The Stereo Bomb is hard at work on new material, but in the meantime, because everyone else is doing it, let’s go over our favorite music of 2011…

The following are my Top 11 Albums for 2011 in alphabetical order. I’m not writing any blurbs or anything because you’ve all read better things about them than what I could write.

Top 11 Albums for 2011 (alphabetical order)

Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
The Black Keys – El Camino
Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Childish Gambino – Camp
Cults – Cults
Drake – Take Care
James Blake – James Blake
Katy B – On a Mission
Real Estate – Days
tUnE-yArDs – W H O K I L L
Washed Out – Within and Without

Honorable Mentions (i.e. other albums I liked)

Action Bronson & Statik Selektah – Well Done
Curren$y – Weekend at Burnie’s
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi – Rome
Das Racist – Relax
Dawes – Nothing is Wrong
Danny Brown – XXX
The Drums – Portamento
Explosions In The Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
The Features – Wilderness
Foster The People – Torches
Fucked Up – David Comes to Life
Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx – We’re New Here
Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost
Givers – In Light
The Head and the Heart – The Head and the Heart
Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne
Oh Land – Oh Land
Red Hot Chili Peppers – I’m with You
Skeletonwitch – Forever Abomination
Sublime with Rome – Yours Truly
Telekinesis – 12 Desperate Straight Lines
Toro y Moi – Underneath the Pine
Wilco – The Whole Love

Favorite Mixtapes (alphabetical order)

Curren$y – Verde Terrace
Freddie Gibbs – Cold Day In Hell
Machine Gun Kelly – Rage Pack
The Weeknd – Echoes in Silence
The Weeknd – House of Balloons*

*Even though I consider “House of Balloons” to be an album and it sounds like an album more than a mixtape, it was officially called a mixtape by the artist so it goes here. If we’re calling it an album, it would easily be in my top 11.

Favorite EPs (alphabetical order)

Beast Make Bomb – Sourpuss
DOM – Sun Bronzed Greek Gods
Lily & the Parlour Tricks – Lily & the Parlour Tricks
Toro y Moi – Freaking Out

Top 11 Favorite Songs (alphabetical order)

I’d make a Spotify playlist but three of these aren’t on Spotify. You guys probably don’t need my help listening to these anyway…

Bon Iver – “Holocene”
Childish Gambino – “Freak and Geeks”
Cults – “Oh My God”
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi f/t Norah Jones – “Black”
Danny Brown – “Monopoly”
Drake – “Marvin’s Room”
Fucked Up – “Queen of Hearts”
Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Niggas in Paris”
Lana Del Rey – “Video Games”
Tyler, the Creator – “Yonkers”
The Weeknd – “The Morning”

Favorite Live Shows

I went to over 50 shows this year. These were my top ten favorites (in descending order, not ascending because that’s stupid and I hate it when listicles do that)…

10. 10/15 – The Creators Project f/t Florence + The Machine @ The DUMBO Archway

After being denied entry to the Creators Project in the summer of 2010, The Stereo Bomb went to 2011’s incarnation with a vengeance, determined to make up for valuable lost time. I was excited to check out A$AP Rocky, Four Tet, and Justice, but Florence + The Machine absolutely stole the show. And what a cool setting too…

Picture of the stage that Florence + The Machine would later take. Photo from themusic.fm

9. 8/18 – Tokyo Police Club, Against Me! @ House of Vans

House of Vans won the award (in my mind) for the best event series of the summer. If you went, you consistently got free music from great bands, (Cults, Fucked Up, Smith Westerns, Screaming Females, Big Freedia, and more played other dates), free beer (usually Heineken), and an outdoor patio space (always welcome in New York City) in a skate park-turned-music venue in Williamsburg (or Greenpoint? Where’s the border again?). You started to recognize people who went to these every week and it became a pretty cool scene.
The day of this particular show, I had just learned I didn’t get a full-time job with a company in the music industry that I had been called in to do a second interview with. (I was told I was one of three who got called back). It was a boring corporate-type job so it was probably for the best, but at the time I was still pissed and needed a mosh pit really badly. Against Me! were happy to oblige. I also caught a drum stick, the third of my concert-going career. For whatever reason, Tokyo Police Club played after Against Me!, so by that point I was just chilling in the back.

8. 9/10 – Virgin Mobile FreeFest f/t The Black Keys @ Merriweather Post Pavilion

In what has become a sort of annual tradition, The Stereo Bomb made the trek from New York City to D.C. (and then back up to Columbia, MD) for the Virgin Mobile FreeFest.  The Black Keys looked right at home playing to what must have been one of their largest crowds ever (upwards of 20k), and it set the stage for what will be a huge 2012 for them. The Stereo Bomb will be at their first show at Madison Square Garden in March, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that show makes this list next year.

7. 7/14 – tUnE-yArDs @ Pier 54
Merril Garbus performed on a beautiful summer night on the waterfront at Pier 54. The moon was full, the sky was clear, and after the show, there were fireworks launched from Jersey City. Pretty good night on the West Side. Sydney Brownstone of The L Magazine wrote the best review of the show I’ve read.

6. 2/7 – Prince @ Madison Sqaure Garden
I’ve always wanted to see Prince, but could never justify shelling out for such an expensive ticket. These were $100 tickets, but my friend won six tickets (six!) so The Stereo Bomb got to go. Even at 52, he has more energy onstage than pretty much any performer I’ve ever seen. This was also the show that Kim Kardashian got pulled up onstage by Prince, was asked to dance, then awkwardly refused. After a while, Prince has had enough and says “get off the stage.” Kim, when Prince tells you to dance, you dance.

