March 9: Amazing Release Date & Two Cool Videos

2010 has already gotten off to a tremendous start in terms of music. For many, including yours truly, it has already surpassed all of what 2009 had to offer. I’m working on a list that covers the best releases for the first quarter and that should be up around the beginning of April. But now, March 9 features a slew of albums that are all very deserving of listens.

The cream of the crop (and the crop is immense) is Gonjasufi’s A Sufi and a Killer. An electronic feel with hip-hop beats and roots, the singer’s voice is an unbelievably enigmatic presence. The beats are fuzzy and cracked out with Sumach Ecks’ mesmerizing vocals; think of Flying Lotus’ work (he also produces some of the stuff here) with otherworldly vocals and this is it. The full album (personal favorite so far is “She Gone”) is streaming for free here.

Here is a small list of what comes out tomorrow:
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
Liars – Sisterworld
The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night
Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Beat the Devil’s Tattoo
Broken Bells (Shins frontman James Mercer and Danger Mouse) – Broken Bells
Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists – The Brutalist Bricks

Here is the excellent video (in HD!) to the superb opening song off the new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach. It’s gripping, moving and sets the album up perfectly.



I’ve been meaning to bring up Joanna Newsom for quite some time now. She’s a beautiful harpist that combines classical music with the experimental side of pop, along with exceptionally written stories. Her first two albums were easily two of the finest releases of the entire last decade and her new one, Have One on Me, is a triple album featuring eighteen songs of sublime music.

I’d encourage you to check it out and to take it all in sections, starting with one disc/record and then slowly moving on to the other ones. Her voice is as gorgeous as ever but the arrangements are tighter with everything retaining a far more focused sound. She’s always shied away from exposure and the limelight but she actually took the stage for Jimmy Fallon’s show, here is that performance. – Bryan

2010 Oscars: Bryan's Side

The Oscars always bring everyone out of the woodworks. Casual movie followers become film connoisseurs and everyone has an opinion but the only one that matters is the people that vote for them. It's cliché when admitting that the best films rarely win but even more, some of the best aren't even nominated (don't get me started on how Finding Nemo wasn't nominated for Best Picture its year.) And I feel so behind because for a few years, I followed film with a fervent passion. Not only did I see all of my favorite actors' and directors' films but I'd follow the critically-acclaimed stuff too. It's where I came to love smaller known films (at the time) like Life is Beautiful, City of God, and Quiz Show, just to name a few. But somewhere along the way, I haven't kept up, I haven't had that drive I used to have and it's been a struggle. I was able to watch some stuff from last year, a few notes: Mickey Rourke was robbed and Wall-E should've at least been nominated for Best Picture, if not THE best film last year. Maybe I can do better this year, maybe not.

This year's awards were, as usual, filled with great surprises and rather than filling this with too much long-winded babbling, here are my thoughts. What was up with George Clooney and Alec Baldwin tonight? I'm a huge Clooney fan though so it's all good. I'm not sure how Quentin Tarantino didn't win best original screenplay but then again, I'm still peeved he didn't win Best Picture for Pulp Fiction. And oh, not even a Best Pic. Nomination for Reservoir Dogs? Shameful. The dancing theme for the Original Score nominees was golden. A great combination of fluid movement with impeccable music makes for a terrific performance. And it set up nicely for Up to open it up for the huge drums of Avatar – fortunately the former, far more deserving score, won. And mentioning the latter, it's funny seeing just how much The Hurt Locker and Avatar camps hate each other. This is already on top of the producer's emails and the fact that they sat ex-husband (James Cameron) and wife (Kathryn Bigelow), competing against each other, right in front of each other. I'd still say Up was the best movie from last year, in my opinion.

DJ Donna Summer - Raw EP

This is a new EP by Nightshifters lablehead Jason Forrest who goes by DJ Donna Summer. His first release in 2 years, the music on this EP ranges with everything from house, IDM, dubstep and straight up electronic music. But what makes it all the more engaging are his transitions and ear for layering.

There are songs ("Fighter") that are built around an addition of instruments and tones before exploding all over the canvas and then there are others like the title track that very simply, burst at the seems with intensity. The undertones are subtle and enticing and the atmospherics lend a blissful amount of style. When hearing something as good as this, I can’t help but wonder why it will never make it to the dancefloors – where it belongs.

