Happy Birthday Bob Marley

Happy Birthday Bob!

The reggae icon would have been 67 today. Lets all raise a glass in his honor! 

...Or other things if you prefer. 

Bob Marley - "Is This Love"

M.I.A; "Bad Girls"

"Live fast / Die young / Bad girls do it well"

M.I.A will release her followup to the otherwise difficult listen Maya later this year (I hate myself for saying that, but the majority of the album was just a lot of unconnected noise. Sorry girl, I still love you!) So I am really excited to see that the British rapper has returned to the sound of her previous albums. The first single off her forthcoming as-yet-untitled record is "Bad Girls," a catchy rework first found on her Vicki Leekx  EP.

The video is an Arabian-Tokyo Drift of sorts. Lots of matching, sparkly jumpsuits, hip-hop choreo in the desert and bizarre car-riding, among other tricks. Watch.

Sleigh Bells; "Born To Lose" + "Comeback Kid"

If you're like me, highly anticipating the release of Sleigh Bells' Reign of Terror, then these two tracks off the upcoming record should tide you over until February 14th, or Valentine's Day for all the lovers out there. Sticking with the formula we found on their debut Treats, we hear lots of heavy riffs, cooed and shouted vocals and drum machine beats, which all create the illusion that you've blown your speakers.

"Born To Lose," is probably my favorite of the two, which is a little darker then we've heard from the electro-dance-punk duo in the past. But "Comeback Kid" is nearly as good and its video features an epic mustard bottle toss that is not to be missed! Check it out.

"Born To Lose" - Sleigh Bells


"Comeback Kid" - Sleigh Bells

Listen to This: Santigold - Big Mouth

After releasing "Go!" last year, Miss Santi White, better known as the new wave hip-hopper Santigold, left a lot of her fans wondering when they would be graced with a new record. Better hold on to your seats! "Big Mouth," the dancehall-influenced track produced by the electro-kuduro DJ's Buraka Som Sistema, is the first single off Master of My Make Believe, Santi's followup to 2008's smash breakthrough Santogold. You'll have to wait a few more months until the album's full release this spring, but watch the clip below to get a taste of what she has in store.



Visit Santi's official website and grab the mp3 in exchange for your email.

Welcome Blue Ivy Carter! + Listen to Jay-Z's "Glory"

Last summer word broke that superstar couple Beyonce and Jay-Z were expecting a little one. I'm not really one to care about celebrity babies, but this news even had me excited! After a decade together, many people wondered when the secretive couple would reproduce a mini superstar. Well as of last Saturday night, Beyonce gave birth to Blue Ivy Carter. Interesting name...

Speculation found on every celeb gossip site mentions that the couple went with the name "Ivy" because of the significance of the number 4 or "IV" in their relationship.  Beyonce's birthday is September 4th, Jay-Z's is December 4th and they were married on April 4th. They also have matching "IV" tattoos on their wedding fingers, not to mention Beyonce's most recent record is named 4. Many are assuming that "Blue" derives from Jay-Z's series of records titled The Blueprint. What happens if they choose to have another child?

I bet it will be a long time coming before anyone knows what she looks like, but it shouldn't be hard to figure out she's probably incredibly adorable. Her mom is a goddess after all. And her dad... well he's Jay-Z. Who, might I add, was already at work creating a song about the new joy in his life. Today, the rap mogul posted a new track to his website Life + Times, titled "Glory" featuring none-other then Blue Ivy Carter herself. Two days old and already in a track with one of the self-proclaimed greatest rappers alive. Listen below; it'll pull on your heart strings.

"Glory" - Jay-Z feat. Blue Ivy Carter

Album Review: The Black Keys - El Camino

The Black Keys - El Camino
9/10 

Who said Rock n' Roll is dead?

Clearly whoever thought so wasn't anticipating the release of The Black Keys' El Camino.

The first thing that came to mind when I finished my first listen of the blues-rock duo's seventh album was: "Holy shit, this is a damn good record." Not only is it the catchiest Black Keys I've ever heard, but it truly is a foot-stomping good time throughout. Co-produced by Danger Mouse, El Camino is much glitzier then the reserved garage-rock of Attack & Release (also produced by Danger Mouse back in 2008) and amplifies the ballsy alt rock we heard on 2010's Brothers, the gold-certified, Grammy-winning charmer that catapulted the Ohio boys into stardom. Their newest collection of tracks is sure to keep them on the right path... or camino if you will.

The irresistible opener "Lonely Boy" sets the the perfect tone; immediately you feel like you're at a good ol' rock show or a rundown bar in the South, slugging back beers with burly beard-growers and pool players--whichever, both seem fun.

