MUSIC: Arthur & Yu

Got the new album by Arthur & Yu in the mail over the weekend (which I ordered from the newly launched Hardly Art record label) and was able to fully digest it in the last 24 hours. It's a romantic and fuzzy album, creating an intimate space for the listener; it's also surprisingly forceful for one reason or another, as repeated listens increased the sound's gravity. While that last sentence is long, confusing, and quite obtuse, it's the only way I could accurately describe how the album made me feel. Guess all you need to know is this: It's good. Cue the track.

::: Arthur & Yu - Come to View (Song for Neil Young)

You can buy their debut LP on Hardly Art, titled In Camera, over at the label's website.

[Arthur & Yu on myspace.]
[Hardly Art website.]
[Hardly Art on myspace.]

[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to tmatthewc.]

Tags: mp3, music, arthur and yu, hardly art, seattle

NEW MUSIC: Pet Politics

Magnus (aka Pet Politics) was kind enough to send over an excellent new track, and I currently think of it as the perfect companion to an unmotivated Monday. It's a damn good song.

::: Pet Politics - When I Get Old

Remember that you can buy an excellent 4-song Pet Politics EP from Catbird Records for only 3 bucks. Now that's a deal.

[Pet Politics on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to haplochant.]

Tags: mp3, music, pet politics

MUSIC: The Press

Caught wind of this great band through their label, Goodnight Records, and was immediately impressed. The Press, a Brooklyn via Atlanta via Boston four-piece, are certainly planted in the angular indie rock sounds so popular these days, but they bring an energetic approach that calls back to some of my favorite bands (touchstones such as The Talking Heads). Here's a track off their upcoming EP.

::: The Press - Krab Teeth

Currently, you can buy their previous EP and 7-inch from Goodnight Records. The new EP titled "Milk, and the Times that Never Were" will be released on September 18.

[The Press official website.]
[The Press on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to polifemus.]

Tags: mp3, music, rock, the press, goodnight records

CONTEST: FADER + Jerry Garcia

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

Sweet, another contest from the folks at FADER! Up for grabs this time is a set of Jerry Garcia items in honor of the latest edition of FADER magazine. Both are extremely limited edition, here are the details on each:

GARCIA t-shirt
GARCIA poster

To enter the contest, send an email to macktronic (at) gmail (dot) com with the subject line "FADER GARCIA CONTEST" and we'll pick a winner on Friday June 22nd. Be sure to include your mailing address in the email. Good luck!

Download the new issue of FADER featuring some great writing on Jerry Garcia for FREE.

[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to FADER.]

Tags: contest, fader, jerry garcia

MUSIC: The Tunnel

Recently caught a set by a new local (SF) band called The Tunnel at the most interesting Eagle Tavern. This two-person set-up (Jeff Wagner and Patrick Crawford) played an electric set in what was apparently their first show. Their sound immediately made connections to the work of Nick Drake, with lurching dark powerful tracks. Although it's a minimalist set-up, the sound is anything but. Here are some tracks.

::: The Tunnel - Drop Dead Delilah [highly rec'd]
::: The Tunnel - Nicely Done
::: The Tunnel - Shifty Shambles

These are the first three songs off their new EP. If you want a copy of the whole thing, just go on over to their website and email them to get one for yourself.

[The Tunnel official website.]
[The Tunnel on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to blackscoota.]

Tags: mp3, music, tunnel, san francisco, rock

MUSIC: The Lodger

One of my favorite labels, Slumberland Records, has a new release out by The Lodger. This three piece outfit coming out of Leeds plays crashing British pop that recalls The Buzzcocks, The Smiths, and The Wedding Present. Here are a couple tracks off of the new release titled Grown-Ups.

::: The Lodger - Many Thanks For Your Honest Opinion
::: The Lodger - Kicking Sand
::: The Lodger - My Advice Is On Loan

Cruise on over to the Slumberland site for a few more MP3's and ordering info.

[The Lodger on myspace.]
[Slumberland Records on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to minicooper01.]

Tags: mp3, music, lodger, slumberland, pop, leeds

CONTEST: Warm + Scratchy

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

Alright, another contest! This one is from the Adult Swim folks and it features items revolving around the recent Warm + Scratchy music release. The prize includes a Williams Street Records canvas messenger bag filled with a whole lotta Adult Swim swag: Warm & Scratchy on CD, an ATHF koozie, adult swim postcard book, meatwad stressball, adult swim button set, adult swim sticker set, williams street t-shirt, ATHF movie mix CD, adult swim belt, assy keychain, adult swim notebook, and a williams street button. Wow, that's alot of stuff.

To enter the contest, email macktronic (at) gmail (dot) com your mailing address using the subject line "WARM + SCRATCHY CONTEST". I'll choose a winner at random on Friday June 15. Good luck!

Here are some tracks off the Warm + Scratchy compilation:

::: TV on the Radio - Me I
::: The Raveonettes - Dead Sound
::: The Rapture - Crimson Red
::: Broken Social Scene - Canada VS America

(What does the above picture have to do with Warm + Scratchy, you ask? Well, it's from the empty VIP room at The Fort during the Adult Swim party at 2007's SXSW!)

[Warm + Scratchy Website.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to Indiana Adams.]

Tags: contest, free, mp3, music, tv on the radio, raveonettes, rapture, broken social scene, adult swim, warm, scratchy