight up rocking sort of way.  Kudos.

mp3 : Sufjan Stevens - In The Words Of The Governor
Will Suf ever release a new album?  There really hasn’t been much news surrounding the Sufjan camp these days.  It seems as if he’s busy shooting high 8 videos, writing instrumental pieces honoring highways, and signing more talent to his ever growing indie label.  This song is way different than most of what you’ve heard.  And it’s still brilliant.

mp3 : The Decemberists - Valerie Plame
I’m not sure The Decemberists will ever live up to the glorious splendor that was The Crane Wife.  Right now they’re putting out a series of EP’s and performing some songs on late night talk shows.  This happens to be one of those songs.  I like it, so just listen to it and agree with me.

That’s all for volume 12 of the BOTM series.  Come back often and read some of the regular posts where I basically tell you what’s good, what’s bad, and I succeed in convincing you that you’re not cool unless you’re just like me.  Oh, and make sure you check back tomorrow to catch the Best of the Remix series.  Cheers.

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BOTM vol 11

Published
by
billy
on September 29, 2008
in alicia keys, arcade fire, att, b side, best of the month, botm, coldplay, commercial, cover, enur, indie, jack white, kanye west, katy perry, killers, kooks, leona lewis, mgmt, mp3, music, myster jets, natasja, phoenix, postal service, snow patrol, target, tv on the radio, yannis kamarinos and yeah yeah yeahs
. 11 Comments

The end of the month draws nigh, and I have sought only to serve the blogosphere what meager offerings I could find.  In my endless search of great music there are, on occasion, songs that fall through the cracks.  Sometimes they’re brand new tracks, in other instances they are old and almost forgotten.  It is for this reason that each month I present to you my Best of the Month series.  Enjoy the tracks below, I’ve done all I could to bring you only that which is worthy of your precious time.  If you’d like to peruse all the other BOTM volumes click this link.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Arcade Fire - Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs Cover)
It’s almost a sure bet that when one of my favorite bands covers one of my favorite songs it’ll be worth listening to.  This cover comes from the wonderful year 2005 and it’s still hot.

mp3 : Coldplay - Death Will Never Conquer
The four boys from England gave this track away for free on their website.  I’m not sure if it would qualify as a b-side, as a hidden track, or whatnot.  Regardless of nomenclature it’s a nice slice of Coldplay.

mp3 : Enur (feat Natasja) - Calabria 2008
Yes, this is that song, from the Target commercial featuring two undergrads setting up their dorm room {with an appropriate amount of dance off panache}.  It’s good, trust me.

mp3 : Jack White and Alicia Keys - Another Way To Die
Could the upcoming bond be as good as this summer’s Batman movie?  A large part of me thinks it will be impossible, but I can always hope.  This is for certain, Jack White makes amazing songs.

mp3 : Kanye West - Love Lockdown
It’s been remixed to shreds, already, and to be honest I hope Kanye realizes his albums sell because of his rhymes, not his vocals {however computer aided/distorted they are}.  As a single song this track is nice, I would cringe if it filled out an entire album.

mp3 : Katy Perry - Electric Feel (MGMT Cover)
Katy Perry ranks right down about the same level as Rhianna or Amy Winehouse on my list of those who shouldn’t have a recording career.  But even broken clocks are right twice a day.  Or in Katy’s case, once.  This cover proves yet again that anyone can sound decent when they’re playing someone else’s song.

mp3 : Mystery Jets - Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis Cover)
While my mind is as of yet undecided about whether Leona Lewis is talented or not, one thing is for certain.  Mystery Jets have yet to do something that disappoints me.  This track is superb.

mp3 : Phoenix - If I Ever Feel Better
I’ve often thought of Phoenix as the much much more talented version of Maroon 5.  See Maroon 5 is terrible {always}.  Phoenix, on the other hand, seems to be getting better and better with each and every album they produce.

mp3 : Snow Patrol - Take Back The City
It’s officially a toss up whether or not the upcoming Snow Patrol album will be amazing or terrible.  I like the progress they’ve made with their latest two albums, although I know some fans would vehemently disagree.  This song shows promise.

mp3 : The Kooks - Kids (MGMT Cover)
If you skipped over the Katy Perry cover of MGMT {which you rightly could do, she’s not that talented} then this is definitely a track you should hear.  One word comes to mind when I listen to this track, and that word is love.

mp3 : The Postal Service - Grow Old With Me
Will they ever release another album?  Not likely.  If they do somehow get the tracks together and release an album will it be epic?  Probably not.  Probably not even close.  It’ll probably disappoint as much as the second half of Weezer’s latest disc {and I really wanted to love that one}.

mp3 : TV On The Radio - Family Tree
Their latest album is solidly in the running for best album of the year.  Honestly, every track is brilliant off this album, and Family Tree is one of those tracks.

mp3 : Yannis Kamarinos - Money Shot
Yes, this is that song from the AT&T techno twins commercial.  I had to search high and low for this little slice of danceable goodness.  You are welcome.  The next volume in the Best of the Remix series should hit tomorrow.

