New Animal Collective "Graze"

Animal Collective have had quite the year, releasing one of the year's best albums (perhaps 'the' best) in Merriweather Post Pavillion, touring endlessly, making their network television debut and now with their new upcoming Fall Be Kind EP due out digitally next Tuesday, November 23rd and physically December 15th, AnCo have basically had a chokehold on the beginning and end of 2009.

"Graze" is kind of two songs in one. It starts out as a mellow, diffuse vocal showcase. It is the first song on the EP. The cover for the EP is shown above.

Fall Be Kind tracklist:
1. Graze
2. What Would I Want? Sky
3. Bleed
4. On A Highway
5. I Think I Can

"but to provide for mine who ask
i will, with heart, on my father's grave"
-noah lennox

THE Songs of the 2000s...according to me.

Most of these 11 songs are based on three things:

A. How much do I enjoy the song personally.
B. How much 'cultural relevance' has the song held in the past 10 years.
C. How musically inclined is the song (is the song an intricate piece or is it "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's?)

10. "The Underdog" - Spoon/"Paper Planes" - M.I.A. Some may not be thrilled with me splitting my "10" spot, but who gives a shit? I just had way too hard of a time trying to choose one of these over the other. Though very different, both of these songs are fantastic. From start to finish, "The Underdog" has excitement in the sounds of both the guitar, drums, and horns. You have to love the horns and I love that they have a bari sax. That's just cool. When the horns come in, you feel a warm feeling just come about and that's the feeling that this song does so well. As for "Paper Planes", there is a lot that can be said about this song. The baseline has a constant beat that is just really easy to feel, then with the snaps and the synth that carries through this is just a fantastic song. M.I.A. really brought something fresh to the table with this song. Not only was it a gateway for "mnstrmrs" to come over get a taste of some good music, but it really way a fresh, innovative take on hit hip-hop song.

The Underdog - Spoon
Paper Planes - M.I.A.

9. "Jesus, Etc" - Wilco. Everything about this song is smooth. As soon as it starts, it just has a crazy smooth soothing sound with the great keyboard chords, the steady trap beat and of course the amazing violin part throughout the song. The intricate fiddling parts of the violin songs sound so good as a healthy balance to the sailing violin part. As far as the lyrics go, you really don't even to need to have heard this song before to know that the lyrics are cool. With a name like "Jesus, Etc", it had to have great lyrics. This is my favorite Wilco song easily. Jeff Tweedy really wrote a heartfelt tune with this one, "Our love is all we have".

Jesus, Etc - Wilco

8. "High And Dry" - Radiohead. This "Old Radiohead's" best song. If you listen to Radiohead, you know what I mean. This song, for me, defines how very talented Radiohead really is. This song is not really what I would call a prototypical Radiohead song, and you know what, that's alright. Actually, it's what makes it so cool. That's not to say this "type" is better or worse, it's just different. This is just really great, well written, relatable song. "They're the ones who'll spit at you. You will be the one screaming out."

High And Dry - Radiohead.

7. "Touch The Sky (ft. Lupe Fiasco)" - Kanye West. Kanye West, love him or hate him, the guy puts out some pretty ridiculously good music. This is not only one of my personal favorites from Mr. West, but when I hear this song I just want to bust a move. I'm a sucker for horns so naturally I love the horns playing the main melody. Kanye does things like this better than anyone in hip-hop or rap. He takes the best of both worlds in making dope beats and then using classical instruments such as horns and strings to really bring a lot real mass to his music. He is also one of the best persons in music this day in age when it comes to sampling, maybe the best. For this track, he did a wonderful sample of Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up". Another notable would definitely be "Stronger" when Kanye sampled Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger". This track also introduced one of my favorite rappers today in Lupe Fiasco. Kanye gives Lupe the final verse in his tune, and young Lupe does not disappoint. I guess you could say the Kanye has an eye for talent. He may very well be our generation's most culturally relevant artist.

