I’m in for a few days and thought it would be nice to write a post about some songs I have been enjoying. So here we go, see you all soon. (Also I am not happy about wordpress changing my theme to show tags and categories above the post, I might have to drop a few dollars and get this blog to a decent host. We will see.)

Liz Phair – Ant in Alaska.mp3

New old unreleased Liz Phair. Great track, read more at Stereogum.

Cory Chisel – Home In The Woods.mp3

Refreshingly new Americana from Cory Chisel. Who ever you want to compare him to, be it Springsteen, Beatles, or Dylan, its good stuff. My brother will really like it. Read more at postcrescent.

Bell – Echinacea.mp3

Olga Bell is frequently likened to Bjork and to combat and distinguish herself, who better to cover than Bjork! Read more at 3hive.

American Football – Never Meant.mp3

Nothing like late 90’s guitar noodling and emo lyrics to start a summer day off right.

The Notwist – Where in this World.mp3

New Notwist. Nothing exceptional and the album is only par in comparison to Neon Golden. Can’t complain about more of the same great stuff though.

King Tut – What You’re After.mp3

King Tut is crazy weaving instrumental strings melded with sporadic electronic beeps. This song melts my mind and makes me at ease at the same time. Check them out at thesixtyone and download all their stuff for free.

Björk has a new remix EP out soon. I have listened to these tracks and Ratatat’s is, in my opinion, far superior the messy array of Volta remixes that have precluded it. Dare I say, this remix may be more entertaining than the original. Ratatat is really making a name for themselves these days.

Post Scriptum: I was discussing why I enjoyed this version more than the original with a friend and I think it really comes down to the overall balance of the song. The general feel (mastering) of the original has her voice so prominent in the foreground that the supporting brass and electronic beats are lost in a haze of excessive vocal reverb. Ratatat simplifies everything putting her voice on a level playing field with the beat and guitar noodling.
ratatatmusic.com – myspace – hypem

In preparation and anticipation for the Sigur Rós Hemia DVD release (Nov 20, US), I picked up the Icelandic pop music documentary Screaming Masterpiece. The film presents an in depth cross section of the current musical climate as well as the deep history of one of the most musically talented and original countries in the world. This is accomplished through full length song live performances from a multitude of Icelandic bands. I emphasize ‘full length song’ because it would have been much easier to only include excerpts and show more bands, however, the film impressed me with the full length songs. This is complemented by interviews with notable Icelandic music icons. Overall the film was moving and compelling as it is obvious that Icelandic bands truly ‘get it’ when it comes to music.

Music is the ultimate artform, it goes past the brain and cuts straight to the heart, you get goosebumps from listening to music, a physical response.
- Dagur Kári Pétursson (Slowbow)

I would recommend this film to anyone who is interested in Iceland or Icelandic music as well as to anyone who enjoys the music of any of the numerous bands that are included (see a few of the major ones below).
amína – apparat organ quartet – bardi jóhannsson – björk – jóhann jóhannsson mínus – mugison – múm – sigur rós – more