Live through this.

1. Passion Pit - Chunk of Change EP (French Kiss, 2008). This band is currently learning what it means to be a media phenomen. A gig with MTV at a music festival has propelled these Cambridge, Mass. lads to fame, with furthermentions in Rolling Stones and buzz on the blogs to bolster them. Funny thing is that they have barely been at it a year. You might like this if you are into MGMT or Bloc Party. Also cool is how their big single "Sleepyhead" is the name of my bro's musical project.
http://www.imeem.com/myoldkentuckyblog/playlist/E2PBFdYS/passion_pit_chunk_of_change_ep_music_playlist/

2. MIA and AR Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack (N.E.E.T, 2008). This is from a new movie that explores the American Idol type phenomena in India. Rahman is the equivalent of a modern Indian renaissance man and has been heavily involved in film scores, classical music and even Indian politics. Both Tamil, MIA and Rahman combine to give this soundtrack a pulsating, distinctly Eastern feel, with enough modern influences to keep the kids interested but with enough of the old stuff to avoid the parental "what is that awful music?".
http://www.imeem.com/slumdogmillionaire/playlist/P3X-5CvU/slumdog_millionaire_music_playlist/

3. Sin Fang Bous - Clangour (Morr Music, 2009). Unfortunately, the little island of Iceland is going through a rough time, being hit hard by the recent financial crisis. On the flip side, this country can still take pride in its beautiful landscapes and its precious artistic scene. Sin Fang Bous stems from the Broken Social Scene type band called Seabear (also worth checking out if you like that style). SFB is indie rock, with a twist of glitch and a little jazz. It is a fun sound, an upbeat attitude for downbeat time. New album in the new year.
http://www.myspace.com/sinfangbous

When has science sent a man to the moon?

1. El Guincho - . What caught my attention here was the genre label "Tropical". Now what is "Tropical" music I had to ask. I am glad I did. My description is this: electronic, funk, brazillian and major chords all mixed together to make, get this, happy music! That's so different it is actually cool. My recommendation for the week, as the grey fall weather settles in. Also, he will be playing the ElMo in Toronto at the end of November, I probably can't make it, if anyone does, let me know how the show is.

http://www.myspace.com/elguincho



2. Ikonika - Millie EP (Hyperdub, 2008) . Couldn't find too much about this female dubstep/grime artist. She is on the Hyperdub label, which helped to pioneer the dupstep scene in London UK. Heard rumours that she is starting her own label too. Her sound is mellow, two-steppy with the addition of some bleeps and eletronic samples that makes her sound stand apart from her label mates. This is someone that has taken a new genre in a completely different direction, so it will be worth following her and seeing what she does next.

http://www.myspace.com/ikonika

3. Gagle - Hidden Music Value (Columbia,2008). I'll be honest, I have no idea what they are saying. I don't know Japanese. But what I do know is that these chill Dj Krush style beats and the smooth, rhythmic rhymes all combine to some of the nicest aesthetic hip-hop I have heard in awhile. I bet the lyrics are pretty good too.

http://www.imeem.com/artists/gagle/

Quirky is a grandmother who flips the bird

1. Track N Field - Marathon (Nine2Five, 2007). Pioneers of the Finnish (yes, that's right) electronic music scene. This is smooth trip hop at its' best. The upright bass is so clear you can hear the strings flapping and the Rhodes is just rolling off your speakers on top of it. Incredible. Doesn't really fit any genre either, there is some hip-hop, house, downtempo and lounge. Enjoy with a glass of merlot and some blue cheese.

Oh and if you find the full length double album, let me know, its rarer than the steak at a Bush family BBQ.

http://www.myspace.com/tracknfieldmarathon

2. Meaghan Smith - The Crickets Orchestra EP (Sire/Warner, 2008). Always got give props to Halifax artists. Honestly, they are all really good. Something about that city makes great music. Currently on tour with Ron Sexsmith, Ms Smith has a really great voice and strong songwriting. I love the layering in her songs; Mellotron, horns and even a little record scratching from your mom's favourite DJ, Kid Kola. This goes best with a gray day and a cup of tea.

http://www.meaghansmith.com/

3. Beast - Beast(Pheromone, 2008). This caught my attention: "Portishead meets Rage Against the Machine". What? Really? Is that possible? My answer is "not in this case", but that doesn't mean that this Montreal duo hasn't really pushed at some musical boundaries. Their self-described "trip-rock" label is certainly fitting. Singer Betty Bonifassi has a powerful voice, full of soul and glitter. Combined with producer/electronic musician Jean-Phi Goncalves' trippy beats, the result is a sound that can only really be described as "cool". Martini's for this one.

http://www.myspace.com/beastsound

Automatic Transmission

As I begin to prepare for finals, my interest in getting new music ramps up. Expect many posts in the coming weeks.

