The High Road is out today!

Get Broken Bells [The High Road +Video]

If you’re not familiar with Koushik its time to start paying attention. His last release Out My Window came out in 2008 on Stone Throw Records(vocal and instrumental release available). Its an album that is widely unknown that needs to be visited by you and others. Its the haze of summer gently humming through the speaks, its indeed my summer time play. When we roll to the lakes beneath the Smoky Mountains, Koushik provides the background. Constant rotation!

“Koushik Ghosh, a first-generation Canadian born to two genetic engineers and brother of Himadri Ghosh from the techno group Teste, goes by just his first name as a producer and singer on Peanut Butter Wolf’s Stones Throw label. DJing since 14, Koushik grew up outside of Hamilton, Ontario, going to Indian classical singing lessons with his mother and listening to bands like My Bloody Valentine and Funkadelic, and later on, Madlib and Jay Dee. After completing his masters degrees in biostatistics and ethnomusicology from the University of Vermont, Koushik went on to release 2005′s Be With (whose sound reflects the eclecticism in his musical tastes), which includes songs off his Be With, One in a Day, and Battle Times EPs. Previous to that he co-wrote and sang two songs on Manitoba (later re-named Caribou)’s 2003 Up in Flames record. Koushik’s long awaited full-length debut, Out My Window came out in 2008 and not very coincidentally, had much in common with Caribou’s 2007 Andorra. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide”

Heligoland, the much, much anticipated, long overdue album from Massive Attack is available for pre-order in a number of formats (releases 2/8/2010). There is a new “LP’ format from iTunes that will include 6 bonus tracks and exclusive art – two of the tracks (unfortunately) are only available on iTunes (and they may just be worth it). This new version will also include an enhanced version of the standard artwork plus new works and photos not available anywhere else. As of now, you can only purchase the entire album not individual tracks. A special triple vinyl / cd format with additional art will also be available – no word yet on where it will be distributed through.

Heligoland is the fifth studio album from Massive Attack and the first studio album since 2003′s critically-acclaimed 100th Window, created solely by Robert Del Naja (3D) as the other founding members split after the 1998 album Mezzanine. Grand Marshall (Daddy G) returns on Heligoland as well as long time vocalist cohort Horace Andy. In typical Massive fashion, the new album features an all-star cast of guest vocals from Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorrillaz), Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star), Martina Topley-Bird (Tricky), Guy Garvey (Elbow) and Tunde Adebimpe (TV On The Radio). The band also collaborated with DFA’s Tim Goldsworthy on selected tracks as well as guitar from Portishead’s Adrian Utley. The cover, as in Splitting The Atom and various UNKLE albums, is original artwork from Del Naja.

Pre-order Massive Attack, Heligoland CD (Available 2/9)

Pre-order Massive Attack, Heligoland MP3

Pre-order Massive Attack, Heligoland ‘LP’ from iTunes

Pre-order Massive Attack, Heligoland from iTunes

Gust of Wind # 13

Atlas Sound, Logos

Kranky

This Gust of Wind wakes you when the dogs howl rides over the empty streets. You lift up suddenly from dreaming of something you vividly recall, but can’t decisively remember.

Bradford Cox has become a name in the last few years that packs several meanings. Not only is he a part of the exceptionally regarded group called Deer Hunter; he also managed to find time to invent a fresh side-project in Atlas Sound. Both have become regulars on many different lists of praise. This album is just another addition to an already impressive body of work that deserves a thorough listen – Sign me up!

Logos has many personalities throughout. From track to track, there is a plethora of emotions, which seem recorded over a time frame consisting of excessive highs and lows. It’s a connection album with Cox waiving a mirror to see his own reflections in different forms of light. In this case the light is the special guests that contribute to the record. There is a small touch of melancholy in all of this, but certainly enough joy to compound the darkness into something more than a lonely impression.

“Walkabout,” featuring Panda Bear of the group Animal Collective, is one of the brightest spots on the Album. It’s a catchy sample with harmonies leaving a memorable touch. The track “Quick Canal,” featuring Laetitia Sadier of Stereo Lab, is the part of the record where you take off in your own head. Her voice soars well over Atlas Sound’s atmospheric steadiness, and this collaboration is worth exploring in the future. Another track that really sounds amazing is called “Shelia.” Cox sings, “When we die we’ll burry ourselves, because no one wants to die alone,” and as the track fades he belts “Die alone together.” Something we all have pondered momentarily throughout our daily lives.

