KEROSENE BEARS HAVE FUN

Okay, so yet again, I’ve had a busy week. Well, make that at least three busy weeks. I’m still just as busy, but I’ve decided to set aside a few minutes while my Typography project dries to catch up on what I’ve played on Radio Magic in the past weeks. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to write anything about the music I played, so I’ll just list the song names. I would rather not have to settle for a second rate post like this, but I figured that something is better than nothing. Thank you for your patience. This is, after all, the busiest semester I will ever have.

Here you go:

9/20

Andrew Bird - “Fiery Crash”, “Plasticities”, “Dark Matter”, “Spare-Ohs”, and “Yawny at the Apocalypse” off the album Armchair Apocrypha

Midlake - “Head Home”, “Van Occupanther”, and “Branches” off the album The Trials of Van Occupanther

Laura Viers - “Cast a Hook In Me” and “Saltbreakers” off the album Saltbreakers

The Besnard Lakes - “Disaster”, “And You Lied To Me”, and “Rides the Rails” off the album The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse

9/27

Panda Bear - “Comfy in Nautica” and “Bros” off the album Person Pitch

The Black Kids - “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You” off the Wizard of Ahhhs EP

Modest Mouse - “Florida” and “We’ve Got Everything” off the album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

Bear In Heaven - “Bag of Bags” off the forthcoming album Red Bloom of the Boom

Iron & Wine - “White Tooth Man”, “The Devil Never Sleeps”, “Resurrection Fern”, and “Boy With A Coin” off the album The Shepherd’s Dog

Br. Danielson - “Hammers Sitting Still” and “Physician Heal Yourself” off the album Brother Is to Son

10/4

Castanets - “This is the Early Game”, “Westbound, Blue”, and “And the Swimming” off the forthcoming album In the Vines

Band of Horses - “Is There A Ghost” and “Ode to LRC” off the forthcoming album Cease to Begin

Sleeping States - “Rivers” and “Constant Lunacy” off the album There the Open Spaces

The Evens - “Cut From the Cloth” and “You Fell Down” off the album Get Evens

The Gentle Way (A.K.A. Troy Stains) - “A Sad Affair” (unreleased)

Mogwai - “Black Spider”, “Wake Up and Go Beserk”, and “7:25″ off the Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait soundtrack

As many of you may have heard, Radiohead has announced their new album will be released nine days from now. Yes, just twenty-four hours ago the album was believed to be pushed back until early 2008 and not even a single (or a leaked track) was expected to surface until late December at the earliest (by my own oft-flawed estimation, anyway).

Not only that, the album can be yours for completely free (if your cheap-ass like Ben) or with any amount of money you feel you should pay (I tithe at my church, why not Radiohead?). And to top it all off, the album is promo-free, which essentially means on 10/10 every Radiohead fan (and the suit & ties of the music industry) will listen to the same album on the same day for the first time.

I’m the kind of music fan who rarely has an album that I fall in love with. Not that I don’t love music, quite the opposite. I love music like a drug addict embraces the needle. A worn-out analogy to be sure, but an accurate one nevertheless. That is to say, I wander the broad landscape of the musical world and it’s various subsections searching for that next kick, that next big thing… the next sequence of sounds that will blow me away.

Sure, there were times in my musical infancy where I would cling onto those albums that molded my life and some regrettably so (Parachutes didn’t age as well as I thought it would, but I blame that on two people: him and her). But I’ve long forgotten those days where a album really speaks to me and, this is the most important part, teaches me to love something I didn’t before. Coldplay may have sound tracked my days of middle school heartbreak but it didn’t take me out of it, it fueled my silent aggression towards pimply faced boys and girls with awkward boobies.

Radiohead took me out of that life and put me in a new musical landscape that seemingly existed on a higher plateau than the one I pranced around in before. It was 2001 (pre-9/11) and someone finally introduced one of the most difficult and beautiful albums of my entire life: Hello, OK Computer. An album that made even more sense in the chaos that ensued after 9/11.

There was a very brief period in my life where I doubted the greatness of this album but then I realized one incredible testiment to the album. In all honesty, all of my favorite albums this year would not exist if it wasn’t for that album and that band. No Spoon, No Caribou, No Super Furry Animals, No LCD, and most definitely, No Deerhoof! And that’s just talking in terms of this year, how many bands’ greatest albums weaved together ideas originally introduced OK Computer (Here’s looking at you Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)? Not to say that these artist aren’t great in their own right but Radiohead made their creative freedoms possible.

