The Ministry of Song™

Fill Your Inbox. Empty Your Mind.

2009-02-13T16:34:00.000-05:00

Stop the underground transmission. Stop it now. Eliot, we will not stand for your wordless messages of musical glory. Once they are translated, you will be... dealt with.
Eliot Lipp - Live From The Beat Bunker.mp3

This is Alice Russell.
Listen to what Nxxxxxxx Public Radio says about her soultastic self.
“She is the embodiment of --- eyed soul...Alice Russell may not yet be as well known as fellow British ---- divas like Amy Winehouse or xxxx Stone, but she’s --- than their equal.”
Alice Russell - Got The Hunger.mp3

Breathe On Me Electronically. Shhhhh. Yum.

2009-02-13T02:15:00.000-05:00

The Ministry of Song would like to clear up some confusion.
Despite what some treacherous news sources have been reporting, Destiny's Child has not made a comeback under the guise of Animal Collective.
This song tries to insist otherwise.
But it is lying.
Listen to this, LISTEN TO US.

Tiara Wiles - Breathe On Me.mp3

minisong: #1K78F9989

2009-02-02T11:43:00.000-05:00

Publication X has announced Golden Bloom a top "Undiscovered Band Worth a Listen." Subversion at its finest. The press is a press of lies - trust us, or you must trust no one.

“We're admittedly big ---- fans, and ‘------ Devices’ feels like a doubleplusgood b-side from the Summerteeth era.”

Golden Bloom releases their LP in early 2K9. Download minisong: #1K78F9989 with your pointpresser now.

Golden Bloom - Doomsday Devices.mp3

French Kicks. YOU WILL ENJOY. YOU MUST ENJOY.

2009-01-25T16:59:00.002-05:00

The French Kicks sound like warm soup. They create a minimalist, mellow sound-scape on each of their tracks, and it always goes down smooth. Relying heavily on drums and shiny/spacey guitar lines, The French Kicks achieve an incredibly full sound, despite their sparse writing style. Their music (see "England Just Will Not Let You Recover") is the soundtrack that plays in your dream sequences, when you are riding on ponies to candy mountain. Sit back, relax, and let The French Kicks massage your ears.

The French Kicks - Abandon (mp3)
The French Kicks - England Just Will Not Let You Recover (mp3)
The French Kicks - Also Ran (mp3)
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Recommended Album of Week: Antony and the Johnsons - "The Crying Light"

2009-01-25T21:45:00.000-05:00

We recommend this album like no other. Curious about the album?

Antony and the Johnsons - Spiraling

Listen to Antony's beautiful voice. Appreciate Antony's voice. Tune in to WX1984 for more. You must tune in. Tune in now.

WARNING: Solstice Songs and "Home"Coming

2009-01-30T17:00:00.000-05:00

Do not be deceived.
The appearance of 'snow' across Oceania today was, of course, created by us, for your enjoyment.
You're welcome.
To further this interest in your wellness we also are sending out a friendly reminder that Solstice Songs are never appropriate or fair to your neighbor. We will "Let it Snow", you need not sing the heathen's melodies because of the presence of precipitation.
Transgressors will receive proper punishment.
Those who report transgressors will be given an extra task to complete as reward.
Instead of Solstice Songs, you should listen to John Forté, a Grammy-xxxxxxxxx artist who is best known for his work with "The Fugees".
Fellow hater of dominant upper class white people, Kanye West, is also featured on this minisong.
Listen to it.
Remember that by 'homecoming' he is not referring to 'home' in a sense of ownership which leads to corruption and death. He actually means 'collective living area'. Listen. Do it.
John Forte - Homecoming.mp3

NEW TING TINGS VIDEO.

2009-01-28T21:32:00.000-05:00

The Ting Tings - New Music - More Music Videos

Winston is my name. I love Big Brother. The Ting Tings come close. Enjoy, if you will.

CHAIRLIFT TOUR DATES. YOU, FRIEND, SHOULD GO.

2009-01-29T21:35:00.000-05:00

The almighty chairlift is now on tour. You must go. They unite they proles with their oddly pleasingly, minimalist song structure. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are also approved. Listen to their acoustic overtones on Daytrotter.