5. 10/27 – Green Day @ The Studio at Webster Hall
The last time I saw Green Day was at HSBC Arena (now First Niagara Center) in Buffalo in 2005. It was a big deal since it was the first concert my parents let me go to with my friends without any parental supervision, and we were driving over an hour away from our hometown in suburban Rochester. We had floor tickets and after sneaking in one of my friends who didn’t, got very close to the stage, reveling in the mosh pit. Later I sort of unofficially decided that that would be the last time I would see Green Day, since that experience would be hard to top, and while I still remain a fan of the band, their music is more suited to my 17 year-old sensibilities. Seeing them in an arena or amphitheater setting again wasn’t very appealing.
Though there was no other tour or album announcement, Green Day surprised everyone by announcing a show at the tiny (for them) 300-person capacity Studio at Webster Hall two days before it happened. Tickets went instantly and I couldn’t get any, but a friend was able to, so I found myself where I thought I would never be again – moshing to Billie Joe, Mike, and Tre to classics I rocked out to in my bedroom over a decade ago. The group got into the Halloween spirit (Billie Joe was dressed as Jack Skellington, makeup and all), and they even played deeper cuts like “2000 Light Years Away,” “Paper Lanterns,” and “Going to Pasalacqua,” as well as a cover of The Misfits’ “Hybrid Moments” (three times).

4. 4/30 – Titus Andronicus @ MHOW
This show was at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, one of my favorite places to see a show in Brooklyn. After falling in love with their 2010 album “The Monitor,” I had no problem shelling out for a $15 ticket. After arriving, I stupidly bought a beer and squeezed my way to the front just before the band took the stage. Two minutes later, I was soaked in PBR, but was enjoying a legitimate good ol’-fashioned punk show.  I came to the show alone, but felt right at home in the the crowd which felt like a real community, particularly during “To Old Friends and New.”

3. 6/9 – Kanye West & G.O.O.D. Music Crew @ Skylight One Hanson
Through a series of events I still don’t entirely understand, The Stereo Bomb ended up on the guest list for Heineken’s G.O.O.D. Music Red Star Soul event. Skylight One Hanson, which is the first floor of the old Williamsburgh Savings Bank in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is an impressive, ornate, and cavernous space. The Heineken was free all night, and Kanye West put together an elaborate set, featuring spots from Kid Cudi, Cyhi Da Prynce, Pusha T, and Big Sean. I even spotted Russell Simmons walking among the crowd. This was, and hopefully always will be, the only show I specifically bought new threads for. Of all the shows I’ve been able to get into, I’ll probably always be most proud of this one…

2. 8/10 – Bon Iver @ Prospect Park Bandshell
Some shows are good, some are great, and a very select few are life-affirming. This particular one fell into the latter category. On a beautiful summer night in Brooklyn, at my favorite outdoor venue in the city by far, the Prospect Park Bandshell, I finally got to see Bon Iver, the artist behind on of my favorite albums of the year. The other half of The Stereo Bomb got me into the VIP tent, where we enjoyed good food,a shorter line for drinks and bathrooms, and a preferred viewing area. This was also the only show I went to all year that I was able to walk home from after it was over.

1. 4/2 – LCD Soundsystem @ MSG
After a huge ticketing fiasco that had many up in arms about a conspiracy, I managed to snag myself one ticket when roughly 1,500 more were released the Monday morning before the Saturday night show. The tickets had originally sold out instantly since it was announced that this would be LCD’s last ever show. I can’t remember ever being at a show where everybody just seemed so ridiculously happy to be there. Most people even adhered to the band’s suggested “dress code” of black and white. It got emotional when the band played “All My Friends” and James Murphy half-crooned, half-choked “To tell the truth / this could be the last time…” The final set ended with “New York I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down” as white balloons cascaded down from the ceiling, and just like that, the band that epitomized the apex of the Brooklyn indie scene had come to its conclusion.

Picture from mecho.com

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these things.  I just spend the last two weeks in London (plus a weekend in Paris), and I return from across the pond with a lot of new music I’m excited about.  So I present to you…

A Very London Playlist -

1) James Blake – “Limit To Your Love”

Dubstep as a genre has been around long enough now to have it’s own post-subgenre, and according to British media, this track is post-dubstep, so who am i to argue?  Also, pretty much every magazine I picked up in the UK had James Blake on the top of their “who to watch for in 2011″ list, so consider yourself warned.  Part of the “quiet revolution.”  And yes, this is a cover of Feist’s song, but it sounds much colder.

2) Juan Zelada – “Story of Stuff”

Zelada is from Spain, not the UK.  I saw him play during a bi-monthly (the one that’s every two months, not the one that’s twice a month) showcase for Music Week (Britain’s Billboard).  I was really impressed with his showmanship and level of comfort on stage.  Obviously a good songwriter and musician as well as bandleader.  I could see him opening for DMB (if they decide to tour again) or playing at the Rochester Jazz Festival.  This song wasn’t as good as some of the other tunes he played live, but it’s the best off his only recorded EP.

3) Katy B – “Katy On A Mission”

My first foreign nightclub experienced took place on New Year’s Eve at South London’s Brixton Academy.  I was nice and buzzed upon arrival since I could drink freely on my way over (open containers ftw).  Katy came out just before midnight to lead the crowd in the countdown and the first tune she played after midnight was UK chart-topper “Katy B On A Mission.”  Great way to start off the night.  Dubstep-icon Benga does the production and adds his trademark warble, giving the track its signature pop-dubstep feel.

The highest rated comment on the official video on Youtube (which as of now has over 10 million views) claims, “America doesn’t have music like this… no offense.”  None taken, so long as you don’t mind us listening in.

4) Magnetic Man f/t Ms. Dynamite – “Fire”

I was in London as part of a winter break study-abroad session.  In our class we received vouchers for £25 to HMV (their version of Tower Records, which somehow still exists).  I went with my British friend Wesley and had him recommend a few titles to me.  I’m glad he pointed out Magnetic Man, which is the production collaboration of Benga, Skream, and Artwork.  This track is given fire (excuse the pun) by UK Garage-legend Ms. Dynamite.

