Kurt Vile - “Jesus Fever” //

The latest leaked track from Kurt Vile’s upcoming Smoke Ring For My Halo is a slow rolling mellow tune that may or may not be about Jesus.

-MW

MV’s Top Albums of 2010 // #20-11

We are so close to revealing our final favorite albums for 2010.  But there’s more awesomeness coming up after this list is complete.  We will be recapping with a “where are they now” from our artists to watch in 2010 post as well as choosing some new artist we that we think are gonna have a killer year in 2011 and that you should definitely be keeping an eye on.  

20. Bonobo - Black Sands

Although this album seems to reach back and take ideas from his previous three albums it’s still a good listen packed with richness and textures that you begin to appreciate more and more after each listen.  It’s a grower not a shower!

19. Big K.R.I.T. - K.R.I.T. Wuz Here

This self released album has gotten this southern rapper tons of attention, especially in the blogesphere. Pitchfork says, “K.R.I.T.’s ear is his biggest strength; as a producer, tracks like “Return of Forever” and “Country Shit” find him revitalizing the staid indie rap template with the 808s and swagger of Southern rap.”

18. High On Fire - Snakes for the Divine

Oakland, California-based power trio released this album back in February.  On this album it is easy to hear the bands natural progression in to a faster, stronger, heavier band then in the past.  If this is your genre you need to know these guys.

17. Vampire Weekend - Contra

The Vagabond team is split on this album some of us love it and others don’t understand the hype.  However it seems that most critics are in love with it. Thoughts?

16. Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me

Joanna Newsom and her unique place in the world in between folk and indie rock music.

15. Caribou - Swim

In Dan Snaith’s own words, “dance music that sounds like it’s made out of water.”

14. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti - Before Today

A man known to hole up in a home recording studio and create hundreds of unreleased songs while only a few making it to public ears on mix tapes and EP’s. This was his first effort putting together a group of songs to be released and heard cohesively at one time and it’s no to shabby.

13. Fang Island - Fang Island

This album is happy and inclusive.  Have a listen and let the good times roll.

12. Kurt Vile - Square Shells

His music eschews the electronic for the organic, which puts him at odds with much of what the hipsters are flocking to these days.  Square Shells is a great follow up to his last release Childish Prodigy.  Both are go-tos in our music library.

11. Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma

Global bass music matriarch Mary Anne Hobbs recently told The Fader “Flying Lotus, for me, is like the Hendrix of his generation.  When speaking of his genre we are inclined to agree.

Festy Fun 2010 // Pitchfork Music Festival // Chicago, IL // July 16-18

If you are looking for a much larger festy experience this weekend and not looking to head to Iowa, Pitchfork Music Festival is taking place in Chicago and it promises to be a hipster’s dream. While it’s been sold out for weeks, extra tickets have just been released at the box office ONLY. Sway your decision? Here are MV’s picks for bands to check out:

L.Sizzle says…

Big Boi- The second half of Outkast, Big Boi is one of the most well-known must sees at the fest. Get to the stage early on Sunday!

Sleigh Bells- Here at MV, we looooove Sleigh Bells, and you should too. Check out this Brooklyn duo on Sunday for a guitar shredding, ear piercing set. It’s kinda like nails on a chalkboard but in an awesome, awesome way. I’m actually listening to them right now!

JP says…

LCD Soundsystem- DUH! ‘Nuff said.

The Tallest Man on Earth- This Swedish Folk group is perfect for the 4pm Friday set with a mellow, soulful yet gritty sound. 

Titus Andronicus- Check out why MV writer Jay says these guys rock and see them Saturday afternoon.

Delorean- Barcelona based dance music, Delorean has a refreshing style all their own. See them Saturday afternoon.

Matt says…

Local Natives- We’ve told you about the Local Natives only about a million times. If you haven’t gotten hip to our advice, see them live and stop making excuses.

Kurt Vile- Philly based Kurt Vile has an electronic folk sound that is a welcome change on the crowded indie scene. Read Matt’s synopsis in a previous post.

Check out the full line up here: http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/index.php?d=all

Music to your ears - from ours - with love

<3 MusicVagabond

Kurt Vile - Invisibility : Nonexistent //

Back in October of 2009, I went to see Kurt Vile at Mercury Lounge.  It was one of those shows where you knew that the artist you were seeing was bigger than the space they were in.  With his long scraggly hair and toned-down style, he seemed like a man transported from another time.  His music eschews the electronic for the organic, which puts him at odds with much of what the hipsters are flocking to these days.  

Kurt Vile’s previous album Childish Prodigy has become a go-to pick in my music library.  And now we get a first listen to a track from his upcoming album Square Shells, via Matador Records.  Enjoy.

-MW