Download: Summer Solstice Volume #1

This is a mixtape I made about a week ago and posted it on my other blog, You Are Now In The Clouds With... It's a pretty chill mixtape, featuring HipHop and Indie together. Nothing really underground, but none the less it's worth the download.

Track list:

1. B.o.B - Past My Shades (Featuring Lupe Fiasco)

2. The Black Keys - Ten Cent Pistol

3. Blu - So Perfect

4. Childish Gambino - Bitch Look At Me Now (Two Weeks)

5. Here We Go Magic - Collector

6. Theophilus London - Julia (Remix)

7. Steel Train - Bullet

8. Greta Morgan - Children in the 90s (I’m Not The Same)

9. Wiz Khalifa - We’re Done

10. Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin F. Jill Scott

11. The National - Afraid of Everyone

12. Beach House - Zebra

13. The Drums - I Felt Stupid.

Download: Megaupload

Track by Track: Beach House- Teen Dream

The Track by Track series is back. For those who are new, this is where I listen to an album on it's first listen and record my thoughts on individual songs. Lets start the 2010 segment off with Baltimore, Maryland's Beach House, who just released their third impressive record Teen Dream.

Yeah, the album art is white. And it's different.

Tracklist:

1. Zebra: When bands/artists start tracks off with a 'sleeper', some of us might automatically put off the record right away. What happens when Beach House embeds 1980's era keys with crashing symbols and soft, pinching vocals? The first track Zebra.

2. Silver Soul: To be honest, I'm not much of a fan of Silver Soul. Vocalist Victoria Legrand does her best to give her rendition of a Smiths rip off. Has strong points again with the symbols and the little duet between Legrand and Alex Scally.

3. Norway: The single and so far my favorite track of 2010. What makes the duo that is Beach House so creative and distances itself from other indie bands is this song. Mixing again beautiful guitar riffs with calm and cool voices. The song in my opinion is a similar story to Disney's 'Snow White'.

Seven figures leap the hungry mouths The beast, he comes to you He's a hunter for a lonely heart In the season of the sun

4. Walk In The Park: A beautiful follow to such a powerful song. The song demonstrates the dreary side of Victoria Legrand. In the lyrics, there's various thoughts of giving up from whoever the song is about. "In and out of my life, you would slip from my mind". A lyric that can be used by anyone if the situation presents itself.

5. Used To Be: An upbeat number, one of the only songs that break the pattern of slow numbers. It's a decent tune in it's respect.

6. Lover Of Mine: If you could compare Beach House to anyone, I'd say proudly they remind me of Tears for Fears. A duo themselves, Tear for Fears play a similar mood that Beach House performs. This song ties back to 'Norway'. Let your ears have the pleasure, not my words.

7. Better Times: Jam

8. 10 Mile Stereo: Another Jam and a half. In competition for song of the year.

9. Real Love: A slow number. The name says it all. Interesting piece with interesting concepts.

10. Take Care: Fitting name for the final track, eh? A ballad that speaks about taking care of someone that means a whole lot to you. An uplifting track that really gives a genre a lot of hope.

Score: 9/10

a personal blog post: what the hell is going on?

I'm going to pull away from music today. Though, I'll probably wind up blending something musical into this post. Life has been very weird lately. It's just been a huge blur. For one, I think I'm going deaf. I've been told I listen to the T.V. way to loud. Oh well. Another problem: School. It's been a hard junior year. Well, sorta. I didn't make honor roll..which pissed me off due to me having all grades above an 80%. Today, I forgot to stay after for Physics extra help. I really need that. Math...man I can't stand my teacher. The class is 40 minutes long, of just the class going crazy/screaming. I'm part to blame, just not a lot.

Loveless like usual. Not talking about the My Bloody Valentine album. I'm just loveless. Nothing is seeming to work out right now. Let me turn back to about a month ago, and change things up just a tad bit. I'm a silly boy. I take things too personal and I think too much. I try to repair, yet I just damage. Who knows what's going to happen. It just gives me a headache. So if you do read this, let me know what I should do.

To the music portion: I've been listening to a lot of Owen lately. Mostly (the ep) and self titled. It's just been really chilling and relaxing. Some other rec's: Beach House-Devotion. One of the best records this month. The duet is just gorgeous. The Walkmen and Born Ruffins. Their Daytrotter sessions are lovely. I'll be posting the rest of my worst albums tomorrow (Thursday). The albums of the year/songs will be up by Christmas. Hopefully, you'll give them a chance as well.

Some other personal note: I'm looking to write for a new site. I've sent some samples to Tiny Mix Tapes. No response. I've been talking to Wonka Vision Magazine. I'm totally stoked to see what can come up of this.

Until then, cheers.
-K