Hanggai – Introducing Hanggai
It’s about time you broaden your musical horizons, and I’ve got an excellent recommendation: Hanggai. This album is a beautiful break from your standard musical rotation. Here’s a snippet from their bio:
Downtown Beijing might seem a strange place for a Mongolian folk revival. Yet Hanggai are at the forefront of a musical movement in China that is finding inspiration in native folk traditions, drawing on a répertoire of magical songs that have ail but disappeared during China’s récent turbulent past… The need of these young musicians to rediscover and express their roots and native language is causing quite a stir in China and seems to indicate some kind of change within their generation. Their interpretations of traditional songs from the grasslands are attracting an ever-increasing following.
You can hear some complete Hanggai songs on myspace, or you can listen to short clips of all the songs on Introducing Hanggai at Amazon.com.
Mirah – The Old Days Feeling
This is an upcoming album with lots of potential. Mirah has a beautiful voice and really puts together some fun songs with lots of sonic variety, from gritty guitars and electronic strangeness to pleasantly simple songs. Check out some older tunes on Mirah’s myspace.
One Day as a Lion – One Day as a Lion
If you were/are a Rage Against the Machine fan then you’re probably going to eat this up. Zack De La Rocha is reappearing on the music scene after a long absence, and he has teamed up with Jon Theodore (former drummer of The Mars Volta). As one would expect, this is agressive stuff. Wickedly agressive. This self titled 5 track EP is hitting stores today (July 22nd), but with gas prices so high you should probably buy One Day as a Lion from Amazon. “If you fear dying then you’re … then you’re already dead!”
Fuck Buttons – Street Horrrsing
The Fuck Buttons are an awesome experimental electronic duo from the UK. While their music is probably a bit more “experimental” than many of you can handle, you should check out the Fuck Buttons on myspace. If you like what you hear there, you should buy Street Horrrsing by Fuck Buttons.
Elliot Brood – Mountain Meadows
Elliot Brood is a folk rocker from Toronto, Ontario. I especially like track three, Write It All Down for You. Check out the Elliott Brood myspace. If you like it a whole bunch, buy it.
Nomo – Ghost Rock
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to move your feet and shake your ass. Prepare yourself for groovy, jazzy, electronic goodness. Get warmed up at the Nomo myspace page. Then, what are you going to do? You’re going to buy Nomo’s Ghost Rock and keep dancing, that’s what you’re going to do.
Woelv – Tout Seul Dans La Foret En Plein Jour Avez- Vous Peur?
Je n’ai aucune idée ce qu’ils disent sur cet album, mais je l’aime certainement. Achetez-le ! [non myspace]
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
This group consists of one guy with a really long name, but Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson called in some friends, including members of TV on the Radio and Grizzly Bear, to help put this album together. The opening song, Buriedfed, brings Modest Mouse to mind. For better or worse, that’s about where that comparison ends. Go listen to some songs on Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson’s myspace. Or just go buy Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson now. You need this album. You really do.
Crawling Baby Tower in Prague
Talk about an unsual architectural/artistic addition to an existing structure. This television tower was built in the 1980’s and the crawling babies were added in 2000. The babies are the work of David Černý. Click on the above picture for more photos.
Retribution Gospel Choir
One of my favorite albums of 2007 was Low’s Drums and Guns. It’s an amazing combination of beautiful and haunting. This album was put together by Low frontman Alan Sparhawk and features many of the songs from Drums and Guns cranked up with a new flair. While its certainly not as amazing as Drums and Guns, its definitely worth checking out (Retribution Gospel Choir myspace). Hell, you might even want to buy it.
