THE ETTES-Wicked Will

Posted on September 5th, 2011 by ekko

“Every time you smile I can tell you’re just showing your teeth.” That’s the droning, menacing chorus of the best cut (“Teeth”) from The Ette’s new record, Wicked Will. And we immediately feel a connection: We’ve all loved dogs like that. The cynical, insightful lyric pretty much sums up what I loved about this album.

The Ettes are, I suppose, retro. But the power trio’s brand of power punk feels more fresh and exciting than the word retro would suggest. It doesn’t sound like a tribute to the Ramones (although clearly it has been influenced); it’s not ironic; it’s not using garage band fuzz to hide poor musicianship. The music feels organic, appropriately rough, almost improvised. Yeah, it could have come out of the 1960s, but it’s also timeless.

Another notable cut is their cover of Lee Hazleton’s “My Baby Cried All Night Long”—the song is transformed from sentimental to raucous. I don’t know what he did to deserve it, but lead singer and guitarist Coco Hames almost seems happy that her baby is so sad. He must have been quite a jerk.

Then there’s the almost psychedelic “The Worst There Is,” a piano driven tune that states: “When you’re the worst there is, there’s nothing to fear/That’s why you and I are here.” What does that mean? I’m not sure, but it resonates.

I must get a dozen retro submissions a month. This one is far and away one of the best—it takes an “old” sound, and brings it forward. Brilliant lyrics, great music, terrific music production…This is a flawless record.

For fans of: The Ramones, The Ravonettes, The Black Keys…Y’know, bands like that. The album was produced by Liam Watson, who has worked with The Kills and White Stripes.

Teeth

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Posted on September 4th, 2011 by ekko

PARTY IN THE USA-BY TOKYO POLICE CLUB

Posted on September 4th, 2011 by ekko

From the press release:

Tokyo Police Club has completed their 10 Days 10 Covers 10 Years project with the perfect song to kick off your Labor Day weekend, 2010′s “Party In The U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus today at 1pm EST/10am PST.

Check it out here (direct dl).

G-EAZY-The Endless Summer

Posted on September 4th, 2011 by ekko

G-Eazy may be my new favorite rapper. Certainly, Endless Summer will be one of the best mixtapes of the year. It’s funny, it has great beats and rhymes, compelling delivery, confrontational and politically incorrect references, indie-ish samples and choruses…There’s nothing here not to like.

Flawless.

A couple tastes:

Run ft. Team Robot

Endless Summer ft. Erika Flowers

Get the mixtape for just the price of an e-mail at his site!

And tons more free music here!

It’s almost too much. Even God rested…

Awesome video for Runaround Sue….

WU HENDRIX

Posted on September 3rd, 2011 by ekko


1. (00:01:18) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Intro
2. (00:03:33) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – House Of Flying Daggers
3. (00:02:20) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – When The Fat Lady Sings
4. (00:01:16) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Collector’s Material
5. (00:01:24) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Special Delivery
6. (00:03:01) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Last Call
7. (00:02:41) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – P.L.O. Style
8. (00:02:47) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – The Wind Cries Mary
9. (00:00:42) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – The Experience
10. (00:02:27) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – I Don’t Live Today
11. (00:03:13) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – 10 Bricks
12. (00:00:55) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Star Spangled Banner
13. (00:01:53) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Hey Joe
14. (00:03:47) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Tooken Back
15. (00:04:57) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – It’s Not A Game
16. (00:04:38) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – The Switch Up
17. (00:02:45) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Kff2000
18. (00:01:21) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Kiss The Sky
19. (00:03:02) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Dirty Fox
20. (00:02:49) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Holla
21. (00:01:09) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – I Can’t Wait
22. (00:01:12) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Summin Gotz To Give
23. (00:01:31) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Street Rap
24. (00:01:22) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – Burning The Midnight Lamp
25. (00:03:39) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – What’s Happenin’
26. (00:02:54) Wu-Tang Clan & Jimi Hendrix – The Hood
Get it!

THA LEPHT FIELD-Do The Right Thing (EP)

Posted on September 3rd, 2011 by ekko

Do The Right Thing is the latest EP from Lepht Field, and it’s very much an introduction to the trio.  The first two songs are called “Intro” and “Introduction,” and they are pass-the-mic and you-are-listening-to-Lepht-Field joints.  And there’s nothing wrong with that.  In fact, that’s really what an EP is supposed to do.  It’s not supposed to be a dumping ground for B-sides or covers, and it’s not supposed to be a demo.  It’s supposed to be a polished, finished product that tells the world (and record labels), “Look what we can do!”

So what can Lepht Field do?  Quite a bit.  The first two cuts mentioned above are solid, with tight production and fun, agile wordplay.  No one member dominates (or hogs) the mic too long, which keeps each cut fresh.  Getting a little deeper in, the album has a jazzy feel–both musically and vocally.  It feels crisp and improvised, but precise.  I have to admit that the convention of calling their home town in LA “Holly” and singing a song about her like she’s their girlfriend is a little tired, but other than that, this is a nice little effort and I’d like to hear more from these guys, especially emcee-producer N/A.  The production on this is really good.

Besides N/A, Tha Lepht are Menacin Johnson and Tha E.M.S.  The EP is kind of a “best of” release of cuts they’ve made over the past few years.  If, like me, you’re wondering why they called it “Do The Right Thing,” here’s what they said:

While “Do The Right Thing” is not intended to be based on the Spike Lee joint, the Hip Hop music of that time, commonly referred to as “The Golden Era”, was definitely an influence. The sentiment in the title refers to maintaining integrity in the music, which nowadays has seemingly taken a back seat to copying the latest trends, relying on gimmicks and perpetuating a false image for the purpose of blowing up.

Now, maybe they can explain why they’re called “Tha” Lepht Field, instead of “The”?  Anyway, you can get the whole thing free here.

Intro – Tha Lepht Field by N/A (No Alias)

And here’s a video:

STS-The Illustrious

Posted on September 2nd, 2011 by ekko

Long awaited debut street album from one of the ten best new rappers of the past couple years.

Sugar Tongue Slim is fucking awesome.

Get a copy here.
And peep this righteous video…

COVERS ON FRIDAZE: Watch the throne edition

Posted on September 2nd, 2011 by ekko

Any of you guys hear Watch The Throne yet?  First listen through, I liked it, but I didn’t remember a damn thing.  Second time through, it was background music.  What the hell happened to these guys?  They’re so rich, they’re out of touch.  No passion.  It’s all about the money…But they used to be hot as hell.

Islands/Love The Way You Lie (Rhiannon and The XX)-Pretty Reckless

Runaway (Kanye West cover)-Mikey Chuck Rivers

Hey Papi Vs A-ha, Take On Me-DJ Crooked

I Poke Her Face (ft Kanye West & Common) -Kid Cudi

99 Problems/Can’t Tell Me Nothin’-Aloe Blacc

99 Problems-Hugo

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Posted on September 1st, 2011 by ekko

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