Touch The Sky (ft. Lupe Fiasco) - Kanye West

6. "Wake Up" - Arcade Fire. "If the children don’t grow up, our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up." I remember the first time I listened to Funeral, to say I didn't fully appreciate it was very much so an understatement. This song is pure bliss. It is an anthem for childhood and youth. It takes me back and really makes me feel sentimental every time I hear. It was appropriately picked out to be used in the theatrical trailer for Where The Wild Things Are. Though the hipster status of the song has gone up tremendously since the trailer was released. It speaks much higher volumes than just that though. This song is a cry out for help from a child who doesn't understand and just doesn't want to grow up because they love their youth. Musically speaking, this song is absolutely incredible. It has one of the most brilliant transitions in a song I have ever heard about 2/3 of the way through. It is just an amazingly cool sound. Right from the start with the guitar part, and the ailing voices in the chorus line that sound like children pleaing with time to stop making them older, and then of course after the transition there is the melodic sound of xylophones and glockenspiels that take you back to an ageless, no worries state of mind.

Wake Up - Arcade Fire

5. "Roses" - Outkast. That goddam Caroline. I absolutely love this song. Everything about this song is just flat out cool. People may not agree on my choice of Outkast song, but this song is pretty much the tits. I feel like most Outkast picks would be "B.O.B." and "Ms. Jackson." Outkast is the ultimate combination of rap/hip-hop/jazz. This track is a great dance jam, extremely relatable and very culturally relevant. "Yo shit don't stank" is just one of the many lines that Andre 3000 has made cool. "She's the reason for the word, bitch." Damn Andre, what the hell did that "crazy bitch" do to you? Think she regrets it?

Roses - Outkast

4. "Digital Love" - Daft Punk. This song is a love song. Whenever I hear this song, no matter where I'm at, I have hard time not dropping everything I'm doing or thinking about and just start dancing. I love this song. It holds a bit of sentimental value for me. Maybe you can relate, maybe you can't, but if you can then you know exactly why this song is #4 on my list. When this song is played and done, I can't help but feel a bit of nostalgia to hear it 'one more time'.

Digital Love - Daft Punk

3. "Postcards From Italy" - Beirut. Zach Condon is the most impressive singer/songwriter/composer/instrumentalist of our generation. A mere 23 years old, his track record is impressive to say the least. His voice, rich in sound, hauntingly carries across the accompaniment of ukulele with blends lustrous melodies coming from the piano, trap, and of course, the horns. The horns really capture the essence of this song. The hook where the song transitions into a horn duet with the soft accompaniment of the ukulele until Zach's haunting voice comes back in truly shows off the capabilities yet regularities of the horns in Beirut. The lyrics of this song literally give me goosebumps. Beautifully written in a poetic manner, the words, soft, hold such heartfelt longing. "And I would love to see that day, her day was mine." This beautifully written masterpiece that should be experienced by all.

Postcards From Italy - Beirut

2. "Fireworks" - Animal Collective. Euphoria. State of feeling when listening to "Fireworks" by Animal Collective. To quote Carles of HRO, "Animal Collective is a Band Created By/For/On the Internet". Hate them or love them, this is true and we live in an internet time of age. This song is similar for me to "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire in that it takes me back to a childhood state of mind yet different because unlike "Wake Up", "Fireworks" makes me want to jump up and down, yell, and throw things, like I'm four years old again. And that's a good thing. I could literally listen to this song on repeat all day. I have a newfound appreciation for this song after watching 15 minute long version at Lollapalooza, jumping up and down hysterically for the entirety while sweating my balls off. And it was the best 15 minutes ever.

Fireworks - Animal Collective

1. "Twilight" - Elliott Smith. Having discovered Elliott Smith about two months before he died, I never had the chance to see him live. This is one of my top "if you could turn back time's" and will be forever. Most people will not/wouldn't agree with this pick and frankly I don't care. The amount of sentimental value that lies with me in Elliott Smith's music is far too vast and means so much to me personally that I had to put this song as my number 1. I really honestly believe that Elliott Smith is the singer/songwriter of our generation. Some of his work just amazes. Not only was a quill-man of songwriting, his guitar skills were off the chart. He also had easily recognizable, whispery-thin vocals that send shivers down my back. I really do feel that I have a valid case for making this my number 1 pick on my list. If you have never heard this song before, then you may not have the appreciation for the accolades I give it, but please take my word in that you will not regret taking 4.5 minutes to listen to this song. Even if you have heard this song before, take another listen and enjoy his mastery again. Here is a link for to the lyrics. R.I.P. Elliott (10/21/03). XO.

