McCrank's Juke - April Mix (2011)

McCrank's Juke - April Mix (2011)

Running more and more behind on this thing. Perhaps it was a good idea to quit, while I was a head. This months list features a bunch of covers, including one from David Bowie and one from the famed Joy Division. Likewise, some new softies from Purity Ring and Dirty Beaches. You have those limited release albums right? Thanks to some steady airplay on SiriusXM and some smart word of mouth via the twitter-verse, these bands have caught my ear and attention. I've added in a few oldies and standby acts, like the indie-cred Titus Andronicus and the upstart band Yuck, both of which have been searing my ears! Great takes on some stale rock. Now that you know what I have been up to, what have you been up to? Bonaroo? Travelling Circus? Interested to hear what you think and that is grabbing your ears and ripping them off? I am off to Vegas shortly and thereafter parts unknown (okay Texas), so I will be grabbing some shows and meeting the people. Remember to kiss them for me!

McCrank's Juke - April Mix (2011)
01. LoftiCries - Purity Ring
02. Need You Now - Cut Copy
03. Whirring - The Joy Formidable
04. A More Perfect Union - Titus Andronicus
05. Operation - Yuck
06. You Might Think (The Cars) - Adam Duritz
07. King Of The Sea - Shannon And The Clams
08. Jean Genie (David Bowie Cover) - Ian Mcculloch
09. Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division Cover) - Dave Gahan
10. True Blue/Lord Knows Best - Dirty Beaches

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McCrank's Juke - March Mix (2011)

McCrank's Juke - March Mix (2011)

I am more than a bit behind, hell I haven't even posted all the shows I got saved up. They're as good as saw dust on me shop floor. The kids are probably hollerin for the likes of Passion Pit remixing the latest Beastie Boys track from the new Hot Sauce Committee Pt, 2's lead single "Make Some Noise", but here at the juke, we're still savoring the likes on NIN, Echo and The Bunnymen and the reformed Big Audio Dynamite shows. Geezers like us, bypassing Kayne, anything Idol, and anything on a radio station that has a bumper sticker. Mix me up some of that tonic with the old school 80's, alternative rock, and the indie college scene via Sirius XM University and I am good to go in the summer shade. This latent mix features some madness from February that stretched out into March and April. From the Dum Dum Girls covering The Smiths, to the "too-early-to-be-retro" sounds of The Strokes. The delayed March mix - is my call out to get hyped and my own show on Sirius XMU - the blog satellite radio channel. I got it in me new Hyundai Santa Fe - yeah, what bitches! I got no paper. I can remix the mix and avoid all the Jasper Johns of the Clear Channel offerings - giving you the straight story and the below March Madness. Hear me XMU?? My own hour - you got plenty of time(s) to spare. Really - 2 hours of a Sirius/XMU Aquarium Drunkard show??? Christsakes!

McCrank's Juke - March Mix (2011)
01. Sea of Doubt - Soft Kill
02. You Should Close The Door - Craft Spells
03. Baltimmore - Kindest Lines
04. Go Outside - Cults
05. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - Dum Dum Girls
06. In Love With Oblivion - Crystal Stilts
07. Under Cover Of Darkness - The Strokes
08. End Of The Lies - Jane's Addiction
09. Trembling Hands - Explosions In The Sky
10. Glass Bubbles - All Tiny Creatures

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McCrank's Juke - February Mix (2011)

McCrank's Juke - February Mix (2011)

Man, what a lucky break to get so much solid music in one month. 2011 promises to drop a ton of new sounds and visits from old friends, from Cold Cave (more rock this time, less New Order) to The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and The Crystal Stilts. This February mix boats some rockabilly, electro, rock, and old fashioned indie success blasting out UR speakers. My new favorites The Vaccines from our UK friends, and Weekend, Dirty Beaches - make the list a whole lot better and more ecclectic. You can't find it over at Streelight, sucka. Likewise, I have decided to bring back Sash Suicide as my roll call girl - for the monthly mixes. She's all grows'd up but can still be found dishing on Suicide Girls blog or via her beau's site at Liquid Science. Someone hire this girl to do more shoots!!! Likewise photo appears courtesy of Liquid Science. I gotta fever and I need more cowbell... Also just bought my tickets to see Echo and The Bunnymen at the SF Warfield. They are touring and playing their first album "Crocodiles" and "Heaven up Here" back-t0-back. There will be a post on this show shortly. Now if someone could only find me the solo Ian Mcculloch show from the recent Cathedral appearance, I'd be happy. what other SF shows should I book while I am in town?

