en-ushttp://cornx2.us/img/logo/cornx2-128.pnghttp://cornx2.us/Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsshttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssplaylist@cornx2.usplaylist@cornx2.usPlaylisted at cornx2.usYour ears in the fieldYour near daily dose of MP3 discovery.CORN times TWO playlist : http://CORNx2.usplaylist@cornx2.usNohttp://cornx2.us/~6jha1MusicMon, 08 Mar 2010 11:00:00 -0800Meho PlazaNoI like the way this track jumps right to business like they're the Clash or something. This song sounds nothing like the Clash however, it's a driving parade of synth sounds and fuzz guitar. The digital pitch effect on the voice helps kick the sense of urgency up a notch and please note the 80s robot breakdown in the middle.I like the way this track jumps right to business like they're the Clash or something. This song sounds nothing like the Clash however, it's a driving parade of synth sounds and fuzz guitar. The digital pitch effect on the voice helps kick the sense of urgency up a notch and please note the 80s robot breakdown in the middle.00:03:21song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~a3d2qMusicSat, 06 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0800RafterNoLaptop rock at it's most disjointed arrangementwise, but it seems this is what Beck's sampladelic first albums have wrought. An acoustic guitar sample plays along with a pretty heavy synthesizer beat while multiple vocal harmonies compete with a vocorder keyboard solo. It's a pretty good time overall. "Peaceful feelings from beyond the grave | Drawing the curtains to avoid the shade"Laptop rock at it's most disjointed arrangementwise, but it seems this is what Beck's sampladelic first albums have wrought. An acoustic guitar sample plays along with a pretty heavy synthesizer beat while multiple vocal harmonies compete with a vocorder keyboard solo. It's a pretty good time overall. "Peaceful feelings from beyond the grave | Drawing the curtains to avoid the shade"00:02:58song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~m4mmeMusicThu, 04 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0800That GhostNoI love the sound of the two different microphones for this. The acoustic guitar is recorded all crisp and clean and the vocals are pretty noisy. It's perfectly paced and all sad and sweet and romantic that I forgive him for rhyming 'fences' with 'fences'.I love the sound of the two different microphones for this. The acoustic guitar is recorded all crisp and clean and the vocals are pretty noisy. It's perfectly paced and all sad and sweet and romantic that I forgive him for rhyming 'fences' with 'fences'.00:02:44song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~1fka8MusicTue, 02 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0800Le LoupNoBehind the echoey, dubby drums there are some even echoier vocals. Spellcheck is telling me that echoier is not a word, awesome. Eventually some electric guitars get mixed in and it becomes apparent that it was a pop song all along that was in no hurry to get where it was going.Behind the echoey, dubby drums there are some even echoier vocals. Spellcheck is telling me that echoier is not a word, awesome. Eventually some electric guitars get mixed in and it becomes apparent that it was a pop song all along that was in no hurry to get where it was going.00:04:13song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~juehmMusicSun, 28 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800The Fresh And OnlysNoThis starts off with a kick drum plus tambourine beat that recalls a Motown track, but it's more of a garage sound than golden age soul that takes over after that. There's a harmony vocal but the voices sound really far away from each other. Oh, they are are panned over to either side of the stereo mix. Question answered.This starts off with a kick drum plus tambourine beat that recalls a Motown track, but it's more of a garage sound than golden age soul that takes over after that. There's a harmony vocal but the voices sound really far away from each other. Oh, they are are panned over to either side of the stereo mix. Question answered.00:03:00song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~ek91uMusicFri, 26 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800Dum Dum GirlsNoThe name of this track seems kind of exotic like it was transliterated from another language, but it really is a simple sing-along song about going to jail. Sweet. "This woman's clearly out of her mind | She's covered in shit | And high as a kite"The name of this track seems kind of exotic like it was transliterated from another language, but it really is a simple sing-along song about going to jail. Sweet. "This woman's clearly out of her mind | She's covered in shit | And high as a kite"00:02:31song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~v5s95MusicWed, 24 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800The AntlersYesThe vocal delivery isn't really a falsetto, but it is pretty high pitched and expressive. The verse is really quiet and stripped down especially compared to the big, noisy chorus. Big huge bear hug sized props for using the word 'unfucked' in the lyrics. Mmmmmmmwah! "There's a bear inside your stomach | He's been kicking you for weeks"The vocal delivery isn't really a falsetto, but it is pretty high pitched and expressive. The verse is really quiet and stripped down especially compared to the big, noisy chorus. Big huge bear hug sized props for using the word 'unfucked' in the lyrics. Mmmmmmmwah! "There's a bear inside your stomach | He's been kicking you for weeks"00:03:56song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~3vqa6MusicMon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800Sinoia CavesNoThere's something perfectly balanced about this song's retro garage psychedelia and synth technology. The breathy vocal over the dreamy music never really makes a break into any chorus part, it just keeps rambling along. There's something perfectly balanced about this song's retro garage psychedelia and synth technology. The breathy vocal over the dreamy music never really makes a break into any chorus part, it just keeps rambling along. 