Cover Me Monday - "My Boys"

Taken By Trees is the solo project of Swedish singer/songwriter Victoria Bergsman.

Very few will recognize her from the backup vocals she provided in Peter, Bjorn, and John's whistle-tastic single, "Young Folks".

I have a feeling that a majority of us however, will know her by her cover of Animal Collective's "My Girls"...conveniently titled, "My Boys"

Enjoy it!

Branford Marsalis On Students Today

Here's the great jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis giving his take on students in the current generation.

Honesty is the best policy I suppose...but I'd hate to be one of his students right now.

Flip Off Friday - Zoo Animals

Absolutely random, but absolutely hilarious.

"Flipping off Zoo Animals"

The Funniest Thing To Come Out of Frasier

[via - Buzzfeed]

Killer Suits of the Day: Monsters of Folk on Conan

Hopefully everyone gathered around their television sets last night to watch the Monsters of Folk play their song on The Tonight Show" (OK, that sentence was only written so that I could say, "television set." It sounds so 1950's)

I'm pretty sure I've written about these Monsters before, but the band is a supergroup consisting of M. Ward, Conor Oberst, Jim James, and Mike Mogis.

Their album consequently just released this week as well and it's quickly creeping into my favorites of 2009. Go out and get it...



...NOW go out and get it...i knew that video would do the trick

Bringing Sexy Back of the Day: Jennifer Love Hewitt at the '09 Emmys

Damn, she looked amazing.

Everyone had a crush on her back in the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" days...but here she is 12 years later blowing that away IMO.



How does she end up with that doofus Jamie Kennedy on her arm?

God Hollywood love is too bizarre for me...it's like they just take whatever's easiest.



Hewi...baby...do us a favor, take the road less traveled, and get yourself a non-celebrity boyfriend. I can't picture anyone I'd actually LIKE to see you with.

You and your angel soft hair and cheekbones made of marshmallow fluff.
MMmmmm...

Make It Through Monday: RiverDog!

It's 2:30pm EST.

You're almost at the end of the Monday work day.

Keep going.

Sign of What's To Come: New Julian Casablancas single

highly recommend everyone head over to the MySpace page for Julian Casablancas to get a first listen of a song off his highly anticipated solo release, "Phrazes For The Young".

if this song is any sign of what's to come of the album, tentatively set to release October 20th in the U.S., it's going to be a huge success....which is good, because it's been too long since I've made a Strokes related post on here.


The song evokes the 80's hardcore, with bright synths popping up all over the place. It reminds me a lot of MGMT's, "Grutu" which I was obsessed with.

This Guy is Awesome of the Day: CONRADCIGARSPIPES

This old man is stumbling into internet history...whether he knows it or not.

YouTuber CONRADCIGARSPIPES has posted 9,000+ videos of himself...smoking a pipe.

No talking, just a man, his tobacco, and some music here and there.

So many questions to ask...

Get Funky With Zelda: A Link to the Past

This video really needs no intro.

It's a Japanese commercial for the 1991 Super Nintendo game, "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past"

That's right...it's from 1991...which makes the effects and dance moves that much funnier.

I've Been Under A Rock of the Day: Ween - "White Pepper"

I got tipped off to this album through the classic conversation of, "Oh...you like that band?  Then you should try this band.  They are one of their influences."

Don't get me wrong, I'd HEARD of Ween, the alt rock group that started in 1984, but I just didn't know what I was missing since, well, that's the same year I started...being alive.  Other than "Roses Are Free", which I knew because Phish covered that track, I was out of the loop.

So I picked up this album, "White Pepper" which was in a discount bin, hit up Ming Dynasty for some takeout (combination 7) , and let the album play.

...what came next was like a first kiss...or the first time I played Super Mario Bros....or the first time I ate a Cinnabon.

I was whisked away from the opening notes of, "Exactly Where I'm At" and I couldn't stop listening or moving.  My feet and hands were in a constant state of motion.