McCrank's Juke - February Mix (2011)
01. Shake the Shackles - Crystal Stilts
02. Distance - Beach Fossils
03. Running Out Of You - Keep Shelly In Athens
04. Blow It Up - The Vaccines
05. Bad Girls - M.I.A.
06. Coma Summer - Weekend
07. The Great Pan Is Dead - Cold Cave
08. Bruises - MINKS
09. Belong - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
10. The Singer (Johnny Cash Cover) - Dirty Beaches

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McCrank's Juke - January Mix (2011)

McCrank's Juke - January Mix (2011)

It's winter time, but you'd think it was Spring with all the new music popping out. New Cold Cave, Crystal Stilts, Explosions In The Sky, Social Distortion and a whole host of other acts dropping albums and EPs. From aged acts like R.E.M. to sophomore rockers Warpaint. There's a lot to be said for new music on 2011. The chart/mix below features some missed opportunities, albums that slipped by me, or tracks and acts - who've dropped some music - but kind of slid by on the side. Mathew Dear's David Bowie impression and Grimes, shine on this mix tape. I even nod back to our friends HTRK, Jonsi and The Smiths for a nostalgic turn. A lot of acts and a lot of music - my advice is to listen to them all - even if it's for a short Myspace plug. They are all trippin and very solid rock. This time we've even delighted in dropping twenty tracks up from our usual ten, as a celebration of a possible re-birth. Hopefully, the followers of this blog already jam to these great musicians, but if not - please do stop and take a listen as these acts scramble to upbeat the Live 105.3 acts that dominate todays charts. All I can say is thank god for XM Radio and some of the indie radio jamming tunes down my throat. Grimmace at 103.3 in Santa Clara comes to mind. Indie college and throwback. Much thanks! Re-live, a, inspire, enlist!

McCrank's Juke - January Mix (2011)

01. Ten Little Pills - Slumber Party

02. Kiss Before The Fall - HTRK

03. Happiness - Jonsi & Alex

04. Little People (Black City)- Mathew Dear

05. Venus in Fleurs- Grimes

06. Majesty - Warpaint

07. Back I Beat The Waves - The Mariner's Children

08. Dancing on My Bed - The Pleasure Kills

09. Big Escape - Pearly Gate Music

10. Lately (Deuxieme) - Memoryhouse

11. Funeral Song - Minks

12. Blurred Tonight - Blank Dogs

13. Don't Mind - Spectrals

14. Stretch Out And Wait - The Smiths

15. Let's Get out Of Here - Les Savy Fav

16. Fountain Stairs - Deerhunter

17. Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells

18. All Die Young - Smith Westerns

19. Kaputt - Destroyer

20. Not In Love - Crystal Castles/Robert Smith

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McCrank's Juke - July Mix (2010)

McCrank's Juke - July Mix (2010)

Yeah, fuck man this blog has run it's course. Which is too bad, because I had like 9 posts in the barrel, ready to blast out for July and August. From Nine Inch Nails to Big Audio Dynamite, Echo & The Bunnymen - all the old class shit. I guess I grew bored of the take and the less than flattering posts - people bitching and asking for re-ups (you know the regular no-thanks and all take routine). I also applied to write for Pitchfork, but evidently they have better writers and more people dying to write about bands that may be a single flash-in-the-pan. I assume they passed, so I am passing on this blog. Besides I am up for writing about travel, titties, entertainment, humor, style and some other shit that just doesn't belong on McCrank's Juke. So for now, take this as the last post + sign-off - the July music mix from McCrank. Perhaps I will post another note to let yoou know where the new blog will be livin'. Enjoy the muzak - and try to contribute and share - people are bustin' hump to entertain, ya'll.

