James Blake "A Case of You"

"A Case of You" has become my most beloved song of James Blake, verifying my gratitude and greatest love for him. It is one of his most honest and deeply beautiful songs. The lyrics, compared to those of self-titled album songs, are so much more open and relatable.

"You're my blood, you're my holy wine, you taste so bitter and so sweet I could drink a case of you, darling"

Here is also the unreleased link of the music video -->

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eJDSueNSMJE

Upcoming Los Angeles Concerts

Home for the break? Tired of your parents already? Well, here are some excuses to not be at home! Below is a list of upcoming Los Angeles concerts for winter break, so enjoy and please comment if I am missing some good ones.

Digitalism @ Music Box - December 13th

Dinosaur Jr. @ Music Box - December 14th

Borgore @ Music Box - December 16th

Baths @ El Rey Theatre - December 17th

Young the Giant @ Galaxy Theatre - December 17th

Beach Fossils/Catwalk/Sweater Girls @ Echoplex - December 18th

Four Tet @ Low End Theory - December 21st

Odd Future @ The Roxy - December 22nd

Nero @ Music Box - December 22nd

Nero @ Music Box - December 23rd

The Growlers @ Echoplex - December 28th

The Growlers @ Echoplex - December 29th

The Growlers @ Echoplex - December 30th

Beats Antique @ Club Nokia - December 30th

KREAYSHAWN @ Galaxy Theatre - December 30th

Duck Sauce/Diplo/Dirty South/Chromeo @ TAO - December 31st

Pretty Lights/The Glitch Mob @ Rock the SnowGlobe (warning: IN LAKE TAHOE) - December 31st

Wanda Jackson/Best Coast @ Club Nokia - December 31st

Yelawolf @ Galaxy Theatre - January 6th

La Sera @ Echoplex - January 12th

M83 @ Club Noka - January 12th

M83 @ Club Nokia - January 13th

Handsome Furs @ Constellation Room - January 16th

The Good Natured @ Echoplex - January 20th

Theophilus London @ El Rey Theatre - January 22nd

Blouse/Soft Metals @ Echoplex - January 22nd

Tokimonsta @ Low End Theory - January 26th

Sigur Ros "Inni"

Inni literally means inside and "Inni" the documentary perfectly portrays the inside of Sigur Ros as a band and as individuals as they performed their last show at the Alexandra Palace. Director, Vincent Morriset, had one objection - capturing Sigur Ros perfoming live as raw and natural as possible.

The soundtrack to the "Inni" is devastatingly beautiful. The music correlates with Morriset's creative and artistic direction, shooting obscure and unconventional angles of each musician as he is performing. An example would be a shot of Birgisson, who is the lead vocalist of Sigur Ros, singing and playing the piano. Birgisson's face would only be in the very right side of the frame and the rest of the shot would be empty space. However, every frame was so distinct and specific, that the documentary felt hauntingly personal and intimate.

We, as the audience, became lost in the intensity of their performance because Morriset successfully grasped and caught their phenomenal talent on film. I firmly believe that even those who are not fans of Sigur Ros and their music, can truly appreciate Morriset as a director, and Sigur Ros as musicians, after watching "Inni."

Upcoming Boston Concerts

Back to school blues gotcha down? I feel you. To help ease the pain, I've concocted my usual list of upcoming concerts this semester that I believe you all will enjoy! Please feel free to update.

