le loup – “morning song”

Twangy twang! Good morning from some local DC kids.

Got this off of the new Blackberry Messenger commercial, no lie.

the centre piece – “rhythmic summer”

Laid-back song, amazing texture. It was released by Dedicated Records as a part of a free EP, which you can get (and listen to) here. I haven’t taken a look at the rest of the album.

marina & the diamonds- hollywood (acoustic)

Marina & The Diamonds is a lot like Florence & The Machine, not just because of the name, but because of the way their voices immediately resonate under your skin. I am obsessed with Marina and have been since I first heard of her. Her “Family Jewels” album is so good, so on point, the lyrics are so real and surprising. Plus, she’s just so damn cute in this video. …Anyway…you may be wondering, who exactly are the diamonds? Not these dudes playing along with her, but WE are the diamonds, or her fans, rather. Marina’s last name is Diamandis, which means diamonds in Greek. So it all comes together. Ok enough, enjoy the acoustic version of “Hollywood”, which I wouldn’t say is better than original, but I personally like it more.

-nahomes

grizzly bear – “boy from school” (hot chip cover)

I still think Grizzly Bear is overrated, but this is an interesting cover. Definitely highlights the pretty awesome harmonizing Hot Chip laid the base for.

- jakeyp

animal collective – “doggy”

I’ll never NOT jump at the opportunity to leverage an excuse to throw another Animal Collective song up if I have a good reason for it. I never got around to finishing my 2009 Top Album list due to the addition of a little pup in the Perrone house; which made doing just about anything then letting him outside to poop a very difficult task. By that very extension, throwing up a very good (and noticeably uncharacteristic) Animal Collective song about a dog seems like a logical way to start 2010.

I’ll start updating regularly again today.

-jakeyp

A live version, plus my fanfare-free list of the top albums of 2009 are after the jump:

the books – “an animated description of mr. maps”

“Dagnabit! Why do all of these hippity-hoppity musical triumvirates hold a monopoly on vocal samples! Wheres my share!” – The Books (actual quote)

(not really)

-jakeyp

animal collective – “winters love”

An obligatory Animal Collective selection given the fact that somebody spilled whiteout all over Harrisonburg this morning. This is one of AC’s more organic sounding songs; it’s pretty nifty what you can do with acoustic guitar, a few drums, and 4-part harmony via tribal moaning. Eskimo seduction music.

-jakeyp

modest mouse – “gravity rides everything”

A different and relaxing sound coming from Modest Mouse from their 2000 The Moon & Antarctica…

-nahomes