the needle drop

Stream tracks: /interpol
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In the midst of all this new technology, music, and studio trickery, it’s hard keeping touch with the basic and simple magic of songwriting. Of course, there are guys like the Mountain Goats and the Tallest Man on Earth holding it down for us, and let’s one more to the pile: Doug Paisley. His approach may be simple, but it’s earnest and down-to-earth like blue-collar worker with a heart of gold.

On “What I Saw,” the light bass, drums, and organ quietly complement Doug’s kind vocals and small, finger-picked flourishes of acoustic guitar. If the backup vocals are familiar, well, it’s because it’s Feist. The song is from Doug’s upcoming LP, Constant Companion, which is due 10/12 via No Quarter Recs. Stream a track below and let me know what you think.

Stream: Doug Paisley- What I Saw
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A while back, I posted a “megamix” of songs from the Woodsist label put together by a bright, young mixer and masher, Al Lover. Well, my posting of the mix was partially what got him in hot water with Woods and the good people at Force Field PR. He was asked to take the mix off his blog, but Al hasn’t stopped doing what he does best.

He’s got a concept album of sorts on the way titled Creative Controlled, and it’s loosely based around themes of  music piracy and copyright. “Baby Please” is from the LP, and I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I am. The beat delectable, and the vocal samples are placed perfectly.
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Video: Cee-lo- Fuck You

When it comes to making a racket, few Canadian bands are more spastic, relentless, and eyebrow-raising than AIDS Wolf. The band’s forthcoming album, March to the Sea, is sure to stomp on every boundary it happens to come across in the midst of its wild, flailing frenzy. Of course, the band will be releasing this via Skingraft, and download a track below:

mp3: AIDS Wolf- Teaching to Suffer

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The result of letting kids listen to Wire and the Fall are the Neat.  A rollicking taut song which captures the best of those two influences, “In Youth is Pleasure,” bounces around your head.  The guitars dialogue back and forth with feedback and the drums battle it out with a machine.  The video captures a raw and nervous energy as the band plays in an empty auditorium–unlikely because this song is worth of listeners.  The band tries their best to look indifferent to the camera, but it doesn’t work:  We can hear that they care about their music.
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New video for the drums track “Down By the Water,” which is the latest single from their self-titled album. Look for the LP via Moshi Moshi.

MP3: The Drums- It Will All End In Tears
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1. Arcade Fire- We Used to Wait (Covered by the Drums)

2. Pollyn- Other Side (Remixed by Nosaj Thing)

3. The xx- Stars (Remixed by LAZRtag)

4. Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros- Janglin (Remixed by RAC)

5. Pop Clash Productions- A Chilli

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MP3s:
Magic Kids- Hey Boy
Magic Kids- Summer
Magic Kids- Superball
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This New York five-piece popped up in my inbox about a week ago. Currently, the band is devoted to posting one song a week–no matter what–for the rest of this year. The surprise is much of it is pretty freaking good.

“The Way That You Are” is both soulful and sensual. The infectious guitar lead that opens the track never gets old. The recording isn’t spectacular, but it has a homemade warmth to it. The vocals are understated, and are perfectly complemented with some bouncy reverb. Give a listen to the track below, and hear dozens more at their tumblr here.

MP3: Paul and the Patients- The Way That You Are

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