December 7, 2011 · 4:55 pm

New Video: The Phenomenal Handclap Band – “The Unknown Faces at Father James Park”

Phenomenal Handclap Band speaks about the video:

As a teenager, Father James Park was the local park where my friends and I were able to go and not be bothered by our parents or other authority figures. We used to meet there as often as possible to hang out and clear our minds, and since there were no adults around, it also became the place we’d go to expand our minds. The Unknown Faces at Father James Park is about the inherent peer pressure, confusion, and tumultuous times that teenagers have. For the video, we thought the best way to reflect this subject matter would be to edit together found footage along the lines of the various PSA’s  we were subjected to in high school. They were so humorless and terrifying at the time, but looking back, it was a lot of unnecessary warning against what turned out to be healthy experimentation.

Phenomenal Handclap Band is also preparing the release of the follow-up to their acclaimed, self-titled debut album. Form & Control, PHB’s ambitious new work takes their clever fusion of international psych, soul, and cosmic disco a bold step forward.  With co-founders Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand at the production helm, Form & Control finds the band once again deftly mixing and matching seemingly disparate musical genres, with a musical palette that now includes prog-pop, new wave and modern leftfield dance.

Form and Control will be released February 14, 2012 on Tummy Touch Records.

Related articles

Leave a comment

Filed under listen, new albums, video

Tagged as , , , , ,

December 7, 2011 · 4:49 pm

Cotton Mathers’ “Kontiki” To Be Re-Issued!

Austin, Texas band Cotton Mather is preparing to reissue its long out-of-print landmark power pop album Kontiki on Valentine’s Day, 2012.  The album was originally released in the US in 1997 with little fanfare.  In the UK, however, Kontiki was a smash.

 With the spotlight shining on the album in their homeland, Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher discovered and fell in love with Kontiki.  The Gallaghers started talking about the record in the press themselves, helping to spur on a cult following for the album among musicians all over the globe. A fellow Austin-ite and fan from the beginning, Spoon’s Britt Daniel also began to spread the word, and over the years, the adoration of Kontiki continued to grow, leading band leader Robert Harrison to prepare Kontiki (Deluxe Edition).

 Scheduled for release on February 14th, 2012 on Harrison’s own Star Apple Kingdom label, the two-CD deluxe format will include the original album along with four-track demos, acoustic versions and songs that didn’t make the final cut. Harrision funded the reissue via a Kickstarter campaign made successful by the many fans that Kontiki created since 1997. The campaign was undoubtedly also helped by the profound endorsements and damn funny presentation captured in this promo film seen below.

Track Listing:

Disc 1:

  1. Camp Hill Rail Operator
  2. Homefront Cameo
  3. Spin My Wheels
  4. My Before and After
  5. Private Ruth
  6. Vegetable Row
  7. Aurora Bori Alice
  8. Church of Wilson
  9. Lily Dreams On
  10. Password
  11. Animal Show Drinking Song
  12. Prophecy For the Golden Age
  13. She’s Only Cool
  14. Autumn’s Birds

Disc 2:

  1. Homefront Cameo (4-Track)
  2. Pine Box Builder #1
  3. Camp Hill Rail Operator (Acoustic)
  4. Little Star
  5. Baby Freeze Queen #1
  6. Altar Boy (Live at The Hit Shack)
  7. Flying Annie’s Kite
  8. Innocent Street (Acoustic)
  9. Spin My Wheels (Electric)
  10. Church of Wilson (4-Track)
  11. Private Ruth (Acoustic)
  12. The Gold Gone Days

Leave a comment

Filed under listen, video, Whoa!

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

December 5, 2011 · 2:54 pm

New Track: Kele vs Sander van Doorn – What Did I Do (Feat. Lucy Taylor)

“What Did I Do” is the latest monster tune to come from the masterful mind of Sander van Doorn. In collaboration with Bloc Party’s Kele, Sander continues his meritorious rise as one of the most in demand producers in dance music today. Like a thoroughbred breaking from the gate, “What Did I Do” will get your pulse pounding and body moving from note one.  Infectious melodies are layered perfectly with easy to relate to lyrics, sure to cause more than a few hands-in-the-air sing-along moments in the very near future.