Now 10 years later from the release of OK, we see a band doing that same innovative take on modern music they did a decade ago. That excites me, friends. A combination of classical craftsmanship mixed with the punk rock “spit-in-your-face” attitude that doesn’t leave fans in the cold but teaches them to love something new from someone they trust.

These 9 days will not go by fast enough.

ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT IT’S A DANCE PARTY

FEATURING THE DJ SKILLZ OF KEROSENE BEARS

INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS

THIS FRIDAY!

September 28, 2007 at 10:30pm

Apartment #7, Deerfield I
443 Harper Avenue
Auburn, AL

BYOB

Animal Collective - “Leaf House”, “Who Could Win a Rabbit”, “Sweet Road”, and “Good Lovin Outside” off the album Sung Tongs

That’s right. I played not one, not two, not three, but four(!) songs by the band Animal Collective. I guess it would make perfect sense to assume that I’m a big Animal Collective fan (or at least a big fan of this album). Well, I do like these songs alright–some more than others. But all in all, I’ve realized recently that I’m not very much of an Animal Collective fan. They seem like the type of band that I’d like a lot. And they also seem like a band that the other Kerosene Bear would have little use for. But we seem to have flip-flopped on this one. Andy’s a fan, at least of their latest album Strawberry Jam (released just last week). I do like that song Banshee Beat off of Feels though, and maybe the more I hear of their music, I’ll begin to appreciate them a little more.

The Clientele - “My Own Face Inside the Trees” and “K” off the album Strange Geometry

This is probably the third time (at least) that I’ve played songs off this record by the Clientele. But they deserve it. And their live show confirms their musical greatness in my mind. Kerosene Bears, their family, and their friends had the pleasure of seeing the Clinetele play a show with Peter Bjorn & John this past Wednesday in Atlanta. Both bands were enjoyable, but for some reason we couldn’t stop talking about the Clientele set in particular. Alasdair amazed me with his guitar playing abilities which were, until the seeing the Clientele live, hidden to me by his mellow guitar tone. And by the end of the night, everyone in both bands and in the audience had serious crushes on the Clientele’s newest member Mel Draisey.

Starflyer 59 - “I Drive A Lot” and “Fell in Love at 22″ off the album The Fashion Focus

I was happy to stumble upon this album at the station among some of the older CD’s in WEGL’s collection. This band is so often overlooked! Starflyer 59 has been around since 1993, and aside from some occasional misses, they have been consistently releasing great records ever since. Maybe it’s the fact that they are still on Tooth & Nail records that’s kept them from the credit they’ve deserved. But don’t let a mediocre record label keep you from enjoying them. This album, Leave Here a Stranger, Everybody Makes Mistakes, Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice are all great records.

Battles - “Tonto”, “Layendecker”, “Rainbow” off the album Mirrored

Drummer John Stanier on drums (Helmet, Tomahawk), Ian Williams on keyboard/guitar (Don Caballero, Storm and Stress), David Konopka on guitar (Lynx), and avant musician Tyondai Braxton combine their highly technical talents to create something like 21st century math rock. Their 2007 album Mirrored is chock full of testosterone but still manages to not sound pointlessly angsty, not confined by the math rock genre, and is surprisingly catchy. Watch them live or on their video for their song “Atlas”, and check out John Stanier’s crash cymbal.

Deerhoof - “Heart Failure”, “Flower”, “L’Amour Stories” off the album Apple O’

Over the past year, I’ve become a pretty big Deerhoof fan. It mostly started with their recent Friend Opportunity album, but since then I have listened to their older music as well. While Apple O’ (2003) may sound a little harsher and quirkier than Deerhoof’s more recent releases, it is still an excellent album. In fact, in comparison to Friend Opportunity, this album probably better typifies the overall sound of Deerhoof as band since their creation in 1994. Harsh and quirky, yet catchy is exactly what Deerhoof’s sound is all about. Friend Opportunity may be the best introduction to the band, and may be helpful in starting to appreciating a great album like Apple ‘O that otherwise might be disregarded as too obnoxious or weird.

