So Death on Two Wheels has released a new track on the Favorite Gentleman sampler. Well, not so much a new track, but a new recording for us. “Hey Amariah” has been heard live before, as well as in a studio session on Youtube last summer, but now it is captured in digital audio form so we can all jog to it while burning off that fat we gained over the summer.

I think this track is awesome and a pretty good summary of Death on Two Wheels for those unfamiliar. Give it a listen and let us know what you think!

Hey Amariah

Check out Death on Two Wheels, Junior Astronomers, Harrison Hudson, and All Get Out at New Brookland Tavern on August 25!

Chemical Peel – Bad Cream

So, I have a well professed love for loud-ass music, frontwomen, and Fork and Spoon records. When these three things come together, you get Bad Cream. I headed to bandcamp to listen to the tracks, and give a little commentary on what I heard. First of all, click the image or link above to head to Chemical Peel’s bandcamp and buy or download the EP. They also have cassettes available (awesome).

All in all, I feel like the band has grown a lot. The songs are a lot more cohesive, and I believe you’ll see a huge jump if you’re familiar with their old stuff. No worries though, it’s still dirty, abrasive, and tastefully reckless. The bass lines are so dirty as hell and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This record makes me want to try and learn how to skateboard again. “Hell” has this awesome swing groove going on, and it comes as a bit of a surprise. I took notes while listening to each song, but my only note for “Whirled” is ‘favorite’. No idea why. That track just slays. The penultimate song,”80s Song”, was first heard on the Fork and Spoon “Free Love Free Download 2012” mixtape, which features many other great tracks from F&S bands and contributors. Download it now. “Easily Fermented”, the last track, has the most interesting vocals on the record. The song is a good choice to close the record on.

If you like garage punk, loud music in general, then you definitely ought to give this record a listen.

Chemical Peel plays tonight at New Brookland Tavern with Joint D≠ and Southern Femisphere and Braindead. Also, Southern Femisphere is awesome, so don’t skip out on the openers.

Chemical Peel is going on tour and will hit Charleston on August 9 at Tin Roof.

In case you didn’t know it’s National Confederate Day in South Carolina and the anniversary of the death Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson. In honor of this day we have released the first of many acoustic songs, the first can be found here.

– Stonewall Stampede

Here’s the first track, up for free download, “When the Day Finally Comes“.

10. Justice – Audio, Video, Disco

Justice is back. Finally. And they’re a lot funkier. Newlands is my favorite on this one.

9. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes

I am in love with Lykke Li. She croons all over the place on this record, and she covered Rick Ross’s “Hustlin’” once. She gets an A in my book, as does this record. Also, check out the Beck remix of Get Some.

8. Tally Hall – Good & Evil

Tally Hall is a cutesy dorky indie pop band from Michigan. If you want some silly music to make ya smile a little bit, check this band out. I’ve liked them since my sophomore year in high school and had been waiting for their follow-up to their first album. Here it is.

7. Washed Out – Within and Without

Ernesto. Doing what he does. On Sub Pop. It’s more produced. I’d say it has a thicker sound. I’m a fan.

6. Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will.

MOGWAI IS LIKE REALLY REALLY DOPE AND SO IS THIS RECORD.

5. Drake – Take Care

As much as I make fun of Drake, I like this record. Even with the stupid hook to “Make Me Proud”, and the weird vocal inflections on the pre-chorus to “Underground Kings”, it’s this high up on my list. I’m going to give most of the credit to Drake’s producer, 40. If we could just remove the Birdman outro and the Lil’ Wayne hook on HYFR it might be better.

4. Childish Gambino – Camp

It’s no secret that I really like Childish Gambino/Donald Glover. I wanna see a music video to every song on this record. Speaking of music videos on this record, check out the “Bonfire” music video if you haven’t yet. The end of “That Power” is really well written and performed. I’m also a fan of the ‘suite’ of “All the Shine”/”Letter Home”. Suck it Pitchfork. Give Drake a Best New Music and not even give Childish Gambino a 2.0?

Alright.

3. Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math

It’s not as bold as Mean Everything to Nothing. It’s a little overproduced. But everyone knows I’m a sucker for some strings. Yes. There is an orchestra on a Manchester Orchestra record. Am I the only one who found that funny? Anyway, I love it. I know there were some naysayers, but I love it. I want the next record to be more raw, but I def can still listen to this record  from front to back at least once a week.

