Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday >> 01/30/2009

2009-01-30T15:57:00.000-08:00

Words >>

Our blog gives the reader all the powers of the 70's super group Foreigner.

My People Sleeping - Time Machine

A lush, shoe-gazable and lilting little mood piece.

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Old Panda Days

We've always had a slightly strained releationship with CFTPA's music. It alternates between being brilliantly minimalist and personal, and incredibly self indulgent and poorly constructed. This song definitely lives in the land of the former and has a Shins-ish quality that drew us to it.

Burbank International - 2034 (When Machines Start Eating People)

Rumor has it that Burbank has an upcomming EP in the works. The title is "Predator Primer" and we're proud to have an advance cut to brandish around like a shiny peice of stolen treasure. Easily their best cut since their powerful ode to the SF's gritty Tenderloin (same titled), this is a fine example of H. A. Eugene's rich story telling talent. The charachter dreams of his own future as though it were actually the past and fact, and talks dancing at the end of war between man eating robots: pure genius. The subtle horns in the backgroung also add a novel dirge quality to the song, giving it a haunting mix of melancholy and hope.

Dan Deacon - Trippy Green Skull
Dan Deacon - Crystal Cat (Bonus Video)

Dan Deacon is a strange, carnivorous monster created by a highly advanced but now extinct civilization of regal lizard people. He has come to earth to sip the juices from our pineals gland out of a crystal goblet as he sits upon a gigantic throne of gilded skulls and broken circuitry. Hopefully he will come to San Francisco soon.

Telekinesis - Coasts Of Carolina

Solid indie rock. We haven't listened to the whole album yet, but we like the groove and have high expectations.

Meursault - A Few Kind Words

Meursault might be the coolest thing we've heard this calendar year. These Scotch madmen broadcast what has been clumsily described as electro-folk. In our opinion, they're picking up where Throw Me The Statue and the Handsome Furs left off. Guaranteed to send a thrill down your spine.

The Whole Enchilada - http://www.mediafire.com/file/z10lo0n0w0j/RTBF.NewMusicFriday.20090130.zip

Thanks for listening! Ciao,

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday >> 01/23/2009

2009-01-23T16:33:00.000-08:00

Words >

Hey! We can't believe we've been dormant for 6 months! Really bad form on our part, but we're back and we have some new treats for you!

Alina Simone - Black Water

We found this by accident one day and it turned our heads so fast we nearly got whiplash. Brooklyn's Alina Simone hits hard with PJ Harvery(crush, blush)-esque smart agonized wailing, minimal spooky guitars and drums that would make Maureen Tucker grin like a schoolgirl. Raising the hackle's on the back of our neck is usually all we need to know that something is powerful, but this one really holds up lyrically as a white-knuckled testimony of the deeply troubling/religious/idiosyncratic aspects of performing.

Trespassers William - Lie In The Sound

Seattle's Trespassers William practically ooze ether out of our headphones everytime we put this on. It has the same dreamy qualities that Mazzy Star had, but Anna-Lynne Williams sounds as if she traded some of Hope Sandoval's painful sexyness for something stronger and more direct. It was a little hard to choose from the cuts on their freshman effort, 'Anchor', but we felt that "Lie In The Sound" was really an excellent example of how beautiful their music is.

The Mountain Goats - Up The Wolves (demo)

There's two kinds of people in this world: The people that like better the stuff John Darnielle recorded on his boom-box, and the people that like better the studio work. We are firmly in the boom-box camp and were delighted when we found this demo of "Up The Wolves". It isn't quite as raw as, say, his work on 'Zopilote Machine' or 'All Hail West Texas', but it's still nice and feral. Thanks for all your amazing work, John. You've made us all better people.

Coconut Records - Microphone

It's kind of funny: We put this on the list because 1) its a really solid song and 2) we wanted to make you feel like you were suddenly in a Wes Anderson movie. Ironically, after doing a little research, we found out that Coconut Records () is Jason Schwartzman from "Rushmore" and "The Darjeeling Express" among other films.

Jane Bang - She's Hott

We can't really defend this on any other grounds other than she IS hot and this is fun to dance to.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Everything With You

TPOBPAH really like The Smiths, and we do too, so this caught our ear. Sweet, thick and energetic.

Superdrag - Filthy And Afraid

We really like Nashville's Superdrag! They make rock and roll credible again. They're angsty, drunken, melodic, hard hitting; pretty much the reason we got into music in the first place. "Filthy And Afraid" from Superdrag's upcoming 'Industry Giants' LP is is almost a perfect equation: excellent vocal hooks, a cynical, misanthropic topic [Everybody thinks they know what the deal is, Nothing's irreversible cuz we are free], loud guitars. We can almost smell the tubes in their amplifiers heating up.

