8.31.2006
[Tally Hall]
Some weeks ago, a friend of mine suggested the rather freakish video Banana Man on Transbuddha via Albino Blacksheep; I didn't bother clicking since the preview still was a large-eyed man holding a bunch of bananas. Well...never would I have guessed that the freaky little video I refused to watch was done by the likes of the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based band Tally Hall. This quintet is named after a now defunct shopping mall, and each member dons a different boldy colored tie for their white shirt, black dress pant uniform - apparently they thought it was neat how the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had different colored bandanas; being neither mutants or having a shell, they prompted instead for the conservative colored tie to suit look. Tally Hall piqued some national interest when keyboardist Andrew Horowitz, the green tie, won the 2004 John Lennon Scholarship presented by the Ono herself for having written "Good Day." With that said, Tally Hall's sound is both simple and complex, and not only that, they change tempo like crazy. Quite plainly, Tally Hall are fun to listen to. So yeah, what more can I tell you? I really can't say, Tally Hall's just Tally Hall. You pop them in, listen and let them take you whereever the hell they want to...From Tally Hall's Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (all songs are right click - save as):
Good Day
Greener
Taken For A Ride
Check out their September tour dates at the Tally Hall site.
Be their friend!
8.30.2006
Mew
Yet another band that I can't seem to stop playing over and over. This foursome from Denmark has been around since '95, and has since released four albums, the latest single being The Zookeeper's Boy. Mew is chilling and airy, with minor keys, soft harmonies, and often Death Cab-like vocals. They toured a bit with Bloc Party this summer, are currently on tour right now, and are also nominated for the Best Blog category at the UK Digital Music Awards. They've been logging their days on tour and in the studio for years now, making them perfect candidates for the award. Click here to vote (you don't have to be in the UK to do so). So listen to their tunes, catch them on tour, and vote for them for Best Blog!Next few tour dates:
Sep. 17 6:00 PM Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
Sep. 20 6:00 PM Webster Hall New York, NY
Sep. 21 6:00 PM Theatre of the Living Arts Philadelphia, PA
Sep. 24 6:00 PM Grog Shop Cleveland, OH
mp3 The Zookeeper's Boy
mp3 Apocalypso
Mew's Official site
Mew's Myspace
8.29.2006
[Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin]
Three months ago, sometime around now, Alina and I would have been discussing the establishment of this blog - ah, yes, we're barely three months old. Well part of that late start and our young blog age is what I'm going to call blogger's remorse. It's the idea of wanting to post on a band you heard and loved before you started a blog. I've had various fits of these ever since Both Sides of the Mouth started, but a few of those bands have given me reason to post on them with news of say a new album or tour. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, what are you up to? Why a tour of course! And they stretch from the last day of August to the 23rd of September with dates that boast Oh No! Oh My!, Birdmonster or Of Montreal for company. I remember way back long ago, I wanted to listen to these kids on the simple basis that their name was Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin; the fact that they have good music to boot alongside their good name is a plus. SSLBY describe themselves as the third best band on Weller St. in Springfield, Missourri. Well, either that's a very long, talented street or bloggers have yet to find those other two bands. For now, we're content with loving you Boris Yeltsin, and we love the fact that you give us your home phone number too. Even if I didn't find out about their tour today, chances are I probably would have gone and posted on SSLYBY anyway on the simple hope that I'd make someone happy with their pop rock - they are, as YANP Matt said, "groovy."Various Songs from SSLYBY's Broom (all songs are right click - save as):
Oregon Girl
I Am Warm & Powerful
House Fire
Check out their tour dates at the SSLYBY site.
Be their friend!
8.28.2006
Deerhoof
What an odd medley of people...How to make a Deerhoof
1. San Francisco
2. Rob Fisk and Greg Saunier
3. Add tiny Satomi Matsuzaki of Tokyo
4. Add Kelly Goode on keyboards
5. Subtract Fisk and Goode
6. Add John Deiterich on guitar
7. Add Chris Cohen on guitar
8. Subtract Chris Cohen on guitar
9. Pause, breathe, and relax
So now we're left with Greg Saunier, John Deiterich, and Satomi Matsuzaki. Satomi provides the vocals for Deerhoof sans apologies and sans restraint. Her high-pitched Japanese-inflected squeals are actually reminiscent of Karen O... if Karen O got hit over the head with a Japan stick... The riffs and beats are messy and noisy and fuzzy and trippy, but extremely catchy nonetheless. It almost seems as if Deerhoof was created by throwing random musicians ironically without musical backgrounds into a box and then shaking it until some fell out. The end product? Volatile, risky, angry, Japanese, insane rock music.