00:02:37song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~tpcrwMusicSat, 20 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800Department of EaglesNoIt's hard to have a cabaret style vamp chug along without sounding kinda glam. That said, there's a Perry Como style men's backup choir sampled in that brings it back down to earth. Confident and curious, chatty and charming.It's hard to have a cabaret style vamp chug along without sounding kinda glam. That said, there's a Perry Como style men's backup choir sampled in that brings it back down to earth. Confident and curious, chatty and charming.00:03:57song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~120g9MusicThu, 18 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800Shapes and SizesNoThis is two, two, two songs in one. The first half is a string-filled pastoral lament sung by a dude. After that the female vocal takes over and the mood shifts considerably. It's the same story of two castaways sung from both points of view. "I like eating fruit off of trees | When I'm with you | Fruit always tastes much sweeter, and air always tastes much cleaner | When I'm with you"This is two, two, two songs in one. The first half is a string-filled pastoral lament sung by a dude. After that the female vocal takes over and the mood shifts considerably. It's the same story of two castaways sung from both points of view. "I like eating fruit off of trees | When I'm with you | Fruit always tastes much sweeter, and air always tastes much cleaner | When I'm with you"00:04:44song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~7kq2aMusicTue, 16 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800FauntsNoI really love the way they stretch the lyrics out into long sweeping syllables over the dense, somewhat blippy music. The chorus picks things up a bit but there's a really nice balance between being a slow song and being a fast song. "We stole around the front | And set our night en route | And you said i cant leave | And i will disagree with you"I really love the way they stretch the lyrics out into long sweeping syllables over the dense, somewhat blippy music. The chorus picks things up a bit but there's a really nice balance between being a slow song and being a fast song. "We stole around the front | And set our night en route | And you said i cant leave | And i will disagree with you"00:03:13song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~qm1j5MusicSun, 14 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800The BeetsNoGarage band goodness. A chord progression and even a title that are close to "What Do I Get?" by The Buzzcocks. The mystification inherent in a love gone wrong is about as universal a theme as you can get. I love the guitar solo. I keep thinking it's going to derail rhythmically, but it really hangs in there. Garage band goodness. A chord progression and even a title that are close to "What Do I Get?" by The Buzzcocks. The mystification inherent in a love gone wrong is about as universal a theme as you can get. I love the guitar solo. I keep thinking it's going to derail rhythmically, but it really hangs in there. 00:01:41song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~xqtzbMusicFri, 12 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800Thinking Fellers Union Local 282NoIt's the busted jalopy percussion on this track. It's the howling falsetto for a hook. It's the murky bass solo that surfaces at 1:27. It's the reluctant capitalist's lament. "I can't go to the store | Because I waited too long | Because no one will go with me | Because I got one already | Because it's too late"It's the busted jalopy percussion on this track. It's the howling falsetto for a hook. It's the murky bass solo that surfaces at 1:27. It's the reluctant capitalist's lament. "I can't go to the store | Because I waited too long | Because no one will go with me | Because I got one already | Because it's too late"00:03:45song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~3qbnxMusicWed, 10 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800Rainbow ArabiaNoThis one sounds like M.I.A. fronting Tom Tom Club. A little. It's a chipper, fun song with plenty of their usual northern African influence on display. Hooray for melodica. "Papa said I'm nobody | Mama said I'm not a star | Daddy said go go go | I said na na na"This one sounds like M.I.A. fronting Tom Tom Club. A little. It's a chipper, fun song with plenty of their usual northern African influence on display. Hooray for melodica. "Papa said I'm nobody | Mama said I'm not a star | Daddy said go go go | I said na na na"00:03:27song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~qehgeMusicMon, 08 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800Noah And The WhaleNoThe organ synth sound