5) Martin Solveig, Dragonette – “Hello”

Martin Solveig is French and Dragonette are Canadian, but this song is a smash in the UK (and Europe).  After taking in the lyrics, is a mix of confident self-awareness while also being unnecessarily depressing, depending on your perspective.  Reflective of the twitter-era – not wanting to be tied down with commitments or having a meaningful conversation.  Of course, you could just listen and enjoy it for what it is – a catchy-as-fuck dance anthem.  Warning: do not listen if you don’t want it stuck in your head for the rest of the day.  It also has a sweet video.

6) Mumford & Sons – “Little Lion Man”

I don’t know what took me so long to get into Mumford & Sons, (oh wait – yes i do. it’s because they weren’t on Spotify until last month. well, never mind).  I heard this one on BBC Radio 1 while channel surfing.  (Yes, terrestrial radio stations in the UK are also broadcast via television. They’re also relevant).  It’s the sort of folk-rock that makes you miss home, wherever that is.

7) Nero – “Innocence”

UK dubstep/drum & bass duo Nero released “Innocence,” their debut single back in April.  It also might be the hardest dubstep track I’ve heard.  I read somewhere that “Nero are the Daft Punk of dubstep,” and I couldn’t agree more.  The animated music video certainly does a lot for that comparison.

8 ) Plan B – “Love Goes Down”

My first night in London I found myself in an Irish bar in Chinatown (so much for authenticity).  I was initially disappointed in the music selection by the DJ.  Mostly American pop or classic.  I even heard “Sweet Home Alabama” (how many Brits could point to Alabama on a map?)  This song came on in the middle and I turned to Wesley and asked who it was. “It’s Plan B!” he exclaimed.  Later that week I listened to the album.  Between Plan B and Cee-Lo, neo-soul certainly had a resurgence in 2010.  Apparently his older stuff is mostly rap.  I’m glad he identified his core competency.

9) Rusko f/t Amber Coffman – “Hold On” (Sub Focus Remix)

The original version of this record has appeared in an older Stereo Bomb playlist, but this remix was everywhere in London.  Every club I went to, even there was no other dubstep being played, it was there.  Sometimes a record has an ability to get those who aren’t dancing/feeling the vibe to wake up, even if only for a moment.  This is one of those records.

10) TC – “Where’s My Money” (Caspa Remix)

Okay, this playlist is very dubstep heavy.  I apologize if that’s not your thing.  I had heard this track months ago when Caspa played Webster Hall, but when he dropped it at Brixton Academy on New Years Eve at 3 AM, it was given a whole new meaning.  Might have been the peak of the whole night.  Also, I hadn’t realized that the first sample (electronic pulses on 1 and the “and” of 2) is actually what you hear when you’re calling someone in Britain before they’ve picked up.  Even the UK’s ringbacks are more rhythmic than ours.

11) The Saturdays – “Ego”

It’s fluff really. Nothing deep here.  A British girl group with five super-hot females singing an emasculating song.  I wouldn’t change the channel when the video would come on though. (Oh yeah, they show actual music videos on British TV).

12) The Streets – “Geezers Need Excitement”

I’ve heard this song at least 100 times.  I love The Streets, particularly his debut “Original Pirate Material.”  For a long time it was my only window into London life.  (He’s actually from Birmingham but whatever).  For some reason, when I was taking the tube listening to the album straight through, this song felt like I was hearing it for the first time.  One of those moments.  Mike Skinner tells stories like no other.

13) The Targets – “Wake Up” (Chris Sheldon Mix)

I saw The Targets at the Music Week showcase I mentioned earlier.  I’m not sure anyone should be allowed to write a song and call it “Wake Up” anymore for obvious reasons, but The Targets aren’t trying to pen an indie-rock anthem – just trying to put together solid three-man picked-bass power rock.

14) Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – “Garden”

TEED win the best-named-artist-in-this-playlist award, that’s for sure.  The quiet-electro outfit came on at Brixton NYE around 1 AM and kept the party moving.  They only have 2 EPs out right now, but definitely be on the lookout for more from them.

Another year has come and gone, and while we love “Best of…” lists as much as the next people, we’re not going to do one.  Instead, here’s a list of our favorite music released in 2010 – completely in alphabetical order by artist…

The Stereo Bomb’s Favorite Albums of 2010

• Arcade Fire – “The Suburbs”
• Best Coast – “Crazy For You”
• Big Boi – “Sir Lucious Left Foot… The Son Of Chico Dusty”
• The Black Keys – “Brothers”
• Cee Lo Green – “The Lady Killer”
• Curren$y – “Pilot Talk I & II”
• The Dead Weather – “Sea of Cowards”
• Deadmau5 – “4×4=12”
• Dr. Dog – “Shame, Shame”
• Drake – “Thank Me Later”
• Four Tet – “There Is Love In You”
• Free Energy – “Stuck On Nothing”
• Gorillaz – “Plastic Beach”
• Kanye West – “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”
• LCD Soundsystem – “This Is Happening”
• The National – “High Violet”
• Robyn – “Body Talk”
• Sleigh Bells – “Treats”
• Surfer Blood – “Astro Coast”
• Titus Andronicus – “The Monitor”
• Tokyo Police Club – “Champ”

Favorite Songs of 2010

• Arcade Fire – “City With No Children”
• Cee Lo Green – “Fuck You”
• Cults – “Go Outside”
• Dr. Dog – “Jackie Wants A Black Eye”
• Drake f/t The-Dream – “Shut It Down”
• Free Energy – “Free Energy”
• The Black Keys – “Everlasting Light”
• Das Racist – “hahahaha jk?”
• Deadmau5 – “Sofi Needs A Ladder”
• The Drums – “Down By The Water”
• Eminem f/t Rihanna – “Love The Way You Lie”
• Four Tet – “Love Cry”
• Freddie Gibbs – “National Anthem (Fuck The World)”
• Gorillaz – “On Melancholy Hill”
• Kanye West f/t Pusha T – “Runaway”
• LCD Soundsystem – “Dance Yrself Clean”
• Marnie Stern – “Cinco De Mayo”
• The National – “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
• Robyn – “Dancing On My Own”
• Rusko – “Woo Boost”
• Sleigh Bells – “Rill Rill”
• Surfer Blood – “Swim”
• Titus Andronicus – “A More Perfect Union”
• Willow Smith – “Whip My Hair”
• Wiz Khalifa – “In The Cut”

