Owner: Can you see the sunset from the southside? URL:http://www.canyouseethesunset.com Join Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 11:52:17 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: A Chicago-based music and MP3 blog featuring daily posts with the best and newest in punk, indie rock, electronica, hip-hop, alt-country, metal, and more. Site statistics:Click here
Talking with fireworks exploding 2007-05-31 19:11:00 On their latest album Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters Glaswegian quartet The Twilight Sad (maybe unsurprisingly) fuse the sounds of Scottish folk music with the swirling layered guitars of bands like My Bloody Valentine. It is a gloriously melancholy album that envelops you like a dense fog with waves of fuzzy droning guitars and the soft vocals, vivid lyrics, and thick Scottish accent of singer James Graham. The album doesn't force itself upon you but (rather) it more or less washes over you like crashing waves hitting a rocky shore; slowly building to a crescendo of distortion only to gently recede and repeat. It is melodic and memorable without being in-your-face catchy. It is also too upbeat (despite not really being upbeat) to be called shoegaze. Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters is a folk record paired with the combustible dynamics and huge choruses of bands like the Pixies and mire that all in hazy atmospherics.All in all, Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters is a fantast Read more:Talking
Transfer cables and data mining 2007-06-06 07:14:00 Epiphanie is the debut full-length from French electro producer Para One. It is full of excellent dancefloor-ready and Atari-inspired IDM freakouts. Recommended for fans of Justice (they're so hot right now), Daft Punk, and the like. Get out your jogging suits and headbands and guzzle down some Sparks. It's on.MP3 | Para One - Clubhoppn EpiphanieMP3 | Para One - Turtle Trouble EpiphanieMore from Amazon | Insound | eMusic | The Hype Machine Read more:cables
The songs of the cicada 2007-06-05 07:11:00 What is that thing? That (my friends) is a cicada and right now in the Chicago area they are everywhere. There are places (such as where the pictures here were taken) that you can find up to 1.5 million of these insects per acre. (1.5 million!) Luckily for us here in northern Illinois, these cicadas are of the genus of 17 year periodical cicadas of eastern North America called magicicadas. They are often called the "seventeen-year locust", but they are not locusts.The group of cicadas that is invading right now can be further classified as brood XIII or the northern Illinois brood which emerge every 17 years to mate, lay eggs, and then (in a few weeks) die. No worries as the red-eyed insects don't sting or bite. They just buzz. It can be (however) almost deafening at times and drown out lawnmowers, motorcycles, and make it almost impossible to even have a conversation outdoors. Ravinia (an outdoor concert venue) in Highland Park has even moved the date of the Chicago Symphony Read more:songs
The garage is not a dugout mix 2007-06-04 07:13:00 So I did get the iPod/Zune/MP3 auxiliary input installed in the car last night and it sounds pretty good. Here is an abbreviated shuffle mix of what was playing last night as I removed the center console and disconnected the negative battery terminal. Maybe we'll replay it at the garage sale this morning.And then there was the scuffle between Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett and pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Well, since the Cubs (in my book) have officially begun their implosion, at least they are proving to be somewhat entertaining. I just wonder when Lou Pinella's head is going to pop off his shoulders like a little dandelion? Happy (feet) Saturday.MP3 | Dntel - (This Is) The Dream Of Evan & Chan Life Is Full Of PossibilitiesMP3 | The Faint - Southern Belles In London Sing Wet From BirthMP3 | Fleetwood Mac - Black Magic Woman Greatest HitsMP3 | Pretty Girls Make Graves - All Medicated Geniuses The New RomanceMP3 | Rogue Wave - Publish My Love Descended Like VulturesMP3 | Massive
