Funky Chicken Santa Claus

I'm a big fan of traditional Christmas songs, and the modern classics, the pinnacle of which for me is Bing Crosby's White Christmas. This is not about those songs though. BIG UPS to Music for Robots to turning me on to the excellent In the Christmas Groove - a collection of 60s and 70s funk and soul Christmas gems. Pair the unbearably danceable Boogaloo Santa Claus with this smooth take on Santa Baby by Rev Run & Friends and you've got a whole new side of Christmas songs.

J.D. McDonald - Boogaloo Santa Claus (YSI) (filesavr)

Rev Run & The Christmas All Stars - Santa Baby (YSI) (filesavr)

Also, if you haven't yet heard the album Family by Le Loup or Creaturesque by Throw me the Statue, get on it! We'll be talking about those later.

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XnamA_S0xPk/Sxc69g-lwKI/AAAAAAAAA0c/f_Afp8Kwgzk/s1600-h/TSRE+Tree+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XnamA_S0xPk/Sxc69g-lwKI/AAAAAAAAA0c/f_Afp8Kwgzk/s320/TSRE+Tree+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410858305807827106" border="0" /></a>I'm a big fan of traditional Christmas songs, and the modern classics, the pinnacle of which for me is Bing Crosby's <span style="font-style: italic;">White Christmas</span>. This is not about those songs though. BIG UPS to <a href="http://music.for-robots.com/" target="_blank">Music for Robots</a> to turning me on to the excellent <span style="font-style: italic;">In the Christmas Groove</span> - a collection of 60s and 70s funk and soul Christmas gems. Pair the unbearably danceable Boogaloo Santa Claus with this smooth take on Santa Baby by Rev Run & Friends and you've got a whole new side of Christmas songs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">J.D. McDonald - Boogaloo Santa Claus</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNmRkJUVEhCSWRMWEE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/09boogaloosantaclaus" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rev Run & The Christmas All Stars - Santa Baby</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNmRkJUVEgyWGRMWEE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/3-04santababy" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br /><br />Also, if you haven't yet heard the album <span style="font-style: italic;">Family</span> by Le Loup or <span style="font-style: italic;">Creaturesque</span> by Throw me the Statue, get on it! We'll be talking about those later.

2009 Hip Hop Jams Rediscovered

Recently I've been starting to revisit some of the best albums of the year to start thinking about some year end list business. One list I've been working to come up with is the top hip hop albums of the year. It's a tough list, since this year hasn't been a particularly strong one for hip hop. But in the process of going through these albums I've re-discovered some pretty money tracks. Two out of three of these albums probably won't make my final list (Drake and P.O.S.) but these tracks are pretty money.

The first comes from Drizzydrake, the young Degrassi Canuck. "Houstatlantavegas" is pretty much the smoothest tune ever - it could be all about horrible things and it would still be a great song to make out to. DAMN, Drake is just so smoove.

Drake - Houstatlantavegas (YSI) (filesavr)

The next is from P.O.S., who is signed to Rhymesayers (Brother Ali, Toki Wright, Evidence, etc). I'm not as impressed with the whole album, since I was expecting pretty great things, but the first 30 seconds of this song are completely money. There's something about the way he start with "If there ain't nobody to be pretty for, fuck it, let it rattle" that really gets me pumped up. P.O.S. has a Sage Francis-esque flow, and despite some unnecessary pop culture references, he really brings it on this track.

P.O.S. - Let It Rattle (YSI) (filesavr)

Finally, this track from Brother Ali. "The Preacher" is an upbeat, high speed brass rap from Ali, not his typical style. It's a nice change for him, though, and he flows well over the top. A great intro to Us, one of my favorite albums of the year. If you haven't checked out our interview with Brother Ali, give it a read - he's got a lot of good stuff to say.

