The Walrus is a Philadelphia-based music blog written by Michael. You may send me stuff through the send a tip page or email me. All mp3s should be sent as links. NO ATTACHMENTS, PLEASE. If I like your music, chances are I will write about it.
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mp3s on this site are for promotional purposes only. If you wish to have an mp3 removed please contact me.
Ironically, there isn’t much info to be found on Montreal-based band Clues except that it contains Alden Penner formerly of The Unicorns, Brendan Reed who was once a part of David Bowie’s favorite band Arcade Fire and some other talented folks from up north.
Now you might be guessing that only good things could come of this…and you you would be right. You would also be right if you guessed that it kinda sounds like Unicorns and kinda sounds like Arcade Fire. Seriously, you are really good at this! Check out “Perfect Fit” below and look out for their debut record in 2009 on Constellation.
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Deerhunter alumni Adam Bruneau has made videos for two songs featured on the band’s amazing new album Microcastle. Both clips feature footage captured while Adam was on Borestone Mountain in Maine and feel well connected but not redundant. “Cover Me Slowly” is my favorite of the two, but the combination of sound and visuals in the second half of “Microcastle” couldn’t be more perfect. Have a look:
The sound of young Marnie Stern’s “Ruler” lies somewhere in between Deerhoof and The Go Team. It’s aerobic and wonderfully hyper, as is her new video for the song, where she becomes increasingly more adorable as she trains for THE BIG EVENT. Wonder what it could be. World domination? Hell, I wouldn’t mind!
Marnie’s new album This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That (yes that’s the actual title!) is available now on Kill Rock Stars.
These days I’d rather catch a buzz from a good record than from a plant and the new project from Unicorns/Islands/Human Highway member Nick Thorburn is nothing short of euphoric.
A collaboration between Thorburn and hip-hop producer Daddy Kev (Busdriver, Freestyle Fellowship, Awol One), Reefer’s debut mini-album is a chilled-out, tropical adventure filled with down-tempo beats, steel guitars and ukuleles that are guaranteed to ease your mind. The gentle sway of “May Baleen” may put you to sleep, but you’ll wake up wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a smile on your face.
Reefer’s self-titled debut is available now on Alpha Pup.
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On Saturday night I headed to JB’s to catch a set from local band Like A Fox, an engaging mix of Flaming Lips/Mercury Rev psychedelia and high-energy, post-punk guitars. In the 90s, lead singer Jay Laughlin and the much-hailed Lenola created low-tech spectacles on stage, covered head to toe in twinkle lights, gyrating around like human lite-brites. They were the coolest looking DIY shows I had ever seen…to this day.
For the release of their new album Where’s My Golden Arm?, LAF rekindled that Lenola aesthetic, albeit not AS intense, dressing their mic stands in a collage of twinkles and autumn-leafy goodness. Yep, the stage was illuminated, not only from the the glow of those golden bulbs, but also from the intensity of the band’s new songs. Filled with spacey keyboards, serene harmonies and guitars that intend on melting your face off one minute and warming your heart the next, the music sped down a path of light, bounced off the walls and headed straight into the subconscious.
In this new world of possibilities, there is still one impossibility left: NOT falling in love with Hot Lava’s whimsical lyrics and smile-inducing melodies. Yep, it’s no secret that I think these Richmond kids are one of the best new bands around. Their new video for “Brainex”, a lo-fi pop gem, is one more reason to fall in lava with them. Its low budget, home video quality will charm your pants off (just don’t forget to put them back on, weirdo!)
Hot Lava’s debut album Lavalogy is available now from Bar/None.
Stereolab’s music is always blissful, as is Atlas Sound’s, so it makes sense that the two of these artists make an appearance here during a week that has been nothing but blissful.
Coincidentally, this remix of Neon Beanbag is also inspirational, Atlas Sound’s Bradford Cox starts things off with sampled audio from what sounds like a 60’s black preacher. Soon after he glistens up an already tranquil tune. Delightful.
You can find the original version of the song on The lab’s newest album Chemical Chords, available now on Amazon.
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In 2000, I saw Ray Davies, lead singer of the Kinks, perform at a the Jane Street Theater in NYC…with Yo La Tengo as his backing band!! It was truly awesome witnessing Davies reach into his “Kinksy” back catalogue and play such favorites as “Animal Farm” and “Village Green”. Even more awesome? I just happened to find a CD bootleg of the show the very next day at Positively Records in Levittown, PA. Booya!
Now the BBC is reporting that, according to Ray Davies, the band is indeed reuniting and will be recording new music and releasing it…if it’s any good.” Ha! Well, Ray not many 60s/70s bands have been able to reclaim their genius these days, but if anyone can it’s The Kinks. Here’s to well-respected men!
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Oh, and by the way you should DEFINITELY own these 60s records by The Kinks if you don’t already: Face to Face, Something Else, Village Green, Arthur and Muswell Hillbillies. Get them now on Amazon.
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Exhausted from the late-night, celebratory nature of the past two weeks (Obama/Phillies!), I just couldn’t muster enough energy to make it over to The Church to see Deerhunter’s set last night, but I did stumble upon this AWESOME mp3 of “Never Stops” from their new limited edition cassette Platts Eyott Session.
Recorded in September on the Platts Eyott island near Thames, London, the session offers stripped down, raw versions of recent, as well as older and unreleased songs. This sedated version of “Never Stops” is definitely a highlight.
Listen to the full session and enter to win a copy here.
“Never Stops” is from the band’s newest record Microcastle, one of the best of the year. Purchase it now on Kranky.
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Sorry for the lack of posts these past few days but I have been celebrating, as many others have, Obama’s victory and hopefully a new future for this country.
Looking to the future, one must always remember the past and these past 8 years have been horrible for our country, politically speaking. I will, like so many others, be happy when George W. Bush’s last day finally comes. Check out this funny video for the song “As Tall as Cliffs” by Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s which features a Bush impersonator living out that last night in old-school GW style…you know booze, strippers and…eh just watch:
Now as most of you probably know I don’t post much about hip-hop. However, this video shot by Philebrity, featuring Jay-Z and P. Diddy rallying for Barack Obama in Philly is just too awesome to pass up! Allow me to explain why.
See, I have never really liked or disliked Jay’s music but after watching him poetically declare: “Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther King could walk, Martin Luther King walked so that Obama could run, and Obama is running so that we all can fly”, I am convinced he is a genius. Incredible:
Before you get out the vote tomorrow, check out this awesome video collaboration from turntablist Coldcut and “visual vigilante” TV Sheriff which they put together for their own “get out the vote” campaign entitled “Revolution ‘08“. It satirizes the whole media-saturated shabang in great style:
