Somebody, somewhere best beware of Jimmy Ness‘ crew. Do I sense a funk revival? “Trippy Mane” is the best recent ad-lib, TDE are the coolest black hippies around and Dam Funk has been making undeniable cosmic jams for years. Maybe we won’t be wearing flowery headscarves anytime soon, but these two Seattle ladies are definitely… Continue reading »
Google Search “Myth” by Beach House and the first results are breathless posts from ABC News, Huffington Post and Complex. The “articles” belie an already-established point: Beach House have transcended the small indiesphere and become big enough to be the recipient of a three-day long Hipster Runoff binge uncorking the word “lamestream.” I’ve always liked… Continue reading »
Shabazz Palaces, dropping the video for my favorite track off Black Up. Their raps have always seemed divined from some esoteric and secret scroll stashed in one of Haile Selassie’s hidden archives. So maybe it’s fitting that this video is half in Amharic and aims for the dopest Ethiopian vibes that the Pharcyde once spoke… Continue reading »
Douglas Martin once went by the name Ray Ray Nickel. Dee Dee Penny is nowhere near as divisive as she could be. She’s the rare musician in indie rock to seemingly have it all. The unfettered admiration of the lo-fi/garage sticker set and the intrigued curiosity of mainstream-alternative media. She’s an outstanding curator of influences… Continue reading »
Douglas Martin does not recommend Male Bonding as an adhesive. In spite of being repeatedly referred to as such, Nothing Hurts (http://passionweiss.com/2010/05/10/douglas-martins-dirty-shoes-male-bonding-gets-to-the-point-and-fast/)– Male Bonding’s forty-yard dash of a debut record– was not lo-fi. All the hallmarks were in place, though: the gnashing guitars, the skittering cymbals, the ear-piercing feedback. But those aspects were delivered with… Continue reading »
At this moment, Douglas Martin is reenacting the song “Homecoming.” After the wild artistic success of Shabazz Palaces’ Black Up– not to mention the signing of Shabazz friends and collaborators, Seattle space-rap / R&B duo THEESatisfaction– it’s hard to turn a skeptical eye at the idea of Sub Pop being a burgeoning destination for some… Continue reading »
For today, you can call Douglas Martin, Ishmael. Within the first minute of Black Up, Ishmael Butler conjures an incredibly loaded image. “I cried with Mooch at Papi’s wake / Snuck an extra slice of cake / When the pigs came ‘round to make they case / I looked them dead up in they face… Continue reading »
Photo by Alex Crick “Noir not withstanding.” Black Up. You don’t need to take tips from Shabazz Palaces’ titles to become aware that their music is murky, lampless Seattle rap (no Mix-A-Lot). When you dwell in a permanent mist, songs often assume a suffocating bass and aggression (see also: London). But unlike most of their… Continue reading »
Douglas Martin usually uses the phrase “helplessness blues” to describe confused supermarket customers. So now, I am older Than my mother and father When they had their daughter Now, what does that say about me? These are the opening words of Helplessness Blues, delivered within the first ten seconds of lead track “Montezuma”. Robin Pecknold,… Continue reading »
The Butterfly born Ishmael Butler went cocoon over a decade ago and returned with these crawling caterpillar raps. Political rap for an apolitical period. Songs as formless cryptograms. Dying and dust and blowing up hopes. Slaves to network’s master plans. Caustic chants of “who do you think you are?” The revenge of those who once… Continue reading »
Excellent Adventures
Bogus Journeys
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Listening
Jeff Weiss
Sach O
Douglas Martin
Aaron Matthews
Abe Beame
Evan Nabavian
Tosten Burks
Matt Shea
Jonah Bromwich
Reading
Jeff Weiss
Sach O
Douglas Martin
Tosten Burks
Aaron Matthews
Abe Beame
Jonah Bromwich
Watching
Jeff Weiss
Sach O
Douglas Martin
Tosten Burks
Aaron Matthews
Evan Nabavian
Jonah Bromwich
Inner Sanctum
Miscellaneous Apostles
Local Natives
Understanding Media
The Sporting Life
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
Miscellaneous