The Whole Enchilada - http://www.mediafire.com/file/k43intddzdv/RTBF.NewMusicFriday.20090123.zip

Thanks for listening! xoxoxo!

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday >> 06/06/2008

2008-06-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

Words >>

Holy fuck did we have a good time in Japan! Sadly, we didn't really bring back any new music (too much fun, too much running around). That said, we've left you hanging for way too long...

Music >>

Me First & The Gimme Gimme's (myspace) - Country Roads (mp3)

John Denver, redone for a stupider, more tweaked out generation. A perfect homecomming song.

Porlolo (myspace) - There Is No I In Athens (mp3)

This is our favorite find for the week. The lyrical styling is beautifully unexpected and it teases with a naescent brilliance. Reminds us a little of Betty Severt.

Envelopes (myspace) - Party (mp3)

The Pixies meets Bjork, cooling out on a warm Sunday afternoon. Spread out the blanket and have another Old Style!

The French Kicks (myspace) - Abandon (mp3)

Dream poppy honey dripping down your chin and ears. Mmmmmm!

The Whole Enchilada (A convenient .zip of this week's music)

\m/ \m/

Raise The Black Flag

Big In Japan >> 05/13/2008

2008-05-13T14:27:00.000-07:00

Words >>

Kids, we're off to Japan! We can't promise any new music during our trip, but we'll do our best. Expect an ear canal full of neat stuff when we get back!

Music >>

Tom Waits - Big In Japan >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1555913
Belle And Sebastian - I'm A Cuckoo >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1555914
Princeton - Tokyo, Japan >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1555915
Blue Oyster Cult - Godzilla >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1555916

The Whole Enchilada >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1555917

Sayonara,

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday >> 05/09/2008

2008-05-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

Words >>

Hell of a week! Thanks to everyone (and there were quite a few friends who did) who kicked down new music! It’s what we're all about and we really appreciate it. So much good stuff!!!

Music >>

Editors - An End Has A Start >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1548486

We're reminded of that "Don't You Want Me Baby" song by the Human League. It’s a good, weird cut and we're looking forward to writing more about them in the future.

Colin Meloy - California One / Youth And Beauty Brigade > Ask (Live) >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1548487
Colin Meloy - Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect > Dreams (Live) >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1548488
Colin Meloy - The Engine Driver (Live) >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1548489
Colin Meloy - Cupid (Sam Cooke) >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1548490

You probably know Colin Meloy from The Decemberists. He recently played at the Fillmore and is currently promoting two live records. The first is a compilation of his own fantastic work, including his Ira Glass-esqe stories and stage banter. The second is a collection of (mostly) Sam Cooke covers and feature several duets with Laura Gibson who is herself beautiful both in voice and presence. The show itself was, by all accounts, stunning and we highly recommend getting both records. Enjoy!

Wolf Parade - The Soldier's Grin >> (Link Removed)
Wolf Parade - The Grey Estates >> (Link Removed)

We're huge fans of Dan Boeckner (both of Wolf Parade and The Handsome Furs). We saw the Furs play at Rickshaw Stop in SF a few months back. It was he and Alexei Perry's honeymoon tour and they fucking rocked. Naturally, when we found out Wolf Parade had just released "At Mount Zoomer" we jumped on it like a hungry pack. It’s excellent and we thought we'd give you a few samples, you, know, to get you licking your chops for more.

Hope Sandoval And The Warm Inventi

ons - Suzanne >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1548500

We fucking love Hope Sandoval. We drooled over her in Mazzy Star and we're still drooling now.

Gillian Welch - Look At Miss Ohio >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1548501

We couldn't leave you without a lonesome cowgirl song. This is a fav of ours and its sure to stick in your head for days like the "I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier..." refrain from the Killer's "All These Things That I've Done". Sing "Yellow Submarine" if you start to go nuts. That usually works as a mental breath mint for us.

The Whole Enchilada (a .zip file of all posts, for easy downloading) >> (Link Removed)

Thanks for listening!

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday >> 05/02/2008

2008-05-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

Words >>

Its been 20160 seconds since the last New Music Friday. Alot has happened since then:

Bear attack (Peanut butter)
Planted a black flag at the summit of Mount Whitney (Narcissism)
Found Jesus
Immediately lost Jesus
Found out Jesus was hanging out with another blog
Felt rejected.
Wrote the great American novel (Smith-Corona)
Rescued several track dogs (Mid-race)

Apologies for the missed posts, but you know, we've been busy.