mp3 Flower
mp3 Giga Dance1. San Francisco
2. Rob Fisk and Greg Saunier
3. Add tiny Satomi Matsuzaki of Tokyo
4. Add Kelly Goode on keyboards
5. Subtract Fisk and Goode
6. Add John Deiterich on guitar
7. Add Chris Cohen on guitar
8. Subtract Chris Cohen on guitar
9. Pause, breathe, and relax
So now we're left with Greg Saunier, John Deiterich, and Satomi Matsuzaki. Satomi provides the vocals for Deerhoof sans apologies and sans restraint. Her high-pitched Japanese-inflected squeals are actually reminiscent of Karen O... if Karen O got hit over the head with a Japan stick... The riffs and beats are messy and noisy and fuzzy and trippy, but extremely catchy nonetheless. It almost seems as if Deerhoof was created by throwing random musicians ironically without musical backgrounds into a box and then shaking it until some fell out. The end product? Volatile, risky, angry, Japanese, insane rock music.
mp3 Flower
mp3 The Pickup Bear
mp3 Milking
Deerhoof's Official site
8.27.2006
[Yossarian]
"...and we weirded out some strangers."It took me two emails to get hooked on Yossarian. The first email was a blank letter accidentally sent by one of the members while he was at work, so, needless to say, it was the second email that really told me what exactly Yossarian is. So what is Yossarian? Yossarian is a Cardiff based quartet that set roots in my iPod as yet another great UK export. Coming together as a band sometime in 2oo3 on the basis that they each had good skills to contribute - one can draw a good snake, one can stay up past one, one can grow a proper beard and another can speak a bit of French (when drunk) - Yossarian became offical when they took their name from the paranoid protagonist of Catch-22. Here and there, Yossarian echoes influences from Bloc Party and sometimes a bit of the Arctic Monkeys (the bits you hate to admit you like), but for the most part Yossarian is Yossarian - a band that might remind you of one of your best friends or something, the one that can make embarassing things "cool." The boys are currently unsigned, and though they've never played farther than London, they hope to come to my fair city across the Atlantic for South By Southwest - hopefully they end up doing both by accomplishing one or the other. So give an ear to Yossarian...
Various songs from Yossarian (all songs are right click - save as):
Indie Disco
Koala
Invincible
The boys are kind enough to offer you a free four-song ep if you just hand them your address, and they also have a few gigs lined up for September. Being self-proclaimed myspace junkies and having the ability to accomplish both of the aforementioned tasks at one site, I'll just send you off to their myspace.
Be their friend!
Otherwheres - I like Of Montreal. You like Of Montreal. Apparently, Alan at *sixeyes likes Of Montreal too, because he just posted a ton of songs from that group right here.
8.26.2006
Silversun Pickups
Brad and I have just received the Silversun Pickups' latest album, Carnavas, and I can't seem to take it out of my ghetto early '90's boombox. This may be due to the fact that the lid gets stuck every so often, but that is besides the point; the Silversun Pickups are quite a find. From Los Angeles, but sans "almost famous" attitude, this band is strikingly humble, always ready to divulge upon their first painfully awkward live shows and initial confusion of their musical direction. But the Silversun Pickups have definitely gotten it together now. Their music is delightfully melodic, surprising from a mesh of fuzzy guitars and seemingly constant rhythm. But alas, hypnotic melodies arise from each and every one of their anthem-like songs. The Silversun Pickups are on tour now with Viva Voce; the shows are wideranging and a plenty, making it quite probable that they will be playing at a venue near you. Make sure to check them out!mp3 Lazy Eye
mp3 Well Thought Out Twinkles
mp3 Kissing Families
mp3 Little Lovers
mp3 Waste it On
The Silversun Pickups' Official site
The Silversun Pickups' Myspace
8.25.2006
[Architecture in Helsinki Tour]
What is it about chorusing orchestral groups that make them so lovable? Even more so, what exactly is in Australia's water that makes everyone there so amiable? Well to answer those questions, respectively, six just happens to be a lovable number and, when it comes to the water, I think it surrounds the idea that Australia's waters have been gushing about for years on the highly debatable topic of whether it surrounds more of a continent than a country. Architecture in Helsinki is a six(once eight)-piece group that just so happens to also originate from that bubbly countrinent. Playful, adorable, lovable - it's simply hard to turn these kids down. AiH recently announced an endless string of fall tour dates, and I highly suggest that you catch one if you're able to. The group has been working on a new album with a hopeful early to mid '07 release, and plan to roadtest some of their newest songs during their tour. An earlier release for this sextet will come in the form of a compilation album of remixes of various songs from In Case We Die debuting some time this fall. Curious about those tour dates? Some show dates I randomly picked off the list include:September 16 - San Diego, CA
September 19 - Austin, TX
September 23 - Nashville, TN
September 25 - Washington, DC
September 28 - New York, NY*
October 2 & 3 - Chicago, IL*
October 10 & 11 - Seattle, WA*
These kids are pretty much going everywhere, and chances are you're near one of the cities on their US tour. A (*) denotes dates in which they're supported by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Takka Takka, and that makes any of those dates all the more sweeter.
