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Nick Diamonds – Attic

nickdiamonds

Nick Diamonds is former Unicorns and Islands members Nick Thorburn. The Diamond man releases today, I Am an Attic, an 11-song digital LP available on Bandcamp for whatever price you see fit. Expect a lot of the same “serious absurdity” and “measured goofiness” you’ve come to expect from Thorburn’s releases with Unicorns and Islands. Attic is most defnitely cut from a similar sort of cloth. The whimsical lead track “Attic” is the standout of the set. You can get more info on Nick and I Am an Attic here

Nick Diamonds – Attic

Nick Diamonds canada (Twitter) (Bandcamp)

Rating: 7.8

brown71

reviewed by
07-11-11

We Were Promised Jetpacks – Act On Impulse

wewerepromisedjetpacks

New track from We Were Promised Jetpacks. Not sure we expected this. The band seems keen on walking the crevasse between hooky pop songwriting and notes of “ambition”, like big delay pedal guitars and non-VCV song arrangements. Will this step prove fruitful for the band? The band’s sophomore release In the Pit of the Stomach is due Oct. 4.

We Were Promised Jetpacks – Act On Impulse

We Were Promised Jetpacks scotland (Twitter) (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
07-11-11

DoomStarks – Victory Laps (Madvillainz Remix)

doomstarks

Oh yes. The Ghost/Doom collab is real and it’s fire. Get familiar with this sneak peak.

DoomStarks – Victory Laps (Madvillainz Remix)

DoomStarks (Info)

Rating: 8.333333

brown8

reviewed by
07-11-11

2011 Virgin Mobile FreeFest Official Line Up! First Look Featuring Sir Richard Branson

As promised here’s an exclusive look at the video that a select number of our lucky readers (you guys!) put together + Sir Richard Branson! Presenting the 2011 Virgin Mobile FreeFest line up:

We’re psyched!

Interested? Here’s some more info on the festival:

• Virgin Mobile FreeFest will be held late this summer at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD.

• FreeFest has always been about giving back. In 2009, the festival started as a way lighten things up in the face of a rough economy while drawing more attention to The RE*Generation, the company’s platform to address youth homelessness.

• In the past two years, the Festival has raised nearly $300,000 and generated more than 55,000 hours of volunteer time.

• Since Virgin Mobile picks up the cost of tickets, they ask that everyone donate $10 or their time to volunteer for RE*Generation. People who volunteer at the Festival are “FreeIPs” and automatically receive a ticket, a hard to come by commodity as tickets normally “free-out” quickly.

Check out VML here to learn more about FreeFest and RE*Generation

virgin-freefest-2011

reviewed by
07-10-11

Coldplay Vs Swedish House Mafia – Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

coldplay

Not only did Pete Tong premiere yesterday a new Calvin Harris track, “Feel So Close”, he closed out the show with this megatron bomb of a remix, it’s Swedish House Mafia and it’s Coldplay, it’s live on b3sci. Go!

Coldplay Vs Swedish House Mafia – Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

Swedish House Mafia sweden (Official) (Facebook) (Twitter)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
07-09-11

THROWBACK SATURDAYS: Five Smooth Stones – I Will Never Love Another

thefivesmoothstonesneverloveanother

Consider this review a work in progress, for information is scant on “I Will Never Love Another”, the only Motown A-side from FIVE SMOOTH STONES, released in 1969. I think they were a Philly gospel group – I wouldn’t be surprised if this had been written several years before – it recalls a more innocent time, before the irreparable political realities of The Sixties had done their damage. So many of the lost singles could be inserted into the OBG master Rolodex without radio listeners blinking twice. In the ministry, The Five Smooth Stones are faith, obedience, service, prayer, and the holy ghost! The B-side, Love Unto Me, is more standard pop despite the title’s more spiritual syntax. Contributed by Christopher Gedos

Five Smooth Stones – I Will Never Love Another

Five Smooth Stones: (Purchase)

RATING: 9.1
brown93

reviewed by
07-09-11

The Cool Kids – Swimsuits (Feat. Mayer Hawthorne)

the_cool_kids_feat_mayer_hawthorne-swimsuits

Word has it the chi-town collective has been spending some time in Los Angeles as of late, and if “Swimsuits” featuring the LA based crooner isn’t indication… then we don’t know what is. It’s Saturday, it’s sunny, turn this fucker up! Stream their new album When Fish Ride Bicycles at SKOA. Get into it!

The Cool Kids – Swimsuits (Feat. Mayer Hawthorne)

The Cool Kids illinois (Official) (Blog) (Facebook)

Rating 8

brown8

reviewed by
07-09-11

The Horrors – You Said

skying

Definitely our favorite thus far from Skying. “You Said” is just the right mix of shoegaze-y atmosphere and power pop hooks to be a big Radio 1 track. “You Said” should be the next single. “Still Life” is good but “You Said” is better.

The Horrors – You Said

The Horrors england (Official) (Facebook) (Myspace)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
07-08-11

The Cool Kids – Roll Call (Feat. Asher Roth, Chip Tha Ripper & Boldy James)

coolkids

“Roll Call” is latest off The Cool Kids’ upcoming When Fish Ride Bicycles. The Chi duo link up here with Asher, Chip & Boldy James over a tight snare and a slick organ hook. Track most def to Chip. Homecourt advantage.

The Cool Kids – Roll Call (Feat. Asher Roth, Chip Tha Ripper & Boldy James)

The Cool Kids illinois (Official) (Blog) (Facebook)

Rating 8.054234

brown8

reviewed by
07-08-11

Theophilus London – Why Even Try (Feat. Sara Quin) (RAC Remix)

rac

A little something fresh for your weekend mix c/o of Remix Artist Collective and T.h.e.o. Timez Are Weird These Dayz, July 19.

Theophilus London newyork (Official)
RAC oregon (Facebook)

Rating: 8

brown8

reviewed by
07-08-11

DJ Shadow – I’m Excited

shadow

A strong return from the Shadow man. Track is called “I’m Excited” and it features Afrikan Boy on vocals. We are into it. It’s new DJ Shadow! You should be excited!

DJ Shadow – I’m Excited

DJ Shadow california (Official) (Twitter) (Facebook)

Rating: 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
07-08-11

Adele – I Can’t Make You Love Me (Bonnie Raitt Cover)

adele

Think this one speaks for itself. Adele covered Bonnie Raitt’s classic ballad during her set today at London’s iTunes Festival. Just a really beautiful track. Tip to Music From Go to Whoa for the stream.

Adele england (Official) (Myspace)

Rating: 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
07-07-11