Favorite EPs of 2010

• Freddie Gibbs – “Str8 Killa – EP”
• Girls – “Broken Dreams Club – EP”

Favorite Mixtapes of 2010

• Das Racist – “Sit Down, Man”
• Major Lazer / La Roux – “Lazerproof”
• Wiz Khalifa – “Kush and Orange Juice”

Favorite Music DVD of 2010

• The White Stripes – “Under Great White Northern Lights”

It’s been a very busy and exciting month for The Stereo Bomb.  We just announced our next show – December 2 at Rochester Institute of Technology.  More info on that here.  Amidst all the hubbub, we still wanna give you guys a Playlist of the Month, so without further adieu, here it is…

The Playlist of the Month for November 2010

1) Bear Hands – “Belongings”

Last month was CMJ week, when hundreds of buzzbands descend upon New York City in a furious wave.  Through various connections, The Stereo Bomb was able to secure badges which gain free entry to all the events.  That sounds great, but we barely used them.  Some of the best parties during CMJ week are unofficial and only require a simple RSVP for entry.  PureVolume sponsored such an event which featured good music and flowing free alcohol – the essential ingredients for a good time.

We were there for the headliner, Wavves, who had just opened for Phoenix at Madison Square Garden earlier that night, but they weren’t the highlight.  Bear Hands were the highlight.  This song is off their just-released debut LP “Burning Bush Supper Club.”  They’re on tour now, and hopefully they get big so I can say I saw them before they blew up in a little pseduo-basement venue in the East Village.

I could only find a live video (not from the show we were at) but do yourself a favor and get their new album.

2) Cee Lo Green – “Satisfied”

The true lady killer had a huge viral hit with this summer’s “Fuck You,” but his album wasn’t scheduled to be released until December – enough time in the future to land in the infinite viral video graveyard.  His label wisely pushed the release up as much as they could to November.  If you were ready to write off the album as a cheap single with a bunch of fluff, don’t.  “The Lady Killer” doesn’t disappoint, and neither does this song.  The classic soul sound may not be back in the mainstream, but if you want to be transported, “Satisfied” does the trick.

3) Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – “Nothing But Our Love”

We were fortunate enough to catch Dale Earnhardt III… I mean, Jr. Jr., at the free (no CMJ badge needed) Saturday afternoon Brooklyn Vegan showcase in Williamsburg.  They’ve gotten a lot of buzz but I hadn’t indluged myself with their sounds.  They won me over with their authentic NASCAR apparel get-ups before they even played a note.

4) Diplo f/t Lil Jon – “U Don’t Like Me” (Datsik Remix)

Earlier this month producer/DJ/curator Diplo released a compilation called “Blow Your Head Volume One – Diplo Presents: Dubstep.”  Canadian boy wonder Datsik kills this remix.

5) The Drums – “Down By The Water”

I caught The Drums headline a CMJ showcase (I needed my badge for this one) and was amazed at their stage presence.  They’ve definitely honed their live show over the last few years.  Most of their songs have an upbeat, sunny, surfy-type vibe.  “Down By The Water” is a departure – a throwback to 50s doo-wop/”Enchantment Under The Sea” slowdance.  Apparently it was also used in an episode of Gossip Girl.  You’ll just have to trust me when I say that’s not how I heard it.

6) Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes – “Home”

Before I say anything, I’m very aware that I’m jumping on the Magnetic Zeroes bandwagon pretty late.  They played the Virgin Mobile FreeFest back in September but I missed their set.  Everyone who saw it said it was awesome, so naturally I was intrigued.  Then, the NFL uses them in this awesome commercial and now not only do I have one of their songs stuck in my head but an intense desire to go to an NFL game.  And since my Bills got their first win of the season today, why not?

7) Freelance Whales – “Generator (First Floor)”

My friend recommended them to me and he said their new-ish album “Weathervanes” and claimed it was his “favorite album of the year hands down.” I don’t know about that, but it’s pretty good.

8 ) Kid Cudi f/t Kanye West – “Erase Me”

Cleveland’s own dropped his sophomore release earlier this month and the lead single is undeniable.  Also the intro to this music video is hilarious.

9) Rusko – “Cockney Thug” (Caspa Remix)

This track is also off Diplo’s new compilation.  And it’s Rusko and Caspa.  And it samples Alan Ford from “Snatch.” I’m sold.

10) Surfer Blood – “Twin Peaks”

Despite being a big fan and having several previous chances to do so, I have never seen Surfer Blood live.  That is, I hadn’t until CMJ week.  I saw them twice that week actually.  The second time was at a DIY garage-like space in Williamsburg.  The venue was small and bands had to load their equipment in through the same entrance as everyone else used.  It was also BYOB.  Between sets I got a phone call and wanted to take it outside so I had to abandon my beer and I left it in a corner.  When I got back, Surfer Blood had put all their equipment around that corner rendering my beer inaccessible without looking like I was rummaging through their equipment which I obviously didn’t want to do.  I noticed the frontman was standing nearby so I asked if he could fetch my beer.  He did.  What a guy.

Later I was kicking myself for not asking him why he references Syracuse in their song “Twin Peaks.”  I still don’t know and would like to.

11) Titus Andronicus – “Four Score and Seven”

I caught their set at the Brooklyn Vegan showcase I mentioned earlier.  The oft-overused word “epic” comes to mind.  You should definitely give them a listen.