We head right into “Dead and Gone” and it's here you'll realize this record isn't of the one-hot-track variety. Dan Auerbach's twangy guitar thrusts cowboy glam through your speakers, while Patrick Carney's bass drum is heavily at work. Mix in some sparkly keyboards and you get an uptempo Keys record that is bound to have ads beckoning for its tunes (Victoria's Secret, Subaru, American Express and Zales...they truly understood commercial success in the past. I don't think it will end any time soon). Although some tracks can become a little repetitive, they do make for great sing-alongs, so really no complaints there.

Highlights include the dirty rock gem “Gold on the Ceiling,” “Run Right Back,” the foot-stomping “Hell of a Season” and the sexy “Mind Eraser” which I choose to play on loop.

A lot is said about an album when you don't feel the need to skip a single track. Cheers to The Black Keys for a job well done. 

The Black Keys - "Gold on the Ceiling"

Listen to The Weeknd's "Echoes of Silence"

Christmas is quickly approaching (just two days away!) and Abel Tesfaye of the sexy R&B phenom The Weeknd was kind enough to share the third installment of his mixtapes, Echoes of Silence.  If you were a fan of his previous self-releases, you will definitely love his newest collection of sex/drug induced tracks. Echoes of Silence opens with a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana,”  an interesting choice, which is not only an incredible cover, but one of his most catchy to date. Track after track, you can hear him evolve while still remaining genuine to his original sound. So happy holidays everyone, visit The Weeknd's official site and grab yourself a free download of his mixtape!

Neon Hitch: "Gucci Gucci, Fendi Fendi, Prada"

When I think of Gucci, I don't primarily think of detailed handbags and posh designer clothes. I think of Kreayshawn's "Gucci Gucci" with its infectious chorus that has me dancing around my house (mostly just isolated shoulder movements).

However, more recently, I've been found parading around my home singing Neon Hitch's remake of the track. She slowed it down, and cut out half of the original song really...but I find it overly appealing. Enjoy!

Listen to This: The Black Keys - Lonely Boy

As if The Black Keys weren't awesome enough, they hired this gentleman to lip-synch to one of their incredibly catchy new tracks "Lonely Boy," off their upcoming record El Camino, out December 6th. And boy can this guy dance!

Courtney Love Flips Out Onstage

Extra! Extra! Courtney Love is still crazy!

Last Sunday night at the SWU Festival in Brazil, the Hole frontwoman morphed into the ultimate drama queen when she noticed a fan in the crowd holding up a photograph of Kurt Cobain. She got more and more angry, blurting out insults to the fan specifically and then The Foo Fighters... Her and her posse leave the stage only to return with more insults.

She later flashed the audience...

My question is: why would anyone pay to see her live?

Watch Friendly Fires' "Hurting"

What can Ed of Friendly Fires still do when he has an electronic cube for a head and can't be touched by the stretchy love of his life? Dance his ass off. Watch below!



Also, I still want Ed's shirt, for those of you who have seen him wear it before. If anyone could tell me where I can grab one for myself, I'd be forever in your debt. Seriously.

Listen to This: Niki & The Dove - The Drummer

Last February I discovered Niki and the Dove, the Swedish electronic pop act that blew me away with a single track (“DJ, Ease My Mind”–do yourself a favour and check it out). As it was at beginning of the year, they continue to be a mysterious group to follow online, despite having gained some recognition for their gorgeous synth-heavy numbers. Still no sign of a full album, but they have released The Drummer EP, which includes the stunning and addicting masterpiece “The Drummer.” With an EP out and proof they've finally been touring (opening for UK pop duo Hurts), perhaps it won't be too much longer until a record is in the works.

Interesting Fact: Doing CPR to “Stayin' Alive” is Dangerous

Remember being in high school and having to learn CPR in gym class? Pressing your palms against a smelly, plastic dummy and pretending to blow air into its rubbery mouth? We were taught that in emergency situations where someone was choking, we could resuscitate them back to life with chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth —still a fact, continue to do so if someone is choking.

It was commonly said that doctors recommended performing CPR to the tempo of the Bee Gees' disco hit “Stayin' Alive,” as the tempo of the song is 103 beats per minute. Not to mention how funny and ironic it is to save someone to a tune with that title. However, a study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal suggests this is actually a very dangerous idea. Why? Turns out that those conducting CPR to the track were doing it too slowly and not compressing deep enough.

So there you have it. Don't perform CPR to “Stayin' Alive.” You could kill someone.

Drake's “Take Care” Billboard

If you live in Toronto and happen to drive down the Gardener Expressway, look out for this billboard promoting the November 15th release of Drake's sophomore record, Take Care.

