JayeL Audio

Influence is largely the theme of the majority of mixtape number two for this week. Teen Daze kicks things off with an Earth, Wind & Fire sampling dance party. Speaking of influence, does the piano fueled opening of Miike Snow’s “Devil’s Work” remind anyone else of Van Halen’s “Right Now”? I swear I just flashbacked to middle school. Charming female songstresses Alex Winston and Oh Land cover The Black Keys and The National, respectively. Even Mayer Hawthorne and Electric Guest offer up soul and Motown related gems. Elsewhere, The National demo a new track that sounds, well, like The National. We welcome back The Shins, which sound like the old Shins, but aren’t really the old Shins. Lastly, I have to say, I’m really enjoying the blues rock inspired sound of Cold War Kids new demos. I’m certainly intrigued by the addition of a new lead guitarist in Modest Mouse’s Dann Gallucci.

JayeL Audio 1-27-12: DOWNLOAD (.rar)
1. Teen Gaze – Let’s Groove
2. Electric Guest – This Head I Hold
3. Johnny Headband – Over There
4. The Shins – Simple Song
5. The Concept – Gimme Twice
6. Gospel Music – Apartment
7. Midi Matilda – Day Dreams
8. Ed Vallance – Crystlalline
9. Mayer Hawthorne – Stick Around
10. The National – Rylan (Live on Q)
11. Miike Snow – Devil’s Work
12. Meg Myers – Adelaide
13. The Big Pink – Hit the Ground (Superman)
14. The Oh Hellos – Hello My Old Heart
15. Alex Winston – Everlasting Light (The Black Keys cover)
16. Dana Falconberry – Petoskey Stone
17. Cold War Kids – Minimum Day
18. Kishi Bashi – Bright Whites
19. Diagrams – Tall Buildings
20. Water Town Bucket Boys – Meet Me Where The Crow Don’t Fly
21. Boxer Rebellion – Losing You
22. Oh Land – Bloodbuzz Ohio (The National cover)
Thanks to CoS, All Things Go, Mixtape Maestro, PMA, Largehearted Boy and the interwebs.

Top 20, lets go.

#40-#31
#30-#21

20. TV On The Radio – Second Song
Nine Types of Light was an album that required multiple listens before I was a was ready to cosign. It was much lighter fare than their previous work but engaging nonetheless. “Second Song” (which ironically was track 1) was the one cut that I was on board with from the start. The infectious hook, horns and Tunde’s layered vocal mask the fact this song is about overcoming drug addiction.

19. Mayer Hawthorne – A Long Time
You can partially attribute this to the “homer” in me, but how can I ignore a Detroit song as slick as Mayer Hawthorne’s “A Long Time”. This jazzy Motown inspired cut drops some history and encourages that the D will return to its “former glory”.

18. The Throne – New Day
“Me and the RZA connect”. While much of Watch the Throne is full of bravado, black cards and boat loads of money, “New Day” was a refreshing change of pace. Mr. Carter and Mr. West poetically advise their unborn children on past transgressions and ways of the world.

17. Fleet Foxes – Battery Kinzie
The pomp and triumph exuded by the thundering drum and piano of “Battery Kinzie” could be an allegory to Fleet Foxes reign in music in 2011. When faced with the thought of a sophomore slump, the bearded bunch surpassed any expectations as one of the best acts of the year. Either that or the storyteller is embattled as he tries to win back a love he shouldn’t have lost. You choose.

16. Rihanna – We Found Love
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I can appreciate a great pop song when it comes around. Most of the hit songs released in 2011 have a Euro-dance tinge, but Rihanna reeled in legit producer Calvin Harris for a banging dance anthem that I’m addicted to. The hook (“We found love in a hopeless place”) and lyrics are quite simple, but quite catchy. Besides, love doesn’t always need to be complicated, right?

15. Lykke Li – Silent my Song
From the eerie piano keys and haunting percussion to Li’s smoky layered vocals, “Silent My Song” has an arresting quality that is quite powerful. The lyrics I interpret as a pained break-up are extra hurtful as it was Li’s only lover. “And when you seek pain like its a pleasure/Like a work of art/When I’m your painting I’m your treasure/Purest of them all/And call it love or call it murder/Kill me quietly/Close the door and take it further/Where no man has been”.

14. The Joy Formidable – Whirring
The paced vocals and driving drum/guitar of “Whirring” describe a scene where the narrator can’t quite express their feelings. So much so that the Welsh trio accurately builds up the instrumentals almost to the point of eruption. Seeing this live at Music Midtown was a sight to be seen.

