BuzzSugar

This Just In: NME Thinks America Is Cool Again

BuzzSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:30:51 -0700

Bad news, Buzz readers (and America): Apparently, we have all been suffering from a crisis of uncoolness for some time now. And the worst part is we didn't even know it (or, at least, I didn't)! This is all according to the British music magazine NME - but there's good news, too, since NME has now managed to find 25 American bands that are making us cool again!

To quote the press release, the new issue is celebrating "the 25 American acts who are whipping up a storm on both sides of the Atlantic - signaling the re-birth of the US music scene!" Which is good, since I've had nothing to listen to for years now when I want to support the good ol' US of A!

Sarcasm aside, I'm glad the magazine is recognizing some great bands that started here - but this is kind of dramatic. I mean, did you know our music scene had died? I thought things were going pretty well, even before Vampire Weekend showed up.

Anyway, I may not agree with NME's sensational declarations, but I am OK with these bands representing America's fine musical taste abroad. I'll share the list of bands after the jump, but I'm also curious what acts gave our friends in the UK such a sour feeling about American music before now. If they really thought we were suffering, they could have just asked, and I would have been happy to point them to some great music!

To see the 25 bands that have helped us reclaim some cool points and let me know your thoughts, read more.

Vampire Weekend
Lil Wayne
Glass Candy
Kings of Leon
MGMT
Spank Rock
TV on the Radio
Boy Crisis
Black Kids
Holy Ghost Revival
The Hold Steady
Fleet Foxes
Amazing Baby
Jay Reatard
HEALTH
The Cool Kids
Black Lips
Yo Majesty
White Denim
Telepathe
Iglu and Hartly
Chester French
Girl Talk
TheDeathSet
Grace Jones

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Claymation + Fleet Foxes = Feast for the Senses

BuzzSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:33:35 -0700

You know what I really enjoy? Claymation. Even better? Claymation paired with a delightful song from one of the bands getting a lot of play time on my iPod right now: Fleet Foxes.

If you haven't checked out their new album yet, I'd urge you to do so - it's so fantastic. Now one of my favorite tracks, "White Winter Hymnal," has a lovely animated video to accompany it and like Andrew Bird's video for "Lull" early this summer, it's the perfect match up of interesting animation with an appropriate song to make a totally great music video. Or, as Stereogum puts it, "if psychedelic folk music could be made out of clay, it would look like this."

To see for yourself, read more!

Thanks to Pitchfork for premiering the video:

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What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:30:16 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainment-ville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. You may have heard that Coldplay's new album is out today (I reviewed here) and you can also sample the new Wolf Parade album before you download it.

By the way, if you took my advice and downloaded the Fleet Foxes a couple of weeks back, there was something wrong with the iTunes version of the track called "He Doesn't Know Why." So, now you can get the better version here for free!

Makin' mischief: People tend to describe Katy Perry's musical sensibilities as "feisty." I think that's an understatement. Her song "Ur So Gay" is totally hilarious, and you probably know a guy or eight that seem like the one she's singing about. "I Kissed a Girl" is catchy, too, and already has a bit of a cult following. Hers are the kind of songs that will get your friends talking (and dancing) if you slip them into a party mix. Good times.

The boys of summer: It's no secret I'm a giant fan of The Hold Steady. On this busy day for music, do not miss taking a listen to the band's fourth album, Stay Positive, which is out early on iTunes ahead of its physical release next month. Already the track "Constructive Summer" makes me want to jump up and rock out, and I'm really digging "Lord, I'm Discouraged" as well. But who am I kidding? I'm downloading the entire thing.

Two more great download selections, so read more.

Funny lady: Sometimes it's hard for me to get other people into Kathy Griffin because she has this pesky reputation for being annoying. But I find her stand-up hilarious, and now instead of begging friends to give it a chance, I will simply turn on bits from this standup show now available on iTunes. Her impression of Oprah on "Oprah's Favorite Things" kills me. And when she shoots down claims that Donny and Marie were hip in "The Osmonds Were Never Cool," I hurt with laughter.

Feeling dark? This new album from Silver Jews is, well, a little depressing. The band tends to tell the cold, hard truth about things like dreams and how they end - not unlike, say, Johnny Cash. This time around, though, the band's lyrics are more playful, like in "Suffering Jukebox." Also, "San Francisco B.C." is pretty amazing and incredibly poetic.

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:32:53 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainment-ville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. In addition to the selections below, you can download the best of Radiohead (according to whom, I'm not sure) and a new album from The Virgins. Here are today's selections:

Indie darlings: Fleet Foxes are yet another little band making good out of the Northwest and their first self-titled album is gorgeous. One track, White Winter Hymnal is ethereal and sweet, and I can't get enough. They kind of have a Shins vibe going on.

The cynical beauty: It's no secret I've been salivating for the new Aimee Mann album, and it's finally here! I've already downloaded, Freeway and Thirty One Today. I'm so excited to dig into the rest of the album.

Another three albums (busy day for music!) if you read more.

A little bit country: When I hear about Jessica Simpson making the leap to country, I roll my eyes. When I hear Jewel's taking a stab at it, I sit up and take notice. From what I've heard so far, it's a natural fit. There's no mistaking Jewel's voice and set to twangy Dixie Chick-type melodies it's a good choice for both country music fans and Jewel devotees.

More Weeds: I've been buzzing about the third season of Weeds coming out on DVD today and the latest soundtrack is here, too! It looks like a cool, quirky compilation. I just saw Beruit perform at Sasquatch and their song Scenic World is included, along with a track called Buttmachine by That 1 Guy.

Boys of summer: And last but not least, Weezer's sixth album has arrived. The third track, Pork and Beans has made me happy for weeks now (and is accompanied by a funny music video), though the rest of the album has yet to grow on me.

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