"Flutes of Chi" painted this beautiful landscape in my mind...completely substance free might I add.

Get out your mental paintbrushes, push play, and give it a whirl, I don't lie:

Then came, "Bananas and Blow":

(note this is not the ACTUAL video for the song, haha, but rather a fan's representation.

IT IS however the actual studio version of the song, which is what counts!)

I can't help but hear every other band I've ever enjoyed on this album.  From the frollicking riffs of Trey and Phish to the shredding guitars of Claypool and Primus...it was all over the map...influences a-plenty.

By the time the album ended, I was saying to myself, "Well, I've got a new favorite album, a new favorite band, and a whole lot of exploration to do."

I don't know what took me so long, but I'm glad to have reached the destination.  Let this post serve as the message...and come join me on the journey that is Ween.

Bacon Is Good For Me REEEEMIX!

By now we've probably all seen the awesome clip from an episode of ABC's, "Wife Swap"...yes, the show where two families exchanges wives for a week and all hell usually ensues.

On this fateful episode, the 'new' mother attempted to throw out the child's bacon.
(Side note: mmmmm....bacon)

Anyways, what happened next was 100%, GRADE A, quality television programming. The boy erupted, and threw a fit, famously exclaiming, "Bacon is good for me."

Well ladies and gentlemen, everything on the interWeb gets the remix treatment and this one by YouTuber surgewakefield is one of the better ones.

Enjoy it! Just don't listen to it more than twice in one sitting or you'll be repeating it aloud the remainder of the day.

Comedian Jen Kwok Reps Her Continent

Brooklyn comedian Jen Kwok recently created this awesome video for her song, "Date An Asian" and damn it's hilarious.

You won't find any Engrish in this post, unfortunately, but it's really funny and mentions a lot of the common things we attribute to asians...liiiike....Bubble Tea.

It's A Phish Halloween...BRAH!

So by now, we all know either from this blog or the millions of others, that Phish are back for another Halloween festival.

Phish Festival 8 is set to take place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA, Oct 30,31, and Nov 1.

Keeping with past Phish festivals, the band plans on covering another artist's album...in it's entirety.

This is nothing new...but as always it leaves phans wondering, "What album will it be?"

Came across this awesome blog, "Halloween, brAh!" which is dedicated to speculation on just what the band might cover. Even better...they provide you with a link to download each of their options so you can hear the album in its entirety (So if it just so happens to be chosen you'll be able to sing, bop along, and know the songs.)

Of course they're completely unaffiliated with the band...it's all still very unknown and likely to stay that way until the day comes.

Still a great idea and a great way to broaden your musical horizons.

If Kanye Were At Obama's Healthcare Speech

Here's a great video mash-up making the rounds today in light of last nights MTV Video Music Awards show.

What happened in reality, Taylor Swift won the award for Best Female Video. During her acceptance speech, Kanye got on stage, grabbed the microphone from her, and threw his usual award show tantrum, saying:

"Taylor, I'm really happy for you. I'll let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time! One of the best videos of all time!"

YouTube account 'FreeYourPixels' is making it even more viral by mixing it with Obama's healthcare speech, which was also interrupted by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)



(HERE's the original VMA clip which will probably be taken down in a few hours...haha so have at it now)


Kanye has since apologized on his blog using some sleazy metaphor about Ben Stiller and "Meet The Parents". What wouldn't Kanye do for attention? It's starting to get ridiculous.

Listen Up Friday - Fool's Gold

My ears instantly perked up at the opening notes of "SURPRISE HOTEL".

LA collective, "Fool's Gold" are onto something with their sound.

The vibes are very beachy...a SoCal, pop, carribean sound on top of perky, almost afro-pop melodies.

What comes out is a unique blend of awesome.

And while the sounds/genres give you that Vampire Weekend taste in your mouth...don't even go there. This is something different in a good way. It has been done before, but not like this.



Definitly going to keep my eyes, ears and other senses tuned into Fool's Gold to see what happens next.