McCrank's Juke - July Mix (2010)
01. I'll Know We'll Never - Rose Elinor Dougall
02. Outer Limits - SLEEP ∞ OVER
03. Young Silence - Echo Lake
04. Out of the Blue - Julian Casablancas
05. Change In The Neon Light - Veil Veil Vanish
06. Die In Bed - Frank (Just Frank)
07. Wasted Time - Blessure Grave
08. Memo - Frankie Rose & The Outs
09. Snowflakes - White Apple Tree
10. Are Fixed Gear Tricksters.. - High Castle
10. Not Afraid - Eminem

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McCrank's Juke - May Mix (2010)

McCrank's Juke - May Mix (2010)

It's really hard to nail down what ends up in these mix tapes from McCrank's Juke. The month will start off and you will get super hits, like the release from Crystal Castles, but then mid to late month the hits keep dropping and the list manages to stagger into a drunken phase with lots to choose from and new songs, videos, covers coming from Pitchfork, SPIN, and other outlets. It's mind-boggling and a bit of a pain to capture. The list for May features covers from Girl In A Coma and Crocodiles, respectively. There is also some 80's thrown in to help cook up the mixture, including INXS a Bowie cover, and Feeding Fingers - a band known for carrying on the legacy of goth rock left for dead by Bauhaus. The set is a bit on the moody side but picks up with Team Ghost and Small Black, two aspiring bands with a lot of fusion and soundz to pull at your ear buds. I am truly leaving this at top ten and could probably drop another ten songs from the likes of Hole, Dead Weather, and a new band from Santa Monica called Chief. They evidently didn't make the cut - but stand to be heard anyways. I have a few turds brewing in the upcoming posts - including another Bunnymen post, a Tegan and Sara limited EP, and a few other odds and ends. Frankly, it's been a stone throw to even get posts up in a decent timeframe. Google has sacked the shit out of this industry, making it even harder to find great rarities (which the record company consider unsellable scraps) unique live sets, and B-side studio demos. We'll see what the eye in the sky has left us to sort and post...

McCrank's Juke - May Mix (2010)
01. As The World Falls Down (David Bowie) - Girl In A Coma
02. Leave House - Caribou
03. Violent Dreams - Crystal Castles
04. Not Enough Time - INXS
05. Outlaw Blues (Bob Dylan) - Crocodiles

06. Sweet Dreams (Beyonce) - The Big Pink

07. Heaven On Fire - The Radio Dept.

08. A Glorious Time - Team Ghost

09. Kings of Animals - Small Black

10. She Hides Disease - Feeding Fingers

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Passion Pit - Live Melbourne Big Day Out (2009)

Passion Pit - Live Melbourne Big Day Out (2009)

I am kind of pissed that I didn't take the opportunity to see Passion Pit at The Blank Club in San Jose last year. It would have been while the young band was just getting ready to blow-up and become the monolith that plays festivals like the Coachella 2010 and appears on Late Night with @jimmyfallon. These guys have a truly unique energy and enthusiasm that bubbles forth in their music. The candyland electronic sounds coupled with the music-box like innocence, just makes the pulse pound. A very lively group and a fine concert to take in for sure. That is why I am so pissed. The good news is that Passion Pit is coming back to San Francisco at the Warfield April 15th. I guess I get my second chance. Hopefully, I can take in this bootleg before then, so I am amped out and critically prepared for the major dance off and sing along. As you may know, Passion Pit was originally formed as a solo project in late 2007 by Michael Angelakos in his Emerson dorm room. The songs, which would later become the Chunk of Change EP, were written as a Valentine's Day gift to his then girlfriend. The band has since released a monster album Manners, which seems to be an indie staple and fodder for almost any commerical you can think of. I guess you could say they are the indie media darling of 2008. They're stretching it out into 2010 with this new tour and with the TV work (a la Moby), so perhaps I can quench my Passion Pit thirst with the below bootleg. This live show from the Melbourne Big Day Out Festival in 2009, featured a massive crowd completely full of energy. Theband in response to the free love, brought their best concert of the year. With 2 new songs and a Cranberries cover, this show is a great find for any new indie enthusiast. Bring it down into the pit!