Tv on the Radio @ Bank of America Pavillion - 9/06
Peter Bjorn and John @ House of Blues - 9/07
Two Door Cinema Club @ Royale - 9/08
Flying Lotus @ Royale - 9/09
Empire of the Sun @ House of Blues - 9/11
Fruit Bats/Vetiver/Citay @ Middle East Downstairs - 9/12
Active Child @ Brighton Music Hall - 9/12
Grouplove @ Brighton Music Hall - 9/13
Toro y Moi @ Paradise Rock Club - 9/16
Starfucker @ Middle East Downstairs - 9/18
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Paradise Rock Club - 9/19
Vivian Girls/Widowspeak/Girlfriends @ Great Scott - 9/19
tUnE-YarDs @ Paradise Rock Club - 9/21
Yuck @ TT The Bears - 9/22
Pretty Lights @ Bank of America Pavillion - 9/23
Tapes N Tapes @ Brighton Music Hall - 9/23
Girls @ Paramount Theatre - 9/24
The Shins @ Paradise Rock Club - 9/24
Wild Beasts @ Paradise Rock Club - 9/27
The Album Leaf @ Brighton Music Hall - 9/27
Foster the People @ House of Blues - 9/29
Deerhoof @ Middle East Downstairs - 9/29
Mogwai @ House of Blues - 10/01
Battles @ Royale - 10/02
James Blake @ Paradise Rock Club - 10/03
Explosions in the Sky @ The Orpheum Theatre - 10/05
Zeds Dead @ Middle East Downstairs - 10/05
EOTO @ Royale - 10/06
Twin Shadow @ Paradise Rock Club - 10/06
Beats Antique @ Paradise Rock Club - 10/08
Trentemoller @ Royale - 10/12
Minus the Bear @ Royale - 10/16
Dum Dum Girls @ Paradise Rock Club - 10/19
Braids/Pepper Rabbit/Born Gold @ Great Scott - 10/20
Neon Indian @ Brighton Music Hall - 10/20
Ra Ra Riot @ Paradise Rock Club - 10/20
Odd Future @ Royale - 10/21

Tallest Man on Earth

Swedish folkstar, Kristian Matsson, has just released another single, "Weather of a Killing Kind." Matsson, under the name Tallest Man on Earth, has released two other albums and two EPs. "The Wild Hunt" album is suitable for that treacherous morning-after to enlighten one's spirit or simply for that long blissful bike ride to work. His new single resembles that of his previous ones, like "Wild Hunt" and "The Dreamer." However, "Weather of a Killing Kind" has more of a nostalgic feel. Compared to "Wild Hunt," the new single emphasizes less on the upbeat strumming and more on Matsson's voice and lyrics.

"I drink for something when I'm nothing
I drink for nothing when it's gone
And I feed the clouds, they are my shadow
'Cause I have raised the cubs my self alone."

So pretty, right?

Listen to Tallest Man on Earth's new single "Weather of a Killing Kind"

James Blake

Not really. James Blake mixed with some Drake. Conclusion? James Drake. I am not a fan of mash-ups. Girl Talk should just stop. Seriously, GT, stop. However, if you love James Blake as much as I do, this is quite the fun remix of Blake n' Drake. The remix includes multiple of Blake's songs such as "Limit to Your Love" and Drake's most famous songs like, "Forever." Therefore, the entire track is just long enough for that train ride or walk home from work. Give it a listen -

---> James Drake

*James Blake will also be playing at Webster Hall July 13th in New York.*

J

Cults

Cults' new album, "Cults," was recently released and in perfect time for that summer playlist. You probably recognize their most famous single, "Go Outside," because of its catchy sing-a-long essence over the simple and endearing xylophone beats. This song is one of my favorites for various reasons. It is not only suitable in the beginning of the morning to wake up to, but also after a long day when you just need an energy boost. The teenage-friendly and girl-power-esque lyrics such as, "It's good to go out cause if you dont you'll never make a memory that will stay,"pressures you to put on them shoes and actually go outside. Sweet, right?

The Antlers

Burst Apart, The Antler's new album, is a collection of electronic beats over-ruled with Silberman's hauntingly beautiful voice. His harmonies on top of the eclectic background piano and bass present this album as one of the best this year.

It's true. Whatever Silberman produces, I will believe it to be magic. However, those non-believers can even agree that this album is worthy. Hospice, the Antler's previous album, contained the most somber and empathetic lyrics - words that can make the manliest man cry.

With Burst Apart, Silberman strikes again. Each individual song in this album reminisces the pain and suffering Silberman experienced. My favorite song in the entire album is "No Widows." It is not only the perfect song to nod your head to the heavy drums and diverse mingled sounds, but also to fall into a deep depression from the lyrics sung and harmonized by one of the most passionate and brilliant voices.

