Image

Track Reviews

Tapes ‘n Tapes – I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (The Beatles)

tapes

T’nT flips the script on one of b3sci’s consensus fav Beatles songs. With such an iconic song like “I Want You”, T’nT could’ve easily fucked up. Covering The Beatles and covering them well is one of the hardest things you can do as a band. The path to a shit Beatles cover is paved with the best intentions. Obviously, if this weren’t good we wouldn’t be posting it, so that much is for sure. But Tapes ‘n Tapes deliver here, it’s full fathom force from song start to finish. She’s so heavy.

Tapes ‘n Tapes – I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (The Beatles)

Tapes ‘n Tapes minnesota (Official) (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
12-03-11

Ghost Beach – First Time

ghostbeach

Check out NYC duo Ghost Beach and their excellent soulful synth pop jam, “First Time”.

Ghost Beach – First Time

Ghost Beach newyork (Official) (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
12-03-11

Shy Girls – Gonna Get My Name Back

shygirls

“Gonna Get My Name Back” new from Portland-based act Shy Girls is a most excellent slice of that classic 80s R&B pie. The Hall & Oates refs are def there (there’s even a little Sade mixed in too) but Shy Girls’ sound is no dusty throwback pastiche, nah, this shit is live. Great grooves, a great backbeat, great melodies, picture yourself on a boat, fruity drink in your hand, life washed in sunlight. That’s “Gonna Get My Name Back”

Shy Girls – Gonna Get My Name Back

Shy Girls oregon (Official) (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
12-03-11

Phil Ade – P.O.P. Music (Feat. Casey Veggies)

philade

Yesssssss. Young Veggies and DMV Phil go in. The track tips up nice with a soulful drop and a dope as fuck ?flute sample. Put this one on repeat.

Phil Ade – P.O.P. Music (Feat. Casey Veggies)

Phil Ade maryland (Myspace) (Twitter)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
12-03-11

Josh Kumra – Call Off The Search

joshkumra

Artists that can dig deep and pull sounds straight from their soul are too few and far between. On the heels of his feature with Wretch 32 on the hit “Don’t Go”, Josh Kumra continues forward with the excellent ‘”Call Off The Search”. Powerful, honest, and tuneful in all the right ways, “COTS” is a can’t miss type track. Preview the track and get familiar with Josh Kumra below.

Josh Kumra – Call Off The Search

Josh Kumra england (Facebook)

Rating 8.8

brown8

reviewed by
12-02-11

Lana Del Rey – Born 2 Die

lanadelrey

Here goes the new title track from internet meme Lana Del Rey’s “Born 2 Die” LP. How are we feeling about this?

Lana Del Rey – Born 2 Die

Lana Del Rey newyork (Official) (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
12-02-11

Saint Le Roq – Other I

saintleroq

L.A.-based duo Saint Le Roq go in on “Other I”, a nicely tipped mix of classic house, future garage, and 2011 R&B-ish pop. We are into it.

Saint Le Roq – Other I

Saint Le Roq california (Official) (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
12-01-11

araabMUZIK – They Won’t See U

araabmuzik

“They Won’t See U”, an unreleased track from AraabMUZIK, comes nicely equipped with a sharp 1-2 and a killer use of choral samples in the instrumentation. The result is akin almost to a futuristic gospel choir. We can dig that. Jams.

araabMUZIK – They Won’t See U

araabMUZIK rhodeisland (Twitter) (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
12-01-11

Birdy – Young Blood (The Naked and the Famous)

birdy1

b3sci and Liam Gallgher, #1 and #2 Birdy fans. Our girl’s pensive cover of The Naked and the Famous tune is really really good. Spin it below.

Birdy – Young Blood (The Naked and the Famous)

Birdy england (Facebook) (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
12-01-11

Imaad Wasif – Go Insane (feat. Bobb Bruno of Best Coast)

beatlacompilation

Imaad Wasif and LA-based accomplice Bobb Bruno give The Doors track “Go Insane” a 21st century facelift, subbing it’s 12-bar like sections with some extra fuzzy breakdowns of psychedelic rock sickness. The track is a favorite off the recent BEAT LA double LP Record Store Day compilation which also features some great covered cuts from other LA-based artists including No Age, Crystal Antlers and more. Check it out!

Imaad Wasif – Go Insane (feat. Bobb Bruno of Best Coast)

Get BEAT LA via Narnack/Greatminds california (Info)

Imaad Waasif california (Official)
Best Coast california (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
12-01-11

Kavinsky – Nightcall (Studio Brussels Remix)

Contributed by Elliott Porter

kavinsky

Here we have French electro star Kavinsky – known for his 80’s sound, getting remixed by Scottish club-popper, Studio Brussels. Sexy vocals and a fresh take on Kavinsky’s old school sound has this song meshing better than memory foam. Check out more by Studio Brussels at the links below.

Kavinsky – Nightcall (Studio Brussels Remix)

Studio Brussels Remix scotland (Twitter) (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

studiobrussels

reviewed by
12-01-11

RAVE’S FAVES: The Black Keys – Stop Stop

Contributed by Bruce Rave

the-black-keys-el-camino

Black Keys’ El Camino drops next week and the good news is that this is a solid, solid album. Several tracks have already seen light of day, and it was still tough picking a fave because there isn’t a weak song to be heard on the album. Let’s go with “Stop Stop”. It’s got elements a bit more pop than what we usually hear from these Akron guys. Their blues roots remain, but the chorus is a major hook.

The Black Keys – Stop Stop

The Black Keys ohio (Official)

Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Fridays 1-3 pm Pacific, 4-6 pm Eastern, 9-11pm GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
12-01-11