Villagers > Cold Sweet Potatoes

That's what's for breakfast:

Word to the wise: Don't do it. Just don't.

Speaking of potatoes, there is only one thing that could console me from this tragedy that is my breakfast. And that's my favorite Irish lova, Coner J. O'Brien, who fronts Villagers during the times we aren't swooning. The track 'Becoming a Jackal' is so good, I personally nominated it for a Mercury Prize in July, but decided not to elect it the winner because then, I might have to share. Upon reflection, I think it's time... now, does anyone want these fucking terrible potatoes?

Cheers,
Merman

Sexual Chocolate!

'Banoffee' Toffee Pie, Vegan Chocolate Ganache, Sweet Parsnip ca-HOLYFUCK-ke.

Sexual. That's the word you were looking to succinctly describe what sits in my face this evening. Reason enough to hang out in a Greenwich village 1 bed/showroom, surrounded by ADDivas at a swanktimate getogether. Really, it's the only way I could describe roommate 1's birthday.

Speaking of white hot, sexy, yummy take off your pants jams, here's one for the cakes. I Can See it in Your Face is a little diddy by Pretty Lights off 'Making Up a Changing Mind' EP. It's bit too cool for me. Kind of like the way that intellectual sexual sitting in the back of the Harlem speakeasy looks with his bow tie and skullcandy headphones, deliberately perched around a flannel neck. It's the perfect mix of sticky salty, with muted trumpets dubbed over Daft Punk's modulators, James Brown's organ, and Moby's famed soul singers. After 7 minutes of the stuff (and by stuff, I mean the aforementioned cakes, intellectual sexual, or this track) you'll need a cigarette.

Cheers,

Merman

The little guys

Found in the H&M Fitting rooms in SoHo:

His name is Dudley, and we have a lot in common, actually. Small, cute if you have good taste, and watching tons of women buy clothes all day that we would NEVER wear (mesh orange riding pants?) And that's okay, because we're both rich in ways those wonkies can't touch. We're, as it turns out, the richest kids in town.

So, in honor of priceless charm that so few people in NYC enjoy, your song today is This Is Ivy League, The Richest Kids in Town. I'm a sucker for sentiment, as are many 20 something ladies besotted with the 1950's; This is Ivy League conjure such a sensibility.

Cheers,

Merman

Jeff Bridges Hearts Deerhunter

Two things everyone like: Jeff Bridges and Black & White. God. Just look at that poetry. Stunning! There's something about black and white, it can make anything look purposefully elegant. Nevermind he's probably kill shotting someone from a mirror over his shoulder, which is already way fucking elegant.

Jeff Bridges gets it, and apparently, so does Deerhunter. Take their new video for example. Slap a few overlapping reels of faces dubbed over LA Sunsets and dark spots and you've got yourself a timeless piece.

That being said, if I had to pick a song I think this B&WJB (see what I did there?) would like, it'd have to be Deerhunter's new one, 'Helicopter'. Classy, accessible, sexy, bubbly, all attributes both Jeff and Deerhunter share.

Off of their new album Halcyon Digest, released in September, it's one song of many 'I know-everyone's-saying-Deerhunter-is-good-but-I-just-haven'- listened-to-them-ye-ohhhh, yeah-they-actually-are...' songs. I'll admit, I have much to learn about them, but in the mean time, let's all share in this classy Black and white video:

And remember, if you just can't figure out a way to make it classy, just put it in black and white.

Cheers,
Merman

Grab 2 Beers and Jump!

Today at the office, a disgruntled employee lost his voice, freaked out on the account team, and quit via resignation letter and 'fuck you' e-mail to the entire company. Classy. Kind of like this! He only left one piece of himself, meticulously placed at the corner of his recklessly abandoned desk. Not unlike a serial killer's calling card, like an Ace playing card, or a severed ear - as if to say 'Your welcome, corporate America':

Just kidding. That's mine. To be fair, he was acting a dash 'swedish candy toy dog' today. But hey, if you - newest member of the Fuck you Jet Blue community - see this post and decide to wear my skin as a dress, I want you to remember one thing. One time I went to the corner store and bought you Swedish Fish. Yeah, I saw that look in your Rage induced twitching glimmering eye. That's right... just put the gun down... Swedish Fish.

