Slow Runner Has a New Album??!?!

What? When did this happen? How could I miss the release from a band that I told everyone not to miss out on way back when? Seriously, Mermaids (their third LP) dropped April 1st? That’s like, 27 days ago. Oh well.

Mermaids definitely harkens back to the sound I fell in love with on their debut, No Disassemble. Soft, sweet, and harmless tracks are littered across the new album, with painful love ballads tossed in for good measure. “Vocals” is the magic word for Mermaids, which is great for listeners since singer/songwriter Michael Flynn has perfected the strained voice, turning songs with simple percussion and a slow guitar line into complex, intricate love songs. Highlights include “The Stakes Were Raised”, which features the best instrumentation on the album, and “Trying to Put Your Heart Back Together”, which holds its own against the likes of Neko Case in the growing alt-country genre.

Note the zshare, since our server is down for a hot second.

MP3: Slow Runner - “Trying to Put Your Heart Back Together”
MP3: Slow Runner - “The Stakes Were Raised”

Now listen to one of my favorite tracks from 2005’s No Disassemble and tell me you wish you hadn’t slept on these guys.

MP3: Slow Runner - “Everything is Exactly What it Seems”

Love,
Zack

UPDATE: D.C. - Where Amazing Happens

UPDATE: 108-72. The Wizards make the city of Cleveland their bitch. DeShawn Stevenson can’t feel his face. Welcome to D.C. LeBron.

Love,
Zack

The NBA: Where Amazing Happens?

I think you can tell I don’t like LeBron. Cut that beard off and quit copying DeShawn Stevenson.

You can also tell I’m a thoroughly biased, angry, hometown fan. But those are the best kind of fans, so get over it.

MP3: Jimmy Eat World - “Cheating Gets it Faster”
MP3: Wale - “D.C. Gorillaz”
MP3: The Postal Service - “Against All Odds
MP3: The Apples in Stereo - “Play Tough”

And for those of you who have been following what is quite possibly the best trash-talking war between two teams (and cities) ever…

MP3: Soulja Boy - “Crank That (Cousin Cole Remix)”

Big up to Agent Steinz over at the D.C. Sports Bog, which I spend more time reading than I working on ATG.

Love,
Zack

Bring it on Home to Me - Colin Meloy and Britt Daniel Sing Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke is undoubtedly one of the greatest musicians of all time. One of the first major artists with crossover appeal, Cooke found a way to balance his gospel roots and religious black audiences on the chitlin circuits and in churches with the mainstream radio artists of the time, and though his life was tragically cut short in 1963 in what is still an unsolved mystery, his songs will be remembered for years to come, even if listeners might not know who is singing. Remember that scene in Animal House where John Belushi loads his cafeteria tray up with food then imitates a pimple and starts a food fight? Well the song playing in the background is “Wonderful World”, an oft-covered and universally recognized teen anthem. Ever heard Otis Redding or Aretha Franklin sing “A Change is Gonna Come”? Well, you haven’t truly heard the song until you’ve heard Cooke’s sing the original, which will inevitably move you and take your breath away. Ever heard “Summertime”, “Cupid”, “You Send Me”, or “Chain Gang”. Obviously you have, and whether you knew it or not, you were listening to a man with one of the most awe-inspiring and moving voices ever; an artist whose music reflected two different, distinct communities, and an artist whose songs were embraced by both for different reasons.

You may ask yourself why I just went on a rant about the legend that was Sam Cooke. I am telling you this because, in the past year, two more well-known artists in the alternative music scene, Britt Daniel (of Spoon) and Colin Meloy (of The Decemberists) have taken Cooke’s passionate “Bring it on Home to Me” and made it their own, each with different results. I love all three, and not just because “Bring it on Home to Me” is my absolute favorite Cooke song and one of my ten favorite songs of all time. Meloy covers Sam Cooke on his aptly titled EP, Colin Meloy Sings Sam Cooke, remaking classics such as “Let the Good Times Roll” and “Cupid”, as well as the aforementioned cover. His version removes much of the raspiness and pain that Cooke embodies in the original, opting to make the song more of an innocent acoustic ballad, with nary a instrument save from Meloy’s voice, the acoustic guitar, and an unknown female harmony. Meloy’s cover is everything that a cover should be: it maintains the value and sanctity of the original while tweaking both the emotion and the instrumentation of the song. In short, it does the song justice.

