The Rip | Mp3

Tegan And Sara – Sainthood

Maggie May — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:33:38 +0000

These past few weeks have been a little hectic for me. I got laid off unexpectedly, and I decided to chart a new course for my life. I feel very blessed to have already found a more convenient, better-paid job and to jump in head first to a new career. All this being said, I have not taken the time to do a proper post here. That changes now.

One thing that has been a constant in the last few weeks is the new Tegan And Sara album. It is not at all what I expected, and yet it is incredible. When trying to describe it to a friend, I said “Sainthood is less pop, more awesome.” And it’s true. There are some reallllly great songs on this album. I can’t say that I fell in love with it as instantly as I did “The Con” or “So Jealous,” but I love that the twins are expanding their musical comfort zone.

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Tegan And Sara - Arrow (8)

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Tegan And Sara - The Cure (5)

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Tegan And Sara - Alligator (4)

The xx – xx

Maggie May — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:39:12 +0000

Ok, this is one of those bands that I’ve read about for months. Some part of tries to avoid listening to the overhyped/overblogged bands, but after I saw almost every single mp3 blog I read write about them, I had to at least give The xx a chance. I tried two songs, Basic Space and Crystalised, and I immediately fell in love. That same day, I got the album, and I honestly cannot think of any single album I’ve listened to more in the past year or two. They are absolutely my new favorite band, and it looks like they’ll be playing with Friendly Fires in Austin on 11/19.

There’s not a whole lot I can say about this band that hasn’t been said by better writers. At times their music reminds me of The Organ, The Kills, and the melodies I’ve plucked out in my bedroom for years. Every note is perfect, in a minimal way that I haven’t heard before. I read a lot of reviews that dissed the male vocalist, Oliver, but I actually love his voice, especially when he trades off with the female vocalist, Romy. Without further ado…

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The xx - Vcr (4)

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The xx - Islands (4)

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The xx - Heart Skipped A Beat (6)

Paramore – Brand New Eyes

Maggie May — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:22:58 +0000

Virtually every band or artist on my all-time favorite list has released/will release a new album in the span of 6 months. Metric, Phoenix, Imogen Heap, The Sounds, Tegan And Sara (10/27), and now Paramore. I’ve been in music heaven all spring and summer. That goes without even mentioning all of the new favorites I’ve discovered in the last few months, the likes of which you’ll hear in the next few weeks.

Two weeks ago, a coworker asked me what my personal ‘fight’ song was. I didn’t have a singular answer for him, but I gave him two bands, Damone and Paramore. Whenever I want to get up and go, I play their albums. With this latest album from Paramore, I realized how much Hayley Williams’ voice has matured…and it was phenomenal to begin with! The pure force of talent behind that 20 year old redhead is amazing, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.

Brand New Eyes is a pop-punk joyride. As always, the guitar hooks are flawless, the lyrics are sharp, and the vocals are spot-on. There’s nothing not to like about these kids.

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Paramore - Careful (5)

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Paramore - Playing God (5)

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Paramore - Misguided Ghosts (5)

Ingrid Michaelson – Everybody

Maggie May — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:05:05 +0000

I’ll be the first to say that I haven’t followed Ingrid Michaelson very closely over the last few years. Sure, I loved her ’sweater song’ from the Old Navy commercials. There have also been some solid tracks on her last two albums. But I have never so completely enjoyed one of her albums until now. From the first few bars of ‘Soldier,’ I was hooked. I’ve listened to the album pretty much non-stop for the last week or so, and it’s great. My favorite song keeps alternating. Like Amanda Blank was able to do for my white-girl-rap-sized-hole, Ingrid has done for my know-i-should-love-Indigo-Girls-but-I-can’t-sized-hole. Enjoy.

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Ingrid Michaelson - Soldier (9)

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Ingrid Michaelson - So Long (6)

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Ingrid Michaelson - Sort Of (12)

A Fine Frenzy – Bomb In A Birdcage

Maggie May — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:59:11 +0000

From the first line of 2007’s ‘Almost Lover,’ I knew I’d fall in love with A Fine Frenzy. Her 2nd album doesn’t disappoint, and surprisingly, it even raises the bar. Several songs seem to experiment with new sounds, and the result is enjoyable. ‘New Heights’ reminds me very much of School Of Seven Bells, and that is always a good thing. ‘Electric Twist’ sounds almost like an Emily Haines b-side, and again, that’s quite the high compliment from me. ‘Stood Up’ is very Eisley-esque. I ended up listening to this album the same day as the new Ingrid Michaelson album (look for a post on Ingrid next week), and I expected them both to sound very similar. But I was surprised by both…they are both very individualistic and both quite good.

