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THROWBACK: The Lemon Pipers – Green Tambourine

By Chris Gedos

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The indisputable psych-bubblegum paragon, “Green Tambourine” was the first Buddha Records #1 when it reached the Billboard pinnacle in February, 1968. (Lou Christie, a Buddha alum, reached #1 with “Lightning Strikes” the year before, while he was still with MGM.) For some unknown reason, “Green Tambourine” and much of the best bubblegum from the Summer of Love era has been brushed under the soundboard by OBG radio (thinking of Strawberry Alarm Clock and 1910 Fruitgum Company). The Lemon Pipers’ follow-up, “Rice is Nice”, fizzled out at #46, but it’s a solid ditty in the Village Green / Odyssey and Oracle vein. The Lemon Pipers’ influence on both their contemporaries and subsequent acts like Super Furry Animals and The Flaming Lips is incredible. Not bad for a one hit wonder from Ohio.

Rating 9.31

brown93

reviewed by
03-19-12

Francis – Birds Down South

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Swedish band Francis’ new single “Birds Down South” is awesome. There is definitely some great songwriting knowhow at work on the track. We don’t really know that much else about the band but we’re psyched to hear more! Get familiar (with us) below.

Francis sweden (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
03-19-12

Lana Del Rey – Diet Mtn Dew (Urban Noize Remix)

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We (still) love “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans”. We’ll stand behind LDR on those tracks through for better and for worse; but the original “Diet Mtn Dew” track sucks. Despite that, Lana’s rhythmic ghostly hooky vocal line on the song is seemingly too much for remixers from all corners of the planet to resist messing with. The tract of “DMD” remixes is lengthy. Urban Noize’s mix, which interpolates rhymes from Jay-Z, just might be the best (that we’ve heard at least). Taking the unlistenable shitbrick that is the original and turning it into the fresh hip hop-influenced urban pop song the track’s creators probably first envisioned it being. Don’t miss this one.

Urban Noize florida (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
03-19-12

Marina and the Diamonds – Primadonna (Acoustic Version)

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Our girl Marina goes in on her latest single “Primadonna” (the first official single from her upcoming Electra Heart LP) with this piano/acoustic guitar-driven rendition. “Primadonna”‘s class melody is on full offer here with an off-beat syncopated piano providing it an excellent countermelodic frame. The ideal arrangement for this song is, in reality, probably somewhere between this more spare version and the souped up clubby take that’s on the single. We love Marina on the club sound but this song, this particular melody, definitely sounds better dialed back a little bit.

Marina and the Diamonds england (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
03-19-12

Katy Perry – Niggas in Paris (Jay-Z & Kanye West Cover)

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We got our ninjas in London and they goin’ gorillas. This shouldn’t be so awesome (seriously could another artist-title combo strike more fear of shittiness?) but Kay Kay absolutely slays this. Here’s Katy’s “Niggas in Paris” cover from today she cut on Radio 1’s live lounge. (DoML)

Katy Perry – Niggas in Paris (Jay-Z & Kanye West Cover)

Katy Perry california (Facebook)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
03-19-12

SXSW Thursday Night Highlights: The Chevin, The Record Company, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., Sharon Van Etten

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The Chevin have all the tools to be a huge breakout band out of the UK. They’ve got the presence, the songs (“Champion” is a hit), and as we witnessed last night at Latitude 30, a great live show. In addition to the overall perfomance (which came off really well, the band’s songs translated very nicely live), the real standout was frontman Coyle Girelli. This guy can sing and from look to stage quality, ticks all the right “great UK band frontman” boxes. With the right push & support The Chevin are poised to be really something special. Keep them on your radar.

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L.A.’s The Record Company have been one of our favorite recent discoveries. The blues-driven trio, no doubt has great performance chops (that much was sure during their Ginger Man set last night), but what seperates this band from similar but much more mediocre bands is the quality of their songs. The skiffle-rattle of “Don’t Get Me Lonely” and The Yardbirdsesque “I Want Change” were highlights.

BET’s Music Matters showcase was packed. A bill that included Miguel, Nneka, Melanie Fiona and two of our must sees from Thursday night, Kendrick Lamar and Big K.R.I.T. K Dot had control of the house from moment one as he rolled through highlights from his excellent Section.80 mixtape. There was a heaviness and rasp in Lamar’s voice that revealed a bit of fatigue (The guy has been literally all over Austin the past few days) but there was no let up in performance quality as the L.A. rapper 100% knocked it out.

Big K.R.I.T. is a monster. The power and determination that focus through this guy as he spits is unreal. K.R.I.T. is a huge star in the making and his nasty Stage on Sixth performance was nothing less than an emphatic validation.

Sharon Van Etten has a magnetism in her music that is really really powerful. Her performance at The Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar showcase was (and I don’t use this word lightly) sublime. Sharon IRL captured our b3sci hearts last night (she’s had our non-IRL ones for a minute now). She was effortless. “Serpents” was captivating/hypnotic. “Warsaw” was straight class. POWER. The demure and unassuming Sharon is a force. This one woman should have all that power.

reviewed by
03-16-12

Clock Opera – Man Made

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Clock Opera’s much anticipated debut LP Ways to Forget is due April 23rd. Just this morning the UK indie pop act released a vid for excellent new single “Man Made” which you can get familiar with below.

Clock Opera england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
03-15-12

Jubilants – Spain

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“Spain” is the second tune to surface from Australian export, Jubilants. The Sydney based four-piece offer more of the feel good (but powerful) guitar jangle that we first heard with “Antics” along with A+ hooks that drill straight into the pocket. Dive club dance floors now have yet another something new to celebrate. Preview “Spain” below and grab a download at the group’s Bandcamp site while you can.

Jubilants australia (Bandcamp) (Twitter) (Facebook)

Rating: 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
03-13-12

Gossip – Perfect World

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Gossip have just released a beast of a new track from their forthcoming Joyful Noise LP expected later this year in May. “Perfect World” paints a ‘picture perfect’ dance-floor anthem, a sound that we’ve all come to know and love from the Portland-based trio. You can check it out at the band’s official site or give it a preview spin below.

Gossip oregon (Official)

Rating 8

brown8

reviewed by
03-13-12

Little Chords – When Love Ends

By Jon Herriot

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Little Chords is a side-project from the mind behind Teen Daze. This has more of an indie pop sound, but still has his characteristic chillwave style. We knew he had an ear for synth and electronica but he can sing too; really talented guy. His Teen Daze debut LP comes out in May.

Little Chords canada (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
03-11-12

In Golden Tears – Underneath The Balance

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“Underneath The Balance” on offer here from new Rough Trade band In Golden Tears recalls qualities of many great, young pre-crossover alt-rock bands. This young German band certainly do not shy from the grandiose. Hints of iconic 80’s bands like The Smiths and The Cult are at the fore here. For the radar.

In Golden Tears – Underneath The Balance

In Golden Tears germany (Facebook) (Pre-order)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
03-11-12

Tashaki Miyaki – If Not For You (Bob Dylan)

By Stephen Dobrinich

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I was hooked on ‘If Not For You’ from the outset and this lo-fi version of a great Dylan track definitely delivers. Tashaki Miyaki is an LA based duo which between the echoing vocals and rhythmic guitar brings to mind The Velvet Underground and the likes of other shoegazing noise rock. If you happen to be at SXSW make sure to check them out at Latitude 30 Friday night at 8pm.

Tashaki Miyaki california (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
03-11-12