Dominate alternating melodies, a driving bassline and very creative key play create dramatic builds and breaks which marry singer Lucy Taylor’s vocals as only Sander can. It is the perfect peak hour banger ready to infiltrate clubs across the globe with another one of Sander’s big room anthems.

With the morphing of pop music into dance music over 2011, this song rests quite comfortably between the two. Challenging perceptions has been a strong suit for Sander, and he continues to open up peoples musical horizons by being a true producer, not a genre slave.

1 Comment

Filed under Check 'em Out!, Holy Freaking Crap!, listen, Newest Love, Whoa!

Tagged as , , , , ,

December 5, 2011 · 2:48 pm

Listen: The Cure – “Boys Don’t Cry” LIVE from Bestival 2011

Sunday Best Recordings is thrilled to announce the December 6th release of The Cure: Bestival Live 2011, a live recording of the iconic bands incredible, career-spanning two and a half hour set performed at this year’s Bestival. The label is streaming “Boys Don’t Cry” from the album, which sees a US release tomorrow. All profits from the sale of this album will go to the Isle of Wight Youth Trust (Reg Charity No: 1087163).

The double album, which is split over two CDs and also available as a digital download is made up of thirty-two Cure classics, including “The Lovecats,” “The Caterpillar,” “Close To Me,” “Friday I’m In Love,” “Lullaby,” “The Hungry Ghost,” “The End Of The World,” “Just Like Heaven,” “Grinding Halt,” “Jumping Someone Else’s Train” and “Boys Don’t Cry.”

Of the live album, Robert Smith of The Cure says “We had such a great time in the Isle of Wight at Bestival that we wanted to release this show as a way of thanking fans and islanders alike. Bestival is the best!”

Listen: The Cure – “Boys Don’t Cry” (LIVE from Bestival 2011)

Leave a comment

Filed under listen, Whoa!

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

December 5, 2011 · 12:24 pm

Newest Love: Griz – “Where Is The Love”

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Check 'em Out!, listen, Newest Love

Tagged as , , , ,

December 4, 2011 · 5:08 pm

Free Download: Housse de Racket – “Roman” (Alvin Risk remix)

For the first time ever, French synth-rock duo Housse de Racket will be stepping foot left of the Atlantic Ocean when they tour the United States with fellow Frenchmen, pop trio Yelle. The tour is following the release of their sophomore album, Alesia.  In honor of the tour, Housse de Racket is releasing a remix of their first single “Roman.”

De Racket, which translates in English to ‘tennis racket cover,’ are Victor Le Masne and Pierre Leroux. The two are highly sought-after musical collaborators with impressive resumes; they’ve worked with the likes of Chilly Gonzales, Phoenix, and Air. For Alesia, Housse de Racket has teamed up with French super-producer, Phillipe Zdar (Cassius, Phoenix, The Rapture) to create a collection of eleven electro-pop songs in the vein of the bands’ own wide range of musical influences; from Ennio Morricone to David Bowie. The result is a unique compilation of tracks that embody the sound Housse de Racket has made famous, both through their first album and their live show. Recorded half in French and half in English, Alesia is an evolution of sound; a bold new direction for the album.

Listen/download: Housse de Racket – “Roman” (Alvin Risk remix)

Housse De Racket Tour Dates w/ Yelle 

  • 12/04: Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
  • 12/05: Atlanta, GA @ Loft
  • 12/07: Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
  • 12/08: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
  • 12/09: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
  • 12/10: Philadelphia, PA @ Transit

Leave a comment

Filed under Check 'em Out!, downloads, listen, new albums, video

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

December 4, 2011 · 4:57 pm

Grammy Nomination – A-Trak

The entire world has sung along to Duck Sauce’s international breakout hit “Barbra Streisand” released in the US on Fool’s Gold/Downtown Records. The song charted at #1 in over 12 countries and racked up 65 million YouTube views with arguably the biggest viral video of all time, a quirky, star-studded homage to New York’s downtown scene. “Barbra” landed placements in Glee, How to Make it in America and countless ad campaigns. Continuing its assault, it is now nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Recording. A-Trak’s partner in Duck Sauce, the legendary Armand Van Helden, is no stranger to the Grammys himself, having been nominated for Remixer of the Year in 1998. The video for the duo’s current single “Big Bad Wolf” has already shaken up the internet, heralded across the board as the best video of 2012 and sitting at 6 million views after just a few weeks of release.

