Warm Heart of Africa

This is killer...

Amadou & Mariam - Welcome to Mali

Geez, first Esau Mwamwaya (The Very Best), now this. I've gotta move to Africa for good. Do something nice for yourself and listen to this album. Also, I might be in love with this track...

Sabali - Amadou & Mariam

New Identities

Lately I've been really into old school graphic design work. There's a lot of great stuff out there that far outweighs the kind of ad illustrations most companies use today.

Paul Rand is legit. 

The graphic design focus that a lot of corporations have adopted, wouldn't exist had it not been for Rand drawing attention to the relationship of art and the consumer. Sweet stuff.

Thinking of a Dream I Had

Last night I had a dream that I had tickets to a Crystal Castles show that just happened to be taking place in my neighborhood. Awesome. Then I woke up. Awesome.

Not a Dream: The Replacements' Tim has been a favorite of mine since I was a teenager. No doubt, I was the only kid in my neighborhood listening to that kind of stuff while Ja Rule was doing his best DMX impersonations all over car stereo systems. While usually a great idea, most cover songs suck. So I was a bit apprehensive about Kindness' attempt at the album's social function downer "Swinging Party;" but then I listened to it. The video, a collection of clips from educational films, aborted MGMT music videos (probably not), and at least one scene from Poltergeist, goes really well with the dreamy re-working of the song. Good stuff.

Caveman Drumming

You know those bands that seem like they'd sound pretty good and get positive reviews and your friends all say you should check them out, but you don't because you're too engrossed in last year's Soulja Boy Tell 'Em album (on the record: I hate all things Soulja Boy Tell 'Em), well, that's what Hella is to me. I'll get around to it eventually. In the meantime, Wavves' Nathan Williams has started collaborating with Hella drummer Zach Hill and it's been nifty results so far. I'm sure there's a million music blogs that have already posted this video, but having it on my own blog makes it easier for me to watch.

Selfishness. Enjoy kids.

Also: I really wish I was still in Tulsa for this show...

"Sigh."

No Ego

Texas is the Reason

Texas tissue paper.

Such beauty.

When it's time to party...

Have I ever mentioned how much I love this man?

Andrew W.K. - 55 Cadillac

due September 8

The Tony Robbins of hard rock returns with an album of face-melting uh, piano improvisations.

Yup.

Well, this could actually be good considering that Andrew is a classically trained pianist, but either way, stuff like this can only add to the great man's legacy.

Greatness:

Here's a rare (ok, not really) look into the life of Andrew W.K. filmed in New Orleans during Mardi Gras earlier this year.

Consider yourselves privileged.

Also, be on the lookout for a ridiculous Obama related comment towards the end (sorry, but it's really lame).

Seriously though, Andrew seems like one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. Definitely someone I'd invite over for dinner with the fam, maybe some Frolf or a little Wii Tennis afterwards or something.

I dunno.

Surprise Me

If I had a conversation with Jona Bechtolt regarding the new Yacht album, it would go something like this...

Hey, thanks for meeting me here by the periodicals in this 7-Eleven.

"Uh, sure."

So, I love The Blow.

"Yeah, it was fun working with Khaela..."

I didn't really like your last Yacht album.

"Oh. Well, I'm sorry?"

Yeah, me too. I've got good news for you though.

"Ok. What?"

I'm in love with See Mystery Lights.

"Thanks. That is good news."

It's like asking that cute girl that works at the library during the summer out to dinner, and she actually says yes.

"You know, I've never heard it explained quite like that before."

Want a Slurpee? My treat.

"Yes. Yes, I would."

Yacht - See Mystery Lights

After my disappointment with 2007's I Believe in You, Your Magic is Real (with the exception of the amazing album cover. Seriously, look it up), this sucker comes as a big shock to me.

Buy this album.

Or buy it for someone else. Whatever.