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BOTM vol 10

Published
by
billy
on September 2, 2008
in ace of base, acoustic, best of the month, black kids, botm, boy crisis, britney spears, chemists, cover, death cab for cutie, gabriella cilmi, indie, justin timberlake, kate nash, kerli, kooks, live, magnetic fields, mates of state, megafaun, mp3, music, phantom planet, queen, this is ivy league, thom yorke and your vegas
. 7 Comments

It turns out I am not well suited for waiting patiently.  That being said I’ll get straight to the music in this volume of Best of the Month.  If you’d like to check out all the previous volumes click through this link.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Boy Crisis - Dressed to Digress
Love the title, love the opening couple of lines of this song, and love the dance beat that’s draped across the entire song.  Yeah it’s a bit retro eighties, but what isn’t these days?
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mp3 : Death Cab for Cutie - A Movie Script Ending (Acoustic)
This is a great version of this song.  It might even be better than the original album version.  Seriously, this is a wonderful track to have stumbled upon this month.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Gabriella Cilmi - Cry Me A River (Justin Timberlake Cover)
Almost sounds like Mary J. Blige doing a cover of J.Tim.  This track is a solid cover and well worth a download.  It’s always nice to hear popular artists covered by other talented individuals.
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mp3 : Kate Nash - I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You (Black Kids Cover)
This is easily one of the best cover songs I’ve heard in awhile.  It’s fun, it’s not too serious, and who doesn’t love to hear Kate’s British pronunciation of “dance”?
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mp3 : Kerli - Walking On Air
I blame this song on the copious amounts of television I consume.  If you think it sounds familiar that’s because this track has been used prominently to promote the upcoming premiere of the show Fringe on Fox.  The chorus is incredibly catchy.
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mp3 : Mates of State - California (Phantom Planet Cover)
I’ve been in love with all things Mates of State for awhile now {their latest album is brilliant}.  I found this older track the other day and it’s a wonderful cover.  It’s just the right amount of melancholy added to the once bright pop song.
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mp3 : Megafaun - Lazy Suicide
At times I have a single track by an artist that doesn’t necessarily warrant a full post, but nonetheless is an incredible song.  This is one of those tracks.  It reminds me a lot everything I loved about O Brother Where Art Thou?
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mp3 : Queen - One Vision
Not the best Queen song ever made, but who could resist putting it in Best of the Month.  I miss the days when Queen and other classic rock gods were all me and my friends listened to.
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mp3 : The Chemists - Toxic (Britney Spears Cover)
For some reason I can’t resist listening to almost anything that involves Ms. Spears.  The chorus in this cover is what made it worth the listen {and the post here on BOTM}.
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mp3 : The Kooks - All That She Wants (Ace of Base Cover)
I’m not sure what it is with me and my love for covers this month.  Regardless for the subliminal reasons I’ve been addicted to cover tracks this is another solid effort.
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mp3 : This Is Ivy League - You and Me and The Moon (Magnetic Fields Cover)
Why not include another cover song?  Really, why not?  This track stays in line with the rest of this list in that it’s mellow, relaxed, and makes for some easy listening.  Enjoy at your leisure.
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mp3 : Thom Yorke - After The Gold Rush (Live)
This track hails from the brilliant appearance Thom made at the Bridge School benefit concert in 2002.  I have the entire recording and it’s amazing {I might be persuaded to post it here}.
wiki amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Your Vegas - In My Head
This is pop music as it was meant to be made.  Forget what you hear on the top forty, on the crappy local radio station you love, or even from your dorm room neighbors.  This is what pop music should aspire to be.  Solid verses, catchy chorus, hooks you’ll be humming for days.
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That’s all she wrote.  Short and simple on this time around.  Tell your friends.

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BOTM vol 09

Published
by
billy
on August 4, 2008
in akon, best of the month, bob dylan, botm, boy bathing, database, gnarls barkley, grizzly bear, indie, lily allen, mates of state, midnight martyn, mp3, music, mystery jets, nathan moomaw, ne yo, santogold and secret life of sofia
. 5 Comments

Someday I’m going to use Photoshop again and update the Best of the Month graphic.  Until that day comes {I’ll need to snag a new computer first} I’ll keep the old picture and instead focus on bringing some good music to the interwebs.  Here below are the best thirteen tracks I heard during the previous month.  By no means are these the best tracks that were made/released during the past month, but they are the best tracks that I personally had time to listen to.  Enjoy the music and tell your friends.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Akon - Sorry, Blame It On Me
I don’t know why, but I love this song.  I heard a parody of it on a random youtube video and was instantly reminded how great this song is.  So, in a roundabout way, I thought of Akon and all the things he’s probably sorry about.  At least he didn’t blame it on the rain.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Bob Dylan - Dreaming of You
Bobby has been a little creepy lately.  Ever since he was featured in a Victoria’s Secret commercial he’s come across like a lecherous old man perv {and maybe he is}.  This song does nothing to erase that mental image, but Dylan is still Dylan and he continues to make good music {even if it sounds like it might be influenced by the work of his boy Jacob}.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Database feat. Midnight Martyn - Party People
Granted, this probably, almost, kinda, sorta should qualify for a spot in Best of the Remix series.  For some reason it ends up here and you should all be less judgmental of my list making abilities {i can has mad skills!} and more supportive of hearing awesome tracks.
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mp3 : Gnarls Barkley - Going On
Will the dynamic duo ever hit the heights of Crazy again?  I’m inclined to say they won’t, but on the other hand look how another duo, Outkast, consistently has come through with smash hit after smash hit.  This track might not be quite Crazyesque, but it is awesome.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For The Others
For most of their career Radiohead has chosen fine bands to open for them when the tour the U.S.  {with exception of their tour with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks}.  Grizzly Bear sounds a bit like seventies rock driftwood that’s washed up along the Radiohead shore.  And for some reason they pull it off.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Lily Allen - Everythings Just Wonderful
Off the top of my head I’m inclined to believe Lily Allen is the best female solo artist out of the UK.  I would bet she would agree.  She’s definitely the best hip hop lady from Britain.  That is undisputed.  Part of me secrectly likes her because she’s so full of herself.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Mates of State - The Re-Arranger
If you’re only going to download one track today this should be your choice.  I’ve been a Mates of State fan for awhile now, but this takes their music to a new level.  The layers in this song are brilliantly well done.  Three cheers to Mates of State.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Nathan Moomaw - March
The album this track comes from is really interesting to listen to.  Mr. Moomaw wrote one song a month for each month he was twenty six years old.  March is my birth month and he wrote a nice slice of melancholy for me… or March, whatever.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Ne-Yo - Take A Bow (Rihanna Cover)
My disdain for Rihanna has been well documented so I don’t feel I need to rant about her again.  I am glad to present this cover to you.  Ne-Yo takes this song to a level Rihanna could never imagine {even if she is hot}.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Santogold - Icarus
The opening track sounds like what I imagine a drunken goose and whale duet would sound like.  When the drum kit is added into the mix the song becomes sublime.  Literally ear candy.  Even the whine laden childish vocals seem to fit here.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : The Boy Bathing - The Beaches Meet the Sea
I really enjoy The Boy Bathing.  Although this isn’t my favorite track by them {I posted that awhile back} this song is a solid example of their talent.  This is a classic example of what indie pop can {and should} sound like.  It builds and builds adding layer upon layer until there is a sonic complexity that is gorgeous.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Mystery Jets - Flakes
There are some bands that I enjoy less in their pure form and more in their oft remixed tracks.  Mystery Jets are one of those bands.  For some reason I usually can’t get my attention to be totally involved in their music outside of remixes.  This track, though, has staying power.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : The Secret Life of Sofia - Nanda Devi
I simply love this song and I think each and every single one of you should promptly download this track so you can love it too.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

