This is fine.
It’s never too late for another end of the year compilation! This compilation is brought to you by Bootie USA and features the best mashups of the year. Our friends The Hood Internet were fortunate enough to make the list with two of their best jams from the year. Download the free tracks now! Here’s a taste of what’s instore with a tasty little mashup from French DJ ComaR.
Download: ComaR – I Want You To D.A.N.C.E. [MP3]
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Glasvegas is the newest Scottish band to hit the United States, and they are expected to make big waves on our shores. Their debut self-titled album has been floating around the Internet for months, but it finally hits records stores here this week.
From the moment that the first song actually kicks in, a minute or so into the song, you hear one of the staples of this band, as they surround the entirety of their songs in swirling atmospherics, coating the songs in a certain denseness that adds layers of emotion to their songs.
Immediately following the introductory song comes one of the better singles from 2008, “Geraldine.” The percussion drives this song perfectly, pounding in your ears as angular guitars cut the landscape or the rest of the album. This is a song you’ll want on all mix tapes you make this year; it’s just a perfect song.
The band doesn’t let up here, as the next five songs are all uniquely wonderful. The crashing chorus of “It’s My Own Cheating Heart” is definitely one of the joys of this little intercession, as cymbals crash in your ears and guitar blasts encourage a little light head-banging. This middle section is the highlight of the record, as the songs never seem to stagnate or come off as copies of the previous tunes. It all ends with the great “Daddy’s Gone.” This is a slower number, but one that showcases the bands capabilities as true songwriters.
Then the band winds the rest of the album down, a little too slowly. The pounding drums and atmospherics dissipate, settling into the softer side of things for the ending. It leaves listeners to contemplate the two weaker elements of the album. One, the lyrics are ridiculous at points. “You are my sunshine/My only sunshine,” is actually used as a lyric? It’s all a bit tongue-in-cheek, but some people will be turned off by it. Also, while the vocals are definitely interesting due to vocal inflection, the Scottish tones will eventually wear you out, as you struggle to understand the spoken word at points.
Still, at the end of the album, most will be pleased with the outcome. They will see promise in a the new young band, and we can expect a big year from Glasvegas.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/07-daddys-gone.mp3]Download: Glasvegas – Daddys Gone [MP3]
“CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE!” Without those five words, Quiet Riot’s career would’ve lasted three months instead of thirty-four years. It’s a lowdown-dirty shame “Cum on feel the Noize” was actually a cover originally performed by an English glam rock band called Slade back in 1973. Woah…just felt like Matt Pinfield for a moment. This week’s edition of the Friday Top 5 is dedicated to the greatest cover songs of all-time…according to me, of course. Sadly, the following list does not include Limp Bizkit’s disturbing version of The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes,” Michael Bolton’s take on Otis Redding, or anything off the I am Sam soundtrack. Follow the jump to see if your favorite cover song made the list.
Amazon is selling their 50 best albums of the year for only $5 a piece. You should have most of these by now, but check it out now if you don’t.
So the now famous free week is finally upon us and you want to know what’s going on. For you inquiring minds, we decided to give you a night by night guide on what venues you should head out to. Obviously more than one show is going on each night, but we’re picking the best show on each night. Follow the jump for our free week guide.
So tomorrow is the big day. You don’t think that $100 NYE party sounds worth it. Downtown scares you. Maybe you don’t even really care about a midnight makeout session and just want to party. Here are 3 parties that combine good music, cheap covers, and swanky locals. Have a happy new year and we’ll catch up with you on Friday with our free week guide.
Beauty Bar – Your favorite old hipster kid hangout features DJ Mel inside along with The Strange Boys, Dans La Lune, The Ugly Beats, The Boxing Lesson, and Petals outside. Not sure on a cover charge, but drink prices should be the same as always. Beauty Bar tends to get overly crowded on nights like these so don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Mohawk – The Transmission run venue features indie karaoke and DJ sets by Car Stereo(Wars) all night long. Cover is only $5 with drink specials and a midnight champagne toast.
Spider House – Not usually known as a live music venue, Spider House brings you music from The Strange Attractors, Wine & Revolution, and a few other local acts. Cover is only $10 with champagne all night for the same price.
These are only a few options and I’m sure you’ve got some crazy party going on and your mom’s house. Drop us a line if you’ve got a hot tip.
German band Diego has just released their album overseas, and I’m not quite sure if it will ever make it to our shores. That is quite a disappointment, as this band is one of the more enjoyable listens that has come across my ears this week. It’s part Editors, part Ian Curtis. Wait, aren’t those the same thing?
Download: Diego – Fan City [MP3]
A Whole slew of music related happenings went down during the week of our holiday vacation. Here’s a quick rundown with some links to find your way:
Black Keys front man Dan Aurbach has a new song from his solo debut streaming over on Stereogum. How is this not The Black Keys again?
Daytrotter brings us more oustanding live sets from Noah & The Whale and Annuals.
Download a free EP from Bug Lung Baby on the RCRD LBL website.
Elvis Perkins is streaming new tunes from his new album due out this spring.
WOXY is offering a double album of free digital downloads featuring some of the best performances in their studio this year.
Download a free Ragged Claws EP from the band’s website.
Marc Mallman has a best of 1998-2008 compilation availabe to download from his website.
The Black Lips gave us new song “Starting Over” from their 2009 album 200 Million Thousand. Get it below.
Lastly, our friends The Hood Internet created this tasty little mash up featuring Fleet Foxes vs. Beyonce. Yeah, that’s how they roll.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/black-lips-starting-over.mp3]Download: Black Lips – Starting Over [MP3]
Download: The Hood Internet – Single Foxes (Put A Wood On It) [MP3]
We here at Austin Town Hall have decided to take some time off this holiday season to drink hot coco and listen to Sufjan Steven’s Christmas box set. We hope everyone has a very, merry Christmas and we’ll see you again in 2009.
Download: Bing Crosby – Mele Kalikimaka
If your Christmas plans are looking bleak, why not spend the holiday watching the incredibly weird Flaming Lips film Christmas on Mars. The Alamo Drafthouse downtown is bringing you the film with viewing times of 9:40pm for Christmas Eve and 7:20pm/9:40pm on Christmas day. Sounds like my holiday plans have just been made! Check the Drafthouse website for tickets and a trailer for the film.
