Bring in 2008 With Dancing!

So, before all of the New Years mayhem begins it would only be appropriate for me to leave a few tunes that will leave you dancing out of your house, to a party, a bar, your living room as you watch The Twilight Zone marathon on the Sci-Fi channel, wherever…

And the ‘You’re Probably Not Going to Hear These Songs in a Club (Except for a Few)’ list goes as follows (in no particular order).

Best Fwends- Skate or Live.m4a
Best Fwends are crazy motherfuckers. They make you want to dance in your underwear. Just remember don’t get naked in public.

Black Kids- I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You.m4a
“DANCE!! DANCE!! DANCE!! DANCE!!” It says it all…

Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley- The Traffic Jam.m4a
Let the reggae/dance hall riddims live for eternities to come!

M.I.A.- Bamboo Banga.m4a
Indescribably good.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Satan Said Dance.m4a
This song also directs you to dance. Please do as CYHSY says. Thank you.

The Rapture- Woo! Alright-Yeah…Uh Huh.m4a
You can almost feel the sweat on your forehead and neck.

The Octopus Project- Bees Bein’ Strugglin.m4a
So, Clark introduced them before and they’re not exactly dance music. But this song is really happy and sometimes when people get happy, they start to move about.

MGMT- We Don’t Care.m4a
They’re really horrible live, but they sure do make a splendid recording.

Lloyd- Get It Shawty (feat. Young Joc).m4a
If you are as uncoordinated as I am and you can only do a simple 2 step- welcome to Lloyd, as he can only do a 2 step too.

Art Brut- Direct Hit.m4a
This song will never cease to be amazing. Shake! Jump! Get Excited!

Have a wonderful and safe New Year everyone. See you in ’08!

A Tribe Called Quest, Jo Loves You! (and you too Dan Bejar)

While taking a walk the other day I realized how much I genuinely love A Tribe Called Quest. My love is pretty much ineffable, but despite that slight inconvenience I must spread the word, the joy, everything!

People’s Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm (1990)
9.7 Juiceboxes
Once criticized as being one of the “least danceable hip hop albums ever”, People’s Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm is so childishly quirky that there is almost an instantaneous attraction to the generally light hearted hip hop ditty’s. How do I mean, you may ask? Well, with lyrics like “I don’t eat not ham and eggs cause they’re high in cholesterol” it’s damn near impossible not to be tickled with the slightest bit of joy. I’m quite fond of this debut album as it does everything a debut album should do: introduces the act with accessibility, kindness, and overwhelming personality that can be so easily expressed over jazz influenced beats and truly smart lyrics. No matter if they are talking about ladies named Bonita Applebum (who’s got it going on. sorry that was very lame), disrespectful men, losing your wallet in Mexico,or having a good time while dancing; People’s Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm is a great introduction to the lyrical finesse often present in alternative hip hop.

Rhythm (Devoted to the Art of Moving Butts).m4a
Ham ‘N’ Eggs. m4a
Description of a Fool.m4a

The Low End Theory (1991)
9.0 Juiceboxes
Certainly more subdued that People’s Instinctive Travels, The Low End Theory is basically the product of an upright bass, a jazz drummer and two fly ass MC’s. A good deal of the album concerns itself with life before fame and experiences while in the record industry. The rhymes are heavy with puns and a tag team approach between Phife Dawg and Q-Tip (best exemplified in Check the Rhime- song below). Overall, very low key, but surely not understated.

Check the Rhime.m4a
Jazz.m4a
What?.m4a

Midnight Marauders (1993)
10.0 Juice Boxes
The most acclaimed ATCQ album and a personal favorite. The album is wonderful I say, scratch that, it’s brilliant. I don’t know what to talk about considering there are so many elements present that make it one of the best hip hop albums ever. Maybe it’s the Midnight Marauder tour guide, that is strangely reminiscent of Kit from Night Rider, who says weird things after most of the songs. Or it’s bass heavy beats. Maybe it’s because you are really forced to wonder if there were or can be two smarter MC’s? Content wise, the album once again stays within the tangible realm of life and cultural stigmas (well explained in Sucka Nigga). And even better, the album is far more up tempo than their two previous releases; so if you “bout to wreck ya body and say turn the party out” go right ahead, dears. I don’t know if they slipped crack on the CD but damn, this does “maraud for ears.”