Various Songs from Architecture in Helsinki (all songs are right click - save as):
Nevereverdid
The Cemetary
It's 5!
You can check out all of their tour dates at the Architecture in Helsinki site.
Be their friend!
That's it for today guys! Sorry for posting late, I caught something feverful and napped pretty much the whole day.
8.24.2006
Sebadoh
As some of you may already know, as of August 8th, Domino has reissued Sebadoh's Sebadoh III. It is lo-fi magic, naturally; Sebadoh is lo-fi's daddy. Possible reunion? Doubtful. Sebadoh is like that notoriously off-and-on couple in high school... I have my fingers crossed for a back on though. Well the songs are just as contagious as they were 15 years ago, so for those of you who may have missed the early '90's glory years of music, get 'em while they're hot!mp3 The Freed Pig
mp3 Brand New Love
mp3 Kath
Sebadoh's Official site
8.23.2006
[The Besties]
Matt over at Skatterbrain is just genius - I don't know how finding good things makes him a genius, but I'm gonna say he is anyway. Now, anyone that knows me is familiar with the fact that I hardly ever use the word 'cute', but damn, this Brooklyn trio is cute. I decided to make their frame about pet store antics simply because The Besties are what you would get if puppies could make make music. Even the way they describe their musical characteristics deserves a pinch on their cheeks - you'll hardly ever find a stray voice on their songs because they're afraid to sing alone. Happy, sweet and, yes, cute - The Besties just want to curl up and find a home in your heart, so hurry up and adopt them already. The Besties have some shows queued up in the NE for October. Now if you excuse me, I have to grow my manliness back...Various songs from The Besties (all songs are right click - save as):
79 Lorimer Song
Besties Theme Song
Pirate Song
Check them out at The Besties site.
Be their friend!
Elsewhere - Found on the Austinist: if you live in the Austin Metro area, you might want to consider riding the bus more often. Between now and September 13, a one-day bus pass could magically grant you a one-day pass to Austin City Limits. Capital Metro has 45 of those to give away, and one of those gets to be upgraded to VIP come the contest's end. I'll just remind anyone that cares that one-day bus passes are only $1.
Elsewhere - Speaking of ACL, let's not forget that Janet over at Out The Other is still up to her usual with ACL artist previews for this year's fest....yes, it's got mp3s.
8.22.2006
Christine Fellows
This musically blessed, white-mopped woman hails from Winnipeg, a surprisingly rich ore of great independent music. Her sound is severely simple, often only consisting of a piano, cello, bells, and her own crisp voice. However, the lack of instruments is no matter. Christine Fellows is simply good. Her flawless, often three-part harmonies are sweet and well scattered throughout her songs. Her lyrics are profound, thought-provoking, and whimsical. A real Canadian gem, Fellows is now touring with The Mountain Goats, a band I may post on shortly. Try and catch the two acts if you can; they are sure to be a good show.mp3 Migrations
mp3 Bird As Prophet (live)
Christine Fellows's Official site
8.21.2006
[The Light Footwork]
Ah, The Light Footwork, definitely a great example of blog hype. It wasn't too long after Matt posted on this couple that just about every blog I have the pleasure of reading started praising these kids. The Light Footwork are a Beulah-esque indie-pop duo from Palo Alto, California. With soft, contrasting vocals and played down tunage, The Light Footwork is mezmerizing. Recently featured on my "Some Are Lovers..." Mix, The Light Footwork is, simply put, good stuff. So what have these Mellowing Marvins been up to? Well, their highly-acclaimed/blogged debut album One State, Two State can now be bought off iTunes, and also The Light Footwork put out a new track not too long ago entitled Melville, which I now pass on to you. I have to say that The Art of... continues to hold as my favorite track from the duo, but Melville is one to still carry that indistinguishable Light Footwork sound.Various Songs from The Light Footwork (all songs are right click - save as):
Coastlines Are Landmines
The Art of Everyday Communication Pt. 1
Learn more about these kids and pick up their album at The Light Footwork site.
Be their friend!
Elsewhere - Thanks to Miss Val over at Rock Snob, you can take a few and pop over onto YouTube to check out the Arctic Monkeys' entertaining video for Leave Before the Lights Come On, which, guys, teaches the all important lesson of, "Don't save girls just about about jump off building ledges." and, gals, gives the great notion of, "I should try to find the nearest tall building this Friday night." It happens to feature the guy from In America as well some familiar gal whose name I can't recall either.