Music >>

The Luxury Tax - Nobody Gonna Shoot Me Down >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1535562

Unholy

The Manhattan Love Suicides - Heat And Panic >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1535563

Catchy

Bridges And Power Lines - The Golden Age >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1535564

Triumphant

My Morning Jacket - Evelyn Is Not Real >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1535565

Haunting

A Weather - Spiders, Snakes >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1535566

Pensive

Complete Zip >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1535592

Convenient

Have fun kids!

Raise The Black Flag

Spring Cleaning!

2008-04-15T12:06:00.001-07:00

New Music Friday >> 04/11/2008

2008-04-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

Words >>

We've been kicking around the importance of maintaining momentum; about how once you get it, its so important to keep it going and not let up until you stabilize it, otherwise you can't build anything and all your work is for nothing.

Music >>

Burbank International - Dial Tone >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1498805

This is one of our favorite Burbanks songs off of their seminal "Burbank Is For Lovers" LP. Basically an entire movie in a single song, it tells the story of a man wishing for some extra bullets and a working phone on the eve of a catastrophic quake and frankly always makes us a little weepy.

The Hold Steady - Your Little Hoodrat Friend >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1498808

Seldom do bar bands elevate to such sublime triumph. Our favorite cut off of their "Separation Sunday" concept album, it elicits dirty little memories of growing up small town midwest and basically just fucking rocks.

Be Your Own Pet - Bicycle, Bicycle - You Are My Bicycle >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1498809

A fixie anthem and perfect for a sunny day in SF. No gears No brakes! All Real! No fake!

The Black Angels - Doves >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1498810

Well crafted shoe-gaze illiciting the glory days of Mazzy Star and Opal. Fucking love it.

Sarah White - Sweetheart >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1498811

A tender ballad to a boyfriend on the edge of not being a boyfriend anymore. Perhaps a little too well crafted but it passed the "raises the hackles on the back of our neck" test.

Bill Moss - Sock It To 'Em Soul Brother >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1498814

Sometimes you gotta get knocked down to get up.

\m/ \m/

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday >> 04/04/2008

2008-04-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

Words >>

Question:

Why is Jack Johnson headlining the Outside Lands, Coachella and Bonnaroo festivals?

Answer:

I have no god damn fucking clue. This fact is merely the tip of what has been an abysmal last two weeks in terms of finding new music. Aside from the fact that this douchebag's music makes me want to tear off my own ears and feed them to my neighbor's cat, it represents a shockingly popular trend in music. I thought we were done with light rock! Didn't we learn our lesson with Dave Matthews and Hootie and the Blowfish? Isn't even a single second of soul-less filler muzaq way way too much? Nope. I Guess not, because Ben Harper is on most of these same lineups and he's just as lame. I completely understand wanting to smoke pounds of pot and impress your girlfriend with your crappy songs. She's going to fuck you anyway and its kind of cute when you try to be all 'artsy'. It stops being cute and becomes my problem when someone hands you a record contract and you start showing up on the same bill as Radiohead and Beck. For fucks-sake!

Music >>

Operation Ivy - Sound System >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1484702

OK. So Operation Ivy isn't new (or even playing anymore) but its probably new to you and they're the perfect antidote to the creeping plague of lite-rock that seems to be so popular lately. Dust off your Doc Martins and get ready to dance....

Zipper - Former Friends >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1484703

Cute. Punk. Catchy. French. Modestly crafted.

Bitmap - Hot Brains >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1484705

This reminds me of a Beck impression of a Monkees song. I like the name too. Suprisingly hi-fi and indy for a name like 'Bitmap'.

Radiohead - The Headmaster Ritual >> http://www.savefile.com/files/1484707

A Radiohead version of the classic Smiths song.

\m/ \m/

Raise The Black Flag

Loc-nar for sale...

2008-04-02T10:58:00.001-07:00

For the person who has everything...

New Music Friday >> 03/21/2008

2008-03-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

Words >>

Avast! Another beefy selection of new music for our friends!

