Eyebrow Slowdown

I went and saw Wavves the other night at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Period. New Sentence. I missed the two opening acts which I almost regret in hindsight as the first opener, consisting of members of Woods and Vivian Girls- The Babies- rock that grungy drunk vibe hard in the excellent "Meet Me In The City." Regret is a bitch. Fuck it. Wavves ruled.

Wavves broke a few years back with their fuzzed out masterpiece, and lover's ode to being drunk stoned and broke-"No Hope Kids." In the midst of riding that first wave of buzz lead singer and project brainchild, Nathan Williams, had a public, drug related meltdown onstage. Nice. Moving on. In a fuck you to the critics, musicians, and fans that wrote him off as a spoiled bitch, Williams released the manically amazing "King of the Beach." Williams kept the early 90's punk scuzz and honest lyrics from his past album but cleaned it up a little by throwing richer electronic textures and beautiful doo-wop harmonies into the mix. Joined onstage by Jay Reatard's old backing band, Williams threw a raucous shit show the other night.

It was apparent how much Wavves love weed when before the first song the band had already launched into an explanation about a mystical land named Funktopia and passed a joint around onstage. I don't remember a lot after that because I ingested a few more beers and jameson and decided to stop being such a pussy and join the mosh pit. I do remember loving "King of the Beach" and being pissed that they didn't play "Baby Say Goodbye." The crowd was a great mix of hipsters and 18 year old skater punks, and it made for a glorious, energetic mosh that was just people pushing and hitting each other blindly with shit eating grins. This wasn't some Disturbed/Drowning Pool concert with a ton of shaved, neo-nazi Oxy addicts looking for blood, it was just stupid aggressive fun. I am bruised. I am better for it. I pushed some girls, girls if you are reading this, I'm not sorry. Because you pushed me back. Something tells me that my 6th grade self - the one that swore by Rancid, Op Ivy, and the Punk-O-Rama mix cds- would give a fucking sweet high five if he saw me in action. Anyways. Wavves ruled. Go see them. Get involved in the front. Here are some songs.

Wavves- King of the Beach

Wavves- Mickey Mouse

Wavves- Baby Say Goodbye

Also in totally different musical direction, Dave Sitek, the guitarist, producer, and virtuoso from TV on the Radio just released his electro side project - Maximum Balloon. You might remember this damn sexy video from the summer with Daisy Loewe and soundtracked by Maximum Balloon. The album has guest vocals from some very famous fellow New Yorkers, including- David Byrne, Karen O, Theophilus London, Little Dragon, and Tunde and Kip from TV on the Radio. The whole album is solid, but here are a couple of choice tracks.

Maximum Balloon ft. Theophilus London - Groove Me

Maximum Balloon ft. Katrina Ford- Young Love

Also Great: "Apartment Wrestling" "Communion" "Tiger"

Slow Yo Roll

So I found this stuff called Drank a few weeks ago. It's an extreme relaxation beverage, preaching the mantra of slowing one's roll, similar to a certain "syrup". I needless to say burst out in laughter and bought two 16 ounce cans. With all the heady, chillwavey, mellowed out tracks floating around these days, I wanted to dedicate a post to tunes that will definitely mellow your chi, bra.

How to Dress Well is one dude from Cologne, Germany that produces some seriously strange yet satisfying tracks. The level of bass is kind of ridiculous, but the music flows like Brady's new haircut. Here are two tracks that were released a few months ago. Listen for the Michael Jackson sample in the first jam, turn your bass down on the second and then go buy the new album "Love Remains", which was released today.

How to Dress Well - Ecstasy With Jojo

How to Dress Well - Take It On

I've been into Teen Daze for a few months now, but then I found Houses, who's music is on that same level. Then I found this track by both of them together and life was bueno. It starts slow and builds to a dirty breakdown.

Houses & Teen Daze - Bikes

Active Child has been a serious favorite of mine this month. His music sounds as if Bon Iver's mom had bought him a synth instead of an acoustic guitar. Here is a DOPE remix by him of Marina's Oh No!