Brother Ali - The Preacher (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pqxCcXgTSFo/SxWV99hcgSI/AAAAAAAAAuY/EO7r66mNLu8/s1600/800px-Hip_Hop_GraffitiTSRE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pqxCcXgTSFo/SxWV99hcgSI/AAAAAAAAAuY/EO7r66mNLu8/s320/800px-Hip_Hop_GraffitiTSRE.JPG" /></a>Recently I've been starting to revisit some of the best albums of the year to start thinking about some year end list business. One list I've been working to come up with is the top hip hop albums of the year. It's a tough list, since this year hasn't been a particularly strong one for hip hop. But in the process of going through these albums I've re-discovered some pretty money tracks. Two out of three of these albums probably won't make my final list (Drake and P.O.S.) but these tracks are pretty money.<br /> <br /> The first comes from Drizzydrake, the young Degrassi Canuck. "Houstatlantavegas" is pretty much the smoothest tune ever - it could be all about horrible things and it would still be a great song to make out to. DAMN, Drake is just so smoove.<br /> <br /> <b>Drake - Houstatlantavegas</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNlQmtRMm01bmgzZUE9PQ">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/02houstatlantavegas">filesavr</a>)<br /> <br /> The next is from P.O.S., who is signed to Rhymesayers (Brother Ali, Toki Wright, Evidence, etc). I'm not as impressed with the whole album, since I was expecting pretty great things, but the first 30 seconds of this song are completely money. There's something about the way he start with "If there ain't nobody to be pretty for, fuck it, let it rattle" that really gets me pumped up. P.O.S. has a Sage Francis-esque flow, and despite some unnecessary pop culture references, he really brings it on this track.<br /> <br /> <b>P.O.S. - Let It Rattle</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNlQmtld0FsUjlMWEE9PQ">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01letitrattle">filesavr</a>)<br /> <br /> Finally, this track from Brother Ali. "The Preacher" is an upbeat, high speed brass rap from Ali, not his typical style. It's a nice change for him, though, and he flows well over the top. A great intro to <i>Us</i>, one of my favorite albums of the year. If you haven't checked out our interview with Brother Ali, give it a read - he's got a lot of good stuff to say.<br /> <br /> <b>Brother Ali - The Preacher</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNlQmtlUzdEbUozZUE9PQ">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/02thepreacher">filesavr</a>)

Let the Official Christmas Season Commence!

Its December first - open those advent calendars (if that's your thing)! Despite the push to start the holiday season as early as November or even October (!?), December is when the festive spirit really kicks into high gear. Bring out the lights, gaudy inflatable santas, paper snowflakes, candy cane reindeer and animatronics. For the rest of the month I am going to be liberally sharing a variety of Christmas music and it starts today with the classic Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt and a newer take on O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by Bodies of Water. If you've never heard of the holiday album Hipsters' Holiday, it is fantastic. Go find it now.

Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby (YSI) (filesavr)
Bodies of Water w/ No Little Kindness - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (YSI) (filesavr)

<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XnamA_S0xPk/SxE88lWdZEI/AAAAAAAAA0U/jBvzrxDy6yE/s1600/TSRE+Prague.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409171638964806722" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XnamA_S0xPk/SxE88lWdZEI/AAAAAAAAA0U/jBvzrxDy6yE/s320/TSRE+Prague.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 213px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a>Its December first - open those advent calendars (if that's your thing)! Despite the push to start the holiday season as early as November or even October (!?), December is when the festive spirit really kicks into high gear. Bring out the lights, gaudy inflatable santas, paper snowflakes, candy cane reindeer and animatronics. For the rest of the month I am going to be liberally sharing a variety of Christmas music and it starts today with the classic Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt and a newer take on O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by Bodies of Water. If you've never heard of the holiday album <span style="font-style: italic;">Hipsters' Holiday</span>, it is fantastic. Go find it now.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNmZXQrYStmVGJIRGc9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/03santababy" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bodies of Water w/ No Little Kindness - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNmZXR4bEFsamNLSkE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/22ocomeocomeemmanuel_1" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

The Locals Know What's Up

We wrote a little while back about Local Natives – their tune “Sun Hands” has been playing in my iTunes a lot over the past few months. Their debut album, Gorilla Manor, is slated for release in February of 2010 (I think?) and after hearing a few more tracks off of the record I’m really excited to check out the whole thing. They’ve been on tour with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and I have the feeling this album release will be big for them.

Local Natives have a sound that’s unique without being too edgy – nothing that’s going to turn a whole bunch of people off here. The Dodos and Freelance Whales spring to mind when I’m listening to them, a sort of slick indie rock with strong vocals. I can’t get enough of “Wide Eyes,” and “Airplanes,” which dropped into my lap a week or so ago, has been quickly shooting up in playcount.

Local Natives – Wide Eyes (YSI) (filesavr)

Local Natives – Airplanes (YSI) (filesavr)

Speaking of The Dodos, I saw them play at the Middle East in Cambridge a month or so ago, and they were pretty rocking. The show was tight, and by far the best moment was when they broke out “Fools,” what I believe to be their strongest song. It’s impossible not to get hooked on this track. I dare you to try.