2. Jay-Z and Kanye West – Watch the Throne

DUH. OF COURSE THIS WOULD BE ON MY LIST. KANYESUS AND HOVA. Apparently there’s going to be a Watch the Throne 2. UHOH. Also, Drake and Lil’ Wayne said they couldn’t release a collab record because everyone would compare it to Watch the Throne. Please. They can’t hold a candle to Jay and Ye.

1. Toro y Moi – Underneath the Pine

Yup. I did it. Disagree? This record is awesome. Just listen to it (if you haven’t already).

Also Notable:

Patrick Stump – Soul Punk

Panda Bear – Tomboy

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – It’s a Corporate World

Balkans – Balkans

LOCAL RELEASES!

10. Modern Man – Walk Away

First saw Modern Man at El Burrito for a WUSC show. They blew my mind. Check this band out.

9. Risky Business – Walt Risky

Taylor’s best release so far. Risky won the USC Battle of the Bands this year and opened for Sequoyah at Homecoming. Can you imagine being Sequoyah Technical Institute drunk while being Risky Business drunk? Apparently he broke contract and started cursing as soon as the show started. That’s my boy.

8. Baby Baby – Money

Met these guys back in March. Awesome. Atlanta. A little far out for local, but give me a break. They’re awesome. When asked about their genre, I call them Party Rock. And then the damn LMFAO song came out. So now I don’t know what to call them. The last song on this record is money…ha.

7. Marshall Brown – The Blue Shades EP

Marshall lives behind me. He writes good ass tunes. He has an amazing voice. If you haven’t heard his music or seen him live, you’re messing up.

6. Say Brother – All I Got Is Time

I saw Tripp at Earth Fare yesterday. He told me his Christmas consisted of naps and tequila shots every time he woke up from one. He’s a champion. This band is really damn amazing. I have an instant great mood every time I see them play. Another must see live in Soda City.

5. Toro y Moi – Freaking Out

Y so freak out Chaz? Lovin the dancy disco feel. Feels like some tastes of old Toro. I can play this EP over and over and over. Took me forever to get past the first two tracks, because I’d just keep playing them over and over again.

4. Clever Words – Nothing Ever Stays the Same, But People Never Change

Clever Words really stepped it up. This EP is leaps and bounds from where this band was last year. Dudes are kickin it up a notch. “Christy Said It Was Raining” is legitimately my favorite local song of the year.

3. Rejectioneers – 25 EP

BEN WALKER BEN WALKER BEN WALKER! So stoked for a full-length after this EP. It’s killer. Ben’s sexy voice just drips all over these tracks. Hear the magic.

2. Coma Cinema – Blue Suicide

Mickey dropped a fresh one on us. This record is a really really good listen. It just has great continuity. I don’t know how to write. It flows real good, y’all. Also check out that Elvis Depressedly stuff. You will not be sorry.

1. All Get Out – The Season

Finally. Also, I say it was worth the wait. The first time I heard this record straight through, my eyes kept widening more and more and more. The transition between “Let Me Go” and “Come and Gone” is one of the best transitions I have ever heard in recorded music. The production is amazing. The use of strings on this record is beautiful. But it’s loud. And that’s the main thing I wanted from this record. I got it. I’m happy. Write me another one.

Also Notable:

Ramphastos – Full Moon

Madi Diaz – Far From Things That We Know EP

The Sea Wolf Mutiny – The Last Season

Lykke Li-Get Some

Oh, Lykke Li.

Let me list the reasons I love you. You’re pretty. Your last record was a jam. Multiple dope remixes were released from those tracks. You appeared on N.A.S.A.’s record, The Spirit of Apollo, and killed it. Tyler, the Creator did a sick remix of “I Follow Rivers”. You asked him to do it personally. This means you have a great taste in music. You even cover rap songs. You’re Swedish. That’s just kinda cool.

I started listening to your second LP, Wounded Rhymes. What a beautiful title for a beautiful record. Here’s the deal. In the fall, I downloaded “Get Some” as a free download on Rcrd Lbl. It threw me off as being a lot more…forward/aggressive than your earlier tracks, i.e. “Little Bit”, “Until We Bleed”. This entertained me. You claimed that you were a prostitute. Maybe that’s a metaphor, but the song drives so hard, that no matter what it means, it’s a mood raiser.

As I received and continued through the record, however, I’ve realized that it’s a very textural record. Almost like riding a horse on a long and intricate journey. The track preceding “Get Some”, “Unrequited Love”, is much calmer and somber, while “Get Some” is, again, less calm and less sober.