Music >>

Desperate Guys - The Faint >> http://www.mediafire.com/?yvx29zdvbqn
These Fangs - Say Hi To Your Mom >> http://www.mediafire.com/?dilrnxpuzjk
Take This Away - The Sweet Hurt >> http://www.mediafire.com/?yx8wdtxmj99
American Hearts - A. A. Bondy >> http://www.mediafire.com/?m3td2tzzjmm
The Sweat Descends - Art In Manila >> http://www.mediafire.com/?dzznmwswctq
Close To Me - Why? >> http://www.mediafire.com/?txmhyukznhm
Live To Tell All >> http://www.mediafire.com/?v9d1blnun2a

(Complete .zip) >> http://www.mediafire.com/?ovcmxvij7hb

xoxoxo

Raise The Black Flag

I Need To See A Dentist

2008-03-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

Words >>

Awe! Mates Of State know how to use Adobe AfterEffects! They're so sweet they make my teeth hurt.

xoxoxo

Raise The Black Flag

The Foolishness Will Continue Until We Pass Out Or Run Out Of Money

2008-03-17T12:47:00.001-07:00

Words >>

"These snakes? Yeah, I can probably get rid of these for you..."

I'll Tell My Ma - The Dubliners >> http://www.mediafire.com/?ivp4vyvtm4w
Whiskey In The Jar - The Dubliners >> http://www.mediafire.com/?nnivjdmiuom
Finnegan's Wake - The Dubliners >> http://www.mediafire.com/?mpysmxuyyuk
The Wild Rover - The Dubliners >> http://www.mediafire.com/?tzdmxbnv9mz
Maid Of Fife - The Clancy Brothers >> http://www.mediafire.com/?niiyggndkvz
The Irish Rover - The Pogues Featuring the Dubliners >> http://www.mediafire.com/?zsujgzzxswt
The Sickbed Of Cuchulainn - The Pogues >> http://www.mediafire.com/?ejj5m5i9vd1
Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues >> http://www.mediafire.com/?zv9jboyw7q1

(Download All Songs) >> http://www.mediafire.com/?gfbmdyhjvxu

Happy St. Patrick's day kids!

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday >> 03/14/2008

2008-03-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

Words >>

I'm going to South by Southwest next year. By all accounts, the stuff showcased this year was totally killer and I feel dumb for missing it. Happy Birthday JP!

Austere - The Joy Formidable >> http://www.mediafire.com/?vdiz1unynyd

Well crafted dream-pop with nice sweet girly vocals. Yum! And catchy too!

Modern Leper - Frightened Rabbit >> http://www.mediafire.com/?fjdyya5819l

Good advice for anyone. And he's Scotch (I think)!

1922 Blues - Charlie Parr >> http://www.mediafire.com/?tdbqdml8eut

Normally, I dislike blues intensely. Especially blues played by living people. And especially especially by living, white people. Its a direct result of suffering a thriving white-guy blues scene in Chicago and at the same time, not being able to get shows for my own band. I'm not saying my stuff was better, but at least it was original and authentic. I have to make an exception in this case, both because this isn't exactly blues and because it has a 'shiney' quality that fascinates me.

Stand And Deliver - The Young Knives >> http://www.mediafire.com/?dxj4hg9mmn0

If AC-DC had had a new wave side project, this is what it would sound like.

Hold On - Emmy The Great >> http://www.mediafire.com/?mv31i0w735w

The tender vocal harmonies and vulnerable pose of this song drew me in. The "lets make lemonade out of these lemons" story kept me listening. A bit like Madeline Adams, whom I also love.

Pale Blue Eyes - R.E.M >> http://www.mediafire.com/?itmyitdkz7y

Neither the song or band are new, but... Its an R.E.M. cover of Pale Blue Eyes! One of my favorite bands doing a cover of one of my all time favorite VU songs.

Raise The Black Flag

How did my day go?!!

2008-03-11T17:33:00.000-07:00

Words >>

Not well. Not well at all...

Metallica - The Prince >> http://www.mediafire.com/?z723gmiyyav

Boredoms - Telehorse Uma >> http://www.mediafire.com/?z7tysjbuwxm

John Zorn - Punk China Doll >> http://www.mediafire.com/?rrgwnzmimzn

Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up >> http://www.mediafire.com/?y0idduhdtpj

Josh Wink - Higher State Of Conciousness >> http://www.mediafire.com/?lhtiv7dk2jo

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday >> 03/07/2008

2008-03-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

Words! >>

Yeesh! It's been almost a month! Life, love and travel have conspired against our mission of spreading aural neophilia and freedom of information! New York is huge. People are complicated. You can't do it all but you can try. We're back in the saddle! Yee haw!!!!!

MGMT - Time To Pretend >> http://www.mediafire.com/?bfeokybfxyz

These guys have a nice poppy electronica feel similar to The Magnetic Fields but not as cynical.

Moofish Catfish - Lightbulb >> http://www.mediafire.com/?dimdbnctgmy

If the Moldy Peaches made a do-wop single, this would be what it would sound like. Pretty fun. And by fun, i mean sweet and punk and kind of retarded.