Anyway. This song is for you. And by for you, I mean not at you, but what I think you would want to sa-uhhh forget it...

Cheers,
Merman

Daily Drop, Montly Mix.

So you guessed it by now. I forget about this thing sometimes. I also think that when I say 'you', I really me 'me' and 2 other 'you's'. I'm guessing it's Don & Dylan, but I digress. So here's the deal: Daily track. Monthly Mix. And a picture of my life to boot. I think I can handle it.

This is Grace. She's not a business man, she's a business, man. I went home to Ohio for a Keller family reunion this weekend, and I must say, I think I know where I get my swagger. Speaking of which, I can't think of one track more fitting. Stylish, genuine - an instant classic. Pretty much sums up both Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, and my little cousin Grace.

Home, released in 2009, is a bit of a departure for Alex Ebert, who was also the lead singer for Ima robot. Under this new rootin' tootin' maw & paw moniker, he's crafted some sort of time warp that manages to contrive both nostalgia and freshness. On Sunday my sister and I were listening to NPR's bluegrass hour, and she mentioned that [they] just don't make music like they used to. I beg to differ, and this track is why. 'Home' is like the first leaves of fall. Specifically, it's the smell. All other seasons let you forget how much you love a woodsy smell that sinks into the skin, and every September it still feels new in lungs. That's how I felt about seeing my family. And that's how I think I'll feel about this song in 20 years. So thanks, Mr. Sharp. You've saved me from a lot of song writing classes, guitar lessons and tortured nights of longing and reflection. Shew!

Cheers,

Merman

A Summer MMMMixtape

Less talk. More Action. And before these 27 tracks are no longer relevant, I'd like to give you my favorite songs for this summer, and a little sumpin' sumpin' about each.

Cheers!

Merman

PS. Promise, no more 3 month hiatuses.

Post Acid - Wavves: From their upcoming album King of the Beach, a song that's much more fun than it's name implies. Recommended to blast for the 1st 30 minutes of a road trip to the beach.

Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells: This song is so fun, and good luck getting it out of your head. It's sticky and sweet with kick, and even better in a great set of headphones.

Younger Us. - Japandroids: The first time I read a "low-fi post-beach surfer-alt rock" review I wanted to puke. C'mon guys. This song screams nostalgia, and it makes perfect sense that Mark Hoppus is obsessed with this band. They are the perfect cure for the discord between a nostalgic heart and a cynical opinion.

The Only One - Manchester Orchestra: Off the 2009 album Mean Everything to Nothing, it was the song that tipped me in favor of Andy Hull & Co. It kicks ass while taking your hand and teaching you to dance.

Surrounded by your friends - Hooray for earth: Some songs can capture the way your friends can give equal parts comfort and joy. I couldn't think of a less gay word than joy, 'cause that's just what it is. Times when you you realize that your with your chosen family, that's what this is.

Sometimes I don't need to believe in anything - Teenage Fanclub: TF never gets old, and their music doesn't either. Thanks to Nick Hornby I have a very biased opinion, but this track is so fresh and so clean, it's hard, yet unavoidable, to believe they are the veteran pop rock de facto.

What part of forever - Cee Lo Green: Yeah, whatever. I know, it's on the Twilight Soundtrack. And you know why? Because the song is great, and so is that soundtrack. But I also know it's one half of Gnarls Barkley, and that's okay with me. Yeah, I said it. Perfect for writing love letters when you've forgotten how to channel the 16 year old heartsick in you.

Moves - The New Pornographers: Epic chorus + catchy, syncopated beats+ major key tonality + incredible talent and chemsitry + a dash of pretension = hate to love it, but you totally do.

On Melancholy Hill - Gorillaz: Hands down, one of the best albums this summer. Looking back, I think the Gorillaz will be a perfect zeigeist to what music means in our generation, whether you like it or not, they really fucking got it.

Pow Pow - LCD Soundsystem: I can't get enough of LCD's new album This is Happening; flawless. And this song in particular is the example of perfect delivery. The only way this could get better is if William Shatner decided to do guest vocals. Incredible.

Teenage Color (Russ Chimes Remix) - College: And sometimes you just need to put on something with a good beat. Straighten up! Look Sharp!