This year has seen DJ A-Trak conquer every festival from Coachella to Hard Summer in America, Sonar and Creamfields in Europe, Parklife in Australia and Ultra Brazil all while bridging the gap between hip hop and electronic music. His groundbreaking label Fool’s Gold has had its biggest year to date, opening their own flagship store in Brooklyn over the summer and online store last month. A-Trak is set to perform at Madison Square Garden with fellow Grammy nominees Swedish House Mafia on December 16th.

Duck Sauce is currently preparing the release of their first full-length album in 2012!!!

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Whoa!

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

December 4, 2011 · 4:45 pm

Grammy Nomination – Afrojack

Afrojack (Nick van de Wall) is nominated as “Best Remixer” for his work on Leona Lewis’ song “Collide.” The remix, which was released last July on J Records, became an instant sensation and is still riding a wave of success in clubs and through radio airplay across the globe.

When given the news an elated Nick van de Wall had this to say:
“I can’t believe the news!!  To be nominated again is incredible!  This is a real honor…thank YOU!!!” –Afrojack

Afrojack was nominated (and subsequently won) his first Grammy in the same category this past February for his and David Guetta’s remix of Madonna’s “Revolver.” Afrojack also worked on several high profile songs this year that have been recognized by The Recording Academy with Grammy nominations.

Although not personally nominated for his work, he is proud to have had a hand in these significant records:

Chris Brown’s  “Look At Me Now” which is vying for “Best Rap Performace” and “Best Rap Song” respectively. (Afrojack is a co-producer on the song)
Nothing But The Beat by David Guetta, which is up for “Best Electronica Album” (Afrojack is a co-producer on the songs: “Titanium,” “Lunar,” “The Future” and “I Just Wanna”)

Leave a comment

Filed under Whoa!

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

December 4, 2011 · 4:29 pm

Newest Love (+ free DL): The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – “Heart Attack” (CSS remix)

Check out the new “Heart Attack” (CSS Remix) MP3. An unforgettable anthem, its instantly memorable melody and caffeinated beat is guaranteed to command dance floors. The band’s new album Out of Frequency will be available January 31, 2012.

Listen/download: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – “Heart Attack” (CSS remix)

1 Comment

Filed under downloads, listen, Newest Love

Tagged as , , , , , ,

December 2, 2011 · 12:38 pm

Grammy Nomination – Cut Copy

Cut Copy’s stellar Zonoscope has been nominated for the Best Dance/Electronica Album Grammy. This is the band’s first Grammy nomination and bookends a phenomenal year that saw the band play to rapturous audiences across the globe including a thundering Coachella set and headlining slot at Austin City Limits. The Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 12th at Los Angeles’ Staples Center and will be televised on CBS that same day at 8 pm EST / 7 PM CST. Zonoscope is Cut Copy’s 3rd and most ambitious work yet. It was released by Modular Records this past February and was met with critical raves ranging from Rolling Stone to Pitchfork. Zonoscope is Cut Copy boiled down to their purest form, a suite of futuristic visions built upon primal rhythm tracks. It is at once their most immediate work to date but also their most sonically exquisite. “Take Me Over” perfectly encapsulates this, its chiming highlife guitars bouncing around tropical percussion reminiscent of an island holiday in a pop song. Recorded over a 6 month period in a warehouse space the band rented in Melbourne, Australia and mixed in Atlanta by Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley, Deerhunter), Zonoscope paints a mesmerizing picture, conjured by a band at the height of their powers.

Leave a comment

Filed under video, Whoa!

Tagged as , , , ,