8.20.2006
Bright Eyes: Mix 1
In October of this year, Saddle Creek will be releasing Noise Floor, a collection of Bright Eyes songs from 1998 to 2005. In celebration of this news, I have compiled my own mini-mix of my favorite Bright Eyes songs. A new record will also be coming out next spring, with a guest appearance by Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney! I'm really looking forward to hearing what Conor and Janet will sound like together. Enjoy the mix and look out for both Noise Floor and the new record.mp3 Lover I Don't Have to Love from LIFTED
mp3 From a Balance Beam from LIFTED
mp3 Haligh, Haligh, A Lie, Haligh from FEVERS AND MIRRORS
mp3 Easy Lucky Free from DIGITAL ASH IN A DIGITAL URN
mp3 Lua from I'M WIDE AWAKE, IT'S MORNING
mp3 We Are Nowhere and It's Now from I'M WIDE AWAKE, IT'S MORNING
Saddle Creek Records
8.19.2006
[The Some Are Lovers, Some Are Friends Mix]
Must the sexes really battle? Has thought ever been given to what would happen if we were all to just forgo the barriers of gender, throw out the "anything you can do, I can do better" talk and work together as one? Well in the world of music, I found out that people just aren't that afraid to get...well, harmoniously sexed up. In fact the harmoniously sexed up music tends to eventually fall further into the "good stuff" category. Dual, juxtaposed vocals can grab attention by being soft, brash, quiet, loud, gentle, unkind, flowing and forced all at the same time. Have you gotten it yet? Utilizing guy-gal vocals just has the inclination to speak out of - ha! - both sides of the mouth. If you have yet to notice, even this blog is run by both guy and gal. So get harmoniously sexed up with these, shall we say, bisexual songs, and have a great weekend guys and gals!Various Songs (artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
The Eastern Stars -
The Light Footwork -
The Chalets -
The Raveonettes -
The Brunettes -
Peter Bjorn and John -
Los Campesinos! -
8.18.2006
Junior Boys + Kings of Convenience
Look at the picture above very closely. Then look at this picture:
Do the two duos not look strikingly similar? Just in case you were wondering, Junior Boys are the fellows pictured first, Kings of Convenience second. If Kings got a makeover, I believe they would very much resemble Junior Boys. But only physically. Musically, a collaboration of the two bands would sound much like Simon and Garfunkel vomiting in a Canadian dance club.The Junior Boys are Jeremy Greenspan and Johnny Dark, two guys from Ontario who create indie techno-pop. The music is very synthesizer-based, with bleeps and bloops and other video game-like sound effects that you might expect from a techno band. Vocals are often whispered, airy, and distorted. They kind of make me want to join a secret agency and detonate bombs in slow motion.
mp3 So Sleep
mp3 Count Souvenirs
mp3 In the Morning
Junior Boys' Official site
Junior Boys' Myspace
Way over there on the other side of the indie spectrum are Kings of Convenience, made up of the Norwegian Erlend Oye and Eirik Glambeck Boe. Best friends since age eleven, this folk-pop duo creates soft, if not delicate music, with soothing, deep voices, warm acoustic guitars, and subtle melodies. Personally, they are one of my favorite bands...
mp3 I'd Rather Dance With You
mp3 The Build Up
mp3 Winning a Battle, Losing the War
Kings of Convenience's Official site
8.17.2006
[The Bens]
I learned about this temporary trio from a repost, yes a repost, on IGIF. So I'm really late on The Bens, but I'm gonna share them anyway. Just as the elements of earth combined to create Captain Planet, The Bens came together as a fun little project for three familiar fellows named Ben Folds, Ben Lee, and Ben Kweller so that they may From The Bens EP (all songs are right click - save as):
Just Pretend
Bruised
Stop!
Xfire
Well if they were ever to do anything again, you'd probably find out about it at The Bens site.
Get their EP at the site above!
