Young the Giant

My Body by youngthegiant

Young the Giant a pop alternative band out of Newport Beach, CA.  I find it funny that I discover a band based 20 minutes away from where I grew up, when I live in Boston.  The make summery pop that sounds perfect on your local rock or pop station.  They have a very southern California sound: a little sunny, a little jaded, and a knack for catchy choruses.  I am enjoying "Cough Syrup" and "My Body" lately.  "My Body" is becoming a radio hit around Boston.  I think that "Cough Syrup" is the natural follow up for "My Body" and will be another hit for this great young band.  Young the Giant are playing WFNX's Clam Bake 2011 along with KROQ Weenie Roast.  I see these guys doing big things and I am excited for them!

Cough Syrup by youngthegiant


I Got by youngthegiant
 

The Greencards

Heart Fixer (feat. Vince Gill) by The Greencards

In honor of Memorial Day, I figured I would post some great backyard BBQ music. The Greencards are mostly from Nashville by way of Australia. They have make the sort of "newgrass"/Americana music that is perfect for warm humid days. The band can play and I am a total sucker for Madelin and Fiddle.  My favorite track is the more uptempo "Make it Out West", though "Heart Fixer" is a close second.  Definitely an artist to keep you eye on!

Make It Out West (feat. Sam Bush) by The Greencards

Girl In The Telescope by The Greencards

Old School Swag

Two peices of distinct old school swag for this weekend. 

The Stepkids - La La by stonesthrow

The Stepkids - Shadows On Behalf by stonesthrow

First, is the direct to vinyl recording of the Stepkids. This sounds like a really fun event. Stonesthrow and KCRW never disappoint when it comes to events like these. The Stepkids make sould music that sounds like lost 70s tracks rather than music influenced by 70s. If you played these with a much of Numero Group tracks no one would be able to tell the difference, high praise!


Only The Rugged Survive [feat. RZA] by TheRevelations

Second, is the above song. New Wu-Tang is always exciting and questionable, but this song is hot. RZA flows nicely over a nice soul sampling track. I am a big Wu-Tang fan, but 8 chambers was a mixed affair and then most of the new projects have been very spotty. Hopefully this new project will be more consistent.

The Features

Rambo by The Features

I just learned about the Features through Time Magazine.  Time is certainly not a normal source of new music for me, but maybe it should be after learning about the Features.  The Features are a four piece indie rock band from Nashville, Tn.  They have a very southern indie rock sound, they instantly remind you have Cold War Kids and Kings of Leon, only if those two bands decided to keep writing great songs instead of trying to become the next big thing.  There is also a bit of Greetings from Asbury Park - era Bruce influence.  I am thinking these guys are going to be staples of the summer car ride.  The song "Temporary Blues" should be a huge rock radio hit if there is any decency left in the world.

  The Temporary Blues by The Features 

Razika

Nytt Paa Nytt by Razika

Razika are a group of four 19 year old girls from Norway, apparently there is a Scandanvian thing going on at NvN this week.  They make music that is equal parts pop, ska, girl group, and about a dozen sub-genres.  They remind me a lot of the Long Blondes for some reason.  I have not heard a lot about Razika, but man they are so freakin good. The song "Nytt Paa Nytt" sounds like The Specials if they were fronted by Robyn.  Their debut album, Program 91, is coming out August 19th on Smalltown Supersound.  More songs and Program 91 track list after the jump!

Iceage

Iceage - Broken Bone by What's Your Rupture?

Iceage are a new band coming out of Copenhagen, Denamrk. They make that kind of blurry, lo-fi punk rock that kicks you in the head as soon as it starts. They have been compared to No Age (don't exactly hear it) and Fucked Up (I can hear it, plus they are touring together). I personally thinks they sound like a more abstract Refused if they spent their time listening to Liars, but that might just be me. They deffinitely sound urgent and like they want to fuck shit up. They mix no wave style recordings with Television-esque guitars and hardcore drumming.  I am really enjoying these guys and can not wait to see them.  They have a new record, New Brigade, coming out June 21 on What's Your Rupture? Tour Dates and another song below.

Kah Bang Festival

The Kah Bang Music Art and Film Festival is taking place in Bangor, Maine August 5th - 13th across various venues.  The film festival side of things has great events like the Murray vs Murray - three Bill Murray films competing for your heart! and a competition to see who can make the best film only using an iPhone 4.  I am also interested in seeing Mainestream - movies made by Maine filmmakers.  Definitely worth checking out these fine events.

Of course the thing that caught my eye was the music festival.  My Morning Jacket, Atmosphere, Surfer Blood and a slew of other great bands, across nine days and various venues.  I have wanted to see My Morning Jacket for years now and Atmosphere has always put on a great performance when I have seen them.  I also am excited for the non-stop dance party that is a Chromeo show!  Hopefully, I will get to hear new local bands for opening acts.  I know that Portland has a fantastic local music scene.  The few times I have been to Maine I have always loved it, so I have high hopes for this great festival.  If you are in the Northeast this is definitely the festival to check out!

DâM-FunK Round 2

DâM-FunK has released a couple of demos in the past week or so.  Compiled below are the new tracks.  If these songs are any indication, the new record should be another stone cold classic.  These songs will make you want to boogie all night long.  The Interlude/Instrumental track has a nice ambient funk style to it.

  Virtuous Progression (Demo) - DāM-FunK by DâM-FunK

Inside Of U (Interlude/Instrumental Demo) - DāM-FunK by DâM-FunK

Don't Give Up! (Unreleased) - DāM-FunK by DâM-FunK

Jets LIfe

Curren$y - #JetsGo by aLee860

The Jet Life crew, Curren$y Young Roddy Trademark Fiend, are putting out my favorite rap right now.  Look over at the Mixtape page and its basically anything they have released along with Wiz, Big K.R.I.T., and Stalley (all associates).  So I figure it was time to put up a real post about my favorite crew around.  Highly recommend going over to Jets Fool to check out a bunch of funny videos and new tracks from those fools. Below are links for new mixtapes, a few quick write ups, tour dates and one awesome video at the end.

