think tank

In June

2008-06-30T16:54:00.005-05:00

photo by bill ellison

The Island came into town last Tuesday with Awol One from the Shapeshifter crew. I really like the new Islands album but I missed them the last time they came by this year so I marked my calendar months back for the this show and forgot till the day of. They put on a good show, I like the show they did the first time they toured around here but the new material sounded great live.

photo by bill ellison

Awol One I've heard featured on some tracks here and there, I didn't really leave my house in time to catch his whole set but I liked what I heard and did some research when I got home. It turns out the guy has some really good tracks out there and he is not that bad of a rapper. Also he has a weird resemblance to my roommate from few years back.

Awol One - Rhythm [ysi]

The show was most satisfactory.

I had a nice little gap there in post because of the following reasons:

1. My computer I had been using for years would not boot up and I couldn't figure out how to fix it.
2. The day after I left for Las Vegas for a bit, got back and tried to fix it and figured I could survive without a computer for a couple of weeks till I figure out what to do.

Now I'm back, on a new computer. The downfall is that my desktop had a really high-end sound card that made every thing sound so good. Also a hard drive went down which contained everything I acquired in 2008 as far as audio, video, spread sheets, bookmarks... etc.

Something I did do before the computer went down was back up everything I had previously acquired in the years before 2008. I just got a new external with tons of space and I thought why not. Looks like it wasn't as bad as it could of been.

Oceans Will Rise

2008-06-01T18:28:00.003-05:00

I finally got a taste of the new Stills album, Oceans Will Rise. The first two songs I heard have a close resemblance to both of their previous albums Logic Will Break Your Heart and Without Feathers, the former being my favorite out of the two. The single sounding like it was plucked (yea i had to) from Without Feathers and Rooibos/Palm Wine Drinkard out of their debut LWBYH.

The Stills - Being There

The Stills - Rooibos/Palm Wine Drinkard

the perfect human voice.

2008-05-31T01:28:00.004-05:00

Researchers say they have worked out a mathematical formula to find the perfect human voice. -- BBC News

Click to hear the perfect human voice.

bonus:

7L & Esoteric - Imperfect Person (808 Version) (2)

MGMT - Electric Feel video

2008-05-30T14:42:00.003-05:00

Still pushing that psychedelic vibe. They have some other interesting videos including their first trip to London here.

MGMT - Destrokk

"The End's Not Near"

2008-05-23T16:28:00.003-05:00

Four years after the album came out, a music video appears. Good song.

Anticipating

2008-05-04T01:04:00.002-05:00

Rza - Digi-Snax

I heard few tracks already and its sounding pretty good.

Weekend warriors

2008-04-11T20:38:00.007-05:00

Three tracks for the weekend warriors out there:

The Cool Kids - Oscar
A new track from The Cool Kids soon to be out mixtape.

Spoon - Cherry Bomb (country/acoustic)
Spoon demo.

J-Live feat: Oddisee & Posdnous - The Upgrade
From J-lives newest album Then What Happened?, out on 26th May.

I've been pretty busy lately, I had few projects I was working on most of them completed with great results others not so much. I fully recovered my phone (see post below). Yesterday two of my favorite shows, 30 Rock and the Office(US) finally came back on air, the break was just way too long and I was ecstatic to see them both back on. I'm a bit of a tv junky and I was reaching for anything during that break and it wasn't pretty.

Rain

2008-03-19T22:54:00.005-05:00

Monday night was St. Patrick's day and I wasn't going to do much since it was a Monday and I thought I celebrated enough on the weekend but I got a call from one of my friends and he thought it would be worth while to see what was going on at the local bars. Somehow he convinced me and couple of bars later I'm sitting at my house wondering where my cell phone went. It rained a lot here the next day, for about 16 hours straight, my phone got about 3 hours of that. Here is what I have now:

I have a spare phone I'm using but going from a Windows Mobile PDA/phone to a nearly decade old samsung gets irritating. Today I have been working on recovering my T-Mobile Dash, I read couple of articles and I have the pieces under a heat lamp. I am 73% sure I can recover the phone. Any tips?