Black Diamond Heavies - Track 01 >> http://www.mediafire.com/?azuyzymby1f

Tom Waits-esqe, and dirtier than a Manhattan subway. The keyboard and drums are really killer and the singer sounds like he's singing through a microphone made out of the a payphone handset.

The Felice Brothers - Wonderful Life >> http://www.mediafire.com/?dmnhevm1mtf

Somewhere, east of the Rocky Mountains, is a doppleganger of me that is satisfied with a small town life and simple love and sad cowboy songs. I hope we never meet. I want one of us to be at peace.

Redbird - You Are The Everything >> http://www.mediafire.com/?imz0dtayga3

My favorite REM song, folkified for a dirtier generation.

Love!

Raise The Black Flag

Pay Your Fucking Taxes!

2008-02-12T19:26:00.001-08:00

Words >>

Our good friends the Luxury Tax were playing this last Saturday at Temple. They fucking killed! For 2 straight hours, they assaulted the crowd (and it was a fucking crowd) with some of the funkiest electro-house I've ever heard them play. I don't know what happened. it was like we we're watching and hearing them evolve into something wholly more sexy and terrible before our very persons. Sweat dripped from every neck. All bodies moved in a kind of horror-movie-esque syncopation which was driven on into further and further states of sublime delirium by the builds and breakdowns of each set. By 05:00, no one was left standing. We filtered out in a daze and waited for them in awe on the street. What a fucking set! They gave me a few cuts for your amusement, but seriously, these are really just the going-in proposition. Multiply the resulting priapism by 37 and then you'll be halfway to how awesome this was:

The Luxury Tax - Who Died? >> http://www.mediafire.com/?2pdc22dsdcn

The Luxury Tax - Sometimes >> http://www.mediafire.com/?60cx0c5xy5d

The Luxury Tax - Cherish >> http://www.mediafire.com/?8dmkzygdqzm

The Luxury Tax - Let's Quit Your Job >> http://www.mediafire.com/?fzfowr1zzkm

Cheers,

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday >> 02/08/2008

2008-02-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

Words >>

Hi kids! I have one song for you this week. It adequately represents my mood: manic desperation.

The Wombats - Lets Dance To Joy Division >> http://www.mediafire.com/?5yo5cddpaxx

Enjoy!

Raise The Black Flag

Bunny Hop!

2008-02-04T12:59:00.001-08:00

Words >>

I'm always amused when people combine the idea of a dance number with some kind of large prop. Its especially cool when the 'dancers' aren't really dancers and you can tell it took alot of work to get right. I thought I'd show you some of our favorites

Bat For Lashes - What's A Girl To Do

Can someone say "bunny hop"?

Feist - I Feel It All

I'm not a huge Feist fan. They always leave me feeling like I've eaten a bunch of artificial sweetener. They do make fun videos though...

OK Go! - Here It Goes Again

Treadmills. Very clever, OK Go.

Have fun!

Raise The Black Flag

Urban Cougar

2008-02-04T12:54:00.000-08:00

Words >>

I didn't get any response on this one. I think it didn't have the same incentive the aardvark one did. And as E. noted, the cougars can't use computers.

Cheers,

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday >> 02/01/2008

2008-02-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

Words >>

Yeesh! I dropped the ball and now Friday is comming on Monday!!! Wtf!

Mates Of State - Fraud In The '80's >> http://www.mediafire.com/?5f39nn1zuek

I love it when a good pop song makes you wanna jump up and down and run around the room. Thanks Mates Of State!

Radical Face - Welcome Home, Son >> http://www.mediafire.com/?bniy9afx71n

This song has eluded me for some time. It kept comming on while we were coding as background to a stat-shot but they never said who they music was by. Then, it popped up on Hypemachine randomly and I actually shouted. I really like this haunting, driving melody. It reminds me a little of the Shins, if they were less cynical and didn't rock out as much. The vocal harmonies really get me.

Ben Gibbard - Carolina >> http://www.mediafire.com/?btrm0jazym0

You'll know Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service. I had never heard any of his solo stuff, so I thought I'd pass this along. It has the same sweet sensitivity and clever literacy that his other stuff has.

Throw Me The Statue - This Is How We Kiss >> http://www.mediafire.com/?4m1bzxtzdjw

I really like TMTS. Their music is so personal and energetic. They don't always hit when they swing, but Moonbeams is a really solid record and I thought this song was worth a listen. It reminds me of an old Cars song and I guarantee it will get you bobbing your head.

