[More From Plastic Beach] Gorillaz – Empire Ants (featuring Little Dragon)

I.
LOVE.
THE.
NEW.
GORILLAZ.
ALBUM.

GO.
BUY.
PLASTIC.
BEACH.
ON
ITUNES
OR
AMAZON.
NOW!

YOU.
WONT.
REGRET.
IT.

AWESOME.
SONG.
BELOW.

Gorillaz – Empire Ants (featuring Little Dragon)

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[Synth-Pop] Who The Hell Are (the) Cults??

Cults – Go Outside

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Let’s face it, when the music blogosphere loves something we always adhere to the post now ask questions later policy. A couple of days ago this mysterious band by the name of ‘Cults’ uploaded a couple of song to their Bandcamp page and almost instantly there songs were shared across the tubes without much though as to who they really are. Gladly, Pitchfork came to the rescue and cleared the smoke around this wonderful synth-pop influenced band.

Turns out Cults is comprised of young duo/couple Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin from San Diego, California. They only started making music a few months back in their free time and just sharing their music with family and close friends. Their reception from other music blogs has been as warm as their soothing music. Pitchfork describes their nostalgic psychedelic melodies as being simultaneously influenced by 50’s and 80’s pop songs.

Pitchfork: I know you weren’t expecting to get any kind of attention this early, but do you have any plans for Cults? Are you going to play any shows or release any music?

BO: Yeah, we’re finishing up a full-length record right now. We’ve been working on it for a while. The first three songs were just part of a larger full-length that we were working on for a long time. But we’re making plans to tour this summer and just kind of seeing where this could take us.

I am really excited to see what is next for the Cults and I hope they keep producing music towards the soft and dreamy psychedelic sound.

[Twitter] Why I love Twitter so much? + Mp3s

If you do not have a twitter account, there is a strong chance that you think twitter is only for people that are bored and have nothing else but to tweet boring messages like “I am at my local starbucks having a latte!” or “Omg my Uncle Jerry just bought me some yummy ice cream!!”. And while there is some TRUTH to that, twitter has become one of the best (non-creepy) ways to meet people with similar interests and, especially for myself, its an amazing source to discover new music.

This morning I asked my followers what where some of their favorite songs they have discovered in the last 7 days and I was blown away by the response. I decided to showcase all their responses below.

If you have a twitter account, make sure you are FOLLOWING ME as well as all the badass people below.

Woollygrass suggests:
Two Door Cinema Club – ‘What You Know’

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http://www.myspace.com/twodoorcinemaclub

ajackpluggedin suggests:
Outland – Tell Me What You Want – Hugo Van Dyk Remix

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http://www.myspace.com/hugovandyck

TartyTart suggests:
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” Wilco Cover Live at KDHX

iamsim suggests:
Gil Scott-Heron – “Me And The Devil”

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http://gilscottheron.net/

frwrdm suggests:
Pogo – Upular

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http://www.myspace.com/pogotracks

MusicSunshine suggests:
Phenomenal Handclap Band – Baby (Clock Opera Remix)

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ramiam suggests:
Jaguar Love – Polaroids and Red Wine

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http://www.myspace.com/jaguarloveband

manxmidge suggests:
Pon De Foley (Ludachrist 0Remix)

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BillySuede suggests:
Foals – Spanish Sahara

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http://www.myspace.com/foals

Also thanks to tianafeng, ListenB4YouBuy, A17bysearose, Bandsintown for retweeting and giving us their suggestions. (I could not find mp3’s for some your suggestions )

[Electronic Rock] Phantogram

If you haven’t yet heard “Eyelid Moves”, the recently released debut album from Phantogram, then you’re missing out on one of my favorite albums so far this year. The album is a mix of so many different styles that all work together to create one cohesive album thats creative and experimental but still completely accessible. But my favorite on the album is probably “As Far As I Can See”, which starts out with a catchy chopped up sample presumably of a Motown hit. But instead of hearing someone rap over the sample, we get the exact opposite, the soft and enchanting vocals of Sarah Barthel. Though her voice is in stark contrast to the phrenetic sample, the two compliment each other perfectly, just as all of the different songs on the album compliment each other. The band has a few tour dates out west and for SXSW and will be embarking on tour with The Antlers in April. Catch them if you can.

Phantogram – As Far As I Can See

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Phantogram – When I’m Small

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Article was written by Guest Blogger Chris from dailybeatz.com:

[Fresh] Fictionist’s Release ‘Lasting Echo’ Video

The subtle yet galactic melodies of Lasting Echo from Utah-based Fictionist have now come alive in a fun and trippy (at the end) music video about a team of explorers on a mission in deep space, travelling through areas no man has been before. The band just recently released their album Lasting Echo full gentle rock riffs and charming warm vocals.