8.16.2006
The Rapture
You know those songs that get stuck in your head for days, no matter how hard you try to rid it from your consciousness? The Rapture produces such songs, but with no negative connotation; I personally enjoyed singing Get Myself Into It all day today. This New York City-based band just released their second full-length album, Pieces of the People We Love, in June. The sound is as funky as ever, with dance-like beats and, of course, Luke Jenner's Cure-like vocals. So buy the album, and I assure you, after one day, you'll have the songs memorized and floating out of your mouth before you can say "Wild Turkey Breakfast."mp3 Get Myself Into It
mp3 I Need Your Love
mp3 House of Jealous Lovers
The Rapture's Official site
The Rapture's Myspace
8.14.2006
Pretty Girls Make Graves
In 1958, Jack Kerouac wrote in his book, The Dharma Bums, "Pretty girls make graves." Almost thirty years later, The Smiths released an identically named song. Over a decade after that, the song inspired the christening of this Seattle-based band, Pretty Girls Make Graves. Just lovely how things connect, don't you think? Originally signed to Dim Mak, now joined to Matador records, Pretty Girls has had some recent changes. Just a couple years ago, guitarist Nathan Thelen left the group, leaving room for a second female, Leona Marrs (I adore her name), keyboardist and accordionist (tehe). Their sound is trebly and crisp, with perfectly balanced female and male vocals. Unique and beautifully discordant, Pretty Girls Make Graves is a must-listen-to.mp3 All Medicated Geniuses
mp3 Liquid Courage
mp3 Speakers Push the Air
mp3 The Nocturnal House
Pretty Girls Make Graves's Official site
Pretty Girls Make Graves's Myspace
8.13.2006
[Nouvelle Vague]
Since I was lil tyke, the genre of choice that's defined my musical taste has progressed from Barney & Company to ghetto music to classical then jazz and finally rock - yeah it's sort of messed up, especially with that Barney to ghetto music jump. The easiest transition to make was jazz to rock. Don't ask me how, but the likes of Nina Simone transmogrified into acts such as The Clash practically overnight. Now the French must know about this semi-freakish genre jump, because somewhere, sometime ago, Nouvelle Vague was born. The idea was simple, take some classic rock tracks from the early 80s, strip them down to the simplest chords and dip it in the stylings of bossa nova. I pretty much just described a cover, but calling these tracks covers is infamous; most people don't even realize they're covers, and that's not surprising. Other than flipping the genre, the music is sung by young female vocalists that have never or rarely heard the original track changing not only the song but the manner of the songwriting as well. Their latest album, Bande a Part, was released June 27th and are planning an Americanada tour in September.From Nouvelle Vague (all songs are right click - save as):
The Clash - Guns of Brixton
Nouvelle Vague - Guns of Brixton
The Cure - A Forest
Nouvelle Vague - A Forest
From Bande a Part:
Echo & The Bunnymen - Killing Moon
Nouvelle Vague - Killing Moon
The Cramps - Human Fly
Nouvelle Vague - Human Fly
Learn more about their music and their tour at the Nouvelle Vague site.
Be their friend!
8.12.2006
Wallow, All You Broken Hearts
I can't speak for Bradley, but I can safely say for myself that I have suffered heartache. Nothing too recent or anything, but it's there. Anyway, I understand that although wallowing one's self in heartbreaking music may not help to heal the wound, it still gives a sense of sickening comfort. So, wallow, all you broken hearts, and listen to these songs that will undoubtedly aid you on your quest for ultimate indulgence in pain.mp3 Dashboard Confessional- Standard Lines
mp3 The Get Up Kids- The Most Depressing Song
mp3 Rainer Maria- Ears Ring
mp3 Death Cab for Cutie- Someday You Will Be Loved
mp3 Mineral- Gloria
mp3 The Promise Ring- Heart of a Broken Story
mp3 Kings of Convenience- Gold in the Air of Summer
mp3 Interpol- NYC
8.11.2006
[BSOTM: And The Winner Is...] + Bandwidth
Ah, well it's been how many weeks now since we started our first ever contest here at Both Sides, so it's time to bring that to a close. It's pretty much a quickie announcement - congratulations to Kip Gasparick! We will be sending off your copy of Spoon's Telephono/Soft Effects album sometime next week - hope you enjoy it! Didn't win? I'm sorry, but it was a hard random decision for Alina to make, I'm sure. To make you feel all better though, I still left up those Devil's Dishes rarities up for download. Have those too? Well then I guess we'll just have to grace you kids with another contest sometime very soon! What, what, what to offer next time though, hrm....Otherwheres - Our bandwidth is getting tight so to help manage all that, we're just gonna go ahead and clear our archives up to this month. Scrummage everything you want, because come Sunday (or however long it takes us), anything that isn't published in August will no longer have the files. MIXES WILL REMAIN INTACT (because they're fun and those suckas are hard to make) and anything that's linked from an artist site will, of course, stay up until they decide to put those down.
Have a great weekend!
John Vanderslice
John Vanderslice. Photographer, analog tape master, producer, and ultimately, musical genius. This Florida/San Francisco native has been creating music on his own for six years after the demise of his band mK Ultra. Quite comparable to now wildly successful once-band-members-now-solo-acts Justin Timberlake and Beyonce, no sarcasm present, John erupted on the music scene with his debut single Bill Gates Must Die (a legal spat with Microsoft soon followed... tehe...). Now pushing 40, but still going strong, he has successfully toured North America, Europe, and Japan, contributed to producing Spoon's Gimme Fiction, and founded a San Francisco recording studio by the name of "Tiny Telephone." His voice is clean and cutting, his sound melodic and resonant. Think Neutral Milk Hotel mixed with Beulah and Modest Mouse. Trust me, John Vanderslice is a classic you must listen to immediately.From Life and Death of an American Fourtracker
mp3 Me and My 424
mp3 The Mansion
mp3 Amitripyline
From Mass Suicide Occult Figurines
mp3 Bill Gates Must Die
mp3 Ambition
From Time Travel is Lonely
mp3 My Old Flame
John Vanderslice's Offical site
John Vanderslice's Myspace
8.10.2006
[Bishop Allen - July]
Can You Guess What Post I Stole This Frame From?From July (all songs are right click - save as):
Click Click Click Click
From June:
The Same Fire
From May:
Butterfly Nets
Pick up the flagship songs for each month at the Bishop Allen site...or you could just buy them all.