UpComing Tour Dates:
With Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
02/13/09 BROOKLYN, NY -BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC

With Yacht
03/13/09 CLEVELAND, OH -GROG SHOP
03/14/09 CHICAGO, IL -SCHUBAS TAVERN
03/16/09 ST. LOUIS, MO-THE GARGOYLE
03/17/09 LAWRENCE, KS -JACKPOT
03/18/09 NORMAN, OK -OPOLIS PRODUCTION

At SxSW
03/19/09 AUSTIN, TX -THE RED 7 (OTHER MUSIC SHOWCASE)
03/19/09 AUSTIN, TX -CLUB 1808
03/20/09 AUSTIN, TX -URBAN OUTFITTERS

With Yacht
03/22/09 DALLAS-FT. WORTH, TX -HOUSE OF BLUES-DALLAS
03/23/09 HOUSTON, TX -WAREHOUSE LIVE
03/24/09 BATON ROUGE, LA -SPANISH MOON
03/25/09 NEW ORLEANS, LA - HOUSE OF BLUES
03/26/09 TALLAHASSEE, FL- FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, CLUB DOWNUNDER
03/27/09 ATHENS, GA -40 WATT CLUB

Chairlift Only
03/28/09 NASHVILLE, TN- EXIT/ IN

With Sebastien Tellier
04/13/09 SEATTLE, WA -CHOP SUEY
04/14/09 VANCOUVER, BC- RICHARD’S ON RICHARD’S
04/15/09 PORTLAND, OR -DOUG FIR LOUNGE
04/17/09 SAN FRANCISCO, CA -THE INDEPENDENT

With Peter, Bjorn and John
4/21: Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
4/22: Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre
4/23: Chicago, IL @ Metro
4/24: Newport, KY @ Southgate House
4/25: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Theatre
4/26: Ottawa, ON @ Capital Music Hall
4/27: Montreal, QC @ Le National
4/28: Boston, MA @ Paradise
4/29: NY, NY @ Webster Hall
4/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
05/1: Philadelphia, PA @ World Café
05/2: Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

NEW PETER BJORN + JOHN . . . WE GRANT YOU PERMISSION TO SEE THEM ON TOUR

2009-01-26T17:00:00.003-05:00

WATCH THE VIDEO. YOU MUST. IT AWAITS.

TOUR DATES:

4/21: Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café

4/22: Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre

4/23: Chicago, IL @ Metro

4/24: Newport, KY @ Southgate House

4/25: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Theatre

4/26: Ottawa, ON @ Capital Music Hall

4/27: Montreal, QC @ Le National

4/28: Boston, MA @ Paradise

4/29: NY, NY @ Webster Hall

4/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

05/1: Philadelphia, PA @ World Café

05/2: Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

Chairlift (www.myspace.com/chairlift) supporting every date!

Details at www.peterbjornandjohn.com

http://www.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn

Sarah Siskind is... Kind

2009-01-24T21:12:00.000-05:00

Sarah Siskind is a fan of breaking our hearts.
And warming them.
This hurts us immensely.
We do not like this wide array of emotions being abused at such lengths.
Please listen to her music and then forget that you ever had all these feelings.
It is unhealthy.
Yet the temptation is so great.
Point click point click point click!
Sarah Siskind - Falling Stars.mp3

XIMENA SARIŃANA. SXWX. Watch the Feed.

2009-01-27T21:18:00.001-05:00

Grammy nominated artist to featured at SXWX. Let the citizens of Oceania rejoice, we are bridging the societal gap. Let us partake in the celebration of this spanish music. Enjoy, while it still lasts.

T.V. KILLED THE RAIO STAR.

2009-01-26T21:12:00.000-05:00

TV and Radio Stars are Uniting. iCarly, a paranoid android is releasing songs. She from -------- TV SHOW. Do the citizens of Oceana rejoice?

As an added bonus, the “About You Now” EP premieres the songs “FYI” and “Party Girl,” providing listeners with a tantalizing first taste of new music from Miranda’s forthcoming debut solo album.

Miranda's tracks from the iCarly - Music from and Inspired by the Hit TV Show album have generated sales of more than 600,000 singles.

iCarly - Music from and Inspired by the Hit TV Show, the album of music and dialogue from the popular live-action Nickelodeon series, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio album chart and #1 on the SoundScan Top Children's Current album sales chart shortly after its release in June 2008.