Fictionist – Blue Eyed Universe

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[Progressive Electronica?] Kid Savant – Better Side of Paradise

Kid Savant – Better Side of Paradise

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While my musical tastes go across the entire spectrum, I think at this point it’s safe to say that I’ve narrowed down my absolute favorite songs into a very narrow category. These are the songs that start out quiet and subdued and grow into sonic walls as the songs progress. The ones that would work just as well as a slow song, if not for the heavy beats injected in all the right places. The ones that for some reason make you happy and sad at the same time. And I think “Better Side of Paradise” by Kid Savant is yet another great example of this sort of electro/pop/house hybrid that don’t seem to fit into any sort of category. I think in the end, all I need is a good beat, and a great melody.

Article was written by Guest Blogger Chris from dailybeatz.com:

[Album Review] Gorillaz – Plastic Beach by TheNeedleDrop.com

There is no better way I can top Anthony’s review of the Gorillaz’s third album Plastic Beach. Concise, informative and above all, honest!

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach Review

Gorillaz latest LP is as dynamic as their previous efforts, but much more conceptual and cohesive. This thing leafs through hip hop, new wave, soul, and trip hop without batting an eye; plus, there’s a ton of fantastic guest collaborators: Snoop Dogg, Mick Jones, Lou Reed, and De La Soul to name a few! There were a few bumps along the way, but this thing is a journey from beginning to end. There are some real 10/10s along the way, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to any pop fan.

Make sure you subscribe to The Needle Drop’s youtube for daily video music reviews.
http://theneedledrop.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/theneedledrop

Gorillaz – Rhinestone Eyes

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Gorillaz – Glitter Freeze

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If you missed our previous Gorillaz posts/remixes, click here!

[Soundtrack] Chuck Music Soundtrack: Songs from Season 3 Episode 8 – Chuck vs. the Fake Name

**Spoiler alert below**
The constant cycle of Love, Romance and Heartbreaks in Season 3 of chuck continues. All the small little twists “Chuck vs. the Fake Name” had could have been seen a mile away, except of course.. when chuck dumps his current girlfriend played by Kristin Kreuk because finding love is the only mission the intersect was never trained for.
** Spiler alert above **

Episode 8 of season 3 of chuck had two amazing songs worth noting. While chuck is recieving the hungry guests for the dinner, the song that was playing in the background was ‘A Sleep Be Told’ by The Traditionist.

The Traditionist – A Sleep Be Told

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And lastly, I am sure this one you all have been waiting to hear again. The last song of most episodes are always the defining song that pretty much sums up the mood of the entire episode. While you know who, tells you know what to you know who.. lol the last song is by Daniel Zott called ‘Living a Lie’.

Daniel Zott – Livving a Lie06 Living A Lie.mp3

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For previous chuck season 3 soundtrack click here

[SUPER FRESH] Gorillaz + Stylo + Bruce Willis = Awesome Music Video

I’ve said many times that I wasn’t (and still debating if I am) a fan of the the Gorillaz new single Stylo…having said that, THIS VIDEO IS NUTS!! Bruce Willis!??! What?!?! No more 2D Gorillaz, its 2010 and seems like the Gorillaz are stepping things up and getting with the times. The video has made me rethink my appreciation for Stylo and although I still do not consider it as one of the best songs of this year so far, it is definitely far from the worse. What do you guys think of the video?

Never intended to post Stylo but since the video is so awesome, I am forced to share the song. Here is Stylo from Gorillaz upcoming LP Plastic Beach dropping March 9th.

Gorillaz – Stylo (Feat. Bobby Womack & Mos Def)

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[Indie/Acoustic] Toy Horses are not just for kids

The incredible high of a music junkie when he/she is listening to something that blows them away is almost as addicting as the next drug. When I started the blog last year and didn’t receive many emails suggestions I had to rely on music services like last.fm and thesixtyone.com to discover new music. One of the most impressive and proudest songs I discovered was Toy Horses‘ “But What About The Future”. A song full of childish references with themes about staying young and making these moments “last forever”. Incredably melodic, clever, and pretty damn funny.

“But What About The Future” – Toy Horses

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It had been a while since I heard anything else from Toy Horses until the band was kind enough to send me a twitter shout out on my Birthday last Friday the 26th. Included in their message was a link to a video they had recorded for their song Oh Violet. The video along with the mp3 they hooked us up with was one of the best (non-alcoholic) presents I received that day! Oh Violet has a larger than life, Coldplay-like feel to it yet its charming melodies and honest lyrics give it a very genuine sound. Although the video does not really have much else going, I wanted to include it in this post because it proves that these guys are in it for the right reasons.

Toy Horses – Oh Violet

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Video Info:
Recorded in Nashville in August 2009 this song ‘Oh Violet’ is from the début album of British band Toy Horses. This filming (of Adam’s acoustic guitar take) took place in Creative Workshops recording studio where the clock stopped ticking in about 1973. It’s owned by Buzz Cason former backing singer to a certain Mr. E. Presley, not the sort of place you’d expect a Welsh indie band to haunt but the results were superb! Playing with Toy Horses on this track are Ken Coomer (former Wilco and Uncle Tupelo drummer) and Tim Marks (Taylor Swift’s bass player).

Toy Horses can be seen at SXSW in March 2010 and will be touring the UK in the summer to promote their self titled début album.

Bonus: Toy Horses- Damage Done

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