Peter Bjorn & John - “Start to Melt” and “Up Against the Wall” off the album Writer’s Block

As I mentioned earlier, seeing these guys live in Atlanta was a real treat. Although the Clientele definitely rivaled PB&J’s set, PB&J certainly put on a fun show. One thing that struck me was how much the vocal duties were among the members. For instance, a slow-but-sure version of “Start to Melt” was superbly sung by John, the drummer. The encore of the show ended with the song “Up Against the Wall”, a song I had been waiting all night for them to play. It still amazes me how that song is so simple, yet so effective–a nice ending to a concert and a nice ending to another late night episode of Radio Magic with Kerosene Bears.

Sometimes I get so busy that I don’t quite have enough time to write about the music I play on Radio Magic. Oh no! Well this has been one of those weeks. So here’s the song list all by its lonesome. It’s even a week late, too. Hopefully I will will be less tardy on my next post, and actually have time to write more.

And just a reminder–tune in to Radio Magic with Kerosene Bears every Thursday night starting at 11 PM only on WEGL 91.1, Auburn University radio.
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Wilco - “Either Way”, “Impossible Germany”, and “Hate It Here”

Patrick Wolf - “Overture” and “Augustine”

The Turtles - “Me About You”, “You Showed Me” and “Too Young To Be One”

The National - “Mistaken for Strangers” and “Start a War”

Innocence Mission - “Brotherhood of Man”, “Into Brooklyn, Early in the Morning”, and “A Wave is Rolling”

Jens Leckman - “Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo” and “The Opposite of Halleilujia”

El Perro Del Mar - “Party” and “Don’t Wanna Talk About It”

Unfortunately, I’ve never belonged to a close knit youth group. Alas, I don’t know how I came out so well considering the circumstances! But I have visited many youth groups and known many youth pastors in my growing up in the bible belt. Here are some things I observed a Youth Pastor must absolutely have:

• Cargo Shorts (the more pockets the better).
• Sandals (it was flip flops back in my day, but I’m sure it’s Chacos now).
• Goatee and frosted tips that portrays your extreme love of Christ.
• A “Clever Christian Phrase Made Surprisingly Relevant to Today’s Youth” T-shirt or you know… just one from last year’s Passion Conference. Overdone graphics with irony and subtle Biblical references are a must.
• Typically Overweight: teens love fat people because it comforts their insecurities and provides a topic of endless self-deprecating humor that can be utilized by the Youth Pastor. The weight issues are often from drinking too much beer in college, which is a great boost to their edgy testimony.
• Likes Shane & Shane, Casting Crowns, and any of those bands that utilize vocals much the same way you would utilize a toilet while dramatically constipated (i.e. straining to feign emotion).
• Says “guys”, “ya know”, “crap” (and other softcore cursewords), “just”, and other casual words or phrases as much as possible not only in conversation and teaching, but also in prayers. There’s nothing cooler and more genuine than someone who talks to the Almighty God of the universe like He’s you’re drinking buddy, or your middle school lab partner.
• Can you feign emotion to the point of actual tears when presenting today’s relevant lesson? this some time will be necessary when talking about your fatness and how people use to judge you for it in High School… but you’re now totally comfortable with it and even make jokes about it constantly to emphasize your comfortability.
• Must have a wild and crazy past that you have since reverted from so that you can relate to the “lost” kids and the “found” ones just as well… or you know, just be fat.

If you are a youth pastor and you’re looking for some relevant names to call your youth group. Try this site: www.youthpastor.com

This post is really late! I’ve had a busy past several days, so I haven’t had time to post this until now. But this blog was not created for Kerosene Bears to whine and vent about their personal lives. No. So I’ll stop this useless chatter and get to the important stuff. Alright!

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Black Lips - “Not a Problem”, “Hippie, Hippie, Hoorah”, and “Dirty Hands” off the album Los Valientes del Mundo Nuevo.

Black Lips are from Atlanta. Black Lips are from Atlanta. Woo! It seems like every music writer can’t stop talking about how these guys, (even more so) Deerhunter, Snowden, etc. are from Atlanta. I guess people are kind of surprised that some decent music is being created there. Sometimes it surprises me, too. Either way, I want to encourage my hometown Atlanta music scene, so I figured I’d mention the fact that Black Lips are from Atlanta a couple of times. I remember hearing about them a few years ago from my sister. My sister had a “Jewish friend who plays in this punk band called Black Lips.” I never really listened to them until maybe a year ago though. I hear their live shows are all wild and crazy, and that they were banned from playing at the 40 Watt in Athens for a while. These songs come from a live album they released earlier this year on Vice Records. It’s called Los Valientes Del Mundo Nuevo, and it was recorded just over the border in Tijuana, Mexico. Black Lips are from Atlanta.