Be their friend!
Dynah
Funny-kind-of-not-so-funny story. My hard drive crashed. My hard drive with my music on it. Hummuna hummuna my god I know. But! This guy that works part time at where my dad works rescued my files for me. And! This guy happens to be the drummer for a local (to me, so Austin) band, Dynah (he's the only guy wearing white). So, this post is dedicated to him/them. Thank you for rescuing the contents of my hard drive.So in 2004 they were named the best local act and their album recently ranked second by Austin Chronicle. Big deals? Perhaps. If I could compare them to one band, it would have to be U2, and they really are big deals. They're catchy and clean; hi-fi if you will. If you've been missing the glamorous goddess side of rock, check out Dynah.
m4a Photograph
m4a The Scene
Dynah's Official site
Dynah's Myspace
8.09.2006
[Robbers On High Street]
Well, I left you kiddos hangin' for a few days now - sorry about that - but on to the post.
So the first time I heard about this quartet was at a forum for Spoon in a post put up by a, in internet spraken, "noob" probably entitled something like, "If you like Spoon..." It was met with hostility while the member that posted it "mysteriously" disappeared. I clicked it anyway and ended up loving what I heard. Now I'll admit it, there are times Robbers On High Street can shuffle onto my iTunes and have me thinkin' that it's Spoon; certain songs can just carry that notion - the drums, the guitar, and even the vocals simply strikes a Spoonish chord, which is a great sound to hit. There are differences though, and I love them for adding that into their mix. While Spoon may be laid-back for all the right reasons, Robbers are more inclined to get in your face and let themselves be known, even if they want to be mellow, and having played together for only a couple years, the Robbers' blade carries a sharper edge and has a youthful appeal to their sound as compared to the now matured stylings of Spoon, who have been playing for over a decade. Overall the Robbers sound is very easy on the ears, and their song Love Underground I think was featured in Wedding Crashers, a movie that, ironically enough, also showcases a Spoon song. So am I saying one is better than the other? I'm saying that a very good day can start with Robbers and end with Spoon...or maybe the other way around. Robbers are planning on hitting the studio for their next album this month with that coming out hopefully January. Needless to say, if you like Spoon (especially from their older, and my favorite, Kill the Moonlight era), well, ya know...
From Robbers On High Street's Tree City album (all songs are right click - save as):
Spanish Teeth
Beneath The Trees
Japanese Girls
Montefiore
The boys are planning on coming down for SXSW '07 but until then you can check out their site for show info.
Be their friend!
Otherwheres - What an appropriate post to mention how the Spoon contest ends this Friday.
Otherwheres - Out The Other has started the rather extensive duty of covering all the bands who are to play ACL this year. Impressive (more than what I'd wanna do), but do SXSW and I'll truly be blown away...
So the first time I heard about this quartet was at a forum for Spoon in a post put up by a, in internet spraken, "noob" probably entitled something like, "If you like Spoon..." It was met with hostility while the member that posted it "mysteriously" disappeared. I clicked it anyway and ended up loving what I heard. Now I'll admit it, there are times Robbers On High Street can shuffle onto my iTunes and have me thinkin' that it's Spoon; certain songs can just carry that notion - the drums, the guitar, and even the vocals simply strikes a Spoonish chord, which is a great sound to hit. There are differences though, and I love them for adding that into their mix. While Spoon may be laid-back for all the right reasons, Robbers are more inclined to get in your face and let themselves be known, even if they want to be mellow, and having played together for only a couple years, the Robbers' blade carries a sharper edge and has a youthful appeal to their sound as compared to the now matured stylings of Spoon, who have been playing for over a decade. Overall the Robbers sound is very easy on the ears, and their song Love Underground I think was featured in Wedding Crashers, a movie that, ironically enough, also showcases a Spoon song. So am I saying one is better than the other? I'm saying that a very good day can start with Robbers and end with Spoon...or maybe the other way around. Robbers are planning on hitting the studio for their next album this month with that coming out hopefully January. Needless to say, if you like Spoon (especially from their older, and my favorite, Kill the Moonlight era), well, ya know...From Robbers On High Street's Tree City album (all songs are right click - save as):
Spanish Teeth
Beneath The Trees
Japanese Girls
Montefiore
The boys are planning on coming down for SXSW '07 but until then you can check out their site for show info.
