Pre-Thanksgiving Calisthenics

Thanksgiving fast approaches, which means time away from the desk (be it work or school), chances to catch up with friends and family, and, for the insane, premium shopping opportunities where inessential junk is discounted to the moderately overpriced level. We encourage you to indulge in all three only to levels you see fit.

Three Trapped Tigers are fans of naming songs in numerical order of release, which calls to mind early days of Nine Inch Nails when each released disc was assigned a Halo number. Those of us with OCD disorders maniacally scoured the singles bin at Circuit City to have the complete collection. Of course, it also reminds me of Chicago who’ve numbered their album releases for decades. In some respects it’s kind of nice – frankly, most song titles are dull and unimaginative (with some exceptions). In the days of mp3 players put on shuffle and shoved in a pocket, I wouldn’t be surprised if half the listening audience can even identify the name of a song anymore. It’s getting to where I often can’t either.

Anyway, Three Trapped Tigers. Really good stuff.

MP3: Three Trapped Tigers – Six
[Off EP2, out now. Stream it. Buy It.]

Groove Armada have a new album, Black Light, out February, 2010. I admit to being disappointed with their output post-Vertigo but the first single “I Won’t Kneel” gives justification for optimism. With its big, washing chord changes and Annie Lennox inspired vocals it hits a retro-delish spot in me.

Continuing with the “Ohai, I surprized u!” theme is Beach House, whom I previously gave little notice to but earlier this week grabbed me from behind, blinded me with a shirt over the head, and gave me a proper pummelling in the back alley with their track “Norway.” It’s just fabulous!

[Off Teen Dream, out January 26, 2010]

Theophilus London, Brooklyn rapper, songwriter, producer, and awesome name owner in the tradition of Thelonious Monk, has a nice single out called “Humdrum Town.” I really like the song but am somewhat mystified that when I go to download it I get a bizarre contract with Mountain Dew.

I’m enlightened by the following blurb: Green Label Sound, supported by Mtn Dew, is a music label designed to elevate and empower independent artists.

Good on Mountain Dew (or Mtn Dew) for getting great tracks out, even if you’re creeping me out a bit with contracts for free downloads.

Let’s be honest a second. These Mumford & Sons boys? They’re really good. Like “It’s so nice to have a band I really love around again” good.

I mean, I don’t even like low-tempo folkish music and I’m jazzed about these guys. They’re one of those Exception Bands, the type who get fans that dislike the genre. “Little Lion Man” is already one of the best songs this year and they’re immediately throwing a followup punch with the charming “Winter Winds” and it’s equally charming video.

The “Winter Winds” single will be available for purchase December 7th.

Tags: Beach House, Groove Armada, mumford & sons, Theophilus London, Three Trapped Tigers