13. Cults – Abducted
The way Madeline Follin lures listeners in with enchanting murmurs about being “abducted”, it seems like she is doing the kidnapping. The burst of percussion and humming guitar jars the entire track and aligns with the theme of shock and surprise.

12. Cut Copy – Need You Now
Cut Copy didn’t waste any time grabbing listeners’ attention on the triumphant opening track from Zonoscope. “Need You Now” builds like a New Order alternative dance record and erupts into a full on dance frenzy from there.

11. My Morning Jacket – Wonderful (The Way I Feel)
Between the expertly crafted southern and psychedelic rock from Circuital is “Wonderful”. Jim James’ acoustic ode to deceased friend is more of a celebrated tribute than a sad passing. The pedal steel guitar is a particularly nice touch.

photo via Reckless Times
Turns out leaving for almost two weeks means a lot of new music to catch up on. Well worth the wait, of course. Hopefully, you’ve already had time to digest excellent new releases from Florence & the Machine, Childish Gambino and Mayer Hawthorne. If not, I’m betting you will soon. Elsewhere, Phantogram returned with addictive synth pop on “Don’t Move” and the District Attorneys released an EP of demos that really could be a full on southern rock album (see “California Fire”). Newcomers this round include The Rubens who shine with blues rock (“Lay It Down”), retro pop action via Starlight Girls (“The Hunch”) and The Preservation (“The First Story”). Last but not least, you can’t tell me Bastille doesn’t transport you right back to high school with their cover of City High’s “What Would You Do”.

JayeL Audio 11-23-11 – DOWNLOAD (.rar)
1. Blondfire – Where The Kids Are
2. Mayer Hawthorne – Hooked
3. Alex Clare – Damn Your Eyes (Etta James cover)
4. Phantogram – Don’t Move
5. Cee Lo Green – Anyway
6. Savoir Adore – Dreamers
7. The Preservation – First Story
8. White Denim – Hot Thought
9. Starlight Girls – The Hunch
10. The Rubens – Lay It Down
11. The Black Keys – Lonely Boy
12. Said the Whale – Lines
13. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar
14. Washed Out – Call It Off
15. Tennis – Tell Her No
16. The Records – Call Of The Ice
17. Childish Gambino – Sunrise
18. Rich Aucoin – It
19. Big Bad 40 – Electric Lady ft Cee Lo Green
20. Florence & the Machine – Only If For A Night
21. The District Attorneys – California Fire
22. Bastille – What Would You Do (City High cover)

Happy Thanksgiving and be sure to like JayeL Audio on Facebook!
P.S. – If you don’t have Winrar, get it here.

The ladies were out in full force during August. Powerhouses like Florence & The Machine, Feist and Marina & the Diamonds all offered up new music. Even if Marina sounds more like Gaga right now than Marina, I’ll still support it. Elsewhere, new albums from The Rapture (“Never Die Again”), The Features (“Another One”) and CSS (“Red Alert”) showed the releases were worth the wait. Newcomers TV Girl, Kimbra (last heard on Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know“) and Starsmith all show promise, but Oregon Bike Trails win for best new band name. Last, but not least, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis churned out a hit in “Can’t Hold Us” that I’ll most likely be addicted to for the foreseeable future.

JayeL Audio 9-9-11 – DOWNLOAD (.rar)
1. TV Girl – Benny and the Jetts
2. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Can’t Hold Us ft Ray Dalton
3. Mayer Hawthorne – The Walk
4. Florence + the Machine – What The Water Gave Me
5. James Vincent McMorrow – This Old Dark Machine
6. Starsmith – Lesson One
7. Holy Ghost! – Some Children ft Michael McDonald
8. The Features – Another One
9. Gotye – Easy Way Out
10. Typhoon – Summer Home
11. Caveman – Thankful
12. Release the Sunbird – Its All Around You
13. CSS – Red Alert ft Ratatat
14. Marina & The Diamonds – Radioactive
15. Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr – We Almost Lost Detroit
16. Mountain Man – Animal Tracks
17. Givers – Words
18. Feist – How Come You Never Go There
19. Theophilus London – Love Is Real ft Holly Miranda
20. Toro Y Moi – All Alone
21. The Rapture – Never Die Again
22. Oregon Bike Trails – Cayucas
23. Kimbra – Good Intent

Comment aplenty below….