at the opening has an anthemic feel and the rest of the song is fairly understated. I like that the singer's voice sounds like is mouth is in a perpetual frown, it really stands out from other singers. There are perky pop songs that cover the same sentiment, but this one takes a more thoughtful approach.The organ synth sound at the opening has an anthemic feel and the rest of the song is fairly understated. I like that the singer's voice sounds like is mouth is in a perpetual frown, it really stands out from other singers. There are perky pop songs that cover the same sentiment, but this one takes a more thoughtful approach.00:04:15song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~8wpawMusicSat, 06 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800Whales And CopsNoThe first few seconds sound like you're in for a cheerleading-style chant disguised as a pop song like something by Fanny Pack or The Ting Tings but that expectation gets derailed once the spastic percussion and staccato bursts of strings take over. The kitchen sink approach to sampling and lyrics comes off as especially charming here.The first few seconds sound like you're in for a cheerleading-style chant disguised as a pop song like something by Fanny Pack or The Ting Tings but that expectation gets derailed once the spastic percussion and staccato bursts of strings take over. The kitchen sink approach to sampling and lyrics comes off as especially charming here.00:03:12song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~h1yy0MusicThu, 04 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800Clap Your Hands Say YeahNoA bassline of a New Order song and a guitar hook from a Modest Mouse song all in one. This track gets busier and busier as it picks up momentum until it all drops away at the end to leave you back where you started. "You look a bit like coffee | And you taste a bit like tea"A bassline of a New Order song and a guitar hook from a Modest Mouse song all in one. This track gets busier and busier as it picks up momentum until it all drops away at the end to leave you back where you started. "You look a bit like coffee | And you taste a bit like tea"00:05:40song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~158csMusicTue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800Black LipsNoA sweet 60s garage vibe propels this track throughout. The Angry and confrontational lyrics are pretty over-the-top. "So I grabbed a gun | And walked down into the street | I tried to find some enemies to meet"A sweet 60s garage vibe propels this track throughout. The Angry and confrontational lyrics are pretty over-the-top. "So I grabbed a gun | And walked down into the street | I tried to find some enemies to meet"00:03:14song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~4favwMusicSun, 31 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800Add N To (X)NoSinister, driving track from the 90s. The 'verse' (it's instrumental) is made up of a flute and a rubbery synth all locking up with the bassline. Eventually everything loosens up and the different instruments get to start branching off to explore their own nasty hooks.Sinister, driving track from the 90s. The 'verse' (it's instrumental) is made up of a flute and a rubbery synth all locking up with the bassline. Eventually everything loosens up and the different instruments get to start branching off to explore their own nasty hooks.00:03:49song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~4q20pMusicFri, 29 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800Crystal CastlesNoThis track in particular remind me of Add N To (X). The machine-generated voice sounded like Cocteau Twins or Sigur Ros invented-language lyrics but it turns out it's a haunting Spanglish warning. "La cocaina no es buena para su salud | La cocaina is not good for you"This track in particular remind me of Add N To (X). The machine-generated voice sounded like Cocteau Twins or Sigur Ros invented-language lyrics but it turns out it's a haunting Spanglish warning. "La cocaina no es buena para su salud | La cocaina is not good for you"00:03:07song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~yyufrMusicWed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800Delta 5NoThis track cannot fail. Its new wave emotoinlessness and poetry-slam creativity bridge disparate sensibilities recalling Kraftwerk and Gil Scott-Heron for me. How can you not chant along with the chorus? "Can you hear those people behind me | Looking at your feelings inside me | Listen to the distance between us | NO, mind your own business"This track cannot fail. Its new wave emotoinlessness and poetry-slam creativity bridge disparate sensibilities recalling Kraftwerk and Gil Scott-Heron for me. How can you not chant along with the chorus? "Can you hear those people behind me | Looking at your feelings inside me | Listen to the distance between us | NO, mind your own business"00:03:11song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~8jmkzMusicMon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800Julie DoironNoThe sad verses of this track list all the lost moments of a relationship gone by the wayside, and the chorus is simply the title of the song which might seem too bleak to handle. Somehow the chorus sounds cautiously defiant to me and maybe even somewhat hopeful, but maybe I am reading way too much into a simple harmony. "No more singing in the yard | No more singing in to the sky | No more"The sad verses of this track