Upcoming Concerts (New York)

I have devised a list of concerts that I want to see/will buy a ticket for/try to sneak into. This is for those who are in Gnu York or will be in Gnu York for the summer. Please inform me if I have missed some good ones that I should see. Enjoi.

YACHT @ Webster Hall - April 27th
Wolfgang Gartner @ Irving Plaza - April 28th
Cults and Oberhofer @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - April 28th
Titus Andronicus @ Maxwell's - April 29th
Of Montreal @ Webster Hall - April 30th
Yelle @ Irving Plaza - April 30th
A-trak @ Terminal 5 - April 30th
Titus Andronicus @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - April 30th
Sphongle @ Best Buy Theatre - April 30th
Lower Dens @ Mercury Lounge - May 1st
Peter Bjorn and John @ Mercury Lounge - May 2nd
Peter Bjorn and John @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 3rd
Foals @ Terminal 5 - May 4th
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart @ Webster Hall - May 6th
Interpol @ Paramount Theatre - May 6th
Minus the Bear @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 6th
Yuck @ Bowery Ballroom - May 7th
Yo La Tengo @ The Bell House - May 10th
Sleigh Bells @ Webster Hall - May 11th
Drop the Lime @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 11th
James Blake @ Bowery Ballroom - May 11th
Surfer Blood @Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 13th
Echo and the Bunnymen @ Irving Plaza - May 13th
Nneka @ S.O.B.'s - May 13th
Beirut @ The Wellmont Theatre - May 13th
Lykke Li @ Webster Hall - May 17th
Fleet Foxes @ United Place Theatre - May 18th/May 19th
The Antlers @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 19th/May20th
tUnE-YaRds @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 21st
Friendly Fires @ Webster Hall - May 25th
Death Cab for Cutie @ Bowery Ballroom - June 1st
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti @ Irving Plaza - June 2nd
Okkervil River and Titus Andronicus @ Terminal 5 - June 7th
Thao & Mirah @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - June 8th
The Dodos @ Bowery Ballroom - June 9th
Cults @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - June 9th
The Dodos @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - June 10th
Andrew Bird @ Prospect Park Bandsehll - June 10th
Kurt Vile & the Violators @ Bowery Ballroom - June 11th
Architecture in Helsinki @ Webster Hall - June 16th
Pretty Lights and Empire of the Sun and Neon Indian @ Governors Island - June 18th
Beirut @ McCarren Park - June 17th
Twin Sister @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - June 18th
Yeasayer @ Terminal 5 - June 18th
Deer Tick @ Brooklyn Bowl - June 19th
Foster the People @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - June 20th
Foster the People @ Bowery Ballroom - June 21st
Florence and the Machine and Twin Shadow @ Central Park Summerstage - June 24th
Matt & Kim and The Thermals @ Terminal 5 - June 29th
Animal Collective @ Prospect Park Bandshell - July 12th
Glitch Mob and Phantogram @ Terminal 5 - July 23rd
Sufjan Stevens @ Prospect Park Bandshell - August 2nd
Friendly Fires @ Central Park Summerstage - August 7th
Cut Copy and Foster the People @ Prospect Park Bandshell - August 11th

Lollapalooza Lineup

April 26th. The time has come. Lollapalooza lineup has officially been released. The headliners this year include, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Muse, and Coldplay.

Big year for Eminem - headlining two festivals in one summer (he will also be headlining Bonaroo). Foo Fighters are also headlining Sasquatch Music Festival and Muse will be headlining Outside Lands.

Before I compare all festivals (as now the biggest North American festival lineups have finally been released) I would like to state that I am not bias. Though I am from Los Angeles and devote my entire life savings to Coachella, I can safely say Lollapalooza lineup compared to all other North American music festivals usually is the best. However, this lineup is subpar compared to that of Coachella this year. Of course, Lolla 2011 is hosting some incredible acts - Beirut, Cold War Kids, Pretty Lights, Modeselektor, Ratatat, and Cee Lo. However, the huge festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonaroo do not include as many electronic acts as Coachella usually takes on, especially this year with Pure Filth Oasis Stage hosting big electronic headliners such as Mary Anne Hobbs, Joy Orbison, and Mount Kimbie.