_____________________________________

Okay that’s it.  Come to our show if you can!

Tickets are now on sale for our show at RIT in Rochester.  They can be purchased on Ticketmaster or at The Gordon Field House on the RIT campus.  The location for the show is the SAU cafeteria (not at the Field House).

December 2nd, 8:00pm.

$5 for students
$10 for non-students

A note about Ticketmaster: If you buy them off Ticketmaster, you don’t get the student discount and they tack on a lot of fees, so you could end up paying $17.45 per ticket if you buy one at a time and want to print it at home.  Obviously that’s Ticketmaster taking money off the top that we nor RIT ever see.  We don’t want to rip you guys off so if you can, definitely get them at The Gordon Field House.

Also, we are aware that the Ticketmaster event says the venue is The Gordon Field House.  This is not correct.  Per the flyer and all other publicity we will be playing at the SAU Cafeteria.

If you’re feeling lucky (or cheap) know that we plan to give a few pairs away over the coming weeks, so pay close attention to our Facebook and Twitter feeds to maybe score some free tickets.

Also be sure to RSVP at our official Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=167225819973473

See you at the show!

So fall is finally upon us.  the air smells a bit crisper, wardrobes are getting heavier, and playoff baseball is underway.  there’s also good music, which is really more our bag anyway.

The Playlist of the Month for October 2010:

1) Freddie Gibbs f/t Chuck Inglish, Chip Tha Ripper, Bun B, & Dan Aurbach – “Oil Money”

I’ve been on a real Freddie kick as of late.  His recent EP “Str8 Killa” is excellent – a real throwback to authentic gangsta rap.  “Oil Money” is the second single off the record and features some slick verses by Freddie and a hook sung by Dan Aurbach of the Black Keys.

2) Gorillaz – “M1A1″

Thanks to the MTA, I missed out on the chance to see Gorillaz at MSG… for free.  I hate to miss a show for a stupid reason – even more so when I would have gotten in for free.  Nonetheless, I listened to this song a bit the last month to pump myself up.  One of my favorite things about Gorillaz albums is that none of the songs really sound anything alike.  Once “M1A1″ picks up it sounds like some high school kids who listen to the Vines a lot are playing in their garage.  The next song on the eponymous album is “Dracula,” which sounds like it could have appeared on a Scientist rarities compilation.

3) Jimmy Eat World – “23″

Last month several of my friends made the trek down to Columbia, Maryland to the Virgin Mobile FreeFest.  Planning and coordinating about 35 people to go to an out-of-state event was a lot of work, but worth it.  Jimmy Eat World played the first set of the day that I caught, and took me back to my high school days.  (I remember seeing them open for Green Day on their American Idiot tour in Buffalo in 2005 – the first out-of-town concert I was allowed to drive to without my parents).  Jimmy Eat World is best known for their pop-rock radio hits like “The Middle” and “Sweetness” (with which they closed their set), but I always thought their best work was with their more heartfelt, emotional slower songs.

4) Kanye West f/t a shit ton of other people – “Monster”

A month ago I took the 4 train with my sister up to Yankee Stadium to see titans of rap Jay-Z and Eminem’s co-headliner show.  Predictably, Kanye West made an appearance.  Unpredictably, it ended up being one of the highest points of the night.  And of course, Nicki Minaj was there to absolutely kill on the best 32 bars you’ll hear all year.

5) LCD Soundsystem – “Home”

After Virgin Mobile FreeFest, I have now seen LCD Soundsystem three times this year, (after never seeing them before this year).  I’ve noticed that James Murphy doesn’t change up his sets much, but they unpredictably brought out 2010′s “This Is Happening” album closer “Home” to close the show.  It would really be a shame if that were their last album.

6) Lil Wayne f/t Drake – “Right Above It”

Weezy gave his fans an appetizer while we patiently wait for “Tha Carter IV” to drop.  There’s a few gems on this 10 song album/EP/mini-album (not really sure how we’re supposed to classify it) including single “Right Above It.”  At this point Wayne and Drake work together like Pippin and Jordan.

7) Marnie Stern – “Cinco De Mayo”

When reading about Marnie Stern, words like “furious” and “virtuosity” are bound to pop up – and for good reason.  This chick can play.  “Cinco De Mayo,” while not a single, stands out to me because of it’s driving drum part and underlying optimism.

8 ) Matt & Kim f/t De La Soul – “Daylight” (Troublemaker Remix)

While at Virgin Mobile FreeFest, I was killing time on the lawn with some friends before I was gonna go to Sleigh Bells.  I really wasn’t expecting much from Matt & Kim but they played a great set and really got the crowd into it.  They of course didn’t play this remix, but I like it a lot.

9) Michael Franti & Spearhead – “Say Hey (I Love You)”

I’ve been watching a lot of baseball and football this month and yes, this is the song in the Corona commercial.

10) Sleigh Bells – “Infinity Guitars”

Sleigh Bells was definitely the highlight of the Virgin Mobile FreeFest for me (okay, maybe tied with LCD).  They played a side stage and the crowd kicked up so much dust I could hardly breathe.  This only added to the dark, intense nature of their set.  I really could have picked any song they played (which was all of them, since they only really have 10), but they recently released a cool new video to “Infinity Guitars” so I wanted to include the link.

11) TC – “Where’s My Money” (Caspa Remix)

I don’t really much like dealing with Webster Hall and their bouncers but I’ll brave it if I think the act is worth it.  Dubstep icon Caspa headlined one of their dollar-entry Friday shows to the mostly sausage-fest and underage girl crowd.