There’s a beautiful slight sea-sickness to the record. I feel like I’m on a cruise in the pacific. Then again, maybe that’s just all the PBR I drank last night. Wounded Rhymes seems to have a type of dreary hope in it. It’s really rather pretty. And soulful. Not surprising for a singer who I thought was black the first time I heard her. Don’t judge me. I thought it was Santogold, but Lykke Li has continually impressed me much more than the artist formerly known as Santogold. I’m just pleased that this record was no sophomore slump. After Lupe Fiasco’s “Lasers”, I didn’t know if I could put up with any more disappointment.

Oh, Lykke Li.

These are my favorite releases of the year. Don’t like it? Tough. Comment or something.

10. Uffie – Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans

I had been highly anticipating this new Uffie record, and when it came out I realized that I didn’t care that she wrote some of the songs when she was eighteen. It just quenched my thirst for pissy girl rap. Especially since Ke$ha had came out and I wouldn’t stop complaining that she was a weak obnoxious version of Uffie. Hate Ke$ha.

9. Gold Motel – Summer House

Gold Motel is kind of a bittersweet thing for me. No more The Hush Sound, which breaks my heart. I never got the chance to see those guys live. So anyway, Greta Morgan (Salpeter) of The Hush Sound started this band when they went on hiatus. Bob Morris, her ex-bandmate, is finally releasing a record with his new band, Stamps, sometime soon. Anyway, this record is great summer pop, and I suggest that you take a listen if you were ever barely a fan of The Hush Sound, or like songs that should be played at house shows with pianos.

8. Best Coast – Crazy For You

Not gonna lie, I have a crazy crush on Bethany in Best Coast, but their music ain’t bad either. I remember hearing “All Summer” back in July, a song commissioned/sponsored by Converse and written by Kid Cudi, Bethany from Best Coast, and the guitarist from Vampire Weekend. Her part in that song blew me away, so I started listening to more Best Coast, and fell in love. This record is precious. That’s all I can think of to say. But not in a condescending way. I dunno. Just play “Boyfriend” and catch yourself singing along even though it may not make sense depending on your sexuality.

7. Bad Books – Bad Books

Would anyone expect me to not like this? It’s Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine. Don’t really know what else to say.

6. Childish Gambino – Culdesac

Years ago I remember seeing on Wikipedia that the guy from “Bro Rape” was also a rapper under the name “Childish Gambino”. I didn’t think it was worth my time. About a year ago, Donald Glover put out a mixtape entitled, “I Am Just a Rapper” where he rapped over indie songs, as he was working on the first season of the NBC show Community. It must be cool to blow up on television while you’re blowing up musically. He put out this album of songs for free on the internet. And we sucked it up. I like to think of him as a less annoying, more intelligent Lil Wayne.

5. Drake – Thank Me Later

Oh Drake. I also remember seeing that Jimmy from Degrassi rapped under the name “Drake” on Wikipedia. I didn’t think it was worth my time. Again, a little over a year ago I heard people getting so hyped over Drake, and I was not impressed. Then I heard “Best I Ever Had”, and I really hated it. I downloaded his mixtape, So Far Gone, anyway just in case. Months later, in early 2010, I found myself into it. When Thank Me Later released this summer, I realized that I had lost my shit, and could not stop playing the record well into October. I was often heard telling people that I would play “ONLY DRAKE ALL NIGHT” at parties. I wanna bring that back.

4. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

I don’t wanna talk about Gorillaz forever, so I’m gonna try and be short. I love Gorillaz…like a lot. I own all of their full-lengths, all of their DVDs, and their book, Rise of the Ogre. I am a little obsessed. I check their wikipedia/website every few months, hoping that their story has advanced in any way. Following Demon Days, I waited not so patiently for a new record…constantly searching for information. Five years later we received Plastic Beach. It’s fantastic. Just trust me. I only preordered two records from amazon.com this year, and this was one of them. I had to have a physical copy. I have lost my place. Oh! AND THEY RELEASED A FIFTEEN TRACK RECORD THAT DAMON ALBARN WROTE ON A F*CKING IPAD WHILE THEY WERE ON TOUR! FOR FREE!!! That’s enough. just go to thefall.gorillaz.com if you’re interested. Anyway, yeah. I love Gorillaz.