The Beatles - “She Said She Said”, “Here, There and Everywhere”, “And Your Bird Can Sing” off the album Revolver

“She Said She Said” just goes to show that Ringo Starr is an amazing drummer. I’m tired of people talking trash about him. Sure, he may not be the best songwriter in the Beatles, but he was essential to the band. In a lot of ways, he created a new style of drumming. There are some awesome beats and fills that can really only be described as Ringo Starr-like. Where do people get the idea that he was a bad drummer? It must be something like a dirty rumor that people like to spread just so they can sound like they have a critical ear when it comes to music.

Band of Horses - “Is There a Ghost” off the album Cease to Begin

This is a new song of Band of Horses’ forthcoming album Cease to Begin that’s being released on October 9.

Explorers Club - “Don’t Forget the Sun”, “Forever”, and “Last Kiss”

Explorers Club is from Charleston, South Carolina, and yes, they sound like the Beach Boys. But they do it so well and manage to write creative and original songs without sounding like one of those awful tribute bands. These songs are various singles they’ve released over the past couple of years. “Last Kiss” is a single from their new album that will probably be released sometime in the next few months. Last time I heard, they were adding the finishing touches (e.g. sweet harmonies) in the studio in Atlanta. C’mon Explorers Club!

Bats for Lashes - “What’s a Girl To Do” off the album Fur & Gold

Bat for Lashes is the music of Natasha Khan from Brighton, England but originally born in Pakistan. I first heard a couple of songs and wasn’t too impressed. She sounded like just another Feist or Cat Power wannabe. But I found the video to this song (off of her 2006 album Fur & Gold), and both the video and the song kind of blew my mind. Please search for it on YouTube. Sweet claps and jumps!

Interpol - “The Scale”, “Pace Is The Trick”, “Rest My Chemistry” off the album Our Love to Admire

Mmm. Since I’m usually a fan of Interpol, I thought I wouldn’t get sucked into all the negative hype surrounding the album. I figured, even if it’s not their best, I’d enjoy it because it’s Interpol. Unfortunately, now that I’ve listened to it, I can’t help but be disappointed. Sure, there are some solid songs on it, like these. And I liked that single called “Heinrich Maneuver” (despite the fact that it had all the angst and intensity needed to be a radio hit). But overall, it’s just not near as successful as their previous releases. I knew it would come eventually though. They’re distinct sound was always great, but pretty limiting. Oh well, I will try not to judge them too harshly from now on. My expectations are much lower now, but maybe they’ll make a grand come back one of these days.

The Soulsavers - “Revival” and “Through My Sails” off the album It’s Not How Hard You Fall, It’s the Way You Land

Wikipedia describes the Soulsavers as an “English production team” and in the “electronica” genre. I found this interesting, because their album It’s Not How Far You Fall, It’s The Way You Land seems to have quite the opposite sound than what I’d expect from an electronic production team. It sounds more in the realm of old gospel tunes, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, and Woven Hand. I still have to figure out why in the world the Soulsavers are associated with electronic music. But either way, I’m very impressed with the little I bit I’ve heard. This album was released in the UK in April of this year, but will just now be released in the States this October (I can’t wait!). The song “Through My Sails” features Will Oldham (Bonnie “Prince” Billy).

It seems in recent years, the badge that Christian bands once wore proudly, is now hastily being swept under the rug. That is to say, your favorite Christian band doesn’t want to be your favorite “Christian” band… just favorite band in general. It’s only recently that the Christian music industry became savvy enough to stop marketing Jesus, and instead, start marketing values and morals. Thus, the popular idea of a Christian band (who only had a particular demographic) died and the even-more popular idea of “Christians who just so happen to be in a band” thrived (allowing a much broader audience). The situation is win-win for Christians and Capitalists alike. Bigger audience means more gospel sharing… and even more importantly, more money.

I attribute this awakening to a few particular “crossover” artists who represent very different approaches:

First, you have the “machismo” bands which has its roots in such bands as Creed, P.O.D., and other bands of the adrenaline-pumping, jock-loving like. Even though, in my opinion, these are some of the worst bands in the history of pop music, Machismo bands are still very much alive and kicking. Grant you, most of these bands are not Christian (Nickelback, Three Doors Down, Hinder) but some still are (Evanescence). Honestly, the start of this whole approach to music really roots back to Pearl Jam, but Creed added the Christian element and made it marketable.