Happy listening, Happy Friday, and I'll throw in a 9/11 God Bless America. That's the only one you'll get.

Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players Still Do It For Me

I can remember back in college when I first saw the video for the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players' "Mountain Trip" (below).

Instantly hooked...musical crack.



Just watch the video first...go ahead...look up and click play...then come back. I'll wait.

OK, now tell me "Mountain Trip to old Japan" is not STUCK in your head permanently. Enjoy singing it to your coworkers and friends this afternoon.

Anyways, yeah I became enthralled in the zany world of the Slideshow Players and their concept of creating songs based off of old slides they found at garage and estate sales.

From their wikipedia page:

Their trademark is the slideshow itself: slides collected from "estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores, etc." are constantly shown in order to "turn the lives of annonymous [sic] strangers into pop-rock musical expos[é]s based on the contents of these slide collections". The band sings about things that occurred in the places shown in the slides...

Their wikipedia page is terribly outdated though and I don't see any mention of the Slideshow Players together since 2006. I hope someone can get these guys back on their high horse...they're an extremely bizarre but lovable act.

Your Eyes Are Not Mistaken. T-Pain and Taylor Swift

Just came across this somehow which is odd considering it originates from the CMT website.

Yes, this is Taylor Swift (a.k.a. T-Swizzle) and auto-tune extraordinaire T-Pain (a.k.a. T-Pizzle) teaming up on a song called, "Thug Life".

We see a side Taylor Swift, that I didn't know existed, when she belts out, "Still live with my parents but, I'm still a thug!"

Normally I would be against this but...
...something about it makes Taylor Swift that much more attractive.

Is it just me?

"Pursuit of Happiness" by Kid Cudi hits YouTube

I posted the track, "Make her say" by Kid Cudi last month which features appearances by Common as well as Kanye.

It's off his upcoming album, "Man on the Moon: End of the Day" which is set to drop...I believe...next Tuesday so that's September 15th, 2009.

Also on that disc, and recently spotted on YouTube, will be the highly acclaimed track, "Pursuit of Happiness".

Why all the attention? Well the track features a collaboration with Ratatat (who also helped produce the album in its entirety) and MGMT. Each act is at the top of heap of artists to watch right now and you could imagine something big like this will happen when you put them all in a blender and press the mix button.



What do you think of the track?

Previous Buzz Band Update!

Just a little update: A few days ago I posted a video of the song "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, the "buzz band" at this years SXSW.

Well they are certainly moving in the right direction...First, the signing with Vagrant Records in July, and now their national television debut on the Late Show with David Letterman.

Check it out here, I knew that song 'Home' was insta-awesomeness, clearly a great single.



Meanwhile their labelmates, "Black Rebel Motorcycle Club" also are offering an exclusive remix of their song, "666 Conducer" on their homepage.

Previous versions, (ala the YouTube clip below) shred it up, but you can expect a more mellowed down, more Trent Reznor-esque sound from the remix, so DEFINITLY check it out!

The Most Fun I've Had Ever: Smule's "I Am T-Pain"

I bought this the other day due to a lot of buzz in the "blogosphere"

Suffice to say, the "I Am T-Pain" app for the iPhone is in fact...INCREDIBLE

You literally feel like you've been thrown into a studio and given your shot to make millions...and T-Pain is going to auto-tune the crap out of it.

And I know everyone is all in a fuss over auto-tune and its popularity, but look beyond that.
The 'fun factor' of this has nothing to do with the music industry, it's in the experience.
I brought this to a party and people literally swarmed it for a good hour.

My roommate wouldn't 'freestyle' if you offered him money to do so, but after watching me for a few minutes he jumped right in. What comes out though...that's the best part...this could make Roseanne Barr sound like the next big thing (Lil Rose?)

ALSO, The iPhone headphones that come with it are a MUST to get the full experience, because they have the microphone built right in near your mouth...or you could just have a loud speaker setup ala:




- The app is $2.99 in the Apple app-store and thinking about it, you get A LOT for that price. It's Antares auto-tune in the palm of your hand...what more is there to say?