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That’s it. Stay tuned Stereo Bomb fans. We have some exciting news coming up…

The problem with releasing something called “Playlist of the Month” means that sometimes by the time you are supposed to release it, songs have already come and gone, been culturally sampled and disposed of.  The question is, do I include these songs anyway or just find other ones?  I like to think of this space as less of a method of discovery and more of a highlights section/area of reflection.  Who knows, not everyone religiously keeps up with facebook/twitter/insert social network here and sometimes things slip through the meme-cracks.  Besides, being “new” isn’t a requisite for inclusion on this list.  Without further ado, the (very hip-hop infused, for reasons I’ll get into later) Playlist of the Month for September 2010…

1) “You Ain’t No DJ” – Big Boi

At the start of each school year the NYU Programming Board puts together a “Mystery Concert.” It leaked a bit before that Big Boi would be the headliner, and I was excited to see Sir Lucious, but wasn’t sure how he’d play to the reserved seat venue.  Turns out drunkenly dumbing out with a bunch of wide-eyed freshmen was more fun and energetic than I expected.

2) “High Rise” – Big Sean

My buddy Andy (of My Free Concert) hooked me up with tickets to Rock The Bells on Governors Island.  Earlier in the afternoon we were wandering around the field and made our way over to the side stage where I caught the tail end of Big Sean’s set.  The dude has skill, and we’ll be hearing a lot from him before it’s all said and done.  He’s been signed to Kanye’s label for a few years now but hasn’t had a proper release yet.  Kanye probably just wants to pay forward his Roc-A-Fella drama he had earlier in his career, but he would know what’s best.

3) “Fuck You” – Cee-Lo Green

By now probably everyone has heard this, but when I did, I couldn’t stop listening to it for a week.  The link above is to the text video,which I actually think is better/more appropriate for the song than the real video.  I like the room the text video leaves to the imagination.

4) “Hearts On Fire” – Cut Copy

I only made it to two of the Jelly Pool Parties in Williamsburg this year, but on this attempt I managed to fanagle my way into the VIP area (i.e. drink free alcohol) making Cut Copy’s headlining set that much more enjoyable.  Their most recognizable song was also the highlight.

5) “Bushwick Blues” – Delta Spirit

I’ve been a fan of Delta Spirit since their 2008 debut “Ode To Sunshine,” which was a fantastic album start to finish.  This is the first single off their follow-up “History From Below” which came out in June.  The video came out this month so that reignited my interest.  A nice tribute to East East Williamsburg.

6) “National Anthem (Fuck The World)” – Freddie Gibbs

I’ll admit, west coast rap (by way of the midwest) isn’t exactly my strong suit, so forgive my lateness to the Freddie-mobile.  GIbbs dropped his highly anticipated EP “Str8 Killa” this past month and this track was the lead single.  Also has a pretty sweet video.  There’s one scene where he names a bunch of cities (New York, Atlanta, Detroit, Oakland, Houston etc) and he’s sitting on a beat up pick-up truck in the middle of a corn field.  The juxtaposition of the urban flow and rural setting is striking and effective.  His style is smooth gangsta rap – a refreshing departure from the autotune brigade.

7) “Lemonade” – Gucci Mane

I’ve lived in NYC for two summers now, and the Sunday Jelly Pool Parties in Williamsburg have become a summer staple for my friends and I.  Due to various reasons I won’t explore here, this may have been the final year of the Pool Parties, and I knew I had to go to the last one.  Jelly somehow managed to keep the headliners a secret up until early that afternoon.  In the age of twitter, I’m not really sure how they pulled that off, but it was impressive.

Many people may have been surprised that Gucci was the secret headliner, as the Pool Parties feature generally indie-friendly lineups (think Grizzly Bear, Cut Copy, chillwave artists, etc).  But this time it wasn’t necessarily about pleasing the masses.  The folks over at Jelly have worked hard for five years bringing free concerts to north Brooklyn and have taken a lot of crap while doing it.  This one was for themselves.  If the last Sunday in August really was the final Pool Party, I’ll miss them, but I know we won’t stop hearing from Jelly.

*Also, when I found the link to the video above, I had to sit through a trailer for NOW 35.  I remember when the first NOW came out.  I’m getting old.

8 ) “U Smile (800% Slowed Down)” – Justin Beiber

Again, probably anyone who cared has already heard this, but I thought it was really cool.  Sounds like a Sigur Ros EP.

9) “See Me Now” – Kanye West f/t Beyonce and Charlie Wilson

As part of Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Friday series (he’s been releasing a new track every Friday for the past few weeks), this song has already been replaced with newer Kanye tracks, but I’m digging the neo-soul fest aspect of the record.  I heard it on Hot 97 while riding in a U-Haul to help my buddy move to Astoria and it reminded me that while radio is dying, it’s nice some stations are at least trying their best to stay relevant (i.e. playing songs that haven’t been heavily promoted/A&R’ed).

10) “Woop! Woop!” – KRS-One

KRS-One was the first big act of the day I caught at Rock The Bells.  His set was a confusing and awkward mix of serious hip hop skill, old school preaching, condescension towards the audience.  I know they used to break beats using two vinyl records, but there’s no reason to hate on the Serato producers you’re opening for.

11) “Lost Ones” – Lauryn Hill

Another Rock The Bells story:  The end of Lauryn Hill’s set (scheduled from 5:50-6:50) was set to overlap with the beginning of Wiz Khalifa’s side stage set (scheduled from 6:45-7:30).  I figured I would catch most of Lauryn’s act and then make my way over to see Wiz.  Up until that point in the day each artist had been sticking pretty well to their scheduled set times.  Lauryn took the stage about 40 minutes late, by which point I was more annoyed than excited to see her.  When she finally did play it was a cacophonous mix of a full band that was too uptempo for her R&B/hip-hop sound.

Apparently the next day at the DC show, she was THREE HOURS late to the stage because she was getting a mani-pedi.  The game has missed Lauryn, but if she doesn’t want to do this anymore, she shouldn’t.  I’m much happier just to figuratively dust off my “Miseducation” mp3s.  I left after two songs.  She opened with “Lost Ones” and I found it all too amusing that when she was singing the chorus, “You might win some but you just lost one,” she might as well have been singing about me.

