I became obsessed with Pictureplane about two years ago. I had not planned on it. It just sort of happened. His lastt album, Dark Rift, came out in August of 2009. I didn't really know what to expect. But I loved the album. It was not the kind of album that everyone would love. This guy will never be extremely popular. But he obviously loves what he is doing. And so do I. Pictureplane is Travis Egedy. He mixes up the styles of 90s dance music into his own unique sound. Imagine Radiohead mixed up with Taylor Dayne. The Girls mixed up with some Atari Teenage Riot. It is that good. Or that bad. Just depends on the listener. I just sort of figured that he wouldn't be making a second album. But I knew I would always have his first and possibly only album to go back to. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn of his new album. Lovepump United has just released Thee Physical. They also put out his last album. The artwork is simple and perfect. It could easily be the cover of a Soft Cell 12". It also reminds me of the great Ministry album With Sympathy.

                                                                                                       I didn't think that I could actually like this new album as much as I did that last album. Another one of my favorites from a couple of years ago was the debut album from The Teenagers. I am still waiting on that second album. It has been way too long. But I sort of doubt that it can really be as fantastic as that first album. I do love the new album by Pictureplane. The new album might even be a little more accessible than the last album.. It is still weird and all mixed up. But the songs seem to flow a little better. I am posting the video for "Post Physical" below. This is one of the best tracks on the album. Another one of my favorite songs on the album is "Trancegender." The song features vocals by the great Zola Jesus. If you have not already checked out the amazing albums of Zola Jesus. I suggest that you do so now. These are the kind of records I love for the summer months. They are still dark and weird. But they are also fun and dancey. This is pop music. Just not your normal pop music. I am very happy to have Pictureplane back in my life. This album is helping me get through the summer.

I first heard Seek Magic by Memory Tapes at the end of 2009. I was immediately hooked. I suddenly couldn't imagine how I had lived my life without Memory Tapes. The album was that good. At least I thought so. Combining all my favorite elements of dream pop and shoegaze and electronica. This guy knew the way to my heart. Memory Tapes created some amazingly catchy pop songs for this album. He captured an early 90s sound but somehow made it refreshing and like nothing I had ever heard. I was in love with Memory Tapes. All you need to do is listen to the song "Bicycle." You will immediately fall in love with this song. There seriously must be something wrong with you if you don't like this song. Memory Tapes is Dayve Hawke of New Jersey. He had also released music as Memory Cassette and Weird Tapes. He decided to combine the two into Memory Tapes. His new album is called Player Piano. The second album is always risky undertaking. Especially when you really like the first album. When that first album plays a big part of your life and is listened to over and over again. It is sort of scary to first check out that second album. I worry that I will not like it. I really want to like it. I respect the artist and want to like where they are going with the second album. But it doesn't always work out. Sometimes you are just never going to have that same experience with a second album. The new Memory Tapes album does not disappoint. Another one of my favorites from the last couple of years is Washed Out. I really loved that first album. But the jury is still out on the new album released this week. I like it. But not sure if I am ready to fall in love. But I am not giving up on it yet. I fell in love with the new Memory Tapes album immediately. This new is worth your valuable time. 

Pick up your very own copy of the new 7"
from Stephen Colbert & the Black Belles

Charlene II (I'm Over You)

Available on Amoeba.com (w/ free shipping in the U.S.)

and at our 3 stores while supplies last

Go get it!







Buy Charlene II (I'm Over You) 7"
by Stephen Colbert & The Black Belles

It is hard to believe that it has been over three years since the first Bon Iver album came out. For Emma, Forever Ago was released by Jagjaguwar in February of 2008. This was just a month after I moved to Los Angeles. I will be the first to admit that I did not immediately fall in love with this album. It took a while. It just didn't hit me over the head and make me fall in love with it. I l know it had this effect on many of my friends. Maybe I just wasn't ready for it. Or I was trying to resist the cult of Bon Iver for some reason. But it slowly made its way into my heart. I never didn't like it. I just didn't love it. But it did grow on me over the year and the year following. I would find myself going back to it every once in a while. And I was strangely excited for the release of his new new album. It had been a while and I was ready for more Bon Iver. I also love that everybody has a different way that they say Bon Iver. Some people say boniver like it is one word. Others say Bon Iver like Bon Jovi. It is a bit confusing. It is based on the french phrase "Bon Hiver" which means "good winter." But I guess he didn't like the H and didn't want people to mispronounce it. But he should have spelled it "Bone E Ver" since that is really how it is pronounced. I instantly fell in love with the Bon Iver cover of "I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time by Bonnie Raitt. You can find this track on the new 12" for the single Calgary. It was also on an EP that was given away with the album on release date. I never thought that Bonnie Raitt would make me fall in love with Bon Iver. But I think this is what really did it. You might first think that a Bon Iver cover of Bonnie Raitt would be amazing. But it is. I am hoping that Bonnie Raitt, who seems to be in some sort of semi retirement, also loves the cover. How can she not. Maybe this will pull her out of retirement. Maybe she will cover a Bon Iver song! Maybe she will appear with Bon Iver on SNL!