Sure, people may define festivals based on their non-electronic acts. Bonaroo includes more folk and country acts than any other big music festival, which can be a determining factor for those who attend. However, for those who seek electronic artists, Coachella wins.

I am not talking about DJ's like Deadmau5 or Girltalk who are headlining Lollapalooza this year. Of course they both have performed at Coachella. I even remember watching Girltalk play a packed Sahara tent with his not-so-interesting visuals Coachella 2009. However, if you dig deeper into Coachella's 2011 lineup, you will find the pot of the gold, of those who are not playing at other big festival names, but those who definitely should.

You can find the full Lollapalooza lineup here! - http://lineup.lollapalooza.com/

Middle Brother + Dawes and Deer Tick

On March 3rd, I attended what ended up to be one of the best concerts in Boston. Only the second show of their US tour, Middle Brother performed at the Paradise Rock Club with Dawes and Deer Tick. The interesting part? Middle Brother is a collaboration of Dawes, Deer Tick, and other indie-rock band Delta Spirit. Therefore, throughout the entire concert, each member of each band was asked on stage to perform with the on-stage band. Members of Deer Tick would come on stage and sing a Dawes song and vice versa. Imagine if you saw everyone of your favorite musicians on-stage at one time, singing, dancing, having a ball. It was every folk-indie-rocksy-loving person's dream.

The entire concert was just a melting pot of talent, brilliance, and happiness. This concert was a perfect example of bands influencing audience and audience influencing the bands. The happiness and excitement from the bands on-stage exuded onto the audience, where everyone at the Paradise was also singing, dancing, having a ball. Middle Brother spontaneously ended their encore with lead singer of Deer Tick, John McChauley singing "Twist and Shout." It got every person in the audience jumping and screaming and laughing.

Middle Brother released their first album, "Middle Brother," this year. They are continuing their US tour and most likely are playing your hometown so if you missed them in Boston, make sure you do not back home. I assure you it is all worth it.

Some pictures I took from the concert:

Updated List of Concerts

Middle Brother @ Paradise Rock Club - March 3rd

The Low Anthem @ Old South Church - March 4th

Telekinesis @ TT The Bears - March 8th

Spirit Kid @ The Great Scott - March 10th

The Pogues & Titus Andronicus @ House of Blues - March 11th/12th

Crystal Castles @ House of Blues - March 19th

Simian Mobile Disco @ Paradise Rock Club - March 21st

Cold War Kids @ House of Blues - March 22nd

Glass Jaw @ Paradise Rock Club - March 25th

DeVotchka @ House of Blues - March 26th

Papercuts @ Brighton Music Hall - March 27th

The Klaxons @ Paradise Rock Club - March 28th

Warpaint @ Paradise Rock Club - March 29th

Jeff the Brotherhood & Juiceboxxx @ Great Scott - March 30th

Cults @ Brighton Music Hall - April 1st

The Mountain Goats @ Paradise Rock Club - April 1st

Mimosa @ Paradise Rock Club - April 2nd

Cut Copy @ House of Blues - April 4th

Starfucker @ Brighton Music Hall - April 5th

The Black Lips @ Paradise Rock Club - April 14th

The Go! Team with DOM @ Paradise Rock Club - April 15th

TV on the Radio @ Paradise Rock Club - April 16th

Iron & Wine and Low Anthem @ House of Blues - April 19th

Neutral Uke Hotel @ Brighton Music Hall - April 20th

Bassnectar @ House of Blues - April 22nd

Trentemoller @ Royale - April 25th

Wolfgang Gartner @ Middle East - April 25th

Battles @ Brighton Musical Hall - April 26th

Beach Fossils @ Great Scott - April 27th

Tame Impala @ Paradise Rock Club - April 28th

Of Montreal @ Paradise Rock Club - May 1st

Foals @ Paradise Rock Club - May 2nd

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart @ Paradise Rock Club - May 3rd