The Dodos – Fools (YSI) (filesavr)

We wrote a little while back about Local Natives – their tune “Sun Hands” has been playing in my iTunes a lot over the past few months. Their debut album, Gorilla Manor, is slated for release in February of 2010 (I think?) and after hearing a few more tracks off of the record I’m really excited to check out the whole thing. They’ve been on tour with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and I have the feeling this album release will be big for them.<br /> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pqxCcXgTSFo/SxIJ1Z4CtpI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/9woKjj5TZMo/s1600/local-natives1TSRE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pqxCcXgTSFo/SxIJ1Z4CtpI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/9woKjj5TZMo/s320/local-natives1TSRE.JPG" /></a><br /> Local Natives have a sound that’s unique without being too edgy – nothing that’s going to turn a whole bunch of people off here. The Dodos and Freelance Whales spring to mind when I’m listening to them, a sort of slick indie rock with strong vocals. I can’t get enough of “Wide Eyes,” and “Airplanes,” which dropped into my lap a week or so ago, has been quickly shooting up in playcount.<br /> <br /> <b>Local Natives – Wide Eyes</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNmZXQrZ2poeVozZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01wideeyes" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br /> <br /> <b>Local Natives – Airplanes</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNmZXQrZ2pCTWtLSkE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/02airplanes" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br /> <br /> Speaking of The Dodos, I saw them play at the Middle East in Cambridge a month or so ago, and they were pretty rocking. The show was tight, and by far the best moment was when they broke out “Fools,” what I believe to be their strongest song. It’s impossible not to get hooked on this track. I dare you to try.<br /> <br /> <b>The Dodos – Fools</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNmZXQrZ2pEa1dGa1E9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/04fools" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

Thom Yorke + New Moon = Redemption

While TSRE does not officially endorse the Twilight movies or books, they are some pretty amazing examples of camp. If you look up the definition of camp, the style actually shares many similarities with hipsters, such as the self-aware use of irony etc. Continuing in this vein of Twilight as hipster fodder, the soundtrack for New Moon contains a pretty astounding cast of currently popular and acclaimed musicians. One of the best tracks from the OST is Hearing Damage by Thom Yorke. I loved his solo album The Eraser from a few years back and Hearing Damage continues spinning that atmospheric dark groove. With such excellent music, it almost makes me like Twilight. If a gigantic cash cow movie franchise can facilitate the release/creation of great new music that's quite alright by me.

Thom Yorke - Hearing Damage (YSI) (filesavr)

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XnamA_S0xPk/SxE6J7Gq3qI/AAAAAAAAA0M/5JDnPJ0tmmo/s1600/TSRE+Vamp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XnamA_S0xPk/SxE6J7Gq3qI/AAAAAAAAA0M/5JDnPJ0tmmo/s320/TSRE+Vamp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409168569607577250" border="0" /></a>While TSRE does not officially endorse the Twilight movies or books, they are some pretty amazing examples of camp. If you look up the definition of camp, the style actually shares many similarities with hipsters, such as the self-aware use of irony etc. Continuing in this vein of Twilight as hipster fodder, the soundtrack for <span style="font-style: italic;">New Moon</span> contains a pretty astounding cast of currently popular and acclaimed musicians. One of the best tracks from the OST is Hearing Damage by Thom Yorke. I loved his solo album <span style="font-style: italic;">The Eraser</span> from a few years back and Hearing Damage continues spinning that atmospheric dark groove. With such excellent music, it almost makes me like Twilight. If a gigantic cash cow movie franchise can facilitate the release/creation of great new music that's quite alright by me.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thom Yorke - Hearing Damage</span> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNmZXR6RndxRTBLSkE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/03hearingdamage" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

Slay Bells

It’s the time of year that thoughts turn to sleigh bells. In my case, that should be capitalized – Sleigh Bells. A friend recently sent over some tunes from the band, which I think hails from Brooklyn (I forget if I made that up or if it’s true, so we’ll go with Option B, True).

The first time I listened to Sleigh Bells, I was intrigued, but didn’t really foresee listening to them too much. There’s a little too much bombast, things are a little too grungy and industrial for my tastes. When I listen to their marquee track, “Crown On The Ground”, I picture cities crumbling and people wearing leather trenchcoats. And while The Matrix was a good movie, it’s generally not my musical inclination.

