Image

Track Reviews

Portugal. The Man – Everything You See (Kids Count Hallelujahs)

portugaltheman

A new heater from the Portuguese, as the Lusophonic homem strike back strong with “Everything You See (Kids Count Hallelujahs)”. (We’ll be counting “Hallelujahs” if somebody can hook us up with an advance copy of the rest of the new album.) “Everything” is triumphant, epic, all those chest-full-of-air, fists-raised-to-the-air, sort of adjectives. It’s got a big sing-a-long chorus, it’s got big instrumentation (HORNS, we’re talking some serious horns), and most of it all, the track just feels great to listen to. It’s empowering. So come on, get a little empowered now with us, won’t you? We’re talking heaters not haters.

Portugal. The Man – Everything You See (Kids Count Hallelujahs)

Portugal. The Man alaska (Official) (Facebook) (Myspace)

Rating: 7.8

brown71

reviewed by
07-11-11

Nikki Jean – Million Star Motel (Feat. Lupe Fiasco & Black Thought)

nikkijean

We like this track by Twin Cities-native and recent S-Curve Records signee Nikki Jean. But reading the lineup and finding out Black Thought was spitting on a track like this, we were kinda like “uhhhhhh”. But it turns out Nikki was a member of Nouveau Riche, who were based out of The Roots’ home hood of Philly and collaborated with them. So knowing that, that Black Thought isn’t the new Atlantic Records 16-bar-on-a-wack-ass track stooge, we’re cool. And then there’s Lupe.

Nikki Jean – Million Star Motel (Feat. Lupe Fiasco & Black Thought)

Nikki Jean minnesota (Official) (Twitter) (Facebook)

Rating 7.999992387

brown71

reviewed by
07-11-11

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

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

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