KyleParkinson.com

One of the most fun albums I’ve come across in recent months is Drug Rug’s self-titled debut. These neo-psychedelic folk-rockers from Cambridge, MA, have kept me skipping through the freezing cold weather lately. The music pushes the envelope while at the same time making me feel entirely at ease, and that’s what I like.

Apparently their live shows are quite something, so if you see them coming to town, be sure to check it out. In the meantime, a couple songs to introduce you:

MP3: Drug Rug - Day I Die

MP3: Drug Rug - Tiny People

It’s been quite some time since my last DJ mix, but the new year brings new motivation. This latest mix was actually recorded on December 31, 2007, but with an eye on the coming year. Went with a few different styles and tempos in the beginning of the mix, but it builds up into a nice beat. The track listing is as follows:

Kate Havenevik - New Day
Tiefschwarz feat. Tracey Thorn - Damage (M.A.N.D.Y. Remix)
Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye (Jason Bentley Remix)
Erlend Øye - Fine Day
Goldfrapp - Utopia (Tom Middleton’s Cosmos Vocal Mix)
LCD Soundsystem - Get Innocuous! (Soulwax Remix)
Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor (Jesse Rose Mix)
Piano Magic - Incurable
Lo-Fi-Fnk - City (Punks Jump Up Remix)
Dragonette - I Get Around (Van She Technologic Remix)

Enjoy!

MP3: K.Y.L.E. - A New Day’s Eve

Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead is all over the place these days. Obviously there’s the In Rainbows buzz of the past couple month. Then there’s Jonny’s soundtrack for There Will Be Blood, which is absolutely amazing. And last night, the Wordless Music Series treated us to the American premiere of Greenwood’s Popcorn Superhet Receiver at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle on the Upper West Side.

Speaking from an admittedly novice point of view vis-à-vis classical music, the 2005 piece is an 18-minute exploration of white noise and extended notes, rising and falling with beautiful tension. The composer oscillates between drawing out melodies from and creating pounding rhythms with the 36-piece string orchestra. If you’re familiar with the music from There Will Be Blood, much of this piece is in the same vein, and excerpts appear throughout the movie soundtrack.

You can stream audio of the piece via Pitchfork. And you can go see it performed live tonight if you are in the area.