Formerly known as The Morning Benders, Pop Etc’s Mixtape is to The Morning Benders’ previous discography what Discovery’s Discovery was to Vampire Weekend’s and Ra Ra Riot’s older albums. A simpler way of saying that is Mixtape is an electro-pop left turn for this formerly jangly, rock band. The vocal effects on Chris Chu’s voice offer some highlights and there are some neat arrangements, but all in all, this collection of songs pales in comparison to 2010’s Big Echo.
Why Pop Etc, you ask? Being the nice fellows they apparently are, the band changed their name upon hearing “Bender” is a gay slur in parts of Europe. Stream it below:
Typically the perfect fusion of Nashville and New York, Justin Townes Earle summons the fiery soul of New Orleans and Memphis for inspiration on his newest record. Look for the album next week.
I fear Monday mornings. The pain that awakens me at 7:15 on the first day of the work week is a feeling that I dread, and physically begin to anticipate come Sunday afternoon. But I have devised a new remedial strategy to end this misery. I have decided I will awaken 15 minutes earlier than usual on these tragic mornings, take an extra-long, extra-hot shower, and afterwards have time to do something that creates a happiness of sort within myself, before I head off for the soon-to-be suffocating L, pile into a little box on wheels with hundreds of other little workers, and stroll on over to Broadway, where I get to spend the best five minutes of my day, arising at the top of a metro stair with an ever-too-quickly five minutes to breath that crisp 8 a.m. oxygen as I walk the dividing line of Manhattan, a few kind tunes in my ear and a blissful morning light that carries me down to 9th street…to a much larger box where I devote the rest of my morning, afternoon, and a portion of my evening, five days a week.
If you hadn’t guessed already, this morning’s treat was a couple of Classic NKOTB music videos, paired with a few sleepy dance moves to get the blood flowing on what made out to be the most beautiful day of spring New York has seen this year.
These videos are for you B. May they bring a light to your many late nights at the office.
Deerhunter’s Lockett Pundt gives us this dreamy tune via his Lotus Plaza monicker. It’s got that catchy, forward-moving sound that made “Desire Lines” a guitar-driven highlight off Deerhunter’s Halcyon Digest.
Look for the album Spooky Action at a Distance on April 2.
As a firm advocate of the “books are always better than the movies” school of thought, I have an uneasy feeling because of Hollywood’s siege over my life these next few months, with The Hunger Games, On the Road, and The Great Gatsby about to hit theaters. The official On the Road trailer did wonders at curing the ill feeling however, as is it’s stellar cast and devotion to jazz seem to honor Kerouac’s American masterpiece.
Take 30 minutes of your time and watch this video. It will anger you. You will probably cry a little…or a lot. But most importantly it will motivate you.
Note: The Invisible Children organization has recently received much criticism in relation their financial integrity, etc. Here is an article (and video statement from IC CEO) covering the public concern of their campaign.
It’s funny how fast people can watch a video, become inspired, spread word, and almost overnight, here a piece of criticism, change their views, share those concerns with others, without even investigating these issues themselves.
No you’re not seeing things – this is a real Walk About post! And, it happens to be the first since the W A offices have moved to Brooklyn, New York. We haven’t given up on the blog and are committed to finding a way to consistently send out the finest in style, music, art and sexy women-pics. Forgive us for the moments we were absent and you needed us.
So, to get back into the swing of things, here’s some ethereal listening to get you through the rest of the week. Montreal’s d’Eon, who you may have seen through collaborations with weirdo-R&B masterminds, Grimes and How to Dress Well, released a Music For Keyboards mixtape. If his upcoming debut, Hippos in Tanks is anything as good as this, we may have an album of the year contender. Or, at least something to thaw out to as the world turns to spring.
Walk About. 