--- ALSO AS I mentioned, and as you could imagine, some of the stuff you produce from here comes out great and is something you want to keep.

Sure the app has 'e-mail this song' functionality, but that's a pain and takes you to a streaming site. Let us think LONG TERM Smule!

If you want to save your tracks as .m4a, it takes 5 minor steps, but it can happen!

• FIRST, use the "Send Song in Email" functionality of the iPhone app and email it to yourself.
• SECOND, follow the link to your song from the email and wait until the page loads. When it's complete, Right Click and Choose, "View Source").
• THIRD, do a search (CTRL+F usually) and look for: return playSong('button0'
• FOURTH, look a few characters to the right of the found text and you'll see a long string of numbers and letters that looks like: '6XX4X010-XXA2-XXX9-AXXX-18XXXDXA67'. COPY that string of characters, which is your unique song ID.
• FIFTH, enter the string of numbers you just copied into the format below...replacing the bold string of characters with YOUR UNIQUE set:

http://smule-media-app.smule.com/tpain/6XX4X010-XXA2-XXX9-AXXX-18XXXDXA67.m4a

Tada! That's the URL to your file, enter it into your browser and you'll be taken to the page. Either it will be streaming and you can goto "File --> Save Page As" or it will just straight up ask to save. Have fun...

You CAN Judge These Beauties By Their Cover

We here at Coffee Con like to think we have knack for picking good music and beautful women. So what would you do when faced with these two choices?

Here we have both, the infamous Britney Spears and the ever beautiful Beyonce, covering Alanis Morissette's, "You Oughta Know".

Right away you would imagine Beyonce's gotta win in the 'Bootylicious' category...but I dunno, this is a great view of Brit and some great pants to boot.

Anyways you be the judge...Who do you think is hotter? Who performs a better version of the song?

BRITNEY VERSION


BEYONCE VERSION

Bad Parenting == Good Youtube Videos

Here's a hilarious list of "Make Out Tips" by a 15 year old Youtuber known as "KCheet08". I can barely make it through the first 10 seconds of the video without laughing at his delivery.

Using a set of pillows with a drawn on smiley face he named Melinda, the boy takes you through every painstaking detail of hooking up with a babe.

I'm all for kids expanding their imagination...but this is a little much. Hope his parents are ready to register him for Pimp School.

Tupac Is The Greatest Foreign Ambassador

Here's an awesome video that was put together by The Rubik Crew. Don't know who they are? I didn't either until I went to their site.

It's two dudes who plan to drive one car 10,000 miles through 21 countries from England to Mongolia.

I love concepts like this, especially when the people taking on the task are serious about it and documenting as well as The Rubik Crew are.

Here's the video which stitches together clips of Kazakhstan locals singing Tupac's "Changes"!

Maybe Tupac is actually living in Kazakhstan?

Dub FX and his Man Made Music

Caught wind of this artist Dub FX through a friend last night who insisted I, "Had to watch this."

After picking my jaw up off the floor, I nodded and said, "You were right."

His career started simply as a London street performer.
Armed with insanely good beatbox skills and an array of repeaters and effects pedals, Dub FX quickly gained attention by word of mouth. His sound is equal parts hip hop as it is dub reggae and the vocals eerily remind of Matisyahu.

Check the video out below and enjoy the Friday beats!

...if we don't speak again...have an awesome long Labor Day weekend!

"Did I Win?" ...I dunno, did he?

From the looks of the videotape, he did indeed...win.

Then again, from the looks of the videotape, he also FAILed.

I'm telling you, play it over and over again and it just gets funnier. Listen to all the tumbling, skidding, body parts being thrashed, noises. I love it goes on for like 5 seconds too until he even gets to the camera.