Second, “Relevant Bands” are bands that appeal to the new, trendy, open-minded Christians. Here’s your demographic, Donald Miller! These band typically trade in obvious signals that may give away their faith, and instead focus on emotions and uplifting lyrics. Here you will find The Fray, Mute Math, Switchfoot, Reliant K, and any other band that sounds like Coldplay in some wayward form or another. Honestly, I thank these type of bands for keeping the Machismo bands alive. If this is the only type of music I could listen (and in the bible belt, this is so often to case) to then I would listen music meant for MEN WITH BALLS too. For the official rag of the “relevant movement” click here.

Thirdly, I’m not even sure if this is necessarily a brand of “crossover artist” but instead, a sign of the times. I call these the “I’m not even trying to pretend” crossover artist. In this category you will find Casting Crowns, Mercy Me and the random Christian artist who had their minute in the secular spotlight. Their songs are obviously (and some times painfully) about Jesus. No reason to cover it up because they really aren’t worried about reaching the mainstream demographic when the one they have is so prosperous already. Why do these bands become popular out of the Christian context? I really have no idea why that Mercy Me song “I can only imagine” ever became popular in the Adult Contemporary world. It’s really just more of a sign of how failing pop music is today.

Yet again, I know I’m being too negative here and anyone who actually likes any of these bands probably think I’m a pretentious asshole and deservingly so. I will say, that not all of these bands are horrible… but most of them are. There is one more brand of crossover artist though:

Ladies and Gents, this is Christian Indie! This is kind of a genre umbrella and actually encompasses a lot of different styles and approaches. You have the very successful Sufjan Stevens with his own particular style of acoustic/folk music. I’m surprised to see how popular he has become but at the same time I’m not. He’s good enough to please the music snobs, emotional enough to please the “relevant crowd” and ambiguous enough to please the gay Christians… yes, I said it. Danielson Famile and everything associated with them (Yes, Sufjan is in that category too) is also in this genre.

But with the good side of Christian indie, comes the hardcore/emo side too. I really don’t know if this exists outside of the bible belt… but inside the belt, nothing unites the secular and Christian world like a good moshing at a Norma Jean show. Honestly, even though it is not my cup of tea, I don’t know if this is bad music. I don’t personally find it enjoyable but I’ll take this over the “Relevant” movement or P.O.D. any day because it doesn’t seem to pander it’s audience… but I could be wrong. This is a genre my fellow Kerosene Bear, Ben, could answer better than I.

Consider this entry as a reference point to the rest of the “Explorations in Christian Pop-Culture” posts. These odd intersections where the secular world and Christian world meet, if not good music (and it usually isn’t), is at least a fascinating spectacle on pop-culture in general.

I was privileged (read: burdened) as a child to grow up in such a dominant subculture… one so powerful, there really wasn’t anything “sub” about it. I’m told there still are some parts of America untouched by the long hand of mega-churches, youth group extravaganzas and dare I say it, Contemporary Christian Music. I have a hard time believing that these places remain shielded from such an abrasive cultural group because even the most basic of cable televisions cannot hide from the most relentless of televangelists.

I’m not bitter. I’m ashamed.

Not because of my faith. I have grown up with Jesus and still pursue him every waking hour but the culture associated with my Lord and Savior has continuously been a source of embarrassment. I do not say this with contempt or notions of malice… but actual embarrassment similar to that of a adolescent and his goofy father. All of those times where Christianity has been accurately “mis”-represented in America sits as a testament of the many imperfections of my religion of choice.

Perhaps, I’m making this too heavy for a blog. I’m not trying to talk politics here, I’m just trying to reconcile where my culture and my subculture awkwardly collide in the most ugly of ways… and the most entertaining of ways to tackle such a subject is to look at the “happy-go-lucky” world of pop-culture.

I’m going to call it “Explorations in Christian Pop-Culture” in an attempt to explain, confess and understand my subcultures embarrassing, but sometimes triumphant, forays into making neighbors with secular culture and why most of the time, it just tries to pull down the blinds and hide.

I’ll look at everything from Michael W. Smith to Petra to Passion Worship Music to Skateboard Ministries. This isn’t theology, this isn’t politics, this is pop-culture… the only thing I feel qualified to write about.