list all the lost moments of a relationship gone by the wayside, and the chorus is simply the title of the song which might seem too bleak to handle. Somehow the chorus sounds cautiously defiant to me and maybe even somewhat hopeful, but maybe I am reading way too much into a simple harmony. "No more singing in the yard | No more singing in to the sky | No more"00:02:15song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~k6rp7MusicSat, 23 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800Bosque BrownNoThe cottonmouth tone of Mara Lee Miller's voice lies somewhere between Blossom Dearie and PJ Harvey. I never placed her Texas accent, but once I looked it up, It all made sense. "Went walking down the aisle with my sister | Mother, father til death do us part | Now been gone, been gone from home | To the city"The cottonmouth tone of Mara Lee Miller's voice lies somewhere between Blossom Dearie and PJ Harvey. I never placed her Texas accent, but once I looked it up, It all made sense. "Went walking down the aisle with my sister | Mother, father til death do us part | Now been gone, been gone from home | To the city"00:03:48song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~rcreqMusicThu, 21 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800EarlimartNoThis track slowly builds with tension a la 'Coming In The Air Tonight' but without the visual reference of Tom Cruise making out with Rebecca De Mornay on a subway car. Towards the end it's flaming out where it started off at a mere whisper. "Something that's warm, something that's good | Can never be free, not that it should"This track slowly builds with tension a la 'Coming In The Air Tonight' but without the visual reference of Tom Cruise making out with Rebecca De Mornay on a subway car. Towards the end it's flaming out where it started off at a mere whisper. "Something that's warm, something that's good | Can never be free, not that it should"00:03:58song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~dkrdsMusicTue, 19 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800Three Mile PilotNoThe kickoff Hammond B3 sounds like you're in for a Supertramp song but that is not the case at all. This track is not quite as dark sounding as I've come to expect from them. It's really quite nice. "I'll play the devil | You can be the light"The kickoff Hammond B3 sounds like you're in for a Supertramp song but that is not the case at all. This track is not quite as dark sounding as I've come to expect from them. It's really quite nice. "I'll play the devil | You can be the light"00:04:27song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~jgz9qMusicSun, 17 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800M WardNoJohnny Cash much? There's more intimacy here in the voice with his hoarse near-falsetto delivery and a few more ornamental minor chords that a man in black standard, but the chugging train-tempo snare drum lick is spot on. "I arrive through a window | I leave through a whole in the wall"Johnny Cash much? There's more intimacy here in the voice with his hoarse near-falsetto delivery and a few more ornamental minor chords that a man in black standard, but the chugging train-tempo snare drum lick is spot on. "I arrive through a window | I leave through a whole in the wall"00:03:51song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~j8txvMusicFri, 15 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800The WoWzNoI love all the falling bottle sounds in the background mixed in at the same level as the backup singers or the banjo. Perhaps in this sound is the key to their professed happiness. "I'm feeling happy today to be living | And I know that this feeling will soon go away | But I'm feeling happy today"I love all the falling bottle sounds in the background mixed in at the same level as the backup singers or the banjo. Perhaps in this sound is the key to their professed happiness. "I'm feeling happy today to be living | And I know that this feeling will soon go away | But I'm feeling happy today"00:03:09song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~g7txbMusicWed, 13 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800Wooden Wand and the Sky High BandNoIn a word: folktacular. The lyrical gymnastics tracing the genealogy of the whole daughter-mother-of-pearl family on this track is as brilliant as it is incestuous. I catch myself singing this one over and over in my head and I really should commit more of the lyrics to memory but for now it's just the hook. "God's portrait in the clouds | I am bloodthirsty no more"In a word: folktacular. The lyrical gymnastics tracing the genealogy of the whole daughter-mother-of-pearl family on this track is as brilliant as it is incestuous. I catch myself singing this one over and over in my head and I really should commit more of the lyrics to memory but for now it's just the hook. "God's portrait in the clouds | I am bloodthirsty no more"00:03:38song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~scfpqMusicMon, 11 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800MenteNoMy friend Guy tipped me off to the website of the old Boston band Mente which contains pretty much their whole catalog in MP3 form for anyone patient enough to download it track by track. The lead singer was John Murphy and this song was co-written by his then-wife Kim Deal. "We're Mente and we don't use drugs | 'Cause we plan to stick around"My friend Guy tipped me off to the website of the old Boston band Mente