MUSIC: The Clutters

This nice little track from Nashville band The Clutters caught my ear recently. I've always been fascinated with the Nashville scene, and obsessed with the band Forget Cassettes, so it's no surprise that I'm enjoying the heck out of these guys.

::: The Clutters - 9999 (Ways to Hate Us)

You can buy their new album Don't Believe A Word from Chicken Ranch Records.

[The Clutters on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to Yusuke Moreno.]

Tags: mp3, music, clutters, rock, nashville

MUSIC: Over the Hill

Got my hands on an interesting project put together by the folks over at Monofonus Press. It features the full-length debut CD for Over the Hill and an accompanying novella booklet by singer/songwriter Morgan Coy. The music lies somewhere in the americana vein, but it's got a little noise, a little edge, and I really like that. The tracks remind me of a local band out here (The Parish) and his voice reminds me alot of The Good Fear (an excellent band from Arkansas). I've got to say it's a really really good album and it commands full listens, as it's hard to pull out standout tracks since they're all really strong. Songwriting and instrumentation are incredibly solid.

The novella/booklet is a really hard read, although it's put together quite beautifully. Maybe it's because I had flashbacks to bad Beloved memories from high school (kind of obscure reference, sorry). Anyhow, since I can't pick favorites on this album, here are the two leading tracks which are more than enjoyable.

::: Over the Hill - Into the Desert
::: Over the Hill - Rabid

[Over The Hill on myspace.]
[Monofonus Press website.]

[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to polapix.]

Tags: mp3, music, over the hill, monofonus, americana

CONTEST: Flight of the Conchords

UPDATE: This contest has ended, congratulations to Alison of North Carolina!!! You can always find a direct link to the latest contest using the "current contest" link found in the sidebar.

Time for a new contest, hooray! HBO's got a new show called Flight of the Conchords which chronicles a New Zealand band that moves to NYC. The duo consists of Bret McKenzie (The Black Seeds, Figwit) and Jemaine Clement (The Humuorbeasts) and the act centers around a combination of acoustic folk humor.

Anyhow, up for (FREE) grabs are:
1 Robot Stress Reliever
1 DVD of the first episode
1 Poster
1 T-shirt
1 Postcard

All you've got to do is email macktronic (at) gmail (dot) com your mailing address using the subject line "FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS CONTEST". I'll select an entry at random next Friday (June 1). Good Luck!

I'm heading to a screening of the first episode tonight at The Rickshaw Stop in SF. Should be loads of fun. (The above clip is for the sketch/song called Issues (aka Think About It) and mentions rogue unicorns, which are very dangerous)

[Official Flight of the Conchords HBO website.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]

Tags: contest, flight of the conchords, hbo

LES SAVY FAV: New Song on Warm + Scratchy!

As we're all well aware of by now, I have an unhealthy obsession with Les Savy Fav. Imagine my excitement when a new track pops up on the new Adult Swim free album Warm + Scratchy! I love what Adult Swim is doing with these free online albums. And I love them oh so much more for feeding my LSF addiction. Here's the track.

::: Les Savy Fav - The Equestrian

Here's the tracklist for the entirely free and awesome album. You can download the entire thing at the link below.

Warm & Scratchy - Tracklisting

01. Me-I - TV On The Radio

02. Dead Sound - The Ravenettes

03. The Equestrian - Les Savy Fav

04. Crimson Red - The Rapture

05. Justine - 120 Days

06. Canada Vs. America - Broken Social Scene

07. Color of the love You Have - SOUND Team

08. The Bunting Song (acoustic version) - The Good, The Bad and The Queen

09. Half Century - The Brother Kite

10. Silver (Original Beats) - Jesu

11. Back to Flash - Amusement Parks on Fire

12. Stay Awake - Asobi Seksu

13. Winter - Fennesz

14. Sunset Rodeo - Liars

Download the entire Warm + Scratchy album

[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to taco hose.]

Tags: mp3, music, les savy fav, adult swim

COVERS: The Morning Benders

The Morning Benders, a great local band making some waves, have posted some covers on their blog that I thought would be worthwhile to pass along. Interesting and original choices for sure.

::: The Morning Benders - Fools Rush In (Ricky Nelson & UB40 cover)
::: The Morning Benders - Crying (Roy Orbison Cover)

[The Morning Benders on myspace.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to peter schmid.]

