In an unexpected turn of events, it seems that Stars may be leaving long-time record label Arts & Crafts. An A&C bulletin appeared briefly before being taken down. Here is the bulletin:

“Arts & Crafts would like to formally wish the members of Stars – Amy, Chris, Evan, Patty and Torquil – the very best in their future endeavours as we officially announce our parting of ways. As foreshadowed in past A&C news postings and following in the footsteps of last fall’s self-released Sad Robots EP, Stars are now entering a new chapter of their career and have decided as a group, to move outside of the A&C roster. The band has been a key figure in our collective successes over the past five years and we are grateful and appreciative of our continued friendship. We know they will continue to make amazing records outside of Arts & Crafts. At the same time, we look forward to sharing details for albums in the works from Amy Millan and Memphis (Torquil Campbell) which are due for release on Arts & Crafts this fall.”

Stars is tied with of Montreal for my all-time favorite ensemble. I only hope that they will continue to make beautiful, creative, intellectual music together. On the bright side, I am extremely thrilled for the release of the new Memphis album. Memphis (in case you didn’t know) is Torquil Campbell’s side project; think a dreamier, less rock-driven version of Stars.

For more on these topics, visit the Stars message board.

http://www.arts-crafts.ca/brokentelephone/viewtopic.php?t=3782&sid=19515402f9a0e32a05dbeb4486e59ba2

Lately I can’t get enough of Sneaker Pimps. Their songs are both eerie and sexy, a strange dichotomy but it works. I stumbled upon Sneaker Pimps a couple years ago when trolling the internet for trip-hop blogs. I got their albums, Becoming X and Bloodsport, and they sat in my library anonymously until recently. “M’Aidez,” off Bloodsport, was the track that got me hooked. It’s on heavy rotation on the Frozen Beats internet radio station, and it always caught my attention. Its one of those songs that bounces around in your head at the most random moments, and I absolutely love the layering of male/female vocals.

Another great song that you may be familiar with is “6 Underground,” which has been featured in a variety of film and television productions, including the Will Smith movie “Enemy of the State.” One of the best archetypal examples of the trip-hop genre, “6 Underground” features an amazing sample from the James Bond movie “Goldfinger.”

If you like trip-hop or bands like Portishead, Thievery Corporation, Morcheeba, and Tricky, I highly recommend that you give Sneaker Pimps a shot.

…All I’ve gotta say is, “Thank you Andrew VanWyngarden.”

I’m hoping to start blogging more often… as a college student triple-majoring, its tough to find the time lately. Keep your ears open and eyes peeled for new posts.

Sigur Ros, Gogol Bordello, Vampire Weekend, Evangelicals, Hot Chip, and Rocky Votolato have been added to the SCRAPBOOK 2008 page. Please check them out

Tonight I’m going to Girl Talk and will probably be dancing too much to take photos.

Animal! and Not Animal! are great, but they are not my gripe. As a Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s fan who has religiously listened to all of the available bootlegs and live sets, it pains me that many of the songs on A! and NA! have had major lyric changes. I’ve been listening to “Broadripple is Burning,” for example, for years. But the album version is completely different. I don’t like it as much, sadly. Here is what I mean:
Honey, Broadripple is burning {Children, Broadripple is burning}
and the girls are gettin sick,
off snorting coke up in the bathroom {off huffing glue up in the bathroom}
while their boyfriends pick up chicks.
And darling, I’m lost
I heard you whispering
that night in Fountain Square
trash-filled streets made me wish we were headed home
there was love inside the basement
where that woman used to lie
in a sleeping bag we shared upon
the floor most every night…
Oh darling, I’m drunk
everything that I have loved has turned to stone
so pack your bags and come back home.
Yeah I’m wasted,
you can taste it.
Don’t look at me that way
cause I’ll be hanging from a rope
I’ll be hanging from a rope… {I will haunt you like a ghost}
If my woman was a fire,
she’d burn out before I wake
and be replaced by pounds of whiskey,
cigarettes, and outer space.
Then somebody moves
and everything you thought you had has gone to shit…
We’ve got a lot,
don’t ever forget that
and I wrote this on airplane where the people look like ants
and when the woman that you love is gone,
she was bombing east Japan,
Don’t fucking move
cause everything you thought you had will go to shit…
We’ve got a lot,
don’t ever forget that.
Yeah, I’m wasted,
you can taste it,
don’t look at me that way
cause I’ll be hanging from a rope,
I’ll be hanging from a rope. {I will haunt you like a ghost}

Huffing glue? Are these girls in kindergarten? /facepalm.

The lyrics are not the only change. There is also the puzzling addition of some creepy piano chords in the background, and Richard almost sounds… happy. The raw, bitter tone of his voice in previous versions made the song so much more powerful. His vocals also had more range, whereas in the album version he seems to be holding back.