Daniel, on the other hand, takes the song to a whole new level; a level at which I am utterly captivated by every word that rolls of Britt’s twangy toungue. He uses guitar sparingly during the song, and replaces the piano and percussion rhythm of the original with a tambourine and Daniel’s layered vocals. Famous black poet and novelist Ralph Ellison once described the blues impulse as “fingering the jagged grain of our existance”. By this meaning, Daniel’s jagged and pained perfectly captures the sprit of the blues impulse, channeling the emotion of the great Sam Cooke.

Listen to the original and both covers for yourself, and tell me if you hear what I hear. Or just tell me I’m full of hot air. Either way, tell me something. Y’all don’t comment enough.

MP3: Sam Cooke - “Bring it on Home to Me”
MP3: Britt Daniel (of Spoon) - “Bring it on Home to Me”
MP3: Colin Meloy - “Bring it on Home to Me”

Love,
Zack

All Things Go Cannabliss Mixtape III

UPDATE: The individual song downloads are now available, as are the song descriptions. I ponied up and renewed our hosting for another six months (to the tune of $150) so you readers better fucking enjoy the direct hosting. Or you can donate! Also, I will be adding a donation bar to the side that will recognize those who have donated, as they are appreciated greatly. Not that I don’t appreciate the casual readers. You guys are great too. Fuck it, just read the post.

I did one two years ago. I did one last year. I’m doing one now. Seriously though, theres no need for descriptions, just listen to the songs and enjoy yourself. Also, I want to clear things up: This mixtape is for everyone to enjoy, not just those who listen while in elevated states. I would have called it the ATG Relax Mixtape but I didn’t. It’s my blog.

The mixtape starts off with the two minute whirlwind of emotion that is Sparrow House’s “Heart Flood”, building in passion and, well, noise, until it reaches a breaking point at which point the words “give up” are all that you can remember about the song. That just set the mood, now let’s keep going. Up next is Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”, which they had to know was going to be used for weed mixes when they created it. Oren Lavie contributes his quiet, soothing “Her Morning Elegance”, which sadly was featured in a Chevy Ad, albeit a tasteful one. Next we have Vampire Weekend’s trippy insane mix of “Walcott”, though any of their songs are worth listening to at any moment. I had a really tough time choosing between three Yeasayer songs for this mix (”2080″, “Sunrise”, and “Wait for the Summer”), and ultimately i chose the latter of the three because it not only represents synths at their very finest and most unique, but also because 4/20 is so close to the summer for me that I cannot wait anymore.

The middle third of the mix is led off by Morningbell, who may just be the most interesting band on this list, as their 2006 release, Through the Belly of the Sea, is a choose your own destiny album. That’s right. Just like those Goosebumps books, listeners are asked to choose where to go next. Eat your heart out R.L. Stein. Green-friendly indie rock outfit Cloud Cult had to make an appearance somewhere, given my love for their music in elevated states, and their newest, “When Water Comes to Life” was the most obvious choice. Jimmy Tamborello (aka Dntel aka 1/2 of The Postal Service) returns to the Cannabliss mix, this time with “Apologies”, released under his other other moniker, James Figurine. YACHT gives us song number nine in the form of “If Music Could Cure All That Ails You”. I just recently saw Jona Bechtolt open for Vampire Weekend, and his music was so enthralling, but more importantly his demeanor was completely vulnerable. He was approachable (he even goes back to the merch stand after the show, sells his stuff, and talks to those who want to pick his brain). This has nothing to do with the mix, I just wanted you to know how cool YACHT is. Coconut Monkeyrocket provides easily the strangest and happiest song on the mix, with an almost unbearably infectious hook and sing-along vocals.