Mayer Hawthorne puts some of his own soulful funk on Chromeo‘s addictive cut “When The Night Falls”. It doesn’t get more smooth than that. Stream below or Download here.
When The Night Falls (Mayer Hawthorne Cover) by Chromeo
Scoop up Chromeo’s When The Night Falls Remix EP on iTunes which features remixes from Hercules & Love Affair, Breakbot, and Lifelike.

http://www.facebook.com/chromeo
http://twitter.com/chromeo

CHROMEO TOUR DATES
8/6 – LOS ANGELES, CA – HARD Summer Festval, LA State Historic Park
8/12 – BONDVILLE, VT – Royal Family Affair, Stratton Mountain
8/13 – BANGOR, ME – KahBang Festvial, Bangor Waterfront
8/14 – HAMPTONS, NY – Music to Know Festival, Runway 4 Festival Grounds
9/4 – NEW YORK, NY – Electic Zoo Festival, Randalls Island
9/14 – DALLAS, TX – House of Blues
9/16 – HOUSTON, TX – House of Blues
9/17 – AUSTIN, TX – Austin City Limits *
9/18 – NEW ORLEANS, LA – House of Blues
9/20 – MIAMI, FL – Fillmore
9/21 – ORLANDO, FL – Beacham Theater
9/22 – ATLANTA GA – Masquerade (Heaven Stage) (buy tix)
9/24 – MONTREAL, QC – Metropolis (Pop Montreal) *
9/26 – DETROIT, MI – Majestic (buy tix)
9/27 – COLUMBUS, OH – Newport Music Hall
9/28 – PITTSBURGH, PA – Stage AE
9/30 – CHICAGO, IL – House of Blues *
10/3 – MILWAUKEE, WI – Turner Hall
10/4 – MINNEAPOLIS, MN – First Avenue
10/6 – BOULDER, CO – Boulder Theater
10/7 – DENVER, CO – Ogden
10/8 – ASPEN, CO – Belly Up
10/10 – SEATTLE, WA – Showbox Sodo
10/11 – PORTLAND, OR – Roseland
10/12 – ARCATA, CA – Arcata Community Center
10/13 – RENO, NV – Knitting Factory
10/17 – SAN DIEGO, CA- House of Blues **
10/18 – TEMPE, AZ – Marquee Theatre **
10/20 – KANSAS CITY, MO – Midland Theater **
10/21 – TULSA, OK – Cain’s Ballroom **
10/22 – OXFORD, MS – The Lyric **
10/24 – ST. LOUIS, MO – The Pageant **
10/25 – NASHVILLE, TN – Cannery Ballroom **
10/27 – RICHMOND, VA – The National **
10/28 – ASHEVILLE, NC – MoogFest *
10/29 – WASHINGTON, DC – Filmore *
10/31 – PHILADELPHIA, PA – Electric Factory **
11/1 – BOSTON, MA – House of Blues **
11/2 – TORONTO, ON – Sound Academy **

* without Mayer Hawthorne
** with Breakbot

Who doesn’t love 4th of July? Friends, family, burgers, beer, sunshine, beach, margaritas? Hopefully, these tunes are apt to keep you satisfied in the sand. CSS is the winner of this mix (in my opinion), but Fair Ohs, Josh Rouse and the Knocks put up a fight as well? Let me know your favorite in the comments

JayeL Audio – 4th of July 2011 Mixtape – DAY: DOWNLOAD (.rar)
1. Peter Bjorn John – Dig A Little Deeper
2. Josh Rouse & the Long Vacations – Diggin In The Sand
3. Noah & The Whale – Tonight’s The Kind of Night (RAC Mix)
4. Fair Ohs – Almost Island
5. Tally Hall – You & Me
6. CSS – Hits Me Like A Rock
7. Hey Champ – Anything At All
8. Lightwaves – Everybody Rock
9. Naked & Famous – Punching In A Dream
10. Spree Wilson – No Use In Running
11. Fitz & The Tantrums – Money Grabber (Daytrotter Session)
12. Delta Spirit – She’s Not There (The Zombies Cover)
13. Cee-Lo – Baby, I Don’t Care (Buddy Holly cover)
14. Mayer Hawthorne – A Long Time
15. Best Coast – Gone Again
16. James & Evander – Constellating
17. Fair Ohs – Eden Rock
18. Givers – Up Up Up
19. Starfucker – Rawnald Gregory Erickson The Second
20. Coldplay – Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
21. The Knocks – Sunshine
22. Pretty Lights – Pretty Lights vs. Summertime

11. Jack Penate – Pull My Heart Away
Penate’s crooning seriously sounds like his heart it being physically ripped out on this track. This pained approach is even more appropriate given the nostalgic guitar riffs and heartbeat-like drums. I don’t know what the guitar technique is thats used on this song, but it would sound perfect in a darkly-lit, smoky bar. It also made me hit replay at least 50 times in the past month.

10. Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks
I’ve heard Grizzly Bear get plenty of Beach Boys comparisons, but “Two Weeks” is where I was sold. The layered harmonies, the melodic chorus and the rising and falling tempo all equal pop song perfection a la Pet Sounds. “While You Wait For Others” could have easily been in this spot as well.

9. Phoenix – 1901
Again, how hard is it to choose just one song from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix? “1901″ stood out way before some ad director for Cadillac chose it for a recent ad, but its easy to see why they did. The chorus is instantly catchy mixed with crisp guitar and sly synth.

8. Basement Jaxx – Raindrops
I’ve never been a fan of “Where’s Your Head At?”, but I knew I loved this song from the first note. Pounding bass, giddy electronic sounds and a danceable beat are all infused to near perfection. There isn’t a chance you can listen to this song and not have a smile on your face.

7. Or, The Whale – Call and Response
You know this list wouldn’t be complete with some alt country. “Call and Response” is more foot-tapping, southern flavored goodness (I can’t get enough of pedal steel guitar) via Or, The Whale. I couldn’t find the lyrics, but it seems to be about the hopeful rebuilding New Orleans.

6. Mayer Hawthorne – Your Easy Lovin’ Ain’t Pleasin’ Nothin’
I was a fan of A Strange Arrangement, but this track was the cut that reeled me in. Hawthorne’s appeals to a lady are puncuated by a bouncy tamborine and sax worthy of a snap-off. “Your Easy Lovin’ Ain’t Pleasin’ Nothin’” could have easily been produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland (thats some History of Rock & Roll 101 knowledge for ya, thanks U of M-Flint!).

5. Neko Case – This Tornado Loves You
It was tough to select just one of the many gems from Middle Cylclone. So I went with the song that I caught myself singing the most. “This Tornado Loves You” has that alt country bounce that I’m enamored with and Case’s enchanting voice. She might be using the tornado as a metaphor for her love life, or she might talking about a cyclone with issues. You tell me.

4. Camera Obscura – French Navy
There might not have been a more catchy indie pop track in ’09 than “French Navy”. The chorus is so simple, but is relatable for so many people:

I wanted to control it
But love I couldn’t hold it
I wanted to control it
But love I couldn’t hold it

3. MSTRKRFT – Heartbreaker ft John Legend
The first time I heard this song: A)I had no idea who MSTRKRFT was B)I was certain John Legend’s crooning was via a sample, but had no idea what song. Turns out it ended up as one of my favorite tracks of the year. Legend’s vocals of course sound well over the keys, but who knew how perfect his voice compliments booming electro effects.

2. Kid Cudi – The Pursuit of Happiness
When I saw “featuring MGMT and Ratatat” on the tracklisting for Man On The Moon: End of Day, I knew what would be one of my fav. songs of the year. Cudi party anthem lyrics sound celebratory on a first listen, but there is also anxious and leery words that most likely mirror his true worries about solitude with new fame. Ratatat’s moody production and brooding guitar punctuate the emotional tension of the track.

1. Bon Iver – Blood Bank
He had my favorite song of 2007 and had a few that would have made my top 50 list, (“Brackett, WI”, “Beach Baby” and “Roslyn”) if I had enough time. “Blood Bank” plays up all Justin Vernon’s strengths to near-perfection: a great narrative, emotion-filled singing and bare-bones instrumentation. Now if someone can just tell me what he and some lady are doing at the blood bank? Sounds like winter-time love story or pregnancy discovery to me.

JayeL Audio’s Top Tracks of ’09 Mixtape (.rar)
If you need help downloading the mixtape, please don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Also, comments are greatly appreciated. Let me know if you agree, disagree and what I missed in my top 21.

Similar to 2008′s Top Albums list, I was going to roll with my favorite 12 albums…except there were two more that I couldn’t ignore. Anyways, these were my top albums of 2009. They aren’t necessarily what critics or the masses would select, but I couldn’t stop listening to these 14 albums.

Enjoy and leave feedback over the next few posts!

14. E-603 – Torn Up
Ethan Ward aka E-603 put out his 2nd sample-frenzied album, Torn Up this summer with enough fan fare to tour with Passion Pit. It manages to pull off many of the punches (and samples) that oft-compared Girl Talk did with Feed the Animals last year, but is still a sure-fire party starter. His “Theory”, as stated on his website says: Everyone should have the ability to listen to this music. Feel free to post it on websites, give it to your friends or promote it on your own terms. Do not claim it as your creation. ” That means you should go pick up Torn Up immediately for free (or donation).