Twilight - Elliott Smith

"Twilight" live version

Please feel free to comment on this list and leave your feedback on great/terrible you think this list is. I can take the heat, trust me.

Taken By Trees Covers Animal Collective

Hate them or love them, Animal Collective is in the now. I find that part of their appeal is that there hasn't and still isn't anything like them really. They are near impossible to cover, until now. Victoria Bergsman aka Taken By Trees does a fantastic cover from one of Merriweather Post Pavillion's finest, but appropriately renaming it "My Boys" (as opposed to the original, "My Girls"). Though the name is different, everyone still wants adobe slabs.

Lollapalooza Part 2: Saturday in the Park

Saturday began slow. Alex(alejandropablo), Kyle(K-Mart), and myself were spent. A previous day with over 11 hours spent on our feet at Grant Park left us as mere shades of the energetic spark plugs we were the day before. However we picked ourselves up, brushed the sleep from our eyes, and headed back to Grant Park where our friends Moira, Brian, and Caitlin were waiting. So too was a daunting lineup of bands which included Santigold, Animal Collective, and TV on the Radio.
Delta Spirit, an amazing American/Folk band from San Diego, was kicking things off at 12:30. Alex and I had seen them at the Waiting Room in Omaha last fall and they were incredible. Sidenote: their lead singer looks identical to That 70's Show's Wilmer Valderama. Unfortunately due to slow buses and a need for tasty Quiznos in our bellys we were delayed and missed their set. However, our friends who were their said they killed it which doesn't surprise me at all.
Following Delta Spirit was an hour lull where no bands we were interested in played. The 2:30 timeslot however was a very different case. Atmosphere, Animal Collective DJ set, and Los Campesinos all took the stage at the same time in different corners of the park. For several different reasons, we decided to see the British punk/pop group Los Campesinos. From the minute they walked on the stage this group impressed me. From a setlist of big hits, to hilarious interlude commentary, to the energy that they brought to the stage, Los Campesinos owned. At one point the lead singer said how pumped he was to go see the No Age set later in the day which I loved to hear. I think all artist could take a lesson from these guys, making yourself more relatable to your audiences and you'll find a better following. The set closed with the lead singer, lead guitar, and drummer jumping off stage and crowd surfing. The guitarist got so far out into the audience that he had to walk back to the stage. Honestly one of the best shows of the festival in my book.
We next had to run halfway across the park to see Chairlift play. The set was ok but honestly we spent most of it sitting under a tree by the stage trying to escape the pounding sun. We got to see them play the popular track "Bruises" which the entire crowd including us stood up and started dancing. Although the set was decent the highlight of the hour was some random guy with a hemp satchel trying unsuccessfully to sell Alex and Kyle some weed.
Based on the lackluster Chairlift show we were really stoked to see Santigold take the stage next. Arriving at the stage an hour early turned out to be one of the best ideas of the trip. There were about 5 people between us and the stage so we celebrated this victory with shots that we managed to sneak in thanks to my diabetes. The girls next to us asked to join in and so we drank and talked music while we waited for Santi. Britan and Anne Marie were Lolla veterans thanks to Britains crazy odds of winning two tickets off radio call ins three years in a row. After about a ten minute delay Santigold finally took the stage hitting a homerun with her opener "Hold the Line" a Major Lazer song she is featured on. Dressed in all gold Santi rocked the stage from the time that she set foot on it, although she did need to take a break everyone in a while to fight off the hundreds of beach balls that were flying around the crowd and on the stage. I feel like Santi is really cementing herself in this industry and based on the fact that Hip Hop heavyweight like Wu Tangs's GZA, Scott Storch, and MTV VJ Q were hanging out side stage. Santigold closed the set by inviting about six audience members on stage to show their best moves for "Creator."
TV on the Radio started immediately after Santi. Kyp Malone and the band were impressive to say the least. With tracks like "Wolf Like Me" "Golden Age" and "Crying" they came out strong and though we left the set early, other people told me they stayed strong throughout.
Animal Collective followed after TVOTR. I was so excited to see these guys live but they came out in jam session mode floating between songs and ambient noise. A half hour in and I was completely let down and prayed for them to pick up the tempo and play some hits. My prayers were rewarded. The last two songs Brothersport and Fireworks took up nearly 25 minutes was the band at their very best. Alex, Kyle, and I managed to push our way dead center and were right in the middle of the trippy dance party that ensued.
At this point we were spent. We had spent all day going bouncing off the walls and sweating our balls off under the relentless Chicago sun, but we trudged back across the park again to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. When we got there they were halfway through the hit "Heads Will Roll" which was loud, powerful and amazing. The show was ok but Karen O was a scene. She danced around, flung her hair, and even deep throated the microphone while doing the splits, a true showman. We checked out a bit early to catch the Bassnectar DJ set which was good especially with him sampling Mambo Number 5 in a dance jam as we left.
Saturday was full, intense, draining, and a lot more but most of all I would say it was fun. We left the Park a few minutes early and avoided the monstorous crowd. We later headed to a dive bar by Wrigglyville where the bartender downed tequilla while serving us the cheapest beer in the place. It was the perfect way to end a perfect day. Look forward to Kyle's coverage of Sunday which will hopefully come faster than my post.