Ellen Allien - Naked Rain

New Islands single and Anti's Spring 08 sampler

2008-03-17T18:02:00.006-05:00

Anti is one of the better record labels around and in my own opinion is far more relevant than their parent label Epitaph. They have pretty a good roster of very diverse artists and to show case their new releases and future releases the label compiled a Spring 2008 ANTI Digital Sampler. I wasn't aware that the Islands signed to Anti so I went snooping around for something new by them and found this sampler which contains a new track from the new album In Arms Way and many other notable tracks from artist such as Cadence Weapon, Tim Fite, Man Man, Billy Bragg, DeVotchka, Lyrics Born and so on. The highlight for me is that new Islands track just because of my heightened anticipation to hear the follow up to Return to the Sea.

Islands - The Arm

ANTI sampler, Download it here

and lastly a preview of the music video for The Arm

Animal Collectives Water Curses

2008-03-16T21:19:00.007-05:00

I've been listening to the title track to Animal Collectives newest EP Water Curses repeatedly. I think I irritated few people at work listening to it so much, everyone already thinks I listen to weirdest music and I don't think this helped at all. There is just so much going on, its like a soundtrack to a carnival montage. What would the world be without ~~insanity laced with beauty~~ beautiful insanity. As a whole its a great EP, the title track stands out a lot but the supporting tracks all have their own merits. The first three tracks on the ep were from the same sessions that gave us Strawberry Jam and the last track recorded later. Its definitely worth picking up on May 6th on 12" and CD.

Animal Collective - Water Curse (-)

The Devil, You + Me

2008-03-05T14:19:00.003-06:00

Finally, a new Notwist album is on the horizon with a new track titled Good Lies made available today. The album is titled The Devil, You + Me and they have been working on it the past 2 years and also already have a tour starting in April. I expected something more electronic, this more closely resembles their pre-Neon Golden era sound, not the metal one but the indie rock one. I like what I hear but that better not be the best track on the new album. The new album should be out May/June 2008.

The Notwist - Good Lies

New home

2008-02-26T21:15:00.006-06:00

After much movement and rearranging I am settled into my new dwelling, what does that mean?

I have cable television for the first time in 3 years which is good I suppose

I have a blazing fast internet connection.

I am living by myself without any roommates for the first time ever, I was living with my brother but now I'm in a house by myself.

I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to setup surround sound and perfect my media center/home theater.

So thats my excuse for only one post this month, not an excuse but my reason. How can I tied this into a musical entry, take it away Chris Walla:

Chris Walla - Everyone needs a home

Not bad of an album...well one or two strong tracks, with some great production throughout the whole album. Recommended for fans of Death Cab for Cutie or was that obvious.

I am going to try to work in some consistency and do a post a week, its just that I think my readership is nonexistent so I am not very motivated and I am not very motivated so my readership is nonexistent.

Valentines Day covers

2008-02-15T03:39:00.007-06:00

Yesterday the Mobius Band put up on their web site a free valentines day covers EP for download titled Love Will Reign Supreme. If you read previously on Think Tank, we have much love for the Mobius Band (they had a spot on the favorite albums of the year post).

Mobius Band - Hallie

Love Will Reign Supreme EP

1 Razor Love (Neil Young)
2 Baby We'll Be Fine (The National)
3 True Love Will Find You In The End (Daniel Johnston)
4 Mobius Band In A Green Cotton Sweater (Casiotone For The Painfully Alone)
5 I'll Keep It With Mine (Bob Dylan)
6 Digital Love (Daft Punk)

Come outside

2008-01-25T22:50:00.000-06:00

Here is what I have been up to (other than keeping indoors with the weather being in the 30s all day today in Dallas): I reformatted my computer and reinstalled everything, started moving into another house the next city over and getting two of my guitars in working condition (still waiting on parts in the mail).