8 Million Stories.m4a
Sucka Nigga. m4a
The Chase Pt. 2. m4a

Beats, Rhymes, and Life (1996)
8.8 Juiceboxes
Going back to the earlier days of The Low End Theory, this album returns to down tempo ways of which ATCQ is most fond. The album is a grower and it is necessary to listen closely. The beats are heavily sampled (it’s pretty obvious) and are starting to sound a bit like the mainstram hip hop of the late 90′s. Do not worry, it’s still fresh to death (do people still say that? no they don’t do they…) and very well done. Go sample the score.

Get a Hold.m4a
Separate/Together.m4a
What Really Goes On.m4a
Word Play.m4a

The Love Movement (1998)
8.2 Juiceboxes
Unfortunately A Tribe wished us a farewell far too early. Or maybe right on time. Often that’s the problem with musicians, they just keep on going and going (when they are already out of juice)…look at Michael Jackson. It’s okay though, because I know thousands if not millions of people are going to buy it (including myself). Well The Love Movement is a queer album, because everything about it is so far away from where they originally started. And I guess, that’s good, as all things should and must progress, but when A Tribe does it, and I must be perfectly honest, it sounds a bit schizophrenic. This should be expected considering the falling out between Phife Dawg and other members of the group coupled with fighting between the two greatest of powers known to human life: the classic and the new. I think they have succeeded somewhat, but often the album succumbs to the horrible weight of novelty.

Find A Way.m4a
Common Ground (Get it Goin’ On).m4a
Pad & Pen.m4a

If you really like A Tribe… be sure to check out other members of the Native Tongues Posse- Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, De La Soul, etc…

Side note: Stumbled upon the live version of Destroyer’s Foam Hands. Dan Bejar is as delectable as a marshmallow. And he goes on tour in early 2008. People, get ready. This is going to be epic.

Foam Hands (live).m4a

Please Pink Floyd, Just Come Out With New Material Already?!

Hey Ladies and Gents,

I guess it would only be right to keep up with today’s theme. Another throwback…

Terribly impartial as I am, Pink Floyd can do no wrong. So, for all you Pink Floyd fans out there take heed to their latest release (nothing new, of course) : Oh, by the Way which is their fourteen album, sixteen CD discography extending from Piper at the Gates of Dawn to The Division Bell.

Considering it’s the holiday season, if you’ve got about $250 this would be the perfect gift. Granted their career isn’t nearly as cohesive as some other bands of a similar genre and era, Pink Floyd still stands out as something queerly fascinating, if not flat out remarkable (at the very least they didn’t compromise themselves as Yes, a once glorious prog rock band, now…well “Owner of a Lonely Heart” sums it up pretty nicely doesn’t it?). Excluding Floyd’s three most recent releases (The Final Cut,A Momentary Lapse in Reason, and The Division Bell), all of their previous recordings have been solid pieces of art, diverse in both instrumentation, meaning, and purpose.
Even if you don’t want to buy their complete discography, there are several albums that will surely give you a feel of how they have developed from their start in 1964. They are:

A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)
This is the only Pink Floyd album that has all of its members (Barret, Wright, Gilmour, Mason,Waters) and surely that is an added treat. Musically, it has more direction (probably due to David Gilmour) than their debut album without sacrificing psychedelic oddities (all hail Syd Barret). I’m especially fond of the tracks “Corporal Clegg” and “Jugband Blues”, which easily exemplify the band’s motives to create something new and unusual, but completely accessible if willing to forgo biases.

