This week’s top 10 playlist is dedicated to all of those great bands that I had the chance to hear last weekend at Northside Festival. I hope you enjoy. I wouldn’t list them if they weren’t worth checking out so, if you have time, give it a go at the links and buy their music. They worked hard on these albums and I’m sure they would like the extra scratch. Support the cause and buy them a beer. I’m sure you’ll also notice some who obviously weren’t there last week. Just had to do it.

Tune Yards Bird Brains

1. tUnE-yArDs “Fiya” – There’s a little Led Zeppelin in this song by tUnE-yArDs Merrill Garbus. It’s a beautiful tune that had people gasphing after she performed it at Glasslands last weekend. A little ukulele + ass-shaking beats + love = hot fire! And to think that she recorded the whole album, Bird Brains on a Sony digital voice recorder. Not bad.
2. Deastro “Biophelia” – Once in a while, you capture a snapshot of an artist’s rise and you can’t get their music out of your head so you can’t do anything but write and write and write about it until your readers are just so fed up that they finally go and check out the album. Well, this is one of those artists. Sometimes you hear what sounds like pure talent but it’s really just a lucky hit. Deastro is not one of these examples. His album, Moondagger just keeps getting better with every listen. There’s a little post-punk, a little electro, a little pop, and a little indie.
3. Michna “Swiss Glide” – Now this is different. Electro-jazz from the Midwest. Now that almost sounds scary but it’s not. After your prototypical breakbeat bassy grooves, there’s the introduction of brass horns. It’s not distracting at all. It’s just groovy.
4. Emanuel and the Fear “Jimme’s Song” – This song sounds “good” on the EP. It definitely doesn’t compare to the live version. The potential this song has as an anthem (that’s right, you read right) for a generation of rock and roll fans is tamed on the CD and that’s a shame. Either way, it’s a good listen from a band that really pulls off a striking set live. Hopefully the full length album they are currently recording will match their live sound. If you are reading this, please change the production theme for the next album. It’s ok to sound like a rock and roll band.
5. Anima Anonima “IA Electric” – Now it’s true that they did not play at Northside Festival, however they did play this past Thursday at Public Assembly — the scene of many lost bands sucked into the cavern of the back room. This band transcends trip hop and fills that void between pop and trip hop. This is from their latest album entitled, Mechanic Organic. It’s a gas. Also, check out our upcoming profile about this band from Ellen Donbeck.
6. Wakey! Wakey! “Take it Like a Man” – This piano heavy somber little tune has some nice erratic moments that exhibits the lead singer’s great voice and musicianship as he horrowly declares an inside prolcamation. They also played in the back room of Public Assembly this past Sunday for Northside Festival.
7. Wild Yaks “I’m Crazy but Not Afraid” – I wrote something about them in the festival review and what I wrote was that these guys really rocked something wonderful. It was full of energy, hype and destruction. One of my own favorite quotes (yeah, I have a list of favorite quotes I’ve coined…egotist? Maybe) is “Destruction is my currency”. Well, if that’s what Wild Yaks might think, then they spend their “currency” well. There are some hints of Misfits in this so enjoy.
8. Bob Dylan “They Times They Are A-Changin’” – Of course Bob Dylan didn’t play Northside Festival last weekend — but he should have. I’m not 20 years old anymore nor do I wish I was but this song always affirms my idealism. Every generation should use this tune as its anthem to remind us of our responsiblity to change the ways of the previous generation and to make the future better. OK, I’ll shut my idealism down for now. I created a whole website based on this anyway so if you’re here then maybe you agree with this philosophy.
9. Led Zeppelin “Travelling Riverside Blues” – This Robert Johnson cover is not only fair but was necessary to create and exhibit the power of Delta Blues.  This is one of my favorite Zep tunes. Sure, these guys covered everyone from Muddy Waters to Howlin’ Wolf but let’s be honest – these remakes are better than the originals. I said it. So, if you want a trip down to the muggy swamp lands of the South, just hit play on this one and take a needed sojourn.
10. The Doors “Not to Touch the Earth” – Psh…I wish. When the Doors meditated on their sound, their vision, they hit the studio and created, Waiting for the Sun. An album that is rife with southwestern indian influence, from the hypnotic beat to Morrison’s trippy lyrics shouting into the well of our depravity and carnality. How this song always misses inclusion in any of their Greatest Hits is a fuckin’ mystery to me because it truly is one of their best. Light a bonfire, eat some peyote, and dance around with your doppleganger and see what the mirror reflects…uh oh…it’s already starting to take effect. brb…