The original flare, and chameleon sensibility on Logos, gives it enough playing power to stick around as a nice addition to any collection.

- Ryan Boos

Animal Collective has notably been one of the most recognized, top selling and unarguably inventive indie acts of 2009. With their album Merriweather Post Pavilion topping the charts among massive pop bands and cookie cutter rap artists. They’re ending this year with a new EP release, Fall Be Kind is out today. The EP features 5 brand new studio tracks that are every bit as lush and beautiful as those found on Merriweather. The year of Animal Collective continues.

Finally, officially released in the US… Vitalic, Flashmob is out today (11/3) on Different.

If your heavy into  electro, disco, aggressive bass lines or dance pop this album is sure to please. Tracks such as “Poison Lips” will undoubtedly bring a new crowd to Vitalic’s fan base and convince ol’ school dance addicts to explore further into the album… while bringing dark, electro-heads into a euphoric dance club state. “Chicken Lady” combines grimy 8-bit video-gamish sounds, razor-sharp bass and comedic vocal samples for a silly but extremely danceable track. “Your Disco Song,” the albums single, borders on a club killer from Daft Punk that begs for peak play but doesn’t leave you feelin used and exploited. “One Above One” mirrors the likes of Ladytron as straightforward bass flows freely through delicate female vocals. “Still” gets more IDM and shows Vitalic’s keen sense of melody and charming vocal edits and effects. “Terminateur Benelux” pushes you forward with solid bass and far-out synths adding movements with edits and accurately place vocal stabs. The track is then chopped at the limbs in preperation of a funky breakdown… only to mold this beast back into a full fledged killer. The tantalizing subtle nature of “Allen Dellon” begs for peace as the synthy tones are plucked out of a scenic shot from a late ’80s sci-fi action flick.

Vitalic has blown me away with this album, a follow up to his much praised 2005 debut Ok Coyboy; an album that left my tastes in need of a pallet rinse.  Flashmob is a perfect blend interesting electro, fun dance tracks, crushed low-fi samples and production edits that keep you guessing. A must have.

Gust of Wind # 11
Taken by Trees, East Of Eden
Rough Trade

This Gust of Wind comes to us with a sincerity that follows down a path of raw tradition, fluently mixing two cultures together that are connected by the past, and haunted by the future.

East of Eden’s songs are thoroughly accessible, and most of the music comes from instrumentations generally found in the World genre. On their latest effort, Taken by Trees makes it clear that Pakistan’s rich musical history is expressed through the lens of the western world’s pop culture. The album is soothing to say the least. It lays with a beautiful texture that calls upon peace to all. I see the flags blowing in the wind, and the rich fulfilling ability of East of Eden lifting the hearts of millions.

The Animal Collective cover “My Boys” is for sure a flowing treat of a jam, which makes smiling easy. Another favorite moment is the tune “Anna.’ Right from the beginning Taken by Trees puts you in the middle of group chant. The field recordings are vibrant, and as the voices fade, the song rolls through to reveal itself.  The melody stays with you long after it passes by, which is a reoccurring theme on this record. Quite honestly the whole thing is fantastic. It breathes new life into sound, and takes the time to instill a sense of deepness. I recommend turning the lights to a minimum, maybe a candle, bottle of red, and some shared time with close friends.

This record does make me think about more then just music. Is America’s beauty as deep as we think? Have we lost the raw sensibility of originality? By erasing the lines of our ocean’s shores, have we covered up America with the world? Do we erase the nature of other cultures by assimilating them with our glory in self righteousness? These questions might be too much for a simple review, but this music begs for these questions, b/c it’s unhinged from the sound of prepackaged products. Its beauty is obvious from the first tone, and I can’t help but think how much American (popular) music has gone cold when compared to the fresh tonality Taken by Trees conveys. Its cold in the sense that today’s most purchased music sounds like non-creative pieces of forgetful muck.

Taken by Trees offers much more then the warmth of a spinning record, or the cold emptiness of a download. This wondrous album will make you appreciate the world. I couldn’t listen without thinking of the major issues this country faces with the East, and the inevitable (second) troop increase for the fight in Afghanistan. I would be dishonest if I simply stated how amazing I find this record without mentioning the issues, and the scary as hell situation we find ourselves in, yet again. I believe that music can heal wounds, and bring forth the humanity in all of us – I realize my belief is a quixotic one.