The High Road - Broken Bells: Love to hate them, because they'll never touch the Shins. It ain't bad though, folks. This single ain't bad at all. It certainly won't marsh your mellow, anyway.

Sinister Kid - The Black keys: Absolutely, without a doubt the sexiest song on Brothers. Actually, it might just be the sexiest song of the summer. Every song on their new album is incredibly soulful and well thought out; and this one really makes me want to get to know Dan Auerbach a little bit better...in the dark.

Tell 'Em - Sleigh Bells: There are a couple of artist on the summer list I'll repeat, sleigh bells being one of them. And again, good headphones are required, or it gets a little fuzzy. Anyway, this one will wake you the fuck up, but do it ever so cheerfully.

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire: At first, I didn't like it, until I caught myself singing it over and over until I had to listened to it again. And then, just like that, the lyrics caught me;I was sucked into the Arcade Fire Fanwagon.

This is Real - Best Coast: Any cuter and you'd need a bib. Bethany Cosentin has been described as noise-pop and space-drone, but really, she understands the space between the noise, and that's where she sinks into you. Great B-side to 'When I'm with you'.

Right Ahead, Young Sailor! - Right Away Great Captain!: A side project of Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra, but only recently discovered by me. The acoustic folk-pop is quite a departure, but isn't that what side projects are for? Great for lounging in the park by the water.

The Girl - City and Colour: I'm a sap for the lyrics, end of story.


Older - Band of Horses: Although I liked their first 2 albums much better than Infinite Arms, there are 2 tracks that tug at the heartstrings like BoH used to. This being one of them, and the other (my favorite) at the end. It seems like the fans said "Hey, Band of Horses, this is what we like" and they delivered, but too eagerly, too succinctly. Sometimes I think you've got to make us work for it, make us really listen. Don't give it all to us up front, you know. Cross the legs a bit, I like my lady with a little bit of mystery. 'Older' and 'Blue Beard' aren't as eager as the rest of the album.

Signs (MMMathis Remix) - Bloc Party: Kick the track, change the beat, repeat.

When We were young (breakbot remix) - Sneaky Sound System: Great beat. Love it for the evenings when you're not sure if you want to go to the bar or not. It's begging to be remixed.

Dance Yrself Clean - LCD Soundsystem: The first time I heard this song I was floored. Awesome minute after minute, it's the longest song you'll never get sick of.

Next Girl - The Black Keys: One of my other favorite tracks of the new Brothers album. Sometimes bands write lryics for the music, and sometimes they write the music for the lyrics. And sometimes, the truth is so thick and deep, so saturated with sweat and tears, that both word and song come from the same place in the heart. I don't think you could have one without the other in this song. They really hit home with this one.

Many Shades of Black - The Raconteurs: After the remorse and pain has settled in a less than perfect situation, all your left with is your lessons to teach. And if I've ever heard a lesson with fervor and sarcasm, with every kind of shit, and the kind of shit you can live with, it's this.

White Blank Page - Mumford & Sons: I feel like I'm personally in love with each member of Mumford & Sons. The first time I heard them was in my favorite Irish bar, Sweet Afton, in Astoria. Stu, the bartender/co-owner, was sitting with his Nut Brown Ale in the corner, looking faintly at the lights singing along "...I really fucked it up this time/and it was your heart on the line...". Goosebumps. The second time was at Bonnaroo, andI saw the same faint expression painted in the lead singers eyes, it was in the air, it was in the lyrics being screamed back. This group of gentlemen laid their heart out on their bows, and we've picked up every ache.

Blue Beard - Band of Horses: The other song that isn't an eager girl on Infinite arms, and my personal favorite. Give it a shot, it's not as catchy as some of the other manufactered songs on the album, but once you get to the chorus, you'll remember how you felt falling in love at a Halloween school dance.

To Build a Home - Cinematic Orchestra: If you don't slip into a contemplative, quiet calm while listening to this, I'm really not sure what would make you. This reminds me of an Ohio river sunset on a Sunday, the way you feel between homes. The way you feel when you're not sure what is home, but you feel it calling somewhere deep down.

Meant to play start to finish, I hope you like it as much as I did. You can tell me what you think if you want. Happy Summer my little music geeks.

Want one? Just ask :)