Be their friend!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Otherwheres - What an appropriate post to mention how the Spoon contest ends this Friday.
Otherwheres - Out The Other has started the rather extensive duty of covering all the bands who are to play ACL this year. Impressive (more than what I'd wanna do), but do SXSW and I'll truly be blown away...
8.08.2006
The Dying Californian
The despondent name of this Los Angeles-based band is a perfect reflection of their music. Kind of depressing, really moody, low-key, but still damn good. This group of four are the original members of the huge Santa Cruz band, Nuzzle. Once Nuzzle set out for L.A. though, it evolved musically and was rechristened accordingly. Thus, The Dying Californian was born. Although they have been release-less since '02, they are ready to drop their new album in the coming year (yes, I know, two thriving bands in a row). Make sure to give them a listen.mp3 (old stuff) On the Lam
mp3 (new stuff) Blurred Just the Same
mp3 (newer than old but not super new) Frozen Path
The Dying Californian's Myspace
8.07.2006
Three Mile Pilot
Hummuna hummuna! I finally bring to you a band newly ressurected. Rumored to be lifeless since '98, Three Mile Pilot is now reunited and ready to release a new album in 2007, almost a decade later after their supposed demise. This trio, native to San Diego, began their journey as an indie band in early '92, with a guitar player who did not yet know how.. to play.. guitar... Oddly enough, he soon learned, and then off 3MP (as they are commonly referred to) went! Their sound is trebly, gritty, eclectic, and gorgeous. Look out for them in the coming year!(My absolute favorite song is On a Ship to Bangladesh which you must listen to with much haste. It will make you happy, I assure you.)
mp3 On a Ship to Bangladesh
3MP's Official Site
3MP'S Myspace
Ohmigosh, ohmigosh, I don't have but one song to give you. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me and listen to more via myspace.
8.06.2006
The Unicorns
Unlike the band, The Unicorns really are of Montreal. Formed in 2000 and dead by 2004 (I know, I know, I'll cover a living band soon), the Unicorns had half a decade of upbeat, happy-go-lucky, twisted and ironically disturbing music making. With puzzling album and song titles like Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? and Inoculate the Innocuous, respectively, it is no secret that the band was not only odd, but crazy. By the end of their reign, they were cussing out audience members onstage and giving a naughty name to their beloved mythical creature. But that is not what they will be remembered for. Instead, their kooky style and quirky sound will assure that The Unicorns live on, at least in spirit, forever.mp3 Sea Ghost
mp3 Child Star
m4a I Was Born (a Unicorn)
m4a Inoculate the Innocuous
The Unicorns' Myspace
8.05.2006
Pavement
Hello, again! I sincerely hope I was not forgotten during my week-long hiatus. Alas, I am back, and I missed you terribly.I miss Pavement terribly as well. A band headed by songwriting genius, Stephen Malkmus (check out Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks), Pavement produced a whirlwind of indie classics in the '90s. Their sound was mellow and rolling, deep and insightful. With an almost sophomoric voice, crunchy rhythms, and guitar sans clean distortion, Pavement represented all that was lo-fi. Although the band did break up in '99, distracted by families and other musical projects, rumors have arisen concering a possible reunion. Shall Pavement come together once more? We'll find out later. Listen while you wait.
mp3 Black Out
mp3 Type Slowly
mp3 Shady Lane
Pavement's Myspace
[The Grates]
Now I said that I'd put a proper post up on The Grates once I had the time, so here it is as promised. The news of their UK tour really couldn't have come at a better time as I've been waiting for a good newsworthy reason to post on this wild group from Australia. Ah yes, Australia - I told you that it was a fun countrinent. Next to boomerangs, the country's largest export is, after all, condensed euphoria, and The Grates are just one of the many forms that product is delivered. As I've read, whenever this trio is mentioned, enough can never be said on their live performances which, apparently, resemble birthday parties. Listening to their music, I'm not surprised. Their tunage carries that fun, childish aura that's only right amongst an environment of ball pits, balloons, and bouncy houses; it's even said that vocal Patience Hodgson yields an arsenal of invisible trampolines, so I don't think it can be denied that this bunch are just fun in a box. Fun in a box? Condensed euphoria. So to our lucky UK readers, I place a party hat on your head and point you to your respected venue only to ask, "When does the party come to America?"Various songs from The Grates (all songs are right click - save as):
19-20-20
Lies Are Much More Fun
Little People
Read up on Matt's great interview with Grates' guitarist John Patterson here.
Get more info on these kiddos at The Grates site.
Be their friend!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BSOTM Quick-List
And this is the first of probably many Quick-Lists, but I got a nice little email from a small label that though I'd like some of their tunes. I thought it was nice, and made for good downloads so here ya go. Some snippets from Ought Implies Can Records.