Terrible twos cd giveaway 2007-06-04 07:10:00 So this afternoon we took our little one Hailey (who is now 19 months old) to see her first rock concert. One of her (I mean our) favorites, The Terrible Twos (ex-Get Up Kids singer Matt Pryor and his New Amsterdams mates), played a kid-friendly matinee show at Schubas. It was pretty cool. One band for about an hour was just about all most of the kids there could handle (Hailey included). By the end of the Terrible's set, she had removed her socks and shoes and was doing that high-pitched scream that little girls can do. It was a really fun show though and I know she enjoyed it. We (by we I mean Amy) got the guys from The Terrible Twos to autograph a CD for us to give away. So here is the deal. Head over to Amy's site Mums The Wurd to enter the contest. And tell 'em CYSTSFTS sent you!MP3 | The Terrible Twos - When I Get To Eleven If You See An OwlMP3 | The Terrible Twos - Ladybug If You See An OwlMore from Amazon | Insound | eMusic | The Hype Machine
Someday somebody's gonna ask you 2007-06-09 09:15:00 Last fall my brother got married and the first song that he and his new bride danced to was the Rhett Miller tune "Question." It was the perfect song for the perfect moment. They played the version that appeared on his excellent 2006 album The Believer. The new version has keys and synths in all the right places and is a little more polished than the Old 97's version (which is just Rhett and an acoustic guitar) that was on their 2001 album Satellite Rides."Question" is (without question) a perfect little love song. All this is only fitting since we are back in Pennsylvania for Amy's brother's wedding. These songs are for Kenny and Sarah on their big day today.MP3 | Rhett Miller - Question The BelieverMP3 | Old 97's - Question Satellite RidesMore from Insound | eMusic | The Hype Machine Read more:gonna
, Someday
Pandas in the wilderness 2007-06-08 14:05:00 I'm writing this from the garage steps of my mother-in-law's house in Central Pennsylvania and I'm desperately trying to make the most of this spotty unsecured wireless network that I am (gladly) able to (barely) connect to. Anyhow, most people like pandas and think that they are cute little animals. That really isn't relevant to this discussion except that I'm talking about a wonderfully awesome Perth, Australia group called The Panda Band whose new album This Vital Chapter is equally as wonderfully awesome. They manage to make a uniquely original brand of indie pop that smacks itself down somewhere between classic (but adventurous) psychedelic tendencies of Sgt. Peppers and an almost alt-country sound that reeks of an off-kilter doo-wop Modest Mouse or perhaps a jazzy big-band incarnation of The Flaming Lips. This Vital Chapter is a damn fine album of interestingly great Aussie indie pop.MP3 | The Panda Band - Sleepy Little Deathtoll Town This Vital ChapterMP3 | The Panda B
Do you feel like we feel 2007-06-08 13:19:00 Ain't nothing like sittn' on the back porch swing, getting my classic rock on, and sippin' on an ice cold Straub.MP3 | Peter Frampton - Do You Feel Like We Do? Frampton Comes AliveMP3 | Peter Frampton - Show Me The Way Frampton Comes AliveMore from Insound | eMusic | The Hype Machine
Kinetic stereokids around the river 2007-06-12 08:45:00 Kinetic Stereokids come straight from the mean streets of Flint, Michigan and they meld hip-hop with indie rock in way that is similar to what Beck did with Mellow Gold. You know, loosey-goosey rapping with samples, folk-rock guitars, and all the trimmings that's taped and glued together with 4-track production values. Their debut Basement Kids is a mellow and somber affair and it's out now on Overdraft.MP3 | Kinetic Stereokids - Barefoot In The Rain Basement KidsMP3 | Kinetic Stereokids - Explosions Were Heard Basement KidsMore from Amazon | Insound | eMusic | The Hype Machine Read more:Kinetic
