Nashville

You've probably noticed that the content has been a bit low on YAGN here lately - both Ben and I have been in the midst of moves to the Music City. YAGN is now exclusively located in Nashville! We are both really excited to be here and will have a lot of changes and exciting announcements here in the coming weeks. For now, check out this awesome video of our new hometown set to Brazos' "Day Glo".

Nashville from Derek Johnson on Vimeo.

Under The Covers With Deer Tick

I am going to follow Scott's lead with the Paul Simon cover.  Here we have Deer Tick covering Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years."  The tender song fits John McCauley's gruff voice rather well.  Enjoy.

Still Crazy After All These Years

Under The Covers With Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend)

Check out Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig's take on Paul Simon's "Papa Hobo." Originally released by Simon on his eponymous solo debut, Koenig's take remains faithful to the original. Koenig's version was released on the soundtrack to the feature film Ceremony.


Ezra Koenig - "Papa Hobo"

New My Morning Jacket Track - Circuital

Scott beat me to it by a few seconds, but I'll still leave this up for good measure.

The wait is over!  My Morning Jacket has been releasing free live tracks each week leading up to today when they released a free download of the title track from their forthcoming album Circuital.  The song clocks in at over 7 minutes and every second is perfect.  It even has a Nels Cline-esque guitar solo.  I cannot wait for the album after hearing this track if it is a sign of what is to come.  Listen to the track below and sign up with your email address to receive all of the free downloads that they released leading up to it.

Circuital

  

Album Release of the Week: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Here We Rest

Here We Rest, Isbell's 2nd official release with the 400 Unit, displays the talented songwriter and band leader's lighter side.  This former Drive-By Trucker embraces more of that Muscle Shoals soul sound that put his home on the map.  While the album's tone is lighter, fans of Isbell's darker tracks need not worry because he still tackles a few heavy issues such as drug use and unwarranted Southern love gone wrong.  Here We Rest has something for all Isbell fans and will make DBT fans proud to boot.  Check out some samples below and purchase the album HERE.

Also, check out an earlier post with the album's 1st single and standout track "Codeine" HERE.

Alabama Pines

Never Could Believe

Weekend Mix: 04.08.11

Well faithful readers, to celebrate my recent engagement to the most amazing girl in the world I have compiled a weekend mix of songs dealing with love, weddings, and the like.  I hope that you enjoy it and yes, the wedding will be in January.

Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys

Lover's Waltz - A.A. Bondy

Just To Have You - Vetiver

January Wedding - The Avett Brothers

YAGN'S March 2011 Mix

We know its a bit late (cross country moves have a way of monopolizing your time) but we are proud to release our second monthly mix! Now that Spring has officially arrived, we thought we would focus this mix on new songs that capture that spirit. The tracklist is below and link to Yousendit upload at the bottom of the page (expires next Friday). Enjoy and let us know what you think -

01 - Lighthouse - NewVillager
02 - Ten-Twenty-Ten - Generationals
03 - Gratisfaction - The Strokes
04 - Black Night - The Dodos
05 - We Will All Be Changed - Seryn
06 - The Honest Ocean - Yellowbirds
07 - Can't You Tell - Vetiver
08 - I Was Only Trying To - Lonesome Ghost
09 - Losers - The Belle Brigade
10 - You Know What I Mean - Cults
11 - Yer Spring - Hey Rosetta!
12 - Don't Break the Needle - J. Roddy Walston & The Business
13 - The Wall - Yuck
14 - Leon - Larcenist
15 - Sweet P. - Teenagers

Download YAGN'S March 2011 Mix Here (Expires 04.15.11)

YAGN Essentials: Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion

We've mentioned this Baltimore psychedelic/electro/indie/experimental band here before (1ST TIME and 2ND TIME).  Their 2009 album Merriweather Post Pavilion is the band's strongest to date and is the latest addition to YAGN's Essentials.  The band abandoned some of the piercing sounds of their earlier work to let the melodic beauty and fluidity, that has always been under the surface of their work, to take a central role on Merriweather Post Pavilion.  As mentioned in the earlier posts, I think Animal Collective is an extremely talented group that continues to wow critics and fans alike with their deeply layered compositions that leave a lasting impression whether you like it or not.