Corporal Clegg.m4a

Meddle (1971)
My personal favorite, hands down. This is one of the few albums I could honestly call perfect. From the ominous introductory track “One of These Days” to the 23 minute finale “Echoes”, Pink Floyd seriously tones down their early avant garde ways to create an album that is heavy handed with thoughts, dreams, the prospect of love (as I believe this is the only album that has a very distinct love song “A Pillow of Winds”), and overcoming oneself caught in a messy web of introspection as is beautifully done in my favorite track “Fearless.” Truly an A+ album.

Fearless.m4a

Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
There isn’t much to say. Everyone owns some form of it and if they don’t own it, they’ve definitely heard it at some point while stoned in high school. Most commercial next to The Wall and perhaps most subject to banal interpretations.
FYI: If you listen closely enough to “Money” you’ll realize that the tempo is not constant and the song gets increasingly faster. I thought that was pretty cool.

Money.m4a

Wish You Were Here (1975)
This five track wonder will never cease to be a classic . From the cover art to the last few seconds of “Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts 6-9)”, Pink Floyd have successfully solidified themselves as not only musical virtuosos, but a band with with a level of self reflexivity that commands you to continue listening with perked ears and a subtle, genuine smile.
Also, I find that the live versions of “Shine on You Crazy Diamond (1-5 & 6-9)” quite delectable. So just for you…

Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5) LIVE.m4a

Animals (1977)
Highly politicized and jazz influenced, Animals requires a wee bit more patience from the listener. I can honestly say that I only listened to the wonderful pig troika “Pigs on the Wing 1″, “Pigs (Three Different Ones)”, and “Pigs on the Wing 2 ” when I fist bought the album. What a horrible mistake on my part. Seventeen minute “Dogs”, is probably the true peak of the album as the talents of both Roger Waters and David Gilmour are put on a well composed, completely shameless display.

Dogs.m4a

To all of those out there wrapping up school , good luck and as always: happy listening.

Clark’s Top Ten Tracks of the Year

Dear Reader,

Look forward to posts this week on an artist named Joe Meek and an intervention for Devendra Banhart.

Everyone and their grandmother publishes a top songs of the year list, so why not Cranberry Juice? We’re hip and with it, we know the jive and all that, and hell, I probably could write a better list drunk than all the editors of Pitchfork combined. If you want to gaze at their astonishingly mercurial list, click here. Then stop reading and come back and watch me destroy them. Seriously though, where the fuck is “Finer Feelings” by Spoon. I’ll tell you where…

Coming in at number ten, after my embarrassingly stupid transition is:

10. “Finer Feelings” by Spoon (Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga)

We’ve all heard me go on and on about Spoon’s little career defining masterpiece Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga earlier on my top ten album list, but now you gotta hear me talk about this one. Finer Feelings, the longest track on the album is a perfect mix of the old Spoon songwriting and simple melodic structured mixed in with the best rhythm section in rock to create an orgy of sound. What an expressive metaphor!
Spoon – Finer Feelings

9. “Veni, Vidi, Vinci” by Black Lips (Good Bad Not Evil)

Somehow, the Black Lips managed to make an innovative and really wonderful record this year without most people noticing and without it garnering the press its due. Black Lips channel the avant-garde garage rock of 13th Floor Elevators and mix it with the raw and brooding power of Iggy Pop. It’s a shame to see an interesting band get written off, and this track exemplifies the thoroughly excellent nature of the album.
Black Lips – Veni, Vidi, Vinci

8. “Myriad Harbour” by The New Pornographers (Challengers)

Though one could argue as to the degree of success that A.C. Newman’s shift in this record achieves, there is one thing constant in this group: the endless and boundless genius of Dan Bejar, the mastermind behind Destroyer and part time member of Swan Lake (with Carey Mercer of Frog Eyes and Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown). “Myriad Harbour” a snarky little number about the band’s visit to my hometown, New York City, heaves between colossal choruses and laid back verses, always with the strong accompaniment of Bejar’s strangely endearing voice.
The New Pornographers – Myriad Harbour