Special Note:

President Obama I voted for you. I believe in the words you say, but I disagree with you on all fronts when it comes to the “War on Terror,” and the troop increase for Afghanistan. Let us not forget the past in order to react in the future. We have seen this story before, especially the one where the United States inflates an enemy to promote a war. I call on the history of LBJ, Nixon, and more recently George W. Bush. All three men went to wars that were not of necessity, but of choice, and bad choices they turned out to be. America cannot be the ruler of all lands, and Democracy cannot be the solution to all the world’s issues. The vast diversity, both secular and religious, can never be blanketed by the policies of the most powerful; the world’s people will never let this happen. Killing millions away from home to make up for thousands lost at home doesn’t seem to be a logical explanation for war. We are America, and that’s a pretty cool thing, but it’s not the only thing.

Let’s get the hell out of these Wars!

- Ryan Boos Oct 27, 2009

Gust of wind # 10

Califone, All My Friends Are Funeral Singers

This Gust of Wind goes round and round, painting pictures in the fog.  The dead leaves swirl through the night, casting silhouettes above railroads. Inevitably, the street light will flicker in the dead ends of inner-city neighborhoods.

My appreciation for Califone runs deep. I think they stay true to their creative intent and never veer off course for the temporary satisfactions of conformity. There music sets its own standard, its own place, in the middle of this packed house of trends. This record continues their profound evolution as a serious band, with serious staying power. All My Friends Are Funeral Singers is a raw look into the deep edges of Califone.

On this latest record, Califone expresses a big sense of grit that surrounds the gorgeous blues of their previous releases. The track “1928” is a great tune to carry you through walks on down the road – your mind watching the leaves swirl, as the passers by chat on their cell phones. It has this mysterious ability to compel reflection; it’s the sliding of the guitar and the rustic vocal tone, mixed with a glitch mash up of real and electronic instrumentation.

Another favorite moment on this record is the song “Ape-like.” From the beginning it comes off as a barn burner, essentially jarring your attention back to the front. The rest of this record can help you get lost for awhile, and “Ape-like” brings you back.

Califone is becoming one of those groups that sits above the rest of the pack, which is to say they’re one of a handful of bands that will be here for years to come. All My Friends Are Funeral Singers is indeed a true piece of art-work. It’s sound is made from real artists with a real appreciation for their craft.

Ryan Boos – October 12, 2009

In & Out of Control, the new album from the Raveonettes, is out today. A follow up to the Danish rockers Lust Lust Lust, In & Out of Control dares to mix mid-sixties pop rock with the cold darkness of modern culture. Pushing in and out of topics such as drugs, rape, violence and love… though do not let that scare you. The Raves have skillfully crafted an album that takes you on a journey through happiness and misery, psychedelics and bubblegum, and will have you singing about suicide with a smile.

Gust of Wind # 8

Air, Moon Safari

Astralwerks

http://en.aircheology.com/

This Gust of Wind gives meaning to the word Classic, establishing its place as one of the most important albums to hit the shelves in a long time.

Since Air will be releasing their new album Love 2, on October 6th, I thought this would be a good time to rehash Moon Safari, and reflect on its amazing feeling. Moon Safari is by far the best album released by the profound French duo. For those who missed this record, I strongly recommend purchasing it; they recently reissued it with quality extras.

From the beginning the music buckles you in for a hazy trip, flowing in the mystical tones, and wilderness of sound that makes Moon Safari such a classic. The instruments speak to the mind, the rhythm fluid and consistent, while the keys are able to ride just above in a liberating way. Throughout this record the science fiction noises of the future interject over the bands thorough instrumentation’s – essentially, the backdrop of time and the places we see ourselves in, are running parallel with Moon Safar, as it takes us through the tides, and the mystique of the other side.

Air is out there, no question, and they connect to a dimension that requires a great focus. But not only is this record a path toward an influx of futuristic revelation, or a focus for the reality of nature, or one’s self. It has the tools to provide some moments that are simply fun, without losing the unique destination of the journey, or the fatigue of too much thought. Let go, and let Air design new images in your mind, new ideas for your own creativity, new energy for new ambitions, and a place to escape when the material world gets too crowded.

This is one of the best albums ever recorded, and easily one of my top five of all time. It’s a bit hard to believe two people  thought of something this wonderful, but in the reality of technologies today only a human can translate emotion to others, as if we are all connected by an invisible rope.

All day today there is an official Air, Love 2 world premiere listening party – World Premiere Listening Party: Listen to “LOVE 2″ Online Now! (starts at 12.00 CET on monday 28th, for 24 hours)

- Ryan Boos, September 28, 2009