Review: Father Creeper by Spoek Mathambo + SXSW
One of my favorite performers during SXSW was Spoek Mathambo not just because of his music but also he was genuinely a nice guy in person; happy to sign autographs while exchanging more than a few words with you. Spoek Mathambo recently released his second full album, Father Creeper which is full guitar, catchy and danceable beat. Mathambo is pumping out some creative and progressive music that’s an instant like. His opening track “Kites” immediately gets you hooked. The entire album moves all over the place in sound; rock, rap, funk, synth, and even a little metal elements but Mathambo makes it work well. As for his live performances during SXSW, no matter where he was, he was dominating every performance.
Key Tracks: Kites, Pump Some Red On It, and Let Them Talk
Live at the Spotify House in Austin, Texas
Short Review: Odessey GEAR LP CASE CLP200P
I recently received an early birthday present. I had been eying this case for my records/vinyls for quite some time. I have ZERO complaints but there is a slight odor which is not smelt until you open it but it’s not necessarily bad. The Odyssey Gear LP Case (CLP200P) is a beast. It’s large, carpeted, and durable. The construction is well designed and the $100 - $120 price tag is worth it. However, it does not hold 200 LPs even with one record jacket. But it definitely holds over 100 LPs. My favorite part is the removable lid that you can take off completely or leave on the hinges. I’m in love.
http://www.odysseygear.com/odyssey-products/clp200p.html
SXSW Music officially kicks off today in Austin, Texas. I will posting as often as I can during this week but if not will be back Sunday. Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/rooftopplaylist
South By Southwest (SXSW) Band:
Last month Hospitality released their debut self-titled album. Rhythmically, they have a good mix throughout the entire album beginning with the slower, mellower sounding tracks followed by more of a groovy undertone that undeniably brings out the Indie-pop feel of the whole album. The whole album not only changes in rhythm throughout but the instrumentation also seems to change with it. The mellower sounding tracks are very percussion-heavy with a lot of bass and the more “dancey” tracks are guitar-driven ones. Regardless of the arrangement, Amber Papini’s voice seems to fit perfectly throughout.
Favorite Tracks: Friends of Friends and Liberal Arts
Trevino is a four-piece band with a rock sound that is different from what I consistently listen to but I’m really liking it. Fusing a hint of pop-punk influences with a traditional, guitar-heavy sound, Trevino is the perfect playlist addition for the rock music fan looking for strong lyrics and a good melodic sound, with a variety of musical influences, and smooth vocals. You can find a few of their songs on their page on Reverb Nation at http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_songs/1416856. The band has also been invited to play at Crow Bar in Austin, Texas during SXSW. The band is asking for donations from fans to help fund their trip. If you’d like to donate to the cause, go to their donation page at http://ronbenet.bedroomradio.com/post/18334687312/help-trevino-play-sxsw-gas-is-expensive.
President Obama's Playlist
President Obama’s campaign put together a mixtape. After all, it is election time. It’s an interesting playlist. It’s kind of all over the place and is obviously tapping into different types of music lovers aka voters. I mean, Noah and the Whale alongside Jennifer Hudson? Weird.
Check out the link above for the full story. You can also stream it HERE.
Full track list for the “Obama Album”:
- Different People – No Doubt
- Got to Get You in My Life – Earth, Wind & Fire
- Green Onions- Booker T & The MG’s
- I Got You – Wilco
- Keep on Pushing – The Impressions
- Keep Reachin’ Up – Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators
- Love You I Do – Jennifer Hudson
- No Nostalgia – AgesAndAges
- Raise Up – Ledisi
- Stand Up – Sugarland
- This – Darius Rucker
- We Used To Wait – Arcade Fire
- You’ve Got the Love – Florence and the Machine
- Your Smiling Face – James Taylor
- Roll with the Changes – REO Speedwagon
- Everyday America – Sugarland
- Learn to Live – Darius Rucker
- Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
- Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra
- My Town – Montgomery Gentry
- The best thing about me is you – Ricky Martin ft. Joss Stone
- You are the Best Thing – Ray Lamontagne
- Keep Marchin’ – Raphael Saadiq
- Tonight’s The Kind of Night – Noah and the Whale
- We Take Care of our Own – Bruce Springsteen
- Keep Me In Mind – Zac Brown Band
- The Weight – Aretha Franklin
- Even Better Than The Real Thing – U2
- Home – Dierks Bentley
REMIX - Shabazz Palaces, Battles
It seems remixes are always a hit or miss. But Shabazz Palaces delivers a methodical remix on Battles’ “White Electric,” off of Gloss Drop. But that should be no surprise as their debut album Black Up was rightfully one of the best hip-hop albums of 2011. The remix version, along with other remixes are available today on vinyl.
Remixed Version:
Original Version:
Los Campesinos! W/Parenthetical Girls 2/17/12 REVIEW
Friday I saw Los Campesinos! and Parenthetical Girls at The Parish in Austin, Texas.
I went in not knowing Parenthetical Girls and went out knowing I probably would not listen to them again but would not mind seeing them live again. Let me explain. Their music was not my kind of thing; their sound is experimental pop but lacks quality, very bland, and some pretentious sounding lyrics (I mean look at the band’s name). But the constant theatrics and banter with the audience i.e. Comparing Austin to their current location Portland, Oregon “1. Laziness 2. Suspended Adolescence 3. Good looking people over 30” marching around The Parish, talking about semen smelling trees, and swinging from speakers made their 30+ minute set enjoyable.
I would not call myself a “hardcore fan” of Los Campesinos! I did not particularly care for their latest release Hello Sadness as a whole but have enjoyed the albums in-between their first release. My hope was that they would play enough stuff from their other albums to satisfy my urge, which they did. One of the main things I enjoy about their music is that it has dark undertones mixed with an upbeat sound, even added that one-step dance, hands in the air feel. But not Saturday and it wasn’t for a lack of trying, Los Campesinos! just seemed to lack steam and their sound quality at times seemed to be amiss. They just did not have consistent momentum in their first night of two night performances at The Parish. I did not stay for the encore and I must have looked at my phone a few times during their under 80 minute set. I’ll be honest; if it had not been raining I probably would have left early, which is disappointing because they ARE a good band….just maybe on CD only.
Check out their new video for “Songs About Your Girlfriend” off their new album, Hello Sadness. It reminded me why I went to the show in the first place.