The final third of the mix is much darker, more ambient, yet equally as passionate and worthy of recognition. Sébastien Tellier gets his masterpiece “Divine” remastered by Midnight Juggernauts, and Holy Fuck has “Lovely Allen” redone to sound even more insane and profound. Weird electronica eccentrics The Knife provide the ambience with “Forest Families”, and Mojib calms us down with his semi-remix/sample of Sigur Ros’ “Staralfur”, called “Break of Dawn”. Finally, Syme sends us off into oblivion with their beautiful and unique cover of David Bowie’s “Modern Love”.

DOWNLOAD: All Things Go Cannabliss Mixtape III [follow link

MP3: 1) Sparrow House - “Heart Flood”
MP3: 2) Radiohead - “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”
MP3: 3) Oren Lavie - “Her Morning Elegance”
MP3: 4) Vampire Weekend - “Walcott (Insane Mix #2)
MP3: 5) Yeasayer - “Wait for the Summer”
MP3: 6) Morningbell - “Ch. 8: Utopian Fantasy at the Center of the Earth”
MP3: 7) Cloud Cult - “When Water Comes to Life”
MP3: James Figurine - “Apologies”
MP3: 9) YACHT - “If Music Could Cure All That Ails You”
MP3: 10) Coconut Monkeyrocket - “Accidental Beatnik”
MP3: 11) Sébastien Tellier - “Divine (Midnight Juggernauts Remix)”
MP3: 12) Holy Fuck - “Lovely Allen (Minotaur Shock Broadmead Revelopment Version)”
MP3: 13) The Knife - “Forest Families”
MP3: 14) Mojib - “Break of Dawn”
MP3: 15) Syme - “Modern Love”

I just noticed that the number 8 next to James Figurine turns into (or the sunglass smiley face on some browsers). This was unintended, but awesome.

Love,
Zack

New Big Boi ft. Andre 3000 & Raekwon - Royal Flush

Big Boi is back with a new album, Sir Luscious Left Foot. Before you get on him for how weird of an album title that is, remember that these guys (Big Boi and Andre) have been really weird for years. While we’re still waiting for a new OutKast record, this song, “Royal Flush”, will have to tide us over. And it does so in a huge way. All three verses are just plain hot, especially Andre 3000’s. The beat is as all-over-the-place as the album title, yet fits perfectly with the distinct vocal stylings of the boys from OutKast and Raekwon. Basically, this song is fucking hot. Like, fire hot.

MP3: Big Boi - “Royal Flush (ft. Andre 3000 & Raekwon)”

Love,
Zack

Spotlight On: Immuzikation

A relatively new addition into the world of music is the mash-up, which has become a phenonenom, albeit a controversial one, recently. Some listeners see them as a lame excuse for kids with garageband to feel like they have talent as producers. Others (such as myself) see these songs as new and unique creations that, for the most part, are enjoyable. It is also important to note that there are different times of mash-ups. Some just take the vocals from one track and place them over the instrumentals of another. Those mash-ups tend to be weak, boring, and thoughtless. No, real mash-ups demonstrate the producer’s ability to chop up songs, blend melodies, and, occasionally create all new melodies and rhythms (see: The Hood Internet). Alfredo Lapuz Jr., A.K.A. Immuzikation, does just that, blending multiple songs together, creating polyrhythmic sounds and putting his own spin on some of the most intriguing songs in recent memory. Take his best remix, “One More Time to Pretend”, which pits Daft Punk’s “One More Time” against MGMT’s “Time to Pretend”. The sum of the two parts is not necessarily better than the parts themselves, but it doesn’t need to be. It is unique; Lapuz’s own take on two great songs. So before you write him off as just another arrogant kid in his basement indulging himself through garageband, just take an open-minded listen. You will not be disappointed.

Check out “One More Time to Pretend” as well as “All My Children” (no, not the soap opera), which features MGMT again, this time using the melody, as well as the vocals later on in the song, of “Kids” overlayed with LCD Soundsystem’s eight minute masterpiece, “All My Friends”.