Comments, anyone? Do you agree with me? Or is the new version better?

Its been a while since I posted a playlist, so here is my latest creation. One of my best friends recently had an emotional conflagration after getting righteously wasted at a party. The event inspired me to make a playlist about imbibing and its ups, downs, highs, lows, and loop-de-loops. I’ve called it “In Vino Veritas” which (for those of you who don’t speak latin) means “In wine there is truth.” So, cheers!

-edit- I removed the download link, please let me know if you want this playlist -edit-

In Vino Veritas

1. Port O’Brien – The Whiskey Song

2. Sia – Drink to Get Drunk

3. Sondre Lerche – Virtue and Wine

4. Oasis – Champagne Supernova

5. Memphis – Incredibly Drunk on Whiskey

6. Port O’Brien – In Vino Veritas

7. Modest Mouse – Long Distance Drunk

8. Rocky Votolato – Whiskey Straight

9. Gogol Bordello – Alcohol

10. Cold War Kids – Red Wine, Success!

11. Death Cab for Cutie – Champagne from a Paper Cup

12. Voxtrot – Whiskey

13. Amy Winehouse – Rehab

Disclaimer: These songs are for preview purposes only. Purchasing music is the best way to support hard-working and talented artists such as those on this playlist. Downloading music is an ethical grey area and I encourage you to weigh the risks before downloading any music on the internet. If you are an artist on this compilation and would like the song removed, please contact me and I will do so promptly. ~ST

new ep by canadian band stars

1. Maintenance Hall, 4 am (2:18)

A quiet and haunting piano melody overlaid with electronic buzz sets the mood of this EP, and an unexpected robotic trill lends some mystery. This track leads into “A Thread…” quite nicely.

2. A Thread Cut With a Carving Knife (5:51)

This is Stars at their best. The epic moments of this song call to mind “Your Ex-Lover is Dead” and “One More Night (Your Ex-Lover Remains Dead).” Torquil Campbell’s voice soars, and listeners are launched from quiet piano to epic electronic crescendo within the span of seconds. This song epitomizes the new direction of Stars – a more electronic and futuristic aesthetic.

3. Undertow (4:12)

Oh so catchy. This is Amy Millan’s turn to shine. I love the echo effect added in production – it makes her voice sound flawless and positively angelic. Even with the softer sound of this track, the electronic aesthetic is still apparent with breakbeats and synthy goodness.

4. Going, Going, Gone [Live] (3:53)

An old favorite, updated. This track originally appeared on Nightsongs, Stars’ first full-length release. Its incredible to see their artistic progression. And as always, Torquil and Amy sound fantastic live.

5. 14 Forever (3:48)

I don’t know how I feel about this song quite yet. It’s good, but not great. I think I need to listen to it at least twelve more times to be fair.

6. Sad Robot (2:11)

Beeps and bloops lead into a soft and lilting French chorus heavy with acoustic guitar. A soft and pretty end to the EP, although I don’t understand a word!

I have been restraining myself from making daily fangrl posts counting down the time until the release of Montreal’s ground-breaking Skeletal Lamping. But I can’t restrain myself any longer!!!

Today Pitchfork debuted the first single, and last track on, Skeletal Lamping. It is called “Id Engager” and I nearly peed myself when I got it. This is a giddy and disco-rific track with a spirit which really reminds me of oM’s live shows.

I’ve transcribed the lyrics, here:

“[inaudible shriek] Yeah! Is that my Concorde on a launcher? Looks good! Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!

One, two, three four! Ooh ooh ooh ooh ahhhhh [repeat x 4]

He’s just a slutty little flirt, and sister, he’s only gonna hurt you.

[whispers] watch yourself.

Ladies, I’m screaming out to you from the depths of this phallocentric tyranny

My self-concept is awaiting your invasion, clumsy penetration punishment… oh yeah!

When the hope of another wet nightmare is all we have to live for.

Can’t help it if its true, don’t wanna be your man, just wanna play with you…

play with you, play with you [repeats]

I can’t help it if its true, don’t wanna be your man, just wanna play with you…

play with you, play with you [repeats]

He predicted the 8-bit empire, now he occupies the blur as well.

When asking why their kisses are sorrowful, remember the howl of our first verse

Oooh ooh ooh ahhhh [repeats]

And again. [shrieks]

Ninjas… Prove it… Right

I can’t help it if its true, don’t wanna be your man, play, play, play, play with you…

I can’t help it if its true, don’t wanna be your man, just wanna play with you… [repeats]

[musical boogie break followed by crescendo crash]“

This song is mind-blowingly funky. Now, pardon me, I’m going to dig out my platform boots…

Admit it: banging pots and pans was a really entertaining childhood pastime. I certainly enjoyed it – even added a finger-plucked melody on the egg slicer. My parents were so proud. XD

Port O’Brien is bringing this nostalgic pastime back into style. At their recent show at Club Congress, Van and the crew encouraged all of the audience members to break out the musical accompaniment while singing the chorus of “I Woke Up Today.” To be honest, I haven’t so much fun in years.