Peter Bjorn and John @ Paradise Rock Club - May 5th

Echo & the Bunnymen @ Paradise Rock Club - May 9th

Sleigh Bells @ Paradise Rock Club - May 10th

Tron: Legacy R3CONFIGUR3D

Some could say, the soundtrack to Tron: Legacy was a little disappointing. Some could say, the one good song is "Derezzed," which was barely even featured in the movie except in that lame scene when DP was in the club with all the other cyber people. However, there is a light. The soundtrack is remixed for the better, featuring some of the most famous and my own favorite artists, such as Glitch Mob, Moby, and Pretty Lights. Tron: Legacy R3CONFIGUR3D contains the best elements of the original soundtrack remixed with the distinctive and incredible beats from each of the other electronic artists involved.

Here is the tracklist:
01 The Glitch Mob: "Derezzed"
02 M83 vs. Big Black Delta: "Fall"
03 The Crystal Method: "The Grid/Game Has Changed"
04 Teddybears: "Adagio for Tron"
05 Ki:Theory: "The Son of Flynn"
06 Paul Oakenfold: "C.L.U."
07 Moby: "The Son of Flynn"
08 Boys Noize: "End of Line (Boys Noize Remix)"
09 Kaskade: "Rinzler"
10 Com Truise: "Enron Part II"
11 Photek: "End of Line"
12 The Japanese Popstars: "Arena"
13 Avicii: "Derezzed"
14 Pretty Lights: "Solar Sailor"
15 Sander Kleinenberg: "Tron Legacy (End Titles)"

And some more samples:

James Blake

James Blake released his new EP on BBC Radio 1 this fine morning. His new single, "Love What Happened Here," sounds like the typical James Blake-y song one would hear on his most recent album, CMYK. I say this in the best way possible. Skip through the first the first 1:15 second while Bengi B is non-stop talking, and give the song a listen -

Toro Y Moi

Toro Y Moi, an electro-pop artist, is coming out with his new album, “Underneath the Pine,” on February 22^nd. Chaz Bundick, front-man of Toro Y Moi, has created yet another chill-wave album. “Underneath the Pine” features some dance-pop and psychedelic-funk songs that will get you dancing like your parents did in the seventies. Bundick has perfected the genre of chillwave. This new album is the ideal mixture of 70’s pop and ambient rock. The tracks on the album you should listen to are “Still Sound” and “New Beat.”

Baths

If you like Animal Collective and HEALTH, Baths is just for you. Baths’ most recent album, which came out last year “Cerulean,” is the perfect mixture of experimental, eclectic, and ambient beats over soft and dreamy vocals. Baths is coming to Boston at the Brighton Music Hall in Allston February 17^th. Tickets are only $10 for possibly one of the most epic nights of your life. This band during a live set can take you on a trance-like journey. No drugs needed. There is no reason you should miss this. 

Boston Concerts

An updated list of Boston Concerts -
Tapes n Tapes & Oberhofer @ Paradise Rock Club - February 3rd

