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Okay, i'm officially cold. There, winter. You got me. You win. Congratulations. Even with the heat occasionally up to 70, I'm still wearing my hoodie. I suppose we mark that one up to having a house that's 100 years old with it's 12 foot ceilings.
The good news, however, is that Christmas shopping is just about complete. Coupled with a nice weekend that featured Bardstown Rd. (here in Louisville) being lit up with a few dozen carolers and a few thousand passersby picking through the local mom n' pops, and this Little Big Town has become a pretty delicious slice of something out of the early 1900's. Cheers to you Louisville. Now, let's do this!
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Julian Casablancas – I Wish It Was Christmas Today
I’m standing up for this one. Truth be told, as much as I wanted to love the new Julian Casablancas solo record, I’ve been pretty under whelmed. But then he goes and slaps a bonus track on it that features him covering the classic SNL holiday song originally sang by Horatio Sanz. What makes this cover so good is that Julian takes it back to his earlier Strokes sounds, instead of the abstract synth-heavy tones that dominate the rest of the disc.
Spoon – Written In Reverse
The official first single from the new LP, Transference, (to say, that doesn’t include Got Nuffin’ or recently leaked Mystery Zone), took me a few listens to really get into it, but I’ve been hooked since. It doesn’t stray too far from anything we’ve heard in the past, but then again, no other band really sounds like Spoon, so I guess it’s okay if they’re not in a rush to go beyond what we already know. If you like Spoon, it’s pretty solid.
Animal Collective – What Would I Want? Sky
DISCLAIMER: I’ve unintentionally ignored them the whole way so far. It’s not that I had a reason, but when too many hip kids start raving in unison, its easy to shut the whole thing out. And really, that’s too bad, because as I suspected, it’s not too bad. Sure, it meanders (which most fans would say is a strong point), but when this song hits, from their new Fall Be Kind EP, its got some definite nice moments.
Boy & Bear – Mexican Mavis
I’ve really been diggin’ on this one since it was featured in the latest World Alliance Pact, and quickly became picked up around the web from there. It’s from an Australian chap who’s been working on finding his own direction through trail & error. The destination falls somewhere between Arctic Monkeys latest foray and Blitzen Trapper. That’s to say, it’s pretty great.
Art Museums – Sculpture Gardens
As I mentioned in the broadcast, it feels like it could be right out of the Wes Andersen songbook. New signee’s to Woodsist – which seems to be the reason everyone is talking about them. It’s fine.
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – Even Heroes Have To Die
There has been quite the growing crowd anticipating Ted’s newest. He’s reportedly been hard at work for the better part of the year on the record, releasing some demo’s here and there to keep our appetites whet. To conclusion is the high end guitar pop rock meets punk that brought us in the begin with. Look out for The Brutalist Bricks come March.
Don Diablo – Rave Rave Rave
It’s been a pretty huge year for Diablo. The DJ has made gold out of many of remixes and hit a status that puts him on top of the reviews with every release. Unfortunately, his originals have stacked up to his remixes. Now he has a new EP, I Am Not From France, and seems to have finally found that perfect disco groove with Rave Rave Rave. The title should say it all, but don’t expect late 90’s nostalgia. He keeps the movements constant and the twists n’ turns a’plenty.
Toro Y Moi – Blessa
Columbia, SC kid who has been getting a steady stream of web press lately. File under dreamy bedroom pop with a little Memory Tapes, a little “Sleepyhead” Passion Pit, and a little old school trip-hop for good measure.
Zeus – Marching Through Your Head
Someone had given me an EP with this track a couple months back and I remember really liking it, but like some tend to do, it slipped through the cracks and was forgotten. Luckily, it got a few big hits this week and brought it back into attention. Jumping from the EP to be featured on the upcoming full length, its showcasing a band who knows the indie-pop formula and plays it to its strengths.
Pezzettino – You Never Know
The peppy acordionista who came to our attention at the beginning of the year is back with a 45 and her catchiest song single yet. Repetitious ear candy that’ll be there when you try to fall asleep tonight.
Grizzly Bear – Cheerleader (Neon Indian ‘Sega Genesis P-Orridge’ Remix)
It doesn’t get anymore uber-hip than this. Two of the years buzziest together under one beat. It’s fun, and definitely gives a flip to the album version, but probably won’t stick around, say, the way all of the recent Phoenix remixes have.
Morningbell – Good Morning, I’m Here
I’m not sure what it is about this Tampa, FL band that’s kept me so interested, but whenever their music shuffles up, I find myself more times than not hitting the repeat button.
Shout Out Louds – Walls
Lots of folks are pretty amped on this one, but I can’t follow. It’s a pretty decent hook, but what is it about this song that we haven’t been hearing for the past six years? (then again, I guess I could ask the same about most of the songs on here)
Idiot Glee – All Packed Up
Lexington, KY fella following in the Panda Bear footsteps and doing pretty well. It’s more bedroom lo-fi, but it’s got something a little extra. When his vocals pop on at the :30 mark, it transcends the usual vacant area that this genre likes to bury the melody in. While there is no take-off, and ultimately no pay-off, I don’t feel cheated. It’s ends as unassuming as it began, which is about as good as we can ask for. Beauty in the subtlety.
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The Weekly Feed is distributed by WFPK and Louisville Public Media. The executive producer is Stacy Owen, with additional help from WFPK’s Laura Shine. Produced and hosted by Kyle Meredith. Make sure to say hi, yeah?
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