Pasta Primavera

Monthly Archive for April, 2009

The Run Down – April 30, 2009

If you’re looking for some solid crazy entertainment tonight then look no further than the Metro Gallery here in Baltimore who have the megamen The Protomen playing.  If you aren’t so space inclined then perhaps the Ottobar has your ticket with Kevin Devine, Miniature Tigers, Brian Bonz, and Elder Statesmen.  Down in DC don’t miss a great band from NYC Dinosaur Feathers who play Solly’s Tavern with Pearl and the Beard and The Never.  Finally the mega show is at the 9:30 Club with The Kills, The Horrors, and Magic Wands.  Should be sweet.

mp3: The Kills – Goodnight Bad Morning

mp3: The Horrors – Who Can Say

mp3: Kevin Devine – Just Stay

mp3: Miniature Tigers – Hot Venom

Photo of the Kills via

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Suggested Listening: The Naked Hearts

What’s this I found in my inbox the other day?  NYC’s duo of Amy Cooper and Noah Wheeler aka The Naked Hearts and their new EP These Knees!  This rock music is bathed in the shadows of mid 1990s alternative rock (Lemonheads, The Breeders, Juliana Hatfield) with stark yet sometimes bright guitars and drums highlighted by the sometimes echo-laden always deep and smooth vocals of Amy Cooper.  These Knees didn’t overwhelm me instantly, rather it’s a slow burner that gently warmed me up after my mid afternoon coffee break.  Nice.

mp3: The Naked Hearts – Only For You

You can catch them live on the west coast in June with PWRFL Power.  Check their myspace for the dates.

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New Metric Video – “Help, I’m Alive”

Metric have just released a new video for the track “Help, I’m Alive”  (probably my favorite off of Fantasies).  It’s actually a short film by Deco Dawson with Metric’s song as the soundtrack.

mp3: Metric – Help, I’m Alive

Photo: Justin Broadbent

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New Sunset Rubdown – “Idiot Heart”

We get our first peek at the new fuller sound of Spencer Krug’s Sunset Rubdown with the first track released off of the upcoming Dragonslayer (6/23 Jagjaguwar) entitled “Idiot Heart”.  I happen to be a lover of all things Krug – seems like whatever he produces is gold and that stays true with this highly energized track.  It’s nice to hear such volume coming from a Sunset Rubdown song – now I’m REALLY excited about this album.

mp3: Sunset Rubdown – Idiot Heart

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The Run Down – April 29, 2009

Tonight in DC don’t miss out on our friends Bellman Barker and their first appearance on the big stage of the 9:30 Club.  They will open for Cage The Elephant.  Also in DC are Chain and the Gang, The Hive Dwellers, and Mahjongg who play Comet Ping Pong.  Up in Philly the Bass takes the stage again at the Wachovia Spectrum while The Major Leagues take on the M Room with Youth Group and An American Chinese.  Finally don’t lose sight of what’s happening at the North Star Bar because they have Kevin Devine, Miniature Tigers, and Brian Bonz playing.  Enjoy!

mp3: The Major Leagues – Fire

mp3: Bellman Barker – Wyoming (Demo)

mp3: Kevin Devine – Wolf’s Mouth

mp3: Miniature Tigers – Giraffe

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Suggested Listening: DOOM’s “Born Like This”

It’s taken me a while amidst all the days of great rock and electronic pop music to actually take in the new DOOM album…which is a sham really because I had been anticipating Born Like This for longest time.  DOOM doesn’t disappoint either (I don’t think he ever does).  It’s an album that is loose and fun and ALL ABOUT RHYMES.  That’s what you get when you listen to him – rhymes, a beat, and the end.  No chorus, just laser lines like my new favorite “Get ‘em like Jake The Snake on mescalin” from “Gazillion Ear” or perhaps the usage of one of my favorite terms “Bee’s Knees” on “That’s That”.  These rhymes are spouted in his classic stream of consciousness flow that only stops when the beat does.  Sure there’s no mold shattering revelations on the LP, but I wasn’t looking for them.  Now we just have to wait for the long rumored Ghostface/DOOM collaboration…or how about Madvillainy 2?

mp3: DOOM – Gazillion Ear

mp3: DOOM – That’s That

As a bonus recently they’ve unearthed a forgotten Madvillainy gem and here it is:

mp3: Madvillainy – One Beer (Drunk Version)

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New M. Ward Video – “Rave On”

M. Ward’s Hold Time has been getting a consistent amount of play around these parts recently and now it’s getting some viewing as well with his new video for the track “Rave On” which features Zooey Deschanel and briefly reunites the She & Him duo.  The video is directed by Mike Please and sports some beautiful animation throughout.  Enjoy!

mp3: M. Ward – Rave On

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Remix: The Hood Internet Mash Up Grizzly Bear and Dead Prez

Is there anything The Hood Internet can’t do?  I’m pretty sure there isn’t.  Their latest mash fest involves Grizzly Bear’s “Two Weeks” and a classic Dead Prez track.  The result is something I’ll be listeing to for a long time.  The tracks blend perfectly.  Who knew Grizzly Bear would flow so nicely with hip hop?  Apparently The Hood Internet did.

mp3: The Hood Internet – Two Weeks Of Hip Hop (Grizzly Bear vs. Dead Prez)

As usual you can find tons more great tracks like this one over at their site.

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