which contains pretty much their whole catalog in MP3 form for anyone patient enough to download it track by track. The lead singer was John Murphy and this song was co-written by his then-wife Kim Deal. "We're Mente and we don't use drugs | 'Cause we plan to stick around"00:02:58song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~b81w1MusicSat, 09 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800Best CoastNoSounds like Dressy Bessy or even The Breeders with that condenser-microphone-distortion thing going on. It's like the romantic equivalent of walking down the street and getting into the i-go-left-you-go-left i-go-right-you-go-right sidestepping confusion with someone. "You say you wanna be more than friends so I stick around | But now you're gone, so gone"Sounds like Dressy Bessy or even The Breeders with that condenser-microphone-distortion thing going on. It's like the romantic equivalent of walking down the street and getting into the i-go-left-you-go-left i-go-right-you-go-right sidestepping confusion with someone. "You say you wanna be more than friends so I stick around | But now you're gone, so gone"00:02:00song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~cgm27MusicThu, 07 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800Shapes and SizesNoDueling powertool guitar sounds over a dub sounding drum kit set. The singer wails like one of the Number One Cup guys. I dig the way all the different parts fit together without any one necessarily being identifiable as 'verse' or 'chorus'. "You've got a feeling | I've got a feeling too"Dueling powertool guitar sounds over a dub sounding drum kit set. The singer wails like one of the Number One Cup guys. I dig the way all the different parts fit together without any one necessarily being identifiable as 'verse' or 'chorus'. "You've got a feeling | I've got a feeling too"00:02:53song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~d270fMusicTue, 05 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800Blitzen TrapperNoI was going to try to get this review written before Christmas to take advantage of the word Blitzen in the name, but alas, I was too lazy this year. This is a great song full of lo-fi pop genius that make The Minders such darlings. I love the tinny keyboard sound that has a little lead part around the 1:22 mark.I was going to try to get this review written before Christmas to take advantage of the word Blitzen in the name, but alas, I was too lazy this year. This is a great song full of lo-fi pop genius that make The Minders such darlings. I love the tinny keyboard sound that has a little lead part around the 1:22 mark.00:03:17song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~mm6raMusicThu, 31 Dec 2009 08:00:00 -0800The Filthy YouthNoI really like the guitar sound on this one, and it's really given the main focus in the mix. It's a fun ska-ish track about one of my favorite colors. At least it might be. The lyrics might not be about anything at all. "You won't go where I go | You don't know like I know | And then it all turned orange"I really like the guitar sound on this one, and it's really given the main focus in the mix. It's a fun ska-ish track about one of my favorite colors. At least it might be. The lyrics might not be about anything at all. "You won't go where I go | You don't know like I know | And then it all turned orange"00:02:57song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~6fk5eMusicTue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 -0800Cymbals Eat GuitarsNoThe guitars here end up eating the cymbals in the mix, there's two or three to contend with. For the epic sound they build up to they bail out of it pretty quickly. Two verses in and done. "There is a metal divide | Between myself and this lake in New Jersey"The guitars here end up eating the cymbals in the mix, there's two or three to contend with. For the epic sound they build up to they bail out of it pretty quickly. Two verses in and done. "There is a metal divide | Between myself and this lake in New Jersey"00:02:32song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~t3su0MusicSun, 27 Dec 2009 08:00:00 -0800Sky White TigerNoI bought this CD off of the lead singer of Sky White Tiger at some peripheral CMJ event this year. He had just come from a show at a different venue and he still had an E.T./Iron Man heart light rigged up inside his white blazer that he activated a few times during our conversation.I bought this CD off of the lead singer of Sky White Tiger at some peripheral CMJ event this year. He had just come from a show at a different venue and he still had an E.T./Iron Man heart light rigged up inside his white blazer that he activated a few times during our conversation.00:03:13song, independent, musichttp://cornx2.us/~vw8jyMusicFri, 25 Dec 2009 08:00:00 -0800Sleigh BellsNoIt's a pretty simple and effective loop in the background with sweetened beats thrown on top. Alexis Krauss treads a fine line between rapping and singing the verses, which are hard to pin down as either naughty or innocent. "Wonder what your boyfriend thinks about your braces | What about them | I'm all about them"It's a pretty simple and effective loop in the background with sweetened beats thrown on top. Alexis Krauss treads a fine line between rapping and singing the verses, which are hard to pin down as either naughty or innocent. "Wonder what your boyfriend thinks about your braces | What about them | I'm all about them"00:03:47song, independent, music