Various songs from Ought Implies Can Records (artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
My Music Atlas - Frugal Traps & Happenstance
Nire - Static Glow (m4a)
The Encyclopedias - To Be Floating
Tinyfolk - Owls
Otherwheres - Spoon contest, six more days.
That's it for today everyone, I'm off to a job interview - wish me luck!
8.04.2006
[The Grates Announce Tour & Drop Your iPod On The Floor]
I couldn't bring it upon myself to taint that picture with one of my frames...8/19: V Festival Western Park, Staffordshire
8/20: V Festival Hylands Park, Essex
8/22 @ Metro Oxford Street, London
8/23 @ Barfly 90 Seel Street, Liverpool
8/24 @ Whelans 25 Wexford Street, Dublin, Ireland
8/25 @ Barfly 260 Clyde Street, Glasgow8/26 @ The Faversham 1-5 Springfield Mount, Leeds
8/27 @ Academy 52-54 Dale Street, Birmingham
Rest assured, I'll have a proper post up on The Grates once I do have the time, but if you're around any of those areas, you should pretty much just plan on going.
------------------------------------------------------------
Otherwheres - I hope my iPod never gives me the infamous Mr. Sad Icon, but if it does, I don't think I wanna fix it using the Dinan Creative method of banging it hard on something. It may get it goin', but how much was it again? So let the question be asked, for those whose iPods are in danger of going awry - how many times have you dropped your precious or what stupid thing have you done to it? I've dropped my child about 2 times on tile now...
8.02.2006
[Rod Thomas]
So somewhere I read that this fellow was born between two villages in South Wales. That's between two villages, now if you're born between two villages, it's pretty much granted that you're going to have to gain a hobby. Lucky for us, Rod Thomas chose music. This charmer I figure was a big fish in a small pond, and thus relocated to the oceanic metropolis that is London where he was then discovered by a contributing writer to the Londonist while busking in the Underground at Trentham Court Station - and now here he is. Rod Thomas (thats's Rod, not Rob) is a 23-yr old busker by day and a...well I don't know what his night job is, but it's given that he's 24/7 musician. Rod calls his sound, "acoustic disco indie pop" and even tops off that description with an exclamation point. Now I don't know what to call it myself, but I like it. Good Coat in particular strikes a chord with me with its' handclapping and overly simple layers - his sound is just ready for Fall (though lately many of us have been hit by hotter temps). Rod Thomas plays gigs here and there in various London venues, and yes, perhaps even a tube station or two - you can even slip in a five and check him out at the Troubador in a few days. Rod Thomas, an underground find in more ways than one...Various Songs From Rod Thomas (all songs are right click - save as)
Good Coat
So Much Prettier
A New Word To Say
You can learn more at his site.
Be his friend!
8.01.2006
[BSOTM: Telephono/Soft Effects Contest]
Ah, Alina and I were planning on holding the announcement of this contest till our first 1,ooo readers, and we thought that would hold in conjunction with the first of August. Well, it is now the first of August and we've had well over 1,ooo visitors - and since I started the counter rather late it's prolly around 2,ooo if I'm not being too bold - so thanks for reading! To show this gratitude, the two of us here at Both Sides of the Mouth are holding our very first contest! So what are you gonna plunder from us you ask - hows about a copy of Spoon's re-released Telephono/Soft Effects album (and perhaps some other schwag)? Did you say yes? Good, cause that's precisely what we're offering. Just drop us an email with your mailing address and the subject "BSOTM Contest" and you'll be entered into our drawing - piece of cake, simple as pie, just like that. Now I'm always a bit ticked off to hear that something's only offered to US residents, and think - well that's a bit unfair. So to our international readers, you'll be happy to know that this contest is open to anyone, anywhere. Good luck to all who decide to enter, which should be everyone since it's a rather simple concept, and again, thanks for reading!|:| ------------------------------------------------------------------ |:|
Now I don't want to leave everyone else hanging, so I'm going to include in this post an added treat - five more tracks from the Devil's Dishes Rarities disc. I shared with you three other tracks from the disc in another post, and you can just pick those up here.
Various Songs From Spoon's Devil's Dishes Rarities (All Songs Are Right Click - Save As):
Cool It You Need To Relax
Isolation
Rainy Taxi
Do The Manta Ray
Back To The Life
Check out the Spoon site to check up on their Fall appearances.
Be their friend
Both Sides of the Mouth is a dual-authored mp3 blog based in Austin, Texas. All audio posted on this site is meant for sampling purposes only. If you really like what you hear, show it and support the artist - buy an album, buy some merch. If you represent or own any media on this site and would like something taken down please email us, and we will take the neccessary action of removing the file(s).
Notable Mixes - Brad