When I listen to Port O’Brien’s intimately-crafted songs, I feel extremely inspired. Don’t ask me why. Their music is wistful and artistically unique, as deep and peaceful as the ocean it describes. I listened to The Wind and the Swell on a long transatlantic flight to sooth my anxiousness about airplanes, and I found myself playing it again as I drove through the wide-open Hungarian countryside. What an irony – songs of the sea fit so perfectly into my landlocked life.

The core members of Port O’Brien are Van Pierszalowski, a sometimes seaman, and Cambria Goodwin, a baker. They write music with an intriguing strategy. Each will work independently on lyrics or melodies, piecing together fragments of what may well be their next song project. Then they reunite and mesh all of the pieces together. The result? Pleasantly simple, well-constructed and nostalgic songs that have the ring of authenticity. Port O’Brien don’t sing about abstract concepts – to them, the ocean is a very real and tangible being.

Download “My Eyes Won’t Shut” by right-clicking and save-as’ing.

Same with “Five and Dime.” These tracks are legal downloads courtesy of Port O’Brien.

I highly recommend both The Wind and the Swell and All We Could Do Was Sing… this is a truly talented band who are sure to gain a lot of recognition in years to come.

Visit Port O’Brien’s website here.

Today is yourfavoritescandinavian Sarah’s birthday! In celebration, I made a little mini imeem playlist with a birthday related theme. Enjoy! Don’t forget to leave her lovely birthday wishes…

Check out YFS’ new online playlist at

http://yourfavoritescandinavian.muxtape.com

It features some awesome jams from Jens Lekman, Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, Goldfrapp, and Owen.

Welcome to the Greg Gillis cooking show. Today we’ll be whipping up a few fresh new tracks, perfect for impromptu dance parties. First on our menu is “Still Here.” Finely chop up some of Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose,” adding it slowly to a Radiohead puree. Toss in a handful of Fergie and the Beastie Boys, and mix well. No dish is complete without some yummy Kanye West, so don’t forget to add this special ingredient! Bake at 333 degrees until crispy and golden. Serve with a “Drank n my 2 Step” and a generous helping of “No Diggity.” Bon appetit!

So, as I previously acknowledged, I bought Girl Talk’s latest EP, Feed the Animals about a week ago. I downloaded the seamless MP3 and the separate 320 kbps MP3s and I ordered the hard copy! All this for $13.01. I’m notoriously cheap (unless it comes to my vices) and haven’t bought an album in years. But Feed the Animals was worth the pain in the pocketbook.

If you liked Night Ripper, you’ll love Feed the Animals. Its the same feel, albeit with more indie samples mixed with the requisite hip-hop. And Gillis’ transition from song to song are extremely smooth on this album. You can loop the album for hours on end without any telltale bumps or abrupt switches. Its the perfect album to put on CD and leave in the car for emergency hip-hop fixes or long drives on summer days.

FTA starts out strong with “Play Your Part,” where Sinead O’Connor and Twisted Sister mix and mingle with Ludacris, Outkast, and Jay-Z. Its a crazy combination, and I love it. The Sinead O’Connor sample, from “Nothing Compares 2 U” shows that Greg Gillis has absolutely no shame, and no fear. He is pushing the envelope of the mashup genre.

“Set it Off” is one of the most melodic tracks ever created by Girl Talk. The Ying-Yang Twins transition into a downtempo speech by Jay-Z, underscored by Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android.” The juxtaposition just works, although Thom Yorke is probably rolling over in his grave. Next, the song transitions to a beautiful interlude with Mary J. Blige and the Guess Who. I love this part and it makes me smile every time. The track ends with a ballsy mashup of “Come on Eileen” and “Miss New Booty.” Greg Gillis, if you’re reading this, you’re a brilliant madman.

I literally teared up a bit when I heard “Give Me a Beat.” Forget Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Carole King, Styx, and Dr. Dre. This track has Air AND of Montreal. The gall of that Gillis… I have always dreamt of Girl Talk sampling oM, and he did, much to my delight. At about 3:15, Tom Petty and Good Charlotte transition into the triumphant chorus of “Gronlandic Edit.” And the Air sample was completely unexpected – between Britney Spears and Madonna is the breathy refrain of “Sexy Boy.”

So, my conclusion is – buying albums is sort of fun. It makes you feel good about yourself. Do it every once in a while! And while you’re in a capitalistic, self-righteous frenzy, pick up a copy of Feed the Animals. Its a quality mashup collection that makes even the nerdiest of us feel like a gangster.