I'm very optimistic about the current year in music. For the first quarter of the year the outlook is very good and here is why:

Why? - Alopecia
Finally the follow up to Elephant Eyelash, very rewarding album so far.

Why? - The Hollows

Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash
This album has some great moments but it still ranks at the bottom of the SM solo album list. There are those moments though... those moments.

Stephen Malkmus - Baltimore

Destroyer - Trouble In Dreams
Pretty good as usual from Bejar

Destroyer - Foam Hands

Chris Walla - Field Manual
Hey looks like this is really coming out. Still haven't formed a complete opinion on this album but of course its going to be wonderfully produced.

Chris Walla - Sing again

Then there are those wild cards that surprise you, those are the best.

Slow start

2008-01-08T16:58:00.000-06:00

Late December to early January is one of the slowest times concerning new music. Things are starting to pick up, I just went to the Sub Pop site and there are some new tracks up and I checked few other places and it seems to be a trend.

Never really got into the Helio Sequence but I did have few friends that did and this track isn't too bad, it sounds a different from what I'm used to from them. The new album is called Keep Your Eyes Ahead and it will be out January 29 on Sub Pop.

The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead

It seems like an eternity since I heard anything new from Kelley Stoltz (more like 2 years) but this year you can expect a new album titled Circular Sounds February out on Sub Pop.

Kelley Stoltz - Your Reverie

Both releases can be purchased from the Sub Pop store although I tried and it went no where, you can pre-order from insound, those guys are reliable but you do have to pay $2 more.

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Something completely unrelated:

|Do Monkeys Pay For Sex?| Time had this article that caught my eye, actually the title did but its an interesting article.

best of 2007

2007-12-30T17:13:00.000-06:00

After some very enjoyable lazying around Think Tank has finally put together the annual best of list which consists of ~~our~~ my favorite releases of the year, it was created a little more than 3 weeks ago but I wanted to marinate on my selections. The two weeks after that I was just busy.

Andrew Bird - armchair apocrypha
Mr. Birds Armchair Apocrypha straight on in is a winner but after a number of listens I realized this was going to be an album that I would come back to often.

Andrew Bird - Heretics

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Winner of best church organ moments of the year.

Arcade Fire - Black Mirror

Kevin Drew - Spirit If
Its weird, I'm a BSS fan and have clocked in hours with all their albums but this solo release by one of their key songwriters has gotten more listens than all the BSS albums combined.

The National - Boxer
I think the National should release all their album in the Fall because it just seems to suit the weather best.

The National - Mistaken For Strangers (youtube video)

Okkervil River - the Stage Names
Follow ups to great albums always get heavily scrutinized by Think Tank, I had to get over this album not being Black Sheep Boy 2. But after I listened past that I heard a wonderful album with very moving lyrics.

Okkervil River - Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe

Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Person Pitch has this mysterious vibe that just tells me that no matter how many times I listen to this I will never completely get it and that makes me want to listen to it again.

Panda Bear - Comfy Nautica

Spoon - GaGaGaGaGa
These guys rarely let me down. Should I expect a Britt Daniel solo album in 2008 because I expected it this year based on what he said.
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Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam

Beirut - the flying club cup

Born Ruffians - Born Ruffians
One very promising debut and this release contains one of my favorite instrumental interludes.

Busdriver - Roadkillovercoat
Favorite hip hop album of the year, there are a few other notable hip hop releases this year but this is the only one that I still listen to. Plus Sun shower is one my favorite tracks of the year.

Clear Tigers - ep
Not a bad song on this EP.

Deer Tick - War Elephant

Gruff Rhys - candylion
I never really listened to Super Furry Animals but I do like what I hear on this solo release. This reminds me of something but I just can't put my finger on it.