7. “Knife (Choir Version)” – Grizzly Bear (Friend EP)

Another Grizzly Bear song you say? You’d think I’d had enough, I was still stirring in the juices Yellow House and their unreleased album Sorry for the Delay, when Grizzly Bear drops this sonic orchestral masterpiece on us. With accompaniment from their many fans, Grizzly Bear maintains its strong course and reassures everyone that dream pop, in a way, is badass.
Grizzly Bear – Knife (Choir)

6. “Cheer It On” – Tokyo Police Club (Lesson In Crime EP)

Tokyo Police Club may be unproven and a mere reincarnation of the Pixies dressed as the Strokes with canadian accents but fuck me if they don’t know how to make a good pop song. Cheer It On is an amazingly short song, and one is pretty much forced to listen to it again and again to absorb more of its gooey canadian goodness. Definitely looking forward to Tokyo Police Club’s first release with Saddle Creek, expected next year.
Tokyo Police Club – Cheer It On

5. “Welfare Bread” – King Khan & The Shrines (What Is!?)

This one snuck up on me, but as Aladdin as taught us, we must seek the diamonds in the rough, animated monkey sidekick or no. This delectable ditty is a garage rock masterpiece and if the White Stripes shit out another album as lazily as they did the last one, sign me up for replacing King Khan & The Shrines as the head of that movement. Seriously though, listen to the song, it’s awesome.
King Khan & The Shrines – Welfare Bread

4 . “Bros” – Panda Bear (Person Pitch)

Panda Bear’s solo album taught us a lot about Animal Collective (as solo albums often do), showing us the guy who was mixing the Beach Boys sounds into Animal Collective’s glorious stew of near perfect influences. “Bros,” the best track of his solo album is a long song, but it doesn’t matter because there’s no way in hell I turn it off when it comes on. It starts with a hoot, and I do say, my heart grew three sizes when I first heard it.
Panda Bear – Bros

3. “You! Me! Dancing!” – Los Campesinos (Sticking Fingers Into Sockets EP)

This best thing out of Wales this decade is certainly good and nothing encapsulates this band quite like the word twee. Their oddly smart lyrics and incessantly catchy tunes remind me of a young Belle & Sebastian and they are a band with enormous potential, hopefully they won’t muck it up.
Los Campesinos – You! Me! Dancing!

Video Available:

2. “For Reverend Green” – Animal Collective (Strawberry Jam)

If Strawberry Jam cemented the status of Animal Collective as the best band of this era, then for Reverend Green is their God Only Knows. Picking from this album is like picking from a variety of delicious sandwiches, each for a different mood. But For Reverend Green is like the peanut butter of sandwiches in that it is always reliable and bursting with flavor, so that the first time you eat it, it is just as good as the first time. My love for peanut butter and For Reverend Green are uncharted.
Animal Collective – For Reverend Green

1. “Elephant Gun” – Beirut (Lon Gisland EP)

Long Island is a horrible place and that is a horrible name for the record, but it’s okay, because it’s not like Elephant Gun isn’t the best song of the year. Wait it is. It was a battle, it really was, but this track shines through, as it is like water to me, I need it to survive. Hyperbole aside, Elephant Gun’s perfect orchestration and Zach Condon’s voice make this song legendary.
Beirut – Elephant Gun

Video Available:

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Joselia’s Heavy Rotation Tracks of ’07

My first post…well then let’s jump right in!

10. Bobby Valentino- “Anonymous (feat Timbaland)”

I must, must, must start this countdown with my one true musical weakness: a r&b song with a memorable hook and a tight beat. Luckily, Bobby Valentino has pulled off both. I distinctly remember listening to this song on repeat, snapping my fingers and doing a silly little two step, just ’cause “I wanna know, I wanna know your name. Why you gotta be anonymous?”