That’s all I have today.  Enjoy the music.

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BOTM vol 08

Published
by
billy
on May 31, 2008
in acoustic, best of the month, botm, cloud cult, coldplay, cover, death cab for cutie, debbie gibson, emilie simon, eugene francis jr, flaming lips, indie, kylie minogue, live, magnetic fields, mp3, mstrkrft, music, regina spektor, say hi, sigur ros and weezer
. 3 Comments

I’m actually committing to doing this month’s Best of the Month volume actually at the end of the month {volume 07 came out about five days after April was a bygone, so this is a change of pace}. Once again I present to you the best tracks that I heard during this month. This is my no means a completely exhaustive list of all the great music floating around on the interwebs, but it’s my personal slice of thirteen delicious tracks. Enjoy them on at a time or grab the entire volume in one convenient download. For all previous volumes of this series click here.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click} {link broken}

mp3 : Cloud Cult - Love You All
I’ve been listening to their latest album almost nonstop since I got it a few months back and I’m starting to think that this is my favorite track from the disc. Granted it has arguably the most simple lyrics on the album but the complexity of emotions portrayed through the arrangement is quite amazing.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Coldplay - Can’t Get You Out of My Head (Live Kylie Minogue Cover)
Although they might not be the biggest band of all time I would argue that they just might be the biggest band of this year. They’ve masterfully promoted their new album and somehow they’ve kept the lid on the leaky pipes which plague so many other big bands. This is a great cover.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Coldplay - Viva la Vida
Although Violet Hill was the first single dumped on the world, and the music video for that song is quite well done, I think it’s Viva la Vida which shows a nice maturity for these four boys fronted by Chris Martin. My only question is how they produce the strings in a live setting. Quite a brilliant start for their upcoming album which I am greatly anticipating.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Death Cab for Cutie - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Live Cyndi Lauper Cover)
With all the hype surrounding bigger, or at least more blogged about, acts I feel as if the launch date of the latest DCFC album passed by without much ado. In all actuality I guess I didn’t even post a review {although I love it}. Regardless I love Ben Gibbard’s special take on this classic song.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Emilie Simon - To The Dancers In The Rain (Live)
Sometime during this month I started listening to the more melancholy female singers on the market right now and I found myself falling in love with each of them in turn. Sometimes being sad is what you need to feel and sometimes listening to sad music is the right choice.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Eugene Francis Jr - Poor Me
Kind of like a mashup of Frou Frou with The Shins, Eugene Francis Jr seems like the golden reason to make a sequel to Garden State {if only for the soundtrack}. I love this song.
myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : MSTRKRFT - VUVUVU
I haven’t really listened to this genre of music since the days of undergrad all nighters spent studying architecture. Energy drinks of tomorrow will still fall short of the punch packed into any MSTRKRFT song. Ever.
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mp3 : Regina Spektor - The Call
Although I’m not a big fan of The Chronicles of Narnia movies {they’re a bit childish and the CGI is almost as bad as that found in the new Indiana Jones} it’s quite a treat to hear Regina Spektor on the soundtrack. And I really like the lyrics in this song. Kudos to you Ms. Spektor.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Say Hi - We Lost The Albatross
After dropping the To Your Mom from his title and, arguably, dropping some of the silliness from his musical creations as well, Eric Elbogen’s music has grown up quite a bit. I love this song off his latest album and I hope it’s a sign of even greater ideas yet to come.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook
I’m officially a sucker for all things Sigur Ros {much to the chagrin of many of my friends}. I don’t know how I first heard of this band from Iceland {a land I’ve long wanted to visit}, but I’ve loved them from that first listen. This song hails from their upcoming album {hot on the heels of their last effort Hvarf/Heim} and they’re giving it away free from their website.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : The Flaming Lips - Knives Out (Radiohead Cover)
The Flaming Lips caught my attention when they sang about robot killer Yoshimi {for an entire album} and it’s great to hear them cover another of my favorite bands. This performance hails from a 2002 set they played at the esteemed KCRW studios.
site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : The Magnetic Fields - Too Drunk To Dream
I really hate the latest album by The Magnetic Fields. It was such a departure from the melodramatic beat and cello filled pop of their previous two efforts. Somehow songs from that album keep sneaking into my favorite lists though. It’s as if taken one at a time the songs are alright, but when put together for forty five minutes they’re simply too much to handle.
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mp3 : Weezer - Pink Triangle (Live Acoustic)
I love me some Weezer and I really love what I’ve heard so far from their upcoming album. Pink Triangle hails from what may be my favorite Weezer disc of all time, Pinkerton, and this is a solid live version of the song {even if the crowd gets picked up by the mics a bit much. Cut them some slack, obviously they’re drunk. Right?}
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BOTM vol 07