Justin Townes Earl - Yuma >> http://www.mediafire.com/?cmzyiyz82sm

This put me right back in Iowa City. "Gimme your worst whiskey in a dirty glass."

Thats all for (um...) last week. Hope you enjoy!

Raise The Black Flag

aardvark found (lower haight)

2008-01-30T18:24:00.000-08:00

Words >>

I was bored yesterday waiting for something to finish. I decided I'd cause some trouble:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/pet/557824252.html

The responses to this were pretty priceless>>

Hello,

FYI call the S.F. Zoo or animal control in the city and they will take care of this little defenseless wild animal. Their telephone numbers are S.F. Zoo 415-753-7080 and Animal Control 415-554-6364.

Sincerely, Rev. & Mrs. J. xxxxxx

You must be joking.

Awwwwwww!!! he's adorable!!!!

Love and Blessings,

Becky

Your joking right?

Hello there,

I would be willing to take the aardvark off your hands if you are unable to find the owner. I have a 120 acre parcel two hours north of San Francisco. There are tons of areas to roam and look for ants and termites. Just let me know.

Sarah

I saw the listing about the aardvark you found on Craigslist today. While I am not the owner, I do have expertise with exotic animals. I believe I can help you by taking it off your hands and placing it with a proper facility. Please feel free to call me at 415-xxx-xxxx anytime. My name is William. Thank you.

call animal control... they will not harm it, they will keep it and find its owner...

Or if you want I can take it... but I know you probably want to find its owner.

Surprisingly I know a lot about exotics, if you need anything please let me know.

Thank you

Hi! Do you still have the aardvark? Are you adopting it out? I would like to offer it a home. Thanks for your time!

~Alicia

Hey, I saw your ad an was wondering....how did you find it? That is the craziest thing I have heard. Do you know what you're going to do with it?

Is this for real???

If you really found an aardvark I'll take it lol

animal shelter

(sigh)

Raise The Black Flag

His Turntables Say "Bad Motherfucker" On Them

2008-01-29T13:25:00.000-08:00

Words >>

Often, I find myself talking to people about various music scenes around the country. Invariably, we'll get on the topic of Chicago and people are suprised by ambivalence towards my cold, difficult mother city. The say they heard its awesome and I say they never lived there and the music scene isn't all that great. I'm going to tell you about the one general and the one specific point which I am not ambivalent about:

Electronic Music >>

Until now, I've really only discussed indie rock on Raise The Black Flag. Its high time for that to change, and I'm starting with the Chicago House scene as I remember it and why its still incredibly vital and important to the electronic music scene globally. Basically, every good house track either came from Chicago, was made by someone who was originally from Chicago, or is a deriviative thereof. Every good house guy that you like to go see here in San Francisco? Guess what? He's from Chicago. I'll spend a little time later talking about some of the other great ones later. I really want to get on to my next point.

Noleian Reusse >>

Noleian is one of my favorite electronic artists for many reasons. The kid is no joke. He's one of the ones that made music his job because he loves it and believes in it. He DJ's his ass off 8 nights a week to packed clubs and then goes and does it again at an underground party. He eats vinyl for breakfast, skips lunch cuz he's too damn busy and eats synthesizers for dinner, rare. He sleeps on a bed of midi cables. His whole loft is heated by the vast amount of equipment he commands and the sweaty fervor which which he commands it. Gramaphone (http://www.gramaphonerecords.com) can't keep his records in stock and the press can't keep up with his orders. He fucking rocks.

I came on to the scene in the early 90's and so blown away by what i was hearing and feeling that I was willing to brave the most frightening of neighborhoods (places even the Chicago police wouldn't go) to go to the most sketchy of warehouse parties just to shake my ass. It literally was worth risking life and property for. I would never have gained such an appreciation for House if it hadn't been for my very good friend Noleian. He inundated me with tracks and culture, found the very best events and introduced us to the best and brightest on the scene at the time. Basically, the best times I've had in Chicago have been with and because of him.

Noleian graced me today with live set from one of his recent shows. It's subtle, deep and it fucking kills:

http://www.mediafire.com/?2zf9mnpz9zt

You can read more about him in a recent article in metroblossom.com:

http://www.metroblossom.com/issue1d.php

Cheers!

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday! >> 01/25/2008

2008-01-25T12:37:00.000-08:00

Words >>

Week? We had a week?!! Its all a blur. Thankfully, though, good new tracks didn't elude my hummingbird's attention span. Oh well, I needed a weekend anyway.