Note: Bobby Valentino’s album “Special Occasion” is reminiscent of early R. Kelly– way back when you reminded him of something, but he didn’t know what it was. Oh yeah, you remind him of his jeep.

9. T-Pain- “Buy U a Drank”

Only T-Pain, the man of many blonde and black dreadlocks, teeth made of a questionable precious metals and (what I like to think) award winning cameos, could produce something as completely epic as “Buy U a Drank.” Not only has he pulled a “herre” with “drank”, he so very boldly did so in order to rhyme it with “bank.” It’s almost strange how this song urges you to go to the club and buy an overpriced bottle of covoussier, all while snapping your fingers in the process.

8. José González- “Down the Line”

José González is painfully aware of lonely universal experiences, as I believe he does have an Elliott Smith complex sans the drugs. I’m honestly surprised he isn’t confined to a sanitarium somewhere in Sweden. Thankfully he isn’t and he’s allowed to bless us with his beautiful guitar skills and lyrics as stark as a short story by Kafka. I highly recommend seeing José live if you ever have the opportunity. Rarely would I call anything short of a sunset breathtaking, but…wow.

7. The Cool Kids- “Gold and a Pager”

Sampling tracks from Eric B & Rakim, this new hip hop duo (now touring with M.I.A.) is easily bringing gazelle sunglasses, high top fades, rope chains, and fat laced shell top Adidas back. Gold and a Pager is a simple song about being a teenager and just wanting a little bling. Is that too much to ask? I’m happy that they’ve decided to use a DJ as part of the mix and haven’t left it to the ways of Spinderella with Salt N Pepa.

6. Black Kids- “Hurricane Jane”

With their four track EP being given out for free on their Myspace (go! go get it!), there is no excuse not to hop on to this band wagon created by a little synth pop band stemming out of Jacksonville, Florida. This track is a personal favorite of mine as it expresses heartbreak with unspeakable ease: “It’s Friday night and I ain’t got nobody, so what’s the use of making the bed?/ I took something and it feels like karate, it’s kicked me down and left me for dead.”

5. Kanye West- “Champion”

Rocky done right…

4. UGK- “International Players Anthem (I Choose You) (feat Outkast)”

There are few words that can express my deep admiration of this song. The lyricism, the world play, the funky down home beat. Man, it makes me want to take it to church…

3. LCD Soundsystem- “All My Friends”

Puzzlingly complex, rich and beautiful can easily sum up this wonderful creation by LCD Soundsystem. I love that it is growing ever so slowly to a climax that bursts over with such a satisfactory passion. Okay, well you know what I mean. And hell, it’s even about something to which we all can relate. (It also has a wonderful little Pink Floyd reference that will forever keep this song close to my heart. Can you guess what it is?)

2. M.I.A. – “Paper Planes”

There are gun shots and cash registers being looted. If that doesn’t satisfy the Geto Boys “Damn it feels good to be a gangsta” in you, then quite frankly, I don’t know what will…

1. Best Fwends -”Cloud of Hope (feat. The Death Set)”

There is something overwhelmingly intoxicating about this song. Maybe it’s the inability to decipher what they’re saying. Maybe it’s because you know what kind of shit midi player they used to make the beat. Or just maybe it’s that you are completely enraptured by the gentle screaming of “AHHHHH” and perfectly placed hand claps. This song will have you smiling and flailing about instantly. Oh, what a combination for a homemade dance party.

Check out their 36 track album Alphabetically Arranged (out on Moshi Moshi records)

My Shame Award goes to Soulja Boy and his disgrace of a record “Crank Dat Soulja Boy.” I’m not quite sure with whom I’m more upset- on the one hand there is his slow ass, who can’t seem to enunciate anything (I am still confused as to whether he is saying “Youuuuuu!” or “Yuuuuuulllle!”), and on the other hand there are the hundreds upon thousands of people attempting to do his silly little dance. It’s not even that hard. And if you still can’t do it, sit your uncoordinated self down.