3. Sleigh Bells – Treats

I cannot, will not stop playing this record. I am in love with Sleigh Bells. I am in love with Treats. I am in love with Allison from Sleigh Bells. I want to just sit on stage and watch Derek and see what he does live. Need more Sleigh Bells, but for now…this will do. It’s super crunchy aggressive electronic noise rock. So damn delicious. Don’t worry about your speakers blowing, it’s mastered. Oh! And check out the music video to “Infinity Guitars”. It makes you wonder why there aren’t videos to all of their songs. Oh, and makes you question why you’re so aroused by the end of it.

2. Toro y Moi – Causers of This

Okay, so I’m super biased here, but it IS an amazing record. And every single track is a jam. There are no skips on this one. So play the f*ck out of it. All the time. And if you haven’t heard it, shame on you. All of the shame.

1. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Okay, so this is predictable, but do I care? No. This is without a doubt the best record of the year, and if you disagree, I wish you no harm, but you have some serious issues. At first I wasn’t sure if I liked all of the songs, but now that I’ve played it repeatedly for about a month, I can tell you that this record is seamless, and a perfect apology for the abomination that is 808s & Heartbreak.

Also Notable:

States – Line ‘em Up

Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

The Rocket Summer – Of Men and Angels

Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid

Local

The links provided will direct you to a site where you can download/listen to each band. Some for free, some for pay.

10. The Fluorescents – Ex Libris

More bias, but still. It’s a great live recording, and hypes me up to hear the full-length they’re working on. It’s one of my most anticipated records for 2011

9. Coma Cinema – Stoned Alone

I really do like Coma Cinema. I also like Coma Cinema music videos. Like the video to “Blissed” on Stoned Alone. It’s beautiful…and haunting. Check it out, and download both of Coma Cinema’s records for free. Also, new one due out in 2011. Also on my anticipation list.

8. Death of Paris – Death of Paris

Just some of my drinking buddies. Blake’s cool instrumentation matched with Jayna’s fire hot vocals makes their recordings and live shows super fun and very well balanced. That sounds cheesy, but it’s what I think. I will always be down for some electropop. Through my clothing and iPod.

7. Kingslyn – Drunken Country Course

Let’s be honest: when will an Erich Skelton project not be on a year end list of mine? Exactly.

Awesome live. Awesome recorded. Just check it out.

6. American Parts – The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Friend

Post-Attalaya, still intriguing and moving. Blake kills it. I was at the first American Parts show (#hiptothetip) and it was amazing. I wouldn’t say that I was surprised, but I was definitely enthralled. See American Parts live whenever you can.

5. Calculator – Classic Acid

Yes. I know they released one after this, but this is my list, so shut up. I love this EP. If I’m outside at a Calculator show, I will leave a conversation/drop a cigarette to run back inside and hear most of the tracks from this record. NOT SAYING THAT I WOULDN’T FOR THE NEW ONES, but I can definitely be heard yelling “THIS IS MY JAM” during “Playground Bones” and “Classic Acid”. The new Calculator song that was released on Christmas Day is also my jam, so grab it while you can.

4. All Get Out – Burn Hot the Records

Summer 2010. See a blue Mercedes with the windows rolled down. Hear Will and I yelling/blasting “Burn Hot the Records”. I played “Bring It Home” for my friend Kayla, and she wouldn’t stop playing it on repeat for about a week. It almost got obnoxious, but then she stopped. That’s a good thing. Because she would’ve ruined All Get Out for me. And that would’ve really pissed me off.

3. Junior Astronomers – I Just Want to Make a Statement

I just want to make a statement. Drinking buddies. Super good friends. One of my favorite bands. Junior Astronomers is all around amazing. Anytime I see them play, I get soooo hype. Definitely one of my favorite bands to see play. Also, anytime they come on shuffle, I immediately feel like I’m at a live show. This EP is full of jams. Raw, live feeling jams. Download and see. I mean, It’s free after all.

2. The Restoration – Constance

Oh man. I love the Restoration, and it’s no secret. I mean, we dressed up as them at Music Crawl this year. Here’s why I love this record, and the Restoration in general: If you were to tell me that I would listen to and enjoy a band that writes and dresses AND PLAYS FULL SHOWS as though they are in the late 1800s I would frown at you. Then it happened, and I loved it from the beginning. Goes to show you that scenarios that start with “If you were to tell me…” are total horsehockey. Is that a term? Whatever. I like the Restoration a lot. Second favorite local record of the year.

1. Valley Maker – Valley Maker

I love Valley Maker so much, that I tried to find a church that I liked after listening to it for a couple weeks. I failed, but that’s not the point. I really like this record. I find it to be an amazing spiritual journey as well as an amazing musical journey. Every time I listen to it, I find something new that interests me. And I’m psyched that Valley Maker is a full-band now. It can only get better. Which means that amazing things are in store for our ears.