Battle Hymns - Never Trust A Matador >>

http://www.mediafire.com/?7dd2thdddjz

I really love the raw quality of the singer's voice. Its the same quality that I love about the Hold Steady. Its straight ahead and honest and yet there's a haunting beauty to it that I really feel.

Ox - Surrender (Cheap Trick) >>

http://www.mediafire.com/?btavryhzt2g

OK. I love covers. Especially when someone does something cool with it; restyles it into something different and beautiful. I also find it fascinating when something that I associate with a particular era or genre can be retooled and still holds up. Ironicially here, I dislike Cheap Trick immensely. Maybe it was the fact that, when I was in college, there were no less than 4 Cheap Trick tribute bands at any given time playing around Chicago on stages that should have been showing original music. Maybe its the stupid name. Maybe its that they always came off as a castrated version of Kiss for the same Yacht Rock douchebags that thought Huey Lewis was awesome. Anyway, this is good.

Say Hi (formerly Say Hi To Your Mom) - Northwestern Girls >> http://www.mediafire.com/?6m0znzndsdk

I really love the driving bass lines and echoey vocals here. This band has alot of good stuff too, so I'm using this as an introduction. You can check out more of their stuff on www.hypem.com or on their band site http://www.sayhitoyourmom.com/.

Plushgun - Just Impolite >> http://www.mediafire.com/?6ttxy1ntyh1

Plushgun has the same kind of catchy qualities that The Postal Service has, but comes off sounding considerably more self satisfied. Enjoy.

Scary Mansion - Go To Hell >> http://www.mediafire.com/?3whame1mizz

I love the lonely cowgirl thing.

The Magnetic Fields - Drive On, Driver >> http://www.mediafire.com/?2bmfaduixza

I really think The Magnetic Fields are cool. I don't love everything, but their catchy songs get stuck in my head and they play happily for days. When I first heard this one, I went looking through the Boston discography for the title thinking that I'd missed something.

Hope you like em. Cheers!

Raise The Black Flag

Hail To The Chiefs!

2008-01-24T14:42:00.000-08:00

Words >>

There's something inherently amusing to me about ex-presidents. I think it has something to do with the fact that their images are ubiquitous and venerable that they almost become brands or logograms. To celebrate this particular obsession, I've put together a list of songs named after and about my favorite presidents:

Cox and Combes - Washington >> http://www.mediafire.com/?2ymfjzlniiz
Bishop Allen - Abe Lincoln >> http://www.mediafire.com/?ev4zccx8uwv
The Two Man Gentleman Band - William Howard Taft >> http://www.mediafire.com/?2n9nuo1yuts
Ratatat - Kennedy >> http://www.mediafire.com/?2x1bnywota3

I hope it amuses you as much as it amuses me. Cheers,

Raise The Black Flag

A Few Of My Favorite Mountain Goats Songs

2008-01-23T17:02:00.000-08:00

Words >>

I thought I'd post up a few of my favorite Mountain Goats songs for your enjoyment.

The Mountain Goats - No Children >> http://www.mediafire.com/?4ecf6vltxmb
The Mountain Goats - Going To Georgia >> http://www.mediafire.com/?7tmzywtzyyv
The Mountain Goats - This Year >> http://www.mediafire.com/?1y2rxmcx0mm
The Mountain Goats - Woke Up New >> http://www.mediafire.com/?4zu3kyqtzeu
The Mountain Goats - Fault Lines >> http://www.mediafire.com/?4symnxyzxcx
The Mountain Goats - The Pigs That Ran Straight Away Into The Water >> http://www.mediafire.com/?5nmgyzumyrm

Cheers!

Raise The Black Flag

Our Watches Stopped In Texas

2008-01-21T22:46:00.000-08:00

Words >>

It really doesn't matter what poison is yours
It's yours
And that's enough

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here >> http://www.mediafire.com/?6smynz1m1on

The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want >> http://www.mediafire.com/?dwhcbtwhw6o

Tom Waits - Gun Street Girl >> http://www.mediafire.com/?foxn1xwgndx

Rainy Monday Blues

2008-01-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

Words >>

Its a bright, rainy day and I can't seem to get the cold from getting under my skin and chilling my bones. I don't know if its this, or being a little tired from the frenetic pace I can't help but keep, but I'm feeling a little blue. Since this won't do, and since the coffee I just bought hasn't taken effect yet, I'm resorting to my favorite mood-altering drug: music. Nothing changes my state more quickly and specifically. I thought I'd share what's on the psychic playlist:

Blind Melon - Change >> http://www.mediafire.com/?35xi0wqm3aj

Blind Melon - Candy Says (Velvet Underground) >> http://www.mediafire.com/?2o3xadzm1nj

Blind Melon - No Rain >> http://www.mediafire.com/?c2ynydemcwi

These really don't need a whole lot of introduction, but I will say that I discovered these guys my first semester at college in Iowa. Listening to them takes me right back to that shitty dorm room and the shitty cold and snow, and the feeling that it was OK as long as I had something beautiful to listen to and some good friends to listen to it with. Cheers,

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday! >> 01/18/2008

2008-01-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

Words >>

Hey guys! another week gone. Another weekend ahead! Frankly, this has been kind of a bad week for new stuff, but I did find a few little gems for y'all. Hope ya like em...

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - The World's Greatest (R. Kelly Cover) >> http://www.mediafire.com/?3zmnbjeh91x
I nearly wet myself when I heard this. It's Bonnie "Prince" Billy doing a country-ish rendition of R. Kelly's "The Worlds Greatest". Its actually suprisingly effective: His modest styling completely changes the meaning of the lyrics from a meglomaniacal brag to a wryly sarchastic ballad. Kind of genius, really.

The Savings And Loan - Swallows >> http://www.mediafire.com/?4azizmsjojs
This guy's voice really captured me. I'm not in love with it yet, but I like it and I want to hear more.

P.J. Harvey - Down By The Water >> http://www.mediafire.com/?6ngodvbn5e2
Polly Jean Harvey has always been one of my favorite songwriters. We saw her at the Riviera in Chicago a few years ago and I swear to you the show was so powerful that it helped precipitate my breakup with my ex-wife. That sounds like an odd endorsement, but for me, its a symbol of how fucking awesome she is. This song in particular sticks out to me for two reasons: 1) I heard it on the radio when it first came out and I didn't believe it was her. The whole album actually represents a departure and a growth spurt for her as a musician. It's kind of her "Paul's Botique" 2) Its the single and psychic battle flag for "To Bring You My Love", which is in my opinion her greatest and most cohesive album.

Vervein - Good Luck Charm >> http://www.mediafire.com/?5ujmt2xc11d
I saw these guys open for Citizens Here And Abroad at Slims in SF a few years back. This was also the night when I met the Germans, the Luxury Tax and Burbank International for the first time. It was a good night and an awesome show. This song is my favorite of theirs. I love the laid back sweetness in the singer's voice and the build is impeccable. Their lyrics are awesome too: I love the idea that a good luck charm could become a collar or an albatross.

That's all I got for this week, kiddos. Hopefully I should have more time to find stuff next week, and hopefully, there will be more good stuff to fund. Cheers!

Raise The Black Flag

New Music Friday! >> 01/11/2008

2008-01-11T11:11:00.001-08:00

Words >>
Hey guys! This is the maiden voyage of my new culture blog. I couldn't resist. Please subscribe and let me know what you think! Hope you enjoy!

Burbank International - Tenderloin >> http://www.mediafire.com/?4ymavzhjmnw
This is one of my favorite Burbank songs. Its a tender ode to the TL and its denizens and really demonstrates Burbank's rough, soulful voice and lyricism.

Superdrag - Rocket >> http://www.mediafire.com/?dabmetdhg10
I'm a totaly sucker for big guitars and good vocal harmonies. I also really like the simplicity and positivity of this one: "You get me so high! Ya gotta know why! ...Superstar saying the love will get back!". Pure indy rock genius. I also found out they're still around, which was good news. I'd thought that they were defunct and hesitated posting this as such (I'm trying to practice the ethos of only putting stuff out we could actually go and see at a venue).

Scout Niblett - Kiss >> http://www.mediafire.com/?fur0d3dtzxg
Like Cat Power, except not pathetic and crazy. This duet with Bonnie "Prince" Billy raises the hackles on the back of my neck every time i hear it.

Sleater-Kinney - Modern Girl >> http://www.mediafire.com/?1n9z9unamj5
Mmmmm! Sleater-Kinney! I love it when the drums kick in on this one.

Ravens and Chimes - January >> http://www.mediafire.com/?awmnbe9pcgs
The building bare honesty and heart wrenching visuals in this song bring tears to my eyes.

The Sad Snowman (Belle and Sebastian cover) - My Wandering Days Are Over >> http://www.mediafire.com/?111y5isbni1
A slowed down version of a Belle and Sebastian classic song. This helped me rediscover the original. The pedal steel definitely adds a lushness to the song, but it still stays minimal, which I think is its best aspect, since the original is much faster and richer.

That's it for this week! Cheers!