Tags: the morning benders, mp3, music, covers

MUSIC: Kings of Leon

It's always refreshing when a band reaches the "I'll buy whatever they put out stage" of musical appreciation. Kings of Leon have recently obtained such status for me due to a series of excellent releases. The new LP titled Because of the Times builds upon their traditional brand of south-influenced rock (I hesitate to call it "Southern Rock" because of the connotations). Here's my personal favorite tracks from the new album.

::: Kings of Leon - Black Thumbnail
::: Kings of Leon - My Party

You can buy Because of the Times here.

[Official Kings of Leon website.]
[Kings of Leon on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic Contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to rafael mendez.]

Tags: mp3, music, kings of leon

REMIX: Panther by Quarterbar

The extremely talented Quarterbar has provided Macktronic with an exclusive mash-up of Panther's new album Secret Lawns. As if the tracks weren't amazing enough, Quarterbar has combined his awesome beats with Panther's brilliance to create 7 minutes of ass-shaking magic. This is your weekend anthem my friends.

::: Panther - Secret Lawns Album (Remix by Quarterbar)

Remember that you can (should!) buy the limited edition 7-inch record of Panther's single "How Well Can You Swim" out now on Gold Robot Records.

You can also buy Panther's full-length debut over at Frykbeat.

[Panther on myspace.]
[Quarterbar on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic Contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to jaclyn jean.]

Tags: mp3, music, panther, quarterbar, gold robot records

LES SAVY FAV: Best Band Ever

A monumental oversight in the operation of Macktronic is that approximatley 243 days have elapsed on the calender without a single track posting from Les Savy Fav, the best band in the world. With a new album on the much-anticipated horizon, it's only fitting that we lay down some of our favorites for the world to hear.

::: Les Savy Fav - Who Rocks The Party (f/ Cat & The Cobra)
::: Les Savy Fav - Our Coastal Hymn (f/ Inches)
::: Les Savy Fav - Hide Me From Next February (f/ Rome)

You can buy LSF albums over at Insound vor 10% off by using the secret code "SpringGoodness" at checkout.

[Les Savy Fav official website.]
[Les Savy Fav on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic Contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to mecredis.]

Tags: mp3, music, les savy fav, best band ever

MUSIC: Favorite Hip Hop REMIXES (of late)

I do love me so hip hop remixes, the reinterpretations are always fascinating. Here are a couple that have recently caught my attention by the likes of Pistol Pete, Quarterbar, Ratatat, and Copy. Enjoy.

::: Clipse - Wamp Wamp (Pistol Pete Remix)
::: Birdman & Lil Wayne - Stuntin Like My Daddy (Quarterbar Remix)
::: Beanie Sigel & Jay-Z - Glock Nines (Ratatat Remix)
::: Lil Flip - Game Over (Copy Remix)
::: Timabland, Jay-Z, and Justin Timberlake - Laff At Em (Give It To Me Remix)

Buy these albums at Insound and get 10% off your order if you enter the secret code "SpringGoodness" at checkout. Hooray for discounts. You can get the Ratatat Remixes Volume 2 at their live shows.

[Current Macktronic Contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to superagent003.]

Tags: mp3, music, jay z, birdman, lil wayne, beanie sigel, quarterbar, pistol pete, ratatat, lil flip, copy, justin timberlake, timbaland, remix

MUSIC: PowerSolo

Ran across PowerSolo recently and the "Kat Nazer (Powersoul" track caught my ear. Then their press release cracked me up. Check it out:

Danish B-Movie punk-a-billy cats PowerSolo. It's Sick-o-billy roots, fucked up and hurt bad with tremolo-twisted echo and reverb dementia! Bullet-ridden Americana! Druggy angst and questionable mental health! Weirder and wilder… because it is from Denmark!

::: PowerSolo - Kat Nazer (Powersoul) [rec'd]
::: PowerSolo - Hillbilly Child
::: PowerSolo - Juanito

Their second album “It’s RACEDAY… And Your Pussy Is GUT!!” was released in the US April 24th on Crunchy Frog via Ryko.

[PowerSolo on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic Contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to rutabegabunny.]

Tags: mp3, music, powersolo, rockabilly, denmark, rock

REVISIT: M.I.A.

This track was my favorite off of M.I.A.'s Piracy Funds Terrorism Volume 1 from a few years back. All in all, a very promising album; I find her to be a fairly polarizing and magnetic character. At the very least, my ears always perk when her name floats up. I don't think we've heard the best she has just yet.

::: M.I.A. - Lady Killer

[M.I.A. on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic Contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to xkio.]