Gruff Rhys - Cycle Of Violence

Iron and Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
Leaked on the internet very early and because of that the momentum of this album wasn't as strong as it should of been. Some of Iron and Wines most interesting moments can be heard on this album.

LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver

MGMT - MGMT
Lot more people need to listen to this album, there are a lot of good things going on here. Officially this album doesn't physically release until next year but its available as a download purchase. If thats not enough Kevin Barnes ranked it on his top 10 of the year.

Mobius Band - Heaven
A nice handful of good singles.

Mobius Band - Friends Like These

Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna Are You The Destroyer

St. Vincent - Marry Me

St. Vincent - Now, Now

Two Gallants - Two Gallants
Their best album so far, the sound fits perfectly in Texas, especially in the summer.

Two Gallants - Despite What You've Been Told

Vampire Weekend (Blue CD-R)
Those hooks just glue themselves onto my brain.

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This year Think Tank was not as active as the previous years mostly because my lack of free time. I have few plans for the blog for next year, mostly appearance and a set schedule for posts nothing too big. I don't really have many people who visit TT anymore but its a fun hobby and thats why I do it and continue to do so in 2008. Its gonna be lots more fun because it an election year.

Before the wipe out

2007-12-07T18:23:00.000-06:00

It is December and there are two things I do every December, Year-end-music-lists and reformatting my hard drive. So the logical thing to do is the list before the wipe out. Right now the list is done, I just need to add few blurbs here and there. Just give it a day or two. In general though, the year was alright for album releases, not spectacular.

Metric - The List

Catch up

2007-11-27T20:52:00.000-06:00

I can't tell you how many times I sat to create a post and got distracted. Its a slow time of the year for new releases so I'm starting to revisit some of my favorite albums from years back. What have I been up to you ask, I got a new car and in a few weeks I'm moving to a new place. Other than that just working.

Single Frame - New Car Smell

New Cadence Weapon album Afterparty Babies is coming out soon, there are some live tracks floating around and one album cut,

Cadence Weapon - In Search Of The Youth Crew

What ever happen to Urban Sprawl in North Texas, I liked that concept.

Weekend Wars

2007-11-11T20:16:00.000-06:00

I've been listening to lots of debuts recently, right now its the MGMT's debut Oracular Spectacular. I missed them last weekend at the Granada in Dallas, I caught the end of the last song and was in disbelief that I missed it. Grand Buffet and Of Montreal were great and I'll catch the MGMT when they come around next time, most preferably headlining.

Their album has some great tracks and shows lots of potential for future releases, they really can go two different direction with their musical progression as a band on a major record label (Columbia Records). Hopefully creativity wins over the dull.

Not my favorite debut of the year but damn are those tunes catchy. I can't believe Indie Rokkers didn't make the album cut.

MGMT - Weekend Wars

My plate

2007-10-31T18:35:00.000-05:00

I just finished making my Halloween mix cd, something I've done for about 5 years around Halloween time. I thought I'd offer up some of my favorites and essentials. On top of that I've only posted 2x this month, thats insane. Lately I've had a lot on my plate but on the up side it looks like my efforts are paying off.

Nada Surf - See these bones
I just like this track and the anticipation for the new Nada Surf factors in.

Flaming Lips - Halloween on the Barbary Coast
This song is a reoccurring track on my Halloween mixes.

Starlight Mints - Pumpkin
This was just random, didn't include it in the mix just saw it and thought why not.

John Vanderslice - Lifeboat
This is the perfect soundtrack to a haunted house, everyone loves the mood it creates.

I have a lively night planned and I'm sure this will get me and perhaps you, by.

