i ain’t missing you at all – wild flag, blitzen trapper, happy people

Wild Flag – Wild Flag – 09.13.11

Trans-continental girl band Wild Flag (Carrie Brownstein, Janet Weiss, Rebecca Cole, Mary Timony) released their self-titled debut album this fall and it’s all kinds of fun and bad-ass, which comes as surprise to just about no one. The slow churn of the undertow on “Something Came Over Me” is an incredible interplay between guitar and drums and makes it one of the best tracks on the album. Single “Electric Band” has a nice dark vibe – these ladies are probably going to rough you up against the wall a bit should you ever meet in back alley. Preview the album with this beautifully shot & edited album trailer.

Blitzen Trapper – American Goldwing – 09.13.11

Blitzen Trapper is a band that consistently puts out good, solid albums. As such, it’s hard to point to a song or two to draw attention to – just take the time to enjoy American Goldwing as a complete work. Sometimes nodding to 60s folk-rock, mostly sounding like it was plucked straight from the 70s, and occasionally veering into territory that’s straight country, the band’s sixth release is perfect Sunday morning music. Click to stream American Goldwing in its entirety and see exactly what we’re talking about.

Happy People – HP EP – 2011

The HP EP from New Jersey’s Happy People has a big enough sound that it was surprising to find the band consists of only two people – Jeff Widner and Steve Ortega. Apparent influences range from 90s indie-alternative, The Walkmen, and, on “Triplets”, the vocal stylings of Jeff Buckley and his sweet, haunting croon. While there’s not a lot of innovation at play in the duo’s songwriting, the songs are still the kind you want to hear. Stream or download the album at the HP website.

that’s like me asking you to take out your shoe laces

Neko Case  – People Got A Lotta Nerve (weird and lovely illustrations)
James Morrison – Nothing Ever Hurt Like You (pounding soul chorus)
Ezra Furman and the Harpoons – Take Off Your Sunglasses (Dylan-esque retro goodness)
Company of Thieves – Oscar Wilde (more proof of Wes Anderson’s influence)
Bat for Lashes – Daniel (crazy and Radiohead-approved)
Mt. St. Helen’s Vietnam Band – Cheer For Fate (destructive forces)
Shocking Blue – Mighty Joe (they can’t keep a straight face)

and, for the throwback:
Sleater-Kinney – You’re No Rock N Roll Fun (love the overheads)

john sellers mix

After reading Perfect From Now On, I promptly hopped on the internet and asked author John Sellers to make a mixtape for the M|H. He ever-so-kindly obliged and I now proudly present you with this lovely mix to close out the year. Clocking in at a little over sixteen minutes, it’s a perfect get ready and go mix.

From John Sellers:
“I have a shockingly short attention span. Luckily, some musicians have helped me out by writing incredibly short songs that still manage to totally rule. here are thirteen rockers that check in at 1:30 or under. The best part is, if you don’t like one of them, it’ll be over quick.”

01| Guided By Voices – Wire Greyhounds
02| The Beatnik Filmstars – Hairstyle of a Smug Bastard
03| Sleater-Kinney – A Real Man
04| Pavement – Heckler Spray
05| Robert Pollard – I’m A Strong Lion
06| Archers of Loaf – Fat
07| Times New Viking – Ladders
08| Pixies – Distance Equals Rate Times Time
09| Guided By Voices – Shocker In Gloomtown
10| Bad Brains – Pay to Cum!
11| The Replacements – Customer
12| Sebadoh – Sixteen
13| Pixies – Broken Face