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A Fine Frenzy - New Heights (12)

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A Fine Frenzy - Electric Twist (9)

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A Fine Frenzy - Stood Up (14)

Music Go Music – Expressions

Maggie May — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:31:13 +0000

When I was first introduced to ‘house’ music years ago, I quickly learned there are dozens of styles within the genre. I also quickly learned that my favorite is undoubtedly ‘disco house.’ I didn’t experience the 70s, but I know I would have loved that time. I believe I would like most traditional (?) disco music, if that’s all I had. Thankfully, I have something even better – a disco revival within the electronic music world. Take a catchy disco tune, lay it over an infectious beat, bring it up to date with flawless production…and you’ve got my full attention. Music Go Music does all of this and more. If anyone can bring disco back, it’s these kids. This is the most dance-worthy music I’ve heard all year. Check out the album (cd and vinyl) on 10/6/09, you won’t want to miss this one!

Official | Myspace | Last.fm | Hype | Elbo.ws

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Music Go Music - Light Of Love (6)

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Music Go Music - Explorers Of The Heart (7)

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Music Go Music - Warm In The Shadows (6)

Amanda Blank – I Love You

Maggie May — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:19:51 +0000

When I first heard “Might Like You Better” months ago, I wasn’t sold on Amanda Blank. When I saw her open for Santigold in June, I was almost won over. When I heard her album last week, I fell the rest of the way in love. Aside from the untouchables (Kanye and Beyonce), I don’t listen to much hip-hop. Yet when I heard this album, I realized it filled a void in my musical appetite…a void that I once tried (and failed) to fill with Northern State. I may never like another white girl rapper again, and that’s ok. I’ve got Miss Blank, and she is badass.

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Amanda Blank - A Love Song (6)

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Amanda Blank - Something Bigger Something Better (8)

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Amanda Blank - Shame On Me (9)

Imogen Heap – Ellipse

Maggie May — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:09:18 +0000

I’ve waited for this day for years. Literally. And while Imogen Heap’s new album ‘Ellipse’ hasn’t officially been released yet (8/25/09 US), it’s out there. Imogen is one smart cookie. She’s allowing us all to hear the album in its entirety now. There’s so much I want to say about this album, about Imogen herself. Yet at the end of the day, my words can do no justice. You must listen for yourself. Virtually impossible to choose three tracks from this overwhelmingly genius album. As a whole, ‘Ellipse’ feels much lighter, happier than ‘Speak For Yourself’ yet somehow even more brilliant and intricate. Please buy this album next Tuesday. The ‘Deluxe’ version (only $12.99 US!!) contains an extra CD with all of the songs from the album as intrumentals…this alone is worth hundreds to me.

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Imogen Heap - Tidal (8)

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Imogen Heap - Wait It Out (8)

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Imogen Heap - Swoon (7)

Kissy Sell Out – Youth

Maggie May — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:26:41 +0000

I will preface this by saying I don’t know much (aka anything) about Kissy Sell Out. Stereotypically, I avoided this guy based on name, as I thought he might be another hyper-electro (aka chaotic, unlistenable) DJ. A few months ago, though, on a hunch, I listened to a song called ‘Through The Leaves,’ and it’s fantastic. It takes you on a journey, and you can easily imagine it in a soundtrack for the next new hip indie film. While I’m not as much in love with every song on the album, there are some definite winners. It’s getting harder and harder to be original in the electronic music genre, but this guy has gotten a decent start.

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Kissy Sell Out - Through The Leaves (7)

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Kissy Sell Out - My Garden Friends (5)

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Kissy Sell Out - Bubs And Bizzle (5)

Au Revoir Simone – Still Night, Still Light

Maggie May — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:15:08 +0000

It was surprisingly difficult to choose the three songs that would be featured here. Surprising because on the surface, most of the tracks on this album (and by this band, in general) seem very similar. Difficult because the more I’ve listened to this album, the more I feel it should be experienced in full. When you listen to any of these songs individually, you may think, “Why, that’s a nice mellow catchy pop song.” Of course, that’s true. But when you listen to Au Revoir Simone for 45+ minutes, you can be transported into that nice mellow catchy world where everything, really, will be ok.

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Au Revoir Simone - Shadows (10)

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Au Revoir Simone - Knight Of Wands (10)

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Au Revoir Simone - Anywhere You Looked (7)