MP3: Immuzikation - “One More Time to Pretend (Daft Punk vs. MGMT)”
MP3: Immuzikation - “All My Children (LCD Soundsystem vs. MGMT)”

I hope you enjoy mash-ups now, because expect a new one every week from here on out.

Love,
Zack

Surkin - White Knight Two

Sorry for the lack of posting. I was home in D.C. for the weekend for some much-needed relaxation, which included tickets to both Capitals hockey games and my first visit to the all-new (and totally awesome) Nationals Park. I don’t head back to Madison until tomorrow, but I figured you might need something to tide you over until then. In fact, my father complained about my lack of posting. So, just to spite him, here is a new track from Surkin, famous for their remix of Justice’s “Dvno”. I’m posting it A) because it is really good. like really good, B) because I cannot get enough Parisian electronica, and C) because I’m sure my dad wont enjoy it. So there you go.

MP3: Surkin - “White Knight Two”

Not enough Surkin for you? Head over to Missingtoof for assorted Surkin originals and remixes. I’ll resume the heavy blogging tomorrow.

Love,

Zack

Two New Songs from The Notwist

For those of you that completely missed the memo, The Notwist are a German indie rock band that formed almost 20 years ago, yet only have released six albums in that span, with their breakthrough coming in the form of 2002’s gem, Neon Golden. The sound has drifted into darker and more ambient music, but their ability to set the mood is something that has stayed constant.

Their newest album, The Devil, You + Me, represents the quartet’s effort to gain a more broad audience, and they do so quite nicely without losing their uniquely full sound. With songs like “Gone Gone Gone” and “Good Lies” (the first single), the band demonstrates their versatility, with “Gone Gone Gone” embodying their soft, acoustic sound, and “Good Lies” showing off the band’s knack for building emotion through layered instrumentation and vocals that are equal parts nostalgic and hopeful. The Devil, You + Me is a top-notch album that has captivated me since the first listen.

MP3: The Notwist - “Good Lies”
MP3: The Notwist - “Gone Gone Gone”

Pick up a copy of The Devil, You + Me in late may, and be sure to check their website for updates.

Love,
Zack

W.A.L.E. I.S. T.H.E. C.O.O.L.E.S.T.

That’s easily the best thing I’ve ever created in photoshop.

Yeah, you’ve heard me say it before, but I’ll say it again: Wale is the second coming (no, not this WALE). He is the face of the growing Washington D.C. music scene (take that Ian McKaye) and is set to explode onto the national scene after what seems to be an eternity of waiting for his debut album. Until then, however, his unbelievable mixtapes will have to tide us loyal Wale fans over. His newest mixtape, The Mixtape About Nothing, is based off of Seinfield, which is not only awesome but may just be the coolest concept album ever. Not only does dude love Seinfield, he apparently loves hockey? Check his newest, “Back in the Go-Go”, in which he refers to himself as “Wale Ovechkin“, and gives shout-outs to Eric Lindros (”Flyer than the rest of them”) and the throat-slashing of Richard Zednik. Can you imagine Jay-Z giving props to Henrik Lundquist? Or Nas giving Sidney Crosby love? I think not. This couldn’t come at a better time, as the Caps have made a historic comeback from being the worst team in the NHL to the three seed in the NHL playoffs, with the hottest goalie (Cristobal Huet) and best player in the world, Alex Ovechkin.

Check “Back in the Go-Go”, where Wale steals the show from Bun B and Pusha T (from Clipse), as well as the magnificent “W.A.L.E.F.R.I.E.N.D.S.”, in which Wale raps over yet another Justice track (see: “W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.”). Thanks to Derek for the heads up on the Justice mix.

MP3: Wale - “Back in the Go-Go (ft. Bun B and Pusha T)”
MP3: Wale vs. Justice - “W.A.L.E.F.R.I.E.N.D.S.”\

Love,
Zack