Passion Pit - Live Melbourne Big Day Out (2009)
01. Intro
02. Eyes As Candles
03. Make Light
04. The Reeling
05. Let Your Love Grow Tall
06. Better Things
07. Moth's Wings
08. Sleepyhead
09. Smile Upon Me
10. Dreams (The Cranberries Cover)
11. Little Secrets

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Florence And The Machine - Live Roundhouse (2009)

Florence And The Machine - Live Roundhouse (2009)

I am not sure I even know what Electric Proms is, but I am sure my friends in the UK can enlighten me. I am guessing it's something like the Black Sessions or the Peel sessions, a chance for a new artist to show their wares and to demonstrate how well they rock. This Florence And The Machine bootleg is straight from the Electric Proms, recorded at the famed Roundhouse Studio Theater in jolly old London, England on 10/22/09. It is from a radio broadcast, so the clarity and songs are straight clean. The set includes my favorites "My Boy Builds Coffins" and "Dog Days Are Over" both of which are polished songs from some very cool demos (posted here a while back). I used to love Florence And The Machine, back when they were new and un-nurtured. I guess I am trying to say that they WERE original and less dance-y and more alternative rock. I guess the demos had more of the artist and less or the producer in them. My early favorites for sure. I know the band is coming in April to SF, so there may be a chance to go see them at The Mezzanine, along with all the other fashion/art students and the goth hangovers. Lastly, it is important to weed through these songs and find your favorite. I would dump the Daft Punk inspired songs and look for the ones that remind you of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. You crazy Brits!

Florence And The Machine - Live Roundhouse (2009)

01 - Between Two Lungs
02 - My Boy Builds Coffins
03 - Drumming Song
04 - Hurricane Drunk
05 - Cosmic Love
06 - If I Had A Heart
07 - I'm Not Calling You A Liar
08 - Dog Days Are Over
09 - Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
10 - You've Got The Love

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Girls - Black Session #304 (2009)

Girls - Black Session #304 (2009)

Respect to the bands coming out of San Francisco that are really laying on that hip beach vibe - 60's wall-of-sound thing. Bands like Girls, who have managed to hit the indie web hard with their "Lust For Life" single and some solid garage rock almost spiritually inspiredby Brian Wilson. I know they have the Pitchfork audience and maybe made some change off the unrated videos, but these guys have managed to capture and revive a sound that was almost lost to all of our ears. This famous Paris "Black Session" is factually number #304 and recorded in the famed Studio 105 at the Maison De La Radio. Recorded 10/5/09 for radio broadcast, these selection of songs from Girls only album are performed loose and rustic. Including my favorite - "True Love Will Find You In The End" (Daniel Johnston) and "Morning Light" two tracks worthy of this France recording. The original recorder also included the banter and interview clips as part of the overall experience. This helps to give us some context as well as deliver a smattering of Girls related sonic sounds. Excellent sound quality from a band on the rise. We shall see what the latest EP holds, if the road influences their sound or if they mix it up and deliver another jangly indie pop record. Can't wait...

Girls - Black Session #304 (2009)

01 – Intro

02 – Lust For Life

03 – Banter

04 – Laura

05 – Banter

06 – Ghost Mouth

07 – Banter

08 – God Damned

09 – Banter

10 – Headache

11 – Banter

12 – Big Bad Mean Motherfucker

13 – Banter

14 – Solitare

15 – Banter

16 – Substance

17 – Banter

18 – Summertime

19 – Darling

20 – Banter

21 – Hellhole Ratrace

22 – Morning Light

23 – Banter

24 – Lysandre

25 – Banter

26 – Allright

27 – True Love Will Find You In The End

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McCrank's Juke - Best of SXSW (2010)

McCrank's Juke - Best of SXSW (2010)

What can I say - the final moments of SXSW are almost a week and older. The Austin sponsored party has brought us the token and over-polluted sounds of Broken Bells as well as the crisp and new indie sounds from some of the younger and wiser bands, like Best Coast, Shivaree, and Codeine Velvet Club. You probably got your fill of the hyped up major industry bands and maybe even snuck in to see some of the legends as they graced the various venues on 6th street. Patti Smith and elder rockers like Billy Bragg added some legitimate moments and other bands like The XX capitalized on the scene and the heavy media-ocrasy. I myself tried to steer away from the heavy-hitters and only managed to attact a few of the below musicians. They seemed to be putting it all out on the venue floor and perhaps even creating their own scene and sounds. I must admit, as a child of the 90's I had to take in the Hole concert/explosion which was probably about as mammoth as I could get. With the beers and BBQ flowing this year's fest was almost as good as the last. They seem to be building and shaping this festival to be more dynamic with web, movies, music, interactive. It was an amazing explosion of talent and tastes. As for the Best of SXSW 2010, the below bands are my picks. They managed to distract me and amuse my ears completely. I was starstruck. Honorable mentions go to: Washed Out + Small Black, Jakob Dylan + Neko Case, The Besnard Lakes, and Japandroids. Therefore, here are my picks for The Best of SXSW 2010:

McCrank's Juke - Best of SXSW (2010)
01. Hollywood - Codeine Velvet Club
02. When I'm With You - Best Coast
03. Sleepover - Pomegranates
04. Promises - The Morning Benders
05. Got Friends - The Jealous Sound
06. Floating Vibes - Surfer Blood
07. My Heart Belongs To You - Shivaree
08. Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt - We Are Scientists
09. Lay Down In The Tall Grass - Timber Timbre
10. Sympathy for the Devil / Skinny Little Bitch - Hole

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The XX - Live Paris (Black Session #306 - 2009)

I am a huge fan of The XX, from August 2009 via their appearances and huge raves from Pitchfork and Stereogum. This three-piece band from Wandsworth, UK are an eclectic mix of new-wavers, art-studio geeks, dream poppers, and raw teen musicians. Their sound has already captured many ears and they seem to be this year's Moby - selling songs to commercialize and spread their electro-indie sound. The XX, blew up my ipod, until I heard several members have left the band and tours had been re-scheduled. I kind of lost track of them after that, when they contiued to simmer and blow-up. This Paris Black Session, recorded in 2009, is an example of the overworked and sensational band - hitting the Big Country, Joy Division meets Daft Punk button. Recorded on 10/26/09 at the famed Studio 105 in Paris, France - the band make ample opportunity to display their hit singles "Crystalized" and "Heart Skipped A Beat". I think this band has a huge upside and possibly the ability to make more than one stormy and alarming album - that will hit the Pitchfork and music bloggers of the world in the nutsack. Fade to black...

The XX - Live Paris (Black Session #306 - 2009)
01. Intro
02. Crystalised
03. VCR
04. Islands
05. Heart Skipped A Beat
06. Fantasy
07. Shelter
08. Basic Space
09. Teardrops
10. Infinity
11. Night Time
12. Stars

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Crystal Stilts - DayTrotter Sessions (2009)

Crystal Stilts - DayTrotter Sessions (2009)

Now that the ignition switch has been turned on, McCrank's has another few spurts of juice left to share with loyal readers. All 4 of them. It could be said = I do - because I love. Another thing I love is the graveyard dance music inspired by the 2008 sensation the Crystal Stilts. This band is superb and one band I plan to see live as time dictates. Plenty of driving 50's guitar coupled with spook rock vocals and drums. If girl-groups met up with Ian Curtis at a holloween party, I would imagine they'd make out to these types of songs.

Thus, courtesy of Daytrotter, McCrank presents the whole package. The Crystal Stilts recorded this famed Daytrotter session and played two unreleased songs, back in Apr 7, 2009. They played the songs 'Through the Floor' and 'Sycamore Tree' - which are great additions to the band's "Velvet Underground + Joy Division with too much reverb" cannon. They are explain the righteous song 'Sycamore Tree' as: "There's definitely a Silver Apples/Bo Diddley/early Pink Floyd/Q65 thing going on if I had to cite references." Great make-up if you ask me. You should check out each band and learn the context - so sayeth McCrank! Additionally, the band performed two live songs from their debut album, which is a must have. Thanks to both Daytrotter and Cats Are Grey blogs for the links and the true tunes.

Crystal Stilts - DayTrotter Sessions (2009)
01. Through the Floor
02. Sycamore Tree
03. Shattered Shine
04. The Dazzled
05. BONUS: Through The Floor (Demo)


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McCrank's Juke - January Mix (2010)

McCrank's Juke - January Mix (2010)

It takes a village, or some solid indie jams with new 2010 flavor to kick off the year. I know I've been buried or entombed for a year or so, but still - the things I have dug up! From the new sounds of Ceremony (sounds like A Place To Bury Strangers) coupled with the new Cali sound being dug by bands like Bye Bye Bicycle and Goldspot. This McCranks' Juke session debuts some cool sounds, that will creep up 2010, including yesteryear's (must have missed the first pass) Now, Now Every Children. I really like the surf mellow to Joy Division darkness that this list kalidescopes together. I probably fucked up the order, but the songs still standout just the same. Likewise, 2010 brings us new albums and experiments in music all the way from LCD Soundsystem to new discs from Charlotte Gainsbourg and a collabo from David Byrne and Fatboy Slim. Seems fitting for this to be the year that the Flaming Lips released their cover of Pink Floyd's "Dark side Of The Moon". More madness and mayhem to ensue. Stay tuned for more broadcasts from this radio blog. ET - end transmission.

