So we just got schooled by one of our fine readers. Brittany P. wrote in with a “Currently Listening To” list of 45 bands. Everyone from The Books to Slowdive to Galaxie 500 to Boards of Canada. Then at the very end of the list was this little note: “I’m surprised none of these bands are on 3hive.” Everyone should know that we often surprise ourselves with what we haven’t featured on 3hive. It’s those surprises that keep us doing what we do. And I believe a reminder of what we do is in order: we only feature MP3s that are provided by the artists or their labels. We made that decision early on and it’s helped to differentiate us from the crazy amounts of audioblogs out there. There are a ton of bands we’d love to feature, like the ones mentioned above, but they don’t have free and legal MP3s available. That said, Brittany’s list is highly useful as I’m sure she includes more obvious oversights on our part. Like The Helio Sequence. So listen, enjoy their space-gazing sound, and if you live in the western part of the United States, be sure you see them on tour. And keep those suggestions coming!
DJ Enso
While Enso and I have a couple things in common (a penchant for slip-on shoes and Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin) the present disconnect between my life and life reflected in “High Spirits” is comical. While plenty of you are likely “up in the club / hold[ing] your drinks high” this evening (it’s currently Saturday night), I’m sitting at home in a pair of slippers sipping chocolate soy milk. That doesn’t keep me from knowing a hot party track when I hear one. Slip “High Spirits” into your party playlist and you’ll have ’em eating out of your hand at the next mixer.
DJ Wally
Maybe I always felt a kinship to DJ Wally because his ferret is (was?) named Sam, too. More importantly, Keef DeStefano, as his parents named him, holds a place in my heart because of the role he’s played in the soundtrack of my life. See, in the mid- to late-’90s, Keef was a double threat — as DJ Wally, he’d record abstract beatscapes with a hip-hop undertow; as Pish Posh, he’d fire off rounds of infectious Big Apple drum ‘n’ bass. So I could turn to him to bring me up or chill me out. And I did. Often. These days, DJ Wally’s writing a new chapter in his discography, making music for TV shows and producing/DJing for NY rappers Proximity Minds (check Wally’s MySpace page for an audio taste). For those who haven’t had the pleasure of making his aquaintance, I introduce you to a man and his ferret…
Absinthe Glow
Thanks to Greg for suggesting Absinthe Glow, a band often compared to late 3hive fan favorite Elliott Smith. Chill out music, early morning music, music for the long drive, for the late late night alone, for looking out the window. This is anti-punk rock provided by Scott from the punk band The Fairlanes, and a new album’s worth should be forthcoming shortly.
Architecture in Helsinki
3hive fan and former student of mine Max says these guys are “the new hotness.” (He had terrible punctuation and capitalization in his e-mail message touting the band, so maybe that B+ I gave him in Composition was a bit of a gift, eh?) “Australia’s indie-pop chamber orchestra,” according to Bar None, offers up a great windows-down, warm-weather treat here, a version of their track “Do the Whirlwind” remixed by the UK’s Metronomy. Check the band’s website for a video of the original version of the song and assorted other treats.
The Soviettes
Frenzied. Snarling. Catchy. Fun. The first four words that describe the Soviettes. Not to be confused wtih the Soviets. The perfect soundtrack for working out at the gym on the Stair Master. Just be careful not to break the thing!
Candy Bars
TAKE 5 and enjoy this BOUNTY from the Candy Bars. These 3 MUSKETEERS are pretty M-AZING considering the sounds they TWIX from their instruments. A TART-N-TINY SYMPHONY. OH HENRY! you’ll say to yourself. This is the best thing I’ve heard from Florida lately BAR NONE. And don’t SNICKER but they look good too: Daniel and Ryan are BIG HUNKS, and Melissa is a DOVE. LOOK! U-NO you and your friends will be GOOD & PLENTY pleased to have this album. When May ROLO’s around and you SKOR on PAYDAY be sure to buy this GOLDEN COLLECTION of dark TREASURES. Then tell S’MORES of your friends. They’ll be indebted to you to the tune of 100 GRAND.
Commit a Faux Pas
Australia’s intrepid loop tamer Faux Pas is back with more flavor than a bag of Sunkist Fruit Gems. His sophomore effort (such a music critic’s term; who in real life ever calls a second album a “sophomore effort”?) is called Entropy Begins at Home. Here are a couple tastes:
For the Trees [MP3, 6.5MB, 192kbps]
Hermann’s Hermans [MP3, 6.0MB, 192kbps]
Barr
Just thought I’d take a sharp turn after all the pop posts of late… Brendan Fowler has been called a “motivational rapper” by some. I wouldn’t call his work “motivational” or “rap” — but I think I agree with the sentiment. I mean, the guy’s doing his thing and no one else’s. And I guess that in itself is motivational. As for the rap thing, Brendan (or Barr) spews disjointed, autobiographical streams of consciousness over basic drum beats — kind of like a more self-aware Wesley Willis, or an introspective King Missile. So it ain’t singing and it’s somewhat rhythmic, but to call it rap… All I know is it’s far more entertaining than most spoken word I’ve ever heard. So I guess there’s my pocket description: “better than spoken word” — have at it.
Is All for Updated [MP3, 3.8MB, 192kbps]
A Call [MP3, 2.5MB, 160kbps]
Lights Out [MP3, 3.2MB, 160kbps]
The Dance Floor, Get on It…This Beat Is Klepto-tronic
If anyone is capable of making the term “mash-up” seem inadequate, it’s the inimitable Kleptones, who have a new double-decker called 24 Hours. Below are a couple teasers, but you can grab the whole thing via torrent or à la carte over at Kleptones Central.
Closer to the Boxer [MP3, 6.2MB, VBR]
The Cure’s “Close to Me” vs. Asheru’s “Think About” vs. Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer”
What’s the Matter With Your Lines, Baby [MP3, 4.4MB, VBR]
Duran Duran’s version of “White Lines” (ewww!) vs. Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells’ “What’s the Matter With You Baby”
Imagine the End of the World [MP3, 6.1MB, VBR]
Super Furry Animals’ “It’s Not the End of the World” vs. John Lennon’s “Imagine”