1. London Sinfonietta - Warp Works and 20th century masters. (Warp, 2006). Many artists on the Warp label could be considered avant-garde; constantly pushing the boundaries of what is comfortable in art. By reinterpertating the electronic sound of these artists with classical instruments and by pairing them with other avant-garde composers leads to an interesting exploration of musical boundaries and the bluriness of genres.
http://www.warprecords.com/londonsinfonietta/

2. Kid Loco - Discover Party Animals & Disco Biscuits. (PIAS, 2008). I was introduced to this artist by my friend Emily and the more I have discovered about his music, the more impressed I am. The preview of his new album revealed a diverse musical range, from funk to downtempo. Something about his sound is attractive, but I haven't quite found the words to describe it. Highly recommended
http://www.kidloco.com/

3. TV On The Radio - Dear Science (Interscope, 2008). Have heard rumbles about this band, but never got around to checking them out until now. I like how they list one of their influences as "Acappella". The songs on this ablum seem to have the common element of a solid rhythm section, while the rest of band experiments with psychedelic rock, funk and soul, just to a name a few. It is a nice suprise that it works, although it is sometimes hard to really gauge what this band is trying to do as a result. Best not to think about it too hard and enjoy.
http://www.myspace.com/tvotr

Why I did this blog

I love music, and even more so, I love finding new music. Music that is off the mainstream radar, music that is on its way to being big and music that people have never heard of. Someone once told me that I have very eclectic taste in music and I don't think I can argue with that.

As a consequence of my love of sharing music, many people ask me to suggest new tunes for their playlists and iPods. Sometimes word of mouth works, but I figured hey, why not give my friends a place where they can check up on what I think is interesting.

I get my music info from many places and am continuing to discover new sources. If you have a blog, magazine, radio show or website that you think might be a good source, I would love to hear about it.

Enjoy the blog!

This week....the first post...you only get to make one first impression

Ah.... the first post, it is a tough one, but I think I will just keep short and simple. This is music that has come to my attention over the past week or so that I think you might enjoy....

1. The Virgins - EP (2008): postpunk from NYC, sounds familiar enough to be comfortable, but not overly so to be boring. They may hit it big with their upcoming CD release, so keep an eye and ear out for them. http://www.myspace.com/thevirginsnyc

2. Winter Gloves - About a Girl (2008): From Montreal, with that great indie rock look and had a sound that had the same effect as a blow dryer set on "Hi". The energy of their live show doesn't really come across in their recorded works, but it is still good, solid rock music. http://paperbagrecords.com/news/winter-gloves-about-a-girl-out-now

3. One Day As A Lion - EP (2008): Do you ever miss Rage Against The Machine?? I do...Audioslave didn't quite cut it. Zach De La Rocha returns, just as angry as ever and he still has something to say. His name is taken off a famous graf tag "It is better to live one day as a lion, than a thousand years as a lamb".
Even better, RATM is still stirring the pot, making some appearances at Republican events: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/soundboard/2008/09/i-regret-not-ma.html
http://hypem.com/artist/one+day+as+a+lion

4. Michna - Magic Monday (2008): Apparently this guy was quietly working at a big Brooklyn record store, while putting out some of the best hiphop-electro blends out there. Highly recommended.
http://www.myspace.com/eggfooyoung

5. Madlib - Dil Whithers EP (2008): Volume 6 in the Beatkonductor series (I recall a breaks DJ who went by this moniker years ago. I always wondered if there was a connection). The album title is probably a reference to J Dilla. It is a great mix of the soulful Detroit sound with the classic Madlib hip-hop twist. I have been listening to a lot of motown classics lately and this album really highlights some of the motifs that made it such a powerful genre.
http://www.imeem.com/rbgee727/playlist/qEDJSiUr/madlib_beat_konducta_vol5_dil_cosby_suite_2008_music_p/