Nonetheless, getting the word out is needed. Below is a video to that aforementioned title track, all of the songs on the EP can be heard on his myspace page and hopefully, we see a physical release soon. – Bryan

Dj Donna Summer - Raw from Nightshifters on Vimeo.

The DA

This passed thursday I was able to check out THE DA for the second time in less then a week over at Cincinnati Bar, and they did not disappoint. With the release of their latest 4 song EP entitled “Thank God for Aluminum” and their SXSW showcase coming up very soon it seems that their set was tighter then ever. One thing I loved the most were the subtle transitions between songs. Party didn’t stop for a breather. There were times that infectious dance floor rhythms seamlessly blended into another sublime beat.
For those who are just getting turned onto this band its safe to say their music is flat out fun. Spanning too many genres to even try and name, these guys make good ol’ fashion danceable rock music. To me the biggest thing that should stand out in their sound to first time listeners of THE DA is the texture added by their trumpet player. After hooking into a number of effects, the sounds that come from the trumpet are eerie and beautiful all at once. Add some mean synthesizer , disco friendly guitar rhythms and pumping beats and you got some shit you can move your ass to!!! If you don’t believe me check out this clip from THE DA playing at the SUNSET HEGHTS BLOCK PARTY, one of Chuco’s flat out hippest and coolest events. (be there or be square for the 3rd installment summer 2010 coming soon)


These are my 2 favorite tracks off their new EP

http://www.mediafire.com/?amadxjdjiqe
http://www.mediafire.com/?miynomwzy4n
and be sure to check them out before they blow up at SXSW.They’ll be at The Garage March 13 and Black Market March 14.

Name/New Contributor

So much to post about and so little time in a day. We've had a great week here at Odd Gila. we're probably going with that name as our permanent one. Hope you all like it.

In the meantime we have a new contributor and he is a great friend of ours. His input will be wide ranging and believe me, very well written. He should be coming on here soon so I wanted to offer a proper welcome: welcome Darcy!

This will be awesome. Please excuse any typos, this post is from work, hurried, from my cell phone. Have a great day! - Bryan

Local News: UTEP Basketball and The Royalty

An update: the UTEP men’s basketball team is now 22-5, with an impressive 13-1 record in conference. But bigger than that news is that they are now #21 (ahead of Baylor, Maryland, Texas A&M and Texas) in the coaches poll and #24 in the AP poll!

We play a resurging Marshall (22-7 [10-4]) team that is fighting for a good spot in the conference tournament, on Wednesday night and that game is away. Then we close with a home game against second-place UAB (23-5 [11-3]) and like I mentioned earlier, we beat them in a thriller at their home court so they will be seeking revenge. It will be testing and surely, a huge challenge but we can do it!

Nick and I were at Take II on Saturday night to attend The Royalty’s CD release show. If you haven’t heard them yet, they are an awesome band that hails from our very own El Paso, Texas. They’re definitely channeling some kind of doo-wop/Motown style but with a crisp pop/rock vibe. If anything, they’ve completely taken over my car stereo with their terrific album.

The show was an astounding experience – they sound tight and honed in one their strengths but even more impressing, their chemistry seems to pour into the music with stunning ease. A band that has some pure potential, The DA, opened and their experimental style was excellent as well. And both deserve plenty of myspace hits, recognition and support, so check them out. Below is their official video for "Chinese Fire Drill", above are pictures I took of the show from this past Saturday, their CD is only $10 (hope they vinyl is coming out soon) and their next show is March 13 at the Percolator @ 9PM – Bryan

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

I’m not sure if he did this intentionally or not but it’s fitting of a Gorillaz post during this time. Their new album is less than a weak away and it should be awesome. I was a big fan of their last album, Demon Days and always considered it a far better album than their debut. Then again, I really enjoyed Danger Mouse’s production on it as well.

With that said, Gorillaz have defeated the system and were, somehow, able to get their album out there on their own terms. The album is set for a release next week, March 9th, and they were able to avoid a leak of the album entirely. NPR is proudly streaming the album for free and it can be heard in entirety by clicking here.

I’m only halfway through but it sounds especially great, so far. By the way, the “Orchestral Intro” is gorgeous and its segue into the funky bass and keyboard with a proper introduction from Snoop Dogg is fantastic. And the third song features music from The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music, nice! - Bryan