The second time I listened to the album, though, I was struck by the variety across the tracks.  There are melodic, nearly beach-y summer tunes like “Ring Ring.” There are Switch-ian hip hop tracks like “Beach Girls.” There are songs that sound like Jock Jams’ illegitimate children like “Infinity Guitars.” All told, the collection is diverse, it’s unpredictable, and it’s really really good. And time and time again, I find myself returning to the jams.

My friend gave me these tunes with the instructions “Listen only when you are in the mood to rock out.” He’s right – this is music to light fires to.

Sleigh Bells – Beach Girls (YSI) (filesavr)

Sleigh Bells – Crown On The Ground (YSI) (filesavr)

<div style="text-align: left;">It’s the time of year that thoughts turn to sleigh bells. In my case, that should be capitalized – Sleigh Bells. A friend recently sent over some tunes from the band, which I think hails from Brooklyn (I forget if I made that up or if it’s true, so we’ll go with Option B, True).<br /> </div><br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pqxCcXgTSFo/SxBRP-5AzEI/AAAAAAAAAuI/SMBytMlgq4E/s1600/sleigh-bellsTSRE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pqxCcXgTSFo/SxBRP-5AzEI/AAAAAAAAAuI/SMBytMlgq4E/s320/sleigh-bellsTSRE.JPG" /></a>The first time I listened to Sleigh Bells, I was intrigued, but didn’t really foresee listening to them too much. There’s a little too much bombast, things are a little too grungy and industrial for my tastes. When I listen to their marquee track, “Crown On The Ground”, I picture cities crumbling and people wearing leather trenchcoats. And while The Matrix was a good movie, it’s generally not my musical inclination.<br /> <br /> The second time I listened to the album, though, I was struck by the variety across the tracks.  There are melodic, nearly beach-y summer tunes like “Ring Ring.” There are Switch-ian hip hop tracks like “Beach Girls.” There are songs that sound like Jock Jams’ illegitimate children like “Infinity Guitars.” All told, the collection is diverse, it’s unpredictable, and it’s really really good. And time and time again, I find myself returning to the jams.<br /> <br /> My friend gave me these tunes with the instructions “Listen only when you are in the mood to rock out.” He’s right – this is music to light fires to.<br /> <br /> <b>Sleigh Bells – Beach Girls</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNjck81bWdQb0ozZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/03beachgirls" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)<br /> <br /> <b>Sleigh Bells – Crown On The Ground</b> (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNjck93aFI4aU1LSkE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/01crownontheground" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)

Fall Has Been Kind (Mostly)

Thanksgiving has passed and its time to brace for winter. The food was great and now the weather is raw - stuck in that void between fall and winter. Whether you played football, participated in the Thanksgiving challenge or sat around and watched mediocre football it is imperative to know that there Animal Collective's new EP Fall be Kind is on the horizon. "What Would I Want? Sky" is amazing, but even more so is the final track on the EP, "I Think I Can." Clocking in at over seven minutes Animal Collective sucks you into a vortex of ethereal guitars, apocalyptic percussion and their trademark swirling vocals. This is a track to get lost in and it is by no means a simple maze. The entire EP is fantastic by the way. We can get through everything together.

Animal Collective - I Think I Can (YSI) (filesavr)

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XnamA_S0xPk/Sw27AD14UDI/AAAAAAAAAzs/IFAITbAZ6WE/s1600/TSRE+Cloud.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XnamA_S0xPk/Sw27AD14UDI/AAAAAAAAAzs/IFAITbAZ6WE/s320/TSRE+Cloud.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408184337247522866" border="0" /></a> Thanksgiving has passed and its time to brace for winter. The food was great and now the weather is raw - stuck in that void between fall and winter. Whether you played football, participated in the Thanksgiving challenge or sat around and watched mediocre football it is imperative to know that there Animal Collective's new EP <span style="font-style: italic;">Fall be Kind</span> is on the horizon. "What Would I Want? Sky" is amazing, but even more so is the final track on the EP, "I Think I Can." Clocking in at over seven minutes Animal Collective sucks you into a vortex of ethereal guitars, apocalyptic percussion and their trademark swirling vocals. This is a track to get lost in and it is by no means a simple maze. The entire EP is fantastic by the way. We can get through everything together.<br /><br />Animal Collective - I Think I Can (<a href="http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNjck8rZDVwaFIzZUE9PQ" target="_blank">YSI</a>) (<a href="http://www.filesavr.com/05ithinkican_1" target="_blank">filesavr</a>)