Published
by
billy
on May 6, 2008
in aa bondy, amy milan, arcade fire, best of the month, botm, bruce springsteen, busta rhymes, cover, death cab for cutie, fall out boy, indie, john mayer, kanye west, lily allen, live, madonna, magnetic fields, mgmt, michael jackson, mp3, music, national, phantom planet, radiohead, scarlett johannson, stars and weezer
. 4 Comments

Once again it’s time for the Best of the Month series. This is volume number seven. If you’d like to see all other volumes in this series click here. Every month I comb the web, the blogs, my email, my mailbox, for the best tracks. I have more free time than the average web savvy individual so I use that time to compile what I believe is a mix of the best tracks I found this past month. Enjoy the music, tell your friends, and go see one of these artists play a live set.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : AA Bondy - There’s A Reason
I love this track for the simple reason that I feel it could play over the soundtrack to any number of my favorite dramas. Maybe a romantic, comedic, drama. One with a lot of rainy days and melancholic moments.
for more : myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Amy Milan - I Will Follow You Into The Dark (Death Cab for Cutie Cover)
I like Amy Milan as a part of her group, Stars, and it turns out I like her just as much on this slightly countrified version of a Death Cab staple. It’s a great cover for Amy, and it’s true that it always helps when you start with a great original.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Arcade Fire - All The Umbrellas (Live Magnetic Fields Cover)
Although I’m not a huge fan of where Magnetic Fields have gone as of late I’ve been a fan of the older work for awhile. So when you combine a good song with one of the best bands currently performing you’re sure to get a golden cover song.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Busta Rhymes - Don’t Touch Me (Throw Da Water On ‘Em)
Busta has long been one of my favorite rappers. It began back in the day when rap was the king of the musical hill. You know, back when beats were solid, lyrics were important {or at least not so mind numbingly repetetive}, back when it was Dre, Snoop, Em, Busta, 2Pac, Fugees, Beasties, Ja Rule, Nas, etc. This track reminds me of what rap can be.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Death Cab for Cutie - Spring Break Broke
A fairly rare track here by Ben Gibbard and company. In fact I’m not sure I’d heard it before this month. It hails from back near the turn of the millennium but it still sounds fresh and consistent with the newest Death Cab {well, except for the decidedly lo fi production}.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Fall Out Boy (feat John Mayer) - Beat It (Michael Jackson Cover)
I love this track for showcasing all that I love about John Mayer and leaving out all that I find boring, vanilla, and lacking in talent. It’s a fact, John Mayer can flat out play guitar. He’s gifted, talented, ad nauseam. His lyrics are terrible and usually stupid. Here you get all the good with none of the bad.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Lily Allen - I Don’t Know
I like Lily for her brutal honesty. And for the fact that she’s better than Lady Sov and knows it {and proves it time and time again}. This track is a delightful combination of the current everything-is-a-dance-song trend with Lily’s trademark witty lyrics.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Madonna (feat Kanye West) - The Beat Goes On
She’s older than most of her competition and yet she still brings it all to the table. Sex appeal {kinda getting gross} check, cross promotion check, a slew of guest stars check, and a decent danceable album check. What’s not to like?
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : MGMT - Destrokk
To me this song is great because it’s not immediately recognizable as an MGMT track. For that matter, other than the overplayed Time to Pretend, I’m not sure if there is a standalone MGMT sound. And I like that.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Phantom Planet - I Don’t Mind
This is still my favorite track off of the newest Phantom Planet disc. I’m not sure if these boys will ever achieve massive success {they might have peaked in regards to popularity with California}, but I think they deserve it. Track after track, album after album, they’re still good.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Radiohead - True Love Waits
One of my favorite songs by Thom and company this track has never received an official studio recording. Although it was released on their live album, I Might Be Wrong, it usually only surfaces at the rare and random concert {regardless of how loudly I might yell my requests}.
for more : site amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Scarlett Johannson - Anywhere I Lay My Head
She is gorgeous, she is a serious actress, she’s this month’s cover artist on Paste, and she also has a cover/tribute album for Tom Waits. It’s the last one I’m still unsure about, but I liked this track enough to include it this month as a bonus. {usually there are only thirteen tracks in the BOTM series, so consider this your lucky day}
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : The National - Mansion On The Hill (Live Bruce Springsteen Cover)
They’re one of my favorite bands and in this instance they’re covering one of my favorite artists {c’mon rise up anyone?}. It seems like a match made in heaven right down to the crooning baritones and mellow yet socially aware mindsets of both The National and The Boss.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Weezer - Pork and Beans
I couldn’t let this little ditty slip through the cracks here at TWF. I’ve long loved the four boys who reimagined and reinvented guitar driven surf/nerd/diy rock. Here’s to hoping the rest of their new album will be as good {or better} than this first single.
for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

That’s all for this month’s roundup. Come back tomorrow for the next issue of BOTR {Best of the Remix}. Enjoy the music.

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BOTM vol 06

Published
by
billy
on April 1, 2008
in best of the month, bishop allen, botm, collections of colonies of bees, cover, death cab for cutie, indie, john mayer, joy formidable, kara keith, lismore, live, mgmt, modest mouse, mp3, music, over the rhine, pete townshend, peter moren, radiohead, rilo kiley, smashing pumpkins and sons and daughters
. 4 Comments

I really could use a new graphic for Best of the Month. I’ll get on that right after I kick my addiction to video games on xbox live. Honestly, it’s been hitting me hard the last week or so. I apologize for the lack of new and brilliant posts, but you need to check out the live tracks I posted last week by Zach Williams. Honestly.