You can download the unmashed versions of every track on Feed the Animals here.

And check out the full mash listing on Wikipedia.

Spend your stimulus check over at Illegal Art, G.

Fall is the season when the leaves change colors and make their yearly migration from tree to earth. It is also the time when I make my yearly migration to some sexcellent concerts. Last year’s fall concert season was the best so far, with of Montreal, Stars, and Architecture in Helsinki playing at the same venue within the span of one week. Although most fall tours haven’t been announced quite yet, this fall is already shaping up to be pretty epic…

July 8 – Locksley at Club Congress

What I expect: Bouncy, infectious, sing-along power pop.

Show Attendants: Indie Undergrounders. This will be a small show!

The song I MUST hear: “Don’t Make Me Wait”

July 21 – Wolf Parade at Rialto

What I expect: Dramatic, sonically epic indie gold. I expect to go slightly deaf at this one.

Show Attendants: Indie kids and hipsters. Lets all sway to Spencer Krug together!

The song I MUST hear: “Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts”

July 24 – Rocky Votolato at The Glass House, Pomona, CA

What I expect: Beautiful, simple singer-songwriter material from Makers and Suicide Medicine, my favorite Rocky LPs!

Show Attendants: An older, more mature crowd. (Translation = 19-24)

The song I MUST hear: “Goldfield” or “Suicide Medicine”

July 24 – Owen at The Glass House, Pomona, CA

What I expect: Music beautiful enough to bring me to tears.

Show Attendants: An older, more mature crowd. (Translation = 19-24)

The song I MUST hear: “Bags of Bones” “Windows and Doorways” and “A Bird in Hand”

September 22 – Beck with MGMT!!

What I expect: Beck’s madness… I hear Modern Guilt is pretty fantastic. AND MGMT FOR THE THIRD TIME AHHHHHH!!!!! YES!

Show Attendants: My dad, for one.

The song I MUST hear: “Girl” has some special memories attached.

September 23 – Vampire Weekend at Rialto

What I expect: More bouncy, infectious, sing-along power pop.

Show Attendants: Everyone and their mamma. This is gonna be PACKED.

The song I MUST hear: “Oxford Comma”

September 25 – CSS at Rialto

What I expect: A veritable orgy of Brazilian swaying sensuality.

Show Attendants: Indie skanks. Yay

The song I MUST hear: “Alala”

September 26 – Sea Wolf and Okkervil River at Rialto
What I expect: Solid indie pop… I need to familiarize myself with OR more. I already love Sea Wolf!

Show Attendants: The requisite indie front row bunch.

The song I MUST hear: “You’re a Wolf”

September 29 – Gogol Bordello

What I expect: Blunt force trauma. I also really want to talk to the lead singer, Eugene, about my experiences in Eastern Europe.

Show Attendants: Crazy people who aren’t particularly worried about losing a tooth or two.

The song I MUST hear: “Start Wearing Purple”

September 30 – Sigur Ros at Marquee, Phoenix

What I expect: Ambient Hopelandic sonic goodness.

Show Attendants: Dreamy, slightly stoned Iceland enthusiasts and hipsters. Lots of them.

The song I MUST hear: “Hoppipola”

October 23 – Girl Talk at Rialto

OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG. OMFG. WITH GRAND BUFFET. OMFG.

So I’m back in the States. I had a fantastic time in Hungary and Transylvania but couldn’t wait to get back and blog. I made a huge list of ideas, so watch out in the next couple of days.

Today the new Girl Talk album, Feed the Animals, was available for a Radiohead-esque bidding frenzy. I think Greg Gillis is a genius, so I actually bought the download AND the hardcopy. There goes $13.01… but I actually feel good about the purchase. Expect a review any day now.

Buy Feed the Animals (starting at $5) over at Illegal Art.

Hello faithful readers,

Sarah, Your Favorite Scandinavian, is taking a short sabbatical from the blog world and is currently on her way to Europe for a few weeks. Internet access in Hungary/Romania will be sporadic at best, so she has entrusted me with her wittle blog in the meantime.

Now for introductions…My name is Triza (Tree-zuh) and you may know me already (my face at least). I am the Asian girl in the banner above and I also made a few appearances in Sarah’s scrapbook (See for yourself!).

Aside from our shared passion for music, I personally enjoy drinking chai tea in the morn, crafting, and baking/eating cupcakes. Since this is a blog dedicated to the jams, I will cut myself short and just say that I am very excited to be a part of yourfavoritescandinavian. Hopefully, I can contribute regularly and if so, I’d say this blog should be called Your Favorite Scandinasian. Anyways, I will do my best to bring you the news, the adjectives, and most importantly the MUSIC!

Love,                                                                                                                                                hellopeanut