Anyone have a video from the head-on view? I'd love to see why he fell, haha

Hitler's Reaction to Oasis Splitting For Good

You've seen countless of these 'remix' videos on YouTube where Hitler is ranting and raving, usually about a current topic or event. Since he's speaking in another language, people create humorous subtitles in English.
(Seriously if you haven't, just search YouTube for "hitler is pissed")

The scene is originally from the 2004 movie, "Der Untergang".

This one is really well done and pertains to the recent announcement that Oasis were splitting up...for good this time...they think.

How Have I Never Seen This? of the day

O.K. Raise your hand if you've heard of the band, XYZ Affair

Alright...I saw a few hands go halfway up, so we'll leave it at, "The name sounds familiar."

That was all until I was having a chat with my friend Jess about the good days of SNICK on Nickelodeon.
...which got me thinking about Alex Mack...which got me thinking about Clarissa Explains It All...which got me thinking about the character Ferguson....which got me typing in his name into Youtube and finding this.

The debut video of the XYZ Affair's, "All My Friends"

From the video's Description:

Website http://www.thexyzaffair.com
Debut video by Brooklyn band, The XYZ Affair, starring Marc Summers (Double Dare, Unwrapped), Jason Zimbler (Ferguson of Clarissa Explains It All), Danny Cooksey (Budnick of Salute Your Shorts, Terminator 2), Michael Maronna (Older Pete of Pete & Pete, 40 Days and 40 Nights, Slackers).




I know...awesome! As I always say...this gives XYZ Affair major points in my book. +131 points exactly.

Beat My Score: Canabalt

Found this great game that was created for the Experimental Gameplay Project.

Basically, the team behind the project picks a theme and the indie game developers get cracking on a game that somehow ties into the chosen theme.
The catch: They can spend NO MORE than a week, from start to finish, working on the game.

That concept is what makes the Experimental Gameplay Project so extraordinarily awesome...the end products are just phenomenal for the amount of time the developers are given.

"Canabalt" was created during August under the theme of, "Bare Minimum". Whether it be in the games design, sound, graphics, controls, it just had to be simple and easy.
Adam Saltsman took on the task with Danny B and succeeded beyond comprehension. Canabalt combines a bare minimum control scheme (one button jumps...thats it) along with simple graphics consisting of 6 colors TOTAL. Yet, I dare you to try and stop playing it. The game's addictiveness (is that a word?) lies in it's simplicity.

My hats off to Adam and friends who created the game. It's getting a lot of attention around the web and I also look forward to future developments in the Experimental Gameplay Project.

Play CANABALT now!

Post your high scores in the comments, let's get a little tournament going to see who can get the highest :)

Throw It Back Wednesday "Lucas With The Lid Off"

I'm sitting on the train coming into work this morning when this big rasta dude gets on the train a few stops later.

At the time I have 'Mike and Mike in the Morning' pumping in my ears doing a Two A Day for the JETS. That's my team...you'd think I'd be listening attentively.

Nope...I take one look at the rasta dude and start thinking to myself, "Funk-a-fomedy-risty-fomedy-own". Over and over to the point where I'm sitting alone and laughing to myself.

Of course...that lyric, though 99.9% NOT what he's actually saying in the song, is from the 1994 classic, "Lucas With The Lid Off" which received an extreme amount of playtime on MTV. According to the Wikipedia entry for the artist, Lucas, the video is actually done by the acclaimed Michael Gondry. The same guy who has done countless other excellent music videos and furthermore directed "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind".

I remember buying this single as soon as I heard it. That cassette still exists in my room somewhere. Hmmm...



Anyone know what the hell the lyrics actually are?

best I can do so far:
"Wha-da-ba-da-ba-da-up...(I feeel)"
"Funky fomedy wristy fomedy own...(yeeaaaaah)"

Gnarls Barkley Cover Radiohead's "Reckoner"

Subject pretty much is your description here.

Cee Lo really belts this one out...he does a fairly good overweight Yorke if you ask me.

I've had this on my YouTube fav's for a while so by no means is this recent...it was even better when 'In Rainbows' was still semi-new.