This is a redemption song (clash covers) 2007-06-15 07:23:00 I just finished reading the excellent book Redemption Song: The Ballad Of Joe Strummer by Chris Salewicz and thought it would only be appropriate to post a of The Clash's (and Joe Strummer's) songs. The book was a bit too academic but awesome nonetheless. Despite the excellent post over at Berkeley Place, this is (IMHO) I've collected a pretty nice supplement of cover songs. Awhile back I also did a post of various versions of Jimmy Cliff's "Pressure Drop" which was covered by The Clash as well. If you'd like a repost of that one, just ask.MP3 | Rancore - Janie Jones MP3 | Bruce Springsteen & Elvis Costello - London Calling MP3 | Dropkick Murphys - Guns Of Brixton MP3 | Kid Dynamite - Hateful MP3 | Solar Twins - Rock The Casbah MP3 | Calexico - Guns Of Brixton MP3 | Ben Folds - Lost In The Supermarket MP3 | Rancid - Cheat MP3 | Nouvelle Vague - Guns Of Brixton MP3 | Saves The Day - Clash City Rockers MP3 | Long Tall Texans - Should I Stay Or Should I Go? MP3 | Wall Have Ears - Read more:redemption
Regina spektor is da bomb 2007-06-14 21:42:00 I've been meaning to do this for awhile now.MP3 | Regina
Spektor - Fidelity Begin To HopeMP3 | Regina Spektor - Samson Begin To HopeMore from Amazon | Insound | eMusic | The Hype Machine
Only crime's virulence 2007-06-19 07:05:00 For the unknowing, Only Crime is a punk rock super group of sorts that features Russ Rankin (Good Riddance) on vocals, Bill Stephenson (Descendents/All/Black Flag) on drums, Aaron Dalbec (Bane/Converge) on guitar, and brothers Zach and Donivan Blair (both of Hagfish) and guitar and bass respectively. Based on the the group members' other projects, it should be pretty easy to discern that the band plays some hard-hitting punk that hearkens back to the glory days of West Coast punk. If you like that sort of stuff then Only Crime's latest album Virulence will not disappoint. On Virulence the band sounds heavy and angry and although the album is melodic it sure ain't poppy. Only Crime even manages to include some dissonant moments that border on being avant-garde (for punks at least) and avoids simply sounding like a rehash of the past. In addition, Virulence features some of Rankin's best lyrics in recent memory that paint a bleak picture of the world and the hopeless future that Read more:crime
Matthew dear's asa breed 2007-06-18 19:37:00 As true in modern music as it is in nature, we must evolve to ensure survival. With his latest album Asa Breed, Detroit's micro-house wunderkind Matthew
Dear has just guaranteed his survival for now by crafting an album that (while a bit of a departure for him) is something that I just can't get enough of. Matthew Dear's music has always had a little more pop structure than your typical dance fare and (for that reason) it has always resonated with me. I've been a fan since his 2003 debut Leave Luck to Heaven and 2004's Backstroke. Asa Breed finds Dear pushing his aesthetic vision even further outside the micro-house template he stared working with. His incorporation of African-sounding rhythms, guitars, and droning buzzing synths spins this into something that sounds natural, organic, and (at times) almost tribal. Those elements along with the prominence of Dear's low and multi-tracked vocals make many of the songs on Asa Breed more akin to something from TV On the Radio or C
A new template just in time for summer 2007-06-22 23:57:00 Hey everybody out there. I just wanted to drop a note that this site will be a little bit of a work-in-progress for the next few days. I've just changed the layout of the page and attempted to streamline the coding. Right now I'm just working through some of the HTML and CSS bugs that inevitably come with a change like this.The tabs for Archives and Stuff point to dead links and the About tab brings you to the old layout. I think this new page is looking good so far. I'd love to hear your comments. Read more:template
Note to self 2007-06-20 20:14:00 Hi there. How have you been? I've been good but quite busy. Between being out of town for almost a week and (now) finishing up the final touches on a new site design, I've been posting a little less these days, but fear not. I'll get back on track. I promise. Here are a few tracks to keep y'all satiated in the meantime. All good stuff.MP3 | Smashing Pumpkins - Tarantula ZeitgeistMP3 | The White Stripes - Icky Thump Icky ThumpMore Insound | eMusic | The Hype Machine