McCrank's Juke - January Mix (2010)
01. Never Love Again - Ceremony
02. Navigation - Bye Bye Bicycle
03. Rewind - Goldspot
04. Lion Face Boy - Seabear
05. Green Eyed Love (Classixx Mix) - Mayer Hawthorne
06. Skeleton Swoon - Ebsen and the Witch
07. Frost - Salem
08. Tonto - Battles
09. Everyone You Know - Now, Now Every Children
10. Promises - The Morning Benders

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McCrank's Juke - October Mix (2009)

McCrank's Juke - October Mix (2009)

I suppose the October mix should be something a bit more boombastic. With B-sides from Morrissey, a new Echo & The Bunnymen albatrosse and other new music releases hitting faster than shit-water on a windshield, I would expect a better hit list for the month of October. It is the month with Halloween for christsakes! Well, I prefer to zig, when others zag. YOu'll find here a throwback list with a bit of retro and some of the best Factory Records hits that the old dust-bin can hold. From the best new UK band and The Smiths' rip-off The Drums, to old Hooky inspired band Revenge and on down the Factory Records work-hole. You have another McCrank mix of the sublime and the newest of the alternative universe. It probably isn't the best list, but I figure October will sallow it up and offer better, more robust tunes later in the month. Hey you may even get two lists for October! (Should I bring the old blog back?).

Tell me what are you listening to? Is it Lady Ga Ga -- if so this ain't UR blog. Are you raving about Kanye West, The Flaming Lips, or the Blueprint 3? Then this ain't UR house. Thrilled aout Them Crooked Vultures or the return of Alice In Chains? (UR on the borderline now, sucka). If you find any of the tracks below peek some interest or you listen to KZSC 103.3 - then this may fly your way. Get on board to soar, the plane is leaving.

McCrank's Juke - October Mix (2009)
01. I Felt Stupid - The Drums
02. Gruesome Castle - The Wake
03. Precious Moments - Revenge
04. Life By The Sea - The Names
05. Waterfall - Wendy & Lisa
07. Straight To Hell (Feat Mick Jones) - Lilly Allen
08. Seasons - John Carpenter
09. Come Saturday - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
10. Oscillate Wildly (Instrumental) - The Smiths

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McCrank's Juke - September Mix (2009)

McCrank's Juke - September Mix (2009)

This almost seems like my John Hughes tribute list. From the Prince written beats of 1985 and up to the 2009 Islands release - this list delivers the synth and drum machines like nothing else. This list jams the retro-80's and indie hits into a bonus 12 song list for September. Chairlift is busy scoring and exploding all over the place thanks to a clever Nano tie-in, while the experiment over at Beck's website with the "Beck Record Club" are just too good not to mention. I am excited about XX and the band The Big Pink (send the album my way could you?) along with The Mary Onettes, who crank up the Hughes meter with their throwback sounds. Like Michael McDonald but way more trippy and crank'd. I could be way off on that actually. Tell me what you think? Either way September is a gateway to the upcoming record release spigot which will feature new albums by The Beastie Boys, Echo & The Bunnymen and others. Gearing up for the holiday season, I am sure. Nothing new here, just to say there is some slickness out thereand you should do your best to get out and have a listen. Explore all of these bands, buy their EPs and releases -- go to a show and support indie cred musicians. Blast off!

