New Panda Bear Song

The other day I've got an email from a promotor filled with info about the new Panda Bear album (Person Pitch), which is scheduled to be released march 22th. While some might see this as a form of unwanted spam, to me it almost made me feel like a true blogger. The best part however is that the song that accompanied the email (Comfy in Nautica) is actually very interesting. It's a beautiful a-capella song (think Beach Boys harmonies) filled with some sample and noise in the background.

For those of you unfamiliar with Panda Bear, it's the solo project of Animal Collective member Noah Lennox. According to the press release, Person Pitch "is suffused with the kind of feel good modern toe-tapping pop that seems harder and harder to find these days". While 'Comfy in Nautica' hardly fits this description, it does make me look forward to the new album.

Website | Buy@Insound

Mp3:
Panda Bear - Comfy in Nautica

Finally Friday Video Week 1 [2007]

Boy...do I love YouTube! While searching for Neko Case video's, I came across a -to me unknown- video of one of my favorite bands: the New Pornographers. 'Your Daddy Don't know' was recorded for the soundtrack of 2002 mockumentary film FUBAR. It's an awesome cover of Canada hardrock outfit Toronto. Now, I believe the best covers are of songs that you've almost forgotten but that sound awfully familiar when first heard. In this case, I wonder if I've even known the original at all, but indeed it sounds really familiar, almost like it reminds me of another song. Then suddenly it hit me...this really really really sounds like Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield. YouTube wouldn't be YouTube if it didn't also contained the Toronto original and the Rick Springfield classic, which I present to you for the first installment of the Finally Friday Video series of 2007.

The Cover: The New Pornographers - Your Daddy Don't Know

The Original: Toronto - Your Daddy Don't Know

The Similarity: Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl

Baby Teeth

A band only needs one good song to draw my interest. Enter 'the Simp' by Chicago based Baby Teeth. It's an indie rock gem seemily influenced by classic rock. It was this song that made me look into this band. I've come across an advanced copy of their new album (also titled the Simp, which will be released through Lujo Records early this year) and I am somewhat surprised by it. The common denominator here is indie rock but there are obvious influences of classic rock but also 60'/70's pop. Some songs are even close to disco. I'm still not sure if I like this album, but at this moment it's safe to say I'm intrigued by it. However...this record probably will stay a hit or miss record to me. Some songs are really enjoyable (sometimes even really really good!) and some songs I won't regret skipping. Anyways, I've posted their best song (the Simp) and the song most likely to appear on your radio (Swim Team). Enjoy!

Website | MySpace

Mp3's:
Baby Teeth - The Simp
Baby Teeth - Swim Team
Baby Teeth - Heather via JC (from 2006 EP For the Heathers; watch video here)

Cover EP Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer and Reel Big Fish

Interesting synopsis: one of the cutest powerpop bands teams up with one of the biggest skapunk bands to play their favorite 80's songs. Okay...not really original, but when Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer is involved...I'm game!

"What happens when two of America’s best pop-rock bands collaborate on their love of 1980’s pop-rock? Answer: Duet All Night Long. This six- song split release by Reel Big Fish and Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer is comprised entirely of the two bands’ favorite 80’s gems. Each band croons three pop gems originally by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, Madonna, The Human League, The Smiths, Fishbone, and more. The best part is that Zolof's Rachel Minton and Reel Big Fish's Aaron Barrett sing scorching duets on every track!"

The cd will be released february 20th on Reignition. For now you can listen to the entire album here. I'm liking the three Zolof ones!

Welcome to the 'Oh Seven'!

Welcome to the year Two Thousand and Seven! Sounds pretty futuristic right? So much is going to change in my life this year that I'm taking it day-to-day. However, I can already tell you that I'm looking forward to the return of two heroes from my youth:
- the sixth Rocky movie: Rocky Balboa
- the release of Chinese Democracy by Guns n' Roses (this could be the year...)

Anyways...here are some interesting links to start the year with:

* If you're into mashups or looking for some cool stuff for a party, Bootie has made a free downloadable sampler with the best mashups of 2006. My favorite is 'the Money Song' by team9 (download here), which is a mashup of Hard-Fi vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers vs. Flying Lizards vs. Abba vs. Jay-Z. You can find the "Best of Bootie 2006 CD" here.

* Largehearted Boy (one of my favorite blogs) has an extremely large list of best of 2006 yearlists (including my blog!). Check it out here.