Lollapalooza 2007 mp3 preview (part 1) 2007-06-26 07:00:00 Yes folks, it is that time again. Lollapalooza 2007 is right around the corner. The 3 day music festival will once again invade Chicago's Grant Park so mark your calendars for August 3/4/5. Three day tickets are $195, but with that many great bands playing I'd say its a good value.This post begins my MP3 preview of Lollapalooza 2007 artists as I try to compile songs from all of the 120+ artists scheduled to perform. I am pretty excited about the lineup this year and think that it has the potential to be better than last. You can find the entire schedule here. More than just about anyone else, I'm totally looking forward to seeing Daft Punk this year plus I think that the aftershow at Metro with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Elvis Perkins, and Cold War Kids is one you don't wanna miss either. I mean, the next 6 weeks can't fly by fast enough. Anyhow, here is part one of the Can You See the Sunset From the Southside Lollapalooza 2007 MP3 preview. MP3 | The Polyphonic Spree - Ru
Five is a Magic Number 2007-06-25 20:27:00 Have you heard the latest from Mocean Worker (pronounced Motion Worker)? Well, on Cinco de MOWO! (his fifth album as Mocean Worker) producer Adam Dorn takes upbeat jazz, funk, and big band brass stabs and adds hip-hop style beats and production to create a danceable fusion of old and new sounds.The grooves are tight and Dorn's samples intertwine effortlessly with the killer chops of of such jazz notables as Rashaan Roland Kirk, Herb Alpert, and Marcus Miller. It is an all-out party album that is full of life and sounds just like a sweaty summer night. Cinco de MOWO! will be released tomorrow via MOWO's own label.MP3 | Mocean Worker - Shake Ya Boogie Cinco de MOWO!MP3 | Mocean Worker - Changes (ft. Herb Alpert) Cinco de MOWO!Find more music via The Hype Machine Read more:Magic
, Number
Rainy saturday indie rock mix 2007-06-23 14:55:00 It's a gray and rainy day here in Chicago and here is a little mix that I think fits the mood perfectly. MP3 | TV On The Radio - I Was A Lover Return From Cookie MountainMP3 | The Eternals - Astra 3B Heavy InternationalMP3 | Aloha - Ice Storming Some EchoesMP3 | The Rapture - Callin Me Pieces Of The People We LoveMP3 | Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Satan Said Dance Some Loud ThunderMP3 | The Jai-Alai Savant - The Low Frequent Sea Flight Of The Bass DelegateFind more music from The Hype Machine
Three bands + Cheap beer + Bloggers 2007-06-29 07:13:00 What are you doing one week from today (that's Friday, July 6th for all those keeping score)? If you are in Chicago and don't have any plans you should head over to Cal's Bar and check out the show. It is 100% blogger sponsored by yours truly and my homies over at Songs:Illinois and Big Rock Candy Mountain. Three
bands + cheap beer + bloggers = good times.The lineup includes Ann Arbor, Michigan's Frontier Ruckus, Chicago's own indie pop darlings Satellite 66 and newly transplanted Chicagoan and Latest Flame artist The Gunshy. Bands start at 10PM, and beers will be poured before that. See you there. MP3 | The Gunshy - Souls SoulsMP3 | The Gunshy - $4 Pabst SoulsMP3 | Satellite 66 - Going Home GrasshopperMP3 | Satellite 66 - J.P. Morgan GrasshopperMP3 | Frontier Ruckus - Dark Autumn Hour DemosMP3 | Frontier Ruckus - Adirondack Amish Holler DemosMore music at The Hype Machine or buy from Insound | eMusic Read more:Cheap
Our official vodka 2007-06-28 20:32:00 Yeah. Can You See the Sunset From the Southside now has an official (well, at least a favorite) vodka
. That vodka would be Reyka Vodka and you can see a picture of the bottle in my freezer above. Reyka is an extremely smooth vodka that tastes like vodka. Yeah, you can use it in a martini or gimlet or whatever, but Reyka really shines as a vodka that you can sip on its own. I know that the bottle I got disappeared way too fast.Anyhow, in addition to being the best vodka I've ever tasted (and I've had a lot of vodka in my day) it is also a "green" vodka that is distilled using geothermal heat. Plus Reyka and Iceland Naturally are sponsoring a contest where 1 lucky winner and 9 friends can fly to Iceland for three days and 2 nights of partying, soaking in the Blue Lagoon, and seeing the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival which runs from October 17-21 and whose lineup includes: Bloc Party, Of Montreal, !!!, Best Fwends, Mum, Bonde do Role, Annuals, and more. In one word, "Wow!"So gra