Blackbird Blackbird - Euphoria

Blackbird Blackbird - Euphoria by BLACKBIRD BLACKBIRD

The homie Blackbird Blackbird has posted a new track on his soundcloud. "Euphoria" is a 2:45 piece of blissful euphoria. The track is going in a slightly different direction than Blackbird Blackbird has previously gone.  It is always exciting to hear the evolution of a promising young artist. Almost sounds like a late night beach party.

Interview: This Will Destroy You

This Will Destroy You by Monotreme Records

This Will Destroy You make big music.  Sounds big, big thoughts and just general large stuff.  This makes the for the inevitable "everything is bigger in Texas" refrence.  Appologies, for the lazy writing on my part, but it is accurate. This Will Destory You talked to me about the new record, upcoming tour, and their progression as a band.  Check it after the jump!

The War on Drugs

War On Drugs - Baby Missiles by guerrillaandchalk

Philly's own The War on Drugs have a new album coming out, Slave Ambient.  It is due August 16th on Secretly Canadian.  A little bummed that we have to wait so long for this new record, but if the first song is any indication it will be worth the wait.  The track, "Baby Missiles", has that classic Americana rock meets folk sound.  Kurt Vile plays guitar on two tracks!  This is deffinitely one of the more anticipate releases of the year.  Track list after the jump.

Liturgy

If there is one genre of music that I have really not explored, despite enjoying every release that I get from it, it is metal.  For whatever reason, I just have not listened to that much metal despite really enjoying Isis, Mastadon, Pelican, High On Fire, and other similar bands.  While I doubt Liturgy will change me into a metal head, they certainly have been added to the previously mentioned list of bands.  Thier new album, Aesthethica, is a master peice of mixing Black Metal with slew of different folk/native musics. I personally loved "Generation", "Returner", and "True Will".  I see this becoming the next huge album for aggressive indie kids.  The music is interesting and unexpected at all times, plus it allows for serious head banging. Tour Dates after the Jump!


  Liturgy - "Generation" by brooklynvegan

  Liturgy - High Gold (edit) by thrilljockey

A Flaming Post

The Flaming Lips - Anything You Say Now, I Believe You by A Negative Narrative

The Flaming Lips have long been a favorite over here at Noise Verse Noise.  They represent what is great about music - dedication, unique vision, extremely positive nature, an intense love for being bizarre.  So I am very excited to see that they are coming to Boston! See the rest of the tour dates and a host of other Flaming Lips news after the jump!

King Tuff

In a world full of musical oddities, King Tuff is unique.  You take parts of garage rock, 70's glam, and acoustic folk, stir together with huge personality and bake it to create King Tuff. I first heard about King Tuff a year ago when I visited Burger Records in Fullerton.  The owner of the shop said that King Tuff was his favorite cassette that they had released.  Despite this awesome recommendation, I didn't listen to it that much.  Then King Tuff released a new song this week with Scion.  Well now I am a big fan.  "Hands" is the kind of awesome 70's garage/glam rock that is perfect for summer road trips and summer festivals.

King Tuff - Hands by ScionAV

King Tuff - Sun Medallion by butterface

Turbo Fruits

Photos by Nick Wujcik

Turbo Fruits are badasses from Nashville.  They make reckless rock n roll similar to the Black Lips or Ty Segall.  They have an abundance of hooks and a real nice thick guitar sound.  One of the guys used to be in Be Your Own Pet, which I guess is a requirement if you want to make kick ass rock from Nashville. Their Daytrotter session is one of the better sessions I have heard in a while. They remind me of Jeff the Brotherhood, put more punk and less stoner rock.  Regardless tracks like "Trouble" and "Mama's Mad Cos I Fried My Brain" are perfect windows down rock out tunes. 

Turbo Fruits - Colt 45 by jollymeenahyena

Turbo Fruits - Mama's Mad Cos I Fried My Brain by bruisecruisefestival

Mickey Factz – Genocide

Shit is real. I never expected this. Wow. Big fan now. Lupe see what he did here, what we wanted you to do after Diamonds we never wanted Lasers. Over the top of Pon Di Floor drums too. Academic time.

On the Floor (Genocide) by Mickey Factz

Starslinger

Starslinger is the new go to remixer.  He has remixed dozens of Noise Verse Noise favorites including Broken Social Scene, Alex Winston, Gold Panda, Small Black, Blackbird Blackbird, and ...you get the picture. So below are my favorite remixes by him.  If you have not yet, be sure to check out his album - Volume 1.

The Morning Benders - Cold War (Star Slinger Remix) buy & support japan by Star Slinger

Alex Winston - Sister Wife (Star Slinger Remix) by Star Slinger

Gold Panda - Marriage (Star Slinger Remix) OUT MARCH 1st by Star Slinger

Childish Gambino - Freaks and Geeks (Star Slinger Remix) by Star Slinger

Of Oceans

Of Oceans is a one man band from Detroit. The put out the kind of hazy ambient beats that are timeless. They mix in a bunch of found sounds and other samples, but still maintain a sense of energy and movement. They have a couple songs up for free on their band camp. I highly recommend checking them out.

  Of Oceans - Cataract by bkrenzer 

Washed Out

Washed Out have a new album, "Within and Without" coming out on Sub Pop on July 12th.  That is the cover above.  Yup.  Below is a new song from the album, "Eyes Be Closed"  It is classic, epic, hazy washed out.  I have totally missed this band!

  Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed by bkrenzer