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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The Black Keys & RZA - The Baddest Man Alive [Video]

The Black Keys and RZA have joined forces again, this time on the lead single for The Man With The Iron Fists soundtrack. A project that has RZA leading the charge in every possible direction. The film, produced by Quentin Tarantino, was directed, co-written and stars RZA in this homage to kung-fu classics.

The video itself pits all three against each other, fighting for a single fortune cookie. Don't you hate when that happens?


If you like what you hear, you can stream the entire album below. Vinyl junkies may want to skip the standard double LP, for the Deluxe Ultra Pack, limited to 300 copies and pressed on red vinyl.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Ben Harper - Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley Cover)


 While I realize that Hallelujah, was originally recorded by Leonard Cohen, for me this is a Jeff Buckley song. The beauty of his album, Grace, is something very few artists achieve, and to hear Ben Harper say it only solidifies what the world already knew.

The following song was recorded at The Cadillac Palace, in Chicago, on September 27, 2012. Ben played a monster 27-song set, well past curfew and I was fortunate to be there. The poster was designed by Alex Lodermeier, more info can be found at 1974Design.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

RAC - Hollywood (Cassian Remix)

RAC, or Remix Artist Collective, has managed to put out only one song, but damn if they aren't getting some milage out of it. Hollywood, released earlier this year via Green Label Sound, was originally a stand alone single featuring Penguin Prison. However, some big names have stepped up to remix the track, and they just keep coming.

The latest batch includes a pulsating mix from Cassian, that loses the bass line in favor of 80's synths. Give it a listen and head over to Green Label Sound where you can get all the remixes and original for free.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Benjamin Gibbard: Former Lives [Full Album Stream]

Benjamin Gibbard will release his first solo album, Former Lives, next Tuesday. But, you can listen to the entire album right now. Most of you will know Gibbard as the lead singer of Death Cab For Cutie and the album is what you expect; a collection of soft, folk-pop that chooses familiarity over risk.

He does manage to stretch his legs on a few tracks, notably, Something's Rattling (Cowpoke), which features a mariachi band and western feel. Duncan, Where Have You Gone is more Ben Folds, with a heavy piano and soaring refrain. Broken Yolk in Western Sky, brings it all home with a cruising, steel guitar and fading lyrics.

Ben has said that the songs came together over the course of 8 years, most of them not fitting in with the central themes of Death Cab albums. A supporting solo tour comes through town on November 2nd, at the Athenaeum Theatre. Tickets are still available.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Bon Iver, Bon Iver: Stems Project

In August, Bon Iver invited fans (and friends) to remix their latest album, Bon Iver, Bon Iver, with Justin Vernon hand-picking the winners. Today, we get to hear the tracks, dubbed the "Stems Project".

Most of the remixes simply don't do enough, chopping up vocals and adding subtle accents that only lead back to the original version, which was much better in the first place.  

Minnesota, WI (Daydreamer Remix) is standout, rushing the vocals and giving it some force, making it more likely to be played at your next party, than Starbucks. Towers (Stop The Car Remix), abandons the entire foundation in favor of mellow bass line and fragmented vocals, similar to early Passion Pit. Wash (Dan Huiting & Adam Rucinski) is the most charming, reminiscent of LCD Soundsystem's Someone Great before switching gears into Atoms For Peace territory.

You can listen to the 10 winners, plus 6 additional bonus tracks, below, courtesy of Spotify.