MUSIC WORTH BUYING + MUSIC WORTH A FREE DOWNLOAD Vol IV
MUSIC WORTH BUYING
Their graphics are as epic as their band name
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – The Golden Age
There are 2 videos for this song, this one is the better by far, even though you might notice the Heineken plug
Luckily they cut to the lovely Mette Lindberg instead of the beer.
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour are a project of Danish music producer Lars Iverson with the spectacular Mette Lindberg carrying the vocals. They caught my eye as part of a recent Heineken commercial, and I must thank that crappy beer for delivering me some sweet music.
As my friend Ron would say, "She seems nice."
I bought their recent release, an EP centered around their 2009 hit and current beer-hocking tune, The Golden Age (you can download it here from their website if you care to sign up for their email list). It is a 6 track EP with some great moments, but it is not an album in the truest sense, with a crafted flow between songs. The first 4 songs could arguably work cohesively, but the last two don’t hold up as well.
1. The Golden Age
This song is pretty rad. It doesn’t make for an easy song to sing for someone (I don’t mean serenading, more to see if they’ve heard of it) since I could not tell what the fuck she was singing until I watch a live video clip. Ah well, good thing I can just call it “that Heinekin song.”
2. Fantasy Friend Forever
This is a great second track, and keeps me wanting to dance. I would happily be her fantasy friend. Forever.
3. Safety Dance
This is just plain ridiculous. I’m sure it is a lot of fun live. I enjoy a good cover, and they do a pretty good job moving it along (it is also thankfully the shortest of the tracks), but there are elements of the original I keep hoping to hear but never made into this redo. I had no idea I even knew different parts of the Safety Dance.
4. Runner
This song begins as if the world had kinda stopped due to Safety Dance, and kicks in with some serious bass and some subsequent funkiness. This is my favorite track on the EP.
5. One Giant Freak For Mankind
If you are SERIOUSLY digging this band then you might like this track, but it kinda goes all over the place, with none of the subtle, kickass moments of the previous tracks.
6. The Golden Age (Prince Vince Remix)
The remix is a bit sped up and though it might add intensity to do so, it loses all of the power and funkiness of the song. Feel free to skip it. Prince Vince seemed a bit more like Lord Bored to me.
In case you actually listened to tracks 5 and 6 and needed to cleanse your palate.
Overall I would say that you should buy the first 4 tracks from The Golden Age EP and also check out their back catalog. If the Safety Dance isn’t your thing, then just grab tracks 1, 2 & 4.
Next we have:
You would've thought that with a decade off they could've designed a more complex album cover
Dispatch – Dispatch EP
The incredible independent trio is back after almost 10 years of hiatus. The former One Fell Swoop are back and I am pretty pumped to see them back in the scene. I first heard these guys back in 1999 back when they were so DIY that I was emailing back and forth with Braddigan the drummer for awhile. They were always on the road, touring intensely until they hit a wall (not literally) and then eventually had an epic 100,000+ fan epic farewell show (I couldn’t make it, it was my wedding day).
Their hiatus lasted longer than my marriage.
You don’t care about that history shit.
What you want to know is; “Should I buy this, my dear sir?”
To which I say: “Yes, and read on, my friend.”
1. Melon Bend
An upbeat and singable rocker, this one will surely be a kickass live song. I snagged a video.
2. Con Man
Dispatch would be nothing if not for the faux-raggae guitars. Well placed. Then some psycho-aggressive guitars halfway through. Keepin’ it interesting.
3. Valentine
The lone acoustic track, this one really reminds me what versatile musicians they are. Their early albums leaned heavily on this vibe, and it is great to see it represented well here. I feel carefree-er every time I listen to it.
4. Beto
Caught somewhere between rock, ska and bluegrass, Beto takes simple idea and morphs it several times ultimately settling on a stripped and lonely acoustic guitar behind the chorus. It’s my fave.
5. Broken American
Good call on the banjo fellas.
6. Turn This Ship Around
A well crafted slow song with solid harmonies and pretty kickass guitar solo. A perfect closer to the EP in my opinion. It really illuminated the strength of a good closer. After listening to the Asteroids Galaxy tour and disliking the last 2 tracks of their 6 song EP, it was nice to see Dispatch close this one out strong.
Here’s the Dispatch guys being silly and recording Beto
I am really excited to see these guys at The Gorge over Labor Day weekend. You can expect a full report.
Music Worth A Free Download
Dude, your mom and dad have good taste in music
This is a pretty sweet free mixtape available through iTunes at the link above. 10 tracks, with a pretty diverse selection of indie music. Check out the track listing:
1. Freelance Whales – Generator (First Floor)
2. Freelance whales – Generator (Second Floor)
3. An Horse – Dressed Sharply
4. Joshua Radin – You Got What I Need
5. Lyle Workman – Win Win
6. Metric – Help I’m Alive
7. Sleeper Agent – Get It Daddy (my pick for best song title)
8. Sleigh Bells – Infinity Guitars
9. Tired Pony – Point Me To Lost Lands
10. Tokyo Police Club – Bambi
I hope you check it out. There is a ton of good music coming out these days, you just need to know where to find it. And I am here illuminating the way. Be well.