Thanks to a pile of paperwork which involve clearing sample tracks, the album's unveiling had been pushed back from his original birthday release on October 24. But thankfully, November 15th isn't too far in the distant future that we should all be able to hold off for just a couple more weeks. Earlier this month, Drake shared that the album is to include 19 songs (17 on the physical edition and 2 on bonus) which he created in his hometown of Toronto. Here's hoping these tracks are reminiscent of his So Far Gone days...

Listen to This: Foster the People's Houdini (RAC Remix)

I'm slowly easing off the incredible high I felt seeing Foster The People live for the first time a couple weeks ago. Seriously, they were amazing. My favourite part of the night? There were several, but one would be when the Cali trio ended their set with The Highweights remix of "Pumped Up Kicks." It brought a smile to my face for days just thinking about it. The energy was truly unbelievable.

Anyway, I've come across this awesome remix of "Houdini," which is just as addicting as the original and overly satisfying. Listen below. Enjoy!


Foster the People - Houdini (RAC Mix)
 
P.S. Visit RAC's website to hear a full stream of their mixes. Most you can download for free. All will leave you dancing. Check it out!

Florence + The Machine to Release "Ceremonials"

Last month is was revealed that Florence + The Machine will be releasing Ceremonials, their follow-up to the incredible Lungs, the record that blew everyone's mind, including my own. I cannot even explain how excited I am for the release of this album, which is out in the UK on October 31st and in North America shortly after. I have heard two cuts off the LP, and please excuse my fan-girling, but I'm already in love--as I knew I would be. Florence and co. have been one of the most musically interesting acts on the scene as of late, overwhelming us all with their powerful sound and Miss Welch's stunning vocals. While I'm sure many more people are aware of the group after the success of Lungs, inclusion in the Twilight Series and performances on award shows, I have a strong feeling Ceremonials will take them even further.

Florence + The Machine - "Shake It Out"


Track List
01. Only If for Night
02. Shake It Out
03. What the Water Gave Me
04. Never Let Me Go
05. Breaking Down
06. Lover to Lover
07. No Light, No Light
08. Seven Devils
09. Heartlines
10. Spectrum
11. All This and Heaven Too
12. Leave My Body

Drake Drops Take Care Artwork

Drake recently took to his blog, October's Very Own to share the cover art for his sophomore record, Take Care. A more mature-looking Drake sits solemnly surrounded by a golden chalice, owl and candle stick. Not sure what that means, but I'm sure he has his reasons. Out October 24, Take Care is one of my most anticipated albums of the year. I'm looking forward to seeing what Drizzy brings to the table after Thank Me Later, his over-hyped debut, failed to excite just about everyone. 

He has been self-releasing song after song and it's not gaurenteed what we can find on the album just yet, but here's hoping "Trust Issues" makes the cut.


Drake - "Trust Issues"

I have not fallen off the face of the Earth.

So I have basically been living at work thanks to the Toronto International Film Festival. Super long days and the consequential exhaustion that followed caused my poor little blog to take a back seat while I tried so very hard to take advantage of the little time I had at home to sleep. Thankfully, TIFF is over and I can have my life back. Not to mention, I can get back to posting.

This passed weekend, Radiohead was featured as the musical guest on the season premiere of SNL. It was their first time appearing on the show since 2000, and did a great job performing the King Of Limbs single “Lotus Flower” and the unreleased “Staircase.” I always feel like it is such a challenge for artists on the SNL stage; the sound is always off-kilter just a tad, no matter how amazing the performer may be. No excuses for Ashlee Simpson though, that was just a mess. Unfortunately, Radiohead didn't appear in any sketches—it would have been funny to see them collaborate with The Lonely Island. But I guess no one really expected them to in the first place. Watch the clips of their performances below....before NBC finds out and removes them.

Beyonce Pregnant With Super Child!

By now it's no secret that Beyonce is preggers. At the MTV Music Video Awards on Sunday night, the R&B diva announced that her and husband Jay-Z were expecting a little one. After performing "Love On Top," she unbuttoned her shimmery jacket and flaunted her baby bump for the world to see. The Huffington Post confirmed that she is five months along. So just another four months until the super child is born! Celebrities have babies all the time, but this is an interesting case. Beyonce and Jay-Z have been a high profile superstar couple since 2002 and were even regarded as one of the most powerful couples of our generation (according to TIME Magazine anyway...). Not to mention that they are both incredibly talented. I'm excited to see how this baby's future will pan out (I'm not the only one; talk about pressure!). If anything, we know they'll be having one happy child, the almighty
Jigga Man will see to that.

In other news, I wish I was this baby.

Watch The Strokes Perform with Pulp's Jarvis Cocker

This passed weekend at England's Reading Music Festival, New York indie punks invited Pulp's Jarvis Cocker on stage to perform a cover of The Cars' hit "Just What I Needed." Watch the clip below!



