Listening Stack
Friday, December 23, 2011
Listening Stack Top 7 most soulful Christmas songs
Posted by Carlton Hargro on Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 11:37 AM
When you grow up listening to black radio, Christmas songs sound a little different … a little more soulful. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that my favorite holiday tunes weren’t created by folks like Bing Crosby or Pat Boone. (And I’m sure I’m not the only person who feels this way.)
In honor of the impending festivities, here’s a look at my seven favorite soul-tinged Xmas tracks. (I know you’ve got some, too. Feel free to share.)
"I Can Hardly Wait For Christmas": We’ll start things off with a fairly recent classic — from the 1990s — by that iconic crew the O’Jays. It’s new-ish, but it’s still a must-hear tune.
"Christmas Just Ain't Christmas Without the One You Love": OK, here’s another one by the O’Jays … and this one is a lot older (think 1960s). The O’Jays have been doing it for a minute now.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Listening Stack / VIDEO / interview Wonder cranks out the hits
Posted by Scott Morris on Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 12:10 AM
- Kristien Elan Chase
Last damn year I was interviewing Atlanta-raised producer Wonder Arillo, choppin' it up over a few pints of Guinness. I had just started blogging for Crib Notes, trying desperately to keep up with the internet and post something, anything, that hadn't already blown through everybody's playlist at the speed of sound. And it's not like Wonder was a fly-by-night musician. At the time, I went to him for a feature not only because he is a friend, but because he is extremely talented. He'd put in plenty of work, winning a Grammy working with DJ Toomp to produce TI's "What You Know." Either way, I slept on publishing anything about Wonder. I blame myself. See, Wonder and I have known each other since 6th grade, and for some reason, it's a hell of a lot easier for me to write about a complete stranger than it is a guy I've always looked up to.
Nowadays, Wonder is doing even better than he was back in 2010, and things could hardly be described as bad then. Check out the sexy video for "Feelin' You" from 2Chainz (aka Tity Boy), featuring the Codeine Cowboy rapping over Wonder's hi-hat heavy reinterpretation of an Alicia Keys' interlude. After the jump, read an edited version of my unpublished piece on Wonder. In the meantime, follow him on twitter, listen out for the signature computer-voiced "Wonder" tag in front of his beats, and if anybody needs me, I'll be hanging my head in shame...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Listening Stack / Free S#!t Sleeping in the Aviary: no birds, just animalistic human behavior
Posted by Nadia Lelutiu on Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 9:49 AM
- Sleeping in the Aviary
The Minneapolis-based group released its third album late last year called Great Vacation! (Science of Sound), which lead man Elliott Kozel describes as “a gooey exploration of spine-tingling animalistic human behavior.” The group’s dark and whimsical sound tiptoes around garage rock, experimental pop and doo-wop, and is saturated with character.
“It’s got songs about scuba diving, S&M (spanking and ball-gagging and all that), being in love in outer space, getting stoned and driving around, wandering around at the mall and dying over and over and over and over again,” Kozel explains.
"You Don't Have to Drive"
Sleeping in the Aviary plays Noni’s Bar and Deli on Wednesday, April 13 with the Long Shadows and Baby, Baby. Free. 9 p.m. 357 Edgewood Ave. 404-343-1808.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Listening Stack Mood Rings: Sweater Weather Forever
Posted by Chad Radford on Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 9:57 AM
There’s a sense of elegance behind every slow and tasteful arrangement throughout Sweater Weather Forever, and everything comes wrapped in pleasing textures that reveal themselves in “Year of Dreams,” setting the stage for a starry-eyed ambiance. Rhythmic complexities appear deceptively simple as the tones sink deeper in “Indian Hills.” The grainy but full-bodied sound of the recording carries as much of its dreamlike pace as singer and guitarist William Fussell’s glowing voice. At times he even hits falsetto notes that create the illusion of Beach Boys-style harmonies in “Yellow Teeth.” But there is only one voice at work here, and it harmonizes with the music’s reverberating shadows. These glassy, summertime intonations move in long strains of rhythm and ‘60s pop, all flowing at the whims of invisible currents. “Washer” follows suit as it rides a gentle descent into strung-out captivation.
As a whole, the EP thrives on this kind of narcotic power by rallying the senses and teasing the brains receptors, but at only four songs it's a frustrating quick fix. By offering just a taste of what the group is capable of churning out, Sweater Weather Forever’s perfection solidifies Mood Rings’ place in the world with a sound that is soft, ethereal and totally mesmerizing. It sets a high standard for Mood Rings, and creates even higher expectation for what happens next.
Mood Rings play the Drunken Unicorn, Tues. Feb. 1 with Smith Westerns and Yuck. $8-$10. 9 p.m. 736 Ponce de Leon Place.
Download Sweater Weather Forever.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Listening Stack / New Music Song of the Day: 'F.A.B.' by Tendaberry
Posted by Kristin DiOnne Thomas on Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 3:18 PM
Local post-punk soul band and Morehouse alumni Tendaberry has a new single "F.A.B." from their upcoming EP, entitled HIT IT!