FORGET NATURE. GET BACK TO THE ROOTS. MUSIC #121Fd99

2009-01-13T19:56:00.002-05:00

Mother nature just got 10x cooler. In the words of Tree Roots themselves: "Tree Roots is Clyde Kurtis, native to the Northwest, backed by a sympathetic set of derelicts he’s found in his travels across the country." These are by no means your average derelicts. God I love the word 'derelicts.' Tree Roots is a modern take on raw, bare bones blues, as well as a refreshing homage to the great folk forefathers. This combo makes for an epic win. In the songs, "Oh No" and "Your Man," the band presents a loud and gritty rock n' roll, certainly drawing upon Kurtis' time in pre-Katrina New Orleans. But when the electric guitars subside, a softer side of the band is revealed; "My Old Home Town Blues" and "Irish Belle" echo the folk of Woodie Guthrie or Bob Dylan. These type of tracks are warm, nostalgic, and will certainly make your ears smile. Also check out "Lollypop Friends" on their MySpace. You can thank me later.

Tree Roots - Your Man.mp3
Tree Roots - My Old Home Town Blues.mp3

VIDEO FEED: #1KF9523

2008-09-05T20:37:00.001-04:00

Beach House has the power to mellow any wary mind. When you listen to this band, put on some fat(phat) headphones and turn off all the lights. You'll thank me later. It's a wonderful way to brainstorm your new year's resolution, which for some of you involves "driving a monster truck off the grand canyon, blasting freebird, and singing all the wrong lyrics." This song will either make you regret that decision or reaffirm it entirely.

Beach House - Heart of Chambers.mp3 [via I'm Waking Up To]

MAN MAN MAN MAN MAN MAN

2008-11-05T20:48:00.002-05:00

Man Man is a man's band - they use a plethora of different instruments: xylophones, melodica (a piano/accordion/flute hybrid), and a sousaphone, to name a few. Their sound is akin to a viking roar, and this viking is ready to smack some bitches. But what appeals to me most is the band's utter unpredictability - I can barely name half the instruments used in any given recording and the strong structure is perfectly wild (think Donnie from The Wild Thornberries).

Feast on those mp3's here!
Man Man - Black Mission Goggles.mp3
Man Man - English Bawdd.mp3
Man Man - Top Drawer.mp3
Man Man - Hurly/Burly.mp3
Django Reinhart - Minor Swing.mp3

OCEANA CELEBRATES

2008-11-26T20:59:00.000-05:00

That's right folks, amidst the post-Thanksgiving madness, ------- has declared "Pilgramism" a word. Such methods are an excellent means of solidifying one's badassity. As for MGMT, the two homesick hipsters celebrated their Thanksgiving with the French, and have (hopefully) begun a trend that will carry on to next years holiday. When Segways, tall hats, role-play, and massoos indians are involved, you can count me in anytime.

MIX. LISTEN TO MIX. IT IS CHRISTMAS. PAY YOUR DUES.

2008-12-25T20:53:00.000-05:00

Bing Crosby - I'll Be Home For Christmas.mp3

The Bird and the Bee - Carol of the Bells.mp3 [via Whale in a Cubicle]

Bing Crosby - Mele Kalikimaka.mp3

The Long Blondes - Christmas is Cancelled.mp3

Anonymous Spanish Man - Feliz Navidad.mp3

The Kinks - Father Christmas.mp3

Frank Sinatra - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.mp3

The Raveonettes - Come on Santa.mp3

Frank Sinatra - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.mp3

The Flaming Lips - Christmas at the Zoo.mp3 [via RollinandScratchin]

NSYNC - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.mp3

Kevin Byrne- Suddenly it's Christmas.mp3

Patrick Cleandenim Looks Good In Jeans

2009-01-24T20:58:00.000-05:00

Patrick Cleandenim fell through a time warp. Sometime during the 1940's or 1950's Cleandenim was birthed in a big band jazz club. Shortly after being held in the arms of a kind-hearted trumpet player, Cleandenim crawled into a wrinkle in time all the way to the 00's. With music that incorporates strings, various horns, trumpet, and piano, Cleandenim's album is certainly a throwback to a different era. He is the indie take on the musical, Chicago, and the results are sassy and suave. "Baby Comes Home" and "Hypnotized" sound like the music that plays during a film noir, when the damsel in distress pleads, "Detective! Detective! Something dreadful has just happened, I need your help!" "Birds of Fashion," however," takes on a completely different tone; its the kind of music that should be playing when you are riding bikes with that special someone on a summer day, but instead of going to get ice-cream, you go see Chicago.