P.S. If anyone could explain why The Strokes aren't headlining a full tour to support Angles, please inform me. I understand doing festival shows is fun and all, but if they don't make their way to Toronto soon, I'm going to have to get them down here myself. That is all.

Listen to New Red Hot Chili Peppers; "Monarchy of Roses"

Red Hot Chili Peppers are back with another cut off their next album I'm With You, out August 30. The crazy Californians debuted "Monarchy of Roses," an upbeat number with a funky bass line, catchy chorus and a wee bit of some steel drum pan action. Head over to KROQ to have yourself a listen. 

Lady Gaga's Strange New Video; "Yoü And I"

When Lady Gaga released her video for "Edge of Glory," everyone was a little perplexed as to how tame the clip was. Yes, she may have been wearing a skimpy outfit and heavy make-up, but there was nothing noticeably strange that made people stop and think: "WTF?" Well for her next video release off Born This Way, she did just that. The clip for "Yoü And I," (my least favourite Gaga song of all time--I'm sure many feel the same), Mother Monster becomes her lover's freakish science experiment and ups the ante on all things bizarre. I feel like I should be a little more descriptive, but really, you just need to see for yourself. Enjoy...?

Kanye & Jay-Z; "Otis"

Sorry blog, I have not abandoned you! I will get back to my regular postings shortly, promise. In the mean time, enjoy the Spike Jonze-directed clip for Jay-Z and Kanye's "Otis." It's over the top and flashy, what else could we expect? Enjoy!

Alexisonfire Call it Quits

 

Sad news broke today; Canadian screamo rockers Alexisonfire have announced their breakup. It's been 10 years since the five-piece began their musical journey together, fusing George Pettit's righteous screams with Dallas Green's ear-melting serenades and combining them atop ridiculously intense guitar work and ear-pummeling drum beats. Unfortunately, it has come to an end. According to a note posted on the band's website, George wrote that after the tour promoting their fourth album, Old Crows/Young Cardinals, Dallas informed the group of his intentions to leave and focus on his solo-project, City & Colour. Soon after, guitarist Wade McNeil was asked to pursue another band, which he chose to do. Then there were three, and instead of altering the Alexis legacy, they chose to preserve it.

I never wanted to admit it, but I did see it coming. Screamo is no longer in its prime like it once was when they first started. While the quality of their music was always incredible, their most recent release showed a great maturity that I feel a lot of fans could not connect with. It has also been apparent that all members of the band have focused on other projects, even slightly and maybe veered away from Alexisonfire for too long a time that returning to it wasn't as easy as it was in the past.

As a long time fan, I'm really bothered by this news. I began listening to Alexis soon after they debuted their self-titled disc. I was almost 14 years old at the time and as I grew up, their records and EP's played as a soundtrack to my life. Wow, that sounds really dramatic, but for the most part, they were really all I listened to for long periods of time. I devoted so much of my time reading about them, checking out their tour photos, watching their interviews and talking with other fans in Alexis-related forums. Not to mention going to see them live countless times. I remember seeing them in smaller venues and as their popularity continued to grow, the venues got bigger and bigger. It always brings a smile to my face when I reminisce about going to their shows with my best friends, waiting for what felt like an eternity in a sweaty mosh pit for the boys to take the stage and then blow my mind as they performed one song better then the next. Alexisonfire will always be a band I will associate with my adolescent and teenage years; 14 concerts, 10 band-t's, 5 posters, 4 records and 2 meetings and a sweater later, they will always be one of my all time favourites.

R.I.P Alexisonfire. You will always be THEONLYBANDEVER.

The Kooks' "Junk of the Heart" + Best Coast's “Our Deal”

Please accept an apology for my lack of posts as of late. Life has been a little crazy, not to mention summer has invited camping-filled weekends into my life, which of course eats up any free time I might get. Anyway, enough about me. More about...

The Kooks! The Brits next record, Junk of the Heart, will be out September 13. Its fist single, the album's title track, is another pop-rock gem that sounds very Kooksy... or Kooks-esque? It sounds like The Kooks and what we'd expect from them. It's sweet, and as the title suggests, it's very happy. Have a listen below:

The Kooks - Junk of the Heart (Happy)

Sneak previews of Best Coast's latest video have been circling about online, but finally, the Drew Barrymore directed piece is available for your viewing pleasure. The clip follows two gangs; the “Day Trotters” and the “Night Creepers” in their fight for superiority in the streets of L.A, while a forbidden love complicates things. “Our Deal” off Best Coast's debut plays the soundtrack. Plenty of young actors make an appearance; Chloe Moretz, Tyler Posey Donald Glover, Miranda Cosgrove and Shailene Woodley. Watch below!  


Best Coast Our Deal Official Music Video by Flixgr