Lollapalooza 2007 mp3 preview (part 2) 2007-06-28 07:11:00 Here's another round of MP3's from the artists scheduled to play Lollapalooza 2007. Look for more info on places to eat, drink, sleep, and play while you are in Chicago for Lollapalooza or even P4K coming soon.MP3 | David Vandervelde - Jacket The Moonstation House BandMP3 | Muse - Map Of The Problematique Black Holes And RevelationsMP3 | Femi Kuti - Beng Beng Beng Shoki ShokiMP3 | Annuals - Brother Be He MeMP3 | Bound Stems - Wake Up Ma And Pa Are Gone Appreciation NightMP3 | Snow Patrol - Signal Fire Signal FireMP3 | Jack's Mannequin - Mixed Tape Everything In TransitMP3 | Elvis Perkins - While You Were Sleeping Ash WednesdayMP3 | Mickey Avalon - So Rich, So Pretty S/TMP3 | The Black Keys - Just Got To Be The Magic PotionMore music at The Hype Machine or buy from Insound | eMusic
Florida punk rock from New Bruises 2007-06-27 07:02:00 I recently got the latest album Transmit! Transmit! from Tampa, Florida
's New Bruises and although it was released about a year ago, it has been in constant rotation for the past week or so. The band (like many of its peers in neighboring Gainesville) belts out heartfelt and emo-tinged punk rock in the vein of Hot Water Music, D4, and Digger. You know, catchy punk rock anthems that just scream, "Sing along with me," before they pummel you. The lyrics are also great and are clever and political without being preachy. And even though I generally despise long-winded song titles, I love the album opener "Homogenized for Mass Consumption or How My Youth Was Watered Down and Sold For Profit."Transmit! Transmit! is solid from front to back and is totally worth your hard-earned $9. The band (notably) also features ex-members of Mid Carson July, Grey AM, and The Holy Mountain.MP3 | New Bruises - Hell Is A Highway Transmit! Transmit!MP3 | New Bruises - Empty Bottles Equal Empty Promises Tr
Uncle's Primordial Soup (vol. 3) 2007-07-03 07:07:00 Besides giving rise to punk and new-wave bands, the era of 1977-1987 also birthed the bands that formed the foundation of "alternative" rock like Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Husker Du, and many more. There was so much innovation and change during this time period that just wasn't accepted by the mainstream media of the day.This era also spans a time period large enough that includes my uncle's college years and my first exposure to the music that would eventually change my life. I find it interesting that this is the music that made most of my favorite albums possible. And while so much of it sounds incredibly dated, a whole bunch of these songs still sound as vibrant and relevant as the day they were put to tape. Especially this, this, and this. MP3 | Elvis Costello - Alison MP3 | Gang Of Four - Return The Gift MP3 | A Certain Ratio - Shack Up MP3 | The English Beat - Mirror In The Bathroom MP3 | Black Flag - Rise Above MP3 | Chameleons UK - The Fan & The Bellows MP3 | New O Read more:Uncle
Uncle's Primordial Soup (vol. 2) 2007-07-02 07:02:00 The building that I work in plays almost exclusively what most people would call 80's music. The problem is that it (and most other such stations/compilations) neglects a huge portion of what I would consider to be the best songs of the 1980's in favor of the big commercial radio hits. There is plenty of cheesy pop (a la Richard Marx) and plenty of hair bands (Cinderella, etc...) but no early punk, post-punk, or new-wave anywhere around. Instead of the overhead music, I'll turn up my speakers and play this Uncle
's Primordial Soup inspired mix today. MP3 | The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop MP3 | Adam & The Ants - Zerox MP3 | The Cure - Boys Don't Cry MP3 | Killing Joke - Wardance MP3 | U2 - I Will Follow MP3 | The Blue Orchids - The House That Faded Out MP3 | Modern English - Melt With You MP3 | Bad Brains - Pay To Cum! MP3 | XTC - Senses Working Overtime MP3 | Depeche Mode - People Are People More music at The Hype Machine or buy from Insound | eMusic