Marina & the Diamonds - Oh No! (Active Child Remix)

BONUS:

My group of friends could not stop jamming on this 1992 throwback all Sunday. It would behoove you to put this on at your next social gathering.

Positive K- I Got A Man

Candidate for Song of The Year

Every year there are a handful of albums that blow me away. I fell hard for the Black Keys and Phoenix a few years back, and Chromeo’s Fancy Footwork has always been one of my favorites. A few days ago Chromeo released their new album Business Casual and it is rapidly growing on me.

Business Casual, like their others, has an 80s funk style reminiscent of Cameo, Zap and Roger, and some Prince. The album ventures into 80s pop more so than prior works, but also gains musical complexity. It has a light freshness similar to Hall and Oats or Billy Ocean.

The song “I Could Be Wrong” is Chromeo at their best. Dave 1 and P-Thugg teamed with Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend to make this masterpiece. It is one of funkiest and smoothest jams I have heard, and I put it on par with “Do it Roger” by Zap and Roger.

What really takes this song to the next level is the ripping saxophone solos. This song is the most potent way to start an instant dance party… anywhere (Apartments, Bodegas, Buses wherever).

I Could Be Wrong - Chromeo ft. Ezra Koenig

For those of you that missed it, here is the video to “Night by Night.” It is a highly entertaining dance bonanza with attractive women.

Have a great night kids!

M. Untz

DOME

NAME: DOME-PIECE
LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY
FAVORITE FOOD: NOODLE

It's so sexy, to be living in America. If you like 'The Knocks' and you like DOM, then you will totally dig this jam. Don't forget "Something I Can Dance To".

The Knocks - You Can Make It Better (DOM Remix)

Not your typical $masher jam, but I totally dig this indieband from Finland. While the song feels quite indie, the drums are unmistakeably punk. As I learned to play the drums in the late 90's and early 2000's era, it makes me think back to what I was listening to then. Awesome. Anyway, if you like this then check out the promo release of "Mexico" as well.

Satellite Stories - Kids Aren't Safe At the Metro

OOOOHHHH YUHH oooh oooh. woo woo woo. boom boom boom boom. done.

Gyptian - Hold Yuh (Major Lazor Remix)

Champagne for Everyone! Dirty tune, hot marina. The original is sick too. Sorry for my performance recently. Summer is over and I'm back in business. $MAAAAAASH.

Marina & The Diamonds - Shampaign (Pictureplane Remix)

Fade into Fall

The summer is fading into the Fall, and everything is starting to seem fresh and new again. I have selected some indie rock tunes as a change of pace to help you ease into Fall without a hint of a worry. There is still plenty of time to live all you can out of this summer, so go night swimming, laugh obnoxiously, and drink a Pina Colada.

The Walkmen, much like me, are batty enough to base themselves simultaneously in Philadelphia and New York. What makes them unique is their heavy use of vintage instruments (the upright piano in particular). This song is a killer!

The Walkmen – In the New Year


We have posted the Local Natives before and I highly recommend this song from Lazersaurus (Wordtronica). This version of eyes wide is heavy on the rock synthesizer, but rounds itself out with some slick hip hop rhymes.

Local Natives – Wide Eyes (Fools Gold Remix Ft. Aristotle pop a Bottle)


This mash up is as smooth as a menthol cigarette. It is a mix of the Nancy Sinatra classic “These Boots are made for Walking” and Bad Boy recording artist Janelle Mone. Janelle’s album “The ArchAndroid” traces its influences to both music and film in a way reminiscent of the flaming lips. ArchAndroid chronicles the myriad journeys of an android and samples styles ranging from classical to big band jazz, folk and hip hop.

Party Ben - This Tight Ropes Made for Walking – Nancy Sinatra vs. Janelle Mone

Actress Shannon Sossaman from “The Rules of Attraction” lent her vocals and drumming skills for Warpaint’s album “Exquisite Corpse.” The song builds freely and maintains a hauntingly fresh sound.

Warpaint – Elephants

This song is just a damn delight. Diego Garcia is a former member of the indie group Elefant. Check out his soulful track “You were never there”

Diego Garcia – You were never there

Have great rest of the week,

M to the Untz