Chromeo @ House of Blues - February 3rd

Neko Case @ Wilbur Theatre - February 3rd

The Radio Dept @ Middle East - February 4th

Best Coast/Wavves @ Paradise Rock Club - February 4th

Wakey!Wakey! @ Brighton Music Hall - February 5th

Baths @ Brighton Music Hall - February 17th

Dr. Dog @ Paradise Rock Club - February 19th/20th

School of Seven Bells @ House of Blues - February 19th

White Rabbits @ Paradise Rock Club - February 24th

The Pogues & Titus Andronicus @ House of Blues - March 11th/12th

Crystal Castles @ House of Blues - March 19th

Cold War Kids @ House of Blues - March 22nd

DeVotchka @ House of Blues - March 26th

Warpaint @ Paradise Rock Club - March 29th

Jeff the Brotherhood & Juiceboxxx @ Great Scott - March 30th

Cults @ Brighton Music Hall - April 1st

The Mountain Goats @ Paradise Rock Club - April 1st

Cut Copy @ House of Blues - April 4th

Bassnectar @ House of Blues - April 22nd

The Antlers

An interview with Peter Silberman, lead vocalist of the Antlers, and Pitchfork -

Pitchfork: Did playing big shows while touring Hospice make you want to make "big" music with this album?
Peter Silberman: We definitely became a louder rock band on tour but we didn't want to do an arena rock record. Over the past couple years, we got into a lot of electronic music and post-rock that ended up coloring the new record. Stuff like Portishead, Boards of Canada, Dirty Three, Low-- I'm not listening to [Neutral Milk Hotel's] In the Aeroplane Over the Sea as much as I was when I was 19. To me, the new album sounds like an electronic, grooving record. There's less big, dramatic fanfare.
Pitchfork: After your success with Hospice, did you feel a need to hang on to fans by making something similar?
PS: For a while, I thought the next logical step from Hospice was to make some very sad, post-Hospice concept record. But thinking in those terms started to feel really manipulative and gimmicky. So I just let go of that idea and, from that point on, I was much happier.
In a lot of ways, this album is an easier record to listen to than Hospice; you can put it on and not feel like it has to be a severe emotional experience. It might be. But it could also be on in the background.
Pitchfork: Did you feel manipulative at all while playing those Hospice songs to so many people on tour?
PS: When I first started playing them, it really felt like I was just getting the message across. But, while the shows didn't become less important as time went on, my emotional intensity diminished. The record became much more real than the things it was based on. It was like I wasn't allowed to put the relationship Hospice was based on in the past. That's when I had to kind of separate myself from the songs we were playing. I'm not going to torture myself by trying to relive the songs over and over again. That'll destroy you.
Pitchfork: When I interviewed you about Hospice in 2009, you talked about how making it was a very solitary and harrowing experience. But now that you've toured a bunch and people like what you're doing, I'm guessing your life may not be so bad. Is that change reflected on the new album?
PS: That was the trickiest thing for me to figure out as far as writing this record. Hospice revolved around such a specific, crazy life event and, moving forward from that, I realized I wasn't in a position to complain anymore. I was really happy with my life. It was good because it meant that I couldn't just rely on misfortune or unhappiness to write.
This is not a sad record. It's sort of energetic and, in its way, psychedelic. It does have an emotional punch, but it's a little less desperate. There are no life or death situations on this record, no terminal illness, no abusive relationships. I felt like this album didn't necessarily have to be so directly based on my life-- it puts too much pressure on your life to be interesting. [laughs]
Pitchfork: I imagine it's tough to stay connected with the songs while not being miserable all the time, how did you figure out a way to balance that out?
PS: We went on tour with Frightened Rabbit a little while ago and I was asking [frontman] Scott [Hutchison] about this, and he said, "It's [the audience's] now. You'll sing it to them, but they're the one singing it. You can let it go and give it to them." That's how I managed to keep going.
Pitchfork: In our previous interview, you mentioned how Hospice was partly inspired by a rough breakup. Are you still in contact with that ex-girlfriend?
PS: No. One of the weirder moments of my life was running into her at our label's holiday party a couple of years ago. It was after our biggest show in New York and our Times review-- we were feeling really great. And while I caught up with her, people are coming up and congratulating me and being happy for us as a band. Meanwhile, this person who is responsible is standing right there having to see this whole full-circle thing happen. [laughs] I haven't seen her since.

Neon Indian

Rolling Stone Magazine described Neon Indian one of the hottest new bands of 2010. Their debut album, Psychic Chasms, was widely critically-acclaimed by Pitchfork Media and Spin Magazine. The album consists of songs called, “Should of Taken Acid With You,” “Ephemeral Artery” and their main track, “Sleep Paralysist.” Judging from the song titles, you can assume Neon Indian’s abstract and peculiar style of music. Their music is very feel-good dream-pop mixed with some grinding guitar. Neon Indian is currently on tour with Sleigh Bells and will be performing at the House of Blues on February 3rd with Chromeo.

The Radio Dept.

"People see rock and roll as, as youth culture, and when youth culture becomes monopolised by big business, what are the youth to do? Do you, do you have any idea?
I think we should destroy the bogus capitalist process that is destroying youth culture."

- "Heaven's On Fire" by The Radio Dept.