Clear Tigers

2007-10-16T22:03:00.000-05:00

I've been obsessing over the songs on the Catbird Records released EP of Clear Tigers, and wait in anticipation for their debut full-length. I used to have a fairly long commute from place to place ranging from 4 hrs to 45 minutes. That was my favorite time to listen to albums, now years have passed and my commutes average 15 minutes, about 3 songs. I got trapped in rush hour traffic in West Plano last week and went through some important listening material and it was then I realized how much I liked this EP. Thanks to Catbirdseat, for the heads up on this gem. Too bad this release is out of print.

Clear Tigers - Igloo

Some tiger related tracks:

The Comas - Tiger in a Tower
Luna - Tiger Lily (live)

Missed opportunity

2007-10-10T19:18:00.000-05:00

I don't keep up with the online music scene as much as I used to, the weird thing is that I doubt I really missed anything. I keep up with the important stuff and I'll read a review or two daily but my daily reads have been cut down dramatically to just a handful of sites.

I wanted to see Mobius Band last night at the Granada with Matthew Dear but I had too many things to do last night, if they were to headliners or played an hour later I would of most definitely been there. The new album, Heaven, rocks.

Mobius Band - Friends Like These
Mobius Band - Hallie

Of course the big release this week is the new Radiohead album, In Rainbows in glorious 160kbps. The site was pretty bogged down earlier but it looks freed up now. I ended up getting it elsewhere but I still plan of downloading from there and I might get that physical release if the packaging is worthwhile which more that likely it will be. They did win a Grammy for the Amnesiac packaging.

Aceyalone...Lightning Strikes

2007-09-23T22:22:00.000-05:00

Aceyalone, one of the most underrated voices in hip-hop, is about to release his newest album Lightning Strikes, a dancehall inspired album. His last album, Magnificent City was entirely produced by RJD2, this his 8th(?) album is entirely produced by Bionik, "who’s known for crafting dub, dancehall, and reggae inspired tracks".

The first single features someone who I have noticed has been "featured" a lot lately, Chali 2na, formerly of J5.

Aceyalone - Easy feat Chali 2na

Aceyalone - Shango

Look for this release on Oct, 2 on Decon.

Two Gallants

2007-09-19T16:09:00.000-05:00

I've been listening to the Two Gallants self titled album, their second for Saddle Creek, for about a week or so. After hearing this years The Scenery Of Farewell EP I was expecting a more stripped down Two Gallants sound on this album based on the EPs prominence of acoustic guitars and piano on the last track, not their best release but I knew they could build on the sound. I guess I was wrong. As a whole, its probably my favorite from these guys. Go pick up the Two Gallants self-titled album when it comes out next Tuesday (9-25) or get it now at the online store (where you can stream the entire album).

Two Gallants - The Hand That Held Me Down

Two Gallants - Despite What You've Been Told

Cowboys, Salim, Eef, and charts

2007-09-12T15:59:00.000-05:00

I need to quit with these large gaps in updates. I just don't have all the free time that I had previously, most of the blame should be put on the start up of the NFL season and the anticipation of. It looks like the Dallas Cowboys had a nice start to the season against the NY Giants but I'm not going to get my hopes up until after the first quarter of the season is over, those injurys that the Cowboys have to deal with are going to hurt in the games to come.

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While on that Dallas note, Dallas' own Salim Nourallah has a new album out on Tapete Records titled Beautiful Noise. Here's a track from it:

Salim Nourallah - Don't Be Afraid

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Speaking of singer songwriters, Eef Barzelay has a new album coming out titled, Eef Barzelay. Remember he gave a live preview of two tracks on Daytrotter? I'm a fan of his last solo album Bitter Honey and his Clem Snide work so this album should be great.

From the new album

Eef Barzelay - Apocalyptic Friend (zshare) also (ysi)

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side note:

Yesterday was a big day in album releases especially with the Kanye West vs. 50 cent thing that I'm sure the marketing of which was enough boost both their sales with the photo ops and such. Kanye West is obviously going to win this one, 50s single barely made a mark on the charts plus he lacks talent anyway. I hope he follows through with his promise of this being his final album if Kanye out sells him.