"'F.A.B.' is the first single off of Hit It!, and it is an acronym for a coarse slang term for a beautiful woman," bassist Carlton Knight says regarding the song's title (a reference to fine ass bitches). "As always we must remind you that Tendaberry is composed of four polite young black men and that songs oftentimes do not reflect the true nature of their writers. Though, in this case it does..."
Tendaberry. With Gun Party, Dead Rabbits. $5. 8:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 21. Highland Inn Ballroom. 404-874-5756 ext. 450.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Listening Stack Lucy Dreams 'Realize'
Posted by Chad Radford on Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 2:31 PM
- Quinn Kray
Before catching anyone’s attention with a few rough demos posted on their Myspace page, Lucy Dreams turned heads when they played their first show opening for Abby Go Go at 529 back in December. The unassuming four-piece made-up of Decatur High students Lloyd Wingard (guitar, vocals), Jacob Armando (drums), Graham Tavel (bass) and Dani Lyman (keyboard/vocals) took the stage and unleashed a wall of slurred pop hooks, warped melodies and distortion. They left such an impression that they were later asked to play the opening slot for Deerhunter and Black Lips’ show the night that Eyedrum closed down its 290 MLK location.
That same night that the group changed its name to Lucy Dreams, a new moniker that seems slightly less juvenile when the group explains that it’s a reference to Tavel’s white pit bull that was sleeping on a nearby sofa when they were brainstorming for something better than Buffalo Buffalo.
The group has a six-song, self-released EP, titled Going Postal due out April 1.
Here’s a sneak peak at what the group has in store, called “Realize.” This is the first song to show Lyman taking the reins on lead vocals, and the first time Wingard has made a concerted stab at writing lyrics. Many of their songs thus far have been the product of a stream-of-consciousness writing style, and this one resonates with primitive dream-pop sounds, but there's something a little more sophisticated hiding underneath all of that noise. …And how about that tremolo bar?
"Realize" mp3
Friday, January 14, 2011
Listening Stack Rittz is Full of It
Posted by Scott Morris on Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 5:30 PM
I first saw Rittz a couple years back at Lenny's (RIP). It was one of those hip hop showcases with more acts on the bill than there was standing room in the club, and I was having trouble keeping up with who was who. Most everyone was there for the evening's headliner, Yelawolf, who at the time boasted an impressive legion of fans, leaned a little towards the rap-rock side, and was a few years short of a Shady Records/Interscope contract. In between various dj sets and a stage over-crowded with hype men and hangers-on popped up a remarkably talented lyricist, with eyes as red as his beanie-crowned frizzy hair. That night, Rittz had slipped into an easy, borderline lazy, stage demeanor, an even compliment to his spit-fire delivery. On Atlanta's eastside, where most residents view the perimeter as some sort of modern day Mason Dixon of coolness, Rittz was claiming Gwinnett County to the fullness (he calls himself Mr. 770). I remember going home to look him up online, impressed by the performance and intrigued by a guy who claimed to be a martian even before Lil Wayne made it unpopular to be a human being.
These days, Rittz is getting ready to drop a new mixtape, White Jesus. I'm not sure if that's a response to that Wesley Snipes TV special or not, but if the tape features more tracks like the DJ Burn One & KD-produced Full of Shit then I'm definitely in. It's almost hard to tell Rittz and guest star Yelawolf apart, and CL fave Big K.R.I.T.'s verse fits perfectly in between their double-time odes to womanizing and Pimp C (RIP)-influenced chorus. Listen below (courtesy BlvdSt.com).
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Listening Stack / Post No Bills Speakeasy 10 gets a Grizzly mixtape
Posted by Chad Radford on Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 9:56 AM
DJ Grizzly has put together a 14-track mixtape to promote the Speakeasy 10 show coming up this Saturday (Jan. 15) at Apahe Café. It's a pretty smooth mix featuring music by Homeboy Sandman, Arablak, Baka, Headkrack and the Nice Guise. There's an extra-large intro by Fort Knox as well, and the whole thing is teeming with local talent, so check it out.
Listening Stack Take A Ride with Noot d' Noot
Posted by Chad Radford on Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 8:38 AM
This 20+ minute live offering is the first of several digital EPs of new material that will be posted on the group's Bandcamp page throughout the year, so keep your eyes peeled for more.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Listening Stack / Reviews / New Music / Free S#!t Ethereal's No Saliva Vol. 2 perfect to blaze to
Posted by Kristin DiOnne Thomas on Mon, Jan 10, 2011 at 4:55 PM
The start of 2011 has seen a few new releases from local artists via their bandcamp pages. One such joint comes from emerging beatmaker Ethereal. No Saliva Vol. 2 appears to be an ambient exploration of classic R&B/soul, as heard on such tracks as "Dapper Dan," "Love and Happiness," and a memorable chilled version of Michael Jackson's remixed "Rock With You."
Released in conjunction with locally-based music blog Greedmont Park, the mixtape isn't all chill grooves as it picks up a bit with "Ethermonstar," an especially noteworthy track because it has the womp-womp vibe of dub, but stripped-down and void of the heavy bass drop, giving it a soft, impactful sound. Also noteworthy: "Big Bluff," a dirty, little track that features raw snare snaps intermingled with soft brass horns. For those who like to blaze, err, chill out, No Saliva delivers on its promised "adventure in soundscapes."