Patrick Cleandenim - Baby Comes Home (mp3)
Patrick Cleandenim - Hypnotized (mp3)
Patrick Cleandenim - Birds of Fashion (mp3)

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N.E.R.D. Brings The Heat

2009-01-23T20:57:00.000-05:00

When Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams (a.k.a. The Neptunes) comprise 2/3 of your band, its nearly impossible to suck, which explains why N.E.R.D. is so damn good. Each track is an exciting blend of nerdified samples, ranging from the upright bass in "Everybody Nose" to a 70's-style guitar riff in "My Drive Thru." Any production involving The Neptunes has yielded contagiously danceable results with a high risk of uncontrollable shimmying. And including Julian Casablancas from The Strokes plus producer-gone-singer Santogold in the same track? Brilliant. The nerd within me stabs someone with his pocket protector and proceeds to strut his stuff on the dance floor.

N.E.R.D. - Everybody Nose (mp3)
N.E.R.D. f. Santogold and Julian Casablancas - My Drive Thru (mp3)
N.E.R.D. - Spazz (mp3)

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BIG BROTHER IS JOY. LITTLE JOY IS CLOSE

2009-01-13T20:57:00.000-05:00

It seems that every time the fans pining for a new Strokes album get too restless, another solo project seems to crop up. Despite telling fans that plans are being made to record in early 2009, drummer Fabrizio Moretti recently released an album from his side project—one that sounds nothing like the band that catapulted him to fame, but is every ounce as good.

Named after an LA cocktail lounge, Little Joy is the brainchild of Moretti, Brazilian singer/guitarist Rodrigo Amarante, and multi-instrumentalist Binki Shapiro. Focusing on creating relaxing music that one could imagine listening to beachside, Little Joy makes good use of ukuleles, acoustic guitars, and Sinatra-esque vocals. Ranging from the sunshine pop of "No One's Better Sake" to a more tropicalia-sounding "The Next Time Around," Little Joy's self-titled debut album seems to do it all with elegance.

After listening to Little Joy obsessively over the past few weeks, the only conclusion that I can come to is this: Little Joy is a stellar album that, in the face of a looming Strokes revival, I can only hope is more than a one-off.

TRACKS:
Little Joy - Brand New Start.mp3
Little Joy - No One's Better Sake.mp3
Little Joy - The Next Time Around.mp3

Typical Cats Produce Not So Typical Sound

2009-01-22T20:57:00.000-05:00

When an angsty jazz band jumps four aspiring rappers in an alleyway, you get Typical Cats. Gone are the pulsating bass-lines and blipping synths of today's rap music; instead, each of their songs incorporate a looped jazz piano line over a hip-hop drum beat - and the results are undeniably cool. The members of typical cats aren't you're typical rappers, as their style is feels more like slam poetry (see "Qwelloquiallisms) and as if they are freestyling. These cats will undoubtedly make you purr. Meeow.

Typical Cats - Qweloquiallisms
Typical Cats - Snake Oil
Typical Cats - Take a Number

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Girl Talk Mashes Up Gold

2009-01-21T20:56:00.000-05:00

How nerdy looking Gregg Gillis could be the DJ/mash-up mastermind behind dance party favorite Girl Talk is bewildering. Taking samples from artists like M.I.A., The Ying Yang Twins, Beck, Of Montreal, and Grizzly Bear, this musically savvy mix maker incorporates indie music with an electronic twist, making it accessible in any sort of setting. Gillis has been touted as an “exhibitionist,” feeling it wise to strip down and groove to his tunes during certain songs that inspire. I wouldn’t be surprised if the muse behind these crazy compilations was indeed that same inherent strangeness he seems to possess, so I say let the insanity reign and give us more Girl Talk!

Girl Talk - Pure Magic
Girl Talk - That's My DJ
Girl Talk - Smash Your Head
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Man Man is so the Man

2009-01-17T20:56:00.000-05:00

During their live performances, Man Man wears white outfits and face-paint. Man Man is already better than 75% of the world's bands, even before they start to play. As a Vaudiville/Gypsy band, Man Man creates songs that were built for the local tavern or as an medium for rebellion against your parents. This band makes you to do that Russian Dance and spit vodka into people's eyes. Which is never a bad thing. Also, a whole goulash of instruments is used in their songs -piano, saxaphone, sousaphone, xylophone, marimba, and melodica, to name a few. I don't know what a sousaphone is, but if Man Man is using, it must good. Brace yourself. Then check out this raucous/drunken-fest of a band and start a riot.

