Culture Greyhound

Youth Lagoon – July from Tyler T Williams on Vimeo.

Sleigh Bells – Reign of Terror
February 14

Already a contender for most awesome album title of the year, Sleigh Bells’ sophomore effort drops the same day you’ll be giving chocolates to your lady. It is sure to be loud, frenetic, and face-melting. How romantic.

The-Dream – The Love IV: Diary of a Mad Man
Release Date TBA

Instead of dropping this new LP this year, Terius Nash ran into some label disputes, so the album has been put on hold. In the meantime, to whet our appetite, he dropped a free, excellent mixtape on his site, 1977. If that release is any indication of what to expect this year from Nash, it is sure to be a worthy follow-up to the incredible Love King.

Cloud Nothings – Attack On Memory
January 24

Although I wasn’t particularly impressed with the new material in a live setting, studio versions have sounded incredibly promising. 19-year-old Dylan Baldi leads his group from their garage power pop approach to a new, darker, and more mature follow-up, destined to be one of the most interesting releases of 2012.

Air – Le Voyage Dans Le Lune
February 7

Although their last two releases have been immeasurably disappointing, I still can’t help but get psyched for this ambitious project, an album based on a silent French film made in 1902. It’s just the kind of concept one would expect from this dreamy duo; the album is slated to feature help from Au Revoir Simone and Beach House.

Future of the Left – The Plot Against Common Sense
Release Date TBA

The Mclusky offshoots have been quiet for two years, and that’s two years too long. After dropping a promising EP in November, the band’s stateside release of their third album is sure to induce massive amounts of headbanging, as well as earn the group a new handful of fans.

Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.

20. The Postal Service – Such Great Heights

My favorite Ben Gibbard album is Give Up, even amongst all those great early Death Cab masterpieces. Before the twee synth became commonplace, Gibbard took it to every first-generation iPod, car commercial, and teen soap montage (I’m looking at you, The O.C.). And of course, he did so with this song, still as beautiful as I remember it back on WOXY-FM my sophomore year of high school.

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Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.

80. The White Stripes – Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground

The opening track from White Blood Cells squeals to life, Jack White’s guitar screeching into a staple new-blues riff before Meg pounds in and all hell breaks loose.  For many, it would be the first we would hear from this Detroit duo, and first impressions have a lasting impact.  Jack and Meg needn’t worry – they certainly got our attention.

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Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.

170. Dwight Yoakam – Give Back the Key to My Heart

No question the 80’s and 90’s were the prime years for Yoakam in terms of success, but after having his turn at the spotlight, he ventured deep into the crossroads realm, taking a more traditional approach to his brand of honkey-tonk.  While most dug deeper into the cinematic country-pop Nashville world, Dwight stayed around Hollywood, acting and making indie records.  One of the highlights of his work this past decade is this Doug Sahm cover, recorded for the Imus Ranch Record in 2008; it’s just good ol’ DY doing what he does best.

Dwight Yoakam – Give Back the Key to My Heart

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