McCrank's Juke - September Mix (2009)
01. Fools - The Dodos
02. Ceiling Wax - Chairlift
03. Suffication - White Ring
04. Haunted Mealtimes - Elbows Like Swords
05. Feel It All Around - Washed Out
05. No You Don't - Islands
06. European Son - Beck
07. Stars - The XX
08. Velvet - The Big Pink
09. Transparence - Asobi Seksu
10. Run, Run - Those Dancing Days
11. Void - The Mary Onettes
12. Screams Of Passion - The Family

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McCrank's Juke - August Mix (2009)

McCrank's Juke - August Mix (2009)

If this playlist doesn't get me a job with KZSC 103.3 in Santa Clara, nothing will. Another McCrank classic featuring the best of new indie bands, mope rock, and other hits from the past. I have to admit August has been anemic for new music, but explosive for all of the live shows and festivals. You'd think out of one of those massive outside venues, we'd have discovered the next Nine Inch Nails or something by now. Instead, we're seeing Kings of Leon dominate the airwaves and the eclipse of the mega-band - with the Dead Weather and the new superband project from Josh Homme, Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones - Them Crooked Vultures. I've looked past most of this with some amusement, looking for rare tracks, smaller bands with little or no label -- yet touring and hitting the local scene. Former Ghosts are playing the WORKS gallery in San Jose for christsakes! This goth-like list hits the depths with The Knife (who've I have just recently heard. Could be the soundtrack for 'Eyes Wide Shut') an electro-circus like band and weaves in some NIN killers in Zola Jesus and Six By Seven. Also the list includes a cover of the Kenny Rodger, Dolly Parton song - "Islands in The Stream" - weaved together by the stillness of Constantines. Very surreal. It's almost like I am looking forward to October. Come September we'll see it pick up for X-mas with the new Beastie Boys, Echo & The Bunnymen and some other mainstream drops. Until next month...

McCrank's Juke - August Mix (2009)
01. Islands In The Stream - Constantines
02. Enemy - Six By Seven
03. Clay Bodies - Zola Jesus
04. New Resolution - Heartless Bastards
05. Casa Bey - Mos Def
06. Science Of Fear - The Temper Trap
07. Heartbeats (Live) - The Knife
08. Carnage Visors - The Cure
09. Hold On - Former Ghosts
10. Loaded - The Idle Hands

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McCrank's Juke - Bands To Watch (2009)

Well I've heard "Get On Your Boots" by U2, the latest single from the new album and all I can say is that mainstream music is going continue to falter. Major label bands will pick-up where they left off in 2008 - selling less, appealing to fewer and whoring more in '09. Comcast I am sure will do it's best to pick from the indie scene and try harder to find music like M83 and Noah And The Whale to try and cross-over to it's ritualistic formula pop. I heard on Live 105.3 yesterday that M83 was an "underground" band that was just being discovered. Funny they made most of the top 20 album blogs for 2008. Not very un-discovered, but possibly not mainstream -- yet. For every Animal Collective popping, we'll get the old re-treads like Jonas Brothers and Coldplay (see the Grammys - coming up). For 2009, I have plucked a group of notable bands (researched from SPIN, NME, Blogs, etc.) that may buck the trend. These upcomers are on indie labels for the most part, but are popping up in multiple sites and on multiple radars. Take a listen and please buy something from them if you like it. Propogate and philanthropize their music! They are great bands and they deserve the plugs.

McCrank's Juke - Bands To Watch (2009)

01. Florence And The Machine

02. Little Joy

03. Lulu Rouge

04. The Big Pink

05. Booka Shade

06. The Soft Pack

07. The Chapman Family

08. TWIN ATLANTIC

09. THE VIEW

10. Sound of Guns

11. The Hot Melts

12. Catfish Haven

13. Matt and Kim

14. Airborne Toxic Event

15. The Helio Sequence

Links Above

McCrank's Juke - January Mix (2009)

McCrank's Juke - January Mix (2009)

Can you really still say Happy New Year, after ten days in January? Been lagging on the posts, but researching the hell out of new bands. I am deep into the indie scene. Finding new gems on NME and via recent "Best of 2008" blogs, some of which are featured below for your listening pleasure. McCrank's Juke's - January Mix is steeped in the gothic sounds (you'd think some of these guys were in Joy Divsion or Bauhaus) that I tend to favor. Lots of horrorpop and some mellowy, electronic sounds - whispy and remeniscent of Halloween as a kid. Been reading Batman 100 by artist Paul Pope and listening to Glasvegas while planning on seeing "Righteous Kill" and some other mind-numbing experiences. Great indian dance party last night... Looking forward to music picking up again in February with some all new albums, including the new Flaming Lips CD. Anyone going to see Social D at the new Fox Theatre in Oakland?