12) “It’s Tricky” – Run DMC

DMC (sans Rev Run) opened the Gucci Mane Pool Party I mentioned earlier and put on an entertaining set of classics.  I had been trying to figure out who the headliners were all afternoon so I had been checking twitter constantly.  I noticed  Andrew WK (@AndrewWK, who you really should follow if you don’t already) tweeted that he would “partying” at the brooklyn pool party.  I wondered if he would be among the crowd or maybe play a song.  Much to my delight, he joined DMC on stage playing keyboard and singing the hook on “It’s Tricky.”  Pretty awesome.

13) “In The Cut” – Wiz Khalifa

After being pretty much disgusted with Lauryn Hill, I made my way over to the side stage at Rock The Bells and caught the entirety of Wiz Khalifa’s set, which was chock full o’ tunes from his excellent mixtape released earlier this year, “Kush and Orange Juice.”  About halfway in, Kid Khalifa took a respite to toke up behind the DJ table and came back out to this Garden State-approved chill party jam. He looked right at home headlining the side stage.  It won’t be long until he joins the all-stars.

Also, until I made this post, I had no idea this song had a video.  Nothing groundbreaking, but it’s nice to see a hip-hop video depict a party that could ACTUALLY happen (young twenty somethings who are not all models drinking cheap beer and smoking joints).  The attainability and honest approach of Khalifa is a large part of his success.

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Okay that’s it.  Hope everyone had a good summer.  Go buckeyes…

One of the best parts of living in New York City is the abundance of shows/parties/corporate-sponsored events to go to, especially in the summer.  Many of these events are free/offer free alcohol, which depending on your level of income, can severely dampen the effects of the recession.  The Stereo Bomb’s move to Brooklyn has been a long and tumultuous experience, but thanks to the music gods, it’s had one hell of a soundtrack.  Here’s The Stereo Bomb’s Playlist of the Month for August 2010:

1) “City With No Children” – Arcade Fire

I got word on a Thursday afternoon that the new Arcade Fire record, “The Suburbs,” had leaked.  Even though I, like many others, have been waiting with much anticipation for three years for a follow-up to “Neon Bible,” I didn’t listening until that Saturday night, two days later.  I had to make sure I was in a proper setting where I wouldn’t be distracted and could just concentrate on the record.  I won’t talk too much about it since you can find reviews (mostly praising it) all over the internet, but as soon as I had finished the first listen, I knew what Arcade Fire had produced would be a very important record.

2) “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)” – Arcade Fire

“City With No Children” couldn’t be my only selection from the album, because I caught them at Madison Square Garden last week.  (The show was live webcast on youtube. I was in the front row.  I’ve been told you can see me).  As such, I need to pay tribute to the live show and select a song they actually played.  “Sprawl II” serves/d as the climactic penultimate song on both the album and their live show.  From the opening line: “They heard me singing and they told me to stop / ‘Quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock,’” it’s clear that this is the summation of Arcade Fire’s message, at least with this record.

*Also interesting to note, on the vinyl version of the record, because the lengths of songs wouldn’t fit onto four sides in their intended order, “Suburban War” follows “Sprawl II” and then leads into the final track, “The Suburbs (Continued).” I understand producing a 3-LP set would be prohibitively expensive, but I can’t remember a record to come out recently in which sequencing is more important than this one.  It kind of detracts from the experience.

3) “Boyfriend” – Best Coast

Every Friday during the summer there’s a free concert at the Financial Disctrict’s South Street Seaport.  A few weeks ago, the oft-buzzed-about Best Coast opened for Free Energy.  Their opener “Boyfriend” establishes the formula for the whole album: singer Bethany Cosentino laments being alone, sings about longing, add some fuzzy sunshiny backing guitar, crank up the reverb, and finish in three minutes or less.  It works.

4) “Daddy Fat Sax” – Big Boi

Last month, Big Boi dropped the universally acclaimed LP “Sir Lucious Left Foot… The Son Of Chico Dusty.”  Setting it off is it’s firey, banging intro, “Daddy Fat Sax.”  You’ll never notice Andre 3000 is absent.

5) “Next Girl” – The Black Keys

Seeing one of your favorite bands for free is always a good thing.  It’s even better when the reason it’s free is because you won the tickets.  Yes, apparently, people really do actually win those online ticket giveaways you always read about – and I must say, this show was the best forty dollars I didn’t spend.

6) “Hang Me Up To Dry” – Cold War Kids

Also falling under the they-made-the-playlist-of-the-month-because-I-saw-them-for-free.  Heineken decided it would be a good idea to spend a ton of money repurposing a west-side Manhattan warehouse as a real-life Heineken commercial.  The terms were simple: RSVP online, show up, drink free beer, eat free food, listen to good music.  Sounds good to me.  Literally.

7) “Something In Common” – Free Energy

Free Energy headlined the South Street Seaport show I mentioned earlier.  I downloaded their album (legally, actually) earlier this year and while I loved the record, I was disappointed that “Something In Common,” which was on their Myspace for weeks leading up to the album’s release, didn’t make the final cut.  Fortunately, they brought it back for their live set.  Also, it apparently syncs up really well with Joseph Gordon-Levitt movies.

8 ) “Hold You” – Gyptian

While not exactly prevalent amongst the white-indie-kid scene, reggae/dancehall/kind-of-reggaeton-but-not-really is adored by people in Spanish-speaking neighborhoods.  And by “adored” I mean it’s all you hear playing in car stereos/bodegas.  If Time Life Music were to put out a compilation of music to accompany a tall boy purchase, they’d be hard pressed not to include this track.  I may become an unwilling expert in this genre after a year of living in Flatbush.  Truth be told, the Major Lazer remix of this track is better, but this is the version I’ve inadvertently heard countless times, so it makes the list.