Also Notable:

CherryCase – CherryCase

Calculator – En Shape

Hip Young Gunslingers – Hip Young Gunslingers

November 9 – Junior Astronomers / Harvard

Two of our best friends and favorite bands from Charlotte will be playing on Tuesday at BREAK EDGE.

Both of these bands will be sure to induce intense heights of intoxication and elation.

Fresh and invigorating in the most blistering way, Charlotte’s Junior Astronomers take the fuzzed-out pop-rock of ’90s bands like Superchunk and Pavement and inject it with howling garage aggression and almost mathy rhythmic emphasis. The results are catchy and inviting only to transform your ears into the combustibles for singer Terrence Richards’ scorching tantrums. Fellow Queen City band Harvard is a touch more conventional, pounding on the heavier side of modern rock while singer Jesse Clasen pierces the grunge with his high-pitched croon. It’s not as arresting as the Astronomers, but Harvard’s attack is tight and powerful enough to hold its own on this bill.

– Free Times

Bey’s (711 Harden Street)

10:00 pm

Free Entry!

$1 house liquor

$3 PBR TallBoys

$6 Liquor Pitchers

$4 Car/Jager Bombs

For more information, check out:

Junior Astronomers @jrastronomers on twitter

Harvard @thebandharvard on twitter

Break Edge @breakedge on twitter

Polite Dance Song – The Bird and the Bee

I’m already falling out of my summer jam mood and into some fall james, but I guess summer’s only got a couple more weeks. This song is a more transitional summer to fall jam. So check it out! Give it a spin. See if you agree. And if you like it, grab more by The Bird and the Bee. Please Clap Your Hands is their best EP as far as I’m concerned.

16 It’s Hard To Say _I Do_, When I Don’t

It’s Hard to Say “I Do”, When I Don’t – Fall Out Boy

Okay, so give me a break. I added Fall Out Boy to the list of my Summer Jams. Here’s the thing, I still love Fall Out Boy. Must be the 14 year old in me, but I will never give it up. This is a bonus track that I hadn’t discovered until about a year ago. I drive around this city blasting it out of my car, attempting to blow my vocal chords while soccer moms with rolled down windows incur the wrath of my shitty speakers from the 1988 ‘Cedes.

Dawn of the Dead – Does It Offend You, Yeah?

Dawn of the Dead – Does It Offend You, Yeah?

I am late. I just discovered this song about three months ago. It came out in 2008. To make up for that ignorance, I had known of the band in 2008, but I knew of a different song, “Let’s Make Out”. Which is also a great song. “Dawn of the Dead” is much more suited for a summer setting. It’s the type of song that would be played in a theme park montage in a summer movie. See if you can feel it. Or just pump it while you’re running around at Carowinds, or Universal Studios if you’re fancy.

Monster Hospital – Metric

Monster Hospital – Metric

I’ve been all about this song recently. I even tweeted about it, so you know it’s serious. I’ve never given Metric the credit I’ve wanted to. Not sure why, because every time I listen to them, I love em! So more Metric will be occurring in my life. This is definitely my favorite Metric song out of the ones I’ve heard. Something about it makes me wanna jump around throw my fists into the air. More militant than fist-pumping. Not that I’m militant or anything. But I’m not a pushover either. I’m decently aggressive I guess? Play Monster Hospital and see how your body reacts to it. Pregame to it. Party to it. Work out to it. It’s good for all of those things.

Adventure – Be Your Own Pet

I miss Be Your Own Pet. But I still love Jemina Pearl. I almost forgot about this song until I had to write a paper for class. I wrote about Adventure, and immediately remembered why I loved it. It’s hard to jam to it in a car, so you might want to blast it on your home stereo system. Just romp around. In a romper if you’re a female. In overalls if you’re a male. In private if you’re in overalls. Unless you just get down in overalls. Then you won’t be embarrassed.

Something Good Can Work

Something Good Can Work – Two Door Cinema Club

I discovered Two Door Cinema Club when a friend of mine sent me a remix of this song, so I guess they discovered it. Anyway, Tourist History, as a record, is full of great danceable songs that I would love to see live. Something Good Can Work stuck out to me though, so I chose it as a summer jam. It’s the type of song that you would play while driving, but wish you were in a pool. Stick that in your noggin and consider it.