man man @ the echoplex

man man - "doo right"/"mister jung stuffed" @ the echoplex 9.19.08

Last Friday night I caught Man Man at the Echoplex here in Los Angeles. Crystal Antlers* opened. They've been getting a lot of press lately, and since I hadn't yet taken the time to check them out, I was interested to hear them play. I was pretty impressed -- they're five kind of greasy guys, most of them seemed a little bit older. They have one guys on keys, a bassist/lead singer, a drummer, one guy on second percussion/vocals, and a really crazy guitarist who managed to absolutely "tear it up", if you will. There was also lots of screaming and crazy delays/effects, which you find in LA a lot nowadays (everyone and their mom is in a noise rock band, I swear to God...) but they were definitely still enjoyable, and their love of crazy percussion made them a great choice for an opener.

(*Side note: What is it with the influx of "Crystal" bands lately?? Castles/Antlers/Stilts..../Method? haha)

After Crystal Antlers finished up, someone decided it would be a really good idea to play Jock Jams, to which the crowd responded enthusiastically. So they decided to play it again. And again, as Man Man set up. And then they played it again, and then some jokester friend of Man Man came out for a few minutes to "DJ" and spoof Steve Aoki/Girl Talk/Justice/every hipster/DJ/person who's ever worn American Apparel. It was actually pretty funny, and nice to know that even such a well-known "indie" band or whatever doesn't take themselves too seriously.

Then they played Jock Jams again, and then Man Man took the stage. They opened with a cover of...Jock Jams. It was awesome. They then went on to play a solid crazy show, with lots of jumping, screaming, white pants, and plenty of cowbell. They played "Doo Right", my favorite off of their new album, at the encore, which made me really happy. So yeah, basically everyone just jumped around and had a good time because that is what you do at a Man Man show :)

And I guess I'm seeing Hot Chip tomorrow, then Fleet Foxes Tuesday, so despite having three midterms I think this week should be pretty exciting. More to come :]

mix a mix a mix tape!

I've decided to try my best to post a mix tape once a week, not only for *your* enjoyment, readers (all 2 of you!), but also as a sort of record of what songs I particularly enjoyed in a given week. It'll be pretty random -- new stuff, old stuff, poppy stuff, weird stuff -- but hopefully FUN.

Here's week 1:

01 Memory Cassette // Surfin
02 High Places // Head Spins (Extended Version)
03 Sally Shapiro // Anorak Christmas
04 Air France // Maundy Tuesday
05 Billy Joel // It's Still Rock and Roll To Me
06 Izza Kizza // Walk the Dog ft. Missy Elliott
07 The Supremes // You Can't Hurry Love
08 The Ruby Suns // Birthday ft. Esau Mwamlaya (The Beatles cover)
09 Pnau // Embrace ft. Ladyhawke (Fred Fawke & Miama Horror remix)
10 The Blow // Fists Up

sept 21 mixxx

memory cassette

Memory Cassette's music is pretty chill, but more importantly -- how can I recreate that eye make-up?

Download: Memory Cassette // Sleep On the Roof

Full EP here.

the ruby suns & esau mwamwaya

Download: The Ruby Suns // Birthday ft. Esau Mwamwaya (The Beatles cover)

This track incorporates three things I love: The Beatles, New Zealand, and Africa.


I've been listening to Esau Mwamwaya for a little while now, and I'm really excited for the album he's been working on with Radioclit. Some more Esau:

Download: Esau Mwamwaya, M.I.A., Santogold, + Radioclit // Get It Up
Download: Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit ft. M.I.A. // Rain Dance

More tracks over at Winnie Cooper.

BOO, 'YE.

WTF is up with the new Kanye track? The recorded version "Love Lockdown" leaked this week, giving us a slightly better impression of the song than his raucous rendition of it at the VMA's. And to clarify: I use the term "slightly better" solely in terms of our ability to gauge the merit of this track -- because after listening to it, I think the overall impression is far worse. I was really hoping that the studio version would have incorporated some crazy beats, heavy bass, or even some RAPPING, Kanye? But no, no, and no -- the recording is equally as bland and unimpressive as the VMA performance.

So seriously -- WTF is up with Kanye right now? Why is he shunning his roots as an amazing hip-hop producer and witty MC to make watered-down pop music that sounds like a reject JT track? I'm holding out hope that maybe, just MAYBE, he'll come to his senses before releasing a mediocre album that all but destroys his credibility in the music world. Until then, I'll just try to happy with the fact that I caught the Glow in the Dark Tour before 'Ye fell so far from grace.

Sad.

Download: Kanye West // Love Lockdown

I feel passionately about Passion Pit.

These guys have been popping up here and there recently, so I finally got around to giving them a listen. Turns out that not only are they from Cambridge, Mass. (represent!), but their music is super catchy and fun. I'm really excited to hear more from them -- I'll be enjoying this track in the meantime.

Download Passion Pit // "Sleepyhead" at Neon Gold Beat Company

IT'S NEW YORK FASHION WEEK!

Meaning I get to procrastinate and look at pretty dresses on the Internet instead of doing work... how exciting!

Day 1.5 Favorite: JASON WU

I really like all this vintage-y looking outfits (dresses, sweaters, hats, etc.) mixed with the crazy bright colors. And the prints are beautiful!

winner of month for "amazing concept album"

The FADER - Dollars to Pounds: Tribal Gathering

If for that Hot Chip track alone, I NEED this album. Seriously -- go give it listen. It's FANTASTIC.