Bluish -- also check out a very trippy video for the song HERE
Taste

Wednesday Video: Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean from Fleet Foxes on Vimeo.

An awesome track and video from the latest album from Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues. 

Stream the new TV On The Radio Album

YAGN favorite TV On The Radio is releasing their latest LP on April 12 - head to Rhapsody today to stream the album in its entirety (new users must register).


Stream Nine Types of Light Here

Under The Covers With Atlas Sound

Today's Cover comes from the ubiquitous and prolific Bradford Cox, who in addition to his stellar band Deerhunter, records under the moniker Atlas Sound. Cox's cover of Bob Dylan's "This Wheel's On Fire" (made famous by The Band) is a swampy, slowed down version of the classic tune that appears on his Bedroom Databank series.

Atlas Sound - This Wheel's On Fire (Bob Dylan)

Under The Covers With The Black Keys & Heartless Bastards: Songs of Junior Kimbrough

I got into Mississippi Hill Country Blues during my freshman year of college and my feelings have not waned to this day.  Junior Kimbrough is one of the greats from the Mississippi Hill Country that passed before the true appreciation of his genius came to fruition.  Below are tributes from The Black Keys and Heartless Bastards, both Fat Possum label mates of the late great Kimbrough.  If you like what you hear, leave a comment and I can give you some recommendations of Hill Country Blues artists to check out.

My Mind Is Ramblin' - The Black Keys

Done Got Old - Heartless Bastards

Album Release of the Week: Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues

Fleet Foxes release their highly anticipated sophomore album Helplessness Blues tomorrow.  It picks up where their debut left off with their harmonized, pastoral folk.  This is a great album and seems to have a bit more pop sensibility than their 1st one that might lead to new fans for the band.  Check out 2 tracks below and buy the album tomorrow.

Helplessness Blues
Battery Kinzie

Listen to the new Felice Brothers track - Ponzi

The Felice Brothers are readying the release Celebration, Florida on May 10. Last week they released a stream of their first single "Ponzi". It's a little different from their older stuff, but I think it will grow on you. Check it out below.

The Felice Brothers "Ponzi" by fatpossum

Centro-Matic Free 24 Song Sampler

Centro-Matic hails from Denton, Texas and has been at it since 1995.  They have many LPs and EPs out there, so they were kind enough to offer a free sampler of their music with songs from each album for download via Twitter.  Below, I offer that link to you.  Who doesn't love free music straight from the band?  It is a YouSendIt link so act fast to download the file before it expires.

A fun fact -- Will Johnson, the driving force of the band, is also a member of the super group Monsters of Folk.

CENTRO-MATIC 24 SONG SAMPLER

Weekend Mix: 04.01.11

Massachusetts - Ra Ra Riot - Great song from a great band.  If you haven't been listening to Ra Ra Riot, it's time to start.

Rio - Hey Marseilles - This septet out of Seattle boasts ornate instrumentation in their orchestral brand of indie folk/pop.

Vacationing People - Foreign Born - Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear's favorite new band in 2007.  This track is from the L.A. band's last album Person to Person.

Eyesore - Women - These Canadians released their 2nd album Public Strain in 2010.  Also check out their song "Black Rice" from their debut self-titled album.  Good stuff.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Listen to Danger Mouse & Jack White Collaboration - Two Against One

Jack White's contribution to Danger Mouse and Italian composer Danielle Luppi's spaghetti-western inspired Rome.  The album is due for a May 17th release date.

YAGN Essentials: Weezer, Pinkerton

This one isn't too new, but it's a great album.  The last Weezer album to really mean anything to me (which is sad since it is just their 2nd), Pinkerton was originally panned by critics.  However, over the years it gained cult status and a deluxe version was released late last year with many outtakes, demos, and live tracks.  These days, Weezer doesn't get any play time in my house, but this album meant a lot to me in my teen years and holds a special place in my heart.

Pink Triangle

The Good Life