McCrank's Juke - January Mix (2009)

01. Geraldine (Radio Edit) - Glasvegas

02. Keep Your Eyes Ahead - The Helio Sequence

03. Can't Take it With You - Social Distortion

04. Keep Me Warm - Ida Maria

05. A Forest - Bat For Lashes

06. Girl With One Eye - Florence And The Machine

07. A Brief History Of Love - The Big Pink

08. I Wish I Had Never Been in Love - The Hot Melts

09. Coverging In The Quiet - Crystal Stilts

10. Death (Crystal Castles Remix ) - White Lies

Links Above

McCrank's Juke - Top Albums of 2008

I had to weigh-in on the best albums of 2008. After reading the latest list from SPIN and Rolling Stone (think: Lil Wayne and Coldplay) I had to bring a sanity check to all the blog lists and indie music pubs spinning their list of best music, albums, singles of 2008. I think we've got a case of groupthink out there with 8 out of 10 lists putting Fleet Foxes, Deerhunter, Bon Iver and The Hold Steady in the top 5. Seriously, indie cred starts with being able to admit certain bands suck. Indie is built on the garage sound and the independent music scene (not Clear Channel!) and having these 4 bands make the top 5 on multiple blogs seems a bit rare to me. I must admit, some of my list matches up with many of them, because bands like MGMT, Santogold, Ra Ra Riot, M83, and Glasvegas are truly unique and promising bands that delivered the musical goods in 2008. I can't say a conspiracy is afoot, but my musical ears tell me there is some profit and labels at work here, my friends. Think She & Him, Vampire Weekend and TV on The Radio -- certain rock shouldn't be crammed directly into our minds, repeatedly - labels. Once you see my list, you'll see I am as mainstream as the next guy!

Either way, the best way to learn about new music and explore bands you may never have listened to, but perhaps read about, is to scroll the 2008 lists and learn about new albums, snappy singles and rare upstart bands. That is how I got into The National, M83, Girl In a Coma and other cool talents. Largehearted Boy has collected all the lists (except this one) and given you a good cross-section of music blogs to choose from. Explore, spend the 10 hours, learn about a new song or band. Don't take Billboard and Rolling Stone at face value.

McCrank's Juke - Top Albums of 2008
01. Counting Crows - Saturday Nights, Sunday Mornings
02. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
03. Diplo & Santogold - Top Ranking
04. Glasvegas - Glasvegas
05. Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It
06. Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
07. Glasvegas - Glasvegas
08. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
09. The Walkmen - You & Me
10. Girl Talk - Feed The Animals
11. The Black Keys - Attack & Release
12. Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
13. Crystal Stilts - Alight of Night
14. Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
15. Metallica - Death Magnetic
16. M83 - Saturdays=Youth
17. Sun Kil Moon - April
18. Low Vs Diamond - Low Vs Diamond
19. Spiritualized - Songs in A+E
20. The Cure - 4:13 Dream

No links required :-)

McCrank's - Bands to Watch (Sept. 2008)

McCrank's - Bands to Watch (Sept. 2008)

I know, I know -- most of these bands are already huge. I suck in that way. It took me a while to compile the list and shoot through my overflow of porn. Sorry about that! Anyways, Low Vs Diamond are hitting the US in a massive tour and coming to a friendly theatre near you will be the indie pop makers -- Stars (pushing the Lonely Robots EP). OneRepublic makes the list as the millenium version of New Order (mashed with pop, cutesy-teen angst). I rather like Cool Kids, but selected Chester French and MGMT, who are already taking up space in local music mags. Ra Ra Riot is hitting stateside with a tour, GlasVegas are supporting Echo & The Bunnymen on their Ocean Rain odyssey. Plenty to choose from including a comeback worthy of mention -- as 90's rockers Oasis have returned to form with their latest disk (Dig Out Your Soul) and tour. Likewise, Witchcraft are making Eagles of Death Metal and others look like jokes, with their latest tour. All indie bands and rising sensations are not fully endorsed or supported by the lovely Sash Suicide (pictured).

McCrank's - Bands to Watch (Sept. 2008)
01. Low Vs Diamond
02. OneRepublic
03. Chester French
04. MGMT
05. Oasis (Rare Form)
06. Ra Ra Riot
07. Boy 8-Bit
08. Stars
09. GlasVegas
10. Witchcraft

No links required :-)