13. Rodrigo y Gabriela – 11:11
The second offering from Rodrigo y Gabriela, 11:11 didn’t take the world by storm, like their debut, but its much more polished. Their mind blowing acoustic guitar work is still there (“Triveni” is pretty great), but complimented on some tracks by electric guitar (“Logos”) sitar and other studio magic I can’t describe. “Buster Voodoo” might be my favorite though with stomp-worthy beat and breakdown at the 1:15 mark. Sidenote: each song is dedicated to an artist that inspired the duo, including Carlos Santana and Pink Floyd.

12. Mayer Hawthorne – A Strange Arrangement
2008 may have been the year to bring back ’60s-inspired soul for ladies like Adele, Duffy and Amy Winehouse, but in 2009 Detroit-based Mayer Hawthorne made his own mark. A Strange Arrangement oozes with Motown magic that makes you do a doubletake when looking at the release date. The upbeat “Your Easy Lovin’ Ain’t Pleasin’” is my current favorite, but “Maybe So, Maybe No” and “I Wish It Would Rain” offer cool soul I can’t get enough of.

11. Deastro – Moondagger
There probably wasn’t a more fitting album title in 2009. Detroit-based Randy Chabot aka Deastro crafted a sonic space-age masterpiece in Moondagger. “Vermillion Plaza” and “Kurgan Wave Number One” hum with new wave elements and catchy hooks. Recent favorite is “Greens, Greys and Nordics” is like trippy, electro-pop galactic adventure with introspective lyrics like “What would the world look like if God was a woman?/ Would there be sickness and violence?/Would every man be an island?” . Not only is Deastro a genius at electronic composition, he might be a philosopher on the side.

10. Jack Penate – Everything Is New
The second album from Brit-star Jack Penate showcased the welcome growth of a rising songwriter. Matinee had pop/rockabilly tendencies, but Everything Is New dabbles in lo-fi, ’60s pop and brit rock. “Be The One” utilizes horns and a toe tapping beat to evoke the pains of looking for a mate, while “Tonight’s Today” is about how fun can sometimes be a dizzying whirlwind. The singles just start to hint at the evolution of Penate.

Apologies to the following, since I didn’t get a chance to hear these artists’ albums before year’s end:
Florence and the Machine – Lungs
Fanfarlo – Reservoir
Arctic Monkeys – Humbug
Sea Wolf – White Water, White Bloom
The Dutchess and Duke – Sunrise/Sunset

Check back for albums 9 thru 5 soon!

So yea, I like this song.

Back from sunny Puerto Vallarta, it looks like I have some catching up to do. I’ll be rolling out some annual “best of ’09″ lists over the next 2-3 weeks. Until then, below are a few items worth noting, before I head to frigid Michigan for a few days.

-Retro-pop band The Dutchess and Duke played at the Earl last week. They also played an in-store at Decatur CD. Check the video for the great “Back To Me”. Visuals captured by Creative Outlet Productions.

-Largehearted Boy has been busy compiling year end lists from everywhere across the internetz. My favorite is always his own “Favorite Novels of the Year” post. I’ve found a lot of great books via his site and hopefully you will too. I can thank him for turning me on to Josh Bazell’s Beat the Reaper earlier this year.

-I included Macklemore and Ryan Lewis‘ drinking anthem, “Irish Celebration” on The Nark Before Christmas. Turns out, they just released a solid EP. Download it free below.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The VS. EP

-I’m not sure how much more I can praise Passion Pit‘s “Sleephead”, but The Hood Internet did what they do best: pair indie pop gems that work so well with hip-hop jams. Even a Juvenile hit that I’ve been sick of since high school.
The Hood Internet – Back That Sleepyhead Up (Passion Pit vs Juvenile)

-If the only reason you watch Jimmy Fallon is to hear the best band in late night, The Roots, then you must love their jam sessions before commercial breaks. The “sandwiches” as Questlove calls them, have been compiled into a mixtape of sorts.
The Roots – Late Night W/Jimmy Fallon Sandwiches EP (via 2dopeboyz)

-Everything I’ve heard from Yeasayer‘s upcoming album, Odd Blood has sounded great. It doesn’t drop until Feb, but Jasper at Eat This City thinks you may be able to find it early. Also, the band is embarking on a tour with a $15 stop at The Masquerade on April 6th.

-I haven’t spoke enough about Detroit’s Mayer Hawthorne on this site, but he is building a solid underground following with his retro soul album A Strange Arrangement. Definitely check out the great interview Thomas Matich of Deep Cutz had with Mr. Hawthorne here.

-Also, Kyle Lucas and Simon Illa turn a Mike Posner song that I wasn’t too fond of into a remix I can support.
Mike Posner – Red Button (remix) ft Kyle Lucas

More coming soon…