Toro y Moi- Causers of This

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Joanna Newsom is a genius. This is wholly evident in the following 7 minute jazz-folk odyssey. This album is going to be epic. Since the track is too big for me to upload here, check it out on YouTube here or off the drag city website (I had some trouble getting the player to work but that’s likely because my computer’s a piece of crap).

-Donovan

First off, let me say that I’m giddy for the new Joanna that Donovan mentioned. She is the most unique singer/songwriter I can think of, plus…I mean, come on. Until the album comes out, though, I’ll be listening to Cass McCombs. Catacombs is a simple, clean album that doesn’t break many rules, but songs like “Don’t Vote” make McCombs seem like the king of cool.

Cass McCombs – Don’t Vote

Amazon / iTunes

-Chris

It’s been a few weeks since I posted anything here, mostly because I’ve studying older music for a few weeks, which while awesome didn’t really seem post worthy. In the time since I last posted, Conan got removed from the Tonight Show (albeit with a lovely exit package) and there is now an hour long void in my soul. As one of the few people my age group who actually watched his show on a regular basis (sad but true), I feel kind of shafted but maybe he’ll latch on somewhere else and be even funnier. At this point my late night life has become all Craig Ferguson all the time, which is still great because Craig is hilarious.

In unexpected news, my New York Jets actually did something good and upset two teams en route to the AFC Championship where they played a very respectable first half and ended up getting dismantled in the second. Still, it was an inspiring even if surprising.

In very expected news, Mass Effect 2 sucked my soul in and returned it to me only two days ago upon completion of the game. I am now wholly better and looking forward to the conclusion of the fantastic trilogy in about two years (mega sigh). At least the word “bosh’tet” has now entered my lexicon!

In musical news, lots has happened, but something that interests me a great deal is Joanna Newsom’s upcoming third full length, Have One on Me, which was recently announced to be a triple album. Can that be right? Triple?? Furthermore, a track from the album set to drop in three weeks is up on the Drag City website. It’s gorgeous, and very vocaly, something that certainly could’ve been on The Milk-Eyed Mender and something that certainly couldn’t have been on Ys. I loved both though so I’m scarcely complaining.

Here’s the track, and pre-order the album off Drag City here.

Joanna Newsom – ‘81

This is where her MySpace would be if she had one. Is there any other artist out there who doesn’t have a MySpace? Awesome.

-Donovan

Teen Dream/Mass Effect 2

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Photo Credit: Naomi

Beach House has a new album, called Teen Dream. If you like their previous albums, you’ll love this. If you’re not already a fan, “Real Love” might have the best chance of winning you over. Either that or this picture of Victoria Legrand.

Beach House – Real Love

Amazon / iTunes

-Chris

Surfer Blood- Astro Coast

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So what. It’s college basketball season. Maybe I’ll leave the couch when the UConn women win by less than 25. In the meantime, here’s a song from Department of Eagles. “Phantom Other” is a killer song, written and sung by Grizzly Bear’s guitarist Daniel Rossen. If you can, listen to it with some big ole headphones – this song sounds amazing.

Department of Eagles – Phantom Other

Amazon / iTunes

-Chris

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2009 was a great year for music. So great that this top 10 was rather hard to decide on, and it left out a whole lot of goodness. Here’s the top nine albums we could all agree on that we liked, and the top album and our personal lists after the jump.

10. Laura Gibson- Beasts of Seasons MySpace

9. The XX-XX MySpace

8. The Field- Yesterday and Today MySpace

7. Grizzly Bear- Veckatimest MySpace

6. The Decemberists- The Hazards of Love MySpace

5. tUnE-yArDs- BiRd BrAiNs MySpace

4. St. Vincent- Actor MySpace

3. Dirty Projectors- Bitte Orca MySpace

2. The Antlers- Hospice MySpace

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