Tags: mp3, music, MIA, lady killer, awesome

RANDOM: Good Stuff

For some reason I've been listening to a random assortment of tracks lately, many of them by bands with albums coming up on the horizon. I usually follow a consistent theme or pattern in my selection of music, oftentimes only listening to one band for days at a time. However, this last week or so has taken me down a different path. The songs below were chosen for, in no particular order, the following reasons:

(a) Originally released stateside by an awesome label.
(b) Song title includes my go-to drug for comedic references.
(c) I saw the band live on Friday for free.
(d) An old standby band about to release some new nastiness.
(e) Bonus tracks and free stuff and vinyl.
(f) One of my favorite tracks off an older album by a fantastic band.

::: The White Stripes - Hand Springs
::: Tap Tap - 100,000 Thoughts
::: Arctic Monkeys - Matador
::: The National - Available
::: These Arms are Snakes - Mescaline Eyes
::: Frog Eyes - The Horse Used to Wear a Crown

Remember to enter the free macktronic contest for a chance to wind a vinyl single from the Arctic Monkeys which has some unreleased tracks on it.

[White Stripes on myspace.]
[Tap Tap on myspace.]
[Arctic Monkeys on myspace.]
[The National on myspace.]
[These Arms Are Snakes on myspace.]
[Frog Eyes on myspace.]

[Current Macktronic Contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to doublespeak.]

Tags: mp3, music, white stripes, arctic monkeys, frog eyes, these arms are snakes, tap tap, the national

REVISIT: Volunteer Pioneer

Alot has happened since the last time I wrote about Volunteer Pioneer. In January, their harpist/vocalist Sabrina Duim past away unexpectedly. This was right around the time their debut EP was going to press. After some delays and an artwork redesign, it's finally been released. Brilliant and beautiful, you will not be disappointed.

::: Volunteer Pioneer - Fear of Cholera

You should certainly buy the limited edition (200) new 7-song EP by Volunteer Pioneer directly through the band from their myspace page. It's so incredibly good.

An interview with Volunteer Pioneer can be found on Bay Bridged as well.

Also, remember to enter the current macktronic contest.... Up for grabs is a free vinyl single for the Arctic Monkeys.

[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to oirectine.]

Tags: mp3, music, san francisco, volunteer pioneer

CONTEST: Arctic Monkeys Vinyl (FREE)

UPDATE: This contest has ended, congratulations to Sharon of San Francisco!!! You can always find a direct link to the latest contest using the "current contest" link found in the sidebar.

Alright, new contest! If you'd like to get your hands on the new 12" single for the Arctic Monkey's "Brianstorm" for free then you're in luck. Just send an email with the subject line "ARCTIC MONKEYS CONTEST" to macktronic (at) gmail (dot) com and include your mailing address. A winner will be chosen at random. Here's the tracklist for the 12" vinyl single which includes 3 tracks not on the CD.

track 1 - if you found this it's probably too late

track 2 - brianstorm

track 3 - temptation greets you like your naughty friend

track 4 - what if you were right the first time?

Buy the Arctic Monkey's new release Favourite Worst Nightmare here. It's a good listen. And here are a couple tracks for your listening pleasure.

::: Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm [zShare] [divShare]
::: Arctic Monkeys - Do Me A Favour [zShare] [divShare]

[Official Arctic Monkeys website.]
[Arctic Monkeys on myspace.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]

Tags: mp3, music, free, contest, arctic monkeys, vinyl

REMIX: Beastie Boys by Quarterbar

Ran across this set of remixes by Quarterbar recently. Four Beastie Boys tracks off of Paul's Boutique, one of my all-time favorites. Pretty sick take on some classics.

::: Beastie Boys - Stop That Train (Quarterbar Remix)
::: Beastie Boys - Shake Your Rump (Quarterbar Remix)
::: Beastie Boys - Car Thief (Quarterbar Remix)

One more track over can be found here. He's got lots of remixes and sample tracks on the websites linked below.

[Quarterbar website.]
[Quarterbar on myspace.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to instantly.]

Tags: mp3, music, remix, beastie boys, quarterbar, paul's boutique

REMIX: Clipse

Ever since I heard "Grindin'", The Clipse can't seem to do wrong in my mind. Been listening to Hell Hath No Fury alot of late, along with this remix. Pretty good layover of "Cocaine", and certainly thematic.

::: Clipse - Re-Up Anthem (Catchdubs Mix)

[Clipse on myspace.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to iamdonte.]

Tags: mp3, music, rap, clipse, remix