Man Man - Top Drawer
Man Man - Von Halsing Boombox
Man Man - The Ballad of Butter Beans

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Mirah Is So Sweet!

2009-01-15T20:55:00.000-05:00

Mirah was born on a kitchen table! Besides becoming cooler than you and I from the moment she was birthed, Mirah is a delightful indie-folk artist. Her music has a cute-as-a-bean feel, as her songs are usually a mix of light drums, acoustic guitar, and/or ukulele. She is the cute girl - if Mirah tripped down a small flight of stairs, I guarantee that none of us would laugh. We would help her up, take her out to get some gelato, and then read poetry together. Her voice sounds innocent and sincere, so when she sings "Tell me, if we sleep together/Would it make it any better?/If we sleep together/Would you be my friend forever?" in "La Familia," we cant help but go "awww." Give this indie chick a listen. She will make you feel warm and fuzzy.

Mirah - Person.mp3
Mirah - Engine Heart (mp3)
Mirah - La Familia (mp3)

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THE RUSTY THORNS

2008-01-05T15:56:00.000-05:00

Mediterranean Grunge pioneers and power group, "The Rusty Thorns", are either up to some sly counter-governmental marketing ploy, or someone in productions is in big trouble. This latest gem, "Marching, Marching" just leaked off their highly anticipated 2009 debut album, What Man?.

Listen to it here: The Rusty Thorns - Marching, Marching.mp3

For those unfamiliar with the group (aka those living under a big, hipster / experimental - life - blocking rock), the three artists known only as Stefan, Troy, and Devin, founded their groundbreaking trio back in January of 2008, and since have been at work touring the underground scene and grinding out their debut album. They jumped onto the Mediterranean Grunge ticket with their first two singles ("Burn the Radio" and "Machine Man") and their mind-altering music video, and since then have been teasing instant-gratification-slaved audiences with small clips of new songs here and there, but this leak is absolutely massive.

We were lucky enough to snatch an interview with them a while back when they released their music video, and you'll ----------------

In the spirit of the thorns, we will re-state their sacred credo and include their previous singles on mp3:

The Rusty Thorns is neither a word nor a concept, it is a band that has been forming for years within each and every one of us, but was finally realized on the night of January 11, 2008. The band consists of three humans. This is NOT your grandpa's Mediterranean Grunge, to say the least. The band strictly adheres to THE 8 COMMANDMENTS in order to maintain musical and political purity (NOTE: commandments subject to change if general society begins to catch on)

EVERY SONG MUST:

1. explicitly counteract the SOCIAL CONSTRUCTS of government, big business, 'the MAN’ and any of his affiliates. Subtlety is for the WEAK and the submissive to the SYSTEM.

2. be WRITTEN and RECORDED in its entirety within the first 45 minutes of CONCEPTION. Our thoughts can only avoid the CONSTRAINTS of society for so long until we too fall victim to the frighteningly inevitable thoughts of CONSUMERISM beyond the 45-minute mark.

3. feature STEFAN on the Bouzouki and bass drum, singing only in the bridge and the final chorus, TROY playing snare drum and singing, and DEVIN singing and, only occasionally, playing the SHAKER.

4. begin with the CHORUS so that our TRUTH will be brought to you as quickly as POSSIBLE before the man can GOUGE out your ears and keep you under his CONTROL.

5. be 3 minutes or LESS in duration so that our message SPEAKS to even our potential brethren who have become SLAVES to the instant-GRATIFICATION lifestyle.

6. always be done with at least one member wearing FLANNEL during the recording.

7. include an UNPLEASANT vocal solo to prevent the MAN from playing it on his “FREE” radio networks and honing it for his own TWISTED causes.

8. be a VEHICLE for change. Preferably a HYBRID or a LOW EMISSIONS vehicle, hopefully NOT an SUV… and DEFINITELY not a MINIVAN.

Check out their myspace or download their first two singles:

The Rusty Thorns - Burn The Radio.mp3
The Rusty Thorns - Machine Man.mp3