Uncle's Primordial Soup (vol.1) 2007-06-30 13:38:00 Whatcha doing today? Amy, Hailey, and I will be heading over to Ribfest a little later today. Not sure if we are going to check out any music today, but The Psychedelic Furs are playing on Monday so we'll probably go see 'em.The Furs are one of the bands that my uncle Craig included on a mix CD he made many years back for me called Uncle
's Primordial Soup. The disc also featured tracks (mostly new-wave and post-punk) from Mission of Burma, The Clash, The Ramones, The Cure, Joy Division, New Order, and more. These songs reflect what he was listening to back when he was in college in the early 80's. He has always sort of been the "cool" uncle in the family. I mean, how many 14 year olds get Joy Division's Substance album for Christmas?Anyhow, this is the first part of a look back at many of those artists that paved the way for the current crop of post-punk and new-wave inspired bands that are finding popularity today. Not all of these songs come directly off of the Uncle's P
It's Nees and Vos yo 2007-06-30 10:12:00 Only a few days ago I got the latest self-released EP from Nees and Vos and it has already made its way into our rotation and the t-shirt which accompanied it has already made it through the wash at least once. On the EP, the duo of Andrew Neesley (keys/trumpet/production) and Chris Vos (vocals/guitar) lay down a handful of catchy and soulful tunes that come across as a fusion of 60's/70's soul, rootsy rock, and hip-hop inspired beats. Like RJD2 backing the Black Crowes or even Lenny Kravitz playing the blues (if he actually had some soul) with a killer horn section, Nees and Vos make music that is perfect for chillin' out and having a good time. Every song on the EP is good and I guarantee that you'll be tapping your toes or nodding your head before its all over. MP3 | Nees and Vos - (I Ain't) Going Back to Georgia EPMore music at The Hype Machine or buy here
Uncle's Primordial Soup (vol. 5) 2007-07-06 07:16:00 Here it is. The final installment of Uncle
's Primordial Soup. There are certainly more great songs from this time period, but these are the ones that I'm most fond of. Don't forget to come out to Cal's Bar tonight (if you're in Chicago) for the Chicago Blogapalooza presented by yours truly and two other excellent Chicago-based blogs called Songs:Illinois and Big Rock Candy Mountain.The show starts at 10PM and the lineup includes Frontier Ruckus, Satellite 66, The Gunshy. Should be a blast.MP3 | Delta 5 - Mind Your Own Business MP3 | Echo & The Bunnymen - Rescue MP3 | Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime MP3 | Teen Idles - Sneakers MP3 | Descendents - Suburban Home MP3 | The Replacements - I Will Dare MP3 | The Jesus And Mary Chain - Just Like Honey MP3 | The Pogues - A Pair Of Brown Eyes MP3 | Happy Mondays - 24 Hour Party People MP3 | Sonic Youth - Teen Age Riot More music at The Hype Machine or buy from Insound | eMusic
Lollapalooza 2007 mp3 preview (part 3) 2007-07-05 21:28:00 Do you know where you are going to eat when you come to Chicago for Pitchfork Music Festival and Lollapalooza 2007? There are so many great options for you, but here are a few of our favorites:Gino's East - Chicago is known for deep-dish pizza, and this is as good as it gets.The Chicago Diner - The tastiest vegan and vegetarian food I've ever eaten. So good you won't even miss the meat.Heaven On Seven - Killer Cajun/creole-inspired cooking that makes me hungry just thinking about it. Try the bananas foster pecan french toast for brunch. Wow!Frontera Grill - Fabulous Mexican food interpreted by chef Rick Bayless.Portillo's - Italian beef, Chicago style hot dogs (no ketchup), and more. Yum.Oh yeah, here is another batch of MP3's from artists appearing at Lollapalooza just under a month from now.MP3 | LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great MP3 | I'm From Barcelona - Britney MP3 | Viva Voce - From The Devil Himself MP3 | Wax On Radio - The Devil MP3 | Dear And The Headlights - Sweet T
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