For those of you who are just stumbling by this little blog today let me explain what the BOTM series of posts is. Every month I use my considerable amount of free time {I’m pretty much a good for nothing grown up kid} to scour the web, the albums, the emails, and the blogs for the best thirteen tracks I can find in any one calendar month. Then I put them all together in one simple post and allow you to enjoy them at your leisure. And as a special added bonus I’ve now begun adding my own witty commentary with the tracks. Get excited. If you’d like to check out all the previous volumes you can do that just by clicking here. And now, in the words of Freddie, on with the show.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Bishop Allen - Middle Management
I love this track as it just never seems to quit. The lyrics are spit fire, the phrase “the end is coming soon” is chanted a few times, and the music drives along in a jangly bouncy mess of fun from start to finish. I seem to gravitate towards music that sounds as if they’re having a ton of fun making it, and this is just such a track.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Collections of Colonies of Bees - Flocks III
There are some songs, like the previous Bishop Allen track, that reach out and grab you on the first note. There are other songs that build and grow. They start slow and morph from one movement to the next in a way that is intense, lackadaisical, fluid, and abrupt. This sprawling eleven minute track is one of the latter. It careens from soundscape to colonial army drumbeats, from fluid guitar work to soaring melodies.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
To be fair my heart is still in the air on this track. I feel as if it’s a legitimate fifty fifty chance that I won’t like their new album {due May 13}. And that’s quite possibly what Gibbard, Walla, and crew were aiming for on this album. They’ve offered many a disclaimer stating that this album won’t be for everyone and quite possibly will alienate a large portion of their fan base. The truth is that this track just isn’t enough to decide yet how the rest of the album will fare.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : John Mayer - Kid A (Radiohead Cover)
I really don’t like John Mayer all that much. His guitar work is amazing, his jazz trio was inventive and original, and his talent as a musician is pretty much on par with any contemporary guitar player out there today. On the other hand his lyrics are abysmal. Always. That’s why I can boldly state my love for his cover of one of the best lyricists out there, that being Thom Yorke and his pals that some people refer to as Radiohead. Kudos to you Mr. Mayer for choosing a great song to cover.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Kara Keith - Kick This City
I got this track in an email {one that I actually read apparently} and I loved the smooth and smoky vocals that Kara features on this track. The music is comparable to a lot of indie rock/pop that’s been floating around festivals and EP’s lately and it’s executed very well. It serves as a perfect jaunting backdrop to her subdued vocals.

for more : myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Lismore - 1979 (Smashing Pumpkins Cover)
This was easily one of my favorite tracks ever layed down by Chicago based Smashing Pumpkins and I was a little leery upon hearing a cover of it. It’s not every day that a band can take a song and pay adequate homage to the song’s heritage {witness the total destruction of Landslide by the Dixie Chicks}. I must say that Lismore did a great job at both recreating 1979 while still honoring where the song originally came from. It’s just a great cover.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Mgmt - Time To Pretend
It seems as if my BOTM this time around is filled with slightly melancholic indie rock songs. I love this track for the verse that talks about missing, quite literally, everything in the world. Unfortunately there’s nothing Mgmt can figure to do about this situation. Fortunately for us, if all else fails, we can simply put this song on repeat and let them sing us to sleep.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Modest Mouse - Fly Trapped In a Jar
This song appeared as the second single to Modest Mouse’s latest album We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank and I think it’s a good example of the dichotomy of the band. On one hand they can be wildly and infectiously melodic {see Float On} and on the other hand their music can be filled with harsh, even grating, dischord, guitar work, and flat out screamed lyrics. The great thing about Isaac Brock and company is that no matter which way they’re swinging it’s all excellent.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Over the Rhine - If a Song Could Be President
I’ve been a closet fan of Over the Rhine ever since a college roomie of mine turned me onto this husband wife duo out of Ohio. Although I’m not a huge fan of the overt country style tones available on this track it’s always fun to hear a new song by a band that you really enjoy. And seeing as how overly dramatic the coverage of the presidential primaries are in the States right now this track only seemed appropriate.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Peter Moren - Social Competence
I never was a huge fan of Peter’s other group {Peter Bjorn & John} for various and sundry reasons. I guess it just boiled down to the fact that I just wasn’t that into them. But here it’s just Mr. Moren on his own {with some almost whimsical hand claps} and it’s a whole new beast for my heart to love. I dig it.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Rilo Kiley - Let My Love Open The Door (Pete Townshend Cover)
Rilo Kiley was the first band featuring mainly female vocals that I genuinely liked listening to. I remember that moment clearly. To hear them cover a Pete Townshend classic is, well, classic. Although it’s a live track and it takes a bit to actually get started it’s worth every wonderful second. And who would’ve thought that ukelele would be perfect on a Pete Townshend song?

for more : site myspace amazaonmp3 itunes

mp3 : Sons and Daughters - Johnny Cash
I’m a huge fan of the Man in Black and consequently this track title caught my eye. Fortunately the song kept my attention from start to end as a title is only clever enough to keep me stationary for about seventeen seconds. What you’ll find here is a healthy dose of southern rock with a salting of driving rockabilly. And to be honest, it just wouldn’t be a song called Johnny Cash without a nice baritone voice singing over the brooding music.

for more : site myspace amazonmp3 itunes

mp3 : The Joy Formidable - Cradle
I posted about this new band just a few days ago {you can read that post here} and I must say that their music has the infectious staying power that all musicians strive for. Well at least all musicians who wish to be loved by their fans. Although this track by The Joy Formidable is easily the one most likely to be overplayed on popular radio it’s also the one that you will be begging to hear again and again. Yes, it is that good.

for more : myspace

That wraps up the sixth volume of Best of the Month. I really can’t believe it’s been going on this long. Quite a lot of fun this little adventure has been. As always, enjoy the music.