9) “I’m Not Your Lemonade + Heroes n Villains Remix” – Major Lazer & La Roux f/t Gucci Mane

Speaking of Major Lazer, this month I was turned onto the Mad Decent-produced mixtape “Lazerproof.”  The production is slick, chorus catchy, and though I’ve been sort of ambivalent towards Gucci in the past, his Jeezy-esque timbre complements the beat well.

10) “Geese of Beverly Road” – The National

After four straight months, I promise this will be the last National song to be on a Playlist of the Month for a long while.  A few weeks ago was my fourth National show and my first in their home base of Brooklyn.  After seeing them uneasily conquer Radio City, The National looked much more at home playing to a packed house in Prospect Park.

This song warrants inclusion on the list for a few reasons.  One: they played it at the show.  Two: I now live kind of close to Beverly Road (and hear a lot of car alarms).  Three: Apparently the federal Agriculture Department recently captured and gassed around 400 Canadian Geese in Prospect Park as they were “overpopulating.”

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That’s all. Next month’s list will be on time.

Summer is in full effect, and like any good season, it needs a soundtrack – something to accompany BBQs, rooftops, fireworks, and the day drinking that comes with World Cup games.  With that we present The Stereo Bomb’s Playlist of the Month for July 2010.

1) “You Used to Hold Me” – Calvin Harris

I first heard of the Scottish King of Electropop when his song “Colours” was featured in the menu music for the FIFA 09 game.  It was a good choice for the world’s game: there is something undeniably appealing about Harris’s music on an international level.  This banger is from his 2009 album “Ready for the Weekend.”

2) “Horse Power” – The Chemical Brothers

The Manchester electro duo released their new studio effort “Further” this past month.  Nothing too out of the ordinary here, just what you’ve come to expect from probably the most prolific electronic act out there.  “Horse Power” is a stand out track.

3) “Shut it Down” – Drake f/t The-Dream

After months (years, really) of buzz, mixtapes, and guest appearances, rap’s golden boy finally released his debut album.  It’s chock full of emotionally-charged R&B meets 808s hip-hop, but during my first listen, (and subsequent ones as well), this seductive gem rose to the top.  Drake shows suave beyond his years as The-Dream lends vocals to the hook.  This is the kind of summer slow jam 17 year-olds lose their virginity to.

4) “Love the Way you Lie” – Eminem f/t Rihanna

While Drake was busy having his coming out party, Eminem also released his second comeback album in as many years.  His last effort “Relapse” was… well, awful (he admits as much in his earlier single “Not Afraid”).  So “Recovery” is his true comeback album.  And on second thought, it might not be so much a comeback album as it a reflection on his life/career up until now.

Em rarely uses female guests on his music. (Aside from “Drug Ballad” and “Stan” [which doesn't really count anyway because it was a sample] I can’t think of any).  On “Love the Way you Lie” he channels Rihanna, which juxtaposes nicely with Eminem’s aggresive/desperate demeanor.

On my first listen of the album (this song is track 15 of 17), I was sure this would be a hit.  Days later I was hearing it on the radio in heavy rotation.  Be sure to enjoy it now before it becomes overplayed.

5) “Hello Brooklyn 2.0″ – Jay-Z f/t Lil Wayne

The Stereo Bomb is moving to Brooklyn!  Part of the reason this playlist is out a few days late is because my past lease was up and we were spending a few days moving stuff over to our new place.  There are countless songs celebrating Kings County, but who better to do it than Jigga himself (with help from his New Orleans transplant).

6) “California Gurls” – Katy Perry f/t Snoop Dogg

Overly poppy and unimaginative? Maybe.  Catchy as sin? Undeniably.  I’ll leave it at that.  Snoop Dogg sounds like he hasn’t had this much fun in years.

7) “Bulletproof” – La Roux

Even in the age of the internet, where emails and mp3′s can travel the world in the blink of an eye, it sometimes takes a while for culture to cross the Atlantic.  While a smash in the UK in 2009, the song is just gaining ground here in the states.  Another catchy radio-friendly jam for the summer.

8 ) “XXXO” – M.I.A.

M.I.A.’s third studio album /\/\/\Y/\ (aka “Maya”) isn’t due until later this month but it leaked weeks ago.  The album shows M.I.A. in a somewhat departure from “Arular” and “Kala” channeling more electro dubstep-type sounds.  “XXXO” is probably the most “Arular”-sounding track of the whole bunch.

9) “Abel” – The National

This month I got to see my favorite band play at Radio City, my first visit at that venue.  It’s a tough place to play.  Instead of playing to fans packed up front to see you, you’re playing to fans (hopefully standing) in separate seats.  The front rows are occupied by elite stiffs instead of excited fans.  The National did the best they could given the circumstances, but when they started “Abel” towards the end of their set, lead singer Matt Berninger ran up to the mezzanine level (with the super-long microphone cable hanging over the orchestra’s pit) climbing over seats and mingling with fans.  I’ve seen singers go out into the crowd dozens of times, but never climb to an upper level of seats.

10) “Hold On” – Rusko f/t Amber Coffman

If there was any doubt whether or not dubstep has permeated the United States (at least its indie scene) the proof is in the Leeds-based dubstep artist Rusko teaming up with Amber Coffman, singer of Brooklyn indie kings Dirty Projectors.  This track is definitely the standout from Rusko’s new album “OMG.”

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That’s it.  Stay cool out there…

We had such a good time at our show in Athens, OH that we wanted to share a recording of it with you if you couldn’t make it out – or if you were there and just want to relive the night.  The people at Mound Eisley were great and we can’t thank them enough.  And a special thanks to the Athens Police Department for breaking up the party after we were finished with our set.  Also, thanks to our friend Andy Poland, who took the photo that ended up as our cover art.  The recording is straight from our laptop – complete with mixing issues, and whatnot.  It’s also divided into separate tracks for your convenience.  As always, thanks for listening.  Enjoy…

The Stereo Bomb – Live in Ohio