Category Archives: 2013

2013, music, new music, new music roundup

[new music roundup] 12.10.13

December 10, 2013 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

A few of my favorite new releases this week…

!!! (Chk Chk Chk)//And Anyway It’s Christmas (Holiday Tunes)

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Brendan Benson//You Were Right

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Childish Gambino//because the internet

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Dr. Dog//Oh My Christmas Tree EP (Holiday Tunes)

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R. Kelly//Black Panties

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Telescope Thieves//Elixir

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Their / They’re / There//Analog Weekend

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Various Artists//Young Turks 2013

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More new music at Largehearted Boy

2013, 31 days of good, best of 2013, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.10.13

December 10, 2013 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

2013 was a year of unexpected surprises, including new material and tours from My Bloody Valentine, Sebadoh, The Postal Service, The Pixies, The Dismemberment Plan, NIN, Beck, Lucius Jackson, Neutral Milk Hotel, Deltron 3030, and more. Below is a sampling of my favorite surprises of 2013.

“We had this show all wrapped up last Friday. It was totally in the can! Then My Bloody Valentine dropped its highly anticipated new album over the weekend and threw our previously recorded show into total chaos! But hey, it was worth it. We (and all the other My Bloody Valentine fans out there) have been waiting more than 20 years for this!” via NPR: All Songs Considered

♩ My Bloody Valentine – She Found Now [from m b v]
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It’s been 13 years since Dan the Automator, Del the Funky Homosapien, and Kid Koala joined forces as Deltron 3030 and released their debut album. Though I didn’t enjoy waiting for Event II, it was well worth it.

♩ Deltron 3030 – Look Across the Sky (ft. Mary Elizabeth Winstead) [from Event II]
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Defend Yourself is the 8th studio album (and 1st in 14 years) by Sebadoh. I don’t think i’ll ever get tired of “I Will,” which makes the perfect lead-off track for this rather eclectic album.

♩ Sebadoh – I Will [from Defend Yourself]
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Though we’ll probably never get a new album from The Postal Service, 2013 marked the 10th anniversary and deluxe reissue of the supergroup’s debut album Give Up. Along with a extensive “reunion” tour, the group released two brand new tracks, including this little gem.

♩ The Postal Service – A Tattered Line of String [from Give Up: Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition]
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Of all the surprises this past year, there was one definititive highlight. After 10 (long) years, the one and only David Bowie released his 24th studio album – The Next Day. This is my favorite album of the year and there really isn’t a bad track on it. But in my opinion, “Valentine’s Day” is the standout track. Right when you hear that first guitar riff you know, this is a David Bowie song…and it’s fantastic.

♩ David Bowie – Valentine’s Day [from The Next Day]
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What is (31) Days of Good?

2013, 31 days of good, best of 2013, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.9.13

December 9, 2013 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

I really enjoy electronic music, especially material that leans more towards the chill-wave, experimental, and/or ambient side of this ever evolving genre. Below is a small sampling of my favorite “electronic” tracks from this past year. Hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

♩ Akela the Lone Wolf – Waaves (ft. JSPR) [from Catalyst]
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♩ Evenings – Friend (Lover) [from Yore]
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♩ Blackbird Blackbird – Refresh [single]
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♩ Teen Daze – Alaska [from Glacier]
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♩ Bonobo – Cirrus [from The North Borders]
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2013, 31 days of good, best of 2013, music

(31) Days of 2013: 12.8.13

December 8, 2013 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

Mapei’s new album will be released at some point next year via Downtown Records. In the meantime, enjoy her latest offering – “Don’t Wait”. I love this track and it’s been on heavy rotation for the last month or so. I’m super excited to hear more from this talented young lady.

♩ Mapei – Don’t Wait [single]
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J. Cole is one of my favorite hip hop artists these days, but it’s Amber Coffman’s vocals and the sampling of Cults‘ “Bad Things” that make this track stand out.

♩ J. Cole – She Knows [from Born Sinner]
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Jamie xx performed this gem during his Night + Day set in Berlin. I’m really hoping this means some new solo offerings from Jamie are on the way.

♩ Jamie xx – Untitled (Unreleased)
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2013, 31 days of good, best of 2013, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.7.13

December 7, 2013 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

“There’s a line in that song that just slays me. It says, “Wisdom’s a gift but you trade it for youth. Age is an honor, but it’s still not the truth.” I just love that. I don’t know where you were when you wrote that line, but good lord.” via Bob Boilen, NPR: All Songs Considered

♩ Vampire Weekend – Step [from Modern Vampires of the City]
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I’ve been gushing about Sleigh Bells since I started this here blog back in 2009. Since then, the NY noise-pop duo have released 3 full-length albums, and i’ve loved them all. Bitter Rivals was released this year (not even a year after 2012’s Reign of Terror) and packed full of the duo’s signature pop hooks and epic guitar riffs I love so much. I’m not sure if Sleigh Bells will ever be able to top their debut album, Treats, but if they keep releasing tracks like “Sugarcane”, I won’t complain one bit.

♩ Sleigh Bells – Sugarcane [from Bitter Rivals]
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“’Don’t Swallow the Cap’ (maybe a reference to Tennessee Williams’ unfortunate demise) slowly builds into an anthemic ending, combining lush string arrangements with eery distortion and Bryan Davendorf’s cyclical drum work. It’s an odd melding of styles – Davendorf drums like he’s in Can; the Dessner brothers play delicate, sly melodies; Matt sings with an intimate intensity – but it works, and I’m not sure it ever won’t.” via Pretty Much Amazing

♩ The National – Don’t Swallow the Cap [from Trouble Will Find Me]
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Cults’ self-titled debut was my favorite album of 2011, so needless to say, I was super excited for their sophomore effort. Like Sleigh Bells above, I don’t think Cults will top their debut, but Static did not disappoint one bit. There are a handful of worthwhile tracks, but “We’ve Got It” really showcases the duo’s signature sound of experimental pop and doo-wop vocals.

♩ Cults – We’ve Got It [from Static]
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