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BOTM vol 05

Published
by
billy
on February 29, 2008
in benjamin gibbard, best of the month, black hollies, botm, cover, dodos, hysterics, indie, john doe, jon sebastian, jose gonzalez, lily allen, live, mp3, music, plastic operator, talbot tagora, two hours traffic and wakey wakey
. 9 Comments

Happy Leap Day to the world. I hope you’re enjoying this arbitrary addition to the calendar. I also hope that you’ll enjoy this collection of songs and gems I’ve found during the past month or so. Some of them percolated down to me through the blogowebs {way cooler sounding than blogosphere - or should we use interblogs?}, some came to me through email, and some I found on albums that have been sitting in my giant pile of discs to listen to {and don’t even get me started on the thirty or so albums sitting as almost forgotten mp3’s - this is hard work}. Anyway, if you missed my post yesterday about Cloud Cult go read it now, their new album will change the way you think about music and what constitutes good music. Cheerio, and on with the show!

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Benjamin Gibbard - Indian Summer
I honestly don’t know how it took me this long to discover and/or listen to this song. It hails from the soundtrack to the Kurt Cobain movie which Ben Gibbard lent his considerable talent toward creating the orchestration for.

mp3 : The Dodos - Fools
This is the song that got me hooked on what might be my favorite new artist of the year. And by new artist I don’t necessarily mean new to the world, but new to me. I love their music, their simplicity, and the way this dynamic duo creates so much out of so little.

mp3 : John Doe - Golden State
This is the type of song that Bruce Springsteen should be making whole albums out of. It’s a great duet with great lyrics. The melody is slow and moody enough to leave your heart stricken without actually causing you to disintegrate into the pathos of melancholy.

mp3 : Jon Sebastian - I Get Wet (Andrew W.K. Cover)
This is hands down the best cover {other than Wakey!Wakey!} since Ted Leo covered and mashed together Since U Been Gone with Maps. Jon captures all of the intensity of the original while changing it enough to make it something new, something to party with, something to get wet about.

mp3 : Jose Gonzalez - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division Cover)
I love it when songs are remade with a flair for the brooding emotionally wrought state of life {see Gary Jules classic remake of Mad World as a reference}, and this cover by Jose Gonzalez {with whom I already have a long love affair} is a great example of what a cover song should be. Myspace musicians should take note.

mp3 : Lily Allen - Everybody’s Changing (Keane Cover)
I guess this month was either good for covers or there was something in the loads of snow that dumped on my abode this past few weeks that just put me in the mood. Luckily Lily Allen, although not quite a class act, does indeed make excellent musical choices. And this is one of her better efforts {although I do appreciate in her studio work how much she disses other Brit MC’s}.

mp3 : Plastic Operator - Peppermint
Yes, this is Plastic Operator, aka the Postal Service of France. And by that I mean their tracks, all of them, could easily fit onto the forthcoming album by the dynamic pair of Gibbard and Tamborello. {although I would probably substitute the crystal clear vocals of Ben in that case}. Regardless of vocal preferences Plastic Operator is solid, and shall remain.

mp3 : Talbot Tagora - Connection (Elastica Cover)
I have literally no idea where I found this cover song, but I can tell you why it made the BOTM series. Just listen to it, the entire track, don’t let the initial twenty five seconds fool you. This is not a minimalist Burialesque style of cover song. This is the real deal.

mp3 : The Black Hollies - Paisley Pattern Ground
Everything about this song reminds me of The White Stripes. Or maybe Jack and Meg smashed up with everything I loved about the early work of the Beatles or the Kinks {who are still, easily, one of the most underrated bands of all time}. It’s just a classic sound on this track, one that must be heard.

mp3 : The Hysterics - Untitled
Yet another song that reminds me of the Beatles. I’m sensing a trend this month. There’s a lot of cover songs and a lot of music that in some way reminds me of the great sixties {some would say the greatest decade ever - not me though}. I guess I feel that this track sounds like what the Beatles would’ve been as a pure indie band {or maybe the Monkey’s on a rare day}.

mp3 : Two Hours Traffic - Stuck for the Summer
It’s almost guaranteed that if you can play a decent guitar melody {no matter how repetitive} over a driving drum line with a pleasant voice and decent lyrics you’ve already won my heart. This song reminds me a lot of California style rock ala early Rooney or Phantom Planet. Loved it five years ago and still love it now {especially the ending}.

mp3 : Wakey!Wakey! - Cokehead
It is official, Mike Grubbs can do no wrong. Ever. He’s the OJ of the indie music scene {not to confuse him with some who may or may not have killed someone at some point}. What I mean is that by this point I’m so caught up in the Wakey!Wakey! effect {phenomenon} that I’d be willing to forgive him almost anything {except for stealing someone’s honey like you would a bike}. His vocals are excellent.

mp3 : Wakey!Wakey! - Fallin’ Apart (Live)
I first heard this song about nine months ago on a mixtape and it was essentially got me interested in Wakey!Wakey! Well, it was sent to me yet again and I must say that it still serves to impress upon me the depth and talent that Mike possesses. Here’s to hoping he has a long and successful career because I’d love to hear some more of his particular brand of genius.

If you like the music here, and want to share it, please do not post links to download the files directly. Instead direct your readers, friends, lovers, etc., to this blog post. Thanks. To see all other Best of the Month compilations just click the link below titled twf.

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BOTM vol 04

Published
by
billy
on January 28, 2008
in battle royale, best of the month, botm, cover, death cab for cutie, evangelicals, fest, justice, m ward, magnetic fields, mp3, music, radiohead, regina spektor, remix, robbers on high street, sleepless nights, wale, white stripes and zooey deschanel
. 5 Comments

Well it’s not quite the end of the month, but in my life it feels close enough. Here are a collection of the best tracks I found this month on the interwebs. Thanks again to all the anonymous donors, blogs, and aggregators for providing us all with some awesome music. If you’re just stumbling upon this blog for the first time take a second and check out all the other Best of the Month posts here, check in on the Best of the Remix project here, or take a peek at what I considered the best albums of 2007 here. For you regular readers and subscribers I will be doing BOTM a little differently from now on. In the past I was told that my blog stood out, to some, because I seemed to actually care about the music instead of just dumping random files to drive traffic to my site. As this truly is the case, although site traffic doesn’t hurt, I will actually be writing a bit about each of these tracks as opposed to previous iterations of BOTM where I just dumped the tracks.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Death Cab for Cutie - World Shut Your Mouth (Julian Cope Cover)
To be honest this isn’t my favorite Death Cab track of all time. In fact I wouldn’t even put it in my favorite twenty songs by Gibbard and company, but I had never heard it before and it’s always nice to hear Ben Gibbard’s perfect voice over a driving song. Not to mention the repeated phrase “world shut your mouth” is sometimes what I’m thinking.

mp3 : Evangelicals - Skelton Man
The first ten times or so I heard this track I didn’t know what to think. What I think it proves though is that I’m a sucker for the indie sound {by indie I mean Belle and Sebastien meets Flaming Lips} when it’s used in a song that builds and builds and builds until it is a fuzzy sonic shower of joy. Even with the confusion apparent in the first ninety seconds of the song {specifically from 57 seconds to 1:27 in the track} I still really enjoy this band.

mp3 : Feist - The Limit To Your Love
There should never be a limit to your love, but it’s not often the case as we mere humans are flawed, selfish creatures who battle jealousy and greed, neediness and trust issues. In a perfect world there would be no limit to your love, but then we wouldn’t have this melancholic song by Feist to comfort bruised egos, tattered hearts, and romantic dramedies for years to come.

mp3 : M Ward (feat Zooey Deschanel) - When I Get To The Border
This is what happens when you cross one of my favorite new musical acts with undeniably my favorite new actress. And I like it. I probably would have given a kidney to sit in on this recording session, but instead I’ll just give them a little slice of this blog. Congratulations to both of you, this is a fine song.

mp3 : Radiohead - 4 Minute Warning
Here’s a band whom I will always love. They’ll be top shelf music for me until my ears cease to function {and even then, just the energy of their live shows would get me to see them in concert}. This song hails from the extended series of In Rainbows {not the pay what you want edition} and to be honest I wish I would’ve shelled out the eighty plus dollars for the rest of the collection.

mp3 : Radiohead - Up on the Ladder (93 Fee East Acoustic Version)
Another rare recording by the Brit’s here. I think Thom Yorke could sing over the worst noise core music you’ve ever heard and I would still like it.

mp3 : Regina Spektor - My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)
Has it really already been four full weeks since new year’s eve? It feels like just yesterday we were sipping champagne and reminiscing about how wicked awesome 07 was {I went to Everest}. This track starts out a bit odd with crowd noise and the sound of a chopper flying by. Then there appears to be gunfire about midway through the song. If that background noise was beefed up a bit I would say this a modern day take on Simon and Garfunkel’s 7 O’Clock News (Silent Night).

mp3 : Robbers on High Street - Seasons Greetings
It’s a feel good song that is quite dated {now that it’s a month past the holidays}, but it’s still a solid holiday song. Who says you can’t enjoy the holiday cheer all year long? I know I miss it already.

mp3 : Sleepless Nights - Arabian Nights
Sleepless Nights easily qualifies as one of my favorite new bands. I’d put them up there alongside Lightspeed Champion, Wakey!Wakey!, and Siberian in terms of bands I’m most excited about right now. This song is gorgeous. From the slow methodical beginning to the clean guitar riff that drives the song along there is a not a moment of this song that I don’t love. Just wait for the falsetto “ooh ooh oh!”

mp3 : The Battle Royale - Let’s Leave
Taking a break from their danceabilly style {I just made that genre up} The Battle Royale take a turn at a pure folk track on this song hailing from their debut Wake Up, Thunderbabe. The entire album is quite awesome and I love how diverse they sound from track to track. Half of the album is really solid dance pop with a mix of acoustic folk thrown in while some of the tracks are absolute pure new folk {nu folk, alt folk, post folk, whatever-you-want-to-call-it folk}.

mp3 : The Magnetic Fields - Zombie Boy
I really don’t know what Stephen Merritt was thinking when he decided to release an entire album filled with every type of distortion known to man. I really don’t like the new sound, to be honest, I miss the old purity and playfullness of ukulele, mandolin, and cello. I guess using the title of your album, Distortion, as a concept for the entire album is an undertaking worth hearing, even if just once or twice.

mp3 : The White Stripes - Jimmy The Exploder
This is an old track from Jack and Meg and I think it shows off the beauty found only in simplicity. Lately they’ve been experimenting a bit with new instruments and arrangements, which I like, but I hope the joy of two instruments isn’t lost. For all aspiring musicians this track stands as a testament to the joy that can be found in the simplest of tunes.

mp3 : Wale and Justice - W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.
Although the start of this track is Wale expounding on how he invented the trend of tight jeans and graphic sneaks {think Kanye West’s style of arrongance} this track is really brilliant. Easily the best remix, use, mix, whateve, of the Justice track D.A.N.C.E. ever. By the way, Wale reminds me a lot of Kanye in almost every way {musically, flow, style, clothing, attitude, self assuredness, etc.} and I think that’s a good thing {as Kanye indisputably epitomizes the creativity of present day hip hop}. And honestly, who’s ever used that much Saved by the Bell material to slam people before? He really is a word surgeon.

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BOTM vol 03

Published
by
billy
on December 26, 2007
in best of the month, botm, clark brothers, cover, indie, jens lekman, killers, lightspeed champion, live, lupe fiasco, macon grayson, magnetic fields, mp3, music, mylo and sufjan stevens
. 7 Comments

Another month has come and gone, almost, and it is once again time for a little Best of the Month roundup. As I’ve said, and explained, before I have a lot more free time than you do. I don’t do much with my life other than listen to music and mess around with friends so, consequently, I have a lot of time to scour the interwebs to find the best music you probably missed on the first go round. These tracks were found using a variety of sources including Hype, Elbows, random blogs, and other music sites. Enjoy the tracks, I hope you all had a magnificent Christmas.

