Ford & Lopatin - Too Much MIDI

Included in the latest set of Adult Swim singles is a gem by Ford & Lopatin entitled "Too Much MIDI". In addition to reminding me of the best sounds of the mid 80's, the song suggests that whoever compiles these works for Adult Swim has an outstanding blog.

Ford & Lopatin - Too Much MIDI

Gaunlet Hair - Keep Time

Some have been so loose with words as to describe Gaunlet Hair's sound as "cooled-out coastal slowgrind". Unlike others, I won't pretend to know what this means, nor will I pretend to know the difference between coastal slowgrind and other, equally relevant slowgrinds. However, I can say that "Keep Time" continues to grow on me. The band appears to still be opening for others, but if its music is any indication, Gaunlet Hair will soon be headlining.

Gaunlet Hair - Keep It

Beach Fossils

Beach Fossils continues to vindicate my support for the lo-fi revolution.

Beach Fossils - What a Pleasure
Beach Fossils - Calyer

Real Estate

Real Estate's latest work appears on a number of top of 2011 lists; it's also been mentioned by more than a few undergrads, at least, undergrads in my class. These songs should serve as a good excuse to purchase this album.

Real Estate - It's Real
Real Estate - Green Aisles

Twin Sister - Kimmie in a Rice Field (Balam Acab remix)

Twin Sister's latest "In Heaven" marks a welcome return of one my favorite bands of '09. Here's a remix of their "Kimmie in a Rice Field."

Twin Sister - Kimmie in a Rice Field (Balam Acab remix)

M83 - Hurrying Up, We're Dreaming

M83's album is widely touted as one of the year's (2011) best works. Here's why it deserves acclaim.

M83 - Midnight City
M83 - Steve McQueen

Stretch Your Whaleface - Hood Internet x Tobacco x Felt

A winsome mashup (yes, by The Hood Internet) of Tobacco's Maniac Meat and Slug/Murs "Felt 3".

Stretch Your Whaleface - Hood Internet x Tobacco x Felt

Kaputting It Up - Raekwon vs Destroyer

While this Hood Internet mashup gains in popularity, Kaputting It Up is still working its into my favorties. I've heard better mashups from Hood, and I suspect this one will be remembered more as good effort than legendary mix. Here it is.

Kaputting It Up - Raekwon vs. Destroyer (The Hood Internet)

Phaseone - Sugar

While I'm not sure this video records an actual conversation, I'm sure conversations like this are fairly common.

PHASEONE - SUGAR from Vadim Gershman on Vimeo.

Friendly Fires - Pala

Melodic jam from Friendly Fires, once - and still may be - known for their funk-inspired rhythms. This is Pala.

Pala - Friendly Fires

Glass Candy - Warm in the Winter

Before you dismiss this as an electronic rendition of U2's "Where the Streets..." let it play out - it's actually quite catchy. I'll admit it - I expected more from Glass Candy, who has had no shortage of solid, consistent work, but I'll settle for this, for now. In addition to new work, Glass Candy has completed at least one clever remix that I've listed below.

Warm in the Winter - Glass Candy
Intimate - Appaloosa (Glass Candy remix)

Phaseone (1) - Want You Back

Phaseone continues to impress. I've compiled a two of my favorites for your pleasure. The first, "Want You Back" is an interpretation of Nite Jewel's original. The second, also dated, is a remix of Panda Bear's "I'm Not". Each song is readily available on a number of blogs.

Want You Back - Nite Jewel (Phaseone)
I'm Not - Panda Bear (Phaseone)

A.Dd+ Can't Come Down

One of the more interesting hip-hop sounds I've heard this comes from A.Dd+, whose name I just learned to pronounce. The lyrics are as interesting as the canvas they're written on. As you'll no doubt find out, these guys smoke a lot of bud. (Thanks to A.Dd+ for the correction)

Can't Come Down - A.Dd+

Hood Internet mash up DMX and The XX

Though slightly dated, Hood Internet's mash up of DMX and the XX deserves a spot on a decent playlist.

Goin' to Give It to You - DMX and The XX

Toro Y Moi - Underneath the Pine

Toro Y Moi's universal characterization as the instantiation of the chillwave genre merits reconsideration. While his resume lists some of that genre's classics, his latest work, "Underneath the Pine", could just as easily be classified as soul or R&B, which may explain why more hype hasn't surrounded this album. But people neglect it to their demise. While this work appeared in late 2010, I'm considering it for top honors in 2011. Excellent work.

Toro Y Moi - Still Sound
Toro Y Moi - New Beat

Tennis@Mississippi Studious

Had the pleasure of seeing Tennis live at Portland's Mississippi Studious. Luckily, our friend at Wooden Lens shared the fruits of his labor. Tennis is a must-see in concert. A job very well done. Thanks Skyler!

Lotus Flower video

Here's the video for Lotus Flower.

North Highlands - Steady Steady

Recently discovered Brooklyn's North Highlands, who frenetic sounds reminds of Foals' earlier work. This similarity shouldn't be a reason to lump the two bands together; North Highlands appears to have a distinct sound.

North Highlands - Steady Steady

Radiohead - Lotus Flower

Recently purchased my files of Radiohead's latest work, The King of Limbs. The standout song is Lotus Flower, for the moment any way. Here it is.

Radiohead - Lotus Flower by HILLYDILLY

Tame Impala - Expectation

Clearly one of the bright spots of 2010 is Tame Impala. Once again, top-ten lists should include this work.

Tame Impala - Expectation

The National - Sorrow

The National release yet another album. This is "Sorrow". The album, High Violet, has been passed up by too many top-ten lists, in our opinion. It deserves greater recognition. previously

The National - Sorrow

Land of Talk - Hamburg, noon

Land of Talk are one of the few bands that has consistently produced quality work for the past three years. There latest - Cloak and Cipher - was released this past August. I'm not sure why their more widely recognized. We're huge fans.

Land of Talk - Hamburg, noon

Papercuts - White are the Waves/Future Primitive

Los Angeles-based and woefully underrated, Papercuts released a new single earlier this year. I've posted "Future Primitive" as a treat.

Papercuts - White are the Waves
Papercuts - Future Primitive

Beach Fossils - Daydream

Beach Fossils self titled album has made many top-ten list, and it's no surprise. Here's "Daydream".

Beach Fossils - Daydream

Morning Benders - Excuses video (Yours Truly)

Another successful job by Your Truly. Morning Benders' Echo was a maybe on my top albums of the year, and I think this video just secured the album a place.

Yours Truly Presents: The Morning Benders "Excuses" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.