A Few Summer Tunes

Summer is starting to wind up for those of us who have some kind of schooling that we attend in the fall. So I thought I would reflect by posting a nice, random, short inventory of some summer mp3s for y'all to listen to while you chill at home, chill on the road, chill in the office, chill on the boat, chill in your underwear, chill in her underwear, or chill wearing no underwear. Most of these are pretty fresh, while some are from earlier this summer. This is just a random list of songs from the summer that you may have missed, so I thought I would post them.

"Walkabout" is a new one from Atlas Sound (Bradford Cox of Deerhunter) featuring Noah Lennox (Panda Bear) of Animal Collective in gazy, upbeat cheerful tune. One of the best of the summer. I also posted a new one from Nathan Williams (Wavves) as both the tracks he's made this summer have been great, the other being "Mickey Mouse" of course. Volcano Choir is Justin Vernon's (Bon Iver) side project and their new album is to be released this fall. "Island, IS" is the only song I've heard so far, but I dig it. A new one from Radiohead (or so we think, maybe?), a great song from The Almighty Defenders which is a side project from King Kahn and The Black Lips, a newish one from the trippy "glo-fi" artist Washed Out, a great song from Mos Def's latest album, a Simian Mobile Disco song from their upcoming album Temporary Pleasure featuring Jamie Lidell, a crazy hot reggae tune from Major Lazer with a taste of Santigold, and finally a song Animal Collective has been playing at most of their live shows lately that features a hook from a Grateful Dead tune. Hopefully this gives you a little something to listen to over the next week or so. Enjoy!

Walkabout (ft. Panda Bear) - Atlas Sound

Cool Jumper - Wavves

Island, IS - Volcano Choir

These Are My Twisted Words - Radiohead

Cone Of Light - The Almighty Defenders

Feel It All Around - Washed Out

Auditorium (ft. The Ruler) - Mos Def

Off The Map (ft. Jamie Lidell) - Simian Mobile Disco

Hold The Line (ft. Santigold) - Major Lazer

What Would I Want Sky (Live on BBC Sessions) - Animal Collective

Animal Collective on The Late Show

This past Thursday night, Animal Collective played on The Late Show with David Letterman. The performance of the season appropriate Summertime Clothes was excellent to say the least. Dave really seems to like bringing in those hometown Brooklyn bands. Oh, Grizzly Bear will also be partaking in the Brooklyn Indie Band Show with David Letterman as well, on the 20th of May. Start prepping for the next round of AC vs. GB in the indie music blog world. And no, I wasn't going to mention anything about the masqueraded people dancing obscurely in the background. It's cool man, finals are over...