All the tracks in one zip file : here {zshare = left click}

mp3 : Jens Lekman - I’m Leaving You Because I Don’t Love You
mp3 : Lightspeed Champion - Heart in a Cage (Live The Strokes Cover)
mp3 : Lupe Fiasco - Streets on Fire
mp3 : Macon Grayson - Minnesota Weatherman
mp3 : Mylo - Sweet Child of Mine (Live Guns N Roses Cover)
mp3 : Sufjan Stevens - Far Physician’s Son
mp3 : Sufjan Stevens - How Can The Stone Remain
mp3 : Sufjan Stevens - In the Words of the Governor
mp3 : Sufjan Stevens - The Transfigurartion (Live Orchestral Version)
mp3 : The Clark Brothers - Gimme Shelter (Live Rolling Stones Cover)
mp3 : The Killers - Great Big Sled (Live)
mp3 : The Magnetic Fields - California Girls

Definitely check out the tracks by Lightspeed Champion, the newcomers The Clark Brothers, Mylo, and the new song from the upcoming Magnetic Fields album. The rest of the tracks are pretty awesome as well, especially the very rare Sufjan songs that were graciously given to my by many a concerned reader during my Seven Days of Sufjan Stevens. {if you look closely you’ll notice none of these songs are a remixed track. stay tuned for my inaugural post in the new BOTR series later this week}. Also, does anyone else think that Lupe Fiasco is very similar to Moby mixed with Will Smith? Whatever your opinion this track by Lupe Fiasco is phenomenal. Also, if Macon Greyson isn’t winning the award for ‘band who sounds the most like Lynryd Skynryd’ I don’t know who is.

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BOTM vol 02

Published
by
billy
on November 28, 2007
in acoustic, beirut, best of the month, bloc party, botm, daft punk, feist, gary lightbody, kanye west, lisa hannigan, live, mix, mp3, music, radiohead, remix and sunset rubdown
. 6 Comments

This months BOTM volume is getting released a bit earlier than would be the normal case. I’ll be travelling this weekend and I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to post again {let alone upload loads of music}. Volume 2 is filled with all the good music I could get my hands on and I tried especially hard to find those tracks which may have slipped by you on the first go round. I understand that not everyone can check every blog every single day, I know I can’t, but hopefully through this mishmash of a collection I’ve found something everyone can enjoy.

And enjoy it you shall. This BOTM volume comes wrapped up in the tape of love. Cheers.

mp3 : Beirut - My Night With the Prostitute from Marseille
mp3 : Bloc Party - Flux (JFK Remix)
mp3 : Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger (Alive Tour)
mp3 : Feist - 1,2,3,4 (Van She Tech Remix)
mp3 : Feist - I Feel It All
mp3 : Gary Lightbody and Lisa Hannigan - Some Surprise
mp3 : Kanye West - Flashing Lights (Mano Uptemp Remix)
mp3 : Radiohead - Blow Out (Live Acoustic) {actually Thom Yorke and some of The Posies}
mp3 : Radiohead - Reckoner
mp3 : Sunset Rubdown - The Taming of the Hands That Came Back To Life

Every single one of these tracks is solid from start to end. I absolutely love the Beirut track and Lisa Hannigan has been on my mind ever since, well, everything she’s ever done. These, my friends, are the best of the month for a reason. They really are the best tracks that I found using the power of the interwebs and other various and sundry means of discovery. If you’re only going to download one track, out of all this goodness, I would recommend the track by Beirut. It really is brilliant.

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BOTM vol 01

Published
by
billy
on November 1, 2007
in arcade fire, best of the month, bishop allen, botm, bright eyes, cover, feist, jeff tweedy, mix, mp3, nada surf, radiohead, remix and sufjan stevens
. 8 Comments

I did this style of mix a couple of times in the past but now they’ll hopefully become a regular part of the lineup here on The World Forgot. So welcome to the first of many Best of the Month compilations. Basically I do a lot of random reading, listening, searching, finding, digesting, etc. of all the music that I can possibly get my hands on. And let’s be honest, I probably have a bit more free time than you do. Judging from the fact that I’m writing this extensive explanation and you’re simply skimming through it looking for the mp3 links I would say that’s a fair assessment of our relative free time to work time ratios. But in this case when I win, with more free time than you suckas, you end up winning with more good music.

Here listed below are tunes I randomly sampled and loved from across the interwebs this past great month of October. By no means is it a conclusive list of who’s who and what’s what, but it is a small smattering of great music that you might have missed as you carried on with your fascinatingly involved thing some people call a “real life.” Seeing as how I haven’t had one of those since I graduated from college and failed to find a “real job” I guess it’s only fair.

As with all future BOTM volumes I recommend each and every track listed here below. They’re all worth a moment of your time. Cheers, and enjoy the first volume of BOTM.

mp3 : Arcade Fire - Poupee de Cire, Poupee de Son (Serge Gainsbourg Cover)
mp3 : Bishop Allen - You Ain’t No Picaso
mp3 : Bright Eyes - Southern State
mp3 : Feist - Mushaboom (Postal Service Remix)
mp3 : Jeff Tweedy - Simple Twist of Fate
mp3 : Nada Surf - See These Bones
mp3 : Radiohead - Faithless the Wonder Boy
mp3 : Sufjan Stevens - Ring My Bells

Is it just me or does Jeff Tweedy sound like a young Bob Dylan on this track. And I might be reaching here but this Radiohead track I swear would fit in perfect as a b-side for Weezer’s Pinkerton. Maybe I’m crazy, you be the judge. And for once can Nada Surf make an entire album that lives up to their full potential for a full length? Please.

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