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…

2. Talk Talk “It’s My Life (Remix)” – I believe this remix was released in the ‘80s. Although No Doubt did a justifiable cover of this song, it still doesn’t compete with this remix. It’s pretty much the same song but with a pumped mix that is dance floor ready.

3. Joy Division “Transmission” – This band, who is arguably the Beatles of post-punk, have influenced a wide range of artists, including Bono, who has stated in the past that there would be no U2 without Joy Division. This is a good sample of Joy Division’s work but it’s not their best, which is not saying a lot because so much is so good.

4. Pavement “Serpentine Pad” – Quirky antics, loud guitars, cha-cha-cha interstices? Nice. Corporate angst at its most fun.

5. Teddybears “Punkrocker (featuring Iggy Pop)” – I wish I cared enough to investigate this band further but I don’t have it in me, oddly enough. This song is one of those tunes you crank while driving on an endlessly open road, with the headlights off at night, using the moon and stars to guide you to oblivion just like Columbus.

6. Deastro “The Green Harbor” – I also wrote an article about this 22 year old from Detroit for Consequence of Sound, which was a unique opportunity to catch a talent on the rise. There are not many things more satisfying than discovering new music and I hope that you get to find this tune somewhere for your listening pleasure. This airy, indie-electronic pop (whew) is an example of what you can look forward to.

7. Led Zeppelin “Houses of the Holy” – Yeasayer’s Anand Wilder is pissed. Why’s he pissed? Because his band gets included with a lot of shitty indie bands who receive more positive reviews than they deserve. He said that bands like Led Zeppelin were bashed for putting out music that would be considered prodigious today. Very true and here’s an instance of what he was talking about.

8. Cut Copy “Out There On The Ice” – Sure, they aren’t that original when considering ‘80s pop and ‘90s house music but goddam, they’re good. This track was released on In Ghost Colours and it’s only a little gem amongst gems. This dance-star hit is festooned with a riding bassline, cheesy lyrics, and organ stabs – welcome to neue new wave.

9. Ministry “Burning Inside” – Heroin riddled Al Jourgensen and co. when they were at their pinnacle of creative zeal. It’s amazing that you can still plug this song into any stereo, crank it to 11, and can still feel the same burn you felt the first time, except on this go-round, you know the chorus. Set the world on fire.

10. The Horrors “Draw Japan” – OK, I had a case of the ethical blues while considering whether or not to include this song. It may seem that I’m on these guys’ dicks by posting a favorable review of their latest effort and including them on a previous top 10 but I can’t help it. This zombie rock tune was from their debut, Strange House. Pick up this album and their latest and write me in the morning.