You might not know what to expect when you hear the dialogue in the introduction of this song. Is it about our generation? About the government? Is he really talking about capitalism? However, as you keep listening, you lose yourself to the feel-good piano and upbeat guitar giving the song an ambient yet dance-pop beat. Though the lyrics are about the hideousness that is the girl, the music is suitable to a "wake up in the morning (feeling like P-Diddy?)" type-song.

02 Heaven s On Fire by greenshoelace

The Radio Dept. will be playing at the Middle East on February 4th. I best see you there.

Trent Reznor

On January 16th 2011, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross took home the Golden Globe for best musical score. Reznor, lead vocalist of rock/electronic band, Nine Inch Nails, tweeted “Holy Shit!” shortly after his acceptance speech. Never did he, or the audience of “Social Network,” believe the soundtrack to be as successful as it became not long after the movie’s release. Reznor and Ross thoroughly deserve this award because they produced a soundtrack that defined the tone of the movie. The dark and heavy sounds of Reznor’s work portrayed the vulgarity of social networking as he invented this intense and sinister quality through a series of powerful beats and rhythms. “Hand Covers Bruise,” the album’s principal single, includes simple piano notes over a very heavy and disturbing bass in the background. “In Motion,” another single off the album, integrates violent beats and a deep bass that feels as if listeners are on an epic journey in space or in an extreme videogame. One of the most surprising elements of the album is the recreation of the classic “In The Hall of the Mountain King.” Reznor and Ross remixed this song into a more modern and industrial one remix giving it an exciting and eerie essence. The album resembles other electronic artists such as Aphex Twin and Squarepusher because of its glitchy beats and industrial compositions. Reznor and Ross certainly explored obscure elements to portray the dark undertone of the film and created not only an incredible musical score, but also a work of art.

Skream & Example

Big dubstep artist Skream is most likely known for his remix of La Roux’s “In for the Kill,” which was in the commercial for the videogame Bayonetta. The song is personally not a favorite solely because he has produced better songs. He recently released a new single with electronic artist Example called “Shot Yourself in the Foot Again.” If you like short and simple vocals over some dirty and filthy grime, this song is just for you.

Dr. Dog

Dr. Dog. You can call them indie-rock, psychedelic rock, or pop-rock. You can call them “a cross between The Beatles and The Beach Boys” such as iTunes did on their review of their most recent album Fate, but whatever genre you label this band, you cannot deny their talent. My favorite Dr. Dog songs are “Shadow People” “My Old ways” (do not listen to the Chiddy Bang’s remix of this song), and their cover of Architecture in Helsinki’s “Heart it Races.” Dr. Dog is currently on tour with The Head and the Heart and will be performing at the Paradise Rock Club next month, so look for me at the front of the line.

Coachella 2011 Lineup Finally Revealed!

Let's get real, people. I am not truly and honest to god-ly not saying this because I am trying to undermine anyone, but people who say Coachella's lineup this year is sub par, do not know half of the artists playing. Sure, some of the headliners might be too mainstream and all you pretentious people only look at Arcade Fire or Kings of Leon, and think to yourself, "What? Sex on Fire? Lame."

But really give a listen to those below. I am not talking about that indie-folky-hipstery band called Mumford and Sons or Animal Collective or even Ratatat (Hey, have you heard of this song called "Seventeen Years?). Nosaj Thing, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Titus Andronicus, Breakage, Mount Kimbie, Daedelus, Delta Spirit, Two Door Cinema Club, The Radio Dept., SBTRKT, Mary Anne Hobbs, Best Coast, Angus and Julia Stone, Phantogram, HEALTH, Trentmoller, Delorean, TOKiMONSTA, Tallest Man on Earth, Foals, Joy Orbison, Klaxons, are all bands/DJ's that really will be worth spending all that X-Mas, B-Day, Jew-Day $ on. They are too underrated to be the big, bad, and bold in-your-face font that catches your attention, such as my boy Kanye (Bro-yay?), but just as talented and worth seeing. The lineup this year, really more last year and even the year before, embodies every aspect of good music out there.

Here is the full lineup my friends -