Caribou - “Melody Day” and “Zoe” off the album Andorra

Formerly named Manitoba, Caribou is the brainchild of Dan Snaith. Snaith was forced to change the band name in 2004 after the Dictators’ frontman, Handsome Dick Manitoba, sued for trademark infringement. What a jerk! This album, Andorra, was just released this week on Merge records. The single “Melody Day” could easily be my favorite song of the year.

Spoon - “The Ghost of You Lingers”, “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb”, and “Finer Feelings” off the album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Austin, Texas band formed in 1994 by Britt Daniel and Jim Eno. Despite many changes in the line up of Spoon’s band members over the years, the core to their unique musical sound is defined by Daniel’s vocals and guitar and Eno’s solid and confident drumming. Rarely do drummers make or break the sound of a band, but without Eno’s killer drumming, spoon would be nothing. I first heard Spoon several years ago on the radio with the song “The Way We Get By.” I always enjoyed the song, but never really took the time to check out any more of them. In the past couple of years though, I’ve slowly been more and more exposed to them. This latest album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, has some of the most melody and variety out of all the Spoon albums. They also experimented a lot more in the studio, especially with some well chosen reverb. Listen how solid of a song The Ghost of You Lingers is with such a simple and repetitive piano line. How did they pull that one off? And there’re no drums, either! Also, listen out for the c’mon’s in You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb. So good.

Graham Nash – “Military Madness” and “I Used To Be A King” off the album Songs for Beginners

British songwriter most famous for playing in the bands the Hollies, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. His first successful pop band, the Hollies, was one of the more important bands of the 1960’s British Invasion. In 1968, Nash left the Hollies to joined the American musicians David Crosby and Stephen Stills to form the band Crosby, Stills, & Nash. Neil Young joined the band a year later. In 1971, Graham Nash released his first solo album, Songs for Beginners where these songs are found. The centerpiece of the album is his song “I Used to Be a King.”

The Rosebuds - “Leaves Do Fall” and “Warm Where You Lay” off the album Birds Make Good Neighbors

The band’s founding members, Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp, met in Wilmington, North Carolina, while attending college there. They soon got married, and in 2001 decided to form a band together called The Rosebuds. They began releasing albums on North Carolina’s own Merge Records, starting with their album called Make Out. These songs are off of the 2005 album Birds Make Good Neighbors. I remember hearing about the Rosebud’s from my brother a couple of years ago when they played in Clemson, South Carolina or something, but it’s been just recently that I’ve been able to really listen to them.

The Curtains - “Go Lucky”, “Green Water”, and “Roscomore” off the album Calamity

Founded by former Deerhoof member Chris Cohen along with Trevor Shimizu and Jamie Peterson. Cohen released the first album with the Curtains in 2001 while still in Deerhoof. Shimizu and Peterson later left the band, and Greg Saunier (Deerhoof’s drummer) and Andrew Maxwell took their places. In 2006, the Curtain’s signed to Sufjan Steven’s record label, Asthmatic Kitty, and Cohen left the band Deerhoof to concentrate solely on The Curtains. October of that year, Cohen released the album Calamity. John Ringhofer of Half-Handed Cloud is featured on the album playing trombone. It’s a nice, quirky little album that doesn’t try to bite off too much.

Deerhunter - “Florescent Grey” and “Like New” off the Florescent Grey EP

This band is from Atlanta. Their singer, Bradford Cox, is tall, skinny, and looks like he’s about to collapse. But don’t worry. He’s not anorexic or a heroin addict. He just has a disease called Marfan syndrome. Joey Ramone also had this disease, so it’s cool. They’re kind of all the rage in the underground music world, or at least Pitchfork thinks so. But despite Pitchfork’s opinions, I’ve grown to like them. And they’re from my hometown, so I have to support them. They put on a good live show, and this EP, Florescent Grey, is awesome. Don’t read their blog!

The Atlas Sound - “Child Support”, “Monochromatic”, and “These Years” mp3’s off the Deerhunter blog

The Atlas Sound is the side project of the aforementioned Deerhunter frontman, Bradford Cox. It doesn’t compare to Deerhunter, but Cox has put together some pretty good little songs. Overall, they’re a lot more ambient than Deerhunter and less hard hitting. I found these on that Deerhunter blog you should never read.

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A big thank you to Will for calling in to the radio show and his kind words. Be sure to go to the station’s website, wegl91.com, and take the music taste poll. This is your chance to let WEGL know what you want them to be playing. Thanks for listening this week, and tune in next week on Thursday nights starting at 11PM!